Category: Environment

Who are the happiest people on the planet. The answer is in The World Happiness Report 2022, which indicated that the happiest country on Earth is Finland, a title they have held for 5 years, Denmark ranks number 2, with Iceland 3, Switzerland 4 and the Netherlands 5. Does cold weather play a factor in these metrics? Maybe the folks in those countries have to cuddle more to which makes them happy. The US ranked 16th, which was actually up 3 slots since 2021. According to Jeffrey Sachs, Director for the Center of Sustainable Development at Columbia University, “the lesson of the World Happiness Report over the years is that social support, generosity to one another, and honesty in government are crucial for well being.”  Sach’s further went on to say that “world leaders should take heed, politics should be directed as the great sages long ago insisted: to the well-being of the people, not the power of the rulers.” National and Local leaders should do the same. We talk to friend of the program Nada Khader, Executive Director of WESPAC, who follows the tenants of that statement, and works to improve the lives of those most in need in order to secure our rights to a healthy and peaceful environment. For more info go to WESPAC.org. Also visit hudsonriverradio.com and malcolmpresents.com. Subscribe to TMSOG podcast, and tweet us @tmshadesofgreen. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness

On this episode we talk to our resident wildlife and Healthy Yards expert Victoria Alzapiedi about raising awareness of wildlife on the roadways. Roadkill is a serious problem in motor transportation. An online article from education.nationalgeographic.org stated that crossing deer and other large mammals can create life-threatening hazards on roadways. In the United States alone, there are more than a million automobile accidents per year involving wildlife, racking up more than $8 billion in medical costs and vehicle repairs annually. According to some estimates, automobile collisions kill more than a million animals every day, making them the leading cause of death for many vertebrate species. Still worse is the way major roads and other forms of development can subdivide animal populations and fragment their habitats. Losing access to large areas of their living space makes it much harder for many woodland creatures to forage for food, find mates and carry on their genetic legacies. Victoria gives us great information and tips as to how to be more aware of wildlife on the roads. She is the co-founder of New Castle Healthy Yards, and is a Member of the Town of New Castle Conservation Board, as well as the New Castle Climate Smart Task Force. Victoria is also a member of Friends of Buttonhook, which is working to save a 20.3 acre forest with over 670 mature trees, Native American complex ceremonial stones, and is a wildlife habitat in the town of New Castle. For more info go to New Castle Healthy Yards on Facebook and savebuttonhook.org. Catch past shows on HudsonRiverRadio.com and Malcolmpresents.com. Subscribe to TMSOG podcast on all major podcast apps. Tweet us @tmshadesofgreen #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness

While many people cherish freedom and democracy, there are those among us who have a different perspective. Our rights seem to be slipping away, and we are at a crossroad in our quest to maintain democracy, and the freedoms that come with it. In the US, our Constitution and rule of law is being trampled. Authoritarian rule is at our doorstep, yet many of us have blinders on. How can we push the pendulum back and preserve our freedom? People need to stand up and do their civic duty and VOTE! We must do everything in our power to save democracy. On this episode we speak to George A. Polisner, who is the Founder of Civ Works, a non-profit technology platform for civic engagement, constituent engagement, participatory democracy and participatory budgeting. We talk about the Lewis Powell Memorandum and the US Chamber of Commerce and what we need to do to protect our rights and freedom from being taken away. George is putting his words in to action by doing work aligned with his values. He is helping create mechanisms for the populous to become more civic minded and engaged in politics and democracy. For more information go to civ.works. Listen to TMSOG podcast on Spotify, Spreaker.com, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, iHeartRadio and more. Find past shows on hudsonriverradio.com and malcolmpresents.com. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness

We don’t seem to be paying enough attention to what is going on in the world, and how climate change is affecting life, both here in the US and throughout the world. There are organizations that are finding solutions and employing those solutions in areas that need help. Keith Voos, Co-Founder of DrawdownNYC, is a friend of the podcast, and a workshop presenter at Drawdown NYC. His dedication to getting the message out about sustainability and environmental justice is exemplary, and he knows what we need to do to protect Mother Earth and to use every tool available. The mission of Drawdown is to help the world reach “drawdown”—the point in the future when levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline, thereby stopping catastrophic climate change—as quickly, safely, and equitably as possible. Keith gives tips on what individuals can do everyday to help get to Drawdown. For more info go to drawdown-nyc.org

For more shows go to hudsonriverradio.com and malcolmpresents.com. Subscribe to TMSOG podcast on all major podcast apps. Tweet us your thoughts @tmshadesofgreen. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness

As we ease into fall and cooler temperatures start to take hold it is a good time to enjoy the beautiful weather. This is the time of year to take advantage of the scenery and the great outdoors before the snow arrives and walk, bike, or take a hike. Get outside with family and friends and start a game of soccer, football or basketball and work those muscle groups and get your heart pumping. Find a good activity and stay with it. It is also good for your mental state to be out in nature. Courtney has some great tips to help you exercise your way into Fall. To get more info follow Courtney on her Facebook page Courtney on Health, on Instagram @clgwellnes on TikTok and visit her website: courtneygravenese.com.  For more shows go to malcolmpresents.com and themanyshadesofgreen.com

The lyrics of the song Mercy Mercy Me (Ecology) are about the environment and how mankind is sadly destroying it. The song’s profound lyrics mention, among other things, the blue skies vanishing, oil spilling on the oceans and destroying aquatic life, radiation killing animals and the over population of the Earth. It was written in 1973, when pollution was so bad, you couldn’t see city skylines through the black soot. There was little action being taken to balance nature and reduce pollution despite the EPA being put into place in December 1970, by President Nixon. The agency was created to reduce pollution and regulate industries that polluted the land, air and water. Someone needed to call attention to the degradation of Mother Earth and in this case, it was Marvin Gaye, whose lyrics and music brought the subject more attention.  Music and lyrics evoke emotions which drive people to act. Protest songs move to motivate people by changing the way they feel about the divisions between “us” and “them.” Do we want war or do we want peace?  Neil Richter, Malcolm Burman and I discuss the message in the music from the 60’s to today. From Dylan to Joni Mitchell, to Bob Marley to Green Day music remains an integral part of social movements, as it speaks to war, climate injustice, pandemic life and more. Check out The Richter Observatory on HudsonRiverRadio.com and watch great programs on MalcolmPresents.com. Subscribe to The Many Shades of Green Podcast on Spotify, Spreaker, iHeart, Apple, Amazon and more. Tweet us your thoughts @tmshadesofgreen #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness

On The Many Shades of Green podcast this week we discuss ways to HELP SAVE BUTTONHOOK FOREST.

The ecosystems of forests are so very important. Forests which are teeming with life and color, help protect us from the ravages of climate change. Having a forest with open space comes with many benefits, as it preserves wildlife and biodiversity. Forests are carbon sinks which absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. On my podcast this week we focus on actions being taken by community residents to preserve and protect a beautiful pristine parcel of land, the Buttonhook Forest, in Northern Westchester. It is a wildlife habitat with 700 trees, as well as a watershed area and a carbon sink. It also contains Native American Ceremonial Stone landscapes and other remnants of Native American life. We talk to guests Stacy Morgan and Christina Shih of Friends of Buttonhook Forest, who are working tirelessly to save this amazing open space. For more info and to DONATE go to savebuttonhook.org Visit their Facebook page Friends of Buttonhook Inc. Open space is crucial to protect the planet. Help Save the Buttonhook Forest! TMSOG podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, iHeart, Spreaker.com and more. For more shows go to HudsonRiverRadio.com and MalcolmPresents.com. Tweet us your thoughts @tmshadesofgreen… #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness

Yorktown 100 is an all-volunteer community-based organization that seeks to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in Yorktown, NY, to net zero by 2040. Their goal is 5% reduction per year from 2020 to 2040. They work to reach this goal through a combination of advocacy, education and campaigns to help Yorktown residents choose a lifestyle with zero or lower emissions. Everyone can and should do their part to reduce the effects of climate change, so that future generations will have a healthy planet to live on. Our guest on this episode Cara Donohoe, is an environmental advocate who is passionate about creating and leveraging community at the grassroots level as a means to achieve transformational change. She is a member of the CURE100 chapter, Yorktown100, and volunteers at their events. For more information go to: Yorktown100.Cure100.org. For past shows visit hudsonriverradio.com and malcolmpresents.com. Subscribe to our podcast and tweet us your thoughts @tmshadesofgreen #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness

Summer is not complete without eating juicy, delicious Watermelon, which is a staple at many summertime picnics and gatherings around the country. Most people agree that watermelon is a tasty sweet treat, but a majority are unaware of its many health benefits. Watermelon is packed with lycopene, more than many other fresh fruits or vegetables. Lycopene is an antioxidant linked to decreased risk of cancer, heart disease, age-related eye disorders and more. Courtney gives us some great information about the benefits of watermelon.

Young people have consistently led the charge against the climate crisis, holding world leaders and corporations accountable for their damaging actions, and taking to the streets to demand immediate changes for the benefit of the environment. At the pre-COP26 Summit in September of 2021 the UN Secretary-General António Guterres saluted the youth for standing up for the planet, saying that their leadership is essential in the fight against climate change, and describing the crisis as “code red for humanity.” “We need young people everywhere to keep raising your voices,” he said in his video message at the summit. “Your solidarity and demands for action set a powerful example.” The youth shall lead the way and they are leading the way. We talk to Jenna and Talia who are shining examples of the passion and commitment to the environment that younger folks are exhibiting. Both Jenna and Talia are members of the Sunrise Westchester organization, a hub of the national Sunrise Movement. We talk about implementing a set of Youth Climate Action Demands (YCAD) for Westchester County which would help to transition Westchester to 100% renewable energy in a fair transition. Sunrise is also advocating to pass the Build Public Renewables Act (S6453/A1466) which would expand the New York Power Authority and transition it to 100%renewable energy. For more info go to sunrisewestchester.wixsite.com. For past shows go to hudsonriverradio.com and malcolmpresents.com. Please subscribe to our podcast on all major podcast apps. Tweet us @tmshadesofgreen #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness

https://www.spreaker.com/user/10880920/tmsog-aug-13-2022-sunrise-westchester

Here is a quote by Mary Oliver about Thoughts On Letting Go:

 “It’s possible to move on from someone even if your heart refuses to let go. And it’s not something you need to consciously do. It will just happen gradually, over time. The ache will always be there but the intensity will fade and you’ll find other beautiful things to fill your days with.” This leads me to think about one of the most popular songs in the Disney catalog entitled “Let It Go” from the movie Frozen. It is written by Kristen Andersen Lopez and Robert Lopez and sung by Idina Menzel. Keep in mind this is from an animated movie that children love. The chorus has been sung by young kiddos a billion times. It’s interesting, as the song delves into the emotion of letting things go and the thoughts of a young girl not being taken seriously. My guest Susan Pollet and I discuss her latest book entitled Watching and Letting It All Go, which is a collection of fictional short stories that explore both the process of watching and “letting go.” Susan is an author, artist and attorney who has been practicing law for over forty years, primarily in the area of family law. Susan’s experience in family law has given her a deep perspective into what women deal with to keep their heads above water. For more info go to SusanPollet.com For past shows go to hudsonriverradio.com and malcolmpresents.com. Please subscribe to TMSOG podcast on all major podcast apps. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness

Jane Goodall said “Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, shall all be saved.”

It was recently World Nature Conservation Day which should be everyday, and we need to focus on how can we make a positive difference for some of the world’s most important ecosystems. Forests, in particular, are in need of our help. Victoria and I are working to save the Buttonhook Forest in New Castle NY, which is a 20.3 acre magical land with 676 trees. It is a wildlife habitat, a watershed, a carbon sink and it contains Native American Sacred Ceremonial Stones, and monarch butterflies make their home there as well. So let’s talk butterflies. Recently, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) placed the migratory monarch butterfly on its Red List of threatened species and classified it as endangered. Monarchs migrate across North America each year and are one of the continent’s most widely recognized species of butterfly as it has distinctive black and orange wings. Monarch butterflies are not yet protected in the United States, and we must do everything in our power protect them. Victoria gives us some great information about these beautiful and beneficial creatures. For more info go to xerces.org, nature.org, and New Castle Healthy Yards on Facebook. Please subscribe to TMSOG podcast. For past shows go to hudsonriverradio.com and malcolmpresents.com #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness