An American classic, the first volume of “The Foxfire Book”. Also some discussion of plastic and atmospheric geo-engineering (both bad), the right to repair and growing up green (both good).

Though the virus is still very much in the air, we can celebrate the end of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, and the beginning of a national climate plan in the US House. Also, a couple tips on how to keep your air healthy at home these days. Then, we turn to “The Honorable Art of Loving” by Andreas Capellanus, composed in the 12th Century for Eleanor of Aquitaine’s court at Poitiers Palace. Finally, it’s never a bad time to ask about mental vs. physical pleasures and how we might weigh them up.

New voter polls on the environment, an Arctic update, The Nature Conservancy’s Family Forest initiative, and soil scientist Rattan Lal’s World Food Prize. Friedrich Nietzsche’s “Birth of Tragedy”, the Apollonian-Dionysian duality, and a new poem, “My Closest Neighbors”.

Reason and freedom in the opening lines of Epictetus’s “Discourses”. / Sizzling summer energy tips. / Poem “How Do You Sound?” / Art and moral education (e.g. “The Wreck of the Old 97”). / In the news: the EIA releases numbers to support the milestone announced last year – renewables surpass coal in electricity generation – and the Southeast region is the fastest growing utility solar market. New York is the first state to reject a gas pipeline for climate reasons, and the Empire State Bldg sets an example in Manhattan by slashing its emissions 40%. The US ranks 24th on the environment, near the bottom of the developed world. The UK proposes to subsidize the move to electric transportation.

Good to be back after a two-month quarantine from the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to some news, we look at dying in America, the “Man of Empty Words”, and the difficulty in understanding human motivation. Also, a reading of the opening lines of Pope Francis’ 2015 Laudato Si’, “On Care For Our Common Home.” Finally, here’s one thing we did while sheltering at home.

Special edition on the nature of courage. So, take heart and let’s start thinking. We also say goodbye to “winter” and hello to “shoulder season”. Also, test your word game skill on our featured word “brave”.

Virginia is about to pass moderate, but historic and long-overdue, climate and energy legislation. “Maude the Moderate” is someone the Democratic party knows well. Insect populations are dropping as groups struggle to respond to E.O. Wilson’s call for us to save half the earth for … life. Bristol, England (different from Bristol, Virginia in almost every respect) has declared an Ecological Emergency. And, a new fable titled The Miser.

The now infamous Jim Molan kicks off the show by kicking his fellow Australians when they’re down. On the upside, jobs in the energy storage industry are expected to boom, the “worst case scenario” has probably (slightly) improved, renewables are about to surpass coal and nuclear on US grids, and some hybrids get a big green thumbs up, beating out EV’s on the EDX score. Finally, a fable about Three Peacocks, along with some thoughts about statues.

An incredible opportunity to help remote Equadorian villagers protect their corner of the Amazon from oil drilling … by teaching their kids English. The WEF’s recent global risk report is all about the environment. Financial giant, Blackrock, fires a warning shot to businesses and investors. 2020 brings an uptick in renewables, along with a jump in the number of voters alarmed about the climate. Also, can a new year’s resolution really help us make a change in our personal lives? Finally, a strange climate dream, and some thoughts about dreams in general.

Rural America’s political guru talks about the economics of the Green New Deal initiative, and how tackling issues of wealth inequality also solves environmental problems. Anthony and his organization S.C.A.L.E. (Sequestering Carbon, Accelerating Local Economies) are currently working with other state leaders on a blueprint for Virginia’s version of the G.N.D. – with the expectation that successes at the state and local level will inspire more confidence at the national level.