Ethnobotany, Cultural Fire, and Indigenous Stewardship with Payoomkawish Elder Richard Bugbee

Open Veins of Latin America: Exploring Chile's Atacama Desert

We embark on the first part of a series from 2024 by Jack Eidt spotlighting the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, and its rich yet troubled history with mining. We delve into the environmental and social impacts of mining in this region, the historical context of Latin American exploitation, and the legacy of colonialism and neoliberal policies. Featuring poignant quotes from local authors and music that reflects Chile's cultural heritage, this episode is a profound exploration of eco-justice, history, and art. For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Resources/Articles: Green Extractivism: Can Our Deserts Survive Our Thirst for Lithium? PBS SoCal: https://www.pbssocal.org/shows/artbound/green-extractivism-can-our-deserts-survive-our-thirst-for-lithium Victor Loyola has a thirty year history working in the mining industry in the Atacama Desert of Chile and presently works in tourism at the Municipal Museum in Maria Elena, Chile. Jack Eidt is an environmental journalist, urban theorist/designer, and advocate for the wild, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He writes for a PBS SoCal Artbound project called High & Dry [https://www.pbssocal.org/people/high-dry]. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs. He also publishes articles and podcasts on Substack [https://jackeidt.substack.com/]. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Episode 229 Photo credit: Jack Eidt

Earth's Greatest Enemy: The U.S. Military's Toxic Environmental Legacy

In this episode, we re-air an interview from December 2025 with Abby Martin, a journalist and filmmaker known for her anti-imperialist vision. She has done on-the-ground investigative reports and documentary films in places like Palestine, Venezuela, the Amazon Rainforest. We explore the profound environmental impacts of U.S. militarism, connecting the dots between war and ecological devastation. This interview was recorded before the two most recent wars by the latest U.S. Administration, which only further adds to the immediacy of the set of problems outlined. Support the Podcast via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Abby sheds light on the military's role as the world's largest polluter, the real enemy of the people, the land, the rivers, the sea, in this story. She speaks on her uncovering of the military operations toxic legacy, and the urgent need for a collective response against these destructive forces. Join us as we uncover the truth about how militarism and environmental degradation are intertwined, and what we can do to combat this crisis. For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Resources/Articles: Earth’s Greatest Enemy Website: https://earthsgreatestenemy.com/ Abby Martin is a journalist, filmmaker, activist who hosts, directs, and writes the YouTube show The Empire Files [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG29FnXZm4F5U8xpqs1cs1Q], an independent documentary & interview series with her husband Mike Prysner - reporting on war & inequality from the heart of Empire. She is director of the film Gaza Fights for Freedom [https://gazafightsforfreedom.com/] and the documentary Earth's Greatest Enemy [https://earthsgreatestenemy.com/]. She also co-hosts Media Roots Radio [https://soundcloud.com/media-roots]. Jack Eidt is an urban planner, environmental journalist, and climate organizer, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He writes for a PBS SoCal Artbound project called High & Dry [https://www.pbssocal.org/people/high-dry]. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Episode 274 Photo credit: Jack Eidt

Climate Cost of the Artificial Intelligence Boom

On this show we share a panel discussion put together by Pasadena California Climate Commons with leaders working at the intersection of technology, energy, and sustainability. Here they explore how the rapid rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping demand for water and power across modern data centers and what is being done to address it. Support the Podcast via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url This is helpful to listen to industry people share their version of both sides of the equation: How AI and advanced computing can also support climate research and clean energy innovation Practical steps developers, companies, and policymakers can take to ensure technology supports a more sustainable future There is much more to be said than these folks we are sharing today. The problem we face is yes, Big Tech can do better, and we hear that in this show. Generating their own energy, closed loop water system, no diesel generators, noise abatement, distance from sensitive population and uses. So, listen with an open mind, because there is great need for everyone to make their voices heard in these struggles. For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Resources/Articles: Water and Power Woes with AI Data Centers - EcoJustice Radio: https://jackeidt.substack.com/p/water-and-power-woes-how-artificial Miranda Kerrigan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirandagardiner/?utm_source=luma] is Executive Director at the iMasons Climate Accord, brings a global view on the rapid scale of data center expansion and the role of hyperscalers in driving renewable energy investment. Adrian Hightower [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianhightower/?utm_source=luma] is a sustainability professional at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, with expertise in water systems and regional resource management. Alec Miller [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alecmiller1/?utm_source=luma] leads a software team that has developed a Sustainability calculator for data centers, and is part of an infrastructure fund that owns a data center developer. Greg Eisenberg [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregoryeisenberg/?utm_source=luma] is an experienced software engineering leader working in solar energy, bringing insights into the intersection of technology and renewable power systems. Anders Dunker [https://www.andersdunker.com/about.html] is a Norwegian writer, journalist, philosopher, and painter. His latest book of interviews about nature is called "Unknown Territory." He moderates the panel. We featured a 2024 panel he presided over regarding proposals to mine the deep seabed for rare earth minerals [https://wilderutopia.com/ecojustice-radio/deep-sea-mining-and-the-green-transition-will-marine-ecosystems-survive/]. Jack Eidt is an urban planner, environmental journalist, and climate advocate, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He writes for a PBS SoCal Artbound project called High & Dry [https://www.pbssocal.org/people/high-dry]. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs. He also publishes articles and podcasts on Substack [https://jackeidt.substack.com/]. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Episode 285 Photo credit: Jack Eidt

Ethnobotany, Cultural Fire, and Indigenous Stewardship with Payoomkawish Elder Richard Bugbee

As momentum continues to grow around the Land Back movement and Indigenous stewardship worldwide, the value of hearing from Elders who have long studied Indigenous traditions and lifeways, whether adopted or of their heritage, is a growing imperative. Their lived wisdom is essential, a gift and treasure for future generations, and continues the cycle of dynamic, intergenerational learning in the traditional way — the way of direct, felt experience and deep listening. This is an encore presentation of our 2022 conversation with Payoomkawish (Juaneño/Luiseño) Elder Richard Bugbee [https://www.indigenousregeneration.org/]. Richard passed away in 2023 and this interview is a great way to honor his work and incredible personality. Hear him share insights from his decades of studying the way of plants and their uses, re-learning of language, and the practice of material culture. He emphasized the importance of reclaiming our ways of seeing, being, and understanding the world by reclaiming Native languages and observing the world more closely. Richard Bugbee was Payoomkawish (also known as Payómkawichum Juaneño/Luiseño) from northern San Diego County. Richard had ties with multiple Indigenous nations including the Kumeyaay. He was an Instructor of Kumeyaay Ethnobotany and Ethnoecology at Cuyamaca College through Kumeyaay Community College [http://kumeyaaycommunitycollege.com/]. He was the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival (AICLS) [https://aicls.org/]. Richard was on the boards of Indigenous Regeneration (Mata’Yuum), Climate Science Alliance, and Inter-Tribal Fire Stewardship. Richard was the Curator of the Kumeyaay Culture Exhibit at the Southern Indian Health Council, the Associate Director/Curator of the San Diego American Indian Culture Center & Museum, and the Indigenous Education Specialist for the San Diego Museum of Man. He was a member of the Native American Council for California State Parks, California Indian Basketweavers Association ((CIBA), the Land ConVersation, and the Elders’ Circle for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Richard has been learning traditional plant uses of southern California and the Kumeyaay language from Jane Dumas, a Kumeyaay Elder from Jamul Indian Village from 1980 to 2014. He was the ethnobotanist for the Traditional Indian Health Program through Riverside-San Bernardino Indian Health providing information on the interactions between traditional plant and pharmaceutical medicines. He teaches indigenous material cultures and traditional plant uses of southern California at many museums, botanical gardens, and reservations, and is an instructor for summer cultural programs for several Kumeyaay tribes. His goal is to use knowledge to serve as a bridge that connects the wisdom of the Elders with today’s youth. Listen to our related show on Indigenous Regeneration from 2022: https://wilderutopia.com/ecojustice-radio/indigenous-regeneration-remembering-the-past-to-inspire-the-future/ Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://wilderutopia.com/ecojustice-radio/ethnobotany-cultural-fire-and-indigenous-stewardship-with-payoomkawish-elder-richard-bugbee/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Hosted by Carry Kim Intro by Jessica Aldridge Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Executive Producer: Jack Eidt Show Created by Mark and JP Morris Episode 140 Photo credit: Richard Bugbee

Earth Day Reflections: Awakening to Nature and the Call to Protect

Another Earth Day, and world ecosystems continue to face imminent danger from humanity’s ecological overreach and climate systems rapidly reaching the point of fossil-fueled no-return to the old predictable stable planet we once knew. Following the original 1970 theme of a national teach-in, promoting awareness of the acute problems, we must pose solutions to advance environmental sustainability, building movements to work toward its implementation. Support the Podcast via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url In this episode, we explore the profound connection between humanity and Mother Earth with original Earth Day organizer and present day energy expert Morey Wolfson. He shares insights on how nature serves as our greatest teacher and the importance of respecting our environment. We hear from wisdom keeper Wendsler Nosie Sr., poets Andrea Gibson and Allen Ginsberg’s original 1970 Earth Day poem. Indigenous activist Lydia Ponce provides an Earth Day blessing. Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh provides instructions on walking the land meditation. Native American activist David Buffalo Horse Starnes spoke in 1972 about how to keep connected to the ground in an urbanizing landscape. And environmental attorney Mel Nutter speaks on the establishment of the California Coastal Commission as a response to the 1969 blowout of the Union oil platform in the Santa Barbara Channel. As Earth Day approaches, we reflect on its origins, the environmental challenges we face today, and the critical need for collective action. Join us on this journey to reconnect with the planet and reignite our commitment to ecojustice. For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Resources/Articles: Morey Wolfson has spent his career in energy and environmental policy. He is a Former Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulator, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) employee, and governors’ energy policy advisor. Mel Nutter has practiced law in Long Beach since 1965 with an emphasis on coastal land use, environmental, estate planning and trust law. From 1977 through 1985, he was a member of the California Coastal Commission and served as its Chair and member of the State Coastal Conservancy during the last three years of his tenure. He has a long history working with the Sierra Club, Amigos de Bolsa Chica, and the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters. Jack Eidt is an urban planner, environmental journalist, and climate organizer, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He writes for a PBS SoCal Artbound project called High & Dry [https://www.pbssocal.org/people/high-dry]. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs. He also publishes articles and podcasts on Substack [https://jackeidt.substack.com/]. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Episode 284 Photo credit: Rawpixels