In Our Backyard Podcast

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.

33. Rising Roots: Voices of Southwest Georgia

Today I’m joined by Sherrell Byrd who is the Founder and Executive Director at SOWEGA Rising. SOWEGA Rising, an organization doing powerful work to support Southwest Georgia and build a more resilient future.  Southwest Georgia faces interconnected challenges like limited economic opportunity, healthcare access gaps, aging infrastructure, and the pressures of a largely agriculture-based economy. On top of that, increasing climate risks like extreme heat, flooding, and storms are making these inequalities worse. We’re talking about some really important work happening here, focusing on community, climate, and grassroots change. Contact and connect:  https://www.sowegarising.org/ [https://www.sowegarising.org/]

32. The Data Center Capital: Growth, Land, and Local Consequences

Today, we’re joined by Julie Bolthouse, Director of Land Use at the Piedmont Environmental Council. With Julie, we talk about the rapid expansion of data centers on the ground and how communities are responding. Virginia is often called the “data center capital of the world”. Data centers are reshaping landscapes, straining resources, and raising tough questions about growth and sustainability.  In the episode we talk about the environmental concerns for energy, water, and air. As well as how to balance economic development with long-term environmental and human health protection.  Piedmont Environmental Council:https://www.pecva.org/ [https://www.pecva.org/]  Data Center article: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/climate/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1648912/full [https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/climate/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1648912/full]