Note: This episode originally ran on October 1, 2024. If you'd like to support WWF for Giving Tuesday, visit wwf.help/tuesday. Global food production is a key driver behind both climate change and the loss of species and ecosystems. In fact, it's responsible for roughly one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions and over two-thirds of global habitat and biodiversity losses. That's because unsustainable food production too often lead to the destruction of forests, grasslands, and other ecosystems in order to produce more food. So how do we create a more sustainable food system? Joining the show today is Dr. Jason Clay, Executive Director of WWF's Markets Institute. Jason has decades of experience working with companies to find innovative ways to make their supply chains more sustainable, and today he'll be explaining his latest initiative: Codex Planetarius. In short, Codex Planetarius aims to establish global environmental standards to limit the harm caused by the production of globally traded food. The idea draws inspiration from Codex Alimentarius, the international code of health and safety standards for food established in the mid-20th century. It makes sense: If the world can adopt standards to protect human health and safety, why can't we do the same for the health and safety of the planet? In this interview, Jason explains how his career journey evolved from human rights to conservation (with help from the Grateful Dead and Ben & Jerry's along the way), and how Codex Planetarius could establish new global norms for food production that help us feed the world without destroying it. Links for More Info: Jason Clay bio Codex Planetarius homepage WEB STORY: Codex Planetarius: Increasing Global Food Sustainability and Resilience Chapters: 0:00 Programming note 1:22 Intro 3:10 Jason's background 5:14 Working with the Grateful Dead and Ben & Jerry's to save the rainforest 10:14 How the global food trade works 16:17 Codex Planetarius: global standards for sustainable food production 25:09 Paying for Codex Planetarius 30:57 How to implement the plan 41:52 Outro
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How Losing Vultures Led to 500,000 Human Deaths
What happens when nature's cleanup crew disappears? In this episode of Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson talks with Professor Eyal Frank, an environmental economist at the University of Chicago, about his groundbreaking research on the near-extinction of vultures in India—and the devastating ripple effects on human health. Frank explains: Why vultures are critical for ecosystems and public health How a common painkiller triggered a collapse in vulture populations Why that collapse may have caused 500,000 additional human deaths What this teaches us about the hidden costs of biodiversity loss This is a fascinating—and sobering—look at how species we often overlook play vital roles in our lives. Tune in to learn why protecting wildlife isn't just about saving nature—it's about saving ourselves. Listen now and subscribe for more episodes on the connections between people and the planet. Links for More Info: Eyal Frank bio Study: The Near Extinction of Indian Vultures Led to the Death of a Half Million People Shocked Podcast Ep. 3: Vultures WWF web story: Vultures as Nature's Influencers Chapters: 0:00 Wild Guess trivia 0:32 Intro 2:16 Eyal Frank's background 4:40 Comparing attribution science in climate change v. biodiversity loss 6:27 Why are vultures important? 9:06 How Eyal learned about vulture loss in India 11:02 What happened to vultures in India? 15:50 How did vulture loss contribute to human deaths? 26:47 What were the actual causes of human deaths? 32:02 How many people died due to loss of vultures? 37:36 Lessons for policymakers and the general public 42:03 What's next for Eyal Frank? 45:02 Outro
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COP30's Big Idea: The Tropical Forest Forever Facility
At COP30 in Brazil, one of the most ambitious climate finance initiatives ever conceived is set to launch: the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF). This bold plan aims to flip the economics of deforestation by paying countries to keep their forests standing—rather than rewarding them for cutting them down. In this episode of Nature Breaking, WWF's Andrew Deutz joins host Seth Larson to break down how the TFFF works, why Brazil's $1 billion commitment is a game-changer, and what makes this model so innovative. From leveraging private finance to guaranteeing benefits for Indigenous Peoples and local communities, the TFFF could reshape global forest conservation—and climate finance as we know it. Tune in to learn why COP30 is the "make-or-break" moment for the TFFF, how the facility plans to mobilize $125 billion in capital, and what this means for tropical forest countries and the fight against climate change. Links for More Info: Andrew Deutz bio Op-Ed: Finance has long failed forests - now it may save them Press Release: WWF calls for investments in the TFFF following Brazil's catalytic announcement Chapters: 0:00 Wild Guess trivia question 0:43 Intro 2:07 What is the TFFF? 4:22 TFFF development process 6:11 Benefits for Indigenous Peoples 10:11 COP30 expectations and next steps 14:12 How would the TFFF work in practice? 19:01 Brazil's leadership 21:57 What's in it for the private sector? 26:02 Response to TFFF critiques 31:23 One thing that everyone should know about the TFFF 33:04 Outro
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33:46
Spooky Species and a Green Halloween
In this Halloween bonus episode of Nature Breaking, WWF's Seth Larson and Hayley Lawton share tips for celebrating the season in a more sustainable way—from upcycled costumes and DIY decorations to creative uses for leftover pumpkin bits. Then, things get spooky as Seth and Hayley play a game of "Guess That Spooky Species," featuring eerie animal sounds from the wild. Can you tell the difference between a raven and an owl? A bear and an alligator? Tune in and test your wildlife knowledge! Whether you're trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins, or just enjoying the spooky vibes, this episode is packed with fun and eco-friendly ideas to help you celebrate Halloween with nature in mind. Happy Halloween from all of us at WWF! Links for More Info: WWF's Spooky Species Playlist 10 Green Tips for Halloween Eerie Animals? Not so fast. Chapters: 0:00 Wild Guess trivia question 0:41 Intro 1:38 Seth & Hayley Halloween memories 4:09 Green Halloween Tips 7:44 Guess that "spooky species" sound 12:29 Outro
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The High Seas Treaty Explained: Why It Matters for Our Ocean & Beyond
Nearly half of Earth's surface lies beyond the jurisdiction of any single country—and until now, those waters have been largely unregulated. In this episode of Nature Breaking, WWF's Johan Bergenas joins host Seth Larson to unpack the newly ratified High Seas Treaty and what it means for the future of our ocean. From illegal fishing and environmental degradation to human trafficking and unregulated resource extraction, the high seas have long been a lawless frontier. But with this treaty now in force, countries have a framework to establish marine protected areas, conduct environmental impact assessments, and collaborate on enforcement and conservation. Johan explains how the treaty came together, what it aims to achieve, and why it's a critical step toward meeting global biodiversity goals—like protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. Tune in to learn how this landmark agreement could reshape ocean governance and help safeguard the planet's largest ecosystem. Links for More Info: Johan Bergenas bio WWF Oceans webpage WWF Statement on High Seas Treaty Chapters: 0:00 Wild Guess trivia question 0:36 Intro 1:58 Defining "the high seas" 3:21 Crime on the high seas 5:13 Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing 10:00 The High Seas Treaty 12:13 Marine Protected Areas 16:00 Next steps for the treaty 17:25 Hurdles to implementation 20:28 Why did it take this long to get a treaty? 22:02 Outro
Join host Seth Larson as he interviews experts on some of the biggest environmental issues affecting people and our planet, including climate change, habitat loss, endangered species, and more. Learn something new about nature in every episode. This show is produced by World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
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