![](/content/2024-10-11/t_A1_hurricanehelene.jpg)
Hurricanes’ Hidden Toll
New research published in Nature suggests that initial death tolls only account for a tiny fraction of the mortality that can be linked to hurricanes. On average, each tropical storm or hurricane contributes to 7,000 to 11,000 excess deaths as long as 15 years afterwards because of societal disruptions and other knock-on effects.
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![](/content/2024-10-11/t_TRAILS_groupphoto.jpg)
Hiking on Wheels
Physical disabilities can make getting outside more challenging, but adaptive devices and accessible trails can transform lives. Producer El Wilson, who has cerebral palsy, and producer Jenni Doering test an offroad wheelchair and meet a woman who has been able to reclaim the joy and freedom of hiking since becoming disabled.
![picture](images/read_more.gif)
![](/content/2024-10-11/t_DOGS_somebreeds.jpg)
Conversations with Dogs
New research into word comprehension in dogs suggests that with training and special equipment, man’s best friend can in fact understand specific words and reply. And motivation appears to be one of the most important factors driving this ability for dogs to converse in human speech.
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This Weeks Show
October 11, 2024
listen / download
![](/content/2024-10-11/t_A1_hurricanehelene.jpg)
Hurricanes’ Hidden Toll
listen / download
New research published in Nature suggests that initial death tolls only account for a tiny fraction of the mortality that can be linked to hurricanes. On average, each tropical storm or hurricane contributes to 7,000 to 11,000 excess deaths as long as 15 years afterwards because of societal disruptions and other knock-on effects.
![](/content/2024-10-11/t_B1_hurricanemilton.jpg)
Loading the Hurricane Dice
listen / download
Unusually warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico helped fuel the rapid intensification of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. And as humans continue to pump climate-warming greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, we are loading the dice for stronger storms.
![](/content/2024-10-11/t_TRAILS_groupphoto.jpg)
Hiking on Wheels
listen / download
Physical disabilities can make getting outside more challenging, but adaptive devices and accessible trails can transform lives. Producer El Wilson, who has cerebral palsy, and producer Jenni Doering test an offroad wheelchair and meet a woman who has been able to reclaim the joy and freedom of hiking since becoming disabled.
![](/content/2024-10-11/t_DOGS_somebreeds.jpg)
Conversations with Dogs
listen / download
New research into word comprehension in dogs suggests that with training and special equipment, man’s best friend can in fact understand specific words and reply. And motivation appears to be one of the most important factors driving this ability for dogs to converse in human speech.
Special Features
Field Note: Tree Swallow Funnel
Living on Earth's Explorer-in-Residence Mark Seth Lender elaborates on the huge airborne gatherings of tree swallows called "murmurations."
Blog Series: Mark Seth Lender Field Notes
Field Note: "In Defense of Little Foxes"
Living on Earth Explorer-in-Residence Mark Seth Lender reflects on how experience and anthropocentrism color our perceptions of other species and how much we care about their well-being.
Blog Series: Mark Seth Lender Field Notes
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...Ultimately, if we are going prevent large parts of this Earth from becoming not only inhospitable but uninhabitable in our lifetimes, we are going to have to keep some fossil fuels in the ground rather than burn them...
-- President Barack Obama, November 6, 2015 on why he declined to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline.
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