The Climate Pod

This week, Dr. Michael Mann joined the show! The renowned climate scientist (newly elected to the National Academy of Sciences!) talks about his group's new study on the 2020 North Atlantic Hurricane Season, what it was like being in Australia during the bushfire disaster, and why humans are responsible for more than 100% of warming temperatures.  Then, Evergreen Action Co-Founder Jamal Raad tells us what's needed in climate policy in 2020. He explains what it was like working for Gov. Jay Inslee on climate solutions and how his campaign for president inspired more political action.  Co-hosts Ty Benefiel and Brock Benefiel also discuss the terrible flooding in central Michigan last week.  As always, follow us @climatepod on Twitter and email us at theclimatepod@gmail.com. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and more! Thank you to our sponsor Hero Power. Learn more about Hero Power's nationwide Solar Share program. Follow Evergreen Action on Twitter Articles Reference on The Show And Further Reading: How a spring rainstorm became a 500-year flood event in mid-Michigan Dow critics skeptical of company’s claim floodwaters pose no threat of contamination Torrent Breaks Michigan Dam and Reveals Climate Risks Thousands of run-down US dams would kill people if they failed, study finds ‘Planet Of The Humans’ EP Michael Moore & Director Jeff Gibbs Blast “Blatant Censorship” After Controversial Documentary Yanked From YouTube

This week, we talk to Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali about the concerns of the most vulnerable and front-line communities during COVID-19. He talks to us about the connection between air pollution and COVID-19 deaths and how communities face additional dangers as the worst weather 2020 is likely on its way. Then, we talk about the newly-launched organization Climate Power 2020 with Executive Director Lori Lodes. She tells us how her group plans to improve climate messaging during the upcoming election.  Ty and Brock also talk about April's record-setting temperature.  As always, follow us @climatepod on Twitter and email us at theclimatepod@gmail.com. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and more! Thank you to our sponsor Hero Power. Learn more about Hero Power's nationwide Solar Share program. Follow Climate Power 2020 on Twitter  Follow Lori Lodes on Twitter Follow Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali on Twitter Further Reading: In a First, Renewable Energy Is Poised to Eclipse Coal in U.S.  Both conservatives and liberals want a green energy future, but for different reasons April 2020: Earth’s 2nd Warmest April on Record E.P.A. Opts Against Limits on Water Contaminant Tied to Fetal Damage China's Air Pollution Is Now Worse Than Pre-Coronavirus Levels Americans See Climate as a Concern, Even Amid Coronavirus Crisis

This week, two remarkable guests help us better understand the ongoing biodiversity crisis and what to do about it. Former Senator Russ Feingold tells us about his work with the Wyss Campaign for Nature and their goal to conserve 30% of the planet in its natural state by 2030. How do we get it done? Sen. Feingold explains what should be done at the local, national, and international levels. Then, Dr. Thomas Loveyjoy, "The Godfather of Biodiversity," tells us why he first fell in love with studying the Amazon rainforest, why we've hit a tipping point with deforestation, and how this will impact biodiversity loss.  Ty and Brock also discuss GOP talking points on climate during COVID-19, the dramatic number of environmental rollbacks piling up, and a recent study on fossil fuel companies' climate pledges.  As always, follow us @climatepod on Twitter and email us at theclimatepod@gmail.com. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and more! Thank you to our sponsor Hero Power. Learn more about Hero Power's nationwide Solar Share program. Follow Sen. Russ Feingold on Twitter Follow Dr. Thomas Lovejoy on Twitter Follow Wyss Campaign for Nature on Twitter Further Reading: The Trump Administration Is Reversing Nearly 100 Environmental Rules. Here’s the Full List. Axios' Generate Newsletter G.O.P. Coronavirus Message: Economic Crisis Is a Green New Deal Preview Climate change: Study pours cold water on oil company net zero claims  

New podcast! New format!  This week, we discuss sustainable living and climate action with legendary actor and environmental activist Ed Begley Jr. He tells us about his career fighting for change, what inspires him now, and what he's doing to take action. Then, we conduct our first-ever virtual roundtable discussion with the brilliant team from DeSmog to talk about their new report "COVIDeniers: Anti-Science Coronavirus Denial Overlaps with Climate Denial" We're joined by Executive Director Brendan DeMelle as well as reporters Steve Horn, Sharon Kelly, and Editor of DeSmog UK Mat Hope.  As always, follow us @climatepod on Twitter and email us at theclimatepod@gmail.com. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and more! Thank you to our sponsor Hero Power. Learn more about Hero Power's nationwide Solar Share program. Lean more about Begley Living and Begley's Earth Responsible Products.  Further Reading: Sharon Kelly's "Meet the Climate Science Deniers Who Downplayed COVID-19 Risks" Steve Horn's "COVID-19 'Liberate' Groups Are the Same Ones Pushing Climate Denial" Zak Derler's "Climate Science Deniers Use Coronavirus to Downplay Environmental Threats"

