Author: Maxine Rubin

Eco-Tech Innovations (Seaweed, WOTA, Carbon Capture), Women’s History Month, Pisces Rules the Ocean and Water, with Eco-activist, artist and Sexy Astrologist Charlotte Ghiorse

Climate change is here, it’s undeniable, and it affects our lives daily. Extreme weather is in every part of the globe and in our own backyards. It is imperative that action be taken to reduce global warming and carbon emissions. While climate action seems to be lagging behind the pace of climate change, there are new technologies and climate tech innovations being worked on to replace fossil fuels and plastics.  Climate tech is now being deployed at a record pace.  A recent article in Fast Company stated that the world is on track to triple renewable energy by the end of the decade. In 2023, an energy transition began to unfold across the economy. Innovation and science are leading the way with promising technologies to help reduce CO2 emissions. There is a a new factory making jet fuel from CO2, and a cargo ship running on green methanol made from food waste. Some additional new solutions that give us optimism that it’s possible to avoid the worst impacts of climate change include: better batteries for Electronic Vehicles, installation of heat pumps, and carbon renewal using crushed mineral powder. These climate tech solutions are in the works and are making  inroads to clean technology on the local, national and global stage. 

   On this episode, our resident eco-activist, artist and Founder of Sexy Astrology Charlotte Ghiorse, gives us some insight about what work is being done within the scientific community in the climate tech arena regarding carbon capture, water purifying technology, and how seaweed can be converted to a biopolymer as a substitute for plastic. We also touch on Women’s History Month and Charlotte has astrology updates and some notes for Malcolm who is a Pisces, the sign which rules the ocean and water. For more info go to https://www.climate.gov/news-features/climate-tech?page=1

Follow Sexy Astrology and House of Choclet on Facebook and on the web at https://www.houseofchoclet.com/ For past shows go to HudsonRiverradio.com, Malcolmpresents.com and themanyshadesofgreen.com. Please give us some feedback via Instagram, Facebook, Threads @tmshadesofgreen, and tune in to TMSOG podcast on Spotify, Amazon, Spreaker.com, Apple, iHeart and more. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness

TMSOG is proud to be on Feedspot’s top 50 (#8) Environmental podcasts to follow in 2024 https://podcasts.feedspot.com/environmental_podcasts/

Food Scrap programs, Recycle Rangers, and yes, you can recycle used paint cans in NYS, plus more great information on the importance of local community eco-actions with Michelle Sterling and Youth Environmentalist Alexa Troob

The Power of Local community action is essential to empower communities to become resilient. Actions on the local level build a sense of ownership and responsibility and improves the effectiveness of initiatives which promote sustainability. Local governments, schools and organizations must address the climate concerns of the residents in their communities, which helps promote sustainable practices in their towns and villages in order to get green initiatives passed. What happens locally goes global! Our guest on this episode of TMOSG is Michelle Sterling, who has been instrumental in launching sustainability initiatives throughout Scarsdale and Westchester County. She is the co-chair of Scarsdale’s Sustainability committee and is on their Conservation council as well.  Michelle works with her sustainability partner Ron Schulhof, to help Scarsdale Village, as well as all seven Scarsdale Schools and a number of Scarsdale Houses of Worship, launch food scrap recycling and zero waste programs. Their efforts have made a tremendous impact within the community as well as throughout Westchester County, and they have now helped 21 towns within in the county, and several towns outside of Westchester start municipal food scrap recycling programs. We are also joined by Alexa Troob, who is a youth champion of the environment, a journalist and a student member of the Sustainability Advisory Board in the Town of New Castle New York. We discuss the Food Scrap Program in Scarsdale, the EPR Packaging Bill in NYS and the Paint Recycling Program. To reach out to Michelle email her at: [email protected]. Some helpful links are below:

https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/recycling-composting/postconsumer-paint-collection

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/20022024/environmental-groups-eye-potential-win-with-new-york-packaging-bill/

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/S4246/amendment/A

For past shows go to HudsonRiverRadio.com, MalcolmPresents.com and themanyshadesofgreen.com. Listen to the podcast on apps via Amazon, Apple, Spotify, Spreaker.com and more. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Threads @tmshadesofgreen. TMSOG is proud to be #8 on Feedspot’s 50 Best Environmental podcasts to follow in 2024 https://podcasts.feedspot.com/environmental_podcasts/

Leap Year, ‘Big Nights’ for Frogs Leaping towards their Vernal Pools and Keystone Plants with Victoria Alzapiedi, Co-founder, New Castle Healthy Yards

We are now in a leap year which happens every four years, and it exists, for the most part to keep the months in sync with annual events, including equinoxes and solstices. According to the JPL (Jet Propulsion Lab), it is a correction to counter the fact that Earth’s orbit isn’t precisely 365 days a year. When we think of a Leap year, we think of presidential elections in the US and the Summer Olympics. Spring is now approaching and everyone is becoming more aware that the climate is changing, and that the seasons are starting earlier. Hibernating animals and insects are getting more confused and are waking from their hibernation earlier. Kermit and his friends are finding it harder to be green. During this time of year ‘Big Nights’ occur when frogs and salamanders wake from hibernation to get to vernal pools to lay eggs and mate. Unfortunately, many are killed by cars as they cross roads. The NY DEC (dec.ny.gov) has a volunteer training programs which trains people to help the frogs and salamanders cross roadways get to their vernal pools. This program can also be used for people in other states to help save the lives of these precious amphibians. Our resident garden, wildlife and healthy yards guru Victoria Alzapiedi, gives us great info about Big Nights, and she also talks about the importance of Keystone plants, and what we can do to preserve ecosystems in the coming months. For more info check out New Castle Healthy Yards on Facebook. Go to Scenic Hudson for additional information:

https://www.scenichudson.org/viewfinder/gearing-up-for-amphibians-big-night and https://dec.ny.gov/nature/waterbodies/oceans-estuaries/hudson-river-estuary-program/conservation-and-land-use-program/amphibian-migrations-and-road-crossings and https://www.vernalpool.org/

Link to program NYDEC https://meetny.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/meetny/recording/dbb3114db3fb103cbfbe005056816f6f/playback

https://dec.ny.gov/nature/waterbodies/oceans-estuaries/hudson-river-estuary-program/conservation-and-land-use-program/amphibian-migrations-and-road-crossings

For past TMSOG shows go to https://hudsonriverradio.com/the-many-shades-of-green.html, Malcolmpresents.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Threads @tmshadesofgreen. Listen to The Many Shades of Green on all major podcast apps (Apple, Amazon, Spotify, Spreaker.com and more). TMSOG is proud to be on Feedspots list of the 50 Best Environmental podcasts to follow in 2024 @ #8 https://podcasts.feedspot.com/environmental_podcasts/

#Raise Your Eco-Consciousness

The Million Dollar Hockey Stick, Climate Scientists Fight Back + The Controversy over Frozen Eggs, with George Polisner, Founder of Civ.Works

My job can’t just be- to calmly document the end of the world.” Rose Abramoff, Earth Scientist.

