What On Earth by CBC

05.11.2024

Low pay, high risk. Why stay to fight wildfires in Alberta?

Wildfire fighters say working conditions threaten the safety of crew and the public in that province. As climate change leads to more intense forest fires, the people on the front lines say they’re losing team members to other employers and...

05.08.2024

Why a goose hunt can make all the difference to evacuees

An Indigenous-owned company in Ontario is making sure evacuations are culturally appropriate, including supporting people to seek refuge on their traplines instead of hotels. Then we ask Canada’s Indigenous Services Minister how Ottawa can make climate emergencies less traumatic for...

05.04.2024

A giant battery hides deep under this Toronto shopping mall

Come underground to glimpse new technology providing low carbon heating and cooling to downtown Toronto buildings. CBC climate reporter Emily Chung is our guide – to see this first of its kind project in Canada. Proponents say it's key...

05.01.2024

Why this Black queer activist is fighting for climate, too

Climate change may be last on your mind when you're dealing with discrimination, insecure housing and other barriers. But marginalized communities are hit harder than most by the impacts of climate change. Our columnist Chúk Odenigbo and activist Shelly-Ann Skinner...

04.27.2024

Coke or Pepsi? Revealing the biggest plastic polluters

Yep, we’re naming names! We meet a researcher who combed through millions of pieces of plastic trash and traced half of the branded items back to just 56 companies. We hear the case for why manufacturers should be responsible for...

04.24.2024

Teens can't wait 'til grownups get it

Their eco-anxiety is real, and they're helping each other with it even as adults play it down. We hear from two high schoolers in New Brunswick who are finding ways to cope — and even educating the willing grownups in...

04.20.2024

Can Earth Day be badass again?

In 1970, 20 million people showed up to fight for the environment on the first Earth Day. But more than five decades later – is it time for this much tamer global event to return to its radical roots? Organizer...

04.19.2024

New to What On Earth? Start here!

The climate is changing. So are we. Twice a week we take you across Canada and around the world, in search of climate solutions. We love to hear from our listeners and regularly feature them on the show. Have...

04.17.2024

Drought is wreaking havoc on crops. Can gene editing help?

Scientists are editing the DNA of canola, and more, to survive with less rain. Can this help farmers adapt to climate change? And – if you’re stressed about the climate cost of the clothes and linens that have reached the...

04.13.2024

Buried under cities, rivers are a climate wonder in waiting

Join us on a hunt to discover the lost waterways hidden below the streets of Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, and find out how bringing creeks and rivers back to the surface can help our cities adapt to a changing world.

04.10.2024

Emily's story: one activist's journey through climate anxiety

This episode from June 2023 just won the Mindset Award for reporting on the mental health of young people. Driven by fear of climate change, Emily Kelsall got involved in extreme forms of activism including arrest and jail. The 25-year-old has...

04.06.2024

Can scooping orca poop help us save the whales?

It’s like “CSI in the ocean,” only these scientists are racing against climate change off the coast of B.C. Next, a satirical spin on climate action with Canadian oil producers the brunt of the joke. Then, we head to Saskatchewan...

03.30.2024

Beaches, backyards and baby salmon

Join us on a climate-solutions field trip! First, we head to the beach to find out how Indigenous knowledge and western science are working to keep clams cool in extreme heat. Next, we hear why your backyard – or patio...

03.23.2024

Get on the bus!

Better transit service could help lower Canada’s emissions. But can more people get on board with buses, trains and subways? Experts and advocates explain how to use policy changes and behaviour “nudges” to make it happen. And listeners share stories...

03.16.2024

Meet the guides finding safe paths through melting mountains

Glaciers are retreating rapidly in Canada’s Rockies, bringing hazards to long-standing alpine routes. We visit Banff National Park to meet guides who are adapting to climate change in different ways. Then – we head to India, where for weeks farmers...

03.09.2024

And the award goes to…

Spoiler alert: the Barbie movie is not about climate change. But it passes the "climate change reality check." We hear why Good Energy developed a climate test for films and find out which two other Oscar-nominated flicks are also winners...

03.02.2024

So long, winter. Hello, wildfires.

What to do about a world that’s on fire all the time? Texas is facing the biggest wildfire in state history, Alberta has declared the start of wildfire season earlier than usual, and zombie fires are burning in B.C. John...

02.24.2024

A girl’s death, and her mom’s fight for clean air

Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah doesn’t want any other kids to die the way Ella did. The 9-year-old suffered a fatal asthma attack, which has since been linked to air pollution from her neighbourhood in London. Now, her mom is suing the U.K....

02.17.2024

Tiny forests everywhere

It all started in Japan, now it’s a worldwide craze. Trees planted at industrial sites by botanist Akira Miyawaki in the 1970s were a way to resist deforestation. Today, community groups around the world have joined the tiny forest movement...

02.10.2024

How to sell people on climate action instead of fossil fuels

Advertising can contribute to the climate crisis, but it can also be a force for change. We hear about efforts underway here in Canada to strengthen rules around fossil fuel advertising. And how some European cities and towns are banning...

02.03.2024

Could 2024 be the year China becomes a climate…leader?

China emits a third of the world’s greenhouse gases. But it’s also a leader in renewables. We hear from people inside the country about its paradoxical – and controversial – energy mix. Plus, you’ve maybe weighed the option of buying...

01.27.2024

The robots are coming (to help fight climate change)

From potato rovers to wildfire sniffers, AI is being put to work. But there’s a catch: the technology’s growing carbon footprint. Last week, we talked about cold weather and the grid, heat pumps and EVs. You listened…and wrote in. Climate...

01.20.2024

When it's really freaking cold, is green power a solution?

An emergency alert on Alberta's power grid has people asking: can renewable energy get us through Canada's extreme winters? We find out what really triggered Alberta's electricity supply crunch, and how a greener grid can still meet demand. We look...

01.13.2024

War, peace and a changing climate

The bombs falling in Gaza and Ukraine have a human toll and an environmental one. We find out how demilitarization could help countries cut emissions. Columnist Aishwarya Puttur shares three campaigns motivating young activists in 2024. What On Earth’s Molly...

01.06.2024

Can you save a rainforest by paying people not to cut trees?

Come with us into B.C.’s Great Bear Rainforest where Coastal First Nations are working to protect the trees using revenue from carbon offsets. But skepticism over the system may be putting the experiment at risk. We’ll hear about climate-friendly cookbooks...

12.30.2023

This province leads the way in tackling environmental racism

Some stories leave us wondering “what happened next?” We hear details from a new report aimed at helping Nova Scotia tackle environmental racism. A check-in with an elder with the Sturgeon Creek First Nation who’s still living in a hotel...

12.23.2023

Stories that surprised, delighted and fired you up this year

Missed some of our climate coverage in 2023? No need to have FOMO – we’ve got you covered with some of our favourite places, people and the tales they tell. Start with a journey to Germany’s coal region for lessons...

12.20.2023

Yes, you can chat about climate change and not be a buzzkill

‘Tis the season – well it’s always the season – to talk about climate. We’ve got tips on how to have a good conversation about our warming world around the holiday dinner table. Plus a new kind of annual Christmas...

12.16.2023

The beginning of the end

Nations are "sounding the death knell for the fossil fuel era." Climate campaigner and self-described stubborn climate optimist Catherine Abreu calls the COP28 deal a win, despite its shortcomings. And columnist Chúk Odenigbo on why discussions about climate anxiety are...

12.13.2023

Trying to give less stuff this year? We have some ideas.

An early childhood educator shares a climate solution to excess holiday presents. And a listener shares the joys and challenges of ‘micro-activism’ in rural New Brunswick as a blind person.

12.09.2023

‘An oil tanker-sized loophole’ at the UN climate talks

We dive into this year’s hot topic at COP: the f-words (fossil fuels). From Alberta’s case for its oil and gas industry, to the controversial words of the COP28 president, along with a decades-old industry “playbook.” And a bonus! An...

12.06.2023

Can stars like Blackpink and Taylor Swift help the climate?

A K-pop girl band has just been honoured for its climate advocacy. We hear about the difference megastars can make, even if they still live high-emitting lifestyles. And – as the pressure to shop ramps up, we hear how to...

12.02.2023

We just had the hottest year ever. But is anyone listening?

2023 has broken records, but the warnings can sound like a “broken record.” Will the hottest year in recorded history light a fire under governments to act? And, why peace is on the agenda for the first time at this...

11.29.2023

A climate conference begins in oil country

People from around the world are heading to Dubai to set a course for the planet. With record-breaking temperatures and wild weather, the stakes are higher than ever. But with an oil executive at the helm of the talks, can...

11.25.2023

‘Bury me naked’

If you don’t want your carbon footprint following you to the grave, green burials are a growing option. We take a trip from coast to coast to discover what exactly they are and how you can arrange one.

11.22.2023

A dad’s fight for climate and his child with Down syndrome

Glen Hoos wants no one to be left behind in the climate crisis. He’s supporting adults with Down syndrome, who share their advice on how to stay safe. Find out why one of his daughters nominated him as a climate...

11.18.2023

It takes a village to cope with climate anxiety

Angry? Frustrated? Hopeful? However you feel, connecting with others can spark action. What On Earth’s new mental health columnist, Abhay Singh Sachal, shares tips to help you thrive. And – getting ready to snag some deals this Black Friday? Find...

11.15.2023

Stressed about the plastic packaging you toss? Us too.

A farmer in Nova Scotia asks if there’s a better way to package greens. We find out. And, we hear how one couple’s dismay at plastic led them on a journey to open a zero-waste store in London, Ontario.

11.11.2023

Heat pumps are so hot right now

From Halloween costumes to the House of Commons, heat pumps are having a moment. We hear why they’re on the agenda in the halls of government. And we find out what else is needed to help lower-income Canadians – and...

11.08.2023

They spoke out against fossil fuels. Then came the backlash.

From “packs of wolves” spreading disinformation online, to death threats, these women have paid a high cost for their climate advocacy work. As a family physician, Dr. Melissa Lem knew she could not stay silent on the dangers of climate...

11.04.2023

A champion of climate justice dies on the eve of a key fight

Saleemul Huq, champion of poor countries facing climate disaster, died suddenly. Now his close friend promises to ensure his legacy by pushing for richer countries to fund loss and damage money for the nations who need it most. And our...

11.01.2023

Let’s talk about all your broken stuff

If it’s broke, who fixes it? “Right to repair” laws say companies should be held responsible for making better products. And – we visit a repair cafe and get some practical advice on how to make your appliances last longer.

10.28.2023

‘Climate unites us’: hopes for peace in the Middle East

As the Israel-Hamas war intensifies, we hear the case for working together on climate change to help build bridges. In July 2023, Carter Vigh died of an asthma attack which his parents say was made worse by wildfire smoke. Now,...

10.28.2023

We’re trying something new

Starting this weekend, you’ll notice something different about our podcast feed. We’re bringing you shorter episodes, more often. Every Wednesday and Saturday, we’ll have new stories about climate solutions, in less than 30 minutes.

10.21.2023

The oil man in charge of averting climate catastrophe

Climate change is an “immense economic opportunity,” says Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber. But activists were outraged when the the CEO of the UAE’s state-run oil company was tasked with leading this year’s UN climate talks. The Guardian’s Fiona Harvey shares insights...

10.14.2023

‘Natural gas’ or ‘fossil gas’? This man says words matter

Can rebranding 'natural gas' as 'fossil gas' lead to faster climate action? A former coal industry chemical engineer in Whistler, B.C. thinks it can, and he’s pushing governments to make the switch. Weddings can come with a big carbon footprint,...

10.07.2023

ENCORE: A volcanic revolution in energy?

Laura Lynch takes you up to Mount Meager, where dormant volcanoes could hold the future of geothermal energy in Canada - and another path to reconciliation with one First Nation. Two Canadian TikTok creators bring smart, funny climate messages...

09.30.2023

Everyone is so sick of flimsy appliances

Want to start a climate conversation? Mention your busted food processor, phone, dishwasher, coffee maker, etc. We’ll start a journey toward fixing what’s broken and learn how it could help repair the climate. Wealthy, white communities are more likely to...

09.23.2023

Parks and Reclamation: Indigenous-led climate solutions

Clayoquot Sound near Tofino is known for the War in the Woods, a fight over old growth logging. Reporter Emily Vance takes us there to learn about the ways First Nations are re-asserting leadership when it comes to conservation on...

09.16.2023

‘The last barrel’: Alberta premier backs oil as world warms

Danielle Smith has a plan to reach net zero by 2050, only it doesn’t involve moving away from oil and gas production. Laura asks her how she plans to get to carbon neutrality by 2050, and her snub of Ottawa's...