In this episode, we dive into environmental literature and climate fiction (Cli-Fi) with Professor Dylan Winchock. We discuss what counts as ‘environmental lit,’ how stories can change how we think and act, and how Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake helps students grapple with the ethics of technology and climate justice. We unpack how literature differs from news and social media disaster narratives and explore how good stories can help us process feelings of dread and grief and move us from fear to agency. 

CREDITS  

Guest: Dylan Winchock 

Hosts: Saturn Salama 

Producers: Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama 

Editor: Elden Cadena 

Research: Saturn Salama 

Script: Saturn Salama 

Social Media Content: Molly Saruwatari 

Music: Marios Panousos 

Faculty Advisor: Anne Dabb  

Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is an initiative of the CSUSM Climate Action and Sustainability Center. The podcast is advised by faculty from the Philosophy Department and the Environment Studies Program in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences. Climate to Action is produced at Inspiration Studios on the campus of California State University, San Marcos.

CSUSM’s own Dr. Elizabeth Ridder joins us to talk about what first drew her to geography and conservation work and why the Mediterranean basin is such a vital—and vulnerable—hotspot for biodiversity and climate resilience. We explore what makes this region unique, the climate pressures it’s facing, and how her fieldwork connects to the bigger picture of global environmental change.

From U.S. national parks to protected areas around the world, Dr. Ridder breaks down what funding cuts really mean on the ground and how conservation can support communities.

CREDITS 

Guests: Dr. Elizabeth Ridder

Host: Molly Saruwatari

Producers: Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama 

Editor: Elden Cadena 

Research: Molly Saruwatari and Saturn Salama

Script: Molly Saruwatari

Social Media: Molly Saruwatari

Music: Marios Panousos 

Faculty Advisor: Anne Dabb 

Erika Rodriguez joins us to share the moment a Category 4 storm in Fiji pulled her into climate action—and how that experience helped spark San Diego Climate Week. We dig into what it takes to build a city-wide movement, how she measures success beyond a single week, and why her long-term hope is that someday, we won’t need a “Climate Week” at all! Tune in to hear why.

Recorded live in the barn at Coastal Roots Farm in Encinitas during the inaugural San Diego Climate Week.

CREDITS 

Guests: Erika Rodriguez

Hosts: Molly Saruwatari & Saturn Salama   

Producers: Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama 

Editor: Elden Cadena 

Research: Molly Saruwatari & Saturn Salama

Script: Molly Saruwatari & Saturn Salama

Social Media: Molly Saruwatari

Music: Marios Panousos 

Faculty Advisor: Anne Dabb 

Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is an initiative of the CSUSM Climate Action and Sustainability Center. The podcast is advised by faculty from the Philosophy Department and the Environment Studies Program in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences. Climate to Action is produced at Inspiration Studios on the campus of California State University, San Marcos.

In this powerful episode, guests Amanda Subbish and Ivan Sam share Indigenous perspectives on climate resilience, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), and environmental leadership in the San Diego region. From stories of adaptation to wildfire and drought, to reflections on cultural ceremony, language, and land stewardship, this conversation invites listeners to rethink what it means to live in respectful relationship with the Earth. Tune in for insights on tribal sovereignty, community partnerships, and a meaningful call to action rooted in Indigenous leadership.

This episode was recorded with a live audience at the Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon as part of the inaugural San Diego Climate Week.

CREDITS 

Guests: Amanda Subbish and Ivan Sam

Host: Molly Saruwatari  

Producers: Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama 

Editor: Elden Cadena 

Research: Saturn Salama

Script: Molly Saruwatari and Saturn Salama 

 Social Media: Molly Saruwatari

Music: Marios Panousos 

Faculty Advisor: Anne Dabb 

Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is an initiative of the CSUSM Climate Action and Sustainability Center. The podcast is advised by faculty from the Environmental Studies Program and the Philosophy Department in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences. Climate to Action is produced at Inspiration Studios on the campus of California State University, San Marcos.

CREDITS

Guest: Ashleigh Skarshaug

Hosts: Saturn Salama

Producers: Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama

Editor: Elden Cadena

Research: Saturn Salama

Script: Daphne Nguyen

Music: Marios Panousos

Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is an initiative of the CSUSM Climate Action and

Sustainability Center. The podcast is advised by faculty from the Environmental Studies

Program and the Philosophy Department in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and

Social Sciences. Climate to Action is produced at Inspiration Studios on the campus of

California State University, San Marcos.

In this bonus episode of Climate to Action, host Alex talks with CSUSM chemistry professor Dr. Haleh Keshtkar about the principles and promise of green chemistry. They explore how this innovative approach rethinks chemical design to reduce harm to people and the planet. From biodegradable materials to safer solvents, Dr. Keshtkar explains how green chemistry can drive climate solutions—and shares an inspiring message for students ready to make a difference.

CREDITS 

Guest: Dr. Haleh Keshtkar

Host: Alex Sandoval    

Producers: Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama   

Editor: Elden Cadena 

Research: Abdul Majid Abdul Majid and Tyler Smith  

Script: Alex Sandoval, Molly Saruwatari, and Saturn Salama  

Social Media Content: CSUSM Graphic Design Club 

Music: Marios Panousos 

Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is an initiative of the CSUSM Climate Action and Sustainability Center. The podcast is advised by faculty from the Environmental Studies Program and the Philosophy Department in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences. Climate to Action is produced at Inspiration Studios on the campus of California State University, San Marcos.

Climate to Action is supported by a generous donation from the Rosemary Kraemer Raitt Foundation.

In this episode, hosts Molly and Alex talk with Rebecca Lewis, Scotland and Northern Ireland Manager for Buglife UK, about the power of citizen science in the fight against climate change. Rebecca shares how climate change is impacting invertebrates and the ecosystems they support, and how everyday people can take action through hands-on conservation. Listeners will learn about Buglife’s work, the role of insects in ecosystem resilience, and how to get involved—wherever they live.  

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Nicola Lewis Adegoke. 

CREDITS 

Guest: Rebecca Lewis  

Hosts: Alex Sandoval and Molly Saruwatari  

Producers: Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama 

Editor: Elden Cadena 

Research: Saturn Salama 

Script: Alex Sandoval and Saturn Salama 

 Social Media Content: CSUSM Graphic Design Club  

Music: Marios Panousos 

Faculty Advisor: Anne Dabb 

Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is an initiative of the CSUSM Climate Action and Sustainability Center. The podcast is advised by faculty from the Environmental Studies Program and the Philosophy Department in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences. Climate to Action is produced at Inspiration Studios on the campus of California State University, San Marcos.

In this inspiring episode, hosts Molly and Alex talk with Ali Mariko Dressel—climate justice advocate, performer, and marine conservationist—about the powerful role of art in the fight against climate change. Ali shares how performance, storytelling, and Indigenous knowledge can transform climate anxiety into connection, action, and healing. Tune in to hear how immersive theatre builds emotional resilience, why millennials are a key audience, and how creative expression can drive collective change.

CREDITS

Guest: Ali Mariko Dressel

Hosts: Alex Sandoval and Molly Saruwatari

Producers: Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama

Editor: Elden Cadena

Research: Saturn Salama

Script: Daphne Nguyen

Social Media Content: CSUSM Graphic Design Club

Music: Marios Panousos

Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is an initiative of the CSUSM Climate Action and Sustainability Center. The podcast is advised by faculty from the Environmental Studies Program and the Philosophy Department in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences. Climate to Action is produced at Inspiration Studios on the campus of California State University, San Marcos.

In this episode, Climate to Action host Alex talks with CSUSM chemistry professor Dr. Haleh Keshtkar about the basics of climate change. They cover key terms like global warming, greenhouse gases, and green chemistry, and explore how we can respond through mitigation and adaptation. Dr. Keshtkar also shares a hopeful call to action for students and listeners to make a difference.

CREDITS 

Guest: Dr. Haleh Keshtkar

Host: Alex Sandoval    

Producers: Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama   

Editor: Elden Cadena 

Research: Abdul Majid Abdul Majid and Tyler Smith  

Script: Alex Sandoval, Molly Saruwatari, and Saturn Salama  

Social Media Content: CSUSM Graphic Design Club 

Music: Marios Panousos 

Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is an initiative of the CSUSM Climate Action and Sustainability Center. The podcast is advised by faculty from the Environmental Studies Program and the Philosophy Department in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences. Climate to Action is produced at Inspiration Studios on the campus of California State University, San Marcos.

Climate to Action is supported by a generous donation from the Rosemary Kraemer Raitt Foundation.

Guest: MacKenzie Elmer, Voice of San Diego, and Kori Suzuki, KPBS

Hosts: Saturn Salama and Alex Sandoval

Producers: Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama

Editor: Elden Cadena

Research: Aritzel Melchor and Alondra Mendoza

Script: Daphne Nguyen

Social Media Content Creators: Yulissa Hernandez Aquino, Gabriella Peña

Music: Marios Panousos

Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is an initiative of the CSUSM Climate Action and Sustainability Center. The podcast is advised by faculty from the Environmental Studies Program, the Philosophy Department, and the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences. Climate to Action is produced at the CSUSM Inspiration Studios.