In this episode of Protect The World, I speak with Delphine Robbe – managing director of the Gili Eco Trust. Originally from France, Delphine has dedicated the last twenty years of her life to building a sustainable future for the picturesque Indonesian island of Gili Trawangan.
Located off the coast of Lombok, east of Bali, Gili Trawangan is one of three islands that make up the Gili Islands. The region is renowned for its beautiful white sand beaches and spectacular coral reefs, which are home to an extraordinary diversity of marine life.
However, the resulting influx of tourists, combined with the ongoing impacts of climate change, have already had a significant impact on Gili Trawangan. The centre of the island has turned into an ever-expanding garbage dump, and the corals are experiencing bleaching and reduced rates of growth as a result of warming temperatures and ocean acidification.
In response, the team at Gili Eco Trust coordinate an extensive reef restoration program, utilising innovative Biorock technology, and they've also implemented a waste management scheme across the island. Additionally, they run a range of environmental education initiatives and animal welfare programs on Gili Trawangan.
At the beginning of the episode, Delphine describes herself as a passionate eco-warrior, and throughout the conversation you'll discover exactly why that's true. The world needs as many people like Delphine as possible, and I hope this discussion inspires you to connect with the nature around you, wherever you find yourself on the planet.
As always, half the money that came into the Patreon this month was donated directly to the Gili Eco Trust. This money will go towards maintaining resilient coral reefs and creating a sustainable future on Gili Trawangan.
You can donate directly to the Gili Eco Trust by visiting giliecotrust.com, and if you'd like to help me give more money to more amazing NGOs in the future, please consider signing up to the Patreon for as little as $5 a month via the following link: patreon.com/brodiehopkinsmedia
You can follow the Gili Eco Trust on Facebook and Instagram, and you can also follow the rest of my own work on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
A huge thank you to everyone who supports this podcast, and to Delphine Robbe for joining me on this episode. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to leave a review and share it with your friends and family. Thanks for listening!
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