What if every school made climate education a priority? What if students everywhere had the tools to take real action in their communities? In this episode of We the Children, Zach and Clare dive into these big questions with two inspiring guests from EarthDay.org, Dennis Nolasco and Emily Walker. Dennis and Emily didn’t set out to become climate educators—they were teachers first. But when wildfires darkened their skies and students asked tough questions, they realized something was missing from the classroom: a real understanding of climate change. Now, through EarthDay.org, they’re working to integrate climate education into schools across the world, ensuring that kids today are equipped with the knowledge and skills to shape a greener future. From the power of small actions—like signing petitions and planting trees—to the systemic changes needed to bring climate education into every subject, Dennis and Emily share their vision for a more informed and engaged generation. Plus, Zach and Clare imagine the ultimate Earth Day celebration, complete with high-speed ziplines, rooftop jungles, and yes—Operation Dolphin Commute. HighlightsHow climate disasters in their own communities shaped Dennis and Emily’s mission (03:34)Why climate education needs to be in every subject, not just science class (09:53)How policy changes can bring climate education into every school (12:24)What would happen if all single-use plastics disappeared overnight? (18:07)What gives Dennis and Emily hope for the future (23:49) Links & ResourcesLearn more about EarthDay.org and their education initiatives → EarthDay.orgExplore climate education resources for teachers → Subject to ClimateJoin an Earth Day event or register your own → EarthDay.org/TakeActionSign petitions for stronger environmental policies → EarthDay Petitions Thank you for listening, Climate Kids! If you like what you hear, please subscribe to We the Children on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. And be sure to check out our website wethechildrenpodcast.com. We can't wait to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever dreamed of exploring the deep sea, uncovering lost treasures, or even launching your own robot into the unknown? Today, Zach and Clare dive into the world of underwater exploration with Eric Stackpole, an engineer, inventor, and deep-sea explorer who has spent his career building tools to help us see the world in new ways. From a childhood spent exploring caves to designing satellites at NASA, Eric’s path led him to create OpenROV, a company that started as a DIY project to search for sunken treasure and turned into a global movement for ocean discovery. Now, as part of SoFar Ocean Technologies, Eric is working to turn the entire ocean into a real-time data network, using thousands of sensors to track waves, wind, and climate patterns. In this episode, Eric shares how curiosity drives innovation, the thrill of launching robotic submarines into unexplored waters, and why the future of ocean science depends on making technology accessible to everyone. Whether it’s piloting a robot under Antarctic ice, dropping sensors into hurricanes, or collaborating with James Cameron on deep-sea exploration, Eric’s adventures show that the best explorers don’t wait for permission—they build, tinker, and dive in. Episode Highlights:How a DIY underwater robot launched a global movement (06:42)The role of OpenROV in citizen science (10:15)Why ocean exploration matters for climate science (13:55)How SoFar Ocean is turning the ocean into a data network (18:30)The future of underwater technology and deep-sea discovery (22:45)How kids can get involved in ocean exploration (27:15)Thank you for listening, Climate Kids! If you like what you hear, please subscribe to We the Children on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. And be sure to check out our website wethechildrenpodcast.com. We can't wait to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For thousands of years, fire has shaped the landscapes of places like Yosemite National Park. But in a world of rising temperatures and longer fire seasons, understanding fire as a natural force is more important than ever. In this episode, Zach and Clare journey to Yosemite to meet Garrett Dickman, a forest ecologist dedicated to protecting giant sequoias, restoring ecosystems, and rethinking how we manage fire. They explore how Indigenous fire management practices have long helped maintain biodiversity, how invasive plants make wildfires more destructive, and what’s being done to safeguard these ancient trees from threats like drought and pests. You’ll discover why fire isn’t just a force of destruction, but a necessary part of healthy forests, how restoration efforts helped save the famous Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, and why even small actions—like learning, playing and exploring—help shape a more resilient future. Episode Highlights:Why fire is a natural and necessary part of forests (02:18)Meet Garrett Dickman, a forest ecologist in Yosemite (02:23)The hidden threat of invasive plants (04:45)How Indigenous fire practices help protect the land (08:13)Saving giant sequoias: The Mariposa Grove story (12:28)The impact of drought and pests on sequoias (20:15)How kids can take action, even in small ways (23:06) Thanks for listening, Climate Kids! Please subscribe to We the Children on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to check out our website wethechildrenpodcast.com. We'd love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.