The Climate Dispatch

When you think of the term 'methane gas', you may not immediately think of cosy modern homes and sleek kitchens. But decades of clever marketing by the gas industry has firmly cemented the notion that 'natural gas' or 'freedom gas', as it's otherwise known, is a desirable domestic resource — despite emitting toxic pollutants into our daily lives.

In this episode we dig into the history of gas propagan...

While US National Parks are — for many — a symbol of people's connection to nature, many would be surprised to learn how the Parks' history and that of the wider conservation movement have often had their origins in racism, discrimination, and land grabbing from Indigenous groups. Today, the barriers to accessing public green spaces echo a history of exclusion for BIPOC communities.

In this episode, we examine what it means to enjo...

This week, we delve into how a city like Los Angeles – famous for its reliance on cars – could be better built to serve its people, while promoting a healthier environment for all. While modern LA is a spider web of freeways and smoggy skies, it wasn't always this way, so how have we ended up here?

In this episode, we learn about LA's transit history, which communities are historically harmed or forgotten in public transportation de...

How many oil wells lurk throughout the communities of Los Angeles? In a city renowned for blue skies and clean living, many would be shocked to learn it's in the thousands. Beneath its starry exterior, Los Angeles has a historic legacy of oil production that continues to this day.

In this episode, we hear first hand how the toxic impact of oil drilling is having lifelong effects on community health, and the strides being made throug...

In part two of our deep dive into LA’s relationship to water, we turn to the solutions right on our doorstep.As climate change increasingly impacts on water sources, the issues of land management and water conservation are more important than ever. From returning landscapes to indigenous sovereignty to improved infrastructure for harnessing stormwater, solutions to the water crisis do exist. In this episode, we hear from local lead...

What’s the story behind the concrete channel running through our city?

If Los Angeles doesn’t rely on its own river for water, where does it come from? The truth is, LA imports around 80% of its water supply — a practice that has caused severe ecological damage in regions hundreds of miles away and deeply impacted Indigenous communities, whose lands were drained to meet the city’s needs.

In this episode, we trace the history of LA’s ...

After the devastating LA fires, it is clear that climate disasters will continue to become more frequent and destructive - and are no longer a distant threat. This episode looks at the history and impact of wildfires in California and the changing landscape of extreme weather events in the climate crisis, plus the importance of community building for emotional resilience.

Guests:

Nina Knierim, CORE CA Area Manager

Dr. Daniel Swain, Cl...

Have you ever wondered exactly where your water comes from? What it means to break up with fossil fuels? Or what 2100 could even look like?  

The Climate Dispatch is a new podcast from the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter and Stranded Astronaut, that tackles these questions and much more. From oil drilling, water conservation, and transportation - to energy, climate anxiety, and wildfires, we take a deep dive into each issue with insight...