10 Minutes to Save the Planet

The climate is changing. So are we. On What On Earth, you’ll explore a world of solutions with host Laura Lynch and our team of journalists. In 1970, 20 million people showed up to fight for the environment on the first Earth Day. More than five decades later, is it time for this much tamer global event to return to its radical roots? OG organizer Denis Hayes recounts how – amidst other counterculture movements at the time – his team persuaded roughly one in ten Americans to take to the streets. As he approaches 80, Denis offers his singular piece of advice to the next generation of climate leaders. Then, environmental warriors Maria Blancas and Axcelle Campana share ideas on what a reinspired Earth Day could look like – including making it a public holiday.More episodes of What On Earth are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/rEhNmRyGWe love to hear from our listeners and regularly feature them on the show. Have a question or idea? Email Earth@cbc.ca

Come band geeks, come theatre kids, come fantasy writers, too! When it comes to climate justice, we’re ready to get creative … and maybe even do a little cosplay. Today we talk about how to personalize our passion for the planet, whether we’re artists or athletes or anyone who likes to experience joy.

Does anyone have a cure for the travel bug? Because, we kind of live for it — especially after years of lockdown — even though we know it’s a big contributor to climate change. So how do we reconcile our inner eco-warriors with our wanderlust? Today we explore ideas to cut back on unnecessary travel, how to respect and add value to the places we do visit, and why we might want to start bundling our trips.

Who would win in a cage match between reduce, reuse and recycle? We’re betting on our boy REDUCE. Today we brainstorm ways to buy less to begin with. We also contemplate the art of making and repairing our stuff, while putting real numbers on a more sustainable wardrobe. (Hello, 74 garments, 20 outfits and five new things a year.)

Are you willing to take a punch to the face at a protest? Nope? That’s cool. You can join the climate fight without literally fighting. Today we talk about the many ways we can voice our values, from voting, to upping the pressure on big companies, to feeling the power of a public rally. We also reflect on generational activism and what we can learn from Indigenous law.

If you’ve been scolded for leaving the lights on, here’s some good news: there are worse ways to waste energy at home. (Especially if you’ve invested in LEDs!) The real battle comes down to heating and cooling — which is why Johanna’s made the heat pump her whole personality.

We love the soothing tones of David Attenborough. But does learning more about the planet actually lead to concrete action? (Spoiler alert: it depends.) Today we set aside the doom and gloom to explore simple ways to become more nature literate — like figuring out which of those pretty vines are actually invasive species running amok in your backyard.

It's one thing for vegans to say you should eat less meat, but you’re about to hear it from fans of Meatapalooza!!! Today we talk about the big impact we can make with even a flexitarian diet, and the virtues of seeing meat as a more of a treat. Plus, we turn to some pros for help spicing up our plant-based meal plans.

Is your bank taking the climate crisis seriously? Have you ever thought to ask? Today we talk about the difference we can make with our savings and investments. We also reflect on the whole lifecycle cost of major purchases and how we might talk about money without turning into that meme of Homer Simpson backing into a hedge.

Look, we get it. Most cities are built for cars. And it’s not always easy to walk, bike or take public transit. But when 10 percent of the world's population is making 80 percent of driving emissions, surely we can do more than just surrender to the “car-infested suburban hellscape.” Today we talk e-bikes and carpools and the literal steps we can take to reduce our reliance on gas guzzlers. Because as it turns out, even a 10 percent reduction could change the world.

Quick — what’s in your crisper drawer? If you’re already feeling guilty about sad lettuce leaves, we feel you. More than half of our food waste comes from households, which means we can collectively do a lot more to organise, share and actually eat what we buy. (This one blew our minds: feng shui your fridge by moving fruits and veggies out of the drawers and into the doors.)

You already know what you need to do to help the planet. So what’s holding you back? We’ll take you from best intentions to real solutions — and it won’t take more than 10 minutes of your day.