Podcasts about Environmental Defense Fund

We are proud to have been invited to host a terrific panel of Texas-based enviromental activists and advocates during the recent EarthX conference in Dallas! Advocacy Manager Reagan Stone welcomed representatives of Environment Texas, the Sunrise Movement, Public Citizen and the Environmental Defense Fund for a wide-ranging and enlightening discussion. Enjoy!Thanks for listening! Learn more about how you can support Progress Texas and our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

One of the most followed stained glass artists on social media, Meggy Wilm of Colorado Glass Works, Boulder, Colorado, shares her creations with nearly 275K (and growing) followers on Instagram – attracting a new audience of young enthusiasts to the medieval craft. Wilm and her husband Dustin Mayfield also recently purchased Boulder-based D&L Art Glass Supply from Leslie Silverman, who dedicated 50 years to the company she founded. Experienced entrepreneurs, Wilm and Mayfield have a deep appreciation for the art glass industry and a forward-thinking vision for D&L. Her first company, Colorado Glass Works is a multifaceted art glass business where Wilm teaches a variety of classes, sells and ships sheet glass around the world, designs her own custom sheet glass, and creates small and large commissions for private clients. She has been creating stained art glass for the last seven years and has a deep love of all things nature- and glass-related. States Wilm: “I founded Colorado Glass Works in the fall of 2017 sitting criss-crossed on my living room floor in Denver, Colorado. My passion is creating dreamy and colorful stained glass art pieces ranging from mini sun-catchers to fully installable windows. I imagine, custom design, and hand-make every single one of my pieces with attention to every little detail.” Beginning on January 1, 2020, Wilm made a commitment to donate a percentage of her glass profits amongst her five favorite environmental organizations – The Sierra Club, The Marine Conservation Institute, the Rainforest Action Network, Defenders of Wildlife, and The Environmental Defense Fund. In 2024, through purchases of Wilm's art, she raised $10,000 and donated those funds to help protect our planet. Each of her chosen nonprofit organizations received $2,000 to continue their efforts. Raising larger amounts each year, in 2024 Wilm was able to expand on her altruistic goals and donate stained glass art supplies, classes, and glass to schools in need. Eight deserving schools across the United States received full beginner stained glass startup kits to introduce stained glass as an elective or after-school activity. These kits included tools, classes, and materials valued at over $10,000, giving students the opportunity to explore stained glass. Wilm says: “Together, we made a total of $20,678 in donations to causes that truly matter. None of this would have been possible without you. Thank you for being part of this journey. I am so thrilled we get to work together in making a small impact to help protect this beautiful world we live in.” In addition to running Colorado Glass Works, and taking the wheel at D&L, Wilm will be a TA for Ted Ellison at Pilchuck from May 22 – 29, 2025. Keep your eye on social media for more of the artist's beautiful Colorado landscapes, sparkling snowflakes and signature textured or dichroic Monstera leaves.  

President Donald Trump says it's his hardline stance on immigration that helped put him back in the White House. Opponents say Trump's deportation spree is running roughshod over the Constitution. Immigration law expert Marielena Hincapié joins the show to discuss.  Also on today's show: Vickie Patton, General Counsel, Environmental Defense Fund; Laurie Segall, CEO, Mostly Human Media; former federal prosecutor Brendan Ballou  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Friday April 25 the Rising Tide Ocean Podcast recorded our show with a live audience during SF Climate Week – one of the largest climate gatherings in the world. From the downtown studios of KALW – “The Voice of the Bay Area,” David and Natasha discussed global and Bay Area aspects of the Ocean and the Climate Crisis with guests Rod Fujita, a marine consultant and recently retired director of ocean research and development for the Environmental Defense Fund and Sejal Choksi-Chugh an attorney and Executive Director of the San Francisco Baykeeper. We had a lively and informative discussion about impacts and solutions for our global seas and West Coast estuary. Our live audience enjoyed it and we hope you will too. ** Links & Resources ** Making Shift Happen - https://www.amazon.com/Making-Shift-Happen-Successful-Environmental/dp/0865719489 Heal The Ocean: https://www.amazon.com/Heal-Ocean-Solutions-Saving-Seas/dp/0865715009 Ocean Innovations: https://www.oceaninnovations.me/ San Francisco Baykeeper: https://baykeeper.org/ Blue Frontier: bluefront.org Building the solution-based citizen movement needed to protect our ocean, coasts and communities, both human and wild. Blue Frontier on Substack: https://davidhelvarg.substack.com/ Inland Ocean Coalition: inlandoceancoalition.org Building land-to-sea stewardship - the inland voice for ocean protection Fluid Studios: fluidstudios.org Thinking radically different about the collective good, our planet, & the future.

The insurance industry's bottom line offers the clearest, least political evidence that a stable economy and livable communities are increasingly dependent on strategies to address extreme weather impacts. California, Louisiana, and Florida have become harbingers of a spreading issue: disaster-related property losses that continuously exceed underwriting profitability. The resulting gaps in affordability and availability are driving property owners to states' insurer-of-last-resort programs or, more and more often, to forgo coverage for their greatest risks.  As warmer ocean water and sea level rise fuel more destructive Atlantic hurricane seasons, Florida homeowner's insurance costs more than three times the national average, and an estimated 15-20% of property owners are uninsured. In Louisiana, the withdrawal of the insurance industry has caused the state's FAIR plan enrollment to grow 400% in just four years.  Wildfire risk has grown as well. The fires in Los Angeles earlier this year are projected to become the costliest natural disaster in the nation's history, around $50 billion more than the total damages from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Major insurers had already dropped 2.8 million policies in fire-prone areas of the state since 2020. Now, the state's FAIR plan is struggling to bear the weight of its own growing exposure as homeowners find themselves without other options for coverage.  In the Ten Across region and beyond, there is growing interest in insurance mechanisms and governance which, rather than simply reflecting and reacting to risk, can be adapted as tools for better preparation and response.    Carolyn Kousky founded the nonprofit Insurance for Good to meet this need. Listen in to learn more about how Carolyn's work connects local leaders to deep industry knowledge and encourages the industry to participate actively in global climate resilience and energy transition efforts.   About our guest: Carolyn Kousky is the founder of Insurance for Good, a nonprofit focused on improving equity in disaster recovery, accelerating the energy transition, and driving investments in resilience. She is also the author of Understanding Disaster Insurance: New Tools for a More Resilient Future and the Associate Vice President for Economics and Policy at Environmental Defense Fund. Prior to that, Carolyn was Executive Director of the Wharton Risk Center at the University of Pennsylvania. She currently serves on a number of public and private advisory boards, including on the U.S. Treasury's Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance.Related articles and resources: Insurance for Good  Hear from other experts on insurance in the 10X geography: Dave Jones, Latisha Nixon-Jones, Jesse Keenan, Amy Bach  “Improving household and community disaster recovery: Evidence on the role of insurance” (Xuesong You, Carolyn Kousky, Journal of Risk and Insurance, 2024)  “Leveraging insurance for decarbonization” (Carolyn Kousky, Joseph W. Lockwood, Journal of Catastrophe Risk and Resilience, 2024)  “REPORT: The 2024 Miami-Dade Property Insurance Strategy Forum” (The Miami Foundation, 2024)   "FEMA moves to end one of its biggest disaster adaptation programs” (Grist, April 2025)  Credits:Host: Duke Reiter  Producer and editor: Taylor Griffith  Music by: Lennon Hutton  Research and support provided by: Kate Carefoot, Rae Ulrich, and Sabine Butler

Admittedly, Danielle hasn't been very involved in the environmental lane of activism. We each have our lanes in which we feel most "qualified" and experienced to make an impact. And while this isn't one Danielle has concentrated on very deeply, members of her family have dedicated their life to this exact lane of activism. So when Danielle's incredible sister-in-law and her team at the Environmental Defense Fund, asked her to help disseminate crucial information that people (especially parents) may not otherwise acquire due to acts by the current administration, she of course knew she needed to use her platforms for this exact reason.Luckily, Kari Rhinehart, a mom from Indiana who has gone through the unimaginable, is beyond determined to retell her daughter's story to ensure we don't tune out and assume that just because we aren't hearing about "invisible" injustices and life-threatening exposures happening in our communities, that they aren't there. At 13-years-old, Kari's charismatic, passionate teen daughter, Emma, was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. Determined to find out the cause, Kari began researching, and led to the overwhelming evidence that it was caused by trichloroethylene (TCE), a carcinogen that contaminated groundwater in Franklin, Indiana. Within a decade, over 50 other local children would be diagnosed with rare forms of blood, brain, and bone cancer. Devastatingly, Emma died three months later. Kari has not stopped fighting since then. Her story is heartbreaking, brave, and a stark reminder that we live in a society in which the greatest dangers are often the ones about which we've never been informed, on purpose. This conversation is not meant to instill overwhelming fear, but is a call-to-action for each of us to be increasingly observant, alert, and to trust our gut. With the enormous federal cuts taking place in environmental protections, even the limited information we once had is greatly at risk. For the unforeseeable future, it will be up to each of us and all of us to share stories, search for truth, and fight for justice, just like Kari.One small act can help this fight! Fill out the petition telling congress to protect our communities from TCE!Want to find out if your community is at risk for Petrochemical Air Pollution? Check out this map.Passionate about Climate Action and Environmental protections? Learn more about the amazing work the EDF is doing, and donate to further support their impactful agenda.SOMETHING EXCITING IS HAPPENING! Sign up for emails to learn more about Danielle's new community for women, The 3AM Uprising! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aaron Citron is the Associate Director of External Affairs at The Nature Conservancy, where he leads state-level policy engagement across Colorado. His work spans a wide array of conservation priorities, including water management, healthy forests, renewable energy siting, and partnerships with private landowners and tribal nations. Aaron plays a key role in bridging on-the-ground conservation efforts with the legislative and regulatory frameworks that support them. He also helps shape TNC's strategy around climate and energy policy, working to ensure a rapid but responsible transition to renewable infrastructure. Aaron grew up in Tucson, Arizona, where early exposure to the desert landscape—and its vital, limited water resources—sparked a lifelong interest in the natural world. After studying history and political science at Emory University, he returned west for law school at the University of Arizona, focusing on water and land use law. His career has taken him from local land trusts to national NGOs like Environmental Defense Fund, always at the intersection of policy, place, and practical impact. Along the way, he's built a reputation for thoughtful, collaborative work that reflects both his legal background and his deep connection to the West. In our conversation, Aaron shares a detailed look at how conservation policy gets made—from coalition-building and legislative drafting to navigating complex stakeholder relationships. We discuss examples like Colorado's response to Clean Water Act rollbacks and new tools to support in-stream flows on the Yampa River. He talks about the balance between urgency and patience, the importance of trust in long-term conservation, and how calm, clearheaded engagement can shape better outcomes. It's a compelling look at the behind-the-scenes work that makes public-facing conservation efforts possible. Be sure the check out the episode notes for a full list of everything we discussed and links to everything. Thanks to Aaron for this conversation and thank you for listening. Enjoy! --- Aaron Citron Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/aaron-citron/ --- This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Colorado chapter of The Nature Conservancy and TNC chapters throughout the Western United States. Guided by science and grounded by decades of collaborative partnerships, The Nature Conservancy has a long-standing legacy of achieving lasting results to create a world where nature and people thrive. During the last week of every month throughout 2025, Mountain & Prairie will be delving into conversations with a wide range of The Nature Conservancy's leaders, partners, collaborators, and stakeholders, highlighting the myriad of conservation challenges, opportunities, and solutions here in the American West and beyond. To learn more about The Nature Conservancy's impactful work in the West and around the world, visit www.nature.org --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:15 – Starting at the beginning, growing up in Tucson 7:42 – Underrated Arizona 11:23 – From environmental history to law school 15:22 – After law school, including a TNC internship 18:11 – Landing at the Arizona Land and Water Trust 21:24 – Path to TNC 24:06 – Aaron's role at TNC 27:42 – Clean Water Act protection project 33:40 – Getting the information to the people 35:29 – Yampa River Fund 40:39 – What makes someone good at policy work? 46:11 – The power of relationships 49:00 – Federal versus state policy focuses 53:40 – Remaining calm 57:21 – Book recs 1:01:53 – Parting thoughts --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

The challenge posed by carbon emissions that drive climate change is one of the most important issues facing humanity. If ever a matter required everyone's best efforts and collaboration — elected officials, regulators, providers, consumers — this is it. Unfortunately, many important Republican legislative leaders in Raleigh disagree. They're sponsoring a bill this year that […]

In episode 225 of America Adapts, we explore flood risk disclosure—a simple yet powerful climate adaptation tool that helps homebuyers avoid financial disaster while building more resilient communities. As climate change worsens flooding and federal support for resilience efforts declines, some states are stepping up with smart policies to protect homeowners before disaster strikes. I'm joined by Joel Scata from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to discuss the push for stronger flood disclosure laws, plus a homeowner who learned the hard way what happens when flood risks aren't disclosed. We'll also highlight state success stories and how these policies can be a key part of climate adaptation. Guests/experts in this episode: Joel Scata – Senior Attorney, Environmental Health NRDC (transcript) Larry Baeder – Senior Data Scientist Milliman (transcript) Jackie Jones – Homeowner, Georgia (transcript) Jesse Gourevitch – Economist at Environmental Defense Fund (transcript) Brooks Rainey Pearson - Legislative Counsel, Southern Environmental Law Center (transcript) Tyler Taba – Director of Resilience, Waterfront Alliance (transcript)   Check out the America Adapts Media Kit here! Subscribe to the America Adapts newsletter here. Donate to America Adapts Listen to America Adapts on your favorite app here!   Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ @usaadapts https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Links in this episode: https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/millimaninc5660-milliman6442-prod27d5-0001/media/Milliman/PDFs/2025-Articles/1-13-25_NRDC_Estimating-Undisclosed-Flood-Risk.pdf https://www.nrdc.org/bio/joel-scata/flooding-can-put-unsuspecting-home-buyers-financially-underwater https://www.southernenvironment.org/press-release/north-carolina-real-estate-commission-petitioned-to-disclose-flood-history/  https://www.selc.org/press-release/nc-real-estate-commission-to-disclose-flood-history-to-buyers/  https://www.southernenvironment.org/press-release/south-carolina-real-estate-commission-to-require-disclosure-of-flood-history-to-buyers/   Doug Parsons and Speaking Opportunities: If you are interested in having Doug speak at corporate and conference events, sharing his unique, expert perspective on adaptation in an entertaining and informative way, more information can be found here! Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ @usaadapts https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Donate to America Adapts   Follow on Apple Podcasts Follow on Android Now on Spotify! List of Previous Guests on America Adapts Follow/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts. Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Strategies to Address Climate Change Risk in Low- and Moderate-income Communities - Volume 14, Issue 1 https://www.frbsf.org/community-development/publications/community-development-investment-review/2019/october/strategies-to-address-climate-change-low-moderate-income-communities/   Podcasts in the Classroom – Discussion guides now available for the latest episode of America Adapts. These guides can be used by educators at all levels. Check them out here! The 10 Best Sustainability Podcasts for Environmental Business Leadershttps://us.anteagroup.com/news-events/blog/10-best-sustainability-podcasts-environmental-business-leaders Join the climate change adaptation movement by supporting America Adapts!  Please consider supporting this podcast by donating through America Adapts fiscal sponsor, the Social Good Fund. All donations are now tax deductible! For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.   Podcast Music produce by Richard Haitz Productions Write a review on Apple Podcasts ! America Adapts on Facebook!   Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group. Check us out, we're also on YouTube! Executive Producer Dr. Jesse Keenan Subscribe to America Adapts on Apple Podcasts Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com

In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Taylor Kuykendall speaks with Mark Brownstein, leader of energy transition efforts at the Environmental Defense Fund about environmental and climate priorities related to the energy transition in 2025.  They discuss the evolving geopolitical landscape impacting energy policies, the role of market forces in advancing clean energy technologies, and private sector adaptation amidst changing political support. The conversation also touches on the need for collaborative efforts in permitting reform and the critical actions required to ensure the continued momentum of the energy transition into 2025 and beyond. Taylor will be hosting additional episodes in addition to Energy Evolution's typical weekly schedule for the next several days, featuring guests attending CERAWeek by S&P Global in Houston, Texas. Energy Evolution has merged with Platts Future Energy, and episodes are now regularly published on Tuesdays.

