A Climate Change with Matt Matern

This week, Matt Matern speaks with Nick Wise about how satellite technology and artificial intelligence are transforming ocean protection and climate accountability. Wise shares his personal journey from ocean exploration to founding OceanMind and co-founding Climate TRACE, explaining how space-based data can detect illegal fishing, monitor shipping emissions, and support enforcement of existing regulations. Nick also highlights how better transparency and data can accelerate ocean conservation, decarbonization, and global climate action.   To learn more about NIck Wise’s work, visit www.oceanmind.global and www.climatetrace.org Want to boast to your friends about trees named after you? Help us plant 30k trees? Only a few trees left! Visit aclimatechange.com/trees to learn more Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts. Guest Bio: Nick Wise is the founder and CEO of OceanMind and a co-founder of Climate TRACE. He is a climate and ocean technology leader using satellites, AI, and data transparency to combat illegal fishing, track global emissions, and strengthen enforcement of environmental regulations worldwide.   Episode Resources Oceanmind website: http://www.oceanmind.global Climate TRACE:  website: https://www.climatetrace.org Matt Matern on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ACClinkedin A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids   YouTube Chapters: 00:00 Why Satellites Are Changing Climate Accountability 01:00 Nick Wise’s Journey From Ocean Lover to Climate Tech Leader 03:30 How Satellites and AI Detect Illegal Fishing 06:00 What OceanMind Does and Why Enforcement Matters 09:00 Real Wins Protecting Oceans and Supply Chains 12:00 Climate TRACE and Tracking Global Emissions 16:00 Turning Emissions Data Into Real Reductions 19:30 Can Polluters Be Held Legally Accountable 24:00 How AI and Data Actually Power Enforcement 29:00 Why Fisheries and Oceans Are Still at Risk 34:30 What Coral Bleaching and Ocean Warming Look Like Up Close 38:00 Climate Risk, Shipping, and the Insurance Wake-Up Call 44:30 Why We Don’t Need New Tech—Just Action 49:00 How You Can Use Climate Data to Make Change 55:00 Final Thoughts on Power, Policy, and the Path Forward More About A Climate Change with Matt Matern A Climate Change with Matt Matern is a podcast dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of climate change while inspiring action and fostering a sustainable future. Each episode dives deep into the environmental challenges of our time, rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and resource degradation, breaking down complex topics into digestible insights. The podcast goes beyond merely raising awareness. It serves as a trusted resource for practical, actionable solutions that empower listeners to reduce their carbon footprint and drive change in their communities. With a strong focus on environmental science and expert perspectives, host Matt Matern brings influential voices to the forefront, highlighting innovative ideas and collaborative efforts shaping global sustainability initiatives. More than just a source of information, A Climate Change is a movement. It builds a coalition of like-minded individuals committed to preserving the planet for future generations. Listeners are invited to participate actively in creating a legacy of positive environmental impact through informed decision-making and collective action. The podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, provides a platform for science-backed discussions, global perspectives, and community building. Whether you want to learn about renewable energy, sustainable living practices, or climate policy, A Climate Change with Matt Matern equips you with the tools and knowledge to make a tangible difference. Tune in, take action, and join the fight for a brighter, greener future.

Today, Matt Matern speaks with Cora Stryker, co-founder of BrightSaver, about expanding access to clean energy through plug-in “balcony solar.” Cora shares her personal journey from tropical biology and nonprofit leadership to climate entrepreneurship, emphasizing equity, affordability, and empowerment. She also discusses how small, modular solar systems can bypass regulatory barriers, lower electricity bills, and accelerate clean energy adoption even as federal support wanes.   To learn more about Cora’s work, visit www.brightsaver.org Want to boast to your friends about trees named after you? Help us plant 30k trees? Only a few trees left! Visit aclimatechange.com/trees to learn more Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts. Cora’s Bio: Cora Stryker has a proven track record of leading social mission-driven organizations including the two organizations she founded, Climate Justice Incubator and GirlBlazer. Key priorities for her are building win-win strategic partnerships to drive measurable impact, investing in growth strategies to scale impact, and fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive organizational culture.   Episode Resources Cora’s website: https://www.brightsaver.org  A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids More About A Climate Change with Matt Matern A Climate Change with Matt Matern is a podcast dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of climate change while inspiring action and fostering a sustainable future. Each episode dives deep into the environmental challenges of our time, rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and resource degradation, breaking down complex topics into digestible insights. The podcast goes beyond merely raising awareness. It serves as a trusted resource for practical, actionable solutions that empower listeners to reduce their carbon footprint and drive change in their communities. With a strong focus on environmental science and expert perspectives, host Matt Matern brings influential voices to the forefront, highlighting innovative ideas and collaborative efforts shaping global sustainability initiatives. More than just a source of information, A Climate Change is a movement. It builds a coalition of like-minded individuals committed to preserving the planet for future generations. Listeners are invited to participate actively in creating a legacy of positive environmental impact through informed decision-making and collective action. The podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, provides a platform for science-backed discussions, global perspectives, and community building. Whether you want to learn about renewable energy, sustainable living practices, or climate policy, A Climate Change with Matt Matern equips you with the tools and knowledge to make a tangible difference. Tune in, take action, and join the fight for a brighter, greener future.

