Underreported from WNYC's The Leonard Lopate Show

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Underreported: Bush's Legacy in the Oceans Feb 12, 2009

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In his final days before leaving office, President Bush created the largest marine sanctuary in the world off the coast of Hawaii. But, he also opened up large parts of the American coastline to oil drilling. Michael Sutton is Vice President of the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California and directs the aquarium's Center for the Future of the Oceans. He'll take us into the murky depths of Bush Administration's marine policies.

Underreported: AQ Khan on the Loose Feb 12, 2009

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AQ Khan, the father of Pakistan's nuclear program, has admitted to selling nuclear secrets to Libya, Iran, and North Korea. Late last week a Pakistani ordered Khan's release after five years of house arrest. David Albright, President of the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington, D.C., joins us to discuss the impact of Khan's release as US Special Representative Richard Holbrooke prepared to tour the region.

Underreported: Thailand’s Royal Family Jan 29, 2009

Show notes

Thailand recently banned the latest edition of the Economist magazine and jailed an Australian writer – both over negative comments about the Thai royal family. Brad Adams of Human Rights Watch tells us more about the Thai monarchy and press freedom, and gives us an update on the ongoing political troubles there.

Underreported: Ocean Garbage Patch Jan 22, 2009

Show notes

In the Central North Pacific, plastic outweighs surface zooplankton 6 to 1. Find out why the problem of garbage and plastic floating around in our oceans could be one of the most pressing environmental disasters we face now. Dr. Marcus Eriksen of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation sailed from California to Hawaii this past summer on a raft, JUNK, made out of 15,000 plastic bottles.

Underreported: Islamic Finance Jan 15, 2009

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Find out about the growing trend of Islamic finance – banking and investing based on the Koran – and how it’s faring in the current global economic crisis. Journalist Carla Power is and author of the Jan./Feb. Foreign Policy magazine article "Faith in the Market."

Underreported: Amtrak Under the Obama Administration Jan 08, 2009

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Barack Obama will arrive in DC for the inauguration by train, and Joe Biden is also known as “Amtrak Joe” thanks to his years of daily commutes to Washington via Amtrak. Is this a sign that the next four years will be more rail-friendly than in previous administrations? We look into what Amtrak can expect from the Obama White House, and the role trains can play in improving America’s transportation system. Thomas Downs is a transportation expert and former president of Amtrak (1993-1998).

Underreported: Mia Farrow on the DRC Dec 18, 2008

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Actress and UNICEF ambassador Mia Farrow just returned from a humanitarian trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo. She tells us what she saw, what’s being done to stop the spread of cholera there, why fighting has resumed, and whether children are again being recruited to serve as soldiers in the DRC.

Underreported: Disappearing Fireflies Dec 18, 2008

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Fireflies seem to be disappearing throughout the world. We look into where they’re going, why they might be disappearing, and how their absence could affect our ecosystem. Dr. Christopher Cratsley is a biology professor and firefly expert at Fitchburg State College.

Underreported: NF3s and Global Warming Dec 11, 2008

Show notes

Switching to solar energy may not be as green as it seems. Many of the newest solar panels are made with a gas, NF3, that is 17,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide in contributing to global warming. NF3 is also used in the manufacture of flat-screen TVs, iPhones, computer chips, and lots more. Michael Prather is professor at UC Irvine.

Underreported: What Happens to Released Guantanamo Detainees Dec 04, 2008

Show notes

President-Elect Obama plans to close the Guantanamo prison camp. What will happen to the detainees there? Find out what's happened to former Guantanamo prisoners after being released following years of detention. Eric Stover of UC Berkeley’s Human Rights Center is co-author of a recent study profiling former captives.

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