Opinion – The Many Shades of Green

Got Wood? Lab Grown Wood! Plus what is “Plogging” and new innovations to reduce the Great Pacific Garbage Patch with Charlotte Ghiorse

Maxine Rubin — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 17:03:03 +0000

The climate agenda was barely mentioned by either campaign in the 2024 election cycle, and it is virtually non-existent within the incoming administration, as after all, they say it is a hoax. Up is down and down is up! How do we make sense of this?

It will be up to individuals and environmental organizations to stop the red line from destroying our precious lands. What we do as individuals is more important than ever. I was looking to find something that was fun and helpful in the context of being stewards of the planet. I came across an article about plogging, which piqued my interest. Yes, plogging! The term comes from Sweden and combines the Swedish word “plocka upp,” which means “to pick up,” with the English word “jogging.” Essentially, it’s jogging while picking up trash along the way. Plogging has become a global movement, combining fitness and environmental activism in a unique way. Picture it: you’re on a run, you spot some litter, you bend down to pick it up, and toss it into a bag you’re carrying. The environmental impact is very positive. A single plogging session can result in bags of trash being removed from natural spaces, keeping plastic and other pollutants out of our oceans and helping wildlife. Plogging not only keeps the environment cleaner but also raises awareness. When people see others picking up trash while running, it’s a reminder of our shared responsibility to keep our spaces clean. Another topic that we discuss which recently got my attention is Lab Grown Wood. Charlotte Ghiorse, who is on this podcast episode, is our resident artist, eco-activist and astrologer. She sent me some info about Lab Wood and it is a very innovative idea. We also talk a tiny bit about the election, as well as an innovation the will help clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch a/k/a the Gyre. While many of us are shell shocked about what has happened in the US, we must try as the Brits say to “Keep Calm and Carry On”. There are many wonderful people doing amazing things to keep the environment safe and make the world a better place. For more info about Charlotte go to https://www.houseofchoclet.com and visit @Sexy Astrology on YouTube and Facebook. For info on plogging go to https://www.plogging.org/what-is-plogging

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!

Meteorologists Under Threat, Idiocracy and the Media Propaganda Pipeline with George Polisner Founder of Civ.Works

Maxine Rubin — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 18:27:40 +0000

Like Alice in Wonderland, I grapple with questions of reality and identity. We seem to be painting the roses orange instead of red! What would Lewis Carroll’s take on Alice be today and what would he write about the bizzaro state of the US of A? Our society is staring through the looking glass, and what we see is Mike Judge’s 2006 movie Idiocracy. It turns out that Idiocracy was not actually a Sci-Fi, Adventure Comedy movie but rather a documentary about the year 2020 by a time traveler. Idiocracy was granted new life during a tense 2016 election and continues to feel dangerously close to reality in its aftermath. The legacy of a film that Rolling Stone once called the “smartest stupid movie ever made” is more reality than fiction. I cannot grasp what is going on in the world today. There is an uptick in extremism, misinformation, outright lying and bias in America happening in plain sight. The media pipeline is dropping the ball, and is no longer a check on government or anything else. A story lives for one day and then gets buried. When meteorologists received death threats for reporting that the recent monster hurricanes are caused by climate change and the fossil fuel industry, which has been spewing carbon emissions into the atmosphere for decades, its time for the media to wake up and follow the story daily. Mainstream media must report on a constant basis that fossil fuel emissions are causing the ocean temps to be that of a hot tub, which in turn fuels category 4 and 5 hurricanes. Instead they focus on disinformation, propaganda, hate speech and bias. The go to source for news is now social media. X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Tik Tok and others reach hundreds of millions of people, who use it as their primary news source. Hard hitting and fact based journalism is slip sliding way. 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 and political issues. We discuss the breakdown of the media pipeline, the recent threats to Meteorologists about reporting on hurricanes, the Presidential election, what to do between now and November 5th to help save democracy, and more. For more info go to Civ.works where you can also check on your voter registration. Also check out fair.org and medialiteracynow.org

TMSOG is on Feedspot’s list of the 50 Best Environmental Podcasts to follow in 2024!

Men, Mustaches, Climate Change Makers and the 2024 Election with Mark W. Sutton

Maxine Rubin — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 17:32:22 +0000

“What the hell are you waiting for? “Because if it’s the women thing, it’s time to get over that. It’s time to be a man and vote for a woman.”

That quote is from a recent ad put out by the Lincoln Project, founded and run by former republican political consultants which is narrated by actor Sam Elliot. Mr. Elliot played the infamous role as “The Stranger” who was the narrator of the film The Big Lebowski. The Stranger posed as a cowboy, who had this amazing mustache, and sat at the bar in the bowling alley and offered insight and advice to Lebowski. The film also starred Jeff Bridges as “The Dude” who is now part of the White Dudes for Harris group. The point is that the Dems must reach out to men in this election, as their numbers are critical in getting VP Harris to the magic number of 270. On the other side, women must also step up in numbers to get the job done. Jane Fonda is helping to lead the charge and has been quoted as saying “the climate fight is what I’m going to do till I die.” The actress and activist has stated that “we are in a do-or-die situation when it comes to the November election, the threat of fossil fuels and climate change.” She went on to say in an article in Rolling Stone last June that “November’s election is an existential election, because who becomes president is going to be a big determining factor on whether there’s a livable future.” Fonda continued by saying that “nearly two-thirds of Americans say they are “worried” about the climate, but they don’t always bring that concern to the ballot box”. She further stated that “I’m trying to encourage people to vote with climate in mind and there are enough of us that if we band together, we can win.” During the recent debate between VP Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, climate change was practically a throw away question. It is an issue that the youth vote is very concerned about and more American citizens should heed their call.

There are many environmental groups taking steps to get more people to take action. One group that we briefly touch on is Climate Changemakers, founded by Elizer Nemser, which is taking political action in the name of climate change. We talk to Mark Sutton, who is the author of the insightful and important book How Democrats Can Win Back Men. We delve into why the upcoming 2024 election is the most crucial election of our lifetime, and Mark gives us some insight into how the dems can best reach out to men, as well as where the presidential candidates stand on the environment. Mark has produced radio content for NPR, Air America (where I first met him) and The Mother Jones Radio Show. He appeared as a gender expert on MSNBC, CBS Radio and as a guest host for the TV show Men’s Net. He is passionate about economic justice, the environment and much more. For more information go to mark-sutton.com, check out How Democrats Can Win Back Men which is available on Amazon. To take action on climate change please visit www.climatechangemakers.org. Go to Vote.org to make sure you are registered to vote!

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/

Will Artificial Intelligence Help Reduce Climate Change and Have We Entered The New Twilight Zone?

Maxine Rubin — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 14:41:44 +0000

The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race. It would take off on its own, and re-design itself at an ever-increasing rate. Humans, who are limited by slow biological evolution, couldn’t compete, and would be superseded.”— Stephen Hawking

The aforementioned quote by Dr. Stephen Hawking, who was a theoretical physicist, cosmologist and author, was and still is considered one of the most brilliant minds in the world. He indicated that humans will one day be superseded by Artificial Intelligence. According to The National Humanities Center, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has infiltrated our daily lives—in the ways we conduct business, govern, provide healthcare and security, and communicate. The large-scale cultural and societal implications of these changes—and the ethical questions they raise—pose a serious challenge as we embrace a future increasingly shaped by the implementation of artificial intelligence technology. AI is the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages. Are we entering entering a new Twilight Zone? Rod Serling said it best as he narrated the intro to each Twilight Zone TV show by saying: “You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension – a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You’re moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas.” We are now embarking on a shift into another dimension, and we are uncertain as to where it will lead. Artificial Intelligence is the science of making machines that can think like humans. It can do things that are considered “smart.” AI technology can process large amounts of data in ways humans cannot, and it will lead us to paths yet to be known, as humanity will change.

People seem to be afraid AI as they fear it will take their jobs, control industries and that the world will change dramatically over the next decades. A recent survey by Forbes indicated that many Americans still trust humans over AI by a large percentage. Those surveyed shared that they think people would do a better job of administering medicine, writing laws, and even choosing gifts, just to name a few. AI algorithms are only as unbiased as the data they are trained on, so biased data can lead to biased decisions. In terms of the environment, Artificial Intelligence can help reduce climate change in a number of ways, but it also has a large environmental footprint. It can help improve energy efficiency, improve climate models, reduce carbon emissions, map ocean litter and support vulnerable communities. However, AI also has an environmental downside as it consumes a lot of energy, water, and critical materials, while producing electronic waste. A coalition of environmental groups has expressed concern about how much more energy AI will consume in the coming years. So, will humans become cyborgs? Will we all turn into the character Data on Star Trek? Are we in a hologram or another dimension?
It seems that we are on the precipice of a new era and that we are about to experience the Twilight Zone Part Deux or perhaps be transported into The Matrix!! Hang tight, it’s going to be a wild ride. For more info on AI go to https://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/ or https://www.nationalacademies.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/

The Greening of the Paris Olympics, Media Shame, and is Weird to Blame? with George Polisner

Maxine Rubin — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 02:11:51 +0000

What makes someone weird, and why are they labeled as such? There is good weird and bad weird. The good weird might include someone doing things on the edge or being more creative and just a bit kookie, the bad weird tends to focus on a person who is a labeled a weirdo, as they drift far from the norm. One can be considered weird if you are bizarre, crazy, erratic, screwy, off the wall, outlandish, wacky, spaced out, off-kilter and way out. We can refer to many things as weird, for instance the weather over the last few years has been really weird because it has been extreme, with heat domes, derechos, CAT 5 cyclones and hail the size of softballs pounding our roofs, car hoods and lining our front lawns. So using the phrase “the weather has been really weird” is common of late as it’s not the usual. It’s raining cats and dogs is now passé, as it is more likely raining King Kong and Godzilla sized raindrops. Democratic VP nominee Tim Walz used the “weird” label when he addressed the Republican candidates in July. He said about the party: “These guys are just weird. They’re running for He-Man women-haters’ club or something. That’s what they go at..” So now, weird is in the spotlight and on the front of a tee shirt that your Blue voting neighbor might be wearing. The question arises, are you good weird or bad weird? Therein lies the conundrum. Joining us on this episode of TMOSG is our resident environmentalist, political analyst, curmudgeon, and difference maker, George Polisner, founder of Civ.works. He gives us some insight into his take on weird, as well as on environmental and political issues. We talk about the greening of the Paris Olympics, the need for the media to do their jobs and call out lies when they are blatantly spoken. We also touch on the 2024 elections and where the weird folks are, as well as the phrase “the exhausted majority.” For more info go to Civ.works, brennancenter.org and vote.gov

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/

Cannabis Culture, George Washington Grew Hemp Crops and how Marijuana benefits the environment and helps with pain, plus Free the Weed, a tune by Mitch Margo

Maxine Rubin — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 17:16:53 +0000

There is some interesting history about hemp, for instance, did you know that George Washington grew hemp? Washington’s initial interest in hemp was as a cash crop, but he decided to grow it to meet the needs of his own plantation. Hemp was used at Mount Vernon for rope, thread for sewing sacks, canvas, and for repairing the seine nets used at the fisheries. Fast forward to current times and there are more good facts about hemp. According to the NIH National Library of Medicine, almost the whole body of the hemp plant has a wide array of utility: industrial production of food, fiber, and construction materials. In view of environmental sustainability, hemp requires less pesticides or water in cultivation compared to cotton, and is a representative fiber plant. Hemp has received a lot of attention because of its multipurpose usability, short production cycle, and low capital demand in cultivation, possibility as a carbon-negative material. From a medicinal standpoint Cannabis can be used to help reduce pain, and as of April 2024, recreational marijuana is legal in 24 states, which is almost half of the country.

