Planet Pulse Pacific

• Sheena Chhabra - Plant Based Treaty

  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.

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• Gerard Wedderburn-Bisshop - Agriculture & Climate Change

  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.

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• Nina Trinquet - Plant-Based for Health and Performance

  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.

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• Dakota Jones - Footprints: Camps for Climate Action

  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.

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• Gerard Wedderburn-Bisshop - Deforestation And Carbon Accounting

  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.

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