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#071 TRANSPORTATION Original Air Date 1/9/07 TRT 57:00
NEWS segment features articles on “Sustainable Today” featuring our program in the Portland Tribune; Federal Court strikes down the Bush Administrations strategy to reduce smog; Articles on alternative transportation, Genetically modified e-coli enzyme that can break down cellulose for conversion to bio-fuels; Air travel shown to be large contributor to greenhouse gasses; Britain pledges to reduce carbon by 60%, institutes a system for carbon rationing; Oregon makes sustainability a part of its economic platform.
Rich Cassidy is the director of transportation options for the City of Portland. Highlights alternate transportation options such as mass transit, walking, bicycling, energy efficient cars including flex car and hybrid and electric vehicles. Describes a number of programs the city has implemented to motivate people to leave the car in the garage.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Buzz Duell of MC Electric Vehicles in Portland show what kinds of Electric Vehicles are available and street legal today.
INTERVIEW continues with Rich Cassidy
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT features PECI (Portland Energy Conservation Inc) Non-profit consulting firm that won the 2007 BEST award from the City of Portland for the most employees using alternative transportation.
CALL TO ACTION
1. For short trips walk
or bike
2. Get a pedometer and
walk
10,000 steps a day
3. Use alternative
transport
to commute to work once or twice per month.
4. Combine trips & car
pool when driving
5. Help someone else use
alternate transport
6. Ask HR if they have
incentives
7. Buy the most fuel
efficient
vehicle
#072 WASTE Original Air Date 2/13/07 TRT 57:45
Hosted by Marsha only (Darcy on vacation)
NEWS: Fire regardant PVBDE turning up in human bodies; Lots of action regarding global warming and carbon capping in congress; Oregon Bottle Bill will now cover plastic water bottles;
INTERVIEW with Wayne Rifer, Rifer Environmental & Jeff Omelchuck of the Green Electronic Council and Zero Waste Alliance. Discussion includes the state of our waste management systems today, what is and is not waste and the use of recycling and the newer phenomena of PRE-Cycling.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Northwest Earth Institute shows how to PRE-Cycle through demonstration and a visit to the supermarket.
INTERVIEW continues with a special focus on the growing problem of electronic waste. What gets land filled, and worse gets shipped overseas where it contributes to environment degradation and health problems in the third world.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: CTL (Computer Technology Link) Computer company in Portland that produces recyclable and energy efficient computers and their companion company Retronics that takes in, disassembles and properly disposes of a variety of electronic products.
CALL TO ACTION:
Call Metro Hotline to see
where you can recycle things that are not curbside recyclable.
Take old rechargeable
batteries
back to the store.
Buy computers on the EPEAT
list
Turn off computer and
remove
wall mounted power supplies when not in use.
#073 WATER Original Air Date 3/13/07 TRT 55:30
NEWS: Global Warming declared real and that human activity is very likes the cause of the rise in temperature; The high cost of cheap coal (Newsweek); European Union sets climate change targets, cut greenhouse gasses by 20%; April “Step It Up 07 campaign; California introduces the “how many legislators does it take to change a light bulb act” promotes use of Compact Fluorescent Bulbs; EPA Certification of people who do landscaping & irrigation work; Bank of America dedicates 18 billion to develop green products and discounts on mortgages for green projects; PCBs in the Willamette River show up in fish; Olympic length triathalon reconsiders swimming in Willamette.
NOTE at about 7:30 on the counter there is an announcement for new air times for Sustainable Today that are not relevant to your playback.
INTERVIEW with Kim
Swan,
Water Environmental Co-Ordinator for South Fork Water Board serving
Oregon
City and West Linn. Talks about finding water sources for
the
area, how to conserve water and guard against pollution that may
threaten
the supply.
Also about water problems
world wide and the finite limit of water supplies.
Discussion
includes how water gets used and when and how to combat shortages.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: DaVinci Arts Middle School Water Garden Project. Students teachers and community members build and demonstrate a storm water run-off system that creates habitat, people space, and water purification techniques.
INTERVIEW continues with Kim Swan focuses on water conservation and water pollution protection. Includes two calls from the public. Discusses how to insure your drinking water remains clean.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: DeSantis Landscaping... Xeriscaping Demonstrates sustainable development techniques to handle storm water run-off and on-site conservation and natural purification.
CALL TO ACTION:
HOME
Disconnect down spouts
onto
pervious surfaces
Use drought-resistant
plants
Avoid pesticides and
synthetic
fertilizers
Let your lawn go brown in
summer (it’ll come back)
Buy water and energy
saving
appliances (low flow toilets & showers)
Stop drips and leaks
Time your Showers
WORK
Manage storm water runoff
Use water friendly
cleaning
products and chemicals in the workplace
Dispose of toxic
substances
properly
#074 DEVELOPMENT Original Air Date 4/7/07 TRT 57:00
NEWS: Supreme Court ruling that requires the EPA to consider carbon and CO2 as an air pollutant; Motor Trend article on different types of eco-friendly cars; Realtors listing service includes green attributes of homes for sale;
INTERVIEW with Tim Smith from SERA Architects about Urban Design and smart growth principles. Why does growth happen and why is it so problematic, the state of urban growth worldwide, growth factors and suburbia versus city living. How growth and development went wrong in the past an what we can do to re-develop or newly develop communities more sustainably.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: The re-development of Columbia Villa in North Portland. A 1950's suburban community to support shipyard workers that declined into a low income ghetto. Marcy McInelly of Urbs Works planned the redevelopment and takes us on a tour of how they built this into a viable sustainable community now known as New Columbia.
INTERVIEW continues with Tim Smith. How do you fix up a community that is already in existence, and what makes a viable community and what are the advantages of it.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: The City Repair Project is a non-profit organization that encourages, educates and executes neighborhood unification projects such as community spaces and places for people to gather and interact. Highlights a 10 day event called Village Building Convergence.
CALL TO ACTION:
HOME
Develop public spaces
where
people can get to know each other.
Find space for a community
garden.
Host a discussion course
Participate in your
neighborhood
association
Attend public hearings
that
relate to development in your area
WORK
Choose employment near
your
home (or vice versa)
Ask your employer to
provide
incentives for alternative transportation
When re-locating, choose
a site accessible by serval modes of transportation
Get together with other
organizations to identify and solve shared challenges.
#075 CLIMATE CHANGE Original Air Date 5/5/07 TRT 57:00
NEWS: New York Times, America needs to become the greenest nation possible to combat Terrorism, Temperature, & Jobs; Newsweek, Schwarzenegger pushes green legislation in California, create a west-coast carbon cap and trade system; New home development in Oregon with solar and PSU rooftop wind turbine experiments; Video voice-over of “Face It” rally held in downtown Portland with soundbite from Erik Sten, Portland City Commissioner.
INTERVIEW: Michael Armstrong Portland office of Sustainable Development. Discusses the state of the science is on the subject of Global Warming. Progress report on Portland and the State of Oregon. What contributes to greenhouse gasses beyond the obvious burning of fossil fuel. Social and economic implication of escalating fuel prices and how that impacts climate change.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Coverage of Portland’s Earth Day celebration and the history of the event.
INTERVIEW adds Craig Diamond, from the Climate Trust, an organization that tracks and co-ordinates carbon offsets as a way to reduce the amount of carbon produced overall. Specifically, an entity pays someone to reduce carbon production on someone elses behalf. Discusses the voluntary market and the regulatory market for offsets, the state of cap and trade requirements and participation, and how to get involved. Also discussed are carbon taxes.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Blue Heron Paper Company used Climate and Energy trust funds to reduce energy consumption and increase the use of recycled materials to produce needed products.
CALL TO ACTION:
HOME
Insulate your home and
seal
air leaks
When buying new heating
systems & appliances select Energy Star & the most efficient.
Use a fan instead of air
conditioning.
Change to compact
florescent
bulbs
Walk an bike instead of
driving
When driving select the
most fuel efficient vehicles
Fly less and/or offset
your
emissions by buying carbon credits
Sign up for green power
from your electric company.
Eat locally and
organically
grown food.
Calculate your greenhouse
gas emissions (carboncounter.org)
WORK
Conduct an energy audit
and act on the results
Purchase green power
Reduce business travel
Commute using alternative
methods other than cars
Conduct a greenhouse gas
inventory and set a goal to become carbon neutral over time.
#076 TOXICS Original Air Date 6/9/07 TRT 56:30
NEWS: Global rate of greenhouse gas increase is accelerating; Europe is level or dropping; Portland is dropping; Oregon passed energy bill that requires 25% of energy to come from renewable sources (solar or wind) by 2025; Common household chemicals are now linked to breast cancer; Bad air linked to low birth weight; PCBs showing up in water and now Osprey (we already know about fish); Caffeine is showing up in water along with pharmaceuticals including anti-depressants.
INTERVIEW with Molly
Chidsey,
Pollution and Waste Prevention from Multnomah County. Molly
focuses
her work primarily on toxics reduction. Discussion revolves
around
the body burden of chemicals that can be found in the human body and
how
it gets there.
What the government and
regulators require and do not require when considering basic health and
safety testing of products.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT:
Oregon
Environmental Council and the Eco-Healthy Childcare.
25 “best practices”
recommendations are offered to childcare providers and homemakers to
keep
toxic substances out of children’s environments. ST
tours
the Rowanberry pre-school to see how they have implemented the
recommendation.
INTERVIEW continues with Molly Chidsey. Discussion revolves around the state of the toxics reduction efforts and clean technology. How businesses and industry is choosing alternatives or making products without toxics. How can you avoid toxic products.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Commercially produced soap and other personal care products can contain toxics. ST visits the Oregon Soap Company which produces an all natural, all organic completely toxin free soap.
CALL TO ACTION:
HOME
Switch to non-toxic,
bio-based
cleaning products
Use non-toxic furnishings
and building products
Use products as directed
Dispose of materials
properly
Research your purchases
Buy Organic foods to avoid
high level pesticide residue foods (The EWG dirty dozen)
WORK
Start a recycling system
that allows employees to bring difficult to recycle items to add to the
company waste stream.
Ask your janitorial
service
to use green cleaning products.
When remodeling use low
VOC materials
Do a chemical inventory,
Find alternatives, Have up-to-date MSD’s
#077 ORGANIC PRODUCE Original Air Date 7/14/07 TRT 58:30
NEWS: New York Times article about “Climate Counts” a chart which rates products on the basis of climate performance; City in Sweden strives to eliminate fossil fuels from the city; Declining bird population due to habitat loss and pollution; EPA is required to test chemical for endocrine disruptors finally tests 73 pesticides; EPA is now enforcing the release of formaldehyde regulations.
INTERVIEW Chris Schreiner, Quality Control Director for Oregon Tilth. Chris explains what Oregon Tilth is and what they do beyond certifying organic foods and producers and their products. Discussed is the growth of giant agri-businesses and why this produces environmental problems. Stresses the expansion of organic and local food production. Discusses Genetically Modified Organisms and the dangers they pose including the terminator gene.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: The Organic Seed Supply Industry. ST visits the Wild Garden Seed Company and explores the role of the Organic Seed Alliance. The goal is to preserve organic resources for use by farmers to develop the open source market for organic seed.
INTERVIEW continues with Chris Schreiner. Discussed is what is meant by and required to bear the label “Organic.” Also why organic food is currently more expensive than conventionally grown and likely will become less so over time. Some issues include yields and other conventional versus organic choices.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) ST visits the Birds and Bees community farm which is a non-profit public land trust farm where customers sign up and pay a monthly fee to receive fresh, locally and organically grown produce straight from the farm.
CALL TO ACTION
HOME
Join a CSA
Buy local and Buy organic
Ask your grocer where the
produce comes from
Grow your own
WORK
Source organic for work
supplied food.
Get work food service to
support local, sustainable and organic products.
Create a significant
demand
and market opportunities to encourage ongoing growth in the organic
sector.
#078 HUNGER Original Air Date 8/03/07 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: Nature magazine publishes a study that shows how climate change affects where the weather patterns have changed bringing more rain to Great Britan and less to other parts of the world. Oregonian: Palm Desert establishes a policy for reducing energy use by 30% in 5 years. Globe & Mail: A Town in Canada bans the use of lawn chemicals. Oakland Tribune: Impact of the farm bill and the process which is currently being negotiated.
INTERVIEW: Ann Forsthoefel, representative from the Oregon Food Bank, explains the food bank and what it does. Anna talks about why there are people with “Food Insecurity” in the US. Economic and job security and food quality issues are discussed along with the scope of the problem. Food insecurity costs the nation $90 billion per year. Side impacts involve education and developmental problems. The relationship between hunger and environmental issues are also addressed.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Kids Café, a food service provided by Second Harvest at the Boys and Girls Club in Portland. What they do and why feeding the children who attend the Club is important. Features kids who volunteer to prepare and serve food.
INTERVIEW: Continues with Ann Forsthoefel. Programs run by the Food Bank beyond the collection and distribution of food. Gardening, Cooking and nutrition classes that are offered.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Peoples Co-Op. A food co-operative that has operated in Portland for 37 years, working hard with local farmers and organic suppliers to provide high quality nutritional food at low prices.
CALL TO ACTION:
HOME
• Add a row to your garden
and give the produce to the Food Bank
• Participate in food
drives
and activities
• Investigate nutrition
practices at school and encourage more use of fruits and vegetables.
• Plant an edible landscape
• Help neighbors pick
fruit
and nuts and donate them
• Buy local to support
family
wage jobs
• Drive less to reduce the
use of biofuels
WORK
• Pay a living wage and
provide benefits to all employees.
• Let employees volunteer
at your local food pantry.
• Encourage employee
giving
programs
• Organize a food or fund
drive
• Investigate food rescue
programs
#079 BIOFUELS Original Air Date 9/08/07 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: Newsweek Article about “Global Warming is a Hoax” which dissects the strategy of those who still reject the evidence. “Popular Science” environmental problems with widening deserts and water shortages and nitrogen in soils that cause dead zones. California lawsuit that ruled that trash haulers, school and city bus lines and other publicly funded fleets can be required to by low polluting fuel.
INTERVIEW: Gavin Carpenter, Sequential Biofuels and Randy Leonard, Portland City Commissioner discuss the use of biofuels. What are they, how can we use them what are the problems... Leonard talks about Portland’s legislation to require 5% biodiesel content in all diesel fuel sold inside the City.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: ST Follows the trail of Biodiesel production from the farm (Madison Farms in Eco Oregon) To the processing plant (SeQuential Pacific Biofuels in Salem, OR) To the distributor (Star Oilco Portland, OR) to the pump (Jays Garage Portland)
INTERVIEW: Gavin and
Randy
continue to discuss foreign production of biofuels in Argentina and the
use of palm oil shipped from the third world to US processing plants.
Also the use of
genetically
modified crops to produce feedstock. How to supply the growing
demand
and to truly replace fossil oil, and finally the production of new
vehicles
designed to run on Biodiesel and Ethanol.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Do It Yourself Biodiesel. The Biodiesel Co-operative and Portland Community College team up to run a class on how to make your own.
CALL TO ACTION
HOME
• Drive Less
• Buy the most fuel
efficient
vehicle that meets your needs
• Choose a diesel or
flexible
fuel vehicle to take advantage of emerging biofuels.
• Use biofuels (E85 and
Biodiesel) that come from sustainable feedstock
• When you dine at a
restaurant
that uses lots of oil, ask if the recycle it for biofuel.
WORK
• Promote the use of
public
transportation for commuting and business travel.
• Implement policies that
reduce the need for business travel and encourage employees to use the
smallest, most fuel efficient vehicle that meets their needs for each
trip.
• If you have fleet
vehicles,
purchase the most fuel efficient vehicles that will meet your needs,
and
use alternative fuels where possible.
• Use a service like
FlexCar
as your fleet and allow employees to use them for errands during the
day
to support their use of alternative transportation.
• Offer incentives to help
employees buy fuel-efficient vehicles and put a fueling station on
site.
(Gavin has example.)
• If you’re in Oregon,
take
advantage of the Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC)
#0710 HEALTH CARE Original Air Date 10/13/07 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: Cornell study determines 40% of all deaths are related to pollution issues. Water borne infections account for 80% of all infectious diseases. Global warming influences parasite evolution resulting in the re-emergence of tuberculosis, influenza and new diseases such as West Nile and Lyme disease. California Public Health reports a connection between pesticides and autism. Good news, a bio-based manufacturer is making toys out of dextrose. Toys made of sugar every kids dream.
INTERVIEW: Former Governor of the State of Oregon John Kitzhaber discusses health care reform. Gov Kitzhaber was instrumental in implementing the Oregon Health Plan for Kids. He discusses the political, economic and environmental impacts of health care on our society and outlines his plan for a shift in thinking about how we take care of our health in this country. He founded the Archimedes movement and describes how it will fuel the necessary debate.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Fanno Creek Medical Clinic, Perhaps the first medical clinic in Oregon to utilize solar panels to off-set their electricity expense, they also provide cash incentives to their employees for practicing conservation at home, work to help insure that our elementary schools stay open, and they will not abandon you if you need to go on medicare.
INTERVIEW: Continues with John Kitzhaber. The use of the ER as a source of healthcare and what’s being done about it... Efforts to provide better preventative care... Models nationally and internationally for workable healthcare systems... and major projects for reform are discussed.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: The Southwest Community Health Care Center is one of a few Safety Net" clinics in the Portland area, established primarily to catch patients who fall between the cracks. Funded by grants and donations and staffed by volunteers the organization seeks to provide acute care for the uninsured to avoid that costly trip to the emergency room.
CALL TO ACTION:
Slightly different format
for this program. Governor Kitzhaber talks about preventative
measures,
immunizations, Health Savings Accounts and taking a more proactive
stance
with regard to healthy behavior.
#0711 SALMON Original Air Date 11/10/07 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: Oregonian Icemelt in Greenland faster than predicted. A total melt will raise sea levels by 23 feet and effects on air flows will result in a drier California and wetter Oregon. Oregonian: Story about the use of lead in garden hoses. The Independent (Britain) relates exposure to lead as children and the crime rate when those children grow up 20 years later. Lead has long been known to cause brain damage that can lead to criminal and aggressive behavior. National Geographic: Issue on the comparison of various biofuels and their production and the future use of algae as a source of biofuel.
INTERVIEW: Spencer Beebe, President of ecotrust and Guyido Rahr, President CEO of The Wild Salmon center, discuss their organizations efforts to protect and restore salmon stocks. Also the state of Salmon in the world and in the Northwest. They discuss the importance of salmon and what the impact of their loss will have on the environment, economy and culture both locally and internationally.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Oxbow Salmon Festival: Every year Metro and the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission join forces to celebrate the return of the salmon to the Sandy River in Oregon. Sadly in recent years, fewer and fewer fall Chinook manage to make it home again. This year, more than ever, the Salmon Festival at Oxbow Park plays a significant role in capturing the public’s attention and focuses it on why salmon are so important and what we as individuals can do to help.
INTERVIEW: Continues, with the thinks that are currently being done to restore the salmon runs, what is working and what is not. The effects of farming salmon, the process and the consequences, and about the commercial harvesting of salmon, its impact on the economy and the species.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Portland General Electrics decision to remove Marmot dam on the Sand and Little Sandy rivers and restore those watersheds to free flowing natural streams after 95 years of blockage for power generation.
CALL TO ACTION:
HOME
• Eat wild salmon
• Ask for wild or
certified
fish at restaurants (marine Stewardship Council has lists of where to
buy
- http://www.msc.org/)
• Keep pollutants out of
your storm drain
• Get your omega 3
nutrients
from other sources (e.g. flax seed)
WORK
• Treat storm water on site
• Buy green power (to
reduce
mercury pollution)
• Conserve water
• Restaurants/food
services
0 use only certified fish
• Agriculture – grow crops
that need minimal water and chemical treatment
#0712 FINANCING SUSTAINABILITY Original Air Date 12/8/07 TRT: 58:30
News: Oregonian: Making a plug for meters. Man develops shelf-top meter that shows household (or business) energy consumption in dollars. Oregonian: Oregon stat attorney general sponsors a petition to the SEC to force public companies to disclose climate change risk. Washington Post: Walmart requires all suppliers to report greenhouse gas emissions. Buffalo News report about the growth of green collar jobs.
INTERVIEW: Glen Montgomery of the Oregon Economic and community Development and Lisa Adatto from the Oregon Business Association discuss the various way the state and local business can finance start-up companies in the “green industry.” And they highlight the potential for growth and their respective roles in promoting that growth. Various financial mechanisms include angel investors, venture capital, revolving funds and banks.
BUSINESS
SPOTLIGHT:
Shore Bank Pacific, markets itself on sustainability and applies
criteria
for sustainability when businesses and organizations apply for loans.
We take a drive from
Portland
to Clatskanie in a “Flex Car”, one of the businesses Shore Bank helped
finance. The destination is the, currently under construction,
ethanol
plant another enterprise supported by Shore Bank. CEO David
Williams explains the bank’s philosophy.
INTERVIEW: Glen and Lisa continue with programs that invest in sustain ability-related industry. Also where people with good ideas and business plans can go to get help. Then Lisa explains the Oregon Business Association’s new “Sustain ability Angels” program. Finally they offer an analysis of the current financial climate and where the funding gap currently lies.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Tryon Life Community Farms. A case study of a non-profit startup trying to fun the purchase and preservation of a 7 acre farm adjacent to Tryon Creek State Park in Portland. They had 9 months to raise $1.6 million to rescue the land from developers. J. Brush explains how they pulled it off.
CALL TO ACTION:
HOME:
• Choose sustain ability
and socially responsible related investments.
• Bank with a company that
lends to sustain ability related projects of ventures.
• Patronize businesses
that
pursue sustain ability
• Invest in your own
home.
Weatherize, use renewable power and high efficiency appliances.
• Sign up for green power
programs
• If you heat with oil,
use biodiesel instead.
• Purchase carbon credits
or renewable energy credits to reduce your ecological footprint.
• Look for green Realtors
and homes with sustainable features when buying a house.
• Look for green mortgage
brokers and insurance companies.
WORK:
• Take advantage of tax
credits for projects related to energy efficiency, renewable energy,
recycling
and car pooling.
• Provide employees a
sustainable
option for the 401-K
• Invest in your
workspace:
Incorporate LEED standards into renovations and new construction.
• Establish a “green team”
to share information ans support sustainable business practices
• Support investments in
renewable energy
• Consider purchasing
carbon
offsets or renewable energy credits.
#0801 WIND POWER Original air date 1/12/08 TRT 58:30
News: SCIENCE
Magazine
report form Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Report on
UN climate conference in Bali. Us objections watered down the
reduction
goals. Wall Street Journal uses the word “Sustainable” in an
article
describing top global issues. No explanation of the word given so
it is assumed understood. USA Today reports 70% of
investors
check a company’s track record on social responsibility issues.
And
a Cannon Ad touts their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.
The Oregon Business Leadership Conference focuses on ways to position
Oregon
vis a vis sustain ability.
And the new Australian
Prime
Minister promptly signs on to the Kyoto accords.
INTERVIEW: Rachel Shimshak from The Renewable Northwest Project and Troy Gagliano from enXco discuss what’s involved with large scale wind projects and why this sector is the fastest growing area of the renewable energy business. Social and economic benefits of wind power are examined and what are the down sides.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: We visit the home of Warren and Elizabeth Griffin in Salem who have installed their own wind generator. Will George talks with them about how they went about it and how it has worked out for them.
INTERVIEW: Toby Kinkaid from Solardyne is introduced. Toby talks about his idea for a small scale silent and portable wind turbine that is more suitable for urban applications. The discussion continues with Rachel Shimshak about where and when small scale wind projects are practical and where people can find information about wind generators.
CALL TO ACTION:
HOME
• Reduce your need for
Energy:
• Insulate your home, Buy
compact fluorescent bulbs, Use “energy star” appliances.
• Calculate your carbon
footprint
• Sign up for Green Power
• Purchase carbon offsets
for the rest of your greenhouse gasses.
WORK
• Take advantage of tax
credits related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, recycling and
car-pooling.
• BECT in Oregon
• Invest in your workspace
• Incorporate LEED
standards
into major renovations and new construction
• Promote the fact that
you are buying Green Power
• Encourage customers and
suppliers to do the same.
• Consider purchasing
carbon
offsets or renewable energy credits.
#0802 WATER RESOURCES Original air date 2/8/08 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: Oregonian Article
about
Race and Environmentalism Over 1/3 of environmental groups and 1/5 of
green
government agencies do not have a single non-white person on the
staff.
FOCUS THE NATION event at University of Portland brought together
scholars,
students and government officials including Oregon’s governor Ted
Kulongoski.
This event was attended by many non-whites. Study from
Johns
Hopkins University concludes that what we consider normal aging might
be
tied to lead exposure many years before. Parade Magazine tested
33
lipsticks and found high lead content in half of them.
Pharmaceutical
companies are getting heat for prescription drugs being found in
rivers.
Water treatment systems don’t remove drugs. Oregonian
reports
a program whereby people can return unused prescriptions instead of
flushing
them down the toilet. Associated Press story about farmers
selling water to municipalities rather than use their rights to grow
crops.
Residents of Long Beach can’t run fountains and it is illegal to serve
water to customers in restaurants unless they ask for it. Orange
county is re-processing sewage back into drinking water. National
Geographic article about the “Drying of
the West?”
INTERVIEW: Lorna Stickel, resource planning manager for the Portland Water Bureau and project manager for the Regional Water Providers consortium is the guest industry expert. Lorna is asked about the growing concern about water supplies and the social and economic problems this presents. Discussed is population growth, climate change, cyclical drought and pollution. Later climate change is examined in detail and what the models portend for future supplies in the Northwest and worldwide.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: (repeat) DaVinci Arts Middle School Water Garden Project. Students teachers and community members build and demonstrate a storm water run-off system that creates habitat, people space, and water purification techniques.
INTERVIEW continues with Lorna Stickel focuses on where our water in the Portland area comes from and what the forecasts are for future supply. Will we need new sources or will conservation be enough to counter climate change effects. Who uses most of the water and what practices and technologies are available to use water more conservatively? And finally the issue of water rights is explored and how they may need to be adjusted to compensate for shortages.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: (repeat) DeSantis Landscaping... Xeriscaping Demonstrates sustainable development techniques to handle storm water run-off and on-site conservation and natural purification.
CALL TO ACTION
HOME:
• Improve the soil in your
garden
• Choose native plants
• Water to the weather
• Tune up the irrigation
system
• Use low-flow fixtures
• Time your showers (5
mins)
WORK:
• Use high efficiency
fixtures
• Convert to non-water
based
heating and cooling systems
• Graph and analyze water
usage
#0803 CLEAN TECH & JOBS Original Air Date 03/11/08 TRT:58:30
NEWS: House OK’s bill to increase fuel efficiency of cars. (But still lower than Europe or Japan) Oregonian: Local utility that generates 65% from coal announces it is backing away from pursuing new plants. Another bill in congress proposes $20.5 in loan guarantees for the nuclear industry, half that offered for renewables. International Journal of Cancer: Children living within 3 miles of a nuclear plant have twice the risk for leukemia. Oregonian: Governor wants to expand renewable energy tax credits. Goal is to create green collar jobs in Oregon and is credited with bringing Solar World, a manufacturing facility that will create 1000 new jobs.
INTERVIEW: Ron Pernick, Author of Clean Tech Revolution. And owner of “Clean Edge” talks about his company and the services they offer. What are clean technologies, and how fast the industry is growing are discussed. Ron explains that Clean Tech is not a fad, but an industry that is here to stay and what that means for the economy. He also talks about the kinds of businesses that will dissolve as newer technologies become available.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: RJS Holdings / Robert Shields. Robert discusses his business model focused on bringing together diverse, sustainable entities and creating a holistic marketplace. He also shows us some of the unique technologies he is working with to bring innovative ideas to fruition such as, a Process to turn waste into diesel and he demonstrates a hydrogen fuel cell that increases gas mileage in conventional vehicles by injecting hydrogen into manifolds to reduce fuel consumption.
INTERVIEW: Ron Pernick continues his discussion of the most exciting and promising clean technologies, how they may change people’s lives and what obstacles or challenges are faced when implementing them. Ron also explains there is a dark side to new technologies and how to keep from making mistakes. He also gets into the implications for going local and job creation.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Oregon Public Broadcasting featured a group of community college students learning to be Wind Technicians in a recent Oregon Field Guide program. We are re-broadcasting that piece as an example of how clean technologies create a demand for jobs and what at least one school is doing to meet that demand.
CALL TO ACTION: Ron Pernick offers several suggestions for promoting and developing clean technologies in your home and businesses an how the government can assist in the effort. He talks about what is needed as well as what is in place and offers some valuable resources available to those who wish to investigate further.
#0804 CO-HOUSING Original air date 4/12/08 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: The Oregonian reports that fishing will be halted from Mexico to Oregon due to low fish populations. This may be the result of dead-zones created by global warming. The Washington Post reports two separate studies, which used models that take into affect how the oceans absorb CO2, The conclusion being that we’ll need to be climate neutral or close to it by mid century to avoid further warming. The Oregonian and Time magazine both published large articles siting 2 studies from the Journal of Science that concluded using corn and soy for fuel actually results in MORE carbon in the atmosphere because of the resulting forest clearing driven by the increased demand for fuel crops.
INTERVIEW with Terri Huggett manager of the Daybreak Co-housing Project and Gracie Kay, an architect who designed the Daybreak project and has experience with Co-housing in Europe. Terri and Grace explore what co-housing is and how it differs from other communal living situations and how it helps to create communities.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT features the Peninsula Commons designed and built by Eli Spevak and Mark Lakeman (better know as the leader of City Repair Project) We see the actual living spaces and how they are laid out and constructed not only for energy efficiency but for privacy while existing in a community atmosphere.
INTERVIEW pt. 2 continues with a discussion of the social aspects of co-housing, what they call “Social Sustainability” Also explored are the challenges presented by living in close proximity to neighbors. One of the primary concerns is communication. Finally the success of existing projects and the adjustments that are being made in new ones to insure a vibrant community and a sustainable lifestyles.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT Takes a look at a “different” sort of co-housing venture, that of housing for the homeless. Dave Samson , chairman of Dignity Village and reporter Nicole Lasage take a stroll through the Village and show us how 60 people can live together with little or no impact on the environment.
CALL TO ACTION
HOME
• Start a discussion
course
or use another mechanism for getting neighbors to know one another.
(Mention
NWEI)
• Start breaking bread
together.
Have a periodic potluck or shared meal. Take turns cooking.
• Take down fences. Some
neighborhoods have created shared spaces, connecting backyards.
• Start a tool lending
library.
• Do a City Repair project
together.
• Put out a bench to
encourage
neighbors to sit and talk.
Resources
Co-housing Association of
the United States www.cohousing.org
Intentional Communities,
www.ic.org
#0805 SOLAR POWER Original air date 5/10/08 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: Newsweek
dedicates
an issue to “leadership in the environment.” Reports 10 Fixes for
the Planet. Interesting new technologies include kite sails for
container
ships, solar technologies and electric cars. Businessweek
reports
than an Israeli entrepreneur wants Israel to produce electric cars with
interchangeable batteries.
The Oregonian reports that
the Bush administration finally approved a standard for greenhouse gas
emissions BUT it allows us to continue increasing emissions until 2025
THEN start cutting. The congress is taking a more aggressive
approach
by likely approving a cap and trade system, thereby cutting emissions
by
70% over then next 40 years. AND Earth day took place
again.
An estimated 5000 cruised booths selling green products, dodged stilt
walkers
and bobbed to music. The Sierra Club paraded electric cars and
SOLVE
organized 3000 volunteers for their annual clean up.
INTERVIEW: Christopher
Dymond
from the Oregon Department of energy discusses the mission and
what
services are offered, and answers the question, why is renewable energy
so important?
Solar is probably the
sexiest
form of renewable – it’s abundant, free, reliable (the sun always
rises)
– Christopher talks about the pros and cons of solar.
We also talk about where
solar is primarily used and whether or not Oregon has enough sun to
make
it viable.
Other questions include:
Given that solar is not cheaper than coal or oil based energy - why is
the state pursuing it? What is the end game for solar?
What’s been the trajectory
of this energy source? Is it growing as fast as other sources?
What
contribution does it make to the energy solution?
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Features the solar for Schools program run by the non-profit Bonneville Environmental Foundation. Gordon Westfall shows us an installation at the Sunnyside Environmental School where panels are being installed and students get a first hand education about how it works.
INTERVIEW; Christopher Dymond continues with an explanation of the various ways we can capture solar energy. Also the state of solar technology and its contribution to an emerging new industry for Oregon and the nation.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Mr Sun Solar’s John Patterson shows us an installation at the Lake Oswego Veterinary Clinic and explains how the business of solar has changed over the years. Phil Jefferson reports, Then Gordon Westfall takes us to the Oregon Solar Energy Industries Association’s annual Solar Expo to talk to manufacturers installers and trainers about the future in Solar energy.
CALL TO ACTION
HOME:
• Do a site inspection of
your home to determine energy conservation upgrades
• Sign up for Green Power
to help foster the development of renewable energy sources.
• Take advantage of
passive
solar energy. Put heat absorbing materials behind south facing
windows.
• Investigate solar hot
water systems
WORK:
• Use solar hot water to
augment existing mechanical systems
• Investigate large scale
photovoltaic systems as a supplemental energy source
RESOURCES:
• Oregon Department of
Energy,
Business Energy Tax Credit & Residential Energy Tax Credit.
www.or.gov/energy
• Federal tax credits
www.dsireusa.org
• energytrust.org
• U of o Solar radiation
monitoring lab
• OSEIA.org
#0806 INVASIVE SPECIES Original air date 6/12/08 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: High price of
food
in the news USA Today & Gallup say that food prices are second to
gas
process as a concern. The inflation rate of food has been running
at over 5% the normal rate is 2.4% Eggs have risen 35% in
the
past 12 months.
Reason is increased
demand,
bad weather, high energy prices, diversion of food crop to fuel.
Currently 30% of corn crop goes to ethanol.
Oregonian discussed
Portland
fashion Week, fabrics made of hemp, bamboo and soy. Gap carries
organic
cotton and Walmart is the largest buyer of organic cotton.
Newsweek also reported on
a green fashion show sponsored by Earth Pledge. Green fashion is
currently
1% of the market and only 18% of consumers know it exists.
Another trend is the
shunning
of plastic bags. According to USA Today, Massachusetts is thinking
about
taxing them, Ireland did tax them and withing weeks consumption dropped
90%. Reno wants to ban them, San Francisco has banned them and
China
will ban them June 1, 2008. BUT the American chemistry Council
reminds
us that plastic bags take 40% less energy to produce and emits half the
green house gases versus paper bags. Solution... bring you
own bag.
INTERVIEW: Mark Sytsma of Lakes and Reservoirs is a Portland State University professor and the chairman of the Oregon Invasive Species Council. Mark explains what the council does and answers questions about the scope of the invasive species problem and its impact. He discusses specific problems in various geographic areas of the state and the different types of invasive species we are dealing with and where they come from.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: The Atkinson Park Project in Oregon City is a volunteer efforts sponsored by the Center for a Sustainable Today. Its purpose is to rid the park of invasive and noxious plants without using pesticides or herbicide. Gordon Westfall interview Larry Potter, the Oregon City parks manager about the problem and the successful use of a dedicated citizenry to curb the problem.
INTERVIEW: Mark Sytsma continues the discussion of invasives by talking about how to prevent the importation and spread of invasives and how to successfully irradiated them without damage to the environment or native plants and animals. He also points out what eradication efforts have been successful and which have fallen short.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Jill Heimensen takes us on a visit to a 500 acre ranch outside Eugene where goats are employed to eradicate a blackberry invasion.
CALL TO ACTION
HOME:
• Learn the names of
plants
and animals around you. It helps you to appreciate nature and
makes
you better at spotting invaders.
• If you see plants or
animals
you think are invasive, take a picture if possible. Report new,
potentially
invasive, species to the 1 866 INVADERS hotline or online at
www.oregoninvasiveshotline.org
• Choose native plants for
landscaping or at least exotics without invasive characteristics:
abundant,
small seeds, early flowering, dispersal by vegetative propagation,
invasive
elsewhere.
• Volunteer at
restoration/invasive
species control events
• Don’t release pets
into nature, keep cats indoors
• Wash your boat
properly,
don't launch a dirty boat
• Clean seeds off
your boots after hiking
• Dry fishing gear after
use
• Never transport
agricultural
products illegally
RESOURCES
• Audubon
• Nature Conservancy
• No Ivy League
• Oregon Invasive Species
Council
• Extension services.
• SOLV
• OPB (special
Calendar for Activities. Summer events)
#0807 The BEST OF Sustainable Today Original air date 7/12/08 TRT: 58:30
Special Show videotaped at Atkinson Park in Oregon City. Marking the 20th Episode of Sustainable Today.
NEWS: Price of Energy
dominates
the news this month. Points out that energy underpins everything
in the economy. Good news is we are starting to do something
about
it. Ridership on mass transit has increased, migration from suburbs
back
to the city (from the Wall Street Journal)
Portland held a “Carless”
event blocking of 6 mile loop of urban streets to car traffic allowing
only pedestrians and bicycles for about 4 hours on a Sunday.
Time magazine reports
about
the growth of bike sharing. Very popular in Europe, Paris has 20,000
bikes
that you can pick up and drop off anywhere
Turning waste into energy
is becoming more widespread, “Sustainable Industries” reports that
waste
plants in Europe are clean and are located in urban areas. By
contrast
Seattle sends a mile long train to the Eastern Oregon landfill every
day.
But in Marion county a waste to energy plant processes 500 tons of
waste
and produces 13 megawatts of electricity earning $4.5 million per year.
BIOFUELS: ST Follows the trail of Biodiesel production from the farm (Madison Farms in Eco Oregon) To the processing plant (SeQuential Pacific Biofuels in Salem, OR) To the distributor (Star Oilco Portland, OR) to the pump (Jays Garage Portland)
Miss Earth pageant contestants help with removal of invasive species from the park. Atkinson park is a pesticide and herbicide free park maintained by volunteers and organized by the Center for a Sustainable Today.
SALMON: Portland General Electrics decision to remove Marmot dam on the Sand and Little Sandy rivers and restore those watersheds to free flowing natural streams after 95 years of blockage for power generation.
ORGANIC SEED ALLIANCE: The Organic Seed Supply Industry. ST visits the Wild Garden Seed Company and explores the role of the Organic Seed Alliance. The goal is to preserve organic resources for use by farmers to develop the open source market for organic seed.
INTERVIEW: Winners of the 2007 Miss Earth International and Miss Earth USA talk about their organization and the purpose of the contest called “Beauties with a Cause.” National winners compete in the Phillippines for the title of Miss Earth International, all the while calling attention to environmental concerns and pitching in to alleviate some of the problems.
ELECTRONIC WASTE: CTL (Computer Technology Link) Computer company in Portland that produces recyclable and energy efficient computers and their companion company Retronics that takes in, disassembles and properly disposes of a variety of electronic products.
#0808 LIVESTOCK Original air date 8/9/08 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: Executives
surveyed
by “Sustainable Life Media” say 73% would be willing to take a 1% pay
cut
to help support green programs. Women executives tend to make
greener
decisions than men.
AL Gore is promoting a
program
to bring the US to 100% renewable electricity in 10 Years.
The European Union has already cut greenhouse gas emission by
7%.
Here in the US the western states have the Western Climate Initiative
which
will cap greenhouse gas emissions, High at first then lower over time
as
emissions are reduced.
Consumer Reports has an
article called the “Ethanol Myth” which highlighted the reduced mileage
you get form burning ethanol but that could be mitigated if
manufacturers
tuned engines for that fuel. Automakers are producing e-85
cars to claim credits against the CAFÉ standards. The
biggest
problem is can we grow enough fuel to replace gasoline? At the
same
time Europe is backing off of ethanol siting its impact on food cost
and
deforestation. The trend is to favor fuel feedstocks from algae
instead
of corn or sugar. That may become moot if the move to electric
cars
continues. If the switch is gradual enough power companies should
be able to keep up with the demand. The latest prediction is that
it will be another 2 or 3 years before battery technology improvements
and large scale manufacturing will make all electric and hybrids
accessible
to the average consumer.
INTERVIEW: Richard North of the Physicians for Social Responsibility and Matt Buck from the Food Alliance tackle the issue of food production in the US. Specifically beef and poultry production. They discuss the industrialization of the food supply and impact that has on the environment and the quality of the food we eat. A large side effect is the use of antibiotics and the impact that has on human health. What are the alternatives to this type of food production.
COMMUNITY
SPOTLIGHT:
Bypass the food system altogether by raising your own. Chickens
can
be kept in the city and a group of chicken keepers here want to show us
how easy and edifying it is.
The annual Tour de Coops
is an event that showcases individuals efforts to raise their own food
and care for these animals.
INTERVIEW: Richard and Matt continue their discussion of food production this time focusing on dairy cattle and the use of RBST and RBGH to enhance the production of milk. How does this effect the cows heath and that of humans that consume these artificial hormones in their food. Also discussed is the banning of the practice in most of the world and why it is still allowed in the US. What might happen to the dairy industry as we know it if this practice was banned. The practice is already banned in some states including Oregon.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: ST visits one of the 700 family owned co-operative farms that supply Organic Valley with their milk products. Jon Banson explains how organic farming is not only satisfying but economically viable as well.
CALL TO ACTION
HOME:
• Eat Less meat
• Buy organic, certified,
free-range/cagefree, Food Alliance certified.
• Look for RGBH free dairy
products.
WORK:
• Share Knowledge with
others
• Food service operations:
set purchasing policies regarding animal welfare, certified, local,
organic,
etc.
• Buy local
RESOURCES:
• Oregon Physicians for
Social Responsibility, 14 minute video on their website and the
“Consumers
Guide to RBGH free products. www.oregonpsr.org
• The Food Alliance
Website
www.foodalliance.org
• Sustainable Table
www.sustainabletable.org
• Books: The End of Food
by Paul Roberts, The Food Revolution: How your diet can save your life
and our world, by John Robbins, Fast Food Nation by Eric
Schlosser
#0809 GREEN BUILDING CHALLENGE Original air date 8/9/08 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: Oregonian August 1, Oregon is ready to declare victory by 2010 in hitting greenhouse gas emissions targets but we are not counting the emissions embedded in our stuff that comes from other parts of the country or the world. Example we measure the amount of energy our computers use, but neglect the fact that 58% of a computers total emissions occur before we buy it. Then there is the problem of disposal. New TVs contain hazardous materials like lead, chromium and mercury and many are more energy intensive. New plasma screens draw as much as a refrigerator. Current energy star certification only measures the electricity used when the set is OFF. Which is not zero because of instant on features that draws power even when the set is off. That will change, and Beginning Jan 1, Oregon will require manufacturers to cover the cost of recycling them. In Alameda, California, one TV station is running a show called Zero Energy Challenge where 4 families compete to see how much they can reduce waste in 4 weeks. World Business Council reports that 21 cities are measuring and reporting greenhouse gasses. 70% come from cities. IKEA will invest $75 million in clean-tech startups with an eye toward selling Solar Panels and other home energy saving devices their stores by 2011. Oregonian, A recent court ruling says that third party installers that operate solar systems and sell power back to the grid are not to be treated as utilities, subject to regulation and restriction. 80% of commercial solar power installations rely of these deals. Now that they have the go-ahead, it should double the solar capacity of the state.
INTERVIEW: Jason McLennan CEO Oregon Green Building council talks about the GBC and what they do. LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is explained and what it has acomplished. The possibility that building green can be done for the same or even less cost than conventional building is explored as well as the value of the resulting building is increased. There is evidence that green buildings increase the productivity and health of their occupants. Also the design and appearance of green buildings are conventional in styles and are not aesthetic outcomes. Buildings that use 50 60 70% less energy than existing buildings are possible and will make a large impact on energy consumption and climate change effects.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: The Portland Office of Sustainable Development / Green Building Specialist, Mike O’Brien takes us on a tour of this home which features an Eco Roof, Solar Electric and Water and Clay floors and walls.
INTERVIEW part 2, continues with Jason McLennan. Topic include The Living Building Challenge and how it exceeds standards set by LEED. Jason explains the connection to nature as analogous to a flower. Gets all of its energy from the sun, all water from rainfall, all nutrients from the soil and recycles waste without creating anything toxic, its perfectly adapted to its site and responds to its environment and is self cleaning. The challenge is to entice builders to create such buildings. Response is overwhelming, 12 projects in Portland. Net Zero buildings never have energy or water bills. There are 16 requirements, Net zero energy, treat water onsite, must be built on previously developed sites, materials, air quality etc. New Technologies are also discusses.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: THE
NATURAL
HOUSE, Ron Hays and The ReBuilding Center. Ron Hays
demonstrates
the philosophy and execution of a green home.
Then, we feature the
ReBuilding
Center, a resource for pre-used materials to reduce waste and promote
recycling.
CALL TO ACTION
HOME: For existing Homes
• Energy Saving Devices,
Water saving
• Water harvesting and run
off management.
• Landscaping and
weatherization.
For New Homes
• Use reclaimed materials
• Install Solar (water
and/or
electric)
WORK:
• Request energy efficient
lighting, appliances and mechanical systems
• Buy Green Power
RESOURCES: Book:
Philosophy
of Sustainable Design by Jason McLennan,
• Cascadia Green
Building
council: http://www.cascadiagbc.org/
• Better
Bricks
www.betterbricks.org
• Earth Advantage
www.earthadvantage.org
#0810 WAVE ENERGY Original air date 10/11/08 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: Fortune
Magazine
$500 a barrel oil. Mat Simmons says in his book “Twilight in the
Desert: The Coming Saudi Oil Shock and the World Economy”
Saudi Arabia has less oil
than everybody thinks. He says oil production has peaked, demand
is outstripping supply and that if we don’t act soon we could be facing
World War Three. Autoblog says Toyota has announced that 4
RAV 4 Electric cars will be sent to Portland to assist in the
development
of clustered electric charging stations.
Google and General
Electric
have joined forces to promote a “Smart Grid” and clean energy.
The
smart grid will be able to track and control what types of power usage
takes place and when. Google is interested because they say that
server farms will be using HALF the world’s electricity by 2010.
INTERVIEW Ted Brekken
Assistant
Professor in Energy Systems Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
at Oregon State University. And Kevin Banister Chair of the
Oregon Wave Energy Trust. Estimated that 0.2% of the energy
available in the ocean could supply all of the energy needs for the
planet.
Discussion involves all forms of ocean renewables, wind, wave, tidal,
salinity,
and thermal. Wave energy is the most easily extractable and
viable
for Oregon, tidal is more promising in Washington, British Columbia and
Alaska. Graphic explain were wave resources are strongest.
Various technologies for extracting wave energy are explained. There
are
advances in other parts of the world as well, especially Europe.
Job creation is a big
advantage
of wave energy development.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT Wallace Energy Systems and Renewables Facility at Oregon State University. Lab head Annette Von Jouanne takes us on a tour of the facility and demonstrates the Wave Energy Linear Test Bed and the device that OSU and Columbia Power Technologies are developing.
INTERVIEW withe Ted
Brekken
and Kevin Banister continues with a discussion of plans for further
development
and deployment. Testing, permits, regulations, financing and
technological
research are all needed before commercially viable systems will be
ready
for full scale use. Competition with other stakeholders
such
as fishermen and environmentalists concerned about marine migration are
explored.
The effects of
electromagnetic
interference with marine life is also covered.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Business leaders, technology developers, stakeholders, finance experts, regulators and educators all convene in one place for the third annual Ocean Renewable Energy Conference in Coos Bay. ST is there and gets the perspective from all sides.
CALL TO ACTION;
• Buy Green Power
• Support Government
efforts
to promote renewable energy
• Conservation: Update
home
insulation replace old appliances, drive less, etc.
RESOURCES:
• Oregon Wave Energy Trust
www.oregonwave.org
• Wikipedia
Search for Wave Energy.
Parting comments from Ted Brekken suggest that conservation is equal to renewable energy in that electricity saved is less that needs to be generated by fossil fueled facilities. Potential for wave energy in the whole world and the US are discussed. Financial return to counties and local coffers are also a benefit for wave development.
#0811 NUTRITION Original air date 11/8/08 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: Oregonian reports about the demand for wind energy. With new regulations in Oregon, Washington and California requiring a certain percentage of our energy comes from renewables, the demand is growing rapidly. So California is bidding for Oregon wind power thereby driving up the prices. Wave energy will also be an important component in the mix of renewables. Oregonian, The use of triclosan as an antibacterial ingredient most commonly in household cleaners like soap and detergent is also showing up in deodorant and even socks. People don’t realize that plain soap and water work just as well and that triclosan is not effectively removed by water treatment plants so it is showing up in rivers causing harm to aquatic life. When it gets mixed with chlorine (which tap water contains) it turns into chloroform which is a carcinogen. It also kills good bacteria as well as bad and it can promote the evolution of antibacterial resistant strains. National Geographic tells of the discovery of terra preta or “black earth” found in areas of the Amazon where humans once lived. Scientists discovered that by mixing charcoal with soil you get and exponential increase in the microbial population that is critical to fertility. This may decrease atmospheric carbon and replenish eroding top soil.
INTERVIEW Dr. Jan
Seibert.
Medical doctor and nutritionist for the Hormone Rejuvenation Center.
She
mentions hand washing and sneezing into your sleeve to prevent
spreading
viruses by touching things. Wash hands thoroughly. Dr
Seibert
studies what is coming into us as food. Her practice
focuses
on hormone balances and lifestyle changes rather than medication.
She discusses the relationship between food and health.
Most of our chronic
diseases
today are lifestyle diseases. Cardiovascular disease has been
traded
for Type 2 diabetes through the manipulation of the food
supply.
Discussion of corn and genetic modification and chemical manipulation
to
produce high yields an high sugar. Foods need to be fortified
with
artificial vitamins and nutrients because the natural ones have been
processed
out. To find real food, shop around the perimeter of the store and stay
away from the middle aisles where processed food is sold.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Northwest Veg. Non profit that promotes nutrition and health through vegetarian and vegan diet. Vegan Chef Brian Igarta demonstrates a few delicious ways to eat vegan and enjoy it.
INTERVIEW pt. 2 Dr
Seibert
continues with a discussion of positive food choices such as whole
foods,
grains, fruit in season. Body inputs more sugars than it needs
during
off season periods. If you eat food that is out of season, your
body
is affected in terms of sleep and energy. People should
sleep
2 hours after dark and rise with the sun to maximize exposure to
natural
light. With regard to public policy, if we were to limit
ourselves
to foods that are in season, officials could devote more time to
inspections.
With anything anytime, there are not enough inspectors to oversee all
of
it. Avoid fad foods. Cereals that claim you can lose weight
if you eat it, will often contain High Fructose Corn Syrup and
artificial
vitamins.
Supplements in the diet
are also discussed.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Laughing Planet Café offers an unique business plan that focuses on nutrition and natural ingredients supplied locally, prepared in a central kitchen then distributed to satellite restaurants each day. The employ sustainable practices and won the best award for sustainable food systems in 2008.
CALL TO ACTION
AT HOME
• Shop in the perimeter
section of your local store
• Avoid processed foods
• Eat plants
• Look for fruits and
vegetables
that are in season
• Buy fresh, organic or
frozen
• When buying canned
foods,
choose low sodium and low sugar. Wash the contents of the can to
remove excess sugar or salt.
• Select foods with a skin
or peel
• Avoid Fortified Foods
AT WORK
• Provide healthy food in
cafeterias and vending machines
• Select healthy foods for
meeting snacks
• Encourage Physical
Activity
Dr Seibert also suggests
growing your own food and learning how to read a label. And get
more
exercise.
#0812
PRISONS
AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
Original
air date 12/13/08 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: The economic
“meltdown” has affected recycling because the market for recyclables
has dropped causing materials to build up in storage. If it
cannot be sold it will end up in landfill. The cost of fuel
is discussed via an article in “Road and Track” indicating that OPEC
oil has already peaked. Also the relationship between fuel
production and water usage. It is pointed out that soybean
biodiesel uses 900 gallons of water as opposed to 5 gallons of water to
produce a gallon of gasoline.
The Oregonian reports that oil shale extraction produces huge poisonous
waste ponds and used a lot of natural gas. On the positive
side, Oregon is to be a pioneering site to launch new electric cars
produced by Nissan. Gov. Kulongoski promotes the state on the
basis of Oregon being the highest per capita consumer of Prius hybrids
and PGE’s effort to build charging stations.
INTERVIEW Part 1 - Dr. James Austin of the JFA Institute in
Washington DC is an expert in the corrections system and runs an
independent think tank that produced “Unlocking America” a report on
the condition of the penal system and how to fix it. He
discusses the problem of overcrowding in prisons. He points out
that in 1970 there were 190,000 people incarcerated in the US.
Today we have 1.7 million in the state penitentiary system plus another
700,000 in local jails. 2.4 Million !! 4% of the nations
population. The US has the highest incarceration rate per capita
of any country in the world. One out of three black males
born in the US will go to jail or prison at least once in their
lifetime. Socio-economic status dictates who goes to prison and
who does not. The cost of the US Justice system is
$200 billion per year, The prison system costs $40 to 50
billion. He suggests we re-invest that money in the
community rather than locking up prisoners.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT - Project Pooch features a program run by a
non-profit organization which matches shelter dogs will prison inmates
to correct the behavior of both. Mercedes Rose takes us to
MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn to demonstrate how
this unique project is making a difference.
INTERVIEW Part 2 - continues with Dr. James Austin provides
answers to how we can make our crime and punishment system more
efficient, effective and sustainable. 1. Better
prepare prisoners to get work when they are released. 2. Reduce
Punishments. Sentences are too long and has a point of no return.
Longer sentences does not relate to a lower recidivism
rate. 3. Divert on non violent offenses such as drug
possession, into community programs rather than putting them in
prison. Reduce negativism in prison, the atmosphere tends to have
a criminogenic effect. One vocational program replaces prison
farm work with building of solar farms to supply power to the prison
and the grid. Another solution is to pay counties to keep
prisoners in their own communities rather than send them to state
prisons.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT - Dave’s Killer Bread is run by Dave Dahl who
served 15 years in prison. Dave changed his attitude and now
works to change the attitudes of other ex-cons not only by example but
also employing them. Dave uses his experience with prison
not as a negative, but as a positive, promotional tool for his business
and it works. Phil Jefferson interviews Dave and takes a look at
his operation.
CALL TO ACTION
AT HOME
Get crime stats for your neighborhood
Get educated on drug use symptoms
Engage your police department in community activities and community
policing programs.
Start a Neighborhood Watch group, Build community.
Pay attention to bills being produced in your legislature.
AT WORK
Provide employee assistance program, mental health and treatment
programs.
Employ ex-cons. (get tax breaks)
Volunteer at prisons, Teach skills, reading etc.
Give educational assistance and mentioning to at risk people in your
community.
#0901 JUNK TO
FUNK RECYCLED FASHION SHOW 2008
Original
air date 1/10/09 TRT: 58:30
A SUSTAINABLE TODAY SPECIAL PRESENTATION.
Junk to Funk
Recycled Fashion Show Contest is an annual Elysium Events production
aimed to educate it's audiences about waste reduction, recycling issues
and sustainable living practices. And we do it in a most unique way:
through showcasing wearable art and couture fashion based on the
creative use of “trash” in an eclectic and often humorous production.
Each year submissions for entry are encouraged by professional artists,
fashion/apparel designers and the creative public to be featured on the
fashion show runway. Selected artists compete on the runway for cash
prizes based on the percentage of recycled material, creativity,
craftsmanship and fit. The event encourages recycling, creative reuse,
and sustainable fashion solutions in an eclectic, inspiring and
humorous production.
The 2008 event was hosted by Portland Mayor Sam Adams and Tara Dublin from Alternative radio station 94.1 in Portland.
Sustainable Today's new host Jean Baumann makes her debut, interviewing Lindsey Newkirk, the organizer for Junk to Funk and Taylor Stevenson and Jen LaMastra, two of the fashion designers participating in the show.
A new feature, GO GREEN WITH JEAN also makes it's first appearance on Sustainable Today. Jean Baumann shows us how to be fashionable without being wasteful as we visit a clothing consignment shop in Southwest Portland.
#0902 TOXINS Original air date 2/14/09 TRT: 58:30
Jean Baumann, new host of Sustainable Today, intoduces the “Center for a Sustainable Today” the non-profit that produces this program. Featured is the dedication of the Center’s first community project the Trails Crossing bus shelter. Jean then turns the program over to the former Toxics program.
NEWS: Global rate of greenhouse gas increase is accelerating; Europe is level or dropping; Portland is dropping; Oregon passed energy bill that requires 25% of energy to come from renewable sources (solar or wind) by 2025; Common household chemicals are now linked to breast cancer; Bad air linked to low birth weight; PCBs showing up in water and now Osprey (we already know about fish); Caffeine is showing up in water along with pharmaceuticals including anti-depressants.
INTERVIEW with Molly Chidsey, Pollution and Waste Prevention from Multnomah County. Molly focuses her work primarily on toxics reduction. Discussion revolves around the body burden of chemicals that can be found in the human body and how it gets there. What the government and regulators require and do not require when considering basic health and safety testing of products.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Oregon Environmental Council and the Eco-Healthy Childcare. 25 “best practices” recommendations are offered to childcare providers and homemakers to keep toxic substances out of children’s environments. ST tours the Rowanberry pre-school to see how they have implemented the recommendation.
INTERVIEW continues with Molly Chidsey. Discussion revolves around the state of the toxics reduction efforts and clean technology. How businesses and industry is choosing alternatives or making products without toxics. How can you avoid toxic products.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Commercially produced soap and other personal care products can contain toxics. ST visits the Oregon Soap Company which produces an all natural, all organic completely toxin free soap.
CALL TO ACTION: HOME Switch to non-toxic, bio-based cleaning products Use non-toxic furnishings and building products Use products as directed Dispose of materials properly Research your purchases Buy Organic foods to avoid high level pesticide residue foods (The EWG dirty dozen)
WORK Start a recycling system that allows employees to bring difficult to recycle items to add to the company waste stream. Ask your janitorial service to use green cleaning products. When remodeling use low VOC materials Do a chemical inventory, Find alternatives, Have up-to-date MSD’s
#0903 ORGANICS Original air date 3/13/09 TRT: 58:30
Jean Baumann, the new host of Sustainable Today, introduces this repeat performance of one of our most popular shows. She also introduces a new feedback feature on our website, Click to take Survey.
NEWS: New York Times article about “Climate Counts” a chart which rates products on the basis of climate performance; City in Sweden strives to eliminate fossil fuels from the city; Declining bird population due to habitat loss and pollution; EPA is required to test chemical for endocrine disruptors finally tests 73 pesticides; EPA is now enforcing the release of formaldehyde regulations.
INTERVIEW Chris Schreiner, Quality Control Director for Oregon Tilth. Chris explains what Oregon Tilth is and what they do beyond certifying organic foods and producers and their products. Discussed is the growth of giant agri-businesses and why this produces environmental problems. Stresses the expansion of organic and local food production. Discusses Genetically Modified Organisms and the dangers they pose including the terminator gene.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: The Organic Seed Supply Industry. ST visits the Wild Garden Seed Company and explores the role of the Organic Seed Alliance. The goal is to preserve organic resources for use by farmers to develop the open source market for organic seed.
INTERVIEW continues with Chris Schreiner. Discussed is what is meant by and required to bear the label “Organic.” Also why organic food is currently more expensive than conventionally grown and likely will become less so over time. Some issues include yields and other conventional versus organic choices.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) ST visits the Birds and Bees community farm which is a non-profit public land trust farm where customers sign up and pay a monthly fee to receive fresh, locally and organically grown produce straight from the farm.
CALL TO ACTION HOME Join a CSA Buy local and Buy organic Ask your grocer where the produce comes from Grow your own.
WORK Source organic for work supplied food. Get work food service to support local, sustainable and organic products. Create a significant demand and market opportunities to encourage ongoing growth in the organic sector.
#0904 HEALTHCARE Original air date 4/10/09 TRT: 58:30
Jean Baumann introduces the Archimedes Movement founded by Former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber. In view of the current debate about this subject, we offer a repeat performance of our 2007 program featuring the governor.
NEWS: Cornell study determines 40% of all deaths are related to pollution issues. Water borne infections account for 80% of all infectious diseases. Global warming influences parasite evolution resulting in the re-emergence of tuberculosis, influenza and new diseases such as West Nile and Lyme disease. California Public Health reports a connection between pesticides and autism. Good news, a bio-based manufacturer is making toys out of dextrose. Toys made of sugar every kids dream.
INTERVIEW: Former Governor of the State of Oregon John Kitzhaber discusses health care reform. Gov Kitzhaber was instrumental in implementing the Oregon Health Plan for Kids. He discusses the political, economic and environmental impacts of health care on our society and outlines his plan for a shift in thinking about how we take care of our health in this country. He founded the Archimedes movement and describes how it will fuel the necessary debate.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Fanno Creek Medical Clinic, Perhaps the first medical clinic in Oregon to utilize solar panels to off-set their electricity expense, they also provide cash incentives to their employees for practicing conservation at home, work to help insure that our elementary schools stay open, and they will not abandon you if you need to go on medicare.
INTERVIEW: Continues with John Kitzhaber. The use of the ER as a source of healthcare and what’s being done about it... Efforts to provide better preventative care... Models nationally and internationally for workable healthcare systems... and major projects for reform are discussed.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: The Southwest Community Health Care Center is one of a few Safety Net" clinics in the Portland area, established primarily to catch patients who fall between the cracks. Funded by grants and donations and staffed by volunteers the organization seeks to provide acute care for the uninsured to avoid that costly trip to the emergency room.
CALL TO ACTION: Slightly different format for this program. Governor Kitzhaber talks about preventative measures, immunizations, Health Savings Accounts and taking a more proactive stance with regard to healthy behavior.
#0905 NEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Original air date 5/9/09 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: President Obama orders stricter standards to qualify for Energy Star ratings, expected to save 500 billion dollars over 30 years. The economic downturn has greatly reduced the market for recyclables. As a result more recyclable materiels wer put into land fills or are piling up in warehouses. Either buyers could not be found or the prices were lower than it cost to collect the materials. Locally METRO’s plastic roundup was suspended till further notice.
INTERVIEW: David Johnson and Jim Newcomer explain the movement known as “Transition Towns.” This grassroots effort began in Totnes England by Rob Hopkins, as a response to peak oil. It was felt that a response needs to be formulated to cope with the inevitable decline in fossil fuel supplies. A plan to transition to a time of rising fuel prices and declining supplies is required to head of dire consequences and hardship. The initiative has since spread to over 600 communities in 138 countries including Portland, Oregon where Jim Newcomer is the local organizer. They explain the framework and the process through which a plan suited to each community can be developed.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: The re-development of Columbia Villa in North Portland. A 1950's suburban community to support shipyard workers that declined into a low income ghetto. Marcy McInelly of Urbs Works planned the redevelopment and takes us on a tour of how they built this into a viable sustainable community now known as New Columbia.
INTERVIEW Continues with Jim Newcomer and David Johnson as they discuss level of desire within communities to move forward. The Transition Handbook is a good place to start. This guide is re-written regularly by contributions from other groups around the world. This supplies a supporting network where all interested parties can learn from each-other. “Transition Tales” is a phenomenon that brings stories of real life and imagination from the participants that inspire energy and innovation, that results in a Decent Energy Action Plan.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: The City Repair Project is a non-profit organization that encourages, educates and executes neighborhood unification projects such as community spaces and places for people to gather and interact. Highlights a 10 day event called Village Building Convergence.
GO GREEN WITH JEAN: Focuses on building community and co-operation in your own street and neighborhoods. Jean show what she and her neighbors do to become a viable, supportive, community.
#0906 NEW CLIMATE CHANGE Original air date 6/13/09 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: Invertors are urging industries to disclose and reduce water related financial risk, For example 2.2 pounds of beef uses 4,230 gallons of water to produce and a cup of coffee uses 37 gallons. Shrinking water supplies will become a serious issue. The 79th Geneva motor show featured a large number of new fuel efficient or electric vehicles.
INTERVIEW: Former Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury discusses the state of climate change discussion politically. Bill has been presenting Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth slide show and attempting to convince the non-believers that this is an important and real problem. He explains what climate change is and how it is scientifically believed to be man caused. The effects of weather pattern changes on our local climate and the climate nationwide are discussed. Methane gas release as a major contributor to climate change as melting ice releases trapped gas.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Blue Heron Paper Company used Climate and Energy trust funds to reduce energy consumption and increase the use of recycled materials to produce needed products.
INTERVIEW with Bill Bradbury continues with the addition of Mike Brunett, director of the Climate Trust who explains the carbon cap and trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
GO GREEN WITH JEAN: What can each of us do to reduce our personal greenhouse gas emissions? Jean show us what a free home energy review from the Energy Trust of Oregon looks like.
#0907 WATER CONSERVATION Original air date 7/11/09 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: Southern
California residents will see water rates increase 70% by July 2010.
San Diego will levy fines on water hogs. World Water Forum
reports 1 Billion people lack access to clean water, 2.5 billion
are without clean water. 80% of all disease is borne by dirty
water. Representatives from 100 countries refuse to recognize
access to clean water as a basic human right. This makes water a
possible commodity to be marketed for profit like oil.
INTERVIEW: Joe Whitworth president of Freshwater Trust and Alan Horton,
the director, discuss the programs the Trust operates to restore
healthy stream flow and habitat. The importance of protecting fresh
water sources are examined. The majority of fresh water systems
have been compromised over the last century both locally and on a
global scale. 26% of Oregon streams are unhealthy and 44% are
threatened. Climate change has an impact.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: DeSantis Landscaping Xeriscaping
Demonstrates sustainable development techniques to handle storm water
run-off and on-site conservation and natural purification.
INTERVIEW: Continues with discussion of Stream Bank Program. This
is an web based software program to facilitate navigation of red tape.
It collects information from people who want to do a project with
funding sources. The program can cut 70% off the completion time
from planning to finishing a restoration project. Guests state we must
do a more efficient and effective conservation and restoration process
if we are to achieve meaningful recovery of water quality.
Discussion of Watershed Tax is offered.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Davinci Arts Middle School Water Garden.
Students teachers and community members build and demonstrate a storm
water run-off system that creates habitat, people space, and water
purification techniques.
GO GREEN WITH JEAN: Practical and easy things you can do at home to
help conserve water.
#0908 WASTE MANAGEMENT Original air date 8/8/09 TRT: 57:30
NEWS:
Sustainable Industries reports that Puget Sound Energy company is
capturing and burning methane gas from garbage to generate
electricity. Many record companies have stopped using plastic
jewel cases to house their CDs. Instead they are opting for eco
friendly packaging according to Billboard magazine. The problem
is it takes a lot of investment to change packaging. So eco
friendly packages equal higher prices in the market. Mountain View
Voice reports the plastic bag bans have prompted lawsuits by bag
manufacturing. The benefit seems to outweigh the injury to
business and most bans hold. Bags and all plastic contribute to
the great plastic garbage patch in the oceans.
INTERVIEW: Rick Winterhalter of the Association of Oregon Recyclers
defines waste for us. Producers should be held accountable for
generating waste. Recycling is key to returning waste back into
the stream of commerce. Greg Sampson from CRT processing explains
the e-cycling law and stresses the importance of keeping used
electronics out of the waste stream. 1 ton of recycled electronics
offsets 17 tons of mining and processing of raw materials.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Columbia Ridge Landfill. Lisa Bell
takes on a tour of the largest landfill in the state to show us where
our garbage goes and how it’s handled. Waste Management operates the
landfill and is building a system to burn methane for electric
production.
INTERVIEW: Greg Sampson gives details of what and where to recycle your
electronic waste. He discusses the cost to run recycling programs
and who pays for it. Rick Winterhalter talks about biowaste and
composting.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Jean & Dick Roy tell us how to recycle
everything, but more importantly they expalain Pre-Cycling. That
is, don’t buy the waste in the first place.
GO GREEN WITH JEAN: Jean shows us how she collects, separates and
recycles her waste at home.
#0909 NEW TRANSPORTATION Original air date 9/12/09 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: With the
surge in electric vehicle production there is a concern that they will
overwhelm the electric grid. The solution lies in smart grid
technology which can use car batteries to store electricity and draw it
back at night when wind energy or solar can’t be used. If
1/4 of Americas cars went electric, the power system could store more
energy than produced by the entire electric grid. A German
town will become the first city in the nation to be powered by
biogas. Cow and horse manure will be converted to gas for use by
the town’s 90,000 residents. Daimler acquires 10% of Tesla Motors
giving Daimler access to the advanced lithium battery technology.
Tesla’s roadster uses the batteries to attain 200 miles per charge and
to accelerate from 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds. Daimler says it will
offer electric versions of every Mercedes by 2012.
INTERVIEW: Metro Counselor Rex Burkholder talks about the 50 year
transportation plan for the Portland Metropolitan Region which takes in
25 cities and 3 counties. State law mandates that all
transportation system spending be co-ordinated. Metro has
connected that into the vision for the future which takes into account
all aspects of sustainability. This includes growth, where and
how; how do we provide infrastructure where transportation is a key
part. Metro investigated bicycling and walking and how to improve
it modeled on Copenhagen. In Denmark there was talk of tearing
down parts of cities to build roads. A large demonstration said
to preserve the city and develop a different way of transport.
The bicycle. Getting people out of cars helps develop local
businesses as well. Rex also talks about “intelligent
transportation systems.” Traffic signals, ramp metering,
bus and emergency vehicle signal control and plans for using the
existing roads better. The issue of freight handling is also
discussed.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Eco Shuttle. Cars for hire for special
services, communter shuttles or events. The company
provides small vans up to large busses that are powered by biodiesel or
hybrid technology. The office itself employs sustainable features
to further reduce their carbon footprint.
INTERVIEW: Continues with Rex Burkholder on the advent of electric cars
and new transportation technologies. Mentioned is the White
Zombie, an electric powered race vehicle that always wins. Electric
bicycles as also discussed. Transportation as a contributor to
fossil fuel consumption, urban growth and planning, health and invasive
species migration are discussed. Portland is in compliance
with the Kyoto protocol. To meet the goal for 2050 we need to
continue lowering CO2 emissions by 8% per year which is doable.
Population density is also a factor in lowering the amount of driving
and emissions. Light rail encourages higher levels of development and
density around the stations. Local communities are changing their
planning to accommodate future light rail construction.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Sol Trekker. A totally sustainable biodiesel
powered motor home is profiled. The unit is used for educational
demonstrations of sustainable technology such as solar electric and
water heating, rain catchment and compostable toilets. The rig
uses zero fossil fuels to operate. The owner has also
eliminated most plastic and petroleum based materiels in its
reconstruction.
GO GREEN WITH JEAN: Sustainable driving and transportation
decision are demonstrated using Jean’s new Toyota Prius Hybrid vehicle.
#0910 PERMACULTURE Original air date 10/10/09 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: Large
numbers of fish in US lakes and streams contain mercury.
Two-thirds of them exceeded EPA levels of dangerous concentrations in
fish eating mammals. The source of the contamination is mostly
from air pollution where heavy metals are emitted as smoke and then
fall back to the earth where they are consumed by fish. The main
culprit being coal fired power plants. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
INTERNATIONAL reports on the detrimental effects on the landscape
ecology are caused by conventional agricultural methods. Favors
perennials over annual monocrops. “Desert tech” is a
project by 12 European nations to finance and build a giant solar
generator. The facility will use CSP (Concentrated Solar
Power) to focus the sun’s rays onto a central collector where water is
heated to produce steam to drive turbines. Coupled with the project is
a huge desalinization plant to supply water for the system and for
agricultural use as well.
INTERVIEW: Toby Hemenway author of “Gaia’s Garden.” Toby explains
what permaculture means and the philosophy behind it. How
does it apply to gardens? How does it extend to all sustainable
practices? Permaculture is a way of creating connections between
the things you wish to accomplish whether it’s steel or snow peas. Food
Forests are discussed and explained. The origins of
permaculture and the scalability of the applications are also
examined. It 3 to 5 years a properly established permaculture
ecosystem becomes self-sustaining.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Urban Ecosysterms. Permaculture
entrepreneur Jason Raschke shows off his own space and shows us how to
landscape an urban yard. Restoration of native habitat, attracting
birds, bees and some food crops. Compost and worm bins are part
of the picture.
INTERVIEW: Continues with Toby Hemenway as he discusses the role of
permaculture in the response to energy decent. He describes
it as a tool for a fear free future. Permaculture give you
the information to decide what is best to have close to you and what
can be further away. Permaculture principles deal more with
attitudes rather than actual “tricks” we can learn from nature.
Such as “it’s OK to make mistakes,” and not to become paralyzed by what
is sustainable and what is not. Permaculture principles as
applied to social and interpersonal activities such as business or
marriage. The principle of “succession” is analyzed.
Consultants advise businesses on permaculture principles and the
concept of evolution. Certification programs are talked about.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Community Supported Agriculture, Singer Hill
Gardens featured with a unique blend of backyard urban growing and the
CSA model. Local school students get to learn and garden as
part of the project.
GO GREEN WITH JEAN: Worm Bin Buddies. Jean shows us how to build
and maintain a worm bin at your home.
#0911 MARKETING SUSTAINABILITY Original air date 11/14/09 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: The
American Automobile Association has added an ECO icon to their tour
books to indicate hotels that employ sustainable practices in their
business models. The designation is certified by third party
investigators to insure that claims are true. ... Whole Food Markets
has employed a certification process to verify that food items do not
contain genetically modified organisms. 75% of processed foods in
the US contain GMO’s of components derived from them. ... Walmart
has instituted an index to rate products’ environmental impact.
The retailer will use the index as a guide to purchasing based on earth
friendliness.
INTERVIEW: Guest Ruby Gates of MarketShift Strategies describes how
sustainable businesses can best market themselves. Authenticity and
story telling are her recommended approaches. Examples include
Teracycle and Dave’s Killer Bread. Melanie Adamson of the University of
Oregon’s Greenwashing Index Project, explains the terminology used in
marketing sustainable products and services. How much impact do
sustainable claims actually have on consumer choices is
discussed. Validation and verification of claims by third party
certifiers is noted as an ongoing and evolving process.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Green Solutions Printing is a leader in sustainable
printing processes. We take a look at the shop and learn from
owner Daniel Swantek how recycled paper, soy ink, renewable power and
carbon offsets are used to minimize the environmental impact of his
business. He also explains the philosophy behind his
decision to go green. The use of different “treeless” stocks and waste
handling are important aspects.
INTERVIEW Part 2: Ruby explains that informed consumers do look for
certifications. The Forest Stewardship Council is an example of
full production chain certification. LEED, Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design, sets standards for buildings. Energy Star
certification has high credibility in the marketplace. The
Federal Trade Commission has developed a “Green Guide” for use by
marketers to help them properly use terminology. It gives
definitions based on FTC standards. The University of Oregon’s
Greenwashing Index is explained and discussed as a way for consumers to
“check up” on marketing claims. Advertisements are rated by
consumers. Clean coal is attacked as a misleading claim along
with products that claim “green” because a small fraction of the
product or process meet the sustainability criteria. Transparency
is an issue that needs addressing.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: We take a look at ourselves when we profile The
Center for a Sustainable Today. We market sustainability through
education, information and demonstration of sustainability as a
concept that needs to be “sold” to the average person. The
programs, projects, and philosophy behind the organization are examined.
FOLLOW UP: The responsibility of the publisher or the medium that
delivers messages true or false to the public. Consumers need to
ascribe to a buyer be aware philosophy to make sustainable choices.
#0912 PLASTICS Original air date 12/12/09 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: Plastic
bags and food wrappers are the second and third most common items in
marine debris according to Ocean Conservancy. Six of the top
eight are plastics. 80% comes from land sources the other from
offshore platforms and ships. Plastics contain harmful chemicals
the build up in the food chain such as bisphenol A (BPA) a
carcinogen. Hormonal disruptions were also found where male fish
are turned into females after ingesting the chemical. Reuters
reports that retailers are phasing out the products that contain BPA
which can leach from the plastic into food and liquids contained in
them.
INTERVIEW: Buzz Chandler manufactures compostable plastics with the aim
of replacing petroleum based products with biodegradable
environmentally benign substitutes. He explains what plastic is
scientifically and gives a brief history of how he came to start making
compostable plastic. This plastic is labeled PLA #7. The
numbering system. PLA means Polylactic Acid which is derived from
plants as opposed to hydrocarbons. PLA must be commercially composted
which is explained. The explanation includes a description of how
landfills work. Films and coatings on paper products are
examined. Other compostable products are noted.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Far West Fibers is the area’s largest recycler of
plastics and other materials. We visit the plant where Jeff
Murray takes us on a tour of the process. He explains what can and
can’t be recycled, how to properly use your roll carts and the
consequences of not doing so. Plastic film bags are the bane of
their existence.
INTERVIEW Part 2: Different types of compostable plastics are described
as well as the standard plastic industry’s efforts to create a
fragmentable plastic that are not as environmentally friendly but is
marketed as “biodegradable”. Truly compostable plastic bears the
Biodegradable Products Institute label. Advances in the industry
are noted.
Jean asks about the “use once and toss it” mentality. The carbon
footprint of the new plastics is also taken into consideration.
And we talk about cost.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Surfrider Foundations campaign to ban single use
plastic bags. The effect on the oceans is documented by a film
produced by Algalita Marine Research Foundation. Then we see how
Surfrider educates and lobbies for a permanent ban. We pay a
visit to the Central Pacific Gyre “plastic garbage patch.”
GO GREEN WITH JEAN: Plastics in the Home. Jean show just how much
plastic we deal with in our daily lives. Jeans shows us what to
do and not do with plastics and how to recycle them.
#1002 JUNK TO FUNK FASHION SHOW - 2009 Original air date 2/13/10 TRT: 58:30
A SUSTAINABLE TODAY SPECIAL PRESENTATION.
Junk to Funk
Recycled Fashion Show Contest is an annual Elysium Events production
aimed to educate it's audiences about waste reduction, recycling issues
and sustainable living practices. And we do it in a most unique way:
through showcasing wearable art and couture fashion based on the
creative use of “trash” in an eclectic and often humorous production.
Each year submissions for entry are encouraged by professional artists,
fashion/apparel designers and the creative public to be featured on the
fashion show runway. Selected artists compete on the runway for cash
prizes based on the percentage of recycled material, creativity,
craftsmanship and fit. The event encourages recycling, creative reuse,
and sustainable fashion solutions in an eclectic, inspiring and
humorous production.
The 2009 event
was again hosted by Portland Mayor Sam Adams. His new co-host this year
was Portland Mercury's Managing Editor, Marjorie Skinner. Also
backing up the event with live music, the “Junk to Funk House Jazz
Band” and Junquestra who entertain the audience at intermission with a
concert from instruments make completely of junk.
Sustainable Today's new hosts Cheri Stuller and Rafael Siegel host the
show from the "Green Carpet" where they interview designers,
models, winners, the mayor the organizer of the event Lindsey Newkirk
and anyone else they can get ahold of. The gala event held at
Portland's Crystal Ballroom was much larger and more glamorous than
ever before.
#1003 SPIRITUALITY Original air date 3/13/10 TRT: 58:30
This is a
special program hosted by Executive Producer Gordon Westfall.
Here we explore the mind set necessary for individuals and groups to
embrace and advance sustainable actions and activities. Special
guest Dr. Thomas Doherty is a phycologist specializing in a new
discipline called “Eco Psychology.” It focuses on the
relationship between humans and nature and how that affects human
health.
NEWS: The Obama administration announces that it will no longer
pursue prosecutions for possession and use of marijuana in states that
have legal medical marijuana laws and where the use is sanctioned under
state law. ... Hemp production was legalized in Oregon, officially
separating the plant from its cousin the marijuana plant under the
law..... Solar City, a California based installation company, announces
its “Pure Power” program. The company supplies the equipment and
charges the homeowner a rate based on the amount of power the panels
generate. The company also collects the tax credits. This makes
the installation cost free and the amount paid from power generation is
partially offset by the savings in utility cost.... Live Science
reports that sexiness is connected to spirituality. Women who
considered themselves “spiritual” had higher rates of sexual
activity. They same was not found to be true for men however.
INTERVIEW: Questions answered by Dr. Doherty include: How does
spirituality affect a tendency toward sustainability? Are women
more likely to be more involved than men in sustainability
issues? Explain the concept of Conservation Psychology.
Talk about the use of words such as
“environmentalist”,”conservationist”,“green” and how they affect
peoples perceptions of you. Does the amount of time spent outdoors
affect people’s consciousness toward sustainability? There
mental health benefits to placing yourself in natural
surroundings. Voluntary simplicity leads people to be
happier and healthier. Interestingly, studies show life
expectancy goes up during periods of economic depression or
recession. How to you need to speak to people who don’t yet “get”
the sustainability message? Being the change you want to see is
the most effective. How do you make Sustainability fun.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Muddy Waters Coffee Shop. A
place where people can build community and share thoughts, arts and
activities. Food, art and music are connective tools.
Tolerance and unconditional love are the themes. The not for profit
structure promotes bartering and sharing of non monetary resources.
INTERVIEW Part 2. Making sustainability fun is explored through
methods of engagement. Gordon indulges in a little self
behavioral analysis. “Personal Sustainability Inventory” is a
self analysis tool to gauge how well your behavior aligns with your
goals.
How to get started, adopt one practice on a daily basis then ramp it up
on the weekends.
Be gentle with yourself. We are in a big transition, don’t beat
yourself up. Group therapy or group activities can put you in the right
direction. The psychological blocks to forward movement are
discussed, in particular people who experience grief and loss over the
environment.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Buddah Bites Food Cart. Spiritually charged
food. The cuisine and the beliefs that inspire the operators to
create it. The Movement Center, an Ashram in SE Portland, is home
to Meg DeWitt and Kari and provides the spiritual basis for their
efforts to serve food with consciousness in sourcing, preparation and
nutrition.
CALL TO ACTION: Where do we go from here? Focus on the present
day, do what we thing is right and follow your values.
GO GREEN WITH JEAN: Repeat – Water Conservation. Practical and easy
things you can do at home to help conserve water.
#1004 EDUCATION Original air date 4/10/10 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: The
average wedding costs $27,000. By doing it eco friendly style you
save the environment and money too. Wedding dresses made of
cotton or hemp, organic flowers, potted plant centerpieces, soy candles
and local food. ... The Green Gadgets Conference in New York City
teaches about advances in packaging.... The top eco destinations are
Japan, Lebanon and Equador. Unexpected but enlightening
experiences can help reduce your carbon footprint while learning what
others have done to be sustainable. .... A school in the UK has
incorporated all available sustainable systems including using the
parking lot to heat the school.
INTERVIEW Part 1. Darrell Brown and David Santen talk about
Portland State University’s efforts to not only teach but to
demonstrate sustainability in it’s day to day operations. A $25
million grant from the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation
has made it possible to implement sustainability into all its courses
and departments. An interdisciplinary graduate certificate
in sustainability is one program enhanced by the funding. PSU has
long been engaged in sustainable education and the funds being applied
are seen as a recognition of those efforts. The Career Services
program has been enhanced to identify and direct students to emerging
and existing green jobs and internships. The goal is not to steer
students into green jobs to be to enable them to bring social and
environmental values into all the things they do.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Springwater Environmental Science Charter School
is a new way to instill sustainable values into the curriculum of
elementary education. Students look at environmental science
through the lens of the community. The kids bring their own
lunches, emphasis on healthy food, and clean up afterward, emphasis on
recycling. There is a large volunteer program to get parents
involved in their children’s education. Outdoor activities abound
with access to a 500 acre nature preserve adjacent to the school.
INTERVIEW Part 2 introduces Noelle Studer-Spevak and Heather Spalding
to tell us about the day to day operations and sustainable features
that have been installed and promoted on the Portland State
campus. Business practices and standard operating procedures are
re-built around what is sustainable including carbon neutrality.
LEED certified buildings and on-site storm water treatment systems are
discussed. The University also operates a learning garden.
The Ecowiki website helps improve communication and coordinate
sustainability classes and activities. The “Take back the Tap”
campaign is an example of reducing plastic water bottles and getting
water filtration re-fill stations installed.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Private education ala the Waldorf System is
profiled. The Apple Blossom Nursery provides the example for
pre-school education Waldorf style.
Carrie Riley, the schools director, sings songs and tells stories
to inspire positive attitudes toward the environment and other
people. Children are allowed to “experiment” with nature.
Animals like rabbits and chickens are teaching tools. Diverse
cultures and the seasons are also part of the curriculum.
CALL TO ACTION: Engage the system to affect change from within.
Incorporate sustainability principles to all activities and
disciplines. Get involved with others who are supporting
sustainability.
#1005 EATING OUT Original air date 5/8/10 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: Saudi
Arabia has begun a 3 part project to generate power from the sun.
Desert tech will generate power through a field of mirrors that focus
the suns energy. That energy will heat water that comes from the
ocean via the world’s largest desalinization plant. After the
steam generates power through the plant’s turbines, part 3 will utilize
the water to irrigate agricultural crops. ... Sacramento river
salmon stocks are on the rise which is good news for Oregon fishermen
who rely on the California river system. The fishing season has
been sharply curtailed allowing stocks to regenerate but it is unlikely
we will return to the 3000 plus commercial fishing fleet of the 1980's.
... Sprint/Nextel has expanded it’s wireless phone recycling
program. The company has developed a score card to track it’s
environmentally friendly products from manufacture to disposal.
The score card allows the company to gauge how well manufacturers are
complying with the company’s environmental standards. They expect
recycling to increase by giving consumers a cash or store credit
incentive to do so..... Quiznos goes green by offering greeener
packaging made of renewable or recyclable content. The move was
inspired by the movie Walle. Employee uniforms will be made from
recycled soda pop bottles.
INTERVIEW: Jack Graves, the Chief Cultural Officer for Burgerville USA,
talks about his position and it’s importance in furthering
Burgerville’s policy of sustainable food service. “Served with Love.”
is the mission overall and sustainable initiatives in particular so
that the company actually makes a difference in the communities they
serve. He describes how the company evolved out of the fast food rat
race to a more sustainable and culturally responsible position in the
industry. The move focuses on local sourcing and improving the quality
of the food. 70% of ingredients are sourced from the
Northwest. In the 90's the company switched from buying hamburger on
the commodity market to a fixed price local source. That decision
made a large difference in their business even before Jack had ever
heard the word “sustainable.” It was just the right thing to do.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Salt Fire and Time is a “Community Supported
Kitchen,” taking the concept of community supported agriculture to the
next level. SF&T sells shares in prepared food. The
kitchen uses local and seasonal supplies to offer meal components to
busy families so they can eat high quality, nutritional meals with
minimal effort. Customers also learn about nutrition through
weekly “table talk” meals where members gather to eat and talk to
nutritionists about the why and how of what they eat.
INTERVIEW Part 2: Jack Graves talks about the specifics of
the company’s sustainable practices. The “Ecotainer” is the first
of it’s kind. It’s a completely compostable drink cup that brings
Burgerville’s packaging to 95% compostable. Composting is cheaper
than hauling the discarded packaging to a landfill. But commercial
composting needs more development to increase capacity and level of
service. Through the example of the Pumpkin Shake, Jack describes
how Burgerville strives to source seasonal, natural and local
ingredients. Food Alliance partners with the company to certify
the products.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Bamboo Sushi, Portland’s first and only certified
sustainable restaurant. Seafood is chosen according to the
Seafood Watch list from the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Blue Ocean
Institute then certified by The Marine Stewardship Council. Owner
Kristofor Lofgren has a background in environmental science. He
describes how he thought he could make a difference by transforming the
sushi business into a socially and environmentally conscious
operation. Green practices and components abound and many awards
and certifications captued including “B” corporation status.
FOLLOW UP and CALL TO ACTION: Jack Graves talks about Burgerville’s
commitment to paying 95% of employees health care cost, another unique
feature that boosts morale and pride in employment. The practice
has reduced turnover and saved money in employment and training
cost. 100% of electricity purchased is from renewable
sources. Jack recommends: Follow your values and your
heart. Do your homework and know where your food comes
from. Ask the hard questions when you buy at a restaurant or a
market.
#1006 ENERGY POLICY Original air date 6/12/10 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: The EPA
and the US department of Transportation announce new fuel standards
aimed at achieving a 43% increase in fuel efficiency. The first such
target adjustment since the 1970's. For cars 35.5 mpg, and 259
grams of Co2 Emissions per mile.... Citigroup has become America’s
greenest bank according to “Bank Technology News.” by standardizing
their computers with energy efficient models and consolidating data
centers.... The Federal government has doubled the size of its hybrid
fleet to 11,000. Additionally the gov. has agreed to buy the
first 100 Chevy Volt electric vehicles. The move is expected to
save taxpayers 40, million in fuel costs over the next 7 years.... The
Pew Center has released a new study aimed at helping companies reduce
energy cost by reducing their carbon footprints. The Why and How
are detailed from data showing the results for companies that have made
the move to more efficient practices.
INTERVIEW: Studio guests Todd Wynn of the Cascade Policy Institute and
Joan Dukes from the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, present
differing views on how to best direct future energy policy. Todd
advocates for a free market approach, while Joan believes conservation
is the key to success. Energy policy is heavily regulated
with many rules and mandates with respect to generation, transmission
and environmental impact. Oregon’s power plan is combined with
Washington, Idaho and Montana to form the Northwest Plan for energy
development 20 years out.
Jon Wellinghoff, Head of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
weighs in on the topic of energy and carbon. He notes that not
much has done to include carbon as an external factor when calculating
energy cost. He also discusses the Renewal Portfolio Standards that
mandate a certain percentage of new generation be from renewable
resources. Reaction from Todd, advocates more voluntary
programs such as green power options offered by utilities.
He points out that the RPS is unrealistic because it doesn’t take into
account the amount of power generated currently from renewable sources
such as hydroelectric dams. Joan points out that the reason for
the RPS is concern about climate change and that swift action is
required, that voluntary adjustments would take too long.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT WIND POWER: We revisit the discussion with Troy
Gagliano of enXco and Rachel Shimshak of the Renewable Northwest
Project on the development of wind projects in the state of Oregon.
Video from the Biglow and Klondike II wind projects and Vestas
illustrate the process from manufacturing to power delivery. The
economics of wind power are addressed as well as government support for
new development.
INTERVIEW Part 2: Jon Wellinghoff (FERC) describes how the development
of renewables is progressing nationwide. FERC is now looking at
variable sources and their effect on stability in the grid. Todd
Wynn follows up on this topic in the studio discussion related to
cost. Joan brings up the problem of storage. Hydro is used
to back up wind, but Todd believes more natural gas plants will be
needed for more stabilization. To mitigate increased
demand, conservation programs are being recommended by the NWPCC such
as better insulation, efficient appliances and personal habits.
Joan describes conservation as a replacement for new
generation. Todd agrees that voluntary conservation is the
way to go, allowing the market to come up with innovations demanded by
the consumer. Joan points out that private companies strongly
support conservation efforts. Advances in technology makes it
easier to conserve without making sacrifices to lifestyle.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT, WAVE ENERGY: Gordon Westfall makes a
visit to the Wallace Energy Systems Lab at Oregon State University to
find out what’s going on with the development for power from
ocean waves. WESERF has built a prototype and
deployed it off the Oregon Coast with help from Columbia Power
Technologies. We look at how well does it work and what are the
prospects for this type of renewable power.
CALL TO ACTION: Contact local utility provider to get involved in
conservation efforts. Do things at home that you care
about. Get educated about how best to conserve
energy. Energy Trust is a good resource in the
Northwest. Install your own renewable power source.
#1008 POLLINATORS Original air date 8/14/10 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: Carbon
footprint information is provided alongside the menu choices at the
Oterian restaurant chain. The aim is to encourage customers
to think about the impact food choices have on the planet. The
calculations were made by the British carbon reduction company
“Sustain” by measuring sourcing of raw material, manufacturing,
packing, shipping, cooking and disposal.... Amtrak announces the
first diesel locomotive engine that runs on beef industry
by-products. The B20 biodiesel fuel is made from by products of
feed grain production.... HSBC global pulse survey shows
that in the US, the economy and terrorism rank higher than the
environment. Climate change was #1 elsewhere.... The first
“carbon neutral” toilet paper was announced by Dutch company Van
Houtum. Green attributes include 100% recycled content, eco-label
certified and made using 100% renewable energy.
INTERVIEW: Three experts discuss the problems facing pollinators of all
types but especially the honeybee. Mace Vaughn, director of
pollinator conservation at the Xerces Society, Ramesh Sagili, Senior
researcher at Oregon State University department of Horticulture, and
Glen Andresen, a local bee keeper and master gardener are the guests.
First up, the Colony Collapse Disorder, CCD, first noted in 2006 where
30% of honeybees simply disappeared from the environment.
The state of the investigation and the results discovered so far are
examined. The importance of the bees to agriculture and the cost of the
losses are serious problems. The fact that recent changes in the nature
of agricultural practices may be contributing to the loss is
proposed. Loss of genetic diversity and an infestation of
varroa mites in the 1990's may also be contributing. Native bees have
also be affected. More research is needed and government funding
is a part of the 2010 farm bill.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Foothills Honey Company. Commercial bee
producer and pollination service operator George Hansen takes to a
blueberry farm to show us how the business works. George is
worried about losses due to CCD and believes agricultural methods and
the lack of sustainable practices are contributing to the
problem. His operation tries to mitigate those problems.
INTERVIEW Part 2. Conversation continues with our three
experts. Glen tells us about bee keeping in the city and his all
natural organic methods. Also his work with native species and
the diversity in the bee world is noted. Ramish tells about bee pests
such as varroa, tracheal mites, and nosema. Poor nutrition is
also a factor which relates to habitat loss.
Pesticide use is a serious concern including systemics are
discussed. Some are used on crops and some on the bees themselves
(to treat varroa mite infestation). Habitat degradation is a
documented problem for all pollinators.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: The Oregon Zoo Butterfly restoration program is
the topic. Habitat is the issue. The zoo is raising and
releasing endangered Oregon Silverspot and Taylors Checkerspot
butterflies for release back into the wild. The indicator species
besides being important pollinators, tell about the overall health of
costal prarie habitat. We see the process and the program to
educate the public about the habitat degradation that endangers them.
CALL TO ACTION: Glen talks about his bee keeping efforts.
Recommended activities; Raise bees, restore habitat, plant things bees
like.
#1009 ECOTOURISM Original air date 9/11/10 TRT: 58:30
NEWS:
Oregon’s Property Assessed Clean Energy program allows homeowners to
acquire financing through a government bond to install energy saving
improvements such as insulation or solar panels. The homeowner
repay’s the government through an increased assessment on their
property taxes. It allows homeowners to save on energy
while paying for the improvements. Owners see net gains even with
increased taxes. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae however have refused
to back mortgages with such arrangements calling them “risky” and
“inadvisable.” California is suing the agencies. Congress is
considering a law requiring Freddy and Fannie to co-operate with
PACE... Google purchases power from an Iowa wind farm and
will sell it on the spot market. The move is part of Google’s
effort reduce its carbon footprint and has invested in solar, wind and
geothermal start-ups... EPA estimates 5.5 tons or methane
gas are produced by ruminant livestock such as cattle and sheep.
To reduce these emissions British researchers have reported that
feeding the animals on curry spices reduce by 40% the amount of methane
produced. The spices act as antibiotics, killing methane
producing bacteria in the rumen.
INTERVIEW: Ayako Ezaki, the communications director for the
International Ecotourism Society is our studio guest. Ayako
defines ecotourism as responsible travel to natural areas that improves
the well being of the local people. The key component being an
emphasis on the local community and the education the traveler can gain
from the experience. Reducing your impact by choosing eco
friendly accommodation or making wise transportation choices etc are
noted. Sensitivity to the culture and appropriate behavior
are also part of ecotourism principles. It is important not
to leave your sustainably conscious mind behind when you travel.
Ayako explains the evolution of ecotourism from a wilderness adventure
trek to a widespread influence on all aspects of tourism from
destinations to transportation. This includes sustainable
practices by major hotels.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Sustainable Travel International provides
education and training for the traveler and certification for service
providers. CEO Brian Mullis tells us how Sustainable Travel
accomplishes its mission helping businesses, consumers and destinations
protect the unique attributes of their place, environmentally,
culturally and economically. Program development for tour operators
include, sustainability and philanthropy.
INTERVIEW Part 2: Our conversation with Ayako Ezaki continues with a
discussion of community based tourism. For example dealing with
issues such as illegal hunting as an alternative to managing tourism
which is more environmentally positive. Ecotourism builds pride
in the local community and culture. The concept of “Voluntourism,
” volunteering to help with a local project while visiting, is
explored. Opportunities to help with building a well,
orphanages, or teaching exist in many developing countries.
“Greenwashing” within the tourism industry is also examined with
practical ways to detecting and avoiding false or misleading
claims. Whatever type of travel you embark on, ecotourism
provides as way to be as “green” as possible.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: The Allison Inn and Spa is an example of an
eco-friendly destination. LEED Gold certified, from energy
conservation and light footprint to food and facilities, this hotel is
as green as it can be, right down to the grass (or lack thereof).
KC Eisenberg talks with the designers and managers while touring
this new destination resort in Newberg, Oregon.
CALL TO ACTION: Ecotourism can be practiced at home by being sensitive
and aware of your impact in your own community and acting accordingly
as a host or as a visitor to other peoples homes and
neighborhoods.... Ecotourism is an educational tool that
you can use to learn from other’s experiences... Do your research and
inform yourself before you travel... Investigate tour operators
and destinations when making choices. TIES has an
“innovation” award program for people to compete with new ideas and
concepts.
#1010 FAIR TRADE Original air date 10/9/10 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: New
science developed at Stanford University may turn the business of
treating sewage on it’s head. Instead of using aerobic microbes
to break down solids into gasses, we can use anaerobic microbes to
produce nitrous oxide and methane gas that is then burned at high
temperatures to generate electricity. The process converts
nitrous oxide to clean air. As electic cars make it to the
market, innovative charging techniques are also being developed.
Cars can be charged by induction so that the car need not be “plugged
in” to get a charge. This system makes it possible to charge
through plates in the highway or in parking spaces.
INTERVIEW: Katie Barrow, PR manager for TransFair is the guest.
TransFair is the only independent third party certifier of fair trade
products in the US. Katie explains what fair trade is, its
history and how it’s certified and verified. Social as well
as economic impacts on developing world producers is examined.
Fair trade labeling and its evolution is examined. How markets
are developed for fair trade goods from ingredients to whole products
and what that means for American consumers is discussed.
Parallels between Fair Trade and Organic certification are pointed
out. Premium payments are given to co-operative organizations in
producing areas to further community improvements such as schools,
water systems, roads etc. Cooperatives are the key to fair
trade activities and make them more competitive.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Banyan Tree, a non-profit, store in Portland shows
us through videos from Ten Thousand Villages and goods sold how fair
trade actually works. Banyan Tree manager Lois Gearhart explains
the mission and tells us the stories behind the products they sell.
INTERVIEW Part 2: Continues as Katie tells us about October being Fair
Trade Month, the events, shows and the use of social media to harness
the energy to get everyone talking about fair trade during the
month. Social, environmental and economic standards that go into
the fair trade certification process are detailed and
explained. Katie describes her personal experience
traveling to Rwanda to discover the results of fair trade in
action. She tells us that not only the producers but their
entire communities are lifted by the effort. New products are joining
the list or fair trade certified items, we see some of them Katie
brought with her to the studio. Distribution and marketing
techniques are also explained.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Portland Roasting Company. Direct
relationships are explored through this company’s efforts to go
straight to the source. They verify and certify all the coffee
they buy directly without third party support. Money is channeled back
to communities to solve problems of water quality, education and better
growing techniques. Projects are designed to align with Millennium
Development Goals. Portland Walk for Water is sponsored by the
company to raise awareness and money for more projects.
CALL TO ACTION:
Consumers should ask for fair trade products.
Look for the “Fair Trade Certified” label.
FairTradeTownsUSA.org encourages cities to pass resolutions supporting
fair trade.
Encourage your city to adopt one if one does not exist.
#1011 GEOTHERMAL POWER Original air date 11/13/10 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: Excelon
corporation, the nation’s largest nuclear operator, buys John Deere
Renewables making it one of the largest owners of wind power resources
in the US. Excelon withdrew plans for new nuclear plants
over lower projections for electricity. The cost of protecting
endangered shortnose sturgeon in South Carolina may cause dam owners to
pony up more than $100,000 or stop operating them. Eurostat
released figures showing Europe to be far ahead of the US in investment
and implementation of renewable energy sources. Increases
in EU use of renewables increased 8.3% in 2009, while the use of coal
and natural gas decreased 9.2 and 10.1% respectively. Consumption
also decreased.
INTERVIEW: Alex Sifford is a private consultant with Sifford Energy
Services. Toni Boyd is the Assistant Director for the Geo Heat
Center at Oregon Institute of Technology. Alex and Toni explain
what geothermal energy is, where it comes from, and how it is
used. Direct sources which use hot water from underground are
district heating, electric power and other applications such as
onion dehydration are described. In addition geothermal heat
pumps transfer heat from the ground to a heat exchanger for home use
are mentioned.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Geothermal Heat Pumps. We take you to
several installations to show what goes into a heat pump system, tax
incentives and efficiencies.
INTERVIEW: Discussion continues with Alex and Toni on the comparison
between geothermal and other renewable resources. Geothermal is a
base load, constant supply. The advantages of district heating is
examined. The potential for geothermal to generate significant
amounts of electric power in terms of actual btu’s or kilowatts is
explained. They also talk about how far along the development of
new applications and installations are, and the use of lower
temperature water to generate electricity being one of the newest and
most promising aspects. Environmental and economic impacts
are also reviewed.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Oregon Institute of Technology has installed the
first geothermal electric power plant in the state. We visit the
plant, learn how it works, and take a look at the educational programs
that are developed out of the plant and other applications OIT enjoys
due to it’s location near a geothermal water source.
FOLLOW UP and CALL TO ACTION: Environmental impacts and
advantages are discussed further. Jobs in the geothermal industry
are reviewed. Incentives for installation of ground source heat
pumps are explained. Support for district heating systems are
encouraged including a call for input from Lake County, Oregon, an
active geothermal area in the state. Educational opportunities
are also noted.
#1012 GROWTH Original air date 12/11/10 TRT: 58:30
NEWS: Kosaka
Japan embarks on an “urban Mining” project. Recycling materials
from used electronics yields rare earth metals, the names of which you
would not recognize unless you are a geologist or a maker or
electronics. Most rare earths are now mined in China but Japan
recently slapped a ban on their importation over a diplomatic
spat. The mining town has turned to recovering the materials from
old cell phones and computers and uses them in the manufacture of new
products. Long Beach California’s garbage burner is
obsolete. Twenty years ago they were the leaders, but lack of
investment and upgrades have sent US officials to Canada, Western
Europe, and Japan to see the latest advances. Concerns that new
biorefineries would undermine recycling efforts and contribute to air
pollution have stalled investment in new technologies in
California. Environmentalists argue the plants are no different
from incinerators. Meanwhile implementation elsewhere continues
to leave US efforts in the dust.
INTERVIEW: Robert Costanza, the new head of Portland State University’s
Institute for Sustainable Solutions and Josh Farley, professor of
Ecological Economics at the Gund Institute from the University of
Vermont are guests. Topics include a discussion of the idea that
most indicators of growth is pinned to Gross Domestic Product.
What GDP was designed to do and why it’s not being used properly as a
measure of economic well being. It does not take into account
social factors such as crime, pollution and health care.
Production can go down as the GDP goes up. We now live in a world
where the external costs are more important than
productivity. Human activities have become so large on the
planet that the negative side effects are becoming significant.
Humans have never before had that kind if influence on climate and the
environment. Since 1969 we have doubled our consumption
while measures of satisfaction of live as a whole have gone down.
HOOKED ON GROWTH: This segment focuses on David Gardner,
the producer of a new film to be released in early 2011. The film
postulates that we have outgrown growth and that we must shift social,
political, economic and population toward a more sustainable model.
INTERVIEW: Continues with a discussion of the Genuine Progress
Indicator (GPI) as the new measure of our well being as a nation. It
adds things such as the value of volunteer work and household labor and
accounts for the distribution of income. By this measure we
have not made any real progress since 1975 because costs have
outweighed the benefits of the additional growth. Josh says that
we are pursuing the wrong goal, increasing the rate of consumption
doubling it every generation. Overemphasis on growth leads to
more stresses on society. The equation between increasing consumption
and increasing happiness is something we’ve been sold by advertising.
In reality that relationship doesn’t hold. Other
measurements such as Gross National Happiness are discussed.
Poverty and distribution of wealth and the notion that we can grow our
way out of poverty as a fallacy are noted. Creating rewarding
meaningful jobs should be a top priority.
WAKE UP FREAK OUT & the Portland “What is Enough” discussion group.
A short film on the “Tipping Point” of climate change is followed by
comments from ordinary folks on the topic of growth and the direction
we should be heading in.
Semper Sustainable Fashion Show SPECIAL PRESENTATION Original air date 04-09-2011 TRT: 58:30
Every year the folks a Semper Fashion dazzle the audiences at the Better Living Show with a spectacular display of sustainable, clothing, accessories and make up. 2011 marks the 4th year and Sustainable Today was on hand to show off the latest and greatest in clothing and textiles made of reused, recycled, or renewable material. Fifteen designers show and tell how sustainability translates beautifully to the fashion world.
Food Security Original air date 10/08/2011
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