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It’s Too Damn Hot… So What Can We Do?

It’s Too Damn Hot… So What Can We Do?

Author: Climate One from The Commonwealth Club August 21, 2026 Duration: 1:05:39
Climate One
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We all complain about the heat, yet it's a climate threat we routinely underestimate. In the U.S., extreme heat kills more people each year than floods, fires and hurricanes combined. About 16,000 excess deaths were recorded during Europe's June heatwave – a striking and tragic number. What does extreme heat do to our bodies, our wallets and our cities, and what can we actually do about it?  From creating insurance programs that pay out before the disaster to protecting workers who labor in the heat, many people are working on solutions. Cities are finding ways to prepare for temperatures they historically have never experienced. Plus, we hear about one woman’s “Grammy Ride” for the climate: a 3,000 mile bike journey raising climate awareness and funds for climate action.  Guests:  Donna Minter, Former forensic and neuropsychologist Kathy Baughman McLeod, Founder and CEO of HERA Juanita Constible, Senior Advocate, NRDC 00:00 - Introduction  03:14 - Donna Minter on coming up with the idea for the “Grammy Ride”  05:21 - Donna Minter on how friends and family reacted 11:54 - Donna Minter on reflecting on her faith 15:15 - Donna Minter on her Texas stay    21:50 - Kathy Baughman McLeod on what extreme heat does to the body 28:34 - Kathy Baughman McLeod on the effect of naming heatwaves  30:57 - Kathy Baughman McLeod on the first heat related insurance for pregnancies 38:16 - Kathy Baughman McLeod on a heat policy success story  43:21 - Juanita Constible on what it takes to keep workers safe 46:34 - Juanita Constible on where worker heat deaths happen 52:49 - Juanita Constible on OSHA heat protections 57:47 - Juanita Constible on state adoption of heat protections For show notes, transcripts, and related links, visit ⁠our episode page⁠ at ClimateOne.org *** Join Climate One for a town hall event on September 28 at 6 p.m. on navigating AI, climate, and the future of democracy. How do we ensure that AI and data centers serve the public good? How does a democracy function when AI is distorting our sense of shared truths? Tickets available at climateone.org/events *** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on ⁠Patreon⁠, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. ⁠Sign up today⁠. *** Ad sales by ⁠Multitude⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The conversation about our changing planet is often reduced to headlines and political noise, but Climate One moves beyond that. Hosted by Greg Dalton, Ariana Brocious and Kousha Navidar, this podcast from The Commonwealth Club creates a space for the full, complex dialogue we need. Each episode features candid discussions with scientists, policymakers, activists, and thinkers who are on the front lines. The focus is on drawing connections-between personal action and economic systems, between daunting scientific reports and tangible community solutions. You’ll hear analysis that doesn’t shy away from the severity of our situation while actively exploring pathways for genuine progress, from technology and finance to culture and justice. This isn't about alarmism or easy answers; it's about equipping listeners with a deeper understanding of the intertwined challenges and opportunities. Tuning into this podcast means joining a crucial exploration of how we adapt, mitigate, and fundamentally rethink our relationship with the natural world. The dialogue here is built on the idea that confronting the climate emergency honestly, in all its facets, is the first necessary step toward shaping a livable future.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

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Climate One
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