Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!) Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes It’s the final episode of America Adapts for 2017! In this edition, Doug highlights the first six months of the podcast and thanks his many supporters and listeners.  The podcast features Dan Ackerstein (from Ackerstein Sustainability) and regular contributor,  Tim Watkins.  Tim, Doug and Dan list their top 5 climate change stories of the year. It’s been a very eventful year for climate change and America Adapts discusses with humor and urgency.  The conversation takes an unusual turn for the podcast:  America Adapts goes to the Movies! Dan and Doug discuss how climate change has been portrayed in Hollywood, using 4 examples, and identifying the likelihood of the stories and the soundness of the science within the movies. It’s a funny, informative conversation to close out the year.  Additional Show notes: Movies quotes from the podcast can be found here and here. Dan Ackerstein is a founding member of the The BIT Building Program, which provides structure, peer support, expert guidance, and public recognition for buildings working to reduce their operational impacts on the environment. Finally, yes, most of your favorite podcasts are supported by listeners just like you! Please consider supporting this podcast by donating through America Adapt's fiscal sponsor, the Social Good Fund. All donations are now tax deductible! For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Itunes.     America Adapts on Facebook!   Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group. Check us out, we’re also on YouTube! On Twitter: @usaadapts Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com .

Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes In this traveling episode, Doug Parsons takes America Adapts on the road to sunny Ft. Lauderdale, Florida! Doug was invited as press to cover the inaugural Companies vs Climate Change (CvCC) conference.   The purpose of the event was:  to serve as a global forum for companies of all sizes to share best practices for solving climate change with wholly justifiable business value. CvCC strives to serve as a conduit that will bring companies together to create business driven solutions to the climate crisis. This conference  was about three things: 1.Climate change; 2.How can companies address climate change? 3. How can companies collaborate to address climate change?  As you can see, it covered a lot. The city of Ft. Lauderdale was an excellent setting, embedded in the South Florida culture of adaptation.  The plenary speaker was Republican Mayor of Ft. Lauderdale, Jack Seiler.  The Mayor stressed the role businesses must play in meeting the challenges of climate change, and he noted, his city is dealing with the impacts of sea level rise first hand.  Although still a hot potato issue in other parts of the country, it was refreshing to see South Florida embrace the need to address what is happening in their own backyard (or beach).   Doug listened in to a number of interesting presentation topics:  the major airlines addressed carbon mitigation in the airline industry; resilience in the supply chain process; the role of renewable energy;  dealing with climate change under a new political administration; and developing public/private partnerships. Generally, Doug has participated in more adaptation themed conferences, but this one was a mix of mitigation and adaptation.  It was interesting to see many of the businesses try to incorporate adaptation into their already existing sustainability efforts. Terms like “triple bottom lined” were used frequently (social, economic and environmental);  terminology Doug was not accustomed to hearing in conservation oriented meetings!   Doug wandered the hallways, interviewing scientists, business people and non governmental representatives. A sampling of some of the ‘mini-podcasts’ below: Chandler Van Voorhis of Green Trees discussed: Carbon markets and tree plantings. Markets moving ahead independent of government action. Launch of new app to help offset carbon. Michael Green of the Climate Action Business Association His groups helps businesses understand the risks and opportunities with climate change. Discussed what small business leaders have already done. We discuss if adaptation/risk officers will follow the same, underappreciated path of sustainability officers. Greg Hamra of Hamra Center for Climate Solutions Discussed the Citizens Climate Lobby and its role in mitigation policy. Their efforts to engage with businesses. Doug also talked with Dr. Tiffany Troxler and Dr. Shimon Wdowinski of Florida International University, both sea level rise experts,  and conference organizer, Nick Aster, from Triple Pundit.  Listen in to the micro-podcasts to hear their perspectives on the role of ‘companies versus climate change.’ Finally, yes, most of your favorite podcasts are supported by listeners just like you! Please consider supporting this podcast by subscribing via PayPal! For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Itunes.   America Adapts on Facebook!   Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group. Check us out, we’re also on YouTube! On Twitter: @usaadapts Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes   Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com .

Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!) Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes In this week’s episode of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons gets a visit from legendary climate change scientist/activist, Dr. Michael Mann, Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science at Pennsylvania State University. Doug and Mike talk about a wide range of issues: from the publication of his new book, The Madhouse Effect: How Climate Change Denial Is Threatening Our Planet, Destroying Our Politics, and Driving Us Crazy; the Presidential Election; the history of climate denialism; to science communication in general.  We discuss Randy Olson’s influence, the scientist turned filmmaker, who connected Doug and Mike, which led to a discussion on effective science communication and the use of storytelling in science.  Regarding Mike’s new book, The Madhouse Effect, in an innovative twist, Mike collaborated with Tom Toles, long time cartoonist with the Washington Post. The book focuses on climate change and the long running battles climate scientists have had with the denier movement. Tole uses his cartoons to encapsulate each chapter with a relevant and biting cartoon.  The book deftly uses humor to reach a different audience with hopes of educating them about climate science.  The conversation then pivots to some climate science history, where Mike vividly describes what the political and scientific world was like when he first released his now iconic ‘hockey stick’ research paper.  Mike explains some of the key moments of constructing that paper and that “uh oh” moment when they realized humans were behind the recent warming around the globe. Mike then walks us through his many battles with the denier movement, from the time he was sued at the University of Virginia, through the infamous Climategate “scandal.”  Doug and Mike discuss the difficulties of communicating with the public when scientists are held (and hold themselves to) a much higher standard of information sharing, whereas the Koch Brothers' funded opposition has no such standard.  We discuss the ‘fake news’ issue and how that has been present in the climate change world for years. Finally, we talk about what will happen during a Trump administration.  An overall theme of our Trump discussions is the wildcard nature of his policies. President-Elect Trump even recently met with Al Gore to discuss climate change.  Doug and Mike anticipate bad things in addressing climate change, but also recognize that President Trump might surprise his detractors.  Mann acknowledges his book is much more relevant with the election of Donald Trump since the book deals so much with climate denial. Doug asks Mike, hypothetically, what if President Trump asked Mike to come to the Oval Office to brief him on climate change: what would he say to President Trump?  Without giving too much away, it involved invoking Lincoln, recruiting Bill Nye the Science Guy, and playing to Trump’s very large ego.  Some key quotes from the podcast interview: “Climategate was a rear guard, battle of the bulge, full frontal assault on the science of climate change.’ “If trump does move forward with the agenda he’s threatened to pursue...then it could be game over for stabilizing temperatures at 2 degrees..” “The forces of anti-science are very mobilized, and trained to be very great communicators and in many cases...they are cleaning our clocks…”  “If we are to actually make America great again, then we’re going to have to be part of the clean energy revolution.” “We now have for the first time in history, a president who denies that climate change even exists.” “It’s in the realm of possibility that Trump could flip on the issue of climate change if there was a concerted, good faith outreach effort, to him,  by the scientific community.” “Donald trump doesn’t get to decide if the world moves ahead on climate change, the world is moving ahead.” We discuss the upcoming 20 year anniversary of the hockey stick and opportunities to acknowledge that anniversary as way to highlight the issue of climate change in a potentially future hostile political environment.  The conversation with Mike was fascinating, informative and downright inspiring. So have a listen, there’s much much more that’s said! Finally, yes, most of your favorite podcasts are supported by listeners just like you! Please consider supporting this podcast by donating through America Adapt's fiscal sponsor, the Social Good Fund. All donations are now tax deductible! For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Itunes.   America Adapts on Facebook!   Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group. Check us out, we’re also on YouTube! On Twitter: @usaadapts Email:  americaadapts@gmail.com Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Additional Resources for Dr. Michael Mann http://www.michaelmann.net/news http://www.meteo.psu.edu/holocene/public_html/Mann/news/interviews.php

Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes! In this episode, America Adapts talks with innovative climate leader, Jonathan Parfrey, the Executive Director of Climate Resolve (CR).  The mission of Climate Resolve “is to make Southern California more livable and prosperous today and for generations to come by inspiring people at home, at work, and in government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution, as well as prepare for climate change impacts.” Jonathan talks about how CR approaches climate change at the city scale, with the goal of not only making Los Angeles more resilient in the face of climate change, but also improving the overall quality of life of Angelos. It is not a typical mission for most adaptation professionals,, but as Jonathan explains, it’s a strategy that successfully gets broad public support for their activities. Learn about CR’s “Cool Roofs” program, a citywide program to help low income residents obtain solar panels. Jonathan also talks about efforts to create a more integrated and green transportation system for Los Angeles.  We also learn about specific climate change impacts that Los Angeles is currently experiencing, and also, future impacts.  Climate Resolve emphasizes partnerships and they have assumed a major role in bringing together regional partners in these efforts. What really stands out is the proactive approach the city of Los Angeles is taking on these issue, along with the state of California providing substantial support for cities to address climate change.  Hopefully what happens in California will spread across the country. The state truly is an incubator for cutting edge climate change planning.  There’s a lot more, so have a listen to Jonathan tell Climate Resolve’s story. Finally, yes, most of your favorite podcasts are supported by listeners just like you! Please consider supporting this podcast by subscribing via PayPal! For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Itunes.  Also, follow on Facebook at America Adapts!  Check us out, we’re also on YouTube! On Twitter: @usaadapts Before founding Climate Resolve, Jonathan Parfrey served as a commissioner at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (2008-2013). Jonathan is also the immediate past-president of the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters. He is a founder and Vice Chair of CicLAvia, the popular street event, as well as the founder of the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action and Sustainability, and the statewide Alliance of Regional Collaboratives for Climate Adaptation. He served as director of the GREEN LA Coalition (2007-2011), and as the Los Angeles director of Nobel Peace Prize-winning organization Physicians for Social Responsibility (1994 to 2007). Prior to that, Jonathan founded and directed the Orange County Catholic Worker (1987-1993). He was appointed to Governor Schwarzenegger’s Environmental Policy Team in 2003.

