In Our Backyard Podcast

38. Beyond Borders: What U.S. and Swedish Environmental Policies Teach Us

We're comparing Sweden and the United States. If you've ever traveled to Sweden, you've probably noticed how clean the cities are, how much public transportation is used, and how seriously recycling is taken. On the other hand, the United States is home to some of the world's most important environmental research, groundbreaking clean-energy companies, and national parks that have inspired conservation efforts across the globe. So why do these two countries have such different environmental laws? Is Sweden really as environmentally friendly as its reputation suggests? And does the United States deserve its reputation for having weaker environmental protections? We look at the differences in systems, climate policy, energy production, pollution prevention, recycling and prevention, transportation, forests and nature, and the strengths of each country. As always, the answer is more complicated than it first appears.

37. Protecting One of North America’s Most Biodiverse River Systems

Today’s guest is Jesse Demonbreun-Chapman, Executive Director and Riverkeeper for the Coosa River Basin Initiative, an organization dedicated to protecting one of the most biologically diverse river systems in North America. Stretching across the southeastern United States, the Coosa River Basin is home to an extraordinary range of freshwater species and ecosystems, many of which exist nowhere else on Earth. But this watershed also faces mounting threats from pollution, climate change, habitat destruction, rapid development, and biodiversity loss. In this conversation, we talk about what it means to protect a watershed, and how Indigenous history, environmental justice, and community action are deeply connected to conservation. We also talk about PFAS contamination, restoration efforts, and the idea that “we all live downstream.” Contact and connect: https://coosa.org/ [https://coosa.org/]

36. Holding Ground: Climate Resilience in Lowland Communities

Today’s guest is Kristina Peterson, a facilitator with the Lowlander Center [https://www.lowlandercenter.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com], an organization supporting lowland and coastal communities facing climate change, land loss, displacement, and environmental injustice.  A lowland is an area of land at a relatively low elevation, often located near coastlines, rivers, wetlands, or floodplains. Because these areas sit close to sea level, they are especially vulnerable to flooding, hurricanes, erosion, sea level rise, and other climate-related impacts. In this conversation, we discuss what makes lowland communities especially vulnerable, how climate change impacts culture and identity as much as infrastructure, and how community-led resilience projects are helping shape a more sustainable future. Contact and connect: https://www.lowlandercenter.org/ [https://www.lowlandercenter.org/]

35. Building a Sustainable South

Welcome back to the show. Today we’re joined by Laura Iyer, founder of the Southern Sustainability Institute. Laura works with communities, businesses, and local leaders across the South to advance practical sustainability solutions through education, renewable energy, and community action. Today we’ll talk about what inspired her to launch the Institute, the future of sustainability in the South, and how local leadership can drive real change. From youth energy camps to leadership initiatives and community partnerships, her work is helping reshape how people think about sustainability, making it less about politics and more about resilience, opportunity, and collaboration Contact and connect: https://southernsustainabilityinstitute.org/ [https://southernsustainabilityinstitute.org/]

34. Understanding Energy Policy and Power Costs in Louisiana

Today we’re joined by Jackson Voss, Senior Government Affairs & Policy Advisor at the Alliance for Affordable Energy. He breaks down how energy systems are shaped, regulated, and experienced by everyday people. In this episode, we explore what the energy landscape looks like in New Orleans and across Louisiana, where climate vulnerability, aging infrastructure, and rising costs all intersect. We talk about what “affordable energy” really means, and what’s driving up costs for households. He also explains how regulators and policymakers make decisions and why those processes matter for your bills and reliability. We also touch on the future of energy policy, including climate goals, gaps in the current system, and how communities can stay engaged as we transition to cleaner, more equitable energy.