Everyday Climate Champions

We sit down with the two musicians behind Eco Soul Entertainment, which uses original soul, funk, and R&B songs to encourage adults and kids to take care of our precious planet. This Bay Area band has been in the trenches working with various local climate action groups. Their mantra? Make climate education and action fun and engaging. Take a listen to excerpts of 3 of their songs and see what...

In this episode, we speak with a co-founder of The Greenhouse, an online community of women climate innovators turning their business ideas into reality. Along with two members of this online community, we discover the inner workings of how these women entrepreneurs are overcoming many obstacles by offering each other practical and emotional support. Guests and Titles:   Anya Lamb , co-founder of...

In this episode, we sit down with two Bay Area bicycle advocates to discuss how to make cycling and walking part of our everyday lives. We learn how our guests have made that shift, in part, to curb their contributions to the climate crisis. And they share information about how a number of cities are creating infrastructure to make it easier to get around by biking and walking. Guests and Titles:...

In this double-length episode, we speak with two guests from the Watershed Project, a Bay Area organization that protects and restores our landscapes that drain into waterways: creeks, rivers, and ultimately the San Francisco Bay. We'll find out how they work with thousands of neighbors to envision, build, and celebrate “green infrastructure” and clean water projects that use nature-based solution...

In this double-length episode, we speak with folks doing similar work in both the San Francisco Bay Area and Detroit, Michigan. Our two guests – Joshua Hoyt from the Cultural Conservancy’s Native Foodways Program and Shakara Tyler from the  Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network – are reclaiming the right to feed themselves and own their communities' ecologically sustainable food systems...

In this special episode, we speak with the 12-year-old host of another climate podcast - called ‘We the Children’. Our guest, Zach Fox-Devol, discusses his podcast for kids who, like him, are interested in the climate crisis. We learn what inspires him, and get to hear an excerpt of his podcast episode on our oceans and the plastic polluting it. He - and his podcast guest - also suggest how kids c...

In this episode, three of our co-hosts (Dalya Massachi, Sean Mendelson, and Ellisa Feinstein) talk about what we're learning in our conversations with community members here in the San Francisco Bay Area. We share what stands out for us, and why we’re doing this work to create a “homegrown supplement to the mainstream climate news.” We also hear from listeners like you – about how they are fin...

In this episode, we discuss the personal impact that climate change-fueled fires had on our guest and her young child. She also explains, from a therapist’s perspective, the steps parents (and others) can take to deal with the growing problem of climate anxiety in themselves and in their families. See below for links to many helpful resources we share. Guest: Jennifer Silverstein, Licensed Clinica...

We speak with Shaandiin Cedar, a tribal member of the Navajo Nation and an advocate for indigenous-led climate action. Shaandiin discusses how Indigenous communities can help lead the way to addressing our climate crisis. We learn about the intricacies involved with climate justice for Native peoples, including both climate impacts that are already happening and avoiding or lessening future harms....

In this episode, we explore hands-on climate education and action at elementary schools: featuring McDowell Elementary in Petaluma, CA.  For many years, 3rd grade teacher Angela Werner has incorporated a slew of climate education activities into her curriculum - from creek restoration to visits to her local wetlands to cultivating a school garden. She and her former student, Sherlyn Deras Ramos, r...

In this episode, we discuss proposed legislation to drastically reduce plastic pollution in Oakland, CA. As demand decreases for fossil fuels as a power source, we're seeing that the production of plastics is actually *increasing*. But California is pushing back. Oakland is working to become the next city to limit food and beverage containers currently choking our San Francisco Bay. As a member of...

We’re excited to celebrate our first anniversary with you! We thought you might want to peek behind the scenes and meet our podcast team. So in this special episode, you hear from the folks involved in producing the first year of Everyday Climate Champions. Our team is made up of “everyday” people who are concerned about the climate crisis and want to be part of the solution. In this first year, w...

In this episode, we talk to Ravinder Sehgal, Board Member of the San Francisco Veg Society and biology professor at San Francisco State University. We learn about why and how eating more plant-based food can decrease our negative impact on the climate. We discuss deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, misuse of energy, land and water, and more.  Ravinder also shares easy, everyday tips and recom...

