In this special crossover episode, we dive into some of the most essential—and urgent—topics facing our coasts and our communities. We kick things off with climate change and ocean acidification before breaking down what nature-based solutions really are, including real-world examples like living shorelines and how businesses can be part of the climate solution by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.

Dr. Elizabeth Fly, Director of Resilience & Ocean Conservation at The Nature Conservancy and host of the podcast Conversing with Nature, shares insights on ecosystem resilience and the climate impacts already reshaping South Carolina’s coast. We discuss sea level rise, stronger hurricanes, heavier rainfall, droughts, urban heat, and what these changes mean for the places we love.

We also explore sustainable business, the Fly Fishing Climate Alliance, and Emerger Strategies’ newest service: Nature Strategy & Science-Based Targets for Nature. Elizabeth and I talk through the growing challenges tied to South Carolina’s rapid population growth and the urgent need for long-term planning. And finally, she takes us inside some of her fascinating climate research and the work happening on the ground to build a more resilient future.

This episode was an absolute blast to record and is packed with valuable takeaways for conservationists, business leaders, anglers, and anyone who cares about the future of our coastal communities.

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

For more resources, or to learn how Emerger Strategies can help your brand turn sustainability into a competitive advantage by making it simple, strategic, and profitable, visit www.emergerstrategies.com.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

This is a special episode of The Sustainable Angler because Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and I’ve been reflecting on what I’m most grateful for this year. Nature is right at the top of that list. Over the past year, I’ve been inspired by books like Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer and Carbon by Paul Hawken, and my wife and I have made a point to get our kids outside—camping, hiking, fishing, and surfing. Experiencing the healing power of nature has made me even more concerned about what’s happening to America’s public lands and even more proud that Emerger Strategies is a member of The Conservation Alliance, which helps protect them.

That’s why I’m thrilled to share my conversation with Paul Hendricks, Executive Director of The Conservation Alliance. In this episode, we discuss:

• Paul’s sustainability journey through Patagonia and Rivian
• The history and mission of The Conservation Alliance
• How the Brands for Public Lands coalition has grown to 150+ companies
• Why the Roadless Rule is essential for protecting wild places
• The ecological importance of removing the Snake River Dams
• How 1% for the Planet and The Conservation Alliance act as force multipliers for conservation
• Why brands need a nature strategy in today’s changing world
• What gives Paul hope for the future of public lands and biodiversity

And before we get started, I just want to say thank you. I’m truly grateful that you take the time to listen to this podcast. I hope these conversations inspire you to take action for nature. If you’re enjoying the show, a quick, free way to support it is by leaving a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

If you care about conservation, sustainability, public lands, or building a brighter future for nature, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

For more resources, or to learn how Emerger Strategies can help your brand turn sustainability into a competitive advantage by making it simple, strategic, and profitable, visit www.emergerstrategies.com.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.

In this episode of The Sustainable Angler, I sit down with Belvin Olasov, Director of the Charleston Climate Coalition, a grassroots organization of passionate Lowcountry citizens working to accelerate local climate solutions through creativity, compassion, and community action.

We dive deep into the Coalition’s incredible work — from developing Climate Action Plans for the Town of James Island and Charleston County, to building rain gardens, planting native species, and advocating for better transportation infrastructure like safer bike lanes downtown.

But the heart of this conversation focuses on a critical environmental fight: stopping Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper’s proposed methane gas plant on the Edisto River, and the dangerous pipeline route planned through the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge — one of the largest undeveloped wetland ecosystems left on the Atlantic coast.

Belvin explains how this outdated, $2 billion fossil fuel project threatens wildlife like the red-cockaded woodpecker, bald eagle, wood stork, loggerhead turtle, and shortnose sturgeon, while locking South Carolina into decades of greenhouse gas emissions — all paid for by you, the ratepayer.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone who loves South Carolina’s wild places, believes in clean energy, and wants to make a difference.

Take action: Visit www.charlestonclimatecoalition.org/dominion-energy
to sign the petition and help protect the ACE Basin from this destructive project.

🎣 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to The Sustainable Angler wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us grow the conversation around sustainable business in the fishing and outdoor industries.

For more resources, or to learn how Emerger Strategies can help your brand turn sustainability into a competitive advantage by making it simple, strategic, and profitable, visit www.emergerstrategies.com.

Follow us on Instagram @emergerstrategies and @thesustainableangler and stay tuned for more insights from leaders at the intersection of conservation, business, and the outdoors.