In this episode of America Adapts, I talk with Sascha Petersen, founder and lead of Adaptation International, an Austin, Texas based consulting firm. Sascha talks about his experiences working on adaptation projects with local governments and tribal interests. Learn the nuances of dealing with adaptation with tribal communities and how those lessons could be applied elsewhere. We also discuss if the private sector world of adaptation is growing and what new opportunities exist for those seeking opportunities outside the government and non-governmental sector.  Sascha has a unique experience in becoming an adaptation professional and we discuss his journey through this process, especially how he pivoted from sustainability and mitigation, to working mainly in adaptation planning.  We also test out how one communicates adaptation in an environment like Texas (it involves a belt buckle and plenty of enthusiasm).   We then pivot and talk about about Sascha’s experiences as the first Managing Director of the American Society of Adaptation Professionals. Learn the history of that group; why it was inevitable that the field of adaptation would need a professional society and also if things like adaptation certification are necessary. Finally, Sascha talks about his travels as ASAP director and all the interesting and inspiring people he got to meet working in the the field of adaptation.  Sascha shares a lot more insight on the field of adaptation and happens to be one of the emerging field’s most enthusiastic boosters. Have a listen to Sascha’s amazing adaptation journey. Sascha has been working specifically on climate change for more than 10 years.  He was the first managing director of the American Society of Adaptation Professionals, a Lead Author for the Great Plains Region of the National Climate Assessment (2014), and  has worked with both climate scientists and municipal governments. He focuses on bridging the gaps between climate change science, policy, and action. Finally, yes, most of your favorite podcasts are supported by listeners just like you! Please consider supporting this podcast by subscribing via PayPal! For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Itunes.  Also, follow on Facebook at America Adapts!  Check us out, we’re also on YouTube!

Special Election Coverage. In this episode, America Adapts is hosting James Stillwell, Program Manager for Climate Implementation at the University of Maryland, reporting from Marrakech, Morocco from the Cop22 climate change negotiations. Also, I speak with EcoAdapt’s MaryKay Gewiss and Alex Score, on next year’s big National Adaptation Forum. First, I check in with James, who’s in Morocco, following up with his role at the 2016 Paris Climate agreement (previous podcast topic).  We learn what other countries are saying about the climate agreement in light of Donald Trump’s presidential election win.  James seeks to provide a reality check on what happens next. We learn what it might mean if the U.S. exited the agreement; the difficulties involved with such an action; and the rest of the world’s desire to move on even if America does exit the talks.  James also shares his perspective on debating noted climate skeptic, Myron Ebell (available on youtube), the man responsible for the transition at the Environmental Protection Agency. He gives his insight on what Mr. Ebell's approach might be and offers a broader perspective on potential limits to that approach. Finally, James gives his parting thoughts on what Americans can expect from the Marrakech negotiations.  In a major pivot, I then talk with Alex and WendyKay about next year’s National Adaptation Forum in St. Paul, Minnesota, in May.  No matter what the results of the election are, adaptation planners will continue to work and convene and share information on the best ways to adapt to the impacts of climate change.  We talk about previous forums and what to expect at this forum. There are new themes and plenaries topics, looking to expand what sectors would be interested in attending the event.  We share advice to federal employees who may be concerned about their ability to travel under a new administration.  Also, the deadline to submit oral and poster presentations is December 16th, so please hurry if you are considering doing this.  Finally, I end the podcast with an election discussion with Tim Watkins in the Adaptation and Wine Power hour, trying to find ‘silver molecules’ on what a Trump presidency might mean for the adaptation field.  And stay tuned for next week's episode, as Dr. Michael Mann, legendary professor behind the ‘hockey stick’ research, and author of “ The Madhouse Effect”, comes on the podcast.   Finally, yes, most of your favorite podcasts are supported by listeners just like you!  For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Itunes.  Also, follow on Facebook at America Adapts!  Check us out, we’re also on YouTube!

