Climate Connections

A new study has found that ocean acidity may have prevented life on Earth from developing for the planet's first 500 million years.  On this episode of Climate Connections, its study lead, Dr Guo Meng from the Asian School of the Environment at NTU weighs in on how ocean pH has evolved from our early days and the research by her team of scientists, on developing the most comprehensive Earth system model to date that is shedding new light on the critical role of ocean pH levels in the emergence of early life. Her efforts so far, have given scientists a new perspective on when Earth likely became a habitable place some 4 billion years ago. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Emaad AkhtarPhoto credits: University of Richmond; AP/Richard DrewMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the years, scientists have linked climate change to rising sea levels, extreme weather and melting polar ice caps. But as the mercury rises, urban rat populations too are increasing. In the first research of its kind, scientists found that 11 of 16 cities studied had significant increasing trends in rat numbers, including Washington DC, New York, and Amsterdam. While the new study sheds light on the forces that may influence urban rat populations, cities remain highly complex environments. On this episode of Climate Connections, Dr Jonathan Richardson, Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Richmond, who led the research, shares his insights. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Audrey SiekPhoto credits: University of Richmond; AP/Richard DrewMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fungi represent an entire kingdom of life on Earth. In fact, millions of species of fungi share our space on this planet. And since soil contains more than three times as much carbon as the atmosphere, what fungi do in the soil could dramatically affect climate change. One group of fungi in particular - the mycorrhizal fungi - are quietly, but surely, doing us a huge climate favour behind-the-scenes, or in their case, underground. These fungi help forests absorb CO2 pollution, which can in turn contribute to delaying the effects of climate change. But, how has the effects of climate change impacted mycorrhizal fungi and can such fungi be restored in degraded parts of forests and cities? On this episode of Climate Connections, Jennifer Bhatnagar, Associate Professor of Biology at Boston University, who has been studying fungi, shares her insights. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Emaad AkhtarPhoto credits: CID Bio-ScienceMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The soil beneath our feet is often forgotten and sometimes thought to be limitless and indestructible. But in fact, soil is key to feeding people, and in preserving the planet we live in.  However, data by the Food and Agricultural Organisation shows that over 33% of soils worldwide are already degraded, and if nothing is done to preserve it, a shocking 90% of the world’s soil will be degraded by 2050. On this episode of Climate Connections, Rattan Lal, Distinguished University Professor of Soil Science, The Ohio State University - shares the secrets of the humble soil, which he dedicated over five decades to study, and what can be done to conserve and restore this precious resource. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Audrey SiekPhoto credits: Ohio State Alumni Magazine, Rattan Lal Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Species all over the world are declining at harrowing rates - driven by a mix of factors such as climate change and other human activities. But, there’s a bright light on the horizon. WWF's latest report reveals that 234 new species were discovered by scientists in the Greater Mekong region back in 2023, including 173 species of vascular plants, 26 reptiles, 17 amphibians, 15 fishes and three mammals.  On this episode of Climate Connections, Uma Sachidhanandam, Director of Conservation & Science, WWF-Singapore explains what such discoveries mean for the Mekong region, how they’re named thereafter, and why the means through which some of these species are found reveal a more sinister plight. She also shares which three are her personal favourites! Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Emaad AkhtarPhoto credits: WWF-Singapore, Truong Ba Vuong, Parinya Pawangkhanant Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To protect our planet - meeting the global ‘30 by 30’ target of safeguarding 30% of oceans by 2030 is crucial. But that will not be possible without effective enforcement of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing - or IUU fishing - accounts for one of every five wild-caught fish. In fact, experts estimate that between 10 to 26 million tons of IUU-caught fish is taken out of our oceans each year, which equates to nearly 20 percent of the global reported catch. This is contributing to the decline of certain species, which affects not just small-scale fishers, who make up 90% of the world's fishing workforce, but also jeopardises the survival of other marine species that depend on these fish species. It has since been close to two years since the historic High Seas Treaty was signed in New York, a treaty that would allow the establishment of MPAs and other conservation efforts on the high seas - ocean areas that exist outside national borders and have previously never had a legal mechanism to cover them. Yet, many countries struggle to make these protections a reality, even with the establishment of the High Seas Treaty.  On this episode of Climate Connections, Meaghan Brosnan, CEO of WildAid - a global non-profit organisation that is scaling marine enforcement to end illegal fishing and strengthen ocean conservation - shares her perspectives. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Audrey SiekPhoto credits: The Earthshot PrizeMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leatherback sea turtles are classified by the IUCN as Vulnerable on a global level, but their subpopulation in the Western Pacific are faring far worse than others. According to scientists, that population has declined to just 1,400 breeding adults, leaving them critically endangered. At the forefront of those efforts is The Nature Conservancy, which is partnering with the Solomon Islands government to gather data from critical nesting beaches in Isabel Province, with funding from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). And although strict gender roles dictate much of Melanesian culture, TNC is slowly shifting the tides at Solomon Islands through the recruitment of women rangers. On this episode of Climate Connections, Pete Waldie, Solomon Islands Program Director of The Nature Conservancy shares his first-hand insights. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Emaad AkhtarPhoto credits: The Nature ConservancyMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the last three decades, deforestation has led to a 40% reduction in forest cover in Indonesia. Mangroves, one of the most essential ecosystems for coastal communities, have taken the fall in particular, with excessive logging activities reducing the seawater-tolerant species along coastlines. Scientists say, the consequences of that could be dire as mangroves provide shelter, food and improve water nutrient levels for marine life. On this episode of Climate Connections, Dr Gretchen Coffman, Wetland Restoration Ecologist & Senior Lecturer, NUS, who is leading community-based restoration and research efforts within the mangrove ecosystems around Lombok, Indonesia, shares her insights. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Audrey SiekPhoto credits: NUSMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ocean holds clues to past civilisations and cultures, provides a rich resource for new medicines and treatments, but more importantly, is home to millions of undiscovered species. Ocean scientists around the world have been seeking to unlock its secrets, but only just over 20% of the ocean floor is mapped. What lives, feeds and breeds down there in the icy depths remains a huge mystery. Large-scale extraction of ocean species like cod, herring, tuna, swordfish and halibut, has brought the collapse of these wild populations by about 90% in just the last few decades. But, a new wave of understanding about why the ocean matters is bringing a glimmer of hope. On this episode of Climate Connections, Dr Sylvia Earle, Founder of Mission Blue & National Geographic Society Explorer in Residence - who has dedicated her life to explore, study and protect the oceans - shares first-hand insights on her dives into the deep blue and why exploration is an important step in educating the masses.  She also dives into what she’s hoping to achieve when she leads Ocean Geographic’s BIG ACE Expedition to ground-zero of the climate crisis: the Arctic, in line with her 90th birthday next year (2025).  Special thanks to Ocean Geographic.  Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Emaad AkhtarPhoto credits: Michael Aw / Ocean GeographicMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you use your things for what they are worth before throwing it out? With a lot more focus placed on fighting the effects of climate change, the pace at which we’re using our planet’s resources has also come into the spotlight. According to the World Economic Forum, high-income countries use about six times more materials per capita and are responsible for 10 times more climate impacts per capita than low-income countries. So, how can overconsumption be curbed more effectively? And are you underconsuming what you have? On this episode of Climate Connections, Cheang Kok Chung, Executive Director, Singapore Environment Council and Michelle Lee, Associate Professor of Marketing (Education), Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Singapore Management University weigh in on how attitudes towards consumption are changing, and what consumers and businesses can do to play their part.  Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Emaad AkhtarPhoto credits: Earth.com, pixabay & its talented community of contributorsMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vultures are often misunderstood and feared as they are often pictured tearing the remains from rotting carcasses. But as nature’s critical clean-up crew, vultures play a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of ecosystems and are intrinsically linked to human health. Evolved to be scavengers, they curb the spread of dangerous diseases like anthrax and cholera by consuming fresh carcasses riddled with potential pathogens and bacteria. Poisoned, poached, electrocuted and edged out of their habitat, vultures are no safer above ground than on it. These highly intelligent birds are treading a very thin line between existence and extinction. However, the Cambodia Vulture Working Group’s recent report reveals significant progress in the conservation of three Critically Endangered vulture species: the White-rumped Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture, and Red-headed Vulture. In June 2023, the Minimum Population Estimate was recorded at 132 vultures across the three species, marking a stabilising trend after years of decline. On this episode of Climate Connections, Oliver Gray-Read, Technical Advisor at NatureLife Cambodia, who has vultures deeply intertwined into the work he does, particularly in Cambodia - where the group has re-introduced the “vulture restaurant” initiative, which helps provide Cambodia’s vulture population with supplementary food to mitigate food shortages and allows for accurate population monitoring. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Emaad AkhtarPhoto credits: NatureLife CambodiaMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Atlantic hurricane that formed this year had higher wind speeds because of climate change. In fact, scientists found that the extra juice from warmer-than-average ocean temperatures pushed seven storms at least one category higher than they would have been without the influence of climate change. That’s according to a recent study by researchers from the climate science and communications nonprofit Climate Central, warning of the dangers of intensifying hurricanes in a warmer world. On this episode of Climate Connections, Professor of Atmospheric Science at the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change, Kerry Emanuel, who pioneered potential intensity measurements shares his insights on storm strength that he predicted would happen over 30 years ago, and worries that scientists like him have. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Emaad AkhtarPhoto credits: NASAMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coral reefs have long been regarded as one of the earliest and most significant ecological casualties of global warming. And as ocean temperatures continue to rise, mass bleaching and die-offs have gone from being rare to a somewhat regular occurrence. Aside from climatic changes, human activities are no doubt damaging reefs beyond repair. Overfishing, pollution and coastal development are at the top of the list of chronic stressors. And meanwhile, reefs are also dredged or sandblasted for their limestone or to improve access and navigational safety in some areas.  On this episode of Climate Connections, Vriko Yu, CEO of Archireef shares her personal story of witnessing the disappearance of a small patch of coral community in just two months during her research project and how that led to the founding of her climate tech venture that’s working to restore fragile marine ecosystems by using 3D printing technology and some good old-fashioned terracotta.  Archireef, which was founded in 2020, made the Forbes 100 To Watch List in 2023. Vriko was also recognised as a Top Innovator at the 2023 World Economic Forum in Davos. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Audrey SiekPhoto credits: ArchireefMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2024 is "virtually certain" to be the hottest on record. In recent months, the world has seen back-to-back hurricanes, catastrophic flooding, devastating typhoons and severe drought. It is against this backdrop that global leaders gather at the COP29 UN climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, where a draft text of the new climate finance target was published. The finance agreement - also known as the New Collective Quantified Goal - would apply when the current US$100bn per annum target ends in 2025, and will be crucial for scaling up finance for climate action around the world. With more than a week of talks ahead, the final outcome is still uncertain. However, the text contains many options still under consideration, as world leaders and negotiators work out a new financial target to support developing countries in their climate actions post-2025. On this episode of Climate Connections, Sophie Sirtaine, CEO of CGAP - an international partnership housed in the World Bank Group, dedicated to promoting inclusive financial ecosystems - weighs in on what’s at stake. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Audrey SiekPhoto credits: Unsplash/Atul PandeyMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Until now, geologists have been divided as to whether this superdeep, superhot resource can be tapped. Rock under high temperature and pressures - more than 373 degrees Celsius and 220 bars of pressure - is ductile, or gooey, as opposed to a smashable stone from your backyard.  So far, data shows that rock that fractures at superhot conditions can be ten times more permeable than rock that fractures at conditions closer to the Earth’s surface, and can also deform more readily.  Scientists have found that in the Taupō Volcanic Zone, supercritical conditions are as shallow as 4 km, making it one of the rare places in the world where supercritical development is both accessible and technically feasible. So far, only Iceland, Japan, the United States and Kenya have successfully drilled superhot wells.  On today’s Climate Connections, Sheena Thomas, Interim General Manager Research Strategy and Partnership from GNS Science shares her insights on the economic potential and viability of superhot geothermal in New Zealand, and why proper environmental impact studies and collaborations with local indigenous Maori communities are absolutely critical in ensuring minimal environmental impact. She’s also a speaker at the Singapore International Energy Week this year. GNS Science is leading a multi-year research programme 'Geothermal: The Next Generation’ - to investigate New Zealand’s ‘supercritical’ (high temperature/superhot) geothermal conditions and evaluating the economic opportunity for supercritical geothermal heat and electricity generation in New Zealand. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Audrey SiekPhoto credits: GNS ScienceMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Algae are microscopic organisms that live in aquatic habitats and they use photosynthesis to produce energy from sunlight, just like plants. So far, there are over 50,000 species of living algae documented currently. And one thing that people sometimes forget is that algae are the base of many food webs and are an integral part of a healthy aquatic ecosystem. But, algae can also grow out of control if the water around them contains too many nutrients, resulting in harmful algal blooms. And did you know that toxins from these harmful algal blooms could get kicked up into the air as airborne algae?  With the focus on climate change growing, scientists are continuing to document the effects of climate change on algae, and how airborne algae in turn interact with our environment. On this episode of Climate Connections, Mickey Rogers, Pauling Fellow and Chemist, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, who is researching airborne algae and its impact on atmospheric processing, shares her insights. She's currently also developing new methods of aerosol generation and online gas flux monitoring of biological cells including acoustic levitation of small particles. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Audrey SiekPhoto credits: Mickey Rogers / Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Industrial waste makes up at least 50% of waste generated globally. And much of that waste is the result of poor quality products from manufacturing processes, as well as the sheer complexity of manufacturing and supply chain management.  As consumer awareness about the environmental impacts of waste increases, recycling is expected to grow considerably in the coming years. By 2032, the global waste recycling services market is forecast to have surpassed a value of US$90 billion, registering a compound annual growth rate of 4.7 percent during the forecast period 2023 to 2032. But cost is often an issue. So, what can be done to scale up recycling within industries? On this episode of Climate Connections, Susie Burrage, President, Bureau of International Recycling, who will be actively involved in the World Recycling Convention, held in Singapore from 28th to 29th October, shares her perspectives of being a fourth-generation recycler. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Audrey SiekPhoto & music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nature films tell the stories of the world's flora, fauna, and landscapes - often a journey into the secret lives of what exists around us. These stunning visual tales show us how we are interconnected with nature in many ways. This, in turn, allows us to better understand the current conversations about climate change, sustainability and biodiversity, and put us in a better position to be agents of hope and change. That’s exactly what the inaugural ‘Earth in Focus’ Singapore Nature Film Festival 2024 hopes to achieve. Running from 1st to 3rd November this year, the festival will showcase local and international films, photography and ecological art exhibitions, as well as workshops run by conservation NGOs - covering a wide range of conservation topics, from ocean and land conservation to water scarcity and technology for conservation. On this episode of Climate Connections, Daphne Ong, Conservationist & Festival Director of Earth In Focus, and Andy Ridley, CEO of Citizens of the Reef & Co-founder, Earth Hour share their insights ahead of the festival. Find out more about Earth In Focus and register for film screenings and workshops here: https://www.earthinfocus.co/festival-happenings Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Audrey SiekPhoto credits: Earth In FocusMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nature is our life support system, but right now, it’s in trouble. WWF’s latest Living Planet Report reveals that the average size of wildlife populations have declined by a staggering 73% since 1970, providing a stark warning “that the world is fast approaching dangerous tipping points”.  Habitat loss and degradation, driven primarily by our food system is the most reported threat to wildlife populations, followed by overexploitation, invasive species and disease.  With Australia’s role as a regional food supplier growing in importance as global food demand surges, an Australian farmer-owned mutual - Regen Farmers Mutual - is working hard at giving landowners greater access to the growing environmental goods and services markets as the world transitions to net zero. More than 80 farmers, conservationists and landcarers behind Regen Farmers Mutual have designed a new brokerage model to reduce transaction costs and enable farmers to aggregate their market power to sell environmental services. They are raising $51 million from mining and energy players to fund a series of regenerative farming projects. The mutual has agreed to $100 per unit for the first 1,000 of 18,500 available carbon credits across 750 hectares of land. On this episode of Climate Connections, Rohan Clarke, Co-director, Regen Farmers Mutual shares how they’re tapping on carbon markets and regenerative farming to preserve their lands. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Emaad AkhtarPhoto credits: Regen Farmers MutualMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About 180,000 chimpanzees, gorillas and bonobos could be directly or indirectly threatened by current and future mining projects for these transition metals, particularly in West Africa. With the world focusing its attention on clean energy transition, a boom in African mining activity is expected as critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel and cobalt are needed for clean energy technologies such as wind turbines and electric cars. This surge in demand is driving destruction of tropical rainforests which are critical habitats for Africa’s great apes. In a recent study, researcher Jessica Junker and a team of scientists found that the overlap between mining exploration and preparation areas and important ape habitats was particularly high in West Africa, especially Guinea. On this episode of Climate Connections, lead author of the study, Jessica Junker, Researcher, Re:wild shares her insights on the delicate balance.  Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Emaad AkhtarPhoto credits: Re:wildMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Solar power saw a boom in 2023, making it the fastest growing source of electricity generation for the 19th year running. This comes as countries around the world push for a transition towards greener sources of energy. Australia has given the go-ahead for a A$20 billion (US$13.5 billion) solar project that plans to ship energy from a giant solar farm in the country's north to Singapore through a 4,300 km undersea cable. The approval comes with strict conditions to protect nature and the project must avoid the habitat of greater bilby, which are small rabbit-like marsupials with long floppy ears. A final investment decision is expected in 2027. If eventually approved, the project aims to deliver up to 6 gigawatts of green electricity to large-scale industrial customers in Darwin, the capital city of Australia's Northern Territory, and in Singapore. But how challenging are such large scale energy projects and are cross-border collaborations the most important key to renewable energy adoption? On this episode of Climate Connections, Hanwei Wu, Editorial Director, OPIS shares his insights. He heads the Asia-Pacific team in producing price assessments and proprietary data for the oil, petrochemical, renewables and carbon markets. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Audrey SiekPhoto credits: SunCableMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite being highly threatened, only a few langur populations have been studied in detail, owing to their elusive nature, arboreality and the challenging terrains where they inhabit. As a result, conservation of these species has been challenging. Over 85 per cent of Asian langurs are threatened with extinction, making them one of the continent’s most threatened primate groups.  A new landmark Asian langurs (Presbytis) Conservation Action Plan 2024-2034, combining the efforts of international primate experts and conservationists, has just been launched, in a bid to galvanise conservation for Asian langurs across Southeast Asia. On this episode of Climate Connections, lead of the initiative, Dr Andie Ang, Head, Primate Conservation & Singapore Programmes, Mandai Nature shares her first-hand insights on putting together the conservation plan and her experience out in the field. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Emaad AkhtarPhoto credits: Andie AngMusic/Sound credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors, Ecology Asia| Sophia Sak BakerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Platinum group metals (PGM) - a group of precious metals - such as platinum, palladium and rhodium, are traditionally recovered through underground and open pit mining within a linear economy, where the ore is mined, transformed into products and then disposed of as waste at the end of their lives. These metals are often used in catalytic converters for cars, buses, trucks, and other industrial processes.  However, the process of mining for these precious metals could directly or indirectly lead to environmental impacts including deforestation, water pollution, and habitat destruction. With the aim of creating a circular economy while fulfilling the high demand for these finite precious resources in a sustainable way - one company called BR Metals is recovering these metals from metal scraps and reintroducing them into the supply chain. On this episode of Climate Connections, Frank Chen, Founder & Managing Director, BR Metals shares more about how his company is recovering precious metals from car scraps and his latest ventures into the gold and silver space. BR Metals was also crowned Champion in the Business For Good category at this year’s Brands for Good Awards. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Audrey SiekPhoto credits: BR MetalsMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C  - as called for in the Paris Agreement - emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. But as the days pass, the world is staring at a growing emissions gap.  Back in 2021, Speed & Scale - a global initiative aimed at pushing leaders to act on the climate crisis - built a plan based on 10 objectives, each with its own set of milestones, or “key results” - to zero out the world’s 59 gigatons of annual greenhouse gas emissions, before it’s too late.  And just recently, Speed & Scale released a global progress report, tracking where the world is making good headway on the road to net zero and where it’s lagging. Most importantly, it points to where we need to go from here in the transition to clean energy, in scaling renewables and cleantech and also in phasing out fossil fuels.  On this episode of Climate Connections, Anjali Grover, Managing Director, Speed & Scale shares more about their blueprint, challenges in tracking some key areas and strategies that can be undertaken to push the world ahead.  Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Emaad AkhtarPhoto credits: Speed & ScaleMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore could be at risk of a tsunami, if an undersea volcano in its neighbouring region erupts. Globally, tens of thousands of submerged volcanoes lurk beneath the ocean's surface, often going unnoticed and are vastly understudied.  With the help of published data sets and sea-floor topography information, new research has revealed that there are some 466 submarine volcanoes in the waters of Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.  Scientists say in the event of an undersea volcanic eruption, volcanic ash can blow towards Singapore, blanketing the surface with fine ash, similar to an eruption of a land-based volcano. Additionally, lava flows and volcanic rock avalanches can damage undersea cables in the region, causing internet outages and disrupting financial transactions. On this episode of Climate Connections, Dr Andrea Verolino, Research Fellow from the Earth Observatory of Singapore at NTU elaborates on his study aimed at uncovering the secrets these submarine volcanoes hold within. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Audrey SiekPhoto credits: NTUMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors & news.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Like other sea turtles, hawksbill turtles are critically endangered due to the loss of nesting and feeding habitats, excessive egg collection, fishery-related mortality, pollution and coastal development. Currently, hawksbill turtles are protected by international agreements like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Convention on Migratory Species. This level of international cooperation is essential to the conservation of hawksbills given their wide geographic range. In Singapore, a small few hawksbill turtles return to the shores during the nesting season between May and October every year. After hatching, these turtles essentially run as quickly as they can to the ocean before a predator can eat them, and then, they are “lost”. Lost, that is, as most would not see them again until they return as juveniles and subadults to their birth shores several years later. That gap of time is called the lost years and has proven to be a challenging life stage to study. On this episode of Climate Connections, hawksbill turtles researchers Assistant Professor Kim Hie Lim from NTU’s Asian School of the Environment and Regine Tiong, PhD student at NTU share more about their DNA study that’s set to uncover some of the secrets behind lineages of hawksbill turtles that visit Singapore's shores and where they go to nest and forage after hatching. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Emaad AkhtarPhoto credits: Asian Geographic / NTUMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors & Smithsonian Channel YouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new environmental movement is gathering pace: “Nature Positive”. The concept of "Nature Positive" envisages a planet where the current rapid loss of biodiversity is halted and reversed, and nature is restored. Since the term was coined in 2020 amid negotiations for the Global Biodiversity Framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity, world leaders, businesses and civil society have rallied behind the ambition. With calls for action growing stronger, there’s an increasing recognition that reversing biodiversity is critical for combating the global climate crisis, preventing future pandemics of zoonotic origin, addressing water and food insecurity, as well as supporting sustainable and equitable development. In December 2022, the goal of halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 was codified in the mission of the landmark Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Its adoption under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity has been described as the ‘Paris moment’ for nature.  However, experts warn that vigilance is needed to prevent the concept of a Nature Positive world being threatened by greenwashing, with some pledges lacking the rigorous scientific framework needed to achieve real impacts. On this episode of Climate Connections, Professor Lawrence Loh, Director of the Centre for Governance and Sustainability at NUS Business School shares his insights on nature positivity and what companies should consider in order to avoid falling into the greenwashing trap. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Emaad AkhtarPhoto credits: Nature Positive InitiativeMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Singapore meet its “30 by 30” food sustainability goal? With the passing of the five-year mark since that goal was set - this question has been cast into the spotlight, following a series of delays, failures or re-configurations of high-tech farms of late. It hasn’t been easy for local producers, with indoor vegetable farm I.F.F.I shutting down, and VertiVegies abandoning plans to build a mega vertical vegetable farm - both of which had been awarded funding under the government’s 30 by 30 express grant. Other agri-food casualties include aquaculture, with the Barramundi Group ceasing sea bass farming, and novel protein, in particular with the cultivated meat industry seemingly in limbo. Despite those shake-ups, farmers and relevant stakeholders are still hard at work in pushing the little red dot towards its goal of producing 30% of its nutritional needs locally by 2030. On this episode of Climate Connections, we explore the issue with a range of stakeholders, including:  - Ma Chin Chew, CEO of N&N Agriculture, a local egg farm that has successfully tapped on technology to scale up its productions, and improve its yield and sustainability.  - Ken Cheong, CEO of Singapore Agro-Food Enterprises Federation (SAFEF), who dives into consumer demand trends, and how SAFEF is working hand-in-hand with local farmers to get their produce on the shelves and stay competitive. - Andy Chang, Director, Fresh and Frozen, FairPrice Group, who sheds light on what drives consumer choices in today's context, and what local farmers need in order to stay ahead of the game from a retail perspective. Special thanks to the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Audrey SiekPhoto credits: SFA websiteMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back in historical times, volcanoes played a crucial role in the evolution of the planet and early life, and are constantly reshaping the morphology of Planet Earth.  Today, about 500 active volcanoes presently exist on the Earth’s surface, with some 50 erupting each year, and more than 800 million people living within 100 kilometres (60 miles) of an active volcano. As populations continue to grow around volcanoes, these impact events will likely continue to affect communities.  With modern society heading into uncharted territory as the world grapples with unprecedented climate change effects, many concepts adopted by policymakers and scientists to deal with volcano-related hazards will quickly become outdated, and hence making ongoing research so crucial.  While extensive research has been done on explosive eruptions, there has been limited studies on how lava flows are impacting communities. These streams of molten rock are one of the most common volcanic hazards and can be disastrous for communities.  On this episode of Climate Connections, Dr Elinor Meredith, Research Fellow in Volcanic Risk, University of Twente and Susanna Jenkins, Associate Professor, Earth Observatory of Singapore, NTU share insights from their extensive study on the frequency and severity of these lava flow impact events, and whether they are an increasing threat to communities.  Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Audrey SiekAssistant Producer: Simone ChuahPhoto credits: Iceland ReviewMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“It's about sowing the right seeds. Seeds which will sprout, which will take root. And so how do we do that? We can't have change overnight, but we need to create a pipeline of the next generation of inventors, thinkers. Though we’re a little dot in this globe, we have that opportunity to nurture them. Many times, I go back to Lee Kuan Yew. He dreamt big. We’ve enjoyed the bounty, how do we take it forward?” Inspired by Singapore’s Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s love for nature, environmentalist Kirtida Mekani mooted the country’s Plant-A-Tree programme back in the day. It’s an initiative where organisations and individuals can, for a donation of $300, plant a tree in the green spaces managed by the National Parks Board, or NParks. Fast forward to today, she’s an ardent advocate of biomimicry adoption. With the urgency to tackle climate change growing, she strongly believes that biomimicry is the path forward for science and engineering  On this episode of Climate Connections, Kirtida Mekani, Environmentalist & 2024 Inductee, Singapore Women's Hall of Fame shares insights from her decades-long commitment to environmental causes, and the eureka moment that got her on this green journey. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Audrey SiekPhoto credits: NParksMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors Find out more on how to take part in the Plant-A-Tree Programme below: https://www.gardencityfund.gov.sg/our-programmes/plant-a-tree/howtotakepart/ You can also join the OneMillionTrees movement here: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/treessg/one-million-trees-movement/upcoming-activitiesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine experiencing climate change effects first-hand right under the hole in the ozone layer.  That's something that most people would not be able to fathom, but celebrated British polar explorer Robert Swan, the first person to have walked to both the North and South Poles unassisted, experienced just that.   On his very first expedition to the South Pole in the 1980s, the prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light during parts of the trip which were directly under that ozone layer hole - permanently altered his eye colour from dark blue to light blue. Some years on, his team nearly drowned at the North Pole due to the premature melting of glaciers in the Arctic. Robert later founded the 2041 Foundation, an initiative dedicated to the preservation of Antarctica. Fast forward decades later, Robert's son, Barney Swan is following in his father's footsteps. In 2017, Barney became the first person to walk the South Pole powered only by renewable energy. Today, Barney himself is on a mission to combat climate change through his non-profit, ClimateForce, with a seven-year mission to reduce 360 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions before 2025. On this episode of Climate Connections, Barney Swan, CEO of ClimateForce shares his personal insights walking on this green journey with his father. Robert Swan was a speaker at Ecosperity Week 2024, aimed at being a metaphoric springboard to accelerate climate and nature-positive action, seeking to deepen the collective ownership and commitment needed across all stakeholders, with a focus on radical yet regenerative solutions, to restore the one planet we call home. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Emaad AkhtarPhoto credits: Barney & Robert SwanMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors Special thanks to Temasek for making this possible.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India is currently thought to have around 29,000 wild elephants, especially in the biodiverse Western Ghats region, including Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It’s also the country home to more than half of the global population. Although poaching, trafficking and trading of elephants and ivory in India is prohibited according to 1972’s Wildlife Protection Act, poaching has remained a constant threat.  Today, around 20-25 elephants are lost to poaching each year.  On this episode of Climate Connections, Emmy-award winning Canadian filmmaker Richie Mehta, who’s the director of Poacher - shares more about his dramatisation of the largest ever elephant poaching case in India.  The eight-episode series was based on the real-life events of Operation Shikar, a sprawling investigation that took place between 2015 and 2017 into elephant poaching in the southern state of Kerala, which led to 72 arrests across India, including elephant poachers, government officials, carvers and high-end ivory art dealers. Also on this episode, Rohit Singh, Director of Wildlife Enforcement and Zero Poaching, WWF-Singapore , who has first-hand experience coordinating law enforcement activities in India, weighs in on the challenges behind wildlife crime law enforcement.  Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Audrey SiekPhoto credits: WWF-Singapore / Richie MehtaDrama sound effect credits: Richie Mehta / Amazon PrimeMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world is in an era of dire warnings from many scientists and increasing natural disasters, record-breaking temperatures and rising tides. Time is running out to solve the climate crisis, and catastrophe looms. By now, you're probably used to seeing such headlines. But how can that doom-induced uncertainty be spiralled into meaningful change?  On this episode of Climate Connections, Hannah Jones, CEO, The Earthshot Prize shares her insights on why these messages must be used wisely and how a spark of optimism goes a long way in this fight against climate change. As they continue to support the scale-up of innovations with a potential to repair our planet, she also delves into what she and The Earthshot Prize has been up to as they prepare to hold this year's award ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Audrey SiekPhoto credits: The Earthshot PrizeMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One insect species you probably never knew you needed - dung beetles!  Dung beetles are found worldwide, on every continent except Antarctica. They live in habitats ranging from desert to forest and are classified into three basic groups: rollers, tunnelers, and dwellers. Those words describe how these beetles use the dung they find. They may seem like unlikely environmental heroes, but these little creatures might just be a weapon in the battle against global warming and other biodiversity issues. On this episode of Climate Connections, Eleanor Slade, Associate Professor, Asian School of the Environment, NTU, and Zann Teo, PHD Student from NTU, who is currently putting together a species checklist for dung beetles in Singapore, which are understudied to date, especially in the tropics - explain why dung beetles are so important to our wider ecosystem and what they are doing to chart a better future for these beetles. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Audrey SiekPhoto credits: Marx Yim, Tropical Ecology and Entomology Lab / NTUMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors, Kamaboko Sachiko, Noru See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lions are the apex predators of the African savanna, or what ecologists call - a keystone species. They play the critical role of managing large herbivore populations of impalas, zebras, buffalos, and even elephants and giraffes. In a balanced ecosystem, the number of herbivores needs to be kept in check because if you have too many herbivores, vegetation will be overgrazed and habitats will inevitably degrade. As an umbrella species, lions also help maintain a healthy and resilient herbivore population and regulate disease transmissions because they typically hunt and kill those that may be afflicted with parasites, disease or are feeble from a hereditary defect. Without lions, disease spread is more likely across species, and vast savanna grassland ecosystems would disintegrate into dysfunctional, barren landscapes impacting all other species, including humans.  However, African lion populations are declining - due in large part to habitat loss due to development and human-wildlife conflict. With humans now living closer to predators like lions, having mitigation measures to reduce that conflict is growing in importance as these predators also pose a threat to the local communities and their livestock. On this episode of Climate Connections, Dr Jess Isden, Coexistence Coordinator, WildCRU - who is working very closely with the local communities through the Trans-Kalahari Predator Programme - shares her insights on how effective human-lion conflict mitigation strategies in Botswana, Africa, can contribute to sustainable development. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected])Voiced by: Audrey SiekPhoto credits: Yeo Kai TingMusic credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors, Hayashi Yu, Makooto See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers in India are contending with the impact of climate change every day as their crops are often subject to weather conditions, which are evolving as climate change becomes more deeply entrenched. Every year, about 30% of agricultural produce is wasted before it leaves the farms. And did you know this food waste contributes to greenhouse gases? On this episode of Climate Connections, Nidhi Pant, Co-Founder of S4S Technologies, who has seen how deeply intertwined challenges of food waste, rural poverty and gender inequality are, shares the journey she embarked on together with five other university friends, to help smallholder female farmers preserve and market surplus produce. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected]) Voiced by: Emaad Akhtar Photo credits: The Earthshot Prize Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the COP28 Summit, for the first time since nations began meeting some three decades ago, nearly 200 countries convened by the United Nations approved a milestone plan to ramp up renewable energy and transition away from coal, oil and gas. With all eyes on the new deal - that is not legally binding and can’t, on its own, force any country to act - “transition finance” is shaping up to be one of this year’s most important topics in the climate space but how just is this transition?  On this episode of Climate Connections, Sharan Burrow, Former General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation and Global Board of Director, World Resources Institute shares her insights on why a just transition is so important and why people must be at the center of this green transition. Sharan recently spoke at the 2024 Ecosperity Week spearheaded by Temasek. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected]) Voiced by: Emaad Akhtar Photo credits: The Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that in just Singapore alone, an average person can eat nearly 390 eggs in a year? Every stage of egg production contributes to greenhouse gases and other harmful emissions. Scientists from the University of Oviedo in Spain found that the carbon footprint of eggs is similar to that of other basic foods of animal origin, like milk. So, is there a way to be more environmentally friendly with our eggs? On this episode of Climate Connections, Vinita Choolani, Founder and CEO of Float Foods lets us in on why she embarked on that journey to create a plant-based egg that can hopefully substitute our love affair with chicken eggs, and where the business is at right now.  Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected]) Voiced by: Audrey Siek Photo credits: Float Foods Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Climate change is caused by the rise in anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Such gases include carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, which are long-lived compounds that can remain in the atmosphere for several years. But you might be wondering if climate change in turn impacts the quality of the air we breathe.  On this episode of Climate Connections, NTU Professor Stephan Schuster, Research Director of the Meta-o’mics & Microbiomes cluster at the Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering reviews the connection between air pollution and climate change, as well as the tell-tale signs that scientists look out for when measuring air quality. Professor Schuster also reveals some potential solutions that actually already exist in Singapore! Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected]) Voiced by: Emaad Akhtar Photo credits: NTU Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Calling out to plant parents, as well as those thinking of getting succulents to spruce up your homes!  Increasingly, many popular ornamental plants are plucked from their natural habitats instead of being grown in nurseries. The consequences of this go beyond our living rooms, impacting entire landscapes and the livelihoods of communities that depend on them. The highest number of native succulent species - drought resistant plants which are slow growing, long lived, and occur in arid areas - are found in Africa. It might not occur to you that your plant purchase is fueling plant poaching - but since 2019, more than 600,000 illegally harvested succulents, representing 450 different species have been seized by authorities as they transit Southern Africa to overseas markets.  On this episode of Climate Connections, Dominique Prinsloo, Project Manager from TRAFFIC - who’s done quite a bit of research into the succulent plant poaching crisis - explains what's driving the trade and how you can differentiate between a wild harvested succulent versus a nursery-grown one. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected]) Voiced by: Audrey Siek Photo credits: TRAFFIC Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you been to Phillip Island Nature Parks in Australia?  It’s home to the largest little penguin population - better known as fairy penguins - globally. They’re the smallest penguin species in the world.  But today’s focus is on another seabird - short-tailed shearwaters that use Phillip Island as their breeding grounds! From this week, four-month old fledglings are starting their migration and the Phillip Island Nature Parks is calling for individuals and businesses on the island to switch off their lights at night. Short-tailed shearwaters are mid-sized migratory birds that travel from the Southern to Northern Hemisphere each year, migrating from Australia towards Japan, then across to the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea to the north of Alaska. They manage this massive 16,000km journey in under four weeks, all before returning to the shores of Phillip Island (Millowl). Among the most vulnerable are seabirds, with shearwaters facing the greatest risk. In a series of studies by Phillip Island Nature Parks exploring the negative effect of artificial lights on shearwaters, light pollution is now at the forefront of negative factors disrupting the delicate balance of ecosystems.  On this episode of Climate Connections, Dr Duncan Sutherland, Senior Scientist, Phillip Island Nature Parks why the night lights are so detrimental to the short-tailed shearwaters during migration season, conservation efforts under the "Dark Sky So Shearwaters Fly" campaign and how you can do your part. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected]) Voiced by: Audrey Siek Photo/Sound credits: Phillip Island Nature Parks Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Quite unsurprisingly, demand for batteries is expected to increase 30% each year until 2030. A greater need for batteries to power more electric vehicles means increased demand for metals like lithium, a finite resource whose extraction has raised ecological and human rights issues.  Lithium mining takes a heavy toll - trees are often cut down to make room for mines, chemicals used in the process can poison waterways, and meanwhile, millions of tonnes of batteries are expected to be decommissioned over the coming decades, creating hazardous waste. But have you ever thought about how sustainable your batteries are?  On this episode of Climate Connections, Justin Hung, CEO & Co-Founder of GRST (which stands for Green, Renewable, Sustainable Technology) and 2023 Earthshot Prize winner shares about the cleaner process he developed to make batteries that pollutes less and uses components that can be more easily recycled. The eco-friendly lithium batteries technology start-up aims to raise US$50 million over the next two years. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected]) Voiced by: Emaad Akhtar Photo credits: Earthshot Prize Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rice is a key staple in many diets around the world. But did you know that rice production accounts for over 10% of global methane emissions? These emissions in turn contribute to climate change. Bali is an Indonesian island known for its stunning landscapes, famous for its terraced rice fields that cascade down hillsides, creating a picturesque environment. But beyond aesthetics, the Bali rice fields and the Subak system are closely intertwined and they represent the lifeblood of Bali's cultural and agricultural heritage.  The Subak system, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, refers to the traditional irrigation system developed by Balinese farmers to manage water distribution and cultivation in flooded rice fields. It is a cooperative and democratic system that emphasises harmony between nature and the community. On this episode of Climate Connections - Sharadha Sathiakumar, Research Fellow, Earth Observatory of Singapore shares more about her project exploring potential solutions to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in the rice fields of Bali located in Indonesia, the fourth-largest producer of rice worldwide. She found that the Intermittent Wetting and Drying technique allowing local farmers to improvise based on their experience could very well be the solution to reducing the greenhouse gases emitted by the rice you eat! The results of this experiment were very promising: both methane and nitrous oxide emissions reduced, and rice yield increased. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected]) Voiced by: Emaad Akhtar Photo credits: Sharadha Sathiakumar, Joanne Petrina, Earth Observatory of Singapore Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ice-cold, juicy oysters definitely sound like a good idea, as we search for ways to beat the heat in recent weeks! But have you ever wondered what happens to the oyster shells afterwards? On this episode of Climate Connections, we feature two local ecologists - Yukie Yokoyama and Erika Ng from Witteveen+Bos - who are giving discarded oyster shells a new lease of life in Singapore by creating the country's first artificial oyster reef at the jetty near Changi Sailing Club. Find out more about their journey to find ways to help Singapore fight pollution, improve marine biodiversity, and protect against coastal erosion - through the help of oyster reefs. And as they say - "The world is your oyster!" Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected]) Voiced by: Audrey Siek Photo credits: Yukie Yokoyama & Erika Ng Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plastic consumption has increased exponentially in recent years. When plastics enter the ocean, microorganisms attach to and colonise them, forming an ecological community known as the ‘Plastisphere’. But we don’t really know much about these colonies. What we know, is that plastics can be silent killers of marine life. Plastics also carry other chemical compounds called additives in addition to the polymer resin, and these materials can actually leach into the environment.  To understand the plastic-microbes interaction, NTU researchers extracted DNA information of plastispheres gathered from 14 coastal locations in Singapore, and they found both potential plastic-eating bacteria and harmful microbes thriving on the samples. On this episode of Climate Connections, we feature:  - Jonas Koh (NTU doctoral student, Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering) - Professor Shane Allen Snyder (Executive Director, Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute) Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected]) Voiced by: Audrey Siek Photo credits: NTU Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Andes stands out for its striking species richness and endemicity that characterise many emblematic Neotropical clades distributed in or around these mountains. It's also a vital region, with its highland forests providing water for millions of people downstream.  However, this rich ecosystem is increasingly threatened by rapid development, mining and climate change. With the glaciers melting and forests disappearing, 2023 Earthshot Prize winners Florent Kaiser, CEO of Global Forest Generation and Constantino Aucca Chutas, President & Co-founder of Acción Andina are working hard to restore the degraded ecosystems of the Andes and secure the water supply for local communities.  On this episode of Climate Connections, we go on a journey to find out how they are reviving ancient indigenous practices and galvanising the help of multi-generations of locals and partners to conserve the Andes and beyond. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected]) Voiced by: Emaad Akhtar Photo credits: Acción Andina, Earthshot Prize  Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the heart of Sumatra lies the Leuser Ecosystem - the last place on Earth where several of the key Sundaland mega-fauna species can still be found together: the tiger, orangutan, elephant, and rhino. But all that are under extreme threat due to unsustainable development.  In the spirit of International Women’s Day, on this episode of Climate Connections - we feature the Chairperson & Co-Founder of Forest Nature and Environment Aceh, Farwiza Farhan, a fearless female voice who has succeeded in advocating for law enforcement against companies operating illegally and launched a citizen lawsuit that empowers local communities to have meaningful involvement in policy making. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected]) Voiced by: Emaad Akhtar Photo credits: HAkA, Joel Sartore, Paul Hilton, Ruben Hoekstra, Junaidi Hanafiah, Citra Drone, leuserconservationforum IG Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does sustainability mean to you? Challenges surrounding going green often involve an intricate web of complex problems that are interlinked. On this episode of Climate Connections, 11-year-old Aurvi Jain, Eco Warrior & TEDxSingapore Speaker explains why every single little action counts more than age. She also lets us in on a little secret project that she worked on together with renowned filmmaker Damon Gameau, that will be released later this year. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected]) Voiced by: Audrey Siek Photo credits: Aurvi Jain & regenerators (Instagram) Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Life in oceans has evolved for three times as long as life on land, and it holds clues to four billion years of our evolutionary heritage. But although an estimated 2 million species inhabit our oceans, up to 90% remain undescribed. This longstanding void in the knowledge and observation of marine biodiversity is a growing worry, with potential unrecorded extinctions and declines aggravating the prevailing biodiversity crisis.  On this episode of Climate Connections, Oliver Steeds, Chief Executive of Nekton Foundation and Director of Ocean Census shares more about Ocean Census' initiative by scientists who have set themselves an ambitious goal of discovering 100,000 new species in a decade, before overfishing and global warming drive entire populations to extinction. Take an exclusive look at some of these new species & the expedition on Instagram page @climateconnectionsbykt (Video courtesy of Ocean Census) Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected]) Voiced by: Audrey Siek Photo credits: Ocean Census Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re just hours away from ringing in the Chinese New Year, and also the Year of the Dragon. It’s also typically a time when many might consider getting a pet that coincides with the zodiac for the year for good luck - bearded dragons in this case, even though they might be prohibited, depending on where you live. Chinese families will also be feasting on a range of delicacies like abalone and sea cucumbers.  But before you do any of that, think again - because you might be fuelling illegal wildlife smuggling, or organised criminal and drug syndicates!  On this episode of Climate Connections, Serene Chng, Senior Programme Officer at TRAFFIC International - Southeast Asia weighs in on why trafficking poses a severe threat to many endangered species, and challenges involved in trying to nip this issue in the bud. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting ([email protected]) Voiced by: Emaad Akhtar Photo credits: TRAFFIC Music/sound credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors, Astrine LeoungSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.