In this episode of 'Equity in Every Drop,' host Thomas Hynes interviews Ivy Frignoca, Casco Baykeeper in Maine. Ivy highlights the importance of addressing stormwater runoff, its various pollutants, and the solutions being implemented, including low-impact development and green infrastructure. Ivy emphasizes the necessity of practical and sensible approaches to mitigate these issues and calls for public awareness and participation. Tune in to learn about the ongoing efforts to protect one of Maine's most significant natural resources and how each individual can contribute to cleaner and healthier waters.

In this episode of Equity In Every Drop, host Thomas Hynes speaks with two influential leaders dedicated to the preservation of critical ecosystems. The episode opens with Great Salt Lake Waterkeeper Amy Wicks, who discusses her efforts to protect the largest remaining wetland ecosystem in the American West. Amy elaborates on her background in child advocacy and transition into water policy, sharing her experiences serving on the Ogden City Council. She highlights the Great Salt Lake's significant decline in water levels due to upstream water diversions, primarily for outdoor use such as lawns and golf courses, and discusses the severe ecological impacts stemming from this loss—particularly on migratory bird populations and air quality. She emphasizes the importance of a national and international collaborative approach as well as introduces the 4200 Project, a policy initiative aimed at raising the lake's water levels to 4198 feet to sustain its health and ecological balance.

Bocas de Ceniza Waterkeeper Liliana Guerrero joins the conversation with insights into her organization's mission to protect Columbian rivers, wetlands, and coastal zones through community engagement, legal advocacy, and scientific monitoring. She speaks on the significance of wetlands and  Ramsar sites in Colombia (the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an international treaty established in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands), describing their role as critical habitats for over 190 migratory bird species. Underlining the threats these habitats face, such as deforestation, contamination, and climate change, Liliana notes the accelerated rate of wetland decline compared to forests. She elaborates on her work in the legislative field, coordinating efforts to recognize Colombia's rivers as legal entities deserving of special ecological and cultural protection. She also stresses the significant role civil society and Waterkeeper groups play in promoting wetland governance, defending environmental defenders, and translating global frameworks into actionable local projects.

In this episode of Equity In Every Drop, host Thomas Hynes speaks with Brent Walls of Upper Potomac Riverkeeper and Luis Cruz of Hispanic Access Foundation. Brent discusses his participation in Waterkeeper Alliance’s PFAS monitoring initiative, as well as an overview of his work defending the Potomac River and his innovative use of drone technology to monitor water pollution. Luis Cruz discusses his journey from studying marine biology to his current role in environmental education and outreach. He emphasizes the importance of bridging the information gap about PFAS pollution, especially within Latino communities, while highlighting the intersection between conservation and social justice.

In this episode of 'Equity in Every Drop,' host Thomas Hynes sits down with Sean Dixon, a prominent and prolific environmental advocate who currently serves as Executive Director and Soundkeeper for Puget Soundkeeper in Seattle, Washington. The discussion primarily focuses on the harmful effects of 6PPD-quinone, a highly toxic chemical derived from tire particles, which has a particularly devastating impact on coho salmon in the Puget Sound. The conversation delves into the broader impact of tire pollution, the history of 6PPD, and the collaborative efforts needed at local, state, and federal levels to mitigate this environmental threat. Tune in to learn more about the crucial work done by Puget Soundkeeper and how you can support their mission.

In this episode of Equity in Every Drop, host Thomas Hynes speaks with Captain Evan Clark of Three Rivers Waterkeeper and Eric Harder of Youghiogheny Riverkeeper. They discuss their efforts to protect waterways from  plastic pollution, specifically focusing on the pre-production pellets also known as nurdles. Later in the episode, Hynes speaks with Daru Setyorini, the Brantas Riverkeeper in Indonesia. Daru shares the alarming impact of plastic pollution on the Brantas River, the health implications for those who live beside it, and the challenges faced by developing countries in receiving the rest of the world’s trash. She also highlights the significant role youth will play in this struggle, including the remarkable work of her daughter Nina, in environmental advocacy.

In the Series 3 premiere of Equity In Every Drop, host Thomas Hynes speaks with Chelsea McDonald, manager of Waterkeeper Alliance’s Clean Water Defense campaign, about how the organization and its network of locally based Waterkeeper groups around the world are addressing threats to clean water. Chelsea explores the wide range of critical issues facing our communities today, including pervasive pollution from plastics, PFAS, 6PPD, and nonpoint sources. She explains how her work with the Clean Water Defense campaign helps shape policies and strategies to combat these environmental challenges at both national and global levels. The conversation touches on the inadequacies of current recycling systems, the rise of microplastics and PFAS in water sources and human bodies, and the complexities of regulating nonpoint source pollution.

Learn how Waterkeeper Alliance and Waterkeeper groups are at the forefront of combating environmental threats like PFAS, the so-called "forever chemicals," and 6PPD, a toxic compound from vehicle tires. Chelsea explains the serious risks posed by PFAS and how Waterkeeper Alliance, in collaboration with local Waterkeeper groups, is gathering data, supporting litigation, and advocating for stronger regulations. At the same time, they are working together to address 6PPD, a harmful rubber additive that breaks down into 6PPD-quinone, which is devastating to aquatic ecosystems, particularly salmon populations.

