Personal Sustainability [38:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2856)

TODAY’S ECO WAKE-UP CALL: One of the problems the scientific community has in convening the seriousness of global warming is that its most severe effects to date have been felt in the polar regions, far from the places that most politicians and their constituents live. (Source: Associated Press - March 25, 2007)

In today’s show, America the Green gets personal. Instead of the how-to’s and what-not’s of solving global warming, we dive into the core of ourselves to discover the change that’s really needed is a change within. Our guest, Margo Covington is internationally recognized for her expertise in “Sustainable Entreprenuership.” She also helps organizations create strategic and action planning to make sustainability work from the inside out.

Next week on America the Green: Lou Schriber who heads up the ever-growing Sustainability Program at Santa Fe Community College, will be talking about new educational and career opportunities in Environmental Studies and Sustainability.

Resource:

Covington Consulting

Intro and Outtro Music:
A special thanks to Kevin Hays for his song “What Survives” off the Kevin Hays Trio CD. PLEASE, if like this music, check him out at KevinHays.com

 

 Rethinking Recycling [41:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (9543)

TODAY’S ECO WAKE-UP CALL: If we recycled all of the newspapers printed in the U.S. on a typical Sunday, we would save 550,000 trees — or about 26 million trees per year. (Source: California Department of Conservation)

In today’s show, America the Green will be discussing why recycling is not a sustainable solution for our country’s waste products. Our guest, Justin Stockdale, the Recycling and Special Projects Manager at Santa Fe Solid Waste Management Agency.

Some questions we asked:

• So Justin, as a Recycling and Special Projects Manager saying recycling is NOT the answer is a pretty bold statement.

• We are all told to recycle, recycle, recycle like good eco boys and girls. If recycling is not a solution, why support it?
• How much energy does it take to recycle? Is it worth it?
• One of the best recycling centers in the country is in Boulder, CO. What makes them shine?
• Tell us the difference between land-fillers and recyclers?
• There’s a new wave of converting our solid waste to energy, tell us more.
• What are the costs involved as compared to a recycling program?
• There’s some cities that are working towards building a “Zero Waste Community”. What’s that?
• Part of “Zero Waste” is holding industry liable for creating less toxic and more efficient products. If we can’t do it in eco-friendly businesses, how can we expect mainstream businesses to?
• How can each of us begin that process right in our own homes?
• Closing Question: What one significant change do we a species need to shift towards to create permanent, positive change in our world?

Next week on America the Green: Margo Covington, a Sustainability Coach, will be showing us how you can create personal sustainability in your life.

Show links

Santa Fe Solid Waste Management Agency

New Mexico Recycling Coalition

Grassroots Recycling Network

Green Team Project

Two of the best recycling efforts in US according to Justin:

Eco-Cycle

Eureka Recycling

Intro and Outtro Music:
A special thanks to Kevin Hays for his song “What Survives” off the Kevin Hays Trio CD. PLEASE, if like this music, check him out at KevinHays.com

 

 Conversations with Mark Spellun [23:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (9304)

TODAY’S ECO WAKE-UP CALL: If global warming continues, we can expect these consequences: The Artic Ocean could be ice free in summer of 2050 and more than a million species worldwide could be driven to extinction. (Source: ClimateCrisis.org).

“One of the worst forms of corruption is the despoliation of our natural resources, as it usually involves taking things in the pubic domain and using them for private gain,” says Mark Spellun, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Plenty. In this show, America the Green discusses the greatest threat to our natural environment is not global warming but government indifference. Our guest, Mark Spellun, is the Editor-in-Chief of Plenty, a leading magazine for eco living.

Some of the questions we asked:

In your current issue you have a lot to say about the failure of our government to protect our natural resources. So how have environmental laws been weakened or overlook by the current administration?

What is the effect of putting industry officials in the top job at the EPA and the Department of Energy?

Why do you think the current administration is so anti-environment?

A recent report of conservative bloggers showed that they overwhelmingly disbelieved in global warming. As Al Gore said, this issue is not about right versus left, it’s right versus wrong. Why has this become a political issue and not an environmental one?

Closing Question: What one significant change do we a species need to shift towards to create permanent, positive change in our world?

Next week on America the Green: “Rethinking Recycling” with Justin Stockdale, Recycling Manager at Santa Fe Solid Waste Management Agency. He will be talking with us about how recycling is NOT the answer.

Show Links

Plenty Magazine

MoveOn.org

Climate Crisis

Intro and Outtro Music:
A special thanks to Kevin Hays for his song “What Survives” off the Kevin Hays Trio CD. PLEASE, if like this music, check him out at KevinHays.com