Climate Optimists
94 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 28 ratingsConcerned about climate change, but short on time and not sure where to start? We get it. That’s why we created Climate Optimists. Our goal is simple. Provide everyday citizens who are concerned about climate change with opportunities to make a difference. So come along with us on our journey, as we explore the solutions to climate change and how together, we can make them a reality.
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Episodes
Tapping the Sun
April 23, 2024 08:30 - 38 minutes - 22 MBBill Eddie from One Energy Renewables joins us to discuss the outlook for solar energy including recent progress, current challenges and how each of us can help support it.
Circular is Better Than Linear
April 09, 2024 08:30 - 41 minutes - 56.4 MBJoin us as we talk with Marijana Novak & Matthew Fraser from Circle Economy about the value of a circular model and what it's going to take to make the transition.
Invasives in a Changing Climate
March 26, 2024 08:30 - 42 minutes - 58.2 MBThis week invasive species expert Tao Orion educates us on how climate change is forecast to impact the spread of invasives and the tools we have available to respond.
UN Climate Process - Challenges & Opportunities
March 12, 2024 08:30 - 39 minutes - 53.9 MBJoe Robertson from Citizens Climate International talks with us about the UN climate process including its achievements, fossil fuel influence and potential improvements.
There's no place like home
February 27, 2024 08:30 - 35 minutes - 49.3 MBClimate impacts are forcing many to leave their homes. This week we talk about climate displacement & how to minimize it with climate adaptation expert, Chris Fields.
Clean your plate or no dessert!
February 13, 2024 17:00 - 32 minutes - 45.1 MBJoin us this week as we talk to Anne-Marie Bonneau, a zero-waste chef, about food waste and its climate impacts from production to consumption.
Decarbonizing the Built Environment
January 30, 2024 08:30 - 42 minutes - 58.3 MBJoin us as we talk to architect Jon Penndorf about the carbon footprint of buildings and what's needed to drive down their emissions in both new and existing structures.
The Year Ahead
January 16, 2024 08:30 - 20 minutes - 28.4 MBWith 2024 in full swing, we take a look at where things stand with climate change, what more needs to be done, and what types of climate resolutions really matter.
Drying Up
December 12, 2023 08:30 - 39 minutes - 54.2 MBClimate change is making drought more frequent & severe, but it's not all bad news. Tune in as we explore the challenges & potential solutions with Michele Thieme of WWF.
Cricket, its what's for dinner!?
November 28, 2023 08:30 - 33 minutes - 46.2 MBAs a protein source, livestock has a huge resource & carbon footprint. Listen in as we explore the promise of insect protein with Mighty Cricket founder, Sarah Schlafly.
What about Fast Fashion?
November 07, 2023 08:30 - 44 minutes - 60.7 MBJoin us as we talk with fashion industry expert Kate Fletcher about the climate and related environmental impacts of fast fashion and what can be done to reverse course.
Choosing our Wildfire
October 24, 2023 08:30 - 43 minutes - 59.3 MBWildfire is a natural part of certain forest ecosystems, but climate change is supercharging it. We talk with wildfire expert Matt Hurteau about ways to respond.
The Plastics Problem
October 10, 2023 08:30 - 42 minutes - 57.9 MBPlastics are not just a massive source of pollution but have a significant climate impact. We dive into the problem & solutions with bio-plastics expert Raegan Kelly.
Fossil Fuel Obstruction
September 26, 2023 08:30 - 34 minutes - 48 MBBig oil has been obstructing climate action for decades. We talk with Kathy Mulvey from the Union of Concerned Scientists about their tactics and how we're fighting back.
Travel's Climate Baggage
September 12, 2023 08:30 - 42 minutes - 58.3 MBWe talk with Jeremy Sampson of the Travel Foundation about the climate impacts of tourism and potential solutions including ways to be a more climate friendly traveler.
Learning to Adapt
August 29, 2023 08:30 - 43 minutes - 59.7 MBThe team is rejoined by climate scientist Dr. Lisa Schipper to discuss the importance of climate adaptation, its limitations and the keys to doing it well.
