The Climate Minute

A Fairy Tale of Eternal Growth: The Climate Minute Podcast

Greta Thunberg’s speech at the UN contained the line “We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!” In a warming world, can we continue to pursue higher and higher GDP? The “Doughnut Economy” gives us a new way to think.

How the big banks could stop global warming: The Climate Minute Podcast

The fossil fuel industry needs the finance industry- banks, asset managers and insurance companies- the way humans need air to breath. That is why Bill McKibben says ‘money is the oxygen that fires global warming.’ He makes a cogent argument that the oil industry would be crippled if banks decided not to provide loans. If crippling the oil-extraction industry sounds good to you, listen in.

Voices from the Climate Strike: The Climate Minute Podcast

We chat with some of the thousands who attended the Climate Strike in Boston on 9/20/19.

Schoolstrike 4 Climate: The Climate Minute Podcast

The School Strike for Climate will happen on Friday 9/20. Greta Thunberg is the spark, but young people around the world are driving a massive global movement. Listen in for some insight and perspective.

The view from the 38th floor: The Climate Minute Podcast

The New Yorker is a cultural bellwether and Jonathan Franzen is a famous author. The magazine has published pieces by climate hero Bill McKibben. Unfortunately, this prestige did not prevent them from publishing a technically inaccurate and morally vacuous 'think piece' about climate. Franzen's complacency is that of an aging well-to-do white dude who looks out the office window on the 38th floor of One World Trade Center and sees not too much to worry about. Eustace Tilley examining butterflies pretty much sums it up.

We should be listening to the voices of the dispossessed and marginalized, those indigenous tribes losing a way of life, those Bahamians suffering from environmental injustice, and those youth who will live their lives in whatever world we are choosing now. Franzen and the New Yorker demonstrated their disconnect from the real world. Let's hope they work to find the connection.

From absurd to authoritarian: The Climate Minute Podcast

Donald Trump’s sharpie stunt was initially mocked, but as reports emerged of threatened reprisals the events took on a darker meaning. The administration lies about science and the existence of climate change, but if weather reports are subject to political review can labor statistics, census data and election results be far behind? Listen in.

Climate strikes, climate debates and why is Niall so afraid of Greta? The Climate Minute Podcast

Greta Thunberg sailed into NY harbor in time for the September 20th Climate Strike. She seems to be a pleasant person but grown men like Niall Ferguson are terrified of her-or at least very afraid of her ideas. Ideas were on full display in the CNN Climate Town Hall. The best take home was that straws, light bulbs and hamburgers are the sort of distraction that Exxon wants you to focus on, instead of their climate lies. In a future where we’ve solved climate change, we will have straws that don’t kill turtles.

Don’t be surprised when you are surprised: The Climate Minute Podcast

Hurricane Dorian teaches us a new lesson about climate change: Don't be surprised when you are surprised.

On planting trees and being human: The Climate Minute Podcast

Reforestation captures carbon from the air and in subtle ways helps to make us more human. Listen in for a broad ranging discussion with Professor Nancy Lee Wood on how and why to draw down carbon pollution.

Animals, plants and people: The Climate Minute Podcast

We chat with an aspiring veterinarian about becoming a vet, and new views about the relations between animals, plants and people.