EarthMatters

In today's show we speak with Kale Black, an inspiring young environmentalist, who speaks from the heart and talks about the spirituality he experiences while talking to students about the environment, or when holding workshops on sustainability, or when he's sorting through a hundred pounds of recycled material.

Kale's passion for nature and respect for the environment began in high school where he established the Aldershot High School Eco-club.

• He launched Burlington Transit Youth Ambassador Program  
• He has co-ordinated efforts at 39 events, resulting in more than 57 tonnes of recyclables/compostables diverted from the landfill.
• He has participated in dozens of cleanups, plantings, invasive species removals.
• He has led eco-focused workshops for almost 7,000 children.
• And, he has co-led the planning of 5 Youth Eco-Summits, reaching over 2,000 students from grades 7–12.

Environment Hamilton was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2001 and has worked since then to inspire people to protect and enhance our environment through leadership, education and advocacy.

We spoke with Lynda Lukasik, Executive Director of Environment Hamilton.  http://environmenthamilton.org/

Samantha Rose and Anna Casey-Cox are passionate advocates for a healthy earth and a thriving society. Their weekly radio program, 'Earth Matters' offers topics on how to apply the permaculture ethics of Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share to our lives and communities.

I spoke to Samantha Rose of the New Zealand program 'Earth Matters', broadcast on Free-FM.  We decided to find out a bit more about each other, and our programs.  We found a common approach to some of the most pressing environmental issues facing our communities and the planet at large.

This is the final episode in our three part series, "Can Protests Stop Bottled Water?"

In this episode we dive a little deeper into the controversy surrounding one location in Canada, the campaigns mounted by volunteers, and the reaction from regional governments trying to balance the needs of citizens to access clean, fresh water with the realities of an industry that earns billions of dollars in revenue, creates some jobs for local residents and generates tax revenues for municipalities.

In this, the second part of our multi-part special on bottled water and the community groups fighting the extraction of bulk water, we further examine the complaints against bottled water and the defense water bottling companies use to justify water taking.

Are governments doing enough to protect water?  How do regulations and restrictions affect the issue?

We also take a look at some of the citizens groups that have sprouted up around the continent to understand their tactics and objectives.

Bottled water has created a firestorm of protest as aquifers are depleted, droughts continue, and fresh water becomes a commodity.  More and more communities are saying "No to Nestle" and other water bottlers - yet sales of bottled water continue to climb. Can local, non-profit, groups of citizens fight against big corporations and win?  Why does Nestle Waters have a target on its back?  What are the myths and facts surrounding water taking?  Part 1 of a series.

Sept. 12-14, 2018, the Global Climate Action Summit will bring leaders and people together from around the world to "Take Ambition to the Next Level." It will be a moment to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of states, regions, cities, companies, investors and citizens with respect to climate action.

It will also be a launchpad for deeper worldwide commitments and accelerated action from countries—supported by all sectors of society—that can put the globe on track to prevent dangerous climate change and realize the historic Paris Agreement.

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million business people, in 35,000 chapters, dedicated to 'service above self'.

Rotary's people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, they are always working to better our world.

ESRAG was formed to empower members of the Rotary Family worldwide to take actions to sustain our environment, particularly to stabilize our climate.  

Karen Kendrick-Hands is one of the founding members of ESRAG and its past-chair.

Extreme Weather Events have become the 'New Normal'.  What should we be looking for and how can we work with nature to prepare ourselves for 'catastrophic' events.

Sara Jane O'Neill, Lead Author of the Smart Prosperity Institute's report - 'Defining and Scoping Municipal Natural Assets'.

Tys Thysmeyer, Head of Natural Lands at the Royal Botannical Gardens - the Flood of 2017.

Chris McLaughlin, Executive Director of the Bay Area Restoration Council - remediation progress in one of Canada's most polluted harbours.

In 2013 Island Press launched the Urban Resilience Project (URP) with support from The Kresge Foundation and The JPB Foundation. The project is working to imagine and inspire the sustainable, equitable, resilient cities of the future. It brings together thought leaders with a broad range of expertise to generate and cross-pollinate ideas. These ideas are shared in a variety of media—books, articles, podcasts interviews, webinars, and educational coursework.

Laurie Mazur is the Island Press Managing Editor for the project.