Planet Philadelphia

EPA Environmental Justice unit engagement call

11/30/2021

EPA Environmental Justice unit engagement call
December 7 2021, 2-4pm Eastern time
The purpose of the call is to inform the community and other stakeholders about EPA's EJ work and enhance opportunities to maintain an open dialogue with EJ advocates.
Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/epa-natl-environmental-justice-community-engagement-call-dec-7-2021-registration-208805190947

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Solving Problems by Collaborating with Communities

11/26/2021

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Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash

Planet Philadelphia 4-5:00 PM Friday 12/3/21
92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at gtownradio.com

Community engagement and empowerment are important elements of solving community problems. It is important that engagement with the community be done in an effective and respectful way. University/community partnerships have their own particular issues. Our guests speak about community/university partnerships and their experience addressing heat islands in the Hunting Park area of Philadelphia. The guests talk with us talk with us about how their partnership could show how effective collaboration with the community works and could be a model for tackling other sorts of problems.

Franco Montalto, professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering at Drexel University

Jodi Reynhout, Sr. V.P. of community engagement at Esperanza, a nonprofit serving the Hispanic community around the Hunting Park area of Philadelphia

To hear Planet Philadelphia live, tune your radio dial to
WGGT-LP 92.9 FM in NW Philadelphia or live stream at gtownradio.com
the 1st & 3rd Fridays/month.
Also aired on Villanova's radio station, WXVU,
Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m. at 89.1FM.

Not in Philly? You can also listen to all the great G-town Radio programing on the
iPhone G-town Radio app, or Tunein, Simple Radio, Streema, or other apps.

Podcasts are available shortly after live broadcast on
planetphiladelphia.com show archives page
for the full broadcast or listen to individual interviews on:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Anchor| Google| PocketCasts| Breaker| RadioPublic.

www.planetphiladelphia.com | www.gtownradio.com | facebook | @planetphila | @gtownradio

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Listen to the podcast: COP26 – Progress on tackling the Climate Crisis? Lolita Jackson and Rabbi Julie Greenberg

11/20/2021

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COP26 is the annual UN climate change conference, recently held in Glasgow, Scotland. Listen to guests Lolita Jackson, Sustainable Cities for Sustainable Development Capital, LLP, and Visiting Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, and Rabbi Julie Greenberg, Climate Justice Director of POWER Interfaith, and Rabbi of a center city (Philadelphia) congregation giving their views on results of the conference on this Planet Philadelphia radio show podcast:
https://www.mixcloud.com/PlanetPhiladelphia/cop26-progress-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-lolita-jackson-and-rabbi-julie-greenberg/

Individual Interviews:

https://anchor.fm/kay-wood9/episodes/COP26-Commentary-Lolita-Jackson--Sustainable-Development-Capital--LLP---Visiting-Fellow--U-of-P-e1ainlu

https://anchor.fm/kay-wood9/episodes/COP26-Commentary-Rabbi-Julie-Greenberg--Climate-Justice-Director-of-POWER-Interfaith-e1ainvs

Listen to the next Planet Philadelphia
environmental radio show 4-5:00 pm (ET) December 3rd
at 92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at gtownradio.com.
Not in Philly? You can also listen to all the great G-town Radio programing
on the iPhone G-town Radio app, or Tunein, Simple Radio, Streema, or other apps.

Thank you for listening!
www.planetphiladelphia.com | www.gtownradio.com | facebook | @planetphila | @gtownradio

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Green Spaces Reduce Violence, by Sandra Folzer

11/20/2021

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As population increases and cities expand, many people in urban areas become disconnected from Nature. Technology has exasperated this disconnect by providing entertainment via computers rather than being outdoors. Yet, over 100 studies have shown the positive impact Nature has on human health and well-being. People’s connection to Nature supposedly fosters more caring for others. Without contact with Nature, people are more likely to feel depressed or alienated.

