Forces for Nature Crystal DiMiceli

Bonnie Monteleone is the Founder & Director of Science, Research, and Academic Partnerships of the Plastic Ocean Project (POP) whose mission is finding science-based solutions to the global plastic pollution crisis.  
In 2019, she was working on a documentary about the North Atlantic Ocean. However,  its plot quickly went from one about a complex, impacted ecosystem into a "who done it," following the death of a newborn critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whale that washed ashore. Was it manmade noise that caused the mother to lose her newborn, a ship strike, chemical or plastic pollution, was it discarded fishing gear, or overfishing? 
Bonnie discusses her work with plastics pollution and how it relates to this new documentary project she is undertaking. The threats the ocean and its creatures are facing are vast, but Bonnie dives deep into viable solutions that everyone can support to preserve the sounds of the sea and the marine life in it. 
This film, which asks what the oceans would say if they could talk, promises to inspire hope, not doom, but only if we listen. 
​​Bonnie's work has led her around the world collecting plastic marine samples including four of the five main ocean gyres and the Caribbean. She also works in the Environmental Studies Department at UNC Wilmington as an Adjunct Instructor teaching a Plastic Marine Debris Field Studies course and manages a lab working with student Directed Independent Studies (DIS) research. 

Highlights 
What happened to this baby Right Whale and what does that mean for the species as a whole?How can whales help mitigate climate change?If the oceans could talk, what would we learn?  
What YOU Can Do
Bonnie talks a lot about solutions her organization is implementing as well as what different industries can do. But, here are some ideas on what YOU can do: 
Avoid single-use plastic. Support the documentary either monetarily, by spreading the word, or by seeing it when it comes to a festival near you.  Filmmakers (and wanna-be filmmakers) contribute your ocean footage to the film so they have less of a need to go out and film (and use fossil fuels to do so). Spread the word about the danger these whales are in so people are more likely to support ideas and legislation that protect them. 
 Resources
Information about the documentary, If the Ocean Could Talk.  Plastic Ocean Project (POP) Facebook  POP Instagram   POP LinkedIn   Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!

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What difference for the world are you going to make today?

In a time where our planet's health is at the forefront of global discussions, understanding the intricacies of climate change is not just beneficial; it's imperative. Bryce Coon is the Director of Education Initiatives at Earthday.org and a passionate advocate for embedding climate literacy within our educational systems. He plays a central role in crafting the organization's overarching goals and roadmap to increasing climate literacy worldwide. Moreover, Bryce is instrumental in driving the efforts dedicated to the climate and environmental literacy campaign, working year-round to cultivate a nationwide movement aimed at bolstering climate literacy across various educational institutions, ranging from K-12 schools to universities, trade schools, and graduate schools. 
EARTHDAY.ORG’s mission is to diversify, educate, and activate the environmental movement worldwide. Growing out of the first Earth Day (1970), EARTHDAY.ORG is the world’s largest recruiter to the environmental movement, working with more than 150,000 partners in nearly 192 countries to build environmental democracy. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day actions each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. Learn more at earthday.org.
Highlights
What is the status of climate education across the world?How can we equip teachers to teach climate literacy without adding more to their plates?How can climate education fit into all subjects and all grades?What YOU Can Do
Advocate for climate education wherever you are, from school boards to your State, and up to the Federal level.Talk with young people about climate education. Ask what they know about it.Resources
Earthday.org's Environmental Resources  Climate Literate Lesson Guide  Earth Month Calendar resources

 
Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!

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Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!
What difference for the world are you going to make today?

Our disconnection from nature has never been greater and this is resulting in not only a crisis for our planet but for our own well-being too. Ciara Byrne, the founder of Green Our Planet, has been using school gardens to help bridge this disconnect. Through her organization, these green spaces are more than just a cool project—they're a way to teach kids about taking care of our planet and each other. And it's working! She's helping to plant seeds of change and watching hope, connection, and environmental stewardship bloom right before our eyes.
 Highlights
How did a school garden get a couple of kids to protect sea turtles?How did Ciara go from documentary film making to creating school gardens?What other benefits do school gardens bring? What YOU Can Do
Take a walk outside. Even if it's just around your neighborhood. Observe the trees, the birds, the animals, and even the insects. Give yourself space to connect and enjoy it.Plant a garden, even if it's just some pots on your balcony.Advocate for getting school gardens and/or hydroponics at your local school.Inform others about the benefits of school gardens and share Green Our Planet's mission on social media to raise awareness.Resources
Green Our Planet Website: A resource hub for starting a school garden, with guides and success stories.  Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!

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Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!
What difference for the world are you going to make today?

