This week on the show we heard about Carol’s contribution to the UN’s upcoming Geo-5 report, Andrew talked to Murdo Murchison about composting programs on campus, and we had the 6th episode of the Madgical . . . → Read More: February 24, 2011: The UN’s Geo-5 Report]]> The Geo-4 report was released in 2007, and the Geo-5 is currently being prepared for release in 2011. Credit.

This week on the show we heard about Carol’s contribution to the UN’s upcoming Geo-5 report, Andrew talked to Murdo Murchison about composting programs on campus, and we had the 6th episode of the Madgical Moments series, on a ‘Red-Lined’ map.

Carol Hunsberger: The UN’s Geo-5 Report
By: Henry Hawkins, Regular SPF Contributor
Geo-5 is the latest in a series of reports by the United Nations Environmental Programme, that gives a broad overview of the current state of the world’s environment. It is created for the purpose of defining current problems, and exploring how to best face them in the future, and is therefore targeted at those in governments with the power to implement meaningful changes. Carol Hunsberger is a co-Coordinating Lead Author for the chapter on land, and joined us in the studio this morning to discuss the purpose of the report, and the preparation of the next volume. You can find the past reports, and the Geo-5 when it is released here.

Murdo Murchison: Carleton’s Composting Program
By: Andrew Lindstrom, Regular SPF Contributor
Murdo Murchison is Carleton University’s Sustainability Officer, and spoke with Andrew this past week about Carleton’s composting program on campus. Currently confined to behind the counters in the UC and other facilities, they hope to implement it around campus in the future.

Madgical Moments, Episode 6: The Red-Lined Map
By: Beth Ray, Maps Specialist @ MADGIC
The Red-Lined map is a historical map used during the negotiations at the Treaty of Paris in 1783 to establish the boundary between the US and Canada, when the United States first gained its independence. In this feature, Beth talks about some of the stories behind the British and American negotiations of the delineation of territory between the US and Canada, and how our border easily could have been very different from where it is today.

The Environmental News
By: Henry Hawkins, Regular SPF Contributor
In this week’s environmental news, the UN suggests that investment in greening the world’s economies could spur economic growth, 2010 saw record amounts of solar panels installed around the world, an earthquake measuring 6.3 struck Christchurch, New Zealand, and genetically modified crops reach coverage of 1 billion hectares.

Our first interview was with May Chazan, a Carleton PhD student and researcher with the Health Economic and HIV/AIDS Research Division at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. May talked about . . . → Read More: November 26, 2009: World AIDS Day]]> December 1st is World AIDS Day and in this show we discussed issues and initiatives related to HIV/AIDS both far and near.

Our first interview was with May Chazan, a Carleton PhD student and researcher with the Health Economic and HIV/AIDS Research Division at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. May talked about her research on the international “Grandmothers’ movement” that links South African women who are acting as caregivers for their extended families with Canadians who want to help support them. For more information please consult the Stephen Lewis Foundation or the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign.

Close to home, Henry Hawkins looked into what AIDS Awareness Week will bring on the Carleton campus. He spoke with Carleton students Karim Khamisa and Yami Msosa, who have been actively planning activities for the week. Anyone who wishes to get involved and volunteer for AIDS Awareness Week or other activities on campus is invited to contact Yami Msosa at rec_hall (at) cusaonline.com.

Carol Hunsberger reports from Nairobi on a United Nations Environment Programme summit looking at how economic stimulus packages around the world could be used . . . → Read More: February 19, 2009: Farming In Ontario And Green Stimulus]]> In this week’s show Matt Street brings us an interview with CRAFT, a network of Ontario farmers which facilitates internships for young people interested in learning and doing organic agriculture.

Carol Hunsberger reports from Nairobi on a United Nations Environment Programme summit looking at how economic stimulus packages around the world could be used to make economies fundamentally green.

Then, John interviewed a representative of the Canada Haiti Action . . . → Read More: May 29, 2008: Against The Odds]]> Two features on this show highlighted efforts that are being made to overcome tough obstacles. First, John Wall spoke with Deb Gleeson from the International Fund for Animal Welfare about threats to wright whales in Canadian waters and what’s being done to protect them.

Then, John interviewed a representative of the Canada Haiti Action Network about Peter Hallward’s recent book, Damming the Flood: Haiti, Aristide and the Politics of Containment. They discussed recent events in Haiti in response to rising food prices, as well as Canada’s involvement in Haiti’s political activities.

First, Carol spoke to . . . → Read More: May 1, 2008: Biofuels]]> Just a couple of years ago it seemed like everybody was promoting biofuels as a clean, green alternative to fossil fuels. But today, they’re being blamed for everything from deforestation in the tropics to pushing up global food prices. On this show we heard global and local perspectives on biofuels.

First, Carol spoke to Ditdit Pelegrina from the organization, Southeast Asia Regional Initiatives for Community Empowerment. Ditdit explained how the pressure to increase the production of biofuel crops has impacted farmers’ and indigenous people’s rights in the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Then, Carol interviewed Carleton graduate student Stewart Fast to find out about biofuel issues closer to home. Stewart guided us through the biofuel production process in Eastern Ontario.

Turning to flowers, Carol Hunsberger gets into the economics . . . → Read More: February 14, 2008: Valentine’s Day Gifts]]> Join us as we look into ethical issues surrounding two popular Valentine’s gifts: chocolate and flowers. Matt Street takes the task of finding the best fair trade chocolate for his Valentine very seriously, and brings us conversations he had with Ottawa chocolate vendors and chocolatiers.

Turning to flowers, Carol Hunsberger gets into the economics of the international flower trade and tells us about some of the social and environmental justice issues that are tied up in a bouquet of roses.

Global Citizenship: Carol Hunsberger interviewed Carleton professor Patricia Ballamingie about the responsibilities and opportunities that come with the idea of global citizenship, including ways in which students can develop as global citizens during their university years.

Pub geography: Matt Street took us on a tour of some of his favourite establishments, introducing . . . → Read More: December 6, 13, 20, 2007: Global Citizenship]]> December 6

Global Citizenship: Carol Hunsberger interviewed Carleton professor Patricia Ballamingie about the responsibilities and opportunities that come with the idea of global citizenship, including ways in which students can develop as global citizens during their university years.

Pub geography: Matt Street took us on a tour of some of his favourite establishments, introducing us to the spaces, places and faces he encountered along the way.

December 13

Volunteerism: Following up on the theme of global citizenship, Matt Street discussed international volunteerism with Paul Davidson, the Executive Director of World University Service of Canada (WUSC).

Thriving during the Holidays: From family commitments to exams, December can be a stressful time. John Wall interviewed life coach Helen Daniels about strategies for not just surviving, but thriving during the winter holidays.

December 20

Grassroots Innovation: Carol Hunsberger spoke with John Milton from Carleton’s Department of Geography and Environmental Studies about the Honeybee Network, a program designed to encourage local innovation in India. He traced the process of turning an idea into a real-life invention, touching on issues of entrepreneurship and intellectual property rights along the way.