What On Earth

People in social housing aren’t always included in conversations about climate solutions. That’s why Zamani Ra is finding ways to draw people from those communities into the environmental movement. The founder of the Toronto-based not-for-profit CEED Canada shares how workshops that start with recycling can make climate action relevant for all.

Sociologist Dana Fisher says disasters like the Los Angeles wildfires and Hurricane Helene can spur community action in the face of the climate crisis. The author of Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shock to Climate Action says individuals coming up with solutions for resilient communities are what give her “apocalyptic optimism.” She shares how we can use the idea in our own personal fight against the climate crisis.

Warmer winters and weird weather have forced organizers of this classic sled dog race to change the route to stay safe in rapidly changing conditions. CBC Whitehorse reporter Cali McTavish takes us to the Yukon Quest starting line in Teslin, where mushers, organizers and Indigenous community members talk about what the race means to them, and how climate change is having an impact.

Meet the people using TikTok to break up with shopping, and learn why they say affordability is propelling them toward more climate-friendly habits, as they take on the social media challenge of a 'No Buy' year. And author Aja Barber shares stories of her own shopping addiction, how she “saw the light” and what happens when a 'No Buy' year turns into a lifestyle.

Millions of new homes may help the housing crisis. But climate change means reconsidering just where all those new developments should go. Waterfront? Maybe not. Nestled up against the forest? Think again. How to build for our climate future. We hear why to build where and a New Brunswick real estate agent shares what clients need to know about buying and selling safely.

It helps farmers and protects against wildfire. “The world needs to know about biochar,” says one scientist. So, what the heck is this charcoal-like, carbon-storing material? We meet a man on Vancouver Island who’s spending his retirement years making it for his neighbours. Then, producer Rachel Sanders finds out what potential this climate solution holds, what the pitfalls may be and what the challenges are with scaling it up.

From hurricanes to wildfires, extreme weather whips up false and misleading information. When people are left vulnerable after a disaster strikes, they may be more susceptible to being misled about the cause of their strife. And that often means pointing fingers at anything but climate change. We’re delving into the murky world of misinformation and disinformation – and looking for ways to separate climate facts from fiction.

What if we told you there’s a way to lower your food costs while also reducing emissions? Apps that connect shoppers with stores and restaurants selling edible food that would otherwise go to waste offer a climate solution that also makes daily life a little more affordable. We’re testing three popular apps to see how they may help combat the problem of food waste and the harmful greenhouse gas emissions it creates.

We used to take insurance for granted. Climate change is upending that. The L.A. wildfires have people talking about the future of home insurance in the face of more climate-charged disasters. We hear from a woman in Nova Scotia who worries about the future of her current home. And, Canada’s once stable insurance sector is facing uncertainty.

Donald Trump wants more oil and less climate action. But can he really turn back the clean energy transition? CBC climate reporter Inayat Singh breaks down Trump's climate policy changes.

Rural Canada wants in on climate change solutions, but big city ideas don’t always work. A listener in Manitoba knows it takes a village, so he wants ideas tailored for smaller communities. Then we talk to people in three towns that are big on climate action and hear their lessons for others.

There are always a few comments on Instagram telling Corb Lund to ‘stick to music.’ But he finds himself, reluctantly, donning his activist cap. The reason? Water quality near his home in Southwest Alberta, which he says is threatened by coal development.

Come along to Tunisia where climate change is forcing fishers to adapt their livelihoods. We hear how the warming waters of the Mediterranean Sea have meant an influx of invasive species and the loss of old ways of life. A Tunisian-Canadian scientist shares stories from a project that's helping communities organize into cooperatives and find new ways to survive.

Some of Ottawa’s signature climate actions could disappear amidst all the political change ahead. We’ll hear what’s at risk – and why – after the Prime Minister’s decision to step aside. Then, what the fires in Los Angeles can teach Canadians about disasters, climate change and insuring their homes.

Sometimes the truth hurts. And when it comes to fighting climate change, we have obstacles ahead – including the likely reality that global temperatures in 2024 will hit 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels. That’s even before Donald Trump’s return to the White House could bring a big shift in climate policies. But that doesn’t mean the fight is over. David Ho, a professor at the University of Hawaii, explains what the next goal should be and how we could get there.

Will the International Court of Justice’s climate ruling be as influential as Beyoncé? Our youth columnist, Aishwarya Puttur thinks so. She joins guest host Michelle Eliot with her outlook for 2025. Then – story producer Dannielle Piper shares feedback from listeners who weighed in about tiny homes.

Happy new year! We’re starting 2025 with a special gift from our friends at Unreserved, “Turtle’s Teachings of Truth” — the third episode in their ongoing Sacred Seven series — which invites us to slow down and consider the world from the perspective of our non-human relations. Today’s episode includes an Anishinaabe creation story, a Turtle clan grandmother’s wisdom, and a close look at a turtle protection program in Toronto. And if you're looking for a new calendar, take a closer look at a turtle's shell. Read more about the turtle’s teachings here: cbc.ca/1.7393114 Listen to more Unreserved podcast episodes here: https://link.mgln.ai/yUGMa3

Houses are getting bigger and so is their carbon footprint. Tiny homes may be the solution. That’s why a group of students has banded together to create one … along with a how-to guide anyone can use to build their own. Follow story producer Dannielle Piper as she learns how this self-sustaining tiny home can set the stage for other future builders.

Today, we’re bringing you a special gift from our friends at IDEAS, “David Suzuki's Survival Guide: A Retrospective.” We think you’ll very quickly understand why it made us think of the Charles Dickens classic, and our own past, present and planet yet-to-be. Listen to more IDEAS podcast episodes here: https://link.mgln.ai/yzu3fa

Environment Canada's top 10 biggest weather stories of the year just dropped. And we got three CBC weather specialists to break it down for you. Learn what’s causing an increase in B.C.’s atmospheric rivers, how Jasper's summer inferno left its landscape changed forever, and why Central Canada bore the brunt of the 2024 hurricane season. Plus – extreme weather is part of the reason insurance costs are rising. What On Earth is on the hunt for solutions.