In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Taylor Kuykendall speaks with Mark Brownstein, leader of energy transition efforts at the Environmental Defense Fund about environmental and climate priorities related to the energy transition in 2025.  They discuss the evolving geopolitical landscape impacting energy policies, the role of market forces in advancing clean energy technologies, and private sector adaptation amidst changing political support. The conversation also touches on the need for collaborative efforts in permitting reform and the critical actions required to ensure the continued momentum of the energy transition into 2025 and beyond. Taylor will be hosting additional episodes in addition to Energy Evolution's typical weekly schedule for the next several days, featuring guests attending CERAWeek by S&P Global in Houston, Texas. Energy Evolution has merged with Platts Future Energy, and episodes are now regularly published on Tuesdays.

In this week's episode, host Margaret Walls speaks with Carolyn Kousky, associate vice president for economics and policy at Environmental Defense Fund, about the instability of markets for homeowners insurance, especially in states that are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events. Kousky and Walls explore the key drivers of this instability, including the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, insurance costs, and consequent strain on insurers that must pay more substantial claims. Kousky discusses challenges in the accessibility and affordability of homeowners insurance, along with policy interventions that can support equitable responses to extreme weather events and improve resilience following future disasters. Kousky also introduces her new nonprofit, Insurance for Good, which aims to bridge gaps between research and practice in terms of this affordability, equity, and resilience. References and recommendations: Insurance for Good; https://www.insuranceforgood.org/ “Wildfire Insurance Availability as a Risk Signal” by Xuesong You, Carolyn Kousky, and Ajita Atreya; https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5017469 “Third Millennium Thinking: Creating Sense in a World of Nonsense” by Saul Perlmutter, John Campbell, and Robert MacCoun; https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/saul-perlmutter-phd/third-millennium-thinking/9780316438308/ “Change: How to Make Big Things Happen” by Damon Centola; https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/damon-centola/change/9781549152092/

Texas' iconic springs are facing growing pressure from urban development, groundwater pumping, and climate change, threatening the lifeline of both ecosystems and communities. But through sustainable aquifer management, conservation easements, and innovative policies, there is hope for keeping these vital waters flowing.  This episode features conversations with Vanessa Puig Williams of the Environmental Defense Fund, Robert Mace of The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, and Tim Loftus of the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, exploring the science and strategies behind protecting Texas' springs. The discussion covers how endangered species regulations have helped safeguard Barton Springs, the challenges of balancing private property rights with conservation, and the importance of setting caps on groundwater pumping. Other topics include the role of land conservation in sustaining spring flow, the rise of aquifer storage and recovery, and how community engagement is key to long-term water resilience.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet.Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify or Apple.Never miss a video on YouTube.Follow the news on Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and TikTok.

Reductionism - the breaking down of complex phenomena into as many parts as possible to make them fully understandable - is everywhere. To some extent the whole enterprise of modern formal schooling is based on the promise of reductionism, as we break life down into subjects, concepts, facts, etc to be digestible by our young people. It has also enabled unbelievable scientific and technological progress. So who could possibly argue with this? And yet, reductionism has become like the hammer that sees everything as a nail. One of its problems is that is renders everything into a mechanistic functioning of parts and nothing more. Our inability to perceive, understand and value complex and systemic patterns and relationships is maybe something that we need to engage with in our education systems. Dr. Roland Kupers is an advisor on Complexity, Resilience and Energy Transition, Professor of Practice at Arizona State University, as well as an Associate Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies at the University of Amsterdam. He is a global advisor on mitigating methane emissions from fossil fuels for UNEP's International Methane Emissions Observatory.A theoretical physicist by training, Roland spent a decade each at AT&T and at Shell in various senior executive functions, including Group head for Sustainable Development and Vice President Global LNG. He has a long running interest in complexity theory and its impacts.He has published widely, including in HBR, on Project Syndicate, A Climate Policy Revolution: What the Science of Complexity Reveals about Saving the Planet (Harvard UP 2020) and co-authored Complexity and the Art of Public Policy: Solving Society's Problems from the Bottom Up (Princeton 2014), The Essence of scenarios (Amsterdam 2014), and Turbulence: A corporate framing of resilience (Amsterdam 2014).In 2010 Roland was a co-author of a report commissioned by the German Government on a New Growth Path for Europe, applying a complexity lens to climate economics. He has been an advisor to the Environmental Defense Fund, the World Resources Institute and the Rockefeller Foundation.Roland is a Dutch national; his travels have made him fluent in five languages.Useful Links:https://www.rolandkupers.com/Complexity Module for the IB Diploma: https://www.rolandkupers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/An-IB-complexity-module-for-the-Diploma-Programme-24.10.17.pdfUNEP's International Methane Emissions Observatory, 2022 Report: https://www.rolandkupers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMEO2022.pdf

Public-private partnership Earth Fire Alliance includes Google, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, The Minderoo Foundation, Environmental Defense Fund—and Muon Space. Fire Alliance Executive Director Brian Collins & Muon Space CEO Jonny Dyer join Morgan Brennan to discuss using space technology and AI to detect small fires before they become large and devastating, helping incident commanders make better-informed decisions about resource allocation. 

Public-private partnership Earth Fire Alliance includes Google, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, The Minderoo Foundation, Environmental Defense Fund—and Muon Space. Fire Alliance Executive Director Brian Collins & Muon Space CEO Jonny Dyer join Morgan Brennan to discuss using space technology and AI to detect small fires before they become large and devastating, helping incident commanders make better-informed decisions about resource allocation. 

Today we’re handing the mic over to the team behind “Burning Questions” from Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast “How We Survive” as they survey the devastation on the ground in the Pacific Palisades, and dig into the homeowners insurance crisis. Since the Los Angeles fires broke out, thousands have lost their homes and current estimates say insured losses may exceed $30 billion. The disaster has raised existential questions about the future of the insurance industry and its potential impact on the housing market. Host Amy Scott talks with Carolyn Kousky from the Environmental Defense Fund to find answers.

Today we’re handing the mic over to the team behind “Burning Questions” from Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast “How We Survive” as they survey the devastation on the ground in the Pacific Palisades, and dig into the homeowners insurance crisis. Since the Los Angeles fires broke out, thousands have lost their homes and current estimates say insured losses may exceed $30 billion. The disaster has raised existential questions about the future of the insurance industry and its potential impact on the housing market. Host Amy Scott talks with Carolyn Kousky from the Environmental Defense Fund to find answers.

Since early January, historic wildfires have been burning across Los Angeles. Over two dozen people have died, and more than 10,000 homes have been destroyed. Insured losses may exceed $20 billion. In the months prior to the fires, thousands of Los Angeles homeowners were dropped by insurers. Some moved over to the state-funded insurance FAIR plan while many others remained insurance-less. In this episode of “Burning Questions,” the How We Survive team surveys the devastation on the ground in the Pacific Palisades and host Amy Scott talks with Carolyn Kousky from the Environmental Defense Fund to find out if the future is insurable and what that might mean for the housing market.

