Nature Breaking features interviews between host Seth Larson and experts on some of the biggest issues affecting people and nature, including climate change, habitat loss, endangered species, and more. Learn something new about nature and our planet in every episode. This podcast is produced by Worl
WWF's 2026 Living Planet Report finds that monitored wildlife populations have declined by an average of 73% since 1970. In this episode of Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson sits down with Dr. Rebecca Shaw, WWF's Chief Scientist and editor-in-chief of this year's report, to unpack what that number really means — and why, despite the sobering data, this year's report is subtitled "The Science of Hope." Rebecca explains how the Living Planet Index works, why a global average can hide real bright spots (nearly half of all monitored populations are actually stable or increasing), and how species…
Last week, WWF hosted its first-ever Panda House , a full day of panel sessions during Climate Week NYC — the annual gathering timed to coincide with the UN General Assembly, where leaders from across the climate and conservation world come together to debate ideas and push for action. In this special recap episode, host Seth Larson and WWF's Sarah Wilson bring you inside Panda House, with a series of short conversations recorded live between panel sessions. The day's discussions spanned carbon markets, tropical forest protection, and ocean conservation, but one theme ran through the day:…
What do black-footed ferrets, cockatoos, and geckos have in common? They've all starred in True Facts, the wildly popular YouTube series from Ze Frank that's taught millions of people about the weird and wonderful side of wildlife. In this episode of Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson sits down with Ze to talk about his nearly two-decade journey as a creator. Together, they explore: How True Facts evolved from comedy sketches into rigorous science storytelling Why creative limitations often lead to better work The origin of Ze's iconic narrator voice and his invented character, "Jerry" How Ze…
Earlier this week Matthew Rhys made history as the first actor to ever win two lead-acting Emmys in one night. That was especially exciting for us at WWF because, amid all the scientists and conservation experts we've interviewed on this show over the years, the only actor to ever appear on Nature Breaking was none other than Matthew Rhys. He joined our podcast back in 2023 to talk about the Apple TV show Extrapolations , an anthology show about climate change that he appeared in. Host Seth Larson interviewed Matthew alongside that show's creator, Scott Z. Burns, and its executive producer,…
The plastic crisis isn't too big to solve — but solving it will take all of us. In the third and final episode of Unwrapped: The Plastic Crisis, our three-part miniseries from Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson and WWF plastics expert Erin Simon turn from the past and present to the future — exploring what it will actually take to build a world where plastic doesn't end up polluting our oceans, our communities, and even our own bodies. Joining the conversation is Carissa Cabrera, a marine biologist, climate activist, and CEO of FutureSwell, who has built a massive platform helping everyday…
The world's plastic problem won't be solved by good intentions alone. In part two of Unwrapped: The Plastic Crisis , our special three-part miniseries from Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson and WWF plastics expert Erin Simon shift from the past to the present—digging into what's actually being done right now to tackle plastic pollution, and where those efforts are falling short. Joining the conversation is Jeff Bezzo of SC Johnson, one of the world's largest household product companies, who works at the intersection of sustainability and business strategy. Jeff pulls back the curtain on what…
Plastic pollution didn't happen overnight. In the first episode of Unwrapped: The Plastic Crisis , a special three-part miniseries from Nature Breaking , host Seth Larson and WWF plastics expert Erin Simon take a step back to examine how we got here—and why solving this crisis requires understanding the decisions that shaped it. Joining the conversation is Dr. Jenna Jambeck, the University of Georgia researcher whose landmark 2015 study was the first to quantify how much plastic enters the ocean each year. Her work transformed our understanding of plastic pollution and helped shift the…
Why do we call an elephant an elephant? Why did the narwhal become known as the "unicorn of the sea"? How did the praying mantis help to inspire kung fu in ancient China? And what can the names we give to animals tell us about ourselves as people? In this episode of Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson sits down with bestselling author, conservationist, and WWF board member T.A. Barron to discuss his new book, Naming Nature . Drawing on languages, folklore, mythology, and cultural traditions from around the world, the book explores the fascinating stories behind the names of plants, animals,…
As the United States celebrates the 250 th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, there's no shortage of reflection about the landscapes, history, and ideals that have shaped this country. For many people, iconic American landscapes might include mountains, forests, or coastlines. But there's another ecosystem—vast, vital, and often overlooked—that's quietly disappearing: grasslands. You might know grasslands by other names: prairies, plains, or savannas. Regardless of the name, grasslands matter more than you might think. They filter and supply clean water, store carbon, sustain…
*Bonus Episode Today's episode is a feed swap courtesy of Reframing Rural, an award-winning documentary show that explores the people, history, and culture of rural America. The episode, "From Sand to Soil," was included in Season 4 of Reframing Rural, which focused on the challenges that farm and ranch families face as they pass their operations from one generation to the next. Today you'll hear about the Bruski family, a ranching family in Montana that made a bold decision to rethink how their land is managed as part of their succession process. They did so with support from WWF's Ranch…
Last winter you probably heard about the lack of snow in the western US, and how that might impact everything from ski resorts to farmlands and freshwater supplies. News coverage of this drought most-often invokes impacts on the Colorado River. But there's another system—the Rio Grande—that's facing just as much pressure. Stretching from Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico, the Rio Grande – or the Rio Bravo as it's known in Mexico – supports millions of people, vast acres of farmland, and diverse ecosystems that support an array of wildlife. But the river has lost roughly 85% of its historic…
Seafood is one of the most important food systems on the planet—supporting livelihoods, feeding communities, and fueling a global industry. But it's also under growing pressure. Overfishing, climate change, and illegal fishing are putting many marine ecosystems at risk. So how can we meet global demand for seafood without pushing our oceans past their limits? And what role should companies play in building healthier, more resilient oceans? In this episode of Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson speaks with Dr. Sarah Glaser, head of the Blue Foods program and Oceans Futures platform at WWF, and…
NOTE: This episode was originally released in July 2025. Once nearly wiped out, the plains bison, or buffalo, as they are often called by Native Americans, are returning to the Great Plains — and with them, a powerful story of cultural renewal, ecological restoration, and Indigenous leadership. In this episode of Nature Breaking, WWF's Heather Dawn Thompson (a citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe) shares how Native Nations are leading efforts to restore buffalo populations, reclaim food sovereignty, and heal the land. From spiritual connections to practical conservation, this interview…
Are you feeling stressed, scattered, or mentally drained? Science suggests a surprisingly simple way to feel better: spending time in nature. In this episode of Nature Breaking, we explore the growing body of psychological research showing how time spent outdoors improves focus, mood, and overall mental health. Host Seth Larson is joined by Dr. Dennis Stolle, Executive Lead Psychologist for Applied Psychology at the American Psychological Association (APA), to break down what's actually happening in our brains when we step into outside—and why even small doses of nature can make a real…
When you think of endangered species, chances are the giant panda comes to mind. With their black ‑ and ‑ white coats, bamboo obsession, and internet ‑ famous antics, pandas are among the most beloved animals on Earth—and they're also one of conservation's most hopeful success stories. In this episode of Nature Breaking, we're diving into the surprisingly weird and wonderful world of giant pandas with Colby Loucks, Vice President and Deputy Lead of WWF's Wildlife Program. Together, we unpack what makes pandas so unique—from their "fake thumb" and bamboo ‑ only diet to their solitary…
*Bonus Episode* What does it really mean to invest in nature—and why does it matter? In this special crossover episode of Nature Breaking and The Pew Charitable Trusts' After The Fact podcast, WWF's Seth Larson and Pew's Giuliana Pence explore the growing field of nature finance. Joined by experts from both organizations, they tackle a big question: how much does it cost to protect nature, and where does that money come from? You'll hear from Matthew Cranford of WWF and Shubash Lohani of Pew as they explain why the world needs roughly $1.2 trillion per year by 2030 to halt biodiversity…
This week on Nature Breaking, we're teaming up with conservationist and content creator Maya Higa to kick off WWF's annual Give an Hour for Earth campaign. Maya is a Twitch streamer and YouTuber whose online community contributed tens of thousands of hours to our campaign last year. Host Seth Larson interviews Maya about her journey from growing up on a farm to becoming a zookeeper, falconer, livestreamer, and founder of Alveus Sanctuary – a wildlife rehabilitation facility. She explains how digital platforms can be powerful tools for environmental education, what she's learned about…
Good news is hard to come by in the conservation world—but this week, we have some to share. A new report from WWF ‑ Mexico shows that the endangered migratory eastern monarch butterfly is showing promising signs of recovery, with monarchs occupying 7.24 acres of forest in their wintering grounds in Mexico—up from 4.42 acres last year. That's a 64% increase. In this episode of Nature Breaking, we revisit conversations with two monarch experts—Eduardo Rendón ‑ Salinas of WWF ‑ Mexico and Court Whelan of Natural Habitat Adventures—to explain why this rebound matters, how monarch populations…
Right now we're at the height of awards season, when artists across a variety of disciplines get awarded for the best achievements in their respective industries. In the spirit of that season, we decided to hand out some awards of our own this week. This episode features the first-ever Nature Breaking Awards. It's just like your favorite awards show, but for conservation instead of music or movies. Co-hosts Seth Larson and Hayley Lawton will run through fun categories like "Best Ecosystem Soundtrack" and "Wildest Wardrobe," discuss the nominees, and hand out some (largely arbitrary) awards.…
Finance has a critical role to play in achieving conservation goals. Simply put, saving an ecosystem, or a species, isn't free. Those efforts require lots of scientific research and analysis, tools, infrastructure, and staff. WWF has been at the forefront of a variety of innovative ways to finance those efforts – from Project Finance for Permanence initiatives, to debt for nature swaps, and more. Today we're going to talk about another approach that's gaining steam: impact investing. Impact investing is all about making investments with the goal of advancing social or environmental outcomes…
Did you know that extreme weather disasters in the U.S. are now causing more than 20 billion ‑ dollar events every year, leaving a growing share of those losses uninsured? As climate change accelerates—and as ecosystems like wetlands and forests are destroyed and degraded—the insurance protection gap is widening, putting households, businesses, and entire communities at rising financial risk. In this episode of Nature Breaking, you'll hear from David Kuhn, WWF's Director for Adaptation and Resilience Partnerships and a contributor to a new WWF report on the insurance crisis. David explains…
Note: This episode originally aired in October 2023. Snow leopards are among the hardest animals to find in the wild, both because of how rare they are, and because their coats are adapted to provide camouflage that makes them hard to see against the rugged mountain landscape they call home. With an estimated 4,000-6,500 snow leopards remaining in the wild, conservationists have been working in snow leopard range countries across Asia to build a more stable future for these big cats. And recently, Bhutan reported some good news: the population of snow leopards in that country has increased…
Did you know that 75% of the infrastructure the world will use in 2050 hasn't been built yet? That means the choices we make today—about roads, bridges, railways, ports, and power systems—will shape the future of both human development and the natural world. In this episode of Nature Breaking, WWF's Ryan Bartlett, Director for Climate Resilience and Risk Management, explains how we can build the infrastructure we need without destroying the ecosystems we rely on for critical benefits, including resilience to worsening weather extremes. From habitat fragmentation to increased flooding, poorly…
As 2025 comes to a close, we're looking back at the 10 biggest conservation wins of the 21st century (so far). We'll revisit iconic successes like the Paris Agreement on climate, the rebound of wild tigers and giant pandas, and the creation of the Amazon Region Protected Areas Program, the largest tropical forest conservation initiative on Earth. Plus, we'll celebrate grassroots efforts like Earth Hour and the return of bison to Native lands—proof that progress is happening at every level. If you care about wildlife, climate, and sustainability, this episode will give you hope and…
Note: This episode originally ran on October 1, 2024. If you'd like to support WWF for Giving Tuesday, visit wwf.help/tuesday . Global food production is a key driver behind both climate change and the loss of species and ecosystems. In fact, it's responsible for roughly one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions and over two-thirds of global habitat and biodiversity losses. That's because unsustainable food production too often lead to the destruction of forests, grasslands, and other ecosystems in order to produce more food. So how do we create a more sustainable food system? Joining the…
What happens when nature's cleanup crew disappears? In this episode of Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson talks with Professor Eyal Frank, an environmental economist at the University of Chicago, about his groundbreaking research on the near-extinction of vultures in India—and the devastating ripple effects on human health. Frank explains: Why vultures are critical for ecosystems and public health How a common painkiller triggered a collapse in vulture populations Why that collapse may have caused 500,000 additional human deaths What this teaches us about the hidden costs of biodiversity loss…
At COP30 in Brazil, one of the most ambitious climate finance initiatives ever conceived is set to launch: the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF). This bold plan aims to flip the economics of deforestation by paying countries to keep their forests standing—rather than rewarding them for cutting them down. In this episode of Nature Breaking, WWF's Andrew Deutz joins host Seth Larson to break down how the TFFF works, why Brazil's $1 billion commitment is a game-changer, and what makes this model so innovative. From leveraging private finance to guaranteeing benefits for Indigenous Peoples…
In this Halloween bonus episode of Nature Breaking, WWF's Seth Larson and Hayley Lawton share tips for celebrating the season in a more sustainable way—from upcycled costumes and DIY decorations to creative uses for leftover pumpkin bits. Then, things get spooky as Seth and Hayley play a game of "Guess That Spooky Species," featuring eerie animal sounds from the wild. Can you tell the difference between a raven and an owl? A bear and an alligator? Tune in and test your wildlife knowledge! Whether you're trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins, or just enjoying the spooky vibes, this episode is…
Nearly half of Earth's surface lies beyond the jurisdiction of any single country—and until now, those waters have been largely unregulated. In this episode of Nature Breaking, WWF's Johan Bergenas joins host Seth Larson to unpack the newly ratified High Seas Treaty and what it means for the future of our ocean. From illegal fishing and environmental degradation to human trafficking and unregulated resource extraction, the high seas have long been a lawless frontier. But with this treaty now in force, countries have a framework to establish marine protected areas, conduct environmental…
In this episode of Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson speaks with Dr. Stacy Beller Stryer, Associate Medical Director of Park Rx America, about the growing movement to prescribe time in nature as a way to improve physical and mental health as a complement to modern medicine and medical techniques. From reducing stress and anxiety to lowering blood pressure and boosting immune function, the health benefits of nature are real—and measurable. Dr. Beller Stryer explains how nature prescriptions work, why they're gaining traction in the medical community, and how anyone can start incorporating…
About Nature Breaking
Nature Breaking features interviews between host Seth Larson and experts on some of the biggest issues affecting people and nature, including climate change, habitat loss, endangered species, and more. Learn something new about nature and our planet in every episode. This podcast is produced by Worl
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