Climate Break

Berkeley Law
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Climate change is upon us. Fires, droughts, hurricanes, sea level rise, and melting ice caps are all part of our new normal. But something else is happening as well. Scientists, innovators, organizations, cities, companies, and citizens are taking action, making progress, and finding solutions. Climate Break brings you stories of climate progress and interviews with climate innovators from California and around the world, in under 2 minutes. Our solution-oriented, radio-ready shows are produced by students and climate law and policy experts at the University of California, Berkeley. Climate Break is a co-production of the Center for Law, Energy, and Environment at UC Berkeley Law and KALW 91.7 FM San Francisco Bay Area, in conjunction with the Berkeley School of Journalism. (For a transcript of the trailer, visit https://climatebreak.org/about-climate-break/)

  1. 2일 전

    Used Cooking Oil for Aviation Fuel

    Introduction to Solution Traditional drilling for crude oil contributes an immense amount of pollution to the Earth’s atmosphere. A study conducted by Stanford University in 2018 found that “on average, oil production emitted 10.3 grams of emissions for every megajoule of crude.” In 2022, 11.89 thousand barrels of crude oil were produced in 2022—or around 69 million megajoules. This oil is used, in part, to fuel aviation, which overall, as of 2018, contributed to 2.5 percent of all carbon emissions. Further, aviation has broader climate change implications due to the release of “contrails, NOx, water vapor, sulfate aerosol gases, soot, and other aerosols.” While this is a relatively small amount compared to other contributors—such as ground vehicles—airlines have attempted to combat their contributions to the climate crisis through integrating more sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into their oil supply. SAF is fuel made from sources including corn grain, algae, agricultural and forestry residues, solid waste and dedicated energy crops. It has been found to have “fewer aromatic components than kerosene”—the typical jet fuel—which allows them to reduce emissions of contributors other than CO2.  Recently, the used cooking oil from restaurants has become another valuable source for airlines to find SAF. In May 2022, Dallas-Fort Worth airport partnered with Neste, an oil refining company, to collect the oil used in onsite restaurants—including 5 McDonald’s locations—to convert used fry oil to airline fuel. Neste’s subsidiary, Mahoney Environmental, takes the used up oil from restaurants to convert the oil. It currently collects from 90,000 businesses in the United States, and is one of hundreds of companies that collect oil from various restaurants around the globe. In 2023, the first transatlantic commercial flight fueled 100 percent by SAF traveled from London’s Heathrow airport to New York’s JFK airport.  According to the Washington Post, the cooking oil moves through an intense process to convert it into aviation fuel; first, the grease is maintained at 140º during transit to keep its liquid consistency. Then, Neste uses a clay substance to strip out unwanted chemicals, including “sodium left over from salty foods, phosphorus and various metals.” A catalyst removes the oxygen molecules, and the “straight hydrocarbon chains are bent into spiky, irregular branches that won’t stack up and lump themselves into a solid, even at very low temperatures.” While SAF and used cooking oil help with minimizing emissions of certain fossil fuels and particles, they do not minimize emissions of CO2. Also, critics have accused SAF in airline emissions as being a greenwashing scheme, arguing that the crops used to create SAF would be better put to use by growing food. Finally, according to the World Economic Forum, “sustainable aviation fuel currently costs around four times as much as conventional jet fuel,” resulting in low incentive to replace traditional fuel production pathways with SAF.  According to Dr. Colin Murphy, our guest for this week, policy pathways and airline incentives can encourage SAF usage. About our guest Dr. Colin Murphy is the Deputy Director of the Policy Institute for Energy, Environment, and the Economy, and co-director of the ITS-Davis Low Carbon Fuel Policy Research Initiative. He helps guide research and outreach on issues relating to transportation, energy, air quality, and carbon markets, with a primary focus on sustainable fuel policies like California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Resources Stanford study finds stark differences in the carbon-intensity of global oil fields, StanfordReport It’s the wealthy frequent fliers who have the biggest carbon stamp from air travel—especially those jet-setting around on private craft, Sierra Club Aviation is responsible for 3.5 percent of climate change, study finds, NOAA Research An Airbus powered by cooking oil: Is sustainable aviation fuel the future of aviation?, Weforum These Airport McDonald’s Recycle Fry Oil into Jet Fuel – Here’s How, MacDonalds Corporate From restaurant kitchens to commercial jets: The greasy trail of used cooking oil, Washington Post How much oil is produced in the US?, USAFacts Barrels of Oil to Megajoules, UnitJuggler For a transcript, please visit climatebreak.org/used-cooking-oil-for-aviation-fuel/

    2분

  2. 4월 7일

    Green Silicon Valley

    About Green Silicon Valley Green Silicon (GSV) Valley is a nonprofit organization founded and led by Wilcox High School students Ayush Garg, Dev Shah and Abhi Tenneti that aims to make environmental education more accessible and personal, while also training future climate leaders on climate education. GSV seeks to realize its mission by creating hands-on kits for elementary and middle schoolers to learn about climate phenomena and solutions, and sending high school students to present classes and sessions. Through this process, they are able to spread climate education to younger generations, while also helping high school students learn how to communicate about climate issues. This helps prepare future generations of climate leaders, as well as instilling an early understanding of the importance of climate work. According to co-founder Ayush Garg, the project arose from the business club when Garg, Shah, and Tenneti were awarded a $5,000 grant from Silicon Valley Power which allowed them to conduct six presentations at Peterson Middle School (Green Energy Futures). Each presentation includes hands-on activities such as building wind turbine models, creating water filtration systems, and running erosion experiments to help depict different climate topics. According to GSV, they have managed to reach 680 students so far across 12 partner schools in 4 different countries (Green Silicon Valley). Shah says that GSV is seeking to expand its reach to more high school chapters and partner elementary schools across the Bay Area.  As GSV grows, it will likely run into issues with obtaining sufficient funding to carry out its goals. According to Shah, “It's gonna be a lot harder to fund international and national presentations. That's definitely the hardest part right now, where we have the volunteers, we have the teachers, we have the students, but we just need the funding for the kids.” Further, the project has run into some issues making its way into classrooms, with conflicting schedules and curriculum. GSV is accepting donations, volunteer and intern applicants, and presentation requests in order to continue expanding. About our guest Dev Shah is a co-founder of Green Silicon Valley, alongside Ayush Garg and Abhi Tenneti. He is a student at Adrian Wilcox High School in Santa Clara, California.  Resources Three Students Launch Green Silicon Valley to take Climate Education to 100 Countries, Green Energy Futures Impact, Green Silicon Valley For a transcript of this episode, please visit climatebreak.org/green-silicon-valley/

    2분

  3. 3월 31일

    Methane Reduction Through Governmental Collaboration, with Shivani Shukla

    Introduction to the Solution Methane is one of the most powerful drivers of near-term global warming, and also one of the fastest opportunities to slow it down. In this episode of Climate Break, we explore how a global network of states and provinces is working together to reduce methane emissions through shared knowledge, technical assistance, and peer learning. Ethan Elkind speaks with Shivani Shukla, a methane research fellow at UC Berkeley, about the Subnational Methane Action Coalition (SMAC) and how subnational governments can play an outsized role in addressing this urgent climate pollutant.   Why Methane Matters Methane is a colorless, odorless gas responsible for nearly one-third of current global warming. Over a 20-year period, methane traps roughly 80 times more heat per molecule than carbon dioxide. Its climate impact is further amplified by the way it contributes to the formation of tropospheric ozone and adds water vapor to the stratosphere, increasing its overall warming effect. Unlike carbon dioxide, methane comes from a relatively limited set of sources. Major contributors include landfills and wastewater facilities, agriculture (particularly livestock digestion and rice cultivation), and fossil fuel systems such as oil, gas, and coal operations. Because these sources are concentrated and well understood, methane reductions are often technically feasible and cost-effective, especially when captured methane can be repurposed as fuel.   The Subnational Methane Action Coalition (SMAC) Launched at COP28 in 2023, the Subnational Methane Action Coalition is a global network of state and provincial governments working to reduce methane emissions. SMAC began with 15 founding members, spearheaded by California, and has since expanded to include dozens of subnational governments and observers worldwide. SMAC is supported by researchers at UC Berkeley’s Center for Law, Energy & the Environment, which provides participating governments with technical assistance on methane inventories, policy design, and action planning. The coalition also connects members with experts, data partners, and peer jurisdictions that have implemented successful methane reduction strategies. Climate policy is often designed and implemented at the national level, but states and provinces frequently have direct jurisdiction over major methane sources, including waste management, agriculture, and energy infrastructure. Subnational governments are therefore uniquely positioned to pilot solutions that can later be scaled nationally or replicated elsewhere. Through SMAC’s peer network, members can share lessons learned, adapt policies to their regional contexts, and avoid duplicating efforts. A state that has developed an effective approach to reducing agricultural methane, for example, can share that model with other regions facing similar challenges.   Upsides to SMAC One of SMAC’s key strengths is its emphasis on capacity-building. Many subnational governments (particularly those with limited resources) lack the technical expertise or staffing needed to design and implement methane mitigation programs. SMAC addresses this gap by offering tailored technical support, expert-led webinars, and communities of practice focused on specific methane sources. Methane mitigation also offers strong near-term climate benefits. Because methane dissipates from the atmosphere more quickly than carbon dioxide, reducing emissions can slow warming almost immediately. In many cases, methane solutions are relatively low-cost and non-repetitive, involving infrastructure upgrades or operational changes rather than ongoing behavioral shifts by individuals.   Challenges in SMAC Despite its promise, SMAC faces several challenges. Political turnover can disrupt momentum, as changes in leadership may shift climate priorities or reduce ambition. Sustained funding is another barrier, particularly for jurisdictions that need upfront investment to implement methane reduction technologies. There is also an important broader critique: focusing heavily on methane should not come at the expense of long-term carbon dioxide reductions. While methane mitigation is a powerful short-term strategy, CO₂ remains in the atmosphere far longer and continues to drive warming over centuries. SMAC does not frame methane reduction as a replacement for CO₂ action, but rather as a complementary strategy within a broader climate portfolio.   Shukla’s Take Shivani Shukla emphasizes that SMAC is fundamentally about collaboration and shared learning. By connecting subnational governments across regions and sectors, the coalition helps members overcome technical and capacity constraints while fostering leadership on methane mitigation. She also highlights the global nature of methane pollution and the importance of cross-border cooperation to address it effectively.   About Our Guest Shivani Shukla is a Research Fellow in the Project Climate program at UC Berkeley Law's Center for Law, Energy and the Environment (CLEE). Shivani co-leads the Subnational Methane Action Coalition, where she focuses on climate and environmental policies, particularly on methane and natural resources at the subnational level. Prior to joining CLEE, Shivani was a two-time EDF Climate Corps Fellow and conducted interdisciplinary climate policy research across academia, private and public sectors in the U.S.A., Ireland and India. Shivani graduated from the MPP program at the University of Chicago and a Masters in Applied Economics from University College Dublin. She is currently based in New York.   Resources U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,  Overview of Methane Emissions International Energy Agency, Methane Tracker Climate TRACE, Global Methane Emissions Data Platform Carbon Mapper, Satellite-Based Methane Detection and Analysis

    2분

  4. 3월 24일

    Native Seed Restoration, with Patrick Reynolds

    Encouraging Growth Native seed restoration aims to restore degraded ecosystems that sequester carbon, such as wetlands and riverbanks. Restoration increases climate resilience by re-establishing native plants adapted to local conditions, making landscapes more resistant to drought or fire, and strengthening overall ecosystem stability by increasing biodiversity. Heritage Growers is a California-based non-profit that has taken on this challenge, helping restore more than 20,000 acres of natural habitat statewide since its founding. Diving Deeper Heritage Growers was born from another habitat restoration project, River Partners. As River Partners grew, employees realized that the company was not always able to obtain “regionally appropriate” seeds for restoration projects, and, thus, Heritage Growers was created to fill this gap and help River Partners obtain seeds. Heritage Growers operates out of a 160-acre farm in Colusa, where plants are cultivated to “amplify” their genetic suitability to local conditions. Additionally, all seeds are of “known genetic origin,” meaning that Heritage Growers know where the seeds came from, and can ensure that they are locally-adapted and grown in California. Heritage Growers’ process is labor and time intensive. The seeds often cannot be grown immediately or in bulk, so “seed specialists travel to scout the land for native seeds,” collecting part of what they find in the wild (Haas). The seeds are cleaned by hand, and tested in labs to determine quality. Finally, they can be grown under precise conditions, and harvested at the perfect time. Some seeds must be hand-picked, while others, like milkweed favored by monarch butterflies, can be over $1,000 per pound to produce. One of Heritage Growers’ most significant achievements includes the “cultivation of 40,000 plants and 1,500 pounds of locally-adapted seeds for the historic Klamath River restoration.” For this specific restoration strategy, Heritage Growers planted the Klamath River banks with milkweed and other pollinator plants to promote biodiversity after “the largest dam removal project in US history.”  Benefits Native plants are vital to ecosystems because among many things, “they provide nectar for pollinators including hummingbirds, native bees, butterflies, moths, and bats” (Audubon). Additionally, the flora is a shelter for many types of fauna, while also acting as an important food source for them (Audubon). On top of this, native plants require much less water to plant and maintain than their exotic successors, which are often unsuited to the climate conditions in a given area.  Heritage Growers also collaborates with Native Californian communities, who have centuries-long histories of tending the land. The company works to integrate traditional ecological knowledge into their land cultivation efforts. Recently, it has worked with the Yurok tribe in Northern California to ensure the primary plant growth on a restored riverbank was native plants, not weeds. Heritage Growers also says that, unlike other companies that heavily guard genetic information, the non-profit is part of an effort to expand access to native plant information to encourage an increase in native seed restoration. Potential Issues One issue with the process that Heritage Growers employs is that the recultivation of plants is extremely time intensive, sometimes taking years to obtain the correct quality and quantity. Additionally, native seeds are expensive to obtain even before cultivation works to increase the supply. and it is likely that climate-related variables like droughts, heat waves, and invasive species can affect the growth of the seeds. On top of this, there is limited infrastructure to produce enough native seeds at scale. Specifically, “the rising demand for seeds far outpaces the available supply” and there is simply not “enough wildland seed available to restore the land at the rate that the state has set out to” (The Guardian). Reynold’s Take on the Future of Native Seed Restoration Reynolds emphasizes the importance of native plants in helping landscapes become more resilient to extreme weather conditions, benefit our food systems, and sequester carbon. He suggests that individuals support this initiative by planting native species in their own backyards as opposed to exotic plants.  About our guest Mr. Pat Reynolds, Heritage Grower’s General Manager, is a restoration ecologist who has more than 30 years of experience leading efforts that promote habitat restoration. Mr. Reynolds is also the Director of River Partners’ Native Seed and Plant Program. He sits on the board of the California Native Grasslands Association, the Yolo County Planning Commission, and is the Restoration Ecologist on the Science and Technical Advisory Committee for the Yolo County Habitat Agency. Resources/Citation Audubon, Why Native Plants Matter Heritage Growers, Our Experts Northern California Water, Heritage Growers And The Revival Of California's Native Habitats Dani Anguiano (The Guardian), Meet the seed collector restoring California’s landscapes - one tiny plant at a time  Michaela Haas (Reasons to Be Cheerful), The Native Seed Farm Safeguarding California’s Future For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/native-seed-restoration-with-patrick-reynolds/

    2분

  5. 3월 17일

    Aquaculture and the Seaweed Industry with Kaira Wallace

    The Seaweed Story Seaweed is a crucial part of ecosystems in several parts of the world, including our local California coasts. However, seaweed does more than just offer a home to local marine life. It also has immense carbon sequestration potential, and contains helpful compounds for a variety of different products. Because of these potential benefits, a new industry has arisen: aquaculture. This term refers to farming in the ocean, specifically of seaweed, in order to harness the valuable resources that can be derived from the plant.  Seaweed can be a more environmentally friendly way of growing food as it does not require the use of fertilizer, pesticides, freshwater, or land. According to The Nature Conservancy, global food production accounts for 80% of land degradation, 70% of freshwater use, and 33% of greenhouse gas emissions. Because of its lessened need for land resources, seaweed farming reduces these negative impacts on the environment. It also grows rapidly, and can be harvested in as little as six weeks. It also works as an underwater carbon sink, and can take in huge amounts of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, helping to clean the oceans and reduce the risk of dead zones—areas where nutrients from fertilizer cause low oxygen levels in water due to runoff and prevent life. While farmed seaweed is not a new concept—it has roots in coastal economies, cultures, and diets, particularly in Asia—the industry has grown to become a $16.7 billion market. Two of the companies that have stepped in to harness the power of seaweed include Ocean Rainforest and Altasea. According to Ocean Rainforest, their mission is to “use science, innovation and expertise to apply sustainable methods to grow and harvest seaweed and process it into premium quality products for our target customer segments.” The company cultivates seaweed in the North Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean, and creates products including biostimulants, pet feed, skincare serums, and ingredients for restaurants.  AltaSea operates their farms at the Port of Los Angeles, and “is dedicated to accelerating scientific collaboration, advancing an emerging Blue Economy through business innovation, and job creation, and inspiring the next generation, all for a more sustainable, just, and equitable world.” On top of selling seaweed related products and services, AltaSea also focuses on conducting research and creating programs that immerse children and adults in ocean education.  One potential challenge the seaweed industry is facing is the fight for space on the coastline, between commercial shipping companies, military vessels, oil platforms, and wildlife protected areas. Also, there is always a risk to altering an ecosystem, even in the case of aquaculture. Space and ecosystems still must be cleared for seaweed farms, which might have consequences for the surrounding areas. In order for seaweed farming to make an impact, it will be crucial for California policies to align with the needs of aquaculture, including space for farms along the coast. Further, Ocean Rainforest and AltaSea are both engaging in outreach projects to promote sustainable aquaculture and seaweed products to hopefully spread the popularity of their eco-friendly products and processes.   About our guest Kaira Wallace is the Regulatory and Community Engagement Associate at OceanRainforest. She focuses on advancing offshore seaweed aquaculture in California by navigating complex permitting processes, building strong relationships with state and federal agencies, and ensuring compliance with environmental standards.  Jade Clemons is the Director of Economic and Workforce Development at AltaSea. Her work centers around California coastal and marine development policy, entrepreneurial ecosystem engagement and collaboration, and implementation of accessible blue economy career pathways.   Resources World Wildlife Fund, Farmed Seaweed Natural History Museum, Seaweed farming for sustainable food California Sea Grant, Seaweed Aquaculture The Nature Conservancy, With the Right Tools, Seaweed Can Be an Important Piece of the Climate Puzzle AltaSea Ocean Rainforest For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/aquaculture-and-the-seaweed-industry-with-kaira-wallace/

    2분

  6. 3월 10일

    Photosynthesis Through Artificial Leaves, with Dr. Peidong Yang

    Replicating Nature  As the effects of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions become increasingly well understood, researchers like Dr. Peidong Yang at UC Berkeley are developing technologies that address human-caused climate change with a nature-based approach. Dr. Yang’s artificial leaves capture sunlight and carbon dioxide and produce C2, a key precursory ingredient in the production of many everyday items.    Diving Deeper  Though synthetic fuels have been manufactured for over a century - by combining carbon monoxide and hydrogen - these new structures may be able to generate fuel in a more sustainable way by harnessing solar energy. The artificial leaves produce ethylene and ethane, showing that artificial leaves can create hydrocarbons; previously, similar structures have only been able to separate water into oxygen and hydrogen.  A few innovations make this process possible. One is the catalyst, a microscopic copper structure, flower-like in appearance. According to another scientist working on the project, Virgil Andrei, the copper nanoflowers can be adjusted, based on the desired outcome: “Depending on the nanostructure of the copper catalyst you can get wildly different products.” Another innovation occurs on the side of the device opposite the nanoflowers -    Benefits  The benefits for climate change are two fold. First, these artificial leaves can remove CO2 that’s already been released into the atmosphere by mimicking what natural leaves do through photosynthesis. These artificial leaves uptake CO2 from the air, and use it to make all sorts of different chemicals that can be utilized to create fuel.  The second major benefit is this technology is an opportunity to revolutionize the current chemical industry. Right now, the chemical industry is powered by fossil fuels converted into the liquid fuel that powers our society. Instead, this artificial photosynthesis allows scientists to create those same very useful chemicals from the CO2 being uptaken by the artificial leaves without any added emissions in the process. Though the carbon will be reemitted once this fuel is used, it works out to be a net carbon-neutral system because the cycle continues—the artificial leaves will reuptake this CO2 as well. So, this net carbon-neutral system is drastically better than the current fossil fuel based system driving our climate crisis.    Issues of Scale Though this artificial leaf technology is promising for a number of future applications, it’s not ready to be scaled yet. Though the trial system worked, it’s just one step towards developing a commercially viable product. Another scientist, Yanwei Lum, emphasizes that, “The performance is still not sufficient for practical applications.” Once the leaves’ durability and efficiency is improved, they will be adoptable for fuel production. Andrei is optimistic that this step forward could come in the next five to ten years.    Yang’s take on the future of Artificial Leaves  Currently, the costs and energy needed for the technology are relatively high just because of how new it is. But Yang is confident that they will be able to bring the costs done, as well as the energy needed for the actual chemistry to happen. He also notes that for this to actually revolutionize our fuel production, this technology needs to be implemented at a massive scale. He hopes to see policies mandating new carbon capture technology in the conversion industry down the road.    About our Guest Peidong Yang is a chemist, material scientist, and businessman. He is the S.K. and Angela Chan Distinguished Professor of Energy, as well as a Professor of Chemistry and a Professor of Materials Science at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Yang researches materials chemistry, solid state chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and physical chemistry, focusing on low-dimensional nanoscopic building blocks that are used to assemble complex architectures with novel chemical and physical properties.   Further Reading Andrei et al., Perovskite-driven solar C2 hydrocarbon synthesis from CO2 Ashleigh Papp (Berkeley Lab), Scientists develop artificial leaf that uses sunlight Department of Energy, Perovskite solar cells  Carly Kay (MIT), This artificial leaf makes hydrocarbons out of carbon dioxide   For a transcript of this episode, please visit climatebreak.org/photosynthesis-through-artificial-leaves-with-dr-peidong-yang

    2분

  7. 3월 3일

    Advanced Air Mobility, with Adam Cohen

    Impacts of Air Transportation on Climate Change Air transportation is a major contributor to the fossil fuel economy: studies have shown that aviation is responsible for 3.5 percent of all drivers of climate change from human activities. Planes use immense amounts of kerosene—a flammable liquid used as fuel—in order to travel. When kerosene burns, it releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and black carbon. Also, planes create contrails: “line-shaped clouds produced by an airplane’s hot engine exhaust interacting with cold humid air several miles above the Earth’s surface.” These are the lines of white you see behind a plane as it flies overhead: small water particles from the plane’s engine exhaust that have frozen to become visible ice crystals. Because these are essentially clouds, when they persist past a short period of time, they have the potential to trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to a warming effect with many negative climate change consequences. Advanced Air Mobility as a Climate Solution In order to combat these negative effects of air travel—and to keep up with increasing demand for shorter distance air travel—researchers have begun looking toward opportunities for low emission options that can be more widely applied. This concept has been coined Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), and seeks to develop transportation technologies which are: “highly automated, electrically powered, and have vertical take-off and landing capability.” One main goal of the project is to develop Urban Air Mobility (UAM) in order to connect underserved communities within cities and rural regions. Ideally, Advanced Air Mobility will be an environmental improvement because it will use cleaner forms of energy to fuel the transportation, from electricity to hydrogen. According to Adam Cohen of UC Berkeley’s Transportation Sustainability Research Center, there are several different potential uses for the cleaner energy technology, including air taxi services, small package delivery, emergency services, or aeromedical use cases. Airports in particular are confronting a lot of demands for power—both in terms of aviation and ground vehicles—which electric fueled AAM may be able to help fulfill. In terms of hydrogen power, Cohen says manufacturers are testing and have prototypes for a hydrogen aircraft in the hopes that hydrogen will be an entry point for more sustainable flight in the future. Challenges of Implementation AAM is still in its early stages of development, and has yet to be implemented in a real way. In order for this to occur, its innovators need to place safety and integration at the forefront, ensuring passenger and cargo safety, as well as minimal disruption to current air traffic pathways. Further, it will be necessary to ensure some level of equitable access in terms of both convenience and cost across groups of people. Ultimately, AAM hopes to be a step in the direction toward clean energy in the aviation sector, encouraging policies and technologies in line with sustainable goals. About our guest Adam Cohen is a transportation thought leader, consultant, and shared mobility researcher at the Transportation Sustainability Research Center at the University of California, Berkeley. Since joining the group in 2004, his research has focused on innovative urban mobility solutions, including shared mobility, smart cities technologies, smartphone apps, urban air mobility, and other emerging technologies. Resources Federal Aviation Administration: Advanced Air Mobility National Business Aviation Association: Advanced Air Mobility NASA: Advanced Air Mobility For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/advanced-air-mobility-with-adam-cohen

    2분

  8. 2월 24일

    Rerun: Reframing Climate Action as Creation Care, with Becca Boyd

    Caring for God’s Creation: How Evangelical Christians Are Embracing Climate ActionAcross the United States, evangelical Christians are increasingly forging a connection between faith and climate action by redefining environmental work as a sacred duty to care for God’s creation. By understanding sustainability through the lens of biblically mandated stewardship, more and more Christians are discovering renewed hope and purpose in addressing climate change. What Is Creation Care?To many evangelical environmentalists, caring for the Earth is not a political act. Rather, it is a spiritual duty. They believe that how we treat the planet should reflect how God treats us: with compassion, responsibility, and reverence. That means resisting the exploitation of natural resources and instead treating the Earth as a divine gift entrusted to humanity.   Historically, however, environmentalism and climate science have been viewed as controversial in conservative Christian circles, seen as secular or partisan issues. But that perception is beginning to shift, thanks in part to young leaders and faith-based environmental advocates who are reframing climate action as a moral and theological imperative. Faith in ActionOne of those young leaders is Becca Boyd, a student at Indiana Wesleyan University studying Environmental Science. Raised in a Christian home, Becca often felt her environmental concerns were dismissed and even challenged. Feeling unhead, she began to experience a crisis of faith, questioning both her faith and her place in the church.   Everything changed when she was introduced to the concept of creation care in college by her professors. For the first time, she saw how her love for the environment and desire to protect it could be an act of faith rather than in conflict with it. A Theology of HopeLike many young people in the climate action space, Becca has felt overwhelmed by the constant sense of “doom and gloom.” The narrative that it’s too late to fix the damage can leave people in despair and feeling helpless. But creation care offers her a more hopeful, spiritually grounded mindset. Rather than dwelling on what’s broken, Becca focuses her energy on healing what’s still possible.   For Becca, environmental stewardship is now a form of worship: small acts like conserving energy, recycling, or planting a pollinator garden at her school are ways of honoring God.  And by inviting others to do the same, she’s helping grow a climate movement rooted not in fear but in faith and hope for the future. Choosing Words That Open DoorsThrough her advocacy, Becca has learned that the language you use to talk about climate issues matters, especially in Christian spaces. The word “climate” itself can be politically charged and can trigger defensiveness, while terms like “creation care” and “eco-theology” feel more rooted in faith and shared values.   She is also intentional about her tone, making a point to avoid “you” statements. Rather than telling people what they should do, Becca shares what she does and why. This approach opens the door to conversation rather than closing it. According to Becca, it’s about meeting people where they are and establishing a common ground — inviting them in, not calling them out.  The Challenges AheadCreation care is still a growing movement, and while it’s gained traction in places like Indiana, there’s still a long way to go. Climate science skepticism and misinformation continue to circulate in many conservative communities. But Becca and other young Christians are starting vital conversations in churches and on campuses, emphasizing climate change as a humanitarian issue: one that affects food security, public health, and the lives of future generations.    She also shares resources like Cowboy & Preacher, a documentary tracing the history of Christian environmentalism, to show that this movement isn’t new, and that faith and climate action have long been intertwined.  About Our GuestBecca Boyd is a rising senior at Indiana Wesleyan University studying Environmental Science. She is a Climate Advocate for Young Evangelicals for Climate Action (YECA) and previously served as a College Fellow. On campus, she launched a student sustainability club and helped lead campus-wide conversations about the intersection of faith and environmental responsibility. She was recently featured in The New York Times for her work advancing Indiana’s growing creation care movement. ResourcesYECA, Young Evangelicals for Climate ActionCowboy & Preacher, Cowboy & PreacherFurther ReadingThe New York Times, In Indiana, Putting Up Solar Panels Is Doing God’s WorkNBC News, Evangelical environmentalists push for climate votes as election nears: 'Care for God's creation'American Conservation Coalition, An Environmental Education: What a Christian Environmental Ethic Looks LikeFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/creation-care-with-becca-boyd/.

    2분
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Climate change is upon us. Fires, droughts, hurricanes, sea level rise, and melting ice caps are all part of our new normal. But something else is happening as well. Scientists, innovators, organizations, cities, companies, and citizens are taking action, making progress, and finding solutions. Climate Break brings you stories of climate progress and interviews with climate innovators from California and around the world, in under 2 minutes. Our solution-oriented, radio-ready shows are produced by students and climate law and policy experts at the University of California, Berkeley. Climate Break is a co-production of the Center for Law, Energy, and Environment at UC Berkeley Law and KALW 91.7 FM San Francisco Bay Area, in conjunction with the Berkeley School of Journalism. (For a transcript of the trailer, visit https://climatebreak.org/about-climate-break/)

정보

  • 제작진
    Berkeley Law
  • 방송 연도
    2021년 - 2026년
  • 에피소드
    248
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    전체 연령 사용가
  • 웹사이트 보기
    Climate Break

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