Libsyn Directory

42 Planet in Peril – Senate Candidate Forum Part 1

Release Date: 10/15/2019

Peak Environment

Learn about a great resource in the Pikes Peak Region to help you recycle many items you can’t just toss into curbside recycling. This conversation also explores some opportunities for how we might improve Colorado Springs poor recycling performance – we divert only 15% of our waste from the landfill into recycling. Loveland diverts 60%, Boulder 51%. Mike Mazzola shares why he founded Galvanize Recycling and how this young business can solve many of our recycling challenge – whether you’re a family, a business, a neighborhood group or a city. We also learn about a great opportunity for...

118: Transition Towns - Community, Resilience, Independence, and Permaculture

Peak Environment

The Transition Town grassroots movement is a way you can impact your own neighborhood. Learn more about this as Peak Environment co-host Ally Richardson explores Transition Towns with Becky Elder and Brian Fritz from Pikes Peak Permaculture. If you would like to find out more about public forums, lectures, and community green movies, or if you would like to host such an event, please send Pikes Peak Permaculture an inquiry at Pikes Peak Permaculture is a Southern Colorado 501c3 nonprofit that educates adults and the youth on the wide world of nature and permaculture. Our upcoming class…....

117 City of Fountain Sustainability Update

Peak Environment

Katie Helm, Conservation and Sustainability Program Manager for the City of Fountain, provides an update on the city's sustainability efforts. This episode includes an extensive impromptu discussion of recycling challenges and solutions across El Paso County. Katie Helm is the Conservation and Sustainability Program Manager for the City of Fountain, where she manages energy and water programs. In previous roles she has worked as a Water Conservation Specialist for the City of Aurora, a Park Ranger for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and as a sawyer through Americorps. She earned her Bachelor of...

116: Colorado Springs Sustainability Update

Peak Environment

Learn about City of Colorado Springs sustainability efforts – from both a strategic and an operational perspective. Ryan Trujillo, Deputy Chief of Staff – Operations, updates us and answers questions. Topics include decentralization of the city’s sustainability efforts, status of the yet to be launched Sustainability Advisory Board, a waste characterization study to determine rates we’re diverting waste from landfills, micromobility, and the 2050 Regional Transit Plan (see link to sign up for updates). MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 2050 Regional Transit Plan This episode was...

115: Plastic Bags Update & Moving Toward Zero Waste: Policy Wins, Advice and Resources

Peak Environment

What’s the law on plastic bags and polystyrene cups and take-out containers? What other legislation is in effect or potentially coming soon to move the state toward zero waste? How can you receive funding to support your organizational efforts? How can we all take part in moving to reduce this kind of waste? Find out in this update from Rachel Setzke of Eco-Cycle. In Colorado, restaurants have experienced as much as a 90% reduction in use (and costs) of single use items like straws, ketchup packets, etc. when they don’t automatically provide them, but first ask if a customer wants them....

114: In and Outs of a Permaculture Design Certification

Peak Environment

Why might you want to attend a permaculture design certification course offered in our region? Ally Richardson, a permaculture educator and Peak Environment podcast co-producer, discusses this with other members of Pikes Peak Permaculture: Becky Elder, Brian Fritz, and Jayme Domejka. Mentioned in this episode: Pikes Peak Permaculture’s 2024 Permaculture Design Certification Since the early 1980s, permaculture has been taught through hands-on courses – PDCs – with experienced mentors handing down their knowledge to passionate students. We are beginning March 8th and will finish September...

113: Poor Richard's Rubbish Roundup

Peak Environment

Richard Skorman shares an environmental vision and a unique community building opportunity that can help with the restoration efforts of our local watershed - creating natural landscapes that everyone can enjoy: Poor Richard's Rubbish Roundup! Join the weekly trash roundup team and help keep our community clean. Or, better yet, reach out to Richard for support in starting your own volunteer group near your local waters. The episode is hosted by Ally Richardson, a permaculture educator and Peak Environment co-producer. Richard Skorman served thirteen years on Colorado Springs City Council,...

