As we publish, scientists are announcing that the last dozen years are the driest in more than a millennium. With the desert's cities ever more dependent on water from the Colorado River, how will southwestern society meet the challenge of hyper-aridity? Chris and Alicia get water wonky with Kyle Roerink of the Great Basin Water Network.

As we publish, scientists are announcing that the last dozen years are the driest in more than a millennium. With the desert's cities ever more dependent on water from the Colorado River, how will southwestern society meet the challenge of hyper-aridity? Chris and Alicia get water wonky with Kyle Roerink of the <a href="https://greatbasinwater.org/">Great Basin Water Network</a>.

Join Chris Clarke and a variety of guests as they explore the challenges and opportunities of the American Southwest's fragile ecosystems. Engaging interviews with experts, activists, and advocates on conservation, land management, and environmental justice. Science and sentiment, politics and philosophy, hiking and history, culture and creativity all go into defending the desert. Be forewarned: We are out to recruit you to the cause.

Join Chris Clarke and a variety of guests as they explore the challenges and opportunities of the American Southwest's fragile ecosystems. Engaging interviews with experts, activists, and advocates on conservation, land management, and environmental justice. Science and sentiment, politics and philosophy, hiking and history, culture and creativity all go into defending the desert. Be forewarned: We are out to recruit you to the cause.

Vital info on protecting our irrepaceable deserts

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast

It's not a real desert hike unless you get thirsty. Unless your skin gets punctured by an innocent-looking plant. Unless you have a close encounter with a nervous venomous critter. The desert is alive, and it will defend itself. And we will help. 90 Miles From Needles brings you stories from far out in the American outback: a land unlike any other that is both intense and subtle, that has endured for eons in the harshest conditions imaginable but which could go away in a heartbeat if we act the wrong way. Science, politics, hiking and history, culture and creativity all go into defending the desert. Be forewarned: We are out to recruit you to the cause.

It's not a real desert hike unless you get thirsty. Unless your skin gets punctured by an innocent-looking plant. Unless you have a close encounter with a nervous venomous critter. The desert is alive, and it will defend itself. And we will help. 90 Miles From Needles brings you stories from far out in the American outback: a land unlike any other that is both intense and subtle, that has endured for eons in the harshest conditions imaginable but which could go away in a heartbeat if we act the wrong way. Science, politics, hiking and history, culture and creativity all go into defending the desert. Be forewarned: We are out to recruit you to the cause.

90 Miles from Needles Member feed

Join host Chris Clarke and guests as they explore the challenges and opportunities of the American Southwest's fragile ecosystems. Engaging interviews with experts, activists, and advocates on conservation, land management, and environmental justice.

Join host Chris Clarke and guests as they explore the challenges and opportunities of the American Southwest's fragile ecosystems. Engaging interviews with experts, activists, and advocates on conservation, land management, and environmental justice.

Drought on the Colorado River forces us to consider big changes.

S1E4: The End of the Cadillac Desert: Megadrought in the Southwest

Episode Summary:

In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke looks into three astonishing science facts about deserts that challenge traditional views of these arid landscapes. From the surprising biological interactions involving desert tortoises and ticks to the hidden carbon-sequestering prowess of desert soils, the episode showcases desert ecosystems, their intricate balance, and the sometimes unexpected roles they play. This episode provides a fresh perspective on how deserts contribute to global environmental stability and why they merit protection.

The first segment of the episode highlights the intriguing relationship between desert tortoises and ticks, specifically the role tortoises play in reducing the prevalence of tick-borne diseases like tick-borne relapsing fever. Clarke discusses research by Dr. Molly June Bechtel, which reveals that desert tortoises possess a blood factor that reduces harmful Borrelia bacteria, thereby offering insights into the greater ecological importance of these critically endangered reptiles.

In another surprising desert fact, Clarke explores the soil carbon sequestration abilities of arid ecosystems. Despite popular misconceptions, deserts store immense amounts of carbon, thanks to unique geological and biological processes such as calcium carbonate formation and glomalin production by mycorrhizal fungi. These findings emphasize the critical environmental role deserts play and their potential impact on mitigating climate change.

The episode concludes with a fascinating examination of desert pavement, a geological phenomenon that stabilizes loose sediment and contributes to air quality by preventing dust pollution. Clarke describes how desert pavement forms over time and its ecological benefits, like housing viable wildflower seed banks. This episode not only captivates with revelations about the intricate mechanisms at play in desert environments but also reinforces the necessity of preserving these ecosystems for their environmental and health benefits.

Key Takeaways

Desert tortoises host ticks, which have a low incidence of Borrelia due to a bactericidal factor in tortoise blood, aiding in controlling tick-borne diseases.

America's deserts act as significant carbon sinks, sequestering over 55 million tons of carbon annually through soil processes like glomalin production and caliche formation.