The episode also highlights initiatives like the Global Plastics Treaty and the International Plastic Pellet Count, both aimed at tackling plastic pollution. While Chelsea emphasizes the importance of collective action and stronger regulations, she also points to positive signs of industry involvement and growing public awareness. The conversation concludes with Chelsea emphasizing the importance of securing protections for the Eastern Hellbender under the Endangered Species Act. As a key indicator species for ecosystem health, protecting this ancient salamander highlights the vital connections between nature, wildlife, and people.

In series two of Equity In Every Drop, we exposed the true costs of factory farms and shed light on the harmful impacts of this industrial pollution to our water, air, and surrounding communities.

In this upcoming series, we’re taking a closer look at clean water defense, examining the challenges we face and the progress we’re making to protect our waterways, restore fragile ecosystems, and ensure everyone has access to clean, safe drinking water.

We’ll highlight the incredible work being done to tackle pervasive pollution from plastic waste and toxic chemicals like PFAS and 6PPD. We'll discuss the importance of international collaboration for wetlands protections and explore solutions to nonpoint source pollution, the leading cause of water quality issues in rivers, lakes, and coastal areas worldwide.

This is a pivotal moment for clean water. Together, we can stand up against the erosion of laws and regulations, ensuring that the protection of people and the environment comes before corporate interests. 

We’ll hear from advocates, experts, and community leaders who are united in our fight to advance actionable solutions and scientifically sound policies that ensure water is clean, safe, and accessible for all.

So, whether you’re a seasoned environmental advocate or new to the cause, we invite you to join us to listen, learn, and amplify the call for equity in every drop.

In this final episode of series two of Equity In Every Drop, host Thomas Hynes speaks with Reverend Jimmy Melvin, senior pastor of Mount Zion Church in Magnolia, North Carolina. With 40 years of pastoral experience, Reverend Melvin shares his transition from ministry to environmental advocacy, driven by the disproportionate impacts of factory farms on his community.

He gives first-hand accounts of the environmental and social toll of concentrated animal feeding operations on adjacent communities, including the pollution of drinking water, adverse health effects, and damage to local ecosystems. Reverend Melvin underscores how these industrial practices endanger the health, livelihoods, and well-being of his neighbors, emphasizing the moral responsibility to protect clean air and water for all.

Through his collaboration with Waterkeeper Alliance, Reverend Melvin demonstrates the transformative power of stewardship, spiritual commitment, and collective action in addressing environmental challenges. He highlights the importance of community engagement, scientific research, and partnerships across various sectors to create sustainable solutions.

This episode explores the intersection of faith and environmental advocacy, showing how spiritual leadership can inspire meaningful change, foster justice, and guide efforts toward sustainable community development.

In this episode of Equity In Every Drop, host Thomas Hynes sits down with Buck Ryan, the Snake River Waterkeeper from Boise, Idaho, to discuss the extensive impact of concentrated animal feeding operations, or factory farms, on local waterways and ecosystems. Buck details his journey from a river guide to an environmental lawyer dedicated to protecting fisheries and water quality.
 
The conversation covers Snake River Waterkeeper's critical efforts in litigation against major polluters like J.R. Simplot's Grandview feedlot, the challenges in achieving regulatory oversight, and the severe ecological effects of unchecked agricultural pollutants. Buck emphasizes the broader implications of pollution on regional economies, recreation, and public health, while highlighting hopes for future improvements, including dam removal and sustainable agricultural practices. This episode sheds light on the urgent need for accountability and transparency in agriculture to protect vital water resources.

In this episode of Equity In Every Drop, host Thomas Hynes is joined by Dr. Christopher D. Heaney, Ph.D., an associate professor at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Heaney's research focuses on the human health impacts of concentrated animal feeding operations, more commonly known as factory farms. Throughout the episode, they explore the significant hazards these facilities pose to both workers and nearby fenceline communities, including respiratory issues, the spread of multi-drug-resistant bacteria, and environmental contamination.

Dr. Heaney discusses his research on the link between high-density animal production and human health, sharing his journey from personal curiosity to academic inquiry. He stresses the urgent need to address these health risks and the importance of considering the lived experiences of affected communities when crafting regulatory policies. The conversation also touches on broader issues of environmental justice, with an emphasis on the need for a proactive approach to protect public health from the impacts of industrial livestock operations.

Another key topic is the promising, yet controversial, biogas technology used to capture methane from livestock waste to produce renewable energy. While this technology may seem like an innovative solution, Dr. Heaney raises concerns about its potential risks. He warns that these biogas facilities could worsen health problems for nearby residents, particularly through the release of pollutants such as hydrogen sulfide. He also points to the unsettling possibility that these facilities could become as hazardous as fossil fuel industries, especially in the event of catastrophic failures due to natural disasters like hurricanes, which frequently affect regions like North Carolina.

Dr. Heaney further advocates for more robust and proactive community engagement and public health surveillance. He stresses the importance of active surveillance and systematic testing, which could provide early warnings for emerging health threats, particularly those related to zoonotic diseases, which can transfer from animals to humans. In a global health context, such surveillance is crucial as the world continues to face the challenges posed by pandemics and their widespread effects.