Steve Scheiblaur, Harbor master of the Monterey Marina, gives us his perspective on the health of the oceans. Commercial fisherman are affected by the close of the salmon season. In Monterey, many of the 74 fishing boats would be salmon fishing if the season was open. Now they are trying to find other areas to fish. Today there is less room for people to do so, because fishing management has applied new concepts, such as limited entry.
Steve agrees it was a wise idea to close the salmon season. No one really argued against it even if their livelihood depend on it. Commitment to the health of the resource. Fisherman is the only variable that the state can control.
But what are the root causes?
Some oceanographic conditions, such as urban development and habitat issues at the Sacramento Delta System.
Salmon are enormous multiplier's so one salmon's value is huge for the entire community. Restaurants, waiters, hotel stays by fisherman, the fisherman's income and many other links which generate income due to that one salmon- are lost when the salmon season is closed. It's one huge cycle.
The Sacramento Delta has a lot of habitat issues. Here in Monterey, there seems to be some issues as well. Coastal streams throughout CA have been experiencing a lot of issues, which local organizations are trying to take care of. In Sacramento there is a process under way envisioning a healthier Sacramento Delta plan.
Steve discusses the ocean's resilience, which he is thankful for. Right now we have a great abundance of sardines. Steve isn't really aware of a negative chain reaction stemming from a lack of salmon, as he feels that it is cyclical.
How can citizens take responsibility for the lack of this prestigious fishery?
Pressure legislature to have a longterm financial commitment for improving the Sacramento Delta and the salmon habitat.
How does the fishing infrastructure affect the fishing industry? The industry is reliant on all the systems which make fish available to us at our market place.
Is over fishing occurring? Overfishing means that you are fishing at a level beyond the legal 40% of their stock level. Some species rebound quickly when over-fished, but others take up to 40 yrs to regenerate. Internationally, there is over-fishing occurring, and that's what we should be focusing on.
Steve recommends using a the Seafood Watch guide to make healthier fish buying choices. Steve says, overall, make sure you are buying fish locally caught, and locally sold.
You can reach Mr. Scheiblaur at Scheibla@ci.monterey.ca.us for any questions.
On the Green Scene:
The tall ship, Bounty, is arriving on wharf 2 in Monterey. Today through Sunday it will be open for public tours. Check it out!
Thank yo u Steve Scheiblaur for sharing with us today, and as always thanks for listening! As always feel free to leave your comments here.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Construction in a Meaningful Context
What business is here to empower and share, bring economic justice, and encourage cultural diversity? Carmel Building and Design. Rob Nicely from Carmel Building and Design is with us today to discuss his business philosophy. When deciding how to run his business he was aware that the quality of life of employees was priority, as well as the outcomes for the community. As they expanded he noticed the importance of taking responsibility for all the resources used throughout the building process. How can we honor the materials used? Green building lead Carmel Building and Design to be more efficient, and less resource and energy intensive. They honor the people and the resources involved in the process. In the beginning, Nicely asked himself,"How can we make a meaningful context for doing construction?" The proof is in the pudding at Carmel Building and Design.
Nicely tells us about his work with the chamber of commerce. He began a sustainability committee within the chamber. They have recruited many people to work with them, with a list of solid objectives. "Green" is getting market share, and many businesses are acting in those areas, and the chamber is responding to the various green demands. Nicely read us the mission and vision statement of the sustainability committee, and it is right on! Nice work, Nicely.
Nicely recommends a Leadership Monterey Peninsula class, in which he just graduated from. For his final project they created a Wiki chalk full of Green resources within Monterey Peninsula. Wiki's are databases which can be updated by people who read them. It is an on going, open source format, and therefore as democratic as possible.
Another organization that Nicely is involved with is Build It Green. This organization encompasses all the stakeholders needed to get Green building projects off the ground. It is a residential based certification, and their short-term goal is to facilitate the greening of 10,000 housing units by the end of 2008. Wowza!
Last minute notes from a show full of info:
On the Green Scene: Nicely suggested an Alternative Building Exposition coming up this October in Santa Cruz.
Monterey Bay Sustainability Coalition is trying to create metrics to measure whether or not we have a environmentally and socially sustainable community. This concept, "The Triple Bottom Line" measures success beyond profit. Amen to that!
Take a look at the educational classes offered by AMBAG.
Step Up to Green is an up and coming project Nicely is involved with. The plan is to create a list of guidelines which will recommend things each individual can do to greenify their homes. Check back for updates.
Nicely highly suggests:
The Next Industrial Revolution by William McDonough, and Michael Braungart.
Thank you so much for sharing all of those valuable resources with us Mr. Nicely.
As always thank you to our listeners, and have a wonderful day!
Olana & Deborah
Nicely tells us about his work with the chamber of commerce. He began a sustainability committee within the chamber. They have recruited many people to work with them, with a list of solid objectives. "Green" is getting market share, and many businesses are acting in those areas, and the chamber is responding to the various green demands. Nicely read us the mission and vision statement of the sustainability committee, and it is right on! Nice work, Nicely.
Nicely recommends a Leadership Monterey Peninsula class, in which he just graduated from. For his final project they created a Wiki chalk full of Green resources within Monterey Peninsula. Wiki's are databases which can be updated by people who read them. It is an on going, open source format, and therefore as democratic as possible.
