Sometimes, working in conservation can be tough, demoralizing, and frustrating. One of the reasons I started this podcast was (admittedly) to do some group therapy with other conservationists who are just as worried and depressed about the downward spiral the entire planet seems unable to pull out of. Every day, there seems to be a new study out about how much (or little) time we have left to fix climate change and the ever-accelerating rate of biodiversity loss.

Whenever one of these reports come out, I usually end up on the phone, with a glass of whisky, talking to one of my best friends, David. We have similar jobs and often end up venting to each other. Inevitably, the question always comes up: what’s the point of this? If the world is collapsing and we’re all gonna die, then what’s the point of even trying?

It’s a fair question, and one many of us either deal with or (as my Midwestern heritage taught me to do) suppress and ignore. Regardless, David and I have talked about this question a lot over the years, and I think we land in a good place: one that’s realistic, yet optimistic. Pour yourself a drink and join us for episode one of Whisky and Conservation.

Cheers!