Forces for Nature

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In this special episode recorded live at the EarthX Conference, Crystal sits down with Chance and Sarah Katheryn Ruder from the Conservation Connection Podcast. They discuss the power of collaboration in conservation, the importance of bringing diverse perspectives together to address sustainability challenges, and share insights from their on-the-ground experiences in nature education and science communication. You get to hear about some of the exciting guests they interviewed while at EarthX - including oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle- and Crystal teases an exciting new development coming soon for the show. Tune in for this behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like at the bustling EarthX Conference!

We're now on YouTube! If you want to watch this episode, head on over to the Forces for Nature YouTube Channel!

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?

Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!

This is another episode of the Forces for Nature, EarthX Conference series!
Eleanor LeCain is the visionary behind the Solutions Summit, a groundbreaking event on Capital Hill that brings together bold thinkers and decision-makers to tackle some of today’s biggest challenges such as climate change, democracy, economic security, and health.

During our conversation, Eleanor shares insights on how the Solutions Summit connects those with the best ideas—“solutionaries”—with the leaders who have the power to implement them. We dive into her focus on climate solutions and how she views the transition to a green economy not as a burden, but as a massive opportunity for job creation, innovation, and business growth.

Highlights

• How the Solutions Summit bridges the gap between innovators and decision-makers.
• Why climate change is the biggest economic and business opportunity of the 21st century.
• Practical steps individuals can take to reduce their carbon footprint and support a green transition.

Resources

• Solutions Summit Recordings: Watch all four sessions on climate, democracy, economic security, and health on Eleanor’s YouTube channel.
• Read Eleanor's Book, "Breakthrough Solutions" (with an introduction by the Dalai Lama).
• Rewiring America: Find out more about the incentives provided by the Inflation Reduction Act for making your home and life more energy-efficient.
• Eleanor's website.
• The following is a list of sites where you can sign up to receive email petitions about all sorts of issues:
  • Lady Freethinker
  • In Defense of Animals
  • WildEarth Guardians
  • Care2
• Get Early Bird Tickets to the EarthX Congress of Conferences in April 2025!

What YOU Can Do

• Shift to Clean Energy
• Use public transportation, bike, or walk whenever possible. If you drive, switch to an electric or hybrid vehicle.
• Use Energy-Efficient Appliances like refrigerators and light bulbs.
• Support candidates who back policies that promote renewable energy and green job creation.
• Embrace a mindset of opportunity rather than crisis. View the shift to sustainability as a chance for innovation, job creation, and economic growth.

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?

Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!

This is another episode of the Forces for Nature, EarthX Conference series!
Theo E.J. Wilson is a TEDx speaker, social activist, and leader in fostering dialogue across cultural and ideological divides. While Theo may not come from a traditional environmental background, his work on social justice, understanding others' perspectives, and the interconnectedness of humanity makes him an ideal person to explore the link between social and climate justice. Theo shares his journey, the connections he sees between pollution, racism, and how we treat the planet, as well as the critical need for holistic thinking in solving these global issues.

One of the most moving moments? Theo’s beautiful spoken word poem, "I Am Humanity," which will leave you contemplating your role in shaping the future of our planet and our society. This is a can't-miss.

Highlights

• The importance of holistic thinking in solving the climate crisis.
• How understanding others' perspectives, even those who oppose you, can lead to meaningful dialogue and change.
• Again, the reading of his poem, I am Humanity.

Resources

• EarthX Leadership Circle: A platform fostering collaboration across ideological lines to work together on climate solutions.
• Get Early Bird Tickets to the EarthX Congress of Conferences in April 2025!
• TEDx Talk by Theo E.J. Wilson: His viral speech on his undercover experience in a white supremacist online community.

What YOU Can Do

• Buy from Ethical Companies: Support brands that prioritize sustainability and social responsibility.
• Spread Positive News: Use your social media to spotlight companies and individuals making positive strides toward environmental justice.
• Get Involved Locally: Engage with groups in your community working on environmental and social justice initiatives.

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?

Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!

Did you know that only 10% of all plastic that's ever been produced has been recycled?!* And that just 60% of communities in the U.S. have access to curbside recycling pick-up?** Our waste is a huge problem but, today's guest, Ryan Hickman, is determined to be part of the solution. At just 10 years old (yes, you read that right!), he's CEO of his own company, Ryan's Recycling. He joins us today with his dad, Damion, and helps to demystify the confusion that recycling can sometimes cause.

If YOU want to learn more about what is and isn't recyclable, head on over to this episode's show notes at https://forcesfornature.com/podcast/recycling

*https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/07/plastic-produced-recycling-waste-ocean-trash-debris-environment/

** https://recyclingpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2020/02/2020-State-of-Curbside-Recycling.pdf

Background music by Fearless Motivation Instrumentals: Meaning of Life

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?

Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!

Sharks have a bad rep. But Tadzio Bervoets is here to tell us why our fear should be replaced with respect and intrigue instead. These animals are keystone species that, if removed, can cause a cascading negative effect on the entire ocean ecosystem and human livelihoods- and it's already been witnessed in some places. We talk about how an obsession, not a fear, has been their main demise (an obsession for their fins), the unexpected way scientists get their hands on sharks, and how a trip to New York City can get you more bites than one to the beach.

Tadzio is the Director of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance. He recently created the Caribbean Shark Coalition which aims to foster collaboration among various stakeholders in the greater Caribbean to increase the region's capacity for protecting sharks and rays.
What can YOU do to help sharks?

• When doing shark diving tourism, be sure you are going with a reputable and responsible tour operator.
  • Check if they are third-party certified.
  • Ask what their safety protocols are.
  • Be sure they don't let you swim too closely (there have been documented negative impacts on whale sharks because of improper diver interactions).
  • Make sure operators use very little food to lure in the animals so they don't become dependent on humans to feed them.
  • Don't be tempted by the lowest prices. If the standard cost is X, anything much lower is a red flag.
• To avoid sharks being caught as bycatch, support responsible fishing practices. You can use the Monterey Bay Aquarium's portable guide here.
• Don't buy any shark products, from jaws to leather to soup. If you would like a shark's tooth, buy a fossilized shark's tooth so as not to support the killing of these animals for their parts.
• Check to see if your fish oil supplement contains shark liver.
• Shark meat contains mercury. For your health, avoid eating it.
• Support policies for shark conservation and sound ocean governance.
• Donate to shark research and education efforts.

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it at https://forcesfornature.com/becoming-a-force-for-nature-free-guide/
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review!

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook (Page / Private Group) and let me know what eco-actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?

Background music by Fearless Motivation Instrumentals: Meaning of Life.

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?