Solutions News

In this episode of Solutions News, we focus on cities as major players in revolutionizing the carbon economy. Our Guest is David Gershon, founder and CEO of the Empowerment Institute, as well as a long time Fellow of the World Business Academy, and we talk with David about his plan for Isla Vista to be carbon neutral by 2025 and his initiative to bring scalable, trackable carbon neutrality to cities by activating the citizenry statewide one block at a time. (Producer: Kristy Jansen) For full show details visit, solutionsnews.org.

This week on Solutions News, we interview Das Williams, Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor, who's running for re-election. With the election coming up, we wanted to take the time to focus on local elections, which impact our daily lives in some ways more powerfully than general elections, and it is these local officials who feed the pipeline for Statewide and National Political leadership. They are the County Supervisors who guide local development, our School Board Members who determine what we teach and how. In this race, Das Williams is focused on solutions to Community Resilience, Energy, Housing and Transportation infrastructure, and how to bring the community together. Topics on the show also address renewables driven community microgrids, the power of radio to bring diverse communities together in honor of World Radio Day. For full show details go to solutionsnews.org/listen (Produced by Kristy Jansen. Photo Das Wiliams and Joan Hartmann serve on MBCP - credit: CostalView.com)

This week on Solutions News, we interview Laura Capps, Candidate for Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor. With the election coming up, we wanted to take the time to focus on local elections, which impact our daily lives in some ways more powerfully than general elections, and it is these local officials who feed the pipeline for Statewide and National Political leadership. They are the County Supervisors who guide local development, our School Board Members who determine what we teach and how. In this local race, Laura Capps' agenda includes poverty, climate safety, and housing, topics that are always in need of solutions. Other topics addressed on this episode include the legacy of California's Prop 13, which is also on the ballot this time around, and we highlight the rise of electric vehicles in this year's Superbowl Ads. The times they are a changin'!

Next week we will interview Das Williams, current 1st District Supervisor for Santa Barbara County, also running in this race local race. (Produced by Kristy Jansen)

This week on Solutions News, we welcome Kristine Schwarz, Executive Director of New Beginnings Counseling Center, a mental health center that provides services to low-income families and individuals. When it comes to mental health, having a safe place to sleep is the first step to treatment. But having an address is also essential to access other types of support - including the ability to open a bank account! On the edge of stability, how does a person manage his or her finances? That’s a question we had too. Something as simple as cashing a check becomes increasingly difficult in an increasingly cashless society, so what is it like being unbanked in America, and what are some solutions? Listen now! For more details go to solutionsnews.org (Produced by Kristy Jansen)

On today’s show, in honor of our Guest, Aaron Briner, Battalion Chief - Fire Marshall for Montecito Fire Protection District, we outline how Emergency Response works, learn from Aaron about how the prevention services are just as much a part of what keeps us safe from fires, floods and other disasters large and small. We also celebrate our first responders, discuss the challenges of the job, and ask how we can support them in our communities. Full show notes at solutionsnews.org (produced by Kristy Jansen)

It’s no question that fossil fuels are on the way out. Hydrogen holds great potential as a sustainable form of energy. On this episode of Solutions News, we visited the National Energy Laboratories in Hawaii with expert Mitch Ewan. Ewan is the Hydrogen Systems Program Manager at the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute at the University of Hawaii. Hydrogen is extremely abundant and easily harvested, and the key to an energy future that produces energy at a much lower environmental and financial cost than fossil fuels. If harvested using green electricity, Hydrogen also has zero environmental impact. To learn more about the hydrogen economy from this episode with Mitch Ewan, listen now! For more details go to solutionsnews.org. (Produced by Kristy Jansen)

On this episode of Solutions News, host Rinaldo Brutoco and producer Kristy Jansen talk agroforestry with expert Dave Sansone, an agroforestry and permaculture researcher and consultant on the Island of Hawaii. Sansone practices a climate-friendly, “no-till, no work” farming strategies in Hawaii that allows for the best outcome with the least effort. The episode spotlighted Hawaii in the conversation of agroforestry and "bio-tilling". Specifically, the three discussed the use of regenerative agriculture to grow food, feed, and fiber. Farmers are discovering that a systemic focus on soil health will award them better outcomes with less inputs. This is because regenerative agriculture aims to boost microbial activity, carbon retention, and water infiltration in the soil so plants can more efficiently obtain what they need. The best way to achieve this? Do less, not more. The soil is an integral part of the entire ecosystem, and it is a complex system in itself.

Agroforestry is defined as sustainable agriculture which grows trees alongside other crops and animals to benefit all parties, including people and the greater environment. According to the U.S. Forest Service, strategic agroforestry can increase crop yields by 56 percent. Agroforestry is a type of regenerative agriculture that increases the productivity of the land by restoring organic materials to the soil, thus resulting in the previously mentioned benefits such as carbon retention. This unique solution provides more than a quick fix to a complex and pressing issue. Agroforestry produces a diverse crop yield, a healthy ecosystem, and a resilient habitat that can more easily adapt to a changing planet. To learn more about agroforestry and other topics from last week’s episode of Solutions News, please visit www.solutionsnews.org/dave-sansone.

On this episode of Solutions News, we address the secrets of success and self-mastery along with our guest Jack Canfield, the esteemed originator of The Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. First with a look at how Americans learned about personal empowerment by learning how to master communication, then with a story on one of the greatest inspirational projects of all time, and finally with some specific tips on how to build better habits - Just in time for New Years! We will also have our fan favorite “didyaknow” segment! Listeners of the show are welcome to visit Jack's website and sign up for a free gift: "The Success Principles 10-Day Transformation." (original airdate: 7/19/19) Produced by Kristy Jansen

On this episode of Solutions News, we interview Barry Schoer, Executive Director of the Sanctuary Centers, and a lifelong advocate for the humane and effective treatment of those who live with addiction and mental health issues. We explore the cultural implications of the current addiction crises in the United States and the world. We discuss how community based supportive living situations are a more effective and humane solution for the seriously ill rather than abandoning them to fend for themselves on the street or in the prison system. We end the show with a look at the crisis for connection that affects much of the world, and how we each might find our way towards human connection. (Original airdate: 8/9/19) Produced by Kristy Jansen

On this episode of Solutions News, we welcome Dr. Brian von Herzen, the Executive Director of the Climate Foundation, who’ll be talking with us about marine permaculture and some amazing things he’s developing to help the world. Our topics today are focused on the ocean: first a story about how bacterial microbes “eat” carbon dioxide all while providing a food source for fish and cleaning up industrial waste in the meantime, and another about how man-made artifacts in the oceans are being turned into marine habitats where life is thriving! Later on, we have some great didyaknows, and a final story on some health benefits of eating ocean greens. (Original airdate: 5/31/19) Produced by Kristy Jansen