GREEN ACRE RADIO from Jack Straw Productions and KBCS

January 26, 2012: Plastic Debris Rivers to Sea: Interview with Captain Charlie Moore, The Man Who Uncovered the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch”

2012-01-26T14:01:00.000-08:00

Perhaps it’s the perceived vastness of the ocean and lack of visibility that has allowed society to dismiss the problem of plastic debris. Land-based discharges of plastic comprise the largest source of marine debris in oceans world wide – nearly 80%. Martha Baskin catches up with Captain Charles Moore, the man who uncovered the dirty secret, and is on a mission to turn the tide.

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January 19, 2012: It’s Cold and My Car Is Buried in Snow. Is Global Warming Really Happening?

2012-01-19T12:52:00.000-08:00

For years climate change deniers point to snowfall and cold weather to question the scientific reality of human-induced climate change. The annual barrage of misinformation obscures the work scientists do to figure out just how climate change is affecting weather patterns year round. But first it’s helpful to remember weather is what’s happening outside the door right now. Climate, on the other hand, is the pattern of weather measured over decades. Martha Baskin has our report.

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January 12, 2012: Pollution Free Prosperity: Is it Possible in an Economy that Looks Like This?

2012-01-12T15:26:00.000-08:00

"Pollution free prosperity," "fulfilling our clean energy future," and the "toxic-free kids act" are the environmental community’s top priorities for the 2012 legislative session. But whether they’ll be able to sustain them under the most intense attacks the community has seen in decades, remains to be seen. Martha Baskin has our report.

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January 5, 2012: Visitors from the Arctic: The Nomadic Life of the Mysterious Snowy Owl

2012-01-05T13:31:00.000-08:00

This winter the region is hosting a mysterious and nomadic visitor. It hails from the Arctic, has been immortalized throughout history, and was one of the first species to be cast in the movies of Harry Potter. What is it and why is it here? Martha Baskin puts the pieces together in this week’s story.

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Hear Martha's entire interview with author Paul Bannick here:

December 15, 2011: Savory and Sustainable Seed to Table Cuisine at the Seattle Culinary Academy

2011-12-15T14:49:00.001-08:00

The art of "seed to plate" cuisine is growing strong at Seattle Culinary Academy. Grow the seed or the plant in a nearby greenhouse. Then put it to mouth watering good use in dishes such as tea smoked duck and micro greens or creamy risotto served with freshly harvested baby red beets. The academy is among the first in the nation to teach sustainability. Martha Baskin has our report.

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December 8, 2011: What’s Ubiquitous but Microscopic, Useful but Harmful and Is Used by 2 Billion in the State & 290 Million in the City?

2011-12-08T13:13:00.000-08:00

Despite pride in being the "emerald city," environmentally savvy and beautiful to boot, Seattle is behind the curve when it comes to using plastic bags. Three years ago the city would have been among the first in the nation to ban plastic bags from grocery stores. But the attempt failed when voters were presented with an initiative funded by the American Chemistry Council. This year the city is following the "Bellingham Model" and those in D.C., Portland, Oregon and Edmonds, USA. Martha Baskin brings us this update.

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December 1, 2011: With Global Warming on the Defensive a Federal Lawsuit in Seattle Brings It Front and Center

2011-12-01T11:58:00.000-08:00

Once the subject of heated debate, global warming today suffers an uneasy silence, one that's persisted through the end of the hottest decade in recorded history and yet another summer of freak natural disasters and record-breaking heat worldwide. A federal lawsuit filed in Seattle this week brings the subject front and center with a new twist. The case challenges the state's clean air agencies for failing to control greenhouse gas emissions from oil refineries. Martha Baskin paid the courtroom a visit and has our report.

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November 17, 2011: Food Security and the Roots of Migration

2011-11-17T14:04:00.000-08:00

When it comes to Mexico, immigration and drug cartels dominate the news. The roots of migration and ways to increase food security rarely enter the conversation. This week Green Acre Radio speaks with a small farmer committed to defending corn and culture in Oaxaca, Mexico’s most southern state. He was on Witness for Peace speaking tour of the Northwest.

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November 10, 2011: Rain Gardens Part Two: An Odd Urban Tale About Things that Run Down the Drain and How to Stop the Flow

2011-11-10T14:31:00.000-08:00

This week Green Acre Radio continues to look at the "miasma" that runs into Puget Sound, as storyteller Stokley Towles puts it. Other characters in this odd urban tale include a landscape designer, Seattle Public Utility and you, the public. Martha Baskin has the story.

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More information:
www.tox-ick.org
www.12000raingardens.org
www.seattle.gov/restoreourwaters
www.pugetsoundstartshere.org
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/municipal/2012draftMUNIcom.html
www.seattle.gov/util/rainwise
www.sustainableseattle.org

November 3, 2011: Scary Threats That Haunt Puget Sound and Some Not-So-Scary Solutions

2011-11-03T13:57:00.000-07:00

Green Acre Radio starts out with a ghost story this week of Day of the Dead. And then looks at some less well known, but just as haunting threats, facing Puget Sound waterways each and every day.

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More information:
www.tox-ick.org
www.12000raingardens.org
www.seattle.gov/restoreourwaters
www.pugetsoundstartshere.org
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/municipal/2012draftMUNIcom.html

October 27, 2011: State "Flips the Switch" on the First Hydropower Plant in Nearly Twenty Years. Is it a Smart Clean Energy Choice?

2011-10-27T14:19:00.000-07:00

Compared to the dominant energy supply produced nationwide - 49% from coal, 20% from nuclear and another 20% from natural gas - hydropower, at 7%, stands out in the clean energy crowd. In Washington State hydropower is the dominant form of energy, supplying 65% of the state’s needs. So does that mean more hydropower is the solution for improving the state’s clean energy portfolio? Martha Baskin visited a "flip-the-switch" ceremony for the state’s first hydropower plant in nearly twenty years and brings us this report.

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Stimulus Funds at Work Restoring Coastal Habitat, Jump-Starting the Economy & Protecting Farmland from Floods

2011-10-20T16:44:00.000-07:00

In Washington State’s Skagit River Valley a multi-million dollar stimulus fund project nears completion. The project’s focus is to restore habitat for endangered salmon, protect farmland from flooding and create jobs. Martha Baskin went up to the Valley to check things out and has our story.

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October 6, 2011: Genetically Modified Organisms: A Conversation with Consumer Advocate Jeffrey Smith, Author of Genetic Roulette

2011-10-06T14:19:00.000-07:00

This October marks the second ever non-GMO month. The Non-GMO Project and partners nationwide created non-GMO month as a platform to raise awareness about the GMO issue and risks genetically modified organisms pose to our health and environment. GMOFreeWashingtont kicks off the month on Thursday at 6PM with a panel discussion at the Ballard Library. Leading consumer advocate, Jeffrey Smith, will be in Seattle October 18th and 19th to discuss why GMO’s must be stopped. Martha Baskin caught up with him via phone and brings us this preview.

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September 29, 2011: Moving Planet: Local Climate Action to Move Beyond Fossil Fuels

2011-09-29T10:29:00.000-07:00

This week thousands of King County residents came together to demonstrate local alternatives in the worldwide effort to wean the planet off fossil fuels. "Undriving licenses," stand-up paddle boats, bikes with heavy duty trailers and organizing to stop coal from being shipped through the Northwest to China were all part of the action. Organized by 350.org under the banner MovingPlanet, the county joined 177 countries in the global day of action. Martha Baskin has the story.

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The MovingPlanet event was sponsored by 350Washington State, Climate Solutions, Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power & Light, Fuse, Pacific Northwest Conference, Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment, Seattle Parks & Recreation, Sierra Club, Transportation for WA, United Church of Christ, and WA Environmental Council.

September 22, 2011: The Power of Urban Forests To Curb Pollution and the Important Role of Volunteers

2011-09-22T14:31:00.000-07:00

Some call them soldiers on the environmental frontline, fighting for us, despite us. Who are they? Here's a few clues. A mature one produces as much oxygen in a season as ten people inhale in a year. Together they clean the soil of chemicals by absorbing harmful pollutants or changing the pollutants into less harmful forms. They bind the soil, break the wind, and reduce water run off. Give up? They're trees, of course, and even better when they come together and form a forest. Martha Baskin has our story.

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September 15, 2011: Restoring Dabob Bay and Tarboo Creek

2011-09-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

Can an out-of-the-way section of Dabob Bay with only one mega-home in sight serve as a model for restoring Puget Sound? Those engaged in the effort to restore the largest intact salt-marsh in all of Hood Canal and Strait of Juan de Fuca and surrounding land think it can. Martha Baskin has our story.

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September 8, 2011: Environmental Civil Disobedience: Can It Move Obama to Reject The Proposed Keystone XL Pipeline?

2011-09-08T15:02:00.000-07:00

Environmentalists arrested in front of the White House over the last few weeks over a controversial proposal say they’ll dog Obama for another two months and urge him to reject the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would extend from Alberta’s tar sands to Texas. Tar sands oil is one of the dirtiest and most environmentally destructive projects. Tarsandsaction.org organizers say it’s bad for the country, bad for the environment and ultimately, a bad idea for Obama politically. Martha Baskin has the story.

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August 4, 2011: Sharing the Local Bounty With Those Who Need It Most: Women, Infants and Children

2011-08-04T11:01:00.000-07:00

Farmers markets often have the reputation of being only for those with plenty to spare. Ten urban farmers markets are working to turn things around and serve the underserved – low income pregnant women, new mothers, and children under the age of five. In this week’s story, Martha Baskin visited South King County farmers markets to learn their secret.

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July 28, 2011: Sustainable Seafood, Consumer Choice and the Global Fisheries Crisis

2011-07-27T13:46:00.000-07:00

Nearly 75% of the world’s fisheries are fished to capacity. Most fish available today in the United States is imported, frequently from places where health, safety and environmental standards are weak or non-existent. Because many popular wild fish populations are on the verge of collapse, seafood watch guides, like the one produced by the Monterrey Bay Aquarium, have become popular for conscious consumers. But are supermarkets and restaurants taking note? With ocean health hanging in the balance, Martha Baskin decided to take a look.

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July 21, 2011: What's a Toxic Colorless Chemical Doing in My House and How Is It Harming the Environment?

2011-07-21T16:12:00.000-07:00

Over 80,000 synthetic chemicals are used in products from shower curtains and laundry detergent to vinyl flooring and shampoo. It’s well known that toxic chemicals pose a major threat to the health of Puget Sound. But how do they get from products in our homes to water and wildlife? In this episode of Green Acre Radio Martha Baskin looks at some of the mysterious pathways for phthalates (pronounced thalate), a family of chemicals that causes problems with male reproductive development and the survival and reproduction of aquatic organisms.

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Links for this episode:

safecosmetics.org
watoxics.org
pugetsound.org

July 14, 2011: Carbon Saturated Seas, The Food Web and the Future of Marine Life

2011-07-14T12:24:00.000-07:00

As oceans absorb ever more carbon dioxide, pH levels of the world’s seas have been dropping. Biologists at the National Marine Fisheries Service in Seattle are doing some of the most sophisticated work anywhere to see how the marine world responds to a major side effect of fossil fuel emissions, increasingly corrosive seas. Martha Baskin recently joined scientists on a research vessel in Puget Sound.

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July 7, 2011: Toward a Fair, Sustainable Economy: Interview with Sarah van Gelder, Editor of Yes! Magazine

2011-07-07T13:15:00.000-07:00

Discussions about building a sustainable economy rarely make connections between an economy dominated by military and corporate interests – the current US model – with climate change and record high joblessness. This week Green Acre Radio interviews YES! Magazine’s Sarah van Gelder. Van Gelder believes moving toward a fair and sustainable economy could go a long way to address three major crises facing the nation.

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June 30, 2011: Nash's Organic Farm

2011-06-30T10:58:00.000-07:00

If organic farms want to maintain their unique niche – over the past decade sales of organic produce have shown an annual increase of 20% - they’re going to have to train people to grow the food. The average age of both organic and conventional farmers is 57. Just 6% are under thirty-five. An organic farm on Washington State's Olympic Peninsula is trying to turn things around. For the last fifteen years Nash's Organic Farm has offered jobs to motivated young people interested in learning the art of organic farming. The next step will be offering shares of land to a promising new generation.

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June 23, 2011: Sampling for Toxic Contamination in Puget Sound's Muddy Bottom

2011-06-23T13:12:00.000-07:00

Can muddy waters provide answers to understanding what toxic contamination is polluting Puget Sound waters? Marine scientists with the Department of Ecology hope so. The scientists are engaged in a multi-year study to collect sediment or mud from the bottom of urban bays. Sampling in Elliott Bay and Commencement Bay found most contaminants come from storm run off. Some like lead are on the wane, while others like phthlates, the key ingredient added to plastic to make it flexible, remain steady. Green Acre Radio joined ecologists in South Puget Sound’s Oakland Bay and has our report.

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June 9, 2011: Bicycle Tour of Rain Gardens: Special Gardens Made to Absorb Pollutants Before They Reach Local Waterways

2011-06-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

A bike tour of rain gardens? Makes sense when you know these special gardens can absorb contaminated runoff. Vehicle runoff of oil and heavy metals is the Sound’s number one pollutant. Seattle Public Utility’s "Rainwise Program" and environmental organizations say more rain gardens are a big solution to controlling the flow of contaminants surging off urban surfaces every time it rains. Green Acre Radio’s Martha Baskin hopped on a bike and has this story.

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June 2, 2011: Interview w/ Edward Humes, author of Force of Nature, The Unlikely Story of Wal Mart’s Green Revolution

2011-06-02T11:35:00.000-07:00

This week Walmart is the subject on Green Acre Radio. The largest retailer in the work, reviled by many for its take-no-prisoners approach to market domination, has become an improbable trailblazer in the burgeoning field of green business. Green Acre Radio interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edward Humes about his just released book, Force of Nature, The Unlikely Story of Wal Mart’s Green Revolution.

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May 26, 2011: Multi-Ethnic Churches Move Together in Faith and Health With "Just Gardens"

2011-05-26T16:32:00.001-07:00

The multi-ethnic churches call it "Moving Together in Faith and Health." Grow healthy food on site, educate about healthy living and change the health patterns of your congregation. Add a federal grant, an engaged School of Nursing and county health department and last, but not least, a non-profit called the "Just Garden Project" and you have all the ingredients you need for one of Seattle’s newest urban garden projects. Green Acre Radio takes us there in the final chapter of a four part series on growing food in the city.

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May 19, 2011: Job Training for Homeless and 'At Risk' Youth Growing Food in the City

2011-05-19T14:19:00.000-07:00

Not to be left out of the urban farm movement, teens and youth are taking a chance. They're taking to it - well, like tomatoes that have finally found the sun. Seattle Youth Garden Works is a green jobs training farm-to-market program designed specifically for homeless and at risk youth. Martha Baskin takes us there in part three of a four part series on the burgeoning quest to grow food in the city.

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May 5, 2011: "Unpaving Paradise": Edible P-Patches Where Once a Parking Lot Grew

2011-05-05T11:43:00.000-07:00

In this second of a three part series on farming in the city, Martha Baskin, takes us to "Unpaving Paradise." Words ring a bell? They’re a play on the opening lyrics from the Joni Mitchell song, "Big Yellow Taxi." In this case, "Unpaving Paradise" is the name of a p-patch chosen by community organizers on Capital Hill after they succeeded in building an urban garden where once there was a parking lot.

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April 28, 2011: Growin' Sweet Red Carrots In Unlikely Places: Urban Farming Part I

2011-04-28T15:15:00.000-07:00

The upward trend in urban farming keeps climbing. As city populations grow and urban areas increase, growing food in the city has increased by 50% in the last two decades. Previously these efforts were called everything from P-patching to victory gardening. Whatever the name, the practice of growing food for family and community has become a noble and cultivated art.

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April 21, 2011: Restoring the Hometown River with Sweat, Spirit and Stewardship

2011-04-21T14:07:00.000-07:00

One scientist calls the hundreds of estuaries along Puget Sound shorelines a string of pearls. Restoring these pearls along the Duwamish River was the focus for hundreds of volunteers this Earth Day. Removing blackberries and scotch broom isn’t just about hard work. It’s about community and celebration. Green Acre Radio takes us to the party at one estuary, Codiga Park in Tukwila.

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April 14, 2011: Farm to Table: Bringing Healthy Food From Local Farms to Local Kids

2011-04-14T10:53:00.000-07:00

Everybody’s talking about healthy locally grown food, but is everybody getting the food? Not yet. But a new pilot project is slowly turning things around. The project, "Farm to Table," connects fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables with those who need them most, young children and seniors. Money to jump-start the pilot came from stimulus dollars awarded to counties and cities with public health programs designed to improve nutrition for low-income populations. The pilot took off this spring at senior centers. This week a preschool received its first delivery. As you'll hear, the kids seem to like their vegetables.

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"We Are the Solution" to Feed the World: Campaign Led by 12 Women’s Farm Organizations in Africa Say Organic Indigenous Practices The Answer

2011-04-07T11:19:00.000-07:00

Contrary to messages promoted by big agricultural interests, small-scale farming can not only feed us all but cool the planet. So says a campaign led by twelve African women’s farm organizations. The campaign, "We Are The Solution" is part of a growing global movement rooted in traditional knowledge and sustainable technologies. Martha Baskin spoke with representatives from the campaign who were in Seattle to attend a recent global donor conference.

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From the Columbia River to Seattle's Urban Green River Wild Steelhead Populations Try to Hang On

2011-03-31T15:57:00.000-07:00

In rivers throughout the Northwest, from the mighty Columbia to Seattle's urban Green River, wild steelhead populations are desperately hanging on. Listed as threatened, even hatchery efforts to increase their numbers are failing. Habitat loss, dams, and warming waters caused by climate change, appear to be sealing their fate. In this week’s Green Acre Radio, Martha Baskin visits the Soos Creek Hatchery on the Green River and talks with wild steelhead advocates including veteran fisheries biologist, Don Chapman, who’s been monitoring the situation for fifty years.

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Sowing Seeds for the Hungry, Moral Dilemmas, and Monsanto's Reach

2011-03-24T12:20:00.000-07:00

What's an environmentally conscious urban farm to do when it learns its seed supply is not as pure as it thought? Marra Farm in South Park, an urban farm that grows food for the hungry, is caught in a moral dilemma. Should it use seeds donated from companies who also sell Monsanto varieties? Martha Baskin visits the farm and explores the issue.

