Fostering Our Earth 🌍

Have you ever wondered what it would take to turn an office building into housing? In this episode of Fostering Our Earth 🌍, we explore the exciting world of modular construction to address the pressing housing crisis with Candice Delamarre, co-founder of Kit Switch.Joined by co-host Shikha Srinivas, we discuss how Kit Switch’s modular design significantly speeds up the construction process, both for retrofitting existing buildings and for new buildings. A kitchen, for example, can be installed in just a day, minimizing disruption for tenants in existing apartment buildings undergoing renovation. This contrasts sharply with traditional renovation timelines that can take weeks, causing significant inconvenience and producing more waste.This episode builds on our previous episode on embodied carbon, where we discussed how reusing existing infrastructure reduces embodied carbon. The emissions associated with the manufacturing of building materials like concrete and steel are substantial. By focusing on retrofitting, we can leverage the "carbon investment" already made in these existing buildings. Instead of demolishing and building new, which generates significant waste, retrofitting offers a more sustainable pathway.If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to rate and review, wherever you’re listening!Subscribe to ⁠Fostering Our Earth⁠, join the ⁠book club⁠, and follow the ⁠Instagram⁠! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.fosteringourearth.com

Imagine you've built the perfect carbon-free home: zero-emission appliances, solar panels on the roof, and even the most sustainable materials you could find—beautiful reclaimed wood sourced from Oregon and granite countertops from Vermont. But here's the catch: even if your home runs on clean energy, it's not truly carbon-free. Why? Because of embodied carbon—the hidden emissions tied to the energy used to mine, manufacture, and transport those materials. From the granite countertops to the wood beams, every material has a carbon footprint long before it reaches your home.In this episode of Fostering Our Earth 🌍, we dive into the world of embodied carbon—the emissions embedded in the materials and construction processes that shape our built environment. Joined by Luke Lombardi, an expert on embodied carbon, and co-host Shikha Srinivas, we explore why understanding and quantifying embodied carbon is critical to addressing climate change and how it reflects our consumptive and capitalistic cultures.Luke breaks down the carbon-intensive processes behind materials like concrete and steel. We also discuss innovative solutions, from adaptive reuse and circular economies to cutting-edge materials like novel cement and green steel. Plus, we explore the growing policy landscape, including California’s groundbreaking CalGreen embodied carbon code, and reflect on the importance of community-driven solutions and historic preservation in creating a more sustainable future.Resources:* Carbon Leadership Forum (CLF): A nonprofit organization working to reduce embodied carbon in the built environment.* Buy Clean California: A policy initiative to reduce embodied carbon in public infrastructure projects.* All We Can Save x Ayana Elizabeth Johnson: A book featuring essays and poetry on climate solutions, mentioned by Luke.* Fire and Flood by Eugene Linden: A book discussing climate change and societal responses* California Straw Building Association (CASBA): An organization promoting straw bale and natural building techniques. Subscribe to ⁠Fostering Our Earth⁠, join the ⁠book club⁠, and follow the ⁠Instagram⁠! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.fosteringourearth.com

Future ancestors, welcome to season two!In this episode, Awoe introduces Shikha Srinivas, who will join Fostering Our Earth🌍 this season as a co-host for a few episodes. As young professionals working in the climate and sustainability sector, they share some of their favorite books and podcasts that motivates their work. Kick back and get to know us a bit, the jokes we like to make, and add these recommendations to your list. Please note that this episode was originally recorded in January 2024 but a lot of the content is timeless (until we end our climate crisis, of course). ResourcesBelow are links to all the books and podcast we shared.Book Recommendations: * Braiding Sweetgrass by Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer is a memoir that interweaves Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and personal experiences to explore humanity's relationship with nature and advocate for environmental stewardship.* Fresh Banana Leaves by Jessica Hernandez combines Indigenous knowledge with modern environmental science to address ecological issues and promote social justice.* All We Can Save edited by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Dr. Katherine Wilkinson is an anthology that showcases diverse women's voices and perspectives on climate change solutions and environmental leadership.* Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler is a dystopian novel set in a climate-ravaged future, following a young woman's journey as she forms a new belief system and community amidst societal collapse.* The Heat Will Kill You First by Jeff Goodell is a book that explores the devastating impacts of rising global temperatures on human health and society.* Poverty by Matthew Desmond examines the systemic causes of poverty in America, arguing that it is not inevitable but created by unjust systems that benefit the affluent at the expense of the poor.* Paved Paradise by Henry Grabar discusses how the parking crisis, stemming from car-centric design in the U.S., highlights how the need for car storage worsens issues like housing affordability and climate change, and suggests ways to alleviate the burden of parking on cities.Podcast Recommendations: * Drilled is a true-crime style podcast investigating the history of climate denial and fossil fuel industry propaganda, hosted by investigative journalist Amy Westervelt.* 99% Invisible is a show exploring the process and power of design and architecture to explain the world around us.* Hot Take is a show that looks at the climate crisis and how media and society discuss (or fail to discuss) climate issues.* Living Change with Andrea Learned is a show that interviews leaders who demonstrate their climate influence, a term Andrea coined to describe the power leaders have to practice what they preach and influence their followers.* Arrested Mobility explores the impacts of over-policing on Black mobility in the United States, examining how systemic racism restricts physical and social movement for Black people and other minorities.* UCLA Housing Voice is a podcast that translates housing research to make cities more affordable, accessible, and equitable by discussing homelessness, housing policies, and urban development strategies.~~Music by Pumpupthemind on PixabaySubscribe to ⁠Fostering Our Earth⁠, join the ⁠book club⁠, and follow the ⁠Instagram⁠!Peace,Awoe ✌🏾 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.fosteringourearth.com

