How To Be A Good Creature
From tarantulas to octopuses to the dogs and chickens in her own backyard, naturalist and author Sy Montgomery connects with creatures of all walks of life. They are her friends, her family and especially her teachers. In her latest book, How To Be A Good Creature, she reflects on the lessons she’s learned from her furry, feathered and tentacled friends.
The Secret & Endangered Lives of Freshwater Mussels
Freshwater mussels are among Earth’s most fascinating and underappreciated species, but they’re also among the most endangered group of organisms in the United States. Now, in response to legal action by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed to designate critical habitat for four endangered freshwater mussels in 18 states. Tierra Curry of the Center for Biological Diversity shares the enthralling lives of freshwater mussels and why they’re crucial indicators of freshwater ecosystem health.
Exploring the Parks: Sequoia and Kings Canyon
This installment in our occasional series on America’s public lands takes us to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California, which boast some of the biggest trees in the world and the tallest peak in the lower 48 states. Savannah Boiano of the Sequoia Parks Conservancy discusses the highlights of these jewels of the national parks system, including the giant sequoia trees, as well as hundreds of miles of hiking trails.
Science at Risk at the Border
Scientists working on the US-Mexico border face unique challenges when trying to study borderlands ecosystems from outright harassment at the hands of Border Patrol officers to tight restrictions on what natural materials can cross the border. They say it’s gotten much worse in recent years, due to the Trump Administration’s call for a massive border wall, as well as taking a hard line on illegal immigration and asylum seekers. Bobby Bascomb discusses the challenges of doing science on the border with Steve Curwood.
HBO’s “Ice on Fire” Offers Climate Solutions
The new HBO documentary “Ice on Fire”, produced and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, focuses on accessible solutions to climate change as well as the dangers, and on the scientists who finding those solutions. Director Leila Conners discusses the making of the documentary and who it aims to reach.
Resilient Corals Get a Helping Hand
More than half the world’s coral reefs have died in the last few decades as ocean chemistry changes and temperatures rise, and scientists predict that as many as 90 percent could die off this century. But some scientists are working to help propagate naturally resilient corals that tolerate warmer waters. Joanie Kleypas, founder of the nonprofit Raising Coral Costa Rica, explains her work.
White House Confronts Climate Deniers
Some skeptical pundits have used the recent deep cold snap to suggest that climate change isn’t real. White House Science Advisor John Holdren says not so fast.
Prairie Rattlesnake
A few months ago writer Mark Seth Lender met his first Prairie Rattlesnake up close and personal, and found the snake fascinating, and though venomous, not a threat.
Nicaraguan Canal
The first ships sailed down the Panama Canal in 1914. Now, nearly one hundred years later, Nicaragua has an agreement with a Chinese company to build a canal of its own to link the Pacific and Atlantic. (photo: Tim Rogers)
“#MeToo” at the Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is among the biggest environmental nonprofits in the world, and in nearly 70 years, it has protected 120 million of acres of land worldwide. But in 2014 it came under fire for allowing oil and gas drilling on conservation land, and now the organization is being rocked by a vast scandal, with allegations of workplace misconduct, sexual harassment, and discriminatory treatment of female employees. Several senior executives including the CEO have left the organization, and trust in the organization has been shaken, says Politico reporter Zack Colman, who broke the story.
The Secret & Endangered Lives of Freshwater Mussels
Freshwater mussels are among Earth’s most fascinating and underappreciated species, but they’re also among the most endangered group of organisms in the United States. Now, in response to legal action by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed to designate critical habitat for four endangered freshwater mussels in 18 states. Tierra Curry of the Center for Biological Diversity shares the enthralling lives of freshwater mussels and why they’re crucial indicators of freshwater ecosystem health.
Exploring the Parks: Sequoia and Kings Canyon
This installment in our occasional series on America’s public lands takes us to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California, which boast some of the biggest trees in the world and the tallest peak in the lower 48 states. Savannah Boiano of the Sequoia Parks Conservancy discusses the highlights of these jewels of the national parks system, including the giant sequoia trees, as well as hundreds of miles of hiking trails.
This Week’s Show
July 12, 2019
listen / download
“#MeToo” at the Nature Conservancy
listen / download
The Nature Conservancy is among the biggest environmental nonprofits in the world, and in nearly 70 years, it has protected 120 million of acres of land worldwide. But in 2014 it came under fire for allowing oil and gas drilling on conservation land, and now the organization is being rocked by a vast scandal, with allegations of workplace misconduct, sexual harassment, and discriminatory treatment of female employees. Several senior executives including the CEO have left the organization, and trust in the organization has been shaken, says Politico reporter Zack Colman, who broke the story.
Beyond the Headlines
listen / download
In this week's trip beyond the headlines, Peter Dykstra and Bobby Bascomb marvel at the numerous false statements in President Trump’s recent speech on his administration’s environmental protection record. Then, they discuss a Jim Beam distillery disaster that left Kentucky River fish belly-up after swimming in bourbon. Finally, the pair look back to the anniversary of President Jimmy Carter’s ‘Malaise speech’ support for coal gasification and fracking in response to the 1979 energy crisis.
How To Be A Good Creature
listen / download
From tarantulas to octopuses to the dogs and chickens in her own backyard, naturalist and author Sy Montgomery connects with creatures of all walks of life. They are her friends, her family and especially her teachers. In her latest book, How To Be A Good Creature, she reflects on the lessons she’s learned from her furry, feathered and tentacled friends.
The Secret & Endangered Lives of Freshwater Mussels
listen / download
Freshwater mussels are among Earth’s most fascinating and underappreciated species, but they’re also among the most endangered group of organisms in the United States. Now, in response to legal action by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed to designate critical habitat for four endangered freshwater mussels in 18 states. Tierra Curry of the Center for Biological Diversity shares the enthralling lives of freshwater mussels and why they’re crucial indicators of freshwater ecosystem health.
Exploring the Parks: Sequoia and Kings Canyon
listen / download
This installment in our occasional series on America’s public lands takes us to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California, which boast some of the biggest trees in the world and the tallest peak in the lower 48 states. Savannah Boiano of the Sequoia Parks Conservancy discusses the highlights of these jewels of the national parks system, including the giant sequoia trees, as well as hundreds of miles of hiking trails.
Special Features
Field Note: Get the Lead Out!
Living on Earth’s Explorer in Residence Mark Seth Lender muses on an encounter with one of Earth’s most impressive birds: the California Condor.
Blog Series: Mark Seth Lender Field Notes
Field Note: Leopard Seal Says Hello
Living on Earth's Explorer in Residence Mark Seth Lender was astounded when a huge leopard seal swam right up to his small Zodiac boat on a trip to Antarctica. He muses on the rare close encounter.
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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