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Extinctions, even mass extinctions, are not unprecedented. The "Big Five" extinction events in the long history of life have been devastating. What was the cause of all of the major extinction events? It might surprise you... In modern times, humans historically have caused a great many annihilations of species. Early Americans were responsible for the greatest animal extermination involving billions of creatures. Tune in - it's an amazing story. What is it going to take to save the endangered plants and animals today? We are very capable of doing it. Do we want to? Listen in for a better understanding, and to possibly motivate some respect and restraint in the biological holocaust that is happening all around us.   

THINK OF ALL THE BENEFITS OF BEING A KING OR QUEEN Giant castles, vast armies at your command, and unlimited wealth. What could be more appealing than the prestige and power that comes with royalty?  Just think of all the people waiting on you. Imagine all your privileges, including your own court jester to entertain you, and lots of soldiers that you can use to expand or defend your territory.  You would get to live in a big beautiful  castle, and people from all around would seek your attention and bestow complements and gifts upon you and your family.  Could there possibly be a better way to live than being a successful king or queen? Could it be that the average person’s life (yours for example) be better than being royalty?  Could it be that living like a King is not enough? The answer may surprise you — and the answer to what will make us happy may also.

Climate change is NOT our biggest environmental problem. Yet, it is almost the only environmental issue we hear about — from the government, in the media, in public debates, even among the leading environmental organizations. The real problem is huge and needs immediate attention, but is generally getting ignored. What's going on here? Listen in and get an earful. 

Going on vacation may be fun for you, but it can be hard on the planet.The negative environmental impacts of tourism are substantial.  Beaches are overrun, forests are leveled, the lifestyle of local populations is compromised, air and water are polluted, and animal habitat is destroyed to make way for restaurants and hotels. Trip on over to our podcast or website where we take a close look at beach vacations, African safari's, cruise ships, animal and wildlife attractions, and the shocking impact Instagram is having on driving mass tourism.  We also examine the eco-tourism industry and other green alternatives.

We suddenly find ourselves sort of running a planet—a role we never anticipated or sought—without knowing how it should be done. We’re at the controls, but we’re not in control.  Humans have become a powerful agent of geological change, equal to the other great forces of nature that build mountains, and shape continents and species.  We are witnessing, and manifesting, something unprecedented and still completely unpredictable: the advent of self-aware global geological change. We know about the impacts we are inflicting on the Earth. However, our growing acceptance of this earth-shattering event can be a turning point in our ability to respond to the changes we’ve set in motion.  At the moment though, we are Child-like Masters of the Universe - junior apprentice planetary engineers.   We don’t really want the job, but it’s too late now. Listen in on how we actually could become good humanoid planetary stewards – despite ourselves.   News of the Future Two Simple Tricks to Keep your Cat from Killing Everything Which part of the world is heating faster than any other part of the world. Which part of the US is? How SUVs and Cowboy Trucks Won The Pandemic  It’s a Man’s World: Coal Mining, Fracking, Oil Drilling and Petro-Masculinity Can Planting a Trillion Trees make a Difference? The World’s Best Sustainable Living Resource; Connecting Lifestyle AND System Change     Click LINK-O-MATIC for more info Why Humans Dominate the Earth Keep Kitty from Killing Arctic Melting SUV's are Worse for the Planet than you ever Imagined The Bizarre World of Petro-masculinity  Is Planting a Trillion Trees going to Solve all of Our Problems? The World's Best Sustainable Living Resource : Low Impact.Org

One of the most destructive environmental practices that you could fix three times a day. Food waste is an appalling part of America's throw-away culture. It's costing us time, money and our environment. We are wasting up to 40 percent of our food from farm to fork to face to landfill. It is time to stop biting off more than we can chew and clean our plates.  And it's so easy to fix! Tune-in and find out how. 

On this inaugural podcast we share three topics:1. Can a better understanding of human behavior save the planet?The global issues associated with our environmental problems are as big as the planet. But the real issues are in our heads. 2. We need a new story with new heroes — like you. To fix our environmental fix we have to tell better stories. While images of a negative future are powerful and shocking, people cannot imagine what a positive future would look like. So what better tool than stories and the power of imagination to narrate the future that we want to build? 3. Why are environmental issues so difficult to talk about?Surveys show that most Americans care deeply about environmental issues, but don't often have the opportunity to discuss it. Why? 

This episode is the fifth and last in a series focusing on proven and tested approaches resolving not only our climate and multiple environmental crises, but also the attacks on our democratic institutions and ideals. This is going to be critical if we are to any hope of dealing with the breadth and scope of these of these literally earth-shattering challenges for the planet’s living biosystems – including ourselves and our institutions.                                              The Green Elephant in the Room Webpage 1.  WHO IS REALLY TO BLAME FOR CLIMATE CHANGE? Many groups have been accused of being at blame for this ongoing lack of action, from fossil fuel companies and wealthy countries, to politicians, rich people, and sometimes even all of us. Whether we label the blame or not, the question of who is responsible for the climate crisis is a necessary one. It will inevitably impact the solutions we propose to fix things.2. SO, DOES CHANGING A LIGHT BULB LEAD TO CHANGING THE WORLD? Individual actions vs. corporate and government action. Who’s keeping the fossil fuel party going?  3. CITIZEN ASSEMBLIES With democracy on the ropes, maybe we should try something new. What if we left it up to ordinary citizens to make the decisions to solve climate change? It has even been successful in Texas! 4. CARBON TAX Probably the most effective climate actions we can take. But it’s not popular. Is it because it’s misunderstood? 5. CARBON CLUBS/CLIMATE CLUBS  Climate Clubs or Carbon Clubs are small groups of countries that share a strong commitment to climate action and want to work together to achieve a transition to a decarbonized future. Climate treaties and targets, like the Paris Agreement, are not working.  Maybe it’s time for a new, enlightened approach. 6. INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS VS. CORPORATE AND GOVERNMENT ACTION:  Have we been led astray all these decades?  7. WHAT CAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS DO IN THE CLIMATE FIGHT?  Plenty. Our national governments are the only entities that have the financial and regulatory resources to seriously confront the breadth and depth of our environmental enchilada.  The problem — there is a deep distrust of institutions.  The solution — we are the government. Politicians work for us. Yes, everything is twisted and distorted now, but the majority of people want our democracy to survive and function, so we can face the immense challenges barreling towards us. 8. THE TRUE ENVIRONMENTAL HEROES With the federal government in gridlock and failing to act, the good news is many state and local governments are leading the way on climate policy. And most aren’t waiting for a top-down approach—they are not only taking the lead, but they’re also looking beyond slashing emissions, by creating innovative programs to help humans and wildlife adapt to the changes already upon us, and those to come.

Can we make fossil fuels socially unacceptable?  Could we drive fossil fuels to extinction? We don’t have to live like this.  We can change our societies. There are plenty of tipping points in recent history: the remarkably swift reduction in smoking; the dramatic acceptance of same sex marriage; the unexpected legalization of marijuana; the spread of solar power and wind power; the #MeToo movement, which, in a matter of weeks, greatly reduced the social tolerance of everyday sexism. There has been a sharp change of attitudes, as people begin to prioritize the environmental crisis. Small interventions by government, right now could trigger positive, cascading social change. How? Proven research reveals that, time and time again, a small number of dedicated people can increase in number, until they reach a critical point. At this point, their moral message and influence can explode, having a remarkable influence on the broader population. Social scientists have long observed that a sufficiently large and committed minority within a group, can trigger tipping points in the larger group’s social beliefs, causing rapid transformations in popular beliefs and opinions.  How do you achieve this comprehensive critical mass?  Strong social ties.  The committed few can influence the many and sweep away social conventions and customs through social contagion, AKA the snowball effect. Of course, we can never underestimate the power, influence, and wealth of the formidable forces united against us to keep that power.  The polarized American electoral system has come to the point at which a return to traditional democratic norms will be extremely difficult, if not impossible. We are positioned on the precipice. Our own moment of truth. In this episode we explore tipping points:  local - global - personal - social - political, and of the human heart. 

SHOW NOTESThis is the third in a series of podcasts that dynamically demonstrates a proven process for making rapid progress on climate, against the backdrop of an increasingly urgent timeline. This could be the key to climate and ecological success. How do you deal with problems as diverse as manatees starving in Florida, the ocean of plastic in our oceans, the staggering problem of food waste, the devastation of palm oil plantations, the heartbreaking slaughter of elephants for ivory, air pollution killing millions annually, the leveling of ancient forests, and thousands and thousands of harms ravaging the planet?  Seriously, how can we even begin to start to solve problems so diverse? This grand battle plan is only going to be effective if we fight it on two fronts.  There is much discussion about whether the most effective method is personal responsibility with our daily consumer choices or demanding more climate and ecological action from our governments and corporations.  We need both for the sweeping changes required to achieve a carbon drawdown economy.  Research suggests that taking individual responsibility for the environment increases your concern for it, which in turn motivates you to participate in other forms of action. One can often led to the other. We are offering up both, a proven method of driving governments to implement universal change and a suite of personal actions, activities, and engagements to propel us forward. Episode Summary How can protest movements make truly lasting changes? What’s the difference between Civil Disobedience and Peaceful Nonviolent Protest? Do we really have to have millions of people turn out?  Do we all have to go out into the streets for months at a time and protest continuously? What are some of the most effective protest tactics to be engaged in? How can we successfully grow the movement? What’s it really going to take to change our political, economic, and social mindsets? Can we seriously stop and even reverse this hot mess?

Peaceful nonviolent protest by a small group of dedicated global citizens may be our greatest hope of slowing down the runaway train of climate and ecological change.  Research proves that with the right leadership and methods, it almost always succeeds. Not only that, but it has been utilized for environmental issues in the past and was spectacularly successful.   What are we waiting for?   In this series of podcast episodes, we are exploring how to accomplish this increasingly urgent goal and how to overcome the obstacles that will challenge us.  In the second episode in this series we answer two questions:1. Which group of people is most responsible for much of our pollution and global warming emissions? (It may surprise you)2. Who will lead us from climate hell to our clean climate future? (It may surprise you also)         _______________________________________________________________________________________Now is the time for action. Now is the time to restore the health of the Earth's lands, oceans, and atmosphere.In the link below, we have listed hundreds of eco-oriented activities that you can get involved with today. Go to "A Call to Act" and discover: Eco-organizations you can join — to join the fight.Climate-action meet-up groups – all over the world and in your community.The best ways to contact and sway your elected representatives.The most effective “Get out the Vote” organizations you can work/volunteer for. The best eco-organizations to donate to.The top green investment organizations.Best universities for sustainability degrees.Green careers you can be proud of. Greening your workplace and more. Eco-action activities for kids. How to get the most out of the sharing economy. Social justice organizationsCitizen science opportunities - help scientists collect and track data.Get the most out of the sharing economy. Best sustainable and ethical phone apps.Climate anxiety resources. And much, much more…

How do you even begin to address diverse issues like habitat loss for African elephants, ocean microplastics, lead in drinking water, deforestation, invasive species, fires in the Amazon, climate migrants, electronic waste, sea-level rise, and air pollution in minority communities?We need an expansive, far-reaching platform that will not just treat the myriad of environmental issues individually, but as an inclusive umbrella that comprehensively covers the host of evolving and overlapping climate and environmental dilemmas we face. We need a single unifying force. It has happened before in recent history, and it was spectacularly successful. The Great Climate and Environmental Solution is needed now, more than ever. Also, News of the FutureGlobal problems, like the climate crisis require global solutions, right? Do you really believe individuals nations are going to work together with equal enthusiasm? Right. Do you think some countries have contributed more carbon (a lot more) than others? Maybe they should take more responsibility? Let’s take a closer look at the fairytale of collective global action on climate change.   

In this episode: The intersection between population growth, economic growth, and the climate and environment is complex.  We simplify it for you. Also: NEWS OF THE FUTURE"The future is here. It's just not evenly distributed yet"— William Gibson— THE FUTURE OF  The Human Climate Niche—  THE FUTURE OF Air Pollution Laws That Help Wildlife— THE FUTURE OF PETROLEUM FACILITIES: Little Guys Fight Big Oil and Win— THE FUTURE OF PLASTIC: Proposed Tax on Virgin Single Use Plastic      _________________________________________________________________This is the time for action. It’s time to restore the health of the Earth.On the link below, we have listed hundreds of eco-oriented activities that you can get involved with today. Go to "A Call to Act" and discover: Eco-organizations you can join — to join the fight.Climate-action meet-up groups – all over the world and in your community.The best ways to contact and sway your elected representatives.The most effective “Get out the Vote” organizations you can work/volunteer for. The best eco-organizations to donate to.The top green investment organizations.Best universities for sustainability degrees.Greening your workplace and more. Green careers you can be proud of. Eco-action activities for kids. How to get the most out of the sharing economy. Social Justice OrganizationsCitizen science opportunities - help scientists collect and track data.Get the most out of the sharing economy. Best sustainable - ethical - recycling  - save energy - phone appsClimate anxiety resources And much, much more…        

'When did the future switch from being a promise to being a threat?' — Chuck Palahniuk FIRST -  The future of how we are going to keep the lights on as horrific weather events continue to hammer our world. NEXT – The future of how we can bring some quiet to the ear-splitting racket we are creating in the world’s oceans.  FINALLY – A peek at the future when the electric vehicles become king of the road. It might not be as soon as you think. Visit the Green Elephant Webpage. On the top bar, hit the "Call to Act" dropdown menu for hundreds of eco-actions you can take today: Effectively connect with your congressperson The best green investment opportunities Meet eco-engaged people in your community The best organizations to donate, volunteer, or work for The best universities for degrees in sustainability Greening your workplace Green job boards Eco-Action activities for your kids Resources for working with climate emotions  Creation Care, and much more. 

How Can We Talk About What is Happening to The Planet?                                                                Even though more than 75% of Americans believe climate change is happening, two-thirds of Americans rarely, if ever, talk about climate change with the people they care about. I get it. Talking about climate change can be tough. And sometimes, it's downright awkward. It’s time to change that. NEWS OF THE FUTURE The Future of Big Oil's New Denialism The Future of Food Waste The  Future of Plant-Based Foods The Future of Climate Pledges

For the next few episodes, we are going be focusing the future.  Predicting the future has always been problematic.  This usually is because we are predicting futures of say, business models such as the next stock-market correction, or the next housing boom. Credentialed authorities are comically bad at predicting the future. The track record of expert forecasters—in science, in economics, in politics—is dismal. This is often because humans are so unpredictable.  Guaranteed accurate information about the future is impossible, but reliable forecasting is possible. Trends present themselves, and that can be evaluated. Yes, the future can look bleak, and it would be easy to focus on the worse aspects of our climate and ecological issues that are facing us. However, there is so much that can be done, and we hope to stimulate some thinking and conversation with this endeavor.   This is a small sampling of some to the topics we will be addressing:The Future of carbon captureThe Future of electric carsThe Future of staying coolThe Future of heatThe Future of meatThe Future of fire - both good and badThe Future of lonelinessThe Future of the human climate nicheThe Future of protest The Future of denialThe Future of summerThe Future of travelThe Future of the mediaThis episode we look at - The future of the daily weather forecast - The future of business travel - The future of clean air and the benefit to birds. It’s a remarkable time to be alive. The future is not determined. The future is in our hands.  What we do between 2020-2030, is going to be the most decisive decade for humanity on Earth. You can learn about a world that hasn’t happened yet.   

Show Notes It is paradoxical that the global Covid 19 plague hit us about the same time our climate issues are ramping up in the public consciousness. The weather extremes this summer have been like a hike through the Book of Revelations. In the last 18 months, what have you talked about more, Climate or Covid? If you’re like me, I would say the pandemic. Maybe a 1000 to one.  Remember those crazy, heady days a year ago, when we knew that we would eventually come out of the pandemic, and thought maybe even have some positive changes that could illuminate our path with the impending climate crisis? Still could happen – the histories of either event have not been written yet.  Will humanity rise out it’s futon and utilize lessons we were forced to learn during the Covid 19?  Tune in and the relish the parallels and contrasts of our current twin crises.  The Green Elephant Webpage: https://bit.ly/greenelephantintheroom

SHOW NOTES Why are climate and environmental stories such a ratings killer?  How cozy is mass media and the fossil fuel corporations?  Which news outlets are doing an exceptional job of covering this – the biggest story in the world?  How can we get the best minds in media to give sustained attention to this most important story in a way that will create change? The climate and extinction crises are barreling toward us like a run-away freight train. What do we hear in the media – crickets. How can we turn that around? Remember, the main purpose of the media is to hold those in power accountable. Can we use that knowledge to hold those medial authorities accountable?  What does Taylor Swift's cat have against climate change? Coming up on The Green ElephantWe will have a series of episodes on  The Future. The most reliable way to anticipate the future is to understand the present.  Here are some of the topics we will cover: The Future of electric cars The Future of staying cool The Future of growth and development The Future of animals The Future of carbon capture The Future of heat The Future of meat The Future of where we will be living The Future of fire - both good and bad The Future of loneliness The Future of the human climate niche The Future of A/C  The Future of plastic waste The Future of protest  The Future of water The Future of denial The Future of seafood The Future of fire smoke The Future of transportation The Future of energy The Future of summer The Future of climate pledges           

You will be shocked to learn about how little time broadcast news gives to climate and environmental stories. And, as low as that is, they give virtually no time to explain what we should be doing about it! There has been a recent uptick in eco-reporting, considering this summer has been like a hike through the Book of Revelations.  Arguably the news industry is one of the most powerful forces for influencing and shaping human thought and culture. Now of course, things have gotten a little wacka-doodle with the blatant lies and deceptions of the Right-Wing media.  The most popular cable station in the country, Fox Noise, recently expressed a teeny-tiny amount of remorse for their distorted disinformation campaign against the Covid pandemic.  Considering their deceitfulness have costs tens of thousands of lives over the last year, the question is, why did it take this long to wake up and smell the caffeinated? In this episode Part 1, we briefly look at the use, function, and importance of the news. We explore the question: what if there was no media? And we go looking for the Age of Missing Information.  And finally we make the case that the News Media maybe our only hope to stop the daily climate horrors we are witnessing today.  It's a hard case to make.

Last week we shared with you the first two-words: Drive Less. This episode we reveal  the last three words that could be the key to reversing the the climate crisis, and the broader ecological collapse of which it is part of. In fact, it may be our only hope. Stay tuned until the end where we have updated this podcast with some very hopeful new information. Since the first time we published this podcast, there have been some exciting innovations in this industry. Not only could we stop this major contributor to global warming gases and shrinking ecosystems, but we could turn it into a profitable new global industry in the near future.