Peter Kalmus, a climate scientist, is in constant freak out mode, as he is plagued by the increasing certainty that, “if we continue burning fossil fuels at this pace, that will render large parts of the planet uninhabitable.” He further went on to say that “policymakers in general are not responding appropriately to the science that we’ve been giving them.” At the 2023 American Geophysical Union Conference in San Francisco, Rose Abramoff, an earth scientist and Peter Kalmus leapt onto the stage and unfurled a banner for Scientist Rebellion. Kalmus yelled, “As scientists we have tremendous leverage, but we need to use it.” Rose Abramoff pleaded, “Please. Please. Find a way to take action.” They were both taken offstage and banned from the conference. Another climate scientist, Dr. Michael Mann, has been in court for over ten years fighting  to clear his name after the Competitive Enterprise Institute, which has said that it “questions global warming alarmism,” and compared Dr. Mann on a blog hosted by the institute, to a convicted sex offender “Instead of molesting children,” the post read, “he has molested and tortured data in the service of politicized science.” Then a conservative writer republished parts of that post on a blog hosted by National Review and added that Dr. Mann was “behind the fraudulent climate-change ‘hockey stick’ graph.” After ten years in court, a jury in Washington DC recently found both writers were liable for defamation and Dr. Mann was awarded one million dollars in punitive damages. We all know that the climate is warming, polar ice is melting, glaciers are receding, the chemistry of the ocean is becoming dangerously acidic and sea levels are rising. Yet the scientists researching the fallout from those facts which were established more than 100 years ago, continue to face attacks that threaten their research, reputations and livelihoods. Science, yes science, and facts, yes, facts must be used to determine how climate affects the environment. We must support scientists and facts over lies and conspiracy theories. Dr. Mann fought for his right to not be harassed, and Peter Kalmus and Rose Abramoff will not let extremism replace the research that clearly points to the fact that the extraction and burning of fossil fuels by the oil and gas industries, is one of the leading causes of climate change. Our resident environmentalist, political analyst and curmudgeon George Polisner, founder of Civ.works, gives us some insight into climate science, and we discuss how Climate Scientists are fighting back in court. We also touch on the latest blow to women’s reproductive rights, as a controversial Alabama Supreme Court decision stopped IVF treatments, stating that frozen embryos, whether they are within or outside a uterus, are considered children.

For past shows go to HudsonRiverRadio.com, Malcolmpresents.com and themanyshadesofgreen.com. Follow TMSOG on Facebook, Instagram and Threads @tmshadesofgreen and tune into TMSOG podcast on Apple, Amazon, Spreaker.com, Spotify and more. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness.

The Many Shades of Green is proud to be on Feedspot’s list of the 50 Best Environmental podcasts to follow in 2024 (at number 8). https://podcasts.feedspot.com/environmental_podcasts/

Plastic in the Clouds, Pluto in Aquarius and more with Artist, Eco-Activist and Sexy Astrologist, Charlotte Ghiorse

Plastic is everywhere. In our blood, in our food (beer, honey, salt) and more. A one liter of bottle of water contains 240,000 detectable plastic fragments. Microplastics are even in clouds! Joni Mitchell did not in a million years think that plastic would be inside clouds when she wrote the lyrics to her iconic tune “Both Sides Now” Joni wrote about the clouds and said:

But now they only block the sun

They rain and they snow on everyone

So many things I would have done

But clouds got in my way

I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now

From up and down and still somehow

It’s cloud illusions I recall

I really don’t know clouds at all

Plastic in clouds is not an illusion, so maybe the lyric needs to be updated to say:

Now microplastics are in the air

within the clouds and everywhere, 

now scientists are really scared 

they know what must be done, 

We have to work to clear the skies 

and wipe the plastic from our eyes,

from tears and rain we cannot hide

plastic cannot rule the way 

On this episode we focus on how plastic winds up in clouds. Researchers recently collected 28 samples of liquid from clouds at the top of Mount Tai in eastern China. They found microplastic fibers—from clothing, packaging, and tires—in their samples. Lower altitude and denser clouds contained greater amounts of microplastics. Plastic is now part of the Earth’s geology as it is in rocks, reefs, and shells, soil and more. It now has a geologic name: plastistones. We discuss how plastic is infiltrating the environment and getting into the clouds, and we delve into astrology-Pluto in Aquarius, with our resident eco-activist, artist, and sexy Astrologist, Charlotte Ghiorse. For more info about plastic/chemicals in our environment go to asc.org. Get more info about Charlotte via HouseofChoclet.com and Sexy Astrology on YouTube. Find more shows on HudsonRiverRadio.com, Malcolmpresents.com, and TMSOG – themanyshadesofgreen.com. Follow us and Like us on Facebook, Instagram and Threads @tmshadesofgreen, and listen and share TMSOG podcast on Apple, Amazon, Spotify, iHeart (Spreaker.com) and more. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness

The Many Shades of Green is proud to be on Feedspot’s list of environmental podcasts to follow in 2024 (@ #8) https://podcasts.feedspot.com/environmental_podcasts/

The Essential Role of Local Journalism with Adam Stone, Publisher of The Examiner

“The health of a democracy depends in no small part on the vitality of an independent press. Studies across the world continue to demonstrate that access to a robust news system, free from institutional censorship or influence, plays an essential role in effective democracy.” Quote from The Knight Foundation and Gallup, American Views 2022: Part 1

According to the American Journalism Project, local news bridges divides in communities, showcases opportunities for community connection, highlights community perspectives, and sheds light on how policy issues affect readers and their neighbors. Most local issues require the thoroughness, understanding, and diligence that only local, on-the-ground reporters are equipped to provide. The national media is astoundingly out of touch with Americans, with 1 in 5 newsroom employees based in New York, Los Angeles, or Washington, DC. Local news is an essential check on local government and helps improve communities. A robust press is vital to a healthy democracy and newsrooms need resources to create reliable news that is accessible and free from influence. We need to know who is holding local elected officials accountable, who is reporting from the state legislatures, who is covering all the town councils, school board and pubic hearings, court proceedings, environmental policy, school sports, town events and so much more. It is local news publications that provide this vital information, and carry out their important function in keeping the public informed. On this episode of TMSOG, Adam Stone, Publisher of The Examiner, a local print/digital newspaper covering Westchester County, NY discusses the importance of local news as a check on democratic institutions. Adam’s article about how the failure of New York State in operating certain disability programs, which had disastrous effects on local disabled individuals, was highlighted by the New York Times on its list of outstanding local journalism.  It is a prime example of local journalism at its best: (see The Examiner News, New York: How the state’s disability program fails locals). Please support local press! For more info go to theexaminernews.com and check out new and archived articles.

For past shows go to HudsonRiverRadio.com, Malcolmpresents.com, and themanyshadesofgreen.com. Follow TMSOG on Facebook, Instagram and Threads @tmshadesofgreen. Listen to the podcast on all major podcast apps (Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart via Spreaker.com and more). TMSOG is proud to be on the Feedspot top 50 Environmental podcasts to follow in 2024 (TMSOG is number 8). For info go to: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/environmental_podcasts/

#RaiseYourEcoConsciousness

Groundhog Day, Climate Change, PETA and Purple Haze with Rusti Wolintz

It’s official: spring is right around the corner.Punxsutawney Phil DID NOT SEE HIS SHADOW in front of thousands of spectators at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, part of the annual Groundhog Day tradition celebrated in the U.S. and Canada. That means, according to the legend, we’re in for an early spring. Phil predicted an early spring for the 21st time since records were kept. (USA Today 2.2.24) The question arises as to how climate change will affect future Groundhog Day predictions.

Having attended the Groundhog festivities on 02.02.02, with my guest and BFF Rusti Wolintz, on this episode we discuss our Bucket List adventure to Punxsutawney, which was quite the time. As the crowd screamed PHIL! PHIL! PHIL! in frigid temperatures, we watched the ceremony unfold as the Groundhog Inner Circle took Phil out of his hollow tree stump to predict the weather. We are now in 2024, and while most people depend on the more advanced methods of their favorite meteorologist, we still wake up on Groundhog Day to the tune of ‘I Got You Babe’ and travel in our minds to the **Tip Top Cafe in the Groundhog Day movie (that’s for you Mr. Murray), to find out if the prediction of the groundhog, through some telepathic connection with humans, will determine if there will be six more weeks of winter, or if spring will come early. If he sees his shadow after coming out of his hollow, there will be six more weeks of winter, and if he does not see his shadow, people can expect spring to be around the corner. In essence we put Phil, Staten Island Chuck, and General Beauregard Lee the premier groundhog prognosticators, in the limelight to predict the weather, which as we all know has been more extreme. So in addition to predicting the shifting of seasons, Phil and company now have another challenge: climate change. We already know that across the U.S., spring is getting warmer and it is starting an average of three days earlier too. Spring is usually upon us when small leaves begin to sprout on trees, but in recent years, spring leaf out arrived in the Southeast over three weeks earlier than the long-term average (1981-2010) in some locations. Austin, TX is 10 days early, Jackson, MS and Charleston, SC are 17 days early, and Wilmington, NC is 22 days early. Warmer springs can cause plants to bloom earlier, impact migrating species and hibernating animals, and increase the amount of seasonal insects. We must address global warming and take action to reduce greenhouse gases. To get more info go to NASA.gov, nationalgeographic.org, NOAA at climate.gov and groundhog.org,

For past shows go to HudsonRiverRadio.com, Malcolmpresents.com, plus themanyshadesofgreen.com. Follow TMSOG on Facebook, Instagram and Threads @tmshadesofgreen. Listen to the TMSOG podcast on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, iHeart, Spreaker.com and more. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness. The Many Shades of Green is honored to be on the Feedspot list of top environmental podcasts at number 8: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/environmental_podcasts/

**Correction, during the episode it was stated that the Groundhog Day movie had the Tik Tok Diner, when it was the Tip Top Cafe.

What’s Going On? “I Have A Dream!” Carrying forward the resonating message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with Rick Ulfik, Founder of We the World and George Polisner, Founder of Civ.Works

What’s Goin On by Marvin Gaye

Mother Mother

There’s too many of you crying

Brother, brother, brother

There’s far too many of you dying

You know we’ve got to find a way

To bring some lovin’ here today, yeah

Father, father

We don’t need to escalate

You see, war is not the answer

For only love can conquer hate

You know we’ve got to find a way

To bring some lovin’ here today

Picket lines and picket signs (sister, sister)

Don’t punish me with brutality (sister, sister)

Talk to me (sister)

So you can see (sister)

Oh, what’s going on (what’s going on)

What’s going on (what’s going on)

 “Whats Going On” by Marvin Gaye, is an incredible musical piece that offered, like the everlasting message of Martin Luther King Jr., enlightenment and compassion at a time of confusion and hate. Marvin Gaye and MLK had much in common, as they both advocated for civil and environmental justice, as well as peace, love and understanding. In a recent online article in Country Living magazine, Katie Bowlby and Terri Robertson wrote that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “was one of the most powerful voices of the Civil Rights Movement.” Throughout his lifetime, he had a lot to say about justice, love, leadership, service, equality, freedom, and the hope for (and struggle for) change.  Much insight can be gained from reading Dr. King’s speeches and writings in their full context, from his “I Have a Dream” speech at the 1963 March on Washington to his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” and his Nobel Prize acceptance speech in Oslo, Norway, on Dec. 10, 1964. He concluded the award was granted in recognition, “that nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral question of our time — the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to violence and oppression.”In the speech, King spoke about the urgent need for support and the long road ahead to end racial injustice in the United States. 

On this episode of TMSOG my guests Rick Ulfik, Founder of We the World, and George Polisner, Founder of Civ.Works give us some insight and some inspiration of the teachings of Dr. King, and what needs to be done to carry forward his work. We also delve into the state of media coverage, voting, the environment and the need for citizens to be active participants in democracy. While we celebrate Dr. King’s birthday each January, it is important that we always think about his message, and work to carry out his legacy every day. You are invited to join We The World and to help Inspire, Inform, and Involve millions to take action and to be of service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr’s messages and teachings. Your participation is CRUCIAL to carry forward his work and legacy to end Poverty, Racism and, of course, War. To make a difference, please sign up at WE.NET/MLK . Also, please visit Civ.Works to find out how you can take civic action on various issues, especially during the 2024 election cycle. For past TMSOG shows go to HudsonRiverRadio.com and Malcolmpresents.com. Follow The Many Shades of Green(TMSOG) on Facebook, Instagram and Threads @tmshadesofgreen. Subscribe to TMSOG podcast on all major podcast apps. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness