Climate Break

What is the LCFJ?The  Latino Climate Justice Framework (LCJF) prioritizes environmental justice while helping to protect disproportionately affected individuals–commonly Latine people. Specifically, LCJF works with communities that “face numerous climate-related issues, from extreme heat affecting outdoor workers and poor air quality in neighborhoods near industrial facilities, to increased vulnerability to natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires.”The ParticularsLCJF has three areas of focus with different goals for how to better the health of the environment and the Latino community. Chapter one of the LCJF identifies how fossil fuels disproportionately expose the Latine community to toxic pollutants. LCJF believes that carbon capture methods are an extremely passive solution that do not address the problem; instead they hope to prioritize renewable energy while enhancing affordability and accessibility to these amenities by “ramping up recycling, reusing batteries and solar panels” and “ensuring equitable investment”.The second chapter outlines how “latinos are 21% more likely than white individuals to reside in urban heat islands” and “only 19% of Latino/a/e children have nearby recreational green spaces, compared to 62% of white children.” They follow up with recommendations for how they hope that plans for “prioritizing urban greening projects in Latine neighborhoods with the highest heat risk and lowest tree canopy and green spaces” would improve air quality in their neighborhoods, while reducing health risks. The last chapter outlines how Latines have an extremely sacred relationship with land and water.  However, due to “patriarchal and white supremacist oppression” they have been deprived of their access to nature. Moreover, they acknowledge that Earth has been losing vital biodiversity for those very same reasons. Thus, they hope to reduce this problem by opposing efforts to extract natural gas and oil, build the US Mexico border on sensitive lands, and “sprawl development on public lands.”The Upsides The LCJF aims to mitigate climate change by reducing pollution from fossil fuels through stringent regulations and promoting clean energy alternatives. It emphasizes the development of climate-resilient infrastructure to protect communities from climate-related disasters. Additionally, the framework seeks to empower Latine communities by involving them directly in environmental decision-making processes, ensuring that solutions are culturally relevant and effective.Foreseeable Difficulties in UtilizationThough potential issues may include challenges with implementation, funding, political support, scalability, and policy adaptation efforts. LCJF Program Director Irene Burga argues that Latine people are often kept out of the conversation of climate equity despite the fact that they are extremely affected by climate change. If their voices are heard, she says, climate policies would be much more impactful.About Our GuestIrene Burga is the Climate Justice and Cleaner Program Director at Green Latinos, where she works to bring Latine voices to government.ResourcesClimate Advocacy Lab, Latino Climate Justice Framework 2025-28 | Climate Advocacy LabFurther ReadingLCJF, The Latino Climate Justice Framework. El Plan Para Nuestra GenteGreen Latinos, Latino Climate Justice FrameworkFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/latino-climate-justice-framework-with-irene-burga/.

What is Chaos Wheat?Wheat varieties that are resilient to climate change are sometimes referred to as "chaos wheat." An initiative of King Arthur Baking Company–an emerging leader in the creation of chaos wheat–and Washington State University's Breadlab is aiming to create wheat blends, such as King Arthur's Regeneratively-Grown Climate Blend Flour, composed of unique wheat varieties bred for resilience against the unpredictable effects of climate change, including fluctuating temperatures and varying water levels. These wheat varieties are cultivated using regenerative agricultural practices that enhance soil health and biodiversity.Chaos Wheat as Climate SolutionBy focusing on breeding wheat that can withstand extreme weather conditions, the initiative seeks to ensure consistent crop yields despite environmental unpredictability. Additionally, the use of regenerative agriculture practices contributes to carbon sequestration, improved soil health, and increased biodiversity, all of which play a role in mitigating climate change. To create the special, “Climate Blend” flour out of chaos wheat, researchers use practices like “cover cropping and crop rotations, minimizing inputs, no/limited tillage, and affordability and accessibility of crops.” The chaos wheat collaboration with Washington State University’s Breadlab, aims to increase biodiversity, promote carbon sequestration by improving soil health, and build resilient farm ecosystems as a whole.In the late 1800s, white bread was extremely popular due to its low cost of production at enormous scale. However, this quickly became detrimental to the environment because it led to monoculture, which reduces genetic biodiversity.  In fact, large scale bread production “emits more greenhouse gases than Russia, Brazil, and Germany combined”.Benefits of Chaos WheatChaos wheat increases genetic diversity and reduces risk of diseases and increases “resistance to drought, pests, and volatile weather, while requiring less water, fertilizer and agrochemical.” Part of the potential advantage of chaos wheat is the plants’ improved ability to deal with “‘ chaotic events.’” Currently, however, it is more expensive in comparison to standard whole wheat, “$2.98, compared with $1.12”.The inspiration for this blend came from ancient strategies that farmers employed, for example a “mix of different species and varieties known as maslins” which are “plants [that] compete less with one another for soil resources and are diverse”. Essentially, if “they can offer 2 to 3 percent higher yields, they will be our greatest asset to increasing yields and crop resilience.”Challenges of ImplementationPotential critiques or drawbacks of this solution include the challenges associated with transitioning farmers to regenerative practices, which may require significant changes in traditional farming methods and could involve initial financial investments. Moreover, as regenerative agriculture is currently unregulated and lacks standardized certification, defining and implementing consistent practices can be complex. Ensuring that these new wheat varieties are economically viable for farmers and acceptable to consumers in terms of taste and baking quality also presents potential challengesThere is also a tension between large scale efforts, including the King Arthur Baking Company initiative, and more local initiatives that might be “developing more sustainable and climate-resilient products” and which “keep our dollars in the local food economy” but “invest[s] in a more sustainable and resilient food economy”. This is often a difficult tradeoff.Robin Morgan believes that chaos wheat is a  game-changer in agriculture and in the face of climate change as it reduces wheat’s vulnerability to extreme weather conditions. This means that the crops can grow in more locations and with reduced soil disruption. Moreover, he emphasizes that it increases health benefits by providing more fiber to consumers.About Our GuestRobin Morgan moved to Washington state to pursue a PhD at the WSU Breadlab in order to develop a perennial grain crop. He has experience ranging from the chromosomal to the field level as well as studying the history of wheat. ResourcesKing Arthur Baking: What is regenerative agriculture, and why is it so important? Washington Post: Why ‘chaos wheat’ may be the future of breadWSU Breadlab: About UsFresh Farm: Local Grains: A Delicious, Climate-Friendly ChoiceFor a transcript, please visit: https://climatebreak.org/chaos-wheat-with-robin-morgan/

Real Ice, a UK based start-up, has been on the forefront of exploring the viability of this new technology. Aqua Freezing involves drilling holes through sea ice to pump out the sea water below and refreeze it on the surface. Once the water freezes, it thickens existing ice to the surface. Adding snow insulation in late winter is expected to help ice persist through summer melts, thereby reducing the risk of a "Blue Ocean Event." This solution targets climate change by maintaining Arctic ice cover, which can stabilize local ecosystems and moderate global climate impacts. If the project is successful, it is projected to postpone the loss of ice caps by approximately 17 years for each year this is completed. For every four feet of water pumped onto the surface, it is projected that the ice will cover around 3 feet. The Decline of Arctic Sea IceAs climate change heightens temperatures and alters climatic conditions, summer sea ice in the Arctic is melting rapidly. By the mid 2030s, it is predicted that a “Blue Ocean Event” (or BOE) will occur, meaning that the Arctic Ocean is expected to have less than one million square kilometers of sea ice. This equates to just 15% of the Arctic’s seasonal minimum ice cover of the late 1970s. As ice continues to melt, more of the ocean will be exposed to the sun's rays, thus absorbing more heat and accelerating warming. The Arctic has warmed four times faster than the rest of the world since 1979, largely due to this positive feedback loop known as Arctic amplification. Since the 1980s, the amount of Arctic sea ice has declined by approximately 13% each decade. As the BOE unfolds, it will trigger significant impacts, including droughts, heatwaves, accelerated thawing of terrestrial permafrost (releasing emissions in the process), and sea level rise. The Arctic plays a critical role in climate stabilization by acting as a large reflective surface, helping to cool the planet and maintain a stable global temperature. The BOE is thus a major climatic tipping point with catastrophic global consequences. A new methodology has been proposed to protect and restore Arctic sea ice known as Aqua Freezing. This approach uses renewable energy-powered pumps to distribute seawater on existing Arctic ice, allowing it to refreeze and thicken, helping to maintain climatic stability.The plan aims to target over 386,000 square miles of Arctic sea ice, an area larger than California. The process of refreezing already shows promise in field tests conducted over the past two years in Alaska and Canada. Proponents of refreezing Arctic sea ice believe that this technique would buy the region time while we make the necessary emissions cuts to curb the impacts of climate change. Refreezing ice would also preserve the albedo effect, which reflects sunlight back into space, preventing warming. Although AquaFreezing offers a potential solution to combat Arctic melting, scientists and policymakers doubt whether sea ice can be grown over a long enough period to make a true difference in the climate crisis. Further, the project is quite costly, equating to over 5 trillion dollars and demanding more steel than the US produces in a single year. The project would require 10 million pumps; however, this would only cover 10% of the Arctic Ocean’s roughly 4 million square mile size. To cover the entire area would require 100 million pumps and roughly 100 million tons of steel each year. The US currently produces around 80 to 90 million tons of steel a year, so covering just 10% of Arctic ice would require 13% of US steel production. The production required for the project could lead to immense environmental degradation and added emissions in the process.  About Our GuestSimon Woods, co-founder and Executive Chairperson of Real Ice, is hopeful that this solution will buy the region time while we make the necessary emissions cuts to curb climate change. Real Ice believes this innovative solution can preserve sea ice and thus work to combat climate change. ResourcesArctic News, Blue Ocean EventCNN, A controversial plan to refreeze the Arctic is seeing promising results. But scientists warn of big risksRealIce, Introducing AquaFreezing: Encouraging the natural process of Arctic sea ice generation.Smithsonian Magazine, Arctic Could Be Sea Ice-Free in the Summer by the 2030sSustainability Times, Controversial Arctic Refreezing Plan Shows Promise, but Risks RemainWarp Notes, They are developing a technology to restore sea ice in the ArcticFurther ReadingYoutube, Scientists’ Crazy Plan To Refreeze The ArcticFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/real-ice-with-simon-woods/.