In this 15-minute episode, we hear from songwriter Pete Kronowitt of the Face the Music Collective and Music Declares Emergency U.S. We also listen to excerpts of three engaging climate activist songs he is associated with. (Hint: prepare to rock!) He’s organizing a campaign for one of the songs, “I Wanna be Cool,” to be released in late 2023. Pete aims to have a large number of kids sing the chor...

In this episode, we talk to three inspiring young people involved in the Farm 2 Cafeteria program in Watsonville, CA: a partnership between Esperanza Community Farms and Pajaro Valley High School. We learn about how they work on both climate justice and local food systems issues in their rural community. You’ll also find out how YOU can get started addressing these issues in your own area – maybe...

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of the Black Church in its pursuit of environmental justice. Joined by Reverend Dr. Ambrose Carroll, co-founder of Green The Church, we explore the role the Black Church plays in driving positive change by bridging faith and sustainability. Prepare to be motivated as we discover the Black Church's unwavering commitment to creating a more equ...

Special double episode to celebrate Earth Month! While we know that talking about the climate crisis can lead to action, it can be a tough topic to bring up with family and friends. We get tips from Anu Ramamurty, founder of Kat Kid Adventure, an organization educating young children about the climate. We also hear from Marcia Pugsley, a retired clinical social worker and grandmother. Learn how to...

In this episode, we talk to high school student Aditi Anand, Sunrise Silicon Valley Hub Coordinator and Civics Unplugged Climate Innovators Fellow. She talks about her inspirations for social justice in the climate movement, as well as her focus on sustainable technologies that will help get us through this climate transition. We learn what climate liberation means, and how we can get involved in...

In this episode, we talk to Abbe Clemons, owner of Simple -- an eco-market located in San Francisco. Abbe shares her recommendations for how to choose and give gifts with the planet’s health in mind – no matter the occasion. She also offers some ideas about avoiding plastic, and considering climate-friendly choices. Abbe says: “I just wanna offer an alternative. But hopefully it's such an easy...

In this episode we talk to Peri Plantenberg, the Chair of the Leadership Team of Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action (SVYCA). As a young climate activist, she shares her experiences and insights concerning SVYCA’s work and how it affects our communities. Additionally, Peri speaks about how she got involved in the organization, how it inspires her, and how others can join their growing group. Peri...

In this episode, we talk to Sean Armstrong from Redwood Energy, a leading building energy design firm in the Bay Area. With over 25 years of experience working in building electrification and decarbonization, Sean walks us through where we started, where we’re going, and what we can do as individuals to help us get there. Discover how a combination of regulation, financial incentives, and will pow...

You may not have realized that art – in its many forms – can be a powerful way to relate to climate change and climate solutions. Climate art can spark a meaningful conversation and inspire us to become more active in the climate movement. In this episode, we talk to two amazing women involved in the new Climate Gallery: Logan Evasco, Program Director, and Mira Musank, garment refashioner and text...

Solar energy is one of the keys to the just and inclusive transition we need to make. While renewable energy is a hot topic, what about energy democracy ? How can we enable everyone – including low-income and frontline communities – to own and shape their energy future? We speak with Crystal Huang, Co-founder and CEO worker-owner of People Power Solar Cooperative, based in Oakland, CA. She discuss...

In this episode we talk to San Jose’s 2022 Climate Smart Water Conservation Champion, Stephanie Morris. She discusses what people can do inside and outside of their homes to adapt to droughts during the climate crisis. As a Bay Area-based landscape designer, she has a myriad of helpful ideas for how native plant gardens and mindful water usage can make a real difference when it comes to a precious...

If you’re looking for everyday climate-friendly actions to take – on your own, in your family, and in your community – you’re in the right place. Yes, everyone can play a role in creating a climate-friendly world. And yes, the time for action is NOW. We all have the critical opportunity to be part of climate solutions! The “Everyday Climate Champions” Podcast features inspiring conversations with...