A Climate Change with Matt Matern

162: Senator Ben Allen on the 2024 Election and California’s Climate Model

Today, we’re joined by California State Senator Ben Allen to explore the critical climate and political stakes of the 2024 election. He discusses the vastly different climate policies between Trump and Harris and highlights the influence of fossil fuel interests on Republican politics, the urgency of voter turnout, and the challenges of misinformation in shaping public perception of environmental issues. Senator Allen also shares California’s approach to climate policy and its impact on national standards for sustainability and clean energy.
Make sure you go out and vote! Visit Vote.gov to learn how to register and to find your nearest polling place. 
Want to help us reach our goal of planting 30k trees AND get a free tree planted in your name? Visit www.aclimatechange.com/trees to learn how. 
You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, or whenever you get podcasts.
A Climate Change With Matt Matern is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soCheck out our most downloaded episodes:165: Decarbonizing the Grid with Rob Gramlich164: Davide Faranda Shares How We Can Link Fossil Fuels to Extreme Weather192: Paasha Mahdavi Breaks Down the Power Politics Behind Climate Change

161: Republican Mayor Rex Parris Has a Bold Climate Action Plan

Republican Mayor Rex Parris joins us to discuss the city of Lancaster's efforts to become hydrogen-powered, inspired by Japan’s expertise. Matt and Rex discuss the urgent need to address climate change, particularly ocean warming and intensifying hurricanes. ‘
They also dive deep into the upcoming election, who the better candidate for the environment is, and how the fossil fuel industry continues to have a grip on the Republican Party.
You can learn more about Mayor Parris’ strides in Lancaster at: www.cityoflancasterca.org
Want to help us reach our goal of planting 30k trees AND get a free tree planted in your name? Visit www.aclimatechange.com/trees to learn how. 
You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, or whenever you get podcasts.
A Climate Change With Matt Matern is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soCheck out our most downloaded episodes:165: Decarbonizing the Grid with Rob Gramlich164: Davide Faranda Shares How We Can Link Fossil Fuels to Extreme Weather192: Paasha Mahdavi Breaks Down the Power Politics Behind Climate Change

160: Shara Mohtadi & The State-Level Push for Clean Energy

Matt is joined by Shara Mohtadi, co-founder of S2 Strategies and former Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Shara shares how witnessing humanitarian crises in her youth sparked her interest in the link between climate change, migration, and conflict, eventually leading her to work in clean energy policy. She discusses the role of state governments in accessing federal clean energy resources, especially after the Inflation Reduction Act, and highlights Minnesota as a model for effective clean energy initiatives.
You can follow Shara’s work on by visiting www.S2Strategies.org
Want to help us reach our goal of planting 30k trees? Visit www.aclimatechange.com/trees to learn how.
You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, or whenever you get podcasts.A Climate Change With Matt Matern is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soCheck out our most downloaded episodes:165: Decarbonizing the Grid with Rob Gramlich164: Davide Faranda Shares How We Can Link Fossil Fuels to Extreme Weather192: Paasha Mahdavi Breaks Down the Power Politics Behind Climate Change

159: Project 2025 & the Threat to Climate Policy Under Trump with Paul Bledsoe

In this second half of our interview, Paul Bledsoe, former Clinton White House climate advisor, warns of the environmental dangers posed by Donald Trump’s “Project 2025,” which seeks to dismantle key agencies like the EPA. Bledsoe explains Trump’s second term could be more dangerous, contrasting it with Kamala Harris’s centrist, pro-clean energy approach. 
He stresses the importance of voter turnout, particularly among young people, and highlights the election’s global stakes, including climate policy, the war in Ukraine, and international alliances.
You can find Paul on X @paulbledsoe and you can read his work on his website:
https://paulbledsoe.com/
Want to help us reach our goal of planting 30k trees? Visit https://aclimatechange.com/trees/ to learn how.
You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, or whenever you get podcasts.A Climate Change With Matt Matern is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soCheck out our most downloaded episodes:165: Decarbonizing the Grid with Rob Gramlich164: Davide Faranda Shares How We Can Link Fossil Fuels to Extreme Weather192: Paasha Mahdavi Breaks Down the Power Politics Behind Climate Change

A Climate Change with Matt Matern - Trailer

Join Matt Matern in his weekly climate podcast where we explore environmental and political issues, inspire action, and create a coalition to save our planet.A Climate Change With Matt Matern is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soCheck out our most downloaded episodes:165: Decarbonizing the Grid with Rob Gramlich164: Davide Faranda Shares How We Can Link Fossil Fuels to Extreme Weather192: Paasha Mahdavi Breaks Down the Power Politics Behind Climate Change

158: Clean Energy, Jobs, and the Future: Paul Bledsoe on the 2024 Presidential Election

Paul Bledsoe, former Clinton White House climate advisor, joins Matt to discuss the 2024 election. He emphasizes how Vice President Kamala Harris can counter Donald Trump’s attacks on clean energy and highlights the Biden-Harris administration’s massive clean energy investments. Bledsoe discusses the economic impacts of climate change and the need for stronger methane regulations, framing climate as both an economic and public safety issue.
You can find Paul on X @paulbledsoe and you can read his work on his website:
https://paulbledsoe.com/
Want to help us reach our goal of planting 30k trees? Visit https://aclimatechange.com/trees/ to learn how.
You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, or whenever you get podcasts.
A Climate Change With Matt Matern is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soCheck out our most downloaded episodes:165: Decarbonizing the Grid with Rob Gramlich164: Davide Faranda Shares How We Can Link Fossil Fuels to Extreme Weather192: Paasha Mahdavi Breaks Down the Power Politics Behind Climate Change

157: Susan Solomon Discusses Renewables, Net Zero, and Climate Solutions

Dr. Susan Solomon joins the podcast to discuss climate change solutions and her book "Solvable: How We Healed the Earth, and How We Can Do It Again." She highlights the growing use of renewables, the need for grid modernization, and stresses achieving net zero by 2050. Dr. Solomon shares her hope for the future as more of the public and our leadership shift their views on the climate crisis.
You can find Dr. Solomon's book on Amazon or any major retailer:
https://amzn.to/3X67xzV
Want to help us reach our goal of planting 30k trees? Visit https://aclimatechange.com/trees/ to learn how.
You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, or whenever you get podcasts.A Climate Change With Matt Matern is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soCheck out our most downloaded episodes:165: Decarbonizing the Grid with Rob Gramlich164: Davide Faranda Shares How We Can Link Fossil Fuels to Extreme Weather192: Paasha Mahdavi Breaks Down the Power Politics Behind Climate Change

156: Staci Roberts-Steele on Using Film & Satire to Fight Climate Change

Staci Roberts-Steele discusses her climate activism through films like "Don't Look Up," and her work at Yellow Dot Studios. She shares insights on using satire and storytelling to expose oil industry practices and promote climate action. Matt and Staci explore the role of media in raising awareness and the importance of engaging the public through creative, impactful content.
To learn more about Yellow Dot and to watch their short films, visit: www.yellowdotstudios.com
Want to help us reach our goal of planting 30k trees? Visit: https://aclimatechange.com/trees/ to learn how.
You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, or whenever you get podcasts.A Climate Change With Matt Matern is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soCheck out our most downloaded episodes:165: Decarbonizing the Grid with Rob Gramlich164: Davide Faranda Shares How We Can Link Fossil Fuels to Extreme Weather192: Paasha Mahdavi Breaks Down the Power Politics Behind Climate Change

155: Aru Shiney-Ajay on Sunrise Movement’s Path to Climate Justice

Aru Shiney-Ajay, Executive Director of the Sunrise Movement, discusses her journey with the organization, joining in 2017 to elevate the urgency of climate issues in politics. Sunrise's focus has been on holding the federal government accountable while supporting local actions, changing the narrative that pits jobs against climate to one that promotes clean energy as economically beneficial. 
As the 2024 elections approach, she highlights the need for climate to be a central issue and invites listeners to get involved with the Sunrise Movement to drive political change.
To learn more about the Sunrise Movement and how you can get involved work, visit: www.sunrisemovement.org
Want to help us reach our goal of planting 30k trees? Visit: https://aclimatechange.com/trees/ to learn how.
You can also find us on Apple, Spotify, or whenever you get podcasts.A Climate Change With Matt Matern is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soCheck out our most downloaded episodes:165: Decarbonizing the Grid with Rob Gramlich164: Davide Faranda Shares How We Can Link Fossil Fuels to Extreme Weather192: Paasha Mahdavi Breaks Down the Power Politics Behind Climate Change

154: Walter Lamb & Bruce Robertson: Protecting LA’s Ballona Wetlands

Matt revisits the Balona Wetlands and is joined by Walter Lamb and Bruce Robertson to discuss efforts to preserve the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve in Los Angeles. They emphasize community involvement, criticize the delayed restoration project, and highlight the need for local activism. 
To learn more about Walter’s work, visit:  https://www.ballona.org/
You can watch Bruce’s documentary on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U_uVEJjjSE
Want to help us reach our goal of planting 30k trees? Visit: https://aclimatechange.com/trees/ to learn how.
A Climate Change With Matt Matern is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soCheck out our most downloaded episodes:165: Decarbonizing the Grid with Rob Gramlich164: Davide Faranda Shares How We Can Link Fossil Fuels to Extreme Weather192: Paasha Mahdavi Breaks Down the Power Politics Behind Climate Change