The Planet Today

Matt and Nick close 2024 and Chapter 1 of TPT with a fun episode, where they just talk about what the show has meant to them, what they've learned from it, and their friendship as a whole.After today, TPT will be on hiatus for the start of 2025. After some time to regroup and refocus, the show could either pick back up where it left off, come back with a different structure, or end on a high note.While we're not sure what's next, we know this episode will be a good one.

Matt introduces plays clips of interviews from:August 23, 2024 - Laird Christensen (Prescott College),October 11, 2024 - Alex Schulze (4Ocean),November 8, 2024 - James Leitner (Mission Clean Water),And November 22, 2024 - Fiona Nugent (Made By Fiona)! Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt introduces and plays clips of interviews from:May 17, 2024 - Shubber Ali (Garden for Wildlife),August 2, 2024 - Chris Bonifati (Pets Add Life),August 9, 2024 - Amber Wendler (Been Outside),And August 16, 2024 - Brett Jenks (Rare)!Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt talks about the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan (Backroom deals and betrayal: how Cop29's late $300bn deal left nobody happy),Scientists creating a mouse from microorganism genes (Scientists just used genes from a microorganism and created a mouse,)And burial sites in the U.S. becoming greener (Life After Death: America's Cemeteries Are Rewilding)!Matt references a 2022 episode of TPT with Sandy Gibson that you can listen to here.Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our American listeners!Matt checks in to let everyone know what the team has in store for December and beyond.

Matt interviews Fiona Nugent, the creative mind behind Made by Fiona.Fiona is a friend of Matt's and a New York City-based knitter, pattern tester, and all-around crafter. They talk about sustainability in fashion, making your own clothing, the fast-fashion problem, and what it means to be environmentally conscious when filling our closets. For more from Fiona, follow her on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube by clicking any of these links.Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt talks about this year's Biodiversity Summit in Colombia before breaking down what the 2024 U.S. Elections mean for the environment and our climate goals.COP16 Sources:COP16: Landmark biodiversity agreements adopted | UN News‘We are walking a long path': Some progress at COP16, but so far to goU.S. Election Sources:U.S. Election Sends Alarming Message for Global Climate EffortsWhat Trump Can—And Probably Can't—Do to Reverse U.S. Climate Policy | Scientific AmericanTrump's win promises to shake up U.S. energy and climate policy : NPR

Matt interviews James Leitner, the Founder and Executive Director of Mission Clean Water (MCW). James recently returned from Uganda where his team installed hand-pump water systems to help bring clean water closer to the communities the wells service.MCW aims to address a major issue with clean water projects in Africa: 60% of them fail within the first two years, according to the World Health Organization.MCW says this is because projects are implemented too quickly, and without proper consultation and coordination with local communities.Their focus on community involvement treats clean water as the beginning of the process, and not just a photo-op and plaque next to a well that will not function properly in a few years.Their team of technical and community teams maintain communication, training, and long-term involvement so that their wells will continue to provide clean water to arid regions that have been underserved for generations.Learn more at www.missioncleanwater.org and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Formerly known as Twitter).You can also visit our sponsor of today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt and Nick end this week's show talking about this week's upcoming elections, specifically environmental policies.Before that, they quickly cover the U.K. going coal free (How Britain became the first major economy to quit coal),10 new amphibian species discovered in National Park in Bolivia (Madidi National Park in Bolivia May Be the Protected Area with the Highest Amphibian Species Diversity in the World),Our current global warming pace (World on pace for significantly more warming without immediate climate action, report warns),And the frustrating inaction on global climate goals (U.N. Report on Climate Goals Says Countries Have Made No Progress)!Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt interviews Larry Selzer, President and CEO of The Conservation Fund (TCF), who is revolutionizing conservation by integrating environmental protection with economic growth.TCF operates in all 50 states, pioneering innovative financing and partnerships to safeguard nature, wildlife, and enhance communities to increase economic opportunityLarry's leadership embodies a forward-looking approach, recognizing conservation as pivotal in addressing contemporary challenges.Keep up with Larry and The Conservation Fund on their website, LinkedIn, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube.Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt interviews Maria Cho, the CEO of Triplebar, a pioneering biotech firm using advanced technology to tackle the urgent issues of food and drug supply.With a passion for leveraging biology to address global challenges, Maria leads her team in creating sustainable and nutritious food solutions. Maria is an expert in biotechnology and its impact on the food system.Go check out Triplebar's profiles on LinkedIn and X (formerly known as Twitter) for more.Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt interviews Alex Schulze, the co-founder and CEO of 4ocean, a global ocean cleanup company founded in 2017. It aims to remove plastic and glass waste from oceans and coastlines, recycling the materials to make bracelets. Each bracelet sold funds the removal of one pound of trash.Under Alex's leadership, 4ocean has removed over 38 million pounds of trash from the ocean and employs more than 200 full-time captains and crews globally.Follow 4Ocean on Instagram and check out their updates, and follow Alex on his account.Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt and Nick talk about houses falling into the ocean in the Outer Banks (Another Outer Banks home collapses into North Carolina ocean, the 3rd to fall since Friday),Climate change's impact on Europe's flooding (Europe's September rains were twice as likely due to climate change),German education about beer-making (Brewing a cold beer on a warming planet is hard. Germany uses education to fight climate change),The debt-for-nature swap in the Galapagos is under scrutiny (Record Galapagos debt-for-nature swap scrutinized over transparency irregularities claims),And the rapid intensification of Hurricane Helene (How Hurricane Helene rapidly intensified to a Category 4)! Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt and Nick talk about U.S. methane levels still increasing (‘Red Flags' on Climate: U.S. Methane Emissions Keep Climbing),The lack of emissions reductions targets around the world (Some 40% of regions, cities and companies lack emissions-cut targets, survey says),Three Mile Island set to reopen (Three Mile Island nuclear power plant will reopen for Microsoft),A tobacco-like warning for gas stoves (Gas stoves may get a health warning in California),And extreme heat's impact on football (Hotter summers are making high school football a fatal game for some players). Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt talks about California's lawsuit against ExxonMobil, which was filed yesterday.Our apologies for the feint ambulance siren in the background in the beginning. Guest appearance by Matt's cat Penny who was meowing because he recorded this during dinner time.Source for today's episode: California sues ExxonMobil for alleged decades of deception around plastic recycling.Other sources:California AG sues ExxonMobil over plastic waste in landmark filingCalifornia attorney general sues Exxon Mobil over plastics recycling deceptionsCalifornia sues ExxonMobil over plastics recycling 'deception'California sues Exxon over global plastic pollution

