169. Suparna Vashisht: Creating Pathways to Sustainability, Conservation, Gender Equality and Mental Wellbeing

Suparna Vashisht joins us to talk about her passions: driving social change in the areas of sustainability, conservation, gender equality, and mental wellbeing. She's a founder of Women Back to Work, an initiative that helps create systemic pathways for women wanting to re-enter the workforce. For the last 20 years she has worked for conservation nonprofits in the areas of strategy, communications, and development.

Suparna helps us learn about some fabulous nonprofits that are doing great acts of kindness to sustain the planet and the animals in it.

Topics covered in the Episode:

• Advocacy for social change.
• One person making a big difference
• Marine Institute Maui Ocean Center
• Maui Nui Marine Resource Council
• Project Coyote
• One Reef Micronesia
• Women Back to Work

Here are three takeaways from the episode:

1. Everyone has their own way of being persuaded to take action – one message does not fit everyone. Find the one that can persuade someone to make a change for the greater good.

2. There are so many different ways to take action – like eating organically, composting, reducing our use of plastic, or supporting not-for-profit groups. It’s all of us individually having a positive impact through our choices and actions.

3. Women trying to return to work after a break face challenges and barriers – a system for diversity hiring needs to include these women!

Mentioned in the Episode:

www.mocmarineinstitute.org

https://www.un.org/en/actnow/facts-and-figures

https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/population_and_sustainability/sustainability/live_more_sustainably.html

https://www.sierraclub.org/volunteer

https://projectcoyote.org/

https://www.mauireefs.org/

https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/

https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/takeaction/guides

Video of one of the turtles Suparna spotted that the team from Marine Institute was able to rescue and release (after 6 weeks of treatment!). She got to name her when they found her and chose the name Ikaika, meaning powerful (in Hawaiian). 

 https://www.instagram.com/p/C6IRQVMr93J/?igsh=a3ZubWkyY3BraGl0

More Resources From Suparna:

Personal Choices/Action

1. According to the UN, our lifestyles are responsible for an estimated two thirds of global emissions and our individual choices have the power to reduce total global emissions by up to 70% by the year 2050. https://www.un.org/en/actnow/facts-and-figures 

2. UN Environment Programme has free 3 hour online course on sustainable lifestyle

Plastic Pollution -Info and Action

1. https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org 

2. https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/10/12/1081129/plastic-recycling-climate-change-microplastics/

Hawaii - Turtles and Whales

1. Land based pollution affects turtles (tumors)

2. Climate change affects turtles - wiped out island where turtles nest

3.  Climate change will make 30-67% of humpback whale breeding grounds too warm

More About Suparna:

Suparna would like people to become more engaged in conservation in whatever way is feasible for them. For example, join the local chapter of Sierra Club, incorporate a few sustainability practices in their daily life, take action to protect the ocean or other natural environment, buy from companies that follow sustainable practices, etc.

Suparna gives talks on ocean conservation, sustainability, and mental wellbeing. She also runs workshops for Women Back to Work through the San Jose Public library. Ping her if you would like to host a talk or workshop.

How to reach Suparna: 

suparnavashisht@yahoo.com

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