This week, Tim Tollefson joins us once again on the WTCTA pod for a full episode. We dive into his experiences in professional ultra running, climate awareness, and the creation of Mammoth Trail Fest amidst the backdrop of a changing climate in Mammoth, CA. 

We talk about:

• Pivotal moments that shaped his understanding of environmental issues
• The connection between climate and trail running
• His experience as a race director (including his biggest surprise as an RD) and the community he’s created at MTF
• The need for advocacy around public lands 
• Very importantly, our middle names

Links:

Tim's instagram

Mammoth Trail Fest

US Forest Service article

We Can't Run Away From This book

Not The End Of The World book

⁠Want to support WTCTA? Visit the Patreon.

climate awareness, ultrarunning, trail running, Mammoth Trail Fest, environmental changes, mental health, community engagement, race director, outdoor recreation, environmental awareness, public lands, climate challenges, community engagement, event planning, sustainability, advocacy, recreation

Spencer Fields is a clean energy specialist who is also a skier, climber, (former) backpacking trip leader, musician and new dad. Spencer shares his journey in the clean energy sector, his love for outdoor recreation, and the importance of effective communication in climate action.

We talk about:

• His long career in the environmental/electrification space
• Outdoor passions fueling 9-5 work
• Climate communication as a tool for change
• Attending COP17 (yes, MANY years ago)
• Music!

Links:

⁠Energy Sage⁠ 

⁠Noble Carbon⁠ 

⁠Rewiring America⁠ 

⁠Quilt Heat Pumps Hat ⁠

⁠AdventureTreks⁠

⁠Tommy Caldwell Podcast Episode⁠ 

⁠Study of nature connection to care about climate 

⁠Cargo ships and recent developments

Research on consumer energy journeys

⁠Energy Sage Solar Calculator⁠ 

⁠Bonus link: Lawrence⁠

⁠Want to support WTCTA? Visit the Patreon.

climate change, clean energy, outdoor recreation, electrification, solar energy, environmental education, climate action, communication strategies, personal experiences, sustainability, environment, COP17, environmental policy, sustainability, climate solutions, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, renewable energy

Lauro Silva is a trail runner, environmental justice advocate, community leader, designer and educator. They are building pathways to environmental action and inclusion for BIPOC folks in the outdoor community. We talk about identity, access, environmental justice and community care, and what belonging in the climate movement means to them. We also discuss their new initiative, Tierra Libre.

We talk about: 

• How having a relationship with nature is essential for effective climate action
• Their upbringing and how that influences their community work today
• Trail running, and more trail running
• Their new initiative, Tierra Libre
• Climate gardens! 

Links

Lauro’s Instagram

Footprints running

Victory Gardens

Tierra Libre 

Wyeast Wolfpack 

⁠Want to support WTCTA? Visit the Patreon.

trail running, climate action, cultural identity, environmental justice, community building, Tierra Libre, Footprints camp, personal growth, outdoor inclusivity

Hema Lochan (Heemz) is an environmental justice attorney and ultramarathon runner who joins us on the pod to share their journey of connecting running with environmental advocacy. They discuss their personal experiences that shaped their understanding of environmental justice, the importance of community in both running and activism, and their work in promoting both clean energy and inclusivity in outdoor spaces. 

We talk about:

• The need for collective action and the significance of listening to marginalized voices in addressing climate issues

• The unique challenges and experiences of being a person of color in predominantly white spaces, both in trail running and environmental law

• The importance of representation for non-binary athletes in running

• The shift from individualism to collectivism in the sport (and how that mirrors climate)

• Stand-up comedy! 

Links:

Heemz on Instagram

Heemz in Runners World! 

Coal Plant Retirement 

Transrockies 

We Run Long

The Speed Project 

TSP Instagram 

Native Lands Map

⁠Want to support WTCTA? Visit the Patreon.

environmental justice, running, ultramarathon, community, inclusivity, clean energy, climate change, trail running, advocacy, non-binary, collectivism, climate solutions, stand-up comedy, community, representation, environmentalism, passion

Emergency Pod! Tim Tollefson joins the podcast to talk about an issue urgently affecting the trail community: the budget cuts in the US Forest Service, which would greatly limit the provision of trail maintenance services, ecological protection, carbon emissions monitoring and even permit approvals. 

Thanks to Zoë Rom for shedding light on the issue and Runners for Public Lands for activating the running community on this. See the links below for more information and to take action. 

Ultrasignup Article 
Outdoor Alliance Congress Letter Template

⁠Want to support WTCTA? Visit the Patreon.

trail running, environmental activism, budget cuts, public lands, outdoor recreation, advocacy, community involvement, climate change

Dakota Jones is an ultrarunner, climate activist and co-founder and Executive Director of Footprints Running. We talk about his journey through finding his place in climate action and activism, his imperfect advocacy and the learnings from Footprints as a climate action incubator.

Topics Discussed:

• Dakota's running and advocacy background

• Personal behavior change (and what we can and can't control)
• Founding Footprints Running
• Last year's Footprints camp - mistakes & learnings
• Centering communities in climate action
• Exploring the degrowth movement

• Taking action: education and conversations

Links:

Dakota’s Instagram 

Footprints Instagram

Protect Our Winters

Dakota’s Writing on the Cargo Ship

More of Dakota’s Writing

Craftsbury Outdoor Center 

Jason Hickel’s Books - The Divide & Less is More

Climate Shadow

Katherine Hayhoe’s book Saving Us

Atmos Bank

Degrowth Movement 

Kristof's Public Health Reframing

trail running, climate advocacy, climate change, behavior changes, biking, running camps, privilege, accessibility, challenges, mistakes, centering communities, reparations, climate justice, inclusive, intentional, marginalized groups, decision-making, systemic issues, individual actions, education, conversations, global finance, degrowth

Welcome to Where The Climate Things Are - building an inclusive climate movement in the outdoor community. There is so much incredible work and experience in all corners of our world of outdoor enthusiasts, and if I’ve learned one thing in my time studying and working on environmental issues, it’s that sharing positive, solutions-oriented stories and personal experiences is often the biggest unlock to encouraging broader environmental action. We don’t do doomsday, guilt or shame here -- we uplift solutions-oriented work, talk about existing issues and challenges, and discuss where we need to go, together.

One last episode to wrap the year before the WTCTA team heads offline.

Additional links below:

• Everytown for Gun Safety

• Brown U Flight Fund (getting students out of Providence quickly and safely)

• Bondi Beach GoFundMe

  I encourage you to follow reporter Cate Brown and community activist Amanda Stecco (both of whom I am lucky enough to call friends) for more on the ongoing genocide in Gaza and how you can get involved. 

  And here’s a comprehensive list of ways you can get involved in aiding those affected by the floods in Washington.