17. Climate Realities in the Arctic

17. Climate Realities in the Arctic

Author: Jenn Galler September 5, 2025 Duration: 22:34

Today we’re talking with Romain Chuffart is with the Arctic Institute. 

We’re turning our attention to one of the most fragile and rapidly changing regions on Earth — the Arctic.

This vast, icy expanse at the top of the world plays a crucial role in regulating our global climate and is home to unique ecosystems and Indigenous communities whose lives are intertwined with the land and sea. But the Arctic is warming at more than twice the global rate, triggering dramatic changes that ripple far beyond its borders.

In this episode, we’ll unpack what defines the Arctic region, explore the profound impacts climate change is having there, and discuss why these changes matter to all of us. We’ll also dive into international cooperation, governance challenges, and the vital role Indigenous knowledge plays in shaping sustainable policies.



Hosted by Jenn Galler, In Our Backyard Podcast is the voice of the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, bringing urgent local stories to the forefront. This isn't about abstract global debates; it's a grounded conversation focused on the very real industrial pressures facing specific towns and neighborhoods. Each episode examines a particular threat, from active coal plants and fracking operations to the routing of new pipelines, unpacking the complex realities behind the headlines. You'll hear directly from the residents and organizers who are living these fights, sharing their personal struggles and strategies for safeguarding both community health and the local environment. The discussions are detailed and thoughtful, prioritizing the experiences of those on the ground. Tuning into this podcast means connecting with the persistent, often overlooked work of environmental justice, understanding that the most critical battles for planetary protection frequently begin just outside our own doors.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

In Our Backyard Podcast
Podcast Episodes
35. Building a Sustainable South [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:23
Welcome back to the show. Today we’re joined by Laura Iyer, founder of the Southern Sustainability Institute.Laura works with communities, businesses, and local leaders across the South to advance practical sustainabilit…
34. Understanding Energy Policy and Power Costs in Louisiana [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:38
Today we’re joined by Jackson Voss, Senior Government Affairs & Policy Advisor at the Alliance for Affordable Energy. He breaks down how energy systems are shaped, regulated, and experienced by everyday people.In this ep…
33. Rising Roots: Voices of Southwest Georgia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:43
Today I’m joined by Sherrell Byrd who is the Founder and Executive Director at SOWEGA Rising. SOWEGA Rising, an organization doing powerful work to support Southwest Georgia and build a more resilient future. Southwest G…
32. The Data Center Capital: Growth, Land, and Local Consequences [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:22
Today, we’re joined by Julie Bolthouse, Director of Land Use at the Piedmont Environmental Council. With Julie, we talk about the rapid expansion of data centers on the ground and how communities are responding.Virginia…
31. Sustaining East Tennessee: Farms, Food, and the Future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:49
Today we’re diving into the work happening on the ground in East Tennessee to support farmers, strengthen local food systems, and build healthier, more resilient communities.I’m joined by Andy Brown and Jillian Gorell fr…
30. Ecology Beyond Data: Emotion, Storytelling, and Systems Change [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:09
I’m joined by Bill Powers from Living Well Collaborative with Earth Island Institute, an organization based in Bolivia. Bill is an author, ecologist, and storyteller whose work bridges the personal and the environment in…
29. Building Environmental Literacy for a Changing World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:04
Today’s guest is Judy Braus, Executive Director of the North American Association for Environmental Education or NAAEE for short.NAAEE’s mission is to use the power of education to advance environmental literacy and civi…
27. Why Oysters Matter More Than You Think [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:47
I’m joined by Giulio Salerno from the Wild Oyster Project, an organization working to bring native oyster reefs back to San Francisco Bay and other West Coast estuaries. It’s about repairing ecosystems, building climate…