Health – The Many Shades of Green

Save the Planet: Eat Less Meat, Boring Tunnels, COP30 and Astrology with Charlotte Ghiorse

The tune Mother Nature’s Son is about a deep, simple connection to nature, written by Paul McCartney with inspiration from his childhood love for the countryside and a lecture by the Maharishi.

Paul is a vegetarian and is very outspoken on the affect that raising meat and eating meat is having on the planet. He adopted the lifestyle for compassionate and ethical reasons and worked on the Best Free Monday campaign. Paul and his late wife Linda McCartney stopped eating meat in 1975 after watching lambs play outside their farm while they were eating lamb chops, which appeared to be quite the conundrum indeed. After that experience, Paul said that he would never go back to eating meat.

Paul McCartney stated that serving meat at a climate conference is like “handing out cigarettes at a cancer-prevention conference”. He issued this statement in a letter to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) organizers, urging them to make the event’s menu entirely vegetarian to align it with its mission to combat the climate crisis. His letter, shared by PETA, highlighted the significant environmental impact of the meat industry. The food we consume has an impact on the climate, as what we grow, how we grow it, what chemicals and fertilizers enter the foods we eat, and the methane that is produced by cattle are all having a detrimental impact on the climate and our well being.

According to a recent Associated Press article, about 15 million deaths could be avoided each year and agricultural emissions could drop by 15% if people worldwide shift to healthier, predominantly plant-based diets, The EAT-Lancet Commmission brought together scientists worldwide to review the latest data on food’s role in human health, climate change, biodiversity and people’s working and living conditions. Their conclusion was that without substantial changes to the food system, the worst effects of climate change will be unavoidable, even if humans successfully switch to cleaner energy. “If we do not transition away from the unsustainable food path we’re on today, we will fail on the climate agenda. We will fail on the biodiversity agenda. We will fail on food security. We’ll fail on so many pathways,” said study co-author Johan Rockström, who leads the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. We are what we eat, and we need to start to consider how our food is grown. Meatless Monday is a good starting point for a more plant based diet. We must consider our own health as well as the health of Mother Earth. On this episode of TMSOG podcast, we delve into the effects of climate change on the food system and the need to reduce meat consumption. We also discuss COP30, Boring Tunnels in Nevada, some Astrology, and other issues with our resident eco activist, artist, astrologer, comic, marvelous mom and founder of House of Chochlet, Charlotte Ghiorse. For more info about Charlotte go to https://www.houseofchoclet.com/

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/ https://www.democracydocket.com/ and if you want to take more effective civic action visit https://civ.works/ To help protect the environment visit and 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.

Clean Your Plate! Courtney Gravenese MS, RDN talks about Eating healthy, reducing food waste and processed food, plus tips for holiday gatherings

This week’s podcast opens with the iconic tune”Food Glorious Food” from the 1960’s musical Oliver by Lionel Bart. The song is based on Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist. The lyrics depict the poor orphans dreaming of a grand feast, juxtaposing their reality of gruel with images of rich foods like “hot sausage and mustard” and “cold jelly and custard”. The song we use is the parody version by John Powell from the animated film Ice Age: The Meltdown.

Food Glorious, Food, we love to eat and enjoy food. It is a source of comfort, and it plays a crucial role in our overall health and well-being. We need a varied diet with protein, fruits, veggies, dairy and carbs. While we all love sweets, we should eat them in moderation. On this episode of TMSOG we explore the food choices that shape our health, our communities, and our planet. We discuss what we eat, what we waste, and how it affects our health and climate, as processed food, food waste and diet all have a climate connection. Food waste is one of the most overlooked contributors to global warming and it is something many of us don’t think about day to day. According to the United Nations, we waste about one-third of all food produced globally — and in the U.S., it’s closer to 40%. When that food breaks down in landfills, it emits methane, a greenhouse gas, which is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. It’s staggering how much food goes uneaten and gets thrown away, especially when millions of people do not have enough to eat. What we buy, how we cook, and what we waste — really can make a difference. Another food related issue that we address is processed food, which is so prevalent because it’s convenient, affordable, and heavily marketed. Many of these foods are ultra-processed — loaded with added sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. We need to be conscious of what we eat, what it contains, and how it affects our health and the health of the planet. Joining us on this episode is Courtney Gravenese and we talk about nutrition, diet, and how we can eat better by putting together cleaner plates. Courtney is a nutrition consultant and health educator in the New York Metro area. She is a registered dietitian/nutritionist with Nourish, and also has a private practice providing nutrition education to individuals, communities and corporations. She holds a Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Teacher’s College- Columbia University and has greater than twenty five years of experience including nutrition therapy, fitness training, worksite wellness, and health writing for various organizations in the area. Courtney gives us important information on eating healthy, the ultra processed food problem, food waste and tips for planning meals for the holidays. Every mindful meal helps build a healthier planet. Go to https://courtneygravenese.com/ and https://www.usenourish.com/ for more information.

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

Bridges Over Generations with Yolanda Nava, Tina Flores and George Polisner

This episode opens with the song “Get Up, Stand Up” by Bob Marley and the Wailers which is an anthem for those fighting for one’s rights and resisting oppression. It was inspired by Marley’s visit to Haiti, where he witnessed poverty, and it has become a global rallying cry for human rights and a symbol for movements and protests worldwide. It is a call for people to action, to rise up and demand their rights instead of giving up. The song touches on unity and the lyric of the chorus has become universal for those facing injustice. Communities must stand up and be one!

At its core, community means connection—people recognizing that their futures are linked. When one person is isolated, change feels impossible. But when neighbors, friends, or even strangers come together around a shared cause—something shifts. Standing up for your rights doesn’t begin with confrontation—it begins with visibility. When one person speaks up publicly, they open a doorway for others to join. And once people connect, they start to build power. When we come together, we don’t just protect our freedoms—we protect one another. And that is where real power lives. When a community speaks—officials listen, institutions shift, and policies evolve. People feel braver when they know they’re not alone. People felt a sense of community during the recent No Kings Rallies. There is power in numbers and it builds resilience!

I am happy to introduce Yolanda Nava and Tina Flores to the TMSOG family. Both amazing ladies will be joining us every other month to give us great information, stories, life experiences and wisdom on social justice issues and more. Yolanda Nava, is an activist, Emmy award winning journalist, and award-winning author. She is a Mexican American pioneer renowned for her contributions to media and civil rights. Yolanda is on the Editorial Board and is a contributor for Mujures de las Americas. She is the spokeswoman for “Salt of the Earth” Anniversary Commemoration, and creator and host of “Do You See What I See” on You Tube. She was the first Latina on KNBC/TV and won an Emmy Award for her reporting. Yolanda shattered barriers and illuminates stories and her career is a testament to her unwavering commitment to justice and empowerment.
Tina Flores is an educator and activist who grew up taking social action. Tina is the West Coast Coordinator for Peace and Dignity, and is the President of a World Wide Medical Relief Organization during a Disaster. She is a Teacher for Caregivers for Health and Safety, and she values life highly, in any form, both 2 legged and 4 legged. Tina organized the High school student involvement for Ethnic Studies Fight at UC Berkeley, SF State, Merritt College on Chicano Power for the Chicano Moratorium. She attended rallies, and boycotts from a young age, and continues on that path today. Both Tina and Yolanda work together on important projects related to education, history, and community organizing. George Polisner, founder of Civ.works also joined us on this episode and for more info go to https://civ.works/ 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/

Also please support https://www.democracydocket.com/ If you want to help protect the environment please donate to https://earthjustice.org Also follow https://nokingsday.org/

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

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.

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/

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. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness

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.

Preach, Protest and Perform with “Earth Defender” Rev Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping “Earthalujah!”

This episode of TMSOG podcast opens with the song Fabulous Unknown, which part of an amazing catalog of music performed and written by Reverend Billy Talen, and the Stop Shopping Choir. I met the Rev via a friend of mine, Rick Ulfik, founder of We, the World, who played keyboard for him for a number of years. So on this program we get up close and personal with Rev Billy, and we take a deep dive into the stories of activism, culture, and his unconventional voice which is meant to shake up the world. We talk about a movement that is as theatrical as it is radical. Rev Billy, is a performance artist, activist, and anti-consumerism preacher who leads the Church of Stop Shopping along with his partner Savitri. Since the late 1990s, he’s been spreading his gospel—literally—against corporate greed, environmental destruction, and the culture of overconsumption. He does it all with the flair of a revivalist preacher, blending satire, music, and bold public spectacles. He has recently toured with Neil Young, and will be on tour with him again this summer. He has performed and protested in many venues throughout NYC and the world. Alisa Solomon in an article written for the Village Voice about Rev Billy stated that “The collar is fake, but the calling is real.” The Church of Stop Shopping, has been referred to by academics as “performance activism,” “carnivalesque protest,” and “artivists”. Rev Billy is an Earth Defender and he preaches on stage as the gospel choir belts out songs of resistance. The Reverend Billy character isn’t so much a parody of a preacher, as it blurs the lines between performance and religious experience. “It’s definitely a church service,” Rev Billy exclaims, but, it’s “a political rally, it’s theater, it’s all three, it’s none of them.” For more info go to https://revbilly.com/ and for music go to https://revbilly.com/music/

If you can donate, please go to http://civ.works/defend/ https://www.aclu.org/ and https://earthjustice.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.

Oligarchs Fanning the Flames of Climate Change with George Polisner founder of Civ.works

“The thing about climate change is that it really doesn’t care if you believe in it or not.” unknown

“In the decades to come, we will look back and wonder what biblical levels of greed prevented us from taking the necessary actions to prevent climate change.” Finneas, songwriter, actor, and musician who is the brother of Billie Eilish

Outgoing US President Joe Biden warned of the dangers of an oligarchy gaining power as he delivered his farewell address and brought a decades-long career in politics to an end. He said “Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that really threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedom,” He also used his final speech from the White House to issue warnings about climate change and social media disinformation. On climate change, he said “powerful forces want to wield their unchecked influence to eliminate the steps we’ve taken to tackle the climate crisis to serve their own interests for power and profit.”As the oligarchs push their oil and gas agenda, the “drill, baby drill” mantra gives the CEOs of the fossil fuel industry and the tech barons a giant boner. AI and bitcoins use massive amounts of energy, and there is little consideration as to what the after effects will be. Has any one tech oligarch pledged any money to the devastating wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles County? If Musk is Iron Man, how is he helping the communities engulfed by multiple wildfires, which has led to unprecedented destruction and loss? He seems to add more flames to the fire with his rhetoric and conspiracy theories about water, and DEI practices of the LA Fire Department. While he sent some Tesla Cybertrucks to set-up Starlinks in some locations to help with internet connections, as the world’s richest man, he should be doing much more. The damage and destruction of the most significant blazes—the Palisades Fire, the Eaton Fire, and the Hurst Fire—have collectively scorched close to 40,000 acres, and it is on track to be the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. On this TMSOG podcast episode, we talk about the LA fires and how climate change is exacerbating their severity, as well as how the US is teetering on the verge of a kleptocracy as the oligarchs have infiltrated our government. We delve into political and environmental topics with our monthly contributor, commentator, curmudgeon and founder of Civ.works, George Polisner. For the latest official updates and resources, please visit the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) website at https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents. Check out Civ.works, and please donate by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or texting the word CAWILDFIRES to 90999 to make a donation and to World Central Kitchen https://wck.org/relief/california-fires-jan25

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. #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness

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

LA Fires and the Plastic Within, with monthly commentator Charlotte Ghiorse

“It Looks Like Hell! “It’s like you’re on a different planet.” quotes from LA residents in reaction to the fires.

“What we saw here in the last 24 hours is unprecedented,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

On January 8th, 2025 roughly 2,500 firefighters assigned to the Eaton and Palisades blazes in Los Angeles, faced unprecedented/historic fires which they continue to endure daily. The fires fueled by extreme winds, bone-dry brush and low humidity have turned thousands of homes into ashes. As the large fires rage, plumes of smoke dot the sky, as embers get pushed by strong Santa Ana winds, engulfing homes seemingly at random. A stretch of New York Drive, a main thoroughfare in Pasadena, was left untouched while homes burned less than two blocks away. There is not enough fire personnel in L.A. County between all the departments to handle the fires. It has been a climate whiplash, as evidence continues to point to climate change as making wildfires more destructive, larger and more severe. Fifteen of the state’s 20 most destructive fires on record have occurred in the past 10 years, according to CAL Fire. Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, said on NASA‘s Earth Observatory website that “California’s fires have become more deadly because of warming temperatures.” Heat essentially turns the atmosphere into a giant sponge that draws moisture from plants and makes it possible for fires to burn hotter and longer. It must also be noted that there is so much plastic in homes, offices, and other areas that when it burns it emits toxins into the air. We also have to be concerned about pets and wildlife in the fire zones. Shelters are full and many animals have burns and they need medical attention. It is hard to determine the impact on the thousands of species living in trees and forest areas, it’s not just humans which are affected. So on this episode of TMSOG we talk about fires, as well as plastics within our environment, as tiny bits of plastic are now being found in humans. You should think twice before buying that single plastic bottle of water as it is hazardous to your health and the environment. We will uncover some facts about microplastics and why we must reduce consumption of products made of plastic and wrapped in plastic. We rundown those topics as well as January Astrology with our monthly resident commentator Charlotte Ghiorse, who is an artist, eco-activist and Sexy Astrologer. For more info go to https://www.houseofchoclet.com/ To donate to help those affected by the fires in LA go to World Central Kitchen https://donate.wck.org/give/499865/#!/donation/checkout and The Red Cross https://www.redcross.org/

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

Climate Dads: Creating a Better Future with Ben Block and Jason Sandman

If we collaborate, exchange ideas, share experiences and create new tools, I predict that more families will make small but important changes that help combat climate change,” Climate Dads founder Ben Block.

Here’s the reality: Climate change is not some distant problem. It’s already impacting our lives, from hotter summers to extreme storms, to warmer oceans and to rising food costs. Parents have a dual responsibility—not just to protect their kids but also to empower them to be part of the solution. Parenting and climate action go hand in hand. Today we have two eco-conscious parents, Ben Block and Jason Sandman. Ben and Jason started the group Climate Dads out of concern for their children and the planet. Ben is a founder of Climate Dads, a group of male caregivers who give a damn about protecting future generations from the climate crisis. He is the father of two young boys, Corey and Noah. Ben and his wife live in Philly where he can be seen riding with his kids on their cargo bike, hiking the trails in their urban oasis, and eating lots of vegan cheesesteak. Jason Sandman is a Founding Partner of Climate Dads and resides in Philadelphia, PA with his wife and children. Originally from Buffalo, NY (Go Bills!), he is often comparing weather forecasts between the two cities and is reminded he made the right choice. He also has formed an enduring relationship with hoagies. Which is the best cheesesteaks in Philly-Gino’s or Pat’s? What is in a Vegan Hoagie? Follow @climatedads on social media to get more info. Also check out Dear Tomorrow (deartomorrrow.org) to collect first-person accounts from dads, describing their thoughts/emotions about climate change, sharing a message to future generations about what the future will hold/what they’re doing to try and create a better future.

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 and beyond!

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.

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