What comes first, the Earth or Earthlings? There are a lot of us humans on the planet, and we have to start thinking about keeping our numbers down. Join me and my guest Dave Foreman, activist, author, and founder of Earth First!, the Wildlands Project, and the Rewilding Institute, as we discuss his latest work, a new revised of edition of his popular title, MAN SWARM: How Overpopulation is Killing the Wild World, which is co-authored with Laura Carroll, author of The Baby Matrix. Population is one factor in the environmental degradation of the planet. Should there be a one child policy in the US or should we stop having babies altogether? What can be done to solve this problem? Tune in to find out. For more information go to rewilding.org
Category: Overpopulation
#1449: Green Burials at Sleepy Hallow Cemetery
How does the after-world connect to the green world? Why pollute when you are dead? Christina Orban-La Salle, Director of Programs, Tours and Visitor Services at the historic Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, famous for the tale of the Headless Horseman, is my guest this week, and we talk about a new trend for interment, “green” burials. Most common burials are harmful to the environment, as embalming fluids are toxic, and cement vaults and caskets are not earth friendly. There is now a movement to leave a better legacy by choosing a more natural burial, which is in tune with the harmony of the cycles of life, and is more spiritual, meaningful, and ecologically regenerative. It is a topic that most people shy away from, but it is important to integrate conservation and death care, in order to restore the natural earth. For more information about Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and the River view Natural Burial Ground, go to sleepyhollowcemetery.org
#1445: Sunday, September 21st 2014, The People’s Climate March
400,000 strong, a mosaic of humankind gathered at the People’s Climate March in NYC, to voice their concern about the climate crisis, and demand that the leaders of the world take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. My co-producer, Abba Carmichael and I, were able to witness history and walk with those who trekked from across the globe, and from across the street, to take an active role in showing support for Mother Earth. We spoke to actor/activist and academy award nominee Mark Ruffalo, NY Senator Charles Schumer, former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, author, environmental and civil rights activist Van Jones, Climate Project Presenter Marc Sussman, Grandparents Climate Campaign of Norway and many many more. It was truly an uplifting moment in time, and an example of peaceful, democratic protest on behalf of Mother Nature. For more info go to 350.org and peoplesclimate.org
1430: Stephanie Feldstein, Director of the Population and Sustainability Program at the Center for Biological Diversity
My guest this week is Stephanie Feldstein, Director of the Population and Sustainability Program at the Center for Biological Diversity. Mother Earth cannot continue to sustain the current rate of population growth, and the 7.2 billion people on the planet are depleting natural resources. Many species are becoming extinct because of human activity that encroaches on their habitats. Stephanie works on campaigns to build awareness of the need to slow down population growth and to help save endangered species. #CrowdedPlanet campaign encourages people to take photos of daily life events that depict overcrowding, and post and tweet them. Recent photos include photos of traffic jams, crowded subways and the parking lots at malls. There is also the “endangered species corundum” campaign, which hands out free condoms with slogans and pictures of endangered species on the wrapper. My favorite slogan is “Safe intercourse saves the Dwarf Seahorse.” Tune in to find out what Stephanie’s favorite slogan is. For more information on how you can get involved with issues of overpopulation and animal advocacy go to: www.biologicaldiversity.org
#1409: Leon Kolankiewicz
Immigration and over population are topics that intertwine, and are somewhat under the radar. Those two issues will have long lasting negative effects on our natural resources and carbon emissions. Join me and my guest Leon Kolankiewicz. environmental scientist, natural resources planner, and author, as we discuss those topics. We also talk about the greening of the current generation of millennials, and what their thoughts are about issues of sustainability. Will they save the planet? Tune in to find out. For more information, visit the Population Media Center www.populationmedia.org or The Population Institute at www.populationinstitute.or
#1407: Alan Weisman, author of Countdown
Join me and my guest Alan Weisman, award winning author and journalist, as we touch on the subject of his latest book “Countdown”, which gives us insight into how over population and over consumption directly affects the environment. The demand for energy increases as the population rises, which is depleting our natural resources and adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Alan is deeply concerned about these issues, and we can start to fix things by educating the populous, especially women, about reproductive rights, contraceptives, having smaller families, which will lessen the impact on the environment, and lead to a healthier planet. Search the web for “Countdown” and Alan Weisman to get more information.
#1406: Ken Gale
What is the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), and why is it such a “secret.” Ken Gale, host of Eco-Logic on WBAI, gives us the reasons why we need to be very afraid of what is called “NAFTA on steroids.” Internet Freedom, Food Safety, US jobs, Copyrights, the Environment, Public Health, and the price of medicine will all be affected by this agreement, which is being negotiated behind closed doors by the Executive Branch, the USTR and Fortune 500 corporations, who stand to greatly benefit should it pass. Congress is putting this matter on the “Fast Track”, without even knowing what the TPP contains, which considering their record, is not all surprising. Get more information by going to www.citizen.org/TPP. Tune into Ken’s show Eco-Logic, Tuesdays at 8 PM on WBAI.
#1405: Adele Stan, RH Reality Check Reporter
Our guest this week is Adele Stan, Washington Bureau chief for RH Reality Check. She is an author and investigative reporter who covers reproductive rights, the modern feminist movement, as well as voters rights, environmental topics and issues of overpopulation. Find out why “things don’t go better with Koch”, and how Citizens United has wreaked havoc on the foundation of our political system. To find out more go to www.rhrealitycheck.org/