TODAY’S ECO WAKE-UP CALL: “The threat of nuclear weapons and man’s ability to destroy the environment are really alarming. And yet there are other almost imperceptible changes - I am thinking of the exhaustion of our natural resources, and especially of soil erosion - and these are perhaps more dangerous still, because once we begin to feel their repercussions it will be too late.” (Source: The Dalai Lama’s Little Book of Inner Peace)

Today’ show, we go back to basics. Instead of fighting against nature, we learn now to follow her lead. Our guest, Nate Downey of Santa Fe Permaculture and author of “Harvesting the Rain”, will share with us how the art and science of permaculture not only restores our land, but our lives.

Show Resources:

Santa Fe Permaculture

National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service

Leonardo DiCaprio Eco-Site

Camino De Paz

Books:

Bill Mollison’s book: PERMACULTURE: A Designers’ Manual (Hardcover)

The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals

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

TODAY’S ECO WAKE-UP CALL: There are approximately 2.4 million marriages per year. Flying can have the biggest impact on a wedding’s carbon footprint. If 10,000 couples offset their weddings, we’d save a cruise ship’s weight in CO2 emissions. (Source: Ideal Bite).

Spring is in the air. And couples all around the world are planning the Big Day! But the day you say “I do” can also be the day you say “I don’t” to the tons of trash most weddings generate. In this show, learn how you can green up a wedding or any big bash without the trash. Our guest, Ari Derfel, has catered more than 30 green weddings last year. Modern Bride Magazine named him one of the 25 top trendsetters in the wedding industry in 2006.

What are YOU doing for Earth Day?

Leave us your comments on our comment line: 206-337-0233

Next Week on America the Green: TC Gritt from Whole Foods will give us the whole truth about quality control in our food chain.

RESOURCES:
Our guest Ari Derfel
Backtoearth.com and Organiccatering.com

Articles:
Coop America: “Green Weddings and More”
Modern Bride Magazine: “How to Throw an Eco Friendly Affair”

Publications and Website:
Organic Weddings: Balancing Ecology, Style and Tradition, Michelle Kozin (New Society Publishers, 2003)
Eco Honeymoons and Travel: OdeMagazine.com

Hotels:
Green Hotels Association: GreenHotels.com

Wedding Rings:
Brilliant Earth: A socially responsible jeweler offering conflict-free Canadian diamond jewelry, fair trade colored gemstones, and environmentally responsible gold and platinum. Brilliantearth.com
Custom jewelers specializing in handcrafted wedding, engagement and commitment rings using only Certified Green Gold and Platinum. Sustainable mined and fairly traded. Sumiche.com
Touch Wood Rings: Socially and ecologically responsible alternative to traditional rings: Touchwoodrings.com

Wedding Dresses:
Green Wedding Dresses: Getconscious.com
Organic Wedding Dresses: Olivialuca.com

Part Planning:
Organic Wine and Champagne: Excellent wines and champagne from our dear friend, Veronique! TheOrganicWineCompany.com
Paloma Pottery: Recycled glass and pottery Ring Holders for wedding gifts/favors. Palomapottery.com/basket/ringholder/ringpg.htm
Eco Party: Organic ring bearer’s pillow’s, eco confetti, etc. Eco-party.com
Underwood Gardens: Heirloom seed specialists for bridal showers. Underwoodgardens.com
Non PVC tents: Intents.biz
Tree Free Invitations: Nepalesepaper.com
Seed Paper Invitations: Okinasales.com

Regional Green Connections:
San Francisco: Backtoearth.com and Organiccatering.com
Boston: GreatGreenWedding.com
Alaska: Eco-wilderness lodge in coastal Alaska performing small weddings Sadiecove.com.
Massachusetts: Event planner specializing in enchanted weddings and events using natural lights, organic and herbal products. Sheplansit.com.

America the Green

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

TODAY’S ECO WAKE-UP CALL: The greatest engine of wealth creation today is green business. (Source: Bill Joy, Co-founder of Sun Microsystems)

In today’s show, America the Green focuses on educational and career opportunities in the ever-growing world of green. Our guest, Lou Schreiber is the Director of Workforce Training and Creator of the Sustainability Program at the Center for Community Sustainability at Santa Fe Community College.

Resources:

Santa Fe Community College - Center for Community Sustainability

Governor Bill Richardson

Mark Sardella, Local Energy

Boaz Soifer and Bristol Stickney from Cedar Mountain Solar

Amanda Bramble, The Different Aspects of Sustainable Living

Local Communities: Oshara Village The Lofts

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