Climate Action Figures

John Whidden

A safe place for youth to share steps they are taking to mitigate climate change.

  1. 1D AGO

    Season 3, Episode 19: Willow

    Climate Action Figures celebrates passing 2,500 podcast downloads, sharing a listener QuickFix from Linda in Indio, California about switching from plastic reusable bottles to aluminum, and discuss recycling energy savings. They interview grade 12 student Willow McGrath from St. John, New Brunswick, who describes how nature and camp shaped her environmental passion and her work leading Earth Ed Experiential Learning. Willow explains receiving a $3,000 Ocean Wise grant to run environmental education visits in local elementary schools, add green spaces like planters and an outdoor classroom, and create a 10-poster campaign with youth artists across Canada. She recounts representing youth at conferences, including Ottawa’s National Forum for Environmental Learning and the World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, where youth co-wrote the Global Children’s Call to Action. Willow shares concerns about an AI data center proposed on wetlands, AI’s impacts on learning and energy use, her birch-tree magnetic field research, plans to study environmental science, her love of houseplants, and hope from like-minded communities. 00:00 Welcome and Milestone 00:42 QuickFix Aluminum Swap 01:45 Willow’s Nature Roots 02:45 Camp and Earth Ed 04:13 Ocean Wise School Program 07:02 Conferences and Youth Voice 10:04 AI Data Centers Concerns 13:24 Staying Balanced and Research 15:45 Future Career in Conservation 16:44 Plant Mom Climate Action 17:57 Hope and Closing Thanks climateactionfigures@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/climateactionfigures https://www.instagram.com/climateactionfigures/ https://www.youtube.com/@ClimateActionFigures

    20 min

  2. MAR 10

    Season 3, Episode 18: Paul

    On Climate Action Figures, host John Whidden interviews Paul Jenkinson. Paul explains how young people can connect with the climate movement through YOUNGO, the UN’s children and youth constituency, and describes co-facilitating YOUNGO’s Global Youth Statement—a major youth declaration with multiple versions (including five key demands) built from individual, organizational, and over 100 national youth conference inputs. He recounts presenting key demands to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and compares COPs in Dubai, Baku, and Brazil, calling Brazil the most chaotic logistically but more emotionally engaged politically. Paul also discusses European Young Engineers, his work designing net-zero-ready district heat networks in London, AI’s promise and regulatory risks, responses to renewable intermittency concerns, his reuse habit using jars at home, and hope from global youth collaboration. 00:00 Welcome to the Show 00:27 QuickFix Toy Car Library 01:13 Meet Paul Jenkinson 02:42 Finding Climate Networks 04:24 Joining Youngo via EYE 05:56 Global Youth Statement Explained 07:31 How the Statement Is Built 09:14 Presenting to UN Leaders 10:30 Inside the Brazil COP 12:13 Europe Views the UN 13:31 European Young Engineers 15:39 Paul’s Low Carbon Job 16:21 Heat Networks and AI 18:16 Answering Renewables Critics 20:53 Paul’s Climate Action Tip 21:36 Hope and Closing Thanks https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1VPBDApCMj3s5gpbezkMDGMrFfOtBe8CK https://youngoclimate.org/ climateactionfigures@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/climateactionfigures https://www.instagram.com/climateactionfigures/ https://www.youtube.com/@ClimateActionFigures

    24 min

  3. MAR 3

    Season 3, Episode 17: Alice

    In the 70th edition of Climate Action Figures, host John Whidden welcomes Alice from Uganda’s Karamoja sub-region and shares a QuickFix from Linda encouraging thrift-store clothing and repurposing. Alice describes local wildlife near Kidepo National Park, current temperatures, and severe climate change impacts in Karamoja, including recurring food insecurity, water scarcity, long dry spells, strong winds, and declining soil productivity, and notes developed societies contribute to these effects. She explains her background in the Ik Indigenous community, their displacement from the park in 1957, and tensions between conservation benefits and loss of cultural sites despite compensation. As a 2024 Indigenous Youth Fellowship participant, she led projects on climate education, school clubs, tree planting, forest restoration, radio outreach, and women-focused entrepreneurship via energy-saving stoves. Alice’s climate action is planting and caring for indigenous trees, and she finds hope in grassroots action and intergenerational knowledge transfer. 00:00 Welcome to Episode 70 00:32 QuickFix Thrifted Fashion 01:23 Meet Alice in Karamoja 02:25 Climate Impacts in Karamoja 04:02 Who Bears Responsibility 05:00 Ik People and Nature 06:38 Conservation and Displacement 08:58 Indigenous Stewardship 11:01 Passing Knowledge Forward 12:10 Youth Fellowship Project 15:06 Women and Clean Cookstoves 16:05 Indigenous Solutions Matter 16:43 Alice Climate Action and Hope 18:20 Closing and Subscribe climateactionfigures@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/climateactionfigures https://www.instagram.com/climateactionfigures/ https://www.youtube.com/@ClimateActionFigures

    20 min

  4. FEB 10

    Season 3, Episode 16: Vaibhav

    In this episode of Climate Action Figures, John Whidden and Vaibhav discuss the urgent issue of global soil degradation, its impact on agriculture, and climate change. Vaibhav highlights the importance of sustainable farming practices and youth advocacy in addressing these challenges. He shares insights on soil health, the role of monoculture in soil degradation, and how more diverse, sustainable farming practices can regenerate healthy soils. They also touch on the significance of youth involvement in international climate negotiations and the Save Soil movement led by Sadhguru. 00:00 Introduction and QuickFix on Birds 01:20 Meet Vaibhav: Climate Advocate 02:30 Vaibhav's Journey in Sustainability 03:25 The Soil Crisis and Solutions 07:23 Global Movements and Policy Advocacy 13:59 Youth Involvement in Climate Conferences 19:27 Vaibhav's Personal Climate Action 22:05 Hope and Inspiration 23:34 Conclusion and Contact Information https://www.birdscanada.org/ https://consciousplanet.org/en/save-soil climateactionfigures@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/climateactionfigures https://www.instagram.com/climateactionfigures/ https://www.youtube.com/@ClimateActionFigures

    25 min

  5. FEB 3

    Season 3, Episode 15: Aryan

    Aryan returns to Climate Action Figures to discuss advancements in his microplastic-collecting robot, his awards at the National Science Fair, and his new project on pipeline inspection technology inspired by Calgary's water main break.  00:00 Introduction and QuickFix Tip 02:10 Aryan's Microplastic Robot 04:09 Science Fair Success and National Recognition 07:24 International Exposition in Abu Dhabi 12:02 New Project: Pipeline Inspection Robot 18:16 Climate Action and Final Thoughts Real Talk Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFQehVNKuyU (11:00) climateactionfigures@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/climateactionfigures https://www.instagram.com/climateactionfigures/ https://www.youtube.com/@ClimateActionFigures

    24 min

  6. JAN 27

    Season 3, Episode 14: Kim

    In this episode of Climate Action Figures, host John Whidden welcomes Kim from Guyana, a math teacher and advocate for climate action. Kim shares her experiences biking seven miles to school in Rupununi, the local community's approach to climate change, and the role of Indigenous knowledge in environmental conservation. She discusses her work with the Indigenous Youth Fellowship program, teaching students about traditional skills and environmental awareness, and her efforts to reduce plastic use. Kim highlights the importance of small actions and Indigenous perspectives in addressing climate change. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:47 QuickFix from Emma 01:04 Meet Kim from Guyana 01:13 Bicycles in Rupununi 02:42 Climate Change Concerns in Guyana 04:28 Indigenous Perspectives on Climate Action 07:16 Indigenous Youth Fellowship Program 09:17 Kim's Teaching and Environmental Efforts 11:07 Kim's Climate Action and Hopes 12:19 Conclusion and Call to Action https://www.culturalsurvival.org/news/meet-our-2024-cohort-indigenous-youth-fellows,    climateactionfigures@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/climateactionfigures https://www.instagram.com/climateactionfigures/ https://www.youtube.com/@ClimateActionFigures

    13 min

  7. JAN 20

    Season 3, Episode 13: Abby

    In this episode of Climate Action Figures, hosted by John Whidden, guest Abby shares her experience from a science and leadership course in Costa Rica. Abby discusses the impactful conservation efforts by Osa Conservation, focusing on creating wildlife corridors and integrating sustainable agricultural practices with local communities. She emphasizes the interconnectedness of strong biodiversity and combating climate change. Abby also shares her unique approach to reducing unnecessary AI usage in Google searches. The episode concludes with an inspiring story from a community garden that highlights the power of human connection in challenging misinformation and fostering inclusive dialogue. We 00:00 Introduction and QuickFix from Heather 01:11 Meet Abby and Her Costa Rica Experience 03:22 The Science and Leadership Course 04:27 Osa Conservation and Community-Based Efforts 15:27 Challenges and Learnings in Costa Rica 18:06 Abby's Climate Action and Final Thoughts climateactionfigures@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/climateactionfigures https://www.instagram.com/climateactionfigures/ https://www.youtube.com/@ClimateActionFigures

    22 min

  8. JAN 13

    Season 3, Episode 12: Haley

    In this episode, John Whidden introduces Hailey, a senior at U Chicago. They discuss practical air-cleaning tips, Hailey's Produce Peddlers initiative, her involvement in triathlons, and efforts in campus composting. Hailey emphasizes the self-serving benefits of sustainability and the value of community-supported agriculture programs. Lastly, she shares hopeful insights from her experience at COP 28. 00:00 Introduction and Milestones 00:51 QuickFix: Air Purifying Plants 01:27 Meet Haley: Background and Connections 03:22 Produce Peddlers: A Community Initiative 05:21 Triathlons and Environmentalism 07:03 Phoenix Sustainability Initiative 09:40 Composting Tips and Challenges 14:19 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) 16:13 Hope for the Future: Reflections from COP 28 17:38 Conclusion and Farewell https://produce-peddlers.getlandingsite.com/ https://www.psiuchicago.com/ climateactionfigures@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/climateactionfigures https://www.instagram.com/climateactionfigures/ https://www.youtube.com/@ClimateActionFigures

    19 min
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About

A safe place for youth to share steps they are taking to mitigate climate change.

Information

  • Creator
    John Whidden
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Climate Action Figures
  • Show Website
    Climate Action Figures