2 Degrees Out West: Recent Episodes
Western Resource Advocates
On 2 Degrees Out West, a podcast of Western Resource Advocates, we examine the story behind some of the most pressing conservation issues facing the West. We talk with issue experts, legislators, researchers, organizers, conservation advocates, and more about what we can do to help protect the West’s land, air, and water – and, yes, to fight the climate crisis and hold global heating to within 2 degrees Celsius. Please join us and subscribe on Stitcher, iTunes, or SoundCloud to stay up to date with our latest episodes.
The opposite of climate doomerism is climate action. Join us as Haley Littleton and Kandice Cleveland from WRA ignite our enthusiasm for the path to a "Bright Climate Future." Our guests unravel the cord of climate action and resilience, casting a beacon of hope as we approach the 2024 election year. Our conversation isn't just about highlighting achievements; it's about acknowledging the power each of us holds in our hands—the power to vote, act, and inspire a sustainable tomorrow.
Your sense of agency is about to get a turbo boost. We confront the beast of climate despair, laying bare the disconnect between the public's environmental aspirations and the responses—or lack thereof—of those steering the ship. The Bright Climate Future campaign is our collective rallying cry, equipping you with the tools and motivation to take a stand. Art and imagery become our allies, painting a picture where everyone has a role in crafting a positive narrative to enact real change. By the end of our chat, you'll be brimming with the understanding that your voice, your actions, and even your garden choices can contribute to our planet's resilience.
Let's turn pledges into palpable change, wear our commitment like a badge of honor, and use the power of social networks to rally the troops. As we envisage a community vibrant with climate champions, our discussion serves as a promise that a thriving planet isn't just a dream—it's a future we're shaping together, one pledge, one policy, one pin at a time.
Further Reading
- Read this Forbes article about the power of climate optimists
- Learn why former UN Climate Chief says we need to balance outrage with optimism
- Check out the Climate Resolutions Toolkit for 2024
- Read this Times article about urgent optimism saving the world
- Use the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit to learn how you can help
2 Degrees Out West is a podcast from Western Resource Advocates, an environmental conservation organization that's focused on the Interior West. WRA works across seven states to protect our climate, land, air, and water. WRA protects and advocates for New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.
Want to be part of 2 Degrees Out West?
- Email us with suggestions on topics and interviewees at jessi.janusee@westernresources.org.
- Tweet us @wradv or DM us @westernresourceadvocates.
- Create a 40-sec clip sharing "our Bright Climate Future for the West" and send it to us at jessi.janusee@westernresources.org to be included in one of our next episodes.
- Join our email list to stay updated on when new episodes are released and calls to action on how you can help the West.
- Become a sponsor of WRA and the 2 Degrees Out West podcast. Show your support for the land, air, water, and people of the West today!
Thanks for listening. Let's all work together to keep the West wild...
What if nature could be a catalyst for healing the wounds of war? Join me as we journey with Fredrick Solheim, a geophysicist and river runner, who uses the adrenaline-charged wilderness as a therapeutic tool for disabled veterans. We traverse the raging rapids of Cataract Canyon and explore the incredible power of nature, adventure, and camaraderie in initiating a journey towards healing and self-discovery for these brave souls.
No stranger to the harsh reality of substance abuse and high suicide rates among combat veterans, Solheim offers insight into the transformative power of adventure therapy. Drawing from the testimonies of program facilitators and participants, we learn about the profound impact these rafting trips have on veterans, gifting them with a renewed sense of purpose and accomplishment. As we navigate the emotional currents of this conversation, we also underscore the pivotal role of community, nature and campfire chats, as well as the undeniable need for all-female veterans' trips for those who have experienced trauma.
Tune in, as we weave heartwarming stories, personal connections, and the healing power of nature into an inspiring narrative. Be prepared to be moved by the resilience of these veterans and the transformative power of adventure therapy.
Further Reading:
- Watch this video from a CNN producer about Warriors
- Check out this video from a Warriors on Cataract vet
- Watch this Steven Spielberg tribute to one of the Warriors on Cataract Vets
- Check out one more video from the river
- Sign up for a rafting trip or donate at the Warriors website
2 Degrees Out West is a podcast from Western Resource Advocates, an environmental conservation organization that's focused on the Interior West. WRA works across seven states to protect our climate, land, air, and water. WRA protects and advocates for New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.
Want to be part of 2 Degrees Out West?
- Email us with suggestions on topics and interviewees at jessi.janusee@westernresources.org.
- Tweet us @wradv or DM us @westernresourceadvocates.
- Create a 40-sec clip sharing "our Bright Climate Future for the West" and send it to us at jessi.janusee@westernresources.org to be included in one of our next episodes.
- Join our email list to stay updated on when new episodes are released and calls to action on how you can help the West.
- Become a sponsor of WRA and the 2 Degrees Out West podcast. Show your support for the land, air, water, and people of the West today!
Thanks for listening. Let's all work together to keep the West wild...
Ever wondered how your favorite beer or cider impacts the environment? Tune into this episode of "2 Degrees Out West" as we serve up a hearty conversation with Alex Ditto from Upslope Brewing Company and Colin Schilling from Schilling Cider, who are brewing a sustainable future for the beverage industry. They share their unique approach to utilizing infinitely recyclable aluminum cans over glass bottles and cutting down on water consumption in the brewing process.
