Go Green Radio

SB 903 has been introduced to the California legislature and would provide a comprehensive approach to phasing out unnecessary uses of over 14,000 toxic, “forever” chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Today we’ll speak with Andria Ventura, CA Legislative and Policy Director, Clean Water Action, and Dr. Anna Reade, Director, PFAS Advocacy, Environmental Health, Natural Resources Defense Council, about the bill and why it is so important to public health.

On February 3, 2023, five train cars containing 887,400 pounds (115,000 gallons) of vinyl chloride¹ ² ?, the key building block for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, derailed and were subsequently burned, setting off a major environmental health disaster that sickened area residents and first responders³, killed wildlife4, and contaminated East Palestine, Ohio and surrounding communities.5 A similar disaster struck Paulsboro, New Jersey in 2012. In both cases, the train cars carrying cancer-causing vinyl chloride were on their way to plastics manufacturing plants in New Jersey owned by OxyVinyls (a subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum)¹ 6, where factories make PVC plastic for flooring and other building materials sold at major retailers like The Home Depot. OxyVinyls is responsible for the transport of rail cars filled with vinyl chloride across an enormous distance and through a number of major and minor population centers, putting communities across the country at risk. A new report quantifies that risk, and today we will talk with one of the authors, Mike Schade, as well as Jess Conard, a resident of East Palestine turned activist after the disaster near her home.

Today’s guest is Ginny Leary, the Zero Waste and Sustainability Project Manager for Boston Public Schools (BPS). We will discuss how BPS strives to reduce the amount of waste generated by building occupants and reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste that is hauled to and disposed of in landfills or incineration facilities. BPS’s Zero Waste program is comprehensive and can serve as a role model for other school districts across the country. Tune in to learn about their proven, pragmatic approach!

Healthy learning environments and high-quality school buildings are the keys to environmental equity and academic achievement. By leveraging sustainability strategies, these outcomes are possible. By improving indoor air and water quality, reducing solid waste, minimizing non-renewable energy usage, and providing nutritious food, urban schools can ensure environmental equity and close the opportunity gap for students. Today we will talk with the author of a new book, “Environmental Equity: Closing the Opportunity Gap in Urban Schools,” which demonstrates how school districts in even the most financially strapped regions can improve learning environments, lives, and achievement of every member of a school community.

Palm oil is included in a broad range of products that many of us purchase on a routine basis: food, cosmetics, paints, pills, and even hand sanitizer. With over 200 different names, palm oil is tough for the average consumer to spot in the ingredients lists of common consumer goods, but there is good reason to try. Palm oil has been linked to environmental devastation and human rights abuses. Tune in today as we talk with David Bass, co-founder of Peet Bros., about the problem with palm oil, and some steps you can take to ensure your purchases are not supporting the palm oil industry.

Palm oil is included in a broad range of products that many of us purchase on a routine basis: food, cosmetics, paints, pills, and even hand sanitizer. With over 200 different names, palm oil is tough for the average consumer to spot in the ingredients lists of common consumer goods, but there is good reason to try. Palm oil has been linked to environmental devastation and human rights abuses. Tune in today as we talk with David Bass, co-founder of Peet Bros., about the problem with palm oil, and some steps you can take to ensure your purchases are not supporting the palm oil industry.

HALEVAI is a new American boat manufacturer focused on creating and building sustainable and high-performance electric boats. Founded in 2020, their mission is to create safer, cleaner, and more cost-effective boating experiences. At the heart of the company’s mission is the ambition to revolutionize the marine industry by adopting and promoting renewable energy sources. Tune in for our conversation with the founder and CEO, Frank Heidinger!

Parkinson’s disease, is the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world. Over the past 25 years, the number of people with the condition has jumped from 3 million to over 6 million. In addition to impacting millions of lives and livelihoods, Parkinson’s is poised to crush our healthcare system and our economy. This, while harmful pesticides and other toxic chemicals that contribute to Parkinson’s surround us, disproportionally affecting our farmers, our veterans, and even those in Silicon Valley. The most effective treatment is now a half century old, yet research funding stagnates. In short, we’re failing to stop a runaway train. Tune in as we talk with Dr. Ray Dorsey, co-author of the book, Ending Parkinson’s: A Prescription for Action, about what needs to be done to stem the tide of rapidly increasing Parkinson’s cases.

Parkinson’s disease, is the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world. Over the past 25 years, the number of people with the condition has jumped from 3 million to over 6 million. In addition to impacting millions of lives and livelihoods, Parkinson’s is poised to crush our healthcare system and our economy. This, while harmful pesticides and other toxic chemicals that contribute to Parkinson’s surround us, disproportionally affecting our farmers, our veterans, and even those in Silicon Valley. The most effective treatment is now a half century old, yet research funding stagnates. In short, we’re failing to stop a runaway train. Tune in as we talk with Dr. Ray Dorsey, co-author of the book, Ending Parkinson’s: A Prescription for Action, about what needs to be done to stem the tide of rapidly increasing Parkinson’s cases.

On February 3, 2023, five train cars containing 887,400 pounds (115,000 gallons) of vinyl chloride¹ ² ?, the key building block for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, derailed and were subsequently burned, setting off a major environmental health disaster that sickened area residents and first responders³, killed wildlife4, and contaminated East Palestine, Ohio and surrounding communities.5 A similar disaster struck Paulsboro, New Jersey in 2012. In both cases, the train cars carrying cancer-causing vinyl chloride were on their way to plastics manufacturing plants in New Jersey owned by OxyVinyls (a subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum)¹ 6, where factories make PVC plastic for flooring and other building materials sold at major retailers like The Home Depot. OxyVinyls is responsible for the transport of rail cars filled with vinyl chloride across an enormous distance and through a number of major and minor population centers, putting communities across the country at risk. A new report quantifies that risk, and today we will talk with one of the authors, Mike Schade, as well as Jess Conard, a resident of East Palestine turned activist after the disaster near her home.

Today we’ll talk to Rodney Williams, Director of Energy and Sustainability for the Newark public school district, a.k.a. Newark Board of Education (NBOE). In recent years, Rodney has led the largest school district in New Jersey to achieve prestigious and rigorous awards in school sustainability. Tune in and listen to his pro tips that can be replicated in school districts across the U.S.!

Today we’ll talk to Rodney Williams, Director of Energy and Sustainability for the Newark public school district, a.k.a. Newark Board of Education (NBOE). In recent years, Rodney has led the largest school district in New Jersey to achieve prestigious and rigorous awards in school sustainability. Tune in and listen to his pro tips that can be replicated in school districts across the U.S.!

After receiving praise from President Biden for working to address the indoor air quality crisis in Denver Public Schools, Attune deployed its IAQ monitoring systems in 45 school districts and 369 school buildings across the state of Colorado. This CDC- funded initiative aims to improve IAQ environments in Colorado school districts for students, teachers and administrators. Today we will talk with the Co-Founder and CEO of Attune, Dr. Serene Al-Momen, about her company’s technology and the results they expect to achieve with this groundbreaking partnership between school districts in Colorado, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE), and the University of Colorado Boulder.

After receiving praise from President Biden for working to address the indoor air quality crisis in Denver Public Schools, Attune deployed its IAQ monitoring systems in 45 school districts and 369 school buildings across the state of Colorado. This CDC- funded initiative aims to improve IAQ environments in Colorado school districts for students, teachers and administrators. Today we will talk with the Co-Founder and CEO of Attune, Dr. Serene Al-Momen, about her company’s technology and the results they expect to achieve with this groundbreaking partnership between school districts in Colorado, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE), and the University of Colorado Boulder.

Today we will talk with two experts on IAQ in schools about the magnitude of the problem in American schools and what can be done. In recent years, comparative risk studies performed by EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) have consistently ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health. Most people are aware that outdoor air pollution can impact their health, but indoor air pollution can also have significant and harmful health effects. EPA studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor levels of pollutants may be two to five times — and occasionally more than 100 times — higher than outdoor levels. These levels of indoor air pollutants are of particular concern, because most people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors. Some of the consequences of poor indoor air quality in schools are: increased long-and short-term health problems for students and staff; spread of airborne infectious diseases; degraded student learning environment, which affects comfort and attendance.

Today we will talk with two experts on IAQ in schools about the magnitude of the problem in American schools and what can be done. In recent years, comparative risk studies performed by EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) have consistently ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health. Most people are aware that outdoor air pollution can impact their health, but indoor air pollution can also have significant and harmful health effects. EPA studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor levels of pollutants may be two to five times — and occasionally more than 100 times — higher than outdoor levels. These levels of indoor air pollutants are of particular concern, because most people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors. Some of the consequences of poor indoor air quality in schools are: increased long-and short-term health problems for students and staff; spread of airborne infectious diseases; degraded student learning environment, which affects comfort and attendance.

There are grave environmental issues plaguing our world, from pollution to climate change. These global crises can often leave us feeling powerless, questioning: How can one person make a real impact? Drawing from his personal experiences of growing up in a town marred by toxic waste, and his professional journey in the plastic bag manufacturing industry, sustainability expert Trent Romer demystifies the concept of sustainability and how you can make choices that shape our planet’s future. Tune in for our conversation with Trent Romer!

There are grave environmental issues plaguing our world, from pollution to climate change. These global crises can often leave us feeling powerless, questioning: How can one person make a real impact? Drawing from his personal experiences of growing up in a town marred by toxic waste, and his professional journey in the plastic bag manufacturing industry, sustainability expert Trent Romer demystifies the concept of sustainability and how you can make choices that shape our planet’s future. Tune in for our conversation with Trent Romer!

Boston Public Schools (BPS) has a robust, comprehensive sustainability program that encompasses all aspects of a green, healthy school environment. Our guest today is Katherine Walsh, Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Program Director for BPS. She will discuss BPS’s approach to school sustainability and how other school districts can replicate their methodology.

Boston Public Schools (BPS) has a robust, comprehensive sustainability program that encompasses all aspects of a green, healthy school environment. Our guest today is Katherine Walsh, Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Program Director for BPS. She will discuss BPS’s approach to school sustainability and how other school districts can replicate their methodology.