Climate Break

How can climate policy become more equitable? The increase in climate-related disasters, such as floods, wildfires, and heat waves, has created serious financial burdens on households across the country. US legislating and policy-making often lacks input and consideration for marginalized and discriminated communities. This week, we spoke with Dr. Andrew Rumbach, a Fellow at the Urban Institute, about how involvement in climate policy can be more accessible and engaging, to these communities especially. To learn more, listen to the full episode now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, KALW Radio, and our website: https://climatebreak.org/ Enjoying our bite-sized climate news and solutions on the go? Tune in every Tuesday for our 2 minutes-or-less episodes. Climate Break - your podcast for solutions in a hurry! #ClimateBreak #ClimateEquity #ClimateSolutions #ClimateAction #ClimatePolicy #ClimateChange

How can climate policy become more equitable? The increase in climate-related disasters, such as floods, wildfires, and heat waves, has created serious financial burdens on households across the country. US legislating and policy-making often lacks input and consideration for marginalized and discriminated communities. This week, we spoke with Andrew Rumbach a Fellow at the Urban Institute, about how involvement in climate policy can be more accessible and engaging, to these communities especially. To learn more, listen to the full episode now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, KALW Radio, and our website: https://climatebreak.org/ Enjoying our bite-sized climate news and solutions on the go? Tune in every Tuesday for our 2 minutes-or-less episodes. Climate Break - your podcast for solutions in a hurry! #ClimateBreak #ClimateEquity #ClimateSolutions #ClimateAction #ClimatePolicy #ClimateChange

How can we use pop culture to promote clean energy? We spoke to Michael Hawthorne Jr. and Corey Dennard, co-founders of Klean Energy Kulture, a non-profit environmental entertainment company based in Atlanta, GA. Through the rise in pop culture, climate change awareness has increasingly been integrated into the entertainment industry. Particularly in the Black community, artists, musicians, and influencers are leveraging their platforms to highlight the impacts of climate change and promote sustainable practices, which, in turn, provides easily accessible resources and information to marginalized communities that empower them to participate in the fight against climate change. To learn more, listen to the full episode now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, KALW Radio, and our website: https://climatebreak.org/ 🎧🌿 Enjoying our bite-sized climate news and solutions on the go? Tune in every Tuesday for our 2 minutes-or-less episodes. Climate Break - your podcast for solutions in a hurry! #ClimateBreak #SustainableSolutions #ClimateSolutions #ClimateAction #KleanEnergyKulture #SustainableLifestyle

How can we use pop culture to promote clean energy? We spoke to Michael Hawthorne Jr. and Corey Dennard, co-founders of Klean Energy Kulture, a non-profit environmental entertainment company based in Atlanta, GA. Corey Dennard, popularly known as Mr. Hanky, is a hit producer who has worked with top charting artists, including Snoop Dog, Usher, and Soulja Boy. And, Michael Hawthorne Jr., also known as Akachè Marcino, is an environmentalist and political organizer who worked on Barack Obama’s first presidential campaign and Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign. Together, they are leading Black communities towards climate resiliency through campaigning for clean energy. Through the rise in pop culture, climate change awareness has increasingly been integrated into the entertainment industry. Particularly in the Black community, multimedia cultural campaigns are used to increase interest in environmental movements with the use of light-hearted, fun content. Artists, musicians, and influencers are leveraging their platforms to highlight the impacts of climate change and promote sustainable practices, which, in turn, provides easily accessible resources and information to marginalized communities that empower them to participate in the fight against climate change. To learn more, listen to the full episode now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, KALW Radio, and our website: https://climatebreak.org/ 🎧🌿 Enjoying our bite-sized climate news and solutions on the go? Tune in every Tuesday for our 2 minutes-or-less episodes. Climate Break – your podcast for solutions in a hurry! #ClimateBreak #SustainableSolutions #ClimateSolutions #ClimateAction #KleanEnergyKulture #SustainableLifestyle

How can we design climate solutions that include input from people with disabilities? We spoke to Michael Stein, co-founder and executive director of the Harvard Law School Project on Disability. Dr. Stein is a globally recognized expert in disability law, having contributed to the drafting of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He made history as the first known person with a disability to join the Harvard Law Review and has received numerous awards for his contributions to disability rights. People with disabilities are disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, yet they have historically been excluded from decision-making processes related to national climate plans and responses. Empirical evidence highlights the increased risks faced by this community, such as in Australia, where between 2001 and 2018, 89 percent of heat wave fatalities were people with one or more disabilities. Moreover, during Hurricane Harvey in Harris County, Texas, the highest proportion of people living in public housing being exposed to environmental hazards were people with disabilities. To address these inequities, it is crucial to include people with disabilities in the development and implementation of climate-resilient solutions. Meaningful participation can involve conducting research to better understand their needs, developing adaptive technologies, and ensuring that public spaces and communication methods are accessible. Educating and equipping disabled communities for climate disaster risk mitigation and involving them in large-scale decision-making processes can help create more inclusive and effective climate solutions. To learn more, listen to the full episode now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, KALW Radio, and our website: https://lnkd.in/gb3P5fuK  🎧🌿 Enjoying our bite-sized climate news and solutions on the go? Tune in every Tuesday for our 2 minutes-or-less episodes. Climate Break - your podcast for solutions in a hurry! #ClimateBreak #SustainableSolutions #ClimateSolutions #ClimateAction

