America Adapts - The Climate Change Podcast

In episode 64 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Margaret Peloso, of the law firm Vinson and Elkins.  Margaret shares insights from her book Adapting to Rising Sea Levels: Legal Challenges and Opportunities. Doug and Margaret dig into topics such as the conversion of private land to public land as the oceans rise; adaptation and the public trust doctrine; coastal Superfund sites and corporate responsibility; will eminent domain drive coastal planning in the years ahead and much more! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android Topics discussed in this episode: The public trust and sea level rise; Legal precedent and sea level rise; A new definition of private property; Sea level rise and Superfund sites; Policy versus the law as an adaptation strategy; The legal definition of resilience; Adaptation law as a profession; The advantages and perils of using eminent domain for coastal planning; Favorite lawyer movies and favorite lawyer jokes. Listen here. Now on Spotify! Donate here! Subscrib

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android In California Adapts 3:  The Synthesis, Doug Parsons and writer/producer Randy Olson talk about their overall impressions of climate adaptation in California. Each of the experts interviewed during the journey gave scores from 1 to 10 for their opinion of how well they think the state is addressing their element of climate adaptation. The scores are presented to three of the experts for their assessment. The analysis ends with one more expert - a dissenting voice in terms of how well California is preparing for the changes in the climate that are already happening. Episode 63: What is “climate adaptation” and how well is California doing with it? The podcast “America Adapts” hosted by Doug Parsons has been exploring the topic of climate adaptation since 2016. In this three part special, sponsored by the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, Doug takes an in-depth look at the state of California, presenting its long history of environmental lead

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android In this episode, Doug Parsons’ journeys around California exploring the five most important elements of climate adaptation for the state — fire, drought, flood, temperature and sea level rise. For each one he goes into the field with an expert. He visits the burn area of the Thomas Fire of December, 2017 with a fire captain, talks about drought with the state’s “Water Czar,” standing beside the Sacramento River, hears the details of the ARkStorm Mega-flood Scenario from a climate scientist, follows an urban heat expert using a laser thermometer to measure the temperature of asphalt in Los Angeles, and visits the central coast of California to talk about sea level rise. The five sequences provide an overview of climate adaptation for the state. Episode 62: What is “climate adaptation” and how well is California doing with it? The podcast “America Adapts” hosted by Doug Parsons has been exploring the topic of climate adaptation since 2016. In this three part spe

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android Episode 61: What is “climate adaptation” and how well is California doing with it? The podcast “America Adapts” hosted by Doug Parsons has been exploring the topic of climate adaptation since 2016. In this three part special, sponsored by the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, Doug takes an in-depth look at the state of California, presenting its long history of environmental leadership, current work on adaptation throughout the state, and how California will be dealing with a changing environment in the future. In this episode, California Adapts 1:  The Storytellers, consists of three main stories. Geologist Jeff Mount of UC Davis tells the epic tale of the 1861-1862 floods that washed out Sacramento, killing hundreds and forcing the temporary moment of the state capital to San Francisco. Environmental activist Ed Begley, Jr. and “The Queen of Green,” longtime head of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), Mary Nichols tells about how t

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android In episode 60 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Jeff Goodell of Rolling Stone magazine about his new book, The Water Will Come: Rising Seas, Sinking Cities, and the Remaking of the Civilized World.  Topics discussed in this episode: Jeff discusses the reception of his new climate change book, The Water Will Come. Jeff and Doug discuss the reaction from the development community in south Florida to Jeff’s book. Jeff explains the history of Rolling Stone Magazine’s reporting of climate change issues. Jeff explains the extreme measures that Venice, Italy is taking to adapt to rising seas. Doug and Jeff talk about the challenges of addressing climate change in the Trump era. And meet the new America Adapts intern, Alex Stocksdale! Listen here. Now on Spotify! Donate here! Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts. Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! Facebook and Twitter: @jeffgoodell @usaadapts @Rollin

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android In episode 59 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Dan Ashe, the President and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Previously, Dan was the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 7 years under President Barack Obama.   Topics discussed in this episode: What is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and its role in conservation and adaptation; How zoos can be ambassadors in deep red states in communicating climate change; Dan’s tenure as Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service; How state wildlife agencies have, nor have not, stepped up on climate change planning; Dan’s climate legacy at the US Fish and Wildlife Service; And a morale booster to current FWS employees on why what they do is so important! Listen here. Now on Spotify! Donate here! Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts. Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! Facebook and Twitter: @zoos_aquariums @DanAshe @usaadap

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android In episode 58 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with author and lecturer Elizabeth Rush, of Brown University. Elizabeth is the author of the upcoming book, Rising – Dispatches from the New American Shore.  Topics discussed in this episode: What is ‘creative non-fiction.’ Elizabeth explains how humans have or don’t have the emotional resilience to respond to climate change Writing “adaptation metaphors.” Narrative devices like “The Hero’s Journey” to make climate change resonate. The emerging role of Cli- Fi, climate science fiction. And much more! Listen here. Now on Spotify! Donate here! Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts. Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! Facebook and Twitter: @ElizabethaRush @usaadapts https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/timeline www.americaadapts.org Subscribe to America Adapts on Apple Podcasts https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/america-adapts-climate-change/id11330

