In episode 82 of America Adapts , host Doug Parsons interviews Signe Nielsen , a landscape architect based in New York City. Signe has been working on projects in NYC for decades and we discuss how climate change adaptation is being addressed in the city. We discuss the impact of Superstorm Sandy and the challenges of keeping people safe and ensuring the people of New York are not cut off from the coasts by rising seas and rising sea walls. We also talk about managed retreat, rethinking ecologic...
Jan 28, 2019•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 82
Subscribe to America Adapts, text “adapters” to 31996! In episode 81 of America Adapts - the third in a 4-part flooding series sponsored by World Wildlife Fund - Doug Parsons attends the Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBF) Symposium in Santa Cruz, California. The Symposium was hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineering, with disaster and flooding experts participating from all over the world. Doug and Anita Van Breda, of World Wildlife Fund, interviewed these experts on topics ranging fro...
Jan 14, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 81
In episode 80 of America Adapts, Doug Parson joins World Wildlife Fund’s Shaun Martin to take a behind the scenes look at how WWF is adapting conservation to the new realities of climate change and helping governments prepare for the future in ways that ensure a place for nature. During this 8-month journey, Doug follows how WWF is developing a simple process to integrate climate change risks into its strategies and documents the challenges and triumphs they face along the way. This episode feat...
Dec 18, 2018•1 hr 53 min•Ep. 80
Subscribe to America Adapts, text “adapters” to 31996! In episode 79 of America Adapts , we’re celebrating the third annual Holiday Special. Professor Ladd Keith of the University of Arizona and Shaun Martin , of World Wildlife Fund, join Doug in person at “Rancho Adapto” to discuss each of their top 3 climate stories of the year; their favorite America Adapts episode for the past year and the state of adaptation. It’s a lively and entertaining conversation with three adaptation pros! Bonus sect...
Dec 14, 2018•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 79
Subscribe to America Adapts, text “adapters” to 31996! In episode 78 of America Adapts - the second in a 4-part flooding series sponsored by World Wildlife Fund - Doug Parsons talks with three experts using art to communicate the risks associated with flooding. Catherine Sarah Young , Dr. Elizabeth Miller and Dr. Vidya Venkataramanan join the podcast to discuss their experiences using art and design for community engagement and how that can be relevant to flood managers. Donate to America Adapts...
Nov 19, 2018•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 78
In episode 77 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons is joined by author and professor, Elizabeth Rush . Elizabeth discusses her recent book, Rising : Dispatches from the New American Shore. Doug and Elizabeth dig in to the positive reaction it’s received, her book tour, and they take a deep dive on how vulnerability to climate change relates to the #MeToo movement. It’s a provocative and enlightening conversation. And we have a bit of fun too. Donate to America Adapts To Subscribe to the America Adap...
Nov 09, 2018•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 77
In episode 76 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons takes a journey to Queensland, Australia to learn how Natural Resource Management (NRM) bodies are adapting to climate change. Learn how these unique organizations are engaging with their rural communities on this important topic. Doug talks with experts from these NRM bodies ; aboriginal efforts at adaptation and carbon sequestration; and hear from two long time outback ranchers on what it means to work the land, how climate change is impacting tha...
Oct 18, 2018•2 hr 3 min•Ep. 76
“We just had a 500 year flood. Well, we’ve had eight 500 or 100 year floods in the last two years. What does that mean? I think it’s time to stop calling it that and just start calling it…life.” Cherri Foytlin , of Diné and Cherokee Tribes. Donate to America Adapts In episode 75 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons takes a journey with the Freedom to Breath bus tour on location in New Orleans. During his visit, Doug attends a town hall on women and minority groups talking about climate resilience; a...
Oct 01, 2018•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 75
Donate to America Adapts In episode 74 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons talks with flood management experts, both in the US and abroad. Discover the history of flood management in the US. We also learn how the Netherlands plans for 1 in 10,000 year flood events. The guests in this episode also discuss nature based solutions to flood management. World Wildlife Fund’s Anita Van Breda shares information on the recently released Natural and Nature-Based Flood Management: A Green Guide (aka the Flood...
Sep 14, 2018•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 74
Donate to America Adapts In episode 73 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons talks with Arielle Gold , Olympic medalist in snowboarding about her work with Protect our Winters , an advocacy group working to mobilize the outdoor sports community on climate change. Arielle also talks about her experiences as a snowboarder in the 2014 Sochi Winter Games in Russia and her medal winning turn at the Pyeongyang Winter Games in Korea. Arielle discusses the snow conditions at the Sochi games and how climate c...
Aug 20, 2018•39 min•Ep. 73
Donate to America Adapts In episode 72 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons talks with the CEO of The Collider Josh Dorfman. The Collider is a non profit organization working with individuals and companies to develop big data climate applications. They also are fostering the development of a climate ‘ecosystem’, through networking and creating a major hub for adaptation in Asheville, North Carolina. Josh also shares his experiences as The Lazy Environmentalist . It’s a fun, informative conversation ...
Aug 06, 2018•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 72
Donate to America Adapts In episode 71, we celebrate the two year anniversary of America Adapts ! Yes, we’ve been producing episodes for two years, thanks to listeners like you! In this episode, we have a special guest host, Shaun Martin , Senior Director, Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience. Shaun and Doug dig into the history of America Adapts, highlights from episodes and what the future holds. Thanks again to all my listeners! Donate to America Adapts Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscri...
Aug 03, 2018•36 min•Ep. 71
In episode 70 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons celebrates two years of America Adapts by talking with Dr. Natasha DeJarnett , a policy analyst in the American Public Health Association ’s (APHA) Center for Public Health Policy. Natasha leads the Natural Environment portfolio focusing on water, air and climate change. Doug and Natasha cover such topics as the role of APHA in addressing climate impacts on public health; environmental justice and equity; the roles of nurses, doctors and clinics in ...
Jul 23, 2018•52 min•Ep. 70
In episode 69 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons talks about the current state of adaptation with Lois DeBacker of the Kresge Foundation and adaptation researcher Dr. Susanne Moser . The Kresge Foundation recently released their report, Rising to the Challenge, Together and Doug, Lois and Susanne dig into the report’s finding and discuss what’s happening within the field of adaptation. Other topics covered: is adaptation evolving to meet the challenges of climate change; why are there not more pro...
Jul 09, 2018•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 69
In episode 68 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons travels down under to Melbourne, in the state of Victoria. Doug is invited to give the keynote address at the Victoria Adaptation Summit , then he participates in the National Adaptation Conference , where he interviews experts from throughout southern Australia. Learn innovative adaptation techniques from the private sector, local councils and the state government. Topics in this episode: local council approach to climate adaptation; innovative too...
Jun 18, 2018•1 hr 53 min•Ep. 68
In episode 67 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons talks with Rich Sorkin , CEO and Co-Founder of Jupiter Intel . Rich shares the history of Jupiter Intel as a silicon valley start up and his short and long term goals in this emerging field. Doug and Rich discuss Jupiter’s core business of risk modeling and the uncertainties associated with future modeling. They also talk about emerging businesses in the adaptation sector and the role of profit making entities like Jupiter and the ‘wild wild west’ m...
Jun 04, 2018•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 67
In episode 66 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons talks with Kate Bishop Williams at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. Kate is a lecturer at the University and Waterloo and she used an America Adapts episode, “ Deconstructing a Climate Change Skeptic ” as part of her class curricula. Kate discusses why she chose this episode to use a tool to teach her students effective climate communication. Doug and Kate also discuss open access and the value of podcasts as a learning tool in the cla...
May 18, 2018•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 66
In episode 65 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons talks with Julia Kim and Kif Scheuer of the Local Government Commission , and Michael McCormick of the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research about the upcoming California Adaptation Forum August 27-29th in Sacramento, California. They talk about the history of the forum, goals and themes of this year’s forum, and the state of adaptation in California. Also in this episode, Doug talks with the 2018 winners of the Tyler Prize , Dr. Pau...
May 03, 2018•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 65
In episode 64 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons talks with Margaret Peloso , of the law firm Vinson and Elkins. Margaret shares insights from her book Adapting to Rising Sea Levels: Legal Challenges and Opportunities . Doug and Margaret dig into topics such as the conversion of private land to public land as the oceans rise; adaptation and the public trust doctrine; coastal Superfund sites and corporate responsibility; will eminent domain drive coastal planning in the years ahead and much more! S...
Apr 15, 2018•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 64
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android In California Adapts 3: The Synthesis, Doug Parsons and writer/producer Randy Olson talk about their overall impressions of climate adaptation in California. Each of the experts interviewed during the journey gave scores from 1 to 10 for their opinion of how well they think the state is addressing their element of climate adaptation. The scores are presented to three of the experts for their assessment. The analysis ends with one more expert - a d...
Mar 19, 2018•40 min•Ep. 63
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android In this episode, Doug Parsons’ journeys around California exploring the five most important elements of climate adaptation for the state — fire, drought, flood, temperature and sea level rise. For each one he goes into the field with an expert. He visits the burn area of the Thomas Fire of December, 2017 with a fire captain, talks about drought with the state’s “Water Czar,” standing beside the Sacramento River, hears the details of the ARkStorm M...
Mar 19, 2018•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 62
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android Episode 61: What is “climate adaptation” and how well is California doing with it? The podcast “ America Adapts ” hosted by Doug Parsons has been exploring the topic of climate adaptation since 2016. In this three part special, sponsored by the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability , Doug takes an in-depth look at the state of California, presenting its long history of environmental leadership, current work on adaptation throughout ...
Mar 12, 2018•47 min•Ep. 61
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android In episode 60 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons talks with Jeff Goodell of Rolling Stone magazine about his new book, The Water Will Come : Rising Seas, Sinking Cities, and the Remaking of the Civilized World. Topics discussed in this episode: Jeff discusses the reception of his new climate change book, The Water Will Come. Jeff and Doug discuss the reaction from the development community in south Florida to Jeff’s book. Jeff explains the history o...
Mar 05, 2018•56 min•Ep. 60
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android In episode 59 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons talks with Dan Ashe , the President and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums ( AZA ). Previously, Dan was the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 7 years under President Barack Obama. Topics discussed in this episode: What is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and its role in conservation and adaptation; How zoos can be ambassadors in deep red states in communicating climate ...
Feb 19, 2018•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 59
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android In episode 58 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons talks with author and lecturer Elizabeth Rush, of Brown University. Elizabeth is the author of the upcoming book, Rising – Dispatches from the New American Shore. Topics discussed in this episode: What is ‘creative non-fiction.’ Elizabeth explains how humans have or don’t have the emotional resilience to respond to climate change Writing “adaptation metaphors.” Narrative devices like “The Hero’s Journ...
Jan 30, 2018•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 58
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android Donate here! Listen here. Now on Spotify ! In episode 57 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons talks with experts from all over the world focusing on the conservation of the elusive snow leopard of the Asia High Mountains and how this species - and the communities around this species - are adapting to climate change. Guests from Nepal, India, China, Russia, Sweden, and the US share stories on studying this amazing cat and talk about some of the innovat...
Jan 08, 2018•2 hr 1 min•Ep. 57
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android Donate here! Listen here . Now on Spotify ! Year in Review! In episode 56 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts three amazing guests: Jayde Lovell, host of SciQ on the Young Turks Network, Dr. Tim Watkins, science education specialist, and Shaun Martin, Senior Director of Adaptation and Resilience at the World Wildlife Fund. Doug and his guests convene a lively panel discussion, highlighting the year’s top news stories; favorite moments from the ...
Dec 18, 2017•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 56
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android In episode 54 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons talks with Dr. Chad Nelsen , the CEO of the world famous Surfrider Foundation! Chad discusses the work of Surfrider Foundation and how it’s ramping up its climate change adaptation work. Doug and Chad discuss the implications of sea level rise on coastlines and even its impact on the sport of surfing. Chad also shares what Surfrider chapters are doing to address the huge challenge of climate change. L...
Dec 01, 2017•58 min•Ep. 55
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android Listen here . In episode 54 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons attends the 2017 American Association of Landscape Architects conference in Los Angeles . In this episode, we discover the burgeoning role of landscape architects in adaptation planning. Doug talks with a wide swath of landscape architects, from living legend Martha Schwartz, to young graduate students just entering the field, gearing up to dedicate themselves to addressing climate chang...
Nov 14, 2017•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 54
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android Listen here . Now on Spotify ! In episode 53 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons talks with Monsanto’s Dr. Jeff Seale , Monsanto’s Agricultural Environmental Strategy Lead & Associate Science Fellow. Doug and Jeff cover: acknowledging some of the controversies surrounding Monsanto; Monsanto’s goal of being carbon neutral by 2021; how large corporations can play a leading role in adaptation; big data and climate modeling and how a large corporatio...
Oct 31, 2017•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 53