Another organization that Nicely is involved with is Build It Green. This organization encompasses all the stakeholders needed to get Green building projects off the ground. It is a residential based certification, and their short-term goal is to facilitate the greening of 10,000 housing units by the end of 2008. Wowza!
Last minute notes from a show full of info:
On the Green Scene: Nicely suggested an Alternative Building Exposition coming up this October in Santa Cruz.
Monterey Bay Sustainability Coalition is trying to create metrics to measure whether or not we have a environmentally and socially sustainable community. This concept, "The Triple Bottom Line" measures success beyond profit. Amen to that!
Take a look at the educational classes offered by AMBAG.
Step Up to Green is an up and coming project Nicely is involved with. The plan is to create a list of guidelines which will recommend things each individual can do to greenify their homes. Check back for updates.
Nicely highly suggests:
The Next Industrial Revolution by William McDonough, and Michael Braungart.
Thank you so much for sharing all of those valuable resources with us Mr. Nicely.
As always thank you to our listeners, and have a wonderful day!
Olana & Deborah
Friday, July 25, 2008
Clean Air Everywhere!
Hunter Harvath from Monterey Salinas Transit was with us today. In early August MST plans to harvest some mustard seed which should create enough bio diesel to power one of their buses for an entire year. This project is sure to prove successful. It also shows how much of the seed would need to be planted to convert MST entirely to bio diesel. They do, however, plan to power all of their buses with 20% bio diesel which will reduce co2 emissions by 10-20%. Look on the MST website to find out about BIO-Easy, a workshop being held to demonstrate the bio diesel process.
Plug in Buses are a possibility in the future, however MST has six years before the will have to replace their buses. In six years, depending on technology, purchasing or retrofitting their current buses into plug in electric powered buses is a possibility. Wouldn't that be cool! Zero emissions whatsoever! Well we certainly hope that will happen in our near future. Hunter tells us that MST also plan to make their buses more bike friendly, with room to carry more bikes. At the bus stop shop down town Monterey, MST will be providing workshops to help riders become secure with bringing their bikes on board, etc. Please visit the One Stop MST shop down town Monterey. To conserve the energy of stopping and going, MST has also proposed fewer stops with longer distances between stops.
Hunter reminds us to be sure to take the Big Sur line down to Big Sur, now that they are back in business. Thank you Hunter!
Monthly Business Review:
Kevin Scherschligt from Clean Air Lawn Care, based out of Carmel spoke with us today. Clean Air Lawn Care uses 100% electric equipment, powered by wind and solar energy. Traditionally, lawn care businesses use gas lawn mowers, which dump carbon emissions and are completely inefficient and horribly polluting. CALC uses simple electric powered lawn mowers. 10% of total air pollution comes from lawn care. CALC would like to change this. CALC is completely carbon neutral. They have solar panels on their trucks to charge throughout the day, but plug in to the grid at night purchasing offsets to maintain the purity of the company. Traditional mowers cause air and noise pollution, and spill a lot of oil. Clean Air Lawn Care aspire to change that, and they are already well on their way!
They use Newton Mowers which are all cordless electric and cut wonderfully. Even their weed-wackers are less noise polluting, comparable to a hair dryer in noise level. Contact Clean Air Lawn Care or call (831) 541-5510 to get your service started! Scherschligt asks that we join him in his mission to eliminate gas powered lawn mowers.
As always thank you for listening, and have a great weekend!
Olana & Deborah
Plug in Buses are a possibility in the future, however MST has six years before the will have to replace their buses. In six years, depending on technology, purchasing or retrofitting their current buses into plug in electric powered buses is a possibility. Wouldn't that be cool! Zero emissions whatsoever! Well we certainly hope that will happen in our near future. Hunter tells us that MST also plan to make their buses more bike friendly, with room to carry more bikes. At the bus stop shop down town Monterey, MST will be providing workshops to help riders become secure with bringing their bikes on board, etc. Please visit the One Stop MST shop down town Monterey. To conserve the energy of stopping and going, MST has also proposed fewer stops with longer distances between stops.
Hunter reminds us to be sure to take the Big Sur line down to Big Sur, now that they are back in business. Thank you Hunter!
Monthly Business Review:
Kevin Scherschligt from Clean Air Lawn Care, based out of Carmel spoke with us today. Clean Air Lawn Care uses 100% electric equipment, powered by wind and solar energy. Traditionally, lawn care businesses use gas lawn mowers, which dump carbon emissions and are completely inefficient and horribly polluting. CALC uses simple electric powered lawn mowers. 10% of total air pollution comes from lawn care. CALC would like to change this. CALC is completely carbon neutral. They have solar panels on their trucks to charge throughout the day, but plug in to the grid at night purchasing offsets to maintain the purity of the company. Traditional mowers cause air and noise pollution, and spill a lot of oil. Clean Air Lawn Care aspire to change that, and they are already well on their way!
They use Newton Mowers which are all cordless electric and cut wonderfully. Even their weed-wackers are less noise polluting, comparable to a hair dryer in noise level. Contact Clean Air Lawn Care or call (831) 541-5510 to get your service started! Scherschligt asks that we join him in his mission to eliminate gas powered lawn mowers.
