SUSTAIN the podcast of Ngā Ara Whetū: Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society. Focuses on environmental issues facing both New Zealand and globally. Roundtable robust discussions include guests working in academia, business, government and public sectors.
How can we boost the use of climate-friendly technology?
Holly Beals and Michael Fielding discuss with Dr. Maria Armoudian how to boost the use of climate-friendly technology and promote planet-saving innovations, in this interview episode.
7 May 2025
How can we deal with the threat posed by microplastics?
From the Antarctic to the deepest depths of the ocean, microplastics are found in increasingly large numbers. These tiny, seemingly inescapable plastics pose a range of threats to human health, animal life and the ecosystems on which we rely. How can we deal with this avalanche of microplastics? For more, Dr Maria Armoudian speaks to Professor Nathalie Gontard, research director at France's National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, formerly a professor at the Universities of Montpellier and Kyoto; and Dr Samantha Ladewig, a research fellow at the University of Auckland who studies the effect of microplastic pollution on marine environments.
1 Apr 2025
What is the link between authoritarianism and climate change?
Despite increasing signs of a climate in crisis, false information about this scientific reality continues to drive decision-making at the highest level, particularly in countries which have recently taken a turn towards authoritarianism. Who is spreading this false information, and how can we confront it? To find out more about this, Dr Maria Armoudian speaks to professors Eve Darian-Smith, of the University of California, Irvine; and Stuart McNaughton, of the University of Auckland.
19 Dec 2024
What can we do about rising sea levels?
Across the world, rising sea levels have become a pressing issue for coastal communities. Driven by our changing climate, sea level rise is already having a range of impacts, from increased flooding to the salinization of freshwater resources. To discuss this growing threat, Ben Goldson speaks to Professor Karin Bryan from the University of Auckland’s School of Environment; Professor William Glamore from the University of New South Wales’ School of Civil and Environmental Engineering; and Dr Richard Bulmer, the director of private consultancy group Tidal Research.
31 Oct 2024
What role can litigation play in fighting climate change?
In recent years, thousands of lawsuits have been filed around the world by private individuals to NGOs and state governments in an attempt to force greater action on climate change through the legal system. They have taken their cases to both national and international courts with claims ranging from human rights to consumer protection. To find out more, Dr Maria Armoudian speaks to experts Dr Corina Heri from the University of Zurich and Sabrina Ashjian from UCLA, as well as Dr James Every-Palmer KC and Jenny Cooper KC, who are the co-founders of Lawyers for Climate Action New Zealand.
27 Sept 2024
How can we tackle income inequality and environmental degradation? (Part Two)
On 13th September, Ngā Ara Whetū co-hosted a symposium on the challenges of inequality and environmental degradation with Juncture: Dialogues on Inclusive Capitalism, a research centre based in the Business School at the University of Auckland. Held in the Sir Owen G Glenn Building, the symposium saw experts discuss these twin challenges, drawing upon the work of French economist Thomas Piketty.
Chairing the second session was Associate Professor Dan Hikuroa (Māori Studies), with the second panel featuring talks by Professor Emilson Silva (Business School), Dr Lynn Riggs (Motu Research) and Dr David Hall (Social Sciences and Humanities).
27 Sept 2024
How can we tackle income inequality and environmental degradation? (Part One)
On 13th September, Ngā Ara Whetū co-hosted a symposium on the challenges of inequality and environmental degradation with Juncture: Dialogues on Inclusive Capitalism (https://www.juncture-ic-centre.auckland.ac.nz/), a research centre based in the Business School at the University of Auckland. Held in the Sir Owen G Glenn Building, the symposium saw experts discuss these twin challenges, drawing upon the work of French economist Thomas Piketty.
Convened by Professor Natasha Hamilton-Hart (Management and International Business), the first session saw a keynote address by the Honourable David Parker, the former Attorney-General, followed by talks from Professor Craig Elliffe (Law), Dean Susan Watson (Business School) and Council of Trade Unions Economist and Policy Director Craig Rennie.
30 Aug 2024
What role can local and traditional ecological knowledge play in fighting climate change?
The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has outlined a plan for humanity to live in harmony with nature by 2050. Our cities aren’t going away, so how can we use biodiversity as a building block and work with indigenous technologies to take action? Pauline Herbst talks with international landscape designer and keynote speaker at the World Green Infrastructure Congress 2024 (https://www.wgic2024.org/), Julia Watson, to answer these questions.
23 Aug 2024
What are the future of cities in a climate crisis?
With over half the global population living in urban centres, a number which is projected to rise to around two-thirds by 2050, the relationship between cities and the climate crisis is becoming increasingly important. How can we adjust the nature of urban spaces to both adapt to, and mitigate, the changing climate? Dr Maria Armoudian speaks with researchers from the University of Auckland's Future Cities Research Hub (https://www.futurecities.ac.nz/), including co-founder and director Paola Boarin, along with Dr Timothy Welch, Dr. Iresh Jayawardena, Dr Alessandro Premier and Dr Manfredo Manfredini.
31 Jul 2024
What role can seaweed farming play in the fight against climate change?
Not for the first time, dairy farming and monoculture is in the international spotlight with regards to climate change. Farming is a big part of New Zealand's identity and its economy. So what are the alternatives? One suggestion is turning to what has been called the blue economy, our oceans, and in particular, aquaculture. Prof Andrew Jeffs, from the Institute of Marine Science at the University of Auckland and Clare Bradley, CEO of AgriSea talk to us about the latest research into seaweed farming in New Zealand, its potentially positive impacts on biodiversity, climate change and our coastal communities, and what we can learn from the history of on-land farming.
24 Jul 2024
How can nature guide our remedies for climate change driven flooding?
As the climate crisis continues, flooding has become an increasingly serious problem, causing death and destruction all over the world. How can we adapt to this new reality? Dr Maria Armoudian speaks with experts Gary Brierley and Tim Welch to find out.
23 Jul 2024
Planet + People vs Plastics
On Earth Day 2024, Ngā Ara Whetū partnered with Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukupuku, the Centre for Cancer Research, to discuss the ubiquitous presence of plastics in our environment, and the impact they are having to the land, sea, air, animals, and on our own health and well-being.
The transdisciplinary panel discussion featured Dr Joel Rindelaub (Chemical Sciences), Dr Samantha Ladewig (Marine Science), Assoc. Professor Anne Gasket (Biological Sciences), Assoc. Professor George Laking (Medical Oncology, Manutaki Haumanu Māori of Te Aka), and Dr Manuel Vallee (Sociology), moderated by Dr Maria Armoudian (Co-Executive Director of Ngā Ara Whetū). Together, the panelists covered topics ranging from the chemical make-up of different plastics, the pollution that arises from their production, how they spread into our environments, and the health implications for us and other animals.
7 Dec 2023
What does a new President mean for biodiversity in Guatemala?
Guatemala is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for land and environmental activists, with a history of indigenous genocide linked to colonial land grabs, the Cold War and deadly coups. Dr Pauline Herbst speaks with Maya Q’eqchi’ community leader in education Fredy Oxom and anthropologist Dr Callie Vandewiele to find out why a silent indigenous led protest is important for biodiversity.
5 Nov 2023
Will planting more trees offset carbon emissions?
Governments and others have advocated to offset carbon emissions by planting more trees, but is this really the long-term solution?
27 Oct 2023
What can be done about invasive species?
Invasive species are costing us billions of dollars, but what can be done about it? Maria Armoudian talks to ecological experts Jacqueline Beggs and Al Glen to find out.
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Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 31 / 100
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