Earthmatters

EarthMatters has been broadcasting on radio and podcasting for 2 years now – over 100 shows. I've met and chatted with leading experts studying complex issues and regular folks just trying to make a difference in their daily lives. Guests have come from England, Germany, Uganda, Kenya, New Zealand, Australia, all over the United States and, of course, Canada where I'm from. Why am I saying all this? It's because EarthMatters, the podcast and radio show, is coming to a close. This is our final episode. It's been a joy to discuss various different solutions to environmental problems and while my subjects have been diverse and wide-ranging, I still feel I've only scratched the surface – which is a good thing. It means that there's a lot more out there. As I say in the intro, EarthMatters sought out solutions, reported on news and events and hopefully inspired listeners to preserve and protect our planet. So, to wrap things up, I've compiled a series of short clips from previous shows, in no particular order, to

EarthMatters has been broadcasting on radio and podcasting for 2 years now – over 100 shows.  I've met and chatted with leading experts studying complex issues and regular folks just trying to make a difference in their daily lives. Guests have come from England, Germany, Uganda, Kenya, New Zealand, Australia, all over the United States and, of course, Canada where I'm from. Why am I saying all this?  It's because EarthMatters, the podcast and radio show, is coming to a close.  This week and next. It's been a joy to discuss various different solutions to environmental problems and while my subjects have been diverse and wide-ranging, I still feel I've only scratched the surface – which is a good thing. It means that there's a lot more out there. As I say in the intro, EarthMatters sought out solutions, reported on news and events and hopefully inspired listeners to preserve and protect our planet. So, to wrap things up, I've compiled a series of short clips from previous shows, in no particular

'For The Wild' is an anthology of the Anthropocene; focused on land based protection, co-liberation and intersectional storytelling rooted in a paradigm shift from human supremacy towards deep ecology. 'For The Wild' believes that: Our economic system is based on converting the living world into dead commodities and waste, while our political system is designed to safeguard this system. No amount of "reform" will ever reach the root causes of our crises. Some people will turn their backs on Empire and create a parallel reality, while others will fight to halt the destruction. The reality of biotic collapse is undeniable. As the demands of modern societies intensify, we are headlong into the most rapid extinction event in Earth's history. What's left of wilderness exists mostly in isolated pockets too small to support biodiversity. We stand before a vast opportunity to re-imagine our relation to the whole, and to redefine happiness and progress. Ayana Young is an American podcast and radio personality speciali

Buildings generate nearly 40% of annual global GHG emissions. Approximately two-thirds of the building area that exists today will still exist in 2050.  The question for many in the building and design fields is – what can be done to reduce the footprint of multi-level buildings? One solution that is slowly taking root, pardon the pun, is mass timber construction.  Advances in mass timber construction have allowed for taller wood buildings of six storeys or more.  In North America, some jurisdictions regulate buildings constructed with engineered beams and interiors to 12 storeys, others only 6 storeys – like the 179 unit apartment building constructed in Toronto.   To find out more about mass timber buildings and tall wood construction, EarthMatters spoke with Kevin McKinley, President & CEO of the Canadian Wood Council.  The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) represents the Canadian wood products industry through a national federation of associations. The Mission of the Council is to e

Are you a Climate Concerned Citizen?  Do you have to deal with climate insincere politicians? Can you compromise enough to meet the 'other side' halfway, or are your cognitive biases holding you back from convincing others to 'do more'. "After three decades of acknowledged concern by world political leaders, the global effort to reduce GHG emissions is still feeble and sporadic," says Prof. Mark Jaccard in his latest book, 'The Citizens Guide to Climate Success'. Jaccard suggests that we avoid the 3 Big Myths put out by the fossil fuel industry.  He also asks us to accept that fossil fuels are still the cheapest and most expedient was for developing countries to achieve energy independence and grow their economies.

Often we cannot foresee what small event will trigger a big reaction.  Something as seemingly insignificant as a Swedish 15 year old, skipping school to protest climate change.  Or a young, black, African activist being cut out of a picture featuring four white activists at an international conference on climate change. EarthMatters looks further into the frustration of African activists to have their messages heard, to break through a distracted media, to educate their fellow citizens to be aware of the impending crisis that lies ahead.  Activists like Vanessa, Hilda Nakabuye, and Leah Namugerwa, received training from a grassroots organization called Green Campaign Africa in how to educate and advocate on climate change. Unfortunately, due to the fact that this interview was conducted via telephone between North America and Uganda, the quality of this recording is less than desirable.  To help listeners understand Timothy's words, we've prepared a written transcript available at www.news

Plug'n Drive is a non-profit organization committed to accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles in order to maximize their environmental and economic benefits. Since 2011, Plug'n Drive has established itself as a leader in the electric vehicle industry, a trusted and unbiased source of information on electric cars, charging stations and the electricity sector. Cara Clairman is the President & CEO of Plug'n Drive.  EarthMatters caught up with Cara as she was speaking at an event hosted by the McMaster Centre for Climate Change.  The McMaster Centre for Climate Change, is a multi-disciplinary program working on climate change research at McMaster University with international collaboration.  

In a study released recently, researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario say they have found a method that could reduce the environmental and safety hazards related to stockpiled tires. Michael Brook, the study's lead author and a professor in the department of chemistry and chemical biology at McMaster says, "A tire is incredibly well made. We want to turn that tire back into something else, either make a new tire or make a new material, even if it's not quite as high quality, but not just go from my car to a landfill, which is mostly what's happening now." Brook and some of his students have found a way to dissolve the rubber used in car tires, which they say could eventually help keep what is typically a single-use item out of landfills.

Yet another form of plastic pollution - "plastiglomerate" - rock-like fragments of plastic, sand grains, debris and organic materials fused together by human-induced fires.  In certain areas of the Great Lakes surface densities of plastics are as high as those reported for areas of litter accumulation within ocean gyres.  Sources include microplastic beads, consumer products, industrial pellets, and waste from beach-goers, shipping, and fishing activities. Prof. Patricia Corcoran, Dept. of Earth Sciences, University of Western Ontario, explains what plastiglomerate is and where it came from. Also, Greta Thunberg's speech at the World Economic Forum - Davos.

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) challenges concentrated economic and political power, and instead champions an approach in which ownership is broadly distributed, institutions are humanly scaled, and decision-making is accountable to communities. Focusing on Public Banking, Broadband Access, Distributed Energy, Independent Businesses, Composting and Waste to Wealth, ILSR fights build local power and resiliency. John Farrell is co-director of ILSR and is its Energy Democracy Director. https://ilsr.org  

Flooding, drought, shorter planting seasons, insects, fire, and invasive species threaten the integrity of our existing forests. Those threats are being amplified by the effects of climate change. Forests Ontario has worked hard to strengthen its position as the voice for our forests. Through breakthroughs and milestones, it has made significant strides in its mission to make Ontario's forests greener.  Through the 50 Million Tree Program, Forests Ontario has planted more than 29 million trees across the province over the last ten years. Rob Keen is the CEO of Forests Ontario, a non-profit organization dedicated to the education of the public on the importance and benefits of healthy forests and to the reforestation of lands across Canada, and specifically in the province of Ontario, encouraging landowners to help combat the ravages of deadly fires, disease, and the effects of climate change, by planting trees. www.forestsontario.ca

Suburban Remix brings together experts in planning, urban design, real estate development, and urban policy to demonstrate how suburbs can use growing demand for urban living to renew their appeal as places to live, work, play, and invest. The case studies and analyses show how compact new urban places are already being created in suburbs to produce health, economic, and environmental benefits, and contribute to solving a growing equity crisis. Authors/Editors Jason Beske and David Dixon discuss their latest book.

In July of 2018 it was discovered that over the course of the previous four years 24 billion litres, or over 5 billion gallons, enough to fill 10,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools of raw sewage was allowed to flow into one of the major creeks in the City of Hamilton, Canada. A gate meant to contain the sewage was left open.  Over a year later, there is still no explanation for the oversight.  In fact, it wasn't until November of 2019 that the public was even made aware of the accident.  In over 800 cities in North America, a combined system of stormwater run-off and untreated sewage run beneath city streets.  These releases are becoming more problematic, contributing to the serious surface-water problems that crop up frequently in the news. Harmful algal blooms are all fed by phosphorus, nitrogen, and other contaminants found in the untreated sewage that, according to EPA estimates, flows out of America's treatment plants during the 23,000 to 75,000 sanitary-sewer overflows that happen ever