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March 17, 2011: On the Threshold of Sustainability: Energy Efficient Housing for Those Who’ve Been Without

2011-03-17T13:33:00.000-07:00

Sustainable, energy efficient urban housing that’s affordable? Solid Ground, a nonprofit dedicated to building community to end poverty, thought it sounded like a good idea. This week, the nonprofit opens Brettler Family Place on the site of the former Sand Point Navy base at Magnusson Park. Fifty-two families are moving in. Green Acre Radio’s Martha Baskin went to the housewarming.

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March 10, 2011: Proposed Bills in Congress Would Cripple the EPA and Axe Environmental Safeguards

2011-03-10T10:47:00.000-08:00

Hidden within the budget battle going on in Washington D.C. are proposals to permanently stop the EPA from curbing greenhouse gas emissions and cut the EPA’s budget by a third. So far the country’s bedrock environmental protections remain a moving target. But environmentalists call it an unprecedented attack and remain on high alert.

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March 3, 2011: Pedal to the Metal: Hybrid Auto Tech Training at One of the Nation’s Premier Training Programs - Shoreline Community College

2011-03-02T13:29:00.000-08:00

Alternative fuels, green vehicles, efficiency and renewables have emerged as the greatest potential for job creation. They’re also the greatest workforce development opportunity for community colleges on the horizon. Hybrid auto technician training at Shoreline Community College is no exception. The employment rate for technicians who complete the program is 90%. Green Acre Radio takes us on an inside look at one of the nation’s premier training centers for hybrid technicians.

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February 24, 2011: The Bumpy Road to a Coal Free Future in Washington State

2011-02-24T13:40:00.000-08:00

In a few years the backlash against coal power in America has become the country's biggest-ever environmental campaign, transforming the nation’s awareness of climate change and inspiring political leaders to take firmer action after years of doubt and delay. Plans for new plants have been defeated in thirty states. But shutting down existing coal plants hasn’t been so easy. This week Green Acre Radio looks at bumps in the road to a coal free future in Washington State.

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February 10, 2011: The Big Rig: Port Truck Drivers, Poverty and Pollution

2011-02-10T14:37:00.000-08:00

Is there a connection between pollution and drivers who load containers at the nation’s ports? The Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports, a coalition of environmental, labor and community organizations, says low wages and the misclassification of drivers are aggravating the pollution. Since 2006, the coalition has worked to reclassify the drivers as employees instead of independent contractors. But it’s been a long haul. Martha Baskin has our story.

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February 2, 2011: A Closer Look at Nonmetal Periodic Element #15, aka Phosphorous

2011-02-03T12:25:00.000-08:00

Can one member of the nitrogen family make a difference in the state’s budget woes? Proponents of a bill to restrict the sale of phosphorous in lawn fertilizer think it can. Manage its sale and you have one less chemical costing cities millions to control in wastewater treatment plants. Martha Baskin has our story.

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January 27, 2011: Food Rebels, Guerrilla Gardeners and Smart-Cookin’ Mamas: Fighting Back in an Age of Industrial Agriculture

2011-01-27T13:09:00.000-08:00

The rapidly growing alternative food system is made up of people reclaiming their connections to their food and their health. In his new book, Food Rebels, Guerrilla Gardeners and Smart-Cookin’Mamas: Fighting Back In An Age of Industrial Agriculture, forty year veteran of the movement Mark Winne, introduces us to innovative “local doers” leading the charge. Heeding Emerson’s call to embrace that great American virture of self-reliance, these doers are defying the authority of the food conglomerates and taking matters into their own hands.

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January 20, 2011: Expanding the State's Ability to Prevent a Catastrophic Oil Spill

2011-01-20T13:52:00.000-08:00

After the release of a recent fact-finding commission on the BP oil disaster, state environmental leaders propose measures to keep Washington waters safe. The legislation, designed to upgrade the state's oil spill protection plan, requires oil companies to increase their capacity to respond to a catastrophic spill. Martha Baskin takes a closer look and talks with those who recognize the vulnerability of a state with some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

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January 13, 2011: A Look at Environmental Priorities for the 2011 Legislature: The Clean Water Jobs Act and Budget Solutions

2011-01-13T11:07:00.000-08:00

Creating jobs, cleaning up polluted waterways, and finding new sources of funding are key environmental priorities for this year’s legislature. The Environmental Priorities Coalition, a network of 24 leading environmental groups, believes a strong economy and a clean, healthy, and safe environment go hand in hand. Martha Baskin checks out a workshop designed to fire up advance support for the plan.

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January 6, 2011: Green New Year’s Resolutions: Act Locally And Think Globally

2011-01-06T11:31:00.000-08:00

Green New Year resolutions is the subject of discussion on this week’s Green Acre Radio. We’ll look at ones you may have overlooked from climate action to ways to make your consumption habits green. We’ll also learn about Clean Energy Victory Bonds, a 21st century take on green financing solutions.

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December 16, 2010: Duwamish River Clean Up Options, the EPA and the South Park Community

2010-12-16T15:51:00.000-08:00

When the Duwamish River was declared a Superfund site ten years ago, the intent was to right the damage caused by one hundred years of industrialization. The Superfund law was enacted to clean up hazardous substances that endanger public health and the environment. The threat was typified by the Love Canal disaster in New York and the Valley of the Drums in Kentucky. In this week’s Green Acre Radio, Martha Baskin takes us to a public meeting about clean up options the EPA proposes for Seattle’s embattled river.

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December 9, 2010: Educating a New Wave of Chefs in Sustainable Cuisine: Community College Series Part II

2010-12-09T11:14:00.000-08:00

Cultivating the art of producing healthy food that doesn’t harm the environment is a viable job creation strategy across the country. At Seattle Central Community College, the Seattle Culinary Academy has been vital to building the city’s sustainable foods industry. The Academy is one of the first in the nation to offer formal sustainability courses. This week Martha Baskin visited the school’s new "One World Kitchen and Dining Room" to see what’s cooking.

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December 2, 2010: Sustainable Education: Community College Part I

2010-12-02T14:22:00.000-08:00

If you’re talking about job potential, community colleges seem to operate in a parallel universe. Emerging as innovators in the field of sustainable energy education, the colleges are moving the clean economy forward, despite the job market. Hone your skills. Think holistically. The jobs will come. Martha Baskin checks in with program at Cascadia Community College.

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November 18, 2010: Return of the Southern Resident Orcas: Holding Steady in a Tough Environment

2010-11-18T10:56:00.000-08:00

'Tis the season for sighting southern resident orcas in the Puget Sound. From November through February orcas leave their summer home in the San Juans to follow winter salmon runs. Listed as endangered, their numbers are barely holding steady; down from 97 a decade ago to 87 today. Persistent risk factors include declining salmon runs, noisy marine waters and persistent toxins.

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November 4, 2010: Alternative Fuels: The Pros and Cons of Washington’s Choice: Natural Gas

2010-11-04T15:36:00.000-07:00

Alternative fuels are often cited as a silver bullet in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions - biogas, algae, natural gas, electric. But are they all good alternatives? In this week’s Green Acre Radio, Martha Baskin looks at compressed natural gas. Taxis, mass transit and garbage trucks have embraced it as a clean energy solution. But it comes with a cost.

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October 28, 2010: A Sneak Peek At R52, A Ballot Hybrid Promoting Energy Efficiency, Jobs and Healthy Schools

2010-10-28T14:46:00.000-07:00

Mid-term elections are around the corner. If you’re wondering whether there are any green issues you might have overlooked, you’ll have to wade pretty deep. On page 109 of the 118 page Voter’s Pamphlet is a little mentioned Referendum. Called Referendum 52, the ballot measure is a hybrid mix of job creation, energy efficiency and what promoters call "healthy schools." Martha Baskin takes a closer look.

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October 21, 2010: Cohabitation on Hood Canal: Fish, Humans, and New Treatments for Human Waste

2010-10-21T11:54:00.000-07:00

Hood Canal has long been treated as one of the most scenic places in the Pacific Northwest. It also used to be one of the most productive water bodies, sustaining generations on its bountiful fish and shellfish. But for all its beauty, Hood Canal also suffers from a complex problem: low levels of dissolved oxygen, a critical indicator of water quality health. Martha Baskin brings us this report.

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October 14, 2010: Fooling Mother Nature When Real World Conditions Make the Going Tough: The Other CO2 Problem

2010-10-14T14:15:00.000-07:00

Scientists call it the other CO2 problem. Oceans absorb a third of the world’s carbon dioxide every day. Then the CO2 reacts with seawater, lowers its pH and reduces carbonate ions, an essential component in the calcium that makes up the shells of shellfish and the skeletons of corals. Scientists and shellfish growers are trying to manipulate seawater chemistry to help baby shellfish adapt. But fossil fuel usage worldwide and time is not on their side. Martha Baskin brings us this report.

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October 7, 2010: Talking With Women When Talking About the Clean Energy Economy

2010-10-07T11:13:00.000-07:00

What do women talk about when they talk about clean energy? Energy pricing. Smart grids. Buildings designed for community. Martha Baskin attended a panel discussion on "Women Leading the New Energy Economy" and brings us this report.

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September 30, 2010: Urban Creeks, Urban Runoff From You & Me and Puget Sound Water Quality

2010-09-30T09:59:00.000-07:00

Polluted waters and oxygen'deprived fish aren't unique to Hood Canal. Urban creeks and waterways all over Puget Sound have the same problem. Vehicle runoff and chemical fertilizers washing into the Sound are the main culprits. Solutions are underway but a lot more needs to happen for marine ecosystems to recover. Martha Baskin brings us this snapshot from Piper's Creek, an urban waterway in Seattle's Carkeek Park.

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September 23, 2010: Sustainable Cattle Farming That's Good for Cows, People, and the Environment

2010-09-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

The idyllic vision we may have of cows grazing on open fields under blue skies isn't a very realistic picture of cattle production today. The vast majority of cattle begin and end their lives in large, overcrowded feedlots. Their diet consists of grains, the flesh and bones of other animals, and heavy doses of antibiotics to fend off disease. but what about that idyllic vision - what about cows raised on grass land. What is their life like and what does it mean for us?

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September 16, 2010: The Healthy Corner Store Campaign Comes to Delridge on a Saturday Night

2010-09-16T11:07:00.000-07:00

What happens when "food deserts," communities underserved by healthy food, decide to turn things around? Three years ago West Seattle’s Delridge neighborhood joined the nationwide "Healthy Corner Store Campaign," whose mission is to bring fresh produce to corner stores that dominate the landscape. With help from the city, the county and private foundations, the effort is finally paying off.

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September 9, 2010: An Inner City Fall Harvest With Clean Greens Farm

2010-09-09T11:52:00.000-07:00

It’s fall harvest and this season fresh food from a local farm is aimed directly at the inner city. A project of New Hope Baptist Church, Clean Greens Farm grows produce and eggs for Seattle’s Central District. The mission is to grow healthy food for those who’ve historically gone without. The produce is sold at affordable prices and is starting to make a mark in the local food movement. Martha Baskin has our story.

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August 5, 2010: Senate Stalls on Climate and Clean Energy Solutions: What Next?

2010-08-05T14:12:00.000-07:00

Last summer the effort to get a federal climate law seemed on track. The House of Representatives has passed the Waxman-Markey bill and the Senate was slated to take action of its own in 2010. A year later, the Senate bill is dead – at least for now. Green Acre Radio caught up with Climate Solutions, a regional clean energy leader, along with business and legislative advocates to learn why the issue remains critical and what needs to happen next.

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July 29, 2010: Protecting Urban Waterways With Roadside Rain Gardens

2010-07-29T14:18:00.000-07:00

Seattle is a leader in Low Impact Development to control storm water. Techniques include rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable pavement that allow more rainwater to flow into the ground instead of running off and carrying pollutants into streams and Puget Sound. The 'SEA street' LID project that was built in the upper part of the Carkeek Park watershed reduced storm water flow by 99%. Today Seattle Public Utility is working to protect another waterway, Salmon Bay. Green Acre Radio brings us the story.

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July 22, 2010: The Merlin Family of Thornton Creek & The Trees That Nurture

2010-07-22T10:43:00.000-07:00

When it comes to merlins, the predatory bird popular in falconry in medieval times, seeing them in urban Seattle seems like a stretch of the imagination. But two merlins named Thor and Spike appear to have taken up residence in a neighborhood near Thornton Creek. Green Acre Radio takes us for a visit to learn why "98115" has become the merlins' favorite urban zip code.

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July 15, 2010: Energy Tales from the Home Front: Harnessing the Sun & Region’s Ambient Light

2010-07-15T13:19:00.000-07:00

Solar energy - power from the sun - may not seem like the best energy alternative in gray Western Washington. Yet Germany, who gets 70% of the sun we receive, leads the world in solar installations. Washington has a long way to go. But more and more homeowners are taking advantage of tax incentives and “net metering” which allows them to sell the solar energy they make back to the utility. Green Acre Radio takes us to the rooftops with this story, checking in on homeowners committed to harnessing the sun’s vast and inexhaustible resource.

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July 8, 2010: Industrial Feedlots, Growing Geoduck in South Puget Sound Intertidal Estuaries

2010-07-08T11:58:00.000-07:00

43,500 plastic tubes per acre covered with nets and staked with rebar may seem like an unusual sight on most beaches in Puget Sound. But in South Puget Sound citizens and environmentalists are crying foul. The tubes are used to plant geoducks, a type of clam favored in Asian markets, by Washington's shellfish industry. Martha Baskin brings us the story - industrial farms on beaches and inter-tidal estuaries.

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June 24, 2010: Question Your Shrimp: The High Cost of Imported Shrimp

2010-06-24T12:28:00.000-07:00

Shrimp is the country’s most consumed seafood. But it comes with a heavy price. More than 90% are grown on industrial shrimp farms in the global south. The practice involves clear cutting mangrove forests and displacing coastal communities. What about the 10% raised in US waters? Martha Baskin checks in with the Mangrove Action Project's “Question Your Shrimp” campaign and finds conscientious seafood markets who continue to vouch for domestic shrimp from the Gulf.

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June 17, 2010: Sustainable Oceans, Sustainable Fish: Market Strategies & Consumer Demand

2010-06-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

While it may seem there are plenty of fish in the sea, it’s a different story just below the surface. Overfishing, ocean acidification, and our own consumption habits are just a few factors contributing to the decline of wild fish. The solution for some fish sellers is to become “sustainable.” But what does that mean? Green Acre Radio takes us to the Pike Place Market and PCC to find out.

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June 10, 2010: Fish Farms, Low Oxygen Levels & Wild Salmon: A Troubled Coexistence

2010-06-10T11:01:00.000-07:00

With fish resources depleted worldwide, open water and offshore fish farming or aquaculture is seen by some as a way to increase fish production. Washington State has been a leading producer of aquaculture for over a century. What’s the impact to wild fish resources? And what does the future hold? Martha Baskin has our story.

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May 27, 2010: Grease the Biodiesel vs. Grease the Movie: Small Producer Makes It Work

2010-05-27T12:08:00.000-07:00

At a time when the US biodiesel industry has been in turmoil – faulted for where it sources raw materials or feedstock and hammered by the economy – a small producer in Seattle has plans to expand. What’s their secret? Grease. General Biodiesel takes used cooking oil collected from local restaurants and converts it to biodiesel. The company may not be able to displace all the country’s fossil fuel usage, but they’re carving out a niche market with a significantly reduced carbon footprint.

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May 20, 2010: Oil Follies, Lawsuits Against Interior, Concerns from Alaska and Puget Sound Fishermen and Climate Legislation

2010-05-20T14:31:00.000-07:00

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has been embroiled in controversy since it was revealed on May 5 that he allowed the Minerals Management Service to exempt BP’s offshore drilling plan from environmental review. This week the Center for Biological Diversity filed suit against Salazar for approving 300 drilling operations without permits required by the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act. Drilling opponents in Alaska would like to see a moratorium on drilling. While fishermen in the Puget Sound say all fisheries are at risk if drilling and oil addiction continue.

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May 13, 2010: Care for a Job With That Locally Grown Bok Choy?

2010-05-13T15:19:00.000-07:00

Green jobs and growing local food are usually served as separate items on today’s sustainability menu. A new urban farm hopes to offer both as entrees for the new green green economy. The farm, Ground Up Yesler, is on the site of Yesler Terrace, a culturally diverse housing project on First Hill. Their non-profit partner is Creatives For Community or C4C. C4C was inspired in part by Will Allen, a nationally respected urban farm leader and Van Jones, a leader in creating green jobs for all. Martha Baskin has our story.

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May 6, 2010: GMOs, Food Security and Misplaced Philanthropy, An Interview with Jos Ngonyo with the Kenya Biodiversity Coalition

2010-05-06T15:34:00.000-07:00

Organic non-GMO foods aren’t just the preference of countries in the so-called developed North. 40,000 tons of GMO-grown maize was recently rejected in Kenya. Protestors are making sure it remains stuck in the port city of Mombassa. Jos Ngonyo, with Kenya’s Biodiversity Coalition spoke to Green Acre Radio in a recent visit to Seattle. Ngonyo spoke about why small-scale farmers reject the Green Revolution in Africa and about "dysfunctional aid." The Gates Foundation helped launch the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa four years ago.

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April 29, 2010: Seawalls for Salmon

2010-04-29T14:53:00.000-07:00

The seawall on Seattle’s waterfront carries a lot on its shoulders: structural support for surface streets and buildings and protection from the raging sea. The seawall is slated to be rebuilt. A question fisheries biologists and city engineers are asking, is can the seawall be rebuilt to accommodate salmon? Can the new seawall be designed as a prototype for ways coastal cities can protect marine life the world over? Martha Baskin found some boots and went down to the seawall to find out.

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April 22, 2010: Duwamish Alive! On the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day

2010-04-21T14:31:00.000-07:00

Earth Day #40 and the place is Seattle’s hidden river, the Duwamish. Salmon used to run a mile deep in acres of tidal marshes here. Things have changed since that time, the river's been tamed and contaminated by industry. But determined environmentalists are working to turn the tide. 15 acres of habitat at 13 sites have been restored. The EPA is pushing industry and municipalities to clean up the site - soon. Martha Baskin brings us to the river where kayakers and others are taking things into their own hands.

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April 8, 2010: Climate Hope On the Front Lines of the Fight Against Coal

2010-04-08T10:37:00.000-07:00

This week Green Acre Radio interviews Ted Nace, author of the new book, Climate Hope: On the Front Lines of the Fight Against Coal. Nace tells the story of the remarkable grassroots movement to shut down coal plants. The reality of coal mining in the US doesn't usually become news until disaster strikes like the most recent one at Massey Coal in West Virginia. Climate Hope talks about stopping these disasters altogether through courageous action from sit-ins at coal mines to blockades at big city banks. In the period 2007 to 2009 the anti-coal movement succeeded in stopping over 100 power plant proposals, bringing the coal boom largely to a halt.

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April 1, 2010: City and Community Join Forces to Grow Food on Roof Tops

2010-04-01T13:15:00.001-07:00

Worm bins and compost rich soil are reaching unexpected heights these days. The Mayor and City Council declared 2010 "The Year of Urban Agriculture." The idea is to expand agriculture in the urban core. Rooftops at the Centennial Apartments in Belltown may not seem the most logical site for 40 square feet of food gardens, but it’s a win for the neighborhood. The pilot project even has the support of Seattle Public Utilities. Martha Baskin has our story.

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March 25, 2010: All Together Now with Alleycat Acres and A New Urban Farm Hub

2010-03-25T15:06:00.000-07:00

The line between cities and rural landscapes defining where food should be grown is being redrawn from one season to the next to capture the growing interest in local food production. Parking strips are being converted into planting strips, back yards dug up and soil hauled up to roof tops with one objective -- growing healthy food for as many people as possible. In this week’s Green Acre Radio story Martha Baskin brings us to a new urban farm with a unique approach, Alleycat Acres.

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March 18, 2010: Healthy Rivers & Farms With Salmon-Safe Eco-Labels and Wildlife Habitat

2010-03-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

In the early 1980's the Snoqualamie River and its tributaries produced more coho salmon than the entire west coast of Oregon. By 2001, however, the Snoqualamie was designated as one of America's "10 most endangered rivers" by American Rivers. Today the farmland adjacent the river and densely populated Seattle metropolitan area, is fast becoming a landscape with not only viable farms but significant ecological features with some of the healthiest salmon runs in Washington State. Green Acre Radio's Martha Baskin has our story.

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March 11, 2010: The Most Contaminated Site in the Western Hemisphere: Washington State’s Hanford Nuclear Reservation

2010-03-11T12:11:00.000-08:00

This week Green Acre Radio takes us to a public hearing on federal plans to resume importing radioactive hazardous wastes before cleaning up existing contamination. Nuclear waste is the most deadly on the planet, according to the Heart of America Northwest, the non profit who has been pushing the Department of Energy to clean up these high level nuclear wastes. The impacts to health and drinking water are nothing short of deadly.
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March 4, 2010: Growing the Local Food Movement in Urban King County

2010-03-04T10:39:00.000-08:00

This week Martha Baskin reports on the burgeoning local food movement in urban King County.

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February 18, 2010: Operation Free - a New Military Mission to Secure America with Clean Energy

2010-02-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

This week Green Acre Radio catches up with vets on a mission - to secure America with Clean Energy. The mission, called "Operation Free," was kicked off last month as a nationwide bus tour. The bus rolled through Washington State last week before heading to Montana, the Dakotas and points beyond. The tour highlights the connection between climate change and national security. On a wet and rainy day vets and others met with reporters inside the bus to speak about their personal experiences in war zones and about how oil is funding "our most dangerous enemies, making America vulnerable and causing destabilizing climate change."

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February 11, 2010: Restoration of the Nisqually: The Tides Return

2010-02-12T09:09:00.000-08:00

After an absence of more than 100 years, the tides have returned to part of the Nisqually estuary in South Puget Sound. This is the largest estuary restoration project in the Pacific Northwest and in important step in recovering Puget Sound. Green Acre Radio brings us to the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge to find what restoring freshwater tidal wetlands means to wildlife and salmon runs along the coast.

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February 4th, 2010: 21 Acres: Growing Food, Building Efficiency and Embracing Community

2010-02-04T13:46:00.000-08:00

This week Green Acre Radio brings you to a Sammamish Valley community barnstorming - or brainstorming session. 21 Acres Center for Local Food and Sustainable Living in Woodinville has supported community supported agriculture and farmers market for five years. Now the Center is designing a building to challenge conventional wisdom about sustainability. Come listen in as we hear the community's response to the idea of wedding local food production to energy efficient buildings and in the process create educational opportunities for youth and adults and a model for the state's future.

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January 28, 2010: Saving Orcas On “The Whale Trail”

2010-01-26T14:16:00.000-08:00

In this week's story, Green Acre Radio checks out sites for a proposed "Whale Trail" that would set up public viewing sites throughout the Salish Sea. We speak with the Whale Trail's founder and also attends a "Ways of Whales Workshop" on Whidbey Island. The Whale Trail's goal is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of whales and the marine environment; the workshop's goal is to help whale lovers understand recovery strategies and the link between orcas, dams and salmon restoration. The largest member of the dolphin family and a major draw at marine parks, orcas were listed as endangered in 2005. Due to their voracious appetites and their place at the top of the food chain, orcas are extremely susceptible to pollution and chemicals. Join us as we learn the "ways of whales."

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January 21, 2010: Job Creation and Cleaning Up Polluted Waters

2010-01-20T08:57:00.000-08:00

This week Green Acre Radio tells us about another "green" legislative priority. Teaming up with cities and labor, a proposed bill "Working for Clean Water" promises to clean up polluted waterways, create jobs and rebuild our local economies.

Honest!! Only catch is how the environmental community, association of Washington Cities and state labor council plan to raise money to do it!

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January 14, 2010: Environmental Community on the Defensive With Cuts to Core Programs

2010-01-14T08:26:00.003-08:00

It's budget season at the state legislature and the environmental community has its work cut out for it. Steep cuts to core environmental protections including toxic clean ups, air quality and water supply are already underway. The environmental community is committed to stemming the tide in order to sustain key programs the public expects. Green Acre Radio's Martha Baskin has our story.

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January 7, 2010: Food Rebellions! Crisis and the Hunger for Justice

2010-01-07T10:42:00.000-08:00

In their new book, Food Rebellions! Crisis and the Hunger for Justice, co-authors Eric Holt-Giminez and Raj Patel dissect what they call "the corporate assault" on the right to food. They do so at a time when a billion people are going hungry in the world, 50 million of them in the US. The book’s mission is to tell the real story behind the world food crisis and end the injustices that cause hunger. Food Rebellions documents the policies that have lead to food injustice as well as the multiple ways people the world over are actively building alternative food systems to protect their land, water, seeds and livelihoods. Holt-Gimenez is Executive Director of one of the country’s most established food think tanks, the Institute for Food and Development Policy, also known as Food First. He was in Seattle for a recent Food Justice and Fair Trade Summitt.

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December 17, 2009: “On the First Day of Christmas” The Courthouse Will Receive A New Heat Source!

2009-12-17T11:43:00.000-08:00

The Recovery Act was intended to jump-start demand in the US economy and create American jobs. An innovative feature of the act was its attention to investment in clean energy projects. But if the country wants to return to pre-recession employment levels, it needs to add 127,000 jobs per month to keep up with population growth. The Seattle area has seen some green job creation, but not enough to dig itself out of the hole and also prepare for climate change.

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December 10, 2009: Blue Marble Energy – Undoing the House that Oil Built

2009-12-10T10:08:00.000-08:00

The modern world lives in the house that oil built. Everything around us comes from petroleum. Over 96% of all consumer products, from liquid fuels to plastics, paints, clothes and food are derived from petrochemicals or require oil for their production. Aware of this dependence, Seattle based Blue Marble Energy set out to find a sustainable alternative. Martha Baskin has our story.

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December 3, 2009: Theo Chocolate, The Fair Trade Food of the Gods

2009-12-03T10:45:00.000-08:00

When the WTO came to Seattle ten years ago to negotiate a new trade agreement, they were stuck on a model of trade without labor, environmental or domestic protection standards. The model is called "free trade”. The notion of fair trade was not understood. Today companies that promote fair trade are seeing tremendous growth. Green Acre Radio takes us on a tour of a local fair trade company, Theo Chocolate.

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November 19, 2009: Eat Local for Thanksgiving

2009-11-18T14:54:00.000-08:00

Tune into Green Acre Radio this week and take the pledge to eat local for Thanksgiving. Fuel the farms that grow the harvest.

Farmers and ‘foodies’, merchants and produce managers from around the state are gathered at the annual Tilth Producers Conference in Yakima. They’re sharing tips on how to increase sales, grow organic table grapes and hops, why it’s important to integrate livestock with crops, and how to make hay in 4 days or less. They're also promoting "Eat Local for Thanksgiving". Something which isn't hard to do in Washington in November. Tune into Green Acre Radio this week and take the pledge to eat local for Thanksgiving. Fuel the farms that grow the harvest.

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November 12, 2009: Green Jobs For Those Who Really Need Them

2009-11-12T09:48:00.001-08:00

This week Green Acre Radio gives us a story about the area's first green jobs training program. 19 newly skilled weatherization workers were trained by Laborers Local 242. The program is part of the movement to unite green jobs and clean energy with social justice. The City of Seattle's new hiring requirements will allow the graduates -- most of whom are from low income or disadvantaged backgrounds to begin retrofitting Seattle homes as soon as December 1st.

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November 12, 2009: Green Jobs

2009-11-12T09:48:00.000-08:00

November 6, 2009: Shadow Lake Bog

2009-11-05T12:42:00.000-08:00

This week Green Acre Radio brings you to a unique bog and wetland in south King County. Shadow Lake is known as the "eye" of the bog, a type of wetland dominated by acid-loving mosses. It's one of only 3% left in the county and a place like no other. A bog's most important function is absorbing water, which prevents flooding and recharges the groundwater supply. Hear from those restoring this unique habitat including foresters, entomologists and Earth Corps volunteers.

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SHADOW (Save Habitat and Diversity of Wetlands): www.shadowhabitat.org

October 30, 2009: International Day of Climate Action

2009-10-28T10:31:00.000-07:00

This week Martha Baskin brings us a first hand report from Seattle's participation in the "350 International Day of Climate Action," held October 24th at the Seattle Center. Voices include the Sierra Club, Councilmember Richard Conlin, Rep. Jim McDermott, Cool Moms, the Moontown Foundation and Rev. Robert Jefferies with New Hope Baptist Church. The report also features Mark Hertsgaard, The Nation's environmental correspondent, who summarizes the full scientific implications and horrifically dangerous situation humanity has created for itself.

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October 23, 2009: Duwamish Alive!

2009-10-20T10:52:00.000-07:00

80% of Puget Sound's living inhabitants (human, mammal and other living organisms) live within two miles of the Duwamish River. The Duwamish was declared an estuary of national significance ten years ago when the EPA also declared it a Superfund Site. Restoring this once mighty river to health in the face of industrial and big city assault is the subject of this week's story. We hear from volunteers, People for Puget Sound, the Duwamish Clean Up Coalition, Puget Sound Keeper Alliance and Ecos, the Environmental Coalition of South Seattle.

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October 16, 2009: Genetically Modified Foods, (Pesticides Included) & The Non-GMO Project

2009-10-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

Martha Baskin looks into the labeling (or lack thereof) of foods containing GMOs.

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October 9, 2009: Coming Soon: A Coal Free Northwest With New Demand Met by Efficiency and Renewables

2009-10-08T10:12:00.000-07:00

Could the Northwest be the first in the nation to go “coal free”? If you’re looking for the answer from a coalition of environmental, union, utility and business groups, the answer is yes. Kick coal out and replace it with energy efficiency and clean renewable sources. Build a smart grid to deliver the clean resources and in the process create more jobs. Green Acre Radio’s Martha Baskin has our story.

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October 2, 2009: Public Sector & Historical Building Retrofits - – Green Bldg Part III

2009-10-01T10:43:00.000-07:00

Today we continue our series on green building with a look at public sector buildings and the growth in green retrofits of historical buildings.

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September 25, 2009: Energy Efficient, Sustainably Built Micro-Communities – Green Bldg Part II

2009-09-24T14:30:00.000-07:00

Today we continue the green building tour begun last week with an inside look at a variety of energy saving and environmentally sound strategies in home building.

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September 18, 2009: Energy Efficiency 101 = Weatherization!

2009-09-18T15:09:00.000-07:00

Ecofriendly strips of insulation and caulking the outside seams of a house don't often come to mind when reducing your carbon footprint, but for the homeowners we'll meet in Part I of this series, improving their homes' energy efficiency by weatherizing is the low-hanging fruit of green activity.

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Starting Friday, September 18: 3-part series on green building

2009-09-17T10:03:00.000-07:00

This week Martha Baskin is starting a 3 part series on green building. The series will look at both residential and commercial buildings.

Part I, which airs this week, is titled "Weatherization, Insulation, Sealing, Oh My!": Ecofriendly strips of insulation and caulking the outside seams of a house don't often come to mind when reducing your carbon footprint, but for the homeowners we'll meet in Part I of this series, improving their homes' energy efficiency by weatherizing is the low-hanging fruit of green activity.