Mike Bond, author of The Last Savanna, is my guest this week. The book is based on many of his personal experiences in Africa. Mike is working to raise awareness of the very real possibility that our grandchildren will never share the earth with a living elephant. Poachers in Africa and Asia are killing these majestic and emotional creatures in vast numbers, and they are on the brink of extinction. Mike is working to stop this madness. His role as a journalist, environmental activist, and human rights advocate has taken him all over the world, where he has witnessed the toll of poaching on both wildlife and humans. He is also working to bring awareness to the plight of wolves in North America. We will no longer be dancing with wolves, if the current policies in the US continue to permit the shooting of these amazing animals. You can get more information by going to www.mikebondbooks.com to find out how you can help save paradise.
1418: June Stoyer, The Organic View
My guest this week is June Stoyer, radio host of The Organic View and bee advocate. Our discussion focuses on why bees are dying by the millions. One of the major culprits in this horrific scenario is the chemical neonicotinoids, a class of neuro-active insecticides chemically similar to nicotine. It is used to as a pesticide to kill insects on crops, and the residue is entering nectar and pollen which is fatal to bees. Neonicotinoids are present in the nursery plants you buy, so you must be very prudent in picking plants that are organically grown.
Organic produce is the way to go. In addition, we discuss another alarming practice called “Canned or Trophy Hunting,” which is decimating the Big Cat population in Africa. On a brighter note, June is a master composter and volunteers her time to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, a most beautiful and sustainable place. For more info go to www.theorganicview.com
#1423: Nancy Bruning, Green Gym Day
Nancy Bruning, founder of Nancercize, and organizer of Green Gym Day is my guest this week. We discuss the importance of using our city parks to walk, jog, play ball and hike, in order to connect with nature and keep fit. You don’t need to workout in an expensive gym, when there are “101 Things You Can Do on a Park Bench”…..by this we mean things like push-ups, knee bends and more. Hike the Heights in Northern Manhattan (on 6/7/14), and be a part of Green Gym Day (on 6/8/14). Go out and utilize public spaces and get moving, it is good for the body and the soul. For more information go to www.greengymday.org and www.nancercize.net.
1416: Sara Romanoski, East Village Community Coalition
The East Village in NYC is a mecca for the arts, the bohemian in all of us, and it is a NYC treasure that must be preserved. Sara Romanoski, Managing Director of the East Village Community Coalition, is working hard to maintain the character, architecture and sense of community in this vibrant and historic neighborhood in Manhattan. Community Gardens dot the area with flora and fauna, and buildings with rich histories must be cared for and cherished. One must often fight for what’s right, and legal actions to maintain these buildings are intense and involve many community residents, and yes, many lawyers. The plight of the old PS 64 building has been an example of how the community has come together to save the 100 plus year old structure. With the influx of new money comes certain changes that do not reflect the character of the neighborhood, which is why the East Village Community Coalition is working to preserve the past and build for the future. Please visit www.evccnyc.org to find out how you can help keep the East Village diverse, bohemian and beautiful.
#1415: Recyclebank
Americans do not recycle enough and landfills are clogged with unnecessary waste. Enter Recyclebank, a model company that rewards towns, businesses and individuals for increasing their recycling capacities. Erika Diamond, Vice President of Community Solutions, explains that behavioral change is possible when incentives and rewards are put into place to promote positive behavior. Recyclebank is working to increase recycling rates, which will reduce waste disposal via education, gamification and public/private partnerships, to get communities to participate in green actions thus making the planet cleaner and safer. To find out how you can get involved, go to www.recyclebank.com
#1420: John Parker, Environmental Attorney
Joining me on the program this week is friend of the show and environmental attorney John Parker. We discuss the problems associated with transporting Bakken crude oil via rail and boat. There have been several accidents attributed to the transport of this very volatile product, and communities affected both in upstate New York and in Canada have become very vocal opponents of how the oil is being moved around the country. We also had a special guest, Liam, who told us about his experience aboard the Riverkeeper patrol boat with Captain John Lipscomb. You can learn more about NYS environmental initiatives and get more information by emailing John at [email protected]
#1414: Doug Semmes, Green Mountain Energy
An educated consumer makes the best choices. I can now say I made the best choice, and I am a Green Mountain Energy customer. Doug Semmes and I discuss how important it is to make an effort to have a part of your electric consumption be provided via renewable energy. It is a positive way to reduce your carbon footprint, and be a good eco-citizen. It is easy to sign-up, and it is worth knowing that you are helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are damaging the atmosphere. Cleaner electricity is here to stay, so become part of the solution. You can get more info on Green Mountain Energy by going to www.greenmountain.com.
#1417: High Road, NYC High Road Restaurant Week
“The fight is never about grapes or lettuce…it is always about people.” That quote by Cesar Chavez describes what Colt Taylor, Executive Chef at One if By Land, Two if By Sea, and Tatiana Bejar, High Road Coordinator of the Restaurant Opportunities Center of New York, have teamed up to do, help the people, which in this case are the restaurant employees who are often times working in conditions that are not always optimal. High Road Restaurant Week, which runs from April 23rd through April 30th, aims to call attention to the the need to improve employment practices, via living wage, health benefits, sick days and overall treatment of those who work so hard to make our dining experiences more pleasurable. Sustainability doesn’t stop at the quality of food, it also connects to the human side, and restaurant workers deserve to be able to support their families and have benefits that all workers strive for. Please visit www.highroadny.org or www.rocny.org/
#1412: Charlotte Ghiorse, House of Choclet Part 2/2
In Part 2 of our interview with Charlotte Ghiorse we continue to discuss “American Garbage” both the film and the exhibit. In addition, we talk about her unique connection with the FDNY, and how she worked with firefighters during and after 9/11, to capture the fires and chaos during that most horrific event in US history. On the lighter side, we delve into how individuals can be more proactive in recycling, and how uber cool the House of Choclet is. Go to www.charlotteg.com to find out more.
#1411: Charlotte Ghiorse, House of Choclet Part 1/2
Charlotte Ghiorse, artist, filmmaker, eco-activist, astrologer and mom of three joins me to chat about her artistic endeavors, and the connection between art and the environment. Charlotte produced a film called “American Garbage” based on the art exhibit of the same title, which won the Spirit Award at the Williamsburg Film Festival. She is an extraordinary talent, and uses that talent to get the word out about the environment, recycling, and sustainability. Her work can be seen in galleries in NYC, and she has had exhibits at The Museum of Motherhood. Check out House of Choclet and www.charlotteg.com for more info.
#1410: 2GreenMinds & Holistic Spaces
Part 1: Ann Delmarmo
Americans use about 2,200 paper napkins per person each year, that is a lot of unnecessary waste in landfills. Enter Ann Delmarmo, one of the founders of 2GreenMinds, a company that produces a product called eco-kins, a napkin you can take everywhere, and re-use on a daily basis. Find out how an idea sprouting from necessity is helping solve a problem of unnecessary waste. Tune in to get more info on Ann, 2GreenMinds and where you can get eco-kins.
Part 2: Anjie Cho
How can we nourish our spaces and ourselves? Anjie Cho, founder of Holistic Spaces, Feng Shui architect and green designer, explains how simple it is to feed our mind and body in order to create more balanced spaces that give positive energy or “chi”. Learn about EMFS, and how you can reduce your exposure to electromagnetic fields that emit from your smartphones, TVs, computers, tablets and transmission lines. Go to www.anjiecho.com for more information.
#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