According to the Environmental Protection Agency, watersheds and watershed conditions are important to everyone and everything that uses and needs water. Healthy watersheds provide critical services such as clean drinking water, productive fisheries, outdoor recreation that support our economies, environment and quality of life. It is imperative that we protect vital watersheds and drinking water, which is why it is so important to garner support for local community action when those watersheds are at risk of polluted runoff from construction sites. Our guest on this episode is Leslie Hughes who is working to protect a watershed area in Westchester County NY. She is the organizer of SaveOurWaterSheds.org which is working to prevent a water filtration plant from being built near the Kensico Reservoir on the edge of Westchester County Airport by Westchester Joint Waterworks. Please go to the saveourwatersheds.org website for more info and become an active citizen in protecting our water. Find past shows on malcolmpresents.com and hudsonriverradio.com. Subscribe to our podcast on all major podcast apps and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @tmshadesofgreen. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness
Author: The Many Shades of Green
The Dangers of Lawn Pesticides
“A Who’s Who of pesticides is therefore of concern to us all. If we are going to live so intimately with these chemicals eating and drinking them, taking them into the very marrow of our bones — we had better know something about their nature and their power.” Rachel Carson
Rachel Carson is known as the woman who challenged the notion that humans could obtain mastery over nature by using chemicals. Her sensational book Silent Spring (1962) warned of the dangers to all natural systems from the misuse of chemical pesticides such as DDT, and questioned the scope and direction of modern science, which would lead to the initiation of the contemporary environmental movement. I don’t think that Rachel would be happy with today’s overuse of pesticide chemicals in lawn treatment, which threaten native flowers and grasses by harming beneficial pollinating insects as well as wildlife, our dogs and cats and yes, us humans. Of 40 most commonly used lawn pesticides, 26 are linked with cancer or carcinogenicity, 12 are linked with birth defects, 21 with reproductive effects, 32 with liver or kidney damage, 24 with neurotoxicity, and 24 with disruption of the endocrine (hormonal) system. Of those same 40 lawn pesticides, 21 are detected in groundwater, 24 have the ability to leach into drinking water sources, 39 are toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms vital to our ecosystem, 33 are toxic to bees, 18 are toxic to mammals, and 28 are toxic to birds. With numbers like this, the only logical question becomes: is this really necessary and what can we do to stop or prevent this kind of contamination, and what are the alternatives? Our resident wildlife, garden and habitat guru, Victoria Alzapiedi, co-founder of New Castle Healthy Yards, gives us some great info about pesticides and why we need to talk more about the risks of chemical use on our property. For more info go to beyondpesticides.org and follow New Castle Healthy Yards on Facebook. For past shows go to HudsonRiverRadio.com and Malcolmpresents.com. Please subscribe to TMSOG on all major podcast apps. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness
Slime Molds, the Spotted Lanternfly, Fungi, Trees and preserving Nature with Taro Ietaka: Recreation Supervisor and Conservationist Westchester County, NY
Mother Nature is in need of help. It is imperative that we all work to keep the air, land and water clean, as well as do whatever we can to be active participants to achieve reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. We rely on experts to help us in this process, especially those who are conservationists. Nature conservationists are responsible for the practical management of the countryside. They help develop policies to preserve and protect areas such as woodlands, fields, rivers, mountains, forests or coastal areas, to develop awareness and understanding and to encourage people to be proactive in taking care of the environment. In Westchester County New York, there are terrific people who work to preserve the natural environment through a host of initiatives designed to protect thousands of acres of open space and the hundreds of species of plants and wildlife that thrive in the county. The conservation division plays a vital role in working on a variety of programs and services. We talk to Taro Ietaka who is a Recreation and Conservation Supervisor with Westchester County PRC (Parks, Recreation & Conservation). Taro coordinates the County’s biodiversity program to assess and protect the flora and fauna, and he oversees the six County-operated nature centers. We discuss the importance of science and nature programs for kids. We touch on, but don’t want to touch, the infamous slime mold, and we discuss what might help eradicate the invasive Spotted Lantern Fly (aside from squashing them, vacuuming might be a solution). We also talk about the importance of fungi being an integral part of forests and landscape. Taro is a certified arborist, and past president of the Connecticut-Westchester Mycological Association. He plays a vital role in maintaining and improving Westchester’s unique and beautiful natural environment for current and future generations to come. For more info go to parks.westchestergov.com.
