Episode Summary: Volunteers of The Carbon Almanac Network have been invited to share their unique perspectives and firsthand experiences in our collective effort against climate change. 

This episode is a mosaic of contributions from volunteers from around the globe with stories on what they did in 2023, the projects they have been involved in, the emotions they went through  and what they’re planning to do or hope to see happen in 2024.  

A big thank you to the contributors to this very special episode:

Barbara Orsi Jeremy Côté Edie Chua Anna Kohler Smith Rob Slater Tania Marien Anna Cosentino Jennifer Myers Chua Leekei Tang Steve Heatherington

For more information on the project and to order your copy of the Carbon Almanac (one of Amazon best-selling books of the year!), visit thecarbonalmanac.org

Want to join in the conversation?

Visit thecarbonalmanac.org/podcasts and send us a voice message on this episode or any other climate-related ideas and perspectives.

Don’t Take Our Word For It, Look It Up!

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Featuring Carbon Almanac Contributors Leekei Tang.

Leekei is a fashion business founder, a business coach, an international development expert and podcaster from Paris, France. 

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The CarbonSessions Podcast is produced and edited by Leekei Tang, Steve Heatherington and Rob Slater.

Hi, I'm Christina.

2

I'm from Prague.

3

Hi, I'm Jen, and I'm from Canada.

4

Hi, I'm Oladunji, and I'm from Nigeria.

5

Hello, I'm Liki, and I live in Paris.

6

Hi, I'm Brian, and I'm from New York.

7

Welcome to Carbon Sessions, a podcast with

Carbon Conversations for every day, with

8

everyone, from everywhere in the world.

9

In our conversations, we share ideas.

10

Perspectives, questions, and things we

can actually do to make a difference.

11

So don't be shy and join our Carbon

Sessions because it's not too late.

12

Hi, I'm Nikki.

13

This episode is a little bit

different from the regular ones.

14

In December, we've invited.

15

Because of the carbon almond that,

that work to share a bit unique

16

perspective and firsthand experiences.

17

In our collective effort

against climate change.

18

And we'll in tears from around

the globe have generously

19

shared what the dead in 2023.

20

The projects that have been involved

in the emotions that went through.

21

Um, what they're planning to do

22

Working on this episode

gave me a love joy.

23

There's something truly magical about

hearing this personal recordings.

24

Especially from people,

you know, and admire.

25

It's been incredibly uplifting to witness.

26

That the journey of the Colvin alumni.

27

Didn't just stop with the

28

Instead it serves as a catalyst

for so many, many impactful

29

projects around the world.

30

This products, no matter how big or small.

31

Or definitely changed the conversation and

positively impact the future of a climate.

32

I'm thrilled to share

this episode with you.

33

And I hope that you enjoy it.

34

As much as I did.

35

Um,

36

Hi, I'm Barbara Orsi from

Bologna, Italy, and I'm a member

37

of the Carbon Ormanac Network.

38

2023 has been an exciting

year for the Italian group of

39

the Carbon Ormanac Network.

40

In fact, we have finally made the group

official as a non profit association

41

here in Italy with the intent to

have more impact on our society.

42

We named the Nonprofit Association After

Generation Carbon our Precious Kids Guide

43

on Climate Change, as we believe the

first step toward positive change is being

44

informed and well educated, especially

when it comes to young and kids, the

45

ones that will actually face one of the

most important challenges of our time.

46

For this reason, we are so proud we have

engaged 25, 000 students aged 7 to 10 in

47

an educational program that takes place on

a national level in the school year 23 24

48

with the patronage of the Italian Ministry

for the Environment, a project fully

49

based on our Generation Carbon Kit book.

50

Hence, my wish for 2024 that ecology

and climate change topics will be

51

soon treated as mandatory subjects

in school programs at all grades.

52

Generation Carbon Association cannot

be but fully committed to achieve

53

such a great objective and is going

to launch a petition on a national and

54

eventually international level next year.

55

We hope many people

will support us on this.

56

Um,

57

Hi everyone.

58

This is Jeremy, a volunteer from Canada.

59

In 2023, I felt like I really became

part of the Carbon Almanac Network.

60

I joined the podcasting group, and

there I helped work on several episodes.

61

One for kids, one about sustainability

and running, and a third about data.

62

Working with the podcasting group

was awesome, and so episodes

63

were really the highlights.

64

Of my year when it comes to the

65

I hope to do is keep making episodes.

66

I want to find new guests, new

perspectives and new ways to talk about

67

our climate, the environment and what

we should do next on a global scale.

68

I hope we keep on encouraging

conversations on these

69

topics with more people.

70

That's really a sign of success for

me is, are we talking about this?

71

Are we not just forgetting about

it and leaving it by the wayside?

72

Messaging is super important.

73

And as we say, the carbon

almanac, it's not too late.

74

Here's to 2024.

75

Um,

76

Hi, everyone.

77

This is Edie from Toronto.

78

When I think about 2023, I think

about how lucky I am to have had

79

another year at nature school.

80

I think that everything that you learn

about in school is also really important,

81

but I also think it's very important

that kids learn to be outside and

82

learn how to use natural resources and

to be connected to our natural world.

83

I've seen that climate change have

affected, um, a bunch of the animals

84

that used to live on our land.

85

And I think that we can

do a lot to improve it.

86

But sometimes, it's a little scary.

87

The world is special, we love

it, and we need it, and it's

88

good to know what's going on.

89

And I can go to my teachers and some

of my substitute teachers to ask

90

about all the things that we observe.

91

And I hope that in 2024, some people take

protecting the planet more seriously.

92

And we can come together

and make a better world.

93

Um,

94

Hi, this is Anna.

95

I was involved in the translation of

TCA into Spanish, which is a project

96

that was completely driven by our own

volunteers when no major publishing house

97

wanted to publish the book in Spanish.

98

We, um, bought the rights to our own book

ourselves and publish it ourselves for

99

free, which is now available as a PDF.

100

and so we've we've been working on

our marketing and getting the word

101

out to the Spanish speaking world

that this resource is available

102

to help generate conversations.

103

So I live in Iquitos, Peru, and

we've been working with folks on

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all throughout Latin America and

Argentina and Mexico, um, and Colombia.

105

To help spread the word and to make

sure that folks have access to resources

106

because so often that's what's missing

and because the PDF is free and able

107

to be shared via WhatsApp, it is,

um, easy to share and there's really

108

no barriers to getting it going.

109

So we're eager to have folks.

110

Share it with Spanish

speakers in their lives.

111

And we're working at, we're reaching

out to the largest, um, climate

112

organizations within Latin America in

the Spanish speaking world to make sure

113

that they have access to it as well.

114

Of course, we also have other

resources available in Spanish,

115

including the board's game and

the children's book in Spanish.

116

, and we have a website, um, which is

the carbon linac.org um slash espanol.

117

Um,

118

Hi, I'm Rob, and I'm one of the

editors of the Carbon Sessions podcast.

119

This year has been inspiring for

me to see so many people contribute

120

to our podcast by giving their

time, experience, and expertise.

121

Seth Godin kindly agreed

to be on our 100th episode.

122

Hank Rogers of Tetris fame gave us his

insights from the huge amount of work

123

that he's doing with the Blue Planet

Foundation, and my son was blown away

124

to be able to ask him a question.

125

on what his advice would be

for a gaming art student.

126

As a result, Dan is already working

on ideas for video games that

127

he's working on at his university.

128

Tina Muir told us what she is doing with

sustainability in the world of running.

129

There have been so many wonderful

episodes, and as an editor, it's a

130

privilege to be able to work with people

like Christina, Olobanji, and Jen,

131

who work on so many of the episodes.

132

Steve, who is the master of audio with us,

and of course the wonderful Leekie, ever

133

modest, but present on so many episodes.

134

and does so much work in the background

that makes this podcast work.

135

We've had nightmares where the

different tracks wouldn't line

136

up, but we've always found a way.

137

I've sat with headphones on, intently

listening, and then suddenly, laughing,

138

sometimes, with a large volume of tea

in my mouth, when someone announces

139

Rob is gonna kill us for this.

140

It was a real highlight to

listen to Hannah Richie's episode

141

recently, with Jeremy and Ollabanji.

142

Hannah, a data scientist and senior

research fellow at Oxford University,

143

Discuss topics in our new book.

144

We hope to release the episode

around the time of the book release

145

in the US on the 11th of January.

146

On a personal note, I was asked to

give a talk at the conference earlier

147

this year about my work with the Carbon

Almanac and sustainability in dentistry.

148

For those who don't know,

I'm an orthodontist.

149

The talk was well received.

150

Again, this was because of the support

given by my friends at the Carbon Almanac.

151

It has resulted in me being asked

to speak again at the Scottish

152

Orthodontic Conference next month.

153

I see changes happening in my

industry, which is heartening, but

154

we still have a long way to go.

155

So whenever I speak with representatives

in my work, I make sure that the

156

sustainability issue is raised.

157

After all, talking about it is

how both our thoughts and our

158

actions in the future can change.

159

Um,

160

Hello, Carbon Sessions team.

161

This is Tanya Marion.

162

Here is my reflection about

163

My reflection for 2023 revolves around a

policy forum I attended over the summer.

164

I live in a region of Southern

California called the Inland Empire.

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It 000 square miles.

166

and is home to four and

a half million residents.

167

And this region is expected to have

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A notable feature of this area is

that it is covered with warehouses.

169

One billion square feet of warehouses,

according to CalMatters, which is

170

the news organization that covers

events throughout the state.

171

The warehouse situation gets a

lot of attention around here.

172

It was the focus of many conversations

at the third annual Policy and

173

Engagement Forum held this summer.

174

It was the first time the forum

was held in person, and the

175

first time I participated in

176

this event.

177

This forum made an impression on me.

178

I spent two days learning

from elected officials, local

179

advocates, and met new people.

180

And the big takeaway for me was this.

181

Policy forums are for everyone.

182

They only look like they

aren't for everyone.

183

If you have an opportunity

to attend a policy event near

184

you, I encourage you to do so.

185

Ignore the part telling you

that the forum is not for you.

186

These events are not just for elected

officials and business people.

187

I attended two breakout

sessions at the forum.

188

One was about news and journalism.

189

And the other one was about

climate and the environment.

190

These were long breakout sessions

and they involved a lot of

191

dialogue, not passive listening.

192

And I was so impressed.

193

If you get a chance to go to a

local forum, I encourage you to

194

add your voice to the conversation.

195

And this brings me to what I'm

196

Following my own advice and building

upon the experience I had at the

197

policy forum, I submitted myself for

consideration as an attendee at the

198

first ever climate resilience nexus

that will be hosted by the governor's

199

office of planning and research.

200

I look forward to discovering

what this event will be like.

201

And I hope to have conversations with

people about strengthening environmental

202

literacy in communities, not by creating

more content, but by supporting the

203

independent professionals who are working

directly with communities and the public.

204

We'll see how it goes.

205

Um,

206

Hi, I'm Anna Cosentino, one of the

contributors to the Carbon Monarch,

207

and, oh, what has happened since?

208

So much has happened.

209

Um, the Carbon Almona keeps on living

on and we are forming different families

210

and different, uh, experiences together.

211

Connect the Carbon Dots is still going

strong and we continue to meet and

212

we continue to explore ways that this

tool can be of use to organizations

213

so that they can find their role.

214

and how they can contribute

to a solution actively.

215

Uh, over the summer, I was part of

the Carbon Newbies Summit, where

216

with Amory Cruz, Eva Ford, and Laurie

Sullivan, we represented the carbon

217

almanac, and I specifically gave, , a

presentation on ConnectDots and how

218

newbies can find out more about.

219

Subjects that they're interested in

and see how they're all connected

220

amongst themselves and again I give a

presentation on fashion and sustainability

221

Because unfortunately fashion is

the second most polluting industry

222

So, next, I have just written an intro for

a magazine on fashion and sustainability,

223

an Italian publication from Cultura,

and that was really enjoyable as it

224

brought together so much from past work

experience and knowledge to new, added

225

experience with the carbon monoxide.

226

End.

227

Remaining in Italy, I am part of the

amazing Generation Carbon, which is

228

now a non profit organization under the

leadership of the fantastic Barbara Orsi.

229

And the first program that we

successfully brought out is one based

230

on Generation Carbon, which is the

Kids Almanac and the Educators Guide,

231

and it is being distributed to a

thousand classes throughout Italy.

232

I could not have made any of this

up, I could not have dreamt for a

233

better, , results, if you will, better.

234

Development coming out of such an

amazing experience to begin with.

235

So I look forward to more

in the next year Thank you

236

Um,

237

As I sit here at the end of

238

geese are still flying overhead

in formation in late December.

239

And it's a stark reminder of

the shifting patterns of nature.

240

Because this year my feelings towards

climate change and the collective

241

response of humanity has been a mix of

concern and skepticism and cautious hope.

242

I've recently found some solace.

243

In an episode of the Tim Ferriss podcast

where Sam Harris was the guest and it

244

was recorded early on in the pandemic and

he highlighted the impact of systems on

245

behavior, a concept that had resonated

with how I have been thinking about

246

the last couple of years because the

pandemic for all of its challenges has

247

demonstrated that systemic changes is.

248

And this insight gives me hope that

similar strategies can be effective

249

in addressing climate change.

250

Things like mask wearing in hospitals

and staying home when sick and all

251

of these measures that could make

collectively this experience easier

252

on all of us were followed much more

strictly when they were mandated.

253

And this year, in myself, I felt

really burnt out from doing this really

254

important work that had brought me

a lot of joy in the years previous.

255

This year, I've dedicated much of my

energy to working with organizations

256

like ICLEI, who are Working with

local governments and municipalities

257

on climate adaptation projects, which

has been a beacon of light in these

258

trying times, because it's reinforced

my belief that systemic change

259

combined with individual efforts is

what is going to make a difference.

260

And while this year's been really complex

and a mix of frustration and optimism, I

261

think my hope for the future is twofold.

262

First, that we learn from our

experiences during the pandemic

263

and apply these lessons to our

fight against climate change.

264

But second, that we recognize the

importance of acknowledging our

265

feelings of frustration and despair.

266

Because it's in confronting these

emotions that we're going to find the

267

strength to persevere and the resilience

we're going to need to continue.

268

This work.

269

Um,

270

Hi, it's Leaky, one of your

hosts on Common Sessions.

271

I am a strong believer in the

transformative power of businesses

272

to drive change and create an impact.

273

So, 2023 has been a great year that leaves

me very hopeful for the future, and I'm

274

going to explain why I'm so positive.

275

It's been 12 years now that I have

had the privilege every year of

276

helping young engineering students

translate their innovative ideas into

277

financial terms, eventually shaping

these ideas into business concepts.

278

This work gives me a lot of joy

because it's like a glimpse into

279

their brilliant minds and the kind

of future they intend to build for

280

themselves and for future generations.

281

Over all these years, I have observed

a significant paradigm shift from

282

initially addressing environmental

issues timidly, to now understanding

283

that this environmental mess that we

are in is an invitation, opportunity,

284

or urgency to innovate and rebuild a

better world through business ideas.

285

And this year, 2023, is a stepping

stone for real transformative change

286

because it's the first year where

all entrepreneurs have not only

287

made sustainability as part of the

foundation of their business, but

288

also have embraced high sustainability

standards as the new normal.

289

I've also witnessed a shift in approach

and mindset, not just in startups, but

290

only in more established independent

companies transitioning towards

291

more sustainable business models.

292

One of the projects I was involved

in, creating Circular Fashion Business

293

Toolkit under an EU initiative,

offered insight into how entrepreneurs

294

are increasingly prioritizing

environmental and social consideration.

295

and are more vigilant and

steer clear of greenwashing.

296

So, on Carbon Sessions, we talk a lot

about the need for systemic change,

297

and from my experience, I can see

that systemic change is happening

298

right now in front of your eyes.

299

The impact might not be as big as we want

it to be, but startups and independent

300

businesses with their contagious ideas

are always part of a larger ecosystem.

301

So my big hope for 2024 is for

all these contagious ideas to

302

spread widely, fiercely, boldly.

303

in the ecosystem.

