Welcome to Climate Hot Seat. This podcast isn’t designed to debate whether climate change is real or if it’s being caused by humans. The scientific consensus around the world is that climate change is already occurring, and will increase in the future. Humans have a part in creating climate change by emitting greenhouse gasses that get trapped in the earth’s atmosphere. So, now that we have that out of the way…

What Climate Hot Seat IS about is a taking look at what individuals, communities, governments and organizations around the world are doing to manage and adapt to climate change impacts. People are using innovation, creativity, and outside-the-box thinking to solve problems caused by global environmental change. Climate change is linked to social justice issues and extreme poverty. So solutions that work tackle both social and environmental challenges to find outcomes that support both people and the planet.

Thanks to everyone listening, and I hope you enjoy the podcast! I’m also hopeful that Climate Hot Seat becomes a place to exchange new ideas and perspectives on how we can make a difference in our collective future. Sign up here to be notified when new episodes become available.

Episode 5: Jeff Burgett

In this episode, Jeff Burgett talks about adaptation in the Hawaiian Islands and some of the challenges involved. Is it possible to save every endangered species or will government agencies of the future need to practice triage with endangered species and environments? Jeff and Amanda rethink conservation and what it may mean in the future.

Episode 4: Kathy Halvorsen and Erin Pischke

Ever wondered how to turn plant waste into valuable bio-fuels that help mitigate climate change? Learn that and more on the latest episode of the Climate Hot Seat! In this episode Amanda talks to Kathy Halvorsen and Erin Pischke from Michigan Technological University. They discuss climate change mitigation, and the study of trans-disciplinary bio-energy development in Argentina, Mexico, the US, and Canada.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Episode 3: Dawn Magness

In this episode, Amanda discusses connectivity with an old friend and colleague, Dawn Magness. Connectivity is the number one climate change adaptation strategy in the literature. Dawn outlines concrete ways to plan for connectivity in intact landscapes.

Episode 2: Ann Edwards

In this episode, Amanda and Ann discuss how climate change is affecting former Hunter-Gatherer societies in South Africa and Mongolia. They also talk about new possibilities for approaching the subject of climate change with climate change “deniers”. In a surprising turn, Amanda learns a bit of the ju/hoansi bushmen’s language.

Episode 1: Mike Durglo

In this episode, Mike Durglo explains his implementation of community level climate adaptation, through the EAGLES (Environmental Advocates for Global and Ecological Sustainability) program in schools on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Mike and Amanda discuss how it may be easier than we think to grow community level climate adaptation to have international impact.