Pollinators are declining fast - here’s why it matters. This week, Matt speaks with Kelly Bills, Executive Director of Pollinator Partnership, who explains why pollinators are critical to global food systems and ecosystem health. She discusses declining bee and insect populations, the role of climate change in habitat loss and disrupted plant–pollinator timing, and how agriculture, communities, and corporations can help reverse these trends. Kelly also shares successful conservation initiatives, including Bee Friendly Farming and large-scale habitat restoration projects, along with practical steps individuals can take to support pollinators.   To get involved with Kelly’s organization, visit https://www.pollinator.org   Also check out some of their studies below: The Basics: Climate Change and Pollinators https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator.org/assets/generalFiles/Climate-Change-and-Pollinators-Flyer-2023.pdf Published study: Untangling the Complexity of Climate Change Effects on Plant Reproductive Traits and Pollinators: A Systematic Global Synthesis https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.70081 Executive Summary 2-pager (with the published study) https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator.org/assets/generalFiles/NAPPC-climate-change-overview_english.pdf    Want to boast to your friends about trees named after you? Help us plant 30k trees? Only a few trees left! Visit aclimatechange.com/trees to learn more Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts. Kelly Bills Bio: Kelly Bills has been dedicated to pollinator conservation for over a decade. Her focus is on large-scale habitat projects, plant-pollinator interactions, and agricultural and industry engagement. Kelly holds an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in Anthropology from the University of California at Santa Cruz. She has also received a Master’s of Science in Environmental Management (Ecology Concentration) from the University of San Francisco. Her background in ecology, conservation, and culture has propelled her career in the non-profit sector. Kelly is Executive Director of the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC), is on the Board of Directors of Pollinator Partnership Canada, is a member of the USDA NAREEE Pollinator Subcommittee, and serves on the EPA Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee. Episode Resources Pollinator website: https://www.pollinator.org/ ACC on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast ACC on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast ACC on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids More About A Climate Change with Matt Matern A Climate Change with Matt Matern is a podcast dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of climate change while inspiring action and fostering a sustainable future. Each episode dives deep into the environmental challenges of our time, rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and resource degradation, breaking down complex topics into digestible insights. The podcast goes beyond merely raising awareness. It serves as a trusted resource for practical, actionable solutions that empower listeners to reduce their carbon footprint and drive change in their communities. With a strong focus on environmental science and expert perspectives, host Matt Matern brings influential voices to the forefront, highlighting innovative ideas and collaborative efforts shaping global sustainability initiatives. More than just a source of information, A Climate Change is a movement. It builds a coalition of like-minded individuals committed to preserving the planet for future generations. Listeners are invited to participate actively in creating a legacy of positive environmental impact through informed decision-making and collective action. The podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, provides a platform for science-backed discussions, global perspectives, and community building. Whether you want to learn about renewable energy, sustainable living practices, or climate policy, A Climate Change with Matt Matern equips you with the tools and knowledge to make a tangible difference. Tune in, take action, and join the fight for a brighter, greener future. Curated List of Episodes If you enjoyed this episode of A Climate Change, here is a list of some recent episodes curated especially for you: Simulating the Future: How Climate Models Shape Policy Decisions with Andrew Jones [Link] How Personal Change Sparks Global Impact: Joshua Spodek's Sustainability Secrets [Link] Bill McKibben on Renewable Energy, Political Battles & Hope for the Planet [Link]  

