Fostering Our Earth 🌍

In this episode, Awoe and Natalie Hernandez explore what climate resilience is, how we can assess and design for resilience and explains what resilience hubs are. In an increasingly climate-prone world, our need to develop resilience (both in our infrastructure and our communities) is higher than ever.

Natalie Hernandez is a specialist in environmental policy and community planning. She currently holds the position of Environmental Project Manager at the Gateway Cities Council of Governments. She was previously a Director at Climate Resolve, where she managed the “Ready for Tomorrow” grant writing and research, co-authored the state’s Adaptation Planning Guide, provided technical expertise on climate grant programs, and led the community outreach for urban cooling and climate vulnerability projects in Baldwin Hills, South Los Angeles, Canoga Park, and broader LA County. Natalie is knowledgeable about climate change funding, planning processes, stakeholder engagement, and resilience. She has a strong passion for environmental justice and climate equity, which she attributes to growing up in Long Beach, a core hub of goods movement, air quality issues, and climate adaptation in the Los Angeles area. She knows how to navigate complex institutions and bureaucracy while uplifting the concerns desires, and solutions of people who will be most impacted by environmental and climate injustices.

Resources:

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Music: YSK by Lunareh on Pixabay

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In this episode, Awoe is joined by Lana Weidgenant, who works at the intersection of food systems, agriculture, and climate action, to discuss food systems, their impact on climate change, and potential solutions. We talk about food systems through the farm-to-plate-to-waste framework and some major issues including food/agriculture’s contribution to the climate crisis and food insecurity. Finally, Lana shares the role alternative proteins and policies can play in making a difference. 

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The books recommended in the episode are: 

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Music and Sounds Effects by Alisiabeats and Tvari on Pixabay

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Happy End of 2023! This episode features Veronica O. Davis, author of "Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities." Veronica is currently the Director of Transportation and Drainage Operations in Houston, TX. In Inclusive Transportation, Veronica shares her experience in creating this active and reflective guide for readers to rethink how we design mobility systems in the name of equity and justice.

In this episode, Awoe asks Veronica questions about meaningful engagement, power, and influence in decision-making and what systemic change can look like.

If you haven’t read Inclusive Transportation, you can purchase your own copy here: Inclusive Transportation (islandpress.org).

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In this episode, Awoe interviews Chris Asmar, co-lead of the Urban Environmentalists' Illinois chapter. We delve into the topic of housing, discussing why it is challenging to build affordable housing and the characteristics of NIMBYism and YIMBYism. Cities face numerous challenges regarding housing and mobility, and organizations such as the Urban Environmentalists are working to address them by expanding transportation options beyond driving, promoting sustainable communities, and advocating for more affordable housing.

Resources suggested in the episode:

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Background Music: Titanium x AlishaMusic (from Pixabay)

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In this episode, I am joined by Jerome Horne, Manager of Communications for the Baltimore Red Line Project at MDOT MTA. Together, we explore what a sustainable mobility system for the future could look like. Our discussion covers a wide range of topics, from the technical aspects of mobility, such as the importance of running continuously and reliably, to the social components of mobility, with segments on unarresting mobility and meaningful community engagement.

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Links + Lingo:

Cities For People Not Cars | Culdesac

Unpacking a Sustainable Mobility System 🚆🚃🚘 (beehiiv.com)

TNC = "Transportation Network Company" is a ride-hailing/ridesharing organization such as Uber/Lyft

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Background Music: Soul Sister x Lunareh

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In this episode, Fostering Our Earth host, Awoe features as a guest on SpaceshipOne to discuss climate resilient infrastructure, sustainability, and equity. You can find SpaceshipOne’s podcast here and their Instagram here.

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This episode explores how to transform and empower communities sustainably and equitably through public government in the face of the climate crisis with guest Saharnaz Mirzazad. Together, we embark on a thought-provoking conversation about governments' role in combatting climate change and building sustainable communities. Using "Transformative Climate Communities" as a model for inspiring change, we unpack the elements of sustainable community development and planning. Whether you are passionate about sustainable development, climate resilience or simply curious about the critical role of governments in shaping our collective future, this episode will provide invaluable insights and ignite a sense of hope for a more sustainable world.

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Saharnaz Mirzazad is the Chief Deputy Director of Climate and Planning for California's Office of Planning and Research (Cal OPR). She brings over 15 years of experience in infrastructure development, community empowerment, and advancing climate and equity goals. In her previous role with California's Strategic Growth Council, she oversaw more than 3 billion dollars of investment in infrastructure programs and community-driven policy solutions. Her mission is to assist communities with a sustainable, integrated approach to urban planning and design by jointly addressing climate change, the environmental effects of rapid urbanization, economic growth, and increasing socio-spatial challenges.

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Music: Sunday Taxes by Sam Barsh

Trailer Video: Video by Kindel Media on Pexels

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This episode explores how visible individual action can make a difference in our fight for a more sustainable future. Joined by climate-media relations expert, Andrea Learned, we unpack what climate influence is, how we can demonstrate it, and the role it plays in mobilizing toward climate action. Whether you're talking climate with your friends and family, or especially if you're a leader in a position of power, displaying climate influence can help us "be the change we wish to see in the world."

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Andrea hosts Living Change: A Quest for Climate Leadership, a podcast about the enthusiastic, hopeful, and fun stories of leaders using their work or business ventures to help shift the social norms around “leadership.” Listen to Living Change wherever you get your podcasts!

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Energy is crucial to our daily lives, powering everything from our phones to our homes. In this episode, Chris Rhie, an expert on urban sustainability and environmental management, joins me in discussing what sustainability means for our energy system. Chris shares his insights on how we can approach this complex issue from environmental, economic, and equitable perspectives while providing practical tips for you!

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Chris Rhie is a nationally recognized expert on urban sustainability and a former Associate Principal at Buro Happold in Los Angeles. His background in public policy, urban design, and environmental management and his focus on developing equitable strategies for combating global climate change make him the perfect person to break down such a complex topic.

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Background Music: Breakfast for Dinner by Dr. Delight

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Fostering Our Earth 🌍 is a podcast and newsletter that focuses on imagining and detailing a sustainable future that is equitable and just for all. Here, we explore the infrastructure, policies, lifestyles, and cultures necessary to achieve this sustainable future. The podcast host, Awoe, is an urban systems engineer from Ghana and Baltimore passionate about unpacking systemic injustice, facilitating discussion about the future, and inspiring action no matter how small. The podcast invites sustainability enthusiasts and beginners alike to explore how to build a better tomorrow by fostering our Earth today.