The Climate Conversation: Recent Episodes
Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI)
As 2024 draws to a close, many people are wondering what to expect from the next Congress and presidential administration on climate change. But sometimes, the best way to look forward is to look back. Co-hosts Daniel Bresette and Alison Davis sit down with Jay Hakes, author of The Presidents and the Planet: Climate Change Science and Politics from Eisenhower to Bush, for a discussion about the intersection of climate science and political processes in the White House.
Show notes:
- EESI at 40: Claudine Schneider Reflects on the Necessity of Communication in Climate Politics: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/eesi-at-40-claudine-schneider-reflects-on-the-necessity-of-communication-in-climate-politics
- EESI Welcomes Two Energy Leaders to Its Board of Directors: https://www.eesi.org/press-releases/view/eesi-welcomes-two-energy-leaders-to-its-board-of-directors
Atmospheric satellite data can provide key information about climate change, including measurements related to the ozone layer, air quality, methane, and more. In today's episode, Dr. Pieternel Levelt, a scientist and associate director of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, joins Daniel and Alison to talk about satellite instruments like OMI (the Ozone Monitoring Instrument) and TROPOMI (the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument). These instruments provide essential data to scientists and policymakers all over the globe.
There are many tools and solutions available to help offset the global rise in temperature caused by greenhouse gas emissions. One such method that has been gaining traction in recent years is the use of solar reflective materials in the built environment. The degree of solar reflectance (or “albedo”) of our roofs, walls, and pavements, can impact local temperatures as well as the Earth’s energy balance. High albedo surfaces help to reduce the urban heat island effect, and a new report shines light on their effectiveness as a climate change mitigation measure. In this episode, EESI Board Member Kurt Shickman joins co-hosts Dan and Alison for a conversation with Seth Jacobson, Climate Solutions Officer at the nonprofit Climate Resolve. Seth leads the Shine On initiative, which was launched in 2023 to study the impact of albedo management of the built environment on climate change.
Show notes:
- Shine On: Increasing Local Solar Reflectance as a Means to Reduce the Greenhouse Gas Effect: https://www.climateresolve.org/shine-on-white-paper/
- Hot Today, Hotter Tomorrow: Policy Solutions to the Dangers of Extreme Heat: https://www.eesi.org/podcasts/view/6.5-hot-today-hotter-tomorrow-policy-solutions-to-the-dangers-of-extreme-heat
EESI recently held a reception at the Library of Congress to celebrate its 40th anniversary, and we were honored to welcome two members of Congress: Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) and Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.). This week on the podcast, we are resurfacing Rep. McClellan’s interview from earlier this year, when she joined us to discuss climate resilience and environmental justice in the Commonwealth and across the country.
The Gila River, which flows through New Mexico and Arizona, is the site of the first operational solar covered-canal in the United States, and will provide renewable energy to the people of the Pima and Maricopa tribes. This pilot project, also called the Casa Blanca Canal solar project, received nearly $6 million in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. For this week’s episode, EESI Policy Associate Molly Brind'Amour joins President Daniel Bresette to speak with George Cairo, the head engineer for the Casa Blanca Canal solar project, about the benefits and challenges of canal-based energy systems.
Show notes:
- The Promise and Potential of Solar Canals: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/the-promise-and-potential-of-solar-canals
- Keeping the Gila River Wild for People and the Planet: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/keeping-the-gila-river-wild-for-people-and-the-planet
Welcome to Season 8 of The Climate Conversation podcast! Many of us are returning from trips to the coast, where breezy beaches provided a respite from the brutal summer heat. But these coastal areas are important for more than just the occasional vacation. Wetlands and estuaries, which connect inland rivers to the open ocean, are critical ecosystems for climate adaptation and carbon sequestration. In this episode, co-hosts Dan and Alison—alongside EESI Policy Director Anna McGinn—talk about coastal restoration with Daniel Hayden, president and CEO of Restore America’s Estuaries.
