Dec 16 2015
World Saver Spotlight #2: Beth Terry
In our new segment, we look at one person’s amazing endeavors to save the world. Our second installment features an interview with Beth Terry, creator of My Plastic Free Life.
Download it here
Dec 01 2015
Episode #8
Is it possible to have an environmentally friendly holiday season? Barbara Edelman looks at all the ways you can celebrate with e-cards, lights and candles, trees, and amazing gifts. You can do it all and still save the world. Seasons greetings indeed.
Download it here
Or listen on iTunes
Links
Articles
- The environmental cost in the UK of a typical holiday season (Independent)
- Are your holiday cards bad for the environment? (Mashable)
- Are candles bad for the environment? (Naked Scientist)
-
Soy candles vs paraffin (Zuna)
- Christmas Tree Debate: Real vs. Fake? (The Nature Conservancy)
-
LED Christmas Lights Versus Regular Christmas Lights
(Christmas Tree Market)
-
LED Christmas Lights Guide (Christmas Lights, Etc.)
- Light Pollution Harms the Environment (Department of Physics, Florida Atlantic University)
Products
- Beeswax Chanukah Candles from Beeswax Candleworks
- Candy canes from Spangler Candy
- Luci, solar powered lanterns from Mpowerd
- Black+Blum Thermo Pot
Gift Guides
- Earth Easy: Carbon neutral gifts along with blogs and every other neat thing for house and garden.
- Waldorf Supplies: For wooden toys that expand the mind.
- TOMS: Products that benefit the environment and gives back to those in need.
- China Berry: Great books and toys.
- Hearth Song: A toy company, especially great for kids 9-12,
- Isabella Catalog: Wonderful for the woman in your life and make sure to look at the Enessa beauty products. They are all packaged in glass (yay, no plastic!).
- Uncommon Goods: Beautiful and neat gadgets made out of recycled materials.
- Rodales: The winner in the fabulous catalog department. We defy you to NOT find a gift for anyone on your list.
Oct 30 2015
Episode #7
The world is getting hotter and you need to stay cool. But how can you do that and save the world? We look at air conditioners, fans, and all the other ways you can save energy and money. Includes an interview with Daniel Payne from Payne Air Conditioned Heating and Service.
Download it here
Or listen on iTunes
Links
This Episode’s Guest
Payne Air Conditioned Heating and Service
Energy Links
- Energy Star: Save Energy at Home
- US Department of Labor: average energy prices
- Michael BlueJay
- Home Power: “Cheaper, efficient cooling with whole-house fans”
- “Cool your house with negative pressure ventilation”
Energy Calculators
Products
Oct 05 2015
Episode #6
What can you do to rid the world of excess CO2? We talk about food and farming solutions with Courtney White, author of “Grass, Soil, Hope.” Yes, there really is a solution to global warming!
Download it here
Or listen on iTunes
Links
Articles
- Limited Progress Seen Even as More Nations Step Up on Climate (New York Times)
- Ex Machina: No Techno-Fix For Irreversible Ocean Collapse From Carbon Pollution (Climate Progress)
- Acid Test: Rising CO2 Levels Killing Ocean Life (Op-Ed) (Live Science)
Books by Courtney White
To purchase cover crops
A call to action!
Email or mail a letter to Gehry Partners, LLP to ask that the renovation of the LA River include a plan to sequester carbon. Sample letter can be found here.
I personally think that anyone getting a real live letter might actually read it, rather than just toss it unread into the trashcan. You yourselves know that emails from organizations or people you don’t know immediately get tossed in the electronic trash can–so give writing a real letter a try!
Sep 18 2015
World Saver Spotlight #1: Dr. George Fenwick
In our new segment, we look at one person’s amazing endeavors to save the world. Our first installment features an interview with Dr. George Fenwick, President of The American Bird Conservatory, and his work in saving birds and their habitats.
Download it here
Listen on iTunes
Links
Aug 28 2015
Episode #5
How can bird feeders and plants turn your backyard into a species saving sanctuary? This episode we travel to Sedona’s Hummingbird Festival to learn how we can keep these small and important birds off the endangered list. Includes interviews with Dr. H. Ross Hawkins (Founder and Executive Director of The Hummingbird Society) and Noelle Johnson (AZ Plant Lady).
Download it here
Or listen on iTunes
Links
Useful information on birds
- The Hummingbird Society
- 2016 Hummingbird Society Calendar
- Iowa Nature Mapping- Developing Your Observation Skills
- Noelle Johnson, AZ Plant Lady
- Gardening suggestions, and tips. Contact her if you have any questions or need a consultation.
- Check out Noelle’s articles on Houzz
- Birds and Blooms
- Site with tips on how to create a bird friendly backyard
Products mentioned in the podcast
- The Bees by Laline Paull
- Product review: Birds and Beans coffee
- Saving birds through a cup of delicious coffee. A variety of roasts, delivered to your door.
Jul 28 2015
Episode #4
What is methane gas and how can you reduce it through composting? We look at the power of dirt and worms in this month’s episode. Includes interviews with Justin Perkins and Larry Heliker.
Download it here
Or listen on iTunes
Links
Overview of Compost Basics
- What is soil/dirt?
- RecycleWorks website of San Matteo County
- How to make a basic compost heap
Compost Methods
- The Lasagna Method
- Green Cone
- Worms
- A basic overview
- Gardener’s Supply Store (to purchase worm bins)
- Wormwoman.com (to purchase accessories)
New Product Review
Helpful Links
- Plastic Chart
- What number is what and what can be recycled
- A Girl Called Jack
- A neat food blog from the UK, that actually saves you money. Fabulous recipes and via her Instagram account, we found the idea for the dried citrus ‘butts’ fire starters
Jun 29 2015
Episode #3
In our continuing attempt to rid the oceans of plastic, we see if we can make our own beauty and cleaning products. The question is, do they work and how much money can you save? Including an interview with BeakerBabe.
Download it here
Or listen on iTunes
Links
Books
- My Plastic Free Life by Beth Teri
- Better Basics for the Home by Anne Berthold Bond (includes recipe for glass cleaner mentioned in the episode)
Recipes
- Toner (Ashley’s Homemade Adventures)
- Hand soap (Ashley’s Homemade Adventures) .
- Floor cleaner wipes (Live Simply)
Products
Beaker Babe
May 26 2015
Episode #2
A look at the ocean and the environmental impact of our addiction to plastic. Includes interviews with Captain Charles Moore (Founder of Algalita, Marine Research and Education)
and Lisa Kaas Boyle (environmental attorney and Founder of Plastic Pollution Coalition).
Download it here
Or listen on iTunes
Links
Movies
Films to further educate yourself on the plastic pollution problem:
- Creating Art from Plastics in the Ocean (National Geographic)
- Plastic Paradise (Angela Sun)
- Trashed (Jeremy Irons)
Helpful Articles
“22 Facts About Plastic Pollution (And 10 Things We Can Do About It)”
From EcoWatch
“The Link Between Plastic Use and Climate Change: Nitty-gritty”
From Stanford Magazine
Plastic Facts from the EPA
“Phytoplankton on Decline in Southern Ocean”
From The New York Times
“Mediterranean Sea ‘accumulating zone of plastic debris'”
From BBC
“Surprise Finding Heightens Concern Over Tiny Bits Of Plastic Polluting Our Oceans”
From Huffington Post
“Exposure to harmful phthalates from processed foods and soft drinks”
From Phys.org
“Ocean Acidification: A Global Case of Osteoporosis”
From Discover Magazine
“Got Science? Nine Surprising Signs Momentum Is Building for Climate Action”
From Huffington Post
Helpful Sites
-
“How much fossil fuel has been used in your lifetime?”
See how much fuel we are burning and how much CO2 is going into the atmosphere per second. Right now. - Bottled Water Fact Sheet
- A guide to recycling plastics
- My Plastic Free Life
Environmental Organizations Mentioned in this Podcast
- Plastic Pollution Coalition
- Algalita
- 5 Gyres
- NRDC
- Sierra Club
- GreenPeace
- Oceana
- Ocean Conservancy
- Surfrider
- TreePeople
Products Mentioned
Apr 22 2015
Episode #1
Welcome to the first episode of How You Can Save the World!
We begin by looking at energy in the home, comparing the benefits to the environment and your wallet when you replace your lightbulbs with LEDs.
Download it here
Links
Greenhouse Gas Calculator
Determine your energy savings
Look at your energy bill, determine your cost per kilowatt hour (kwh). Mine is 11 cents.
Go to Micheal Bluejay, and plug in your energy usage cost, per one bulb, per hours burned, to his calculator. That will give you, the cost to operate one bulb per month. Then multiply that by 12 (a year) and multiply that by how many bulbs you use in your house.
Micheal Blue Jay
Additional energy saving calculators
Where to buy bulbs
Light Bulbs Unlimited (interviewed in podcast)
Home Depot
California Public Utilities Commission
Find out where you can recycle your bulbs
Environmental Defense Fund
DIY sites to make solar lanterns
This Old House (mason jar solar lanterns)
Put it in a Jar
Free People
Products Reviewed
SunJar (Suck.UK)
Water Battery Powered Clock (Bedol Water Clock)