America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast

In episode 131 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Sherri Goodman , a Senior Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center and the Senior Strategist at the Center for Climate and Security.  We cover such topics as climate change being the ultimate national security threat multiplier. Also, we discuss some of the early climate work she did in Congress and in the executive branch; the 'climat...

In episode 130 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Jesse Keenan of Tulane University. Jesse dissects some of the early moves on climate change policy in the Biden administration. He shares his thoughts on staffing decisions and how adaptation is and isn't being prioritized through the Executive Orders. Also, in a new recurring segment, Judge Alice Hill shares insights on what FEMA can do to...

In episode 129 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Cheryl Slean of the Natural Resources Defense Council and TV writer Alexander Maggio . Cheryl discusses the Rewrite the Future Initiative she co-founded at NRDC on ways the science community can engage with the entertainment industry. We learn about the power of storytelling and how Hollywood can be a major ally in creating awareness around cli...

In episode 128 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Carolyn Kousky , the Executive Director at the Wharton Risk Management and Decision Processes Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Carolyn has developed 8 recommendations for the incoming Biden administration to prioritize climate adaptation. We go through each of the recommendations, which cover topics ranging from disaster preparedne...

In episode 127 of  America Adapts , host Doug Parsons is joined by Dr. Ladd Keith , an Assistant Professor in Planning and Chair of Sustainable Built Environments at The University of Arizona and Dakota Larrick , a graduate student at the University of Oklahoma, who is finishing her master's thesis on human adaptations to the landscape in the Southern Great Plains.  Doug and his guests list their...

In episode 126 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Commander Andrea Cameron of the U.S. Naval War College. In this episode, we discuss how the US military is approaching climate change; teaching this topic to military officers; learn what military branch is ahead on climate planning; how other countries like China and Russia are aggressively ramping up their adaptation efforts; the process of p...

In episode 125 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Amy Westervelt, host of the Drilled podcast and founder of the Critical Frequency podcast network. Doug and Amy discuss media coverage of climate change and how climate podcasts are becoming more popular. We go behind the scenes of her podcast Drilled and learn how fossil fuel companies created the modern public relations industry. We also disc...

In episode 124 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons talks barrier beaches and adaptation with The Trustees of Reservations , a coastal conservation group in Massachusetts!  This is the third episode in a 3-episode arc, focusing on coastal issues and climate adaptation. We talk with experts and local residents  about Norton Point Beach on Martha's Vineyard. You'll hear the unique challenges facing this...

In episode 123 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts returning guest - climate fiction expert - Dr. Amy Brady!  This is Amy's third time on the podcast and we catch up on topics like:  climate writers reaching out to scientists; can cli-fi influence people's behavior to take action on climate change; is a climate pulp fiction emerging; how the tv and movie industry are taking note of climate fict...

In episode 122 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Laura Schifter to discuss K12-Climate Action, an initiative to seeks to "unlock the power of the education sector to be a force for climate action."  Laura is a Senior Fellow  in the Energy and Environment program at the Aspen Institute and she's a lecturer of Education at Harvard University's Graduate school of Education. Doug and Laura discus...

In episode 121 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Renee Lertzman . Dr. Lertzman is an environmental psychologist and founder of Project InsideOut , a forthcoming resource hub and emerging community of practice that unites activists with clinical psychologists. Doug and Renee discuss what is climate grief and anxiety; steps individuals and organizations can do to address these issues and tu...

In episode 120 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons talks adaptation and publicly accessible shorelines with The Trustees of Reservations , the nation's first and the Massachusetts' largest preservation and conservation nonprofit! Th is is the second episode in a 3 episode arc, focusing on coastal issues and climate adaptation. We talk with experts and local residents  about Crane Beach on the Crane E...

In episode 119 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold . Doug and Senator Feingold discuss his work on the Campaign for Nature ; why protecting biodiversity is as important, or more so, than climate change; the science partners involved; what international efforts are needed for biodiversity protection; the role of his new org, the American Constitution Society and...

In episode 118 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Maxine Burkett , a Professor of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  In this episode, Doug and Maxine discuss: the moral and intellectual case for climate reparations; climate migration; differences in climate justice in the global north and the global south; will adaptation take a peaceful or conflict oriented approach in the years ahead...

In episode 117 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons talks coastal banks with The Trustees of Reservations , a coastal conservation group in Massachusetts!  This is the first episode in a 3 episode arc, focusing on coastal issues and climate adaptation. We talk with experts and local residents of Wasque Beach on Martha's Vineyard and discuss the challenges they are currently facing and what it means to...

In episode 116 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts frequent pod guest Dr. Jesse Keenan of Tulane University. Jesse discusses his new research paper on how sea level rise will impact the viability of the 30 year home mortgage, the foundation of much of the home ownership in the United States. We also discuss how local banks are being more aggressive in avoiding risky coastal loans; Jesse's new f...

In episode 115 of America Adapts, a re-release of episode 80, "Adapting Conservation to Climate Change at WWF", Doug Parson joins World Wildlife Fund's Shaun Martin to revisit this episode and to see the progress that has been made from when it was originally released on Dec. 17th, 2018. In the original episode we take a behind the scenes look at how WWF is adapting conservation to the new realiti...

In episode 114 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts climate activist, billionaire investor and former Democratic Presidential candidate Tom Steyer ! Tom and I talk about what's happening with the coronavirus and reopening; his run for President in the Democratic primary; what a Biden Presidency will mean for climate action and listen in to find out the greatest thing you can do to move the needl...

In episode 113 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Moira McDonald of The Walton Family Foundation . Moira shares the focus of the foundation, with an emphasis on Louisiana coastal planning, wetland restoration and the role of the Mississippi River in adaptation. We also discuss strategic planning at a foundation; integrating adaptation into conservation planning and the challenges of risk t...

In episode 112 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts for the third time, famed climatologist Dr. Michael Mann . Mike comes on to discuss his recent sabbatical in Sydney, Australia, just as the bushfires raged out of control. We discuss the conservative media in Australia and how the continent is uniquely susceptible to the impacts of climate change. We also discuss how the anti-science response t...

In episode 111 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Linda Shi , an Assistant Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at Cornell University.  Doug and Linda talk about coastal development and adaptation economics; what happened to the 100 Resilient Cities Initiatives; urban inequality; racially just adaptation; transformative adaptation and much more! Topics covered : Issues...

In episode 110 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts two adaptation professionals, Shaun Martin of World Wildlife Fund and Emily Wasley of WSP to discuss how they are focusing on their jobs during a pandemic. Both share the changes in their work environment and how they are able to maintain their adaptation efforts in these trying times. Also, Dr. Gabriel Henderson comes on to share a paper he wr...

In episode 109 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts climate legend Christiana Figueres , head of Global Optimism and Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Doug and Christiana talk about the coronavirus and what lessons the climate movement can learn from the pandemic response; what's next for the Paris Climate Accords; can the US jump back in after the election; C...

In episode 108 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Jisung Park , assistant professor at the Luskin School of Public Affairs at UCLA.  The two talk about Jisung's research, showing how increased temperatures can negatively impact student academic performance. Also, rising temperatures can lower worker productively, seriously impacting the labor market. As the world warms, what will that mean...

In episode 107 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Shalini Vajjhala of  re:focus partners to talk about the one in a generation opportunity to invest in community infrastructure needs in light of climate change. Shalini discusses how re:focus partners works with cities and states on investing now to avoid future costs associated to climate impacts.  Doug also talks with Caleb Stratton , the...