While Philadelphia has the lush Fairmount Park system, many poorer neighborhoods are devoid of green space. Approximately 1 in 13 blocks are 50% or more vacant land. The Police Tribune reported in July 2021 that homicide rates have increased by 35% since 2020. Philadelphia now has the highest murder rate in the country. No wonder a friend from upstate refers to our city as “Killadelphia”

A recent article by South in The New York Times discussed eﬀorts to reduce violence in Philadelphia by creating more green space. With the help of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the author, along with colleagues, created mini parks on vacant lots. Of the hundreds of lots, some had trash cleanup only or no intervention for comparison. They found the largest drop in crime, 29%, in the poorest neighborhoods where there was green space and where lots were cleaned. This study confirms that neighborhoods without green space, where houses are deteriorating and trash accumulates, are more likely to spawn crime. As one resident said, “And seeing vacant lots and abandoned buildings, to me that’s a sign of neglect. So I feel neglected.”

In 2005 a Masters thesis by Lim at the University of Texas reviewed articles to ascertain the relation between green space and violence. Green space included tree cover, parks and ground cover; violent crime included murder, assault and theft. Of 30,000 articles, 45 were selected as worth studying. Later in 2019 Shepley et al continued the review. They learned that green space increased social interaction and reduced stress. Their hope was that using research, they could empower government and communities in urban areas to support green spaces to reduce crime. With green space people are more apt to interact and feel connected. Green space also inspires exercise, which has a mental as well as a physical health benefits.
This is especially important for children as green spaces provide a positive outlet for interaction. Another benefit is that trees reduce heat which has been proven to provoke aggression.

Numerous studies find similar results. Branas et al studied 5112 abandoned buildings and vacant lots from 1999 to 2013. Providing green space significantly reduced gun violence but didn’t aﬀect non gun violence. In another study Branas et al. randomly assigned 541 vacant lots to green remediation or nothing for comparison. Over 38 months those living near green lots reported significantly less violence as residents socialized more. Police reported significantly less gun violence, burglary and other crimes. This is critical since vacant lots make up about 15% of land in US cities.

Studies around the country support the need for green space to reduce crime. In Cincinnati there was a rise in crime after a pest infestation destroyed many trees. In Chicago those in public housing with trees felt less stressed or aggressive than those living in barren housing. In Portland, the planting of trees reduced violence, especially in lower income neighborhoods. In Houston, the incidence of crime near neighborhood gardens did not decrease though residents perceived less crime and felt positive about the neighborhood revitalization. In Springfield, Ohio a program called Conscious Connect, begun by a Black man, like the program Philly Peace Park, hopes to reduce violence by utilizing green space.

Restoring land with trees and plants seems to be a proven intervention for reducing crime. This being the case, why are we not pouring more resources into urban green spaces?

The savings for taxpayers can be as much as $333 for every dollar spent on greening vacant lots instead of for medical expenses and incarceration resulting from violence. Investment in green spaces saves the City money as well as making life more pleasant for urban residents. The addition of trees and plants is a win-win strategy to decrease violence while addressing climate change. Everyone benefits from having more access to Nature.

Share your views!
Contribute commentary to Planet Philadelphia.
Email us at planetphila (at) gmail.com.

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Today: COP26 results

11/19/2021

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Planet Philadelphia
Today, 4-5:00 PM 11/19/21
92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at gtownradio.com

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

COP26 is the recent annual UN climate change conference. The COP26 meetings in Glasgow, Scotland, and are the one place where the majority of nations of the world gather to address the climate crisis. Guests discussing COP26 will be:

Lolita Jackson, Executive Director of Communications and Sustainable Cities for Sustainable Development Capital, LLP, a billion-dollar London-based climate finance and investment firm. She is also currently a Visiting Fellow at the Perry World House at the University of Pennsylvania.

Rabbi Julie Greenberg, Climate Justice Director of POWER Interfaith, Rabbi of a center city (Philadelphia) congregation and also teaches classes on Systems Thinking, Diversity and Equity and Organizational Development at the Council for Relationships in Philadelphia.

Listen to Planet Philadelphia environmental radio show
at 92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at gtownradio.com.
Not in Philly? You can also listen to all the great G-town Radio programing
on the iPhone G-town Radio app, or Tunein, Simple Radio, Streema, or other apps.

Thank you for listening!
www.planetphiladelphia.com | www.gtownradio.com | facebook | @planetphila | @gtownradio

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COP26: Global Developments

11/12/2021

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Photo by NASA on Unsplash

Planet Philadelphia
4-5:00 PM Friday 11/19/21
92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at gtownradio.com.

Next Planet Philadelphia 4-5:00 PM Friday 11/19/21:
COP26 is the current annual UN climate change conference. COP stands for Conference of the Parties, and the summit will be attended by the countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – a treaty that came into force in 1994. The COP26 meetings have been going on for the last week or so in Glasgow, Scotland, and they are one place where the nations of the world address climate change and sometimes make related agreements. Many business and nonprofit groups also are present at these meetings.

Lolita Jackson is the Executive Director of Communications and Sustainable Cities for Sustainable Development Capital, LLP, a billion-dollar London-based climate finance and investment firm. She previously worked for the New York City major’s office on climate policy and programs and climate finance. Currently, she’s also a Visiting Fellow at the Perry World House at the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Jackson attended the COP26 and will tell us her observations and thoughts about climate change developments at the meetings.

A representative from POWER Interfaith, an interfaith social and racial justice advocacy group in Pennsylvania which represents at least 70 different faith institutions. They will give a different perspective on what has been happening at the COP26.

Listen to Planet Philadelphia environmental radio show
at 92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at gtownradio.com.

Not in Philly? You can also listen to all the great G-town Radio programing
on the iPhone G-town Radio app, or Tunein, Simple Radio, Streema, or other apps.

If you have difficulty with the Gtown Radio website, our apologies.
We're updating the site, and there may be some hiccups along the way.

Thank you for listening!

www.planetphiladelphia.com | www.gtownradio.com | facebook | @planetphila | @gtownradio

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Announcements for 11/5/21 Planet Philadelphia show

11/8/2021

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Germantown Interfaith Power and Light (IPL) Tree Tendersplanting trees Friday and Saturday November 19th and 20ieth, possibly also on Thursday Nov. 18.Call Mark Smith 215-264 5442 to volunteer.

Earth Quaker Action Team (EQUAT) Vanguard fossil fuel divestment work

Ways they say you can help with the campaign:

Vanguard is our neighbor - tell us about them! We're fleshing out our understanding of Vanguard and the Southeastern PA-based decision-makers driving its work (including Vanguard CEO Mortimer Buckley). If you, or someone you know, has a connection to Vanguard employees or projects, we'd love to connect with you! reach out to [email protected] to set up a time to chat.
Are you a Vanguard Investor? Fill out this form! Vanguard investors make up 80% of Vanguard's budget. Those of us who have investments in Vanguard have an opportunity to use collective action to hold Vanguard accountable. Please note, if you're a Vanguard Investor, don't move your money...yet! (check out this blog post to hear our reasoning why) Instead, fill out this form so we can stay connected and share ways that you can take action as an investor in this campaign.
Part of a group with a stake in this fight? Partner with us! Are you part of a local group that's impacted by climate destruction or Vanguard's bad investments? We'd love for you to join the growing number of local organizations that are taking action against Vanguard! Reach out to [email protected] to connect.
Volunteer with EQAT - EQAT is a volunteer-led organization, we are only as strong as the people who make up our work. If you're interested in planning actions, supporting our media/communications work, engaging with organizational partners, etc. We'd love to connect with you! Sign up here to volunteer and be sure to join our next New Volunteer Interest Session (see below).
Take action with us! Check out the events below to see all the opportunities coming up to take action. Also, check out EQAT's events page to stay in the loop on upcoming actions.
Make a one-time donation - help us launch our efforts in the Vanguard Very Big Problem Campaign by donating to our work. Your financial support helps us take bold action against corporate targets like Vanguard.

Vanguard is a powerful opponent and its reach is global. But the future that’s at stake is greater and worth fighting for. We are being called to take bold action because a livable future is necessary and possible. Even against the odds, the power and conviction of one movement can take down the biggest giant. I'm so glad we get to do this work together.

Volunteer to help Philadelphia Parks

Saturday Nov. 13 at one of 80 parks.
https://myphillypark.org/loveyourpark-fall21/?mc_cid=021618e276&mc_eid=91bb22d7d5

Pennsylvania State Environmental grants and education

From the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP):

Apply for 2022 environmental education grants: https://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/EnvironmentalEducation/Grants/Pages/default.aspx

Funding for cleaner fuel vehicles at Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants Program:
https://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/GrantsLoansRebates/Alternative-Fuels-Incentive-Grant/pages/default.aspx

PA Department of Education proposed standards for Science, Environment, Ecology, Technology, and Engineering – comment period may still be open, see proposed standards:
Grades K-5:
https://www.education.pa.gov/Documents/Teachers-Administrators/Curriculum/Science%20Education/PA-Integrated%20Standards%20for%20Science%20Environment%20Ecology%20Technology%20Engineering%20Grade%20K5.pdf
Grades 6-12:
https://www.education.pa.gov/Documents/Teachers-Administrators/Curriculum/Science%20Education/PA%20Integrated%20Standards%20for%20Science%20Environment%20Ecology%20Grades%206-12.pdf (Science, Environment, and Ecology)
and
https://www.education.pa.gov/Documents/Teachers-Administrators/Curriculum/Science%20Education/PA-Technology%20and%20Engineering%20Standards%20Grade%206-12.pdf
(Technology and Engineering)

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PODCAST: Listen to our show about some ways to help reduce agriculture GHG, pollution, and feed people better.

11/6/2021

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Agriculture is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. We also know that addressing the problems of women and girls would be another one of the best ways to resolve climate change. Here, we consider aspects of both issues. Guests:

Dr. G.V. Subbaraois Senior Researcher & Group Leader for the BNI Research Crop, Livestock & Environment Division of JIRCAS, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences. He and his team have found a way to introduce biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) into wheat, a solution which could spur a revolution in wheat farming, lower greenhouse gases, and enhance wheat yields.
Mary Hennigan, reported on the under-reported role and problems of women in agriculture for Investigate Midwest
Nina Beryman, Manager of Weaver’s Way farms, who oversees the management of both of the Weaver’s Way Farm sites in NW Philadelphia.

Listen to full show aired November 5, 2021;
https://www.mixcloud.com/PlanetPhiladelphia/strategies-to-help-reduce-agriculture-ghg-nitrate-pollution-and-feed-people-better/

Individual interviews:

https://anchor.fm/kay-wood9/episodes/Discovery-may-slash-nitrate-pollution--but-also-agricultural-GHG-Dr--G-V--Subbarao--Senior-Researcher--Group-Leader-for-BNI-Research-e19rvrn

https://anchor.fm/kay-wood9/episodes/Women-in-agriculture-face-discrimination-and-other-challenges-in-the-US-Mary-Hennigan--Investigate-Midwest-e19s05g

https://anchor.fm/kay-wood9/episodes/Nina-Beryman--Manager-of-Weavers-Way-farms-women-in-agriculture-e19s0c4

Listen to Planet Philadelphia environmental radio show
at 92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at gtownradio.com.

Not in Philly? You can also listen to all the great G-town Radio programing
on the iPhone G-town Radio app, or Tunein, Simple Radio, Streema, or other apps.

If you have difficulty with the Gtown Radio website, our apologies.
We're updating the site, and there may be some hiccups along the way.

Thank you for listening!

www.planetphiladelphia.com | www.gtownradio.com | facebook | @planetphila | @gtownradio

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Tune in 4-5:00 PM today - New Planet Philadelphia

11/5/2021

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Some strategies to help agriculture reduce GHG and better feed people.
92.9 FM WGGT-LP & gtownradio.com

Agriculture is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. This Planet Philadelphia environmental radio show will talk with guests about two new ways to address challenges to make our agricultural system better, less polluting and more fair. Guests today will be:

Dr. G.V. Subbarao is Senior Researcher & Group Leader for the BNI Research Crop, Livestock & Environment Division of JIRCAS, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences. He will describe the problems of nitrification because of fertilizers and their contribution to pollution and greenhouse gases. He and his team have found a way to introduce biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) into wheat, a solution which could revolution wheat farming, lower greenhouse gases, and also enhance wheat production so that there would be more food.

