The Navy’s Boing EA-18G Growlers: The loudest planes in the world and they’re flown over protected, environmentally sensitive, and irreplaceable areas across the greater region of Northwest Washington. These jets have astounding impacts on human health, the environment, and so much more. In this introduction episode, we will ease you into the Growler jet noise issue and how the Sound Defense Alliance is working to address it. Hosts Terra Huey (she/her) and Caitlin Epstein (she/her) are joined by...
Sep 02, 2022•30 min•Ep. 1
It’s difficult to take on the United States Navy, but if anyone’s up for it it’s Paula Spina and the Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve (COER). In this episode, retired attorney Paula Spina (she/her) breaks down the legal action being taken against the Navy regarding the impacts of the Growler jets across Northwest Washington, including the State of Washington and COER’s National Environmental Policy Act lawsuit against the Navy over the Growler jet program at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Listen to...
Sep 02, 2022•26 min•Ep. 2
It’s hard to put the experience of Growler jet noise into words. It’s just that loud. Often heard on the ground at sounds reaching between 70 and 120 decibels, Growler jet noise has a significant impact on hearing health. In this episode, audiologist Marianne Brabanski (she/her) and Associate Professor of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences Dr. Edmund Seto (he/him) explain the technical aspects of our hearing and how loud noises like that from the Growlers can cause permanent damage...
Sep 02, 2022•21 min•Ep. 3
The noise emitted by Growler jets has profound impacts on human health and all of the ways that they damage health aren’t even known yet. They are a population health crisis. In this episode, community-oriented public health leader and advocate Chris Hurley (she/her) and Associate Professor of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences Dr. Edmund Seto (he/him) share the numerous effects of the jets on our health, especially on our hearts. There’s a lot more to learn about the impact of the...
Sep 02, 2022•20 min•Ep. 4
Do you know what military bases are near you and what purpose they serve? Guest Zoltán Grossman (he/him), a professor of Geography and Native Studies at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA, recognized that the public does not have a true understanding of the role of the United States military and its bases, not just in Northwest Washington, but around the world. In this episode, he shares the history and current strategic significance of Naval installations in Northwest Washington, how lo...
Sep 02, 2022•42 min•Ep. 5
How true is the slogan, “Jets = Jobs?” Well, jets do create jobs, but so do most development initiatives. What’s less understood are the negative economic effects of the Naval installations on Whidbey Island, Washington. Economist Michael Shuman (he/him) joins the podcast to share the true economic impacts of these naval installations, both positive and negative. Listen for a clear breakdown of the costs from the Navy to the local community, how Whidbey Island could greatly benefit from economic...
Sep 02, 2022•27 min•Ep. 6
Do you have 13 friends you could gather for a cross-country road trip from Seattle to New York and back? Not to give things away, but you’d have to make that trip in 14 Priuses in order to produce the amount of CO2 that one Growler jet produces in a single hour of flight. Not only that, but the firefighting foam used during military training contains dangerous chemicals that have contaminated local water supplies. In this episode, climate consultant Chris Greacen (he/him) and environmental advoc...
Sep 02, 2022•30 min•Ep. 7
Free Willy. SeaWorld and Blackfish. Whale watching tours. People simply love orca whales. Unfortunately, this beloved species and many more are being harmed by the Navy’s Growler jet program and Naval activities in the waters of Northwest Washington. Guest Bob Wilbur (he/him), the president of the Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve (COER), tells us about how animals are impacted by these activities, and how the impacts are being downplayed and overlooked by the Navy. He also shares about COER’s efforts ...
Sep 02, 2022•18 min•Ep. 8
U.S. National Parks are set aside as spaces where visitors from all over the country and the world can go for recreation and relaxation and experience natural beauty, peace, and quiet. The Olympic National Park is one of those spaces and has even been home to one of the quietest places on earth, but its peace and quiet is greatly disrupted by Growler jets flying overhead. In this episode, Northwest Regional Director of the National Park Conservation Association Rob Smith (he/him) shares how the ...
Sep 02, 2022•19 min•Ep. 9
Children are some of the most vulnerable members of the communities of Northwest Washington, and they face many of the most severe effects of the Growler jets. In this episode, we’ll hear from several guests - parents, a population health professor, an audiologist, an environmental advocate, and a former school board member - about the many, many impacts on children. They face hearing damage, classroom interruptions, impeded language and learning skills, severe health impacts from water contamin...
Sep 02, 2022•13 min•Ep. 10
To stay or to move? That is the unfortunate dilemma that so many residents in Coupeville, Washington, face as a result of nearby Navy activity and its impact on mental and physical health, children’s well-being, clean water, and more. In this episode we’re going to hear from two local residents - Maryon Attwood (she/her) and Julieanna Purdue (she/her), and how one decided to leave and the other decided to stay. This is no easy decision, and you’ll hear from both women about how they have been im...
Sep 02, 2022•17 min•Ep. 11
Make noise about noise! The issue of aviation noise doesn’t just impact the communities around Northwest Washington - it affects people across the United States and even the world. We want you to be a part of speaking up about the problem. In this final episode of the Sound Defense Alliance podcast, the Founder and President of Quiet Communities Jamie Banks (she/her) frames the national aviation noise issue and what Quiet Communities is doing to bring local groups together and equip them with th...
Sep 02, 2022•26 min•Ep. 12
