This Green Earth

Citizens' Climate Lobby Wasatch Back Chapter Co-Leader Lauren Barros shares more on a special event at the Jim Santy Auditorium April 10. The Wasatch Back chapter is set to host an evening of film screenings and a panel discussion. The panel discussion will follow the screening of "Going Greenland" and "Downstream: a Backcountry Ski Film about the Shrinking Great Salt Lake." Each film delves into skiing and the effects of climate change. The event begins at 6pm. (01:33)Then, a rebroadcast from January revisits a discussion with award-winning author, Tony Hiss, on his latest book, "Rescuing the Planet, Protecting Half the Land to Heal the Earth." (8:26)Finishing the show is author and CBS News national correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti who discusses his newly released book, "Before It's Gone: Stories from the Front Lines of Climate Change in Small-Town America." (29:33)

Utah Snow Survey Supervisor Jordan Clayton provides an in-depth report on the 2023/24 snow season and what it means for the months ahead. Then, explore the Endangered Species Act of 1973 from its inception to the key figures who shaped its history with author, attorney and environmental historian Lowell Baier. He discusses his book "Earth’s Emergency Room: Saving Species as the Planet and Politics Get Hotter."

On the next This Green Earth, Claire & Chris speak with author Abrahm Lustgarten who writes about climate change and writes for New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic and PBS Frontline.In his forthcoming book, “On The Move,” Lustgarten explores how climate change is uprooting American lives and where people will go. Lustgarten’s recent reporting focuses on global migration, demographic change and conflict in response to a warming climate. Then, they speak with Alexa Friedman, an environmental epidemiologist interested in reducing exposure to harmful chemicals. Friedman will walk us through a recent study that talks about pesticides and produce.To end the show, Deeda Seed with the Center for Biological Diversity discusses the Endangered Species Act listing petition for Wilson’s phalaropes, and what it means for the Great Salt Lake's ecosystem.

Author and voice for the natural world, Carl Safina explores how humans are changing the living world and what the changes mean for the planet. His work has won a MacArthur “genius” grant as well as Pew and Guggenheim Fellowships.Then, Heal Utah’s Meisei [May-Say] Gonzalez details the 2024 legislative decisions the organization says will impact our state’s environmental health.

Professor of forest ecology at the University of British Columbia, Suzanne Simard, is at the forefront of plant communication and intelligence research. She explains why trees are vital to each other and to humans. (01:32)And, Utah Geologist Jeremiah Bernau discusses how the Bonneville Salt Flats have shifted over the years, with some of its most dramatic changes in recent decades. (25:50)

Professor Emeritus of Wildlife Science at the University of Washington, John Marzluff, discusses his highly acclaimed book “Gifts of the Crow: How Perception, Emotion, and Thought Allow Smart Birds to Behave Like Humans.”Then, Zach Frankel, Executive Director at the Utah Rivers Council shares his concerns about proposed laws on Utah’s Capitol Hill that he says will lead to development without public oversight or transparency. And Summit County Lands and Natural Resources Director Jess Kirby has updates on the 910 and Ure ranches.

Chris and Claire speak with John Vucetich, a professor of wildlife ecology at Michigan Tech. He is the author of a new book about wolves titled, "Restoring the Balance: What Wolves Tell Us About Our Relationship With Nature." Then, Colette Adkins, Carnivore Conservation Program Director and Senior Attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, joins the show to talk about the fate of gray wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains after they were denied Endangered Species Act protection.

Chris and Claire speak with Recycle Utah’s Mary Closser about the recent Green Business Awards and welcome local award winners Kimberly Flores with Fulfilled and Julie Finnegan from Abode Luxury Rentals. Then, journalist David Owen of the New Yorker discusses his book "Where the Water Goes: Life and Death Along the Colorado River."

Author Peter Alagona, Environmental History Professor at UC Santa Barbara discusses his book "The Accidental Ecosystem." It tells the story of how cities across the United States went from having little wildlife to filling, dramatically, and unexpectedly, with wild creatures.Then, Dr. Paddy Sullivan, Director of the Environment and Natural Resource Institute, talks about why Alaska’s rivers are quite literally rusting.

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)