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Earth Day Celebration
Living on Earth is celebrating 55 years of Earth Day by speaking with Grammy nominated singer and Earth Day ambassador Antonique Smith. Her work uses the art of storytelling and music to promote environmental justice and climate action in communities of faith and color.
The Health Toll of L.A. Oil Wells
There are about 700 active oil and gas wells in the city of Los Angeles, mostly located in minority communities like the one where young activist Nalleli Cobo grew up, just 30 feet from a well. She and her neighbors have suffered for years from headaches, asthma, and cancer -- illnesses linked to the proximity of oil well sites. For her work fighting the oil companies operating those wells Nalleli was awarded the 2022 Goldman Environmental prize.
Fighting Climate Change with Geothermal Networks
Using the Earth’s heat as an anchor for heat pumps yields virtually carbon-free energy. Surface geothermal energy drills down 500 meters or less and taps into the relatively constant temperature of the close to-the-surface earth, which sits around 55 degrees. The process is more efficient than air-coupled heat pumps, providing new hope for combatting the climate crisis.
Eco-Rollbacks From Trump
The Trump administration has paused funding from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, impacting multiple projects that were already approved and in progress. The Environmental Protection Agency also set up a new email address for companies to fast track requests for exemptions of pollution rules under the Clean Air Act.
Sneezing and Climate Change
Warmer temperatures are causing plants to bloom earlier and longer, leading to longer and more intense pollen seasons that bedevil people susceptible to allergies. We discuss the connection between climate change and the sneezing season.
Shrinking Clouds
In terms of physics, global warming comes down to an energy imbalance as Earth is taking in more energy than it is releasing. A new study suggests that shrinking cloud cover is playing a big role in that imbalance.
Tornadoes in a Hotter World
Experts are still trying to piece together how tornado patterns have changed in the last century and are likely to keep changing as the world gets hotter. A meteorologist joins us to explain the eastward shift of tornadoes in the US and how newly vulnerable populations can stay safe.
Join the Living on Earth Book Club on October 13th!
Bestselling science journalist Ed Yong joins us to talk about his new book. Click here to learn more and register!
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Celebrating 30 years of Living on Earth!
Host Steve Curwood in the Living on Earth studio
Earth Day Celebration
Living on Earth is celebrating 55 years of Earth Day by speaking with Grammy nominated singer and Earth Day ambassador Antonique Smith. Her work uses the art of storytelling and music to promote environmental justice and climate action in communities of faith and color.
The Health Toll of L.A. Oil Wells
There are about 700 active oil and gas wells in the city of Los Angeles, mostly located in minority communities like the one where young activist Nalleli Cobo grew up, just 30 feet from a well. She and her neighbors have suffered for years from headaches, asthma, and cancer -- illnesses linked to the proximity of oil well sites. For her work fighting the oil companies operating those wells Nalleli was awarded the 2022 Goldman Environmental prize.
Fighting Climate Change with Geothermal Networks
Using the Earth’s heat as an anchor for heat pumps yields virtually carbon-free energy. Surface geothermal energy drills down 500 meters or less and taps into the relatively constant temperature of the close to-the-surface earth, which sits around 55 degrees. The process is more efficient than air-coupled heat pumps, providing new hope for combatting the climate crisis.
This Week’s Show
April 18, 2025
listen / download
Earth Day Celebration
listen / download
Living on Earth is celebrating 55 years of Earth Day by speaking with Grammy nominated singer and Earth Day ambassador Antonique Smith. Her work uses the art of storytelling and music to promote environmental justice and climate action in communities of faith and color.
The Health Toll of L.A. Oil Wells
listen / download
There are about 700 active oil and gas wells in the city of Los Angeles, mostly located in minority communities like the one where young activist Nalleli Cobo grew up, just 30 feet from a well. She and her neighbors have suffered for years from headaches, asthma, and cancer -- illnesses linked to the proximity of oil well sites. For her work fighting the oil companies operating those wells Nalleli was awarded the 2022 Goldman Environmental prize.
Fighting Climate Change with Geothermal Networks
listen / download
Using the Earth’s heat as an anchor for heat pumps yields virtually carbon-free energy. Surface geothermal energy drills down 500 meters or less and taps into the relatively constant temperature of the close to-the-surface earth, which sits around 55 degrees. The process is more efficient than air-coupled heat pumps, providing new hope for combatting the climate crisis.
Special Features
Field Note: "On the Greenland Ice"
Living on Earth's Explorer-in-Residence, Mark Seth Lender, shares observations about visiting the Greenland ice sheet.
Blog Series: Mark Seth Lender Field Notes
Field Note: "The Silence"- Lava Tubes of Iceland
Living on Earth's Explorer-in-Residence, Mark Seth Lender, provides insight into the writing of his essay "The Silence".
Blog Series: Mark Seth Lender Field Notes
...Ultimately, if we are going prevent large parts of this Earth from becoming not only inhospitable but uninhabitable in our lifetimes, we are going to have to keep some fossil fuels in the ground rather than burn them...
-- President Barack Obama, November 6, 2015 on why he declined to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline.
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