Get ready to soak up the sun as we delve into how Upslope and Shilling Cider are harnessing renewable energy and reducing their carbon footprints. We'll discuss the potential of carbon capture technology and the roadblocks to reaching carbon neutrality.
And of course, we'll be diving into the craft beverage industry, exploring the growing popularity of cider in the Pacific Northwest and highlighting our guests favorite bevs and outdoor rec spots. Engage your taste buds as we discuss the unique flavors and processes involved in brewing. So, pour yourself a cold one and join us, as we raise a glass to sustainability in the brewing world!
Further Reading
- Read about the $54,000 Schilling Cider donated to conservation non-profits
- Watch this video about Upslope's sustainability practices
- Learn more about Schilling's fully electric fleet
- Check out the Brewers Association Sustainability Benchmarking Tool
2 Degrees Out West is a podcast from Western Resource Advocates, an environmental conservation organization that's focused on the Interior West. WRA works across seven states to protect our climate, land, air, and water. WRA protects and advocates for New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.
Want to be part of 2 Degrees Out West?
- Email us with suggestions on topics and interviewees at jessi.janusee@westernresources.org.
- Tweet us @wradv or DM us @westernresourceadvocates.
- Create a 40-sec clip sharing "our Bright Climate Future for the West" and send it to us at jessi.janusee@westernresources.org to be included in one of our next episodes.
- Join our email list to stay updated on when new episodes are released and calls to action on how you can help the West.
- Become a sponsor of WRA and the 2 Degrees Out West podcast. Show your support for the land, air, water, and people of the West today!
Thanks for listening. Let's all work together to keep the West wild...
Have you ever considered the intersection of poverty, culture, and environmental justice? Our intriguing conversation with the formidable Ona Porter, founder of Prosperity Works and Clean Energy Leader, explores this in-depth. Ona's lifelong mission to uplift limited-income households in New Mexico and her intricate understanding of poverty, gained from her background as an educator, paint a vivid picture of the unique challenges facing this region. With Prosperity Works, she has dedicated herself to creating pathways to opportunity for limited-income families.
As we pivot into the environmental challenges of New Mexico, we bring into focus how climate change disproportionately impacts limited-income households. Ona shares the innovative initiatives Prosperity Works is campaigning for, such as energy efficiency retrofits and Advanced Clean Cars II. We discuss the objectives of the New Mexico Clean Air Coalition, which strives to ensure marginalized communities aren't excluded from the clean air and transportation electrification movement. A key part of this is making electric vehicle charging accessible in multi-family dwellings and illustrating how clean cars can be a positive force for limited-income families.
Then, we navigate the turbulent waters of the New Mexico Clean Cars initiative, tackling false claims head-on and exploring the potential impact of the proposed rules. Ona expertly details the benefits of clean cars, highlighting not only their role in reducing energy burdens but also their potential to open up opportunities for limited-income individuals and decrease pollution within neighborhoods. Finally, we identify ways that you can get involved to help support clean car policies. Join us as we delve into the important intersections of poverty, culture, clean air and clean cars in New Mexico with Ona Porter.
Further Reading
- Check out Prosperity Works website and follow them on social media.
- Learn more about NM Clean Cars on the NM Clean Air Coalition Site.
- Read about The Coalition for Children’s “Kids in Crisis: New Mexico’s Other Bomb report.
2 Degrees Out West is a podcast from Western Resource Advocates, an environmental conservation organization that's focused on the Interior West. WRA works across seven states to protect our climate, land, air, and water. WRA protects and advocates for New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.
Want to be part of 2 Degrees Out West?
- Email us with suggestions on topics and interviewees at jessi.janusee@westernresources.org.
- Tweet us @wradv or DM us @westernresourceadvocates.
- Create a 40-sec clip sharing "our Bright Climate Future for the West" and send it to us at jessi.janusee@westernresources.org to be included in one of our next episodes.
- Join our email list to stay updated on when new episodes are released and calls to action on how you can help the West.
- Become a sponsor of WRA and the 2 Degrees Out West podcast. Show your support for the land, air, water, and people of the West today!
Thanks for listening. Let's all work together to keep the West wild...
Have you ever wondered why, despite understanding the global crisis climate change poses, we struggle to address it effectively? Today, we step into the realm of the human mind with political psychologist, Dr. Conor Seyle, to make sense of this conundrum. We illuminate the complexities of cognitive biases and our long-term thinking capacity and take you on a fascinating journey through the psychology of climate change.
Our conversation uncovers the psychological impact of social motives like justice, belonging, control, trust, and understanding. We discuss their influence on our cognitive biases. By spotlighting examples like the 2014 Ebola outbreak, we highlight the potential of behavioral change to transform crises and the pivotal role of public health recommendations in altering the course of disease spread.
As we wrap up our enlightening discourse, we unmask the potency of acknowledging our cognitive biases and appreciating our community values in crafting powerful change narratives. We stress the importance of individual experiences in decision-making and their ripple effect on the collective, advocating for a shift in our long-term thinking. Grab your headphones and prepare for a thought-provoking expedition into the human mind.
Further ReadingRead the BBC Climate Bias Article
Check out the Pax Sapiens
Read more about political psychology
Learn more about OEF and their Ebola work
Check out the 2022 Global Assessment of Disaster Risk
2 Degrees Out West is a podcast from Western Resource Advocates, an environmental conservation organization that's focused on the Interior West. WRA works across seven states to protect our climate, land, air, and water. WRA protects and advocates for New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.
Want to be part of 2 Degrees Out West?
- Email us with suggestions on topics and interviewees at jessi.janusee@westernresources.org.
- Tweet us @wradv or DM us @westernresourceadvocates.
- Create a 40-sec clip sharing "our Bright Climate Future for the West" and send it to us at jessi.janusee@westernresources.org to be included in one of our next episodes.
- Join our email list to stay updated on when new episodes are released and calls to action on how you can help the West.
- Become a sponsor of WRA and the 2 Degrees Out West podcast. Show your support for the land, air, water, and people of the West today!
Thanks for listening. Let's all work together to keep the West wild...
Fashion's environmental impact is a hot topic, and we have the perfect expert to guide us through it. Meet Jennifer Inaba, a communications manager at WRA and PhD candidate studying sustainable fashion. Jennifer's insights into the fashion industry's environmental implications are not just enlightening, they expose a flawed system that urgently needs reform. From water pollution to carbon emissions and the alarming growth of microplastics in our oceans, she takes us on a journey through the underbelly of the global fashion industry. If you've ever wondered how your clothing choices impact the planet, this conversation is for you.
We start by delving into the shocking statistics of the fashion industry. An overwhelming 100 billion garments are produced each year, a significant portion of which end up in landfills. But it's not all doom and gloom. Jennifer shares practical strategies to counteract this impact through practices like upcycling and participating in clothing swaps. We also touch on more severe issues like the tragic Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, underscoring the need for greater transparency and improved worker rights in the industry. This discussion isn't just about fashion; it's about the human and environmental cost of our consumption habits.
As we move into the latter part of the episode, Jennifer offers valuable advice on finding sustainable clothing, supporting local thrift stores and shopping smart with sustainable brands. We explore how technology and policy can spearhead a more circular fashion industry, making recycling textiles the norm rather than the exception. From the idea of 'clothing nutrition labels' to reconnecting with nature, we discuss innovative approaches to transform our consumption patterns. If you want to be part of the solution, join us for this engaging conversation and gain a fresh perspective on sustainable fashion and conscious consumerism.
Further Reading
- Learn how you can take action with Fashion Revolution
- Watch Jen's TED talk
- Get your Take Back Bag and recycle some clothes
2 Degrees Out West is a podcast from Western Resource Advocates, an environmental conservation organization that's focused on the Interior West. WRA works across seven states to protect our climate, land, air, and water. WRA protects and advocates for New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.
Want to be part of 2 Degrees Out West?
- Email us with suggestions on topics and interviewees at jessi.janusee@westernresources.org.
- Tweet us @wradv or DM us @westernresourceadvocates.
- Create a 40-sec clip sharing "What you like about the West" and send it to us at jessi.janusee@westernresources.org to be included in one of our next episodes.
- Join our email list to stay updated on when new episodes are released and calls to action on how you can help the West.
- Become a sponsor of WRA and the 2 Degrees Out West podcast. Show your support for the land, air, water, and people of the West today!
Thanks for listening. Let's all work together to keep the West wild.
Are you ready to refresh your understanding of water use and make strides in conservation as we unveil the innovative Growing Water Smart program in Utah? Our conversation delves into the intricate connection between land and water use, revealing the crucial role that reducing water use plays in our environment and key ecosystems, such as the Colorado River and the Great Salt Lake. We're joined by an expert panel featuring Chelsea Benjamin, Nick Schou, and John Berggren, who share their invaluable insights on the impacts of climate change, drought, and high water use in Utah.
We take you on a journey through the potential threats facing the Great Salt Lake, outlining the economic and health implications of its potential disappearance. Our discussion also covers how population expansion and water use are intertwined, and the opportunity Utah has to learn from other states' water efficiency efforts. We spotlight the Utah Growing Water Smart program, celebrating how it equips communities with resources to develop sustainable land and water planning processes.
We wrap up by discussing the growth of water-smart teams in Utah and their role in molding resilient communities and ecosystems. Our conversation highlights how these teams are banding together to build sustainable action plans, offering you the chance to learn how you can get involved and make a difference, regardless of your location.
Further Reading
- WRA guide to designing conservation-oriented water systems
- A Growing Water Smart guidebook on how to track progress integrating Water and Land Use
- Youtube video about Growing Water Smart
- Babbitt Center Guide to Incorporating Water into Comprehensive Planning
- Learn how you can participate in the Growing Water Smart Progam
2 Degrees Out West is a podcast from Western Resource Advocates, an environmental conservation organization that's focused on the Interior West. WRA works across seven states to protect our climate, land, air, and water. WRA protects and advocates for New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.
Want to be part of 2 Degrees Out West?
- Email us with suggestions on topics and interviewees at jessi.janusee@westernresources.org.
- Tweet us @wradv or DM us @westernresourceadvocates.
- Create a 40-sec clip sharing "What you like about the West" and send it to us at outreach@westernresources.org to be included in one of our next episodes.
- Join our email list to stay updated on when new episodes are released and calls to action on how you can help the West.
- Become a sponsor of WRA and the 2 Degrees Out West podcast. Show your support for the land, air, water, and people of the West today!
Thanks for listening. Let's all work together to keep the West wild.
What if you could uncover the often-overlooked environmental challenges faced by Latino communities? Today, we're excited to bring you a crucial conversation with Juan Roberto Madrid from Green Latinos, an organization tirelessly working towards addressing climate justice. This compelling episode invites you to join us on Juan Roberto's extraordinary journey from his 33-year healthcare career aiding minority communities, to his pursuit of a Masters in Public Health and eventually embracing the realm of policy and climate justice.
We'll also take a deep dive into the heart of Green Latinos' operations, shedding light on their mission to support initiatives like transportation electrification and addressing the disproportionate impact of climate change on Latino communities. The conversation switches gears to spotlight their nationwide advocacy for Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities, who bear the brunt of environmental issues like ozone pollution.
Finally, we'll delve into the intricate dynamics of Green Latinos' stakeholder outreach strategies, particularly their efforts to dispel misinformation about the Clean Trucks Rule. So, tune in, and together, let's make a difference!
Visit the podcast blog page for photos of Juan Roberto and Green Latinos!
Further Reading
- Learn more about Advanced Clean Trucks in Colorado on the WRA blog
- Sign up to be a member of Green Latinos
- Check out the Green Latinos Sustainable Communities Fact Sheet
- Provide Comment for the Air Quality Control Commission
- Try out the new Colorado EnviroScreen Tool
- Get an overview of Air Pollution at Airnow.gov
- See how WRA is fighting air pollution
2 Degrees Out West is a podcast from Western Resource Advocates, an environmental conservation organization that's focused on the Interior West. WRA works across seven states to protect our climate, land, air, and water. WRA protects and advocates for New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.
Want to be part of 2 Degrees Out West?
- Email us with suggestions on topics and interviewees at jessi.janusee@westernresources.org.
- Tweet us @wradv or DM us @westernresourceadvocates.
- Create a 40-sec clip sharing "What you like about the West" and send it to us at outreach@westernresources.org to be included in one of our next episodes.
- Join our email list to stay updated on when new episodes are released and calls to action on how you can help the West.
- Become a sponsor of WRA and the 2 Degrees Out West podcast. Show your support for the land, air, water, and people of the West today!
Thanks for listening. Let's all work together to keep the West wild.
Are you prepared for wildfire season? Today, we're joined by Brendan Witt, former host of Two Degrees Out West and current Western Lands Policy Fellow at WRA, to help us better understand the increasing risk of wildfires in the western US. Brendan shares his unique journey from the world of craft beer to working on land use planning, prescribed fire, and wildfire mitigation. Discover how his personal experience with the East Troublesome Fire in Colorado shaped his perspective on wildfire resilience.
We dive deep into the factors contributing to the growing risk of wildfires, such as climate change, beetle-kill pines, and the interconnectedness of our environment. Brendan also sheds light on the complex role of historical forest management and the ecological role of fires in shaping our western landscapes. Learn about the challenges and opportunities presented by prescribed burning as a tool for managing wildfire risk and how Indigenous fire practices can be incorporated into state and federal forest management.
In this fascinating conversation, we also explore the importance of intentional growth and land use planning in creating wildfire-resilient communities. From evacuation plans to preserving open spaces, this episode is packed with valuable information for anyone living in or loving the Western US. Tune in and learn how we can all be better prepared for wildfire season.
Further Reading
- Use the US Government Wildfire Map to learn about prescribed burns and wildfires across the USA.
- Watch the East Troublesome fire map on the Colorado Public Radio website.
- Read Climate Change and Aridification in North America by Jonathan T. Overpeck and Bradley Udall.
- Use the FAC Self-Assessment Tool to find out how prepared your community is for wildfire.
- Learn more about the Camp Fire and how that fire can teach us how to build more resilient communities.
2 Degrees Out West is a podcast from Western Resource Advocates, an environmental conservation organization that's focused on the Interior West. WRA works across seven states to protect our climate, land, air, and water. WRA protects and advocates for New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.
Want to be part of 2 Degrees Out West?
- Email us with suggestions on topics and interviewees at jessi.janusee@westernresources.org.
- Tweet us @wradv or DM us @westernresourceadvocates.
- Create a 40-sec clip sharing "What you like about the West" and send it to us at outreach@westernresources.org to be included in one of our next episodes.
- Join our email list to stay updated on when new episodes are released and calls to action on how you can help the West.
- Become a sponsor of WRA and the 2 Degrees Out West podcast. Show your support for the land, air, water, and people of the West today!
Thanks for listening. Let's all work together to keep the West wild.
How can we reduce our water use and support local ecosystems? Easy, turf replacement, water wise landscaping and planting native gardens. It can seem like an overwhelming task for homeowners and businesses but there are many resources, tools and financial support. The end result are beautiful spaces that support the surrounding plants and animals and make people happier too.
On this episode of 2 Degrees Out West, we talk with two water wise landscaping experts, Maria Fox in Utah and Kate Larson in Colorado, to discuss the benefits of turf replacement and how you can get started.
