America Adapts - The Climate Change Podcast

In episode 84 of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons interviews Dr. Jesse Keenan, from Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. Jesse recently published a book Climate Adaptation Finance and  Investment in California. Also, Jesse answers questions from listeners on the general “State of Adaptation.” Topics covered in this episode:  adaptation finance, understanding ‘maladaptation’, differences between finance and funding; social equity and much, much more!    Donate to America Adapts Other Topics covered: Defining the field of climate finance relating to adaptation. What we give up by not adapting. California’s approach to mitigation and adaptation Financing large scale climate communications. Social equity and the opportunity adaptation provides. The current state of climate change podcasts and much, much more! The role of foundations in experimenting in adaptation planning. Disaster capitalism and could we see an Enron type situation in adaptation. Subscribe to America Adapts, text “adapters” to 31996! Links i

In episode 83 of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons interviews planner Deanna Moran and environmental lawyer, Elena Mihaly, from the Conservation Law Foundation.  Deanna and Elena come on to talk about their new report, Climate Adaptation and Legal Liability. Other topics include:  current court cases relevant to adaptation and climate change; using legal liability as a tool to affect policy decisions; the need to update building codes to reflect climate threats; what industries and sectors are most vulnerable to adaptation litigation and how will the legal system evolve with adaptation court cases. These topics and much, much more! Subscribe to America Adapts, text “adapters” to 31996! Donate to America Adapts Topics covered: Using legal liability to change social behavior. History of their adaptation and liability report How the law will impact the diversity of sectors involved with adaptation. New climate tools make it easier to use this type of evidence in court cases. Discuss current Exxon case before th

In episode 82 of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons interviews Signe Nielsen, a landscape architect based in New York City.  Signe has been working on projects in NYC for decades and we discuss how climate change adaptation is being addressed in the city.  We discuss the impact of Superstorm Sandy and the challenges of keeping people safe and ensuring the people of New York are not cut off from the coasts by rising seas and rising sea walls.  We also talk about managed retreat, rethinking ecological systems, the new ethics of climate change for landscape architects and much, much more! Subscribe to America Adapts, text “adapters” to 31996! Donate to America Adapts Topics covered: The 3 basic principles for designing for the future. The long term impact of Hurricane Sandy on New York’s infrastructure and psyche. What sea level rise means for a landscape architect. Pondering NYC’s future with sea walls surrounding the city. The role of the city’s Public Design Commission in dealing with climate change. How to n

Subscribe to America Adapts, text “adapters” to 31996! In episode 81 of America Adapts - the third in a 4-part flooding series sponsored by World Wildlife Fund - Doug Parsons attends the Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBF) Symposium in Santa Cruz, California. The Symposium was hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineering, with disaster and flooding experts participating from all over the world. Doug and Anita Van Breda, of World Wildlife Fund, interviewed these experts on topics ranging from nature based solutions, community engagement, to the history the Army Corps. We also visited some field sites to learn about on the ground adaptation efforts in the San Francisco Bay area.  Donate to America Adapts Topics covered: The role of Nature based solutions in flood risk management. The critical role of community and stakeholder engagement. History of flood management with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Collaborating with international partners on nature based solutions to flooding. International examples

In episode 80 of America Adapts, Doug Parson joins World Wildlife Fund’s Shaun Martin to take a behind the scenes look at how WWF is adapting conservation to the new realities of climate change and helping governments prepare for the future in ways that ensure a place for nature. During this 8-month journey, Doug follows how WWF is developing a simple process to integrate climate change risks into its strategies and documents the challenges and triumphs they face along the way. This episode features WWF staff from 20 countries on 5 continents, telling stories on a wide range of topics including elephants, super-typhoons, and urban water scarcity – all served up with a strong dose of instant coffee and a side of chicken gizzards! Subscribe to America Adapts, text “adapters” to 31996! Donate to America Adapts Featured in this Episode (in order of appearance) Shaun Martin, WWF US Kate Teperman, WWF Vietnam Eduardo Rendón Salinas, WWF Mexico Harisoa Hasina Rakotondrazafy, WWF Madagascar Gia Ibay, WWF Philippin

Subscribe to America Adapts, text “adapters” to 31996! In episode 79 of America Adapts, we’re celebrating the third annual Holiday Special.  Professor Ladd Keith of the University of Arizona and Shaun Martin, of World Wildlife Fund, join Doug in person at “Rancho Adapto” to discuss each of their top 3 climate stories of the year; their favorite America Adapts episode for the past year and the state of adaptation. It’s a lively and entertaining conversation with three adaptation pros!  Bonus section, Dr. Lara Hansen and Lauren Lynch, of EcoAdapt, come on to give a preview of the 2019 National Adaptation Forum, which occur April 23-25th in Madison, Wisconsin.  Donate to America Adapts Experts in this episode: Shaun Martin, Senior Director of Adaptation and Resilience at World Wildlife Fund Ladd Keith, Chair of the Sustainable Built Environments program and Planning Lecturer at the University of Arizona Links in this episode: https://www.worldwildlife.org/experts/shaun-martin http://www.laddkeith.com/ http://

Subscribe to America Adapts, text “adapters” to 31996! In episode 78 of America Adapts - the second in a 4-part flooding series sponsored by World Wildlife Fund - Doug Parsons talks with three experts using art to communicate the risks associated with flooding.  Catherine Sarah Young, Dr. Elizabeth Miller and Dr. Vidya Venkataramanan join the podcast to discuss their experiences using art and design for community engagement and how that can be relevant to flood managers.   Donate to America Adapts Experts in this episode: Anita Van Breda, WWF Catherine Sarah Young Dr. Elizabeth Miller, a Documentary Maker & Professor in Communication Studies based at Concordia, in Montreal, Canada Dr. Vidya Venkataramanan, postdoctoral fellow in the anthropology department at Northwestern University. Topics covered: Addressing flood risk through creative communication. Flooding and the role of community engagement for outreach. Video and audio resources for community engagement around flood management. Getting comfor

In episode 77 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons is joined by author and professor, Elizabeth Rush. Elizabeth discusses her recent book, Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore. Doug and Elizabeth dig in to the positive reaction it’s received, her book tour, and they take a deep dive on how vulnerability to climate change relates to the #MeToo movement. It’s a provocative and enlightening conversation. And we have a bit of fun too.   Donate to America Adapts To Subscribe to the America Adapts podcast, text “adapters” to “31996”! Topics covered: The origins of the book Rising. How communities are ‘letting go’ and retreating from coastlines. What Hurricane Katrina means for New Orleans’ identity. When “resilience” is a dirty word.  “Parallel vulnerabilities,” comparing sexual harassment with sea level rise vulnerability...yes, you have to listen to understand this provocative thought. Dealing with sexual harassment as a writer and professor. Those at risk of sexual harassment, and those at risk in highly

In episode 76 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons takes a journey to Queensland, Australia to learn how Natural Resource Management (NRM) bodies are adapting to climate change. Learn how these unique organizations are engaging with their rural communities on this important topic. Doug talks with experts from these NRM bodies ; aboriginal efforts at adaptation and carbon sequestration; and hear from two long time outback ranchers on what it means to work the land, how climate change is impacting that landscape and how to engage with rural communities. It’s an amazing episode with some truly unique Australian characters. Donate to America Adapts Subscribe to America Adapts, text “adapters” to 31996! Topics covered: Natural Resource Management bodies and their role in Queensland The role of NRM bodies in climate adaptation. Challenges of bringing various sectors, e.g., agriculture and conservation, sector together. First nation efforts at adaptation and carbon sequestration. Life on a cattle and sheep ranch in out

“We just had a 500 year flood. Well, we’ve had eight 500 or 100 year floods in the last two years. What does that mean? I think it’s time to stop calling it that and just start calling it…life.”  Cherri Foytlin, of Diné and Cherokee Tribes. Donate to America Adapts In episode 75 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons takes a journey with the Freedom to Breath bus tour on location in New Orleans. During his visit, Doug attends a town hall on women and minority groups talking about climate resilience; a visit to Africatown to learn about the legacy of racism and environmental pollution and a visit to a protest community that is also serving as a gateway for refugees fleeing storm events and climate change. Women, tribal members, people of color and members of the LGBT community talk about how climate uniquely impacts them and what steps they are taking to adapt to climate change. It’s an exciting episode, with interviews with minority voices on the front lines of climate change.  Subscribe to America Adapts, text “ada

Donate to America Adapts In episode 74 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with flood management experts, both in the US and abroad.  Discover the history of flood management in the US.  We also learn how the Netherlands plans for 1 in 10,000 year flood events.  The guests in this episode also discuss nature based solutions to flood management. World Wildlife Fund’s Anita Van Breda shares information on the recently released Natural and Nature-Based Flood Management: A Green Guide (aka the Flood Green Guide), developed by WWF and its partners, as a tool for natural based solutions to flooding.  This is the first episode in a 3 part series, sponsored by World Wildlife Fund. Subscribe to America Adapts, text “adapters” to 31996! Experts in this episode: Anita Van Breda, WWF Dr. Steve Stockton Dr. Bregje van Wesenbeeck Dr. Jeff Opperman Topics covered: Discuss history of flood management. How developing and developed countries approach flood management. What do we know about the effectiveness of green infrast

Donate to America Adapts In episode 73 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Arielle Gold, Olympic medalist in snowboarding about her work with Protect our Winters, an advocacy group working to mobilize the outdoor sports community on climate change.  Arielle also talks about her experiences as a snowboarder in the 2014 Sochi Winter Games in Russia and her medal winning turn at the Pyeongyang Winter Games in Korea.  Arielle discusses the snow conditions at the Sochi games and how climate change influenced those discussions. Doug and Arielle also discuss the role of professional athletes in creating greater awareness around climate change.  If you want to go behind the scenes with an Olympian and learn more about the impact of climate change on winter sports, this episode covers it all!  Topics covered: Arielle describes her history snowboarding and what it’s like to win an Olympic Medal! The snow conditions at the Sochi Winter Games in Russia and the role of climate change in those conditions. Protect

Donate to America Adapts In episode 72 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with the CEO of The Collider Josh Dorfman.  The Collider is a non profit organization working with individuals and companies to develop big data climate applications. They also are fostering the development of a climate ‘ecosystem’, through networking and creating a major hub for adaptation in Asheville, North Carolina. Josh also shares his experiences as The Lazy Environmentalist. It’s a fun, informative conversation with a new, innovative voice in the adaptation universe. Topics covered: History and purpose of The Collider; Commercialization of climate tech ventures through startup bootcamps, skills-based workshops, and mentorship programs; Connecting industry leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, adaptation innovators, and climate scientists at conferences, climate data hackathons, and business; Creating a climate adaptation ecosystem in Asheville, North Carolina; The challenges of doing reliable business of big data risk modeling;

Donate to America Adapts In episode 71, we celebrate the two year anniversary of America Adapts! Yes, we’ve been producing episodes for two years, thanks to listeners like you! In this episode, we have a special guest host, Shaun Martin, Senior Director, Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience. Shaun and Doug dig into the history of America Adapts, highlights from episodes and what the future holds. Thanks again to all my listeners! Donate to America Adapts Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android Doug Parsons and Speaking Opportunities: If you are interested in having Doug speak at corporate and conference events, sharing his unique, expert perspective on adaptation in an entertaining and informative way, more information can be found here! Now on Spotify! Donate here! List of Previous Guests on America Adapts Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts. Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! Facebook and Twitter: @usaadapts https://www.facebook.com/ame

In episode 70 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons celebrates two years of America Adapts by talking with Dr. Natasha DeJarnett, a policy analyst in the American Public Health Association’s (APHA) Center for Public Health Policy.  Natasha leads the Natural Environment portfolio focusing on water, air and climate change.  Doug and Natasha cover such topics as the role of APHA in addressing climate impacts on public health; environmental justice and equity; the roles of nurses, doctors and clinics in climate building awareness, and much more! Topics covered: What is APHA’s role and responsibilities in climate change; APHA has identified “Climate change as the greatest public health threat”; Elevating the urgency around climate change through its public health impacts, e.g., less from the Ebola outbreak; Environmental justice and equity and public health; Learning from the Tobacco wars and applying to climate change awareness; Health providers are first line of climate communication with the public; What the Centers

In episode 69 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks about the current state of adaptation with Lois DeBacker of the Kresge Foundation and adaptation researcher Dr. Susanne Moser.  The Kresge Foundation recently released their report, Rising to the Challenge, Together and Doug, Lois and Susanne dig into the report’s finding and discuss what’s happening within the field of adaptation.  Other topics covered:  is adaptation evolving to meet the challenges of climate change; why are there not more prominent adaptation leaders and spokespeople; equity and adaptation and much more. Susanne also explores the concept of transformational change and how adaptation offers a unique opportunity for true societal change. Topics covered: What is the Kresge Foundation’s role in climate adaptation funding. Adaptation is still an emerging field and does it need to be its own field? The history of adaptation. Right now adaptation is too insider baseball. Needs to be more accessible to the public. Need the equivalent of “Nation

In episode 68 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons travels down under to Melbourne, in the state of Victoria. Doug is invited to give the keynote address at the Victoria Adaptation Summit, then he participates in the National Adaptation Conference, where he interviews experts from throughout southern Australia. Learn innovative adaptation techniques from the private sector, local councils and the state government. Topics in this episode: local council approach to climate adaptation; innovative tools for communicating climate adaptation; understanding climate risks and profiting off it; the psychology of adapting to climate change; Victoria state government and the emerging role of states in adaptation planning; the use of big data in climate planning; private sector adaptation; can kangaroos adapt to climate change, and much more! Donate to America Adapts Guests in this episode: Kath Rowley,  Executive Director of the Climate Change Division in Victoria’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Nina K

In episode 67 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Rich Sorkin, CEO and Co-Founder of Jupiter Intel.  Rich shares the history of Jupiter Intel as a silicon valley start up and his short and long term goals in this emerging field.  Doug and Rich discuss Jupiter’s core business of risk modeling and the uncertainties associated with future modeling.  They also talk about emerging businesses in the adaptation sector and the role of profit making entities like Jupiter and the ‘wild wild west’ mentality that exists in some areas of future modeling. These topics and much more! Bonus:  Doug hosts Claire Wayner, a Baltimore area teen who is leading efforts to recruit youth for the upcoming Zero Hour Climate March. Be inspired by her story! Topics in this episode: How businesses can avoid a repeat of the 2008 meltdown through climate smart planning; Understanding climate risks and profiting off it; Media generated by Jupiter Intel’s approach; Are businesses truly risk adverse? Is short term climate modeling reli

In episode 66 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Kate Bishop Williams at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada.  Kate is a lecturer at the University and Waterloo and she used an America Adapts episode, “Deconstructing a Climate Change Skeptic” as part of her class curricula. Kate discusses why she chose this episode to use a tool to teach her students effective climate communication. Doug and Kate also discuss open access and the value of podcasts as a learning tool in the classroom.  Doug speaks with two of the students enrolled in Kate’s class and gets their feedback on what they learned from the Marc Morano episode (skeptic)  and their impressions of using a podcast in the classroom. This and much more! Topics in this episode: Using podcasts in the classroom to promote environmental change; Learning that climate skepticism is more prevalent than many realize; Developing guidelines for listening to a podcast and talking climate change; Understanding the role of open access educational mate

In episode 65 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Julia Kim and Kif Scheuer of the Local Government Commission, and Michael McCormick of the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research about the upcoming California Adaptation Forum August 27-29th in Sacramento, California.  They talk about the history of the forum, goals and themes of this year’s forum, and the state of adaptation in California.  Also in this episode, Doug talks with the 2018 winners of the Tyler Prize, Dr. Paul G. Falkowski and Dr. James J. McCarthy. Established in 1973 by the late John and Alice Tyler, the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement is one of the first international premier awards for environmental science, environmental health and energy. It’s considered the equivalent of winning the Noble Prize in environmental science and policy. Paul and James share some of their research and the important of communicating science effectively. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android Listen here. Now on Spotify