12 great podcasts on climate change

The great naturalist and philosopher Henry David Thoreau once said: “What is the use of a house if you haven’t got a tolerable planet to put it on?”.

Climate change is one of the pressing issues of our time, threatening the lives and livelihoods of billions of people. From rising sea levels to extreme weather events such as hurricanes and floods, it has dramatic consequences for the planet.

The factors contributing to climate change are complex. It takes time and effort to understand how the issues can be reversed, the movement for climate action, and how to respond to a changing climate with integrated strategies that address social, economic and environmental consequences.

Nowadays, there are a lot of resources available to help you grasp the issues at hand. In recent years, environmentalists, scientists, journalists and even enthusiasts have created a wide range of podcasts to help people better understand climate change and how we can tackle it together.

1) The Climate Question by BBC News

This global programme by BBC News reflects the variety of takes on climate change, including stories from across the world on why we find it so difficult to save our own planet and how we might change that.

Listen here.

2) Drilled by Amy Westervelt

Drilled is a true-crime podcast about climate change, hosted and reported by award-winning investigative journalist Amy Westervelt. Her tale is of how fossil fuels became our fuels of choice, even once we realised they were causing immense damage to the environment.

Listen here.

3) How to Save a Planet by Gimlet Media

This podcast tells innovative and inspiring stories about climate change, ranging from the latest about renewable energy and electrification to the campaigns to stop oil companies greenwash.

How to save a Planet explores ways to solve the ongoing crisis and what we need to do to implement these necessary changes.

Listen here.

4) For What It’s Earth by Emma Brisdion

Led by Environment Communication Consultant Emma Brisdion, this podcast explores the topics of environment, climate change and sustainability and explains what we can do to make a difference. If you’re trying to live more sustainably, this is perfect for keeping on top of things.

Listen here.

5) Outrage + Optimism by Global Optimism

Outrage + Optimism is for everyone looking to expand their understanding of the climate crisis and get inspired to take action. The podcast’s primary goal is to be engaging: it covers the latest news from science, business, finance, politics and culture with a can-do attitude.

Listen here.

6) Sustainababble by David Powell

Hosted by Ol and Dave, two friends who work for en­­vironmental charities, Sustainababble is by its own definition “a weekly podcast about the environment, for and by the confused.”

As described in the podcast’s tagline, Sustainababble is “trying to be cheery in the face of impending ecological disaster”. Finding a funny way to talk about serious issues is rare, making Sustainababble all the more entertaining.

Listen here.

7) The PLUS Podcast by The Fully Charged Show

Hosted by Fully Charged Show presenter Robert Llewellyn, The PLUS Podcast is filled with exciting stories and interviews with industry leaders in the world of EVs, renewable energy and sustainability.

Listen here.

8) The Carbon Copy (and more) by Canary Media

The Carbon Copy is a weekly news analysis podcast by independent journalism entity Canary Media that explains the changing planet through the lens of current events.

While you’re at it, check out also “Catalyst” and “Political Climate”. In the first podcast, investor Shayle Kann explains the world of climate tech with prominent experts, investors, and researchers. In the second, you’ll enjoy a roster of fantastic guests who know the ins and outs of the politics and policies shaping the future of our planet.
Listen here.

9) My Climate Journey

Hosted by software entrepreneur Jason Jacobs, My Climate Journey offers hundreds of deep-dive conversations with science, technology, and climate leaders, making it the perfect podcast for those seeking to better understand climate change and how they can help.

Listen here.

10) The Crisis by VICE Media

Created by VICE Media, The Crisis is about an investigation into the deadly fight over the environment and who controls it.

In Season 1, we delve into the murders of three Colombian coal miners who were working for an Alabama coal company and unravel a decades-long saga of scandal, civil war, and death.

Listen here

11) TIL Climate by Massachusetts Institute of Technology

TIL Climate means “Today I Learned: Climate” and is an award-winning MIT podcast that breaks down the science, technologies, and policies behind climate change, how it’s impacting us, and what we can do about it.

Each quick episode gives you the what, why, and how on climate change — from real scientists — to help us make informed decisions for our future.

Listen here.

12) Future Perfect by Dylan Matthews and Sigal Samuel

Future Perfect is full of provocative ideas with the potential to improve the world. The podcast interrogates ways to save lives, fight global warming and end world poverty.

From discussing California’s housing crisis to rethinking how we eat meat, you’ll learn about some potential changes that could make your lifestyle more environmentally friendly.

Listen here.