Climate Humans

HERO
  • 5.0 (1)
  • EARTH SCIENCES

Climate Humans lifts the lid on the reality of climate mobilization. Candid chats with the next generation of climate leaders on the actions they’re taking to drive change, and the personal impact this has on them. Join HERO’s Mauricio Porras to debunk why climate mobilizers are more than heroes; they're humans, just like you and me. HERO is the first subscription platform providing a stable income for climate mobilizers working on climate policy change. Subscribe today for just €6 a month at herocircle.app

  1. What it actually takes to sue your government over climate policy – and win – with Georgia Elliott-Smith

    FEB 23

    What it actually takes to sue your government over climate policy – and win – with Georgia Elliott-Smith

    “I'm taking the government to court. This is bonkers.” In 2021, environmental engineer and the founder of Fighting Dirty, Georgia Elliott-Smith, did something almost no private citizen had done before: she took the UK government to the High Court over its Emissions Trading Scheme – and won. The landmark ruling established that near-term government policy must account for the Paris Agreement, a precedent described as the most significant regulatory intervention to the UK waste industry in a generation. In episode one of Season Three, Climate Humans: The Policy Edition, Elliott-Smith speaks to host Mauricio Porras about the reality of citizen-led legal action, the unglamorous persistence it demands, and what her case might mean for environmental accountability elsewhere in the world. Learn more about ⁠Fighting Dirty⁠. Climate Humans is brought to you by HERO, the platform for people-powered climate solutions. Produced by Josie Colter. Edited by Ben Beheshty. Hosted by Mauricio Porras. Timestamps 00:10 Welcome to Climate Humans Season Three: The Policy Edition + today’s guest 02:26 Quickfire warm-up: elevator pitch, comfort food & court theme song 05:56 Advice that fuels the work: “Don’t let lack of money stop you” 07:07 The 2019 wake-up call: when sustainability work stopped feeling enough 10:17 Meaningful change vs. “fiddling while Rome burns” 11:13 Greenwashing from the inside: how ESG language gets gamed 13:36 From consultant to activist: joining Extinction Rebellion & dropping the ego 15:47 The incinerator turning point: re-reading the science and changing sides 17:13 Go after the system: law, policy, finance – and the legal challenge begins 18:20 Crowdfunding courage: community support and the long-run win 19:21 How legal action forces change: disclosures, consultation, and rewriting the rules 21:05 ‘The Queen vs Me’: Seeing your name up against the government!  22:13 Why Elliott-Smith founded Fighting Dirty (and the legal dream team behind it) 23:22 Carrot vs Stick: Why law beats voluntary corporate sustainability 27:25 Fundraising without burning out: community, kindness & chocolate 31:20 Case study: The UK waste tyre scandal and the ‘one-two punch’ strategy 36:54 What’s next: PFAS, waste & holding iIndividuals accountable 38:41 The Future Elliott-Smith is fighting for & final thanks

    42 min
  2. Climate justice & collective liberation with poet and activist Liba Ravindran

    07/15/2025

    Climate justice & collective liberation with poet and activist Liba Ravindran

    “Stepping up as a hero for me means collective redemption; this collective arc of solidarity and liberation,” says poet and activist Liba Ravindran on the Climate Humans podcast. In conversation with HERO’s Mauricio Porras, Liba shares how the 2004 boxing day tsunami in his homeland of Sri Lanka set him on his climate action path, how poetry helps him connect to his roots, and his experiences today living in a community project.  References:  Anti-Oppression Circle: https://linksta.cc/@antioppressioncircle Firebrand Poets: https://linksta.cc/@firebrandpoets Hempen: https://www.hempen.co.uk/ Writing site: https://aestheticfiction.com/ Ubuntu Village: https://linktr.ee/Nu.ubuntuvillage Credits: Climate Humans is brought to you by HERO, the first platform where you can directly fund people-powered climate solutions. Produced by Josie Colter and edited by Ben Beheshty at Studio Goldstar. Hosted by Mauricio Porras.

    29 min
  3. Why climate funding needs a justice-first approach, with Impatience Earth CEO Yasmin Ahammad

    05/13/2025

    Why climate funding needs a justice-first approach, with Impatience Earth CEO Yasmin Ahammad

    “Now is the time to really double down on tackling equity and justice as part of climate work, rather than shying away,” says the CEO of Impatience Earth, Yasmin Ahammad, on the Climate Humans podcast. In conversation with HERO’s Mauricio Porras, Yasmin shares a 101 explainer on climate philanthropy and its role in climate action, explores the challenges of climate funding today and routes forward, and why the biggest risk is doing nothing. Climate Humans is brought to you by HERO, the first platform where you can directly fund people-powered climate solutions. Produced by Studio Goldstar and Josie Colter. Edited by Ben Beheshty. Hosted by Mauricio Porras.

    23 min
  4. Why truth is the new frontlines for climate action, with Germany’s best known climate activist, Luisa Neubauer

    03/20/2025

    Why truth is the new frontlines for climate action, with Germany’s best known climate activist, Luisa Neubauer

    “If there’s no shared understanding of what is true, we’re going to have a hard time organizing for real change,” says Germany’s Fridays for Future leader, Luisa Neubauer, on the Climate Humans podcast. In conversation with HERO’s Mauricio Porras, Luisa warns how far-right movements are derailing democracy and climate action, why courage and discomfort go hand in hand as an activist, and insights on best-in-class group organizing. Climate Humans is brought to you by HERO, the first platform where you can directly fund people-powered climate solutions. Produced by Josie Colter. Edited by Ben Beheshty. Hosted by Mauricio Porras.

    40 min
  5. Why real climate leadership is about empowering others, with former Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado

    02/24/2025

    Why real climate leadership is about empowering others, with former Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado

    “If somebody's really empowered, it's from within.” Former Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado joins the Climate Humans podcast to share why true climate leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about building movements. In this conversation with HERO’s Mauricio Porras, Carlos explores the risks great leaders must take, the power of coalition building and allyship, and why real change comes from both the top and the bottom. Climate Humans is brought to you by HERO, the first platform where you can directly fund people-powered climate solutions. Produced by Josie Colter. Edited by Ben Beheshty. Hosted by Mauricio Porras.

    38 min
  6. Building the parent-led climate movement of love around the world, with Maya Mailer

    01/13/2025

    Building the parent-led climate movement of love around the world, with Maya Mailer

    “I think many parents are everyday heroes,” says Our Kids’ Climate co-director and Mothers Rise Up co-founder, Maya Mailer, on the Climate Humans podcast. In conversation with HERO’s Mauricio Porras, Maya shares how parent-led campaigning style is rooted in intergenerational love, duty, and care, how it is expanding around the world, and memorable moments demonstrating with her daughter. Further resources Open Letter to World Leaders - ourkidsclimate.org Our Other Mother - ourkidsclimate.org Mothers from around the world demand action on fossil fuels, The Guardian India’s Warrior Moms demand right to clean air at Cop27, The Guardian Our Kids’ Climate Website Instagram LinkedIn Mothers Rise Up Website Instagram LinkedIn Climate Humans is brought to you by HERO, the first platform where you can directly fund people-powered climate solutions. Produced by Josie Colter. Edited by Ben Beheshty. Hosted by Mauricio Porras.

    33 min
  7. Igniting the creative climate revolution, with Lucy von Sturmer

    11/18/2024

    Igniting the creative climate revolution, with Lucy von Sturmer

    “If this work isn't valued now, what hope do we have as a humanity?” asks Lucy von Sturmer, the founder and director of Creatives for Climate, on the Climate Humans podcast. In conversation with HERO’s Mauricio Porras, Lucy shares how she’s mobilizing and upskilling the creative industry to drive solutions and not pollution, what it means to be an activist communicator, and why being a hero is all about “lifting while leading”. Visit the Creatives for Climate hub. 00:27 Meet Lucy von Sturmer, the founder and director of Creatives for Climate 02:21 Quick fire questions 05:01 Lucy's climate success stories 08:36 Lucy's journey into climate advocacy 21:30 Building Creatives for Climate 25:40 Funding and philanthropy in climate  26:23 The importance of stories and strategic narratives  27:32 Lessons learned becoming a non profit  30:02 Balancing idealism with practicality  33:28 The importance of funding and support 41:47 Supporting creative activism and creating "pockets of possibility" 43:56 Final thoughts  Climate Humans is brought to you by HERO, the first platform where you can directly fund people-powered climate solutions. Produced and edited by Ben Beheshty. Executive produced by Josie Colter. Hosted by Mauricio Porras.

    49 min
  8. Behind the scenes of one the UK’s most successful acts of climate activism, with Stop Rosebank campaigner Lauren MacDonald

    09/24/2024

    Behind the scenes of one the UK’s most successful acts of climate activism, with Stop Rosebank campaigner Lauren MacDonald

    “I had that rebellious understanding that nobody was going to come and solve this for us,” shares Lauren MacDonald, on the Climate Humans podcast. In conversation with HERO’s Mauricio Porras, Lauren shares their experiences as part of the #StopRosebank and #StopCambo campaigns to stop new oil projects in the UK, why it’s important for activists to take rest, and processing the reality of growing up as a young climate activist in the media.  Introduction and welcome (1m) Quickfire questions (2m) Lauren's personal journey into climate activism (5m) Early lessons and burnout (2m) Daily routines and avoiding burnout (2m) Professional achievements and campaigns (1m) The Stop Rosebank campaign (14m) Behind the scenes of activism (10m) The importance of funding climate activism (8m) Final thoughts (5m) Climate Humans is brought to you by HERO, the first platform where you can directly fund people-powered climate solutions. Produced and edited by Ben Beheshty. Executive produced by Josie Colter. Hosted by Mauricio Porras.

    40 min
See All (36)

Trailer

About

Climate Humans lifts the lid on the reality of climate mobilization. Candid chats with the next generation of climate leaders on the actions they’re taking to drive change, and the personal impact this has on them. Join HERO’s Mauricio Porras to debunk why climate mobilizers are more than heroes; they're humans, just like you and me. HERO is the first subscription platform providing a stable income for climate mobilizers working on climate policy change. Subscribe today for just €6 a month at herocircle.app

Information

  • Creator
    HERO
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © HERO
  • Show Website
    Climate Humans