In the fight against clean energy, who really wins? Trump supporters may think it’s them, but this episode of A Climate Change reveals another story altogether. In this eye-opening conversation with Rob Verchick, environmental law professor and former EPA deputy administrator, we explore critical developments in ocean conservation, renewable energy challenges, and climate resilience.

In this critical episode of Climate Change with Matt Mattern, we dissect Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" and its far-reaching implications for America's climate future. We’re joined by a powerhouse panel featuring climate economist Dr. Gernot Wagner, policy expert Lucero Marquez, and clean energy reporter Dan Gearino to explore how this legislation threatens renewable energy projects, environmental protections, and public health. Whether you're concerned about rising energy costs, environmental justice, or climate policy, this discussion reveals the economic and health impacts of rolling back clean energy progress while offering insights into how communities can mobilize to protect climate action gains. 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. Watch the full conversation: https://www.youtube.com/@aclimatechange/?sub_confirmation=1

We’ve all heard the phrase “two birds, one stone,” and most of us love it. Now, what if this approach could be applied to large-scale climate action?

Global environmental change begins with a university that thoroughly understands sustainability. In this episode of A Climate Change, we speak with Patricia Lee, Sustainability Project Officer at Griffith University in Australia.

We made it to Episode 200! Today, we look back at four and a half years of meaningful conversations with some of the brightest minds in the climate movement - scientists, policymakers, activists, and visionaries who are shaping our future.

Legal expertise meets environmental activism in this revealing discussion about fighting back against anti-environmental policies through strategic litigation and state-level action.

What happens when the ocean - which covers over 70% of the planet - reaches its breaking point?

We’ve tested the limits of our planet plenty, and the water war has officially begun. But what if there was an antidote to the toxins polluting the dominant color of the globe?

What if health could be the key to driving climate action? In this episode of A Climate Change, we sit down with Shweta Narayan, Campaign Lead at the Global Climate Health Alliance, about how public health is a powerful lever for global climate action. Drawing from her childhood in an industrial town in India, Shweta explores the climate health impact of the air pollution crisis, the role of environmental justice, and how sustainable healthcare systems and preventative healthcare can transform both patient outcomes and the planet.

Can bold policy and innovative engineering reverse one of the world’s worst land loss crises? In this episode of A Climate Change, we speak with Peter Waggonner, Senior Policy Adviser for Greater New Orleans Inc., about Louisiana’s urgent battle to stop coastal erosion, and how a $50 billion restoration plan is reshaping environmental policy. Peter also discusses the threats of saltwater intrusion and urgency for flood insurance reform to protect climate-vulnerable regions.

Can our current social movements overcome political inertia to save us from the climate crisis, or is apocalyptic optimism our best path forward?

Ocean health is not just a climate issue; it’s a justice issue. And change starts with empowered citizens, innovative solutions, and inclusive leadership. In this episode, we sit down with Antoinette Vermilye, co-founder of the Gallifrey Foundation and SHE Changes Climate. She discusses the hidden costs of our plastic addiction, from microplastics in our bloodstreams to the looming threat of deep sea mining. We also dive deep into ocean ecosystems, corporate greenwashing, and why empowering women could be the key to a livable future. Antoinette shows how small actions, coalition-building, and reframing environmental narratives can spark real impact. If you want to help us reach our goal of planting 30k trees AND get a free tree planted in your name, visit aclimatechange.com/trees to learn how.

Can politics reshape our climate future? The climate crisis is driven not just by emissions but by power, political power. In this episode of A Climate Change, we sit down with political scientist and Vice Chair at the Political Science Department at UC Santa Barbara, Paasha Mahdavi, to unpack how government decisions and national oil companies shape the global energy landscape. From methane mitigation to clean tech policy, Mahdavi reveals why systemic change starts with governance. Learn how political engagement, not just personal choices, can drive transformative climate action.

Can environmental rollbacks be reversed, or are we already too late? Inside Climate News reporter Kiley Bense examines President Trump’s first 100 days in office. focusing on the effects of his environmental policy—including massive EPA funding cuts, the dismantling of federal agencies, and the weakening of environmental safeguards. Bense unpacks how these actions threaten progress on the climate crisis, undermine disaster response through FEMA restructuring, and put vulnerable communities at greater risk by defunding the LIHEAP program. You can find Kiley’s work at insideclimatenews.org/profile/kiley-bense If you want to help us reach our goal of planting 30k trees AND get a free tree planted in your name, visit aclimatechange.com/trees to learn how.

The climate crisis is urgent, but tackling it with humor might be more powerful than you think. Comedian and writer Rasheda Crockett shares how humor can make climate conversations more engaging, relatable, and impactful. From her award-winning climate comedy series to an animated show about a whale-turned-lifeguard, Rasheda reveals how laughter helps unpack complex climate science, ease eco-anxiety, and inspire real change.

Can climate advocates continue without basic economic security? The answer, unsurprisingly, is no. Mauricio Porras, co-founder of HERO - a groundbreaking platform providing basic income to climate activists worldwide and TEDx speaker- explains the economics of climate action. He unpacks the importance of reimagining activism, strategies to fund frontline climate leaders, and how to build bridges between communities. His goal is simple, develop a counterforce to the political lobbyists that work for people.

Climate change is no laughing matter. But laughing about it can actually help push the needle of climate action forward in unexpected ways. Comedian and educator Esteban Jorge Gast helps unpack how humor can make climate action more accessible and impactful. Tracing his journey from teaching to stand-up, Esteban shares how he uses laughter to break down complex climate issues, build diverse coalitions through initiatives like Climate Comedy Cohort, and challenge political narratives.

The circular economy could be the biggest climate solution we're ignoring. So... what’s the holdup? In this episode, Elin Bergman, Executive Director of Cradlenet Sweden and Co-Founder of the Nordic Circular Hotspot, shares how the circular economy could mitigate 40-70% of global carbon emissions. We also discuss fast fashion, e-waste, and AI’s hidden environmental costs. If you 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.

Can the communication channels of today be used to serve the fight against climate change, rather than deter it? In our latest episode, we explore the climate action movement with Kamila Camilo, Founder of Creators Academy Brazil. She shares how content creators are being mobilized to share positive environmental stories, the grassroots initiatives empowering indigenous communities through the digital economy, and why hope-based climate communication is more effective than fear. If you 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.

What if climate anxiety could be the fire that sparks climate action? Dr. Charlie Gardner believes that it can. The conservation scientist and professor at the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology joins us for a critical conversation on the importance of environmental activism, in whatever shape or form, on part of scientists and academicians in the fight against the climate crisis. This episode of A Climate Change serves as a much-needed reminder that actions will always speak louder than words.