Sustainability has emerged as a global priority in recent years. In the U.S., however, partisan divides, regional disputes, and deep disagreements over core principles have made it nearly impossible to chart a course toward a more sustainable future. The Yale Environmental Dialogue, a new podcast from the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies (F&ES), is trying to do something about that. During each episode, leading environmental thinkers from a range of disciplines, sectors, and political perspectives will share their ideas for addressing critical environmental threats and lead a discussion with colleagues and other experts about the potential for these ideas and innovations to achieve meaningful change. Each of these ideas are published in a new book, “A Better Planet: 40 Big Ideas for a Sustainable Future,” edited by Daniel Esty, Hillhouse Professor of Environmental Law and Policy at Yale. The book is a product of the Yale Environmental Dialogue, a new F&ES initiative that is promoting important discussions on environmental issues. It is published by the Yale University Press.
The Role of Morals and Spirituality in Facing Environmental Threats
Solving the many environmental challenges we face will require insights from the worlds of science and technology, economics and the law. But those alone won’t be sufficient: we also need a moral force, say Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim, senior lecturers and research scholars at Yale — and co-founders and directors of the Yale … Continue reading The Role of Morals and Spirituality in Facing Environmental Threats →
1/22/2020 • 33 minutes, 10 seconds
A New Stewardship Ethic: Os Schmitz and Eleanor Sterling on Sustaining Humans and Nature as One
In the past, ecologists contended that nature must be protected from humankind and its relentless drive to dominate and destroy it. That view, however, is giving way to a new vision of humankind and nature working together, each dependent on the other for its existence. In this episode, Oswald J. Schmitz, professor of population and … Continue reading A New Stewardship Ethic: Os Schmitz and Eleanor Sterling on Sustaining Humans and Nature as One →
1/8/2020 • 31 minutes, 56 seconds
Stewards of the Land: Greg Gershuny and Anna Giorgi on Sustainable Agriculture
Food security and sustainability are critical components of achieving a peaceful and prosperous society. To achieve true food sustainability and security, the farming community must be more than simply stewards of the land: they must also provide nutrition and consider the climate implications of agriculture. In this episode, Greg Gershuny and Anna Giorgi of the … Continue reading Stewards of the Land: Greg Gershuny and Anna Giorgi on Sustainable Agriculture →
12/30/2019 • 17 minutes, 55 seconds
Protecting the Rights of Kids: Paul Rink and Doug Kysar on Climate Litigation
Who is responsible for the global climate crisis? The plaintiffs in the case, Juliana v. U.S., argue that much of the blame lies at the feet of the federal government for enabling fossil fuel companies to alter the planet’s climate. In this episode of the YED podcast, Paul Rink explains that the Juliana case is … Continue reading Protecting the Rights of Kids: Paul Rink and Doug Kysar on Climate Litigation →
12/16/2019 • 0
Hip-Hop Sustainability: Thomas Easley and Michael Twitty on Diversity in Environmental Communication
If society really wants to tackle environmental challenges it must confront a difficult reality: many of the people most affected by pollution and environmental degradation — including in communities of color across the U.S. — often aren’t included in the conversation. Building bridges that allow everyone a seat at the table will require us to … Continue reading Hip-Hop Sustainability: Thomas Easley and Michael Twitty on Diversity in Environmental Communication →
12/6/2019 • 28 minutes, 17 seconds
The Paris Agreement isn’t Enough: Susan Biniaz and Todd Stern on Achieving Meaningful Global Climate Action
In this episode, Susan Biniaz, the former lead climate lawyer for the U.S. State Department and Senior Fellow at the Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, suggests that for all its accomplishments, the 2015 Paris Agreement won’t be enough to solve the global climate challenge. She suggests the creation of a climate change “SWAT team” … Continue reading The Paris Agreement isn’t Enough: Susan Biniaz and Todd Stern on Achieving Meaningful Global Climate Action →
11/25/2019 • 24 minutes, 27 seconds
Dan Esty and Jeffrey Sonnenfeld on unleashing innovation for sustainability
In this episode, Dan Esty, a professor of environmental law and policy at Yale, makes the case that we need to move away from the traditional, top-down regulations of the 20th century and toward a system of incentives that promote innovation and problem solving. In this conversation, he is joined by Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a professor … Continue reading Dan Esty and Jeffrey Sonnenfeld on unleashing innovation for sustainability →
11/14/2019 • 31 minutes, 18 seconds
Introducing the Yale Environmental Dialogue Podcast
In this trailer, Dan Esty, Hillhouse Professor of Environmental Law and Policy at Yale, introduces the Yale Environmental Dialogue, a new podcast from the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies that will explore solutions to a sustainable future. In each episode, leading environmental thinkers from a range of disciplines, sectors, and political perspectives will … Continue reading Introducing the Yale Environmental Dialogue Podcast →