Introduction to the SolutionUC Davis researchers are examining a novel approach to combating climate change: turning our buildings into carbon sinks. The solution is based on incorporating biochar, a carbon-rich material obtained from plant material, into common construction materials like concrete, brick, and asphalt. By embedding carbon directly into long-lasting infrastructure, this approach reduces atmospheric CO₂ and also transforms one of the most carbon-intensive industries in the world into a tool for climate mitigation.Background: How Carbon Storage in Building Materials WorksBiochar is created through pyrolysis, a process involving heating organic material, such as crop residues or wood waste, in a low-oxygen environment. This process locks in carbon that plants absorb during photosynthesis and prevents it from being re-released into the atmosphere through decay or burning.The research team at UC Davis, headed by Professor Sabbie Miller and Dr. Elisabeth Van Roijen, proposes the use of biochar as a partial replacement for the materials in concrete and other construction compounds. Since more than 20 billion tons of concrete are produced every year by the construction sector, substituting 10% of that with biochar-based mixtures could store up to 1 gigaton of CO₂ annually, or the equivalent yearly emissions from Japan.Unlike temporary carbon storage methods, like soil burial, embedding biochar in durable infrastructure ensures long-term sequestration, potentially spanning decades or even centuries. It also leverages the global scale of construction as a medium for climate action.Advantages of This SolutionApart from net carbon emissions reduction, the introduction of biochar-enriched building materials has tangible engineering benefits. It has been found that the addition of biochar can enhance thermal insulation, fire resistance, and durability in some uses. The process also fits well within the circular economy principles because of the organic waste used and reduced need for virgin materials.Because construction is already a high-volume, resource-intensive industry, integrating biochar into existing supply chains could make climate-positive practices scalable and economically viable without requiring dramatic infrastructure overhauls. Equally important, this solution provides dual benefits: supporting both carbon sequestration and the development of sustainable materials.Drawbacks and CritiquesThe approach faces several scientific and logistical obstacles despite such a promising premise. Producing biochar requires energy in quite significant quantities, with sourcing biomass at large scales risking unforeseen ecological impacts such as nutrient depletion or habitat disruption. Some critics even ask whether its broad adoption might inadvertently encourage the removal of older buildings in favor of the construction of newer, carbon-storing ones, offsetting any climate gains.Another factor is the life cycle of the biochar-infused materials themselves. While they can store carbon for decades, it remains undetermined how these materials at the end of a building's life are to be managed to avoid re-release of CO₂. Future policy frameworks and recycling technologies will be required to address these challenges if there is to be long-term effectiveness.About the GuestDr. Sabbie Miller is an Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UC Davis. Her research focuses on sustainable infrastructure materials, life-cycle assessment, and reducing the environmental footprint of the construction industry.Further ReadingUC Davis News: Storing Carbon in Buildings Could Help Address Climate ChangeNature Geoscience: Carbon Sequestration Using BiocharScience Magazine: Building Materials as Carbon SinksScienceDirect: Alternative Sequestration Options in Construction MaterialsFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/sequestering-carbon-in-building-materials-with-dr-sabbie-miller/

How Sustainable Wood Helps Mitigate the Impact of Climate ChangeSustainable wood refers to the use of mass timber, which involves smaller pieces of wood that are dried and glued together in a perpendicular, crosswise pattern to form large slabs. This process can incorporate a closed-loop system that repurposes wood, promoting a circular practice that minimizes wood waste and reduces landfill usage, transportation needs, and carbon emissions. Additionally, the wood retains the carbon absorbed by trees during their growth, storing it in the floors and walls of buildings. As infrastructure demands increase, sustainable wood offers an environmentally friendly solution to meet these needs.Why the Construction Industry Needs Sustainable WoodSustainable wood, particularly through the use of mass timber, is gaining recognition as a critical climate solution in the construction industry. Traditional building materials like concrete and steel are carbon-intensive to produce, responsible for nearly 8% of global carbon emissions. In contrast, mass timber is derived from a renewable resource: trees. Through responsible forest management, trees can be harvested and replanted in a sustainable cycle, allowing forests to continue absorbing carbon dioxide. The wood used in mass timber stores this carbon long after the trees are cut down, effectively sequestering it in the walls, floors, and structures of buildings for decades or even centuries. This makes sustainable wood not only a viable building material but also a carbon sink, helping reduce the overall carbon footprint of new construction.The production of mass timber involves using smaller, fast-growing trees that are often thinned from forests to maintain ecological health. These pieces of wood are dried and glued in layers, forming large, strong panels that can be used for walls, floors, and even entire building frames. This technique reduces waste by making use of smaller trees or leftover wood that might otherwise be discarded. Additionally, mass timber is much lighter than steel and concrete, reducing the energy needed for transportation and lowering emissions from construction sites. The process can also incorporate repurposed or recycled wood in a closed-loop system, further contributing to the circular economy and minimizing waste.The climate benefits of sustainable wood go beyond carbon storage. Timber construction has a much lower embodied carbon than steel and concrete, which require energy-intensive processes to extract and manufacture. By substituting these materials with mass timber, builders can reduce carbon emissions by up to 70%. In regions where sustainable forestry practices are employed, this approach also supports local ecosystems by preventing deforestation, protecting biodiversity, and encouraging the regeneration of forests. Importantly, mass timber’s design allows for prefabrication, which reduces construction time and waste, making it not only a greener option but also an economically competitive one.As cities and communities around the world grapple with the need for affordable housing while also addressing climate change, sustainable wood provides a promising solution. By scaling up the use of mass timber in mid- and high-rise buildings, the construction sector can reduce its reliance on carbon-heavy materials, sequester large amounts of carbon, and promote sustainable forest management practices. This integration of environmental, economic, and social benefits positions sustainable wood as a key player in the transition toward a low-carbon future.The Future of Sustainable Wood: Making Construction Faster and Greener Sustainable wood, especially when derived through the use of mass timber, offers a range of environmental, economic, and structural advantages over traditional building materials. From a structural standpoint, mass timber is both strong and lightweight, making it a highly versatile material. It has a high strength-to-weight ratio, allowing it to be used in large, multi-story buildings while reducing the overall load on foundations and minimizing transportation costs. Additionally, mass timber is more fire-resistant than many people realize; when exposed to fire, the outer layer of the wood chars and insulates the inner core, slowing down the spread of fire and maintaining the building’s integrity for longer than some steel structures. This combination of strength, fire resistance, and flexibility gives mass timber a competitive edge in construction.Economically, sustainable wood offers cost-saving opportunities through faster construction times and less material waste. Mass timber panels can be prefabricated off-site, reducing the time spent on construction and the labor costs associated with traditional methods. This efficiency not only lowers the overall cost of building but also minimizes disruption in urban areas. Furthermore, the use of repurposed or recycled wood supports a circular economy, where resources are reused rather than discarded, reducing the environmental impact and fostering a more sustainable construction industry. As demand for sustainable and affordable housing rises, mass timber presents a compelling, eco-friendly alternative to conventional building practices.One of the most significant benefits is its ability to sequester carbon. Trees naturally absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow, and this carbon remains stored in the wood even after it’s used in construction. By utilizing wood in buildings, the carbon is locked away for the lifespan of the structure, helping to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, materials like concrete and steel release large amounts of carbon during their production, contributing to climate change. This makes mass timber a powerful tool in the fight against global warming, especially when paired with sustainable forestry practices.Sustainable Wood SkepticismDespite its many advantages, the use of sustainable wood and mass timber as a building material does have some drawbacks and criticisms. One primary concern is the reliance on sustainable forestry practices. If forests are not properly managed, large-scale timber harvesting can lead to deforestation, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss. The success of mass timber as a climate solution depends on responsible sourcing, including replanting trees to maintain the carbon-absorbing benefits of forests. Unsustainable logging practices or overharvesting could negate the environmental benefits of mass timber by releasing more carbon into the atmosphere and harming ecosystems.Another challenge is the perception of wood’s durability and fire safety. While mass timber is engineered to be fire-resistant, some critics remain concerned about its performance in large-scale buildings. Public perception and regulatory hurdles can be barriers to adoption, as many building codes and fire safety standards are based on traditional materials like concrete and steel. These regulations may need to be updated to reflect the true performance of mass timber, but in the meantime, they can slow down its widespread use in urban construction.Additionally, there are economic concerns, particularly regarding initial costs. While mass timber can reduce construction time and labor costs, the price of sustainably sourced wood can be higher than that of conventional materials, especially if demand outstrips supply. The infrastructure for large-scale mass timber production is still developing, and until it reaches full maturity, the material may remain more expensive and less accessible than concrete or steel, limiting its adoption in some markets. Over time, these challenges may be addressed, but they highlight the need for careful planning, regulation, and investment in the mass timber industry.Who is Our Guest?Dr. Paul Mayencourt is a researcher and educator at studying low-carbon design solutions in architecture. He does much of his work in the Wood Lab at the University of California, Berkeley between the Department of Architecture and the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management. Dr. Mayencourt specializes in mass timber, structural design, and structural optimization. ResourcesUC Berkeley: Forest to frame: Paul Mayencourt bridges forest management and sustainable constructionAmerican Wood Council: Mass TimberUC Berkeley: Continuing Berkeley’s legacy in forest productsVox: The hottest new thing in sustainable building is, uh, woodSeattle Business Magazine: Cross-laminated Timber: the Future of Building?Further ReadingUrban Machine: https://urbanmachine.build/Hardware to Save a Planet: Podcast with Co-Founder of Urban MachineWashington Post: Forget the log cabin. Wood buildings are climbing skyward — with pluses for the planet.Swedish Wood: A global solution for a locally active industryDalberg: A Forest Economy for the Future: Generating social and economic dividends from more sustainable, circular sourcesFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/sustainable-wood-from-mass-timber-with-dr-paul-mayencourt/

