Climate One At The Commonwealth Club

More than 7% of California has burned in the last five years. Clearly, past methods of wildfire prevention haven’t worked. Now, California is embracing a variety of new approaches to land management in an effort to beat back the flames. California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot oversees the state's public lands, parks, wildlife and its firefighting agency, CalFire. As part of our slate of SF Climate Week events, Secretary Crowfoot spoke with KQED Science Reporter Danielle Venton about his work leading efforts to better adapt the state to the risk of wildfires.  Guests: Wade Crowfoot, California Secretary for Natural Resources Danielle Venton, Science reporter, KQED This conversation was recorded live on April 23, 2024 and supported in part by the Resources Legacy Fund. Join Climate One and Project Drawdown's Matt Scott live in San Francisco on June 25! Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads,

Summer means peak wildfire season. And recently, we’ve seen some of the most destructive wildfires in recorded history. For years the message around fire has been: no fire is good.  But increasingly, we’re starting to fight fire with fire. Prescribed burns may help prevent large, catastrophic wildfires. While using fire as a tool to manage the forest may be a relatively new concept to some, Indigenous communities have used fire to manage their environment for thousands of years. Is it time to rethink our relationship with wildfire?  Guests:  Susan Prichard, Fire Ecologist, University of Washington School of Environmental and Forest Sciences Ana Alanis, Founder, Hungry for Climate Action Nick Mott, Multimedia journalist  Frank Kanawha Lake, Research Ecologist and Tribal Liaison, USDA Forest Service This episode was supported by the Resources Legacy Fund. Join Climate One and Project Drawdown's Matt Scott live in San Francisco on June 25! Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Pa

Globally, one-third of food produced every year is wasted. That’s enough to feed about 2 billion people — twice the number of people who are undernourished. The global food system also accounts for a whopping one-third of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. These two problems — waste and emissions — are intricately linked: Climate disruption exacerbates food insecurity. And industrial food production contributes to the climate crisis. When food is wasted, it’s also a waste of land, water and energy. In this episode, we talk with experts about how to fix the broken system and hear from some of the people on the ground recovering food before it goes to waste. How can we address both climate and food insecurity at the same time? Guests: Dawn King, Senior Lecturer, Brown University Lisa Moon, CEO, The Global FoodBanking Network Norma Alonso, ABACO, Cooperation Manager  James Leyson, Managing Director for Global Impact and Operations, Scholars of Sustenance This episode also features a news story produced by Ha

Summer is coming soon, and for many that means vacation. While traveling far and wide can be an amazing experience, the carbon cost of traveling is significant. But what if we could rekindle a sense of awe in our own neighborhoods? After years of extreme expeditions all over the world, adventurer Alastair Humphreys spent a year exploring the detailed local map around his home. His new book “Local” is an ode to slowing down, as well as a rallying cry to protect the wild places on our doorstep. This episode also features field reporting from Producers Austin Colón and Megan Biscieglia. Guest:  Alastair Humphreys, Author, adventurer It's time for our annual spring appeal! At Climate One, we believe in the power of open conversations to drive positive change. Through our thought-provoking discussions and interviews, we strive not only to raise awareness of climate issues and solutions, but to also empower individuals — like each of our valued listeners — to take tangible steps toward a more sustainable future. 

At age 9, Nalleli Cobo, suffering headaches, heart palpitations, nosebleeds, and body spasms, became an activist, driven to fighting to close the local oil well responsible for her ailments. In 2022, at age 20, she won the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for her work shutting down toxic wells throughout the Los Angeles region. The same year, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law prohibiting such neighborhood wells. Then Big Oil bankrolled a referendum on the matter for the November 2024 ballot, putting the restrictions Cobo fought so hard for on hold. Also in California, State Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit against five of the world’s largest oil and gas companies, along with the lobbying organization American Petroleum Institute, for willfully misleading the public about climate change. This week we explore two methods of challenging fossil fuels: in the courts and on the ballot. Guests: Nalleli Cobo, Cofounder, People Not Pozos Rob Bonta, California Attorney General It's time for

An environmental giant passed last week with the death of Pete McCloskey, a former Republican Congressman who co-authored the Endangered Species Act. He died at the age of 94.  A Marine who served in the Korean War, McCloskey was perhaps best known for the politically fraught move of challenging a sitting president in his own party - Richard Nixon - in the 1972 presidential primary because of the Vietnam War. He was the first member of Congress — from either party — to call for President Nixon’s resignation during the Watergate scandal.  After he left public office in the 1980s, he continued to champion peace and environmental causes. About fifteen years ago, he became an early supporter of young people bringing climate cases into the courts. In 2011 he came on Climate One with other experts to discuss the first suits that young people filed alleging the US government has a responsibility to protect a healthy atmosphere for future generations. That effort laid the groundwork for the ongoing case Juliana vs. U

Plastics are everywhere. And while we’ve known for a long time that plastics and our environment aren’t a good mix, it's becoming apparent that they’re massive climate polluters too. The production of plastics alone produces about 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. After what is often a single use, the resulting waste continues releasing the greenhouse gasses ethylene and methane as it breaks apart.  Yet, as petrochemical companies pay lip service ending fuel production, they are pouring resources into plastics production. How do we wrap up our reliance on plastics? Guests:  Diane Wilson, Founder and Director, San Antonio Bay Waterkeeper Jane Patton, U.S. Fossil Economy Campaign Manager, Center for International Environmental Law  Susannah Scott, Professor of Chemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara  Alexis Jackson, Ocean Policy and Plastics Lead, California Chapter, The Nature Conservancy  It's time for our annual spring appeal! At Climate One, we believe in the power of open conversations to d

The Golden State has staked much of its reputation on its green credentials, with state leaders touting its role on the leading edge of global and national climate progress. But California is falling behind in meeting its ambitious emission targets, and has been criticized for over-relying on emerging clean energy technologies that may not bear out. At the same time, the state is at increasing risk from severe wildfires, epic floods and other impacts worsened by burning fossil fuels. What can the nation learn from California’s attempts to mitigate climate disruption? Guests: Scott Wiener, California State Senator Nancy Skinner, California State Senator Liane Randolph, Chair, California Air Resources Board Mari Rose Taruc, Energy Justice Director, California Environmental Justice Alliance Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor, California Jennifer Barrera, President & CEO, California Chamber of Commerce It's time for our annual spring appeal! At Climate One, we believe in the power of open conversations to driv

Many businesses and governments have a goal of reaching net zero emissions. Sounds good. But what does “net zero” even mean? And how do we get there? Alicia Seiger is a lecturer at Stanford Law School and leads sustainability and energy finance initiatives at Stanford Law, Graduate School of Business, and the Doerr School for Sustainability. She argues that when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, businesses need to get as good at accounting for their pollution as they are for their dollars. Guest: Alicia Seiger, Lecturer, Stanford Law School It's time for our annual spring appeal! At Climate One, we believe in the power of open conversations to drive positive change. Through our thought-provoking discussions and interviews, we strive not only to raise awareness of climate issues and solutions, but to also empower individuals — like each of our valued listeners — to take tangible steps toward a more sustainable future.  You can show your support for Climate One by contributing to our spring fundraising camp

In 2021, Mayor London Breed released the San Francisco Action Plan, which aims to achieve net zero emissions for the city by 2040. The plan not only charts the course for eliminating emissions over the next two decades but also includes commitments to ensure that the benefits of climate action are extended equitably to all communities. That was three years ago. So what progress has been made? And what strategies are in place to get the city to its 2040 target? Guest: Tyrone Jue, Director of the San Francisco Environment Department It's time for our annual spring appeal! At Climate One, we believe in the power of open conversations to drive positive change. Through our thought-provoking discussions and interviews, we strive not only to raise awareness of climate issues and solutions, but to also empower individuals — like each of our valued listeners — to take tangible steps toward a more sustainable future.  You can show your support for Climate One by contributing to our spring fundraising campaign. For com

Batteries are a critical part of the transition away from fossil fuels. From electric vehicles to grid scale storage for wind and solar, demand for batteries is expected to grow 500% by 2030. In order to meet that demand, we’re going to need a lot more batteries.  And while companies like JB Straubel’s Redwood Materials are building capacity for recycling, for now that means a lot more mining. With the battery supply chain only growing more critical as the electric vehicle market matures, we’re revisiting this critical episode from last summer exploring how to build a battery supply chain that meets demand while reducing harm. Guests:  JB Straubel, Founder and CEO, Redwood Materials  Aimee Boulanger, Executive Director, Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sup

The Golden State has staked much of its reputation on its green credentials, with state leaders often touting its role on the leading edge of global and national climate progress. But California is falling behind in meeting its ambitious emission targets, and has been criticized for over relying on emerging clean energy technologies that may not bear out — and worse, increase harm to communities of color and low-income households. What role should regulators and community advocates play in ensuring our clean energy transition remains equitable and on track? Guests: Liane M. Randolph, Chair, California Air Resources Board Mari Rose Taruc, Energy Justice Director, California Environmental Justice Alliance

On behalf of the People of the State of California, Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit against five of the world’s largest oil and gas companies, along with the lobbying organization American Petroleum Institute, for willfully misleading the public about climate change. How big a deal could this lawsuit be? Guest: Rob Bonta, California Attorney General Did you enjoy this conversation? Wish you could've been there to see the full show? Tickets for the rest of SF Climate Week at Climate One are still available! Climate One hosts live events on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday in celebration of SF Climate Week, and we want you in the room. Join us! Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord.  Join today for just $5/month. For show notes, visit our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon

Artificial intelligence can do some pretty amazing things, including for the climate. AI can help optimize the electric grid, make heating and cooling buildings more efficient, and pinpoint exactly where greenhouse gas emissions are coming from all around the world. On the other hand, the energy use of AI is massive and growing. A recent study estimates that in just a few years, the extra energy needed will equal whole countries the size of Sweden or Argentina. How do we make sure the benefits of AI outweigh its energy costs? Guests Karen Hao, Contributing Writer, The Atlantic  Gavin McCormick, Cofounder and Executive Director, WattTime; Cofounder, Climate TRACE Priya Donti, Assistant Professor, MIT; Co-founder and Chair of Climate Change AI  Amy McGovern, Professor of Computer Science, University of Oklahoma  Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One lis

In August 2022, Congress passed the biggest piece of climate legislation in our nation’s history: The Inflation Reduction Act, which put $400 billion into boosting the transition to a clean energy economy over the next ten years. The IRA has spurred companies to announce nearly $110 billion of investment in new factories to build EVs, batteries and renewable energy facilities. That’s driving investments, reshoring of manufacturing, and real change. This week we check in on the impact of the IRA in the last 18 months. What impact has the IRA really had on US emissions so far? Has the IRA distributed money to fulfill its climate justice initiatives?  Guests: Trevor Houser, Partner, Rhodium Group Danny Kennedy, CEO, New Energy Nexus Bineshi Albert, Former Co-Executive Director, Climate Justice Alliance This piece also includes a reported feature from Emily Jones of WABE in Atlanta and Grist. Climate One will be celebrating SF Climate Week with a series of programs featuring California and the San Francisco Bay A

Even before Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” brought climate change to the mainstream, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Elizabeth Kolbert was on the beat. Her reporting in the early 2000s culminated in her book “Field Notes from a Catastrophe,” which sounded the alarm on the causes and effects of global warming.  Nearly 20 years later, Kolbert is still bringing the climate story to the public with her new book “H Is for Hope: Climate Change from A to Z.” The book is told in bite size vignettes that paint a picture of our climate present, what the future may hold and where there may be space for hope. Guests: Elizabeth Kolbert, Journalist and Author Molly Wood, Climate Solutions Investor and Podcaster Sister True Dedication, Zen Buddhist Nun Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr., CEO, Hip Hop Caucus Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to t

Climate change means extreme weather, shifting landscapes, and generally more instability. More and more, you can feel the impacts of climate disruption in your wallets. Drought is pushing up the cost of candy and leading to shipping delays in the Panama Canal.  Globally, researchers say climate could add one percent to inflation every year until 2035. The costs of car insurance, health insurance and property insurance are rising. And whether it’s tea in the morning or wine in the evening, disrupted climate patterns and extreme weather are making certain foods more expensive.  This week, we unpack how climate change drives inflation. Guests: Nicholas Stern, IG Patel Chair of Economics and Government, London School of Economics Jeremy Porter, Head of Climate Implications Research, First Street Foundation Avery Ellfeldt, Reporter, E&E News Lea Borkenhagen, Senior Vice President, EDF+Business Support Climate One by going ad-free! By joining Climate One on Patreon, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future

The places that most people call home are coming under increasing threat from climate change. From rising seas and more frequent floods to stronger hurricanes and cyclones, to more devastating droughts and wildfires, the most habitable parts of our world are becoming far less so. Over time, our cities will be forced to transform — and hundreds of millions will have to move. People who have the means are already starting to relocate to places that market themselves as climate-proof. But not everyone will be able to leave. And many won’t want to. How do we handle the next great waves of migration? Guests:  Abrahm Lustgarten, author, “On the Move: The Overheating Earth and the Uprooting of America” Sonia Shah, author, “The Next Great Migration: The Beauty and Terror of Life on the Move” This episode also features reported pieces by MPR reporter Dan Kraker on “Climate Proof Duluth” and KUOW Public Radio in Seattle reporter ​​John Ryan on “How a Northwest tribe is escaping a rising ocean.” Support Climate One by

As heat waves, storms, droughts and wildfires continue to worsen, talking can seem like a seriously insufficient climate solution. It’s fair to ask: Are we just engaged in blah, blah, blah? Too often, talking is one sided – more of a lecture aimed at conveying information or solely stating one's own point of view. And yet, when done right, real conversations and true listening can help us find common ground, which can then lead to collective action and change. So how do we make those conversations really count? In this week’s episode, we delve into some of our most insightful interviews, looking for the answer. Guests: Katharine Hayhoe, Chief Scientist, The Nature Conservancy   Meera Subramanian, Journalist Faith Kearns, Scientist, California Institute for Water Resources; Author, “Getting to the Heart of Science Communications” Anand Giridharadas, Author, “The Persuaders”  Chloe Maxmin, Co-Executive Director, Dirt Road Organizing John Cook, Senior Research Fellow, Melbourne Centre for Behaviour Change  For s

Kumi Naidoo is a world renowned activist and climate leader. Before going on to lead Greenpeace International then Amnesty International, Naidoo was a 15 year old anti-apartheid activist in South Africa. The boycotts he organized led to him being a target of the Security Police. He fled South Africa and lived in exile in the UK.  As a climate activist, Naidoo has been arrested for scaling oil rigs, has negotiated with heads of state, and rubbed shoulders with the most powerful people at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Now he’s a visiting scholar at Stanford’s Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law, where he’s focusing on how activism can win bigger and faster.  Guests:  Kumi Naidoo, Human Rights and Environmental Justice Activist Alex Ajose Nixon, Spoken Word Poet Mystic, Hip Hop Artist and Educator Dana R. Fisher, Professor of Sociology, University of Maryland Tamara Toles O’Laughlin, President and CEO, Environmental Grantmakers Association