EP2 - Turning deserts into food forests

🎙 Out now: the second episode of Rooted to Earth, our brand new podcast!

In this episode, Dr. Vesela Tanaskovic Gassner, a renowned environmental engineer and eco-science entrepreneur, speaks about her mission to reclaim desertified lands. As founder of Afforest4Future, Vesela is leading innovative efforts to address the environmental and social impacts of desertification.

"Most people think of deserts as lifeless," she says, "but these ecosystems hold unique biodiversity that is deeply affected by climate change and human activities."

Her work emphasizes the crucial role of knowledge transfer—bridging scientific research with practical, local application. Vesela is dedicated to educating communities on the value of native species and their roles in the ecosystem, which has the potential to restore biodiversity and revitalize degraded land. For her, sustainable impact begins with empowering local communities to reconnect with their natural surroundings and traditional ecological knowledge.

Vesela shares powerful insights from her experiences in areas like the Middle East, North Africa, and even Europe, where desertification is an increasingly urgent issue. In her words, "Land degradation is fueled by human actions, but we also hold the power to reverse it by reintroducing native flora and fostering environmental awareness."

Listen to the full episode to understand the scope of Vesela's work and her vision for turning deserts into thriving, biodiverse landscapes.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or YouTube.