The food industry significantly contributes to biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions. What if food could regenerate nature? This vision powers the Big Food Redesign Challenge, explored in a new episode of The Circular Economy Show. Host Lucy Parker and guests Jonquil Hackenberg (Ellen MacArthur Foundation CEO), Wendy Schmidt (Schmidt Family Foundation), and chef Douglas McMaster discuss creating a food system better for people, nature, and climate, emphasizing innovation and rethinking our approach.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, an international charity, promotes a circular economy designed to eliminate waste, circulate materials, and regenerate nature. Discover more and subscribe for insights: YouTube | Website

The food industry significantly drives biodiversity loss and accounts for a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. The Big Food Redesign Challenge envisions designing food systems that regenerate nature rather than harming it.

In a special episode of The Circular Economy Show, guest host Lucy Parker explores how learnings from the Challenge can create a food system better for people, nature, and climate. Featured speakers include Jonquil Hackenberg of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Wendy Schmidt of the [Schmidt Family Foundation](https://tsffoundation.org/) discussing philanthropy, and Michelin-starred chef Douglas McMaster of [Silo](https://www.silolondon.com/) on innovative approaches.

Learn more about the [Big Food Redesign Challenge](https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/the-big-food-redesign-challenge/overview?utm_campaign=drumbeat-podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=ce_show_podcast&utm_content=&utm_term=) and its participants, or watch the full [episode on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cjJv3LQGD4&list=PLXT_ozykGVakhZv7xI3VVcTPjM51prIi7&index=5).

Welcome to The Freethink Interview, a series from our sister channel @freethink, featuring thought-provoking conversations with the new generation of builders, leaders, and thinkers shaping technological progress.

This episode highlights Casey Handmer, founder and CEO of Terraform Industries. He believes solar energy is key to a future free from fossil fuels and extreme poverty. His company pioneers technology to create synthetic natural gas from sunlight and air, leveraging simple chemistry and advanced solar power.

Handmer envisions solar as a catalyst for human progress, providing cheap, abundant energy globally to potentially eliminate extreme poverty. Subscribe to Freethink: https://freeth.ink/youtube-subscribe. Watch next: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFjg1qEsO04

Celebrate your pals this Pal-entine's Day! Guardian dogs, like [dog's name], are vital companions for cattle, protecting them from nocturnal predators that approach the farm.

Learn more about these incredible canine protectors by reading our blog.

Oceana's expedition research with Blancpain has unveiled significant findings about marine biodiversity off Southern California.

The discoveries exceeded expectations, revealing a world of secrets within the ocean's depths.

Join Arizona artists Donna Larson and Sheila Kollasch for an art talk on how Southwest landscapes profoundly influence their work. Drawing from a lifetime exploring Arizona’s deserts and mountains, their art captures the region's beauty and spirituality.

They will discuss their creative processes and the powerful messages of stewardship, respect, and interdependence embedded in their diverse works, which span oil, acrylic, watercolor, graphite, and ink. Experience the land visually and spiritually through their unique connection.

Learn more about the Natural History Institute: Website | Events | Donate | Instagram | Facebook

This episode delves into practical circular design implementation with Joe Iles, Head of Design Activation at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. He unpacks essential principles and skills for designers to move beyond buzzwords. If you enjoyed this discussion, please leave a review or comment to help spread awareness of the circular economy.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is an international charity promoting a circular economy that eliminates waste, circulates materials, and regenerates nature. Subscribe for more insights: YouTube Channel. Learn more at ellenmacarthurfoundation.org. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Boudreaux, President & CEO, discusses Oberon Fuels' mission to decarbonize the fuel and energy sectors. The company aims to slash the environmental impact of fuels, particularly in hard-to-abate areas like heavy-duty transportation and agriculture.

Oberon achieves this through renewable dimethyl ether (rDME). Their low or carbon-negative rDME fuel can reduce LPG's carbon intensity by up to 60% when blended, potentially cutting global CO2 by 750 million metric tons annually. rDME also offers a compelling approach for transporting hydrogen for its fast-growing applications.

This episode features Joe Iles, Head of Design Activation at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, who delves into practical circular design. He explains it's not merely about durable products, but reflects the complex, interconnected systems of our world. Joe explores why innovative circular design ideas often struggle to scale.

He highlights crucial design competencies for transitioning to a circular model, including systems thinking, prototyping, and collaboration. These skills are essential for moving beyond buzzwords to effective implementation.

Explore related resources: The Circular Design Guide, The Jeans Redesign, The Circular Buildings Toolkit, and From ambition to action: an adaptive strategy for circular design.

The Center for Biological Diversity is a leading organization of lawyers, scientists, and activists dedicated to protecting endangered species and habitats worldwide. Learn more about their work: biologicaldiversity.org.

All footage ©2025.

Global women and feminist leaders are calling for urgent climate justice and action for future generations. WECAN marks International Women's Day by releasing a video showcasing women and gender-diverse leaders' solutions.

Amidst escalating climate crisis and social inequities, these leaders demand bold systems change and transformational leadership. They champion solutions for food sovereignty, Indigenous rights, and a Just Transition, challenging governments and corporations to end extractive practices and declare a climate emergency. Their fight for Mother Earth is unwavering.

On November 4, 2021, Indigenous women leaders united at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, to issue an urgent call to action for the Amazon in crisis. Organized by the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International, they advocated for Indigenous rights and the protection of forests, water, communities, and the global climate.

Speakers highlighted the devastating impacts of climate change, extractive industries, and agri-business in the Amazon. They underscored the critical importance of Indigenous rights as a vital climate solution.

A COP26 press conference on November 9, 2021, focused on "Accelerating a Feminist Green New Deal."

The event featured speakers including Santra Denis from the Miami Workers Center, Frances Roberts-Gregory (Feminist Activist, Academic, and Scholar), Jacqui Patterson of The Chisholm Legacy Project, and Mara Dolan from WEDO. Osprey Orielle Lake and Katherine Quaid represented WECAN.

These experts shared insights on advancing a feminist approach to climate action and social justice.

On November 5, 2021, WECAN and the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN) co-hosted a COP26 press conference. They reported on the recent Rights of Nature Tribunal, held parallel to the summit, which focused on systemic change in climate solutions.

The Tribunal heard two cases, notably one concerning climate change and the Amazon rainforest. Presenters included Tribunal Judges: Lisa Mead (Earth Law Alliance), Atossa Soltani (Amazon Sacred Headwaters Initiative), Pablo Solón (Former UN Ambassador for Bolivia), and Osprey Orielle Lake (WECAN International).

Watch and share the WECAN Press Conference from COP26 in Glasgow, titled "Women for Climate Justice Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change." This vital discussion highlights the critical role of women in addressing climate change.

The conference featured powerful voices from global climate justice leaders. Speakers included Sostine Namanya (Gender & Food Security Officer, NAPE, Uganda), Sonia Guajajara (Executive Coordinator, APIB, Brazilian Amazon), Casey Camp-Horinek (Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member, USA), and Osprey Orielle Lake (Executive Director, WECAN International, USA).

On November 5, WECAN Executive Director Osprey Orielle Lake addressed the GLOBE COP26 Legislators Summit at the Scottish Parliament. She urged global leaders to reject false solutions, advocating for climate justice, Indigenous rights, keeping fossil fuels in the ground, and greater inclusion of women and frontline communities in decision-making.

Lake highlighted that current country commitments fall short of the Paris Agreement's 1.5-degree target. She presented a "Call to Action" from the Global Women's Assembly for Climate Justice, outlining how existing frameworks can achieve this goal. This call represents millions of women and feminists worldwide.

Read the Call to Action Statement and Framework Recommendations.

WECAN Executive Director Osprey Orielle Lake addressed world governments at the UN ahead of COP26, declaring a refusal to sacrifice future generations for corporate greed and political power. She urged leaders to fight for social, racial, economic justice, and Indigenous and human rights, emphasizing that communities need climate justice now.

Lake demanded an end to "sacrifice people" and "sacrifice zones," challenging governments to confront the fossil fuel industry and deliver the promised $100 billion for a just transition. Highlighting that current commitments fall short of the 1.5°C target, she presented a "Call to Action" from the Global Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice, outlining existing frameworks.

Read the Call to Action Statement here and the Framework Recommendations here.

During WECAN's Climate Week events, Thilmeeza Hussain, Permanent Representative to the UN and Ambassador from the Maldives, spoke with WECAN Executive Director Osprey Orielle Lake. Their discussion focused on climate justice policies, women's leadership, and accelerating just, resilient, community-led solutions.

This event was part of the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) three-day Climate Justice Forum. Titled "Facing the Climate Emergency on the Road to COP27: Solutions and Perspectives from Global Women and Gender Diverse Leaders," the forum took place September 20-22.

Global women leaders are spearheading critical strategies for national and international divestment from harmful extractive industries. They demand justice and accountability from financial institutions, advocating for a Just Transition that prioritizes people and planet.

On September 22, 2022, an event, part of WECAN’s three-day Climate Justice Forum, highlighted these efforts. WECAN presented the second edition of its report, "Gendered and Racial Impacts of the Fossil Fuel Industry," amplifying the voices and actions of global women leaders in divestment from fossil fuels, deforestation, and militarism. Prominent speakers contributed to the discussion.

On September 20, 2022, African feminist leaders convened to demand urgent, justice- and rights-centered climate action from governments ahead of COP27. During this event, they shared critical insights, solutions, and successful on-the-ground projects, emphasizing the vital role of African women's voices in climate discussions.

Speakers included Neema Namadamu (SAFECO/WECAN), Rita Uwaka (Friends of the Earth Africa), Sostine Namanya (NAPE), and Anne Songole (FEMNET). Osprey Orielle Lake (WECAN) moderated the discussion. This gathering was part of WECAN's three-day Climate Justice Forum, "Facing the Climate Emergency on the Road to COP27," held from September 20-22.