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Belize is racing toward protecting 30% of its ocean by 2026—but what does that look like on the water? This latest investigation delves into the daily reality of marine rangers: 4 a.m. patrols, dangerous encounters, rescues of trapped wildlife, and long weeks away from their families. From drones and 360° camera towers to the expanding risks of transboundary fishing, the story reveals the pressure—and passion—behind safeguarding Belize's seas. The work of the country's rangers shows what it really takes to turn global commitments into everyday protection. To view photos, images and videos from this story, visit: https://climatespotlight.com/marine-protected-areas-are-everybodys-business/ (01:02) Intro (03:13) 30% x 2026(05:32) The Story of the Blue Bond(09:13) The Work of a Ranger Part 1(14:51) The Work of a Ranger Part 2(20:17) New Challenges and Increased Risks at Sea(23:31) The Push for International Collaboration (26:11)  Measuring Efficacy of MPA Strategy(29:19) Support So Far(33:02) Closing Credits CreditsInvestigation by André Habet Additional reporting by Marco Lopez. This story was published with support from Internews’ Earth Journalism Network. The opening theme song is by Alexander Evans, and the closing theme is by Michael Pacheco 

What’s really happening on Belize’s buses? From near-disasters on the highway to overcrowding, breakdowns, and a struggling industry weighed down by high fuel costs and low fares, this in-depth investigation reveals the daily realities of commuters and the uphill battle of operators. Journalist André Habet takes you inside the stories of passengers, drivers, and bus owners to uncover the risks, frustrations, and potential solutions for public transportation in Belize. ✦ Why are bus operators struggling to survive? ✦ How do safety lapses put thousands of Belizeans at risk? ✦ Can the government’s proposed National Bus Company fix a broken system—or is it “Novelo’s 2.0”? This is the story of an industry that affects everyone in Belize, whether you ride the bus every day or rely on the people who do. Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:07) GC's Story (04:30) Bargain Travel, Unknown Risks (10:06) "Not that Bad, Not that Good, but It Can Be Better" (14:12) Two Weeks in the Lives of Commuters (16:48) The [Brief] Reign and Fall of Novelo's (19:05) High Interest Rates, High Operational Costs: A Cutthroat Business (26:04) Novelo's 2.0 and Other Solutions (35:26) Uncertain Near Future 👉 View images, videos, and links related to the full investigation at ClimateSpotlight.com/bus 👉 Follow André Habet at andrehabet on TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn for more reporting.

In this episode of Mada Fyah, André Habet and guest Yaya Marin Coleman continue their conversation on the proposed cruise terminal and cargo expansion project at Port of Belize following the September 1 public consultation about the revised Environmental Impact Assessment. They discuss how the consultation went, the difference between a hearing and a consultation, and how environmental regulation has changed through revisions to legislation.

On the first episode of Mada Fyah after our extended hiatus, André Habet talks to returning guests and comrade YaYa Marin Coleman about the Escazú Agreement,  an international treaty signed by 25 Latin American and Caribbean nations concerning the rights of access to information about the environment, public participation in environmental decision-making, environmental justice, and a healthy and sustainable environment for current and future generations. If you'd like your organization added to the list of contacts for the Escazú Agreement's awareness campaign, please visit this Google Doc and add your org's name and a URL or contact number/email. For more on the Escaú Agreement, check out Krem Sunday Review's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/krem.sundayreview) for upcoming conversations with community leaders and experts from across the Caribbean and the rest of the world.

On this episode of Mada Fyah, Andre talks to Dassia Regada and Jonathan Tremillo of the Crocodile Research Coalition regarding their efforts to relocate crocodiles and teach people about the significance of crocodiles to Belize as biological indicators.  Crocodile Research Coalition FB page https://www.facebook.com/crocodileresearchcoalition/ Mada Fyah FB page https://www.facebook.com/MadaFyah/

On this episode, André Habet talks to Tom Hines, a videographer with Feste Films and the creator of several videos chronicling the effects of climate change on Dangigra and the surrounding area. André spoke to Tom about what made him decide to develop these videos and how they align with his goal of increasing awareness of the effects climate change is already having on Belize. 

For this episode, host André Habet spoke to Jolie Pollard, founder, formulator, and manager of the haircare brand Ikooma. Ikooma is a seaweed-based line of haircare products that Pollard created over years of trial and error. Now two years into selling her products, Pollard spoke to me about her journalism past, her formulation process and her work with Placencia seaweed farmers whose labor forms the basis of her product. It was a great conversation with a few fun tangents. Hope you enjoy it. Ikooma https://ikoomahair.com/