Since early January, historic wildfires have been burning across Los Angeles. Over two dozen people have died, and more than 10,000 homes have been destroyed. Insured losses may exceed $20 billion. In the months prior to the fires, thousands of Los Angeles homeowners were dropped by insurers. Some moved over to the state-funded insurance FAIR plan while many others remained insurance-less. In this episode of “Burning Questions,” the How We Survive team surveys the devastation on the ground in the Pacific Palisades and host Amy Scott talks with Carolyn Kousky from the Environmental Defense Fund to find out if the future is insurable and what that might mean for the housing market.

In Episode 104 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Dawn Shirreffs to discuss Florida's environmental challenges and the critical steps needed to address them. From the impact of major hurricanes on local infrastructure to the rising costs of insurance, this conversation examines how policies and nature-based solutions like mangroves can protect communities. Dawn, representing the Environmental Defense Fund, shares insights on renewable energy, flood zone awareness, and why resilience planning is essential for the state's future. This episode is a deep dive into the strategies shaping Florida's approach to these pressing issues. 0:01:20 - Environmental Defense Fund's Florida focus 0:02:15 - Mangroves for storm surge protection 0:03:17 - Insurance challenges and development risks 0:06:24 - Hurricanes, heat, and climate change 0:09:32 - Mitigating storm impacts in Florida 0:12:33 - Mangroves as natural storm defense 0:18:23 - Resilience projects and state funding 0:24:17 - Transition to renewable solar energy 0:32:52 - Federal incentives for clean energy 0:54:45 - FEMA maps and flood risks

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast. Today, Karan speaks with Amanda Leland, Executive Director at the Environmental Defense Fund. They talk about her work at the EDF, including what inspires her to stay at the organization for as long as she has, and they discuss the advice she'd give herself at various increments throughout her career journey. They discuss the launching of MethaneSAT, the genesis of the project, and the exciting data it will soon provide. Amanda gives insight on how the EDF is navigating the uncertain political landscape, and she also shares what future breakthroughs she can't wait to happen. They wrap up with a very fun lightning round, so be sure to stick around until the end of the episode to hear that. If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, be sure to do so, and follow us on all the socials. New episodes go out every Thursday.  Listen to The Zenergy Podcast:    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HEZXoEfuDa548Ty81gBWN     Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-zenergy-podcast-climate-leadership-finance/id1556215421 Follow The Zenergy Podcast on all the socials:   X (Twitter): @TakharK2    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Znrg.org    Instagram: @zen_rgy    LinkedIn: ZNRG    YouTube: ZNRG – The ZENERGY Podcast Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 0:38 - Welcome 1:25 - Why Amanda has stayed at EDF for 20 years 3:58 - Amanda's EDF origin story  5:54 - Advice for those working in environmentalism  8:42 - Turning points/”Aha!” moments 11:10 - MethaneSAT 16:20 - How to engage with stakeholders 19:15 - Leadership  22:15 - Tactics for managing a global organization 24:20 - How Amanda avoids jetlag, and how employees of EDF avoid burnout 27:00 - Book recommendations   30:10 - How EDF navigates political shifts 35:10 - EDF's role in enforcing EPA rules  37:30 - Amanda's hopes for the future 39:08 - The ocean could be more a part of the solution to climate change  43:15 - Lightning round of questions, including Amanda's superpower, favorite historical figure, Amanda's mantra, etc.  #EDF #environmentaldefensefund #ChangetheWorld #beonthesideofsolutions #meetpeoplewheretheyare #todayisbetterthanyesterday #tomorrowwillbebetterthantoday

Methane in the Atmosphere: A Serious RiskMany of the solutions we often hear about when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions revolve around reducing carbon emissions, as carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary greenhouse gas emitted by human activities. Methane, however, is the second most common greenhouse gas, emitted through agricultural practices, landfill waste, coal mining, and oil and gas operations. While methane generally receives less attention than carbon dioxide when it comes to climate solutions, recent studies have shown that it is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, methane has a global warming potential 28-34 times higher than CO2 upon emission, which increases to 84-86 times over a 20-year period. How does methane enter our skies?The concentration of methane in the atmosphere has more than doubled over the past century. Both everyday infrastructure in older cities and major leaks at oil and gas fields add to the quantity of methane into the atmosphere. As for the source of these leaks, they are largely caused by equipment failures or faulty pipes and vessels. 2,595 gas incidents have been reported in the US from 2010 to 2021, adding up to 26.6 billion cubic feet of methane gas emitted. Methane impacts both the climate system and public health; breathing methane can cause damaged airways, lung diseases, asthma attacks, increased rates of preterm birth, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and heightened stroke risk.  What can we do?Mining operations can be improved to reduce methane leaks and oil and gas operations can greatly reduce emissions throughout the system. As our tools of measurement and technology improve, the world has realized the greater need to attack methane emissions, which led to the Global Methane Pledge in 2021. In this pledge, 158 countries and the EU pledged to make a distinct effort to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030. Part of reducing methane emissions involves switching from fossil fuels to electricity generated from renewable sources.  According to Environmental specialist and Stanford professor Dr. Rob Jackson, our skies will become cleaner once we switch to cleaner, electrical energy sources, including electric heat pumps to cool and heat our homes, electric water heaters, and especially electric stoves. According to the Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, methane emissions from gas stoves in America—when scaled to the 20-year global warming potential of the gas—were “comparable to the carbon dioxide emissions of approximately 500,000 gas-powered cars.” Health-wise, a study conducted by Stanford's Doerr School of Sustainability and PSE Healthy Energy found that “children who live in homes with gas stoves had a 24% higher risk of lifetime asthma and a 42% increased risk of having asthma currently.” Dr. Jackson says that making the switch to induction stoves is not only energetically cleaner and prevents the likelihood of gas leaks, but it also prevents us from being exposed to toxic pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and benzene gasses that come from gas stoves.Some potential drawbacks: the cost of electricityWhile induction stoves and a cleaner, electrical society sounds optimal, there are some challenges and barriers to making this a reality. First of all, not every person can afford to implement an induction stove and replace their functioning gas stove, as home renovations, rewirings, and big purchases such as a new stove cost a great deal of money. In this way, income inequality plays a major role in the way climate change impacts different people in society. Dr. Jackson uses the example of a person living in a lower-income community; surrounded by older, poorly-maintained appliances, people in these types of homes often breathe dirtier air indoors than outdoors. This is why Dr. Jackson proposes that the shift to clean energy be gradual; fueled by regulations and government support. Without social support, equal access to cleaner energy cannot be achieved.In terms of major gas leaks, change is hard to make as an individual. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, the best thing we can do is to fight for national policy to repair and prevent leaks wherever they occur: whether at mining facilities or under our sidewalks. This is a difficult task, as all individuals can do is push for political action, however agreements such as the Global Methane Pledge seem to be steps in the right direction.Who is our guest?Dr. Rob Jackson is a professor and senior research fellow at Stanford University, and author of Into the Clear Blue Sky, a novel on climate solutions. His lab focuses on using scientific knowledge to shape climate policies and reduce the environmental footprint of human activities. Currently, he chairs the Global Carbon Project, an effort to measure and control greenhouse gas emissions.ResourcesUS Environmental Protection Agency: Overview of Greenhouse GasesUNECE: The ChallengeMIT Technology Review: Methane leaks in the US are worse than we thoughtPIRG: Methane Gas LeaksEnvironmental Defense Fund: How Methane Impacts HealthGlobal Methane Pledge: About the Global Methane PledgeJournal of Environmental Science and Technology: Methane and NOx Emissions from Natural Gas Stoves, Cooktops, and Ovens in Residential HomesAmerican Chemical Society Publications: Gas and Propane Combustion from Stoves Emits Benzene and Increases Indoor Air PollutionEnvironmental Defense Fund: How to stop natural gas leaksFurther ReadingThe New York Times: Did I Turn Off the Stove? Yes, but Maybe Not the GasFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/identifying-and-fixing-natural-gas-leaks-in-cities-with-dr-rob-jackson/

We travel to Houston to find out why projects that want to provide low-carbon fuels to shipping and other industries are in the slow lane two years after the Inflation Reduction Act promised to inject optimism, and cash, into the sector. We interviewed Jeff Pollack of the Port of Corpus Christi, Gregory Dolan of the Methanol Institute, Rebecca Boudreaux of Oberon Fuels, Jean Perarnaud of Ten08 Energy and Mark Brownstein of the Environmental Defense Fund. Photo: Scanpix

Tim McDonnell of Semafor discusses the shifting dynamics of climate and energy policy in both the US and the UK. As political leaders struggle to balance energy security, climate action, and public perception, they explore the "green hush" happening in campaign messaging—why politicians are avoiding direct references to climate change and how this could impact both policy and public engagement.The Green Hushing Phenomenon:"Green hushing" has emerged as a tactic in political campaigns, with politicians framing climate policy in terms of jobs, economic growth, and energy independence rather than climate impacts. Tim discusses how this strategic messaging shift might resonate with voters, particularly those in swing states like Pennsylvania.The UK's Conservative Party and Climate Policy:Turning to the UK, they explore how political leaders such as Robert Jenrick are echoing skeptical stances on net zero commitments, driven in part by a broader conservative narrative of climate action as an economic burden. Richard and Tim highlight the similarities between messaging in the UK and the US, examining how climate denial has evolved into opposition to climate costs.Climate Messaging in Campaign Ads:The duo analyzes recent campaign ads from environmental coalitions like the League of Conservation Voters and Environmental Defense Fund, which conspicuously avoid mentioning climate change, instead focusing on cost-of-living issues and corporate accountability. What does this say about the perceived salience of climate as a campaign issue?Implications of the "Dog That Didn't Bark":Richard and Tim reflect on the broader implications of the absence of climate discourse in the political spotlight, particularly in light of recent natural disasters in the Southeastern United States. They question how this "silence" may impact public awareness, climate activism, and ultimately, policy effectiveness.Transatlantic Messaging Echoes:The conversation also touches on the global nature of climate messaging, with the same rhetoric appearing across the US, UK, and even other parts of Europe. They discuss the role of think tanks and political alliances in propagating these talking points.Key Moments:[00:03:00] - Introduction: Recap of the DNC and the notable absence of direct climate messaging.[00:10:20] - Tim McDonnell on the “green hushing” approach in Kamala Harris' campaign.[00:19:50] - The UK's Conservative Party and skepticism around net zero: Comparing US and UK narratives.[00:28:30] - Richard shares insights on climate campaign ads and their strategic avoidance of climate language.[00:37:45] - Recent climate disasters in the Southeastern US and the “silent” climate policy response.[00:45:15] - Outro reflections: The need for direct climate discourse in politics.Subscribe:If you found value in this conversation, subscribe at wickedproblems.earth for more deep dives into the intersections of climate, tech, and politics. Support our work by becoming a paid subscriber, and help us expand our coverage of climate tech issues. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason Mathers, director of the Environmental Defense Fund, talks about the history of the EDF, what it is currently focusing on, and his commitment to problem solving. He also talks about what he loves about working in the trucking industry, the progress we've made on reducing emissions and the distance we still have to go. He also offers advice on how to make sure you understand emissions policies and regulations.

The Climate Commitment Act's focus on environmental justice may be complicating efforts to link Washington state's carbon market with the California-Quebec carbon market, a move supporters say will ensure the durability of the cap-and-trade program in the Evergreen State. California and Quebec have expressed interest in linking to Washington's carbon market. “Linking California's, Quebec's and Washington's carbon markets would enable deeper and faster cuts in climate pollution while creating a more stable, predictable market for all,” said Katelyn Roedner Sutter, the Environmental Defense Fund's California director. “Three major climate leaders joining forces would create a huge momentum boost for climate action.” One factor complicating linkage efforts is the requirement that CCA funding go to individuals from communities facing environmental harm or health impacts and the organizations serving those communities in what is termed “environmental justice.”

Milwaukee faces a significant challenge with over 70,000 lead service lines. In response, the city has implemented a replacement program initiated by an ordinance in 2017. This initiative leverages federal funding to focus on disadvantaged communities, with an emphasis on neighborhoods identified as most in need through an area deprivation index.In this episode, Superintendent Patrick Pauly of Milwaukee Water Works, Janet Pritchard from the Environmental Policy Innovation Center, and Richard Diaz of the Blue Green Alliance discuss the program's funding strategies, including principal forgiveness funding that allows for 100% coverage of private side replacements without costs to property owners. They highlight the impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has provided a substantial influx of resources, enabling Milwaukee to increase its replacement goals from approximately 1,000 lines per year to 2,200 in 2024 and 3,500 in 2025.Additionally, the discussion emphasizes a robust workforce development strategy, which mandates that contractors must allocate 25% of project dollars to small business enterprises and ensure that 40% of work hours are performed by workers from local disadvantaged areas.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet. This episode on lead service line replacement is supported by BlueConduit, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the Environmental Policy Innovation Center.

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As the pod team settles into the fall semester, we're excited to celebrate the recent accomplishment of one of our past guests. Simon Graham was awarded an AWP Intro Journals Prize for their story “Blair,” forthcoming in Puerto del Sol. Enjoy our conversation with Simon from Season 3. How do you write about the climate crisis without becoming didactic? On this episode, Simon Graham describes their approach to activist writing, guided by their experience growing up on the beaches of Australia and working in environmental policy. Plus, they talk about queering the crime fiction genre, the financial realities for international students living in Seattle, and remembering who you're writing to, for, and with. Simon Graham is an Australian writer, educator, and climate change worker living in Seattle. They are an MFA Candidate in Prose Writing at the University of Washington, where they won the Eugene Van Buren Prize in Fiction and teach a class on activist writing. Simon is also a 2023 Climate Corps Fellow with the Environmental Defense Fund, and prior to moving to the US they worked on climate policy in Australia and lectured on climate change at Monash University. They are currently working on a queer crime novel set in the shadowy world of Australian climate politics. This episode was requested by Sarah Blood and Rorie Newman. Thank you both for listening! MFA Writers is hosted by Jared McCormack and produced by Jared McCormack and Hanamori Skoblow. New episodes are released every two weeks. You can find more MFA Writers at MFAwriters.com. BE PART OF THE SHOW — Donate to the show at Buy Me a Coffee. — Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. — Submit an episode request. If there's a program you'd like to learn more about, contact us and we'll do our very best to find a guest who can speak to their experience. — Apply to be a guest on the show by filling out our application. STAY CONNECTED Twitter: @MFAwriterspod Instagram: @MFAwriterspodcast Facebook: MFA Writers Email: mfawriterspodcast@gmail.com

Managing water resources effectively is crucial, especially in regions facing scarcity and drought. The OpenET platform, developed through collaboration between NASA, the Environmental Defense Fund, and other partners, offers a groundbreaking solution by leveraging satellite data to measure evapotranspiration. In this episode, we hear from Forrest Melton of NASA and Robyn Grimm, formerly of the Environmental Defense Fund, who explain the science behind OpenET and its diverse applications. The episode also features insights from various users across the water sector, including farmers and water managers, who discuss how OpenET is transforming their approach to water use and conservation. From supporting regulatory compliance to optimizing irrigation, OpenET is proving to be a critical tool for ensuring sustainable water management in the face of climate challenges.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet.

