When the water rises: Floods, communities, and what we owe each other

For years, professor David Ciplet has required many of his students to produce radio storytelling projects that relate to their Environmental Studies curriculum.

This past semester, Ciplet’s grad students worked with former KGNU News Director Jackie Sedley to produce these audio reports. They explore some of the most pressing environmental issues we’re facing, and some solutions researchers and activists are using to address them. So far in this series you’ve heard about permaculture, and fracking’s impact on our water.

Today, two more students–Subashree Dinesh and Armita Dabiri–bring us this report on floods, and what they mean for communities who experience them. Their story weaves together the voices of people affected by the 2013 Colorado floods with insights from disaster researchers to explore what was lost, what remains unresolved, and what floods reveal about social realities, public perceptions, and collective resilience. 

This story aired on the Morning Magazine, KGNU’s weekday morning show featuring in-depth discussions on local news issues. Click here to listen to other episodes of the Morning Magazine.