Host Matt Matern interviews sustainability podcaster Cecilia Rios about her climate journey, education, and career, exploring environmental leadership, podcasting, and inspiring young people to engage in climate action.

Satellites and AI are changing how we protect the ocean - and exposing polluters who once operated in the dark. Nick Wise explains how space-based technology is tracking illegal fishing, cutting emissions, and reshaping the future of ocean conservation.

Today, Matt Matern speaks with Cora Stryker, co-founder of BrightSaver, about expanding access to clean energy through plug-in “balcony solar.” Cora shares her personal journey from tropical biology and nonprofit leadership to climate entrepreneurship, emphasizing equity, affordability, and empowerment. She also discusses how small, modular solar systems can bypass regulatory barriers, lower electricity bills, and accelerate clean energy adoption even as federal support wanes.   To learn more about Cora’s work, visit www.brightsaver.org 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. Cora’s Bio: Cora Stryker has a proven track record of leading social mission-driven organizations including the two organizations she founded, Climate Justice Incubator and GirlBlazer. Key priorities for her are building win-win strategic partnerships to drive measurable impact, investing in growth strategies to scale impact, and fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive organizational culture.   Episode Resources Cora’s website: https://www.brightsaver.org  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.

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.

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.

In this episode, Matt and climate researcher Stephen Lezak discuss the dangers of rapid Arctic warming, the flaws in Bill Gates’s recent essay downplaying climate existential risk, and the injustice baked into who suffers most from climate impacts. Lezak explains why extreme “end-of-civilization” framing can backfire, emphasizing instead the unequal burdens on poor and Indigenous communities. They also explore Arctic sea-ice collapse, long-term climate uncertainty, and needed reforms in California’s carbon offset system.

What Congress Knew in 1969: The Untold History of Climate Warnings and Why the EPA Endangerment Finding Is Essential

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.

Fact: According to an IRENA report on Reuters from mid-July, over 90% of new renewable projects are now cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives. Solar is 41% cheaper, and onshore wind is 53% cheaper than fossil fuel energy. The consumers are speaking up, and market dynamics are pushing the growth of renewables.

Every single person, regardless of vocation, can be a climate activist. Just ask Andrew Zimmern - world renowned chef, James Beard awardee and Emmy-winning TV personality, who’s now leading the fight for ocean health.

Fact: According to a December 2024 report by WRI, 75% of greenhouse gases and 90% of CO2 emissions are linked to extracting and burning fossil fuels. While sustainability measures like emission control and renewables focus on the demand side of the equation, the real high-impact change lies in measures to control the supply side.

Two birds, one stone is always a good approach, isn’t it? Especially when it comes to climate action. So, what if cities could tackle climate change while building more equitable communities?

In today’s bonus episode, Matt is joined by comedian and writer Bill Kessler, to take a lighter look at President Trump’s infamous UN speech from last week.

While corporate companies chase returns and profits, there are those few who chase sustainability, and even fewer who get it right. In this episode, we sit down with Alexia Kelly, Managing Director of the High Tide Foundation and former Netflix sustainability executive, to explore the complex world of greenhouse gas accounting and carbon credits.

There’s a spectrum of ways to fight against climate change and smart, intentional business lies right in the middle of that spectrum. Joel Makower, Chairman of Trellis Group and a pioneering figure in green business practices takes us behind the scenes of the economics of climate action in this revealing episode of A Climate Change.

Film and writing have forever inspired change, pushing the masses into action. This applies to climate action, too.

When it comes to climate action, the West’s solutions are falling short by a mile; thousands of miles. It’s indigenous communities that have the knowledge to unlock the secret to successful climate action.

In this episode of A Climate Change with Matt Matern, a panel of leading climate attorneys and advocates unpacks the Trump administration’s attempt to repeal the EPA’s Endangerment Finding - the legal cornerstone of federal climate regulation. They explain its scientific and legal foundations, the risks to public health, the economy, and U.S. climate leadership if overturned, and the importance of public engagement in defending it. The discussion highlights legal battles ahead, grassroots action, and why this fight shapes America’s climate future.

In the fight against clean energy, who really wins? Trump supporters may think it’s them, but this episode of A Climate Change reveals another story altogether. In this eye-opening conversation with Rob Verchick, environmental law professor and former EPA deputy administrator, we explore critical developments in ocean conservation, renewable energy challenges, and climate resilience.

In this critical episode of Climate Change with Matt Mattern, we dissect Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" and its far-reaching implications for America's climate future. We’re joined by a powerhouse panel featuring climate economist Dr. Gernot Wagner, policy expert Lucero Marquez, and clean energy reporter Dan Gearino to explore how this legislation threatens renewable energy projects, environmental protections, and public health. Whether you're concerned about rising energy costs, environmental justice, or climate policy, this discussion reveals the economic and health impacts of rolling back clean energy progress while offering insights into how communities can mobilize to protect climate action gains. 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