America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast

In the latest episode of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Shaun Martin, Senior Director of Adaptation and Resilience at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).  Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!) Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/america-adapts-climate-change/id1133023095?mt=2 Listen here. On Google Play here. Please share on Facebook! On Twitter: @usaadapts Doug and Shaun then talk about WWF’s long and storied history in adaptation planning, WWF being one of the first groups to develop its own internal adaptation program.  Shaun walks through the nuts and bolts of developing an adaptation program and what it means for a group that already has a longstanding history of groundbreaking conservation programs.  Shaun discusses the sometimes difficult journey of merging existing conservation efforts with new approaches like adaptation.  Shaun also discusses the key role training plays in adaptation planning at WWF, not only with his staff, but with people working in the field.  The Titanic is used as an analogy for adaption in our discussion, as Shaun walks us through what that means, and it’s not as bleak as you might think. Shaun provides the insight, that as conservationists, we are not emotionally equipped as adaptionists to deal with the many difficult future decisions on species and ecosystems, in the context of climate change, that will need to be made.  Doug and Shaun discuss the cultural shifts needed in the conservation community to ‘give up’ on species, and are the policy pieces in place to help make those decisions.  Doug and Shaun also discuss the long standing notion of the intrinsic value of nature, why that doesn’t resonate with the broader public, and how adaptation can be a unifying theme between intrinsic value and ecosystem services. Shaun is an expert is Ecosystem Based Adaptation (EBA) and the two spend considerable time discussing this topic, its similarities to ecosystem service, and how it’s been used in the field. Other topics covered: Does EBA offer the US Department of Agriculture a way forward to invest more in adaptation funding? Comparing adaptation to pornography to make a point: I know it when I see it! Doug and Shaun count down their top 3 challenges of communicating adaptation. Shaun discusses how his WWF adaptation team went through a communication training, learning how to talk adaptation with donors, the public, field staff, and more. Mentioned in This Episode: Titanic “Managing Decline” National Park Service Ecosystem Services Lara Hansen Nikhil Advani   Additional Resources: Free interactive courses and training activities for conservationists on climate change adaptation basics developed by Shaun. Available in multiple languages. Watch Shaun's recent webinar, "Learning to Live with Climate Change: What Educators need to know." with the North America Association for Environmental Education.  https://naaee.org/eepro/learning/webinars/learning-live-climate-change-what In A Changing Climate, We Need Nature To Save Us From Ourselves http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shaun-martin/in-a-changing-climate-we-_b_11800250.html EbA Revisited: disentangling misconceptions about nature and adaptation http://www.climateprep.org/stories/2016/6/14/eba-revisited-part-1-disentangling-misconceptions-about-nature-and-adaptation?rq=Shaun%20Martin Adaptation strategies: Invest in natural capital https://www.greenbiz.com/article/adapting-climate-change-road-less-travelled 5 Things You (Probably) Didn't Learn in Business School https://www.worldwildlife.org/blogs/on-balance/posts/5-things-you-probably-didn-t-learn-in-business-school Embracing Uncertainty: Is It Really That Hard? http://www.climateprep.org/stories/2016/3/1/embracing-uncertainty-is-it-really-that-hard?rq=Shaun%20Martin America Adapts also has its own app for your listening pleasure!  Just visit the App store on Apple or Google Play on Android and search “America Adapts.” 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 .

Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!) Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Randy Olson joins Doug Parsons on America Adapts to discuss the dire state of coral reefs; storytelling as a technique to communicate complex science; and what we can learn from Donald Trump’s vexing, but intuitive narrative instincts.  Randy has had a fascinating career arc.  He is a scientist-turned-filmmaker who earned his Ph.D. in Biology from Harvard University (1984) and became a tenured professor of marine biology at the University of New Hampshire (1992) before changing careers by moving to Hollywood and entering film school at the University of Southern California.  The first part of the discussion focuses on the state of coral reefs in the world and how the conservation and science communities have done a poor job communicating the dire state of coral reefs.  Randy highlights some of his early career research, diving on some of the most pristine spots in the Caribbean and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.  Doug and Randy talk about how in the 1980s through the 1990s, the coral reef systems begin to really fall apart due to pollution and bleaching events.  Randy explains the concept of shifting baselines, which demonstrates how we lose track of the past by resetting what we consider an existing baseline.  People diving for the first time on coral reefs in the 1990s would have no idea they are viewing a highly degraded system, hence the ‘shifting baseline.’ This makes communicating the urgency of coral conservation that much harder.  Randy then discusses the critical need to develop simple narratives to communicate complex subjects (such as coral reef conservation!).  The coral reef community has struggled to communicate in a cohesive manner the current state of this diminishing ecosystem.  Doug and Randy also discuss the diverse and contradictory nature of the coral reef community: scientists, conservationists, and the tourism industry, each of which has its own agenda when communicating the state of coral reefs.    Randy discusses the recent presidential campaign and how Donald Trump intuitively understood simple narratives with his “Make America Great Again” slogan. Other topics covered: Randy discusses his storytelling technique, “ABT” (and, but, therefore) and how it can be used to simplify coral reef conservation narratives. We talk about story circles, a workshop that randy runs with different agencies and groups to practice the ABT story narrative structure. Randy describes how Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is a perfect example of the ABT structure. We go through the thought exercise: what if Donald Trump tried to save coral reefs, how would he approach it? Randy discusses how the doomsday clock was a good example of how the science community distilled the complex threat of nuclear disaster into a simple message. How does one adapt to climate change in a ‘post factual world’? We ponder this dilemma. The “truth” is not prevailing in scientific discourse, but narrative dynamics are, e.g., “Make America great again.” We discuss the plight of the Vaquita dolphin and how it represents a failure of the conservation community to rally around a message that would have saved it. Scientists need to understand that Hollywood, movies and television, are meant to entertain. Structure your advocacy message accordingly. Don’t bore people. With the new administration, Randy observes we have likely entered a new era of anti-science. The science community needs to be prepared. Finally, we discuss solutions such as getting local groups to take ownership of simplifying the message of adaptation and conservation.  It is a provocative and thought provoking episode, but ultimately a hopeful one, where both Randy and Doug challenge the science and conservation communities to learn to embrace simple narratives to get the public more aware of these important issues.  Mentioned in This Episode: Randy Olson Discovery Bay, Jamaica Lizard Island, Australia Jeremy Jackson, Coral Reef Researcher Randy Olson on Twitter, @ABTagenda Story Circles “Houston We Have Story: Why Science Needs Story” by Randy Olson Don’t be Such a Scientist by Randy Olson Rand’s blog: com “Gettysburg Address” by Abraham Lincoln 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 .

Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!) Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Dr. Jesse Keenan, of Harvard University, joins Doug Parsons on the first episode of America Adapts of 2017!  Dr. Keenan is a member of the faculty of the Graduate School of Design where he teaches courses and conducts research in the fields of real estate development, design-development management and technology and climate adaptation science.  Jesse wears several hats: academic, public and professional.  In their conversation, Doug and Jesse dig into the origins of adaptation planning and how the federal government is currently approaching the issue. Jesse has several roles advising the federal government on adaptation and we talked about those many different approaches. We spend considerable time discussing the emergence of ‘resilience’ as the primary word and approach by the government, and increasingly, the private sector. Much of this origin ties into aligning adaptation with disaster management and Jesse explains those links.  Jesse also explains how partisan politics played a role in the rise of ‘resilience’ as the preferred term in adaptation planning. We also talk about how adaptation has become a serious area of study for universities. Jesse is one of the more prolific publishers of adaptation literature and we talk about some of his work.  We also discuss the state of adaptation in academic programs at universities in the United States.  Professors like Jesse are providing the much needed academic grounding for the emerging field of adaptation. Jesse also discusses Harvard’s role in engaging the city of Miami with adaptation planning and we talk frankly about the future of that city and the tough choices that community will have to make in the coming years regarding sea level rise. We also learn that Jesse is a fellow University of Georgia graduate and he talked about being on campus when legendary ecologist Eugene Odom was there. Doug and Jesse also have a lively discussion about the movie The Big Short, and speculate what lessons could be learned from the real estate bubble as society begins to incorporate uncertainty into long adaptation planning. Other topics discussed: We discuss how one person’s resilience is another person’s maladaptation. How 911 terror attacks led the modern national security state to adopt resilience as the preferred approach to climate change planning. Learn how federal agencies have evolved to incorporate disaster risk management, adaptation and resilience. FEMA, etc. Learn how the US is lagging at adaptation in university academic programs. How do ethics come into play when deciding to invest in high risk communities like Miami, New Orleans, etc.  Learn what climate gentrification means for Miami. How a huge company like Goldman Sachs approaches climate change. The Challenge of drawing distinctions between sustainability, resilience and adaptation. Also in this episode, we talk with Beth Gibbons, Managing Director of the American Society of Adaptation Professionals. Beth talks about the January 25th deadline to nominate someone (or your own org) for their Adaptation Prize for Progress, which will be announced in May at the National Adaptation Forum. Additional Notes: People can pre-order Jesse’s new book Blue Dunes: Climate Change by Design here: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Dunes-Climate-Change-Design/dp/1941332153 Dr. Jesse Keenan on Twitter:  @Jesse_M_Keenan Jesse’s Harvard Profile: http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/person/jesse-keenan/ http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/2016/09/jesse-keenan-leads-research/ https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-10-31/climate-change-is-already-forcing-americans-to-move 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 .

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.