We are now confronted with yet another plague in a sense, in the form of the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), which is invading yards, parks, golf courses, vineyards, outdoor concert venues and more. Many folks don’t know how to deal with them. According to the NYS Department of Agriculture, the Spotted Lanternfly is a plant hopper native to China and Southeastern Asia. Discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014, the Spotted Lanternfly presents a threat throughout much of the United States. While its list of hosts is large, the greatest agricultural concern falls on grapes, hops, apples, blueberries, and stone fruits. So yes, you might need to begin worrying about enjoying that tall mug of your favorite IPA Beer and that glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. Its presence has led to crop loss, exporting issues, and increased management costs. Egg masses may be transported unknowingly (including on cars), and their nymphs are able to feed on many hosts. Adult SLFs prefer certain trees such as Tree of Heaven, Black Walnut, Maples, and Grapevines. To say the least, this bug is of great concern in the burbs and beyond, and our resident garden and environmental guru Victoria Alzapiedi gives us some great info on the Spotted Lanternfly and what measures we can take to reduce their population. For more info go to https://agriculture.ny.gov/spottedlanternfly. Follow New Castle Healthy Yards on Facebook. Find past TMSOG episodes on HudsonRiverRadio.com, MalcolmPresents.com and on all major podcast apps (Spotify, Apple, Amazon, iHeart, Spreaker.com and more). #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness
Category: Environment
Kitchen Table Democracy, A Win in Montana and Will Bikini Beach Clean-up Ever Be a Thing?
Julia Olson, the chief legal counsel and executive director for Our Children’s Trust, the group behind a climate lawsuit in Montana, called the recent decision by Judge Seeley a precedent and “a sweeping win” for Montana, the youth plaintiffs, and the climate, and said more court victories would be coming. “For the first time in U.S. history, a court ruled on the merits of a case that the government violated the constitutional rights of children through laws and actions that promote fossil fuels, ignore climate change laws, and disproportionately imperil young people,” Olson said. Around the globe, youth is rising as Gen Zs are starting to make their presence known in both the legal and political arenas. Claire Vlases was 17 years old when she became a plaintiff in the Montana case. Now 20 and working as a ski instructor, she said “climate change hangs over every aspect of her life.“
On this episode George Polisner, founder of Civ.Works, who is our resident political, eco and social justice expert gives us some insight into political, environmental, social issues and current events. How can we better speak to each other over the kitchen table? We also jokingly banter back and forth (as I also did with Charlotte Ghiorse in a previous podcast), about whether starting a ‘Bikini Beach Clean-Up’ would entice more people to help clean beaches while getting the message out about climate change. It does sound like a silly idea, but could it work??
For more info go to Civ.Works, and for past shows go to HudsonRiverRadio.com and MalcolmPresents.com. Follow TMSOG on FB and on Instagram and Threads @tmshadesofgreen. Subscribe to The Many Shades of Green podcast on all major podcast apps. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness
Oil Spills, Art Shows (Cowboy Towne and American Garbage VI) and August Astrology with Charlotte Ghiorse
“Whoever controls oil controls much more than oil. Oil is a lousy investment because it isn’t an investment. It’s just a bet–and it’s a bet with a ticking time bomb attached to it.” Unknown
“The Gulf Stream waters of Woody Guthrie’s famous song were strung with columns of oil that were several miles long.” ― James Lee Burke, Creole Belle
According to the NOAA, Oil spills can happen any place where oil is being extracted, transported, or stored. The magnitude of harm from a spill is determined by many factors, including the amount and type of oil, location, season, weather, and actions taken to clean up the spill. The most catastrophic spill occurred on April 20,2010, when the oil drilling rig Deepwater Horizon, operating in the Macondo Prospect in the Gulf of Mexico, exploded and sank resulting in the death of 11 workers on the Deepwater Horizon and the largest spill of oil in the history of marine oil drilling operations. Multiple parties, including BP, Halliburton and Transocean, were involved. On this episode of TMSOG we delve into oil spills with our resident Eco-activist, Artist and Astrologer Charlotte Ghiorse. We also talk about her new art show Cowboy Towne and American Garbage VI: the realestate of the heart. Charlotte gives us August Astrology, and we take a peak at some Leos. For more info go to HouseofChoCLeT.com and check out Sexy Astrology on FB and YouTube. For past shows go to HudsonRiverRadio.com and MalcolmPresents.com. Please subscribe to The Many Shades of Green podcast on all major podcast apps and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @tmshadesofgreen. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness
Courtney on Health: Exercising in the Heat
When it’s hot, hot, hot should you keep your normal exercise routine? Is taking that run in 90 plus degrees a good idea? While many people can still exercise when it’s hot, you have to be careful when you run or hike, especially when the temperatures spike and the heat index rises. You need to hydrate, maybe change your routine to jog in the early morning or in the early evening, and keep an eye on local heat advisories, as it is best to stay indoors in extreme temperatures. The warning signs of heat exhaustion include fatigue, extreme thirst, nausea, headache, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, muscle cramping and just a general sense of lightheadedness. So what can you do to exercise more safely in the heat, and what should you do to prevent heat related illness? Courtney gives us some great info about working out in the heat of the summer. To get more info follow Courtney on her Facebook page Courtney on Health, on Instagram and TikTok @clgwellness and visit her website: courtneygravenese.com. Also check out her podcast on the various podcast apps. For past shows go to malcolmpresents.com and themanyshadesofgreen.com
The Wonderful Work of The Red Cross is Highlighted with guests Andrew Sindell and Rick Stein
“per humanitatem ad pacem” through humanity to peace. Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, universality and the alleviation of human suffering are at the very root of the mission of the Red Cross, which is is one of the oldest and established humanitarian organizations on the planet. It is a movement with 16 million volunteers worldwide. It was established in 1863, and the organization has been graced with three Nobel Peace prizes which honored their work in World Wars l and ll (1917 and 1944), and also recognized their 100 year Anniversary in 1963. Helping people prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters has been at the heart of the Red Cross. The organization has recently recognized climate change as a serious and devastating threat for the 21st century. Climate change is a humanitarian crisis. In a statement released on April 21,2021, the Red Cross stated that “there is clear scientific evidence that climate change is occurring. These changes — caused in part by human behavior — are already resulting in more frequent and intense weather events. If left unabated, this will place an unprecedented burden on families and on the resilience of communities recovering from disasters.” On this episode I have the privilege of talking to two wonderful gentlemen who have been working with the Red Cross for many years. Andrew Sindell and Rick Stein’s hard work and dedication knows no bounds. Andrew Sindell is a Volunteer Recruitment Manager for the American Red Cross Greater NY Region, and he is a leading humanitarian leader in the Non-Profit Sector in NY state for over 15 years. He has extensive experience in volunteer management during large disasters throughout the country including Hurricanes Katrina, Florence, and Sandy. Rick Stein has been a volunteer for the Red Cross for over 26 years and is a Shelter manager. Other roles include recruitment, community liaison and blood drive volunteer. Rick managed the Red Cross shelter in Chappaqua during Super Storm Sandy. For more information go to RedCross.org (you can donate money, sign up to volunteer, give blood and so much more). Please subscribe to TMSOG podcast on all major podcast apps, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Threads @tmshadesofgreen. For past shows go to hudsonriverradio.com and malcolmpresents.com. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness
“The Birds” We have to do more than watch the birds, we need to Protect them! Victoria Alzapiedi co-founder of New Castle Healthy Yards gives us some important information how we can help safeguard the dwindling bird population.
“We are seeing a meltdown of bird populations” says Ariel Brunner, director of BirdLife Europe and Central Asia, a conservation NGO. Loss of habitats, the rising use of pesticides on farms, and, yes, climate change—these are among the factors to blame. Even if you are not a birdwatcher, the loss of birds impacts you. Birds regulate ecosystems by preying on insects, pollinating plants, and spreading seeds. We rely on healthy ecosystems for breathable air, the food we eat, and a regulated climate.” That quote by Ariel Brunner is from an on-line article by Chris Baraniuk (June 28, 2023) in Wired Magazine, which further goes on to say that fewer birds are around today than half a century ago. The numbers are startling. There are 73 million fewer birds in Great Britain alone than there were in 1970. Europe has been losing around 20 million every year, says Vasilis Dakos, an ecologist at the University of Montpellier in France—a loss of 800 million birds since 1980. And in the US, just shy of 3 billion individual birds have disappeared in only 50 years with 389 species of birds on the brink of extinction. This is a crisis, and not enough is being done to get this information out. People need to get out of their bubble and start paying attention to what is happening to Earth’s species which are vanishing. The disappearance of birds is staggering! Our resident wildlife, garden and habitat guru, Victoria Alzapiedi, co-founder of New Castle Healthy Yards, gives us some great info about our need to protect birds. For more info go to audubon.org and follow New Castle Healthy Yards on Facebook. Check out past shows on HudsonRiverRadio.com and Malcolmpresents.com. Subscribe to TMSOG podcast on all major podcast apps and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @tmshadesofgreen. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness
The importance of diversity and inclusion in media with Mariana Santos of Chicas Poderosas and George Polisner Founder of Civ.works
It is extremely important for a free and diverse press to be able to report on news and events and do their job to be a check on government and society. Local reporting is more important than ever, and I am honored to have Mariana Santos on the podcast. Mariana started Chicas Poderosas 10 years ago to create a more inclusive and diverse media where all voices are heard. She is a digital journalist, Ashoka fellow, and social innovator. We also have George Polisner on the program who is our resident political and civic activism expert. He gives us some insight into issues affecting diversity in journalism and touches on the current record breaking heat affecting the globe, all of which was predicted by Climate Scientists Michael Mann and James Hansen decades ago. For more information go to chicaspoderosas.org and civ.works. You can find past podcasts on HudsonRiverRadio.com and Malcolmpresents.com. Please subscribe to the program on all major podcast apps (Spreaker, Spotify, Apple, iHeart and more). Follow TMSOG on Facebook, Instagram and Threads @tmshadesofgreen. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness
A Big Green Office Plant, plus Rotational Grazing, Regenerative Farming and some Sexy Astrology with Charlotte Ghiorse
From office plants to meadows to farming, we must work to be resilient and sustainable and help things grow in a more environmentally friendly manner. There is a newer method of farming called Regenerative farming, which is an approach to agriculture that focuses on restoring and improving the health of the soil, enhancing biodiversity, and promoting long-term sustainability. It is often considered a holistic and ecological approach to farming. The movie Biggest Little Farm and GrassRoots Farmers Co-op give insight into the practice of regenerative farming as a more sustainable way to grow produce, raise animals and be better stewards of the land. Regenerative farming involves agricultural methods that are more sustainable and work to heal the land and soil. Farmers and ranchers grow a diversity of plants and trees, establish cover crops and use no-till methods for planting, and incorporate grazing animals that naturally produce compost. We talk with our resident artist, eco-activist, Sexy astrologist Charlotte Ghiorse about the rotational and regenerative farming and agriculture practices that are used on some farms and ranches to bring more sustainability to the land. We also chat about a famous office green plant and play Mitch Margo’s tune ‘Green Plant’ (#TheTokens) plus July’s astrology chart and Charlotte’s upcoming art projects/shows. For more info go to https://www.houseofchoclet.com/ and check out Charlotte’s Facebook and Youtube pages Sexy Astrology. For past shows go to HudsonRiverRadio.com and Malcolmpresents.com. Follow TMSOG on Instagram and Threads @tmshadesofgreen. Subscribe to The Many Shades of Green podcast on all major podcast apps. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness
SaveOurWaterSheds.org
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, watersheds and watershed conditions are important to everyone and everything that uses and needs water. Healthy watersheds provide critical services such as clean drinking water, productive fisheries, outdoor recreation that support our economies, environment and quality of life. It is imperative that we protect vital watersheds and drinking water, which is why it is so important to garner support for local community action when those watersheds are at risk of polluted runoff from construction sites. Our guest on this episode is Leslie Hughes who is working to protect a watershed area in Westchester County NY. She is the organizer of SaveOurWaterSheds.org which is working to prevent a water filtration plant from being built near the Kensico Reservoir on the edge of Westchester County Airport by Westchester Joint Waterworks. Please go to the saveourwatersheds.org website for more info and become an active citizen in protecting our water. Find past shows on malcolmpresents.com and hudsonriverradio.com. Subscribe to our podcast on all major podcast apps and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @tmshadesofgreen. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness
The Dangers of Lawn Pesticides
“A Who’s Who of pesticides is therefore of concern to us all. If we are going to live so intimately with these chemicals eating and drinking them, taking them into the very marrow of our bones — we had better know something about their nature and their power.” Rachel Carson
Rachel Carson is known as the woman who challenged the notion that humans could obtain mastery over nature by using chemicals. Her sensational book Silent Spring (1962) warned of the dangers to all natural systems from the misuse of chemical pesticides such as DDT, and questioned the scope and direction of modern science, which would lead to the initiation of the contemporary environmental movement. I don’t think that Rachel would be happy with today’s overuse of pesticide chemicals in lawn treatment, which threaten native flowers and grasses by harming beneficial pollinating insects as well as wildlife, our dogs and cats and yes, us humans. Of 40 most commonly used lawn pesticides, 26 are linked with cancer or carcinogenicity, 12 are linked with birth defects, 21 with reproductive effects, 32 with liver or kidney damage, 24 with neurotoxicity, and 24 with disruption of the endocrine (hormonal) system. Of those same 40 lawn pesticides, 21 are detected in groundwater, 24 have the ability to leach into drinking water sources, 39 are toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms vital to our ecosystem, 33 are toxic to bees, 18 are toxic to mammals, and 28 are toxic to birds. With numbers like this, the only logical question becomes: is this really necessary and what can we do to stop or prevent this kind of contamination, and what are the alternatives? Our resident wildlife, garden and habitat guru, Victoria Alzapiedi, co-founder of New Castle Healthy Yards, gives us some great info about pesticides and why we need to talk more about the risks of chemical use on our property. For more info go to beyondpesticides.org and follow New Castle Healthy Yards on Facebook. For past shows go to HudsonRiverRadio.com and Malcolmpresents.com. Please subscribe to TMSOG on all major podcast apps. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness
Slime Molds, the Spotted Lanternfly, Fungi, Trees and preserving Nature with Taro Ietaka: Recreation Supervisor and Conservationist Westchester County, NY
Mother Nature is in need of help. It is imperative that we all work to keep the air, land and water clean, as well as do whatever we can to be active participants to achieve reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. We rely on experts to help us in this process, especially those who are conservationists. Nature conservationists are responsible for the practical management of the countryside. They help develop policies to preserve and protect areas such as woodlands, fields, rivers, mountains, forests or coastal areas, to develop awareness and understanding and to encourage people to be proactive in taking care of the environment. In Westchester County New York, there are terrific people who work to preserve the natural environment through a host of initiatives designed to protect thousands of acres of open space and the hundreds of species of plants and wildlife that thrive in the county. The conservation division plays a vital role in working on a variety of programs and services. We talk to Taro Ietaka who is a Recreation and Conservation Supervisor with Westchester County PRC (Parks, Recreation & Conservation). Taro coordinates the County’s biodiversity program to assess and protect the flora and fauna, and he oversees the six County-operated nature centers. We discuss the importance of science and nature programs for kids. We touch on, but don’t want to touch, the infamous slime mold, and we discuss what might help eradicate the invasive Spotted Lantern Fly (aside from squashing them, vacuuming might be a solution). We also talk about the importance of fungi being an integral part of forests and landscape. Taro is a certified arborist, and past president of the Connecticut-Westchester Mycological Association. He plays a vital role in maintaining and improving Westchester’s unique and beautiful natural environment for current and future generations to come. For more info go to parks.westchestergov.com.
Check out past shows on HudsonRiverRadio.com and MalcolmPresents.com. Please subscribe to TMSOG podcast on all major podcast apps. Follow us on FB and Instagram @tmshadesofgreen. #RaiseYour EcoConsciousness
Fires, Goats and Indictments with our monthly commentator on civics, politics, the environment and more… George Polisner
The world is burning literally and figuratively. But in the literal definition, people around the globe are struggling and fighting to put out wildfires on a daily basis. The burning fires are creating high levels of pollution, causing destruction and damage to flora and fauna. The East coast of the US recently got a dose of what it’s like to live on the West coast, as the apocalyptic orange skies and smoke filled air obliterated the skylines of NYC and other cities in the Mid-Atlantic states. Wildfires are getting bigger and more destructive. One of the main forces driving this trend is climate change, which has intensified summertime droughts thus reducing the mountaintop snowpack, making fire seasons longer. There is an increase in lightening strikes that can trigger big fires in tinder-dry forests. Fire seasons are longer and since the 1980s, researchers say, climate change has roughly doubled the area of wildfires in the west. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Biden discussed the need to “work together to address the devastating impacts of climate change.” Chuck Schumer said in a speech on the Senate floor that “the climate crisis is real and it is here to stay. We must take action against the climate crisis, both short-term and long-term.” But what are our elected officials really doing about it? What is the politics of wild fires, and how can we work to reduce these fires? On a different note we will also touch on the latest indictment of a former president, which is a first in US history. We are lucky to have George Polisner our resident political expert on this episode to give us some insight into issues of climate change, fires, and politics. George is the founder of Civ.works, who works to bring civic engagement, activism, citizen participation and political communication to the forefront. For more info go to Civ.Works, check out past shows on malcolmpresents.com, HudsonRiverRadio.com. Subscribe to TMSOG podcast on all major podcast apps. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness