Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast

In this episode, hosts Molly Saruwatari and Joceleen (Joce) Oxley talk with Sierra Fowler, Vice President of Strategic Accounts at Climate Impact Partners, about carbon markets, climate justice, and community-centered climate action. Sierra helps us understand how carbon credits work, what kinds of projects can generate them—from forest protection and renewable energy to clean cookstoves and metha...


In this episode of Climate to Action , host Molly Saruwatari welcomes Dr. Roni Kay O’Dell, professor of political science at California State University San Marcos, for a conversation about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and their importance for climate action. Dr. O’Dell explains what the SDGs are, how they were developed through the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable...

In this episode of Climate To Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast, hosts Joce and Saturn speak with Scarlett, co-president of the Environmental Stewards Association (ESA), about building sustainability and climate action at CSUSM. Scarlett shares her environmental passions, explains ESA’s mission, and discusses how the club helps care for campus spaces like the pollinator garden. The conversation also...

In this episode of Climate to Action, host Molly Saruwatari kicks off a new series spotlighting CSUSM students who are actively taking climate action—starting with guest Tyler Weinstock, an Environmental Studies major and intern at Plastic Beach, a local North County nonprofit. CREDITS    Guest : Tyler Weinstock Host : Molly Saruwatari Editor : Elden Cadena  Social Media Content : Molly Saruwatari...

In this episode, we dive into environmental literature and climate fiction (Cli-Fi) with Professor Dylan Winchock. We discuss what counts as ‘environmental lit,’ how stories can change how we think and act, and how Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake helps students grapple with the ethics of technology and climate justice. We unpack how literature differs from news and social media disaster narrative...

CSUSM’s own Dr. Elizabeth Ridder joins us to talk about what first drew her to geography and conservation work and why the Mediterranean basin is such a vital—and vulnerable—hotspot for biodiversity and climate resilience. We explore what makes this region unique, the climate pressures it’s facing, and how her fieldwork connects to the bigger picture of global environmental change. From U.S. natio...

Erika Rodriguez joins us to share the moment a Category 4 storm in Fiji pulled her into climate action—and how that experience helped spark San Diego Climate Week. We dig into what it takes to build a city-wide movement, how she measures success beyond a single week, and why her long-term hope is that someday, we won’t need a “Climate Week” at all! Tune in to hear why. Recorded live in the barn at...

In this powerful episode, guests Amanda Subbish and Ivan Sam share Indigenous perspectives on climate resilience, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), and environmental leadership in the San Diego region. From stories of adaptation to wildfire and drought, to reflections on cultural ceremony, language, and land stewardship, this conversation invites listeners to rethink what it means to live in...

CREDITS Guest: Ashleigh Skarshaug Hosts: Saturn Salama Producers: Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama Editor: Elden Cadena Research: Saturn Salama Script: Daphne Nguyen Music: Marios Panousos Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is an initiative of the CSUSM Climate Action and Sustainability Center. The podcast is advised by faculty from the Environmental Studies Program and the Philosophy Depart...

In this bonus episode of Climate to Action , host Alex talks with CSUSM chemistry professor Dr. Haleh Keshtkar about the principles and promise of green chemistry. They explore how this innovative approach rethinks chemical design to reduce harm to people and the planet. From biodegradable materials to safer solvents, Dr. Keshtkar explains how green chemistry can drive climate solutions—and shares...

In this episode, hosts Molly and Alex talk with Rebecca Lewis, Scotland and Northern Ireland Manager for Buglife UK, about the power of citizen science in the fight against climate change. Rebecca shares how climate change is impacting invertebrates and the ecosystems they support, and how everyday people can take action through hands-on conservation. Listeners will learn about Buglife’s work, the...

In this inspiring episode, hosts Molly and Alex talk with Ali Mariko Dressel—climate justice advocate, performer, and marine conservationist—about the powerful role of art in the fight against climate change. Ali shares how performance, storytelling, and Indigenous knowledge can transform climate anxiety into connection, action, and healing. Tune in to hear how immersive theatre builds emotional r...

In this episode, Climate to Action host Alex talks with CSUSM chemistry professor Dr. Haleh Keshtkar about the basics of climate change. They cover key terms like global warming, greenhouse gases, and green chemistry, and explore how we can respond through mitigation and adaptation. Dr. Keshtkar also shares a hopeful call to action for students and listeners to make a difference. CREDITS   Guest :...

Guest: MacKenzie Elmer, Voice of San Diego, and Kori Suzuki, KPBS Hosts: Saturn Salama and Alex Sandoval Producers: Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama Editor: Elden Cadena Research: Aritzel Melchor and Alondra Mendoza Script: Daphne Nguyen Social Media Content Creators: Yulissa Hernandez Aquino, Gabriella Peña Music: Marios Panousos Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is an initiative of the CS...

CREDITS Guest : MacKenzie Elmer, Voice of San Diego, and Kori Suzuki, KPBS Hosts : Saturn Salama and Alex Sandoval Producers : Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama Editor : Elden Cadena Research : Aritzel Melchor and Alondra Mendoza Script : Daphne Nguyen Social Media Content Creators : Yulissa Hernandez Aquino, Gabriella Peña Music : Marios Panousos Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is an init...

CREDITS Introduction by : Saturn Salama Hosts : Katie Brienen and Buchanan Kidd Producers : Katie Brienen, Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama Editor : Cristian Alvizo, Katie Brienen and Elden Cadena Social Media Content Creators : Elden Cadena Music : Marios Panousos Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is an initiative of the CSUSM Climate Action and Sustainability Center. The podcast is advise...

CREDITS Guest : Adrienne Fusek, Director of In Good Company Hosts : Kaiden Luna De La Fuente and Molly Saruwatari Producers : Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama Editor : Elden Cadena Research : Kaden Campbell Script : Briel Delaney, Mark Germundson, and Molly Saruwatari Social Media Content Creators : Briel Delaney, Gabriella Peña, and Saturn Salama Music : Marios Panousos Climate To Action: A CSUSM S...

CREDITS Guest : CSUSM History Professor Ibrahim Al-Marashi Host : Alex Sandoval Producers : Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama Editor : Elden Cadena Script : Maira Lis Mendez and Daphne Nguyen Social Media Content Creators : Ene Angon, Marina Duran-Perez, Yulissa Hernandez Aquino, Natalie Mendez-Greenwood, Sage Minor, Gabriella Peña, Alex Sandoval, and Abigail Velasquez-Gonzalez Research : Abdul Majid...

Climate To Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is a new climate crisis podcast dedicated to climate action, Indigenous knowledge, and climate justice. LISTEN wherever you get your podcasts, follow us on IG and X, @ClimateToAction, and contact us at ClimateToAction@csusm.edu . We're excited to contribute to important climate discussions and action opportunities. Credits Hosts: Mayra Ramos, J.J. Sanchez...

Climate To Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is a new climate crisis podcast dedicated to climate action, Indigenous knowledge, and climate justice. In episode 2, we visit with Rowdy Keelor, of New Roots Institute, to discuss the effects of factory farming on the environment, factory farmed animals, and global warming. LISTEN wherever you get your podcasts—and follow us on IG and X @ClimateToAction....

Climate To Action: A CSUSM Student Podcas t is a new climate crisis podcast dedicated to climate action, climate justice and Indigenous knowledge. Join us for our first episode, "Climate Justice and Indigenous Knowledge," featuring our guest, Professor Dina Gilio-Whitaker. LISTEN wherever you get your podcasts—and follow us on IG and X @ClimateToAction . We're excited to contribute to important cl...

Climate To Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is a new climate crisis podcast dedicated to climate action, climate justice and Indigenous knowledge. We're excited to contribute to important climate discussions and action opportunities. Join us and follow us on IG and X @ClimateToAction. CREDITS Hosts: Anne Dabb J.J. Sanchez Guests: Juliana Goodlaw, CSUSM Director, Sustainability and Climate Justice J...