The We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions

Uncover the intricate connections between geology and climate change with geologist and astronomer Tim Martin. Tim, a seasoned instructor at Elon University and naturalist with National Geographic, shares insights from his Arctic expeditions and his extensive research into Earth's geological past.Growing up with a passion for the outdoors and a curiosity about the natural world, Tim’s lifelong commitment to environmental education shines through as he discusses the vital role of geologists in understanding climate change. Tim's dual career as a scientist and artist enriches his approach to teaching and communicating about climate change. His work emphasizes how geological evidence from millions of years helps us comprehend and address the rapid environmental changes we face today. Tim explains the science of paleoclimatology and its importance in predicting future climate scenarios.Tim explains the significant financial implications of ignoring climate change, emphasizing that the costs of inaction far outweigh the investments required for sustainable solutions. The episode paints a vivid picture of the economic, environmental, and social stakes involved in global climate dynamics. Tim also illustrates the critical role of interdisciplinary research and public participation in shaping our response to environmental challenges.HighlightsThe science of paleoclimatology and its relevance to modern climate issues (00:02:13)Discussion on the rapid pace of climate change and its economic implications (00:07:01)The importance of combining various scientific disciplines to address climate challenges (00:13:11)How individuals can contribute to climate science through citizen science initiatives (00:20:28)Personal observations and their impact on understanding and combating climate change (00:24:13)Educational Wrap Up & Quiz to reinforce the episode's themes (00:29:26)Resources MentionedNational Geographic Resolution (website link)Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) (website link)Connect with us!Subscribe to We the Children on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/wethechildrenpodcast) and Instagram (@we_the_children_podcast). Also, please visit our website (wethechildrenpodcast.com) and leave us a voice message or email if you want to stay in touch or engage with episode questions!

Join Zach and environmental advocate Philippe Cousteau in a captivating discussion on the urgent role of ocean restoration and the power of youth activism in environmental conservation. Philippe shares innovative techniques for coral restoration that have transitioned from experimental stages to significant global projects aimed at rebuilding healthy marine ecosystems. Zach and Philippe also talk about the pervasive issue of plastic pollution, discussing both its catastrophic impacts on marine and human life and the solutions that organizations like EarthEcho are spearheading to mitigate these effects.Philippe Cousteau dives into how his family legacy continues to inspire his environmental advocacy, particularly in empowering the next generation. He highlights initiatives such as the OurEcho Challenge, which encourages youth to explore and address biodiversity concerns within their communities, fostering a proactive approach to environmental stewardship. This episode not only illuminates the environmental challenges we face but also celebrates the promising efforts led by young people worldwide, underlining the profound belief that the younger generation holds the key to sustainable solutions.Philippe emphasize the importance of education and active participation in environmental issues. Philippe's stories and strategies offer a roadmap for listeners who are eager to make an impact, advocating for a united approach where clean air, clean water, and a healthy ocean are seen as fundamental and unifying global priorities.Listeners are encouraged to join the ongoing conversation about ocean preservation and youth activism by following the podcast on social media platforms and participating in community-focused environmental initiatives. This episode serves as a compelling reminder that while the challenges are significant, the opportunities for making a difference are immense.HighlightsPhilippe discusses the origins of coral restoration technology and its impact on ocean health (01:30)Discussion on the pervasive problem of plastic in our oceans and innovative responses to this global crisis (15:45)How the OurEcho Challenge is engaging young people in environmental science and stewardship (30:00)Philippe reflects on his grandfather Jacques Cousteau’s legacy and its influence on his life and work (45:20)Strategies for effective environmental communication and the critical role of education in fostering a sustainable future (58:40)Resources Mentioned- EarthEcho International (website link)- OurEcho Challenge (website link)Connect with us!Subscribe to We the Children on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/wethechildrenpodcast) and Instagram (@we_the_children_podcast). Also, please visit our website (wethechildrenpodcast.com) and leave us a voice message or email if you want to stay in touch or engage with episode questions!

