Good Dirt Radio http://www.gooddirtradio.org/ Digging up good news... for a change Good Dirt Radio reports inspiring stories about people helping to solve environmental challenges affecting life on Earth. We share positive environmental ideas and actions that individuals, businesses, institutions or communities can embrace. Good Dirt Radio reports inspiring stories about people helping to solve environmental challenges affecting life on Earth. We share positive environmental ideas and actions that individuals, businesses, institutions or communities can embrace. Public Radio en-us 2005 Good Dirt Radio mail@gooddirtradio.org Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:30:00 PDT Good Dirt Radio mail@gooddirtradio.org http://www.gooddirtradio.org/podcast/gdr.jpg http://www.gooddirtradio.org/ Good Dirt Radio Heating and cooling are two of the biggest energy expenses that most consumers face. But hot air always rises….for free! The sun's energy can be harnessed for heating and cooling that can save energy and money in homes and offices. Passive heating is well known but passive cooling works in hot climates. This natural, energy conserving approach to cooling our structures can help us reduce use of fossil fuel driven air conditioners, while saving money. Join us to find out how you can put passive cooling to work. Heating and cooling are two of the biggest energy expenses that most consumers face. But hot air always rises….for free! The sun's energy can be harnessed for heating and cooling that can save energy and money in homes and offices. Passive heating is well known but passive cooling works in hot climates. This natural, energy conserving approach to cooling our structures can help us reduce use of fossil fuel driven air conditioners, while saving money. Join us to find out how you can put passive cooling to work. http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/passive_cooling.mp3 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:30:00 PDT no 5:00 Good Dirt Radio Consumers are beginning to understand the long term value of investing in renewable energy. A possible payback, tax benefits, then free sunlight for heating and power are attracting people across political lines to solar energy. State of the art systems are one approach but inexpensive , commonly available materials can also be used to make simple, do-it-yourself solar collectors. Listen in to find out how you can go solar for less than you might think. Consumers are beginning to understand the long term value of investing in renewable energy. A possible payback, tax benefits, then free sunlight for heating and power are attracting people across political lines to solar energy. State of the art systems are one approach but inexpensive , commonly available materials can also be used to make simple, do-it-yourself solar collectors. Listen in to find out how you can go solar for less than you might think. http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/diy_solar.mp3 Wed, 27 May 2009 15:30:00 PDT no 5:00 Good Dirt Radio It's no secret that grocery store food prices are on the rise, the quality of industrial produce is often low and that home-grown food can save energy, money and promote natural health. Like our ancestors, citizens across America are relearning how to garden in city and country backyards, creating local harvests for themselves and their families. And one way they're doing it is with small, covered, raised garden beds filled with rich, clean dirt and a removable glass top... called cold frames. Join us to hear what proponents have to say about this simple and inexpensive way to grow food at home, with extended growing seasons. It's no secret that grocery store food prices are on the rise, the quality of industrial produce is often low and that home-grown food can save energy, money and promote natural health. Like our ancestors, citizens across America are relearning how to garden in city and country backyards, creating local harvests for themselves and their families. And one way they're doing it is with small, covered, raised garden beds filled with rich, clean dirt and a removable glass top... called cold frames. Join us to hear what proponents have to say about this simple and inexpensive way to grow food at home, with extended growing seasons. http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/cold_frames.mp3 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:30:00 PDT no 5:00 Good Dirt Radio Connecting the dots between our consumer behavior and the effect of that activity on the natural world just became a lot easier. Online databases continue to grow, offering thousands of free listings of sustainably oriented businesses, products and services. These include a green jobs board, recycling facilities, and eco-events like farmers' markets with clean, healthy, local goods. They provide the public with a key component to help us connect with our purchases: information. Join us to find out more about green options in your local area. Connecting the dots between our consumer behavior and the effect of that activity on the natural world just became a lot easier. Online databases continue to grow, offering thousands of free listings of sustainably oriented businesses, products and services. These include a green jobs board, recycling facilities, and eco-events like farmers' markets with clean, healthy, local goods. They provide the public with a key component to help us connect with our purchases: information. Join us to find out more about green options in your local area. http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/green_pages.mp3 Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:30:00 PDT no 5:00 Good Dirt Radio As the saying goes, history does sometimes repeat itself. When it comes to the production of food, the new trend is an old one: Growing local. An increasing number of citizens are reaping the benefits of producing food in neighborhood and community gardens. It’s a conscious effort by many to consume less industrially grown food that may have more packaging, pesticides and herbicides. Compared to the commercial food industry, which ships food an average of 1500 miles to market, locally grown food can help reduce emissions of climate-changing gas. In many ways, our understanding of how, and where our food is grown is a key component of achieving sustainability Listen in to hear more about community gardens. As the saying goes, history does sometimes repeat itself. When it comes to the production of food, the new trend is an old one: Growing local. An increasing number of citizens are reaping the benefits of producing food in neighborhood and community gardens. It’s a conscious effort by many to consume less industrially grown food that may have more packaging, pesticides and herbicides. Compared to the commercial food industry, which ships food an average of 1500 miles to market, locally grown food can help reduce emissions of climate-changing gas. In many ways, our understanding of how, and where our food is grown is a key component of achieving sustainability Listen in to hear more about community gardens. http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/neighborhood_gardens.mp3 Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:30:00 PDT no 5:00 Good Dirt Radio Widespread dependency on industrial, petroleum-based agriculture is one of the major impacts on climate and ecosystems. We all need food, but food sprayed with toxic chemicals, trucked long distances, then stored for resale… has some consumers paying dearly for that which may not promote health. Einstein said 'The plant world can provide most everything we need.' If you believe food is our best medicine and are concerned with skyrocketing costs and the impact of transport you may find yourself in good company with others looking to grow organic food at home. Tune in to hear how citizens are using raised grow beds to produce local harvest. Widespread dependency on industrial, petroleum-based agriculture is one of the major impacts on climate and ecosystems. We all need food, but food sprayed with toxic chemicals, trucked long distances, then stored for resale… has some consumers paying dearly for that which may not promote health. Einstein said 'The plant world can provide most everything we need.' If you believe food is our best medicine and are concerned with skyrocketing costs and the impact of transport you may find yourself in good company with others looking to grow organic food at home. Tune in to hear how citizens are using raised grow beds to produce local harvest. http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/grow_beds.mp3 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:30:00 PDT no 5:00 Good Dirt Radio Remember the picture of a light bulb above someone's head when they had a great new idea? Turns out the shape and design of that incandescent bulb have evolved, and the new bright idea is even better than the one we're all so used to seeing. New energy efficient Compact Fluorescent light bulbs or (CFL's) are saving people 50 to 80 percent in energy costs without any loss in lighting quality and the average CFL lasts 8 to 10 times longer than any incandescent bulb. Tune in for more details... Remember the picture of a light bulb above someone's head when they had a great new idea? Turns out the shape and design of that incandescent bulb have evolved, and the new bright idea is even better than the one we're all so used to seeing. New energy efficient Compact Fluorescent light bulbs or (CFL's) are saving people 50 to 80 percent in energy costs without any loss in lighting quality and the average CFL lasts 8 to 10 times longer than any incandescent bulb. Tune in for more details... http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/flc_cfl.mp3 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:30:00 PDT no 5:00 Good Dirt Radio U.S. dependence on fossil fuels has become an environmental, economic, and political liability. Most of us believe the problem is out of our hands. Some people are taking up the challenge to save the biosphere in personal sized increments with the growing bio-diesel movement. Find out how and why citizens are powering their diesel cars, trucks and metro-buses with vegetable based oil. U.S. dependence on fossil fuels has become an environmental, economic, and political liability. Most of us believe the problem is out of our hands. Some people are taking up the challenge to save the biosphere in personal sized increments with the growing bio-diesel movement. Find out how and why citizens are powering their diesel cars, trucks and metro-buses with vegetable based oil. http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/biodiesel.mp3 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:30:00 PDT no 5:00 Good Dirt Radio Trees are dying in the west. Invasive insects are a huge problem. Arborists are busy. People have grown attached to their trees, especially people who have lived with these trees around their homes for years and years. Fortunately, pesticides are no longer the only option to save trees. Find out how Vita Agrea Vpx, a new alternative organic spray, is a good step toward saving your trees while not killing insects, bees and fish and without damaging ecosystems with toxic sprays. Trees are dying in the west. Invasive insects are a huge problem. Arborists are busy. People have grown attached to their trees, especially people who have lived with these trees around their homes for years and years. Fortunately, pesticides are no longer the only option to save trees. Find out how Vita Agrea Vpx, a new alternative organic spray, is a good step toward saving your trees while not killing insects, bees and fish and without damaging ecosystems with toxic sprays. http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/tree_support.mp3 