Environment – The Many Shades of Green

“Climate Change: it’s not too late!” With Dr. Astrid Caldas, Senior Climate Scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists (ucsusa.org)

“The Earth is not a platform for human life. It’s a living being. We’re not on it, but part of it. Its health is our health.” Thomas Moore

“We need states and cities and business and organizations to step up just as we did in 2017,” said Gina McCarthy, who oversaw the Environmental Protection Agency under President Barack Obama and is now the co-chair of the climate coalition America is All In. “We cannot and will not let anyone stand in the way of giving our kids and grandkids the freedom to grow up in safer and healthier communities.”

The earth is currently heating approximately 10 times faster than the average rate of ice-age-recovery warming. The most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report states that it is extremely likely that more than 50% of the observed warming since 1951 is anthropogenic, which means that the emissions causing pollution and environmental change is originating in human activity.
Climate change is real and we need to make a concerted effort to take action to reduce our carbon footprint. There are many people and organizations fighting to keep Mother Earth well. It’s clear that extreme weather isn’t just a scientific challenge—it’s a human one. Climate scientists are trying to inform a public that needs factual information despite the blowback they get from those who don’t believe that climate change is happening, and wreaking havoc on the planet. We need to wake up and smell the coffee, because if climate change continues at this rapid pace, the coffee beans that are used to make that much needed cup of java will disappear. On this podcast episode we have Dr. Astrid Caldas, Senior Climate Scientist for Community Resilience with the Climate & Energy program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. Her work focuses on community resilience, science communication, environmental justice, and equitable climate-related policies with practical implications for nature and society. Dr. Caldas was a Science & Technology Policy Fellow at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a climate change and wildlife science fellow at the nonprofit conservation group Defenders of Wildlife, and a research scientist at the University of Maryland. Dr. Caldas has advised or consulted on projects with organizations including the Smithsonian Institution and the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center. She has a lifelong passion for butterflies and moths, which she has studied for many years and likes to use as models to raise awareness of climate and land use changes. The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. For more info go to ucsusa.org

To listen to past TMSOG shows go to HudsonRiverRadio.com and Malcolmpresents.com. Follow The Many Shades of Green on Facebook, Instagram and Threads @tmshadesofgreen and on Blue Sky at tmshadesofgreen.bsky.social. Listen to TMSOG podcasts on all major podcast apps. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness

TMSOG is on Feedspot’s list of the 50 Best Environmental Podcasts to follow in 2024!

Americans have been bamboozled! Who is going to save US?

In parody to: Look What They Did To My Song- by Melanie

Look what they’ve done to our country,

Look at what they’ve done to it now

It was the only thing that we could do half right

but it’s turning out all wrong now,

Look what they’ve done to our world

Look what they’ve done and who is going to save us??? In March of 2020, Mother Earth put us in our rooms for a time out, as the pandemic brought the world to a stand still. Millions of people died of Covid 19 and social contact was virtually non-existent. Streets were quiet and people had to do some soul searching and had to contemplate a different world. We tried to honor our medical personnel and first responders who witnessed the horror of the virus. We went outside of our homes and on our apartment terraces and banged pots and pans and shouted to those on the front lines to let them know we appreciated and honored them. One would think that people would remember that horrific episode and would start caring more for each other and the planet, but whatever feelings of the need to do good, have slipped away. We are now in an alternate universe where the movies Idiocracy, The Hunger Games and the TV series Handmaid’s Tale are now documentaries. In the US, we just had an election which now brings the United States closer to authoritarian rule, as the newly elected president wants to dampen the American way of life and the American Dream. People around the world are saying WTF just happened in America? Our nation will suffer, the climate will suffer and our sense of goodness and decency will evaporate even further. The incoming administration’s environmental policy, as outlined in its “Project 2025” agenda, aims to dismantle many of the climate and energy regulations established by the Biden administration. Key priorities include expanding fossil fuel production, rolling back clean energy initiatives, and weakening environmental oversight. Climate policies will be rolled back, EV and renewable energy initiatives will be slashed, regulations will be rescinded. The challenges will be great, and I hope that the lawyers and hackers will stand up and fight for the planet. Who will be the superwomen and supermen who will step up to lead the resistance? Right now, it looks like we’ve sent in the clowns. On this podcast episode we have our resident environmentalist, political analyst and curmudgeon, George Polisner, founder of Civ.works who gives us some insight into the bag of crap we all just stepped into, as well some insight into environmental and political issues. Can we save ourselves, can we save our nation?? For more information go to Civ.works/defend check out ProPublica (https://www.propublica.org/) The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com) for news based on fact not fiction!

