The THRIVE project is incredibly grateful to Felix Mutwiri, Madhukar Swayambhu and Nik Metaxa-Schwarten for their captivating presentations during the August 2024 Thrivability Matters Webinar. This webinar focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 & 15: Life below Water, Life on Land. With their extensive knowledge, our presenters captivated us by highlighting the critical issues surrounding the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and the interconnectedness of life under water and life on land.
Here are the highlights from our webinar!
About The August 2024 Speakers
Felix is a graduate in wildlife management with a deep passion for elephants, his favorite animal. Adventurous by nature, he is on a mission to visit every national park in Kenya and has explored several African countries, with Zambia and Botswana being his favorites. He is particularly dedicated to empowering youth and is actively involved in ecosystem restoration efforts in Nairobi National Park. Additionally, Felix advocates for the preservation of the park and engages local communities. He also works on fundraising for conservation projects by seeking corporate support and drafting grant proposals.
Madhukar Swayambhu has been an IT Communication Network Professional (over two decades) turned Researcher cum Environmentalist (since 2011), Ecologist, Inventor, Entrepreneur, Biodiversity conservationist, a Water Hero, a TED speaker, and a Recognized Global Top 3 Author on Water by Smart Water Magazine (Spain). He has represented Bharat in various international forums too.
Nik Metaxa-Schwarten, an International Executive Communications Consultant with 30 years of experience, has served top-level executives from companies like ABN AMRO, Avaya, BMW, Microsoft, and ZURICH. His expertise in executive coaching and efficiency analysis is complemented by his commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, particularly ISO 26000. A passionate advocate for the ocean, Nik is a member of the United Nations Ocean Decade and has dedicated his efforts to combat plastic pollution, notably through his initiative “The Plastic Plug”.
Summary Of The August 2024 Webinar
As an organisation, the THRIVE Project endeavours to guide humanity towards a more sustainable future. We had the privilege of hosting these three speakers as guest presenters for our webinar.
Felix Mutwiri- Citizen Science Initiatives in Urban Wildlife Rehabilitation
Felix begins his talk by introducing his background in Wildlife Management and his deep passion for elephant conservation. He then delves into his work at Nairobi National Park, emphasizing its unique position adjacent to Nairobi city and its rich biodiversity. Felix has been actively involved in various conservation initiatives, including water tracking during droughts and raising awareness about the detrimental effects of infrastructure projects on the park. He highlights the challenges the park faces, such as habitat fragmentation and pollution, and stresses the significance of citizen science, public awareness, and community involvement.
Felix concludes by urging the audience to recognize that the protection of such vital ecosystems requires collective effort, collaboration across sectors, and sustained advocacy.
Madhukar Swayambhu – Water : The Living Link Between Life Below and Above
Madhukar explores the unique and vital properties of water that extend beyond its basic chemical composition, H2O. He delves into how water’s behavior, such as expanding when frozen and existing in all three states of matter, sets it apart from other substances. Madhukar also challenges the traditional understanding of the water cycle, pointing out the overlooked significance of groundwater and the complex relationships between rivers, oceans, and the Earth’s ecosystems. He highlights water’s critical role in the evolution of life and its ability to influence its surroundings, from responding to environmental stimuli to acting as a heat and carbon sink.
Madhukar emphasises the importance of preserving water bodies, not only for sustaining life but also for maintaining a stable climate and economy. He argues that healthy water bodies are essential for mitigating global warming and ensuring a recession-proof economy, particularly in tourism. The overarching message is clear for all of us: water is a precious and dynamic resource, and its conservation is crucial for the sustainability of life on Earth.
Nik Metaxa-Schwarten – The role of Ocean Literacy and Ocean Empathy in Marine Litter
Nik’s presentation focuses on the devastating effects of marine litter, especially plastic pollution. He shares alarming statistics about millions of tons of plastic entering oceans each year, harming marine life and ecosystems. He highlights the issue of microplastics, tiny particles ingested by marine organisms, which can be fatal and enter the human food chain. Nick also discusses how plastic persists in the environment, creating massive “garbage patches” in the ocean.
Nick wants the audience to understand the gravity of plastic pollution and the urgent need for action. He urges people to reduce plastic use and support policies to cut down plastic waste. He hopes to inspire advocacy for cleaner oceans, encouraging the audience to spread awareness and participate in community clean-ups. His goal is to motivate individuals to reduce their plastic footprint and join the global effort to protect marine environments.
Moving Forward From August 2024
The Thrivability Matters Webinar for August 2024 showcased insights from Felix Mutwiri, Madhukar Swayambhu and Nik Metaxa-Schwarten. If you missed the presentations or the live Q&A session, you could view the recording on our YouTube channel or download the PDFs from each of the speakers.
If your interested in joining us after the August 2024 Thrivability Matters Webinar, there are a variety of avenues you can take. One way of keeping up with us is via social media platforms, such as LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook. However, you could subscribe to our YouTube channel, listen to our podcasts, sign up to our newsletter, stay up to date with our blogs, attend our free webinars, or even join us as a volunteer to make an even bigger difference in this world.
Interested in sustainable cities and communities?
Want to be kept in the regenerative loop with THRIVE?
Got more questions?
Ask an expert!