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:30:00 PDT no 5:00 Good Dirt Radio Living in the 21st century requires a heightened awareness to avoid harmful chemicals in our every day lives. Even with the latest scare concerning the west nile virus, are we creating a greater hazard by spraying toxic chemicals to kill mosquitoes than the risks of the virus itself? Find out how communities around the country are handling this public health concern. Living in the 21st century requires a heightened awareness to avoid harmful chemicals in our every day lives. Even with the latest scare concerning the west nile virus, are we creating a greater hazard by spraying toxic chemicals to kill mosquitoes than the risks of the virus itself? Find out how communities around the country are handling this public health concern. http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/mosquito_control.mp3 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:30:00 PDT no 5:00 Good Dirt Radio Got reservations about traveling? Learn about creative, energy-reducing efforts that the lodging industry is incorporating and how hoteliers and travelers can participate in these money-saving, earth-saving strategies! Got reservations about traveling? Learn about creative, energy-reducing efforts that the lodging industry is incorporating and how hoteliers and travelers can participate in these money-saving, earth-saving strategies! http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/green_hotels.mp3 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:30:00 PDT no 5:00 Good Dirt Radio The burning of fossil fuels and inefficient energy consumption has captured the attention of concerned citizens. Conventional homes and offices, where most Americans spend more than 2/3 of their lives, contribute greatly to problems related to excessive use of energy and rising levels of pollution. Learn how people across the nation are responding with creative, green... building solutions and transforming our current, traditional building practices. The burning of fossil fuels and inefficient energy consumption has captured the attention of concerned citizens. Conventional homes and offices, where most Americans spend more than 2/3 of their lives, contribute greatly to problems related to excessive use of energy and rising levels of pollution. Learn how people across the nation are responding with creative, green... building solutions and transforming our current, traditional building practices. http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/green_building.mp3 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:30:00 PDT no 5:00 Good Dirt Radio Running a business is a difficult journey. For those at the helm tough decisions are made on a daily basis to keep things afloat. In the past, many of those decisions were made with little thought of environmental consequence. But that has changed. As we've come to see the physical and biological limits of the planet we share, we're collectively learning how to grow a business within those boundaries. So where does a business owner go to learn how to steer their business toward a sustainable future? In Durango Colorado, The Green Business Roundtable is a good start. Running a business is a difficult journey. For those at the helm tough decisions are made on a daily basis to keep things afloat. In the past, many of those decisions were made with little thought of environmental consequence. But that has changed. As we've come to see the physical and biological limits of the planet we share, we're collectively learning how to grow a business within those boundaries. So where does a business owner go to learn how to steer their business toward a sustainable future? In Durango Colorado, The Green Business Roundtable is a good start. http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/green_business.mp3 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:30:00 PDT no 5:00 Good Dirt Radio In light of the critical election coming up in November, we asked some friends about their thoughts on the importance of voting, not just as a public responsibility, but how your vote relates to the biosphere. No credible scientist or biologist today would disagree that every ecosystem on the planet is in decline. If you've ever felt the need to really do something for the environment, voting is a powerful step. Listen to these well-known writers express their viewpoints about the importance of voting for the environment. In light of the critical election coming up in November, we asked some friends about their thoughts on the importance of voting, not just as a public responsibility, but how your vote relates to the biosphere. No credible scientist or biologist today would disagree that every ecosystem on the planet is in decline. If you've ever felt the need to really do something for the environment, voting is a powerful step. Listen to these well-known writers express their viewpoints about the importance of voting for the environment. http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/vote.mp3 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:30:00 PDT no 5:00 Good Dirt Radio Historically, coal was the primary fuel of the industrial revolution and although technology has evolved and enhanced our lives, some 70% of America's energy still comes from the burning of coal. As a consequence, America's blue skies are becoming increasingly hazy as we experience an unprecedented thirst for energy. Tune in to learn how cost effective, clean power technologies are changing the face of energy production in America. Historically, coal was the primary fuel of the industrial revolution and although technology has evolved and enhanced our lives, some 70% of America's energy still comes from the burning of coal. As a consequence, America's blue skies are becoming increasingly hazy as we experience an unprecedented