Fostering Our Earth is back for season two! This year, we’ll continue exploring key concepts that will be necessary for our transition into a more sustainable and climate resilient future. Each month, join me and our various experts to discuss topics such as embodied carbon, modular design, food and land justice, resilience planning and so much more!Be sure to subscribe to Fostering Our Earth on Substack to stay up date and you can listen to the podcast wherever you want!~~Music by Pumpupthemind on Pixabay. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.fosteringourearth.com

In this episode of Fostering Our Earth, Awoe is joined by Natalie Hernandez to reflect on Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 Presidential Election. They compare the emotional and political climate to 2016, discuss the Democratic Party's disconnect from its traditional base, and highlight the election's impact on environmental regulations, immigration, and the economy. Using their personal identities as a starting point, Awoe and Natalie share what they think this election means. With past Fostering Our Earth guests, Chris Asmar and Andrea Learned, also joining, the conversation emphasizes the importance and power of local community organizing, economic justice, and the interconnectedness between climate action with broader social justice movements! Resources: Sign up for Natalie's environmental career coaching here. The Daily: Bernie Sanders Says Democrats Have Lost Their Way The Daily: Why Abortion Rights Won Even as Kamala Harris Lost The Ezra Klein Show: The End of the Obama Coalition What Now? with Trevor Noah: Harris v Trump: THe Day After with Tressie McMillan Cottom https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2024-11-06/how-5-key-demographic-groups-helped-trump-win-the-2024-election https://www.npr.org/2026/01/01/1259186815/zz-1a https://apnews.com/article/election-harris-trump-women-latinos-black-voters-0f3fbda3362f3dcfe41aa6b858f22d12Music:Music by FASSounds, Alana Jordan, and Dvir Silver all on Pixabay. Sound effect by freesound_community on Pixabay.Subscribe to ⁠Fostering Our Earth⁠ and follow the ⁠Instagram⁠! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.fosteringourearth.com

In this episode, Awoe and Natalie Hernandez explore what climate resilience is, how we can assess and design for resilience and explains what resilience hubs are. In an increasingly climate-prone world, our need to develop resilience (both in our infrastructure and our communities) is higher than ever.Natalie Hernandez is a specialist in environmental policy and community planning. She currently holds the position of Environmental Project Manager at the Gateway Cities Council of Governments. She was previously a Director at Climate Resolve, where she managed the “Ready for Tomorrow” grant writing and research, co-authored the state’s Adaptation Planning Guide, provided technical expertise on climate grant programs, and led the community outreach for urban cooling and climate vulnerability projects in Baldwin Hills, South Los Angeles, Canoga Park, and broader LA County. Natalie is knowledgeable about climate change funding, planning processes, stakeholder engagement, and resilience. She has a strong passion for environmental justice and climate equity, which she attributes to growing up in Long Beach, a core hub of goods movement, air quality issues, and climate adaptation in the Los Angeles area. She knows how to navigate complex institutions and bureaucracy while uplifting the concerns desires, and solutions of people who will be most impacted by environmental and climate injustices.Resources: 📖 The Resilience Dividend x Judith Rodin 📖 Climate Resilience: How We Keep Each Other Safe, Care for Our Communities, and Fight Back Against Climate Change x Kylie Flanagan 📖 Palaces for the People x Eric Klinenberg Stop Asking Us to Be Resilient: On Hurricane Ida, COVID-19, and Trauma in Louisiana, Essence 2021 📃 Why you should stop complimenting people for being 'resilient' NPR 2022 📃⁠California's Adaptation Planning Guidelines⁠ 📃Safeguarding California 🔗 What are Resilience Hubs?, USDN 🔗 Regional Resilience Toolkit, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Association of Bay Area Governments - 🔗 Guide to Equitable Community-Driven Climate Preparedness Planning, Raimi + Associates and Urban Sustainability Directors Network 🔗 Making Equity Real in Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience Policies and Programs], The Greenlining Institute 🔗 Community-Driven Climate Resilience Planning: A Framework, Movement Strategy Center 🔗 Mapping Resilience: A Blueprint for Thriving in the Face of Climate Disasters, Asian Pacific Environmental Network~~Music: YSK by Lunareh on Pixabay~~ Subscribe to ⁠Fostering Our Earth⁠, join the ⁠book club⁠, and follow the ⁠Instagram⁠! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.fosteringourearth.com

In this episode, Awoe is joined by Lana Weidgenant, who works at the intersection of food systems, agriculture, and climate action, to discuss food systems, their impact on climate change, and potential solutions. We talk about food systems through the farm-to-plate-to-waste framework and some major issues including food/agriculture’s contribution to the climate crisis and food insecurity. Finally, Lana shares the role alternative proteins and policies can play in making a difference. ~~The books recommended in the episode are:  Not the End of the World by Hannah Ritchie Earth for All: A Survival Guide for Humanity by Sandrine Dixson Decleve The Secret Life of Groceries by Benjamin Lorr~~Music and Sounds Effects by Alisiabeats and Tvari on Pixabay~~Subscribe to Fostering Our Earth, join the book club, and follow the Instagram! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.fosteringourearth.com

Happy End of 2023! This episode features Veronica O. Davis, author of "Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities." Veronica is currently the Director of Transportation and Drainage Operations in Houston, TX. In Inclusive Transportation, Veronica shares her experience in creating this active and reflective guide for readers to rethink how we design mobility systems in the name of equity and justice. In this episode, Awoe asks Veronica questions about meaningful engagement, power, and influence in decision-making and what systemic change can look like.If you haven’t read Inclusive Transportation, you can purchase your own copy here: Inclusive Transportation (islandpress.org). ~~ Intro Music: Futuristic Beat x Nver Avetyan on Pixabay~~ Subscribe to Fostering Our Earth and follow the Instagram! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.fosteringourearth.com

In this episode, Awoe interviews Chris Asmar, co-lead of the Urban Environmentalists' Illinois chapter. We delve into the topic of housing, discussing why it is challenging to build affordable housing and the characteristics of NIMBYism and YIMBYism. Cities face numerous challenges regarding housing and mobility, and organizations such as the Urban Environmentalists are working to address them by expanding transportation options beyond driving, promoting sustainable communities, and advocating for more affordable housing.Resources suggested in the episode: 🔦 Intersectional Environmentalist Toolkit for Environmental Justice Issues in Palestine 📰 The Urbanist 📰 Streetsblog 🎙️ The Urbanist Agenda 📖 Death and Life of Great American Cities x Jane Jacobs 📖 Freedom is a Constant Struggle x Angela Davis ~Background Music: Titanium x AlishaMusic (from Pixabay)~ Subscribe to Fostering Our Earth Newsletter and follow the Instagram! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.fosteringourearth.com

In this episode, I am joined by Jerome Horne, Manager of Communications for the Baltimore Red Line Project at MDOT MTA. Together, we explore what a sustainable mobility system for the future could look like. Our discussion covers a wide range of topics, from the technical aspects of mobility, such as the importance of running continuously and reliably, to the social components of mobility, with segments on unarresting mobility and meaningful community engagement.~Links + Lingo:Cities For People Not Cars | CuldesacUnpacking a Sustainable Mobility System 🚆🚃🚘 (beehiiv.com)TNC = "Transportation Network Company" is a ride-hailing/ridesharing organization such as Uber/Lyft~Background Music: Soul Sister x Lunareh~Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter here: Subscribe | Fostering Our Earth 🌍 (beehiiv.com)And follow the Instagram here:Fostering Our Earth 🌍 (@fostering.our.earth) • Instagram photos and videos This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.fosteringourearth.com

In this episode, Fostering Our Earth host, Awoe features as a guest on SpaceshipOne to discuss climate resilient infrastructure, sustainability, and equity. You can find SpaceshipOne’s podcast here and their Instagram here.~~Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter here: Subscribe | Fostering Our Earth 🌍 (beehiiv.com)And follow the Instagram here: Fostering Our Earth 🌍 (@fostering.our.earth) • Instagram photos and videos This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.fosteringourearth.com

This episode explores how to transform and empower communities sustainably and equitably through public government in the face of the climate crisis with guest Saharnaz Mirzazad. Together, we embark on a thought-provoking conversation about governments' role in combatting climate change and building sustainable communities. Using "Transformative Climate Communities" as a model for inspiring change, we unpack the elements of sustainable community development and planning. Whether you are passionate about sustainable development, climate resilience or simply curious about the critical role of governments in shaping our collective future, this episode will provide invaluable insights and ignite a sense of hope for a more sustainable world.~~Saharnaz Mirzazad is the Chief Deputy Director of Climate and Planning for California's Office of Planning and Research (Cal OPR). She brings over 15 years of experience in infrastructure development, community empowerment, and advancing climate and equity goals. In her previous role with California's Strategic Growth Council, she oversaw more than 3 billion dollars of investment in infrastructure programs and community-driven policy solutions. Her mission is to assist communities with a sustainable, integrated approach to urban planning and design by jointly addressing climate change, the environmental effects of rapid urbanization, economic growth, and increasing socio-spatial challenges.~~Music: Sunday Taxes by Sam BarshTrailer Video: Video by Kindel Media on Pexels~~Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter here: Subscribe | Fostering Our Earth 🌍 (beehiiv.com)And follow the Instagram here: Fostering Our Earth 🌍 (@fostering.our.earth) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.fosteringourearth.com

This episode explores how visible individual action can make a difference in our fight for a more sustainable future. Joined by climate-media relations expert, Andrea Learned, we unpack what climate influence is, how we can demonstrate it, and the role it plays in mobilizing toward climate action. Whether you're talking climate with your friends and family, or especially if you're a leader in a position of power, displaying climate influence can help us "be the change we wish to see in the world."~~Andrea hosts Living Change: A Quest for Climate Leadership, a podcast about the enthusiastic, hopeful, and fun stories of leaders using their work or business ventures to help shift the social norms around “leadership.” Listen to Living Change wherever you get your podcasts!~~Music: Tropical Flavor [Original Mix] by AftertuneTrailer Video: Video by Artem Podrez~~Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter here: Subscribe | Fostering Our Earth 🌍 (beehiiv.com)And follow the Instagram here: Fostering Our Earth 🌍 (@fostering.our.earth) | Instagram This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.fosteringourearth.com

Energy is crucial to our daily lives, powering everything from our phones to our homes. In this episode, Chris Rhie, an expert on urban sustainability and environmental management, joins me in discussing what sustainability means for our energy system. Chris shares his insights on how we can approach this complex issue from environmental, economic, and equitable perspectives while providing practical tips for you!~~Chris Rhie is a nationally recognized expert on urban sustainability and a former Associate Principal at Buro Happold in Los Angeles. His background in public policy, urban design, and environmental management and his focus on developing equitable strategies for combating global climate change make him the perfect person to break down such a complex topic.~~Sources + Links:The Willow Project and the Race to Pump the “Last Barrel” of Oil - Carnegie Endowment for International PeaceSources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions | US EPAWE ACT for Environmental Justice: Empowering Communities to Power ChangeIntersectional EnvironmentalistHome - HEET~~Background Music: Breakfast for Dinner by Dr. Delight~~Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter here: Subscribe | Fostering Our Earth 🌍 (beehiiv.com)And follow the Instagram here: Fostering Our Earth 🌍 (@fostering.our.earth) | Instagram This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.fosteringourearth.com

Fostering Our Earth 🌍 is a podcast and newsletter that focuses on imagining and detailing a sustainable future that is equitable and just for all. Here, we explore the infrastructure, policies, lifestyles, and cultures necessary to achieve this sustainable future. The podcast host, Awoe, is an urban systems engineer from Ghana and Baltimore passionate about unpacking systemic injustice, facilitating discussion about the future, and inspiring action no matter how small. The podcast invites sustainability enthusiasts and beginners alike to explore how to build a better tomorrow by fostering our Earth today. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.fosteringourearth.com