As always thank you for listening, and have a great weekend!
Olana & Deborah
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Pre-Screened Green
Deborah and Spencer reviewed the Plug In Conference today. Their favorite part included the information about converting school buses to be battery powered electric motors.
However, the conference was lacking in conversion kits for cars. Many new vehicles were presented which include new electric technology, yet they are new...and there are enough cars already in existence. Some innovative vehicles can be found at Zap World and at Green Transporter.
Spencer shared an interesting tidbit with us. Did you know that a 1987 Geo Metro can get 75 miles to the gallon if driven correctly. Keep this in mind when car company's try to fool us that the technology doesn't exist to make vehicles more efficient; because clearly it existed even back in the eighty's. There seems to be a suspicion that the evolution of efficiency in vehicles is going backwards, while the evolution of comfort and style continues forthright. What's up with that? To contact Spencer with more details about his electric bike, email him at info@lindsaydigital.com.
During the second half of the show Lydia Corser from the Green Space in Santa Cruz, CA joined us for our monthly business review. The Green Space prides itself on providing the greenest of all products available in any given category. Products include flooring, paint, adhesives, bedding, plaster, and much more. The business's criteria is wide, as Lydia feels it is important to pre-screen items. Is it biodegradable? Made of recycled materials? Is there toxic chemicals in it? Is it locally made?
Also held at The Green Space are plastering workshops, a space for meetings, and guest speakers. Monthly Ecology Action Presents; Cool Ideas, Green Drinks. Friday August 15Th, 5:30-8:00 PM join Lydia at The Green Space for this forum for creative solutions and critical thinking about climate change and sustainability.
Thanks for listening and feel free to comment!
However, the conference was lacking in conversion kits for cars. Many new vehicles were presented which include new electric technology, yet they are new...and there are enough cars already in existence. Some innovative vehicles can be found at Zap World and at Green Transporter.
Spencer shared an interesting tidbit with us. Did you know that a 1987 Geo Metro can get 75 miles to the gallon if driven correctly. Keep this in mind when car company's try to fool us that the technology doesn't exist to make vehicles more efficient; because clearly it existed even back in the eighty's. There seems to be a suspicion that the evolution of efficiency in vehicles is going backwards, while the evolution of comfort and style continues forthright. What's up with that? To contact Spencer with more details about his electric bike, email him at info@lindsaydigital.com.
During the second half of the show Lydia Corser from the Green Space in Santa Cruz, CA joined us for our monthly business review. The Green Space prides itself on providing the greenest of all products available in any given category. Products include flooring, paint, adhesives, bedding, plaster, and much more. The business's criteria is wide, as Lydia feels it is important to pre-screen items. Is it biodegradable? Made of recycled materials? Is there toxic chemicals in it? Is it locally made?
Also held at The Green Space are plastering workshops, a space for meetings, and guest speakers. Monthly Ecology Action Presents; Cool Ideas, Green Drinks. Friday August 15Th, 5:30-8:00 PM join Lydia at The Green Space for this forum for creative solutions and critical thinking about climate change and sustainability.
Thanks for listening and feel free to comment!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Worm Box Composting
Today we visited with Kimberle Herring, a public education coordinator with Monterey Regional Waste Management. Herring spoke with us about worm-composting with worm boxes. In short, Red Wriggler worms make fertilizer by eating our garbage. The worm boxes are available at the Last Chance Mercantile. Also available are pamphlets explaining the process, and tours of the demonstration garden.
Worms prefer to eat certain things: No meat, dairy or citrus peals. They enjoy a little grit in the box, and melon seems to be their favorite food. These boxes work easily on porches, balcony's, or even under your kitchen sink. They are comfortable in temperatures ranging from 45-85 degrees. To prevent fruit flies, Herring suggests layering the top with 2-3 inches of shredded newspaper. If it's too late, you can leave the lid off of your box for 10 minutes a day and let them fly away. Or, a small dish of apple cider vinegar will attract and end the infestation.
Kimberle Herring will be at the Solar Home Tour on September 27th, giving composting demonstrations. She also suggests Mary Applehof's book, titled Worms Eat My Garbage. To learn more you can look online at the California Waste Management site, and at Worm Farming Secrets. Also, please look at Monterey Waste Management District for great resources, like where you can find your worms, and your Wriggle Ranch worm boxes to get started.
Thank you so much Kimberle for sharing with us today! As always, thanks for listening and feel free to leave comments.
Olana & Deborah
Worms prefer to eat certain things: No meat, dairy or citrus peals. They enjoy a little grit in the box, and melon seems to be their favorite food. These boxes work easily on porches, balcony's, or even under your kitchen sink. They are comfortable in temperatures ranging from 45-85 degrees. To prevent fruit flies, Herring suggests layering the top with 2-3 inches of shredded newspaper. If it's too late, you can leave the lid off of your box for 10 minutes a day and let them fly away. Or, a small dish of apple cider vinegar will attract and end the infestation.
Kimberle Herring will be at the Solar Home Tour on September 27th, giving composting demonstrations. She also suggests Mary Applehof's book, titled Worms Eat My Garbage. To learn more you can look online at the California Waste Management site, and at Worm Farming Secrets. Also, please look at Monterey Waste Management District for great resources, like where you can find your worms, and your Wriggle Ranch worm boxes to get started.
