Earth Chats

In this episode: Your friends at SCARCE answer frequently asked questions. China, the USA and wish-cycling. Spatula-clean is good enough. Tuna cans, worm tea and other lawn-watering secrets. Bring out your dragonflies. Noticing Nature! Dancing deer. Cleaner skies. Why you shouldn’t try to recycle shredded paper curbside. Other recycling mishaps: Why plastic bags do not belong in recycling bins.

Inquiring minds want to know:

• Do I need to rinse out my cans before recycling? 
• How do I get rid of mosquitoes in my yard?
• What do you do with shredded paper? 
• Is China no longer accepting recyclables from the USA? 
• What’s the effect of the COVID-19 quarantine on the environment? 
• What are the lasting impacts on our air quality? 

Mentioned in this episode:

Repel Mosquitoes with Dragonflies
Spice Bushes
Green Tree Plastics

If you enjoy Earth Chats, please consider making a donation! Your support means the world to us and will help us keep making great content just like this. And of course, be sure to hit that subscribe button to stay up to date!
SCARCE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent the law allows.

Follow us on facebook and instagram @EarthChatsPod.

Earth Chats podcast is a production of SCARCE Environmental Education.
Produced by Louise Kelly
Music by Louise Kelly
Sound production by Bella Rose

View full Earth Chats episode list.

The post S2 Episode 18 – Think Globally, Ask Locally appeared first on SCARCE.

What can high school students do to help the environment? Downers Grove South High School students Heather Lea and Jordan Bertrand chat with the crew from SCARCE. 

In this episode: DGS Earth Action Club. Life of a Mustang. Energy slam. Biology Class. Intro to Environmental Legislation 101. The joys of plarn and Burger King. Meatless Mondays. Collections inspired by SCARCE: Bread tags and gift-cards repurposed. Peeling crayons for the common good. Guest appearances by DGS Student Activities Director Jen Marinez and Club Sponsor James Workman.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Downers Grove South High School 
• Bread tags: Danielle Cares for Chairs
• Village of Downers Grove

If you enjoy Earth Chats, please consider making a donation! Your support means the world to us and will help us keep making great content just like this. And of course, be sure to hit that subscribe button to stay up to date!
SCARCE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent the law allows.

Follow us on facebook and instagram @EarthChatsPod.

Earth Chats podcast is a production of SCARCE Environmental Education.
Produced by Louise Kelly
Music by Louise Kelly
Sound production by Bella Rose

View full Earth Chats episode list.

The post S2 Episode 17 – Earth Action: DGS High School Students Speak appeared first on SCARCE.

Join us for a countdown to Earth Day with season 2 of Earth Chats. We’re releasing an episode every weekday through April 22nd, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

In this episode: ? Celebrating the 50th anniversary Earth Day. ?Celebrating Earth Chat’s 1 year anniversary. 

Champions of Earth Day: Our Grandmothers. Dr. Suess. Senator Gaylord Nelson. Teddy Roosevelt. John Muir. Rachel Carson. Ellen Swallow. Jane Goodall. William McDonough. Sandra Steingraber. People on your town’s Environmental Commission. John Mulroe. Paul Simon, Jen Walling. 

Celebrating the strides we’ve made in the last 50 years. Happy Earth Day to you!

Books mentioned in this episode:

• Living Downstream
• Cradle to Cradle
• Silent Spring
• Tapped Out
• The Lorax

If you enjoy Earth Chats, please consider making a donation! Your support means the world to us and will help us keep making great content just like this. And of course, be sure to hit that subscribe button to stay up to date!
SCARCE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent the law allows.

Follow us on facebook and instagram @EarthChatsPod.

Earth Chats podcast is a production of SCARCE Environmental Education.
Produced by Louise Kelly
Music by Louise Kelly
Sound production by Bella Rose

View full Earth Chats episode list.

The post S2 Episode 16 – Earth Day Champions appeared first on SCARCE.

Join us for a countdown to Earth Day with season 2 of Earth Chats. We’re releasing an episode every weekday through April 22nd, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

In this episode: The inside scoop on this inspiring non-profit. An acronym explained: School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education. Building strong communities. Supporting teachers. The great connectors: Rescuing books, musical instruments, choir robes, band uniforms- finding new school homes. Waste audits! Legislative projects. Tearful tribute to a phenomenal leader. A “whatever-it-takes” attitude. 

