Mothering Earth Podcast: Recent Episodes
Dr. Salwa Khan
Dr. Salwa Khan is a media producer and educator with a deep and abiding interest in protecting our Mother Earth. The podcast program Mothering Earth featured here is her latest effort to spread the word that we all need to mother Earth by learning to live gently and sustainably.
, in which he introduces us to the people and groups that are restoring and preserving bird habitat and who are studying bird habits and health. Weidensaul is also an active field researcher whose work focuses on bird migration. In this edition of Mothering Earth, Weidensaul shares great stories from his book, which give us hope for a better world.
What is a just and sustainable food system? It is a question many people struggle with, but for the organization Mercy For Animals (MFA), it is clearly defined. It is a system that produces positive results for people, for animals and for our earth and environment. To that end they work to end factory-farming and to promote plant-based food. MFA is working with restaurants, corporate food service institutions, and our national parks to provide plant-based meals to the public. In this program, you’ll hear from Jennifer Behr, Director of Plant-Based Initiatives at MFA, about the remarkable success they are having.
The Houston, Texas ship channel area is home to hundreds of petroleum and petrochemical facilities. These include refineries, and plants that produce the materials that will become the millions of tons of plastic items produced each year. They also produce toxic emissions that pollute the air, water and soil and that endanger the health of all area residents. Fenceline Watch is a community-based environmental justice group whose leaders live in the same area. You’ll hear from Yvette Arellano, Founder and Director and Shiv Srivastava, Policy Director of Fenceline Watch, both of whom work to expose the toxic harm that their community faces daily, and the conditions that exist to protect the companies responsible for the pollutants.
For generations, we humans have been taught that we are superior to the rest of nature, that we alone can reshape all of nature and the environment, to serve our needs, which leads to a sense of separation from nature. At the same time humans have a need to connect and be in nature. In this program, we explore those competing ideas and how they shape our lives, with author William Powers. His latest book is Ripple: An Intimate Exchange of Urgency and Hope Between An Ecologist and His Daughter, which is largely made up of communications between Powers and his young daughter as they navigate a path to reintegrating with nature.
How do we stay cool on a planet that heating up? It’s a tough question, because we have been relying on fossil fuels, like coal, oil and gas to keep the air conditioners and fans running, and it is those same fuels that contribute mightily to global warming. Rather than promoting the use of renewable energy sources, it appears we are going to be using even more oil, gas and coal. So we turn to an architect to get some ideas on designing living spaces that are as highly energy efficient as possible.
A changing climate with hotter and drier weather is a challenge for people, but also for lakes, reservoirs and rivers. The Rio Grande river, which runs from Colorado into Mexico, crossing several U.S. states, continues to shrink and to run dry in places where it used to flow. Most of the water from the river is used to grow crops like alfalfa and hay to feed livestock, Other crops are cotton and pecans; some water is used for power generation and some for municipal water use. But the river can no longer provide enough water for all those uses. The World Wildlife Fund has made it their mission to revitalize the river. It’s a daunting task, one faced by my guest, Enrique Prunes, Rio Grande Manager and Freshwater Lead Specialist at World Wildlife Fund US.
Whether your outdoor space is a large garden or a tiny apartment balcony, you can plant plants that are native to your part of the world. For those with lawns, you can reduce or eliminate the lawn and replace those areas with native plants. 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. Another benefit is we would use less water, and our water would be protected from pollution from fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides and fungicides which are widely used to maintain lawns and non-native plants.Doug Tallamy is co-founder of the Homegrown National Park, a nationwide project that encourages everyone to plant natives and eliminate, or at least reduce, lawn areas. You can be part of this project and in the process become a conservationist, and part of the solution to climate change.
The Rio Grande river has been immortalized in movies and in songs, but sadly, the river itself has shrunk and now regularly runs dry in certain areas. The World Wildlife Fund has prioritized restoring the river and to that end is funding programs to revitalize the Rio Grande.One such program called Rio Grande Return is building beaver dams and other wood structures in the river, in an effort to improve water retention and water quality, and they are beginning to see positive results.
