Kelp, Seagrass, Crabs, and Conservation along California's Coastline with Dr. Brent Hughes, Sonoma State University Professor & Marine Biologist
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
Dr. Brent Hughes takes us on a fascinating journey through California's coastal ecosystems, revealing the unexpected ways sea otters transform their environments. As an Associate Professor at Sonoma State University with a background spanning from the center of landlocked Kansas to the rugged Pacific coast, Hughes brings unique perspective to marine conservation.
The conversation explores how foundation species like kelp, seagrass, and salt marshes create the physical structure that supports entire ecosystems. Hughes shares his groundbreaking discovery that sea otters prevent coastal erosion by consuming burrowing shore crabs – research so significant it earned the cover of Nature magazine. These "crab condos" weaken marsh banks, but when otters remove the crabs, the marshes stabilize. It's a perfect example of how restoring natural food webs can solve environmental problems that human intervention struggles to fix.
California's sea otter population faces a precarious future, stalled at just 3,000 individuals despite historical numbers likely reaching 20,000-30,000. The culprit? What Hughes calls the "white shark gauntlet" preventing otters from expanding their range north or south of central California. His research suggests San Francisco Bay alone could support twice the state's current population, reveali
Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Foreign Policy's The Catch Podcast
As the fishmeal industry grows, local communities’ food security suffers, communities are impacted.
Flukes International Whale Tours
Multi-day marine mammal education, research and conservation tours to exotic places with Zack Klyver
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
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We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
Turning Trash into Treasure: How the US-based Non-Profit Long Way Home with its Hero School are Transforming Guatemalan Communities
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
What if the trash polluting our environment could be transformed into schools, homes, and opportunities? In San Juan Comalapa, Guatemala, that's what's happening thanks to Matt Panaitz and Long Way Home. 20 years ago, Matt was a Peace Corps volunteer stationed in this predominantly Mayan community nestled in Guatemala's Western Highlands. Rather than returning to ordinary life in the U.S. after his service, Matt sold his car, moved back to Guatemala, and embarked on a remarkable journey. What began as building the town's first grass soccer field evolved into a revolutionary approach to education and sustainability. The Hero School campus now stands as a testament to possibility—20 buildings constructed from over 35,000 discarded tires and 100,000 plastic bottles filled with trash. This approach has earned recognition from UNESCO- aligning Education with Sustainable Development and ripples far beyond the school itself—in one village, students mapped every household, identified needs, and implemented 57 stove projects, with grateful residents throwing rose petals at their feet as they departed. By treating waste as a resource rather than a problem, they've created sustainable infrastructure while addressing poverty through education that empowers students to become heroes in their own communities. Learn more about volunteering,
Foreign Policy's The Catch PodcastAs the fishmeal industry grows, local communities’ food security suffers, communities are impacted.
Planet Centric Media (non-profit)
Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Flukes International Whale Tours
Multi-day marine mammal education, research and conservation tours to exotic places with Zack Klyver
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
Every Second Breath Project-Stories from the Frontlines: Emmy-Award Winning Filmmakers Cynthia Abbott & Andrea Leland from Petaluma, CA
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
Storytelling has the power to transform how we see our oceans and inspire meaningful action. Two visionary filmmakers, Cynthia Abbott and Andrea Leland, join us to share how they're using documentary filmmaking to spotlight both the crisis facing our marine environments and the everyday heroes working to save them. Their Emmy-winning documentary "Three Ocean Advocates" introduces us to remarkable individuals making a difference: Dick Ogg, a fisherman developing innovative methods to prevent whale entanglement; Tess Felix, an artist transforming beach plastic into stunning portraits; and Barbara Kritz, who unintentionally captured the devastating decline of Caribbean coral reefs through her underwater photography. The conversation takes a deep dive into Cynthia's latest project, "The Abalone Chronicles," which explores the critical endangerment of red abalone along the Northern California coast. Through the eyes of 3 distinct characters—a shell collector, a Yurok tribal regalia maker, and a diver working to restore kelp forests—viewers witness the interconnected challenges facing our coastal ecosystems. Rather than overwhelming viewers with environmental doom, Abbott and Leland spotlight solutions and provide concrete calls to action. Become an ocean advocate! Visit everysecondbreathproject.org to watch these inspiring films,
Planet Centric Media (non-profit)Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Foreign Policy's The Catch Podcast
As the fishmeal industry grows, local communities’ food security suffers, communities are impacted.
Flukes International Whale Tours
Multi-day marine mammal education, research and conservation tours to exotic places with Zack Klyver
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
Beyond the UN Ocean Conference: A Captain's Call to Action - Captain Paul Watson, from Paris
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
Captain Paul Watson speaks with us from Paris about his experiences at the UN Ocean Conference, meetings with global leaders including President Macron, and his continued ocean conservation efforts after his release from a Greenland prison.
• The UN Ocean Conference yielded a major victory with 64 countries ratifying the High Seas Treaty, providing additional legal protection for ocean interventions
• Captain Paul met with French President Macron, the Mayor of Reykjavik, the President of French Polynesia, and Brazil's Environment Minister to discuss marine conservation
• Whaling in Iceland has been paused for three consecutive years, signaling a potential permanent end to the practice as public opinion shifts
• Deep sea mining threatens to create devastating sediment clouds lasting 3-6 years that could suffocate marine life across hundreds of square miles
• Krill overfishing in the Southern Ocean by factory ships from Norway, Japan and Russia is starving penguin and whale populations while producing cheap feed for factory farms
• The Captain Paul Watson Foundation is planning direct interventions against krill fishing operations, creating a new TV series called "Krill Wars" to raise awareness
• Commercial fishing operations globally are sustained by approximately $90 billion in government subsidies, not by actual market profitability
• The foundation's upcoming projects include anti-poaching operations in the Mediterranean, protecting turtles in Mayotte, and opposing seismic testing off Uruguay
Join us in supporting ocean conservation by donating to Resilient Earth Radio and the Captain Paul Watson Foundation to help protect our blue planet. Visit our website or find us on social media to learn how you can contribute.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
Rising Human-Generated Noise Impacts Marine Life (worse if deep sea mining, offshore drilling, & windmills get green lit) We Talk with Michael Stocker, Ocean Conservation Research Founder/Director
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
The ocean isn't silent—it's a symphony of natural sounds that marine life depends on for survival. But human-generated noise pollution is drowning out this essential communication network with potentially devastating consequences. Michael takes us deep into the world of marine bioacoustics, revealing how political decisions directly impact ocean ecosystems. With three decades of experience studying underwater sound, Stocker paints a vivid picture of the challenges facing marine life today. We explore the shocking effects of military sonar on beaked whales, where intense acoustic disturbances cause animals to surface too quickly, resulting in catastrophic internal injuries similar to decompression sickness in human divers. Stocker describes how their bodies appeared like "milkshakes inside" during necropsies—a graphic reminder of how sound can kill. The conversation turns to innovative solutions, including Stocker's groundbreaking work using wavelet analysis to precisely track whale movements near shipping lanes. This technology could revolutionize marine mammal protection by allowing ships to "see" whales on their navigation systems and avoid collisions without necessarily slowing down—a win for both conservation and commerce. Climate change compounds these acoustic challenges, with melting Arctic ice eliminating crucial feeding grounds for gray whales. Whether discussing non-cavitating propeller designs that could dramatically reduce vessel noise or the devastating impact of bottom trawling on marine habitats, Stocker provides both expertise and hope. His parting advice offers meaningful action for listeners. Sites: https://ocr.org/ & https://ocean-noise.com/
Planet Centric Media (non-profit)Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
Gray Whales in Peril: San Francisco Bay - What is Being Done, or Can Be Done? We Talk with Cetacean Specialist Josie Slaathaug at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
In this episode, we talk about a devastating crisis that unfolded this year in the San Francisco Bay. March to June 2025 saw an unprecedented 36 gray whales enter, and stay for extended periods in one of the West coast's busiest waterways. The result? A staggering mortality rate with over 20 dead whales—roughly half of all observed individuals—primarily from vessal strikes. We wanted to find out why and what can be and is being done about it. Scott Mercer brought in Josie Slaathaug (pronounced Slot-Howg) to talk about it. She's a cetacean specialist at the Marine Mammal Center and Sonoma State University graduate researcher. She created and maintained the bay's gray whale photo ID catalog, and shares how this extraordinary year contrasts sharply with 2024's minimal whale presence. Most disturbing is that many were, malnourished whales—yet many were in good body condition, actively feeding, and displaying rich social behaviors rarely documented in the bay before: spy hopping, chin slapping, bubble blowing, and forming tight pairs. The maritime community's response offers a glimmer of hope despite the heartbreak. Ferry captains shared real-time whale locations, vessels rerouted especially during nighttime hours, and the Coast Guard broadcast regular whale alerts. Despite these coordinated efforts, vessel strikes still claimed too many lives. Slaathaug's research, matching carcasses to living whales photographed days earlier, paints a poignant picture of an individual whale's final days. How might climate change and shifting Arctic feeding grounds be altering migration patterns? Can we develop more proactive protection measures before next year's migration? We talk about that and more.
Planet Centric Media (non-profit)Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
Local Voices of Resistance as A Nation Rises Against Presidential Overreach
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
A powerful wave of peaceful resistance swept across America on June 14, 2025, as over 5 million citizens gathered in 2,100 cities and towns for No Kings Day. From small coastal communities like Wallala to major metropolitan centers, Americans of all ages exercised their First Amendment rights to voice opposition against what many view as presidential overreach and environmental devastation.
The current administration's systematic dismantling of critical environmental agencies stands at the heart of many protesters' concerns. We explore how the gutting of scientific expertise at the EPA and NOAA threatens decades of environmental progress and our ability to address pressing challenges like climate change. When federal authorities released water from California dams without understanding the state's water systems, it highlighted a dangerous pattern of uninformed intervention that wastes precious resources and undermines state authority.
Through intimate conversations with local participants Wendy White and Sandy Wright, we discover the deeply personal motivations driving ordinary citizens to stand up for democracy and environmental protection. Their perspectives reveal how political decisions have real-world impacts on communities, from agricultural workers facing aggressive immigration raids to educators struggling to teach environmental stewardship while the government models the opposite.
Beyond documenting the protests, we examine concerning legislation currently moving through Congress that threatens marine sanctuaries, and we analyze the manipulation tactics being deployed to distract and divide Americans. By recognizing patterns of gaslighting, fear-mongering, and misinformation, we can better equip ourselves to protect
Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
Deep Sea Mining: Promise or Peril?
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
Beneath the waves, in the darkness of the deep ocean, lies one of Earth's last pristine wilderness areas – a place we've barely begun to understand. Now, a high-stakes race is underway to mine valuable minerals from the seafloor, with profound implications for marine ecosystems and our planet's future.
Richard Charter from The Ocean Foundation takes us on an eye-opening journey into the complex world of deep sea mining. He expertly breaks down the three distinct types of extraction threatening different ocean ecosystems: hydrothermal vents with their unique energy-transforming life forms, mineral crusts that form along seamounts, and polymetallic nodules scattered across vast stretches of seafloor. These aren't just minerals – they're living habitats that took millions of years to evolve.
What's particularly alarming is the permanence of any damage we inflict. Charter reveals that test mining tracks created 26 years ago remain perfectly visible today, as if freshly made. "If it took millions of years to evolve these life forms in the sea," he warns, "then we know that for them to come back, first of all they may come back in a different form, and it may take millions of years. This is beyond human scale."
While mining companies frame their work as essential for the green energy transition, providing minerals for electric vehicle batteries and renewable infrastructure, Charter challenges this narrative. He points out that automotive technology is already evolving beyond these specific metals, and effective recycling programs could meet many of our needs without risking irreparable harm to ocean ecosystems. Meanwhile, the deep sea may harbor undiscovered solutions to humanity's greatest challenges, including potential cancer t
Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
Saving Our Seas: Inside the World's Largest Marine Mammal Hospital with Adam Ratner
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
What do marine mammals tell us about the health of our oceans? The answer might surprise you—and it's more urgent than ever as climate change transforms our coastal environments.
Adam Ratner, Director of Conservation Engagement at The Marine Mammal Center, takes us behind the scenes of the world's largest marine mammal hospital as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. From rescuing seven marine mammals in 1975 to today's operation saving up to 1,000 animals annually, the Center has become a global leader in understanding how these magnificent creatures serve as sentinels for ocean health.
The conversation reveals concerning trends, including the discovery that 30% of rescued marine mammals experience human disturbance or harassment before rescue. Ratner explains the Center's recent response to 14 whale deaths in the San Francisco Bay Area in just weeks—many showing signs of malnutrition related to warming Arctic waters where gray whales feed. These deaths echo the 2019-2021 Unusual Mortality Event that saw gray whale populations drop by approximately 30%.
Yet amid these challenges, there are remarkable success stories. The Center's work with endangered Hawaiian monk seals has helped increase their population from about 1,000 to over 1,600, with approximately 30% of all living Hawaiian monk seals owing their lives to conservation interventions. Ratner also describes surprising opportunities for urban wildlife viewing, like harbor porpoises visible from the Golden Gate Bridge and humpback whales feeding within view of city skylines.
Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast, concerned about climate change, or simply curious about the ocean, this episode offers practical guidance on responsible wildlife viewing and ways anyon
Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
Facing Again Threats to California's Protected Coast, this time by the Trump Administration-Our Talk with the Ocean Foundation's Sr. Fellow, Richard Charter
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
The battle for California's coast has erupted once more as offshore drilling returns to Santa Barbara and threatens to spread northward along the entire Pacific coastline. This alarming development follows Trump's late April executive order, which targets even our most protected ocean areas—National Marine Sanctuaries—for oil and gas exploration for the first time in history.
Richard Charter, Senior Fellow at the Ocean Foundation and veteran defender of our coastal ecosystems, explains that this aggressive push by the administration targets specific areas off Bodega Head, Sea Ranch, Gualala, Point Arena, and Mendocino Village. Unlike previous attempts to drill offshore, this one specifically targets marine sanctuaries—areas that took decades of scientific research and public advocacy to establish as protected zones.
The consequences of offshore drilling disasters are etched into California's history. From the infamous 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill to the 2015 Refugio disaster (where oil traveled 150 miles along the coast) and the 2021 Huntington Beach pipeline rupture, California has repeatedly suffered from industry negligence. These aren't just environmental catastrophes—they directly threaten coastal economies dependent on tourism, fishing, and recreation.
What's particularly disturbing is how the administration is dismantling protections from within. Many NOAA scientists have resigned rather than approve drilling permits in sanctuary waters. Safety regulations designed to prevent another Deepwater Horizon disaster are being removed. Even President Biden's January withdrawal of the Pacific coast from oil development—a legally binding protection that courts have upheld—is being simply ignored.
The public has until June 16th to comment on the proposed five-year offshore leasing program through SaveMyCoast.org. Charter reminds us that California's coast isn't just any coastline—it's a global model for marine protection, with carefully designed networks of protected areas studied by planners worldwide. The ecosystem here supports one of the planet's most productive upwelling systems, essential not just for marine life but for the oxygen we breathe.
As Peter Douglas, founder of California coastal protection, famously said: "The California coast is never saved, it's always in the process of being saved." Now is the time to continue that fight.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
Living Nature - More Valuable Than Dead Nature: How Seacology is Helping Island Nations & Indigenous People Economically & Ecologically
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
Seacology is a charitable organization headquartered in Berkeley, CA that works to preserve island ecosystems and cultures around the world, as well as conducting annual educational ecotourism trips. Founded in 1991 with the work of ethnobotanist Paul Alan Cox, the high risk of extinction for island fauna and the decline in coral reef ecosystems drives Seacology's focus on projects in which villagers agree to help protect living nature for a specified time in return for things like new buildings, electricity, clean water, or other services - and they work with local businesses to make that happen.
To date, Seacology has completed:
- 441 Projects
- in 70 Countries
- with 1.5 million acres protected
Plus, they helped construct new facilities and provided programs including educational materials, vital medical services, and environmental training. In addition to helping local people on islands like those in Fiji, the Philippines, and Samoa, their projects have helped protect mangrove forests, sea turtles, and one of the rarest primates in the world. Seacology also awards an annual Prize to indigenous islanders for their efforts in conservation and cultural preservation. It has won the United Nations Climate Secretariat's Momentum for Change climate action award, was nominated for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize, and was the top recipient last year of the $250K Lipman Family Prize for outstanding vision, inspiration and impact.
During our conversation, he talks about the importance of local involvement in conservation efforts. He points out the importance of building trust with local communities, often through cultural exchanges and understanding. A key thread during our hour long conversation is the importance o
Planet Centric Media (non-profit)Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
SEE Turtles Organization President, Brad Nahill on Ecotourism & protecting Sea Turtles - Leading up to World Sea Turtle Week June 2025
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
This conversation is a lead up to the annual Sea Turtle Week each June, which kicks off with World Ocean Day June 8th and ends on the 16, Sea Turtle Week. 7 sea turtle species are highlighted each day along with one of the threats they face. Join Brad Nahill’s See Turtle organization and more than 150 global partners in raising awareness for sea turtles and our ocean planet. SEE Turtles is the organizer of Sea Turtle Week starting on June 8th with World Ocean Day. These are days used to honor and highlight the importance of sea turtles. Not only are sea turtles beautiful animals, but they also show incredible perseverance and resiliency – after all, they have been nesting on beaches for millions of years.
In this episode, we speak with the President of the organization SEE Turtles - and note that it is spelled SEE, not Sea. Brad has worked in sea turtle conservation, ecotourism, and environmental education for 20 years. For these efforts, he received the prestigious Changemakers Award from the World Travel and Tourism Council in 2019 on behalf of the organization SEE Turtles.
Brad is the editor and lead writer of Sea Turtle Research and Conservation: Lessons From The Field published in (2020) and a co-author of the Worldwide Travel Guide to Sea Turtles published in 2014). He is a National Geographic Explorer, was awarded the President’s Award for his work as the chair of the Awards Committee of the International Sea Turtle Society, has authored several book chapters, blogs, and abstracts on turtle conservation and ecotourism, and has presented at major travel conferences and sea turtle symposia.
Brad has a BS in Environmental Economics from Penn State University and has taught ecotourism at Mount Hood Community College in Oregon.
Planet Centric Media (non-profit)Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
Reconnecting Markets with Nature Part 2: An Earth Day Talk with Financial Economist Ralph Chami & More About Blue Green Future
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
Today’s episode is brought to you by Flukes International and is the 2nd half of an Earth Day 2025 conversation we had with Ralph Chami who is Co-Founder/CEO of Blue Green Future, a large team of innovators and thought leaders for natural capital finance and a nature-based economy. Ralph has over 32 years of experience as a financial economist, 25 of those years at the (IMF - the International Monetary Fund). That’s coming up next, right after we hear from Zack Klyver of Flukes International.
Zack is also working with Blue Green Future and helped arrange this Earth Day 2025 conversation with Ralph Chami. And in this 2 part conversation, Ralph spoke with us about the importance of connecting people with nature and forging a new contract for sustainable prosperity and well-being. In part 1, he explained the disconnect between the nature system and the market system, emphasizing the need to make living nature visible and valuable to markets. Ralph argues that by demonstrating the financial value of nature living for itself, such as whales and elephants providing ecosystem services, we can engage the market system in protecting and restoring nature. He highlights the urgency of this mindset shift, given the limited time to address environmental challenges.
We join now halfway through our conversation as he begins speaking about their work in the Amazon with Gaia Amazones founded by Dr. Martín von Hildebrand and run by his son, Francisco or Pacho. Plus, more on what Blue Green Future is doing for the restoration of bison (and why) with the indigenous people in Montana, USA.
See more of what Blue Green Future is doing through YouTube videos posted by one of their co-founders, Dinah Nieberg https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dinah
Planet Centric Media (non-profit)Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
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Reconnecting Markets with Nature: An Earth Day Talk with Renowned Financial Economist Ralph Chami (part 1 of 2)
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
What if we could see the invisible? The magnificent blue whale, stretching 110 feet long through ocean depths, remains completely invisible to our economic systems—until it's killed. In this profound Earth Day conversation with Ralph Chami, we discover how reconnecting our market systems with living nature might be our most powerful tool for planetary healing.
Chami draws from his 32 years as a financial economist, including 25 at the International Monetary Fund, to explain the fundamental disconnect between our nature system and market system. While markets expertly value dead nature—oil, timber, harvested fish—they remain blind to living nature's immense worth. This blindness stems from catastrophic assumptions made during the Age of Reason: that nature is infinite, mechanical, and soulless.
Through groundbreaking research on whales, forest elephants, and seagrass meadows, Chami demonstrates how living ecosystems provide astonishing financial value. When tiger sharks wearing cameras mapped the Bahamas seagrass—revealing meadows worth potentially $150 billion—it transformed how this small island nation viewed its natural assets. Rather than destroying nature for short-term gain, vulnerable communities worldwide are discovering sustainable prosperity through conservation.
Climate change requires both reducing emissions ("shutting the valve") and removing existing atmospheric carbon ("draining the tub"). Nature restoration offers our most powerful carbon capture technology, creating economic opportunities that align financial and ecological interests. From Native American bison restoration to Polynesian whale protection initiatives, Chami shares inspiring projects creating virtuous cycles of environmental and community well-
Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
From Nigeria, Africa - Ahmed Tiamiyu Sr. Policy Advisor to Nigeria & The United Nations & Exec. Dir. CAPws--Community Action Against Plastic Waste in the Global South
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
Our guest today is from Nigeria, Africa - a dynamic scientist who is dedicating his life to helping communities in the Global South do something about the enormous amounts of waste, specifically plastic waste, that is being exported by higher income countries to lower income countries. The name of the non-profit organization is CAPws for Community Action Against Plastic Waste. His name is Hahmed Cee-amiyu, a Research Scientist advancing a toxic-free Plastic, Chemicals and Waste Policy| and Community-based Zero Waste Economy.
He is passionate about driving impactful environmental policies and global cooperation on chemicals, waste, and pollution control. He currently serves as Executive Director at CAPws and as a Senior Policy Advisor on Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) to the Nigerian National Assembly House Committee on Environment.
His work has shaped key national policies, including the Nigeria National Environmental (Plastic Waste) Regulation 2023, and he actively contributes to international efforts through roles in the (Bahzel) Basel Convention’s Expert Group on Plastic Waste and the PREVENT Waste Alliance Steering Committee (launched by Germany’s BMZ). Part of the honorable actions the BMZ does is that it supports developing countries efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and adapt to the consequences of climate change
Hamed is also an accredited observer to major UN environmental processes, including the Global Plastic Treaty INC, Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, Minamata Convention, SAICM The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management , GFC the United Nations Global Framework on Chemicals , UNCCaD - the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, an international agreement focuse
Planet Centric Media (non-profit)Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
Ecotoxicologist Susanne Brander from the Scientists Coalition for the United Nations Global Treaty on Plastics Talks About the Next Session This Fall in Geneva Switzerland
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
In today’s episode we talk with Susanne Brander, an Ecotoxicologist who is 1 of 12 core steering committee members overseeing 300 international scientific experts within the International Scientists Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty who are assisting with Navigating the Complexities of Plastics.
An Ecotoxicologist as Susanne mentions is a toxicologist who focuses on fish and wildlife and makes links between what's happening in the environment with what might affect human health.
Brander is also an Associate Professor at OSU (Oregon State University) in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences, and part of the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station and is based at the The Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport Oregon.
The Scientists Coalition delivers science based information to the delegates within the United Nations who aren't scientists, but need to understand the science. These scientists distill what is in numerous peer reviewed papers some of which might need investigation for accuracy.
The coalition is comprised of ecotoxicologists like Brander, along with Chemists, social scientists, experts in environmental law among other scientific backgrounds who working together to give their an informed opinion on what the best outcome for the treaty would be, and what science data should inform those decisions made during negotiating meetings.
175 nations are currently represented in this Global Treaty on Plastics, but they won't all necessarily be part of the the treaty, as they won't all sign (for example, she says, "the US is notorious for participating but not actually signing anything."
Brander said that it's the people on the policy and envir
Planet Centric Media (non-profit)Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
Personhood for Nature & Living Things and Nature-Based Economies - a Look Back & Forward in 2025 "A Bellwether Year for the Ocean" with Resilient Earth Hosts Leigh Anne Lindsey (Producer/Editor), Scott & Tree Mercer (Whale & Seal Study)
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
This episode includes a radio show we recorded a year ago, April 2024, when we talked about the March 28, 2024 Declaration for the Ocean signed by Indigenous leaders of New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Tahiti, Tonga, Hawaii, and Easter Island. This treaty declared whales to be legal persons with inherent rights, including the right to freedom of movement, a healthy environment, and the ability to thrive alongside humanity. Signed by chiefs from the island nations, as well as king of the Māori and president of the High Chiefs of the Cook Islands). The Māori King stated: “Ultimately, this is a declaration for future generations.This partnership will establish a marine recovery plan that will accelerate the recovery of populations of sacred species, from whales to sea lions, dolphins, and manta rays.”
This declaration draws upon the traditions of the Māori worldview and emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living things. Recognizing the urgent threats whales face from unsustainable practices, pollution, and climate change, the declaration outlines a plan for their protection, including establishing marine protected areas and implementing customary restrictions guided by ancestral wisdom.
Co-Hosts Scott & Tree Mercer have dedicated their lives to ocean awareness & observation, & have run a whale census program for the past 12 years. They report daily findings along the Northern CA coasts of Sonoma & Mendocino counties to places like Cal Academy of Science in San Francisco, the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, the Noyo Center for Marine Science in Fort Bragg, & the LA Chapter of the American Cetacean Society. Tree taught biology for 34 years on Long Island, NY. Scott began researching marine mammals in 1974. He's flown aerial surveys & studied humpback, finback, & North Atlantic right whales, along with co-founding the Briar Island Ocean Study Research Station on Briar Island, Nova Scotia. He led winter expeditions in the British Virgin Islands for humpback whales & coral reef studies, & co-wrote the Great Whale Book.
Ralph Chami, Founder & Director of Blue-Green Future & Rebalance Earth, former Assoc. Dir. of the IMF is also showcased. He inspired us to create & launch this podcast last Sept, 4 years after he was a guest speaker on the Ocean Life Symposium we simulcast on public radio & YouTube. Chami is a financial economist who is helping to create markets around nature that protect nature in perpetuity.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
Exploring Marine Pollution with Dr. Judith Weis Professor Emeritus Biology Rutgers University / Author Marine Pollution "What Everyone Needs to Know" 2nd edition (Oxford University Press)
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
In this episode of the Resilient Earth podcast, we talk with Dr. Judith Weis, a marine pollution expert and professor emerita at Rutgers University about the critical issues surrounding marine pollution, including the various sources of pollution, the importance of estuaries and marshlands, and the impact of climate change on ocean health. Dr. Weis also shares insights from her recently published second edition of 'Marine Pollution: What Everyone Needs to Know,' highlighting the growing concern over microplastics and the significant improvements in the New York / New Jersey Harbor area, which has been designated as a Hope Spot for marine conservation by Dr. Sylvia Earle's organization, Mission Blue. Book is published by Oxford University press.
We delve into critical environmental issues, with a focus on coral bleaching, the impact of microplastics on photosynthesis, and the historical context of fish tumors. We also address the regulatory changes affecting water quality, the long-term effects of oil spills, and the implications of climate change on marine life, particularly sea turtles. We also discuss the importance of ocean acidification, conservation efforts, and the role of scientists in shaping environmental policy amidst concerns over budget cuts and regulations.
takeaways
- Marine pollution encompasses various types, including nutrient, metal, and oil pollution.
- Microplastics have become a significant focus in marine pollution research.
- Estuaries and marshes serve as vital ecosystems for marine life.
- The Clean Water Act has led to significant improvements in water quality.
- Coral reefs are crucial for food security in tropical regions.
- Climate change is causing coral bleaching
Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
Montreal's O'Land Stations' Founder Rachel Labbe-Bellas On Their Single Use Plastic Solution - Quick, Filtered, Refillable Water Stations for Large Events Helps Companies Go Green While Reducing the Carbon footprint & Simultaneously Providing Economy
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
Our guest this week is Rachel Labbe-Bellas, founder of Montreal Canada-based O’Land Stations which hydrates the world's largest entertainment events & venues with profit-oriented cylindrical water stations that reduce single use plastic - one of the biggest issues now facing our planet.
It’s quite the success story, from launching right at the beginning of the pandemic - when most all major events were cancelled, pivoting during that time, and now gaining their stride as they have hit the ground running with a solution for reducing single use plastics, specifically at large events, from sports to music to conferences and events of all types where clean, cold, and quick delivery of water for an attending public is needed, and where it is also an economical tool for the event host or the event organizers. They’re building an economy around an enormous plastics pollution problem.
Rachel shares her journey from marine biology to entrepreneurship, the challenges faced during the pandemic, and the success of her company in promoting sustainability at large events. The conversation highlights the importance of partnerships and data-driven solutions in creating a more sustainable future. We discuss role of host cities for major events like the FIFA World Cup, the innovative solutions for water dispensing, the impact of their efforts in reducing single-use plastics, logistics of delivering water stations, the dynamics of market demand, and the unique offerings of their business model. The conversation also touches on manufacturing challenges, expansion plans.
Rachel has traveled the world and earned a biology degree from McGill University in Quebec, and a Master’s in ecology degree in Brazil. She’s a quadrilingual and has lived in Panama, Barbados, Italy, Philippines, and Brazil, studying tropical ecology. She worked 7 years at 5 Gyres institute as a science programs and development manager, and a corporate relations manager. She worked as a Development Coordinator for Dr. Sylvia Earle at Mission Blue, and was also a science research associate at Scripps Institute of Oceanography in La Jolla, CA. Dec 2015, she was part of 14 women from around the globe who set sail for 19 days to make the unseen seen, from the toxics in our bodies to the toxics in our seas. Their mission was to explore the issue of plastics, chemicals, endocrine disruptors and carcinogens in our personal and global environment. That was the eXXpedition project along the Amazon
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
OpenOceans Global Founder Carl Nettleton on Plastics in our Oceans & the UN Plastics Treaty's Next Session Fall 2025
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
Carl talks about the pressing issue of ocean plastics and his organization's efforts to combat this global crisis. They discuss the origins of OpenOcean's Global, the facts and myths surrounding ocean plastics, and the innovative solutions being implemented worldwide. The conversation emphasizes the importance of collaboration, citizen science, and the need for systemic change to address plastic pollution effectively. They explore the challenges of recycling, the health risks associated with plastics, and innovative solutions for cleanup and prevention.
takeaways
- OpenOcean's Global aims to aggregate and visualize ocean data.
- Plastic pollution is a significant global challenge, with 75% found on shorelines.
- The majority of ocean plastic originates from a few countries with poor waste management.
- Citizen science plays a crucial role in gathering data on ocean plastics.
- Understanding the flow of plastic waste is essential for effective intervention.
- The UN Treaty on Plastics faces challenges from key countries.
- Our ocean plastic map allows citizen scientists to report pollution.
- Plastic pollution significantly impacts marine life and ecosystems.
- Plastic production is expected to triple by 2040, worsening the crisis.
- There are over 4,000 hazardous chemicals found in plastics.
- Plastic in homes contributes to increased fire risks during wildfires.
- Identifying the source of plastic pollution is crucial for solutions.
- Innovative toolkits can help communities track plastic sources.
Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
Dr. Josh McInnis Determining the Ecology and Community Structure of West Coast Transient Killer Whales along the Pacific Coast Canada-Baja
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
Watch the video of his presentation here on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nZ4NgdnmFf8
This episode is about Dr. Josh McInnis who presented at our 6th Annual Ocean Life Symposium October 2024. Topic: Determining the Ecology and Community Structure of West Coast Transient Killer Whales in the Northeastern Pacific. Josh is from the windy seaside city of Victoria BC, Canada. His research focuses on the ecology and behaviour of marine mammals in British Columbia and Monterey Bay, California, with studies focusing on the foraging behaviour, diet, and ecology of transient (Bigg’s) killer whales and Risso’s Dolphins. They gather information with the help of NOAA, Oregon State University, Pacific Wildlife Foundation, ACCESS (which we interviewed before), and a bunch of whale watchers from Canada to Baja.
See his publication: Foraging behaviour and ecology of transient killer whales within a deep submarine canyon system
Josh D. McInnes ,Kevin M. Lester,Lawrence M. Dill,Chelsea R. Mathieson,Peggy J. West-Stap,Stephanie L. Marcos,Andrew W. Trites
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0299291
And this article published: March 20, 2024
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0299291
Transient killer whales have been documented hunting marine mammals across a variety of habitats. However, relatively little has been reported about their predatory behaviours near deep submarine canyons and oceanic environments. We used a long-term database of sightings and encounters with these predators in and around the Monterey Submarine Canyon, California to describe foraging behaviour, diet, seasonal occurrence, and habitat use p
Planet Centric Media (non-profit)Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
'Orca Sociology' with Howie Garrett, President Orca Network, from the 6th Annual Ocean Life Symposium Oct 2024 (Now in Podcast Format. Visual Version on YouTube)
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
This week, and in the following few weeks, you’ll be hearing speakers from the 6th Annual Ocean Life Symposium that was broadcast on public radio and shown Live on YouTube Oct. 18, 2024. Sea Storm Studios and Planet Centric Media teamed up with Mendonoma Whale and Seal Study to produce this annual event about the health and future of our oceans and the marine life that lives within them. Today’s speaker is Howie Garrett, President of the Orca Network based on Whidbey Island in Puget Sound Washington near the Seattle Bay Area. In this presentation, Howie raises the little discussed concept of 'Orca sociology'. He starts by sharing a report from the Center for Whale Research.
Orca Network's Whale Sighting and Education Project encourages observation to increase awareness and knowledge about the Southern Resident Community of orcas (J, K and L pods), Bigg’s Transient orcas and other cetaceans, and foster a stewardship ethic to motivate a diverse audience to take action to protect and restore their critical habitat. Orca Network, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is Connecting People with Whales in the Pacific Northwest. They are committed to a diverse, inclusive and equitable environment for their board, staff and volunteers. email Howard Garrett at howard@orcanetwork.org. His wife Susan Berta said, “We are all intricately connected, from tiny plankton to forage fish, salmon, orcas, tall firs and cedars, mountains, rivers and the ocean. It is time to reflect, to reconnect, and to respond as better caretakers of our planet.”
Here is the longer YouTube video version https://youtu.be/uxofUKKh_oo?feature=shared
Planet Centric Media (non-profit)Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
San Francisco State & Northeastern University Digital Media and Video Art Lecturer Casondra Sobieralski on a new multiplayer game she's developing about climate change
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
In this episode, we speak with Casondra Sobieralski a lecturer at San Francisco State Universities’ Digital Media and Video Art Departments. She is also a visiting lecturer at Northeastern University (which is where Mills College was in Oakland). She has an MFA (A Masters of Fine Arts) in Conceptual & Information Arts, and a PhD Film & Digital Media. Her work examines the intersections of Media Studies, Archaeology, and media archaeology. She has done a video installation for adults about climate change and is now creating a multiplayer game so that youths from around the world could play in the same immersive space while also learning about environmental concerns and what they can do in the process.
The video installation was called Atargatis’s Siren (we’ll talke more about Atargatis in this episode) In “Atargatis’s Siren,” the Eastern Mediterranean Sea itself serves as media, delivering information about climate change via warming regional water temperatures, the consequential inundation of invasive tropical species, and rising sea levels. Her current focus is in Immersive digital storytelling (video installation, 360 video, AR (augmented reality) & /MR (mixed reality), sound mapping, women's history and archaeology; historical soundscapes; and digital heritage.
She has managed web re/design projects for several UC, Berkeley departments including The Bancroft Library, the Institute of Business and Economic Research, and the Office of Sustainability. Her roles included visual design, user experience design, graphic design, writing and editing content, video production, and photography.
Find out more @ https://casondra.pelefire.com/ What creative, and innovative ways to address the critical issues facing our planet.
Planet Centric Media (non-profit)Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
Former EPA Civil Engineer Is Now Sonoma County Poet Laurete (2024-26) Dave Seter Talks Eco-Poetry
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
Dave Seter has been named Sonoma County Poet Laureate 2024-26. He is a civil engineer, essayist, and poet. He is the author of the full-length poetry collection Don’t Sing to Me of Electric Fences (Cherry Grove Collections, 2021) and the chapbooks Night Duty (Main Street Rag, 2010) and Somewhere West of the Mississippi (forthcoming from Mammoth Publications, 2025). Scott and Tree Mercer met Dave after we had a conversation with Bill Keener, former Executive Director of the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito (and current Cetacean Field Research Associate) who felt Dave Seter was someone we might want to speak with. This is a casual converstation with him, and we intersperse it with his poems and other information. Informed by his career in the field of environmental protection, Dave writes about social and environmental issues, including the intersection of the built world and natural world. He is also studying Lithuanian and has translated a number of poems by contemporary Lithuanian poets into English and published them in literary journals. His poems have won the KNOCK Ecolit Prize and received third place in the William Matthews competition. He is the recipient of two Pushcart nominations. His poetry book reviews have appeared in Cider Press Review, Poetry Flash, and Tupelo Quarterly. He has been an Affiliate Artist at the Headlands Center for the Arts, and has served on the Board of Directors of Marin Poetry Center. See more about Dave, his published and upcoming works, and his Graduate Thesis https://daveseter.com/.
Planet Centric Media (non-profit)Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
Plastic Pollution Worldwide - What Does One Person Do? & What's Happening on the Global Scale
Resilient Earth Radio & Podcast
We talk with former UC Davis Design Professor, Ann Savageau, about her efforts to raise plastic pollution awareness with not only her design students, but with people worldwide through a special project called BAG - Bags Across the Globe. In the early 2000s, she created a design class at UC Davis called “Principles & Practices of Sustainability for Designers”. We also talk about the UN's international treaty on plastics, why it was not finalized, and what happens next. The UN international plastics treaty being negotiated aims to create a legally binding agreement to tackle global plastic pollution by addressing the entire life cycle of plastics, from production and design to waste management, to significantly reduce plastic waste and transition towards a circular economy through measures like phasing out unnecessary plastic products, improving recycling, and promoting sustainable alternatives. However, the 5th and final UN session to produce the first legally binding treaty ended in an impasse. Talks are to resume Summer 2025.
We discuss California bag legislation that will go into effect January 1, 2026. See more info here. We bring up exciting new discoveries for alternatives to existing plastics, and we mention the OCTO Group (Open Communications for the Ocean) which helps connect ocean professionals to knowledge and networks. Over 100K ocean professionals in 120 countries use OCTO programs each year.
Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.
Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.
Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thank you for listening, subscribing, & supporting Resilient Earth Radio!
Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast
Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.
Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.
Follow us!
We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.
Kelp, Seagrass, Crabs, and Conservation along California's Coastline with Dr. Brent Hughes, Sonoma State University Professor & Marine Biologist
59:29
Beyond the UN Ocean Conference: A Captain's Call to Action - Captain Paul Watson, from Paris
58:54
Rising Human-Generated Noise Impacts Marine Life (worse if deep sea mining, offshore drilling, & windmills get green lit) We Talk with Michael Stocker, Ocean Conservation Research Founder/Director
1:01:49
Gray Whales in Peril: San Francisco Bay - What is Being Done, or Can Be Done? We Talk with Cetacean Specialist Josie Slaathaug at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito
58:59
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Local Voices of Resistance as A Nation Rises Against Presidential Overreach
55:53
Deep Sea Mining: Promise or Peril?
59:02
Saving Our Seas: Inside the World's Largest Marine Mammal Hospital with Adam Ratner
59:19
Facing Again Threats to California's Protected Coast, this time by the Trump Administration-Our Talk with the Ocean Foundation's Sr. Fellow, Richard Charter
58:59
Living Nature - More Valuable Than Dead Nature: How Seacology is Helping Island Nations & Indigenous People Economically & Ecologically
59:02
SEE Turtles Organization President, Brad Nahill on Ecotourism & protecting Sea Turtles - Leading up to World Sea Turtle Week June 2025
59:25
Reconnecting Markets with Nature Part 2: An Earth Day Talk with Financial Economist Ralph Chami & More About Blue Green Future
59:21
Reconnecting Markets with Nature: An Earth Day Talk with Renowned Financial Economist Ralph Chami (part 1 of 2)
59:02
From Nigeria, Africa - Ahmed Tiamiyu Sr. Policy Advisor to Nigeria & The United Nations & Exec. Dir. CAPws--Community Action Against Plastic Waste in the Global South
59:01
Ecotoxicologist Susanne Brander from the Scientists Coalition for the United Nations Global Treaty on Plastics Talks About the Next Session This Fall in Geneva Switzerland
58:56
Personhood for Nature & Living Things and Nature-Based Economies - a Look Back & Forward in 2025 "A Bellwether Year for the Ocean" with Resilient Earth Hosts Leigh Anne Lindsey (Producer/Editor), Scott & Tree Mercer (Whale & Seal Study)
59:01
Exploring Marine Pollution with Dr. Judith Weis Professor Emeritus Biology Rutgers University / Author Marine Pollution "What Everyone Needs to Know" 2nd edition (Oxford University Press)
59:01
Montreal's O'Land Stations' Founder Rachel Labbe-Bellas On Their Single Use Plastic Solution - Quick, Filtered, Refillable Water Stations for Large Events Helps Companies Go Green While Reducing the Carbon footprint & Simultaneously Providing Economy
57:22
OpenOceans Global Founder Carl Nettleton on Plastics in our Oceans & the UN Plastics Treaty's Next Session Fall 2025
57:21
Dr. Josh McInnis Determining the Ecology and Community Structure of West Coast Transient Killer Whales along the Pacific Coast Canada-Baja
54:56
'Orca Sociology' with Howie Garrett, President Orca Network, from the 6th Annual Ocean Life Symposium Oct 2024 (Now in Podcast Format. Visual Version on YouTube)
58:38
San Francisco State & Northeastern University Digital Media and Video Art Lecturer Casondra Sobieralski on a new multiplayer game she's developing about climate change
59:49
Former EPA Civil Engineer Is Now Sonoma County Poet Laurete (2024-26) Dave Seter Talks Eco-Poetry
59:44
Plastic Pollution Worldwide - What Does One Person Do? & What's Happening on the Global Scale
59:25