America Adapts - The Climate Change Podcast

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

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