In this very special Halloween Episode, I talk with adaptation planning legends Lara Hansen and Jennie Hoffman. Lara is the Executive Director of Ecoadapt and Jennie is Founder and Principal at Adaptation Insight.  This was the first ‘threeway’ conversation on America Adapts, where we discussed the 5 year anniversary of Jenny and Lara’s groundbreaking book, Climate Savvy.  We learn the origins of the book, and how writing it went hand in hand with the establishment of their nationally recognized group, EcoAdapt.  Their book was one of the first to comprehensively lay out how one adapts to climate change, specifically in the natural resource world.  After digging into the book, we debate,  is the field of adaptation elitist? Is focusing on adaptation taking attention away from mitigating against carbon emissions (we all said no!)?  We also learn if some communities actually mitigate more effectively after they embrace adaptation.  Other topics covered:  the positives and negatives of the failed Cap and Trade bill; is adaptation certification necessary; is “Climate Savvy” still relevant? We also talk about the upcoming National Adaptation Forum next year in Minnesota and what new plenary sessions will be part of the agenda.  And finally we hear Lara and Jennie make an amazing analogy between adaptation and surfing - yes, it makes sense when they explain it, so listen in!   Finally, yes, most of your favorite podcasts are supported by listeners just like you! Please consider supporting this podcast by subscribing via PayPal! For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Itunes.  Also, follow on Facebook at America Adapts!  Check us out, we’re also on YouTube!  Contact Doug Parsons at americaadapts@gmail.com.

In episode 16 of America Adapts, I talk with Brian Kahn, Senior Science Writer with Climate Central. Climate Central (CC) is exactly what it sounds like: a central location for key science information and resources.  Climate Central is a relatively new organization and Brian walks us through their unique model for providing climate science.  Brian explains how CC uses social scientists to find ways to get science news to resonate with the public. Brian also explains their unique Climate Matters program, which engages with meteorologists all over the country, providing climate graphics and resources.  We then talk about some of Brian’s own articles, the process of writing and selecting the topics, when a story connects, or when one is not well received, and how he can work with fellow Climate Central experts to figure why an article might have not connected as intended..  A few of his stories include:  Heat, Then Deluge Fell a Town’s Beloved 600-Year-Old Oak, Carbon Dioxide Passed Critical Threshold in 2015, This is What It’s Like To Be a Young Climate Scientist, Hottest Months on Record Have Something in Common, OK Fine, Here’s the Carbon Dioxide Spiral.  As you’ll discover, Brian brings a unique voice to these climate discussions and it’s one you’ll find yourself returning to frequently. We talk at length on his multi part series on the National Park Service and their response to climate change.  Doug and Brian also discuss the National Climate Assessment; what it is; the challenges of sharing the information in the assessment and how Climate Central has similar goals as the Assessment. Doug and Brian also discuss the role of Climate Central in adaptation planning and what opportunities exist for the organization to help this emerging field of climate practitioners.  The conversation ends with Brian sharing some of his favorite climate web sites and writers.  We also dig into climate change and pop culture and how movies like Before the Flood can engage and inspire a new generation of climate professionals.   Brian Kahn is a Senior Science Writer at Climate Central. He previously worked at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society and partnered with climate.gov to produce multimedia stories, manage social media campaigns and develop version 2.0 of climate.gov. His writing has also appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Grist, the Daily Kos, Justmeans and the Yale Forum on Climate Change in the Media. In previous lives, he led sleigh ride tours through a herd of 7,000 elk and guided tourists around the deepest lake in the U.S. He holds an M.A. in Climate and Society from Columbia University.  One of Brian’s best quotes from the podcast, and a very succinct reason why Climate Central is so needed:  “Climate change is not a 2100 problem, it’s a 2016 problem.” There’s a lot more to hear from Brian, so please listen in!  And follow Brian on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/blkahn! Finally, yes, most of your favorite podcasts are supported by listeners just like you! Please consider supporting this podcast by subscribing via PayPal! For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Itunes.  Also, follow on Facebook at America Adapts!  Check us out, we’re also on YouTube!

