Professor David Sedlak is a renowned civil and environmental engineer with a distinguished career focused on the intersection of technology and water resources. He is a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, where he also leads as the director of the Berkeley Water Center. Professor Sedlak is celebrated for his significant contributions to the field, including his award-winning book "Water 4.0," which discusses the past, present, and future of the world's most vital resource. His latest work, "Water for All: Global Solutions for a Changing Climate," further solidifies his standing as an influential voice in water conservation and management. His expertise has been recognized and featured in prominent publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Nature, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the New York Review of Books.

In this episode of BeProvided Conservation Radio, we're joined by the esteemed Professor David Sedlak to discuss the vital issue of water accessibility and the impacts of climate change on global water resources. With his new book "Water for All: Global Solutions for a Changing Climate" as the centerpiece of our conversation, we delve into the intricacies of solving one of humanity's most pressing challenges.

Professor Sedlak highlights the evolving water landscape, characterized by six distinct but interconnected water crises that affect communities worldwide. From the wealthy urban dwellers facing scarcity head-on to the unconnected billion without reliable water sources, the potential solutions are as diverse as the problems. Advanced treatment technologies, managed aquifer recharge, and community-led initiatives are just a few themes explored, revealing actionable strategies and future-oriented innovations.

• Professor Sedlak identifies six separate water crises: water for the wealthy, the many, the unconnected, safe drinking water, growing food, and healthy ecosystems.
• He emphasizes the importance of innovative water management strategies, such as in-building water recycling and managed aquifer recharge, to combat these crises.
• The conversation highlights the potential of technology transfer, where solutions working in wealthy nations could be adapted to help water-scarce communities in developing countries.
• The idea of water rights, both for humans and nature, is discussed as a critical component of future water policy and conservation efforts.
• The overall tone is one of cautious optimism, underscoring that despite the daunting challenges, there are viable solutions and opportunities for significant progress.

• "I'm pretty optimistic that if we set our minds to it, we can solve some of the most pressing water crises we're going to face."
• "When you look around the world, we can see pockets of innovation where people are pioneering new solutions."
• "Simply doing nothing is no longer much of an alternative, because solving a problem in the midst of a crisis is often not the way we want to go."
• "The water crises that we're seeing today are just a harbinger of what we see in the future, because climate change is having a larger and larger impact on the water cycle."

• Professor Sedlak's latest book, "Water for All: Global Solutions for a Changing Climate," published by Yale University Press.

Feel encouraged to listen to the full episode and join us for more insightful conversations. Stay tuned to BeProvided Conservation Radio for compelling discussions that yield understanding and action in conserving our planet's vital resources.

About our Guest:

Devan Showe is a wildlife conservation advocate and a committed professional actively contributing to the welfare of wild animals. She currently holds the position of Campaigns Associate at Born Free USA, an organization devoted to preserving wildlife and ending animal exploitation. With academic credentials from Oxford Brookes University in conservation, Devan couples her theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience garnered from her time as a primate caregiver and veterinary assistant at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary in Texas. Devan's work significantly revolves around campaigns aimed at topics like the fur trade and animal trapping, striving to educate the public and initiate action against the exploitation of wild animals in captivity.

Episode Summary:

In this eye-opening episode of BeProvided Conservation Radio, host Marcia Sivek converses with Devan Showe whose mission is to safeguard wildlife and halt the ill-usage of animals. The session begins by delineating Devan's passionate background, her educational endeavors, and her significant roles in animal welfare movements.

The narrative proceeds with a dive into Devan's enriching experiences at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary, underlining the transformative journeys of primates from captivity to more natural environments. Devan also deliberates on pressing challenges in the framework of wildlife conservation, particularly addressing the misconceptions perpetuated by zoos and the need for accurate public information. The conversation offers an in-depth view of Born Free USA’s strides and victories in legislation, underpinning the tenet that safeguarding wildlife is intertwined with public health and safety.

Key Takeaways:

• Born Free USA has been instrumental in passing legislations like the Big Cat Public Safety Act, signifying a landmark triumph in the wildlife conservation arena.
• Challenges in wildlife conservation often stem from misconceptions propagated by zoos regarding animal captivity and spurious claims of contribution to species conservation.
• Social media plays a pivotal role in shaping public perceptions about wildlife, and Devan underscores the importance of using social platforms responsibly to protect animal welfare.
• A gradual phasing out of zoos, halting captive breeding, and prioritizing animal welfare over entertainment are some of the goals Devan Showe envisions for the future.
• The episode highlights personal animal rescue stories from the sanctuary, unveiling the profound emotional impact these endeavors have on conservationists.

Notable Quotes:

• “And when they’re prevented from doing these behaviors, they get very frustrated, and so they do other things to pass their time.”
• “Zoos keeping these animals in these environments and saying that it’s good for them, and also having the sort of interactive experiences they offer… those are all very harmful to people’s perceptions of wild animals.”
• “I wish that people could… speak out against [zoos] in the same way so that the demand would decrease for zoos to stay open and keep perpetuating the captive lives that they do in their institutions.”
• “They are not prepared to have this being who is going to require around the clock care, expensive care for the next 20-25 plus years.”
• “They never learned from their mother or other monkeys how to appropriately behave or submit… That results in monkeys having to live by themselves, just close to other monkeys, and not being able to interact with anyone for a while.”

Resources:

• Born Free USA Website: bornfreeusa.org
• Born Free USA Action Center: (Link to be accessed on the Born Free USA website)
• Born Free USA Activist Toolkit: (Link to be accessed on the Born Free USA website)

Dive into this essential conversation with Devan Showe to grasp the complexities of wildlife conservation, the journey towards more ethical treatments of animals, and the optimistic strides towards legislative change. Tune in for this compelling and transformative episode, and stay connected with BeProvided conservation Radio for more enlightening discussions that challenge and inspire our role in the natural world.

*Show notes were outlined with Decipher AI and edits were made by author for more detail.

Dr. Laurie Marker is a pioneer in the field of wildlife conservation, with a keen focus on the preservation of cheetahs. As the Executive Director of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) since 1990, Dr. Marker's journey in conservation commenced at a wildlife safari park in the United States. Her pioneering research has traversed continents, leading her to the grasslands of Namibia. There, she uncovered the grim reality of wild cheetahs being killed due to human-wildlife conflict, a revelation that prompted the inception of CCF. Dr. Marker is acclaimed for her groundbreaking efforts, resultant research, and unwavering dedication to the fastest land animal on Earth.

In this exclusive episode of BeProvided Conservation Radio, we embark on a profound exploration of the challenges and strategies involved in cheetah conservation, featuring the esteemed Dr. Laurie Marker. As we delve into the pressing matters faced by the cheetah population, listeners are offered an intimate glimpse into the groundbreaking initiatives spearheaded by Dr. Marker and her team at the Cheetah Conservation Fund.

In the heart of Namibia, Dr. Marker uncovered a harrowing threat to cheetahs—hundreds being killed by livestock farmers. This drove her to establish the CCF and become a central figure in cheetah conservation. The episode further highlights the Global Cheetah Summit in Ethiopia, a milestone gathering where experts and organizations like Oxford University's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit and the IUCN specialist groups convene to discuss the future of these majestic animals. With urgent vigor, guests are transported to Africa, where the stakes for the cheetah's survival are laid bare, and the collaborative efforts for their preservation are underscored.

• Dr. Laurie Marker is a pioneering figure in cheetah conservation, with a career spanning over 30 years dedicated to saving these endangered animals.
• The Global Cheetah Summit in Ethiopia serves as a critical platform for worldwide experts to develop an action plan and address the several threats to the cheetah population.
• Cheetahs play a vital role in maintaining the health and biodiversity of their ecosystems, yet they face numerous threats including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, illegal wildlife trade, and climate change.
• There are approximately 7,100 cheetahs left across 23 countries, representing less than 10% of their historical population.
• Engaging communities and developing conservancies are key to creating sustainable habitats for cheetahs and providing alternative livelihoods for people living in these regions.

• "We can't save the cheetah without the people. And our motto has always been, save the cheetah, change the world." – Dr. Laurie Marker
• "About 80% of [cheetahs] are found outside of protected areas." – Dr. Laurie Marker
• "The cheetah is actually in these fragmented areas and really struggling to survive." – Dr. Laurie Marker
• "The future is in the people's hands." – Dr. Laurie Marker

• Cheetah Conservation Fund website: cheetah.org
• Marcia Sivek's email for inquiries regarding being a working guest at CCF: marcia@beprovided.com

Discover the intricate world of cheetah conservation and the riveting strategies devised by experts like Dr. Laurie Marker by tuning in to this captivating podcast episode. Understand how every step toward the conservation of these majestic creatures leads us toward a more sustainable future. Stay connected for upcoming content that promises to enlighten and inspire.