Climate Correction™ 2024: WWF Presents Food Waste Warriors: OCPS and South FL

Welcome to the second episode of our Youth Activist Series on the Climate Correction Podcast! Today, we are thrilled to have Sean Schrader, a 22-year-old from Clearwater, Florida, joining us. Sean is in the final year of his MBA program at the University of South Florida and has been deeply involved in sustainability efforts throughout the Tampa Bay region. Sean has served as the District Office Manager for former US Congressman Charlie Crist, who was a guest on our show in 2022. Additionally, Sean led sustainability initiatives as the Campus Governor at USF St. Petersburg, including the installation of a WATERGOAT device in the St. Petersburg marina, recognized by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. In our conversation, Sean shares his journey and the decisions that have guided his clear personal mission in sustainability and community involvement. He discusses how his passion for sustainable development began with the Millennium Fellowship and emphasizes the importance of local action in practicing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sean also highlights the significance of storytelling in climate advocacy, helping others understand the challenges we face. He introduces his project focused on promoting sustainable practices during the holiday season, aiming to reduce waste from gift wrapping and excess food. Sean offers insights into overcoming roadblocks and provides practical advice for students and young adults looking to get involved in climate activism. He stresses the power of taking small steps to create significant change in our environmental footprint and shares his hope for a future where people worldwide are more conscious of their impact on the planet. Join us as Sean Schrader shares his experiences, insights, and actionable advice for making a meaningful impact in the fight against climate change. This episode is packed with inspiration and practical tips for anyone looking to contribute to a sustainable future. Tune in now to the Climate Correction Podcast!  

Welcome to the Climate Correction Podcast! Today marks the first episode of our special series highlighting motivated and effective youth activists who are smart, hungry for change, and dedicated to growing up in healthy, hospitable environments. Our guest today is Sofia Arnau, a 17-year-old junior at Miami Palmetto Senior High School and a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability. As Vice President of the Miami Youth Climate Summit, Sofia leads efforts to raise awareness and mobilize youth for climate action. She is also the Consulting Director for Turtle Team, protecting local wildlife, and a Historian for the Science National Honor Society. Sofia’s dedication extends to creating TerraServe, a climate organization fostering community-based environmental projects in Miami. Join us as Sofia shares her journey, discusses overcoming challenges like imposter syndrome, and offers advice on getting started in climate activism. Sofia’s inspiring mission is to create a sustainable future and inspire others to follow their passions.  

Splitting Water: All About Hydrogen with Tianyi Sun, EDF Splitting Water: All About Hydrogen with Tianyi Sun, EDF  Dr. Tianyi Sun is a climate scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund. This nonpartisan, nonprofit organization relies on science and economics to tackle climate change and other pressing environmental issues of our day. Tianyi holds a Ph.D. in Climate Dynamics from the University of Texas at Austin and did her undergraduate studies in Atmospheric Sciences at Nanjing University, China. Her work at EDF focuses on the impacts of short-lived climate pollutants, such as methane and hydrogen. She explores how their emissions and mitigation affect the climate system and the role of short-lived gases in net zero emissions pathways. She also leads EDF’s hydrogen science work on hydrogen emissions measurements and their climate implications.   Dr. Sun walks us through a very helpful Hydrogen 101. Learn why hydrogen is the new rising star in the climate mitigation world.  Hydrogen is emerging as a pivotal solution for climate mitigation, offering both promise and challenges. Its versatility as a clean energy carrier enables decarbonization across transportation, industry, and power generation sectors. Utilizing green hydrogen produced from renewable sources reduces carbon emissions significantly. Benefits include zero emissions, energy storage capabilities, and fostering energy independence.  However, challenges loom, notably regarding cost, scalability, and infrastructure development. Risks encompass safety concerns, primarily related to hydrogen's flammability and transportation hazards. Addressing these challenges demands concerted efforts in technological advancement, policy support, and investment. Hydrogen stands as a potent ally in combating climate change, albeit with caveats requiring careful navigation.  Learn more here:   EDF’s 2022 award-winning paper on the climate implications of hydrogen: https://www.edf.org/blog/2022/03/07/hydrogen-climate-solution-leaks-must-be-tackled    EDF’s latest study on the implications of overlooked factors in climate assessments of hydrogen Statement: https://www.edf.org/media/hydrogen-could-have-much-bigger-climate-impact-most-estimates-study-shows   Link to the full study: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c09030 

In the quest to mitigate climate change, transitioning industries to zero-carbon practices stands out as a paramount challenge. In this episode of the Climate Correction podcast, we delve into this crucial topic with Jeff Rissman, Senior Director of Industry Program at Energy Innovation. Rissman, with his extensive background in environmental science and policy, provides valuable insights into the complexities and opportunities inherent in this transition. At the heart of our discussion is exploring what the zero-carbon industry entails and why it's imperative for combating climate change. We examine the diverse sectors within the industry and their significant contributions to carbon emissions, highlighting the urgent need for decarbonization.  Throughout the conversation, Rissman illuminates the challenges faced by industries in adopting zero-carbon practices, from technological limitations to regulatory hurdles. Yet, amidst these challenges lie vast opportunities for innovation and economic growth. By embracing sustainable technologies and fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and government, we can pave the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future. Policy and regulation play a pivotal role in driving this transition, and Rissman underscores the importance of effective policies and strategies to incentivize sustainable industry practices worldwide.  He emphasized the critical role of renewable energy in powering the zero-carbon industry and the necessity of collective action to accelerate progress. As we navigate the complexities of this transition, it's crucial to remain committed to collaboration and innovation. Together, we can chart a path toward a zero-carbon industry and achieve sustainable prosperity for future generations.  We heard an exciting announcement in the episode. Jeffrey Rissman has just released his new book, "Zero Carbon Industry: Transformative Technologies and Policies to Achieve Sustainable Prosperity." Available now on Amazon and Columbia University Press (link below), this book delves deeper into the strategies and technologies needed to drive the transition to a zero-carbon industry.   As a special offer for our listeners, enjoy a 20% discount on zerocarbonindustry.com. Let's continue working together to create a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.  Show links and speaker bio:   ZeroCarbonIndustry.com  Twitter  LinkedIn  JEFFREY RISSMAN is the senior director of the industry program at Energy Innovation, a nonpartisan energy and climate policy think tank. His work focuses on technologies and politics to achieve net zero industrial greenhouse gas emissions. He is the co-author of Designing Climate Solutions: A Policy Guide for Low-Carbon Energy (2018).     

VISTA Award Presentation- Evaluation of Plant Varieties for Green Roofs in South Florida  Description  Green roofs are innovative roofing systems that support plant growth on buildings. They replace traditional roofing materials with a layer of soil for vegetation, offering various benefits such as mitigating the heat island effect, reducing stormwater runoff and sequestering carbon. However, implementing green roofs in the challenging climate of Miami and South Florida is a formidable task due to high humidity, extreme heat, desiccating winds, and hurricanes. The urgency is underscored by Miami's ranking as the third-worst Urban Heat Island Effect city in the US. The intensity of the problem is evident by the recent appointment of the world's first Chief Heat Officer for Miami-Dade County, underlining the severity of Miami's Urban Heat Island Effect. This problem affects residents, and addressing it through greening the city, including green roofs, is crucial. This project aims to recommend resilient plant species for South Florida green roofs, focusing on their carbon sequestration capabilities and reducing the urban heat island effect. This initiative's significance lies in mitigating climate change effects, fostering sustainable urban ecosystems, reducing carbon footprints, enhancing biodiversity, and improving urban well-being. Recognizing the urgent need for climate solutions, the project seeks to provide actionable insights for addressing South Florida's pressing climate issues.  Speakers  Ivan Oyege, Florida International University , Ph.D. Candidate  Priyanka Belbase, Florida International University, Graduate Teaching Assistant  Moses Kiwanuka, Florida International University, Graduate Teaching Assistant  Jordan Prats, Florida International University , Ph.D Candidate   

Empowering Youth for Climate Action: Community Solutions in Action  Description  This panel will focus on the vital role of youth in implementing effective climate solutions within their communities. As the group who is most impacted by climate issues, yet having contributed the least to the problem, centering the voices of youth climate leaders is critical for equity. Highlighting the urgency of climate change, youth climate advocates will share their perspectives on the climate crisis and provide an overview of their climate initiatives to combat environmental challenges at the local level. From mangrove restoration to community gardens, the panel will showcase a range of grassroots efforts led by passionate young activists. Panelists will discuss the challenges youth face in mobilizing communities, emphasizing the need for collaboration with local stakeholders, educational institutions, and government bodies. They will also highlight the role of educational programs such as the FXB Climate Advocates program and others to support emerging leaders in their climate endeavors.   Speakers  Karina Weinstein, FXB, Program Strategy and Innovation Director  Sofia Arnau, TerraServe, Inc., Founder & President  Avi Gulati, FXB USA Climate Advocates 

WWF Presents Food Waste Warriors: OCPS and South FL  Description  Join WWF's Food Waste Warriors team as they dive into their collaboration with K-12 school food waste leaders in 5 Orange County Public Schools and expand efforts to South Florida.  Speakers  Mary Chandler, World Wildlife Fund, Food Waste Warriors  Dan St Onge, OCPS  Elaine Fiore, Broward Schools   

Carbon credit markets are a key market-based solution for accelerating global climate progress while restoring nature and creating a more just world. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) supports effective carbon pricing across the global economy; however, it will take years to build political support in countries across the world. Yet, to meet global climate goals, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) calls for urgent progress today. The goal is a 45% reduction in global emissions by 2030, which is equivalent to eliminating the annual emissions of the United Kingdom every week for the next seven years. In response, companies and governments are ramping up action in a race toward net-zero emissions by 2050.  There is a massive ambition gap between the current pace of decarbonization and the pace needed to reach net zero by 2050. While carbon markets are a key tool in helping close this ambition gap, they have also been subject to criticism. In this session, TNC Managing Director of Carbon Markets Cam Moore will discuss why carbon credit markets are essential to closing the ambition gap, the urgent need to build a carbon markets Version 2.0; and the potential for this enhanced approach to create a cleaner, greener, and more just world.  Speakers Campbell Moore, The Nature Conservancy, Managing Director, Global Carbon Markets Sofia Leon, The Nature Conservancy , Climate Innovation & Fundraising Lead

Reaching the Peak of the Summit: How Can Climate Events Create Change?  Description  Whether it’s COP, Climate Week NYC, or Earth Day, summits and convenings have become a major way to accelerate climate action. But how can we shift the focus from mere discussion to tangible action? Adam Lake gives his reflections on how climate events have changed since he joined Climate Group as Head of Climate Week NYC in 2018 and will discuss how grassroots campaigns, activists, and NGOs can better engage with key moments to push through more meaningful change. The session will also explore how to spot and avoid greenwashing, the importance of inclusivity, and how to create a big impact on a small budget.   Speakers  Adam Lake, Climate Group, Head of Engagement, North America  Alejandro Delgado, VoLo Foundation, Editor in Chief   

Florida's Climate Future: Sunshine State or Stormy Situation?  2:20 PM – 2:40 PM  Description  Florida families are already weathering the effects of climate change. Recognizing that knowledge is power, this panel will share stories of impact and showcase how this new tool can deepen understanding of how heat, flooding, and volatile energy costs risks vary and compound economic risk across their specific communities and what they can do to take charge of Florida's Climate Future.    Check out the tool: https://floridasclimatefuture.org/  Speakers  Dawn Shirreffs, Environmental Defense Fund , Florida Director  Claudia Navarro, WeCount!, Co-Executive Director  Jonathan Alingu, Central Florida Jobs With Justice, Co-Executive Director  Yoca Arditi Rocha, CLEO INSTITUTE, Executive Director