You're Drinking Plastic: Journalist Paul Rivera on Environmental Storytelling & Life on the Trail
You're Drinking Plastic: Journalist Paul Rivera on Environmental Storytelling & Life on the Trail  
Podcast: Hikes and Mics Podcast
Published On: Mon Oct 20 2025
Description: Send us Fan Mail🌎 Weather, Wildfires & the Human Impact with Paul Rivera ☀️🌧️Paul Rivera joins us this episode — a Louisiana-based journalist and environmental storyteller who's spent over a decade covering hurricanes, wildfires, and the changing climate. Paul's interest in weather traces back to Hurricane Katrina, which hit his home state when he was a kid, and his love of hiking took root years later during the pandemic, when trail time in Georgia and South Carolina became a lifeline.Paul talks through the near-misadventure that turned a quick Mount Baker day hike into a seven-hour ordeal following disappearing snowshoe tracks through the Chain Lakes Loop, his investigative reporting on microplastics found in tap water across multiple states, and the growing strain on places like the Enchantments, where a single ranger now covers 900+ miles of trail. We also get into his journey from Louisiana to Seattle and back, the intersection of storytelling and advocacy, and a full round of season "this or that" questions — summits or waterfalls, sunrise or sunset, fall colors or spring wildflowers.An eye-opening conversation about nature, media, and the responsibility that comes with loving the places we hike.Episode Links:Paul Rivera News on InstagramPaul Rivera News on TikTokPaul Rivera News on YouTubePaul Rivera News on FacebookThis episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeysFollow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics AllTrails+I'm excited to share that I’m now a Trailheads Ambassador for AllTrails+! If you love exploring the outdoors, AllTrails+ is your ultimate adventure companion. Get offline maps, real-time wrong-turn alerts, and trail previews to help you hike smarter and safer. Plus, with 3D maps and deeper trail insights, planning your next trek has never been easier.Try AllTrails+ free for 7 days, and when you sign up using my referral link, you’ll get 30% off your AllTrails+ membership!Sign up here: AllTrails+ (promo is only redeemable via web and not the app)Ursa Minor Outfitters - Inspired by the outdoors, Created by local artists Go check them at www.ursaminoroutfitters.com and don’t forget to enter the promo code HikesMics10 at checkout to receive 10% off your order.