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Women's group points to Kansas as future leader in the battle against climate change

By Steve Kraske,

Published January 11, 2022 at 6:31 AM CST

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A landscape photograph of gentle hills with a shallow gully running through the middle to the horizon and all covered in short green grass. Directly above are blue skies with a line of clouds on the horizon. — The open space of the Kansas prairies make the state a good location for wind and solar production.

Mothers Out Front fights for clean energy to insure a healthy future for children.

The high winds and dry conditions that drove massive wildfires across Kansas in December are worsening as the climate changes.

According to Mothers Out Front, a national nonprofit looking to secure livable conditions for future generations, combating the climate crisis could come through the strategic placement of renewable energy farms in Kansas.

Kansas' prairies have deep root systems able to sequester carbon. That, along with the state's abundance of sun and wind, make it uniquely positioned to become a leader in green energy production, according to Susan Alig, a leader with the organization's Kansas City chapter.

Susan Alig, Mothers Out Front

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Zach Wilson

As Up To Date’s senior producer, I construct daily conversations that give our listeners context to the issues of our time. I strive to provide a platform that holds those in power accountable, while also spotlighting the voices of Kansas City’s creatives and visionaries that may otherwise go unheard. Email me at zach@kcur.org.

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Elizabeth Ruiz

As a producer for Up To Date, my goal is to inform our audience by curating interesting and important conversations with reliable sources and individuals directly affected by a topic or issue. I strive for our program to be a place that hosts impactful conversations, providing our audience with greater knowledge, intrigue, compassion and entertainment. Contact me at elizabeth@kcur.org or on Twitter at @er_bentley_ruiz.

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