How Bitcoin Can Help Save the Rainforest - John Goedschalk

Which is more profitable -  a live or dead rainforest? John Goedschalk, Founder of Bio Tara and former Executive Director of Conservation International looks at how Bitcoin can empower these local forest communities, getting their products to market faster, and providing them with a currency that is not subject to 60% a year inflation, which is what his country, Suriname, has been going through. Suriname's forests absorb more carbon than the population generates, making it carbon negative. John has always been passionate about saving the trees and likens himself to The Lorax, a character who speaks for the trees. John believes that if we don't save the forests, there's not much that will keep us going on this planet. BIOTARA provides communities with the tools, education, technology, and access to finance needed to create their own factories and processing plants. They ensure that every kilogram of oil or butter is sold even before it's produced. This approach ensures conservation, restoration, and community benefits. John emphasizes that BIOTARA is not an NGO but a business partner offering services to communities. John discusses the challenges of working with investors who want to see revenue before investing. He believes in building a system with the right foundations before scaling up. John is currently making oils and butters out of his garage while developing the necessary technology and social safeguards. Traceability is a crucial aspect of their work, especially with the EU deforestation regulation requiring proof that products come from non-deforested areas. We discuss the importance of clean cosmetics and the need for more safe products for both adults and children. John shares his experiences with the challenges of the banking system in Suriname, where many people are unbanked and unbankable. He believes that a stable currency like Bitcoin could provide solace to people in Suriname, who have been dealing with high inflation and currency devaluation. We discuss the potential of Bitcoin and other digital currencies in empowering communities and creating circular economies. They also talk about the importance of education and ensuring that people understand and trust these new systems. ✅ Follow John Here: https://www.johng.earth https://Biotara.earth https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-goedschalk-3a5349/ 🔥 LISTEN TO EPISODE HERE (00:00:01) Introduction and Guest Overview (00:01:25) Meet John Godchalk: CEO and Cofounder of BIOTARA (00:02:09) John's Mission: Saving the Forests and Empowering Communities (00:06:02) BIOTARA's Projects and Impact (00:10:37) Challenges and Investor Perspectives (00:13:58) Traceability and Blockchain Technology (00:22:06) Cost and Benefits of Traceability (00:27:04) Digital Wallets and Financial Inclusion (00:35:02) Suriname's Financial Landscape and Bitcoin (00:46:07) Current Payment Methods and Challenges (00:51:08) Blockchain for Traceability vs. Monetary Transactions (00:57:03) Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts ❤️  SUBSCRIBE to the LOVE Warrior Newsletter https://djvalerieblove.com/subscribe 🧡  SUPPORT THE SHOW WITH TIPS - Thank You! https://getalby.com/p/djvalerie 💛  SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@djvalerieblove WEBSITE: https://djvalerieblove.com/podcast FOUNTAIN.FM: https://fountain.fm/show/761jhxFiibErm7eZZdlt APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bitcoin-for-peace-dj-valerie-b-love-friends/id1441540841 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kZfzFZ3wKmWiljDajrJZ5?si=a9433473b06f464b RSS: https://serve.podhome.fm/rss/4996bcea-e098-5a89-ac63-af7a3df7cb5d 💚  FOLLOW DJ Valerie X - TWITTER: https://twitter.com/djvalerieblove FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/djValerieBLove INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/djvalerieblove/ LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dj-valerie-b-love/ NOSTR: npub184cwc849sejs5pr566zcg4pqn53zzk85q70gmwqx7qt77h3suansvet30s 🩵  DJ VALERIE’S FAVORITE TOOLS AUDIBLE - Get 2 FREE Audiobooks https://www.audibletrial.com/bitcoin SHAMORY - Have Fun Learn Bitcoin 10% Discount shamory.com/love REAL MUSHROOMS - 25% Off 1st order https://shop.realmushrooms.com/?ref=1232 PODCASTING INDEX - https://podcastindex.org/ SATSBACK - Get Bitcoin rewards when you shop https://satsback.com/register/Ezv2VLwKXgLd8X4Z PERPLEXITY AI - Get $10 OFF https://perplexity.ai/pro?referral_code=U661YIKD HEATBIT - 5% OFF Code = PEACE -Earn Bitcoin & Save $ Heating Your Home https://heatbit.com/?ref=LOVE BTC TRADING CARDS - Have FUN + Learn Bitcoin https://btc-tc.com/LOVE 💙 DJ VALERIE’S FAVORITE EVENTS https://b.tc/conference/2025/ Use code LOVE for 10% OFF https://www.adoptingbitcoin.org/ Use code DJVAL for 10% OFF https://sovereignminds.ca/ https://baltichoneybadger.com/ https://bitblockboom.com/ https://unconfiscatable.com/ https://bitcoinunconference.com/ https://afrobitcoin.org/ https://oslofreedomforum.com/ 💜  BUY, TRADE, STORE, MINE BITCOIN HODL HODL no KYC https://hodlhodl.com/join/NMKLQ SWAN - Get $10 FREE Bitcoin - Dollar Cost Average - https://swanbitcoin.com/djvalerie RIVER FINANCIAL Buy Bitcoin Safely -Get Up to $100 in FREE Bitcoin https://partner.river.com/LOVE BITCOIN ADVISER - Estate Planning and Key Guardian for Bitcoin https://content.thebitcoinadviser.com/valerie-b-love TREZOR - Get 10% OFF Trezor 5.0 and Onboarding Call https://affil.trezor.io/SHcT COLDCARD Discount 5%- Promo Code “PEACE” store.coinkite.com/promo/PEACE SAZ MINING - Get $50 OFF your Bitcoin Mining Order https://app.sazmining.com/purchase?ref=DJVAL BITCOIN MENTOR - Learn Bitcoin Self-Custody-Use code LOVE30 for $30 OFF https://bitcoinmentor.io/aff/love/ 🩷 DJ VALERIE'S FAVORITE IDEAS WHAT IS VALUE FOR VALUE? - ADAM CURRY https://value4value.info/about/