Posts by Mariska Nell
190: Empowering Conservation with Brett Jenks: Rare’s Global Impact on Climate and Sustainability
In this episode, we talk to Brett Jenks, who leads Rare, a global organization empowering communities to protect and manage natural resources sustainably. As CEO, he has driven initiatives like Fish Forever—the world’s largest coastal fishery recovery effort—and has blended behavioral science with community-led conservation, expanding the organization’s reach to over 60 countries to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable agriculture. He has also extended this work into the for-profit sector with The Meloy Fund. Additionally, he is a Catto Fellow, Braddock Scholar, McNulty Prize laureate, and trustee of the Grantham Trust. His commitment to our planet has earned him global recognition, including the Rose-Walters Prize for Environmental Activism.
During this episode, we explore Rare’s innovative approach to conservation, including how behavioral science and community-led efforts are transforming global environmental action. We discuss lessons from partnerships, the role of impact investing, and the potential of tech innovations like the EverForest game. Plus, we uncover practical steps listeners can take to support conservation and examine the decisions that have shaped Rare’s impact under his leadership.
The Last Straw Project
The Last Straw Project 2200mm x 2200mm x 2200mm | Recycled single-use plastic straws, fibreglass, steel, PU paint TL;DR: The Last Straw Project is a monumental upcycled globe sculpture by recycled-material artist Mariska Nell, built from 60,000 single-use plastic straws collected from Costa Coffee stores across the UAE. The Last Straw Project is a monumental…
Read Full PostChanging The World
TL;DR: Changing The World is a life-size Matryoshka doll created by Mariska Nell as one of 20 international artists selected for the Russian Federation’s Expo2025 bid. 1800mm x 1000mm x 1000mm | Recycled Nespresso capsules, acrylic paint, fibreglass mould | Life-size Matryoshka doll Changing The World is a life-size Matryoshka doll created by Mariska…
Read Full PostWaste Me Not
TL;DR: Waste Me Not is a 30-day live performance and wearable sculpture by environmental artist Mariska Nell, created with collaborator Marita Peters. 30-day live wearable installation, Earth Hour to Earth Day 2018 | Recycled plastic, upcycled curtains, personal waste, gown | Exhibited across the UAE Waste Me Not is a 30-day live performance and…
Read Full PostA Million Bottles Per Minute 1
TL;DR: A Million Bottles Per Minute 1 is a functional, multi-form furniture sculpture by upcycled-art specialist Mariska Nell, built entirely from single-use plastic water bottles to expose a staggering statistic: a million plastic bottles are sold globally every single minute, and fewer than half are ever recycled. 450mm x 900mm x 2000mm | Water bottles,…
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