Perspectives on Sustainable Development

Chris Whitehead, Founding Principal
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Environmental justice and climate change are driving decarbonization across industrial sectors and throughout everyday life. There are many nuanced issues that planners will face as they try to sustainably reshape our world. This podcast will focus on climate and EJ but also bring on associated experts to speak about how these issues affect their fields. From city planning, economic development, transportation, education, national security, mental health, manufacturing, supply chain...we should all be considering how climate and EJ considerations will affect our decision paradigms. Join me every two weeks as we discuss critical issues with thought leaders who know them best. Logo credit and general assistance: Uzziah Davis

  1. 2 days ago

    Impactful Author Series - Episode 4 - Diamond Spratling (and Sage)

    Send us Fan Mail Diamond Spratling and I have been friends and colleagues now for 4-5 years. Another colleague recommended her for a climate justice panel that I was putting together at the time, and needless to say, I am glad he did. Diamond is the proud founder and executive director of Girl Plus Environment, the national nonprofit that has raised over $800,000 to ensure Black and Brown women+ are leading climate and environmental policies, decisions, and innovative solutions.  She is also the author of Sage Sails the World, a children's book series following 7-year-old Sage and her dog Benji as they explore Earth’s wonders, uncover climate challenges, and inspire young readers to become environmental stewards.  It is critically important that children of all races believe that they can be anything that they want to be in life, that they can achieve their dreams if they work hard enough. I tell a quick story early in this episode of taking my daughter to Target for Barbies, and a woman passing us in the aisle scoffing at why there needs to be a black soccer player Barbie. Little girls will see that Barbie and see it as a possible option for them. I love Diamond's idea for the Sage series because it instills hope in young people and tells them that not only can they travel the world, but they can also help positively impact one of the greatest challenges of our time, climate change.  Well done Diamond. I bought my daughter this book, and she loves it.  Support the show

  2. 21 Jul

    Season 3 - Episode 8 - Environmental Uncensored: Three Friends and No Script

    Send us Fan Mail I have had a text thread going with two good friends of mine, who also happen to be enviro-nerds, for the last few years. We use it to bounce ideas off each other, vent about stuff, and generally just find new and creative ways to give each other a hard time. That text thread will never see the light of day, but it did give me an idea. Thought bubble - Wouldn't it be fun to have Mike Showalter (Partner, Arent Fox Schiff) and Joe Pere (Managing Director, OMS Group) on for an episode with no pre-approved bullets, no script whatsoever, and no filters? I have to admit, the combination of morbid curiosity and "oh this is going to be fun" made me do it. Their disclaimers were longer than CVS receipts, but in the end, this turned into largely a serious discussion. We started off discussing how drugs and alcohol have historically been a problem in the legal and consulting fields, and that thankfully we have all seen improvements in recent years. We also discussed how long-term planning and advisory has shifted with federal changes by the current administration.  I always have fun talking with these two, and although I would normally never admit it, I often walk away learning something.  Enjoy. I know I did. Support the show

  3. 7 Jul

    Impactful Authors Series - Episode 3 - Randall Abate - Climate Change and the Voiceless

    Send us Fan Mail I used to always start my climate or EJ talks with a photo of my children to reinforce the point that they are why I am so passionate about my work. I want to help establish the most sustainable, healthy, and economically viable environment for them that we possibly can. I'd expect that most parents would relate to that goal. Yet long term planning and sustainability programs are often brushed aside. Children have no real voice in the matter. Similarly, residents in overburdened areas may often feel like they have no voice as their concerns may go seemingly unheard. Finally, wildlife itself, although critical to our survival, has no voice in the planning and policy processes (though a few recent court cases are changing this a bit). My guest for this episode, Professor Randall Abate, addresses these issues and more in the second edition of his book Climate Change and the Voiceless. I'm not sure if it was the topics we discussed, or the fact that we both have deep Jersey ties, but I really enjoyed this conversation and hope you will as well.  Support the show

  4. 23 Jun

    Season 3, Episode 7: Climate Resilience Planning: It's Time to Get Real

    Send us Fan Mail I am born and raised in New Jersey. Growing up we used to visit the Shore multiple times a year. Belmar was my beach. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated our state. After the storm passed, as I was volunteering in Belmar to literally pickup pieces of the boardwalk that had washed into residential yards ten blocks away, the importance of climate work came into focus for me. Storms happen, but the rate at which they happen, and their rate of intensification are both increasing; as are inland flooding, cloud burst events, so-called sunny day flooding, and combined sewer overflows. Much of our built system is quite old, and much of the new stuff is being built without regard for cumulative effects.  My guests for this episode are Nick Angarone (Chief Resilience Office, NJDEP) and Amy Chester (Director, Rebuild by Design). A few days prior to recording this episode, New Jersey announced a 1-year pause on the Protecting Against Climate Threats: Resilient Environments and Landscapes (NJ PACT REAL) Rules. The rules would require developers and property owners to incorporate various risk minimization steps to factor in the likelihood of adverse future impacts. If you haven't done so already, I highly recommend you look into Amy's flood modeling work. It is eye opening stuff. I know many people in support of the REAL rules, and likely as many against them. But no matter which side of the argument you fall on, I hope that you can look at the risks objectively and then come to the table with suggestions. The status quo isn't working. I will always support those looking for answers to the hard questions. Great discussion, I hope you all enjoy.  Support the show

  5. 3 Jun

    Season 3, Episode 6 - Fact, Fiction, and Fear: Hyperscale Data Center Development

    Send us Fan Mail There is a palpable fear spreading across the country, the fear of data centers and their potential impacts to our society and environment. Before we start, it is important to note that data centers are not a new thing, hyperscale data centers (>100MW) are new, as are large learning models (LLMs). Much has been written on their energy use, their water use, potential climate impacts, air impacts, impacts to our workforce, impacts to local farmers and food supplies, and the potential for a technological renaissance that alters how we live our lives. A day or two before we recorded this episode Governor Sherrill (NJ) had just proposed "guardrails" for data center development in the state. If you recall, I have been suggesting the same for a few months. Hyperlocal moratoriums have popped up all over the country. Each location has to decide for themselves, but I'd hope that they do so based on the most current and objective data possible. These are nuanced cases and developers are innovating and investing in the sector at an incredible pace. There is also the argument that to understand the benefits of development, you not only have to look at their footprint, but also their "handprint", or how they will make our lives less environmentally impactful. I'd suggest that will only happen if safeguards on usage are added to provide at least a minimum amount of processing time to energy and environmental questions, or social impact issues.  For this episode, I chose to focus mostly on the energy and water issues. My guests are Jeffrey Davis (Principal, Integral Consulting) and Abraham Silverman (Research Scholar, The Johns Hopkins University). The three of us try hard to not take a position on data centers but provide as much technical information as possible to support others in their planning processes. Towards the end of the episode, we also discuss a project that I am developing at Rutgers University to create a policy toolkit that focuses on building better guardrails.  We cover a lot on this one and thank you to my editing team for getting this episode finished in just a few days.  Support the show

  6. 26 May

    Impactful Authors Series - Episode 2 - Rebecca Lubot, PhD - Keeping a Finger on the Button

    Send us Fan Mail The 25th Amendment has been in the news quite a lot over the last decade. For how often it has been brought up, do you really know what it says, or the potential implications it has? My guest this week, Rebecca Lubot, PhD, is a friend who recently wrote a compelling book on the topic, Keeping a Finger on the Button: Presidential Continuity and the Nuclear Age. Rebecca and I know each other from policy work in New Jersey where she is the Executive Director of the New Jersey Sustainable Business Network. To quote David Greenberg, "The Twenty-Fifth Amendment has once again returned to the center of our political debates. Rebecca Lubot has delivered an authoritative, original, detailed account of how this vital part of the Constitution came into being - and how it continues to play out in our politics today. Keeping a Finger on the Button sheds needed light on presidential power in an era of global tension and democratic crisis."  Her research is impeccable, her topics timely, and her objective tone is critical. Sound management and understanding of nuance is critical. Rebecca gave us an important read that somehow succinctly weaves together many storylines. Enjoy. Support the show

  7. 12 May

    Impactful Authors Series - Episode 1 - Leak Kral - Innovation for Social Change

    Send us Fan Mail We are starting something special with this episode. Many professionals write a book at some point in their careers, but few do so really try to move the needle, really trying to add something positive to the conversation. The Impactful Authors Series will highlight people who I believe are doing just that. Leah Kral has an interesting background in the Peace Corps and consulting and has dedicated her professional career towards helping nonprofits scale and innovate. Her book, Innovation for Social Change is practical, inspiring, and actionable. We all like to talk about innovation and trying to make a positive impact, Leah helps show you how to make that happen.  I chose to start the series with Leah with my friends in Camden, NJ in mind. Over the years I have met so many big-hearted entrepreneurs with ideas on how to help their communities. It can feel too big to get started, or you may doubt that your idea is innovative at all. Leah's book can help you get started and provide useful steps to grow and reach for larger impact. Highly recommend. I hope you all enjoy the conversation.  Support the show

  8. 24 Apr

    Season 3 - Episode 5 - The Future Climate Collective: Innovating Environmental Education

    Send us Fan Mail Someone told me last night that they have no idea how I do so much, how I am so active on these topics. The truth is twofold; you need a great support team (thank you Uzziah Davis), and you have to be passionate about the topics. What's the old adage, when you love what you do, it isn't really work? I love environmental education. I love helping to educate the next generation and supporting those who come up with innovative ways to empower students. My guests this week embody that same mindset. Dominique Johnson (Co-Founder) and Steve Weiner (Director of Innovation) of Future Climate Collective employ a project-based learning model for middle school and high school students in Portland, Oregon that has quickly grown to reach more than 350 teens across six public schools.  Climate can feel debilitating, too big to take on, too complex to make a difference. Future Climate Collective helps show us the benefits of hyperlocal action and how they can act as a force multiplier to empower people towards larger collaborative efforts. Sometimes the best thing you can do is just start. Take small steps and seek others around you looking to do the same. You'll be amazed at the results.  Support the show

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About

Environmental justice and climate change are driving decarbonization across industrial sectors and throughout everyday life. There are many nuanced issues that planners will face as they try to sustainably reshape our world. This podcast will focus on climate and EJ but also bring on associated experts to speak about how these issues affect their fields. From city planning, economic development, transportation, education, national security, mental health, manufacturing, supply chain...we should all be considering how climate and EJ considerations will affect our decision paradigms. Join me every two weeks as we discuss critical issues with thought leaders who know them best. Logo credit and general assistance: Uzziah Davis

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Whitehead, Founding Principal
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Perspectives on Sustainable Development
  • Show Website
    Perspectives on Sustainable Development

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