Community Rising

Shoresides

Community Rising examines environmental news in the coastal Carolina region. We focus on the environment, development, climate change, pollution, and public health.

  1. Storms & Floods: The Lifeline of Neighborly Connections

    08/06/2024

    Storms & Floods: The Lifeline of Neighborly Connections

    Join us in this episode as we interview Wallayce Todd of Community CPR to explore the vital role of community connections in the rural areas of Columbus County after storms. Learn how her organizing, Community CPR, and neighborly bonds transform lives, foster resilience, and strengthen the social fabric of our region's rural communities. Ten Things to Do to Prepare for a Storm and Flooding: Create an Emergency Plan: Develop a family emergency plan, including communication methods, evacuation routes, and meeting points.Assemble an Emergency Kit: Pack essentials like water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, and important documents.Stay Informed: Monitor weather forecasts and sign up for local emergency alerts to stay updated on the storm's progress.Protect Your Home: Install storm shutters or board up windows, clear gutters and drains, and secure outdoor furniture and items that could become projectiles.Prepare for Power Outages: Have backup power sources like generators and stock up on extra batteries and power banks for electronic devices.Elevate Important Items: Move valuable items, electronics, and documents to higher ground or upper floors to protect them from potential flooding.Check Insurance Coverage: Review your home and flood insurance policies to ensure adequate coverage for storm and flood damage.Plan for Pets: Ensure you have supplies and a plan for your pets, including food, water, and carriers for evacuation.Know How to Turn Off Utilities: Learn how to safely turn off gas, electricity, and water in case of emergency.Stay Connected with Neighbors: Build a network with your neighbors to share resources, information, and support before, during, and after the storm.Never drive into flood water, as it can be deceptively deep and dangerous, risking your safety and the safety of others. Hosted & Produced by Akshay Gokul  Support Shoresides’ local storytelling. Your gift helps us amplify coastal voices: https://givebutter.com/to7as6

    9 min
  2. Stormwater solutions positive for the Cape Fear River

    08/01/2024

    Stormwater solutions positive for the Cape Fear River

    When it rains in coastal North Carolina stormwater pours off our plethora of parking lots into the neighborhoods, parks and eventually the Cape Fear River, and with the stream of water pollutants with it.  Our increasing number of surfaces don’t allow the water to soak into the ground. Local groups are advancing public education which acknowledge the big public policy issues at play, but also offer solutions we can all take.   The episode features staff from Heal Our Waterways and the Cape Fear River Watch. Here are ten things you can do about stormwater in Wilmington, North Carolina, New Hanover County, along with helpful links: Install Rain Barrels: Collect rainwater from your roof to use in your garden.New Hanover County Rain Barrel ProgramCreate a Rain Garden: Plant a garden designed to absorb rainwater runoff.NC State Extension on Rain GardensUse Permeable Pavements: Replace impermeable surfaces with materials that allow water to seep through.EPA on Permeable PavementPlant Native Vegetation: Native plants require less water and help reduce runoff.NC Native Plant SocietyReduce Lawn Fertilizer Use: Excess fertilizer can wash into storm drains and pollute waterways.NC State Extension on Fertilizer ManagementProperly Dispose of Hazardous Waste: Prevent chemicals from entering storm drains.New Hanover County Household Hazardous Waste ProgramClean Up Pet Waste: Pet waste left on the ground can wash into storm drains.EPA on Pet Waste ManagementInstall Green Roofs: A green roof can absorb rainwater and reduce runoff.NC State Extension on Green RoofsParticipate in Community Clean-Ups: Join efforts to clean local waterways and reduce pollution.Cape Fear River WatchEducate Your Community: Raise awareness about stormwater management practices.NC Coastal FederationImplementing these actions can help manage stormwater and protect the environment in Wilmington and New Hanover County. Hosted & Produced by Akshay Gokul  Support Shoresides’ local storytelling. Your gift helps us amplify coastal voices: https://givebutter.com/to7as6

    9 min
  3. CAFO’s & Communities: Hog Farming Impacts on Coastal Communities

    06/12/2024

    CAFO’s & Communities: Hog Farming Impacts on Coastal Communities

    “We were just sitting on the porch like normal on a beautiful Saturday. And then we heard this tractor, and then all of a sudden this animal waste was coming everywhere and it was stinking like nothing we had ever experienced,” says Elsie Herring of Wallace, North Carolina. Herring is one of many eastern North Carolinians who have had negative health impacts and financial burdens as a result of nearby concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO’s) over the last several decades. In this episode of CAFO’s & Communities, we explore how the hog industry’s hazardous waste redistribution has harmed neighboring communities and what they’re doing about it. Produced by Dedan Waciuri, Kayla Guilliams, and Laura Bratton in collaboration with Sherri White-Williamson, Elsie Herring, Jeff Currie, Larry Baldwin, and Naeema Muhammad. Special thanks to Larry Baldwin of Coastal Carolina Riverwatch. To learn more and get involved, visit North Carolina Environmental Justice Network, North Carolina Conservation Network, and Coastal Carolina Riverwatch‘s websites. Music: Pure Water by Medyn, Thoughts by ANBR, Aquarius by Spearfisher. Sounds by Badlands Sound via Artist and YouTube Audio Library. Photos by Laura Bratton. Bottom right photo by Jeremy Lange, taken from ProPublica. References: Environmental Working Group, “EXPOSING FIELDS OF FILTH: Locations of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations in North Caroling by County,” EWG and Waterkeeper Alliance, https://www.ewg.org/interactive-maps/2016_north_carolina_animal_feeding_operations_bycounty.php. Kravchenko, J., “The Coming Storm 2019: Hog CAFOs, Human Health & Hurricanes in N.C,” Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment (2019), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHf22c_uwzc. Kravchenko et al., “Mortality and Health Outcomes in North Carolina Communities Located in Close Proximity to Hog Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations,” North Carolina MedicalJournal, 79 (5):278-288 (2018). Marks, R., “CESSPOOLS OF SHAME: How Factory Farm Lagoons and Sprayfields ThreatenEnvironmental and Public Health,” Natural Resources Defense Council and the Clean WaterNetwork (2001). Schiffman et al., “Potential Health Effects of Odor From Animal Operations, WastewaterTreatment, and Recycling of Byproducts,” Journal of Agromedicine, 7(1): 7-81 (2000); PolicyStatement Adopted by the House of Delegates, North Carolina Council of Churches (2000). Sobsey, M., McBride Health Conference, UNC Chapel Hill (1990), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoTcCooC7AE. Thu, et al., “A Control Study of the Physical and Mental Health of Residents Living Near aLarge-Scale Swine Operation,” Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health 3(1): 13-26 (1997). Wing, S., “Community Health Impacts of Factory Farms,” TEDxTalks Manhattan (2013),https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZW8-LQftnY. Support Shoresides’ local storytelling. Your gift helps us amplify coastal voices: https://givebutter.com/to7as6

    14 min

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Community Rising examines environmental news in the coastal Carolina region. We focus on the environment, development, climate change, pollution, and public health.