Mothering Earth Podcast

When you throw something away, it's gone as far as you are concerned. But in fact, it's still around and will most likely end up in a landfill. Landfills are where solid waste goes to build up into unpleasant mounds and where organic waste, like food that is thrown away, goes to fester and decompose, giving off huge amounts of methane gas. Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases and a big contributor to climate change. Whether you call it trash, waste or garbage, it's in our interest to reduce the amount we generate, so that less is sent to landfills. In this program, we are getting to zero waste with Richard McHale, Director of Austin Resource Recovery.

Bats are pretty amazing little creatures, yet for years they have been pictured as evil animals associated with witchcraft and the devil. In. this program, you'll meet behavioral ecologist and bat biologist Alyson Brokaw who's written a book called The Weird and Wonderful World of Bats, in which she demystifies bats and brings to light some of their remarkable characteristics and the ways in which they are vital to the ecology of our planet.

Most people use several different personal care products every day. For example, you may use a shampoo and conditioner, creams or lotions, shaving cream, fragrances, toothpaste and some makeup, including lipstick, eyeliner and eyeshadow. If you read the labels on these products you'll see a list of chemicals, and you may assume that these chemicals have been tested to make sure that they're safe. However, the Food and Drug Administration does not do any long-term testing on these chemicals. They may be tested to see whether they result in short-term problems, such as skin irritation, and the FDA may act, if they get complaints about harmful effects from a product. Several nonprofit groups are finding or conducting the necessary studies and distributing that vital information to us consumers. One organization is the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and in this program, we feature Kaley Beins a senior scientist of chemical safety and toxicology at the EWG.

What if farmers who feel trapped in an agricultural system where large corporations make all the decisions, even down to how many animals the farmer will raise, what he or she will feed them and when the animals will be slaughtered; what if those farmers had other options? An organization called Mercy For Animals has created an innovative model of alternative farming opportunities, and helps farmers make the transition from animal-based agriculture to growing fruits and vegetables, or mushrooms, or hemp. The model is a project aptly entitled Transfarmation. In this edition of Mothering Earth, we'll hear from Katherine Jernigan, Farmer Outreach Manager for the Transfarmation project.

There are quintillions of insects in our world. Some are harmful to humans, but most are not. In fact, most insects provide vital ecosystem “services”, such as pollination of food crops and decomposition of animal and other wastes. They provide food for other insects and for birds and even humans. They give us silk, wax, and other products and they have inspired us to come up with practical and important inventions. This is just some of what entomologist and author Barrett Klein details in his beautifully written and illustrated book, The Insect Epiphany.

Photographs showing environmental devastation caused by humans can have a powerful impact, and can change minds and drive people to take action. In this program, you'll meet an acclaimed National Geographic photographer who has spent much of his life illustrating environmental issues that affect us all. His name is Jim Richardson and as he puts it, he believes that “photographs have a job to do” and not just hang on a wall and look pretty.

Most of the animal food products you buy come from what are called factory farms. That includes beef, chicken, turkey, and pork, as well as eggs and dairy products. The animals in these “farms” live miserable lives in horrible conditions and have a one-way ticket to the slaughterhouse. Compassion in World Farming is an organization dedicated to ending factory farming and to educating people about animal welfare, air, water and land pollution, human health and social justice, issues which are inextricably intertwined in factory farming. My guest in this program is Allie Molinaro, who was campaigns coordinator for Compassion in World Farming when we recorded this show. She is now Campaigns Manager.

Perhaps later today, you will head to the grocery store to get some fresh fruits and vegetables, which are important for a healthy diet. In this program, we're looking at the issue of pesticide use on our produce, with Dr. Alexa Friedman of the Environmental Working Group or EWG. The EWG has shopper's guides to help people evaluate what they say are the healthier choices in the produce aisle; items that generally contain less pesticide residue.

Do you have a favorite tree? Whether you do or not, almost all of us have enjoyed the shade of a tree or eaten fruit or nuts that came from a tree. Trees provide us with numerous “services” while just standing there, looking stately, for the most part. The Arbor Day Foundation is all about trees and the pretty amazing things they do. The foundation is also a great resource for anyone who's trying to decide what kind of tree to plant.

Are milk, cheese and other dairy products really the best source of calcium in our food? You may be surprised to learn that plants are a better source of calcium and the many other nutrients we need for bone health. In this program, we take a hard look at the dairy industry with Mark Rifkin, a registered dietitian and sustainability specialist.

A recent survey commissioned by the Arbor Day Foundation found that ninety percent of Americans say time spent in green spaces makes them happier and less stressed. Practitioners of ecopsychology wouldn't be surprised. Ecopsychology has long supported the notion that humans need to spend time communing with nature, and that both physical and mental health are improved as a result. That's why Mothering Earth is featuring Dr. Moira Martin, a university professor who teaches a course on ecopsychology. Martin has found students receptive to the main tenets of ecopsychology, especially as they face a future where the natural world appears to be fighting back, after years of ill-treatment at the hands of us humans.

The extreme weather we've been experiencing lately has it roots in climate change according to most scientists. Intense heat, extreme storms that bring damaging winds and hail and that result in flooding, or raging wildfires all have human costs, but they also have powerful economic costs. Property losses have ripple effects. Who will bear the costs? More and more, insurance companies are reluctant to offer homeowner's insurance in vulnerable areas. What does that mean for the average homeowner? In this program, we delve into this complicated issue with Alice Hill, Senior Fellow for Energy and the Environment at the Council on Foreign Relations.Hill's work focuses on the risks and consequences of climate change.

Humans have created millions of miles of roads all over the planet. Roads are useful to move goods and people, but they are also intrusions into what were once wild places, where animals roamed free. The millions of vehicles that drive on roads spew polluting gases and assault our ears with noise. To animals big and small, who try to cross roads, cars and trucks bring death and destruction. In this edition of Mothering Earth, we hear why this matters with Ben Goldfarb, environmental journalist and author of the book Crossings: How Road Ecology Is Shaping the Future of Our Planet.

Insects have superpowers and unique ways of communicating with each other, without the use of cell phones. They have ways of settling disputes, no United Nations required. If you don't believe this, listen as Dr. Scott Solomon, provides the details in this edition of Mothering Earth. Dr. Solomon is a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Rice University, and author of one The Great Courses offerings, on insects.

Insects, bugs, pests, whatever you may call them, and whether you love or hate them, they are vital to our planet and by extension to us humans. They provide important ecosystem services by recycling dead things, by pollinating our food crops, by planting seeds, and even just by being food for other creatures, like birds. In this program, we take a deep dive into the remarkable world of insects, to learn about their history, what they do and the pretty amazing ways in which they do it. Our guest is Dr. Scott Solomon, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Rice University.

In our second show with Amy Ziff of MADE SAFE®, a nonprofit organization that provides certification for nontoxic products, we examine the process companies must go through in order to have their products certified as safe. Ziff also provides practical advice on eliminating as many toxins as possible from your everyday life. We find out what might be hiding behind the term fragrance, why microfiber isn't good for you or the environment and ways of avoiding preservatives. Amy Ziff is the founder and Executive Director of MADE SAFE®.

The numbers vary, but we can safely say that there are at least forty-thousand chemicals used in consumer products in the United States. They are found in everything from food and water to furniture, household and personal care products, clothing, appliances, cars, houses, pretty much in everything! An article in the Guardian online, states that fewer than one percent of those chemicals have been tested for safety, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. At the same time, various cancers, autoimmune diseases, and allergies afflict many people. It seems wise to be alarmed, or at least, cautious. In this edition of Mothering Earth, guest Amy Ziff talks about the nonprofit organization, MADE SAFE®, which she founded, and which has catalogued reliable scientific studies on multiple chemicals that are commonly found in our everyday lives. Many of these chemicals are toxic, yet companies continue to use them. MADE SAFE® works with companies that want to make products that don't contain toxins. Their website provides valuable information to consumers on the toxins, and you can find a variety of products that have been certified as free from toxic chemicals.

Billions of pounds of food go to waste every year in the United States and in other parts of the world. It is an astounding number, especially when you consider all the precious resources, like water, that goes into producing that food. Then there are all the greenhouse gases going up into our air, from farm machinery, and from vehicles used to transport the food to factories and stores. And all the time and effort of countless farmers and other workers. Processed food has an even larger carbon footprint, because of the fuels used to power factories to produce those potato chips that you left on your plate at the restaurant. It's a gigantic problem that requires solutions, and that's what a team of researchers is working on. Their work is funded by the National Science Foundation and in this program, we'll find out what they are doing.

The world's oceans are suffering from pollution by everything from plastics to dangerous chemicals and oil spills, and from industrial overfishing. Fish populations are being depleted almost to extinction. Plastics and their progeny, microplastics, are in the ocean water and in seafood, but also in us humans, in our blood, our lungs, even our brains. It's not a pretty picture, but there are people working for change. One of those people is my guest in this edition of Mothering Earth. She is Joanie Steinhaus, Ocean Director of the Turtle Island Restoration Network.

When you think of perennial crops, you may think of fruit or nut trees, not plants like wheat or rice, which are traditionally planted every year. An organization called The Land Institute, based in Salina, Kansas is hoping to change that. They have been at work developing perennial grain and legume crops. You may wonder why? Perennial crops have many advantages. They have economic and environmental benefits by requiring less, or no, pesticides and fertilizers, and they can reduce carbon pollution, prevent erosion of the soil and, like trees, hold carbon in the soil.

People who live in cities in marginalized neighborhoods rarely own land on which they can grow their own food. Generally, their food comes from corner stores which may not stock fresh fruits and vegetables. They may not own a car, and so cannot drive to a full-service grocery store. All these factors combine to make access to fresh fruits and vegetables almost impossible for many people. In this program, you'll meet Larry Franklin, who wants to change that. He began a project called Black Lives Veggies to teach young people in his neighborhood how to plant, grow and harvest fresh vegetables. It's been a long and difficult journey in this young man's life, but he continues to persevere.

Most people may not think much about where the wood they use in building projects comes from, but Jordan Zettle aims to change that. Zettle is the Green Markets Manager at an organization called Sustainable Northwest and their focus is in sourcing wood from forestlands that are sustainably managed. They work with tribal communities and other landowners who care deeply about all of nature contained in a forest, and who take seriously their stewardship of the land.

Like many other creatures, populations of frogs, toads and salamanders, which are classified as amphibians, are in decline. Amphibians have many important functions in the environment. For example, their permeable skin which is affected by drought and toxic substances, makes them excellent indicators of the health of valuable ecosystems like forests and wetlands. Research scientists are monitoring the health of amphibian populations, in an effort to understand and halt their decline. In this edition of Mothering Earth, we'll learn about amphibians, and what we can do to protect these vulnerable members of our planet.

What if you knew that a particular industry was polluting our waterways, land and air, yet nothing was being done about it? The industry is animal agriculture, specifically CAFOs, concentrated animal feeding operations, with cows, chickens, and pigs. The dangerous pollution, which comes from the tons of excrement produced each day by these animals, has been happening for years, yet the Environmental Protection Agency does next to nothing. State legislatures do what they can to protect the polluters and the public averts their eyes. In this Mothering Earth program, you'll learn about CAFOs, and what you can do to change this situation.

If you are curious about nature and would enjoy observing and reporting your observations, this is the show for you! Citizen scientists are needed in many different fields of science. Citizen science is when people who aren't trained scientists participate in scientific research, by collecting data that will be analyzed and used by scientists. In this edition of Mothering Earth, we will learn how you can get involved, and what to expect, with guest Lee Ann Linam, who is a biologist, master naturalist and creator of a program called the Texas Nature Trackers.

Water is essential to life in so many ways, and water is the focus of the Wyland Foundation. You may know of the artist named Wyland, who has spent years creating enormous murals featuring whales and other marine life on the walls of buildings all over the world. His foundation promotes stewardship of marine resources and water conservation through several programs including the National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation. This edition of Mothering Earth features Steve Creech, President of the Wyland Foundation, who provides insight into Wyland, the artist, and into how the foundation reflects Wyland's passion for the protection of oceans and for water conservation

Pollution of the Earth's waterways and oceans by discarded plastic products and by microplastics that soak up toxic chemicals is a growing problem that is harmful to ocean and river life and to humans. It is not going away soon. In fact, the manufacture of plastic products is on the increase. So what can we do? Each of us can take responsibility for our own use of plastic products, and find ways to cut down or eliminate plastics from our lives. But we also need wider worldwide solutions and Mothering Earth's featured guest, Doug Woodring, has been working on this issue on a global basis. He has some innovative ideas and projects, that need to be more widely adopted.

Alleys have a reputation for being places to avoid. We may think of them as dangerous, dark, uninviting, places where you do not want to linger for long, if at all. But alleys are experiencing a dramatic makeover, turning them into environmentally friendly places with permeable hard surfaces replacing solid asphalt, and with greenery, places to sit and artwork on the walls. Instead of avoiding them, people flock to them, to enjoy them as pleasant public spaces where concerts are held, or where vendors and food trucks pop up on weekends. They are called green alleys and that's what we're talking about in this edition of Mothering Earth.

Compared to meat-based diets, plant-based diets are significantly less harmful to the environment in terms of greenhouse gases produced, and air, soil and water pollution, and use far fewer natural resources such as soil and water. With the world's population growing every day, there is simply no way our planet can sustain an increased demand for meat. Plant-based diets are also far healthier, considering the many diet-related diseases prevalent in the United States. Our planet and the world population require a dramatic course change in which meat and dairy consumption gives way to a plant-based sustainable diet. There are ways to do that and my guest Mark Rifkin will get you on your way.

We all need a place to live, but the type of housing we choose has an effect on the environment. Ideally, our housing choices have minimal impact on the environment, on the land, the quality of the air and water and on the wildlife that are our neighbors. That's the topic of discussion with my guest Sarah Simpson, who is an architect and co-founder of Color Space Architecture and Urban Design. Her philosophy is one of working with the ecology of a region when designing multi-family housing and live-work units. Some of Simpson's ideas challenge common misconceptions about multi-family versus single-family housing and their resulting environmental effects.

Imagine if everyone who has a garden area, whether vast or tiny, decided to reduce or eliminate their lawn, and planted plants that are native to their part of the world. The result would be a greater sequestration of carbon by those plants, and increased support for all forms of life, including birds, insects, pollinators and other animals. In addition, we would use less water and our water would be protected from pollution from fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and fungicides which are used to maintain lawns and non-native plants. There is a way, and it's called the Homegrown National Park. In this program, meet Doug Tallamy, who is a co-founder of the Homegrown National Park. You can be part of this project and in the process become a conservationist, and part of the solution to climate change.

We count on them to guard our homes, to play our music and television shows, to entertain us with games, to call and chat with friends, relatives and colleagues, to clean our clothes, to keep our food cold, to pay our bills, to get our work done and even to drive us home. Think of all the electronic devices you use every day! But what happens when we make the choice to "upgrade" to the latest version of the device? Where do old electronic devices, which we call e-waste, go? In this Mothering Earth program, we learn what happens to discarded electronics, with Brad Rudisail, an IT consultant and technology writer.

Native plants are local plants. They have been growing in a particular region for possibly thousands of years. They grow well without much “care” because they are well adapted to the habitat. They like the type of soil in that region. They do perfectly well with the amount of sunlight they receive there, and are quite happy with the climate, which includes the normal temperatures and the usual amount of rainfall for the area. Wildlife populations in their particular region, have evolved a close relationship with the native plants, which they use for shelter, and for food. That's why when you plant native plants you naturally increase the populations of pollinators, birds and other wildlife. In this program, we'll learn a lot about native plants and how you can use them to promote biodiversity in your outdoor spaces.

When large populations of grasshoppers and crickets appear in western rangelands in the U.S., the government sprays those areas with pesticides to kill the targeted insects. The spraying program also kills many non-target species. The areas that are sprayed include wilderness, national forest lands and wildlife refuges, and areas used by ranchers for livestock. The Center for Biological Diversity is suing an arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its' spraying program, contending that the spraying can result in the extinction of over 230 protected species in those areas, species which are a necessary part of a diverse ecosystem. In this program, you will meet Lori Ann Burd of the Center for Biological Diversity, whose mission is to protect all species, including humans, from the harmful effects of toxic substances.

As we all know, there are far too many plastics in our world and unlike most materials, plastics do not readily break down. It is estimated that plastic takes 500 to 1000 years to decompose. Only about nine percent of plastic in the United States is recycled. These horrifying facts were a driving force behind a project envisioned and carried out by students at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. They designed and built a system where members of the university community can bring their used plastic items, shred them, melt them down and create new useful items.

Land stewardship is about taking care of the soil, of native grasses, trees and shrubs, and of sources of water, such as rivers, lakes, creeks and streams. The aim is to preserve and maintain the biodiversity and health of natural ecosystems, which benefits humans, soil creatures, birds and other wildlife. The HELM program in central Texas works with landowners to educate and encourage them to become good stewards of their land. HELM stands for Habitat Enhancing Land Management.

Putting a tax on carbon emissions from fossil fuels isn't a new idea. Many governments worldwide now implement either direct taxes on fossil fuels, or have set up cap-and-trade programs. This includes Canada, Mexico, many European countries, and the United Kingdom. The United States does not have a carbon tax, although nine northeastern states now cap emissions from the power industry. A grassroots organization called the Citizens' Climate Lobby has been working for years to convince the U.S. Congress to put a price on carbon pollution. My guest, Kalpana Sutaria, is a member of the organization and dedicates her time to persuading people to support a carbon tax and dividend plan.

Most of the animal food products you buy come from what are called factory farms. That includes your beef, chicken, turkey, and pork, as well as eggs and dairy products. The animals in these “farms” live miserable lives in horrible conditions and have a one-way ticket to the slaughterhouse. Compassion in World Farming is an organization dedicated to ending factory farming, and to educating people about animal welfare, air, water and land pollution, human health, and social justice issues which are inextricably intertwined in factory farming. Meet Allie Molinaro, campaigns coordinator for Compassion in World Farming. She is both very knowledgeable and passionate about this topic.

Food is clearly an essential item for all of us, but for some people buying food, especially things like fresh fruits and vegetables, is an impossibility. That's where places like food pantries and organizations like the Sustainable Food Center, come in. We're hearing today from Alex Mace who manages a program at the Sustainable Food Center, in Austin, Texas, that helps people using SNAP benefits gain access to fresh produce, and at the same time promotes local farmers and food producers. Like others featured on Mothering Earth, Mace is a person who is taking action to help create a more sustainable and equitable world.

In part two of our exploration of food forests, our guides Nathan Hunter of the Bronx River Foodway and Umair Khakoo, of the Festival Beach Food Forest in Austin, TX, focus on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and habitat for birds and other wildlife. We also discuss how you can start a food forest in your own neighborhood.

A food forest is a public green space where anyone can come, and not only enjoy relaxing among the trees and flowers, but where anyone can pick and eat the fruit from the trees, and harvest herbs, flowers and other fresh produce. Food forests require people in a caring community, who are willing to put in the hard work of creating the space, and maintaining it for the enjoyment of others. In this program, you'll meet two remarkable people who are instrumental in creating food forests, one in Austin, Texas, and the other in the Bronx, New York.

Water is a blessing to all living things. But water also can be dangerous and deadly, in the form of catastrophic flooding. When there is very little water, resulting droughts lead to loss of life. These types of events have been occurring with increasing frequency in recent years. For these reasons, and many more, managing water resources, including rivers and reservoirs, is essential. That requires having real-time data to work with, and that is the work of a company called Divirod. In this program, you'll hear from the company's CEO and founder, Dr. Javier Marti.

Herbicide-Free Campus is an organization that provides students with the tools and resources to eliminate synthetic herbicide use on their school or college campuses. It is a movement that began in 2017, with two students at the University of California at Berkeley, and has spread to campuses around the U.S. Their aim is to push for change to organic land management, to protect human and animal health, and to protect the environment. In the process, Herbicide-Free Campus is creating and empowering the next generation of environmental leaders. In this Mothering Earth episode, my guest is a great example of this; a young woman who cares deeply about the environment, and who dedicates time and energy to work for organic land care at the university she attends in Atlanta, Georgia.

Enjoying that salad, or anticipating that yummy apple? Thank a pollinator! Almost all the fruits and vegetables and legumes we eat every day require pollination, and that requires pollinators. Pollinators come in a variety of sizes, colors, and species, but in general they are insects of one kind or another. We think of bees as pollinators, but there are other insects that contribute to the essential process of pollination. In this program, we delve into the magical and important work that pollinators do every day.

Most people enjoy listening to birdsong, or watching birds in an outdoor space, as they go about finding food and water, and making nests where they will raise their babies. There are things you can provide for birds which will make them more likely to hang around in your yard or even your apartment balcony. That's what we learn in this program with master naturalist Bonnie Tull, who has expertise on attracting birds.

Power generation and transportation are huge contributors to climate change, but did you know that what we eat every day is also a big contributor to damaging carbon emissions? Yet this problematic area is seldom talked about. There is plenty of scientific evidence that shows the damaging effects on human health and on the environment, of a diet heavy on red meat and refined grains. The EAT-Lancet commission, composed of distinguished scientists from all parts of the world, reported on the effect of diet on the environment, and notes that without changes to world dietary patterns, we will fail to meet Paris Agreement goals on emission reduction. The commission details a healthy diet based largely on fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and nuts. The recommended diet would greatly reduce environmental damage. Dr. Walter Willett, a co-chair of the commission talked with me about the report, which has, not surprisingly, seen a lot of opposition from the beef and cattle industry.

Imagine a day when your trash contains only a few items. Instead of a large, heavy, bursting bag that you carry out to the curb, your bag is small and lightweight. That's a goal we can all work toward, because landfills are full, and the ocean is polluted with plastics and other human produced trash. Our atmosphere is polluted with the gases from landfills, gasses such as methane which is a highly potent greenhouse gas, but also carbon dioxide, sulfides and ammonia. Each one of us is personally responsible for producing “trash”, so it's up to each of us to reduce the amount of trash we produce. In this Mothering Earth program, you'll find ways to do just that.

As cities grow, people in them yearn for parkland and green spaces where they can connect with nature. In the city of San Marcos, Texas, citizens got together and formed a group with a mission of creating a belt of green spaces around the city, a greenbelt. Their story is both powerful and inspirational.

Permaculture is a way of growing food that works with nature, to minimize waste and to use energy, water and human labor efficiently. It requires careful observation of the natural landscape, to determine how to best use the available water, land, sunlight and climate to achieve abundant harvests. In this program you’ll meet a remarkable woman, Rosemary Morrow, who has taught permaculture principles literally all over the world, and who has adapted them to work in war-torn places, and even in refugee camps.

Hemp is a plant that can be grown sustainably, and that has a wide variety of uses from food to clothing, to car parts. and even walls for your house. Despite many positives, hemp's reputation remains clouded by years of incorrectly regarding hemp as the same plant as marijuana. It is a cannabis plant, but it does not contain high levels of THC, which is what makes marijuana a drug. In this program, you'll hear about hemp's checkered past, and its bright future.

Don't kill those weeds. Eat them! That's what foragers do. You'll be amazed at the number of plants we call weeds, that are tasty and nutritious. Learn how to start foraging for wild edible plants, maybe in your own backyard. Of course, there are cautions, such as being sure about the safety of the plants you eat. My guest, Dr. Mark "Merriwether" Vorderbruggen, has the experience and knowledge to provide the dos and don'ts of foraging.