City Climate Corner
72 episodes - English - Latest episode: 24 days ago - ★★★★★ - 28 ratingsExplores how small and mid-sized cities are tackling climate change and moving toward an equitable and sustainable future.
Co-hosted by Abby Finis and Larry Kraft.
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Episodes
Lincoln NE: Comprehensive Climate Action in the Heartland
April 04, 2024 08:00 - 45 minutes - 42 MBLincoln Nebraska may not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of climate action, but maybe it should be. We interview Kim Morrow, Chief Sustainability Officer for Lincoln, about some exciting city programs, including EV infrastructure, an innovative approach to Rental Rehabilitation using Tax Increment Financing (TIF), heat pump rebates, and biochar as well as their efforts on the EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants. Resources Resilient Lincoln web page (Resilient Lin...
Geothermal power & groundwater
March 05, 2024 13:18 - 39 minutes - 36.4 MBThere's a lot of exciting things happening in the world of geothermal power. We explore geothermal in general and examine a novel approach leveraging groundwater to substantially reduce the footprint needed. We interview Darcy Solutions CTO Dan King about how their technology is being used by some cities to provide carbon free heating and cooling. Resources: Darcy Solutions website Water Well Journal explanatory article
2023 Year in Review
January 31, 2024 13:32 - 19 minutes - 17.4 MBAbby, Larry, and Isaiah review 2023 and talk about what's coming in 2024.
Duluth MN: Cold Climate Action
December 19, 2023 09:30 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MBOn the shores of Lake Superior, Duluth has received publicity as a "climate proof city" though faces distinct challenges with its cold weather climate. With grants, they are pursuing exciting approaches to creating a geothermal district heating system from their waste water treatment plant and separately, creating resilience in their building stock with solar plus storage and microgrids. We interview Sustainability Officer Mindy Granley, Community Resilience Project Coordinator Bret Creceli...
LaGrange GA: Attacking energy burden with SOUL
December 05, 2023 09:30 - 44 minutes - 40.7 MBGroundswell's exciting SOUL (Save On Utilities Long term) program is rolling out right now in LaGrange, GA. SOUL is a Pay As You Save model that reduces utility bills by improving home energy efficiency, without upfront costs. It prioritizes households with lower incomes and high energy burdens. We interview Nicole Sonderegger of Groundswell and Leon Childs of Groundswell and a City Councilmember in LaGrange about how the program works and the lives it is changing. Resources Groundswell SO...
Morris MN: A Climate Smart Municipality
October 25, 2023 08:30 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MBMorris is a small community in conservative western Minnesota that is doing groundbreaking sustainability work. Inspired by students at the University of MN Morris and a partnership with Saerbeck Germany as part of a unique "Climate Smart Municipalities" program, local leaders have come up with "The Morris Model" that guides the community's efforts. We interview former City Manager Blaine Hill and Univ. of MN - Morris Vice Chancellor Bryan Hermann to learn how the Morris Model started and ab...
Boulder County CO: Regenerative Agriculture
October 03, 2023 08:30 - 1 hour - 56.1 MBRegenerative Agriculture can improve soil health and water quality, sequester carbon, and increase farmer profits. It has become a key part of Boulder County's climate action. We interview Natural Capitalism Solutions President Hunter Lovins to understand regenerative agriculture's potential, and Boulder County Sustainability Office Director Susie Strife and Sustainability Strategist Tim Broderick to learn about some of the exciting actions underway in the county. Resources OSCAR - Boulder...
Organizing Local Elected Officials
September 12, 2023 08:30 - 51 minutes - 46.9 MBElected Officials to Protect America (EOPA) empowers local elected officials and civic leaders to fight the climate crisis, with a special focus on lawmakers who are veterans. With leaders from all 50 states and Puerto Rico, EOPA is an organizing force for local officials to increase their impact in their own communities as well as on regional and national issues. We interview co-founders Alex Cornell du Houx, and Dominic Frongillo about their programs and some of their work, including banni...
Saerbeck Germany: Climate Community
August 29, 2023 08:30 - 38 minutes - 35.1 MBLarry recently visited Saerbeck, a village in northwest Germany that has done incredible things with renewable energy, biogas, and now green hydrogen. We interview Martin Sammler, Manager of Saerbeck's Climate Action Department, about how this village of 7200 people is producing 4 times the energy it needs with renewables, is planning to decarbonize its heating system by 2030, and is becoming a proving ground for the production of green hydrogen and electrolyzers. Resources Saerbeck - clim...
Wellness
August 16, 2023 08:30 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBWith this summer of one climate disaster after another, Abby and Larry talk about how they deal with the depressing parts of climate change, and especially, what gives them hope.
Santa Monica CA: 3D Printed Bike Lanes
August 02, 2023 08:30 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBMore and more we're learning that protected bike lanes with physical separation from car traffic are the best at changing behavior and getting a lot more people to cycle. But they can be time consuming to construct. We interview Bike Program Coordinator Kyle Kozar, Mobility Manager Jason Kligier, and Principal Civil Engineer Selim Eren, from the City of Santa Monica, about their efforts creating bike infrastructure, and an innovative use of a construction machine to, effectively, 3D print pr...
Hopkins MN: Urban heat island
July 19, 2023 08:30 - 49 minutes - 45.4 MBThough Hopkins is one of the smaller Minneapolis suburbs, it packs a big punch on climate action. We dig into two really innovative programs they're doing on reducing the urban heat island effect and speeding deployment of clean energy and energy efficiency solutions with a cost share program. We speak with Hopkins Mayor Patrick Hanlon and Special Projects and Initiatives Manager, PeggySue Imihy Bean, to understand how this small community is taking on big challenges. Resources Hopkins Hea...
Transportation Emissions and VMT
July 05, 2023 08:30 - 39 minutes - 36 MBTransportation is now the #1 source of greenhouse gas emissions in the US. While electrification is the most obvious emissions reduction strategy, it isn't enough. We must reduce VMT, or vehicle miles travelled. We interview Anna Zetkulic, senior associate on the Carbon Free Transportation team at RMI and Miguel Moravec, an Associate with the US program, about how cities and states are tackling the issue, and the huge side benefits that come with VMT reduction. Resources Article: Our Drivi...
Transformation in Minnesota
June 01, 2023 08:30 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MBMinnesota recently finished a state legislative session for the ages. Democratic control of state government for the first time in a decade, combined with a historic budget surplus, led to the adoption of transformative investments and policies in most every area of government. We dig into new climate policies that especially impact MN cities. Abby interviews co-host and first-term State Representative Larry Kraft about the recently completed session and gets a run down of some of the key ne...
St Cloud MN: 100% Renewable for City Ops (& beyond)
May 18, 2023 12:30 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MBIn 2015 St. Cloud MN set a goal to get 75% of municipal operations electricity from renewable energy by 2035. Only five years later in 2020, emanating from work at their wastewater facility, they actually hit 100%. We interview Public Services Director Tracy Hodel and Public Service Analyst Liz Kramer about how St. Cloud smashed their initial goal and how their new goal of net zero community-wide greenhouse emissions by 2038 is spurring dramatic and job-creating innovation, including with gr...
Ann Arbor MI: Innovation in action
May 03, 2023 08:30 - 40 minutes - 37.1 MBWe revisit Ann Arbor, Michigan and their dynamic Sustainability & Innovations Director Missy Stults, to check in on their audacious plan to reach net zero by 2030. They are pushing the envelope in so many ways, from their taxpayers approving $7M per year for climate action, to being on the verge of setting up a new Sustainable Energy Utility, to re-thinking how heating will be provided, and more. Resources Ann Arbor millage tax Sustainable Energy Utility - video overview Sustainable Hea...
Boise ID: Geothermal
April 18, 2023 08:30 - 41 minutes - 37.7 MBWe're back to Boise Idaho to hear about the nation's largest geothermal energy system and the big role it plays in heating the city. We again interview Director of Public Works, Steve Burgos, and Communications Manager Natalie Monro, this time to learn the long history of geothermal heat in Boise as well as how it's working today, and what's next. Resources Boise Geothermal webpage National Renewable Energy Laboratory geothermal resources What's going on with geothermal (industry update)...
Santa Fe County, NM: Conserve 30% by 2030
March 21, 2023 08:30 - 41 minutes - 37.8 MBIn December 2020 Santa Fe County adopted a resolution to conserve 30% of its land and water by 2030. We interview County Sustainability Manager Jacqueline Beam to understand how the resolution happened, what it means, and how it's being implemented. Plus, we even learn the role beavers are playing! Resources Santa Fe County Sustainability webpage Resolution adopting 30 X 30 goal Infographic status reports from 2022 and 2021 Elected Officials to Protect America website
2022 - Year in review
December 27, 2022 09:00 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBAbby and Larry review some of their highlights from the year's episodes and share some big news about the podcast.
Boise ID: Water Renewal in the High Desert
December 13, 2022 09:30 - 50 minutes - 46.4 MBAs Boise is in the high desert, water is increasingly a precious resource. In 2021 Boise voters approved a 20-year $570M bond for water renewal, including a major focus on recycling wastewater. We interview Director of Public Works, Steve Burgos, and Communications Manager Natalie Monro, about how the bond referendum was approved, and how they have engaged the public to generate acceptance for keeping water local. Resources City of Boise Climate Action Roadmap TV spot and article: City of...
Red Lake Nation and the Solar Bear
November 29, 2022 09:30 - 39 minutes - 36.3 MBSolar energy's direct benefits are well known. But Bob Blake, CEO of solar installation company Solar Bear, and Executive Director of Native Sun Community Power Development, has a much more expansive vision for the Red Lake Nation (in Minnesota) and other tribal nations. In our interview with Bob, we learn how he's using solar to reduce energy burden, do workforce development, and address poverty on tribal lands, in addition to contributing to a more resilient energy system. Resources: Sol...
Freiburg: Green City
November 15, 2022 09:30 - 46 minutes - 42.7 MBBeautiful urban forest -- abundant green spaces -- easy to get around without a car -- and a commitment to climate protection. Freiburg seems to have it all. We interview Freiburg City Council Member Sophie Schwer and learn how Freiburg does it, and how over the past 40 years car use has been cut almost in half, and bike use has more than doubled. This is our last Europe episode from Abby's summer trip - we saved Abby's favorite for last! Resources Freiburg Sustainability Map Vauban Distr...
The Inflation Reduction Act and Cities
November 01, 2022 14:58 - 51 minutes - 47.2 MB** The Inflation Reduction Act is a monumental and transformative piece of legislation. For the first time the federal government has passed a law that "meets the moment" and puts us within striking distance of reaching critical climate goals. We interview Dr. Pete Wyckoff, Sr. Policy Advisor for Climate Energy and the Environment in the Office of Minnesota Senator Tina Smith, one of the key legislative leaders on climate policy, to learn about how this legislation happened, and what's in it...
Heidelberg: Carbon Neutral District
October 18, 2022 08:00 - 36 minutes - 33.3 MBHeidelberg is nearing completion of the Bahnstadt, one of the world’s largest carbon neutral districts. Built on a former brownfield site, this development includes passive-house construction, a combined heat and power station with district heating, green infrastructure to reduce the risk of flooding, access to transit, biking and walking paths, and more. We interview Wiebke Grosskopf, from the Heidelberg Office of Environmental Protection, to learn how the Bahnstadt works and what's next in...
Solar United Neighbors: Solar "co-ops"
October 04, 2022 08:30 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MBWill rooftop solar be the cornerstone of a modern clean energy system? We interview Anya Schoolman, executive director of Solar United Neighbors and learn how this growing organization is helping neighborhoods go solar around the country, and how this is transforming our energy system. Resources Solar United Neighbors website Solar resource guides, educational tools, and issues Allegheny Solar Fest (mentioned in episode)
Rotterdam: Climate proofing a city
September 20, 2022 08:30 - 40 minutes - 37.4 MBRotterdam, and The Netherlands in general, have a long history of fighting water. But how are they adapting to climate change where they can have both too much and too little water? We interview Johan Verlinde, Program Manager for Rotterdam's Climate Adaptation Plan about their efforts to make Rotterdam climate proof by 2030. This is an episode coming from Abby's summer trip touring sustainability infrastructure in several European cities. Resources Rotterdam Climate Adaptation Program Ar...
Zoning for Solar
September 07, 2022 08:30 - 43 minutes - 40 MBHow do you make sure your city's zoning isn't unintentionally slowing down residential solar and ideally encouraging equitable solar development? And for communities with farmland or less developed areas, how do you proactively guide larger scale solar to maximize benefits to the community? We interview Brian Ross, Vice President of Renewable Energy at the Great Plains Institute, and learn about these and many more solar related zoning and permitting issues. Resources Great Plains Institu...
Europe Cities Overview with ICLEI Europe
August 23, 2022 08:30 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MBBuilding off of Abby's recent sustainability tour of several European cities, we interview Holger Robrecht, Deputy Regional Director of Sustainable Resources, Climate and Resilience for ICLEI Europe. We learn some similarities and differences to how European cities pursue climate action and sustainability, hear about a terrific success around wood building construction, and get some powerful insight for cities everywhere. ICLEI Europe - website Overshoot day (discussed in episode) Växjö -...
Making Solar Easy: Solsmart and IREC
August 09, 2022 08:30 - 35 minutes - 32.8 MBThere's no such thing as a free lunch, right? Well, maybe there is in solar. Cities participating in the free Solsmart program have been shown to have almost 20% more solar installations than cities that don't. We interview Theresa Perry, Solsmart Program Director at the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) about some of the hidden and soft costs around solar deployments and how Solsmart helps cities address them and make solar easier. Resources Solsmart website Solsmart case study...
Flagstaff AZ: The Case for Carbon Dioxide Removal
July 26, 2022 08:30 - 40 minutes - 37 MBDriven by community members, in 2020 Flagstaff declared a climate emergency and adopted an aggressive goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. We interview Flagstaff Climate Analyst Ramon DC Alatorre and learn how that goal led the city to identify carbon removal as a necessity and about their first "concrete" steps to implement a carbon removal program. Resources Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan website and the plan itself "Carbon Dioxide Removal" - Presentation to Flagstaff City Council - Ram...
Winneshiek IA: Local Clean Energy Superpower
July 12, 2022 08:30 - 48 minutes - 44.7 MBYou wouldn't expect a clean energy revolution to be emanating from a small county in northeastern Iowa. Yet, Winneshiek County has something like 10X the solar per capita deployments compared to the rest of Iowa, has one of the first green banks in the Midwest, and has become a model for about ten other counties. We interview Andy Johnson, Director of the Winneshiek Energy District, and learn why they've been so successful and their vision for how to scale their success. Resources Winneshi...
Rerelease of Tempe AZ: Resilience to Extreme Heat
July 05, 2022 08:30 - 44 minutes - 41 MBWe're on a mid-summer break, and are re-releasing the Tempe AZ episode from a few months ago, in recognition of the extreme heat being seen in many parts of the US. We'll be back with new content next week. Extreme heat is now commonplace in Tempe, with 100 days per year over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 30 days a year over 110. And those numbers are increasing. We interview Dr. Braden Kay, Tempe's Director of Sustainability, to learn how Tempe's is adapting while trying to change its built e...
Fort Collins CO: People-Centered Climate Action
June 21, 2022 08:30 - 42 minutes - 39 MBHaving met their initial goal of 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 (from a 2005 baseline), officials in Fort Collins, Colorado, realized they needed to do something transformational to hit their next goal of 80% reduction by 2030. We interview Energy Services Manager John Phelan and Climate Program Manager Honoré Depew from the City of Fort Collins about how they are implementing their new people centered approach to climate action. Resources Fort Collins Climate Action web...
Could you be a Climate Candidate?