Leah Thomas (aka Green Girl Leah) is an award-winning environmentalist, writer, and founder of the Intersectional Environmentalist nonprofit. She hosts the new season of As She Rises and writes the newsletter Earth Anxious. Leah also created an eco-friendly holiday guide to help people shop sustainably. A leading voice in climate justice, she blends storytelling, activism, and accessible environmental education.) discusses her path into environmentalism, shaped by her Midwest upbringing and emerging racial justice movements. She explains how equity issues inspired her to develop Intersectional Environmentalism - a framework that links environmental protection with social justice - and launch related nonprofit work.  Leah produced and hosted the new season of the podcast As She Rises – which explores rewilding and land-led restoration through local poets and activists.    As She Rises is available wherever you get podcasts. https://bit.ly/4pJLD1Y Want to boast to your friends about trees named after you? Help us plant 30k trees? Only a few trees left! Visit aclimatechange.com/trees to learn more   Leah Thomas Bio: Leah Thomas (aka Green Girl Leah) is an award-winning environmentalist, writer, and founder of the Intersectional Environmentalist nonprofit. She hosts the new season of As She Rises and writes the newsletter Earth Anxious. Leah also created an eco-friendly holiday guide to help people shop sustainably. A leading voice in climate justice, she blends storytelling, activism, and accessible environmental education.   Episode Resources Leah’s website: https://www.leahthomas.com  Follow us on Linkedin on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ACClinkedin A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids More About A Climate Change with Matt Matern A Climate Change with Matt Matern is a podcast dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of climate change while inspiring action and fostering a sustainable future. Each episode dives deep into the environmental challenges of our time, rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and resource degradation, breaking down complex topics into digestible insights. The podcast goes beyond merely raising awareness. It serves as a trusted resource for practical, actionable solutions that empower listeners to reduce their carbon footprint and drive change in their communities. With a strong focus on environmental science and expert perspectives, host Matt Matern brings influential voices to the forefront, highlighting innovative ideas and collaborative efforts shaping global sustainability initiatives. More than just a source of information, A Climate Change is a movement. It builds a coalition of like-minded individuals committed to preserving the planet for future generations. Listeners are invited to participate actively in creating a legacy of positive environmental impact through informed decision-making and collective action. The podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, provides a platform for science-backed discussions, global perspectives, and community building. Whether you want to learn about renewable energy, sustainable living practices, or climate policy, A Climate Change with Matt Matern equips you with the tools and knowledge to make a tangible difference. Tune in, take action, and join the fight for a brighter, greener future.     Curated List of Episodes If you enjoyed this episode of A Climate Change, here is a list of some recent episodes curated especially for you: Simulating the Future: How Climate Models Shape Policy Decisions with Andrew Jones [Link] How Personal Change Sparks Global Impact: Joshua Spodek's Sustainability Secrets [Link] Bill McKibben on Renewable Energy, Political Battles & Hope for the Planet [Link]  

In this episode, Matt speaks with climate writer and researcher Stephen Lezak about Bill Gates’s recent essay arguing that climate change is serious but will not lead to humanity’s demise and that global policy should focus more on poverty and disease. Lezak explains why he challenged that framing in his New York Times op-ed, noting that Gates downplays risks like runaway warming and ignores how climate harms fall disproportionately on poor and Indigenous communities. They discuss the dangers of overstating or understating existential risk, the accelerating possibility of an ice-free Arctic summer, and the need for more just, effective climate policy. Read Bill Gates’ essay here: https://bit.ly/4rlaU4g Read Stephen’s New York Times op-ed here: https://bit.ly/4p789Ca Want to boast to your friends about trees named after you? Help us plant 30k trees? Only a few trees left! Visit aclimatechange.com/trees to learn more Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts. Stephen’s Bio: Stephen Lezak is a Research Fellow at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy and a former Gates Cambridge Scholar with a PhD in Polar Studies. An IPCC expert reviewer, he writes widely on climate justice, Indigenous adaptation, and carbon finance, including recent op-eds in The New York Times, The Hill, and The Conversation. Episode Resources Stephen’s website: https://www.stephenlezak.com/ Stephen’s on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenlezak/ Matt Matern on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ACClinkedin A Climate Change on Apple: https://bit.ly/accapplepodcast A Climate Change on Spotify: https://bit.ly/accspotifypodcast A Climate Change on YouTube: https://bit.ly/ACCvids More About A Climate Change with Matt Matern A Climate Change with Matt Matern is a podcast dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of climate change while inspiring action and fostering a sustainable future. Each episode dives deep into the environmental challenges of our time, rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and resource degradation, breaking down complex topics into digestible insights. The podcast goes beyond merely raising awareness. It serves as a trusted resource for practical, actionable solutions that empower listeners to reduce their carbon footprint and drive change in their communities. With a strong focus on environmental science and expert perspectives, host Matt Matern brings influential voices to the forefront, highlighting innovative ideas and collaborative efforts shaping global sustainability initiatives. More than just a source of information, A Climate Change is a movement. It builds a coalition of like-minded individuals committed to preserving the planet for future generations. Listeners are invited to participate actively in creating a legacy of positive environmental impact through informed decision-making and collective action. The podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, provides a platform for science-backed discussions, global perspectives, and community building. Whether you want to learn about renewable energy, sustainable living practices, or climate policy, A Climate Change with Matt Matern equips you with the tools and knowledge to make a tangible difference. Tune in, take action, and join the fight for a brighter, greener future.