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90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast

By: Chris Clarke
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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.

2025 Desert Advocacy Media Network Biological Sciences Science Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • S4E16: Ezra Klein's New Book Has an Abundance of Problems

    S4E16: Ezra Klein's New Book Has an Abundance of Problems
    May 20 2025
    About the Host: Chris Clarke is the host of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast." With an extensive background in environmental journalism, Clarke has covered renewable energy developments in California's deserts for KCET, a public television station in Los Angeles. His work is driven by a passionate commitment to environmental conservation and protection, bringing to light the complexities and challenges of implementing renewable energy projects in sensitive desert habitats. Clarke's expertise and dedication continue to inform and inspire as he navigates the intricacies of desert ecosystems and environmental policies. Episode Summary: In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke offers a critical analysis of "Abundance," the new book by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. The episode unpacks the book's treatment of environmental regulations and sustainable development, particularly questioning the authors' thesis of liberal states allegedly hindering renewable projects due to stringent regulations. Clarke, drawing on his years of experience as a renewable energy reporter, counters this narrative with on-ground insights, advocating for the significance of environmental laws. Clarke critiques Klein and Thompson's perspective that liberal regulations are obstacles to progress, especially in solar energy projects. With examples from California's renewable energy history, he underscores how the actual challenges often stem from corporate dynamics rather than regulatory frameworks. Clarke highlights the pitfalls of Klein and Thompson's book, arguing that it oversimplifies complex issues by selectively presenting data, ultimately asserting the need for a grounded understanding of environmental policies. Key Takeaways: Environmental Regulations' Role: Clarke challenges the notion that environmental regulations, like CEQA, are the main barriers to renewable energy progress, presenting evidence from California's solar energy projects. Corporate Influence: The episode points out the critical role of corporate influence, particularly from utility companies, in shaping the renewable energy landscape, rather than blaming public regulations. Complexity in Policy Discussions: Emphasizes the need for detailed and nuanced discussions about housing and energy development, contrasting with the book's broad brush critiques. Grounded Evidence: Advocates for the significance of ground truthing and environmental laws in preventing unforeseen project impacts, contrary to the book's implications. Desert Habitat Challenges: Explores the environmental and cultural challenges of renewable projects in the California desert, highlighting systemic issues outside mere regulatory concerns. Notable Quotes: "In Klein and Thompson's telling of how liberal regulation is getting in the way of renewable energy development, the actual history of renewable energy development in the desert never showed up." "The function of these laws is to ground truth projects, to reduce the number of unanticipated consequences." "[Rooftop solar in California] is having some issues because the utilities don't like it." "This book is a testament to the power of selective cherry picking of data in order to bolster an ideological argument." "Abundance is essentially a polemic, an extended OP-ed, and in this climate, it's just not helpful." Resources: 90 Miles from Needles Website: http://90milesfromneedles.com California Distributed Generation Stats: https://www.californiadgstats.ca.gov/ "Rooftop Solar Reduces Costs for All Ratepayers" report by the California Solar and Storage Association: https://mcubedecon.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/calssa_rooftop-solar-reduces-costs-for-all-ratepayers-2025.pdf Mehdi Hasan and Derek Thompson discussing "Abundance": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTC5jKpYYNU Zeteo (Mehdi Hasan's new news network): https://zeteo.com/ Rose Foundation report on CEQA and housing: https://rosefdn.org/wp-content/uploads/CEQA-California_s-Living-Environmental-Law-10-25-21.pdf CEQA and Housing Production: https://www.califaep.org/docs/CEQA_and_Housing_Report_1-30-19.pdfBecome a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    39 mins
  • S4E15: The Fight to Save Lives on the U.S.-Mexico Border

