December 29, 2017
With a look back on Green Cars for 2017– sales, new technology and other trends inEVs, hybrids and high-mpg cars – we're joined by Consumer Guide Automotive publisher Tom Appel.
As much of the national conversation over climate change seems tobemainly over whether or not it’s real, anyone and everyone who can get online can use ClimateEngine.org to research all kinds of climate data - current and historic. Here to tell us more is John Abatzoglu with the University of Idaho and co-principle investigator of Climate Engine.
December 9, 2017
Americans throw away 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Years than any other time of year. It adds up 25 million tons of garbage or about 1 million extra tons per week. Much of it, from holiday gift wrap that we use once and throw away. Hethyre Baez had the idea to green up gift wrapping with GG Wrap and joins us on Green Sense.
Once-great industrial cities that have deteriorated face unique challenges which are being met by people with the right spirit, attitude, entrepreneurship. And, in the case of El Taco Real in Hammond, Indiana…the right approach to Mexican food! Owner Raymond Garcia is our guest.
November 17, 2017
We all probably first learned about the cycle of evaporation when we were in grade school. This could be source of energy that rivals wind and solar power and is, as yet, untapped. Dr. Ahmet-Hamdi Cavusoglu with Columbia University is one of four researchers who've been looking into this innovation.
We’ve heard a lot about how climate change is having and will continue to have an effect on our physical environment around us and on our own physical bodies. More research is showing how it’ll have an effect on our own mental well being. Dr. Susan Clayton of Wooster College is one of the authors of a study that looks into how changes in the climate bring about changes in our psychological health.
November 10, 2017
While sustainability and green are part of the national conversation, what matters more is what individual cities have been doing to green up. And, if you check out this new list, how well they’re doing varies widely. Jill Gonzalez is an analyst with WalletHub which published the new list of the Greenest Cities in America. It includes the 100 largest cities in the US and ranks them.
Next to mental illness, lymphatic filariasis is the leading cause of disability in the world. Many of us have never heard of it, but it is an often overlooked tropical disease. And, food is a way to prevent it. It’s been tried with great success in Haiti thanks to a program with the University of Notre Dame. We’re joined by James Reimer who’s with the Notre Dame Haiti program.
October 23, 2017
Steel has been long the material of choice for carmakers. In recent years, aluminum’s been on the rise as they try to make cars lighter in weight. But even more recently, environmental advantages of steel are getting greater notice when it comes to long-term sustainability. We’re joined by David Anderson from the Steel Market Development Institute.
Art can be a positive way to draw attention to crises. One of them is the global marine crisis and artist Angela Haseltine Pozzi. For the past six years her project Washed Ashore has processed tons of plastic from Pacific beaches to create monumental art to awaken the hearts and minds of people to this problem.
October 17, 2017
Climate change could drastically affect the coffee harvest around the world. A new study written in part by Dr. Taylor Ricketts, director of the Gund Institute for Environment at the University of Vermont says that could be the case.
Tom Appel, publisher of Consumer Guide Automotive has news on a new all-electric Nissan Leaf all-electric car which is being redesigned for the 2018 model year. He and Robert also have a road test of the hybrid Chrysler Pacifica minivan.
October 6, 2017
A 40-percent population increase by 2050 means the demand for water used in growing crops and feeding livestock will increase dramatically too. How can we be sure fresh water for food will be available? That and other issues were part of World Water Week which recently wrapped up in Stockholm. Peter McCornick's the Executive Director of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska.
Heroic Food helps men and women returning from military service who can face unemployment, social dislocation, a loss of a sense of purpose and lowered self esteem by preparing them for careers in sustainable farming, agricultural trades, and food entrepreneurship. Heroic Food director Leora Barish is our guest.
Tom Appel of Consumer Guide Automotive has a road test of the Jeep Compass fuel-saving SUV.
September 29, 2017
Large parts of Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and the Caribbean are on the long road to recovery following the devastation of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. What is the role of climate change in the size and frequency of these storms…and what can we expect in the future? Dr. Astrid Caldas is a senior climate scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Autumn is arriving for much of the US and for many, it's time to get out the rakes and pile those leaves and cart them off (or burn them, as some still do). But is it better to just leave them where they are? It'll save you the hassle but it also might be better for your lawn and the environment. We're joined by Sam Bauer, a professor with the University of Minnesota's Turfgrass Science Program.
September 22, 2017
We talk a lot about the “basket of goods” that is necessary to meet our growing energy needs in the world. As solar, wind and other renewable methods continue to grow and increase, others are discovered and developed. One is the use of food and forest waste as fuel for bioelectric energy generation, something that’s being worked on in California. We’re joined by Alicia Gutierrez with the California Energy Commission.
Consumer Guide Automotive Publisher Tom Appel joins us for a road test of the hybrid version of the Toyota Highlander SUV.
September 15, 2017
Wind energy costs less, has seen numerous technological improvements and has the potential to generate even more energy than before. This is all covered in a new report by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. We’re joined by its lead author Ryan Wiser.
The US under President Trump backed out of the Paris Climate Agreement a few months ago. Since that time, we’re learning more and more how business, state and local governments on their own are committing to it in order to reduce carbon output. Joining us is Diana Rojas who wrote about this trend for Ethical Corporation’s monthly magazine.
