Go Green Radio

Studies show that more than 90% of Americans support mandatory labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods. Yet for twenty years we have been denied that right. While our reasons for wanting to know what’s in our food may vary, what unifies us is the belief that it’s our right. Without labeling of GE foods, we cannot make informed choices about our food. The Just Label It campaign was created to advocate for the labeling of GE foods (www.justlabelit.org). Today our guest is Robyn O’Brien, founder of Allergy Kids Foundation and author of The Unhealthy Truth. A former food industry analyst, Fulbright grant recipient, author and mother of four, Robyn O’Brien brings insight and detailed analysis to her research into the impact that the global food system is having on our health. She is regarded as an expert on children’s health policy, hailed as “food’s Erin Brockovich” by The New York Times and has been named by SHAPE Magazine as a “Women To Shape the World”

“We are not helpless,” was the message from Ken Alex, Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Brown and Director of the Office of Planning and Research, at the recent press conference announcing the release of California’s historic body of research assessing the state’s vulnerabilities to the effects of climate change. Over 120 scientists organized into 26 research teams have completed over 30 studies that demonstrate the likelihood of certain climate changes in California over the next several decades; what regions, systems, and communities are most vulnerable to the changes; and steps that communities and individuals can take to increase their resilience and ability to adapt to these changes. Our guests today are Dr. Robert Weisenmiller, Chairperson of the California Energy Commission, which is the organization that commissioned the studies; and Dr. Susanne Moser, one of the leading scientists involved in the research. We will discuss the findings of the research teams, and ways that other states can replicate th

My guest is author and leading green architect, David Bergman. An architect, ecodesigner and LEED Accredited Professional with more than 25 years of experience, Bergman has recently completed his first book, Sustainable Design: A Critical Guide, to rave reviews. Written for students and professionals as well as anyone looking to get an overall understanding of the general concepts of sustainable design, this book presents a concise and well-illustrated text of not just actionable advice for design implementation, but also a discourse on the discipline’s ethical responsibility in the field. Each chapter takes on specific considerations such as rainwater harvesting, gray-water recycling, passive heating techniques, green roofs, wind energy, day-lighting, indoor air quality, material evaluation, and green building certification programs. During this show, David will discuss how we can come out the other side of our concurrent ECOlogical and ECOnomic crises in a better place than we started.

Today we’ll be joined by Major General Anthony Jackson, USMC (ret.), Lt. General John Castellaw, USMC (ret.), and retired Republican Senator John Warner, who also served in the Marine Corps and as the Secretary of the Navy from 1972-74. Each will discuss his views on America’s energy future and the need for advanced biofuels in the military. Tune in to hear what our armed forces are doing to conserve energy in every facet of their operations, and how military bases are generating impressive amounts of clean, green energy. Most importantly, listen in to learn why today’s military leaders are so driven to help our nation become self-sufficient in meeting our energy needs, and in the words of Maj. General Jackson, why we need to decide as a nation that we will no longer be content to shed American blood for oil.

On Earth Day, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling rig sank creating the worst oil spill in history. According to the global media, the story ended when the well was capped – but that’s when the real story began. By exposing the root causes of the oil spill and what really happened after the news cameras left the Gulf states, filmmakers Josh and Rebecca Tickell uncover a vast network of corruption. With help from executive producers, Tim Robbins, Peter Fonda, and Maggie Wachsberger, the film takes the audience into places no other camera crews dared go, and into the lives of everyday Americans whose lives will be forever altered by this disaster. The New Orleans Times Picayune says THE BIG FIX is “a full-on, no-holds-barred bit of investigative journalism” into the dark secrets surrounding one of the largest manmade environmental catastrophes in American history. Tune in as we talk with Josh and Rebecca about their perilous journey to capture the truth on film.

Since the 1950s, it has become routine practice in many countries to add low levels of antibiotics to the feed or water of healthy poultry, cattle, and swine to promote faster growth and prevent infections that tend to occur when animals are housed in crowded, unsanitary conditions. The unnecessary use of antibiotics on farms is a key culprit in the rise of drug-resistant bacteria that pose a growing public health risk. By overusing antibiotics on farms and feeding them to healthy animals we’re making the drugs doctors rely on to treat illnesses like pneumonia, strep throat, and childhood ear infections less effective. Tune in to learn how drug-resistant bacteria are released into the environment, how they impact human health, and what you can do to protect your family.

On Earth Day, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling rig sank creating the worst oil spill in history. According to the global media, the story ended when the well was capped – but that’s when the real story began. By exposing the root causes of the oil spill and what really happened after the news cameras left the Gulf states, filmmakers Josh and Rebecca Tickell uncover a vast network of corruption. With help from executive producers, Tim Robbins, Peter Fonda, and Maggie Wachsberger, the film takes the audience into places no other camera crews dared go, and into the lives of everyday Americans whose lives will be forever altered by this disaster. The New Orleans Times Picayune says THE BIG FIX is “a full-on, no-holds-barred bit of investigative journalism” into the dark secrets surrounding one of the largest manmade environmental catastrophes in American history. Tune in as we talk with Josh and Rebecca about their perilous journey to capture the truth on film.

A foreign oil company wants to build a tar sand oil pipeline that will cut through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The tar sands would flow across an aquifer that provides drinking water and crop irrigation to eight states. Is this good for America? Tune in as we discuss this issue with Chicago-based, Josh Mogerman, deputy director of the NRDC’s national media program.

It would be hard to overestimate David Brower's influence on the environmental movement. As its first director, Brower built the Sierra Club into the flagship conservation organization that it remains today. He went on to found the League of Conservation Voters, Friends of the Earth, and Earth Island Institute, all of which have been instrumental in saving countless natural wonders. An outspoken and tireless defender of the environment long before it was a popular to be so, Brower fought to protect iconic places like the Grand Canyon and the California redwood forests. His passion, eloquence, and conviction roused the conscience and spirit of young activists and shifted environmental concerns into public awareness and on to the popular agenda. Now, David Brower's son Kenneth, an acclaimed nature writer, has brought together the testimonials of twenty environmental leaders whose lives and careers were transformed by his father.

What do coal plants, volcanoes, and your breath have in common? Carbon emissions. Of course, there are countless examples of additional sources of carbon emissions – some natural, some man-made – but our planet’s ability to absorb all that carbon is strained, to say the least. Wetlands, forests and oceans are the systems that bear the greatest capacity to extract carbon from the atmosphere, but as Earth’s CO2 levels continue to rise, and forests and wetlands increasingly succumb to development, the ocean is left to do more of the heavy lifting when it comes to carbon sequestration. As a result, the ocean is becoming more acidic and more hostile to marine life. Even if you don’t eat seafood, the increased acidity of the ocean is having a negative impact on human life. Tune in today as we talk with Brita Belli, editor-in-chief of E-The Environmental Magazine, as she discusses her cover story in this month’s edition: “Oceans on Acid – Rising carbon emissions are changing the chemistry of our seas, threatening sh

Food is one of the most basic things that all human beings have in common. We don’t all eat the same types of food, but we are all linked to one another in our need for nourishment. Modern agriculture has increased the amount of food that is produced, yet even in America, there are hungry, malnourished children. Additionally, the environmental footprint of modern agriculture places it in direct competition with other industries and consumers for limited resources like oil, water, and minerals. On top of that, the way we as consumers handle our food compounds the environmental impact of our food supply. What we purchase and what we waste can have very negative effects on our air, water and soil quality. Tune in today as we talk with Jonathan Kaplan, the Director of Food and Agriculture and Senior Policy Specialist at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Andrea Northup, , Founder and Director of D.C. Farm to School Network, and NRDC’s 2012 Growing Green Award Winner in the Young Food Leader categor

“The United States is still almost completely reliant on finite fossil fuels, which are rapidly being depleted,” says R. Paul Williamson, author of Winning the Energy Wars: A Sustainable Energy Plan for America’s Future (www.usa-sep.com). “We should be following a plan now that transitions us to sustainable energy sources but, believe or not, there is no plan.” Dr. Williamson has a plan. Tune in as he shares insights into three innovative features of his proposal: Abolish the U.S. Department of Energy. The Department of Energy has done nothing to create a sustainable energy plan in its 35 years of existence. Such a strategic plan isn’t even a goal. Create a Governors National Sustainable Energy Council. Thirty of our 50 states have adopted goals for sustainable energy, and some have already achieved them Funding from the decommissioned Department of Energy (currently, $25 to $35 billion a year) would be diverted to the council. Enact legislation to establish funding. Williamson proposes a National Alternative

It would be hard to overestimate David Brower's influence on the environmental movement. As its first director, Brower built the Sierra Club into the flagship conservation organization that it remains today. He went on to found the League of Conservation Voters, Friends of the Earth, and Earth Island Institute, all of which have been instrumental in saving countless natural wonders. An outspoken and tireless defender of the environment long before it was a popular to be so, Brower fought to protect iconic places like the Grand Canyon and the California redwood forests. His passion, eloquence, and conviction roused the conscience and spirit of young activists and shifted environmental concerns into public awareness and on to the popular agenda. Now, David Brower's son Kenneth, an acclaimed nature writer, has brought together the testimonials of twenty environmental leaders whose lives and careers were transformed by his father. Tune in as Kenneth shares his insights on one of the pioneers of modern environment

Chris Martenson may know more about The Three E’s (economy, energy and environment) than just about anybody else. Once a vice-president of an international Fortune 300 company, he was definitely part of the 1%. Now, the dynamic, articulate and entertaining Martenson is regularly invited to speak at the United Nations, major corporations, municipalities, the U.K. House of Parliament and various U.S. state legislatures – but not because his message is one the 1% want to hear. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Dr. Martenson has devoted himself to dissecting and explaining “The Three E’s” in a way which helps the 99% understand what is going on. His book, The Crash Course, discusses unsustainable trends in the economy, energy and the environment with solid facts presented in a calm, nonpartisan manner. Tune in to hear Chris discuss his positive vision for how our lives can become more balanced, resilient, and sustainable.

Studies show that more than 90% of Americans support mandatory labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods. Yet for twenty years we have been denied that right. While our reasons for wanting to know what’s in our food may vary, what unifies us is the belief that it’s our right. Without labeling of GE foods, we cannot make informed choices about our food. The Just Label It campaign was created to advocate for the labeling of GE foods (www.justlabelit.org). Today our guest is Robyn O’Brien, founder of Allergy Kids Foundation and author of The Unhealthy Truth. A former food industry analyst, Fulbright grant recipient, author and mother of four, Robyn O’Brien brings insight and detailed analysis to her research into the impact that the global food system is having on our health. She is regarded as an expert on children’s health policy, hailed as “food’s Erin Brockovich” by The New York Times and has been named by SHAPE Magazine as a “Women To Shape the World”

Are genetically modified seeds and crops safe for human consumption? Are they already in our food supply? Should genetically modified food be labeled as such, so consumers can decide for themselves if they wish to purchase it? Today we’re joined by Megan Westgate, Executive Director of the Non GMO Project (www.nongmoproject.org). Megan will discuss GMO’s from the perspective of consumers, farmers, and the future of our global food supply.

At 8:30 p.m. on March 31, people around the world will turn off their lights for one hour to show their commitment to saving energy and saving the Earth. What started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia has now become a worldwide movement. Some will celebrate by candlelight in a public gathering, while others will do so in the privacy of their homes. In either case, millions of people will unite in one common cause: to take personal action to help stop climate change. Today’s guest is John McDonald, Director, Technical Strategy and Policy Development for GE Energy’s Digital Energy business. He will discuss the impact of Earth Hour, the latest technological breakthroughs shaping our energy future, and what each of us can do to positively impact the way energy is distributed around the world.

Will it be up to women to save the planet? Perhaps, according to a new award-winning documentary, Mother: Caring for 7 Billion. Grounded largely in the theories of acclaimed social scientist and best-selling author Riane Eisler, the film strives not to pass on blame for our environmental and social challenges, but to rather to educate, highlighting a different path for humanity. The film highlights encouraging evidence of what’s starting to happen around the world. Women, who have been primarily responsible for the work of care all these years, are now stepping into new roles of public leadership all over the planet. A child’s rights activist in Mother believes this could create a tidal wave of change, that’s not only going to ease our population problem, but also bring about policies that will sustain a new attitude towards our planet. Eisler’s research documents what Mother shows: that environmental health, population stabilization, and raising the status of women worldwide are inextricably intertwined.

The pipes that make up our nation’s water systems were not built to last forever. They need maintenance, and in many cases, they need replacement, but government investment to keep our water flowing has dried up. Without significant investment in our clean water delivery systems and our wastewater treatment facilities, we will no longer be able to take clean water for granted. Clean water isn’t just needed for drinking, it’s needed to water our crops and to operate our nation’s energy plants. Obviously, this is not a problem that we can fix by purchasing bottled water. Today’s guest is the national campaign manager for Public Water Works, an effort to bring government investment in our water infrastructure back up to the levels it was in the 1940’s and ‘50’s, when our nation was committed to ensuring that safe and reliable water was a priority from coast to coast. Tune in to learn more about what you can do to get involved.

At 8:30 p.m. on March 31, people around the world will turn off their lights for one hour to show their commitment to saving energy and saving the Earth. What started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia has now become a worldwide movement. Some will celebrate by candlelight in a public gathering, while others will do so in the privacy of their homes. In either case, millions of people will unite in one common cause: to take personal action to help stop climate change. Today’s guest is John McDonald, Director, Technical Strategy and Policy Development for GE Energy’s Digital Energy business. He will discuss the impact of Earth Hour, the latest technological breakthroughs shaping our energy future, and what each of us can do to positively impact the way energy is distributed around the world.