Bionic Planet: Reversing Climate Change by Restoring Nature

In this episode of our podcast, we dive deep into the transformative potential of Africa in the global shift towards a sustainable future, featuring an insightful conversation with James Mwangi, co-founder of Dahlberg and a leading advocate for innovative climate solutions in Kenya.

We begin by discussing Africa's booming population and rich natural resources, which James argues position the continent as a powerhouse for innovation and leadership in the climate fight. Contrary to the narrative that views Africa as a victim of climate change, James emphasizes the continent's potential to lead, particularly through initiatives like the Great Carbon Valley, which aims to make Kenya a hub for carbon removals, including advanced technologies like direct air capture.

Throughout our conversation, we explore several paradoxes that complicate the implementation of carbon markets. James introduces his own concepts, such as the "power illusion," which challenges the belief that blocking carbon removals will compel fossil fuel companies to reduce emissions. He also discusses the "mastery illusion," which suggests that expertise in climate solutions lies solely in the Global North, ignoring the talent and knowledge present in Africa.

We delve into the work of the Climate Action Platform Africa (CAPE) and Africa Climate Ventures (ACV), two organizations James has founded to drive climate-positive growth in the region. CAPE focuses on identifying and realizing opportunities for sustainable development, while ACV invests in companies that address the climate crisis, showcasing innovative projects like biochar production and the Great Carbon Valley initiative.

James shares the story of Safi Organics, a company utilizing rice husks to create biochar, which not only serves as a sustainable fertilizer but also contributes to carbon removal. We discuss the importance of transitional finance and the concept of additionality, emphasizing that carbon finance can catalyze projects that are already delivering value to communities.

As we shift our focus to the Great Carbon Valley, James outlines Kenya's unique advantages, including its abundant renewable energy resources and geothermal potential. He argues that direct air capture can thrive in Kenya, leveraging the country's surplus energy to support industries that require significant power, ultimately benefiting local economies.

We also touch on the recent developments in Kenya's carbon market regulations, which aim to create a competitive environment for carbon finance while prioritizing local benefits. James highlights the importance of building a market that is not only designed for Africa but also driven by local talent and innovation.

In closing, we reflect on the need to reverse the brain drain and create opportunities for Africa's best and brightest to thrive at home. This episode is a powerful reminder of the potential for African leadership in the climate space and the importance of fostering local solutions to global challenges. Join us as we explore these critical issues and envision a sustainable future where Africa plays a central role.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Introduction to Africa's Potential in Climate Solutions
00:01:00 - James Mwangi's Background and Career
00:07:00 - Climate Action Platform Africa (CAPE)
00:09:30 - Africa Climate Ventures (ACV)
00:11:30 - The Role of Biochar in Carbon Removal
00:20:00 - The Importance of Additionality in Carbon Finance
00:27:00 - Safi Organics and Biochar Production
00:30:00 - Great Carbon Valley: Kenya's Direct Air Capture Initiative
00:36:00 - Kenya's Geothermal Energy Potential
00:40:00 - Kenya's New Carbon Market Regulations
00:45:00 - The Future of African Talent and Climate Solutions

In this episode of Bionic Planet, Season 10, Episode 115, we dive into the significant environmental implications of the executive orders signed by President Donald Trump on his first day in office. Originally, we had planned to focus this season on Africa, but the rapid changes in U.S. environmental policy prompted us to shift gears.

I connected with Tim Male last week.

Tim, who founded the Environmental Policy Innovation Center in 2017, has a wealth of experience in environmental policy, having worked in various capacities, including at the White House and with organizations like Defenders of Wildlife. Both Tim and I share a commitment to addressing climate challenges, despite our differing perspectives on party policies.

In our discussion, we unpack Tim's recent LinkedIn post, where he meticulously breaks down the ten executive actions that target environmental regulations. We explore the unprecedented number of executive orders issued in such a short time frame and the potential consequences of these actions. Tim emphasizes that while executive orders can set priorities for federal agencies, they must still align with existing laws, which can lead to legal challenges.

We delve into specific orders, starting with the requirement for the "God squad" under the Endangered Species Act to meet more frequently and expedite reviews of projects that could impact endangered species. Tim explains the historical context of this committee and its potential to prioritize development over environmental protections.

Next, we discuss directives to the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite permitting processes under the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, raising concerns about the implications for environmental safeguards. Tim provides insights into the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its role in ensuring that federal actions minimize environmental harm.

We also examine the revocation of President Carter's executive order aimed at making environmental impact statements more accessible to the public, which Tim argues could lead to confusion and inconsistency across federal agencies. The episode continues with a discussion on the rescinding of protections for ancient forests and the withdrawal from international efforts to combat deforestation.

Tim highlights the significance of ecosystem service valuation and the potential loss of guidance that could have helped quantify the benefits of environmental services. We touch on the broader implications of these actions, including the potential for increased energy production at the expense of environmental protections.

As we wrap up, we reflect on the long-term consequences of these executive orders and the potential for legal challenges. Tim expresses concern about the sweeping nature of these actions and the message they send to communities affected by energy projects.

This episode serves as a critical examination of the intersection between politics and environmental policy, providing listeners with a deeper understanding of the current landscape and the challenges ahead in the fight against climate change.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Introduction to Season 10 and Episode Overview
00:02:09 - Trump's Executive Orders on Environmental Policies
00:03:29 - The Role of Executive Orders in U.S. Government
00:04:01 - Critique of Trump's Environmental Actions
00:05:01 - Legal Challenges to Executive Orders
00:06:19 - Endangered Species Act and the God Squad
00:10:11 - Clean Water Act and Emergency Procedures
00:13:42 - Understanding NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act)
00:16:03 - Revocation of Carter's NEPA Executive Order
00:19:12 - Rescinding Protections for Ancient Forests
00:21:49 - International Cooperation on Deforestation
00:23:09 - Ecosystem Service Valuation Guidance Rescinded
00:28:05 - Nature-Based Solutions and Their Importance
00:29:59 - Action Plans for Energy Production Regulations
00:32:19 - Suspension of Policies Related to Energy in Alaska
00:34:27 - Impact of Schedule F on Federal Employment
00:38:11 - DOJ Teams and Federal Workforce Changes
00:41:00 - The Role of Professionals in Government
00:44:25 - Conclusion and Future Implications

Quotes

1. "On his very first day in office, President Donald Trump signed 78 executive actions, and 10 of them targeted environmental policies." - 00:02:09

2. "It's pretty hard to find the wheat among the chaff in this set of actions from the environment." - 00:04:01

3. "What this order is foreshadowing is a bunch of people who are much more likely to prioritize a development project are going to get the final say on conflicts involving endangered species." - 00:09:33

4. "This is really just we're not going to do it." - 00:04:33

5. "The law is pretty limited in terms of who can, you know, ask for an appeal of the decision." - 00:10:21

6. "This is a part of that same executive order from President Biden that is being rescinded." - 00:20:25

7. "It's a broad and messy brush that they're painting across the forest landscape in a way that is pretty harmful." - 00:21:18

8. "This is a White House that's showing great interest in expanding the power of the White House." - 00:18:00

9. "There's people across the federal government who are very creative at saying, well, you've told me to do it this way, and that's not legal." - 00:42:19

10. "At the end of the day, I don't know what your philosophy is on how democracy is supposed to work, but, you know, at some level, the winner is supposed to get to decide what happens next." - 00:36:38

Keywords

• Bionic Planet

• Season 10

• Episode 115

• Donald Trump

• Tim Mayle

• Environmental Policy Innovation Center

• White House

• Defenders of Wildlife

• Nairobi

• LinkedIn

• Endangered Species Act

• Alaska

• Clean Water Act

• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

• Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)

• Obama administration

• Biden administration

• Anthropocene

• Steve Zwick

• snail darter

• whooping cranes

• Trans-Alaskan pipeline

• liquefied natural gas (LNG)

• Tongass National Forest

• U.S. Digital Service

• Virginia

• Youngkin

• ecosystem services

• climate emergency

• energy dominance

• fossil fuels

• Native Alaskans

• Paris Accord

• Washington, D.C.

• environmental impact statements

• mitigation banking

• biodiversity

• carbon sequestration

• emergency procedures

• federal workforce

• Schedule F

• Department of Justice (DOJ)