Life on Planet A

In this episode of Life on Planet A, we sit down with Austin Turpin, the innovative founder of FlipTech, a start-up tackling one of the planet’s fastest-growing environmental issues: electronic waste. Austin walks us through the inspiration behind the company and the e-waste problem it aims to solve. We explore why e-waste matters — the environmental harm, greenhouse gas emissions, and the precious materials being discarded — and dig into the regulatory landscape in Australia, including how it compares to international standards. Austin shares the challenges he’s faced as a founder, his proudest milestones, and the leadership traits that have helped him thrive. Whether you're a sustainability enthusiast, a budding entrepreneur, or just curious about what happens to your old electronics, this conversation offers a thought-provoking look at how innovative thinking can turn a problem into purpose. 4o Support the show

In this episode, Heidi interviews Nehal from After and how After is tackling textile waste. . Every year, Australians send over 200,000 tonnes of clothing to landfill, and globally, the fashion industry is responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste annually. Most of it is made from synthetic fibers that take hundreds of years to break down, polluting our land and oceans with microplastics. That’s where after. comes in. after. is an Australian platform revolutionizing textile recycling and responsible disposal by connecting consumers and businesses with sustainable solutions for unwanted clothing and fabric waste. Whether it’s through recycling, repurposing, or ethical disposal, after. is working to keep textiles out of landfill and in the circular economy. Since its launch, they’ve already diverted over 30 tonnes of textiles from waste—proving that small actions can lead to big impact. In this episode, we sit down with Nehal J., co-founder of after., to talk about the urgent problem of textile waste, the barriers to sustainable fashion, and how we can all be part of the solution. As well, Nehal gives us advice about how to start your own company on problems that you care about. Let’s rethink waste, reshape industries, and reimagine a more sustainable future—together. #Sustainability #LifeOnPlanetA #TextileRecycling #CircularEconomy #SustainableFashion Support the show

Join us in this captivating episode as we explore the remarkable journey Erchana Murray-Bartlett, an athlete and environmental advocate who ran across Australia for a cause. Erchana started her 5 and a half month journey in August 2022 and finished in January 2023.  Discover how her sporting background shaped her passion for the environment and the inception of her 'Running to End Extinction' campaign. Erchana shares personal experiences connecting her with Australia's wildlife, the challenges and triumphs of her journey, and her collaboration with the Wilderness Society. Erchana reveals her motivations, wildlife encounters, emotional moments, and how she managed to stay injury-free. Looking ahead, Erchana discusses her next daunting challenge in Death Valley and her continued efforts in conservation. This episode is a blend of inspiration, endurance, and a deep love for nature, as Erchana shares her vision for preserving biodiversity and her message of hope through her adventures. Tune in for a story of determination and the power of one person's efforts to make a difference. Learn more about Erchana here. Time stamps: 3:00 - Who is Erchana? 8:30 - Combining forces to create Tip to Toe 11:10 - Pitching to clients 14:50 - Crashing a drone 19:00 - Avoiding getting injured 21:00 - Wilderness Society 30:00 - Trail runs 39:00 - Speed project Support the show

Dive deep into the world of climate tech funding with Annelieke de Wit, PhD, and Joey Faust in this insightful episode of Life on Planet A. Discover why climate tech is unique, its challenges, and potential solutions. Learn about the Australian and NZ context, the role of government, and the power of collaboration. Timestamps included for key topics. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more!  Link to their journey - https://fundinginnovationinclimatetech.substack.com/ 0:00 - Joey and Annelieke’s favourite thing in the world 6:15 - Joey and Annelieke’s backgrounds  10:50 - Defining climate tech 18:50 - Examples of climate tech 20:05 - Really smart thing from Annelieke 21:18 - Fund return timelines 23:28 - The challenges of fundraising / what do VC’s really care about? 28:40 - Impact locked definition  33:12 - Climate Tech landscape 37:51- The Climate Narrative 44:00 - Role of government in innovation 47:00 Collaboration between Climate tech firms 51:00 - Australian and NZ context 59:07 - Indigenous knowledge Support the show

🌱 Episode Highlights: The Oxygen Project's Mission: Vasser Seydel sheds light on the Oxygen Project's mission to ignite a community of climate champions and accelerate collective action through digital storytelling, activist trainings, and impact campaigns to build a climate-resilient tomorrow. Deep Sea Mining Demystified: Delve into the fascinating world of Deep Sea Mining as we unravel its intricacies. Vasser Seydel provides insights into the extraction processes, debunk the need for minerals in the Deep Sea and which type of mining most interests people. Environmental Impact: Discover the alarming consequences of Deep Sea Mining on our climate and biodiversity. Our discussion explores the devastating effects on marine ecosystems, the delicate balance of underwater life, and the ripple effects on the broader environment. The Call to Action: Vasser Seydel discusses the urgency for countries to Stop Deep Sea Mining and the importance of collective action. Gain valuable insights into what individuals, organizations, and governments can do to mitigate the environmental repercussions. Join us in this thought-provoking episode as we navigate the uncharted waters of Deep Sea Mining, bringing awareness to its environmental toll and exploring sustainable alternatives.  More information on DEM below: https://www.theoxygenproject.com/deepseamining/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf1GvrUqeIA Support the show

In this enlightening episode, we're joined by a very special guest, Jae Lubberink from the Blueprint Institute. We dive into a compelling conversation about Australia's energy policies, nuclear energy prospects, public private policy, policy and tech the importance of biodiversity conservation. 🔍 Key Highlights: - Discover Jae's journey through the Startmates Fellowship and his impactful research at Blueprint Institute. - Delve into the complex world of nuclear energy in Australia and its potential role in achieving net-zero emissions. - Learn about the challenges and opportunities of small modular reactors in the energy mix. - Explore the critical role of public-private partnerships in fostering innovation and economic growth. - Unpack the value of native forestry and the importance of rethinking how we value biodiversity. - Gain insights into Jae's views on the intersection of policy and technology in tackling climate change. - Finally, ponder the meaning of life and finding personal fulfillment in making a positive impact. 🌿 This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in the future of renewable energy, conservation efforts, and how policy and technology can work together for a sustainable future. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and follow Life on Planet A for more thought-provoking discussions! #LifeOnPlanetA #BlueprintInstitute #RenewableEnergy #NuclearEnergy #Biodiversity #PublicPolicy #Innovation Support the show

The future of sustainable agriculture and design with Orlando Hayes   In this episode, we sit down with Orlando Hayes to unpack his groundbreaking work with CH4 Global and the award-winning Camada daybed. Orlando sheds light on CH4 Global's mission, their focus on designing sustainable facilities, and the vital role of seaweed to reduce methane in agriculture.  You may have heard of feeding seaweed to cows in the news, this episode is a first hand look into what’s happening in the industry and what sustainability initiatives need to be considered!  We also delve into the world of sustainable furniture design, exploring the inspiration and intricate considerations behind the Camada daybed—a testament to the perfect balance of aesthetics and sustainability. Join us for this deep dive into the world of conscious design, environmental stewardship, and the future of sustainability in both infrastructure, agriculture and everyday objects. This podcast was recorded and produced by CORSZA. Support the show

Delve into the intriguing world of deep sea mining and the complex negotiations surrounding it, with our guest Emily Tewes,  from Sustainable Ocean Alliance.    Join Life on Planet A as we plunge beneath the waves to uncover the untold stories of the International Seabed Authority,(ISA) the international body overseeing deep sea mining regulations. In episode,  we spotlight the compelling stories of nations that are championing a call for moratorium in deep sea mining. With climate change accelerating and concerns about environmental impacts mounting, countries are raising crucial questions about the sustainability of this nascent industry.  Time Stamps: 10:00 - SOA campaign to #DefendtheDeep and #StopDeepSeaMining 12:28 - Background on ISA 14:25 - Biases in ISA 20:00 - Exploration licenses 23:00 - Discussion on how ISA gives licenses to mine 29:00 - Moratorium on DSM 30:00 - Meetings in July 46:00 - SOA at the ISA meetings 54:00 - Meaning of Life to Emily Support the show

 In this episode, we are joined by Juliet Kirby, the CEO of Gentoo.Earth, a carbon removal intelligence platform. We will explore the ins and outs of carbon credits, providing you with valuable insights on how to navigate the complex landscape of carbon markets and make informed choices when purchasing offsets. We will discover what it truly means to be a quality offset. Juliet provides share her extensive knowledge and experience, shedding light on the importance of high-quality offsets and their role in mitigating climate change. Whether you're an individual looking to offset your personal carbon footprint or a business aiming to become net zero, this podcast episode will equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions in the world of carbon credits. If you are looking to purchase good quality offsets please reach out to Juliet. Juliet Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliet-kirby/ Website: https://www.gentoo.earth/ Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro to Juliet 5:57 - Carbon Markets 9:36 - Types of carbon credits 14:00 - Additionally  17:20 - Quality 19:44 - Carbon removal technologies 28:00 - Green washing 35:00 - Chubb review 38:00 - Bad carbon credit practices 40:00 - Good carbon credit practices 42:30 - Who is Gentoo.Earth? Support the show

