What can we learn about climate change from literary figures like Walt Whitman or Cormac McCarthy? Greg Wrenn says it’s a lot more than you might think. He teaches a fascinating class that fuses both creative writing and the natural environment. And: Nick Balascio has journeyed to the far reaches of the planet, collecting lake sediments that offer clues into environmental change over thousands of years. Nick has been named an Outstanding Faculty member by The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

Later in the show: From newspapers to google searches, Rebecca Bromley Trujillo studies how the media influences bill proposals in state legislatures. She says media reporting plays a crucial role in shaping environmental policy. Plus: Ever felt at a loss for words to describe how you feel about climate change? Look no further than Brendan Baylor and Natalia Pilato’s art installation about sea level rise in Norfolk, Virginia. They’re helping members of the community invent words that reflect their feelings about the environment.