Community-Led, Globally Connected: Climate Resilience with Dr. Anyse Pereira
What if climate solutions didn’t start in boardrooms, but in communities? What if local knowledge and youth voices were central to climate action? In this season finale of We the Children, Zach sits down with Dr. Anyse Pereira—a scientist, conservationist, and global climate advocate whose work bridges traditional wisdom and modern science.Dr. Pereira is a Climate Program Manager with over a decade of experience specializing in climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and environmental policy. Her diverse career, spanning molecular genetics research to representing youth at COP 29, highlights the transformative potential of inclusive, community-led climate strategies. In conversation with Zach, she emphasizes that impactful climate action comes not from top-down initiatives, but from listening to and amplifying resilience practices that communities have relied upon for generations.Dr. Pereira explains why many global climate programs miss the mark and discusses how prioritizing internal climate literacy ensures staff and leaders become effective advocates. She and Zach also unpack the complexities and outcomes of COP 29, highlighting the essential role of youth involvement and intergenerational equity in climate negotiations.This episode is a powerful reminder that sustainable solutions emerge when communities lead, combining their insights with scientific innovation. For Dr. Pereira, true resilience empowers people and ecosystems alike—ensuring both can thrive in a changing world.Highlights:How traditional knowledge shaped Anyse’s scientific career (03:50)Why many global climate programs miss the mark (05:55)What sustainable resilience really means (09:45)Mercy Corps’ approach to climate literacy and internal advocacy (11:30)What happened at COP 29—and why funding matters (14:40)Why youth voices must be included in climate decisions (17:05)Advice for young people who want to make a difference (21:00)Links & Resources:Learn more about Mercy Corps → mercycorps.orgExplore COP 29 and the UNFCCC → unfccc.intRead about Intergenerational Equity → UNICEF & Climate JusticeFollow climate youth movements → Fridays for FutureThank you for listening, Climate Kids! That wraps up Season 3, but if you like what you hear more, please subscribe to We the Children on Spotify, Apple Podcasts (or wherever you get your podcasts). Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Also check out our website wethechildrenpodcast.com. Keep an eye on our socials for various events Zach will be attending or speaking at! See you soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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25:52
Teaching Tomorrow: How EarthDay.org is Bringing Climate Action to the Classroom
What if every school made climate education a priority? What if students everywhere had the tools to take real action in their communities? In this episode of We the Children, Zach and Clare dive into these big questions with two inspiring guests from EarthDay.org, Dennis Nolasco and Emily Walker.Dennis and Emily didn’t set out to become climate educators—they were teachers first. But when wildfires darkened their skies and students asked tough questions, they realized something was missing from the classroom: a real understanding of climate change. Now, through EarthDay.org, they’re working to integrate climate education into schools across the world, ensuring that kids today are equipped with the knowledge and skills to shape a greener future.From the power of small actions—like signing petitions and planting trees—to the systemic changes needed to bring climate education into every subject, Dennis and Emily share their vision for a more informed and engaged generation. Plus, Zach and Clare imagine the ultimate Earth Day celebration, complete with high-speed ziplines, rooftop jungles, and yes—Operation Dolphin Commute.HighlightsHow climate disasters in their own communities shaped Dennis and Emily’s mission (03:34)Why climate education needs to be in every subject, not just science class (09:53)How policy changes can bring climate education into every school (12:24)What would happen if all single-use plastics disappeared overnight? (18:07)What gives Dennis and Emily hope for the future (23:49)Links & ResourcesLearn more about EarthDay.org and their education initiatives → EarthDay.orgExplore climate education resources for teachers → Subject to ClimateJoin an Earth Day event or register your own → EarthDay.org/TakeActionSign petitions for stronger environmental policies → EarthDay PetitionsThank you for listening, Climate Kids! If you like what you hear, please subscribe to We the Children on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. And be sure to check out our website wethechildrenpodcast.com. We can't wait to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Unlocking the Ocean: Robotics, Climate Science, and the Future with Eric Stackpole
Have you ever dreamed of exploring the deep sea, uncovering lost treasures, or even launching your own robot into the unknown? Today, Zach and Clare dive into the world of underwater exploration with Eric Stackpole, an engineer, inventor, and deep-sea explorer who has spent his career building tools to help us see the world in new ways.From a childhood spent exploring caves to designing satellites at NASA, Eric’s path led him to create OpenROV, a company that started as a DIY project to search for sunken treasure and turned into a global movement for ocean discovery. Now, as part of SoFar Ocean Technologies, Eric is working to turn the entire ocean into a real-time data network, using thousands of sensors to track waves, wind, and climate patterns.In this episode, Eric shares how curiosity drives innovation, the thrill of launching robotic submarines into unexplored waters, and why the future of ocean science depends on making technology accessible to everyone. Whether it’s piloting a robot under Antarctic ice, dropping sensors into hurricanes, or collaborating with James Cameron on deep-sea exploration, Eric’s adventures show that the best explorers don’t wait for permission—they build, tinker, and dive in.Episode Highlights:How a DIY underwater robot launched a global movement (06:42)The role of OpenROV in citizen science (10:15)Why ocean exploration matters for climate science (13:55)How SoFar Ocean is turning the ocean into a data network (18:30)The future of underwater technology and deep-sea discovery (22:45)How kids can get involved in ocean exploration (27:15)Thank you for listening, Climate Kids! If you like what you hear, please subscribe to We the Children on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. And be sure to check out our website wethechildrenpodcast.com. We can't wait to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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30:16
Fire, Forests, and Conservation: Lessons from Yosemite with Garrett Dickman
For thousands of years, fire has shaped the landscapes of places like Yosemite National Park. But in a world of rising temperatures and longer fire seasons, understanding fire as a natural force is more important than ever.In this episode, Zach and Clare journey to Yosemite to meet Garrett Dickman, a forest ecologist dedicated to protecting giant sequoias, restoring ecosystems, and rethinking how we manage fire. They explore how Indigenous fire management practices have long helped maintain biodiversity, how invasive plants make wildfires more destructive, and what’s being done to safeguard these ancient trees from threats like drought and pests.You’ll discover why fire isn’t just a force of destruction, but a necessary part of healthy forests, how restoration efforts helped save the famous Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, and why even small actions—like learning, playing and exploring—help shape a more resilient future.Episode Highlights:Why fire is a natural and necessary part of forests (02:18)Meet Garrett Dickman, a forest ecologist in Yosemite (02:23)The hidden threat of invasive plants (04:45)How Indigenous fire practices help protect the land (08:13)Saving giant sequoias: The Mariposa Grove story (12:28)The impact of drought and pests on sequoias (20:15)How kids can take action, even in small ways (23:06)Thanks for listening, Climate Kids! Please subscribe to We the Children on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to check out our website wethechildrenpodcast.com. We'd love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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27:21
Growing Solutions: Farming in Urban Spaces with Dan Allen from Farmscape
With over 15 years of experience, Dan Allen, CEO of Farmscape, shares how his team is transforming urban areas into thriving edible gardens while reconnecting communities with sustainable food production.In this episode, Zach, Clare, and the Nexus Bot dive into Dan’s journey from a love of gardening to leading California’s largest urban farming company. They explore the environmental benefits of growing your own food, from reducing carbon footprints to boosting biodiversity and making fresh, nutrient-rich produce accessible. Dan also shares insights on native plants, balancing aesthetics with sustainability, and innovative solutions like agrihoods and community gardens that combine housing and food production.You’ll discover Farmscape’s approach to integrating nature into urban environments, the potential of urban farming to tackle climate change and food insecurity, and how even small actions—like growing an herb pot—can make a big impact.Episode Highlights:Meet Dan Allen and Farmscape’s mission (01:06)How growing your own food helps the planet (03:02)The joys of fresh, homegrown produce (04:12)Urban farming and its role in reshaping cities (06:23)What are berms and swales? (09:04)Trends in urban agriculture (17:19)Community engagement and agrihoods (13:26)How to get started with urban farming (20:52)Farmscape’s evolution and lasting impact (23:24)Thanks for listening, Climate Kids! Please subscribe to We the Children on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to check out our website wethechildrenpodcast.com. We'd love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
About We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions
Hi! My name’s Zachary Fox-Devol. You can just call me Zach. I might only be 13 years old, but I already have a lot of questions about the environment, how climate change will impact my generation and, most importantly, what we can do to help. That’s why I started this podcast. We the Children is a place for kids like me to learn more about the climate crisis, and the environment, but have some fun along the way, too. On the show, we’ll explore things like climate change, climate action, severe weather and sustainable living, through conversations with experts, educators, and climate activists. I think that kids like me (and maybe you, reading this right now) have a lot to contribute to the global conversation about our environment. It's not about having all the answers; it's about asking big, important questions to the people who are spending their careers thinking about how we can all take climate action, practice sustainability and build a healthier Earth. Questions like: How can students effectively get involved in finding a climate solution? What responsibility do schools and administrators have to ensure students are taught about climate change and what life on Earth will look like in the coming years? Can we prevent biodiversity loss and preserve our wetlands and water sources? Why should we care about the conservation of animals like polar bears? Why do we need to pay attention to severe weather? What is the actual impact of our recycling efforts? What is a “green economy,” and who are the innovators that might help us achieve it? Each episode is a chance to learn together. Air pollution, biodiversity, carbon footprints–sounds like an earth science class, right? But here's the thing: it's not just about learning big words and what they mean. It's about understanding these concepts’ impact on our world. Together, we’ll navigate the tricky terrain of climate action, exploring what it means for us, for the environment, and the world.Teachers, consider this podcast a little extra help in your mission to educate the next generation about climate change. We the Children isn't just a show; it's a tool for your climate curriculum arsenal. Climate change is a massive topic but together we'll break it down, one concept, one question at a time. Conservation, sustainability, climate solutions – we'll explore them all.As for you, my fellow students, this podcast is not homework! This is your invitation to be part of a green movement, to become Earth's guardians. From the green wonders and majestic animals on our planet to the pressing issues of global warming, we'll navigate it all with a sense of wonder and humility. Let's make sustainability cool, like the breeze on a hot day or the gentle rain after a storm. Do you hear a guitar? I might be writing a song here, sorry…Anyway, I think this stuff is pretty cool, and I’ve learned a lot about it, but I’m not an expert on climate change yet. I'm learning as we go. We the Children is a shared journey of discovery, where your thoughts, questions, and ideas matter just as much as mine. Sustainability, plastic pollution, weather emergencies – they're not just terms; they're pieces of a puzzle we're solving together. Let's embrace our curiosity, ask the questions that need asking, and, together, work towards a greener, more sustainable world because we, the children, can shape a sustainable and thriving Earth for generations to come.Please visit wethechildrenpodcast.com for more information and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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