"The Climate Report" & "Making Tracks" Community Radio Shows

"Making Tracks" finished 2019 with a holiday radio program that played on Xmas and New Year's Day. A mix of music and reflecting on what you can do for birds around your yard as well as what crows can do for you (!) when they roost in large numbers in an urban setting...

Aired 12/18/19 and also played on Xmas and New Years Day! Hello Sacramento! It's time again for the Climate Report. It's been officially declared now in Sacramento and as of 12/10/19, like the rest of the world, we are in a climate emergency. Now the real work begins to reduce our carbon budget to get to zero as fast as possible. Volunteering with 350Sacramento is a great way to help. A couple of great ways to contribute are to participate in the Mayors' Climate Commission and the Sacramento Transportation Authority is now considering a sales tax measure to fund transit/transportation for the next 40 years which will have a huge role on our carbon budget. There is much more you can do too so check out the 350sacramento.org website. The UN COP25 climate conference has just ended with disappointing results. That just makes our work more important to continue and expand. Meanwhile, it's also the holiday season and time for good music to put us in the mood for both. There are lots of songs to do just that and I'm not talking about the classics. A lot of new, climate change, holiday songs have come out in the last few years and I've even got a country music climate tune so get ready to sing along. Music is an important way to communicate and the message couldn't be more important now! Music: "Climate Crisis Xmas Carol" by Jennifer Leitham, "All I want is truth for Xmas" by Myna Birds "Climate Change Christmas" by The Dead End Streets, "Climate Change" by Cooper Alan, (country music!) "Manhattan in January" by Jill Solbe "Global Warming Christmas" by Sherwin Linton, "Climate Change Christmas" by Drew Jacobs, "Global Warming Stole Christmas" by Phillyblunts, "Shadows" by Sandel

Happy Thanksgiving! With that in mind let's talk turkey again. If that doesn't make you hungry after going outside, what about peacocks? More on that today too. If that isn't a tasty idea, how about the 32nd Annual Un-Turkey Thanksgiving Dinner, 100% vegan community potluck hosted by the Sacramento Vegetarian Society, free admission with a potluck dish. Doors open at 5:30 at Warehouse Artist Lofts 1108 R Street. Sacramento.

Did you know that gas powered lawn mowers/blowers create huge amounts of pollution including GHG emissions as well as health issues from dust and particulates? This must change and the time has come as we'll hear today. Also, the city has again delayed consideration of declaring a climate emergency. We'll hear draft language again to remind us why this is an urgent need.  I also have a brief update on recent progress by the Mayors' Climate Commission who unanimously approved revised and stronger Land Use Strategy language consistent with the regional Sustainable Communities Strategy at their most recent meeting.  The Mayors' Climate Commission also unanimously voted in favor of strong high level recommendations from the Mobility TAC. Previous meetings and materials are available online. The next meeting will be 12/2/19 with a focus on Community Health & Resiliency preliminary recommendations. Visit https://www.lgc.org/climatecommission/ for details. 

Well even though its been warmer and drier than normal for this time of year, Fall is here and so are sandhill cranes, salmon and all the other wildlife that migrate this time of year. We'll reflect on that today.

Hello Sacramento! It's time again for the Climate Report. It's also time for the Environmentalist of the Year Awards so listen up if you didn't have tickets for the event . What does it mean that the Trump administration is withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord? I've got an update today and why it is so important for cities and states to continue to lead the way on efforts to address climate change. Sacramento, like many other cities, may be moving forward to declare a climate emergency and I've got draft language of what that resolution should look like. 

It's time again for the annual ECOS Environmentalist of the Year event  Wednesday November 13th. I'm going to replay a couple of segments today on ethical use of drones around wildlife, a BirdNote on a favorite species of mine, the Green Heron, and E. Coli problems on the lower American River. I'm also going to share an important report on how global reforestation is the very best way to address climate change and can be done.

Today I share a recent interview about climate anxiety and depression by Ecosia. I've talked about the non-profit Ecosia before here. They have a search tool for your computer and other digital devices that raises funds for effective tree planting projects and other activities that fight climate change. Visit ecosia.org for details. We'll also revisit the local Language Academy school who have taken on a project to education parents, teachers and themselves about the harm from idling internal combustion engines.

Fires seem to be everywhere again threatening lives, property and habitat. Top priority is to protect people, homes and communities. It's also important not to forget about nature which has the ability to heal the environment and protect us too. I'm going to replay Harrison Ford's recent passionate call  "Don't Forget Nature" as a reminder today. Besides all the ecological services including clean air and water nature also has much to teach us as well as provide space where we can relax. Let's listen to nature again today.  We'll also discuss how we can coexist with urban coyotes, the many values of listening to Nature and give thanks to the late Frank Cirill, who worked tirelessly for many years to establish and protect the American River Parkway.

Earlier this week approximately 100 very energetic and creative students met at the latest Youth Climate Summit. No details are available yet but we will hear from an earlier student climate summit at Sacramento State University today. Where does SMUD, our utility company get it's energy? We'll here more from them on that today. We'll also hear some intriguing discussion about how to assess damage related to climate change today with mention of recent fires caused by PGE. There's a great film coming to Sacramento this Saturday the 26th. "MotherLoad" is about the use of cargo bikes and the important role they play in addressing climate change and much much more. This award winning crowd sourced film is free but priceless and is shown to benefit local bicycle organizations. Details on the 350Sacramento.org website.

 I'll share with you some observations about a recent event to welcome the salmon back to the American River while downstream many thousands of heavy metal music fans returned to that same river again this year.  I've also got detailed comments that were recently submitted to the city of Sacramento regarding the many and unnecessary impacts that would occur to wildlife and habitat in the American River Parkway because of a poorly planned bike trail extension. 

Today I have updates on recent and ongoing youth led climate strikes and background about the strikes. Greta Thurnberg and George Monbiot have a simple but powerful message, "Nature Now". We'll end the show with an apocalyptic poem. "The Arc" about a possible future of our oceans...

Hello Sacramento! It's time again for the Climate Report. Theme: Updates from 9/20 Climate Strike focusing on youth  and mayor in Sacramento, Portland, and globally.

Our thoughts and support go to the people in the Bahamas and surrounding region. We are only beginning to hear the stories of those that have survived Dorian, one of the worst hurricanes known. What does the science tell us about these storm events and what to expect in the future? Listen up today.  As climate change continues to disproportionately impact those with the least ability to avoid these impacts what is the connection between a healthy planet and healthy people? I've got an amazing presentation by an emergency doctor to bring perspective to that. 

On today's show: I've talked before about how unique the American River Parkway is in our region and how Sutter's Landing Park is a gateway for Sacramento to the Parkway and all the nature, wildlife and recreation to be found there. The city has a draft environmental document to extend the Two Rivers Bike trail from Sutter's Landing Park to CSUSac out for review now. This is a great idea but the city's proposal is badly flawed. As proposed, the paved trail would be located off the levee, disturbing wildlife, impacting habitat, increasing habitat fragmentation, introducing invasive plants and more in a narrow, fragile section of the Parkway.  Look at the recently constructed segment where similar impacts occurred as a result of the recent construction of a segment of this trail. A better solution that would avoid these problems is easily available too. Look at the upstream and downstream sections of the Two Rivers Bike trail. Existing trail segments are mainly on top of the levee avoiding impacting the Parkway. Reluctance by the AR flood control district and some neighbors has the city promoting an off levee proposal instead now. Like many people, I'd rather wait and work this out rather than go forward with a project that harms the Parkway. Meanwhile, work parties are underway at Sutter's Landing Park to remove recently introduced invasive plants and restore native habitat that was impacted as part of the last Two Rivers Bike trail project  trail location. This will be an ongoing struggle now. Find out more at sutterslandingpark.org and friendsoftheriverbanks.org The huge number of fires in the Amazon has caused great concern and is truly a global issue but what can we do about it here? I've got a simple but important way you can help restore damaged Amazon and other forests. Ecosia is a nonprofit organization that provides a sustainable internet search tool generating funds for forest restoration. More on that today.    What about insects? Did you know that there are millions of insect species and they are some of the most successful on the planet? Pollinators, food, predators, recyclers and more insects do it all. There has been quite a bit of discussion lately about an "insect apocalypse" but that's not an easy subject to study. I've got a suggestion today on how you can do just that, well kind of anyway, as you zoom around on your busy day.

Today we are going to get a little wonky and learn about the importance of the electrical power grid including how dependent we are on it and how much more diversified and stable it needs to be. I'm sharing information from the Union of Concerned Scientists podcast "Got Science?" that has direct application with our local utilities. SMUD has natural gas fired power plants that contribute to it being the greatest carbon emitter in the region..

Sacramento Earth Day is coming back this month thanks again to Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS).  I’ve got an update on the proposed addition to the Two Rivers Bike Trail between Sutter’s Landing Park and CSU Sac State along the south side of the Lower American River/Parkway. After much public, neighborhood and environmental organization pushback the city of Sacramento is reconsidering the placement of a new 2.4 mile segment of the Two Rivers Bike trail on the south side of the American River in the Parkway. The city requested an exemption from the Am River Flood Control District to build at least 0.4 miles of the new trail on top of the levee. Music: "Earth" by Lil Dickie and a large cast of familiar voices. Note: Making Tracks Show 154 was a repeat.

About 200 hundred people attended the latest climate community forum, “Fast Track to Carbon Zero” last Saturday and Sac City College. Many said it was the best of the 4 forums 350Sac has produced. State and local efforts were discussed as well as the urgency to do more, faster. Several panels offered transformative ideas for speeding up the just transition to Carbon Zero and reported on some of the most exciting climate activities happening in our community as well as the barriers that need to be overcome fast. We’ll hear some of what was covered at the forum on the show today. After a full day of activities, some of the crowd was seen heading for midtown as part of an Extinction Rebellion zombie walk… The March for Science is returning in 2019. May 4th 1-2:30 PM at River Walk Park, West Sacramento (speakers, music, food trucks, kids zone/activities, local organization exhibits and ada compliant bathrooms).   Finally, there are strong connections between immigrants, migration and climate change.  Listen to the following for more insight.

It’s April and time for Making Tracks! Sacramento Earth Day is coming back this month thanks again to Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS).  I’ve got an update on the proposed addition to the Two Rivers Bike Trail between Sutter’s Landing Park and CSU Sac State along the south side of the Lower American River/Parkway. After much public, neighborhood and environmental organization pushback the city of Sacramento is reconsidering the placement of a new 2.4 mile segment of the Two Rivers Bike trail on the south side of the American River in the Parkway. The city requested an exemption from the Am River Flood Control District to build at least 0.4 miles of the new trail on top of the levee. The flood control board approved this exemption request last Friday. This is a move in the right direction but not enough as continuing to locate the rest of the trail at the base of the levee will lead to loss of habitat and wildlife impacts as was seen nearby at Sutter’s Landing Park and as I’ve discussed on this program before (I’ll repeat that some of that segment today). The best location for the rest of this trail is on top of the levee where several other sections of the same trail are already located. This would avoid unnecessary habitat/wildlife impacts, better separate foot traffic from bike riders and other modes of allowed transportation. There has been a NIMBY reaction by some who live in the immediate area as well as much support by many who use the Parkway. The city still has to revise the overall project so as to avoid significant and unnecessary impacts to sensitive habitat and species and adequately address the concerns expressed by many organizations, the Parkway Plan, and the public.   With the warmer days of spring back there are many places and ways to enjoy nature. The trails are mostly dry and accessible in the Am River Parkway and other parks, the river trail at Cosumnes River Preserve and most other locations now. I want to tell you about an amazing nearby ecosystem you may not know about but should plan to visit soon. The Bufferlands are owned and managed by the Sac Regional County Sanitation District to develop a buffer between treatment plant operations and neighbors. This 2000+ ac open space now provides very good wildlife habitat and open space nearby. There are tours, special events and ongoing restoration. This month there will be a Creek Week Birds and Blooms Tour and an evening Turtle talk and the very popular “Walk on the Wildside” will be back in May. regionalsan.com/bufferlands.  Music:  “Think I’ll go outside for a ride” Lucas Bloom,  “Monarch Butterfly song" singing zoologist Lucas Miller”, “You’re My Butterfly”, Jahari Sai And now, head outside when you can, it’s time for Making Tracks!

Happy April! The Climate Report is back and no fooling, climate change is real and happening now! Today we’re going to catch up on some local big events happening this month.  Heading to the Fast Track… Sign up today  for the upcoming Forum  on April 13 350 Sacramento will host their 4th Community Forum/Town Hall entitled “Fast Track to Carbon Zero”. The focus will be on the URGENCY of climate action, what is going on now in the Sacramento region, and how we can think transformatively to make progress at the scale required for the climate crisis. There will be speakers, panels, videos, and transformative ideas, followed with interactive breakout groups (including Youth Activism, Climate Emergency Declaration, Green New Deal, Transportation, Climate Finance) where you can get involved in speeding up the transition to a carbon zero community and world.   Film Night: “The Reluctant Radical” Film and Q& A.  McClatchy Auditorium 3066 Freeport Blvd, 6 pm 4/4/19 Doors open at 6 film at 7 pm. (repeat Valve turners Show 47 segment) A movie by Lindsey Grayzel about Ken Ward one of the Valve Turners who like many can’t stop thinking about climate change and decided to take matters into his own hands with amazing results. You won’t want to miss this film and online discussion with the director and Ken Ward afterwards. You may recall that 350Sac hosted the Valve Turners in Sacramento and I’ll play a clip from that event today. Music: “Keep Towing that Line”, Devil Makes 3, “The Shadows” Sandel, “Love in the Time of Coral Reefs” Ruth Mundy,  and Gasoline, Gasoline by Coltura.org,  And now, find shelter and get ready, it’s time for the Climate Report!