The Climate Conversation

Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI)
  • 4.9 (14)
  • SCIENCE

With all the depressing climate news out there, it’s sometimes hard to see progress. The Climate Conversation cuts through the noise and presents you with relevant climate change solutions happening on the Hill and in communities around the United States. Twice a month, join Environmental and Energy Study Institute staff members as they interview environmental, energy, and policy experts on practical, on-the-ground work that communities, companies, and governments are doing to address climate change. Whether you want to learn more about the solutions to climate change, are an expert in environmental issues, or are a policy professional, this podcast is for you.

  1. OCT 7

    10.2 Now We’re Cooking with Electricity! Chef Christopher Galarza on Decarbonizing Culinary Spaces

    Whether you are an amateur in the kitchen or a professional chef, electrification is a gouda option! In this episode, Chef Christopher Galarza, an expert in cooking with electric and induction technology, explains to co-hosts Daniel and Alison why he does not play with fire in his restaurants or at home. Chef Chris’s leadership at Forward Dining Solutions and EcoChef recently earned him a spot on the 2025 Grist 50 list.   Show notes: I Made the Switch from Gas to Electric Cooking. Here’s Why I Love My New Induction Stove (article): https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/i-made-the-switch-from-gas-to-electric-cooking-heres-why-i-love-my-new-induction-stove  Smart Home, Green Home (2025 Clean Energy EXPO Panel): https://www.eesi.org/expo2025smarthome  Benefits of ENERGY STAR (Rapid Readout): https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/051625rapidreadout

    33 min

  2. SEP 23

    10.1 Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove on Well-Rounded Policies for a Circular Economy

    Welcome to Season 10 of The Climate Conversation! Daniel and Alison recorded today’s episode from Capitol Hill with Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove of California’s 37th Congressional District, part of Los Angeles County. Rep. Kamlager-Dove spoke about her work promoting a circular economy through the Slow Fashion Caucus, which she co-chairs, and the bipartisan Recommerce Caucus.

    22 min

  3. MAY 20

    9.7 EESI’s First-Ever Rapid Readout Tackles ENERGY STAR

    Today’s episode of EESI’s podcast is showcasing a brand new EESI resource, Rapid Readouts. Things are happening faster than ever, and you need information quickly. These 30-minute, interactive Readouts will bring you what you need to know, when you need to know it. Our first Rapid Readout took place on Friday and explored the benefits of ENERGY STAR.

    32 min

  4. MAY 6

    9.6 What’s the Game Plan for Climate Action? “Warming Up” with Sport Ecologist Madeleine Orr

    Climate change has thrown the sports world a massive curveball. Rising temperatures and extreme weather events pose a threat to athletes in all seasons and settings, from mountain skiers to ocean surfers. Sport ecologist Madeleine Orr joined Daniel and Alison on The Climate Conversation to talk about her book, Warming Up: How Climate Change is Changing Sport. She also shared tactics for the industry to protect athletes and fans while reducing its environmental impact.   Show notes: Talking about “The Octopus in the Parking Garage” with Rob Verchick (podcast): https://www.eesi.org/podcasts/view/6.1-talking-about-the-octopus-in-the-parking-garage-with-rob-verchick  Political Climate: Author Jay Hakes on the History of Climate Change Science in the White House (podcast): https://www.eesi.org/podcasts/view/8.6-political-climate-author-jay-hakes-on-the-history-of-climate-change-science-in-the-white-house

    31 min

  5. APR 22

    9.5 How Can Policymakers Protect Policyholders in a World on Fire?

    Home insurance is one of those things you need to have and hope to never need. But as risk from climate disasters increases, many homeowners are finding it more and more difficult to obtain an affordable policy. This is especially true in the American West, where wildfires are creating more uncertainty than insurance companies are willing to cover, forcing many homeowners to enroll in state-run insurance plans. Daniel and Alison sit down with Dr. Lisa Dale, director of the Climate and Society Masters program at the Columbia Climate School, for a conversation about how policymakers can help communities navigate the insurance crisis as it relates to wildfires. Show notes: Risky Business: Insurance in the Era of Climate Change (briefing): https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/050625insurance  Missing the mark: Effectiveness and funding in community wildfire risk reduction (Headwaters Economics report): https://headwaterseconomics.org/natural-hazards/missing-the-mark-wildfire/  All Fired up for Innovation in Wildfire Risk Analysis (podcast): https://www.eesi.org/podcasts/view/7.6-all-fired-up-for-innovation-in-wildfire-risk-analysis  Living with Climate Change: Wildfires (briefing): https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/061322climatechange  Rethinking Tourism in the Wake of West Maui’s Wildfires (article): https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/rethinking-tourism-in-the-wake-of-west-mauis-wildfires

    32 min

  6. APR 8

    9.4 Bringing Abandoned Mine Lands Back to Life

    For residents of former and current mining communities (especially in Appalachia, the Midwest, and the Mountain West), abandoned mines are a familiar—and often dangerous—aspect of the local landscape. Unreclaimed abandoned mines and infrastructure can leak acid drainage, pollute groundwater, or collapse unexpectedly. Guests Kevin Zedack and Matt Hepler (both from Appalachian Voices) sit down with Daniel and EESI’s newest communications associate, Hannah Wilson-Black, to explain how cleaning up these sites can safeguard ecosystems and human health while providing new economic development opportunities in coal communities.   Show notes: Central Appalachian Mine Reforestation Assessment (Appalachian Voices resource): https://skytruth.org/mtr-data-files/  Plugging Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells Provides Climate and Jobs Benefits (article): https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/plugging-orphaned-oil-and-gas-wells-provides-climate-and-jobs-benefits  Unlocking Rural Economies: Farm Bill Investments in Rural America (briefing): https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/052423farmbill

    38 min

  7. MAR 25

    9.3 Keeping U.S. Climate Action Afloat: Subnational Diplomacy on Ocean Acidification

    With the United States withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, there is a lot of uncertainty about what U.S. climate diplomacy will look like under the current administration. But despite challenges at the national level, many state governments are poised to continue making progress on global climate action. This new dynamic is already playing out in response to ocean acidification. Daniel and Alison sat down with Jessie Turner, executive director of the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification (OA Alliance), to explore the landscape—or seascape—of subnational climate diplomacy.   Show notes: Exploring the Policy Landscape of Carbon Dioxide Removal (briefing): https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/091224cdr  En-shoring a Better Future for Coastal Ecosystems and Communities (podcast): https://www.eesi.org/podcasts/view/8.1-en-shoring-a-better-future-for-coastal-ecosystems-and-communities  A Resilient Future for Coastal Communities (report): https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/a-resilient-future-for-coastal-communities  Making Waves: The Importance of Oceans at COP28 (article): https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/making-waves-the-importance-of-oceans-at-cop28 EESI Resources for the 2024 U.N. Climate Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan (COP29 resources): https://www.eesi.org/cop29-resources

    31 min

  8. MAR 11

    9.2 Shooting for a Clean Energy Economy with Dr. Geri Richmond

    The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Energy Earthshots Initiative set technical and financial goals for key clean energy challenges, growing to a portfolio of eight “shots” for technologies like hydrogen, long duration storage, and more. Today’s episode features one of the leaders who helped catapult the Earthshots at DOE, Dr. Geraldine “Geri” Richmond, who served as the agency’s Under Secretary for Science and Innovation during the Biden-Harris Administration. Geri sat down with co-hosts Daniel and Alison to share her vision for public-private partnerships to continue advancing the Earthshots, and her insights on women in STEM and international scientific cooperation.   Show notes: Charting the Path: An Energy Earthshots Initiative Report (DOE report): https://www.energy.gov/eere/charting-path-energy-earthshots-initiative-report  Energy Earthshots: The Frontier of Climate Innovation (briefing): https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/020124doe  Maximizing the Climate Benefits of Hydrogen (briefing): https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/060123hydrogen  Inside DOE’s Newest Office on Artificial Intelligence (podcast): https://www.eesi.org/podcasts/view/7.8-inside-does-newest-office-on-artificial-intelligence How the Department of Energy is Catapulting Clean Energy Innovation to Commercial Liftoff (podcast): https://www.eesi.org/podcasts/view/6.4-how-the-department-of-energy-is-catapulting-clean-energy-innovation-to-commercial-liftoff

    25 min
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4.9
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

With all the depressing climate news out there, it’s sometimes hard to see progress. The Climate Conversation cuts through the noise and presents you with relevant climate change solutions happening on the Hill and in communities around the United States. Twice a month, join Environmental and Energy Study Institute staff members as they interview environmental, energy, and policy experts on practical, on-the-ground work that communities, companies, and governments are doing to address climate change. Whether you want to learn more about the solutions to climate change, are an expert in environmental issues, or are a policy professional, this podcast is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI)
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Climate Conversation

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