Green Sense Radio

Water usage reduction during COVID-19

As has been the case with electricity usage during the pandemic, water usage has also gone down. With the change in water usage, it's had both positive and negative effects on  people and the environment, according to the latest findings by the Pacific Institute. Heather Cooley is Director of Research with the organization.

Clean Drinking Water Crises in the U.S.

Clean water issues that have been well documented for years now - Flint, Michigan being the most prominent - are still ongoing, even if they’ve taken a back seat when it comes to national media coverage. 

As part of our look at the EPA as it marks its 50th anniversary, we are looking at some of the clean water problems that continue years after their discovery. We’re joined by Jeremy Orr, attorney with the Safe Water Initiative of the Natural Resources Defense Council. 

 

Green Automotive News with Tom Appel of Consumer Guide Automotive

While fewer cars have been on the road in the recent past, we are still seeing a lot of developments in the cars that might be on the road in the not-too-distant future. We’re joined by Tom Appel, publisher of Consumer Guide Automotive for some more green automotive news.

The US EPA at 50

The US Environmental Protection Agency is celebrating 50 years this year. Since it first came into existence, many environmental triumphs, failures, actions and inactions have taken place. We’re joined by Dr. Andrew Rosenberg, Director of the Center for Science and Democracy for the Union of Concerned Scientists as we examine the role of the EPA in its first 50 years and beyond. 

The role of cities during COVID-19

The transformations cities have seen - both negative and in some cases, positive - because of COVID-19 are now being examined as the pandemic continues.  

We’re joined by Cooper Martin, Director of Sustainability and City Solutions for the National League of Cities which conducts research and gathers successful practices to help cities continue to innovate, strengthen their economies, and create vibrant neighborhoods where people love to live.

Chris Higgins on controlled environment agriculture during COVID

We’ve been affected by major shut-downs and ‘stay-at-home’ orders for going on two months now.  I’m RC and this is GS where we bring you eco-innovations and dig into the important environmental issues affecting our lives. Our longtime correspondent Chris Higgins of UrbanAg news joins us to talk about indoor farming and food distribution in recent times.

Green Automotive News with Tom Appel of Consumer Guide Automotive

With shelter-in-place keeping us off the roads, it doesn’t mean there isn’t news regarding the automotive industry, specifically green automotive news. For that, we’re joined by Tom Appel, publisher of Consumer Guide Automotive.

The grid and renewable energy during the pandemic

Whether we planned it or not, our energy use has radically shifted in the last couple of months with ‘shelter in place’ and ‘stay at home’ practices around the world. 

The Rocky Mountain Institute’s mission is to transform global energy use to create a clean, prosperous, and secure low-carbon future. Mark Dyson is a senior associate with RMI's electricity practice and has a look at how grid improvements have helped during the pandemic. 

Improving diets, improving the planet

A growing body of research shows that shifting what we eat could improve the health of the population and the planet. However, the US government has declined to incorporate this evidence into federal food policies.
A new policy brief looks for key actions and recommendations for federal agencies and policymakers to help protect public health and food security for generations to come. Sarah Reinhardt of the Union of Concerned Scientists is the author of the study.

Energy use during COVID-19

Our energy consumption during the cornonavirus pandemic is down - but what does this mean long term?  James Conca writes about science for Forbes and recently took at look at the long long-term energy outlook. He’s a  Senior Scientist UFA Ventures and specializes in energy-related research.