Climate change is battering California. Can the state find a way forward? Listen every Thursday as award-winning L.A. Times columnist Sammy Roth dives deep with...
Sammy Roth sits down with environmental activist John Francis, also known as the "Planetwalker." John shares his extraordinary journey, from a 17-year vow of silence to walking and bicycling across continents, all in the name of environmental justice. He explains how hope, empathy, and kindness aren’t just virtues—they’re a form of protest.Link to the “Planetwalker” short doc: https://www.latimes.com/00000193-55c8-d42e-a99f-5fd8041b0000-123
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38:47
Climate Change Is No Joke. Or Is It?
Comedian Esteban Gast talks with Sammy about using humor to alleviate climate anxiety, while making clean energy and other environmental solutions more interesting — and even fun. From punchlines to policy, they explore laughter as a powerful tool for change.
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31:07
Baseball, Brought to you by Oil and Gas
Bill McKibben is an acclaimed environmental activist and journalist, and the co-founder of 350.org. As spring training gets underway, Sammy and Bill discuss fossil fuel advertising at Dodger Stadium, and how oil and gas industry “sportswashing” is taking advantage of America’s national pastime.
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23:22
The Future of Solar on Public Lands
This week, Sammy goes for a hike in one of America’s newest national monuments, designated last month by President Biden. He’s joined by retired federal wildlife biologist Russell Scofield, who spent years working to balance renewable energy development and conservation on public lands. Link to the Boiling Point newsletter: https://www.latimes.com/environment/newsletter/2025-02-06/column-forget-trumps-wrecking-ball-heres-how-to-treat-americas-public-lands-boiling-point
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30:47
California’s Shapeshifting Coastline
Los Angeles Times environmental reporter and Pulitzer Prize finalist Rosanna Xia joins Sammy to discuss her book, “California Against the Sea. They talk about the need to adapt to climate change as rising temperatures and a shifting coastline create a different California than the one we know and love.Link to Rosanna’s book, “California Against the Sea”: https://www.heydaybooks.com/catalog/california-against-the-sea/Link to an excerpt of Rosanna’s book: https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2023-08-22/the-california-coast-is-under-siege-how-can-we-save-it-from-sea-level-riseLink to the trailer for “Out of Plain Sight”: https://www.outofplainsight.com/aboutLink to tickets for Santa Barbara International Film Festival and the Slamdance Film Festival in Los Angeles: https://www.outofplainsight.com/tickets
Climate change is battering California. Can the state find a way forward? Listen every Thursday as award-winning L.A. Times columnist Sammy Roth dives deep with scientists, energy leaders, legislators, activists and journalists who are experts on today's climate challenges and solutions. They’ll discuss everything from electric cars to renewable energy to the difficulties of phasing out fossil fuels.
Sammy has been reporting on climate and energy in California and the American West for over a decade, touring sprawling solar farms, coal-fired power plants and hilltops blanketed with wind turbines. He’s focused on telling stories that challenge public officials and energy companies to do better.