America Adapts - The Climate Change Podcast

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

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android In episode 44 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with world famous climate scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, professor in the Dept. of Political Science  and director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University!  Katharine and Doug dig deep into the issue of religion and what are some solutions in reaching out to skeptical audiences on the issue of climate change.  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: FROM QUASARS TO CLIMATE MODELS – Doug and Katharine discuss her early career in astronomy and how that actually prepared her well as she pivoted into climate change modeling. Katharine also discusses her invitation to attend an event in Norway hosted by Stephen Hawking! PARIS AGREEMENT – Katharine talks about the recent US pull out from the Paris Agreement and she actually identifies a huge silver lining. BEARING FALSE WITNESS

Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts.Now on Spotify! In episode 43 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with the Climate and Adaptation Reporter at Bloomberg News, Christopher Flavelle. Also in this episode, Doug announces that America Adapts Media is now a 501(c) 3 tax deductible charitable organization! Dan Ackerstein guest hosts a segment asking Doug what this means and how people can support ‘building a community of adapters.’ Also, Michael Pace, Executive Director of the Social Good Fund, visits the podcast to briefly discuss the Fund, which is now the fiscal sponsor of America Adapts. Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! BLOOMBERG NEWS – Doug and Chris discuss Bloomberg News and Chris’ unique beat of covering climate change adaptation and resilience issues. Chris also explains why covering climate change is a priority issue for Bloomberg News. FEDERAL BUYOUT – Chris and Doug discuss some of his articles focusing on the federal buyout program, B

In episode 42 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Dr. Benjamin Preston, the Senior Director of the Infrastructure Resilience and Environmental Policy Program at the RAND Corporation. Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts.Now on Spotify! Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!) WHAT IS RAND?  Doug and Ben discuss RAND and its background as a military think tank and its evolution as a key player in adaptation and resilience research and planning. FROM OZ TO OAK RIDGE – Ben discusses his experiences working on climate change issues in Australia, all the way to Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Ben also grades adaptation efforts in Australia and the US! THE ONE PERCENT CLIMATE CHANGE DOCTRINE - Doug and Ben discuss worst case scenarios with climate change and RAND’s approach to these issues. We also discuss the ‘one percent doctrine’ approach to adaptation planning and if there are similarities to planning for terrorism as there is to climate change. ADAPTA

In episode 41 of America Adapts, Australia Adapts is back! Dr. Johanna Nalau from Griffith University interviews a fellow adaptation researcher, Dr. Susanne Becken,  Director of the Griffith Institute for Tourism at Griffith University, in Queensland, Australia. Professor Becken is an expert in Sustainable Tourism, specifically the impacts of climate change on tourism. Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts.Now on Spotify! Also in this episode, I wrap up my coverage of the National Adaptation Forum in St. Paul, Minnesota. I talk with a few more conference attendees about their impression of the conference and the adaptation work they are involved in. It’s a nice wrap up to a fantastic event! Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!) In this episode: TOURISM AND CLIMATE CHANGE – Johanna introduces Dr. Becken and they provide some context on the field of sustainable tourism. Dr. Becken describes her background and her pivot from mitigation to adaptation. RELUCT

Now on Spotify! In episode 40 of America Adapts, I’m on location in St. Paul, Minnesota, on the banks of the Mississippi River attending the National Adaptation Forum! This daily digest - a partnership with the American Society of Adaptation Professionals - I go around talking to forum attendees about why they are attending and discuss some of the exciting developments in the field of adaptation. Listen to some of the best minds on adaptation as they all congregate to share stories and exchange expertise! Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!) Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/america-adapts-climate-change/id1133023095?mt=2 Listen here. On Google Play here. Please share on Facebook! On Twitter: @usaadapts Links in episode: Adaptationprofessionals.org https://www.nationaladaptationforum.org/ Coming up next week on America Adapts, I talk with Dr. Ben Preston at Rand Corporation. Subscribe now to get this in your podcast i

In episode 39 of America Adapts, I talk with Barrett Ristroph, an adaptation and environmental lawyer based in Alaska.  Barrett is also a PhD candidate studying adaptation planning. Also in this segment, Doug reports back from the massive climate change march in Washington, DC. Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!) Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/america-adapts-climate-change/id1133023095?mt=2 Listen here. On Google Play here. Please share on Facebook! On Twitter: @usaadapts Show highlights: HAWAII MEETS ALASKA – Barrett describes her journey from Louisiana, to the University of Hawaii, all the way to inland Alaska. Barrett describes being married to a tribal leader in Alaska and the cultural challenges associated with that! INDIGENOUS IN ALASKA - Barrett explains the cultural and legal differences between tribes in Alaska and the lower 48 states. CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS - Doug and Barrett discuss the legal issues and re

Now on Spotify! In episode 38 of America Adapts, I talk with fellow podcaster Andrew Lewin of Speak Up For Blue!  Andrew’s podcast focuses on all things related to ocean conservation – he’s ‘speaking up’ for the oceans! Andrew and I talk about the multitude of topics he covers and the diverse set of ocean experts he gets on the show. In the second half of the episode, Andrew, who’s Canadian, walks us through their own War on Science that occurred under their previous Prime Minister.  The timing is perfect, with the just completed March for Science reminding us the importance of science, Andrew gives a much needed pep talk, and walks through the actions, both large and small, that their government took to stifle Canadian research.  It’s an important listen and we have much to learn from our northern neighbor!  Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!) Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/america-adapts-climate-change/id1133023095?