What On Earth

Is it too late to stop climate change? Not according to data scientist Hannah Ritchie. We dive into her new book, “Clearing the Air,” where Ritchie answers all the tough questions – the ones she gets all the time and the ones you’ve probably asked yourself.

From the Best of What On Earth - Canada's oil and gas companies are hoping carbon capture and storage will be a big part of the country’s net zero plans. But shipping CO2 through pipelines to storage facilities can come with risks. We go to rural Mississippi to hear about a rare carbon dioxide pipeline breach that was nearly deadly – and find out what Canada can learn from the incident

Country star Corb Lund should be rehearsing for back-to-back tours. Instead, he’s wading deeper into the debate over coal exploration and development in the Rockies. It’s been more than five years since the singer-songwriter first set aside his decades-long commitment to an apolitical public image in order to campaign against coal mining in Alberta’s eastern slopes. He has lost fans and received pushback he calls “vile” and “abusive.” But as producer Molly Segal finds out, it’s a fight the musician has no plans of giving up.

Nature gives us joy, wonder, and beauty. It also brings big bucks. Trillions of dollars, according to the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. It says in a new analysis that tens of thousands of jobs are among the benefits when Canada's wilderness is protected. Plus, we do the climate a solid. But there are worries that Ottawa may not keep up the stable funding needed to protect enough of Canada’s lands and water for future generations.

Clues to Earth’s climate future lie buried in the ancient ice sheet covering Greenland. Climate scientists have been working for decades to uncover answers that can help us understand what’s coming. But as the U.S. government continues to push for more control over the island, some are worried that a Greenland controlled by Donald Trump would put their access to the ice in jeopardy. Security expert Whitney Lackenbauer tells us why fears about a warming Arctic due to climate change are stoking the current geopolitical tensions, and glaciologist Martin Siegert explains why a politically stable Greenland matters for the whole planet.

Canada recently switched its approach to electric vehicles. But what impact do EVs really have on the world around us? Cleaner air? Less noise? CBC’s Anand Ram walks us through the evidence and explains how satellite data is being used to measure air pollution in Los Angeles neighbourhoods. 

Immigration raids and protests have dominated U.S. news lately. And one L.A.-based environmentalist says migration, climate and the federal crackdown are all linked.

Many of those targeted come from countries that suffer disproportionately from the impacts of climate change, connecting the movement for migrant justice to movements for climate justice.

Penguins are tougher than you think — and they’re adapting to climate change in ways you may not expect. Researchers are keeping a close eye on Antarctic colonies to see what we humans can learn from the tuxedoed birds, as we learn to cope with the effects of a warming planet.

Nearly 100 per cent of Norway’s new car sales last year were electric. That was achieved without a ban on gas-powered vehicles. As Canada scraps its EV mandate, it may want to bolster incentives and policy to be more like Norway. Plus, Chinese brand EVs are coming to Canada and potentially shifting the market into a different gear. 

We hear you. Plastic is “upsetting, confusing, enraging.” But Judith Enck says there’s hope. The Beyond Plastics founder says people and policy makers are finally clueing in to the toxins in these products. We hear about efforts to hammer out an international treaty to curb plastics production and pollution. And, there’s been a key Canadian court ruling on banning single-use plastics.

Mark Carney’s plan to shrink the civil service means slashing more than 800 jobs at Environment and Climate Change Canada. A retired scientist says this includes her colleagues who study the impact of microplastics, toxic chemicals and oil on wildlife. And a union president says the cuts could gut human expertise in weather forecasting, too, leaving Canadians more vulnerable to climate extremes.

Since January 2025, it’s cost about nine bucks USD to drive in downtown New York City during peak times. A year later, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is heralding the policy as a success, with fewer cars downtown, a drop in pollution and even less honking. Alexa Sledge with Transportation Alternatives tells us about the policy’s progress to date. Then – we check in with Mychal Johnson of South Bronx Unite about worries that his community may be facing unintended consequences as a result of the pricing.

Skier Marion Thénault wants Winter Olympic gold. She also wants a cooler planet. That means training hard but doing it in a way that cuts her own emissions. And calling on sports federations to do their part. We discover what else needs to change to ensure the winter games survive in a warming world – including keeping the competition to a select few cities – including Calgary. 

As Hurricane Irma approached, doula Esther Louis helped a nine-months-pregnant client flee Florida to find safety in Georgia. At the time, she thought she was just being a “compassionate human being.” But that experience back in 2017 helped her recognize how people in her profession can help expectant families stay safe as the impacts of climate change accelerate. Esther tells us about a new program that’s training other doulas to do just that. Then, we hear how the warming planet is posing a growing danger for newborns worldwide.

Resignations. Calls for a hiatus. The expert group tasked with helping Ottawa cut emissions faces an existential crisis. We hear from Catherine Abreu, who quit the Net Zero Advisory Body, because it wasn’t consulted about the federal government’s pipeline deal with Alberta. Meanwhile Michael Bernstein, one of the few remaining advisors, says the group can balance climate policy with political reality, but it needs a reset first.

Warming temperatures mean more rats. Is rodent birth control part of the solution? Join us on the streets of Manhattan, Chicago and Vancouver as producer Molly Segal meets the people trying to stop rats from overtaking our world. 

If you're a frequent flier, you may have noticed flights have been getting bumpier lately. A potential culprit? Climate change. CBC producer Julia Pagel finds out how warming temperatures are making air turbulence worse, and what can be done about it. But first, she takes us back to 2019, when dozens of passengers were injured after an Air Canada flight bound for Australia hit severe turbulence and had to make an emergency landing. 

Even as the world warms, oil attracts conflict. Just look to Venezuela and Donald Trump’s moves to control the country’s vast reserves. We delve into the history of "petro-imperialism” and ask whether a planet powered by renewables would be any more peaceful.

From the Best of What On Earth – in remote northern communities, diesel is king. But breakthrough solar energy projects are underway that could begin to reduce fossil fuel reliance. We’re taking you to Nunavut where people are adding solar panels to small off-grid cabins and others are working on community-scale solar projects — so the diesel generators can finally be turned off and communities can hear silence once again, like their ancestors did.

From the Best of What On Earth – Come with us to California where entrepreneurs are sending balloons full of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere. It’s a form of solar geoengineering known as stratospheric aerosol injection, and the company Make Sunsets isn’t waiting for scientific consensus before they launch. We hear about their business model, and then from the researchers who question both the science and ethics of the practice.

From the Best of What On Earth – Better transit service could help lower Canada’s emissions. But can more people get on board with buses, trains and subways? We hear how policy changes and behaviour “nudges” can make it happen.

Power is pricey in the Yukon, and solar panels help some homeowners keep costs down. But two years ago, the government paused a program that allowed people to install solar on their roofs, use the electricity they generate and sell some of it back to the electrical grid. We find out what the roadblocks to renewables are in places like Whitehorse, and what the Yukon’s struggle tells us about the challenges of transitioning to clean energy across the country.

In a year-end interview with the CBC’s Rosemary Barton, the prime minister talks about why his plan for more pipelines will help the climate. He also gives his version of what happened behind the scenes when former minister Steven Guilbeaut quit cabinet over the new energy agreement with Alberta.

Why did Volkswagen employees keep mum about the Dieselgate emissions scandal? That’s one of six crimes author Julia Shaw dives into in her latest book, Green Crime: Inside the minds of the people destroying the planet, and how to stop them. She asks, can environmental laws hold criminals accountable or do we need to get tougher?

They popularized, "OK, boomer" but when it comes to climate action, some Gen Z activists find they actually have much in common with their baby boomer counterparts. What On Earth columnist Aishwarya Puttur recently joined the Sue Big Oil campaign. While on the journey to get local governments to file lawsuits against big polluters, Aishwarya met fellow activist and retired journalist Erin Ellis. We get advice from both about overcoming generational stereotypes and uniting for change.

Ferocious fires, monster storms and epic floods. But there were some climate bright spots in 2025 as well. CBC meteorologists Johanna Wagstaffe and Ryan Snoddon break down the impacts of human-caused climate change and how it affected our weather this year. From the rapid intensification of hurricanes and typhoons to rivers and wells running dry in places not accustomed to drought, they explain how climate-charged extreme weather events are reshaping the world along with the way they talk about their forecasts.

Steven Guilbeault made room for compromise when he switched from climate activist to government minister. He was okay with that. Until Prime Minister Mark Carney signed an agreement with Alberta that Guilbeault says went too far. In a frank interview, the now ex-minister defends his choices and voices his concerns about Canada’s climate future.

Electric tricycles. Wagons. Bumming rides. Canadians are going to great lengths to live without a car. Yes, even people who have a disability, live in a rural community, or are terrified of biking. Our car-free correspondent Emily Chung shares their stories and solutions.

Can Canada build another oil pipeline AND hit climate targets? PM Mark Carney says yes. But some see the new energy deal between Ottawa and Alberta as a climate pivot by the federal government. While Canada tries to be a climate leader and pump out more oil at the same time, at least two dozen other countries – including Colombia – are now getting serious about weaning off fossil fuels.

The term "carbon capture" is getting tossed around a lot by Canadian politicians these days. What's actually being talked about is carbon capture, utilization and storage or CCUS. The technology is promoted as a way to help Canada reach its climate goals, even as the country keeps exporting oil. So what exactly is it? How does it work? And does it actually help reduce fossil fuel emissions? 

For Marsya Ancker, laying her father to rest in a mycelium casket was a choice that was true to his environmental values. We hear how the biodegradable Loop Living Cocoon, made of the root fibres of mushrooms and upcycled hemp, is better for the earth than traditional coffins. And, we explore other innovations in green burials for people who want more environmentally friendly end-of-life options.

A carbon capture project and a new pipeline may be on the horizon as Alberta gets closer to signing a memorandum of understanding, which Premier Danielle Smith calls a "grand bargain" with the federal government. Proponents tout carbon capture as a way to reduce emissions from oil sands production. But critics say the technology only enables the fossil fuel industry to expand.

Mother Nature is mad as hell. But they're also being played by the godfather of punk, so maybe that makes sense? In a new podcast, Iggy Pop takes an absurdist approach to get people to think about the climate. Is it weird? Sure. But the producers of Sweet Little Human hope its dark humour will appeal to people who might not want to hear about the subject.

There are protests and promises at this year’s UN climate conference, which is in full swing now in Brazil’s rainforest. Can the international spotlight lead to real change for the threatened ecosystem? We examine a new plan to pay countries for preserving tropical forests, and hear calls from Indigenous leaders and an advocate to scale back oil and gas development in the Amazon.

If Arnold Schwarzenegger tells you to fight climate change, are you going to listen? He has joined Pope Leo XIV and other religious leaders in challenging the faithful to demand their governments take substantive steps to “terminate” harmful emissions. A Canadian Cardinal who helped craft Vatican climate policy and a Muslim scholar who worked on an Islamic climate declaration, explain how religion should compel people to protect the planet. 

Can Canada have it all when it comes to fighting climate change and fossil fuel extraction? That appears to be the goal in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first budget. But Climate Minister Julie Dabrusin says Canada still has cred in the fight to lower emissions, as she heads to the UN’s climate conference in Brazil. Then, we hear what’s at stake as the world gathers in the Amazon rainforest for COP30, and what climate leadership looks like in 2025.

 When Rick and Lori Findlay decided to divest from fossil fuels, their advisor told them they couldn’t get the returns they wanted. The Toronto-based couple wants their money choices to both reflect their values and ensure financial stability. Producer Molly Segal follows their story and gets tips on how to make your money work for you and the climate.

As Jamaica moves to rebuild after the storm, the world prepares to gather for its annual climate conference. And amid the stories of death and destruction, Caribbean nations are urging richer countries to help them adapt to climate change. We hear from climate leaders in the Caribbean about what Jamaica is doing to safeguard itself against hurricanes, and why more is needed from world leaders at COP30.

Wasted food has a climate cost bigger than the aviation industry. So how can we toss less – and feed hungry people at the same time? We meet someone who’s made it a mission to eat everything she buys, including scraps you might not have ever considered saving for later. Then, we head out with a charity that collects leftover food from grocery stores and passes it along to people in need. And, we hear what’s needed for Canada to meet its promise to cut food waste in half by 2030.

You might have heard that using a chatbot to write an email can use a cup of water. So how much water do the new AI data centres being built in Canada use? CBC’s Jonathan Montpetit wanted to find out. Instead, he found a murky business with little oversight. But there’s also growing opposition to big tech companies using public drinking water, just as climate change makes water more precious than ever. 

For the past decade, Canadians have been split 50/50 on new pipelines — that has changed. Two recent opinion polls found roughly three quarters of eligible voters in Canada want at least one new pipeline built to export more fossil fuels. Yet, 70 per cent of people consider climate change a serious threat. IDEAS producer Tom Howell explores the incompatibilities and future scenarios. 

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IDEAS is a place for people who like to think. If you value deep conversation and unexpected reveals, this show is for you. To hear more, you can listen to IDEAS wherever you get your podcasts or here: https://link.mgln.ai/Lh6sD9

Work is underway to pump seawater onto ice in Nunavut as a way to thicken it in the face of climate change. The experiment is showing some promising results but there are also concerns about its impact on ecosystems. Journalist Alec Luhn travelled onto the ice to see what was happening and to listen to local Indigenous elders about what the ice means to them. He also considers the moral hazard of trying to geoengineer a solution and whether it distracts from the real work needed to cut emissions.

Severe drought and a record-breaking wildfire season have left some remote First Nations in Manitoba cut off from the rest of the province. Planes were grounded by wildfire smoke, and in one boat-access community, the lake was so low the ferry couldn’t run. Now, demands from Indigenous leaders are growing for better all-season roads, so the next time climate-fuelled disasters hit, they can get their people out.  

The Biljik First Nation in New Brunswick is growing food aplenty thanks to a geodesic dome, community gardens and traditional knowledge. We pay them a visit during pumpkin harvest, to find out how they’re winning the fight for food security even as drought threatens the region. Then we cross the country to find out why one bumper crop season is worth celebrating , but also why it’s not enough in a changing climate. 

If you drove by recent rallies across Canada, you might’ve wondered: what are they protesting? War? Fossil fuels? Discrimination? There were placards about all of it. Our youth climate action columnist Aishwarya Puttur says banding together could strengthen, not dilute, activists’ messages. Then, we hear a similar call to action from renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, who died a few days ago at the age of 91.

Carter Vigh died when wildfire smoke brought on a severe asthma attack. Now his mom is part of an effort to teach other kids about the risks of smoky days and poor air quality. We hear the case for having these kinds of lessons in classrooms everywhere, as the planet warms, creating the hot, dry conditions that lead to longer lasting and more intense fires. And – we meet Roland, another nine-year-old kid with asthma, to find out how climate change is changing his life. 

Cori Lausen remembers the first time she saw a bat killed by a wind turbine. It looked like a “black banana peel.” That unlocked a years-long search to understand what was happening and how to fix it. Decades later, Cori says not enough has been done to keep those bat species, which act as natural pest control, from becoming endangered. As wind energy developments continue to pop up in a rush to add renewables to the grid, the question looms: will we be able to do enough to keep both climate solutions on the landscape?

Here’s a pitch for a national project that could bring cheaper power to Canadians, reduce emissions, protect our energy sovereignty and promote Indigenous reconciliation. How about a cross-Canada electricity grid powered by wind and solar? What On Earth’s Indigenous climate solutions columnist, Melina Laboucan-Massimo, is with a delegation in Ottawa making the case for why this project should be a priority for Mark Carney’s government.

The Yukon government is betting on a first-in-Canada solution to help protect Whitehorse from wildfire: a permanent fuel break made of trees. Replacing conifers with the more fire-resistant, deciduous aspen trees, the community hopes it will keep fire from encroaching on the city. But, the process takes a lot of work, starting with harvesting tiny seeds.

Bike lanes equals “bikelash” in parts of Canada. Why? And what is Paris doing right? We travel the path to the heart of the debate about making cities more bicycle friendly, finding out what difference they make to cutting emissions. Then we’ll hear about one Calgary man’s cycling adventure in Paris (croissants by the Seine anyone?) and what he learned about the city’s campaign to build better routes for bikes. We’ll also head to a neighborhood meet-up where one enthusiast is trying to teach the youngest to safely ride on Vancouver city streets in hopes of building a stronger cycling culture and community. 

They’re popping up on balconies across Europe. You can even buy them at IKEA in Germany. Solar panels designed to hang over a railing and plug into your wall. We hear about what’s driving the trend, and what’s standing in the way of bringing balcony solar to Canada.

The debate over EV adoption reached its peak after the PM put the mandate on ice. Now auto industry leaders want to scrap the rules altogether, while advocates say Canada risks falling behind if it doesn't aggressively pursue electrification. We trace the politicization of EVs over the years with an industry reporter, and ask Electric Mobility Canada whether their goal of more EVs on highways is falling by the roadside. 

For more than 35 years, the outspoken American environmentalist has been raising the alarm about the climate crisis, starting with his groundbreaking book The End of Nature. Now Bill McKibben says, for once in his life, he is spreading good news. In his latest book, Here Comes the Sun, Bill explains why the recent boom in solar and wind power has given him hope for the planet's future, and he implores everyone to buy in.

For over a decade, Alberta’s capital has been building a groundbreaking sustainable neighbourhood, right in the middle of the city. But some say the development has moved too slowly and is costing too much. With a municipal election looming, one mayoral candidate says the city needs to change course with this prime piece of real estate.

From the Best of What On Earth – They can be noisy. And smelly. And, as Cate Blanchett (yes, Cate Blanchett!) complains, don’t they just move “leaves from one place to another, only for them to be blown back again"? Gas-powered leaf blowers create a lot of opinions and a lot of emissions. Molly Segal takes us through why they're so particularly polluting and unhealthy. And, she explores the solutions underway — from political bans to incentives for switching to electric.

A hiking ban in Nova Scotia is getting lots of attention this summer, from Joe Rogan to former Freedom Convoy supporters. Although the ban has now been lifted for parts of the province, the rules have ignited an international debate about government overreach during fire season. Some Nova Scotians are calling the criticism fearmongering and want outsiders to butt out of the province’s affairs. We hear from an emergency management expert who says governments should prepare for more backlash against wildfire rules as the climate changes and summers become potentially more restricted. 

From the Best of What On Earth - A tale of two First Nations pushed to live on lands that face increasing flooding risks as the climate changes. We hear their stories of survival and their fight for justice and a safe place to live. Also, want to travel cargo? As in cruising onboard a cargo ship? It may just make for a greener vacation. 

Communities on Reddit and elsewhere are crowdsourcing reviews and recommendations in an effort to find the “best” version of, well, everything. It’s partly an ode to items that have withstood the test of time, and partly a quest for durability, longevity and repairability – all in an effort to save money, and the environment.

From the Best of What On Earth – The coastal city of Aberdeen, Scotland, has long made its living off the North Sea, first from fishing then oil and gas. Now, a new transition is underway: offshore wind. But who wins and who loses? Laura Lynch has some surprising conversations on the windy shores.

Shutting off the electricity to prevent wildfires is becoming the new normal in some west coast states, leaving thousands living through extreme heat without air conditioning or medical devices. Now, policies allowing this to happen are coming to B.C., Alberta and possibly other parts of Canada. We hear from people who say this could put their lives at risk, and get some advice on how to cope.

From the Best of What On Earth - A CBC News investigation found unsafe temperatures in homes across Canada during the summer, with people often living in dangerous heat for long stretches of time with no relief. Reporter Tara Carman shares stories of people who suffered, including a man who died after his home was close to 30 degrees for several weeks. 

Polar bears, bowhead whales, melting sea ice – the students on these ships see it all. We hear from two students sailing across the Davis Strait from Nunavut to Greenland about what life is like onboard the Students On Ice ships. We also hear from a former student about how her trip sparked her career in climate solutions, and from the founder of the program about how the polar regions have changed since he started the expeditions 25 years ago. 

From cuts to U.S. weather agencies, to the rise of AI predictions, there are big changes in the world of extreme weather forecasting. We talk with the former head of the Canadian Hurricane Centre, about what it all means for our ability to warn Canadians before hurricanes hit. Then we hear how well the current AI forecasting models can predict these weather events — and how the technology needs to improve.

In 2023 Nova Scotia pledged to investigate how Black and Indigenous people in the province are disproportionately affected by pollution and environmental hazards, including climate change. As part of our "Best of What On Earth" series, we revisit our interview with the chair of the panel tasked with that work. Then we hear an update from one of the people who took part, who says the province is now withholding crucial information.

From the Best of What On Earth – It might not sound like a climate job, but mechanical insulators help make buildings more energy efficient. We head out to meet a young woman who trained in the trade through a program set up by the Youth Climate Corps BC. The group is training young people around British Columbia for a wide variety of good, green jobs and hopes to expand across the country.

Move the propane tank, clear the toys, replace the deck. When guest host Johanna Wagstaffe asks a FireSmart assessor for advice on safeguarding her home from wildfires, she’s left with a long to-do list – from simple to pricey. Then, we visit Canada’s first FireSmart community, Logan Lake, to hear how those efforts helped protect it from a mega fire. And we ask whether funding for wildfire prevention is keeping up with the growing risk.

After more than four decades of activism and advocacy, Suzuki is one of the most renowned and respected voices in the environmental movement. So when he says it's too late to stop climate change, people take notice. And that's now exactly what he's saying.

He's delivering this message as Prime Minister Mark Carney's government focuses on fast-tracking major projects it deems to be of national interest, which could include a new pipeline for fossil fuels from Alberta. Suzuki says that, despite his understanding of the climate crisis, Carney — like all of us — is trapped by the economic and political systems we've created. And for Suzuki, our only hope for survival is to scrap those systems entirely.

In this special episode from our colleagues at Front Burner, David Suzuki joins Jayme Poisson for a wide-ranging discussion from what a world of irreversible climate change looks like, to what he describes as the "madness" of continued investment in fossil fuels, to the lessons environmentalists of the future can take from the past.

Front Burner is CBC’s daily news podcast that takes listeners deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. To stay up-to-date on the day’s biggest stories, find Front Burner wherever you get your podcasts, and here: https://link.mgln.ai/fb-woe

From the Best of What On Earth – Wildland firefighters say working conditions threaten the safety of crew and the public in Alberta. People on the front lines say they’re losing team members to other employers that offer better pay, benefits and long-term opportunities – leaving what they call a gap in experience on the crews. In the midst of what is shaping up to be Canada’s second-worst wildfire season, we revisit our conversation. 

Planning to hit the road this summer? How about travelling 8,500 kilometres in an EV? That’s what Carl Duivenvoorden is doing on his zero emissions journey across Canada. He shares some of the tips he’s learned along the way, including the best and worst places for charging, and explains why EV road tripping is an efficient — and cheaper — option for the adventurous. After that, we’ll take a trip down the EV misinformation highway, in search of answers to common claims that electric vehicles aren’t really that green.

From the Best of What On Earth – Warming waters are threatening an irreplaceable species for Indigenous people in Canada’s north. But First Nations leaders in Yukon have become leaders in protecting and demanding better care for the Chinook salmon – a vital part of their traditional diets and culture. This story is a part of the Overheated series, put together with CBC Radio’s Quirks & Quarks and White Coat, Black Art to examine how heat is changing lives.

The Salinas Grandes in northern Argentina is home to large deposits of lithium, a key mineral in the fight against climate change. But Indigenous leaders in the region say mining the mineral could harm their water supply. We hear how communities are pushing back against potential lithium extraction. And, how new methods of mining are being tested - ways of extracting lithium that aren't so damaging to the local environment.

In the thick of the deadly flooding along the Guadalupe River, questions emerged about what could have been done differently. Republican politicians are pushing back vigorously, calling accountability questions “partisan games.” But one climate expert in the state says Texas needs to ask the tough questions right now before the next natural disaster hits – questions about the political power of fossil fuel industries and what that means for how politicians talk about, and prepare for climate change.

From the Best of What On Earth – Will your carbon footprint follow you to your grave? Not if you have a green burial. Environmentally friendly funeral options are growing in popularity. In our Atlantic Journalism Award-winning documentary, we hear why some Canadians are choosing eco-conscious interments, and how you can arrange to be laid to rest naturally.

To mark the show’s anniversary, we ask what Canada has learned about tackling climate change since our debut in 2020, starting with lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic. And, we discuss what climate action could look like over the next five years.

From the Best of What On Earth — Glaciers are rapidly retreating in Canada’s Rockies and that’s making it more hazardous to navigate some alpine routes. In this documentary, we visit Banff National Park to meet guides who are adapting to the different ways climate change is altering a once familiar landscape. Plus, what you need to know about how older people can stay safe in extreme heat.

If Canada wants to be net zero by 2050, more than a million small businesses will have to make the green transition. And while some intrepid business owners are already trying their best to navigate a more eco-friendly path, others say it’s a big ask, especially when many are already struggling to balance the needs of price-wary shoppers with a thin bottom line. We’ll dive into their journey, and learn more about the supports that could change the game.

A year and a half ago, Adrienne Crowder caught an episode we did about a free university course on climate change. She took it, she loved it, and she wanted more. So, she started a network amongst her classmates: ordinary Canadians who support each other to make change in their lives. We hear from many of them, as we kick off special coverage to mark five years of What On Earth.

Ottawa's moves to fast-track resource projects with Bill C-5 are resurfacing concerns about Indigenous consultation. But what does it actually look like when Indigenous people push back against resource projects and take control of climate stewardship on their land? To find out, we head to the heart of Tsleil-Waututh traditional territory near Vancouver. The work they’ve done to restore local ecosystems is not only good for the climate, it's also a way to assert their rights. Then, we'll hear from an Anishinaabe expert who says this is just one example of how taking land back can be climate action.

Don’t have a garden? Adopt a roundabout and plant things for the bees! We meet a TikToker who’s done just that. And then we travel from coast to coast to hear about a push to let sections of city parks grow a little wild. We head to one of these meadows to hear how they attract pollinators, and hear why creating “pollinator pockets” for busy bees and “hairy” moths can be a climate solution across the country – and a patriotic one at that.

This year’s fire season is on track to be one of the worst on record. It’s displacing thousands, including many First Nation communities. We hear from those forced to flee far from home, about the fear they face. We explore the political push to make sure Indigenous communities can take the lead when fires break out. Then, we check in on an Indigenous-led emergency management company that puts this idea into action by supporting evacuees in Toronto.

Meet the ‘cunning foxes,’ student activists who saved the Gachibowli forest in southern India. What On Earth’s youth climate action columnist Aishwarya Puttur shares what she’s heard from protesters who took a stand in defence of a cooling green space in the urban centre of Hyderabad – and what lessons the protest holds for climate action everywhere.

This World Oceans Day, we're sharing a story from The Outlaw Ocean — an urgent look at the migration crisis unfolding in the Mediterranean Sea. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ian Urbina shares insights into how climate change is driving a massive global migration, with 150 million people expected to move in the next 50 years. He follows the story of one rural farmer, a young father from Guinea-Bissau.

Find the full series here: https://link.mgln.ai/oo-woe

From scientists to lobbyists to youth risking arrest, meet the people leading the resistance to anti-climate policy in the United States. Since Donald Trump’s second term began, hundreds of pro-climate policies have been rolled back or undermined, leaving many American climate advocates shocked and dismayed. But now, they’re pushing back. We hear about the tactics leaders are using to shift public opinion ahead of the U.S. midterms in 2026. 

Corporate leaders say Canada’s new greenwashing rules are causing companies to pull back on their climate ambitions. We hear from the executive chair of Maple Leaf Foods about what he says is a “greenhushing” effect of the legislation. Then, we hear from a lawyer and a climate advocate about the pros and cons of the federal government’s new law.

For those fleeing the flames, there may not be an easy way out. Canada’s minister of emergency management and community resilience, Eleanor Olszewski, shares how prepared the country is to respond. She also answers to concerns from First Nations on why her department only acted after provinces called for help.

Buildings make up a hefty share of Canada’s emissions. But across the country, communities are looking for ways to curb that impact, and make public structures more resilient to climate change. We take a tour of cool projects from Lytton B.C. to Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. 

The temperate rainforests of the West Coast exist because of salmon magic. These fish feed the trees, the trees protect the fish, and everything else that lives under the canopy of the ancient old-growth benefits from this interplay. Protecting these 'salmon forests' from logging and wildfire can have enormous benefits for human life and the climate, according to author Lynda Mapes whose new book is called The Trees are Speaking: Dispatches from the Salmon Forests. And we speak to Tsm’syen scientist Sm'hayetsk Teresa Ryan, about why the key to saving what old-growth is left in Canada could come down to Indigenous leadership. 

