The Climate Pod
The Climate Pod is a wide-ranging conversation with leading experts on the politics, economics, activism, culture, science, and social justice issues at the heart of the climate crisis. Hear from guests like Jane Goodall, Bill McKibben, Al Roker, David Wallace-Wells, Katharine Hayhoe, Adam McKay, Bill Nye, Robert Bullard, Catherine Coleman Flowers, Ted Danson, Gina McCarthy, Paul Krugman, and many more. Hosted by Brock Benefiel and Ty Benefiel.
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How Climate Change Is Being Covered Now (w/ Evlondo Cooper)
01/08/2026
How Climate Change Is Being Covered Now (w/ Evlondo Cooper)
Become a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show! It's fun. All the cool kids are doing it! -------------------- Before the end of the year, I had my annual conversation with the always wonderful Evlondo Cooper, senior writer with the climate and energy program at Media Matters. In this conversation, we explore the new challenges of climate reporting that we saw unfold in the politically charged environment of 2025. We looke at the specific changes under the Trump administration and how a continued lack of diverse voices in climate coverage is helping to contribute to the disconnect between climate issues and political discourse. Additionally, Cooper tracks the ongoing missing context in major climate events of recent years, especially around climate solutions and harms. We look at the role of media in holding politicians accountable, the gaps in current coverage, and how climate media problems visible in recent years may actually be getting worse. You can follow all of Evlondo's . Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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What Motivates Climate Criminals? (w/ Dr. Julia Shaw)
12/18/2025
What Motivates Climate Criminals? (w/ Dr. Julia Shaw)
Become a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show! It's fun. All the cool kids are doing it! -------------------- This week, we explore a fundamental question at the heart of the climate crisis: why are so many people willing to destory the environment? This is something I think about a lot and can be infurating. It's also a more complicated story when you really dig into the motivators. To find out why environmental crims happens, Dr. Julia Shaw, a criminal psychologist and author of , is on the show. She explains the intersection of criminal psychology and environmental issues and why she wanted to take on this incredibly important and complex subject. Shaw outlines the six psychological pillars that motivate environmental crimes and how motivators often differ greatly by income and levels of power. We also talk abou the murder of environmental defenders, the complexities of land ownership and stewardship, the psychology behind poaching, and the impact of misinformation has on environmental action. Shaw also explains how existing laws and regulations can help combat environmental crimes effectively. Read: Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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A Fascinating, In-Depth Look At The State Of The Global Environment (w/ Sir Professor Robert Watson)
12/12/2025
A Fascinating, In-Depth Look At The State Of The Global Environment (w/ Sir Professor Robert Watson)
Become a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show! It's fun. All the cool kids are doing it! ------ This week, we're taking a deep dive into the UNEP fascinating, new with legendary climate scientist Sir Professor Robert Watson. We discuss the state (and accelerating pace) of global warming and environmental destruction. Watson explains how emissions continue to climb, what's happened since the Paris Agreement, the state of biodiversity loss, land degradation, and air pollution, and much more. He also explains the transformative investments and changes needed to come anywhere close to international environmental and climate agreements. Sir Professor Robert Watson, Former co-chair of IPCC and IPBES and former chief scientific advisor in the Office of Science and Technology Policy, White House during the Clinton presidency. He is also one of the lead authors report of the 7th edition of UNEP’s Global Environment Outlook Report. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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The Paris Reckoning: Adaptation (w/ Susannah Fisher)
12/05/2025
The Paris Reckoning: Adaptation (w/ Susannah Fisher)
Become a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show! It's fun. All the cool kids are doing it! ------------- We're coming up on the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement. In this new series from The Climate Pod, we're looking back on the global pact to determine: how have things changed since 2015 and what has the Paris Agreement accomplished? Our first episode was on . This week, we're looking at the role of adaptation. In the decade that has past since the Paris Agreement was signed, emissions have continued to climb and the globe has continued to warm. How are countries adaptating? What's in store for the future? To answer these questions, we're joined by Susannah Fisher, author of Fisher is a Principal Research Fellow at University College London and works as a researcher and advisor supporting governments, cities, climate funds and communities adapt to climate change. In this conversation, we discuss what the Paris Agreement accomplished on adaptation and where it has fallen short. We talk about the critical role of finance and understanding the obstacles to sufficient funds for adaptation. We also explore how countries around the globe are adaptating to sea level rise, increased conflict, drought and water shortages, migration changes, food system challenges, and nature preservation. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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The Human Costs Of The US Anti-Green Agenda (w/ Sharon Lerner)
12/03/2025
The Human Costs Of The US Anti-Green Agenda (w/ Sharon Lerner)
Become a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show! It's fun. All the cool kids are doing it! ------------- When talking about climate change, it's easy to get caught up in the scientific terms. Carbon emissions, parts per million, global average temperature, etc. But I always want to make sure I'm framing this conversation in the human impacts that result from the crisis. That's why I wanted to have Sharon Lerner back on the show this week. Sharon Lerner is a journalist and author at ProPublica, where she cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency. Her recent piece is “T” Lerner and experts conducted an analysis of how the Trump Administration's expansion of fossil fules and rolback of clean enegy and other climate initiatives would impact people around the globe. In this conversation, she explains how that modeling was conducted, what areas of the Global South will be impacted the most, and the questions on impacts that remain unanswered. Lerner also discusses the differences in covering this Trump Administration versus the president's first term and we explore some of the more popular talking points being used against climate action. Read " Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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COP30: Examining The Results And Broken Process (w/ Oliver Milman and Joseph Winters)
11/25/2025
COP30: Examining The Results And Broken Process (w/ Oliver Milman and Joseph Winters)
Become a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show! It's fun. All the cool kids are doing it! ------------- Another annual UN climate change conference is in the books. So, what did it accomplish? This week, The Guardian's Oliver Milman joins the show to breakdown the results of COP30. We discuss why many thought the conference was underwhelming, the final decisions on a fossil fuel phaseout, finance for adaptation, and improving Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). We also talk about the lack of agreement on combating deforestation, the United States failing to show up to COP30, and what's still being said about the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Finally, we discuss the crazy fire that broke out during the conference and Oliver's experience covering more optimistic conversations on Artificial Intelligence. Next, Joseph Winters, who wrote the piece "" for Grist joins the show to discuss why so many think the COP process is broken and why it's still super complicated to try to fix it. We look at potential solutions like a majority vote on big decisions as well as more creative ideas to reform consensus. We also examine how these solutions compare to other UN agreements. Read Oliver Milman's and his book Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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The Paris Reckoning: Extreme Heat (w/ Dr. Kristina Dahl)
11/22/2025
The Paris Reckoning: Extreme Heat (w/ Dr. Kristina Dahl)
Become a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show! It's fun. All the cool kids are doing it! ------------- We're coming up on the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement. In this new series from The Climate Pod, we're looking back on the global pact to determine: how have things changed since 2015 and what has the Paris Agreement accomplished? To kick off the series, Dr. Kristina Dahl, vice president for Science at Climate Central and the co-author of the new report joins the show to talk about how our understanding and projections of extreme heat have changed over the course of the decade. We talk about the importance of the Paris Agreement's temperature targets set and how extreme weather events and the role of attribution science in understanding climate change's impact has radically changed since 2015. We look at the challenges of communicating extreme heat risks now, the need for transformative adaptation strategies, and the importance of addressing structural inequities in climate resilience that haven't been remedied since Paris was signed. Finally, we look at the real threat of extreme heat in the future, how our lives might change, and the deadliest outcomes that haven't yet been truly avoided. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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Why Global Climate Action Really Fails (w/ Jessica F. Green)
11/19/2025
Why Global Climate Action Really Fails (w/ Jessica F. Green)
Become a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show! It's fun. All the cool kids are doing it! -------- Are global leaders trying to solve the wrong climate problem? In this episode, Professor Jessica Green aruges that too often governments and institutions have misdiagnosed the core issues of the climate crisis and are going about solutions in all the wrong ways as a result. In her new book, , she focuses on the power dynamics between fossil fuel asset owners and green asset owners and why it's critical to understand this as the central fight at the heart of climate change. Green argues that we need to shift focus from managing greenhouse gas emissions to managing assets, highlighting the existential threat fossil fuel companies face in a carbon-free economy and the potential for green asset owners to thrive in the future. She also explains the role of vulnerable asset owners, the political challenges of carbon pricing, and the importance of green industrial policy. We discuss what the Paris Agreement has and hasn't accomplished and why we need to better understand the limitations of the IPCCC. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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COP30 Preview (w/ TIME's Justin Worland)
11/05/2025
COP30 Preview (w/ TIME's Justin Worland)
Become a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show! It's fun. All the cool kids are doing it! This week, Justin Worland, senior correspondent at TIME, is back on the show to delve into the COP30 and what you will want to know about this critical convening of world leaders. As one of the top journalists covering climate change and international climate policy, Justin shares his perspective on the evolving nature of these global conferences and what's actually at stake this year in Brazil. We explore the shift from traditional negotiation-focused COPs to more dynamic gatherings where non-state actors, the private sector, and civil societies play pivotal and different roles and government action occurs beyond the final, agreed upon text. Worland highlights the importance of understanding the broader international picture, with domestic pressures playing an even bigger role in this year's global climate considerations. We also discuss Brazil's unique position as this year's host and what that could mean given