Environmentally Speaking

Earth day was on April 22nd and in this week’s episode, we are going to recap earth day and discuss how people celebrated not just here locally, but around the globe as well! 

What country do you think has the biggest celebration of Earth Day?

How much can you really do with your hair?  Well, there are organizations out there collecting human hair (some animal hair as well) and forming mats out of it. They are using these mats made of hair to clean up oil spills!  We get into more detail as to how this is done and discuss what happens when there is an oil spill and who is responsible for the clean ups.

References:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8fsVzyj-PA

https://time.com/6262631/philippines-oil-spill-cleanup-hair/

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2022/05/19/world/oil-spills-human-hair-matter-of-trust-spc-scn-intl-c2e/index.html

https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-tech/remediation/hair-clean-up-oil-spills.htm

https://matteroftrust.org/clean-wave-program/

Ever see an abandoned gas station and wonder why someone just doesn’t do something with it?  Well turns out it’s not that easy… or is it?

Redevelopment is where you take a previously developed property. And you do exactly what the name says. You re develop it, you're not impacting undisturbed habitat. 

We are going to give some examples of some redevelopments that have happened around our area and discuss what effects projects such as these have on the environment.

Here is the link that kicked off this topic. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqQ3-aaDsNB/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Today we are going to discuss the Rhode Island coastal resources management council (CRMC).  We’ve discussed the CRMC in past episodes however, this episode is different.  

The CRMC isn’t set up like other state agencies are. The CRMC (agency) staff and the executive director work every day like a regular state agency on permits and projects and approvals. The “Council” (not agency) only meets once or twice a month. To serve on the council, mean you were appointed by the governor… can be anyone. Why is this important to know? 

We discuss how recently the council (folks appointed by the governor) decided to vote to overrule a staff recommendation that relates directly to the general assembly’s authority to provide oversight and decision making in approving something called a submerged land lease.  Why is this a recipe for disaster?  Take a listen to hear what happens.

Article for reference; 

https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/environment/2023/03/22/offshore-wind-farm-cables-and-seabed-lease-put-crmc-lawmakers-at-odds/70037715007/

https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/environment/2023/03/22/offshore-wind-farm-cables-and-seabed-lease-put-crmc-lawmakers-at-odds/70037715007/

It’s  been a month since the train derailment in East Palestine Ohio that has caused a horrific environmental disaster.  We chose to wait to discuss this topic simply because we wanted there to be some short of concreate news to have a conversation about it.  One thing we’ve found is…there are still a lot of questions that need to be answered. 

Take a listen as we discuss some of the findings.  One question asked is, was there a second train involved or a second derailment in the same area?  Another question is, why create a controlled, purposeful explosion to detonate the rest of the chemicals that had been leaked?  And the big question everyone is asking is, is the water safe to drink? 

Find out the answers to these question and more.  Take a listen. 

This episode is going to be a little different. Having done 72 episodes now, some topics we said we would come back to and give you the listener some updates. Well, this week, Clarice breaks down some past topics and brings us current with each of those topics covered. Some of the updates covered this week, Seekonk River oil spill, Providence River crane, Offshore Wind, and Navajo Water Rights just to name a few.

This week we are doing something different.  You’ve heard us mention a blooper reel well, here you go!  Get ready for a laugh as we put together some behind the scenes blooper reels for you. 

To WATCH these, go to our YouTube Channel.  ENJOY = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4zkjfaKc38

We kick off the show sharing our love for True Crime type podcasts, which brings us to the question of, “have you ever wondered how we really are as a species?”.  It’s somewhat disturbing to think the extent and the depth we as a species have the capacity to harm each other.  Is it different to think that way when it comes to animals?  

We start to discuss the so called “Green Energy Movement” and how frustrating it is.  Remember, just because a project calls itself green doesn't mean that it's environmentally friendly.  We dive into the offshore wind industry again because as a late, whales have been washing up on the eastern shore. There is “research” taking place and seismic research where they use “Boomers and Sparkers” to map the ocean floor… This is considered green? 

Take a listen as we get into more detail about it and we reference an article that is close to this topic but consider the title to be click bait.  What say you?

https://public.substack.com/p/why-environmentalists-may-make-this?utm_medium=email

This week we had special guest Caitlin Townsend on the show talking about "Net Your Problem" 

Caitlin shares her story and how she came to working with "Net Your Problem" 

She recycles end of life fishing gear and gives it a new life, and she explains how they do that!  “biggest passion in life is advocating for fishermen, and just really understanding the ocean through their eyes. Because just as much as you and I want to protect the ocean, it's their livelihood, and they would do anything to continue spending every single day on the water.” ~ Caitlin Townsend ~

Here is a cool article about Net Your Problem:  https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/lifestyle/2023/01/24/net-your-problem-fishing-recycling-company-expands-to-new-bedford/69819990007/

Check out, Net Your Problem (https://www.netyourproblem.com).  

If you have questions you can contact Caitlian:

[email protected]

C: 774-316-0417

Do you have a rental property or an Air BnB in Rhode Island? Well this week’s topic has us hot under the collar as we discuss a new registry in Rhode Island.  Is it a state or local issue? Is it a new law or new rule? How are people repostponing to it? Take a listen as we answer these questions and discuss how this is impacting the home owners.