304

So much so that larger businesses

would have no choice but embrace

305

genuinely sustainability at

the core of their operations.

306

And as consumers, your role is vital.

307

By demanding higher sustainability

standards and actively asking questions,

308

you ensure that you're not misled.

309

Your choices and voices can

significantly impact the push

310

towards a more sustainable future.

311

Um,

312

Hi, Steve here, calling from

Swansea in South Wales in the UK.

313

We live in a valley, about 40

acres, and, uh, run an alpaca farm.

314

We've seen very much the change in climate

over the years that we've lived here, and,

315

uh, it's, obviously the weather changes.

316

different times, different seasons, and

over the years there are, this is a dry

317

year, this is a wet year, but there's

been a gradual shift, and things are

318

no longer what you would call normal.

319

We don't seem to have two years in a

row that are quite the same, and their

320

extremes seem to be more extreme.

321

That's one of these things

that seems to be obvious.

322

When you're living at a slower pace,

and where we are, we're rural setting,

323

we Have no neighbors that we could see

a light glimmering off at a distance,

324

and we don't have that much contact with

with people most of the time and yet.

325

We see progressively the spring

arriving and then turning into summer.

326

We see the summer progressing

and turning into the fall.

327

And this last year it's been very slow,

both in the spring and again in the fall,

328

as the different trees have changed at a

different pace, both the arrival of their

329

leaves and the falling of the leaves.

330

And it's also been quite

a bit warmer and milder.

331

We've had wetter months and

drier months than records have

332

ever recorded in the past.

333

Seems to continue with that.

334

And also we've been finding that the

birds Behavior is slightly different.

335

We've been finding that the, the flowers,

the, the plants that there's a later

336

on, there's something going on where

you wouldn't expect it to be there.

337

There's, there's a change and some of it

seems to be thriving and just adjusting.

338

And some of it seems to be struggling

a bit and we shall have to wait and

339

see what next year brings, but we shall

watch with interest how that progresses.

340

So it's 2023.

341

That was the most obvious thing for

me was the climate and how it was

342

different in the place where we live.

343

2024.

344

Well, we'd have to wait and see what

comes as I've said, but the other

345

things that are there are the extremes,

the things that don't seem to help

346

like wars and all of that stuff

and politics and all of that stuff.

347

There's going to be so many, uh,

348

It's just all come together.

349

It's quite Quite astounding, really.

350

Some of those things could have a

major impact on the planet, and we

351

just can't do much about most of that.

352

But what can we do?

353

Well, we can talk, we can raise issues,

we can develop conversations with people.

354

And I really appreciate the resources

available to help do that with the

355

Carbon Almanac and the website.

356

And also with the podcasts associated.

357

There are things that we

need to be thinking about.

358

And I think as much as finding

the right answers, we need to

359

be asking the right questions.

360

And 2024 feels like a mixture

of hope and of despair.

361

There are things that are real challenges.

362

Let's be honest, there are real

challenges that we need to respond to.

363

But yet, there seems to be

a sense of hope as well.

364

So I feel hopeful about the coming year,

365

the conversations that can be had, the

questions that can be asked, and re

366

asked, and developed, and refined, so

that we're asking the right questions, not

367

just knee jerk reactions, not just doing

what other people think, but actually

368

developing what needs to be developed in

our behavior, in our attitudes and in the

369

conversations that we have with people.

370

2023 finished, 2024 still to come.

371

It'll be interesting to see what comes.

372

You've been listening to Carbon

Sessions, a podcast with carbon

373

conversations for every day with

everyone from everywhere in the world.

374

We'd love you to join the Carbon

Sessions so you too can share your

375

perspectives from wherever you are.

376

This is a great way for our community

to learn from your ideas and

377

experiences, connect and take action.

378

If you want to add your voice to the

conversation, go to the carbonalmanac.

379

org slash podcast.

380

and sign up to be part

of a future episode.

381

This podcast is also part of

the Carbon Almanac Network.

382

For more information, to sign up for

the emails, to join the movement,

383

and to order your copy of The Carbon

Almanac, go to thecarbonalmanac.

384

org.

385

Be sure to subscribe and join

us here again, as together

386

we can change the world.