Climate change, environmental regulation, and the Chesapeake Bay comeback

Guests: Jennifer Francis, Juliet Eilperin, Bill Dennison

By all accounts, summer 2018 was hot and steamy — not just in the U.S., but around the world. Record-breaking rainfall has also hit many parts of the globe, and, on the East Coast, we’re anxiously awaiting the arrival of Hurricane Florence. We’ll start off the hour talking about rising temperatures, wild weather and what it all tells us about climate change with Rutgers University research professor, JENNIFER FRANCIS. Then, we discuss the Trump administration’s efforts to roll back Obama-era environmental regulations, including those around coal-fired power plants. The Washington Post’s JULIET EILPERIN discusses the EPA proposals and how the challenges are being met in the courts. Finally, we end the hour with some good news: the Chesapeake Bay’s health is improving. Efforts to control pollution have been successful and water clarity, oxygen levels, seagrass and oyster populations are rebounding. We will look at the Bay’s comeback and the threats that remain with BILL DENNISON, professor of marine science at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.