Sustainable Hamilton Burlington is a non-profit social enterprise serving the neighbouring cities of Hamilton and Burlington in Ontario, Canada. The folks there are dedicated to inspiring sustainability leadership in local business organizations for a healthier environment and thriving, prosperous communities. Sustainable Hamilton/Burlington recently held a Sustainable Business Conference.  Over 100 attendees came to the event to learn more about how their companies could develop a more sustainable approach to business. I spoke with Rafiq Dhanji, Acting Executive Director for Sustainable Hamilton/Burlington about SHB and the Sustainable Business Conference that his organization was running.  I also ran into Bob Willard, author, speaker and Founder of Sustainability Advantage.  Willard was one of the keynote speakers. https://sustainablehamiltonburlington.ca/ https://sustainabilityadvantage.com/  

Save Our Scruff is a non-profit organization located in Toronto dedicated to rescuing dogs and finding them safe and suitable permanent homes through adoption, advocacy and education. Whether abandoned by owners, a mis-guided family gift, or left behind due to a climate event, thousands of dogs are in need of new homes.  Save Our Scruff is one, of many, community-based services that strives to address this global, biodiversity issue. Jenna Bye is the Executive Director of 'Save Our Scruff', who, along with her sister Laura and some 50 dedicated volunteers take care to match a lonely dog with the right family. https://www.saveourscruff.org/  

The Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE) Social Enterprise is a pan-Canadian not-for-profit platform which advances Indigenous inclusion in Canada's energy futures economy through Indigenous leadership, and broad-based collaboration with energy companies, utilities, governments, development firms, cleantech innovators, academic sector, and capital markets. The 20/20 Catalysts Program is an award-winning interactive three-month program that connects First Nations, Inuit and Métis Catalysts to a network of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Clean Energy Project Mentors and Coaching Specialists involved in clean energy project development – including: energy efficiency, solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and geothermal, both on and off-grid. We spoke with Eryn Stewart, Director of the 20/20 Catalysts program, and Dustin Fournier, a member of the Beaver First Nation and one of the participants. https://indigenouscleanenergy.com/  

EarthCare Sudbury is a unique partnership between the City of Greater Sudbury (Canada), over 150 community, agencies, organizations and businesses, and hundreds of residents. EarthCare Sudbury was formed in 2000 to bring the community together around the key environmental issues facing the city and to chart a course towards sustainability. Jennifer Babin-Fenske is the Co-ordinator of EarthCare Sudbury.

Sydney Koby believes that the environmentally-conscious food choices we make don't have to sacrifice taste or convenience. However, she couldn't seem to find anything on the market that checked all of those boxes. Between her engineering degree and experience working in kitchens, Sydney jumped in with both feet into making a product that she felt was missing from our sustainable snacking options. Cricket flour is rich in protein and other essential nutrients like fiber, iron and Omega-3 fatty acids.  Crickets consume less water than any other protein, produce little waste and zero greenhouse gases. https://bitesnacks.com/

The Democracy Collaborative is a U.S. non-profit research and development lab for a democratic economy that operates within planetary boundaries.  The organization works to carry out a vision of a new economic system where shared ownership and control of companies creates more equitable and inclusive outcomes, fosters ecological sustainability, and promotes flourishing democratic and community life.   Staff at the Democracy Collaborative work closely with community foundations and other place-based funders, local governments and anchor institutions to develop effective on-the-ground strategies for Community Wealth Building and stronger local economies. 'Fifty by Fifty' is a program of the Democracy Collaborative that catalyzes a movement to scale up employee ownership.  Its goal is to generate 50 million employee owners in the US by 2050. Marjorie Kelly is the Executive Vice President of Democracy Collaborative, Co-Founder of Fifty by Fifty, and author of several books including 'The Making of

Yorklands Green Hub, a non-profit community group in Guelph, Canada, aims to create a public, sustainable, environmental centre on the grounds of a former Corrections Centre.   Featuring educational programs, demonstrating and researching stewardship and conservation themes and building urban resilience and wellbeing, the group wants to protect a heritage site and parkland - open to the public for now and forever. Norah Chalonder, Co-Founder of the grassroots group explains how the concept started and what it hopes to accomplish. http://yorklandsgreenhub.ca/