What On Earth

For more than 35 years, the outspoken American environmentalist has been raising the alarm about the climate crisis, starting with his groundbreaking book The End of Nature. Now Bill McKibben says, for once in his life, he is spreading good news. In his latest book, Here Comes the Sun, Bill explains why the recent boom in solar and wind power has given him hope for the planet's future, and he implores everyone to buy in.

For over a decade, Alberta's capital has been building a groundbreaking sustainable neighbourhood, right in the middle of the city. But some say the development has moved too slowly and is costing too much. With a municipal election looming, one mayoral candidate says the city needs to change course with this prime piece of real estate.

From the Best of What On Earth – They can be noisy. And smelly. And, as Cate Blanchett (yes, Cate Blanchett!) complains, don't they just move “leaves from one place to another, only for them to be blown back again"? Gas-powered leaf blowers create a lot of opinions and a lot of emissions. Molly Segal takes us through why they're so particularly polluting and unhealthy. And, she explores the solutions underway — from political bans to incentives for switching to electric.

A hiking ban in Nova Scotia is getting lots of attention this summer, from Joe Rogan to former Freedom Convoy supporters. Although the ban has now been lifted for parts of the province, the rules have ignited an international debate about government overreach during fire season. Some Nova Scotians are calling the criticism fearmongering and want outsiders to butt out of the province's affairs. We hear from an emergency management expert who says governments should prepare for more backlash against wildfire rules as the climate changes and summers become potentially more restricted.

From the Best of What On Earth - A tale of two First Nations pushed to live on lands that face increasing flooding risks as the climate changes. We hear their stories of survival and their fight for justice and a safe place to live. Also, want to travel cargo? As in cruising onboard a cargo ship? It may just make for a greener vacation.

Communities on Reddit and elsewhere are crowdsourcing reviews and recommendations in an effort to find the “best” version of, well, everything. It's partly an ode to items that have withstood the test of time, and partly a quest for durability, longevity and repairability – all in an effort to save money, and the environment.

From the Best of What On Earth – The coastal city of Aberdeen, Scotland, has long made its living off the North Sea, first from fishing then oil and gas. Now, a new transition is underway: offshore wind. But who wins and who loses? Laura Lynch has some surprising conversations on the windy shores.

Shutting off the electricity to prevent wildfires is becoming the new normal in some west coast states, leaving thousands living through extreme heat without air conditioning or medical devices. Now, policies allowing this to happen are coming to B.C., Alberta and possibly other parts of Canada. We hear from people who say this could put their lives at risk, and get some advice on how to cope.

From the Best of What On Earth - A CBC News investigation found unsafe temperatures in homes across Canada during the summer, with people often living in dangerous heat 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.

Polar bears, bowhead whales, melting sea ice – the students on these ships see it all. We hear from two students sailing across the Davis Strait from Nunavut to Greenland about what life is like onboard the Students On Ice ships. We also hear from a former student about how her trip sparked her career in climate solutions, and from the founder of the program about how the polar regions have changed since he started the expeditions 25 years ago.

From cuts to U.S. weather agencies, to the rise of AI predictions, there are big changes in the world of extreme weather forecasting. We talk with the former head of the Canadian Hurricane Centre, about what it all means for our ability to warn Canadians before hurricanes hit. Then we hear how well the current AI forecasting models can predict these weather events — and how the technology needs to improve.

In 2023 Nova Scotia pledged to investigate how Black and Indigenous people in the province are disproportionately affected by pollution and environmental hazards, including climate change. As part of our "Best of What On Earth" series, we revisit our interview with the chair of the panel tasked with that work. Then we hear an update from one of the people who took part, who says the province is now withholding crucial information.

From the Best of What On Earth – It might not sound like a climate job, but mechanical insulators help make buildings more energy efficient. We head out to meet a young woman who trained in the trade through a program set up by the Youth Climate Corps BC. The group is training young people around British Columbia for a wide variety of good, green jobs and hopes to expand across the country.

Move the propane tank, clear the toys, replace the deck. When guest host Johanna Wagstaffe asks a FireSmart assessor for advice on safeguarding her home from wildfires, she's left with a long to-do list – from simple to pricey. Then, we visit Canada's first FireSmart community, Logan Lake, to hear how those efforts helped protect it from a mega fire. And we ask whether funding for wildfire prevention is keeping up with the growing risk.

After more than four decades of activism and advocacy, Suzuki is one of the most renowned and respected voices in the environmental movement. So when he says it's too late to stop climate change, people take notice. And that's now exactly what he's saying.He's delivering this message as Prime Minister Mark Carney's government focuses on fast-tracking major projects it deems to be of national interest, which could include a new pipeline for fossil fuels from Alberta. Suzuki says that, despite his understanding of the climate crisis, Carney — like all of us — is trapped by the economic and political systems we've created. And for Suzuki, our only hope for survival is to scrap those systems entirely.In this special episode from our colleagues at Front Burner, David Suzuki joins Jayme Poisson for a wide-ranging discussion from what a world of irreversible climate change looks like, to what he describes as the "madness" of continued investment in fossil fuels, to the lessons environmentalists of the future can take from the past.Front Burner is CBC's daily news podcast that takes listeners deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. To stay up-to-date on the day's biggest stories, find Front Burner wherever you get your podcasts, and here: https://link.mgln.ai/fb-woe

From the Best of What On Earth – Wildland firefighters say working conditions threaten the safety of crew and the public in Alberta. People on the front lines say they're losing team members to other employers that offer better pay, benefits and long-term opportunities – leaving what they call a gap in experience on the crews. In the midst of what is shaping up to be Canada's second-worst wildfire season, we revisit our conversation.

Planning to hit the road this summer? How about travelling 8,500 kilometres in an EV? That's what Carl Duivenvoorden is doing on his zero emissions journey across Canada. He shares some of the tips he's learned along the way, including the best and worst places for charging, and explains why EV road tripping is an efficient — and cheaper — option for the adventurous. After that, we'll take a trip down the EV misinformation highway, in search of answers to common claims that electric vehicles aren't really that green.

From the Best of What On Earth – Warming waters are threatening an irreplaceable species for Indigenous people in Canada's north. But First Nations leaders in Yukon have become leaders in protecting and demanding better care for the Chinook salmon – a vital part of their traditional diets and culture. This story is a part of the Overheated series, put together with CBC Radio's Quirks & Quarks and White Coat, Black Art to examine how heat is changing lives.

The Salinas Grandes in northern Argentina is home to large deposits of lithium, a key mineral in the fight against climate change. But Indigenous leaders in the region say mining the mineral could harm their water supply. We hear how communities are pushing back against potential lithium extraction. And, how new methods of mining are being tested - ways of extracting lithium that aren't so damaging to the local environment.

In the thick of the deadly flooding along the Guadalupe River, questions emerged about what could have been done differently. Republican politicians are pushing back vigorously, calling accountability questions “partisan games.” But one climate expert in the state says Texas needs to ask the tough questions right now before the next natural disaster hits – questions about the political power of fossil fuel industries and what that means for how politicians talk about, and prepare for climate change.

From the Best of What On Earth – Will your carbon footprint follow you to your grave? Not if you have a green burial. Environmentally friendly funeral options are growing in popularity. In our Atlantic Journalism Award-winning documentary, we hear why some Canadians are choosing eco-conscious interments, and how you can arrange to be laid to rest naturally.

To mark the show's anniversary, we ask what Canada has learned about tackling climate change since our debut in 2020, starting with lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic. And, we discuss what climate action could look like over the next five years.

From the Best of What On Earth — Glaciers are rapidly retreating in Canada's Rockies and that's making it more hazardous to navigate some alpine routes. In this documentary, we visit Banff National Park to meet guides who are adapting to the different ways climate change is altering a once familiar landscape. Plus, what you need to know about how older people can stay safe in extreme heat.

If Canada wants to be net zero by 2050, more than a million small businesses will have to make the green transition. And while some intrepid business owners are already trying their best to navigate a more eco-friendly path, others say it's a big ask, especially when many are already struggling to balance the needs of price-wary shoppers with a thin bottom line. We'll dive into their journey, and learn more about the supports that could change the game.

A year and a half ago, Adrienne Crowder caught an episode we did about a free university course on climate change. She took it, she loved it, and she wanted more. So, she started a network amongst her classmates: ordinary Canadians who support each other to make change in their lives. We hear from many of them, as we kick off special coverage to mark five years of What On Earth.

Ottawa's moves to fast-track resource projects with Bill C-5 are resurfacing concerns about Indigenous consultation. But what does it actually look like when Indigenous people push back against resource projects and take control of climate stewardship on their land? To find out, we head to the heart of Tsleil-Waututh traditional territory near Vancouver. The work they've done to restore local ecosystems is not only good for the climate, it's also a way to assert their rights. Then, we'll hear from an Anishinaabe expert who says this is just one example of how taking land back can be climate action.

Don't have a garden? Adopt a roundabout and plant things for the bees! We meet a TikToker who's done just that. And then we travel from coast to coast to hear about a push to let sections of city parks grow a little wild. We head to one of these meadows to hear how they attract pollinators, and hear why creating “pollinator pockets” for busy bees and “hairy” moths can be a climate solution across the country – and a patriotic one at that.

This year's fire season is on track to be one of the worst on record. It's displacing thousands, including many First Nation communities. We hear from those forced to flee far from home, about the fear they face. We explore the political push to make sure Indigenous communities can take the lead when fires break out. Then, we check in on an Indigenous-led emergency management company that puts this idea into action by supporting evacuees in Toronto.

Meet the ‘cunning foxes,' student activists who saved the Gachibowli forest in southern India. What On Earth's youth climate action columnist Aishwarya Puttur shares what she's heard from protesters who took a stand in defence of a cooling green space in the urban centre of Hyderabad – and what lessons the protest holds for climate action everywhere.

This World Oceans Day, we're sharing a story from The Outlaw Ocean — an urgent look at the migration crisis unfolding in the Mediterranean Sea. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ian Urbina shares insights into how climate change is driving a massive global migration, with 150 million people expected to move in the next 50 years. He follows the story of one rural farmer, a young father from Guinea-Bissau.Find the full series here: https://link.mgln.ai/oo-woe

From scientists to lobbyists to youth risking arrest, meet the people leading the resistance to anti-climate policy in the United States. Since Donald Trump's second term began, hundreds of pro-climate policies have been rolled back or undermined, leaving many American climate advocates shocked and dismayed. But now, they're pushing back. We hear about the tactics leaders are using to shift public opinion ahead of the U.S. midterms in 2026. 

Corporate leaders say Canada's new greenwashing rules are causing companies to pull back on their climate ambitions. We hear from the executive chair of Maple Leaf Foods about what he says is a “greenhushing” effect of the legislation. Then, we hear from a lawyer and a climate advocate about the pros and cons of the federal government's new law.

For those fleeing the flames, there may not be an easy way out. Canada's minister of emergency management and community resilience, Eleanor Olszewski, shares how prepared the country is to respond. She also answers to concerns from First Nations on why her department only acted after provinces called for help.

Buildings make up a hefty share of Canada's emissions. But across the country, communities are looking for ways to curb that impact, and make public structures more resilient to climate change. We take a tour of cool projects from Lytton B.C. to Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. 

The temperate rainforests of the West Coast exist because of salmon magic. These fish feed the trees, the trees protect the fish, and everything else that lives under the canopy of the ancient old-growth benefits from this interplay. Protecting these 'salmon forests' from logging and wildfire can have enormous benefits for human life and the climate, according to author Lynda Mapes whose new book is called The Trees are Speaking: Dispatches from the Salmon Forests. And we speak to Tsm'syen scientist Sm'hayetsk Teresa Ryan, about why the key to saving what old-growth is left in Canada could come down to Indigenous leadership. 

When West Sacramento was saved from wildfire in 2022, goats were hailed as heroes. No, they didn't wield hoses or jump out of helicopters. They just did what goats do: eat everything in sight, including the dry grass and weeds that can fuel wildfires. We head to Northern California where governments are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on goats to create firebreaks. Then, we ask, could they help in Canada, too? 

Wildfire season is here already, with devastating effects in Manitoba. We have some advice for steps you can take now to prepare for heat, smoke and wildfire. There's a lot you can do to keep yourself, your home and your community safer and more comfortable this summer even if you're on a tight budget.

Darning socks may not sound like a revolutionary act. But people across the country are embracing the art of mending to push back against clothing waste. We visit Toronto's second annual Mend In Public Day, and a clothing swap in Victoria, to hear about the personal and political action afoot to curb emissions from the fashion industry.

Drilling into the ground isn't the only way to source metals for clean energy. You can also get them from castoff phones, laptops and TVs. It's called urban mining. We speak with Maria Holuszko at UBC's Urban Mining Innovation Centre about developing more efficient techniques for harvesting the gold, copper and other materials in old electronics. And Craig Wisehart of the Electronic Products Recycling Association takes us to a depot to find out how to drop off your old stuff and where it goes.

Pattie Gonia proves why climate action is a total drag, in the most fabulous way possible. From going viral for hiking in high heels, to performing a climate anthem with acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma and Alaskan Indigenous artist Quinn Christopherson, Wyn Wylie (the artist behind Pattie Gonia's camp, fierce, red wig and marvellous makeup) is on a mission to bring some joy to the fight to protect the planet – and show that 2SLGBTQ+ people are vital to the quest for climate solutions. 

“Build baby build!” Post-election, the word ‘pipeline' is popping up again. Mark Carney says he'll speed up energy project approvals, honour the duty to consult with First Nations and also hit Canada's climate goals. Eriel Deranger of Indigenous Climate Action worries these promises amount to “doublespeak.” She warns any plans to fast-track projects that impact Indigenous communities could face protest and legal pushback. Keith Brooks of Environmental Defence says the emissions cap and phasing out fossil fuel projects are the path forward.

Canada's first local state of emergency due to drought was declared on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia in 2022. The shortage was so bad, officials feared the region would run out of water for hospitals and fire departments. And the Coast has been under severe water restrictions for five of the last eight summers, a situation experts warn could become the norm. In her documentary, “Drought in the rainforest,” Liz Hoath with CBC's audio doc unit tells the story of a community hit hard by rising temperatures and the local government's failure to plan for climate change.