What On Earth

As the Israel-Hamas war intensifies, we hear the case for working together on climate change to help build bridges. In July 2023, Carter Vigh died of an asthma attack which his parents say was made worse by wildfire smoke. Now, a project in his name hopes to get air quality monitors in communities around B.C.

Starting this weekend, you’ll notice something different about our podcast feed. We’re bringing you shorter episodes, more often. Every Wednesday and Saturday, we’ll have new stories about climate solutions, in less than 30 minutes.

Climate change is an “immense economic opportunity,” says Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber. But activists were outraged when the the CEO of the UAE’s state-run oil company was tasked with leading this year’s UN climate talks. The Guardian’s Fiona Harvey shares insights from recent interviews with al-Jaber. What On Earth’s new columnist Chúk Odenigbo tells us how his fight for climate justice started with a n...

Can rebranding 'natural gas' as 'fossil gas' lead to faster climate action? A former coal industry chemical engineer in Whistler, B.C. thinks it can, and he’s pushing governments to make the switch. Weddings can come with a big carbon footprint, so we explore how you and your sweetheart can make your big day more climate friendly. We hear from the creator of the 15 minute city concept about the ab...

Laura Lynch takes you up to Mount Meager, where dormant volcanoes could hold the future of geothermal energy in Canada - and another path to reconciliation with one First Nation. Two Canadian TikTok creators bring smart, funny climate messages to Gen Z.

Want to start a climate conversation? Mention your busted food processor, phone, dishwasher, coffee maker, etc. We’ll start a journey toward fixing what’s broken and learn how it could help repair the climate. Wealthy, white communities are more likely to oppose wind farms, says a new study. A Yellowknife doctor returns after a year away to find her home and herself changed by a harrowing summer....

Clayoquot Sound near Tofino is known for the War in the Woods, a fight over old growth logging. Reporter Emily Vance takes us there to learn about the ways First Nations are re-asserting leadership when it comes to conservation on their traditional territories. Meet Melina Laboucan-Massimo, What On Earth’s new Indigenous-led climate solutions columnist. And – marking a year since Hurricane Fiona m...

Danielle Smith has a plan to reach net zero by 2050, only it doesn’t involve moving away from oil and gas production. Laura asks her how she plans to get to carbon neutrality by 2050, and her snub of Ottawa's plan. And people across the country are on a mission to plant millions of trees, even as wildfires decimate forests in Canada. A documentary on what drives them, and what’s standing in the wa...

A CBC News investigation found people across Canada lived with unsafe indoor temperatures this summer – often for long stretches of time with no relief. Reporter Tara Carman shares stories of people who suffered, including a man who died – after his home was close to 30 degrees for several weeks. And, environment minister Steven Guilbeault says his role in government 'is not to make friends.' In t...

As Canada continues to grapple with a record breaking wildfire season, some say it's a wake-up call to rethink our relationship with forests. For years, the logging industry has been built to maximize profits, rather than maximize wildfire resilience. What On Earth's Zoë Yunker introduces us to two B.C. communities doing things differently. And – cooking jerk shrimp without the smoke. Story produc...

Wildfires are getting harder to fight, so what can we do about it? A lot, actually. We’ll hear a former firefighter’s ideas on how we can use smarter technology and preventative measures to tackle wildfires. And we’ll learn about Indigenous food sovereignty and security, from teaching traditional hunting to planting native plants.

The Liidlii Kue First Nation breathes new life into Scotty Creek Research station, after a brutal wildfire decimated it last fall. Now, this climate research hub is jumping on a new opportunity to rebuild and take stock of data from before and after the fire to help tell the story of a rapidly changing North. Reporter Liny Lamberink visits this world-class climate research station in N.W.T. to exp...

Hope is more important than ever, says Rebecca Solnit, amid another summer of climate-linked disasters. The writer, historian and activist says hope for the future is what fuels action to save it. We meet Sustainable Gabriola, a group working to make life on the B.C. Gulf Island more environmentally friendly. Youth columnist Aishwarya Puttur explores the differences between climate action in a maj...

