waterloop

Advancements in technology and computers have allowed scientists to develop a detailed look at the coastal land margin, the dynamic area where the land and ocean interface. The high resolution models are used to better understand the coastal environment and predict where the water goes during storm surge and floods. This science is important for protecting ecosystems and preparing communities, as discussed in this episode with Scott Hagen, Director of the Center for Coastal Resiliency and Louisiana State University. Scott also talks about lessons learned from the computer models, including the ability of marshes to migrate from sea level rise, the value of nature based solutions for adaptation, and embracing the coast as an ever-changing place.

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20% off at highsierrashowerheads.com

When water quality tests are conducted at the beach to determine safety for swimming it typically takes 24 hours for results, which isn’t helpful for protecting public health in real-time. But a rapid method of testing can provide information about bacteria levels at the beach in just an hour or two, as discussed in this episode by its developer Dr. Rachel Noble, a Professor at the Institute of Marine Sciences at the University of North Carolina. Rachel explains that most states have not adopted the rapid testing for beach water quality and calls on the federal government to provide more funding for state monitoring programs, particularly because of the role of beaches as economic drivers. She also talks about further evolutions in water quality testing, including the use of autonomous vehicles to monitor water conditions.

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

Many environmental problems stem from behavior problems. So over the past decade the environmental field has intensified its use of psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science to understand how people’s brains operate and how to design programs to change behavior. The trend is explored in this episode with Katie Williamson, Senior Associate at Rare, and Philipe Bujold, Behavior Scientist at Rare. They discuss types of behavior, the levers for triggering change, and examples of initiatives in the water space including conservation efforts in California and Cape Town.

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

With the ocean and coastal waters under a variety of stressors including pollution and climate change it is vital to gather more scientific data. Rapid advancements in technology have led to a proliferation of sensors for studying the coast and made these tools operable and affordable for a wider group. The use of sensors is discussed in this episode with Phil Bresnahan, an Assistant Professor of Oceanography at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Phil also talks about the need for scientists to improve communication, his invention called Smartfin that is a sensor for surfboards and paddleboards, and why surfers are excellent citizen scientists.

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

Religion is a very prevalent part of life in New Orleans and southern Louisiana, leading conservation organizations to build relationships with local faith leaders and to educate them on environmental issues. Faith leaders often believe that as God’s creation it is important to be stewards of nature and they carry this message to their congregations. The role of the faith community in conservation is discussed in this episode by Helen Rose Patterson, Senior Outreach Coordinator for the Gulf Program at the National Wildlife Federation, and Cory Sparks, Assistant Pastor at Bethany United Methodist Church in New Orleans. Helen Rose and Cory talk about field trips to see coastal problems and projects, training in advocacy for faith leaders, and the impact they have by writing op-eds, speaking at public meetings, and talking to elected officials.

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at https://www.highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

A plan to route an oil pipeline through predominantly black neighborhoods in Memphis is an example of how minority communities across the country are overburdened by pollution and subjected to environmental racism, say Chandra Taylor, Senior Attorney and Leader of the Environmental Justice Initiative at the Southern Environmental Law Center, and Marquita Bradshaw, Executive Director of Sowing Justice. They discuss how the cumulative impacts of pollution in communities like southwest Memphis must be considered when proposals such as the pipeline arise. Chandra and Marquita explain how to respond to projects that pose a pollution and public health threat to a community, including the critical need for grassroots mobilization and exploration of all options at the local, state, and federal levels.

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waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at highsierrashowerheads.com​​​

In the Chesapeake Bay watershed, cutting-edge technology is powering the practice of precision conservation, the use of advanced data and imagery for efficient decision making in environmental management. Tools like aerial imagery, LiDAR elevation data, spatial analysis, geomorphology, and machine learning are helping projects to achieve greater impact on the ground. In this episode, Emily Mills, Geospatial Technology Manager, and Adrienne Gemberling, Senior Project Manager, of the Chesapeake Conservancy discuss how the organization has heavily invested in this technology, hired a large and skilled staff, and created the Conservation Innovation Center. Emily and Adrienne talk about the power of the tools, providing information for partners in conservation, and examples of projects to improve stream health in Pennsylvania.

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at https://www.highsierrashowerheads.com​​​​

For five generations Paul Bruchez’s family has ranched in Colorado, giving him an intimate understanding of water and the Colorado River. As climate change and development strain water resources to the breaking point, agriculture is facing tremendous pressure, pushing to improve water conservation, and collaborating with other stakeholders to find solutions. In this episode with Paul, an owner of the Reeder Creek Ranch and a fly-fishing guide, he discusses demand management and remote sensing projects, the role of agriculture in carbon sequestration, and restoring habitat for fish.

waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

waterloop is sponsored by High Sierra Showerheads, the smart and stylish way to save water, energy, and money while enjoying a powerful shower. Use promo code Loop20 for 20 percent off at https://www.highsierrashowerheads.com​​​