Reversing Climate Change - podcast cover

Reversing Climate Change

Carbon Removal Strategies LLCwww.linkedin.com
If you love the show, please become a paid subscriber here. Reversing Climate Change is a podcast that bridges science, technology, and policy with the richness of the humanities. From the forefront of carbon removal and climatetech to explorations of literature, history, philosophy, and geopolitics, we dive deep into the people, ideas, and innovations shaping a better future for the planet and its inhabitants.

Episodes

S3E8: Kelp: Foraged, Farmed, and Delicious!—with Matt Kern, Cofounder of Barnacle Foods

*Use discount code NORI for 20% off your online order at https://www.barnaclefoods.com/ . Note: this is not sponsored content. We just dig Barnacle Foods!* Kelp could be an extraordinary tool for long-term carbon sequestration. It also happens to be delicious. And that’s why Matt Kern is on a mission to promote kelp farming in his home state of Alaska and replace some of the more carbon-intensive foods in our diet with seaweed. Matt Kern is the Cofounder of Barnacle Foods , a food manufacturing ...

Mar 22, 202245 minSeason 3Ep. 8

S3E7: Do compliance markets work? If so, how much?—w/ Mike Azlen, CEO of Carbon Cap Management LLP

We have talked at length on previous episodes about the flaws in compliance markets. And the team at Nori obviously believes in voluntary carbon markets, as we’re building one ourselves. But there’s a wide range of quality among voluntary markets, and the space is 1,000 times smaller than the compliance programs in progress around the world. So, have cap-and-trade markets contributed to a meaningful reduction in emissions in spite of their flaws? And are compliance markets the only way to addres...

Mar 15, 202244 minSeason 3Ep. 7

S3E5: The roots of indigenous agriculture—w/ Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson of the documentary Inhabitants

80% of Indigenous people sit on 80% of global biodiversity and 25% of land—but make up only 5% of the population. So, what can we learn about regenerative agriculture from the Native American farmers who’ve been managing our land for millennia? Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson has a PhD in Natural Resources and is a traditional Hopi dryland farmer. Dr. Johnson regularly lectures on the topic of dryland farming and advocates for indigenous farmers with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, and hi...

Mar 01, 202244 minSeason 3Ep. 5

Hauntologies of carbon removal—w/ Dr. Holly Jean Buck of the University of Buffalo: RCC S3 bonus

What happens to dreams of the future that never arrive, yet still affect our society and culture so deeply? Is it possible to be haunted by failed visions or our own anticipations, and what does that mean? Today, Dr. Holly Jean Buck, Assistant Professor of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Buffalo and author of the new book, Ending Fossil Fuels: Why Net Zero Is Not Enough , comes back on the show for a bonus episode to explain the concept of " hauntology ", its origin in Jacque...

Feb 28, 202247 min

S3E4: Why Net Zero Is Not Enough—w/ Dr. Holly Jean Buck, author of Ending Fossil Fuels

In the fight against climate change, many are working to achieve net zero by 2050. And achieving net zero means leveraging quite a lot of emissions reduction, management, and carbon removal. But Dr. Holly Jean Buck contends that we should focus less on managing the byproduct and more on phasing out fossil fuels entirely by the end of the century. Dr. Buck is Assistant Professor of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Buffalo and author of the new book, Ending Fossil Fuels: Why Net...

Feb 22, 202239 minSeason 3Ep. 4

S3E3: Farms for sale: what's wrong with the financialization of farmland?—w/ Dr. Madeleine Fairbairn

Farmland has transformed into a financial asset class. So, what happens when land is owned by large financial institutions? How does it impact farmer autonomy? And could it be good for fighting climate change? Dr. Madeleine Fairbairn is Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at UC Santa Cruz and author of Fields of Gold: Financing the Global Land Rush . On this episode of Reversing Climate Change , Dr. Fairbairn joins Ross and guest cohost Dr. Lauren Gifford to discuss the emergence of the...

Feb 15, 202247 minSeason 3Ep. 3

Paul Greenberg returns to discuss his new podcast, Fish Talk!

Here in America, we like stories with happy endings. Our media usually comes with a clear message and unanswered questions make us uncomfortable. But Paul Greenberg knows that there’s no simple answer to complex problems like climate change. Paul is the award-winning food and environmental writer behind titles like The Climate Diet , American Catch , and Four Fish . On this bonus episode of Reversing Climate Change , Paul rejoins Ross to discuss his new podcast, Fish Talk , and reflect on the ad...

Feb 10, 20221 hr 1 min

S3E2: A Brief History of Ethereum and web3—w/ Laura Shin, author of The Cryptopians

As listeners of Nori podcasts, you might know that we use cryptocurrency in the form of Nori tokens which may become a market-driven price for carbon removal. You also might know we issue non-fungible tokens, otherwise known as NFTs, when buyers purchase those removals. But you may not know the history of the blockchain we run on or how the system works. So, where can you go to learn Ethereum 101? Laura Shin is a crypto journalist and host of the Unchained Podcast . A former senior editor at For...

Feb 08, 20221 hrSeason 3Ep. 2

S3E1: Aldyen Donnelly on climate-crypto, COP26, and carbon accounting rules

Prior to COP26 , there was a big problem in international carbon accounting. Both the country where a carbon credit was generated and the country where it was sold could count those very same credits toward their Paris climate commitments. COP26 seeks to remedy this issue with the practice of double entry bookkeeping. But is it too late? What are the unintended consequences of implementing the new rules now? Aldyen Donnelly is a cofounder, advisor, and former Director of Carbon Economics here at...

Feb 01, 202246 minSeason 3Ep. 1

Will Dessert Survive the Climate Crisis?—w/ Caroline Saunders of The Sustainable Baker

Climate change is already affecting our food systems. But have you ever considered how rising temperatures might impact access to the pastries you love? What if you could no longer enjoy a croissant with your coffee in the morning? Or indulge in a slice of cake on special occasions? Caroline Saunders is the host of the Sustainable Baker podcast , coauthor of Craft Beef , former chief-of-staff at Grist and soon-to-be student in the pastry track at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. On this episode of Rever...

Oct 05, 202138 minSeason 2Ep. 75

The Road to COP26— w/ Brock Benefiel of The Climate Pod

The climate crisis will be on the world stage once again in November 2021, as the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties known as COP26 convenes in Glasgow. The summit brings together 200-plus countries to tackle climate change, and it is billed as the most significant climate event since the Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015 at COP21. So, how can you learn more about what’s happening at COP26 and why it’s important? Brock Benefiel is the cohost of The Climate Pod , a podcast that covers ...

Aug 17, 202114 minSeason 2Ep. 76

Solutions: The Climate Change Board Game—w/ Samuel Levac-Levey, Founder and Game Designer

Most efforts to educate the public around climate change are pretty dour and leave people feeling hopeless and helpless. But there are things an individual or small group can do to have a meaningful impact on the climate. And now, there’s a board game that teaches people about the most effective climate solutions and gives them the agency to take action. Samuel Levac-Levey is the Founder and Game Designer behind Solutions , a collaborative board game designed to inspire hope and action on the cl...

Aug 10, 202131 min

S2E74: Sanitation and EJ concerns grow with climate change—w/ Catherine Coleman Flowers, MacArthur Genius

Do you take having a working sanitation system for granted? What if you didn’t have access to a public wastewater treatment plant? What if you lived with sewage running back into your home? And what if your failing septic system made YOU a criminal? MacArthur Fellow Catherine Coleman Flowers is the founder of The Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice (CREEJ) and author of Waste: One Woman’s Fight Against America’s Dirty Secret . On this episode of Reversing Climate Change , Cathe...

Aug 03, 202139 minSeason 2Ep. 74

Freedom, Mayhem, and the Uncertain Future of Revel’s Mopeds—w/ Kate Knibbs, Senior Writer at WIRED

If you don’t have access to public transportation or you’re looking for a climate-friendly alternative to Uber, then you may have considered renting one of Revel’s electric mopeds. But do micromobility companies like this actually make money? And how should micromobility fit into the larger ecosystem of getting from point A to point B? Kate Knibbs is a Senior Writer at WIRED and the author of ‘Freedom, Mayhem, and the Uncertain Future of Revel’s Mopeds.’ On this bonus episode of Reversing Climat...

Jul 27, 202134 min

S2E73: The challenges of being a chef/restauranteur in climate change—w/ Renee Erickson of Sea Creatures

Are you missing the experience of eating out at a restaurant? Or maybe you’re itching to travel and revisit the food traditions of the places you love? What if you could recreate these experiences at home, using simple recipes to embark on a culinary journey around the world? Renee Erickson is the James Beard Award-winning chef behind several popular Seattle restaurants including The Walrus and the Carpenter, The Whale Wins, and Bateau. She is also the author of the critically-acclaimed cookbook...

Jul 20, 202142 minSeason 2Ep. 73

S2E72: NFTs, carbon removal, & the music biz—w/ Imogen Heap, Grammy-winning artist

Data in the music industry is incredibly fragmented. There is no one consistent place to go for information about a work. It’s hard to know where songs are being played or who was involved in creating a piece of music. And this means that a lot of artists don’t get royalties for their work. What if blockchain technology is the answer? Imogen Heap is the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and record producer behind The Creative Passport , an identity management platform for music makers that ...

Jul 13, 202146 minSeason 2Ep. 72

S2E71: Elon Musk's Carbon Removal XPRIZE—w/ Dr. Marcius Extavour, VP Energy & Climate at XPRIZE

Big-ticket investments in carbon removal innovation are newsworthy, but perhaps nothing captures the public imagination quite like a cash prize. And the $100M purse associated with XPRIZE Carbon Removal happens to be the largest in history. So, how does an award of this magnitude translate to meaningful climate solutions? Dr. Marcius Extavour is the Vice President of Energy and Climate at XPRIZE , a nonprofit using large-scale global competitions to crowdsource solutions to the world’s greatest ...

Jul 06, 202159 minSeason 2Ep. 71

S2E70: What scares a wizard?—w/ Teresa Carey, journalist at Freethink

Should we genetically engineer carbon-hungry trees? Can metal-eating trees clean up abandoned mines? Does seaweed have the potential to save the planet? While these ideas might seem outlandish, they are all examples of actual solutions to our environmental issues people are working on right now. Teresa Carey is a senior staff writer at Freethink , a platform that features the passionate innovators working to solve humanity’s greatest challenges. Prior to becoming a journalist, Teresa was a profe...

Jun 29, 202155 minSeason 2Ep. 70

Why CEOs should support climatetech startups—w/ Nicole Systrom, Sutro Energy Group

For large, established companies to be sustainable long term, they need to consider how a changing climate will impact what they do. CEOs have got to ask how their businesses can be resilient in the face of climate change and what they can do to help mitigate it. Nicole Systrom is the Founder of Sutro Energy Group , a consultancy working to scale high-impact climate solutions. On this bonus episode of Reversing Climate Change , Nicole joins guest host Alexsandra Guerra to discuss her recent Worl...

Jun 24, 202122 min

S2E69: Mark Bittman on the political economy of junk food

60% of the calories in our food supply are alleged to be ultra-processed junk. So, when did we lose our way? When did we go from growing food to feed our communities to growing food for profit? And how do we find our way back to a just food system—and society? Mark Bittman is a former New York Times columnist and bestselling author of 30-plus books, including the well-known How to Cook Everything series . His new release is called Animal, Vegetable, Junk: A History of Food, from Sustainable to S...

Jun 22, 202141 minSeason 2Ep. 69

Replacing plastic with captured carbon: an update from Mark Herrema of Newlight Technologies

Since its founding in 2003, Newlight Technologies’ goal has been to create consumer-driven solutions to reducing carbon in the air. And while that intention has not changed, the Newlight team’s approach has evolved as they consider how to achieve the greatest impact. Mark Herrema is the cofounder and CEO of Newlight, an advanced biotechnology company using greenhouse gas to produce sustainable materials and replacements for plastic. On this episode of Reversing Climate Change , Mark joins Ross a...

Jun 17, 202131 min

S2EP68: What would happen if our rivers ran wild?—w/ Tyler J. Kelley, author of Holding Back the River

Since the first levee was built in New Orleans in 1717, we have been trying to manage America’s rivers. But now our infrastructure is failing. And if we don’t compromise on a plan to restore (or strategically remove) our dams, levees, and locks and give our waterways more space, flooding events will continue to devastate entire communities over and over again. Tyler J. Kelley is a journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times , The Wall Street Journal, and The New Yorker , among many ...

Jun 15, 202158 minSeason 2Ep. 68

S2E67: The Carbon Takeback Obligation & carbon removal—w/ Margriet Kuijper

What would happen if businesses were expected or even required to store a tonne of carbon for every tonne of carbon they produce? A Carbon Takeback Obligation is a policy framework that aims to make that the new standard. Today we learn more about how such a system might operate. Margriet Kuijper is a former civil engineer for Shell, where she focused on the development of carbon capture and storage projects. Today, she serves as an independent consultant working on a Carbon Takeback Obligation,...

Jun 08, 202148 minSeason 2Ep. 67

S2E65: How to start learning about carbon removal—w/ John Sanchez of Carbon Removal Academy

So, you’re interested in carbon removal and curious about working in the climate space. But you’re not sure how your skills might apply, and you don’t know where to begin learning about the different types of carbon sequestration or the major players in the industry. John Sanchez is the Founder and Curriculum Designer at Carbon Removal Academy and the Co-Creator of the AirMiners Boot Up Program and Problem Pack Climate Sprint Workgroups . He is also building Carbon Visions , a community of colle...

May 25, 202155 minSeason 2Ep. 65

S2E64: How to Be Animal: a guide for confused humans—w/ Melanie Challenger, author

The narrative of human exceptionalism posits that there is something unique about being human that makes us more valuable. And we believe that what matters most are the things that seem to separate us from animals—like our ability to reason or the immortal human soul. But what if you can’t separate the animal part of us from our spirit? What if being human IS being animal? Melanie Challenger is a writer of environmental history, podcast host of Enter the Psychosphere , and author of the new rele...

May 18, 20211 hr 2 minSeason 2Ep. 64

Grounded: A Fierce, Feminine Guide to Connecting with the Soil—w/ Dr. Erin Yu-Juin McMorrow, author

Are we out of balance? Some thinkers pose that the scales have tipped toward industry, ego, and individuality, and we’re disconnected from the cycles of nature. We’re all Yang and no Yin. And this imbalance is causing climate change. So, what can we do to restore our sense of interconnectedness among all living things? How can tapping into our spirituality help us heal ourselves and the earth? Dr. Erin Yu-Juin McMorrow is the author of Grounded: A Fierce, Feminine Guide to Connecting with the So...

May 13, 202155 min

S2E63: Carbon removal in the Biden Administration—w/ Dr. Jan Mazurek, ClimateWorks Foundation

In order to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, we can’t just reduce emissions. We have no choice but to add carbon dioxide removal (CDR) to the mix to keep global temperature rise under 2°C. So, what CO2 removal processes are in development? And what are governments and nonprofits doing to advocate for and fund carbon removal? Dr. Jan Mazurek serves as Senior Director at the ClimateWorks Foundation , where she leads the Carbon Dioxide Removal Fund . On this episode of Reversing Climate Chang...

May 11, 202152 minSeason 2Ep. 63

S2E62: The Oxford Offsetting Principles & carbon removal—w/ Eli Mitchell-Larson

Many corporations, organizations, and governments have made net zero commitments, and most are leaning on voluntary carbon offsetting to achieve these climate goals. But how can we be sure that such carbon offsets demonstrate a real change in the atmosphere? And how can we approach offsetting in a way that gives rise to an actual net zero society? Eli Mitchell-Larson is a climate researcher and PhD candidate at the University of Oxford and the corresponding author of The Oxford Principles for Ne...

May 04, 20211 hr 5 minSeason 2Ep. 62

S2E61: Paul Greenberg on The Climate Diet: 50 Simple Ways to Trim Your Carbon Footprint

There’s a lot of advice on how reduce your carbon footprint. But everything seems to come with a caveat. You can stop eating meat, but do synthetic meats require monoculture? You can boycott Bitcoin, but would that make the grid itself any cleaner? You can drive an electric car, but its battery is made with rare minerals. So, how do you make choices that really move the needle? Paul Greenberg is the fisherman and bestselling author behind Four Fish , American Catch , and The Omega Principle . Hi...

Apr 27, 20211 hr 1 minSeason 2Ep. 61

S2E60: Art out of thin (carbontech) air—w/ Madison Savilow of Carbon Upcycling & Expedition Air

Art has a unique ability to explain complex, oft-emotional topics in an understandable way. And that’s why Carbon Upcycling Technologies (CUT) is engaging with visual artists to educate the general public about carbontech. CUT offers their artist-collaborators free materials and tech support, encouraging the use of CO2-derived materials to create pieces that ‘showcase the carbon capture and utilization industry.’ Madison Savilow is the Chief of Staff at Carbon Upcycling Technologies and Venture ...

Apr 20, 202148 minSeason 2Ep. 60