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A Climate Change with Matt Matern is a weekly environmental podcast featuring influential guests from government, business, activism, academia, and culture. The show serves to inform its audience about environmental issues, while inspiring listeners to take action and create a coalition to save the planet.
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.
Matt Matern interviews Jay Sinha, co-founder of Life Without Plastic. Jay discusses the dangers of plastics, especially endocrine disruptors, and offers practical tips for reducing plastic use. He calls for stronger regulations and highlights the potential of bioplastics. #UniteAndHealAmerica #LifeWithoutPlastic
Guest host Harry Artin talks with Anja Brandon, PhD, from Ocean Conservancy, about California’s SB 54. The bill aims to reduce single-use plastics by 25% in 10 years, cutting 23 million tons of waste. Anja emphasizes policy change and individual actions to fight plastic pollution.
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.
Guest host Corey Bennett interviews Dr. George Crabtree from Argonne National Laboratory about energy storage advancements. They discuss alternatives to lithium-ion batteries and the urgency for innovation driven by the Paris Accords.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Matt Matern and Mayor Rex Parris discuss Lancaster’s sustainability efforts. Lancaster, the first U.S. city to mandate solar panels on new homes, aims to be the first hydrogen city. Parris highlights practical measures, electric public transportation, and innovative hydrogen production.
Matt Matern speaks with Dr. Sandor Mulsow about deep-sea mining, the International Seabed Authority’s governance issues, and the need for a mining moratorium. Dr. Mulsow stresses the importance of protecting our oceans through better scientific research and global action.
Matt Matern speaks with Dr. Brian Von Herzen, founder of the Climate Foundation. Dr. Von Herzen’s marine permaculture tech uses seaweed to restore ocean life and sequester carbon. Recently winning the XPrize, the goal is global expansion and significant CO2 reduction.
Matt Matern chats with Traci Park, aspiring LA City Council member, about tackling homelessness, public safety, and economic challenges. She emphasizes collaboration and immediate action.
Join Matt for an interesting discussion with Dr. Charles Meneveau on wind energy and how we can do our part to help the environment.
Dr. Leslie Field discusses the Arctic Ice Project’s efforts to combat Arctic melt, and David Rosenfeld opposes cuts to rooftop solar incentives. Both stress the urgency of climate action and the need for innovative solutions and supportive policies.
Matt Matern and Senator Ben Allen discuss SB 343, SB 54, and AB 1395. Senator Allen emphasized public involvement in environmental legislation, green hydrogen, and balanced incentives for rooftop solar.
Matt Matern speaks with Joel Salatin and Greg Wendt, discussing regenerative agriculture. Joel highlighted transforming his farm using nature-based methods and the need for local support through farmers’ markets and CSAs. Greg emphasized responsible investing in sustainable practices.
Guest host Max Sloves speaks with Max Wilbert about his book “Bright Green Lies” and the destructive Thacker Pass lithium mine. He emphasized rethinking our relationship with the planet and called for political action and personal behavior changes.
Matt Matern and Porter Fox discuss his book, The Last Winter, and climate change’s impact on snowpacks. He stresses voting, reliable education, supporting advocacy groups, and policy changes. Porter urges focusing on scientific facts and expressed hope in American innovation.
Matt Matern speaks with Dar-Lon Chang, an engineer who left ExxonMobil for environmental work, highlighting the need to displace fossil fuels with renewables. Jay Levin discusses the role of media in environmental awareness and his work with equipourkids.org on social-emotional learning.
Matt Matern talks with Bill Snape from the Center for Biological Diversity about aggressive clean energy targets, criticizing the Biden administration’s delays. Bill advocates for direct action on emissions, renewable energy incentives, and emphasizes the role of citizen lawsuits and transparency.
Tony Juniper, Chairman of Natural England, discusses his career, the outcomes of COP26, and the need for global cooperation in addressing climate change. Tony also speaks about renewable energy, stopping deforestation, and economic adjustments.
Matt Matern speaks Steve Valk and Jerry Hinkle from Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL). They discuss creating political will for climate solutions, the carbon fee and dividend policy, bipartisan successes, and the importance of a carbon border adjustment mechanism.