What does an older member of Generation Z think about climate change? How does improving climate literacy and finding a balance between scale and individual engagement help tackle these challenges? Hosts Robert Mace and Carrie Thompson speak with Nicolas Tarasewicz, who has been working at the Meadows Center as a Climate Change Program Associate, about his thoughts and perspective on the climate crisis as he prepares to embark on his Ph.D.
In this episode, our hosts cover several topics:
- Three things Robert learned about geothermal power production, Climeworks, and groundwater on a recent vacation to Iceland [4:28],
- Talking about the three latest reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the balance between policy and science [15:00],
- The threat of a mega-drought compared to extended drought in Texas and its consequences on water planning [27:35],
- Soaring records of methane emissions in 2021 [31:00],
An Interview with Nicolas Tarasewicz:
- Introduction and brief background [34:14],
- How growing up in a small mountain town sparked an interest in nature [36:50],
- Being introduced to the field of geography and studying in Sweden [41:43],
- Moving to Texas [46:00],
- Future PhD work and explaining climate refugia [48:17],
- A Gen Z perspective on climate [52:50],
- Climate literacy and action empowerment [1:04:21],
- Coming to the Meadow’s Center and lessons learned [1:06:50],
Along with some feel-good stories to leave you inspired, like:
- Texas’ progress and potential to achieve net-zero by 2050 [1:170:38],
- How changes made at home can help us meet climate goals [1:20:31],
Articles Mentioned in this Episode:
- Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis (IPCC Sixth Assessment Report I),
- Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability(IPCC Sixth Assessment Report II),
- Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change (IPCC Sixth Assessment Report III),
- Technology to reverse climate change(Climeworks),
- Texas Can Get to Net-Zero by 2050 and Simultaneously Bolster the Economy (UT Austin),
- Climate change: IPCC scientists say it's 'now or never' to limit warming(BBC News),
- Climatologist says future megadrought could harm Lake Travis area(Community Impact Newspaper),
- Methane emissions jumped by record amount in 2021, NOAA says(The Washington Post),
- How going electric lets homeowners help slow climate change (PBS)