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In this episode of Equity In Every Drop, host Thomas Hynes is joined by Dr. Christopher D. Heaney, Ph.D., an associate professor at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Heaney's research focuses on the human health impacts of concentrated animal feeding operations, more commonly known as factory farms. Throughout the episode, they explore the significant hazards these facilities pose to both workers and nearby fenceline communities, including respiratory issues, the spread of multi-drug-resistant bacteria, and environmental contamination.
Dr. Heaney discusses his research on the link between high-density animal production and human health, sharing his journey from personal curiosity to academic inquiry. He stresses the urgent need to address these health risks and the importance of considering the lived experiences of affected communities when crafting regulatory policies. The conversation also touches on broader issues of environmental justice, with an emphasis on the need for a proactive approach to protect public health from the impacts of industrial livestock operations.
Another key topic is the promising, yet controversial, biogas technology used to capture methane from livestock waste to produce renewable energy. While this technology may seem like an innovative solution, Dr. Heaney raises concerns about its potential risks. He warns that these biogas facilities could worsen health problems for nearby residents, particularly through the release of pollutants such as hydrogen sulfide. He also points to the unsettling possibility that these facilities could become as hazardous as fossil fuel industries, especially in the event of catastrophic failures due to natural disasters like hurricanes, which frequently affect regions like North Carolina.
Dr. Heaney further advocates for more robust and proactive community engagement and public health surveillance. He stresses the importance of active surveillance and systematic testing, which could provide early warnings for emerging health threats, particularly those related to zoonotic diseases, which can transfer from animals to humans. In a global health context, such surveillance is crucial as the world continues to face the challenges posed by pandemics and their widespread effects. -
In this episode of Equity In Every Drop, host Thomas Hynes speaks with Kelly Hunter Foster, Senior Attorney at Waterkeeper Alliance and a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Animal Agriculture and Water Quality subcommittee. Kelly offers an in-depth look at the regulatory challenges surrounding concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), exposing industry loopholes and the inadequacies of current federal and state permits. She explains how underregulation and lack of enforcement enable widespread water pollution and pose serious public health risks, particularly for vulnerable communities near these facilities.
Sandy Bihn, Lake Erie Waterkeeper from Toledo, Ohio, provides an on-the-ground perspective by sharing the devastating local impacts of CAFOs on Lake Erie. She details the rise of harmful algal blooms and the political and economic obstacles affected communities face.
Both guests emphasize the urgent need for more robust regulatory measures and call on large agribusinesses to take responsibility for their environmental impact. This episode highlights the human and ecological costs of industrial agriculture’s water pollution while underscoring the critical need for public awareness and action.
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In this episode, host Thomas Hynes delves deep into the environmental impacts of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) with expert insights from Dr. Michael Mallin, a research professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and Cape Fear Riverkeeper, Kemp Burdette.
The discussion covers the extensive pollution caused by swine and poultry farms in North Carolina, the devastating effects of hurricanes on these facilities, and the subsequent impacts on water quality, ecosystems, and public health. Key topics include the pollution from nitrogen and phosphorus leading to algae blooms, the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the inadequacies in CAFO waste management and regulation.
The guests highlight the challenges faced in regulating non-point source pollution, the powerful industry lobbying, and the urgent need for more stringent policies, while underscoring the importance of sustainable farming practices.
This episode is a call to action for better regulation and transparency to protect the environment and public health from the adverse effects of industrial agriculture.
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In this episode of Equity in Every Drop, Jamie Berger, a filmmaker whose movie, The Smell of Money, highlights the impacts of factory farming in North Carolina, and Larry Baldwin, the coordinator of Waterkeeper Alliance's Pure Farms, Pure Waters campaign, join to discuss the true costs of industrialized animal agriculture.
The conversation provides an overview of factory farming, including the impacts on waterways and ecosystems, as well as the burdens placed on local communities. Larry Baldwin, who has worked on the issue of factory farms and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), brings decades of insight and experience to the conversation. Jamie Berger, who spent years documenting the issue for The Smell of Money, is reunited with Larry Baldwin, who is featured prominently in her film.
The episode highlights the true cost of factory farms and provides the listener with a transparent look at who is paying the cost for all those sides of bacon.
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Equity in Every Drop: Season 2 Trailer
Welcome back to Equity In Every Drop, where we continue to spotlight the vital work of the Waterkeeper movement in the fight for clean, safe, and equitable water for all. In our first series, we explored the intersection of water, climate change, and environmental justice with guests from the United States, Senegal, and The Bahamas.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN SEASON 2
Now, in our second series, we explore factory farms — industrial facilities that wreak havoc on water and air quality, human health, and the economic well-being of residents and small scale farmers. These operations, often shielded from public scrutiny, release toxins that contaminate local water sources, degrade air quality, and harm surrounding communities.Join host Thomas Hynes as we bring you compelling conversations with legal experts, health officials, and local community members who endure the consequences of these toxic facilities. Together, we uncover the true cost of factory farming and highlight the resilience, resistance, and hope of those on the front lines of this environmental struggle.
LISTEN, LEARN, AND TAKE ACTION
Whether you're a seasoned advocate for clean water or just starting to understand the impacts of factory farming on our environment and communities, this series provides the insights and inspiration needed to make a difference. We examine the policies, actions, and solutions required to combat these harms and work towards a future where every drop of water is safe, clean, and equitable.
To learn more about our global movement and how you can support the fight for environmental justice, visit waterkeeper.org.
Stay tuned for another season of powerful conversations that demand equity in every drop!
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In this episode of Equity in Every Drop, host Thomas sits down with Mbacké Seck, Hann Baykeeper from Senegal. Mbacké has dedicated years to protecting Hann Bay and advocating for Senegalese communities reliant on waterways for livelihood and recreation. They discuss the environmental and socio-economic impacts of offshore drilling on Senegal, contrasting it with his successful clean-up projects in Hann Bay. Listen in as Mbacké shares insights on grassroots activism, the importance of Waterkeeper Alliance, and the fight for clean water across Africa. Mbacké’s tireless efforts and achievements, backed by community support and international collaboration, emerge as a model for other regions facing similar challenges.
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In this episode of Equity in Every Drop, Victoria Leung, a staff attorney for Hudson Riverkeeper, and Richard Webster, former legal director and current outside counsel for Hudson Riverkeeper, join to discuss the controversial history and closure of the Indian Point nuclear power plant in upstate New York.
The conversation delves into the safety concerns, environmental impacts, and years-long advocacy that led to the plant’s decommissioning. Host Thomas Hynes, who has a personal connection to the area, guides listeners through the intricacies of nuclear power regulation, the significant threats posed by plant operations, and the complicated process of shutting it down.
The episode also highlights the ongoing challenges of decommissioning, including dealing with radioactive waste and ensuring local communities transition smoothly after the plant's closure. The dialogue underscores the importance of state involvement and transparent, community-driven oversight in handling nuclear facilities.
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In the fourth episode of 'Equity In Every Drop,' host Thomas Hynes dives into the perilous world of coal ash, the toxic byproduct of coal combustion. The episode begins with an enlightening conversation with Dan Estrin, General Counsel and Legal Director of Waterkeeper Alliance. Dan breaks down what coal ash is, its history of unsafe disposal in the United States, and the severe environmental and health threats it poses due to its carcinogenic and radioactive components. He also sheds light on the lack of substantial federal regulation until 2015 and the ongoing challenges of cleaning up over a hundred million tons of coal ash produced annually. The discussion covers Waterkeeper Alliance's legal battles and significant victories, including a landmark settlement with Duke Energy that mandates the cleanup of coal ash impoundments in North Carolina, and the broader implications for regulatory changes and industry practices.
The episode wraps up with insights from Brandon Jones, the Catawba Riverkeeper, who elaborates on the local impact of coal ash on communities in North Carolina and South Carolina, the legal struggles against Duke Energy, and the larger effort to prioritize environmental restoration and protection. Brandon discusses the future of Catawba Riverkeeper, shifting focus from coal ash litigation to broader restoration projects, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and volunteer efforts. Through these compelling interviews, the episode paints a comprehensive picture of the dangers of coal ash and the tireless efforts of environmental advocates to combat this ongoing threat.
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This episode of Equity In Every Drop delves into the climate-related complexities surrounding the Colorado River, a critical water source affecting the lives and livelihoods of 40 million Americans, spanning seven states, two countries, and several Tribes. Our first guest, environmental activist, river guide, and Colorado Riverkeeper, John Weisheit, shares his personal connection to and the historical significance of the Colorado River, alongside its current challenges including legal disarray, over-engineering, and significant environmental impact due to dams and water diversion. Weisheit emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues collectively to avert a looming water crisis paralleling historical agricultural downfalls due to salinity and mismanagement.
Additionally, Daryl Vigil of the Water and Tribes Initiative underscores the imperative role of tribes in managing water resources and achieving sustainable water use through collaborative problem-solving. Vigil’s narrative highlights the exclusion of tribes from water management decisions and the dire need for inclusive, equitable solutions that honor Indigenous knowledge and rights. Both guests advocate for a transformative approach to river management, prioritizing natural solutions and respectful engagement with tribal wisdom and leadership to navigate the river’s uncertain future.
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This episode of 'Equity In Every Drop' features an in-depth conversation about the pressing climate challenges confronting The Bahamas, a vulnerable island nation on the front lines of climate change, battling sea-level rise, and the looming threat of offshore drilling. Hosted by Thomas Hynes, the show welcomes Rashema Ingraham, Bimini Coastal Waterkeeper and Executive Director of Waterkeepers Bahamas, and Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, Executive Director of the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation. Both organizations are part of Our Islands, Our Future - a coalition focused on environmental protection in The Bahamas.
The discussion illuminates the importance of the ocean to Bahamians, touching on job dependence, cultural significance, and the environmental risks of potential oil drilling in the region. The episode delves into the economic implications of preserving the ocean and coral reefs against the backdrop of climate change, with particular attention to threats like hurricanes and rising sea temperatures. It emphasizes the broad public support for a ban on oil drilling, highlighted by a recent poll showing 85% of Bahamians in favor of this action, which could elevate The Bahamas as an example on the global stage that a sustainable future free of fossil fuels is possible.
The conversation also addresses the importance of legislative support, community involvement, and the role future generations play in sustainable environmental policies. Overall, this episode not only showcases the threats facing The Bahamas but also the determined efforts and positive steps toward preserving its natural beauty for future generations.
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This first episode of 'Equity In Every Drop' features discussions with Marc Yaggi, CEO of Waterkeeper Alliance, and the Reverend Dr. Gerald Durley, a human and civil rights advocate, on the vital work of Waterkeeper Alliance and the intersections between water, climate change, and environmental rights. Marc shares insights on Waterkeeper Alliance's mission to unite over 300 local Waterkeeper groups worldwide to protect waterways against pollution and climate change, emphasizing their global impact and community-based advocacy approach.
Reverend Dr. Gerald Durley reflects on his journey from the civil rights movement to environmental advocacy, highlighting the critical relationship between human rights and environmental justice. Both guests discuss the importance of individual and collective action in addressing the climate crisis, advocating for sustainable practices, policy changes, and the importance of engaging communities and leaders to ensure water quality, quantity, and security for all, particularly vulnerable communities already bearing the brunt of climate change.
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This podcast features the diverse voices, experiences, and perspectives of our global movement of Waterkeeper groups, impacted community members, and leading experts. Join us for meaningful conversations about critical issues threatening our waters and the actions, policies, and solutions we need to promote environmental equity, advance environmental justice, and protect everyone's right to clean water.
Whether you're a seasoned advocate or new to the cause of clean water, join us to listen, learn, and amplify the demand for equity in every drop.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN SERIES 1
Hosted by Thomas Hynes, Waterkeeper Alliance
From the crystal-clear waters of The Bahamas to the vibrant landscapes of Sénégal and the environmental battlegrounds throughout the United States, this six-episode series will explore the critical climate-related threats to our water quality, quantity, and security and reveal the realities facing vulnerable communities already bearing the brunt of climate change.
To learn about our global water movement and how to get involved, visit waterkeeper.org.
