State of Change

What does a new, better-prepared Trump Administration mean for the water we drink, the air we breathe, the safety of our food, our climate?

We know a long list of federal environmental protections and programs will be rolled back or dismantled during the next presidential administration. We’re talking about erasing new standards for toxic PFAS chemicals in our drinking water, pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement, diminishing wetland protections, pulling funding to replace lead pipes, undermining the EPA’s ability to regulate carbon, axing programs that help people weatherize their homes, getting rid of support for manufacturing of batteries and solar panels, and of course, lots more drilling and fracking.

If you think it feels overwhelming, you’re not wrong. There are also plans to target the unbiased science and research that happens at our federal agencies, replacing civil servants with political appointees.   

So now that I’ve got you thoroughly angry, sad, scared, name the emotion, we’re going to dig into some of these issues and look at the road ahead to fight back.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guests: Clean Wisconsin Attorneys Evan Feinauer and Brett Korte

For the past 25 years, we've been putting neurotoxins on our food. Neonicotinoids are potent chemicals that attack the central nervous systems of insects. Not only are they widely used on our food and in our soil, they're showing up in our drinking water in Wisconsin. And that leads to a big question -- what do they do to us?

In this episode, Amy uncovers the truth about neonicotinoids with experts from Clean Wisconsin and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guests:

Sara Walling, Water & Agriculture Program Director, Clean Wisconsin

Carla Romano, Groundwater Specialist, Department od Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection

Background Reading:

Understanding the Impact of Neonicotinoid Insecticides

Agricultural Chemicals in Wisconsin Groundwater Report, Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection

Neonitcotinoids and their impacts

What's it going to take to get Wisconsin to 100% clean energy? If you listen to the state's biggest power companies, it's more methane gas. Wisconsin is on the verge of an expensive gas construction boom if utilities like We Energies in Alliant Energy have their way. But what about wind and solar? Is it possible for Wisconsin to finally trade in fossil fuels for clean energy right now? Amy talks with energy expert Dr. Ciaran Gallagher.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Dr. Ciaran Gallagher, Energy Manager, Clean Wisconsin

Background Reading:

Under the Lens, the Truth About Natural Gas

Stopping Gas Expansion in Wisconsn

Power Wisconsin Forward: An affordable, reliable, fossil-free future

 

 

New research reveals how much it would cost to remove toxic PFAS 'forever' chemicals from the environment at the same rate we're currently producing and using them. Spoiler alert: we don't have enough money in the world. Hear from the researcher behind the study who says it should inspire optimism not hopelessness in the face of our growing PFAS problem.

 

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Ali Ling, PhD

Background Reading:

The Future of Persistent 'Forever" Chemicals

Under the Lens: What we know about PFAS in Wisconsin's drinking water

Toxic PFAS pollution devastates two Wisconsin Communities (video)

 

What keeps you safe -- when you drink water, take medicine, get on an airplane, or take out a loan? It’s often a government agency charged with implementing our health, safety and consumer protection laws. But recent rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court have cast a long shadow. Legal experts say the rulings point to a Court that is actively working to unravel longstanding protections and policies, not just for the environment but across the board, and the harm will be far reaching. 

Host:

Amy Barrilleaux

Guest:

Evan Feinauer, Clean Wisconsin attorney

Background Reading: 

Rulings from U.S. Supreme Court a disaster for the environment

Clean Wisconsin takes legal action to protect communities from toxic mercury pollution

New EPA power plant rules will save lives in Wisconsin

Clean Wisconsin Legal Work

 

How do you get people to start paying attention to the urgency of climate change? Just like the name says, Science Moms is a growing non-partisan group of scientists and mothers who are spreading the word about our climate and joining forces to demand change from our leaders. Amy talks with UW Madison professor Dr. Tracey Holloway, who is a member of Science Moms.

Host:

Amy Barrilleaux

Guest:

Tracey Holloway, Professor of Environmental Studies & Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at the University of Wisconsin, Madison; Science Mom

Background Reading: 

Science Moms website

Wisconsin Agriculture's Critical Role in Addressing Climate Change

New Energy Study Shows Net-Zero Emissions Possible for Wisconsin by 2050

Federal Funds for Wisconsin: Take advantage of sweeping federal investments in clean energy and efficiency

 

What if there was a grain that didn’t have to be replanted every year? One with deep roots that stay in the soil, trap carbon, prevent erosion, filter water. Kernza – the world’s first perennial grain crop – could be a game changer when it comes to sustainable food production and using our land to help fight climate change. But the big question: does is make a good beer? In this episode, Amy heads to Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee to find out.

Kernza® is the trademark name for the grain of an intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) being developed at The Land Institute in Kansas.

Host:

Amy Barrilleaux

Guest:

Russ Klisch, Owner & Co-Founder of Lakefront Brewery

Background Reading: 

Climate-Smart Crops: Kernza

Kerna Crunch: The Race to Develop the First Perennial Grain Crop (podcast)

Impacts of Conventional Agriculture in Wisconsin

The Land Institute: Kernza Grain

No Mow May is here, but does it really make a difference in the battle to save our bees and butterflies? Amy walks through a typical Wisconsin yard with pollinator expert Elizabeth Braatz.

Host:

Amy Barrilleaux

Guest:

Elizabeth Braatz, Bumble Bee Brigade Coordinator and Terrestrial Insect Ecologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Background Reading: 

Wisconsin Bumble Bee Brigade

Saving Wisconsin's Native Pollinators

Corn Ethanol vs. Solar: A Land Use Comparison 

When you think about the future of energy, do you picture you gas-fired power plants? In this episode, Amy looks at why power companies are racing to build new gas plants and what it means for the future of energy bills, our health and our climate.

We Energies, the largest power company in Wisconsin, recently announced plans to transition two major power plants from coal to natural gas, build two more new gas-fired facilities, and build another new facility to hold liquefied gas. If you think it sounds like a major shift toward more fossil fuel development, you're right. We Energies’ parent company WEC Energy Group filed an application with the Public Service Commission to get special accounting treatment on the high-dollar projects before they’ve established a need for all that gas.

Are gas-fired power plants the bridge to clean energy that power companies claim?

Host:

Amy Barrilleaux

Guests:

Dr. Paul Mathewson, Science Program Director, Clean Wisconsin

Katie Nekola, Attorney, Clean Wisconsin

Background reading:

• Under the Lens: The Truth About Natural Gas
• We Enegies Doubles Down on Gas

Wisconsin's Public Service Commission approved a large methane gas plant four years ago. The site: a bluff overlooking the Nemadji River near the Minnesota border in Superior. At ​the ​time, ​Superior's ​city ​council ​unanimously ​supported ​the ​project. ​But ​it ​didn't ​take ​long ​for ​opinions ​to ​change. 

In this episode, Amy talks with ​Superior City ​Councilor ​Jenny ​Van ​Sickle who ​at ​first ​supported ​the ​plant ​and ​is ​now ​helping ​lead ​the ​charge ​to ​stop ​it. ​Find ​out ​what ​has ​changed -- and what YOU can do to help fight the plant.

Host:

Amy Barrilleaux

Guest:

Jenny Van Sickle, Bumble Bee Brigade Coordinator and Terrestrial Insect Ecologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Background Reading: 

Take Action Now: Call on federal officials to denty funding for the Nemadji Trail Energy Center

Fighting the Nemadji Trail Energy Center gas plant

Indigenous tribes urge federal officials to deny loan for Superior gas plant