What On Earth

Years after working in smoky, sooty conditions controlling fires, workers can experience the adverse health effects of the job. Proving the link can be difficult. But now in British Columbia, wildland firefighters are getting early cancer screening and expanded workers compensation coverage for cancer. With climate change contributing to the hot, dry conditions that lead to longer, more intense fire seasons, we explore what else can be done to reduce the exposure to carcinogens these front-line workers face. 

Our youth climate action columnist Aishwarya Puttur says yes it can. She’s seen young people in the entertainment industry taking up the climate cause lately – from local film festivals to the United Nations – and shares stories about how she’s seen this type of storytelling make a difference.

As Vancouverites see people watering their lawns during a drought, it’s a question they’re asking themselves. While cities in British Columbia take drastic measures to limit water use, Laura heads to the watershed to learn how conservation can help keep the taps on. But it’s not the only approach that Canadians are using to tackle water shortages. In south central Manitoba, a modified wetland is forcing people to work with nature instead of against it.

Tessel Middag wants her sport to be a force for good. But she says that’s hard to imagine when FIFA’s “Major Worldwide Partner” for the 2026 World Cup is Saudi state oil company, Aramco. And it’s not just Tessel. Advocates like Frank Huisingh feel uneasy watching athletes compete in extreme heat while flanked by advertisements for the globe's leading oil corporation. But as the world continues to warm, can advocates convince football’s governing body to ditch oil and gas sponsorships, and make way for climate-conscious partnerships?

Can a weekly fire weather outlook help Canadian communities learn to live with fire? Mike Flannigan, wildfire forecaster and professor at Thompson Rivers University, thinks so. A weekly forecast is one of the things that gives him hope that people across Canada can be better prepared to respond to wildfire risk this summer as conditions start to look like “Dante’s circles of hell.” Then – we hear how the Abegweit First Nation has a new deal with the P.E.I. and federal governments to make its own decisions about managing emergencies like wildfire. 

Farmers are using an old trick as a new way to grow food and reduce emissions. Lightning sparked inside a box helps create fertilizer with less cost to the planet. But it’s controversial, with critics calling it “snake oil.” Those who love it say the proof is in the plants they harvest. Story producer Jennifer Wilson digs into whether lightning in a box is the real thing.

Indigenous communities across the country are charging ahead with renewables. Melina Laboucan-Massimo brings news from Indigenous Clean Energy’s training program, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. But even as young leaders learn about solar and wind power, there are growing worries that government funding to help communities make the transition may not continue. Then, a scientist weighs in on Ottawa’s proposal to streamline environmental assessments for major projects.

A system from another era was the inspiration for a modern-day solution to the pileup of plastic in the world. The milkman once delivered cold bottles of milk to the doorsteps of homes and took the empty ones away. So what happened to the idea? CBC producer Peter Mitton delivers the (non-plastic) goods in his feature documentary. 

Donald Trump claimed on social media that climate scientists were “WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!” about their global warming projections. But climate scientist Zeke Hausfather says the experts were not wrong, and the new projections are not entirely bad news. The world has made some progress in reducing emissions, though he says we still have a long way to go when it comes to stabilizing the climate. Then, tips on how to protect yourself – and your home – from heat, smoke and wildfire while not breaking the budget.

Twelve-year-old Kiké Dueck once had such bad climate anxiety that they didn’t want to eat or go to school. But then they found a solution. Kiké got involved in lobbying Regina city hall for greener transit and even joined a legal case to try to stop Saskatchewan’s support of coal plants. Kiké is not the only child taking the government to task - and to court. In fact, Kiké is part of a group led by What On Earth’s mental health columnist, Abhay Singh Sachal, that teaches young people how to understand their emotions about climate change and channel them into organized activism and community action.

Ten years ago this month the Horse River Wildfire burned through Fort McMurray and into the Canadian consciousness. We hear why experts say it’s the fire that taught us nowhere is safe, even busy urban centres. And, from the best of What On Earth: The Yukon government is betting on a first-in-Canada solution to help protect Whitehorse from wildfire: a permanent fuel break made of trees. But, the process takes a lot of work, starting with harvesting tiny seeds.

Hop on board an electric school bus in Richmond B.C. and meet a driver who says “once you start driving them, you don’t want to go back.” So why aren’t more kids across Canada riding to school on these quieter and cleaner buses? Producer Nick Logan takes a spin through the successes and ongoing challenges with electrifying Canada’s school bus fleets. Then, we hear from an EV advocate about the policy changes needed to speed the transition.

Backcountry skier Hannah Hughes realized she couldn’t fight the wall of snow when it hit her. She survived but the experience has her rethinking her relationship with risk, and she isn’t alone. The 2025-2026 ski season has been a brutal year for avalanche-related deaths in parts of the world. Some scientists say climate change is now one more factor to consider when heading out into the backcountry. What On Earth’s Molly Segal explores how climate is colliding with the increasingly popular sport of backcountry skiing.

Tired of stories about bleak, hopeless futures? You’re not alone. Writers are ditching dystopian narratives for a fresh take on climate fiction. Enter ‘thrutopia,’ a new genre that aims to chart a middle path through the worst impacts of climate change. And maybe even envision a future where humanity both survives and thrives. Climate writer Sanjana Sekhar and media watcher Lucy Stone talk about getting more ‘thrutopia’ onto screens and bookshelves.

Nations gathered in Colombia to chart a path to a cleaner future. Many say this ‘coalition of the willing’ could speed the transition away from fossil fuels. But there are those who say that Canada’s lack of ambition will mean we’re left behind in the switch to renewables. And others who say global Indigenous voices still don’t have enough sway in the climate fight.

She became famous for her work that said trees communicate through a forest web. But Suzanne Simard’s research also faced backlash. Not only is she defending her work as a scientist, she’s back with a new book expanding on it. Together with Tsimshian scientist Teresa Ryan, Kwakwaka’wakw artist and hereditary chief Rande Cook, and lawyer Chris Rusnak, she takes to the stage at UBC with our own Laura Lynch to talk about forests, trees and how to combine western and Indigenous science, along with the law, to make the case for change that helps the climate.

After a year in office, climate minister Julie Dabrusin says she’s proud of her record. But critics say more pipelines, less progress on emissions cuts and other moves overshadow efforts to protect nature and boost renewable energy. We challenge the minister’s claims that her government is making Canada “climate competitive.”

Coral reefs support marine life — and livelihoods. But bleaching caused by warming oceans is putting both under threat. Fishing communities in Mauritius and Seychelles are feeling it more than almost anywhere else. But there are ambitious efforts underway in these island nations to restore some of what’s been lost, to protect the health of the ecosystems and the local economies.

Climate change is melting away winter, but a new documentary summons the magic of the most Canadian of frozen delights: the outdoor skating rink. For Earth Day, we speak with the filmmaker behind Icemakers about why he was driven to share stories about the people who spend hours each winter making ice for their families and communities – a job that’s getting harder with warmer winters. And we meet a Winnipeg man who turns his backyard rinks into a climate change conversation starter.

And Beth Gardiner says industry hopes you won’t notice. So what does it take to fight back? That’s the number one question the journalist asks in her new book, Plastic Inc.: The Secret History and Shocking Future of Big Oil’s Biggest Bet. She traces the history of how and why the industry has ramped up plastic production, and how we can ditch all but the most essential plastic in our lives.

“What’s there to worry about?” That’s what Alberta rancher Teresa Patry thought when her family agreed to oil wells on their property. But that changed when she, her family and her animals started experiencing a variety of health issues. And she says the province’s energy regulator is not doing enough to address her concerns. We hear about the potential links between health problems and oil and gas production. Then, we hear about a coalition of landowners, environmental groups and others working to push the oil industry to clean up its mess – for the health of communities and the climate. 

From the Best of What On Earth – Don’t have a garden? Adopt a roundabout and plant things for the bees! We meet a TikToker who’s done just that. And then we travel from coast to coast to hear about a push to let sections of city parks grow a little wild. We head to one of these meadows to hear how they attract pollinators, and hear why creating “pollinator pockets” for busy bees and “hairy” moths can be a climate solution across the country – and a patriotic one at that.

Canada faces a climate conundrum when it comes to the military. To maintain northern sovereignty, defence needs to adapt quickly to the warming Arctic. But even before the recent boost in investment, the military was already the single largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the federal government. So how can Canada defend the North and stick to its climate goals at the same time? Then, we hear about Canada’s new $3.8 billion investment plan to protect nature.

Flying emits a ton of greenhouse gases. So what's a climate-conscious traveler to do?What On Earth's climate justice columnist Chúk Odenigbo tells us about his sustainable beach vacation and shares some tips on how to plan your next getaway with the climate in mind.

Pop quiz! Who were the world's very first treehuggers? Story producer Jennifer Wilson hated history class, but she’s giving it another chance. She has been studying up on the people and events that paved the way for today’s climate movement and sits down with host Laura Lynch to discuss what lessons these stories hold for people taking climate action today.NOTE: This podcast has been edited to correct an error identifying Governor General Mary Simon as First Nations. She is Inuk.

Seafarers of old saw kelp as a danger, marking it on maps to avoid it. Today those maps are helping to restore kelp as a friend of the climate. Kelp sucks in carbon so the Tseshat First Nation is working hard to bring it back around the Broken Group Islands in BC. 

Methane gas is the shortest lived, but most potent greenhouse gas. We hear from those who say reining in methane is needed to protect the climate and the health of Albertans. And we hear how a looming agreement on methane emissions in that province could make a big difference to Canada's climate goals.

A 3,700-year-old buried log still holding the carbon it had pulled from the air sparked a radical idea: bury dead trees before they release their stored CO2. Guest host Johanna Wagstaffe wades into the wonder with the scientist who made the ancient find – in Canada. Then, we hear from a company aiming to bury trees in a sort of carbon bunker, creating carbon credits to pay for reforestation. And we check in with a forest ecologist who explains why it’s not one-size-fits-all when it comes to managing forests that have burned.

Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil trade, rattling global markets. Prices could remain high the longer the U.S. and Israel-led conflict with the Islamic Republic rages on. As countries scramble to shore up energy supplies, we're looking at whether it’s time to ramp up the transition to renewables — for the sake of national security and the climate. 

A coffee farmer shares the raw reality: climate change is shifting the world’s "bean belt". CBC’s Anand Ram and Inayat Singh introduce us to 5th generation farmer Chalo Fernandez who’s using social media to let people know how increasing heat is affecting his beans. We’ll break down what the science says and why these farmers are the most resilient innovators in the game. 

Is it too late to stop climate change? Not according to data scientist Hannah Ritchie. We dive into her new book, “Clearing the Air,” where Ritchie answers all the tough questions – the ones she gets all the time and the ones you’ve probably asked yourself.

From the Best of What On Earth - Canada's oil and gas companies are hoping carbon capture and storage will be a big part of the country’s net zero plans. But shipping CO2 through pipelines to storage facilities can come with risks. We go to rural Mississippi to hear about a rare carbon dioxide pipeline breach that was nearly deadly – and find out what Canada can learn from the incident

Country star Corb Lund should be rehearsing for back-to-back tours. Instead, he’s wading deeper into the debate over coal exploration and development in the Rockies. It’s been more than five years since the singer-songwriter first set aside his decades-long commitment to an apolitical public image in order to campaign against coal mining in Alberta’s eastern slopes. He has lost fans and received pushback he calls “vile” and “abusive.” But as producer Molly Segal finds out, it’s a fight the musician has no plans of giving up.

Nature gives us joy, wonder, and beauty. It also brings big bucks. Trillions of dollars, according to the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. It says in a new analysis that tens of thousands of jobs are among the benefits when Canada's wilderness is protected. Plus, we do the climate a solid. But there are worries that Ottawa may not keep up the stable funding needed to protect enough of Canada’s lands and water for future generations.

Clues to Earth’s climate future lie buried in the ancient ice sheet covering Greenland. Climate scientists have been working for decades to uncover answers that can help us understand what’s coming. But as the U.S. government continues to push for more control over the island, some are worried that a Greenland controlled by Donald Trump would put their access to the ice in jeopardy. Security expert Whitney Lackenbauer tells us why fears about a warming Arctic due to climate change are stoking the current geopolitical tensions, and glaciologist Martin Siegert explains why a politically stable Greenland matters for the whole planet.

Canada recently switched its approach to electric vehicles. But what impact do EVs really have on the world around us? Cleaner air? Less noise? CBC’s Anand Ram walks us through the evidence and explains how satellite data is being used to measure air pollution in Los Angeles neighbourhoods. 

Immigration raids and protests have dominated U.S. news lately. And one L.A.-based environmentalist says migration, climate and the federal crackdown are all linked.Many of those targeted come from countries that suffer disproportionately from the impacts of climate change, connecting the movement for migrant justice to movements for climate justice.

Penguins are tougher than you think — and they’re adapting to climate change in ways you may not expect. Researchers are keeping a close eye on Antarctic colonies to see what we humans can learn from the tuxedoed birds, as we learn to cope with the effects of a warming planet.

Nearly 100 per cent of Norway’s new car sales last year were electric. That was achieved without a ban on gas-powered vehicles. As Canada scraps its EV mandate, it may want to bolster incentives and policy to be more like Norway. Plus, Chinese brand EVs are coming to Canada and potentially shifting the market into a different gear. 

We hear you. Plastic is “upsetting, confusing, enraging.” But Judith Enck says there’s hope. The Beyond Plastics founder says people and policy makers are finally clueing in to the toxins in these products. We hear about efforts to hammer out an international treaty to curb plastics production and pollution. And, there’s been a key Canadian court ruling on banning single-use plastics.

Mark Carney’s plan to shrink the civil service means slashing more than 800 jobs at Environment and Climate Change Canada. A retired scientist says this includes her colleagues who study the impact of microplastics, toxic chemicals and oil on wildlife. And a union president says the cuts could gut human expertise in weather forecasting, too, leaving Canadians more vulnerable to climate extremes.

Since January 2025, it’s cost about nine bucks USD to drive in downtown New York City during peak times. A year later, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is heralding the policy as a success, with fewer cars downtown, a drop in pollution and even less honking. Alexa Sledge with Transportation Alternatives tells us about the policy’s progress to date. Then – we check in with Mychal Johnson of South Bronx Unite about worries that his community may be facing unintended consequences as a result of the pricing.

Skier Marion Thénault wants Winter Olympic gold. She also wants a cooler planet. That means training hard but doing it in a way that cuts her own emissions. And calling on sports federations to do their part. We discover what else needs to change to ensure the winter games survive in a warming world – including keeping the competition to a select few cities – including Calgary. 

As Hurricane Irma approached, doula Esther Louis helped a nine-months-pregnant client flee Florida to find safety in Georgia. At the time, she thought she was just being a “compassionate human being.” But that experience back in 2017 helped her recognize how people in her profession can help expectant families stay safe as the impacts of climate change accelerate. Esther tells us about a new program that’s training other doulas to do just that. Then, we hear how the warming planet is posing a growing danger for newborns worldwide.

Resignations. Calls for a hiatus. The expert group tasked with helping Ottawa cut emissions faces an existential crisis. We hear from Catherine Abreu, who quit the Net Zero Advisory Body, because it wasn’t consulted about the federal government’s pipeline deal with Alberta. Meanwhile Michael Bernstein, one of the few remaining advisors, says the group can balance climate policy with political reality, but it needs a reset first.

Warming temperatures mean more rats. Is rodent birth control part of the solution? Join us on the streets of Manhattan, Chicago and Vancouver as producer Molly Segal meets the people trying to stop rats from overtaking our world. 

If you're a frequent flier, you may have noticed flights have been getting bumpier lately. A potential culprit? Climate change. CBC producer Julia Pagel finds out how warming temperatures are making air turbulence worse, and what can be done about it. But first, she takes us back to 2019, when dozens of passengers were injured after an Air Canada flight bound for Australia hit severe turbulence and had to make an emergency landing. 

Even as the world warms, oil attracts conflict. Just look to Venezuela and Donald Trump’s moves to control the country’s vast reserves. We delve into the history of "petro-imperialism” and ask whether a planet powered by renewables would be any more peaceful.

From the Best of What On Earth – in remote northern communities, diesel is king. But breakthrough solar energy projects are underway that could begin to reduce fossil fuel reliance. We’re taking you to Nunavut where people are adding solar panels to small off-grid cabins and others are working on community-scale solar projects — so the diesel generators can finally be turned off and communities can hear silence once again, like their ancestors did.

From the Best of What On Earth – Come with us to California where entrepreneurs are sending balloons full of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere. It’s a form of solar geoengineering known as stratospheric aerosol injection, and the company Make Sunsets isn’t waiting for scientific consensus before they launch. We hear about their business model, and then from the researchers who question both the science and ethics of the practice.