Earth – Page 2 – The Many Shades of Green

Our Kids Climate: Teach Your Children Well with Harriet Shugarman, Executive Director of ClimateMama

It cannot be denied that we are in a difficult period of time in the US and globally. How do we talk to children about what is going on without scaring the living daylights out of them? How do we talk to them about the state of our nation and about climate change? We need to start listening to them in order to understand their feelings, so that we can better connect with them on topics that might be difficult to explain. With respect to the environment, a good starting point can be to find ways to relate climate change to their daily lives and explore the basic facts together. Try to expose your child to nature as much as possible, and nurture their enjoyment while being outside. Focus on positive action, exploring solutions as a family and pointing out the ways people and communities are working to make a difference. We have to empower children by showing them how they can contribute, emphasizing that it’s not their fault, and fostering a connection to nature and their community. We need to focus on actions and solutions and site examples of people who are working on ways to address climate change. For every problem you discuss, try to show a solution. Discuss positive and inspiring stories you see on the news or in your own community.

Climate education is key and (CRETF work) New York State, outlines the elements that educators believe are required for a successful statewide climate education program. It is based on research and analysis of best practices in other states, as well as the expertise from members, many of whom are educators, scholars, policymakers, and students. It lays out a shared vision which is aligned to ensuring the successful realization of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) New York State’s climate law, which is one of the most ambitious in the country.

It is my honor to have Harriet Shugarman join us on the Season 14 opening episode of TMSOG. Harriet is involved with the Climate & Resilience Education Task Force (CRETF) and is one of the leading voices in the global parent climate movement. She is the founder of and Executive Director of ClimateMama, and the award-winning author of “How to Talk to Your Kids About Climate, Turning Angst into Action.” She is the chair of the Advisory Council for Our Kids Climate, an anchor organization connecting national and grassroots groups from more than 50 countries working on intergenerational organizing and engagement strategies. Harriet is a core team member with Climate Junction/The Ecopsychepedia Project, as well as a Leadership Council member with Dear Tomorrow and a professor of World Sustainability and Climate Change Policy and Society. She is an economist and policy analyst and worked for 13 years with the International Monetary Fund including 10 as an IMF representative at the United Nations. Harriet is a mentor and leader with the Climate Reality Project and the recipient of the prestigious Climate Reality Alfredo Sirkis Memorial Green Ring. So it is important to teach our children well, and Harriet is leading the way in educating children and adults about the need to protect Mother Earth.

New York Climate Week 2025 runs from September 21st to September 28th. For more info on Climate Week NYC go to: https://www.climateweeknyc.org/ Event Calendar from The Climate Group

Additional links of interest are below:

NEST Climate Campus at the Javits Center

Dear Tomorrow Pop Up at The Creative Climate Forum, Pier 57 on 9/25 (no ticket needed to drop in)

https://www.wecaninternational.org/climate-week

https://www.wecaninternational.org/event-details/climate-week-women-in-action-for-climate-justice-and-a-just-transition-path-to-cop30-and-beyond

WECAN EVENT UN Church Center 9/24

Climate Education In Action 9/26 SunDay 9/21 with GreenFaith and other organizations. Check out EcoPsychepedia via Climate Junction

Dear Tomorrow

Our Kids Climate

CRETF Climate Education in NYC

To help defend democracy please donate if you can to help lawyers defend our constitution by going to https://www.aclu.org/ https://www.brennancenter.org/ and https://civ.works/ If you want to help protect the environment please donate to https://earthjustice.org

To listen to past TMSOG shows go to: https://hudsonriverradio.com/ and https://malcolmpresents.com Follow The Many Shades of Green on FB, Threads and Instagram @tmshadesofgreen and on Blue Sky @tmshadesofgreen.bsky.social. Listen to TMSOG podcasts on all major podcast apps.#RaiseYourEco&SocialConsciousness

A Special shout out to Neil Richter for all of his help and engineering wizardry in getting TMSOG up and running each week.

People Have the Power with Reverend Fletcher Harper, Executive Director of GreenFaith

We started this episode of TMSOG with the song “People Have the Power” by Patti Smith, which is a song about collective empowerment and the potential for positive change through unified action. It emphasizes the idea that ordinary people, when acting together, possess the ability to shape their world and achieve their dreams. The song was written by Patti Smith and her late husband Fred “Sonic” Smith as a call to action, inspired by the spirit of the 1960s protest movements and aiming to inspire a similar sense of agency in the late 1980s and beyond. It is an anthem about the collective power of individuals to create change. It encourages listeners to recognize their own agency and work together to realize their dreams and address societal issues. The song emphasizes that meaningful transformation comes from the unified efforts of people rather than relying on external forces or authority.

