Branching out - Episode 5, February 2024

Hosted by Jose Bolaños from IUFRO HQ and co-hosted by Yasmeen Sands from the USDA Forest Service and Deputy Coordinator of IUFRO's Communication and Public Relations Working Party, our podcast delves into four distinct sections, each shedding light on crucial aspects of the IUFRO World Congress theme "Forests for Sustainable Societies". From nature-based solutions (NBS) and links between forests and human health to power and equity in the forest sector and the complexity of forest governance, this episode unravels the multifaceted tapestry of challenges and opportunities for sustainable societies.

Unlike our typical 20-minute episodes, this extended edition allows for a more comprehensive exploration of each topic. The extra minutes give more time for conversations with the experts, providing additional insights, research findings, and practical solutions to the challenges our societies face.

The podcast kicks off with the concept of nature-based solutions, exploring how forests and green spaces contribute to addressing climate change and which impact they have on cities. Harini Nagendra, Director of the Azim Premji University Research Center and leader of the University’s Center for Climate Change and Sustainability (and keynote speaker at the 26^th IUFRO World Congress, 23-29 June in Stockholm) guides us through her work on conservation in forests and cities of the Global South from the perspective of both landscape ecology and social justice.

The second segment focuses on the role of forests, green spaces, and trees in human health and well-being. Cecil Konijnendijk, Director of the Nature Based Solutions Institute, chaired the Global Forest Expert Panel (GFEP) on Forests and Human Health, a joint initiative of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) led by IUFRO’s Science-Policy Programme. In 2023 the panel published a major study on the relationship between forests and human health. Cecil, who is also a Deputy Coordinator of IUFRO’s Division 6 - Social Aspects of Forests and Forestry, shares valuable insights on how forests contribute significantly to human health and well-being at all the different life stages.

Our third segment navigates the critical terrain of power and equity in the forest sector. Judith Kamoto, a member of the GFEP on forests and poverty from the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Malawi and Deputy Coordinator of the African forest politics and governance Working Party of IUFRO, joins the conversation, shedding light on the importance of inclusivity in forest-related sector.

The podcast concludes with an exploration of forest governance. Mónica Gabay, Coordinator of IUFRO Division 9 - Forest Policy and Economics and co-author of the GFEP forests and poverty report provides a nuanced understanding of topics such as land tenure, conflicts, human rights, and equitable benefit sharing.

Listen to the extended episode wherever you enjoy your podcasts and gain a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between forests and sustainable societies! And stay tuned for the season finale, where we explore the topic of forests for the future!

We invite you to tune in to the Branching Out: the forest podcast. Listen wherever you enjoy your podcasts,  on Spotify and Apple Podcasts or here our website, and don't forget to subscribe, rate and review!
 

Files:

branching-out-episode-5.mp374 Mi

branching-out-episode-5-transcript.docx97 Ki