Tune in today to learn how these programs are making a big difference.
2 Degrees Out West is a podcast from Western Resource Advocates, an environmental conservation organization that's focused on the Interior West. WRA works across seven states to protect our climate, land, air, and water. WRA protects and advocates for New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.
Want to be part of 2 Degrees Out West?
- Email us with suggestions on topics and interviewees at jessi.janusee@westernresources.org.
- Tweet us @wradv or DM us @westernresourceadvocates.
- Create a 40-sec clip sharing "What you like about the West" and send it to us at outreach@westernresources.org to be included in one of our next episodes.
- Join our email list to stay updated on when new episodes are released and calls to action on how you can help the West.
- Become a sponsor of WRA and the 2 Degrees Out West podcast. Show your support for the land, air, water, and people of the West today!
Thanks for listening. Let's all work together to keep the West wild.
Austin Campbell is a Denver-based fly fishing guide that works with Trouts Fly Fishing and runs the non-profit Community Fly Fishing, to introduce inner-city kids and underserved Denver residents to the joys of fishing and the serenity of the outdoors.
In this episode of 2 Degrees Out West, we chat about the joys of fly fishing, how climate change is effecting the sport and the work Austin is doing to create more outdoor equity in the fishing world.
2 Degrees Out West is a podcast from Western Resource Advocates, an environmental conservation organization that's focused on the Interior West. WRA works across seven states to protect our climate, land, air, and water. Our six offices serve as hubs for our dedicated staff and policy experts to do their work across our region. WRA protects and advocates for New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. To learn more about our work and how you can help so we can create a healthier future for the West visit our website here.
Want to be part of 2 Degrees Out West?
- Email us with suggestions on topics and interviewees at outreach@westernresources.org.
- Tweet us @wradv or DM us @westernresourceadvocates.
- Create a 40-sec clip sharing "What you like about the West" and send it to us at outreach@westernresources.org to be included in one of our next episodes.
- Join our email list to stay updated on when new episodes are released and calls to action on how you can help the West.
Thanks for listening. Let's all work together to keep the West wild.
Crystal Tulley-Cordova, PhD, MWR is the principal hydrologist in the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources Water Management Branch. She's an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation and she received a doctoral degree in geology and an interdisciplinary graduate certificate in sustainability from the University of Utah.
On this episode, we speak with Crystal about water in the Navajo Nation as well as some climate challenges and collaborative solutions facing the Tribal Nation today. We also discuss how the conservation mindset of indigenous thinking is helping to find innovative ways to face climate change.
2 Degrees Out West is a podcast from Western Resource Advocates, an environmental conservation organization that's focused on the Interior West. WRA works across seven states to protect our climate, land, air, and water. Our six offices serve as hubs for our dedicated staff and policy experts to do their work across our region. WRA protects and advocates for New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. To learn more about our work and how you can help so we can create a healthier future for the West visit our website here.
Want to be part of 2 Degrees Out West?
- Email us with suggestions on topics and interviewees at outreach@westernresources.org.
- Tweet us @wradv or DM us @westernresourceadvocates.
- Create a 40-sec clip sharing "What you like about the West" and send it to us at outreach@westernresources.org to be included in one of our next episodes.
- Join our email list to stay updated on when new episodes are released and calls to action on how you can help the West.
Thanks for listening. Let's all work together to keep the West wild.
Public Utility Commissions play a major role in the clean energy future, utility rates and more but what do we really know about these regulating bodies? Listen in as we take a look behind the curtain at PUCs with transportation electrification policy analyst Deb Kapiloff.
Further Reading
- Learn more about electricity regulation in the U.S.
- Take a deeper dive into the different types of utilities (public vs. cooperate vs. investor owned etc.)
- Check out the NAACP guide to engaging with PUCs
- Read more about WRA's work with PUCs
- Learn about the new Silverhawk powerplant in Nevada
- Leave a public comment for the Colorado Public Utility Commission
- Visit the PUC podcast episode page on our website for photos, links and more.
Love the show and the climate solution work we're doing every day with Western Resource Advocates? Become a sponsor of WRA and the 2 Degrees Out West podcast. Show your support for the land, air, water and people of the West today!
2 Degrees Out West is a podcast from Western Resource Advocates, an environmental conservation organization that's focused on the Interior West. WRA works across seven states to protect our climate, land, air, and water. Our six offices serve as hubs for our dedicated staff and policy experts to do their work across our region. WRA protects and advocates for New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. To learn more about our work and how you can help so we can create a healthier future for the West visit our website here.
Want to be part of 2 Degrees Out West?
- Email us with suggestions on topics and interviewees at outreach@westernresources.org.
- Tweet us @wradv or DM us @westernresourceadvocates.
- Create a 40-sec clip sharing "What you like about the West" and send it to us at outreach@westernresources.org to be included in one of our next episodes.
- Join our email list to stay updated on when new episodes are released and calls to action on how you can help the West.
Thanks for listening. Let's all work together to keep the West wild.
Tahlia Bear is the Indigenous Peoples Engagement Manager at WRA. Her work focuses on building relationships with Tribes, identifying ways we can support one another and making sure that indigenous voices are always heard.
In this episode, we discuss some of the challenges facing tribes in the context of Climate Change and beyond. We chat about Tribal sovereignty, regional energy markets, Tribal utilities and more.
Tahlia is a member of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Tribe and she is also Navajo. During our conversation, Tahlia speaks about her Navajo family living in Northern Arizona and how her aunt only recently got electricity in her home. Lack of water and electricity in rural Indian Country is still a major issue and one that is often overlooked in the conservation and environmental justice space.
Further Reading
- Check out the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority website to learn more about this Tribal utility
- Learn more about Tribes that are directly affected by climate change and rising sea levels
- Visit the Western Navajo Fair
- Take a look at the NPR coverage on Senegal and climate refugees
- Read more about Tribal Nations in the United States
- Bookmark Indian Country Today as your Indigenous Peoples news source
- Learn how the ghost town of Empire, NV was revitalized by a new mining operation in 2016
- Become a sponsor of 2 Degrees Out West
- Check out the full podcast blog page here
2 Degrees Out West is a podcast from Western Resource Advocates, an environmental conservation organization that's focused on the Interior West. WRA works across seven states to protect our climate, land, air, and water. Our six offices serve as hubs for our dedicated staff and policy experts to do their work across our region. WRA protects and advocates for New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. To learn more about our work and how you can help so we can create a healthier future for the West visit our website here.
Want to be part of 2 Degrees Out West?
- Email us with suggestions on topics and interviewees at outreach@westernresources.org.
- Tweet us @wradv or DM us @westernresourceadvocates.
- Create a 40-sec clip sharing "What you like about the West" and send it to us at outreach@westernresources.org to be included in one of our next episodes.
- Join our email list to stay updated on when new episodes are released and calls to action on how you can help the West.
Thanks for listening. Let's all work together to keep the West wild.
We asked the WRA community to submit Little Love Letters to the West to celebrate the West and our new brand launch. In this episode, we talk with WRA president, Jon Goldin-Dubois about the new brand, the future of WRA, and his favorite part of the West. We've also included nine of the Love Letters we've received from various staff members, board members, and supporters of WRA.
2 Degrees Out West is a podcast from Western Resource Advocates, an environmental conservation organization that's focused on the Interior West. WRA works across seven states to protect our climate, land, air, and water. Our six offices serve as hubs for our dedicated staff and policy experts to do their work across our region. WRA protects and advocates for New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. To learn more about our work and how you can help so we can create a healthier future for the West visit our website here.
Want to be part of 2 Degrees Out West?
- Email us with suggestions on topics and interviewees at outreach@westernresources.org.
- Tweet us @wradv or DM us @westernresourceadvocates.
- Create a 40-sec clip sharing "What you like about the West" and send it to us at outreach@westernresources.org to be included in one of our next episodes.
- Join our email list to stay updated on when new episodes are released and calls to action on how you can help the West.
Thanks for listening. Let's all work together to keep the West wild.
Western Lands Manager, Brittany Fallon, has channeled her love for New Mexico and the environment into a career championing climate solutions in the Land of Enchantment. She loves river rafting on the Chama and snowshoeing with her dog Cooper whenever she's not fighting for our Western Lands.
In this episode, we learn about The Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund, a bill Brittany has worked on for over 5 years. This bill will create permanent funding for 10 programs that help protect New Mexico and support outdoor equity in the Cactus state.
To see all of the show notes visit our podcast page here.
2 Degrees Out West is a podcast from Western Resource Advocates, an environmental conservation organization that's focused on the Interior West. WRA works across seven states to protect our climate, land, air, and water. Our six offices serve as hubs for our dedicated staff and policy experts to do their work across our region. WRA protects and advocates for New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. To learn more about our work and how you can help so we can create a healthier future for the West visit our website here.
Want to be part of 2 Degrees Out West?
- Email us with suggestions on topics and interviewees at outreach@westernresources.org.
- Tweet us @wradv or DM us @westernresourceadvocates.
- Create a 40-sec clip sharing "What you like about the West" and send it to us at outreach@westernresources.org to be included in one of our next episodes.
- Join our email list to stay updated on when new episodes are released and calls to action on how you can help the West.
Thanks for listening. Let's all work together to keep the West wild.
Who is affected every day by traffic smog and trucks? On this episode, we chat with proud Las Vegas native, Jermareon Williams, WRA's newest government affairs manager for the state of Nevada. Find out more about Vegas, Medium and Heavy Duty Vehicles, pollution, and how we can stop it in this storytelling-style podcast from Western Resource Advocates.
Check out the show notes for photos, links and more.
2 Degrees Out West is a podcast from Western Resource Advocates, an environmental conservation organization that's focused on the Interior West. WRA works across seven states to protect our climate, land, air, and water. Our six offices serve as hubs for our dedicated staff and policy experts to do their work across our region. WRA protects and advocates for New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. To learn more about our work and how you can help so we can create a healthier future for the West visit our website here.
Want to be part of 2 Degrees Out West?
- Email us with suggestions on topics and interviewees at outreach@westernresources.org.
- Tweet us @wradv or DM us @westernresourceadvocates.
- Create a 40-sec clip sharing "What you like about the West" and send it to us at outreach@westernresources.org to be included in one of our next episodes.
- Join our email list to stay updated on when new episodes are released and calls to action on how you can help the West.
Thanks for listening. Let's all work together to keep the West wild.
Join us for a journey to the Black Rock Desert with Stacey Wittek the executive director of The Friends of Black Rock High Rock. This Northern Nevada national conservation area is best known for land speed records, emigrant trails, rocket launches and Burning Man. Find out what else the Black Rock Desert holds in this storytelling style podcast from Western Resource Advocates.Read More Here ->
The Colorado River is the hardest working river in the West, providing water for over 40 million people, 5.5 million acres of agriculture, 20 federally recognized tribes, and vibrant wildlife across seven states and two countries. It is essential for the lives and livelihoods of communities across our region – and it is in crisis. In this latest episode, we dove into the threats facing the Colorado River, what they mean for Western communities, and how we can and must take action to update management and protect this vital water source for the next 100 years to come.
From ongoing megadrought, dangerous ground-level ozone pollution and heat waves, and increasing frequent catastrophic wildfires to erratic, devastating floods, communities across the West are experiencing the impacts of climate change right now, in real time.
The impacts of the climate crisis are no longer a looming threat in the distant or even near future, they are now a present reality, and are being disproportionately felt by Western communities in the US.
With the Colorado River reaching critically low levels, unseasonable and catastrophic winter wildfires burning through suburban communities, worsening air pollution in many of our major cities, and more, it is clear we need to take action to adapt and make our communities more resilient to the worsening effects of climate change now.
Western resource advocates is working across our organization and throughout our region to help bolster community resilience to these impacts, and to protect our air, land, water, and wildlife—and sustain the lives and livelihoods of the West.
To understand how WRA is working with communities to create and increase resilience against climate change, we spoke with WRA’s Western Lands Senior Policy Analyst Rachael Hamby, Water Policy Analyst John Berggren, Senior Climate Policy Analyst Meera Fickling, and Senior Clean Energy Policy Analyst Alex Routhier for our latest episode of our Climate Nexus series. Want to know how your community can adopt policies to help increase resilience against these escalating threats? Then you won’t want to turn away from this one...
Clean air is essential for a healthy quality of life for our region. Breathing in fresh air and enjoying our region’s abundant outdoor natural beauty is what some of us love most about calling the West home. But contrary to the idyllic image that might conjure up, many of the states across the Interior West are home to some of the nation’s worst air quality.
Although we might often think of carbon dioxide, also known as CO2, when we talk about climate pollution and the need to reduce emissions to tackle climate change, many of the sources that contribute to the climate crisis also produce harmful, even toxic, air pollution that is impacting our communities. The exhaust generated from burning fossil fuels to power our cars, planes, trains, homes, industries, and office buildings all carries with it both a detrimental impact for our climate, and a potentially lethal impact for our communities.
For the second episode of our Climate Nexus series, we speak with WRA’s Utah-based general counsel and air quality expert Joro Walker, WRA’s Transportation Electrification Policy Analyst Deborah Kapiloff, and WRA’s former Senior Managing Attorney in Nevada Cameron Dyer to explore the connection between the transportation sector and burning fossil fuels, the air we breathe, and our goals to act on climate.
Take action to protect clean air in Utah: https://westernresourceadvocates.org/action/protect-clean-air-and-public-health-in-utah/
Support advancing clean cars across the West: https://westernresourceadvocates.org/action/stand-with-wra-in-advancing-clean-cars-in-the-west/
Support WRA's work to protect clean air and transition to clean energy for our region: https://westernresourceadvocates.org/donate/donate-now/
At WRA, we are working to drive on-the-ground solutions to climate change to advance clean energy, protect air, land, water, and wildlife—and sustain the lives and livelihoods of the West. And across the West, we know that almost every aspect of our lives is being impacted by the effects of climate change. From water scarcity and ongoing drought, to catastrophic wildfire and dangerous air quality levels. We know that these challenges, however distinct, are not isolated from each other. From 33 years of experience, we know crafting effective solutions to address climate change and meet our science backed emissions reductions goals requires a complex, collaborative, and multifaceted approach.
To look at where those issues and our work to address them intersect, we're launching the Climate Nexus series for our 2 Degrees Out West podcast. This series will dig into the ways that pressing environmental challenges and the causal factors of climate change overlap, as well as the ways in which our staff at WRA are working together and combining their expertise to drive innovative solutions and getting results.
For this first conversation, I spoke with Stacy Tellinghuisen and Ellen Howard Kutzer of WRA’s Clean Energy Program, as well as Bart Miller and John Cyran of WRA’s Healthy Rivers Program, about how our work to cut harmful emissions from Western coal plants and transition our region to a zero-carbon economy has the potential to help keep more water flowing through rivers and streams. Confused about how those two connect? Let’s check it out....
Support WRA's work to drive on-the-ground solutions to climate change! Donate today! https://westernresourceadvocates.org/donate-now/
Protecting our clean air, healthy rivers and lakes, and natural landscapes to ensure a healthy, livable future are goals that we can seemingly all agree on. However, for decades, the work to achieve those goals and the professions that pursue them have traditionally been seen as male dominated spaces. At Western Resource Advocates, we want to celebrate some of the incredible women on our staff, and in the conservation community that have worked to break the mold and build a more inclusive conservation movement.
For this episode, WRA’s Operation’s Associate Haley Howard takes over as guest host as we celebrate Women’s History Month.
In this edition of our 2° Out West Podcast, we spoke with some of the Women of Western Resource Advocates, including our new board member Yadi Sanchez, executive director of Poder Latinx, about their paths to working in conversation and the women who have inspired them both in the environmental field and right here at WRA. They also share their advice for young women looking to work in conservation, sustainability, and to address climate change.
For this latest installment of our podcast in recognition of Black History Month, WRA's Kandice Cleveland takes over for Brendan as guest host. Kandice spoke with WRA Western Lands Policy Analyst and Rising Routes founder Jason Swann, and Portia Prescott, founder of Black Girls Hike and a new member of our board of directors. The conversation focused on learning more about how our staff and board are working to expand equitable access to the outdoors and ensure a healthy, livable future for all our communities, and about the experiences that led Portia and Jason to work with WRA as well as to launch their own organizations focused on breaking down barriers to the outdoors. Finally Kandice, Portia, and Jason remind us that Black history is being made and celebrated everyday, this month, and every month.
At Western Resource Advocates, we work where decisions are made to drive on-the-ground solutions to climate change, advance clean energy, protect air, land, water, and wildlife — and sustain the lives and livelihoods of the West. That means engaging with policymakers at state legislatures each year to ensure that important issues are addressed.
To find out what issues are priorities for our mission in state legislators this year, we spoke with WRA’s Government Affairs team for our 2022 Western Legislative Preview episode.
With so much intense news about climate change constantly in front of us, it can be easy to lose sight of the real potential we have to address this challenge if we work together.
To wrap up this extraordinary and strange year, WRA President Jon Goldin-Dubois joins the podcast to reflect on what his summer trip hiking the Colorado Trail can tell us about how we can work together to address climate change, and how a little “trail magic” is just what we need to get it done.
We are all feeling the impacts of climate change, and experiencing them in a real and emotional sense.
While the evidence of the impacts of climate change are all around us, are we really allowing ourselves to feel these impacts personally?
How can we both process this existential issue, and turn those emotions into action?
How do we avoid feeling panic over the future, and stay motivated to act before it's too late?
In this episode, we look at how we can productively process our feelings about the climate crisis to avoid paralysis and ensure we reach our goals.
At WRA, we work where decisions are being made – including at state legislative sessions across the West. As legislatures across the West convene for 2021, we sat down with our Government Affairs team for a preview of the issues ahead, in our latest episode of our podcast, 2° Out West:
As 2020 draws to a close, we spoke with WRA President Jon Goldin Dubois about how our organization is stepping up to the challenges ahead:
We don’t have to tell you that this year has been a tough one. From the global pandemic, worsening drought conditions, and yet another season of catastrophic wildfires that have impacted so many, this year has unquestionably stood apart from the rest. But through all the struggles of 2020, there has also been some important progress made in our work to protect the West’s land air and water.
That work has us encouraged, and feeling hopeful about what 2021 has in store. So we wanted to share some of that with all of you. We brought together some of our team to talk over Zoom about what they're grateful for in 2020, and what has them feeling hopeful for the year to come.
As climate change experts warn that our climate will only continue to get hotter if we don’t take decisive action on climate soon, we spoke with some of WRA’s water experts, as well as with ranchers and Navajo tribal water official to understand whatthis drought means for people across the West, and what we can do to protect our rivers in the face of a mega drought.
While we usually cover different policy topics, update you on legislative efforts, or dive into the real world impacts of climate change on this show, we wanted to change things up for this episode.
Welcome to our first ever WRA book club. In this episode, we’ll discuss what we are reading, watching, or listening to that is serving up food for thought as we continue our work to protect the West’s land, air, and water and address climate change.
For this episode, we’ve brought together a group of advocates from across our organization to give us an update on what life is like now, and what our organization is doing to continue our work to ensure clean air and healthy rivers and lakes, protect and connect Western landscapes, and address climate change.
In this episode of 2° Out West, we speak with scientists, policy experts, and green chile lovers to learn more about what the threat of climate change means for New Mexico’s most beloved crop, New Mexico green chile.
In this episode of 2° Out West, we speak with WRA's Clean Energy Program Deputy Director Erin Overturf about why she sees reasons to stay hopeful in the face of the looming climate crisis, and what we can do to take action and make a difference before it’s too late.
2019 was a big year for WRA in our work to protect the West’s land, air, and water.
To take stock of all we accomplished this year, and look forward to 2020, we spoke with WRA President Jon Goldin-Dubois in our latest episode of our podcast, 2 Degrees Out West!
In our first full episode, we speak with WRA’s 2019 emerging leader award recipients, Andrew Pappas and Jeremy Romero, about what inspired them to work in conservation, and the challenges they see facing the West’s land, air, and water through their work.
Welcome to 2 Degrees Out West, a podcast of Western Resource Advocates, where we examine the story behind some of the most pressing conservation issues facing the West. We talk with issue experts, legislators, researchers, organizers, conservation advocates, and more about what we can do to help protect the West’s land, air, and water – and, yes, to fight the climate crisis and hold global heating to within 2 degrees Celsius. Please join us and subscribe on Stitcher, iTunes, or SoundCloud to stay up to date with our latest episodes.