Water is the source of all life, there is a world water crisis, and millions of people on the planet do not have potable, clean, drinking water. My guest this week, Paul Lazarus, director, writer and producer of film, television and theater has directed a wonderful documentary entitled, Slingshot. The film focuses on the the current global water crisis, and the path that inventor/engineer extraordinaire, Dean Kamen takes to bring his water purification system to the world market. The documentary has won film festival awards, and is a must see movie. For more information, go to www.slingshotdoc.com
1439: Andrew Winston, author of “The Big Pivot”
“Green is Gold” is a classic book, offering a roadmap to companies worldwide to create value from environmental strategy. The author of that book, Andrew Winston, is my guest this week, and his latest book entitled, “The Big Pivot: Radically Practical Strategies for a Hotter, Scarcer and More Open World” focuses on how businesses must deal with climate change to create more sustainability driven innovation. Tune in to find out what the Big Pivot is, and how it will help companies adapt and adjust their practices to become better stewards of the environment. For more information visit andrewwinston.com
#1437: Bob Carmichael, Photographer, Videographer & Emmy Award Winning Producer
Restoring and converting a Landmark 100+ year old home in Boulder, CO to a LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Platinum home, is just one example of the amazing things that this week’s guest, Bob Carmichael does to bring positive flow to the planet. He is an Emmy Award winning producer for the the documentary film “Football in America,” and an Academy Award nominee for his short, “Fall Line” a film about extreme skiing. Bob is a wonderful photographer and videographer, and he specializes in nature shoots, as well as music shoots. He loves the great outdoors, and works to be a leader on issues of sustainability. He truly is a protector of the planet. His video about the conversion of his Boulder home to a LEED certified home, can be viewed on YouTube under Boulder Landmark Meets LEED Platinum: http://youtu.be/
#1434: Regina Cornwell, of Inclimate, and artist Lynn Cazabon discuss “Uncultivated”
Why are weeds considered the rats of the horticultural world, and what can we do to make people think about weeds in a more positive light? Join me and my guests Regina Cornwell, Curator and organizer of inClimate, and Lynn Cazabon, artist and Associate Professor of Art at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County as we discuss the project they are currently working on called “Uncultivated.” This project connects art and science, in an effort to educate the community about the importance of the edible plants (weeds), that grow wild within the urban area of Hunts Point in the Bronx. Regina is also a Climate Change presenter for the Climate Reality Project, which was started by Al Gore as an offshoot of the film An Inconvenient Truth. For more information go to www.inclimate.org and climaterealityproject.org
1440: Alliance for Climate Education (ACE)
There is nothing cool about climate change, but what is cool are the student leaders and educators who are working hard to build awareness, and develop solutions to environmental problems. Join me and my guests Maayan Cohen, Education and Leadership Manager at the Alliance for Climate Education (ACE), and student leaders from ACE, Lizbeth Lucero and Anthony Neciosup, for a lively discussion on the power of education. ACE uses interactive assemblies, which combine science and pop culture to build awareness and educate students about the environment, and how they can act to prevent global warming. For more information about ACE, go to climateeducation.org and acespace.org
1433: Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation’s (CELF) Summer Institute
I had the opportunity this summer to spend time at the Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation’s Summer Institute at Manhattanville College in Purchase NY, and spoke to many wonderful educators about the importance of teaching students about the environment. As the climate continues to change on a daily basis, it is more vital than ever, that the subject matter of sustainability, adaptability and caring for the planet is taught in our schools. CELF is working with educators to provide the needed curriculum, and to grow environmental citizens who will take care of Mother Nature, for this and future generations to come. Go to celfeducation.org for more information or contact Patti Bressman, Director of Student Programs/Director of Operations.
1435: Peter Olmsted; Vote Solar
The sun is free, the sun is strong, the sun can power the planet. Join me and my guest Peter Olmsted, Solar Policy Advocate for Vote Solar, as we discuss how grassroot campaigns and communities can bring solar to the people. Peter works to promote energy independence and reduce the effects of climate change by making solar a mainstream energy source across the US. New York is quickly becoming a lead solar state via the NY Sun Initiative. Tomorrow may rain, but we’ll follow the sun. For more info on Vote Solar initiatives and how you can help solarize your community, go to votesolar.org
1432: Jane Gray Morrison: Conservationist, Filmmaker, Author and Ecologist
Compassionate conservationist, filmmaker, author and ecologist, Jane Gray Morrison tells us about the need for ethical treatment of animals, and how important it is to preserve and protect the natural earth for this and future generations to come. Jane and I discuss her trilogy of documentary films: Mad Cowboy, No Vacancy and Hotspots, as well as her beautiful photographed book Sanctuary: Global Oases of Innocence. She was also the senior producer for the ten hour dramatic miniseries for TBS entitled: Voice of the Planet, which was written by Michael Tobias and starred William Shatner and Faye Dunaway. Jane is the Executive Vice President of Dancing Star Foundation, and is also a lover of Opera. She was an opera singer, and is now Director of the International Festival Society, which nurtures and supports gifted musicians at workshops and classical music festivals worldwide. To find out more about what Jane is up to visit www.dancingstarfoundation.
#1432: Jane Gray Morrison: Conservationist, Filmmaker, Author and Ecologist
1431: Charlotte Ghiorse discusses ‘Sexy Astrology’
What is Sexy Astrology, and does it in anyway connect to the green world? My guest Charlotte Ghiorse and I talk about how astrology connects to the natural earth, and about her trademark issue which the NY Post article called “Sexy Astrologers At War.” We discuss how Charlotte’s mark greatly differs from the person disputing it. On a different note, tune in to overtime on The Many Shades of Green archives, to find out what Charlotte and I consider our favorite New York green spots, or in this case “G” spots that make us happy to be one with nature in the city. Hey, green radio can be sexy too! To find out more about Sexy Astrology go to sexyastrology.com and/or www.youtube.com/user/
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
1429: Michael Tobias, President of Dancing Star Foundation
Hal David and Burt Bacharach got it right when they wrote the lyrics “what the world needs now is love sweet love, it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.” My guest, Michael Charles Tobias and I discuss the need for society to put more emphasis on compassion, by promoting and teaching non-violence, which we hope will lead to more ethical, nurturing and loving cultures. Michael gets the word out about the problems and possible solutions to violence, extinction, climate change and more, through his most recent book, Hope on Earth-A Conversation, which he co-wrote with Dr. Paul Ehrlich. He also addresses issues of biodiversity, animal protection and conservation via his work as president of the Dancing Star Foundation. Last but not least, we discuss recent findings of the lost civilizations in Northern Mexico, and what clues the petroglyphs left about the tribal life centuries ago, and how those etchings could affect both current and future inhabitants of Earth. For more info on Michael Charles Tobias go to: michaeltobias.org and dancingstarfoundation.org.
#1428: Gennaro Brooks-Church, EcoBrooklyn
A river runs through it, and it is up on the roof. Tune in to find out how my guest Gennaro Brooks-Church, Director of EcoBrooklyn, created a river on a roof, which uses gray water and rain water filtration systems to cut down on water use, while creating a beautiful waterscape. We also discuss ways to keep your home more energy efficient, by using less waste, via reusable materials and installing passive heating and cooling systems. Water is a precious commodity, and we talk about the sewage/water issues affecting the neighborhoods closest to the Gowanus Canal. Gennaro is building green to keep his “Build It Forward” mantra alive for future generations. For more info go to www.ecobrooklyn.com