WHAT IF WE GET IT RIGHT?

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

A show about climate solutions, about what we need to do to address the climate crisis, and how to make those things happen — from changing laws, to electrifying buildings, to improving fashion and media. Each week an expert guest joins host Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson to break it down, delightfully, and help us all envision what getting right on climate looks like, so we can reel that vision into reality. ayanaelizabeth.substack.com

  1. 4小时前

    Photons ☀️, Fogies 👴🏼, and Energy Liberation, with Bill McKibben

    Welcome to Season 3 of the What If We Get It Right? podcast! 🥳 If you’re new here: This show is about what we need to do to address the climate crisis, and how to make those things happen. Here, we take climate change seriously but absolutely do not take ourselves seriously. We take a brutally honest look at the science, policy, economics, and culture of climate issues, and dive in on solutions and strategies that will help us create a livable future on Planet Earth. My first guest for Season 3 is a stalwart of the climate movement. Bill McKibben is an environmentalist and journalist who, more than anyone, has proven to me the power of the pen. The words he writes have changed policies (e.g., Heat Pumps for Peace and Freedom!) and helped mobilize millions. Bill’s got (for good reason) the most popular climate newsletter on Substack: The Crucial Years (highly recommend). And his new book, Here Comes The Sun, is an ode to the potential and necessity of massively ramping up solar energy. Bill is founder of the non-profit Third Act, organizing his elder generation for action on climate and justice. (Join their Rocking Chair Rebellion.) They’re instigating Sun Day, the international day of action to celebrate clean energy 🥳, which will happen September 21st, the autumnal equinox. Head to sunday.earth to find an event near you. I first met Bill when he came to Harvard to teach a climate seminar when I was an undergrad, and 25 years later, I’m so thrilled to be talking with him about the circular economy of photons, his modest proposal to make it rain solar panels, what his crew of old fogey climate activists is up to, the concept of energy liberation, and what he sees in his crystal ball. _____ If you enjoy these conversations, follow the show, rate us, and tell all your friends. I know every podcast host says this 🫣, but given the ways algorithms etc. work, it truly is important for helping new listeners find us. And thank you to Future Being, a grant making and special project studio that supports the healing of our planet and the safeguarding of biological and cultural diversity. Their support keeps this show ad-free. This episode was produced and edited by Gabby Bulgarelli and me, with help from associate producer Jenisha Shrestha. If you’ve read/listened all the way to the end: There is a prize! For the first 3 people who comment on this newsletter post sharing what you found most interesting or surprising about this conversation, I will send you a copy of Bill’s book. 💌 Drop your response at: ayanaelizabeth.substack.com. Also, I want to know: What are you going to do to celebrate Sun Day on September 21st?!? Alright, Earthlings. 🌎 See ya next week... Get full access to WHAT IF WE GET IT RIGHT? at ayanaelizabeth.substack.com/subscribe

    46 分钟
  2. 7月9日

    Debriefing the unconscionably brutal budget bill 🤬, with Twigg & Jenkins

    Hey there Earthlings. 🩵 If you’ve been paying any attention to U.S. politics, these past 2 weeks have been a doozy. So, let’s get into the Big Brutal Billionaire Bailout Bill of it all. Welcome to this very special collab episode of What If We Get It Right? x Twigg & Jenkins. Carri Twigg (hey bestie) and Brad Jenkins (who was her officemate in the Obama White House) host my favorite politics podcast. So smart, so incisive, so fun. Yes, you should definitely follow/subscribe. We hopped on a call to sort through the wreckage together. WTF just happened with climate, healthcare, militarization, and our democracy? What should the Democrats do next? Sometimes you gotta dive way in to how things went so wrong to see what getting it right would have looked like. Also, the Beyoncé tour. Looking for what to do next? Here's my take. HOT TIPS: * If you were thinking about getting an electric vehicle, BUY IT NOW. The new budget bill cancels the $7,500 tax credit for EVs that was established through Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and the tax credit for leasing EVs too, effective Sept 30th. * If you were thinking of making energy efficiency/electrification improvements to your home, DO IT NOW. The new budget bill cancels the IRA tax credits for everything from solar panels (30% credit!), to induction stoves, heat pumps, insulating your attic, installing more energy efficient windows and doors, etc., effective December 31, 2025. CREDITS: This podcast is made possible with the support of Future being a grant making and special project studio, which supports the healing of our planet and the safeguarding of biological and cultural diversity. This episode was produced and edited by Matthew Nelson and me (Ayana) with help from Associate Producer Jenisha Shrestha. Get full access to WHAT IF WE GET IT RIGHT? at ayanaelizabeth.substack.com/subscribe

    1 小时 29 分钟
  3. Investing in our climate future 💸, with Ben Wolkon

    6月25日

    Investing in our climate future 💸, with Ben Wolkon

    Today’s guest is Ben Wolkon. Ben is founding partner at MUUS Climate Partners, a venture capital firm that invests exclusively in climate solutions, and operates on the belief that “climate is the biggest business opportunity of the 21st century.” To be honest, when I think of venture capital, I often think of like that "greed is good" mentality and just corny finance bros. And maybe that's a bit unfair. But I'm also very pleased to say that Ben is nothing like that. He's thoughtful, and generous, super funny, and cares so deeply about this sweet planet we live on. We discussed the role of venture capital in climate solutions, the cool high tech emerging technologies that he’s most excited about, and how critical it is that we keep a sense of humor. Ben’s CALLS TO ACTION Make your voice heard to policymakers at the federal level. Right now, there is a bill in the Senate that has massive ramifications for climate policy. Call your reps and tell them not to cut funding for climate solutions! Make your voice heard at the state and local levels. Advocate for more bike lanes, or more trees planted, or better transportation policy. The more you do that, the more the politicans who count on your votes will understand that these issues should be a priority for them. If you want a climate-focused job, get proactive about finding one. Breaking into climate tech or breaking into some job that has an environmental benefit is actually super easy once you start looking and start trying. Make cold calls! We need you. Mentioned in this episode * MUUS Climate Partners * Vox: Jay Inslee’s presidential campaign is all about climate change * Clean tech companies: BrightNight, Panthalassa, Cache Energy * Data centers in the U.S. consume about 4.4% of the country’s total electricity demand in 2023, and that is expected to triple to 12% by 2028. * The Inflation Reduction Act could have put the U.S. on a path to reduce emissions by up to 48% by 2035. CREDITS: This episode was made possible with the support of Future Being, a grantmaking and special projects studio which supports the healing of our planet and the safeguarding of biological and cultural diversity. This show is produced and edited by Matthew Nelson/Stramash Media and me (Ayana), with help from Jenisha Shrestha. And many thanks to our guest Ben Wolkon. Get full access to WHAT IF WE GET IT RIGHT? at ayanaelizabeth.substack.com/subscribe

    1 小时 4 分钟
  4. 9 ways to feel about our changing planet 🌎, with Dr. Kate Marvel

    6月17日

    9 ways to feel about our changing planet 🌎, with Dr. Kate Marvel

    Today is publication day for our favorite climate scientist. Dr. Kate Marvel wrote a book called Human Nature: Nine Ways to Feel About Our Changing Planet. Kate is a researcher at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (one of the world’s leading research centers), where she specializes in climate modeling. Although, given the various infuriating, retrograde, anti-climate science shenanigans of the Trump administration 😤, who knows how much longer that will remain the case... I wrote a blurb for the back cover of Human Nature: “This is the best climate book I’ve ever read. It’s magnificent—both planetary and personal, saturated with electric metaphors, incisive vignettes, legitimately funny jokes, and an unflappable, knowing love for Earth, our home.” Which is to say, buy this book and enjoy this conversation with Dr. Marvel: her science origin story, what her book is all about, how climate science is under attack by the Trump administration — and what that means for Kate’s work, and all of us. Kate’s CALLS TO ACTION * Stand up for our ability to understand the Earth, aka climate research. Call your representatives and senators. Call your mom and tell her to call her reps and senators. * Learn a bit more about climate science. Mentioned in this episode * Alarmed by Trump Cuts, Scientists Are Talking Science. For 100 Hours. covered by New York Times * Goddard Institute for Space Studies * Why Is NASA Shuttering This Iconic Institute in New York City? * Kate’s book: Human Nature: Nine Ways to Feel About Our Changing Planet * Dance Your Ph.D. contest Credits: This episode was made possible with the support of Future Being, a grantmaking and special projects studio which supports the healing of our planet and the safeguarding of biological and cultural diversity. This show is produced and edited by Matthew Nelson/Stramash Media and me (Ayana), with help from Jenisha Shrestha. And many thanks to our guest Dr. Kate Marvel. Get full access to WHAT IF WE GET IT RIGHT? at ayanaelizabeth.substack.com/subscribe

    1 小时 7 分钟
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关于

A show about climate solutions, about what we need to do to address the climate crisis, and how to make those things happen — from changing laws, to electrifying buildings, to improving fashion and media. Each week an expert guest joins host Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson to break it down, delightfully, and help us all envision what getting right on climate looks like, so we can reel that vision into reality. ayanaelizabeth.substack.com

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