Episode 50: In this episode, host Angie Gust talks about a new report on pesticides called "Merchants of Death". The authors, Stacy Malkan, Kendra Klein, and Anna Lappé, show that the pesticide industry has used disinformation, and a PR strategy including institutions, and often, the same individual players as that of the fossil fuel industry. In 2015, glyphosate was designated as a probable carcinogen by the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Recent science has also linked glyphosate to lower birth weights among babies, reproductive health impacts, and other serious health concerns.  Turning to a related environmental issue. Did you know insect and bird populations are declining?  They are.  You can be part of the solution by creating more habitat for birds by planting native species and not overly tidying your yard. In recent years, conservation-minded landscapers came up with new ideas on the way yards should look. Consider starting a trend and make your back or front yard a real wildlife habitat.

Episode 49: In this episode, host Angie Gust talks about the Change triangle.  Psychotherapist Hillary Jacobs Hendel says that the Change Triangle is a map and wellness tool to help you shift from a place of disconnection and/or distress back to calm, clarity, and peace of mind.  The three corners of the Change Triangle are 1) defenses, 2) inhibitory emotions like shame, guilt and anxiety and 3) cores emotions like joy, anger, and disgust. Underneath the triangle are the good emotions that she says we all want to experience: being calm, curious, connected, compassionate, confident, courageous and clear-minded. Turning to the environment, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) headline statement of its summary for policymakers in March 2023  declared that the world already has too many fossil fuels in production to limit global warming to the relatively safe level of 1.5 degrees Celsius. The global body of scientists said, “Projected CO2 emissions from existing fossil-fuel infrastructure without additional abatement would exceed the remaining carbon budget for 1.5°C.” This finding isn’t new, but saying the quiet part out loud is new. Let's use the influence we have to make sure everyone knows this is a crisis and doing something to move the greenhouse gas reduction efforts forward fast is paramount. Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, called on all countries to “massively fast-track climate efforts” and, specifically, for rich countries to hit “the fast-forward button” on commitments to reach net-zero – which means removing as much plant-heating pollution from the atmosphere as they emit."

References

Chang, J. 2008 The Role of Anonymity in Deindividuated Behavior: A Comparison of Deindividuation Theory and the Social Identity Model of Deindividuation Effects. Undergraduate J of Baylor University. https://www.baylor.edu/pulse/doc.php/77099.pdf

Elbeshbishi, S. Mar 15, 2023. Biden approved Willow project: What to know about the move to allow drilling in Alaska. USA Today.

Hendel, HJ. What is the change triangle? Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/emotion-information/201907/what-is-the-change-triangle

Hendel, HJ. Defenses and the change triangle tool.   https://www.hilaryjacobshendel.com/common-ways-to-avoid-emotions

Wallis-Well, D. Mar 8, 2023. Clean energy is less polarizing than you think. G.O.P. elites are simply lagging behind their states. NY Times.

Episode 48: In this episode host Angie Gust talks about parasites. Parasites are all around us, and inhabit our digestive tract through fecal -oral transmission of contaminated food and water as well as other sources. Although experts say that parasites are unavoidable, there are ways we can reduce exposure and build our bodies' resistance towards them, for instance adding fresh ginger, oregano, cloves and thyme to our diets. Turning to the environment, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is getting into the field.  President Biden has ordered federal agencies to assure that underserved communities can actually benefit from the IRA policies. Other good news is that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Michael Regan, announced $27 billion in grant funding from the Greenhouse Reduction Fund, part of the IRA. The funds are to finance projects that push forward our transition to renewable energy while addressing systemic injustices still afflicting underserved communities. Let's hope we can stay on the right path to clean and renewable energy for future generations.

