Terra Informa

Tune in as Elizabeth Barron, Lauren Spielmann, and Jasinta Rweyongeza recap environmental news headlines from the past few months! In this episode, we cover Canada's worst wildfire season on record, a recent study on the benefits of urban green spaces, the City of Edmonton's new waste reduction bylaw, an ongoing shortage of Huy Fong Foods' Sriracha hot sauce, extreme heat during the 2023 U.S. Open, and a new report published on the significant threat posed by invasive species. Program Log is here.P.S. Don't forget to listen to Terra Informa's Fat Bear Week 2021 episode and participate in Fat Bear Week 2023 voting in October! ★ Support this podcast ★

This week on Terra Informa, we explore the industry of cellular agriculture (cell-ag), and its impacts on farming, the environment, and people. Megan Posyluzny and Jenny Kim interview Dr. Yadira Tejeda Saldana, director of Responsible Research and Innovation at New Harvest to learn more about how biotechnology is shaping the future of food systems – beginning with the new institute of Cell-Ag that is currently in development at the U of A. Program Log | Episode ReferencesRecommended CSL Documentaries: Looking Fly - The Inside Scoop on Insect Protein Outdoor Gardens - What They Bring to Edmontonians Indigenous Food Sovereignty - Wild Meat, Wild Stories ★ Support this podcast ★

This week on Terra Informa we unpack how artificial intelligence, specifically machine learning, and environmentalism mesh. In the episode, Terra Informer Lizzy Barron interviews Dr. Martha White to learn about her machine learning expertise and experience working on the ISL Adapt project in Drayton Valley to make the town's water treatment processes more energy efficient using the specific machine learning technique of reinforcement learning. Further reading from the episode:  The First Nations Principles of OCAP ISL Adapt project TechScape: Turns out there’s another problem with AI – its environmental toll by Chris Stokel-Walker Program Log★ Support this podcast ★ ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode originally aired on March 2, 2020: This week on Terra Informa we share the second part of an interview with Eriel Deranger, co-founder and Executive Director of Indigenous Climate Action, where we talk about what it means to live in relation to each other and the environment.In Reject Teck Part 1: Who is Teck?! we shared background on the mining company Teck Resources Ltd and Eriel explained why the proposed Frontier Oilsands Mine should be rejected. Just before we aired that episode on February 25th, the RejectTeck campaign tasted sweet sweet victory.Sort of.Teck rejected itself in a letter published February 23, where it removed it's application for environmental approval.While that project has been shelved, the interview we share with you today is deeply relevant because it covers themes that include the ongoing way we approach resource projects, the environment, and each other across this country. Eriel is organizing and campaigning about more than one oilsands mine. Indigenous Climate Action

This episode originally aired on February 24, 2020: This week on Terra Informa we share the first part of an interview with Eriel Deranger, Executive Director and co-founder of Indigenous Climate Action, one of the organizations behind Reject Teck. Reject Teck a grassroots campaign challenging the Teck Frontier oilsands project and the Canadian government, that has made headlines at COP25, Fire Drill Fridays, and in other news. Eriel has a lot of knowledge to share about the Teck project, the larger resource development process in Canada and Alberta, and organizing to protect the environment and take climate action.Update: As of February 23, 2020, the Teck Resources Ltd has withdrawn the Frontier mine project from the environmental assessment approval process.Program Log ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode originally aired on June 27, 2022: In this week's episode, Sonak Patel and Hannah Cunningham discuss the Montreal Protocol and the environmental crisis that was the discovery of the depletion of the ozone layer. Did the Montreal Protocol work? Did we save the ozone layer? And, if we did, can we also band together to address the environmental crisis of the 21st century: climate change? ★ Support this podcast ★

