What is a GMO & Why Should You Care?
James M. Gentile, PhD., Hope College, Dean for the Natural and Applied Sciences
Truth be told, Jim Gentile has influenced and shaped the direction of science in our country. His research programs have focused on plant-activation of environment carcinogens and on the connection between inflammation and cancer. He has conducted extensive research on the role of metabolism in the conversion of natural and xenobiotic agents into mutagens and carcinogens. He has published hundreds (if not thousands) of papers on scientific issues of major importance and has strong opinions about lots of things. And his BIG beat goes on. But here's the deal. Jim is the only person I know who can talk about GMOs, their history, what's good about them, what we should be afraid of concerning GMOs (or not) and who can talk about it in plain English. This is one of those times that I would REALLY love to hear from you about any questions, concerns, doubts, thoughts on GMOs. Chances are Jim can answer your questions. This show sponsored by Chapman Tucson.
January 10
Climate Heretic
Judith Curry, PhD.
Dr. Curry is a professor and former Chair of the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and President (co-owner) of Climate Forecast Applications Network (CFAN). She has been known for her work on hurricanes, Arctic ice dynamics and other climate-related topics. But over the past year or so she has become better known for something that annoys, even infuriates, many of her scientific colleagues. According to one article in Scientific American, Curry has been engaging actively with the climate change skeptic community, largely by participating on outsider blogs such as Climate Audit, the Air Vent and the Black�board. Why a climate heretic? Because she has come to question the way climatologists react to those who question the science. She thinks there's a lot of "crankology" out there. Honestly? I can't wait because she is all about not lumping in the good with the bad and wants us to think - not tell us what to think! This show sponsored by The Fairfax Companies.
January 17
Off Gridders
Phillip Vanninni, PhD
Are you ready for this? From 2011 to 2013, Vannini and his partner, photojournalist Jonathan Taggart, travelled across Canada to find off-gridders and visit them in their homes. Following the ethnographic tradition, sometimes they even lived with them for a short period of time. Sometimes they followed them around as they hunted, fished, harvested, collected wood, and built their homes. And at times they too practiced living in off-grid homes and cabins. Over two years, they visited about 100 homes and interviewed about 200 off-grid Canadians, as well as many American and British expats living in Canada. Are you ready to hear about their excellent adventures? Trust me, we are in for some surprise. This show sponsored by Chapman Tucson.
January 24
Mission: Food Recovery!
Ben Simon, Co-founder and Executive Director - Food Recovery Network (FRN)
This Network's mission? Creating food recovery programs on EVERY college campus in the country. Ben has never been able to stand food waste and as the E.D. of the Food Recovery Network, he is leading the charge to help make their mission become a reality. What began as a dream only a little over 3 short years ago, has turned into programs at more than 95 colleges in 26 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D. C. and have recovered over 550,000 lbs. of food. Ben sees FRN as part of a larger movement building a sustainable, socially just and prosperous world. Let's find out how and why. This show sponsored by The Fairfax Companies.
January 31
The Greening of the NFL
Jack Groh,
Director of the NFL Environmental Program
"It's not so much about how much of the problem do you create; it's about how much of the problem are you willing to take responsibility for" is a quote from Jack Groh. About 15 years ago he launched The Super Bowl environmental program. It has five main initiatives: solid waste management, material reuse, food recovery, sports equipment and book donations, and greenhouse gas reduction. Where are they now and what can we expect in terms of the greening of Super Bowl XLIX? I am excited to find out about all of their incredible accomplishments and challenges during the NFLs journey to becoming more sustainable. This show sponsored by Chapman Tucson.