Planet Pulse Pacific

Gareth Hughes is a former Member of Parliament, political commentator, author, and passionate advocate for economic transformation. With a decade of experience in Parliament representing the Green Party, Gareth held key roles including Party Whip, strategist, and Chair of the Social Services and Community Select Committee. Before his time in politics, Gareth led climate campaigns with Greenpeace, helping to drive awareness and action on critical environmental issues.Gareth now serves as Director of WEAll Aotearoa Wellbeing Economy Alliance, a Te Tiriti-led, non-partisan ‘think and do’ tank focused on reimagining Aotearoa New Zealand’s economy to prioritise the wellbeing of people and te taiao (the natural world). Through research, advocacy, and coalition-building, the WEAll Aotearoa team are helping to shape a future where thriving communities and ecosystems are at the heart of economic decision-making.In this episode, we discuss:Gareth’s journey from climate activism to Parliament to economic systems changeHow his personal and political experiences shaped a deep commitment to systemic economic changeWhy the current economic model is failing—and why change is urgentWhat a well-being economy really means (and what it’s not)Challenging common myths about economic growth and prosperityWhy Aotearoa needs an economy that works for everyone, within planetary boundariesThe mission and work of WEAll Aotearoa—empowering communities, policymakers, and businesses to co-create changeThe Wellbeing Economy Alliance—a global movement, now in 19 countriesTools and frameworks for action, including the Wellbeing Economy Policy Design GuideBusiness as a force for goodGareth’s nationwide listening tour—hearing how everyday New Zealanders want the economy to workBarriers to shifting the system, and how we can overcome themWhat success could look like, and Gareth’s message of hope and actionHow you can support WEAll Aotearoa and get involved in the movementGareth offers a hopeful, grounded, and inspiring conversation about how we can reimagine the economy to truly serve both people and the planet.To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.

Dr Catherine Knight is an award-winning author, environmental historian, and policy expert with extensive experience in both strategic and operational environmental governance. Currently working in strategic policy in the government sector, Catherine is also an Honorary Research Associate at Massey University’s School of People, Environment and Planning. Her writing on wellbeing, post-growth economics, and environmental policy frequently appears on platforms such as Newsroom, The Spinoff, and Substack.Catherine has authored several acclaimed books exploring the relationships between people, nature, and politics, including Nature and Wellbeing in Aotearoa, which we explored with her in a previous podcast episode. Her latest work, An Uncommon Land, is her most personal to date, tracing Aotearoa’s environmental and social history through the lens of her own ancestors. It explores powerful themes like enclosure, colonisation, and the gradual denaturing of landscapes.In this episode:Her background in policy and current work beyond authorshipAuckland’s lost tram network and the role of holistic city designRethinking the economy to serve both people and planetWhat inspired Catherine to write An Uncommon LandThe personal journey of understanding her ancestors to shape present-day insightsThe vulnerability of writing a deeply personal bookThe concept of The Commons—its historical significance and near-erasure in modern AotearoaDebunking the myth of the "tragedy of the commons"How the shift to enclosure and private property continues to shape society todayThe enduring systems of war, colonisation, and environmental degradation—and their modern parallelsOur complicity in an economy driven by exploitation and consumptionHow New Zealand’s celebrated progress has often depended on the extraction of resources and environmental destructionEnvisioning alternative futures: post-growth models, food security, and land as a shared inheritanceWhy we must redirect public investment toward collective wellbeingWhat Catherine and her daughter learned from travelling together in the process of researching this book.To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.

We are joined by Sheena Chhabra, campaigner for the Plant Based Treaty—a groundbreaking global initiative tackling the climate and ecological crises by putting food systems at the heart of the solution.The Plant Based Treaty is calling for a shift toward a just, plant-based food system that respects planetary boundaries, protects biodiversity, reforests the Earth, and creates a more resilient and equitable future. Recently, Sheena and the Plant Based Treaty team celebrated a major milestone: helping Darebin City Council become the first local government in Australia to endorse the Treaty, joining the ranks of progressive cities like Los Angeles and Amsterdam.With a vision to see a global Plant Based Treaty adopted alongside the Paris Agreement, the organisation is driving policy change, strengthening networks, and supporting communities to transition to healthier, climate-friendly food systems.In this episode, we discuss:Sheena’s journey into plant-based advocacy and environmental campaigningHow the Plant Based Treaty came to be and what it aims to achieveThe critical connection between food systems, climate change, and biodiversity lossWhy reducing reliance on animal agriculture is key to cutting methane emissionsHow and why Australia is one of the world’s worst hotspots for land clearing and species extinctionThe vulnerabilities in our current food systems and how to build resilience with a plant-based shiftThe links between animal agriculture, antibiotic resistance, and zoonotic disease risksAn introduction to The Safe and Trust report: The Plant Based Treaty’s Vegan Donut Economics Approach to the Food SystemThe Treaty’s five core programs and what they’re doing to drive real changeHow individuals and institutions can support the movementWhat’s ahead for the Plant Based Treaty in 2025 and beyondTo view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.

Gerard Wedderburn-Bisshop is a former Principal Scientist with the Queensland Government Natural Resources, where he spent three decades using satellite data to monitor vegetation cover and deforestation. Since leaving that position, he has co-authored the Beyond Zero Emissions’ Land Use Plan, worked with the NGO World Preservation Foundation, and serves as Director of Replant Byron. We had the privilege of closing out our last season with a chat with this incredible human, and we’re thrilled to welcome Gerard back for an update on his latest groundbreaking research!In this episode, we explore Gerard’s latest paper, Increased Transparency in Accounting Conventions Could Benefit Climate Policy. He breaks down three major shifts in climate science and emissions accounting that challenge conventional thinking about what drives climate change—revealing that agriculture, particularly animal agriculture, is the leading cause of present-day warming.This is a paradigm-shifting conversation, so grab your pen and notepaper (you’ll want to take notes, trust us!), and check out Gerard’s brief explainer video here.In this episode, we discuss:A recap of Gerard’s previous research on the need for consistent carbon accountingContentious gases and how we measure them – Global Warming Potential vs Effective Radiative ForcingThe impact of cooling aerosols from fossil fuel emissions and why they complicate climate calculations.How we have undervalued the impact of deforestation, underestimated methane’s impact, and failed to account for cooling emissions.A game-changing revelation: updated metrics show agriculture is responsible for 60% of today’s global warming—with animal agriculture alone accounting for 53%.The overlooked power of natural drawdown—how nature has looked after us right from the startWhy these improved methodologies haven’t been widely applied before, and what’s been standing in the wayThe expected response from the animal agriculture industry and how to navigate the greenwashing.The bigger picture: what role does animal agriculture play in humanity’s future?Join us as we unpack the science, the solutions, and why a major shift in climate policy is needed—now more than ever!To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.

Nina Trinquet is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and PhD candidate based in Melbourne. Take a listen as Nina shares her wisdom on how a whole food plant-based diet can prevent and manage chronic disease. Nina works with individuals aiming to improve their health through diet, with a particular focus on cardiovascular health.She is also an avid endurance runner with a passion for sports nutrition, making this a must-listen episode for athletes and health-conscious individuals alike.Nina packs this episode full of evidence-based insights, practical nutrition tips, and inspiring discussions on creating a healthier, more sustainable future through food.In this episode, we discuss:Nina’s background in prosthetics and orthotics, and how this led to plant-based dieteticsHer love for endurance running and marathon goals for 2025The importance of strength training & nutrition in running performanceNina’s crucial work in transforming food systems in youth justiceWhy young men are obsessed with protein & what they’re missingWhole food plant-based vs. standard vegan diets—what’s the difference?How diet can prevent, manage & even reverse chronic diseaseMaximising iron & protein intake on a plant-based dietThe importance of calorie density for plant-based athletesCommon myths & misconceptions about plant-based eatingCarbohydrates, saturated fat and insulin resistance in Type 2 DiabetesNina’s PhD research at Monash University and how you can volunteer to support her workHer personal goals for 2025 & beyondTo view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.

Dakota Jones is more than just a world-class trail runner—he’s a passionate environmental advocate on a mission to drive meaningful climate action. As a professional athlete for NNormal and the Founder and Executive Director of Footprints, an environmental nonprofit, Dakota is dedicated to empowering individuals to create tangible change in their local communities.Footprints provide mentorship, networks, and self-development opportunities. It uses shared outdoor experiences to foster environmental awareness and cultivate confident, value-driven changemakers. Founded by trail runners, the organisation also works to make the outdoors more accessible and inclusive, reinforcing the powerful link between environmental stewardship and sport.This year, Dakota is taking on some of his biggest challenges yet—including an attempt at the 100-mile American record at the upcoming Jackpot Ultras in Las Vegas, all while raising critical funds to support Footprints’ mission of building a more sustainable, climate-resilient future.In this episode, we discuss:Dakota’s journey into ultrarunning and rise as one of the sport’s top competitors.His experiences racing some of the world’s toughest trail events.Competing in Australia, winning the Buffalo Stampede, and earning the King of the Mountain title!What sparked his passion for environmental activism.First-hand experiences witnessing climate change and his responsibility for protecting wild places.The origins of Footprints and how it empowers grassroots climate action.The impact of Footprints Camps and the inspiring projects launched by some of the camp’s graduates.Personal lessons learned from leading Footprints Camps and supporting emerging changemakers.Footprints fundraising efforts for 2025, including Dakota’s upcoming 100-mile record attempt.His upcoming personal and professional plans for 2025—both in racing and environmental advocacy.To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.

Gerard Wedderburn-Bisshop worked as a Principal Scientist with Queensland Government Natural Resources, using satellite data to monitor three decades of vegetation cover and broadscale deforestation. He left the government in 2010 to co-author the Beyond Zero Emissions’ Land Use Plan, a plan to take Australia’s land use and agriculture emissions beyond zero.He now works pro bono with the NGO World Preservation Foundation, focusing on deforestation, land degradation and biodiversity loss. Gerard is also on the Zero Emissions Byron Land Use Advisory Panel and a Director of Replant Byron. Recently he co-authored a book for the Eating Our Way To Extinction documentary and has produced a series of explanatory videos on the climate impact of animal agriculture. Recent research includes carbon emissions from deforestation, with explanatory video.In this episode, we dive into Gerard's latest scientific article, "Deforestation—a Call for Consistent Carbon Accounting." The article shakes up how we think about carbon emissions, arguing that the current system for measuring deforestation’s impact doesn’t tell the full story. Gerard makes a strong case for a gross accounting approach across all industries, to provide us with a clearer picture of the damage and solutions. This discussion highlights the urgent need to totally revalue the environmental harms of agriculture – in a nutshell, Gerard urges us all to eat plants and plant trees!In this episode, we discuss:Gerard’s work with the Queensland Government monitoring deforestationShocking stats on Australia’s clearing ratesHis involvement with the Eating Our Way to Extinction documentary and associated resourcesThe work of Plant-Based TreatyA deep dive into Gerard’s latest paper on consistent carbon accountingGross vs. net carbon accounting explainedHow the carbon cycle really worksThe overlooked value of forest drawdown potentialThe true environmental toll of animal agricultureRethinking climate policy with Gerard’s insightsA sneak peek at his upcoming researchTranslating the numbers into meaningful actionTo view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.

John Jurko II is the lead director and producer of RHINO MAN, a powerful documentary that highlights the courage and dedication of field rangers who risk their lives to protect South Africa's rhinos from poaching. More than just a conservation film, RHINO MAN tells a universal story of resilience, bravery, and the human spirit—a heroic tale of individuals striving to leave the world a better place.Since 2018, John has been at the helm of RHINO MAN, guiding its completion with passion and purpose. A graduate with a BA in Film Production and Philosophy, John began his career in Los Angeles, working in the camera department on numerous indie films. He later moved to Atlanta, where he was drawn to the compelling story of RHINO MAN and its potential as a catalyst for social impact.In addition to the film, John launched The Rhino Man Podcast, expanding the conversation around the vital role of rangers, the rhino poaching crisis, and the importance of connecting local communities to protected areas. His advocacy has reached esteemed audiences, including His Royal Highness Prince William, government officials, international financial crime delegates, law enforcement agencies, and conservation NGOs.Through his work, John continues to raise awareness and inspire action for one of the most critical conservation issues of our time. Join us in this episode for a thought-provoking conversation about conservation, courage, and the power of storytelling to drive change.In this episode, we discuss:John’s background in film, philosophy, and storytelling—and his path to joining RHINO MANStartling statistics on rhino populations and the poaching crisis in AfricaMisconceptions and myths about rhino horn, including its unsubstantiated health claimsThe inspiration behind RHINO MAN—sharing the powerful stories of South African field rangersChallenges and lessons from the demanding filmmaking processThe evolving and perilous role of field rangers in South AfricaThe gruelling recruitment and training process for becoming a field rangerThe work of Global Conservation Corps and the importance of connecting children with natureTackling the wicked problem that is wildlife poaching John’s personal reflections from filming the documentaryThe story of Anton Mzimba—a heroic field ranger whose legacy continues to inspireHonouring Anton Mzimba and supporting his family through the Anton Mzimba Education TrustJohn’s ongoing fight for justice in Anton’s unsolved murder investigation and how we can support his effortsWhy wildlife conservation matters to everyone and how we can support rangers and protect rhinosFuture projects for JohnTo view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.

Professor Niki Harré, Head of the School of Psychology at the University of Auckland, and author of Psychology for a Better World: Working with People to Save the Planet and The Infinite Game: How to Live Well Together, shares her vision of resilient, compassionate, and creative communities as the foundation for sustainability. As discussed in her recent TEDx talk, Niki is particularly interested in promoting deep dialogue, constructive decision-making, and collective action for human and ecological flourishing. In this episode, she underscores how psychology—often overlooked in environmental work—is vital for fostering a people-focused approach and driving meaningful systems change.Niki emphasises the power of stories and behaviours to inspire action, advocating for narratives of hope and compassion rather than focusing solely on crisis. To combat negativity amid the constant messages of environmental doom and gloom, Dr Harré discusses the importance of working with others and sharing positive values, to build resilient communities. We also explore how common identity points can strengthen communication on sustainability issues, fostering understanding and commitment.At the heart of her philosophy is an “infinite game” mindset, where the goal is to keep what we most value in play, while inviting others to join – for it is together that we can create resilient social movements, sustain hope, and work toward a more generous, equitable world, with a flourishing environment and compassionate communities.In this episode, Niki discusses:What initially drew her to psychology and her passion for community well-being and sustainabilityThe shift away from community-based approaches as society moves more onlineHer two books, Psychology for a Better World: Working with People to Save the Planet and The Infinite Game: How to Live Well TogetherConcerns with “problem-focused” approaches in sustainability circlesThe concept of “copying” behaviours to foster a more sustainable futureThe impact of positive and negative emotions on facilitating change and transformationTips for staying emotionally buoyant in the face of apocalyptic narrativesThe critical importance of self-identity and living in accordance with one’s valuesBeing a ‘tidy person’, practising mindfulness, and taking extreme care with material resourcesMoving away from “us vs. them” mentalities and instead asking what kind of world we want to live inThe importance of engaging with young people in sustainability effortsHer “Secular Priest” experiment and what it taught her about communityHer parting thoughts for advocates and communities on building resilience and maintaining hopeTo view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.

Lydia Green is the Founder and Project Director of Manta Watch New Zealand, a charitable trust dedicated to protecting and studying manta rays. With a Marine Biology degree (Hons) and over 15 years of experience in marine science, Lydia has worked in waters across the globe, from Fiji to Mexico, bringing a wealth of expertise to New Zealand's manta ray research.Since establishing Manta Watch Aotearoa New Zealand in 2017, Lydia has become a local leading figure in marine conservation, driving groundbreaking efforts to protect these majestic creatures. Manta rays, known for having the largest brain of any fish, are highly interactive and sociable, making their conservation vital for marine ecosystems. Under Lydia’s leadership, the organisation has focused on innovative research, public education, and conservation initiatives to safeguard manta rays and their habitats.In this episode, Lydia shares her journey from global marine researcher to spearheading manta conservation in New Zealand. We dive deep into Manta Watch’s recent projects and explore the incredible intelligence and behaviour of manta rays, along with the vital role they play in ocean ecosystems.Despite the growing threats to marine life, Lydia’s message is clear: With continued research, education, and global action, we can ensure that manta rays—and our oceans—continue to thrive.In this episode, Lydia discusses:Her background and passion for marine scienceHer love for manta rays and marine megafaunaManta Ray 101: An overview of their biology and behaviourThe inspiration behind founding Manta Watch NZThe conservation status of manta rays in New Zealand and globallySurprising research findings about oceanic mantas in Aotearoa’s watersThe biggest threats to manta rays and best practice guidelines for protectionThe role of citizen science in manta conservation and the importance of sharing findingsThe search for manta cleaning and feeding stations in New Zealand watersThe upcoming Wellington screening of Manta Watch’s short film, Discovering Aotearoa New Zealand’s Gentle GiantsWays to support Manta Watch NZAdvice for aspiring marine scientistsTo view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.