Podcast
How to Save a Planet
Hosted by Gimlet · EN
Climate change. We know. It can feel too overwhelming. But what if there was a show about climate change that left you feeling... energized? One so filled with possibility that you actually wanted to listen? Join us, journalist Alex Blumberg and a crew of climate nerds, as we bring you smart, inspiring stories about the mess we're in and how we can get ourselves out of it.
Check out our Calls to Action archive here for all of the actions we've recommended on the show. Send us your ideas or feedback with our Listener Mail Form. And follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
How to Save a Planet is reported and produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Rachel Waldholz, Anna Ladd, Daniel Ackerman, and Hannah Chinn. Our intern is Nicole Welch. Our supervising producers are Katelyn Bogucki and Lauren Silverman. Our editor is Caitlin Kenney. Sound design and mixing by Peter Leonard with original music from Peter Leonard and Emma Munger.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Presenting: What If We Get It Right?
Jun 1601:05:46Tap to summarizeHey there, Earthlings. Did you miss Ayana and Alex, your beloved How to Save a Planet co-hosts? Well, they reunited on Ayana’s new podcast, What If We Get It Right?, cracking up about how they met, reminiscing about the old show, and discussing Alex Blumberg’s new clean energy startup. (Alex, Ayana is so proud of you!) So, today we’re sharing an episode of What If We Get It Right? – a show about climate solutions, about what we need to do to address the climate crisis, and how to make those things happen — from changing laws, to electrifying buildings, to improving fashion and media. Each week an expert guest joins host Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson to break it down, delightfully, and help us all envision what getting right on climate looks like, so we can reel that vision into reality. If you liked How to Save a Planet, this show is definitely for you. Check out the back catalog and follow, then sign up for the What If We Get It Right? Substack newsletter for updates and bonus content. Reunited and it feels so good. Earthlings, let’s get into it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →Should We Mine the Deep-Sea?
Oct 6, 202200:45:42Tap to summarizeIn the coming years, we'll need millions of batteries: batteries to store renewable electricity and power a massive fleet of electric vehicles. But those batteries will require certain metals, and those metals have to be mined. And the mining industry can be a mess, sometimes associated with deforestation, child labor, and deadly floods of toxic waste. Is there a better way? Today we journey to the bottom of the ocean to find out. Along the way, we discover a massive government conspiracy and meet an adorable octopus.Calls to Action:Keep up to date on deep-sea mining news with the Deep-Sea Mining Observer.Learn more about calls for a moratorium on deep-sea mining with the Deep-Sea Mining Science Statement.Check out the Ocean Forum's Ocean Justice Platform (shout-out to our former co-host, Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →Am I The (Climate) A**hole?
Sep 29, 202200:36:34Tap to summarizeHave you ever wondered if you were on the right side of an argument about climate change? Or just want to understand what everyday climate battles are worth fighting? A panel of expert climate judges take on the infamous Reddit thread ‘Am I The A**hole’ to issue judgments on climate-themed dilemmas. Along the way, we debate the ethics of roommate spats, office politics, baby showers and personal finances.Guests: Rollie WilliamsCalls to Action Better understand how much electricity the various appliances in your home are using. Check out this electricity calculator, to tell you how much electricity you’re using and how much it will cost you depending on where you are within the U.S. If you're in the market for a new heat pump, check out this Forbes article to get a better understanding of cost. Check out this video from This Old House to understand how heat pumps work. Also check out The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency. Check out our Calls to Action archive for all of the actions we've recommended on the show. Send us your ideas or feedback with our Listener Mail Form. Sign up for our newsletter here. And follow us on Twitter and Instagram.This episode was produced by Janae Morris. The rest of our reporting and producing team includes Anna Ladd, Kendra Pierre-Louis, Rachel Waldholz, and Daniel Ackerman. Our supervising producer is Matt Shilts. Our editor is Caitlin Kenney. Our intern is Janae Morris. Sound design and mixing by Hansdale Hsu with original music by Peter Leonard and Emma Munger. Our fact checker for this episode is James Gaines. Special thx to Climate ethicist William Lynn. Thanks to all of you for listening. See you next week! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →Presenting: The Carbon Copy – Why Heat Waves Become Deadly
Sep 22, 202200:31:23Tap to summarizeToday we’re sharing an episode of The Carbon Copy, a climate change podcast produced by Canary Media. The topic is extremely timely: heat waves. This summer saw extreme heat blanketing almost every region of the northern hemisphere. And these heat waves aren’t just uncomfortable or inconvenient. They’re deadly. In most years, extreme heat kills more people in the U.S. than any other weather-related disaster. This episode asks: how can we better prepare for these heat waves? Some of the answers are surprisingly simple–and they could help address problems beyond extreme heat.Check out the rest of the series on Spotify or CanaryMedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →What are YOU Doing To Tackle Climate Change? Four Stories From Our Listeners
Sep 15, 202200:41:00Tap to summarizeIt’s How to Save a Planet’s second birthday! To celebrate, we’re sharing stories of climate action taken by our very own listeners. We'll hear from a listener who ran for an unexpected office, a grandmother who helped save her county’s recycling program, a mom who was inspired to launch a whole new business, and a group of students who took on one of the biggest oil companies in the world – and won. Calls to Action:Do your climate action Venn diagram! You can find a template and other resources here. Send us pictures of your Venn diagram – and when you take action, tell us about that too!Check out our Calls to Action archive for all of the actions we've recommended on the show. Send us your ideas or feedback with our Listener Mail Form. Sign up for our newsletter here. And follow us on Twitter and Instagram.This episode of How to Save a Planet was produced by Anna Ladd and Janae Morris. The rest of our reporting and producing team includes Kendra Pierre-Louis, Rachel Waldholz, and Daniel Ackerman. Our supervising producer is Matt Shilts. Our editor is Caitlin Kenney. Our intern is Janae Morris. Sound design and mixing by Hansdale Hsu with original music from Peter Leonard and Emma Munger. Our fact checker for this episode was Claudia Geib. Special thanks to Sarah Seidschlag and Soham Ray. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →Is My Lawn Bad for the Climate?
Sep 8, 202200:26:15Tap to summarizeAmerica loves its lawns. Altogether, grass lawns in the U.S. cover an area the size of Georgia. So, what does that mean for the climate? And can we do better? To find out, we’re joined by lawn expert and social ecologist Dr. Peter Groffman. He shares some surprising findings from his 20 years studying lawns and the people who tend them. Plus, we address one listener's pet peeve: artificial turf. And we share tips on how to make your yard as climate-friendly as possible.Calls to Action:1. Check out the Guide to Passing Wildlife-Friendly Property Maintenance Ordinances from the National Wildlife Federation.2. Ready to tear out your grass lawn? Your state’s university extension service or a local non-profit probably have tips. See examples here from Maryland and Colorado.Check out our Calls to Action archive for all of the actions we've recommended on the show. Send us your ideas or feedback with our Listener Mail Form. Sign up for our newsletter here. And follow us on Twitter and Instagram.This episode of How to Save a Planet was produced by Daniel Ackerman. The rest of our reporting and producing team includes Kendra Pierre-Louis, Anna Ladd, and Rachel Waldholz. Our supervising producer is Matt Shilts. Our editor is Caitlin Kenney. Our intern is Janae Morris. Sound design and mixing by Peter Leonard with original music from Peter Leonard and Emma Munger. Our fact checker for this episode was Claudia Geib. Special thanks to Dr. Cristina Milesi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →Climate Change is Driving Migration. Could Smarter Ag Help?
Sep 1, 202200:37:39Tap to summarizeIn recent years more and more people from Central America have tried to emigrate north to Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Many leave home not because they want to, but because they have to: Droughts, brought on by climate change, have forced many to choose between staying home – and risking starvation – or migrating. But a different way of farming could change that calculus. We look at how climate change is driving immigration, and how climate smart agriculture could help families stay on their land.Learn more about the work that Catholic Relief Services is doing on climate smart ag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →Presenting: Catalyst - Solar Geoengineering: Is It Worth the Risk?
Aug 25, 202200:46:53Tap to summarizeToday we’re sharing an episode of Catalyst, a podcast hosted by Shayle Kann and produced by Canary Media. The topic is a controversial one: solar geoengineering — the idea that we can quickly cool the planet by blocking a small amount of sunlight from reaching Earth. Doing so could have uncertain ripple effects throughout the world’s ecosystems, so very few climate scientists advocate solar geoengineering. Still, learning about these ideas reminds us, for better or worse, how much power we humans have to radically reshape life on Earth. This episode dives into the science and ethics of it all.Check out the rest of the series on Spotify or canarymedia.comCheck out our Calls to Action archive for all of the actions we've recommended on the show. Send us your ideas or feedback with our Listener Mail Form. Sign up for our newsletter here. And follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →Make Biking Cool (Again)!
Aug 18, 202200:40:39Tap to summarizeWork. School. The grocery store. We all need to get somewhere. But how we get there has huge implications for the climate. In the United States, transportation - mainly from cars - makes up roughly a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions. It's true, Electric vehicles help reduce emissions. But experts say that to truly give the climate (and humanity) a chance, we need fewer people reliant on cars of any kind. And that means using alternatives like mass transit, walking, and bicycles. But for a long time in the United States, cycling has gotten a bad rep. They're seen as toys and recreation - not transportation. So, we take a look at how cycling developed its dorky reputation. And, then, we counter it with some propaganda of our own. Because bicycling is not just better for the planet, it's fun, and freeing, and accessible for way more people than you might think. If you like Peter's jingle from the episode, you can download it here.Guests Justin Gonzalez, Bike New York Chantal Hardy,Bike New York Louis Quinones, Bike New York Peter Leonard, Gimlet/Spotify April Streeter, Author, Women on Wheels: The Scandalous Untold Histories of Women in Bicycling Anders Swanson, Plain Bicycle Project Anna Zivarts, Disability Rights Washington Calls to Action: Go for a bike ride. if it's been awhile since you've ridden a bike, go ride a bike - it's ok to take it slow. If you can't ride a bike, Learn to Ride A Bike. In the United States, The League of American Cyclists has resources on where you can find classes. Bike shops and a quick search through your favorite search engine are also great ways to find classes. For people with disabilities, iCan Bike an offshoot of the nonprofit iCanShine offers 5 day bike camps around the United States. If you're willing to try on your own, Bicycling Magazine has a guide. Push for better bike infrastructure. People for Bikes has an online "Advocacy Academy," on about on how to advocate for better bike infrastructure. The whole series is worth watching but we especially want to highlight two videos: Making a Better Bike Lane and Slow Streets are Safe Streets. The League of American Cyclists also has advocacy tools, Bicycling magazine also published this advocacy guide. Dig into your auto club. If you have an auto club membership, like AAA, make sure they are supporting cycling. According to news reports AAA has lobbied against public transit and cycling infrastructure. If you're a member, reach out to let them know you're pro cycling. If you're looking to jump ship altogether - there are alternatives. You can try contacting your auto insurance for roadside assistance or try a third party like Better World Club. They, like AAA, also offer roadside assistance for bikes. Further Reading and Listening The nonprofit AdaptAbility works to get adaptive bicycles in the hands of people with disabilities who could not otherwise afford them. The National Association of Transportation Officials has a guide on designing bicycle infrastructure for all ages and abilities. If you take an action we recommend in one of our episodes, do us a favor and tell us about it! We’d love to hear how it went. Record a short voice memo on your phone and send it to us via our Listener Mail Form. We might use it in an upcoming episode. You can find all the actions we’ve recommended on our show here!How to Save a Planet is a Spotify original podcast and Gimlet production. It's hosted by Alex Blumberg, and this week by me, Kendra Pierre-Louis. This episode was produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis. The rest of our reporting and producing team includesDaniel Ackerman, Anna Ladd, and Rachel Waldholz. Our supervising producer is Matt Shilts. Our editor is Caitlin Kenney. Our intern is Janae Morris. Sound design and mixing by Hansdale Hsu(“she”)with original music by Peter Leonard, and Emma Munger. Our fact checker this episode is James Gaines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →Holy Sh*t, the U.S. Just Got Serious About Climate Change!
Aug 11, 202200:37:39Tap to summarizeWell, wow. Congress is on the verge of passing the most ambitious climate legislation in U.S. history! Don’t be fooled by its name: the Inflation Reduction Act is a massive investment in clean energy and climate initiatives, aimed at boosting the transition to a low-carbon economy. It also includes some profound compromises. So we called up the smartest climate experts and activists we know to break down this plan – what’s good, what’s not and what’s next? Guests: Dr. Leah Stokes, Professor of Environmental Politics, UC Santa Barbara Rhiana Gunn-Wright, Director of Climate Policy, The Roosevelt Institute John Paul Mejia, National Spokesperson, the Sunrise Movement Calls to Action: If you’re listening to this before the House of Representatives has passed the Inflation Reduction Act - call your member of Congress! You can find information on how to call and sample scripts at Call4Climate.com Interested in the Sunrise Movement? You can check them out at sunrisemovement.org. They’re training organizers this fall for two new campaigns: The Green New Deal for Communities, and the Green New Deal for Schools. If your politics lean more conservative and you’re thinking, “Hang on, why did zero Republicans vote for major climate action?” check out the American Conservation Coalition. They’re focused on convincing Republican office-holders to take climate change seriously. A little older? Maybe headed towards retirement? Check out the new group Third Act started by the journalist and activist Bill McKibben. Look around in your community! Who’s running for town council or the state legislature – or the public utility commission? Ask them where they stand on climate. And if you like what they stand for – get involved! Further Reading & Listening: Check out our episodes How 2020 Became a Climate Election and The Green Wave for more on the Green New Deal and the climate movement Take a listen to Party Like It’s 2035 to nerd out on what it would take to build a zero-carbon power system Want to dig into the details on the Inflation Reduction Act? You can find reports from Energy Innovation, the Rhodium Group and the REPEAT Project, who modeled the emissions impact of the bill Check out our Calls to Action archive for all of the actions we've recommended on the show. Send us your ideas or feedback with our Listener Mail Form. Sign up for our newsletter here. And follow us on Twitter and Instagram.This episode of How to Save a Planet was produced by Rachel Waldholz. The rest of our reporting and producing team includes Kendra Pierre-Louis, Anna Ladd and Daniel Ackerman. Our supervising producer is Matt Shilts. Our editor is Caitlin Kenney. Our intern is Janae Morris. Sound design and mixing by Hansdale Hsu and Peter Leonard with original music by Peter Leonard, Catherine Anderson, and Emma Munger. Our fact checker this episode is Claudia Geib. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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