its outsized role in climate importance and its recent trends toward greater climate action. Worland explains Brazil's focus under President Lula to curb deforestation and advance climate solutions, positioning the country as a true international leader. With this in mind, we discuss the challenges and opportunities of implementing climate commitments in 2025, the role and relevance of multilateralism, and the rising tensions between national interests and global cooperation amid new tarrifs, lacking domestic climate plans, and the US pulling out of the Paris Agreement again. We look at all the big items up for discussion at COP30, including adaptation, loss and damage, and climate finance. I also ask Worland to reflect on the past decade since the Paris Agreement and how that serves as a backdrop to the current climate landscape. How resilient can international agreements be amid the current geopolitical shifts? I thought his answer was super interesting. And the same can be said about Worland's examination of the recent Bill Gates' memo on climate change and the subsequent backlash. This episode is a must-listen to both understand COP30 and also the current state of climate action as cultural and political shifts have been tremendously impactful. Follow Justin Worland's at TIME Magazine during COP30 (and always!) Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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How Car Dependency Makes Life Worse, More Dangerous, And Tears Society Apart (w/ Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon)
10/29/2025
How Car Dependency Makes Life Worse, More Dangerous, And Tears Society Apart (w/ Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon)
Become a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show! It's fun. All the cool kids are doing it! This week, we dive into the transformative potential of a world less reliant on automobiles and ask the question: "why aren't we more honest about the harms caused by our car dependency?" We're joined by the amazing Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon, co-hosts of "The War on Cars" podcast and co-authors of the new book, "Life After Cars," to explores the deep-seated cultural and economic ties to car dependency and the urgent need to change it. We look at how car culture became intertwined with the American dream and the historical and societal factors that have perpetuated this problem. Sarah and Doug discuss the environmental and social costs of our car-centric infrastructure, including pollution, social disconnection, and the harms on children's development. We delve into the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to electric vehicles, acknowledging their benefits while cautioning against simply replacing one form of car dependency with another. Finally, we look at very real examples of change like the bike bus movement in the United States and the transformative policies implemented by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to reduce car use. We talk about how these stories illustrate the power of grassroots activism and political courage to create more livable, car-free spaces. Sarah Goodyear is a journalist and author who has covered cities and transportation for publications such as Grist, CityLab, and Streetsblog. Doug Gordon is a TV producer and writer who is also a neighborhood safe streets advocate, better known online as Brooklyn Spoke. Read By Sarah Goodyear, Doug Gordon and Aaron Naparstek Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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The Long History of Capitalism's Critiques (w/ John Cassidy)
10/22/2025
The Long History of Capitalism's Critiques (w/ John Cassidy)
There is no denying that capitalism has played a leading role in warming the planet. As the Industrial Revolution ushered in previously unseen levels of prosperity for some people, human beings' negative impact on the natural world exploded at a ferocious rate. While it's helpful for modern-day economists to look back at the faults and failures of capitalism as a way to explain the multitude of problems facing humanity in the 21st century, it's even more interesting to understand the critiques that economists of the 19th and 20th century had about capitalism and what they were experiencing in real time that led them to these incredibly-prescient conclusions. John Cassidy joins the show this week to discuss his new book "". John has written about economics and politics for The New Yorker for over 30 years. He's also the author of "How Markets Fail" and "Dot.Con: How America Lost Its Mind and Its Money in the Internet Era." John's new book covers 250 years of economic critiques of capitalism from well known economists like Karl Marx, John Maynard Keynes, and Joan Robinson, as well as some lesser-know, yet incredibly important critics like Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen, Rosa Luxemburg, JC Kumarappa, and many more. The Climate Pod is going to be live in Chicago! Join us for our , the hottest comedy show on the planet! On Sunday, October 26th at 5 pm CT at The Lincoln Lodge, we're featuring an amazing lineup of great comedians and expert guests. There will be standup, panels, music, and more. This show is a live recording of The Climate Pod. Featuring Chad The Bird, Lucia Whalen, and Kat Abughazaleh! Get your tickets now: Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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Extraction And The Green Economy (w/ Thea Riofrancos)
10/15/2025
Extraction And The Green Economy (w/ Thea Riofrancos)
The Climate Pod is going to be live in Chicago! Join us for our , the hottest comedy show on the planet! On Sunday, October 26th at 5 pm CT at The Lincoln Lodge, we're featuring an amazing lineup of great comedians and expert guests. There will be standup, panels, music, and more. This show is a live recording of The Climate Pod. Featuring Chad The Bird, Lucia Whalen, a very special guest, and more! Get your tickets now: ---- This week, we explore the complexities, concerns, and major issues surrounding the extraction of critical minerals for the green economy. Professor Thea Riofrancos, author of the book , delves into the various problems with lithium mining and its implications for the global energy transition. She shares how lithium serves as a lens to explore broader issues of green capitalism, supply chains, and community-level organizing. We also talk about how to balance this with the urgent need to decarbonize transportation and energy sectors, emphasizing lithium's pivotal role in electric vehicles and grid balancing. Riofrancos also explains how the history of extraction in Latin America helps shape the power dynamics in the region and what leaders learned from past efforts to protect natural resources. We explore the environmental and social impacts of mining in Chile, a major provider of copper and lithium, and the political shifts in recent years that are influencing resource governance. We also discuss the role of private governance in the mining sector and talk abou the importance, and often absence, of public regulation and democratic processes in achieving sustainable and equitable resource management. Thea Riofrancos is a political science professor at Providence College, and Strategic Co-Director of the Climate and Community Institute. Her research has been featured in essays in The New York Times, The Washington Post, N+1, and The Guardian. Related Episodes: Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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What Causes Societal Collapse? (w/ Luke Kemp)
10/08/2025
What Causes Societal Collapse? (w/ Luke Kemp)
The Climate Pod is going to be live in Chicago! Join us for our , the hottest comedy show on the planet! On Sunday, October 26th at 5 pm CT at The Lincoln Lodge, we're featuring an amazing lineup of great comedians and expert guests. There will be standup, panels, music, and more. This show is a live recording of The Climate Pod. Featuring Chad The Bird, Lucia Whalen, a very special guest, and more! Get your tickets now: ---- What has caused societal collapse throughout human history? Are those condition present today? This week, we talk to author Luke Kemp in a thought-provoking conversations about one of the best books of the year, . Kemp challenges conventional narratives by redefining civilization as a series of dominance hierarchies, or "Goliaths," that have historically led to societal downfall. He argues that these structures, characterized by inequality and concentrated power, have been precursors to collapse throughout history. And that's a big problem today. In this episode, we discuss how today's unique conditions of global interconnectedness, technological complexity, and unprecedented environmental destruction make us more vulnerable than ever. He introduces the concept of "Death Star Syndrome," where our highly interconnected world, much like the fictional Death Star, appears robust but is susceptible to catastrophic failure from a single point of weakness. This vulnerability is exacerbated by modern existential threats like climate change, nuclear weapons, and AI, which are often viewed in isolation but are deeply interconnected through global systems of inequality and resource extraction. So what do we do about it? We explore the potential of "deep democracy," collective action, elimination of existential threats, and emphasizing that empowering diverse groups with good information and resources that can lead to better decision-making and a more equitable future. Luke Kemp is a research affiliate at the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk at the University of Cambridge. He has lectured in the fields of economics and human geography, and has advised the World Health Organization, the Australian Parliament, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, and many other institutions. His research has been covered by media outlets such as The New York Times, the BBC, and The New Yorker. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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Remembering Jane Goodall
10/03/2025
Remembering Jane Goodall
Dr. Jane Goodall died on Wednesday at the age of 91. After National Geographic published her groundbreaking work in 1963, she spent more than 60 years in the public spotlight as a prolific writer, speaker, and advocate for change. She founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977, which has grown into one of the largest advocacy and conservation organizations in the world and started the youth program, which has helped more young people get into conservation and environmentalism. She helped build a movement. And she used her voice and platform to fight for climate action. In 2021, we had the chance to talk to Dr. Goodall about her climate advocacy. At the time, she was serving as an official COP26 Advocate. Today, we remember her life and legacy and replay our interview with Dr. Goodall. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Tickets for our live show in Chicago on Sunday, Oct 26 at The Linclon Lodge are available now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chicago-climate-bash-tickets-1758346845749?aff=oddtdtcreator Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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The Democracy Crisis And The Climate Crisis (w/ Osita Nwanevu)
10/01/2025
The Democracy Crisis And The Climate Crisis (w/ Osita Nwanevu)
WE'RE DOING A LIVE SHOW IN CHICAGO! SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26! 5 PM! GET TICKETS NOW: Congress just rolled back major climate provisions despite looking for more government action on climate at all levels of government. Why is the approach to the climate crisis in the United States so often out of step with what the public wants? Maybe the biggest issue is the underlining flaws in our democracy. As writer Osita Nwanevu argues, we've seen myriad ways in which democracy has eroded in recent decades, but many of the fundamental issues start with the nation's founding. Nwanevu joins the show to make the case for real democracy, explain what that looks like, and argue for a new American founding that strengthens our ability to govern ourselves in both the public and private spheres. The interview with Osita Nwanevu starts at the 17:32 mark. Osita Nwanevu is a contributing editor for The New Republic and a columnist for The Guardian, writing about American politics and culture. Read his new book Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our Related Episodes:
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Is A New Green New Deal Possible? (w/ Saikat Chakrabarti and Zack Exley)
09/24/2025
Is A New Green New Deal Possible? (w/ Saikat Chakrabarti and Zack Exley)
Become a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show! It's fun. All the cool kids are doing it! First, the conversation was centered on The Green New Deal. Then, Build Back Better, which turned into the Inflation Reduction Act. It was passed. A few years later, major climate provisions in the bill were repealed. It was fairly popular, but mostly unknown to the average American. So what have we learned? Is it possible to advance major climate policy in America? Our guests today say yes. And they have a new, comprehensive, ambitious plan at the core of their argument. Joining us is Saikat Chakrabarti, co-founder and president of New Consensus and candidate for Congress in the Democratic primary against Nancy Pelosi. Previously, he worked on the 2016 Bernie Sanders presidential campaign, co-founded Justice Democrats, and was the campaign manager and then Chief of Staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez where he led the effort to draft and release the Green New Deal. We're also joined by Zack Exley, co-founder and the executive director of New Consensus. Previously, he co-founded Justice Democrats, led the national distributed organizing team on Bernie Sander's 2016 presidential campaign. and helped shape the U.S. Green New Deal. Zack also spearheaded online small-dollar fundraising at MoveOn.org and worked on the Howard Dean and John Kerry campaigns in 2004. In this episode we explore why ambitious policy aims are so critical to the moment, what it means for democracy, how it will combat high electricity bills, and the lessons learned from the Green New Deal. Their plan is , which focuses heavily on climate policy to organize a massive plan to grow jobs and lower prices. This is a great conversation. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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The Energy Transition Myth (w/ Jean-Baptiste Fressoz)
09/20/2025
The Energy Transition Myth (w/ Jean-Baptiste Fressoz)
Become a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show! It's fun. All the cool kids are doing it! This is an episode that fundamentally challenges the way I've thought about tackling climate change. I've always understood the history of energy as a history of transition. We went from burning a lot of wood to then burning a lot of coal, then moving from coal to mostly oil, then oil plus gas. But our guest today, Jean-Baptiste Fressoz, says that thinking is totally wrong. Instead of undergoing a series of energy transitions, where one form of energy largely replaces the other, history shows much more addition to substraction. The result: we keep burning and consuming more and more and more of everything. He argues the very idea of transition is a lie. Jean-Baptiste Fressoz is a historian of science and technology. In his new book, he argues not that an energy transition is impossible, but that we simply have never seen anything like it before. He notes that the relationship between different forms of energy is based on symbiosis, not competition, and as. a result greater consumption of all energy has just led to more of everything being used. So how did the idea of the energy transition take hold? Why is it still a salient concept in public energy discourse today? Jean-Baptiste explains. We also discuss how the fossil fuel industry has taken hold of this concept and used it to slow down action on climate change. Jean-Baptiste Fressoz is a historian of science and technology at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. He is the author of The Happy Apocalypse and The Shock of the Anthropocene. Read . Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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A Massive Climate Political Problem (w/ Nathaniel Stinnett)
09/10/2025
A Massive Climate Political Problem (w/ Nathaniel Stinnett)
Become a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show! It's fun. All the cool kids are doing it! This week, Nathaniel Stinnett, founder and executive director of the Environmental Voter Project, is back on the show to explore one of the most frustrating obstacles to climate action: the lack of political engagement from many climate-concerned voters. Despite the growing awareness and concern about climate change, many voters that say they care about the issue still don't perceive it as a political problem. Nathaniel delves into the reasons behind this disconnect and shares insights from recent research that highlights the challenges and opportunities in mobilizing these voters. Throughout the conversation, we explore the importance of voting as a tool for climate advocacy and why we need to stop putting so much faith and passion into individual politicians and focus instead on building real power for the movement. We also talk about the need to shift the narrative on systemic change, making voters feel more empowered and focused on collective action. You'll learn why we actually need to politicize climate change more, without making it more of a partisan issue. As always, Nathaniel's passion and expertise shine through as he offers practical advice for those looking to make a difference, whether by voting, volunteering, or simply spreading the word. I always enjoy our conversations. Learn more about the . EVP's will take place on Wednesday, September 17. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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How Inequality Blocks Climate Action (w/ Tony Juniper)
09/05/2025
How Inequality Blocks Climate Action (w/ Tony Juniper)
You can't talk about climate action without discussing inequality. Afterall, the effects of climate change are distributed incredibly unequaly. Furthermore, it's the people who are responsible for the least amount of carbon emissions that most often face the deadliest and most damaging consequences of the crisis. On today's episode, we sit down with Tony Juniper, renowned environmentalist and author of to explore the profound intersection of inequality and the climate crisis. As the climate emergency intensifies, the disparities between those who contribute the least to climate change and those who suffer the most from its impacts are only gettting worse. Juniper sheds light on how economic and social inequalities exacerbate inaction, creating a vicious cycle that hinders all global efforts to combat the climate crisis. We delve into the historical context of these issues, examining how past and present policies and global agreements have shaped the current landscape. Juniper shares insights from his extensive career, highlighting the importance of integrating social justice into environmental strategies and where the movement has often fallen short in doing so. He argues that without addressing the root causes of inequality, efforts to mitigate climate change are doomed to fail. In this conversation, Juniper provides a deeper understanding of the systemic changes needed to create a more equitable and sustainable world. From policy reforms to grassroots movements, he outlines actionable steps that individuals and communities can take to drive meaningful change based off what he's learned in his nearly 40-year career doing this work. Tony Juniper CBE has spent decades fighting for major climate and environmental initiative. His career has included leading major environmental nonprofits, running global campaigns, and serving as a government advisor. He's an author and his books include the multi-award winning What Has Nature Ever Done For Us? and Harmony, which was co-authored with King Charles III. He has received many awards and widespread recognition for his environmental work and in 2017 he was appointed Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to conservation. He is now the Chair of the British Government’s official conservation agency Natural England and a Fellow with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our Read
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20 Years After Hurricane Katrina, What Have We Learned About Disaster Response?
08/27/2025
20 Years After Hurricane Katrina, What Have We Learned About Disaster Response?
Five years ago, on the 15th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, II on the complexities of the disaster. Newkirk did a thorough recounting of Katrina for his narrative podcast series, . Since that conversation, I've often wondered about the role of the federal government in the wake of these disasters. Have we learned much in the 20 years since Hurricane Katrina? Why is FEMA so critical when a disaster strikes a certain area? Are we better prepared now or in worse shape? How is the climate crisis impacting all of this? To answer all these questions and more, I invited Samantha Montano, an associate professor of emergency management at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, on the show. She is also the author of the book, In this conversation, we talk about the intricate processes behind emergency management, from the initial assessment of a disaster to the deployment of resources and personnel. She explains how FEMA collaborates with state and local agencies as well as nonprofits. Montano also sheds light on some of the strategies that drive successful recovery and resilience in communities affected by natural and man-made disasters and how Hurricane Katrina shaped her career. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our Read
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Bill McKibben On What The Climate Movement Needs To Do Now
08/21/2025
Bill McKibben On What The Climate Movement Needs To Do Now
This has been a rough year for the US climate movement. And few people have spent as many years or invested as much time in thinking about the climate movement than Bill McKibben, author of the first book on climate change, The End of Nature. In this perilous moment we find ourselves in, McKibben is finding some inspiration in the transformative potential of renewable energy and how it can help both power the planet and revitalize the climate movement. In his new book, , he offers both the grim reality we face as warming worsens and the very real advances in clean energy that have suprised even him in the past couple of years. We delve into the surprising trajectory of global warming estimates, the rapid advancements in solar technology, and the pivotal role of activism in accelerating the transition to clean energy. McKibben shares insights on the geopolitical implications of fossil fuel dependency and the liberating potential of renewable energy for communities worldwide, particularly in the Global South. We also explore the critical importance of storytelling, activism, and community engagement in shaping a sustainable future. This is a great conversation for this dark moment. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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How Global Climate Litigation Is Changing After A Landmark Court Decision (w/ Dr. Maria Antonia Tigre)
08/19/2025
How Global Climate Litigation Is Changing After A Landmark Court Decision (w/ Dr. Maria Antonia Tigre)
On July 23, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion that many are regarding as a groundbreaking legal moment for the fight against climate change. But what was included in the actual opinion? What does this mean for the future of climate litigation? And most importantly, what will this mean for the future of climate action? To answer all these questions and more, we talk to Dr. Maria Antonia Tigre, the Director of Global Climate Change Litigation at the Sabin Center. She explains how this decision sets a new precedent in international law by recognizing the extensive legal obligations countries have in combating climate change. We explore how the opinion integrates customary international law, human rights, and environmental treaties, offering a robust framework for future climate cases. Dr. Maria Antonia Tigre also details the fascinating backstory of how a class project from the University of South Pacific in Vanuatu evolved into a global movement, culminating in this historic opinion. She shares insight into the legal community's reaction, the potential ripple effects on domestic and international cases, and the strengthened legal arguments that could emerge from this decision. We also explore the role science played in informing the court's decision, particularly the emphasis on the 1.5-degree threshold as a legal standard. Finally, we discuss the broader implications for fossil fuel regulation, climate reparations, and the responsibilities of both developed and developing nations. Dr. Maria Antonia Tigre is the Director of Global Climate Change Litigation at the Sabin Center. She manages the Sabin Center's Global Climate Change Litigation Database with the support of the Sabin Center's Peer Review Network of Climate Litigation. Maria Antonia is a leading expert in the field of climate change law and climate litigation, having published dozens of articles on the topic. She also co-heads the Sabin Center and GNHRE's project on Climate Litigation in the Global South. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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Dr. Kate Marvel On Processing The Complexities of The Climate Crisis
08/07/2025
Dr. Kate Marvel On Processing The Complexities of The Climate Crisis
This week, Dr. Kate Marvel, author of is on the show to discuss the complex ways she processes varying emotions while studying climate change and thinking about this planetary crisis. Marvel talks about her journey from a high school student disinterested in science to studying cosmology to eventually becoming a leading climate scientist. She explains why she's inspired by this work and the people that do it. We talk about the creative and fun aspects of working with climate models, some of the certainities and uncertainites that come with any scientific exploration, and what scares her most about climate change. Marvel shares some of the deep emotions that are evoked by everyday climate science and the importance of the narratives we tell living through this crisis. We also explore what it's like for climate science and scientists to be attacked, ignored, and/or belittled, and why it's critical to appreciate the amazing contributions we've received from years of hardworking scientists studying this issue. Dr. Kate Marvel is one of the world's best-known climate scientists working today. She received a PhD in theoretical physics from Cambridge University, led the “Climate Trends” chapter in the U.S. Fifth National Climate Assessment, and has both given a TED Talk and testified before the U.S. Congress! She has written for Scientific American, Nautilus magazine, and the On Being Project. Read Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our Other stuff referenced in this episode: from the Village Voice
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The Hidden Climate Crisis In Pop Culture (w/ Mark Bould)
07/29/2025
The Hidden Climate Crisis In Pop Culture (w/ Mark Bould)
The climate crisis seems to be missing from the overwhelming majority of the popular culture that we consume. But is that really the case? In this compelling conversation Mark Bould, a distinguished professor of film and literature at the University of the West of England, explains how we might be able to uncover the crisis in TV, books, and film where it isn't obvious at first glance. Bould is the author of , which challenges our conventional understanding of climate change narratives and encourages us to uncover the implicit climate themes woven into various forms of media. Bould explains in this conversation how science fiction especially can serve as a powerful lens through which we can examine the complexities of climate change and its cultural implications. Throughout this episode, we journey through a diverse array of media, including the Sharknado, Arrival, World War Z, The Edge of Tomorrow, The Purge, and the Fast & Furious franchise to examine how climate themes appear in unexpected plas. From the explosive rise of zombie films to the nuanced storytelling of literary novels, Bould shares his insights on how these narratives not only reflect societal anxieties but also shape our collective consciousness regarding the climate crisis. Whether you're a film nerd or a climate change champion, this episode offers a thought-provoking exploration of how fiction can illuminate the biggest challenges we face. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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David Wallace-Wells On The State of The Climate Crisis And Our Lack of Preparedness
07/22/2025
David Wallace-Wells On The State of The Climate Crisis And Our Lack of Preparedness
This week, David Wallace-Wells is back on the show for a wide-ranging conversation on the climate crisis unfolding in 2025. I was struck by David’s recent essay, “” in the wake of the horrific flooding in Texas. As David explains, the climate disasters we face today are increasingly unpredictable and widespread, challenging our traditional understanding of what our climate risks are where they can happen. Despite the rising frequency and cost of these disasters, David notes that increasingly it appears that our most commons response is largely to normalize these events. He suggests that instead of being jolted into action, we are adapting to these new realities mostly by just accepting it as inevitable. In this conversation, we also discuss a number of other recent events, from the repeal of major parts of the Inflation Reduction Act to budget cuts to federal services to China’s big clean energy in push in recent years. It’s wide-ranging and the kind of fascinating talk you can always expect when David joins the show. David Wallace-Wells is the New York Times essayist, best-selling science writer and author of His he explores climate change, technology, the future of the planet and how we live on it. His recent piece on the tragic floods in Texas “” Check out our past conversations with David, and later with . He’s always an exceptional guest and a very considerate person. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , and more! Subscribe to our
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Did Pollution Create Serial Killers? (w/ Caroline Fraser)
07/18/2025
Did Pollution Create Serial Killers? (w/ Caroline Fraser)
Why were there so many serial killers in the US in the 1970s and 80s? Why were so many in the Pacific Northwest? This week, we explore the Lead Crime Hypothesis with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Caroline Fraser. In her new book, Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers, she explores the potential link between mid-20th century pollution from leaded gasoline and industrial smelters and the spike in violent crime. We also examine how the reduction of lead in the environment could explain the subsequent drop in crime rates since the 1990s, but how we still face a threat today. We discuss how lead pollution became such a problem, its known impacts on human behavior, and why our understanding of pollution can challenge some conventional crime reduction strategies and beliefs. Caroline grew up outside of Seattle in the 1970s, while Ted Bundy and other murderers were in the area. We talk about her personal history with the area and how it's driven her work on the topic. Caroline Fraser is the author of Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder, which won the Pulitzer Prize as well as the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Heartland Prize, and the Plutarch Award for Best Biography of the Year. She is also the author of God’s Perfect Child: Living and Dying in the Christian Science Church, and her writing has appeared in the New York Review of Books, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, the Los Angeles Times, and the London Review of Books, among other publications. Check out Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and more! Subscribe to our
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What Happens To US Energy Now? (w/ Robbie Orvis)
07/15/2025
What Happens To US Energy Now? (w/ Robbie Orvis)
We’re living through a time of extraordinary change to the US energy landscape. As Robbie Orvis, Senior Director of Modeling and Analysis at argues, the combination of surging demand for electricity with new policies designed to slow the build out of cheaper, cleaner, faster energy sources like wind, solar, and batteries will result in higher utility bills, fewer jobs, and slower economic growth. And that will impact everyone, likely in more ways than you’d expect. Orvis joins The Climate Pod this week for an in-depth examination of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. How much less clean energy will actually be built in the coming years? How much could it increase energy costs? What will be the economic losses suffered as a result? Will international momentum towards clean energy continue in absence of the United States’ leadership? Orvis answers all these questions and more as we get into the weeds of the new energy environment. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Check out more of Robbie's work at . Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and more! Subscribe to our
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David Roberts On The Major Setbacks To Climate Policy
07/10/2025
David Roberts On The Major Setbacks To Climate Policy
This week, David Roberts is back on the show to discuss what has happened to the Inflation Reduction Act and what it means to clean energy and the climate movement to have such a major setback. We step back to think through the landscape of climate policy now and also reflect on pivotal moments in the recent history of legislative efforts that have shaped the current state of clean energy in the U.S. From his early days at Grist to his influential work at Vox, David offers a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of advocating for climate action. We also discuss the shifting political theories and strategies that have influenced policy decisions over the years and examine the complex interplay between politics and climate policy. David explores the role of public perception in shaping policy outcomes and why waking up to the new media enviornment is critical for the climate movement. He argues that changing the narrative around climate solutions can engage broader audiences and drive meaningful action. We also discuss the U.S. and China dynamic in the global energy transition and what he has made of covering Elon Musk over the years. David Roberts is a renowned journalist and the author of the "Volts" newsletter and podcast. With a career spanning over two decades, David has been a leading voice in climate and clean energy journalism, specifically offering some of the most in-depth analysis and commentary on energy policy. We are always incredibly lucky to have him on the show. You can become a subscriber to . Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our newsletter/podcast, , to help support this show. Your contributions will make the continuation of this show possible. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and more! Subscribe to our
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An Update On The Show
07/09/2025
An Update On The Show
Hey, it's been quite a while since we last posted an episode. What is going on? We explain what's been happening and what to expect now. Please consider becoming a supporter of our show by signing up for a paid membership to our Substack, The Climate Weekly. This will give you exclusive member content and much, much more.
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How The New Deal Changed American Power (w/ Sandeep Vaheesan)
01/20/2025
How The New Deal Changed American Power (w/ Sandeep Vaheesan)
Prior to the New Deal, millions of rural Americans were quite literally living in the dark. Though electricity had been available for decades, it was out of reach for most living in America's countryside post-World War I. That all changed within a decade. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's approach to the power sector during the Great Depression transformed electrification and public utilities on rural life and dramatically modernized the American home throught the nation. In his new book, , Sandeep Vaheesan explores the rapid economic and social changes brought about by the New Deal through initiatives like the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Rural Electrification Act and argues that many lessons from the era are relevant today's push for climate action. Sandeep joins the show this week to explain how public competition in the 20th century stimulated power consumption and improved living standards in America. He explains why Americans were ready for change during the New Deal era, how federal initiatives would later power wartime efforts, and how decisions during FDR's presidency still impact the current landscape of public and cooperative utilities. We also explore the racial and gender inequality of the era and how many New Deal programs exacerbated injustices. Finally, Sandeep argues for public leadership in achieving decarbonization targets while ensuring democratic principles in power management. Sandeep Vaheesan is the legal director at the Open Markets Institute. He leads their legal research and advocacy, including the amicus program. Read . As always, follow us on Twitter and email us at theclimatepod@gmail.com. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and more! Subscribe to our and our Substack, .
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