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Playlist: ARCHIVED - Earth Day

Compiled By: PRX Administrator

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Humankind special: Radioactive

From David Freudberg | 58:58

Ideal for broadcast around Earth Day (4/22/15), produced in association with WGBH/Boston. This documentary examines different sides of the new debate on nuclear power – is it a needed source of low-carbon energy or a technology that is simply too dangerous, in the wake of catastrophic accidents at Chernobyl and most recently Fukushima? Includes the colorful story of older women who fervently protested a nuke plant, that was recently closed.

211_radioactive_wide_small The energy from one uranium molecule, used to fuel nuclear power, is a million times greater than that from one molecule of coal, commonly used in electricity generation. And because nuclear energy facilities emit less global warming pollution (although they do emit some), a debate has emerged over whether to expand nuclear power to counteract climate change. 

Nuclear critics maintain that a history of catastrophic accidents, including Fukushima, Japan in 2011, and near-catastrophes, including Detroit in 1966, make this technology too dangerous. And there's the unsolved problem of nuclear waste, which remains dangerously radioactive, in some cases for hundreds of thousands of years. In this documentary we hear nuclear experts pro and con, an emergency room physician, and a variety of voices telling the story of a controversial reactor in Vermont (now closed), which is perhaps America's greenest state. 

Adapting to Climate Change

From Spectrum Radio | 59:01

Adapting to Climate Change explores the ambitious plans that engineers, scientists, government officials, business leaders, NGOs, and community groups around the world are making to deal with future catastrophic events and shifting weather patterns.

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No matter what you believe about climate change, we can all agree that extreme weather events -- tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, droughts -- are occurring more frequently. These massive natural disasters upset lives and devastate property.  The costs of clean-up and reconstruction are enormous.  

 

 Adapting to Climate Change explores the ambitious plans that engineers, scientists, government officials, business leaders, NGOs, and community groups around the world are making to deal with future catastrophic events and shifting weather patterns.  

This one-hour special is
co-hosted by PBS documentarian Rick Karr and IEEE Spectrum's Susan Hassler, and is
part of the Engineers of the New Millennium series.

The program investigates:  
 

  • Protecting the coastlines of New York and New Jersey from the next Hurricane Sandy .  
  • Getting ready for droughts and floods in the Midwest. 
  • Adapting farming techniques to changing rainfall patterns in Brazil.     
  • Planning for rising sea levels in Durban, South Africa.    
     

Adapting to Climate Change is produced by IEEE Spectrum Magazine and the National Science Foundation .

Making Peace With Nature After Environmental Disasters: Peace Talks Radio (59:00 / 54:00)

From Good Radio Shows, Inc. | Part of the Peace Talks Radio: Weekly Hour Long Episodes series | 59:02

Reflecting on the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill, three people, who have placed their relationship with nature at the center of their lives, offer their thoughts on how we can make peace with nature.

Oil-spill_small When the British Petroleum Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig exploded in April of 2010 and set off the largest accidental marine oil spill in history, virtually everyone viewing the disruption, to wildlife and the lives of people in that region, was devastated.  We felt like it probably set off an inner conflict in many about human’s relationship with nature.  For today’s program, we sought out some voices of people who have already placed that relationship at the center of their lives to see how their experiences and thinking might help us all grapple with this conflict.  A lot of the headlines during the three months when the oil gushed into the gulf framed the event as an attack or war on nature.  How can we think and act to make peace with nature. 

Today we speak with Daniel Schwartz, a social ecology professor; Kathy Sanchez, a Native American environmental policy activist; and John Francis whose response to an oil spill in 1971 was to quit riding in motorized vehicles for 22 years, walk all across the country and, during 17 of those years, not to speak a word.  In all that time he completed bachelor’s masters and phd degrees in land management.  Carol Boss hosts with Paul Ingles.

There is also a 29 minute version of this program on PRX: http://www.prx.org/pieces/53564

Fresh Greens 2.0

From New Hampshire Public Radio | 51:26

NHPR teams up with Generation PRX and the Terrascope Youth Radio group at MIT for another one-hour youth special. "Fresh Greens 2.0" examines what it means to be "green." Youth radio producers from around the country reflect on their observations and seek out programs and efforts designed to have a positive impact on the environment.

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NHPR has once again teamed up with Generation PRX and the Terrascope Youth Radio group at MIT to produce a new youth special.  Fresh Greens 2.0 examines what it means to be "green." Youth radio producers from around the country reflect on their observations as they seek out programs and efforts designed to have a positive impact on the environment. 

This project invited youth radio groups to submit pieces for inclusion in our one-hour special and they submitted a number of interesting, thoughtful and well produced pieces for inclusion in the show.  The show features pieces produced by Terrascope Youth Radio in Cambridge, Blunt Youth Radio in Portland, ME, Youth Media Project in Santa Fe, WHJE Radio in Indiana, Weekday High in Seattle and Urban Sprouts in San Francisco. 

The pieces explore everything from the affect of a vegetarian diet on the environment to the difference between artificial turf and natural grass.  At risk teens in San Francisco rhyme and rap about community gardening and kids in Bellingham, Washington learn how to compost. The show is narrated and produced by students from the Terrascope Youth Radio project.

Fresh Greens 2.0

From New Hampshire Public Radio | 51:26

NHPR teams up with Generation PRX and the Terrascope Youth Radio group at MIT for another one-hour youth special. "Fresh Greens 2.0" examines what it means to be "green." Youth radio producers from around the country reflect on their observations and seek out programs and efforts designed to have a positive impact on the environment.

Freshgreens_small

NHPR has once again teamed up with Generation PRX and the Terrascope Youth Radio group at MIT to produce a new youth special.  Fresh Greens 2.0 examines what it means to be "green." Youth radio producers from around the country reflect on their observations as they seek out programs and efforts designed to have a positive impact on the environment. 

This project invited youth radio groups to submit pieces for inclusion in our one-hour special and they submitted a number of interesting, thoughtful and well produced pieces for inclusion in the show.  The show features pieces produced by Terrascope Youth Radio in Cambridge, Blunt Youth Radio in Portland, ME, Youth Media Project in Santa Fe, WHJE Radio in Indiana, Weekday High in Seattle and Urban Sprouts in San Francisco. 

The pieces explore everything from the affect of a vegetarian diet on the environment to the difference between artificial turf and natural grass.  At risk teens in San Francisco rhyme and rap about community gardening and kids in Bellingham, Washington learn how to compost. The show is narrated and produced by students from the Terrascope Youth Radio project.

Fresh Greens 2.0

From New Hampshire Public Radio | 51:26

NHPR teams up with Generation PRX and the Terrascope Youth Radio group at MIT for another one-hour youth special. "Fresh Greens 2.0" examines what it means to be "green." Youth radio producers from around the country reflect on their observations and seek out programs and efforts designed to have a positive impact on the environment.

Freshgreens_small

NHPR has once again teamed up with Generation PRX and the Terrascope Youth Radio group at MIT to produce a new youth special.  Fresh Greens 2.0 examines what it means to be "green." Youth radio producers from around the country reflect on their observations as they seek out programs and efforts designed to have a positive impact on the environment. 

This project invited youth radio groups to submit pieces for inclusion in our one-hour special and they submitted a number of interesting, thoughtful and well produced pieces for inclusion in the show.  The show features pieces produced by Terrascope Youth Radio in Cambridge, Blunt Youth Radio in Portland, ME, Youth Media Project in Santa Fe, WHJE Radio in Indiana, Weekday High in Seattle and Urban Sprouts in San Francisco. 

The pieces explore everything from the affect of a vegetarian diet on the environment to the difference between artificial turf and natural grass.  At risk teens in San Francisco rhyme and rap about community gardening and kids in Bellingham, Washington learn how to compost. The show is narrated and produced by students from the Terrascope Youth Radio project.

Fresh Greens: Teens and the Environment

From New Hampshire Public Radio | 51:29

Tells the stories of how American youth think about their daily impact on our planet.

Freshgreenslogo2_small NHPR, in partnership with Generation PRX and the Terrascope Youth Radio group at MIT teamed up to produce a one-hour special program. We invited youth radio groups from across the country to submit pieces for inclusion, and the following youth radio groups are featured in our program:

Terrascope Youth Radio – Cambridge, MA
Youth Radio – Oakland, CA
Youth Spin – Austin, TX
Blunt Youth Radio – Portland, ME
OutLoud Radio – San Francisco, CA
Alaska Teen Media Institute – Anchorage, AK

In one piece, Antony Jaureguí from Youth Radio in Oakland, California considers his personal energy consumption through the prism of his immigrant parents’ experiences and his own concerns about the environment.   In another piece, Libby Donovan from Blunt Youth Radio in Portland, Maine explores the pervasive nature of corn syrup in food ingredients and its impact on the environment.  Other pieces consider what it means to be “green” in the context of race, reflect on the public’s perception of environmental activism and contemplate a community garden’s impact.   

Other groups also submitted pieces, including Radiojojo Children’s Radio Network in Berlin, Germany and Curie Youth Radio in Chicago, IL.  Some of them will end up on the website for the show.  Members of the Terrascope Youth Radio group are hosts for this special and all the kids have had a hands-on role in writing the script and editing the audio.  NHPR finalized the hour-long show and distributed the program through PRX to public radio stations all over the country.  

Buying Into A Dying World

From Alex Smith | Part of the Radio Ecoshock Show series | 53:05

Interview Erik Assadourian on Worldwatch State of the World 2010 Report (transforming cultures from consumerism to sustainability). Then David Satterthwaite, expert on illegal settlements for the IIED, says consumers, not population, are damaging the climate. It's us, not them.

Erik_assadourian_small Two 29 minute segments. Each can be run separately as half hour programs. 1 second of silence at end of each.

Cut into end music of segment 2 if you need more time for announcements.

Music: "Garbage" by Chairlift, album "Does You Inspire You"

Attics, basements, and garages are loaded with the plunder of past shopping. Some people rent storage lockers just to hold all their extra stuff. Dumps are filling up with brand new items, never used, but tossed out. There's even a TV show called "Hoarders" - a reflection of the national preoccupation. Do all these THINGS really make us happier?

In this Radio Ecoshock program, we examine the two extremes of consumption: the Americans who use up more of the world's resources than any other people; and the slum dwellers who use practically nothing.

The World Watch Institute has released it's annual report. "State of the World 2010, Transforming Cultures: From Consumerism to Sustainability" is 262 pages of solutions from around the world.

I interview the project director, Erik Assadourian. We start by noting the total disconnect between governments and economists encouraging consumers to get out and buy to save the economy - versus the plain facts that resources are getting harder to find, the forests and land are being devastated, and the atmosphere is damaged by all the useless spending.

Then, in Part 2, we look at the other part of the world, the 3 billion people who create hardly any carbon emissions. Most of them live in "illegal settlements", with no government services, no police, no fire, no hospitals, no schools, and little hope.

Except, as our next guest David Satterthwaite tells us, the so-called "slum dwellers" are self-organizing to improve their lot, in many parts of the world.

Dr David Satterthwaite is a senior urban planner for the International Institute for Environment and Development, a non-profit based in the UK. He's traveled to the poorest parts of cities all over the world. He's the editor of the Earthscan Reader in Sustainable Cities, and co-author of many other books, including "Adapting Cities to Climate Change: Understanding and Addressing the Development Challenges."

Satterthwaite has also researched the role of consumerism, in the developed versus developing world. If you were wondering, when it comes to climate change is it "them" (increasing population in the "Third World") or is it "us" (Western-style consumers) - the verdict is in: it is us! 

Sustainability

From 90.1 WFYI Public Radio | 59:08

Hosted by Barbara Bogaev, and produced by Richard Paul, Sustainability looks at what is being done to address our energy needs and environmental challenges -- on a large scale and a small scale -- to actually address some of the biggest problems we have.

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Shabbat: Conserving the World - An Earth Day Special

From RadioArt(r) | 57:11

Rabbi Ismar Schorsch, Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary, talks with host Larry Josephson about the Jewish Sabbath in celebration of Earth Day.

Default-piece-image-2 Conserving the World: An Earth Day Special. Rabbi Ismar Schorsch, Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary, talks with host Larry Josephson about the Jewish Sabbath in celebration of Earth Day. Rabbi Schorsch esplains that the weekly observance of Shabbat, a day without work, is a way of conserving the Earth's resources, and of renewing oneself. Shabbat is a day of rest, reflection and prayer. This discussion is mixed with joyous music of Shabbat, with both sacred and secular selections chosen by Cantor Marcia tilchin of Congregation B'nai Israel of Tustin, California. Most or all of those recordings are from Cantor Tilchin's private collection, and include some rarities. We suggest this special be scheduled on or just before Earth Day, April 22, 2005. Since Shabbat occurs every week of the year it can also be schduled any time of the year.

Saving The Sierra

From Catherine Stifter | 54:00

3 stories of rural America where unlikely allies have found common ground in dealing with urban development pressures

Sierrawebcontentdepot_small Urban development threatens rural communities across America. People who live and work in these beautiful landscapes face some tough decisions about the future. Saving The Sierra's producers traveled California's Sierra Nevada mountain range to explore communities in the midst of struggle against the development pressures closing in on them. In each place, they met unlikely allies who came together to find grassroots solutions for sustaining both the environment and their ways of life. As Roger Adams, Program Director of Wyoming Public Media notes, "The issues examined in Saving the Sierra, while located in the Sierra Mountains of California could as easily be along Wyoming's Wind River Mountain range, in Florida's Everglades, on the shores of the Great Lakes or in any stretch of former farmland now lined with rows of condos." Most rural communities within driving distance of sprawling cities and suburbs face these issues. And most urban dwellers have been to a place just like the communities in these three stories: In a remote mountain valley, both ranchers and environmentalists have begun to use the tool of conservation easements to save wide-open rangelands and preserve the largest wetlands in the mountain range. In a small town north of Lake Tahoe, resort development will blanket the mountain with million-dollar luxury homes. But after a long legal battle, a deal was struck that will provide permanent, on-going funding for affordable housing, public transit, and habitat restoration. The city of Los Angeles was forced to become a leader in water conservation because of a landmark legal ruling that kept them from draining an entire watershed in the pursuit of drinking water. The city now collaborates with environmentalists on restoration and public education programs at Mono Lake. This beautifully designed documentary was produced by 2-time Peabody award winner Catherine Stifter and award-winning community media maker jesikah maria ross. It's available for Earth Day broadcast, but the topic will resonate with listeners any time of year. Saving The Sierra's Dottie award-winning companion website provides photos, podcasts, and a blog. For listeners interested in more information about public participation in conservation, land use, and watershed issues, there's an online toolkit produced by the Sierra Business Council. Project website and storybooth was produced in partnership with The Sierra Fund, the Sierra Nevada Alliance, and the Center for Sierra Nevada Studies at Sierra Community College.

Humankind: The Green Economy

From Humankind | 58:59

Environmental visionary Van Jones, former White House special adviser for green jobs, is featured

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in this documentary on the green economy. As many environmentalists see it, the future of energy is not in greenhouse gas-emitting fuels like oil and coal -- whose supply is running out -- but in sustainable, clean sources like wind, sun, tide and the enormous storehouse of heat that naturally occurs deep underground. In the coming green economy, utilizing this energy will generate a surge of new employment, while combating climate change and providing additional energy independence for the United States. This program places the green economy in the context of American environmental history (including audio of Rachel Carson, the first Earth Day and President Carter's far-sighted 1977 energy address) and features contemporary voices, including "The Green Collar Economy" author Van Jones, in the new effort to protect the planet by relying on sustainable sources of energy. The second half-hour explores the fascinating movement among religious congregations, liberal and conservative, to address global warming.

Urban Green

From Barbara Bernstein | 52:12

Urban Green explores the ribbons of greenery in our city environment: urban watersheds, community gardens and farmers' markets, that connect us to the cycles of life.

Urbangreenlogo_small Urban Green explores the ribbons of greenery in our city environments. The one hour documentary looks at the relationship between urban watersheds, community gardens and farmers' markets and shows how they all connect us to the cycles of life: the cycles of growing food, eating what's in season and the changing water levels of the rivers and creeks that flow through our communities. Urban Green challenges the ways that we look at and interact with our urban communities: such as thinking about stormwater run off from streets as tributaries to the rivers that flow through our cities or recognizing that preserving farmland close to cities not only provides sustainable food systems, but also improves watershed health. The documentary focuses on watersheds, gardens and farms around Portland, Oregon, but the stories it tells are relevant to communities everywhere. We hear the voices of nationally known environmental leaders like Mike Houck (who is based in Portland), as well as authors Michael Pollan ("The Omnivore's Dilemma") and Richard Louv ("Last Child in the Woods").

The only paid climate skeptic who ever flipped

From Stephanie Lepp | Part of the Reckonings series | 41:51

For over 20 years, Jerry Taylor was a leading spokesperson for climate skepticism. He waged TV battles against climate activists on the likes of CNN, NBC, and Fox. As the only paid climate skeptic who’s ever switched sides, why did he flip?

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'I can say to climate skeptics on the right, I used to believe what you believe. Hell, I wrote your talking points, and for 20 years, I was there! But let me tell you why I'm not there anymore.' As the head of the Cato Institute’s climate and environmental policy shop, Jerry Taylor was a leading spokesperson for climate skepticism. He waged TV battles against climate activists on the likes of CNN, NBC, and Fox, and says he won all of them. And yet, he's the only paid climate skeptic who's ever flipped. Why did he shift not just his views on climate change, but his relationship with his views more broadly? 

Food For Thought

From Making Contact | Part of the Making Contact series | 29:00

We take a look at sustainable farming practices and find solutions right in our backyards: urban farms in the heart of San Francisco, food production in a skyscraper, and a Portland, Maine food bank.

Episodepic1for4808_small How much does it cost to put food on the table for your family these days? Definitely more than last year at this time. And it's a sure bet that it'll be even higher next year. The cost of producing food is skyrocketing, and the basics are becoming out of reach to average American households. Solutions for an oncoming food crisis are needed- locally, nationally and globally. On this edition, we take a look at sustainable farming practices. Urban farms in the heart of San Francisco. The future of food production in a skyscraper. And on the ground in a Portland, Maine food bank. Solutions right in our backyards.. or just down the block.

The Forgotten River

From Aengus Anderson | 25:00

Tucson, Arizona would have never existed without the Santa Cruz river. Yet Tucson’s success has transformed the Santa Cruz from an intermittent stream meandering through a lush floodplain into a dry channel imprisoned by cement walls. At the turn of the twentieth century, the Santa Cruz was Tucson’s geographic and cultural heart, but today the river is a forgotten landscape. Drained of water and stripped of vegetation, ignored the media and physically distant from most Tucsonans, the Santa Cruz is dismissed as an unfortunate casualty of Arizona’s modernization. But the river continues to be relevant--its very silence a loud reminder that civilization in the desert comes at a price and that, underneath the Arizona dream, there is a harsh environmental reality.

Santa_cruz_small Tucson, Arizona would have never existed without the Santa Cruz river. Yet Tucson’s success has transformed the Santa Cruz from an intermittent stream meandering through a lush floodplain into a dry channel imprisoned by cement walls. At the turn of the twentieth century, the Santa Cruz was Tucson’s geographic and cultural heart, but today the river is a forgotten landscape. Drained of water and stripped of vegetation, ignored the media and physically distant from most Tucsonans, the Santa Cruz is dismissed as an unfortunate casualty of Arizona’s modernization. But the river continues to be relevant--its very silence a loud reminder that civilization in the desert comes at a price and that, underneath the Arizona dream, there is a harsh environmental reality.

Climate Change Activist Al Gore and "The Future"

From Diana Korte | Part of the Booktalk series | 09:43

Former US Vice President Al Gore is perhaps the best known poster boy for climate change. Both a winner of a Nobel prize along with an Oscar, he talks about global trends in his book, "The Future, Six Drivers of Global Change." He also details his day job now and what the first thing is that he would do if he was in charge of the world. http://www.algore.com.
Book Talk


1_-_gore2_small Former US Vice President Al Gore is perhaps the best known poster boy for climate change. Both a winner of a Nobel prize along with an Oscar, he talks about global trends in his book, "The Future, Six Drivers of Global Change." He also details his day job now and what the first thing is that he would do if he was in charge of the world. http://www.algore.com. Book Talk

"Oil & Water: Recovering from the Spill" (Series)

Produced by Pat Duggins

April 2011 marks one year since the Gulf oil spill which changed lives all along the Alabama coast. Alabama Public Radio News Director Pat Duggins presents a five part series looking ahead to the long term impact of the accident on seaside businesses and homeowners.

Most recent piece in this series:

"Kiss That Fish!"

From Pat Duggins | Part of the "Oil & Water: Recovering from the Spill" series | 05:34

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Part Five—“Kiss That Fish.” A recent poll shows forty percent of Americans still think Gulf seafood isn’t safe to eat. Commercial fishermen in Bayou La Batre are fighting to win back seafood buyers who were scared off following the oil spill, and the effort may take years. One man in the corner of Gulf coast fisherman is nationally recognized Chef Frank Stitt, who runs three upscale restaurants in Birmingham. While many eateries shied away from seafood caught in Gulf waters after the spill, Stitt kept buying it for his customers.

E-Waste Polluting Overseas

From The Environment Report | 06:00

Junked electronics from the US are being sent overseas, where they threaten the environment and health of the people.

Ewaste3_small At your home, chances are your TV, computer and other electronic gear were made overseas. That's because it's cheaper to make them there. And it's cheaper to get rid of old electronics overseas. Someday, your old cell phone or CD player might end up right back where it started: in China. In one Chinese city, electronic waste, or e-waste, is shipped by the thousands of tons. Pollution from that waste is threatening the health of people who live there.

Rare Wood Turtles: Ecology & Conservation

From Laurie Sanders | 05:15

First half of story takes place in field. Nice & sound rich. Depopulation due to human behaviors like mowing are addressed.

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HOST INTRO: Across the United States, many species of turtle are in decline. Wood turtles-so named because their upper shell resembles carved wood-are among these. Today this species, which was once common throughout the eastern United States, is in so much trouble that they're protected in every state in their range. Reporter Laurie Sanders profiles a researcher who's trying to figure out how to help this species recover.