This epsiode originally aired on June 22, 2020: We are exploring the relationship between queer people and the natural environment. This week we are going to share with you an interview that Terra Informer Elizabeth Dowdell held with Kevin McBean. Kevin will share with us his experience as a gay man, an outdoor enthusiast, and a member of the board of directors of Camp Maskepetoon.A few queer members of the Terra Informa team had the chance to reflect on their relationship with the environment and their identities as sexual minorities. For some of us, urban spaces can bring comfort and familiarity. Seeing a rainbow sticker or a trans flag in businesses or as part of urban art is a reminder that this is our space too. But what happens when we explore the natural environment? We tend to still think of the environment as a very heteronorNmative space, but we need to actively work to change that and you’ll get to hear Kevin’s perspective on how we can do just that!Program Log ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode originally aired on December 13, 2021: This week, we're plunging back into the world of Pacific salmon! In this episode, our salmon friends, Francis and Finley, join us again to teach us a bit more about Pacific salmon and salmon aquaculture. Then, Sara Chitsaz is joined by Andrew Bateman, who is the Salmon Health Manager for the Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF), to learn more about the health of wild Pacific salmon and about salmon farming in BC.Program log. ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode originally aired on December 6, 2021: In this week's episode, we're diving into the wild world of salmon! First, we're joined by Francis and Finley, two salmon who take us on the exciting journey of growing up on the pacific coast. Then, Sara Chitsaz is joined by Emmie Page, who is the Marine Campaigner for Pacific Wild, an organization that supports environmental conservation in the Great Bear Rainforest and the Pacific Northwest.Make sure to stay tuned for next week's episode, where we'll continue talking about salmon as well as aquaculture on the coast of British Columbia.Program log. ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode originally aired on October 18, 2021: In this episode, some of the Terra Informers reflect on the film In the Land of Dreamers, which is an episode of the CBC Gem show, Absolutely Canadian. The film uses amazing photography and video footage to talk about the cultural and ecological importance of the Muskwa-Kechika, a large area of undeveloped land in northern British Columbia that is located in Kaska Dena territory.You can watch the film here after making a free CBC Gem accountFind out more about the Kaska Dena's proposed plan for an Indigenous Protected Conservation AreaProgram log ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode originally aired on February 17, 2020: This week, Terra Informers Charlotte Thomasson, Andy Silva, and Shawn Hou discuss the different forms that climate action can take. What are the differences between collective and individual action, and is one more important than the other?Program Log. ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode originally aired October 10 2022: Who do you think of when you think about environmentalism and music? This week, Jasinta Rweyongeza is joined by Rasheena Fountain, a poet and essayist, to talk about the lack of mainstream recognition of Black musicians in the world of environmentalism in music, as well how specific genres of music that are underrecognized in their ability to tell stories about environmental relationships, environmental vulnerability, and environmental justice.Rasheenafountain.com ☆ TreeSong Workshop: Decolonizing Senses ☆ Program Log★ Support this podcast ★ ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode originally aired July 25, 2022: It’s the most abundant material in the universe, it composes the majority of the sun, and it's number one on the periodic table. Now, some people think it could be the solution to decarbonizing energy systems. Welcome to Hydrogen 101!This week, Sonak Patel gives us a lesson on hydrogen, the element you might remember from the periodic table you reviewed in chemistry class. In this episode, Sonak guides us through what hydrogen technology is and whether or not it really is the silver bullet to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.Program log. ★ Support this podcast ★ ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode originally aired June 20, 2022: It's growing season baby! In this week's episode, Terra Informer Hannah Cunningham leads us through the process of how she started a vegetable garden on her own for the first time. Flowers more your thing? Edmonton flower farmer Mia Coco has you covered, as they describe what it's like to have 600 (yes, that many) flower seedlings in your living room, and why flowers are just the best.Wâposo-Wâti Park and Community GardenMia Coco on Instagram!Program log★ Support this podcast ★ ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode originally aired on July 12, 2020: Terra Informers Sonak Patel and Elizabeth Dowdell take us on a tour of the River Valley history in Amiskwaciy or "Beaver Hills", otherwise known as Edmonton, Alberta. After recapping Part I of this topic, the episode delves into themes of cultural values, Indigenous displacement, and respect for both our natural spaces and each other. We hear the voices of Amber Paquette, historian laureate of Edmonton, and Dr. Dwayne Donald, associate professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta as they uncover their hopes for the future of the River Valley.Download program log here.  ★ Support this podcast ★

Terra Informers Sonak Patel and Elizabeth Dowdell take us on a tour of the River Valley history, following global trends in the local sphere of Amiskwaciy or "Beaver Hills", otherwise known as Edmonton, Alberta. The River Valley was not always the lush park we think of today. In fact, it's gone through many transformations! We hear the voices of Amber Paquette, historian laureate of Edmonton, and Dr. Dwayne Donald, associate professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta. Paquette and Donald provide fresh perspective on the braided pathway of the River Valley from gathering place to trading post to smelly town to the "ribbon of green" we know and love today. Throughout its many transformations, the Edmonton River Valley has always been an important meeting place and true local gem. Download the program log here.  ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode originally aired on May 3, 2021: This episode, Terra Informers Sonak Patel and Liam Harrap guide you through some of the impacts that a warming world will have on our blue planet. Drawing from estimates and predictions made in the IPCC Special Report, in this episode we prepare ourselves for what global warming and the climate crisis will mean to Alberta, Canada, and the rest of the world. It's not a heartwarming episode, but we are in this together.Written by Sonak Patel, hosted by Liam Harrap and Sonak Patel, edited and produced by Elizabeth Dowdell.Program log. ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode originally aired on August 17, 2020: This week, Andrea Miller debuts her news training piece. She sits down with Ashley Hillman to discuss her research on lichen and how it is an essential part of the ever-elusive and endangered woodland caribou.Download the program log here. Here are links to Ashley's article on lichen cover and the article discussed in the piece on being a person of colour in ecology. Production of CJSR 88.5FM in Amiskwaciy. ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode originally aired on November 15, 2021: This week, we’re speaking with an outreach and science communication professional to learn about a variety of strategies and mediums for effectively communicating energy research beyond the academy, to a wider audience of policymakers, energy practitioners, communities and members of the public, and other academics. Dr. Valerie Miller is the Outreach and Engagement Coordinator for the University of Alberta research group, Future Energy Systems. Valerie shares how energy communication is creating common ground between researchers and building connections between people and the energy systems we are a part of.This episode features an excerpt of the first book in Future Energy Systems children’s book series, The Energy Adventures of Tommy and Remi, The Mystery of the Glowing Light, available at the Edmonton Public Library. The book was written by Valerie Miller with illustrations by Kaitlyn Pylypa. Dr. Zhongyi Quan was the Technical Advisor and the book was edi

This epsiode originally aired on December 14, 2020: Listeners, we know you're all very upset that Eurovision was cancelled this year due to COVID. So, we decided to host something similar ourselves on the radio. This week, we bring to you the first ever EuroBirdoVision Identification Competition. You'll hear Terra Informers Charlotte Thomasson, Elizabeth Dowdell, and Sonak Patel try to guess the difference between the names of European birds and bands. You'll also hear some bird songs, and bird facts.The bird songs in this episode are from DiBird and Avi-base.The bands mentioned in this episode are: Eugent Bushpepa, Nemra, Lasgo, Irfan, Osmi Putnik, Monsieur Doumani, Priessnitz, Kellermensch, Mana Mana, Poll, Goran Gora, and Telectu.Download the program log here. ★ Support this podcast ★