Changing Planet Justice

In this episode, Brian Newhouse, Director of Transportation at the Potomac School, delves into the school’s journey toward more sustainable transportation. From transitioning the fleet from diesel to propane-powered buses, we explore whether propane is truly a better alternative—or simply the lesser of two evils.

Brian offers a candid look at the environmental and maintenance benefits of propane, while also addressing the practical challenges of moving toward electric buses, including charging infrastructure, costs, and power grid demands. 

The conversation also examines how these sustainability efforts are received within the community, reflecting on the polarized attitudes toward environmental change. We also discuss how Potomac is working to make clean and sustainable transportation accessible to all students, ensuring that the school’s environmental initiatives are equitable and inclusive.

With a unique background in public transit, hydrogen fuel cell research, and even whitewater rafting, Brian offers a fascinating perspective on balancing environmental goals with real-world constraints.

Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on clean transportation, the complexities of sustainability, and the importance of collective action in tackling climate challenges.

In this episode, we sit down with 17-year-old Isa Alvidrez, a tenacious climate activist dedicated to advancing sustainability in her conservative Alabama hometown. Despite a lack of support—and often outright opposition—from her community and school administration, Isa continues her efforts, undeterred. She shares what it's like to be a climate activist surrounded by skeptics, and reflects on the irony of her town's deep appreciation for nature but distrust of climate science. She also opens up about her unique strategy for engaging climate deniers and the meaningful changes she’s already implemented in her community.

Isa’s story captures the grit and determination of young advocates everywhere fighting for change in the face of resistance—especially when that resistance comes from a school administration that prioritizes new football fields over recycling bins.

In this episode, we're joined by composer and activist Michael Levy, to explore the intersection of music, art, and climate action. Michael discusses the inspiration behind his latest album focused on the climate crisis, and how he translates complex environmental issues into emotionally charged music. We dive into his songwriting process and how he balances the weight of environmental issues with his creative flow.

Michael also shares stories from his involvement in movements like Transition Town, Extinction Rebellion, and his role in the resistance against the Line 3 pipeline, reflecting on how these experiences have shaped his music and activism. We also explore the challenges of staying resilient in the face of burnout, and the role music plays in sustaining his long-term advocacy. Join us for an in-depth conversation about how music can drive action and provide hope in the fight for a sustainable future.

Opening/closing music: Blockadia by Michael Levy

Check out Mr. Levy's other music here: Michael Levy Band

In this episode of Changing Planet Justice, we sit down with Dr. Libby Jewett, a trailblazing marine scientist and the founder of NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program. Dr. Jewett shares her journey from a background in public policy to becoming a leading figure in marine science, where she has spent over a decade addressing the impacts of climate change on our oceans. We explore her groundbreaking work on ocean acidification, the challenges of balancing scientific research with policy-making, and her current focus on offshore wind energy and marine carbon dioxide removal. Tune in to hear how Dr. Jewett is pushing the boundaries of innovation to protect our planet’s vital marine ecosystems.

Portrait by Danielle Pease Photography

In this episode, we sit down with Sharon Dorsey, a conservation biologist and activist, to explore her journey as an environmentalist. Sharon shares her experiences as a Black woman navigating a predominantly white, male-dominated field, and discusses the importance of diversity and representation in conservation. We also delve into her groundbreaking research on the endangered piping plover, her advocacy for community engagement through climate storytelling and citizen science, and her vision for making outdoor education accessible to all. Join us for an engaging conversation about breaking barriers and catalyzing positive change on this changing planet.

Sharon's website: https://sites.google.com/view/sharondorsey?usp=sharing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharinnature/?hl=en

Photo credit: Sharon Dorsey

Solastalgia: a form of emotional or existential distress caused by environmental change.

The rate of mental health issues in young people is rising with the sea levels. Though we've known for years that social media has drastic impacts on the mental health of young people, the research on climate-related mental health issues is comparatively scarce. Only recently have scientists created terms like "climate-anxiety," "eco-grief," and "solastalgia" to describe the anguish our generation feels as we bear the burden of the climate crisis. Is there an antidote to the psychological consequences of climate change? Listen in to my hopeful and insightful conversation with Mr. Paul Kirk, an educator, environmentalist, and outdoorsman, to find out. 

Photo credit: Paul Kirk

Tune into this captivating episode with Tod Cossairt, a leading educator and sustainable agriculture expert. We delve into the shortcomings of conventional farming methods and explore the transformative benefits of regenerative agriculture. You'll learn how our current agricultural practices contribute to the climate crisis, and uncover the vibrant ecosystem thriving in the soil beneath our feet. Discover how regenerative agriculture leverages traditional ecological knowledge to restore our planet and build a sustainable future. 

Photo Credit: Tod Cossairt

Riddle me this: what alleviates food insecurity, enhances climate resilience, supports local businesses, and tastes delicious all at the same time? Listen in to my eye-opening conversation with Helaine Harris, the woman who figured out how to harness the magic of the Historic Lewes Farmers Market to combat hunger in this Delaware beach town. 

Maybe you can figure out how two out of these three issues impact each other, but understanding how they're all related is a little less intuitive. In less than 10 minutes, you'll learn how redlining compounds climate vulnerability and food insecurity in historically marginalized communities. Whoa, that's a mouthful. But I promise it'll make sense! Plus, at the nexus of this multidirectional tangle of impacts, we explore a solution that almost seems too good to be true: urban food forestry.

Photo: Redlining Map (Creative Commons)

I interviewed dozens of teens at my high school about their opinions and emotions surrounding the climate crisis. The audio clips you’re about to hear are diverse and polarizing–I featured many students whose perspectives align with mine, and others whom I fundamentally disagree with. However, the most common response I recieved was unexpected--and its frequency tells an important story in and of itself...Anyway, without further ado, here are the voices of Gen Z-ers contemplating the climate crisis.