Offsets - Dangerous Diversion or Essential Tool
July 25, 2023 08:30 - 39 minutes - 54.2 MBJenny Morgan from Tradewater joins us to break down carbon offsets. Listen in as we explore how they work, their history, and their future in the climate space.
EV Curious?
July 11, 2023 08:30 - 29 minutes - 40.7 MBJoin us as we explore the latest on EVs, debunk some popular myths, and talk about some of the other opportunities of moving beyond the internal combustion engine.
O Canada
June 20, 2023 08:30 - 40 minutes - 55.8 MBClimate scientist Simon Donner talks with us about climate change's impact on our friends to the North, what they're doing to cut emissions & what more needs to be done.
Breaking clean energy gridlocks
June 06, 2023 08:30 - 42 minutes - 57.7 MBJason Burwen, vice president of policy and strategy at Gridstor, joins us to share his perspective on the challenges facing us as we race toward a carbon free grid.
Protecting the Vulnerable in a Changing Climate
May 23, 2023 08:30 - 33 minutes - 46.6 MBEnvironmental activist Leah Thomas joins us as we discuss the inequities of climate change, what can be done to address them, and where we're seeing progress.
Going Green or Greenwashing?
May 09, 2023 08:30 - 36 minutes - 50.7 MBWhat's sustainability? How does it relate to climate? How can you tell if a product's green? We tackle those questions & more with sustainability expert Kate Gaertner.
Hope for the Amazon
April 25, 2023 08:30 - 30 minutes - 42.1 MBThe Amazon is under threat with implications for the climate, biodiversity, and beyond. We talk with Meg Symington from World Wildlife Fund about efforts to save it.
Unlocking your Climate Superpower
April 11, 2023 08:30 - 34 minutes - 47.7 MBJoin us as we talk with Flannery Winchester of Citizens Climate Lobby about the power each of us has to drive the government response we need to solve climate change.
From Gray to Green
March 28, 2023 08:30 - 33 minutes - 45.3 MBWhile electric cars & solar panels might be sexier, decarbonizing concrete is equally important to a livable climate. Tune in as industry expert Chris Bataille explains.
Should we be Flying?
March 14, 2023 08:30 - 41 minutes - 57.6 MBJoin us as climate journalist Jocelyn Timperley educates us on aviation's climate impact, what airlines are doing, the challenges ahead, and how each of us can help.
Perspectives on Climate and Congress
February 28, 2023 08:15 - 35 minutes - 48.6 MBWe sit down with Representative Earl Blumenauer to discuss the FOREST Act, making climate progress with divided government, and the value of individual activism.
Panic over Population Decline
February 14, 2023 08:30 - 42 minutes - 58.8 MBDespite mainstream media coverage of China's population peak, a declining population can have real benefits. Join us as Hannah Evans from Population Connection explains.
Closing the Gap
January 31, 2023 08:30 - 39 minutes - 53.9 MBThe IRA is great, but the U.S. will need additional measures to meet its climate targets. Tune in as we talk with Dr. Jonathan Foley of Project Drawdown about ways to close the gap.
The Power of Outdoor Voices
January 17, 2023 08:30 - 39 minutes - 32 MBJoin us as Taylor Luneau from the American Alpine Club talks about their journey to climate advocacy, the work they're doing, and why personal action alone isn't enough.
What about Biodiversity Loss?
January 03, 2023 08:30 - 45 minutes - 63.1 MBWhat's behind the biodiversity loss crisis? How bad is it? How does it relate to climate change? We explore these questions and more with Dr. Rebecca Shaw of the WWF.
Housing as a Climate Solution?
December 13, 2022 08:30 - 40 minutes - 56.2 MBWhat if we could make urban communities more livable, affordable & part of the climate solution? Join us as we discuss the prospect with architect Vishaan Chakrabarti.
Weeding out Food's Emissions
November 29, 2022 08:30 - 30 minutes - 41.8 MBOur food system is ripe with opportunities to weed out carbon emissions. Join us as we explore solutions for decarbonizing agriculture while making it more sustainable.
All Aboard for High-Speed Rail
November 15, 2022 08:30 - 37 minutes - 51.1 MBWe talk with Rick Harnish from the High-Speed Rail Alliance about the benefits of high-speed rail for our climate, our cities and what's needed for the U.S. to catch up.
Meteorologists - Trusted Climate Messengers
November 01, 2022 08:30 - 37 minutes - 51.6 MBJoin us as meteorologist and author Mike Nelson talks about the links between climate and weather, meteorologist's role as science communicators and his reasons for optimism.
Why We Should All Care About Methane
October 18, 2022 08:30 - 37 minutes - 50.9 MBMethane emissions may not be the sexiest topic, but how well we address them has huge implications for the climate. Rachel Cleetus, policy director for UCS, explains.
The Midterms and Implications for the Climate
October 11, 2022 08:30 - 26 minutes - 36.9 MBWith U.S. midterm elections less than a month away, we look at the potential implications for the climate and how each of us can help elect a climate friendly majority.
What's the Deal with Hydrogen?
October 04, 2022 08:30 - 37 minutes - 51.2 MBEnergy and climate policy expert Dr. Chris Bataille joins us to explain why hydrogen is a powerful tool in our quest to decarbonize and what's behind all the colors.
Oceans - The Climate X Factor
September 27, 2022 08:30 - 40 minutes - 55.2 MBWe talk with Johan Bergenas from WWF about our ocean's climate vulnerabilities, its strengths as a solution and why the stakes of our climate response couldn't be higher.
Local Actions Matter Too
September 20, 2022 08:30 - 39 minutes - 54.1 MBClimate scientist and IPCC author Sarah Burch explains the value of community level action in helping us achieve a more sustainable, just and carbon-free society.
Spending Green to Go Green
September 06, 2022 08:30 - 37 minutes - 51.6 MBWhether we succeed in hitting global climate targets could all come down to the flow of money. Join us as Dimitry Gershenson of Enduring Planet explains.
The Power of Trees
August 30, 2022 08:30 - 37 minutes - 51.5 MBOur forests can be a powerful ally in our fight against climate change. Kerry Cesareo from the WWF educates us on what's needed to realize their full potential.
U.S. Climate Action - Better Late than Never
August 23, 2022 08:30 - 28 minutes - 39.7 MB34 years after the first Senate hearing on climate change, Congress has finally taken real action. Come along as we dig into the details as well as what work remains.
Eight Billion of Us?!
August 16, 2022 08:30 - 38 minutes - 53.2 MBWe sit down with Hannah Evans from Population Connection to talk about overpopulation, climate change, why they're rarely discussed together and why that needs to change.
A Short - Toyota's Dirty Secret
August 09, 2022 08:30 - 15 minutes - 21.8 MBAlthough the Prius has enabled Toyota to brand itself as pro-environment, it's efforts behind the scenes have made it a global leader in obstructing climate action.
Plan B - Declaring a Climate Emergency
August 02, 2022 08:30 - 11 minutes - 15.3 MBWhile pressure is mounting for Biden to declare climate change a national emergency, what would it actually mean and is it a viable plan b? We set out to find answers.
Climate Adaptation - A Beginner's Guide
July 26, 2022 15:00 - 33 minutes - 45.8 MBListen in as climate scientist Lisa Schipper breaks down the complex topic of climate adaptation including what it is, why it matters and the keys to getting it right.
Meat 2.0 - Plant-based Proteins
July 19, 2022 08:30 - 31 minutes - 43.8 MBListen in as Chris Dennett from Tofurky educates us on the benefits of meat alternatives, the exciting growth underway, and what's needed to unlock their full potential.
E-bikes - Changing How We Move
July 12, 2022 08:30 - 34 minutes - 47 MBEric Bjorling from Trek Bicycle joins us to explain the rapid growth in e-bikes, their promise as a climate solution and why we should all be riding one.
A Short - The Criticality of 2030
July 05, 2022 08:30 - 11 minutes - 16.1 MBExperts agree we need to cut emissions 50% by 2030 to avoid a climate tipping point but what’s behind the target and is it achievable? Tune in as we explore the answer.