Show notes:
- 2024 Coastal and Estuarine Summit: https://web.cvent.com/event/110611bc-78c6-43ad-b053-a9afd2a4263a/summary
- The Mississippi River: https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/101024rivers
- Building a Stronger Chesapeake Bay with EPA: https://www.eesi.org/podcasts/view/7.7-building-a-stronger-chesapeake-bay-with-epa
- A Resilient Future for Coastal Communities: https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/a-resilient-future-for-coastal-communities
- Celebrating Two Years of Coastal Resilience Solutions at EESI: https://www.eesi.org/podcasts/view/4.4-celebrating-two-years-of-coastal-resilience-solutions-at-eesi
- What Is the Future for New Jersey’s Coastal Marshes? https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/qa-what-is-the-future-for-new-jerseys-coastal-marshes
It seems like almost every day there is another story about new advancements in Artificial Intelligence, or AI. By now, many of us are familiar with ChatGPT, but there is a wide variety of different models and applications for the rapidly-evolving AI technology. To wrap up Season 7 of The Climate Conversation podcast, Dan and Alison are joined by Helena Fu, director of the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Critical and Emerging Technologies. Helena discusses how AI can help modernize the power grid for a clean energy future and shares some of what DOE’s newest office has accomplished since it opened in December 2023.
Show notes:
- AI for Energy: Opportunities for a Modern Grid and Clean Energy Economy: https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-04/AI%20EO%20Report%20Section%205.2g%28i%29_043024.pdf
- AI: Powering the New Energy Era: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtsVXbsO1zI&t=1090s
- Innovations in Weather Forecasting for a Changing Climate: https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/021524weather
- All Fired up for Innovation in Wildfire Risk Analysis: https://www.eesi.org/podcasts/view/7.6-all-fired-up-for-innovation-in-wildfire-risk-analysis
- Funding the Future: The Impact of Federal Clean Energy Investments: https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/041224doe
- How the Department of Energy is Catapulting Clean Energy Innovation to Commercial Liftoff: https://www.eesi.org/podcasts/view/6.4-how-the-department-of-energy-is-catapulting-clean-energy-innovation-to-commercial-liftoff
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ten regional offices across the country that carry out the agency’s programs. In this episode, co-hosts Dan and Alison sit down with EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz, whose office serves Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, DC, and seven federally recognized tribes. Adam shares his insights on Chesapeake Bay restoration and other EPA priorities in the region, as well as the importance of environmental justice and local partnerships.
Show notes:
- EPA Mid-Atlantic Summit: https://web.cvent.com/event/a40840fe-b2dc-4848-81d6-dd2afdbe6c70/summary
- Washington D.C. RiverSmart Homes Program Helps Protect the Chesapeake Bay Watershed: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/washington-d.c-riversmart-homes-program-helps-protect-the-chesapeake-bay-watershed
- Improving Coastal Resilience in the Northeast: https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/102319northeast
Wildfires have already made national headlines this year, as Texans recover from the largest fire in their state's history. The impacts of climate change—rising temperatures and drought, in particular—have driven the increase in wildfire frequency and severity, which then contributes to air pollution, including carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, changes in weather patterns have made wildfires less predictable and more difficult to contain. Co-hosts Dan and Alison are joined today by Joe Scott, founder and principal wildfire analyst at Pyrologix, for a conversation about how fire modeling and hazard assessment can help shape data-driven approaches to wildfire mitigation.
Show notes:
- Living with Climate Change: Wildfires: https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/061322climatechange
- Rethinking Tourism in the Wake of West Maui’s Wildfires: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/rethinking-tourism-in-the-wake-of-west-mauis-wildfires
- Hawaii Prioritizes Energy Equity So No One Gets Left Behind or Forgotten: https://www.eesi.org/podcasts/view/7.5-hawaii-prioritizes-energy-equity-so-no-one-gets-left-behind-or-forgotten
- Q&A: Learning from the Past to Chart the Future of Fire in Western Forests: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/qa-learning-from-the-past-to-chart-the-future-of-fire-in-western-forests
- The Future of Forestry in the Farm Bill: https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/060723farmbill
Did you know that Hawaii has the highest household electricity costs in the United States? To combat energy inequity in the state, Hawaii’s green bank, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority (HGIA), created its on-bill financing program known as the Green Energy Money $aver (GEM$) to make clean energy more affordable for low- and moderate-income households. In this episode, co-hosts Dan and Aaron speak with HGIA Executive Director Gwen Yamamoto Lau about some unique energy challenges and solutions from the island state’s perspective.
Show notes:
- Hawaii: Green Energy Money $aver (GEM$) On-Bill Program: https://www.eesi.org/obf/case-study/hawaii
- Increasing Clean Energy Justice and Resilience for Faith Communities Through Solar Energy: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/increasing-clean-energy-justice-and-resilience-for-faith-communities-through-solar-energy
- Financing Climate Mitigation and Resilience: Lessons from Hawaii: https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/032020hawaii
- Rethinking Tourism in the Wake of West Maui’s Wildfires: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/rethinking-tourism-in-the-wake-of-west-mauis-wildfires
In our second Congressional interview on The Climate Conversation, Dan and Alison speak with Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.) about her fight for climate resilience and environmental justice in the Commonwealth and across the country. Rep. McClellan succeeded A. Donald McEachin in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2023, making her the first Black woman representing Virginia in Congress. The conversation also includes an overview of some on-the-ground work happening in the state by Annette Osso of Resilient Virginia.
Show notes:
- Representative Ro Khanna on the CHIPS and Science Act: https://www.eesi.org/podcasts/view/5.8-representative-ro-khanna-on-the-chips-and-science-act
- Virginia’s Proactive Plan to Tackle Coastal Resilience: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/virginias-proactive-plan-to-tackle-coastal-resilience
- Environmental Justice: https://www.eesi.org/topics/environmental-justice/description
You have probably heard stories about how climate change is a major threat to some of the most cherished foods and beverages worldwide, such as coffee, chocolate, corn, and of course, wine. Because the grapes used for wine are so sensitive to temperature and other growing conditions, many winemakers are looking for ways to minimize the industry’s impact on the climate. For today’s episode, Dan and Alison sip with Jess Baum, senior director of regenerative impact at Bonterra Organic Estates, here to talk about sustainability in the wine industry. Jess explains why it is important to put a cork in certain winemaking practices (like using corks, for example). We promise you won’t be bord-eaux!
Show notes:
- Grow Organic: The Climate, Health, and Economic Case for Expanding Organic Agriculture: https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/032323ag
- Agriculture and Climate: https://www.eesi.org/agriculture-and-climate-series
- Talking about “The Octopus in the Parking Garage” with Rob Verchick: https://www.eesi.org/podcasts/view/6.1-talking-about-the-octopus-in-the-parking-garage-with-rob-verchick
International climate finance has received a lot of attention in recent years during the annual United Nations climate change summit. But there’s a lot of work that needs to be done in between the climate summit every year, when developed countries need to follow up on their climate finance commitments and help implement project plans for the developing countries striving to reach their emission reduction and climate adaptation goals. Organizations like the Green Climate Fund, the world’s largest multilateral climate-focused fund, dedicate themselves to facilitating this work through international partnerships all year round. For today’s episode, Green Climate Fund Deputy Executive Director Henry Gonzalez joins Dan and Alison to talk about the role of U.S. leadership in international climate finance, and why an investment abroad is an investment at home.
Show notes:
- Congress and International Climate Finance: https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/102623cop
- COP Dispatch: What Congress Needs to Know from the U.N. Climate Talks: https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/cop-dispatch
- COP28 Announcement Tracker: Key Announcements from the 2023 U.N. Climate Summit: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/cop28-announcement-tracker-key-announcements-from-the-2023-u.n-climate-summit
Welcome to Season 7 of The Climate Conversation podcast! When it comes to clean transportation, the journey is the destination. Today’s episode covers GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit advancing access to renewable energy sources, that was brought on to California’s Communities in Charge project to ensure the equitable deployment of Level Two charging stations for electric vehicles. Dan and Alison sit down with Norah Kyassa, an outreach coordinator with GRID Alternative’s Clean Mobility Program, to talk about why clean transportation is so crucial for environmental justice.
Show notes:
- California Puts Communities in Charge for EV Transition: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/california-puts-communities-in-charge-for-ev-transition
- Building Out Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/060222tech
- Gender Equality Can Drive the Electric Vehicle Industry Forward: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/gender-equality-can-drive-the-electric-vehicle-industry-forward
The way that climate change is covered in the media has a significant impact on public opinion as well as policy formation. In the Season 6 finale of The Climate Conversation, Dan and Aaron sit down with Evlondo Cooper, a senior writer with the climate and energy program at Media Matters for America, to discuss the extent of climate change coverage in 2022. In his reporting and in today’s conversation, Evlondo focuses on how national TV news networks talk about the climate crisis.
Show notes:
Public Polling on Climate Change: https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/020923camp
As EESI prepares for our extensive coverage of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai, we turn our attention to a topic that will be critical for global emission reductions—fossil fuel subsidies. Government subsidies are an important tool for stabilizing the economy, especially after a shock to the market, but they can also generate profits for polluting industries, as is the case with fossil fuels. Earlier this year, Canada made headlines by releasing the first national plan to eliminate inefficient subsidies to domestic fossil fuel companies. Dan and Alison are joined by Phil Gass and Laura Cameron of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to discuss Canada’s framework and the state of global fossil fuel subsidies in the lead-up to COP28.
Show notes:
- Proposals to Reduce Fossil Fuel Subsidies (2021): https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/fact-sheet-proposals-to-reduce-fossil-fuel-subsidies-2021
- Fossil Fuels: https://www.eesi.org/topics/fossil-fuels/description
- What Congress Needs to Know About COP28: https://www.eesi.org/cop28-briefings
Extreme heat is the silent killer out of all climate-related disasters. Fatalities from extreme heat typically do not receive as much attention as those from other severe weather events like hurricanes, floods, blizzards, or wildfires, and yet heat is the top weather-related public health hazard in the United States. For today’s episode, Dan and Alison are joined by Kurt Shickman, the newest member of EESI’s Board of Directors, to hear his perspective as an expert on policy solutions for extreme heat. Kurt details many different strategies to combat heat that are both affordable and attainable, and how the right policies can bring these solutions to life.
Show notes:
- Q&A: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Response to Extreme Heat: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/qa-the-centers-for-disease-control-and-preventions-response-to-extreme-heat
- Living with Climate Change: Extreme Heat: https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/062422climatechange
- In a Warming World, Urban Forestry Programs Help Residents Beat the Heat: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/in-a-warming-world-urban-forestry-programs-help-residents-beat-the-heat
The most complicated part of solving the climate crisis is not developing clean energy technologies—we’ve already made enormous strides there—but, rather, funding the deployment and widespread adoption of those technologies. The Loan Programs Office (LPO) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is working to overcome that barrier by financing large-scale energy infrastructure projects to help the United States reach its climate goals. In this episode, Dan and Alison are joined by LPO Chief Strategist Jonah Wagner to discuss DOE’s Pathways to Commercial Liftoff Reports, the role of the private sector in the transition to a decarbonized economy, and some of the clean energy technologies on the front lines of this transition.
Idyllic water views may be great for tourists, but for homeowners and residents of coastal communities, they can be a foreboding red flag. With each passing year, the climate crisis brings more extreme storms, storm surge, and even sunny-day flooding—all on top of rising sea levels. This episode explores policy approaches to help build resilience for coastal communities. Dan and Alison sit down with Jeff Peterson, co-facilitator at the Coastal Flood Resilience Project, to talk about a wide range of solutions, including risk disclosure, strengthening infrastructure, supporting relocation efforts, and more.
Show notes:
- Sea Level Rise: Policies to Anticipate Threats and Build Preparedness: https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/051822climatechange
- A Resilient Future for Coastal Communities: https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/a-resilient-future-for-coastal-communities
- Celebrating Two Years of Coastal Resilience Solutions at EESI! https://www.eesi.org/podcasts/view/4.4-celebrating-two-years-of-coastal-resilience-solutions-at-eesi
- In the Face of Rising Sea Levels, Experts Call for Nationwide Coastal Management Approach: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/in-the-face-of-rising-sea-levels-experts-call-for-nationwide-coastal-management-approach
- Q&A: What Is the Future for New Jersey’s Coastal Marshes? https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/qa-what-is-the-future-for-new-jerseys-coastal-marshes
Last season, in Episode 5, we talked about the U.S. Geological Survey’s Climate Adaptation Science Centers, or CASCs. These regional consortiums facilitate partnerships between universities, tribal nations, and other institutions to deliver science that helps fish, wildlife, water, land, and people adapt to a changing climate. In this episode, Dan and Anna explore the South Central CASC and its work on the Red River Basin. They are joined by Barney Austin, president and CEO of Aqua Strategies Inc, and Newakis Weber, water resource manager for the Chickasaw Nation, to talk about why the Red River is so critical and how decision-makers in the region can increase resilience to the projected impacts of climate breakdown.
Welcome to Season 6 of The Climate Conversation podcast! To kick off the season, we are discussing a book, The Octopus in the Parking Garage: A Call for Climate Resilience. Since its publication earlier this year, The Octopus in the Parking Garage has helped non-expert readers understand climate resilience in a way that is not only accessible, but also empowering. Author Rob Verchick—a renowned climate law scholar and professor at Loyola University New Orleans—sits down with Dan and Alison to talk about the major themes and findings from his book, including public perception of climate and resilience, modern forms of casteism, and planning for an uncertain future.
Show notes:
- A Resilient Future for Coastal Communities: Federal Policy Recommendations from Solutions in Practice: https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/a-resilient-future-for-coastal-communities
- Climate Adaptation: A Review of Federal Legislation Enacted Since 2017: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/climate-adaptation-a-review-of-federal-legislation-enacted-since-2017
- In the Face of Rising Sea Levels, Experts Call for Nationwide Coastal Management Approach: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/in-the-face-of-rising-sea-levels-experts-call-for-nationwide-coastal-management-approach
- Planning and Acting for a Resilient Coastal Louisiana: https://www.eesi.org/podcasts/view/s3e2-planning-and-acting-for-a-resilient-coastal-louisiana
- Climate Adaptation Programs across Agencies: https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/031822fed
- Public Polling on Climate Change: https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/020923camp
Surprise! We are thrilled to share this Season 5 bonus episode, which came about from an unexpected opportunity to interview a member of Congress. From California’s 17th Congressional District, we are joined today by Representative Ro Khanna, who played a vital role in the formation of the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act. Rep. Khanna sat down with Dan and Alison to discuss how the CHIPS and Science Act contributes to climate policy, progress on implementation, the bipartisan appeal of the law, and more.
Shownotes: How the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Work Together to Advance Climate Action: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/how-the-inflation-reduction-act-and-bipartisan-infrastructure-law-work-together-to-advance-climate-action Briefing Series: Scaling Up Innovation to Drive Down Emissions: https://www.eesi.org/tech2022 Content Tag: California: https://www.eesi.org/page/California
Across the United States and around the world, motherhood is often the foundation of vital caregiving networks that help make communities more resilient in the face of crisis and conflict. Effective climate adaptation policy should account for the ways in which mothers are disproportionately affected by climate change hazards, while also supporting the essential caregiving role their communities depend upon. With COP27 underway, Dan and Alison sit down with Diana Duarte from MADRE, an international women's human rights organization and feminist fund, to talk about how motherhood empowers climate activism in the global south. They are also joined by Moms Clean Air Force Co-Founder Dominique Browning for her insight on how networks of moms and dads are engaging with climate policy in the United States.
Show notes: Go-To Resources on Gender Day: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/go-to-resources-on-the-key-themes-of-cop27-week-2#Gender What Congress Needs to Know About COP27 briefing series: https://www.eesi.org/cop27 COP27 Dispatch newsletter: https://www.eesi.org/salesforce
October 26, 2022 marks the two-year anniversary of EESI’s comprehensive report called A Resilient Future for Coastal Communities. This report is a guidebook for policymakers on coastal resilience, featuring policy recommendations, guiding principles, case studies from across the country, and so much more. To mark this anniversary, Dan and Emma speak with Shana Udvardy, Senior Climate Resilience Policy Analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists, to learn about how the climate of the present is affecting our coasts, what the big climate bills in the United States mean for coastal communities, and some examples of coastal resilience in action.
Show notes: A Resilient Future for Coastal Communities report: https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/a-resilient-future-for-coastal-communities Regional coastal resilience briefing series: https://www.eesi.org/initiatives/coastal-resilience
Many faith buildings across the country are old and inefficient, racking up huge energy bills that faith groups sometimes cannot afford to pay. In Delaware, two state nonprofits have formed a partnership to help address this problem, running energy audits and providing educational outreach to faith communities across the state. Dan and Emma speak with Shweta Arya from Delaware Interfaith Power & Light and Tony DePrima from Energize Delaware to learn about their Faith Efficiencies program and the benefits it can have for houses of worship. They are also joined by Pastor John Graham of Temple United Church in Wilmington, who shares stories of the transformation in his church after completing energy efficiency upgrades.
Show notes: Energy Efficiency for Nonprofits article series: https://www.eesi.org/energy-efficiency-for-nonprofits Articles on the Inflation Reduction Act: https://www.eesi.org/page/Inflation+Reduction+Act
People are always inventing new climate solutions, but it is challenging to go from an idea to a commercially-viable product. But we urgently need these technologies to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, especially in heavy industries like steel manufacturing. Enter: Third Derivative, a climate accelerator with a mission to help climate start-ups bridge finance and resource gaps to enter the market faster. Dan and Emma speak with Elaine Hsieh, Third Derivative’s co-founder and principal, and Erica Nemser, chief executive of Compact Membrane Systems, a company part of the Third Derivative portfolio that makes membranes to capture carbon from industrial activity. Elaine and Erica discuss the importance of supporting small companies for climate solutions, strategies to address the lack of diversity in climate tech, and how federal policies can support their work.
Show notes: Scaling Up Innovation to Drive Down Emissions briefing series: https://www.eesi.org/tech2022
Welcome to season 4 of The Climate Conversation! We are heading back to school to learn about reducing cafeteria food waste with Food Policy Researcher Melissa Terry and representatives from the Boulder Valley School District and the Chef Ann Foundation in Colorado. Each day, the school district cooks over 15,000 fresh, cooked-from-scratch meals that kids actually want to eat. At the same time, they have also reduced their food waste by installing bulk milk dispensers, a salad bar, a composting system, and more. Dan and Emma speak with Mary Rochelle from the Boulder Valley School District and Laura Smith from the Chef Ann Foundation about how the district overhauled its school meals with the support of the Chef Ann Foundation, which which works with school systems around the country.
Back to School Briefing: https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/092822school Reducing Emissions by Reducing Food Waste Briefing: https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/121021waste Resources on the 2023 Farm Bill: https://www.eesi.org/2023-farm-bill
It’s the final episode of Season 3 of The Climate Conversation, which takes a close look at the newest version of the Climate Opinion Maps developed by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. Yale has been publishing these maps since 2014, which display responses to prompts such as “global warming is happening” and “Congress should do more to address global warming” across different geographic levels in the United States. Dan and Emma speak with Dr. Jennifer Marlon, the lead researcher for the Climate Opinion Maps, about how these responses have changed over time, what these maps say about public support for climate policies, and how these opinions might continue to evolve in the future. The Climate Conversation will return for Season 4 in September 2022.
It's the launch of the Beneficial Electrification Toolkit at EESI! This resource is a one-stop-shop for utilities to learn, plan, and implement a beneficial electrification program. To explore this kind of electrification in action, we travel to Durango, Colorado, a small rural town in the southwest corner with a big source of pride: the first electric school bus with vehicle-to-grid capabilities in the state. This bus, which first hit the road in January 2022, not only takes students to school every day, but also helps store excess clean power, distribute energy back to the electric grid, reduce local emissions, and provide better air quality. The Durango School District worked with their local rural electric cooperative, La Plata Electric Association, to apply for a grant to pay for the bus and a fast charger in this pilot program. Dan and Emma talk with Dominic May from La Plata and Karla Sluis and Daniel Blythe from Durango School District about how the bus has performed so far and where they hope to take the program from here.
In April 2021, Washington State passed the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act, a landmark piece of environmental justice legislation that defines environmental justice, establishes an Environmental Justice Council, requires the use of an environmental health disparities map to analyze cumulative impacts, and builds community input into the decision making process. Dan and Emma discuss how the provisions within the HEAL Act can address environmental disparities and progress over the past year with Dinah Wilson, Equity and Engagement Manager for the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, and Guillermo Rogel Jr., Legislative and Government Affairs Advocate at Front and Centered - two organizations instrumental in informing this law.
In Puerto Rico, sustainable agriculture practices are helping residents regain food sovereignty and break free from the roots of colonialism. Investing and supporting farmers cultivating these techniques will help Puerto Ricans reduce their dependence on foreign imports, help make food systems more resilient to extreme weather, bolster the local economy, and provide more options for a healthy diet. Dan and EESI Communications Associate Alison Davis talk about these topics and more with Dr. Gladys Gonzalez Martinez, professor at the University of Puerto Rico and Dr. Katia Avilés-Vázquez, the executive director of the Institute for Research and Education in Agroecology.
On February 28, 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a new report focusing on the impacts of climate change and our capacity to adapt to them. This 3,000+ page document can help inform policymakers about the latest climate science and possible solutions. But what are the biggest takeaways from the report and where do we go from here? Dan and EESI Policy Manager Anna McGinn talk with Dr. Anand Patwardhan, previous coordinating lead author for the IPCC and co-chair of the Adaptation Research Alliance, about the main conclusions and how research can drive climate adaptation work forward.
The aviation industry will be one of the toughest sectors to decarbonize. Yet, most of the major airlines have announced net zero emissions goals by 2050. So how are they going to get there? Dan and Emma talk with Aaron Robinson, Senior Manager of Environmental Strategy and Sustainability at United Airlines, about how United is investing in more efficient aircraft, sustainable aviation fuels, and carbon capture and storage facilities to get to net zero - without buying offsets. He also discusses the global collaborations and partnerships that are needed to bring down carbon emissions from aviation worldwide.
In Louisiana, rising sea levels, more intense storms, and high tide flooding threaten coastal ecosystems and livelihoods of people in those communities. But Louisiana has been both planning for coastal resilience for a long time - and putting those plans into action. In this episode, Dan and Emma explore the benefits that wetland restoration can have for the coast and the role that wetlands play in the planning and implementation of Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan. They are joined by Natalie Snider from the Environmental Defense Fund and Dr. Denise Reed from the University of New Orleans.
Welcome to the first episode of season 3 of The Climate Conversation! In this episode, EESI’s Dan Bresette and Amber Todoroff interview coastal resilience expert, Western Carolina University professor, and EESI Advisory Board member Dr. Rob Young. They discuss climate change threats to Charleston, a proposed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seawall project, and solutions to make the coastline more resilient.
With all the depressing climate news out there, it’s sometimes hard to see progress. The Climate Conversation cuts through the noise and presents you with relevant climate change solutions happening on the Hill and in communities around the United States.
Twice a month, join Environmental and Energy Study Institute staff members as they interview environmental, energy, and policy experts on practical, on-the-ground work that communities, companies, and governments are doing to address climate change.
Whether you want to learn more about the solutions to climate change, are an expert in environmental issues, or are a policy professional, this podcast is for you.
It’s the last episode of Season 2 of The Climate Conversation! This week, Dan and Emma look back on EESI’s 2021 briefings and projects to discuss favorites, lessons learned, and what’s coming up next year. They are joined by EESI Senior Associate Dan O’Brien and Policy Associate Savannah Bertrand. The Climate Conversation will return for Season 3 in February 2022.
Dan and Emma explore in this episode how climate adaptation work is being done on the ground in communities across the United States. Through the USDA Climate Hubs, communities can get the regionally-specific tools and resources they need to better prepare for future climate impacts. Our guests today include Dr. Emile Elias, the director of the Southwest Climate Hub, and Dr. Julian Reyes, the national Climate Hubs coordinator.
Dan and EESI Senior Associate Miguel Yañez-Barnuevo spoke with Denise Abdul-Rahman, a field organizer for the National NAACP Environmental Climate Justice Program, about the NAACP Equitable Solar Policy Principles. These principles can help develop a shared understanding of equitable solar policy and assist advocates and policymakers craft solutions. Dan, Miguel, and Denise discuss the formation of these principles, how they can be applied, and how they can be used to spur an equitable transition to clean energy.
The Great Lakes is an incredibly diverse and important region, providing millions with water, contributing billions for the economy, and supporting the continuation of Indigenous lifeways for the approximately 20 tribal nations with land within the basin. But climate change and other environmental threats could upend all of that. Dan and Emma learn about the federally-funded climate resilience work happening in the region that could help protect this valuable area.
This week, Dan and guest host Susan, sat down with Lukas Haynes of the David Rockefeller Fund to discuss how grant-awarding foundations can help power climate solutions. The David Rockefeller Fund recently joined the Net Zero Asset Owners Alliance, one of the first U.S. foundations to do so, in an effort to drive decarbonization and inspire other asset owners to do the same.
Rural Broadband may not seem like a climate issue, but as more and more devices are connected to the internet, from smart thermostats to water heaters, that need to be balanced on the electric grid, having access to broadband is critical. Dan and Emma take listeners to the San Juan Islands in Washington State to learn why installing broadband there was so difficult but so necessary to support residents and strengthen communities.
This week, Dan and Syd spoke with American businessman, environmental engineer, and retired three-star general, Jeffrey Talley, about how the military’s perspective towards climate change has evolved over time as well as how the business sector is taking strides for a decarbonized future.
From North Carolina to Chicago to DC, hear how standardizing the steps to resilience will help communities withstand a changing climate. Dan and Sydney explore the complexities of resilience planning in different parts of the U.S. and uncover how communities are utilizing the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit to keep people safe.
Season 2 of The Climate Conversation will debut in September! In this short episode, we tell you what to expect from the new season and all about the topics we are going to explore. If you haven’t yet, subscribe!
For our final episode in Season 1, we wanted to take a minute (or twenty) to introduce you to our newest team members, Savannah Bertrand and Emma Johnson! Emma and Savannah both joined EESI in the spring and are bringing an immense amount of expertise to our communications and policy teams. Listen to learn what brought them both to EESI and what gets them up in the morning!
Every year, natural disasters destroy communities, leaving people without vital resources like food and shelter. And climate change is only making these disasters more frequent and severe. Join us this week with NRDC Senior Policy Analyst Anna Weber, as we explore how the establishment of a National Disaster Safety Board could help nationalize disaster planning and preparedness, saving lives and money.
What are the major challenges for Congressional lawmakers and their staff in drafting and passing reconciliation bills? And why does it matter for climate policy? This week, Dan and Sydney thought through those questions and more by recapping the key takeaways from our BONUS Congressional Climate Camp, condensing the briefing into just 15 minutes.
