ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

SPOTLIGHT CA

A five-part documentary web series that explores some of the major environmental issues facing Californians today. Host Kiran Deol meets Californians whose lives have been turned upside down and introduces us to the inspiring people who are trying to help.

EPISODE 1: HEART OF THE DROUGHT

Kiran meets Tom Steyer, who sends her to the Central Valley to meet Californians who are facing a major injustice - they've run out of water.

EPISODE 2: WATER & OIL

Kiran visits the Central Valley's Cawelo Water District where the drought is causing farmers to use recycled oil water to irrigate their crops. She takes in the smells so you don't have to.

EPISODE 3: IN OUR AIR

Kiran returns home to Los Angeles to investigate the hidden costs of pollution. Spoiler alert: we pay for it! 3.3 million Californians have asthma, and nowhere is pollution more rampant than in low-income communities.

THE RADICAL GRANDMA COLLECTIVE

NA NONG BONG, THAILAND — These Thai grandmas have been protesting a gold mine in their village for over a decade. The mine has leaked cyanide & other dangerous chemicals into local streams, poisoning their food & water supply. The mining company has pushed back against the vocal grandmas, suing them for slander. Despite all of this, The Radical Grandma Collective continues to fight – they are now walking 300 miles from Na Nong Bong to Bangkok to protest a new bill that would further deregulate mining laws throughout Thailand.

NO BARRIERS CLIMATE CHANGE ACADEMY

SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA — High school students learn about the impacts of climate change during a three-day camping trip.

THEY ARE AWARE

Defending the most endangered great ape species in the world

SUMATRA, INDONESIA — Few people understand the devastating impact of the palm oil industry better than primatologist Alan Pierce. As a part of the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program, Alan works in the remote heart of the Batang Toru rainforest protecting one of the most endangered great ape populations in the world.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TAPANULI ORANGUTAN

CONSERVE THE SAGE-GROUSE

NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION TV AD

WYOMING — Western hunters, ranchers and wildlife advocates ask interior secretary Ryan Zinke to honor the deal the federal government made to conserve the greater sage-grouse and its habitat. Learn more at savethegrouse.org.

PROTECT THE BOUNDARY WATERS

MINNESOTA — The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a 1.1 million acre Wilderness, characterized by its uninterrupted forests, diverse wildlife and vast network of clean lakes and rivers to paddle through and portage to. This glacially carved landscape attracts over 150,000 visitors each year because of its 1,200 miles of canoe and kayak routes, 237.5 miles of overnight hiking trails and 2,000 designated campsites. This Boundary Waters is threatened by sulfide-ore copper mining in its watershed from Twin Metals and other companies owned by foreign mining conglomerates. The proposed mining sites are upstream from the Wilderness. The toxic pollution could drain into and permanently pollute lakes and rivers lying in the Boundary Waters.

STOP THE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE

Despite being bullied by TransCanada, farmers and ranchers in Nebraska continue to fight for their land and livelihoods. North of the border, Canada's First Nations see the dangers of tar sands development first hand.