A Little Greener

We're well into the fall season here in the northern hemisphere, so Sara and Casey take a look at what causes those brilliant fall colors, and why trees lose their leaves in the fall, anyway. 

Resources for this episode:

National Weather Service: Why Do We Have Seasons?

Young People's Trust for the Environment: Why Do Trees Lose Their Leaves in Winter?

Three Rivers Parks: Why Do Leaves Change Color in Fall?

Three Rivers Parks: Why Do Some Trees Keep Their Leaves Through Winter?

Forestry and Land Scotland: Why Do Trees Lose Their Leaves?

University of Florida: Florida Fall Color

WCJB: Where to Find Fall Colors in NCFL

As Halloween approaches, we take a look at an animal that is sometimes considered spooky: the spider. From "excessive leggy-ness" to powerful venom, Casey and Sara discuss why people might be creeped out by spiders, and whether or not they really deserve their bad reputation (spoiler alert: they don't). 

Resources for this episode: 

National Geographic: Spiders Evolved Spare Legs

WSJ: Spiders' Legs are Hydraulic Masterpieces

Why 8 Eyes Are Better Than 2 (If You're a Spider) [VIDEO]

Scientific American: Fact or Fiction? People Swallow 8 Spiders a Year While they Sleep

Eight Fun Facts About Black Widows

Penn State Extension: Brown Recluse Spiders

Natural History Museum of Utah: Don't Fear the Widow

Museums Victoria: Top Spider Myths

National Library of Medicine: Black Widow Spider Toxicity

UK Entomology: Brown Recluse Spider

Outdoor apparel company, Patagonia, recently made headlines after owner Yvon Chouinard donated the company to two non-profits, the Patagonia Purpose Trust and the Holdfast Collective. His aim is to use company profits to protect the environment and fight climate change. Casey and Sara discuss the pros and cons (yes, there are cons) of the decision, and also take a look at the environmental commitments Patagonia has made through the years.

Resources for this episode:

The Non-profit Times: Patagonia Founder Transfers Ownership to Boost Climate Advocacy

Fashion United: Patagonia Owner Gives Company Away to Help Fight Climate Crisis

Fashion United: Patagonia: Pioneering a New Form of Environmental Corporate Leadership

Boardsport Source: Patagonia Transfers Ownership to Patagonia Purpose Trust and Holdfast Collective

One Percent for the Planet

B Corp

Fair Trade Certified

While some environmentalists feel that nuclear power is an essential part of cleaning up the power grid, others feel that the risks don't outweigh the benefits. Sara and Casey break down how nuclear power works, look at some pros and cons, and share  some of the thoughts and experiences that shape their views of nuclear power.

Links for the weekly challenge:

Navajo Nation statement to Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources

UNECE Technology Brief on Nuclear Power

Resources for this episode: 

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/nuclear/

https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/what-is-nuclear-energy-the-science-of-nuclear-power

EPA: Radioactive Waste from Uranium Milling and Mining

Nuclear Waste Disposal

Review of Environmental Impacts of the Acid In-situ Leach Uranium Mining Process

Why Nuclear Power Must be Part of the Energy Solution: an opinion article with a lot of info, including impacts of the major nuclear disasters

Why Nuclear Power is Safer than Ever

Just as people will gather food and water or move to safer areas as a hurricane approaches, animals must find ways to make it through the storm. Casey and Sara discuss how creatures from birds to alligators prepare, react, and adapt to hurricanes.

Resources for this episode:

National Geographic: What Happens to Wild Animals During a Hurricane

NOAA: How Do Hurricanes Affect Sea Life?

Florida Fish and Wildlife: Wildlife and Storms

While electronic waste (or e-waste) isn't the largest percentage of our solid waste stream, it is a quickly growing one, and one with large environmental impacts. Electronics contain hazardous materials that can leach into the environment when disposed in landfills. Materials used in electronic devices can also be mined in areas that provide critical wildlife habitat. One way that we can combat these issues is by properly recycling electronics. This week, Casey and Sara chat with John Shegerian, the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of the e-waste recycling company, ERI (eridirect.com), to learn about the challenges of e-waste, how we can safely recycle our electronics, and what the future of e-waste recycling looks like. 

Stories of mythological dragons are found in cultures around the world--and continue to be prevalent in pop culture today. But are there real-life dragons? Sara and Casey take a look at a few species that we call dragons and discuss how and why animals like this can be important in connecting people to nature. 

Resources for this episode:

Popular Science: Are Dragons Real?

National Zoo: Komodo Dragon

Beware of the Dragon: A Case Report of a Komodo Dragon Attack

Australian Museum: Central Bearded Dragon

Marine Bio: Leafy Sea Dragons

In this very special episode, Casey and Sara chat with Justin Gillis, an award-winning journalist who has written for multiple major newspapers, including the Washington Post and New York Times. He served as the lead climate reporter for the New York Times for nearly a decade.

Justin has written a book, along with co-author Hal Harvey, called The Big Fix: Seven Practical Steps to Save Our Planet. The book outlines specific areas that we need to address to drive down our GHG emissions and how individuals can get involved. 

The book will be available on September 20, but can be pre-ordered now. You can find more information and purchase the book here: Simon & Schuster: The Big Fix

Casey and Sara tease next week's very special episode of A Little Greener: an interview with climate journalist and co-author of the new book, The Big Fix: Seven Practical Steps to Save Our Planet, Justin Gillis.

Go beyond the Venus fly trap with this week's episode on carnivorous plants. Sara and Casey discuss why some plants trap prey, how different carnivorous plants work, and which one would be the most horrifying way to go out. 

Resources for this episode:

Let's Talk Science: Needs of Plants

Southern Illinois University: Carnivorous Plants

Live Sciences: Killer Petunias and Murderous Potatoes Revealed

Natural History Museum: Carnivorous Plants

Australian Academy of Science: The icky, sticky and quite tricky world of predatory plants

Science Daily: This Plant Sucks! (But How?)

Plant Physiology: Digestive Systems of Carnivorous Plants

This Carnivorous Plant Evolved to Also Be a Rodent Toilet