Matt interviews Cristin Lyons, a Partner and Energy Practice Leader at ScottMadden. The two discuss balancing objectives and trade-offs in the clean energy transitions.ScottMadden is one of the leading energy management consulting firms in the U.S. focused on transmission and distribution, the grid edge, generation, energy markets, rates and regulation, natural gas, and more.Cristin oversees ScottMadden's client engagements to transform utility operations and enable the clean energy transition. Before becoming the energy practice lead for three years, she was the head of the firm's grid transformation practice.Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt interviews Manda Scott, author of Any Human Power, a novel that aims to craft a path through from where we are, while ensuring those that come after us inherit a planet we would be proud of.Manda has degrees in veterinary medicine and a Masters in Regenerative Economics. Her life is oriented towards creating radical new narratives that will pave the way to the total systemic change our culture – and our world – needs.Go visit Manda's website and her podcast Accidental Gods for more from Manda.Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt and Nick talk about Joe Biden ending his campaign for reelection (President Joe Biden drops out of 2024 presidential race), Summer 2024 was the most humid summer ever (You just lived through the most humid summer on record),An update on the Rio Grande and Colorado Rivers treaty (Water treaty between Mexico and U.S. faces biggest test in 80 years), Recyclable wind turbines potentially on the way (Turbine Blades Have Piled Up in Landfills. A Solution May Be Coming),Carbon emissions from Canada's wildfires (Canada wildfires last year released more carbon than several countries),And climate change is putting runners more at risk of heatstroke (Takeaways from AP report on perils of heatstroke for runners in a warming world)!Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt interviews Marcy Thrash, Program Director of Project AnimalAid. Project AnimalAid is dedicated to improving the health and welfare of animals in the U.S. and around the world by collecting veterinary equipment, technology and supplies from veterinary hospitals, human hospitals, medical equipment and supply manufacturers, zoos, other non-profit organizations and individuals. These donated items are then distributed worldwide to veterinarians working in non-profit or non-governmental organizations devoted to animal health.Go follow Project Animal Aid on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt interviews Laird Christensen, a writer, teacher, and activist focused on addressing the global climate crisis through local sustainability efforts and intentional community building.As the pioneering Director of online Graduate Programs at Prescott College in Environmental Studies and Resilient and Sustainable Communities, he reshaped distance education, stressing practical application in students' communities. His passion for sustainability and shaping resilient communities makes him a beacon in education and advocacy.Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt interviews Brett Jenks, the CEO of Rare, a nonprofit that has led environmental conservation projects for 50 years and impacted the lives of millions, helping people and nature thrive together through community-led efforts across 60 countries.Brett was a journalist and film producer before he traveled to Costa Rica in 1992 for a government-partnered English teaching program. There, he designed an award-winning local ecotourism program for Rare and rose through the ranks to become CEO in 2000.In 2017, he was awarded the Rose-Walters Prize for Global Environmental Activism.Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt interviews Amber Wendler, a PhD candidate in the Department of Biological Sciences at Virginia Tech, an Interfaces of Global Change Fellow, and National Science Foundation GRFP Fellow.Last year, she co-edited a book called Been Outside: Adventures of Black Women, Nonbinary, and Gender Nonconforming People in Nature.For more from Amber, check out her website or follow her on instagram.Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt interviews Chris Bonifati, co-host of Pets Add Life, a podcast dedicated to the pet industry. The show covers topics including pet products, pet insurance, pet safety, and trips to the vet.Chris boasts an extensive career within the Pet Industry, notably serving as a key Trade Show organizer for APPA/Global Pet Expo.Chris has been a guest host on The Planet Today many times between 2021-2023, but this is his first time as a guest interview.Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt interviews Levar Jackson, CEO of Yogh Group, which designs sustainable technologies for the hospitality industry in partnership with Oregon State University.Yogh Group's technologies focus on efficient electricity, sustainable hotels, and an automated algae growth system for sustainable food, beverages, beauty products, and more.Levar also serves as President of NEWH New York, which provides international resources for scholarships, education, business development, and excellence recognition in areas of hospitality, food service, senior living, and related fields.Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off. .

Matt interviews Gerald Leonard. Gerald is the Publishing Editor, CEO, and Founder of the Leonard Productivity Intelligence Institute and Turnberry Premiere.Turnberry Premiere has recently partnered with Greenly, the leading carbon management platform, to help companies start their climate journey easily and affordably.His third book, “A Symphony of Choices: How Mentorship Taught a Manager Decision-Making, Project Management and Workplace Engagement — and Saved a Concert Season,” was released in August 2023.For more from Gerald, listen to his podcast ‎Productivity Smarts.Listeners of The Planet Today can go to https://geraldjleonard.com/planettoday/ for project management, growth strategies, and general productivity resources put together by Gerald. Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt interviews Leah Rampy, the author of Earth & Soul: Reconnecting Amid Climate Chaos.In her book, she leads her readers on a soul journey into grief and loss to also claim the beauty, joy and possibilities available when we reconnect with Earth. The book highlights the intersection of spirituality, ecology, and storytelling to discuss nature's connection to our collective souls.Earth & Soul: Reconnecting Amid Climate Chaos is the 2024 winner of the Next Generation Indie Book Award and National Indie Excellence Awards.Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off. .

Matt talks about the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision to overturn “Chevron” (Supreme Court Chevron decision: What it means for federal regulations),And Hurricane Beryl's significance (Hurricane Beryl: sign of things to come in warming world?).Check out our May 31, 2024 Episode for more information on the second story today.Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link” for 15% off.

