Green Visions

Sad, but true.

For decades, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent to educate us about the three Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle.

And yet, in spite of it all, what does it take to change our behaviour.

A nickel.

 "What researchers found when they examined the data was that consumers are less motivated by emotional appeals to save the environment and more by the impact on their pocketbook—even when it’s just a few cents."

In part two of a special multi-part series featuring artists exploring their role in the climate conversation, KUMD speaks with poet and musician Ben Weaver about how small gatherings of music and poetry have become an outlet for working through climate grief. 

Who knew musicians had "climate stories"?

For that matter, who knew any of us did?

Green Visions producer Adam Reinhardt knew, and today, he talks with Jeremy Messersmith about his.

Here, up north, we figure we're in pretty good shape.

We take a lot of pride in our clean air and water and spend a lot of time looking out for them.

So it was a shock to hear that two- to four-thousand people in Minnesota die early every year from causes linked to air pollution - and most of those are in rural areas, particularly around Aitkin and McGregor.

Explorer Will Steger didn't capture the world's imagination through a recitation of dry facts: he did it by telling stories.

To paraphrase, courage is a dish best served around a big, crowded table packed with friends.

The vote to ban single-use bags - paper AND plastic - was pushed back a couple of weeks on Monday night to allow for more discussion.

A committee-of-the-whole meeting is set for October 24 to concentrate on the proposed ordinance.

Jamie Harvie of Bag It, Duluth says the group has been working to get the ordinance passed for over two years, so a delay to answer more questions isn't a problem.

Last month, UMD students threw away almost 200 fewer pounds of food than in September of the year before.

Solar production on campus has tripled since the SUN program got off the ground four years ago.

Tomorrow (October 10) is UMD's Sustainability Fair, and whether you're a student or a community member, there's a lot for you to take in.

There have been plenty of protests and public feedback, and even Minnesota's Department of Commerce has weighed in on Enbridge's Line 3 tar sands pipeline (they said a new one isn't needed and the old one should be decommissioned).

But the Commerce department doesn't have the final say: the Public Utilities Commission does.

So a group will gather Saturday on the shores of Gitchi Gammi (Lake Superior) for a rally and march to leave no question in the minds of the PUC where they stand on the issue.

Well, some people are listening to the educated.

On Friday, all across the globe, young people (and others) will walk out of their schools and workplaces to "demand an end to the age of fossil fuels."

Lake Superior College students are standing right at the intersection of science, social analysis and business.

Many people agree that climate change and sustainability need to be integral parts of our society going forward, but who is equipped to solve those problems and generate the solutions?

Scientists and researchers at the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve use not only science, but reading, math and language arts in their work every day.

Brook trout like cool water.

Trees that overhang their rivers and streams provide shade and cool the water.  Without them, the water can get warm enough to harm or even kill the fish.

So "river maintenance" for groups like Gitche Gumee Trout Unlimited is more than just cleaning up litter; it means replanting native trees on riverbanks where they might have been cut back decades ago.

It all started with a donated box of river guide books.  While working at Ski Hut a few years ago, Jared Munch met an elderly couple who told him their paddling days were over, and handed him a cardboard box. Looking through the books, Munch discovered the Missinaibi River, an historic fur trade route used to travel between Lake Superior and James Bay.  The goal to paddle the route grew to starting in Duluth, and became a fundraiser for Neighborhood Youth Services in an effort to help kids get out into nature.