In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by Ian Giancarlo, Oceans Advocate at Environment Oregon, to break down what’s really happening to salmon in the Pacific Northwest—and why dams on rivers like the Columbia and Snake are at the center of the crisis.

For thousands of years, salmon have made one of the most demanding migrations on Earth. From the Pacific Ocean, they swim hundreds—sometimes thousands—of miles upstream to the exact rivers where they were born. But today, that journey is being cut short. Some salmon runs have declined by over 90%!

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Intro

4:00 The great salmon migration

12:49 Dam effects on salmon runs

20:14 Salmon farms

21:48 Resident orcas and starvation

28:17 What would happen if we removed all dams?

33:54 Run for salmon runs

37:52 Arguments against dam removal

40:06 Closing

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Learn more about Mr. Giancarlo's work!

https://environmentamerica.org/oregon/center/updates/the-run-for-salmon-runs-crosses-the-finish-line/

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by Dr. Kevin Perry from the University of Utah to uncover the science behind one of the most urgent environmental issues in the American West: the shrinking Great Salt Lake and the dust it’s leaving behind.

Dr. Perry spent years studying the exposed lakebed — even biking more than 2,300 miles around it — to map where dust originates and what’s actually in it. His research reveals surprising truths about arsenic levels, dust “hotspots,” and how only a small fraction of the lakebed is responsible for most dust emissions.

We’ll also dig into his thoughts on the role of scientists in today’s society, and how important it is to maintain credibility as a researcher.

0:00 Intro

6:15 Introduction to the Great Salt Lake

8:25 Why is the lake shrinking?

12:23 What happens when the lake shrinks?

14:03 Research techniques utilized

18:23 Elements of concern in the dust

24:19 Dust events in Utah

28:41 Current efforts to save the lake

34:49 Future of the lake

38:10 Role of scientists in society

42:58 Advice for listeners

46:32 Closing

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Learn more about Dr. Perry’s work!

https://gardner.utah.edu/great-salt-lake-strike-team/ (Great Salt Lake Strike Team)

https://webapps.usgs.gov/gsl/ (USGS Hydromapper - GSL Data

)https://greatsaltlake.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/Great-Salt-Lake-Strategic-Plan-1.pdf (GSL Strategic Plan)

https://water.utah.gov/gsl-basin-integrated-plan/ (GSL Basin Integrated Plan)

https://d1bbnjcim4wtri.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/10101816/GSL_Dust_Plumes_Final_Report_Complete_Document.pdf (GSL Dust Composition Report)

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by Dr. Michael McKibben from UC Riverside to explore and learn more about lithium, its environmental impacts, and the future of the lithium market in the US.

Traditional lithium extraction is very harmful to the environment. In the case of the salars in South America, they pump brine from underground into these large ponds where the sun evaporates and concentrates lithium and other metal ions in the water. This depletes groundwater levels and harms surrounding ecosystems.

The Salton Sea is seen as a potential hotspot for a more environmentally friendly method of lithium extraction called DLE (Direct Lithium Extraction) and if tapped into, could help the US become self-dependent in the lithium market.

0:00 Intro

4:04 Introduction to lithium

6:55 Where does lithium currently come from?

9:16 Extraction methods

12:26 Environmental concerns

14:24 Community impacts

15:28 Salton Sea and geothermal brine lithium extraction

23:02 Importance of domestic lithium production

25:32 Challenges of Salton Sea lithium extraction

30:18 How far are we from seeing USA lithium take off?

31:50 How much lithium is available in the USA?

33:13 Environmental impacts of geothermal brine extraction

36:24 Current research in the field

38:13 Closing

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Learn more about Dr. McKibben’s work!https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mckibben-1012b69/