People have the power to do great things, but at times it seems that humans have a propensity to mess things up, especially when it comes to the environment. There are those who are working to make things better and to help reduce the pollution of the land, air and water. We need to build community to protect the Earth. So on this week’s podcast we talk about a powerful ally in the climate movement: religious institutions. From churches to mosques, synagogues to temples, faith communities are stepping up and making a tremendous effort to protect the planet. According to our guest Reverend Fletcher Harper, Executive Director of GreenFaith, the United States stands at a crossroads, as within months, decades of climate progress have been undone. So what can we do to get the pendulum to swing back and get us on a path to creating a healthier planet for current and future generations?

For centuries, faith traditions have urged people to care for the Earth. People more likely trust their spiritual leaders more than politicians or corporations. When a pastor, rabbi, imam, or monk speaks about climate change, it can resonate in a deeply personal way. The climate crisis is causing real harm right now and Faith based groups are helping to fill a gap in climate activism by connecting the global crisis to local needs—providing disaster relief, protecting vulnerable communities, and ensuring that climate justice includes racial and economic equity. The message is clear: caring for the planet isn’t just environmental—it’s spiritual and moral. Our guest Rev. Fletcher Harper gives us his thoughts, as well as important information on how GreenFaith is working to inform faith based communities on ways to be proactive on environmental issues. Reverend Fletcher is a pioneer of the global religious environmental movement, and he helped spearhead the faith-based fossil fuel divestment movement. He organizes faith turnouts at major climate mobilizations, and a mobilization is coming up next month as the Faiths 4 Climate Justice Sun Day will take place from September 19th though the 21st, please go to greenfaith.org for more info. Rev Harper is also the founder of Shine, an international campaign that supports women and community-led renewable energy access initiatives in Africa and India. He is the author of GreenFaith: Mobilizing God’s People to Protect the Earth. You can email Rev. Amy Brooks at amy@greenfaith.org for more info on the Sun Day events.

To find out how to take actions to heighten your civic duty go to https://civ.works/

You can also donate to help lawyers defend our constitution by going to https://www.aclu.org/ https://www.brennancenter.org/

A Special shout out to Neil Richter for all of his help and engineering wizardry in getting TMSOG up and running each week.

Consider the Octopus-Engaging Youth with Gae Polisner and George Polisner

Walk on the ocean, Step on the stones, Flesh becomes water, Wood becomes bone (Chorus of the song Walk on the Ocean by Toad the Wet Sprocket)

So let’s talk about the ocean which covers approximately 71% of the Earth’s surface. We really can’t walk on it, unless there is some divine intervention. We can revel in it, and walk beside it. I grew up near the ocean and I enjoyed a wonderful childhood on the beach. But I am vexed these days, as the actions of humans are polluting the ocean and large garbage patches called gyres are swirling around harming sea life. If you mention the gyre to the average person, no one knows what you are talking about. The fact that we are literally turning into plastic beings, as nano and microplastics are in our blood, doesn’t seem to connect with a majority of humans on Mother Earth. We need to educate the populace, as time is running out. So let’s have a quick lesson on gyres. A gyre is a massive system of circular ocean currents formed by global wind patterns and the Earth’s rotation. There are five major oceanic gyres: the North and South Pacific, the North and South Atlantic, and the Indian Ocean gyre. These currents move slowly, continuously—shaping climate, distributing nutrients, and unfortunately, collecting our plastic waste. As plastics break down, they enter the food web. In essence, the plastic pollution concentrated in the gyres creates a toxic and dangerous environment for many marine species, while simultaneously enabling the establishment of unexpected ecosystems of species far from their usual habitats. Many species, such as Octopuses eat crustaceans and small fish that may have already ingested these pollutants. Over time, toxins can build up in their bodies, threatening their health—and ours, if we eat them. Many animals mistake plastic debris for food, filling their stomachs with indigestible material, leading to starvation or internal injuries. Loggerhead sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, their preferred prey. Albatrosses mistake plastic pellets for fish eggs and feed them to their chicks, resulting in starvation or organ rupture. The Houdinis of the sea, Octopuses are highly adaptable, and can slip through tiny crevices, change color, mimic other animals, and use tools. But bad things happen when their watery homes are impacted by gyres as they become garbage traps. Octopuses as well as thousands of other sea creatures need to be protected, and us humans need to work harder to preserve the oceans for all sea life.

On this weeks podcast, in addition to George Polisner our resident political analyst, eco-activist, curmudgeon and founder of Civ.works we have Gae Polisner, author of young adult and adult adult novels. She is also a practicing family law attorney and mediator. She has co-authored a book with Nora Raleigh Baskin titled Consider the Octopus, which is a heartfelt story about friendship and an empowering call to environmental protection, especially to young people who are already stepping up to help save our oceans and our Earth. For more info go to https://www.gaepolisner.com/copy-of-seven-clues-to-home and @gaepol on instagram. Also go to https://civ.works/ and find out how to take actions to heighten your civic duty .

Also please go to the following organizations to get info and if you can, donate to https://www.ucs.org/ (Union of Concerned Scientists which helps scientists continue their valuable work). If you want to help protect the environment please donate to https://earthjustice.org/ You can also donate to help lawyers defend our constitution by going to https://www.aclu.org/ https://www.brennancenter.org/ and World Wildlife Fund: WWF

A Special shout out to Neil Richter for all of his help and engineering wizardry in getting TMSOG up and running each week.

Octopus’s Plastic Garden with masterful creator of art, eco activist, and Sexy Astrologist Charlotte Ghiorse

I want to give a shout out to Ringo Starr and wish him a Happy 85th Birthday. He still bops around the stage and plays the drums with gusto and is an example of how to live life to the fullest, and defeat ageism. Ringo wrote the the song Octopus’s Garden in 1969 with playful lyrics “We would sing and dance around, because we know, we can’t be found. I’d like to be under the sea in an octopus’s garden in the shade.” I opened the podcast with this tune, as a roundabout way to continue discussions on plastic pollution and its affect on sea life and oceans, specifically the Octopus. Ocean plastic is a growing threat to octopuses, impacting their habitats, food sources, and even their ability to survive. There is a theory that Octopuses are aliens, as they are so biologically unusual that they may have originated from another planet. They have a genetic uniqueness with many genes that are not found in other animals. They exhibit intelligent behavior, such as problem solving, communication and camouflage, and they have an alien like appearance with their large eyes, long tentacles and bulbous bodies. Their highly skilled abilities can put them in harms way as they use human-made trash as shelters, which can expose them to harmful chemicals and potentially disrupt their natural behaviors. Plastic pollution can affect the availability of prey for octopuses, such as crustaceans and small fish, by degrading their habitats or altering water quality. Larger plastic items can entangle octopuses, causing injury or death. Plastic debris can also block their digestive tracts when ingested. Octopuses can ingest plastic directly or indirectly through their prey, leading to potential health issues. Chemicals leached from plastics, like cadmium, can accumulate in octopus tissues and disrupt their endocrine and immune systems. There is a pervasive and harmful impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems and the creatures that inhabit them. Organizations like the Octopus Foundation support scientific exploration and public awareness about the marine world.

Plastic is present in everything, as we ingest microplastics daily through consumer products such as toothpaste, shampoos, plastic water bottles and more. Our masterful creator of art, eco activist, and astrologist Charlotte Ghiorse gives us some of her thoughts and insight on plastic pollution and scientific innovations that are being developed to solve the plastic problem. We also touch on other environmental issues, as well as astrology, and Charlotte’s upcoming art show in NYC Relentless Women. So think about adopting an Octopus and as per Ringo, show some peace and love. For more info go to https://www.houseofchoclet.com/ and Sexy Astrology on FB and YouTube. Check out Charlotte’s upcoming show RELENTLESS Women from July 16-August 16 at the Theatre For The New City: TNC Gallery 155 First Avenue, NYC. Join an Octopus fan club via OctoNation – The Largest Octopus Fan Club! which raises awareness and funds for octopus conservation through educational resources and community engagement. World Wildlife Fund: WWF offers symbolic adoptions of octopuses, which support their global conservation efforts.