Thank you so much Kimberle for sharing with us today! As always, thanks for listening and feel free to leave comments.
Olana & Deborah
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
We Can Solve it, Euro Style.
Our guest today was Juliet Johnson, sustainability director for Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA. She spoke with us about a Green Energy Tour throughout Europe, in which she just returned from.
Some recommended sights to look in to.
Bedzed which is zero-fossil fuels housing development in Europe.
The Eden Project
Industrial Symbiosis Institute in Denmark.
Lets live up to Al Gore's challenge. We can solve the climate crisis within ten years, omitting fossil fuels and replacing with renewable energy.
Juliet also suggests looking up Samso, Sweden, an island which has accomplished a goal quite similar to Gore's challenge.
Thank You Juliet, and thanks for listening.
Olana & Deborah
Some recommended sights to look in to.
Bedzed which is zero-fossil fuels housing development in Europe.
The Eden Project
Industrial Symbiosis Institute in Denmark.
Lets live up to Al Gore's challenge. We can solve the climate crisis within ten years, omitting fossil fuels and replacing with renewable energy.
Juliet also suggests looking up Samso, Sweden, an island which has accomplished a goal quite similar to Gore's challenge.
Thank You Juliet, and thanks for listening.
Olana & Deborah
Monday, July 21, 2008
Eco Geek Product Review
Tested for today's show was the Sink Positive. This water saving device filters fresh water into a lovely little sink above your toilet tank before running it into the toilet. This system provides two uses for the same water, which is wonderful. It seems ludicrous to be putting completely fresh drinking water into our toilets.
Some highlights of the show today included:
We are pleased to announce that Deborah Lindsay will be running for city council in Pacific Grove, CA.
We will be reviewing more products soon!
Happy Monday!
Olana & Deborah
Some highlights of the show today included:
We are pleased to announce that Deborah Lindsay will be running for city council in Pacific Grove, CA.
We will be reviewing more products soon!
Happy Monday!
Olana & Deborah
Friday, July 18, 2008
Eco Parenting
Lydia Neilsen, an Eco Parent, spoke with us about raising children with mother earth in mind. Lydia, Permaculture instructor and founder of Dirt Dragon Design, has a third talent, which is raising a seven year old who will inevitably become part of the solution. Already solution minded, this youngster is asking questions, and seeking answers, about new energy sources, sustainability, and alternative fuel powered vehicles.
Neilsen discussed summer travel with children. Tips included were plentiful:
1. Bring your own healthy snacks on the plane, and stay away from sugar to avoid the stir-crazy sensation.
2. Eat something salty to trigger thirst, so that you both stay hydrated.
3. Bring cloth napkins during your travels, and refuse all those paper items. After all, "refuse" is the fourth "R" in "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle."
4. Get jazzed about homeopathic methods for ear infections etc, and remember gum for ear popping on planes.
Neilsen answered a difficult question for us. How do you break the bad news to kids, when it comes to today's issues such as climate change, and our dangerous dependency on fossil fuels? She suggests keeping your discussion honest, and solution based as to avoid leaving the child with a sense of hopeless gloom and doom. It is also very helpful to ask them what they think the issue is all about first off, then take a cue from them about how much to elaborate. This approach encourages children to come up with solutions, which they actually tend to enjoy being part of.
Most important:
Let's teach our children not to want things, which is difficult in our consumer based society. It is difficult to get a kid out of a store without a battle for a pretty plastic item. We must provide the ethic of doing rather than buying when raising our kids. Involving children in a project in which you would normally hire someone else to do, such as building shelves, or gardening, proves to be a great learning experience. It is also more rewarding and entertaining to participate in an activity together than simply pulling out the credit card.
Thank you Lydia for joining us today. You can contact her at LNeilsen@earthlink.net for any Eco Parenting questions or comments. And as always, feel free to leave your comments here. Have a great weekend.
Olana & Deborah
Neilsen discussed summer travel with children. Tips included were plentiful:
1. Bring your own healthy snacks on the plane, and stay away from sugar to avoid the stir-crazy sensation.
2. Eat something salty to trigger thirst, so that you both stay hydrated.
3. Bring cloth napkins during your travels, and refuse all those paper items. After all, "refuse" is the fourth "R" in "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle."
4. Get jazzed about homeopathic methods for ear infections etc, and remember gum for ear popping on planes.
Neilsen answered a difficult question for us. How do you break the bad news to kids, when it comes to today's issues such as climate change, and our dangerous dependency on fossil fuels? She suggests keeping your discussion honest, and solution based as to avoid leaving the child with a sense of hopeless gloom and doom. It is also very helpful to ask them what they think the issue is all about first off, then take a cue from them about how much to elaborate. This approach encourages children to come up with solutions, which they actually tend to enjoy being part of.
Most important:
Let's teach our children not to want things, which is difficult in our consumer based society. It is difficult to get a kid out of a store without a battle for a pretty plastic item. We must provide the ethic of doing rather than buying when raising our kids. Involving children in a project in which you would normally hire someone else to do, such as building shelves, or gardening, proves to be a great learning experience. It is also more rewarding and entertaining to participate in an activity together than simply pulling out the credit card.
Thank you Lydia for joining us today. You can contact her at LNeilsen@earthlink.net for any Eco Parenting questions or comments. And as always, feel free to leave your comments here. Have a great weekend.
Olana & Deborah
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Let's Be Ready for Change
Our guest Matthew Stein, author of When Technology Fails suggests that those who are responsive to change are those who will survive in this ever changing world. It is equally important for us to be ready for minor to major catastrophe's and also that in the time being we live more self-reliant, sustainable lifestyles.
Stein shared a 12 point "Make the shift to Sustainability" checklist with us. This checklist is available and further explored in his book, of course.
1. Change the tax structure.
2. Rebuild the cities.
3. Rebuild the mass transit systems and roadways.
4. Rebuild offices, factories, and homes to be more energy efficient.
5. Limit population growth.
6. Get off fossil fuels.
7. Support renewable development.
8. Share the wealth with third world countries for conserving resources.
9. Reach out to developing countries. Help them learn from our mistakes.
10. Get away from coal burning.
11. Buy local.
12. Make our business and political decisions based on sustainability.
Stein suggests that this new level of thinking can mirror the 100th Monkey phenomenon by reaching its critical mass and exploding, catching on everywhere, and helping the world to re-prioritize. Matthew Stein encourages us to "do your best to change the world, and be ready for the changes in the world."
Thank you Matthew Stein for speaking with us today, and thanks to everyone who listened and contributed.
Olana & Deborah
Stein shared a 12 point "Make the shift to Sustainability" checklist with us. This checklist is available and further explored in his book, of course.
1. Change the tax structure.
2. Rebuild the cities.
3. Rebuild the mass transit systems and roadways.
4. Rebuild offices, factories, and homes to be more energy efficient.
5. Limit population growth.
6. Get off fossil fuels.
7. Support renewable development.
8. Share the wealth with third world countries for conserving resources.
9. Reach out to developing countries. Help them learn from our mistakes.
10. Get away from coal burning.
11. Buy local.
12. Make our business and political decisions based on sustainability.
Stein suggests that this new level of thinking can mirror the 100th Monkey phenomenon by reaching its critical mass and exploding, catching on everywhere, and helping the world to re-prioritize. Matthew Stein encourages us to "do your best to change the world, and be ready for the changes in the world."
Thank you Matthew Stein for speaking with us today, and thanks to everyone who listened and contributed.
Olana & Deborah
Monday, July 14, 2008
Green Love Cast
Today at Tomorrow Matters, so much was discussed! We had over ten callers and a lot of enthusiasm about seeds, staph infection, and Obama.
Here are some web resources that were mentioned:
Reneesgarden.com
thepickensplan.com
MIT solar panels
Green tip:
Put pure silicone tablets in your seed containers to store them without moisture risks.
Have a happy Monday!
Olana & Deborah
Here are some web resources that were mentioned:
Reneesgarden.com
thepickensplan.com
MIT solar panels
Green tip:
Put pure silicone tablets in your seed containers to store them without moisture risks.
Have a happy Monday!
Olana & Deborah
Friday, July 11, 2008
Peak Moment
Janaia Donaldson from Peak Moment TV was with us today. Locally, Peak Moment TV plays on channel 24 on AMP television. The episodes address "perspectives and initiatives for local self-reliant living in the face of energy, climate, and economic uncertainty."
In the studio today, Janaia and Deborah switched places, giving Deborah a chance to share why she is passionate about Tomorrow Matters. As a mother of two, it is important that she does all that she can and will never have to answer the question of, "Why didn't you do anything, Mom? You didn't do everything you could to make a difference?" Deborah shared some incredible exercises with us that help children understand the intensity of our fossil fuel dependence. My favorite is the lesson plan in which you chart a story of where a can of chicken soup comes from, followed by a discussion about the energy used in the process. I wish we all had the chance to experience these types of lessons as young children.
Thank you Janaia for speaking today! Please visit Peak Moment for more info.
In the studio today, Janaia and Deborah switched places, giving Deborah a chance to share why she is passionate about Tomorrow Matters. As a mother of two, it is important that she does all that she can and will never have to answer the question of, "Why didn't you do anything, Mom? You didn't do everything you could to make a difference?" Deborah shared some incredible exercises with us that help children understand the intensity of our fossil fuel dependence. My favorite is the lesson plan in which you chart a story of where a can of chicken soup comes from, followed by a discussion about the energy used in the process. I wish we all had the chance to experience these types of lessons as young children.
Thank you Janaia for speaking today! Please visit Peak Moment for more info.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
The Future of Food Matters
Escondido Farmer and sustainable farming consultant, Scott Murray was with us today. Murray Farms and the San Pasqual Academy reap the benefits of his labor. At San Pasqual Academy, the students live on campus, and their campus is a farm. Murray teaches vocational and food-literacy. Fed from the 20 acres of vegetable gardens, these students are being educated in a way to help avoid the U.S. obesity epidemic. Murray informed us today that they are making progress, and the students are becoming inspired throughout the process of growing things such as five different colors of carrots.
We love the idea of food literacy! Teaching school age children how to eat balanced, organic meals is paramount, and it is wonderful that San Pasquale Academy is doing just that. Right on! Murray also pointed out that we cannot assume that everyone knows where their food is coming from.
Organic farming is experiencing its share of challenges as well. On the top of the list is oil prices. Increasing fuel costs means higher food cost. So what can we do? Shop at the farmers market of course; and while you're there, take Scott Murray's advice and give your local farmer a big hug.
Slow Food Nation is coming up at the end of August. Murray recommends this event to learn about a wonderful alternative to fast food. To contact Scott, email him at ScottAMurray@SBCglobal.net.
Thank you all for listening!
Olana and Deborah
We love the idea of food literacy! Teaching school age children how to eat balanced, organic meals is paramount, and it is wonderful that San Pasquale Academy is doing just that. Right on! Murray also pointed out that we cannot assume that everyone knows where their food is coming from.
Organic farming is experiencing its share of challenges as well. On the top of the list is oil prices. Increasing fuel costs means higher food cost. So what can we do? Shop at the farmers market of course; and while you're there, take Scott Murray's advice and give your local farmer a big hug.
Slow Food Nation is coming up at the end of August. Murray recommends this event to learn about a wonderful alternative to fast food. To contact Scott, email him at ScottAMurray@SBCglobal.net.
Thank you all for listening!
Olana and Deborah
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Engage in the Change
Our guest today, Frances Moore Lappe, author of sixteen books including Diet For a Small Planet, spoke with us today about the ideas behind her latest, titled: Getting a Grip.
Frances believes that ideas are more powerful than instinct. In general, we are seeing the world through a frame of scarcity, but in reality there is a world of possibility in front of us. Getting a Grip refers to the social order which is defining our system. Our current self-defeating system can be shifted once we all quit blaming- and start taking responsibility for changing a system which produces backwards politicians and injustice.
Her idea of "living democracy," helps relieve our ingrained assumptions of who has power. In reality we all hold the power! Every choice we make, from shopping, to fueling, to dumping, is in fact changing the world. It's up to us whether our impact is positive or negative.
One inspirational reality that Frances shared with us is the Apprentice Citizenship program in Vermont. These K-12 classes take responsibility for teaching our children how to operate within a living democracy, through mediation and negotiation training.
Also inspiring was the story Frances shared with us about a friend who was elected as a city official, despite her initial skepticism. Many of us worry that a lack of finances will prevent us from running, and if this is a worry that woes you, visit Just Six Dollars.
Let's take Frances Moore Lappe's advice and get a grip on climate change. We know what to do, and doing so is not a burden. Living your life with intention through every act feels so good! (and comes highly recommended by us at Tomorrow Matters!)
To contact Frances Moore Lappe, or to learn more information, visit her websites Small Planet, and/or Take a Bite.
As always thanks so much for listening!
Olana and Deborah
Frances believes that ideas are more powerful than instinct. In general, we are seeing the world through a frame of scarcity, but in reality there is a world of possibility in front of us. Getting a Grip refers to the social order which is defining our system. Our current self-defeating system can be shifted once we all quit blaming- and start taking responsibility for changing a system which produces backwards politicians and injustice.
Her idea of "living democracy," helps relieve our ingrained assumptions of who has power. In reality we all hold the power! Every choice we make, from shopping, to fueling, to dumping, is in fact changing the world. It's up to us whether our impact is positive or negative.
One inspirational reality that Frances shared with us is the Apprentice Citizenship program in Vermont. These K-12 classes take responsibility for teaching our children how to operate within a living democracy, through mediation and negotiation training.
Also inspiring was the story Frances shared with us about a friend who was elected as a city official, despite her initial skepticism. Many of us worry that a lack of finances will prevent us from running, and if this is a worry that woes you, visit Just Six Dollars.
Let's take Frances Moore Lappe's advice and get a grip on climate change. We know what to do, and doing so is not a burden. Living your life with intention through every act feels so good! (and comes highly recommended by us at Tomorrow Matters!)
To contact Frances Moore Lappe, or to learn more information, visit her websites Small Planet, and/or Take a Bite.
As always thanks so much for listening!
Olana and Deborah
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
The Fruit of the Funghi
Today, Mia Rose Maltz, the Co-founder of the Rites Project spoke with us. Mia has been studying mycology, mushroom cultivation and mycorestoration for over ten years. For more information you can contact her at theritesproject@yahoo.com. She will also be holding a Solar Living workshop on August 24, 2008.
Maltz explained the importance of mycelium webs due to there decomposing capabilities. Contaminants such as petroleum will be treated like a food source by the mycelium, which will then produce the necessary digestive enzymes to break the contaminant down. Sooner than later, oil laden soil will have mushrooms, grasses, and insects again. It can replenish and renew with the help of the mycelium, becoming an oasis of life.
Maltz also recommended some great books for the identification of your various fungi. Mushrooms Demystified and All the Rain Promises and More, both my David Aurora will help solve your mushroom mystery. Maltz suggests viewing Paul Stamets website, Fungi Perfecti a family-owned, environmentally friendly company specializing in using gourmet and medicinal mushrooms to improve the health of the planet and its people.
We'd like to thank Mia Rose Maltz for being on the show today. Thanks to our listeners as well!
