One Planet Podcast · Climate Change, Politics, Sustainability, Environmental Solutions, Renewable Energy, Activism, Biodiver The Creative Process

“The circular economy is a really interesting space because the reality is that these waste streams are an opportunity for these companies to rethink how they can build a product out of it…Do we need to move away from single-use plastic? Absolutely. There's no need for it. Paper has its cons, but at the same time, the recycling rate on paper is better than plastic. So you have to look at the pros and cons of every single one of these and then see what works for your business and your situation.
I'm inspired by a lot of young people who are in their early twenties. They're very interested in these topics. They love thrifting because it is trendy, cool, and affordable. And it's also really good for the environment. I hope that they continue to fight for what is right. I think that what's needed in today's world is that we do create more equitable models, whether it's in business or elsewhere. And that we do have some kind of respect for the planet because the reality is, if we don't, we're the ones that are going to suffer at the end of the day. It's only going to become harder for us, whether it's getting food to eat, whether it's having an environment that's comfortable and hospitable, whether it's having the supply chains we need for all the products in the world. I hope that there is a business model and a path forward, and I hope they're the trailblazers who sort of make it happen. We need to encourage that. We need to create policies that also allow for some of this stuff to flourish.”

What is regenerative business? How can we create a business mindset that addresses social, economic and environmental issues?
Esha Chhabra has written for national and international publications over the last 15 years, focusing on global development, the environment, and the intersection of business and impact. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Economist, The Guardian, and other publications. She is the author of Working to Restore: Harnessing the Power of Business to Heal the Earth.

“We actually do need these animals on the landscape, and we're going to protect them and restore them and help their populations increase. And so, to me, beavers are proof that what we're doing as conservationists is not futile, right? That there really is reason for hope and optimism, which beavers demonstrate. I think that's a really important lesson for young people to hear is that you're not just entering this world of eco-anxiety and climate change and depression. There are some really hopeful wildlife stories out there, and you can be part of that future.”

Every year, humanity's footprint casts a deadly shadow over our skies and landscapes, claiming the lives of billions of birds and other wildlife. What is road ecology? How are our roads driving certain species towards extinction? And what can we do about it?

“We know we're facing the extermination of life on the planet. And we've not stopped doing it. Why can't we fix it? I don't really sense, except among a certain level of educated elites in the West, a really deep understanding of our commitment to economic prosperity as a superordinate value. Climate change restrictions so that we can have an end to the catastrophic effects of climate change don't often take into account inequalities it would require for the third world when the livelihood of so many of their citizens depend on the only energy resource they have. And I'm speaking to you now from upstate New York where we have a country home, a farm with 50 acres. We're very much in nature all around us. I had always been an urbanite. Kant said our ability to appreciate beauty means that we are not merely sensible creatures of pleasure. We don't treat the beauty of nature as something we want to own to amuse ourselves. The beauty of nature is an indication of a kind of purposiveness in nature that fits us at a level beyond our mere senses. Something about the significance of the beautiful in nature reassures us that we have a higher vocation than mere entertainment and enjoyment. Some solemnity, sublimity, in our ability to appreciate the beauty of nature is encouraging about our species.”

“There's a lot of data showing that spending time in nature is good for us emotionally and physically. We don't really know the mechanism from a scientific point of view, but we know the correlation where spending time in the woods, or in a meadow, or with an animal, has soothing effects on us. It counters stress. The body needs time to recover from stress; it needs recovery activity. The problem with life today is that stress is unremitting for many. And it's all too easy to say, well, I'll skip that walk in nature—I've got stuff to do, and that stuff to do is stressful. But this eventually leads to emotional exhaustion, and that's the prelude to burnout. So I really encourage people to schedule a recovery activity every day, whether it's playing with a pet, or a walk in nature, or meditation, or yoga, whatever works for you. Do it every day. Even though it looks like a waste of time from that get-things-done point of view, it's not a waste of time. It's restoring yourself so you'll be better able to handle whatever it is you need to do.”