Shows
ESRAG Podcast: Climate conversationsESRAG Podcast - With Dr Angela BensonAngela Benson
Introduction:
00:08 Intro Admiral & Felix and cooperation to another RAG within Rotary - Rotarian Action Group for Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health.
Interesting news:
00:43 Admiral chocolate and cocoa trees being affected by climate crisis.
https://theecologist.org/2025/may/12/all-cocoa-trees-will-be-destroyed#:~:text=Cocoa%20yields%20will%20be%20%E2%80%9Cdestroyed,global%20markets%2C%20including%20the%20UK
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/21/eu-chocolate-climate-breakdown-crisis-report
https://www.wur.nl/en/research-results/research-institutes/plant-research/show-wpr/climate-change-puts-african-cocoa-production-under-pressure.htm
02:50 Introduction Guest Angela Benson.
Dr. Angela Benson is a...
2025-11-0447 minESRAG Podcast: Climate conversationsESRAG Podcast - With Kris Cameron & Dawn ByfordKris Cameron and Dawn Byford #17
Introduction:
00:10 Intro Admiral & Felix
Interesting news:
01:03 Kris has been reading a new book by Will Potter about factory farming and how there are more and more laws against reporting on how the food is being made. More on the book here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216425370-little-red-barns
02:05 Dawn Byford has been reading on about global warming in arab peninsula
https://www.technologynetworks.com/applied-sciences/news/middle-east-and-north-africa-warming-faster-than-other-regions-393567
03:24 Admiral on bird species in decline
https://www.theguardian.c...
2025-10-2855 minESRAG Podcast: Climate conversationsESRAG Podcast - With Richard KirundiESRAG Podcast Episode #16
Richard Kirundi
Introduction:
00:10 Intro Admiral & Felix
Short talk about Felix birthday
Interesting news:
01:43 Felix talking about all types of snakes that he hasn’t seen before
02:21 Admiral on climate change to affect blood transfusions
https://www.euronews.com/health/2025/04/19/bleeding-the-planet-dry-climate-change-could-unlock-new-threat-to-the-worlds-blood-supply
05:01 Introduction Guest Richard Kirundi
We welcome Richard Kirundi—a seasoned National Security Consultant and Institutional Reform Expert with over 30 years of government service, including his pivotal role in the Presidential Task For...
2025-05-2141 minESRAG Podcast: Climate conversationsESRAG Podcast - With Pat Merryweather-ArgesESRAG Podcast with Pat Merryweather-Arges
Introduction:
00:01 Intro Admiral & Felix and our guest Pat
Interesting news:
00:59 Catch up with Felix, Felix wants to feed animals more fruits to combat food loss. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0377840120304752
05:21 Admiral hay fever and other allergies, how climate change will affect people with allergies.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/10/pollen-peril-how-heat-thunder-and-smog-are-creating-deadly-hay-fever-seasons-aoe
09:14 Introduction guest Pat Merryweather-Arges
We're honored to be joined by Pat Merryweather-Arges, Immediate Past Rotary International Board Vice President and a pas...
2025-04-2953 minESRAG Podcast: Climate conversationsESRAG Podcast - With Gert-Jan van DommelenESRAG Podcast with Gert-Jan van Dommelen.
Introduction:
00:01 Intro Admiral & Felix and our guest Gert-Jan
Interesting news:
00:44 Felix about longest hug of a tree https://www.euronews.com/green/2025/02/10/i-found-peace-activist-hopes-48-hours-of-non-stop-tree-hugging-will-inspire-others-to-love#:~:text=A%20young%20Kenyan%20woman%20may,Kenya%20for%20almost%2048%20hours
02:31 Admiral on coffee prices set to increase due to climate change and climate issues that farmers are facing
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/mar/15/price-of-instant-coffee-rises-by-up-to-40-in-a-year-for-some-brands-which
04:14 Introduction guest Gert-Jan van Dommelen
In this episode, we have a special guest who has dedicated his Ro...
2025-04-1547 minESRAG Podcast: Climate conversationsESRAG Podcast - With Pablo PalaciosESRAG Podcast with Pablo Palacios
Date 01-04-2025
Introduction:
00:10 Intro Admiral & Felix
00:20 New Year Traditions and christmas holidays recap
03:16 Swiss Grandma’s sued the Swiss government to demand climate action
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/who-are-elderly-swiss-women-behind-landmark-climate-court-case-win-2024-04-09/
Interesting news:
05:09 Felix about Hemp production in Kenya and Hemp conference -
https://kehecon.com/
https://letstalkhemp.com/kenya-hemp-conference-2025-a-historic-step-toward-industrial-hemp-growth-in-east-africa/
07:45 Admiral on overview of climate news to watch in 2025 https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250107-the-key-climate-and-nature-moments-to-look-out-for-in-2025
...
2025-04-0152 minESRAG Podcast: Climate conversationsESRAG Podcast - With Lamech OpiyoLamech Opiyo
Introduction:
00:10 Intro Admiral & Felix and our guest Lamech Opiyo
Interesting news:
01:00 Felix about Zebrafish in Kenya - https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Zebrafish
01:45 Admiral on failed plastic treaty that didn’t get adapted in South Korea
https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/12/02/we-should-be-outraged-plastics-treaty-talks-collapse-as-countries-disagree-on-chemicals-an
05:14 Introduction Guest Lamech Opiyo
In this episode, we welcome Lamech Opiyo, a multi-award-winning environmental conservation champion, youth leader, and climate activist from Kenya. A passionate changemaker, Lamech’s journey spans impactful work in environmental advocacy, humanitarian efforts, and lea...
2024-12-1751 minESRAG Podcast: Climate conversationsESRAG Podcast - With Mary Beth Growney-SeleneMary Beth Growney Selene
Introduction:
00:10 Intro Admiral & Felix and our guest Mary Beth Growney-Selene
Interesting news:
01:00 Felix: There has been mealworms discovered which eat plastic and process it:
https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/plastic-eating-mealworms-native-to-africa-discovered#:~:text=The%20researchers%20found%20that%20the,the%20complex%20polymers%20in%20plastic.
03:27 Admiral: Microplastics and PFAS combined together, making health impact worse
https://phys.org/news/2024-10-microplastics-pfas-daphnia-combined-impact.html
05:23 Introduction Guest Mary Beth Growney-Selene
Mary Beth Growney Selene is a dedicated and inspiring Rotarian with a remarkable history of s...
2024-12-1038 minESRAG Podcast: Climate conversationsESRAG Podcast - With Salvador RicoSalvador Rico
Introduction:
00:10 Intro Admiral & Felix and our guest Salvador Rico
01:16 Admiral future of dams in the world and how climate change will affect them
https://www.un-ihe.org/news/dams-increasing-danger-collapse-due-climate-change-and-conflict
04:06 Interesting news Felix about shrimps from fellow ESRAG members.
07:13 Introduction Guest Salvador Rico
Salvador Rico joined the Rotary Club of South Ukiah, California (D5130) in 2007, motivated by Rotary International's efforts to eradicate polio—a cause close to his heart after losing his older sister to the disease in the late 1960s.
Sa...
2024-11-1345 minESRAG Podcast: Climate conversationsESRAG Podcast - With Dr Liz HenkeDr Liz Hanke
Introduction:
00:10 Intro Admiral & Felix and our guest Liz Henke
01:16 Admiral due to hail size set to increase
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/hail-bigger-climate-change-higher-insurance-costs-rcna168526
04:06 Interesting news Felix about river in Zambia - Zambezi dry river:
https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-245794.html
07:13 Introduction Guest Dr. Liz Henke
Dr. Elizabeth Hanke is the guest in this episode, a retired cardiologist, Liz now calls Chapel Hill, North Carolina, her home. Beyond her professional career, Liz is passionate about an active life...
2024-10-2949 minESRAG Podcast: Climate conversationsESRAG Podcast - With Tijana RisticTijana
Introduction:
00:10 Intro Admiral & Felix and our guest
02:50 Interesting news Felix about weather in Kenya, culling of animals in Namibia amids drought:
https://www.dw.com/en/trophy-hunting-and-animal-conservation-does-that-go-together/a-70213343
06:11 Interesting news Admiral - 100 hot days - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/sep/06/hottest-summer-record.
09:03 Introduction Guest Tijana Ristic
Today’s guest is Tijana Ristic, an Architect, Naval Architect, and Marine Engineer based in Belgrade, Serbia, where she manages one of the largest inland fleets in the lower Danube region. As a dedicated member of...
2024-09-2059 minESRAG Podcast: Climate conversationsESRAG Podcast - With Mina VenkataramanIntroduction:
00:10 Intro Admiral & Felix
Interesting news
01:22 Felix about innovations in Senegal, electricity from pavements.
03:20 Interesting news Admiral - Mangroves - https://news.mongabay.com/2024/09/wildlife-rich-mangroves-suffer-as-indonesia-ramps-up-construction-of-new-capital/
Guest of the Episode
07:10 Guest Mina Venkataraman
Our guest today is Rtn. Dr. Meenakshi Venkataraman also known as Dr Mina, Chair of Projects at ESRAG and an esteemed ecologist from India. Dr. Venkataraman has a rich academic background in predator-prey interactions and infectious disease research. After transitioning from academia, she became deeply involved in community engagement, training marginal farmers in s...
2024-09-1746 minESRAG Podcast: Climate conversationsESRAG Podcast - With Deniz VuralESRAG Podcast explores Rotary community initiatives combating global climate change. With 1.2 million members, discover impactful projects. Join us as Deniz Vural unveils the inspiring efforts within the organization.
Introduction:
00:10 Intro Admiral & Felix
01:01 Interesting news Felix about first human bones, and ESRAG members visiting Felix
07:47 Interesting news Admiral - Wildfire management in Alaska - https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/article/smokejumpers-parachute-to-fight-wildfires-in-alaska-backcountry
10:12: Introduction Guest Deniz Vural
Deniz has long been captivated by frozen environments, leading her to focus on the poles during her Marine Engineering studies. H...
2024-09-031h 01ESRAG Podcast: Climate conversationsESRAG Podcast - With Clari NoletClari Nolet pioneered ESRAG’s Freon initiative, organizing drives to collect and destroy old Freon stocks, generating carbon offset credits. She also led a lithium-ion recycling collaboration with Redwood Industries, involving over 50 clubs. With an MBA in finance, Clari served as President of the Los Altos Rotary Club Endowment and marketing director of its largest fundraiser. She aims to encourage Rotary investments in the environment. Clari discusses her journey and future projects.
2024-07-0245 minESRAG Podcast: Climate conversationsESRAG Podcast - With Ludwig KalthoffThe ESRAG Podcast highlights Rotary's initiatives to combat global climate change. With 1.2 million members, impactful projects are explored. Ludwig Kalthoff, a leader in both healthcare and Rotary, shares his journey and optimism. He discusses his roles, the drive for climate-friendly clubs, and book recommendations. The episode concludes with inspiring stories about preserving biodiversity, including saving butterflies in San Francisco.
2024-06-1841 minESRAG Podcast: Climate conversationsESRAG Podcast - With Yasar AtacikExplore the ESRAG Podcast as Felix discusses state of Baltic Sea and how funding of projects goes in Africa. Special guest Yasar Atacik shares his Rotary journey, including the future developments, future of ESRAG, and his climate action roadmap. Concluding with intriguing facts on solar panels and el nino in Kenya. Learn more about Yasar’s role in leading ESRAG and other fascinating topics through links at https://esrag.org/about-esrag/ and additional resources online.
2024-05-2341 minESRAG Podcast: Climate conversationsESRAG Podcast - With Karen Kendrick-HandsExplore the ESRAG Podcast as Felix discusses building with plastic waste and Admiral explores clean energy solutions. Special guest Karen Kendrick Hands shares her journey and insights into ESRAG’s focus areas, including the future developments. Concluding with intriguing facts on holograms and diesel from plastic. Learn more about Karen’s role in founding ESRAG and other fascinating topics through links at https://esrag.org/about-esrag/ and additional resources online.
2024-05-1343 minESRAG Podcast: Climate conversationsESRAG Podcast - With Laurie ZuckermannJoin the ESRAG Podcast premiere! Explore Rotary's initiatives against global climate change with 1.2 million members. Discover impactful projects as Laurie Zuckermann, Director of Communications, unveils inspiring efforts.
ESRAG envisions a sustainable future, uniting to protect the environment. Learn how Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation address the triple planetary crisis of climate, biodiversity, and pollution through global grants.
More at https://esrag.org/
2024-05-1320 min