Olana & Deborah
Maltz explained the importance of mycelium webs due to there decomposing capabilities. Contaminants such as petroleum will be treated like a food source by the mycelium, which will then produce the necessary digestive enzymes to break the contaminant down. Sooner than later, oil laden soil will have mushrooms, grasses, and insects again. It can replenish and renew with the help of the mycelium, becoming an oasis of life.
Maltz also recommended some great books for the identification of your various fungi. Mushrooms Demystified and All the Rain Promises and More, both my David Aurora will help solve your mushroom mystery. Maltz suggests viewing Paul Stamets website, Fungi Perfecti a family-owned, environmentally friendly company specializing in using gourmet and medicinal mushrooms to improve the health of the planet and its people.
We'd like to thank Mia Rose Maltz for being on the show today. Thanks to our listeners as well!
Olana & Deborah
Monday, July 7, 2008
Peak Oil
Jim Baldauf and Steve Andrews from ASPO-USA joined us today to discuss and educate the public about our global energy supply. Peak oil is the peak of the oils production within a nation. In the U.S. this finite resource took peak in 1970, and began an eventual decline ever since. Peak oil doesn't mean that we are out of oil. It's more of an indication that we are at a halfway point, and should begin saving oil for things that require oil, things that only oil can do.
ASPO-USA assures us that the general trend line for oil prices will continue to be higher. And substitutions from conventional oil will always cost more. With 86 million barrels of petroleum liquids used per day, what can we do to help ourselves through this reliance on inexpensive fossil fuels? Today we are consuming three barrels for every one barrel discovered. Even with smarter drilling techniques, offshore drilling is considered a bad idea by Baldauf and Andrews. It is very expensive, and uncertain because of difficulties predicting how much oil is down there. In the future ASPO-USA say we need to think about efficiency first and foremost.
One great question asked today was, Do we have the time to shift our systems of transportation before it's too late? See The Hirsch Report for further information about our energy uncertainties.
Visit the ASPO-USA conference this September in Sacramento to learn more.
Thank You,
Olana & Deborah
ASPO-USA assures us that the general trend line for oil prices will continue to be higher. And substitutions from conventional oil will always cost more. With 86 million barrels of petroleum liquids used per day, what can we do to help ourselves through this reliance on inexpensive fossil fuels? Today we are consuming three barrels for every one barrel discovered. Even with smarter drilling techniques, offshore drilling is considered a bad idea by Baldauf and Andrews. It is very expensive, and uncertain because of difficulties predicting how much oil is down there. In the future ASPO-USA say we need to think about efficiency first and foremost.
One great question asked today was, Do we have the time to shift our systems of transportation before it's too late? See The Hirsch Report for further information about our energy uncertainties.
Visit the ASPO-USA conference this September in Sacramento to learn more.
Thank You,
Olana & Deborah
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Tending the Wild
Permaculture guru, Benjamin Fahrer was our guest today. He briefly spoke about his evacuation process from the Big Sur fire. Discussed was the possibility of managing fires with fire breaks, smaller fires throughout the year, and plants that can actually help with fires. Fahrer seems optimistic that our nature system will prevail, yet recommends policy changes which will address managing fires differently; by working with them rather than against them. Interesting. If you want to hear more of Fahrer's ideas check out Wise Earth and drop him an email. He highly recommends the book, Tending to the Wild, by Pat Anderson.
We want to give our deepest thanks to the fire fighters and community members who are helping with the Big Sur fire. Please look at Sur Fire 2008 to offer to volunteer, or to find a volunteer, housing or news on the fire.
Thank you to our callers for sharing your stories today. We picked up a great post-fire tip from Jeff, who worked with the Marble Cone Fire in 1977. Apparently burned soil is a great place to scatter seeded Winter rye. It absolutely flourishes!
Thank you for listening, and have a happy, fire-works free 4th Of July. Lets not start any more fires.
Olana and Deborah
We want to give our deepest thanks to the fire fighters and community members who are helping with the Big Sur fire. Please look at Sur Fire 2008 to offer to volunteer, or to find a volunteer, housing or news on the fire.
Thank you to our callers for sharing your stories today. We picked up a great post-fire tip from Jeff, who worked with the Marble Cone Fire in 1977. Apparently burned soil is a great place to scatter seeded Winter rye. It absolutely flourishes!
Thank you for listening, and have a happy, fire-works free 4th Of July. Lets not start any more fires.
Olana and Deborah
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Let us be Carbon Free
Thank you so much for joining us today, Rebekah and Steven Hren, authors of Carbon Free Home. The Hren's are on a book tour promoting their innovative collection of remodeling projects, aimed at reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. The thirty-six projects are written for a variety of skill levels, and can be integrated into newer building designs as well as renovations.
The Hren's shared a couple renter-friendly projects:
1. Turn down your hot water heaters! Typically they are set around 140 degrees, but will function effectively at 120 degrees.
2. Stevens favorite project is to build a solar oven, which takes further advantage of the California sunshine (if you're local.) Cooking your food with the sun is a beautiful thing!
3. Rebekah enjoys the refrigerator installation project. Insulating your fridge on the outside, with cork, carpet, or a variety of used materials, reduced the fridge's energy use by 20% to 30%. Wow!
For fellow composters: One favorite project for the home owner is to install a bio-digester system which creates and captures methane energy as it's produced, throughout the decomposing process. Check out Carbon Free Home for more info.
