Who’s responsible for climate change? Fossil fuel companies would like us to believe it’s all of us as individuals (after all, BP invented the idea of the personal carbon footprint). But many large corporations bear at least as much of the blame. And for a decade or so, there was a push for every company to disclose its own emissions — a kind of corporate carbon footprint — and “sustainability” became the word of the day. But corporate shareholders demand profits, and managers are held accountable if they don’t deliver.Auden Schendler spent over 25 years running sustainability programs at Aspen One, the company that owns one of the highest-end resorts in the world. He argues that those pushing corporate sustainability programs are living a “big green lie.” Can capitalism be cleaned up from the inside? What should corporations and their sustainability managers do instead?Guests:Auden Schendler, Climate activist; Author, “Terrible Beauty: Reckoning with Climate Complicity and Rediscovering Our Soul” Mindy Lubber, CEO, CeresOn March 24, Google’s Chief Sustainability Officer Kate Brandt and Irina Raicu, Director of the Internet Ethics Program at the Markkula Center, will speak with Climate One about the development of sustainably powered artificial intelligence. Tickets are on sale through our website.And on April 22 and 24, Climate One will once again be hosting a series of SF Climate Week events at The Commonwealth Club! Join us for conversations with environmental luminaries such as Margaret Gordon, Jenny Odell, Project Drawdown, Grist, and Abby Reyes. Tickets are on sale now.Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today for just $5/month.For show notes and related links, visit our website.Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rolf Skar, National Campaigns Director at Greenpeace, discusses a contentious $300 million lawsuit from Energy Transfer Partners targeting his organization. Montgomery Brown, a member of the Standing Rock grassroots movement, shares insights from the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, emphasizing the communal spirit of activism. Laura Prather, an expert on anti-SLAPP laws, explains how such lawsuits seek to silence dissent and the broader implications for free speech and environmental advocacy. The conversation reveals the chilling effects of corporate legal tactics on grassroots movements.

Samantha Montano, an expert in emergency management, Ralph Hamlett, a seasoned Alderman and flood survivor, and Adrienne Heinz, a clinical psychologist, discuss the rising intensity of disasters fueled by climate change. They unpack the disparities in disaster response and the long recovery journeys many face. The guests highlight the critical need for integrating mental health support into recovery efforts, illuminating personal stories of resilience and the importance of community in navigating the emotional aftermath of catastrophic events.

Elizabeth Yeampierre, Executive Director of UPROSE, champions community-led climate solutions in Brooklyn. Arturo Massol-Deyá from Casa Pueblo de Adjuntas shares how Puerto Rico is achieving energy independence with solar microgrids post-hurricane. Skyler Zunk, CEO of Energy Right, discusses clean energy education in rural Virginia, emphasizing the blend of agriculture and solar tech. Together, they highlight the role of solar power in reinforcing community resilience, energy autonomy, and environmental justice.

Join Pattie Gonia, a drag queen and environmentalist championing inclusivity in the outdoors, as they share their vibrant journey through activism. Mike Roberts and Will Hammond Jr., musicians passionate about climate advocacy, discuss their catchy R&B songs like 'I'm Your Heat Pump' and 'Our Love is Geothermal,' showcasing how creativity can inspire climate action. The trio emphasizes the importance of joy, collaboration, and accessibility in environmental movements, inviting everyone to engage in meaningful and entertaining ways.

The second Trump administration has hit the ground running. The president has signed a flurry of executive orders targeting everything from birthright citizenship to pulling out of the Paris Climate Accords. This is a far different moment from the first Trump term. The president is more focused, his team is more focused, and energy policy is at the top of their action list. However, the renewable energy market is also much more mature, and the transition away from fossil fuels has been accelerated by three major climate-related bills passed during the Biden years. In this new political and economic landscape, how do climate advocates need to think and act differently to sustain progress? Guests: Dana R. Fisher, Director of the Center for Environment, Community, and Equity & Professor, School of International Service, American UniversityNathaniel Stinnett, Founder and Executive Director, Environmental Voter ProjectArnab Datta, Director of Infrastructure Policy, Institute for Progress; Managing Director of Policy Implementation, Employ AmericaOn February 25, internationally recognized environmental and civil rights activist Catherine Coleman Flowers will join Climate One for a live conversation about the future of environmental justice. Join us at noon in San Francisco for a can’t-miss show. Tickets are on sale now through our website.Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today for just $5/month.For show notes and related links, visit our website.Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Moira Morel, a cinematographer and Altadena resident, shares her personal story of losing her home in the Eaton Fire, highlighting the deep emotional and community impacts of wildfires. Hugh Safford from UC Davis provides insights into fire dynamics and the role of climate change in increasing wildfire risks. Andrew Rumbach emphasizes equitable recovery strategies in disaster resilience. Multimedia journalist Nick Mott offers practical advice on wildfire preparedness, underscoring the critical need for proactive community measures and awareness in fire-prone areas.

Ross Trethewey, a home technology expert from This Old House, joins Ari Matusiak and Edith Buhs from Rewiring America to discuss how electrification can reduce household greenhouse gas emissions. They explore the significant impact of electrifying appliances and improving energy efficiency on health and savings, highlighting federal incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act. The conversation also delves into practical steps homeowners can take to enhance sustainability, as well as the importance of community engagement in transitioning to electric solutions.

Every year we highlight the work of a scientist who excels in communicating their work to the world. Climate One is delighted to present the 2024 Stephen H. Schneider Award for Outstanding Climate Science Communication to political scientist and energy expert Leah Stokes.Her rare ability to communicate complex information to both academic audiences and the general public has established her as one of the most influential voices in climate action and clean energy policy. “What I've started to think about is not how can I make my impact as small as possible, like a carbon footprint, trying to shrink, but actually how can I make my impact as big as possible by joining with others in campaigns to try to change policies and laws so that we're not just trying to make marginal, incremental improvements on a fossil fuel-based energy system, but actually change the system towards clean electricity,” she says.Guests:Leah Stokes, Anton Vonk Associate Professor at UC Santa Barbara; Senior Policy Advisor, Rewiring America; Co-host of the podcast “A Matter of Degrees”Rebecca Solnit, Author, journalist, and activistSupport Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today for just $5/month.For show notes and related links, visit our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When most people hear the phrase renewable energy, they imagine fields full of solar panels or giant spinning wind turbines. But another source may be heating up: geothermal. Twenty years ago, it was thought that geothermal could provide at most 10% of any given area’s electricity, and only in very limited regions. There were also environmental concerns about depleting groundwater. But new technological advances may have unlocked the potential for scalable geothermal energy just about anywhere. And in a bit of irony, those technological advances came from the oil and gas industry. This episode originally aired February 23, 2024, and features content from contributing producer David Condos.Guests: Amanda Kolker, Laboratory Program Manager for Geoscience and Geothermal Technologies, NRELJamie Beard, Founder of Project InnerSpaceLauren McLean, Mayor of BoiseSupport Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today for just $5/month.For show notes and related links, visit our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices