Talking Higher Ground

As states weigh trash-to-energy facilities, neighborhoods in Long Island and Brooklyn, New York, have learned from each other to fight for environmental justice with solutions to a growing organic waste management problem. The strategy in New Haven, Connecticut, is reducing trash that ends up in landfills and incinerators.

A nearly $224 million sewer project will reduce nitrogen pollution and expand economic development by eliminating about 1,890 cesspools and septic systems in the Mastic-Shirley area of Long Island. Still, environmentalists want more.

New York joins other states in setting up a commercial kelp farming industry. WSHU’s Higher Ground podcast takes a behind the scenes look.

Higher Ground tells the stories of communities adapting to climate change. The podcast found that communities, like Mastic Beach, have a hard time telling these stories. So, WSHU brought residents together to review the barriers to addressing rising tides and extreme weather.

New York voters could decide this week to add “the right to a healthful environment” to their state Bill of Rights. Next year on Election Day, they can choose to put their money where their mouth is.

Why does Suffolk County want to upgrade its wastewater systems? In an extended interview, WSHU’s J.D. Allen speaks to Suffolk County Water Czar Peter Scully.

J.D. Allen, host of WSHU's new climate podcast, Higher Ground, speaks with scientist Lesley Thorne about about why whales are moving north so quickly.

Connecticut and Long Island are on the front lines of climate change. Our region has already endured significant weather events like Tropical Storm Isaias…

WSHU’s new podcast about climate change, Higher Ground, explores how Long Island and other coastal communities find ways to adapt to rising sea level and…