What On Earth

Want to start a climate conversation? Mention your busted food processor, phone, dishwasher, coffee maker, etc. We’ll start a journey toward fixing what’s broken and learn how it could help repair the climate. Wealthy, white communities are more likely to oppose wind farms, says a new study. A Yellowknife doctor returns after a year away to find her home and herself changed by a harrowing summer. How some small businesses are adding EV chargers to boost tourism and help the planet. Could seafood-inspired skins slash emissions from buildings? And meet a musician who wants you to pull out your cell phone and tune into nature.

Clayoquot Sound near Tofino is known for the War in the Woods, a fight over old growth logging. Reporter Emily Vance takes us there to learn about the ways First Nations are re-asserting leadership when it comes to conservation on their traditional territories. Meet Melina Laboucan-Massimo, What On Earth’s new Indigenous-led climate solutions columnist. And – marking a year since Hurricane Fiona made landfall on Canada’s east coast, Paul Landry in New Brunswick explains why community support is key to surviving the next storm.

Danielle Smith has a plan to reach net zero by 2050, only it doesn’t involve moving away from oil and gas production. Laura asks her how she plans to get to carbon neutrality by 2050, and her snub of Ottawa's plan. And people across the country are on a mission to plant millions of trees, even as wildfires decimate forests in Canada. A documentary on what drives them, and what’s standing in the way.

A CBC News investigation found people across Canada lived with unsafe indoor temperatures this summer – often for long stretches of time with no relief. Reporter Tara Carman shares stories of people who suffered, including a man who died – after his home was close to 30 degrees for several weeks. And, environment minister Steven Guilbeault says his role in government 'is not to make friends.' In this feature interview, host Laura Lynch asks Guilbeault if Canada is falling short in its efforts to prevent heat deaths and respond to wildfires – and asks about his relationship with Alberta, as tensions mount over a planned emissions cap on the oil and gas industry.

As Canada continues to grapple with a record breaking wildfire season, some say it's a wake-up call to rethink our relationship with forests. For years, the logging industry has been built to maximize profits, rather than maximize wildfire resilience. What On Earth's Zoë Yunker introduces us to two B.C. communities doing things differently. And – cooking jerk shrimp without the smoke. Story producer Dannielle Piper tells us why a group is building cleaner-burning stoves in Nicaragua. Bonus, Dannielle teaches Laura how to make traditional Jamaican jerk shrimp!

Wildfires are getting harder to fight, so what can we do about it? A lot, actually. We’ll hear a former firefighter’s ideas on how we can use smarter technology and preventative measures to tackle wildfires. And we’ll learn about Indigenous food sovereignty and security, from teaching traditional hunting to planting native plants.

The Liidlii Kue First Nation breathes new life into Scotty Creek Research station, after a brutal wildfire decimated it last fall. Now, this climate research hub is jumping on a new opportunity to rebuild and take stock of data from before and after the fire to help tell the story of a rapidly changing North. Reporter Liny Lamberink visits this world-class climate research station in N.W.T. to explore the damage and survey the progress against the backdrop of a relentless season of wildfires. Alberta presses pause on renewable energy projects in a move one law professor calls “undemocratic.”

Hope is more important than ever, says Rebecca Solnit, amid another summer of climate-linked disasters. The writer, historian and activist says hope for the future is what fuels action to save it. We meet Sustainable Gabriola, a group working to make life on the B.C. Gulf Island more environmentally friendly. Youth columnist Aishwarya Puttur explores the differences between climate action in a major urban centre and in a small community in the Canadian North. And we revisit a climate slam poetry event at UBC.

How can you talk to your neighbours about climate change and work on solutions together? We hear about a UBC program training people across the country to do just that. And we meet a few of them as they plot to plant “plainclothes environmentalists” at their next community gathering. Then we go back in time to the oil shocks of the 1970s and 1980s for clean energy lessons that have new relevance today. And we meet a community of people making home retrofits a neighbourhood effort.

As sea levels rise, the nursery habitat for baby salmon will be pushed further inland. Molly Segal wades along the coast of Vancouver Island and speaks with the K'ómoks Guardian Watchmen, to learn how people are preserving the future of these fish. Lessons from Nova Scotia’s emergency response to flash floods. And two retired high school teachers set up a weekly climate info pop-up.

Parents of a B.C. boy who died after an asthma attack say wildfire smoke played a role. As climate change supercharges wildfire season, we explore personal and policy solutions that can protect the health of the most vulnerable. And farmers and food growers in Newfoundland and Labrador make an urgent call to the provincial government to remove barriers to growing their own food – changes they say are vital to protect food security as the world warms.

Our brains aren’t wired to save the world. But if you’re ready to make changes that actually stick, 10 Minutes to Save the Planet will show you the way. Co-hosts meteorologist and climate reporter Johanna Wagstaffe and broadcaster Rohit Joseph work through the UN’s 10 actions for a healthy planet, but in a way that won’t shame, overwhelm or bore you. Think of each episode as a bite-size guide to fight climate change, rooted in behavioural therapy. More episodes are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/MzC25ezJ

Mentoring Indigenous youth to lead during climate emergencies. Getting squirrely in the forest with a kids’ nature camp. Fireproofing California homes using bricks made from dirt. And: meet a man who built a tractor powered by the sun.

Whether urban or rural, green corridors can be crucial as the climate warms. We explore La Falaise Saint-Jacques in Montreal, and a biodiversity reserve in the territory of the Innu Essipit First Nation to find out why. Older adults are one of the groups at risk from extreme heat – we bring you a guide to staying safe. We hop aboard Canada’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train. And we drop by the studio of a Métis artist advocating for sustainable fashion.

Q Lawrence knew three of the 619 people who died in 2021's unprecedented heat dome in B.C. Now, new research shows that the single biggest risk factor for death during that heat dome was poverty. CBC reporter Bethany Lindsay explores how income affects outcomes of extreme weather in a warming world, and what can be done to protect those living in poverty. Then, we meet two friends who've been campaigning on climate change for 30 years. And, a documentary about how tornado season is changing in Canada and how warnings need to as well.

Driven by fear of climate change, Emily Kelsall got involved in extreme forms of activism. But the 25-year-old has come through a mental health crisis and now has a new approach to climate action. And we hear from two people who have studied the issue for a broader look at the mental health impacts of our warming planet. Then, we answer a listener’s questions about whether it’s possible to hop aboard a cargo ship for your summer vacation – and whether it’s a less carbon intensive way to travel than flying.

Intergenerational love and wisdom from a Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation family determined to act in the face of climate change — and encroaching wildfires. Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson unpacks the government's new blueprint for sustainable jobs. Does it pass muster? An engineering student from the University of Toronto hopes to bridge the sun and waves with a solar-powered boat. Plus, a voting cheat sheet for the climate.

As Ottawa choked on wildfire smoke, climate was left off the agenda in the House of Commons. CBC’s Aaron Wherry explains why it might seem like Canada's climate debate is stuck in the past. We meet 17-year-old Aishwarya Puttur who is fighting for the planet and debuts as our new youth columnist. Producer Molly Segal finds out how to pack a “go bag” in case wildfires force you from your home. An international project out of the University of Victoria aims to share the stories of climate disaster survivors in ways that help them heal. And a boost from the federal government for fossil fuel workers looking to go green.

As India’s extreme heat threatens lives, CBC’s Salimah Shivji shares solutions for cooling. John Vaillant warns of the frightening reality of 21st century wildfire. CBC’s Emily Chung introduces us to Ontarians experiencing the joys of affordable eco-friendly housing. Listeners are abuzz with questions about pollinator gardens. And an 11-year-old climate hero making a difference one lemonade stand at a time.

Helping shellfish survive extreme heat with Indigenous knowledge and western science. How to plant your backyard or balcony garden to benefit biodiversity and decolonize the landscape. And lessons from Australia on protecting your health during climate emergencies.

Alberta is in the hot seat with raging wildfires and a heated campaign. We trace the climate connections with voters and CBC meteorologist, Christy Climenhaga. At the other end of the thermostat, researchers race against warming to preserve archives of glacial ice in the Svalbard Archipelago. Gordon Neighbourhood House builds community in the face of heat extremes. Ashlee Cunsolo serves up wisdom about coping with ecological grief. And climate hero Jeremy Dias works to make his charity climate-friendly.

A dispute over a stone seawall on a public beach exposes PEI’s climate vulnerability and raises questions about natural solutions to the island’s eroding shores. CBC producer Janna Graham takes us to visit "The Wall" and learn what’s at stake as the island faces rising sea levels and more storm surges like Fiona. Next, we go down under to hear what Australia's deadly wildfires can teach us about the decision to "stay and defend" your property despite evacuation orders. Then, we tag along with a group of young people who want climate jobs and are banging down the government’s door to get them. We hear about their demands for a “Youth Climate Corps”.

Laura Lynch sidles up to sea lions in Howe Sound with a group protecting biodiversity. Why we need “all hands on deck” in the fight against wildfires. Listeners weigh in on how to leave fossil fuels behind without leaving workers in the lurch. A post-apocalyptic climate drama helps high school students grapple with the effects of climate change. And a local climate hero and hairdresser tells about the magic of …worms?

What can Canada learn from Denmark and Germany? As oil demand is forecast to drop, we take a look around the world for lessons about supporting workers and communities through energy transitions. Then, we hear from Canadians in communities closely tied to fossil fuels about their hopes and fears for the future.

You nominated the local heroes taking climate action in your communities. This week, we meet a few of them! They're saving wetlands, writing songs, supporting Indigenous clean energy projects, helping homeowners electrify, speaking out for old growth forests and more.

To the Po River Delta for a tale of the little clam that could... could suck in carbon, that is. Climate job seekers get a leg up. And, how to combine a haircut with climate activism.

A writer gazes into the future to find greener ways to fly. An Alberta teacher reaching kids with climate lessons that ease anxiety. And how the federal budget could make Canada an electric superpower

We uncover Canada-based solutions to the UN's latest climate report. In Newfoundland, compassion and know-how help people grapple with rising tides. Women in Vanuatu forge a network of climate resilience, and from Cape Cod to Atlantic Canada, fish find refuge from warming water.

Six months after the storm called Fiona devastated the community of Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, we check in to see how people are recovering and adapting. Comedian Chuck Nice on how humour can be a climate solution. And, getting into the minds of bees.

From Saskatoon to Finland, the benefits of winter biking. How ranchers are helping preserve Saskatchewan's grasslands. And a First Nation navigates a ticking carbon bomb.

The United Nations says more research is needed on solar geoengineering. Why scientists are borrowing from weather forecasting for everything from caribou to ticks. The deinfluencing movement on TikTok. And, we mark International Women's Day with a conversation with three leaders in the climate justice movement.

Climate-proofing the joy of a winter skate. A climate-themed drag show thwarted by melting ice. Clearing the air with an electric ice resurfacer. And homes get a winter makeover with some pocket change.

The high school senior tracking emissions from private jets. Why we need snow more than we know. Rethinking our dependence on cars. And Ottawa's new plan to transition workers away from the fossil fuel industry.

Opposition is mounting against harvesting metal-rich rocks from the deep ocean for use in EVs and more. We dive into the plan for the Great Bear Sea marine protected area. And slam poets share fiery emotions in hopes of a cooler future.

People in the north say they need better weather data to help them stay safe as the climate changes. Augy Jones is fighting environmental racism in Nova Scotia, using the lessons he learned from his parents in the civil rights era. And Canada's independent net zero panel delivers a list of climate actions Canada needs to take.

Food prices going up? So are greenhouse gases from those grocery store fridges! And just one look at exotic foods got Tamara Lindeman penning new climate songs. A brewing battle over deep sea mining. And the Canadian ties to Somalian drought.

Casting off the coast of Newfoundland where researchers are using underwater drones to gather data on ocean carbon, as the call comes for international cooperation on ocean monitoring. And a new book details why a just transition needs to include more than just oil and gas workers.

Lessons abound for climate watchers, from inside university classrooms to outside in the real world, where news that the ozone layer is healing offers hope for today's climate fight.

A new national initiative to support farmer mental health. A step forward in the fight to include people with disabilities in climate plans. Good news on energy-efficiency for low-income Canadians. And an update on the energy transition underway in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Producer Craig Desson goes on a journey to uncover what happened to passenger rail in Canada. And, producer Molly Segal follows a scientist looking to find out if climate safe havens in the Rocky Mountains can help the elusive wolverine.

In his book The Petroleum Papers, journalist Geoff Dembicki traces the money behind climate disinformation back to Canada. A recap of good climate news from 2022. Three CBC meteorologists weigh in on extreme weather. And tips for a green holiday.

What's at stake for our planet as international delegates descend on the UN Biodiversity Conference in Canada. Why Indigenous-led conservation is key to Canada meeting its targets. And, getting into the minds of bees.

A long voyage to net zero for shipping is casting off, and electric tugboats are part of it. And: a surprising boom in solar power in the land of oil and gas.

A national plan to fend off climate catastrophe, as one region struggles to adapt to changing waters. Forest drones taking root. Students on climate care. And: hard cash or empty promises on loss and damage?

What On Earth's Dannielle Piper reveals connections to the Caribbean to show what's at stake for those communities. Edmonton, Oslo and carbon budgets. And, two artists connect with their culture to take climate action.

With UN negotiations underway in Egypt, the call continues to phase out fossil fuels. Former environment minister Catherine McKenna gives us a reality check on net zero pledges. A listener shares her memories of a beloved mountain park. And, one year after an atmospheric river hit B.C., we check in on recovery.

This week, What On Earth dedicates a full episode to the UN climate negotiations getting underway in Egypt. Communities on the frontlines of global warming are heading to COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh to speak out. As talks of 'loss and damage' focus on developing countries, we hear what Canada's responsibilities are internationally and at home. And, we hear what people in Canada hope for at this year's conference.

How a small town is saving millions on climate adaptation by embracing nature's services. Climate action as a public health solution. And can throwing soup at art lead to policy change?

The high seas are beyond the reach of international law – and beyond the beat of most reporters. But Pulitzer-Prize-winner and former New York Times journalist, Ian Urbina, has sailed into uncharted territories. Urbina sets out on a years-long quest to investigate murder at sea, modern slave labour, environmental crimes and quixotic adventurers. Part travelog, part true-crime thriller, this 7-part series takes listeners to places where the laws of the land no longer exist. The Outlaw Ocean is brought to you by CBC Podcasts and the LA Times and produced by The Outlaw Ocean Project. More episodes are available at http://hyperurl.co/theoutlawocean

How the rebuilding of a B.C. trail could be a blueprint to help parks better withstand climate disaster. 'Bridging, braiding and weaving' Indigenous science into environmental policy. Two Canadian TikTok creators bring smart, funny climate messages to Gen Z. And, does logging in Canada generate emissions as high as the oil sands?