When West Sacramento was saved from wildfire in 2022, goats were hailed as heroes. No, they didn’t wield hoses or jump out of helicopters. They just did what goats do: eat everything in sight, including the dry grass and weeds that can fuel wildfires. We head to Northern California where governments are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on goats to create firebreaks. Then, we ask, could they help in Canada, too? 

Wildfire season is here already, with devastating effects in Manitoba. We have some advice for steps you can take now to prepare for heat, smoke and wildfire. There’s a lot you can do to keep yourself, your home and your community safer and more comfortable this summer even if you’re on a tight budget.

Darning socks may not sound like a revolutionary act. But people across the country are embracing the art of mending to push back against clothing waste. We visit Toronto’s second annual Mend In Public Day, and a clothing swap in Victoria, to hear about the personal and political action afoot to curb emissions from the fashion industry.

Drilling into the ground isn’t the only way to source metals for clean energy. You can also get them from castoff phones, laptops and TVs. It’s called urban mining. We speak with Maria Holuszko at UBC’s Urban Mining Innovation Centre about developing more efficient techniques for harvesting the gold, copper and other materials in old electronics. And Craig Wisehart of the Electronic Products Recycling Association takes us to a depot to find out how to drop off your old stuff and where it goes.

Pattie Gonia proves why climate action is a total drag, in the most fabulous way possible. From going viral for hiking in high heels, to performing a climate anthem with acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma and Alaskan Indigenous artist Quinn Christopherson, Wyn Wylie (the artist behind Pattie Gonia’s camp, fierce, red wig and marvellous makeup) is on a mission to bring some joy to the fight to protect the planet – and show that 2SLGBTQ+ people are vital to the quest for climate solutions. 

“Build baby build!” Post-election, the word ‘pipeline’ is popping up again. Mark Carney says he’ll speed up energy project approvals, honour the duty to consult with First Nations and also hit Canada’s climate goals. Eriel Deranger of Indigenous Climate Action worries these promises amount to “doublespeak.” She warns any plans to fast-track projects that impact Indigenous communities could face protest and legal pushback. Keith Brooks of Environmental Defence says the emissions cap and phasing out fossil fuel projects are the path forward.

Canada’s first local state of emergency due to drought was declared on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia in 2022. The shortage was so bad, officials feared the region would run out of water for hospitals and fire departments. And the Coast has been under severe water restrictions for five of the last eight summers, a situation experts warn could become the norm. In her documentary, “Drought in the rainforest,” Liz Hoath with CBC’s audio doc unit tells the story of a community hit hard by rising temperatures and the local government's failure to plan for climate change.

Pope Francis established himself as a leading voice on climate action, but it’s not yet clear how that legacy will be preserved once a new pope is in place. Katharine Hayhoe, Global Chief Scientist of Nature United and Distinguished Professor at Texas Tech, weighs in on Pope Francis’s legacy. Then, we talk to Molly Burhans, cartographer and founder of GoodLands, who is mapping the vast swathes of Catholic Church-owned land around the world to help protect the climate. 

In remote northern communities, diesel is king. But breakthrough solar energy projects are underway that could begin to reduce fossil fuel reliance. This year, the theme of Earth Day is renewable energy, so we’re taking you to Nunavut where people are adding solar panels to small off-grid cabins and others are working on community-scale solar projects — so the diesel generators can finally be turned off and communities can hear silence once again, like their ancestors did.

Climate hasn’t been a hot topic on the campaign trail, but did it come up in the debates? We hear about that from CBC’s Aaron Wherry. Then, we talk climate policy with NDP candidate Samantha Green. And, we hear what the Conservatives have been saying about climate and energy in this election.

The Green Party aims to be the environmental conscience of parliament. But its popularity has waned as people consider strategic voting in the face of other concerns – and as climate change slips as a priority for voters. We speak to Green Party advisor Daniel Green about how the party is balancing its climate policy with other issues in this election and whether co-leaders Jonathan Pedneault and Elizabeth May can overcome their low poll numbers. We also hear from voters on whether climate is a ballot box priority.

The parties aren’t talking climate much on the campaign trail. But we are - we’ve got tough questions for all of them. First up, Jonathan Wilkinson of the Liberal party. We also talk to voters about why the warming planet isn’t a top priority for them this time.