According to a report highlighted by the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, interest in biodiversity is on the rise -- and Dr. Tony Jacob is all in.
Although widely recognized for his successful career in business and investing, Tony has a deep, personal passion for the environment, especially ocean conservation and reforestation projects.
Dr. Tony Jacob's Personal Connection
Tony's environmental consciousness started when he was growing up in the 1980s when conversations about pollution and the health of the planet were beginning to gain momentum. He recalls, "Just being an '80s kid, I think we were starting to learn about the planet and how to care about it."
Witnessing the impact of pollution and human activity on marine environments has shaped a strong, personal passion for conservation within him.
One of his most memorable encounters occurred during his travels, where he saw the stark reality of ocean degradation. "Dirty rivers and dirty oceans ... after we've kind of seen that firsthand in some places that are super polluted, it really hits home," he explains.
Subsequently, among the initiatives he now supports is the ongoing fight against ocean pollution through partnerships with organizations dedicated to cleaning the seas and restoring marine life.
Championing Wildlife
Dr. Tony Jacob's dedication to conservation extends to the protection of endangered species, having been inspired by his daughter.
"We did a rhino conservation drive last year and that sparked conversations about endangered animals and poaching. My daughter said, 'I wouldn't want to kill one of these things.' So, we're having those conversations. The world is so small, and we share it with so many people."
As a father, he recognizes the importance of instilling in the next generation an understanding that we all share this planet and that our collective actions today will have lasting consequences for the world they inherit.
Beyond teaching respect for endangered species, he believes that conversations like these can spark a broader awareness of environmental responsibility, emphasizing that even small, daily choices -- whether it's recycling, reducing plastic use, or conserving water -- can add up to significant impacts over time.
Call for Global Reforestation
Another significant part of Dr. Tony Jacob's philanthropic work focuses on the reforestation movement.
"We can't afford to think of trees as a luxury," he emphasizes. "They are foundational to our survival, not only for biodiversity but for the stability of economies worldwide."
Tony's philosophy is grounded in a practical understanding of how interconnected human activity and natural systems are, being acutely aware that reforestation needs to be framed in a way that stretches beyond the confines of just environmental protection.
At the heart of his approach is the conviction that local communities must play a central role. Too often, well-intentioned reforestation projects falter because they fail to engage the very people who are most affected by environmental degradation.
"When local stakeholders see the direct benefits -- improved soil quality, better water retention, and long-term economic opportunities -- there's a real motivation to sustain the work" he shares.
The American Museum of Natural History explains, "The term biodiversity (from 'biological diversity') refers to the variety of life on Earth at all its levels, from genes to ecosystems, and can encompass the evolutionary, ecological, and cultural processes that sustain life."
Why is it important?
According to the museum, "Biodiversity is important to most aspects of our lives. We value biodiversity for many reasons, some utilitarian, some intrinsic. This means we value biodiversity both for what it provides to humans, and for the value it has in its own right. Utilitarian values include the many basic needs humans obtain from biodiversity such as food, fuel, shelter, and medicine.
Ecosystems also provide crucial services such as pollination, seed dispersal, climate regulation, water purification, nutrient cycling, and control of agricultural pests. Biodiversity also holds value for potential benefits not yet recognized, such as new medicines and other possible unknown services."
Tony understands this on a profound level. "While my contribution might not make a huge difference, I believe it helps," he says.
Investing in Sustainable Solutions
Dr. Tony Jacob strongly believes in the long-term power of sustainable solutions and supports this through his ventures with environmental components that contribute to ocean health and sustainability.
"There are components of sustainability in what we do. It's not always the primary driver, but it needs to be part of the conversation," he notes.
One of his key areas of focus is the reduction of plastic waste. Understanding that over 8 million tons of plastic are dumped into the oceans each year, he sees an urgent need to reduce this figure.
To that end, he has sought out partnerships with businesses working on biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastics.