Climate with Kiana

Newtown Creek Alliance with Willis Elkins

Kiana Michaan — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Willis Elkins, executive director of Newtown Creek Alliance. Newtown Creek Alliance is a community-based local New York City organization dedicated to restoring, revealing, and revitalizing Newtown Creek. Newtown Creek is a 3.8 mile tributary of the East River, an estuary, a border between Brooklyn and Queens, and a federal superfund site. Historically, the creek has had over 50 industrial refineries along its banks.

In this conversation with Willis, we discuss the history of industry & legacy pollution on Newtown Creek, the Greenpoint oil spill, environmental remediation efforts, water quality, green roofs, and the vision for a more sustainable future for the creek. This episode was recorded at Kingsland Wildflowers Green Roof in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Check out the video version of this episode on youtube to see the green roof!

Video version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj6ToprNazs

Connect with Newtown Creek Alliance:

www.newtowncreekalliance.org/

www.instagram.com/newtowncreek/

www.kingslandwildflowers.com/

CREDITS:

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan

Edited by Maxfield Biggs

www.strandedastronaut.com

Videography by Jae Minard

www.jaeminard.com

Sound Recordist & Co-produced by Lucy Little

www.lucyalittle.com

Global Warning with Philip Boucher-Hayes

Philip Boucher-Hayes — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we hear from award winning Irish investigative journalist, Philip Boucher-Hayes. We discuss his new documentary, Global Warning, a three part series, written & hosted by Philip. His documentary series unpacks the current impacts of climate change, highlights how communities are responding & adapting, and explores solutions in the transition away from fossil fuels. In our conversation we discuss Philip’s career covering climate change and the biodiversity crisis, key moments in the docu series, and the role of media in environmental communication.

Watch Global Warning on Al-Jareeza:

Inside the planet’s most urgent climate warning | Global Warning E1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8vI5_gN90g

Inside the planet’s race to adapt | Global Warning E2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwgqVoFhVNM

Inside the planet’s fight to end fossil fuels | Global Warning E3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlNuYqrXNS0

RESOURCES:

Hot Mess - Podcast - RTÉ Radio 1

https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/hot-mess/

Manual for Environmental Justice

https://envjusticemanual.com/

Bangladesh has become much more resilient to cyclones, saving many lives - Our World in Data

https://ourworldindata.org/data-insights/bangladesh-has-become-much-more-resilient-to-cyclones-saving-many-lives

CREDITS:

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan

Edited by Maxfield Biggs

Music by Naima Mackrel

Offshore Wind and Ocean Biodiversity with Rennie Meyers

Rennie Meyers — Fri, 9 Jan 2026 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Rennie Meyers, Global Policy Lead at Ørsted, about her work in offshore wind, ocean policy, and biodiversity. Ørsted is a Danish energy company and the world’s leading & largest offshore wind developer. In our conversation, we discuss Rennie’s journey into working in sustainability, offshore wind infrastructure, Ørsted’s transition to clean energy, protecting ocean biodiversity, nature positive project development, and ocean policy.

Rennie is a regulatory and public affairs specialist focusing on interactions between infrastructure, communities, and the environment. At Ørsted, she focuses on global ocean policy and oversees international policy forums and stakeholder engagement. This episode was recorded in Denmark in 2024.

Connect with Rennie on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rennie-meyers-82a0b03b/

RESOURCES

Ørsted - Protecting Biodiversity

https://orsted.com/en/about-us/sustainability/biodiversity

Ørsted successfully pilots new technology that further optimises offshore wind monopile installation

https://orsted.com/en/media/news/2024/07/orsted-successfully-pilots-new-technology-that-fur-13959650

Ørsted to commercialise its state-of-the-art low-noise technology Osonic

https://orsted.com/en/media/news/2025/11/orsted-to-commercialise-its-state-of-the-art-low-n-1467749011

ReCoral – Coral Restoration Project | Ørsted

https://orsted.com/en/who-we-are/sustainability/nature/net-positive-biodiversity-impact/recoral

Home | ARK Rewilding Nederland

https://arkrewilding.nl/home

Global Offshore Wind Alliance

https://gowa-energy.org/

Ocean Energy Pathway

https://oceanenergypathway.org/

Oceantic Network

https://oceantic.org/

WindEurope

https://windeurope.org/

CLEANPOWER

https://cleanpower.org/expo/

CREDITS

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan

Edited by Maxfield Biggs

Music by Naima Mackrel

Sustainability in Denmark with State of Green

Kiana Michaan — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, which was recorded last year in Copenhagen, I speak with Magnus Højberg Mernild at State of Green Denmark. State of Green is a non-profit, public-private partnership between the Danish government and the country’s three leading business associations, encouraging cross-sector collaboration and international knowledge sharing. State of Green is connected to over 600 Danish businesses, agencies, academic institutions, experts and researchers all working to drive the global transition to a sustainable, low-carbon, resource-efficient society. In my conversation with Magnus, we discuss Denmark’s innovation and leadership in sustainability and cover topics including offshore wind, green hydrogen, energy islands and more.

RESOURCES:

State of Green

https://stateofgreen.com/en/

LinkedIn - Magnus Højberg Mernild

https://www.linkedin.com/in/magnusmernild/

Middelgrunden: Wind Turbine Co-operatives

https://stateofgreen.com/en/solutions/middelgrunden-wind-turbine-co-operative-middelgrunden-vindmollelaug/

North Sea Energy Island

https://northseaenergyisland.dk/en

CREDITS:

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan

Edited by Maxfield Biggs

Music by Naima Mackrel

Ocean Solutions with Bodhi Patil

Kiana Michaan — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we hear from ocean activist Bodhi Patil. Bodhi is a UN recognized ocean-climate solutionist and co-creator of Ocean Uprise. In our conversation, we discuss the intersection of ocean health and human health, ocean justice for coastal communities, blue carbon, deep sea mining, oceans & spirituality, and joy in activism.

Bodhi is the founder of Inner Light, co-creator of One World Breathe, impact advisor at OnDeck Fisheries AI, an advisor at Earth Elders, and a member of the Wisdom Keepers Delegation. Bodhi has been a speaker for TEDx, the UN, Forbes, CNN, and among other international media platforms. He recently completed his Masters of Management at the University of British Columbia, with a focus on Environment, Sustainability, & Climate Action.

Connect with Bodhi:

bodhipatil.com

linkedin.com/in/bodhipatil

instagram.com/bodhi_patil

Resources:

Ocean Uprise

Blue Mind by Wallace J. Nichols

Global Fishing Watch

Seatrees

Amniotic Fluid and Ocean Water: Evolutionary Echoes, Chemical Parallels, and the Infiltration of Micro- and Nanoplastics.

Credits

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan

Co-produced by Lucy Little

Edited by Maxfield Biggs

Music by Naima Mackrel

For resources, transcripts, and more information about the guests: https://www.climatewithkiana.com/podcast/ocean-solutions-with-bodhi-patil

Arctic Ocean Explorations with Frances Crable

Frances Crable — Mon, 8 Dec 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we hear from marine scientist Frances Crable. Frances is a PhD candidate studying Arctic Ocean Biogeochemistry at the University of Illinois Chicago. In our conversation, we discuss her field research in the Canadian Arctic, arctic phytoplankton, biogeochemical cycling, and the impact of science communication.

Frances’ research focuses on arctic ocean phytoplankton, nutrient cycles, and the impacts of climate change. Frances works in the Gonzalez-Meler Stable Isotope Lab and also works with the Norwegian Institute for Water Research. Frances has been a speaker for TEDx Chicago and was a 2024 Yale Environmental Fellow. She was featured in the PBS documentary Frozen Obsession.

CONNECT WITH FRANCES:

https://francescrable.weebly.com/

https://www.instagram.com/phytofran

https://www.linkedin.com/in/frances-crable

https://www.pbs.org/video/frozen-obsession-nsbaqw/

https://ikaarvik.org/

CREDITS

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan

Co-produced by Lucy Little

Edited by Maxfield Biggs

Music by Naima Mackrel

For resources, transcripts, and more information: https://www.climatewithkiana.com/podcast/arctic-ocean-with-frances-crable

Energy Data and Equity with Dr. Destenie Nock

Destenie Nock — Thu, 4 Dec 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Destenie Nock about energy justice and her organization Peoples Energy Analytics. We discuss her work using utility energy data to further energy equity. This is an extended cut of the video version of this interview, which is available on youtube.

