Living on Earth

Debate #2 and Energy / Exporting US Oil / Wyoming Coal / Science Note: Silk Saves Lives / How Insects Influence Plant Evolution / Bird Note: Pacific Wren / Disney’s Commitment to the Circle of Life / America the Possible

In the closing weeks of the election campaign, energy continues as a sharp point of difference between President Obama and Governor Romney. Host Steve Curwood examines the clash over energy in the recent presidential town-hall debate. (published October 19, 2012)

The search for energy independence has been a central issue for the presidential candidates. But six major oil companies recently applied for permits to begin exporting U.S. crude. Economist Joe Stanislaw discusses the implications of this and the United State’s role in the global energy economy with host Steve Curwood. (published October 19, 2012)

Some 5 deep water ports in the Pacific Northwest are under consideration as terminals to export coal from Wyoming and Montana . Ashley Ahearn from Earth Fix reports that they would principally be used to bring coal from Wyoming to markets in Asia. (published October 19, 2012)

Silk isn’t just for high fashion. Scientists have discovered a way to safely send pharmaceutical drugs across the globe by dressing them in silk. Annie Sneed reports. (published October 19, 2012)

From the spiciness of the chili pepper to horseradish’s bitter bite, many plant traits are evolutionary adaptations to insect attacks. Cornell biologist Anurag Agrawal explains to host Steve Curwood just how speedily plants can evolve and adapt when insect populations change. (published October 19, 2012)

To human ears birds' songs sound quick and repetitive but Bird Note’s Mary McCann reports that to another bird the same song might sound like a complex operatic aria. (published October 19, 2012)

Two years ago nine of the top ten American publishers of children’s books — including Disney — used paper from endangered rainforests. Most of the publishers have now committed to sustainable paper and Disney has just announced it will also stop buying paper linked to rainforest destruction. Robin Averbeck, Forest Campaigner for the Rainforest Action Network, tells host Steve Curwood how the organ...

Presidential advisor and Vermont Law professor James Gustave Speth has a new book out titled, America the Possible: Manifesto for a New Economy. Speth talks with host Steve Curwood about ways to reinvent the American economy as one that values nature and quality of life over GDP. (published October 19, 2012)

Debate #2 and Energy / Exporting US Oil / Wyoming Coal / Science Note: Silk Saves Lives / How Insects Influence Plant Evolution / Bird Note: Pacific Wren / Disney’s Commitment to the Circle of Life / America the Possible

From Ecuador, the story of an Amazonian tribe that fought the usual battle with oil companies and the government to keep its land. But as Sandy Hausman reports, this story has a twist. With the help of an American man raised as one of them, the Cofan Indians actually won their battle. (published December 13, 2002)

No Gore in 2004 / Health Note/Music & Exercise / Almanac/Polar Night / Neo-Pagans / In Search of Hairy Spiders / Letters / Factory Farm Rules / Business Note/Cell Phone Recycling / Rethinking Timber / Stewardship Contracting / Mistletoe Memories

Al Gore has taken himself out of the presidential running in 2004, leaving a party of contenders for the Democratic nominee. Host Steve Curwood talks with Deb Callahan, president of the League of Conservation Voters, and Bob Zelnick, chair of the Journalism Department at Boston University and author of the book "Al Gore: A Political Life," about Gore’s environmental legacy. (published December 20,...

Living on Earth’s Jessica Penney reports on how music may help people exercise. (published December 20, 2002)

This week, we have facts about polar night. Contrary to popular belief, most Arctic communities experience polar twilight, not absolute darkness, for the winter. (published December 20, 2002)

Solstice is one of the most important times of the year for Pagans, people who practice an environmental religion with pre-Christian origins. Producer Robin White reports as the numbers of neo-Pagans have grown, they've soft-pedaled earlier claims to links with original Pagans. (published December 20, 2002)

You’d think it would be impossible to link tarantulas with the idea of celebrating Christmas. But for commentator Sy Montgomery, it’s not a stretch. (published December 20, 2002)

This week, we dip into the Living on Earth mailbag to hear what listeners have to say. (published December 20, 2002)

Reaction continues to pour in following the announcement of new EPA rules governing factory farms. Tamara Keith from member station KQED reports that some say they won’t address the problem of manure lagoons. (published December 20, 2002)

Living on Earth’s Jennifer Chu reports on an international effort to recycle cell phones. (published December 20, 2002)

In the aftermath of widespread fire this past summer, the Bush administration is speeding up, what it calls, necessary tree-cutting and limiting the public's chance to object. Living on Earth’s Anna Solomon Greenbaum reports from our Washington bureau. (published December 20, 2002)

From the forests of North Idaho, producer Guy Hand reports on an experiment that has environmentalists worried. It, too, is aimed at reducing bureaucratic slowdowns and, also, at giving local people more say. (published December 20, 2002)

Commentator Lee Ann Woods remembers the days when she would go out–with her father and a shotgun–to the southern mountains to hunt down misletoe. (published December 20, 2002)

Diane Ferlatte / André Aciman / Jay O’Callahan

As a young child, storyteller Diane Ferlatte moved with her family from rural Louisiana to California in search of greater equality and opportunity. But her family never lost its love for the south, and the regular trips home inspired this story. (published December 27, 2002)