A Climate Change with Matt Matern

Astrophysicist, sustainability advocate, and author Dr. Joshua Spodek joins us to discusses breaking free from processed food addiction, building community-driven environmental solutions, and embracing the Spodek Method - a unique approach focusing on intrinsic motivation for sustainable action. Josh shares insights from his latest book, Sustainability Simplified, which captures Josh’s life journe...

Renowned environmentalist, author, and journalist, Bill Mckibben joins us to discuss the landscape of renewable energy and climate action. We explore key developments, including the rapid adoption of solar power, China’s leadership in clean energy technology, and the impact of recent climate policies like the Inflation Reduction Act. Bill highlights the challenges of reducing emissions and address...

Terry Tamminen, President and CEO of AltaSea, joins us to discuss the urgent need to improve ocean health. They explore innovative blue technologies, including regenerative aquaculture, wave energy, and CO2 removal technologies. Terry emphasizes the importance of collective action and shares insights on AltaSea’s role in developing sustainable ocean-based solutions. If you want to help us reach ou...

Captain Paul Watson, founder of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, joins host Matt Matern on Climate Change to discuss his battle against illegal whaling in Japan and Iceland, his recent arrest, and the vital role of grassroots activism. Dive into the complexities of international conservation, the power of public support, and the urgent need for individual action in protecting our planet's marin...

Dr. Kristina Dahl, VP for Science at Climate Central, joins us to share her transformative journey into climate science, the art of communicating complex climate issues, and the pivotal role of policy in environmental advocacy. She offers insights on the importance of individual and collective action in shaping a sustainable future. If you want to help us reach our goal of planting 30k trees AND g...

In this episode of A Climate Change , host Matt Matern talks with Paul Ehrlich , renowned author of The Population Bomb and Professor Emeritus at Stanford. We discuss the global impact of overpopulation, food security challenges, and systemic change's critical role in combating climate disruption. Paul emphasizes the need for sustainable practices, women's rights, and ethical responses to climate-...

In this throwback episode, we’re joined by Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, renowned atmospheric scientist and author, they discuss the intersection of faith and climate action, the importance of individual and systemic change, the role of extreme weather in shaping public perception of climate change, and how faith, beliefs and science must come together for effective climate action. Tune in for an insightf...

Energy is changing in more ways than one! On the latest episode of A Climate Change, host Matt Matern is joined by Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug Power - a 12 billion dollar company that is leading the charge in hydrogen-based energy in the vehicular segment. Together, they cover the exciting and innovative advancements in hydrogen technology, the role of fuel cells in commercial vehicles, and how Plug P...

Environmental educator and Yale Climate Connections contributor Dr. Michael Svoboda joins us to discuss the best sustainability-themed books for holiday gifting. He highlights impactful titles addressing climate change, biodiversity, and the food system, like Atlas of a Threatened Planet and Before They Vanish. We also explore works connecting environmental advocacy to motherhood and visually stun...

Veteran guest, Garrett Nilsen, Deputy Director of the Department of Energy's Solar Energy Technologies Office joins us to discuss advancements in solar technology and the remarkable growth of solar energy in the U.S., now providing 6.5% of the nation's electricity. He highlights the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on domestic solar manufacturing and our progress in decarbonization. Want to h...

Welcome to this episode of A Climate Change. I’m Matt Matern, your host. Today, I’m pleased to welcome Auden Schendler , SVP of Sustainability at Aspen One . Join us as we discuss tackling climate change through systemic reforms. Auden critiques corporate sustainability's limits highlights transformative policies like the Inflation Reduction Act, and calls for community-driven action to reshape pu...

Welcome to this episode of A Climate Change. I’m Matt Matern, your host. Today, I’m pleased to welcome Rob Gramlich to the show. Rob has over 25 years of experience in energy policy and electricity markets. He is the Founder and President of Grid Strategies , a power sector consulting firm helping clients understand the opportunities and barriers to integrating clean energy into the electric grid....

Dr. Davide Faranda, an expert in climate attribution science joins us to discuss the science linking fossil fuel emissions to extreme weather events, the growing field of climate litigation, and the impacts of climate change on storms like hurricanes. Dr. Faranda explains how AI and historical data are used to understand and predict climate trends. They also explore the Arctic's rapid warming, glo...

Nathaniel Stinnett joins us to talk about his journey from political campaigns to founding the Environmental Voter Project, which focuses on motivating climate-conscious citizens to vote. His research shows that while many Americans care about environmental issues, too few cast ballots. Nathaniel discusses how building a reliable climate-focused voting base could drive real political change, ensur...

Today, we’re joined by California State Senator Ben Allen to explore the critical climate and political stakes of the 2024 election. He discusses the vastly different climate policies between Trump and Harris and highlights the influence of fossil fuel interests on Republican politics, the urgency of voter turnout, and the challenges of misinformation in shaping public perception of environmental...

Republican Mayor Rex Parris joins us to discuss the city of Lancaster's efforts to become hydrogen-powered, inspired by Japan’s expertise. Matt and Rex discuss the urgent need to address climate change, particularly ocean warming and intensifying hurricanes. ‘ They also dive deep into the upcoming election, who the better candidate for the environment is, and how the fossil fuel industry continues...

Matt is joined by Shara Mohtadi, co-founder of S2 Strategies and former Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Shara shares how witnessing humanitarian crises in her youth sparked her interest in the link between climate change, migration, and conflict, eventually leading her to work in clean energy policy. She discusses the role of state...

In this second half of our interview, Paul Bledsoe, former Clinton White House climate advisor, warns of the environmental dangers posed by Donald Trump’s “Project 2025,” which seeks to dismantle key agencies like the EPA. Bledsoe explains Trump’s second term could be more dangerous, contrasting it with Kamala Harris’s centrist, pro-clean energy approach.  He stresses the importance of voter turno...

Join Matt Matern in his weekly climate podcast where we explore environmental and political issues, inspire action, and create a coalition to save our planet. A Climate Change With Matt Matern is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so Check out our most downloaded episodes: 165: Decarbonizing the Grid with Rob Gramlich 164: Davide Faranda Shares How We Can Link Fossil Fuels to Extreme Weather...

Paul Bledsoe, former Clinton White House climate advisor, joins Matt to discuss the 2024 election. He emphasizes how Vice President Kamala Harris can counter Donald Trump’s attacks on clean energy and highlights the Biden-Harris administration’s massive clean energy investments. Bledsoe discusses the economic impacts of climate change and the need for stronger methane regulations, framing climate...

Dr. Susan Solomon joins the podcast to discuss climate change solutions and her book "Solvable: How We Healed the Earth, and How We Can Do It Again." She highlights the growing use of renewables, the need for grid modernization, and stresses achieving net zero by 2050. Dr. Solomon shares her hope for the future as more of the public and our leadership shift their views on the climate crisis. You c...

Staci Roberts-Steele discusses her climate activism through films like "Don't Look Up," and her work at Yellow Dot Studios. She shares insights on using satire and storytelling to expose oil industry practices and promote climate action. Matt and Staci explore the role of media in raising awareness and the importance of engaging the public through creative, impactful content. To learn more about Y...

Aru Shiney-Ajay, Executive Director of the Sunrise Movement, discusses her journey with the organization, joining in 2017 to elevate the urgency of climate issues in politics. Sunrise's focus has been on holding the federal government accountable while supporting local actions, changing the narrative that pits jobs against climate to one that promotes clean energy as economically beneficial.  As t...

Matt revisits the Balona Wetlands and is joined by Walter Lamb and Bruce Robertson to discuss efforts to preserve the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve in Los Angeles. They emphasize community involvement, criticize the delayed restoration project, and highlight the need for local activism.  To learn more about Walter’s work, visit:  https://www.ballona.org/ You can watch Bruce’s documentary on...

David Doniger from the Natural Resources Defense Council discusses the impact of the Clean Air Act, the Supreme Court's decision to limit the EPA’s authority. He cites actions by the Biden Administration (like the Inflation Reduction Act) and urges continued advocacy and accountability for environmental policies. To learn more about David Doniger’s work, visit: https://www.nrdc.org/ Want to help u...