Assessing Climate RisksAs climate change accelerates, climate risks are beginning to impact every aspect of society from infrastructure and transportation to health, biodiversity, and air and water quality. A climate risk is the potential for climate change to have adverse consequences for a human or ecological system. Climate risks have implications for property and infrastructure, posing a threat to the global financial system at large. The rate at which climate change and its associated risks are increasing can be reduced through mitigation and adaptation actions such as investing in green infrastructure and implementing energy efficiency standards. The assessment of climate risk involves the identification and quantification of the potential impacts of climate change on an organization, region, or community. Many organizations utilize climate risk assessments, which involve evaluating current and future vulnerabilities to climate-related hazards, taking into account factors such as infrastructure resilience, economic stability, and social vulnerability. To quantify those impacts, assessments typically estimate the level of damage in financial terms. In order to streamline this process and make it easier for companies to identify their potential risk, riskthinking.AI has developed a platform to leverage climate change risks and impacts through AI software.Integrating AI technology into climate risk assessmentsRiskthinking.Ai integrates AI technology with climate change data to evaluate financial risk management through their development of the ClimateEarthDigitalTwin (CDT). The CDT integrates physical asset data with the latest climate projections like extreme weather and temperature shifts. Rather than using deterministic forecasts, CDT relies on probabilistic distributions to simulate a range of future scenarios and project changes in an asset's value over time. The CDT platform quantifies exposure and impacts from climate change. Riskthinking.Ai identifies which specific risk factors, such as extreme heat and floods, contribute to overall exposure. This approach can guide decision-making and help assess the complex risks posed by climate change and inform future infrastructure investments, risk mitigation, and climate adaptation strategies.Upsides to AI assessment Riskthinking.Ai enables organizations to evaluate future financial impacts of climate change, integrating climate risks into business decisions. Countries especially vulnerable to climate change may benefit from this algorithm, as it allows for a better understanding of the threats they face due to a changing climate. By providing countries, governments, and corporations with a better understanding of how they may be at risk due to their geographical location and respective climate vulnerability, AI technology can guide decision-making to inform proper adaptation and mitigation into the future. Downsides to AI assessment Although Riskthinking.Ai provides a tangible strategy in informing proper adaptation and mitigation, many argue that the use of AI technology to address environmental crises is counterintuitive due to AI’s negative impacts on the environment. By 2040, it is predicted that the emissions from the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry will amount to 14% of global emissions, with the majority being driven through ICT infrastructure, specifically data centers and communication networks which AI relies upon to operate. In addition to the significant energy consumption required to power AI technology, a large amount of water is needed for cooling data centers. Further, AI relies on critical minerals and rare elements which are mined for unsustainability and the rapidly increasing data centers contribute to the growing body of electronic waste. However, as AI becomes increasingly applied to environmental problems, it can prove to be a valuable tool in combating climate change. Thus, working to reduce the environmental impact of AI technology will not only be vital in its application for climate risk assessments, but in mitigating the harmful effects brought about by its rapidly increasing societal demand.About our GuestDr. Ron Dembo, founder and CEO of Riskthinking.Ai, has utilized his multi-factor scenario modeling expertise to create a data platform and analytics engine for measuring and managing climate financial risk. Dr. Ron Dembo has been an Associate Professor at Yale, visiting professor at MIT, and has received many awards for his work in risk management, optimization, and climate change.ResourcesEarth Scan, What is climate risk and what does it mean for your organizationIBM, What is climate risk?NOAA, Climate Change ImpactsRiskthinking.AI, Climate Data & Analytics that Power Enterprise Risk, Research and ReportingEarth.Org, The Green Dilemma: Can AI Fulfil Its Potential Without Harming the Environment?Further ReadingMIT News, Explained: Generative AI's environmental impactNASA, The Effects of Climate ChangeUN, AI has an environmental problem. Here’s what the world can do about that.For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/using-ai-for-climate-risk-assessment-with-dr-ron-dembo/. 

Unifying a Partisan Nation Around NatureNature is Nonpartisan is a bipartisan, solutions-focused coalition working to unite Americans around shared environmental goals. By fostering cross-party support for conservation and land stewardship, the organization hopes to reframe climate action as a unifying national priority rather than a partisan fight. Establishing Nature as Middle GroundIn recent years, environmental politics in the U.S. have been paralyzed by partisan gridlock, stalling climate progress. Nature is Nonpartisan aims to break this deadlock by reframing environmentalism around common-sense values, such as safety, access to the outdoors, and community well-being. By engaging Americans across the political spectrum, the coalition seeks to depoliticize climate solutions and ground them in conservation principles that resonate more universally: protecting public lands, supporting disaster-affected communities, and ensuring access to clean air and water.This approach gained national attention in early 2025 when founder and CFO Benji Backer, alongside coalition members, briefed White House staff on nonpartisan conservation strategies. A meeting scheduled for fifteen minutes extended well over an hour, ultimately influencing President Trump’s unexpected June 2025 signing of the “Make America Beautiful Again” executive order. The order focuses on conserving public lands, safeguarding wildlife, and securing clean drinking water. Backer underscored that wildfires, drought, and ecosystem collapse don’t just affect the environment; they threaten billions in outdoor-recreation revenue and undermine the hunting, fishing, and farming traditions valued across political lines.Nature is Nonpartisan’s narrative emphasizes that environmental protection is not only about climate, but also the American landscape, economic security, and the natural heritage millions rely on and cherish.Conservation as Climate ActionNature is Nonpartisan’s work centers on four key conservation areas: managing forests to reduce wildfire risk, enhancing water quality and improving water infrastructure, enhancing natural disaster resilience, and promoting responsible land stewardship. Together, these priorities offer a practical, bipartisan path to protect ecosystems and communities most vulnerable to climate change.Overall, emphasizing conservation provides a widely palatable, bipartisan entry point into climate action. By restoring ecosystems, sequestering carbon, and protecting biodiversity, these efforts simultaneously strengthen local economies — particularly in rural regions dependent on recreation and natural-resource industries — while building long-term climate resilience. The Tension Beneath the SurfaceDespite its promise, Nature is Nonpartisan’s work exists within a fraught political landscape. Environmentalism and conservatism are still often framed as ideologically incompatible, a perception the organization works actively to undo. While the “Make America Beautiful Again” executive order signals progress, critics argue it may be more symbolic than substantive, especially given President Trump’s longstanding dismissal of climate science. Some fear the order could serve more as a political performance than a genuine environmental advancement.These tensions point to the broader challenge: decades of conservative skepticism toward climate science have made it difficult to ensure follow-through on policy. Nature is Nonpartisan hopes to continue confronting this distrust by reframing environmental protection around nationally shared values — family, future generations, clean water, clean air, and access to the outdoors — whether one is a Midwestern farmworker or a city resident.The Power of Words and Bipartisan PolicyCommunications Director Amelia Joy emphasizes that language is crucial to keeping these efforts genuinely nonpartisan. Because the word “climate” has become politically charged, Nature is Nonpartisan often avoids leading with it. Instead, Joy notes that many of the organization’s core priorities, from wildfire prevention to natural disaster resilience, are climate issues, but by centering them in everyday terms, the coalition can build durable, cross-party support that can outlast any single administration.Policy Director Maya Cohn adds that progress doesn’t have to depend on who is in office. She emphasizes that policy advances can happen under any president or Congress if people are willing to work across political lines. For her, bridging divides and having honest conversations, even with those you disagree with, is the only way to create long-lasting environmental solutions.About the GuestsAmelia Joy is the Communications Director at Nature is Nonpartisan and identifies as Conservative. Maya Cohn is the Policy Director at Nature is Nonpartisan and identifies as Progressive.ResourcesAbout — Nature Is NonpartisanEstablishing the President's Make America Beautiful Again Commission – The White HouseMake America Beautiful Again — Nature Is NonpartisanFurther ReadingQ&A: Meet the conservative working to make environmentalism nonpartisanFraming Climate Action as Patriotic and Status Quo-Friendly Increases Liberals’ and Conservatives’ Belief in Climate ChangeHow this group got Trump to sign a pro-environment executive order - The Washington Post  For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/unifying-a-partisan-nation-around-nature-with-amelia-joy-and-maya-cohn/

What is the Waverley Street Foundation?The Waverley Street Foundation, founded by Laurene Powell Jobs in 2016, aims to attack climate related issues through funding community-led programs, leading to community action against climate change. The Waverley Street Foundation specifically funds programs related to renewable energy and regenerative agriculture, as these sectors have an immense impact on the environment and vulnerable communities. The Foundation’s approach to achieving climate-related goals is unique, as their solutions revolve around investing in prominent community institutions in order to benefit the entire community, showing people that we all benefit from a healthy planet.Regenerative Agriculture as a Climate SolutionRegenerative agriculture is the practice of using farming and agricultural techniques to help reverse climate change, including some techniques that date back to Native American cropping systems and the way in which they interact with the soil. According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the goals of the practice include helping to “mitigate climate change, improve soil health, restore biodiversity, enhance ecosystems, and contribute to human health.” By focusing on the larger community impacts of sustainable farming practices, the Waverley Street Foundation promotes a close connection between people and their food systems. As an example,  the Foundation established agreements with local school districts to support fresh and nutritious lunches, bringing  local regenerative farmers into the supply chain, thereby improving farmers’ economics, and allowing them to decide to continue planting regenerative crops. Other Community-Based Climate InitiativesThe Waverley Street Foundation is also currently working on converting health clinics from being run on diesel fuel to solar in India. This not only reduces pollution and carbon emissions, but can also help make healthcare more affordable for residents, while providing new local jobs installing, fixing, and financing the panels. In order to evade the most devastating climate change impacts, emissions need to be reduced by almost half by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050. The ultimate goal of the Waverley Street Foundation is to approach climate change with a new outlook: “Cultivating Health, Justice and Joy,”  emphasizing the role that climate change has in harming vulnerable communities’ everyday lives rather than solely focusing on technical solutions. Jared Blumenfeld, the president of the Waverley Street Foundation, argues that “unless we can make the case to them, that climate action is going to support and make their communities stronger, I don't think we win many of the other arguments.”About Our GuestJared Blumenfeld is the former Secretary of CalEPA and current President of Waverley Street Foundation, the climate philanthropy funded by Laurene Powell Jobs. Blumenfeld also served as Director of San Francisco’s Department of Environment. Currently, at Waverley, he is working on critical environmental issues, such as oil litigation, renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, and food systems.ResourcesWaverley Street Foundation, WorkWaverley Street Foundation, What if lunchrooms served the freshest food in town? Regeneration International, Why regenerative agriculture?California Department of Food and Agriculture, Defining Regenerative Agriculturefor State Policies and ProgramsUnited Nations, Renewable energy – powering a safer futureWaverley Street Foundation, AboutFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/climate-action-through-community-driven-philanthropy-with-jared-blumenfeld/

The Dangers of Single-Use Plastic BagsSingle-use plastics are extremely harmful to the environment, both in terms of their production and disposal. All plastic creates issues regarding fossil fuel emissions and waste, but single-use plastics are specifically detrimental because they contribute to the immense amounts of waste piling up on our planet. Because these plastics are not biodegradable, according to EarthDay, “79% of plastic that has ever been made still sits in landfills or the natural environment.” While numerous efforts have been made to reduce the amount of single use plastics available, the amount of plastic entering our landfills has yet to substantially decrease. For example, in 2014, California enacted a ban on thin plastic shopping bags at supermarkets and other stores, but allowed customers to purchase bags made with thicker plastics, which retailers argued would make them recyclable and reusable. In reality, consumers were not reusing or recycling the thicker plastic, ultimately leading to an increase in the poundage of plastic trashed per person. Reusable Bags as a Climate SolutionLotus Sustainables aims to eliminate single-use plastic by providing eco-friendly alternatives, with reusable grocery bags and food storage pouches. Founded by Jennifer and Farzan Dehmoubed in 2017, the company aims to eliminate the need for single use plastic. Since its founding, they have been able to divert 5 billion bags from landfills. Lotus also prioritizes ethical and sustainable manufacturing efforts by closely monitoring the production and studying the life cycle of their products. The bags are made with eco-friendly materials such as recycled plastic bottles for fabric and renewable resource products like jute, a plant based fiber. Using these materials ensures that the product is durable and reusable. The process reduces the amount of waste that enters landfills both by using recycled products, and creating a long-term, reusable alternative.Lotus’ mission also contains environmental justice initiatives. In pursuit of these goals, Lotus donates 10% of their profits to likeminded companies, including The Plastic Pollution Coalition, the Surfrider Foundation, and Project New Village. Further, according to co-founder Jennifer Dehmoubed, the company donates to “Black-created organizations that focus on food justice, the preservation of land, and enriching agriculture,” with hopes to “repair horrific injustices imprinted in the Earth and bring ownership of the land and agriculture education into the hands and lives of Black people.”Challenges of ImplementationIn order to realize Lotus’ goals, consumer demand and legislation must respond to the planet’s growing need to eliminate single-use plastic. Without the support of consumers, no amount of legislation or innovation can have an impact. According to Jesse Langley, CEO of Lotus Sustainables, “ Legislation doesn't happen unless there's people behind it…And same thing with businesses, these businesses are not gonna get behind an initiative if Consumers are not looking for it.” About Our GuestJesse Langley is the CEO of Lotus Sustainables and a seasoned entrepreneur in the environmental space, helping to develop climate action plans and greenhouse gas reductions for local governments in California. Lotus Sustainables is a certified B-corp on a mission to eliminate single-use plastic bags.ResourcesNational Resource Defense Council: Single-Use Plastics 101EarthDay: Fact Sheet: Single-Use PlasticsUConn: Lifecycle of Single Use PlasticsABC7: California passed a ban on plastic bags in 2014. Here's why Gov. Newsom has now signed a similar lawLotus Sustainables: About UsLotus Sustainables: Environmental and Social JusticeSan Diego Business Journal: Lotus Sustainables Offers Plastic Bag Alternative Ahead of New RegulationFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/eliminating-single-use-plastic-bags-with-jesse-langley

Pumped Storage Hydropower as a Climate SolutionPumped storage hydropower, also known as water batteries, are often used as a means to store excess renewable energy. For example, solar and wind may generate more energy than is needed during certain times of the day and less than what is needed at other times.  As a result, water batteries are extremely useful as a way to store and release energy during peak demand periods or when renewable sources are unavailable (i.e, when the sun is down). This form of energy storage is used in many places across the country, and across the world, including Tennessee, Kentucky, and San Diego. Current and Future Use of Pumped Storage HydropowerIn San Diego County, a proposed pumped storage hydropower project would connect a lake to large underground pipes which will “connect this lake to a new reservoir… 1100 feet higher in elevation” so that “when the sun is high in the sky, California’s abundant solar power will pump water into that upper reservoir.” When the sun is down, the water would be released to the lower lake, generating around ”500 megawatts of electricity for up to eight hours” which is “enough to power 130,000 typical homes.”At Tennessee’s Raccoon Mountain, TVA stores the excess energy as gravitational potential energy and produces about “1700 megawatts of electricity” when in demand during the day. It takes extremely long for these projects to get approved because the investment is “more than 2 billion dollars for a large plant”.  The project consists of three components: a lower reservoir “bounded by a 62 meter high dam” and “replenished as need to make up for evaporation;” an underground powerhouse which is “a 137-meter-long cavern” housing “three pump turbines;” and an upper reservoir which “would be some 600 meters across and bounded by a 53 meter high dam.”All currently operating pumped storage hydropower projects in the U.S. are “open-loop” facilities, meaning the lower reservoir is a natural water source such as a lake or river. This is the case with the San Diego and Racoon Mountain projects. In contrast, “closed-loop” pumped storage is built offstream and operates independently of natural waterways. For example, at a proposed pumped storage facility in Kentucky, an old coal mine is being repurposed to be used as a water battery. This land has “hosted mining for at least 70 years” and this “project would deliver up to 287 megawatts of power for up to 8 hours, giving it more storage in the tank than the biggest lithium battery plants built thus far”. Closed-loop pumped storage is generally viewed more favorably than open-loop systems by many environmental groups, tribes, and modern hydropower developers because it avoids continuous interaction with natural waterways and can reduce impacts on fish and river ecosystems.Benefits of Water BatteriesWater batteries are incredibly useful for long-duration energy storage and can help balance fluctuations in renewable energy sources like solar and wind by providing power during peak demand periods. For instance, in San Diego, “the San Vincente project would store roughly as much electricity as batteries in 50,000 of Tesla’s long range Model 3 cars” and does not need materials like cobalt and lithium which are not only hard to find but create a lot of e-waste (and side effects with mining). Moreover, these projects fuel the economy and can create an abundance of construction jobs.Challenges of ImplementationPumped hydropower requires a lot of land, and flooding impacts habitat, and in some cases areas protected by indigenous tribes. The land and local ecosystem impacts can be very substantial. Moreover, water batteries require significant elevation difference between reservoirs to be effective so there are often geographic limitations to deployment. It can be extremely challenging to find places to build water batteries because they require specific topography as well as impacting the surrounding landscape. On top of this, these “facilities are expensive to build and take years to develop”. However, once they are in full structural integrity, they “store energy for far longer than lithium-ion batteries… and they last for many decades with minimal deterioration.”Erik Steimle emphasizes that pumped hydropower/water batteries are a great way to generate energy in a more sustainable manner, however, he acknowledges that there are some downfalls of it. For example, pumped hydropower/water batteries must undergo extensive regulatory practices involving federal agencies that other types of energy storage and renewables do not, posing a barrier to widespread accessibility. Another benefit is the durability of this equipment, which can be useful for hundreds of years.About our guestErik Steimle is the Chief Development Officer of Rye Development (tapped by DOE for the Kentucky project) and he is on the board of directors of the National Hydropower Association. Moreover, he has over twenty years of management experience in developing large-infrastructure renewable energy projects (especially in regards to hydropower). ResourcesNPR: ‘Water batteries’ could store solar and wind power for when it’s neededCanary Media: This Kentucky Coal mine could transform into pumped-hydro grid storageScience: How giant ‘water batteries’ could make green power reliable | Science | AAASStanford University: UnCommon DialogueFor a transcript, please visit: https://climatebreak.org/water-batteries-with-erik-steimle/. 

What is the Earth Species Project?Can we talk to animals, or at least understand what they are saying to each other?  That’s a question that researchers hope to answer with the help of AI. Earth Species Project, a non-profit that develops sophisticated AI technologies, hopes its software can help. Specifically, they have developed Nature-LM audio which is an audio-language machine learning algorithm with the potential to decipher animal communications.How does it work?By gathering and evaluating huge amounts of audio information from different species, Nature-LM audio can identify  “individuals in recordings”, and evaluate patterns.  For software users, it does not require the user to have any programming skills. Specifically “analyzing animal sounds… [allows for] decoding complex communication and behaviors to monitor the health of entire ecosystems.”This AI model was trained on “bioacoustic archives like Xeno-canto, iNaturalist, the Watkins Marine Mammal Sound Database, and the Animal Sound Archive” along with “general audio, human speech, and music data” while connecting this ”audio encoder to a leading language model.”Benefits of this approachNatureLM “can classify or detect thousands of species across diverse taxa including birds, whales, and aurans–without the need to retrain the model for each task.”. It has other capabilities like “predicting life-stage and simple call-types of birds, and captioning bioacoustic audio” which are useful when trying to analyze the behavior of different species and their associated cues. The software enables evaluation of large amounts of animal sounds and allows evaluation of that data “freely via human language text”.According to a benchmark that they established, called the Beans-zero, which “provides a standardized way to measure… performance across various bioacoustic tasks, enabling consistent comparisons and fostering progress in the field”, NatureLM-audio “achieves state-of-the-art performance on most tasks”. This is especially true in regards to bird and marine mammal sounds, which they are able to identify without fine-tuning–an extremely gruesome task in machine learning to change pre-existing models which better fit your data and train it for specific tasks.Potential DrawbacksLike all AI models, Nature LM-audio could impact employment opportunities, in this case for  animal biologists and researchers, and by using substantial amounts of energy to run the model.  And, like all AI programs, any conclusions and decisions made through the program need to be carefully evaluated.  It will take time and effort to determine how valuable the model is.   ConclusionRaskin believes that the creation of NatureLM has many positive implications because it allows humans to listen to the voices of animals. It gives us an understanding of their behavior to not only learn more about them, but also by giving insights on how to help them with conservation efforts. Moreover, it can alert researchers to what exactly is endangering certain species, prevent these efforts, and create a lot of more data necessary to analyze trends. About our guestAza Raskin is a trained mathematician and a dark matter physicist and  Co-Founder/President of the Earth Species Project.ResourcesEarth Species Project, Introducing NatureLM-audio: An Audio-Language Foundation Model for BioacousticsGrantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, What opportunities and risks does AI present for climate action? Forbes, The 15 Biggest Risks Of Artificial IntelligenceFurther ReadingEarth Species Project, About UsUniversity of Cincinnati, 9 Benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 2025For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/earth-species-with-aza-raskin

CONGRATULATIONS DR. OMAR YAGHI ON WINNING THE 2025 NOBEL PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY FOR COF 999!What is COF 999?UC Berkeley chemistry professor Dr. Omar Yaghi recently led a study which has the potential to be revolutionary in reducing the quantity of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere. “Covalent organic framework number 999,” or COF 999, is a yellow, powder-like material that has billions of tiny holes. Inside of these holes, researchers in Dr. Yaghi’s lab have installed molecular units that can seek out carbon dioxide, enabling the substance to suck in and capture the carbon dioxide. COF 999 has a huge capacity for absorbing emissions; half a pound of the powder can absorb as much carbon dioxide as a tree captures in a year.The carbon dioxide problemThe quantity of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has reached an all-time high, with a global average in 2023 of 419.3 parts per million. This immense amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere comes from a number of human sources, the most common of which is the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas for energy. Carbon dioxide is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, and contributes significantly to global warming and other environmental issues, including ocean acidification.Applying COF 999 In an interview with Forbes, Dr. Yaghi described the way he sees COF 999 being implemented as a solution. The powder can be made into pellets or a coating, and then integrated into facilities where flue gas –the gas that is released from industrial processes –is released. “This flue gas would pass through the material and because it just plucks out CO2, it cleans CO2 from that flue before it reaches the atmosphere.” According to the San Francisco Standard, Dr. Yaghi says that the powder “requires no energy, shows no signs of degradation even after 100 uses, and is made from inexpensive, commercially available materials.”  Another benefit is that the material only needs to be heated to 50 or 60 degrees Celsius, rather than to 120 like many other traditional materials necessary for carbon capture.In order to see significant change in the atmosphere’s carbon dioxide concentration, we will need to couple preventing carbon dioxide emissions with direct air capture, which COF 999 can also do. According to Zihui Zhou, a UC Berkeley graduate student who worked in Dr. Yaghi’s lab says, “Currently, the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is more than 420 ppm, but that will increase to maybe 500 or 550 before we fully develop and employ flue gas capture. So if we want to decrease the concentration and go back to maybe 400 or 300 ppm, we have to use direct air capture.” It will take time, however, for scientists to be able to use COF 999 effectively. This is because the powder has not been tested in real-life scenarios, and therefore the costs and risks from the powder are largely unknown; for example, the powder might restrict air flow through filters when applied, reducing the practicality of the powder.  About our guestDr. Omar Yaghi is a professor of chemistry at the University of California Berkeley, and the Founding Director of the Berkeley Global Science Institute, whose mission is to build centers of research in developing countries and provide opportunities for young scholars to discover and learn. He is an elected member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences as well as the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. ResourcesClimate.gov: Climate Change: Atmospheric Carbon DioxideForbes: This Powder Could Be A Gamechanger For Capturing CO2The San Francisco Standard: The new solution to climate change? A yellow powder you can hold in your fingersUC Berkeley News: Capturing carbon from the air just got easierSmithsonian Magazine: This New, Yellow Powder Quickly Pulls Carbon Dioxide From the Air, and Researchers Say ‘There’s Nothing Like It’For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/cof-999-carbon-capture-with-dr-omar-yaghi/

How Can Coral IVF Fight Coral Bleaching?As ocean temperatures increase due to climate change, an emergent crisis known as coral bleaching is on the rise. Coral bleaching poses the largest threat to coral reefs, which are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Coral reef habitats occupy less than one percent of the ocean floor, but constitute more than 25% of all marine life, providing habitats for a vast array of species from small organisms to large fish and sharks. Additionally, biodiverse reefs provide a variety of economic benefits, supporting jobs, tourism, and fisheries. Reefs also protect lives and property in coastal areas, absorbing 97% of a wave’s energy while buffering against currents, waves, and storms.However, when ocean temperatures rise, corals become stressed and expel the marine algae living inside their tissues, known as zooxanthellae. Typically, coral live synergistically with zooxanthellae, meaning the algae provide food for the coral while the algae use the coral as shelter. Due to stress, corals expel zooxanthellae, causing them to become a white skeleton. If the temperatures remain high, the coral won’t allow the algae back and the coral will die. Once corals die, reefs rarely come back. As climate change progresses with its warming trend, corals endure greater stress, and experience longer and more intense bleaching events. Between 2014 and 2017, 30% of the world’s reefs experienced heat-stress leading to coral bleaching. In 2005, the US lost half of its coral reefs in the Caribbean in one year due to a massive bleaching event. Fortunately, marine biologists have been working on a new strategy to restore damaged coral reefs, known as Coral IVF (in vitro fertilization), which entails taking healthy coral eggs and sperm, crossing them in a supervised pool, and returning the mature coral to a damaged coral reef. Importantly, IVF coral are often bred to be resilient to heat-induced bleaching, making Coral IVF a successful strategy in fortifying reefs against bleaching.What exactly is Coral IVF?Coral IVF begins with biologists collecting spawn, or coral eggs and sperm, from heat-tolerant corals that have survived coral bleaching events. With these spawn, biologists can rear millions of baby corals in tanks and coral nursery pools before repopulating damaged reefs for restoration. So far, coral IVF has proven successful. The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) Foundation planted 22 large colonies of new baby corals off Heron Island in 2016. Four years later, the researchers found that the corals had survived a bleaching event and grown to maturity. The next year, the corals had reproduced and spawned babies of their own. In 2016, 81% of the northernmost section of the GBR was severely bleached, including mass bleaching in other sections. The GBR provides an estimated economic value of $56 billion, including 64,000 jobs stemming from the reef. Losing the reef would be a major economic loss for Australia, which has already lost 50% of its coral since 1995. With coral IVF, there is hope for an eventual repopulation of the reef with healthy corals. Beyond the GBR, coral IVF is taking place in reefs across the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Approximately 90% of IVF-created corals survived 2023’s heat wave, holding on to the algae that sustain them.The Advantages of Coral BreedingCoral IVF not only mitigates short term reef loss, but also strengthens reefs in the long term. One study revealed that corals in the GBR that survived bleaching in 2016 had twice the average heat tolerance the following year. Research reveals that corals can pass on their adaptive strategies to their offspring. Experiments also reveal that heat-adapted corals can thrive in new environments and be an important source of reef regeneration globally. This technique can therefore be applied to any coral population. Further, the IVF process also can be done quickly, allowing scientists to respond to coral damage in an emergency.Climate change poses an insurmountable riskUnfortunately, climate change still poses a threat to IVF created coral reefs. By 2049, annual bleaching events will become the norm in the tropics. Research reveals that as global temperatures rise, coral will become less tolerant to heat related stress. In Australia, there has been a massive bleaching event every other year for six years. Due to the frequency of such events, coral's ability to reproduce is compromised for a number of years. As global emissions continue to rise, temperatures will continue to rise, inducing further heat-related stress. Eventually, coral may not be able to live in excessively hot ocean waters. Coral IVF is an effective strategy to prepare corals for future temperatures, but likely only up to a certain point.About our guestDr. Saskia Jurriaans is a marine scientist working on the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program, a multi-organizational partnership between the Australian Institute Of Marine Science, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, and others. On her team, she optimizes coral breeding techniques, as well as developing asexual coral reproduction methods to support the Great Barrier Reef.ResourcesAustralian Marine Conservation Society, What is Coral Bleaching?Coral Guardian, Why are coral reefs so important?Coral Reef Alliance, Biodiversity of Coral ReefsGreat Barrier Reef Foundation, What is Coral IVF?NOAA, Get Involved with the NOAA Coral Reef WatchFurther ReadingNOAA, Why are coral reefs important?Time, The Great Barrier Reef Is Being Depleted by Pollution and Climate Change. Could ‘Coral IVF’ Save It?The Guardian, The Great Barrier Reef: a catastrophe laid bareThe Guardian, Why there is hope that the world's coral reefs can be savedThe Guardian, Scientists’ experiment is ‘beacon of hope’ for coral reefs on brink of global collapseFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/breeding-heat-resilient-coral-to-restore-at-risk-coral-reefs-with-dr-saskia-jurriaans/.

A New Sustainable CultureThrough the rise in pop culture, climate change awareness has increasingly been integrated into the entertainment industry. Particularly in the Black community, multimedia cultural campaigns are used to increase interest in environmental movements with the use of light-hearted, fun content. Artists, musicians, and influencers are leveraging their platforms to highlight the impacts of climate change and promote sustainable practices, which, in turn, provides easily accessible resources and information to marginalized communities that empower them to participate in the fight against climate change. Black Communities and Environmental JusticePopulations of color face disproportionate energy burdens caused by climate change. A study conducted by Rice University found that Black communities were more prone to live in vulnerable areas, a generational problem caused by the history of Black gentrification. Even now in 2024, Black communities in Georgia are forced to pay higher electricity bills, despite having lower rates compared to other states, due to old and inefficient household systems. According to the National Black Environmental Justice Networks, African Americans were also found to breathe in 56% more pollution than they cause, whereas their White counterparts breathe in 17% less pollution than generated. African Americans are also 75% more likely than White Americans to live in polluted communities, leading to 13.4% of African American children suffering from asthma, compared to 7.3% of White children. Starting in the 1970s, some black musicians included environmental themes in their productions. Artist Marvin Gaye released “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” to tackle discussions about oil spills and mercury waste; funk group Earth, Wind, & Fire released “Burnin’ Bush” to bring awareness about the global destruction of Mother Earth. Those themes continue today in  music produced by Black artists, such as in the popular single “Feels Like Summer” by Childish Gambino, which conveys worries about uncertain impacts caused by global warming. Additionally, artists such as SZA have partnered with brands to promote sustainable merchandise, encouraging a societal paradigm to rely on eco-friendly products. Representation and EducationWith more than 50% of the world’s population active on social media, people are continuously exposed to the influx of information circulated by entertainment. Through the entertainment industry, climate news has become increasingly accessible and engaging, allowing communities to educate themselves on sustainability and mobilize action. Although hip-hop and rap were once considered controversial music genres due to themes of violence, drugs, and misogyny, there is a growing effort to utilize the storytelling aptitude of these genres for social and environmental commentary. Artists use rhymes and flow in hip-hop and rap to effectively share the living conditions, natural disasters, and climate injustice that people face. This empowerment of entertainment has motivated marginalized people to strengthen their community bonds and collaborate in fighting against climate change. The widespread influence of entertainment is fostering inspiration for a new culture promoting climate equity and agency, as well as the normalization of environmentalism in society.  Who are the co-founders of Klean Energy Kulture?Corey Dennard and Michael Hawthorne Jr. (Akachè Marcino) are the co-founders of Klean Energy Kulture, a non-profit environmental entertainment company. Corey Dennard, popularly known as Mr. Hanky, is a hit producer who has worked with top charting artists, including Snoop Dog, Usher, and Soulja Boy. Michael Hawthorne Jr., also known as Akachè Marcino, is an environmentalist and political organizer. Hawthorne has worked on Barack Obama’s first presidential campaign and Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign. Together, they lead Black communities towards climate resiliency through campaigning for clean energy.Further ReadingCanary Media: This Atlanta duo has a theory to drive climate action: Make it coolMedium: How Michael Hawthorne Jr Of Klean Energy Kulture Is Helping to Promote Sustainability and Climate JusticeAmerican Lung Association: Disparities in the Impact of Air PollutionAtmos: Composing Climate Change: The Radical Legacy of Black MusiciansClimate Reality Project: Environmental RacismFor a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/promoting-clean-energy-through-pop-culture-with-klean-energy-kulture-co-founders-michael-hawthorne-jr-and-corey-dennard/.

India's Battle Against Air PollutionHistorically, India has faced challenges with persistent air pollution as a result of industrial development. One key approach to combat this has been to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, Indian policymakers have been pushing for the commercialization of electric vehicles which has unlocked various incentives for companies like Vision Mechatronics to develop electric vehicles run by lithium-ion batteries. How Lithium-Ion Batteries Power EVsIndia “seeks to attain a 30% share of electric vehicles, in the total vehicles sold, by 2030” and accelerating the market for it by “moving from incentives to mandates” like a Zero Emission Vehicle policy (NITI Aayog). Taking advantage of this political support, Vision Mechatronics “aims to develop a complete domestic ecosystem around EVs” which have “zero tailpipe emissions” (Vision Mechatronics). Many electric vehicles are driven by lithium ion batteries which “can contain hundreds of individual cylindrical battery cells that are the same shape as common AA and AAA batteries” (Edmunds). They are extremely energy efficient and can store a multitude of energy; on full battery, electric cars powered by lithium-ion batteries can drive over 200 miles–although it may depend on the specific car model. Compared to their precursor, lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries have higher energy density which increases the mileage of a car. They are also extremely lightweight and this ensures that EVs aren’t too heavy. Moreover, the electricity used to refuel the EVs come from renewable energy sources like solar power. The Environmental Cost of Battery ProductionThere are various concerns that lithium-ion battery powered cars take a long time to charge. Although this may be true for some models, recent developments have led to an increase in charging efficiency and overall energy storage. For instance, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 can be charged “from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes” (Edmunds).Moreover, the environmental impact that the creation of lithium-ion batteries has is detrimental as “the mining process for lithium and other materials used in these batteries can… lead to water pollution and habitat destruction” (Tara Electronics). Although this is the undeniable truth, it is promising to know that due to advancements in technology it has been shown that electric car batteries can “last 12 to 15 years in moderate climates”, meaning that they don’t have short lifespans (Edmunds). Moreover, “instead of ending up in a scrapyard like most internal combustion engines do, electric vehicle batteries can be repurposed, refurbished, or recycled when they fail” (Edmunds).Building India's EV EcosystemGupta believes that local battery production in India can help India progress towards an economy that is powered by clean energy. She mentions that it has been difficult to employ skilled labor in this field due to geopolitical tensions and a lack of awareness regarding the importance of this field. However, she is trying to bridge this gap by making opportunities in her company as accessible to the next generation as possible. About Our GuestRashi Gupta, an advocate for clean energy, is the Founder & Managing Director of Vision Mechatronics Private Limited which is a battery company in India.ResourcesEdmunds, What You Need to Know About Electric Vehicle BatteriesVision Mechatronics, Renewable Energy Solutions for Electric VehiclesNITI Aayog, “Unlocking a $200 Billion Opportunity: Electric Vehicles in India”Tara Electronics, Why Do Electric Cars Use Lithium Batteries Exploring the Advantages and ChallengesFurther ReadingEV Mechanica, Understanding Lithium-Ion Battery Technology in Electric VehiclesIBEF, Electric Vehicles: Electric Vehicle Industry in India and its GrowthFor a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/lithium-ion-batteries-for-indias-clean-energy-future/. 

How Evangelical Communities in Indiana Are Leading Christian Climate Action In Indiana, evangelical churches are finding new ways to live out their faith through environmental action. With support from the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN), congregations are installing solar panels, planting native gardens, creating nature play areas for preschoolers, and even adding electric vehicle charging stations. This initiative, often referred to by Christians as “creation care,” positions environmental stewardship and climate action as a biblical responsibility.What is the Evangelical Environmental Network?EEN is a biblically-based ministry and the environmental arm of the National Association of Evangelicals, dedicated to mobilizing Christians around climate action. By collaborating with churches, universities, and seminaries, the organization offers education on how creation care is a collective mission among evangelicals. In Central Indiana, this has meant congregations and Christian universities working together on eco-friendly infrastructure and community events such as Indy Creation Fest, an Earth Day-like celebration that joyfully highlights humanity’s duty to conserve and steward the beauty God bestowed on us.Creation Care as Protecting the PoorA central theme of EEN’s work is showing Christians that defending the poor and vulnerable also means addressing pollution — including from plastic, methane, and mercury — and climate change. Low-income communities often face the harshest impacts of extreme climate disasters, poor air quality, and contaminated water. By making this connection clear, EEN reframes environmentalism as an act of justice and compassion for humanity, aligning climate action with evangelical priorities. Their programs highlight not only environmental threats but also human health risks, from asthma linked to air pollution to the dangers of unsafe drinking water.The Building of a MovementCreation care is still a growing movement and remains a minority position within American evangelicalism. Some believers continue to prioritize human welfare over environmental stewardship without recognizing that the two are inseparable. Historically, evangelicals have been among the groups least likely to regard climate change as urgent and express wariness about climate science. While the visible progress in Indiana is promising, it remains only a small step in the broader effort to normalize creation care across the evangelical community. Nonetheless, by centering their approach on shared religious values, EEN helps evangelical Christians see climate action not as a burden, but as a natural extension of their mission to honor God and all of creation.About Our GuestRev. Dr. Jeremy Summers, the Director of Church and Community Engagement at EEN, emphasizes that caring for the environment and caring for people are one in the same. He works with churches, universities, and local communities to connect biblical principles with climate action, advancing the creation care movement within evangelical circles. Within these spaces, he urges Christians to understand that protecting ecosystems is necessary to protect the people who live in them, especially those from marginalized groups who suffer most from pollution, climate change, and environmental injustice. ResourcesEEN, The Evangelical Environmental NetworkNAE, National Association of EvangelicalsFurther ReadingThe New York Times, In Indiana, Putting Up Solar Panels Is Doing God’s WorkAmerican Academy of Arts and Sciences, Evangelical Environmental Network: Mobilizing Religious Groups for Climate ActionThe Chronicle of Philanthropy, The ‘Eco-Right’ Is Growing. Will Bipartisanship Follow?University of Arizona News, Researchers explore how to protect the environment while helping those living in povertyFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/evangelical-christians-taking-environmental-action-with-rev-dr-jeremy-summers/.

Assessing Climate RisksAs climate change accelerates, climate risks are beginning to impact every aspect of society from infrastructure and transportation to health, biodiversity, and air and water quality. A climate risk is the potential for climate change to have adverse consequences for a human or ecological system. Climate risks have implications for property and infrastructure, posing a threat to the global financial system at large. The rate at which climate change and its associated risks are increasing can be reduced through mitigation and adaptation actions such as investing in green infrastructure and implementing energy efficiency standards. The assessment of climate risk involves the identification and quantification of the potential impacts of climate change on an organization, region, or community. Many organizations utilize climate risk assessments, which involve evaluating current and future vulnerabilities to climate-related hazards, taking into account factors such as infrastructure resilience, economic stability, and social vulnerability. To quantify those impacts, assessments typically estimate the level of damage in financial terms. In order to streamline this process and make it easier for companies to identify their potential risk, riskthinking.AI has developed a platform to leverage climate change risks and impacts through AI software.Integrating AI technology into climate risk assessmentsRiskthinking.Ai integrates AI technology with climate change data to evaluate financial risk management through their development of the ClimateEarthDigitalTwin (CDT). The CDT integrates physical asset data with the latest climate projections like extreme weather and temperature shifts. Rather than using deterministic forecasts, CDT relies on probabilistic distributions to simulate a range of future scenarios and project changes in an asset's value over time. The CDT platform quantifies exposure and impacts from climate change. Riskthinking.Ai identifies which specific risk factors, such as extreme heat and floods, contribute to overall exposure. This approach can guide decision-making and help assess the complex risks posed by climate change and inform future infrastructure investments, risk mitigation, and climate adaptation strategies.Upsides to AI assessment Riskthinking.Ai enables organizations to evaluate future financial impacts of climate change, integrating climate risks into business decisions. Countries especially vulnerable to climate change may benefit from this algorithm, as it allows for a better understanding of the threats they face due to a changing climate. By providing countries, governments, and corporations with a better understanding of how they may be at risk due to their geographical location and respective climate vulnerability, AI technology can guide decision-making to inform proper adaptation and mitigation into the future. Downsides to AI assessment Although Riskthinking.Ai provides a tangible strategy in informing proper adaptation and mitigation, many argue that the use of AI technology to address environmental crises is counterintuitive due to AI’s negative impacts on the environment. By 2040, it is predicted that the emissions from the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry will amount to 14% of global emissions, with the majority being driven through ICT infrastructure, specifically data centers and communication networks which AI relies upon to operate. In addition to the significant energy consumption required to power AI technology, a large amount of water is needed for cooling data centers. Further, AI relies on critical minerals and rare elements which are mined for unsustainability and the rapidly increasing data centers contribute to the growing body of electronic waste. However, as AI becomes increasingly applied to environmental problems, it can prove to be a valuable tool in combating climate change. Thus, working to reduce the environmental impact of AI technology will not only be vital in its application for climate risk assessments, but in mitigating the harmful effects brought about by its rapidly increasing societal demand.About our GuestDr. Ron Dembo, founder and CEO of Riskthinking.Ai, has utilized his multi-factor scenario modeling expertise to create a data platform and analytics engine for measuring and managing climate financial risk. Dr. Ron Dembo has been an Associate Professor at Yale, visiting professor at MIT, and has received many awards for his work in risk management, optimization, and climate change.ResourcesEarth Scan, What is climate risk and what does it mean for your organizationIBM, What is climate risk?NOAA, Climate Change ImpactsRiskthinking.AI, Climate Data & Analytics that Power Enterprise Risk, Research and ReportingEarth.Org, The Green Dilemma: Can AI Fulfil Its Potential Without Harming the Environment?Further ReadingMIT News, Explained: Generative AI's environmental impactNASA, The Effects of Climate ChangeUN, AI has an environmental problem. Here’s what the world can do about that.For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/using-ai-for-climate-risk-assessment-with-dr-ron-dembo/. 

Climate Education for YouthClimate education has the potential to drive the public towards climate science literacy, an individual’s understanding of their influence on climate and climate’s influence on them and society. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a climate-literate person: understands the essential principles of Earth’s climate system,knows how to assess scientifically credible information about climate,communicates about climate and climate change in a meaningful way, andis able to make informed and responsible decisions with regard to actions that may affect climate.Climate change education is more than just science education; it is an interdisciplinary topic that involves understanding the relationship between climate change, history, economics, social studies, and more. A robust and interdisciplinary climate education provides an understanding of the large-scale social transformation necessary to increase climate resiliency and implement effective solutions.Empowering Future Solution Makers Climate education can provide younger generations with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values that are necessary to make more environmentally informed decisions. By equipping students with a thorough understanding of climate science and illuminating the scientific process utilized by climate scientists, students become armed to critically assess climate discourse and solutions. Moreover, climate education fosters a sense of agency: youth may grow up to vote for climate positive policies, pursue careers that strive towards climate solutions, have a more eco-conscious lifestyle, or facilitate constructive conversations with family members and friends. Implementing effective climate solutions relies on an informed public, and climate education provides youth with a starting point to act as agents of positive change amidst our planetary emergency. Additionally, climate education can provide youth with the tools necessary to alleviate and cope with climate anxiety. A 2021 Lancet Study asked 10,000 young people between the ages of 16–25 in ten countries what they felt about climate change, and found that more than 50% of young people reported experiencing sadness, anxiety, anger, powerlessness, helplessness, and guilt. Effective climate education will not only help youth understand the causes and impacts of climate change, but it will also provide young people with insight on how they can contribute to solutions and exercise their own agency to make meaningful changes. Further, climate education can provide coping strategies by fostering hope and highlighting the collective efforts being made to address climate change. Barriers to Effective Climate Education According to an article from Science, data from 1500 public middle- and high-school science teachers from all 50 US states found that the median teacher devotes only one to two hours to climate change instruction. Climate confusion among U.S. teachers further contributes to this educational gap within American education, and limited training and scientific consensus among teachers leads to mixed messages. For example, the research published in Science found that of the teachers who teach climate change, “31% report sending explicitly contradictory messages, emphasizing both the scientific consensus that recent global warming is due to human activity and that many scientists believe recent increases in temperature are due to natural causes.” Progress in climate science and scientific consensus have outpaced teachers’ training. Additionally, teachers may face political threats and external pressures from parents or administration to avoid climate instruction. Teachers’ lack of knowledge on climate science and exclusion of climate instruction is further compounded by variations in learning standards and requirements. Climate education within the US faces challenges due to the absence of consensus on the inclusion of climate change in educational curricula and the absence of national science standards on the subject. In 2013, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) were developed and recommended that human-made climate change be taught in all science classes beginning in fifth grade. However, these standards remain voluntary, and 44 states have used the NGSS or created standards based on them. Since 2007, The Campaign for Environmental Literacy has continued to organize stakeholders and push for passage of the Climate Change Education Act, leading to the subsequent efforts to reintroduce and pass the bill four times since then. Despite these efforts, federal grants to fund climate change education projects have been miniscule and initiatives in Congress to support climate change education have been unsuccessful. New Jersey became a pioneer in climate education in 2020, becoming the first state to mandate the teaching of climate change beginning in kindergarten. Notably, New Jersey has taken an interdisciplinary approach to climate education as students are learning about climate change in ceramics and physical education classes. Making Climate Change Education Accessible and Engaging for YouthOutside of the traditional classroom setting, many environmental organizations, activists, content creators, and informal education institutions like museums or zoos provide opportunities for students to engage in climate education. Collectively, these actors play critical roles as environmental educators who bridge the educational gaps related to climate change and increase climate literacy amongst young people. In an era dominated by digital communication, media serves as a dynamic and influential tool in climate education initiatives. In a survey conducted by the EdWeek Research Center, social media emerged as the third most frequently mentioned source of information on climate change amongst teenagers. Young people consume climate-related media through various social media platforms, like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Environmental educators understand that leveraging various forms of media allows them to create engaging, relatable, and inspiring climate education for today's youth. While leveraging these platforms to educate youth and the wider public on climate change, storytelling remains a central element. Media-driven climate education empowers environmental educators to effectively break down barriers and make climate science more accessible, relatable, and inspiring for youth of all ages. Who is Suzie Hicks?Suzie Hicks is an award-winning filmmaker, author and television host specializing in environmental communication for kids of all ages. Suzie emphasizes the power of children's media and learning communities, connecting youth advocates and educator allies. Their current project includes “Suzie Hicks the Climate Chick,” which started out as a college-produced Studio TV series, then transformed into a preschool teaching persona, a social media account, and now an award-winning children’s pilot. “Suzie Hicks the Climate Chick” aims to educate everyone about the local impacts and solutions of climate change through puppetry, comedy, and music. ResourcesSuzie Hicks Website United Nations, Education is key to addressing climate changeNOAA, What is Climate Science Literacy?Hickman et al., Climate anxiety in children and young people and their beliefs about government responses to climate change: a global survey (The Lancet, 2021)Plutzer et al., Climate Confusion Among U.S. Teachers (Science, 2016)Renee Cho, Climate Education in the U.S.: Where It Stands, and Why It Matters (Columbia Climate School, 2023)Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)Seyma Bayram, New Jersey requires climate change education. A year in, here's how it's going (NPR, 2023).Arianna Prothero, Most Teens Learn About Climate Change From Social Media. Why Schools Should Care (EdWeek, 2023)Cleary Vaughan-Lee, Executive Director of Global Oneness Project, Immersive Storytelling and Climate Change: Fostering the Development of Social-Emotional Learning (UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development)For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/educating-kids-about-climate-change-through-musical-storytelling/

How Climate Change Puts the Agriculture Industry at RiskSince the Industrial Revolution, our soils have lost between twenty and sixty percent of their carbon levels as a result of agricultural practice exacerbated by more common and more extreme droughts and floods resulting from climate change. Farmers have witnessed their crops endure mass devastation as a result of these unprecedented environmental disasters. Hence, the loss of carbon in soil threatens the stability of both the agriculture industry and global food security. Why Does Soil Need Carbon?Stable carbon storage in soil is crucial for healthy soil and supports resistance to climate vulnerability. But how? A 1% increase of carbon in soil equates to a two percent increase in its water-holding capacity, in turn creating more drought-resistant soil that can better weather extreme climate variability. By enhancing its water-holding capacity, as well as nutrient retention rates, stable carbon contributes to both the structure and function of soil. Consequently, soil health and productivity are contingent on soil’s carbon content. By recognizing that stable carbon storage within their soil can lead to more nutrient-dense crops and bigger yields, farmers have a clear economic incentive to seek agricultural solutions that can reduce the current rate of carbon loss their crops are experiencing.The Future of Fungi: Building Resilient Soil EcosystemsBased in Orange, New South Wales, Australian biotech start-up Loam Bio has developed a new way to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it underground. The solution, a microbial fungi-based seed treatment, is far less complex than one might initially think, simply requiring farmers to sprinkle the ground-up dust of fungal spores onto seeds actively used in their planting systems. As crops grow from those seeds, the fungal spores attach themselves to the roots. The tendrils of the fungus then extract the carbon that has been absorbed by the crop it latched onto.Plants, on their own, sequester carbon from the atmosphere—a process crucial to mitigating fossil fuel emissions. The microbial fungal treatment leverages that sequestration by reducing the plants’ natural emissions of carbon. This particular type of microbial fungi, therefore, provides a level of protection against standard plant respiration, thereby reducing the amount of carbon returned to the atmosphere and instead storing it in soil for a longer period than the natural carbon cycle. Loam Bio relies on a cross-disciplinary team ranging from geneticists to mycologists to plant physiologists to carbon methodology experts. For example, the fungi and other organisms involved in the treatment are pre-screened through a genetic selection process that evaluates whether they are safe to introduce to the agricultural landscape and can effectively interact with the herbicides and fertilizers that may be used in crop production. The success of the fungi, however, is ultimately dependent on the soil type and the climatic environment of the respective farm to which it is being applied via seed treatment. Soil Expert SkepticismWhile there is hope within the science community for the potential of the uptake of carbon in soil as a climate solution, some experts remain skeptical of whether the use of microbial fungi in field tests will translate to a meaningful impact on the carbon release of crops on operational farms.  Further testing and monitoring will be required for a full evaluation of the benefits and impacts.  The agriculture industry relies on intensive farming practices that are increasingly worsening soil erosion and overall decreasing the quality of farming soil, including depleting the soil’s carbon content. Loam’s Bio initiative provides one possible pathway to try and reverse this consequence of industrial farming. So far, Loam Bio has had some encouraging results, achieving soil carbon content levels of 6%—far surpassing the US average of 1-4%. This revolutionary treatment has the potential to transform soil into an invaluable carbon sink, even more than it is now.Who Is Our Guest?Tegan Nock is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Loam Bio. A sixth-generation farmer from central west New South Wales, Australia,  Nock combines her agricultural roots with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences from Charles Stuart University. In addition to her work at Loam Bio, Nock produced Grassroots: A Film About a Fungus, showcasing her passion for soil health and climate resilience. Featured in Netflix’s Down to Earth with Zac Efron (Season 2, Episode 8: Eco-Innovators), Tegan shared insights on the seed treatment and the power of fungi to bolster stable carbon content in soil. Further Reading:Loam Bio: Carbon and Soil Health - Loam USSuccessful Farming: Loam Bio brings new carbon opportunities to the U.S.The New York Times: Can Dirt Clean the Climate?Interago: Why biostimulant seed treatments are better for regenerative farming » Interagro (UK) LtdCivil Eats: Fungi Are Helping Farmers Unlock the Secrets of Soil Carbon | Civil Eats For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/how-fungi-is-enhancing-soil-carbon-sequestration-underground-with-tegan-nock/

Real Ice, a UK based start-up, has been on the forefront of exploring the viability of this new technology. Aqua Freezing involves drilling holes through sea ice to pump out the sea water below and refreeze it on the surface. Once the water freezes, it thickens existing ice to the surface. Adding snow insulation in late winter is expected to help ice persist through summer melts, thereby reducing the risk of a "Blue Ocean Event." This solution targets climate change by maintaining Arctic ice cover, which can stabilize local ecosystems and moderate global climate impacts. If the project is successful, it is projected to postpone the loss of ice caps by approximately 17 years for each year this is completed. For every four feet of water pumped onto the surface, it is projected that the ice will cover around 3 feet. The Decline of Arctic Sea IceAs climate change heightens temperatures and alters climatic conditions, summer sea ice in the Arctic is melting rapidly. By the mid 2030s, it is predicted that a “Blue Ocean Event” (or BOE) will occur, meaning that the Arctic Ocean is expected to have less than one million square kilometers of sea ice. This equates to just 15% of the Arctic’s seasonal minimum ice cover of the late 1970s. As ice continues to melt, more of the ocean will be exposed to the sun's rays, thus absorbing more heat and accelerating warming. The Arctic has warmed four times faster than the rest of the world since 1979, largely due to this positive feedback loop known as Arctic amplification. Since the 1980s, the amount of Arctic sea ice has declined by approximately 13% each decade. As the BOE unfolds, it will trigger significant impacts, including droughts, heatwaves, accelerated thawing of terrestrial permafrost (releasing emissions in the process), and sea level rise. The Arctic plays a critical role in climate stabilization by acting as a large reflective surface, helping to cool the planet and maintain a stable global temperature. The BOE is thus a major climatic tipping point with catastrophic global consequences. A new methodology has been proposed to protect and restore Arctic sea ice known as Aqua Freezing. This approach uses renewable energy-powered pumps to distribute seawater on existing Arctic ice, allowing it to refreeze and thicken, helping to maintain climatic stability.The plan aims to target over 386,000 square miles of Arctic sea ice, an area larger than California. The process of refreezing already shows promise in field tests conducted over the past two years in Alaska and Canada. Proponents of refreezing Arctic sea ice believe that this technique would buy the region time while we make the necessary emissions cuts to curb the impacts of climate change. Refreezing ice would also preserve the albedo effect, which reflects sunlight back into space, preventing warming. Although AquaFreezing offers a potential solution to combat Arctic melting, scientists and policymakers doubt whether sea ice can be grown over a long enough period to make a true difference in the climate crisis. Further, the project is quite costly, equating to over 5 trillion dollars and demanding more steel than the US produces in a single year. The project would require 10 million pumps; however, this would only cover 10% of the Arctic Ocean’s roughly 4 million square mile size. To cover the entire area would require 100 million pumps and roughly 100 million tons of steel each year. The US currently produces around 80 to 90 million tons of steel a year, so covering just 10% of Arctic ice would require 13% of US steel production. The production required for the project could lead to immense environmental degradation and added emissions in the process.  About Our GuestSimon Woods, co-founder and Executive Chairperson of Real Ice, is hopeful that this solution will buy the region time while we make the necessary emissions cuts to curb climate change. Real Ice believes this innovative solution can preserve sea ice and thus work to combat climate change. ResourcesArctic News, Blue Ocean EventCNN, A controversial plan to refreeze the Arctic is seeing promising results. But scientists warn of big risksRealIce, Introducing AquaFreezing: Encouraging the natural process of Arctic sea ice generation.Smithsonian Magazine, Arctic Could Be Sea Ice-Free in the Summer by the 2030sSustainability Times, Controversial Arctic Refreezing Plan Shows Promise, but Risks RemainWarp Notes, They are developing a technology to restore sea ice in the ArcticFurther ReadingYoutube, Scientists’ Crazy Plan To Refreeze The ArcticFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/real-ice-with-simon-woods/.