environment

July 26, 2016

In their book, "Paradise Lot," gardeners Eric Toensmeier and Jonathan Bates tell personal stories of creating a food forest of perennial plants and finding romance in the process.

If you like squash, you can thank this one particular pollinator

July 25, 2016

Thousands of species pollinate our plants and guarantee our food, but one particular bee specializes in the squash family. As ancestral farmers spread the cultivation of squashes through the Americas, the squash bee followed.

The GOP is leading an effort to block the military from planning for climate change

July 24, 2016

Since the Bush Administration, the Department of Defense has been warning that climate change poses a threat to national security. In January 2016, Pentagon officials proposed to update their climate threat assessments, in response to a directive from President Obama. House Republicans have moved to block the Defense Department’s efforts to prepare for climate change.

Health

Will heat waves cause more deaths as the climate warms?

Science Friday

July 23, 2016

Rising temperatures are on display this weekend. And while it's tough to pin any single weather event to climate change, it's likely that climate change will lead to more hot days like we're experiencing. And that could be deadly.

Green spaces alongside US highways are potential conservation areas

July 23, 2016

Some 17 million acres of green space line US highways and byways. It's vital habitat for pollinators, as well as small voles, mice and birds.

Rising sea levels are forcing an indigenous tribe from home and could be an example of the future

PRI's The World

July 12, 2016

Fast-rising sea levels at Louisiana's Isle de Jean Charles is forcing the Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Indians from their home. But their planned departure could provide a roadmap for moving low-lying communities around the world.

Health

Protests and cancer concerns raise doubts for Roundup's future in Europe

July 06, 2016

A disagreement over the health affects of glyphosate, the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup, is leading to confusion and delay in the European Union.

Is it time to think about removing dams on the Colorado River?

July 02, 2016

Searing drought is causing people to rethink water infrastructure in the Western US, including some of the major dams along the Colorado River.

Pages

Give peace parks a chance

November 09, 2007

Parks and natural areas can be an important part of international diplomacy and peace building between countries in conflict. That's according to University of Vermont professor Saleem Ali who edited the new book "Peace Parks: Conservation and Conflict Resolution." Dr. Ali talked with host Bruce Gellerman.

Ecological footprints

November 09, 2007

A new study by Global Footprint Network compares the ecological footprints of 93 nations across the globe -- and finds that Cuba is the only one developing sustainably. Global Footprint Network Director Mathis Wackernagel tells host Bruce Gellerman why Cuba tops the list and other nations don't.

Java trees

December 14, 2007

Indonesia planted millions of trees to absorb the greenhouse gases caused by the December 2007 Bali climate conference, but the nation's record on tree conservation has been dismal. Java used to be home to one of the world's oldest teak forests, but illegal logging, fires, and government mis-management have destroyed the trees.

E-waste youth activist

January 04, 2008

Living on Earth interviews Alex Lin, who won the Brower Youth Award for his pioneering work on electronic waste. Lin recycled and refurbishes computers for kids in the U.S. and around the world.

World's cheapest car, The

January 11, 2008

Host Steve Curwood talks with Sunita Narain, director of the Center for Science and the Environment in Delhi, about what the Nano Car could mean for the developing world and how India should handle its transportation issues.

From toilet to tap

January 18, 2008

Orange County, CA has opened what is likely the largest sewage purification plant for drinking water in the world. The community is on board, and the idea is already being copied elsewhere in the U.S. and abroad. Living on Earth's Ingrid Lobet reports.

Diamonds to rice

February 01, 2008

An NGO teams up with Sierra Leonians to rebuild their war torn country, planting rice fields where once lay the remnants of conflict diamond mining. Host Bruce Gellerman speaks with Darci Glass-Royale, executive director of FESS, the Foundation for Environmental Security and Sustainability, and Daniel Gbondo, a Sierra Leonian who works for FESS.

Energy up in smoke

February 01, 2008

Enough wasted heat energy escapes from industrial smokestacks each year to replace 120 coal plants. Thomas Casten, chairman of Recycled Energy Development, explains to host Bruce Gellerman that the only thing stopping recycled heat technology from taking off is outdated federal and state laws.

Swedish body heat

February 01, 2008

The body heat from the hundreds of thousands of commuters who use Stockholm's Central Station will be harnessed to heat a nearby office building. Deutsche Welle Radio's Aarni Kuoopamaki reports.

Fuel from thin air