Best Citizens Climate Radio Podcasts (2024)

1
Crafting Compelling Personal Climate Change Stories 40:04

2h ago40:04

40:04

Peterson Toscano and the CCR teams introduce a fresh approach to climate change storytelling by exploring personal stories as metaphors. While these stories are not explicitly about climate change, they reveal truths and perspectives that resonate with our climate work. Join us to discover how personal narratives can enhance and diversify our stori…

1
Oakland Mills Community Association 26:50

6h ago26:50

26:50

Bob talks with Warren Wortman, a long-time Howard County resident actively serving on the Oakland Mills Community Association board and chairman of the Public Space Committee about the different local approaches to serving the community, life as a master gardener, and exploring a newfound love for cycling through E-bikes.…

1
Rerun: What Does Effective Climate Communication Look Like? with Dr. Candice Howarth 1:45

20m ago1:45

1:45

What is “place-based” climate change communication? Climate change can feel overwhelming and impersonal when discussed on a global or national scale. Place-based communication works to make climate change feel relevant to local communities and individuals. Issues that impact local communities and have connections to climate change, such as waste, e…

1
Rerun: Electric Vehicle Retrofitting with Dr. Aly El Tayeb 1:46

2h ago1:46

1:46

What is electric vehicle (EV) retrofitting and why does it matter? ‘EV retrofitting’ refers to the process of converting a gas-powered vehicle into an electric vehicle by replacing its gas engine with a battery pack. The battery pack is designed to fit within the vehicle’s chassis—the structural frame to which its wheels, suspension, engine, and ot…

1
Sustainable Investing for a Climate-Proof Economy, with Kirsten Spalding 1:45

15d ago1:45

1:45

Mobilizing Investors to Build a More Sustainable Global Economy As the effects of climate change rise in prevalence, all facets of the global economy will be affected. In order to address many of the global environmental crises of today, such as biodiversity loss and extreme drought, entrepreneurs are looking into sustainable investment initiatives…

1
Increasing Efficiency Through Power Line Reconductoring, with Umed Paliwal 1:45

15d ago1:45

1:45

Reconductoring power grids to boost energy efficiency The expansion of renewable energy has resulted in a heightened need for greater transmission capacity of the electrical grid. Unfortunately, permitting and cost allocation have been large hurdles to the potential of rapid expansion to meet future demand. As an alternative, large-scale reconducto…

1
Rerun: Using Concrete for Carbon Removal with Dr. Erica Dodds 1:45

29d ago1:45

1:45

What is Carbon Mineralization Carbon mineralization is a naturally occurring chemical process that occurs when carbon dioxide becomes “mineralized” through a chemical reaction. The chemical reaction occurs when certain rocks, most often in deep underground igneous and metamorphic formations, are exposed to carbon dioxide. Carbon mineralization hold…

1
Exploring Rachel Carson’s Life and The Divestment Movement 30:00

1M ago30:00

30:00

In this episode of Citizens Climate Radio, hosts Horace Mo and Erica Valdez bring together diverse voices to discuss current efforts to address climate change. Horace Mo speaks with Ann E Burg, a celebrated author known for compelling historical novels for young readers, about her newly published novel “Force of Nature–A Novel of Rachel Carson” whi…

1
Mass Mobilization for Climate, with Dana Fisher 1:44

17d ago1:44

1:44

Mass mobilization in climate activism By the mid 2000s, the climate justice movement was beginning to gain momentum across the world. Through organized rallies and marches, the public has begun to see an increased recognition of climate justice issues amidst various other social movements. The existential threat of the climate crisis has given rise…

1
Howard County Citizens Climate Lobby 28:01

1M ago28:01

28:01

Bob talks with Sabrina Fu, the current environmental portfolio director at the University of Maryland Global Campus. Sabrina started volunteering for Baltimore CCL in 2013, and has taken on many other roles at CCL, including media lead, group leader of Howard County CCL (since 2015), liaison, state coordinator, and finally helping with regional wor…

1
Rerun: Raising the Bar: Brewing a Greener Future with Concentrated Beer, with Gary Tickle 1:45

28d ago1:45

1:45

What are the problems with current beer production methods? Beer is primarily composed of water—making up about 90 percent of its content. Annually, over 100 billion gallons of beer are produced and shipped, meaning nearly 90 billion gallons of water are being transported in the form of beer. This is significant because approximately 20 percent of …

1
Generating Electricity from Air, with Jun Yao 1:45

1M ago1:45

1:45

A Need for Clean Energy Energy harvesting from environmental sources is key to mitigating the harm associated with fossil fuels. Renewable energy is generated from naturally replenishing resources, and common sources include solar, wind, and water. Currently, renewable energy only makes up roughly 20% of all U.S. electricity, and many of these sour…

1
Rerun: Equitable Policy for Energy Efficient Homes with Dr. Steve Cliff 1:45

1M ago1:45

1:45

California is the first state to ban the sale of new gas furnaces and water heaters, which will begin in 2030. In efforts to fight climate change, all homes will be required to use zero-emission electric appliance alternatives. The Sierra Club and American Lung Association have supported this move to reduce the building sector’s carbon footprint an…

1
Howard County Office of Community Sustainability 30:21

2M ago30:21

30:21

Bob talks with Tim Lattimer, Administrator of the Howard County Office of Community Sustainability, about his time working at the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Change, where he was part of the team that concluded the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change in 2015. He also explains what Howard County is doing to become more sustain…

1
Adapting Coffee Production for Climate Resilience, with Catherine Kiwuka 1:45

2M ago1:45

1:45

The Environmental Impacts of Coffee Production For most of us, coffee is a part of our daily lives. 62% of Americans drink coffee every day, with 7 in 10 drinking coffee every week. In 2024, the coffee market amounted to over $86.7 billion in gross revenue, with numbers only predicted to rise. Americans consume over 400 million cups of coffee each …

1
Rob Hopkins on the Role of Imagination in Climate Change Solutions 35:00

2M ago35:00

35:00

In this month’s Citizens’ Climate Radio episode, Rob Hopkins, one of the founders of the Transition Town movement, shows us how playful imagination can lead to real-world solutions, and you will discover how a life-sized whale made of plastic bags brought a community together to pass groundbreaking legislation. Artist Carrie Ziegler shares her extr…

1
Improving Lithium-Ion Batteries: The Manganese Solution 1:44

2M ago1:44

1:44

Lithium Ion Batteries Lithium ion batteries are a popular type of rechargeable battery, used in a variety of devices from laptops and cell phones to hybrid and electric vehicles. Lithium ion batteries have grown in use due to their light weight, high energy density, and ability to recharge. While these batteries are used to store electricity and, t…

1
Alleviating Urban Heat Traps, with Jeff Goodell 1:45

2M ago1:45

1:45

What Does Extreme Heat Do? Since the pre-industrialized era, the global temperature has increased by about one degree Celsius. Although one degree may not seem significant, the consequences are increases in the intensity of heatwaves and drier conditions. In addition, in dense urban settings buildings trap and absorb this heat and cause even a high…

1
Rerun: Corporate Lobbying as an Ally in the Fight Against Climate Change 1:46

2M ago1:46

1:46

Editorial Note The interview for this episode was recorded in June 2021. The basic point of the episode remains relevant, but the mentioned campaign is no longer active. ClimateVoice’s current campaign is Escape the Chamber, which calls on companies to leave the US Chamber of Commerce and to speak up and lead on climate policy at local, state, and …

1
Converting Food Waste into Energy Through Anaerobic Digestion, with Brett Reinford 1:44

3M ago1:44

1:44

If you’ve ever been near a farm with livestock, you might agree that farm odors can be carried far from the farm itself. Farms often face criticism from nearby residents over the offensive odor of manure. While manure is an unavoidable part of raising livestock, there is one technological innovation that can remove the smell from manure. Anaerobic …

1
Humane Gardening 22:42

3M ago22:42

22:42

Bob Marietta chats with nature writer and advocate Nancy Lawson, author of “The Humane Gardener.” Read more by and about Nancy at https://www.humanegardener.com/.By Dragon Digital Radio

1
Antarctic Awakenings: Unveiling Climate Change at the Ends of the Earth 35:00

3M ago35:00

35:00

In this episode of Citizens Climate Radio, co-hosts Peterson Toscano and Erica Valdez explore the theme of climate change and its impact on Antarctica. They interviewed Elizabeth Rush, author of “The Quickening, Creation, and Community at the Ends of the Earth,” who shares her experiences and insights from a research expedition to Thwaites Glacier.…

1
E-Mobilization and Renewable Energy in Kenya, with Daniel Ngumy 1:45

3M ago1:45

1:45

Renewables and E-mobility E-mobility, the use of electric powertrain technologies in-vehicle transformation, allows for the use of electricity to enable the electric propulsion of various forms of transportation. Powertrain technologies refer to full electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, which can be less carbon-intensive than conventional diesel c…

1
Designing Road Infrastructure to Promote Active Mobility, with Lina Lopez 1:46

3M ago1:46

1:46

Zero-Emission Transport Electric vehicles and other transportation-based climate solutions have made a big splash in recent years, and for good reason – transportation accounts for about a fourth of global carbon dioxide emissions. In the U.S, it’s the economic sector with the single largest contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. With such a lar…

1
Rerun: Cool surfaces: Reflecting heat and reducing emissions, with Ronnen Levinson 1:45

3M ago1:45

1:45

What is a cool surface? Cool surfaces are roofs, walls, or pavements that are generally light-colored and highly reflective. When sunlight hits a white surface, its rays bounce off the surface rather than being absorbed, and are reflected back into space. Darker surfaces tend to absorb sunlight, trapping heat. Cool surfaces release this heat back i…

1
Using Climate Journalism to Connect Weather Events and Climate, with Jonathan Vigliotti 1:45

3M ago1:45

1:45

Staying Educated About Climate Change As climate change intensifies, the heightened frequency of natural disaster weather-related events is quickly becoming the new reality. Whether it be prolonged wildfire seasons in Northern California or destructive hurricanes off the Florida coast, citizens across the country are beginning to bear the burden of…

1
Watersheds and Forests 19:53

4M ago19:53

19:53

Bob talks with former Columbia Association Watershed Manager John McCoy about Howard County's watersheds and water management systems, as well as local stream restoration and forest conservation efforts.By Dragon Digital Radio

1
Advancing Sustainable Steel Production, with Adam Rauwerdink 1:44

4M ago1:44

1:44

Steel Production Globally, 1.9 billion metric tons of crude steel were produced in 2022. Over the past 15 years, the global demand for steel production has nearly doubled, as this versatile product can be found in nearly all modern infrastructure such as buildings, ships, vehicles, machines, and appliances. Conventionally, steel is made from iron o…

1
What is Your Climate Change Role? 35:00

4M ago35:00

35:00

In this month’s episode of Citizens Climate Radio, Eileen Flanagan, a writer, social change teacher, Quaker, and activist, dives deep with host Peterson Toscano into four different roles people have traditionally taken in change movements. In addition, Erica Valdez and Horace Mo join Peterson for a vibrant discussion about their personal experience…

1
Tracking Emissions with Remote Sensing, with Gavin McCormick 1:45

4M ago1:45

1:45

The Need to Accurately Quantify Emissions As we begin to come to terms with the reality of the fossil fuel industry’s role in climate change, many policymakers are looking towards market-based mechanisms to curb the level of emissions released by harmful polluters. Market-based mechanisms include taxing pollution directly (through a carbon tax) or …

1
Rerun: Tackling the Plastic Crisis, with Martin Bourque 1:44

4M ago1:44

1:44

What is plastic? Plastic is a material derived primarily from carbon-based sources like natural gas, oil, and even plants. It is created by treating these organic materials with heat and catalysts to form various polymers. Producing plastic is energy-intensive, often relying on the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas, both for p…

1
Calculating Threats from Rising Temperatures Using Heat Indexing, with Professor David Romps 1:45

5M ago1:45

1:45

Extreme Heat: More Dangerous Than We Think? Extreme heat, one of the adverse consequences of climate change, exacerbates drought, damages agriculture, and profoundly impacts human health. Heat is the top weather-related killer in the United States, contributing to deaths that arise from heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases. As …

1
Bidirectional Charging: Vehicles as a Portable Battery, with Ellie Cohen 1:45

5M ago1:45

1:45

Renewable Energy is The Future California is no stranger to power outages. In 2019, for example, over 25,000 blackout events were recorded across the state, leaving homeowners and businesses without electricity. In recent years, most blackouts are the result of wildfire, wildfire risk (leading to utility shutdowns), and extreme heat (leading to hig…

1
Author and Environmentalist Ned Tillman 23:53

5M ago23:53

23:53

Bob and local author and environmentalist, Ned Tillman, talk about his books, the development of Columbia, and the impacts of Climate Change. You can check out Ned's website at www.savetheplaces.com.By Dragon Digital Radio

1
There's Something Funny about Climate Change 30:00

5M ago30:00

30:00

Have you ever thought that climate change and comedy could go hand in hand? Episode 92 of Citizens Climate Radio is here to prove that they can! Our latest episode introduces you to Brian Etling, an extraordinary man who transformed his climate change anxiety into a comedic career. His journey from a park ranger to the Climate Change Comedian is no…

1
Pedaling Towards A Sustainable Future, with Manuel de Araujo 1:45

5M ago1:45

1:45

Increasing Sustainable Modes of Transportation In 2022, global emissions from transportation reached nearly 8 gigatons of carbon. To achieve the Net Zero Scenario, transportation emissions need to drop by nearly 25% by 2030. Within the Global South, auto-centric planning, transport authorities’ structures, and alternatives to cars and buses are som…

1
Making Electric Heating Accessible and Affordable for Low-Income Residents, with Sarah Moskowitz 1:45

5M ago1:45

1:45

Electric Heat: A Hot Topic in Chicago In cold winter months, many people have to rely on fossil gas to heat their homes and power cookstoves. Yet all-electric appliances, including heat pumps to heat homes, are quickly becoming a cheaper alternative over the long term, though they often entail higher upfront costs compared to gas appliances. In Chi…

1
Restoring Urban Waterways to Create Climate Resiliency, with Nick Wesley 1:45

6M ago1:45

1:45

What’s interesting about urban rivers? Urban rivers play many important roles in our cities. They maintain the health of coastal and estuarine ecosystems and they are part of larger catchment ecosystems that are nested within wider, interconnected systems. Urban rivers are also essential to the quality of our drinking water, playing central roles i…

1
County Highways and Storm Responses 23:07

6M ago23:07

23:07

Bob chats with Bureau of Highways Chief, Kris Jagarapu. They discuss Howard County roads and the logistics of preparing for winter storms.By Dragon Digital Radio

1
Solar Power On Farms, with Byron Kominek 1:43

6M ago1:43

1:43

Solar Power on Farms Many farmers, ranchers, and landowners are beginning to consider using their farmland not just for agricultural purposes, but for solar power as well. This combination of agriculture and solar is known as agrivoltaics, which offers an innovative approach to land management particularly in arid regions of the world. Solar panels…

1
Climate Change Wins: Celebrating Bipartisan Progress 19:54

6M ago19:54

19:54

Are you ready for a dose of optimism in the climate change dialogue? The latest bonus episode of Citizens Climate Radio is here to deliver just that. Host Peterson Toscano steps away from the script to bring you a candid and uplifting update on climate action that's happening right where it matters: in Congress.The episode includes the announcement…

1
Reducing Plastic Pollution with Bioplastics, with Raegan Kelly 1:45

6M ago1:45

1:45

Decreasing society’s reliance on single-use plastics The use of plastic has major environmental, social, and health consequences. Across the globe, one million plastic bottles are purchased every minute, with over half of the plastic produced worldwide being thrown away after one use. Upon disposal, plastics are often left in landfills where they c…

1
RERUN: The Clean Energy Potential of Nuclear Fusion, with Annie Kritcher 1:46

6M ago1:46

1:46

What is nuclear fusion? Nuclear fusion produces energy by fusing atoms together. Atomic cores (nuclei) merge together to form a heavier—though unstable—nucleus, releasing mass to regain stability. This mass release corresponds to an energy release, given Einstein’s equation E=mc2, which says in part that mass and energy can be converted into each o…

1
Educating Kids about Climate Change through Musical Storytelling 1:45

7M ago1:45

1:45

Climate Education for Youth Climate education has the potential to drive the public towards climate science literacy, an individual’s understanding of their influence on climate and climate’s influence on them and society. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a climate-literate person: understands the essential principl…

1
Rerun: Sequestering Carbon using Compost and Grasslands, with Whendee Silver 1:44

7M ago1:44

1:44

Carbon Sequestration Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide to slow the pace of climate change. There are two major types of carbon sequestration: geologic and biologic. Geological carbon sequestration injects carbon dioxide captured from an industrial or energy-related source into underground geolog…

1
Rerun: Recharging Aquifers with Flood Waters, with Daniel Swain 1:44

7M ago1:44

1:44

Climate change is increasing flood risk worldwide. Climate change is intensifying flood risk around the world, with potentially devastating consequences for communities and infrastructure. As the planet gets hotter, the atmosphere's capacity to hold water vapor increases, leading to more frequent and intense precipitation events in certain regions.…

1
Climate Change Good News 30:00

8M ago30:00

30:00

Climate Change Good News by The CCR Team of Eco CommunicatorsBy The CCR Team of Eco Communicators

1
Rerun: Using Groundwater to Heat and Cool Buildings 1:46

7M ago1:46

1:46

What is the GeoGrid? The Geo Grid is a network of heating pumps that harnesses the geothermal energy stored under the Earth’s surface to heat and cool buildings. It operates through a network of pipes that go deep into the ground and connect houses to each other. These pipes are filled with water, which brings the constant underground temperature u…

1
Balancing the Grid: California's Shift to Renewable Energy Sources 1:46

8M ago1:46

1:46

How does transitioning to renewable energy challenge the electric grid? As of 2022, renewable and non-greenhouse gas emitting sources accounted for 52% of California's in-state electricity generation with the remaining 48% fueled by natural gas. Legislation passed in 2018 mandates that the state must reach at least 60% renewable energy by 2030 whic…

1
Climate Change in Howard County 24:34

8M ago24:34

24:34

Bob talks with Kim Pezza, chair of the HoCo Sustainability Board and CA’s Climate Committee, to discuss the local impact of climate change. They also discuss Howard County Climate Forward, the county's Climate Action and Resiliency Plan. Check it out at ClimateForward.howardcountymd.gov.By Dragon Digital Radio

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Citizens Climate Radio Podcasts

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