What on Earth?

We take you behind the scenes of Overheated, a special series we put together with a couple of sister shows: Quirks & Quarks and White Coat, Black Art. Each of us tells a specific story of how heat will change everything, from neighbourhood microclimates to the rise of “hot work.”

Yukon First Nations are leaders in protecting a keystone species threatened by warming waters. Join us in Whitehorse where we meet people demanding better care for irreplaceable Chinook salmon. This story is our contribution to Overheated, a special series we put together with two of our sister shows: Quirks & Quarks and White Coat, Black Art. Each of us tells a specific story of how heat will change everything, from neighbourhood microclimates to the rise of “hot work.”

Electric bikes are surging in popularity. Sure, they create fewer emissions than cars, but how climate friendly are they when you factor in their whole life cycle? A What on Earth listener asked, and we went looking for the answers.

Roishetta Ozane saw first-hand the effects of climate change on her community, and started organizing. Her group The Vessel Project of Louisiana has become a hub for sharing community resources – as well as an opponent to the fossil fuel companies polluting their home. Then – Bob McDonald from Quirks & Quarks and Dr. Brian Goldman from White Coat, Black Art join Laura Lynch to talk about the collaborative project Overheated, a series of stories about how increasing heat is impacting communities, people and ecosystems across Canada.

The world’s soil is in trouble, and in America’s agricultural heartland, a small group of Maya farmers are advocating for an ancient solution. Can the “milpa” system of agriculture help modern farming respond to a looming crisis? 

Learn more in this special bonus episode from Feet In 2 Worlds, the latest in our summer series of podcasts we think you’ll love.

This episode is part of Home, Interrupted, a podcast series from Feet in 2 Worlds exploring how the climate crisis affects immigrants across the U.S., and how immigrant communities are finding new ways to deal with a warming planet.

You can read more about the story at fi2w.org: Maya Farms...in Nebraska?

Canada’s environment sector is overwhelmingly white. But our columnist Chúk Odenigbo says every non-profit has a responsibility to make sure everyone, regardless of race, feels at home in the outdoors. He tells us about a course he's been teaching to environmental NGOs to help them be more inclusive in their work and their workplace. Then, we hear how Canada's parliament is vowing to study environmental racism, and how one organization is improving Black Nova Scotians' connection to the land.

The Maasai don’t surrender. They adapt. So says Dorcas Naishorua, the world’s first Miss Climate.

In a special bonus episode from TED Talks Daily, she explains how climate change has disrupted the melody of the Maasai way of life, and how girls are bearing the brunt of that disruption. In her talk, she advocates for a different vision for her people — one that includes Maasai girls laughing. 

“We are learning, we are evolving, and embracing innovation to rewrite the narrative of our struggle.” 

TED Talks Daily brings you a new talk every weekday featuring thought-provoking ideas on every subject imaginable, from personal growth to zoology, and everything in between. With TED Talks Daily, find some space in your day to change your perspectives, ignite your curiosity, and learn something new. If you like this episode, you can find TED Talks Daily wherever you get your podcasts.

Jack Thiessen wanted to take fighting wildfires into his own hands after a couple of close calls on his family ranch in northeastern B.C. Now, the community has installed a mobile trailer full of hoses, pumps, sprinklers and other equipment to help protect homes and fight wildfires in this rural region. Wildland firefighter Sonja Leverkus trained 150 people in the region, including Jack, on B.C. Wildfire Service approved courses so they can be better prepared to help tackle wildfire when they hit close to home.

Jane Goodall believes we’re living through very dark times indeed, but the renowned primatologist continues to see hope as a basic survival strategy. 

In a special bonus episode from The Current with Matt Galloway, she explains why. Goodall offers her perspective as someone born during the Great Depression, who lived through World War II, and who sees the events happening around us today with the clarity of a wise elder. 

She officially turned 90 since this interview, recorded last October, and we want to make sure our listeners have a chance to consider her key message — especially if you’re still young. (Remember, her world-changing work began in her 20s. Her passion for nature started even younger.)

For more stories to expand your worldview, find and follow The Current wherever you get your podcasts, or here: https://link.chtbl.com/Twob3407

Not everyone is hungry for climate content in the crowded social media landscape, but some Canadian content creators are determined to get Tik Tok, Youtube and Instagram users engaged in the climate conversation. Karishma Porwal (a.k.a. @karishmaclimategirl), Hazel Thayer (a.k.a. @hazelisonline), and Aaron Hagey-MacKay (a.k.a. @the_goose_media) share their strategies – from connecting climate to the housing crisis, to debunking carbon tax myths, to pushing back against fashion hauls with "underconsumption core" videos.