We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions

What if climate solutions didn’t start in boardrooms, but in communities? What if local knowledge and youth voices were central to climate action? In this season finale of We the Children , Zach sits down with Dr. Anyse Pereira —a scientist, conservationist, and global climate advocate whose work bridges traditional wisdom and modern science. Dr. Pereira is a Climate Program Manager with over a de...

What if every school made climate education a priority? What if students everywhere had the tools to take real action in their communities? In this episode of We the Children , Zach and Clare dive into these big questions with two inspiring guests from EarthDay.org , Dennis Nolasco and Emily Walker . Dennis and Emily didn’t set out to become climate educators—they were teachers first. But when wil...

Have you ever dreamed of exploring the deep sea, uncovering lost treasures, or even launching your own robot into the unknown? Today, Zach and Clare dive into the world of underwater exploration with Eric Stackpole , an engineer, inventor, and deep-sea explorer who has spent his career building tools to help us see the world in new ways. From a childhood spent exploring caves to designing satellit...

For thousands of years, fire has shaped the landscapes of places like Yosemite National Park. But in a world of rising temperatures and longer fire seasons, understanding fire as a natural force is more important than ever. In this episode, Zach and Clare journey to Yosemite to meet Garrett Dickman , a forest ecologist dedicated to protecting giant sequoias, restoring ecosystems, and rethinking ho...

With over 15 years of experience, Dan Allen, CEO of Farmscape, shares how his team is transforming urban areas into thriving edible gardens while reconnecting communities with sustainable food production. In this episode, Zach, Clare, and the Nexus Bot dive into Dan’s journey from a love of gardening to leading California’s largest urban farming company. They explore the environmental benefits of...

Wildlife ecologist and National Geographic Emerging Explorer Ruthmery Pillco Huarcaya joins Zach and Clare to share her incredible journey from growing up in a small Andean village to leading groundbreaking conservation efforts for the iconic Andean bear. As a trilingual Indigenous Peruvian biologist, Ruthmery brings a unique perspective to her work, blending scientific innovation with cultural an...

What’s your role in saving the planet? Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson -- Marine biologist and the author of What If We Get It Right: Visions of Climate Futures , joins Zach and Clare to discuss pressing topics like the need to protect and restore natural ecosystems, rethink industrial agriculture, and enhance energy efficiency. Dr. Johnson shines a spotlight on innovative solutions in ocean conservat...

In this episode, Zach and Clare venture into the Quantum Nexus to explore the fascinating intersection of quantum physics and climate science with Dr. Brad Marston , a physicist from Brown University. Dr. Marston unpacks how quantum mechanics connects to climate systems, from understanding the role of quantum waves in Earth’s atmosphere to the potential of quantum computers for solving complex cli...

In this episode of We The Children , Zach and Clare travel to Berkeley, California, to meet environmental activist Annie Leonard . With nearly 50 years of experience in environmental advocacy, Annie has been a driving force behind movements to rethink consumerism, waste, and corporate responsibility. From her early days as a self-proclaimed "garbage spy" to creating The Story of Stuff and leading...

Hi everyone, and welcome back to Season Three of We the Children ! This season, we're meeting even more incredible change-makers—from scientists to young climate heroes—who will inspire us with their amazing stories and big ideas. Plus, Zach has an exciting surprise: a brand-new 'Climate Command Center,' a hub of imagination and adventure ready to whisk Zach and Clare around the world as they expl...

Join Zach as he embarks on an inspiring journey to uncover and share incredible stories of progress in the fight against climate change. This season, we explore the latest advancements in climate technology, the rise of public awareness and activism, the rapid growth of renewable energy, and powerful reforestation efforts. Get ready to be inspired by the voices leading the charge for a better futu...

Summary In part two of our special We the Children at Sea series, Zach continues his Arctic expedition aboard the National Geographic Resolution, this time focusing on conversations with three remarkable environmental experts. Join us as Alexandra Kristjansdottir , an environmental engineer with a rich global perspective, discusses her role in combating climate change through innovative engineerin...

Summary In this special bonus episode, join Zach on a journey to the Arctic with National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions, exploring Norway, Greenland, and Iceland. Aboard the National Geographic Resolution, Zach meets marine biologists Taylor Simpkins and Eva Prendergast to discuss their essential research on seaweed, ocean plastics, climate change, and marine mammal conservation. Taylor and...

Summary: Zach interviews Matt Scott, the Director of Storytelling and Engagement at Project Drawdown . Matt discusses his journey from feeling disconnected from the climate movement to becoming a pivotal voice for inclusivity and representation. He emphasizes the importance of “passing the mic” to underrepresented voices in the climate conversation, arguing that diverse perspectives are crucial fo...

Explore the role of corporations in the fight against climate change with Becky Martin, a sustainability manager at Toyota Motor North America. In this episode, we learn about Toyota’s ambitious goals for achieving carbon neutrality and the innovative projects they are spearheading to reduce their environmental footprint. Becky Martin’s journey from investment banking to a career in sustainability...

Uncover the intricate connections between geology and climate change with geologist and astronomer Tim Martin. Tim, a seasoned instructor at Elon University and naturalist with National Geographic, shares insights from his Arctic expeditions and his extensive research into Earth's geological past. Growing up with a passion for the outdoors and a curiosity about the natural world, Tim’s lifelong co...

Join Zach and environmental advocate Philippe Cousteau in a captivating discussion on the urgent role of ocean restoration and the power of youth activism in environmental conservation. Philippe shares innovative techniques for coral restoration that have transitioned from experimental stages to significant global projects aimed at rebuilding healthy marine ecosystems. Zach and Philippe also talk...

Dive into the mesmerizing world beneath the waves with Molly Timmers, a marine ecologist whose lifelong passion for the ocean has taken her on an extraordinary journey all around the globe. Growing up with a deep appreciation for nature, Molly's fascination with the ocean led her to pursue a career dedicated to marine research and conservation. From her formative experiences as a marine debris rem...

Today we revisit my conversation with Dr. Heïdi Severstre! Dr. Sevestre is a glaciologist. She is a top science communicator, educator and leads expeditions to cold places every year. Her studies have taken her around the world, but now she dedicates her time to science policy, outreach and research. In this interview, Dr. Sevestre explains how glaciers melting directly affects us all in two ways....

Summary: For the most arid areas of our planet, water conservation and wildfires have always been hot topics. Climate change and a warming planet, however, have escalated this important conversation. It is now more necessary than ever to understand the impacts climate change will have on our water supply and weather, and come up with strategies to address them. Having grown up in Arizona, one of t...

Summary: Bees and other pollinators have an important role to play in our planet's ecosystems. As they travel flower to flower collecting pollen, not only are they feeding themselves, but they're feeding us as well. By helping plants reproduce, bees ensure we have an abundance of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts that fuel our food chains. But that's not all...the honey bees make serves as both a s...

Summary: Polar bears have been a symbol of climate change for a long time—and for good reason. Their icy home in the Arctic is warming much faster than the rest of the planet, affecting the habits and lifestyle of polar bears and other Arctic residents in a big way. With these changes come new challenges for both polar bears and people alike. This week, we meet one of the experts leading the charg...

When we think about protecting our environment for future generations, the job at hand seems really big. Huge, even. But what if the solutions to these problems start with actions that seem kind of small? What if parents and teachers start getting kids engaged with the natural environment in their own communities from a young age? This week, we meet Laetania Belai Djandam , a 22 year-old Indonesia...

Summary If farmers update the way they grow food and raise livestock, can we all eat better and also fight climate change? Yes we can! There’s a sustainable farming approach called regenerative agriculture, which argues that by improving soil health, our food would be more nutritious and we’d improve biodiversity, limit air pollution, and literally heal the Earth.    Gabe Brown is a rege...

Zach Fox-DeVol is a 12 year-old with a lot of questions about our planet, how climate change will impact his generation and, most importantly, what he and other kids can do to help. We the Children is a podcast for young people like Zach to learn about and examine the climate change crisis, and have some fun along the way, too! Through conversations with experts, educators, and activists, each epi...