🎙️ESG Podcast! 🌍🌱 Join us for an insightful podcast episode with Moana from Alphinity, where we delve into the fascinating world of ESG within factories in Bangladesh and Vietnam. 🎧✨ Discover the social cost of ESG in factories across Bangladesh and Vietnam. We will learn from Moana about the impact of ESG policy on workers, labor conditions, and the overall well-being of the local communities. Don't miss out on this engaging conversation that sheds light on the intersection of sustainability, and social progress!  Tune in now to broaden your understanding of ESG in these dynamic regions. 🎙️🌏 #PodcastAlert #ESG #Sustainability #Bangladesh #Vietnam #Investment #SocialProgress Time Stamps: 0:00 - introduction to Moana and Sustainable Finance 4:50 - Changes in the sustainability space  6:06 - Safeguard mechanism 7:44 - Fast Fashion Introduction 11:35 - What are the factories like in Bangladesh and Vietnam  13:20 - Bangladesh vs Vietnam labor market 20:00 - Career progression for factories workers 24:09 - The social cost of fast fashion 31:50 - GDP and fast fashion 33:23 - Sustainability goals put pressure on the factories  43:17 - The future of sustainable fashion 45:60 - What can individuals do? Key ideas and topics discussed in the podcast: ESG - Environmental, Social, and Governance - ESG refers to a set of criteria used to evaluate the sustainability and ethical impact of a company's operations. The three pillars of ESG encompass environmental factors, social factors, and governance factors. Safeguard mechanism - The Safeguard Mechanism is the Australian Government’s policy for reducing emissions at Australia’s largest industrial facilities. The Safeguard Mechanism applies to industrial facilities emitting more than 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) per year. Fast Fashion - Fast fashion refers to a business model and trend in the fashion industry characterized by rapidly changing clothing collections, quick production turnaround times, and low-cost garments.  Ready Made Garment (RMG) - Ready-made garment (RMG) refers to clothing items that are manufactured and assembled in factories and are ready to be worn by consumers without the need for further alterations.  Modern Slavery Act 2018 - The Modern Slavery Act 2018 is a legislative framework enacted in various countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, to address and combat modern forms of slavery and human trafficking. Piece rate - Piece rate is a method of payment where individuals are compensated based on the number of units they produce or tasks they complete.  Rhino Plaza collapse - The Rhino Plaza collapse refers to an incident in which a building named Rhino Plaza, presumably a commercial or residential structure, collapsed due to structural failures or other reasons.  Fashion cycle - The fashion cycle refers to the recurring pattern of trends, styles, and designs that emerge, gain popularity, and eventually decline in the fashion industry.  Natural fibers - Natural fibers are materials used in textile production that are derived from plants, animals, or other natural sources.  Support the show

Imagine you could eat a marbled eye-fillet steak, with the omega 3 of a salmon fillet with the smoky taste of woolly mammoth... AND no animals were harmed in the process and the meat was 98% more carbon efficient than native meat, with no paddocks involved.  Sounds like a dream right?  This could very soon be an exciting reality thanks to the team at Vow.  Vow is a Sydney-based start-up that is creating cultured meat with the aim to make sustainable food both irresistible and available to billions of people. We were joined by Vow expert and process development associate, Sam Rathbone for our first ever in-person interview! And we couldn't have found a better guest;  we had so much fun and laughs recording this episode so we hope you have just as much learning and listening to it. Why cultured meat? Feed 10 billion: Our future population needs 50% more food than we’re able to produce today. We need reliable production methods that give us security and control. Preserve the earth: Today’s food system places a heavy burden on our environment and has led to increased deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions and land and water pollution and decreased biodiversity.  We need an alternative. Human and animal welfare: humans need protein to survive but current methods of accessing protein are intensive on Earth's resources and have led to human and animal rights issues. Every year trillions of animals suffer to meet our protein demands and this will only increase as the global population rises. We need a more efficient means of accessing protein that does not harm animals or the environment. This is where Vow comes in.   Vow is not only creating cultured meat, but revolutionising the way we think of meat.  Just 4 species (0.02% of all species) make up almost all of our food. What are the odds there are better (tastier, healthier, etc.) animals out there?  Removing the need to paddocks, fields and domestication means Vow is free to explore all kinds of meat options. What if we could eat unicorn:  narwhal crossed with zebra? Vow scientists only need a handful of cells and 6 weeks to produce a delicious finished product which means no animals need to be bred and killed. Useful links: About Vow Vow Careers - they're hiring! Watch co-founder and CEO, George Peppou on TEDx Talks Vow featured on Forbes Asia 100 to Watch 2022 Listen to Vow co-founder and CEO, George Peppou on Ep 246 of Humans of Purpose podcast. Timestamps: 2:00 - Background on Sam Rathbone 10:00 - NeuraLink and becoming a robot 12:00 Getting a job at Vow via hinge?! 14:00 - Intro to Vow 19:00  - How is Vow cultured meat created? 25:00 - What does Vow taste like? 29:00 - Vow co-existing with argiculture - how will this work? 35:00 - Vow, the supply chain and carbon emissions  43:00 - Hybrid meats at Vow 44:00 - Getting Vow to market - how long until we're eating cultured meat in Aus? And how can you help speed up the process? 50:00 - The meaning of life Support the show

How healthy is pet food? What if you could give your pet food that was good for them AND good for the planet? Well... you can, thanks to the team at Lyka. This episode we'll stepping into the paws of our canine companions to learn about how we can improve their diet and the planet with Lyka. We'll be on this journey with this week's guest: Gabriel Guedes, COO and CFO at Lyka.  About Lyka: Lyka is Australia's only carbon NEGATIVE dog food! All emissions are offset through Green Fleet, the first Aussie carbon offsetter.  In 2018, founder Anna (Gabriels partner),  went on a journey to improve her dog Lyka's health. Anna put diet on a homemade diet of fresh, wholefood ingredients and the results were fantastic. "Lyka’s transformation was incredible and noticeable within weeks. Not only was Lyka more energetic, but her coat was also glossier, and her skin was also no longer itchy. Even her tooth decay reversed. As a bonus, Anna also noticed her poo didn’t smell anymore and Lyka’s frequent passing wind had ceased completely." Team Lyka is a group of ambitious and like-minded dog-lovers with a shared single goal: to serve you and your pupper with the best possible food on the planet (and give our office dogs endless belly rubs.) Useful links: Check out the Lyka website Read more about the Lyka story Learn more about Lyka's carbon offsets with Green Fleet Check out Lyka's interactive breakdown of their scope 1, 2 and emissions here Check out a review of Lyka dog food with more info about the nutritional value Time Stamps: 0:00 - Introduction 7:00 - Introduction to Gigi 10:00 - The story of Lyka 14:00 - What is pet food actually made of? 17:00 - What s the most popular pet food? 21:00 -  Sustainability and Lyka 28:00 Experimenting with meats 34:00 Biodegradable versus Compostable?  40:00 Lyka packaging Support the show Support the show

Ep 1 for our theme on Great Global Start-Ups! out from life on planet A! To kick this off we’ve travelled to the great USA to speak with Zach Stein, co-founder of Carbon Collective. Zach is a wealth of knowledge which is helpful when running a start-up all about investing!  Carbon collective helps American citizens to invest their money into stocks and companies that are working to solve climate change or helping the planet to reach net zero.  Useful links: - Carbon collective website - Sustainable investing 101 Time Stamps: 0:00 - Introduction 5:00 - Introduction to Zach Stain 7:28 - What is an equity fund? 9:09 - Why did Carbon Collective start? 16:00 - Challenges at Carbon Collective 19:00 - Green Washing 26:01 - Project Drawdown 30:00 - Nuclear 42:00 - Hold or to sell? Support the show

NEW EPISODE NOW UP: Part 3 of our epic journey across the vast and expansive Pacific. This week we’ll hear about traditional knowledge in the Pacific and how it can aid us in managing te environment. Our guest was the inspiring, Salanieta Kitolelei.  You’ll learn: - what it’s like fishing with indigenous groups in Fiji? (A crucial part of Sala’s research!)  - different fishing methods  - cultural keystone species  - the relationship between government and indigenous groups in Fiji https://fijiantraditionalcalendar.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-fijian-itaukei-traditional-lunar.html https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Salanieta-Kitolelei http://coraltriangle.blogs.panda.org/seareefs/mali-island-mangroves-and-crabs Support the show

What does renewable energy look like in the Pacific? What more needs to be done to help these nations in the transition? Join us with our captain, Associate Professor Atul Raturi  as we take a virtual flight over the Pacific. We'll learn the good, the bad and the hopeful for renewable energy in this beautiful region.  You'll learn: How much of the Pacific is currently powered by renewable energy? What are the challenges to increasing this amount? Is the Global North doing enough? What is a CDM and CER? How are they helping or hindering this process? Atul is an Associate Professor at the School of Engineering and Physics at The University of the South Pacific, Fiji. You can learn more about his passion and work here. Support the show

Let's take a deep dive into life in the Pacific with Fijian researcher and environmental advocate, Danian Singh.  We're kicking off Pacific Islands month with a virtual trip to Fiji where we'll learn from Danian about fish and climate change, resilience and adaptation to climate change in the Pacific and the exciting opportunities the world has to embrace and amplify Pacific Islands voices and perspectives.   You’ll learn: About Sustainable Ocean Alliance Pacific Hub: the SOA Hub for all things Pacific  What are the biggest threats to the Pacific? What does climate policy look like in the Pacific? Is the community happy with current policies? What have we learnt from the Our Ocean Conference in Palau this year? What are we hoping to see at the UN Ocean Conference in July? Useful links: Follow SOA Pacific on Facebook (@soapacifichub) and Instagram (@soa_pacifichub) Learn more about the upcoming UN Ocean Conference Learn more about what happened at the Our Ocean Conference in Palau in April Support the show

AUSSIES, it’s TIME TO VOTE. But the big questions on everyone’s mind is: who to vote for? And why?  This week Heidi spoke to Blair Palese, Managing Director & Global Climate Editor, Climate & Capital Media.  You’ll learn: - the independent movement in Australia  - the risks of Australia not meeting  the climate goals - who is on track to help us meet our climate goals  Tune in before you have to vote on May 21st, 2022, to learn more about the Australia parties and what they stand for. #australianpolitics #climatechangepolicy #labour #liberal #greens #independents Support the show

This week we're transporting you to the lush, wandering hills and palm tree horizons of Papua New Guinea. Here, we'll discover some tiny freshwater fish ponds that are providing huge social and economic benefits to the local communities. All of this amazing work is made possible by our guest Associate Professor Jes Sammut and his teams and collegues at the University of New South Wales, ACIAR, ANSTO and the Papua New Guinean National Fisheries Authority (NFA). You'll learn: What does freshwater fish farming in PNG look like?  How are fish ponds putting an end to violence and tribal warfare? How prisoners are learning to farm fish and the huge change this is making in their lives. Acroynyms used in the episode: PNG = Papua New Guinea ACIAR = Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research ANSTO =  Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation NFA = Papua New Guinean National Fisheries Authority Useful links: Watch this video to learn how aquaculture is changing lives in PNG - Heidi and I watched many many times!! Learn more about the Fish for Prisons Program Building research and project management skills in fisheries in staff in Papua New Guinea - Final Report by Janelle Allison Read about the 2017 training program led by Professor Janelle Alison and UTAS that enabled fisheries officers to gain critical research skills.   Read more of Jes' research Keep up to date with the work of Jes and his team at the UNSW Aquaculture Research Group by following their Facebook page Support the show (https://www.patron.com/lifeonplanetapodcast)

You're 75 miles offshore of the Big Island in Hawaii in a floating sphere and you're surrounded by 2,000 of your friends. That's what life is like as a Kampachi fish in Ocean Era's offshore aquaculture fish pen (Velella Beta/Gamma/Epsilon). This week Heidi and Bella spoke with Neil Sims, co-founder and chief executive officer of Ocean Era - a Hawaii-based mariculture company focused on expanding the environmentally sound production of the ocean's finest fish. You'll learn: What is offshore aquaculture? How is it different to land based aquaculture (hint: decreased electricity usage, better flow of nutrients) What is a Velella? What are fish currently fed in aquaculture? How can we make this more sustainable More talk about seaweed! (can you ever have too much?) Useful links: Read more about Ocean Era's research projects TIME Magazine’s “25 Best Inventions of the Year” for 2012 Scientific paper discussed at the start of the episode: Farming the Ocean – Seaweeds as a Quick Fix for the Climate? by Troell et al. 2022 Support the show (https://www.patron.com/lifeonplanetapodcast)

Imagine you're Larry the cow and you're uncontrollably burping methane into the atmosphere each day. It's not your fault, its all the good bacteria in your microbiome just doing their thing. But what if eating just 50g of a little red seaweed could change all that? This week Heidi and Bella speak with Dr Javed Khan, the Aquaculture Manager for CH4 in New Zealand to learn all about Asparagopsis aramata, the little red seaweed making a big difference. CH4's goal is for agriculture to have zero methane emissions. You'll learn: What is Asparagopsis? How can it stop the production of methane in ruminant animals? What is a ruminant animal? More fun facts about sea cucumbers (Bella tries to talk about them every chance she gets) Thanks so much for joining us Javed, we can't wait to dive with you in NZ soon! Useful links: Learn more about CH4 Global Links to many more articles on methane reduction using seaweed A video all about CH4's journey and mission Learn more about the global exploitation of sea cucumbers Support the show (https://www.patron.com/lifeonplanetapodcast)