In this episode, we meet with Jeremy Raguain. Jeremy is a Seychellois conservationist who holds a Bachelor of Social Science in International Relations and Environmental Geographical Sciences and Bachelor of Social Science in International Relations (Honors) from the University of Cape Town, a Diploma in Environmental Management from the Technical University of Dresden. He is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy at Columbia University. Jeremy is also an alumnus of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Fellowship and simultaneously served as the Seychelles Permanent Mission to the United Nations Climate Change and Ocean Advisor throughout 2022 participating in climate change and high seas negotiations. Before negotiating international environmental law on behalf of Seychelles, small island developing and African states, Jeremy worked with the Seychelles Islands Foundation for over five years coordinating the foundation’s projects - such as the Aldabra Clean-Up Project - and communications while contributing to national policy focused on climate change, biodiversity and ocean conservation, as well as environmental impact assessment. Jeremy is also a youth activist volunteering his time to the representation of young people - especially those from islands, Africa and Global South - in environmental and sustainability issues.
-We learn about the unique identity and cultural heritage of SIDS
-We explore the vulnerabilities faced by SIDS
-We learn about SIDS treaties and initiatives
Follow and connect with Jeremy: Instagram: @turtlecommuter
Check out AOSIS and their opportunities: https://www.aosis.org/
An important UN article to check out about SIDS: https://www.un.org/ohrlls/content/about-small-island-developing-states
Check out this document connecting climate change and SIDS: https://unfccc.int/resource/docs/publications/cc_sids.pdf
A podcast episode to check out: Small Islands, Big Picture: Why do small islands matter? https://open.spotify.com/episode/361tFdYc0qSQNYWeMNb1Rl?si=gASp_fguT4aexD6B0z_cqA
In this episode, we meet with Daphany Rose Sanchez. Daphany is an experienced community organizer and an expert in climate and housing. Born and raised in New York City public housing, Daphany witnessed and lived through the intersections of housing discrimination, climate divestment, and economic injustice. Her experience moved Daphany to fight for climate resiliency in the communities she grew up in, organizing neighborhoods across every borough in the city while working alongside renewable energy companies to provide people with the tools they need to reduce their energy bills and keep their homes protected from natural disasters. She graduated from NYU Tandon School of Engineering and holds a Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management from the New School.
-We learn about Daphany’s story in public housing
-We learn about addressing energy justice in energy insecure communities
-We learn about the policy and organizing to achieve energy justice
Follow and connect with Daphany on socials: Instagram: @daph_nyc_ X: @Daph_NYC_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daphanysanchez/
Check out KC3 and what they do: https://kc3.nyc/what-we-do
An important article to check out: https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/news/survey-reveals-extent-energy-insecurity-new-york-city#:~:text=More%20than%20one%20in%20four,in%20debt%20for%20energy%20costs.
Learn about how eligible households can receive energy services: https://www.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/energy-assistance.page
A podcast episode to check out: Just Energy: Energy poverty and energy insecurity with Destenie Nock https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Jpo6qwYZwUtrHgYr6DGmZ?si=WooP0oYXRj-ZPDXscih2wg
In this episode, we meet Bodhi Patil. Bodhi Patil is a UN-recognized, award-winning GenZ ocean-climate “Solutionist” dedicated to improving the interconnectedness between ocean health and human health. He is the Founder & CEO of Inner Light, empowering a generation to build resilience from the inside out for people and planetary wellbeing. He is co-creator/cofounder of Ocean Uprise and SeaDragon Studios and advises several love-based climate organizations on a mission to protect our blue planet. He has been featured by the United Nations, Forbes, Economist Impact, Wildlife Conservation Society, Oceanic Global, and has presented to world leaders at over 10 global climate conferences. Connect with him and learn more about his mission here.
Follow and connect with Bodhi on socials: Instagram: @bodhi_patil Twitter: @bodhi_patil LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bodhipatil/
Apply to the Tom's of Maine Incubator Program! https://www.tomsofmaine.com/incubator
Check out Bodhi's amazing website: https://www.innerlight.tv/
Organizations Bodhi mentioned to check out:
Ocean Uprise https://oceanuprise.com/ Sustainable Ocean Alliance https://www.soalliance.org/ Earth Echo https://www.earthecho.org/
Bodhi’s book recommendation:
Blue Mind - Dr. Wallace J. Nichols
In this episode we meet with Jaegi Lissade. Jaegi is the Partnership Coordinator of Reclypt. Jaegi is passionate about circular fashion and reducing fashion waste. She first began attending Recylpt events during Climate Week in 2022 and over the past year has evolved from participant to ambassador to now being a member of the Reclypt team! She is currently a student at Queens College studying Economics and Environmental Studies with plans to work in sustainable finance. Bearing this in mind she was wary of developing her sustainability experience in the financial sector and instead has entrenched herself in community based initiatives to develop a strong foundation of intersectional environmental justice.
We learn about circular fashion and why it’s so important We learn about the harm of microtrends and fast fashion We learn about the power of community learning and workshops
Follow and connect with Jaegi on socials: Instagram: @thisisjaegi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaegilissade/
Follow Reclypt on Instagram and check out their website: @reclypt https://www.reclypt.com
An informative article about the fashion industry to check out: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/new-york-exposing-fashion-industry-what-it-climate-nightmare
Remake is a global advocacy organization fighting for fair pay and climate justice in the clothing industry. Check them out: https://remake.world/
Check out the Fashion Act and their fight against the harmful sides of the fashion industry: https://www.thefashionact.org/
In this episode, we meet with Angely - a climate and environmental journalist from NYC. Her work is featured in national and city publications including The New York Times, The Nation, Rolling Stone, Vogue, The Guardian, and more. She focuses on primarily environmental science, environmental justice, social media, and culture. Her fact-checking work is featured in various publications like The Nation, Rest of World, Mother Jones, and Gimlet among others.
Follow and connect with Angely on socials: Instagram: @angely_mercado Twitter: @angelymercado LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelymercado/
Check out Angely’s posts on Gizmodo: https://gizmodo.com/author/angelymercado
Check out Angely’s profile on Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/angely-mercado
Check out a very important recent article written by Angely: https://gizmodo.com/hurricane-idalia-makes-landfall-in-florida-lost-power-1850786952
Check out some of the best environmental journalism stories of 2022: https://unearthed.greenpeace.org/2022/12/23/best-environmental-journalism-2022/
In this episode, we meet with Chris Desai - a world renown entrepreneur and philanthropist from humble beginnings who has made considerable contributions to the benefit and protection of this planet with the organic luxury fashion brand Vayyu, the registered charity The Vayyu Foundation and its two global projects. In this podcast episode we are focusing on UOCEAN 2050, which is a pioneering, practical, and non-profit charitable initiative of The Vayyu Foundation based in the United Kingdom with a global reach. Their primary mission is to combat river and ocean plastics and restore marine ecosystems working with minority and stigmatized communities.
Follow and connect with Chris and his companies on socials: Instagram: @uoceanproject @vayyu Twitter: @uoceanproject LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdesai/?originalSubdomain=uk
Check out the UOcean page, and see if there are places near you where you can volunteer! https://uocean.org/volunteer
Here is a great article to check out with small ways to help our oceans: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/ocean/help-our-ocean.html
Another great resource to work on cutting back on the plastics you use: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/act-for-the-ocean/plastic-pollution/what-you-can-do#:~:text=Cut%20back%20on%20single%2Duse%20plastic&text=Over%20time%2C%20these%20simple%20swaps,single%2Duse%20plastic%20sandwich%20bags. Here are additional organizations and charities to check out! https://www.americanoceans.org/blog/best-ocean-clean-up-charities/
Here’s another podcast episode to check out:
How To Protect The Ocean: Speak Up For Blue: https://open.spotify.com/show/3mE8fDuPv6OiTZ64EfIob9
In this episode, we meet with Aiyana Bodi - a senior associate at Project Drawdown. Aiyana works with corporate partners and their employees to scale climate solutions in more meaningful and impactful ways in the workplace.
Follow and connect with Aiyana on socials: Instagram: @aiyanab Twitter: @aiyanabodi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aiyana-bodi-96871383
Check out and support Project Drawdown: https://drawdown.org/
Check out Aiyanas page on the Project Drawdown site: https://drawdown.org/staff/aiyana-bodi
Learn more about the work Project Drawdown is doing by Earth.org: https://earth.org/project-drawdown/
A helpful article to check out: https://business.nextdoor.com/en-us/small-business/resources/blog/9-ways-to-make-your-business-more-eco-friendly
In this episode, we meet with Kayalin Akens-Irby - the head of growth at Planet FWD, the leading carbon management platform for consumer brands to tackle climate change. Kayalin is an impact-oriented woman who cares about trying to build a better future for everyone.
Follow and connect with Kayalin on socials: Instagram: @kayasoleia Twitter: @kayalinsoleia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayalinakensirby?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
Check out and support Planet FWD: https://www.planetfwd.com/about
Some awesome resources to check out for folks in the climate space:
Elemental: https://elementalexcelerator.com/
Emerson Collective: https://www.emersoncollective.com/
Earthshot: https://earthshotprize.org/how-the-earthshot-prize-works/
Google for startups: https://startup.google.com/programs/black-founders-fund/united-states/
Another podcast episode to check out:
Climate Tech Circle: Matt Myers https://open.spotify.com/episode/1vIbEuujCS4D8HYxkSWIMO?si=6f2ec702845442bb
In this episode, we meet with Xavier Cortada - one of Miami’s pioneer eco-artists. He works across various mediums of art to generate awareness and action around climate change, sea level rise, and biodiversity loss. Xavier is also a Professor of Practice at the University of Miami Department of Art and Art History, and Artist-in-Residence at Pinecrest Gardens, where his studio, gallery, and socially engaged art practice are based.
Follow and connect with Xavier on socials: Instagram: @xcortada Twitter: @xcortada LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cortada Check out the Xavier Cortada Foundation https://cortada.com/foundation/ Check out Xavier’s page on the University of Miami site: https://people.miami.edu/profile/e5e2e098bf7b41edc54940fb92d9d3c6 Watch Xavier’s powerful TED talk: A creative approach to community climate action: https://www.ted.com/talks/xavier_cortada_a_creative_approach_to_community_climate_action?language=en Read this helpful article on how to be a more eco-conscious artist: Going Green: Environmentally Friendly Practices for Artists: https://agifineart.com/advice/going-green-environmentally-friendly-practices-for-artists/
In this episode, we meet with Alexia Leclercq - a grassroots organizer, scholar, and artist. Alexia is the co-founder of the Colorado River Conservancy under PODER and a political education non-profit named Start: Empowerment. They have led various environmental justice campaigns from passing national climate and chemical reform legislation and fighting for clean water, to addressing aggregate mining pollution, relocating toxic tank farms, and organizing mutual aid.
Follow and connect with Alexia on socials: Instagram: @alexia.leclercq Twitter: @eeealexia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexia-leclercq
Check out and support the organizations Alexia is a part of:
PODER: https://www.poderaustin.org/
Start: Empowerment: https://www.start-empowerment.org/
Colorado River Conservancy: https://www.austincoloradoriver.org/
Read an article written by Alexia in Dec. 2022: “How Asian-Pacific Islanders Shaped Environmental Activism”:
https://atmos.earth/asian-pacific-islanders-climate-activism/
Check out the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform: https://www.yecap-ap.org/about