How to become an ‘apocalyptic optimist’ during scary times

There’s a push to see those responsible for intentional destruction of the environment tried in the International Criminal Court, just like war criminals. Three small island nations have proposed making ecocide a crime like genocide and crimes against humanity. But what would that take – and is there a better way to hold people to account for harming the planet and our climate?

With a looming trade war, local fruits and vegetables are attractive. But at what price? Some consumers are suddenly seeing prices skyrocket. Fruit and vegetable farmers are struggling with climate linked extreme weather events. That’s wrecking harvests and driving up production costs all over the world. But customers can help.

A new space race may affect Earth’s climate. As rocket companies, owned by billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, drive the pursuit of energy resources in space, sustainability experts are scrambling to understand the carbon footprint of a quickly ramped up space industry. At the same time, they’re also considering the potential for climate solutions that may exist beyond our planet. It’s a quandary Scottish researcher Andrew Ross Wilson dubs ‘the space sustainability paradox.’

The climate solution that’s heating up across Canada has become an important part of food security and sovereignty. But many are powered by fossil fuels. The City of Fredericton has created a zero emissions greenhouse to grow saplings, and researchers at the University of Windsor are finding more sustainable ways to power them.

People in social housing aren’t always included in conversations about climate solutions. That’s why Zamani Ra is finding ways to draw people from those communities into the environmental movement. The founder of the Toronto-based not-for-profit CEED Canada shares how workshops that start with recycling can make climate action relevant for all.

Sociologist Dana Fisher says disasters like the Los Angeles wildfires and Hurricane Helene can spur community action in the face of the climate crisis. The author of Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shock to Climate Action says individuals coming up with solutions for resilient communities are what give her “apocalyptic optimism.” She shares how we can use the idea in our own personal fight against the climate crisis.

Warmer winters and weird weather have forced organizers of this classic sled dog race to change the route to stay safe in rapidly changing conditions. CBC Whitehorse reporter Cali McTavish takes us to the Yukon Quest starting line in Teslin, where mushers, organizers and Indigenous community members talk about what the race means to them, and how climate change is having an impact.

Meet the people using TikTok to break up with shopping, and learn why they say affordability is propelling them toward more climate-friendly habits, as they take on the social media challenge of a 'No Buy' year. And author Aja Barber shares stories of her own shopping addiction, how she “saw the light” and what happens when a 'No Buy' year turns into a lifestyle.

Millions of new homes may help the housing crisis. But climate change means reconsidering just where all those new developments should go. Waterfront? Maybe not. Nestled up against the forest? Think again. How to build for our climate future. We hear why to build where and a New Brunswick real estate agent shares what clients need to know about buying and selling safely.

It helps farmers and protects against wildfire. “The world needs to know about biochar,” says one scientist. So, what the heck is this charcoal-like, carbon-storing material? We meet a man on Vancouver Island who’s spending his retirement years making it for his neighbours. Then, producer Rachel Sanders finds out what potential this climate solution holds, what the pitfalls may be and what the challenges are with scaling it up.