S1 E5: We know that climate change is here. In this episode, Christina looks for ways to not only live with climate change, but to also reshape our future in a more livable and equitable way. She looks at three complementary pathways forward; mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.  

But first, she debunks the “great equalizer” myth -- that people are affected by huge catastrophes equally. She learns that, in reality, some communities are hit first and worst. This is a core principle of climate justice. 

Christina gets in touch with a local New Yorker and the Director of New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, Anthony Rogers-Wright. Anthony helps explain environmental and climate justice in more detail.

To live with climate change, it’s clear that these injustices need to be addressed. So Christina talks with Professor Vivek Shandas, who specializes in climate adaptation, to get a better sense of what this livable future might actually look like.

During the making of this podcast, Portland, Oregon was hit with an unprecedented heatwave. Our producer, Anna, lives there, so we decided to focus on this event, and see what kinds of lessons we could learn from it. 

Highlights:

• What a winning approach climate action could look like (3:59)
• The origins of environmental justice (4:27)
• Why intersectionality has to be central to climate and environmental action (6:03)
• How we move forward in an era of climate change, using three complementary strategies to create a just and livable future (7:53)
• Zeroing in on the unprecedented 2021 heatwave in Portland, Oregon, and what we can learn from this event (12:35)
• How and where we can implement adaptation strategies (18:39)
• Why community leadership, social infrastructure, and mutual aid make a huge difference in the face of climate change (21:28)
• Advice for taking action in a sustainable way (23:00)

Terminology:

• Climate/environmental justice
• Decarbonization
• Intersectionality
• Climate mitigation
• Climate adaptation
• Climate resilience
• Heat island
• Mutual aid

Resources:

• New York Lawyers for the Public Interest
• Intersectionality Matters! With Kimberle Crenshaw podcast
• Dr. Robert Bullard, the “father of environmental justice”
• What do adaptation to climate change and resilience mean?
• Mutual Aid Toolkit
• West Brooklyn Waterfront Mutual Aid
• How Environmental Racism Makes Urban Heat Islands Worse