RadioActive 12/6/12

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Issue: Environmental and Social Justice

Program Topic: Ocean Acidification

Key Discussion Points:
a) As the United Nations climate talks conclude this week, we look at another serious consequence of carbon dioxide emissions : ocean acidification. The world’s oceans absorb 25-30% of the global CO2 outputs, resulting in lowering pH. This acidification is corrosive to shellfish and other calicifiers.
b) This week, Washington state became the first state to adopt a policy to address ocean acidification and its effect on shellfish fisheries.
c) This weekend, an event organized by community organizations and the University of Maine at Machais will look at ocean acidification and its effect on Down East fisheries.

Guests:
A) Bill Rucelshaus, co-chair of Washington State Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification
www.ecy.wa.gov/water/marine/oceanacidification.html
www.ecy.wa.gov/water/marine/oa/2012report_summary.pdf
fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/publications/1201015.pdf
B) Sven Huseby, producer of film “A Sea Change”. www.aseachange.net
C) Andy Burt, environmental justice consultant for the Maine Council of Churches, [email protected] or 380-5387

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RadioActive 11/8/12

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Program Topic: Historical look at solar power in US, with the director of Maine Solar Energy Association

Key Discussion Points:
a) As so called Super Storm Sandy illustrates the impacts of climate change on the gathering intensity of weather patterns, we look towards on the ground solutions.
b) Today, we look at some of the history of solar power in the United States, through the experiences of Maine Solar Energy Association director Rich Komp.
c) We touch on the cuts to government funding for solar research and development and implementation during the Reagan administration, and the role of big oil in suppressing solar companies.

Guest: Dr. Richard Komp, director of Maine Solar Energy Association www.mainesolar.org

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RadioActive 11/1/12

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Program Topic: Climate change’s connection to Hurricane Sandy, and a local Maine initiative working to create community level momentum to combat carbon emissions

Key Discussion Points:
a) We look at the connections between the destructiveness of Hurricane Sandy and climate change.
Sea levels from Boston to Norfolk, VA are rising four times faster then global averages. Levels in New York are 1 foot higher then 100 years ago. Increased water vapor from warming sea temperatures increases rainfall and flooding, and is connected to the intensification of storms. According the the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this September had the second highest temperature on record; sea surface temperatures off the Northeast, US, are about 5 degrees above average.
b) Is Hurricane Sandy a watershed moment for public, governmental and media attention to climate change?
c)We also look at the local initiative Maine Partners for Cool Communities to reduce carbon pollution through residential, grassroots efforts.
Guests:
Joseph Romm, Center for American Progress, writes Climate Progress blog at www.thinkprogress.org
Nancy Glassman, Maine Partners for Cool Communities, mid-coast coordinator for Green Sneakers
[email protected], www.coolmaine.org, www.efficiencymaine.com

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RadioActive 10/18/12

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Topic: Industry pushes to increase mining and transport of tar sands oil, including in pipeline from Montreal to Portland, ME and through East Texas, where construction is being me by civil disobedience resistance

*We look again at the aggressive push across North America to increase the mining and pipeline transport of t highly polluting tar sands oil. Studies show tar sands oil creates 20% more climate changing pollution then even conventional oil.
*We look at the proposed tar sands pipeline from Montreal to Portland, ME and what companies would profit. Recent research shows Exxon Mobil to be a majority owner of the current and proposed line.
*We, again, talk with a representative of the Tar Sands Blockade in Eastern Texas. A high profile campaign of civil disobedience has been active there since August,as construction is started on the southern segment of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.

Guests:
Dylan Voorhes, Clean Energy Project Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine, www.nrcm.org
Ron Seifert, www.tarsandsblockade.org

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RadioActive 10/11/12

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

Issue: Envronmental and Social Justice News

Program Topic: UM Professor Robert Glover on Immigration, part 2, at the University of Maine’s Socialist & Marxist Studies lecture series (Part 1 aired on the News Report on 10/10/12). Recorded by John Greenman

Key Discussion Points:
a) immigration
b) academic theories on the topic
c) democracy

Call In Program: no

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RadioActive 9/6/11

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Issue: Environmental and Social Justice

Program Topic: The Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission and outreach for commissioner nominations

a) This spring, a Declaration of Intent to commit to a truth and reconciliation process was signed by the Wabanaki tribal governments of the Penobscot Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik, the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkmikuk, the Aroostook Bands of the Mic Macs, the Houlton Band of the Mailiseets and the Maine state government. This is the first of it’s kind Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) process.

b) October 1st is the deadline for nominations for the five commissioners for the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission .

c) Over the next 27 to 33months, commission members will collect stories from the five tribal communities and from non-tribal Maine residents and will compile a final report. The stories expected to be shared will come from both direct experiences and the conveyed experiences of others who were impacted by historically overt federal and state child welfare practices to assimilate indigenous children. The TRC also will observe how the separation of children from their communities has impacted the tribes. The Truth and Reconciliation process aims to collectively recognize history, improve child welfare practices and facilitate a process of decolonization for tribal and non tribal Maine residents.

Guests:
A) Esther Attean Altivator,Passamaquoddy tribal member, Muskie School of Public Service lead staff person on the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission process
B) Carolyn Morrison, Interium Director for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

www.mainetribaltrc.org
mainetribaltrc.org/documents.html
archives.weru.org/wabanaki-windows/wabanaki-windows-62111
archives.weru.org/radioactive/radioactive-52611
fsrn.org/audio/maine-tribes-and-state-leaders-create-first-truth-and-reconciliation-commission-its-kind-us/87
indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/06/08/wabanaki-tribes-maine-sign-historic-foster-care-trc-37338

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RadioActive 8/30/12

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Issue: Environmental and Social Justice

Program Topic: EPA fuel efficiencies increase; Maine looks at regulating Bisphenol-A (BPA in toddler and baby food packaging; Texans engage in direct action blockade of Keystone XL tar sands pipeline construction

Key Discussion Points:

a) We looks towards next week’s public hearing on a Maine rule that would phase the chemical additive Bispenol-A out of baby and toddler food packaging.

b) We examine the EPA’s new rules to improve the fuel economy in cars and light trucks and reduce green house gas emissions

c) Activists blockade the construction of the southern stretch of Keystone XL Pipeline Tar Sands pipeline in Texas. Four hand lock down on trailer truck. Seven total are arrested in the direct action. This action marks the begins a campaign of direct action.

Guests:

A) Roland Hwang, Natural Resources Defense Council, Director, Transportation Program, Energy and Transportation Program www.nrdc.org

B) Emma Halas- O’Conner, Environmental Health Strategy Center, grassroots organizer www.preventharm.org

C)Ron Seifert, Tar Sands Blockade, Texas tarsandsblockade.org

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