2023 Archives
INVISIBLE NO MORE
ECO 722 December 9, 2023
ECO 722 December 9, 2023
Our guest was Raymond Foxworth, co-editor of Invisible No More (with Steve Dubb), book published by Island Press, with the subtitle, Voices from Native Americans. The book jacket explains, “For too long, Native American people in the United States have been stereotyped as vestiges of the past, invisible citizens in their own land obliged to remind others, ‘We are still here!’ Yet today, Native leaders are at the center of social change, challenging philanthropic organizations that have historically excluded Native people, and fighting for economic and environmental justice.”
Raymond Foxworth is the inaugural program director for the Indigenous Knowledge Initiative at the Luce Foundation, directing a $5 million national grant making portfolio aimed at supporting Indigenous nations, organizations, and leaders engaged in developing, perpetuating, and disseminating indigenous knowledge.
Ray studied at Haskell Indian Nations University, has a BA in Political Science with a minor in Native American Studies from Metropolitan State University of Denver, and an M.A. and Ph.D. degree with a focus in Political Science from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Listen to the interview, click below.
Raymond Foxworth is the inaugural program director for the Indigenous Knowledge Initiative at the Luce Foundation, directing a $5 million national grant making portfolio aimed at supporting Indigenous nations, organizations, and leaders engaged in developing, perpetuating, and disseminating indigenous knowledge.
Ray studied at Haskell Indian Nations University, has a BA in Political Science with a minor in Native American Studies from Metropolitan State University of Denver, and an M.A. and Ph.D. degree with a focus in Political Science from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Listen to the interview, click below.
blue carbon
|
A few weeks ago we interviewed Kevin Wolf, CEO & Co-Founder of Wind Harvest, a company developing a vertical wind turbine that offers a shorter, smaller, and powerful alternative to the huge windmill-style turbines you see dotting the landscape. As we corresponded with him after the interview, he told us he is interested in something called Blue Carbon and is co-chair of a group called the Ocean Iron Fertilization Alliance. Intrigued, we invited him back to tell us more.
We asked him about “Blue Carbon,” and he explained that it refers to carbon dioxide that has dissolved directly into the ocean. Smaller amounts are stored in underwater sediments, coastal vegetation and soils; carbon-containing molecules, such as DNA and proteins; and ocean life from whales to phytoplankton.
Scientists have discovered – based in part on a volcanic eruption on Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines – that iron dust can also catalyze the process. OIFA supports further research into the process and encourages controlled dispersion of iron dust in the oceans.
Learn more at oifalliance.org
Be sure to listen to this excellent interview– click below
We asked him about “Blue Carbon,” and he explained that it refers to carbon dioxide that has dissolved directly into the ocean. Smaller amounts are stored in underwater sediments, coastal vegetation and soils; carbon-containing molecules, such as DNA and proteins; and ocean life from whales to phytoplankton.
Scientists have discovered – based in part on a volcanic eruption on Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines – that iron dust can also catalyze the process. OIFA supports further research into the process and encourages controlled dispersion of iron dust in the oceans.
Learn more at oifalliance.org
Be sure to listen to this excellent interview– click below
WIND HARVEST
Eco 716 7 November 2023
Eco 716 7 November 2023
We interviewed Kevin Wolf, CEO & Co-Founder of Wind Harvest, a company developing a vertical wind turbine that offers a shorter, smaller, and powerful alternative to the huge windmill-style turbines you see dotting the landscape. He explained the technology behind this turbine and why it works as an alternative to big windmills (and incidentally, big business). In the second half of the program we moved on to ask him about the ecotopian future of windpower, what it can and cannot do, and how it can lead to a greener planet.
Kevin facilitated the engineering team that developed the Wind Harvester Model 3.1, wrote all the grants, and developed the relationships and projects in Scotland, Barbados, and California. His science degree, environmental background, consensus-based facilitation expertise, and years of work with the company help in his leadership role with Wind Harvest, where he now leads the capital raising campaign. Kevin graduated with honors from UC Davis in 1980 with a degree in Evolution and Ecology. He volunteers as the chair for the California Clean Money Action Fund, which works on campaign finance reform. He co-founded and lives at N Street Cohousing in Davis, CA.
