We explore the social impact of solar technology with Maura McKnight of GRID Alternatives, Lisa Curtis of Solar Mosaic, and Michele McGeoy of Solar Richmond. These organizations promote solar power, not only as a means of greening the economy, but also as an economic opportunity for low-income communities too often excluded from the benefits of renewable energy, whether as producers or consumers. The post Terra Verde – September 21, 2012 appeared first on KPFA.
Sep 21, 2012•4 min
On March 17 and 24, 2006, Terra Verde ran a two-part special on toxics in consumer products, as part of California’s Green Chemistry initiative. Now, 6 years later, regulations have just been proposed to make the idea of green chemicals policy a reality. So, we are presenting another two-part special on Terra Verde. This segment will look at the proposed regulations and then explore whether the regulations can benefit business. The second segment, September 14, will look at the health and enviro...
Sep 07, 2012•4 min
With guests Jon Young, author, and Tony Deis, from Trackers Earth, Terra Verde investigates how it’s possible to not only develop a keen awareness of one’s surroundings in nature, but that it really is possible to understand birdsong. The post Listening closely – August 24, 2012 appeared first on KPFA.
Aug 24, 2012•4 min
As permaculture evolves, it becomes increasingly evident that achieving a resilient, regenerative harmony between humans and natural systems requires the conscious cultivation of strong and lasting beneficial relationships among people. Terra Verde considers permaculture design strategies for the invisible structures that tie us together: our families and households, community groups, organizations, legal systems, and even governments. Delia Carrol of Little Hill Garden Arts, Melora Golden of Re...
Aug 17, 2012•4 min
We’ve had an actual environmental emergency in our region this week – does the emergency reponse and monitoring system work, or is it broken? Listen to find out what you can do to protect yourself, your family, and your community. Our guests are Andres Soto, Richmond community organizer with communities for a better environment and Denny Larson, Executive Director of Global Community Monitor. The post Environmental Emergency Response in the Chevron Refinery Fire: Is the System Broken? – August 1...
Aug 10, 2012•4 min
A social experiment is being conducted on an expanding scale across the world—it’s called Transition, often followed by the words Town, Initiative, Network, or Movement. Transition brings neighbors together to “power down” in response to peak oil, climate change, and economic hardships; it promotes community empowerment and the promise of a better life for all. Terra Verde talks with Alexa Hauser of Albany, Beverly Pitzer of San Francisco, and Susan Silber of Berkeley about the origins, objectiv...
Jul 20, 2012•4 min
Some call the Farm Bill the United States’ biggest piece of environmental legislation. It is renewed once every five years, and the current bill expires September 30, 2012. Terra Verde looks at the conservation titles in the bill and other elements with environmental implications. Guests: Ben Burkett, President of the National Family Farm Coalition in Washington, DC, and a farmer in Mississippi and Daniel Imhoff, author of Food Fight: The Citizen’s Guide to a Food and Farm Bill, Director and Co-...
Jul 06, 2012•4 min
Western science and traditional ecological knowledge have much to teach one another. Guest Dennis Martinez explains how. The post Traditional Ecological Knowledge – June 22, 2012 appeared first on KPFA.
Jun 22, 2012•4 min
When environmental justice concepts are introduced into environmental curricula, it creates a new generation of community leaders. Terra Verde speaks with Kids for the Bay, the Rose Foundation’s New Voices are Rising project, and a New Voices student to learn more. The post Environmental justice in the classroom – June 15, 2012 appeared first on KPFA.
Jun 15, 2012•4 min
In the last two months, there have been new developments on fracking. On this segment of Terra Verde, we’ll get an update on how fracking is impacting communities in California and nationwide, and new fracking regulations and legislation proposed at the state level in California, at the federal level, and on Native American reservations. The post Fracking update: Policy Proposals + Hotspots in California and Native American communities – June 1, 2012 appeared first on KPFA.
Jun 01, 2012•4 min
The post Terra Verde Fund Drive Special – May 11, 2012 at 1:00pm appeared first on KPFA.
May 11, 2012•9 min
More and more people are enjoying raising their own chickens. Guests explain how to do this and why it works. We also discuss why owning chickens is not something to be taken lightly. The post Raise your own chickens – April 27, 2012 appeared first on KPFA.
Apr 27, 2012•4 min
Some scientists say it’s possible to geoengineer the climate to make amends for the atmospheric impacts of carbon-based industrialization. Whether they call it climate remediation, solar radiation management, or simply weather modification, it’s worth investigating. Joining us to share their findings are Rosalind Peterson of the Agriculture Defense Coalition.org, Mauro Oliveira of Geoengineering Watch.org, and Michael Murphy of Truth Media Productions. The post Terra Verde – April 20, 2012 appea...
Apr 20, 2012•4 min
What happens to salt ponds in the Bay Area when production ends? During the first half of the program, we learn about an area the size of Manhattan located in the SF South Bay that was purchased from Cargill in 2003 with government and foundation funds and that, at over 15K acres, is the largest tidal wetland restoration project on the west coast. During the second part of the program, we will learn about another area where Cargill and developer DMB propose to build 12,000 units of residential h...
