CLIMATE ONE: Two Stories That Prove Change Is Possible

CLIMATE ONE: Two Stories That Prove Change Is Possible

Author: Commonwealth Club of California April 17, 2026 Duration: 1:00:18
We are living through a time where big positive change seems unachievable, but there are two instances from the recent past that prove change is possible. For over a century, Indigenous people along the Klamath River fought to protect their way of life, and the salmon they depend on. Their persistence helped remove four dams and restore hundreds of miles of river. In Los Angeles, decades of science, activism, and policy turned toxic smog into cleaner air.  Both stories reveal that progress takes persistence, coalition-building, and time. But when communities push and institutions respond, meaningful change is possible. Guests:  Amy Bowers Cordalis, Yurok Tribe member, Author, The Water Remembers Ann Carlson, Professor of Environmental Law, UCLA; Author, Smog and Sunshine: The Surprising Story of How Los Angeles Cleaned Up Its Air For show notes and related links, visit ⁠https://www.climateone.org/podcasts⁠ Highlights: 00:00 – Intro 02:26 – Amy Bowers Cordalis on the river and salmon  06:63 – Amy Bowers Cordalis on Uncle Ray  12:53 – Amy Bowers Cordalis on witnessing the effects of the dams  16:04 – Amy Bowers Cordalis on the lowest salmon run  2218  – Amy Bowers Cordalis on getting to destroy the dams 28:18 – Amy Bowers Cordalis on seeing the river come back to life  34:13 – Ann Carlson on the state of LA air 37:58 – Ann Carlson on the first steps towards cleaning the air  40:14 – Ann Carlson on getting from pineapples to smog 44:27 – Ann Carlson on the Mothers of East LA  52:40 – Ann Carlson on why it the book is important now ********** 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 at ⁠patreon.com/ClimateOne⁠.  Ad sales by ⁠Multitude⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠multitude.productions/ads⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For nearly a century, the Commonwealth Club of California Podcast has served as a vital platform for civic dialogue, directly from the nation's largest public affairs forum. Each episode captures live, thoughtful conversations with leading voices from across the political spectrum and various fields, all committed to exploring the most pressing issues of our time. As a nonpartisan and nonprofit operation, the Club’s priority is substance over soundbite, fostering a depth of discussion that is increasingly rare. You’ll hear authors, policymakers, scientists, and cultural figures engage in nuanced debates and detailed analyses, reflecting a genuine diversity of perspectives. This isn't just a recording of events; it's an ongoing, accessible chronicle of American and global thought. The audio you find in this podcast feed originates from the longest-running weekly radio broadcast of its kind in the United States, a tradition started in 1924, now shared with a modern audience. Updated frequently throughout the week, the feed ensures you have direct access to a forum where complex ideas about government, society, and current events are given the time and respect they deserve. Tune in for a consistently enlightening experience that challenges assumptions and provides context far beyond the daily headlines.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Commonwealth Club of California Podcast
Podcast Episodes
CLIMATE ONE: ENCORE: Cities Leading the Way [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:09
While the federal government has all but abandoned trying to address the climate crisis, cities around the world are stepping up. C40 is an international network of 97 cities representing 920 million people and 23% of th…
Safe Play: Creating Inclusion in Sport [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:52
Pride House SF and Commonwealth Club World Affairs are proud to assemble three hour-long events designed to showcase the importance of celebrating self and sport. Using the backdrop of this summer’s global soccer event—a…
Fake News for Good? Reporting from the Future to Save Democracy Today [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:41
When the news moves faster than we can process it, how do we grasp what any of it actually means for our lives? And what happens when that overwhelming feeling isn’t accidental, but rather a deliberate political strategy…
Dion Lim: My Fight for Asian America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:43
February 24, 2020, started out like any other day for journalist and television anchor Dion Lim of San Francisco’s ABC News. Planning her pitches for the morning’s editorial meeting, she checked her Instagram account and…
Why We Run: A Special AAPI Month Program [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:46
Join us for a special AAPI Month program featuring prominent Bay Area Asian American elected officials. We'll hear from BART Board Director Janice Li, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu, and San Mateo County Democrat…