Grizzly bears once roamed California in large numbers, with populations reaching up to 10,000 before they were driven to extinction by human activity in the early 20th century. Now, over a century later, efforts are underway to reintroduce grizzlies to the state. Building on decades of research and advocacy, the California Grizzly Alliance is set to release a groundbreaking feasibility study this spring that explores the potential for grizzly recovery in California. In this episode of Terra Verde, Hannah Wilton is joined by Peter Alagona, a professor at UC Santa Barbara and lead scientist for the California Grizzly Alliance, to dive into the details of the study. They discuss the history of grizzlies in California, opportunities and strategies for their reintroduction, and what this effort could mean for our collective social and ecological healing.

The post Bringing Back the Grizzly appeared first on KPFA.

Not only is the fashion industry is the world’s second biggest polluter after the fossil fuel industry, but many of the textiles we surround ourselves with (in our clothing, bedding, and home upholstery) are also made of petroleum-based products and/or contain PFAS—or “forever-chemicals”—which pose an enormous threat to our health and the environment. 

On this episode of Terra Verde, host Fiona McLeod speaks with Patty Grossman, co-founder and CEO of Two Sisters Ecotextiles, and Smita Paul, founder of Indigo Handloom—both of whom are leaders in the movement for safer, more ethical and environmentally-friendly fabrics. They discuss the broader consequences of fast fashion, the hidden costs of what we wear, and what solutions exist for a healthier, more sustainable textile and clothing industry.

The post The Toxic Truth About Our Clothing appeared first on KPFA.

The average adult in the United States uses somewhere around 12 personal care products a day, with women typically using more than men. Those products can expose us to more than a hundred chemicals on a daily basis, some of which come with serious health risks. These risks are not borne equally. Black women in particular bear a disproportionate burden when it comes to chemical exposure through cosmetics and other personal care products, a burden that has been linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, among other things. Yet the industry remains woefully unregulated. Of the estimated 10,000 chemicals used in beauty products, the federal government here in the US has banned or otherwise restricted only 11.

Dedicated advocates are trying to change this. And in the meantime, they are offering guidance for those looking to reduce their exposure on their own. Terra Verde host and Earth Island Journal Managing Editor Zoe Loftus-Farren talks with Arnedra Jordan, a project manager with Black Women For Wellness who leads their Beauty Justice Campaign, and Alexa Friedman, a senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group who recently co-authored a report digging into the disparate impact of hazardous cosmetics chemicals, about their work for beauty justice.

The post Beauty, Wellness, and Environmental Injustice appeared first on KPFA.

Environmentalists and civil rights activists are strategizing and pushing back against the Trump administration’s moves to dismantle our democracy, but a lot of this work is not yet visible to all and we are left with the sense that, so far, resistance to Trump 2.0 has been rather lack-luster. But has it, really? To delve further into this question Earth Island Journal editor-in-chief and Terra Verde cohost Maureen Nandini Mitra talks with Dana R. Fisher, the Director of the Center for Environment, Community, & Equity and Professor in the School of International Service, who has been analyzing data collecting data from activists engaging in protests around climate change, systemic racism, and the American resistance.

Among other things, Fisher’s research has uncovered that a growing number of left-leaning Americans now believe political violence may be necessary to save our democracy.

Note: Dana is the author of several books, most recently Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate Action. KPFA listeners can get a 20% discount on the book at the linked website by using the code CUP20. 

The post Resistance 2.0 in Trump 2.0 appeared first on KPFA.

A weekly public affairs show that delivers news and views about the most important environmental issues in California and globally.

The post Terra Verde – March 7, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

A weekly public affairs show that delivers news and views about the most important environmental issues in California and globally.

The post Terra Verde – February 28, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

A weekly public affairs show that delivers news and views about the most important environmental issues in California and globally.

The post Terra Verde – February 21, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

A weekly public affairs show that delivers news and views about the most important environmental issues in California and globally.

The post Terra Verde – March 7, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

A weekly public affairs show that delivers news and views about the most important environmental issues in California and globally.

The post Terra Verde – February 7, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

California’s growing wildfire crisis has impacted nearly every corner of the state in recent years, and this month we’ve witnessed a series of deadly, destructive, and unprecedented January wildfires in southern California. Governor Gavin Newsom created the California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force in 2021 to introduce a more holistic, integrated approach toward effective forest management. The Task Force is a collaborative effort that unites federal, state, local, and tribal organizations to better manage forests, protect communities, and adapt to California’s fire-prone reality.

On this episode of Terra Verde, host Fiona McLeod speaks with Patrick Wright, Director of the Task Force, to discuss their progress, challenges, and how we can all play a part in building a safer, more fire-resilient future in California. 

The post Confronting California’s Wildfire Crisis appeared first on KPFA.