Back to 2050

Joshua Wright: Standing Up for Ancient Forests

At 14, Joshua Wright learned scientists gave the world 12 years to address climate change. He'd be 27 when that deadline hit. So he dropped out of school and made a film instead - "Eden's Last Chance," a documentary asking: if this is the end of the world, what do we actually do about it? His answer: document everything, fight for what's left, and don't be a bystander. Now 22, Joshua is Programs Director for Legacy Forest Defense. He documents what's being destroyed - like the 2,000-year-old yellow cedar recently cut down illegally on Vancouver Island. He joined blockades that became the largest act of civil disobedience in Canadian history. And his documentation of rare ecosystems has gotten timber sales canceled. In this conversation, we explore what it takes to drop out at 14 and commit your life to this work, why he believes most climate documentaries get the diagnosis right but the treatment wrong, and what he's witnessed firsthand in the Pacific Northwest's ancient rainforests. We also dig into why public awareness might be the most winnable fight we have, what gives him hope after watching forests disappear, and his advice for channeling grief and outrage into action. Plus, what's next: his work moving north to British Columbia and Southeast Alaska, where old-growth logging continues largely unopposed.

Jim McNeill: 40 Years of Arctic Change and What Comes Next

For 40 years, Jim McNeill has been measuring what's changing in the Arctic - ice thickness in areas never documented before, polar bear populations, the retreat of permafrost. He's watched the once-frozen Northwest Passage open. But his most radical work might be training everyday people to join him. Through Ice Warrior Project, Jim has trained over 500 people - not scientists - to become competent on the ice and gather critical climate data. Now, with Ocean Warrior, he's launching an 11-year mission to take the pulse of our oceans, sailing 20,000 nautical miles annually to measure temperature, salinity, and biological health. In this conversation, we explore what it takes to lead expeditions in extreme environments, why Jim believes ordinary people are essential to understanding our changing planet, and what four decades of Arctic change have taught him about resilience and hope. We also dig into why he's committing the next 11 years to the oceans, what keeps him optimistic after watching the ice disappear, and his advice for anyone wondering how they can contribute to documenting the changes happening right now.

Oliver Dauert: Why We Need More Impact Millionaires

At 19, Oliver Dauert faced a choice: marine biology or business school. He chose business - not to walk away from nature, but to learn the tools that could actually protect it. Now, as founder of Wildya, Oliver helps eco-preneurs become "impact millionaires" - measuring success not in dollars, but in how much their business helps nature thrive. In this conversation, we explore what five weeks in the South African bush taught him about awareness, why business leaders get more attention than scientists (and what that means for conservation), and the most common mistakes eco-preneurs make when seeking funding. We also dig into why some conservation arguments fail while others succeed, what historical wins teach us about our capacity for change, and Oliver's surprisingly simple advice for taking that first step.