2 Degrees Out West

In the West, we want a future where we're no longer dependent on coal and methane to meet energy demands. We want to see more clean energy adopted and we want to keep that clean energy affordable. 

Nearly two-thirds of voters in the West want to see a transition to a 100% clean and renewable energy economy.  

So - How do we get there? 

What if I told you there was a lesser known but critical regulatory process that can create rea...

If you're listening to this podcast, I'm willing to bet you are looking for solutions to climate change and pollution in the West. 

You probably already recycle, reuse grocery bags, avoid single-use plastic, and maybe drive an EV to minimize your environmental impact. 

Reducing our dependence on polluting practices is a good first step in caring for the environment. 

Similarly, the transition to zero emission vehicles is a k...

Colorado has some of the best access to beautiful landscapes of any of the states in the West. 

It's home to four National Parks, nine National Monuments, 44 Wilderness Areas, 14.5 million acres of National Forest and Grassland, and over 637 peaks above 13,000ft. 

And these landscapes sustain a thriving outdoor recreation economy and culture. According to a Park's and Wildlife Study, Colorado's landscapes generate over...

The Colorado River is at the center of our region.  

This has been true for as long as people have called the West home. 

The River Basin has been home to Tribal Nations since time immemorial. Today seven present states, over 30 Tribal Nations, and two countries all depend on the Colorado River.  

Recently, the seven states and the Tribal Nations that rely on the Colorado River have come to a historic moment where they can put in plac...

Today on 2 Degrees Out West we'll be learning what federal funding is available to address climate change, how it's distributed, how WRA has helped our region Over the past 4 years there's been something unprecedented happening in the federal government, and it's impacted our work at WRA for the better.

The United States government has been investing in climate solutions.

In 2022, with the help of the Biden Admini...

Of all the states in our region, Arizona is particularly affected by climate change. It's hotter and drier than ever. Arizona is at the center of a battle when it comes to energy regulation. It's a battle happening behind the scenes hidden by regulatory language and process. But it is one of WRA's top clean energy priorities.

Arizona is falling behind the rest of the West with its progress on decarbonizing its economy...

Climate change is a large scale problem. It’s bigger than any one of us, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the issue. How can we make a difference? In the West where we can watch the winters get shorter and increasingly the effects of wildfire and drought are harder to ignore, it’s difficult not to be overwhelmed.

But, there’s hope. It doesn’t have to be this way. The best science says we haven’t missed our opportuni...

As climate change causes the West to become hotter and drier, communities are working hard to save water and stretch limited supplies. But in order to save water, we’ve got to know how much we’re using in the first place. The White Mountain Apache Tribe in Arizona is working to do just that.  

Join Kim Mitchell as she talks with Cheryl Pailzote and Lydo Harvey about a project that the Tribe is undertaking in partnership with WRA to ...

The opposite of climate doomerism is climate action. Join us as Haley Littleton and Kandice Cleveland from WRA ignite our enthusiasm for the path to a "Bright Climate Future." Our guests unravel the cord of climate action and resilience, casting a beacon of hope as we approach the 2024 election year.  Our conversation isn't just about highlighting achievements; it's about acknowledging the power each of us holds...

What if nature could be a catalyst for healing the wounds of war? Join me as we journey with Fredrick Solheim, a geophysicist and river runner, who uses the adrenaline-charged wilderness as a therapeutic tool for disabled veterans. We traverse the raging rapids of Cataract Canyon and explore the incredible power of nature, adventure, and camaraderie in initiating a journey towards healing and self-discovery for these brave souls.

Ever wondered how your favorite beer or cider impacts the environment? Tune into this episode of "2 Degrees Out West" as we serve up a hearty conversation with Alex Ditto from Upslope Brewing Company and Colin Schilling from Schilling Cider, who are brewing a sustainable future for the beverage industry. They share their unique approach to utilizing infinitely recyclable aluminum cans over glass bottles and cutting down o...

Have you ever considered the intersection of poverty, culture, and environmental justice? Our intriguing conversation with the formidable Ona Porter, founder of Prosperity Works and Clean Energy Leader, explores this in-depth. Ona's lifelong mission to uplift limited-income households in New Mexico and her intricate understanding of poverty, gained from her background as an educator, paint a vivid picture of the unique challen...

Have you ever wondered why, despite understanding the global crisis climate change poses, we struggle to address it effectively? Today, we step into the realm of the human mind with political psychologist, Dr. Conor Seyle, to make sense of this conundrum. We illuminate the complexities of cognitive biases and our long-term thinking capacity and take you on a fascinating journey through the psychology of climate change.

Our...

Fashion's environmental impact is a hot topic, and we have the perfect expert to guide us through it. Meet Jennifer Inaba, a communications manager at WRA and PhD candidate studying sustainable fashion. Jennifer's insights into the fashion industry's environmental implications are not just enlightening, they expose a flawed system that urgently needs reform. From water pollution to carbon emissions and the alarming g...

Are you ready to refresh your understanding of water use and make strides in conservation as we unveil the innovative Growing Water Smart program in Utah? Our conversation delves into the intricate connection between land and water use, revealing the crucial role that reducing water use plays in our environment and key ecosystems, such as the Colorado River and the Great Salt Lake. We're joined by an expert panel featuring Che...

What if you could uncover the often-overlooked environmental challenges faced by Latino communities? Today, we're excited to bring you a crucial conversation with Juan Roberto Madrid from Green Latinos, an organization tirelessly working towards addressing climate justice. This compelling episode invites you to join us on Juan Roberto's extraordinary journey from his 33-year healthcare career aiding minority communities, ...

Are you prepared for wildfire season? Today, we're joined by Brendan Witt, former host of Two Degrees Out West and current Western Lands Policy Fellow at WRA, to help us better understand the increasing risk of wildfires in the western US. Brendan shares his unique journey from the world of craft beer to working on land use planning, prescribed fire, and wildfire mitigation. Discover how his personal experience with the East T...

How can we reduce our water use and support local ecosystems? Easy, turf replacement, water wise landscaping and planting native gardens. It can seem like an overwhelming task for homeowners and businesses but there are many resources, tools and financial support. The end result are beautiful spaces that support the surrounding plants and animals and make people happier too. 

On this episode of 2 Degrees Out West, we talk ...

Austin Campbell is a Denver-based fly fishing guide that works with Trouts Fly Fishing and runs the non-profit Community Fly Fishing, to introduce inner-city kids and underserved Denver residents to the joys of fishing and the serenity of the outdoors.

In this episode of 2 Degrees Out West, we chat about the joys of fly fishing, how climate change is affecting the sport and the work Austin is doing to create more outdoor ...