Best Climate & Sustainability Podcasts

“Everyone needs to be educated on climate change because climate change and our response to it is going to change the world over the next 25 years as much as the internet did in the last 25 years.” – Joe Romm

After being asked by several people in the Crowdsourcing Sustainability community, I decided to compile my favorite climate and sustainability podcasts last year.

Since then a lot of new shows have come out, so I wanted to update that list and spread the word about some fantastic climate work and the people behind it.

Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of these.

They range from the wonky and science-heavy to the more casual, emotionally-intelligent lens.

One thing they all have in common though: Wonderful hosts, impressive guests, and many great stories!

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi 

My favorite climate and sustainability podcasts

Hot Take

Climate change has emerged as the undisputed story of our time, even of all humanity. But we don’t know how to talk about it. And the story is so overwhelming, we don’t get to talk about storytelling. In Hot Take, Mary Anna?se Heglar and Amy Westervelt take an intersectional, critical, but constructive look at climate coverage—with the ultimate goal of making the conversation more productive and powerful. Not just bigger, but more inclusive.

A Matter of Degrees

Give up your climate guilt. Sharpen your curiosity. This show is for the climate-curious people who know climate change is a problem, but are trying to figure out how to tackle it. We’re telling stories about the levers of power that have created the problem — and the tools we have to fix it. 

Drilled

Courtroom drama, secret documents, psychological warfare, whistleblowers, media manipulation, this is a story that has it all. Join us as we uncover the mechanics of the longest-running and most elaborate propaganda campaign of the century – the creation and spread of climate denial – and why it’s been so effective.

Generation Green New Deal

A new generation has pushed the climate crisis to the center of American politics. Generation Green New Deal tells the story of this youth movement: who they are, what they’ve accomplished so far, and where they go from here. Hosted by filmmaker Sam Eilertsen.

The Energy Gang

Looking to understand the fast-changing world of energy? This isn’t your ordinary energy business show. Every week, we debate and discuss the latest trends in energy, cleantech, renewables, and the environment. Join us as we explore the forces transforming energy markets in America and around the world.

My Climate Journey

A podcast for those seeking to better understand climate change and how to help.

A podcast about a recovering software entrepreneur (me!), and my quest to reorient my career around helping solve climate change for this next chapter and beyond. Includes interviews with people in the thick of tackling this problem, and commentary from yours truly.

How to Save a Planet

Does climate change freak you out? Want to know what we, collectively, can do about it? Us too. How to Save a Planet is a podcast that asks the big questions: what do we need to do to solve the climate crisis, and how do we get it done? Join us, journalist Alex Blumberg and scientist and policy nerd Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, as we scour the Earth for solutions, talk to people who are making a difference, ask hard questions, crack dumb jokes and — episode by episode — figure out how to build the future we want.

The Coolest Show

Season 2 of The Coolest Show features discussions with some of the most inspiring people on the planet. Host Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. brings his charismatic and loving self to each conversation, and creates a space where guests speak from their souls. While full of expertise on climate justice, racial justice, and politics, the heart of The Coolest Show is getting to know people who are changing the world, in their own voices. Season 1 is a live radio format, with current events and guest interviews. Antonique Smith and Mustafa Santiago Ali join Rev Yearwood as co-hosts on many episodes.

Climate One

Climate One at The Commonwealth Club is a thriving leadership dialogue on energy, the economy and the environment. We bring together top thinkers and doers from business, government, academia and advocacy groups to advance the discussion about a clean energy future.

The Climate Pod

The Climate Pod covers the latest climate issues with the journalists, activists, academics, artists, and more at the center of the story. Hosted by brothers Ty and Brock Benefiel.

Cooler Earth

Your weekly dive into the latest news and current state of energy transitions, sustainability, environmental policies and all things climate change. Each week we will in have an in-depth discussion on a specific topic relating to the science and economics of global warming, and feature experts as guests.

No Place Like Home

A podcast that gets to the heart of climate change. We explore the biggest story of our time from inviting, intimate, creative, and surprising angles. From staying sane in the age of climate change, to real talk about whether or not our personal choices really matter to saving the planet, No Place Like Home dives into the spiritual, personal, cultural, and emotional dimensions of climate change. We don’t shy away from science and politics, but we always bring along our sense of humor – and a feisty dose of hope.

Outrage & Optimism

Face the climate crisis head on, but understand that we have the power to solve this. From former UN Chief Christiana Figueres and the team who brought you the Paris Agreement, this podcast about issues and politics will inform you, inspire you and help you realize that this is the most exciting time in history to be alive. 

TIL Climate

Climate change is confusing. This MIT podcast breaks down the science, technologies, and policies behind climate change, how it’s impacting us, and what our society can do about it. Each quick episode gives you the what, why, and how on climate change – from real scientists – to help us all make informed decisions for our future. 

Do you have a favorite that’s not on the list?

If so, let me know in the comments below so I can check it out!

I'd check out the other ones first, but I should also mention that I've recently started The Crowdsourcing Sustainability Podcast. So definitely give it a listen if you're intrigued, and let me know if you have questions or topics you'd like me to explore in a future episode!

Take care,

Ryan

P.S. If you enjoy reading Crowdsourcing Sustainability's newsletter please share it with a friend! This is about crowdsourcing sustainability after all. The more people working together toward solutions, the better off we'll all be.

And, if you'd like, you can sign up for my main sustainability newsletter here to get all of my work and get access to the growing CS community on slack.

(This article was originally published here on Crowdsourcing Sustainability.)