#2 - Canopy of Titans

In this episode of 'Our Public Lands', I interview journalist and environmental investigator Paul Koberstein. Our conversation delves into the importance of protecting old growth forests, and their immense ecological and value. Paul shares his extensive experience in environmental journalism, highlighting landmark investigations by his outfit Cascadia Times, including exposing poaching in the Hawaiian Islands and air pollution issues in Oregon. Paul discusses the importance of preserving temperate rainforests for wildlife and carbon sequestration, the role of native species like salmon and beavers in ecosystem health, and the challenges posed by current forestry practices and wildfire management narratives. Paul talks about his new book 'Canopy of Titans,' co-authored with Jessica Applegate, which underscores the global importance of America's temperate rainforests. 

Times.org

Chapters

• 0:00 #2 - Canopy of Titans
• 1:59 Introduction to Our Public Lands Podcast
• 2:37 Investigative Journalism Highlights
• 5:35 Air Pollution and Regulatory Failures
• 7:00 The Importance of Old Growth Forests
• 8:34 Northwest Forest Plan and Its Impact
• 10:45 Challenges in Forest Management
• 13:38 Wildfire Misconceptions and Realities
• 22:00 Prescribed Burns and Their Implications
• 35:14 Carbon Sequestration in Forests
• 41:35 The Impact of Industrial Forestry
• 41:42 Herbicide Use and Its Consequences
• 42:30 Historical Context of Herbicide Spraying
• 44:20 Current Herbicide Practices and Public Health
• 45:40 Public vs. Private Land Management
• 46:02 The Role of Timber Companies
• 47:27 The Importance of Public Lands
• 48:49 Logging and Climate Concerns
• 49:37 Carbon Sequestration in Forests
• 50:27 Experiencing Old Growth Forests
• 52:12 Writing 'Canopy of Titans'
• 54:34 The Significance of Temperate Rainforests
• 58:20 The Role of Salmon and Beavers
• 1:00:53 Challenges in Forest Conservation
• 1:13:15 Final Thoughts and Call to Action