Many people spend hours on their lawns, running the sprinklers, pouring on the “weed and feed”, driving large riding mowers back and forth and using another noisy machine to makes the edges perfect. Why do we have an obsession with lawns? Have we thought about how lawns and manicured yards do great harm to biodiversity and to the natural ecology of the Earth, and contribute to climate change?In this program, conservation educator, photographer and author Danae Wolfe challenges us to instead value wilder natural landscapes that support all forms of life. Wolfe’s book is Grass Isn’t Greener, The Everyday Conservationist’s Guide to Bringing Nature to Your Yard.
Many of us feel uncomfortable going out into nature once the sun goes down. The natural world after dark is something of an unknown, mysterious and perhaps dangerous. In this program, we meet naturalist and author Charles Hood, who wants us to awaken to what he says is a strange but surprisingly beautiful nighttime world.
What happens when a man who grew up on a factory farm learns about environmental sustainability? In this case, he was driven to make changes on the farm that would benefit the environment, and his search for alternatives was nurtured when he found an organization called Mercy for Animals. Their goal is to end factory farming, through a program they call Transfarmation. That's our story in this edition of Mothering Earth.
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.
Have you thought about how many plastic items you use every day? It is quite a staggering amount, from our toothbrushes, to the plastic bags in which we carry home our groceries, to the water bottles we may buy by the dozens and so much more. In this program, my guest Rebecca Prince-Ruiz challenges us to eliminate single-use plastics from our lives, for a month. It's a journey she began years ago and the challenge has been taken up by millions of people around the world.
Most environmental policy experts and environmental organizations have largely ignored one of the major contributors to environmental destruction, namely the production of animal flesh for food. They focus on fossil fuels and the transportation sector, while giving a pass to animal-based agriculture. In this program, we take a hard look at what meat production does to the environment and how a plant based diet can help heal it.
The production of meat pollutes land, water and air. It is a major contributor to climate change, although it remains largely unacknowledged, even by most environmental organizations. Why can't we face the fact that meat-based diets harm not just human health, but also the environment? Timothy Thorpe of the U.K. based Vegan Society lays out the facts, and the reasons why veganism can help save our environment.
Most of the water we use is used outdoors. A lot of it goes to watering lawns. Water conservation outside the house means designing gardens that use less water, and using more efficient ways of watering plants.This program provides practical advice that you can put to use immediately, to become a wise user of one of our most precious resources, namely water.
Along with the air we breathe, water is another absolute essential for life. As the world's population has grown, so has the demand for water. But there is only a limited supply of water on earth, which is why it is important for all of us to conserve this precious natural resource. We'll talk about practical ways to conserve water, with Dr. Robert Mace, Executive Director of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment.
Creating and maintaining a food forest in the middle of a city is a major undertaking. In this program, you will meet two people who are doing just that, in Austin, Texas. the Festival Beach Food Forest is now six years in the making. This public park provides fruit, nuts, and herbs for anyone who walks there, as well as for wildlife, and is a remarkable achievement.
Fungi are fascinating organisms that come in many forms and sizes, from almost invisible to the naked eye, to giant mushrooms. Scientifically speaking, fungi are a kingdom of spore-producing organisms that include mushrooms, yeasts and molds. They are different from other living things in that their cell walls are made of a compound called “chitin”.
We eat fungi, which we call mushrooms. Fungi are important decomposers of dead plant material. Fungi known as mycorrhizae live in soil and are essential for plants because they help plants absorb soil nutrients.
In this program, we peer into the world of fungi with Phillip Balke, President of the Central Texas Mycological Society.
Open your mind and your heart to a new way of thinking about gardens! Garden spaces are not just for humans, but for all the creatures that live there, including animals, insects and birds. In this program, my guest, author and garden designer Benjamin Vogt, introduces us to gardens that are designed ethically, and which are therefore good for our Earth.
Wildscapes are places you can create anywhere there is a bit of space, combined with a desire to be closer to wildlife. Many people like to attract birds, in order to observe them more closely. In this program wildscape expert Kelly Simon provides the dos and don'ts for your bird-friendly wildscape.
What is something you can create in a backyard, an apartment balcony, or on a patio? A wildscape! A wildscape is an area that you and your family and friends can enjoy, that also provides food, water and shelter for wildlife.
Scientists are reporting staggering losses in the populations of birds in North America. The bird population decline is seen in virtually all regions, including forests, grasslands, arid regions and along the coast. My guest Rebekah Rylander, from Texas State University, talks about why this is happening, and what you can do about it.
Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed plants in the spring, but need different plants, those that provide nectar, during their winter migration south. Cathy Downs, a Master Naturalist, and Monarch Watch conservation specialist, details both migrations, and gives us tips on what to plant, and when these unique butterflies will be coming through your part of the country.
Butterflies are magical creatures that bring joy to most people. But have you ever wondered about their lives, and about what those amazing colored wings are made of? In this program with Monarch Watch Conservation specialist Cathy Downs, we delve into the mysteries of the world of butterflies and, especially of Monarch butterflies.
Flooding is an all too common disaster, but there are ways to mitigate the effects of flooding, and increase the resiliency of the land. Whether you live near a body of water, or not, you can be part of the solution, as you'll hear in this program.
All water is a precious resource, including the water we use every day to flush our toilets. Low-flow toilets are designed to minimize water use, but there is also a way to design home wastewater treatment systems, that safely reuse toilet water. My guests Dr. Joan Jernigan and David Venhuizen have spent a lot of time working on this issue and are here to share their knowledge.
We often hear about animal species that are on the road to extinction, or species that are becoming more rare. Plants, too, can suffer the same fate. There are many plants all over the world that are classified as rare and in many cases, the cause, loss of habitat, is the same as that for animal species. Botanist Anna Strong gives us insight into the world of rare plants.
Some of them we love, for example butterflies and bees. Some we hate, such as cockroaches and lice. Some are crustaceans that live in the oceans, such as crabs, lobsters and shrimp. There are many more invertebrate creatures that inhabit the earth, and many of them are vital to human survival. In this program, we enter the world of invertebrates with invertebrate biologist Ross Winton.
Fresh water is essential to all life and it is a finite resource. Most of us don't think much about letting the water run when we wash dishes, bathe or brush our teeth. Yet, those are all examples of wasting water. In Wimberley, Texas, a new school is being built that will utilize a "one water" design. The one water concept recognizes the importance of smart water use where the building and grounds are designed to save water.
Protecting bees is vital as a large percentage of crops that we rely on for food are pollinated by bees. In this program, meet Walter Schumacher, the Bee Czar, who saves so-called “nuisance” hives from extinction, by relocating them to bee-friendly places. That’s just part of the mission for the organization he formed, the American Honey Bee Protection Agency.
Organic farmer John Stanley works long days to grow vegetables that are delicious and packed with nutrition. He does that by using methods that enrich the soil and at the same time, reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, thereby helping the environment. Meet Stanley in this program, and hear him tell how he does that, and why that is so important.
The answer to our need for renewable energy sources may, in fact, be blowing in the wind. Wind turbines are popping up in more places as the cost of wind, and of solar energy drops. That price drop has resulted in predictions that by 2050, half the world's electricity will come from renewables. In this program, we get a picture of what the future will be in wind.
Invasive species are those that are not native to an area. They generally spread easily, thereby damaging the natural environment, and in some cases, causing harm to humans and the economy. Invasives may be plants or animals. In this program, learn about invasives, and what you can do to control their spread.
Growing herbs is quite easy, as most are unfussy plants that do well in most soils and climates. But what can you do with your herbs? That's the question Judy Barrett, a well-known author and organic gardening expert, addresses, in this conversation, and in her book titled What Can I Do With My Herbs?
Weeds, insect pests, and plant diseases are problems that all gardeners face, at one time or another. My guest Judy Barrett is a well-known author and organic gardening expert, who has a different approach than most to these common travails.
Creating soil that holds water should be the goal of all humans who take care of any land. Why? When soil holds water, rain soaks in rather than rushing off and causing floods. This kind of soil is also better in times of drought, when soil can turn to dust and be blown away. My guest Pete Van Dyck is a restoration ecologist, and in this program talks about practical solutions to the recurring problem of drought and floods.
You have heard about phytonutrients, but may wonder what they are? Phytonutrients are substances found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and spices that have valuable antioxidant properties. What exactly will they do for you? My guest Joe Urbach negotiates the world of phytonutrients in this Mothering Earth program.
Moringa oleifera is a plant that has a long history of being used to treat a multitude of ailments, including joint pain, asthma, cancer, ulcers, headache, heart problems, and high blood pressure. The entire plant is edible, except for the roots. Moringa, also called the miracle tree is native to India, but also grown in Asia, Africa and South America. In this program, we hear from Joe Urbach who has written two books on Moringa and its uses, and has even put together recipes using Moringa.
In this program, I continue my conversation with author Pamela Rice on the links between environmental damage and the production of meat. Here we focus on government supports for the production of meat, which keeps meat prices low, and on the effects of widespread commercial fishing.
The production of meat, whether from cows, pigs, chickens or other animals results in serious damage to our air, water and soil. Factory-farming traps millions of animals in what critics describe as a cruel and inhumane system. In this program, we take a look at some of the effects of a meat-based diet in a conversation with author and activist Pamela Rice.
American University is the first large educational institution in the United States to become carbon neutral. It is an impressive achievement! I spoke to Megan Litke, Director of Sustainability Programs, who oversaw the effort, about what they did and how they did it.
What is biological integrity? It is a way of evaluating the health of an eco-system. In this program, Chris Searles, founder of a nonprofit organization called BioIntegrity, explains why it is important to preserve the biological integrity of rainforests, and the ways in which these areas of the world can contribute to holding back the damaging effects of climate change.
In part two of Soil Science, we continue our deep dive into garden soil and hear about what to add to help our plants grow, flower, fruit and prosper in every way.
You may call it dirt, earth, or soil. Regardless of what term you use, it is a substance that is vital to our existence. Soil is where we plant our food crops, but we may rarely think about what it is. In this program, we talk to George Altgelt, an expert in soil biology, about what makes up soil, why it is important, and what we should feed it. It is information every serious gardener needs to know.
In part two of my conversation with Jenny Perez of the American Botanical Council, we delve into Hibiscus Sabdariffa, turmeric and the elegant goji berry.
Do herbs really have medicinal powers? You bet! In this program, you will hear from an expert on growing herbs and on using herbs as medicine, namely Jenny Perez, education coordinator for the American Botanical Council in Austin, TX. After you listen, you’ll be inspired to plant some herbs in your little patch of earth, or just in a nice big planter.
Discouraging egg-eating behavior by your chickens is just one of many chicken-keeping mysteries explained in part two of my conversation with avian expert Jesse Huth. Jesse also talks about how to identify other birds and birding tours that he leads.
Chickens are kept by humans all over the world, as a source of fresh eggs, and by carnivores, as a source of meat. Perhaps you keep chickens, or know someone who does? Or you may be thinking about starting your own little flock. In this program, chicken expert Jesse Huth shares his extensive experience on keeping chickens healthy, happy and laying!
Bats are found on every continent in the world, except Antarctica. These flying mammals are often misunderstood and persecuted, yet they perform several valuable services for us humans. In this program, Mylea Bayless of Bat Conservation International will inform and delight you with her knowledge of the amazing creatures we call bats.
In part two of our conversation with Katherine Romans of the Hill Country Alliance, we'll hear about what you can do to conserve water, to keep our night skies dark and starry, and to preserve the character of small towns in the hill country.
What happens when an area known for its natural beauty and resources experiences rapid population growth? The Texas hill country is such an area, and the swift influx of people is resulting in a severe strain on resources. The Hill Country Alliance (HCA) is a group of local citizens who organized to take on the challenges to the environment. I spoke to Katherine Romans, executive director of the HCA to talk about the challenges, what the HCA is doing, and what you can do.
What is a MRF? It is a Material Recovery Facility, and it is where your recyclable trash goes to be sorted, and eventually reused. Workers and machines at theTexas Disposal Systems MRF sort through the millions of pieces of paper, cardboard, glass, metals and more that arrive daily. It is a staggering task and in this program, we’ll find out how they do it, and what you can do to make the system more efficient.
In this program we continue our exploration of herbs with Robyn Clark, especially those plants that are used in therapeutic ways. We also re-visit Tara Chapman, chief beekeeper at Two Hives Honey to talk about how to start your own beehive.
Herbs are those marvelous plants we use to make our food taste better. Herbs also have a long history of being used as medicines, and if that's not enough, they are used to provide pleasant fragrance in soaps and body products, and to scent the air. On Mothering Earth, we talk to herbalist and botanist Robyn Clark to learn more about these amazing plants.
Most people who plant fruit and nut trees and herbs look forward to harvesting and using their bounty by themselves, or perhaps sharing some with friends and neighbors. So imagine an urban park, planted with fruit and nut trees and other edible plants, that is completely open to the public. This is the concept of an urban food forest, where anyone can come, harvest, and enjoy what grows there.
Did you know that honey bees visit two million flowers to make one pound of honey? That’s a lot of work for that sweet treat that you spread on your toast! In this program, we visit Tara Chapman, chief beekeeper at Two Hives Honey to find out what else bees do for us, and what we can do for them.
There are thousands of unique bird species on our Earth, which makes them an important part of the world’s environment. They contribute to the diversity of nature, but also delight us with their pretty feathers, chirps and songs. In this program, we’ll meet wildlife biologist Rufus Stephens to talk about birds and the things they do.
Bicycling is a fun activity for both children and adults. It has a positive effect on the environment because unlike automobiles, bikes don’t emit harmful pollutants into our atmosphere. Biking is also good for your health, as we hear from Doug Ballew, from the City of Austin Public Health department.
The term permaculture is a combination of the words “permanent” and “agriculture” and describes a way of thinking about food production that is both sustainable and self-sustaining. It appeals to the practical gardener who wants to design a garden where all the parts work together in a natural harmony, as you will hear in this program.
We may live in urban and suburban places, but we still crave a connection to nature, to green-spaces and to the birds and the bees. Urban horticulture is about designing cities and towns that nurture that connection, as we learn in this conversation with Dr. Alice Le Duc of Texas State University.
Food Co-ops are communities of people who care about food and the environment. In this program, Mothering Earth goes to the only food co-op in Texas--the Wheatsville Food Co-op, which is located in Austin, TX.
A staggering amount of food is wasted each year in the United States. Good edible food goes in the trash and then in the landfill, while others go hungry. On Mothering Earth, we explore this issue with Russell Cavin of Keep Austin Fed.
Dark night skies allow us to view the stars and the Milky Way, but keeping the night dark also has health benefits and affects your wallet. In this program Cindy Luongo Cassidy explains why dark night skies are so important for humans, animals and even plants.
Artists, creatives and educators alike can find repurposed materials at very low cost for projects of all kinds. Founder and Board President Rebecca Stuch takes us on a tour of this amazing resource center that helps keep valuable materials out of the land fill and available to the public.
Rain is free water falling from the sky that you can capture and use for watering your garden, and for cooking, bathing and drinking. That’s called rainwater harvesting and in this conversation with Kathi Thomas, coordinator of the Rainwater Revival educational festival, you’ll learn what you need to get started.
What do trees do all day long, besides stand there and look pretty? In this conversation with Dr. Susan Schwinning, at Texas State University, we go under the bark, and find out.
Keeping the San Marcos river clean, clear and flowing is no easy task, as Dianne Wassenich can tell you. Dianne has been an essential part of the San Marcos River Foundation for more than 30 years and in this program, she tells us what it takes to carry out this important mission.
San Marcos, Texas residents Betsy Robertson and her husband Todd Derkacz have found fun and effective ways to lower their carbon footprint. In the process, they enjoy a healthier lifestyle that is better for the environment and saves money.
