The Green Hour

Episode 3 | The Road to COP30 – A Series with The Nature Conservancy

Freshwater is the Amazon’s lifeblood—nourishing millions of people, sustaining diverse fisheries, and regulating global climate patterns. Yet these critical ecosystems are under mounting pressure from deforestation, pollution, and climate change.

In this third episode of our six-part series, we sit down with Flavia Rocha Loures, Global Freshwater Policy Advisor for The Nature Conservancy, and Fernanda Silva, Amazon Freshwater Fisheries Scientist.

🎧 In this episode, we explore:

- Why Amazon freshwater ecosystems are central to food security, cultural identity, and climate resilience

- The threats facing rivers, lakes, and fisheries across the region

- Policy and science-driven solutions that can safeguard these waters for generations to come

➡️ Subscribe to The Green Hour Podcast and follow the full Road to COP30 series for more in-depth conversations with global sustainability leaders. ________________________________________

About The Green Hour Podcast

The Green Hour Podcast is a global platform that connects sustainability leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to share insights on sustainable solutions. With a growing audience across six continents, The Green Hour continues to be at the forefront of global conversations on environmental action.

About The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global environmental nonprofit organization that works to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Founded in 1951 in the United States, TNC partners with local communities, governments, and private businesses to protect biodiversity and address climate change through various methods, including land purchases, conservation easements, and the promotion of sustainable practices.

Important Links

The Nature Conservancy website: https://www.nature.org/en-us/

The Green Hour Podcast website: https://thegreenhourpodcast.com/

Episode 2 | The Road to COP30 – A Series with The Nature Conservancy

Deforestation remains one of the most urgent challenges in the global fight against climate change. At the center of this crisis is the Amazon—the world’s largest rainforest and one of Latin America’s most vital ecosystems.

In this second episode of our six-part series, we sit down with José Otavio Passos, Director of the Brazilian Amazon for The Nature Conservancy, to unpack the forces driving deforestation—and the solutions that can turn the tide.

🎧 In this episode, we explore:

• The powerful economic drivers behind deforestation
• Why preserving the Amazon creates global climate and biodiversity benefits
• How the Pará Sustainable Cattle Program is transforming cattle ranching with full traceability

➡️ Subscribe to The Green Hour Podcast and follow the full Road to COP30 series for more in-depth conversations with global sustainability leaders. ________________________________________

About The Green Hour Podcast

The Green Hour Podcast is a global platform that connects sustainability leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to share insights on sustainable solutions. With a growing audience across six continents, The Green Hour continues to be at the forefront of global conversations on environmental action.

About The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global environmental nonprofit organization that works to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Founded in 1951 in the United States, TNC partners with local communities, governments, and private businesses to protect biodiversity and address climate change through various methods, including land purchases, conservation easements, and the promotion of sustainable practices.

Important Links

The Nature Conservancy website: https://www.nature.org/en-us/

The Green Hour Podcast website: https://thegreenhourpodcast.com/

Episode 1 | The Road to COP30 – A Series with The Nature Conservancy

In this first episode of our six-part series, The Road to COP30, we’re joined by:

• Paula Caballero, Regional Managing Director, Latin America, The Nature Conservancy
• Marcio Sztutman, Executive Director, Brazil, The Nature Conservancy

Together, they unpack why COP30’s return to Latin America—and specifically to the Amazon in Brazil—is such a powerful global signal. From Brazil’s role as host nation to the convergence of climate action and sustainable development, this conversation sets the stage for what’s at stake on the road to COP30.

🎧 In this episode, we explore:

• Why COP30 matters for Latin America and the world
• Brazil’s unique role in shaping climate negotiations
• The importance of Indigenous leadership and local solutions

➡️ Subscribe to The Green Hour Podcast and follow the full Road to COP30 series for more in-depth conversations with global sustainability leaders. ________________________________________

About The Green Hour Podcast

The Green Hour Podcast is a global platform that connects sustainability leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to share insights on sustainable solutions. With a growing audience across six continents, The Green Hour continues to be at the forefront of global conversations on environmental action.

About The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global environmental nonprofit organization that works to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Founded in 1951 in the United States, TNC partners with local communities, governments, and private businesses to protect biodiversity and address climate change through various methods, including land purchases, conservation easements, and the promotion of sustainable practices.

Important Links

• The Nature Conservancy website: https://www.nature.org/en-us/
• The Green Hour Podcast website: https://thegreenhourpodcast.com/
• Get a Copy of Paula Caballero's "Redefining Development: The Extraordinary Genesis of the Sustainable Development Goals": https://www.amazon.com/Redefining-Development-Extraordinary-Genesis-Sustainable/dp/1955055262

Coming August 2025 — The Road to COP30

A six-episode podcast series in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy exploring the bold ideas and on-the-ground solutions shaping Latin America’s path to COP30 in Belém, Brazil.

🎧 Episode Guide:

Episode 1: Overview of COP30 & Brazil as a Host Country

🎙️ Paula Caballero, Regional Managing Director, Latin America

🎙️ Marcio Sztutman, Executive Director, Brazil

📅 Coming August 6, 2025

Episode 2: The Role of Traceability in Combating Deforestation

🎙️ Jose Passos, Director, Amazon Region

🎙️ Josefina Vecino, Sustainable Soy Coordinator, Gran Chaco Region

📅 Coming August 13, 2025

Episode 3: Community-Led Conservation of Freshwater & Fisheries

🎙️ Flavia Rocha, Global Freshwater Policy Advisor

🎙️ Fernanda Silva, Amazon Freshwater Fisheries Scientist

📅 Coming August 20, 2025

Episode 4: Building a Sociobioeconomy in the Amazon

🎙️ Lisa Ferguson, Director, Regenerative Economies & Community Finance

📅 Coming August 27, 2025

Episode 5: Providing Access to Direct Funding to Indigenous Peoples

🎙️ Carolina Polania, Community-Based Conservation Specialist

🎙️ Fernanda Bartoloto, Climate Policy Specialist

📅 Coming September 3, 2025

Episode 6: Rethinking Carbon Markets

🎙️ Julio Giraldo, Carbon Markets Lead, Latin America

🎙️ Beatriz Machado, Senior International Climate Policy Advisor

📅 Coming September 10, 2025

🔔 Subscribe now and join us on the road to the most important climate dialogue of the year

Episode 6 | Conservation Across Africa – A Series with African Parks

In the final episode of our six-part series, we’re joined by Evan Trotzuk, Bazaruto Research & Monitoring Coordinator at African Parks, to explore efforts to protect East Africa’s last known viable dugong population.

Once widespread along the continent’s eastern coastline, dugongs are now on the brink—making Bazaruto Archipelago National Park a critical stronghold for their survival.

🎧 Tune in as we discuss:

• Why dugongs are so rare in Africa

• The ecological importance of Bazaruto

• How research and monitoring are shaping conservation strategies

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RRuJrourygs?si=L0bVHp6GprXzZ0WA

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Watch the Previous Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyjdkjacNUyHkzzoY7xd6kNLYKIxtoDmU&si=6t8zVojdl6v863Sc

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Website: https://thegreenhourpodcast.com/

African Parks: https://www.africanparks.org/

Episode 5 | Conservation Across Africa – A Series with African Parks

In this episode, we’re joined by Gwili Gibbon, Conservation Manager at African Parks to explore efforts to protect one of Africa’s most iconic and critically endangered species — the Western Lowland Gorilla. Found deep within the rainforests of Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo, this species faces immense pressure from poaching, disease, and habitat loss.

Tune in as we discuss:

🌿 The challenges of conserving gorillas in dense rainforest ecosystems

🛡️ The role of rangers and community-led protection efforts

📈 What long-term survival looks like for this elusive species

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_Gz9S_lGjlc?si=pfUoDJZMrBgGE3bS

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Watch the Previous Episodes:

Episode 1: A $1B Conservation Commitment | https://youtu.be/kLPMX0LT6e4?si=MumM1auAWAlNtDHq

Episode 2: Rewilding 2,000 Southern White Rhinos | https://youtu.be/EMt7qTEawfg?si=rLyQe95LYX9FscWX

Episode 3: The Largest Land Mammal Migration on Earth | https://youtu.be/f_UvXzZkt_8?si=t70jKDQ_yJKTmect

Episode 4: Shoebill Conservation in Bangweulu | https://youtu.be/WBlidHaoxjk?si=dBWd3NeXmvTOvbDI

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Website: https://thegreenhourpodcast.com/

African Parks: https://www.africanparks.org/

Episode 4 | Conservation Across Africa – A Series with African Parks

In this episode, we’re joined by Maggie Hirschauer, Shoebill Program Manager at African Parks, to explore one of the most fascinating and elusive birds in Africa — the Shoebill.

Found in the remote Bangweulu Wetlands of Zambia, the Shoebill is known for its prehistoric appearance, massive bill, and mysterious behavior.

We dive into:

• The Shoebill’s unique biology and behavior

• Why it’s one of the most vulnerable birds in Africa

• African Parks’ groundbreaking captive rearing program

• The critical role of local communities in conservation

Discover what it takes to protect one of Africa’s most iconic — and endangered — birds.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WBlidHaoxjk?si=VXbVsjUNgCqWVksD

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Watch the Previous Episodes:

Episode 1: A $1B Conservation Commitment | https://youtu.be/kLPMX0LT6e4?si=SYzyAxaSpHvpId63

Episode 2: Rewilding 2,000 Southern White Rhinos | https://youtu.be/EMt7qTEawfg?si=gr-QOOLanjyeg5ve

Episode 3: The Largest Land Mammal Migration on Earth | https://youtu.be/f_UvXzZkt_8?si=CRH49KtMv5jGkvWW

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Website: https://thegreenhourpodcast.com/

African Parks: https://www.africanparks.org/

Episode 3 | Conservation Across Africa – A Series with African Parks

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Fay, Landscape Coordinator at African Parks, to dive into the largest land mammal migration on Earth — the annual journey of 6 million antelope across the remote landscapes of South Sudan to Ethiopia.

Learn how this little-known migration is being studied, protected, and brought into the global spotlight.

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About The Green Hour Podcast

The Green Hour Podcast is a global platform that connects sustainability leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to share insights on sustainable solutions. With a growing audience across six continents, The Green Hour continues to be at the forefront of global conversations on environmental action.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/f_UvXzZkt_8?si=wFn-8vfrl8Wh28-o

Website: https://thegreenhourpodcast.com/

African Parks: https://www.africanparks.org/

Listen to Episode 1 of the Series: https://youtu.be/kLPMX0LT6e4?si=BisZfOPdi_iLAOj7

Listen to Episode 2 of the Series: https://youtu.be/EMt7qTEawfg?si=I0dBBkP2voAph3pv

Episode 2 | Conservation Across Africa – A Series with African Parks

In this episode, we sit down with Donovan Jooste, Rhino Rewilding Project Manager at African Parks, to explore the groundbreaking Rhino Rewild Project.

In September 2023, African Parks acquired the world’s largest captive rhino breeding operation—securing the land, equipment, and all 2,000 southern white rhinos, representing nearly 15% of the global population. Now, they’re working to rewild these rhinos and translocate them to secure, well-managed protected areas across Africa over the next decade.

🎯 Goal: Translocate up to 300 rhinos per year

🌍 Timeline: 10 years

🦏 Mission: Rewild 2,000 rhinos and restore balance to Africa’s ecosystems

Tune in to hear how this bold conservation plan is unfolding, the challenges of large-scale translocation, and what it takes to give these iconic animals a second chance in the wild.

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YouTube: https://youtu.be/EMt7qTEawfg?si=v7RR2AyNHTQA4LbO

Website: https://thegreenhourpodcast.com/

African Parks: https://www.africanparks.org/

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Listen to Episode 1 of the Series: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7AyFgQRG53BnSzVR9sVUKD?si=sB1Z7WKwT_q4JZleJbs-Yw

To kick off our new series, Conservation Across Africa – A Series with African Parks, we sit down with Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks Network.

In this episode, we explore the organization’s groundbreaking $1 billion commitment to conservation, aimed at scaling their impact across the continent. Peter shares insights into African Parks’ ambitious plan to expand from managing 23 protected areas to 30 by 2030 — a bold move to safeguard biodiversity, support local communities, and build climate resilience across Africa.

Tune in to learn how this historic investment is transforming the future of conservation at scale.

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About The Green Hour Podcast

The Green Hour Podcast is a global platform that connects sustainability leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to share insights on sustainable solutions. With a growing audience across six continents, The Green Hour continues to be at the forefront of global conversations on environmental action.

Website: https://thegreenhourpodcast.com/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/kLPMX0LT6e4?si=InniLcnwxLVPBylI

African Parks: https://www.africanparks.org/