Best Geographic Solutions Podcasts (2025)

1
Kim Stanley Robinson's 'Ministry for the Future' has lessons for the present 55:58

2d ago55:58

55:58

Five years since Kim Stanley Robinson's groundbreaking climate fiction novel, The Ministry for the Future, hit The New York Times bestseller list, the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning writer shares reflections on themes explored in the book and how they apply directly to the world today. The utopian novel set in a not-so-distant future depicts how hum…

1
Why protected Congo rainforests look 'like a war zone' 30:09

14d ago30:09

30:09

Nearly half of the Republic of Congo’s dense rainforests are protected under the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) framework to receive climate finance payments, but Mongabay Africa staff writer Elodie Toto’s recent investigation revealed the nation has also granted nearly 80 gold mining and exploration permits in…

1
Inspiring action for the ocean wins top environmental prize for ex-engineer 25:08

23d ago25:08

25:08

Carlos Mallo Molina has been awarded the 2025 Goldman Environmental Prize for protecting the marine biodiversity of Tenerife, the most populated of the Canary Islands. On this episode of Mongabay's podcast, Molina explains what led him to quit his job as a civil engineer on a road project impacting the Teno-Rasca marine protected area (MPA) and his…

1
‘De-extinction’ is misleading and dangerous, ecologist says 42:26

30d ago42:26

42:26

A biotech company in the United States made headlines last month by revealing photos of genetically modified gray wolves, calling them “dire wolves,” a species that hasn’t existed for more than 10,000 years. Colossal Biosciences edited 14 genes among millions of base pairs in gray wolf DNA to arrive at the pups that were shown, leaving millions of …

1
How the sounds of whales guide conservation efforts 38:39

1M ago38:39

38:39

Biological oceanographer John Ryan joins Mongabay’s podcast to discuss his team’s multiyear study that examined vocalizations of baleen whales, including blue (Balaenoptera musculus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) and fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), and how this science is critical for understanding their feeding habits, and thus informing …

1
E13: Tech, Data, and the Human Touch: Evolving VR Services 14:18

1M ago14:18

14:18

In this episode we welcome Brittny MacIver, Technical Consultant and founder of Cali Madison Solutions, to share her unique journey from corrections counselor to leadership roles in vocational rehabilitation (VR). Brittny discusses the vital role of performance data in improving outcomes for program participants, the importance of measurable skills…

1
How a prize-winning project brought saiga antelope back from the brink 31:02

2M ago31:02

31:02

Two decades ago a group of NGOs came together with the government of Kazakhstan to save the dwindling population of saiga antelope living in the enormous Golden Steppe. Since then, the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative has successfully rehabilitated the saiga (Saiga tatarica) from a population of roughly 30,000 to nearly 4 million. For this effort…

1
The impact-driven success of Mongabay’s nonprofit news model 37:27

2M ago37:27

37:27

Media outlets are downsizing newsrooms and the audience for traditional news is in decline, but Mongabay continues to grow thanks to its impact-driven, nonprofit model. Mongabay's director of philanthropy, Dave Martin, joins the podcast this week to explain the philosophy behind Mongabay's fundraising efforts, why the nonprofit model is essential f…

1
The climate movement should emphasize humans, not just carbon, Paul Hawken says 1:07:30

2M ago1:07:30

1:07:30

Renowned author, activist and entrepreneur Paul Hawken joins Mongabay’s podcast to discuss his new book, Carbon: The Book of Life, and argues that the jargon and fear-based terms broadly used by the climate movement alienate the broader public and fail to communicate the nuance and complexity of the larger ecological crises that humans are causing.…

1
Why has Australia paused key environment commitments? 30:18

2M ago30:18

30:18

The Australian government recently shelved key environmental protection commitments indefinitely, including the establishment of an environmental protection agency, and a robust accounting of the nation’s ecological health via an environmental information authority. The latest suspension was announced by the Prime Minister just ahead of a federal e…

1
What environmental history says about our current ‘planetary risk’ 27:36

3M ago27:36

27:36

Recent and major shifts in international environmental policies and programs have historical precedent, but the context of global environmental degradation and climate change presents a planetary risk that’s new, say Sunil Amrith. A professor of history at Yale University, he joins this week’s Mongabay Newscast to discuss the current political mome…

1
How ‘ecological empathy’ can shape a better world 54:01

3M ago54:01

54:01

A new framework for considering the needs of the “more-than-human world” when designing human-made systems is “ecological empathy,” the focus of Lauren Lambert, founder of Future Now, a sustainability consulting firm. Her research, Ecological empathy: Relational theory and practice, was published in the journal Ecosystems and People in late 2024, w…

1
E12: Designing for Everyone: ArcTouch's Approach to Digital Accessibility 23:54

3M ago23:54

23:54

In this season two premiere of the VOScast podcast, we are joined by Ben Ogilvie, Head of Accessibility at ArcTouch, who shares his personal journey into accessibility work influenced by his father's paralysis and son's brain injury. Ben discusses how ArcTouch helps clients view accessibility as an opportunity rather than just a compliance requirem…

1
Degrowth’s benefits in Barcelona are getting noticed across the globe 47:04

3M ago47:04

47:04

Middle and working-class citizens in nations across the globe are feeling their purchasing power diminish while billionaires hoard historically high levels of wealth. People are looking for economic solutions out of the inequity that are in line with their ecological values and planetary boundaries. "People are really hungry for solutions [and] rea…

1
How corporations meet their climate targets, on paper 52:32

4M ago52:32

52:32

A paper in the journal Nature Climate Change concludes there is limited accountability for corporations that fail to achieve their climate change mitigation targets. The analysis shows 9% of company decarbonization plans missed their goals, while 31% “disappeared.” However, 60% of companies met their targets. While this might initially seem like go…

1
Bobcats provide health benefits for ecosystems and humans, but are largely misunderstood 37:50

4M ago37:50

37:50

The bobcat population has rebounded over the past century, making it North America’s most common wildcat: as of 2011, there were an estimated 3.5 million bobcats in the United States alone, a significant increase from the late 1990s. These intelligent felids, Lynx rufus, have benefited from conservation efforts that have increased their natural hab…

1
How law enforcement in Africa's protected areas is part of a larger culture in conservation 31:47

4M ago31:47

31:47

Nations across the world are working to expand their protected areas to include 30% of Earth's land and water by 2030. In Africa, this would encompass an additional 1 million square miles. Mongabay's Ashoka Mukpo recently traveled to three nations to assess the current state of conservation practices in key protected areas, to get a better picture …

1
Justice for people, animals and environment are closely linked 48:17

4M ago48:17

48:17

Bryan Simmons, the vice president of communications for the Arcus Foundation, joins the Mongabay Newscast this week to share the philosophy behind the 25-year-old foundation, which funds grantees that work on LGBTQ rights and great apes and gibbons conservation. In this conversation with co-host Mike DiGirolamo, Simmons explains the link between ec…

1
Turning problems into solutions for culture and agriculture, with Anthony James 44:52

5M ago44:52

44:52

This week, Anthony James, host of The RegenNarration Podcast, joins Mongabay’s podcast to share stories of community resilience and land regeneration in the Americas and Australia. James explains how donkeys (seen as invasive pests) are now being managed to benefit the land in Kachana Station in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. In this ep…

1
Christiana Figueres helped deliver the Paris Agreement and remains optimistic on climate action 53:35

5M ago53:35

53:35

General frustration with the result of the most recent UN climate conference (UNFCCC COP29) spurred the former UN climate chief, Christiana Figueres – under whose leadership the Paris Agreement was struck – to co-author a letter to the UN urging an overhaul to the COP process, and calling it “no longer fit for purpose.” Figueres joins this episode …

1
Secretive regional fisheries management organizations need media coverage 1:23:25

5M ago1:23:25

1:23:25

Seventeen regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) regulate commercially valuable fish species across the world's oceans. The members of these organizations do not publicize their meetings and bar journalists from attending, presenting a barrier for public awareness. On this episode of the Mongabay Newscast, Africa staff writer Malavika …

1
A new tropical forest conservation fund with great potential 37:25

6M ago37:25

37:25

A new forest finance fund known as the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) will work like an investment portfolio (unlike the familiar – and often ineffective – forest conservation loan or grant funds), and if enacted as intended, it will reward 70 tropical nations billions in annual funding for keeping their forests standing. Co-host Mike DiGi…

1
Do we need a 'moral reckoning' on aquaculture's environmental impacts? 46:38

6M ago46:38

46:38

Animal aquaculture, the farming of fish, has outpaced the amount of wild-caught fish by tens of millions of metric tons each year, bringing with it negative environmental impacts and enabling abuse, says Carl Safina, an ecologist and author. On this episode of Mongabay’s podcast, Safina speaks with co-host Rachel Donald about his recent Science Adv…

1
E11: Accessibility Matters: How AI and New Guidelines Are Changing the Digital Landscape 28:55

6M ago28:55

28:55

This episode features a conversation with Britt Otter, an accessibility expert who shares valuable insights on the intersection of AI and digital accessibility. Britt discusses current trends in AI tools and their potential to enhance accessibility when properly implemented, while also highlighting important considerations and potential drawbacks. …

1
Conservation is key for planetary health & preventing pandemics 39:34

6M ago39:34

39:34

Neil Vora MD is a former epidemic intelligence service officer with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with experience combating outbreaks of the deadly Ebola virus and running the New York City contact tracing program for COVID-19. He advocates supporting public health infrastructure to respond to diseases. He much prefers p…

1
Grounded: This pilot quit flying to help the aviation industry change, for the better 47:33

7M ago47:33

47:33

Todd Smith wanted to be a pilot since the age of 5, but an epiphany spurred by seeing a retreating ice cap in Peru revealed that his love of flying conflicted with the planetary harm his industry was causing. “That was the first seed that was planted, and I was witnessing in that moment climate change and mass tourism firsthand,” he says. Today, Sm…

1
Don't call it the ‘high seas treaty’: New oceans agreement should center biodiversity, expert says 41:46

7M ago41:46

41:46

The new BBNJ (biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction) marine conservation agreement is impressive in scope but has since been rebranded by some as the “high seas treaty,” which risks biasing its interpretation by emphasizing the historical, but outdated, freedoms enjoyed by seafaring (and largely Western) nations. Elizabeth Mendenhall of the Uni…

1
Global Nature Positive Summit features Indigenous & conservation leaders but gets negative marks on government action 29:58

8M ago29:58

29:58

Just prior to the latest world biodiversity summit (COP 16 in Colombia), a similarly-themed event was hosted by the Australian Government in Sydney: the Global ‘Nature Positive’ Summit featured Indigenous leaders, scientists and conservationists, but political leaders in attendance provided little insight into when key reforms to the Environmental …

1
Jane Goodall and Rhett Butler celebrate Mongabay’s 25th anniversary 1:19:37

8M ago1:19:37

1:19:37

The Mongabay Newscast recently traveled to San Francisco to join an event hosted by the popular radio show and podcast, Climate One, reflecting on both Mongabay’s 25th anniversary and Jane Goodall’s 90th birthday, for a live audience of 1,700. First, Mongabay founder and CEO Rhett Ayers Butler discusses the news outlet’s biggest successes and impac…

1
Community conservation, Indigenous rights, and phasing out fossil fuels at Climate Week NYC 56:39

8M ago56:39

56:39

An array of top voices are interviewed or heard on this episode straight from Climate Week in New York, a global gathering of leaders and experts working in the climate and environmental sectors on proactive policies and practical initiatives. The podcast speaks with several individuals on topics ranging from a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty …

1
E10: Workforce Development 2.0: Adapting to a Changing Job Market 22:29

8M ago22:29

22:29

This episode features a conversation with Chad Carter, a 10-year veteran of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. Chad shares his insights on the evolution of workforce development, including the shift from unemployment offices to employment centers, the impact of COVID-19 on service delivery, and the importance of alternative career pat…

1
High CO2 levels are greening the world’s drylands, is that good news? 43:21

8M ago43:21

43:21

Drylands are vast and home to a wide array of biodiversity, while also hosting a large portion of the world’s farmland, but they face continued desertification, despite many of them recently experiencing increased vegetation levels. Five million hectares (12 million acres) of drylands, an area half the size of South Korea, have been desertified due…

1
“What If We Get It Right?” marine biologist & climate action author Ayana Elizabeth Johnson asks 27:25

8M ago27:25

27:25

Marine biologist and climate policy advocate Ayana Elizabeth Johnson joins this episode to discuss her latest book, What If We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Futures, a compilation of essays and interviews with experts and authors in the climate and environmental fields. Her book sensitively probes the problems human society faces and potential p…

1
Private profit from public lands: How a Cambodian elite with military ties claimed a community forest 41:29

9M ago41:29

41:29

The Phnom Chum Rok Sat community forest used to support local and Indigenous groups in Cambodia’s Stung Treng province, as well as a thriving local ecotourism venture, but that all changed this year when mining company Lin Vatey privately acquired roughly two-thirds of the land and began clearing the forest. Mongabay features writer Gerry Flynn inv…

1
E09: Serving Those Who Served: A Peek at North Carolina's Veteran Workforce Programs 16:43

9M ago16:43

16:43

This episode features a conversation with Chris Silvers from the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Solutions. The discussion covers services for veterans in North Carolina, including the NCWorks Veterans Portal, the NC Veterans at Work program, and the HIRE Vets Medallion Program. Chris shares information about the state'…

1
The rights of nature, legal personhood & other new ways laws can protect the planet 45:26

9M ago45:26

45:26

“Legal personhood” and laws regarding the “rights of nature” are being trialed in nations worldwide, but whether they lead to measurable conservation outcomes is yet to be seen, says environmental economist Viktoria Kahui. Still, she says on this episode of the Mongabay Newscast that she’s very hopeful about them. There’s a global debate surroundin…

1
How coastal communities are adapting to rising seas naturally with Living Shorelines 41:31

9M ago41:31

41:31

Homeowners and towns along the U.S. East Coast are increasingly building “living shorelines” to adapt to sea level rise and boost wildlife habitat in a more economical and less carbon-intensive way than concrete seawalls. These projects protect shorelines using a clever mix of native plants, driftwood, holiday trees, and other organic materials. Pe…

1
Experts warn bird flu poses ‘an existential threat’ to biodiversity, and a possible threat to humans 27:34

10M ago27:34

27:34

The current clade of H5N1 or bird flu is an "existential threat" to the world’s biodiversity, experts say. While it has infected more than 500 bird and mammal species on every continent except Australia, the number of human infections from the current clade (grouping) 2.3.4.4b is still comparatively small. U.S. dairy workers have recently become in…

1
Indigenous communities' traditional ecological knowledge is key to conservation: National Geographic photographer Kiliii Yüyan 41:23

10M ago41:23

41:23

Top National Geographic photographer Kiliii Yüyan joined the show to discuss traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and why Indigenous communities are the world’s most effective conservationists. Yüyan spoke about this with us in March 2023 and we're sharing the episode again after it recently won a 'Best coverage of Indigenous communities' prize f…

1
The ‘Wild Frequencies’ of Indian wildlife revealed by bioacoustics 31:39

10M ago31:39

31:39

Mongabay newswire editor Shreya Dasgupta joins the Mongabay Newscast to detail her new three-part miniseries, Wild Frequencies, produced in collaboration with the Mongabay India bureau. Dasgupta details her journey with Mongabay-India senior digital editor Kartik Chandramouli. They travel the country speaking with researchers, listening and studyin…

1
How a multi-nation effort has protected North American amphibians from a deadly disease outbreak 52:51

10M ago52:51

52:51

Scientists described Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) over 10 years ago, a pathogen that causes the deadly disease chytridiomycosis which is currently devastating salamanders and frogs around the world, contributing to a global amphibian decline. But thanks to a successful cross border (U.S., Mexico & Canada) effort to keep it out, it has y…

1
Sacrificing U.S. forests for solar energy "misses the plot" on climate action 36:38

11M ago36:38

36:38

U.S. states such as Vermont and Massachusetts are cutting thousands of acres of forest for solar power projects, despite the fact that this harms biodiversity and degrades ecosystems' carbon sequestration capacity. Journalist and author Judith Schwartz joins the Mongabay Newscast to speak with co-host Mike DiGirolamo about the seeming irony of cutt…

1
Natural forest regeneration is ‘a restoration of hope’ for farmers & forests worldwide 49:21

11M ago49:21

49:21

Australian agronomist Tony Rinaudo's reforestation project in Niger was failing – with 80% of his planted saplings dying – until he stumbled upon a simple solution in plain sight: stumps of previously cut trees trying to regrow in the dry, deforested landscape. The degraded land contained numerous such stumps with intact root systems, plus millions…

1
S2 Ep4: ABSSSI Clinical Care Series – Episode 4: Patients Presenting With Comorbidities 4:32

11M ago4:32

4:32

In this Contagion News Network series, Clinical Care for Hospitalized ABSSSI Patients with Comorbidities, we're joined by Bruce Jones, PharmD, FIDSA, BCPS, who offers his commentary and thoughts on the clinical management of patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. In Episode 4, the final segment, Jones offered his insights…

1
S2 Ep3: ABSSSI Clinical Care Series – Episode 3: Stewardship Considerations 3:30

11M ago3:30

3:30

In this Contagion News Network series, Clinical Care for Hospitalized ABSSSI Patients with Comorbidities, we're joined by Bruce Jones, PharmD, FIDSA, BCPS, who offers his commentary and thoughts on the clinical management of patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. In Episode 3, Jones covers concerns around empirical antimi…

1
S2 Ep2: ABSSSI Clinical Care Series – Episode 2: Proper Dosing and Clinical Management of Concurrent Therapy 3:53

11M ago3:53

3:53

In this Contagion News Network series, Clinical Care for Hospitalized ABSSSI Patients with Comorbidities, we're joined by Bruce Jones, PharmD, FIDSA, BCPS, who offers his commentary and thoughts on the clinical management of patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. In Episode 2, Jones offers clinical considerations for pati…

1
S2 Ep1: ABSSSI Clinical Care Series – Episode 1: Patients Presenting With Comorbidities 4:38

11M ago4:38

4:38

In this Contagion News Network series, Clinical Care for Hospitalized ABSSSI Patients with Comorbidities, we're joined by Bruce Jones, PharmD, FIDSA, BCPS, who offers his commentary and thoughts on the clinical management of patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. In Episode 1, Jones discusses treating challenging patients…

1
Indigenous communities left in the dark on Borneo hydropower plan advocate for their river 45:01

11M ago45:01

45:01

The premier of the Malaysian state of Sarawak recently announced new dam projects on three rivers in Borneo without the informed consent of local people. The managing director of the Sarawak-based NGO SAVE Rivers, Celine Lim, joins the podcast to discuss with co-host Rachel Donald how these potential dam projects could impact rivers and human commu…

1
E08: Navigating UI Trends: Transforming Unemployment Services in Pennsylvania 23:22

11M ago23:22

23:22

This episode features a conversation with Susan Dickinson and Nsungwe Shamatutu from Pennsylvania's Office of Unemployment Compensation Service Centers. They explore current trends in unemployment insurance, including system modernization, plain language initiatives, and the impact of remote work. The guests also share their experiences managing th…

1
'Seeking solutions,' Mongabay's new Africa bureau reports the big issues and conservation wins 36:54

12M ago36:54

36:54

Last year, Mongabay launched a brand-new bureau dedicated to covering the African continent daily in French and English. The team is led by veteran Cameroonian journalist David Akana, who chats with co-host Mike DiGirolamo about the importance of covering the African continent and why news that happens there is of keen interest to audiences worldwi…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Geographic Solutions Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen