A Climate Change with Matt Matern

Matthew Matern
  • 4.1 (21)
  • EARTH SCIENCES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A Climate Change with Matt Matern is a weekly show featuring influential guests from government, business, activism, academia, and culture. The show serves to inform its audience with a focus on environmental and climate issues. Join us as we commit to making "a climate change." Similar to these great podcasts: TED Climate, Reversing Climate Change, Climate One, My Climate Journey, Volts, America Adapts, & A Matter Of Degrees.

  1. 235. The Fight for Affordable Energy in Rural America with Michelle Moore

    6D AGO

    235. The Fight for Affordable Energy in Rural America with Michelle Moore

    Today, Matt checks back in with Michelle Moore, CEO of Groundswell and author of Rural Renaissance, nearly a year after the EPA canceled Groundswell's $156 million Solar for All contract. Michelle shares how Groundswell is pressing forward anyway, building a new financing model around corporate off-takers and utility partnerships to keep 20MW of community solar alive. They also dig into the full-blown energy crisis hitting American families at the kitchen table - electricity bills up over 10%, AI data centers driving unprecedented demand, and a federal government that has largely stepped out of the affordability business. Michelle says the renaissance in rural America is still waiting to happen - you just have to switch streams.   Learn more about Groundswell at groundswell.org Read Rural Renaissance: Revitalizing America's Hometowns Through Clean Power here: islandpress.org/books/rural-renaissance Listen to Michelle's first appearance on A Climate Change here: Episode 74   Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.   Guest Bio Michelle Moore is CEO of Groundswell, a nonprofit that cuts electricity bills in half for low-income families through community solar, resilience hubs, and energy efficiency. A former White House official and author of Rural Renaissance, she led federal sustainability for President Obama - cutting the government's energy bill by $11 billion and deploying 3.2 gigawatts of new renewable energy. She also served as a Senate-confirmed TVA board member and drove LEED to global recognition as SVP of the U.S. Green Building Council.   Episode Resources Groundswell: https://groundswell.org Rural Renaissance by L. Michelle Moore: https://islandpress.org/books/rural-renaissance Michelle's first episode (Ep. 74): https://aclimatechange.com/shows/episode-74-michelle-moore/ Matt Matern on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ACClinkedin A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids

    50 min
  2. 234. Why the War With Iran Is Really About Fossil Fuels w/ Miranda Green

    MAR 26

    234. Why the War With Iran Is Really About Fossil Fuels w/ Miranda Green

    Note: This episode was recorded on March 23, 2026. The situation is fast-moving — some details may have evolved, but the underlying story hasn't.   Today, Matt speaks with award-winning investigative journalist Miranda Green about the fossil fuel dimensions of the U.S.-Iran conflict. Miranda - author of The Understory, Atmos Magazine's weekly climate-culture newsletter - traces how the conflict has disrupted roughly 20% of the world's liquid natural gas and oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, sent gas prices surging past $7 a gallon in parts of California, and exposed just how deeply the global economy remains dependent on fossil fuels.   They also dig into the Trump administration's response: paying a French energy company to abandon offshore wind projects and invest in Texas LNG instead; keeping aging coal plants online under national security law; and Trump's murky, shifting rationale for the conflict itself. Miranda connects the dots from dark money and fossil fuel donors to the policy decisions shaping the U.S. energy landscape — and asks whether the chaos of this moment might, paradoxically, accelerate the clean energy transition.   Read Miranda's piece, The War With Iran Is Already About Energy, at Atmos: https://atmos.earth/political-landscapes/the-war-with-iran-is-already-about-energy/   Subscribe to Miranda's newsletter, The Understory, at atmos.earth/newsletter   Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.   Miranda's Bio Miranda Green is an award-winning investigative journalist and climate writer based in Los Angeles. She is the author of The Understory, Atmos Magazine's weekly climate-culture newsletter, and publishes Evergreen, her own climate-focused Substack. A former staff reporter for CNN, The Hill, and The Daily Beast, she has spent nearly a decade covering the intersection of politics, energy, and the environment for national audiences. Her investigative work has appeared in ProPublica, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Guardian, and New York Magazine, and has earned multiple national awards including the 2025 National Press Club's Arthur E. Rowse Award and recognition from the National Press Foundation for energy and environmental writing.   Episode Resources Miranda's piece: The War With Iran Is Already About Energy (Atmos) https://atmos.earth/political-landscapes/the-war-with-iran-is-already-about-energy/ Subscribe to The Understory: atmos.earth/newsletter Miranda's Substack, Evergreen: mirandacgreen.substack.com Miranda's website: mirandacgreen.com Miranda’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFnMYhYC6ymhwiEMLpRfDUg A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids More About A Climate Change with Matt Matern A Climate Change with Matt Matern is a podcast dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of climate change while inspiring action and fostering a sustainable future. Each episode dives deep into the environmental challenges of our time, rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and resource degradation, breaking down complex topics into digestible insights. The podcast goes beyond merely raising awareness. It serves as a trusted resource for practical, actionable solutions that empower listeners to reduce their carbon footprint and drive change in their communities. With a strong focus on environmental science and expert perspectives, host Matt Matern brings influential voices to the forefront, highlighting innovative ideas and collaborative efforts shaping global sustainability initiatives. More than just a source of information, A Climate Change is a movement. It builds a coalition of like-minded individuals committed to preserving the planet for future generations. Listeners are invited to participate actively in creating a legacy of positive environmental impact through informed decision-making and collective action. The podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, provides a platform for science-backed discussions, global perspectives, and community building. Whether you want to learn about renewable energy, sustainable living practices, or climate policy, A Climate Change with Matt Matern equips you with the tools and knowledge to make a tangible difference. Tune in, take action, and join the fight for a brighter, greener future.   Curated List of Episodes If you enjoyed this episode of A Climate Change, here is a list of some recent episodes curated especially for you: Simulating the Future: How Climate Models Shape Policy Decisions with Andrew Jones [Link] How Personal Change Sparks Global Impact: Joshua Spodek's Sustainability Secrets [Link] Bill McKibben on Renewable Energy, Political Battles & Hope for the Planet [Link]

    43 min
  3. 233. The Plan to Flip the 2026 Midterms w/ Nathaniel Stinnett

    MAR 19

    233. The Plan to Flip the 2026 Midterms w/ Nathaniel Stinnett

    Today, Matt speaks with Nathaniel Stinnett, returning guest and Founder and Executive Director of the Environmental Voter Project (EVP), about the climate movement’s political power problem. Nathaniel explains why tens of millions of environmentalists don’t vote — and why the number one answer people give for how to address the climate crisis is recycling. He shares how EVP uses predictive modeling, randomized control trials, and behavioral psychology tools like peer pressure and endowed progress to turn non-voters into habitual voters. They also look ahead to the 2026 midterms, where EVP is targeting 3.4 million first-time climate voters across 21 states.   Learn more about the Environmental Voter Project: environmentalvoter.org   Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.   Nathaniel’s Bio: Nathaniel Stinnett is the Founder and Executive Director of the Environmental Voter Project, a nonpartisan nonprofit that identifies non-voting environmentalists and turns them into consistent voters using data science and behavioral psychology. Named a “climate visionary” by the New York Times and “The Voting Guru” by Grist, he came to climate work from the world of political campaigns. He holds a B.A. from Yale and a J.D. from Boston College Law School, and is a Senior Fellow at the Yale Center for Business and the Environment. Since 2015, EVP has contacted over 10.5 million voters across 21 states.   Episode Resources Environmental Voter Project: environmentalvoter.org Previous Episode (ACC163): aclimatechange.com/shows/163-nathaniel-stinnett A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids     More About A Climate Change with Matt Matern A Climate Change with Matt Matern A Climate Change with Matt Matern is a podcast dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of climate change while inspiring action and fostering a sustainable future. Each episode dives deep into the environmental challenges of our time, rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and resource degradation, breaking down complex topics into digestible insights.   The podcast goes beyond merely raising awareness. It serves as a trusted resource for practical, actionable solutions that empower listeners to reduce their carbon footprint and drive change in their communities. With a strong focus on environmental science and expert perspectives, host Matt Matern brings influential voices to the forefront, highlighting innovative ideas and collaborative efforts shaping global sustainability initiatives.   More than just a source of information, A Climate Change is a movement. It builds a coalition of like-minded individuals committed to preserving the planet for future generations. Listeners are invited to participate actively in creating a legacy of positive environmental impact through informed decision-making and collective action.   The podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, provides a platform for science-backed discussions, global perspectives, and community building. Whether you want to learn about renewable energy, sustainable living practices, or climate policy, A Climate Change with Matt Matern equips you with the tools and knowledge to make a tangible difference. Tune in, take action, and join the fight for a brighter, greener future.   Curated List of Episodes If you enjoyed this episode of A Climate Change, here is a list of some recent episodes curated especially for you: The Legal War on Fossil Fuels, with Michael Gerrard [Link] How Gen Z Is Rewriting the Climate Playbook, with Amelia Southern-Uribe [Link] Why Recycling Won’t Save the Planet, with Catherine Weetman [Link]

    1h 3m
  4. 232. Can Nature Have Rights? The Legal Movement Reshaping Environmentalism w/ Katie Surma

    MAR 13

    232. Can Nature Have Rights? The Legal Movement Reshaping Environmentalism w/ Katie Surma

    Today, Matt speaks with Katie Surma, reporter at Inside Climate News and one of the world’s leading journalists covering the rights of nature movement. Katie has covered the movement across four continents, and in this conversation she and Matt take stock of where things stand: the wins, the rollbacks, and the road ahead.   They discuss the groundbreaking Indigenous-led treaty recognizing whales’ rights in New Zealand, scientists using AI to decode sperm whale language, and how Ecuador’s constitutional rights of nature have survived repeated political attacks. They also dig into why rights of nature laws keep getting preempted in the U.S., what a private attorney general model for nature’s rights could look like, and Katie’s recent reporting showing communities of color lose access to green space at three times the rate of white communities. Plus: what’s happening in Argentina under Milei, and where Katie is headed next on her reporting trips to South America.   Read Katie’s work at Inside Climate News: https://insideclimatenews.org/profile/katie-surma/   Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.   Katie’s Bio: Katie Surma is a reporter at Inside Climate News, where she covers the rights of nature movement and international environmental justice. A former commercial litigator, she brought her legal training to investigative journalism after a mid-career switch and has since become one of the most recognized voices reporting on how courts, constitutions, and international law are being reshaped to recognize the rights of rivers, animals, and ecosystems. Her work has been recognized by the Overseas Press Club, the Society of International Journalists, and the Society of American Business Editors and Writers.   Episode Resources Katie on Inside Climate News: https://insideclimatenews.org/profile/katie-surma/ A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids   More About A Climate Change with Matt Matern   A Climate Change with Matt Matern is a podcast dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of climate change while inspiring action and fostering a sustainable future. Each episode dives deep into the environmental challenges of our time, rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and resource degradation, breaking down complex topics into digestible insights.   The podcast goes beyond merely raising awareness. It serves as a trusted resource for practical, actionable solutions that empower listeners to reduce their carbon footprint and drive change in their communities. With a strong focus on environmental science and expert perspectives, host Matt Matern brings influential voices to the forefront, highlighting innovative ideas and collaborative efforts shaping global sustainability initiatives.   More than just a source of information, A Climate Change is a movement. It builds a coalition of like-minded individuals committed to preserving the planet for future generations. Listeners are invited to participate actively in creating a legacy of positive environmental impact through informed decision-making and collective action.   The podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, provides a platform for science-backed discussions, global perspectives, and community building. Whether you want to learn about renewable energy, sustainable living practices, or climate policy, A Climate Change with Matt Matern equips you with the tools and knowledge to make a tangible difference. Tune in, take action, and join the fight for a brighter, greener future.   Curated List of Episodes   If you enjoyed this episode of A Climate Change, here is a list of some recent episodes curated especially for you:   Simulating the Future: How Climate Models Shape Policy Decisions with Andrew Jones How Personal Change Sparks Global Impact: Joshua Spodek’s Sustainability Secrets Bill McKibben on Renewable Energy, Political Battles & Hope for the Planet

    46 min
  5. 231. How We Feed the World Without Frying the World w/ Michael Grunwald

    MAR 6

    231. How We Feed the World Without Frying the World w/ Michael Grunwald

    Today, Matt speaks with award-winning journalist and author Michael Grunwald about his new book, We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate. Grunwald makes the case that food and land use are responsible for roughly a third of global greenhouse gas emissions — a massive blind spot in most climate conversations. They discuss why the world is on track to eat 70% more meat by 2050, the limits of veganism and organic farming as climate strategies, and why Denmark’s 2025 agricultural policy may be the most important climate legislation most people have never heard of. They also dig into deforestation, food waste, agricultural subsidies, the failure of alternative meats, and what a serious food-climate agenda might actually look like.   Pick up Michael’s new book here: https://amzn.to/weareatingtheearth Read Michael’s work at POLITICO here: https://www.politico.com/staff/michael-grunwald Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.   Michael’s Bio: Michael Grunwald is an award-winning journalist and senior staff writer at POLITICO Magazine. A Harvard graduate and former staff writer at The Washington Post, TIME Magazine, and The Boston Globe, he is the author of The Swamp and the NYT bestseller The New New Deal. His latest book, We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate, examines how food systems and land use are driving the climate crisis. He has won the George Polk Award and the Worth Bingham Prize for investigative reporting.   Episode Resources We Are Eating the Earth (book): https://amzn.to/weareatingtheearth Matt Matern on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ACClinkedin A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids

    55 min
  6. 230. The Colorado River Is Running Out of Time with Jennifer Pitt

    FEB 26

    230. The Colorado River Is Running Out of Time with Jennifer Pitt

    Today, Matt speaks with Jennifer Pitt, Colorado River Program Director at the National Audubon Society, about the deepening water crisis facing the American West. Jennifer explains how the Colorado River's reservoirs — once full just 25 years ago — now sit at roughly one-third capacity, and why the expiration of the existing water management agreements at the end of 2026 creates an urgent governance challenge. They discuss the role of irrigated agriculture in consuming 80% of the river's water, the politics of voluntary water buyback programs, and why seven states must reach consensus before the federal government is left with blunt tools and the risk of Supreme Court litigation.   Jennifer also addresses what cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles need to understand about this moment — and why both people and wildlife across the interior Southwest are counting on a collaborative solution.   Learn more about Audubon's Colorado River work: https://www.audubon.org/conservation/colorado-river   Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.   Jennifer's Bio: Jennifer Pitt is the Colorado River Program Director at the National Audubon Society, where she has worked since 2015 to protect and restore rivers throughout the Colorado River Basin. With more than 25 years of experience in western water policy, she previously spent 17 years at the Environmental Defense Fund leading efforts to restore the Colorado River Delta. She co-chairs the binational U.S.-Mexico environmental work group under Minute 323, co-leads the Alianza Revive el Río Colorado, and has testified before Congress on the river's future. She holds an A.B. from Harvard and a master's in Environmental Science and Policy from the Yale School of Forestry.   Episode Resources Jennifer Pitt / Audubon Colorado River Program: https://www.audubon.org/conservation/colorado-river Jennifer Pitt at Audubon: https://www.audubon.org/people/jennifer-pitt Matt Matern on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ACClinkedin A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids

    48 min
  7. 229. How Gen Z Is Rewriting the Climate Playbook

    FEB 20

    229. How Gen Z Is Rewriting the Climate Playbook

    Today, Matt Matern speaks with Amelia Southern-Uribe, Director of Global Organizing at Zero Hour, about building youth-led climate power in the American South. Amelia shares how frontline communities shaped their activism and how organizing, storytelling, and coalition-building drive change.   Read more about Zero Hour: https://thisiszerohour.org Follow Zero Hour on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisiszerohour Want to boast to your friends about trees named after you? Help us plant 30k trees? Only a few trees left! Visit aclimatechange.com/trees to learn more Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.   Amelia’s Bio: Amelia Southern-Uribe is a climate justice strategist and Director of Global Organizing at Zero Hour. Based in the American South, they build youth-led movements, advance environmental justice campaigns, and use storytelling to empower frontline communities and drive equitable climate policy change.   Episode Resources Read more about Zero Hour: https://thisiszerohour.org Follow Zero Hour on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisiszerohour Matt Matern on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ACClinkedin A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids

    47 min
  8. 228. The Legal War on Fossil Fuels

    FEB 12

    228. The Legal War on Fossil Fuels

    Today, Professor Michael Gerrard joins Matt to share his journey into environmental law, inspired by growing up amid pollution and attending the first Earth Day in 1970. He explains the mission of Columbia Law School’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law and outlines the most effective legal tools to combat climate change. They also explore the need for federal climate legislation, the role of state-level climate action, and the growing importance of climate litigation and regulatory authority in advancing meaningful environmental progress.   Read Global Climate Change and U.S. Law (co-edited by Michael Gerrard) here: https://bit.ly/4aJPVlo Read Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in the United States here: https://bit.ly/4bMigIR   Michael’s Bio: Michael Gerrard is founder and faculty director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School. A leading environmental lawyer and author of 14 books, he pioneers legal strategies, climate litigation research, and policy solutions to advance climate action worldwide.   Episode Resources Read more about the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law here: https://climate.law.columbia.edu Explore the Sabin Center’s Climate Litigation Database here: https://climatecasechart.com Learn more about Columbia Climate School here: https://climate.columbia.edu Read Global Climate Change and U.S. Law (co-edited by Michael Gerrard) here: https://bit.ly/4aJPVlo Read Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in the United States here: https://bit.ly/4bMigIR A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids

    49 min
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4.1
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

A Climate Change with Matt Matern is a weekly show featuring influential guests from government, business, activism, academia, and culture. The show serves to inform its audience with a focus on environmental and climate issues. Join us as we commit to making "a climate change." Similar to these great podcasts: TED Climate, Reversing Climate Change, Climate One, My Climate Journey, Volts, America Adapts, & A Matter Of Degrees.

Information

  • Creator
    Matthew Matern
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    237
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © A Climate Change with Matt Matern. @ 2026
  • Show Website
    A Climate Change with Matt Matern

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