The Climate Conversation

Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI)
  • 4.9 (15)
  • SCIENCE
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

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. 12/02/2025

    10.5 COP30 Reflections from the Experts

    This episode revisits last week’s Rapid Readout, with additional insights from co-hosts Daniel Bresette and Alison Davis and EESI Policy Director Anna McGinn. Speakers unpacked what happened at COP30; covered U.S. federal, subnational, and private sector roles in the proceedings; and explained what it all means for U.S. climate policy. If you’re catching up on the whirlwind of COP30, this episode is for you!

    45 min

  2. 11/04/2025

    10.4 Smaller Scale, Greater Impact: Subnational Climate Diplomacy at COP30

    The United Nations climate summit—also known as COP—will take place in Belém, Brazil, starting on November 10th. This year, the United States will not have an official presence at COP30 due to the elimination of the State Department's Office of Global Change, making it more important than ever for mayors and other subnational leaders to engage. In this episode, Kate Johnson, regional director for North America at C40, sits down with EESI to talk about subnational climate action and how it fits in with COP and international collaboration more broadly.   Show notes: Keeping U.S. Climate Action Afloat: Subnational Diplomacy on Ocean Acidification (podcast): https://www.eesi.org/podcasts/view/9.3-keeping-u.s-climate-action-afloat-subnational-diplomacy-on-ocean-acidification  What Congress Needs to Know About COP30 (briefing series): https://www.eesi.org/cop30-briefings

    20 min

  3. 10/21/2025

    10.3 Community-Level Climate Resilience and Adaptation Funding in Action

    Capacity building is crucial to the success of community-led climate adaptation and resilience projects. In our latest podcast episode, we sit down with Liz Tully of the Climate Resilience Fund to learn about the Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI). We also chat with community leaders from Kentucky to Idaho about how CSCI grants have made local resilience efforts possible, and how federal and state support could make their work even more impactful.

    42 min

  4. 10/07/2025

    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

  5. 09/23/2025

    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

  6. 05/20/2025

    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

  7. 05/06/2025

    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

  8. 04/22/2025

    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
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4.9
out of 5
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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
    83
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Climate Conversation