Inspiring People: Environmental Funders Network (Environmental Funders Network)

Fresh water sustains all life on earth and freshwater systems should be vibrant and full of life, yet there’s been an extraordinary loss of freshwater species across the globe. Why is this and why has freshwater conservation not caught the attention of more funders and philanthropists?

In this episode, Catherine Bryan, Trustee of Synchronicity Earth and the Environmental Funders Network and Chair of Shoal’s Governing Council speaks to Brian Zimmerman, Director of Conservation and Science at Bristol Zoological Society and Co-Chair of IUCN Freshwater Fish Specialist Group; Mike Baltzer, Executive at Shoal; Monti Aguirre, Latin America Program Manager at International Rivers and (recorded separately due to limitations of internet access in the Philippines) Tess Gatan-Balbas, Director at the Mabuwaya Foundation about the often overlooked world of freshwater conservation.

Inspiring People: Supporting the emerging Scottish seaweed industry was recorded by the Environmental Funders Network as part of a series to highlight the vital role of philanthropy in solving environmental and climate issues.

In this episode, Grace Yu (philanthropist and Trustee of the Aurora Trust) speaks to:

• Alison Baker: Co-founder and Managing Director, EcoCascade CIC
• Jemima Cooper: Operations Manager, EcoCascade CIC
• Dr Kyla Orr: Co-founder, KelpCrofters Ltd

The vast majority of seaweed in the world is currently grown in Asia however there’s a great opportunity in the northern hemisphere, and particularly on the west coast of Scotland which has pristine waters, with strong tidal flow and some protected spaces in which to grow seaweed.

As Grace says, ‘We need new ways of thinking about what we eat, how we grow things and how we make things, in ways that don’t further harm our planet. Seaweed is a wonder crop! Apart from being a nutritious food source that you can cultivate off-land, it has many other exciting applications, for example as a bioplastic or as a biostimulant.’

As a marine biologist, Kyla got increasingly depressed over the last decade at fish stocks collapsing, at fishermen working their way down the food web, ending up just having shellfish to catch in inshore waters in Scotland. Kyla got into seaweed farming as an alternative way of generating value and income from our seas that is sustainable and regenerative.

Tune in to hear why Grace and Kyla are passionate supporters of EcoCascade CIC, Scotland’s first seaweed processing plant in Kyle of Lochalsh which does the heavy lifting of primary processing for local seaweed farmers so they don't have to.

Why are people getting so hyped about seaweed? (May 2023)
https://www.positive.news/environment/seaweed-solutions-why-are-people-getting-so-hyped-about-kelp/

On Scottish seaweed (May 2023)
https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2023/05/17/on-scottish-seaweed/

How Scotland is leading the way in seaweed farming (April 2022)
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/25/how-scotland-is-leading-the-way-in-seaweed-farming

Notpla: UK plastic-alternative developer among £1m Earthshot Prize winners (December 2022)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63841761

Notpla lands £1m Innovate UK grant for ‘disruptive sustainable biomanufacturing by 2050’ (October 2023)
https://www.packaginginsights.com/news/notpla-lands-%C2%A31m-innovate-uk-grant-for-disruptive-sustainable-biomanufacturing-by-2050.html

Inspiring People: Rewilding was recorded by the Environmental Funders Network as part of a series to highlight the vital role of philanthropy in solving environmental and climate issues. In this episode, Ben Goldsmith, a committed and passionate environmental philanthropist, speaks to Isabella Tree (Knepp Estate, author of ‘Wilding - the return of nature to a British farm’), Alastair Driver (conservationist, Director of Rewilding Britain), and Derek Gow (ecologist, reintroduction specialist, farmer). Their fascinating conversation weaves in the links to COVID-19 and climate change; iconic species such as the white stork, wolves and beavers; and the critical role for philanthropy in rewilding our landscapes. 

