September, 2011

Dr. Sandra Steingraber: What You Need To Know About Fracking - Sep 16,2011

As we rapidly run out of precious fossil fuels, there is a huge demand to explore other options as quickly as possible, especially due to the increasing cost of energy. There is a highly controversial debate about a process called hydrofracking. It is a method of extracting natural gas from shale. This is especially a heated topic in Upstate, New York, the home of the Catskill Mountains. This natural gas which is embedded deep underground beneath Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia and Ohio is said to be enough to supply the East Coast for up to 50 years. So why can’t we just go along and drill, baby, drill? There are a myriad of reasons, especially one main reason, potential ground water contamination. This would not only pollute drinking water but the thousands of eco systems dependent upon the drinking water. However, there are others that feel that the verdict is still out and before the actual facts are in, we should explore it regardless. In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer will speak to Dr. Sandra Steingraber about what you need to know about fracking.

Dr. Lewis Ziska: Impact of Global Warming On Crops & Weeds - Sep 14,2011

Global warming is of great concern because of the impact not only on the ecosystem but on human health. There have been many concerns about how the increasing climate change will impact our crops. This is a huge concern because if we are unable to grow enough food, we will not be able to feed the world’s growing population. World renowned authority, Plant Physiologist, Dr. Lewis Ziska has done extensive research on this subject. Today, we will discuss whether or not climate change has an actual impact on crops as well as invasive weeds. Can anything really be done to safeguard our food? Then there is the question of adaptation vs. mitigation. Is this even a viable option? In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host,June Stoyer will speak to Dr. Lewis Ziska about his research. Dr. Ziska is a Plant Physiologist with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service in Beltsville, Maryland. After graduating from the University of California, Davis, he began his career as a Smithsonian fellow, and then took up residence as the Project Leader for global climate change at the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines before joining USDA. Dr. Ziska has published numerous papers on carbon dioxide and climate change impacts on agriculture, weed biology and public health. At present he is investigating the role of rising carbon dioxide and changing climate on food security, invasive species and aerobiology. Dr. Ziska’s research has appeared in: The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report and CNN Headline News. He has appeared on the ABC nightly news with Charles Gibson and the NBC nightly news with Brian Williams. He was also featured in the HBO documentary, “Too Hot Not to Handle”.Stay tuned!