Listen to the show. Click below.
Kevin facilitated the engineering team that developed the Wind Harvester Model 3.1, wrote all the grants, and developed the relationships and projects in Scotland, Barbados, and California. His science degree, environmental background, consensus-based facilitation expertise, and years of work with the company help in his leadership role with Wind Harvest, where he now leads the capital raising campaign. Kevin graduated with honors from UC Davis in 1980 with a degree in Evolution and Ecology. He volunteers as the chair for the California Clean Money Action Fund, which works on campaign finance reform. He co-founded and lives at N Street Cohousing in Davis, CA.
Listen to the show. Click below.
CHICO VELO
Eco 718 14 November 2023
Eco 718 14 November 2023
We spoke with Ashley Koller, Board Member, Chico Velo.Most listeners probably know this organization best for the annual Wildflower Century bike ride, which has drawn as many as 3000 riders from all over the US and even internationally. But Velo is more than a giver-of-rides and we talked about their many community projects, including
And listen to the interview: Click below.
- adopt a path
- trailworks
- kids programs
- bike valet
- the Colby Mountain Trail Project.
And listen to the interview: Click below.
SITES RESERVOIR AND GREENHOUSE GASES
Eco 712 October 10, 2023
Eco 712 October 10, 2023
·We spoke with Jann Dorman, Keiko Mertz, and Ron Stork of Sacramento-based Friends of the River. They have recently released a report that offers important new perspectives. It’s called Estimate of Greenhouse Gas Emissions for the Proposed Sites Reservoir Project using the All-Res Modeling Tool. Supported by Patagonia, the report reveals astonishing amounts of greenhouse gases likely to be emitted by Sites, not only the construction fumes, but "naural" emissions produced by such factors as algae and vegetation decay. One more reason to oppose Sites.
Listen to the program. Click below.
Listen to the program. Click below.
ECOTHERAPY
with Blake Ellis
Eco 710 September 11, 2023
with Blake Ellis
Eco 710 September 11, 2023
Our guest was Blake Ellis Ecotherapy Program Manager for the CSUC Reserves. What, you may ask, is Ecotherapy and the Ecotherapy program. We asked the same question, and Blake explained that the Ecotherapy Program offers place-based, holistic healing practices to Chico State students, staff, and faculty, community members, and individuals impacted by wildfire in Butte County. The program’s mission is to promote the well-being of both people and the land through guided therapeutic and restorative activities in local natural environments. She told us about the historical origins of Ecotherapy and the various ways it is practiced, focusing, essentially, on getting people out-of-doors for forest "baths," meditation, and appreciation of nature. You need to listen to this interview to get the full skinny on Ecotherapy and the excellent CSU program. You can learn more at https://www.csuchico.edu/ecotherapy/index.shtml
Listen to the program.
Yellowstone DNA
With Scott Huber
Eco 708 August 15, 2023
With Scott Huber
Eco 708 August 15, 2023
Our guest was Scott Huber, Past President and Conservation Director for Altacal Audubon, former Chico City Councilor and currently guiding Wildlife Tours in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons.His book is Yellowstone DNA: A Tale of Wolves, Wildlife, and Humans, an imprint of Long Creek Dutch Publishing, PO Bos 1151, Dubois, Wyoming 82513. It is "true history told by fictional characters," who include both animals and humans. Through their stories, Scott follows the ecology of bears, elk, wolves, and other animals as well as the histories of people who have lived in the park and have relationships with those animals. He writes about efforts to control those animal populations with varying results. We found the book to be not only an engaging narrative, but also a remarkably informative history and science of the Yellowstone animals.have names. How did you come by the animal names (in particular). and the characters.
Listen to the program. Click below.
Listen to the program. Click below.
BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL
WITH PATRIZIA HIRONOMUS AND SHELBY HERBERT
ECO 706 JULY 25, 2023
WITH PATRIZIA HIRONOMUS AND SHELBY HERBERT
ECO 706 JULY 25, 2023
In the first part of the program we spoke (mostly) with Shelby about an upcoming Beat the Heat gathering in Chico. Though we're past the date of this event, it presented a good opportunity to learn about the Butte Environmental Council and its social justice efforts to help the needy. We then went on to (mostly) talk with Patrizia, who is the recently appointed Executive Director, about BEC's myriad other programs and projects. Listen to the interview; click below.
earthjustice and the Klamath river
with PATTI GOLDMAN
eco 705 1/2 july 11, 2023
In the first half of this program, we spoke with Patti Goldman, a Senior Attorney for EarthJustice in Seattle. She spoke with us about the work of EarthJustice, with particular emphasis on the River in Oregon (and California) and lawsuits with the Bureau of Reclamation and the federal government over water rights, particularly over preservation of water flows and riperian areas and native lands. The motto of EarthJustice is "because earth needs a good lawyer"; we're pleased that Patti Goldman is Earth's Lawyer.
Listen to the interview. Click Below.
Listen to the interview. Click Below.
AQUALLIANCE AND THE VINA SUB-BASIN
WITH BARBARA VLAMIS
Eco 705 2/2 July 11, 2023
WITH BARBARA VLAMIS
Eco 705 2/2 July 11, 2023
In the second half of the program, we were on the phone with Barbara Vlamis. She reviewed the geography of the Vina Sub-Basin, from which many of our listeners draw their water, pointing out the serious weakness in plans for the Sustainable Groundwater Act in that area. AquAlliance has sued to argue for further revisions in keeping with environmental and state law and urged property owners to submit complaints concerning proposed fees'
Listen to the inteview, click below.
Listen to the inteview, click below.
SCARY AND STRANGE STORIES OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Eco 701 June 5, 2023
Eco 701 June 5, 2023
|
From time to time, we insert a program a little lighter in tone and content from our regular environmental offerings. In this program we read a variety of bits, some to scare the socks off you, others to share a little humor and even satire of the environmental cause. Listen to hear tales of octopi on the loose, bees in your car trunk, the Hook, the China Doll, and the bureaucracies of government. Fun with serious intent.
Listen to the program: Click below. |
|
THE UNIVERSE, US, AND THE UNKNOWN
with 5th and 6th Graders from
Wildflower Open Classroom Charter School
Eco 700 May 30, 2023
with 5th and 6th Graders from
Wildflower Open Classroom Charter School
Eco 700 May 30, 2023
|
|
This program featured students from Wildflower Charter School sharing their work for the year through choral reading, singing, essays, poetry, and science fiction. It's remarkable program put on by some remarkable students and their teacher, Linda Holm. P.S. Some really corner Outer Space jokes are included. Listen to the show: Click on the left..
|
In this excellent program Maggie Sharpa and Jared Geister first interviewed Raquel Krach from Massa Organics about her experience with regenerative/ecological farming and her recently completed Masters Degree in Regenerative Agriculture then spoke with Dr. Johnathan Wachter from the Carbon Cycle Institute all about Carbon Farming and how it will help mitigate climate change and restore biodiversity.
Listen to the program: Click below.
Listen to the program: Click below.
OVERSHOOT: ECONOMICS FOR A PLANET IN PERIL
with Peter Victor
Eco 698 16 May 2023
with Peter Victor
Eco 698 16 May 2023
Our guest for a very informative interview was Peter Victor, author of Escape from Overshoot: Economics for a Planet in Peril (New Society, 2023) Peter is Professor Emeritus at York University in Toronto. He earned his PhD in economics from the University of British Columbia and has worked for fifty years in Canada and abroad as an academic, consultant, and public servant specializing in ecological economics and alternatives to economic growth. He described the dimensions of overshoot--basically producing and consuming more than the planet can support--and offered a number of ways in which the planet's population could constrain growth without destroying people's well being. Escape from Overshoot covers a wide terrain, including:
Listen to the program, click below.