112: Have Yourself a Low Impact Holiday

Peak Environment

Do you approach the holidays mindful of the environmental impact of shopping, gifts and food? This episode explores sustainable options for this holiday season. Konrad Schlarbaum, sustainability director for the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, shares low-impact practices for gifts, food, decorations, and transportation. Konrad Schlarbaum is the Director of Sustainability at the University of Colorado–Colorado Springs (UCCS). He also serves on the Board of Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future, the Sustainability Committee at Thomas MacLaren School, and the Planning Committee for...

111: Colorado Clean Energy Legislation

Peak Environment

Current and upcoming legislation that will impact greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, zero emission vehicles and consumer energy costs. Chris Piper, Director of Legislative Affairs at the Colorado Energy Office shares this and much more, in a very engaging presentation and discussion. Colorado Energy Office This episode was recorded at the Sustainability in Progress (SIP) virtual event on October 18, 2023. Sustainability in Progress is a monthly program of the Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future. Join us (free) the third Wednesday of every month. Register for the...

110: Permaculture Principles - Part 2 of 2

Peak Environment

Continue your deep dive into permaculture principles in the second part of a series hosted by Pikes Peak Permaculture. Acknowledging and practicing permaculture principles can lead to wonderful experiences - which will guide you to understanding how natural systems work in our environment and our climate. Pikes Peak Permaculture is a Southern Colorado 501c3 nonprofit that educates adults and the youth on the wide world of nature and permaculture. Thank you to our supporters and community members who came out to Ranch Foods Direct and helped make our September 16th fundraising event possible!...

More Episodes

Candidates for Colorado’s U.S. Senate seat up for grabs in 2020 share their positions on issues related to the climate crisis. This candidate forum was hosted by Indivisible Denver and fourteen other organizations (links below), held at the Ent Center for the Arts in Colorado Springs on October 6, 2019. Ten candidates (links below) participated. U.S. Senator Cory Gardner and former Governor John Hickenlooper did not.

Moderators:

Tania Van Pelt, event co-organizer, writer/producer
Philip Oke-Thomas, President UCCS College Democrats
Brent Wilkerson, Vice President, UCCS College Democrats
Keah Schuenemann, Professor of Meteorology at Metropolitan State University

CANDIDATES:

HOST ORGANIZATIONS:

This episode is courtesy of Pikes Peak Group of the Sierra Club. The Pikes Peak Group is part of the Colorado Chapter of the Sierra Club and represents members in the greater Pikes Peak region as well as communities to the east and west of the region. The purpose of the Sierra Club is to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; to practice and promote responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; and to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment.

We invite you to join in our events, hikes, and discussions. For more information about the Group’s activities and events, follow Pikes Peak Group of the Sierra Club on Facebook (links below).

UPCOMING ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS:

Sustainability in Progress
Air Quality
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
7:30 to 9:00 am
Wildcat Room at Ivywild School
Free Event. Coffee & pastries provided

Peak Environment Podfest
October 19, 2019, Noon to 4 pm
Stargazers Theatre & Event Center
Join the live audience participating in 3 podcast episodes
More Info
Learn from 3 important panels at this free event:

Groundwater Contamination (firefighting foam - PFAS)
Making Local Food Flourish
Colorado Springs' Energy Future

Green Drinks
Thursday, October 24, 2019
5:30 to 7:30 pm
Westside Community Center
1628 W Bijou St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Get a garden tour. Refreshments provided
$5 donation requested

Pikes Peak Environmental Forum
The Dark Side of Renewable Energy
October 25, 2019
Noon to 2 pm
Margarita at Pine Creek
7350 Pine Creek Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Event is free; you buy your lunch
RSVP here; very important

The following environment/sustainability organizations in the Pikes Peak region collaborate to produce the Peak Environment podcast about environmental stewardship, sustainable living and enlightened public policy in the Pikes Peak Region.

Green Cities Coalition

Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future

Pikes Peak Environmental Forum

Pikes Peak Library District Green Team

Pikes Peak Group of Sierra Club

Pikes Peak Permaculture

Keep up with all the organizations and events making our area a better place to live. Subscribe (free) on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode:

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