Healthy Living Healthy Planet Radio

Features Maria Westerbos from the Plastic Soup Foundation and Hans Peter from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology Maria Westerbos talks about the impetus of the Plastic Soup Foundation and defines the multiple layers and harrowing meaning of the term, “Plastic Soup”. Hans Peter Arp explains nano-plastics and the surprising, unknown ways the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the p...

Features Michael Green from the Center for Environmental Health and Tracey Woodruff from the University of San Francisco. Michael Green shares his passion for environmental advocacy and the CEH’s efforts to drive large companies towards plastic solutions. Michael also explains how a lack of progress contributes to climate change. Tracey Woodruff talks about harmful plastic chemicals such as “...

Features Jim Puckett of the Basel Action Network. Jim Puckett explains the severity of the plastic pollution crisis, its global and economic impact on the environment, toxic additives, and takeaways to help drive solutions. Jim also talks about the Basel Action Network and its efforts towards a clean environment.

Features Judah Cohen from Atmospheric and Environmental Research, as well as Lyn McCright and Teresa Walding from Advanced Nurse Coaching. Judah Cohen gives an overview of how to determine extreme cold and talks about the regional aspects of climate and weather related risks. Cohen also educates listeners on polar vortexes. Lyn McCright and Teresa Walding discuss the heath aspects of extreme cold...

Features Shana Udvardy from the Union of Concerned Scientists and Laura Lightbody from The Pew Charitable Trusts. Shana Udvardy helps to differentiate a hurricane from a heavy storm and explains each hurricane category. Shana also informs listeners on the progress from NOAH’s rainfall measuring, modeling, and ranking systems, and more. Laura Lightbody talks about Pew’s Flood-Prepared Communities I...

Features Jay Balagna from the Rand Corporation, Jim Whittington from Incident Services, and Kristina Dahl from the Union of Concerned Scientists. Jay Balagna talks about the climate causes and effects of wildfires and how it impacts rural and urban areas. Jay also shares his experiences with the California Wildfires. Jim Whittington enlightens listeners on how often wildfires are human caused, wea...

Features John Nielsen-Gammon, Jaime Madrigano, and Laurence Kalkstein. John Nielsen-Gammon defines extreme heat from a meteorological perspective and explains underlying causes of extreme heat. John also discusses local solutions, like dedicated green spaces and more. Jaime Madrigano talks about the broad public health impacts of extreme heat and how consistencies in extreme heat can be associated...

In this special episode of Healthy Living Healthy Planet Radio, host Bernice Butler takes a deep dive into COP26. This COP26 is the UN Climate Change Conference, taking place in Glasgow, Scotland. The summit will bring parties together to drive action towards the goals of combatting Climate Change, in accordance with the Paris Agreement. All countries will come together to inspire climate action a...

Features Dr. Brita Lundberg of Lundberg Health Advocates. Dr. Lundberg talks about the growing involvement in physician led organizations such as Physicians for Social Responsibility, specifically the Greater Boston Chapter. Host Bernice Butler and Dr. Lundberg also discuss the five different ways climate change affects our health, including air pollution, vector borne diseases, water impacts, and...

Features Dr. Jonathan M. Harris, Visiting Scholar at the Tufts University Global Development and Environment Institute and Dr. Richard S.J. Tol, Professor at the Department of Economics, University of Sussex. Dr. Harris draws the distinction between climate change and global warming, a common misconception and barrier that prevents forward moving dialogue. Dr. Harris also explains the processes th...

Features Sean McCabe from Project Dryad. Climate Policy Specialist Sean McCabe informs listeners about the Children’s Environmental Rights Initiative and their efforts to prevent polluting substances and other negative impacts that effects the youth’s environmental health. Sean and host Bernice Butler also talk about the importance of protecting human rights in the transition to renewable energy.

Features Sheila R. Foster, Professor of Urban Law and Policy at Georgetown. Professor Sheila Foster identifies the major sources of environmental justice issues and concerns, including legacy pollutants and contamination in neighboring communities. Host Bernice Butler and Shelia Foster also discuss the role of law, environmental protections, and actions that can drive solutions.

In a special unscripted episode of Healthy Living Healthy Planet Radio, host Bernice Butler defines sheds light into the Environmental Justice Movement and how the racial and economic impacts effect the population. Communities of color are often targeted to host facilities that have negative environmental impacts. Bernice explores the youth-led and international Environment Justice Movement and th...

Features Dr. Juanita Mora of The Chicago Allergy Center and Vijay Limaye from the NRDC. Dr. Mora explains how to recognize the physical symptoms that may be a direct result of air pollution. Host Bernice Butler and Dr. Mora raise awareness of specific fall allergens. Vijay Limaye discusses the indoor and outdoor components of air pollution and how that effects the global population. Limaye helps l...

Features Dr. Eric Larson of Climate Central and Princeton University. Dr. Eric Larson explains the seven different sources of renewable energy and the pros and cons of each. Later in the episode, host Bernice Butler and Eric Larson discuss Princeton University’s recently released report, “Net Zero America”.

Features John Bailey of the Natural Resources Defense Council, Dr. Aida Ramos from the University of Dallas, and Dr. Liia Ramachandra of EpiLynx. John Bailey connects the dots between the various modes of transportation and how they impact and contribute to climate change. Dr. Aida Ramos breaks down the recent IPCC (The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report on the state of climate chan...

Features Dr. Elena Craft of the Environmental Defense Fund. Dr. Elena Craft explains the AQI, “Air Quality Index” in relation to air pollution and our health. Dr. Craft and host Bernice Butler connect the dots between air quality and climate change.

Features Anne Thornton, Director of Agriculture at Collin College, Judith McGeary of Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, and Joyce Connelley of Marshall Grain Company. Anne Thornton talks about Urban Sustainable Agriculture and the need for efficient food systems in urban communities. Joyce Connelley gives the distinction of heirloom   varieties compared to genetically modified crops and hy...

Features Sarah Low of the University of Missouri, Kurt Rosentrater of Iowa State University, and Channing Arndt of the International Food Policy Research Institute. Sarah Lowe - Sarah educates listeners about mass production, local and regional foods, and the evolution and acceptance of organic foods. Kurt Rosenstrater explains why the general public has become aware about food sustainability. Kur...

Features David Tilman, Chair in Ecology of the University of Minnesota and Director of the University’s Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve. David Tilman explains the food production system and the evolution of our natural crops through preservation and processing. Host Bernice Butler and David Tilman discuss the effects that food production has on climate change as well as growing concerns of a...

Featuring Linda S. Birnbaum from Environmental Health Sciences Host Bernice Butler and Linda S. Birnbaum discuss the latest research and statistics on chemicals like pFast and pesticides and their impact on our climate. Later in the show, Linda sheds light on the negative effects of mixing certain toxins and chemicals.

Features Frank A. von Hippel of the Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and Joe Schwarcz of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society. Frank A. von Hipppel and Joe Schwarcz discuss the unknown environmental and health ramifications from harmful chemicals. Bernice, Frank, and Joe engage in a lively discussion on why proactiveness is important to reduce harm, as research and d...

Features Sara Hammerschmidt and Monika Henn of the Urban Land Institute. Sara Hammerschmidt talks about the importance of healthy cities and the power of zoning. She further explains how public education can improve our overall environmental health. Monika Henn discusses healthy cities from the financial and developmental perspective. Henn also sheds light on the unexpected impacts of our changing...

Features Kevin Taylor of the World Wildlife Fund. Kevin Taylor sheds light on our wildlife. In particular, “keystone species” and their necessity to our natural environment and eco-system.

Features Solange Gould of Human Impact Partners. Solange Gould explores and expands upon the definition and importance of infrastructure. Gould and Bernice discuss how our infrastructure impacts the environment and our health.