The Cautious Climate Optimist

A lovely chat with Planetary Technologies' VP Community Relations/Public Policy/ and Government Relations, Diana Phillip. Like so many people I've had the good fortune to meet and get to know along this journey through good new climate initiatives, she's a winning blend of intelligence, practical approach, and a caring attitude. Planetary is lucky to have her, as are we all. Thanks for listening, and enjoy!

So where would we be without upcoming generations taking the torch and running with vigour and hopeful optimism towards solutions to this fine mess we've found ourselves in. Nowhere good is the short answer. In this fourth episode in a limited six-part series looking at ocean (and river) related climate solutions (specifically alkalinity enhancement), I have a great chat with Alex Whitworth and Rowan Norrad - two inspiring young researchers who have decided to turn their passion for our beautiful natural world into a career in the oh-so-promising field of Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement...fortunately for us. Enjoy and thx. for listening.

Today I chat with a true man for all seasons, Jamie Snook. A recent transplant to Nova Scotia from Labrador, he's the Executive Director of MEOPAR, a non-profit ocean research funding agency. He also spent 15 years at the helm of the Torngat Wildlife, Plants and Fisheries Secretariat in Labrador, where he was responsible for implementing sections of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement that focus on wildlife and commercial fisheries co-management; he also got himself elected mayor of Happy Valley/Goose Bay for one term, and well, much more. He's a gem of a guy, and we're lucky to have him here in Nova Scotia.

In this second episode of our six-part series focusing on ocean-climate research, and more specifically, Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE), I have a great chat with the very Canadian (an authentically nice guy who loves all things canoe) Mike Kelland, CEO and Co-founder of Halifax's Planetary Technologies. They're lucky to have Mike at the helm over there at Planetary. A true cautious climate optimist, he's a perfect fit for both our show and the fight ahead of him (and all of us) as we work to find solutions to get us out of this mess we call climate change.

In this first episode of our six-part series focusing on ocean-climate research, we reconnect with Miriam Zitner, of Carbon to Sea Canada, who kindly walks us through what's new in the field of Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE), which is, in a roundabout way, a method whereby we help oceans (and in some cases, rivers) increase their ability to help us fight climate change by lowering the acidity of the water to be able to absorb even more CO2 from the atmosphere. Confused yet? Sound more like science fiction than reality? Think again...and listen in. Miriam will explain all.

Okay, so this one's long overdue, and in terms of our mandate here at the podcast, of covering good new climate initiatives, the Ecology Action Centre work clicks that box, big time. Maggy Burns, the Centre's Exec. Direc. is a lovely person with an easy manner but a steely spine, it would appear, with regards to what she holds most dear...the natural environment here in Nova Scotia, and the health of not only Nova Scotians, but all living things, and the environment as a whole. And really, shouldn't we all. We chat about the history of the EAC - had no idea it started at Dalhousie - and move on the address more pressing issues. What would we do without them, that's what I wonder, so glad to finally have the chance to chat.

Yet another amazing climate warrior fighting the good fight. Today, it's the lovely Will Burt, who, through his work with Halifax's Planetary Tech, is putting in long hours to give our ailing oceans a boost by adding what is essentially huge amounts of antacid to the water. Thank goodness for the big brains and big ideas of the world's researchers and scientists. You won't want to miss this one - fascinating and absolutely critical work; helping our oceans get back to good and get back to their job of absorbing as much CO2 as possible.

Today's chat is yet another amazing dive into the myriad possibilities for clean energy optimism in our province. Dan Roscoe of Roswall Dev. joins me to talk all things wind and wind turbines, with all the potential those turbines hold to help get us all using 100 % clean wind energy sooner than you think. The key, he says, is local ownership and distributed generation. And he puts his money where his mouth is, with the 2026-27 launch of his company's largest wind farm to date, in Mersey River, NS - with 33 big, beautiful turbines. Enjoy the show!

Halifax's Miriam Zitner is a powerhouse of a person - a live spark of optimism and enthusiasm backed up by action. In today's episode, Miriam and I discuss everything from her motorcycle trip across India and Nepal to her work bringing a women's soccer club to Halifax - the Halifax Tides - and her enthusiastic involvement with the Nova Scotia chapter of The Women's Equity Lab. And, lastly, and the whole point of the interview, since it is about cautious climate optimism, her very important work as General Manager with the Carbon to Sea Initiative. I'll leave you with that teaser and encourage you to listen to our conversation to find out more - it's a good one.

Today I chat with Eddie Halfyard, a research scientist with a passion for fish, water quality, and removing CO2 from the atmosphere. Nothing short of a miraculous, game-changing, and yes, serendipitous find, is what Halfyard and fellow researcher, Professor Shannon Sterling discovered as they worked to improve water quality for NS salmon. And as with many great discoveries, an unexpected positive offshoot of that initial work changed the game forever...and CarbonRun was born.