Green Time TV, Aug 2016: Preparing for Danger
by Don Fitz
Many dangers to the environment and human health could be lessened enormously if we would pay close attention to warning signs. August Green Time episodes explore warning signs for the US health care system, misuse of water and energy efficiency, as well as positive developments among youth who are paying attention to climate change.
Why does health care cost so much more in the US than in other industrialized countries? In the first August Green Time, host Don Fitz and guests Mimi Signor of Missourians for Single Payer and Dr. Pamella Gronemeyer, a physician and small business owner, discuss allocation of health care resources according to people's insurance status. Americans who want health insurance are often unable to get it, or else they might have it and lose it. Are there people not using health insurance because the copays and deductibles are so high? Should Americans make health care a civil right, as other nations have done?
What is the connection between water exhaustion, population growth and income inequality? During the second August Green Time host Don Fitz and Bob Criss, of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Washington University, discuss how changing rivers has made them more unpredictable, affecting wildlife and flooding. They explore how dams affect bottomland, fish species, salinity of soil, evaporation and electricity generation. What does “water overuse” mean and how does it affect rivers?
In the third August Green Time, host John Hickey discusses cost-effective energy efficiency measures businesses can implement along with energy audits of residences with Steve O’Rourke, of Microgrid Energy, and Kellye Markowski, of Energy Smart Homes. They estimate the annual energy cost savings per person will be $368 by 2050. How can businesses take advantage of savings? There could be 84,260 construction and operations jobs created by transitioning to 100% clean energy.
What experiences did young people have at the UN climate talks in Warsaw and Paris? What type of climate activities are students from around the world participating in? During the final August Green Time, host John Hickey covers these issues with Rachel Westrate, of Wash U Students for International Collaboration on the Environment, Nick Annin, a Washington University student, and Natalie Lucas, with Care About Climate. They explore climate issues students are addressing on campus and after graduation, the issues that students are most passionate about, and how they recruit students to the climate movement.
July shows include the movies Fix It, Construction of Hoover Dam: One of the Largest Dams of the World,Ready for 100, Clean Energy Effect, 2015 Sierra Club Highlights: Join the Movement, and 200 Dirty Coal-Fired Power Plants Closed.
Green Time appears at noon on Saturdays in St. Louis on Channel 24-1 and at 8 pm on Mondays in St. Louis on Channel 24-2, Springfield on Channel 39, Joplin on Channel 36 and Marshfield on Channel 17. Green Time programs air on these dates:
August 6 & 8: “Broken Health Care: Patients and Families,”
August 13 & 15: “Ignoring the Future: Misuse of Water,”
August 20 & 22: “Benefits of Energy Efficiency,” and
August 27 & 29: “Youth in the Climate Movement.”
“Like” Gateway Greens on Facebook and click “Get notifications.” Also see Green Time on greentime.tv. To help produce Green Time TV call 314-727-8554 or email don@greentime.tv