Dr. Nock is the founder and CEO of Peoples Energy Analytics and a Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University. Her work and research addresses the intersections of energy affordability, sustainability, energy justice, and designing equitable power systems.

Connect with Dr. Nock:

https://www.peoplesenergyanalytics.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/desdes

http://www.destenienock.com/

CREDITS

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan

Co-produced by Lucy Little

Edited by Maxfield Biggs

Music by Naima Mackrel

Agrivoltaics with Savannah Whitfield

Savannah Whitfield — Mon, 1 Dec 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Savannah Whitfield. Savannah is the COO and co-founder of Okovate Sustainable Energy. Okovate develops agrivoltaics projects, dual-use solar projects on agriculture land. Savannah shares her journey working in solar and agrivoltaics. We discuss the benefits of agrivoltaics, regenerative agriculture, climate resiliency, electrifying farm operations, and the future of agrivoltaics in the US.

Connect with Savannah:

https://www.okovate.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/savannah-whitfield/

Agrivoltaics Resources:

NREL's Agrivoltaics Research: Combining Solar Energy With Agriculture (Text Version)

Farmer-first approach to agrivoltaics will benefit NY food, energy goals | CALS

Cows and Solar Panels? In a New Jersey First, Project Melds Farming With Electricity Generation - Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute (RCEI)

In Massachusetts, Proof Grows of Benefits for Combining Solar and Agriculture · American Farmland Trust

NYSERDA grants $7 million to co-locate solar and agriculture throughout New York

Alaska Tests a Theory: Solar Farms Help Nearby Crops Grow

As Federal Support for On-Farm Solar Declines, Is Community Agrivoltaics the Future?

Lighting the Way for Agrivoltaics: How NREL Empowers Communities To Capture the Benefits of Solar Energy, Agriculture, and Ecosystems

Agrivoltaics: double the farming on a global scale | EnergyTransition.org

Credits

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan

Co-produced by Lucy Little

Edited by Maxfield Biggs

Music by Naima Mackrel

For resources, transcripts, and more information about the guests: https://www.climatewithkiana.com/podcast/agrivoltaics-with-savannah-whitfield

The Power of Coalitions with Xaver Kandler

Kiana Michaan — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 20:10:00 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Xaver Kandler, Campaigns Director at NY Renews. NY Renews is a coalition of over 380 environmental, justice, faith, labor, & community groups, working to further legislation to support climate, jobs, and justice in New York State. We discuss NY state policies including the Climate Leadership and Communities Protection Act, the New York Heat Act, the Just Energy Transition Act, the Climate Superfund Act, and more. This episode explores the power of grassroots organizing and coalitions to further environmental justice through climate policy.

Credits

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan

Edited and co-produced by Lucy Little

For resources, transcripts, and more information about the guests: https://www.climatewithkiana.com/podcast/the-power-of-coalitions-with-xaver-kandler

Environmental Policy & Equity with Ramón Cruz

Kiana Michaan — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Ramón Cruz, professor at Princeton University, environmental advocate, and former president of Sierra Club. We discuss his journey into environmental policy work, hear an excerpt from an article he wrote about confronting the complex past of the environmental movement and discuss climate change & Puerto Rico.

Credits

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan

Edited and co-produced by Lucy Little

For resources, transcripts, and more information about the guest: https://www.climatewithkiana.com/podcast/environmental-policy-amp-equity-with-ramon-cruz

Climate Workforce of the Future with Matthias Muehlbauer

Kiana Michaan — Tue, 3 Dec 2024 22:00:22 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Matthias Muehlbauer, founding partner of OnePointFive. We discuss Matthias’ professional journey to working at the intersection of climate and business and explore discuss topics including as ESG, corporate sustainability, scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions, net zero, carbon markets, and more. OnePointFive helps organizations and individuals implement & integrate sustainability across the board in their strategy, operations, and career choices. We talk about OnePointFive’s work to equip the climate workforce of the future.

