Lake Uru Uru and the Potential of Nature-Based Solutions

Lake Uru Uru and the Potential of Nature-Based Solutions

March 18, 2026 · 33 min · Season 9 · Episode 3

About this episode

This episode explores nature-based solutions to climate change, highlighting women's leadership in environmental initiatives in Bolivia.

Nature-based solutions decrease the effects of climate change by using nature to help nature. Mangrove forests helping to preserve shorelines or planting cover crops to rejuvenate the soil are strong examples. According to research from the Nature Conservancy, nature-based solutions can provide up to 37 percent of the carbon emissions reductions needed by 2030. In this episode of the Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women, we focus on nature-based solutions’ enormous environmental potential. First, we head to Bolivia, where a small, indigenous group of women is making a big splash. Host Zainab Salbi speaks with Dayana Blanco Quiroga, who co-founded the Uru Uru Team. It is a grassroots initiative dedicated to restoring Lake Uru Uru, which has been heavily degraded from nearby mining and pollution. The Uru Uru Team is just one example of women’s leadership in transforming water security, as Foreign Policy research notes. Then, we talk to two investors in nature-based solutions about how they approach this work financially, which can be challenging. First, we hear from Nela Duke Ekpenyong, founding partner at Obudu Capital, a venture capital firm investing in climate tech, energy, and…

People in this episode

Host: Zainab Salbi

Guests: Dayana Blanco Quiroga, Nela Duke Ekpenyong, Alexa Firmenich

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Uru Uru Team, Obudu Capital, Naia Trust, Nature Conservancy, Foreign Policy

Places: Bolivia, Lake Uru Uru

More episodes of The Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women (HERO)

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women (HERO) podcast page.