Planet Pulse Pacific

• Amy Steel - Wildfires And Interventions on Ecosystems

  Amy Steel is a climate adaptation expert and PhD candidate with Adrift Lab at Curtin University, Western Australia. With over a decade of experience advising on decarbonisation and climate resilience, Amy is now focused on a vital question: should humans intervene to help ecosystems on the verge of collapse—and if so, how, where, and when?Amy's research centres on the Yowli (otherwise known as Flesh-footed Shearwaters) breeding on islands in the Recherche Archipelago off Kepa Kurl, Esperance. These seabirds face increasing and worsening threats from lightning-ignited wildfires during their peak breeding season, impacted by climate change. Working with the Esperance Tjaltjraak Rangers, Amy is exploring how Wudjari cultural burning can protect these fragile habitats. Amy also reflects on moving from high-level strategy to hands-on fieldwork, the importance of Indigenous knowledge, and what it means to protect ecosystems in a rapidly changing climate.In this episode, we discuss:Amy’s diverse background and what led her from leadership roles in climate strategy to researchThe long-term impacts of heat stroke that ended her competitive netball career and influenced her pathJoining the Adrift Lab team and what inspired her to undertake a PhDWhy islands and seabirds like the Yowli are critical indicators of ecosystem healthThe increasing severity of wildfires and extreme weather, and their impacts on vulnerable speciesWhether seabirds and other wildlife can adapt to human-driven climate change, and if natural checks and balances are breaking downThe ethical and ecological questions around human intervention in collapsing ecosystemsWorking closely with the Esperance Tjaltjraak Rangers, and the role of Wudjari cultural burning in ecosystem resilienceThe importance of place-based policy and honouring Indigenous knowledge in climate responsesHow to communicate climate and conservation issues effectively, and create lasting change within communitiesStaying motivated in advocacy through collaboration and community actionThe role of athletes in climate conversations, and how to stay safe while being active in a changing climateWhat gives Amy hope as an environmental researcherTo 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.

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• Christelle Bakhache - Ecological Impact of Nature Recreation

  Christelle Bakhache is a climber, conservationist, Lagoped ambassador, and Nature Sports Project Manager at Asters, the Conservatory of Natural Spaces in Haute-Savoie, France. With a background in environmental science and fieldwork that includes time with global organisations like WWF, Christelle brings a deep, practical understanding of conservation to her current work protecting some of France’s most fragile alpine environments.Christelle works where outdoor adventure and environmental protection meet. She focuses on making sure that people can still enjoy the mountains without causing lasting harm to the ecosystems that make these places so special. Whether it’s shaping policy, supporting grassroots projects, or helping athletes think differently about their impact, she’s passionate about finding practical ways to balance human presence in these special and unique environments.In this conversation, Christelle shares how her love for wild spaces fuels her mission, what she’s witnessing firsthand in the face of climate change, and how outdoor athletes and everyday adventurers alike can reduce their impact. She also reflects on her personal journey—blending exploration, advocacy, and a commitment to low-impact living to pursue a more sustainable future.In this episode, we discuss:Christelle’s path into conservation and her drive to protect the natural worldLife and work in Haute-Savoie, and how the region shapes her environmental outlookHer role at Asters and their mission to safeguard mountain biodiversityThe rapid and visible impacts of climate change in the European AlpsConservation wins, persistent challenges, and reasons for hopeThe hidden environmental toll of large-scale sporting eventsWhat genuinely low-impact outdoor events could look likeSustainable training and travel tips for athletes and adventurersPractical ways we can all reduce our footprint in natureThe influence of individual athletes and institutions advocating for changeChristelle’s year of travelling simply and living with intentionSteps toward becoming a more thoughtful, respectful presence in the outdoorsTo 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.

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• Joseph Boctor - Micro- And Nanoplastics In Agricultural Soils

  Joseph Boctor is a PhD researcher at Murdoch University’s Bioplastics Innovation Hub and a passionate advocate for sustainable environmental solutions. Originally from Egypt, Joseph’s work is driven by a personal mission to address the growing plastic pollution crisis in the Nile River and other regions where waste management and recycling systems are underdeveloped or ineffective.At the Bioplastics Innovation Hub — a collaborative initiative between Murdoch University, CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and industry partners — Joseph’s research focuses on developing innovative ways to break down plastics in environments where traditional approaches fall short. With expertise in chemical sciences and biotechnology, he’s helping pioneer next-generation strategies for plastic degradation and sustainable materials.Together with the team at the Hub, Joseph is contributing to Australia’s efforts to rethink the plastic lifecycle, to create a cleaner, more resilient future for ecosystems around the world.In this episode, we discuss:Joseph’s background and what sparked his passion for tackling plastic pollutionThe shocking scale of plastic waste in the Nile River and its broader implicationsThe two sides to the plastic problem—beginning and end of life strategiesHis lead authorship on the paper “Microplastics and nanoplastics: fate, transport, and governance from agricultural soil to food webs and humans”Why micro- and nanoplastics are so concerning, and how their size makes them nearly impossible to escapeFrom soil to salad: How micro and nanoplastics enter agricultural soils and what that could mean for our healthThe urgent need for regulation and standardised risk assessments of plastics in food websPackaging solutions that don’t leave a legacy: The groundbreaking work of the Bioplastics Innovation HubAustralia’s love affair with plastic, and the alarming statistics behind our consumptionJoseph’s lead authorship on the review “Nature’s Plastic Predators: A Comprehensive and Bibliometric Review of Plastivore Insects”The intriguing insects that can feed on plastics—and how they could revolutionise waste managementThe Hub’s Smart Sprays Project and its potential to transform the agricultural industryPractical steps we can take as consumers to reduce our plastic footprint and avoid contaminationTo 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.

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• Gareth Hughes - Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa

  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.

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• Dr Catherine Knight - An Uncommon Land

  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.

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