The holiday season is a time we all want to enjoy. Maybe that means indulging in more food than usual, buying those special gifts and treats for loved ones, and going all out with decorations in your home.
But with all that indulgence, comes a lot of waste. At the end of the holiday season, an additional 1 million tons of trash enter landfills. According to Stanford University's Waste Reduction, Recycling, Composting and Solid Waste Program, household waste increases by more than 25% from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. This comes from various sources including wrapping paper, Christmas trees and even food waste.
But experts say there are easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint and have a greener holiday season. Today, we talk about ways to reduce holiday waste.
GUESTS:

Miriah Kelly: Assistant Professor of Environmental Science, Southern Connecticut State University
Brittney Cavalliere: Senior Director of Strategy Connecticut Food Share, a food bank based in Bloomfield and Bridgeport
Yasmine Ugurlu: the Founder and Owner of Reboot Eco, a zero waste shop in Middletown Connecticut

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finding solutions to reduce holiday waste

Produced by Connecticut Public, 'Where We Live' puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

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The Cambodian genocide took the lives of up to three million people - between 1975 and 1979. Many were forced to work at labor camps where they faced abuse, torture and starvation.
But this is only part one of the story. The lesser known part is the story of Preah Vihear Mountain, where over forty thousand refugees were forced to climb to their death.
Many Cambodian refugees ended up in refugee camps in Thailand. But instead of being processed as refugees, they were forced on buses and driven to Preah Vihear Mountain, which is part of a mountain range between Thailand and Cambodia.
Returning to Cambodia was a devastating experience. Not only were they forced back into the country, but the mountain was filled with landmines, and refugees had no food or water. They were forced to climb down the mountain side, and those who didn’t comply were gunned down
Today, we heard from someone who experienced this firsthand. Bunseng Taing lives in Connecticut and is a survivor of this massacre. He joins us with his son, James Taing. Together, they produced the documentary film Ghost Mountain: The Second Killing Fields.
GUESTS:


James Taing: producer of Ghost Mountain: The Second Killing Fields


Bunseng Taing: survivor of the Cambodian genocide and author of Under the Naga Tail


Jenny (JHD) Heikkila Diaz: Professional Learning Coordinator, Connecticut Council for the Social Studies and the Activist in Residence, UConn Asian & Asian American Studies Institute


Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.
Music used in the broadcast:


"Violin Sneha" by Keo Sokha


Sarika Keo


“Mad Because of Loving You" by Sinn Sisamouth


Come Again Tomorrow by Yol Aularong


Dylan Reyes helped produced this broadcast. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looking beyond the Killing Fields: Unpacking the Cambodian Genocide

The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized the first-ever federal limits on a class of chemicals known as PFAS, or "forever chemicals," in drinking water.
This hour, we discuss what these enforceable limits mean for how Connecticut monitors and regulates PFAS. Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani joins us, plus Connecticut Mirror investigative reporter Andrew Brown.
Plus, Attorney General William Tong gives an update on the lawsuits he filed against chemical manufacturers of PFAS.
GUESTS:


William Tong: Connecticut Attorney General


Dr. Manisha Juthani: Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Public Health


Andrew Brown: Investigative Reporter, Connecticut Mirror


Cat Pastor contributed to this episode which originally aired April 22. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How new federal limits on 'forever chemicals' will affect Connecticut

In 2015, journalist Elise Hu moved to South Korea to open the NPR Seoul bureau. During her time in South Korea, she witnessed the rise of K-beauty culture or “Korean beauty.”
K-beauty encompasses a multitude of beauty treatments. It doesn’t just include luxury skincare lines, and expensive facemasks; there's also LED light therapy, injections, fillers, and a myriad of options for plastic surgery.
These procedures are becoming an increasingly normal part of daily life in South Korea, but also in the United States. They are also more accessible than ever to anyone that wants to change the way they look.
Although some are starting to question the pursuit of keeping up with today’s beauty standards, this multibillion dollar beauty industry isn't going away. 
Today, Elise Hu joins us on Where We Live to talk about her book Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital.
We talk about the pursuit and pain of keeping up with today’s beauty standards.
GUEST:


Elise Hu: host of TED Talks Daily and also a host-at-large for NPR. She is the author of Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital


Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.
Cat Pastor contributed to this show which originally aired September 19, 2023. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Flawless" Author Elise Hu dives into the world of K-Beauty

Turtles are among one of the oldest reptiles to walk the planet. Although turtles often live long lifespans and are among some of the most resilient animals on the planet, human presence has meant a huge threat to their species. 
In her new book Of Time and Turtles, Sy Montgomery says turtles live “slow.” She spent time working with the people who have dedicated their lives to rehabilitating these fascinating creatures, and she joins us to talk about her book.
And Matt Patterson, fellow turtle lover, illustrator of this book and their accompanying picture book The Book of Turtles, joins us too. He is also a wildlife artist and sculptor.
We'll learn about what’s being done to care for and protect these animals.
GUESTS:


Sy Montgomery: Author of Of Time and Turtles


Matt Patterson: Illustrator of The Book of Turtles and wildlife artist


Cat Pastor contributed to this show which originally aired October 3, 2023. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What it takes to save the turtles

Connecticut Public has spent the past year investigating political dysfunction, , allegations of absentee ballot misconduct, and machine politics in Bridgeport.
The investigation has culminated in a four part series called “In Absentia.” Today, we hear the final episode of this podcast and speak to members of the Accountability Project, Connecticut Public’s investigative team.
You can listen back to all the episodes on ctpublic.org/bpt or wherever you get your podcasts.
GUESTS:


Bria Lloyd: Investigative Reporter for the Accountability Project


 Jim Haddadin: Editor for The Accountability Project


Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finding solutions to reduce holiday waste

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