We Are Carbon

Helen Fisher
We Are Carbon

We Are Carbon is the interview show that helps us to recognise that the future of both our planet and our societies can be incredibly beautiful - and that we all play a role in getting there! Hosted by Helen Fisher with guests joining from across the globe. There's a new episode every other Tuesday, and they'll average 1 hr long. We see endless headlines warning us of the horrific impact that we're having on the climate and how dire the outlook is, but we're going to re-frame this crisis and start putting the solutions into our own hands. I'm inviting in voices from science, agriculture, business and more, to help us gain an understanding of how we might live in greater harmony with the world around us. How we can build a society where our everyday choices have a positive impact on regenerating and stabilising the planet that we depend upon. Because when the planet and nature are thriving; that's when we can thrive! That's when we can live in a world less focused on fear and restrictions. I don't think that real solutions are ever found until we zoom out, see the full picture and recognise how it all connects together. We can't view climate change as an isolated issue. Our health, our food security, stability of economies and the way we interact with one another, they're are all tied in. The topics can seem expansive, so we're using carbon as a focus. We're exploring some important, and at times complex subjects here. But the whole point is to make this info accessible and transparent to us all. So let me know if there's ever anything that you'd like breaking down or exploring further. Or if there's related topics that you feel should be discussed. Reach out and let's keep this project expanding! And if you're a visual learner, look out for the animations! I'm creating short digestible videos to illustrate some of the key concepts that we're exploring. Find them at https://www.wearecarbon.earth/animations Follow on Instagram @wearecarbon.earth Let's keep figuring this all out together!

  1. Nature Based Solutions - In Conversation with Diana Denke [Co-Founder Fair Carbon]

    SEP 10

    Nature Based Solutions - In Conversation with Diana Denke [Co-Founder Fair Carbon]

    I'm delighted to be joined by Diana Denke who has generously offered to bring us an overview of what can be done to bring more financing towards nature. For generations wealth and financial markets have benefited from the extraction and depletion of the natural world to the extent that we're globally facing a crisis of biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse. There is a firm recognition of the need to protect, support and regenerate nature for the multi-faceted benefits that it brings to our economy, health, communities & climate. But companies are facing a barrier when it comes to moving significant finance into projects for nature so there's a need for new approaches and further learning.  Diana is passionate about nature regeneration and has a wealth of experience exploring investment opportunities into nature based solutions. She is the perfect voice to help us all to get a better grasp of the barriers, the challenges and possible paths forward.  (For a further breakdown of this discussion see the timestamps below) You can learn from Diana and her work with Fair Carbon here: https://www.faircarbon.org/ Find a video version of this conversation over on the website: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/nature-based-solutions-diana-denke/ ------------- Related We Are Carbon episodes: Yesterday’s Sunlight or Today’s? – In Conversation with John RoulacRoots So Deep – In Conversation with Peter ByckUnderstanding Carbon Offsetting – In Conversation with Brennan Spellacy ----------- Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 04:34 - What are nature based solutions? 07:42 - The need & benefits of investing in nature 17:20 - Barriers to bringing finance into nature at scale 29:28 - Investing in carbon removal technology vs investing in nature 43:20 - Financing solutions for nature projects 50:35 - Collaborating to scale up projects? 54:20 - Diana's work with Fair Carbon [restoring coastal and marine ecosystems]

    1 hr
  2. Nature Connection for Well-Being & Earth Healing - Wayapa Wuurrk Group Chat

    AUG 27

    Nature Connection for Well-Being & Earth Healing - Wayapa Wuurrk Group Chat

    Join me for a group chat with four practitioners of Wayapa Wuurrk exploring the relevance of Indigenous wisdom & nature connection in our modern world.There are many reasons that our lives today have caused disconnection between us and the people and environments around us. And it's too easy to over look the importance of this.  I'm joined by three guests in Australia, Jem Stone, Rebecca Dunn and Sara Jones, along with Debbie Mace in the UK. They've all come together to share about the power of nature connection for our personal, collective and planetary well-being. These four ladies are all practitioners of Wayapa Wuurrk which is an earth connection practice based on ancient Indigenous wisdom, originating in Australia. This is a relaxing chat between like-minded woman and yet at its heart it's also a powerful conversation which demonstrates the place of talking in circle, sharing stories and reconnecting to the world around us. You can learn more about Wayapa Wuurrk at the website: https://wayapa.com/ If you're in the UK and would like to connect with Debbie Mace directly you can find her here on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-mace-639a3b242/ ----- More from We Are Carbon: The Power Of Food: Connection & Community Group Chat - https://www.wearecarbon.earth/power-of-food-collaboration/Connecting with Textiles: in Conversation with Sharon Kallis - https://www.wearecarbon.earth/sustainable-textiles-sharon-kallis/What Even is Soil?! - a dialogue to support holistic thinking - https://www.wearecarbon.earth/soil-path-to-whole-systems-thinking/ ----- For a further breakdown of this episode see the timestamps below. 00:00 - Introductions 06:50 - "Individual Journey to Collective Well-being" 13:55 - Empowering through relationships 23:07 - Observation, conversation & story 33:58 - Addressing eco-anxiety 41:14 - What is Wayapa Wuurrk? 46:33 - Bringing Wayapa to the UK 50:44 - Personal transformation & global connection

    1 hr
  3. The Weather Proof Farm - In Conversation with Niels Corfield [Soil Health & Regen Ag Trainer]

    AUG 13

    The Weather Proof Farm - In Conversation with Niels Corfield [Soil Health & Regen Ag Trainer]

    It's a pleasure to be joined by Niels Corfield who shares insights from his concept of 'The Weatherproof Farm'.It's hard to not have noticed the increase in standing water across farmlands in recent years; fields appearing to contain vast lakes during our wetter seasons. Whilst we might consider ourselves to be at the mercy of changing weather this conversation helps to underline why the cause and solution to this standing water can be much more within our control. Having monitored the soil and pasture health on over 200 farms in the UK Niels developed the concept of 'The Weatherproof Farm' which puts the focus on addressing compacted and unhealthy soils. Making changes to a farm management system can be complex and so I really appreciate the way that Niels breaks down the barriers with his practical and accessible approach to understanding both the problems and solutions around soil health. Niels works with producers and landowners to implement regenerative systems and has a  passion to help farmers to understand the root causes of the issues they work with day-to-day, enabling them to create low-input, profitable operations that are nature-friendly and productive. Learn more with Niels: Niels' website: https://nielscorfield.com/Farm Ed [17th Sept] 'Weatherproof Your Farm': https://www.farm-ed.co.uk/event-details/weatherproof-your-farm ---------- Related We Are Carbon episodes: Roots So Deep  -In Conversation with Peter ByckUnderstanding Regenerative Agriculture - with Caroline GrindrodHolistic Management - with Sheila Cooke ---------- For a further breakdown of this discussion see the timestamps below: 00:00 - Intro 04:44 - The case for 'The Weatherproof Farm' 06:50 - Soil type doesn't have to be the limit 11:31 - What is aggregation in soil & why is it important? 18:31 - Dairy management - soil health, resilience & profitability 25:31 - Arable management - soil health, resilience & profitability 32:43 - The soil doesn't lie! 34:54 - An overview of the solutions 36:22 - Grazing management for supporting soil health 39:48 - Arable management to support soil health 45:49 - Complimentary support approaches 53:53 - Learn more with Niels

    56 min
  4. A New Farm Begins - Exploring Profit and Regeneration for Smallholder Farmers. Jackson Buzingo

    JUL 9

    A New Farm Begins - Exploring Profit and Regeneration for Smallholder Farmers. Jackson Buzingo

    Jackson Buzingo is a multi-generational small holder farmer who grew up facing the challenges of a changing landscape in Tanzania, East Africa.As he witnessed rivers running dry and crops failing he set out to find a solution.In Season 1 of the podcast Jackson shared his journey of learning about regenerative practices in agriculture. He brought his passion to the communities around him, educating hundreds of small holder farmers and establishing small demonstration farms and food forests that have since inspired with their ability to produce when surrounding lands are dry and struggling. In this episode we catch up with Jackson over two years later. We speak at a turning point in his journey where he's taking the first steps to establish his own regenerative farm in Western Tanzania. This time to become an example of a profitable business model for small holder farmers rather than as purely a demonstration for regeneration. Jackson offers a wide range of insights into the steps that he plans to take with his farm along with exploring some of the barriers that are holding back a wider spread transition within the communities around him. Find a video version of this episode on the website: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/jackson-buzingo-farming-transition-in-east-africa/ For a further breakdown of this discussion see the timestamps below: 00:00 - Intro 02:57 - First steps on the new farm 05:23 - Why this farm differs from the demo farms 07:52 - Trees and layers in the new farm 09:18 - Climate struggles & barriers to transition 14:03 - Conventional farming struggles - tobacco dominance and deforestation 16:39 - Hope & inspiration from food forests 23:51 - Plan and progression for the new farm 31:23 - Access to seeds 36:25 - Access to food for local communities 37:36 - Building awareness & momentum for regeneration

    45 min
  5. In Conversation with Peter Byck - Director & Wrangler of Scientists [Roots So Deep - You Can See The Devil Down There]

    JUN 25

    In Conversation with Peter Byck - Director & Wrangler of Scientists [Roots So Deep - You Can See The Devil Down There]

    Join me for a conversation with Peter Byck exploring the incredible opportunity that land offers to us as a tool for re-balancing the climate. Peter is the director of the four part documentary series Roots So Deep (You Can See The Devil Down There) There's a huge contrast that we often talk about on this show; how regenerative farming can tip all the detriments of conventional practises on their head and actually turn agriculture into one of the biggest healing tools for the planet. And this is why I'm so incredibly excited about the work that Peter has been part of. He's been working with a team of pioneering scientists who have conducted research to compare the outcomes of regenerative cattle grazing directly with their conventional farming neighbours. It's an extensive multi-discipline project bringing a whole systems look and putting data behind the claims.  And the results are in!  Find a video version of this episode on the website: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/peter-byck-roots-so-deep/ For a further breakdown of this discussion see the timestamps below: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:04:42 - Climate solution discovery journey 00:12:36 - Break down of the science for Roots So Deep 00:19:23 - AMP Grazing; easier for the farmers? 00:27:22 - The far reaching connections from how we farm 00:29:33 - The game of knowledge sharing 00:36:00 - What's next? Expanding transition 00:41:06 - Comparing farming outcomes via dung 00:47:19 - Focusing on solutions 00:51:49 - Economies for farmers 00:54:00 - Funders for the research 01:07:24 - Inspiring change

    1h 10m
  6. The Power of Food - Four Guests Working in Collaboration [Nick Weir, Kay Johnson, Flora Gathorne-Hardy, Miche Fabre Lewin]

    JUN 11

    The Power of Food - Four Guests Working in Collaboration [Nick Weir, Kay Johnson, Flora Gathorne-Hardy, Miche Fabre Lewin]

    Join us in this special episode that brings together a range of voices to explore their developing collaborative project; The Power of Food. Together these four guests bring a diverse range experiences and knowledge to unite around the common goal of building social cohesion by harnessing the connective power of food. Connecting with where our food comes from, and also with community, with health, with nature and with the world around us. Holistic and expansive. It was a delightful conversation to be engaged with and I'm so excited to announce that during our chat a decision was made to fast forward plans and move forward with a pilot right away! If you're serious about taking action to connect and enrich the local food system around you I'm sure the team here would love to hear from you. Here's Nick's email - do reach out: nick@openfoodnetwork.org.uk The Guests and links out: Nick Weir - Co-founder, Open Food Network UK https://openfoodnetwork.org.uk/ Kay Johnson - Director, The Larder https://larder.org.uk/ Flora Gathorne-Hardy & Miche Fabre Lewin - Founders, Living Justice https://livingjustice.earth/ With insights from Serenity Hill - Co-founder, Open Food Network [Full episode with Serenity: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/serenity-hill-open-food-network/ ] For a further breakdown of this discussion see the timestamps below. See the video version of this episode here: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/power-of-food-collaboration/ ------- More Formats from We Are Carbon: [Shorter Video Format with Animations] - Can All Food be Regenerative. With Patrick Holden: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/can-all-food-be-regenerative/ [Story Telling Audio Format] - Soil (My Common Sense Take) : https://www.wearecarbon.earth/soil-path-to-whole-systems-thinking/ Explore ways to support this content: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/your-support/ ---------------------- Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Overview 00:03:12 - Guest intros 00:12:00 - Collaboration - benefits & reasons for coming together 00:28:28 - The Open Food Network; an ambition to connect people with their food 00:34:34 - Insights from Serenity Hill - Co-Founder, The Open Food Network 00:36:30 - Benefits of shorter supply chains 00:41:00 - Connecting through food (self, community, nature) 00:50:20 - Learning to cook - addressing this obstacle to fresh local food 00:58:21 - Coming together to practice change 01:04:18 - An invite; get involved today!

    1h 5m

About

We Are Carbon is the interview show that helps us to recognise that the future of both our planet and our societies can be incredibly beautiful - and that we all play a role in getting there! Hosted by Helen Fisher with guests joining from across the globe. There's a new episode every other Tuesday, and they'll average 1 hr long. We see endless headlines warning us of the horrific impact that we're having on the climate and how dire the outlook is, but we're going to re-frame this crisis and start putting the solutions into our own hands. I'm inviting in voices from science, agriculture, business and more, to help us gain an understanding of how we might live in greater harmony with the world around us. How we can build a society where our everyday choices have a positive impact on regenerating and stabilising the planet that we depend upon. Because when the planet and nature are thriving; that's when we can thrive! That's when we can live in a world less focused on fear and restrictions. I don't think that real solutions are ever found until we zoom out, see the full picture and recognise how it all connects together. We can't view climate change as an isolated issue. Our health, our food security, stability of economies and the way we interact with one another, they're are all tied in. The topics can seem expansive, so we're using carbon as a focus. We're exploring some important, and at times complex subjects here. But the whole point is to make this info accessible and transparent to us all. So let me know if there's ever anything that you'd like breaking down or exploring further. Or if there's related topics that you feel should be discussed. Reach out and let's keep this project expanding! And if you're a visual learner, look out for the animations! I'm creating short digestible videos to illustrate some of the key concepts that we're exploring. Find them at https://www.wearecarbon.earth/animations Follow on Instagram @wearecarbon.earth Let's keep figuring this all out together!

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