Digest

This podcast features a conversation with Dr. Catherine Heo, a climate scientist and author, who discusses the importance of collective action in tackling climate change. Dr. Heo emphasizes that individual actions, while important, are not enough to create meaningful change. She shares her personal journey into climate science, highlighting her early love for science and her realization of the urgency and inequality of climate change during her undergraduate studies. Dr. Heo discusses the importance of language in climate change communication, emphasizing the need to bridge the gap between people's heads and hearts, and then connect their hearts to their hands. She argues that effective communication can inspire action and create a sense of collective responsibility. Dr. Heo provides practical steps individuals can take to address climate change, including having conversations, joining climate groups, using their voices in their workplaces and communities, making their money count, and engaging with politicians. She explains the origins and purpose of Science Moms, a non-partisan group of climate scientists who are mothers, aiming to provide accessible and reliable information to empower mothers to have conversations about climate change and advocate for a better future for their children. Dr. Heo introduces the Active Man campaign, which focuses on connecting climate change to personal experiences through extreme weather events. She argues that these events are increasingly becoming "acts of man" due to human-induced climate change, and that this understanding can inspire action. Dr. Heo delves into the unequal impacts of climate change on different communities, highlighting the disproportionate effects on pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and low-income neighborhoods. She emphasizes the need to address these inequalities in climate action. Dr. Heo addresses the feeling of hopelessness that can arise when confronting the challenges of climate change. She encourages listeners to take action, one step at a time, and to remember that collective action has been successful in achieving social change in the past. Dr. Heo concludes the episode by emphasizing the importance of every action and every choice in addressing climate change. She encourages listeners to use their voices, join climate action groups, and engage with their elected officials to advocate for a better future.

Outlines

00:00:00

Climate Change: The Urgency of Collective Action

This episode explores the urgency of climate change and the importance of collective action in addressing the issue. Dr. Catherine Heo, a climate scientist and author, shares her personal journey into climate science and discusses the need for effective communication to inspire action and create a sense of shared responsibility.

00:01:46

Practical Steps for Climate Action

Dr. Heo provides practical steps individuals can take to address climate change, including having conversations, joining climate groups, using their voices in their workplaces and communities, making their money count, and engaging with politicians. She also introduces Science Moms, a non-partisan group of climate scientists who are mothers, aiming to empower mothers to advocate for climate action.

00:09:26

The Active Man Campaign and Unequal Impacts

Dr. Heo introduces the Active Man campaign, which connects climate change to personal experiences of extreme weather events. She also delves into the unequal impacts of climate change on different communities, highlighting the disproportionate effects on pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and low-income neighborhoods.

00:32:39

Finding Hope and Inspiration for Climate Action

Dr. Heo addresses the feeling of hopelessness that can arise when confronting the challenges of climate change. She encourages listeners to take action, one step at a time, and to remember that collective action has been successful in achieving social change in the past.

00:43:01

Every Action Matters: A Call to Collective Action

Dr. Heo concludes the episode by emphasizing the importance of every action and every choice in addressing climate change. She encourages listeners to use their voices, join climate action groups, and engage with their elected officials to advocate for a better future.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some practical steps individuals can take to address climate change?

  Dr. Heo suggests having conversations about climate change, joining climate groups, using your voice in your workplace and community, making your money count by supporting sustainable businesses, and engaging with politicians at all levels.

• Why is it important to talk about climate change?

  Dr. Heo emphasizes that communication is essential for collective action. By bridging the gap between people's heads and hearts, and then connecting their hearts to their hands, we can inspire action and create a sense of shared responsibility.

• What is the Active Man campaign, and how can people get involved?

  The Active Man campaign aims to connect climate change to personal experiences of extreme weather events. People can get involved by sharing their own stories, advocating for climate action in their communities, and supporting organizations working to address climate change.

• How does climate change disproportionately affect different communities?

  Dr. Heo highlights the unequal impacts of climate change, particularly on pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and low-income neighborhoods. These communities often face greater exposure to pollution, heat, and extreme weather events, exacerbating existing inequalities.

• What can we do to feel hopeful and inspired to take action on climate change?

  Dr. Heo encourages listeners to remember that collective action has been successful in achieving social change in the past. By taking one step at a time and working together, we can create a better future.

Show Notes