Getting a dose of news covering local environmental issues can be a real challenge. But in a convenient, downloadable, mp3 format? Come on.

They aren't exactly lining the airwaves but here are some great Toronto enrivo-related podcasts I've become aware of over the last few years.

1. The Green Majority

The Green Majority airs every Friday at 10am on UofT's CIUT for a full hour. It best fits the description of an "environmental podcast" as it covers Canadian and international environmental headlines, as well as a feature story (usually an interview with a Canadian subject expert). The show is produced and hosted by Jordan Poppenk, a UofT PhD Pyschology student, along with help from other qualified volunteers. Although the scope has broadened considerably, it was initially started to bring local environmental coverage to the Toronto area.

"As the nation's first and only all-environmental newshour, we strive to inform listeners about the environmental events that affect them, with emphasis on municipal, provincial and national issues, and to connect listeners to their environmental communities."

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2. Rabble Podcast Network's Environment Channel

Rabble.ca is known more for its west-coast coverage, but on the environmental front they are one of the only podcasts covering all of Canada's environmental issues. Earlier this month they had a great episode on air quality and pollution in Southwestern Ontario and the GTA. Episodes vary in length from 15 to 90 minutes and don't have a regular schedule (the environment channel is part of the wider rabble podcast network).

"The rabble podcast network offers environmental news to help you shrink that carbon footprint."

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3. Natures Past: A Podcast of the Network in Canadian History & Environment

This podcast just started up in December '08 and looks very promising (if you like to geek out on environmental history). It's based out of The University of Western Ontario in London and covers issues across Canada, but has already featured some good Toronto content. Their first episode was an interview with a UofT grad student about the history of the Don River.

"A monthly discussion about the environmental history community and research in Canada."

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4. Ripple Outdoors

Okay if you aren't in to hunting or fishing this one ain't for you. But this is from guys with their boots on the ground (and in their boats), who are out there with a great perspective on the outdoor environment. As they pointed out on their blog, when at the end of 2008 the Toronto Sun stopped running their Outdoor column, there was "no longer a single major newspaper in the GTA covering outdoor topics near and dear to anglers and hunters." There is great coverage of events like the Toronto Sportsmen Show and discussion of what's going on in relevant government agencies.

"Ontario hunting and fishing experts discuss issues that affect hunter and anglers."

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Honourable Mention

McGill's School of Environment Podcast
(just recently launched a podcast with 2 episodes, not sure what exactly will be covered)

CBC's Quirks and Quarks
(more so about science in general, but their podcast options allow you download only specific segments where they often cover environmental issues)

David Suzuki Foundation Podcast
(has not updated since July 31 2008)

Photo by William Self, member of the blogTO flickr pool.