Making compost is good for our earth in many ways. It removes items that would otherwise fester in landfills, from the waste stream, and turns that material into a rich food for soil. In this program, Texas Organic Products production manager Zach Halfin tells us about making compost on an industrial scale and about where you can buy it for your garden.
There are things we can do, on the land we live on, to alleviate the severe effects of a lot of rain in a short period of time. In this conversation with land management consultant Jamie Kinscherff, we hear about simple land management practices that help minimize the effects of flooding.
The clothes we wear have an impact on our environment in many ways. There’s the environmental impact when the materials used for the fabric is grown, or harvested, or manufactured, the impact at the clothing factory, the impact on the people who make the clothes, the environmental effect when you wash and dry the items and finally the impact when you dispose of them. That environmental circle is what we talk about with Dr. Gwendolyn Hustvedt at Texas State University.
Central Texas and many other areas around the country experience periods of drought followed by flooding. There are best practices we can all follow that help mitigate the effects of flooding and in this program, Christine Middleton of the Hays County Master Naturalists shares ideas of what helps, and what doesn’t.
In the second part of our interview with Andrew Dobbs, we talk about convincing companies to use minimal packaging and about what happens with electronic waste from computers, cell phones and the like. Learn how you can make a difference!
Getting to “zero waste” may seem like an impossible goal, but Andrew Dobbs of the Texas Campaign for the Environment says each of us can play a role in reducing the amount of stuff going into landfills and the environment. He has some eye-opening information that can’t be ignored and some ready solutions.
Salwa Khan (Mothering Earth) interviews Sari Albornoz, program director of the Grow Local program of the Sustainable Food Center in Austin TX.
Interview with Joy Casnovsky, program director of the Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre in Austin, TX about preparing fresh healthy meals.
Andrew Smiley of the Farm Direct program at Sustainable Food Center in Austin Texas discusses how the Farm Direct program works in connecting people to the sources of fresh healthy local food.
In Part 2 of an interview with Bill Neiman of Native American Seed in Junction, Texas, Neiman provides more reasons and practical ways of preserving our land.
Bill Neiman of Native American Seed in Junction, Texas talks about how and why we should care about the land we live on, and what we can do to make it whole and keep it that way. This is Part 1 of the interview.
Interview by Salwa Khan with Adam Salcedo and Phillip Balke of the Native Plant Research Institute (NPRI) about edible natives and about expanding our food choices.
An interview with solar/renewable energy expert Steven Wiese from Austin Texas on the use of solar power by individuals and large organizations.
Interview with Andrea Delong Amaya, director of horticulture at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower center. We talk about native plants, designing a garden, dealing with heat-stress for plants and pollinators.
Part two of an interview with Michelle Bright and Jonathan Garner from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center centering on projects where water was a major concern and about the benefits of green roofs.
The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, TX is an outstanding source of information about plants. It has another vital mission, which is to research and implement real-world projects that are practical demonstrations of sustainable landscapes and ecosystems. In this program, you’ll learn practices that you can use in your own backyard, as well as how sustainable sites are being created in urban areas.
Climate Buddies is a growing organization in Austin, Texas, with a mission to educate us about how to reduce our carbon footprint. Their Carbon Diet and FEAT programs are racking up successes because their approach is collaborative and easy. In this conversation with Salwa Khan, Greg Choban and Patty Stephens of Climate Buddies provide the details. The rest is up to you and me.to reduce carbon footprint.
Salwa Khan's interview with Christine Chute Canul, Senior Program Director at Keep Texas Beautiful on three prongs of their mission - litter prevention, beautification and waste reduction.
Interview with Rebecca Johnson of TreeFolks, Austin Texas about their programs to plant trees as part of their urban forestry program.
Interview with Dr. Andrew Sansom of the Meadows Center on the state of water in the Hill Country of Texas and what the average person can do to help.
Interview with Karen Ford on issue of rainwater collection, drought, rainwater revival event in October 2014
Program # 1 of Mothering Earth radio program July 4, 2014 Salwa Khan interviews Tim Thompson of King Feed about native plants.