To listen to past TMSOG shows go to HudsonRiverRadio.com and Malcolmpresents.com. Follow The Many Shades of Green on Facebook, Instagram and Threads @tmshadesofgreen. Listen to TMSOG podcasts on all major podcast apps. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness

TMSOG is on Feedspot’s list of the 50 Best Environmental Podcasts to follow in 2024!

Got Wood? Lab Grown Wood! Plus what is “Plogging” and new innovations to reduce the Great Pacific Garbage Patch with Charlotte Ghiorse

The climate agenda was barely mentioned by either campaign in the 2024 election cycle, and it is virtually non-existent within the incoming administration, as after all, they say it is a hoax. Up is down and down is up! How do we make sense of this?

It will be up to individuals and environmental organizations to stop the red line from destroying our precious lands. What we do as individuals is more important than ever. I was looking to find something that was fun and helpful in the context of being stewards of the planet. I came across an article about plogging, which piqued my interest. Yes, plogging! The term comes from Sweden and combines the Swedish word “plocka upp,” which means “to pick up,” with the English word “jogging.” Essentially, it’s jogging while picking up trash along the way. Plogging has become a global movement, combining fitness and environmental activism in a unique way. Picture it: you’re on a run, you spot some litter, you bend down to pick it up, and toss it into a bag you’re carrying. The environmental impact is very positive. A single plogging session can result in bags of trash being removed from natural spaces, keeping plastic and other pollutants out of our oceans and helping wildlife. Plogging not only keeps the environment cleaner but also raises awareness. When people see others picking up trash while running, it’s a reminder of our shared responsibility to keep our spaces clean. Another topic that we discuss which recently got my attention is Lab Grown Wood. Charlotte Ghiorse, who is on this podcast episode, is our resident artist, eco-activist and astrologer. She sent me some info about Lab Wood and it is a very innovative idea. We also talk a tiny bit about the election, as well as an innovation the will help clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch a/k/a the Gyre. While many of us are shell shocked about what has happened in the US, we must try as the Brits say to “Keep Calm and Carry On”. There are many wonderful people doing amazing things to keep the environment safe and make the world a better place. For more info about Charlotte go to https://www.houseofchoclet.com and visit @Sexy Astrology on YouTube and Facebook. For info on plogging go to https://www.plogging.org/what-is-plogging

TMSOG is on Feedspot’s list of the 50 Best Environmental Podcasts to follow in 2024!

Tips For Preparing Your Yard for Winter with Victoria Alzapiedi

Ob-La-D-, Ob-La-Da, life goes on, Brah, La La La La life goes on...

As per The Beatles, life does go on, but as far as the environment goes, I am not sure what is going to happen in terms of the climate, as America has elected a climate change denying president who panders to big oil and loves shouting “drill baby drill” from the rafters. Climate scientists, environmental organizations and those who tend the land have every reason to be scared out of their wits. The question is, how do we protect the land in spite of recent events? We cannot be silent, and we must push for legislation and protections for the flora and fauna on Mother Earth!

