We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions

Hi! My name’s Zachary Fox-Devol. You can just call me Zach. I might only be 13 years old, but I already have a lot of questions about the environment, how climate change will impact my generation and, most importantly, what we can do to help.

That’s why I started this podcast. We the Children is a place for kids like me to learn more about the climate crisis, and the environment, but have some fun along the way, too. On the show, we’ll explore things like climate change, climate action, severe weather and sustainable living, through conversations with experts, educators, and climate activists. I think that kids like me (and maybe you, reading this right now) have a lot to contribute to the global conversation about our environment. It's not about having all the answers; it's about asking big, important questions to the people who are spending their careers thinking about how we can all take climate action, practice sustainability and build a healthier Earth.

Questions like:

How can students effectively get involved in finding a climate solution? What responsibility do schools and administrators have to ensure students are taught about climate change and what life on Earth will look like in the coming years? Can we prevent biodiversity loss and preserve our wetlands and water sources? Why should we care about the conservation of animals like polar bears? Why do we need to pay attention to severe weather? What is the actual impact of our recycling efforts? What is a “green economy,” and who are the innovators that might help us achieve it?

Each episode is a chance to learn together. Air pollution, biodiversity, carbon footprints–sounds like an earth science class, right? But here's the thing: it's not just about learning big words and what they mean. It's about understanding these concepts’ impact on our world. Together, we’ll navigate the tricky terrain of climate action, exploring what it means for us, for the environment, and the world.

Teachers, consider this podcast a little extra help in your mission to educate the next generation about climate change. We the Children isn't just a show; it's a tool for your climate curriculum arsenal. Climate change is a massive topic but together we'll break it down, one concept, one question at a time. Conservation, sustainability, climate solutions – we'll explore them all.

As for you, my fellow students, this podcast is not homework! This is your invitation to be part of a green movement, to become Earth's guardians. From the green wonders and majestic animals on our planet to the pressing issues of global warming, we'll navigate it all with a sense of wonder and humility. Let's make sustainability cool, like the breeze on a hot day or the gentle rain after a storm. Do you hear a guitar? I might be writing a song here, sorry...

Anyway, I think this stuff is pretty cool, and I’ve learned a lot about it, but I’m not an expert on climate change yet. I'm learning as we go. We the Children is a shared journey of discovery, where your thoughts, questions, and ideas matter just as much as mine. Sustainability, plastic pollution, weather emergencies – they're not just terms; they're pieces of a puzzle we're solving together.

Let's embrace our curiosity, ask the questions that need asking, and, together, work towards a greener, more sustainable world because we, the children, can shape a sustainable and thriving Earth for generations to come.

Please visit wethechildrenpodcast.com for more information and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

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Top 10 We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Bee Sustainable: Saving our planet’s pollinators with Melanie Kirby

We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions

02/27/24 • 36 min

Summary:

Bees and other pollinators have an important role to play in our planet's ecosystems. As they travel flower to flower collecting pollen, not only are they feeding themselves, but they're feeding us as well. By helping plants reproduce, bees ensure we have an abundance of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts that fuel our food chains. But that's not all...the honey bees make serves as both a sweet treat and a medicine.

Bees take care of us, and in return we need to take care of them. Human activities and climate change are having a negative impact on bee populations globally, so our guest this episode, interdisciplinarian and beekeeper Melanie Kirby, is here to teach us all about bees and what we can do to help them thrive.

Melanie is the co-founder of Zia Queenbees farm, which specializes in breeding regionally-adaptive bees. A Fulbright-NatGeo Storytelling Fellow, and a Grist 50 Climate Fixer with a graduate degree in Entomology, she advocates for broadening the narrative of marginalized farmers and communities as a mestiza of mixed Indigenous ancestry. Melanie collaborates across cultures and landscapes promoting whole system approaches to pollinator conservation with diverse communities and is a writer, researcher, artist, and mom.

In this episode, we'll learn about different bee species and their habits, the impact of climate change on bees, and what we can do to support the health of local bee populations.

Listen along with your friends, parents, and teachers as we share discussion questions and helpful definitions...there’s even a quiz at the end of the episode to practice what you learned. So, join Zach as We the Children gets the latest buzz on bees from Melanie Kirby!

Highlights:

Melanie's introduction to beekeeping (03:09)
The importance of bees and pollinators in ecosystems (03:34)
How Melanie connects culture and beekeeping (09:00)
Bee types and traits (10:53)
How health and habits (16:46)
Impact of climate change on bees (23:45)
How we can protect bees (26:01)
Lessons we can learn from bees (31:22)
Wrap Up & Quiz! (32:52)

Links:

Website: Zia Queenbees Farm & Field Institute

LinkedIn: Melanie Kirby

Instagram: @nectarnomad

Bee City USA

Connect with us!

