I hope this message finds you holding steady in what feels like our increasingly upside-down surreality. In addition to the dizzying pace of events in the geo-political, space, and tech realms, there is so much environmental change underway that doesn’t make the news but has far more serious consequences. It’s been 29 years since I launched TrashTalk, one-minute waste reduction tips that aired on KCBS, SF the radio station where I worked as a reporter and anchor. After five years of three features per week I expanded my focus from garbage to global warming and changed the name to EcoTalk which then grew into a one-hour interview show broadcast on the Air America Radio Network.
Over the many years I moved to internet radio and eventually to online video programs. During that entire time I wondered why there was still so little news coverage and public attention paid to the most impactful stories occurring mostly out of sight but with huge consequences for the human race and all creatures. I’m talking about the unraveling of ecosystems that our lives are supported by — or not.
All the production has been self-funded and with only sporadic part-time help. While my programs have found loyal, appreciative audiences the numbers have been modest with no available marketing budget. There are now climate-based newsletters and podcasts but I like to think my network news background, combined with acquired eco-expertise, bring something special to my interviews with the best Solutionaries.
A year ago I was convinced to try YouTube to build a new and broader audience. It’s easy to lose hope in these stranger-than-fiction times but thats why now is a hard time to quit!
At a time when a reckless administration is racing us in the wrong direction on personal and planetary health; LIFTING RESTRICTIONS ON emissions, toxic substances, rolling back protections and funding for climate research, dismantling agencies–and we’re not even a year and a half in—how can we fight back? While partisan politics makes daily headlines and nearly every outrageous thing trump does gets reported, the most destructive and misguided actions are worsening pollution and hastening the pace of climate change. So what do we do with our outrage? Start by protesting—the signs are always so much fun!!
The corporate media I left 20 years ago to cover environmental news is still derelict in its duties to report the most consequential developments. My dynamic and upbeat guests– leaders, experts, disrupters and innovators– tell the truth, connect hidden dots, and offer scalable solutions and actions we can all take. I have learned so much from these curated conversations. Over the years we’ve discussed the benefits of renewable energy yet our continued dependence on oil —aided and abetted by the fossil fools now in charge—is once again costing US!
Despite the incredible amount of information and inspiration I‘ve been fortunate to offer through my interviews, these green gems are too valuable to not share more widely. We are running out of time–and I am out of funds to continue production. When launching CODE GREEN last May I gave myself a year to gain traction. With that deadline rapidly approaching, I am asking for your help, which is a first!
Why support my work? (Hint: It’s truly for the benefit of all)
Independent media—especially eco focused content creators—is an overlooked and under-funded but can be a critical source of education and engagement. For many years I pitched news networks on positive news programming. While it did not land me a job, I did plant some seeds. A few climate reporters were hired though all but one has since been let go. With cutbacks in journalism, environmental news is still getting short shrift. Climate stories on networks comprise just 2% of total coverage! Is it any wonder half of America voted for a science denier—twice??
The expertise and perspective gained over nearly 3 decades is priceless but too much of the press and public still don’t get it and we are now late in the game ecologically. Kicking the carbon can down the road has taken us into dangerous territory. Many of you are parents and grandparents. The real question is how do we love our kids, country, and planet? I take pride in listener comments saying the factual–and often funny– conversations are relevant, relatable, and resonate on a personal level.
There have been moments when I nearly gave up trying to get more Americans to wake up and smell the carbon. But one remarkable experience, in 2020, showed me how my programs can go beyond national borders, such is the benefit of being on the worldwide web…
The video below is a true story and one I remind myself of in the darkest moments.
So what can you do to help me help you (and everyone who watches)?
All these years of self-funding GREEN shows have left me in the RED. If so inclined, please donate what you can on the link below so we can continue doing this work and expand our reach. With your support the next phase will be a podcast (audio) version of CODE GREEN to be available on Spotify, iTunes and possibly Substack. We need a minimum of 1,000 subscribers/viewers to approach sponsors and get into the algorithm mix. Despite having had thousands of listeners over the years this is a new platform for me so in a way I’m starting over.
If you’ve read this far thank you! And thanks for being part of my/our community in this crazier-by-the-day world. Connections are key and will only grow in importance as more shift hits the fan. Let’s hope, and if so inclined pray, that all this shaking up will shed the bad… and bring in much more better🤞