There's magic in nature and all of us. T. A. Barron integrates this belief into his life as a bestselling author, conservationist, and host of the Magic & Mountains podcast. But, it's his work honoring young changemakers with the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, that really proves this notion to be true. These individuals are making significant contributions to environmental conservation and community improvement, despite the odds that may be stacked against them. And T. A. shines a light on their heroism and the power we all have deep inside.
If you need some inspiration to keep going with the great work you're doing (along with some practical guidance), you'll find it in this episode.


Since its inception, the Barron Prize has awarded more than half a million dollars to hundreds of young leaders and has won the support of the National Geographic Education Foundation, Girl Scouts of the USA, and the National Youth Leadership Council, among other organizations. When not writing or speaking, T. A. Barron serves on many boards including Princeton University, where he helped to create the Princeton Environmental Institute, and The Wilderness Society, which recently honored him with its highest award for conservation work.

Highlights
Where can we find hope amid all the doom and gloom we hear of and experience?What's the biggest challenge that young changemakers face nowadays? (it's not what you think)What's the responsibility of creatives in today's world? How YOU Can Help
Barron suggests that the best way to inspire others, especially young people, is through the example set by our own actions and choices.Share the good stories. The bad ones seem to always rise to the top so we need to counter them with stories of the good that people are doing in the world. It's surprising how effective simple storytelling can be in inspiring action.For those who are or know young changemakers, consider applying for the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes.Echoing his advice for the main character in many of his books, Merlin, Barron urges listeners to recognize the unique magic within themselves and use that to create positive change in YOUR world. The ripple effects will follow.Resources
T. A. Barron website  Magic & Mountains: The T. A. Barron podcast Gloria Barron Prize for Young HeroesInspiring Young Heroes – a video portal featuring more incredible stories of amazing kids.Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!

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Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!
What difference for the world are you going to make today?

We all know that plastics have become a problem, but there's even more to it than the litter you see thrown on the ground. Dr. Roopa Krithivasan is the Director of Research for Defend Our Health, an environmental health and justice organization. They recently released a report titled Hidden Hazards: The Chemical Footprint of a Plastic Bottle which tracks the impact of plastic bottles on human health and climate change. Turns out, we can experience the hazards of our plastic use well before the items even end up in our homes- and afterward.

Highlights
What's the untold story about plastics?What do we need to consider regarding our summer backyard activities?Why is recycling not the answer like we thought? 
What YOU Can Do
Look for refillable options for the items that you buy. And use a refillable water bottle.Buy versions of items with minimal packaging (do you really need that cucumber that's wrapped in plastic?).Don’t recycle canisters unless you fully rinse them out (ESPECIALLY bottles that contain chemicals or detergents).Use laundry sheets instead of bottles of detergent (less plastic use).Buy secondhand (to avoid having raw plastic needing to be made).Call out companies on social media.Write letters or sign petitions to companies and governments about reducing single-use plastics and plastic contamination.Resources
Sign Defend Our Health's petition asking Coca-Cola to clean up its plastic.Defend Our Health's websiteLearn about plastic alternative, Notpla, with this episode of The Healthy Seas Podcast (Crystal is the host of that show too!)In the show's outro, I mentioned my Action for Climate education program. If you know of a school who may want to empower its students with actions that experts are saying are the most impactful at reducing our carbon footprints, then let's connect!*Since the taping of this episode, Dr. Roopa Krithivasan is no longer the Director of Research for Defend Our Health.
Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!

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Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!
What difference for the world are you going to make today?

First, the tadpoles and frogs disappeared; then the bats and the songbirds left. Dr. Elizabeth Hilborn, a honey bee veterinarian and environmental health scientist, soon realized the bees—the vital pollinators of fruits, plants, and vegetables—were dying. Everything went still and silent. In 2017, after a large flood, most of the teeming life on her beloved family farm in North Carolina had vanished in a matter of weeks. As a scientist and a naturalist, Hilborn set about to get answers and shares her story in her riveting book, Restoring Eden, and in this episode.
No matter where you live- even if it's a city far from farmland- if you drink water and eat food, you are going to want to listen to this episode.
Highlights
The alarming findings about pesticides, particularly Roundup and neonicotinoids, on the environment, wildlife, and human health.Why some pesticides cannot be washed off.Strategies for individuals to minimize exposure to harmful pesticides and support a healthier ecosystem.What YOU Can Do
Get in the know by buying her book, Restoring EdenSupport local agriculture, agroecology,  regenerative agriculture, and organic agricultural practices in the food you buy, when possible.Mow less and plant native flowers (grown from uncoated seed) to support wild pollinators.Leaving soil undisturbed and leaving leaves when they fall are ways to support our beneficial insects.The Environmental Protection Agency is soliciting comments about treated seed. Leave a comment in support of regulations. (find other petitions to sign once this comment period is over or create your own)Resources
Visit Elizabeth's websiteEnvironmental Working Group's Dirty Dozen List Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.
Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!
What difference for the world are you going to make today?