Super Fly: Flies as Pollinators & Recyclers with author & biologist Dr. Jonathan Balcombe

Super Fly: Flies as Pollinators & Recyclers with author & biologist Dr. Jonathan Balcombe

Author: cpfreeman June 22, 2021 Duration: 25:47
In this interview, biologist and animal advocate Dr. Balcombe helps us appreciate an ecologically beneficial group of animals who are buzzing all around us but whom we mostly ignore, malign, or swat away -- flies -- the topic of his new book “Superfly: The Unexpected Lives of the World’s Most Successful Insects" (Penguin Press, 2021). For this "In Tune to Nature" show, host Carrie Freeman asks Dr. Balcombe to focus on the vital role of flies as pollinators of flowers and food crops (including chocolate!), and as waste disposers, composters, and recyclers (they literally clean up everyone's sh*t) so that we better appreciate them and don't just view them as "pests" (from fruit flies, to house flies, to blow flies, even to mosquitos and midges). We end with ways to protect the important insect population in decline by avoiding insecticide poisons. Learn more about award winning author Dr. Balcombe and his efforts to protect animals and help us understand animal sentience at www.jonathan-balcombe.com  The In Tune to Nature show airs each Wednesday 6:30-7pm EST, hosted by Carrie Freeman, Sonia Swartz, or Melody Paris, on 89.3FM WRFG (Radio Free Georgia). Please support independent, noncommercial, progressive media like Radio Free Georgia www.wrfg.org   

Each week, In Tune to Nature Podcast offers a focused conversation dedicated to the practical and ethical questions of coexisting with the more-than-human world. Hosted by Carrie Freeman, a media studies professor who brings a thoughtful perspective to environmental and animal advocacy, this podcast is an extension of her long-running Atlanta radio show. Rather than overwhelming with data, each 25-minute episode sits down with one person-be it a scientist on the front lines of habitat conservation, an author rethinking our ethical obligations, or an activist organizing for change. The discussions are intimate and detailed, exploring tangible ways we can alter our daily lives and societal structures to become more responsible inhabitants of a shared planet. Listening feels like being part of a necessary and grounded dialogue, one that connects education, culture, and self-improvement to the urgent cause of protecting living beings. It’s for anyone seeking a deeper, actionable understanding of ecology that moves beyond headlines, fostering a sense of connection and agency. This weekly series provides a consistent space to reflect on our role within nature’s intricate web, all through the accessible, personal format of an interview-based podcast.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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