Perspectives on Sustainable Development

Chris Whitehead, Founding Principal
  • 3.4 (5)
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  • Updated Semimonthly

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. 1d ago

    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

    46 min

  2. Jun 3

    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

    59 min

  3. May 26

    Impactful Authors Series - Episode 2 - Rebecca Lubot, PhD

    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

    43 min

  4. May 12

    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

    44 min

  5. Apr 24

    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

    56 min

  6. Apr 14

    Season 3 - Episode 4 - Sustainable Development Demands Objectivity

    Send us Fan Mail The United States of America was once tribal lands. One of the things that I have always respected about those cultures are their deep ties to the natural world. In a capitalist society that can feel pretty unattainable, but we would do well to at least appreciate the fact that our land is one of the most precious resources that we have. We rely on the natural world to support every aspect of our lives, and if our extraction occurs without consideration, it has tangible detrimental impacts. One of the most glaring is exacerbating the effects of climate change.  For this episode, I was fortunate to be joined by Jacob Malcom (Founder and Executive Director, Next Interior) and Taj Schottland (Director of Climate Resilience, Trust for Public Land) to discuss our current trajectory for land use and climate impacts. I started this discussion a bit grumpy after spending a few hours on episode prep but somehow ended it on a hopeful note. My hope is that it will have a similar effect for you. Enjoy, Taj and Jacob have a wealth of knowledge and passion on these topics. Support the show

    1h 2m

  7. Mar 31

    Season 3 - Episode 3 - Tire Swings, Climbing Trees, and the Summer of 1994

    Send us Fan Mail I've never liked video games. I've never been able to sit still for very long. Growing up in Central New Jersey in the early 90s, meant I spent much of my time climbing trees, playing huge games of manhunt with friends in the neighborhood, and basically doing anything I could to be outside all day. I have always loved the outdoors but first gained an understanding of it and connection to it in the summer of 1994. My mom agreed to send me to 4H sleepaway camp for the first time. The experience was pivotal. We spent a week swinging from tire swings into a river, learning about watersheds and local animal life, and talking with environmental professionals. I didn't know it then, but looking back on it now, that was one of the first major steps toward my career. So when my friend Dennis Toft (Chair Environmental Department, Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi) emailed a few months ago suggesting that I do an episode on the New Jersey School of Conservation (NJSOC), and explained the school and his connections to it, I jumped at the chance.  For this episode I was joined by Dennis and Kerry Pflugh (Executive Director, Friends of the NJSOC) to talk about the NJSOC. The property is located in northwest New Jersey in Stokes State Forest, and offers among other things, the sort of transformational getaway experience that once meant so much to me eons ago.  New Jersey was named the Garden State for a reason, and the NJSOC is a hidden treasure in the state that I am glad to now support. I hope you enjoy the episode and to learn more about the NJSOC or support their programing please visit https://njsoc.org/.  Support the show

    53 min

  8. Mar 17

    Season 3 - Episode 2 - We Are a Nation of Immigrants

    Send us Fan Mail Immigration. That one word alone likely makes most of us want to run back to our designated corners and start regurgitating talking points. This topic is an objective reality and challenge that should never have been so politicized. People choose to come to the US for a myriad of reasons, but they can most often boil down to seeking better opportunities for their families.  Many still carry a deep love for their native country, but they decide to come to America due to slipping economic, safety, and social systems at home. No matter which side of the aisle you fall on, I'd hope that we could treat people with respect and dignity and follow established processes. With that said, there are many flaws in our immigration systems, and rising impacts from climate change will only highlight those areas as we see more people elect to immigrate.  Carlos Claussell (PennFuture) and Daniel Gonzalez (DJourneys) both came to the US to study climate change and dedicate their lives to affecting positive changes on critical issues. They have both also experienced multiple stages of our immigration system and have important stories to tell. Daniel is now in Madrid in part due to some of these challenges. I invite you to listen to this episode with an open mind. You will learn something. Thank you to Carlos and Daniel. I enjoyed this conversation.  Support the show

    57 min
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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
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Perspectives on Sustainable Development
  • Show Website
    Perspectives on Sustainable Development