Conservation and Climate Resilience

About this episode

Dr. Elizabeth Ridder discusses the importance of the Mediterranean basin for biodiversity and climate resilience, along with the impacts of funding cuts on conservation efforts.

CSUSM’s own Dr. Elizabeth Ridder joins us to talk about what first drew her to geography and conservation work and why the Mediterranean basin is such a vital—and vulnerable—hotspot for biodiversity and climate resilience. We explore what makes this region unique, the climate pressures it’s facing, and how her fieldwork connects to the bigger picture of global environmental change. From U.S. national parks to protected areas around the world, Dr. Ridder breaks down what funding cuts really mean on the ground and how conservation can support communities. CREDITS Guests: Dr. Elizabeth Ridder Host: Molly Saruwatari Producers: Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama Editor: Elden Cadena Research: Molly Saruwatari and Saturn Salama Script: Molly Saruwatari Social Media: Molly Saruwatari Music: Marios Panousos Faculty Advisor: Anne Dabb

People in this episode

Hosts: Molly Saruwatari, Elden Cadena, Saturn Salama

Guest: Dr. Elizabeth Ridder

Topics covered

• conservation
• climate resilience
• biodiversity
• geography
• environmental change

Keywords

• conservation
• climate resilience
• Mediterranean basin
• biodiversity
• environmental change
• fieldwork
• funding cuts

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: CSUSM, U.S. national parks

Places: Mediterranean basin

More episodes of Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast

• Beyond Carbon Credits: Climate Justice and Community Action · May 14, 2026 · 35 min
• Global Goals, Real Change: Why the UN SDGs Matter for Climate Action · April 9, 2026 · 43 min
• Growing Climate Action on Campus with CSUSM’s Environmental Stewards Association · March 26, 2026 · 28 min
• Plastic Beach, Student Voices: Turning Plastic Pollution Into Climate Action · February 5, 2026 · 24 min
• Stories that Change Us: Environmental Literature and Cli-Fi · November 20, 2025 · 34 min
• San Diego Climate Week · October 28, 2025 · 23 min