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Climate Action Figures

Climate Action Figures

Written by: John Whidden
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A safe place for youth to share steps they are taking to mitigate climate change.

© 2026 Climate Action Figures
Earth Sciences Philosophy Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Season 4, Episode 2: Ben
    Oct 13 2026

    Host John Whidden welcomes Ben to Climate Action Figures and shares a Quick Fix from Linda advising bamboo and compostable partyware, noting composting challenges without proper bins. Ben describes Edmonton’s Paths for People, which advocates for walking, rolling, and cycling through city council engagement and community events featuring guests like YouTuber CityNerd and author Anna Zivarts, with a key takeaway that about a third of people don’t drive. They discuss tensions and compromises between car and active transportation, Ben’s reasons for biking (enjoyment, cost, environment, parking), and concerns about potential provincial legislation reducing bike lanes and related safety risks. Ben explains the Missing Links campaign crowdsourcing gaps in crossings, sidewalks, and bike infrastructure. He’s starting a master’s in urban and regional planning at the University of Alberta, is a triathlete, and his climate action is driving less by biking or taking transit; his hope comes from more friends starting to bike commute.

    00:00 Welcome to the Show

    00:25 Quick Fix Compostables

    01:17 Meet Paths for People

    01:58 Community Events Highlights

    02:34 Who Cities Leave Behind

    03:11 Cars Versus Bike Lanes

    04:17 Why Ben Bikes

    05:32 Province Threatens Bike Lanes

    07:06 Missing Links Campaign

    08:01 Masters in Urban Planning

    09:23 Triathlon Side Quest

    10:17 Ben's Climate Action

    11:09 Hope and Farewell

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    13 mins
  • Season 4, Episode1: Brittney
    Oct 6 2026

    In the season four premiere of Climate Action Figures, host John Whidden introduces guest Brittney and shares a “Quick Fix” from Genevieve in Medicine Hat: building “bug snugs,” tripod shelters filled with dried organic material for insects to overwinter. Brittney discusses her master’s research in the Bow Valley, funded in part by the Biosphere Institute, using interviews, walk-and-talks, and a photo-voice gathering to explore young adults’ work toward socioecological justice, and notes the Biosphere’s $1,000 youth microgrant. She recounts being named one of Canada’s top 75 youth environmental change-makers at the Starfish Changemaker Summit in Squamish, emphasizing climate justice, burnout prevention, and Indigenous land-based learning. Brittney then describes her documentary/honours thesis on the Crowsnest Pass coal fight, arguing people act to defend identity and love of place—especially clean water from the Eastern Slopes—while outlining Y2Y’s wildlife-corridor work and her hope to release the film in 2027.

    00:00 Season Four Kickoff

    00:34 Quick Fix Bug Snugs

    02:11 Biosphere Research Project

    03:39 Starfish Changemaker Summit

    05:33 Indigenous Learning On Land

    06:17 Coal Fight Documentary

    08:47 Identity Drives Action

    10:10 Eastern Slopes Water Stakes

    12:09 Love Fear And Grief

    17:16 Film Release Plans

    18:41 What Y2Y Does

    21:05 Her Climate Action Today

    22:28 What Gives Her Hope

    24:23 Closing And Call To Share

    climateactionfigures@gmail.com
    https://www.facebook.com/climateactionfigures
    https://www.instagram.com/climateactionfigures/
    https://www.youtube.com/@ClimateActionFigures

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    26 mins
  • Season 3, Episode 28: Kayla
    Jun 23 2026

    In the season three finale of Climate Action Figures, host John Whidden welcomes back creative consultant Kayla, shares a Quick Fix from Linda in Rochon Sands about swapping chemical cleaners for vinegar and baking soda, and demonstrates homemade/refillable cleaning solutions. Kayla discusses an upcoming two-month trip to Japan, South Korea, and China and admiration for strong recycling and anti-littering cultures. John recounts attending the KEPA (Kainai Ecological Protection Agency) cross-cultural First Nations gathering and observing a tipi ceremony. They reflect on standout season three episodes, highlighting Piikani Nation guests, soil and agriculture conversations, returning guest Aryan, and Indigenous stewardship from multiple continents, and invite an Antarctica guest to reach all continents. John confirms season four will launch in the fall and mentions Cluck’s summer adventure. Kayla’s climate action focuses on sustainable travel (fewer flights, trains, packing light, filtration bottles, eco-tours), and her hope comes from Braiding Sweetgrass and the idea humans can positively impact the environment.

    00:00 Welcome and Quick Fix

    01:04 DIY Natural Cleaners

    02:06 Refill and Reuse Tips

    02:43 Kayla Travel Plans

    04:34 KEPA Conference Highlights

    06:19 Season Three Favourites

    09:45 Global Guests and Continents

    12:43 More Standout Episodes

    15:55 Season Four Tease

    18:22 Sustainable Travel Actions

    21:51 What Gives Hope

    23:39 Final Thanks and Sign off

    climateactionfigures@gmail.com
    https://www.facebook.com/climateactionfigures
    https://www.instagram.com/climateactionfigures/
    https://www.youtube.com/@ClimateActionFigures

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    25 mins
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