methane - Climate Break

Rerun: Identifying and Fixing Natural Gas Leaks in Cities, with Dr. Rob Jackson

Methane is the second most common greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, and far more dangerously potent. Gas leaks are one of the most dangerous contributors to this, pouring tons of methane into the environment with every leak. This week, we spoke to Dr. Rob Jackson about his new book Into the Clear Blue Sky, which discusses the importance of targeting methane emissions as we take on the task of reversing the climate crisis.

Climate & Society, Energy, Technology

Rerun: Locating Methane Leaks with Satellites, with Dr. Timiebi Aganaba

Methane, the primary component of natural gas, can be emitted through leaks in agricultural operations, waste disposal, and energy production. This week, we spoke to Dr. Timiebi Aganaba about using satellites to detect leaks, and strategies for using the data for good.

Energy, Technology

Converting Food Waste into Energy Through Anaerobic Digestion, with Brett Reinford

Methane—the greenhouse gas most associated with cows—poses a significant threat to increasing the rate of global warming. We spoke to Brett Reinford of Reinford Farms in Pennsylvania about his personal experience navigating the costs and benefits of utilizing an anaerobic digester.

Policy, Waste

Salt Marshes: Ecosystem Powerhouses in Climate Regulation and Biodiversity

Wetlands, especially coastal salt marshes, provide crucial ecosystem services including biodiversity preservation, water regulation, carbon storage, and climate regulation. Human activities have degraded many of these ecosystems, but restoration projects, such as those at Cape Cod National Seashore, aim to rejuvenate affected marshes and restore their vital functions.

Land, Policy, Sequestration

RERUN: Transforming Food Waste Into Vegan Leather with Polybion’s Axel Gómez-Ortigoza

Over the last two decades, vegan leather has grown in popularity. The catch? It’s usually made with polyesters that can’t be recycled. In today’s episode, we speak to the cofounder of biomaterials company Polybion about their carbon neutral leather alternative Celium, which is produced by feeding agricultural waste to bacteria.

Climate & Society, Waste

Neighborhood Climate Data with Ms. Margaret Gordon

West Oakland experiences the highest level of diesel particulate matter — a toxic air contaminant and form of powerful, short-lived climate pollutant– of any community in the San Francisco Bay Area. Heavy truck traffic to the Port of Oakland, pollution from the Port and from the surrounding freeways along with decades of disinvestment resulted in this concentration of air pollution. Coupled with emissions from neighboring industry and activity, these pollutants have contributed to worsening climate change and generated higher rates of asthma, cardiovascular disease, premature death and other adverse health effects for the West Oakland community.

Climate & Society, Climate Justice