How Invasive Species Became a Climate Solution with Bun Lai, Miya’s Sushi

Imagine if the food on our plates could do more than nourish us, but also actively restore the planet?In this episode of Imagine If by Bluedot Living, we’re joined by Bun Lai, chef and owner of Miya’s Sushi, for a conversation at the intersection of food, climate change, and biodiversity.Raised in New Haven by parents who believed deeply that food is medicine, Bun grew up immersed in nature, foraging, fishing, and learning from a richly multicultural community. Those early experiences shaped his understanding of food as a source of health, connection, and care for both people and the planet.Bun shares how Miya’s Sushi evolved over time, including the gradual removal of unsustainable seafood like tuna, eel, and salmon, and the introduction of plant-based dishes and invasive species such as shore crabs, lionfish, and Japanese knotweed. Rather than seeing invasive species solely as an ecological threat, Bun reframes them as a creative opportunity — one that protects native ecosystems while inviting people into sustainability through flavor and curiosity.In this episode, we explore:Why food sits at the core of community, connection, and healthHow invasive species can become part of climate solutionsThe balance between grassroots action and policy changeWhat foraging teaches us about slowing down and reconnecting with natureHow cultural and ecological diversity can be healingAbout our guestBun Lai is a James Beard Award nominee and recipient of the 2016 White House Champion of Change Award for Sustainable Seafood. He is the chef and owner of Miya’s Sushi, founded by his mother in 1982 and widely recognized as the world’s first sustainable sushi restaurant.Known as “the mad scientist of the sustainable sushi movement” by The New York Times, Bun is an educator, speaker, and advocate whose work spans food, climate, and social justice. He is currently developing educational experiences, creative projects, and mission-driven food ventures focused on ecological restoration.Be part of the Bluedot Living communityAt Bluedot Living, we imagine if people were actually making progress on climate change—because they actually are. Each episode of Bluedot Living Podcast shares stories of people, policies, and projects that prove your choices matter, from micro decisions at home to macro shifts in law and industry. If you want to explore our recipes, products for your home and lifestyle, and read interesting stories, you can find us BluedotLiving.com For daily inspiration you can follow us @Bluedotliving on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluedotliving/