Climate Connections artwork

Climate Connections

1,220 episodes - English - Latest episode: 17 days ago - ★★★★★ - 104 ratings

How is global warming shaping our lives? And what can we do about it? We connect the dots, from fossil fuels to extreme weather, clean energy to public health, and more. Join Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz of Yale University for a daily 90-second podcast about climate change, where we confront reality and share inspiring stories of hope.

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Episodes

A third of U.S. adults are interested in cutting back on meat, report finds

April 19, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

Health and cost are the driving motivations, but plant-rich meals can also help the climate. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/ 

Exchange program make EV ownership more affordable for low-income Colorado residents

April 18, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

The program offers $6,000 rebates for new electric vehicles to qualifying participants. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/ 

What is a passive house?

April 17, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

These ultra-efficient homes use up to 90% less energy for heating and cooling than conventional homes. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/ 

Schools in coal country are going solar

April 16, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

A project in Wayne County, West Virginia, will save the district enough money to pay for three teachers’ salaries. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/ 

How expectant parents can prepare for extreme weather

April 15, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

If extreme weather strikes during labor or soon after you give birth, you’ll need some backup options. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/ 

Solar canopy over Denver school parking lot will provide energy to low-income families

April 12, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.22 MB

Some families are expected to save up to $700 a year on their electricity bills. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/ 

Industry has a huge carbon footprint. This technology could help

April 11, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.22 MB

A new industrial-strength heat pump boiler uses electricity to generate the high-temperature steam needed to manufacture many products. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/ 

How to prepare your finances for an extreme weather disaster

April 10, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.22 MB

Taking these steps can help make your financial recovery smoother if the worst happens. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/ 

Retired teachers return to Colorado classrooms to teach students about climate change

April 09, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.22 MB

They’re helping students take action in their communities. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Group leads tree plantings in deforestation-wracked Ghana

April 08, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.22 MB

Cocoa farming and illegal gold mining are driving the rapid destruction of the country’s forests.  Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/ 

Want a climate-friendly home? You might need a new breaker box

April 05, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.22 MB

Before you start swapping your old, fossil-fuel-powered appliances for clean, electric versions, you’ll likely want to install a 200-amp electrical panel. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

A nemesis of clams is thriving as Maine’s waters warm

April 04, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.22 MB

Populations of invasive green crabs — which eat clams — have exploded. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Florida’s tiny ‘fairy tale’ deer are losing habitat as seas rise

April 03, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.22 MB

So the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working to restore habitat on higher ground. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

A blizzard put a hyper-efficient home to the test. It passed

April 02, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.22 MB

‘I was sitting in my living room in a T-shirt, and outside it was negative 40 windchill.’ Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Colorado farmer finds success with drought-resilient millet

April 01, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.22 MB

The crunchy grain could gain popularity as the climate warms. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Group to monitor air pollution in 12 U.S. cities with large Hispanic populations

March 29, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.22 MB

The project will share real-time data with community members. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

A growing number of homeowners face repeat flooding

March 28, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.22 MB

People need access to funding to make their homes more resilient rather than just rebuilding, one analyst says. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

After a hurricane or wildfire, communities can be overwhelmed by debris

March 27, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.22 MB

And some of it’s hazardous. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

The plastics industry’s carbon footprint has doubled in the past few decades

March 26, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.22 MB

Making plastics from algae or plant material instead of fossil fuels could help. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

What is solar thermal?

March 25, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.22 MB

A Minnesota group is using the underdog technology to turn sunlight into heat. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Wind farm radar system reduces nighttime light pollution in Iowa

March 22, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.22 MB

The system turns on flashing warning lights only when a plane is nearby. Otherwise, they stay dark. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

‘People were scared.’ How a maternal care nonprofit stepped up for families after Maui's wildfires

March 21, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.22 MB

The organization helped people who were dealing with the aftermath of the fires while also preparing to go into labor or caring for a newborn. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Do wind farms hurt home values? When they do, it’s usually temporary

March 20, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.22 MB

After a wind farm’s construction, home values typically bounced back within about four years, a recent study found. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Snowmobiles don’t have to be noisy and polluting

March 19, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.22 MB

A New Mexico ski valley resort is investing in electric snowmobiles. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

How a snowmobile tour company is getting ready for a future with less snow

March 18, 2024 09:00 - 1 minute - 2.22 MB

Snow and ice conditions have gotten less reliable in the Charlevoix region near Quebec City. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Which actions benefit the climate the most? This tool can show you

March 15, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

The online tool called En-ROADS helps communities understand which policies will help the most. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Sheep are living their best life at Susquehanna University

March 14, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

They’re eating the grass and weeds that grow around the Pennsylvania college’s solar array. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Archaeological sites in North Carolina under threat from sea level rise and storms

March 13, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

The state’s Hammocks Beach State Park includes areas that have been used by humans for more than 2,000 years. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Volcanoes emit carbon dioxide, but not nearly as much as humans

March 12, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

Humanity produces an amount roughly equivalent to the eruption of Mount St. Helens every 2.5 hours. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Why more CO2 could be bad news for crops

March 11, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

Carbon dioxide can boost photosynthesis, but that benefit can be outweighed by an increased risk of damage from extreme weather. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Solar project at Fort Lauderdale park keeps basketball players cool

March 08, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

Solar panels shade an open-air pavilion and supply clean power to the nearby African-American Research Library and Cultural Center. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Video game teaches teens to stay calm in a weather emergency

March 07, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

The game prepares them for extreme events like wildfires, flooding, and blizzards. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Heat pumps are keeping homes warm in Maine

March 06, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

Even in below-zero temperatures, electric heat pumps can be an effective and cost-effective heating option. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

What is ‘embodied carbon’?

March 05, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

It’s a little-known but major factor in the carbon footprint of our buildings. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

As seas rise, task force recommends new bridges for Outer Banks island

March 04, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

Storms have repeatedly isolated North Carolina’s Hatteras Island from the mainland. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Is marijuana bad for the climate?

March 01, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

Indoor cannabis farms consume lots of electricity, boosting their carbon footprints. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Climate change could shorten the life span of U.S. bridges

February 29, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

Rising seas, heavy precipitation, and extreme heat are causing corrosion, buckling, and cracking. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

High schoolers helped develop Tuscon’s climate action plan

February 28, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

They may not be able to vote yet, but they’re already having an influence. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

What you need to know before you buy garden perennials this spring

February 27, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

In the USDA’s updated plant hardiness map, some places have shifted to a warmer zone. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Converting vacant offices to apartments would be a win for the climate

February 26, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

Repurposing a building reduces the need for new concrete and steel, which create a lot of carbon pollution during manufacturing. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Young people push for a Green New Deal for schools across the U.S.

February 23, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

As a result of student activism, a school district in Colorado will include climate change in the curriculum and implement clean energy initiatives. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

The West is losing snowpack. That’s a problem for water management

February 22, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

Millions rely on meltwater during the spring and summer. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Company manufactures skis from algae oil

February 21, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

They’re an alternative to skis made from fossil-fuel-based plastic. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Why it’s so important to stay out of floodwaters

February 20, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

They can be dangerous and even deadly — and climate change is making flooding more frequent and severe. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Company gives retired wind turbine blades new life

February 19, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.15 MB

Turbine blades are made of a composite material that can be tricky to recycle, but a company called Carbon Rivers has found a way. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

How to prepare for an evacuation

February 16, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.06 MB

Here’s how to get ready — before disaster strikes. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Company upcycles wind turbine blades into benches and picnic tables

February 15, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.06 MB

They’re breathing new life into the giant blades. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

His roof wasn’t suitable for solar panels. Here’s what he did instead

February 14, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.06 MB

John Smillie found a different way to help the climate and his community. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Danish photos from the 1930s show what Greenland’s glaciers used to look like

February 13, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.06 MB

Scientists are using the images to document the impacts of global warming. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/

Philadelphia mural tells a story of transformation

February 12, 2024 10:00 - 1 minute - 2.06 MB

The side of an old warehouse depicts the harm people have done to the environment and a vision of a sustainable future. Learn more at https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/