References

Blades, M. Feb 17, 2023. Earth Matters: Biden administration announces plans on equity, renewables, environmental justice. Daily Kos. https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/2/17/2153148/-Earth-Matters-Biden-administration-announces-plans-on-equity-renewables-environmental-justice

Drugmand, D. Feb 13, 2023. Big Oil’s Been Secretly Validating Critics’ Concerns about Carbon Capture. https://www.desmog.com/2023/02/13/exxon-shell-bp-api-concerns-carbon-capture/

Thunberg, G. 2023. The Climate Book. Penguin Press 436p. Willson, K. Sept 6, 2018. How to control parasites naturally. https://www.glowingmumma.com/blog/simple-ways-to-control-parasites

Episode 47: In this episode, Angie Gust talks about hydrogen water (aka functional water).  In Japan, research on functional water, especially on reduced water which contains a lot of molecular hydrogen, is ongoing. The active substances in reduced water have been reported to be hydrogen, mineral nanoparticles, and mineral nanoparticle hydrides. Similar to therapeutic gas, hydrogen water has been studied in diverse patient populations and has shown positive effects on immunity and inflammation. Turning to the environment, helping solve the climate crisis requires critical thinking. Unfortunately, many people are lacking in critical thinking skills. Inoculation theory may help.  Inoculation theory is a branch of psychology that says just as exposing people to a weakened form of a virus builds up their immunity, so does exposing people to a weakened form of misinformation. Like warning people/students about politically or financially motivated attempts to spread misinformation about the environment.  Consider trying to give people you know a heads up about misinformation and see if it works.  

References

Broockman, D., & Kalla, J. (2022, April 1). The manifold effects of partisan media on viewers’ beliefs and attitudes: A field experiment with Fox News viewers. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/jrw26

Coile, C. Oct 2021.Sustainable Dog Food: Do Meat Substitutes & Insect-Based Diets Work? AKC. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/insect-based-dog-foods-other-meat-substitutes-in-pet-diets/ 

Dunne, D. Carbon Brief. Jan 16, 2023.  Can the world halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030? https://www.carbonbrief.org/

Harper, Jan 23, 2023. Turning problem sea algae into a replacement for plastic. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-64317261

NCSI. March 2022. Why teach critical thinking about climate change? https://ncse.ngo/why-teach-critical-thinking-about-climate-change

Poem for the Planet. Song by Airmate.

Sanetaka Shirahata, Takeki Hamasaki, Kiichiro Teruya. 2012. Advanced research on the health benefit of reduced water. Trends in Food Science & Technology. Volume 23, Issue 2, Pages 124-131,ISSN 0924-2244.

Sim M, Kim CS, Shon WJ, Lee YK, Choi EY, Shin DM. Hydrogen-rich water reduces inflammatory responses and prevents apoptosis of peripheral blood cells in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):12130.

Tomofuji T, Kawabata Y, Kasuyama K, Endo Y, Yoneda T, Yamane M, Azuma T, Ekuni D, Morita M. Effects of hydrogen-rich water on aging periodontal tissues in rats. Sci Rep. 2014 Jul 2;4:5534. doi: 10.1038/srep05534. PMID: 24985521; PMCID: PMC4078318. https://newrepublic.com/post/169824/important-new-years-resolution-climate

Wallis Wells, D. Jan 18, 2023. Why the world’s most prominent climate radicals are rebooting. The New York Times. Van der Linden, S. et al. 23 January 23, 2017. Inoculating the Public against Misinformation about Climate Change. https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.201600008

Episode 46: In this Episode, host Angie Gust talks about 5 brain hacks suggested by neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart.  They are 1) taking 5-10 deep breaths upon awakening, 2) visualizing your goals, 3) spending more time in nature, 4) writing a gratitude list, and 5) silencing your mind to foster creative thinking. You may already do all of these practices, but if not, perhaps consider incorporating 1 or 2 into your daily routine.  Turning to the environment, Dec 7-19 was the COP 15 UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal Canada.  A new set of goals to guide global action through 2030 to halt and reverse nature loss was agreed upon by governments worldwide. Canada's Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault, said, "It is truly a moment that will mark history as Paris did for climate."  Let's take some encouragement from this agreement and support all efforts to protect and increase biodiversity.

References

Briggs, H. COP15: Nations reach 'historic' deal to protect nature, https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-64019324

Canale, A., & Klontz, B. (2013). Hoarding Disorder: It’s More Than Just an Obsession - Implications for Financial Therapists and Planners. Journal of Financial Therapy, 4 (2) 4. https://doi.org/10.4148/ 1944-9771.1053 https://www.averyassociates.co.uk/excessive-wealth-as-a-manifestation-of-hoarding/

Hurst, D. May 18, 2021. Can the love of money be an addiction?https://www.tikvahlake.com/blog/can-the-love-of-money-be-an-addiction/

Neeley, B. Oct 16, 2022. I’m a Neuroscientist, and These Are 5 Things I Do Every Day To Hack My Brain’. https://biz.crast.net/im-a-neuroscientist-and-these-are-the-5-things-i-do-every-day-to-hack-my-brain/

Paracelsus Recovery. Mar 20, 2016. Addiction to wealth and power.https://www.paracelsus-recovery.com/blog/addiction-to-wealth-and-power/

Valdez, S. Oct 2019. Mother Earth. Family Friend Poems. https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poems/nature/environment/

Episode 45:  In this episode, host Angie Gust talks about a sensory intervention you can use for anxiety or a trauma memory. First, take a slow deep breath.  Then, acknowledge five things you see around you, four things you can touch around you, three things you hear, two things you can smell and finally one thing you can taste. That should help to ground you in the moment. Turning to the environment, Oxfam, a poverty alleviation organization, published a report to coincide with COP27-again held last November. The report was about the 125 richest people in the world. The analysis showed that on average, this group is emitting 3 million tons of CO2 a year, more than a million times the average for someone in the bottom 90% of humanity.  What legacy are they leaving future generations?

References

Burgess, M. Nov. 17, 2022. This Plastic Packaging Alternative Can Compost in a Year. Wired. https://www.wired.com/story/wired-impact-shellworks-biodegradable-plastic/

Cosier, S. Nov 22, 2022. How Floating Wetlands Are Helping to Clean Up Urban Waters. https://e360.yale.edu/features/floating-wetlands-cities-pollution

Disney, A. Nov 29, 2022. Opinion: Abigail Disney: 125 billionaires control our climate future. https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/29/opinions/billionaires-climate-crisis-abigail-disney/index.html

Oxfam. Nov 2022. Carbon Billionaires. https://oxfamilibrary.openrepository.com/bitstream/handle/10546/621446/bn-carbon-billlionaires-071122-en.pdf?sequence=14

Seidelman , James. Jan 2, 2022. Republicans exploit people’s biases to win elections. The Salt Lake Tribune.  https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/commentary/2021/12/31/james-seidelman-john-p/

Seymour, E. Jun 14, 2012. The Bowl of Light. Mind Body Mandala. http://mindbodymandala.com/mind-body-mandala/the-bowl-of-light/

Smith, S. Apr 10, 2018. Behavioral Health Partners. U of Rochester Medical Center. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/behavioral-health-partners/bhp-blog/april-2018/5-4-3-2-1-coping-technique-for-anxiety.aspx

Wallis Wells, D. Nov 23,2022. The world’s powers are beginning to look beyond the project of decarbonization. New York Times.

Episode 44: In this episode, host Angie Gust talks about what we can do to nourish our brain. First, among foods, oily fish with their Omega-3s help build membranes around each cell in the body, including the brain cells, and can help with circulation in the brain. Oily fish, along with berries, coffee, dark chocolate, nuts and seeds, are rich in antioxidants which inhibit oxidation.  The free radical theory says that organisms age because they accumulate oxidative damage. In addition, avocados may reduce blood pressure and eggs have B vitamins and choline that may prevent cognitive decline. Other ways to help your brain are getting adequate sleep, being well hydrated, exercising and keeping at the best weight for you. Turning to the environment, at COP 27, one of the US-led initiatives is the Green Shipping Challenge, which encourages entities along the shipping supply chain to make concrete steps regarding how they will put the shipping sector on a pathway toward full decarbonization no later than 2050.  Let's be hopeful that concrete actions materialize as a result of the COP 27 conference.

References

Berlatsky, N. May 27, 2018. The Trump Effect: New study connects white American intolerance and support for authoritarianism. https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/trump-effect-new-study-connects-white-american-intolerance-support-authoritarianism-ncna877886

Beyond Plastics. 2021. The New Coal: Plastics and Climate Change. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5eda91260bbb7e7a4bf528d8/t/616ef29221985319611a64e0/1634661022294/REPORT_The_New-Coal_Plastics_and_Climate-Change_10-21-2021.pdf

Burgess, L. Jan 2, 2020.  12 foods to boost brain function. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324044#broccoli

COP 27 Update for Business Leaders: Green Funding, Climate Technologies Top Countries’ To-Do List. https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/cop-27-update-for-business-leaders-4872500/

MEE staff. Oct 21, 2022. Cop27: Greta Thunberg backs Egypt political prisoners ahead of climate summit. Middle East Eye. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypt-greta-thunberg-backs-political-prisoners-cop27

 Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’ . A prayer for our earth. Catholic Agency for Overseas Development.

Ramirez, R. Sept 27, 2022. Single-use plastic is wreaking havoc on the planet. Here’s what you can do to minimize your impact. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/16/us/plastic-recycling-climate-impact-lbg/index.html

Wallis-Wells, D. Nov 10, 2022. Our carbon budget is running out quickly. The NY Times.

Episode 43:  In this episode, host Angie Gust talks a little about our vibrations and our mitochondria.  Do you all remember learning about mitochondria in school?  The powerhouse of the cell?  There is a body of research focused on how to improve and increase the number of your mitochondria.  It is important to know that  mitochondria are cell organelles that are responsible not only for energy, but also for exerting a major role in the aging process and in the development of age-related diseases.

This month is the UN conference of the parties #27.  It is set for November 7-18, 2022 in Sharm el-Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt.  Over 2000 speakers are expected. The Egypt web site on the meeting states that there will be a broad interaction with various stakeholders where the voice of youth, women, civil society and indigenous people will be at the center of these discussions. They go on to say that areas will focus on the promise of innovation and clean technologies as well as the importance of water and agriculture to the climate crisis. Let's be positive that immediate actionable steps come from this conference.

References

COP 27 Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt 2022. https://cop27.eg/#/

Greenheart Education. https://www.greenhearted.org/restore-the-earths-former-paradise.html

Metabolic Meals. June 20, 2021. 10 Ways to Boost Your Mitochondria.https://blog.mymetabolicmeals.com/mitochondria-health/#:~:text=Physical%20exercise%20is%20the%20best,keep%20up%20with%20the%20demand.

Neumann, D. Sept 21, 2022. Inflation Reduction Act signals consumer-owned power will be ‘driving force’ in climate fight. Beacon. https://mainebeacon.com/inflation-reduction-act-signals-consumer-owned-power-will-be-driving-force-in-climate-fight/

Nilsen, E. Sept 15, 2022. Biden administration announces plan to develop floating offshore wind turbines for West Coast. CNN

Norio Okabayashi, Angelo Peronio, Magnus Paulsson, Toyoko Arai, and Franz J. Giessibl. 2018.Vibrations of a molecule in an external force field  PNAS Vol. 115 | No. 18

Lo, J. Jan 17, 2022. Egypt names foreign minister Sameh Shoukry to lead Cop27 climate talks. https://www.climatechangenews.com/2022/01/17/egypt-names-foreign-minister-sameh-shoukry-lead-cop27-climate-talks/

Stanborough, RJ. 2020. What is vibrational energy. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/vibrational-energy

Vermillion, S. Sept 22, 2022. Regenerative Travel Is the Next Phase of Responsible Tourism. Outside. https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/news-analysis/regenerative-travel-is-the-next-phase-of-responsible-tourism/

Episode 42: In this episode, host Angie Gust talks about the benefits of oil pulling. Oil pulling is a detox practice which originated in India over 3000 years ago.  The oil is ‘pulled’ and forced in between all the teeth by swishing it all around the mouth.  Then you spit it out and brush. You don't swallow it.  Oil pulling is believed to help in the excretion of toxic heavy metals by saliva.  Turning to the environment, I know we are all so happy that after long last, in August, the government dedicated money -369 billion in climate and energy investments --to addressing climate change. Three major analyses done to date project a 40% reduction in American emissions, compared to a baseline of 2005 levels.  This would cut about a billion tons of carbon a year by 2030 - a little more than halfway from where we are now to where we’ve promised to be.  The bill is good but we are still left short of our goal.  We have to keep advocating, working, and innovating. We can get there!

