reports have found land use change will be the biggest driving factor in biodiversity loss in the tropics with co2 concentration barely following behind. for costa rica, it is found to be the same case with traditional cacao agroforestry systems being replaced for more lucrative and economically sustainable cash crops such as plantains or bananas. additionally, the abandonment of traditional shade tree practices within the remaining cacao systems are devastating to local forest communities.

traditional shade tree practices are including native tree species creating a forest canopy that can sustain life while producing economic income for the land owner. without biodiversity, ecosystems will collapse due to holes being formed within the niche systems of this system.

in this video, learn about biodiversity through the eyes of a tree in costa rica, where it witnesses the impact of humans on its environment — from canopy loss to animal migration.

it’s necessary to focus on resilience if we want to build a sustainable world. a system that lasts has to be resilient to stress. the problem is, most people know the word, but don’t understand what resilience consists of in this context. through case studies such as this one, i want to offer listeners a chance to understand the climate fight from the inside out. this isn’t a government issue, it isn’t a community issue. it’s everyone’s challenge, and i’m telling stories of resilience to showcase everyone who helps. 

was it your granola bar wrapper? the packaging from your latest amazon purchase? your grocery bag? 

we are addicted to plastic. it’s in grocery stores, in hospitals, in our homes. it’s everywhere. but where does it all go? according to the epa, only around 9% of all plastics are recycled. 

it’s not enough to just use less plastic. since plastic takes upwards of 450 years to decompose, most of the plastic that has been made since its invention in 1907 still exists on earth. as it decomposes, it releases hazardous chemicals into the atmosphere and the ocean. 

but what if there was a way to use plastic waste?

enter ecobricks. 

when jonathan cerdas first stuffed plastic bottles to the brim with discarded plastic in costa rica, he never would have expected how much this simple act would change the way volunteers from all over the world think about plastic consumption. he may have just started a revolution. 

how did he do it? see for yourself.