Desert pavements, formed over time through wind and water interactions, play vital roles in air quality and soil stability.

Protecting desert ecosystems is crucial, not only for conserving biodiversity but also for their role in reducing climate change impacts and preventing the spread of diseases.

The podcast emphasizes the various misunderstood yet essential ecological functions of deserts, advocating for their conservation.

Notable Quotes

"One desert tortoise has done more for human public health than an entire RFK junior."

"We may actually be making climate change worse in the long term by destroying the desert to put in solar power."

"A feature of the landscape that's about as innocuous as you can imagine turns out to clean our air of asthma-inducing dust." 

"If we're going to get through this really ugly period, it's going to have to be about the love."

Resources

Desert Protection Podcast Website: https://90milesfromneedles.com

Research by Molly June Bechtel, PhD: https://www.90milesfromneedles.com/downloads/bechtel_ticks/

Andrew Alden's blog post on desert pavement at the Cima Volcanic Field: https://www.thoughtco.com/theories-of-desert-pavement-1441193

More on glomalin from the Summertree Institute: https://summertree.org/the-desert-underground/

Desert Advocacy Media Network: https://thedamn.org

To uncover more revealing insights into the remarkable intricacy of desert ecosystems, listen to the full episode.

Episode Summary:
In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke looks into three astonishing science facts about deserts that challenge traditional views of these arid landscapes. From the surprising biological interactions involving desert tortoises and ticks to the hidden carbon-sequestering prowess of desert soils, the episode showcases desert ecosystems, their intricate balance, and the sometimes unexpected roles they play. This episode provides a fresh perspective on how deserts contribute to global environmental stability and why they merit protection.
The first segment of the episode highlights the intriguing relationship between desert tortoises and ticks, specifically the role tortoises play in reducing the prevalence of tick-borne diseases like tick-borne relapsing fever. Clarke discusses research by Dr. Molly June Bechtel, which reveals that desert tortoises possess a blood factor that reduces harmful Borrelia bacteria, thereby offering insights into the greater ecological importance of these critically endangered reptiles.
In another surprising desert fact, Clarke explores the soil carbon sequestration abilities of arid ecosystems. Despite popular misconceptions, deserts store immense amounts of carbon, thanks to unique geological and biological processes such as calcium carbonate formation and glomalin production by mycorrhizal fungi. These findings emphasize the critical environmental role deserts play and their potential impact on mitigating climate change.
The episode concludes with a fascinating examination of desert pavement, a geological phenomenon that stabilizes loose sediment and contributes to air quality by preventing dust pollution. Clarke describes how desert pavement forms over time and its ecological benefits, like housing viable wildflower seed banks. This episode not only captivates with revelations about the intricate mechanisms at play in desert environments but also reinforces the necessity of preserving these ecosystems for their environmental and health benefits.
Key Takeaways
Desert tortoises host ticks, which have a low incidence of Borrelia due to a bactericidal factor in tortoise blood, aiding in controlling tick-borne diseases.
America's deserts act as significant carbon sinks, sequestering over 55 million tons of carbon annually through soil processes like glomalin production and caliche formation.
Desert pavements, formed over time through wind and water interactions, play vital roles in air quality and soil stability.
Protecting desert ecosystems is crucial, not only for conserving biodiversity but also for their role in reducing climate change impacts and preventing the spread of diseases.
The podcast emphasizes the various misunderstood yet essential ecological functions of deserts, advocating for their conservation.
Notable Quotes
"One desert tortoise has done more for human public health than an entire RFK junior."
"We may actually be making climate change worse in the long term by destroying the desert to put in solar power."
"A feature of the landscape that's about as innocuous as you can imagine turns out to clean our air of asthma-inducing dust."&nbsp;
"If we're going to get through this really ugly period, it's going to have to be about the love."
Resources
Desert Protection Podcast Website: <a href="https://90milesfromneedles.com">https://90milesfromneedles.com</a>
Research by Molly June Bechtel, PhD: <a href="https://www.90milesfromneedles.com/downloads/bechtel_ticks/">https://www.90milesfromneedles.com/downloads/bechtel_ticks/</a>
Andrew Alden's blog post on desert pavement at the Cima Volcanic Field: <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/theories-of-desert-pavement-1441193">https://www.thoughtco.com/theories-of-desert-pavement-1441193</a>
More on glomalin from the Summertree Institute: <a href="https://summertree.org/the-desert-underground/">https://summertree.org/the-desert-underground/</a>
Desert Advocacy Media Network: <a href="https://thedamn.org">https://thedamn.org</a>
To uncover more revealing insights into the remarkable intricacy of desert ecosystems, listen to the full episode.

Surprising scientific facts about desert tortoises, the hidden carbon sinks within desert landscapes, and the ecological importance of desert pavement.

S4E10: 3 Ways the Desert Improves Your Life

Chris Clarke explores the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with desert protection, highlighting how Trump's attacks on DEI harm not just people but also the ecosystems and communities inhabiting deserts. He delves into historical and contemporary issues, from indigenous genocide to border wall impacts, underscoring the importance of inclusive environmental advocacy. Clarke also reflects on the diversity challenges within his podcast team, urging for broader representation. Join him for insights on DEI's crucial role in fostering social justice and environmental resilience in desert landscapes. No guests featured this episode.

Resources:

90 Miles from Needles Website: https://90milesfromneedles.com

Southwest Organizing Project 1990 Big Green letter: https://www.90milesfromneedles.com/downloads/swop/

Explore the full episode to better understand of how diversity and inclusion intertwine with the fight to protect our deserts.

Chris Clarke explores the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with desert protection, highlighting how Trump's attacks on DEI harm not just people but also the ecosystems and communities inhabiting deserts. He delves into historical and contemporary issues, from indigenous genocide to border wall impacts, underscoring the importance of inclusive environmental advocacy. Clarke also reflects on the diversity challenges within his podcast team, urging for broader representation. Join him for insights on DEI's crucial role in fostering social justice and environmental resilience in desert landscapes. No guests featured this episode.
Resources:
90 Miles from Needles Website: <a href="https://90milesfromneedles.com">https://90milesfromneedles.com</a>
Southwest Organizing Project 1990 Big Green letter: <a href="https://www.90milesfromneedles.com/downloads/swop/">https://www.90milesfromneedles.com/downloads/swop/</a>
Explore the full episode to better understand of how diversity and inclusion intertwine with the fight to protect our deserts.

We explore the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with desert protection, highlighting how Trump's attacks on DEI harm not just people but also the ecosystems and communities inhabiting deserts.

S4E9: DEI and Desert Protection

About the Guest: 

Caroline Tracey is a distinguished writer focusing on topics related to art, literature, environment, and migration in the U.S., the Southwest, Mexico, and borderland regions. Caroline contributes to the Border Chronicle, among other reputable publications such as N1, The Nation, and The Guardian. Not only does she have expertise in English, but she is also trilingual, proficient in Spanish and Russian. Caroline's significant contributions to journalism include winning the 2019 Scoundrel Time Summer Literary Seminars nonfiction contest for her work on migrant deaths in South Texas. With a PhD in geography from UC Berkeley, Caroline is currently working on a book about salt lakes, set to be published by W.W. Norton.

Episode Summary: 

In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke converses with Caroline Tracey, a talented journalist with a focus on the borderlands of the U.S. and Mexico. The discussion revolves around Plan Sonora, a significant energy transition and development initiative in the Mexican state of Sonora, which borders the U.S. state of Arizona. Through this lens, Caroline explores the impacts of renewable and fossil fuel energy developments, such as lithium mining and solar arrays, on both local ecosystems and indigenous communities. Her insights underscore the complex balance between industrial progress and environmental conservation. The episode gives an in-depth look at Plan Sonora's four key components: a major solar array in Rocky Point, the nationalization of lithium mining reserves, an expansive natural gas pipeline project, and logistic developments that aim to transform Sonora into an economic hub. Caroline delves into activism efforts against these developments, particularly highlighting successful campaigns led by environmental groups against the Mexico Pacific's Saguaro Energy Project. By doing so, she paints a vivid picture of the current tensions between commercial ambitions and advocacy for ecological protection and cultural preservation.

Key Takeaways: 

Plan Sonora: This encompasses solar power projects, lithium mining, natural gas pipeline proposals, and logistical developments, transforming Sonora into a critical player in renewable energy.

Cross-border Impacts: Renewable energy developments in Mexico cater largely to U.S. demands, raising concerns about "green colonialism."

Opposition and Activism: Indigenous communities and environmental activists are actively opposing certain projects due to cultural and environmental implications, most notably the pipeline and terminal proposals along the Gulf of California.

Political Dynamics: Recent changes in Mexico's administration and judicial system reform are smoothing the way for energy investment and curtailing environmental regulations. 

Economic and Environmental Tensions: Despite opportunities for economic growth, critics argue these projects risk damaging vital ecosystems and stripping local communities of benefits.

Notable Quotes:

"Personally, I increasingly think that enlisting large corporations to do your climate mitigation work is inevitably going to kick you in the butt." - Chris Clarke

"They plan to build a couple other solar plants that are of similar size…[in] the Gulf of California." - Caroline Tracey

"There are four pipelines that are being developed right now…[raising] economic development to the detriment of people in Mexico." - Caroline Tracey

"If indeed we're going to transition to renewable energy, that means first of all, stopping new extraction projects." - Caroline Tracey

Resources:

Caroline Tracey’s work at the Border Chronicle: https://www.theborderchronicle.com

Caroline Tracey’s personal website: https://cetracey.com

Ballenas ó Gas in Spanish: https://ballenasogas.org/
and in English: https://whalesorgas.org/

Article by By Martha Pskowski, Inside Climate News, and Alejandra Martinez, the Texas Tribune on opposition to the Saguaro Pipeline in Van Horn, TX: https://insideclimatenews.org/news/20122023/west-texans-rally-against-cross-border-pipeline/

Stay tuned to "90 Miles from Needles" for more enlightening discussions on desert protection and environmental advocacy.

About the Guest:&nbsp;
Caroline Tracey is a distinguished writer focusing on topics related to art, literature, environment, and migration in the U.S., the Southwest, Mexico, and borderland regions. Caroline contributes to the Border Chronicle, among other reputable publications such as N1, The Nation, and The Guardian. Not only does she have expertise in English, but she is also trilingual, proficient in Spanish and Russian. Caroline's significant contributions to journalism include winning the 2019 Scoundrel Time Summer Literary Seminars nonfiction contest for her work on migrant deaths in South Texas. With a PhD in geography from UC Berkeley, Caroline is currently working on a book about salt lakes, set to be published by W.W. Norton.
Episode Summary: 
In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke converses with Caroline Tracey, a talented journalist with a focus on the borderlands of the U.S. and Mexico. The discussion revolves around Plan Sonora, a significant energy transition and development initiative in the Mexican state of Sonora, which borders the U.S. state of Arizona. Through this lens, Caroline explores the impacts of renewable and fossil fuel energy developments, such as lithium mining and solar arrays, on both local ecosystems and indigenous communities. Her insights underscore the complex balance between industrial progress and environmental conservation. The episode gives an in-depth look at Plan Sonora's four key components: a major solar array in Rocky Point, the nationalization of lithium mining reserves, an expansive natural gas pipeline project, and logistic developments that aim to transform Sonora into an economic hub. Caroline delves into activism efforts against these developments, particularly highlighting successful campaigns led by environmental groups against the Mexico Pacific's Saguaro Energy Project. By doing so, she paints a vivid picture of the current tensions between commercial ambitions and advocacy for ecological protection and cultural preservation.
Key Takeaways: 
Plan Sonora: This encompasses solar power projects, lithium mining, natural gas pipeline proposals, and logistical developments, transforming Sonora into a critical player in renewable energy.
Cross-border Impacts: Renewable energy developments in Mexico cater largely to U.S. demands, raising concerns about "green colonialism."
Opposition and Activism: Indigenous communities and environmental activists are actively opposing certain projects due to cultural and environmental implications, most notably the pipeline and terminal proposals along the Gulf of California.
Political Dynamics: Recent changes in Mexico's administration and judicial system reform are smoothing the way for energy investment and curtailing environmental regulations.&nbsp;
Economic and Environmental Tensions: Despite opportunities for economic growth, critics argue these projects risk damaging vital ecosystems and stripping local communities of benefits.
Notable Quotes:
"Personally, I increasingly think that enlisting large corporations to do your climate mitigation work is inevitably going to kick you in the butt." - Chris Clarke
"They plan to build a couple other solar plants that are of similar size&hellip;[in] the Gulf of California." - Caroline Tracey
"There are four pipelines that are being developed right now&hellip;[raising] economic development to the detriment of people in Mexico." - Caroline Tracey
"If indeed we're going to transition to renewable energy, that means first of all, stopping new extraction projects." - Caroline Tracey
Resources:
Caroline Tracey&rsquo;s work at the Border Chronicle: <a href="https://www.theborderchronicle.com">https://www.theborderchronicle.com</a>
Caroline Tracey&rsquo;s personal website: <a href="https://cetracey.com">https://cetracey.com</a>
Ballenas &oacute; Gas in Spanish: <a href="https://ballenasogas.org/">https://ballenasogas.org/</a> and in English: <a href="https://whalesorgas.org/">https://whalesorgas.org/</a>
Article by By Martha Pskowski, Inside Climate News, and Alejandra Martinez, the Texas Tribune on opposition to the Saguaro Pipeline in Van Horn, TX:&nbsp;<a href="https://insideclimatenews.org/news/20122023/west-texans-rally-against-cross-border-pipeline/">https://insideclimatenews.org/news/20122023/west-texans-rally-against-cross-border-pipeline/</a>
Stay tuned to "90 Miles from Needles" for more enlightening discussions on desert protection and environmental advocacy.

Chris Clarke chats with Caroline Tracey, a journalist with The Border Chronicle, on the environmental and political impacts of Plan Sonora, Mexico's ambitious renewable energy project. They discuss lithium mining, solar and natural gas development in Sonora, and the cross-border impacts on both Mexico and the U.S. desert landscapes. 

S1E4: The End of the Cadillac Desert: Megadrought in the Southwest

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