America Adapts - The Climate Change Podcast

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?

Now on Spotify! On the inauIn episode 37 of America Adapts, we kick off the premiere episode of Australia Adapts! Adaptation researcher Dr. Johanna Nalau, Research Fellow from Griffith University in Queensland, Australia joins the show for a semi-recurring segment where we interviews experts in Australia. gural episode, Doug interviews Johanna, which is followed by a segment where Johanna interviews local government adaptation expert Donovan Burton. Learn what adaptation means down under and some of the innovative ways they get local governments thinking about climate change! 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: G’DAY TO AMERICA ADAPTS – Doug introduces Dr. Johanna Nalau, who explains how she discovered America Adapts and how we ended up a

“It is beyond a reasonable doubt, humans are contributing to climate change.” In episode 36 of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons talks to Judge Alice Hill of the Hoover Institution, Stanford University.  Judge Hill shares her experiences as the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Resilience Policy on the National Security Council within the White House under the Obama administration. In the podcast, Judge Hill also discusses her journey from practicing law in Paris, to her work prosecuting high profile white collar crime in Los Angeles, to being recruited to serve as Senior Counselor to Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Ann Napolitano .  It’s an enlightening, sobering and ultimately inspiring conversation with one of the world’s experts on climate change and its national security implications.   Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!) Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts.Now on Spotify! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/amer

It’s an Earth Day extravaganza! Earth Day Co-Founder Denis Hayes and climate change icon Bill McKibben visit America Adapts.  This episode is coming out on the same day that President Trump rescinded the climate change rules established under President Obama. Take action by listening to Bill and Denis share their experiences, as they offer advice on what to do next. Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!) Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts.Now on Spotify! 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 Denis Hayes, Co-Founder of the original Earth Day and CEO of the Bullitt Foundation HISTORY OF EARTH DAY – Denis describes the original Earth Day in 1970 and the political environment at the time. Denis describes the bi-partisan nature of environmental issues before President Nixon executed his southern strategy, which further split

In an Earth Day 2017 special episode of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Valorie Aquino, Co-Director on the Organizing Committee for the March for Science; Dr. Nancy Knowlton, organizer of the April 21-23rd Earth Optimism Summit; and Dr. Randy Olson, scientist-turned-filmmaker. Now on Spotify! 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 Valorie Aquino, Co-Director of the March for Science THE ORIGINS OF THE MARCH – Valorie explains the origins of the March. Learn what activities are planned during the event and some helpful logistics if you are attending. SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE MARCH – Hear how the March grew from a Reddit post, to its own Facebook page, that within days, exploded in size from a few thousand members to nearly 850,000 members (and growing). Valorie describes how the social media platforms have become a place where supp

Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts.Now on Spotify! 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 In episode 33 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Dr. Katharine Mach, Director of Stanford Environment Assessment Facility - Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and former Co-Director of the Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Topics covered: ADAPTATION ON CAMPUS - Doug and Katharine discuss how adaptation is an emerging academic area of study on campus and what sorts of programs are now available to students. HARVARD, STANFORD THEN THE IPCC – Katharine discusses her own academic history and how she was recruited to join the staff of the IPCC. HOLISTIC ADAPTATION - Adaptation requires integrating various disciplines in both research and implementation and Katharine describes her experiences. BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER – K

Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts.Now on Spotify! 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 Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!) In episode 32 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks “Cli-Fi” with Dr. Amy Brady, Senior Editor with the Chicago Review of Books.  Amy just debuted a monthly column dedicated specifically to cli-fi called "Burning Worlds." Doug and Amy cover such diverse topics as: CLI-FI – What is Cli-Fi? Learn the history of this emerging genre of fiction. BURNING WORLDS - Amy describes her new monthly column focusing on this emerging field and what she hopes to accomplish with the column. AUTHOR AS CLIMATE CHANGE ACTIVIST – Amy explains the backgrounds of various Cli-Fi authors and how some see their role as inspiring readers to take action on climate change. SCIENCE FICTION OR HIGH ART – Since Cli Fi is such

In episode 31 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with CNN’s John Sutter! John is an award winning opinion journalist at CNN who focuses on climate change with his program Two Degrees.  Doug and John cover such diverse topics as: Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Write a Review! Listen here. On Google Play here. Please share on Facebook! Now on Spotify! Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!)   MARSHALL ISLANDS SEA LEVEL RISE - John describes his story on sea level rise in the Marshall Islands. John discusses how he used innovative media tools such as Snapchat to tell the story how climate change poses extreme risks to this island chain.   PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT - Doug and John discuss the Paris Climate Agreement and how it inspired John to develop the Two Degrees program.    THE HOCKEY STICK - Doug and John also discuss the 20 anniversary of climatologist Michael Mann’s hockey stick research.   CLIMATE IN RURAL AMERICA - John discusses his groundbre

In episode 30 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Suzanne Perdeaux, Climate Change Researcher at the Ontario Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation Resources (OCCIAR).  Doug also talks with Dan Ackerstein about how federal agencies might pivot from emphasizing mitigation of carbon emissions to focus solely on adaptation. Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Listen here. Now on Spotify! On Google Play here. Please share on Facebook! In the main interview, Doug and Suzanne cover the following topics: What is OCCIAR and its role in adaptation planning across the region and country. What are the unique climate change impacts in Canada. We learn about the different sectors impacted by climate change and how OCCIAR is assisting these sectors in adaptation planning. Suzanne is a multi-year, award winning young professional and we learn how climate change has influenced her career choices. Suzanne discusses how one becomes an adaptation professional, from her undergrad and graduate school experien

In episode 29 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Dr. Keren Bolter, Climate, Policy & GeoSpatial Analyst at the South Florida Regional Planning Council. Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Listen here. On Google Play here. Please share on Facebook! Now on Spotify! Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!) Keren talks about her experiences talking sea level rise with actor Jack Black on the climate change TV series, Years of Living Dangerously (he’s apparently funny in person too – hear about his crank calls to the Florida governor’s office). Keren digs into the fundamentals of sea level rise and it’s not as simple as it sounds. Basic message:  the seas are rising, some areas more than others. She also explains why south Florida has a higher level of sea level rise than other regions of the country (it involves water traffic jams). “We’re setting off these sea level rise feedback loops. Things are snowballing and snowballing.” Keren also describes her

In episode 28 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Dr. Rebecca Beavers of the Climate Change Response Program at the National Park Service. Yes, that Park Service of Federal government fame.  In this fascinating and very practical episode, Rebecca talks about the newly released Coastal Adaptation Strategies Handbook.  Doug and Rebecca talk about the history of the guidebook and some practical ways to apply what’s in it. Now on Spotify! Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Listen here. On Google Play here. Please share on Facebook! Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!) “We are here to help the parks adapt to climate change.” Dr. Rebecca Beavers, National Park Service In addition, we are in week three of the new Trump Administration. It is important to note this podcast was recorded three days before Trump’s inauguration. For the record, Dr. Beavers obtained permission through appropriate channels at NPS to participate in this podcast.  The recording occ

Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Listen here. Now on Spotify! On Google Play here. To get a tease how our conversation went: DOUG PARSONS:  Do you think the Scientist March is a good idea?   ANDY REVKIN:  No. ANDY REVKIN:  People should visit Woodward County, West Virginia — the most climate skeptical county in the U.S. ANDY REVKIN:  Nothing we can do right now will change the course of climate change for at least a decade. In the latest episode of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with legendary journalist, Andy Revkin.  Andy has been a long time reporter for the New York Times, covering climate change science, policy and impacts for decades. Andy also blogged at Dot Earth for the New York times, one of the most popular ‘hang outs’ for those wanting to learn more about global warming. Doug talks with Andy about his recent move to Propublica, an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest.  Andy talks about his early days in science journalism,

In the latest episode of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Shaun Martin, Senior Director of Adaptation and Resilience at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).  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 Doug and Shaun then talk about WWF’s long and storied history in adaptation planning, WWF being one of the first groups to develop its own internal adaptation program.  Shaun walks through the nuts and bolts of developing an adaptation program and what it means for a group that already has a longstanding history of groundbreaking conservation programs.  Shaun discusses the sometimes difficult journey of merging existing conservation efforts with new approaches like adaptation.  Shaun also discusses the key role training plays in adaptation planning at WWF, not only wit

Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!) Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Randy Olson joins Doug Parsons on America Adapts to discuss the dire state of coral reefs; storytelling as a technique to communicate complex science; and what we can learn from Donald Trump’s vexing, but intuitive narrative instincts.  Randy has had a fascinating career arc.  He is a scientist-turned-filmmaker who earned his Ph.D. in Biology from Harvard University (1984) and became a tenured professor of marine biology at the University of New Hampshire (1992) before changing careers by moving to Hollywood and entering film school at the University of Southern California.  The first part of the discussion focuses on the state of coral reefs in the world and how the conservation and science communities have done a poor job communicating the dire state of coral reefs.  Randy highlights some of his early career research, diving on some of the most pristine spots in the Caribbean and the Great