An international conference has taken place in Dakar (dec 12-16) to discuss the phasing out of ozone-depleting substances. NRDC’s Amanda Leiter tells us about methyl-bromide, a pesticide still widely used in the US when safer alternatives exist.
Listen (9 min)
The US government is failing to uphold provisions of
the Clean Water Act concerning emissions of mercury from coal fired
power plants, and thus is in violation of both United States and
international law. Scott Edwards, Waterkeeper Alliance Legal Director explains. Listen (7 min)
Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, major Bay Area hospitals
and other companies are phasing out PVC, “the Poison Plastic” in consumer packaging
and products. Mike Schade, PVC Campaign Coordinator for the Center for Health and Environmental Justice explains this growing trend. Listen (12 min)
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Dupont was fined $16.5 million for covering up company studies about toxic contamination linked to Teflon. The
chemical is now in the blood of over 95 percent of Americans.
EWG Senior Vice President Richard Wiles tells the story.
LISTEN (8 min)
So just what WAS accomplished at the U.N. Climate Change conference in Montreal?
We’ll find out from New York Times environment reporter, Andrew Revkin. Andy also lends his voice and musical talent (who knew?) to this week’s theme s
song…Liberated Carbon…by his band Uncle Wade. Listen (11 min)
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Paul Rogers, science reporter for the San Jose Mercury News, will join us for an update on what California is doing to combat global warming while the Bush administration fiddles away. Listen (7 min)
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In our second half
we’ll hear Daniel
Nepstad, senior scientist at the Woods Hole Research Center and
founder of the Amazon Institute of Ecological Research in Brazil, will join us to talk about a devastating drought unfolding in the Brazilian
rainforest, most likely the result of climate disruption. Listen (12 min)
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Last, but not least, Jerome Ringo, new president of the Apollo Alliance ,
will weigh in on this week’s announcement by the Energy Department that
the price of oil will continue to rise steadily (surprise!) and so the
U.S. must turn to "renewables, like coal and nuclear". Oy to the world. Listen (7 min)
PollinationX.com is the name of the group singing the song aired during the last show.
It is a London (UK) based unsigned band consisting of members Peter
and Sarah.
"So People" was written by Sarah in an attempt to raise
awareness about the urgent action required to prevent the very real threat of
the devastating effects of climate change…
Pollination X believes we
are all responsible for the cause of climate change, and therefore we can
make choices as consumers to help alleviate the effects of climate
change.
If we all make small steps to cut down on emissions (i.e. taking
the bus to work instead of using the car/not leaving electrical appliances on
standby etc) that will lead to a big change.
Thank you to Alex who told us about them.
You can listen on their site.
We’ll go back to Montreal for an update on the climate change conference, wrapping up this week. David Doniger, policy director for the NRDC’s climate center
will join us with his observations of the proceedings.
LISTEN (9 min)
We’ll also get a
report on the other part of the climate conference story – worldwide
protests against global warming inaction held last weekend but you’d
never know it from the meanstream media.
We’ll speak with Jonathan Neele in London,
a key organizer of the protests, about why this is just the first of
many global actions to come.
LISTEN (7 min)
One way to get off the fossil fuels that
are causing climate extremes is to use biofuels. We’ll speak with Allen Dusault, with Sustainable Conservation
about the most promising renewables, including cow gas!
LISTEN (12 min)
And speaking
of gas – if you want to lower your utility bills this winter, consider
a tankless water heater…we’ll hear about the cost and conservation
benefits of hot water on demand from Dan Moffroit, with Bosch.
LISTEN (8 min)
This devilish image is by R.O. Blechman
All illustrations are courtesy of the virtual exhibition of the Climate Action Network Canada and the Art Directors Club of New York.
They also offer a video (if you have the system to run it).