References

Asokan S, Emmadi P, Chamundeswari R. Effect of oil pulling on plaque induced gingivitis: a randomized, controlled, triple-blind study. Indian J Dent Res. 2009 Jan-Mar;20(1):47-51. doi: 10.4103/0970-9290.49067. PMID: 19336860.

Barnet, Vern. Earth Day Prayer: In the Spirit of Indigenous Traditions. https://www.uua.org/worship/words/meditation/5590.shtml

Jost, J. T., Glaser, J., Kruglanski, A. W., & Sulloway, F. J. (2003). Political conservatism as motivated social cognition. Psychological Bulletin, 129(3), 339–375. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.129.3.339

Lambert K. and Gleim, S. 10 things you can do to save the planet. April 20, 2022. https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/save-earth-top-ten.htm

Pollizi, N. How to detox your body with oil pulling. https://www.thesacredscience.com/how-to-detox-your-body-with-oil-pulling/

Shanbhag VK. Oil pulling for maintaining oral hygiene - A review. J Tradit Complement Med. 2016 Jun 6;7(1):106-109. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2016.05.004. PMID: 28053895; PMCID: PMC5198813.

Wallace Wells, D. Aug. 17, 2022. The landscape is so different now that we can make more climate progress for less money. The New York Times.

Wegemer CM, Vandell DL. Parenting, temperament, and attachment security as antecedents of political orientation: Longitudinal evidence from early childhood to age 26. Dev Psychol. 2020 Jul;56(7):1360-1371. doi: 10.1037/dev0000965. Epub 2020 May 7. PMID: 32378919; PMCID: PMC8274710.

Episode 41: In this episode, host Angie Gust talk about the vagus nerve. It is part of a circuit that links the neck, heart, lungs, and abdomen to the brain and is critical in balancing the nervous system. Is there any way we can help the vagus nerve, especially if we have excessive worry or anxiety?  Yes. One thing is a yogic practice called Sudarshan Kriya aka SKY for short. It consists of a specific sequence of varying breathing rates separated by brief periods of normal breathing.  Consider trying it.  Now, turning to the environment. To show that people can live off 100% renewable energy, just look at Canberra, Australia. Ten years ago when the Australian Capital Territory government, which oversees Canberra, embarked on a mission to achieve the goal of 90% renewable energy by 2020, it was dismissed and said to be impossible.  But, the Australian Capital Territory reached their goal in under a decade, and the people of Canberra today have the cheapest energy bills in Australia’s national energy market! Canberra is showing what can be done.

References

Kipp, J. Traditional and contemporary native culture. Trailtribes.org http://trailtribes.org/greatfalls/all-my-relations.htm#:~:text=%22The%20Blackfeet%20always%20pray%20to,health%2C%20and%20for%20all%20life.

Noble LJ, Meruva VB, Hays SA, Rennaker RL, Kilgard MP, McIntyre CK. 2019.  Vagus nerve stimulation promotes generalization of conditioned fear extinction and reduces anxiety in rats. Brain Stimul. 12(1):9-18. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2018.09.013. Epub 2018 Sep 21. PMID: 30287193; PMCID: PMC6301121.

Opray, M. July 19, 2022. The Tiny Australian Territory That Avoided the Global Energy Crisis. Reasons to be cheerful. https://reasonstobecheerful.world/australian-capital-territory-renewables-global-energy-crisis/

Rampell, C. July 21, 2022. Texan politicians won’t say this, but solar is saving their tushies right now. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/07/21/heat-energy-crisis-would-be-worse-without-solar/

Seymour, T. June 28, 2017. Everything you need to know about the vagus nerve. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318128#

Weitzberg, E. and Lundberg, JON. 2002. Humming greatly increases nasal nitric oxide. https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/10.1164/rccm.200202-138BC

WWF. 10 things you can do to save our planet. https://www.wwf.org.uk/thingsyoucando

Zope SA, Zope RA. Sudarshan kriya yoga: Breathing for health. Int J Yoga. 2013 Jan;6(1):4-10. doi: 10.4103/0973-6131.105935. PMID: 23440614; PMCID: PMC3573542.