In today's episode with Eirini Sakellari, we discuss the inseparable nature of biodiversity from the climate crisis, and how this connection is not being communicated strongly enough and reflecting the complexity within it. Eirini talks about the need to centre a rights-based approach in conservation and restoration. There is an incredible need to connect biodiversity, conservation and human rights which historically has not been the case with the roots of conservation very much tied within colonialism.

We delve into conversations around whether there can be any such thing as ‘ethical’ money in a capitalist system, and the complexities existing in funding environmental projects, be it on a grass roots or NGO level. Eirini outlines the role that environmental policy can play, as well as its limitations, and why the term ‘intersectional environmentalism’ is an ideology that needs to be much more widely embraced.

Eirini works within area-based conservation and is originally from Greece, specifically the Island of Crete. For her bachelors degree, she studied Chemistry and then went on to study environmental sciences for her masters degree, focusing a lot on environmental policy and sustainable development diplomacy. Eirini is one of the co-coordinators for GYBN Europe, which is how I came to meet her, and she’s also the youth assistant coordinator of the global landscapes forum – youth in landscapes initiative.

I found this such an interesting and thought provoking conversation - it made me realise how much more I have to learn in this area, and I hope it sparks your interest to delve deeper into these topics.

Episode transcript and additional resources:

https://www.alittlebitoflagom.org/ep-38-the-connected-complexities-of-biodiversity-human-rights-and-the-climate-crisis-with-eirini-sakellari/

Music: Martyn King