On today's show, we speak to Tom Steyer, former presidential candidate and co-chair of California's Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery, about fighting climate change and this economic downturn simultaneously. This is a wide-ranging and fascinating conversation. Why hasn't the federal government done more to put forth climate legislation? Is climate change the greatest market failure? Are divestment campaigns a good idea? Tom weighs in on all of this and more.  Ty and Brock also discuss Maddie Stone's piece in Grist about online grocery shopping and Earth's new record for CO2 in the atmosphere.  As always, follow us @climatepod on Twitter and email us at theclimatepod@gmail.com. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and more! Thank you to our sponsor Hero Power. Learn more about Hero Power's nationwide Solar Share program. Follow Tom Steyer on Twitter Follow NextGen America on Twitter

This week, we talk to legendary actor and long-time environmental activist Ted Danson. He tells us what inspired him to advocate for the environment and climate, his work with Oceana, his reflections on the 10-year anniversary of the BP oil spill, what is what like getting arrested protesting climate inaction with Jane Fonda, and much more. He's very cool.  Ty and Brock also discuss what has changed since the Deepwater Horizon disaster 10 years ago and why the expected drop in emissions this year might surprise you. As always, follow us @climatepod on Twitter and email us at theclimatepod@gmail.com. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and more! Thank you to our sponsor Hero Power. Learn more about Hero Power's nationwide Solar Share program. Follow Ted Danson on Twitter Follow Oceana on Twitter Further Reading/Viewing Leah Stokes on the Clean Energy Narwhal Curve Sammy Roth's Boiling Point newsletter Ted Danson: The BP Oil Spill Should Have Been a Wake-up Call The Economy Is at a Standstill, and Yet Carbon Emissions Have Only Dipped Slightly. Why? by Shannon Osaka Deepwater Horizon: A Decade Of Disaster by Justine Calma

Happy 50th Earth Day! This week, Ty and Brock discuss a wide-range of climate news! With oil prices dropping like a surprise Beyonce album, what could that mean for the fossil fuel industry? Also, how can we use the current pandemic to reshape our cities in a better, healthier way? Brock once read a Jane Jacobs' book in college so maybe he can answer (he can't). Finally, should we watch this new Michael Moore documentary (we won't)? Then, we're joined by the LA Times' clean energy reporter Sammy Roth to talk about how COVID-19 is impacting the renewable industry. We discuss how California may differ from the federal response to clean energy and why past stimulus efforts have made a difference. As always, follow us @climatepod on Twitter and email us at theclimatepod@gmail.com. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and more! Follow Sammy Roth on Twitter Further Reading by Sammy Roth Clean energy can be a ‘huge job creator’ as economy recovers, Tom Steyer says Oil prices collapse below zero, scrambling the clean energy transition More than 100,000 clean-energy workers lost their jobs in March Should we spend billions on clean energy? It worked during the last crisis Cow poop could fuel California’s clean energy future. But not everyone’s on board Other stories we mentioned on the show: Planet of the Humans Comes This Close to Actually Getting the Real Problem, Then Goes Full Ecofascism by Brian Kahn The wheel of first-time climate dudes by Emily Atkin How to make a city livable during lockdown by David Roberts      

This week, Mighty Earth CEO Glenn Hurowitz joins the  show again to discuss his group's new report "The Coronavirus Climate Profiteers... and the Climate Heroes Doing the Right Thing in a Time of Crisis." Glenn explains which corporations are doing the most to exploit the pandemic to pollute more and how deregulation and new policy could help them do it.  Also, Ty and Brock discuss Robinson Meyer's story on Trump's new auto rollback and how it seems to be objectively bad by the administration's own accounting. And they review a new Stanford study that demonstrates the link between forest loss and the spread of disease. Ya know, the usual fun stuff.  As always, follow us @climatepod on Twitter and email us at theclimatepod@gmail.com. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and more! Follow Mighty Earth on Twitter

This week, we talk to Madeleine Para, VP of Program for the Citizens' Climate Lobby. We discuss how climate advocates can adjust during life in quarantine and use this time to their advantage. Madeleine explains what her organization is doing.  Also, Ty and Brock discuss Lisa Friedman's piece on new research that shows how air pollution can cause higher deaths rates in coronavirus patients. Then, they talk about the possible upside of the COP26 delay and even go local with Indiana's lack of environmental protections.  As always, follow us @climatepod on Twitter and email us at theclimatepod@gmail.com. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and more! Follow Citizens' Climate Lobby on Twitter

This week, we feature a lengthy and remarkable interview with Dr. Leah Stokes, author of the new book "Short Circuiting Policy," about the pathway to clean energy laws. What have we learned from previous decades? How have powerful interest held back progress? Has the urgency for clean energy policy changed in the era of the coronavirus? We ask Dr. Stokes all this and more on this week's show. Also, Ty and Brock discuss the EPA regulation freeze, the weakening of auto emissions standards, and growing mullets in the time of quarantine.  As always, follow us @climatepod on Twitter and email us at theclimatepod@gmail.com. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and more! Follow Dr. Leah Stokes on Twitter Further Reading: The EPA appears to be using coronavirus to make huge concessions to polluters by Zeeshan Aleem New Trump mileage standards to gut Obama climate effort by Ellen Knickmeyer and Tom Krisher