Stories from Living on Earth

 

John Kerry on "Every Day Is Extra" - Full Interview
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Published: October 5, 2018

Former Secretary of State John Kerry sat down with Host Steve Curwood to discuss his memoir, "Every Day Is Extra". An early connection with nature and the ocean helped shape Kerry's life in public service, and he talks about lessons learned from working on domestic and international policies on climate change, ocean health, and acid rain. Despite the Trump Administration's lack of action on climate change, Kerry is optimistic about the future, and says it's up to the nearly 50% of eligible citizens who don't cast votes in general elections to determine the future of the country and the world.

Lawmakers Call for Pruitt to Resign
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Published: April 26, 2018

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt is under heavy fire for alleged legal and ethical violations, and a record number of lawmakers say "enough is enough." Some 140 House members and 39 senators, all caucusing with Democrats, have signed on to a non-binding resolution introduced by Representative Kathy Castor of Florida and Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico calling for Mr. Pruitt’s resignation. Senator Tom Udall discusses with host Steve Curwood Pruitt's ethical red flags that have recently come to light, and the EPA rollbacks the Senator says are harmful to human health.

Sexual Misconduct in the U.S. Forest Service: Michaela Myers' Story
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Published: March 16, 2018

Michaela Myers finished college in 2017 and landed what she thought was a dream job: working with the US Forest Service fighting wildfires in Oregon. But a pattern of sexual harassment and hazing by her boss and colleagues turned that dream into a nightmare. She tells her story to Living on Earth host Steve Curwood.

PBS Journalist Liz Flock on Sexual Misconduct in the U.S. Forest Service
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Published: March 16, 2018

PBS NewsHour conducted an investigation into sexual harassment in the U.S. Forest Service, interviewing 34 women along the way. Reporter Liz Flock discusses with Living on Earth host Steve Curwood the culture of sexual harassment at the agency that the women she spoke with described.

Children & Environmental Toxins: Interview with Philip Landrigan, MD
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Published: June 13, 2014

Children are contracting a number of diseases and disorders not seen until the last few decades, and these maladies are often linked to toxic chemicals. Kids are increasingly being diagnosed with asthma, learning disabilities, diabetes, and even cancer. In this interview with Living on Earth host Steve Curwood, Pediatrician Philip J. Landrigan MD connects the dots between exposure to environmental toxins and disease and shares strategies parents and child advocates can use to keep kids safe in a world filled with pollution and thousands of chemicals. He warns the vast majority of toxic chemicals have not been appropriately tested for impacts to children's health. Dr. Landrigan is Dean of Global Medicine at the Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York School and co-author with Mary M. Landrigan of the new book, Children & Environmental Toxins: What Everyone Needs to Know.

Listener Haikus
Published: April 25, 2014

To honor Earth Day 2014 we asked you - our listeners - to tap your own creative muse and send us your haiku. The topic could be anything Earth Day inspired. The response was tremendous. In fact, we received more haiku than we could put on the air. Fortunately we can share them with you here.

Michael Brune on Obama Climate Speech
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Published: June 27, 2013

Michael Brune, Sierra Club executive director, Responds to Obama Climate Speech- In a recent speech at Georgetown University President Obama outlined his plan to tackle climate change. Brune says Obama signaled a rejection of the Keystone Pipeline and should improve his position on natural gas. Overall, Brune gives the speech a B+. Click "read more" to hear Brune's interview with LOE's Steve Curwood.

Christiana Figueres Optimistic For Ultimate Global Climate Deal
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Published: April 30, 2013

Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the UN Climate Secretariat stopped by the Living on Earth studios on her way from the University of Massachusetts Boston to the next phase of international climate negotiations that began in Bonn, Germany on April 29. The Bonn session is one of many leading up to a final meeting in Paris, France in 2015 when nations have pledged to come together on a binding deal to expand the Kyoto Protocol to include all major emitters of global warming gases. Figueres spoke with Living on Earth's Steve Curwood.

Fred Krupp Reacts to President Obama's Inaugural Climate Promise
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Published: January 25, 2013

Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund, discusses with Steve Curwood the pledge by President Obama to make climate change a main focus of the second term of his presidency.

Greg Miller Comments,
LOE Response on Clearcut Chemicals
Published: May 21, 2012

Web Extra: Cuts to Environmental Education
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Published: April 20, 2012

The Administration’s proposed budget eliminates most funding for environmental education.

BirdNote® Why Are Bluebirds Blue?
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Published: March 30, 2012

The gorgeous blue of the Bluebird is produced by the unusual structure of the bird’s feather which reflects light.(Photo: © Tom Grey)

Happy Spring! The Vernal Equinox
Published: March 19, 2012

Spring has sprung...So what happens when Spring springs?

Africa's Great Green Wall of Trees
Published: February 15, 2012

LOE's Bobby Bascomb is in Senegal, reporting on an ambitious plan to halt the shifting Sahara in its tracks. Here's her first blog.

No Bias but Some Shortcomings in the State Dept's Review of Proposed Keystone XL Pipeline
Published: February 9, 2012

A new report released by the State Department's Office of Inspector General says that a review of the Keystone XL Pipeline was handled properly.

Disposal of Fracking Wastewater Polluting PA Rivers
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Published: January 5, 2012

Bromide has been found in rivers in Pennsylvania and scientists are scrambling to find out whether it’s associated with hydraulic fracturing of the Marcellus Shale.

The Rap Guide to Evolution
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Published: January 5, 2012

What do hip hop and Darwin have in common? According to one Canadian rapper; a lot.

Celebrations in Latino Landscapes
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Published: December 30, 2011

Listen to old and new stories from and about the people and places of Latin America.

EU's New Rules for Airline Emissions
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Published: December 30, 2011

The European Union recently instituted a cap and trade scheme for greenhouse gas emission for airlines that fly into or out of Europe.

Pro-Life Group Argues for Mercury Limits
Published: December 13, 2011

A new alliance with pro-life voters could strengthen the children's environmental health movement.

Training Climate Reporters in Durban
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Published: December 9, 2011

Journalists from around the world traveled to Durban to cover the climate talks- they also got some training on how to talk about climate.

Help us shape Living on Earth!
Published: December 2, 2011

Please take our survey. Suggest what stories we should or shouldn't cover, tell us how you find us, and anything else that's on your mind.

Recipes from Eva's Garden
Published: November 22, 2011

Try out some Autumnal recipes from Eva's Garden.

Corporations call for action on climate change
Published: October 20, 2011

International corporations call on governments for decisive, sweeping action on climate change.

Ethics in Research: Baltimore Lead
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Published: September 30, 2011

Researchers in Baltimore are being criticized for carrying out a study that left some children living in unimproved housing that contained lead paint.

Nobel Prize Winner Wangari Maathai Remembered
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Published: September 27, 2011

After a year long battle with cancer, Wangari Maathai, the first environmental activist to win the Nobel Peace Prize, died of cancer on September 25 in Nairobi, Kenya. During a remarkable life she was a scientist and environmentalist; in later years she was elected to the Kenyan Parliament and served as a cabinet minister. Shortly after Dr. Maathai won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, Living on Earth's Ingrid Lobet traveled to Kenya to produce a documentary about the founder of the Green Belt Movement. Click to listen and see more.

Al Gore's 24 Hours of Reality
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Published: September 14, 2011

Former Vice President Al Gore is once again calling attention to climate change.

Enduring Drought in the South
Published: August 16, 2011

This past year, the southern United States is suffering a historic drought. Texas history also tells us that sometimes these droughts can last for decades.

Dr. Michael Hendryx, measuring mining’s toll on health
Published: July 29, 2011

After years of neglect, health complaints from coal country are finally being investigated, thanks largely to one man. And his startling findings about cancer, birth defects and more are striking a nerve.

“Prophet” Al Gore brings you reality. Really.
Published: July 19, 2011

In launch of new climate communication project, Gore’s top lieutenant declares him a “prophet.” Raising the question: is this an effective way to communicate about climate change?

Feds Say Massey Hid Safety Problems at Coal Mine Where 29 Died
Published: June 29, 2011

Investigation shows company kept two separate sets of books, and chronic safety hazards that might have contributed to disastrous explosion were kept out of official record.

Kentucky Activists Allege Coal Companies Violate Clean Water Act Thousands of Times
Published: June 28, 2011

Data from two mountaintop-removal mining companies reveal average of 45 potential pollution violations a day.

Gas Studies Ignite Controversy
Published: June 24, 2011

Cornell and MIT in war of words over fracking gas and global warming. Does the heated exchange shed any light?

Mountaintop Removal Linked to Birth Defects in Appalachia’s Coal Country
Published: June 21, 2011

Mountaintop removal mining has deformed the hills and streams of Appalachia for decades. A new study indicates the mining could be deforming babies, too.

Supreme Court Unanimously Rejects Climate Lawsuit
Published: June 20, 2011

Justices say the Clean Air Act trumps federal common law, but has left the door open to claims based on state common law.

Senate Signals Goodbye to Ethanol Subsidies
Published: June 17, 2011

Congress sends its strongest sign yet that the country can't afford to continue subsidizing ethanol.

House Gives Transgenic Salmon The Hook
Published: June 17, 2011

Controversial genetically engineered fish would be the first transgenic animal approved for human consumption. But an unlikely bipartisan alliance in Congress is blocking FDA approval.

Five years, 5000 Insects: Scientists Collaborate to Unravel Arthropod DNA
Published: June 16, 2011

Scientists are working together to map 5000 important insect genomes – online and worldwide.

Gulf Scientists Predict Worst "Dead Zone" Yet
Published: June 16, 2011

Scientists think river pollution will make this year’s low-oxygen zone – often called a “dead zone” because it kills marine life – the worst yet.

Sleepy Republican Debate Could Have Been Energized
Published: June 14, 2011

Instead of debating coal versus natural gas Republican candidates were asked about Elvis versus Johnny Cash.

Black Lung Update: New Study Confirms Worst Form of Disease Persists
Published: June 7, 2011

A new study adds more evidence of an alarming persistence of black lung disease in its most severe form.

Judge To California: Rethink Cap and Trade
Published: May 20, 2011

California Superior Court Judge Ernest H. Goldsmith has told the California Air Resources Board to "set aside" the cap and trade portion of its landmark climate change law.

Sleepy Republican Debate Could Have Been Energized.
Published: March 11, 2011

Instead of debating coal versus natural gas Republican candidates were asked about Elvis versus Johnny Cash.

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