Small things we do add up to big things.

Zoom out: It’s not about me. It’s not about today. It’s about all of us. It’s about the future. 

Join us in all the fun! Volunteer or donate. 

Mentioned in this episode:

• Illinois Environmental Council
• SCARCE

If you enjoy Earth Chats, please consider making a donation! Your support means the world to us and will help us keep making great content just like this. And of course, be sure to hit that subscribe button to stay up to date!
SCARCE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent the law allows.

Follow us on facebook and instagram @EarthChatsPod.

Earth Chats podcast is a production of SCARCE Environmental Education.
Produced by Louise Kelly
Music by Louise Kelly
Sound production by Bella Rose

View full Earth Chats episode list.

The post S2 Episode 15 – SCARCE Inspires appeared first on SCARCE.

Join us for a countdown to Earth Day with season 2 of Earth Chats. We’re releasing an episode every weekday through April 22nd, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

Reduce your carbon footprint. Reduce your energy consumption.

In this episode: There’s a reason pots have lids. Put a sweater on! High tech and ancient ways of drying clothes. Carol’s backyard Solar Dryer. Jaw drop: Borrow a “Kill A Watt” from your local library. Save energy and unplug three things. Sweet dreams. Reducing our entire American carbon footprint. 

Mentioned in this episode:

• DuPage Foundation
• SCARCE Energy Bike
• SCARCE Solar Energy
• Illinois Solar (Wild Apricot)
• Kill A Watt

If you enjoy Earth Chats, please consider making a donation! Your support means the world to us and will help us keep making great content just like this. And of course, be sure to hit that subscribe button to stay up to date!
SCARCE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent the law allows.

Follow us on facebook and instagram @EarthChatsPod.

Earth Chats podcast is a production of SCARCE Environmental Education.
Produced by Louise Kelly
Music by Louise Kelly
Sound production by Bella Rose

View full Earth Chats episode list.

The post S2 Episode 14 – Coming from a place of power. appeared first on SCARCE.

Join us for a countdown to Earth Day with season 2 of Earth Chats. We’re releasing an episode every weekday through April 22nd, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

In this episode: The preciousness of water. Heather has a great business idea. Greywater. Storm Drain Medallions. Living downstream. Caring for aquatic life. Anything we put on the land ends up in our water. Life Hacks for conservation. Showing love to water: rain barrels, native plants, 5-minute showers, full loads (laundry and dishes), compost, education, responsible disposal of medicines.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Dupage Foundation
• Illinois Environmental Council
• SCARCE Watershed Model
• Check your own water quality at EWG
• DuPage County Stormwater Management

If you enjoy Earth Chats, please consider making a donation! Your support means the world to us and will help us keep making great content just like this. And of course, be sure to hit that subscribe button to stay up to date!
SCARCE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent the law allows.

Follow us on facebook and instagram @EarthChatsPod.

Earth Chats podcast is a production of SCARCE Environmental Education.
Produced by Louise Kelly
Music by Louise Kelly
Sound production by Bella Rose

View full Earth Chats episode list.

The post S2 Episode 13 – Water: keepin’ it clean. appeared first on SCARCE.

Join us for a countdown to Earth Day with season 2 of Earth Chats. We’re releasing an episode every weekday through April 22nd, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

In this episode: Indoor composting. Starting your own worm bin for home or school. Not just any worm: Red Wigglers, excellent house guests. Feeding and caring for them. Myths: Don’t cut them in half. (They don’t survive and they do feel pain.) Plants love worm tea-time. Boilin’ egg shells and saving cereal bags. Earthworms: the only creatures named after our planet. ?

Mentioned in this episode:

• SCARCE Earth Day Virtual MeetUp

If you enjoy Earth Chats, please consider making a donation! Your support means the world to us and will help us keep making great content just like this. And of course, be sure to hit that subscribe button to stay up to date!
SCARCE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent the law allows.

Follow us on facebook and instagram @EarthChatsPod.

