Climate Talk Podcast

A country that truly wants to address its climate change crisis will respect, improve and also invest in education and research.

My guest on this episode of the Climate Talk Podcast is Jumoke Omodeni, a Climate Science Researcher based in Ibadan, Nigeria. She shared her joruny into the climate change space with me. Among other things, we also talked about improved ways of communicating climate change.

You will also learn about:

-       How we must save ourselves as no saviours are coming for us.

-       How we navigate the challenges of engaging politicians.

-       Why people have sceptical views on climate change-related issues and ways to engage them.

And wait…. do you get overwhelmed when you hear or think about climate change? You are not alone! Jumoke Omodeni is one of thousands, probably millions, of young people anxious about climate change. Jumoke shares how she has been able to crawl out of helplessness, overcome climate anxiety and now has become an empowered climate leader whose work is making ripple impacts today.

So much to learn on this podcast. Listen here:

In a world where 1 litre of urine is as effective as 7 litres of fuel to meet our energy needs, how is it that 2 billion people remain without access to electricity and 80% of our energy source is fossil fuel-based?

Ejikeme Patrick Nwosu is my guest on this episode of the Climate Talk Podcast, he is a researcher and the CEO of Lumos Laboratories, Nigeria. He believes that cleaner energy alternatives can power our world. One of his six patent/registered innovations is the generation of hydrogen-ammonia-rich flammable gases from human and animal urine.

After listening to this episode of the podcast, you will agree with the likes of Al Gore, Johan Rockström, and Antonio Guterres that we have the solutions, we have the technologies to address climate change what we need is:

-       Invest in resources to scale

-       Rally the political will, and

-       Build a collective drive to move faster in the same direction.

What do you think influences the search results you get on Google, Facebook, Bing, etc.? From restaurants to shopping malls, in what subtle ways are we being nudged to embrace (or not) certain environmental practices? Can we find improved ways to communicate climate change and is there a need for that?
How beautiful could our world be if we put into use just a fraction of the thousands of recommendations in research, journals and publications sitting in physical libraries and digital catalogues across the world?

My guest, Malte Rödl and I, on this episode of the Climate Talk Podcast, reflect on various topics around environmental governance practices. Squeezed into 30 insightful minutes and using simple terms, find answers to these questions and many more on this episode of the Climate Talk Podcast.

More about the guest:
Malte is a researcher in Environmental Communication. His research is concerned with the interactions of people, 'technology', and the environment and combines insights from science and technology studies, sociology, geography, and systems sciences. Malte contributes to courses in the MSc Environmental Communication and Management degree programme at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Currently, he is exploring the implications of digital infrastructure (AI, ML, big data, algorithmic decision-making, etc.) on environmental governance processes.

What is the connection between water and climate? Pretty obvious to some but not to all.

My guest on this episode of the Climate Talk Podcast, Shaina Shay is an accomplished water professional who has spent more than a decade developing expertise in water policy and management conservation, and community outreach. She puts forward in simple terms the need to drive water and climate change conversation in ways that more actors can co-create solutions and perhaps this is the first time you get to hear about "the Internet of Water"

On this episode, you will learn about:

-        How the presence or absence of water is a key indicator of climate change.

-        How experts in different water industries approach challenges can inspire creative, impactful solutions.

-        How collaboration can help us to face the complex and changing water challenges we are faced with.

-        The universality of water issues globally and the role of policies in addressing water challenges.

What can children do about the climate crisis?

"Presently, we have in total about 50 gigatonnes of CO2 present in the atmosphere now. We cannot do without emitting carbon, at best, we must become more responsible about our emissions and take action to offset them." - David Ahonsu.

 There is no question about it that when it comes to climate justice, we need more voices and we must have some difficult conversations.

Young people are part of the key actors in nature protection and restoration. There is an important need to support them to ensure the sustainable implementation of their projects and also ensure that their lives are protected.

Millie Edwards is the project manager for the Iris Project, a project aimed at supporting young people aged 14-24 with funding and mentorship to start and scale up their nature restoration and protection projects across the world.

Find more about Millie and the Iris Project in the links below.

Just like we talk about sports, reality shows, and Netflix; we need to raise more conversation about the environment and the impact of climate change. Not only among experts and not restricted to social media, outside the norm, we must also get newer perspectives on climate change so that our government and policymakers see the need to do something about it - quickly at that.

Rafiat Akinwande, popularly known as Queen Raffy, is a podcaster, voice-over artist, and NOT a climate activist. So in this episode, she shares a novice perspective of the much talked about lingo - climate change. You will learn her thoughts on:

-  What is Climate Change?

-  Effect of Climate Change.

- Common Climate Change examples and experiences in Nigeria.

- Organizations working on addressing Climate Change Issues in Nigeria.

- Who should take the lead in addressing Climate Change.

Both the government and the people are responsible for waste management. The government can lead on putting functional infrastructures in place, on our part as the people, we should do better by paying for waste management services, improve our knowledge about how waste works and own up to our other responsibilities.

Rita Idehai, a very successful entrepreneur and sustainability thought-leader argues the role of the government and people - producers and users in improving waste management structures. As the Founder of one of Nigeria’s most successful social enterprises, Rita shares insight about how Ecobarter runs – particularly on providing livelihood to indigent women and young people.

On this episode, you would also learn about:

-  The need to emphasize the economic prospects of waste management.

-  Circular Economy and how it works.

-  Some products that Ecobarter produces from waste materials.

Listen, share with your network and engage online using #ClimateTalk. Follow @ClimateTalkPodd, @ClimateWed & @Mediaforcc on Instagram and Twitter.

Protecting existing forests is important, but while we are at that we must be committed to planting new trees if we are serious about addressing climate change.

Science has confirmed that Tree planting 'has mind-blowing potential' to tackle the climate crisis. #CommuniTrees is a community-based tree planting and climate advocacy project that is engaging youth volunteers and concerned stakeholders to plant 5000 indigenous trees in Lagos and Abuja by April 2021.

Chikodi Uzoamaka, the CommuniTrees Project Coordinator in Abuja had a chat with the hos, Seyifunmi Adebote and the conversation focused on the importance to plant more trees and how young people can be very actively involved in the process.

On this episode of the podcast, you'll also learn about:

- Why it is more effective to plant indigenous and fruit-bearing trees.

- How young people who are not inactive or absent online can also be integrated into environmental advocacy.

- Ways to motivate young people to be environmentally responsible beyond monetary rewards.

Wetlands around the world are very important but sadly under-appreciated. I was surprised to learn from my guest that Lagos State, Nigeria has not less than 10 wetlands. This episode of the Climate Talk Podcast is particularly focused on protecting wetlands, you would also find out:

-  Difference between wetlands and mangroves

-  The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and what it means

-  Roles of the local community in protecting wetlands

Dr. Charles Onyema, a Marine Biologist and Wetland Ecology Researcher from the University of Lagos is my guest. In this conversation, together with Olamide Udoma, the Executive Director of Lagos Urban Development Initiative, we reveal the relevance of Wetlands and shares practical tips for individuals and government to protect our wetlands.

“We are not a bunch of high school students who come to the room, read a little poetry, dance around, eat some food and they’ll say we had the young people there.”

Deon cracked me up when he used that sentence to describe youth tokenization in global climate change conferences. That aside, it was a very enlightening conversation as we discuss lessons from COVID19 and how it can change the global response to Climate Change.

According to Deon, Youth engagement in Climate politics is the least listened to and the least understood component of climate politics. You must also agree with him, young people have transformative ideas to leapfrog different sectors of our economy.

On this episode of the Climate Talk Podcast, I spoke with Matthew Lefler, the coordinator of Earth Day Africa for the Earth Day Network; he shared with me the 50-years journey of the Earth Day Network.

How this organization has mobilized over 1 billion people and is working with over 75, 000 partners across the world to ensure that we take good care of this place we all call home.

There are fewer young people that are as vast as Heeta Lakhani when it comes to making a case for the role of young people in advancing climate change globally. As the world is currently faced with #COVID19 – a seemingly more urgent crisis, on this episode of the Climate Talk Podcast, Heeta shares thoughts on the impacts of COVID19 on young people, the connection with Climate Change and what a post-COVID19 life would be like.

As the Focal Person for YOUNGO, the UNFCCC’s Youth Constituency, Heeta as reveals how young people are stepping up to lead in the face of the crisis.

“We don’t need now to pray for the Amazon; we need now to act. if you think you can do anything in your power to help the situation, please do it, let’s make the world aware.” - Paloma Costa.

Meet our first female guest on the Climate Talk Podcast, widely regarded as the number one youth on the planet; Jayathma Wickramanayake needs little introduction, she is the United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth (UN Youth Envoy) and the brain behind the famous Hashtag Generation.

Only a few people know that at 23, Jayathma served as a Senator in the Sri Lanka Youth Parliament.

Find more about Jayathma and her works for the Climate and youth people, on this episode of the #ClimateTalk Podcast. 

 You’ll also find out:

- Why it is important for young people to be a part of decision-making at the global level.

- Jayathma’s biggest achievement hitherto, as the UN Youth Envoy.

- How you, as a young person, can start your journey towards making a difference.

…and a lot more.