TalkLandscape

Women still face many systemic barriers around the world, from gender bias and marginalization to underrepresentation in decision making. But wherever there are challenges, there are women overcoming them by re-envisioning policy, economies, education and climate solutions. In episode 11 of TalkLandscape, we speak to two amazing guests from previous 8 Women celebrations and kick off GLF Women: a year long campaign calling on people to reimagine leadership and systems of care. We look at the vital role of women in climate leadership and how they are pushing positive change in their communities, countries and across the world.  A conversation with Subhra Bhattacharjee, director general at FSC International, and Eva ‘Kandi’ Makandi, founder of environmental organization Light on a Hill (LOAH).More information here: https://thinklandscape.globallandscapesforum.org/102960/what-does-climate-leadership-mean-for-women/

The world’s oceans are vast, and more than half are outside the jurisdiction of any one country. These so-called ‘high seas’ are vitally important to the environment, biodiversity and global economy, but they face a growing number of threats. The United Nations has introduced a landmark treaty to safeguard them – but what will it do and is it enough? In episode 10 of TalkLandscape, we explore the high seas, including: why they’re much more important than you might think some of the threats they face, from deadly ships to deep sea mining and what’s being done to save them. We’ll speak with Mariamalia Rodriguez Chaves, attorney for the Interamerican Association for Environmental Defence Ocean Program, Wassim Dbouk, a marine and maritime policy research fellow at the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute, University of Southampton, and Elissama Menezes, co-founder and director at Equal Routes.

Can genetic engineering save an endangered species – or bring back one that is already extinct? Is it safe to figure this out by experimenting in the field?In episode 9 of TalkLandscape, we explore the world of synthetic biology in conservation.Synthetic biology is a cutting-edge science that looks at how biological organisms can be modified or created, especially through the use of genetic engineering.In this episode, we look at what synthetic biology is being used for in conservation, the risks it could pose to ecosystems and biodiversity, and how experts are weighing up its pros and cons in the fight to save nature.Join us for a conversation with Franziska Achterberg, head of policy at Save our Seeds, Stefano Daza Arango, manager of conservation partnerships at the Colossal Foundation, and Maria Julia Oliva, who served as co-chair of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) working group tasked with developing the first-ever global policy on synthetic biology in relation to nature conservation.More information can be found here: https://thinklandscape.globallandscapesforum.org/101226/can-synthetic-biology-save-nature/

Let’s talk about how we talk about the climate crisis. In an era when disinformation spreads rapidly across social media, much of it generated by AI, we need to unpack how climate narratives are created.In the increasingly contested field of climate communication, whose voices are being heard or silenced? And who – or what – gets to decide what stories land in your social feeds?In episode 8 of TalkLandscape, we look at how conversations around climate and sustainability are shaped by social media and AI technologies, and how creators are rising to the challenge of fighting disinformation and uncovering authentic stories from the frontlines of climate action.With Chris Wells, Estêvão Ciavatta and Natalia FigueiredoFor more information, visit: thinklandscape.globallandscapesforum.org

Forests are homes, climate regulators and sources of food, water and cultural value. But can they also spearhead an economic transformation that protects livelihoods and the environment at the same time? In episode 7 of TalkLandscape, find out how communities are managing forests sustainably – turning them into a source of sustainable livelihoods and ecosystem resilience. Discover the forest bioeconomy in the Mediterranean and beyond, from community-based forest management and forest wood supply chains to ecosystem services beyond timber and innovative financial mechanisms that reward forest stewards. Join us as we discover how we can create thriving forest-based economies through sustainable forest management, community engagement and forest finance. TalkLandscape with Beria Leimona, Toni Ventre and Abdelkrim MarzoukFor more information, visit: thinklandscape.globallandscapesforum.org

Your grocery bills keep climbing, your favorite park isn’t what it used to be and small talk about the weather keeps turning into anxious conversation about the state of the planet. In short, you’re feeling the effects of the climate crisis, biodiversity loss and land degradation. But the high-level conferences designed to tackle these crises – like the upcoming COP30 climate conference in Brazil – can feel like they’re on another planet, far from the everyday lives of the people whose future is affected by the outcomes. In episode 6 of TalkLandscape, we explore how international talks connect to action on the ground, unpack the key topics to watch for at COP30 and learn how the climate crisis, biodiversity and land degradation are connected through the three Rio Conventions. With guests Benjamín Carvajal, Brian Kithinji and Alokita Jha.For more information, visit: thinklandscape.globallandscapesforum.org

