Coming Clean - An Environmental Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Big Fire, Little Fire Jul 11, 2023

Show notes

We're back!

As another round of megafires blazed, many Twitter activists demanded Congress throw more paper at the problem. Or they might as well have... We don't need more red tape, litigation and misguided measures. As our guest Brian Yablonski will explain, what we need is forest management, not another bevy of environmental prescriptions like the ones that have been piling up since the 70s. Benji and Brian cover quite a bit of ground in order to set the record straight on the mistakes that are making it harder to breath, with smoky air and a lot, lot, lot of CO2 emissions.

Brian is the CEO of the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC). Before moving to Montana Brian was a director of policy in Florida during the Jeb Bush years, where he helped craft key initiatives, including Everglades restoration and the Florida Forever conservation program. In 2009, the Florida Wildlife Federation named Brian “Florida’s Wildlife Conservationist of the Year” for his work advancing private land stewardship. And in 2016, he was presented Florida Audubon’s “Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Award,” their highest honor, for his work on coastal bird species conservation.

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The Good News Strategy May 30, 2023

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Benji sits down with friend Zahra Biabani, author of Climate Optimism: Celebrating Systemic Change Around the World. They discuss the great advances that have been made to curb climate change versus the fear machine that keeps emitting pessimistic pollution.

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All The Energy Under The Sun May 16, 2023

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Brian Gitt—energy entreprenuer, investor, writer—joins Benji this week to discuss the primary myths that are fueling a great deal of environmental activism with hot air; some of which are 180 degrees wrong and cause a great deal of damage. They also get into last week’s BlackRock interview and ESG as a whole, along with a brief discussion on the exciting world of small modular nuclear reactors.

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Impact Investing May 09, 2023

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This week Benji sits in-person with Rich Kushel, Senior Managing Director and Head of the Portfolio Management Group at BlackRock. His company has become caught up in the heated partisan fight over Enviromental, Social and Governance investing. Rich explains that BlackRock operates the same way any other investment firm does, working to maximize returns for investors within the parameters they set. And when investor choices include parameters based on the client's values, the same rules apply. If you're unsure on what to make of the quarreling, and would like to skip passed the noise in Washington, give a listen!

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No Fun With Coal May 03, 2023

Show notes

Ever since we were kids they told us what you get on Christmas when you're bad. Well, the states and countries that ignored all the warnings that solar, wind and all-electric technonlogies aren't ready yet won't have to wait until December to learn their lesson. Unfortunately everybody pays the price for their getting coal this year. But at least Lucy and Benji have some good news to go along with the bad this week. The Washington Post has had to acknowledge what even semi-serious climate activists have known for years, and we can easily point to the states which know what they're doing.

*You really ought to read Harry Stevens' article. It's truly informative reporting!

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A True Conservative is a Better Conservationist Apr 25, 2023

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There's something special about environmentalists with engineering backgrounds. They have the same good intentions as the rest, plus the added bonus of ideas on real solutions. And if they go to Congress, then we're really getting somewhere!

Benji sits down with Arkansas Representative and Natural Resources Committee Chair Bruce Westerman. Among other things, they delve into the Lower Energy Costs Act and the distinction between realistic conservation and idealistic preservation.

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E.V.-rything EVs Apr 18, 2023

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For our tenth episode of Coming Clean, Benji dives deep into the world of electric vehicles. First he chats with Kristen Siemen, Chief Sustainability Officer for General Motors, whose company is making a major transition to EVs in the years to come. Next he talks with Brent Bennett of Life:Powered, a project of the Texas Public Policy Foundation. He and Benji work through the limitations of our current technologies and what this means for the ambitious goals to rapidly move to an all-electric future.

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Texas & Tesla Disappoint Apr 12, 2023

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We've got big news! Yes, yes, it's mostly of the... bad variety. But if you're gonna get hot takes on bad news regarding the fight against Climate Change, why not get them from optimists like Benji and Coming Clean's top correspondent Lucy Biggers? They weigh into a Texas bill which will curb its booming renewable energy sector, along with Tesla's deal to build their 'megapak' batteries in China.

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No Wasted Steps with Kathryn Kellogg Apr 04, 2023

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Most of the big changes that happen in life come down to the minor tweaks we make in our behavior. This is no less true in the effort to clean up our environment. Today Benji sits down with Kathryn Kellogg, founder of Going Zero Waste. Starting small and working her way up, she goes through the actions that anybody can make for more sustainable living.

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Eyes and Ears of the Mountain Mar 28, 2023

Show notes

It's a strange thing that America is simulatenously a "go-go-go!" society and yet simultaneously a sedentary one. Maybe you aren't ready to follow in the footsteps of today's guest Conrad Ankler by attempting a Mt. Everest ascent, you'd be wise to tune in to his chat with Benji—perhaps during a stroll through nature!

They discuss the need for time unplugged from the world of glass, cement and steel; along with how "social" media has started a virtual avalanche that's regressing the forward movement made over the last decade.

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