Equity In Every Drop - A Waterkeeper Alliance Podcast

In this final episode of series two of Equity In Every Drop, host Thomas Hynes speaks with Reverend Jimmy Melvin, senior pastor of Mount Zion Church in Magnolia, North Carolina. With 40 years of pastoral experience, Reverend Melvin shares his transition from ministry to environmental advocacy, driven by the disproportionate impacts of factory farms on his community.

He gives first-hand accounts of the environmental and social toll of concentrated animal feeding operations on adjacent communities, including the pollution of drinking water, adverse health effects, and damage to local ecosystems. Reverend Melvin underscores how these industrial practices endanger the health, livelihoods, and well-being of his neighbors, emphasizing the moral responsibility to protect clean air and water for all.

Through his collaboration with Waterkeeper Alliance, Reverend Melvin demonstrates the transformative power of stewardship, spiritual commitment, and collective action in addressing environmental challenges. He highlights the importance of community engagement, scientific research, and partnerships across various sectors to create sustainable solutions.

This episode explores the intersection of faith and environmental advocacy, showing how spiritual leadership can inspire meaningful change, foster justice, and guide efforts toward sustainable community development.

In series two of Equity In Every Drop, we exposed the true costs of factory farms and shed light on the harmful impacts of this industrial pollution to our water, air, and surrounding communities.

In this upcoming series, we’re taking a closer look at clean water defense, examining the challenges we face and the progress we’re making to protect our waterways, restore fragile ecosystems, and ensure everyone has access to clean, safe drinking water.

We’ll highlight the incredible work being done to tackle pervasive pollution from plastic waste and toxic chemicals like PFAS and 6PPD. We'll discuss the importance of international collaboration for wetlands protections and explore solutions to nonpoint source pollution, the leading cause of water quality issues in rivers, lakes, and coastal areas worldwide.

This is a pivotal moment for clean water. Together, we can stand up against the erosion of laws and regulations, ensuring that the protection of people and the environment comes before corporate interests.

We’ll hear from advocates, experts, and community leaders who are united in our fight to advance actionable solutions and scientifically sound policies that ensure water is clean, safe, and accessible for all.

So, whether you’re a seasoned environmental advocate or new to the cause, we invite you to join us to listen, learn, and amplify the call for equity in every drop.

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.

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.

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.