Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast

Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast

by The Climate to Action Student Podcast Team
EducationNature
Season 5
Beyond Carbon Credits: Climate Justice and Community Action
In this episode, hosts Molly Saruwatari and Joceleen (Joce) Oxley talk with Sierra Fowler, Vice President of Strategic Accounts at Climate Impact Partners, about carbon markets, climate justice, and community-centered climate action. Sierra helps us understand how carbon credits work, what kinds of projects can generate them—from forest protection and renewable energy to clean cookstoves and methane capture—and why community engagement matters when evaluating whether a climate project truly delivers on its promises. We also discuss career paths in climate strategy, sustainability, and carbon markets, along with the skills students can build to enter these fields. The episode closes with a conversation about climate anxiety, hope, and a call to action: Connect with your community, stay informed, and vote for climate-conscious leaders and policies. CREDITS Guest: Sierra Fowler, VP of Strategic Accounts with Climate Impact Partners Hosts: Molly Saruwatari & Joceleen (Joce) Oxley Script: Molly Saruwatari & Joce Oxley Editor: Elden Cadena Social Media Content: Molly Saruwatari & Joce Oxley Music: Marios Panousos Faculty Advisor: Anne Dabb Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is advised by faculty from the Philosophy Department and the Environment Studies Program in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences. Climate to Action is an initiative of the CSUSM Climate Action and Sustainability Center and is recorded at Inspiration Studios on the campus of California State University, San Marcos.
S5 · E18
May 14, 2026
35:00
Global Goals, Real Change: Why the UN SDGs Matter for Climate Action
In this episode of Climate to Action, host Molly Saruwatari welcomes Dr. Roni Kay O’Dell, professor of political science at California State University San Marcos, for a conversation about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and their importance for climate action. Dr. O’Dell explains what the SDGs are, how they were developed through the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and why they matter as a shared global framework rather than just an international policy document. The episode also explores how governments, organizations, and diverse stakeholders helped shape the goals, and why inclusive global cooperation is essential in responding to climate change. Focusing on SDG 13, Climate Action, this conversation highlights the connections between climate, public health, migration, economic development, and global stability. Tune in to hear why meaningful climate action depends on working across nations, sectors, and disciplines—and why the SDGs continue to matter for building a more just and sustainable future. CREDITS Guest: Dr. Roni Kay O’Dell Host: Molly Saruwatari Editor: Elden Cadena Social Media Content: Molly Saruwatari Music: Marios Panousos Faculty Advisor: Anne Dabb Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is advised by faculty from the Philosophy Department and the Environment Studies Program in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences. Climate to Action is an initiative of the CSUSM Climate Action and Sustainability Center and is recorded at Inspiration Studios on the campus of California State University, San Marcos.
S5 · E17
Apr 9, 2026
43:29
Growing Climate Action on Campus with CSUSM’s Environmental Stewards Association
In this episode of Climate To Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast, hosts Joce and Saturn speak with Scarlett, co-president of the Environmental Stewards Association (ESA), about building sustainability and climate action at CSUSM. Scarlett shares her environmental passions, explains ESA’s mission, and discusses how the club helps care for campus spaces like the pollinator garden. The conversation also explores how ESA shapes student experience, what gets students excited about climate justice, and how campus communities can be part of the solution. Tune in for inspiration, community-centered action, and a reminder that climate leadership can start right where you are. CREDITS Guest: Scarlett Moon Hosts: Joceleen Oxley and Saturn Salama Editor: Elden Cadena Social Media Content: Molly Saruwatari Music: Marios Panousos Faculty Advisor: Anne Dabb Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is advised by faculty from the Philosophy Department and the Environment Studies Program in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences. Climate to Action is an initiative of the CSUSM Climate Action and Sustainability Center and is produced at Inspiration Studios on the campus of California State University, San Marcos.
S5 · E16
Mar 26, 2026
28:06
Plastic Beach, Student Voices: Turning Plastic Pollution Into Climate Action
In this episode of Climate to Action, host Molly Saruwatari kicks off a new series spotlighting CSUSM students who are actively taking climate action—starting with guest Tyler Weinstock, an Environmental Studies major and intern at Plastic Beach, a local North County nonprofit. CREDITS Guest: Tyler Weinstock Host: Molly Saruwatari Editor: Elden Cadena Social Media Content: Molly Saruwatari Music: Marios Panousos Faculty Advisor: Anne Dabb Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is advised by faculty from the Philosophy Department and the Environment Studies Program in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences. Climate to Action is an initiative of the CSUSM Climate Action and Sustainability Center and is produced at Inspiration Studios on the campus of California State University, San Marcos.
S5 · E15
Feb 5, 2026
23:49
Season 4
Stories that Change Us: Environmental Literature and Cli-Fi 
In this episode, we dive into environmental literature and climate fiction (Cli-Fi) with Professor Dylan Winchock. We discuss what counts as ‘environmental lit,’ how stories can change how we think and act, and how Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake helps students grapple with the ethics of technology and climate justice. We unpack how literature differs from news and social media disaster narratives and explore how good stories can help us process feelings of dread and grief and move us from fear to agency. CREDITS Guest: Dylan Winchock Host: Saturn Salama Producers: Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama Editor: Elden Cadena Research & Script: Saturn Salama Social Media Content: Molly Saruwatari Music: Marios Panousos Faculty Advisor: Anne Dabb Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is an initiative of the CSUSM Climate Action and Sustainability Center. The podcast is advised by faculty from the Philosophy Department and the Environment Studies Program in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences. Climate to Action is produced at Inspiration Studios on the campus of California State University, San Marcos.
S4 · E14
Nov 20, 2025
33:52
Conservation and Climate Resilience
CSUSM’s own Dr. Elizabeth Ridder joins us to talk about what first drew her to geography and conservation work and why the Mediterranean basin is such a vital—and vulnerable—hotspot for biodiversity and climate resilience. We explore what makes this region unique, the climate pressures it’s facing, and how her fieldwork connects to the bigger picture of global environmental change. From U.S. national parks to protected areas around the world, Dr. Ridder breaks down what funding cuts really mean on the ground and how conservation can support communities. CREDITS Guests: Dr. Elizabeth Ridder Host: Molly Saruwatari Producers: Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama Editor: Elden Cadena Research: Molly Saruwatari and Saturn Salama Script: Molly Saruwatari Social Media: Molly Saruwatari Music: Marios Panousos Faculty Advisor: Anne Dabb
S4 · E13
Nov 6, 2025
30:44
San Diego Climate Week
Erika Rodriguez joins us to share the moment a Category 4 storm in Fiji pulled her into climate action—and how that experience helped spark San Diego Climate Week. We dig into what it takes to build a city-wide movement, how she measures success beyond a single week, and why her long-term hope is that someday, we won’t need a “Climate Week” at all! Tune in to hear why. Recorded live in the barn at Coastal Roots Farm in Encinitas during the inaugural San Diego Climate Week. CREDITS Guests: Erika Rodriguez Hosts: Molly Saruwatari & Saturn Salama Producers: Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama Editor: Elden Cadena Research: Molly Saruwatari & Saturn Salama Script: Molly Saruwatari & Saturn Salama Social Media: Molly Saruwatari Music: Marios Panousos Faculty Advisor: Anne Dabb Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is an initiative of the CSUSM Climate Action and Sustainability Center. The podcast is advised by faculty from the Philosophy Department and the Environment Studies Program in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences. Climate to Action is produced at Inspiration Studios on the campus of California State University, San Marcos.
S4 · E12
Oct 28, 2025
23:04
Tribal Resources and Climate Resilience
In this powerful episode, guests Amanda Subbish and Ivan Sam share Indigenous perspectives on climate resilience, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), and environmental leadership in the San Diego region. From stories of adaptation to wildfire and drought, to reflections on cultural ceremony, language, and land stewardship, this conversation invites listeners to rethink what it means to live in respectful relationship with the Earth. Tune in for insights on tribal sovereignty, community partnerships, and a meaningful call to action rooted in Indigenous leadership. This episode was recorded with a live audience at the Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon as part of the inaugural San Diego Climate Week. CREDITS Guests: Amanda Subbish and Ivan Sam Host: Molly Saruwatari Producers: Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama Editor: Elden Cadena Research: Saturn Salama Script: Molly Saruwatari and Saturn Salama Social Media: Molly Saruwatari Music: Marios Panousos Faculty Advisor: Anne Dabb Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is an initiative of the CSUSM Climate Action and Sustainability Center. The podcast is advised by faculty from the Environmental Studies Program and the Philosophy Department in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences. Climate to Action is produced at Inspiration Studios on the campus of California State University, San Marcos.
S4 · E11
Oct 14, 2025
25:57
Season 3
Sustainability and Student Representation
CREDITS Guest: Ashleigh Skarshaug Hosts: Saturn Salama Producers: Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama Editor: Elden Cadena Research: Saturn Salama Script: Daphne Nguyen Music: Marios Panousos Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is an initiative of the CSUSM Climate Action and Sustainability Center. The podcast is advised by faculty from the Environmental Studies Program and the Philosophy Department in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences. Climate to Action is produced at Inspiration Studios on the campus of California State University, San Marcos.
S3 · E10
May 29, 2025
14:22
Citizen Science and Climate Action
In this episode, hosts Molly and Alex talk with Rebecca Lewis, Scotland and Northern Ireland Manager for Buglife UK, about the power of citizen science in the fight against climate change. Rebecca shares how climate change is impacting invertebrates and the ecosystems they support, and how everyday people can take action through hands-on conservation. Listeners will learn about Buglife’s work, the role of insects in ecosystem resilience, and how to get involved—wherever they live. This episode is dedicated to the memory of Nicola Lewis Adegoke. CREDITS Guest: Rebecca Lewis Hosts: Alex Sandoval and Molly Saruwatari Producers: Elden Cadena and Saturn Salama Editor: Elden Cadena Research: Saturn Salama Script: Alex Sandoval and Saturn Salama Social Media Content: CSUSM Graphic Design Club Music: Marios Panousos Faculty Advisor: Anne Dabb Climate to Action: A CSUSM Student Podcast is an initiative of the CSUSM Climate Action and Sustainability Center. The podcast is advised by faculty from the Environmental Studies Program and the Philosophy Department in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences. Climate to Action is produced at Inspiration Studios on the campus of California State University, San Marcos.
S3 · E9
May 8, 2025
24:14
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