Reframing our climate change conversation in search of empathy and understanding
Understanding what we can do about climate change is not just about taking the temperature, but also about communicating across place, culture, and experience. Well, that’s where philosophy can help - by using environmental ethics to explore the values and passions behind climate change science, policy, and problem solving. We check in with other philosophers as well as climate scientists, activists, politicians, athletes, artists, and people living in front line communities to explore how we think about nature and our place in a warming world.
Simona Capisani, co-host
Simona (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Philosophy at Durham University in the UK. Prior to joining the department of Philosophy at Durham University, Simona was a research fellow at Princeton University in the Climate Futures Initiative in Science, Values and Policy administered by the High Meadows Environmental Institute and co-sponsored by Princeton University Center for Human Values. She studies moral and political philosophy, climate justice, and climate change-induced displacement, migration, and immobility. She earned her PhD in Philosophy from the University of California, Irvine.
When she is not teaching, writing, or organizing, Simona - being the Southern Californian native that she is - can usually be found surfing the nearest point break, hiking with her dog Athena, looking for sun, or playing Dungeons and Dragons. To learn more about Simona and her work visit simonacapisani.com.
Alex Lee, co-host
Alex is a writer, skier, climber, gardener, wanderer of wild spaces, fisherman, dog walker, and environmental philosopher. Alex studies moral obligations and environmental change from his home in the subarctic where he is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the Institute of Culture and Environment at Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage, Alaska. He earned his Ph.D. in environmental ethics from the University of Colorado, Boulder and has worked as a naturalist, guide, and teacher in Alaska for a decade. In addition to his work in philosophy, Alex has contributed opinions and essays to Grist, High Country News, Powder Magazine, The Ski Journal, The Boulder Daily Camera, The Anchorage Daily News, and beyond. When not in a classroom or punching a keyboard, Alex can usually be found in the mountains. Learn more about Alex on environmentalthought.com.
Cody Nelson, producer & editor
Cody (he/him) is a freelance writer, editor, and producer. A former public radio reporter, Cody has been making stories with sounds and words for a decade. His work has been published with outlets including The Guardian, Vox, Wondery, High Country News, Grist, and ESPN, among others. Cody lives in Chicago and would rather be on a long walk with a view. His website is codyleenelson.com.