Public Radio's Environmental News Magazine (follow us on Google News)
Alarming Global Temperature Rise
2026 was recorded as one of the hottest summers globally, with deadly heatwaves in Europe and catastrophic floods in Nepal. Ahead of a September meeting, the United Nations put out a report warning that current climate policies will lead to at least 1.8°C of global warming, well beyond the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement. We discuss the recent UN report and where we stand in the climate emergency.
Batteries Kicking Out Natural Gas
California is reducing its natural gas consumption by increasing its solar energy battery energy storage and utility scale solar systems. Compared to the rest of the nation, in 2014 the state was producing 10 percent of the country’s total gas-fired electricity, but by 2025 it was down to just 4 percent. We discuss how battery systems are helping the sunny state curb natural gas consumption.
In Trees
Trees provide us with shade, food, beauty and of course, oxygen to breathe. They often outlive humans, and can teach us about life, aging, and how to be better stewards of the earth. We talk about Robert Moor’s book “ In Trees: An Exploration”.
Glaciers Crumble as Earth Warms
The devastating August 2026 flash floods in Nepal and Tibet were triggered in part by a glacial collapse, a phenomenon likely to become more frequent as the Earth continues to rapidly warm due to human caused climate change. We discuss why climate change is making mountains and glaciers more unstable, and how early warning systems and less development in floodplains could prevent future loss of life.
Climate-Resilient “Super Reefs”
As global sea temperatures rise due to climate change, coral reefs around the world are struggling through mass bleaching events. But new research has identified nearly one-third of the world’s coral reefs as climate-resilient “super reefs”, three times more than was previously estimated.
Desert of Water
At the San Andres National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico, rock layers bear evidence of the most severe mass extinction in Earth history, some 250 million years ago. And while access to this refuge is restricted because it is surrounded by the White Sands Missile Range, Living on Earth Explorer in Residence Mark Seth Lender was able to visit and bring back this reflection on how today’s desert ecosystem thrives in what was once an ancient sea.
Blocking New UK Oil and Gas
Great Britain is Europe’s third largest oil and gas producer, even with a commitment to a net-zero economy by 2050. A small group of climate activists is helping the UK meet that target by winning a Supreme Court decision that’s blocking any new UK oil and gas projects that don’t assess climate impacts. Sarah Finch of Surrey, near London led the fight against proposed oil and gas drilling in the region known as the Weald, and she’s been recognized with the 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize for Europe.
Celebrating 30 years of Living on Earth!
Host Steve Curwood in the Living on Earth studio
Join the Living on Earth Book Club on October 13th!
Bestselling science journalist Ed Yong joins us to talk about his new book. Click here to learn more and register!
.png)
Alarming Global Temperature Rise
2026 was recorded as one of the hottest summers globally, with deadly heatwaves in Europe and catastrophic floods in Nepal. Ahead of a September meeting, the United Nations put out a report warning that current climate policies will lead to at least 1.8°C of global warming, well beyond the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement. We discuss the recent UN report and where we stand in the climate emergency.
Batteries Kicking Out Natural Gas
California is reducing its natural gas consumption by increasing its solar energy battery energy storage and utility scale solar systems. Compared to the rest of the nation, in 2014 the state was producing 10 percent of the country’s total gas-fired electricity, but by 2025 it was down to just 4 percent. We discuss how battery systems are helping the sunny state curb natural gas consumption.
In Trees
Trees provide us with shade, food, beauty and of course, oxygen to breathe. They often outlive humans, and can teach us about life, aging, and how to be better stewards of the earth. We talk about Robert Moor’s book “ In Trees: An Exploration”.
This Week’s Show
September 18, 2026
listen / download
Alarming Global Temperature Rise
listen / download
2026 was recorded as one of the hottest summers globally, with deadly heatwaves in Europe and catastrophic floods in Nepal. Ahead of a September meeting, the United Nations put out a report warning that current climate policies will lead to at least 1.8°C of global warming, well beyond the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement. We discuss the recent UN report and where we stand in the climate emergency.
Batteries Kicking Out Natural Gas
listen / download
California is reducing its natural gas consumption by increasing its solar energy battery energy storage and utility scale solar systems. Compared to the rest of the nation, in 2014 the state was producing 10 percent of the country’s total gas-fired electricity, but by 2025 it was down to just 4 percent. We discuss how battery systems are helping the sunny state curb natural gas consumption.
Tree Swallows and Feathers
listen / download
BirdNote’s Mary McCann recounts the magical aerial dance of the tree swallows. We also commemorate Mary McCann’s beloved voice and over 700 BirdNote segments after her passing on August 7, 2026.
In Trees
listen / download
Trees provide us with shade, food, beauty and of course, oxygen to breathe. They often outlive humans, and can teach us about life, aging, and how to be better stewards of the earth. We talk about Robert Moor’s book “ In Trees: An Exploration”.
Special Features
Field Note: "After the Storm"
Living on Earth's Explorer-in-Residence, Mark Seth Lender, ruminates on the storm as it meets the shore.
Blog Series: Mark Seth Lender Field Notes
Field Note: "Countermeasures"
Living on Earth's Explorer-in-Residence, Mark Seth Lender, shares observations about shorebirds in flight.
Blog Series: Mark Seth Lender Field Notes
...Ultimately, if we are going prevent large parts of this Earth from becoming not only inhospitable but uninhabitable in our lifetimes, we are going to have to keep some fossil fuels in the ground rather than burn them...
-- President Barack Obama, November 6, 2015 on why he declined to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Donate to Living on Earth!
Living on Earth is an independent media program and relies entirely on contributions from listeners and institutions supporting public service. Please donate now to preserve an independent environmental voice.
NewsletterLiving on Earth offers a weekly delivery of the show's rundown to your mailbox. Sign up for our newsletter today!
Sailors For The Sea: Be the change you want to sea.
The Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment: Committed to protecting and improving the health of the global environment.
Contribute to Living on Earth and receive, as our gift to you, an archival print of one of Mark Seth Lender's extraordinary wildlife photographs. Follow the link to see Mark's current collection of photographs.
Buy a signed copy of Mark Seth Lender's book Smeagull the Seagull & support Living on Earth
© Copyright World Media Foundation. All Rights Reserved
Home | Contact | RSS | Donate | Newsletter
