Episodes
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S3 E8: “We have created this future... I think we can also create a different future.”
Let’s dream for a moment... not about a New York that survives climate change, but one that actually thrives in the future. It’s not a simple task, but luckily, there are people like Gita Nandan out there doing some serious reimagining. Gita is a designer, architect, and co-founder of the R.E.T.I. Center in Red Hook. She and Christina discuss how Gita works with the community to build innovative climate solutions. Some of them can even seem out of another world – one that’s guided by the principles of environmental justice, a regenerative economy, and social responsibility. Gita shares her vision with Christina and proposes a refreshing alternative to resilience. In this final episode of the season, we also take a moment to celebrate the resilience and survival of our city more than a decade after Superstorm Sandy.
Resources:
NWS High Water Mark ProjectFeatured in this episode:
Gita Nandan – Founder of the RETI (Resilience, Education, Training and Innovation) CenterThe Barnacle Parade -
S3 E7: “We're going to be loud about this until something's done.”
We’ve heard from so many amazing individuals and organizations that are mobilizing on the grassroots level, but how do they harness all of that local power and get things done legislatively? Christina speaks to Lonnie Portis, the New York Policy and Advocacy Manager at WE ACT for Environmental Justice. Lonnie shares the key to getting things done at the policy level. Then, Christina sits down with Louise Yeung, the Chief Climate Officer with the Comptroller’s office to ask whether New York is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to climate solutions and environmental justice.
Resources:
Uptown Chats PodcastNYC Climate DashboardFeatured in this episode:
Lonnie Portis, New York City Policy and Advocacy Manager - WE ACT for Environmental JusticeLouise Yeung, Chief Climate Officer - NYC Office of the Comptroller -
Missing episodes?
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S3 E6: “Once you zoom out a little bit, you realize how universal so many of these issues are.”
Back in Christina’s neighborhood in Brooklyn, something huge is developing… The Gowanus Canal has a reputation for being beyond gross -- brimming with industrial pollution, sludge, and sewage. Just over a century ago, the Gowanus Canal was one of the country’s busiest waterways, and, over time, it became a superfund site, an eyesore, and one of New York’s smelliest landmarks. Christina is joined by Natasia Sidarta and Diana Gruberg from the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, an organization advocating for the transformation of the canal into a resilient, vibrant, and open space. They discuss how this major clean up effort and long term management plan could be an important model for future resilience projects.
Resources:
Gowanus Neighborhood Coalition for JusticeGowanus Canal Superfund ProfileThe Gowanus Neighborhood PlanFeatured in this episode:
Natasia Sidarta, Diana Gruberg, and Jennifer Kepler of the Gowanus Canal Conservancy -
S3 E5: “If we're witnessing something that's wrong, how can we work together?”
Inspired by people who care deeply for their corner of the world, Christina takes a trip to the South Bronx to meet someone who’s committed to protecting their community. Mychal Johnson shares his story with Christina, from a childhood in Chicago that fostered love and respect for nature to his move to New York, and how he co-founded the grassroots organization South Bronx Unite. Mychal and Christina discuss how South Bronx Unite is breaking cycles of systemic environmental and economic injustice to ensure a more resilient future for all.
Resources:
Mott Haven-Port Morris Waterfront PlanFeatured in this episode:
Mychal Johnson – Co-founder of South Bronx Unite -
S3 E4: “If the world is to be saved, it will be saved by those who care deeply for very small places.”
We’ve heard about some of the giant resilience efforts happening in New York; now it’s time to think a little bit smaller and talk about... oysters! Not only are oysters a delicious treat, but they’re also fundamental to the health and sustainability of New York’s waterway ecosystem. To learn all about their environmental superpowers, Christina joins the team from grassroots organization City Island Oyster Reef for a day out on the water. By partnering with other nonprofits, the Department of Environmental Conservation, local restaurants, and a crew of dedicated volunteers, CIOR is working to restore oyster populations, create new reefs, and allow these amazing little creatures to do what they do best.
Resources:
Billion Oyster ProjectCity Island Nautical MuseumFeatured in this episode:
Sally Connolly, Mike Carew, Barbara Dolensek, and Luna Placchi of City Island Oyster Reef -
S3 E3: “You can multiply the benefits and you can also multiply the joy.”
Big storms aren’t going anywhere any time soon, so it’s essential to understand how cities like New York are adapting to and preparing for these increasingly precedented weather events. Christina gets the lowdown on some of the massive resiliency projects happening in the city. She learns about an exciting model for climate adaptation planning -- one that marries community voices with global design thinking. And, we get insight into one development that’s been the subject of some controversy on the Lower East Side.
Resources:
Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task ForceThe Big U East Side Coastal Resiliency ProjectFeatured in this episode:
Amy Chester – Managing Director, Rebuild by DesignDamaris Reyes - Executive Director, Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES) -
S3 E2: “What if the rebuilding of the city in the face of a climate crisis is a moment to build a more just and a more environmentally flexible city?”
Before we can understand what the future of New York City could look like as our climate changes, we need to go back... way back. With the help of local historian and professor, Kara Schlichting, Christina learns about what the area was like before European colonization, how settlers changed New York’s waterfronts, and how the development of industrial port infrastructure set the city up for economic dominance -- and put New Yorkers on a collision course with environmental issues we’re contending with to this day. How can our past help us determine what an equitable future might look like?
Resources:
Manahatta to Manhattan: Native Americans in Lower Manhattan, National Museum of the American IndianRobert A. Caro - The Power BrokerVision 2020 New York City Comprehensive Waterfront PlanRussell Shorto - The Island at the Center of the WorldFeatured in this episode:
Kara Schlichting, Associate Professor of History at Queens College, CUNY, Author of New York Recentered: Building the Metropolis from the Shore -
S3 E1: “It's one thing understanding that intellectually... it's another thing actually seeing what happened.”
In September of 2023, heavy rainfall led to flooding in New York City. Images of cars covered in water were all over the news and reminded people of one of New York’s most harrowing weather events: Superstorm Sandy. To kick off this season of A Little Green, host Christina Thompson sets out on a mission to find the upside. She asks local experts what the city’s learned in the years since Sandy, and what’s been done to make New York more a resilient, climate solutions-oriented place to live – for everybody.
Featured in this episode:
Dr. Anthony Broccoli – Co-director and Earth Systems Science Lead, Rutgers Climate InstituteGita Nandan – Founder of the RETI (Resilience, Education, Training and Innovation) CenterDr. Alison Branco Climate Adaptation Director, The Nature Conservancy in New York -
In 2012, New York City got a massive wake up call: Superstorm Sandy devastated parts of the city and forever changed how we think about severe weather. But... did it change how we actually handle these events? This season, host Christina Thompson sets out to answer that very question and understand just what climate resiliency looks like in her own backyard. Follow along as she connects with grassroots groups across New York City to learn about the innovative, inspiring, and collaborative ways they’re protecting their communities. From Red Hook to the Bronx, each episode features people who care deeply for their neighborhoods — and lessons for anyone who wants to take action today.
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S2 E8: “I am part of it, and it is part of me.”
Lance Garland was supposed to get married at 18 and become a preacher. But, that was never really in the cards for him; he knew early on that he was gay. Inspired by writers like Jack Kerouac, he forged his own path and found himself in the wilderness. In the season finale of A Little Green, Lance takes us on his first backpacking trip, one that would empower him to embrace his authentic self and share his story with the world.
Read more of Lance’s work at lancegarland.com. Do you have a story to share? Tell us how nature has changed your life @avocadogreenbrands on Instagram.
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S2 E7: “It's a connection with Mother Nature and it's a way to find yourself.”
As a child in Michoacán, Javier Zamora remembers planting radishes and picking citrus. When he came to LA, he built a comfortable life for himself and his family, but everything changed when the 2008 recession hit. We follow Javier through the ups and downs of his journey and how he ultimately found his way back to tending to plants and his community.
Check out Javier’s farm and learn more about organic farming at jsmorganics.com.
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S2 E6: “Oh my gosh, this is my very best self. And I am happier than I have ever been.”
Virginia Rose grew up loving nature. She rode horses and went backpacking with her family until a sudden accident changed her life forever. Virginia would go on to pursue a career in education. After retiring, Virginia found an unlikely hobby that would reconnect her with the outdoors and with an integral part of herself. Her experience would launch a movement to make nature more accessible for all.