In episode 15, Doug Parsons speaks with M.R. O’Connor, author of the book, “Resurrection Science: Conservation, De-Extinction and the Precarious Future of Wild Things.” De-extinction is exactly what you think it is: bringing back extinct species using modern technology. Think Jurassic Park, but looking at more recent extinctions like the Passenger Pigeon, Wooly Mammoth and the Tasmanian Tiger.  Our conversation, much like the book, is more than that though, we talk about environmental justice, ethics and the history of conservation biology.  Each chapter in the book covers a different species and the massive efforts we take to ensure their survival: these include a Tanzanian Spray Toad, the Florida Panther, Southwest pupfish, all the way to efforts to resurrect the Passenger Pigeon. We talk about the amazing and tragic history of the Passenger Pigeon and one scientist's efforts at bringing this species back into our lives.  Is it Frankenstein meets conservation? We dig into many of the topics from the book but we also talk about their relevance to climate change and adaptation. Is it any more or less ethical to translocate a living species, impacted by climate change, than it is to bring back an extinct species. In addition, Maura talks about how journalism can and should be about covering ideas, not just historic events.  We discuss the pitfalls of conservationists emphasizing the intrinsic value of biodiversity, versus its cultural or even utilitarian value.  We also discuss the legal implications of de-extinction: what if a resurrected species preyed upon an existing endangered species? What would this mean for the Endangered Species Act?  Maura also talks about what inspired her to write this story and the amazing journey learning about these species and the fascinating cast of characters that she included in the book.  We also talk about climate change adaptation having the ability to frame conservation in a new light, to tackle old problems like habitat destruction, invasive species and air and water pollution. Our conversation will give you a sampling of the many topics covered in the book and how de-extinction will challenge us to think about conservation, adaptation and environmentalism in new and provocative ways.  Maura was a fantastic guest, explaining incredibly complex topics in an engaging and hopeful way. Please listen in! M.R. O’Connor is a graduate of Columbia's Journalism School, she has reported from Africa, Afghanistan and Haiti, and her work has appeared in such publications as:  The New Yorker, Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Salon, New York Times, and Slate, to name just a few. Yes, that is an amazing list and her book reflects her profound journalistic experiences. Finally, yes, most of your favorite podcasts are supported by listeners just like you! Please consider supporting this podcast by subscribing via PayPal! For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Itunes.  Also, follow on Facebook at America Adapts!  Check us out, we’re also on YouTube!

In this week’s episode, America Adapts host, Doug Parsons, talks with Dr. Evelyn Gaiser from Florida International University.  We primarily cover two topics: what is the  Florida Coastal Everglades Long Term Ecological Research Program and Dr. Gaiser’s role in adaptation planning in South Florida.  But that is just a sampling of all the topics we cover. We begin by learning the many hats Evelyn wears at FIU:   She’s the Executive Director at FIU’s School of Environment, Arts and Society and she’s the Lead Principal Investigator at the Florida Coastal Everglades Long Term Ecological Research Program (which we’ll call the LTER).  First, we learn how Evelyn started her work in ecology at the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecological lab.  Dr. Gaiser also takes us into the Everglades, learning what makes this expansive park unique and incredibly important to everyone living in south Florida.  We talk about the amazing, rich biodiversity of the Everglades and Evelyn explains the park’s unique ecological functions. Evelyn then discusses the history and role of the LETRs, located throughout the United States, monitoring change in key ecosystems. We learn about the army of research scientists studying the Everglades through the LETR.  We also learn how all this science generated at the LETR helps influence key policy decisions in the region and Evelyn’s role in making these connections for policymakers.  Learn what it means to conduct research on sea level rise in the political minefield that is south Florida.  The LETR’s help us understand that we can’t adapt to climate change unless we can accurately track changes in the environment. And we briefly discuss the best ways a tourist can experience the Florida Everglades! We then dissect the complexities of dealing with natural resources in south Florida.  As Miami continues to grow, there continues to be significant friction with water sharing between the city and the Everglades.  Evelyn shares how the LTER informs the decision making process.  I ask Evelyn: Will the Everglades will be a marine park within 100 years.  You’ll have to listen in to hear her surprising answer!  Learn about such concepts as “peat collapse” and ways to avoid it.  Also hear how Dr. Gaiser spent her 2015 Earth Day with President Obama and hear firsthand, his inspiring support for the role science plays in sustaining the Everglades. Finally we discuss Dr. Gaiser’s role in adaptation planning in south Florida.  Many of the local communities, especially Miami, are taking actions and relying on experts at FIU to provide guidance on how to plan for sea level rise. Dr. Gaiser describes how FIU has developed the “Sea Level Rise Solutions Center” to help local communities plan for these climate impacts.  And Evelyn ends the podcast by giving her advice on how people can become involved and how the LTERs can be resources as society adapts to climate change.  There’s a lot more, so please listen in to this fascinating conversation with Dr. Evelyn Gaiser! Help support this podcast by subscribing via PayPal to the podcast! For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Itunes.  Also, follow on Facebook at America Adapts!  Check us out, we’re also on YouTube!