thirst for energy. Tune in to learn how cost effective, clean power technologies are changing the face of energy production in America. http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/green_power.mp3 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:30:00 PDT no 5:00 Good Dirt Radio Across America, a grassroots sub-culture is being reborn. Providing alternatives to centralized, corporate economy and mass produced imports, people—young and old—are returning to the land with ideals of self sufficiency, local economy, permaculture and community. Hear local producers share their stories. Across America, a grassroots sub-culture is being reborn. Providing alternatives to centralized, corporate economy and mass produced imports, people—young and old—are returning to the land with ideals of self sufficiency, local economy, permaculture and community. Hear local producers share their stories. http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/swadeshi.mp3 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:30:00 PDT no 5:00 Good Dirt Radio Historically, mankind has drawn measured sustenance from the sea but modern corporate, floating fish factories and other high-tech, indiscriminate fishing machines are irreparably damaging our oceans and marine life. Research has shown that virtually every commercial fishery in the world is in a state of collapse and that our oceans are in great distress. Find out how the Sea Shepherds are protecting creatures of the sea and raising awareness about our inter-connection with the oceans. Historically, mankind has drawn measured sustenance from the sea but modern corporate, floating fish factories and other high-tech, indiscriminate fishing machines are irreparably damaging our oceans and marine life. Research has shown that virtually every commercial fishery in the world is in a state of collapse and that our oceans are in great distress. Find out how the Sea Shepherds are protecting creatures of the sea and raising awareness about our inter-connection with the oceans. http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/sea_shepherd.mp3 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:30:00 PDT no 5:00 Good Dirt Radio How accessible is solar power to most of us? Is it worth the investment? Is if practical? According to the National Renewable Energy Lab, the sunlight that falls on the United States in one day contains more energy than Americans use in a year. The American Solar Energy Society sponsors the National Solar Tour as it has every October since 1996. It's become the largest public renewable energy education event in the world! Find out how you can become involved in learning more about this huge energy potential. How accessible is solar power to most of us? Is it worth the investment? Is if practical? According to the National Renewable Energy Lab, the sunlight that falls on the United States in one day contains more energy than Americans use in a year. The American Solar Energy Society sponsors the National Solar Tour as it has every October since 1996. It's become the largest public renewable energy education event in the world! Find out how you can become involved in learning more about this huge energy potential. http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/solar_tour.mp3 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:30:00 PDT no 5:00 Good Dirt Radio Essential nutrition plays a major role in our youth's health and quality of life now and for the future. Currently profit-oriented corporations are the dominate providers of school lunches including contracts with fast food chains. On the rise, however, are Farm to School Programs providing students with locally grown, organic, fresh fruits and vegetables. Listen in to hear how school systems are partnering up with local farmers to bring quality nutrition to our youth. Essential nutrition plays a major role in our youth's health and quality of life now and for the future. Currently profit-oriented corporations are the dominate providers of school lunches including contracts with fast food chains. On the rise, however, are Farm to School Programs providing students with locally grown, organic, fresh fruits and vegetables. Listen in to hear how school systems are partnering up with local farmers to bring quality nutrition to our youth. http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/farm_to_school.mp3 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:30:00 PDT no 5:00 Good Dirt Radio Every American is generating an average of over 1600 pounds of garbage, annually, according to the EPA. Packaging comprises approximately one-third of that waste, and has, traditionally, been produced from finite resources, is non-biodegradable, and clogs our waste stream. But some innovators are thinking outside of the box, creating 100% biodegradable food containers and quick serve items from abundant natural materials such as potatoes, rice, wheat and corn. These farm products also yield fewer greenhouse gases and require less energy to produce. Tune in to Good Dirt Radio to learn more about this innovative change in food packaging. Every American is generating an average of over 1600 pounds of garbage, annually, according to the EPA. Packaging comprises approximately one-third of that waste, and has, traditionally, been produced from finite resources, is non-biodegradable, and clogs our waste stream. But some innovators are thinking outside of the box, creating 100% biodegradable food containers and quick serve items from abundant natural materials such as potatoes, rice, wheat and corn. These farm products also yield fewer greenhouse gases and require less energy to produce. Tune in to Good Dirt Radio to learn more about this innovative change in food packaging. http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/eco_packaging.mp3 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:30:00 PDT no 5:00