A Complete Guide to Climate Change Resources, Part 1
There's a lot of information out there on climate change. As the CarbonForest team are admittedly dorks about this topic, we thought it would be fun to share some of our favorites podcasts, organizations, influencers, and documentaries for staying informed and empowered.
When it comes to climate change, there is no shortage of information. Trying to figure out what sources are legit can get a little confusing, and it is easy to get lost in all the content.
So, because the CarbonForest team loves to geek out on this topic, we thought we’d put together a comprehensive guide of climate change resources that we love and trust. We know that you will find these useful, informative, and entertaining. This is only part one—so keep an eye out for part two!
Podcasts
Created by MIT, this podcast has short and sweet (15 minutes) episodes that keep you fully informed on everything related to climate change.
We love this podcast because it takes big complex climate change topics (like storing carbon successfully) and makes them digestible and easy to understand. Plus, they are focused on finding solutions—not just talking about the issues.
This BBC program isn't about questioning whether climate change is happening but about exploring solutions to it.
With 2-minute episodes posted daily, this is our go-to podcast for all news related to climate change. They are a great resource for the most recent scientific and academic studies.
If you're looking for a proactive, positive podcast, then this one is for you! This podcast focuses on what we can do to combat global warming and save the planet.
Young Activists
This 20-year-old activist and social entrepreneur has founded multiple social impact ventures, including Future Coalition, where she is currently the Executive Director. She is a coordinating powerhouse with an impressive drive to motivate young people to fight for social change.
When you think of the Republican Party, you probably don't think of climate activism. But Benji Backer is trying to change that. The young conservative activist started the American Conservation Coalition, which focuses on uniting Americans on pro-environmental reforms.
Xiuhtezcatl's activism gained national attention in 2018 when he and a group of students sued the US government for failing to act on climate change. He was 17 at the time. Since then, he has given multiple Ted Talks, spoke at the UN General Assembly, and has continued to use his voice (and his music) to fight for the planet.
This native New Yorker became passionate about fighting climate change after witnessing the impacts of Hurricane Sandy firsthand. Vic is now a Fellow with the Alliance for Climate Education and has spoken at the COP21 UN Conference on Climate Change and spoke at the UN headquarters in New York City.
As a member of the indigenous Mexican Otomi-Toltec nation, Xiye is a leading voice for indigenous and immigrant visibility in climate activism. The 19-year-old co-founded Re-Earth Initiative and has worked with other organizations like People's Climate Movement, Sunrise Movement and Extinction Rebellion.
Documentaries
This documentary asks the question, "What will the earth look like in 2040?" But, unlike a lot of climate change documentaries, director Damon Gameau creates an optimistic narrative by focusing on smart solutions to the biggest climate change problems.
Kiss the Ground by Rebecca Harrell Tickell, Josh Tickell
Another solution-focused doc, Kiss the Ground looks closely at how soil can be used to sequester greenhouse gases. Narrated by Woody Harrelson, this film is a great one to watch if you're interested in learning more about industrial and regenerative agriculture.
This Changes Everything by Avi Lewis
When it was released in 2015, This Changes Everything presented a wildly different take on climate change. Since then, this doc has played a huge role in reshaping the narrative of climate change away from inevitable disaster to opportunity.
Merchants of Doubt by Robert Kenner
This fascinating film explores how climate deniers have used PR tactics developed by the tobacco industry to forestall governmental action around climate change. It is an eye-opener!
The True Cost by Andrew Morgan
This film explores the impact that the fashion industry has had on the environment and human wellbeing. Spoiler alert: this documentary will dramatically change the way you shop.
Organizations
Young Conservatives for Carbon Dividends
The main goal of the YCC is to mobilize young conservatives around the idea of taxing fossil fuel companies on carbon emissions. The group wants to "renew the GOP's proud legacy of environmental leadership" and use the free market to solve climate change. We're here for it!
The Sunrise Movement has two main goals: stop climate change and create millions of good-paying jobs in the process. They are a youth movement that advocates for the economic incentives in the New Green Deal through organizing climate strikes, protests, and occasionally occupying Mitch McConnell's office.
American Conservation Coalition
The brainchild of Benji Backer, the ACC focuses on mobilizing young people around environmental action through "common-sense, market-based, and limited-government ideals." They are big believers in the idea that climate change can be an economic opportunity.
CCL is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization that works to implement national policies that are pro-climate at state and federal levels. One of their biggest accomplishments was getting the Energy Innovation Act introduced to Congress in 2018.
Post Carbon Institute is a think tank that provides resources to help communities, individuals, families, and governments "manage the transition to a post carbon world." They focus on providing research and analysis into fossil fuels, renewable energy, food, water, and population issues.