Use Water to Save Water: Urban Greening - the Next Climate Cure?

What is urban greening, why does it matter, and which communities are at risk? What is the balance between water conservation and urban tree canopies? Join our hosts, Robert and Carrie, for a discussion with Dr. Soe Myint about his latest research on water conservation, urban greening, and environmental justice.

Our co-hosts bring you the latest climate news covering several topics:  

• Update on Texas waterways

• Moving Soon? Discover which cities are most climate resilient and which ones are leaving homeowners to fend for themselves. (02:03)

• Melting Glaciers: Swiss mountain glaciers are melting at twice the rate of the global average. (03:29)

• From Toilet to Tap: El Paso is leading Texas in creative water conservation efforts. (05:48)

• Can Volcanoes Chill? An eruption in the Polynesian Islands is stirring the climate science community. (08:10)

Dr. Soe Myint, Chief Conservation Officer for the Meadows Center and Meadows Endowed Chair in Water Conservation, explains how water conservation, urban cooling, environmental justice, and trees are all connected:

• Heat is the #1 Killer: While populations skyrocket, the urban heat island effect is hitting underserved communities hardest. (10:48)

• Beyond Throwing Shade: Dr. Myint explains how trees provide more than just a perfect picnic spot. (15:28)

• Trees vs. Water: Watering trees can actually support conservation efforts and improve water quality. Here’s how. (16:14)

• Are trees nature’s AC? What on earth is evapotranspiration, and how is it cooling your city? (16:41)

• Is Your Community at Risk? Dr. Myint breaks down the factors that put certain populations at greater risk of heat-related health events. (17:34)

• Run, Don’t Walk! Central Texas urgently needs climate resilience planning—yesterday! (24:10)

• Use Water to Save Water: Dr. Myint unpacks the science behind his catchphrase. (25:54)

And…THE GOOD NEWS!

• Texas > California: Texas is taking the lead on green energy in the U.S. (26:50)

• Baby Sharks Doo Doo: Galveston Bay becomes a shark nursery. (30:06)

Episode Links and Resources:

• Dr. Soe Myint Published Research

• Our top-ranking cities for climate resiliency: 2024 study (USA Today)

• Why melting glaciers affect us all (Swiss Info)

• El Paso Reuses Every Drop of Water It Can. The Rest of Texas Could Heed the Lesson. (Texas Monthly)

• The Hunga Tonga Volcano Was Blamed for High Global Temperatures in Recent Years – Now Scientists Aren't So Sure

• Can Blue States Build? (The Atlantic)

• Galveston Bay sees 600% increase in baby bull sharks as climate change warms coastal waters (Houston Chronicle)

Green Infrastructure Resources:

• Environmetal Protection Agency: Green Infrastructure Funding Opportunities

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Texas Green Infrastructure Resources

• Texas Water Development Board: Green Project Reserve

Theme song:

Syzygy by Robert E. Mace

We would like to thank pixabay.com for providing sound effects.

For more information about the Meadows Center, visit ⁠meadowscenter.txst.edu⁠.