The Big Melt

Welcome to the Big Melt! I’m constantly wondering if we’re already out of time. I’m not alone here? Am I? AM I?! The air is poisoned, the ice caps are melting, the forests are on fire, the oceans are plastic soup, every moment of every day another creature goes extinct and all of it, all of it, was preventable. And the reasons why people decided not to prevent it? Totally sus... I’m Sarah by the way… Some adults say “it’s ...

There are millions and millions of teens thinking the same things about the planet and our future: What can we do to start making waves in this rising ocean we are swimming in? How do we get the attention of the planet’s decision-makers? As more and more teens realize that we’re the ones who’ll be around when the consequences of climate change happen, more of us are demanding a say and I think a big part of that is the way...

Canada is an incredibly beautiful country. There are vast wildernesses barely touched by people. Parts of it that are still truly wild. But if you truly want to experience the wilds of Canada you have to go North. That’s what this episode is all about. TBH I have always wanted to explore the "wild, wild North". The Arctic is one of the most unique places on the planet The Arctic is also home to some of the most fragile eco...

Hi peeps, Sarah here! Alright, so… It’s easy to see why some people just ignore the climate crisis. Actively engaging with it all the time is really - really hard. You can end up feeling like you’re doing something wrong just by being a person. So, today, instead of curling up into a little ball and vowing to only eat twigs we figure out how to approach eating responsibly, learn the merits of munching insects, give ourselv...

Extreme weather events like the infamous ~sharknado~ are happening more and around the world!! Okay, I’m kidding about that one specifically, but freak-level weather around the world IS a thing, it IS happening more often, and it IS related to climate change! For realz! Let me be clear, this bonkers weather isn't new to our planet. There have always been epic storms and abnormally cold winters. The thing that makes the cur...

This week it’s not about the what’s and why’s… but rather the who’s and the how’s and a couple of when’s. As in; who’s fault is it? When did you know? And how could you let this happen? Let’s rewind to the beginning: When we get onto the topic of who’s to blame, it’s it is so incredibly hard not to feel mad... but at this point is pointing fingers is kinda... pointless? I’m going to chat with my dad to see what he has to s...

The future; an unknown frontier. A world with technology right at the limit of what’s possible. Where science fiction meets science reality... Or wait - aren’t we there already? At this very moment, there are teams of people working on advanced carbon capture machines. Geneticists designing enzymes that can eat plastic. Even people developing robot minds that could solve the current climate crisis for us... But should we? ...

So, there’s a lot going on right now… A LOT…. And I thought it might be kinda cool to talk it out? School is cancelled, which means I have way too much time on my hands… I’m sure most of you are in the same boat. I thought since everyone is following the coronavirus pandemic as it unfolds, and we’re getting news from so many different sources and everything is kinda confusing… That maybe I could use the power of fact-check...

Today we are looking at the big big and the super small… life after climate change and international cooperation... about local effects and nationwide initiatives.  I keep a close eye on world events, and lately... Regarding climate change, I’ve actually felt really excited by what I’m seeing! People are pulling together. Every day there’s some new story about another country adding environmental protections or #cancelling...

You’ve probably heard more about #preppers in the media lately with the current COVID-19 stuff going on. But trust, the doomsday preppers have been at it already for literal YEARS. While it may be easy for some people to get carried away thinking of “surviving extreme weather events” related to climate change...it’s important to remember that global climate change is a gradual process... One that’s already taking place. Th...

Brand new problem? Fake news? Yeah, no!! More like should be totally obvious, is super real, and has been attempted to be hidden for literal decades!! Climate change may seem like a thoroughly modern problem, but scientists have been exploring the question of the earth’s climate for over a hundred years. And while early theories may have been more concerned with predicting ice ages and the outcome of volcanic eruptions som...

Today I’m talking to Damon Gameau about solar panel networks and sea farming and, and, self-driving cars and... Wait... OMG, you need some background, right? Of course...Sorry! I’m just so excited because Damon just released this amazing film called 2040, which I just watched for the second time, and it’s chock full of brilliant green technologies and new ways of thinking about climate change and like, awesome animation an...

Hi Listeners, it’s me: Sarah. I had to get out of the basement for a bit so I decided to podcast on the go from my favourite places of all time: the forest! Forests are incredible. And not just because they let you take social distancing to the next level. They are literally ecological wonders; they are complex living worlds that prevent soil erosion, provide homes to thousands of different species, and absorb carbon to he...

Hi Big Melters, I recently got to chat with Nigel Topping - the UN’s high level Climate Champion about the upcoming COP - Conference of the parties, aka. the Mack Daddy of all climate conferences!

Find out why this year’s meeting is SO important.

And here is a link to a cool graphic novel about IPCC, The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, of the UN for insight into the way these sorts of meetings work: https://becaus...

Do headlines about the climate crisis make you feel uneasy? Or maybe it’s the spread of climate change denial that feels frustrating. Young people today are navigating a world of information – and misinformation – and it can be a lot to process. But you’re not alone. In this first episode of the Big Melt mini-series, you’ll hear from youth voices sharing how they stay informed, and stay grounded in the face of eco-anxiety.

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Have you ever heard of vertical farming? Paper made from fallen leaves? Or a powder that absorbs carbon dioxide? In this episode, youth voices highlight these incredible sustainability-driven breakthroughs, along with practical ways you can you can make a difference too!

This mini-series was created by youth, for youth, in partnership with Kids Help Phone’s National Youth Council, and Earth Rangers’ ER Teens.

If you’re wor...

In the final episode of this mini-series, youth discuss how making mindful everyday choices creates real change, and how focusing on what you can control can be both empowering and impactful, because every action truly matters.  

This mini-series was created by youth, for youth, in partnership with Kids Help Phone’s National Youth Council, and Earth Rangers’ ER Teens.

If you’re worried about climate change, there are things...