Inspiring People: Plastics (Single Use is Rubbish) was recorded by the Environmental Funders Network as part of a series to highlight the vital role of philanthropy in solving environmental and climate issues. In this episode, Julia Davies, environmental funder and the founder of We Have The Power, speaks to Louise Edge (Greenpeace), Jo Morley (City to Sea), Julian Kirby (Friends of the Earth) and Tanya Bascombe (European Outdoor Conservation Association). Their conversation includes startling facts about our use of single-use plastics, the impact of coronavirus on our consumption (negatives but also surprisingly some positives), and the fact that despite the scale of problem, it is solvable – and philanthropy has a vital role to play. (Image credit and copyright: Fernando Podolski)

Inspiring People: Youth & Climate was recorded by the Environmental Funders Network as part of a series to highlight the vital role of philanthropy in solving environmental and climate issues. In this episode, funder Kristina Johansson (Solberga Foundation) speaks to Hilma Angula (Next Generation Climate Advisory Board, Global Greengrants Fund, Namibia), Joy Munthali, (Green Girls Platform, Malawi) and Shamiso Mupara (Environmental Buddies Zimbabwe). Together they discuss how young people, and in particular girls and young women, are tackling the climate crisis in Southern Africa, and what inspires a funder to support their work. 

Inspiring People: Marine Conservation in Scotland was recorded by the Environmental Funders Network as part of a series to highlight the vital role of philanthropy in solving environmental and climate issues. 

In this episode, philanthropist Hugh Raven, Alison Lomax (Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust), Dan Renton (Seawilding), Kerri Whiteside (Fauna & Flora International) and Phil Taylor (Open Seas) reveal what most excites them about marine conservation in Scottish waters, their experiences of what local communities and projects have achieved (often with relatively small sums of money) and lessons they’re learning that could work elsewhere.

Gillian Burke moderating a panel discussion with Sir Mark Rylance, Sophie Marple, Ben Goldsmith and Kevin Cox to launch EFN's new publication, Environmental Philanthropy: Stories to Inspire.  The panel discuss their shared passion for the environment and the role and impact of philanthropy.

In this episode, Jonathan Hall, EFN UK Overseas Territories Strategy Advisor, and Sufina Ahmad, Director of the John Ellerman Foundation, speaks to Dr Esther Bertram (CEO of Falklands Conservation), Annick Jackman (Executive Director of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands) and Hugh Raven (philanthropist) about the UK Overseas Territories.

This fascinating conversation explores the remarkable terrestrial and marine environments of these 16 jurisdictions, the challenges and opportunities faced by local conservationists, and the critical role for philanthropy in achieving environmental impacts at a global scale.

This episode focuses on the critical role of philanthropy in supporting efforts to eliminate toxics and chemical pollution from our environment in order to protect people’s health.

Speakers are:

• Devika Waney - Trustee of Savitri Waney Charitable Trust
• Dr. Apolline Roger - Law & Policy Adviser, Chemicals Program Lead, ClientEarth
• Elizabeth Salter Green - Co-founder and Director, CHEM Trust
• Josie Cohen - Head of Policy & Campaigns, Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN UK)
• Dr. Kerry Dinsmore - Technical expert and Projects Manager, Fidra

Listen to this fascinating international discussion with speakers dialling in from the Gambia, UK, Vietnam and Zambia: Dr Kris Murray, Associate Professor of Environment and Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; Anna Jones, Head of Forests, Greenpeace UK; James Compton, Head of TRAFFIC’s Wildlife TRAPS Project; and Markus Hofmeyr, Programme Officer for Wildlife Conservation & Trade, Oak Foundation. 

Our engagement with animals and the habitats we share plays a critical role in our global health security. Emerging human diseases are rarely new, they are often ‘zoonotic’: established pathogens moving to humans from other animals. Around 60% of all infectious diseases are zoonotic, with Covid-19 being one in a long line throughout our history. To reduce the risk of future pandemics, we need a long-term vision, one that enables us to fundamentally transform our relationship with the natural world. What role can philanthropy play in this?