The United States discards 80 billion pounds of food, or 30 to 40 percent of its food supply, every year. This wasted food ends up in landfills, taking up space and producing harmful greenhouse gases. So, what should be done to curb this crisis? This week, Syd and Dan spoke with Josh Enderle, a compost and recycling educator, to discuss different ways communities can cut their food waste.
This week, Dan and Sydney discussed the key takeaways from the fourth Congressional Climate Camp, condensing the 2-hour briefing into just 20 minutes. Perfect for people who missed the briefing but still want to catch up with it on the go!
A coordinated approach between sectors is the only way to say goodbye to carbon emissions for good. This week, Dan and Syd met with the leaders of the Decarbonization Dialogue, which convened experts from three different sectors to develop policy recommendations for economy-wide and equitable decarbonization.
In 2018, 36 million tons of plastic was produced in the United States. But where does this plastic end up? And is it all recyclable? These are the questions Dan and Sydney explored in this week’s episode -- with help from award-winning reporter and producer, Emma Schwartz. Schwartz and her team worked extensively on this topic for their recent Frontline film, Plastic Wars.
This week, Dan and Sydney discussed the key takeaways from the third Congressional Climate Camp, condensing the 2-hour briefing into just 20 minutes. Perfect for people who missed the briefing but still want to catch up with it on the go!
Throughout Women’s History Month, EESI is committed to highlighting trailblazing women in the climate, energy, and environmental fields. This week, Sydney and guest host, Anna, sat down with global hydropower leader (and EESI board member) Linda Church-Ciocci to discuss her career in clean energy and thoughts on the future.
This episode reflected on EESI’s most recent Congressional Climate Camp! Dan and Sydney brought in a special guest to review the briefing and featured key takeaways from each speaker, condensing the 2-hour briefing into just 20 minutes. Perfect for people who missed the briefing but still want to catch up with it on the go!
This week, we examined how climate change is impacting the Arctic. To tackle this topic, we sat down with Rick Thoman, editor of the 2020 Arctic Report Card and Alaska Climate Specialist with the International Arctic Research Center, and discussed his work in Alaska, the findings of the annual Arctic Report Card, and what these findings mean for the future of the region.
Following the debut of EESI’s most recent briefing series, Congressional Climate Camp, Dan and Sydney discussed the key takeaways from the briefing, condensing the 2-hour briefing into just 24 minutes. This episode is perfect for people who missed the briefing but still want to catch up with it on the go!
This week, Dan and Sydney sat down with Dr. Saleem H. Ali, member of the UN International Resource Panel, Distinguished Professor of Energy and Environment at the University of Delaware, and Senior Fellow at Columbia University to discuss the recently released UN Environment Programme Emissions Gap Report. Dr. Ali has been very involved with the emissions gap reports, so EESI wanted to discuss the role of the report, what the report's findings are, and why the report is important for policymakers.
Happy New Year! This week, Dan and Sydney looked back at 2020 through the experiences of our interns! We invited three 2020 interns back to EESI to give listeners a sneak peek into the inner workings of our organization. Our guests, Uma, Abby, and Karen, reflected on the work they did at EESI and how this work translated into their careers.
If you are interested in joining EESI as an intern, please apply at eesi.org/about/internships
This week, Dan and Sydney invited E&E News climate reporter Jean Chemnick to the show to discuss what the Biden transition to the White House means for the future of climate action and policy. We spoke with Jean about the current state of Biden’s climate administration, the general outlook on climate policy for the next four years, and what a Biden administration might tackle first.
In this episode, Dan and Sydney sit down with NASA scientist Dr. Fay Collier and EESI Senior Policy Fellow Jeff Overton to discuss the latest in aviation technology and how the aviation industry is working to combat rising emissions. Join us to see what climate solutions are in place and how the industry is planning to adapt for the future.
In our debut episode, EESI Executive Director Daniel Bresette and Communications Associate Sydney O’Shaughnessy speak with their colleagues about EESI’s recently released report on coastal resilience, A Resilient Future for Coastal Communities: Federal Policy Recommendations from Solutions in Practice. Join us as we discuss how coastal communities across the United States—from Alaska to Puerto Rico, Hawaii to the Great Lakes, New York to Louisiana—are dealing with the resilience challenges posed by climate change. Download EESI’s Coastal Resilience report and see dozens of coastal solutions in place around the United States: https://www.eesi.org/rfcc Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter, Climate Change Solutions, for insight on the latest innovative climate solutions and environmental policy in action: https://www.eesi.org/signup