America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast

Doug Parsons attends the Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBF) Symposium in Santa Cruz, California. The Symposium was hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineering, with disaster and flooding experts participating from all over the world. Doug and Anita Van Breda, of World Wildlife Fund, interviewed experts on topics ranging from nature based solutions, community engagement, to the history the Army Corps. We also learned about on the ground adaptation efforts in the San Francisco Bay area.

Doug Parson joins World Wildlife Fund’s Shaun Martin to take a behind the scenes look at how WWF is adapting conservation to the new realities of climate change and helping governments prepare for the future. WWF is developing a simple process to integrate climate change risks into its strategies and documents the challenges and triumphs they face. WWF staff from 20 countries on 5 continents, tell stories on a wide range of topics including elephants, super-typhoons, and urban water scarcity.

We’re celebrating the 3rd annual Holiday Special. Ladd Keith of University of Arizona and Shaun Martin, of World Wildlife Fund, join Doug to discuss their top 3 climate stories of the year; their favorite America Adapts episode this past year and the state of adaptation. It’s a lively conversation with three adaptation pros! Bonus, Dr. Lara Hansen and Lauren Lynch, of EcoAdapt, come on to give a preview of the 2019 National Adaptation Forum, which occur April 23-25th in Madison, Wisconsin.

In the second in a 4-part flooding series sponsored by World Wildlife Fund - Doug Parsons talks with three experts using art to communicate the risks associated with flooding. Catherine Sarah Young, Dr. Elizabeth Miller and Dr. Vidya Venkataramanan join the podcast to discuss their experiences using art and design for community engagement and how that can be relevant to flood managers.

Doug Parsons is joined by author and professor, Elizabeth Rush. Elizabeth discusses her recent book, Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore. Doug and Elizabeth dig in to the positive reaction it’s received, her book tour, and they take a deep dive on how vulnerability to climate change relates to the #MeToo movement. It’s a provocative and enlightening conversation. And we have a bit of fun too.

Doug Parsons takes a journey to Queensland, Australia to learn how Natural Resource Management (NRM) bodies are adapting to climate change. Learn how these unique organizations are engaging with their rural communities on this important topic. Doug talks with experts from these NRM bodies ; aboriginal efforts at adaptation and carbon sequestration; and hear from two outback ranchers on how climate change is impacting that landscape and how to engage with rural communities.

Doug Parsons takes a journey with the Freedom to Breath bus tour on location in New Orleans. Doug attends a town hall on women and minority groups talking about climate resilience; a visit to Africatown to learn about the legacy of environmental pollution and a visit to a protest community that is serving as a gateway for refugees fleeing storms and climate change. Women, tribal members, people of color and the LGBT community talk about the steps they are taking to adapt to climate change.

Doug Parsons talks with flood management experts, both in the US and abroad. Discover the history of flood management in the US. We also learn how the Netherlands plans for 1 in 10,000 year flood events. The guests in this episode also discuss nature based solutions to flood management. World Wildlife Fund’s Anita Van Breda shares information on the Green Guide, developed by WWF and its partners, as a tool for natural based solutions to flooding.

Doug Parsons talks with Arielle Gold, Olympic medalist in snowboarding about her work with Protect our Winters, an advocacy group working to mobilize the outdoor sports community on climate change. Arielle also talks about her experiences as a snowboarder in the 2014 Sochi Winter Games in Russia and her medal winning turn at the Pyeongyang Winter Games in Korea. Doug and Arielle also discuss the role of professional athletes in creating greater awareness around climate change.

Doug Parsons talks with the CEO of The Collider Josh Dorfman. The Collider is a non profit organization working with individuals and companies to develop big data climate applications. They also are fostering the development of a climate ‘ecosystem’, through networking and creating a major hub for adaptation in Asheville, North Carolina. Josh also shares his experiences as The Lazy Environmentalist. It’s a fun, informative conversation with a new, innovative voice in the adaptation universe.

In this episode, we celebrate the two year anniversary of America Adapts! Yes, we’ve been producing episodes for two years, thanks to listeners like you! In this episode, we have a special guest host, Shaun Martin, Senior Director, Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience. Shaun and Doug dig into the history of America Adapts, highlights from episodes and what the future holds. Thanks again to all my listeners!

Doug Parsons celebrates two years of America Adapts by talking with Dr. Natasha DeJarnett, from the American Public Health Association (APHA) . Natasha leads the Natural Environment portfolio focusing on water, air and climate change. Doug and Natasha cover such topics as the role of APHA in addressing climate impacts on public health; environmental justice and equity; the roles of nurses, doctors and clinics in climate building awareness, and much more!

Doug Parsons talks adaptation with Lois DeBacker of the Kresge Foundation and adaptation researcher Dr. Susanne Moser. The Kresge Foundation released the report, Rising to the Challenge, Together and Doug, Lois and Susanne dig into its finding and discuss what’s happening within this field. Other topics covered: is adaptation evolving to meet the challenges of climate change; why are there not more prominent adaptation leaders and spokespeople; equity and adaptation and much more.

Doug Parsons travels down under to Melbourne, in the state of Victoria. Doug is invited to give the keynote address at the Victoria Adaptation Summit, then he participates in the National Adaptation Conference, where he interviews experts from throughout southern Australia. Learn innovative adaptation techniques from the private sector, local councils and the state government.

In episode 67of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Rich Sorkin, CEO and Co-Founder of Jupiter Intel. Rich shares the history of Jupiter Intel as a silicon valley start up and his short and long term goals in this emerging field. They also talk about emerging businesses in the adaptation sector and the role of profit making entities like Jupiter and the ‘wild wild west’ mentality that exists in some areas of future modeling. These topics and much more!