How can we convert gas-powered vehicles into electric vehicles? Listen to this week’s episode to learn about this innovative solution! 🚙⚡️ We spoke to Aly Eltayeb, co-founder and CEO of Shift EV and chemical engineer. Dr. El Tayeb founded Shift EV in response to the lack of accessible EV options in middle-income and emerging economies. Electric vehicle (EV) retrofitting involves converting a gas-powered vehicle into an electric one by replacing its internal combustion engine with a battery pack. The battery pack is fitted within the vehicle’s chassis, occupying the space previously used by the gas engine and fuel tank. The size and weight of the battery depend on the vehicle type and the desired range and performance. Standard-sized batteries allow for high-volume retrofits, reducing costs and time required for the conversion process. This approach can enable the mass production of retrofitted EVs for specific vehicle models, enhancing the feasibility of large-scale transitions to electric power. EV retrofitting addresses the existing fleet of gas-powered vehicles that continue to emit greenhouse gasses and pollutants, despite policies promoting new EVs. Gas-powered vehicles have a long lifespan, averaging about 12 years in the US and even longer in low- and middle-income countries, delaying the increase in EVs on the road. Thus, retrofitting can accelerate the electrification of transportation by converting existing vehicles, particularly in regions where the cost of new EVs is prohibitive. This comprehensive approach can significantly contribute to reducing emissions and promoting sustainable transportation globally. Shift EV, based in Egypt, specializes in retrofitting commercial fleets with electric powertrains, focusing on vehicles with short, predictable routes that can be charged overnight. By retrofitting popular vehicle models already in use, the company makes electric transportation more accessible and feasible in middle-income and emerging economies. To learn more, listen to the full episode now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, KALW Radio, and our website at climatebreak.org.  🎧🌿 Enjoying our bite-sized climate news and solutions on the go? Tune in every Tuesday for our 2 minutes-or-less episodes. Climate Break - your podcast for solutions in a hurry! #ClimateBreak #SustainableSolutions #ClimateSolutions #ClimateAction

How can we mobilize investors to build a more sustainable global economy? Tune in to this week’s episode to learn about this incredible solution! We spoke to The Very Rev Kirsten Snow Spalding who leads the nonprofit Ceres Investor Network (Ceres, Inc.), which supports global investor initiatives such as Paris Aligned Asset Owners, Climate Action 100+, and Net Zero Asset Managers. Nonprofit advocacy organizations like Ceres Investor Network are at the forefront of promoting sustainable business practices through mobilizing investors to build a more sustainable economy. As climate change impacts the global economy, sustainable investment initiatives are emerging as tools for change. Entrepreneurs are directing capital towards companies that actively prevent environmental destruction, using an Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) framework. ESG provides measurable outcomes of a company's sustainability performance, aiding investors in identifying sustainable operations. Institutional investment in ESG projects is projected to increase significantly by 2026, yet substantial funding is still required to meet climate adaptation and resilience targets. Despite the slow rise in climate financing, there is minimal progress in climate-vulnerable and high-emission countries. Sustainable investing encompasses various investment types, including private equity, cash, fixed income, and alternative investments. Reports indicate no financial trade-off between sustainable and traditional investments. Effective sustainable investments can create a more climate-proof economy, reduce supply chain disruptions, and provide downside protection during crises. However, concerns about greenwashing and backlash against ESG initiatives persist. Companies may face volatility and uncertainty in returns, and increased educational awareness is crucial for informing investors about the benefits and responsible practices of sustainable investing. To learn more, listen to the full episode now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, KALW Radio, and our website at climatebreak.org. 🎧🌿 Enjoying our bite-sized climate news and solutions on the go? Tune in every Tuesday for our 2 minutes-or-less episodes. Climate Break - your podcast for solutions in a hurry! #ClimateBreak #SustainableSolutions #ClimateSolutions #ClimateAction 

How can we reconductor transmission lines to improve efficiency and boost renewable energy? Tune in to this week’s new episode to learn about this groundbreaking solution! 📣 We spoke to Umed Paliwal, senior scientist at the Center for Environmental Public Policy and the University of California, Berkeley, Goldman School of Public Policy. Umed researches ways to integrate renewables on the grid and understand its impact on reliability and energy pricing. Umed’s research has revealed that replacing old power lines with newer technology can boost the power grid's capacity and help achieve clean energy goals. The expansion of renewable energy has led to a need for increased transmission capacity in electrical grids. Large-scale reconductoring of advanced conductor systems offers a cost-effective solution by doubling transmission capacity without requiring additional permitting. This involves replacing old steel power lines with carbon fiber, reducing electricity loss and enhancing grid capacity. The method addresses clean energy goals by utilizing advanced conductors such as ACSS, which operate at higher temperatures and carry more current than traditional ACSR lines. Studies by the Goldman School and GridLab indicate that reconductoring could enable 90% clean electricity by 2035, adding significant transmission capacity at a lower cost than building new lines. Advanced conductors have been deployed globally, offering cost savings and improved energy efficiency. However, challenges include a lack of awareness and incentives for utilities, as well as misconceptions about the feasibility of reconductoring. Government prioritization and policy support are essential to overcome these obstacles and drive the adoption of advanced conductor technology. To learn more, listen to the full episode now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, KALW Radio, and our website at climatebreak.org.  🎧🌿 Enjoying our bite-sized climate news and solutions on the go? Tune in every Tuesday for our 2 minutes-or-less episodes. Climate Break - your podcast for solutions in a hurry! #ClimateBreak #SustainableSolutions #ClimateSolutions #ClimateAction

How can we use concrete to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere? Listen to this week’s episode to learn about this incredible solution! We spoke to Erica Dodds, Ph.D., Head of Team Impact and Operations at Turn Forward. Dodds believes that today’s climate youth activists are the key to the fight against climate change and restoring a safe and healthy world. She also has experience working with NGOs around the world along with the Evaluation Office of the International Labor Organization in Geneva. Carbon mineralization is a natural chemical process where carbon dioxide becomes "mineralized" through reactions with certain rocks, typically found in deep underground igneous and metamorphic formations. This process results in the formation of new carbonate minerals, like calcium carbonate, which can hold more carbon than traditional carbon storage methods in sedimentary reservoirs. By converting CO2 into stable minerals, carbon mineralization provides a long-term solution for carbon storage, preventing the gas from escaping back into the atmosphere and contributing to global warming. Carbon mineralization can be accelerated artificially to sequester more atmospheric carbon efficiently. This method holds potential in mine waste and industrial sites, where crushed rocks facilitate quicker mineralization at a lower cost. Surface mineralization also offers the advantage of mitigating onsite carbon emissions by reducing energy usage. However, risks include potential seismic activity and significant water usage. In the United States, regions with abundant basalt rocks, such as the Pacific Northwest, and other states with suitable underground formations, like Minnesota and Texas, show promise for large-scale carbon mineralization efforts. To learn more, listen to the full episode now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, KALW Radio, and our website at climatebreak.org. 🎧🌿 Enjoying our bite-sized climate news and solutions on the go? Tune in every Tuesday for our 2 minutes-or-less episodes. Climate Break - your podcast for solutions in a hurry! #ClimateBreak #SustainableSolutions #ClimateSolutions #ClimateAction 

How can we use mass mobilization to achieve meaningful climate action? Tune in to this week’s new episode to learn about this groundbreaking solution! 📣 We spoke to Dana R. Fisher, Director of the Center for Environment, Community, and Equity and Professor at American University. Her seventh book, Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate Action, presents mass mobilization as a realistic path forward for climate action in response to the growing severity of disastrous events. Fisher explores further the various types of activism, and which are most applicable to the climate crisis. By the mid-2000s, the climate justice movement gained momentum globally through organized rallies and marches, highlighting climate justice within broader social movements. The climate crisis's existential threat has amplified the potential for transformational change, making mass mobilization a crucial tactic for community organizing and global civic engagement. Mass mobilization can accelerate climate action by rallying people and organizations to promote widespread changes. It provides a collective voice that amplifies individual efforts, promoting social norms supporting climate action. However, reliance on social media, sustaining long-term activism, and potential political backlash are significant drawbacks, raising questions about the overall efficacy of such movements. To learn more, listen to the full episode now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, KALW Radio, and our website at climatebreak.org. 🎧🌿 Enjoying our bite-sized climate news and solutions on the go? Tune in every Tuesday for our 2 minutes-or-less episodes. Climate Break - your podcast for solutions in a hurry! #ClimateBreak #SustainableSolutions #ClimateSolutions #ClimateAction