What On Earth

In Alaska and Barcelona, money from visitors is paying for heat pumps. What do we owe to the places we go on vacation? We hear how travellers can contribute to climate solutions. And, we answer a listener’s question about whether our beloved maple syrup will disappear in a warming world.

As wildfires rage across the country, we hear how to harness the power of community in the face of danger. And, we share listeners’ response to our interview with two long-time wildland firefighters in Alberta about what they say is a crisis in the ranks.

Soon, a little-known international tribunal will release a precedent setting decision that could force developed nations to do more to protect small island states from the ravages of climate change. A Canadian lawyer represented those tiny countries at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. He shares what’s at stake, along with another member of the legal team - Naima Te Maile Fefita of Tuvalu. Then our listeners get into a lather about the dishes. Hand wash or dishwasher?

Wildfire fighters say working conditions threaten the safety of crew and the public in that province. As climate change leads to more intense forest fires, the people on the front lines say they’re losing team members to other employers and something needs to change.

An Indigenous-owned company in Ontario is making sure evacuations are culturally appropriate, including supporting people to seek refuge on their traplines instead of hotels. Then we ask Canada’s Indigenous Services Minister how Ottawa can make climate emergencies less traumatic for Indigenous communities, and why members of the Peguis First Nation remain displaced two years after a major flood.

Come underground to glimpse new technology providing low carbon heating and cooling to downtown Toronto buildings. CBC climate reporter Emily Chung is our guide – to see this first of its kind project in Canada. Proponents say it's key to cutting emissions from buildings around the country.

Climate change may be last on your mind when you're dealing with discrimination, insecure housing and other barriers. But marginalized communities are hit harder than most by the impacts of climate change. Our columnist Chúk Odenigbo and activist Shelly-Ann Skinner walk us through how to meet Black, queer folks where they're at in order to include them in climate justice work. Then, we hear from an Ontario woman who's being recognized for her fight against climate change – and city hall – one lawn sign at a time.

Yep, we’re naming names! We meet a researcher who combed through millions of pieces of plastic trash and traced half of the branded items back to just 56 companies. We hear the case for why manufacturers should be responsible for their plastic products and how addressing this can help lower CO2 emissions to tackle the climate crisis. And – we dish the dirt on cleaning your plates, cutlery and more after a listener wrote in to ask: is the dishwasher or washing by hand better for the planet?

Their eco-anxiety is real, and they're helping each other with it even as adults play it down. We hear from two high schoolers in New Brunswick who are finding ways to cope — and even educating the willing grownups in their lives. And our mental health columnist Abhay Singh Sachal is worried about gaps he sees in modern psychology education. If tomorrow's therapists aren't climate aware, they risk "dismissing or downplaying" a key concern for their youngest clients. Plus, listeners weigh in on ways to reuse old clothes and linens — from creating a Dolly Parton-style bedsheet to Schitt's Creek dolls.

In 1970, 20 million people showed up to fight for the environment on the first Earth Day. But more than five decades later – is it time for this much tamer global event to return to its radical roots? Organizer Denis Hayes recounts how – amidst other counterculture movements at the time – he transformed Earth Day from a campus teach-in to a national protest. As he approaches 80, Denis offers his best OG advice to the next generation of climate leaders. Then, environmental warriors Maria Blancas and Axcelle Campana share ideas on what a revamped Earth Day could look like – including making it a public holiday.

The climate is changing. So are we. Twice a week we take you across Canada and around the world, in search of climate solutions.We love to hear from our listeners and regularly feature them on the show. Have a question? Email [email protected]

Scientists are editing the DNA of canola, and more, to survive with less rain. Can this help farmers adapt to climate change? And – if you’re stressed about the climate cost of the clothes and linens that have reached the end of their life, we have the scoop on what to do with those old jeans and torn bed sheets.

Join us on a hunt to discover the lost waterways hidden below the streets of Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, and find out how bringing creeks and rivers back to the surface can help our cities adapt to a changing world.

This episode from June 2023 just won the Mindset Award for reporting on the mental health of young people. Driven by fear of climate change, Emily Kelsall got involved in extreme forms of activism including arrest and jail. The 25-year-old has also come through a mental health crisis that landed her in hospital. It's all brought her a new perspective on climate action. Then, we hear from two people researching the connection between activism, mental health and our warming world. 

It’s like “CSI in the ocean,” only these scientists are racing against climate change off the coast of B.C. Next, a satirical spin on climate action with Canadian oil producers the brunt of the joke. Then, we head to Saskatchewan where drought is sparking debate over the waters in one lake.

Join us on a climate-solutions field trip! First, we head to the beach to find out how Indigenous knowledge and western science are working to keep clams cool in extreme heat. Next, we hear why your backyard – or patio – can be abuzz with biodiversity by simply making some simple swaps. (Spoiler alert: It’s time to weed out the dandelions.) Then, we head out to the coast of Vancouver Island and wade through estuaries to understand how scientists and First Nations are sussing out where baby salmon will want to live in a climate-changed future.

Better transit service could help lower Canada’s emissions. But can more people get on board with buses, trains and subways? Experts and advocates explain how to use policy changes and behaviour “nudges” to make it happen. And listeners share stories about great public transportation, from Singapore to Tampa Bay. Then, we hear why there’s “blood in the water” as Canada’s carbon tax approaches its annual increase. Plus: some advice on how to share feelings about climate change in a way that helps you cope rather than crumble.

Glaciers are retreating rapidly in Canada’s Rockies, bringing hazards to long-standing alpine routes. We visit Banff National Park to meet guides who are adapting to climate change in different ways. Then – we head to India, where for weeks farmers from the northern part of the country have been protesting in the streets, demanding changes that could help them fare better in a warming world. Next – like many new university students, our youth climate action columnist Aishwarya Puttur is learning to cook for herself. It has her reflecting on her family's own history of farming in India, and on the links between food, farming and sustainability.

Spoiler alert: the Barbie movie is not about climate change. But it passes the "climate change reality check." We hear why Good Energy developed a climate test for films and find out which two other Oscar-nominated flicks are also winners in this category. Next, a former NASA scientist tells us why a satellite launched into space to detect global methane emissions is a huge deal for the climate. And – Italy's government has just approved an ingredient that could be better for the environment, but not everyone's keen on cricket pizza. Find out how one Quebec lender's decision not to offer mortgages in some high-risk flood zones is sparking calls for Ottawa to protect homeowners in climate-vulnerable places. Finally, we look for answers to your questions about hybrid cars.

What to do about a world that’s on fire all the time? Texas is facing the biggest wildfire in state history, Alberta has declared the start of wildfire season earlier than usual, and zombie fires are burning in B.C. John Vaillant has written about a future where "fire weather" is the only weather in a warming world; he says Canada needs to prepare. Then, we hear how Metis citizens and firefighters in Alberta are getting their communities and the forests ready for what this year’s season could bring.

Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah doesn’t want any other kids to die the way Ella did. The 9-year-old suffered a fatal asthma attack, which has since been linked to air pollution from her neighbourhood in London. Now, her mom is suing the U.K. government and taking her campaign global. And – Alberta has declared an early start to wildfire season, even as so-called zombie fires continue to burn underground. Next, as climate change shifts from abstract threat to lived reality for many Canadians, columnist Abhay Singh Sachal says our mental health system needs to adapt to support people after disasters. Plus, a drag queen ice skating show about climate change is derailed by warm weather.

It all started in Japan, now it’s a worldwide craze. Trees planted at industrial sites by botanist Akira Miyawaki in the 1970s were a way to resist deforestation. Today, community groups around the world have joined the tiny forest movement as a way to store carbon in pockets of cities. Then, we hunt for winter across Canada, and find out how a lack of snow and ice are affecting everything from ice fishing to the Ontario Winter Games. The co-creator of Black Climate Week shares how a stark realization sparked a campaign to build a more inclusive environmental movement. We head to the hardware store to answer a listener’s question about the most climate-friendly light fixtures. And, American climate scientist Peter Kalmus reflects on his high-profile protest outside a bank in 2022 and the role of civil disobedience as a climate solution.

Advertising can contribute to the climate crisis, but it can also be a force for change. We hear about efforts underway here in Canada to strengthen rules around fossil fuel advertising. And how some European cities and towns are banning “high carbon advertising” altogether. Plus, a former ad executive shares the personal story of how he stopped selling soap and credit cards and is now using his skills to find marketing messages that motivate climate action. Spoiler: it's all about love. What On Earth's climate justice columnist Chúk Odenigbo discovers gaps in how Black communities in Hamilton, Ontario understand and experience climate change. Also, we explore the magical world of mushrooms as a climate solution.

China emits a third of the world’s greenhouse gases. But it’s also a leader in renewables. We hear from people inside the country about its paradoxical – and controversial – energy mix. Plus, you’ve maybe weighed the option of buying a new EV, but one listener asks: can you retrofit a gas car? We find out. And, in Alberta, severe drought in the middle of winter is forcing difficult conversations about who gets less water come spring. We check in with a rancher and learn how monitoring is helping landowners manage their wells. Finally, why one B.C. university is trying out spiritual care as a balm for climate anxiety.

From potato rovers to wildfire sniffers, AI is being put to work. But there’s a catch: the technology’s growing carbon footprint. Last week, we talked about cold weather and the grid, heat pumps and EVs. You listened…and wrote in. Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault responds to those topics and more. Melina Laboucan-Massimo – What On Earth’s Indigenous climate solutions columnist – shares the story of the Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n wind farm on Mi’gmaq territory in Quebec.

An emergency alert on Alberta's power grid has people asking: can renewable energy get us through Canada's extreme winters? We find out what really triggered Alberta's electricity supply crunch, and how a greener grid can still meet demand. We look to Northern B.C. and Norway to see how electric vehicles handle frigid temperatures. Plus, how heat pumps can still keep you toasty in Canada's coldest cities and what you should consider before getting one.

The bombs falling in Gaza and Ukraine have a human toll and an environmental one. We find out how demilitarization could help countries cut emissions. Columnist Aishwarya Puttur shares three campaigns motivating young activists in 2024. What On Earth’s Molly Segal explains what carbon dioxide removal is and whether it can fix the climate crisis. And oil and gas development in the North Sea has UK politicians calling out their own government.

Come with us into B.C.’s Great Bear Rainforest where Coastal First Nations are working to protect the trees using revenue from carbon offsets. But skepticism over the system may be putting the experiment at risk. We’ll hear about climate-friendly cookbooks to help you make a new year's resolution in the kitchen. A climate course you can sign up for that doesn’t cost anything and won’t bum you out. And a youth-led Swiss campaign to tax the rich to fight climate change.

Some stories leave us wondering “what happened next?” We hear details from a new report aimed at helping Nova Scotia tackle environmental racism. A check-in with an elder with the Sturgeon Creek First Nation who’s still living in a hotel seven months after wildfire and flooding forced her from her home. Updates from educators who are teaching their students how to contribute to climate solutions. News from a Canadian senator who wants to force banks to help the climate instead of hurting it. Plus: the whole What On Earth team pops into the studio to share some of 2023's biggest climate wins.

Missed some of our climate coverage in 2023? No need to have FOMO – we’ve got you covered with some of our favourite places, people and the tales they tell. Start with a journey to Germany’s coal region for lessons Canada can learn about energy transition. Take a trip on a cargo ship…for the sake of the climate (yes, seriously). Then, join us on a boat ride tracking biodiversity in North America’s southernmost fjord. And we wrap up in the classroom to learn why two university professors are trying to make climate change a mandatory part of learning.

‘Tis the season – well it’s always the season – to talk about climate. We’ve got tips on how to have a good conversation about our warming world around the holiday dinner table. Plus a new kind of annual Christmas letter featuring a family making a difference. And you can share the gift of a new zine packed with advice about coping with climate crises - one that fits into your back pocket.

Nations are "sounding the death knell for the fossil fuel era." Climate campaigner and self-described stubborn climate optimist Catherine Abreu calls the COP28 deal a win, despite its shortcomings. And columnist Chúk Odenigbo on why discussions about climate anxiety are too white.

An early childhood educator shares a climate solution to excess holiday presents. And a listener shares the joys and challenges of ‘micro-activism’ in rural New Brunswick as a blind person.

We dive into this year’s hot topic at COP: the f-words (fossil fuels). From Alberta’s case for its oil and gas industry, to the controversial words of the COP28 president, along with a decades-old industry “playbook.” And a bonus! An emissions cap you can wear.

A K-pop girl band has just been honoured for its climate advocacy. We hear about the difference megastars can make, even if they still live high-emitting lifestyles. And – as the pressure to shop ramps up, we hear how to trick yourself into thinking your old wardrobe is awesome.

2023 has broken records, but the warnings can sound like a “broken record.” Will the hottest year in recorded history light a fire under governments to act? And, why peace is on the agenda for the first time at this year’s COP28 talks. We learn how climate disasters breed conflict that hits women the most. In Pakistan the solution lies in education for girls.

People from around the world are heading to Dubai to set a course for the planet. With record-breaking temperatures and wild weather, the stakes are higher than ever. But with an oil executive at the helm of the talks, can countries work together to deliver on promises of emissions reductions?

If you don’t want your carbon footprint following you to the grave, green burials are a growing option. We take a trip from coast to coast to discover what exactly they are and how you can arrange one.

Glen Hoos wants no one to be left behind in the climate crisis. He’s supporting adults with Down syndrome, who share their advice on how to stay safe. Find out why one of his daughters nominated him as a climate champion and why another daughter motivates his advocacy. And – who wins and who loses in the rush for renewables.

Angry? Frustrated? Hopeful? However you feel, connecting with others can spark action. What On Earth’s new mental health columnist, Abhay Singh Sachal, shares tips to help you thrive. And – getting ready to snag some deals this Black Friday? Find out how the way you fill your online cart can make a difference for the planet and when going to a store IRL is the greener choice.

A farmer in Nova Scotia asks if there’s a better way to package greens. We find out. And, we hear how one couple’s dismay at plastic led them on a journey to open a zero-waste store in London, Ontario.

From Halloween costumes to the House of Commons, heat pumps are having a moment. We hear why they’re on the agenda in the halls of government. And we find out what else is needed to help lower-income Canadians – and everyone else – get cleaner, more efficient ways to heat and cool their homes.

From “packs of wolves” spreading disinformation online, to death threats, these women have paid a high cost for their climate advocacy work. As a family physician, Dr. Melissa Lem knew she could not stay silent on the dangers of climate change once she started to learn more. Climate advocate Tzeporah Berman waded into Alberta politics and got more than she bargained for. When Judy Wilson, former chief of the Neskonlith Indian Band, spoke out about a pipeline expansion, she says she started noticing strange things.

Saleemul Huq, champion of poor countries facing climate disaster, died suddenly. Now his close friend promises to ensure his legacy by pushing for richer countries to fund loss and damage money for the nations who need it most. And our youth climate action columnist on how young people are rethinking frontline protests as they strive for careers that could make a difference for the planet.

If it’s broke, who fixes it? “Right to repair” laws say companies should be held responsible for making better products. And – we visit a repair cafe and get some practical advice on how to make your appliances last longer.

As the Israel-Hamas war intensifies, we hear the case for working together on climate change to help build bridges. In July 2023, Carter Vigh died of an asthma attack which his parents say was made worse by wildfire smoke. Now, a project in his name hopes to get air quality monitors in communities around B.C.

Starting this weekend, you’ll notice something different about our podcast feed. We’re bringing you shorter episodes, more often. Every Wednesday and Saturday, we’ll have new stories about climate solutions, in less than 30 minutes.

Climate change is an “immense economic opportunity,” says Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber. But activists were outraged when the the CEO of the UAE’s state-run oil company was tasked with leading this year’s UN climate talks. The Guardian’s Fiona Harvey shares insights from recent interviews with al-Jaber. What On Earth’s new columnist Chúk Odenigbo tells us how his fight for climate justice started with a nude photoshoot in a park. And, scientists are working to understand the impact of wildfire smoke on glaciers.

Can rebranding 'natural gas' as 'fossil gas' lead to faster climate action? A former coal industry chemical engineer in Whistler, B.C. thinks it can, and he’s pushing governments to make the switch. Weddings can come with a big carbon footprint, so we explore how you and your sweetheart can make your big day more climate friendly. We hear from the creator of the 15 minute city concept about the abuse and death threats he’s faced, and we hear suggestions for how to tackle the growing problem of climate disinformation and online conspiracies. And we meet a pair of climate champions advocating for wetlands with some wild wonder and a Joni Mitchell cover.

Laura Lynch takes you up to Mount Meager, where dormant volcanoes could hold the future of geothermal energy in Canada - and another path to reconciliation with one First Nation. Two Canadian TikTok creators bring smart, funny climate messages to Gen Z.