Mary Hennigan was a Dow Jones News Fund intern where she reported on agriculture for the publication Investigate Midwest. She will discuss the underreported role and problems of women in agriculture, which she wrote about for the publication. Mary currently is a graduate student at the University of Arkansas fulfilling a master’s degree in journalism.

Nina Beryman, Manager of Weaver’s Way farms. After completing her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies at McGill University in Montreal, she decided to develop her own personal skills in agriculture. She now oversees the management of both of the Weavers Way Farm sites in NW Philadelphia.

Listen to Planet Philadelphia environmental radio show
at 92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at gtownradio.com.

Not in Philly? You can also listen to all the great G-town Radio programing
on the iPhone G-town Radio app, or Tunein, Simple Radio, Streema, or other apps.

If you have difficulty with the website, our apologies.
We're updating the site, and there may be some hiccups along the way.

Thank you for listening!
www.planetphiladelphia.com | www.gtownradio.com | facebook | @planetphila | @gtownradio

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New Planet Philadelphia 4-5:00 p.m. Friday: Agriculture and the Environment

11/3/2021

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Tadashi Yoshihashi, GV Subbarao (PI), Masa Iwanaga

Dr. G.V. Subbarao, Senior Researcher & Group Leader for the BNI Research Crop, Livestock & Environment Division of JIRCAS, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences.
Also on this show, Mary Hennigan, Dow Jones News Fund intern, reported on agriculture for the publication Investigate Midwest, and our own Nina Berryman, Manager of Weaver’s Way Farms.

Listen to Planet Philadelphia environmental radio show
at 92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at gtownradio.com.

Not in Philly? You can also listen to all the great G-town Radio programing
on the iPhone G-town Radio app, or Tunein, Simple Radio, Streema, or other apps.

If you have difficulty with the website, our apologies.
We're updating the site, and there may be some hiccups along the way.

Thank you for listening!
www.planetphiladelphia.com | www.gtownradio.com | facebook | @planetphila | @gtownradio

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Planet Philadelphia

EPA Environmental Justice unit engagement call

Solving Problems by Collaborating with Communities

Planet Philadelphia 4-5:00 PM Friday 12/3/21
92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at gtownradio.com

Listen to the podcast: COP26 – Progress on tackling the Climate Crisis? Lolita Jackson and Rabbi Julie Greenberg

Green Spaces Reduce Violence, by Sandra Folzer

Today: COP26 results

Planet Philadelphia
Today, 4-5:00 PM 11/19/21
92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at gtownradio.com

COP26: Global Developments

Planet Philadelphia
4-5:00 PM Friday 11/19/21
92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at gtownradio.com.

Announcements for 11/5/21 Planet Philadelphia show

PODCAST: Listen to our show about some ways to help reduce agriculture GHG, pollution, and feed people better.

Tune in 4-5:00 PM today - New Planet Philadelphia

Some strategies to help agriculture reduce GHG and better feed people.
92.9 FM WGGT-LP & gtownradio.com

New Planet Philadelphia 4-5:00 p.m. Friday: Agriculture and the Environment

Planet Philadelphia won the 2024 SustainPHL Sustainable Storyteller award.

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Planet Philadelphia 4-5:00 PM Friday 12/3/2192.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphiaand live streaming at gtownradio.com

Planet PhiladelphiaToday, 4-5:00 PM 11/19/2192.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphiaand live streaming at gtownradio.com

Planet Philadelphia 4-5:00 PM Friday 11/19/2192.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphiaand live streaming at gtownradio.com.

Some strategies to help agriculture reduce GHG and better feed people.92.9 FM WGGT-LP & gtownradio.com

​Planet Philadelphia won the 2024 SustainPHL Sustainable Storyteller award.

Archives

Categories

Planet Philadelphia 4-5:00 PM Friday 12/3/21
92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at gtownradio.com

Planet Philadelphia
Today, 4-5:00 PM 11/19/21
92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at gtownradio.com

Planet Philadelphia
4-5:00 PM Friday 11/19/21
92.9 FM WGGT-LP in Philadelphia
and live streaming at gtownradio.com.

Some strategies to help agriculture reduce GHG and better feed people.
92.9 FM WGGT-LP & gtownradio.com

Planet Philadelphia won the 2024 SustainPHL Sustainable Storyteller award.