Though many of us may not consider ourselves fans of spiders – jumping spiders are some of the worlds most fascinating and aerobatic arachnids. They are even crooners, singing and dancing to woo mates. Learn more about the wonderful world of jumping spiders with Harvard University’s Paul Shamble on This Green Earth. (01:32)Then award-winning Author Tony Hiss joins the show to discuss his latest book, "Rescuing the Planet, Protecting Half the Land to Heal the Earth" (28:51)

Park City Community Foundation’s Climate Fund's Eyee Hsu and Andy Hecht discuss their goal to fully divert food waste from Summit County's landfill by 2030.Then Danielle Nierenberg, President of Food Tank joins the show. Food Tank is a research and advocacy organization that highlights how food and agriculture could be a solution to some of our most pressing environmental problems.

Chris and Claire talk with author and speaker Rob Verchick, one of the nation’s leading scholars in disaster and climate change law and a former EPA official in the Obama administration. He shares more on his latest book, "The Octopus in the Parking Garage." In it, Verchick examines how we can manage the risks that we can no longer avoid, laying out our options as we face the climate crisis.Then, the Department of Agriculture is proposing a nationwide plan focused on protecting federal old-growth forests. The proposal would amend all land management plans governing the National Forest System. Garett Rose from the National Resources Defense Council joins the show to discuss this plan.

In the first part of the show, Chris and Claire revisit a discussion with evolutionary biologist and author Noah Whiteman, as he talks about his book, "Most Delicious Poison, The Story of Nature’s Toxins from Spices to Vices."Then author and speaker on climate change politics, Michael Gunter joins the show to talk about his latest book, "Climate Travels."

Tis the season for holiday gatherings and imbibing in various specialty holiday cocktails. In this spirit, we welcome Sara Sargent of Alpine Distilling to This Green Earth. We’ll talk about Alpine Distilling’s sustainability practices across the company, and we’ll hear more about the art of botanical spirits from soil to bottle.Then, Chris and Claire revisit a interview from November with Conservation Science Director Steve Slater for HawkWatch International, who comes on the show to discuss the conservation of bird's of prey.

Research scientist and Utah native Joshua Fisher talks about his new book "Managing Environmental Conflict," in which he provides collaborative approaches to managing environmental disputes. Then, Dr. Erle Ellis, Director of the Anthroecology Lab and Professor of Geography & Environmental Systems at the University of Maryland, discusses the challenges facing our ever warming world and his New York Times Op Ed titled "1.5 Degrees Is Not the Problem."

Chris and Claire talk about the return of the blue whale and its great significance with Dr. Jeremy Kiska, a biology professor at Florida International University and a research associate at the Island Biodiversity and Conservation Centre at the University of Seychelles. Then, on the heels of World Soil Day, they speak with Daniel Rath, a scientist from the NRDC, who explains the effects of neonic pesticides and the impact they're having on soil health and biodiversity.

Author Juli Berwald takes us on a journey through underwater ecosystems that reveal incredible complexities, as well as an uncertain future, in her book "Life on the Rocks." She contemplates the inevitable grief of climate change as well as the beauty of small victories.Then, author David Sedlak outlines informed and hopeful approaches for rethinking our assumptions about the way that water is managed in his book "Water For All: Global Solutions for a Changing Climate."

A rebroadcast of our interview with Dr. Michael Mann who is the director of the Center for Science, Sustainability & the Media at the University of Pennsylvania. Mann is a renowned climate scientist and author of "Our Fragile Moment: How Lessons from Earth's Past Can Help Us Survive the Climate Crisis." In his book, Mann shares modern lessons that can be found in the history of our climate. (1:08) Then, Chris Cherniak and guest host Carolyn Wawra talk with Summit County Lands & Natural Resources Director Jessica Kirby about the 910 Cattle Ranch land project. (27:59)

Aimee DeLach, Senior Policy Analyst for Defenders of Wildlife, talks about the effects of climate change on wildlife and the major impacts it is having on threatened species in particular. (01:43)Then, Chris speaks with Naveeda Khan, Associate Professor of Anthropology at Johns Hopkins University, and author of the new book, "In Quest of a Shared Planet: Negotiating Climate from the Global South." (25:43)