Also please go to the following organizations to get info and if you can, donate to https://www.ucs.org/ (Union of Concerned Scientists which helps scientists continue their valuable work). If you want to help protect the environment please donate to https://earthjustice.org/ You can also donate to help lawyers defend our constitution by going to https://www.aclu.org/ https://www.brennancenter.org/ and https://civ.works/

A Special shout out to Neil Richter for all of his help and engineering wizardry in getting TMSOG up and running each week.

Takin’ It To the Streets with George Polisner of Civ.Works

We are taking it to the streets, as millions of people protested in every state in the US on “NoKings Day”. Citizens are fed up with the current regime in Washington DC. We are witnessing the dismantling of democracy, as the rule of law is slip sliding away. We have the Marines and National Guard stationed, yes, stationed in Los Angeles, and it seems that many positive court rulings get overturned by the higher courts, thus diminishing the gains. SCOTUS which is supposed to protect the rule of law, is instead bending to a would be king of their making. The “NoKings” protests have given me a slight bit of hope, but this administration is bent on taking rights away, and using henchmen to disappear people off the streets. What are we going to do? What is the end game? We have to continue to push back, sue, and take to the streets. When they go low, we go high, but unless you are living in an alternate universe, there is not much lower we can go, and the only high we have left is the premier kush at the local cannabis dispensary. We must protect the environment, protect due process, and we truly have to defend life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. George Polisner, founder of Civ.works and our resident political analyst, eco-activist and curmudgeon gives us some important info on the UN Ocean Conference, the targeting by ICE of immigrants, judges, politicians, and the sane washing of the news by the mainstream media. For more info go to https://civ.works/

Please go to the following organizations to get info and if you can, donate. Check out https://www.ucs.org/ (Union of Concerned Scientists which helps scientists continue their valuable work). If you want to help protect the environment please donate to https://earthjustice.org/ You can also donate to help lawyers defend our constitution by going to https://www.aclu.org/ and the Brennan Center for Justice https://www.brennancenter.org/

To listen to past TMSOG shows go to: https://hudsonriverradio.com/ and https://malcolmpresents.com and https://themanyshadesofgreen.com/ Follow The Many Shades of Green on FB, Threads and Instagram @tmshadesofgreen and on Blue Sky @tmshadesofgreen.bsky.social. Listen to TMSOG podcasts on all major podcast apps.#RaiseYourEco&SocialConsciousness

A Special shout out to Neil Richter for all of his help and engineering wizardry in getting TMSOG up and running each week.

Less Lawn More Life with June Boyle

Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi is a commentary on the way humans are treating Mother Earth. The song critiques the destructive practices of consumerism and industrialization, such as the use of DDT and deforestation and its core message is a warning against the destruction of the natural world and the consequences of unchecked development. The lyrics “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot” encapsulate this theme, highlighting the replacement of natural beauty with concrete and infrastructure. We are in the 25th year of the 21st century and we are not heeding the warnings of climate change as we continue destroying the land, the air and the water with little care and indifference. We over fertilize and spray pesticides on our property without any forethought as to how it affects wildlife and pollinators, as well as the health of our children, our pets and ourselves. How we treat our lawns is parallel to how we treat the planet.

So let’s rethink the idea of a “perfect lawn.” What if the perfect lawn isn’t green, mowed, and sterile, but buzzing with life, color, and purpose? That big stretch of turf grass isn’t as green, environmentally speaking, as it looks. Rethinking our lawns isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about restoring balance. When we trade a bit of turf for native plants, we create space for life to thrive again, and we become stewards, not just homeowners. Today, we’re talking about why it’s time to rethink our lawns, and how replacing just a portion of that grass with native plants can lead to big benefits for you and the planet. The U.S. is home to over 40 million acres of lawn, more than we devote to any irrigated crop. That’s a lot of mowing, watering, and fertilizing. Lawns might look neat, but they’re ecological deserts. They don’t provide food or shelter for wildlife. They guzzle water, especially in places where water is already scarce, and they often need chemical fertilizers and pesticides that run off into our waterways. The amount of mowing is astronomical! Gas-powered lawn equipment is a big source of carbon emissions and air pollution. We want people to join the Less Lawn More Life Challenge which is free, and on this episode we talk to June Boyle, who is the Project Lead for the national Less Lawn More Life Challenge. We delve into the LLML movement, discuss the WildR score, touch on Doug Tallamy’s Home Grown National Park, Plan It Wild and more. June’s journey into native plant advocacy began as a participant in the first Less Lawn More Life challenge three years ago. What started as a desire to learn evolved into deep involvement with the campaign’s growth from a small Westchester County competition to a national movement. June strives to help everyday rewilders make meaningful changes in their own backyards. June is a member of New Castle’s Conservation Board and lives on a former horse farm dating back to 1770, where she continues to transform her landscape one native plant at a time – battling 255 years of non-native plantings in the process. In addition to her work with LLML, June is the President of Cerco Consulting, where she specializes in strategic communications and organizational effectiveness.

For more information go to https://www.lesslawnmorelife.com/ and check out Plan It Wild https://www.planitwild.com/ also check out https://homegrownnationalpark.org/

Please go to the following organizations to get info and if you can, donate to https://www.ucs.org/ (Union of Concerned Scientists which helps scientists continue their valuable work). If you want to help protect the environment please donate to https://earthjustice.org/ You can also donate to help lawyers defend our constitution by going to https://www.aclu.org and https://www.brennancenter.org/ The Brennan Center helps protect voting rights. Also check out civ.works/defend

A Special shout out to Neil Richter for all of his help and engineering wizardry in getting TMSOG up and running each week.

Who’s The Boss with George Polisner Founder of Civ.Works

The “Boss” Bruce Springsteen has been in the news of late, as he bravely tells his audiences what’s going on in America right now. He is not adverse to speaking his mind, as he sees his country and democracy slipping away in plain sight. He tells it like it is, with no holes barred. During a White House press briefing on May 15, 2025, Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary, responded to Bruce Springsteen’s criticisms of DJT by saying, “Bruce Springsteen, you mean he calls himself the boss? How about the employee, because the boss is the President .” Leavitt’s statement came after Springsteen publicly criticized the current administration during a concert in Manchester, England, calling them “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous”. DJT responded by calling Springsteen “highly overrated” and a “pushy, obnoxious jerk”. One of the Boss’ tunes “Born in the USA” has become an American Anthem, but it is actually a commentary on war and the desperation of returning veterans. The 1984 hit describes a Vietnam War veteran who returns home to desperate circumstances and few options. Listen only to its surging refrain, though, and you could mistake it for an uncomplicated celebration of patriotism. You wouldn’t be the only one. Bruce told radio host Terry Gross in 2005 “The pride was in the chorus, in my songs, the spiritual part, the hope part, is in the choruses. The blues and your daily realities are in the details of the verses.” Bruce started many shows with a really rousing, anthemic-type version of ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ With a bandanna on and a cutoff shirt and the fist-pumping, it felt like a celebration of being born in the USA — when really, it is a defiant song about ‘I was born in the USA, and I deserve better than what I’m getting.’ I think plenty of people didn’t get what it was about and it behooves us to pay attention to the lyrics of the verses of Bruce’s tunes. In current times, it is not hard to realize that we are in dystopian downward spiral and on the verge of authoritarian rule. People want to hide and wake up in 2028. So, there is much to talk about, and on this episode of TMSOG we are joined by our resident political analyst, environmentalist and curmudgeon, George Polisner, founder of Civ.works, who gives us some insight and helps us break down what is happening in the US of A, and why we must get up and stand up for our rights and find ways to counter what is going on inside the current regime in the White House. We discuss the Big Beautiful Bill a/k/a the Reverse Robinhood Bill as they are robbing from the poor to give too the rich. Plus the Middle East Crypto and 747 grift tour, Judges on the front line, the need to be proactive, the need to take care of ourselves and much more. Go to https://civ.works/and Civ.works/defend for more info. Listen to and buy music from Bruce Springsteen.

Also please go to the following organizations to get info and if you can, donate to https://www.ucs.org/ (Union of Concerned Scientists which helps scientists continue their valuable work). If you want to help protect the environment please donate to https://earthjustice.org/ You can also donate to help lawyers defend our constitution by going to https://www.aclu.org and https://www.brennancenter.org/ The Brennan Center helps protect voting rights.

A Special shout out to Neil Richter for all of his help and engineering wizardry in getting TMSOG up and running each week.

Rising Revolution: The Extremes are Too Extreme: Plastic Eating Enzymes and More with Eco Activist, Artist and Sexy Astrologer Charlotte Ghiorse

The song Revolution had 3 versions and was written by John Lennon as a reflection of his feelings about the Vietnam War and other civil unrest taking place around the world. The lyrics expressed sympathy for social change but expressed doubt about the violence espoused by the New Left. He wanted change without the violence. Now enter Bruce Springsteen, the “Boss” who has thrown down the gauntlet and is outspoken about the dismantling of democracy in the U.S. He is using his music and status to make some noise. He said at a recent concert in Manchester England that “The mighty E Street Band is here tonight to call upon the righteous power of art, of music, of rock and roll in dangerous times!” So a question that keeps arising is are we on the cusp of a Revolution? The United States is currently facing intense political polarization, and there are legitimate concerns about the erosion of democratic norms, trust in institutions, and the rule of law. However, a full-scale revolution in the traditional sense remains highly unlikely in the near term due to various factors including resilience, protest, and institutions like the judiciary, the press (which to me is questionable) and civil society which are still in place to maintain checks and balances. While mistrust in government is high, most Americans still seek change through elections, protest, and civic engagement rather than violent uprising. Political scientists and democracy experts have been identifying warning signs that suggest democratic backsliding and potential systemic instability in the United States. These signs don’t mean a revolution is inevitable, but they indicate that the foundations of democratic governance are being strained. Political scientists like Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt (How Democracies Die) argue that democracies don’t usually collapse through coups anymore—they decay slowly when norms are eroded and institutions are co-opted from within. The United States is not “doomed,” but these warning signs show that vigilance and civic action are essential to preserving democratic stability. On this episode of TMSOG we talk to our resident artist, eco-activist and astrologer Charlotte Ghiorse about the problem of dealing with the narrow politics of the far left and the extreme right. We also touch on innovations that are breaking down plastics. Scientists are discovering enzymes that literally eat plastic. Dr. Antoine Roy, Lead Scientist at Carbios said:“Our enzyme breaks PET down into its original molecules, allowing true recycling. It’s like giving plastic a second life—again and again.” We also touch on what role mushrooms could play in the plastic fight, as companies like Ecovative are growing packaging from mycelium, the root structure of fungi. Charlotte also gives us her latest astrology reading. For more info go to https://www.houseofchoclet.com/ and Sexy Astrology on FB and YouTube.

Also please go to the following organizations to get info and if you can, donate to https://www.ucs.org/ (Union of Concerned Scientists which helps scientists continue their valuable work). If you want to help protect the environment please donate to https://earthjustice.org/ You can also donate to help lawyers defend our constitution by going to https://www.aclu.org/ and the Brennan Center for Justice https://www.brennancenter.org/ and https://civ.works/

A Special shout out to Neil Richter for all of his help and engineering wizardry in getting TMSOG up and running each week.

The Invasion of Microplastics and How We Can Reduce Plastic Use and Packaging with Alexis Goldsmith, Organizing Director of Beyond Plastics

Plastic production is warming the planet and is expected to double in the next 20 years. Plastic is made from fossil fuels and contains 16,000 chemicals, many of them known to be harmful to humans and even more untested for their safety. Most plastics are made out of ethane, a byproduct of fracking. In 2020, plastic’s climate impacts amounted to the equivalent of nearly 49 million cars on the road, according to a conservative estimate by Material Research L3C. And that’s not including the carbon footprint associated with disposing of plastic. Our oceans have become a plastic dumping site with plastic pollution impacting whales, turtles, fish, dolphins and countless other marine species and habitats. It is on beaches, coastlines, and in lakes, rivers, as well as on land and in the air. Plastic has melded into rocks which is now called Plastistones, a newly recognized type of sedimentary rock that incorporates plastic within their structure. They are essentially “rocks” formed from plastic waste, often found in coastal areas or places where there’s a high concentration of plastic debris. There are micro plastics in the human body and in wildlife. While we all love the Prince tune Purple Rain, we need to find out what’s in ‘Plastic Rain’. Our lives are inundated with plastic, from shampoo bottles to shower curtains. There are micro plastics in toothpaste, plastic utensils, tea bags, bottled water and gum to name a few. How do we stop the proliferation of plastics in manufacturing and what can we do to take action to reduce plastic use? Joining us on this episode of TMSOG is Alexis Goldsmith, National Organizing Director of Beyond Plastics. We talk about how plastic affects climate and health, and we discuss legislation in New York (the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act) which is being worked on to reduce plastic packaging and the Bigger Better Bottle Bill which will increase the beverage container deposit fee from 5 cents to 10 cents.

We must take actions on an individual level to stop using single plastic bottles and other items, especially when it comes to using plastic pouches of baby food to feed our infants and toddlers. Those items used to be in glass containers, and the companies producing baby food should go back to that method of packaging. Please support the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act in New York State. In the words of Alexis Goldsmith “Imagine the world you want to see, connect to an organization or community group to take action. The act of trying is empowering.” For more information go to https://www.beyondplastics.org/

Also go to the following organizations to get info and donate https://www.ucs.org/ (Union of Concerned Scientists help scientists continue their valuable work). If you want to help protect the environment please donate to https://earthjustice.org/ You can also donate to help lawyers defend our constitution by going to https://www.aclu.org/ and the Brennan Center for Justice https://www.brennancenter.org/

A Special shout out to Neil Richter for all of his help and engineering wizardry in getting TMSOG up and running each week.

Speaking Out for Science with Julie McNamara, Associate Director of Policy for Climate and Energy at the Union of Concerned Scientists (ucs.org)

Will anything ever quite be the same? E. Abbey

America is being held hostage and we are in crisis mode. Senator Cory Booker said in his record braking 25 hour speech that “This is our moral moment. This is when the most precious ideas of our country are being tested.”

Millions of Americans are scared about the consequences of the actions of the current administration which is bent on creating misery, as it continues to slash programs that help Veterans, Seniors, the Disabled, Children’s Health and Education, Medical and Scientific Research, Environmental issues, Cultural institutions, National parks and more. These programs are all are being dismantled by DOGE. The term climate change is being removed from documents at the EPA and other agencies. What is their endgame??
The World Health Organization has indicated that climate change presents a fundamental threat to human health. It affects the physical environment as well as all aspects of both natural and human systems – including social and economic conditions and the functioning of health systems. It is therefore a threat multiplier, undermining and potentially reversing decades of health progress. As climatic conditions change, more frequent and intensifying weather and climate events are observed, including storms, extreme heat, floods, droughts and wildfires. Climate hazards affect health both directly and indirectly, increasing the risk of deaths, the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, and health emergencies. The Executive branch has issued orders which abandon science, health, and climate change policies which will wreak havoc both on a national and global level. Slash and burn government is their credo. It is therefore crucial for those who are involved with creating policies to continue the work on important issues such as climate change, medical research and to create innovations and technology to move the country forward. Science informed policies must be supported in Congress to make sure we keep up with potential hazardous viruses and health conditions that could cause a future pandemic. Facts and truth must take precedent over lies and conspiracy theories. We must continue to expand on renewable energy so that our air, land and water are safe and clean. Research and technology innovations are crucial to a forward thinking society and functioning democracy. We are joined on this week’s TMSOG podcast by Julie McNamara who is the Associate Director for Policy at the Climate & Energy Program at Union of Concerned Scientists. Julie’s work primarily focuses on federal energy policy and agency regulations which runs the gamut from public health to infrastructure, to polluter loopholes, and more. She is making a difference and is a steward of the planet. We also touch on tariffs on penguins, which is quite fishy at best. For more info on the Union of Concerned Scientists and to donate, go to https://www.ucs.org/ If you want to help protect the environment please donate to https://earthjustice.org/ https://www.beyondplastics.org/ If you can donate to help lawyers defend our constitution go to https://www.aclu.org/

A Special shout out to Neil Richter for all of his help and engineering wizardry in getting TMSOG up and running each week.

TMSOG is proud to be on Feedspot’s list of the 50 Best Environmental Podcasts.

Bee Smart-Skip the Spring Pesticides with Victoria Alzapiedi Co-Founder of New Castle Healthy Yards

On this episode of TMSOG we dive into sustainable living, eco-friendly habits, and practical solutions for a healthier planet, and we tackle an important topic: reducing pesticide use on lawns. For many homeowners, a lush green lawn is a point of pride, but maintaining that perfect lawn often comes at a cost—both to our health and the environment. Chemical pesticides and herbicides, commonly used to control weeds and pests, can contaminate water sources, harm beneficial insects, and pose health risks to humans and pets. We must be aware of the dangers to chemical exposure specifically 2,4-D, or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, a widley used herbicide and plant growth regulator that controls broadleaf weeds by disrupting their growth processes, often used in products for lawns, farms, and other areas. Studies have linked occupational exposure to 2,4-D and other chlorophenoxy herbicides to an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Parkinson’s disease. So, what can we do to maintain beautiful lawns while reducing pesticide reliance? Victoria Alzapiedi, our resident garden, wildlife and healthy yards guru joins us to discuss how we can coexist with nature and wildlife by reducing pesticide use on our properties and what the alternatives are to spraying pesticides. We encourage you to grow meadows in lieu of lawns and to plant native trees and shrubs to protect pollinators. Victoria is a co-founder of New Castle Healthy Yards, and is a member of the Town of New Castle Conservation Board, as well as the Westchester Climate Smart Communities Task Force. She is also a member of Friends of Buttonhook, which is working to save a 20.3 acre forrest in the Town of New Castle. In addition, she is the co-founder of the New Castle Pollinator Pathways Coalition, and started the Facebook group “The Nature of Westchester” an active community of nature lovers which has grwon to almost 5000 members. Victoria is also a Native plant gardening consultant and coach providing eco-friendly planting recommendations. For more info go to New Castle Healthy Yards on Facebook, check out mynativegardenoasis.com. If you want to help protect the environment please donate to https://earthjustice.org/ https://www.beyondplastics.org/ If you can donate to help lawyers defend our constitution go to https://www.aclu.org/

To listen to past TMSOG shows go to: https://hudsonriverradio.com/ and https://malcolmpresents.com Follow The Many Shades of Green on FB and Instagram @tmshadesofgreen and on Blue Sky @tmshadesofgreen.bsky.social. Listen to TMSOG podcasts on all major podcast apps.#RaiseYourSocialConsciousness

A Special shout out to Neil Richter for all of his help and engineering wizardry in getting TMSOG up and running each week.

TMSOG is proud to be on Feedspot’s list of the 50 Best Environmental Podcasts.

Plastic Rain, Acid Rain, Purple Rain and the Dismantling of the EPA, NOAA, FEMA, with Eco-activist/artist Charlotte Ghiorse

First there was acid rain, then Prince brought us Purple Rain, and now we have plastic rain. In simple terms, acid rain refers to precipitation—rain, snow, sleet, or fog—that has high levels of acidic components, like sulfuric and nitric acid. It occurs when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air from burning fossil fuels. These pollutants react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere to form acidic compounds, which then fall to the earth’s surface as precipitation. It also disrupts aquatic ecosystems by making lakes and streams too acidic for fish and other wildlife to survive. Now we have plastic rain, which refers to the phenomenon where microplastic particles, tiny pieces of plastic, less than 5 millimeters long, are deposited from the sky in rain through atmospheric deposition.
The presence of microplastics in rain raises concerns about their potential impact on ecosystems and human health, as they can contaminate water sources, food chains, and even penetrate deep-sea habitats. Studies have shown that microplastics can be found in rainwater and even in remote areas like national parks and Antarctica. A study published in Science found that over 1,000 metric tons of microplastic particles fall into protected areas in the western USA each year. Microplastics get into the food we eat, the water we drink, the land we walk on and it is in our brains, lungs, bloodstream and more. Microplastics come from from synthetic fibers, industrial waste, and the breakdown of plastic products. Plastic pollution has become very pervasive and unless solutions are in place to stop plastic production, the problem will persist. To add to these problems, we now have a government which has slashed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with many health agencies and organizations which do research and put policies into place to protect the land, air, water and citizens of the US and the globe. How can we dodge the DOGE? Our resident eco-activist, artist and astrologer Charlotte Ghiorse joins us on this episode to talk about plastic rain, the dismantling of the US government agencies which were put in place to protect us, and she gives us an astrology update. Prince, as usual, was ahead of himself with Purple Rain, now if we can turn the clock back to 1999, that would be a good thing, as we would all sleep much better. For info on Charlotte go to https://www.houseofchoclet.com/ @sexyastrologer on Facebook and Youtube Donate to Union of Concerned Scientists https://www.ucs.org/ and ACLU https://www.aclu.org/

A Special shout out to Neil Richter for all of his help and engineering wizardry in getting TMSOG up and running each week.

TMSOG is proud to be on Feedspot’s list of the 50 Best Environmental Podcasts.