Big Ideas TXST explores rainforest destruction wrought by narcotics traffickers

Daniel Seed, left, talks to Nate Currit, middle, and Jennifer Devine, right, about the environmental destruction being wrought by narcotics traffickers in Central America.

Jennifer Devine, assistant professor in the Department of Geography at Texas State University, and Nate Currit, associate professor and director of the Texas Center for Geographic information Sciences, discuss the staggering environmental destruction and human suffering being wrought in Central America by narcotics traffickers in episode 5 of the Big Ideas TXST podcast. 

Narco traffickers are pushing deeper and deeper into the remote rainforests of Central America, clearcutting huge swaths to establish cattle ranches to launder drug money. In the process, endangered species and native communities alike are decimated.  Read more about the growing problem here and here.

Big Ideas TXST is a monthly podcast from Texas State’s Division of University Advancement that goes inside the fascinating minds forging innovation, research and creativity at the university. Hosted by Daniel Seed, a lecturer in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, each episode features thoughtful interviews and discussion with the thought leaders developing innovative ideas to make the world a better place. 

Big Ideas TXST can be found at news.txstate.edu/inside-txst/big-ideas-podcast. The podcast may also be listened to or subscribed to at:

·Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/bigideastxst

·Anchor https://anchor.fm/big-ideas-txst

·Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/big-ideas-txst/id1500430881

·Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/56N4LuHaBt6wj1yGScOnKn?si=ZcLlj2C8T1S61tRXJe_01A