Reversing Climate Change
Focused on people & organizations coming together to reverse climate change
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We know that minority populations bear an unequal burden when it comes to climate change. And yes, Black Americans are concerned about the climate crisis, but they don’t see the environment as a top-tier issue. So, what can advocates and policymakers do to make climate change more relevant to Black communities and ensure their inclusion in a clean energy transition? Jared DeWese is Senior Communications Advisor for the Climate & Energy Program at *Third Way*, a center-left federal policy think tank based in Washington, D.C. Jared joins Ross to discuss the organization’s recent report, *‘Black Americans Care About Climate Change (But It’s Complicated),’* sharing the top takeaways from their qualitative research and explaining how advocates can mobilize communities of color around climate change by connecting the issue with their daily lives. Jared weighs in on how Black Americans are impacted by climate change, introducing us to the idea of environmental racism and exploring what we can do to confront and transform discriminatory systems and policies. Listen in for Jared’s insight on promoting climate policy in a divided Congress and learn why he is optimistic about the potential for real progress at this particular moment in history. *Resources:* *Third Way Energy on Twitter* *Jared on Twitter* *Black Americans Care About Climate Change (But It’s Complicated)* *Yale Program on Climate Communication Study on Race & Attitudes Toward Climate Change* *The Environmental Kuznets Curve* *When Affirmative Action Was White: An Untold History of Racial Inequity in Twentieth-Century America** by Ira Katznelson* *Joe Biden’s Plan for a Clean Energy Revolution & Environmental Justice* *Otto von Bismarck & the Welfare State* *The History of Rome** Podcast* *Revolutions** Podcast* *The Life & Legacy of John Lewis on The Daily Podcast* *James Baldwin on Being Black in America* *Alexander Hamilton on Slavery as Wasted Potential* *W.E.B. Du Bois’ Concept of Double Consciousness* *The Environmental Defense Fund Poll on African Americans & Clean Energy Resources* *Nori* *Nori on Twitter* --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/support
Listen to the episodeHow to Decolonize the Atmosphere (with carbon removal)—w/ Dr. Holly Jean Buck
Many indigenous communities see the climate crisis as another form of colonialism. First World countries have colonized the atmosphere with their greenhouse gas emissions. And there is a risk that carbon removal infrastructure reinforces business-as-usual. So, what is the best approach to decolonizing the atmosphere? How can we tackle climate change in a way that fits with broader progressive goals around equity and social justice? *Dr. Holly Jean Buck* is a postdoctoral fellow at UCLA’s Institute on the Environment and Sustainability and the author of *After Geoengineering: Climate Tragedy, Repair, and Restoration*. Dr. Buck joins Ross to discuss her recent article in *Progressive International*, *‘How to Decolonize the Atmosphere.’* She describes how the ideas in *The Red Deal: Indigenous Action to Save Our Earth* informed her thinking and introduces us to the concept of settler colonialism as it relates to climate change. Dr. Buck walks us through her three progressive goals for carbon removal: 1) link carbon with the managed decline of fossil fuels, 2) ensure public ownership and return on investment, and 3) advocate for a global framework for carbon removal. Listen in for Dr. Buck’s insight on the interconnectedness of the climate crisis with the other major issues we face and find out why she is concerned about the way social media may be influencing scientific research. *Resources* *Dr. Buck’s Website* *Dr. Buck on Twitter* *The Red Deal Part 1: End the Occupation* *Beyond Wiindigo Infrastructure by Winona LaDuke, Deborah Cowen* *After Geoengineering: Climate Tragedy, Repair, and Restoration** by Holly Jean Buck* *Global CCS Institute Report on Climate Change* *Rhodium Report on Jobs & Direct Air Capture* *Rhodium Report on Policies for the US to Advance Direct Air Capture* *Sad by Design: On Platform Nihilism **by Geert Lovink* *Nexus** by Ramez Naam* *Daniel Schmachtenberger* *‘Climate Change is a Waste Management Problem’ in **Issues in Science and Technology* *All Hell Breaking Loose: The Pentagon’s Perspective on Climate Change **by Michael T. Klare* --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/support
Listen to the episodeCan green sand beaches sequester carbon at scale?—w/ Kelly Erhart & Tom Green of Project Vesta
Carbon dioxide levels are double what they were prior the Industrial Revolution. And we know that reducing emissions is simply not going to be enough to avoid widespread ecological collapse. We need strategies for removing CO2 from the atmosphere at scale. So, what if green sand beaches could provide a promising solution to climate change that is nature-based, affordable, and can be deployed around the globe? Kelly Erhart and Tom Green are the Cofounder and Executive Director, respectively, of *Project Vesta*, an organization dedicated to capturing a trillion tonnes of excess CO2 in rock through coastal enhanced weathering. Kelly and Tom join Ross to explain how they are creating green sand beaches with olivine to remove CO2 from the atmosphere faster and store it in limestone on the sea floor. They discuss the benefits and potential risks of enhanced weathering in an aquatic environment as well as the permanence of Project Vesta’s sequestration process. Kelly and Tom share the news of how Stripe came to be their first customer, describing how the nonprofit is funded and what’s behind their decision to make the technology open-source. Listen in to understand how the enhanced weathering process might help solve the ocean acidification problem and how Project Vesta sees their solution's scalability and cost-effectiveness. *Resources* *Project Vesta* *Project Vesta’s Research Page* *Project Vesta on Instagram* *Project Vesta on Facebook* *Project Vesta on Twitter* *Eric Matzner on Carbon Removal Newsroom EP018* Climate Change: Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide from Climate.gov *‘Exoskeleton Dissolution with Mechanoreceptor Damage in Larval Dungeness Crab Related to Severity of Present-Day Ocean Acidification Vertical Gradients’ in **Science of the Total Environment* *Stripe’s Negative Emissions Commitment* *Stripe’s Partnership with Project Vesta* *Air Miners* *Purchase Nori Carbon Removals* *Nori* *Nori on Facebook* *Nori on Twitter* *Nori on Medium* *Nori on YouTube* *Nori on GitHub* *Nori on Patreon* *Nori Newsletter* Email *podcast@nori.com* *Subscribe on iTunes* *Carbon Removal Newsroom* --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/support
Listen to the episodeHave you ever wondered what happens to your clothes after you drop them off at Goodwill? Or where your electronics go once you’ve left them at the recycling center? Yes, some of our excess is exported to emerging markets around the world and either resold or harvested for parts. Is that cool? And what can we do to shop in a way that reduces our environmental impact? Adam Minter is a columnist at *Bloomberg **Opinion* and the author of *Junkyard Planet: Travels in the Billion-Dollar Trash Trade* and *Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale**. *Today, Adam joins Ross to explain how being born into a family of junk dealers informed his career as a journalist. He introduces us to what happens when we donate clothing to Goodwill, describing how items are sorted and resold or exported to other markets around the world. Adam weighs in on why it’s not unethical to send our e-waste to West Africa or resell used car seats in Mexico, challenging us to worry more about the quality of the products we buy and less about where they’re exported when we’re done with them. Listen in for Adam’s insight around the value of mass market collectibles and learn how to shift your consumer thinking from immediate cost to total cost of ownership. *Resources* *Purchase Nori Carbon Removals* *Nori* *Nori on Patreon* *Nori Newsletter* *Adam at Bloomberg Opinion* *Junkyard Planet: Travels in the Billion-Dollar Trash Trade **by Adam Minter* *Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale **by Adam Minter* *Scrap Magazine* *Speed Queen* *Unbundled Airlines on Planet Money EP517* *Kelley Blue Book* *Patagonia Worn Wear* *Frugalwoods* *Meet the Frugalwoods: Achieving Financial Independence Through Simple Living** by Elizabeth Willard Thames* *The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter **by Margareta Magnusson* --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/support
Listen to the episodeThe promise & peril of blockchain governance—w/ Dr. Nick Cowen, University of Lincoln
The American Constitution provides the ‘nuts and bolts of liberty,’ putting constraints on the government and promising equality before the law. But the challenge is that it relies on state officials to enforce the law impartially. What if the blockchain could help us avoid these human-level implementation problems and effectively automate some features of our bureaucracy? *Dr. Nick Cowen* is a lecturer in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Lincoln and the author of the paper, *‘Markets for Rules: The Promise and Peril of Blockchain Distributed Governance.’* Today, Nick is back to discuss the potential benefits of blockchain governance structures, including the ability to apply law impartially and reduce censorship. He explores the idea of consent as it applies to the blockchain and explains how the technology prevents the off-diagonals that manifest out of subsidiarity. Nick weighs in on whether the blockchain will become a competition to be the best or the most permissive and describes how the technology might influence our political systems—and vice versa. Listen in for Nick’s insight around the application of civil versus common law traditions via the blockchain and learn how we can leverage blockchain technology for environmental governance. *Resources* *Purchase Nori Carbon Removals* *Nori* *Nori on Twitter* *Carbon Removal Newsroom* *Nori on Patreon* *Nick’s Website* *Nick on Academia* *Nick on SSRN* *Nick on Twitter* *‘Markets for Rules: The Promise and Peril of Blockchain Distributed Governance’ by Nick Cowen* *Ethereum* *John Rawls* *John Locke* *Quill Robinson on RCC S2EP18* *Tax Justice Network* *Ozark* *James M. Buchanan* *Adam Smith* *Being Me Being You: Adam Smith and Empathy **by Samuel Fleischacker* *Alan Partridge* *Dr. Anton Howes on Twitter* *Ilia Murtazashvili* --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/support
Listen to the episodeBuildings grown by bacteria?! and other frontiers in architecture—w/ Dr. Wil Srubar, CU Boulder
What's the future got in store for architecture? A return to tried and true organic construction methods like adobe or rammed earth? Buildings that are as alive as human bodies? Something in between? How do we create more beautiful and livable spaces while also making the built environment carbon-negative? This week's guest is Dr. Wil Srubar, Assistant Professor of Architectural Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, Technical Director of Materials R&D at Katerra, and Cochair of the Carbon Leadership Forum Network and serves as its global hub director. We talk about trends in architecture and materials science and try to ferret out what might be coming down the pike, particularly in light of the article Wil wrote in *The Conversation*, "Buildings grown by bacteria—new research is finding ways to turn cells into mini-factories for materials". *A Field Guide to American Houses (Revised): The Definitive Guide to Identifying and Understanding America's Domestic Architecture* by Virginia Savage McAlester Wil's CU profile *Akira* Dr. Kate Simonen's *RCC *episode Andrew Himes' *RCC *episode Chris Magwood and Jacob Deva Racusin's *RCC *episode --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/support
Listen to the episodeThe tragedy of the commons suggests that, left to our own devices, we will overuse and overconsume our shared resources in the name of self-interest. And that either privatization or state control is required to keep us in check. But Elinor Ostrom advanced a third option, a polycentric governance approach in which the people involved solve the problem on their own through a commons solution. Dr. Nick Cowen is a lecturer in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Lincoln and the author of the paper, *‘Cost and Choice in the Commons: Ostrom and the Case of British Flood Management’*. Today, Nick joins Ross to discuss the differences among state, market, and commons solutions to the environmental problems we face. He explains how Ostrom’s work changed the way we think about the tragedy of the commons and walks us through several examples of communal solutions that preserve shared resources. Nick goes on to introduce the concepts of residual-claimancy and the transitional gains trap, describing how government intervention in flood management followed by a period of privatization led to the current dilemma in Great Britain. Listen in for insight around how Ostrom’s communal systems might appeal to both conservative and liberal politics and learn how we can apply her interdisciplinary ideas to protect our shared resources. *Purchase Nori Carbon Removals* *Nori**'s website* *Nori on Facebook* *Nori on Twitter* *Carbon Removal Newsroom**: our other podcast!* *Nori on Patreon* *Nori Newsletter* *Nori on Twitter* *Nick’s Website* *Nick on Academia* *Nick on SSRN* *Nick on Twitter* *‘Cost and Choice in the Commons: Ostrom and the Case of British Flood Management’ by Nick Cowen* *Elinor Ostrom* *Ostrom’s Workshop Method* *Ostrom’s Google Scholar Page* *Ostrom’s Nobel Prize Lecture* *Books by James C. Scott* *Ludwig Von Mises’ Insights on Intervention* *‘The Transitional Gains Trap’ by Gordon Tullock* *Dr. Bryan Caplan on RCC S2EP2* *Karen Bradshaw* *Bryan Leonard* *Friedrich August Hayek* *Ilia Murtazashvili* *Kate Raworth* --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/support
Listen to the episodeWe tend to think of climate change as a problem in and of itself. But what if the climate crisis is a symptom of a bigger issue? What if we can’t solve climate change without social justice? Meteorologist *Eric Holthaus* is the climate correspondent for *The Correspondent* and author of *The Future Earth: A Radical Vision for What’s Possible in the Age of Warming*. Today, Eric joins Ross to explain how climate change is a symptom of broader societal inequalities and discuss the role ownership has played in causing the climate crisis. He shares his vision for a cooperative political and economic system based on distributed production that supports the ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all. Eric goes on to explore the complexity of our connections with the each other and advocate for a system of ethics that promotes care work and prevents overconsumption by a privileged few. Listen in for Eric’s insight around what the pandemic has taught us about the potential for a radically different life and learn how actively reducing inequality is the first step in solving climate change—once and for all. *Key Takeaways* [1:16] The themes Eric presents in *The Future Earth* - Combination of urgency + optimism (picture of what fighting FOR) - Climate change provides chance to fix other structural problems [5:20] How quickly ‘radical solutions’ have become mainstream - Demonstrated in numbers published by *Data for Progress* - Example—100% renewable energy seemed out of reach [7:26] The relationship between climate and justice - Climate change = symptom of broader inequalities + injustice - Perspective lends to expanded list of solutions (e.g.: care work) [8:08] The role ownership has played in causing climate change - Idea of private property consolidated wealth to few - Overconsumption by those who control resources - Can only survive by caring for each other and our home - Must become stewards of objects, own as community [17:41] Eric’s vision for our future economic and political systems - Yet to be invented, drawn out of ecologically focused world - Can’t survive in competitive economic system on finite planet - Believe life, liberty and pursuit of happiness possible for all [21:35] The concept of distributed production - Democratize everything for broader societal goal of cooperation - Example of libraries as community resource anyone can use [27:58] Eric’s take on toxic masculinity and care work - Must understand complexity of relationship to world - Develop skills in asking for help, admitting when wrong [32:08] How Eric thinks about energy efficiency and overconsumption - Break addiction to overconsumption with focus on reducing inequality - Wealth tax provides universal access to housing, food and water [37:18] The potential for us to lead radically different lives - Demonstrated by Coronavirus pandemic - Reframe what is and is not necessary (e.g.: air travel) - Rebuild purpose of society in zero carbon context [40:47] Eric’s insight on travel and the auto industry in the US - Bike networks in Amsterdam don’t interface with roads at all - Surface areas of cities 30% to 40% car infrastructure - Highways built to boost economy but destroy neighborhoods --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/support
Listen to the episodeYoung people on BOTH sides of the aisle want to see action on climate change. And Quillan Robinson believes that the will for action is a more powerful force than the disagreements we may have over policy. So, how does a conservative approach like the *American Climate Contract* differ from the progressive Green New Deal? And how do the principles of conservatism inform right-of-center climate solutions? Quill is the Vice President of Government Affairs with the *American Conservation Coalition*, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young conservatives to reengage in environmental conversations. Today, Quill joins Ross to explain how his involvement in the I-732 campaign in Washington shaped his thinking and shifted his politics. He introduces us to the conservative thinkers who inspire him, walking us through the best principles of the conservative intellectual tradition and how they apply to climate policy. Quill goes on to discuss why oikophilia (love of place) is not exclusive to rural contexts and offer his take on Hamiltonian versus Jeffersonian economic models. Listen in for Quill’s insight on the three main approaches to climate policy at work in DC and learn what differentiates ACC’s American Climate Contract from the other federal climate policy solutions. *Podcast listeners can purchase Nori Carbon Removal Tonnes here! Thanks so much for your support.* - *American Conservation Coalition* - *American Climate Contract* - *Quill on Twitter* - *Green Philosophy: How to Think Seriously About the Planet **by Roger Scruton* - *Conservatism: An Invitation to the Great Tradition **by Roger Scruton* - *Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act** & **Congressional cosponsors of the bill* - *Benji Backer on RCC EP074* - *Greg Rock on RCC EP036* - *Kyle Murphy on RCC EP056* - *Carbon Washington* - *Initiative 732* - *Arthur Brooks at the American Enterprise Institute* - *Paul Kingsnorth & The Dark Mountain Project* - *Robert Nisbet* - *The Conservative Heart: How to Build a Fairer, Happier, and More Prosperous America **by Arthur C. Brooks* --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/support
Listen to the episodeHow does clean energy policy work?—w/ Dr. Leah Stokes, author of Short Circuiting Policy
The political process is complex and difficult to follow, no matter how deeply we care about climate policy. And yet, without federal clean electricity standards, energy companies are unlikely to change their behavior. So, what does good environmental policy look like? And what can we do as individuals to advocate for laws that reverse climate change? *Dr. Leah C. Stokes* is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at UC Santa Barbara and the author of *Short Circuiting Policy: Interest Groups and the Battle Over Clean Energy and Climate Policy in the American States*. Today, Leah joins Ross to discuss what makes for good environmental policy and why we need federal clean electricity standards. She weighs in on how public utilities abuse the political system, introducing us to the idea of intervener compensation programs as the most promising way to advocate for the public interest. Leah goes on to share her criticism of *Planet of the Humans*, describing the film’s failure to address the nuances of life cycle analysis or the fossil fuel industry’s role in the climate crisis and explaining how the film’s thesis is out of alignment with the Michael Moore’s supposed progressive politics. Listen in as Leah shares a case study of climate policy in the state of Ohio and learn what you can do to let lawmakers know that you care about climate change. Resources: - *Leah’s Website* - *Leah on Twitter* - *Short Circuiting Policy: Interest Groups and the Battle Over Clean Energy and Climate Policy in the American States **by Leah Cardamore Stokes* - *Leah’s **Vox** Article on **Planet of the Humans* - *Leah’s Piece on Ohio Energy Policy in **The Guardian* --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/support
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