Reversing Climate Change

Have you ever wondered what happens to your clothes after you drop them off at Goodwill? Or where your electronics go once you’ve left them at the recycling center? Yes, some of our excess is exported to emerging markets around the world and either resold or harvested for parts. Is that cool? And what can we do to shop in a way that reduces our environmental impact? Adam Minter is a columnist at Bloomberg Opinion and the author of Junkyard Planet: Travels in the Billion-Dollar Trash Trade and Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale. Today, Adam joins Ross to explain how being born into a family of junk dealers informed his career as a journalist. He introduces us to what happens when we donate clothing to Goodwill, describing how items are sorted and resold or exported to other markets around the world. Adam weighs in on why it’s not unethical to send our e-waste to West Africa or resell used car seats in Mexico, challenging us to worry more about the quality of the products we buy and less about where they’re exported when we’re done with them. Listen in for Adam’s insight around the value of mass market collectibles and learn how to shift your consumer thinking from immediate cost to total cost of ownership. Resources Purchase Nori Carbon Removals Nori Nori on Patreon Nori Newsletter Adam at Bloomberg Opinion Junkyard Planet: Travels in the Billion-Dollar Trash Trade by Adam Minter Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale by Adam Minter Scrap Magazine Speed Queen Unbundled Airlines on Planet Money EP517 Kelley Blue Book Patagonia Worn Wear Frugalwoods Meet the Frugalwoods: Achieving Financial Independence Through Simple Living by Elizabeth Willard Thames The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter by Margareta Magnusson

The American Constitution provides the ‘nuts and bolts of liberty,’ putting constraints on the government and promising equality before the law. But the challenge is that it relies on state officials to enforce the law impartially. What if the blockchain could help us avoid these human-level implementation problems and effectively automate some features of our bureaucracy? Dr. Nick Cowen is a lecturer in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Lincoln and the author of the paper, ‘Markets for Rules: The Promise and Peril of Blockchain Distributed Governance.’ Today, Nick is back to discuss the potential benefits of blockchain governance structures, including the ability to apply law impartially and reduce censorship. He explores the idea of consent as it applies to the blockchain and explains how the technology prevents the off-diagonals that manifest out of subsidiarity. Nick weighs in on whether the blockchain will become a competition to be the best or the most permissive and describes how the technology might influence our political systems—and vice versa. Listen in for Nick’s insight around the application of civil versus common law traditions via the blockchain and learn how we can leverage blockchain technology for environmental governance. Resources Purchase Nori Carbon Removals Nori Nori on Twitter Carbon Removal Newsroom Nori on Patreon Nick’s Website Nick on Academia Nick on SSRN Nick on Twitter ‘Markets for Rules: The Promise and Peril of Blockchain Distributed Governance’ by Nick Cowen Ethereum John Rawls John Locke Quill Robinson on RCC S2EP18 Tax Justice Network Ozark James M. Buchanan Adam Smith Being Me Being You: Adam Smith and Empathy by Samuel Fleischacker Alan Partridge Dr. Anton Howes on Twitter Ilia Murtazashvili

What's the future got in store for architecture? A return to tried and true organic construction methods like adobe or rammed earth? Buildings that are as alive as human bodies? Something in between? How do we create more beautiful and livable spaces while also making the built environment carbon-negative? This week's guest is Dr. Wil Srubar, Assistant Professor of Architectural Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, Technical Director of Materials R&D at Katerra, and Cochair of the Carbon Leadership Forum Network and serves as its global hub director. We talk about trends in architecture and materials science and try to ferret out what might be coming down the pike, particularly in light of the article Wil wrote in The Conversation, "Buildings grown by bacteria—new research is finding ways to turn cells into mini-factories for materials". A Field Guide to American Houses (Revised): The Definitive Guide to Identifying and Understanding America's Domestic Architecture by Virginia Savage McAlester Wil's CU profile Akira Dr. Kate Simonen's RCC episode Andrew Himes' RCC episode Chris Magwood and Jacob Deva Racusin's RCC episode

The tragedy of the commons suggests that, left to our own devices, we will overuse and overconsume our shared resources in the name of self-interest. And that either privatization or state control is required to keep us in check. But Elinor Ostrom advanced a third option, a polycentric governance approach in which the people involved solve the problem on their own through a commons solution. Dr. Nick Cowen is a lecturer in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Lincoln and the author of the paper, ‘Cost and Choice in the Commons: Ostrom and the Case of British Flood Management’. Today, Nick joins Ross to discuss the differences among state, market, and commons solutions to the environmental problems we face. He explains how Ostrom’s work changed the way we think about the tragedy of the commons and walks us through several examples of communal solutions that preserve shared resources. Nick goes on to introduce the concepts of residual-claimancy and the transitional gains trap, describing how government intervention in flood management followed by a period of privatization led to the current dilemma in Great Britain. Listen in for insight around how Ostrom’s communal systems might appeal to both conservative and liberal politics and learn how we can apply her interdisciplinary ideas to protect our shared resources. Purchase Nori Carbon Removals Nori's website Nori on Facebook Nori on Twitter Carbon Removal Newsroom: our other podcast! Nori on Patreon Nori Newsletter Nori on Twitter Nick’s Website Nick on Academia Nick on SSRN Nick on Twitter ‘Cost and Choice in the Commons: Ostrom and the Case of British Flood Management’ by Nick Cowen Elinor Ostrom Ostrom’s Workshop Method Ostrom’s Google Scholar Page Ostrom’s Nobel Prize Lecture Books by James C. Scott Ludwig Von Mises’ Insights on Intervention ‘The Transitional Gains Trap’ by Gordon Tullock Dr. Bryan Caplan on RCC S2EP2 Karen Bradshaw Bryan Leonard Friedrich August Hayek Ilia Murtazashvili Kate Raworth

We tend to think of climate change as a problem in and of itself. But what if the climate crisis is a symptom of a bigger issue? What if we can’t solve climate change without social justice? Meteorologist Eric Holthaus is the climate correspondent for The Correspondent and author of The Future Earth: A Radical Vision for What’s Possible in the Age of Warming. Today, Eric joins Ross to explain how climate change is a symptom of broader societal inequalities and discuss the role ownership has played in causing the climate crisis. He shares his vision for a cooperative political and economic system based on distributed production that supports the ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all. Eric goes on to explore the complexity of our connections with the each other and advocate for a system of ethics that promotes care work and prevents overconsumption by a privileged few. Listen in for Eric’s insight around what the pandemic has taught us about the potential for a radically different life and learn how actively reducing inequality is the first step in solving climate change—once and for all. Key Takeaways [1:16] The themes Eric presents in The Future Earth Combination of urgency + optimism (picture of what fighting FOR) Climate change provides chance to fix other structural problems [5:20] How quickly ‘radical solutions’ have become mainstream Demonstrated in numbers published by Data for Progress Example—100% renewable energy seemed out of reach [7:26] The relationship between climate and justice Climate change = symptom of broader inequalities + injustice Perspective lends to expanded list of solutions (e.g.: care work) [8:08] The role ownership has played in causing climate change Idea of private property consolidated wealth to few Overconsumption by those who control resources Can only survive by caring for each other and our home Must become stewards of objects, own as community [17:41] Eric’s vision for our future economic and political systems Yet to be invented, drawn out of ecologically focused world Can’t survive in competitive economic system on finite planet Believe life, liberty and pursuit of happiness possible for all [21:35] The concept of distributed production Democratize everything for broader societal goal of cooperation Example of libraries as community resource anyone can use [27:58] Eric’s take on toxic masculinity and care work Must understand complexity of relationship to world Develop skills in asking for help, admitting when wrong [32:08] How Eric thinks about energy efficiency and overconsumption Break addiction to overconsumption with focus on reducing inequality Wealth tax provides universal access to housing, food and water [37:18] The potential for us to lead radically different lives Demonstrated by Coronavirus pandemic Reframe what is and is not necessary (e.g.: air travel) Rebuild purpose of society in zero carbon context [40:47] Eric’s insight on travel and the auto industry in the US Bike networks in Amsterdam don’t interface with roads at all Surface areas of cities 30% to 40% car infrastructure Highways built to boost economy but destroy neighborhoods

Young people on BOTH sides of the aisle want to see action on climate change. And Quillan Robinson believes that the will for action is a more powerful force than the disagreements we may have over policy. So, how does a conservative approach like the American Climate Contract differ from the progressive Green New Deal? And how do the principles of conservatism inform right-of-center climate solutions? Quill is the Vice President of Government Affairs with the American Conservation Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young conservatives to reengage in environmental conversations. Today, Quill joins Ross to explain how his involvement in the I-732 campaign in Washington shaped his thinking and shifted his politics. He introduces us to the conservative thinkers who inspire him, walking us through the best principles of the conservative intellectual tradition and how they apply to climate policy. Quill goes on to discuss why oikophilia (love of place) is not exclusive to rural contexts and offer his take on Hamiltonian versus Jeffersonian economic models. Listen in for Quill’s insight on the three main approaches to climate policy at work in DC and learn what differentiates ACC’s American Climate Contract from the other federal climate policy solutions. Podcast listeners can purchase Nori Carbon Removal Tonnes here! Thanks so much for your support. American Conservation Coalition American Climate Contract Quill on Twitter Green Philosophy: How to Think Seriously About the Planet by Roger Scruton Conservatism: An Invitation to the Great Tradition by Roger Scruton Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act & Congressional cosponsors of the bill Benji Backer on RCC EP074 Greg Rock on RCC EP036 Kyle Murphy on RCC EP056 Carbon Washington Initiative 732 Arthur Brooks at the American Enterprise Institute Paul Kingsnorth & The Dark Mountain Project Robert Nisbet The Conservative Heart: How to Build a Fairer, Happier, and More Prosperous America by Arthur C. Brooks

The political process is complex and difficult to follow, no matter how deeply we care about climate policy. And yet, without federal clean electricity standards, energy companies are unlikely to change their behavior. So, what does good environmental policy look like? And what can we do as individuals to advocate for laws that reverse climate change? Dr. Leah C. Stokes is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at UC Santa Barbara and the author of Short Circuiting Policy: Interest Groups and the Battle Over Clean Energy and Climate Policy in the American States. Today, Leah joins Ross to discuss what makes for good environmental policy and why we need federal clean electricity standards. She weighs in on how public utilities abuse the political system, introducing us to the idea of intervener compensation programs as the most promising way to advocate for the public interest. Leah goes on to share her criticism of Planet of the Humans, describing the film’s failure to address the nuances of life cycle analysis or the fossil fuel industry’s role in the climate crisis and explaining how the film’s thesis is out of alignment with the Michael Moore’s supposed progressive politics. Listen in as Leah shares a case study of climate policy in the state of Ohio and learn what you can do to let lawmakers know that you care about climate change. Resources: Leah’s Website Leah on Twitter Short Circuiting Policy: Interest Groups and the Battle Over Clean Energy and Climate Policy in the American States by Leah Cardamore Stokes Leah’s Vox Article on Planet of the Humans Leah’s Piece on Ohio Energy Policy in The Guardian

Concrete is an incredibly useful and highly resilient building material. And with population growth and urbanization, we are on pace to double everything we’ve ever built in the next 40 years. At the same time, concrete production accounts for as much as 8% of global emissions. So, how can we continue to reap the benefits of concrete in a way that complies with our climate goals? Robert Niven is the Founder and CEO of CarbonCure, a company that recycles waste carbon dioxide to make stronger and greener concrete. They are also one of the four companies chosen by Stripe for its first negative emissions purchases. Today, Rob joins Ross and Christophe to explain how concrete is traditionally produced and what CarbonCure does differently to permanently mineralize carbon in concrete, both improving its quality and reducing its carbon footprint. Rob weighs in on embodied carbon, sharing the benefits of CarbonCure’s solution in terms of scalability and cost, and discusses the potential for his process to eventually use direct air capture as a source of CO2. Listen in as Rob introduces us to his audacious goal of reducing emissions by 500 megatons per year and learn how we can accelerate the change with procurement policy and carbon offsets. Resources CarbonCure CarbonCure on LinkedIn CarbonCure on Twitter Stripe’s Negative Emissions Commitment Stripe’s First Negative Emissions Purchases CarbonCure’s Cake Analogy Video Carbon Leadership Forum Bill Gates’ Resources on Climate & Energy CLF’s EC3 Tool Methodology Breakthrough Energy Ventures Hawaii’s Concrete Procurement Policy CarbonCure’s Partnership with HC&D in Honolulu Elemental Excelerator  Buy Clean California Act New York Assembly Bill 8617 Carbon XPRIZE Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Grand Carbon Challenge

Emily Atkin's June 1st issue of HEATED caught our attention with the headline "The climate movement's silence" regarding the Black Lives Matter protests taking place all over the United States and the lack of a substantial response from climate organizations. One of the long-running debates that shows up on the podcast is "to what degree should climate change policy be focused exclusively on decarbonization and drawdown vs. a more comprehensive suite of related issues?" On the one hand, ostensibly there is less room for disagreement when policy is unbundled. On the other hand, big change may be possible within moments like this and it seems myopic at best to focus only on the former and ignoring ongoing harms or negligence. What is an organization to do? Here's a beginning to that conversation, with more programming on the topic to come. Mellina White, who has been moonlighting as a Norinaut, wrote the article, "Attention white people: Your #BLM memes are not enough", that inspired this conversation. Mellina White's Twitter The Seattle Conservative Campaign Zero The Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America's Police Forces by Radley Balko "U.S. Lawmaker Prepares Bill Aiming to End Court Protection for Police" in The New York Times

What is the best approach to solving the climate crisis? Should we leverage science and technology to ‘produce’ our way out of the problem? Or aspire to live in Hobbiton and radically reduce our human footprint? Charles C. Mann is the New York Times bestselling author behind 1491, 1493 and The Wizard and the Prophet and a regular correspondent for The Atlantic, WIRED and Science Magazine. Today, Charles joins Ross to discuss the two major schools of thought he identified in the environmental movement—wizards and prophets—and introduce us to the scientists he uses to represent each camp in his book. Charles walks us through the fundamental differences between the two groups, describing their values, blind spots and radically different ways of seeing the world. Listen in for Charles’ insight on a third school of thought that dismisses both wizards and prophets and find out where he falls on the wizard-prophet spectrum in light of the current global health crisis. Connect with Ross Nori Nori on Patreon Email podcast@nori.com Resources 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created The Wizard and the Prophet: Two Remarkable Scientists and Their Dueling Visions to Shape Tomorrow’s World Charles on Twitter Norman Borlaug Road to Survival by William Vogt Jared Diamond Naomi Klein Paul Ehrlich Bill McKibben Ted Nordhaus Hans Rosling Jesse Ausubel Ramez Naam Emma Marris Planet of the Humans Nathaneal Johnson in Grist ‘The Call of Cthulhu’ by H.P. Lovecraft Dr. Vandana Shiva Adam Smith’s Parable of the Poor Man’s Son Lynn Margulis