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Two Heroes Challenging the Powerful
Making the necessary changes to address climate disruption will take massive collective action. But sometimes, a single individual can make an extraordinary difference. At age nine, Nalleli Cobo, suffering headaches, heart palpitations, nosebleeds, and body spasms, became an activist, driven to fighting to shut down the local oil in Los Angeles well responsible for her ailments. Separately, Marjan Minnesma brought a historic lawsuit holding the Dutch government accountable for its failure to protect its citizens from climate change. For these activists, addressing climate disruption isn’t just about preventing future harm, it’s about instigating change now.
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Cory Booker: Taking on Big Ag & Going Big on Climate
Friday, June 9, 2023 | 12:00 pm PT
The upcoming Farm Bill presents an opportunity to infuse more climate-smart practices in American agriculture, which accounts for about 10% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. But doing so involves confronting industrial practices that focus on short-term gains and commodity subsidies that have deep support in both parties. Senator Cory Booker introduced legislation that would challenge beef and pork packagers and tilt the balance of power in our industrial agriculture system, giving family farmers, ranchers, and workers a better deal.
This moment is a precarious time for America’s efforts to decarbonize its economy. The Inflation Reduction Act is inspiring companies to invest in battery factories in the U.S. and consumers to buy EVs and heat pumps. But green energy faces opposition in red states even though they see an influx of clean tech investment and jobs.
Join us for a conversation with a passionate advocate of reforming America’s food system and progressive voice for bold climate action.
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Peter Gleick and the Three Ages of Water
Monday, June 12, 2023 | 6:00 pm PT
This year’s precipitation across California is well above average, and snowpack is on track to be one of the largest since 1950. In an arid state that can seem like good news, but floods can be destructive and life-threatening, and also increase vegetation that may later go up in flames. From too little to too much — will we ever get out of this weather whiplash?
As we enter an era defined by climate disruption, the control, access and quality of water determines our ability to survive and thrive. How can we ensure a future where clean water exists for all who need it — including the ecosystems we depend on — and navigate the challenges of too little or too much? In his latest book, “The Three Ages of Water,” Dr. Peter Gleick explores this changing dynamic from life’s beginnings to today’s pressing climate and water challenges.
Join Climate One Co-Host Ariana Brocious for a live conversation with Peter Gleick about our evolving relationship with this fundamental force.
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JB Straubel on Tesla, Redwood Materials and Building a Better Battery Supply Chain
Monday, July 17, 2023 | 6:00 pm PT
Demand for lithium ion batteries is expected to grow 500% by 2030, and the race for raw materials is on. Lithium mines around the world are opening or expanding, while children as young as 6 in the Congo carry sacks of cobalt-laced rocks on their backs for less than $2 a day. Recycling presents promising opportunities, yet before millions of batteries can be recycled, they have to be made in the first place. At the same time, advances in battery chemistry continue to be made, and it’s not hard to imagine a near future when batteries don’t require lithium or cobalt at all. What’s the state of battery technology? And with demand ceaselessly increasing, how can we ever get to a truly sustainable supply chain?
JB Straubel co-founded Tesla Motors and spent 15 years as its Chief Technology Officer. Now, he heads Redwood Materials, a company dedicated to creating a circular battery supply chain in the U.S.
Join Climate One Host Greg Dalton in person with JB Straubel as we explore what it will take to build a better battery supply chain and electrify the world.
This program is underwrriten by the ClimateWorks Foundation.
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| Spring Fundraising Campaign
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Our Annual Spring Campaign is underway and we need your help to continue creating exceptional climate focused content. Our programming not only enriches your life, but also provides critical information to listeners everywhere. From interviews with industry experts, to conversations with activists and policy makers, your support matters. Your donation will help us remain a trusted source for unbiased scientific information. Please donate now and help us make a difference.
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Department of Agriculture Plans $10.7 Billion Investment in Rural Electrification
Using funds allocated from the Inflation Reduction Act, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) this week announced plans to funnel $10.7 billion to bring affordable clean energy to rural communities all across the country. The agency plans two new funding sources, a $9.7 billion grant and loan program called New Empowering Rural America, and $1 billion for partially forgivable loans through the Powering Affordable Clean Energy initiative, to ensure rural electric cooperatives and tribal reservations are not left behind during the national transition to a renewable electric grid.
According to the White House, the new funding represents the largest investment in rural electrification since 1936, when Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act into law as part of the New Deal. A variety of rural entities, from tribal and municipal governments to existing electric cooperatives to utility and energy corporations will be eligible to apply for the new funding.
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Earlier this month, the nonprofit North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) warned that nearly every region of the country is at risk of power outages during the upcoming summer. Due to a combination of rising temperatures, the El Niño cycle, and grid modernization delays, NERC predicted a high risk of prolonged power outages in the aftermath of intense heat waves or storms.
While there was some good news in the NERC report, including significant improvements to grid stability in Texas and California and increased availability of hydroelectric power due to the torrential winter storms that swept the West Coast, readers curious about what to expect during a power outage may find our 2019 episode on the issue — aptly titled “Blackout” and featuring subject matter experts like Loretta Lynch, Danny Kennedy, and Emily Wimberger — to be particularly informative.
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| Climate One's New Website
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We’re proud to announce the launch of our brand new website! Conveniently located at the same URL — meaning no need to update your bookmarks — the new mobile-friendly site serves as a robust content library, and offers user-friendly features like playlist building and episode tags so that you can quickly look for episodes about related topics. Poke around and let us know what you think!
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