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LNG Carbon Bomb
The carbon footprint of U.S. liquefied natural gas, or LNG exports is 33% higher than for coal, according to research from Cornell University. Cornell Professor Robert Howarth explains why LNG is so carbon intensive and discusses the climate risks of a planned expansion of U.S. LNG exports.
Sacred Indian River Polluted
India’s Yamuna River is considered sacred by some devout Hindus, who bathe in the river to cleanse their sins. But around New Delhi it has become badly polluted with raw sewage and a thick off-white foam linked to detergents flowing untreated from laundries and households.
Plastics Treaty Delayed
Crafting a UN plastic pollution treaty hasn’t been easy, with countries butting heads on key issues including curbs on plastic production, changes of the chemistry of plastics and the role of waste management. And the recent session in Korea that was supposed to finalize the treaty resulted in only a very rough draft.
$250 Billion Yearly Economic Costs from Plastics
Hormone-disrupting chemicals in plastics take a yearly economic and health toll in the hundreds of billions of dollars in the U.S. alone, according to a 2024 study. Pediatrician Leonardo Trasande discusses the research and explains why PFAS, phthalates, BPA and flame retardants in plastics are so harmful to human health.
Climate Action at the World Court
The world’s biggest climate case is underway at the International Court of Justice at the Hague in the Netherlands. Over 100 countries and intergovernmental organizations are arguing before a 15-judge panel, which could decide to issue an advisory opinion to clarify nations’ obligations to limit global warming emissions.
Giraffes in Trouble
Facing habitat loss, poaching and climate disruption, giraffes have declined more than 40 percent in the last thirty years. The US Fish and Wildlife Service recently proposed listing three giraffe subspecies as endangered and two others as threatened. We talk about the threats to giraffes and how their proposed addition to the Endangered Species List could aid recovery.
UN Climate Summit Falters
The UN climate treaty summit known as COP29 teetered on the edge of collapse as less developed nations implored the rich countries of the global north to provide financial relief to help them cope with rising climate costs. Alden Meyer of E3G was at the COP and explains the frustrations with the process and the compromise delegates eventually reached.
Celebrating 30 years of Living on Earth!
Host Steve Curwood in the Living on Earth studio
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LNG Carbon Bomb
The carbon footprint of U.S. liquefied natural gas, or LNG exports is 33% higher than for coal, according to research from Cornell University. Cornell Professor Robert Howarth explains why LNG is so carbon intensive and discusses the climate risks of a planned expansion of U.S. LNG exports.
Clean, Green Swedish Steel
Steel production accounts for 10% of all carbon dioxide emissions worldwide, in part because it’s typically made with coal. But in Sweden, there are alternatives that can cut steel’s carbon footprint down to almost nothing. Reid Frazier of the Allegheny Front reports.
Pope and Postal EVs
The newest Popemobile for the Holy Father is an all-electric Mercedes-Benz, and most of the new U.S. Postal Service trucks are EVs, too. We talk about the shift to EVs by the Vatican, Post Offices, and everyday consumers.
This Week’s Show
December 13, 2024
listen / download
LNG Carbon Bomb
listen / download
The carbon footprint of U.S. liquefied natural gas, or LNG exports is 33% higher than for coal, according to research from Cornell University. Cornell Professor Robert Howarth explains why LNG is so carbon intensive and discusses the climate risks of a planned expansion of U.S. LNG exports.
Clean, Green Swedish Steel
listen / download
Steel production accounts for 10% of all carbon dioxide emissions worldwide, in part because it’s typically made with coal. But in Sweden, there are alternatives that can cut steel’s carbon footprint down to almost nothing. Reid Frazier of the Allegheny Front reports.
Pope and Postal EVs
listen / download
The newest Popemobile for the Holy Father is an all-electric Mercedes-Benz, and most of the new U.S. Postal Service trucks are EVs, too. We talk about the shift to EVs by the Vatican, Post Offices, and everyday consumers.
BirdNote®: Bright Yellow Northern Cardinals
listen / download
Cardinals are known for their bright scarlet plumage but turns out some cardinals have yellow feathers instead of the classic red. BirdNote®’s Ariana Remmel explains why.
Sacred Indian River Polluted
listen / download
India’s Yamuna River is considered sacred by some devout Hindus, who bathe in the river to cleanse their sins. But around New Delhi it has become badly polluted with raw sewage and a thick off-white foam linked to detergents flowing untreated from laundries and households.
The Wooden Sword / A Story of Peace
listen / download
Storyteller Noa Baum collects traditional tales from all over the world and creates original stories. Rooted in Afghan-Jewish traditions, “The Wooden Sword” shows us how faith can help us find happiness, even when we are faced with adversity.
Special Features
Field Note: "Seal Island"
Living on Earth’s Explorer in Residence, Mark Seth Lender reflects on the military history of Seal Island in the Main Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge.
Blog Series: Mark Seth Lender Field Notes
Field Note: Eagle!
Rise early in the morning and head out to a nearby national wildlife refuge, and you’ve got a good shot of being rewarded with the sights and sounds of all kinds of birds. And on this birdwatching trip, you might be watched back.
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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