About the Guest:

Kevin Emmerich is the co-founder of Basin and Range Watch, an organization dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural heritage of desert habitats in Nevada and California. With a professional background deeply rooted in environmental advocacy, Kevin has been instrumental in opposing unnecessary desert land conversions for large-scale renewable energy projects. Basin and Range Watch works on various fronts, from grassroots activism to engaging legal avenues, to protect desert landscapes and the unique biodiversity they support.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of 90 Miles from Needles, host Chris Clarke sits down with Kevin Emmerich, co-founder of Basin and Range Watch, to discuss the environmental implications of the Greenlink West transmission line project in Nevada. The episode sheds light on the vast stretches of desert land being impacted by this ambitious infrastructure, which aims to connect solar farms in southern Nevada with burgeoning tech hubs in the north. Kevin Emmerich shares valuable insights into the potential costs to desert ecosystems, cultural sites, and endangered species, underscoring the complexity of balancing renewable energy goals with conservation.

The episode also touches on a significant legal battle involving Basin and Range Watch and Friends of Nevada Wilderness, challenging the construction of Greenlink West due to its potential environmental harm. Using a comprehensive approach, they argue against the project's oversight of critical habitats and propose legal frameworks for better alternatives. Amidst these serious discussions, Chris shares updates on the podcast's upcoming events and fundraising efforts, offering a blend of educational content and community engagement.

Key Takeaways:

• Greenlink West Project: A massive transmission line designed to connect solar farms with northern Nevada, posing substantial risks to desert ecosystems and cultural sites.
• Legal Challenges: Basin and Range Watch and Friends of Nevada Wilderness have filed a lawsuit against the project, citing environmental and cultural resource concerns.
  Biodiversity at Risk: The project threatens endangered species like the desert tortoise and rare plants such as the Soda Bell milkvetch, emphasizing the need for diligent environmental reviews.
• Policy and Environmental Law: Recent changes in environmental policies could impact the feasibility and regulations surrounding large-scale renewable projects.
• Community Engagement: The podcast is actively involved in raising awareness and funds for protection events, highlighting the importance of public participation in conservation efforts.

Notable Quotes:

• "GreenLink West will link expansive solar farms in the southern part of the state with data centers and similar projects in the north."
• "The line itself is designed or intended to be part of the Greenlink network, promoting future large-scale renewable energy projects."
• "The desert got just a little bit of a break from pressure to develop renewables in the desert."
• "The GreenLink West line plows right through…one of six populations of these plants on the planet."

Resources:

• Basin and Range Watch: basinandrangewatch2.org
• Friends of Nevada Wilderness: https://www.nevadawilderness.org/

Stay tuned for future episodes of 90 Miles from Needles as we continue to explore critical topics affecting North America's desert landscapes. Be sure to listen to the full episode for an in-depth understanding of the Greenlink West project and its environmental implications.

Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Summary:

Chris Clarke unravels the intertwined issues of border politics and desert protection. This episode highlights the human cost of migration through some of the harshest terrains on earth, the Sonoran Desert, while advocating for more humane approaches to immigration and border policies. With a deep dive into recent statistics and personal stories, Clarke paints a moving picture of the realities faced by migrants at the US-Mexico border. The episode also emphasizes the significance of community support in environmental advocacy, underscoring the ongoing efforts to bring the podcast's message to broader audiences, such as the upcoming event at the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta in El Paso, Texas.

Key Takeaways:

The Sonoran Desert continues to serve as a perilous pathway for migrants, with numerous deaths highlighting the risks involved in such journeys. Initiatives like the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta are crucial for raising awareness about desert ecosystems and border politics. Community support is vital for the advocacy and dissemination of knowledge concerning environmental and social issues affecting the desert. The podcast episode is a call to consider humane border policies and recognize the humanity of those who make the treacherous crossing. Chris Clarke emphasizes the need for American society to embrace migrant neighbors, asserting that they bring resilience and the potential for community enrichment.

Notable Quotes:

1. "The border is itself an atrocity, a meaningless abstract flag waved to stoke hate by people who had never been within a thousand miles of the border place." – Chris Clarke
2. "Let people escaping tyranny come here as they will, and let us rid this place of tyranny as well as part of our usual obligation as hosts." – Chris Clarke
3. "These are the kinds of people I want as neighbors. They have shown they can persevere." – Chris Clarke
4. "Let Antares gaze down once more on a landscape of joy and peace." – Chris Clarke
5. "We regard graveyards as sacred land. Sites of slaughter and battle are hallowed ground. This Sonoran Desert has been sanctified by too many sacrifices." – Chris Clarke

Resources:

Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition: Hosts of the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta event. https://chihuahuandesert.org/

90 Miles from Needles Website: https://90milesfromneedles.com

Humane Borders Migrant Death Map: Statistics mentioning over 4,000 migrant deaths, used to highlight the narrative on border-related fatalities. https://www.humaneborders.org/migrant-death-mapping

The Border Chronicle: Melissa Del Bosque and Todd Miller provide top-notch reporting on the human rights issues involved with the border-industrial complex. https://www.theborderchronicle.com/

Explore the full episode for a deeper understanding of the impacts of border politics on desert ecosystems and human lives. Stay connected with "90 Miles from Needles" for more stories and advocacy on these crucial issues.

Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Notable Quotes:

• "Mark your calendars. Fridays are now Desert Protection Days."
• "We could not do this without you."
• "Desert advocacy is important, but so is work-life balance."
• "The goal is to give me my weekends back so that I can spend time with my family."
• "Thanks again for listening and for being part of this journey."

Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.