The Hren's believe that it is always best to use what you have before investing in something new. This is the "greenest" approach you can take. It is important to get the most out of what we have first and foremost. Tearing down an old home to build a "green" home maybe isn't that "green" after all, eh? What do you think?
One suggestion that we found exciting at Tomorrow Matters is the energy diary. The Hren's suggest keeping a diary as a way to track your home's energy use, to see where it is really going. They have discovered that a lot of energy is used for "phantom loads," or items plugged in while not in use, yet still sucking power.
Carbon Free Home is written in a do-it-yourself style, which cuts the costs of hiring help. Encouraged throughout the book is dumpster diving for materials, or finding used ones through trading or on your street corner We are lucky to have the Last Chance Mercantile at our local waste management center. Rebekah and Steven recommend trying to see the value in what is being thrown away.
In the future the Hren's hope to explore alternative transportation further, through electric biking, and other fossil fuel alternatives. To catch them on their book tour see the Carbon Free website.
Thank you for listening! Feel free to comment with any home improvements that you plan to try, or would like to suggest... to reduce our carbon footprint.
Olana and Deborah
The Hren's shared a couple renter-friendly projects:
1. Turn down your hot water heaters! Typically they are set around 140 degrees, but will function effectively at 120 degrees.
2. Stevens favorite project is to build a solar oven, which takes further advantage of the California sunshine (if you're local.) Cooking your food with the sun is a beautiful thing!
3. Rebekah enjoys the refrigerator installation project. Insulating your fridge on the outside, with cork, carpet, or a variety of used materials, reduced the fridge's energy use by 20% to 30%. Wow!
For fellow composters: One favorite project for the home owner is to install a bio-digester system which creates and captures methane energy as it's produced, throughout the decomposing process. Check out Carbon Free Home for more info.
The Hren's believe that it is always best to use what you have before investing in something new. This is the "greenest" approach you can take. It is important to get the most out of what we have first and foremost. Tearing down an old home to build a "green" home maybe isn't that "green" after all, eh? What do you think?
One suggestion that we found exciting at Tomorrow Matters is the energy diary. The Hren's suggest keeping a diary as a way to track your home's energy use, to see where it is really going. They have discovered that a lot of energy is used for "phantom loads," or items plugged in while not in use, yet still sucking power.
Carbon Free Home is written in a do-it-yourself style, which cuts the costs of hiring help. Encouraged throughout the book is dumpster diving for materials, or finding used ones through trading or on your street corner We are lucky to have the Last Chance Mercantile at our local waste management center. Rebekah and Steven recommend trying to see the value in what is being thrown away.
In the future the Hren's hope to explore alternative transportation further, through electric biking, and other fossil fuel alternatives. To catch them on their book tour see the Carbon Free website.
Thank you for listening! Feel free to comment with any home improvements that you plan to try, or would like to suggest... to reduce our carbon footprint.
Olana and Deborah
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
The 11th Hour
Our guest today, Mr. Stephen McGuire, associate producer of The 11th Hour, joined us from Tree Media Group to discuss the film and campaign. The title, The 11th Hour is inspired by the feeling that NOW is our last moment to change or correct our course before global collapse. Tree Media Group and Leonardo DeCaprio's film addresses global issues and their solutions by reaching out to fifty experts throughout the documentary. The discussion on the state of the world and the state of humanity, is now available on DVD. What is it we are doing? Why aren't we changing? In the 11th hour, questions such as these are addressed.
The most wonderful thing about The 11th Hour is that there are solutions! The film is not just another outcry, it is a solution based wake up call created by great minds joined together to spread awareness.
Stephen tells us that Leonardo is intelligent and full of integrity. He is a personal fan of Woody Harrelson's website, Voice Yourself, which includes heaps of green initiatives and encourages community involvement. For more info on Leo DeCaprio's involvement visit his website here.
The 11th Hour team at Tree Media's Campus Tours have been touring U.S. campuses to show the film and spread awareness. Locally they have visited UC Santa Cruz. The campaign's purpose is to share experiences, solutions, and spread awareness of the films insights.
We thank Stephen McGuire for joining us on the show today, and for providing three DVD's for our give away. Thanks, also, to our callers for sharing your green tips with us on air. We hope you enjoy The 11th Hour as much as we did!
Please log on to The 11th Hour Action Campaign to begin taking action now!
Olana and Deborah
The most wonderful thing about The 11th Hour is that there are solutions! The film is not just another outcry, it is a solution based wake up call created by great minds joined together to spread awareness.
Stephen tells us that Leonardo is intelligent and full of integrity. He is a personal fan of Woody Harrelson's website, Voice Yourself, which includes heaps of green initiatives and encourages community involvement. For more info on Leo DeCaprio's involvement visit his website here.
The 11th Hour team at Tree Media's Campus Tours have been touring U.S. campuses to show the film and spread awareness. Locally they have visited UC Santa Cruz. The campaign's purpose is to share experiences, solutions, and spread awareness of the films insights.
We thank Stephen McGuire for joining us on the show today, and for providing three DVD's for our give away. Thanks, also, to our callers for sharing your green tips with us on air. We hope you enjoy The 11th Hour as much as we did!
Please log on to The 11th Hour Action Campaign to begin taking action now!
Olana and Deborah
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