The Environmental Defense Fund wants changes made to the way the industry analyses hydrogen emissions data.A recent study from the Environmental Defense Fund asserts the energy industry is miscalculating the true impacts of deploying hydrogen. Hydrogen systems, with new analysis, could prove to be better – or worse – than the fossil fuels they intend to replace.“Clean, green” hydrogen deployment can be considerably better or worse for the climate based on factors typically overlooked in standard assessments. That's the finding of a new study from the EDF. The climate benefits of hydrogen vary depending on factors such as methane emissions, carbon capture, and hydrogen loss. Steve Hamburg is Chief Scientist at the EDF. He joins David to discuss his findings, and to examine the impact on the energy industry of these new analyses, as hydrogen continues to gain traction as a reliable source of clean energy.Improvements are needed for standard hydrogen life cycle analyses as they currently don't account for all climate warming emissions and impacts over time. By including the warming effects of three crucial and frequently overlooked factors in determining the climate impact of hydrogen deployment pathways the results of an assessment can look surprisingly different. Just how different? Listen to find out.Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don't miss an episode. Find us on X – we're @interchangeshow.To keep up to date with everything we talk about on the show, sign up for our weekly Inside Track newsletter. You'll get extra analysis from Wood Mackenzie and be notified when a new episode of the podcast is out. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Biodigesters, sustainable vineyards, & board positions for women are just a few of the fun topics Catherine discussed with Suzanne Hunt, VP of Policy at Generate Upcycle, in this Green Light podcast episode. With operations in Europe, Canada & the U.S., Generate Upcycle is dedicated to scaling up mature infrastructure in areas like organic waste recycling & wastewater, & has invested in companies like Atlas Organics. Suzanne shared about some of the challenges of advancing policy goals in a politically volatile environment, as well as advice on how climate activists & cleantech companies can work more cohesively together. Suzanne has had a diverse & impressive career. She began her career at the Environmental Defense Fund & eventually went on to do work for organizations like XPRIZE, Carbon War Room & Generate. Some of her recent accomplishments include working with coalitions to help get food waste diversion/recycling and climate legislation passed in her home state of New York. Suzanne is also on the board of organizations like Cornell AgriTech, & shared her advice on how women & those with other underrepresented identities can best prepare for a board position. If you're a clean energy employer & need help scaling your workforce efficiently with top tier candidates, contact Catherine McLean, CEO & Founder of Dylan Green, directly on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odzxQr. If you're looking for your next role in clean energy, take a look at our industry-leading clients' latest job openings: bit.ly/dg_jobs. 

The team is on break, so we're sharing the second episode of James McIntyre and Matt Posner's new podcast Capitol Gains, the latest edition to the ImpactAlpha Podcast Network. In this episode James and Matt had the pleasure of hosting Carolyn Kousky of the Environmental Defense Fund. With an extensive background in climate risk management and policy approaches, Carolyn provided a compelling discussion on the evolving risks of climate change, the critical role of disaster insurance and the challenges within the current dynamic. ⁠Subscribe to Capitol Gains wherever you listen.⁠

The team is on break, so we're sharing the second episode of James McIntyre and Matt Posner's new podcast Capitol Gains, the latest edition to the ImpactAlpha Podcast Network. In this episode James and Matt had the pleasure of hosting Carolyn Kousky of the Environmental Defense Fund. With an extensive background in climate risk management and policy approaches, Carolyn provided a compelling discussion on the evolving risks of climate change, the critical role of disaster insurance and the challenges within the current dynamic. Subscribe to Capitol Gains wherever you listen.

In his latest book, Tech to Table: 25 Innovators Reimagining Food, Richard Munson explores how new technologies are revolutionizing agriculture—a traditionally slow-to-modernize industry. In this episode, we explore specific innovations like lab-grown meat and Impossible Foods' use of the heme molecule, along with regulatory challenges these innovations face. We also discuss vertical farming in urban centers and the ability to reduce food spoilage with natural coatings. Along the way, we cover 3D printing food, soil microbe analysis, gene editing for plants, and reducing methane emissions from livestock.     About Richard Munson Richard Munson has been a leader in clean energy and environmental issues, holding key positions like Senior Director at the Environmental Defense Fund and coordinator at the Northeast-Midwest Institute. He also serves on the board of the Illinois Environmental Council. Munson is an acclaimed author, known for books such as Tesla: Inventor of the Modern, Cousteau: The Captain and His World, and his latest work, Tech to Table: 25 Innovators Reimagining Food. Richard is also set to release a new biography of Benjamin Franklin, titled Ingenious, focusing on Franklin's scientific contributions.     Show Highlights (3:18) Using animal cells to create meat and Impossible Foods using the heme molecule to give plants a meaty flavor (9:18) Vertical farming (11:32) Addressing food spoilage (13:14) How robots, satellites, and drone technology is being utilized in agriculture (16:39) 3D printing in food production (19:53) Analyzing soil microbes to advance efficiency and sustainability (21:21) Using gene editing to modify plants and how it differs from genetic engineering (24:11) Reducing methane production in livestock     Links Referenced Tesla: Inventor of the Modern https://www.amazon.com/Tesla-Inventor-Modern-Richard-Munson/dp/0393635449   Cousteau: The Captain and His World https://www.amazon.com/Cousteau-Captain-World-Richard-Munson/dp/0688074502     Tech to Table: 25 Innovators Reimagining Food https://www.amazon.com/Tech-Table-Innovators-Reimagining-Food/dp/1642831905    

In episode 210 of America Adapts, Dr. Carolyn Kousky, Associate Vice President for Economics and Policy at the Environmental Defense Fund, returns to discuss the climate challenges in Florida's property insurance market. She outlines how Florida faces significant economic risks due to hurricanes and other disasters, with 36 presidential disaster declarations since 2000. The episode delves into the complexities of the state's insurance system, focusing on three key programs: Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, and the Florida Insurance Guarantee Association. Dr. Kousky addresses the reliance on smaller insurance companies; the critical role of reinsurance; and the impact of climate change on insurance pricing and availability. Doug and Carolyn have a broader conversation about the insanity of the Florida system of the existing property insurance market and how it could lead to price gouging for Florida citizens living in less at risk areas of the state. Also, the ‘hot take' for this episode! https://www.americaadapts.org/episodes/house-of-cards-florida-and-property-insurance-in-the-age-of-climate-change Topics covered: Evolution of Florida's Property Insurance Approach State Programs Providing Insurance in Florida The Role of Reinsurers and Insurance Companies Transparency in Catastrophe Modeling in Florida Impact of Sea Level Rise on Florida's Insurance Market Cross-subsidies and Assessments in Florida's Insurance Market Climate Equity and Fair Pricing in Florida's Insurance Market Balancing Risk Reduction and Insurance Access Price gouging inland communities to subsidize coastal communities' insurance rates Guest Recommendation: Jessica Dandridge, Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans Transcript of episode available here. Quotes from the episode: Dr. Carolyn Kousky:   Politically, there's often an appetite to just ignore the risk and not address it because addressing it can be hard and might be costly, but failing to address it is also setting us up for much higher future costs.   …we need to view the crisis in our insurance markets as a signal for how high risk is, and that we have to  invest aggressively and quickly in much more climate adaptation in order to lower that risk to a manageable level…    Doug Parsons:   Climate change is like gravity. … there's no arguing with it. It's just going to happen. …but you are living in Gainesville, you're being responsible, you haven't gone to the coast.  Isn't raising that person's rate a form of price gouging because you don't have as much risk and yet they're raising your rate , that's price gouging. Previous Episodes with Dr. Carolyn Kousky New Tools for a More Resilient Future with Dr. Carolyn Kousky Risky Business: Adapting Insurance Markets to Wildfire and Flood Risk with Dr. Carolyn Kousky Check out the America Adapts Media Kit  here! Subscribe to the America Adapts newsletter here. Links in this episode:   The Evolution of Florida's Public-Private Approach to Property Insurance https://floridapolicyproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/FINAL_Florida-Insurance-Market-Report.pdf   https://earth.org/why-we-need-to-fix-disaster-insurance-markets/   https://www.edf.org/people/carolyn-kousky   Donate to America Adapts Listen to America Adapts on your favorite app here! Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ @usaadapts https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Donate to America Adapts Follow on Apple Podcasts Follow on Android Doug Parsons and Speaking Opportunities: If you are interested in having Doug speak at corporate and conference events, sharing his unique, expert perspective on adaptation in an entertaining and informative way, more information can be found here! Now on Spotify! List of Previous Guests on America Adapts Follow/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts. Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Strategies to Address Climate Change Risk in Low- and Moderate-income Communities - Volume 14, Issue 1 https://www.frbsf.org/community-development/publications/community-development-investment-review/2019/october/strategies-to-address-climate-change-low-moderate-income-communities/ Podcasts in the Classroom – Discussion guides now available for the latest episode of America Adapts. These guides can be used by educators at all levels. Check them out here! The 10 Best Sustainability Podcasts for Environmental Business Leadershttps://us.anteagroup.com/news-events/blog/10-best-sustainability-podcasts-environmental-business-leaders The best climate change podcasts on The Climate Advisorhttp://theclimateadvisor.com/the-best-climate-change-podcasts/ 7 podcasts to learn more about climate change and how to fight ithttps://kinder.world/articles/you/7-podcasts-to-learn-more-about-climate-change-and-how-to-fight-it-19813 Directions on how to listen to America Adapts on Amazon Alexa https://youtu.be/949R8CRpUYU America Adapts also has its own app for your listening pleasure!  Just visit the App store on Apple or Google Play on Android and search “America Adapts.” Join the climate change adaptation movement by supporting America Adapts!  Please consider supporting this podcast by donating through America Adapts fiscal sponsor, the Social Good Fund. All donations are now tax deductible! For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.   Podcast Music produce by Richard Haitz Productions Write a review on Apple Podcasts ! America Adapts on Facebook!   Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group. Check us out, we're also on YouTube! Executive Producer Dr. Jesse Keenan Subscribe to America Adapts on Apple Podcasts Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com

These days, there isn't a lot that can happen without a form of insurance. From buying a home, hopping in an Uber, using public WiFi, to investing in a mutual fund - insurance is everywhere. Weather-related events are increasing in size and frequency around the country and this is making property insurance unaffordable for many, which causes a lot of problems many may not be fully considering. This trend does not appear to be getting any better and the larger implications are not pretty. Joining the podcast for this episode is the Environmental Defense Fund's Carolyn Kousky to discuss why elected officials, policy-makers and the insurers themselves have been unable to solve for this problem. Dr. Kousky sets the stage for how we got to a point where major insurance companies are declining to do business in many parts of the country and offers some realistic ways to address the problems at hand. As we are apt to do, Capitol Gains takes a look at climate change through a financial lens we all can appreciate - insurance and our pocket books - and takes a look at it from the community finance angle. The report we mention in the episode can be read here. The views expressed are solely those of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employers or other associated parties. Adam Linder of Bespoken Podcast edited this episode.

California is grappling with a severe groundwater crisis, underscoring the urgent need for accurate accounting under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). SGMA mandates that certain basins develop plans to achieve groundwater balance by 2040, ensuring that withdrawals do not exceed recharge rates. Various tools are being used or developed to tackle this challenge, ranging from field meters and well monitors to computer models and online platforms. This episode features conversations with Ann Hayden, Vice President of Climate Resilient Water Systems at the Environmental Defense Fund; Brad Samuelson, Managing Partner of Water and Land Solutions; and Brian Lockwood, General Manager of Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency. They discuss the pressures and solutions for groundwater accounting from the Central Valley to the Central Coast. The episode also includes a demonstration of the Groundwater Accounting Platform.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet.

Splitting Water: All About Hydrogen with Tianyi Sun, EDF Splitting Water: All About Hydrogen with Tianyi Sun, EDF  Dr. Tianyi Sun is a climate scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund. This nonpartisan, nonprofit organization relies on science and economics to tackle climate change and other pressing environmental issues of our day. Tianyi holds a Ph.D. in Climate Dynamics from the University of Texas at Austin and did her undergraduate studies in Atmospheric Sciences at Nanjing University, China. Her work at EDF focuses on the impacts of short-lived climate pollutants, such as methane and hydrogen. She explores how their emissions and mitigation affect the climate system and the role of short-lived gases in net zero emissions pathways. She also leads EDF's hydrogen science work on hydrogen emissions measurements and their climate implications.   Dr. Sun walks us through a very helpful Hydrogen 101. Learn why hydrogen is the new rising star in the climate mitigation world.  Hydrogen is emerging as a pivotal solution for climate mitigation, offering both promise and challenges. Its versatility as a clean energy carrier enables decarbonization across transportation, industry, and power generation sectors. Utilizing green hydrogen produced from renewable sources reduces carbon emissions significantly. Benefits include zero emissions, energy storage capabilities, and fostering energy independence.  However, challenges loom, notably regarding cost, scalability, and infrastructure development. Risks encompass safety concerns, primarily related to hydrogen's flammability and transportation hazards. Addressing these challenges demands concerted efforts in technological advancement, policy support, and investment. Hydrogen stands as a potent ally in combating climate change, albeit with caveats requiring careful navigation.  Learn more here:   EDF's 2022 award-winning paper on the climate implications of hydrogen: https://www.edf.org/blog/2022/03/07/hydrogen-climate-solution-leaks-must-be-tackled    EDF's latest study on the implications of overlooked factors in climate assessments of hydrogen Statement: https://www.edf.org/media/hydrogen-could-have-much-bigger-climate-impact-most-estimates-study-shows   Link to the full study: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c09030 

The Biden Administration is helping finance advanced nuclear power reactors and refurbishment of traditional nuclear power stations to promote the generation of zero-emission electricity. Some designs offer more flexibility in power output to an electrical grid where renewable energy is intermittent. Also after years congressional battles the EPA is finally banning all uses of asbestos, a highly toxic substance. Maria Doa of the Environmental Defense Fund discusses why it took so long and the anticipated public health benefits of the phaseout. And despite an international agreement to phase out financing for fossil fuel projects abroad, the Biden administration recently approved a $500 million dollar loan guarantee for an oil and gas drilling project in Bahrain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guest Information:Keith Gaby Social Media: @RealKeithGabyIf you have campaign questions or want to learn more, reach out to us using the contact information below.The Campaign Workshop: Twitter: @cmpwrkshpInstagram: @TheCampaignWorkshopEmail: marketing@thecampaignworkshop.comJoe FuldX: @joefuldInstagram: @joefuldMartín Diego GarciaX: @gmartindiegoInstagram: @gmartindiegoPresented by The Campaign Workshop

Canadian Dallas Green is City and Colour. His buddy, Matt Kelly joins him onstage at eTown Hall to perform some amazingly soulful tunes. New Yorkers Kristin Slipp and Cole Kamen-Green are mmeadows. This husband and wife duo display their unique brand of electronica featuring Kristin's dynamic and soaring vocals. Jon Goldstein is a Senior Director at the Environmental Defense Fund. He sits down with Nick to discuss turning the wrench on leaking natural gas. That's all this week on eTown! Visit our Youtube Channel to see artist interviews, live recordings, studio sessions, and more!   Be a part of the audience at our next recording: https://www.etown.org/etown-hall/all-events/

Methane leakage is one of many issues at the forefront today over how the oil and gas industry is engaging in the clean energy transition. Importantly, this industry includes not only some of the better-known energy companies, but also many national oil companies. Collectively they produce about half the world's oil and gas. During last year's COP28, these companies committed to cutting methane emissions and working towards decarbonizing the industry. But the energy transition for these companies is a delicate balance, as they are responsible for generating revenue and ensuring energy security for their countries.  So, how will global pledges to decarbonize impact the oil and gas industry? What is the role for cleaner fuels like hydrogen in meeting growing energy demand? How much progress is being made to curb methane emissions? And what is the role of national oil companies in the transition?  This week host Jason Bordoff talks with Mark Brownstein about the importance of reducing methane emissions and what the transition looks like for national oil companies.  Mark is the senior vice president of energy transition at the Environmental Defense Fund. He has been with EDF for almost two decades, working to halt the rise of global oil and gas emissions and accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. Before joining EDF, Mark worked for Public Service Enterprise Group, a large electric and gas utility holding company in the U.S. He has also taught energy policy at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. 

In this episode, I discuss the newly launched MethaneSAT — a satellite that can detect methane emissions on the ground — with Mark Brownstein of the Environmental Defense Fund. We cover how it came to be, its technical capacities, and the ways satellite detection might serve global efforts to reduce emissions. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.volts.wtf/subscribe

Nonprofitnewsfeed.com George Weiner and Nick Azulay of Whole Whale discuss various topics including a milestone for Whole Whale's YouTube account, the first nonprofit-backed satellite launched into space, election concerns for nonprofits, and a nonprofit initiative to eliminate medical debt. The Environmental Defense Fund's MethaneSAT, the first nonprofit satellite, aims to map methane emissions globally. Nonprofits are preparing for the upcoming election season and its impact on communications and fundraising. Legal challenges faced by the Annunciation House, a nonprofit supporting migrants, highlight the political pressures on nonprofits. RIP Medical Debt's partnership to alleviate $700 million in medical debt in Wayne County is celebrated. Critical Insights, Statistics, and Quotes: MethaneSAT is a game-changer, providing high-resolution data on methane emissions to the public, which could hold industries and governments accountable for climate change mitigation. Methane, though less discussed than CO2, is a potent greenhouse gas responsible for 20% of global warming from human activities. Nonprofits are both concerned and optimistic about the upcoming election; they must navigate a political climate that could overshadow their messaging. Legal battles such as the one faced by Annunciation House underscore the intersection of nonprofit work and political agendas. The collaboration between nonprofits and municipalities, as seen in the partnership with RIP Medical Debt, showcases innovative approaches to solving pressing social issues. Calls to Action: Nonprofit professionals should consider how their messaging may align or conflict with political narratives in the upcoming election season. Organizations might explore partnerships similar to RIP Medical Debt to amplify their impact. Closing Thought: The nonprofit sector continues to innovate and push boundaries, from space missions to social justice, demonstrating the power of focused efforts and strategic partnerships on Earth and beyond. Let's celebrate these milestones and brace for the challenges ahead, always remembering the core mission of serving communities and the planet.

In a new partnership with Google, the Environmental Defense Fund has developed a satellite that will orbit the Earth fifteen times a day and monitor methane emissions. The satellite, called MethaneSAT, will provide specific data on which parts of oil and gas infrastructure are the biggest methane emitters. Using artificial intelligence, MethaneSAT will overlay emissions data on oil and gas infrastructure maps to pinpoint the components that are responsible for methane leaks.  So, what are the implications of this new methane detection technology? And can it be expanded to detect other greenhouse gasses? This week host Bill Loveless talks with EDF's Steve Hamburg about the capabilities of MethaneSAT, and how they differ from other satellites that detect methane. Steve is the chief scientist and a senior vice president at the Environmental Defense Fund. He leads the organization's work to quantify methane emissions and understand the impacts on air pollution and human health. Before joining EDF in 2008, he was an environmental science professor at University of Kansas and Brown University, where he was the founding director of the Global Environment Program. He has also served as a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and was acknowledged as one of the contributing recipients of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

The U.N. Climate Change Conference, COP28, delivered positive news around technology, clean energy and methane emissions. But investors should be wary about slower progress in other areas.----- Transcript -----Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Stephen Byrd, Morgan Stanley's Global Head of Sustainability Research. Along with my colleagues, bringing you a variety of perspectives, today I'll discuss some takeaways from the recent UN Climate Change Conference. It's Thursday, December 14th at 10 a.m. in New York. Achieving net zero emissions is a top priority as the world moves into a new phase of climate urgency. Decarbonization, or energy transition, is one of the three big themes Morgan Stanley research has followed closely throughout this year. As we approach the end of 2023. I wanted to give you an update on the space, especially as the U.N. Climate Change Conference or COP 28 just concluded in Dubai. First, there have been multiple announcements from the conference around the issue of decarbonizing the energy sector, which accounts for about three-quarters of total greenhouse gas emissions. The first was a surprisingly broad effort to curb methane gas emissions. Fifty oil and gas producers, accounting for 40% of global oil production, signed an agreement to cut methane emissions to 0.2% by 2030 and to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. Methane accounts for 45 to 50% of oil and gas emissions, and the energy sector is responsible for about 40% of human activity methane globally. Important to note, this agreement will be monitored for compliance by three entities, the U.N. International Methane Emissions Observatory, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the International Energy Agency. Second, 118 countries reached an agreement to commit to tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, an action that boosts the global effort to reduce the usage of fossil fuels. A smaller group of countries also agreed to triple nuclear power capacity by 2050. And third, several governments have reached an agreement on the Loss and Damage Startup Fund, designed to provide developing nations with the necessary resources to respond to climate disasters. The fund is especially important because it could alleviate the debt burden of countries that are under-resourced and overexposed to climate events and to improve their climate resiliency. So what do all of these developments mean for the energy transition theme? Overall, our outlook is mixed, and at a global level, we do see challenges on the way to achieving a range of emissions reductions goals. On the positive side, we see many data points indicating advances in energy transition technology and a more rapid scaling up of clean energy deployment. We are also encouraged to see a major focus on reducing methane emissions and a small but potentially growing focus on providing financial support for regions most exposed to climate change risks. On the negative side, however, we see multiple signs that fossil fuel demand is not likely to decline as rapidly as needed to reach a variety of emissions reduction goals. We see persistent challenges across the board, for instance, in raising capital to finance energy transition efforts, especially in emerging markets. This is in part driven by greater weather extremes stressing power grids, as well as a broad geopolitical focus favoring energy security. An example of this dynamic is India. Not only does India depend on coal for over 70% of its national power generation, but it intends to bolster further its coal power generation capacity despite the global efforts to move towards renewable energy, and this is really driven by a focus on energy security. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy Thoughts on the Market, please take a moment to rate and review us on the Apple Podcast app. It helps more people to find the show.

The Lincoln Project's own Rick Wilson mocks Gov. Ron Desantis' astoundingly bad performance against Gov. Gavin Newsome. The Daily Beast's Kelly Weill, explains why the Seth Rich and Pizzagate conspiracy theories have resurfaced again. Environmental Defense Fund's Fred Krupp details the big news from this weekend, an agreement that will help hold gas companies accountable for methane leaks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of the world's largest companies are setting net-zero climate goals, and they're using carbon credits to get there. That means they can keep producing carbon emissions as long as they pay for emissions to be reduced elsewhere. But do carbon credits actually incentivize companies to reduce their emissions? On the show today, Pedro Martins Barata, associate vice president for carbon markets at the Environmental Defense Fund, explains what carbon credits are and the ethical concerns with companies relying on them to meet net-zero emissions goals. Plus, what future regulation of carbon markets could look like. Then, we’ll unpack the good and bad news in the latest U.S. climate assessment. And, some industries are compensating for widespread staffing shortages by requiring employees to work excessive overtime. Later, we’ll hear about how some farmers are combating climate change. And, this week's answer to the Make Me Smart question was inspired by a listener. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Fossil-fuel company net zero plans ‘largely meaningless,’ report says” from Reuters “Carbon credit speculators could lose billions as offsets deemed ‘worthless'” from The Guardian “The Climate Solution Actually Adding Millions of Tons of CO2 Into the Atmosphere” from ProPublica “Analysis: How some of the world's largest companies rely on carbon offsets to ‘reach net-zero'” from Carbon Brief “Action needed to make carbon offsets from forest conservation work for climate change mitigation” from Science “Carbon offsets: What are they and do they work?” from CNN Business “36-hour shifts, 80-hour weeks: Workers are being burned out by overtime” from NBC News “US climate assessment lays out growing threats, opportunities as temperatures rise” from Reuters “Farm fields don’t just feed us. They store carbon. But a big question is how much” from AP News We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. You can reach us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.