How can you talk to your neighbours about climate change and work on solutions together? We hear about a UBC program training people across the country to do just that. And we meet a few of them as they plot to plant “plainclothes environmentalists” at their next community gathering. Then we go back in time to the oil shocks of the 1970s and 1980s for clean energy lessons that have new relevance t...

As sea levels rise, the nursery habitat for baby salmon will be pushed further inland. Molly Segal wades along the coast of Vancouver Island and speaks with the K'ómoks Guardian Watchmen, to learn how people are preserving the future of these fish. Lessons from Nova Scotia’s emergency response to flash floods. And two retired high school teachers set up a weekly climate info pop-up.

Parents of a B.C. boy who died after an asthma attack say wildfire smoke played a role. As climate change supercharges wildfire season, we explore personal and policy solutions that can protect the health of the most vulnerable. And farmers and food growers in Newfoundland and Labrador make an urgent call to the provincial government to remove barriers to growing their own food – changes they say...

Our brains aren’t wired to save the world. But if you’re ready to make changes that actually stick, 10 Minutes to Save the Planet will show you the way. Co-hosts meteorologist and climate reporter Johanna Wagstaffe and broadcaster Rohit Joseph work through the UN’s 10 actions for a healthy planet, but in a way that won’t shame, overwhelm or bore you. Think of each episode as a bite-size guide to f...

Mentoring Indigenous youth to lead during climate emergencies. Getting squirrely in the forest with a kids’ nature camp. Fireproofing California homes using bricks made from dirt. And: meet a man who built a tractor powered by the sun.

Whether urban or rural, green corridors can be crucial as the climate warms. We explore La Falaise Saint-Jacques in Montreal, and a biodiversity reserve in the territory of the Innu Essipit First Nation to find out why. Older adults are one of the groups at risk from extreme heat – we bring you a guide to staying safe. We hop aboard Canada’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train. And we drop by t...

Q Lawrence knew three of the 619 people who died in 2021's unprecedented heat dome in B.C. Now, new research shows that the single biggest risk factor for death during that heat dome was poverty. CBC reporter Bethany Lindsay explores how income affects outcomes of extreme weather in a warming world, and what can be done to protect those living in poverty. Then, we meet two friends who've been camp...

Driven by fear of climate change, Emily Kelsall got involved in extreme forms of activism. But the 25-year-old has come through a mental health crisis and now has a new approach to climate action. And we hear from two people who have studied the issue for a broader look at the mental health impacts of our warming planet. Then, we answer a listener’s questions about whether it’s possible to hop abo...

Intergenerational love and wisdom from a Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation family determined to act in the face of climate change — and encroaching wildfires. Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson unpacks the government's new blueprint for sustainable jobs. Does it pass muster? An engineering student from the University of Toronto hopes to bridge the sun and waves with a solar-powered boat. Plus,...

As Ottawa choked on wildfire smoke, climate was left off the agenda in the House of Commons. CBC’s Aaron Wherry explains why it might seem like Canada's climate debate is stuck in the past. We meet 17-year-old Aishwarya Puttur who is fighting for the planet and debuts as our new youth columnist. Producer Molly Segal finds out how to pack a “go bag” in case wildfires force you from your home. An in...

As India’s extreme heat threatens lives, CBC’s Salimah Shivji shares solutions for cooling. John Vaillant warns of the frightening reality of 21st century wildfire. CBC’s Emily Chung introduces us to Ontarians experiencing the joys of affordable eco-friendly housing. Listeners are abuzz with questions about pollinator gardens. And an 11-year-old climate hero making a difference one lemonade stand...

Helping shellfish survive extreme heat with Indigenous knowledge and western science. How to plant your backyard or balcony garden to benefit biodiversity and decolonize the landscape. And lessons from Australia on protecting your health during climate emergencies.