This Green Earth

A recent report prepared by the University of Colorado in partnership with the National Park Service summarizes the impacts of sea level rise and storm surge projections to nearly 100 coastal area national parks. Joining Chris and Nell in the first part of the program is the lead author of the report, Dr. Maria Caffrey, a research associate in the areas of climate change at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

We are nearly six months into the new policies announced by China regardng their acceptance of recyclables, particularly plastic. It's save to say that as a result, little or no plastics here in the U.S. are being recycled. Joining Chris and Nell in the first half of the program to discuss details of this situation, as well as the waste and recyclng industry as a whole, is Reece DeMille.

Joining Chris and Nell to discuss the many environmental impacts of eating meat and dairy - and the equally many benefits of employing a more plant based diet are Lauren Lockey and Dave Swartz of Sage Mountain. Also, Chis and Dave discuss the latest environment news.

In this segment, Nell and guest co-host Katy Wang speak with Nick Schou, conservation director at Utah Rivers Council, about the important benefits of rainwater collection and how you can get involved through the new phase of their RainHarvest program.

This segment features Nell and guest co-host Katy Wang chatting with Eric Balkan, executive director of the Glen Canyon Institute, who shares the history and issues of the Glen Canyon Dam, as well as its impacts on native ecosystems and cultural sites. Balkan also describes GCI's proposal to empty Lake Powell into Lake Mead for a more efficient and environmentally friendly water management system.

The federal Natural Resources Conservation Service just released a report summarizing the state of Utah's water supply, and it's not very encouraging. Mountain snow is melting quickly and there's not much left. Beau Uriona with the NRCS joins Chris and Lynn to provide details on the state's snow pack, stream flows, reservoirs and what to expect the remainder of this spring and coming summer.

Both the Southern Wilderness Alliance and the Sierra Club are helping to host the People's Energy Summit this weekend in Salt Lake City. It's a gathering designed to highlight the wealth of renewable energy alternatives this state has to offer. Dave Pacheco from SUWA and Lindsay Beebe of the Sierra Club join Chris and Lynn in this segment to discuss this event and some legislative bills that may have an impact on our environment.

In this segment, Chris and Nell talk about fireflies, which arguably are the coolest and most magical insects in North America. Christy Bills, entomologist at the Utah Natural History, joins in to discuss the magic and mystery behind these bright, nocturnal bugs.

Alex Gaffke, a graduate student in land resources and environmental science at Montana State University, and Professor David Weaver, his advisor, join Chris and Nell to discuss their research on tamarisk shrubs and the beetle that loves them.

Sustainability consultant Bill Wilson joins Chris and Nell to talk about how he assists local businesses and municipalities in creating and managing plans which not only reduce energy, water, and resource consumption, but educate workers on the value of running a more environmentally minded business.