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

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.

Listen here:

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

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.

Listen here:

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

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.

Listen here:

November 19, 2009: Eat Local for Thanksgiving

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.

Listen here:

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

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.

Listen here:

November 12, 2009: Green Jobs

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.

Tune in to KBCS or check back later to hear the story!

November 6, 2009: Shadow Lake Bog

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.

Listen here:



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