In Our Backyard Podcast

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]

31. Sustaining East Tennessee: Farms, Food, and the Future

Today we’re diving into the work happening on the ground in East Tennessee to support farmers, strengthen local food systems, and build healthier, more resilient communities. I’m joined by Andy Brown and Jillian Gorell from the Appalachian Resource Conservation & Development Council, an organization that’s been doing incredible work across the region, from farmland conservation and farmer training to expanding food access and supporting local infrastructure. They’re tackling some big challenges like land access, economic pressures on small farms, and the need for stronger regional food systems, while also creating real, tangible opportunities for farmers and communities to thrive. Contact and connect: https://arcd.org/ [https://arcd.org/]

30. Ecology Beyond Data: Emotion, Storytelling, and Systems Change

I’m joined by Bill Powers from Living Well Collaborative with Earth Island Institute, an organization based in Bolivia. Bill is an author, ecologist, and storyteller whose work bridges the personal and the environment in a way that feels hopeful. We’re here to talk about his book Ripple: An Intimate Exchange of Urgency and Hope Between An Ecologist Dad and His Daughter. Through a series of heartfelt letters, Bill weaves together reflections on the environmental crises we face with a deeply personal dialogue about love, responsibility, and the future. In this conversation, we’ll explore the core ideas behind Ripple, from the “Story of Separation” that shapes modern life, to what it really means to reintegrate with the natural world. We'll also talk about the balance between urgency and hope and how storytelling itself can become a powerful force for change.

29. Building Environmental Literacy for a Changing World

Today’s guest is Judy Braus, Executive Director of the North American Association for Environmental Education or NAAEE for short. NAAEE’s mission is to use the power of education to advance environmental literacy and civic engagement so that people and communities can make informed decisions and take action toward a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable future. They equip educators, leaders, and learners with evidence-based tools and knowledge, to help people across ages and backgrounds understand environmental issues and take meaningful action. In this episode, we explore how the organization’s mission has evolved, how it bridges research and practice, and how it’s helping shape the future of environmental literacy in the face of climate change, social justice challenges, and digital transformation. Connect: https://naaee.org/

28. Critical Minerals, Critical Choices: Trade, Justice, and the Energy Transition

As the world transitions toward a clean energy future, there is more demand for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements. These minerals are essential for clean energy technologies, electric vehicles, batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, and even our everyday electronics. But where do these minerals come from? Who controls their extraction? Who bears the environmental and human costs? How can we ensure that the transition to a low-carbon economy doesn’t repeat the extractive injustices of the past? Today, we’re joined by Will Jamil Wiltschko, who is with the California Trade Justice Coalition, a coalition of organizations working to ensure that Critical Mineral Agreements adhere to international climate, labor, and human rights standards. Contact and connect: https://criticalmineralsjustice.org/ [https://criticalmineralsjustice.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] https://gtwaction.org/the-deadly-cost-of-cobalt-mining-in-the-congo/ [https://gtwaction.org/the-deadly-cost-of-cobalt-mining-in-the-congo/]