- An overview of Earth overshoot and prevailing trends and implications for humans and biodiversity
- A concise review of economic ideas including neoclassical, Keynesian, Marxist, ecological economics, and steady state economics with an eye to the current crisis
- An analysis of the limitations and possibilities of alternative scenarios such as green growth, doughnut economics, regenerative economics, degrowth, and more
- Prioritizing intergenerational justice through a contraction and convergence ethical framework
- The results of modeling of economies under different scenarios and the prospects for managed degrowth across industrialized economics as an escape route from overshoot
Listen to the program, click below.
|
|
BUTTE FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
with Calli-Jane West
Eco 697 9 May 2023
with Calli-Jane West
Eco 697 9 May 2023
The Butte Fire Safe Council is an amazing organization under the leadership of Calli-Jane West. We talked with her about the Council's diverse programs protecting our region from fires and educating adults and kids about how to be fire safe . Programs include the loan of "weed wrenches" to uproot invasive Broom (also on display at a Paradise High School Broom removal day), educational presentations in local schools (with Ready Racoon, left), the chipper program, grazing, and extensive forest thinning projects in the area. Their website also includes links to escape routes in case of fire and much more information to help keep us safe. Learn more at buttefiresafe.net/. Listen to this excellent interview: click below.
BUTTE COUNTY LOCAL FOOD NETWORK
with Pamm Larry and Amy Roseman
Eco 696 2 May 2023
with Pamm Larry and Amy Roseman
Eco 696 2 May 2023
This program discussed he Butte County Local Food Network, a strong and vibrant local organization whose vision is to “create a strong local food system as the basis of a strong local economy, anchored in a healthy community that thrives on neighbors helping neighbors." Pamm Larry is the director of the Butte County Local Food Network, aka Initial Instigator, Chief Rabble Rouser and Nudger. Truly, Pamm makes things happen. Amy Roseman is the Outreach Ambassador. The BC Local Food Network has just exploded in growth in the barely three years since it was founded. Pam and Amy walked us through how that has happened, their numerous programs, and the range of volunteer and financial support it needs. Learn more and/or contribute at https://www.bclocalfood.org/. Listen to the interview by clicking on the link below.
CHICO'S URBAN FOREST
with RICHIE BAMLETT
Eco 896 27 April 2023
with RICHIE BAMLETT
Eco 896 27 April 2023
Richie is Chico's Urban Forester, who looks after Chico's myriad trees, mostly in city right-of-way, but also helping out private homeowners and businesses in maintaining and improving Chico as a "Tree City USA." He described his work with an emphasis on a new Urban Forest Master Plan now under review by the city council, in our view, an amazing comprehensive look at the value of trees, the best trees to grow in Chicoland, and providing trees at no cost to the residents. There's more politics involved in this than we had reckoned, and we discussed some of the elements in town that are resisting the new plan. Richie is an engaging and incredibly well informed interviewee. Give a listen. Click below.
PROTECTING NORTHSTATE WATERS
with BARBARA VLAMIS
Eco 891 28 March 2023
with BARBARA VLAMIS
Eco 891 28 March 2023
Our guest was Barbara Vlamis, Executive Director of AquAlliance, "defending northstate waters." We opened with a MaMuse song, "Under the Ground," which praises AquAlliance and describes some of the issues in northstate water. Barbara then reviewed current lawsuits which AquAlliance is engaged in regarding the Sustainable Water Management process in our area and proposed north-south water transfers. She also talked about the organization's future plans and priorities. We closed with another AquaAlliance song, "Hidden Waters," by AquAlliance Policy Analyst Jim Brobeck. This is a particularly informative interview. Listen to the show recording: Click below.
