Podcast Archive
Podcast Archive
Episode 7. Loss of Community Spaces, Why Greenspaces Matter, Building Sustainable Pop-ups
Published December 23th, 2024
Episode Summary: What happens when our shared spaces disappear? In this episode of Climate Fairplay, host Cody Sanford examines how the loss of gathering places or “third places” negatively impacts a community’s overall health and our ability to create meaningful climate progress locally. The Sharable Facts and Stats segment focuses on why access to green spaces is critical in supporting public health and environmental resilience. It also includes a call to action for support in creating a sustainable pop-up market in Denver, designed to unite local businesses, nonprofits, and residents around practical solutions.
Episode Takeawaystakeaways
- Third places are essential for social interactions.
The pandemic has exacerbated social isolation. - Public parks contribute to better mental health. Green spaces support urban ecosystems and biodiversity.
- Community engagement is crucial for meaningful environmental progress.
- Sustainable markets can foster local connections. Millennials and Gen Z prefer brands aligned with their values. Active participation can shape community-driven initiatives.
Find the show on Apple Podcast & Spotify.
Episode 6. Empowering Water Stewards with Daniel Dominguez
Published November 25th, 2024
Episode Summary: The global water cycle is facing unprecedented threats. Recently, UN leaders described water as “the canary in the coal mine of climate change,” highlighting how climate change and mismanagement are driving unprecedented changes in our water systems. In this episode, Daniel Dominguez, a water scientist at Colorado State University and a project coordinator for the Water Fellows programs, explains the impacts of climate change on our water systems. This conversation unpacks how the water cycle is changing and ends with a discussion on the ways we can connect water conservation to our everyday lives.
Everyone has the power to impact the environment in their own community. As our natural world faces a growing list of challenges, the need for environmental leaders engaged with local initiatives has never been more critical. Listen to the Climate Fairplay and hear Daniel Dominguez share how a genuine commitment to action has led to a cohort of water leaders across Colorado.
Find the show on Apple Podcast & Spotify.
Episode 5. Trump vs. the Environment: The US Elects Leaders Who Deny Climate Science
Published November 11th, 2024
Episode Summary: Host Cody Sanford examines the grim prospects for U.S. climate and environmental policy under the second Trump administration. Sanford expresses his strong disappointment with the recent election results, highlights the perils of climate change denial within leadership roles, and reviews Trump’s previous actions on environmental regulations. The discussion also explores the ramifications of the U.S. withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and underscores the crucial role of community-driven solutions in the fight against climate change. Additionally, Sanford announced his initiative to develop a pop-up sustainable market or ‘climate fair’ in Denver, Colorado, which will create a community access point to sustainable solutions. This episode offers insightful analysis and inspires listeners to contribute to meaningful environmental change.
Episode Takeaways
- The U.S. is facing a significant setback in climate policy.
- Public awareness of environmental policy benefits is lacking.
- Trump’s administration is likely to repeat past environmental rollbacks.
- The Paris Agreement withdrawal poses a national security risk.
- The Inflation Reduction Act reduces up to 40% of US carbon emissions by 2030.
- Local initiatives are essential counter federal climate inaction.
- Sustainable markets can connect communities with climate solutions.
- Engagement at the local level is vital for future climate action.
Episode 4. Escalating Wildfires Meet Expanding Populations in Wildfire-prone Regions
Published October 7th, 2024
Episode Summary: Wildfires are becoming more severe and uncontrollable, even overwhelming ecosystems that evolved with fire. Climate change is intensifying these fires, and as more communities expand into naturally wild-prone areas, they become increasingly vulnerable to devastation. This episode explores the current state of wildfires that have become more destructive and uncontrollable than ever before. Despite the growing peril, underpaid wildland firefighters risk everything with minimal support, earning as little as $15 an hour. This episode ends with a blunt call for fair wages and urgent policy reforms to protect those who stand between us and an ever-growing threat of fire.
Episode Topics: Megafires, Fire-adapted Ecosystems, Wild-urban Interface, Underpaid Firefighters
Find the show on Apple Podcast & Spotify.
Episode 3. Broken Food Systems, Agrivoltaics, Climate-smart Agriculture
Published September 16th, 2024
Episode Summary: Our food system is broken; learn how we can begin to fix it. In this episode of the Climate Fairplay Podcast, we explain the failures of global agriculture production. We break down climate-smart agriculture—why it’s essential for climate progress and how it benefits farmers and food production—and then address some of the reasons behind the global pushback against sustainable farming policies.
The episode’s Sharable Stats & Facts segment covers agrivoltaics, a growing science combining solar energy and agriculture. To wrap up, we focus on actionable local solutions, exploring how permitting commercial urban farming can make locally grown food more accessible.
Episode Topics: Climate-smart Agriculture, Agrivoltaics, Urban Agriculture, Solar Energy Generation, Sustainable Agriculture Policies
Find the show on Apple Podcast & Spotify.
Article: Agrivoltaics: Farmers are cultivating renewable energy and creating sustainable food systems
Episode 2. US Climate Policy, Failing Global Climate Commitments, & City-level Climate Targets
Published August 26th, 2024
Episode Summary: As climate tension rises, the US faces a critical choice: elect leaders who act on climate change or deny it. This episode explores why climate goals are sidelined and highlights cities embracing ambitious net-zero targets.
Episode Topics: Net Zero Climate Solutions, Paris Agreement, US 2024 Elections, US Climate Policy, Earth Overshoot Day, Copenhagen 2025 Net Zero Targets.
Find the show on Apple Podcast & Spotify.
Article: The Endless Climate Debate: Will the US Act or Retreat into Denial?
Episode 1. Stop Greenwashing Climate Action
Published July 29th, 2024
Episode Summary: In the introductory episode, we discuss six significant barriers that make climate action seem performative and disconnected from what an actual person experiences. The lack of access for regular people to adopt sustainable solutions is exhausted further by a systematic greenwashing of climate action. We explore how local community efforts can break these barriers and drive real climate progress.
Episode Topics: Local Climate Action, Community Organizing, Environmental greenwashing, Climate Politics
Find the show on Apple Podcast & Spotify.
Article: Stop Greenwashing Climate Action.
©2024 Climate Fairplay Podcast