In this episode of Mada Fyah André talks to Belizean youth climate activist Kiefer Mes. Kiefer is the president of the Southern Youth Development Organization and was recently selected to represent Belize at the Global Conference of Youth in Scotland, the largest youth event that unites youth activists to discuss with global leaders solutions to environmental problems such as climate change. Kiefer talks to André about his perspective on the climate crisis as a young activist in light of a survey report released the week of September 13 by Oxford University, showing that young folks across ten countries are overwhelmingly scared for their future in light of the impacts of global warming. He also discusses his early environmental education, his interest in mangrove planting, and his hopes for what the national government can do to mitigate the worse of the climate crisis. 'Young People's Voices on Climate Anxiety, Government Betrayal and Moral Injury: A Global Phenomenon' by Elizabeth Marks et al https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3918955 Kiefer Mes' online fundraiser to cover the cost of the trip https://gogetfunding.com/coy/?fbclid=IwAR3mdPmfyU50NiBoWSWWDV2K1JnAsBIjHMvt45iKWv_L4-YaSWWRnn7QXdQ

In this episode, I’m sharing an interview with Yaya Marin Coleman, a community organizer and grassroots journalist currently investigating Port Loyola constituent’s familiarity with the Port of Belize Expansion project in Belize City. She shares with me her start in community work from an early age, her thoughts on how organizing can be made most effective, and her take on how Belizeans might proceed from here in reconstructing existing government systems to better serve more Belizeans. Escazu Agreement Visual Explainer https://observatoriop10.cepal.org/sites/default/files/escazu_agreement_art_7_en.pdf

In this episode, André Habet talks to Allie Johnstone who both independently and as a part of Caye Caulker Strong has dedicated much of the past two decades towards mangrove restoration projects on and around Caye Caulker. André and Allie discuss the origins of her interest in mangroves, her early days of guerilla planting on the island, and Caye Caulker Strong's efforts to shift people's views of mangroves as the essential wonders they are. The Belize Mangrove Conservation Network https://www.facebook.com/groups/111537467026  

André talks to Maria Pech from Steadfast Tourism and Conservation Association (STACA). The two talk about environmental education, how STACA works to maintain community involvement and their efforts to conserve the North Stann Creek and Mullins River watersheds through data collection and community dialogues. Check out STACA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stacaassistant28

Continuing our pause in our usual coverage, this week on Mada Fyah we bring you an interview with Alexander Evans, the composer, musician and teacher behind the Mada Fyah theme song in addition to co-founder of the Belize Afro-Indigenous Institute For The Visual And Performing Arts. They will be hosting a virtual event on August 1, 2021 called Sambai to commemorate Belize's first state-recognized Emancipation Day. More on Sambai here: https://www.facebook.com/events/827744634605549/?ti=ls

For this episode, we're taking a break from our regular coverage to bring you a conversation with friend of the podcast, Zyania Alonzo. In addition to being a brilliant artist, Zyania is also the owner of the kombucha company Longivetea and her eponymous crocheted item store Zyania. We talk about her curiosity, her passion for experimentation and taste test three kombucha flavors she’s working on. It’s a fun conversation that hopefully serves as a reminder of what we’re fighting for: to time and ability our crafts, to form community, and determine ways to do so while exploring our identities, including our connection to the world beyond ourselves. Zyania Alonzo https://zyaniaalonzo.com/ Longevitea https://www.instagram.com/longevitea.bz/?igshid=kizzyhki3luq

On this episode, André and Digna talk about hurricanes with Shelton Defour, National Coordinator for the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) to discuss NEMO’s role in emergency response during hurricanes, the role civilians play in emergency response, and how global warming is altering the way storms move and change. Additionally, André interviews Katie Numi Usher and Mercy Sabal, two artists unveiling a collaborative embroidery show at the rebranded Imagination Factri in Belize City on July 15, 2021. Katie Numi Usher and Mercy Sabal Interview transcript https://docs.google.com/document/d/18lp2pG6kJtHn5BJvmb5eXZdfXhMhcnYBMMBcU0VUiIA/edit?usp=sharing Mr. Defour, NEMO National Coordinator Interview Transcript https://docs.google.com/document/d/18pq7KJ90aL5fYdArMdqAKB1x5rz0q_WwEFcG4JFCm8g/edit?usp=sharing NEMO's website http://site.nemo.org.bz/ the newsletter piece by Alex Steffen referenced in the show's opening https://alexsteffen.substack.com/p/were-not-yet-ready-for-whats-already More information on the embroidery show https://www.facebook.com/imagefactoryartfoundation/photos/a.144323447888/10159564164287889/

On this episode of Mada Fyah, André Habet talks to Nadia Bood of the World Wildlife Fund about mangroves. They go over the significance of mangroves to Belize's ecological well-being, their role in coastal conservation, and efforts to educate the public on their restoration and ecosystem services. André also doubles up on his moment of gratitude and minute of rage in Digna's absence. ‘Eye of fire’: Gas leak sparks huge blaze on ocean surface off Mexico https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/03/eye-of-fire-gas-leak-sparks-huge-blaze-on-ocean-surface-off-mexico Interview Transcript https://docs.google.com/document/d/17YVTV1GGyGhIfxANc64eS-RRS3-KRQ1a1EaXawrfEbk/edit?usp=sharing