CLIMATE PROTECTION AND RESTORATION INITIATIVE
with Dan Galpern
Eco 890 21 March 2023
with Dan Galpern
Eco 890 21 March 2023
Our guest on Ecotopia was Dan Galpern, the General Counsel & Executive Director of the Climate Protection and Restoration Initiative. From their website: “Climate Protection and Restoration Initiative is a 503(c)(3) non-profit, public-interest, science-based, advocacy organization that is guided by scientists, legal scholars, and community and religious leaders who share our mission to protect and restore a viable climate system. Their Objectives:
To protect and restore our climate system, so as to enable our children to thrive we must:
Listen to the program; click below.
To protect and restore our climate system, so as to enable our children to thrive we must:
- Phase out fossil fuel and other greenhouse (GHG) emissions,
- Protect and restore vital natural systems, including mature and old-growth forests, and
- Remove excess atmospheric CO2 and methane (CH4).
Listen to the program; click below.
Andrew Boyd is a writer, activist, humorist, and CEO (Chief Existential Officer) of the Climate Clock, a global campaign that blends art, science, and grassroots organizing to get the world to “act in time. He also co-created the grief-storytelling ritual, the Climate Ribbon, and led a 2000s-era satirical campaign Billionaires for Bush.
The title and subtitles of his book tell all: we’ll be discussing today has a title and subtitles worth absorbing:
The title and subtitles of his book tell all: we’ll be discussing today has a title and subtitles worth absorbing:
I WANT A
BETTER
CATASTROPHE
NAVIGATING THE CLIMATE CRISIS
with Grief, Hope, and Gallows Humor
An existential manual for tragic optimists,
can-do pessimists, and compassionate doomers
Listen to this engaging and often humorous interview. Click below.
BETTER
CATASTROPHE
NAVIGATING THE CLIMATE CRISIS
with Grief, Hope, and Gallows Humor
An existential manual for tragic optimists,
can-do pessimists, and compassionate doomers
Listen to this engaging and often humorous interview. Click below.
center for biological diversity
with peter galvin
eco 886 28 february
Our guest this evening was Peter Galvin, co-founder and Director of Programs of the Center for Biological Diversity, an organization that does wide-ranging environmental work throughout the world. A longtime environmental activist, Peter also serves on the board of directors of the Beech Hill Foundation and is a member of the Science Oversight Team for the Global Owl Project.
This was a fabulous interview ranging over so many topics that Susan described him as "a man who knows everything and inspires everyone." Included in the discussion were the Center's priorities for 2023.
1. Declare National Emergencies Over the Climate Crisis and the Loss of Wildlife
2. Double the Amount of Protected Land and Water
3. Defend and Fully Fund the Endangered Species Act
4. Protect Endangered Species from Dangerous Pesticides
5. Act Boldly to Protect Wildlife.
Don't fail to listen to this program!
Click below.
This was a fabulous interview ranging over so many topics that Susan described him as "a man who knows everything and inspires everyone." Included in the discussion were the Center's priorities for 2023.
1. Declare National Emergencies Over the Climate Crisis and the Loss of Wildlife
2. Double the Amount of Protected Land and Water
3. Defend and Fully Fund the Endangered Species Act
4. Protect Endangered Species from Dangerous Pesticides
5. Act Boldly to Protect Wildlife.
Don't fail to listen to this program!
Click below.
red hot chili peppers
with stephanie Walker
and phil elkins (senior felipe)
eco 883 24 january 2023
This program was another in our series of "ecosystems you might not think about." We've done ants, the electron, caribou and the tundra, and this program on the Chili Pepper. While these are unusual ecosystems, we're finding that they make interesting connections with larger environmental issues such as climate change, water supplies, and even the atmosphere.
Our first guest was Dr. Stephanie Walker of the Chili Pepper Institute, New Mexico State University. She told us about the diverse functions of the institute, including developing new cultivars, providing support for New Mexico chili farmers, and educating the public about chilies. She also told us about how climate change is affecting the growing season, availability of water, and other problems for the farmers. The institute is well known, and its annual conference attracts people from all over the globe.
Learn more about the institute at cpi.nmsu.edu.
