Nature – The Many Shades of Green

Shift Happens in Communities with Dayna Reggero of The Climate Listening Project and Paula Swepson-Avery Executive Director of The West Marion Community Forum

“You Got the Power, I’ve seen you use it, they say you don’t have it, that’s how you lose it!” Mitch Margo from his song California Reggae Debate (You Got the Power)

We do have the power, and there are amazing people doing great work to make things better. The Climate Listening Project is a healing listening effort from award-winning documentarian Dayna Reggero to create safe spaces to connect and share hopeful conversations on climate change impacts and move forward towards community solutions. Dayna works within communities to listen and partner with nonprofit organizations and groups to help share the stories that need to be heard. She is working with Paula Swepson-Avery, Executive Director of The West Marion Community Forum. Paula’s quote on the Forum website states: “The best thing about the Forum is that it allows you to dream.”The mission of the Forum is to enhance the quality of life of its residents in McDowell County, North Carolina. This is done by showing compassion, advocating for policy and systems change, promoting economic development, sharing resources, empowering youth, and creating equitable outcomes for all.

In these times of uncertainty, I think we all find ourselves feeling helpless as to what we can do to make a difference. It is therefore more important than ever that we communicate, and truly listen to one another within our communities so that we can work together to be agents of change. Environmental justice and social justice must be supported and given priority in the conversations of those in government, organizations and with the citizenry. On this episode of TMSOG podcast, we talk to two amazing women who work to bring these important issues to the forefront. Dayna Reggero who is a friend of TMSOG, is an award-winning filmmaker and founding director of the Climate Listening Project. Her work has been recognized for amplifying voices that often go unheard in the mainstream climate conversation. We also speak with Paula Swepson-Avery who is the Executive Director of The West Marion Community Forum. The Forum helps engage residents to help them become leaders to create change through new businesses, empowered youth, affordable housing, teaching gardens, and a community center that creates opportunities for the future. We need to be proactive and be better listeners as we have the power, and we need to use it. For more information go to climatelisteningproject.org and westmarion.org
West Marion was donated a Community building that used to be a Black school that will be used as a local resilience hub: https://mcdowellnews.com/news/local/government-politics/marion-city-council-west-marion-inc-community-center-epa-grant-hudgins-high-mountain-view/article_00ee8a70-5fd9-11ef-9850-c3b3f4657839.html

Shift Happens in Communities: https://www.shifthappenstoolkit.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.

Discussion with Jenny Milchman author of the the psychological thriller “The Usual Silence”

In this world gone mad, we need to take time to escape, and a good book can take you to a place that allows your imagination to run free. Psychological thrillers are quite popular, as they keep you immersed in stories that connect characters with plot lines that create suspense. According to an online article in Psychology Today by Yoo Jung Kim MD and Yoo Eun Kim, psychological thrillers explore their characters’ innermost thoughts and motivations, allowing us to examine how their decisions propel the plot forward into the extremes of human ethics and morality. The author, Jean Hanff Korelitz who wrote the title You Should Have Known states that the reason that psychological thrillers are so engaging is the ongoing tension between what the audience knows (or thinks that they know) and what the characters know (or what they don’t know) and the sort of “smugness” the readers feel in relation to the characters. She states, “and while we’re busy yelling at them (in our heads, at least) not to make such stupid decisions, we’re also telling ourselves that we would never fall for such a suspicious character or obvious ruse.” Our guest on this episode of TMSOG is Jenny Milchman, the Mary Higgins Clark Award–winning and USA Today bestselling author known for her gripping psychological thrillers. In her latest novel, The Usual Silence, Jenny introduces us to psychologist Arles Shepherd, a character haunted by her own past while striving to help others, and she brings true crime podcast characters into the plot, which reflects the growing influence of true-crime media in real-life investigations. True crime podcasts are very popular and some have contributed to solving cases. There is even a TV show, Only Murders in the Building, where the characters have a shared interest in true crime podcasts, and wind up producing their own podcast about the murders which took place in their upscale apartment building in NYC. In The Usual Silence, Jenny highlights how modern technology, podcasts and social media can intersect with traditional investigative methods.

Beyond her writing, Jenny Milchman is the founder of “Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day,” an initiative celebrated annually across all fifty states and on five continents, encouraging young readers to explore the joys of bookstores, and she is also known for her extensive book tours, having embarked on journeys that span over 400 bookstores across the United States, reflecting her dedication to connecting with readers nationwide. For our listeners eager to dive into Jenny’s newest compelling psychological thriller, The Usual Silence, it is available at bookstores, libraries and online at amazon.com. To stay updated on Jenny’s future projects, visit her website at https://jennymilchman.com/

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.

Mother Nature to Earthlings “only you can prevent wildfires, so do something about it!” Planting Native trees and shrubs is a start…

FIRE by Bruce Springsteen

Romeo and Juliet

Samson and Delilah

You can bet

Their love they couldn’t deny

Your words say split

But your words they lie

When we kiss

Oh, fire, Fire

So to go back a bit before Romeo and Juliet, the discovery of fire dates back to prehistoric times, when Homo erectus inhabited the Earth. The earliest evidence of controlled fire use is at least one million years old. The oldest unequivocal evidence of fire use is from Qesem Cave in Israel, which dates back 300,000 to 400,000 years. Use of fire in prehistoric era Homo erectus likely used fire inspired by lightning strikes and forest fires.
Fast forward to 2025 and fire is more associated with disasters, as the prevalence of wildfires in the US and around the globe have reached levels not previously seen before. As global temperatures rise and winds increase in velocity, many forest areas have become a tinderbox. Climate change has brought us more extreme weather, and the latest fire tragedy in Los Angeles is more proof that many states in the US are not prepared for what’s coming, and that it is crucial for governments and citizens to adapt and be more resilient in dealing with this new abnormal. It is therefore so important to incorporate methods to help reduce the severity of wildfires, as well as droughts, floods and other climate related weather. California is a desert, and non-native plants can be a hazard. Palm trees are beautiful, but most are not native to the state, with the Desert Fan Palm being the exception. As a rule, no matter what state you live in, we have to make our yards more resilient and plant native. I will use LA as an example, but our ecosystems must be supported nationwide. L.A. must balance fire resilience with ecological preservation by gradually replacing flammable non-native plants like eucalyptus and palm trees with native and fire-resistant species while rethinking urban landscapes and land management practices. California native plants have remarkable characteristics that provide protective services to homes and structures during and after a fire. Los Angeles must adopt long-term strategies for sustainable rebuilding and land management.

Our resident wildlife and environmental expert Victoria Alzapiedi joins us on this episode of TMSOG to talk about the importance and benefits of planting native. We also delve into how toxins released by wildfires impact human health, as well as erosion control, the importance of adding solar panels to roofs, keeping our local and regional waterways clean and more. For more info go to New Castle Healthy Yards and The Nature of Westchester on Facebook.
mynativegardenoasis.com and California Native Plant Society https://www.cnps.org/ also have good information. Please donate to the NRDC.org and Earthjustice.org

To donate to those affected by the LA Wildfires go to: https://www.directrelief.org/emergency/california-wildfires/ and https://spcala.com/programs-services/dart/?bbFormId=178a1dfb-5482-4675-ba9e-4b315097f86f

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.

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.

2024 Roundtable Wrap Up

“It is time for the people to run the government, not the other way around.” Jimmy Carter— Acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in 1976. (Carter Presidential Library)

The bond of our common humanity is stronger than the divisiveness of our fears and prejudices.” — Carter’s closing remarks during his Nobel Peace Prize address.

The 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter passed into the heavens at the age of 100. In a word, he was a mensch, and he was a shining example of the good that can be done for society if one takes action to do so.

So here we are at the end of 2024, a year that has been tough in many ways, but as there is always a ying and a yang, there were some good things to balance out the bad. On this episode of TMSOG we reflect on the highs, lows, and everything in between from the past year. I truly cannot believe that we’re already wrapping up 2024. The year has flown by, and I would like to take a moment to thank our listeners for sticking with us through another crazy year. My favorite monthly resident commentators take part in a roundtable discussion of various topics that have been touched on throughout the year. George Polisner (founder of Civ.works) Charlotte Ghiorse ( Eco-activist, and Sexy Astrologer), Mark W. Sutton (author of How Democrats Can Win Back Men: Why Understanding Male Voters and Their Issues is Vital for Democratic Victory) and Victoria Alzapiedi (Founder of New Castle Healthy Yards and Chair of New Castle Conservation Board) inspire and inform us with some great information. Also chiming in we have my fellow Tush Twin Rusti Wolintz (Realtor and cannabis expert) plus my co-host Malcolm Burman and Neil Richter, our engineer extraordinaire and rock and roll aficionado. So tune in to our annual year end wrap up as we say adieu to 2024. We recap important events on the global and national levels, discuss the environment, social justice and other topics, and highlight some stories big and small. We also share some of our favorite moments from the year and talk about what’s coming in 2025. Check out these links for more info: https://www.oregonkelp.com/projects/sunflower-sea-star-recovery/ https://civ.works/ https://www.houseofchoclet.com/ https://earthjustice.org/ https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/priority-landscapes/appalachians/ https://www.mark-sutton.com/ Please visit New Castle Healthy Yards on Facebook.

To listen to past TMSOG shows go to https://hudsonriverradio.com/ and https://malcolmpresents.com Follow The Many Shades of Green on Facebook, Instagram and Threads @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.

Naughty or Nice: UK Gives Up Coal For Christmas + Legal Personhood for Nature, Dr. Strangelove, Naughty Santa by HOP and more with George Polisner

It’s all fun and games ’til Santa checks the naughty list.”AND “Dear Santa, before I explain, how much do you know already?”- Unknown

In 2024, the line between naughty and nice has been blurred, and it has been hard to sift through the barrage of misinformation to separate the good from the bad, and the truth from the lies. There are days when we feel that we can get through things, and days when our emotions are at the bottom of the well. It’s been that type of year. So let’s look for what will raise our spirits in this holiday space. Is there anything good to give us hope? The answer is yes, even though democracy in the world is hanging by a thread, there have been some good policies and ideas put into place to revive my sense of well being.

On the environmental front, it turns out that in Ecuador, New Zealand, and Brazil; rivers, mountains, forests, waves, dolphins and whales have been given legal personhood. According to Jacqueline Gallant, who works for the Earth Rights Research and Action program at New York University School of Law, some countries are pushing the boundaries of legal imagination. Gallant stated that “Legal personhood provides the understanding that nature and living non-human beings should be understood as subjects [as opposed to objects] – with intrinsic value and interests and needs of their own.” We need to expand these actions to more countries so that nature can be truly represented. There is more positive environmental news which comes out of the UK. Coal has been polluting the atmosphere for decades and the UK has closed its last coal fired plant, which will reduce carbon emissions. The good eco-news keeps coming, as there are new ocean protections in the Azores, Amazon Deforestation reached a nine year low, and on El Hierro, the most westerly of the Canary Islands, energy generated via wind and water has enabled its 11,000 inhabitants to be completely self-sufficient in electricity for 10,000 hours since the project was established. Continuing in the victory column, the Supreme Court of the State of Montana upheld a landmark trial court decision from last August which decided in favor of 16 young people who said their health and futures were being jeopardized by climate change, which the state aggravates through its permitting of energy projects. So while gloom and doom seems pervasive in the US, as well as some democracies in the EU, Asia and other parts of the globe: innovators, scientists, engineers, lawyers, teachers and policy wonks are working to get the pendulum to swing in a more positive direction.

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, economic and political issues. We talk about positive green news, nature being given legal personhood, Dr. Strangelove, externalities and the impending rise of an oligarchy in the US. For more info go to civ.works/defend. Check out The Museum of Motherhood https://mommuseum.org/ founded by Joy Rose. Take personal action and be proactive and if you can, please donate to an environmental organization which fights for the planet. Earth Justice is a wonderful organization to check out, as the Earth needs a good lawyer, go to https://earthjustice.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 @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.

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!

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/

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!

