Operation Climate

Welcome to Season 6 of Operation Climate! This season takes the creative liberty to explore topics our podcasters are passionate about. From individuals to communities impacting the climate landscape, take a listen to the episodes that speak to you!

There are 2 men CONTROLLING YOUR LIFE. No, not Harry Styles or Timothee Chalamet. They’re actually much older (and actually one of them’s dead). They are the Koch brothers – Charles and David Koch.

The Koch brothers are best known for their political activities and their control of Koch Industries, the 2nd largest privately owned company in the United States. Koch Industries is a huge conglomerate that owns a bunch of companies – they do everything from producing military equipment to oil & gas pipelines to spandex.

But probably what the Koch brothers are most controversial for is their involvement in US politics. They have a history of giving large sums of money to political campaigns and organizations that support their agenda, which is often libertarian and/or conservative. In this episode, we chat with Jasmine Banks, executive director of UnKoch My Campus, a national organization that is dedicated to pulling back the curtain on dark money donations and their impact on higher education. How does their billionaire status affect what we learn in our schools? How can we combat the influence of big money in our political system? Listen to find out!

This episode is a special edition, created by Operation Climate High School Interns!

Visit our website to keep up with the OC team and for a full transcript of this episode! https://operationclimatepo.wixsite.com/operationclimate

Follow us on Instagram at @operationclimate!

Follow us on Twitter at @opclimate!

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Hosts/Reporters: Sadie Dunne, Marissa Sims, Juju Lee, Katherine Li

Writers/Producers: Sadie Dunne, Marissa Sims, Juju Lee, Katherine Li

Guest: Jasmine Banks

Audio Editor: Katherine Li

When you think of biodiversity loss, your first thought might be related to our waterways -- plastic pollution killing fish and turtles, coral reef bleaching, ocean acidification -- the list goes on. For all communities, water is life. But the health of our waterways is under attack due to climate change and unsustainable human practices. What does this mean and what can we do about it?

In this episode, we learn about Indigenous leadership and knowledge in protecting waterways with Niria Alicia Garcia, a Xicana Indígena community organizer, educator, storykeeper and human rights advocate devoted to protecting the sacredness of Mother Earth and the dignity of historically oppressed peoples. We talk about following Indigenous leaders, what water means to communities around the world, and her work with Run4Salmon, a prayerful journey to restore salmon runs, protect waterways, and Indigenous lifeways.

We also talk with Pat Schnettler, the founder and CEO of 12tides, an ocean-friendly, organic kelp chip snack company. We speak with him about the power of regenerative agriculture, restoring ocean ecosystems, supporting small ocean farmers, and how entrepreneurship can make an impact in protecting our waterways.

Visit our website to keep up with the OC team and for a full transcript of this episode! https://operationclimatepo.wixsite.com/operationclimate

Follow us on Instagram at @operationclimate!

Follow us on Twitter at @opclimate!

Subscribe to us on Youtube!

To contact us, DM us on Instagram or email us at [email protected]!

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Hosts/Reporters: Clare Sparling, Jessie Goldblatt, Luca Tjossem

Writers/Producers: Clare Sparling, Jessie Goldblatt, Luca Tjossem, Renee Urtusastegui

Guests: Niria Garcia, Pat Schnettler

Audio Editor: Luca Tjossem

Images and news of wildfires and smoke-filled skies are becoming a common occurrence in the news and on social media. Why is this happening? What can we do to stop this dangerous trend? In the second episode of our Threats to Nature series, we cover these questions and more, investigating the history of fire mitigation as well as emerging tools brought about by research and technological innovation. To cover this information, we welcome two speakers: Dr. Toddi Steelman, the Stanback Dean at the Nicholas School of Environment at Duke University, and Dr. Jason Schatz, a Data Scientist manager at Descartes Labs.

Visit our website to keep up with the OC team and for a full transcript of this episode! https://operationclimatepo.wixsite.com/operationclimate

Follow us on Instagram at @operationclimate!

Follow us on Twitter at @opclimate!

Subscribe to us on Youtube!

To contact us, DM us on Instagram or email us at [email protected]!

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Hosts/Reporters: Valerie Tsao, Jessie Goldblatt

Writers/Producers: Valerie Tsao, Jessie Goldblatt, Aimi Wen

Guests: Dr. Toddi Steelman, Dr. Jason Schatz

Audio Editor: Aimi Wen

Biodiversity. What is it and why is it important? In the first episode of our Threats to Nature series, we introduce the topic of biodiversity and then take a deep dive into palm oil in the Amazon. You’ve probably heard that palm oil is bad and the Amazon is in danger, so what happens when these issues collide? In this episode, we hear from Dr. Stuart Pimm, a world leader in conservation ecology from Duke University, and Francisco Naranjo, the Latin America lead for the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) as they break down this complex topics of biodiversity and palm oil in the Amazon region.

Visit our website to keep up with the OC team and for a full transcript of this episode! https://operationclimatepo.wixsite.com/operationclimate

Follow us on Instagram at @operationclimate!

Follow us on Twitter at @opclimate!

Subscribe to us on Youtube!

To contact us, DM us on Instagram or email us at [email protected]!

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Hosts/Reporters: Clare Sparling, Georgie Stammer, Mira Polishook, Renee Urtusastegui

Writers/Producers: Clare Sparling, Georgie Stammer, Mira Polishook, Renee Urtusastegui

Guests: Dr. Stuart Pimm, Francisco Naranjo

Audio Editor: Clare Sparling

Running a divestment movement on your campus doesn’t have to be super complicated. In this episode, we break down the steps to running a divestment campaign, from how to do research on the financials of your school, to how to assemble an effective team, and more. We also hear tips from divestment organizers from colleges around the U.S., including Harvard University, De Anza College, and The Better Future Project.

Visit our website to keep up with the OC team and for a full transcript of this episode! https://operationclimatepo.wixsite.com/operationclimate

Follow us on Instagram at @operationclimate!

Follow us on Twitter at @opclimate!

Subscribe to us on Youtube!

To contact us, DM us on Instagram or email us at [email protected]!

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Hosts/Reporters: Katherine Li and Rishab Jagetia

Writers/Producers: Katherine Li and Rishab Jagetia

Guests: Ilana Cohen (Harvard University), Cynthia Kauffman (De Anza College), Kerrina Williams (The Better Future Project)

Audio Editor: Emily Nagamoto

Music: Cali by WataR, carefree by WataR

Duke University has a long history of students fighting for fossil fuel divestment, but it hasn't happened yet. Why is this? What do we need to do to get Duke to divest? If you're a student, alumni, or faculty member of Duke University, this episode is directly related to your community. If you don't have ties to Duke, this episode is STILL relevant for you because Duke's position on divestment is similar to challenges that colleges all over the world face in terms of the fossil fuel divestment movement. Why might some colleges not want to divest? What can we do to aid the divestment movement at our schools? Listen to find out!

Visit our website to keep up with the OC team and for a full transcript of this episode! https://operationclimatepo.wixsite.com/operationclimate

Follow us on Instagram at @operationclimate!

Follow us on Twitter at @opclimate!

Subscribe to us on Youtube!

To contact us, DM us on Instagram or email us at [email protected]!

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Hosts/Reporters: Katherine Li and Ryan Lou

Writers/Producers: Ryan Lou, Helene Gu, Isabella Kroon, Katherine Li

Guests: Brennan McDonald, Abby Saks, Lawrence Baxter

Audio Editor: Isabella Kroon

Music: Cali by WataR, carefree by WataR

In this episode, we cover the basics of fossil fuel divestment: the money lingo you need to know, the impact that divestment can make, the history and origins of the divestment movement, and more. We also break down some common arguments against the push for divestment so that you can be prepared to advocate for divestment at your school/institution. If you're new to divestment, this is the perfect episode to get started in the divestment movement!

Visit our website to keep up with the OC team and for a full transcript of this episode! https://operationclimatepo.wixsite.com/operationclimate

Follow us on Instagram at @operationclimate!

Follow us on Twitter at @opclimate!

Subscribe to us on Youtube!

To contact us, DM us on Instagram or email us at [email protected]!

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Hosts/Reporters: Katherine Li and Matthew Brune

Writers/Producers: Helene Gu, Franny Lee, Matthew Brune, Emily Nagamoto

Audio Editor: Franny Lee

Music: Cali by WataR, carefree by WataR

Catching up with climate news, it’s impossible not to hear about Greta Thunberg. She who started her climate strike as a 15 year old is sometimes described as a “teenager who should work on her anger management” by people like Former President Trump.

These types of statements stem from the belief that young people aren’t politically active or that we shouldn’t be because of the idea that we lack sufficient knowledge or awareness. But at other times Greta is characterized as an inspirational, powerful, global climate leader.

So with all this attention from the media, politicians, and the public, some questions are posed. In what ways can young people join the political conversation? How are youth climate activists portrayed in the media and what needs to change? Do the voices of young people have an impact? In this episode, we’ll be answering these questions, joined by youth climate activist Sarah Goody.

Sarah is the founder of an  environmental organization called Climate NOW that focuses on youth climate education and equipping young people with resources to be environmentally conscious. Sarah is the Chair of the Corte Madera Climate Action Committee, she is making history as the youngest person to Chair a committee in her town. She is a published author, with work in Teen Vogue and The San Francisco Chronicle. In 2020 Sarah received the Princess Diana Award, the highest accolade a young person can achieve for social action or humanitarian efforts.

Visit our website to keep up with the OC team and for a full transcript of this episode! https://operationclimatepo.wixsite.com/operationclimate

Follow us on Instagram at @operationclimate!

Follow us on Twitter at @opclimate!

Subscribe to us on Youtube!

To contact us, DM us on Instagram or email us at [email protected]!

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Guest: Sarah Goody

Hosts/Reporters: Juju Lee, Marissa Sims, Sadie Dunne 

Producer: Katherine Li

Audio Editor: Katherine Li

Music: Cali by Wataboi, embrace by Wataboi

We all have different roles in our lives -- you could be a sibling, parent, student, educator, someone at some kind of decision making table... All these roles are interconnected and we all have our own specific ways that we can contribute to the climate movement. So what's yours?

In this episode, we'll be exploring the roles and responsibilities that different stakeholders hold in the fight against the climate crisis -- specifically, we'll be examining the roles of youth activists, environmental educators & students, and politicians. 

To talk with us about the role of youth in the climate movement are youth activists Allie Rougeot and Irene Lam who are both organizers with the Fridays for Future Toronto branch.

To talk about environmental education with us is Dru Harrison, who has tons of experience as an environmental educator with the New Hanover soil & water conservation district in North Carolina.

Finally, to chat with us about the role of politics in the climate movement is Heather Taylor-Miesle, the executive director of the Ohio Environmental Council. She has had experience working at the forefront of environmental politics and previously served as an Capitol Hill aide working on energy and natural resources issues.

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Visit our website to keep up with the OC team and for a full transcript of this episode! https://operationclimatepo.wixsite.com/operationclimate

Follow us on Instagram at @operationclimate!

Follow us on Twitter at @opclimate!

Subscribe to us on Youtube!

To contact us, DM us on Instagram or email us at [email protected]!

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Guests (in order of appearance): Allie Rougeot, Irene Lam, Dru Harrison, Heather Taylor-Miesle

Hosts/Reporters: Matalin Bloomfield, Caroline Chen, Marissa Sims

Audio Editor: Katherine Li

Music: Cali by Wataboi, Awakening by Wataboi

A clean energy transition is an essential part of combatting the climate crisis, and the clean energy revolution is already here. But it may not be happening at the speed that we need. In this episode, we'll delve into why we need a clean energy transition, why we’re not seeing it at the scale that we need, what role the government plays, and how we can ensure that this transition is socially just (ie. fossil fuel workers and other people affected by the transition don't have the livelihoods taken away).

Joining us to talk about the clean energy revolution is Dr. Timothy Johnson, Professor of the Practice of Energy and the Environment at Duke University, Associate Dean of Professional Programs, and Chair of the Energy & Environment Program. His research expertise lies in the intersection of energy system planning, design of the built environment, and natural resource management, with a particular interest in how we can leverage interactions among these areas to improve environmental quality and human health. Also joining us to talk about the just transition is Allie Rougeot, the founder of Fridays for Future Toronto and who works on the just transition in Canada.

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Visit our website to keep up with the OC team and for a full transcript of this episode! https://operationclimatepo.wixsite.com/operationclimate

Follow us on Instagram at @operationclimate!

Follow us on Twitter at @opclimate!

Subscribe to us on Youtube!

To contact us, DM us on Instagram or email us at [email protected]!

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Guest: Timothy Johnson, Allie Rougeot

Hosts/Reporters: Raghav Akula, Arshia Ghoreyan

Audio Editor: Emily Nagamoto

Music: Cali by Wataboi