Mary Catherine O'Connor

2 weeks ago | kalw.org | Mary Catherine O'Connor |Hana Baba

This conversation aired in the May 1, 2025 episode of Crosscurrents. Click the button above to listen Since the Trump administration put a hold on funding for climate programs back in January, federal support for a wide range of climate related projects has been thrown into question. KALW’s Climate reporter, Mary Catherine O'Connor, talks about that uncertainty – and some possible areas of progress.

2 weeks ago | kalw.org | Mary Catherine O'Connor

This story aired in the May 1, 2025 episode of Crosscurrents. School buses aren’t a new idea. And they’re one of the last modes of transit to see much innovation…. Until recently. The trend of ‘Electrifying’ now includes heavy duty vehicles. And the EV school bus is emerging as a powerful tool for lowering emissions and improving public health. Plus these EV buses will save schools money in the long-run.

3 weeks ago | kalw.org | Mary Catherine O'Connor

This week, the Environmental Protection Agency said it is shuttering environmental justice offices and laying off hundreds of employees. It’s part of the Trump Administration’s effort to end what it calls wasteful diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. On Tuesday, around 100 EPA employees and union representatives gathered in San Francisco to rally for the agency and its workers.

Jan 27, 2025 | kalw.org | Mary Catherine O'Connor

This story aired in the January 27, 2025 episode of Crosscurrents. Annie Tahtinen hates waste — especially plastic waste. But she loves empowering her students at Jefferson Elementary, where she’s the garden teacher. Together, they’re taking a stand against single-use plastic in school lunches served at San Francisco public schools. Click the play button above to listen! Story transcript:ANNIE TAHTINEN: Okay, here we go. Okay, make way. Let's get friends in. Watch your step.

Oct 9, 2024 | wastedive.com | Mary Catherine O'Connor

This summer, attendees of the Paris Olympics who imbibed at the Cass Pocha outdoor food and drink stall near the Eiffel Tower were offered PLA cups that they could later toss into a special collection bin, thanks to a collaboration between Cass beer, TotalEnergies Corbion and Korean bottler Sansu. In fact, large sporting events or festivals — especially in cities with policies that ban certain types of plastic packaging — often serve beverages and food in packaging made from polylactic acid.