The Climate-Health Connection: Nature’s Role in Protecting People

The Climate-Health Connection: Nature’s Role in Protecting People

In this final episode of the season, we speak with Senator Bill Frist, Global Board Chair, and Catherine Machalaba, TNC’s first planetary health scientist, to explore how environmental change is becoming a defining public health challenge—and how nature can help protect people. We then travel to Lynn, Massachusetts, to see how the environment is affecting community health. Together, the episode connects local lived experience with global science to show why a healthy planet is essential to healthy people. Host: Kris Sarri, Massachusetts State Director [https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/our-people/kris-sarri/] Also featuring: Senator Bill Frist, TNC Global Board Chair [https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/our-people/senator-william-frist--m-d--/]; Catherine Machalaba, TNC Planetary Health Scientist [https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/our-people/catherine-machalaba/]; Cardeliz Paez, Ward 5 City Councilor, Lynn [https://www.lynnma.gov/city_government/citycouncil/councilors]; Gargi Cooper, Nurse Practitioner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Nature's Climate Toolkit: Solutions in Plain Sight

This episode explores natural climate solutions—the powerful, often overlooked ways nature can help address climate change. From forests to farms to coastal ecosystems, we share how working with nature creates real climate impact on the ground. Hear from a landowner, a forester and science leaders as we connect local action to a bigger picture of climate solutions hiding in plain sight. Host: Laura Marx, Climate Solutions Scientist [https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/our-people/laura-marx/] Also featuring: Peter Ellis, Global Director of Natural Climate Solutions Science [https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/our-people/peter-ellis/]; Jack Lockhead, forest landowner; and Otis Wood, forester Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Powering Tomorrow: Renewable Energy Rooted in Nature

Meeting our climate goals means building more renewable energy. But expanding that capacity requires land and careful navigation of competing needs across energy, housing, conservation and communities. With so much of our landscape already supporting critically important forests, farms and wildlife habitat—and many communities already doing their share—figuring out where everything fits becomes a real puzzle. In this episode, we’re joined by solar operators, an agrivoltaics farmer, and a local planning and energy official to explore how we can expand clean energy while protecting the nature we rely on and communities we live in, and what makes a good solar site for people, nature and the climate. Host: Steve Long, Director of Policy and Partnerships [https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/our-people/steve-long/] Also featuring: Andy Finton, TNC Senior Conservation Ecologist [https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/our-people/andy-finton/]; Brandon Barlow, ENGIE [https://www.engie.com/en]; Joe Czajkowski, farm owner [https://czajkowskifarm.com/]; Michael DeChiara, Shutesbury Town Planning Board; Kristen Gardner, ENGIE [https://www.engie.com/en]; Madeleine Klein, ENGIE [https://www.engie.com/en]; and Jake Marley, Hyperion Systems [https://hyperionsystemsllc.com/] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

First Stewards: Caring for our Homelands

Take a deep look at Native-led land conservation and the connections between Indigenous communities and their homelands. Host Karen Lombard visits with partners from Native Land Conservancy [https://www.nativelandconservancy.org/] and members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe [https://mashpeewampanoagtribe-nsn.gov/] to learn how they honor, protect and restore the landscapes of Cape Cod and the life that depends on it.  Host: Karen Lombard, Director of Restoration and Stewardship [https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/our-people/karen-lombard/] Also featuring: Diana Ruiz and Paula Peters, Native Land Conservancy; Asa Peters; Ramona Peters; Vernon (Buddy) Pocknett; and Seequan Weeden  Learn more about TNC's commitment to working with Indigenous Peoples and local communities. [https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/how-we-work/community-led-conservation/] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

The Appalachian Mosaic: Linking Landscapes for a Resilient Future

This episode explores why connected Appalachian ecosystems are essential for wildlife, people and climate resilience. TNC joins partners from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and local Berkshire Wildlife Linkage [https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/berkshires-western-massachusetts/] community partners along the Interstate I‑90 corridor. Together, they examine how this major roadway intersects a 2,000‑mile biodiversity corridor and discuss designing infrastructure that reduces barriers, supports wildlife movement, protects public safety and strengthens a thriving, connected Appalachian landscape. Host: Barbara Charry, Director of Rivers and Lands [https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/our-people/barbara-charry/] Also featuring: Heather Furman, Appalachians Program Director [https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/our-people/heather-furman/]; Angela Sirois-Pitel, Watershed Conservation Manager [https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/our-people/angela-sirois-pitel/]; Dave Paulson and Lindsey Forg, Massachusetts Department of Transportation [https://www.mass.gov/orgs/highway-division]; Meredyth Babcock, Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee [https://westfieldriverwildscenic.org/]; Jane Winn, former Executive Director, Berkshire Environmental Action Team [https://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/]. Learn more about TNC's work in the Appalachians [https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/priority-landscapes/appalachians/] and Berkshire Wildlife Linkage [https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/berkshires-western-massachusetts/]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]