Check out past shows on HudsonRiverRadio.com and MalcolmPresents.com. Please subscribe to TMSOG podcast on all major podcast apps. Follow us on FB and Instagram @tmshadesofgreen. #RaiseYour EcoConsciousness
COH: Should You Be Gluten Free, and what is the difference between Gluten Intolerance and Gluten Allergies?
We all love bread, cake, and pasta, but those foods usually contain gluten which is often associated with wheat and wheat-containing foods that are abundant in our food supply. More people are gluten intolerant than in the past, and the question is why? So what can we do to manage our gluten intake? According to Mom’s Place Gluten Free, prevalence for a gluten intolerance or gluten allergy is 9 times greater today than 50 years ago. David Bilstrum, MD, a doctor of Functional Medicine at the Bingham Memorial Center for Functional Medicine & International Autoimmune Institute, stated that it’s no longer a question of “if” someone has gluten sensitivity or health issues, it is only a question of “when”. He indicated that 80-85% of the population would benefit from eating higher quality foods, avoiding processed foods, GMO’s, and preservatives. Dr. Bilstrum further stated that “it really comes back to, “We are what we eat”. In this episode, Courtney gives us some info on the story of gluten and what we need to know about being gluten free.
To get more info, follow Courtney on her Facebook page Courtney on Health, on Instagram and TikTok @clgwellnes and visit her website: courtneygravenese.com. For past shows go to malcolmpresents.com and themanyshadesofgreen.com.
Fires, Goats and Indictments with our monthly commentator on civics, politics, the environment and more… George Polisner
The world is burning literally and figuratively. But in the literal definition, people around the globe are struggling and fighting to put out wildfires on a daily basis. The burning fires are creating high levels of pollution, causing destruction and damage to flora and fauna. The East coast of the US recently got a dose of what it’s like to live on the West coast, as the apocalyptic orange skies and smoke filled air obliterated the skylines of NYC and other cities in the Mid-Atlantic states. Wildfires are getting bigger and more destructive. One of the main forces driving this trend is climate change, which has intensified summertime droughts thus reducing the mountaintop snowpack, making fire seasons longer. There is an increase in lightening strikes that can trigger big fires in tinder-dry forests. Fire seasons are longer and since the 1980s, researchers say, climate change has roughly doubled the area of wildfires in the west. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Biden discussed the need to “work together to address the devastating impacts of climate change.” Chuck Schumer said in a speech on the Senate floor that “the climate crisis is real and it is here to stay. We must take action against the climate crisis, both short-term and long-term.” But what are our elected officials really doing about it? What is the politics of wild fires, and how can we work to reduce these fires? On a different note we will also touch on the latest indictment of a former president, which is a first in US history. We are lucky to have George Polisner our resident political expert on this episode to give us some insight into issues of climate change, fires, and politics. George is the founder of Civ.works, who works to bring civic engagement, activism, citizen participation and political communication to the forefront. For more info go to Civ.Works, check out past shows on malcolmpresents.com, HudsonRiverRadio.com. Subscribe to TMSOG podcast on all major podcast apps. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: Burning Forests, Food Waste, June Astrology and more with Charlotte Ghiorse
Do we ever think how far our food has traveled to be on our plate, and what it took to grow? Our mom’s used to yell at us “ don’t waste your food and clean your plate, there are kids who go hungry!” Mom of course, was right, and today, hunger is more widespread than ever, and more food is wasted which could be used to feed those in need. Food waste already accounts for roughly 8 percent of the world’s greenhouse gases. According to a UCLA study, 26% percent of the United States’ total greenhouse gas emissions comes from food production and consumption. Therefore, the choices we make when deciding what to eat really can have an impact. If all of the 80% of Americans who eat the standard American diet shifted their habits to eat fewer animal products, even if just a few times a week, the difference could be significant. On this episode our resident artist, filmmaker, astrologist, mother of three awesome kiddos, and Earth activist Charlotte Ghiorse joins us to discuss the problems and solutions of food waste, forests burning in Canada causing hazardous air quality, as well as how the astrological connections of the planets in June affect us. For more info go to https://www.houseofchoclet.com/ You can find Sexy Astrology on YouTube and Facebook. Subscribe to TMSOG on all major podcast apps, on Instagram @tmshadesofgren and on HudsonRiverRadio.com and MalcolmPresents.com. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness SaveButtonhookForest.org
Gulf Coast Love Story with Dayna Reggero, Founder of The Climate Listening Project
“While oil & gas executives are planning massive expansions, we’re gathering to share stories of environmental injustice & continued hope.” Dayna Reggero
According to Earth Justice, pipeline spills can cause irreversible environmental destruction. Since 2001, there have been almost 700 reported incidents of serious pipeline failures. Over 2.6 million miles of oil and gas pipelines crisscross the country. Pipelines run through lakes, rivers, aquifers, and waterways, endangering the ecosystems and communities in their paths and fueling the climate crisis. Communities have the right to clean air, safe drinking water, and unspoiled lands, and they are being denied those rights by the harmful excesses of the fossil fuel industry. Our guest on this episode is Dayna Reggero who is an environmentalist, award winning documentarian, art activist and a guardian of Mother Earth. Her latest film project is called Gulf Coast Love Story, a collaborative Climate Listening Project which takes place in the Gulf Coast (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida). Dayna has collaborated with artist activist Roishetta Ozane, photographer Rev. Michael Malcom, poet Ebony Stewart, and many Gulf Coast artists to produce a collaborative artistic endeavor visioning a better future grounded in the Gulf Coast Love. Artists involved with GulfCoastMurals.com take part in the project. It is a movement comprised of artists taking action to stop LNG exports, who envision a better future for the Gulf Coast. For more info go to DaynaReggero.com, https://gulfcoastlovestory.com/ For past shows on TMSOG go to HudsonRiverRadio.com and MalcolmPresents.com. Subscribe to our podcast on all major podcast apps.
Teaching Kids to Garden with Karen Bazik Super Gardener and Educator
There was an animated TV show in 1991 called Captain Planet, which brought the need to protect planet Earth to the forefront. Gaia, the spirit of the planet, assembled a diverse team of “Planeteers” who were able to combine their powers to summon the appearance of superhero Captain Planet, who worked with the Planeteers to defend Earth from pollution caused by villains. It is a series that should be revived and perhaps tweaked a bit for 2023, to help children understand the need to protect the Earth. The program led to the formation of the Captain Planet Foundation, which gives grants to youth gardens and youth climate education. According to kidsgardening.org the youth garden movement has grown steadily in the past decade as more educators, caregivers, and families get excited about garden-based learning opportunities for kids. With that, the number of national and state grants available for youth gardens has increased. Teaching kids to be stewards of the earth is essential in creating new generations who are aware of the need to be proactive in protecting Mother Nature. Our guest on this episode is Karen Bazik who is working to educate kids about nature and gardening. She does wonderful innovative and impactful work with kids and young people as a native plant nature educator and mentor in her role as the leader of the Chappaqua Garden Club’s “Junior Garden Club” program. Karen is doing incredible native planting work with kids at the Chappaqua Library and will be hosting the “Great Pollinator Planting Event” taking place June 2nd 3-5 at the Chappaqua Public Library. https://www.chappaqualibrary.org/special-programs. Also visit New Castle Healthy Yards on Facebook.
For past shows go to HudsonRiverRadio.com and Malcolmpresents.com. Please subscribe to TMSOG podcast on Spotify, Apple, iHeart, Spreaker.com and more. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @tmshadesofgreen #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness
Can we put Environmental, Social and Governance Issues (ESG) in place within the corporate structure? George Polisner gives us some answers…
“Adopting a central organizing principle means embarking on an all out effect to use every policy and program, every law and institution, to halt the destruction of the environment” Al Gore
Environmental, social and governance issues are affecting the way companies do business. The topic of ESG has become engulfed in a political seesaw, and is a new battlefront in American politics. Are companies prepared for the climate transition that’s coming, and will they have to shift their investment strategies? Climate change is impacting many industries and operations, and companies must adjust to the changing planet. Droughts, floods, fires, tornadoes are now more extreme and can knock out facilities on short notice. Companies must adapt quickly and have plans in effect to deal with the weather extremes brought on by a changing climate. Both political parties in the US have differing views on ESG, as their approach to investors regarding the need to create policies that will reduce green house gases, create better working conditions and fair treatment of employees, as well as better governance policies has widened. There is once again a great divide on this issue, and one side is using the phrase “wokeness” to brush aside ESG practices. We will ever reach over the aisle again and work together for the greater good?? Our monthly civic and political analyst, George Polisner helps us understand what ESG’s are and how they are important in helping reduce carbon emissions and bring better conditions and pay to workers. George is the founder of Civ.works, who works to bring civic engagement, activism, citizen participation and political communication to the forefront.
For more info go to Civ.works. Find past shows on HudsonRiverRadio.com and Malcolmpresents.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @tmshadesofgreen. Subscribe to TMSOG on all major podcast apps. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness
Courtney on Health: Grillin’ in the Summertime or anytime. Is the char in your BBQ safe?
Grilling season is upon us, and it’s time to get the grill warmed up and the BBQ started. We all love having burgers, hot dogs, chicken, steak and shrimp on the barbie, but is there a hidden health issue lurking in the fire? There are chemicals in meat cooked at high temperatures that are a cancer risk. According to the National Cancer Institute, Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are chemicals formed when muscle meat, including beef, pork, fish, or poultry, is cooked using high-temperature methods, such as pan frying or grilling directly over an open flame. In laboratory experiments, HCAs and PAHs have been found to be mutagenic—that is, they cause changes in DNA that may increase the risk of cancer. Grilling is a great way to prep food, so what are some tips on how to minimize both PAH and HCA? Courtney gives us some important information on grillin’ in the summertime or anytime.
To get more info, follow Courtney on her Facebook page Courtney on Health, on Instagram and TikTok @clgwellnes. Visit her website: courtneygravenese.com. For past shows go to malcolmpresents.com and themanyshadesofgreen.com. Courtney on Health: Smart, Sound Nutrition. Strong, Safe Fitness.
Mothers Day in Retrograde, Mother X artwork, and some companies doing good!
Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and we celebrate all women on that day who are caregivers and providers who give of themselves with all their heart and soul. It is also important to celebrate the ultimate mother of us all, Mother Earth. We must be eco-conscious and think about what actions are needed to preserve Mother Nature, so perhaps Mother’s Day traditions can also make space for our collective Mother. In the astrological world, this year on April 21st, Mercury turned retrograde in Taurus, the earth sign that rules sensuality and our bodies. As it turns out, Mercury in Retrograde runs through Mother’s Day, and I am not sure what effect that will have on the moms of the world, all 2 billion of them, as they celebrate the day. What type of energy will wrap itself around moms and Mother Earth?
It’s interesting to note that in the US, Mother’s Day actually began as a women’s movement to better the lives of Americans. Its origins spring from lifelong activists who championed efforts toward better health, welfare, and peace. Mother Earth is a metaphor which focuses on the nurturing and life-giving aspects of nature, and she is THE collective Mother. All mothers want a healthy, safe, clean and green planet so that current and future generations can thrive. As Mother’s Day endures and evolves, we continue to commemorate the many ways mothers have fought to better the lives of their children, from social welfare to non-violence to protecting the planet. On this episode, our resident astrologist, artist, mother of three awesome kiddos, film maker and voice for moms, Charlotte Ghiorse joins us to discuss Earth and Mother connections during this period of retrograde, as well as her Mother X art exhibits, various green subjects and more. For more info check out houseofchoclet.com and Sexy Astrologist on YouTube and Facebook. You can catch past shows on HudsonRiverRadio.com and MalcolmPresents.com #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness
Courtney on Health: Can Cranberries help prevent UTIs?
There was a reported rise in Urinary tract infections (UTIs) during the pandemic, as stress was high, and proper hygiene and diet were not something people in their pajama wearing and jigsaw puzzled state much cared about, especially during those lock down days. UTIs are caused by foreign bacteria entering into the urinary tract, usually from the bowel, and infections can happen to both men and women, but women get more infections than men. In fact, about 60% of women and 12% of men will have at least one UTI in their lifetime. If you’ve ever had one, you will recognize the symptoms immediately: burning sensations when you urinate, cramping, frequent trips to the bathroom, strong-smelling odor when you go, and urine that may appear cloudy or dark, as well as a feeling of not quite being able to empty your bladder. UTIs are also annoying and frustrating, especially if they happen to you often. And, while the standard treatment for a UTI is pretty commonplace (an antibiotic usually clears it up in a few days), many people avoid seeing a doctor and don’t get the proper diagnosis and antibiotic prescription, as they think they can self treat, or it will go away by itself. Something that always pops up when you think you have a UTI is drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry supplements. One prominent theory is that a substance in cranberries, called proanthocyanidins, might help prevent UTI-causing bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder and other urinary tract linings. So while you mostly think of cranberries as a delicious Thanksgiving side dish, should we be giving thanks to cranberries when we get a UTI? Courtney gives us some great info on how you can deal with UTIs and if can cranberries help prevent them.
To get more info, follow Courtney on her Facebook page Courtney on Health, and on Instagram and TikTok @clgwellnes. Visit her website: courtneygravenese.com. For past shows go to malcolmpresents.com and themanyshadesofgreen.com.