Climate Break

Berkeley Law
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  • NATURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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. 4D AGO

    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/

    2 min

  2. MAR 17

    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/

    2 min

  3. MAR 10

    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

    2 min

  4. MAR 3

    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

    2 min

  5. FEB 24

    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/.

    2 min

  6. FEB 17

    Rerun: Lithium-Ion Batteries for India's Clean Energy Future, with Dr. Rashi Gupta

    India's Battle Against Air PollutionHistorically, India has faced challenges with persistent air pollution as a result of industrial development. One key approach to combat this has been to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, Indian policymakers have been pushing for the commercialization of electric vehicles which has unlocked various incentives for companies like Vision Mechatronics to develop electric vehicles run by lithium-ion batteries.  How Lithium-Ion Batteries Power EVsIndia “seeks to attain a 30% share of electric vehicles, in the total vehicles sold, by 2030” and accelerating the market for it by “moving from incentives to mandates” like a Zero Emission Vehicle policy (NITI Aayog). Taking advantage of this political support, Vision Mechatronics “aims to develop a complete domestic ecosystem around EVs” which have “zero tailpipe emissions” (Vision Mechatronics).  Many electric vehicles are driven by lithium ion batteries which “can contain hundreds of individual cylindrical battery cells that are the same shape as common AA and AAA batteries” (Edmunds). They are extremely energy efficient and can store a multitude of energy; on full battery, electric cars powered by lithium-ion batteries can drive over 200 miles–although it may depend on the specific car model. Compared to their precursor, lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries have higher energy density which increases the mileage of a car. They are also extremely lightweight and this ensures that EVs aren’t too heavy. Moreover, the electricity used to refuel the EVs come from renewable energy sources like solar power.  The Environmental Cost of Battery ProductionThere are various concerns that lithium-ion battery powered cars take a long time to charge. Although this may be true for some models, recent developments have led to an increase in charging efficiency and overall energy storage. For instance, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 can be charged “from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes” (Edmunds). Moreover, the environmental impact that the creation of lithium-ion batteries has is detrimental as “the mining process for lithium and other materials used in these batteries can… lead to water pollution and habitat destruction” (Tara Electronics). Although this is the undeniable truth, it is promising to know that due to advancements in technology it has been shown that electric car batteries can “last 12 to 15 years in moderate climates”, meaning that they don’t have short lifespans (Edmunds). Moreover, “instead of ending up in a scrapyard like most internal combustion engines do, electric vehicle batteries can be repurposed, refurbished, or recycled when they fail” (Edmunds). Building India's EV EcosystemGupta believes that local battery production in India can help India progress towards an economy that is powered by clean energy. She mentions that it has been difficult to employ skilled labor in this field due to geopolitical tensions and a lack of awareness regarding the importance of this field. However, she is trying to bridge this gap by making opportunities in her company as accessible to the next generation as possible. About Our GuestRashi Gupta, an advocate for clean energy, is the Founder & Managing Director of Vision Mechatronics Private Limited which is a battery company in India. ResourcesEdmunds, What You Need to Know About Electric Vehicle BatteriesVision Mechatronics, Renewable Energy Solutions for Electric VehiclesNITI Aayog, “Unlocking a $200 Billion Opportunity: Electric Vehicles in India”Tara Electronics, Why Do Electric Cars Use Lithium Batteries Exploring the Advantages and ChallengesFurther ReadingEV Mechanica, Understanding Lithium-Ion Battery Technology in Electric VehiclesIBEF, Electric Vehicles: Electric Vehicle Industry in India and its GrowthFor a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/lithium-ion-batteries-for-indias-clean-energy-future/.

    2 min

  7. FEB 10

    Rerun: Unifying a Partisan Nation Around Nature, with Amelia Joy and Maya Cohn

    Unifying a Partisan Nation Around Nature Nature is Nonpartisan is a bipartisan, solutions-focused coalition working to unite Americans around shared environmental goals. By fostering cross-party support for conservation and land stewardship, the organization hopes to reframe climate action as a unifying national priority rather than a partisan fight.  Establishing Nature as Middle Ground In recent years, environmental politics in the U.S. have been paralyzed by partisan gridlock, stalling climate progress. Nature is Nonpartisan aims to break this deadlock by reframing environmentalism around common-sense values, such as safety, access to the outdoors, and community well-being. By engaging Americans across the political spectrum, the coalition seeks to depoliticize climate solutions and ground them in conservation principles that resonate more universally: protecting public lands, supporting disaster-affected communities, and ensuring access to clean air and water. This approach gained national attention in early 2025 when founder and CFO Benji Backer, alongside coalition members, briefed White House staff on nonpartisan conservation strategies. A meeting scheduled for fifteen minutes extended well over an hour, ultimately influencing President Trump’s unexpected June 2025 signing of the “Make America Beautiful Again” executive order. The order focuses on conserving public lands, safeguarding wildlife, and securing clean drinking water. Backer underscored that wildfires, drought, and ecosystem collapse don’t just affect the environment; they threaten billions in outdoor-recreation revenue and undermine the hunting, fishing, and farming traditions valued across political lines. Nature is Nonpartisan’s narrative emphasizes that environmental protection is not only about climate, but also the American landscape, economic security, and the natural heritage millions rely on and cherish. Conservation as Climate Action Nature is Nonpartisan’s work centers on four key conservation areas: managing forests to reduce wildfire risk, enhancing water quality and improving water infrastructure, enhancing natural disaster resilience, and promoting responsible land stewardship. Together, these priorities offer a practical, bipartisan path to protect ecosystems and communities most vulnerable to climate change. Overall, emphasizing conservation provides a widely palatable, bipartisan entry point into climate action. By restoring ecosystems, sequestering carbon, and protecting biodiversity, these efforts simultaneously strengthen local economies — particularly in rural regions dependent on recreation and natural-resource industries — while building long-term climate resilience.  The Tension Beneath the Surface Despite its promise, Nature is Nonpartisan’s work exists within a fraught political landscape. Environmentalism and conservatism are still often framed as ideologically incompatible, a perception the organization works actively to undo. While the “Make America Beautiful Again” executive order signals progress, critics argue it may be more symbolic than substantive, especially given President Trump’s longstanding dismissal of climate science. Some fear the order could serve more as a political performance than a genuine environmental advancement. These tensions point to the broader challenge: decades of conservative skepticism toward climate science have made it difficult to ensure follow-through on policy. Nature is Nonpartisan hopes to continue confronting this distrust by reframing environmental protection around nationally shared values — family, future generations, clean water, clean air, and access to the outdoors — whether one is a Midwestern farmworker or a city resident. The Power of Words and Bipartisan Policy Communications Director Amelia Joy emphasizes that language is crucial to keeping these efforts genuinely nonpartisan. Because the word “climate” has become politically charged, Nature is Nonpartisan often avoids leading with it. Instead, Joy notes that many of the organization’s core priorities, from wildfire prevention to natural disaster resilience, are climate issues, but by centering them in everyday terms, the coalition can build durable, cross-party support that can outlast any single administration. Policy Director Maya Cohn adds that progress doesn’t have to depend on who is in office. She emphasizes that policy advances can happen under any president or Congress if people are willing to work across political lines. For her, bridging divides and having honest conversations, even with those you disagree with, is the only way to create long-lasting environmental solutions. About the Guests Amelia Joy is the Communications Director at Nature is Nonpartisan and identifies as Conservative. Maya Cohn is the Policy Director at Nature is Nonpartisan and identifies as Progressive. Resources About — Nature Is NonpartisanEstablishing the President's Make America Beautiful Again Commission – The White HouseMake America Beautiful Again — Nature Is NonpartisanFurther Reading Q&A: Meet the conservative working to make environmentalism nonpartisanFraming Climate Action as Patriotic and Status Quo-Friendly Increases Liberals’ and Conservatives’ Belief in Climate ChangeHow this group got Trump to sign a pro-environment executive order - The Washington Post  For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/unifying-a-partisan-nation-around-nature-with-amelia-joy-and-maya-cohn/

    2 min

  8. FEB 3

    Rerun: Evangelical Christians Taking Environmental Action, with Rev. Dr. Jeremy Summers

    How Evangelical Communities in Indiana Are Leading Christian Climate Action In Indiana, evangelical churches are finding new ways to live out their faith through environmental action. With support from the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN), congregations are installing solar panels, planting native gardens, creating nature play areas for preschoolers, and even adding electric vehicle charging stations. This initiative, often referred to by Christians as “creation care,” positions environmental stewardship and climate action as a biblical responsibility. What is the Evangelical Environmental Network?EEN is a biblically-based ministry and the environmental arm of the National Association of Evangelicals, dedicated to mobilizing Christians around climate action. By collaborating with churches, universities, and seminaries, the organization offers education on how creation care is a collective mission among evangelicals. In Central Indiana, this has meant congregations and Christian universities working together on eco-friendly infrastructure and community events such as Indy Creation Fest, an Earth Day-like celebration that joyfully highlights humanity’s duty to conserve and steward the beauty God bestowed on us. Creation Care as Protecting the PoorA central theme of EEN’s work is showing Christians that defending the poor and vulnerable also means addressing pollution — including from plastic, methane, and mercury — and climate change. Low-income communities often face the harshest impacts of extreme climate disasters, poor air quality, and contaminated water. By making this connection clear, EEN reframes environmentalism as an act of justice and compassion for humanity, aligning climate action with evangelical priorities. Their programs highlight not only environmental threats but also human health risks, from asthma linked to air pollution to the dangers of unsafe drinking water. The Building of a MovementCreation care is still a growing movement and remains a minority position within American evangelicalism. Some believers continue to prioritize human welfare over environmental stewardship without recognizing that the two are inseparable. Historically, evangelicals have been among the groups least likely to regard climate change as urgent and express wariness about climate science. While the visible progress in Indiana is promising, it remains only a small step in the broader effort to normalize creation care across the evangelical community.  Nonetheless, by centering their approach on shared religious values, EEN helps evangelical Christians see climate action not as a burden, but as a natural extension of their mission to honor God and all of creation. About Our GuestRev. Dr. Jeremy Summers, the Director of Church and Community Engagement at EEN, emphasizes that caring for the environment and caring for people are one in the same. He works with churches, universities, and local communities to connect biblical principles with climate action, advancing the creation care movement within evangelical circles. Within these spaces, he urges Christians to understand that protecting ecosystems is necessary to protect the people who live in them, especially those from marginalized groups who suffer most from pollution, climate change, and environmental injustice.  ResourcesEEN, The Evangelical Environmental NetworkNAE, National Association of EvangelicalsFurther ReadingThe New York Times, In Indiana, Putting Up Solar Panels Is Doing God’s WorkAmerican Academy of Arts and Sciences, Evangelical Environmental Network: Mobilizing Religious Groups for Climate ActionThe Chronicle of Philanthropy, The ‘Eco-Right’ Is Growing. Will Bipartisanship Follow?University of Arizona News, Researchers explore how to protect the environment while helping those living in povertyFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/evangelical-christians-taking-environmental-action-with-rev-dr-jeremy-summers/.

    2 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

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/)

Information

  • Creator
    Berkeley Law
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    245
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Climate Break

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