RADICAL CHANGE
INTRODUCING RADICAL CHANGE
ECO 558 JUNE 23, 2020
In this program, we previewed a new series of broadcasts on Ecotopia: Radical Change. Over the past two years, Butte County has experienced a one-two punch that has knocked us back on our heels. Our people are still feeling the impact of the Camp Fire, which has left many people food insecure and has exacerbated our efforts to find ways to house people. The Covid-19 virus has made that population even more vulnerable and created illness and confusion for many, many more of us. Our “peaceful” town has experienced little of the violence of many cities in the aftermath of the George Floyd murder but Chico clearly still has open wounds from the police killing of Desmond Phillips, and many African Americans in our community suffer the subtle and not-so-subtle racism that permeates a community and a nation that has mindlessly ignored the experiences of people of color.
Our community reflects and demonstrates the deep problems that our country has allowed to fester without sufficient attention to the needs of millions of people who feel the impact of these problems—health care, energy crises, water unpredictability, homelessness, hunger, prejudice, law and peace enforcement, poverty and wealth inequality, legal inequity, prison reform, abuse of women and children, drug addiction, mental health, and more. As we develop this series, we would like to hear from you. Do you or someone you know have big ideas for big change? We are looking for people who are deeply involved in the issue and have ideas and plans for big change and where to start to implement those ideas.
Now is the time for thinking about Change—in our attitudes, in our laws and policies, and in the application of the law. We need to scrutinize the unspoken attitudes and ethics that permeate ourselves and our institutions. Corporate greed and sexist and racist structures have dominated the last half century. We need Radical Change. In this program, we introduce a few of what we see as many needed changes, many that we're currently experiencing most excruciatingly.
Listen to the program: Click here.
And here's the script: Click here.
Our community reflects and demonstrates the deep problems that our country has allowed to fester without sufficient attention to the needs of millions of people who feel the impact of these problems—health care, energy crises, water unpredictability, homelessness, hunger, prejudice, law and peace enforcement, poverty and wealth inequality, legal inequity, prison reform, abuse of women and children, drug addiction, mental health, and more. As we develop this series, we would like to hear from you. Do you or someone you know have big ideas for big change? We are looking for people who are deeply involved in the issue and have ideas and plans for big change and where to start to implement those ideas.
Now is the time for thinking about Change—in our attitudes, in our laws and policies, and in the application of the law. We need to scrutinize the unspoken attitudes and ethics that permeate ourselves and our institutions. Corporate greed and sexist and racist structures have dominated the last half century. We need Radical Change. In this program, we introduce a few of what we see as many needed changes, many that we're currently experiencing most excruciatingly.
Listen to the program: Click here.
And here's the script: Click here.
CONCERNED CITIZENS FOR JUSTICE
ECO 560 JUNE 30, 2020
Our guests on this program, focusing on Radical Change, were George Gold and Marty Dunlap, longtime community activists in Chico. They told us about their organization, Concerned Citizens for Justice, and their work to create change in policing and social justice. Their program for change includes investigating police budgets, the use of force, transparency, accountability, citizen oversight, and much more. CC4J will be putting forth an action plan for the City of Chico, and we will cover that in a future program. Be sure to check out their website at https://cc4j-chico.wixsite.com/website.
Listen to the program: Click here.
Shortly, Ecotopia programs will also be available as a podcast!
Listen to the program: Click here.
Shortly, Ecotopia programs will also be available as a podcast!
RADICAL RESTORATION
eCO 561 7 JULY 2020
In this program, we spoke with Eartha Shanti. Eartha’s prayer and life are for a peaceful, loving world, in herself and in the world. She has spent decades pondering and studying a new way and loves to talk about it. On this program, she said, “Welcome to the Age of Restoration.” We discussed her views on:
1. The life killer culture. A culture that rewards who kills the most.
2. The Great Awakening. A time of realization that the Earth is our Mother and we must take care of her. That all life, human, animal, plant, planetary, is sacred.
3. Age of Restoration. Restoration of our forest planet; local control of local resouorces, unity and love of life, one hectare of land for each family, and support for each person to blossom and share.
4. Life Giver Culture. The opposite of the life killer culture.
Listen to the program--click here.
1. The life killer culture. A culture that rewards who kills the most.
2. The Great Awakening. A time of realization that the Earth is our Mother and we must take care of her. That all life, human, animal, plant, planetary, is sacred.
3. Age of Restoration. Restoration of our forest planet; local control of local resouorces, unity and love of life, one hectare of land for each family, and support for each person to blossom and share.
4. Life Giver Culture. The opposite of the life killer culture.
Listen to the program--click here.
BUDDHIST ECONOMICS
eCO 562 14 JULY 2020
In this program, Susan Tchudi spoke with Dr. Clair Brown, Professor of Economics and Director of the Center for Work, Technology, and Society at the University of California, Berkeley. The program is part of our series on Radical Change. Claire is an advocate of a Buddhist Economy, a holistic economic approach, where the economy delivers a high quality of life in a sustainable world. Buddhist economics integrates sustainability, equity, and compassion.She is the author of Buddhist Economics: An Enlightened Approach to the Dismal Science, published in 2017.Learn more at http://buddhisteconomics.net/
Listen to the program: Click here.
Listen to the program: Click here.
RADICAL MEDICAL REFORM
ECO 563 21 JULY 2020
As part of our series on Radical Change we interviewed two guests on the topic of Radical Medical Reform. First we spoke with Norma Wilcox of Northstate Medicare for All, who spoke eloquently about our broken health insurance system and why Medicare-for-All/Single Payer is the best remedy. We then spoke with David Welch, who has recently retired after a 36-year career as a Registered Nurse about a range of problems, including for-profit hospitals (and some masquerading as “non-profit”), needed reform in medical education, and problems associated with factory-style medicine, from family practice to high paying specialties.
For more info on Single Payer, check out Northstate Medicare for All:
Website: www.northstatemedicare4all.org
Facebook: North State Medicare 4 All
Phone: 530-636-0199
Listen to the program: Click here.
For more info on Single Payer, check out Northstate Medicare for All:
Website: www.northstatemedicare4all.org
Facebook: North State Medicare 4 All
Phone: 530-636-0199
Listen to the program: Click here.
RADICAL MORAL REFORM
ECO 564 4 aUGUST 2020
Our guest on this program was Patrick Newman, longtime Chico activist, a frequent contributor to the letters page of our local papers, and a man dedicated to solving homeless issues in Chico in humane, progressive ways. He is the founder of Chico Friends on the Street, which, among other things has handed out thousands of lunches as well as sleeping bags, clothing, and toiletries at City Plaza. As part of our Radical Change series we invited Patrick to speak out on the issues that he sees most important for our time. He opened with a blockbuster question, “Has civilization ever had a functional moral compass?” He offered a detailed, philosophical explanation of putting an end to unnecessary suffering as the key to a “deep moral/reform and awaking.” This is one of the most engaging interviews we’ve ever done; it’s a must-listen program.
Click here to listen or download.
Click here to listen or download.
VOTE 2020: WILL YOUR VOTE COUNT?
eCO 565 11 aUGUST 2020
Our guest on this program was the wonderfully outspoken Harvey Wasserman, advocate for solar power, anti-nuclear-power advocate and crusader on many other issues. In this interview, he focused on the possible theft of the 2020 presidential election, with a trifecta of voter registration, voter suppression, and inaccurate vote counts. He argues that Trump and his workerbees are very much attempting to the steal the election and have a very good chance of doing so.
Listen to this important interview.
Listen to this important interview.
TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE
eco 566 18 August 2020
Our guest was Ali Meders-Knight, a member of the Mechoopda Tribe and an artist, activist, and educator. She has a vision to educate people in traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). She discussed how TEK differes from western scientific knowledge in terms of landscape management and described her programs to certify people in TEK and to see this knowledge put into large-scale practice. Learn more at TEKChico.org.
Listen to or download the program.
Listen to or download the program.
responsible recycling
eco 567 25 august 2020
Our guest on this program was Doug Kobold, Executive Director of the California Product Stewardship Council, which supports the reduction of packaging calls upon manufacturers to take responsibility for recycling its packaging and used products. CPSC has recently announced its Arrow Awards, which recognize California businesses for outstanding leadership, innovation and partnerships in product stewardship and green design. Learn more at https://www.calpsc.org/.
Download or listen to the program: click here.
Download or listen to the program: click here.
DESCHOOLING AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION
eCO 568 1 sEPTEMBER 2020
Our guest on the phone from East Vancouver, Canada, was Matt Hern. He is a community organizer, independent scholar, writer and activist working primarily in nearby Surrey, B.C. Matt is known for his work in radical urbanism, community development, ecology and alternative forms of education. First we spoke about the concept of a "deschooled" society, which we attributed to Ivan Illich, but Matt suggested that the concept goes all the way back to the Greeks. His current iteration is “Solid State Community Industries,” which is helping immigrant young people acquire the skills to become independent members of society. It's a remarkable project, and you need to listen to the interview to fully appreciate it. But you can learn more at https://solidstate.coop/
Listen to or download the program.
Listen to or download the program.
OTHER 2020 PROGRAMS
TREE
ECO 584 22 DECEMBER 2020
Our guest on this program was Melina Watts, who has written a fascinating novel called Tree, a piece of magical fiction written from the perspective of a Live Oak! We read the book and loved it, finding it engaging from both a spiritual and ecological perspective. She read several passages for us and helped us understand not only her purpose in writing the book, but the complexities of maintaining its point-of-view, from acorn to full grown oak. Along with telling us the oak's story, Melina includes fascinating ecological details about the flora, fauna, and hardships of the Topanga valley. It is available from Amazon. Click here to access or download the recording.
bidwell park commission: PROBLEMS AND PRIORITIES
EC0 582 15 DECEMBER 2020
We interviewed Anna Moore and Lise Smith, members of the Bidwell Parks and Recreation Commission in Chico. Our interview was sparked by an excellent letter they wrote to the Chico Enterprise Record, regarding homeless camping in Bidwell Park. Unlike many, they do not call for the homeless to be rousted; instead they urge the city to create a campground where the homeless can safely live. The City thus far has dodged the issue, and Chico's newly installed conservative City Council is looking toward enforcement and issuing misdemeanor citations rather than helping the homeless. In addition to exploring this issue, Lise and Anna also filled us in on other issues facing the commission, from access to fire danger to funding. Listen to or download the program: Click here.
WATER ISSUES: RADICAL CHANGE
ECO 581 8 DECEMBER 2020
When we launched out "Radical Change" series during the summer, we had in mind Barbara Vlamis, Executive Director of AquAlliance, "defending NorthState waters." Dynamic, well spoken, and outspoken, Barbara has myriad thoughts about how California's water has been managed, mismanaged, appropriated, and sent to the wrong destinations. In this interview, we began by asking her why people continue to pursue destructive and self-destructive policies and actions, not only with regard to California's (and the world's) inadequate water supply, but also on vital issues ranging from climate change and forest management to urban growth. Learn more at aqualliance.net. Give a listen to this remarkable interview--click here.
DAM-NATION
CELEBRATION MARKET
Eco 580 1 DECEMBER 2020
In this two-part program, we spoke first with Ron Stork, Senior Policy Advisor, Friends of the River in Sacramento. He joined Friends of the River as Associate Conservation Director in 1987 and became the Senior Policy Advocate in 1995 as a national expert in flood management, federal water resources development, hydropower reform, and Wild & Scenic Rivers. A couple of years ago we spoke with him about raising of Shasta Dam, and we’ll asked him about that but first we discussed something closer to home a recently-released self-study of the state of the Oroville Dam issued by the Department of Water Resources. Butte County Supervisor declared this report to be "The fox guarding the hen house." Listen to or download this excellent interview. Click here. Follow Friends of the River: Click here.
Our second interview was with Christy Seashore from Wellspring Art Collective. She spoke about this newly formed collective along with plans for a socially-distance and masks-required Celebration Market in December. This will be an amazing shopping experience that supports local artists even while creating an opportunity to do holiday shopping in a safe, convenient environment. Listen to or download the recording: click here.
HEALTH CARE FOR ALL
ECO 579 24 NOVEMBER 2020
We had two guests on this program, both strong advocates for universal, single-payer health care. Bruce McLean has lived and worked in Butte County since 1990 and has been on the Board of the Butte County Health Care Coalition (now North State Medicare 4-All) since 2016. Paul O’Rourke-Babb, is a nurse practitioner and co-chair of NorCal Physicians for a National Health Program. They opened the interview with “Health Care 101,” describing the many problems with our current health care system and explaining why they think a single-payer or Medicare-for-All system is desperately needed. They discussed a recent health care resolution passed by the Chico City Council and then spoke about the state of the health-care-for-all bills in Congress as well as and options for improved health care insurance in California. Learn more at North Care Medicare for All or Physicians for a National Health Program. Listen to or download the program: Click Here.
green chico
eco 578 17 november 2020
In this episode we spoke with Cheri Chastain, Chair of the Chico Climate Action Commission and Campus Sustainability Manager for Chico State and with Molly Marcussen Associate lanner for the City of Chico. They told us about recent proposals/recommendations of the Commission, which include the Chico Bicycle Master Plan, improving ZEV (zero emission vehicle) infrastructure to allow for a 25% shift from combustion vehicles to ZEVs by 2030, working with waste haulers and other stakeholders to meet the goals of SB 1383 and divert 75% of organic waste from the landfill through an expansion of composting services and edible food waste diversion and expanding the tree canopy by 700 trees by 2022 and 4,500 trees by 2030 to sequester carbon, decrease temperatures, save energy, and improve air quality within Chico. Read more about their work at
https://chico.ca.us/climate-action-commission
Listen to or download the program here
https://chico.ca.us/climate-action-commission
Listen to or download the program here
hope and resilience
eco 576 3 November 2020
In this special program, one that can be listened to anytime, we offered poetry and music presenting advice and wisdom for our deeply troubled times. Acknowledging the hate and strife of our times, we read poetry by people as diverse as Keats, Sandburg, Dickenson, Angelou, Mattawa, and Harjo and music by the Beatles, Cohen, and the Harlem Boy's Chorus, plus quotes from spiritual leaders such as MLK Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Michelle Obama.
Listen to or download the program: click here.
Listen to or download the program: click here.
chico climate action
eco 574 17 October 2020
In this program, we spoke with Cheri Chastain. She is Chair of the Chico Climate Action Commission, which is overseeing the update of Climate Action Plan for the City of Chico. She is also Campus Sustainability Manager for Chico State. We discussed the role of the Climate Action Commission, its work updating the Climate Action Plan, how the community has been involved, and the challenges facing both the Commission and the City generally.
Listen to program: click here.
Listen to program: click here.
forest renewal
eco 573 10 october 2020
This week we inteviewed Wolfy Rougle, who serves the Butte County Resource Conservation District as a Forest Health Watershed Coordinator under a grant from the Department of Conservation. Her projects include developing the Butte Forest Plan, helping local landowners put "good fire" on the ground through a Prescribed Burn Association, tree planting, and writing grants to develop the next wave of watershed health projects in the county.
Learn more at bcrcd.org. Listen or download the the interview: Click here.
Learn more at bcrcd.org. Listen or download the the interview: Click here.
LAUREN KOHLER: CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE
ECO 572 29 SEPTEMBER
Our ecosystem in this program is the complex one of Chico, and our guest on the phone was She is a Chico native and went to Butte College, and then Chico State to get her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, working at local businesses along the way, as well as as a Behavior Health Education Specialist. She has been the business manager for Chico Chai and is currently working as a case manager helping people transition out of homelessness. She spoke about housing, infill development vs urban sprawl, public safety, homelessness and climate change.
Listen to the program: Click here.
Listen to the program: Click here.
URBAN FORESTRY
ECO 569 8 September
We spoke with Richie Bamlet. the Urban Forest Manager for the City of Chico. In addition to being responsible for the care and management of trees in Chico, he is responsible for thinking about the future of trees as we face climate change. We were particularly interested in learning about trees able to grow comfortably in our area will will change with climate change. He is experimenting with trees that grow 700 miles south of us to discover possible new species.
Listen to or download the program: Click here.
Listen to or download the program: Click here.
HUMAN PERMACULTURE
ECO 558 16 JUNE 2020
Our guest was Bernard Alonso, co-author, with Cecile Guiochon, of a book called Human Permaculture: Principles for Ecological and Social Life Design (New Society, 2020). On this program we’ve had several conversations with local permaculture practicioners, who have described it’s organic approach to the earth. Bernard and Cecile have extended the concept to how people can can create a life design.
Bernard Alonso has as been a permaculture practitioner since 1993, and he is the co-founder of the Collaborative International University of Transition. As a writer, facilitator, speaker, coach/project designer, he promotes the application of his human permaculture to people in search of change who wish to make sense of their actions to rebuild or build their own life design. He ordinarily resides in Quebec, Canada, but we’re spoke with him in Southern India, where he is lodged during Covid-19.
The interview focused particularly on the concept of niche, finding oneself’s place in the world, becoming aligned with the laws of nature rather than fighting them. He explained how one can seek and find that niche, as well as using one’s place in the world to become “an artisan of change.” Learn more <permacultureinternationale.org>
Listen to the program. Click here.
Bernard Alonso has as been a permaculture practitioner since 1993, and he is the co-founder of the Collaborative International University of Transition. As a writer, facilitator, speaker, coach/project designer, he promotes the application of his human permaculture to people in search of change who wish to make sense of their actions to rebuild or build their own life design. He ordinarily resides in Quebec, Canada, but we’re spoke with him in Southern India, where he is lodged during Covid-19.
The interview focused particularly on the concept of niche, finding oneself’s place in the world, becoming aligned with the laws of nature rather than fighting them. He explained how one can seek and find that niche, as well as using one’s place in the world to become “an artisan of change.” Learn more <permacultureinternationale.org>
Listen to the program. Click here.
BUILDING COMMUNITY
ECO 557 9 JUNE 2020
There has been an extraordinary amount of strife in Chico and Butte County of late, exacerbated by Covid-19 and disagreements over sheltering and mask wearing and reopening. But preceding the pandemic there were a number of nasty literal and verbal confrontations over such issues as the climate emergency, needle distribution, taxes, the President, the city council, and the homeless.
Our guest on this program has experience working with communities around the globe to create positive change and to seek resolution of such issues. Jim Gruber is an experienced civil engineer, town manager, and consultant, who is Chair of the Environmental Studies program at Antioch University in Keene, New Hampshire. He has a doctorate from Zagreb University in Croatia, as well as degrees and certification from the Kennedy School of Government, MIT, and the State of New Hampshire. Jim has recently published a book titled, Building Community: Twelve Principles for a Healthy Future.
He spoke with us about the twelve principles, such as transparency, conducting research, listening to all stakeholders, and feedback. He also outlined a process for community planning and offered several case studies of successful community building. Learn more about Jim at https://www.antioch.edu/new-england/faculty/james-gruber/ and about the book at newsociety.com.
Listen to the program: Click here.
Our guest on this program has experience working with communities around the globe to create positive change and to seek resolution of such issues. Jim Gruber is an experienced civil engineer, town manager, and consultant, who is Chair of the Environmental Studies program at Antioch University in Keene, New Hampshire. He has a doctorate from Zagreb University in Croatia, as well as degrees and certification from the Kennedy School of Government, MIT, and the State of New Hampshire. Jim has recently published a book titled, Building Community: Twelve Principles for a Healthy Future.
He spoke with us about the twelve principles, such as transparency, conducting research, listening to all stakeholders, and feedback. He also outlined a process for community planning and offered several case studies of successful community building. Learn more about Jim at https://www.antioch.edu/new-england/faculty/james-gruber/ and about the book at newsociety.com.
Listen to the program: Click here.
HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE
ECO 556 2 JUNE 2020
On Ecotopia, we've regularly worried about pessimism regarding climate change, and a number of our guests have argued that, in varying degrees, the earth is past its tipping point. Our guest on this program, Harriet Shugarman, argues that despite the severity of the crisis, we owe it to our children to address it directly and truthfully them, and she has powerful ideas about how to talk with kids and engage them in environmental action. Harriet has had a long career working as a policy analyst and economist both in Canada and at the United Nations, where she worked on the first United Nations Earth Summit. In 2007, she participated in the Climate Reality Project sponsored by Al Gore, and she now focuses most of her attention on ClimateMama, where mamas (and papas) work to educate children about climate change.
Her recent book from New Society is How to Talk to Your Kids About Climate Change: Turning Angst into Action. She discussed the need to tell kids about the truth concerning the climate (appropriate to their age), and argues that we can help young people channel their concerns into direct action. She offers four facts or premises that we need to tell kids.
--What's happening is not normal.
--The unfolding is still within our control.
--We can slow the changes.
--The crisis doesn't rest on their shoulders alone
The book and interview are filled with ideas for action as well as resources for parents and others. Check out the website at climatemama.com.
Listen to or download the program: click here.
Her recent book from New Society is How to Talk to Your Kids About Climate Change: Turning Angst into Action. She discussed the need to tell kids about the truth concerning the climate (appropriate to their age), and argues that we can help young people channel their concerns into direct action. She offers four facts or premises that we need to tell kids.
--What's happening is not normal.
--The unfolding is still within our control.
--We can slow the changes.
--The crisis doesn't rest on their shoulders alone
The book and interview are filled with ideas for action as well as resources for parents and others. Check out the website at climatemama.com.
Listen to or download the program: click here.
WATER ISSUES REVISITED
ECO 555 26 MAY 2020
Our guests on this program were Barbara Vlamis, Executive Director, and Jim Brobeck, Policy Analyst, of AquAlliance, the nonprofit protecting northern California waters. We spoke with them about a range of topics, including AquAlliance's recent lawsuit to prevent extensive water transfers from north to south; the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act which will provide rules and regulations for the future of groundwater; recent changes in plans for the highly controversial Sites reservoir, proposed to be built west of Colusa. Jim prepared extensive notes on SGMA and Sites, and those can be accessed here. Barbara supplied a map of the groundwater basins being covered by SGMA, and that is placed below. The program begins and ends with two songs by Jim Brobeck, Hidden Waters and Wiggle. AquAlliance is a nonprofit organization that depends on your contributions. For more information about its projects or to donate, go to Aqualliance.net.
Listen to or download the program. Click here.
Listen to or download the program. Click here.
NEVER LET A GOOD CRISIS GO TO WASTE
ECO 554 19 MAY 2020
Our guests were Paul Ehrlich and Dan Blumstein. Paul is the author of The Population Bomb, the 1968 book that alerted the world to the pending population disaster. He has been an activist on environmental and population issues for over a half century, and is the founder of the Millennium Alliance for Humanity and the Biosphere at Stanford University <mahb.stanford.edu>. Dan is a Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and The Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at the University of California Los Angeles. He has authored or co-authored over 300 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and is coauthor of a book titled The Failure of Environmental Education (and How We Can Fix It). <https://blumsteinlab.eeb.ucla.edu/> The focus of the interview was their argument that the Covid-19 crisis provides opportunities for the nation and world to reset priorities and take action against myriad looming and preventable issues, including pandemics, environmental degradation, and weaknesses in our educational, social, and health systems. Both entertaining and irreverent, these guys are incredibly well informed and thoughtful and offer both hope and understandable depression about the future of our world.
Listen to the interview. Click below.
Listen to the interview. Click below.
SOIL HEALTH
eCO 553 12 MAY 2020
We opened this show with an episode of the Extinction Diaries, where young people present short broadcasts describing endangered animals. This episode featured Sophia Hannan, a second grade student at Wildflower Open Classroom Charter School in Chico. She spoke about the Australian Gouldian Finch.
Listen to her excellent commentary. Click below.
Listen to her excellent commentary. Click below.
We then spoke with Robert Pavlis, author of a book recently released by New Society. It’s titled: Soil Science for Gardeners: Working with Nature to Build Soil Health. Robert has been an avid gardener for over four decades and lives in Guelph, Ontario, close to Toronto. He is the owner and developer of Aspen Grove Gardens, a 6-acre private botanical garden. Specializing in soil science, he has been an instructor for Landscape Ontario and is a garden blogger, writer, and chemist. He is also a remarkable painter, doing impressionist and realistic works that you can view on his website. He teaches gardening fundamentals at the University of Guelph and garden design for the City of Guelph. We welcomed his low key and reassuring view of soil health and gardening, where he specifically focuses on letting nature do the “heavy lifting.” Rather than learning about how to raise myriad different plants, the home gardener, he suggests should focus on soil health, and he says that doesn't have to be particularly complicated. Robert offers a number of online aids for the gardener. In addition to checking out his book at newsociety.com, we recommend the following web sites:
https://www.gardenmyths.com/garden-myths-book-1/
https://www.udemy.com/user/robert-pavlis/
https://www.robertpavlis.com/blogs/
http://www.gardenfundamentals.com/
Listen to the interview. Click below.
https://www.gardenmyths.com/garden-myths-book-1/
https://www.udemy.com/user/robert-pavlis/
https://www.robertpavlis.com/blogs/
http://www.gardenfundamentals.com/
Listen to the interview. Click below.
NATURE JOURNALING WHILE SHELTERING IN PLACE
ECO 550 MAY 5, 2020
Tonight's program focused on Nature Journaling, which we think can be an invaluable past-time for kids and adults during this period of sheltering in place. Going out of doors while observing social distancing is highly recommended, and nature journaling provides a rationale and a focus for getting out of the house (though something you can also do as an in-house rainy day activity). The program includes interview we did two months ago with nature journalist John Muir Laws and Chico State science education professor Anne Stephens. They talk about the values of nature journaling and how they have been using it with students of all ages.
Then we added some resources for nature journaling:
Then we added some resources for nature journaling:
- John Muir Laws website: https://johnmuirlaws.com/ New edition is available free at: https://johnmuirlaws.com/product/how-to-teach-nature-journaling/ And his book: Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling.
- Download a very detailed teacher curriculum guide. Elizabeth Thompson from the Watershed https://thewatershed.org/pdf/Education/NatureJournalingWebversion.pdf Includes: sample pages, wind scale and cloud identification, activities for sketching, writing, science, art
- Project Learning Tree. Numerous project ideas, including how to make your own journal out of a paper shopping bag—complete with handles and pockets to tuck away equipment and samples from nature https://www.plt.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Nature-Journaling-handout.pdf
- “How We Montessori” Especially good ideas for younger kids, who may not have highly developed writing or drawing skills: single words, colors, collage, rubbings, nature samples. https://www.howwemontessori.com/how-we-montessori/2018/05/nature-journal.html
FACING THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY
ECO 552 28 APRIL 2020
Our guest on this program was Margaret Klein Salamon, a clinical psychologist who has turned her emphasis in life to climate mobilization. Dr. Salamon is the founding director of the Climate Mobilization Project, whose mission is “to initiate an emergency-speed, all-hands-on-deck mobilization to protect humanity and the natural world from climate catastrophe.” She has argued that the global response to Covid-19 and has been much more vigorous than that to the climate emergency, where, she says, the danger to the planet is much greater. We joined her in celebrating the launch of her new book from New Society entirled Facing the Climate Emergency: How to Transform Yourself with Climate Truth. The book outlines a five-step approach to becoming a “climate warrior,” including:
1. Facing Climate Truth.
2. Welcoming Fear, Grief, and Other Painful Feelings.
3. Reimagining Your Life Story.
4. Understanding and Entering Emergency Mode.
5. Joining the Climate Emergency Movement.
You can learn more about the book at newsociety.com and about Margaret's work at https://www.theclimatemobilization.org.
1. Facing Climate Truth.
2. Welcoming Fear, Grief, and Other Painful Feelings.
3. Reimagining Your Life Story.
4. Understanding and Entering Emergency Mode.
5. Joining the Climate Emergency Movement.
You can learn more about the book at newsociety.com and about Margaret's work at https://www.theclimatemobilization.org.
THE FOUR-SEASON SOLUTION
ECO 551 APRIL 14, 2020
Our guest on this program was Dallas Hartwig, author of a new book titled, The 4 Season Solution: The Groundbreaking New Plan for Feeling Better, Living Well, and Powering Down Our Always-On Lives. It's published by Atria Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster. Dallas Hartwig is a functional medicine practitioner and physical therapist. He has authored books describing healthier living (especially through food choices); he’s also the cohost of The Living Experiment podcast and the author of an email newsletter on healthy living. He has been featured in media such as Today, Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, The View, and more. He writes: “Not long ago, our ancestors lived according to the changing seasons, adjusting how they slept, ate, moved, and even socialized throughout the year. But today, we are more disconnected from the natural world than ever. We wake before the sun rises and go to bed long after it sets. We eat tropical fruits in the dead of winter. We exercise in climate-controlled environments. We connect virtually instead of emotionally. Our lives are frenetic, stressful, and exhausting. In other words, we are living in a chronic summer, and it’s killing us.” His 4-Season solution focuses on experiencing the seasons both literally and metaphorically to change our sleeping, eating, exercising, and social communications. Learn more about his work at dallashartwig.com. Listen to the program: Click below.
Listen to the program. Click below.
THIS WAY TO SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE
ECO 548 MARCH 24, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 virus, Chico State's This Way to Sustainability Conference was moved online. With us on the phone for this program were two people responsible for the conference,held on March 26-27. Cheri Chastain is the Campus Sustainability Manager at Chico State. Jared Geiser is one of the Student Coordinator for Outreach, Promotion, and Sponsorship. They described the very complex processes involved in moving the entire conference, including keynote speakers, panels, and breakout sessions online. Many of the presentations will be available long after the actual conference. For full details go to https://www.csuchico.edu/twts/
Listen to the program. Click below.
Listen to the program. Click below.
SOIL AND SHADOW
(CSU SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE)
ECO 547 MARCH 17, 2020
Tonight we continued our interview series with the This Way to Sustainability Conference keynote speakers. Our guest was Nikki Silvestri, founder and CEO of Soil and Shadow, a consulting firm that works at the intersection of ecology, economy, and social equity. Their website states: We use “Soil and Shadow” as a values statement, a touchstone, and a process for our work:
--Soil is complexity and thriving in the midst of change. Also, paying attention to soil is one of the best paths to ecosystem regeneration.
--“And” indicates how we work - both/and, not either/or.
--Shadow points to the hidden we must seek and integrate so it becomes our ally - instead of our downfall.
As an entrepreneur and serial non-profit Executive Director, Nikki has invited thousands of leaders and hundreds of business and organizations into more in-depth conversations around the intersection of ecology, economy, and social equity. Her wide-ranging career has taken her from presentations at the White House and negotiations with the Environmental Protection Agency to intimate workshops with local businesses and small retail organizing. A nationally recognized thought leader and international keynote speaker, her many honors include being named one of The Root's 100 Most Influential African Americans.
Learn more about her work at soilandshadow.com
Listen to the program; click on the link below.
[Note: You may have gotten word that the This Way to Sustainability will be a virtual conference. You can go to www.csuchico.edu/twts/ to register and learn more.]
--Soil is complexity and thriving in the midst of change. Also, paying attention to soil is one of the best paths to ecosystem regeneration.
--“And” indicates how we work - both/and, not either/or.
--Shadow points to the hidden we must seek and integrate so it becomes our ally - instead of our downfall.
As an entrepreneur and serial non-profit Executive Director, Nikki has invited thousands of leaders and hundreds of business and organizations into more in-depth conversations around the intersection of ecology, economy, and social equity. Her wide-ranging career has taken her from presentations at the White House and negotiations with the Environmental Protection Agency to intimate workshops with local businesses and small retail organizing. A nationally recognized thought leader and international keynote speaker, her many honors include being named one of The Root's 100 Most Influential African Americans.
Learn more about her work at soilandshadow.com
Listen to the program; click on the link below.
[Note: You may have gotten word that the This Way to Sustainability will be a virtual conference. You can go to www.csuchico.edu/twts/ to register and learn more.]
YOUTH ACTIVISM
(csu sUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE)
EC0 546 MARCH 10, 2020
In this program we spoke with another of the keynote speakers for the This Way to Sustainability Conference, March 26-28 on the Chico State Campus. Kelsey Juliana, though still in her twenties, has an 15-year career as a climate
activist. When Kelsey was 15, she co-filed a lawsuit against the Oregon Sate Governor, asking for a climate emissions reduction plan and to protect the atmosphere under the public trust doctrine. Four years later, she alongside 20 other youths, submitted a Constitutional Climate Change lawsuit against the US government. And throughout that time,
Kelsey has managed to work and travel nationally and internationally with a number of organizations as a leader and speaker at conferences, rallies, film festivals and marches. Kelsey will be speaking at the TWTS conference on Thursday March 26, 2020 | 1:00-2:00 PM in the BMU auditorium. You can register for the
conference by going to https://www.csuchico.edu/twts
Listen to the program; click on link below
activist. When Kelsey was 15, she co-filed a lawsuit against the Oregon Sate Governor, asking for a climate emissions reduction plan and to protect the atmosphere under the public trust doctrine. Four years later, she alongside 20 other youths, submitted a Constitutional Climate Change lawsuit against the US government. And throughout that time,
Kelsey has managed to work and travel nationally and internationally with a number of organizations as a leader and speaker at conferences, rallies, film festivals and marches. Kelsey will be speaking at the TWTS conference on Thursday March 26, 2020 | 1:00-2:00 PM in the BMU auditorium. You can register for the
conference by going to https://www.csuchico.edu/twts
Listen to the program; click on link below
MISSION ZERO
(csu sustainability conference)
eco 545 march 3, 2020
Our guest on this program was Erin Meezan. She is the Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer for Interface, a commercial flooring company which, in 1994, pledged to reduce its negative impact on the environment with Mission Zero. Erin leads a global team that provides technical assistance and support to the company’s global business, addressing sustainability at all levels – from operations and management, to employees and customers, and in policy forums. Interface has evolved its thinking to go beyond doing less harm to creating positive impacts, not just for Interface and the flooring industry, but for the world at large. In 2016, Erin led the company to unveil Climate Take Back, to tackle global climate change. This mission is focused on creating a path for Interface and others to reverse global warming, not just reduce carbon emissions. Erin Meezan is also an Advisor for Project Drawdown, a research organization that reviews, analyses, and identifies the most viable global climate solutions, and shares these findings with the world. Learn more at interface.com > sustainability. Erin will be a keynote speaker at This Way to Sustainability on the Chico State Campus on Friday, March 27, 2020 | 9:00-10:00 AM.
Listen to the program. Click below.
AQUALLIANCE: DEFENDING NORTHSTATE WATERS
ECO 544 FEBRUARY 25, 2020
Our guest was Barbara Vlamis, the indefatigable Executive Director of AquAlliance, with its mission of defending Northern California waters. AquAlliance has just celebrated its tenth anniversary, and she began by filling us in on the organization's work and successes in those years. Then she discussed current projects, including weighing in on the Ten Year Water Transfer Program, Governor Newsom's "single tunnel" project, Trump's interference in California water and Newsom's plans to sue, the proposed diversion of water via pipeline from the Paradise Irrigation District to Chico, Oroville Dam, and the Sites Reservoir. We closed the program by reminding listeners of the invaluable services being provided by AquAlliance and urging community members to support AqA financially and to log in to their website for more information and updates: aqualliance.net.
Listen to this excellent and highly informative interview. Click below.
Listen to this excellent and highly informative interview. Click below.
NATURE JOURNALING
ECO 543 FEBRUARY 18, 2020
Three years ago on Ecotopia we had the pleasure of interviewing John Muir Laws, a naturalist, teacher, and artist about his book, The Laws Guide to Nature Journaling. Steve is a (very) amateur watercolorist and found his book a fabulous resource, both for its philosophy of art and journaling as well as practical techniques and strategies for drawing and painting. Listeners may also be familiar with Jack—as he is known to most—for his Laws Guide to the Sierra Nevada and other beautifully illustrated guides to the flora and fauna of our region. He is also a passionate educator. We spoke with him on the phone.
And with us in the studio was Anne Stephens, a professor of Science Education at CSU and Director of the Inland Northern California Science Project. She's taking the lead in bringing Jack to Chico for a presentation a journaling workshop at the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve.
We spoke with them about the philosophy of journaling—how it enhances curiosity and perception of nature—and how it is being used in school and community groups of wide ranging ages and inclinations. Jack's website contains a wealth of material, including lots of free curriculum guides for teachers. Check it out at: johnmuirlaws.com.
Listen to this excellent interview; click below.
And with us in the studio was Anne Stephens, a professor of Science Education at CSU and Director of the Inland Northern California Science Project. She's taking the lead in bringing Jack to Chico for a presentation a journaling workshop at the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve.
We spoke with them about the philosophy of journaling—how it enhances curiosity and perception of nature—and how it is being used in school and community groups of wide ranging ages and inclinations. Jack's website contains a wealth of material, including lots of free curriculum guides for teachers. Check it out at: johnmuirlaws.com.
Listen to this excellent interview; click below.
THE REAL ISSUE: EDUCATION FEBRUARY 5, 2020
On this episode of The Real Issue, Steve took up the topic of education. As a teacher friend of his once said, “Anybody who has been in school fancies themselves an experts on education.” The point was that our memories of schooling, our gripes and joys, don't necessarily qualify us as experts on education.
Tonight's guest qualifies as a genuine expert: Susan Ohanian is a longtime teacher and writer on educational issues who can help us separate some of the wheat from the chaff in today's educational discussions. Susan is the author of twenty-five books on a variety of issues and she takes strong issue with practices imposed on teachers, most notably, the Common Core Standards, mechanistic measurements of reading “levels,” and the No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top mandates.
In a recent New York Times letter she argued that the schools and parents need to refocus: “When will we help families directly, ensuring that all children live in families with adequate minimum income and adequate housing?” Learn more about her work at susanohanian.org, where you'll find pages devoted to such topics as Outrages of the Day, Stupid Test Items, and misguided statements from educational leaders and experts.
Susan has also recently published a book listeners would enjoy: Trump, Trump, Trump: The March of Folly contains numerous quotes from Trump himself and writers who have exposed his folly, accompanied by Susan's epic poem commenting on these follies. The book is written “For the sake of our children, all of them.”
Listen to the program; click on the link below.
Tonight's guest qualifies as a genuine expert: Susan Ohanian is a longtime teacher and writer on educational issues who can help us separate some of the wheat from the chaff in today's educational discussions. Susan is the author of twenty-five books on a variety of issues and she takes strong issue with practices imposed on teachers, most notably, the Common Core Standards, mechanistic measurements of reading “levels,” and the No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top mandates.
In a recent New York Times letter she argued that the schools and parents need to refocus: “When will we help families directly, ensuring that all children live in families with adequate minimum income and adequate housing?” Learn more about her work at susanohanian.org, where you'll find pages devoted to such topics as Outrages of the Day, Stupid Test Items, and misguided statements from educational leaders and experts.
Susan has also recently published a book listeners would enjoy: Trump, Trump, Trump: The March of Folly contains numerous quotes from Trump himself and writers who have exposed his folly, accompanied by Susan's epic poem commenting on these follies. The book is written “For the sake of our children, all of them.”
Listen to the program; click on the link below.
CALIFORNIA NATURALIST CERTIFICATION
CHICO CREEK nATURE cENTER
ECO 541 fEBRUARY 4, 2020
Our guest on this program was Caitlin Reilly, Director of the Chico Creek Nature Center. She gave us an update on the many programs of the Center, including Animals of the Nature Center, Camp Chico WILD, Growing up Wild, Nature ABCs, Nature Center Camps, Nature School, and the coming Spring Carnival. She also told us about an upcoming course leading to California Naturalist Certification: an eight-week class, plus field trips and independent project work. It starts March 25. Steve took this course two years ago and loved it as a means of learning more about California's climate zones, vegetation, native plant and animal species, geology, and watersheds and streams. For information about all the the Nature Center's programs, including the California Naturalist Certification, go to https://www.chicorec.com/chico-creek-nature-center.
Sorry, there is no recording of this program. Technology rules, meaning it failed..
BEYOND CONTEMPT:
HOW LIBERALS CAN COMMUNICATE ACROSS THE GREAT DIVIDE
ECO 540 JANUARY 28, 2020
We had two guests on the program tonight.
Erica Etelson is author of a book from New Society titled Beyond Contempt: How Liberals Can Communicate Across the Great Divide. Erica is a former human rights attorney and has organized for clean, community-owned energy as part of a just transition to a local, low-carbon economy. Her excellent book helps liberals talk with their more conservative neighbors, and we asked her to tell us how to do that.
Erica Etelson is author of a book from New Society titled Beyond Contempt: How Liberals Can Communicate Across the Great Divide. Erica is a former human rights attorney and has organized for clean, community-owned energy as part of a just transition to a local, low-carbon economy. Her excellent book helps liberals talk with their more conservative neighbors, and we asked her to tell us how to do that.
Also with us was Sharon Ellison. She has developed a communication process called Powerful Non-Defensive Communication, which helps people eliminate defensiveness in both professional and personal interactions. She has spoken and consulted with groups as varied as Hewlett Packard, Stanford University, Kaiser Permanente, and The Women's Global Health Care Imperative at the Centre for Dispute Resolution in London. In the interview we focused questions on the idea that liberals have alienated conservatives through a mixture of contempt and lack of understanding.
Erica and Sharon outlined ways in which liberals (or, for that matter, anyone) can speak to people of strongly different opinions. The process involves genuine curiosity about others' beliefs, listening carefully, and presenting one's own views in a respectful, non-dogmatic fashion. The book also contains thoughtful analysis of how we become wedded to our own “deep stories,” and how we can understand stories as a source of human and sometimes contrary or contradictory values. Learn more about Erica's work and book at http://www.ericaetelson.com. Sharon's work is described at the Powerful Non-Defensive Communication website: https://pndc.com. Listen to the program: click below.
CHICO FLAX
ECO 539 jANUARY 21, 2020
On this program we learned about local fiber systems—how to grow, process, weave, and produce locally grown fabric, while at the same time sequestering carbon dioxide and building a local economy. Sandy Fisher is the creator of Chico Flax, as well as a farmer and weaver and creative genius. Her partner is Durl Van Alstyne, who has become a central figure in Chico Flax. They spoke with us about the mission of their project, their nine-year experience with flax and fabric, and their plans for the future. Contact Chico Flax at 530-345-4373 or [email protected]. The website is chicoflax.com, Facebook chicoflax, Instagram chicoflaxtolinen.
Give a listen to this amazing couple as they describe their work.
Give a listen to this amazing couple as they describe their work.
BIONEERS CHICO
SNOW GOOSE fESTIVAL
ECO 538 JANUARY 14, 2020
We opened this program with a brief recording from KFOI's “Extinction Diaries” from Small World Radio. This youth-driven, one-minute report describes the endangered Macaw. Give a listen; click on the link below.
We then spoke with Mimi Riley, sociology instructor at Butte College, about the Chico Bioneers program taking place Thursdays, January 23, 30, and February 6 at the Chico Women's Center. She reviewed the list of national speakers (including Naomi Klein, Bill McKibben, Paul Hawken, and Kenny Ausubel) and local speakers (Alex Brown, Karl Ory, Ali Meders-Knight). She described the national Bioneers conference, from which the national videos emerge and the powerful impact it's had on her and her students. We also discussed the need for youth engagement in the sustainability movement and both optimistic and pessimistic views of our future. (Listen to the interview, click below.)
Check out these offerings and register at <snowgoosefestival.org>. Listen to the interview by clicking below.
Then we chatted with Mary Muchowski, Executive Director of Altacal Audubon, sponsor of the amazing Snow Goose Festival, celebrating its 21st anniversary January 22-26. Mary described just a few of the workshops, demonstrations, and field trips being offered at this year's festival. Among the highlights:
Museum of Northern California Art (monca) will host our Snow Goose Festival Art Exhibit & Reception.
Gray Lodge Film: “Refuge” at Snow Goose Festival’s Art Exhibit at monca.
Three screens for this sunrise to sunset film
Live Raptors & Bats: The Center for Reconnecting with Nature, West Coast Falconry, NorCal Bats
Over 70 Guided Field Trips & Workshops, including Boat & Kayak Tours, Raptor & Owl Banding, Painting & Photography Classes, Wildlife Refuge trips, Bird Carving, Optics Demo
Free Activities for Youth & Armchair Adventures:
Bird Olympics, Jr. Naturalist Activities, Wetlands Film, Owl Pellets, Build a LEGO Bird
Gray Lodge Film: “Refuge” at Snow Goose Festival’s Art Exhibit at monca.
Three screens for this sunrise to sunset film
Live Raptors & Bats: The Center for Reconnecting with Nature, West Coast Falconry, NorCal Bats
Over 70 Guided Field Trips & Workshops, including Boat & Kayak Tours, Raptor & Owl Banding, Painting & Photography Classes, Wildlife Refuge trips, Bird Carving, Optics Demo
Free Activities for Youth & Armchair Adventures:
Bird Olympics, Jr. Naturalist Activities, Wetlands Film, Owl Pellets, Build a LEGO Bird
ENGAGE, CONNECT, PROTECT
ECO 537 JANUARY 7, 2010
In this program we interviewed Angelou Ezeilo on the phone from Atlanta. She is author of a book from New Society, entitled Engage, Connect, Protect: Empowering Diverse Youth as Environmental Leaders. She is the founder of the Greening Youth Foundation, which is doing remarkable work engaging young people around the world in environmental action, emphasizing previously neglected minorities.
We asked her to describe how she became concerned about the exclusion of minorities—especially young people—in the environmental movement and about the amazing variety of programs GYF offers, including campouts, curriculum urban youth corps, internships with agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration as well as a growing number of internships with corporations that have previously focused mostly on middle- and upper-class whites. Check out her work at the Greening Youth Foundation gyfoundation.org and read more about her book at newsociety.com.
HISTORICAL REAL ISSUES
JANUARY 1, 2020
Steve hosted this program on the Wednesday Real Issue program. He looked at decade-defining issues as identified by Britannica and read the historical background. He also played music representing each of those issues, which included The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 (Appalachian music from the era); The Treaty of Ghent of 1814 (The Star Spangled Banner sung by Lady Gaga), the presidency of Andrew Jackson beginning in 1829 (The Battle of New Orleans), the Haymarket Riot of 1886 (The Socialist Internationale), the Battle of Bull Run of 1876 and the Massacre Wounded Knee of 1890 (We Were All Wounded at Wounded Knee). He also made connections with those events and two Chico area events: The Konkow-Maidu Slave Raid (1848) and the Konkow Trail of Tears (1863). Listen to the program: Click below.
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NEW AND OLD YEARS IN CHICO
ECO 536 DECEMBER 31, 2019
Our guests on this program were Chico City Councilors Ann Schwab and Karl Ory. We invited all of the City Council members from Chico and Oroville, plus the Butte County Supervisors. Ann and Karl were the only people available, but they were among our very top choices. Both have served as Mayor and both have been long-time Council members in difficult times. They spoke about the most pressing issues they see in the city as well as paths forward in the coming year. Topics included roads, housing, the aftermath of the Camp Fire, civility, and many others. Listen to this excellent and informative interview. Click below.