June 07, 2022 08:30 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MBHow would you run for local office on a climate platform? We interview Max Gruenig, co-founder of Climate Candidates, about their program that provides knowledge, insights, and a peer support group for climate champions running for local and state office. Resources Climate Candidates website POCACITO website
City Climate Corner goes to Europe - preview
May 24, 2022 08:00 - 15 minutes - 14.1 MBLarry interviews Abby about her trip to Europe that is happening as the episode releases. We talk about what she hopes to learn from visits with officials in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Bremen, Heidelberg, and Freiburg in Germany, and Barcelona in Spain. Rotterdam Climate Proof Neighborhood Benthemplein: the largest water square in the world, and other sites around the Zoho neighborhood ZoHo rain garden: Functional gathering space that collects and reuses rain water Floating Bridge: 4...
Contra Costa CA: SMART Housing & Conservative City Climate Progress
May 10, 2022 18:25 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MBThough near the Bay Area, Contra Costa County has very different political dynamics when it comes to climate change. And yet a group of organizations are collaborating to get climate action language into cities' general plans and even getting climate emergency resolutions adopted. We interview Lynda Deschambault, President and Co-founder of Contra Costa County Climate Leaders and Zoe Siegel, Sr. Director of Climate Resilience at Greenbelt Alliance, about their approach and specifically how t...
Indigenous Climate Leadership: Quinault Nation & The National Congress of American Indians
April 26, 2022 08:30 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MBThe Quinault Nation is on the front line of impacts from climate change, having experienced a dramatic drop in their blueback salmon fishery, as well as rising sea levels forcing the relocation of one of their two main villages. We interview Fawn Sharp, the Vice-President and former President of the Quinault Nation in Taholah Washington, and the 23rd President of The National Congress of American Indians. We hear her story of how local impacts have driven her to lead state, national, and int...
Microgrids: Fremont and Menlo Park CA
April 12, 2022 19:18 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MBWhat are microgrids and how can they save money, reduce air pollution and provide carbon-free power and backup power? We interview Rachel DiFranco, Fremont's Sustainability Manager about the trail they blazed five years ago when they installed microgrids on three fire stations. And we're joined by Menlo Park Council Member Cecilia Taylor and Menlo Spark Executive Director Diane Bailey, to talk about how they are integrating a microgrid into the rebuild of a Menlo Park community center. Reso...
Tempe AZ: Resilience to Extreme Heat
March 29, 2022 08:30 - 44 minutes - 40.4 MBExtreme heat is now commonplace in Tempe, with 100 days per year over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 30 days a year over 110. And those numbers are increasing. We interview Dr. Braden Kay, Tempe's Director of Sustainability, to learn how Tempe's is adapting while trying to change its built environment to reduce the urban heat island effect. Resources Climate Action Plan Climate Action Plan Update 2020 Sustainability and Resilience Annual Report EnVision Tempe Sustainable Tempe website NP...
The Importance of Storytelling
March 15, 2022 12:53 - 39 minutes - 36.2 MBClimate change discussion is often filled with science, data, and graphs. But to move people, organizations, and governments to action requires emotional connections and empathy. It requires storytelling. We interview Jothsna Harris, founder of Change Narrative, who is dedicated to building capacity in the climate justice movement through the power of stories. Resources Change Narrative website Change Narrative on Instagram
Honolulu and Maui sue Big Oil
March 01, 2022 09:00 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MBIn March, 2020, inspired by a small city in California, Honolulu sued 8 oil companies for their role in causing local climate change damages. A few months later Maui County did the same. We interview some of the key people involved to learn how it happened, why they did it, and what they expect to gain from it. Our guests are the former Mayor of Honolulu, Kirk Caldwell, Maui County Council Member Kelly Takaya King, and Alyssa Johl, Legal Director for the Center for Climate Integrity. Resou...
Keene NH: Small City, Big Climate Punch
February 15, 2022 09:30 - 39 minutes - 36.2 MBKeene NH, population 23K, has been leading on climate action for over two decades. While their first formal action was in 2000, they've since done a Climate Action Plan, Climate Adaptation Plan, and now a Sustainable Energy Plan. We interview Mayor George Hansel and Planner Mari Brunner, to learn about the powerful alliance of citizens, elected officials, and staff that has pushed Keene forward. Resources Jan 2021 Sustainable Energy Plan Webpage Plan document Jan 2019 Resolution - led ...
Columbia MO: One Stop Shop City
February 01, 2022 09:30 - 37 minutes - 34.4 MBColumbia Missouri is a "One Stop Shop" city, with their own utilities in electricity, water, solid waste, stormwater, and sewer. We interview Office of Sustainability Manager Eric Hempel and explore how their electric utility is an integral part of Columbia's climate goals. We also learn about a Habitat for Humanity net zero home project that has had a wide-ranging impact. Plus, hear from Larry about 15+ MN cities declaring a climate emergency at the same time. Resources Columbia Office of...
ICLEI and the Race to Zero (Carbon)
January 19, 2022 09:30 - 44 minutes - 41 MBICLEI, Local Governments for Sustainability, has been helping local governments with climate action for three decades. Learn how they're evolving with some exciting new tools, cohorts, and programs. And hear how the Race to Zero is showing cities that it's possible to cut carbon emissions 60% in 8 years. We interview Executive Director Angie Fyfe, Sr. Program Officer Kale Roberts, and Zero Carbon Cities Advisor Josh Radoff. Resources ICLEI USA website Race to Zero webpage Race to Zero wh...
Year in Review
December 28, 2021 09:30 - 21 minutes - 19.5 MBWe review our first year of podcasts, including what we've learned, emerging themes, and our biggest takeaways. See out our episode map for a geographic view of our episodes. Support City Climate Corner on Patreon and check out our store.
Santa Barbara CA: Natural gas ban
December 07, 2021 09:30 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MBOn July 20, 2021, Santa Barbara City Council voted unanimously to ban natural gas from all new construction in the city. A powerful partnership, encompassing grass roots activism, staff analysis, and city council support, led the way. We interview Council Member Kristen Sneddon, Acting Sustainability & Resilience Director Alelia Parenteau, and Sierra Club Santa Barbara Chair Katie Davis and learn how they did it. Resources City of Santa Barbara information on natural gas ban (FAQ, electrif...
NLC: Climate resilience lessons learned from 30+ smaller cities
November 23, 2021 09:30 - 42 minutes - 38.6 MBThe National League of Cities (NLC) is the oldest and largest organization in the country representing local governments and has been ramping up their climate change and sustainability support. We interview Cooper Martin, Director of Sustainability & City Solutions, about tools they have and especially about lessons learned from grants and support given to 33 smaller cities over five years in their Leadership in Community Resilience program. Resources NLC Sustainability and Resilience webp...
Etna PA: 1st Certified EcoDistrict in U.S.
November 09, 2021 09:30 - 42 minutes - 39 MBEtna, a small suburb of Pittsburgh, became the country's first certified EcoDistrict in 2019. From a place that saw 25% of its homes flood in 2004, learn how collaboration within and between communities made it possible for Etna to green its infrastructure and undergo a grassroots revival. We interview Borough Manager Mary Ellen Ramage and Megan Tuñón, Executive Director of the Etna Community Organization. Photos Etna Riverfront - before and after Etna EcoPark - creation Resources Borou...
Eugene OR: The Giant Sequoia next door
October 26, 2021 08:30 - 41 minutes - 37.9 MBEugene Oregon has some hugely impressive trees and canopy management tools. We interview City of Eugene Urban Foresters Scott Altenhoff and Heidi Lakics, and learn how trees are intimately woven into Eugene's climate action plan and how Giant Sequoias are a key part of their urban forest. Resources: Interactive map of Eugene street & park trees TreePlotter Canopy Tool (new) produced by Plan-it Geo American Forests Tree Equity Score tool Eugene Climate Action Plan 2.0 Mapping Eugene's u...
Duck Hill MS: Youth vs. Flooding
October 12, 2021 08:30 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MBDuck Hill, a town of about 1000 people in north central Mississippi, experienced constant flooding until a team of young "Creek Rangers" took it upon themselves to address it. We interview high school senior and Creek Ranger Mersie Watkins, and Romona Taylor Williams, Executive Director of Montgomery Citizens United for Prosperity, about the program and how it has impacted the lives of the young people involved and the residents of Duck Hill. Resources EcoAdapt ASEEDS initiative Local Fo...