Living on Earth

Hurricanes’ Huge Hidden Toll, Hiking on Wheels, and Conversations with Dogs.


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New research suggests that initial death tolls only account for a tiny fraction of the mortality that can be linked to hurricanes. On average, each tropical storm or hurricane contributes to 7,000 to 11,000 excess deaths as long as 15 years afterwards.

Also, physical disabilities can make getting outside more challenging, but adaptive devices and accessible trails can transform lives. Producers Jenni Doering and El Wilson, who has cerebral palsy, test out an offroad wheelchair and meet a woman who has been able to reclaim the joy and freedom of hiking since becoming disabled.

And recent research into word comprehension in dogs suggests that with training and special equipment, man’s best friend can in fact understand specific words and reply. And motivation appears to be one of the most important factors driving this ability for dogs to correctly converse in human speech.

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What issues are you most interested in having Living on Earth cover in the 2024 election season? Let us know by sending us a written or audio message at [email protected].

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Living on EarthBy World Media Foundation

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