TED Radio Hour: How Deserted Places Find a Second Life

Host: Anoush Zomorodi
Release Date: August 15, 2025
Podcast: TED Radio Hour by NPR

Introduction to Abandoned Places

Anoush Zomorodi sets the stage for the episode by describing the haunting remnants of Chernobyl’s exclusion zone. She paints a vivid picture of abandoned homes where personal items like shoes, books, and toys remain untouched, offering a glimpse into the lives abruptly interrupted by the nuclear disaster four decades ago. This desolate area, though devoid of human life, has become a sanctuary for wildlife, illustrating nature’s resilience.

Chernobyl’s Thriving Wildlife: The Gray Wolves

Speakers: Kara Love (Integrative Biologist) and Shane Campbell Staton (Evolutionary Biologist)

Key Discussion Points:

• Wildlife Flourishing Amid Radiation: Kara Love discusses the unexpected proliferation of animals such as Eurasian bison, moose, and Eurasian lynx within the exclusion zone. Specifically, the focus is on how gray wolves have adapted to survive in an environment with high radiation levels.

  “These wolves have been Thriving here despite constant and intense exposure to radiation.”
  — Kara Love, 05:00

• Genetic Adaptations: Shane Campbell Staton delves into the genetic changes observed in Chernobyl’s wolf population. Over seven to eight generations, these wolves have been exposed to chronic radiation, prompting natural selection to favor mutations that may confer resistance to cancer.

  “The fastest changing regions of the Chernobyl wolf genome occur in and around genes that we know are involved in cancer or in the mammalian antitumor immune response.”
  — Shane Campbell Staton, 08:49

• Collaborative Research: The partnership between Kara and Shane exemplifies interdisciplinary research, combining integrative biology with evolutionary studies to uncover how species adapt to extreme conditions.

  “I think that has made this collaboration so incredible.”
  — Kara Love, 04:08

Insights:

• Rapid Evolution: The gray wolves in Chernobyl demonstrate that evolution can occur swiftly in response to intense environmental pressures, challenging Darwin’s notion of gradual change.

  “Evolution is rapidly altering species around our planet in order to live alongside us.”
  — Shane Campbell Staton, 07:31

• Implications for Human Health: Understanding the genetic resilience of these wolves could lead to breakthroughs in cancer research, potentially inspiring new therapeutic approaches for humans.

Reshaping Urban Economies: From Waste to Circularity

Speaker: Gary Cooper (CEO and Co-founder of Reaply)

Key Discussion Points:

• Wasteful Practices in Laboratories: Gary Cooper recounts his experience in a research lab where vast amounts of resources were wasted due to inefficiencies in inventory management. This observation sparked his passion for reducing waste on a larger scale.

  “We have all these items that end up in a landfill. They don't deserve them.”
  — Gary Cooper, 25:37

• Founding Reaply: Cooper founded Reaply to create a digital platform that connects organizations for the reuse and redistribution of materials. By cataloging items like building materials, IT equipment, and furniture, Reaply facilitates a circular economy.

  “Reaply helps organizations reuse things like building materials and IT and industrial equipment and furniture.”
  — Shane Campbell Staton, 25:20

• Circular vs. Linear Economy: The linear economy, characterized by taking resources, using them, and discarding them, contributes to 45% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Reaply aims to shift this paradigm by promoting reuse and reducing the need for new manufacturing.

  “45% of all global greenhouse gas emissions is because of what we call a linear economy.”
  — Shane Campbell Staton, 23:26

• Pilot Project in San Francisco: Reaply is actively working with the city of San Francisco as a pilot project to demonstrate the viability of a circular economy at a municipal level. The project has successfully diverted significant amounts of waste from landfills while recapturing value for various organizations.

  “In San Francisco we have launched and it's exactly all of these things are operating in San Francisco.”
  — Shane Campbell Staton, 30:14

Insights:

• Economic and Environmental Benefits: Transitioning to a circular economy not only reduces carbon emissions but also creates green jobs and fosters sustainable business practices.

  “A circular economy can create millions actually green jobs.”
  — Shane Campbell Staton, 33:05

• Scalability: For widespread adoption, cities must build digital and operational infrastructures that support reuse and recycling, coupled with incentives to encourage participation.

Revitalizing Detroit: Transforming Abandoned Lots into Green Spaces

Speaker: Anika Goss (CEO of Detroit Future City)
Guest: Katrina Watkins (CEO of Bailey Park Neighborhood Development Corporation)

Key Discussion Points:

• Economic Decline and Vacant Land: Detroit, once a thriving industrial hub, has experienced severe population loss, leading to widespread abandonment and environmental contamination. The city now faces 19 square miles of vacant land, posing significant challenges for infrastructure and community health.

  “All of those industrial sites stand vacant and abandoned. We now have about 19 square miles of vacant land in Detroit.”
  — Anika Goss, 38:45

• Resilient Neighborhood Model: Anika Goss outlines Detroit Future City's strategy to revitalize neighborhoods through planting urban forests, sustainable gardens, and creating green spaces that support biodiversity and improve environmental quality.

  “Planting sustainable gardens alongside food gardens is critically important.”
  — Anika Goss, 40:48

• Community Engagement: Katrina Watkins shares her personal journey of transforming abandoned lots into vibrant community spaces, emphasizing the importance of involving residents in the design and maintenance of these projects.

  “We really have to bring back the sense of community and connectivity.”
  — Katrina Watkins, 43:48

• Impactful Projects: Over 55 vacant lots have been converted into green spaces featuring trees, gardens, fire pits, and stages, making neighborhoods safer and more aesthetically pleasing while mitigating climate impacts like flooding.

  “We've spent well over a million dollars to help residents envision what they can do with these vacant lots.”
  — Anoush Zomorodi, 42:17

Insights:

• Social and Environmental Revitalization: Transforming abandoned spaces not only beautifies the city but also enhances community resilience against climate change and fosters social cohesion.

  “Tree roots anchor the soil, helping to protect their homes from climate events like massive floods.”
  — Katrina Watkins, 44:54

• Long-term Vision: Anika envisions a Detroit with thriving green spaces and renewed communities, anticipating significant progress within five years.

Polar Bears and Human Coexistence Amid Climate Change

Speaker: Alyssa McCall (Director of Conservation Outreach, Polar Bears International)

Key Discussion Points:

• Impact of Climate Change: Alyssa McCall explains how melting sea ice forces polar bears to traverse land in search of food, increasing encounters with humans and leading to potential conflicts.

  “Polar bears are fat, white, hairy canaries in the coal mine, warning us to act now.”
  — Alyssa McCall, 52:53

• Dietary Challenges: With their primary food source (seals) becoming scarce, polar bears turn to human garbage as an alternative, which poses health risks and heightens safety concerns for both bears and people.

• Conservation Efforts in Churchill: The town of Churchill, Manitoba, has implemented effective waste management strategies by moving garbage dumps indoors and installing bear-resistant bins to prevent bears from scavenging.

  “Churchill did the smart thing and they've just moved their garbage dump indoors.”
  — Alyssa McCall, 50:20

• Innovative Solutions: Collaborations with companies like 3M aim to develop better tracking methods for polar bears to monitor their movements and reduce negative interactions with humans.

  “These bur on fur tags could be a conservation game changer.”
  — Alyssa McCall, 51:21

• Education and Prevention: Alyssa emphasizes the importance of educating people about bear awareness and proactive measures to secure food and deter bears from approaching human habitats.

  “If you are going into bear country, please get bear aware, stay together, secure your snacks.”
  — Alyssa McCall, 51:41

Insights:

• Coexistence Strategies: Effective waste management and innovative tracking technologies are critical in minimizing human-polar bear conflicts.

  “Coexistence is the only option. Let's make it safe for all.”
  — Alyssa McCall, 51:41

• Urgent Climate Action: Protecting polar bears hinges on global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change, underscoring their role as indicators of environmental health.

Conclusion

The episode weaves together stories of abandoned places and the remarkable ways they find new life, whether through the resilience of wildlife in Chernobyl, the transformation of urban economies, the revitalization of Detroit’s communities, or the coexistence of polar bears and humans amid climate upheaval. Each narrative underscores the themes of adaptation, sustainability, and the profound impact of human actions on the environment.

Notable Quotes:

• “Ideas worth spreading.” — Anoush Zomorodi (01:07)
• “Life is a paradox. It's simultaneously incredibly fragile and relentlessly resilient.” — Shane Campbell Staton (18:38)

Final Thoughts

This episode highlights the interconnectedness of ecosystems, economies, and communities, demonstrating that with creativity and collaboration, even the most deserted places can find a second life. It calls listeners to reflect on their role in shaping a sustainable future and the potential for positive change when innovative solutions are embraced.

For more insights and full talks from the guests featured in this episode, visit Ted.com.