Matt and Nick talk about heat's impact on our cognitive ability (How Heat Affects the Brain),Edinburgh has become the latest city in Europe to ban fossil fuel ads (Why some cities are banning fossil fuel advertisements),A petition for FEMA to classify extreme heat and wildfire smoke as disasters (Fema petitioned to make extreme heat and wildfire smoke major disasters),Italy's Prime Minister's attack on solar energy (Giorgia Meloni puts brakes on Italy's solar energy rollout),Mexico City's water problem (Why Mexico City is having trouble getting water to its 22 million residents),And Butterflies have been negatively impacted by insecticides (Butterflies Are in Decline. New Research Points to Insecticides).Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off: https://valaalta.co/tpt

Matt interviews Osprey Orielle Lake, the Founder and Executive Director of Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN). Osprey is also the Co-Director of the Indigenous Women's Divestment Delegations, and actively leads WECAN International's projects.Her new book, The Story is in our Bones, weaves together ecological, mythical, political, and cultural understandings and shares her experiences working with global leaders, systems-thinkers, climate justice activists, and Indigenous Peoples. She seeks to summon a new way of being and thinking in the Anthropocene, which includes transforming the interlocking crises of colonialism, racism, patriarchy, capitalism, and ecocide, to build thriving Earth communities for all.Click any of these links to check out WECAN on Facebook, X (f.k.a. Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube. WECAN's Newsletter can be found here..Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt and Nick talk about improving America's electrical grid (White House to announce new actions to modernize America's aging electrical grid),The Transportation Department strengthening vehicle fuel mileage standards (Biden Administration Tightens Mileage Rules to Buoy Electric Vehicles),Increasing natural gas usage in the Philippines (The Philippines goes all in for natural gas, a climate pollutant),Turkey's national emissions trading system (Turkey to implement national emissions-trading system soon, vice president says),A heat dome in the western U.S. (Heat wave brings dangerous weather to western US),Drought causing mass fish dead in Chihuahua, Mexico (Mass fish death in Mexico's Chihuahua State blamed on severe drought),And climate change threatens the recovery of the bird from the Rio movies (Recovery of Brazil's Spix's macaw, popularized in animated 'Rio' films, threatened by climate change)!Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link” for 15% off.

Matt talks about Hailstorms in the U.S. (2024 Could Be a Banner Year for Hailstorms),Coldplay reducing emissions by 59% on their current tour (Coldplay say they have beaten emissions target for world tour),Solar's surge and wind's struggles (As Solar Power Surges, U.S. Wind Is in Trouble),Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's new President (Mexico elects Claudia Sheinbaum as its first female president),And Sustainable Aviation Fuels (Airlines and energy firms clash over green fuel supplies)!Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link” for 15% off.

Matt and Nick talk about this year's projected hurricane season (NOAA predicts above-normal 2024 Atlantic hurricane season),The tragic landslide in Papua New Guinea (Papua New Guinea landslide: As many as 2,000 people feared buried massive landslide, survivors dig with hands and spades),Florida's ban on intentionally releasing balloons (Florida Bans Release of Balloons, Citing Harm to Wildlife),The Biden Administration's move to end all new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin (Biden ending new leases in America's top coal region),American say they are using less plastic (1 in 3 Americans say they've reduced how much plastic they're using),And empty climate promises from the global North (Caribbean leader blasts 'empty' climate promises at small islands summit)!Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link” for 15% off.

Matt talks about Venezuela becoming the first nation to lose its glaciers (Climate change: Venezuela may be first nation to lose all its glaciers),The world's largest carbon capture plant opened in Iceland (‘World's largest' plant to suck carbon out of the air and turn it into stone opens in Iceland),Vermont to charge oil and gas companies for their historical damages (Vermont poised to become first US state to charge big oil for climate damage),The Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act (Legislation Supporting Migratory Birds Across the Hemisphere Signed Into Law),And Exxon Mobil suing its shareholders over climate change (US state officials urge votes against directors as Exxon sues climate activists)!Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link” for 15% off.