When was the last time you truly marveled at a swamp? Or felt grateful for the soggy marshes in your town?  These aquatic landscapes are wetland ecosystems, and while they might be often overlooked, they are nature’s quiet superheroes: filtering our water, sheltering biodiversity, capturing carbon and even protecting communities from storms and floods. But although these ecosystems are increasingly being recognized for the benefits they provide, they’re also being lost or degraded faster than we can protect them. In fact, wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests. Some of their biggest threats include urban expansion, pollution and the climate crisis. And yet, as extreme weather becomes increasingly common, and cities face growing flood risks, we need wetlands to mitigate these threats more than ever. So, how can we protect our planet’s ‘kidneys’? In episode 4 of TalkLandscape, we get the inside scoop from the frontlines of wetland conservation and restoration. From Indigenous-led restoration projects to nature-based urban planning, we explore how communities worldwide are working with wetlands to build resilience. For more information, visit: thinklandscape.globallandscapesforum.org

Africa is incredibly rich in natural resources – from lush forests and fertile soils to a third of the world’s biodiversity. But this natural wealth is as vast as it is vulnerable. The impacts of the climate crisis are intensifying across the continent. Unpredictable rainfall, land degradation and extreme temperatures pose growing threats to those who depend on these resources. This reality, combined with global cuts to aid and Africa’s unique demographics – with nearly half of the continent’s population under the age of 20 – calls for bold ideas to create long-term opportunities. How can we reverse this trend and build a cycle of prosperity by working with nature rather than against it? Can Africa lead the world in protecting its ecosystems, while also creating millions of green jobs and livelihoods? In Episode 3 of TalkLandscape, we explore how to redefine prosperity and build resilient communities through ecosystem restoration, environmental conservation and local innovation. From youth-led restoration initiatives to policy shifts and community-led economic models, we chat with experts on how we can open pathways that make both people and nature thrive. Join us on for a conversation with Sydner Kemunto, 2025 Dryland Restoration Steward, Nadia Sitas, ecosystem-based adaptation thematic lead for the Climate & Development Knowledge Network at SouthSouthNorth, and Kofi Akamani, professor of forest recreation and conservation social science in the Department of Forestry at Southern Illinois University.For more information, visit: thinklandscape.globallandscapesforum.org

Every year, somewhere in the world, something is burning.They’re becoming a yearly reality for people in rural and urban areas across the globe – with devastating effects. This crisis is both widespread and deeply personal.In Episode 2 of TalkLandscape, we explore how to shift from reactive to resilient, from fire suppression to fire prevention – combining traditional knowledge, scientific research and local leadership.  We look at how communities can not only become more resilient in the face of extreme fires but also restore their landscapes and reduce future fire risks. Join the conversation with André Guimarães, executive director of IPAM Amazônia, Sarasi Silvester Sinurat, coordinator of GLFx Kalimantan, and Rachael Cavanagh, cultural fire keeper and Indigenous knowledge consultant at Balun Budjabin Consulting. For more information, visit: thinklandscape.globallandscapesforum.org

Our lives wouldn’t be the same without forests. They purify air, capture carbon, and provide innumerable ecosystem services worldwide.But forest ecosystems do more than regulate our global climate – they also offer major benefits to our personal and collective well-being.But how can we harness the benefits of forests if we can’t get to them? More than half of the world’s population lives in cities, and that is set to increase by almost 600 million by 2030.In other words, not everyone has easy access to forests.In the first episode of our brand-new show, TalkLandscape, explore how forests benefit our wellbeing and mental health, and discover how urban forests can contribute to creating a healthier future.We're joined by Preecha Ongprasert, chair of the Regional Model Forest Network for Asia, Tara Tiger Brown, a PhD candidate in forestry from the University of British Columbia, and Diwigdi Valiente, founder of Bodhi Hostels and a climate activist from Panama.Got a hot take on how we can live in greater harmony with forests? Share it on social media using #TalkLandscape.For more information, visit: thinklandscape.globallandscapesforum.org