Welcome to the Defender, Wisconsin's environmental podcast, where we talk about the most pressing environmental issues facing Wisconsin and how you can plug in to defend our air, water, land and climate. The Defender is hosted by former radio and TV journalist Amy Barrilleaux. She'll help cut through the jargon and all the misinformation that's out there and have real conversations about how to build a healthy, sustainable future. Every week, Amy talks with scientists, advocates, farmers,…
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In this episode, Amy heads to Columbia County to separate fact from fiction about wind energy… and learn a thing or two about cows. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Jerry Cigelske, 2nd generation Wisconsin farmer
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: The Defender Episode 35: Microplastics in Our Bodies - How Much do They Hurt Us? Green Life Trading Co. Find out more about Zero Waste Madison Under the Lens:…
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…
The Wisconsin Public Health Association recently adopted a resolution saying u nregulated 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:…
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…
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:…
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,…
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: New Report: Nitrate Contamination Driving Health Crisis in Wisconsin Proposal to increase E-15 would cause substantial harms in Wisconsin Common…
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: Amara's Law regulating PFAS in Products (Minnesota) Episode 62: What to Know about PFAS…
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: Wisconsin: One one of the Most Important Places…
