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THRESHOLD CONVERSATIONS
Water and War with Kaveh Madani
Like many countries, Iran has struggled with major water scarcity in recent years. Last summer its capital, Tehran, came very close to “day zero,” the day when the whole city runs out of drinking water. Now, with the United States at war with Iran, President Donald Trump has further threatened the country’s civilian water infrastructure, including dams, water treatment plants, and the electrical grid.
Dr. Kaveh Madani is a water scientist and the former Deputy Head of the Department of Environment in Iran. He now leads the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health. He joins us to talk about his work on the concept of ‘water bankruptcy,’ his experience working on environmental issues in Iran, and the links between water and conflict.
New to Hark?
Begin your listening journey with Episode 1: The Slime of Life.
Threshold is a Peabody Award-winning documentary podcast about our place in the natural world.
Each season, we take listeners on a journey into the heart of a complex environmental story—about a species, a place, an idea, a controversy, or a question—that we think deserves attention. Created by host and executive producer Amy Martin, Threshold’s first season was released in 2017. The show has been recognized by top publications, has received a number of journalism awards, and has over a million downloads. Season 5: “Hark” is out now.
Season 5
Hark
Humans are born into a wondrous planetary chorus. But today, many of us rarely hear anything other than ourselves. In a world teeming with sound, Hark asks what happens when we tune into the life all around us.
Season 4
Time to 1.5
On paper, the world has agreed to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels. We're not on track to meet that goal, but the window is not yet closed. Time to 1.5 grapples with this pivotal moment in history.
Season 3
The Refuge
The Refuge dives into the debate over oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. How have politics, conservation, economics, and traditional culture shaped this battle?
Recipient of a 2019 Peabody Award
Season 2
Cold Comfort
The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world. What does that mean for the four million people who live there? Cold Comfort explores a region facing monumental change.
Season 1
Oh, Give Me a Home
Oh, Give Me a Home traces the history of the American bison, weaving together tales of violence, resistance, and our complicated relationship with conservation.
Where to Listen
Listen for free on our website or anywhere you find podcasts.
Thank You
Threshold has been made possible with the support of our listeners and the following organizations:
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Our newsletter is a great way to learn about what we're working on here at Threshold. Stay connected to us between seasons and find out what we're reading, listening to, and watching that makes us think deeper about the world and our place in it.