Earth Chats podcast is a production of SCARCE Environmental Education.
Produced by Louise Kelly
Music by Louise Kelly
Sound production by Bella Rose

View full Earth Chats episode list.

The post S2 Episode 12 – Vermicomposting: welcome the worms appeared first on SCARCE.

Join us for a countdown to Earth Day with season 2 of Earth Chats. We’re releasing an episode every weekday through April 22nd, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

In this episode: Carol, Heather and Kay interview Adam Kreuzer, an advocate with the International Dark Sky Association. How we can fight light pollution and save our dark sky. Protecting the night sky from light pollution. Circadian rhythms. Nocturnal animals and light trespassing. Migrating birds navigate by the stars. Moths pollinate in darkness.  

What you can do about lighting around your home at night

1. Use less
2. Use a dimmer 
3. Angle the light fixtures pointing down
4. LED Bulbs: Look for 2700 Kelvin and less than 500 lumens

Mentioned in this episode: 

• IDA (International Dark Sky Association)
• International Dark Sky Week
• Homer Glen Stargazing

If you enjoy Earth Chats, please consider making a donation! Your support means the world to us and will help us keep making great content just like this. And of course, be sure to hit that subscribe button to stay up to date!
SCARCE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent the law allows.

Follow us on facebook and instagram @EarthChatsPod.

Earth Chats podcast is a production of SCARCE Environmental Education.
Produced by Louise Kelly
Music by Louise Kelly
Sound production by Bella Rose

View full Earth Chats episode list.

The post S2 Episode 11 – Dream of Dark Skies: interview with Adam Kreuzer of Int’l Dark-Sky Association appeared first on SCARCE.

Join us for a countdown to Earth Day with season 2 of Earth Chats. We’re releasing an episode every weekday through April 22nd, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

In this episode: If it came from nature, it returns to nature. Getting kids involved. Getting worms involved. Smashing pumpkins. The mysteries of Wet/Dry & Brown/Green explained. Which bin should you use? Kay “Macgyvers” a garbage can into a compost bin. FAQ’s: (Does it smell? Attract critters?)

Countless reasons to do it. Here’s a few: 
It’s easy. 
It saves money. 
It reduces your waste. 
It reduces methane gas emissions from landfills.
It’s good for your soil.
And so much more.

Mentioned in this episode: 

• SCARCE:DIY compost for homes
• SCARCE: Composting for schools
• IEC: Illinois Environmental Council

If you enjoy Earth Chats, please consider making a donation! Your support means the world to us and will help us keep making great content just like this. And of course, be sure to hit that subscribe button to stay up to date!
SCARCE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent the law allows.

Follow us on facebook and instagram @EarthChatsPod.

Earth Chats podcast is a production of SCARCE Environmental Education.
Produced by Louise Kelly
Music by Louise Kelly
Sound production by Bella Rose

View full Earth Chats episode list.

The post S2 Episode 10 – Compost: giving back to the Earth appeared first on SCARCE.

Join us for a countdown to Earth Day with season 2 of Earth Chats. We’re releasing an episode every weekday through April 22nd, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

In this episode: George Washington, the conservationist. Gardens, horses, distillery. Love for soil. Care for water. Responsibility to the lives of 40 oak trees. Copious notes. Student of nature. Careful composter: If it comes from nature you have to give it back. 

His mother? Taught him to ride horses. A strong woman with a strong garden. Diversity in planting produces better results. His teeth? Made from animal bones. His dentist: a different story. 

Observing in place. Founding fathers walking in the green. “Whether you’re writing the constitution, or doing your homework, or being with your family, it’s such a good thing to have nature all around us.”

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Dennis Pogue: Colonial Archaeologist
• Field Museum Soil Exhibit: Underground Adventure

If you enjoy Earth Chats, please consider making a donation! Your support means the world to us and will help us keep making great content just like this. And of course, be sure to hit that subscribe button to stay up to date!
SCARCE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent the law allows.

Follow us on facebook and instagram @EarthChatsPod.

Earth Chats podcast is a production of SCARCE Environmental Education.
Produced by Louise Kelly
Music by Louise Kelly
Sound production by Bella Rose

View full Earth Chats episode list.

The post S2 Episode 9 – Founding Fathers: In the Green appeared first on SCARCE.