I consider myself lucky to live in a beautiful area and my property is covered with trees and wildlife which have a pesticide free zone to thrive on. As we are now in the Fall season, we need to take inventory of our property and make sure we take actions to maintain the biodiversity of the land. As trees shed their vibrant leaves, many of us feel the urge to rake them up, or more likely have them blown away by leaf blowers to clear our yards. But there are many ecological benefits of leaving those leaves right where they fall. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about supporting local ecosystems and enhancing soil health. Some home owners might be thinking about the aesthetics of a yard covered in leaves, but while some people prefer a tidy lawn, there are creative ways to embrace the natural beauty of fall. You could designate a “wild area” in your garden, use leaves as mulch around plants, or even create a leaf pile for children to play in! Victoria Alzapiedi co-founder of New Castle Healthy Yards gives us some great tips on preparing your yard for winter, how to manage your leaves and how climate change is affecting our gardens and land. For more information visit New Castle Healthy Yards on Facebook and check out National Wildlife Federation https://www.nwf.org/ and https://homegrownnationalpark.org/

TMSOG is on Feedspot’s list of the 50 Best Environmental Podcasts to follow in 2024!

Liberty and Justice for Some (The Rocky Horror Election Show) with Mark W. Sutton, Charlotte Ghiorse and George Polisner

“How can I trust a man, who doesn’t seem to understand, that there is something inherently dumb about Liberty and Justice for Some!” (Mitch M.)

“The vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democracy.” – John Lewis

The song played at the top of the podcast is titled Liberty and Justice for Some and was written by my Token Bro Mitch. He wrote it in the year 2000 in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Bush v Gore, which reversed an order by the Florida Supreme Court for a selective manual recount which effectively awarded Florida’s 25 Electoral College votes to George W. Bush, ensuring victory over Al Gore. So here we are in 2024 and the court is even more politicized. My election stress is through the roof as are millions of other Americans at this moment in time. If DJT gets in, he will pack the Supreme Court, which already has issued major rulings which reflect the extreme right agenda, especially the overturning of Roe v. Wade and granting presidential immunity giving the president unchecked power. Mel Brooks got it right when he released the film High Anxiety, because we are all in the crippling mental condition of “high anxiety” which is election stress. This episode of TMSOG is a roundtable discussion about the 2024 Presidential election with George Polisner, Founder of Civ.Works, Charlotte Ghiorse, Artist, Eco-Activist and Sexy Astrologist, and Mark W. Sutton, author of the insightful and important book How Democrats Can Win Back Men. George, Charlotte and Mark give us their insight and opinions on the state of the current election cycle. There is a lot at stake, and the only way to stop the madness is to VOTE, and VOTE as if your life depends on it, because it does! My shade of green is evergreen, as we need everlasting greenery, beauty, hope and togetherness. If all else fails, have a slice of apple or pumpkin pie a la mode and a shot of Skrewball whiskey! For more info go to George’s website: https://civ.works/ Charlotte’s website: https://www.houseofchoclet.com/ and Mark’s website: https://www.mark-sutton.com/ and for voter information: https://www.vote.org/ Mark’s book How Democrats Can Win Back Men is available on Amazon.

TMSOG is on Feedspot’s list of the 50 Best Environmental Podcasts to follow in 2024!

Meteorologists Under Threat, Idiocracy and the Media Propaganda Pipeline with George Polisner Founder of Civ.Works

