Natural water systems-like brooks, streams creeks or even rivers- exist in most urban areas. Over decades of city growth, these waterways have often been buried in culverts or underground pipes. This burial has been done in the service of flood control or the creation of more buildable land. In the age of climate change, there are several reasons to “day-light” these lost watercourses and let them return to something near their natural path. The benefits run to both the city and the soul. We speak with Miles Howard, a local journalist, author and urban hiker, about this new trend.

The reading list:

• Miles Howard in the Globe Ideas section on setting underground rivers free.
• Howard's "Mind the Moss" substack on buried rivers in Fall RIver
• The Climate Minute interviews Howard on hiking the Emerald Necklace
• The Climate Minute interviews Howard on the treasures of urban hiking
• The Climate Minute interviews Howard on EV sharing (Ep 7 of Lithium Series.)
• The Universal Hub on Stony Brook, Boston's Stygian River
• Some popular info on the River Styx in mythology
• Miles Howard website
• Follow @MilesPerHoward on twitter

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for a building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist the United States transform it’s energy sector, over the next decade, under a just and equitable plan, that uses regulations, investments and a price on carbon that protects environmental justice communities.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre