Natural Steps with Sustainable Lawrence

Episode 42 of Natural Steps

sustainable — Sun, 02 May 2010 16:00:15 +0000

“No Impact Man” Colin Beavan got his family to go along with his big experiment: could they go an entire year living sustainably in their ninth-floor Manhattan apartment. That meant, for example, no riding the elevator. How did they do it? More important, did they get though the year? Ralph Copleman interviews Colin.

Guest: Colin Beavan, PhD, Author and Writer, and more recently, No Impact Man Guest Host: Ralph Copleman, Sustainable Lawrence Links: No Impact Man, No Impact Project

Episode 41 of Natural Steps

sustainable — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 16:00:56 +0000

Members of the New Jersey Environmental Federation discuss the challenges facing our local community and state with regard to clean air and water.

Guest: Jane Nogaki, Founding member of the New Jersey Environmental Federation Guest: Dr. Susan Wolf, Member of the NJ Environmental Federation Links: NJ Environmental Federation, Clean Water Action

Episode 40 of Natural Steps

sustainable — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:00:03 +0000

Enriching community and strengthening neighborhoods is central to the emergence of sustainability, here or anywhere. Listen as leaders from two separate Lawrence neighborhoods compare notes as they build strong local businesses, create well-used gathering places, and expand cultural offerings on the neighborhood level.

Guest: Howard Nelson, President, Lawrenceville Main Street, and Economics Professor at TCNJ Guest: Tahirih Smith, Sustainable Lawrence Liaison to Greater Eldridge Park Neighborhood Association (GEPNA) Links: Lawrenceville Main Street, GEPNA Plan (11MB PDF)

Episode 39 of Natural Steps

sustainable — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:00:58 +0000

Executive Producer Ralph Copleman turns the tables on our on-air host Bob Carson and interviews him about what he’s learned from doing nearly 40 Natural Step radio shows. What has he learned? How has he changed his own habits? Which of the shows stand out? How does sustainability relate to other topics he discusses on his weekly political talk hour? Hear Bob as a guest on his own show!

Guest: Bob Carson, Radio Talk Show Host Host: Ralph Copleman, Executiver Director at Sustainable Lawrence

Episode 38 of Natural Steps

sustainable — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:00:55 +0000

Everything you need to know about local streams and ground water (the stuff we consume daily) gets covered in Ralph Copleman’s interview with Jennifer Coffey and Gwen McNamara of the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, as they release a first-ever report on the quality of the region’s water. Hint: drink all the tap water you want.

Guest: Jennifer Coffey, Policy Director, Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Guest: Gwen McNamara, Communications Manager, Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Guest Host: Ralph Copleman, Executiver Director at Sustainable Lawrence Links: Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed, Water Sense

Episode 37 of Natural Steps

sustainable — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 16:00:45 +0000

The staff of Sustainable Lawrence, Tahirih Smith and Ralph Copleman, run down some of the lessons they’ve learned about doing sustainability work in a typical American community and cover details about Sustainable Lawrence events coming up in March around the region.

Guest: Tahirih Smith, SWELL Neighborhoods Coordinator at Sustainable Lawrence Guest: Ralph Copleman, Executiver Director at Sustainable Lawrence Links: Sustainable Where wE Live in Lawrence

Episode 36 of Natural Steps

sustainable — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:00:11 +0000

Shana Weber and Melissa Greenberg coordinate Sustainability activities at their respective universities, Princeton and Rider. They discuss what “green” efforts and cultural changes are happening on campus, and the increasing awareness and expectation from the university community.

Guest: Shana Weber, Sustainability Manager at Princeton University Guest: Melissa Ross Greenberg, Sustainability Manager at Rider University Guest: Ralph Copleman, Executiver Director at Sustainable Lawrence Links: Office of Sustainability at Princeton, Broncs Go Green at Rider

Episode 35 of Natural Steps

sustainable — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:00:24 +0000

Leaders of three sustainability programs from three different Mercer County communities discuss the challenges they face, where progress is being made, and what the future may hold for similar efforts in the region.

Guest: Wendy Kaczerski, Sustainable Princeton and Princeton Environmental Commission Guest: Rob Benjamin, Sustainable Hamilton Guest: Ralph Copleman, Sustainable Lawrence, Executive Director Links: Sustainable Princeton, Sustainable Hamilton, Sustainable Lawrence, Sustainable Cherry Hill

Episode 34 of Natural Steps

sustainable — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:00:47 +0000

Sandy Bauers, environment reporter, columnist, and blogger for The Philadelphia Inquirer, cites her top recommendations for living sustainably at home. She also talks about the challenge of covering environment-oriented stories in today’s media environment.

Guest: Sandy Bauers, environment reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer Guest Host: Ralph Copleman, Sustainable Lawrence Link: Green Space Blog, Goodbye to Edison’s bulb

Episode 33 of Natural Steps

sustainable — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:00:11 +0000

Christopher Bobbitt, LEED Architect, discusses the roles and responsibilities of an architect and the trend toward green buildings that are cost-efficient and energy-saving. Topics include the use of both old and new technology and the establishment of standards to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated.

Guest: Christopher Bobbitt, LEED Architect Guest: Ralph Copleman, Executive Director Sustainable Lawrence Links: US Green Building Council

Episode 32 of Natural Steps

sustainable — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:00:09 +0000

Albie Zakes, Director of Public Relations for Terracycle, discusses recycling and upcycling, such as how his company converts waste into eco-friendly products, including waste that we don’t typically consider recyclable, and products, like backpacks, that we don’t typically consider as being made from leftovers. Also discussed is the role businesses can take to unify the local community around sustainable practices and how responsible practices are profitable practices.

Guest: Albie Zakes, Director of Public Relations for Terracyle Guest Host: Ralph Copleman, Sustainable Lawrence Links: Terracycle

Episode 31 of Natural Steps

sustainable — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:00:23 +0000

Mike Mercer, Executive Director of Northwest Earth Institute, is part of an organization that helps folks understand that we can’t wait for public policy before making changes in our daily lives that lead toward a more sustainable and enriching future. Through discussion courses, both individuals and organizations are both inspired and empowered to make a transformation.

Guest: Mike Mercer, Executive Director of Northwest Earth Institute Links: Northwest Earth Institute

Episode 30 of Natural Steps

sustainable — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:00:21 +0000

Beth Feehan, Executive Director of West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market, discusses the introduction of a farmers market in West Windsor and the importance of reducing the distance between the farm and the consumer. She tells just how shorter distance translates into healthier food, a healthier local economy, and reduced energy consumption.

Guest: Beth Feehan, Executive Director of West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market Guest: Ralph Copleman, Executive Director Sustainable Lawrence Links: West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market

Episode 29 of Natural Steps

sustainable — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:00:14 +0000

Carleton Montgomery, Executive Director of Pinelands Preservation Alliance, talks about the Alliance’s role and expertise in ensuring the preservation of the Pinelands, which includes the sandy Pine Barrens, but also includes land under threat from development. The challenge is a implementing a growth plan that respects the conservation goals of what is almost 25% of the land area of the State of New Jersey.

Guest: Carleton Montgomery, Executive Director of Pinelands Preservation Alliance Links: Pinelands Preservation Alliance

Episode 28 of Natural Steps

sustainable — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:00:41 +0000

Josh Tickell & Rebecca Harrell, the Director and Producer of the Sundance award-winning film Fuel. They discuss their Green Bus Tour and the information gap about alternative fuels - the gap between what is known at the grassroots level and what is known by lawmakers. Their Veggie Van, fueled by algae, has been driven across the country and to Capitol Hill. This very information session sheds light on just what fuels we should be focusing on for a sustainable future.

Guest: Josh Tickell and Rebecca Harrell, Director and Producer of the movie FUEL Links: The Movie Fuel

Episode 27 of Natural Steps

sustainable — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:00:42 +0000

Peter Kasabach, Executive Director of NJ Future, gives his insight on smart growth in New Jersey. Founded in the mid-1980s, NJ Future researches issues, convenes stakeholders to advance policy, and advocates for land use changes in the state. Policy translates into preserved open space, walkable communities, revitalized urban areas, transportation choices, and gainful local employment. Working with the Office of State Planning to coordinate both growth and preservation is a challenge since the official State Plan is primarily a guide and not law.

Guest: Peter Kasabach, Executive Director of NJ Future Links: NJ Future

Episode 26 of Natural Steps

sustainable — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:00:46 +0000

Tom Gilbert, a Regional Conservation Services Director for the Trust for Public Land, discusses how TPL works to create inner city parks, suburban open space, and wildlife reserves across the nation. Specific topics such as a ballot initiative in New Jersey to fund the Garden State Preservation Trust are explored.

Guest: Tom Gilbert, Regional Conservation Services Director at the Trust for Public Land. Links: Trust for Public Land

Episode 25 of Natural Steps

sustainable — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:00:01 +0000

Brian Malone, discusses his role as publisher and editor at the Times of Trenton, the future of Newspaper publishing, and the nexus with sustainability. At a time when newspapers are challenged by the transition to electronic delivery and reduced revenue streams, the Times of Trenton is adapting in ways that are more efficient and also more eco-friendly. Brian also reports on a variety of sustainability activity in our region.

Guest: Brian Malone, Publisher and Editor at the Times of Trenton Links: Times of Trenton

Episode 24 of Natural Steps

sustainable — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:00:31 +0000

Beth McManus, an urban planner with Clarke Caton Hintz, discusses the technical and social issues facing planners such as land development patterns, minimizing impact on the environment, farmland preservation, and affordable housing. She highlights the importance of adding sustainability elements to the master plan for townships and understanding the needs of tenants and owners when marrying design, location and technology.

Guest: Beth McManus, Urban Planner with Clarke, Caton, Hintz Links: Clarke, Caton, Hintz

Note: Audio volume is low on this recording. You may need to turn up the volume.

Episode 23 of Natural Steps

sustainable — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:00:33 +0000

Tahirah Smith, Outreach Coordinator for Sustainable Lawrence, is working to actively promote sustainable activities neighborhood by neighborhood in Lawrence Township, NJ. Sustainability provides an excellent shared goal that brings neighbors together. The SWELL program (”Sustainable Where wE Live in Lawrence”), encourages neighbors to work together to save money, protect the environment, build community, and improve the quality of life. Ms. Smith gives examples of what’s happening locally.

Guest: Tahirah Smith, Outreach Coordinator for Sustainable Lawrence Links: Sustainable Lawrence