My guest this week is the multi-talented artist Donna Sharrett, whose most recent exhibit, Love Songs, captivated art lovers with a beautifully crafted array of pieces that were intricately assembled using materials donated and re-used. This collection of artwork was formed from Donna’s memories, as she re-used fabric, jewelry, dirt, guitar strings and other items to create these beautiful pieces. We also talk about how Patti Smith was in some small way part of the exhibit via her song, Dancing Barefoot. Donna is also a master gardener and started the Community Garden in Ossining, NY. Art and the environment are interconnected, and Donna is a prime example how that connection is made. For more information go to donnasharrett.com
Category: Activism
#1509: Bedford 2020
This week’s program takes place at the Bedford 2020 Summit and Solar Action Day. We spoke to Andrew Revkin, writer of the Dot Earth Blog for the New York Times, as well as Peter Olmsted, East Coast Regional Director for Vote Solar. We also spoke to Mayor Michael Cindrich of Mt. Kisco, NY about the solar projects on his agenda. Keynote Speaker Amory Lovins, of The Rocky Mountain Institute, spoke about new energy technologies that are on the horizon for the future of electricity. It was a gathering of innovators, educators and community, all working to promote solar and other renewable energy, in an effort to help create actionable solutions to green house gas emissions. A special thank you to Heather Flournoy for her hard work and hospitality. For more information go to bedford2020.org, dotearthblogs.nytimes.com and votesolar.org
#1508: It’s All About the WE
We are all interconnected to one another, yet the cultural mindset continues to focus on the me, rather than the we. My guest this week, Rick Ulfik, founder of We the World, is moving to change the paradigm by promoting awareness of the need for creating a more humane spirit, by enlisting change agents from around the globe, to build a more peaceful, sustainable and empathetic world. We the World works to develop global networks of collaboration via the 11 Days of Global Unity, and 11 Ways to Change the World. It’s time for the collective will of the citizenry to use the power of WE! For more information go to We.net
#1506: Thinking Animals part 2/2
Many species are in decline because of climate change. In Part 2 of our talk with Bonnie Wyper, President and Executive Director of Thinking Animals, we discuss what actions can be taken to help stop the destruction of animal habitats due to urban sprawl, air and water pollution, as well as poaching (especially in the ivory trade). Big Ag farms treat animals with little regard to their emotional feelings. Cattle, chickens and pigs are penned up and/or caged with no room to move around, and are led to slaughter in cruel and inhumane conditions. There are ways to change our behavior to stop the destruction of animal habitats, and to work to make life better for the non-human creatures who inhabit the Earth. As humans, we must do better, and we must create a world fit for all the inhabitants of the planet. Conservation is key to making that happen. Go to thinkinganimals.org to find out how you can help.
#1505: Thinking Animals part 1/2
If we could talk to the animals, just imagine it, chatting to a chimp in chimpanzee, imagine talking to a tiger, chatting to a cheetah, what a neat achievement that would be. In Part 1 of my talk with Bonnie Wyper, President and Director of Thinking Animals, we delve into the topic of animal behavior and cognition. Charles Darwin once said that “Evolution is not just the physical body, but our emotional sides as well.” Bonnie and I discuss how animals experience joy, stress, thought and nuance, and are more complex than humans know. Most humans think of themselves as superior beings, and species are being decimated because of that thought process. We need to step up and treat all creatures humanely. For more information go to thinkinganimals.org
#1504: Climate Monologues – Music is in the Message
Music is the message, and my guest this week, Sharon Abreu, creates musical shows and programs that help educate people about the environment. She uses multimedia platforms as a tool to get the green message out, and as Executive Director of Irthlingz, she combines entertainment and music with education, to bring issues of sustainability to the forefront. Pete Seeger and Ray Korona are smiling from above, knowing that Sharon is carrying the torch to create activism through music. For more information please visit irthlingz.org or ClimateMonologues.com.
#1450: New Year’s Eve Special
Raising Veg Kids’ Robyn Moore and Dom Gervasi of Made in Brooklyn Tours tell us why it’s important to buy local, and enjoy the flavors of products made in Brooklyn.
Eating well is a good resolution for the New Year, and Robyn’s blog RaisingVegKids.com gives you the information needed to make healthier food choices.
Dom will take you on tours of places in Brooklyn where various items are made local, and where food is prepared fresh daily. Since Made in Brooklyn tours are walking tours, you get exercise, as well as the feel of many neighborhoods and landmarks which make Brooklyn such a special place.
For more information go to MadeinBrooklynTours.com and Raisingvegkids.com
#1445: Sunday, September 21st 2014, The People’s Climate March
400,000 strong, a mosaic of humankind gathered at the People’s Climate March in NYC, to voice their concern about the climate crisis, and demand that the leaders of the world take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. My co-producer, Abba Carmichael and I, were able to witness history and walk with those who trekked from across the globe, and from across the street, to take an active role in showing support for Mother Earth. We spoke to actor/activist and academy award nominee Mark Ruffalo, NY Senator Charles Schumer, former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, author, environmental and civil rights activist Van Jones, Climate Project Presenter Marc Sussman, Grandparents Climate Campaign of Norway and many many more. It was truly an uplifting moment in time, and an example of peaceful, democratic protest on behalf of Mother Nature. For more info go to 350.org and peoplesclimate.org
#1443: Jesse Carmichael: Founding Band Member of Maroon 5 & Environmental Advocate
Music is the message and musicians are the messengers. Fans connect with their favorite artists, and follow their lead in both music and philosophy. Join me and my guest this week, Jesse Carmichael, guitarist and keyboard player for the rock band Maroon 5, as we talk about how he connects with his fans on issues of sustainability and social justice. On his green path he helps foster environmental stewardship of organizations such as SHFT, ACE, The Climate Reality Project and Vote Solar. Jesse is working on a solo project entitled “1863” and Maroon 5 has a great new album out called “V”. For more information go to maroon5.com, votesolar.org, ACE (acespace.org), SHFT (shft.com) and The Climate Reality Project (climaterealityproject.org). You can tweet Jesse @JRCarmichael
#1437: Bob Carmichael, Photographer, Videographer & Emmy Award Winning Producer
Restoring and converting a Landmark 100+ year old home in Boulder, CO to a LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Platinum home, is just one example of the amazing things that this week’s guest, Bob Carmichael does to bring positive flow to the planet. He is an Emmy Award winning producer for the the documentary film “Football in America,” and an Academy Award nominee for his short, “Fall Line” a film about extreme skiing. Bob is a wonderful photographer and videographer, and he specializes in nature shoots, as well as music shoots. He loves the great outdoors, and works to be a leader on issues of sustainability. He truly is a protector of the planet. His video about the conversion of his Boulder home to a LEED certified home, can be viewed on YouTube under Boulder Landmark Meets LEED Platinum: http://youtu.be/
1440: Alliance for Climate Education (ACE)
There is nothing cool about climate change, but what is cool are the student leaders and educators who are working hard to build awareness, and develop solutions to environmental problems. Join me and my guests Maayan Cohen, Education and Leadership Manager at the Alliance for Climate Education (ACE), and student leaders from ACE, Lizbeth Lucero and Anthony Neciosup, for a lively discussion on the power of education. ACE uses interactive assemblies, which combine science and pop culture to build awareness and educate students about the environment, and how they can act to prevent global warming. For more information about ACE, go to climateeducation.org and acespace.org
1432: Jane Gray Morrison: Conservationist, Filmmaker, Author and Ecologist
Compassionate conservationist, filmmaker, author and ecologist, Jane Gray Morrison tells us about the need for ethical treatment of animals, and how important it is to preserve and protect the natural earth for this and future generations to come. Jane and I discuss her trilogy of documentary films: Mad Cowboy, No Vacancy and Hotspots, as well as her beautiful photographed book Sanctuary: Global Oases of Innocence. She was also the senior producer for the ten hour dramatic miniseries for TBS entitled: Voice of the Planet, which was written by Michael Tobias and starred William Shatner and Faye Dunaway. Jane is the Executive Vice President of Dancing Star Foundation, and is also a lover of Opera. She was an opera singer, and is now Director of the International Festival Society, which nurtures and supports gifted musicians at workshops and classical music festivals worldwide. To find out more about what Jane is up to visit www.dancingstarfoundation.
#1432: Jane Gray Morrison: Conservationist, Filmmaker, Author and Ecologist