Visit birdability.org to learn more about Virginia’s work.
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S2 E5: “That started my journey to being an activist and an artist.”
In 2022, Staten Island’s Elizabeth Shvarts was named New York’s Youth Poet Laureate. Ten years earlier, her home was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy; the experience opened her eyes to the devastating impacts of climate change at a young age. Elizabeth devoted herself to poetry and channeled her exceptional gift into climate action, becoming part of a community of young people driving change.
You can follow Elizabeth on Instagram @elizabeth.shvarts. Tell us how nature has changed your life @avocadogreenbrands on Instagram.
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S2 E4: “You have to figure out how to use your wings and what they're for.”
Nichole Alexander spent three years raising endangered butterflies while incarcerated. The butterflies weren’t the only beings that metamorphosed along the way. Nichole had experienced immense loss and years of discouragement within the prison system. Nature provided respite, a healing environment, and newfound confidence that would inspire Nichole to better her community and make the world a more just place.
Visit sustainabilityinprisons.org to learn more about their programs.
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S2 E3: “Nature saved my spirit, saved my marriage and created a safe place for me to...find purpose and meaning in what life really is about.”
Sonya and Necota Staples fell in love in college, got married, and bought a house in the suburbs of Atlanta. But happily ever after wouldn’t be that simple. They tell a story about the camping trip that changed the trajectory of their marriage, and their relationship with nature, forever.
Follow @staplesintents on Instagram or visit staplesintents.com to follow their work.
We’d love to hear about your life-changing experience with nature. Share it with us @avocadogreenbrands on Instagram.
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S2 E2: “It was almost the revelation of my own humanity.”
Spending just two hours a week in nature could improve your mental and physical health. That’s the conclusion researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School came to in their 2019 study; that analysis would change Mike Fuhrmann’s life forever. After struggling with anxiety and depression, he would go on to hike over 13,000 miles of the country’s most spectacular trails. Along the way, he learned to manage his mental health, was inspired to pick up a camera, and made lasting connections with fellow wanderers.
Visit www.portraitofahiker.com to follow Mike’s journey.
Content Warning: This episode contains a brief discussion of suicide, which may be upsetting to some listeners. If you or a loved one is in crisis, or having thoughts of suicide, help is available, please call 988, the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Hotline or visit their website at 988lifeline.org.
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S2 E1: “One of the powers of this little canoe...is keeping these really important parts of our culture, our history, and our traditions alive.”
Thousands of years ago, Polynesian seafarers did something remarkable: they navigated their way across endless miles of open ocean guided only by the stars, the wind, and the sea, ultimately arriving in Hawaii. As a child, Lehua Kamalu grew up hearing this epic story, and in 2022, she was the first woman to captain and navigate that ancient route. To kick season two of A Little Green off, Lehua shares how one historic canoe and the people that make up its crew could help preserve Hawaiian culture and the health of our planet.
Visit www.hokulea.com to learn more about the Polynesian Voyaging Society.
Do you have a story to share? Tell us how nature has changed your life @avocadogreenbrands on Instagram.
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S1 E8: What can one person do about the climate crisis?
It’s a question that’s nagged Christina from the beginning of this podcast, and one she seeks to answer in the final episode of our series. With seven episodes under her belt, she wants to know how she can put all of these learnings into practice in her own life, and perhaps most importantly, how to share everything she’s picked up with the people around her.
She finds out that all this “talking about it” is actually a pretty big deal. Dr. Katharine Wilkinson and Professor Sarah Jaquette Ray make the case for having these climate conversations. So, Christina sets out to understand what climate communication is all about. What’s the best way to talk about all of this? And, will anyone even listen?
Susi Moser, climate change communicator and researcher, shares tangible ways we can all start talking about climate change today -- in ways that will engage and motivate others. It turns out that these seemingly small nudges can make a profound difference.
Highlights:
What are climate change deniers up to these days? (4:01)This could be the number one thing we can all do to fight climate change (5:31)What actually makes people change their minds? (6:42)Trustworthy messengers make all the difference (8:38)Lessons we can learn from climate change communicators (9:37)Balancing hope and reality (11:35)Three steps to start climate conversations in your own life (14:46)What it really means to “do our part” (26:06)Terminology:
Climate denialClimate change communicationInformation deficit modelResources:
The most important thing you can do to fight climate change: talk about itLearn more about climate change knowledge and attitudes from the Yale Program on Climate Change CommunicationClimate Engagement and Activism (Pew Research Center)Find more of Susi Moser’s work here.Listen next: Our 6 Favorite Podcasts Inspiring Climate ActivismRead next: 7 great sources for staying up to date on climate change -
S1 E7: It’s the penultimate episode of A Little Green and it’s time to talk policy. Christina gets up to speed on the latest climate action in Washington. What’s on the table? And who’s at the table?
What becomes clear is that it’s going to take bold, transformational climate action to steer us toward a livable future, and the Green New Deal has come to symbolize just that. Christina talks with fellow podcaster Georgia Wright about what this Green New Deal is all about.
Jade Begay of NDN Collective and Ali-Reza Vahabzadeh of the American Sustainable Business Council join Christina to shed light on the Biden administration’s approach to climate change and how they’re incorporating those important environmental justice principles we’ve learned are so vital to climate action.
Christina brings things back to New York to dig into one amazing example of a bold, just, and intersectional initiative with Anthony Rogers-Wright of New York Lawyers for the Public Interest. It’s called Renewable Rikers.
With so much great work being done by these organizers in the climate movement, Christina wonders why we haven’t made bigger strides on the national and global scale. It turns out that we’re dealing with a “leadership crisis.” Christina looks at the ugliest manifestation of this leadership crisis with Sarah Jaquette Ray, and Katharine Wilkinson explains who needs to take the wheel if we’re going to move forward.
Highlights:
What is the Green New Deal? (2:24)Understanding President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda and how climate factors in (5:14)What intersectionality looks like in action (14:50)Why the climate crisis is a leadership crisis (18:09)The dangers of moving forward without taking justice into account (21:03)What transformational climate leadership looks like (23:05)Terminology:
Green New DealCivilian Climate CorpsGrassroots advocacyEco fascismResources:
Read more about the Green New Deal and Civilian Climate CorpsMobilizing an Indigenous Green New DealHear from Inherited podcast’s Green New DreamersLearn more about the White House Environmental Justice Advisory CouncilCheck out Renewable RikersA sinking jail: The environmental disaster that is Rikers Island (Grist)Climate Anxiety Is an Overwhelmingly White Phenomenon (Scientific American)What We Like (and Don’t Like) About the Biden Climate PlanThis is What Supporting Climate Justice Looks Like -
S1 E6: We’ve heard about the physical tolls of climate change; the catastrophic weather events like wildfires and heat waves. Now, Christina wants to know about how it’s affecting our mental health. How do we cope with all of the big emotions that climate change brings up? What do we do with feelings like anxiety, grief, anger, and fear? And, is there a role for the other side of the emotional spectrum to play; the joy, hope, and love?
Christina talks with author Michele Wucker about one of the first reactions many people have when faced with climate change: denial and avoidance. She likens these big crises to gray rhinos. They’re right there, charging at us, so how do we get from denial to action?
Many young people have been raising the alarm about this “rhino,” after all, they’ve been saddled with the worst effects of this crisis. Georgia Wright, co-creator of the podcast series Inherited, shares insight into the generational psychology of climate change. She brings up an important term that many people of all ages are grappling with: climate anxiety.
Christina looks to Professor Sarah Jaquette Ray for a definition. She helps uncover the wide range of emotions that we might be feeling when it comes to climate change. Professor Ray emphasizes an alternative way of approaching climate change, one that moves beyond urgency, dystopia, and despair.
Highlights:
The very human way many people respond to big crises (5:21)How young people are coping with climate change (7:09)Defining climate anxiety -- and understanding how to deal with it (11:42)Moving through burnout, despair, and urgency (18:57)What does joy have to do with all of this? (21:45)Terminology:
Gray rhinoClimate/Eco anxietyResources:
Learn more about Michele Wucker’s The Gray RhinoListen: Inherited podcastRead Sarah Jaquette Ray’s A Field Guide to Climate AnxietyWhy Most Americans are Dealing with Climate AnxietyUsing Art to Process Eco Anxiety - Show more