Subscribe to We the Children on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/wethechildrenpodcast) and Instagram (@we_the_children_podcast). Also, please visit our website (wethechildrenpodcast.com) and leave us a voice message or email if you want to stay in touch or engage with episode questions!

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Water Wisdom: A deep dive into wildfires and water conservation with Dr. Faith Kearns

We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions

03/12/24 • 33 min

Summary:

For the most arid areas of our planet, water conservation and wildfires have always been hot topics. Climate change and a warming planet, however, have escalated this important conversation. It is now more necessary than ever to understand the impacts climate change will have on our water supply and weather, and come up with strategies to address them.

Having grown up in Arizona, one of the driest places in the United States, our guest this episode hasn't just learned about the importance of water conservation—she's lived it! Dr. Faith Kearns is a scientist and science communication practitioner who writes, works on, and talks about water, wildfire, and climate change issues in the southwestern United States. Author of the award-winning book Getting to the Heart of Science Communication, her work has been published in New Republic, On Being, Bay Nature, and more. Dr. Kearns is also co-host of the podcast "Water Talk."

In this episode, we'll learn about the interconnectedness of water conservation and wildfires, and explore the effects climate change is having on both. We'll also explore the concept of "eco emotions" and how to communicate about climate change effectively and compassionately.

Listen along with your friends, parents, and teachers as we share discussion questions and helpful definitions...there’s even a quiz at the end of the episode to practice what you learned. Now, let's all take a deep breath and plunge into the world of water conservation with Dr. Faith Kearns!

Highlights:

Dr. Kearns' childhood experience with wildfire (03:00)
How are water conservation, drought, and wildfires connected? (07:12)
Water's importance for humans and agriculture (09:35)
What is science communication? (18:21)
"Eco emotions" and climate-related anxiety in young people (21:15)
Creative solutions to address drought and water conservation (24:34)
How can individuals promote water conservation locally? (28:48)
Wrap Up & Quiz! (30:24)

Links:

Website: Dr. Faith Kearns

Book: Getting to the Heart of Science Communication by Faith Kearns

Book: All the Feelings Under the Sun by Leslie Davenport

Podcast: Water Talk

Connect with us!

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On Thin Ice: Following Polar Bears to the Frontlines of Climate Change with Elisabeth Kruger

We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions

02/13/24 • 34 min

Summary:

Polar bears have been a symbol of climate change for a long time—and for good reason. Their icy home in the Arctic is warming much faster than the rest of the planet, affecting the habits and lifestyle of polar bears and other Arctic residents in a big way. With these changes come new challenges for both polar bears and people alike.

This week, we meet one of the experts leading the charge to help polar bears, humans, and other Arctic wildlife navigate these changes—World Wildlife Fund's Elisabeth Kruger.

As WWF’s Manager of Arctic Wildlife, Elisabeth Kruger works at the forefront of conservation, mitigating threats to the marine wildlife of Alaska. Over the last 13 years, Elisabeth has worked with WWF to help polar bears and other Arctic marine mammal populations thrive alongside people in what’s becoming an increasingly warmer and ice-free Arctic.

In this episode, we'll learn about the unique characteristics that make polar bears well suited to the extreme climate of the Arctic, find out how climate change is affecting polar bears' habits and creating conflict with their human neighbors, and discover the vital importance of Arctic conservation efforts.

Listen along with your friends, parents, and teachers as we share discussion questions and helpful definitions...there’s even a quiz at the end of the episode where you can show off what you've learned! So, join Zach as We the Children visits the icy Arctic to learn about Arctic conservation and polar bears with Elisabeth Kruger!

Highlights:

Elisabeth on the challenges and beauty of living in extreme environments (03:17)
How is climate change uniquely impacting the Arctic and creating challenges for polar bears? (04:24)
Elisabeth's memorable polar bear encounter (08:33)
Polar bear adaptations and characteristics (10:47)
Local Weather Report! (16:23)
Global polar bear conservation efforts (17:56)
Why is it difficult to estimate polar bear populations? (22:44)
How has climate change increased the potential for conflicts between humans and polar bears? (26:11)
Indigenous knowledge and arctic food security (28:04)
Wrap Up & Quiz! (31:47)

Links:

Guest Bio: WWF Website

LinkedIn: Elisabeth Kruger

WWF Wild Classroom: Polar Bear Curriculum

Connect with us!

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Healthier Dirt, Healthier People: Digging into Sustainable Agriculture with Gabe Brown

We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions

01/16/24 • 29 min

Summary

If farmers update the way they grow food and raise livestock, can we all eat better and also fight climate change? Yes we can! There’s a sustainable farming approach called regenerative agriculture, which argues that by improving soil health, our food would be more nutritious and we’d improve biodiversity, limit air pollution, and literally heal the Earth.

Gabe Brown is a regenerative agriculture advocate who lives in Bismarck, North Dakota, where he and his family operate Brown's Ranch. He found his way to regenerative agriculture after the family farm he took over from his in-laws began failing. He turned things around by leaving age-old agricultural methods behind, and regenerated the farm using holistic management practices.

Since then, Gabe's become a huge advocate for soil health. He's written a book, he's featured in documentaries, and he travels far and wide to teach people about regenerative agriculture. In this episode we’ll explore soil health, sustainable farming, weather and air pollution’s impact on farming, the need for more eco education and awareness, and how the food choices we make as consumers affect the environment we share on Earth.

Highlights:

How financial disaster led Gabe to more productive and sustainable farming (02:37)
Six principles of soil health (03:56)
Why old ways of farming lead to “desertification” (9:38)
What happens when synthetic fertilizers and pesticides enter the food chain? (12:29)
Are more farmers embracing regenerative agriculture? (15:40)
Is eating sustainably more expensive? (23:43)

Links:

Brown’s Ranch

Book: Dirt to Soil: One Family’s Journey into Regenerative Agriculture

Film: Common Ground

Video: Gabe Brown - Bismarck, ND

Video: Gabe Brown: Keys To Building a Healthy Soil

Connect with us!

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We the Children Returns: Season Two Coming Soon!

We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions

12/06/23 • 1 min

Zach Fox-DeVol is a 12 year-old with a lot of questions about our planet, how climate change will impact his generation and, most importantly, what he and other kids can do to help. We the Children is a podcast for young people like Zach to learn about and examine the climate change crisis, and have some fun along the way, too! Through conversations with experts, educators, and activists, each episode is a chance to explore how everyone–adults and kids alike–can work together to save the planet!

Season 2 launches in January 2024.

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Ready to Run the World: Laetania Belai Djandam on Student Activism, Climate Advocacy & Community Building

We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions

01/31/24 • 33 min

When we think about protecting our environment for future generations, the job at hand seems really big. Huge, even. But what if the solutions to these problems start with actions that seem kind of small? What if parents and teachers start getting kids engaged with the natural environment in their own communities from a young age?

This week, we meet Laetania Belai Djandam, a 22 year-old Indonesian Indigenous environmental activist. She was raised to care for her local landscape and people, with the understanding that if similar dedication was applied by everyone around the world, the Earth would be in a much better state.

A member of the Dayak tribe, her main focus areas are Indigenous land rights, climate justice, and climate intersectionality. A 2023 University of Sheffield graduate, she earned a Bachelor of Medical Sciences, Health and Human Sciences, and has worked for organizations like Healthcare Without Harm to create a more equitable and sustainable world through planetary health. She believes that young people are creating positive change in the world and that right here, right now, powerful people are listening to what youth are saying about how we use and misuse our natural resources.

In this episode, we’ll cover all of that, plus lessons about why Indigenous land rights are so significant, how to detect “youth washing,” and why connecting with your own community is crucial in securing support for climate advocacy. Belai shares her own journey with us and offers empowering advice to anyone feeling too small to make a big difference.

Listen along with your friends, parents, and teachers as we share discussion questions and helpful definitions...there’s even a quiz at the end of the episode to practice what you learned.

Highlights:

Learning about Belai’s homeland and Dayak heritage (2:29)
How to increase climate curriculum in schools (9:44)
Local Weather Report: Bogor, Indonesia (12:35)
Why indigenous land rights are such an important issue (13:43)
What is climate intersectionality? (20:18)
Youth empowerment but also “youth washing” (24:57)
Climate advocacy career advice (29:30)

Links:

Belai on LinkedIn

Belai on Instagram

Article: Why This Youth Climate Activist Insists on the Importance of Joy

Connect with us!

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We The Children - Community Building for Climate...by Kids

We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions

06/07/23 • 41 min

Welcome to the We The Children podcast, the podcast where kids talk climate change! The

show is hosted by your resident kid, Zachary James. He may be 11 years old, but he has big

concerns for our future - concerns about how decades and even centuries of our forebears have

done damage to our planet and profited at the expense of our future. Each week, we will

discuss the most pressing climate issues and meet climate warriors who are working to protect

our planet. You’ll get wacky weather reports, play fun trivia games, and learn ways that you can

make a difference in your community. We may not have all the answers, but we will fight for

climate solutions!

Today’s episode is all about conservation with Shawn Sweeney, Associate Vice President of

Communications and Policy at the Jane Goodall Institute. His career has spanned many years

of combining his passion for the environment, research, and community relations. He shares that

while he has worked in conservation for about 15 years, his work in the field really began by

studying animal behavior and conservation psychology in college. He became aware of how

black-capped capuchin monkeys, were treated in the wild and the extinction they faced. He studied

animal behavior at the College of Wooster and got to work on some really cool projects there. He shares his

history of being a nature and wildlife champion. Shawn is a storyteller in his role at the Jane

Goodall Institute. He emphasizes the importance of knowing your audience as a communicator.

During college, Shawn was introduced to Roots & Shoots when they visited a local high school.

He was so inspired by the power of the group that he started his very own on campus. Then,

people were just beginning to talk about these conversations around sustainability and the

climate crisis. Jane Goodall began Roots & Shoots to give young people the opportunity to

make a difference in their own communities. They have developed a 4-step formula for young

people to follow in order to generate the most impact possible. Next, Shawn shares how young

people can get started on their own projects within their communities. These include identifying

a problem, utilizing community mapping and designing a project of your own. Shawn also

shares how the Roots & Shoots team have leveraged Dr. Jane’s gift of storytelling to create a

framework and training for the entire team. When telling these stories, it is important to

recognize and give credit to the person who did the work in order for the story to be told. Before

wrapping up, he explains the oppressive systems in place which create unhealthy conditions for

humans and animals alike. Changing these systems is the key to fighting climate change and

species extinction, and Shawn has hope for younger generations and the power of community.

Links:

Learn more about Shawn Sweeney and Roots & Shoots.

Learn more about We The Children.

Reach out to us @wethechildrenpodcast

Thanks for listening! And always remember, if we act together, we the children, can inspire

hope and create change for our climate!

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We The Children - Educators Talk Climate Curriculum

We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions

09/08/23 • 32 min

Welcome to the We The Children podcast, the podcast where kids talk climate change! The show is hosted by your resident kid, Zachary. He may be 11 years old, but he has big concerns for our future - concerns about how decades and even centuries of our forebears have done damage to our planet and profited at the expense of our future. Each week, we will discuss the most pressing climate issues and meet climate warriors who are working to protect our planet. You’ll get wacky weather reports, play fun trivia games, and learn ways that you can make a difference in your community. We may not have all the answers, but we will fight for climate solutions!

Today’s episode is all about Climate Curriculums with Eve and Jeremy from Community Roots Academy School in Southern California. Eve Fein is CRA’s Co-Founder and Executive Director of Operations and Research Development. She was a major force behind opening Community Seedlings Preschool. Jeremy Cavallaro is CRA’s Co-Founder and Executive Director of Education. Both of them wanted to provide quality education that was free. They shared a passion for project-based learning and realized there was no K-8 school like this in Orange County. The school is now so popular that they have to conduct a lottery for enrollment each year. Environmental sustainability has been a core value of the school since it opened. Students are taught to love and connect to the natural world before they are shown the importance of healing its wounds. The two major skills they are taught in project-based learning are advocacy and efficacy.

Next, Eve and Jeremy offer their best advice for weaving environmental literacy and climate awareness into existing curriculums in schools without a specific program. From Jeremy’s experience, these lessons must come from a place of passion. It is all about building passion and compassion in children. They also recommend their favorite books and films on the subject. CRA is lucky to be surrounded by such a beautiful natural space, but urban cities don’t usually have the same opportunity for connecting students with nature. However, Jeremy reminds listeners that small things such as a tree, planted flowers or a windowsill box of herbs all can have a major impact when tended to with care.

Links:

Learn more about Community Roots Academy School

Learn more about We The Children.

Reach out to us https://www.instagram.com/we_the_children_podcast/

Thanks for listening! And always remember, if we act together, we the children, can inspire hope and create change for our climate

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We The Children - Habits of Waste

We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions

04/28/23 • 21 min

Welcome to the We The Children podcast, the podcast where kids talk climate change! The show is hosted by your resident kid, Zachary James. He may be 11 years old, but he has big concerns for our future - concerns about how decades and even centuries of our forebears have done damage to our planet and profited at the expense of our future. Each week, we will discuss the most pressing climate issues and meet climate warriors who are working to protect our planet. You’ll get wacky weather reports, play fun trivia games, and learn ways that you can make a difference in your community. We may not have all the answers, but we will fight for climate solutions!

Today’s episode is all about wasteful habits with Sheila Morovati. Shelia is the founder of the amazing nonprofit Habits of Waste, which seeks to find and implement waste reduction solutions both locally and on a national scale. After a wacky weather report about how we can combat climate change with nature itself, Sheila is welcomed to the show. She is known for her success in reducing waste at restaurants by throwing out crayons kids use to entertain themselves. This was her first initial step into environmental work. She shares the story behind how she initially came up with this idea when she observed her own daughter tossing the crayon she just briefly used in the garbage. She began to collect the crayons herself before getting the restaurant in on the task to collect these lightly used crayons and donate them to schools.

Small lifestyle changes ultimately amount to big changes. When we make these incremental changes in our own life, it becomes easier and easier to keep making positive changes. Sheila was involved in the banning of plastic straws in Malibu, the first city to do so. She encourages listeners to attend their own city council meetings to advocate for the positive change they believe in. She also urges listeners to incorporate more plant based foods into their diet rather than making a full jump to strictly vegan. Before wrapping up, she shares how listeners can help contribute to the work being done at Habits of Waste. This includes making sure you have no single-use waste in your daily lunches, raising money for Habits of Waste or establishing a crayon collection at your own school. Finally, she voices her biggest concerns about climate change.

Links:

Learn more about Sheila Morovati.

Learn more about Habits of Waste

Learn more about #8meals

Learn more about Lights, Camera, Plastic?

Learn more about the Crayon Collection

Learn more about We The Children.

Reach out to us @wethechildrenpodcast

Thanks for listening! And always remember, if we act together, we the children, can inspire hope and create change for our climate!

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Voices for Change: The Power of Storytelling in Climate Action with Matt Scott

We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions

06/04/24 • 34 min

Summary:

Zach interviews Matt Scott, the Director of Storytelling and Engagement at Project Drawdown. Matt discusses his journey from feeling disconnected from the climate movement to becoming a pivotal voice for inclusivity and representation. He emphasizes the importance of “passing the mic” to underrepresented voices in the climate conversation, arguing that diverse perspectives are crucial for developing effective and inclusive climate solutions. Matt’s work focuses on amplifying stories from communities that are often overlooked, ensuring that their contributions and insights are recognized and valued.

Matt shares his experiences working with various organizations, including NASA and the White House. He reflects on a transformative moment at a climate conference where he realized the power of personal stories over data-heavy presentations. This experience inspired him to create impactful narratives that resonate emotionally and inspire action. Matt’s storytelling approach highlights the humanity behind climate data, making the complex issue of climate change more relatable and engaging for diverse audiences.

Throughout the episode, Matt provides examples of how storytelling has made a difference in his work, from connecting with underrepresented communities to creating the Global Solutions Diary, a community-generated library of climate solution stories from around the world. This initiative allows people from various backgrounds to share their experiences and solutions, fostering a sense of global community and collective action. Matt’s dedication to amplifying diverse voices and his belief in the transformative power of storytelling serve as a powerful reminder that everyone has a role to play in addressing climate change.

Links:

•Project Drawdown

•Ayanna Elizabeth Johnson

•Drawdown’s Neighborhood

•Global Solutions Diary

Highlights:

The Role of Storytelling in Climate Change (01:21)
The Importance of Diverse Voices (03:55)
Matt's Work with NASA and Project Drawdown (05:59)
Understanding Project Drawdown (08:17)
The Climate Action Venn Diagram (16:24)
Environmental Justice Explained (24:59)
Global Solutions Diary (26:40)
Future of Project Drawdown (30:19)
Embracing Our Superpowers (33:38)

Connect with us!

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FAQ

How many episodes does We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions have?

We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions currently has 33 episodes available.

What topics does We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions cover?

The podcast is about Weather, Kids & Family, Climate, Environment, Earth, Podcasts, Education, Science, Global Warming and Sustainability.

What is the most popular episode on We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions?

The episode title 'Water Wisdom: A deep dive into wildfires and water conservation with Dr. Faith Kearns' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions?

The average episode length on We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions is 27 minutes.

How often are episodes of We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions released?

Episodes of We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions are typically released every 21 days, 20 hours.

When was the first episode of We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions?

The first episode of We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions was released on Mar 25, 2022.

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We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions