EcoStrategist

Two months ago, I entered a reality I never imagined we will have to face again: enduring daily power cuts lasting 8 to 14 hours. Each evening, as the lights went out and the steady hum of appliances ceased, I was faced with a stark reality—the once abundant resources we took for granted were dwindling. Far from mere inconvenience, this was a dire wake-up call, even here in the Andes, where water is the lifeblood of the region. Throughout my years working with organizations like Rare and Birdlife International across Andean nations, I was enchanted by the region’s natural bounty. Majestic glaciers nourished rivers that carved through expansive valleys, supporting agriculture and powering hydroelectric plants. The local communities, confident in this seemingly inexhaustible water supply, often dismissed any concerns of potential shortages. Yet today, their certainty is shaken. In Ecuador, where I currently reside, a severe drought—the worst in over six decades—has crippled the nation’s ...

Detente si has escuchado esto antes: hace décadas, nuestras abuelas y madres lucharon arduamente por la igualdad. Querían las mismas oportunidades que los hombres, un trato justo en el lugar de trabajo y el derecho a opinar sobre el futuro de la sociedad. Su lucha no era para ser mejores que los hombres, sino para crear un mundo donde las mujeres tuvieran las mismas oportunidades de triunfar, ya sea en una carrera, como madres, o en ambos roles. Últimamente, he tenido conversaciones y encuentros difíciles con mujeres que se llaman a sí mismas feministas o expertas en género, y me han dejado un mal sabor de boca. La dirección que parece estar tomando este movimiento me preocupa. Como madre de dos hijos, quiero ayudar a construir una sociedad inclusiva y justa, una que no cree el tipo de desequilibrio que veo que muchas feministas radicales están promoviendo. En lugar de igualdad, estamos viendo otra cosa. El feminismo radical ha dejado a muchas de nosotras, y especialmente a las mujeres...

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: decades ago, our grandmothers and mothers fought hard for equality. Their struggle wasn’t about being better than men; it was about creating a world where women had the same opportunities—whether in a career, as mothers, or both. Recently, I’ve had difficult conversations with self-proclaimed feminists and gender experts, and it’s left me uneasy. As a mother of two boys, I am increasingly concerned about the direction this movement is heading. Instead of fostering equality, we seem to be losing balance. What once was a fight for equal opportunities now feels like a battle against men. It’s unsettling to watch the values I grew up with—collaboration, respect, and family—give way to a narrative that emphasizes conflict over cooperation. Feminism was never about choosing sides but about creating a fair world for everyone, men and women alike. In this blog, I want to share my views on gender equality and how radical feminism has created a rift, not ...

 Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: You lead a team in a mission-driven organisation. You’re passionate about your cause—whether it’s environmental conservation, social justice, or global development. You and your team are working tirelessly to make a difference. But lately, you’ve noticed something troubling. Your once-energised team seems exhausted, disengaged, even burnt out. You worry that they’re losing sight of the mission, and you’re left wondering, “What am I missing here?” If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Leaders in mission-driven organisations face unique challenges. The work is often emotionally taxing, the stakes are high, and the rewards aren’t always tangible. But here’s the thing: no matter how passionate your team is about the mission, they’re still human. They need to feel supported, valued, and motivated. As Simon Sinek, a renowned leadership expert, famously says, “Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your ch...

As our plane descended into the rugged landscapes of Patagonian Chile, a sense of adventure washed over me. Beside me, my two sons, aged 19 and 21, shared excited glances, eager to capture every moment for a documentary they were filming. This wasn’t just a family trip; it was a mission to showcase how essential and transformative natural environments can be, a project driven by their passion for making such experiences accessible to all. Our journey kicked off with breathtaking visits to the icy expanses of glaciers and the iconic peaks of Parque Nacional Torres del Paine. Despite the cold, our spirits were warmed by encounters with a vibrant mix of travelers from Cuba, the United States, Germany, Chile, Argentina, and beyond. Each person we met added a unique thread to the rich tapestry of our adventure. Navigating through these pristine landscapes as snowflakes danced around us was nothing short of magical. The local cuisine delighted our palates, and the warmth of the people we met...

Incorporating Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) into REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) projects can significantly enhance both environmental and socio-economic outcomes. PES models reward communities for maintaining and enhancing ecosystem services, aligning economic incentives with conservation goals. Here are some key insights and best practices for integrating PES into REDD+ projects effectively: 1. Developing and Operationalizing PES Models Creating effective PES models requires a thorough understanding of local contexts and the integration of community preferences. It is imprtant to develop demonstration models that contribute to an informed PES policy framework, fully integrated with REDD+ efforts. This approach supports natural resource stewardship, climate change mitigation, and poverty reduction. 2. Group-Level vs. Individual Payments Implementing PES at a group level, as seen in a Tanzanian REDD+ pilot, involves making payments to a defin...