We Need to Act – A platform for inclusive, open dialogue towards sustainability education
Gus Speth, founder and former president of the World Resources Institute, once said he used to think the top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and climate change. He believed that 30 years of good science could solve them. But later, he realized he was wrong. The real problems, he said, are selfishness, greed, and apathy. And dealing with those requires a shift in consciousness.
Today, we are more connected than ever, yet increasingly disconnected from our realities—and from Nature. A recent study by Professor Miles Richardson shows that our connection to nature has declined by 60% in just 200 years. If we are disconnected from what we’re trying to protect, how can we change?
Understanding sustainability is more urgent than ever. But education must go beyond technical terms or climate statistics. To change attitudes and behaviors, people need to be motivated—and motivation often means reevaluating values, habits, and belief systems.
The global sustainability agenda was designed to be broad, aiming to apply across both the Global North and South. But its generality and ambiguity often leave people feeling detached. It speaks to everyone, yet resonates with few. Sustainability is not a one-size-fits-all idea. It means different things in different contexts, and it must reflect local realities and lived experiences to truly connect with people.
In 2023, while writing my PhD thesis on Sustainability Communication, I was overwhelmed—not by the lack of information, but by the sheer volume of concepts, contradictions, and narratives, many shaped by corporate and political agendas. Sustainability, which should be about life and interconnection, had become dense and overcomplicated.
The concept itself is complex—referring to the interconnectedness of human and non-human systems, and their ability to coexist in balance. That kind of complexity is natural. But complexity is not the same as complication. It becomes complicated when corporate jargon takes over, turning sustainability into a branding exercise filled with vague terms that confuse more than clarify.
That was the moment I realized I could do something to help make sustainability clearer and more accessible. That has led to the creation of the We Need to Act podcast.
It began with a simple goal: to explain sustainability concepts in a straightforward way. But after a few episodes, it became clear the space needed to grow. The climate conversation, as it often exists, is narrow—focused mostly on emissions, carbon footprints, or top-down policy. There was a need for something broader, more holistic, and more inclusive.
We Need to Act had to be different. It had to open up space for voices from different regions, disciplines, and worldviews. It needed to move away from tunnel vision and instead bring together stories and perspectives from the five corners of the world.
We started with episodes in English, but soon realized that language shapes how we understand and talk about sustainability. If we wanted to be truly inclusive, we had to include other languages—especially those spoken in the Global South. That’s why we introduced episodes in Spanish, creating space for others to share their experiences, stories, and ways of seeing the world.
After almost two years, We Need to Act has grown into a more solid platform, supported by a growing team, with listeners from over 60 countries and guests from more than 15. These include Indigenous leaders, climate activists, political advisers, authors, scientists, entrepreneurs, and educators. Each one brings a unique perspective grounded in personal and cultural experience.
Beyond Conversation
In the past year, we also launched a sustainability education program for children aged 6–12 in Colombia at Liceo Rafael Pombo. The program is based on three principles: knowing, feeling, and healing. We worked with over 20 children and their families using a game-based approach to explore environmental challenges, reconnect with Nature, value Indigenous knowledge, and co-create solutions.
Activities included art, music, meditation, and outdoor experiences. The aim was not only to inform, but to inspire. The goal was to plant the seeds of environmental awareness early—and to do it in a way that is joyful, emotional, and transformative.
We are now collaborating with NGOs that focus on nature protection and restoration. We’ve also launched an open call for small, local grassroots initiatives to be featured on the podcast—especially those that usually lack visibility. Beyond raising awareness, our goal is to help promote real change and recognize the importance of individuals and communities who are actively protecting our planet, often without recognition or resources.
As Sir David Attenborough said:
“Saving our planet is now a communications challenge. We know what to do; we just need the will.”
Our purpose at We Need to Act is to help foster that will—by creating a space for diverse, multidisciplinary dialogue and promoting education as a tool for shifting consciousness. We want to help people reconnect with Nature and make more informed, compassionate decisions.
Support the Platform
We Need to Act is a not-for-profit initiative. If you believe in the work we are doing and want to support open dialogue, education, and grassroots action, here’s how you can help:
- Subscribe to our podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube
- Follow us on Instagram, BlueSky, or LinkedIn
- Share our episodes and content
- Donate to help fund our programs and outreach
Together, we can move from conversation to action—and make sustainability something people live, not just talk about. For more information, we welcome you to vist our website at www.weneedtoact.org.