    S4E15: The Fight to Save Lives on the U.S.-Mexico Border
    May 13 2025

    Episode Summary: Join host Chris Clarke in this thought-provoking episode of "90 Miles from Needles" as he delves into the crucial humanitarian efforts of Laurie Cantillo and Humane Borders. As the border challenges unfold, Laurie discusses her organization's mission to provide life-saving water stations in the desert for migrants facing extreme peril during their journey to the United States. This episode sheds light on the often-misunderstood realities of border crossings and the humanitarian responses necessary to combat these challenges. Through vibrant storytelling, Laurie Cantillo and Chris Clarke engage in a candid discussion about the evolving landscape of the U.S.-Mexico border, addressing widespread misconceptions and the dire need for compassion and accurate representation of migrants. The conversation highlights the devastating impact of border policies and the unyielding resolve of those risking their lives for a chance at a better future. With insights into borderland human rights, as well as environmental concerns caused by border militarization, this episode offers an in-depth exploration of the human and ecological costs associated with the border crisis.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Humane Borders provides life-saving water stations across the Sonoran Desert to support migrants, hikers, and even wildlife, confronting the severe drought conditions and inhumane border policies.
    • Contrary to this administration's narrative, migrants crossing the desert to seek asylum are not an "invasion," but rather families and individuals fleeing violence and economic instability.
    • The concept of "prevention through deterrence" initiated by the U.S. government did not deter crossings but instead caused thousands of migrant deaths since its implementation.
    • Laurie emphasizes the stark reality that many Americans are misinformed about migrant communities, which are less prone to crime and more likely to contribute positively to society.
    • Initiatives like Humane Borders represent nonpartisan, humanitarian efforts focused on human dignity and environmental responsibility amidst geopolitical complexities at the border.

    Notable Quotes:

    “We're all human. We all need water.” - Laurie Cantillo

    “The government knew at the time that people would die, but did not expect it to occur at the scale that's happening.” - Laurie Cantillo

    “I would much rather have as my neighbor someone who would cross the desert to become a U.S. citizen than someone who just wants to slam the door shut on people in need.” - Laurie Cantillo

    “The only fear I ever have at the border is from far right militia and vigilante groups.” - Laurie Cantillo

    “The wall will fall down of its own accord. Probably before I do.” - Chris Clarke

    Resources:

    Humane Borders Website: humaneborders.org
    Humane Borders' mortality map: https://humaneborders.info/app/map.asp

    Border Angels: Organization mentioned that helps families find missing loved ones. Website: https://www.borderangels.org/

    Comparing crime rates between undocumented immigrants, legal immigrants, and native-born US citizens in Texas; Light et al, PNAS.org, https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2014704117

    Dive deeper into this episode to discover the revealing insights Laurie Cantillo shares about border issues, humanitarian crisis, and the heightened militarization impacting both human lives and biodiversity at the U.S.-Mexico border.

    Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    37 mins
  • S4E14: @WesternWaterGirl Gives Social Media a Reality Check

    S4E14: @WesternWaterGirl Gives Social Media a Reality Check
    May 6 2025

    Episode Summary: In this engaging episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke sits down with Teal Lehto, a passionate water rights activist also known on social media as Western Water Girl. Teal shares insights into her work on public lands protection, the challenges posed by current legislative threats to environment-focused organizations, and the critical issues facing the Colorado River Basin. The episode delves deep into the complexities of water politics across Southwestern U.S. deserts. Teal discusses the antiquated water usage system governed by the doctrine of prior appropriation and its impact on current water scarcities. The conversation explores the political stand-off between upper and lower basin states within the Colorado River framework, highlighting the contentious role agriculture, particularly alfalfa farming, plays in the ongoing water crisis. Reflecting on her journey from frustrated activist to social media influencer, Teal elucidates how she has become a vital communicator of water issues, navigating both support and the vitriol commonly aimed at women in digital spaces.

    Key Takeaways:

    Advocacy Amidst Executive Orders: Teal explores current executive orders threatening public lands and non-profit environmental groups, emphasizing their purpose to dismantle the protections that keep these landscapes safe.

    Colorado River Basin Stalemate: The historical water distribution system faces scrutiny as upper and lower basin states stall on new guidelines essential for preserving water resources.

    Social Media as a Platform for Change: Teal's rise as Western Water Girl began as a reaction to being sidelined; now she uses Instagram and TikTok to educate thousands on water issues.

    Prominent Issues in Water Management: The widespread impact of alfalfa farming on water resources underlines a significant yet under-addressed element of Western water politics.

    The Influence of Engaging Narratives: Authentic content creation on TikTok significantly impacts environmental communication, allowing Western Water Girl to reach and inspire a broad audience.

    Notable Quotes:

    "I never started my platform expecting it to blow up. Like, I literally told my partner that if five people see my video, it'll make me feel better." - Teal Lehto

    "You can actually have a pretty direct impact on what side of the Internet somebody's content goes to just by leaving a comment." - Teal Lehto

    "People are really into engaging with water equity because it's so mind-blowing to learn the Navajo Nation only has running water in one out of each three homes." - Teal Lehto

    Resources:

    Teal Lehto on Social Media: Follow @westernwatergirl on TikTok and Instagram for updates and education on water politics.

    90 Miles from Needles Podcast Website: For more episodes and donation opportunities, visit 90MilesFromNeedles.com (https://90milesfromneedles.com).

    Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
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