The Climate Guru

Brent Probinsky

Welcome to The Climate Guru podcast. Join Brent as he embarks on a journey to unravel the intricacies of environmentalism, travel, and climate change. In this podcast, he will explore the intersections of sustainability, adventure, and activism through engaging conversations, insightful interviews, and firsthand experiences. Whether you're a seasoned eco-warrior or a curious traveler looking to make a positive impact, Brent's passion and expertise will inspire you to take meaningful action towards a more sustainable future. Tune in as we navigate the global landscape of environmental challenges and discover how each of us can play a role in preserving our planet for generations to come. Join the movement with Brent, The Climate Guru!

  1. 11/28/2025

    The Climate Guru Ep. 31 - Mega Diverse Countries Pt. 2: Madagascar

    Madagascar: A World Apart: The Climate Guru Megadiverse Countries Series Episode 2 Madagascar is one of the most extraordinary places on Earth - a true world apart. In this episode, Brent the Climate Guru explores why this island, separated from Africa by 250 miles of open ocean and millions of years of evolution, has become one of the planet’s most important megadiverse hotspots. With 90% of its species found nowhere else, Madagascar is home to: • Over 100 species of lemurs • Two-thirds of the world’s chameleons • Hundreds of endemic reptiles, frogs, butterflies, insects, and plants • The smallest chameleon on Earth and the giant (now-extinct) elephant bird • Entire ecosystems shaped by isolation, evolution, and deep cultural history We dive into the island’s: • Ancient geologic origins • Unique species and bizarre evolutionary paths • Human arrival and the extinction of giant lemurs & elephant birds • Ongoing threats from poverty-driven deforestation, slash-and-burn farming, and the illegal wildlife trade • The Malagasy people’s blended heritage from Southeast Asia, Oceania, and East Africa • Current conservation efforts - national parks, mangrove restoration, community-led eco-solutions, and global NGO partnerships Despite losing 90% of its forests, Madagascar still holds some of the rarest species and ecosystems left on Earth. This episode highlights both the urgency and the hope: how local communities, scientists, and conservation groups are fighting to protect a place that exists nowhere else in the natural world. 🌍 Watch to learn why protecting Madagascar matters - for biodiversity, for climate resilience, and for the future of irreplaceable life on our planet. #Madagascar #ClimateGuru #Documentary #Biodiversity #ClimateChange #Conservation #MegaDiverseCountries #Lemurs #WildlifeConservation #EnvironmentalEducation #NatureDocumentary

    18 min
  2. 10/31/2025

    The Climate Guru Ep. 30 - Interview with Kimberly Haley-Coleman of Globe Aware

    In this episode, Brent welcomes a truly inspiring guest - Kimberly Haley-Coleman, founder and CEO of Globe Aware, an organization redefining what it means to travel with purpose. Kimberly’s mission is simple yet profound: to make “voluntourism” - the combination of travel and meaningful community service - accessible, sustainable, and life-changing for both volunteers and the local communities they serve. Since 2001, Globe Aware has been helping families and individuals from around the world spend their vacations giving back - whether it’s building fuel-efficient stoves in Peru to combat deforestation, supporting Buddhist communities in Bhutan, or creating safe marketplaces and schools in remote villages. In their conversation, Brent and Kimberly explore: 🌱 The philosophy behind responsible volunteer travel 🏡 How projects are designed to empower local communities rather than disrupt them 💚 The connection between environmental sustainability and cultural understanding ✈️ How travel can open hearts, break stereotypes, and spark real-world change Kimberly also shares beautiful stories from Bhutan, where volunteers are helping build small-scale projects alongside Buddhist monks - and where “Gross National Happiness” replaces GDP as a measure of success. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your travels matter, this episode is a must-listen. #ClimateGuru #GlobeAware #SustainableTravel #Voluntourism #EcoTourism #ClimateAction #CommunityEmpowerment #EnvironmentalEducation #GlobalCitizenship #Bhutan #Peru #TravelWithPurpose

    12 min
  3. 09/11/2025

    The Climate Guru Ep. 29 - COP30 Explained: Why This Climate Summit Could Decide our Future

    COP30 in Brazil: This Climate Conference Could Be Our Turning Point In November, world leaders, scientists, and activists will gather in Belém, Brazil, at the mouth of the Amazon River, for COP30, the UN’s annual climate summit. With over 50,000 participants, this year’s conference is especially significant: it’s happening in the Amazon Rainforest, a region critical to stabilizing Earth’s climate and biodiversity. In this video, Brent the Climate Guru breaks down: The history of COP conferences (Kyoto, Paris, Baku, UAE) Why Brazil’s hosting is both symbolic and controversial Lula’s promises vs. compromises on protecting the Amazon How close we are to climate “tipping points” The role of wealthy nations vs. developing nations in reducing emissions Why fossil fuel lobbyists and disinformation threaten global climate action The urgent need to enforce emission pledges, not just make them We’re already at 1.4°C of warming, dangerously close to the 1.5°C tipping point. Without drastic action, current policies put us on track for 3°C warming by 2100. That means irreversible damage: melting permafrost, collapsing ecosystems, deadly heatwaves, and sea level rise. This COP30 is not just another meeting, it’s a critical test of whether nations can step up, deliver on promises, and put the world on a path to survival. ✦ Stay tuned for updates as we track COP30 and the fight for our planet’s future. Subscribe for more deep dives into climate justice, biodiversity, and solutions for a sustainable future. Like, share, and comment to join the conversation.

    19 min
  4. 08/22/2025

    The Climate Guru Ep. 28 - The Truth About Sharks: 100 Million Killed Each Year and Why we Must Save Them

    Sharks have survived for over 400 million years, through five mass extinctions. But human greed is pushing them toward the brink of extinction.   In this video, Brent the Climate Guru exposes the shocking reality behind the global shark decline. From the brutal practice of shark finning for shark fin soup to the unregulated longline fishing methods devastating our oceans, learn why shark populations have dropped by more than 50% since the 1970s.   You’ll discover: Why apex predators like sharks are essential for healthy marine ecosystems and coral reefs How overfishing, bycatch, and the illegal shark fin trade kill over 100 million sharks every year The most at-risk shark species, including silky sharks, shortfin makos, and hammerheads The dark truth behind Costa Rica’s illegal shark fin ports and organized crime’s role in the trade How shark sanctuaries in The Bahamas, Palau, and other nations are helping shark populations rebound The slow reproduction cycle that makes shark recovery so difficult — and why every kill matters   From Asia’s growing demand for shark fin soup to the corruption that fuels this billion-dollar industry, Brent breaks down the numbers, the politics, and the hope for shark conservation.   Sharks are not the man-eating monsters Hollywood has portrayed. In reality, your chances of being bitten by a shark are lower than being hit on the head by a coconut. They are intelligent, curious, and vital to the balance of our oceans.   Join the fight to protect sharks. Watch until the end to learn how you can help preserve these magnificent animals for future generations.   Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction – Why Sharks Matter 02:15 The Global Decline of Sharks 06:20 The Shark Fin Trade & Illegal Fishing 10:45 Shark Sanctuaries & Success Stories 14:00 How You Can Help Save Sharks   #SharkConservation #SaveTheSharks #ClimateGuru #SharkFinning #MarineLife #OceanConservation #ApexPredator #StopSharkFinSoup #SharkSanctuary #wildlifeprotection

    14 min
  5. 08/19/2025

    The Climate Guru Ep. 27 - Mega Diverse Countries Pt 1: Colombia

    Colombia: The Hidden Kingdom of Biodiversity | Mega Diverse Countries Explained Colombia is a wildlife paradise! Home to 10% of the planet’s biodiversity and 20% of the world’s bird species. From the lush Amazon to towering Andes, from the rare pink river dolphins to the powerful jaguar, Colombia is one of the most mega diverse countries on Earth. In this episode, Brent The Climate Guru takes you deep into Colombia’s ecosystems, revealing rare endemic species, stunning habitats, and the urgent fight against deforestation, mining, and land grabbing. You’ll discover: Why Colombia is second only to Brazil in biodiversity The Chocó region, one of the wettest places on Earth, teeming with hummingbirds, orchids, and the golden dart frog The Paramo high-altitude sponge forests that provide water for millions Ancient mountains, coral reefs, rainbows rivers, and vast rainforests How deforestation surged after the FARC peace treaty, and what’s being done to stop it   Whether you’re a wildlife lover, conservationist, or just curious about the wonders of our planet, this video is packed with jaw-dropping species, breathtaking landscapes, and real-world environmental challenges Colombia faces today.   Listen to the end to learn about the Nature Conservancy’s bold efforts to create new national parks and biodiversity corridors to protect Colombia’s natural treasures for future generations.

    16 min
  6. 07/11/2025

    The Climate Guru Ep. 26 - Unprotected: 71% of Earth - UN Conference 2025

    The UN Oceans Conference: Can We Save the High Seas Before It’s Too Late?   Last month, the United Nations Oceans Conference kicked off in Nice, France, bringing together 120 countries in a historic effort to protect our planet’s final frontier: the high seas. In this video, Brent, The Climate Guru, breaks down what’s at stake.   🌍 71% of the Earth is ocean, and most of it is completely unregulated. From deep-sea mining and overfishing to plastic pollution and rising sea levels, the threats are mounting fast. But there’s hope: the High Seas Treaty, developed in 2023, could finally create real protections for international waters.   In this episode: ✅ Why the ocean absorbs 93% of our excess heat ✅ How phytoplankton produce half the oxygen we breathe ✅ The urgent call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining ✅ What’s holding back the enforcement of marine protected areas ✅ The truth about the U.S. absence at this pivotal moment ✅ Why the 30x30 goal (30% of oceans protected by 2030) matters now more than ever   From bleached coral reefs to wounded mangroves, the ocean is already speaking. The question is: will world leaders finally listen?   📌 Subscribe for more climate truth, updates, and action.   #OceansConference #HighSeasTreaty #ClimateChange #DeepSeaMining #PlasticPollution #ClimateCrisis #UNConference #BrentClimateGuru #EnvironmentalJustice #ProtectTheSeas #30x30 #Phytoplankton #Overfishing #MarineBiodiversity

    11 min
  7. 07/09/2025

    The Climate Guru Ep. 25 - The Ecological Destruction of Gaza

    In this urgent episode, Brent--The Climate Guru- explores the ecological devastation unfolding in Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. While condemning the atrocities of October 7th, 2023, Brent takes a critical look at the environmental impact of Israel’s military campaign and the collapse of Gaza’s natural systems. 🚨 Key Topics Covered: What is ecocide? The collapse of Gaza’s water, sewage, and electricity infrastructure Destruction of farmland, orchards, and agricultural zones Widespread contamination of soil and groundwater White phosphorus use and its long-term impact on the environment The role of military equipment in flattening homes and ecosystems How 50+ million tons of debris now cover Gaza’s land Gaza’s environmental crisis is more than a byproduct of war—it’s a humanitarian and ecological emergency. With over 85% of water sources destroyed and 69% of buildings damaged, the war has rendered much of Gaza uninhabitable. Join us as we break down how environmental destruction intersects with human suffering and international law. 🌍 Why it matters: Environmental collapse has long-term, irreversible effects on public health, agriculture, and biodiversity. The destruction of Gaza’s natural systems raises urgent questions about ecocide and environmental justice in war zones. 🔔 Subscribe to The Climate Guru for more climate breakdowns, policy analysis, and ecological justice reporting. #Gaza #Ecocide #ClimateJustice #EnvironmentalDestruction #ClimateGuru #MiddleEast #WaterCrisis #WhitePhosphorus #GazaWar #EnvironmentalCollapse #GazaFarming #GazaWater #UNReport #IsraelGaza #GazaInfrastructure #ClimateCrisis #EcoJustice #StopEcocide

    7 min

About

Welcome to The Climate Guru podcast. Join Brent as he embarks on a journey to unravel the intricacies of environmentalism, travel, and climate change. In this podcast, he will explore the intersections of sustainability, adventure, and activism through engaging conversations, insightful interviews, and firsthand experiences. Whether you're a seasoned eco-warrior or a curious traveler looking to make a positive impact, Brent's passion and expertise will inspire you to take meaningful action towards a more sustainable future. Tune in as we navigate the global landscape of environmental challenges and discover how each of us can play a role in preserving our planet for generations to come. Join the movement with Brent, The Climate Guru!