Dive into the mesmerizing world beneath the waves with Molly Timmers, a marine ecologist whose lifelong passion for the ocean has taken her on an extraordinary journey all around the globe.Growing up with a deep appreciation for nature, Molly's fascination with the ocean led her to pursue a career dedicated to marine research and conservation. From her formative experiences as a marine debris removal technician scuba diving in the pristine waters of Hawaii to her current role as a marine ecologist for the National Geographic Society's Pristine Seas program, Molly's commitment to protecting our oceans is evident in every aspect of her work.In this episode, Molly refelcts on the beauty and fragility of marine life. Drawing from her extensive fieldwork and research, she offers insights into the challenges facing coral reefs, the profound impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems, and the pressing need for innovative conservation strategies to safeguard our oceans for generations to come.Listen along with your friends, parents, and teachers as Molly delves into the intricacies of marine ecology, illuminating the wonders of the underwater world while underscoring the critical importance of collective action in preserving our planet's most precious resource – the ocean.Highlights:An underwater world (03:41)How Molly’s work with coral reefs began (05:50)What are coral reefs exactly? (07:21)Understanding organisms through eDNA (08:55)The role do coral reefs play in our global ecosystem  (13:52)What happens as the ocean's temperature warms? (17:35)How no-take zones protect coral reefs (23:37)Wrap Up & Quiz! (28:59)Links:Website: Nat Geo Pristine Sea's ProgramConnect with us!Subscribe to We the Children on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/wethechildrenpodcast) and Instagram (@we_the_children_podcast). Also, please visit our website (wethechildrenpodcast.com) and leave us a voice message or email if you want to stay in touch or engage with episode questions!

Today we revisit my conversation with Dr. Heïdi Severstre! Dr. Sevestre is a glaciologist. She is a top science communicator, educator and leads expeditions to cold places every year. Her studies have taken her around the world, but now she dedicates her time to science policy, outreach and research.In this interview, Dr. Sevestre explains how glaciers melting directly affects us all in two ways. The first is that glaciers hold 70% of freshwater reservoirs, which is what we use for everyday water usage. Secondly, when glaciers melt, the sea levels around the world rise. If all the glaciers in the world were to disappear, it would increase sea levels globally by 65 meters or 280 feet. This is important because there are 70 million people living between 0 and 30 feet of elevation. When the ice melts, people will have to adapt and move somewhere else. In order to combat this, we need to burn fewer fossil fuels. The more we burn fossil fuels like coal, gas, etc., the more the planet keeps the heat in and prevents it from going back into space. Our planet keeps getting warmer and has increased by 1.1 degrees Celsius since the pre-industrial revolution. This sounds like a tiny temperature increase, but a 1 degree temperature increase will continually get worse. NASA predicts that if we don’t make changes around the world, the global temperature is on track to rise by 4.5 degrees celsius in 2100.The key to tackling the climate crisis is to stop using fossil fuels as much as we are today. She suggests educating people on these issues and to calculate your own carbon footprint and water consumption. If everyone makes these slow solutions and shares these solutions with positivity and excitement, we can keep fighting to reduce the carbon footprint and stabilize our planet’s temperature.Website: Dr. Heïdi SeverstreInstagram: @heidisevestreConnect with us!Subscribe to We the Children on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/wethechildrenpodcast) and Instagram (@we_the_children_podcast). Also, please visit our website (wethechildrenpodcast.com) and leave us a voice message or email if you want to stay in touch or engage with episode questions!

Summary:For the most arid areas of our planet, water conservation and wildfires have always been hot topics. Climate change and a warming planet, however, have escalated this important conversation. It is now more necessary than ever to understand the impacts climate change will have on our water supply and weather, and come up with strategies to address them.Having grown up in Arizona, one of the driest places in the United States, our guest this episode hasn't just learned about the importance of water conservation—she's lived it! Dr. Faith Kearns is a scientist and science communication practitioner who writes, works on, and talks about water, wildfire, and climate change issues in the southwestern United States. Author of the award-winning book Getting to the Heart of Science Communication, her work has been published in New Republic, On Being, Bay Nature, and more. Dr. Kearns is also co-host of the podcast "Water Talk."In this episode, we'll learn about the interconnectedness of water conservation and wildfires, and explore the effects climate change is having on both. We'll also explore the concept of "eco emotions" and how to communicate about climate change effectively and compassionately.Listen along with your friends, parents, and teachers as we share discussion questions and helpful definitions…there’s even a quiz at the end of the episode to practice what you learned. Now, let's all take a deep breath and plunge into the world of water conservation with Dr. Faith Kearns!Highlights:Dr. Kearns' childhood experience with wildfire (03:00)How are water conservation, drought, and wildfires connected? (07:12)Water's importance for humans and agriculture (09:35)What is science communication? (18:21)"Eco emotions" and climate-related anxiety in young people (21:15)Creative solutions to address drought and water conservation (24:34)How can individuals promote water conservation locally? (28:48)Wrap Up & Quiz! (30:24)Links:Website: Dr. Faith KearnsBook: Getting to the Heart of Science Communication by Faith KearnsBook: All the Feelings Under the Sun by Leslie DavenportPodcast: Water TalkConnect with us!Subscribe to We the Children on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/wethechildrenpodcast) and Instagram (@we_the_children_podcast). Also, please visit our website (wethechildrenpodcast.com) and leave us a voice message or email if you want to stay in touch or engage with episode questions!

Summary:Bees and other pollinators have an important role to play in our planet's ecosystems. As they travel flower to flower collecting pollen, not only are they feeding themselves, but they're feeding us as well. By helping plants reproduce, bees ensure we have an abundance of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts that fuel our food chains. But that's not all...the honey bees make serves as both a sweet treat and a medicine.Bees take care of us, and in return we need to take care of them. Human activities and climate change are having a negative impact on bee populations globally, so our guest this episode, interdisciplinarian and beekeeper Melanie Kirby, is here to teach us all about bees and what we can do to help them thrive.Melanie is the co-founder of Zia Queenbees farm, which specializes in breeding regionally-adaptive bees. A Fulbright-NatGeo Storytelling Fellow, and a Grist 50 Climate Fixer with a graduate degree in Entomology, she advocates for broadening the narrative of marginalized farmers and communities as a mestiza of mixed Indigenous ancestry. Melanie collaborates across cultures and landscapes promoting whole system approaches to pollinator conservation with diverse communities and is a writer, researcher, artist, and mom. In this episode, we'll learn about different bee species and their habits, the impact of climate change on bees, and what we can do to support the health of local bee populations.Listen along with your friends, parents, and teachers as we share discussion questions and helpful definitions…there’s even a quiz at the end of the episode to practice what you learned. So, join Zach as We the Children gets the latest buzz on bees from Melanie Kirby!Highlights:Melanie's introduction to beekeeping (03:09)The importance of bees and pollinators in ecosystems (03:34)How Melanie connects culture and beekeeping (09:00)Bee types and traits (10:53)How health and habits (16:46)Impact of climate change on bees (23:45)How we can protect bees (26:01)Lessons we can learn from bees (31:22)Wrap Up & Quiz! (32:52)Links:Website: Zia Queenbees Farm & Field InstituteLinkedIn: Melanie KirbyInstagram: @nectarnomadBee City USAConnect with us!Subscribe to We the Children on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/wethechildrenpodcast) and Instagram (@we_the_children_podcast). Also, please visit our website (wethechildrenpodcast.com) and leave us a voice message or email if you want to stay in touch or engage with episode questions!

Summary:Polar bears have been a symbol of climate change for a long time—and for good reason. Their icy home in the Arctic is warming much faster than the rest of the planet, affecting the habits and lifestyle of polar bears and other Arctic residents in a big way. With these changes come new challenges for both polar bears and people alike.This week, we meet one of the experts leading the charge to help polar bears, humans, and other Arctic wildlife navigate these changes—World Wildlife Fund's Elisabeth Kruger.As WWF’s Manager of Arctic Wildlife, Elisabeth Kruger works at the forefront of conservation, mitigating threats to the marine wildlife of Alaska. Over the last 13 years, Elisabeth has worked with WWF to help polar bears and other Arctic marine mammal populations thrive alongside people in what’s becoming an increasingly warmer and ice-free Arctic.In this episode, we'll learn about the unique characteristics that make polar bears well suited to the extreme climate of the Arctic, find out how climate change is affecting polar bears' habits and creating conflict with their human neighbors, and discover the vital importance of Arctic conservation efforts.Listen along with your friends, parents, and teachers as we share discussion questions and helpful definitions…there’s even a quiz at the end of the episode where you can show off what you've learned! So, join Zach as We the Children visits the icy Arctic to learn about Arctic conservation and polar bears with Elisabeth Kruger!Highlights:Elisabeth on the challenges and beauty of living in extreme environments (03:17)How is climate change uniquely impacting the Arctic and creating challenges for polar bears? (04:24)Elisabeth's memorable polar bear encounter (08:33)Polar bear adaptations and characteristics (10:47)Local Weather Report! (16:23)Global polar bear conservation efforts (17:56)Why is it difficult to estimate polar bear populations? (22:44)How has climate change increased the potential for conflicts between humans and polar bears? (26:11)Indigenous knowledge and arctic food security (28:04)Wrap Up & Quiz! (31:47)Links:Guest Bio: WWF WebsiteLinkedIn: Elisabeth KrugerWWF Wild Classroom: Polar Bear Curriculum Connect with us!Subscribe to We the Children on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/wethechildrenpodcast) and Instagram (@we_the_children_podcast). Also, please visit our website (wethechildrenpodcast.com) and leave us a voice message or email if you want to stay in touch or engage with episode questions!

When we think about protecting our environment for future generations, the job at hand seems really big. Huge, even. But what if the solutions to these problems start with actions that seem kind of small? What if parents and teachers start getting kids engaged with the natural environment in their own communities from a young age?This week, we meet Laetania Belai Djandam, a 22 year-old Indonesian Indigenous environmental activist. She was raised to care for her local landscape and people, with the understanding that if similar dedication was applied by everyone around the world, the Earth would be in a much better state.A member of the Dayak tribe, her main focus areas are Indigenous land rights, climate justice, and climate intersectionality. A 2023 University of Sheffield graduate, she earned a Bachelor of Medical Sciences, Health and Human Sciences, and has worked for organizations like Healthcare Without Harm to create a more equitable and sustainable world through planetary health. She believes that young people are creating positive change in the world and that right here, right now, powerful people are listening to what youth are saying about how we use and misuse our natural resources. In this episode, we’ll cover all of that, plus lessons about why Indigenous land rights are so significant, how to detect “youth washing,” and why connecting with your own community is crucial in securing support for climate advocacy. Belai shares her own journey with us and offers empowering advice to anyone feeling too small to make a big difference.Listen along with your friends, parents, and teachers as we share discussion questions and helpful definitions…there’s even a quiz at the end of the episode to practice what you learned. Highlights:Learning about Belai’s homeland and Dayak heritage (2:29)How to increase climate curriculum in schools (9:44)Local Weather Report: Bogor, Indonesia (12:35)Why indigenous land rights are such an important issue (13:43)What is climate intersectionality? (20:18)Youth empowerment but also “youth washing” (24:57)Climate advocacy career advice (29:30)Links:Belai on LinkedInBelai on InstagramArticle: Why This Youth Climate Activist Insists on the Importance of JoyConnect with us!Subscribe to We the Children on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/wethechildrenpodcast) and Instagram (@we_the_children_podcast). Also, please visit our website (wethechildrenpodcast.com) and leave us a voice message or email if you want to stay in touch or engage with episode questions!