The Intricacies of Climate Policy and Carbon Removal

Ryan Lo—who founded A Change Is a Chance at age 11 (and is now aged 16) —interviews Dr. Wil Burns, Co-Director of the Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal at American University’s School of International Service and Senior Fellow at Northwestern University’s Institute for Sustainability and Energy. A globally recognized expert in climate law and policy, Dr. Burns brings decades of scholarship, policy experience, and international collaboration to the discussion. Together, they break down the complex science, economics, and ethics behind carbon removal technologies. The episode covers the role of carbon dioxide removal in meeting international climate goals, the policy mechanisms that can support or hinder its adoption, and the importance of integrating equity and justice into climate innovation. Ryan’s youth-driven curiosity and six years of interviewing changemakers make the conversation accessible to students, educators, and early-career activists. Dr. Burns’s expertise ensures the discussion remains fact-based and deeply informed, while still relatable to non-experts. The episode translates high-level climate policy into actionable knowledge, equipping listeners with the vocabulary and conceptual understanding to participate in environmental debates. It also emphasizes the moral responsibility of innovators and policymakers to ensure that climate solutions do not replicate existing inequities. By connecting global environmental challenges to personal responsibility and local action, the episode blends inspiration with urgency—making it a valuable teaching tool as well as a call to action. Founded and hosted by high school student Ryan Lo, A Change Is a Chance is a youth-led podcast that for six years has brought together activists, academics, and changemakers to discuss pressing social, environmental, and civic issues. Past guests have included Penn Carey Law professor and regular contributor to MSNBC, Kermit Roosevelt III, reproductive rights advocate Tara Murtha, and UC Berkeley law professor and head of the Othering and Belonging Institute, John A. Powell. Through insightful interviews and thoughtful storytelling, the show amplifies diverse voices, inspires critical thinking, and encourages action toward a more just and sustainable world.