Matt interviews Shubber Ali, the CEO of Garden for Wildlife. Shubber helped the National Wildlife Federation launch Garden for Wildlife as its own for profit e-commerce company.Garden for Wildlife allows people to make a difference for the environment by shipping plants native to their zip code that support local wildlife. Their team of experts have thoughtfully utilized 50 years of experience, science, and data to curate plant collections that support wildlife and benefit local ecosystems in every season.Click any of the links here to keep up with Garden for Wildlife on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.Dr. Doug Tallamy of the University of Delaware is a collaborator of Garden for Wildlife and was a guest on The Planet Today in July 2023. You can find that episode here: The Planet Today Guest Interview with Dr. Doug TallamyMake sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off. .

Matt and Nick talk about how harmful gas stoves are in smaller homes (Gas Stove Pollution Risk Is Greatest in Smaller Homes, Study Finds),Synthetic coffee made from date seeds (The synthetic coffee revolution: are ground date seeds really as delicious as the real thing),Environmental Justice in Ithaca, New York (Ithaca, N.Y., adopts new climate justice spending pledge),A ban on lab-grown meat in Florida (Florida Bans Lab-Grown Meat),Most top climate scientists do not believe the 1.5 degree goal is still achievable (World's top climate scientists expect global heating to blast past 1.5C target),And Catan announces a new game - Catan: New Energies (Catan: New Energies challenges players to build — polluting)!Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link” for 15% off.

Matt talks about Azerbaijan's continued fossil fuel investments leading up to COP29 (COP29 climate summit host Azerbaijan defends oil and gas investments),The Oriental Pied Hornbill's recovery in Singapore (Meet the strange-looking bird making a spectacular recovery amid the skyscrapers of Singapore),Fossil fuels being banned in Federal buildings (Fossil fuels will be banned from new and remodeled federal buildings),Polysilicon will soon begin shipping in the US again (Key Solar Panel Ingredient Is Made in the U.S.A. Again),Emissions limits for coal-burning power plants (E.P.A. Severely Limits Pollution From Coal-Burning Power Plants),And expedited permitting for clean energy projects (Biden Administration Moves to Speed Up Permits for Clean Energy)!Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link” for 15% off.

Matt and Nick talk about a progress report for a plastic pollution treaty (During plastic pollution treaty, the U.S. faces calls to do more),There is officially 50% more carbon in the atmosphere than pre-industrial times (Carbon Dioxide Levels Have Passed a New Milestone),Expanded protections for national monuments established by President Obama (Biden plans to expand two national monuments in California),Protections for coal miners (Coal miners have long faced risk of black lung disease. Now they're getting new protections),A new rule requiring higher fees for oil and gas companies to drill on federal land (Oil and gas companies must pay more to drill on federal lands under new Biden administration rule),Europe warming faster than the rest of the world (Climate change means deadly heat for Europe),And bamboo farming in Uganda (Bamboo farming is on the rise in Uganda)!Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link” for 15% off.

Matt interviews Sam Schutte of Synthica Energy. Snythica Energy is a company that is developing anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities designed to convert organic waste into renewable gas. Their ambitious goal is to divert one million tons per year of organic waste from landfills and generate enough energy to power the equivalent of 30,000 homes.Sam Schutte is a renowned expert in the fields of anaerobic digestion commercialization and organics-to-energy platform development.You can keep up with Snythica Energy on Facebook and Youtube.Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt and Nick have a massive episode today and start by talking about Switzerland being held liable for human rights violations (Switzerland's Climate Shortfalls Violate Human Rights, European Court Rules),The EPA strengthening its regulations on chemical manufacturers (New EPA rules for about 200 US chemical manufacturers take aim at ‘cancer alleys'),The EPA tightening its requirements for removing PFAS from drinking water (EPA sets new limits for 'forever chemicals' in drinking water),The U.S. still funding and expanding highways (As some countries spurn cars, the U.S. continues to embrace highways),Sand dams in Kenya to retain water (Kenyans build sand dams on seasonal rivers to retain water for dry seasons), Expanding natural farming practices in India (Farmers in India are hit hard by extreme weather. Some say expanding natural farming is the answer),Angola's push for more solar (Angola makes a huge investment in solar),Deforestation impacting rainforests globally (Global rainforest loss continues at rate of 10 football pitches a minute | Deforestation),An effort to restore swathes of rainforests in Peru (Amazon rainforest in Peru, ravaged by gold mining, is being restored),And deforestation down in Colombia's Amazon (Colombia Amazon deforestation forecast down 25% to 35% last year, ministry says)!Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link” for 15% off.

Matt and Nick talk about the rise of secondhand clothing (Secondhand clothing on track to take 10% of global fashion sales | Retail industry),Climate change has endangered certain types of cheese (Camembert and Brie 'could disappear,' scientists in France warn),Restored wildlife protections by the Biden Administration (Biden restores endangered species protections rolled back by Trump),And New England's last coal-fired power plants are closing (The Last Coal-Fired Power Plants in New England Are to Close)!Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link” for 15% off.

Matt and Nick talk about fossil fuel subsidies (The Zombies of the U.S. Tax Code: Why Fossil Fuels Subsidies Seem Impossible to Kill),The first large offshore wind farm in the U.S. (First large offshore U.S. wind farm delivers power to local grid),Protections for the Sage Grouse (Conservationists slam federal proposal for greater sage-grouse protection), U.S. vehicle standards set to phase out most new gas cars by 2032 (New EPA vehicle standards would cut US emissions, ramp up pressure for more EVs),California's plan to protect indoor workers from heat in jeopardy (California wants to protect indoor workers from heat. Why that may not happen),Breeding coral in labs to restore coral reefs (Thai scientists breed coral in labs to restore degraded reefs),And climate change's impact on Easter eggs (Easter eggs costs rise as climate change hits crops)!Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link” for 15% off.

Matt interviews Wendy Baker of Dynapower. Dynapower is powering the world's leading brands and institutions with reliable solutions in energy storage systems and other electrical components for renewable energy.Wendy is an award-winning business development professional who is passionate about developing sustainable power options.If you like today's episode, follow Dynapower on LinkedIn.Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Kitcaster with a special offer for friends of our show to become guests on other podcasts.

Matt and Nick talk about climate change impacting the US maple syrup industry (Maple syrup season came weeks early in the Midwest. Producers are doing their best to adapt),Colorado River water rights (Colorado River drought climate change),Record high ocean temperatures in February (Ocean temperature hit record high in February 2024, EU scientists say),The Biden administration delaying climate regulations (Biden backtracks on climate plans and ‘walks tightrope' to court both young voters and moderates),A fossilized forest found in the UK (World's earliest fossilised forest discovered in Minehead, Somerset),And rehabilitated manatees brought home to Florida (Orphaned Manatees Return to the Wild After 3 Years of Rehab)!Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link” for 15% off.

Matt is flying solo for this episode to talk about support for Nuclear Power growing in US federal government (Nuclear Power Bill Passed by House, Support Grows in Congress),Using artificial intelligence to track humpback whale movements (How AI is already helping scientists track threatened humpback whales),France debating whether to fine fast fashion brands (France mulls penalties to rein in ultra-fast fashion brands),The EU preparing for COP29 with a draft calling for fossil fuel companies to pay their fair share (Exclusive: EU wants fossil fuel sector to help pay to combat climate change, draft shows),And Exxon's CEO says consumers are the ones delaying the clean energy transition (Fury after Exxon chief says public to blame for climate failures)!Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link” for 15% off.

Matt and Nick talk about how climate change could impact winter sports (Climate change clouds future of winter sports),Environmental disasters displaced 2.5 million Americans in 2023 (Disasters Forced 2.5 Million Americans From Their Homes Last Year), A 2016 moratorium on new coal leasing has been lifted (Federal appeals court revokes Obama-era ban on coal leasing),And Bangladesh has banned the adoption of Asian Elephants (Bangladesh's critically endangered Asian elephants get court protection)!Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link” for 15% off.

Matt and Nick talk about the environmental impacts of solar energy (Can We Invest in Solar Power Without Harming Nature?),Cities on the U.S. east coast are sinking (As Aquifers Are Depleted, Areas Along The East Coast Of The US Are Sinking),The EPA tightening its fine particulate matter regulations (Biden Administration Toughens Limits on Deadly Air Pollution), The EPA loosening its vehicle emissions limits (US to soften tailpipe rules, slow EV transition through 2030), Coral bleaching is worse than we thought (NOAA Coral Reef Watch extends alert scale following extreme coral heat stress in 2023),And medical marijuana for sick mammals (Curing Pets With Cannabis as Veterinarians Try CBD and THC)!Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link” for 15% off.

Matt interviews Matthew Krayton, the founder and Principal of Publitics. Publitics is a political consulting, strategy, and media company that focuses on strategy, communications, public relations, and public affairs.Their blog can be found on InfluenceIQ and you can follow them on Instagram and TikTok with these links.Matthew has been working on projects on the political side of the clean energy space, specifically the political risk that clean energy faces today.Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Kitcaster with a special offer for friends of our show to become guests on other podcasts.

Matt and Nick talk about just how powerful hurricanes are becoming due to climate change (Dial it up to Category 6? As warming stokes storms, some want a bigger hurricane category),Tragic forest fires in Chile (At least 112 dead in as Chile's deadliest ever forest fire rages on),John Podesta named new U.S. Climate Envoy (John Podesta: Biden's new top climate diplomat is ‘uniquely qualified'), Planting trees to restore a lost rainforest in the UK (Devon tree planting: Work to recreate lost rainforest),The fight over whether to pave a road through a forest in Kenya (Kenya's leader wants a paved road to cut through a forest, a key water source. Scientists don't),Pandora moving to using only recycled metals for its jewelry (Pandora Now Only Sources Recycled Metals for Its Jewelry),And a prototype sun-shield for use in outer space could be ready in the next few years (Could a Giant Parasol in Outer Space Help Solve the Climate Crisis?)!Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link” for 15% off.

Matt and Nick talk about how in vitro fertilization could save the northern white rhino (World first IVF rhino pregnancy could save northern white rhinos from extinction, scientists say),The benefits of sustainable food systems (Move to sustainable food systems could bring $10tn benefits a year, study finds),Protections for whales near offshore wind farms (U.S. sets plans to protect endangered whales near offshore wind farms; firms swap wind leases),Hawaii's aggressive clean energy push (How one state is quickly becoming America's clean energy paradise),And President Biden pausing liquified natural gas exports (Biden pauses LNG export approvals after pressure from climate activists)!Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link” for 15% off.

Matt and Nick talk about the Biden Administration imposing fines on oil and gas companies over their methane production (Biden Administration to Fine Oil and Gas Companies for Excess Methane),Greenland losing ice much faster than previously understood (The more scientists study Greenland, the worse its ice melt looks),John Kerry stepping down as U.S. Climate Envoy (John Kerry to step down as Biden's climate envoy),Canada formally giving Nunavut control over its precious metal reserves (Canada gives mineral-rich Arctic region of Nunavut control over its resources),Refugees restoring forests in Uganda (In Uganda, refugees' need for wood ravaged the forest. Now, they work to restore it),Mark Zuckerberg's Hawaiian cattle ranch and its environmental harm Zuckerberg derided for his ‘high quality beef' ranch where cows are fed macadamia nuts and beer),And a new national park in Colombia (A New National Park is Born in Colombia) (In Colombia, a Park for Anacondas and Anteaters, Where Ranchers Are Now Rangers)!Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Vala Alta using this link” for 15% off.

Matt interviews Jeffrey Rissman, Senior Director of Industry at Energy Innovation. His new book “Zero-Carbon Industry: Transformative Technologies and Policies to Achieve Sustainable Prosperity” is available for pre-order now before its February 27, 2024 release date.Zero-Carbon Industry unpacks the complex challenges presented by climate change and offers clear, actionable insights on how we can revamp the industrial world's heaviest emitters using cutting-edge technologies and intelligent policy.Make sure to check out our sponsor for today's episode at Kitcaster with a special offer for friends of our show to become guests on other podcasts.