Native Plants, Pesticides NO! Pollinators, Keystone Species, Spotted Lantern Flies and Alien Ladybugs with Victoria Alzapiedi Co-founder of New Castle Healthy Yards

As humans, we need to raise our awareness of nature and the beauty which surrounds us, but alas, we always seem to look for ways to shorten our time to think about or take care of nature. We use leaf blowers to rapidly get leaves off our properties, and we apply pesticides to kill off the insects which might or might not cause us harm. Yes, ticks can carry Lyme’s disease and mosquitos can carry the West Nile virus, and I understand that we want to keep our families safe, but we need to understand that there are beneficial insects that are being destroyed and there are other ways to maintain our properties. Pesticides harm insects, wildlife and humans. As Fall approaches and mowers and blowers take over the landscape, we should educate ourselves about the practice of leaving leaves alone and planting native trees, shrubs and plants to protect pollinators. Pollinators are responsible not only for the reproduction of countless plants, but they are also instrumental in creating the seeds and fruits that feed wildlife – from songbirds to grizzly bears. When bees disappear, the ecological impacts are catastrophic. Pollinators need our help. Worldwide pollinator populations are declining due to habitat loss and pesticides. Native plants support pollinators and have evolved together as they need each other to survive. Victoria Alzapiedi, co-founder of New Castle Healthy Yards gives us important info on native plants and keystone species. We discuss how to plant a native garden, the importance of pollinators, alien ladybugs, what to do about Spotted Lantern Flies and why it is important to reduce pesticide use to have a healthy yard. For more info go to New Castle Healthy Yards on Facebook, The Nature Conservancy, https://www.nature.org/en-us/ Doug Tallamy’s Home Grown National Park https://homegrownnationalpark.org/ The Xerces Society https://www.xerces.org/
mynativegardenoasis.com and https://www.lesslawnmorelife.com

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/

It’s too Damn Hot! Recent World Temperatures Broke Records; Take Action and Join the Less Lawn More Life Movement; Victoria Alzapiedi Co-founder of New Castle Healthy Yards gives great info on how to take care of your garden and wildlife in these hotter times

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow” Audrey Hepburn

Summertime and the living is easy… well not as easy as we would like it to be. The climate is changing and it’s getting hotter with many more dry spells, which makes it harder to keep our plants from wilting. We are also having more extreme storms which makes it more difficult to maintain our lawns and gardens. We have to be resilient and adjust to the changing climate, as the weather, in a word, is weird. We have to bring back habitats and improve our ecological practices in our yards. There is a Less Lawn More Life movement which is about to take hold with an 8 week guided challenge to unleash the potential of your lawn. It is a joint project with Plan It Wild and Bedford 2030 and you can visit lesslawnmorelife.com to get info and to join the challenge. Adaptation and resilience are important in helping fight global warming and climate change. Victoria Alzapiedi, our resident garden, wildlife and healthy yards guru joins us to discuss how we can coexistence with nature and wildlife by starting in our own backyards. We talk about how we can grow meadows in lieu of lawns and protect wildlife, especially in these hotter times. Victoria is a co-founder of New Castle Healthy Yards, and is a member of the Town of New Castle Conservation Board, as well as the Climate Smart Communities Task Force. She started the Facebook group “The Nature of Westchester” an active community of nature lovers which now has more than 4800 members. Victoria is also a native plant gardening consultant and coach providing eco-friendly planting recommendations. Please visit mynativegardenoasis.com for more info. Follow New Castle Healthy Yards on Facebook, check out birds.cornell.edu and the National Wildlife Federation at nwf.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/

Environmental Art: Does it impact Climate Change? Plus 4 Planets in Gemini… Eco-artist, Eco-activist and Sexy Astrologist Charlotte Ghiorse joins us to discuss these topics and more.

The shade of green for this episode of TMSOG is Hooker Green, which in this instance is purely PG. Hooker Green according to our resident eco-artist Charlotte Ghiorse, is a green with some red, which is left of mint and has a hint of pistachio.

Shades of green aside, I recently went to the Whitney Museum in NYC to see the Biennial Exhibit. There were many displays of modern artists using materials other than oil, watercolor or acrylic paints. Kiyan Williams a young upcoming artist displayed his work Ruins of Empire ll or The Earth Swallows the Master’s House on the outside terrace. The piece was totally composed of earth and depicted the north facade of the White House, which leans on one side and sinks into the floor. It also had an upside down flag on the top which got many museum visitors talking, as it seemed to strike a nerve with the currents events of the day. Another young artist, Ektor Garcia, had an interesting work displayed entitled Teotihuacan. He used welded steel, waxed thread, cotton, bone, upholstery needles and white lace to create a work which hung with grace from the ceiling, and caught everyones eyes. Both of these artists produced works that were thought provoking and incorporated environmental themes, which got me thinking about environmental art, its origins and how it is viewed today. Environmental art can be traced back to prehistoric times, with early humans creating rock art and other forms of visual expression on natural surfaces. The earliest examples of this are cave paintings dating back to around 40,000 BCE. Those early forms of environmental art expressed the understanding of the natural world and the relationship of the painters their surroundings. Ecological related art primarily celebrates an artist’s connection with nature using natural materials, and is created in response to or in collaboration with the natural world. One can question if today’s environmental artists reflect what is happening to the planet today, as climate change is taking center stage. Within the last thirty odd years, it is becoming more and more about awakening to environmental concerns, and green practices. The artist Christo always comes to mind when one thinks of environmental public art. Did he and his wife Jeanne-Claude, create The Gates to get people to walk in Central Park to be one with nature, or was there another motive? It got people together walking through orange colored drapes which took up twenty-three miles of pathways in Central Park from February 12th to the 27th, in 2005, in the dead of winter. It was popular, but the reactions were mixed. Many people loved Christo for brightening the bleak winter landscape and encouraging late-night pedestrian traffic in Central Park; but others hated him, accusing him of defacing the landscape. Public art can serve many purposes and it can also be political. Environmental art and public art have merged in recent years as more and more artists are creating works that are focused on environmental issues which are created to be displayed in public spaces. Our monthly guest commentator, eco-activist, eco-artist and sexy astrologist Charlotte Ghiorse joins us to discuss her perspective on environmental art. We also get some Astrology updates as 4 planets are in Gemini plus much, much more. Check out https://www.houseofchoclet.com/ and Sexy Astrology on FaceBook and YouTube to get more info about what Charlotte is up to.

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/

New York City and Westchester County Water Threatened By PFAS Chemicals with Guests George Klein (member of Sierra Club’s Lower Hudson Group) and Richard Ruge (Civil Engineer and Water Treatment Expert)

Clean and safe water is a right for every Earthling on the planet. It is a very divisive political issue in countries, cities, towns and municipalities around the globe. On average, one individual human uses between 135 and 140 liters of water per day. Water is vital for all life, as no other molecule matches water when it comes to properties that support life. We must work to keep our drinking water free of toxins and chemicals, which is why we have to protect watersheds and water quality buffer areas in order to provide safe drinking water to the populous. Adverse environmental impacts affect communities, and on this episode of TMSOG, we talk about a water filtration plant set to be constructed and placed next to Westchester County Airport, which is a local airport in a suburb of NYC. Recently the Westchester County Board of Legislators approved a land swap that provides a 13.4-acre parcel to Westchester Joint Water Works (WJWW) that is adjacent to the airport. There continues to be strong opposition to construction of the facility, partly because the plant will be within the Kensico watershed. This watershed area is in close proximity to the airport where contaminated groundwater is being monitored and treated for assorted toxic chemicals including polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Recently, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the first-ever federal limits on toxic PFAS in drinking water, establishing the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for the two most widely-detected PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS. The EPA’s limits are now stricter than the 10 parts per trillion that is the current standard in New York State.

We talk to George Klein and Richard Ruge who are opposing the building of the water filtration plant so close the the Kensico watershed area near Westchester County Airport. George Klein has worked with the Sierra Club nationally and locally on issues of environmental sustainability since 1989. He is currently an activist with the Sierra Club’s Lower Hudson Group, which covers Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties. The Lower Hudson Group works on local environmental issues, such as the climate emergency, limiting the impact of Westchester County Airport, the safe decommissioning of Indian Point Nuclear Plant and education and outreach programs. Richard Ruge has been working in the public water supply field for 40 years. He has a degree in civil engineering and holds a Grade 1B water treatment license from the NYS DOH. He was Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer of the Westchester Water Works Conference and was a Trustee at Large for the New York Section of the American Water Works Association. For more info and to find ways to take action go to https://www.sierraclub.org/atlantic/lower-hudson

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/