Category: Climate Change

97: Sustainable Fashion Author & Editor Dana Thomas, British Vogue

Join Matt for a riveting conversation with Dana Thomas, author and European Sustainability Editor at British Vogue, about sustainability and the environmental impacts of the fashion industry.

96: The Dangers of Methane Emissions with Dr. Ilissa Ocko

Episode 96: Dr. Ilissa Ocko
Join us this week on A Climate Change with Matt Matern as Matt interviews Climate Scientist, Dr. Ilissa Ocko, from the Environmental Defense Fund who discusses key issues and the fastest way to slow climate change by cutting methane emissions.

95: Gen Z Climate Activist Isaias Hernandez

Episode 95: Isaias Hernandez
Listen in this week as guest Isaias Hernandez discusses our climate crisis and things we can do to educate others. Isaias is a passionate Environmental Educator and Gen Z Climate Activist, who goes by the moniker QueerBrownVegan.

94: Professor Paul R. Ehrlich, Author of “The Population Bomb”

Episode 94: Paul R. Ehrlich
Paul Ehrlich discusses overpopulation's impact on resources and the environment. He calls for equitable food distribution, empowering women, systemic changes like carbon taxes, and social science solutions. Ehrlich urges global cooperation and young people to act on sustainability issues.

93: David A. Kirsch: Inside the Future of Electric and Hydrogen Cars

David A. Kirsch: Inside the Future of Electric and Hydrogen Cars
Dr. David Kirsch discusses the history and future of EVs on "A Climate Change." Early EVs lost to gasoline cars due to preferences and infrastructure. Renewed interest in the 60s-70s faced hurdles. Today, EVs are mainstream, with a focus on infrastructure, hydrogen, and efficient policies.

92: Revolutionizing EVs: Steve Fambro’s Journey with Aptera’s Solar-Powered Vision

Episode 92: Steve Fambro
Matt Matern interviews Steve Fambro about Aptera's EV innovation, highlighting solar charging and aerodynamics with their all-solar car!

91: A Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough with NIF’s Bruno Van Wonterghem

Episode 91: Bruno Van Wonterghem
Matt Matern chats with Bruno Van Wonterghem from LLNL. Bruno discusses his journey in laser science and NIF's recent fusion ignition breakthrough. This milestone is vital for national security and clean energy. He highlights the need for ongoing improvements, funding, and global collaboration for fusion energy.

90: Seth Godin: Tackling Climate Change with The Carbon Almanac

Episode 90: Seth Godin
Matt Matern interviews Seth Godin on The Carbon Almanac, a collaborative climate guide. Godin emphasizes systemic changes over individual actions, critiquing the "carbon footprint" concept.

89: How Adam Wright’s Vespene Energy Tackles Methane Emissions with Microgrids

Episode 89: Adam Wright
Matt Matern interviews Adam Wright, CEO of Vespene Energy, which reduces methane emissions from small landfills using self-sustaining microgrids. These convert landfill gas to electricity for data processing. Projects aim to cut U.S. landfill methane by 22%.

88: Osprey Orielle Lake Discusses WECAN’s Impact at COP27 & Climate Action

Episode 88: Osprey Orielle Lake
Osprey Orielle Lake of WECAN emphasizes the vital role of women in addressing climate change and discusses COP27's advancements, including the new loss and damage fund.

85: Tony Salas on Shared-X and Boosting Smallholder Farmers’ Productivity

Episode 85: Dr. Tony Salas
Matt Matern interviews Dr. Tony Salas, CEO of Shared-X. Dr. Salas discusses impact investing, regenerative agriculture, and supporting smallholder farmers. He calls for genuine ESG investments and collaboration to scale impact farming and combat climate change.

84: Lee Frelich Explores Forest Ecology: Fires, Wind Storms, & Climate Change

Lee Frelich Explores Forest Ecology: Fires, Wind Storms, & Climate Change
Dr. Lee Frelich discusses his journey in ecology, the impact of earthworms on Minnesota forests, and the feasibility of planting a trillion trees with Matt Matern. He emphasizes reducing CO2 emissions and improving forest management to combat climate change and preserve Minnesota's biomes.

75: Jay Famiglietti Discusses Agriculture’s Role in California’s Water Crisis

Episode 75: Jay Famiglietti, Executive Director - Global Institute for Water Security - University of Saskatchewan
Matt Matern interviews Jay Famiglietti about California's worsening water crisis, emphasizing prolonged dry periods and excessive agricultural use. Jay calls for efficient practices, a national water strategy, and better industry water accounting. Urgent action is needed.

74b: From Sea Ice to Glaciers: Reflective Technology’s Impact

Episode 74b: Dr. Leslie Field, Dr. Soumitra Das, & Dr. Subarna Bhattacharyya
Matt Matern discusses glacier melt solutions with Dr. Leslie Field, Dr. Soumitra Das, and Dr. Subarna Bhattacharyya. They highlight Dr. Field's reflective material, climate modeling, and a November climate concert to raise awareness and funds. Global cooperation is essential.

74: Michelle Moore on “Rural Renaissance” and Clean Energy Solutions

Epsidoe 74: Michelle Moore, CEO of Groundswell & Author of "Rural Renaissance"
Matt Matern interviews Michelle Moore about "Rural Renaissance." Moore, CEO of Groundswell, discusses community solar, energy efficiency, and local engagement in clean energy. She highlights local heroes and stresses the importance of local actions for climate goals.

73: Bill Nussey: Clean Energy Entrepreneur & Author of “Freeing Energy”

Episode 73: Bill Nussey, Podcast Host, Author, Speaker, Businessman, & Tech CEO
Matt Matern interviews Bill Nussey, author of "Freeing Energy." Bill discusses the disruptive potential of small-scale solar systems, the need to reduce regulatory barriers, and the economic benefits of rooftop solar, envisioning millions of new jobs.

72: Mark Z. Jacobson: Pioneering a Renewable Future, One City at a Time

Episode 72: Dr. Mark Z. Jacobson, Stanford Professor
Matt Matern speaks with Dr. Mark Jacobson about renewable energy and climate policy. Jacobson advocates for 100% renewables by 2051, critiques nuclear power, and champions CO2 control and green technologies for a sustainable future.

71: Mike Barnard Discusses HVDC and The Future of Electric Grids

Episode 71: Mike Barnard, Strategist for The Future is Electric
Michael Barnard of The Future Is Electric discusses his journey from tech to climate solutions. He emphasizes wind, solar, and storage over nuclear power, highlights HVDC's potential for electricity transmission, and critiques hydrogen's inefficiencies, advocating for battery advancements.

68: Empowering Change: Brett Walter’s Climate Action Now App

Episode 68: Brett Walter, CEO & Founder of Climate Action Now
Guest host Max Sloves interviews Brett Walter from Climate Action Now. Brett discusses his app that mobilizes public demand for climate action, emphasizing the urgency of the crisis. He encourages collective action through the app's million messages campaign.

66: Carolyn Dennett Exposes Shell’s Environmental Inaction

Episode 66: Caroline Dennett, Safety Consultant & Director at Clout
Carolyn Dennett, ex-Shell Oil consultant, left after 11 years due to Shell's inaction on climate change. Frustrated by their continued oil and gas expansion, she urges companies to transition to sustainable practices. Dennett calls for collective action and praises Extinction Rebellion's advocacy.

65: Inside Argonne Lab: Dr. Amgad Elgowainy on Hydrogen Breakthroughs

Episode 65: Dr. Amgad Elgowainy, Scientist & Group Leader at Argonne National Laboratory
Dr. Amgad Elgowainy of Argonne National Laboratory discusses developing hydrogen and electrification technologies. Argonne, funded by the Department of Energy, aims to produce hydrogen at $1/kg by 2031. The $8B Hydrogen Hubs initiative supports clean energy efforts.

64: Hydrogen Fuel: A Game Changer for Brian Goldstein’s Energy Independence Now

Episode 64: Brian Goldstein, Executive Director at Energy Independence Now
Matt Matern speaks with Brian Goldstein, director of Energy Independence Now (EIN), on hydrogen technology's potential over batteries due to metal scarcity. Goldstein discusses California's leadership, federal and state support for hydrogen, and the need for balanced climate solutions.

63: Renee Grogan, Chief Sustainability Officer & Co-Founder at Impossible Mining

Episode 63: Renee Grogan, Chief Sustainability Officer & Co-Founder at Impossible Mining
Matt Matern interviews Renee Grogan from Impossible Mining about seabed mining. Renee emphasizes the need for sustainable practices and strong regulations, highlighting the critical need for metals for a green economy and the depletion of terrestrial resources.

62: Farming Our Future with Peter Lehner: A Climate Crusade

Episode 62: Peter Lehner, Managing Attorney, Sustainable Food & Farming, Earthjustice
Matt Matern and Peter Lehner discuss agriculture’s role in global emissions, critiquing EPA estimates and highlighting methane from livestock. Proposes reforms and kelp feed to reduce impact.