Credits

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan

Edited and co-produced by Lucy Little

Music by Naima Mackrel

For resources, transcripts, and more information about the guests: https://www.climatewithkiana.com/podcast/climate-workforce-of-the-future-with-matthias-muehlbauer

Just Solutions with Aiko Schaefer

Kiana Michaan — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 21:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Aiko Schaefer, founding executive director of Just Solutions, which is a BIPOC led climate organization working to uplift equitable community-driven policy solutions. We discuss everything from policy implementation, green hydrogen, the limitations of clean technology, environmental justice, and more.

Credits

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan

Edited and co-produced by Lucy Little

Music by Naima Mackrel

For resources, transcripts, and more information about the guest: https://www.climatewithkiana.com/podcast/just-solutions-with-aiko-schaefer

Season 2 Trailer

Kiana Michaan — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 11:00:00 +0000

The podcast is back for season 2! This season, we're exploring more joyful and just solutions to the climate crisis through conversations with climate experts. Topics on this upcoming season include equitable environmental policy, offshore wind, transmission, ocean solutions, and more. Stay tuned for weekly episodes about climate solutions shaping a more sustainable future and vision new possibilities.

Edited and Engineered by Lucy Little

Original theme music by Naima Mackrel

Accelerating Impact through Climate Storytelling & Podcasting

Aiko Schaefer, Kristy Drutman, Arielle King — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 08:47:21 +0000

This episode is a live recording of a panel discussion that took place during New York City Climate Week 2024 hosted in collaboration with Diana from the Palma Podcast. The panel brought together climate podcast hosts to discuss the power of audio & multimedia storytelling to increase awareness of climate solutions. The conversation explores nuances of crafting impactful climate storytelling through podcasting by going behind-the-scenes with climate podcasters, whose expertise spans climate justice, energy, and culture. Enjoy this live podcast recording of leading environmental advocates and storytellers and for an enriching conversation about the power of media and storytelling.

Featuring: Aiko Schaefer, Arielle King, Diana Bunge, Kristy Drutman

Hosted & Produced by Kiana Michaan and Diana Bunge

Edited and Engineered by Lucy Little

For resources and more information about the guests: https://www.climatewithkiana.com/podcast/s2-climate-week-panel

Black Liberation and Climate Justice with Tamara Toles O'Laughlin, Mustafa Santiago Ali, Kerene Tayloe, & Amirio Freeman

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0000

We’re back with an insightful conversation on climate and Black liberation with environmental justice leaders Tamara Toles O'Laughlin, Mustafa Santiago Ali, Kerene Tayloe, and Amirio Freeman. This episode was originally produced by Our Climate Voices and is co-hosted by Kia Johnson. Thank you to Our Climate Voices and to the amazing guests in this conversation.

In this episode, we discuss historical innovations from Black trailblazers in the US. Exploring cultural contributions from black creatives, scientists, policy makers, and youth. We talk about the continued commodification of natural resources and energy resources in a time of climate change. Then, we explore policy and community solutions to address the climate crisis and Black liberation. We discuss designing policy solutions to protect black communities, taking ownership of our time & platforms, the value of narrative intervention and climate storytelling.

Our Climate Voices (OCV) is an organization that aims to humanize the climate crisis through ethical storytelling as a tool for climate justice. OCV focuses on uplifting voices on the frontlines of climate change including youth, Indigenous, immigrant, queer, people of color, women, and people from low-income communities. The OCV team is composed of BIPOC, queer, and youth organizers, creatives, and storytellers.

CREDITS

Featuring: Tamara Toles O'Laughlin, Mustafa Santiago Ali, Kerene Tayloe, and Amirio Freeman

Hosted by Kia Johnson and Kiana Michaan

Produced by: Kia Johnson, Kiana Michaan, Al Brady, and Khari Slaughter

Edited and Engineered by Lucy Little

Our Climate Voices | LinkedIn

Tamara Toles O'Laughlin - Website

Mustafa Santiago Ali - Website

Kerene Taylor - LinkedIn

Amirio Freeman - Website

Climate Critical Earth

The Coolest Show

Loam Listen

Resources:

There’s No Black Liberation Without Climate Reparations | Atmos

How Food Connects to Conservation

Native Organizers Alliance

The Summit: Transforming a Movement by Dana Alston

Watch Who Killed the Electric Car?

Who Killed the Electric Car?| Free

Madam C.J. Walker and a Forgotten History About Women & Electric Vehicles

George Washington Carver: A Pioneer in Sustainability

What We Owe to George Washington Carver

Dub by Alexis Pauline Gumbs

Hazel M. Johnson, ‘Mother of the Environmental Justice Movement’

Deep South Center for Environmental Justice

Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice

WE ACT for Environmental Justice

People for Community Recovery

ReGenesis Project | US EPA ARCHIVE DOCUMENT

ReGenesis Institute

This Kansas City neighborhood wrote the blueprint for transforming a community | Grist

Building a lifelong legacy in Queens

Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III Creates Black-Owned Food Systems to Reduce Food Insecurity

Meet Kristal Hansley, the First Black Woman to Launch a Community Solar Company

Lean Startups for Social Change by Michel Gelobter

Juicy J & 2 Chainz Invest In A Solar Energy Merger Worth $2B - AfroTech

Climify: Community-Based Restorative Design with Pamela Fann

Pamela Fann, Eric Benson — Fri, 7 Jun 2024 13:00:00 +0000

This episode is a crossover with Climify, an award-winning podcast connecting climate scientists and design educators together to bring climate-related projects into classrooms. Climify is hosted by Eric Benson, Associate Professor of Graphic Design and Responsible Innovation at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

How do you best create positive impact in communities? What does environmental justice look like?

In this episode from the Climify podcast, energy justice leader Pamela Fann shares her journey from Corporate America to diversity, inclusion, integration, and climate activist and entrepreneur. She shares how she defines restorative design, environmental justice, and how best we use their principles to tackle both the entangled issues of racism and our climate crisis.

Climify - Climate Designers

Climify Podcast - Instagram

Connect with Pamela

Pamela Fann - LinkedIn

impactenergy.energy

integratedsolutionsllc.net

Pamela Fann, an award-winning diversity specialist, and speaker is the Founder and CEO of Integrated Solutions. Pam is also a co-owner/principal of Impact Energy, a certified Black women-owned energy services company that focuses on energy efficiency project implementation and workforce development. Their mission is to promote equitable job expansion within the energy industry that positively impacts lives and supports community economic advancement.

Pam has a degree in Marketing, a certification in Human Resource Management, and is a Certified Cultural Diversity Professional and Trainer (CDP, CDT). Currently serves as the diversity advisor for the BECC conference and on the boards and advisory boards for Women of EVs, Diversity Executive Leadership Academy, and Strategic Energy Innovations. She also is a lead author for the Energy Equity Project, served as an SME for Drawdown Georgia, RCE Atlanta Advancing Justice for All, and Community of Practice committees, and served on the JEDI Advisory Board for the DOE/NREL Innovation Prize. Pamela is also co-executive director of Maa Eagles Foundation U.S., supporting girls from Maasai tribes in Tanzania with education opportunities.

Resources from the episode

EERE Competitions, Challenges, and Industry Prizes

Maa Eagles Foundation

Drawdown solution(s):

Electricity, Health & Education

Episode topic tags:

environmental justice, equity, restorative design, renewable energy, systemic racism, community, social impact, diversity, inclusion, DEI

Download episode transcript

Find more about how to teach climate design in your classroom at www.climatedesigners.org/edu

Climify Credits

Music in this episode

Theme music by Casual Motive

Design Team

Consulting

Intergenerational Wisdom & Ecowomanism with Wawa Gatheru

Wawa Gatheru — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000

In the season one finale, Wawa Gatheru, founder and executive director of Black Girl Environmentalist, shares her journey into environmental justice work and activism. We discuss ecowomanist theory and the role of black women in the climate movement. We also explore the importance of intergenerational knowledge sharing in climate justice movement building and how we can learn from the wisdom of our elders and ancestors. Wawa shares the important programs and solutions that her organization Black Girl Environmentalist offers to support and uplift black women in climate.

