A Climate Change with Matt Matern

236. The Man Who Put Carbon Back Underground with Peter Reinhardt

Today, Matt speaks with Peter Reinhardt, co-founder and CEO of Charm Industrial, about one of the most ambitious bets in climate tech: putting carbon back underground permanently. Peter explains how Charm takes wood from wildfire thinning projects in the Colorado Rockies, converts it into bio-oil through a process called pyrolysis, and injects that carbon-rich liquid deep into sandstone formations in Louisiana — where it stays for millennia. They discuss the cost curve challenge, why most carbon offsets are ineffective, what it actually takes to scale carbon removal, and the bipartisan legislation that could unlock wildfire biomass as a climate solution. Peter also shares why California’s regulatory environment has been a barrier, how AI is helping Charm’s frontline teams, and where he sees the industry heading by 2030.
 
Learn more about Charm Industrial at charmindustrial.com
 
Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.
 
Peter’s Bio:
Peter Reinhardt is the co-founder and CEO of Charm Industrial, a carbon removal company with a simple but ambitious mission: put carbon back underground permanently. After co-founding Segment — a customer data platform acquired by Twilio for $3.2 billion in 2020 — Peter pivoted to climate, founding Charm in 2018. The idea: take agricultural waste that would otherwise rot or burn and release CO₂, convert it into a stable liquid, and inject it deep underground where it stays forever. With customers including Stripe, Microsoft, Google, JPMorgan Chase, and TD Bank, Charm has delivered more permanent carbon removals than the rest of the direct air capture industry combined. Peter holds a degree in aerospace engineering from MIT.
 
Episode Resources
Charm Industrial website: charmindustrial.com
Matt Matern on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ACClinkedin
A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast
A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast
A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids

235. The Fight for Affordable Energy in Rural America with Michelle Moore

Today, Matt checks back in with Michelle Moore, CEO of Groundswell and author of Rural Renaissance, nearly a year after the EPA canceled Groundswell's $156 million Solar for All contract. Michelle shares how Groundswell is pressing forward anyway, building a new financing model around corporate off-takers and utility partnerships to keep 20MW of community solar alive. They also dig into the full-blown energy crisis hitting American families at the kitchen table - electricity bills up over 10%, AI data centers driving unprecedented demand, and a federal government that has largely stepped out of the affordability business. Michelle says the renaissance in rural America is still waiting to happen - you just have to switch streams.
 
Learn more about Groundswell at groundswell.org
Read Rural Renaissance: Revitalizing America's Hometowns Through Clean Power here: islandpress.org/books/rural-renaissance
Listen to Michelle's first appearance on A Climate Change here: Episode 74
 
Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.
 
Guest Bio
Michelle Moore is CEO of Groundswell, a nonprofit that cuts electricity bills in half for low-income families through community solar, resilience hubs, and energy efficiency. A former White House official and author of Rural Renaissance, she led federal sustainability for President Obama - cutting the government's energy bill by $11 billion and deploying 3.2 gigawatts of new renewable energy. She also served as a Senate-confirmed TVA board member and drove LEED to global recognition as SVP of the U.S. Green Building Council.
 
Episode Resources
Groundswell: https://groundswell.org
Rural Renaissance by L. Michelle Moore: https://islandpress.org/books/rural-renaissance
Michelle's first episode (Ep. 74): https://aclimatechange.com/shows/episode-74-michelle-moore/
Matt Matern on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ACClinkedin
A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast
A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast
A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids

234. Why the War With Iran Is Really About Fossil Fuels w/ Miranda Green

Note: This episode was recorded on March 23, 2026. The situation is fast-moving — some details may have evolved, but the underlying story hasn't.
 
Today, Matt speaks with award-winning investigative journalist Miranda Green about the fossil fuel dimensions of the U.S.-Iran conflict. Miranda - author of The Understory, Atmos Magazine's weekly climate-culture newsletter - traces how the conflict has disrupted roughly 20% of the world's liquid natural gas and oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, sent gas prices surging past $7 a gallon in parts of California, and exposed just how deeply the global economy remains dependent on fossil fuels.
 
They also dig into the Trump administration's response: paying a French energy company to abandon offshore wind projects and invest in Texas LNG instead; keeping aging coal plants online under national security law; and Trump's murky, shifting rationale for the conflict itself. Miranda connects the dots from dark money and fossil fuel donors to the policy decisions shaping the U.S. energy landscape — and asks whether the chaos of this moment might, paradoxically, accelerate the clean energy transition.
 
Read Miranda's piece, The War With Iran Is Already About Energy, at Atmos:
https://atmos.earth/political-landscapes/the-war-with-iran-is-already-about-energy/
 
Subscribe to Miranda's newsletter, The Understory, at atmos.earth/newsletter
 
Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.
 
Miranda's Bio
Miranda Green is an award-winning investigative journalist and climate writer based in Los Angeles. She is the author of The Understory, Atmos Magazine's weekly climate-culture newsletter, and publishes Evergreen, her own climate-focused Substack. A former staff reporter for CNN, The Hill, and The Daily Beast, she has spent nearly a decade covering the intersection of politics, energy, and the environment for national audiences. Her investigative work has appeared in ProPublica, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Guardian, and New York Magazine, and has earned multiple national awards including the 2025 National Press Club's Arthur E. Rowse Award and recognition from the National Press Foundation for energy and environmental writing.
 
Episode Resources
Miranda's piece: The War With Iran Is Already About Energy (Atmos) https://atmos.earth/political-landscapes/the-war-with-iran-is-already-about-energy/
Subscribe to The Understory: atmos.earth/newsletter
Miranda's Substack, Evergreen: mirandacgreen.substack.com
Miranda's website: mirandacgreen.com
Miranda’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFnMYhYC6ymhwiEMLpRfDUg
A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast
A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast
A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids
More About A Climate Change with Matt Matern
A Climate Change with Matt Matern is a podcast dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of climate change while inspiring action and fostering a sustainable future. Each episode dives deep into the environmental challenges of our time, rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and resource degradation, breaking down complex topics into digestible insights.
The podcast goes beyond merely raising awareness. It serves as a trusted resource for practical, actionable solutions that empower listeners to reduce their carbon footprint and drive change in their communities. With a strong focus on environmental science and expert perspectives, host Matt Matern brings influential voices to the forefront, highlighting innovative ideas and collaborative efforts shaping global sustainability initiatives.
More than just a source of information, A Climate Change is a movement. It builds a coalition of like-minded individuals committed to preserving the planet for future generations. Listeners are invited to participate actively in creating a legacy of positive environmental impact through informed decision-making and collective action.
The podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, provides a platform for science-backed discussions, global perspectives, and community building. Whether you want to learn about renewable energy, sustainable living practices, or climate policy, A Climate Change with Matt Matern equips you with the tools and knowledge to make a tangible difference. Tune in, take action, and join the fight for a brighter, greener future.
 
Curated List of Episodes
If you enjoyed this episode of A Climate Change, here is a list of some recent episodes curated especially for you:
Simulating the Future: How Climate Models Shape Policy Decisions with Andrew Jones [Link]
How Personal Change Sparks Global Impact: Joshua Spodek's Sustainability Secrets [Link]
Bill McKibben on Renewable Energy, Political Battles & Hope for the Planet [Link]

233. The Plan to Flip the 2026 Midterms w/ Nathaniel Stinnett

Today, Matt speaks with Nathaniel Stinnett, returning guest and Founder and Executive Director of the Environmental Voter Project (EVP), about the climate movement’s political power problem. Nathaniel explains why tens of millions of environmentalists don’t vote — and why the number one answer people give for how to address the climate crisis is recycling. He shares how EVP uses predictive modeling, randomized control trials, and behavioral psychology tools like peer pressure and endowed progress to turn non-voters into habitual voters. They also look ahead to the 2026 midterms, where EVP is targeting 3.4 million first-time climate voters across 21 states.
 
Learn more about the Environmental Voter Project: environmentalvoter.org
 
Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.
 
Nathaniel’s Bio:
Nathaniel Stinnett is the Founder and Executive Director of the Environmental Voter Project, a nonpartisan nonprofit that identifies non-voting environmentalists and turns them into consistent voters using data science and behavioral psychology. Named a “climate visionary” by the New York Times and “The Voting Guru” by Grist, he came to climate work from the world of political campaigns. He holds a B.A. from Yale and a J.D. from Boston College Law School, and is a Senior Fellow at the Yale Center for Business and the Environment. Since 2015, EVP has contacted over 10.5 million voters across 21 states.
 
Episode Resources
Environmental Voter Project: environmentalvoter.org
Previous Episode (ACC163): aclimatechange.com/shows/163-nathaniel-stinnett
A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast
A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast
A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids
 
 
More About A Climate Change with Matt Matern
A Climate Change with Matt Matern
A Climate Change with Matt Matern is a podcast dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of climate change while inspiring action and fostering a sustainable future. Each episode dives deep into the environmental challenges of our time, rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and resource degradation, breaking down complex topics into digestible insights.
 
The podcast goes beyond merely raising awareness. It serves as a trusted resource for practical, actionable solutions that empower listeners to reduce their carbon footprint and drive change in their communities. With a strong focus on environmental science and expert perspectives, host Matt Matern brings influential voices to the forefront, highlighting innovative ideas and collaborative efforts shaping global sustainability initiatives.
 
More than just a source of information, A Climate Change is a movement. It builds a coalition of like-minded individuals committed to preserving the planet for future generations. Listeners are invited to participate actively in creating a legacy of positive environmental impact through informed decision-making and collective action.
 
The podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, provides a platform for science-backed discussions, global perspectives, and community building. Whether you want to learn about renewable energy, sustainable living practices, or climate policy, A Climate Change with Matt Matern equips you with the tools and knowledge to make a tangible difference. Tune in, take action, and join the fight for a brighter, greener future.
 
Curated List of Episodes
If you enjoyed this episode of A Climate Change, here is a list of some recent episodes curated especially for you:
The Legal War on Fossil Fuels, with Michael Gerrard [Link]
How Gen Z Is Rewriting the Climate Playbook, with Amelia Southern-Uribe [Link]
Why Recycling Won’t Save the Planet, with Catherine Weetman [Link]

232. Can Nature Have Rights? The Legal Movement Reshaping Environmentalism w/ Katie Surma

Today, Matt speaks with Katie Surma, reporter at Inside Climate News and one of the world’s leading journalists covering the rights of nature movement. Katie has covered the movement across four continents, and in this conversation she and Matt take stock of where things stand: the wins, the rollbacks, and the road ahead.
 
They discuss the groundbreaking Indigenous-led treaty recognizing whales’ rights in New Zealand, scientists using AI to decode sperm whale language, and how Ecuador’s constitutional rights of nature have survived repeated political attacks. They also dig into why rights of nature laws keep getting preempted in the U.S., what a private attorney general model for nature’s rights could look like, and Katie’s recent reporting showing communities of color lose access to green space at three times the rate of white communities. Plus: what’s happening in Argentina under Milei, and where Katie is headed next on her reporting trips to South America.
 
Read Katie’s work at Inside Climate News: https://insideclimatenews.org/profile/katie-surma/
 
Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.
 
Katie’s Bio:
Katie Surma is a reporter at Inside Climate News, where she covers the rights of nature movement and international environmental justice. A former commercial litigator, she brought her legal training to investigative journalism after a mid-career switch and has since become one of the most recognized voices reporting on how courts, constitutions, and international law are being reshaped to recognize the rights of rivers, animals, and ecosystems. Her work has been recognized by the Overseas Press Club, the Society of International Journalists, and the Society of American Business Editors and Writers.
 
Episode Resources
Katie on Inside Climate News: https://insideclimatenews.org/profile/katie-surma/
A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast
A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast
A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids
 
More About A Climate Change with Matt Matern
 
A Climate Change with Matt Matern is a podcast dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of climate change while inspiring action and fostering a sustainable future. Each episode dives deep into the environmental challenges of our time, rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and resource degradation, breaking down complex topics into digestible insights.
 
The podcast goes beyond merely raising awareness. It serves as a trusted resource for practical, actionable solutions that empower listeners to reduce their carbon footprint and drive change in their communities. With a strong focus on environmental science and expert perspectives, host Matt Matern brings influential voices to the forefront, highlighting innovative ideas and collaborative efforts shaping global sustainability initiatives.
 
More than just a source of information, A Climate Change is a movement. It builds a coalition of like-minded individuals committed to preserving the planet for future generations. Listeners are invited to participate actively in creating a legacy of positive environmental impact through informed decision-making and collective action.
 
The podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, provides a platform for science-backed discussions, global perspectives, and community building. Whether you want to learn about renewable energy, sustainable living practices, or climate policy, A Climate Change with Matt Matern equips you with the tools and knowledge to make a tangible difference. Tune in, take action, and join the fight for a brighter, greener future.
 
Curated List of Episodes
 
If you enjoyed this episode of A Climate Change, here is a list of some recent episodes curated especially for you:
 
Simulating the Future: How Climate Models Shape Policy Decisions with Andrew Jones
How Personal Change Sparks Global Impact: Joshua Spodek’s Sustainability Secrets
Bill McKibben on Renewable Energy, Political Battles & Hope for the Planet
 

231. How We Feed the World Without Frying the World w/ Michael Grunwald

Today, Matt speaks with award-winning journalist and author Michael Grunwald about his new book, We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate. Grunwald makes the case that food and land use are responsible for roughly a third of global greenhouse gas emissions — a massive blind spot in most climate conversations. They discuss why the world is on track to eat 70% more meat by 2050, the limits of veganism and organic farming as climate strategies, and why Denmark’s 2025 agricultural policy may be the most important climate legislation most people have never heard of. They also dig into deforestation, food waste, agricultural subsidies, the failure of alternative meats, and what a serious food-climate agenda might actually look like.
 
Pick up Michael’s new book here: https://amzn.to/weareatingtheearth
Read Michael’s work at POLITICO here: https://www.politico.com/staff/michael-grunwald
Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.
 
Michael’s Bio:
Michael Grunwald is an award-winning journalist and senior staff writer at POLITICO Magazine. A Harvard graduate and former staff writer at The Washington Post, TIME Magazine, and The Boston Globe, he is the author of The Swamp and the NYT bestseller The New New Deal. His latest book, We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate, examines how food systems and land use are driving the climate crisis. He has won the George Polk Award and the Worth Bingham Prize for investigative reporting.
 
Episode Resources
We Are Eating the Earth (book): https://amzn.to/weareatingtheearth
Matt Matern on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ACClinkedin
A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast
A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast
A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids

230. The Colorado River Is Running Out of Time with Jennifer Pitt

Today, Matt speaks with Jennifer Pitt, Colorado River Program Director at the National Audubon Society, about the deepening water crisis facing the American West. Jennifer explains how the Colorado River's reservoirs — once full just 25 years ago — now sit at roughly one-third capacity, and why the expiration of the existing water management agreements at the end of 2026 creates an urgent governance challenge. They discuss the role of irrigated agriculture in consuming 80% of the river's water, the politics of voluntary water buyback programs, and why seven states must reach consensus before the federal government is left with blunt tools and the risk of Supreme Court litigation.
 
Jennifer also addresses what cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles need to understand about this moment — and why both people and wildlife across the interior Southwest are counting on a collaborative solution.
 
Learn more about Audubon's Colorado River work: https://www.audubon.org/conservation/colorado-river
 
Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.
 
Jennifer's Bio:
Jennifer Pitt is the Colorado River Program Director at the National Audubon Society, where she has worked since 2015 to protect and restore rivers throughout the Colorado River Basin. With more than 25 years of experience in western water policy, she previously spent 17 years at the Environmental Defense Fund leading efforts to restore the Colorado River Delta. She co-chairs the binational U.S.-Mexico environmental work group under Minute 323, co-leads the Alianza Revive el Río Colorado, and has testified before Congress on the river's future. She holds an A.B. from Harvard and a master's in Environmental Science and Policy from the Yale School of Forestry.
 
Episode Resources
Jennifer Pitt / Audubon Colorado River Program: https://www.audubon.org/conservation/colorado-river
Jennifer Pitt at Audubon: https://www.audubon.org/people/jennifer-pitt
Matt Matern on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ACClinkedin
A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast
A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast
A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids

229. How Gen Z Is Rewriting the Climate Playbook

Today, Matt Matern speaks with Amelia Southern-Uribe, Director of Global Organizing at Zero Hour, about building youth-led climate power in the American South. Amelia shares how frontline communities shaped their activism and how organizing, storytelling, and coalition-building drive change.
 
Read more about Zero Hour: https://thisiszerohour.org
Follow Zero Hour on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisiszerohour
Want to boast to your friends about trees named after you? Help us plant 30k trees? Only a few trees left! Visit aclimatechange.com/trees to learn more
Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.
 
Amelia’s Bio:
Amelia Southern-Uribe is a climate justice strategist and Director of Global Organizing at Zero Hour. Based in the American South, they build youth-led movements, advance environmental justice campaigns, and use storytelling to empower frontline communities and drive equitable climate policy change.
 
Episode Resources
Read more about Zero Hour: https://thisiszerohour.org
Follow Zero Hour on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisiszerohour
Matt Matern on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ACClinkedin
A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast
A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast
A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids
 

228. The Legal War on Fossil Fuels

Today, Professor Michael Gerrard joins Matt to share his journey into environmental law, inspired by growing up amid pollution and attending the first Earth Day in 1970. He explains the mission of Columbia Law School’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law and outlines the most effective legal tools to combat climate change. They also explore the need for federal climate legislation, the role of state-level climate action, and the growing importance of climate litigation and regulatory authority in advancing meaningful environmental progress.
 
Read Global Climate Change and U.S. Law (co-edited by Michael Gerrard) here: https://bit.ly/4aJPVlo
Read Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in the United States here: https://bit.ly/4bMigIR
 
Michael’s Bio:
Michael Gerrard is founder and faculty director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School. A leading environmental lawyer and author of 14 books, he pioneers legal strategies, climate litigation research, and policy solutions to advance climate action worldwide.
 
Episode Resources
Read more about the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law here: https://climate.law.columbia.edu
Explore the Sabin Center’s Climate Litigation Database here: https://climatecasechart.com
Learn more about Columbia Climate School here: https://climate.columbia.edu
Read Global Climate Change and U.S. Law (co-edited by Michael Gerrard) here: https://bit.ly/4aJPVlo
Read Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in the United States here: https://bit.ly/4bMigIR
A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast
A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast
A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids

227. Why Recycling Won’t Save the Planet

Today, Matt speaks with Dr. Catherine Weetman about why recycling alone cannot solve the environmental crisis and why businesses must adopt circular and regenerative models. She explains how finite resources, critical materials, and geopolitical pressures collide with rising demand from green technology and AI. She also shares her journey from corporate supply chains to sustainability and discusses her new book, The Circular Economy Handbook (Third Edition), offering practical, profitable pathways for organizations to rethink growth within planetary limits.
 
Check out Catherine’s new book here: https://bit.ly/4rk7tKZ
Want to boast to your friends about trees named after you? Help us plant 30k trees? Only a few trees left! Visit aclimatechange.com/trees to learn more
Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.
Catherine’s Bio:
Matt speaks with Dr. Catherine Weetman about why recycling alone won’t solve environmental challenges and why circular, regenerative business models are essential. She discusses resource scarcity, critical materials, and her new book, The Circular Economy Handbook, Third Edition, offering practical solutions for sustainable growth.
 
Episode Resources
Matt Matern on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ACClinkedin
A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast
A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast
A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids