Gary Juffa is the Governor for Oro Province in Papua New Guinea, and has become famous for taking on the illegal logging cartels decimating one of the world’s most precious rainforests. He attended COP26 in Glasgow to speak on behalf of his people, his forests and the creatures that call it home—and to bravely name and shame the companies “raping and pillaging” his country.

Gary explains how the “timber mafia” landed in Papua New Guinea from Malaysia and how they took over local government through bribes, blackmail and even assassination. He explains how he’s fighting them in his province, and how the West must lend funds and muscle to the fight, and what he thinks of the deals made at COP26.

What Gary has to say is jaw-dropping. Listen here or catch it on Apple or Spotify.

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© 2022 Rachel Donald