How to Take the Trash Out of Your Life
The Defender
Overwhelmed by the environmental problems we face? In this episode, how to use your knowledge and power - to find your happy place. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Sasha Stone, Green Life Trading Company, Zero Waste Madison Resources for You:
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Can Small Farms Save Wisconsin’s Water?
The Defender
It has never been easy to be a farmer. But these days, in the face of rising costs, tariffs, and consolidation, keeping a small farm in business seems next to impossible. But there is a way to survive, and it might just be the key to protecting our health, cleaning up our water, and saving our soil. In this episode, Amy talks with Chaz Self from Grassway Organics about the future of farming, and where we all fit in. Plus, pizza! Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Chaz Self, Grassway Organics Resources for You:
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Do AI Data Centers Hurt Your Health?
The Defender
The Wisconsin Public Health Association recently adopted a resolution saying unregulated hyperscale data centers are a threat to public health in our state. In this episode, hear from one of the co-authors of that resolution to find out the health and energy consequences of data centers. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Kayla Rinderknecht, Community Health Manager, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You:
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Are You Ready for the Plastic-Free Challenge?
The Defender
What does it take to get plastic out of your life? Well, unless you can go back in time 100 years, it’s pretty much impossible. But what about *some* plastic? Just a place to start? In this episode, we’re talking about plastic waste in the grocery store and how to try to take control of the plastics that wind up in your shopping cart. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Brendon Smith, Marketing and Communications Director, Willy St. Co-op Resources for You:
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Coal in the Water
The Defender
While federal money props up old coal power plants in Wisconsin, the EPA is busy relaxing rules meant to keep coal's toxic pollution out of our air and water. In this episode, what our nation’s new commitment to old coal means for Wisconsin’s water and for the regulations that are supposed to protect us. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Clean Wisconsin Attorney Evan Feinauer Resources for You:
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Who’s behind the avalanche of AI data center moratoriums in Wisconsin?
The Defender
It’s happening in every corner of Wisconsin—Cassville, Menomonie, Superior, Madison, La Crosse County, Dane County, Westport, Manitowoc County, Door County. Communities all over the state are passing moratoriums and ordinances aimed at stopping what a year ago seemed unstoppable: the unchecked flood of AI data centers into our state. In this episode, who is pushing this avalanche of local action, and will it be enough to stem the environmental harms already unfolding because of AI data centers? Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Blaine Halverson, Community Organizer, Great Lakes Neighbors United...
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Is Ethanol a Scam?
The Defender
Have we been sold a bill of goods about ethanol? In this episode, the toll ethanol is taking on our health right here in Wisconsin. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Sara Walling, Water & Agriculture Program Director, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You:
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What's in Our Rain (and Snow)?
The Defender
In this episode, what the rain and snow are telling about PFAS pollution in the Upper Midwest—plus some information about new PFAS laws in Minnesota that could be a blueprint for Wisconsin. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Alexander Frie, Research and Fellowship Coordinator, Minnesota Sea Grant Resources for you: regulating PFAS in Products (Minnesota)
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What's Standing in the Way of Line 5?
The Defender
A circuit court judge is deciding whether permits issued by the state allowing Enbridge to build its Line 5 pipeline reroute in Wisconsin's Northwoods are legal. But in the meantime, he is allowing work on the new Line 5 to continue -- except in a few key places. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Evan Feinauer, Clean Wisconsin Attorney Resources for You:
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The Truth About AI Data Centers and Our Water
The Defender
Amy talks with a researcher who took a deep dive into the water impacts of AI data centers. What she found is something you’re not hearing many tech companies talking about. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Hannah Richerson, Water Policy Manager, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You:
info_outlineIn this episode, how new action from the EPA is undermining one of the most successful environmental laws in US history.
Host: Amy Barrilleaux
Guest: Nick Mailloux, PhD Student, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
Resources for You:
Join Clean Wisconsin's Action Network
Pollution and Our Health: The Environmental Health Initiative