The Climate Conversation

In Louisiana, rising sea levels, more intense storms, and high tide flooding threaten coastal ecosystems and livelihoods of people in those communities. But Louisiana has been both planning for coastal resilience for a long time - and putting those plans into action. In this episode, Dan and Emma explore the benefits that wetland restoration can have for the coast and the role that wetlands play in the planning and implementation of Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan. They are joined by Natalie Snider from the Environmental Defense Fund and Dr. Denise Reed from the University of New Orleans.

Welcome to the first episode of season 3 of The Climate Conversation! In this episode, EESI’s Dan Bresette and Amber Todoroff interview coastal resilience expert, Western Carolina University professor, and EESI Advisory Board member Dr. Rob Young. They discuss climate change threats to Charleston, a proposed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seawall project, and solutions to make the coastline more resilient.

With all the depressing climate news out there, it’s sometimes hard to see progress. The Climate Conversation cuts through the noise and presents you with relevant climate change solutions happening on the Hill and in communities around the United States.
Twice a month, join Environmental and Energy Study Institute staff members as they interview environmental, energy, and policy experts on practical, on-the-ground work that communities, companies, and governments are doing to address climate change.
Whether you want to learn more about the solutions to climate change, are an expert in environmental issues, or are a policy professional, this podcast is for you.

It’s the last episode of Season 2 of The Climate Conversation! This week, Dan and Emma look back on EESI’s 2021 briefings and projects to discuss favorites, lessons learned, and what’s coming up next year. They are joined by EESI Senior Associate Dan O’Brien and Policy Associate Savannah Bertrand. The Climate Conversation will return for Season 3 in February 2022.

Dan and Emma explore in this episode how climate adaptation work is being done on the ground in communities across the United States. Through the USDA Climate Hubs, communities can get the regionally-specific tools and resources they need to better prepare for future climate impacts. Our guests today include Dr. Emile Elias, the director of the Southwest Climate Hub, and Dr. Julian Reyes, the national Climate Hubs coordinator.

Dan and EESI Senior Associate Miguel Yañez-Barnuevo spoke with Denise Abdul-Rahman, a field organizer for the National NAACP Environmental Climate Justice Program, about the NAACP Equitable Solar Policy Principles. These principles can help develop a shared understanding of equitable solar policy and assist advocates and policymakers craft solutions. Dan, Miguel, and Denise discuss the formation of these principles, how they can be applied, and how they can be used to spur an equitable transition to clean energy.

The Great Lakes is an incredibly diverse and important region, providing millions with water, contributing billions for the economy, and supporting the continuation of Indigenous lifeways for the approximately 20 tribal nations with land within the basin. But climate change and other environmental threats could upend all of that. Dan and Emma learn about the federally-funded climate resilience work happening in the region that could help protect this valuable area.

This week, Dan and guest host Susan, sat down with Lukas Haynes of the David Rockefeller Fund to discuss how grant-awarding foundations can help power climate solutions. The David Rockefeller Fund recently joined the Net Zero Asset Owners Alliance, one of the first U.S. foundations to do so, in an effort to drive decarbonization and inspire other asset owners to do the same.

Rural Broadband may not seem like a climate issue, but as more and more devices are connected to the internet, from smart thermostats to water heaters, that need to be balanced on the electric grid, having access to broadband is critical. Dan and Emma take listeners to the San Juan Islands in Washington State to learn why installing broadband there was so difficult but so necessary to support residents and strengthen communities.

This week, Dan and Syd spoke with American businessman, environmental engineer, and retired three-star general, Jeffrey Talley, about how the military’s perspective towards climate change has evolved over time as well as how the business sector is taking strides for a decarbonized future.