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2026 Aug 20 Luther Krueger Cover

Project Teaser: Luther Krueger on the Earthwide Solar Cooking Festival

Luther Krueger introduces the Earthwide Solar Cooking Festival, beginning 12 September, an 18-day decentralized celebration of solar cooking featuring livestreamed events, practical workshops, online panels, and demonstrations from around the world. The festival explores everything from individual solar cookers to community-scale systems and solar-powered electric cooking. Leaders interested in sustainability, renewable energy, community engagement, and practical climate solutions may find Krueger’s global, participatory approach worth exploring.

Visit Solar Cooking Museum or

Contact museum@bigbluesun.net  

Watch the Project Teaser recording: [link]

2026_08_13 Tapiwa cover simple

Speak Peace, Save Nature: the Power of Conflict Sensitive Communication with Tapiwa Prosper Chimbadzwa

Protecting biodiversity is not only about ecosystems. It is also about relationships. Peacebuilder Tapiwa Prosper Chimbadzwa explains why listening, trust, and conflict-sensitive communication can make conservation more effective and more just.

Conservation is often described in terms of species, habitats, parks, and protected areas. But for communities living alongside wildlife and depending directly on land and natural resources, conservation is also about livelihoods, culture, power, and belonging.

That is why Tapiwa Prosper Chimbadzwa asks a deceptively simple question: What happens when conservation meets conflict?

Drawing on more than eight years of conservation and peacebuilding experience across West and Southern Africa, Chimbadzwa argues that environmental work cannot succeed for long if it ignores the relationships surrounding it. The words conservationists use, the people they listen to, and the way decisions are made can either build trust or deepen divisions.

His central message is practical: protecting nature and building peace are not separate tasks. Done well, they reinforce each other.

Conservation is also about people

Many biodiversity-rich landscapes are also places where communities face political instability, inequality, livelihood pressures, or disputes over land and natural resources. In those circumstances, conservation cannot be treated simply as the protection of plants and animals.

Protected areas may carry deep cultural and spiritual meaning. They may also provide food, income, water, grazing, medicine, or other necessities. When conservation decisions restrict access without meaningful community participation, even well-intentioned projects can create resentment.

Key Takeaways

  • Conservation succeeds more readily when communities are treated as partners rather than obstacles.
  • Conflict-sensitive communication emphasizes listening, respect, inclusion, local context, and doing no harm.
  • Visible disagreements often reflect deeper issues involving trust, power, livelihoods, identity, and exclusion.
  • Local knowledge and lived experience can strengthen conservation decisions and create more durable solutions.

This is especially important where conservation has historically relied on a “fortress” approach: drawing hard boundaries between people and nature and assuming ecosystems will be safer when local communities are kept out.

Chimbadzwa encourages conservationists to look beneath the visible disagreement. Conflict, he explains, often has deeper layers involving exclusion, inequality, identity, emotion, and damaged relationships.

Communication can build trust—or undermine it

Early in his presentation, Chimbadzwa offered a straightforward definition of conflict-sensitive communication: communication that is respectful, inclusive, aware of local context, and guided by the principle of doing no harm. “Conflict-sensitive communication is not just about information sharing, but meaningful, intentional, respectful and inclusive communication.”

That distinction matters. Communication is not successful merely because information was delivered. People also need to feel heard, respected, and able to influence decisions that affect their lives.

Conflict can intensify when conservation organizations arrive with predetermined messages, dismiss local experience, or communicate in ways that sound accusatory. By contrast, listening first can reveal concerns that would otherwise remain hidden.

“Communication is not just about information sharing, but meaningful, intentional, respectful and inclusive communication.” Tapiwa Prosper Chimbadzwa

For conservation practitioners, this means paying attention not only to what is said but to how it is received. Tone, language, timing, history, and relationships all shape whether a conversation creates cooperation or defensiveness.

Look beneath the visible conflict

Chimbadzwa uses an iceberg as a way of thinking about conflict. What people see at the surface—a protest, argument, disagreement, or confrontation—may be only a small part of what is happening. “There are so many layers to conflict. There are so many dynamics to conflict and there are so many types of conflict.”

Underneath may be fear, loss, mistrust, unequal decision-making, cultural exclusion, or years of feeling ignored. Communities living alongside wildlife, for example, may experience the costs of conservation very differently from people designing conservation policy from farther away.

This is why emotions and relationships matter. A dispute may appear to be about a single decision, while the real source of tension is how people were treated during the process.

“There are so many layers to conflict.” Tapiwa Prosper Chimbadzwa

Recognizing those layers does not mean abandoning conservation goals. It means understanding the social conditions needed to achieve them. When people believe their knowledge and concerns matter, collaboration becomes more possible.

Start by listening to local realities

Chimbadzwa proposes three questions conservationists can use before advocating, planning, or communicating. “Are we listening to communities that we are dealing with? Or are we just thinking of relaying the messages that we want to relay?”

The second question asks whether local knowledge and practices are genuinely valued. The third asks whether conservation messages reflect local cultures, values, and lived realities.

These questions are especially relevant to large environmental transitions. Global calls for cleaner energy, new technologies, or increased mineral extraction may sound positive at an international level but create very different experiences for communities living where resources are extracted.

“Are we listening to communities, or are we just thinking of relaying the messages that we want to relay?” Tapiwa Prosper Chimbadzwa

The lesson extends far beyond conservation. Solutions are more durable when communities participate in shaping them instead of simply receiving instructions after decisions have already been made.

From “us versus them” to shared stewardship

Conflict-sensitive conservation does not mean everyone will agree. Disagreement is normal wherever people have different needs, histories, responsibilities, and interests.

The goal is to prevent those differences from hardening into an “us versus them” relationship.

That requires seeing communities not as obstacles to conservation but as partners with knowledge, experience, and a direct stake in the future of the landscape. It also means creating space for people who are often underrepresented in decision-making, including women and young people.

The result is a broader understanding of conservation: one that protects ecological systems while strengthening the relationships that make long-term stewardship possible.

Practical Takeaways & Implications

Chimbadzwa’s approach offers a useful checklist for anyone working with communities on conservation, climate, or sustainability.

Begin by listening before explaining. Ask people what they are experiencing, what they value, and what risks they see. Community engagement should uncover information, not merely transmit it.

Next, pay attention to who participates. Decisions are less likely to endure when affected groups are excluded. Women, young people, Indigenous peoples, land-connected communities, local leaders, and other stakeholders may bring different knowledge and priorities.

Use language that reduces defensiveness rather than assigning blame. Avoid framing environmental challenges as a contest between enlightened conservationists and resistant communities. Shared problems are more likely to produce shared solutions when people are treated with dignity.

Finally, examine what lies beneath disagreement. Conflict may signal unmet needs, unequal power, historical grievances, or fear about livelihoods. Addressing those concerns can strengthen conservation rather than distract from it.

For Chimbadzwa, the message is ultimately hopeful: conservation becomes more resilient when peacebuilding is woven into the work. Saving nature is not only about protecting places. It is also about protecting the relationships that allow people and nature to thrive together.

About This Earth Talk

Speaker: Tapiwa Prosper Chimbadzwa is a peacebuilding professional with more than eight years of experience in conservation across West and Southern Africa. He works with communities and conservation groups to transform conflict, promote grassroots participation, and foster peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife.

Date presented: 13 August 2026

🎥 Watch on YouTube: link

🎧 Listen as a Podcast: link 

📖 Read the Blog: link

🌱 Learn more / Project links:

ChatGPT Image Jul 2, 2026, 12_53_37 PM

Navigating a World of Exponential Impact with Rotary and AI with Sophia and Kathleen D’Angelo

Rotarians already know how to turn concern into service. Sophia and Kathleen D’Angelo show how the 4-7-8-17 framework—and responsible AI—can help clubs design stronger, more ethical, more sustainable projects.

Introduction

You joined Rotary to make a difference. But in a world of climate disruption, ecosystem loss, social inequality, and rapid technological change, the question is no longer only What can we do? It is also How can we make our action more thoughtful, connected, and lasting?

That was the heart of Sophia and Kathleen D’Angelo’s Earth Talk on “Navigating a World of Exponential Impact with Rotary and AI.” Sophia, a high school student, longtime young Rotarian, and Rotary Reefs co-chair, introduced a practical way to evaluate service projects through the 4-7-8-17 framework. Kathleen, a strategic AI consultant and sustainability-minded business leader, explored how artificial intelligence can expand capacity—when used responsibly and with human judgment at the center.

Together, this daughter-mother team offered a hopeful message: Rotary’s values are not old-fashioned. They may be exactly what the future needs.

Key Insights

1. The 4-7-8-17 Framework Turns Values Into Action

Sophia began with a simple observation: every day, we assess what deserves our time, trust, and energy. Those judgments are shaped by our values, experiences, and assumptions. But what happens when we widen the question?

“What if the question was no longer, how would I impact this, but what is the overall impact that could be achieved, and how could it be further improved?” she asked.

The 4-7-8-17 framework helps answer that question. It brings together four well-known systems:

The “4” is Rotary’s Four-Way Test: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

“AI doesn’t replace human judgment—it can translate a good idea into a scalable plan.” Sophia D’Angelo

The “7” refers to Rotary’s seven areas of focus, including the environment.

The “8” comes from the Institute for Economics and Peace’s eight pillars of positive peace, which describe the social conditions that help communities flourish.

The “17” points to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, a global blueprint for sustainable action.

Sophia described these as “ethics, action, structure, globalization.” A project may be well-intentioned, but this framework asks whether it is ethical, practical, durable, and connected to larger global needs.

2. Rotary Is Not Just a Network—It Is Infrastructure

Sophia emphasized that Rotary’s global reach gives it unusual power. With members in more than 200 countries, Rotary is more than a collection of clubs. It is a civic infrastructure for action.

That infrastructure matters because environmental challenges are too large for isolated efforts alone. Coral reef restoration, plastic pollution reduction, forest planting, clean water, education, health, and peacebuilding often overlap. The 4-7-8-17 framework helps clubs see those connections.

Key Takeaways

  • The 4-7-8-17 framework connects ethics, action, peace, and global sustainability.
  • Rotary’s global network can turn local projects into scalable environmental impact.
  • Rotary Reefs used the framework to strengthen its Panama coral restoration project.
  • AI can reveal project gaps, but human judgment must remain central.
  • Responsible AI use means choosing the right tool for meaningful work.

A reef restoration project, for example, may seem at first to belong mainly under environmental action or “Life Below Water.” But when viewed through a broader lens, it may also connect to education, community health, Indigenous partnerships, youth leadership, peacebuilding, and sustainable livelihoods.

This shift matters for both impact and funding. A project that clearly shows multiple benefits can be easier to explain, strengthen, and support.

3. Rotary Reefs Shows the Framework in Practice

The D’Angelos highlighted Rotary Reefs, a coral restoration initiative active in Central America and expanding through a Panama project. Sophia, who serves as a co-chair, explained that the project was evaluated using the 4-7-8-17 framework and then improved.

At first, not every box was checked. But that was the point. The framework did not simply judge the project; it helped the team ask better questions.

Could the project include more education? Could it engage girls and young people? Could it connect reef health to community health? Could it strengthen partnerships with local and Indigenous communities?

By using the framework, Rotary Reefs became more complete. It moved from being a strong environmental project to a broader model of sustainable, community-centered action.

As Sophia put it, “The world doesn’t need more awareness. We have awareness. What the world needs is organized, ethical, sustained action at scale.”

4. AI Can Help Clubs See What They Might Miss

The newest development is the 4-7-8-17 AI Navigator, launched in 2025. Sophia described it as a “civic compass”—a tool that helps Rotary clubs, schools, nonprofits, and project leaders evaluate an idea against the framework.

Instead of spending hours or days manually checking a project against each category, users can describe or upload a project and receive a structured review. The Navigator can identify which Sustainable Development Goals a project touches, how it relates to Rotary’s areas of focus, whether it reflects the Four-Way Test, and where it could be improved.

“The world doesn’t need more awareness. It needs organized, ethical action at scale.” Sophia D’Angelo

Importantly, both Sophia and Kathleen stressed that AI is not meant to replace people.

“AI doesn’t replace human judgment at the center of this work,” Sophia said. “But it can be the translator between a good idea and a structured, scalable plan.”

Kathleen echoed that point during the discussion. Her advice was to do the work first, then use AI as a thought partner: ask what you may have missed, where the blind spots are, and how the project could be strengthened.

Used this way, AI becomes a tool for reflection, not a shortcut around responsibility.

5. Responsible AI Means Choosing the Right Tool for the Job

The conversation also addressed a real concern: AI has environmental costs. Data centers require energy, cooling systems, and water. For environmental leaders, that cannot be ignored.

Kathleen’s answer was not to dismiss the concern, but to call for responsible use. AI should not be used casually for every small question. It should be saved for situations where it creates meaningful value—such as reducing repetitive work, clarifying complex information, or helping teams design higher-impact projects.

“Use AI after you’ve done the work. Use it as your thought partner.” Kathleen D’Angelo

She called this “prompt hygiene”: preparing thoughtful, complete prompts so the tool can produce useful answers with fewer unnecessary exchanges.

Kathleen described AI as a “capacity creator.” It can reduce low-value administrative work, shorten project timelines, and free people to focus on relationship-building, implementation, and service.

The key is balance: use AI for the positive, use it carefully, and keep humans accountable for the decisions.

Practical Takeaways & Implications

This Earth Talk offered a clear path for Rotary clubs and community organizations.

First, share the 4-7-8-17 framework widely. A school club, nonprofit, Rotary club, or youth initiative can use it to make projects more ethical, inclusive, and sustainable.

Second, apply the Four-Way Test to your next environmental decision. Whether you are evaluating a grant, a partnership, a volunteer project, or a vote, four simple questions can bring clarity.

Third, include young people in decision-making. As Sophia reminded listeners, the people who will live longest with the consequences of today’s choices deserve a seat at the table.

Fourth, use AI responsibly. Do your own thinking first. Then use AI to test assumptions, reveal gaps, and improve the plan.

Finally, think beyond single projects. The greatest opportunity is not only to do good work, but to connect good work across communities. That is where Rotary’s global infrastructure, youth leadership, ethical tradition, and new tools can create exponential impact.

About This Earth Talk

About This Earth Talk

Speakers:
Sophia D’Angelo is a high school student, young Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Newport Beach, and co-chair of Rotary Reefs, where she champions coral restoration and youth leadership.

Kathleen D’Angelo is a strategic AI consultant who helps organizations translate artificial intelligence into measurable business value, operational efficiency, and increased enterprise impact. She has more than 20 years of experience in business process automation, digital transformation, and enterprise technology sales.

Date presented: 2 July 2026

Links:
🎥 Watch on YouTube: LINK
🎧 Listen as a Podcast: LINK
📖 Read the Blog: LINK
🌱 Learn more / Project links:

Laurie Zuckerman wrote this article with AI assistance.

Project Teaser on CircuLogic – AI-Powered Environmental Auditing with Nitya Hapani

Nitya Hapani presents CircuLogic, an AI-driven platform designed to help businesses identify inefficiencies and transition toward more sustainable, circular processes. By modeling operations through an intuitive, block-based interface, the system analyzes waste, recommends improvements, and aligns solutions with local regulations. This approach addresses common barriers such as complexity, cost concerns, and outdated audits. Nitya Hapani’s work offers a practical, scalable tool that may interest leaders exploring sustainability and operational efficiency. 

Watch the Project Teaser recording: https://youtu.be/NibL64k9zJE

2026_04 EnvXper whole team

The X-Factor, What Made the Environmental Xperience Unforgettable with Steve Bender, Anysa Santini, and Laurie Zuckerman

What turns an environmental event into a lasting catalyst for change? At the Environmental Xperience in Dallas, the answer lies in connection, collaboration, and community-driven action.

Introduction

In a world filled with conferences and climate conversations, only a few experiences truly stay with people—shaping how they think, act, and collaborate. The Environmental Xperience in Dallas, held April 19–22, is one of those rare gatherings.

Bringing together innovators, nonprofit leaders, students, and global experts, the event was designed as an immersive exploration of environmental solutions. At a recent Earth Talks session, three voices—Steve Bender, Anysa Santini (with JC Santini), and Laurie Zuckerman—reflected on what made this year’s experience so powerful.

Their stories revealed that the “X-factor” wasn’t a single feature or even the programming itself—it was the relationships formed along the way. What unfolded over three days wasn’t just a conference, but a living demonstration of what happens when people, purpose, and possibility come together to turn ideas into action.

Key Insights

Designed as a Platform for Action, Not Just Ideas

From the outset, the Environmental Xperience was built with a clear purpose: to move beyond conversation and into tangible outcomes.

The gathering served as “a convergence of vision, leadership, and collective momentum,” where dialogue evolved into direction and partnerships translated into real initiatives.

This aligns closely with what attendees experienced on the ground. Rather than isolated sessions, the event functioned as a coordinated ecosystem—bringing together policymakers, entrepreneurs, scientists, and community leaders to actively shape solutions.

“Real climate progress happens when ideas turn into action.” Steve Bender

Steve Bender emphasized this shift in approach. The goal was not just awareness, but implementation—creating a space where solutions could be explored, refined, and advanced across sectors.

The lesson is clear: meaningful environmental engagement scales when it invites participation, not just observation.

Immersive, Multi-Track Experiences Deepen Engagement

One of the defining features of the event was its immersive structure. Instead of a single-stage format, the Environmental Xperience offered multiple themed tracks—ranging from energy and oceans to food systems, investment, and resilience.

This design allowed participants to navigate topics based on their interests while still being exposed to interconnected issues. The event hosted over 150 speakers across three days and featured a wide range of sessions, panels, and workshops.

Steve Bender and his team created a “living ecosystem” of ideas, where attendees could move between stages, interact with technologies, and engage directly with experts.

The result was a more dynamic learning environment—one that encouraged curiosity, cross-pollination of ideas, and deeper understanding.

Global Participation Creates Real Momentum

The Environmental Xperience wasn’t just large—it was global.

Participants came from more than 100 countries, representing diverse sectors and perspectives. This diversity proved critical. Climate challenges are inherently complex, and solutions require collaboration across geographies, industries, and cultures.

Key Takeaways

  • Environmental Xperience prioritizes action over awareness through real-world collaboration
  • Immersive, multi-track design deepens engagement and learning
  • Global participation strengthens innovation and problem-solving
  • Accessibility expands inclusion and impact
  • Strong community connections drive lasting outcomes
Delegates form Ukraine describe the interconnections between peace and the environment.

Anysa Santini’s work with Re|Root Collaborative, for example, connects waste management, public health, and economic opportunity in Ghana. Her presence at the event highlighted how local challenges are deeply tied to global systems—such as textile waste flows from developed countries.

By bringing these perspectives together, the event created opportunities for shared learning and collective problem-solving.

Accessibility Expands Who Can Participate

A key—and often overlooked—factor in the event’s success was accessibility.

Organizers made a deliberate effort to lower barriers to participation, including offering thousands of complimentary tickets for students, nonprofit leaders, and emerging voices.

This decision reflects a broader understanding: meaningful climate action requires inclusive participation. Innovation doesn’t come only from established leaders—it often emerges from young professionals, grassroots organizations, and underrepresented communities.

The presence of students, early-stage nonprofits, and global volunteers added energy and diversity to the event—making it not just a gathering of experts, but a platform for the next generation of changemakers.

When Plans Shift, Community Becomes the X-Factor

Interestingly, not everything went exactly as planned—and that turned out to be part of the magic.

As Laurie Zuckerman shared, attendance patterns and logistics required the team to adapt in real time. But instead of limiting impact, this created space for deeper connection.

“The power of this experience was in the connections we built.” Laurie Zuckerman

Participants showed up for each other—attending sessions, supporting presentations, and building relationships across cultures and sectors. What might have been a large, transactional event became something more personal and collaborative.

“We built deeper, more meaningful connections,” Zuckerman reflected—highlighting that the true value wasn’t just in numbers, but in relationships.

This aligns with the report’s emphasis on the event as a “platform where connections translated into tangible initiatives with global reach.”

Storytelling Extends Impact Beyond the Event

The Environmental Xperience didn’t end when the event closed. Its impact continues through storytelling, partnerships, and follow-on collaborations.

The Earth Talks session itself is part of that extension—capturing lessons, sharing experiences, and inspiring others who couldn’t attend.

“Global challenges require solutions shaped by diverse voices.” Anysa Santini

From nonprofit showcases to youth innovation projects, the stories emerging from the event help translate large-scale ideas into relatable, actionable insights.

This ripple effect is essential. Events can spark momentum, but storytelling sustains it—turning moments into movements.

Practical Takeaways & Implications 

The Environmental Xperience offers valuable lessons for anyone designing programs, events, or initiatives in sustainability:

  1. Build for action, not just awareness
    Design experiences that connect people to real solutions and next steps.
  2. Create immersive environments
    Multiple tracks and interactive elements deepen engagement and understanding.
  3. Prioritize global and cross-sector collaboration
    Diverse perspectives lead to more effective and scalable solutions.
  4. Make participation accessible
    Lower barriers to include students, nonprofits, and emerging leaders.
  5. Embrace adaptability
    Unexpected challenges can create opportunities for deeper connection and innovation.
  6. Extend impact through storytelling
    Capture and share insights to inspire broader audiences and sustain momentum.

For organizations and leaders, the message is clear: the future of climate action lies in connection. When people, ideas, and opportunities come together in the right environment, meaningful change becomes not just possible—but inevitable.

About This Earth Talk

About This Earth Talk

Speakers:

  • Steve Bender – Director, US Green Chamber of Commerce; CEO, Sea 2 Sky Solutions; Global Head of Strategic Partnerships at EarthX
  • Anysa & JC Santini – Co-Founders, Re|Root Collaborative; leaders in global health and waste reduction
  • Laurie Zuckerman – Co-Founder, Earth Talks Foundation; environmental educator and global dialogue facilitator

Date Presented:
April 2026

Links:

Links:

📖 Read the Blog  

🎥 Watch on YouTube 

🎧 Listen as a Podcast

🌱 Learn more / Project links

 

Ivan Frishberg Head Shot

Why Values-Based Banking Matters with Ivan Frishberg

Where your money sits matters more than most people realize. Banks quietly shape the economy—and the climate—through every loan they make.

Introduction 

Most people think of banks as neutral institutions—places to store money, pay bills, or get a loan. But behind the scenes, banks play a far more powerful role: they play a role in where money flows in the economy

In a recent Earth Talk, Ivan Frishberg, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amalgamated Bank, pulled back the curtain on how banking really works—and why aligning your finances with your values is one of the most overlooked tools for climate action. His message was clear: your bank is using your money. The question is—what for?

Key Insights

Banking Is Not Neutral—It Shapes the World

Banks are often seen as passive financial intermediaries. In reality, they are active decision-makers. When you deposit money, the bank doesn’t simply store it—it lends it out to businesses, developers, and projects.

As Frishberg explains, “where that money goes is really the primary impact.”

This means your savings could be funding industries that are important to you like alternative energy, affordable housing, and community businesses.

Where your money goes is your impact—even if you don’t see it. Ivan Frishberg

The system is simple: banks take deposits, lend money at higher rates, and profit from the difference. But the consequences of those lending decisions ripple across society and the environment.

Two Powerful Levers: Money and Voice

Frishberg describes two key ways banks influence the world:

  • Their balance sheet (where money is invested or loaned)
  • Their voice (their influence in policy and public discourse)

The first is direct and measurable: loans, investments, and financial products shape real-world outcomes. The second is more subtle but equally powerful. Financial institutions carry weight in political and regulatory conversations.

Frishberg recalls that after joining a bank, his influence in policy discussions increased dramatically—not because his expertise changed, but because his institutional affiliation did. “It matters what banks say,” he noted.

Together, these levers make banks one of the most influential—and underappreciated—actors in climate action.

Measuring the Invisible: The Rise of Carbon Accounting

One of the biggest challenges in aligning finance with climate goals is measurement. How do you calculate the climate impact of a loan or investment?

To solve this, Frishberg helped lead the development of the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), a global standard that allows financial institutions to measure the greenhouse gas emissions linked to their portfolios.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks shape the economy through lending—not just storing money
  • Your deposits fund real-world projects, including climate-impacting industries
  • Measuring financed emissions enables accountability in banking
  • Large banks prioritize scale; smaller banks can align with values
  • Choosing a bank is a powerful, often overlooked climate action

Today, institutions representing over $100 trillion in assets use this framework.

This shift is significant. It turns abstract financial activity into measurable climate impact—and creates accountability.

Banks can now:

  • Track emissions tied to their lending
  • Set reduction targets
  • Report progress publicly

It’s a critical step toward aligning the financial system with global climate goals.

Why Big Banks Struggle to Change

If values-based banking is so impactful, why don’t all banks adopt it?

The answer lies in how the system is structured.

Large banks are designed for scale and profitability. They spread risk across massive portfolios and tend to finance “everything” because diversification reduces risk and maximizes returns.

Frishberg describes this as a kind of “Swiss” neutrality: banks avoid making moral judgments about clients or industries.

Banks can be a force for good—or reinforce the status quo. Ivan Frishberg

But that neutrality comes at a cost. It makes it difficult for large institutions to say no to exposures that come with long-term or systemic risks.

In contrast, smaller or mission-driven banks often focus on specific sectors—like community development, clean energy, or social equity—and align lending with both financial and social impact.

Values-Based Banking: A Different Model

Values-based banks flip the traditional model. Instead of prioritizing growth and neutrality, they prioritize impact.

At Amalgamated Bank, nearly 40% of lending is focused on climate solutions, and over a quarter of loans support low-income or disadvantaged communities.

These institutions often:

  • Invest in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure
  • Support affordable housing and community development
  • Operate with transparency about where money is used

They are also part of global networks like the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, which promotes “triple bottom line” banking—people, planet, and profit.

Importantly, values-based banking doesn’t reject profitability. Instead, it redefines success to include long-term social and environmental outcomes.

Practical Takeaways & Implications 

For individuals and organizations, the implications are both simple and powerful: your money is already shaping the world—you just may not see how.

Your bank is using your money. The question is: for what? Ivan Frishberg

When you deposit funds in a bank, that money becomes part of the bank’s lending pool. From an accounting perspective, it’s a liability—something the bank owes you—but in practice, it’s also a tool the bank uses to generate impact.

That means you have agency.

Here are practical steps to act on that insight:

  • Research your bank: Tools like Bank.green and B Corp certifications can help assess impact.
  • Ask questions: What industries does your bank finance? Do they disclose climate impact?
  • Consider switching: Community banks, credit unions, and values-based banks often align more closely with sustainability goals.
  • Align organizational funds: Nonprofits, businesses, and clubs can amplify impact by choosing aligned financial partners.
  • Use your voice: Encourage institutions you belong to—schools, employers, associations—to evaluate their banking choices.

As Frishberg emphasizes, financial decisions are part of change-making. Aligning your money with your values isn’t just symbolic—it’s structural.

About This Earth Talk

Speaker: Ivan Frishberg
 Chief Sustainability Officer at Amalgamated Bank, Ivan leads ESG strategy, corporate responsibility, and climate-focused financial initiatives. He also chairs the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials.

Date Presented: March 2026

🎥 Watch on YouTube
 🎧 Listen as a Podcast
 📖 Read the Blog
 🌱 Learn more / Project links: Bank.green, Global Alliance for Banking on Values,  B Corp, Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials. 

Article Headers 2x1

From Waste to Watts with Mariana Rojas

Can we turn farm waste into clean energy for rural communities? Listen to how Mariana Rojas, a Costa Rican engineering student, is transforming organic waste into practical climate solutions.

Introduction

In rural communities around the world, two challenges often coexist: limited access to reliable energy and an abundance of organic waste. What if one could solve the other?

That’s the question driving Mariana Rojas, a materials engineering student in Costa Rica, whose work focuses on converting agricultural waste into clean energy through biogas and green hydrogen. Her approach is simple, practical, and deeply rooted in local realities—offering a model that could scale far beyond her country.

Key Insights

Waste Is an Untapped Energy Resource

Rojas begins with a striking insight: waste is not just a problem—it’s a missed opportunity.

On a typical farm, animal manure is produced daily in large quantities. Left unmanaged, it releases methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. Yet that same waste holds significant energy potential.

“Waste isn’t just a problem—it’s a powerful, untapped energy resource.” Mariana Rojas

“A single cow can generate enough waste to help cover a household’s daily energy needs,” Rojas explained during her Earth Talks presentation.

This creates a paradox: rural farms often struggle with energy access while simultaneously producing the raw materials needed to generate it.

From Manure to Biogas: A Circular System

At the heart of Rojas’s solution is a biodigester—a sealed system where microorganisms break down organic waste in the absence of oxygen, a process known as anaerobic digestion.

The result is biogas, primarily composed of methane, which can be used as fuel. At the same time, a nutrient-rich byproduct called digestate can be used as organic fertilizer.

This creates a circular system:

  • Waste becomes energy
  • Byproducts support agriculture
  • Environmental pollution is reduced

Unlike solar or wind energy, this system is not weather-dependent. As long as farms produce waste, they produce energy.

Going Further: Producing Green Hydrogen

Rather than stopping at biogas, Rojas pushes the concept further.

After purification, methane from biogas can be converted into hydrogen through a process known as reforming. When the source is organic waste, the result is considered green hydrogen—a cleaner alternative to fossil fuel-derived hydrogen.

Key Takeaways

  • Organic waste can be transformed into reliable, renewable energy for rural communities
  • Biodigesters convert manure into biogas while reducing harmful methane emissions
  • Green hydrogen adds value by expanding energy uses beyond direct fuel
  • Small-scale systems empower farms with local, decentralized energy independence
  • Collaboration is essential to scale solutions across regions and countries

This step increases the versatility of the system. Hydrogen can be used for:

  • Electricity generation
  • Industrial applications
  • Future clean fuel systems

By adding this layer, the project transforms a basic waste solution into a forward-looking energy platform.

Designed for Small Farms, Not Mega-Industry

A key strength of Rojas’s approach is its scale.

Rather than targeting massive industrial farms, the system is designed for small and medium-sized operations—common in countries like Costa Rica. In pilot projects, even a handful of animals can produce enough waste to power parts of a home or farm operation.

This decentralized model offers several advantages:

  • Lower infrastructure costs
  • Reduced transmission losses
  • Greater energy independence
  • Increased resilience in remote areas

As Rojas noted, “This is about using local resources to solve local challenges.”

Real Benefits—and Real Limitations

The system is not without challenges.

Initial investment costs can be significant, especially for biodigesters and hydrogen conversion systems. Proper training is also essential to manage gas handling and system efficiency.

“We are wasting energy while creating pollution. This project changes that.” Mariana Rojas

There are also broader considerations:

  • Larger-scale systems can face environmental and operational challenges
  • Methane leakage must be carefully managed
  • Waste treatment alone does not solve all impacts of livestock production

Still, these challenges are manageable with good design, education, and policy support. And at smaller scales, many risks are reduced.

Practical Takeaways & Implications

Rojas’s work offers a compelling blueprint for sustainable development—particularly in rural and underserved regions.

What makes this model powerful is its integration:

  • It reduces greenhouse gas emissions by capturing methane
  • It provides decentralized, reliable energy
  • It lowers costs for farmers
  • It creates additional value through fertilizer production

For communities without grid access, this can be transformative. In Costa Rica alone, thousands of households still lack reliable electricity despite the country’s strong renewable energy profile.

“Local resources can solve local challenges—and transform entire communities.” Mariana Rojas

Scaling this solution will require collaboration:

  • Universities for research and innovation
  • Governments for policy and funding support
  • NGOs and networks (like Rotary) for community implementation

The model is also adaptable beyond Costa Rica—to agricultural regions across Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

Ultimately, this is not just about energy. It’s about empowerment—giving communities the tools to turn everyday waste into opportunity.

About This Earth Talk

Speaker: Mariana Rojas
Materials Engineering student at the Technological Institute of Costa Rica, focused on biomaterials, clean energy, and rural innovation. She also mentors young women in STEM.

Date Presented: 19 March 2026

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IMG_0234 - Al Sykes

35 Years of Preserve Planet Earth with Al Skykes

Long before environmental action became a global Rotary priority, one club in Pennsylvania began with a simple recycling game. Thirty-five years later, their efforts have transformed parks, waterways, and city streets—one project at a time.

Introduction

In the late 1980s, recycling was still a new idea for many American communities. When Pennsylvania introduced a recycling mandate in 1988, residents were unsure what belonged in a recycling bin and what didn’t. Instead of waiting for answers, the Rotary Club of York stepped in.

What began as a small “Recycling Committee” soon grew into something much larger. Over the next three and a half decades, the club launched projects ranging from storm-drain protection and illegal dump cleanups to large-scale urban tree planting and lake restoration. The initiative eventually adopted the name Preserve Planet Earth, aligning with a broader environmental push across Rotary.

For longtime Rotarian Al Sykes, who has been part of the club for more than 40 years, the experience shows what sustained local action can accomplish. “When I sat down to put it on paper,” he recalled, “it was like—wow, we did a bunch of stuff.”

Today, the story of Preserve Planet Earth in York offers a powerful lesson: meaningful environmental change often begins with small, community-driven steps.

From Recycling Game to Community Movement Tumpa Mostafa

The club’s environmental work started with education.

When recycling laws took effect in Pennsylvania, many residents didn’t understand what could be recycled. Rotary volunteers created a hands-on activity called the “recycling game.” At community events and schools, children sorted items into two barrels—recyclable and non-recyclable—while learning the basics of waste management.

The effort quickly built awareness across York.

Soon after, Rotary International introduced the Preserve Planet Earth initiative in 1990. The York club adopted the name and expanded its ambitions. What started as recycling education became a long-term environmental program involving dozens of volunteers and multiple partners.

The early lesson was simple: education can spark lasting action.

Key Takeaways

  • York Rotary’s environmental work began with a simple recycling education program in 1988.
  • Volunteers installed pollution warnings on nearly 800 storm drains across the city.
  • The club has planted almost 1,000 trees to rebuild York’s urban tree canopy.
  • Community partnerships helped restore a damaged lake and revitalize public spaces.
  • Long-term environmental impact grows from consistent local action.

Protecting Waterways, One Storm Drain at a Time

One of the committee’s most visible early projects focused on protecting local waterways.

York sits just 10 miles from the Susquehanna River, and streams flowing through the city eventually drain into the Chesapeake Bay watershed. To help prevent pollution, Rotarians installed “No Dumping — Drains to River” markers on every storm drain in the city—nearly 800 in total.

The message reminded residents that anything entering those drains ultimately reaches the river.

The group also tackled illegal dump sites within city limits, organizing cleanups that restored neglected spaces. Some areas required repeated efforts, but over time the cleanups helped change behavior and prevent further dumping.

Small reminders—like a simple message on a storm drain—can make a big difference in public awareness.

Rebuilding the Urban Tree Canopy Tumpa Mostafa

Tree planting has become the centerpiece of the club’s environmental work.

York’s urban tree canopy had declined over time as aging trees died and were not replaced. The Rotary committee launched a project called “Restoring the Canopy in York City.”

The goal was straightforward: replant missing trees wherever possible.

Volunteers replaced dead trees, ground out stumps in empty sidewalk wells, and planted new trees throughout downtown neighborhoods. To date, the project has planted nearly 1,000 trees across the city.

Sykes believes tree planting is one of the most accessible environmental actions communities can take.

“I don’t think there are many things we as individuals—or as one club—can do that have a greater environmental impact than planting trees,” he said.

Beyond cooling streets and improving air quality, the trees also help restore neighborhood pride and create greener public spaces.

 

Restoring a Lake and Reviving a Community Space Tumpa Mostafa

Not all projects were small.

One of the committee’s largest efforts focused on Kiwanis Lake, a 100-acre lake in central York. Over time, the lake had deteriorated due to sediment buildup, water flow problems, and large populations of geese.

The situation worsened when a damaged dam caused flooding upstream during heavy rains.

Rotary volunteers partnered with engineers and community organizations to restore the site. The project included repairing the dam, dredging sediment from the lake bottom, and installing multiple aeration fountains to improve water quality.

The result transformed the lake back into a community destination. Families now fish there, and the surrounding park has become a place for recreation and environmental education.

It’s an example of how service clubs can step in when public resources are limited.

 

Innovating with Plastic and Battery Recycling

The committee has also explored emerging environmental solutions.

One initiative helped introduce a program that recycles all types of plastic, including bags and foam, which are often difficult to process. The plastics are melted down and converted into a durable additive used in concrete production.

The innovation replaces river sand—a resource increasingly in short supply—and keeps plastics out of landfills.

The club is also exploring lithium-ion battery recycling, working with partners and local waste authorities to establish safer collection systems.

Recent fires linked to improperly stored batteries have highlighted the importance of responsible recycling infrastructure. By coordinating with waste management agencies, the Rotary club hopes to help create safer disposal pathways.

 

About This Earth Talk

Speaker: Al Sykes
Al Sykes is a 40-year Rotarian and Past President of the Rotary Club of York, Pennsylvania. He chaired the club’s Preserve Planet Earth Committee for a decade and spent 30 years as an Area Manager at Packaging Corporation of America. He holds an MBA from York College and is an alumnus of Franklin & Marshall College.

Date Presented: March 5, 2026

 

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IMG_1276 - Tumpa Mostafa (1)

AI and the Ethics of the Earth with Tumpa Mostafa

As artificial intelligence reshapes climate decision-making, the values embedded in its code may determine the future of our planet.

From wildfire prediction to flood mapping, AI is becoming a powerful climate tool. But if it is programmed only to protect profits and human convenience, it may deepen the ecological crisis it aims to solve.

Introduction

In 2026, the phrase “climate change” can feel almost too small. In Canada, temperatures are rising at roughly twice the global average. Wildfires are no longer isolated events—they’re a season. Water insecurity affects the prairies and northern communities. Flood risks are increasing. These crises are interconnected, touching health, biodiversity, culture, and economic stability.

In response, governments and industries are turning to artificial intelligence (AI)—the most powerful analytical tool humanity has ever built. But writer and environmental advocate Tumpa Mostafa argues, before we hand over the keys to our planet, we must ask: What values are driving these systems?

AI doesn’t have values. It reflects the values we embed in it. Tumpa Mostafa

Her answer is both philosophical and practical: the future of AI must be ecocentric—grounded in the ethics of the Earth itself.

AI in a Warming Canada

Canada has emerged as a global AI leader, with research hubs in Montreal, Toronto, and Edmonton. AI systems are already:

  • Predicting wildfire ignition zones
  • Mapping flood risks
  • Tracking habitat loss
  • Optimizing power grids
  • Forecasting crop yields

These tools enable faster emergency responses and smarter planning. In many cases, they save lives.

Yet there is a paradox.

“We’re using a high-carbon tool to solve a carbon problem,” Mostafa explains. Training large AI models can consume enormous amounts of electricity and water. Data centers require constant cooling. The environmental footprint is real—and often hidden.

Key Takeaways

  • AI increasingly guides climate decisions, from wildfires to water monitoring.
  • Most AI systems prioritize human profit over ecological health.
  • Ecocentric ethics value ecosystems for their intrinsic worth.
  • AI reflects the values humans program into it.
  • A mindset shift can align technology with planetary boundaries.

Meanwhile, Canada’s proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act focuses primarily on economic growth and human safety. Those are important priorities, Mostafa acknowledges. But something is missing.

“The Earth is not a stakeholder in our AI policy,” she says. “That’s the glaring hole.”

The Anthropocentric Trap

Most AI systems today are built on an anthropocentric worldview—one that places human needs at the center.

Anthropocentrism sees nature primarily as a resource to manage for human benefit. In AI systems, this often translates into optimization for:

  • Efficiency
  • Profit
  • Cost reduction
  • Human comfort

If an AI is asked to maximize timber production, it may recommend clearing forests with ruthless efficiency. It will not automatically account for fungal networks in the soil or the migration of caribou—because those ecological relationships don’t show up on a financial balance sheet.

“We have taught this machine to see the world exactly as we have seen it in the past,” Mostafa says. “As something to be used.”

The danger? We risk reinforcing the same patterns that helped create the climate crisis in the first place.

The Ecocentric Flip

Ecocentrism offers a different lens.

Unlike anthropocentrism, ecocentrism recognizes that ecosystems—soil, water, forests, species, atmosphere—have intrinsic value. That means they matter not only because they serve human needs, but because they exist as part of a living whole.

We’re using a high-carbon tool to solve a carbon problem. Tumpa Mostafa

“A river is valuable not because it gives us electricity,” Mostafa says, “but because it is a river.”

Under an ecocentric framework, the question shifts from What’s good for people? to What’s good for the whole system?

Applied to AI, this shift could be transformative.

AI systems do not possess values. They reflect the values we embed in them. If we program them to prioritize ecological integrity—biodiversity, soil health, carbon sequestration—they will optimize accordingly.

“We are responsible for what values we embed in our AI systems,” Mostafa emphasizes.

What Would Ecocentric AI Look Like?

Imagine an AI system that measures success not just in dollars saved, but in biodiversity restored.

An AI that alerts a corporation not only when profits decline—but when the health of a local watershed drops by 1%.

An algorithm that must pass an ecological audit before being deployed by the government.

Mostafa proposes practical steps:

  1. Mandate ecological metrics.
     AI systems should report ecological return on investment, not just financial return.
  2. Require transparency.
     Companies should disclose the energy and water footprints of AI operations.
  3. Embrace “slow AI.”
     Rather than racing for market dominance, prioritize deliberate, ethical, sustainable development.

“Ecocentric AI is not about rejecting technology,” Mostafa says. “It’s about a mindset shift.”

Indigenous Knowledge as Guardrails

Ecocentrism is not new. Many Indigenous worldviews have long recognized humans as part of—not separate from—the Earth.

In Canada and globally, Indigenous communities have practiced forms of ecological stewardship for millennia. Traditional ecological knowledge emphasizes interdependence, reciprocity, and long-term balance.

The Earth must become a stakeholder in our AI systems. Tumpa Mostafa

Mostafa argues that this knowledge should serve as a guardrail for AI development.

“It’s long overdue for Indigenous communities to be meaningfully involved in climate planning,” she says. “It would only benefit the whole ecosystem.”

Bringing Indigenous perspectives into AI governance is not symbolic—it’s practical. These knowledge systems offer tested frameworks for living within ecological limits.

Two Possible Futures

Mostafa describes two diverging paths.

Path One: Anthropocentric AI

We use AI to squeeze more efficiency from an already stressed planet. Disaster prediction improves, but disasters intensify because root causes remain unaddressed.

Path Two: Ecocentric AI

We treat the Earth as the ultimate stakeholder. AI becomes a digital witness and partner in regeneration. It helps us live within planetary boundaries instead of engineering our way around them.

The choice is not technological—it is ethical.

And it is urgent.

Practical Takeaways & Implications

For Rotarians, nonprofit leaders, and professionals worldwide, the implications are tangible.

  • Ask value-based questions. When adopting AI tools, inquire about environmental footprint and design principles.
  • Support transparency initiatives. Advocate for disclosure of energy and water use.
  • Vote and lead thoughtfully. Encourage policymakers to integrate ecological metrics into AI regulation.
  • Choose aligned platforms. Seek technology providers committed to renewable energy and sustainability.
  • Keep humans in the loop. AI is powerful—but not infallible. Critical thinking remains essential.

Mostafa does not call for abandoning AI. She acknowledges it is already woven into daily life—from search engines to logistics systems.

Instead, she calls for collective responsibility.

“As Rotarians, we understand that service isn’t just a slogan,” she says. “It’s a commitment to the future.”

AI may be the most powerful tool humanity has created. The question is whether we will code it only for ourselves—or for the Earth.

About This Earth Talk

Speaker: Tumpa Mostafa
 Writer and environmental advocate with a master’s degree in philosophy. She works at the International Institute for Sustainable Development and is active with ESRAG.

Date Presented: February 26, 2026

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