Mel Phadtare

In a nutshell, tell us about yourself.

I grew up in suburban Sydney surrounded by wildlife in rich bushlands that me and my siblings would spend hours in every week. My early childhood and immersion in nature influenced my career path fundamentally. I like change and am curious so nourished this inclination to live, travel and work around the globe addressing environmental and humanitarian issues. I have enjoyed living in: Australia, UK, Canada, Vietnam, Laos, Brazil, Greece and Colombia.

What are you most proud of?

I’m a youth mentor for careers in sustainability as a UK STEM Ambassador. Also, worm-farming, making soil and growing food.

What are your loves?

Seeing different pockets of the globe. Hanging with good friends. Biodiversity. Sun, sea and surf. Forest walks. Mountain hikes. Swimming. Homegrown food. Moments of solitude.

What drives you to do this kind of work?

I admire nature. Nature represents for me beauty, sophistication and mind blowing functionality. It’s also generally misunderstood, poorly valued, exploited and needs protection. It offers us lifelines on many levels, some of which I’m certain we’ve yet to discover beyond what we know of ‘ecosystem services’. So the kind of work that drives me aligns with projects that take nature’s contribution to our existence and wider planetary wellbeing, seriously.

Which book has changed your life?

The Sacred Balance, David Suzuki