Listen to the interview: click below.
Learn more about the institute at cpi.nmsu.edu.
Listen to the interview: click below.
Then we spoke with Phil Elkins, a.k.a. Senor Felipe, KZFR host of LA Sounds, Wednesday, 3-5 pm. A while back, Phil had a highly successful career as a salsa maker, staring out in Chico but going global-ish. He spoke about recipes, manufacturing processes, and, of course, the choice of chili pepper varieties. Phil is also a wonderful storyteller and laughs a lot as he tells of his experiences.
Learn more about Phil at [email protected]
And listen to the interview; click below.
Learn more about Phil at [email protected]
And listen to the interview; click below.
energy efficiency
with doug davenport and mark salavitch
eco 682 17 january 2023
This program explored energy efficiency in commercial and public buildings. Our first guest was Doug Davenport, Founder and Executive Director of Prospect Silicon Valley (ProspectSV), a nonprofit that helps companies develop sustainability strategies. He described how he works with a wide range of entitities to create and fund energy efficiency projects. We were impressed with both the intent and scope of the program.
Then we spoke with Mark Salavitch, Program Manager for PG&E, which is participating in the program. Mark described their Market Access Program (MAP) and how it is working throughout its system to reduce stress on the grid and reduce energy consumption generally. Again we were impressed by the range and success of the project.
Learn more about ProjectSV at https://www.prospectsv.org/
And learn more about PG&E at https://www.pge.com/en_US/small-medium-business/save-energy-and-money/energy-savings-programs/energy-savings-programs.page
Listen to the program: Click below.
Learn more about ProjectSV at https://www.prospectsv.org/
And learn more about PG&E at https://www.pge.com/en_US/small-medium-business/save-energy-and-money/energy-savings-programs/energy-savings-programs.page
Listen to the program: Click below.
protecting alaska's cook inlet
with sue mauger
eco 681 january 10, 2023
Our focus in this program was Cook Inlet in Alaska, a body of water stretching south from Anchorage, which lies over great stores of gas and oil. Congress has mandated leasing of those waters and the resources beneath and held an auction on December 30. Our guest was Sue Mauger of Cook Inletkeeper, an organization that has long campaigned against these leases and joined with Earthjustice and others in filing suit to prevent the auction. The auction did proceed, and Sue shared with us the results, which were in some ways encouraging to those who would like to preserve the inlet and its resources. She also spoke with us about some of the InletKeeper’s other projects. Specifically, Sue Mauger studies Alaska’s wild salmon streams and leads Inletkeeper's efforts to highlight the relevance of climate and land-use change in local decision-making. She coordinates regional water temperature monitoring networks and uses thermal infrared imagery to map and protect cold-water habitats: the stepping stones salmon will need to move up and down otherwise warming stream channels. Sue did her undergraduate work at Duke University and got her masters in Fisheries Science from Oregon State University. She was among 80 women worldwide selected to take part in the second team of Homeward Bound, a global leadership initiative for women in science.Learn more about the great work of Cook InletKeeper at https://inletkeeper.org
To listen to the interview, click below.
To listen to the interview, click below.
saving life on earth
with tierra curry
eco 680 3 january 2023
To kick off the new year, Susan interviewed Tierra Curry, Saving Life on Earth Campaign Director, Center for Biological Diversity. She works nationally with individuals and groups in support of celebrating and protecting biodiversity. Prior to joining the Center in 2007 she worked as an amphibian field biologist, environmental educator and community organizer. She holds a bachelor's in English from Berea College and a master's in biology from Portland State University.
They discussed just a few of the Center's many programs and such topics as global extinction, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Endangered Species act, and the current status of Monarch Butterflies, Humboldt Martens, and Lassic Lupines. Click below to listen to or download the program.
They discussed just a few of the Center's many programs and such topics as global extinction, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Endangered Species act, and the current status of Monarch Butterflies, Humboldt Martens, and Lassic Lupines. Click below to listen to or download the program.