Apr 06, 2012•4 min
Green jobs as a way to reduce recidivism is a hot policy topic right now. Does it work? And how is it being implemented? Find out on today’s Terra Verde. Guests: Jeff Rutland, of Urban Tilth and Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization, Melissa Young, of the Heartland Alliance, and Kat Daniel, of Green for All. The post Green Jobs to Prevent Recidivism – March 30, 2012 appeared first on KPFA.
Mar 30, 2012•4 min
Sometimes you have to lay your body on the tracks and physically stop things happening. But how? Our guests explain various techniques but stress that many such techniques should be considered last resorts. The post Taking Direct Action – March 23, 2012 appeared first on KPFA.
Mar 23, 2012•4 min
Today we’re talking about permaculture–a design science and philosophy of living rooted in observing the stability and resiliency of natural ecosystems. In some circles around the Bay Area today, taking a course to become a certified permaculture designer has become a sort of rite of passage, and many see this as a very promising development. We discuss permaculture education with three teachers from around the Bay Area: David Cody of the Urban Permaculture Institute in San Francisco, Christophe...
Mar 16, 2012•4 min
Every year, the Students for Economic and Environmental Justice, a student organization at Berkeley Law School, organize the Environmental Justice Symposium, a week-long series of events devoted to a pressing environmental justice issue. Today, Terra Verde is joined by panelists from the 2012 symposium taking place this week, focused on environmental justice struggles in rural America. Guests: Wahleah Johns, of the Black Mesa Water Coalition, Irma Medellin, of Quinta Sol and the Agua Coalition, ...
Mar 02, 2012•4 min
The post Terra Verde 2 – February 3, 2012 at 1:30pm appeared first on KPFA.
Feb 03, 2012•4 min
The post Terra Verde – February 3, 2012 at 1:00pm appeared first on KPFA.
Feb 03, 2012•4 min
Mycelium is one of the strangest, most important lifeforms on Earth – a sort of natural internet with amazing properties. Guest Paul Stamets says it can save the world. The post Can mycelium save the world? – January 27, 2012 appeared first on KPFA.
Jan 27, 2012•4 min
Today on Terra Verde we look skyward toward the rain finally falling in the Bay Area. While these showers complicate logistics for folks trying to get around town, we all know it’s been a dry year in our region, so precipitation is a blessing. Listen in to hear about the perils and promise of rainfall with San Francisco-based ecological designer Apryl Uncapher, Matt Freiberg, manager of the Greening Urban Watersheds Program with the The Watershed Project in Richmond, and Robert Lenney of RainHar...
Jan 20, 2012•4 min
For many people, particularly city dwellers with little or no land, cash seems like the only way to acquire food and other essentials. Thankfully a movement is afoot that encourages city folk to work with the earth and its bounty. All around the Bay Area now and elsewhere, people are discovering how to make the most of urban space by reviving ancestral skills, so they can care of themselves, their families, and their communities. We discuss going “back to the land,” while staying in the city, wi...
Dec 30, 2011•4 min
As the days get shorter, many of us here in the Bay Area are seeing our utility bills begin their seasonal ascent and perhaps dealing with a bit of seasonal sickness, too. It’s timely then to rethink the ways we protect ourselves from the elements, with our most basic form of shelter—our homes. Today we discuss a range of green and lean residential construction and retrofitting options with architect and building biologist Paula Baker-Laporte of EcoNest Co., Bill Haney, President and Founder of ...
Dec 16, 2011•4 min
Every year, Terra Verde provides information and tools for a New Year’s Resolution you might consider to take your environmentalism to the next level. This year, we’ll learn how to make a difference with some simple shifts in consumption of meat and dairy. Part I, on December 2, explores surprising environmental impacts of meat and dairy production, and whether there are sustainable alternatives. Guests: Daniel Brindis of Greenpeace’s campaign to reform livestock industries in Brazil’s forests, ...
Dec 02, 2011•4 min
Communities are drafting local bills of rights that give the environment legal rights. Terra Verde explores this radical new approach with Thomas Linzey from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund. And yes, a river can now sue a corporation! The post The river as plaintiff – November 25, 2011 appeared first on KPFA.
Nov 25, 2011•4 min
Terra Verde explores the scientific knowledge and personal experience of electro-smog, as well as the economics and politics around this invisible and often disregarded type of pollution. We focus on the role of the increasingly commonplace so-called “smart meters,” which transmit data about electricity consumption via electromagnetic pulsed microwave radiation. The guests are Karl Maret, biomedical engineer and medical doctor with the Dove Health Alliance, and Josh Hart, director of Stop Smart ...
Nov 18, 2011•4 min
Corporations are generally required by law to maximize profits, which can leave environmental concerns by the wayside. Terra Verde explores California’s new benefit corporation law, which creates a new class of companies that are required to have a positive impact on society and the planet. The post Terra Verde – Benefit corporations appeared first on KPFA.
Nov 11, 2011•4 min
The post Terra Verde – November 4, 2011 at 1:00pm appeared first on KPFA.
Nov 04, 2011•4 min
The UN marks October 31st 2011 as the day when the world human population reaches 7 billion. Terra Verde discusses with the UN Population Fund’s Michael Herrmann. The post 7 billion people, 1 planet – October 28, 2011 appeared first on KPFA.
Oct 28, 2011•4 min