The Cost of More Frequent Weather-Related Disasters
Each year, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent as the climate shifts. We discuss the growing economic toll of these mass destruction events and what can be done to switch course.
Earth and Environmental Science and Climate Change Sub-categories:
- Biodiversity (9)
- Climate Change (35)
- Conservation and Sustainability (21)
- Ecology and Ecosystem Management (13)
- Environment (42)
- Extreme Weather (13)
- Natural Disasters (23)
- Natural Resources (7)
- Ocean Science (2)
- Pollution (14)
- Weather and Weather Forecasting (12)
- Wildlife Protection and Management (15)
The Gift Economy
There’s more spots to find secondhand items apart from Goodwill or a local antique store. Next time you’re in the market for something specific, go online and search if your area has a Buy Nothing group.
Barely Surviving: Making a Living as a Garment Worker
Longtime fashion writer and industry expert Dana Thomas joins us to help us understand the labor and environmental crisis plaguing the fashion industry.
The Environmental Damage Caused By Millions of Littered Cigarettes
It seems like all too often it’s common to see a driver chuck a cigarette butt out the window or throw one on the sidewalk. We speak with expert Thomas Novotny about how this type of littering affects the environment and the wildlife within it.
How To: Getting Into Gardening This Summer
Getting started in gardening can seem overwhelming - especially if you have trouble keeping a solo houseplant alive. But with some research and a small investment, the rewards of tending to a garden are life-long.
The Future of Ethanol
Ethanol is a key additive in the gas that powers our cars and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. But with electric cars gaining popularity – how long will this massive ethanol market survive? How are producers making this process more environmentally friendly?
The Continued Global Intake of Russia’s Diamonds
This week – we cover the global diamond trade and what more needs to be done to ensure that the global diamond business is not funding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Saving Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are home to 25% of all marine life – approximately 800,000 species. But these vibrant, colorful landscapes are more than just a home for life; coral reefs are animals themselves.
New York City: A National Treasure
Look a little closer and you’ll find many hidden gems throughout New York City. Tour guide and author Laurie Lewis joins Viewpoints to shed some light on the stories behind some of the city’s most famous buildings and parks.
The Refugee Crisis: Finding Help Amidst Conflict
As of early April, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has displaced more than 4.2 million refugees. On Viewpoints this week – we discuss the importance of helping migrants who need support in getting to safety and finding shelter, education, and more.
A History of Fabric
When did quality-made clothes disappear, and the rise of new, cheaper fabrics take hold in the U.S.? Author Sofi Thanhauser joins us this week to shed some light on how the garment industry got to where it is today.
The Expanding Landfill in Space
From weather forecasting to cellular coverage to global imaging, we heavily rely on space satellites in our day to day lives. We discuss the serious issue of human-created space debris and what’s being done to curb this problem before it reaches catastrophic levels.
Urban Wildlife: An Influx of New Neighbors
Countless different species of wildlife were driven out of cities centuries ago, but in recent decades have begun returning in greater numbers and adapting to the human-centric infrastructure. Two wildlife experts join us this week to highlight how we can both coexist in these settings.
The Many Modes of Transportation
Dr. Susan Shaheen, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California-Berkeley, joins us this week to highlight the country’s current infrastructure and what more needs to be done to promote greater citizen mobility with bikes, scooters and other non-motor modes of transportation.
Starry Night: The Effects of Light Pollution
More than 80% of the world’s population lives under light-polluted skies. Light pollution can impact sleep, health, and the environment. It also means the beautiful stars in our skies are clouded by the bright beams of lights all around us. We discuss the issue of light pollution and how stargazers can bring about change in their local communities.
A Season of Sadness
Researchers estimate that around 10 million Americans suffer from seasonal affective disorder each year. We speak with psychologist Dr. Carrie Ditzel about the prevalence of SAD and how people can combat these feelings and find additional support.
Working in Intensifying Heat
Imagine working for hours on end outside in temperatures exceeding 90 or 100 degrees. On top of this, there’s little shade, minimal breaks and often not enough water. This is the reality for millions of laborers who work in agriculture, construction and other industries. Why aren’t there more legal guidelines protecting these essential workers?
Designing a Greener Building Landscape
Constructing a new building requires many resources, from hundreds of hours of labor to thousands of pounds of steel, cement, glass and other building materials. Design consultant Ned Cramer joins us this week to uncover how the industry is utilizing new technology to build more sustainably and lessen waste.
Revisiting the Demise of the Dinosaurs
These majestic creatures walked the Earth more than 230 million years ago, yet, even today, they capture our wildest imaginations. Most us have heard the familiar narrative that an asteroid collided with Earth and this catastrophic event led to their downfall..but is there more to the story?
Fighting for the Future of Clean Water
Gold mining has been a lucrative business for many generations. Today, it’s still a booming industry with global mining companies expanding into new markets each year. This week – we highlight the incredible story of activists in northern El Salvador who stood up to mining company, OceanaGold and won.
A Better Way To Get Away
It seems like lately almost everyone is heading to the airport. Whether you’re flying, driving or taking a train, vacations are a highly anticipated time to get away from everyday life. Everyone deserves relaxation, but is there a way to make sure that you’re traveling more consciously? Are you booking excursions with local, independent companies? Supporting …
The Endless Drought: Dwindling Water in the West
Lake Mead, the reservoir created by the Hoover Dam, is at its lowest levels ever recorded. Drought is not a new problem in the West, but it is getting worse as the years go by. What’s being done to curb water consumption and increase supply so people’s taps don’t run dry?
The Toll of Excess Clothes Production
The average clothing item today is worn anywhere from seven to ten times before it’s discarded on donated. Why is this number so low, and what happens once the garment leaves a person’s closet? Maxine Bedat, a prominent voice in sustainable fashion, joins us this week to shed some light on the clothing crisis and how its impacting workers and the …
The Environmental Effects of Staggering Palm Oil Production
In the U.S., most Americans commonly use vegetable or olive oil when cooking. While we don’t often here about palm oil, it’s in many of the products that we buy at the grocery store, including everything from food to personal care products. And abroad, palm oil is widely used in cooking and frying. Last year, global consumption reached 72 million tons. …
