Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

In a riveting discussion, Jimmy Wales, the visionary founder of Wikipedia, delves into building trust amidst an era of misinformation. He shares insights from his book, The Seven Rules of Trust, emphasizing that a clear purpose drives Wikipedia's credibility. Wales addresses challenges in maintaining neutrality and managing edit wars while tackling the erosion of trust in institutions. He reveals how community integrity is essential for Wikipedia’s growth and contrasts it with the limitations of AI, promoting a future where human contributions nourish trust on the open web.

In this thought-provoking discussion, Peter Schwartzstein, an environmental journalist, dives into the intricate ties between climate stress and violence, highlighting how governance can make or break communities facing these challenges. Fareed Mahameed shares his dedication to climate justice, illustrating efforts to support Palestinian and Bedouin communities with vital resources and infrastructure. Liana Berlin-Fischler discusses innovative clean-tech solutions like off-grid wastewater treatment, emphasizing how environmental cooperation can bridge divides and foster peace in conflict zones.

Joyce Vance, former U.S. Attorney and current legal analyst, dives into the challenges facing American democracy. She explores the importance of citizen engagement and the historical context of current political crises. Vance discusses the erosion of democratic norms and emphasizes resilience in activism without burnout. She addresses the dangers of disengagement and the need for a renewed civic culture, urging listeners to take small actions to preserve democracy. Her insights offer hope and a clear call to action in these tumultuous times.

Philip Taubman, a senior fellow at Stanford, and William Taubman, a Pulitzer-winning biographer, delve into the life of Robert McNamara, a key player in U.S. military history. They discuss newly uncovered letters from Jacqueline Kennedy that reveal McNamara's personal struggles. Their exploration covers McNamara's evolution from a war advocate to someone questioning the Vietnam War, alongside insights from a private diary. The brothers also reflect on McNamara's duality: his loyalty, ambition, and the haunting guilt from his decisions, painting a portrait of a man deeply at odds with himself.

Brent Efron, a former EPA policy official, shares his journey navigating the challenges of climate advocacy amidst political backlash. Rachel Rothschild, a legal scholar, discusses the implications of 'superfund' laws targeting polluters while facing personal threats and scrutiny over her work. J. Timmons Roberts reveals how organized opposition to climate initiatives, especially offshore wind, is fueled by misinformation from powerful networks. Together, they shed light on the risks faced by climate professionals striving for impactful change in a hostile environment.

In this discussion, Janti Soeripto, President and CEO of Save the Children U.S., Fred Koehner, Managing Director at DAF Giving 360, and Caitlin Tulloch, Co-founder of Project Resource Mobilization, delve into the pressing need for innovation in humanitarian finance. They explore strategies like Save the Children's private-first fundraising pivot and emphasize the importance of partnerships for cash assistance. The conversation also highlights the effectiveness of donor-advised funds and the need for evidence-based approaches to maximize philanthropic impact.

Steve Nygren, founder and CEO of Serenbe, shares insights from his journey to create a wellness community that integrates nature, agriculture, and housing. He highlights the importance of biophilic design and how it fosters connections within communities. Nygren discusses the consequences of urban sprawl, advocating for agri-hoods where residents can engage with local food economies. He also addresses the role of seniors in community life and the need for regenerative agriculture to build resilient food systems, envisioning a healthier, connected future.

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The human body is invincible—at least from the perspective of modern medicinal innovation. Mary Roach, New York Times bestselling author of Stiff and Fuzz, follows the astonishing evolution of body part replacement, from sculpting noses from brass to crafting body parts from scratch using stem cells and 3-D printing. While these advancements are miraculous lifesavers, it begs difficult bioethical questions: When and how does a person decide they’d be better off with a prosthetic than their existing limb? Can a donated heart be made to beat forever? Roach offers an insightful discussion and potential answers to these questions with her uniquely characteristic verve and infectious wit. Join us for a fascinating conversation with Mary Roach as she investigates the moral, medical and metaphysical implications of remaking ourselves from the inside out. Are we on the verge of replacing the irreplaceable? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So much of the conversation about the climate crisis focuses on prevention. But no matter how well we succeed on that front, climate-induced disasters are already causing hundreds of billions of dollars of damage worldwide every year — not to mention destroying livelihoods and causing deaths. We're seeing those impacts today, and we need to be ready. Adaptation does not mean giving up on trying to rein in heat-trapping pollution; it’s facing reality. The way we adapt can be creative and empowering. But what does that kind of adaptation look like?  Episode Guests:   Susannah Fisher, Principal Research Fellow, University College London; Author of "Sink or Swim" Nick Mott, Multimedia Journalist; Author of “This Is Wildfire”  Tanya Gulliver-Garcia, Director of Educational Impact, Center for Disaster Philanthropy This episode features a field piece by David Condos, who originally reported the ⁠story⁠ for KUER in Salt Lake City, Utah.For show notes and related links, visit ⁠ClimateOne.org⁠. Highlights: 00:00 Intro 4:06 Susannah Fisher on her findings as a research student 7:43 Susannah Fisher on transformational changes 11:52 Susannah Fisher on the realities of climate migration 17:41 Susannah Fisher on the future of adaptation 22:47 Susannah Fisher on international cooperation 27:01 Susannah Fisher on surprising connections 30:35 Nick Mott on who is responsible for protecting your house 33:09 Nick Mott on the next level steps for protecting from wildfire 39:58 Field piece by David Condos on reusing sewage water 44:38 Tanya Gulliver-Garcia on what mutual aid is 48:20 Tanya Gulliver-Garcia on a mutual aid response to climate disasters 53:35 Climate One More Thing *** 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. Ad sales by ⁠Multitude⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠multitude.productions/ads⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices