A Climate Change with Matt Matern

• 219. Kelly Bills’ Plan to Save Pollinators Worldwide

  Pollinators are declining fast - here’s why it matters. This week, Matt speaks with Kelly Bills, Executive Director of Pollinator Partnership, who explains why pollinators are critical to global food systems and ecosystem health. She discusses declining bee and insect populations, the role of climate change in habitat loss and disrupted plant–pollinator timing, and how agriculture, communities, and corporations can help reverse these trends. Kelly also shares successful conservation initiatives, including Bee Friendly Farming and large-scale habitat restoration projects, along with practical steps individuals can take to support pollinators.   To get involved with Kelly’s organization, visit https://www.pollinator.org   Also check out some of their studies below: The Basics: Climate Change and Pollinators https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator.org/assets/generalFiles/Climate-Change-and-Pollinators-Flyer-2023.pdf Published study: Untangling the Complexity of Climate Change Effects on Plant Reproductive Traits and Pollinators: A Systematic Global Synthesis https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.70081 Executive Summary 2-pager (with the published study) https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator.org/assets/generalFiles/NAPPC-climate-change-overview_english.pdf    Want to boast to your friends about trees named after you? Help us plant 30k trees? Only a few trees left! Visit aclimatechange.com/trees to learn more Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts. Kelly Bills Bio: Kelly Bills has been dedicated to pollinator conservation for over a decade. Her focus is on large-scale habitat projects, plant-pollinator interactions, and agricultural and industry engagement. Kelly holds an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in Anthropology from the University of California at Santa Cruz. She has also received a Master’s of Science in Environmental Management (Ecology Concentration) from the University of San Francisco. Her background in ecology, conservation, and culture has propelled her career in the non-profit sector. Kelly is Executive Director of the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC), is on the Board of Directors of Pollinator Partnership Canada, is a member of the USDA NAREEE Pollinator Subcommittee, and serves on the EPA Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee. Episode Resources Pollinator website: https://www.pollinator.org/ ACC on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast ACC on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast ACC on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids More About A Climate Change with Matt Matern A Climate Change with Matt Matern is a podcast dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of climate change while inspiring action and fostering a sustainable future. Each episode dives deep into the environmental challenges of our time, rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and resource degradation, breaking down complex topics into digestible insights. The podcast goes beyond merely raising awareness. It serves as a trusted resource for practical, actionable solutions that empower listeners to reduce their carbon footprint and drive change in their communities. With a strong focus on environmental science and expert perspectives, host Matt Matern brings influential voices to the forefront, highlighting innovative ideas and collaborative efforts shaping global sustainability initiatives. More than just a source of information, A Climate Change is a movement. It builds a coalition of like-minded individuals committed to preserving the planet for future generations. Listeners are invited to participate actively in creating a legacy of positive environmental impact through informed decision-making and collective action. The podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, provides a platform for science-backed discussions, global perspectives, and community building. Whether you want to learn about renewable energy, sustainable living practices, or climate policy, A Climate Change with Matt Matern equips you with the tools and knowledge to make a tangible difference. Tune in, take action, and join the fight for a brighter, greener future. Curated List of Episodes If you enjoyed this episode of A Climate Change, here is a list of some recent episodes curated especially for you: Simulating the Future: How Climate Models Shape Policy Decisions with Andrew Jones [Link] How Personal Change Sparks Global Impact: Joshua Spodek's Sustainability Secrets [Link] Bill McKibben on Renewable Energy, Political Battles & Hope for the Planet [Link]  

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• 218: The Green Girl Changing Climate Activism with Leah Thomas

  Leah Thomas (aka Green Girl Leah) is an award-winning environmentalist, writer, and founder of the Intersectional Environmentalist nonprofit. She hosts the new season of As She Rises and writes the newsletter Earth Anxious. Leah also created an eco-friendly holiday guide to help people shop sustainably. A leading voice in climate justice, she blends storytelling, activism, and accessible environmental education.) discusses her path into environmentalism, shaped by her Midwest upbringing and emerging racial justice movements. She explains how equity issues inspired her to develop Intersectional Environmentalism - a framework that links environmental protection with social justice - and launch related nonprofit work.  Leah produced and hosted the new season of the podcast As She Rises – which explores rewilding and land-led restoration through local poets and activists.    As She Rises is available wherever you get podcasts. https://bit.ly/4pJLD1Y Want to boast to your friends about trees named after you? Help us plant 30k trees? Only a few trees left! Visit aclimatechange.com/trees to learn more   Leah Thomas Bio: Leah Thomas (aka Green Girl Leah) is an award-winning environmentalist, writer, and founder of the Intersectional Environmentalist nonprofit. She hosts the new season of As She Rises and writes the newsletter Earth Anxious. Leah also created an eco-friendly holiday guide to help people shop sustainably. A leading voice in climate justice, she blends storytelling, activism, and accessible environmental education.   Episode Resources Leah’s website: https://www.leahthomas.com  Follow us on Linkedin on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ACClinkedin A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids More About A Climate Change with Matt Matern A Climate Change with Matt Matern is a podcast dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of climate change while inspiring action and fostering a sustainable future. Each episode dives deep into the environmental challenges of our time, rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and resource degradation, breaking down complex topics into digestible insights. The podcast goes beyond merely raising awareness. It serves as a trusted resource for practical, actionable solutions that empower listeners to reduce their carbon footprint and drive change in their communities. With a strong focus on environmental science and expert perspectives, host Matt Matern brings influential voices to the forefront, highlighting innovative ideas and collaborative efforts shaping global sustainability initiatives. More than just a source of information, A Climate Change is a movement. It builds a coalition of like-minded individuals committed to preserving the planet for future generations. Listeners are invited to participate actively in creating a legacy of positive environmental impact through informed decision-making and collective action. The podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, provides a platform for science-backed discussions, global perspectives, and community building. Whether you want to learn about renewable energy, sustainable living practices, or climate policy, A Climate Change with Matt Matern equips you with the tools and knowledge to make a tangible difference. Tune in, take action, and join the fight for a brighter, greener future.     Curated List of Episodes If you enjoyed this episode of A Climate Change, here is a list of some recent episodes curated especially for you: Simulating the Future: How Climate Models Shape Policy Decisions with Andrew Jones [Link] How Personal Change Sparks Global Impact: Joshua Spodek's Sustainability Secrets [Link] Bill McKibben on Renewable Energy, Political Battles & Hope for the Planet [Link]  

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• 217: Stephen Lezak Challenges Bill Gates’s Climate Argument

  In this episode, Matt speaks with climate writer and researcher Stephen Lezak about Bill Gates’s recent essay arguing that climate change is serious but will not lead to humanity’s demise and that global policy should focus more on poverty and disease. Lezak explains why he challenged that framing in his New York Times op-ed, noting that Gates downplays risks like runaway warming and ignores how climate harms fall disproportionately on poor and Indigenous communities. They discuss the dangers of overstating or understating existential risk, the accelerating possibility of an ice-free Arctic summer, and the need for more just, effective climate policy. Read Bill Gates’ essay here: https://bit.ly/4rlaU4g Read Stephen’s New York Times op-ed here: https://bit.ly/4p789Ca Want to boast to your friends about trees named after you? Help us plant 30k trees? Only a few trees left! Visit aclimatechange.com/trees to learn more Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts. Stephen’s Bio: Stephen Lezak is a Research Fellow at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy and a former Gates Cambridge Scholar with a PhD in Polar Studies. An IPCC expert reviewer, he writes widely on climate justice, Indigenous adaptation, and carbon finance, including recent op-eds in The New York Times, The Hill, and The Conversation. Episode Resources Stephen’s website: https://www.stephenlezak.com/ Stephen’s on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenlezak/ Matt Matern on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ACClinkedin A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids More About A Climate Change with Matt Matern A Climate Change with Matt Matern is a podcast dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of climate change while inspiring action and fostering a sustainable future. Each episode dives deep into the environmental challenges of our time, rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and resource degradation, breaking down complex topics into digestible insights. The podcast goes beyond merely raising awareness. It serves as a trusted resource for practical, actionable solutions that empower listeners to reduce their carbon footprint and drive change in their communities. With a strong focus on environmental science and expert perspectives, host Matt Matern brings influential voices to the forefront, highlighting innovative ideas and collaborative efforts shaping global sustainability initiatives. More than just a source of information, A Climate Change is a movement. It builds a coalition of like-minded individuals committed to preserving the planet for future generations. Listeners are invited to participate actively in creating a legacy of positive environmental impact through informed decision-making and collective action. The podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, provides a platform for science-backed discussions, global perspectives, and community building. Whether you want to learn about renewable energy, sustainable living practices, or climate policy, A Climate Change with Matt Matern equips you with the tools and knowledge to make a tangible difference. Tune in, take action, and join the fight for a brighter, greener future.

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• 216: The Endangerment Battle and Why Climate Science Still Matters with Naomi Oreskes

  Matt speaks with Harvard historian of science Naomi Oreskes about the long-standing scientific consensus on climate change and the political forces undermining it. Oreskes explains how Congress understood climate risks as early as the 1960s, why the EPA’s endangerment finding remains crucial, and how powerful interests have attacked science as climate change shifted from prediction to observable reality. The conversation highlights threats to academic freedom and the growing political pressure on universities. Episode Resources Naomi Oreskes on Linkedin The Big Myth: How American Business Taught Us to Loathe Government and Love the Free Market on Amazon Matt Matern on LinkedIn A Climate Change on Apple A Climate Change on Spotify A Climate Change on YouTube Want to boast to your friends about trees named after you? Help us plant 30k trees? Only a few trees left! Visit aclimatechange.com/trees to learn more Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.   Guest Bio: Naomi Oreskes is a world-renowned historian of science, author, and Harvard University professor whose work has shaped global understanding of climate change and climate denial. With groundbreaking research on how scientific consensus forms—and how powerful interests attempt to undermine it—Oreskes has become one of the most influential voices defending science in the public sphere. She is the author of several acclaimed books, including Merchants of Doubt and The Big Myth, and her writing has appeared in major scientific journals and international publications. Oreskes frequently testifies before lawmakers, contributes to climate policy debates, and speaks worldwide about the urgent need to protect both the planet and the integrity of science itself.

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• 215: Inside the News Cycle: Comedy, Policy, and Real-World Climate Choices with Bill Kessler

  In this week’s episode of  A Climate Change, host Matt Mattern welcomes comedian and writer Bill Kessler for a spirited, no-filter take on the intersection of climate politics, policy, and everyday life. Blending wit with insight, they dissect the week’s environmental headlines, from viral AI spectacles to the deeper economic and moral choices shaping our planet’s future.   Matt and Bill unpack the $700 million clean energy project cancellations, exploring what that means for America’s battery manufacturing, job creation, and energy independence. They examine the lawsuits around Cancer Alley, where weakened EPA air pollution standards are hitting vulnerable communities hardest, and talk about the human cost behind those policy shifts.   From public transport funding shortfalls to the environmental price of ultra-processed foods, the conversation connects personal choices with systemic change and lands on practical optimism. Bill’s closing thought? Go buy a two-year-old electric vehicle; it’s smart economics and smart for the planet.   It’s a grounded, funny, and thought-provoking exchange that reminds us that humour and hope still belong in the climate conversation.   Want to boast to your friends about trees named after you? Help us plant 30k trees? Only a few trees left! Visit aclimatechange.com/trees to learn more. Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts. Watch the full conversation:  https://www.youtube.com/@aclimatechange/?sub_confirmation=1   Bill Kessler Bio Bill Kessler is a seasoned comedian, writer, and producer known for his sharp observational humour and cultural commentary. His television credits include Hollywood Squares and Funny You Should Ask, where his quick wit and smart satire earned him recognition for blending comedy with social insight. With a career spanning stand-up, television, and content development, Kessler’s work reflects a distinctive ability to dissect everyday absurdities with intelligence and humour, making him a respected voice in contemporary American comedy.   Episode Resources Bill Kessler on LinkedIn  Matt Matern on LinkedIn A Climate Change on Apple A Climate Change on Spotify A Climate Change on YouTube    More About A Climate Change with Matt Matern A Climate Change with Matt Matern is a podcast dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of climate change while inspiring action and fostering a sustainable future. Each episode dives deep into the environmental challenges of our time, rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and resource degradation, breaking down complex topics into digestible insights. The podcast goes beyond merely raising awareness. It serves as a trusted resource for practical, actionable solutions that empower listeners to reduce their carbon footprint and drive change in their communities. With a strong focus on environmental science and expert perspectives, host Matt Matern brings influential voices to the forefront, highlighting innovative ideas and collaborative efforts shaping global sustainability initiatives. More than just a source of information, A Climate Change is a movement. It builds a coalition of like-minded individuals committed to preserving the planet for future generations. Listeners are invited to participate actively in creating a legacy of positive environmental impact through informed decision-making and collective action. The podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, provides a platform for science-backed discussions, global perspectives, and community building. Whether you want to learn about renewable energy, sustainable living practices, or climate policy, A Climate Change with Matt Matern equips you with the tools and knowledge to make a tangible difference. Tune in, take action, and join the fight for a brighter, greener future.   Curated List of Episodes If you enjoyed this episode of A Climate Change, here is a list of some recent episodes curated especially for you: Simulating the Future: How Climate Models Shape Policy Decisions with Andrew Jones [Link] How Personal Change Sparks Global Impact: Joshua Spodek's Sustainability Secrets [Link] Bill McKibben on Renewable Energy, Political Battles & Hope for the Planet [Link]

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