The sun is free, the sun is strong, the sun can power the planet. Join me and my guest Peter Olmsted, Solar Policy Advocate for Vote Solar, as we discuss how grassroot campaigns and communities can bring solar to the people. Peter works to promote energy independence and reduce the effects of climate change by making solar a mainstream energy source across the US. New York is quickly becoming a lead solar state via the NY Sun Initiative. Tomorrow may rain, but we’ll follow the sun. For more info on Vote Solar initiatives and how you can help solarize your community, go to votesolar.org
Category: Environment
1432: Jane Gray Morrison: Conservationist, Filmmaker, Author and Ecologist
Compassionate conservationist, filmmaker, author and ecologist, Jane Gray Morrison tells us about the need for ethical treatment of animals, and how important it is to preserve and protect the natural earth for this and future generations to come. Jane and I discuss her trilogy of documentary films: Mad Cowboy, No Vacancy and Hotspots, as well as her beautiful photographed book Sanctuary: Global Oases of Innocence. She was also the senior producer for the ten hour dramatic miniseries for TBS entitled: Voice of the Planet, which was written by Michael Tobias and starred William Shatner and Faye Dunaway. Jane is the Executive Vice President of Dancing Star Foundation, and is also a lover of Opera. She was an opera singer, and is now Director of the International Festival Society, which nurtures and supports gifted musicians at workshops and classical music festivals worldwide. To find out more about what Jane is up to visit www.dancingstarfoundation.
#1432: Jane Gray Morrison: Conservationist, Filmmaker, Author and Ecologist
1430: Stephanie Feldstein, Director of the Population and Sustainability Program at the Center for Biological Diversity
My guest this week is Stephanie Feldstein, Director of the Population and Sustainability Program at the Center for Biological Diversity. Mother Earth cannot continue to sustain the current rate of population growth, and the 7.2 billion people on the planet are depleting natural resources. Many species are becoming extinct because of human activity that encroaches on their habitats. Stephanie works on campaigns to build awareness of the need to slow down population growth and to help save endangered species. #CrowdedPlanet campaign encourages people to take photos of daily life events that depict overcrowding, and post and tweet them. Recent photos include photos of traffic jams, crowded subways and the parking lots at malls. There is also the “endangered species corundum” campaign, which hands out free condoms with slogans and pictures of endangered species on the wrapper. My favorite slogan is “Safe intercourse saves the Dwarf Seahorse.” Tune in to find out what Stephanie’s favorite slogan is. For more information on how you can get involved with issues of overpopulation and animal advocacy go to: www.biologicaldiversity.org
1429: Michael Tobias, President of Dancing Star Foundation
Hal David and Burt Bacharach got it right when they wrote the lyrics “what the world needs now is love sweet love, it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.” My guest, Michael Charles Tobias and I discuss the need for society to put more emphasis on compassion, by promoting and teaching non-violence, which we hope will lead to more ethical, nurturing and loving cultures. Michael gets the word out about the problems and possible solutions to violence, extinction, climate change and more, through his most recent book, Hope on Earth-A Conversation, which he co-wrote with Dr. Paul Ehrlich. He also addresses issues of biodiversity, animal protection and conservation via his work as president of the Dancing Star Foundation. Last but not least, we discuss recent findings of the lost civilizations in Northern Mexico, and what clues the petroglyphs left about the tribal life centuries ago, and how those etchings could affect both current and future inhabitants of Earth. For more info on Michael Charles Tobias go to: michaeltobias.org and dancingstarfoundation.org.
1427: Matt Goodman, NYC ITAC and SWAB
Join me and my guest Matt Goodman, as we discuss his role as the manager of the sustainable consulting practice at NYC ITAC, a non-profit consulting firm focused on growing NYC manufacturing. Matt is also a member of the Solid Waste Advisory Board (SWAB) a group that advises the Manhattan Borough President on solid waste management programs. He is a fine example of how the millennials are stepping up to help keep the planet clean and green. For info on NYC ITAC go to www.itac.org
#1426: Veronica Horvath, Environmental Advocate
My guest this week is Veronica Horvath, a member of Americorps, who coordinates environmental service learning programs at the Prospect Park Alliance. Veronica is passionate about all things green, but she is most concerned about water issues, and what needs to be done to keep water safe and clean. We talk a bit about her eco adventures in Jordan, and her role as a volunteer for Riverkeeper. Tune in to find out what items popped up on the shores of Brooklyn Bridge Park during the Riverkeeper Sweep event. Veronica’s passion about all things environmental is truly a breath of fresh air. For more info on Riverkeeper go to www.riverkeeper.org
1425: Michael Tobias, author of “Hope on Earth: A Conversation”
My guest this week is Michael Charles Tobias, ecologist, filmmaker, and president of the Dancing Star Foundation, which focuses on conservation, global environmental education, animal protection and more. He recently co-authored a book with Dr. Paul Ehrlich (known for his groundbreaking book “The Population Bomb”), entitled Hope On Earth: A Conversation. Michael and I discuss topics that touch on issues of water, biodiversity, reproductive rights, treatment of animals( especially the cruelty and mass slaughter of billions of chickens annually), and most importantly the need to teach compassion and non-violence within our education system. Perhaps courses in meditation, mediation and yoga, will make for more solid and humane citizens, especially in light of the rash of school shootings, which has plagued the United States since the tragedy at Columbine High School. We have to care about the one, so that we can forward that knowledge to the many. You can get the book, Hope on Earth: A Conversation on Amazon.com and check out www.dancingstarfoundation.
#1425: Michael Tobias, author of “Hope on Earth: A Conversation”
1421: The Margo Family
How special it was to have my mom Ruthie, the Queen of F’ing Everything join me in the studio for her 95th Birthday. Token Bros Phil and Mitch Margo were also there to celebrate mom, and to talk about growing up in Brooklyn and being sustainable before it became a buzzword. Mom talked about gardening and nature walks on Ocean Parkway, and vacant lots that grew wild flowers and shrubs that we used as cuttings. Throw in some politics and music to spice things up, and voila a birthday celebration turned into a show. My Dad Leon, was definitely looking down from the heavens and smiling. For more info on Phil and Mitch go to www.thetokens.com and check out a great reading tool www.margoreader.com.
1424: ‘The Plan?’, a film by Dr. Susan Rubin
Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide, Dr. Susan Rubin and I discuss her new short documentary film, “The Plan(?)”, which focuses on the evacuation plan, or lack thereof for the Indian Point Nuclear Facility in Buchanan, NY. The plant is 35 miles north of NYC, and an orderly and safe evacuation scenario is a fantasy. Where would you go, and what would you do, should there be a catastrophic event at the plant? How do you safely evacuate 300,000 to 20 million people? Would you go to your local evacuation bus stop with the Blue and White signs?? Would you jump into your car and pray that the roads are clear? Are those options based in reality???
To find out more, tune in to the program, and please view the film “The Plan(?)” by viewing below or going to: www.vimeo.com/96615872
http://www.drsusanrubin.com/spread-plan/
#1424: The Plan, a film by Dr. Susan Rubin
Trailer for the film:
1419: Mike Bond, The Last Savanna
Mike Bond, author of The Last Savanna, is my guest this week. The book is based on many of his personal experiences in Africa. Mike is working to raise awareness of the very real possibility that our grandchildren will never share the earth with a living elephant. Poachers in Africa and Asia are killing these majestic and emotional creatures in vast numbers, and they are on the brink of extinction. Mike is working to stop this madness. His role as a journalist, environmental activist, and human rights advocate has taken him all over the world, where he has witnessed the toll of poaching on both wildlife and humans. He is also working to bring awareness to the plight of wolves in North America. We will no longer be dancing with wolves, if the current policies in the US continue to permit the shooting of these amazing animals. You can get more information by going to www.mikebondbooks.com to find out how you can help save paradise.
1418: June Stoyer, The Organic View
My guest this week is June Stoyer, radio host of The Organic View and bee advocate. Our discussion focuses on why bees are dying by the millions. One of the major culprits in this horrific scenario is the chemical neonicotinoids, a class of neuro-active insecticides chemically similar to nicotine. It is used to as a pesticide to kill insects on crops, and the residue is entering nectar and pollen which is fatal to bees. Neonicotinoids are present in the nursery plants you buy, so you must be very prudent in picking plants that are organically grown.
Organic produce is the way to go. In addition, we discuss another alarming practice called “Canned or Trophy Hunting,” which is decimating the Big Cat population in Africa. On a brighter note, June is a master composter and volunteers her time to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, a most beautiful and sustainable place. For more info go to www.theorganicview.com
#1423: Nancy Bruning, Green Gym Day
Nancy Bruning, founder of Nancercize, and organizer of Green Gym Day is my guest this week. We discuss the importance of using our city parks to walk, jog, play ball and hike, in order to connect with nature and keep fit. You don’t need to workout in an expensive gym, when there are “101 Things You Can Do on a Park Bench”…..by this we mean things like push-ups, knee bends and more. Hike the Heights in Northern Manhattan (on 6/7/14), and be a part of Green Gym Day (on 6/8/14). Go out and utilize public spaces and get moving, it is good for the body and the soul. For more information go to www.greengymday.org and www.nancercize.net.