Microplastics: invisible, insidious, and...fixable with Dr. Myra Finkelstein and Dr. Steven Mentor

Microplastics: invisible, insidious, and...fixable with Dr. Myra Finkelstein and Dr. Steven Mentor

Author: KSQD 90.7 FM in Santa Cruz & KSQD.org April 26, 2026 Duration: 52:20
We’ve heard a lot about the problem of microplastics pollution. Just how bad is it?  What are its causes?  What are microplastics doing to us and the world?  Is anything being done to stem the accelerating production and consumption of plastics that end up in our water, our air, in animals, and in human bodies? Join host Ronnie Lipschutz for a conversation about microplastics with Dr. Myra Finkelstein, Adjunct Professor in the Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology Department at UC Santa Cruz and Dr. Steven Mentor a Santa Cruz climate activist and long-time environmentalist. Finklestein has been examining the health effects of plastic ingestion on seabirds to better understand the consequences for marine wildlife and human health. Mentor discusses law and campaigns in California to regulate microplastics and what can be done to turn the tide of plastic packaging and consumption. You can learn more about the topic from Food and Water Watch, the Netflix film "The Plastic Detox" and the Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council.

Every other Sunday, Sustainability Now! on KSQD.org offers a thoughtful space to explore the complex questions facing our planet. Born from the community airwaves of KSQD 90.7 FM in Santa Cruz, this podcast connects the local environmental pulse of Northern California to global conversations. Since its launch in 2019 by host Ronnie Lipschutz, the program has built a reputation for deep, engaging dialogues that refuse to simplify the challenges at hand. You’ll hear from a compelling mix of voices-field researchers detailing ecological shifts, philosophers examining our relationship with nature, community organizers building practical solutions, and authors framing new narratives for society. The discussions naturally weave between science, culture, and policy, reflecting a belief that true sustainability is as much about philosophy and community as it is about data. This isn’t about alarmism or easy answers; it’s about informed, nuanced exploration. Tuning in means listening to people who are actively thinking, studying, and working on the front lines of change. Each episode of this KSQD podcast provides substance and perspective, whether the topic is regenerative agriculture, conservation ethics, technological innovation, or social justice. It’s for anyone ready to move beyond headlines and engage with the ideas and actions shaping a viable future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 28

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