ManglarIA: Saving Nature with Artificial Intelligence. How WWF is Using AI to Help Mangroves Adapt
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
Release Date: 11/11/2024
Generating the Science Behind Climate Adaptation with the Schoodic Institute
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , we’re heading to coastal Maine — a place where science, community, and nature all come together to tackle climate change. Adaptation doesn’t just happen on its own. It takes data, observation, and sometimes years of research to generate the science that guides decisions. That science is often messy, imperfect, but it’s the foundation for every smart adaptation. Effective adaptation requires partnerships. As you will hear, in Maine, you’ll find scientists, historians, local communities, and institutions like the Schoodic Institute working side by side....
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Climate Change on the Battlefield: International Military Responses to the Climate Crisis with Erin Sikorsky
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , host Doug Parsons speaks with , Director of the Center for Climate and Security and author of the new book Climate Change on the Battlefield. Erin explains how climate change is already impacting global security—degrading military readiness, increasing conflict risks, and forcing new missions on defense forces worldwide. We explore how national adaptation plans can serve as strategic tools, the dangers of political backsliding in the U.S., and how China’s assertive adaptation strategy may reshape global power dynamics. Erin also highlights countries that are getting...
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Innovations in Climate Risk and Insurance – The Podcast
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , host Doug Parsons explores the fast-changing world of climate risk and insurance—where escalating hazards are driving rapid changes in how we safeguard homes, businesses, and entire communities. This episode brings together an unprecedented mix of guests: policy experts advancing insurance reform, senior executives from leading insurance companies, a Miami real estate agent navigating the front lines of a shifting market, and innovators using big data and advanced technology to transform how risk is measured and managed. Across these conversations, listeners...
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Inside the MR2025 Conference: Planning for Adaptation, Mobility and Relocation in a Warming World
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , host Doug Parsons takes you inside the , a gathering focused on the complex realities of climate-driven movement—whether we call it managed retreat, relocation, or mobility. What does it mean to leave behind homes, neighborhoods, or entire communities in response to climate risks—and how do we do it in ways that prioritize justice and long-term resilience? The episode explores the politics of place attachment, the financial systems that shape who can move and who can’t, and how storytelling helps bring these abstract issues down to the human level. You’ll hear...
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Inside the Biden White House: Climate Adaptation Wins, Misses—and the Road Ahead
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , host Doug Parsons has a candid conversation with , former senior advisor on climate resilience in the Biden White House. Laurie offers a rare, unfiltered look inside the administration’s climate resilience efforts. Laurie helped coordinate adaptation strategy across agencies. While she didn’t lead the National Climate Resilience Framework, she had a front-row seat to its evolution—and its compromises. She speaks openly about what worked, what fell apart, and what was left on the cutting room floor. From the outsized influence of youth climate politics to the...
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Fixing FEMA, Fixing HUD: A Former Insider on Disaster Recovery and Climate Adaptation
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , host Doug Parsons speaks with , a nationally recognized leader in disaster recovery, resilience, and climate adaptation. With senior roles at FEMA and HUD during the Biden-Harris Administration—and a pivotal role in Louisiana’s post-Katrina recovery—Robin brings unmatched insight into how federal recovery systems work, and more importantly, how they fail. As the current administration actively undermines the government’s ability to prepare for and respond to climate disasters, Robin offers a frank assessment of what’s at stake and what a truly equitable,...
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What’s Brewing at America Adapts? Updates, Travels, and What’s Coming Next
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In this short solo episode of , host Doug Parsons shares some behind-the-scenes updates on America Adapts. Doug reflects on the recent all-Spanish episode in partnership with World Wildlife Fund, recaps his visit to the Climate Connect conference in DC, and previews upcoming guests like Robin Keegan and Laurie Schoeman. He also shares details about his summer travels to the Managed Retreat Conference in New York and the Schoodic Institute in Maine. Plus, hear about an exciting new podcast series with the CO2 Foundation, a shoutout to professors planning their fall courses, and a quick...
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ManglarIA: Salvando la naturaleza con inteligencia artificial. Cómo WWF utiliza la IA para ayudar a los manglares a adaptarse
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
En el episodio 229 de , presentamos una edición especial del pódcast: nuestro primer episodio completamente en español. Este es un hito emocionante, ya que ampliamos el alcance del programa para llegar a audiencias hispanohablantes en todo el mundo. Este episodio retoma el trabajo innovador de la iniciativa ManglarIA del Fondo Mundial para la Naturaleza (WWF, por sus siglas en inglés), que en español significa “IA para los manglares”, un proyecto apoyado por Google.org, el brazo filantrópico de Google. La versión original en inglés de este episodio está disponible . ...
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Dismantling F.E.M.A. : The Unmaking of Federal Climate Resilience from the Inside Out with Victoria Salinas
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , host Doug Parsons speaks with , Senior Fellow at the Climate Resilience Institute at the University of Miami and former Deputy Administrator for Resilience at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Biden administration. Victoria shares her journey into federal service, including her decision to join FEMA at a critical juncture for the agency. She reflects on FEMA’s traditionally reactive role and her efforts to reshape it into a more proactive force for community resilience—breaking down silos, emphasizing equity, and building a culture focused on...
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The Wild, Wild West of Climate Modeling…Just Got Wilder
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , we are re-releasing one of the more popular episodes of the podcast — my interview with , a law professor at Boston University. In our original conversation, we explored the critical role climate modeling plays in climate adaptation, including: what climate models can — and can’t — do; the concept of the “climate industrial complex”; legal liability for inaccurate climate projections and the role of climate analytics firms like First Street Foundation. When this episode first aired, there was still a general assumption that the federal government would...
info_outlineIn episode 217 of America Adapts, we dive into World Wildlife Fund’s ManglarIA (“AI for Mangroves” in Spanish), a new initiative supported by Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm. This pioneering initiative is using advanced technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to understand how mangrove ecosystems and their contributions to communities are affected by climate change and its impacts. You will take a journey to the Yucatán in Mexico as we visit some spectacular mangrove forests with WWF Mexico staff, and you’ll learn how they are using state-of-the art sensors and drones to collect needed data and using AI to help with coastal adaptation planning. You’ll also hear from local Mexican community members who are participating in and benefiting from the project. This episode highlights the groundbreaking adaptation work WWF is doing to adapt our natural systems to a changing climate.
Transcript available here.
Topics covered:
- Overview of WWF's ManglarIA project, which focuses on using AI to understand the impacts of climate change on mangrove ecosystems
- Importance of mangroves for carbon storage, coastal protection, and local economies in Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula
- Role of local communities in installing sensors, providing observations, and benefiting from weather stations
- Concerns about AI's energy consumption and how the ManglarIA project is addressing it
- Explanation of AI fundamentals, applications, and challenges by WWF's Chief Data Scientist
- Google.org's support for climate adaptation efforts using AI and other technologies
- Field trip to the Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve in Mexico and interviews with local community members
Experts in this Episode:
· Shaun Martin, Vice President, Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience, World Wildlife Fund - US
· David Thau, Global Data and Technology Lead Scientist, World Wildlife Fund – US
· Brigette Hoyer Gosselink – Director of AI and Sustainability, Google.org
· Alejandra Calzada, Climate Change Adaptation Coordinator, World Wildlife Fund - Mexico
· Gonzalo Sanson, Coastal Ecosystems Senior Officer, World Wildlife Fund - Mexico
· Frida Castillo, field officer, Yucatan
· Elena Meza Conde, hotel owner, Villa de Pescadores, Mexico
· Manuel Marrufo, beekeeper, Ria Lagartos, Mexico
· Gammariel Maldonado, ecotourism service provider, Yalmakan, Mexico
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Resources and Links in this episode:
ManglarIA: Using artificial intelligence to save mangroves in a changing climate
https://www.worldwildlife.org/projects/manglaria-using-artificial-intelligence-to-save-mangroves-in-a-changing-climate
Weather Station in Rio Lagartos, Mexico
https://www.weatherlink.com/embeddablePage/show/24bee1142da4472cbeacb45521bf069a/wide
Google Environmental Report 2024
https://www.gstatic.com/gumdrop/sustainability/google-2024-environmental-report.pdf
https://www.worldwildlife.org/initiatives/mangroves-for-community-and-climate
WWF Environment and Disaster Management Program https://envirodm.org/
WWF US https://www.worldwildlife.org/
Global Mangrove Alliance: https://www.mangrovealliance.org/
Doug Parsons and Speaking Opportunities:
If you are interested in having Doug speak at corporate and conference events, sharing his unique, expert perspective on adaptation in an entertaining and informative way, more information can be found here!
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Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
Strategies to Address Climate Change Risk in Low- and Moderate-income Communities - Volume 14, Issue 1
https://www.frbsf.org/community-development/publications/community-development-investment-review/2019/october/strategies-to-address-climate-change-low-moderate-income-communities/
Podcasts in the Classroom – Discussion guides now available for the latest episode of America Adapts. These guides can be used by educators at all levels. Check them out here!
The 10 Best Sustainability Podcasts for Environmental Business Leaders
https://us.anteagroup.com/news-events/blog/10-best-sustainability-podcasts-environmental-business-leaders
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Podcast Music produce by Richard Haitz Productions
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Executive Producer Dr. Jesse Keenan
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Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com
Podcast Music produce by Richard Haitz Productions
Write a review on Apple Podcasts !
America Adapts on Facebook!
Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group.
Check us out, we’re also on YouTube!
Executive Producer Dr. Jesse Keenan
Subscribe to America Adapts on Apple Podcasts
Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com