Connect with Wawa:

Wawa Gatheru - Website

Wawa Gatheru - Instagram

Wawa Gatheru - LinkedIn

Black Girl Environmentalist - Website

Black Girl Environmentalist - Instagram

Resources:

Ecowomanism by Melanie L. Harris

Ecowomanist Wisdom: Encountering Earth and Spirit

Connecticut public schools must now teach about climate change

Black Girl Environmentalist is highlighting the contributions of Black women in the climate movement

Ecofeminism and Environmental Liberation - Intersectional Environmentalist

All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis

Black Feminist Ecological Thought: A Manifesto | Atmos

Writing - France Roberts-Gregory

Women Speak - Stories & Solutions from the Frontlines of Climate Change

Gender Just Transition: A Path to System Change - WEDO

Explainer: How gender inequality and climate change are interconnected | UN Women

Credits:

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan

Edited and co-produced by Lucy Little

Love, Climate, and Green Jobs with Kristy Drutman

Kristy Drutman — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Kristy Drutman, founder of Browngirl Green and Green Jobs Board, shares her journey into environmental media work and entrepreneurship. We talk about her new show, Love and Climate, which explores the connections between dating, finding love, and climate change. We discuss how climate change impacts dating, relationships, family planning, and reproductive health. We also explore topics such as petro-masculinity, gender justice, and reproductive justice. We highlight Kristy’s recent appointment on the newly formed EPA Youth Advisory Council. Finally, we discuss Kristy’s climate tech company, Green Jobs Board, and the impact of cultivating a diverse climate workforce.

Kristy Drutman - Instagram

Kristy Drutman - YouTube

Brown Girl Green - Website

The Green Jobs Board

Love and Climate - Instagram

Browngirl Green Podcast - Instagram

Browngirl Green Podcast - Linktree

Resources:

Meet the climate crisis speed-daters: ‘If you don’t love the planet, you won’t be my boo’ | Dating | The Guardian

EPA Administrator Regan Announces Members of First-Ever National Environmental Youth Advisory Council

If Not Us Then Who?

Sources:

Climate Love (And Lies) on Dating Apps | Atmos

Opinion | Why I Bring Up Climate Change on First Dates - The New York Times

4 ways that climate change could be affecting your love life

How Climate Change Inflicts a Toll on Mental Health - The New York Times

The power of love in the fight against climate change

How Climate Change May Be Shaping Our Relationship Choices | The Swaddle

The climate is changing dating - by Emily Atkin - HEATED

The Climate Reality of Roe v. Wade | Atmos

The Climate Crisis Is a Reproductive Justice Issue

Petro-masculinity: Fossil Fuels and Authoritarian Desire - Cara Daggett, 2018

Petromasculinity: How Men Are Heating The Planet - Queer Brown Vegan

Maybe Next Month? Temperature Shocks and Dynamic Adjustments in Birth Rates

Love in the Time of Climate Change | Podcast

These organizations are working to bring diverse perspectives to climate solutions | GreenBiz

Global Green Skills Report 2023 | LinkedIn

Credits:

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan
Edited and co-produced by Lucy Little

Beauty Justice with Dr. Ami Zota

Dr. Ami Zota — Tue, 9 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000

A discussion of the environmental health impacts of beauty & personal care products with Dr. Ami Zota, scientist, professor, and founder of Agents of Change in Environmental Justice at Columbia University. In this episode, we discuss toxic ingredients, colorism, hair discrimination, beauty standards, health outcomes, routes of exposure, policy solutions and more. Dr. Zota shares her framework on these challenges: the environmental injustice of beauty.

Connect with Dr. Zota:

Ami Zota - Associate Professor - LinkedIn

Agents of Change in Environmental Justice

Podcasts - Agents Of Change

Resources:

Clearya

EWG Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

Black Beauty Project

Taking Stock Study

Black Women for Wellness

Think Dirty

Made Safe

COSMOS-standard

United Nations Convention Agrees to Phase Mercury Out of Cosmetics by 2025

Toxic Free Products | WE ACT for Environmental Justice

Mercury in Soaps and Creams - NYC Health

CROWN Act

Washington state now has the nation’s strongest law against toxic cosmetics | Grist

Mercury in Soaps and Creams - NYC Health

12 Ingredients To Avoid In Cosmetics & Skin Care Products | mindbodygreen

You Have Fossil Fuels On Your Face - by Jessica DeFino

BLK + GRN

Sources:

Countries unite to remove mercury from hazardous skin lightening products

Skin Whitening: The global market, the risks and who makes and sells the products

Black Women Face Disproportionate Risks From Largely Unregulated Toxic Substances in Beauty and Personal Care Products

A New Law Regulating the Cosmetics Industry Expands the FDA’s Power But Fails to Ban Toxic Chemicals in Beauty Products - Inside Climate News

Credits:

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan
Edited and co-produced by Lucy Little

Radical Joy & COP28 with Arielle King

Arielle King — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000

In this episode, environmental justice educator and strategist Arielle King shares her recent experience at COP28 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The conversation starts by exploring the importance of radical joy and imagination in climate work. Arielle was one of the organizers of the Entertainment & Culture Pavilion as well as Hope House at COP28. We discuss outcomes of the negotiations, the Loss & Damage fund, the Global Stocktake, the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, and the role of protests at COP. Arielle shares the importance and impact of storytelling, art, culture, and collaboration in creating a just climate future.

Enjoy this special end of year extended episode to recap COP28 and the show will be back after the holidays!

Connect with Arielle:

Arielle V. King • Instagram

Arielle King - LinkedIn

Resources:

The Joy Report - Podcast - Intersectional Environmentalist

COP28 Entertainment + Culture Pavilion

Hope House COP28 | Time for Better

COP28 Agreement Signals “Beginning of the End” of the Fossil Fuel Era

Unpacking COP28: Key Outcomes from the Dubai Climate Talks, and What Comes Next

COP28 - Climate Justice Alliance

Environmental Justice In Palestine — Intersectional Environmentalist

All Out for Palestine - Digital Action Toolkit - Palestinian Feminist Collective

Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

COP28 - Website

IPCC Report 2022

Credits:

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan

Edited and co-produced by Lucy Little

Climate & Mental Health with Maia Kiley

Maia Kiley — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000

This episode explores the connection between climate change and mental health in a conversation with Maia Kiley, a therapist practicing climate aware therapy and eco-therapy. We discuss eco-anxiety, climate distress, emotional resilience, climate doomism & optimism, and the accessibility of mental health resources.

Connect with Maia:

Maia Kiley - Website

Maia Kiley, LMFT - Instagram

Resources:

Climate Psychology Alliance

Good Grief Network

The Waggle | Project Regeneration

Women and Climate

A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety by Sarah Jaquette Ray

How to Prepare for Climate Change by David Pogue

Generation Dread by Britt Wray

It's Not Just You | Book by Tori Tsui

Sources:

FAQ 3: How will climate change affect the lives of today’s children tomorrow, if no immediate action is taken?

New report shows just 100 companies are source of over 70% of emissions - CDP

CWS Data Tool: Demographics of the U.S. Psychology Workforce

Access to Care Data 2022 | Mental Health America

Key findings: How Americans' attitudes about climate change differ by generation, party and other factors

Credits:

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan

Edited and co-produced by Lucy Little

Solar Development in New York State with Noah Ginsburg

Noah Ginsburg — Tue, 5 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000

A discussion of solar development and policy in New York State with Noah Ginsburg, executive director of New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA). In this episode, we talk about the challenges and solutions regarding incentives, interconnection, and equitable distribution of solar deployment across the state. We also explore the impacts of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), the Climate Mobilization Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Connect with Noah:

Noah Ginsburg | LinkedIn

Resources:

New York Solar Energy Industries Association

Climate Mobilization Act

Expanding Local Clean Energy Could Save New York $28 Billion by 2050 - Vote Solar

Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act

NY State Senate Bill 2019-S6599

Inflation Reduction Act Guidebook | Clean Energy | The White House

Clean Energy Training Resources - NYSERDA

NY-Sun Solar Program - NYSERDA

Sources:

New York Solar | SEIA

Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act — NY Renews

Governor Hochul Announces Approval of New Framework to Achieve at Least Ten Gigawatts of Distributed Solar by 2030 - NYSERDA

PRESS RELEASE | NYISO Announces New Solar Generation Record

Inflation Reduction Act: Solar Energy and Energy Storage Provisions Summary | SEIA

Credits:

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan

Edited and co-produced by Lucy Little

Representation & Mentorship with Latinxs in Sustainability

Cristina Garcia, Melina Acevedo, Carolina Ramos — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Melina Acevedo, Carolina Ramos, and Cristina Garcia, from Latinxs in Sustainability, share their professional journeys working in clean energy. We discuss overcoming professional challenges, the importance of Latinx representation in environmental fields, and the role of mentorship in cultivating diversity. Latinxs in Sustainability is a non-profit building community and offering programs that support Latinx climate professionals and further diversity, representation, and environmental justice in the sustainability and energy workforce.

Connect with LiS:

Melina Acevedo | LinkedIn

Carolina Ramos | LinkedIn

Cristina Garcia, CEM | LinkedIn

Resources:

Latinxs in Sustainability

Latino Climate Justice Framework

Young Professionals in Energy

WRISE

References:

Why climate change matters to Latinos

Inequity in consumption of goods and services adds to racial–ethnic disparities in air pollution exposure | PNAS

Latinos and Global Warming's Six Americas - Yale Program on Climate Change Communication

Climate Change in the Latino Mind

Which racial/ethnic groups care most about climate change?

Credits

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan
Edited and co-produced by Lucy Little

Workforce Development with Maya Whalen-Kipp

Maya Whalen-Kipp — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Maya Whalen-Kipp shares her experiences working on workforce development at the US Department of Energy and her work as a marine scientist. We explore how to make jobs in clean energy more accessible for students, climate activists, and climate enthusiasts. We discuss the challenges & opportunities of workforce development in clean energy and clean tech. Maya shares what brings her hope about the future of clean energy workforce development.

Connect with Maya:

Decoding Climate Jobs - Resources

Decoding Climate Jobs - Podcast

Instagram

Resources:

New York Bight | Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

NREL

Fact Sheet | Climate Jobs (2021) | White Papers | EESI

Job Function Action Guides | Project Drawdown

Global Green Skills Report 2023 | LinkedIn

Credits:

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan

Edited and co-produced by Lucy Little

Energy Justice with Jasmine Graham

Jasmine Graham — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Jasmine Graham, the executive director of Mid-Hudson Energy Transition, shares their perspective on energy justice, energy democracy, and just transition. We talked about the historical role of policy on energy systems and the importance of equitable energy solutions. Jasmine shared experiences and insights from their career journey working on clean energy in New York State and what brings them inspiration, hope, and joy.

Connect with Jasmine :

Mid-Hudson Energy Transition

Resources mentioned in the episode:

"Regulatory Theater: How Investor-Owned Utilities and Captured Oversight" by Ruhan Nagra, Jeanne Bergman et al.

Initiative for Energy Justice

Just Solutions Collective

The Chisholm Legacy Project

Emerald Cities Collaborative

Earthjustice

WE ACT for Environmental Justice

Energy Democracy

Revolutionary Power by Shalanda Baker

Diana Hernández

Dr. Tony G. Reames

Myles Lennon

Alliance for a Green Economy

NY Renews

NY Energy Democracy Alliance

Credits

Hosted and produced by Kiana Michaan
Edited and co-produced by Lucy Little

Climate with Kiana - Trailer

Kiana Michaan — Mon, 6 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Climate with Kiana! A new podcast about climate solutions through a framework of joy and justice. Listen now for an introduction to the show and a look at the episodes ahead.

Credits

Hosted, created, and produced by Kiana Michaan

Edited, sound design, and co-produced by Lucy Little

Music by Colette Michaan

Song: Ni Contigo Ni Sin Ti, Album: Earth Rebirth

Graphic Design by Khari Slaughter

Recorded and produced in New York City on unceded Munsee Lenape land.