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android Donate here! Listen here. Now on Spotify! In episode 57 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with experts from all over the world focusing on the conservation of the elusive snow leopard of the Asia High Mountains and how this species - and the communities around this species - are adapting to climate change.  Guests from Nepal, India, China, Russia, Sweden, and the US share stories on studying this amazing cat and talk about some of the innovative adaptation strategies that are being put in place thanks to funding from a USAID project that is being implemented by World Wildlife Fund. Two additional themes emerge in this episode, the influence of Peter Matthiessen’s epic masterpiece, The Snow Leopard, and stories from these experts about their own magical encounters with the snow leopard in the wild.  Peter Matthiessen never did see a snow leopard, but several of these experts did. Hear their amazing stories in detail. This podcast was sponsored by World

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android Donate here! Listen here. Now on Spotify! Year in Review! In episode 56 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts three amazing guests: Jayde Lovell, host of SciQ on the Young Turks Network, Dr. Tim Watkins, science education specialist, and Shaun Martin, Senior Director of Adaptation and Resilience at the World Wildlife Fund.  Doug and his guests convene a lively panel discussion, highlighting the year’s top news stories; favorite moments from the podcast in the past year and predictions for the field of adaptation for 2018! It’s a fun way to wrap up an amazing year with America Adapts! Subscribe/listen to podcast on Itunes Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! Facebook and Twitter: @JaydeLovell @climateWWF @TheYoungTurks @ScIQ_tyt @WWF ‏ @usaadapts https://www.facebook.com/sciq.tyt/ https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/timeline www.americaadapts.org Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes https://itunes.apple.c

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android In episode 54 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Dr. Chad Nelsen, the CEO of the world famous Surfrider Foundation! Chad discusses the work of Surfrider Foundation and how it’s ramping up its climate change adaptation work. Doug and Chad discuss the implications of sea level rise on coastlines and even its impact on the sport of surfing. Chad also shares what Surfrider chapters are doing to address the huge challenge of climate change. Listen here. Now on Spotify! Subscribe/listen to podcast on Itunes Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! In this Episode: WHAT IS SURFRIDER – Chad discusses the history of Surfrider Foundation, how it started as a group of concerned citizens, to becoming a worldwide leader in coastal conservation. Chad shares some of their high profile victories, e.g., plastic bag ban. ADAPTATION ALIGNMENT – Doug and Chad discuss the challenges of institutionalizing adaptation planning int

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android Listen here. In episode 54 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons attends the 2017 American Association of Landscape Architects conference in Los Angeles.  In this episode, we discover the burgeoning role of landscape architects in adaptation planning. Doug talks with a wide swath of landscape architects, from living legend Martha Schwartz, to young graduate students just entering the field, gearing up to dedicate themselves to addressing climate change.  Listen in to some of the leading voices in this sector and their insights and advice on how landscape architecture as a field can step up to the challenge of adaptation. Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts.Now on Spotify! This episode of America Adapts was generously sponsored by Anova Furnishings. To learn more how they promote the field of landscape architecture, visit their website here. Guests in this episode (time location in episode): Ellen Stewart, Landscape Architect, City of St. Paul (2:3

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android Listen here. Now on Spotify! In episode 53 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Monsanto’s  Dr. Jeff Seale , Monsanto’s Agricultural Environmental Strategy Lead & Associate Science Fellow. Doug and Jeff cover: acknowledging some of the controversies surrounding Monsanto; Monsanto’s goal of being carbon neutral by 2021; how large corporations can play a leading role in adaptation; big data and climate modeling and how a large corporation can play a role in climate outreach. Subscribe/listen to podcast on Itunes Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! In this Episode: MONSANTO DOES PARIS– Doug and Jeff discuss Monsanto’s position on climate change and their goal to be carbon neural as a company by 2021.  Jeff also describes the ways they are working with farmers to reduce that sectors’ carbon footprint. IS MONSANTO ADAPTING? Jeff describes Monsanto’s efforts at adaptation. Doug provides some feedback on addi

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android Listen here. Now on Spotify! In episode 52 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with demographer Dr. Matt Hauer from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia.  Doug and Matt discuss his research paper on the role of future sea level rise on future migration within the United States. Matt explains the origins of the paper and how the popular media responded to his provocative conclusions – up to 13 million coastal residents may be displaced by the end of the century.  Subscribe/listen to podcast on Itunes Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! In this Episode: DEMOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE CHANGE – Matt discussed his background in demography at the University of Georgia and the origins of his research paper on sea level rise and its role in coastal migration. HOW HIGH? – Matt explains the process of selecting certain sea level rise projections for his landmark paper.  Doug and Matt explore some

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android David Roberts Quotes: “People’s gut impressions and instincts are not reliable guides to social policy.” “We need to be all guns blazing on mitigation.” The only people capable of changing the minds of the right wing base on climate change...is right wing elites. There’s no set of magical words that environmentalists can say to break this spell of denialism…” In episode 51 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with famed climate and energy writer David Roberts of Vox online news (and formerly of Grist).  David discusses his transition from his long time perch at Grist to the much bigger platform at Vox.  Doug and David then dig into recent hurricane media coverage; the morality of climate mitigation versus adaptation; and the near hopeless politics of climate change. It’s a dense, fascinating and humorous discussion. Subscribe/listen to podcast on Itunes Now on Spotify! Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! In thi

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android Now on Spotify! In episode 50 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Dr. Pat Michaels, Director of the Center for the Study of Science at the libertarian Cato Institute.  Doug and Pat discuss free market approaches to adaptation and the potential role of the Cato Institute in this emerging field. In this Episode: NATURAL ADAPTATION – Dr. Michaels shares examples of how society, across the planet, have already adapted to extreme weather.  GDP ADAPTATOIN – Dr. Michaels shares his belief that as the economies of developing countries grow, they will have the economic resources to develop the necessary environmental rules and regulations to adapt to climate change. NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE – Doug and Pat find common ground on the need to reform the National Flood Insurance Program to discourage rebuilding in flood prone areas. It is an area of rare agreement between environmentalists and libertarians. CATO INSTITUTE ADAPTS? – Doug and Pat discuss the need f

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android Now on Spotify! In episode 49 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons is invited to Harvard University to cover the Graduate School of Design’s end of semester studio seminar.  In the spring semester, graduate students collaborated with the East Boston community to develop an adaptation action plan.  The results of those efforts were presented during the spring seminar.  Doug spoke with students, Harvard professors and members of the East Boston community to talk about the recommendations presented and what’s next.  Learn about Harvard’s innovative approach to climate change planning and community engagement! EAST BOSTON ADAPTS – Doug talked with the professors at Harvard responsible for organizing this course. The organizers were Prof. Kathy Spiegelman, Prof. Stephen Gray and Prof. Daniel D’Oca.  Doug also spoke with Prof. Jesse Keenan (and previous podcast guest) about the studio course and his own assessment of what the students came up with in their recommenda

In episode 48 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with adaptation reporter Erika Bolstad.  Doug and Erika discuss her role at E & E News as their first adaptation reporter.  They talk about the state of adaptation reporting before they dig into her story on the emerging issue of ‘climate gentrification’, a topic that touches real estate, environmental justice and migration. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android Now on Spotify! Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! In this Episode: ADAPTATION MEDIA – Erika describes how she got into the field of adaptation reporting at Climatewire. CLIMATE GENTRIFICATION – Erika talks about this emerging issue and how it impacts low income communities and also how it’s influencing the real estate market in Miami. Erika discusses how “Jim Crow Laws” led to the present day racial make up of Miami and how these areas are in some of the highest elevations in the region.  We also discuss if climate gentrification is ju

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android Now on Spotify! In episode 47 of America Adapts, Doug talks with noted climate change skeptic, Marc Morano of Climate Depot.  Doug and Marc discuss his motivation to be a contrarian voice on climate change and his history working on environmental issues, from being a reporter for Rush Limbaugh, to being chief spokesman for noted climate skeptic Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma. We also talk about the current state of climate affairs.  In the second part of the episode, Dr. Randy Olson joins Doug to deconstruct the conversation with Marc and to see what the climate change community can learn from Marc’s tactics and motivations. In light of recent major setbacks, e.g., pulling out of the Paris Agreement, Randy analyzes Marc’s approach and offers a way forward to the climate community. “I’m a clearinghouse. It’s sort of like the wild west.” Marc Morano Subscribe to podcast on Itunes Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organiza

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android In episode 46 of America Adapts , it’s a two segment show. First, Doug talks with Charlie Abrams and Jeremy Clark, two 13 year olds from Portland, Oregon about their amazing climate change activism. The second segment is our third edition of Australia Adapts with Dr. Johanna Nalua, where she talks with Dr. Jean Palutikof, the Director and Founder of the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility based in Queensland, Australia.  Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts.Now on Spotify! Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! In this Episode: YOUTH MEETS CLIMATE CHANGE – Doug meets with Charlie and Jeremy, on the steps of the US capitol to talk about their climate change activism: everything from lobbying their state government on clean energy, to visiting their congressional delegation to support climate legislation. TWO GREEN LEAVES – Charlie and Jeremy also discuss their climate blog, Two Green Leaves

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android In episode 45 of America Adapts - in a first - host Doug Parsons travels to Kampala, Uganda to cover the CBA11 (Community Based Adaptation).  This podcast consists of multiple conversations with conference attendees representing countries from Europe, Asia, Africa and the United States.  If you want to learn how the rest of the world approaches adaptation, this podcast is for you! Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts.Now on Spotify! Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! In this Episode: WHAT IS CBA? – Conference organizer, Hannah Reid explains what is community based adaptation and the role the conference plays in the knowledge exchange of this discipline. AFRICAN ADAPTATION – Doug talks with two adaptation planners from Malawi, Phina Rocha, Irish Aid, and Dorothy Tembo, Senior Programme Officer, Centre For Environmental Policy and Advocacy and the challenges facing developing countries in developing nati