A Little Greener

Air Pollution

According to the World Health Organization, over 9 out of 10 people live in areas with excessive air pollution, and yet, it's something many of us may not often think about. Join Casey and Sara for a discussion on what causes air pollution, its impacts on health and the environment, and what we can do about it. 
 
Resources for this episode:
Deadly Denora Smog of 1948 (Smithsonian Mag)
Air Pollution (WHO)
Air Pollution: Everything You Need to Know (NRDC)
Effects of Air Pollution (Center for Science Education)
Air Pollution: Current and Future Challenges (EPA)
Air Pollution Laws Aimed at Human Health also Help Birds (Cornell)
Urban Environment and Cancer in Wildlife

The Future of Cities

It might be tempting to dismiss cities as nature wastelands, but not only are cities here to stay, and only projected to grow, they actually have some environmental benefits. Sara and Casey discuss the pros and cons of cities, and what we need to do to make cities sustainable in the future. 
 
Resources for this episode:
Field Guide to Conservation In Cities (The Nature Conservancy)
Cities Aren't the Wildlife Deserts Scientists Once Feared
Large Cities Fall Behind in "Neighborhood Biodiversity"
How to Tell if You Live in the Suburbs
Public Health Reviews: Urbanization, A Problem for the Rich and the Poor?
Cities Can Be Part of the Solution in Sustaining Species
Plan Melbourne: Inclusive, Vibrant, and Healthy Neighborhoods

2022 Avian Influenza

What is HPAI and what does it have to do with the price of eggs (get it)? While this may not immediately seem relevant to conservation, the fact is that both human health and our food supply are intrinsically connected to nature--and diseases like HPAI are a reminder of this. This week, Casey and Sara discuss the origin, impacts, and control of the current strain of avian influenza. 

Biomimicry: Learning from Nature

From color change to flight to pulling water from the air, plants and animals have some pretty amazing adaptations. Biomimicry is the idea that we can look to and learn from the natural world to find innovations and solutions to challenges that we might face. On this episode, Sara and Casey discuss favorite animal adaptations and share a few examples of biomimicry in action.
 
Resources for this episode:
www.asknature.org
Biomimicry: A History (Ohio State University)
Butterfly Wings Have a Hidden Structure That Rivals Vantablack in Its Darkness
Researching the Kingfisher's Hydrodynamic Design
 

Finding Hope to Fight Climate Change

You may have seen or heard about the IPCC climate change reports in the news on a fairly regular basis recently--often connected to talk of climate deadlines and dire warnings. So, what does this mean? Is there hope in the face of climate change? Join Casey and Sara for a discussion on the IPCC, fears, faith, and finding hope to fight climate change.
 
Resources for this episode:
MRSC Local Climate Response Project
Scientific American: Climate Report Offers Some Hope but the Need for Action is Urgent
Christian Science Monitor: Amid the Gloom of Climate Change there is Hope
Climate Home News: Saudi Arabia dilutes fossil fuel phase out language with techno fixes in IPCC report

Energy 101

Fossil fuels provide the bulk of our energy supply today, but how did we get to this point? What other options are out there? Join Sara and Casey for a quick history of energy and a closer look at where we get the energy that powers our daily lives. 
To complete your weekly challenges, visit:
eGRID Power Profiler: https://www.epa.gov/egrid/power-profiler#/
US Energy Mapping System: https://www.eia.gov/state/maps.php
 
Resources for this episode:
Energy timelines:
https://alternativeenergy.procon.org/historical-timeline/
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-017-07506-z
Data from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine:
http://needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/energy-use/home-work/
http://needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/energy-sources/
Power grid information and eGRID:
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/how-does-us-power-grid-work#chapter-title-0-2
https://www.epa.gov/egrid
 

What’s the Deal with Dairy?

If you're searching for ways to live a little greener, one of the suggestions you'll likely come across is to reduce your dairy intake. This week, Sara and Casey discuss the environmental impacts of dairy and consider the pros and cons of some of the available alternatives.
Resources for this episode:
How Dairy Milk has Improved its Environmental and Climate Impact (UC Davis)
GHG Emissions by Livestock (UN FAO)
Dairy Vs. Plant-Based Milk: What are the Environmental Impacts (Our World in Data)
Nutrient Density of Beverages in Relation to Climate Impact
Milking the Planet (Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy)
Should I Give Up Dairy Because of Climate Change?
What Plant Milk Should I Drink?
 

Greener Gardening

Whether you're growing food, planting for pollinators, or creating a landscape for curb appeal, gardening is an activity that helps us to get outdoors and get connected to nature. How we garden and what we put in our gardens also has an impact on our local environment. This week Casey and Sara discuss tips and tactics for becoming a greener gardener.

One Year Greener

Casey and Sara discuss the joys, challenges, and impacts of the first year of A Little Greener and take a look at where the podcast is headed in the future. 

Don’t Feed the Animals

Seeing someone toss food to birds or squirrels is probably something most of us have experienced--or maybe done ourselves. We've also all probably seen plenty of signs posted at parks, restaurants, or beaches asking us not to feed wildlife. So why do we still do it? And is it really a problem? Sara and Casey discuss the motivations for and consequences of feeding wild animals.
 
Resources for this episode:
Killing Deer With Kindness: article on changes in mule deer GI bacteria due to human feeding
Do's and Don'ts of Duck Feeding
Does Wedding Rice Make Birds Explode?
Feeding Wildlife Can Disrupt Animal Social Structures
A Framework to Evaluate Wildlife Feeding in Research, Wildlife Management, Tourism and Recreation