Climate Action Figures

In the season three finale of Climate Action Figures, host John Whidden welcomes back creative consultant Kayla, shares a Quick Fix from Linda in Rochon Sands about swapping chemical cleaners for vinegar and baking soda, and demonstrates homemade/refillable cleaning solutions. Kayla discusses an upcoming two-month trip to Japan, South Korea, and China and admiration for strong recycling and anti-l...

Host John Whidden welcomes Abhay to Climate Action Figures, beginning with Sophia’s Quick Fix on guerrilla gardening using indigenous plants. Abhay, a CBC What on Earth contributor on climate change and mental health, describes how a Students on Ice expedition to the Arctic and Greenland shaped his understanding of climate impacts, Inuit mental health challenges, and climate justice tied to coloni...

Host John Whidden welcomes 13-year-old Indian environmentalist Prasiddhi, founder of Prasiddhi Forest Foundation, who has planted 200,000 trees toward a goal of 10 million and built a global following to spread hopeful, action-focused climate messaging. She describes starting after the 2016 Varadhah Cyclone in Tamil Nadu, learning fundraising, creating a seed-collecting “kids army,” and growing a...

Host John Whidden introduces a QuickFix from Janice in Calgary encouraging “no mow May” to protect invertebrates, then interviews Sophia, a third-year environmental engineering student focused on drinking water and microplastics. Sophia recommends boiling or filtering water and explains concerns about bottled water, including plastic-related endocrine disruptors and potential bacterial biofilms. S...

In the 77th episode of Climate Action Figures, host John Whidden welcomes Alice, a Switzerland-based veterinarian who no longer practices clinically and instead works toward One Health through policy and research. Alice explains that veterinary careers extend beyond treating animals into areas like food safety, prevention, research, and education, and describes moving from clinical work in Italy t...

John  hosts a unique episode of Climate Action Figures featuring his daughter, Twila. The QuickFix highlights “Adopt Don’t Shop,” encouraging pet adoption and volunteering at local shelters. Twila shares her climate actions, including conserving and reusing water (collecting shower warm-up water and catching sink water for plants), thrift shopping, growing herbs, using reusable bags and cups, comb...

Host John Whidden welcomes Gokul from Kerala, India. Gokul connects cultural practices to science and explains youth climate organizing through YOUNGO’s local, regional, and global Conferences of Youth ahead of COP. A final-year Ayurveda student, he describes how climate change disrupts Indigenous/traditional medicine by affecting medicinal plants, potency, treatment protocols, and trust, with imp...

Host John Whidden interviews Carter Mochinski from Lake Country, BC on Climate Action Figures. They discuss a QuickFix from Roger in Calgary about writing to companies as an investor, and Carter’s view that civic engagement with MPs/MLAs and corporations matters. Carter explains the Center for Global Education (CGE) and how it supports global climate education and youth participation. He shares hi...

In Season 3, Episode 20 of Climate Action Figures, host John Whidden welcomes Chris from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) and shares a QuickFix from Shaurya recommending the Outrage and Optimism podcast for hopeful climate conversations. Chris explains CPAWS’s conservation advocacy and public engagement, then details CPAWS Southern Alberta’s Youth Conservation Collective (YCC), a...

Climate Action Figures celebrates passing 2,500 podcast downloads, sharing a listener QuickFix from Linda in Indio, California about switching from plastic reusable bottles to aluminum, and discuss recycling energy savings. They interview grade 12 student Willow McGrath from St. John, New Brunswick, who describes how nature and camp shaped her environmental passion and her work leading Earth Ed Ex...

On Climate Action Figures, host John Whidden interviews Paul Jenkinson. Paul explains how young people can connect with the climate movement through YOUNGO, the UN’s children and youth constituency, and describes co-facilitating YOUNGO’s Global Youth Statement—a major youth declaration with multiple versions (including five key demands) built from individual, organizational, and over 100 national...

In the 70th edition of Climate Action Figures, host John Whidden welcomes Alice from Uganda’s Karamoja sub-region and shares a QuickFix from Linda encouraging thrift-store clothing and repurposing. Alice describes local wildlife near Kidepo National Park, current temperatures, and severe climate change impacts in Karamoja, including recurring food insecurity, water scarcity, long dry spells, stron...

In this episode of Climate Action Figures, John Whidden and Vaibhav discuss the urgent issue of global soil degradation, its impact on agriculture, and climate change. Vaibhav highlights the importance of sustainable farming practices and youth advocacy in addressing these challenges. He shares insights on soil health, the role of monoculture in soil degradation, and how more diverse, sustainable...

Aryan returns to Climate Action Figures to discuss advancements in his microplastic-collecting robot, his awards at the National Science Fair, and his new project on pipeline inspection technology inspired by Calgary's water main break.  00:00 Introduction and QuickFix Tip 02:10 Aryan's Microplastic Robot 04:09 Science Fair Success and National Recognition 07:24 International Exposition...

In this episode of Climate Action Figures, host John Whidden welcomes Kim from Guyana, a math teacher and advocate for climate action. Kim shares her experiences biking seven miles to school in Rupununi, the local community's approach to climate change, and the role of Indigenous knowledge in environmental conservation. She discusses her work with the Indigenous Youth Fellowship program, teac...

In this episode of Climate Action Figures, hosted by John Whidden, guest Abby shares her experience from a science and leadership course in Costa Rica. Abby discusses the impactful conservation efforts by Osa Conservation, focusing on creating wildlife corridors and integrating sustainable agricultural practices with local communities. She emphasizes the interconnectedness of strong biodiversity a...

In this episode, John Whidden introduces Hailey, a senior at U Chicago. They discuss practical air-cleaning tips, Hailey's Produce Peddlers initiative, her involvement in triathlons, and efforts in campus composting. Hailey emphasizes the self-serving benefits of sustainability and the value of community-supported agriculture programs. Lastly, she shares hopeful insights from her experience a...

In the first 2026 edition of Climate Action Figures, host John Whidden interviews Free Borsey. They discuss the YUKA app for assessing health impacts of food and cosmetics, Free's podcast series on indigenous and western sciences, the Land Back movement, and the importance of inclusive climate action. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:34 QuickFix: Eco-Friendly App Recommendation 01:18 Intervi...

John and creative consultant Kayla talk about audience favourite episodes. Featuring a discussion on pee cloths, COP 29 insights, and community feedback. Ends with a call for suggestions for a potential Season Four. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:54 Kayla's QuickFix: The Pee Cloth 03:07 Audience QuickFix Contributions 03:39 Favorite Episodes and Reflections 08:17 Listener Feedback and High...

Join John Whidden as he introduces Julia who delves deep into the complexities of food systems, shares her work with Food Futures in Ottawa, and connects these systems to climate change. Julia also discusses youth activism, sustainable consumption, and finding hope in climate action. 00:00 Introduction to Climate Action Figures 00:29 QuickFix of the Week 00:54 Meet Julia: Youth Activist 01:54 Unde...

Join John Whidden on this week's episode of Climate Action Figures as he introduces Alida, a proactive high school student from Palo Alto. Learn about her journey in environmental activism, from joining the Palo Alto Student Climate Coalition to writing legislative proposals and being involved in the Stanford Deliberate Democracy Lab. Alida shares insights into the benefits and concerns of AI...

John  interviews Day and Colleen on their mentorship project with CPAWS. They discuss planting native lawns, environmental conservation, and hosting a workshop on November 16th. Also featured: Linda's QuickFix tip on bird and butterfly-friendly gardens.  00:00 Introduction to Climate Action Figures 00:28 QuickFix from Linda: Bird and Butterfly Friendly Gardens 01:10 Meet Day and Colleen 01:41...

In this episode of Climate Action Figures, host John Whidden introduces Emma, a representative from Re. Climate, an organization dedicated to climate change communications and research based at Carleton University in Ottawa. The discussion covers innovative recycling tips, effective communication strategies on climate change, and the importance of incorporating indigenous perspectives into climate...

In this final part of the Climate Action Figures series, John Whidden introduces Brett Weighill, a school administrator at Piikani Nation Secondary School. The episode highlights First Nations wisdom in sustainable practices, specifically focusing on a student-led greenhouse project involving traditional plants like sweetgrass. Brett shares his journey from aspiring ethnobotanist to facilitating t...

Join host John Whidden in this episode of Climate Action Figures as he interviews MJ, a junior high student from Piikani Nation, about his deep connection with his family, land, and Blackfoot culture. MJ shares insights on buffalo harvesting, the school greenhouse project, and his hopes for preserving the environment and his culture. 00:00 Introduction to Climate Action Figures 00:29 QuickFix of t...