Atossa Soltani, John Quigley, and Manuella Cantalice from the Amazon Rainforest Group joined Roy Kessel and Sports Philanthropy Network on Radio Row at Super Bowl 59. Atossa Soltani shared her insight into the urgent need for global action to protect the Amazon, emphasizing its role in stabilizing the climate and the importance of Indigenous leadership in conservation. John Quigley highlighted how deforestation impacts weather patterns worldwide, drawing connections between Amazon destruction and extreme climate events in North America. Manuella Cantalice discussed the disproportionate effects of climate change on marginalized communities in Brazil and stressed the role of athletes, artists, and influencers in driving awareness and action to preserve the rainforest.
Atossa Soltani is a passionate environmental advocate and the co-founder of Artists for Amazonia, an organization that aims to protect the Amazon rainforest and support indigenous communities. With a background in environmental activism, Atossa has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the importance of conserving the Amazon and combating deforestation.
Through Artists for Amazonia, Atossa leverages the power of art to mobilize global support for the protection of the environment. Her initiatives bring together artists and environmentalists to amplify their message and inspire action.
Atossa’s work spans various platforms, from environmental campaigns to collaborations with indigenous groups, and she continues to be a leader in the fight for the planet’s future.
John Quigley is an environmental artist and activist known for his large-scale environmental artworks, which aim to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the Amazon Rainforest. His collaborations with organizations like Artists for Amazonia highlight the need to preserve nature and amplify the voices of indigenous communities. Quigley uses his art to bring attention to climate change and environmental degradation, advocating for the protection of vital ecosystems.
Manuella Cantalice is a passionate environmental advocate with a strong focus on sustainable development. As an advocate for preserving the Amazon rainforest, she works closely with indigenous communities and organizations like Artists for Amazonia to promote eco-conscious initiatives. Her efforts aim to create lasting impact through education and global partnerships for a better future.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is a leading organization dedicated to supporting professionals in the fields of speech, language, and hearing. It provides resources, professional development opportunities, and advocacy to ensure high-quality services for individuals with communication disorders.
ASHA offers a variety of certifications, ensuring that practitioners meet national standards and continue to advance their skills through ongoing education. They also advocate for public policy that supports the needs of individuals with speech and hearing challenges.
Additionally, ASHA offers a wide range of tools, including practice guidelines, professional ethics, and marketing resources, to help members succeed in their careers and deliver the best possible care.
Artists for Amazonia is a collaborative organization focused on using art to raise awareness and advocate for the preservation of the Amazon Rainforest. Through various initiatives, the group partners with artists and environmentalists to spread the message of protecting the rainforest from deforestation and climate change. Their projects aim to bring attention to the importance of environmental sustainability and the need to take immediate action.
The group organizes art exhibitions, events, and collaborations that engage the public in meaningful conversations about conservation. These efforts highlight the urgency of preserving the Amazon’s unique biodiversity and its vital role in the global ecosystem.
By fostering a network of creative voices and environmentally-conscious leaders, Artists for Amazonia promotes eco-friendly solutions and advocates for policy changes. Their initiatives amplify the voices of local communities and global activists working to protect the rainforest.
New Animal is an innovative organization transforming global investment in nature-based solutions. By fostering partnerships between investors and local communities, they focus on regenerative environmental practices, emphasizing ethical investment opportunities that address biodiversity and climate change. Their unique approach integrates modern financial mechanisms with traditional Indigenous wisdom through immersive experiences, making remote ecosystems accessible to investors.
Their services include sourcing sustainable projects, organizing immersive roadshows with virtual reality storytelling, and facilitating learning journeys. By emphasizing trust, transparency, and collaboration, New Animal promotes a holistic “Return on Life” perspective, evolving investment paradigms to nurture nature and people.
Founded by Manuella Cantalice, a seasoned climate finance expert, New Animal aims to accelerate the transition to a regenerative and equitable future. With a background in high-level climate policy and development, Manuella leads the organization in advancing impactful investment opportunities, focused on preserving critical biodiversity hotspots and building stronger connections between investors and communities.
WATCH INTERVIEW
0:02 – 0:17 – Roy Kessel introduces the special guests from organizations focused on preserving the Amazon rainforest. He mentions their participation in an upcoming event at Lee Steinberg’s party and invites them to introduce themselves and share their mission.
0:19 – 0:50 – The first guest, Manuella, explains their involvement in climate finance and the Amazon’s significance. She emphasizes that protecting the Amazon is a global concern, requiring support from athletes, investors, students, and artists to ensure its sustainability.
1:04 – 1:31 – Atossa, a forest activist representing the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance, discusses the Amazon’s role as the “lungs” and “heart” of the planet’s hydrological system. She highlights the severe droughts and environmental collapse that threaten global stability, including in North America.
1:46 – 2:20 – Atossa connects Amazon deforestation to natural disasters in the U.S., explaining how droughts in the rainforest contribute to severe weather patterns like hurricanes and wildfires in California and beyond. She stresses the need for global cooperation to protect the ecosystem.
2:40 – 3:41 – An athlete guest likens environmental action to building an “All-Star team” for the planet. He warns of the Amazon’s potential ecological collapse, which could destabilize global weather, and emphasizes the influence of sports figures in driving awareness and action.
3:46 – 4:24 – Roy Kessel acknowledges the global impact of Amazon destruction, noting that many people mistakenly believe environmental issues are confined to specific regions. He invites Manuella to share insights from living in Brazil and witnessing the direct effects of climate change.
4:26 – 5:16 – Manuella describes how marginalized communities, particularly those in Rio’s favelas, are disproportionately affected by climate change. She highlights the importance of including Indigenous peoples in conservation efforts, as they are both the protectors and victims of deforestation.
5:28 – 6:22 – Atossa discusses the lack of philanthropic investment in Indigenous-led conservation efforts. She stresses the need to amplify Indigenous voices in climate discussions, as they hold critical knowledge on forest preservation and sustainable land use.
7:02 – 7:30 – The discussion shifts to climate change’s impact on sports, citing new hydration break rules in Brazilian soccer due to rising temperatures. This serves as a stark example of how environmental changes are altering human activities and health worldwide.
8:00 – 8:46 – The interview concludes with a call to action, urging athletes and global organizations to unite in protecting the Amazon. Roy Kessel thanks the guests for their time, reinforcing that this is a worldwide issue requiring urgent attention and collective effort.