On any given city block, on any given day in NYC, the odds of getting a contact high from the drifting winds of cannabis smoke is practically a given. For decades people moved the government to legalize weed. It was an uphill battle which eventually was won. Cannabis is the second-most commonly used recreational drug in NYC, after alcohol. On March 31, 2021, New York State legalized adult-use cannabis in recreational form by passing the Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA). The legislation created a new Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) governed by a Cannabis Control Board to oversee and implement the law. I am not sure if there was dancing in the streets, but the gongs chimed as the bongs the filled the air with that unique smell which would take you to higher ground.

A stanza of Aurora HighDreamer’s poem Serenade of the Green “Euphoria” says it best:

So let the cannabis linger, like a soft and whispered song,

In the canvas of your being, where sensations dance along.

A symphony in the lungs, an ode to the sublime,

In the poetry of being high, where moments endlessly chime.

On this episode of TMSOG podcast we discuss the culture of cannabis, it’s use for reducing pain and how it relates to the environment with Rusti Wolintz, who is my BFF and Tush Twin. Rusti (Paula) and I worked together for many years running B.T. Puppy Records and working with The Tokens, of Lion Sleeps Tonight fame. We put together the Guinness World Record 1998 anthem tour in which The Tokens sang the national anthem in 30 major league baseball parks in one summer. We currently do a podcast/YouTube program called Tush Twins, which is a hoot, and runs on Malcolmpresents.com. Rusti is a real estate agent in NJ and also knows a thing or two about the Cannabis industry, and she gives us some great info and insight into edibles, industrial use hemp and cannabis pharmacies, Bong Appetit and much more. We also play a tune by Mitch Margo called Free the Weed https://mitchmargo.bandcamp.com/track/free-the-weed For more info on cannabis visit NORML.org and Leafly.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/

Heat Domes, Deepfakes, Disinformation-Plus History of Juneteenth and CEO’s choosing dollars over Democracy with George Polisner, Founder of Civ.Works

Maxine Rubin — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 15:51:54 +0000

Yogi Berra quote: “It ain’t the heat it’s the humility.”

“When you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat.” Ronald Reagan

Over half of the United States is currently sweltering under a heat dome making millions of people miserable. The song Summer Time written by George Gershwin, which has been covered by Ella Fitzgerald, Janis Joplin and others has the line “summer time, and the living is easy” but climate change is changing the tune. As weather becomes more extreme, heat waves, floods and wildfires are now the norm, and more and more people are living in conditions that are detrimental to their health and well being. The cries from the cult say it’s all a hoax, and it’s just the weather. Well, if you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn. The weather is so extreme, that insurance companies are no longer offering home insurance in many states which are more prone to hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and earthquakes. Deny, deny, deny and drill, drill, drill continue to be the mantras of a certain political party out of touch with the citizens who they represent who have been affected by extreme weather and cannot get their lives back. Disinformation is being used to divide the populous and create chaos. A government of the people, by the people and for the people cannot subsist when propaganda rules the news cycles. So what can we do to make things better and how can we shape policy and forge ahead in a more positive way? There are actions being taken to help the environment, such as the newly established American Climate Corps. The first class of ACC was recently sworn in to this federal program that is meant to place young people in the clean energy, conservation and climate resilience sectors. In addition, there are clean tech innovations being developed and environmental groups are working to protect the planet. In terms of what you can do to help, be active in your community and teach civility and civics to your kids. Also, please make sure you are registered to vote (go to voteamerica.com). 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 and political issues. We discuss Juneteenth, deepfakes and disinformation, as well as what actions we can take before November 5th and much more. Visit civ.works for more info.

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/

War, what is it good for? And Some Good environmental news in Portugal and more with George Polisner founder of Civ.Works

The Many Shades of Green — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 20:23:37 +0000

WAR by Edwin Starr 1970—War, huh, yeah…What is it good for? Absolutely nothing, uh!

The sixties and seventies were filled with protest songs like WAR, as battles raged in Vietnam and Cambodia, killing thousands of young men and Vietcong, as well as the collateral damage of innocent lives. There was a draft, and young men did not want to fight what they thought was a senseless war. A song written in the 50’s by Pete Seeger, Where Have All the Flowers Gone, has the lyric “When will we ever learn”? And the Rodgers and Hammerstein song from South Pacific, “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” has lyrics which delve into racism and hate, placed within a beautiful ballad: Here are some of the lyrics:

You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear. You’ve got to be taught from year to year, it’s got to be drummed in your dear little ear—You’ve got to be carefully taught!

You’ve got to be taught to be afraid of people whose eyes are oddly made, and people whose skin is a different shade—You’ve got to be carefully taught.

You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late, before you are six or seven or eight, to hate all the people your relatives hate—You’ve got to be carefully taught! You’ve got to be carefully taught!

Fast forward to October 2023, and the question stays the same, WAR what is it good for, absolutely nothin’!!! There are no words for the atrocities which are being unleashed in Israel and Gaza. Mankind has once again plummeted into yet another war. So what is the answer? Does one avenge and take revenge? How does one cope with the humanitarian and moral dilemma? I truly have no words to express my feelings and outrage. How long will this hate and destruction go on? So the tune “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” keeps popping into my mind, and the refrain written by Pete Seeger in 1955, “when will they ever learn when will they ever learn” is now a constant ear worm in my head. There is much to discuss, and on this episode of TMSOG George Polisner our resident political, economic, environmental, social justice expert and founder of Civ.works gives us some insight into the Israeli conflict with Hamas, the insanity of US Politics and some positive energy solutions from Portugal. For more info check out Civ.Works and for past podcasts go to HudsonRiverRadio.com and Malcolmpresents.com. Please subscribe to The Many Shades of Green on all major podcast apps. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Threads @tmshadesofgreen #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness

The Democracy Doomsday Clock is Ticking

The Many Shades of Green — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 00:19:20 +0000

We are now in very trying times and the need for putting together the collective will of the people who want clean air, healthcare, gun reform, affordable housing and democratic values is becoming more difficult due to the spreading of misinformation and outright lies. The citizenry must vote for leaders who have the ability to provide policies, and are educated and versed in making government work. Time in not on our side, and my guest on this episode, George Polisner, says that the democracy doomsday clock is quickly ticking away. George is a monthly commentator and friend of the podcast, who is working to educate citizens about civic responsibility to increase participation to promote the civic good. He is working to engage the populous to be more active and take action to protect our democratic values. George is a Behavioral Economist and Technologist with a passion for civic engagement and works to create a growing and fair economy, safe and well-funded schools and environmental protection. He is active in policy, addressing wealth and income inequality, participatory democracy and he has significant experience in corporate social responsibility. George is the Founder of Civ Works, a non-profit technology platform for civic engagement, constituent engagement, participatory democracy and participatory budgeting. For more info go to Civ.works. Please subscribe to TMSOG podcast on your favorite podcast app, and for past shows go to HudsonRiverRadio.com and Malcolmpresents.com #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness

Getting Fed Up

The Many Shades of Green — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 16:57:09 +0000

By Susan Lutz

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is watch. We know we should speak up. We know we should act. But, at times, we must let go and watch.

For years I’ve watched young people around me participate in life according to what others have told them. Advertisers cram sugar down kids’ throats; plastic toys fill up bins; we consume and consume and create chaos in our drive to satiate our desires.

I’ve worked to be a model for my kids in how I eat. I speak up about how the milk on the table is made and where the eggs in the carton come from. I show them videos about ecology, recycling, and humane treatment to animals. After awhile, I feel like the teacher in the comic strip, the Peanuts: bla bla bla – after awhile, my message thinned over the airwaves of our home. I knew some was getting in, but society pushes hard. I gave up on some issues, even warmed to a few I once staunchly disliked (i.e. Disney comes to mind).

As I watched my kids and friends’ kids grow, I’d learn of one becoming a vegetarian, another off to build a solar boat, and others blossoming in their awareness of the environment. When a young person’s mind turns on, it’s an amazing thing to stand witness too.

After a class of kids I know saw the documentary film, Fed Up, some were appalled at the treatment of our food system and as if awoken from their childhood world and were shocked at how corporations had a grip on what went into our food. Some I talked to truly empathized with people in the story, suffering from obesity or health issues all so companies could turn a buck.

The light bulbs didn’t just go on – the passion arose. I could see their minds ticking and their ire rise. Discovering the message the film was way more powerful than me just babbling on about it at the dinner table. I am sure the message will fade and settle over time but perhaps a few will let it truly sink in.

The hard truth is we have to go back into the grocery stores, feed our families, and ourselves drink our water, and breathe the polluted air. Cutting out sugar is a lot harder once we realize it is in almost everything we eat. Yet, the power in what they now know gives me the confidence to now watch as they take on these issues for a new generation. And, once they’ve grabbed on and owned it, we can join together and speak up with a louder voice than before.

The Olympics: The View from Here

The Many Shades of Green — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 12:05:21 +0000

By Susan Lutz

Warming up to these 2016 Olympics took awhile. All the reports of the toxic water, Zika threats, and displacement of people from their homes made the Summer Olympics seem superfluous – an extra we might be able to live without or at the very least change?

But the games began. I’ve plopped in front of the television so many times over the years to watch the athletic phenoms, it felt odd to ignore it. The hype is hard to ignore. With kids, I grapple how we can understand what the tradition these games are, yet bring in a balance of the very real costs to the environment and world it can cause.

From the nightly news to social media, reporters highlight the trash in the water or the post a picture of the protests in the street. I want to cheer them on, stand up and do a fist pump when a swimmer gets another gold, and marvel over the mind-boggling gymnasts. Yet the images of cost both environmentally and socially linger in my consciousness while I watch. The hour broadcast delay also adds to the disconnection the larger powers have with the people who play and support the athletes.

Because it is about the athletes, the coming together of nations for a few weeks, in the hopes of putting down hostilities and instead playing some hoops (and all other games). As an athlete that competed at the collegiate and national level, I found inner strength, trained to break barriers (especially my own), and came together day after day with teammates for the purpose of a higher goal. That feeling in the gut, from throwing that pitch, making that shot, nailing that dive, or winning that sprint, those moments represent a long path of people working together and can translate to a deep connection to others. I see it when my son takes a shot in soccer or gets back out there after falling down – he’s rallied around, supported, and finds a strength to continue on. I truly believe these skills help him in his daily challenges.

Yet, we can’t play our games and shoot down others in the process. When the Olympics leave Rio, how will the country change? How will we change? What will happen to the neighborhood once the torch is extinguished? So many Olympic villages rode into town and left behind an empty land. What will we do differently before the next summer – and winter – Olympics return? Maybe it’s time to have one permanent spot for the Olympics. Or a guaranteed plan that the immense building that takes place due to the creation of the Olympic village has a useful, environmentally effective, re-purposed to move a city, state, and its people forward.

I’ve also lived in a country where the site of trash in the waters and along the road was tough to stomach, sometimes literally. Shaming a country from our the screens of our phones casts a quick judgment on the deep challenges a society faces from budget to resources to societal norms. We can embrace the change and ignite other nations by working at change in our homes and villages.

I’m still drawn in by the bottom line of the Olympics. I tell both stories to my children, the challenges and the successes, with the hopes of opening their awareness to the cause and effect we have on our world. I am not sure the world today is better or worse with the Olympics. The cost seems awfully high, but it won’t disappear in the next years. Cities will bid for the right to host until we all decide to change. The Olympics, like us all, are in a process of growth. What I hope is that looks to the future with an eye for making the world better for us all.

1612: The Boys are Back in Town

The Many Shades of Green — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 18:00:48 +0000

The boys are back in town, as my Token Bros Phil and Mitch Margo join me this week, to discuss the greening of the music industry. Are music venues being more eco-conscious, and are musical artists doing more to promote environmental issues? Both Phil and Mitch drive hybrid/electric cars, reuse and recycle, are doing their part to be more sustainable on a daily basis. Is the peaceful village in The Token’s famous song, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, powered by solar yet? For more information, visit thetokens.com.

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