Like Alice in Wonderland, I grapple with questions of reality and identity. We seem to be painting the roses orange instead of red! What would Lewis Carroll’s take on Alice be today and what would he write about the bizzaro state of the US of A? Our society is staring through the looking glass, and what we see is Mike Judge’s 2006 movie Idiocracy. It turns out that Idiocracy was not actually a Sci-Fi, Adventure Comedy movie but rather a documentary about the year 2020 by a time traveler. Idiocracy was granted new life during a tense 2016 election and continues to feel dangerously close to reality in its aftermath. The legacy of a film that Rolling Stone once called the “smartest stupid movie ever made” is more reality than fiction. I cannot grasp what is going on in the world today. There is an uptick in extremism, misinformation, outright lying and bias in America happening in plain sight. The media pipeline is dropping the ball, and is no longer a check on government or anything else. A story lives for one day and then gets buried. When meteorologists received death threats for reporting that the recent monster hurricanes are caused by climate change and the fossil fuel industry, which has been spewing carbon emissions into the atmosphere for decades, its time for the media to wake up and follow the story daily. Mainstream media must report on a constant basis that fossil fuel emissions are causing the ocean temps to be that of a hot tub, which in turn fuels category 4 and 5 hurricanes. Instead they focus on disinformation, propaganda, hate speech and bias. The go to source for news is now social media. X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Tik Tok and others reach hundreds of millions of people, who use it as their primary news source. Hard hitting and fact based journalism is slip sliding way. On this episode of TMSOG podcast our resident environmentalist, political analyst and curmudgeon, George Polisner, founder of Civ.works, gives us some insight into environmental and political issues. We discuss the breakdown of the media pipeline, the recent threats to Meteorologists about reporting on hurricanes, the Presidential election, what to do between now and November 5th to help save democracy, and more. For more info go to Civ.works where you can also check on your voter registration. Also check out fair.org and medialiteracynow.org

TMSOG is on Feedspot’s list of the 50 Best Environmental Podcasts to follow in 2024!

Hurricanes, Plastic Pollution, Microplastics and Composting- plus Charlotte Ghiorse’s new art show “American Things”!

John Morales a meteorologist for NBC News in Miami said this on the air about Hurricane Milton: “It is gaining strength in the Gulf of Mexico, where you can imagine the seas are just so incredibly, incredibly hot, record hot, as you might imagine. You know what’s driving that. I don’t need to tell you — global warming, climate change leading to this. Fossil-fuel-driven climate change is causing the world’s oceans to rapidly warm. Warm water acts as jet fuel for tropical storms, allowing them to quickly gain strength.” Morales further said “It’s just an incredible, incredible, incredible hurricane,” and he started choking up, getting teary eyed, as he described the storm’s catastrophic drop in pressure over a 10-hour period. “I apologize. This is just — horrific.”

A recent NYT Opinion piece by Margaret Renki stated that there is no such thing as a climate haven anymore. We all live in Florida now. Americans who still dismiss climate change outright must surely know this. They simply choose to parrot the talking points of the right-wing media figures who are paid by Big Oil — or Big Construction — to lie to vulnerable Americans and leave them ever more vulnerable. There’s no denying that we would be in much better shape today if utility companies and the fossil-fuel industry had not launched a new disinformation campaign to cover up the truth of climate change decades ago. One needs to question why GOP officials vote against measures that increase climate resilience and tell outrageous lies about the federal governments disaster response. Just keep on drillin’.

Drilling, fracking, plastic and chemical production are all adding to global warming and GHG emissions. Fossil fuel emissions are wreaking havoc on the climate, which in large part is being sponsored by big oil and gas. So where does this all lead us and how can we take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Here’s an answer, educate yourself, be part of the solution not the problem. Believe in facts and science, and become involved in your community. Take your local, state and national representatives to task about climate change and environmental issues. Join an environmental group, and work to create policies that can put adaptation and resiliency into place. Lobby for less development, more open space, protect pollinators, stop using pesticides, and single use plastic. Become a steward of Mother Earth! Our resident eco-activist, artist and sexy astrologist Charlotte Ghiorse chimes in on what we can do about reducing plastic pollution and microplastics, as well as reducing food waste by composting. We also talk about fabricating wood and October Astrology. For more info go to houseofchoclet.com, bigreuse.org and NOAAClimate.gov. To help those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton go to:https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/disaster-relief/hurricane-relief.html, https://www.directrelief.org/emergency/hurricane-helene/ and World Central Kitchen https://donate.wck.org/give/628338/

TMSOG is proud to be on Feedspot’s list of the 50 Best Environmental Podcasts to follow in 2024: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/environmental_podcasts/

Mothers Out Front, Reduce Plastic, The “Upon Request” Law and more with Emily MacKenzie

The website Beyond Plastics (beyondplastics.org) put out the statistic that half of all plastic in Earth’s history was produced in the last 20 years — the plastic we’re seeing now in our air, water, food, and bodies didn’t even exist before the year 2000. Plastic is being measured everywhere, and microplastics are entering our soil, food, water, and air. Scientists estimate people consume, on average, hundreds of thousands of microplastics per year, and these particles have been found in human placenta, heart, arteries, breast mik, blood, lungs, and testicles.

These statistics are horrifying, and mothers are rightly worried that the continued production of plastic will greatly affect the health and well being of their children. Mothers are the key protectors of their off spring and have become a growing force in the climate movement. They have taken on a big role in forming groups and organizations to tackle the hazards of climate change. Many groups have popped up over the last decade to highlight the need to protect their children and humanity at large from the dangers of pollution from fossil fuels, which is in good part responsible for a warming climate which is causing extreme storms, fires, destruction of forests, increased air and water pollution and much more. Plastic pollution is a major concern and the organization Mothers Out Front (MOF) is working on getting bills passed to reduce plastic packaging and phase out harmful chemicals in their production. Other organizations with moms at the helm are Clean Air Moms which has over 1.5 million members who are on a mission to protect kids from air pollution and climate change. Another group, Science Moms is composed of Climate Scientists who are moms who create tip sheets about climate and resources to take action. Climate Mama which was founded by my friend Harriet Shugarman, wrote the book How To Talk to Your Kids About Climate Change: Turning Angst into Action which gives parents tips about what to say to your kids about Global Warming. Emily MacKensie, a member of Mothers Out Front gives us info about the group, which is a national organization that focuses on climate positive grassroots efforts spearheaded by moms. She has two children, lives in the Hudson Valley and became involved with the organization after running into the local chapter leader on a walk and striking up a conversation that turned into a discussion about local air quality, which is being negatively impacted by the incineration of plastic waste. Emily gives us some good insight and information on the initiatives and outreach being worked on by Mothers Out Front to educate the public about plastics and other environmental issues of importance. Please note that as per Emily one does not have to be a mother to be a part of the effort, as the earth is a mother to us all! For more info go to mothersoutfront.org, beyondplastics.org and not to be left out go to @climatedads for their perspective.

TMSOG is proud to be on Feedspot’s list of the 50 Best Environmental Podcasts to follow in 2024: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/environmental_podcasts/

Men, Mustaches, Climate Change Makers and the 2024 Election with Mark W. Sutton

“What the hell are you waiting for? “Because if it’s the women thing, it’s time to get over that. It’s time to be a man and vote for a woman.”

That quote is from a recent ad put out by the Lincoln Project, founded and run by former republican political consultants which is narrated by actor Sam Elliot. Mr. Elliot played the infamous role as “The Stranger” who was the narrator of the film The Big Lebowski. The Stranger posed as a cowboy, who had this amazing mustache, and sat at the bar in the bowling alley and offered insight and advice to Lebowski. The film also starred Jeff Bridges as “The Dude” who is now part of the White Dudes for Harris group. The point is that the Dems must reach out to men in this election, as their numbers are critical in getting VP Harris to the magic number of 270. On the other side, women must also step up in numbers to get the job done. Jane Fonda is helping to lead the charge and has been quoted as saying “the climate fight is what I’m going to do till I die.” The actress and activist has stated that “we are in a do-or-die situation when it comes to the November election, the threat of fossil fuels and climate change.” She went on to say in an article in Rolling Stone last June that “November’s election is an existential election, because who becomes president is going to be a big determining factor on whether there’s a livable future.” Fonda continued by saying that “nearly two-thirds of Americans say they are “worried” about the climate, but they don’t always bring that concern to the ballot box”. She further stated that “I’m trying to encourage people to vote with climate in mind and there are enough of us that if we band together, we can win.” During the recent debate between VP Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, climate change was practically a throw away question. It is an issue that the youth vote is very concerned about and more American citizens should heed their call.

There are many environmental groups taking steps to get more people to take action. One group that we briefly touch on is Climate Changemakers, founded by Elizer Nemser, which is taking political action in the name of climate change. We talk to Mark Sutton, who is the author of the insightful and important book How Democrats Can Win Back Men. We delve into why the upcoming 2024 election is the most crucial election of our lifetime, and Mark gives us some insight into how the dems can best reach out to men, as well as where the presidential candidates stand on the environment. Mark has produced radio content for NPR, Air America (where I first met him) and The Mother Jones Radio Show. He appeared as a gender expert on MSNBC, CBS Radio and as a guest host for the TV show Men’s Net. He is passionate about economic justice, the environment and much more. For more information go to mark-sutton.com, check out How Democrats Can Win Back Men which is available on Amazon. To take action on climate change please visit www.climatechangemakers.org. Go to Vote.org to make sure you are registered to vote!

TMSOG is proud to be on Feedspot’s list of the 50 Best Environmental Podcasts to follow in 2024: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/environmental_podcasts/

Think Twice About the Environment Before Applying that Lip Gloss, Alternatives to Grass Lawns + Your September Astrology with Charlotte Ghiorse

According to the L Makeup Institute the first recorded use of cosmetics dates back to 3000 BC during the first Egyptian dynasty. Makeup was used by the upper class to “decorate” a person’s eyes and set them apart from the lower classes. During this time, both men and women of the upper class wore makeup daily. The first makeup colors to be widely used were black and green. Black and green eyeshadows were made using mined lead and copper ores. The Egyptians also used makeup called “kohl” to outline the eyes in an almond shape. Kohl had a powder consistency and was applied using a small stick. Fast forward to the 21st Century and the makeup/beauty industry has become a 48.8 billion dollar industry and it is an extremely wasteful industry as 95% of its packaging is thrown away. However, on the positive side, sustainability has become a big priority for a lot of beauty lovers, meaning they look for products that have reduced packaging, are free of toxic ingredients, do not animal test and are kind to their skin. Almost half of consumers surveyed by Cleanhub said they would also pay more for brands that came in sustainable packaging. You can check out some zero waste brands such as Axiology, Elate Cosmetics, River Organics, and more at www.future.green/futureblog/top-sustainable-makeup-brands. These zero waste makeup brands will help you reduce your plastic consumption. While the beauty industry is working to become more sustainable, it still has a negative impact on the environment, and consumers must become more aware and take personal action to shop for more sustainable products. Some celebs like Alicia Keys, Jennifer Garner, Amanda Seyfried and many more, are going with the lighter look with less makeup. I personally don’t wear much make up, and while I do use blush and occasionally concealer and lip gloss, I only do it because my mom back in the day would scream out to me before going on a date “you need color on your face!” So on this episode of TMSOG, our resident eco-activist, artist and sexy astrologist Charlotte Ghiorse delves into the waste within the beauty industry and what we can do to be more sustainable. We will also touch on what you can plant as an alternatives to grass lawns, plus some astrology. For more info go to houseofchoclet.com and Sexy Astrology (@SexyAstrology) on YouTube. Also check out beyondplastics.org and https://www.future.green/futureblog/top-sustainable-makeup-brands

TMSOG is proud to be on Feedspot’s list of the 50 Best Environmental Podcasts to follow in 2024: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/environmental_podcasts/

Climate Urgency, Pet Insurgency, The Great Debate: Kamala Rattles Trump

Everything is affected by politics. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the ground we walk on, the gas we put in our cars, the oil or hopefully the solar or geothermal energy that heats our homes, the food we eat, and the medical care we receive are all in the hands of our elected officials and the policies that they create on local, state, national and global levels. It is therefore so important that we all pay attention to the election set for November 5th which will affect the state of democracy in the United States of America. At the top of the ticket we have Kamala Harris, who as result of the decision of President Joe Biden to leave the presidential race, is the nominee for the Democrats along with her VP choice Tim Walz. The GOP has nominated Donald Trump, who is running for a second term. MAGA is still rearing its head, our country greatly divided, and the world is watching. This election is the most crucial election in my lifetime and millions of citizens feel the same way. We had a debate this week which gave us a view of two candidates who are on two very different levels. One seems angry all the time, faces jail time and encourages chaos. The other tries to bring civility, empathy, joy, diplomacy, policy and comfort to the masses. It seems quite clear that Kamala Harris won the debate as she rattled the former president and got under his skin. On this episode of TMSOG podcast our resident environmentalist, political analyst and curmudgeon, George Polisner, founder of Civ.works, gives us insight into environmental and political issues. We discuss the recent debate, the upcoming Presidential elections, and what we need to do between now and November 5th to save democracy. We hail Taylor and her Swifties and we believe the Mayor of Springfield OH when he assures us that pets in town are safe. Please do your civic duty and VOTE! For more info go to Civ.works and Vote.org

TMSOG is proud to be on Feedspot’s list of the 50 Best Environmental Podcasts to follow in 2024: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/environmental_podcasts/

Will Artificial Intelligence Help Reduce Climate Change and Have We Entered The New Twilight Zone?

The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race. It would take off on its own, and re-design itself at an ever-increasing rate. Humans, who are limited by slow biological evolution, couldn’t compete, and would be superseded.”— Stephen Hawking

The aforementioned quote by Dr. Stephen Hawking, who was a theoretical physicist, cosmologist and author, was and still is considered one of the most brilliant minds in the world. He indicated that humans will one day be superseded by Artificial Intelligence. According to The National Humanities Center, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has infiltrated our daily lives—in the ways we conduct business, govern, provide healthcare and security, and communicate. The large-scale cultural and societal implications of these changes—and the ethical questions they raise—pose a serious challenge as we embrace a future increasingly shaped by the implementation of artificial intelligence technology. AI is the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages. Are we entering entering a new Twilight Zone? Rod Serling said it best as he narrated the intro to each Twilight Zone TV show by saying: “You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension – a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You’re moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas.” We are now embarking on a shift into another dimension, and we are uncertain as to where it will lead. Artificial Intelligence is the science of making machines that can think like humans. It can do things that are considered “smart.” AI technology can process large amounts of data in ways humans cannot, and it will lead us to paths yet to be known, as humanity will change.

People seem to be afraid AI as they fear it will take their jobs, control industries and that the world will change dramatically over the next decades. A recent survey by Forbes indicated that many Americans still trust humans over AI by a large percentage. Those surveyed shared that they think people would do a better job of administering medicine, writing laws, and even choosing gifts, just to name a few. AI algorithms are only as unbiased as the data they are trained on, so biased data can lead to biased decisions. In terms of the environment, Artificial Intelligence can help reduce climate change in a number of ways, but it also has a large environmental footprint. It can help improve energy efficiency, improve climate models, reduce carbon emissions, map ocean litter and support vulnerable communities. However, AI also has an environmental downside as it consumes a lot of energy, water, and critical materials, while producing electronic waste. A coalition of environmental groups has expressed concern about how much more energy AI will consume in the coming years. So, will humans become cyborgs? Will we all turn into the character Data on Star Trek? Are we in a hologram or another dimension?
It seems that we are on the precipice of a new era and that we are about to experience the Twilight Zone Part Deux or perhaps be transported into The Matrix!! Hang tight, it’s going to be a wild ride. For more info on AI go to https://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/ or https://www.nationalacademies.org/

TMSOG is proud to be on Feedspot’s list of the 50 Best Environmental Podcasts to follow in 2024: https://podcasts.feedspot.com/environmental_podcasts/