Cate shares her inspiring stories and lessons learned along the way, all of great value to anyone interested in joining with young people (and other educators) to learn to change.

Here's an extended cut of our conversation with Vanessa Rule, a co-founder of Mothers Out Front co-founder and their director of learning and expansion. Hear how their organizing model, built on relationships, stories and continuous learning, empowers "unsuspecting activists" to become climate leaders and build the movement.

They are members of YouthCAN, a climate action network designed by and for high school students. Through their experiences, we learn about the trials and triumphs of some of the next generation of climate leaders.

We explore this promising space in conversation with an alum (Lauren Kuntz) and an instructor (Dr. Ari Epstein) of Terrascope, MIT's environmentally-focused freshman learning community.

In this first episode of season 3, we talk with psychologist Renee Lertzman about how we, individually and in our communities, can create the necessary space to listen to others and develop emotional intelligence about climate issues.

Join us for Season 3 of the ClimateX podcast "Climate Conversations" as we explore: how do we Learn to Change?

In this special bonus episode of Climate Conversations, the team sits down with Dr. Alexander Dale, the Senior Officer for MIT Solve’s Sustainability pillar. MIT Solve is a community for connecting innovative solution-makers with the resources to solve global challenges. They seek to connect people across spaces both within MIT and the external, global community to address the world’s greatest environmental, economic, and sociopolitical challenges.

The Climate Conversations group explores how Solve is building this global network of scalable solutions, and what makes for a successful Solver (challenge winner). They discuss Solve’s 2018 “Coastal Communities” challenge, which looks at ways to address the issues coastal communities are facing due to climate change and rising sea levels. Is there a way to harness these issues, and transform them into a solution? Dr. Dale and the team discuss the innovators of the future, and how they are tackling these challenges.

The team discusses recurring themes, such as visibility issues, collaboration across social divides, institutional oppression, and intersectionality.

They also explore areas of difference among the guests (and among themselves), such as whether capitalism is inherently exploitation or can be a force for social good.

The episode and the season end with dreaming big: if you could wave a magic wand to correct one injustice, anywhere in the world, what would it be?

Lastly, they discuss Jay’s research and recent book on “breaking through the gridlock” in difficult conversations. How do we move past the certainty of our own perspectives, and really engage with dissenting voices? The team looks at the power of shared values and how to foster authentic connections, in order to unlock new and better solutions.

The conversation then looks at capitalism’s role in injustice, and how prioritizing amassing wealth for elites disregards the earth’s well-being and human rights. Finally, the team examines mobilization strategies that take into account the interconnectivity of justice issues across individuals and institutions.

Bueno outlines the significance of the centralized power system in Puerto Rico, and how its reliance on fossil fuels has failed the people of Puerto Rico. To avoid similar failures in the future, he advocates decentralizing power systems via developing micro grids, as well as developing electricity infrastructure that is more resilient in extreme weather events.

Bueno and the team also look at how the hurricane amplified social and economic justice issues. There are many opportunities in the crisis for addressing those issues while increasing initiatives to reduce poverty. The conversation closes with highlights of what communities both in Puerto Rico and in the greater Boston area, have undertaken to mobilize for immediate needs as well as social and environmental justice longer term.

Van Aalst is the director of the Climate Center and coordinates support to climate risk management across the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.

Van Aalst explains how the UN’s A2R initiatives (Anticipate, Absorb, Reshape), which launched at Paris COP21; he helps implement protection and resources for vulnerable communities during environmental crises. He utilizes the scientific capacity to translate forecasts into humanitarian action.

He also discusses the current ClimateCoLab competition on developing climate risk insurance solutions, to help protect those most vulnerable to environmental issues. All are encouraged to explore and contribute to the latest competition, co-sponsored by UN A2R, which seeks new ways to couple climate risk insurance with other social protections to help vulnerable communities absorb climate impacts. Visit climatecolab.org to learn more.

The Climate Conversations team sits down with Zeyneb Magavi, a leader in Mothers Out Front in Cambridge, MA. Zeyneb wears multiple hats as an activist with Mothers Out Front, Research Director for HEET, and a member of the Gas Leaks Allies.

They discuss how mothers sharing a strong interest in protecting their children’s future cuts across boundaries, as well as how Mothers Out Front’s grassroots relationship building approach sets itself apart from other groups’ goal of securing a better future for their children through climate justice.

Also of wide interest is hearing about Mothers Out Front’s groundbreaking work with allies to address gas leaks through direct negotiation with three regional gas utilities. Finally, we hear about the campaign Mothers Out Front in Cambridge is soon to launch - “Bring Paris Home” - to motivate residents to make energy efficiency choices. How can relationship-based initiatives affect positive change?

We sit down with Lisa Young, the Climate Justice Partnerships Organizer for the Better Future Project and discuss the evolution of the term “climate justice”, and the ways in which those who contribute the least to climate change suffer the most.

We discuss how not only the solutions to environmental justice issues must be intersectional, but the process by which we reach those solutions. Policy changes and technological innovations will only take us so far in the fight for climate justice, we must lift up the work and voices of everyone impacted.

Young and the Climate Conversations team talk about the history of mistrust and exclusion in the environmental movement. We analyze how to recognize that history and rebuild relationships moving forward; in what Young describes as a “broader-based progressive network”. How can we get everyone involved in climate action, and recognize the contributions of frontline communities?

These are the questions we’re asking Trish Weinmann, the Associate director of Radius, a place for the MIT community to discuss issues of justice and equity.

Trish explains to us the role that Radius plays in helping the MIT community reflect on complex justice issues such as climate change, and how they have turned these reflections into action.

Zak explains how improvements to public transportation can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while improving the lives of a community's disadvantaged people. Zak and the team explore some of the choices both travelers and urban land use planners need to make in promoting a healthy climate.

We also discuss Zak’s role in Project Drawdown, which identifies the 100 most impactful climate change solutions that we can access immediately, and ask Zak about its future.

We discuss transformative adaptation, and how planners can develop green infrastructures whilst improving the lives of everyone in our global society.

Mike explains how future planning in Boston needs to communicate with local communities to discover their lived experiences, and use these to inform future plans.

In this episode, we interview Deb Markowitz, a former six-term Vermont Secretary of State, and Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. Currently, Markowitz is currently a visiting professor in Environmental Policy and Leadership at the University of Vermont.

We discuss how state power and regional action can be leveraged to combat climate change in light of the United States plan to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Deb highlights how carbon pricing, market-driven policies, leadership, and ideology can produce meaningful change and measurable economic and environmental benefits. We also discuss the success of RGGI cap-and-trade system, and how inter-state cooperation on carbon emissions and environmental policy can lead when federal policies lag.

In this episode, we interview Professor John Fernandez, Director of the Environmental Solutions Initiative at MIT and an expert in urban metabolism  – the flows of material and energy that sustain growing cities and their ecosystems.

We discuss how natural systems can mitigate and help society adapt to climate change as urban areas expand rapidly and globally. John highlights how healthy forests, wetlands, and soils help limit carbon, keep air and water clean, and limit risks from extreme weather.  We also discuss how technology (e.g. sensors, AI) can work in service of nature.

John stresses the need to understand and manage our urban metabolism by coordinating natural systems policies across states and regions.

If you’d like to learn more about the Together in Climate Action Summit, which runs December 7th & 8th 2017, visit climatesummit.mit.edu

In this episode, we interview Frank O’Sullivan, Director of Research at MIT Energy Initiative and an expert in electricity.

Frank teaches us about technology, market, and policy shifts in the electricity sector, such as renewable sources, energy storage, and flexible dynamic pricing. We consider how these advances will affect consumers and the climate, and how social equity can be improved in the transition.  

Additionally, Frank previews the upcoming Summit panel on regional coordination of electricity policy. We ask Frank how this might reduce policy fragmentation in North America, and lead to a more resilient and climate-friendly electric grid.

If you’d like to learn more about the Together in Climate Action Summit, which runs December 7th & 8th 2017, visit climatesummit.mit.edu

We interview Dr. David Cash, former commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Public Utilities, and dean of the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

David explains the roles that governments can play in providing the right regulations and opportunities for sustainability to grow and thrive at the state and regional levels.

David illustrates these roles with specific cases from his experience creating multi-state collaboration (e.g., Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative) and state-level legislation (e.g., Green Communities Act and the Global Warming Solutions Act). We also discuss the importance of equity and justice in creating good policy.

If you’d like to learn more about the Together in Climate Action Summit, which runs December 7th & 8th 2017, visit climatesummit.mit.edu

This week, the Climate Conversations team is joined by climate research scientist Nick Obradovich, who discusses the many ways the climate affects us in our day-to-day lives, including the way we sleep and exercise. Nick explains how he uses data science to look at climate and behavior, such as social media indications of how people’s mood changes with weather.

We discuss climate change as a human cooperation challenge, and explore how developing countries will struggle to adapt to climate change: is it time to pay reparations to these countries?

Geoffrey discusses the importance of the science community going beyond facts and figures to reach the heart of the climate action movement and engage the public.

We also explore the way fossil fuel companies need to transition if we are to move successfully towards decarbonisation.

We discuss the history of coal mining in the Appalachian region, including the coal industry’s exploitation of coal miners, and what a just transition away from coal should look like.

Nick explains how activists and environmentalists can improve the way they communicate with mining communities in order to engage them in productive environmental action.

We examine how justice issues play out in climate disasters such as hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, and consider what a “just transition” away from fossil fuels might look like in local communities.

Pat explains his role in intricate climate change negotiations, and how governments fund and adapt to climate challenges in coastal and island locations.

Additionally, Pat explores the complex relationship between people and place, considering the role that the market-based solutions in climate adaptation in the wake of natural disasters.

Professor Selin explains the complexities of international environmental agreements, including the impact of social media, and we discuss the importance of integrating of government, policy and science when studying the environment.

Profesor Selin also discusses MIT’s new interdisciplinary minor, Environment and Sustainability, which links the science and engineering with governance and policy.

We discuss Fossil Free MIT’s new career pledge, which encourages students to prioritize climate change and sustainability when making future career choices, fossil fuel divestment and much more.

We discuss how climate modelling and collaborative research are used to assess the way climate influences regional agriculture, the economy and industry.

Erwan and Élodie also stress the importance of bringing different disciplines together within universities to solve complex problems such as climate change.

As our reading of Project Drawdown shows, some of the highest impact solutions are low-tech: stop eating meat, empower women and girls. We have been thinking about these questions for a while and a recent interview with Richard Heinberg on this very topic on the Warm Regards podcast gave us the perfect opportunity to air thoughts in the guise of a response. Listen to this “Big Questions” episode to find out what Curt, Dave and Rajesh think about techno-fixes. And let us know what do you think – when should we trust technology and when should we look elsewhere?

OWR podcast with Richard Heinberg," There's No App for Climate Change: A Manifesto for Moving Forward" - https://soundcloud.com/warmregardspodcast/climate-change-geoengineering-post-carbon-institute-manifesto

There's No App for That -http://noapp4that.org/

Drawdown, pp. 80-82, Educating Girls - http://www.drawdown.org/solutions/women-and-girls/educating-girls

In this fascinating discussion, we explore extreme electrochemistry, Don’s novel efforts to cut the carbon footprint of steel, his liquid metal battery for grid-scale storage, and the great things you can do simply by understanding some basic chemistry.

We discuss the many climate changes that the Earth has experienced in the last half million years, our dependence upon climate stability and David’s role in Terrascope, a freshman learning community at MIT.

Additionally, David explains the many ways he and his team track historical changes in the Earth’s climate, including the measurement of tree and lake rings.

Hannah explains Somerville’s climate mitigation and adaptation plans, and how Somerville is preparing to be carbon neutral by 2050.

We discuss the challenges associated with bringing climate change into the science curriculum, and how Timothy’s students have taken up the mantle of climate activism.

Timothy highlights some of the practical and hands on climate research activities that his students engage in, with a focus on climate solutions at a local level, and tells us about the future of his Climate Curriculum project.

Join the conversation at
climatex.mit.edu/

In this episode, we explore the challenging and growing role of sustainability officers, plus autonomous vehicles, the campus building renaissance and MIT's path to carbon neutrality.

Join the conversation at
climatex.mit.edu/

Join the conversation at
climatex.mit.edu/

Join the conversation at
https://climatex.mit.edu/

More from this episode:

MIT program on global change:
https://globalchange.mit.edu/

John Reilly radio interview:
http://bit.ly/2viF67m

John Reilly editorial:
http://wapo.st/2uNWvSf

MIT Energy Initiative editorial:
http://bit.ly/2eYlxKF

Join the conversation at
climatex.mit.edu/