Climate One

Climate One from The Commonwealth Club
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We’re living through a climate emergency; addressing it starts with talking about it. Co-hosts Ariana Brocious and Kousha Navidar bring you empowering conversations that connect all aspects of the challenge — the scary and the exciting, the individual and the systemic. Join us. Subscribe to Climate One on Patreon for access to ad-free episodes.

  1. 8 hr ago

    COP31: Enough with the Blah Blah Blah

    World leaders are gathered in Antalya, Turkey, for COP 31, the annual UN climate conference, which takes place against the backdrop of a global energy crisis that’s accelerating the need to move away from fossil fuels. This year’s summit is billed as set on turning past promises into action, while pushing countries to swiftly electrify their economies. Yet one of the biggest questions remains unresolved: can countries agree on how to move away from fossil fuels? And are other processes, like the Fossil Fuel Treaty and Santa Marta conference, a different way forward?  Guests:  Nathaniel Stinnett, Founder & Executive Director, Environmental Voter Project Jennifer Morgan, Senior Fellow, The Climate Policy Lab, Fletcher School, Tufts University  Christiana Figueres, Global Climate Leader; Co-Host, Outrage + Optimism Tzeporah Berman, Founder & Chair, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty   For show notes and related links, visit ClimateOne.org. *** 00:00 Introduction  01:32 Nathaniel Stinnett on how climate fared in the midterm elections  02:58 Nathaniel Stinnett on climate voter turnout 05:07 Nathaniel Stinnett on how climate-minded politicians should move forward 09:39 Jennifer Morgan on what this year’s COP is meant to accomplish 13:52 Jennifer Morgan on what it means to make climate part of foreign policy 22:29 Jennifer Morgan on the role of civil society in negotiations 26:30 Christiana Figueres on the intended purpose of the COP 36:36 Christiana Figueres on how the courts contribute to climate progress  40:15 Christiana Figueres on “stubborn optimism”  45:25 Tzeporah Berman on how the Santa Marta conference came to be 47:27 Tzeporah Berman on how Santa Marta is distinct from the COP process 55:29 Tzeporah Berman on unexpected countries leading on the clean energy transition   Climate One will present the 2026 Stephen H. Schneider Award for Outstanding Climate Science Communication to Daniel Swain, Ph.D., a climate scientist at the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR). Join us for a lecture and celebration of this fantastic climate communicator on Dec. 8 in San Francisco. Tickets are available at climateone.org/events. Our 2026 audience survey is open, and we'd like to hear from you. It takes about five minutes and asks how you found us, how you engage with Climate One, and what you'd like more of. The survey closes Nov. 30. Take the survey at climateone.org/survey. Join Climate One on February 23rd at 6 pm for an evening with Amory Lovins on Disruptive Energy Futures. For five decades, Lovins has led energy research, strategy, and public discourse. He has received MacArthur and Ashoka Fellowships, 12 honorary doctorates, and too many other honors and prizes to mention here. Tickets are available at climateone.org/events. Support Climate One by going ad-free! Subscribe to Climate One on Patreon for exclusive access to all future episodes, free of ads. Sign up today. Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    COP31: Enough with the Blah Blah Blah

  2. 6 Nov

    Balconies, Parking Lots and Solar Film: New Ways to Harness the Sun

    Common climate wisdom used to be that buying solar panels was one of the smartest long-term investments an individual could make – pay once up front for decades of carbon-free electricity. But it turns out layers of red tape make that process slower – and much more expensive – than it needs to be. And with federal rollback of longstanding tax credits and stiff competition from China, the U.S. solar industry is facing new headwinds.  Still, the future could be bright: More states are looking at allowing plug-in or balcony solar. Energy affordability nonprofits like Permit Power are helping state governments reduce red tape and costs for home solar. And solar developers see new potential in the millions of acres of commercial rooftops. Plus, researchers continue to work on new ways to maximize the power a solar cell can produce. This week we take a look at what the next era of solar power might look like. Guests: Bernadette del Chiaro, Senior Vice President, California, Environmental Working Group Nick Josefowitz, Chief Executive, Permit Power Juliane Borchert, Group Leader, Fraunhofer ISE; Early Career Group Leader, University of Freiburg For show notes, transcripts, and related links, visit our episode page. Climate One will present the 2026 Stephen H. Schneider Award for Outstanding Climate Science Communication to Daniel Swain, Ph.D., a climate scientist at the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR). Join us for a lecture and celebration of this fantastic climate communicator on Dec. 8, in San Francisco. Tickets are available at climateone.org/events. Our 2026 audience survey is open, and we'd like to hear from you. It takes about five minutes and asks how you found us, how you engage with Climate One, and what you'd like more of. The survey closes Nov. 30. Take the survey at climateone.org/survey. Support Climate One by going ad-free! Subscribe to Climate One on Patreon for exclusive access to all future episodes, free of ads. Sign up today. Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Balconies, Parking Lots and Solar Film: New Ways to Harness the Sun

  3. 30 Oct

    Does it Pay To Go Green? Let Us Count The Ways

    As the cost of living climbs, can clean energy technology help ease the burden? That seems to be the case in West Texas, where revenue from a wind farm is helping fund a rural county’s senior center, Meals on Wheels, and even a Valentine’s Day dance!  But the benefits of clean energy aren’t always spread evenly, largely because of how policies shape incentives and cost distribution. In some cases, utility scale solar lowers electricity prices while rooftop solar can shift costs onto households without it. Meanwhile, new balcony solar panels are helping renters cut their bills, and Every Electric and Con Edison are giving New Yorkers plug-in batteries to keep their AC running even during heat waves. And the fact that these solutions also cut climate pollution? That’s the cherry on top. Guests: Bekah Stolhandske McNeel, Freelance Journalist  Christopher Knittel, Professor of Applied Economics, Sloan School, MIT; Director, MIT Climate Policy Center  Andrew Wang, Co-Founder, CEO, Every Electric For show notes, related links, and episode transcript, visit our episode page here. 00:03:34 Bekah Stolhandske McNeel describes Ozona 00:05:32 Bekah Stolhandske McNeel on country response to wind project 00:06:54 Bekah Stolhandske McNeel on where wind project proceeds went 00:09:56 Bekah Stolhandske McNeel on the Senior Center Valentine's Day Dance 00:20:29 Christopher Knittel on the “green premium” 00:25:05 Christopher Knittel on rooftop solar and your energy bill 00:28:42 Christopher Knittel on important policy choices 00:33:36 Christopher Knittel on equitable distribution of costs 00:37:18 Andrew Wang on how the power bank program works 00:41:54 Andrew Wang on connecting the power bank program to air conditioning  00:48:50 Andrew Wang on scaling the program On November 5 at 5:30 p.m., join Climate One and the Children & Nature Network for an evening with Richard Louv, author of the internationally bestselling Last Child in the Woods. Tickets are available at climateone.org/events Climate One will present the 2026 Stephen H. Schneider Award for Outstanding Climate Science Communication to Daniel Swain, Ph.D., a climate scientist at the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR). Join us for a lecture and celebration of this fantastic climate communicator on Dec. 8, in San Francisco. Tickets are available at climateone.org/events. Support Climate One by going ad-free! Subscribe to Climate One on Patreon for exclusive access to all future episodes, free of ads. Sign up today. Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Does it Pay To Go Green? Let Us Count The Ways

  4. 23 Oct

    CEO of Nation’s Biggest Utility Talks Affordability, Fires, Outages, and Public Outrage

    After PG&E pled guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter in the 2018 Camp Fire, Patti Poppe was brought on as the utility’s new CEO. Her stated mission: to fix it.  Now, rising electricity prices, repeated power outages, and the growing impact of climate change have put PG&E in the crosshairs of the public and legislators. Again. This summer, California lawmakers rejected a bill that would have capped the utility’s liability if their equipment sparks another fire. In response. PG&E announced it would defer roughly $2 billion in capital investments planned for 2027 as it works to strengthen its finances and, in Poppe’s words, “reinvent” the company. That means plans to connect new housing projects, clean energy initiatives, and some technology upgrades may be put on hold.   In a climate-changed world, is the investor-owned utility model still sustainable? Are utilities putting too much emphasis on profits at the expense of maintenance? And how do utilities across the country balance the needs for affordability, reliability, and climate resilience?  Guests: Patti Poppe, CEO, Pacific Gas & Electric Ryan Reed, Co-Founder, FireGeneration Collaborative Kyle Trefny, Seasonal wildland firefighter; Co-Founder, FireGeneration Collaborative For show notes, transcripts, and related links, visit our episode page. 00:00 – Introduction 03:30 – PG&E CEO on rising costs of electricity 06:50 – Is PG&E beholden to Wall Street instead of Main Street? 10:00 – Why the utility hasn’t put more power lines underground 12:00 – Poppe on how data centers could help normal ratepayers with lower costs 19:00 – Can the grid handle all this new demand from data centers and electrification? 20:45 – Wildfire risk and liability  27:30 – Customer outrage about power outages, more calls to break up PG&E 30:00 – How much would it cost for San Francisco to buy out PG&E 32:00 – Lightning round 40:00 – Ryan Reed and Kyle Trefny on history of wildfire and fire suppression 45:00 – Reed and Trefny on the work of FireGen Collaborative  49:00 – “Good fire” versus catastrophic, climate-fueled wildfires 57:00 – Climate One More Thing On November 5 at 5:30 p.m., join Climate One and the Children & Nature Network for an evening with Richard Louv, author of the internationally bestselling Last Child in the Woods. Tickets are available at climateone.org/events  Support Climate One by going ad-free! Subscribe to Climate One on Patreon for exclusive access to all future episodes, free of ads. Sign up today. Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    CEO of Nation’s Biggest Utility Talks Affordability, Fires, Outages, and Public Outrage

  5. 16 Oct

    Kate Marvel on Fear, Wonder, and Leaving NASA

    Climate scientist Kate Marvel made headlines this year when she publicly resigned from NASA, drawing coverage from Bloomberg to The New York Times. Marvel says her resignation wasn’t newsworthy on its own. What made it notable is that she was one of more than 10,000 Ph.D. scientists to leave the federal government during President Trump’s second term, part of what she calls a “mass nerd exodus.”  She is now senior climate scientist at Project Drawdown and author of “Human Nature: Nine Ways to Feel About Our Changing Planet.” Marvel argues that scientists need to stop hiding their feelings behind the data.  “When we pretend we don’t have emotions, that’s not making us more credible, because that’s lying,” she says. “You can feel a whole range of human emotions and still get the numbers right.” Guests:  Kate Marvel, Senior climate scientist, Project Drawdown; author, “Human Nature: Nine Ways to Feel About Our Changing Planet” Michael McPhaden, Senior oceanographer, University of Washington For show notes, transcripts, and related links, visit ClimateOne.org. Highlights: 00:00:00 Intro 00:02:24 Kate Marvel on if leaving NASA was newsworthy  00:08:05 Kate Marvel on why science should be publicly funded  00:12:18 Kate Marvel on “emergency break” solution  00:15:01 Kate Marvel on why feelings are a major topic in her book  00:18:11 Kate Marvel on which emotion was hardest to write about 00:23:06 Kate Marvel on which emotion isn’t discussed enough 00:26:27 Kate Marvel on when she felt wonder  00:30:36 Kate Marvel on how to talk about climate change 00:33:28 Kate Marvel on why it’s not too late  00:37:18 Michael McPhaden on this year’s El Niño  00:39:40 Michael McPhaden on the hurricane season  00:41:06 Michael McPhaden on the Climate change and El Niño connection 00:46:12 Michael McPhaden on what people should look out for  ****** On October 20 at 6 p.m. join us, in partnership with The Redford Center, for a screening of the short film In Earth We Trust, followed by a conversation with the filmmaker, the film’s central figure, and other faith leaders. Tickets available at climateone.org/events  On November 5 at 5:30 p.m., join Climate One and the Children & Nature Network for an evening with Richard Louv, the internationally bestselling author of Last Child in the Woods. Tickets available at climateone.org/events  Support Climate One by going ad-free! Subscribe to Climate One on Patreon for exclusive access to all future episodes, free of ads. Sign up today. Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Kate Marvel on Fear, Wonder, and Leaving NASA

  6. 9 Oct

    We Got $9.99 Problems, and Energy is One

    The war in Iran and closure of the Strait of Hormuz created a global energy supply crisis. And while gasoline prices didn’t reach the extreme highs some predicted a few months ago, the global markets are still in flux.  “What has been disrupted most is the confidence in the old energy system where you could reliably and affordably dig up a source of energy thousands of kilometers away from where you expected to ignite it and expect that process to be smooth,” says Gerald Butts, chairman of political risk consultancy the Eurasia Group.  What has the war in Iran meant for energy markets? How much have shortages and price spikes pushed more companies and countries toward renewable energy? As China reaps the benefits of decades of investment in clean tech and renewable energy, will the U.S. be left behind? Guests: Gerald Butts, Chairman and Senior Advisor, The Eurasia Group Scott Marlow, Founder and CEO, Long Rows Consulting; Agricultural policy expert Alex Wang, Law Professor, UCLA; Faculty Co-Director, Emmett Institute on Climate Change & the Environment Highlights: 00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – Last decade of geopolitical turmoil on energy markets 07:00 – Responses of countries like Canada, China 13:30 – Risks of the U.S. being “Overpowered” according to The Eurasia Group 17:30 – Decarbonization is happening but it’s going to be slower than science demands 21:00 – How high diesel prices impact farmers 27:00 – How farmers cope with all the pressures of their business plus climate impacts 33:00 – We’re on the cusp in major change in how we farm in U.S. – Scott Marlow 42:00 – Alex Wang on China’s pivot towards pollution reduction and investments in clean tech 49:45 – How China flexed its oil demand during recent global energy crisis 54:00 – Last few months showcase two different paths towards energy supplies between China and U.S.  For show notes, transcripts, and related links, visit ⁠⁠our episode page. *** Join us on October 14 at 6 p.m. for a conversation with PG&E CEO Patti Poppe on energy affordability, outages, and public outrage. Tickets available at climateone.org/events  *** On October 20 at 6 p.m. join us, in partnership with The Redford Center, for a screening of the short film In Earth We Trust, followed by a conversation with the filmmaker, the film’s central figure, and other faith leaders. Tickets available at climateone.org/events  *** On November 5 at 5:30 p.m., join Climate One and the Children & Nature Network for an evening with Richard Louv, the internationally bestselling author of Last Child in the Woods. Tickets available at climateone.org/events  *** Support Climate One by going ad-free! Subscribe to Climate One on Patreon for exclusive access to all future episodes, free of ads. Sign up today. *** Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    We Got $9.99 Problems, and Energy is One

  7. 2 Oct

    How Can Cities Be Green and Affordable? Live from NY Climate Week

    New York set some of the country's most ambitious climate goals, from slashing emissions to bracing for rising seas. But living in the city is freaking expensive. So what does it take for NYC to be affordable and climate-conscious?  In collaboration with Grist, we put that question to the city’s chief climate officer, a Grist reporter, and a grassroots leader during New York Climate Week. Listen as we discuss the places where climate, decarbonization, and affordability collide – and the ways people are working to make life better for New Yorkers while keeping both costs and carbon down. Guests:  Daphany Rose Sanchez, Executive Director, Kinetic Communities Consulting Jake Bittle, Staff Writer, Grist Louise Yeung, NYC Chief Climate Officer  Jonathan Gilmour, Co-Executive Director, The Impact Project Highlights: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:10 Jake Bittle on New York delaying climate goals 00:03:53 Daphany Rose Sanchez on the impact of delaying climate goals 00:05:31 Daphany Rose Sanchez on what’s missing in the affordability conversation 00:08:12 Jake Bittle on the affordability and climate connection  00:11:13 Daphany Rose Sanchez on the projects she’s excited about 00:14:37 Louise Yeung on the ability to address climate and affordability 00:18:25 Louise Yeung on the role of a public utility advocate 00:21:57 Louise Yeung on the battery powered food card pilot program 00:29:50 Louise Yeung on the challenge of implementing policy citywide  00:34:32 Louise Yeung on the headwinds facing climate work  00:37:23 Jonathan Gilmour on what motivated him to host community climate gatherings 00:40:34 Jonathan Gilmour on what people talked about at the community gatherings 00:43:21 Jonathan Gilmour on preserving climate data 00:48:38 Jonathan Gilmour improving the climate data that was preserved  For show notes, transcripts, and related links, visit ⁠ClimateOne.org. *** Join us, on October 14 at 6 p.m. for a conversation with PG&E CEO Patti Poppe on energy affordability, outages, and public outrage. Tickets available at climateone.org/events  On October 20 at 6 p.m. join us, in partnership with The Redford Center, for a screening of the short film In Earth We Trust, followed by a conversation with the filmmaker, the film’s central figure, and other faith leaders. Tickets available at climateone.org/events  Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today. Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. 25 Sept

    Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse Won't Stop Talking About Climate

    How should Democrats campaign on climate? Some are quietly shelving climate-specific language ahead of the midterms in favor of terms like “energy crisis” and “affordability.”  But Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island has been talking about climate change on the Senate floor for more than a decade, and he has no plans to stop now.  “The most important thing that can be accomplished on the climate front is to end the pollute-for-free business model of the fossil fuel industry. It is morally wrong, it is economically wrong, it is an environmental sin, and there's literally no merit to it, which is why the fossil fuel industry has to prop it up with all this dark money and lies,” he says. Plus, geothermal energy is having a moment – getting interest from data center developers and support from the Trump administration at a time when other renewable energy sources are getting the ax. What should we expect from the industry in the next five years? Guests: Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Senator (D-RI) Jamie Beard, Founder and Executive Director, Project Innerspace Highlights: 00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – Sen. Whitehouse on his “Time to Wake Up” speeches 05:40 – Influence of the Citizens United decision on bipartisan climate action 07:45 – Progress on permitting reform bill 12:50 – Climate hushing and its impact on the midtems 14:00 – People want to hear more about climate change 18:00 – Off-shore wind projects getting on the grid in Rhode Island 23:00 – Sen. Whitehouse on data centers and their impacts 27:30 – What’s possible if Democrats win big at midterms 34:40 – Jamie Beard gives update on the state of the geothermal energy industry 43:30 – The odd and complicated politics of Trump administration supporting geothermal 46:00 – Potential impact of Geothermal Energy Advancement Act 51:00 – Geothermal’s bigger price is heat, not electricity 58:00 – Climate One More Thing For transcripts, show notes, and related links, visit our episode page. *** Join Climate One for a town hall event on September 28 at 6 p.m. on navigating AI, climate, and the future of democracy. How do we ensure that AI and data centers serve the public good? How does a democracy function when AI is distorting our sense of shared truths? Tickets available at climateone.org/events  Also: We’ll be having an electric conversation on October 14 at 6 p.m. between PG&E CEO Patti Poppe and California State Senator Scott Wiener about energy affordability, outages, and whether cities like San Francisco are ready to break up with the investor-owned utility model. Tickets available at climateone.org/events  On October 20th at 6 p.m. join us, in partnership with The Redford Center, for a screening of the short film In Earth We Trust, followed by a conversation with the filmmaker, the film’s central figure, and other faith leaders. Tickets available at climateone.org/events  Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today. Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse Won't Stop Talking About Climate
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We’re living through a climate emergency; addressing it starts with talking about it. Co-hosts Ariana Brocious and Kousha Navidar bring you empowering conversations that connect all aspects of the challenge — the scary and the exciting, the individual and the systemic. Join us. Subscribe to Climate One on Patreon for access to ad-free episodes.

Information

  • Creator
    Climate One from The Commonwealth Club
  • Years Active
    2008 - 2026
  • Episodes
    923
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © Climate One from the Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Climate One

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