This podcast was recorded when PennFuture's Tanya Dierolf caught our Post-Election Forum featured speaker, Dr. Christopher Borick, Director of the Institute of Public Opinion at Muhlenberg College's Political Science Department right after his presentation on Tuesday. Dr. Borick discussed what next year's results might look like, and whether the landscape is similar to the 1994 elections, when the Republicans took the House of Representatives under the leadership of Newt Gingrich.

Check out the schedule at PCN-TV to see Dr. Borick's entire presentation, and the legislative panel with Representative Eugene DePasquale (D-York), Senator David Argall (R-Schuylkill), Representative Bill Adolph (R-Delaware), and Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery), as well as the journalists panel of Pete DeCoursey of Capitolwire, Alex Roarty of Politics PA and Pennsylvania Legislative Services, Laura Vecsey of the Harrisburg Patriot-News and Tom Fitzgerald of The Philadelphia Inquirer.

PennFuture works every day to make a difference for Pennsylvania's environment and economy. Isn't it time to join us and make a difference yourself? Go to our secure website to join PennFuture, and make sure you sign up for our publications. And remember, you can make sure you don't miss any podcasts by subscribing to them through iTunes.

Last week, PennFuture's Director of Outreach, Christine Knapp, participated in a study tour of Germany for regional leaders from Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, and North Carolina. The tour was sponsored by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Transatlantic Climate Bridge Initiative and organized by the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

You may have already read Christine's blog postings; this podcast gives you a chance to listen to others on the tour. You’ll hear from Ellen Pope, director of the comparative domestic policy at the German Marshall Fund, who talks about why the Fund organized this tour. She explains that the states were chosen because they are older industrial states heavily dependent on fossil fuels. She hopes the Americans could learn how Germany is making the transition to clean energy, put those lessons to use when they get home.

You'll then hear from State Senator Dan Clodfelter from Charlotte, NC; Susan Perry Cole, president and CEO of the North Carolina Association of Community Development Corporations in Raleigh; Doug Esamann, senior vice president of strategy and planning for Duke Energy in Charlotte, NC; and Lavea Brachman, co-director of the Greater Ohio Policy Center. Their discussions of what they learned and what they will do differently at home are very revealing.

PennFuture works every day to make a difference for Pennsylvania's environment and economy. Isn’t it time to join us and make a difference yourself? Go to our secure website to join PennFuture, and make sure you sign up for our publications. And remember, you can make sure you don't miss any podcasts by subscribing to them through iTunes.

Shortly before she left on her tour of green Germany, PennFuture's Director of Outreach, Christine Knapp, interviewed the major speakers for our podcast at this month's Urban Sustainability Forum in Philadelphia.

The Forum's topic, Green Infrastructure Financing, was a perfect fit for the speakers:  Patrick Starr, senior vice president of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC), who discusses the “green dream” for Philadelphia; Howard Neukrug, PE, director of the Philadelphia Water Department’s office of watersheds, who discussed the view from inside government, and how the city will invest $1.6 billion over 20 years in a sustainable water system; Peter Sortino (currently, president of the Danforth Foundation), who as president of St. Louis 2004 led the charge for Proposition C, a referendum passed to create a Regional Parks District (across two states) with riverside trails and greenways, funded by a one-tenth of one cent sales tax; and Steve Wray, executive director of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, who discussed their new report (done in conjunction with PEC) on ways Philadelphia (and other areas) can fund green infrastructure.

PennFuture works every day to bring experts together with policy makers and advocates to make a difference for Pennsylvania's environment and economy. Isn’t it time to join us and make a difference yourself? Go to our secure website to join PennFuture, and make sure you sign up for our publications. And remember, you can make sure you don't miss any podcasts by subscribing to them through iTunes.

by Christine Knapp, Director of Outreach

We arrived in Hamburg, our third and last destination on Thursday. Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany with 1.8 million people and 4.5 million in the region. Hamburg is unique in that it is a city and one of the 16 German states. This allows the city to assume a larger role in state issues like policing and schools. Hamburg is a shockingly big city, especially in comparison to quaint Leipzig, and for the first time in our trip, we used public transportation to go everywhere.

After having lunch with local experts who gave us a general overview of the city, we traveled to visit the Plus Energie Haus- a winner in the Solar Decathlon competition. The model home is open to the public and features passive design features such as high insulation, solar gains, and intelligent sun protection as well as active features like energy efficient appliances, solar thermal collectors and photovoltaic arrays. With an estimated cost of 1.5 million euros, the house is not cheap, but for a long-term owner the energy savings as well as the ability to sell electricity to the grid would make it more attractive.

The delegation next visited the Hamburg Stadtmodell (a building housing a full city model) and learned that Hamburg has been named the European Green Capital of 2011 by the European Union. The aim of the award is to recognize city with high environmental standards, encourage other cities to adopt ambitious goals and to highlight best practices. (On a side note, Pittsburgh has been named the latest North American Green Capital).

Cities are rated using many indicator areas, including transportation, ambient air, waste water, land use, noise pollution and open areas. Hamburg rated well in all areas, and out of 35 cities that applied, they were included in the top eight and ultimately won the 2011 title.

But, Hamburg is not an eco-topia. They still struggle with several major challenges. As their need for residential and industrial space increases, land is becoming scarce. To address this, Hamburg is finding innovative ways to reuse industrial areas, such as the HafenCity development (which we will tour on Friday).

Hamburg is also a major port city, which can lead to many air pollution and other environmental problems. They are addressing this by increasing use of container taxis (one taxi replaces 66 trucks) and creating a land electricity supply for ships.

Another challenge is increasing traffic, so Hamburg officials are building new train lines to the airport, to the new HafenCity development, as well as doubling their network of bicycle paths and creating low emission zones.

And lastly, Hamburg recognizes its vulnerability to climate change, especially the risk of rising sea levels as Hamburg is intersected by waterways. To address this problem, they have created a comprehensive climate policy.

The Hamburg Climate Action Strategy was presented to us by Peter Lindlahr, from the Coordination Center for Climate Issues. This ambitious plan includes 350 projects and initiatives to reorganize the energy supply in a sustainable way, to provide economic stimulus and to be proactive in climate protection.

Peter shared with us 5 "Drivers of Change” within the Action plan:

1) Retrofitting public buildings, exemplified by installing photovoltaic arrays on a cultural center and working with fire and police stations to be more energy efficient.

2) Public Transport projects, such as pursuing a fuel cell hydrogen powered bus (to be toured on Friday), providing automatic driving recommendations for energy efficient train operation, returning of braking energy into electricity network and building new train lines.

3) Information and Communication Technology (ICT) including innovation through smart grid, smart homes and smart meters

4) Potential energy savings for historic buildings is being studied in a report, and thermopictures of buildings are demonstrating the leakage of old buildings

5) Combined Heat and Power (CHP) in which Hamburg is pursuing the implementation of up to 100 gas-driven power generation units with CHP technology

With just two days left, the delegation is starting to compile our takeaway ideas and thinking about how to apply what we have learned back in our home cities. And of course we're all eager to shop for souvenirs and to sample the local beer and chocolates!

by Christine Knapp, Director of Outreach

On our second day in Leipzig, the delegation was treated to a professional tour guide, who showed us around the city center. It seems every step in this city has a historical reference- and with just a few years to go until  celebrating its 1000th (that's 3 zeros!) anniversary, it's easy to understand why. From St. Thomas Church where Bach served as choir director for 23 years, to the place where Russian tanks once stood, to the amazing architecture restored and rebuilt after the wars, Leipzig is a history buff's dream.

But it is also, at its core, a well planned city. Walkable and bicycle-friendly, the city center is also currently building additional stops for the light rail. Major industries in the area include automotive (BMW and Porsche), healthcare and biotech, media and creativity, and power and environment.

As we learned from several speakers, renewable energy has become a recognized cluster- employing 50,000 employees in solar and 25,000 in wind in the the greater Leipzig region. Leipzig also has two biomass plants using wood that is only provided through sustainable forest management- not through clear-cutting, as well as grass, straw, manure and other materials.

In the afternoon our group split into two, with half visiting Q-Cells AG and my group visiting Juwi Solar and Waldpolenz Solar Park. About an hour drive into the German countryside, the solar park does not look like much upon first glance. Built upon a military air base built under orders from Hitler and later used by the German Democratic Republic, the property is dotted with bombed out hangars, barracks and other buildings. Once inside, however, 528,000 individual thin film solar panels line a plot of land 2 kilometers by 600 meters. Solar as far as the eye can see, and the plant produces enough electricity to power 12,000 homes.

With 130 euros in up front capital costs, the plant broke ground in April of 2007 and was completed in December of 2008. Juwi has a 20 year lease with the local town, but expects to fully recoup costs in 13 years. Hundreds of electricians and construction workers were employed in the building of the plant, but only about 20 workers, mostly locals, are employed full-time now. They provide an academy for new workers, to the tune of 10,000 euros per employee to fully educate them on energy systems.

The surrounding community has been supportive of the facility, as other proposed plans included a shooting range and an amusement park, both of which were opposed due to noise. Juwi has learned an important lesson informing residents and using it as an educational opportunity.

Some additional interesting facts:
- Juwi contracts with First Solar to provide the arrays, which were manufactuerd in Phoenix, Malaysia and Frankfurt.
- They have a plant in New Jersey, and hope to expand further into the American market.
- There is relatively low maintenance as the arrays are mostly self-cleaning. Only problems come from local sheep that break in and chew power lines and the occasional wayward golf ball from a near by range.
- They do work with some individual homes and small businesses although it is not their focus. There is no need to encourage these homes to do energy efficiency first because they can earn more money by selling excess energy into the grid than they pay for energy. In this way, the feed in tariffs have not only helped this industry grow, but have made it affordable for people to invest in it.

Unfortunately, my camera battery died today! I have great pictures to share, as do other delegates, but they will not be available just yet.

Tomorrow: On to Hamburg!

by Christine Knapp, Director of Outreach

Today, our delegation traveled by train to the city of Leipzig, about an hour from Berlin. Transportation enthusiasts would be delighted to see the grandiose train stations of both cities, and train systems that run very much on time through clean stations bustling with commerce.

After arrival and check-in, our group was treated to a lunch meeting with Gisela Kallenbach, a former member of the European Parliament representing the Green Party.

Gisela gave us a brief introduction to the city of Leipzig and the region. Leipzig has a long and storied history, serving as the home to such cultural luminaries as Bach and Goethe among others. But like many former manufacturing cities in the US, Leipzig suffered from a period of decline while shielded behind the Iron Curtain, and even after the wall was torn down.

Gisela herself became involved in political action during the months leading up to November of 1989. She organized peace prayers at local churches that helped motivate those who were previously too fearful to publicly demonstrate. And once the wall came down, Gisela was called to run for local office to help her city and her people recover and develop a strategy of revitalization. She ran with the emerging Green Party because of her own suffering due to environmental degradation. But she also explained that the Green Party represents more than environmental equality- human rights and the ideals of sustainability, economic, social and environmental balance.

After Gisela's inspiring presentation, we traveled about 90 minutes to the industrial town of Jena, to the headquarters of Schott, a leader in solar technology for 51 years. We were guided in a tour by Grit Petholdt-Guhne, the Head of Human Resources. Our focus here was learning about  building a workforce for twenty-first century jobs, such as is done by Schott and its sister corporations.

Schott employs 700 people in their solar division, the largest percentage in their 1200 total employee workforce. They produce concentrated solar, crystalline photovoltaic and thin film photovoltaic. In the US, you can see their work at their location in Albuquerque, New Mexico and at their largest PV installation at Stillwell Station in New York.

After the fall of the wall, companies like Schott in East Germany had a hard time attracting a skilled work force due to lower wages and other factors. In order to combat this, Schott engaged in a marketing campaign in which they provided additional health benefits, work from home flexibility and child care for families, gym and museum memberships as well and other opportunities to attract workers.

But most impressively, Schott worked with the state government to create a robust worker training program on site. Here, students as young as 16 are hired into a dual apprenticeship where they spend 30 percent of their time in theoretical education at school and 70 percent of their time in practical education programs at the business itself. The state government provides funding for the training, and the company pays 100 percent of the monthly salary (600-800 euros).

Lastly, we had dinner at Auerbachs Keller, an elaborate restaurant made famous by Goethe, who frequented the wine bar. We were able to view the cellar in which, according to legend, Faust rode a wine barrel with the help of the devil himself. Of course we got to taste a bit of the local rose wine, which was dry but delicious!

by Christine Knapp, Director of Outreach

We jumped right into our day by meeting with R. Andreas Kraemer, Director of Ecologic Institute, a private not-for-profit think tank for applied environmental research, policy analysis and consultancy. A wealth of information, Mr. Kraemer is well versed in sustainable development  and environmental policy.

Mr. Kraemer gave our delegation an overview of German and European Union climate and energy policy, and how it differs from US policy. The first and most startling difference from the US is that all parties have found consensus on energy and climate issues and work together to meet goals collaboratively agreed upon. German politicians are also more willing than American ones to enter into imperfect legislation, knowing that it can and will be fixed later.

Rahm Emanuel famously said: "Let no good crisis go to waste", and Germany took that advice to heart during the energy crises of the 70s. Facing the crisis first in the mid-70s, Germany did little to react. But the reoccurrence later that decade and into the 80s was the impetus needed to start breaking their dependence on foreign energy.

In 1986 the first Federal Environmental Ministry was created with the intention that its policy directives would help business development- a very different approach than traditional environmental work in the US.

Since then 280,000 jobs have been created in the renewable energy industry alone, with almost half just in the last four years. Mr. Kraemer noted that it takes time to build a workforce that large and that forcing it too quickly can be damaging. Organic growth vs. a replication model (a la Starbucks) will ensure sustainability.

The German "game-changer" was the introduction of feed-in tariffs, started in 1991. These tariffs ensure utilities capital subsidies for renewable energy projects, and are credited with accelerating wind and solar production.

So what can the US learn?

For starters, the potential for wind and solar in Germany ends where it begins in the US- so it is certainly possible for us to achieve and exceed their progress so far.

Mr. Kraemer also suggested that a recession is a good time to make transitions. With an unemployed workforce, new training can be more easily done, to ready workers for emerging jobs. When there is less competition among businesses, there can be an effort to help the "greenest" ones succeed over the others.

Our host also suggested that President Obama review and implement the blueprint put forward by John Podesta and Bracken Hendricks as part of his economic development strategy.

We were also treated to meetings with Jorg Meyer of the Renewable Energy Agency- an agency supported by the federal government and renewable energy companies. We also took a tour of HOWOGE, a public housing project that is Germany's largest low-energy apartment building. And lastly, we enjoyed dinner with local experts from government, non-profit, and private sectors. What a day!

Day 1: Jet lagged first impressions
by Christine Knapp, Director of Outreach

I have been fortunate enough to be invited to join a study tour of Germany through the German Marshall Fund, which is a non-partisan American public policy and grant-making institution dedicated to promoting greater cooperation and understanding between the United States and Europe.

This study tour brings together leaders each from Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, all states with strong industrial and manufacturing heritages and ones particularly affected by the economic crisis, to explore the ways in which German cities and regions have designed and implemented policies, technologies, and infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions and stimulate economic growth.

Our first stop is in Berlin, just days away from the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. While many of the tour participants were still arriving, Matt Mehalik from Sustainable Pittsburgh and I walked from the hotel to the Brandenburg Gate, where President Reagan famously gave his "tear down this wall" speech, and where the wall later first began to crumble. We also walked around the former Reichstag, now Bundestag, parliamentary building. Many pock marks are still visible on the building, but the surrounding plaza and memorials are beautiful.

Later in the evening Ursula Soyez of the GMF led a brief walking tour through East Berlin, along which we saw public bike sharing, rain gardens and plentiful park space, flower boxes from every window, and light rail.

As we viewed statues of Marx and war-damaged buildings completely renovated, we learned of plans to entirely reconstruct a Prussian palace torn down by the German Democratic Republic. It was an interesting discussion on how cities deal with their histories- good and bad- in their architecture and urban planning.

Check back for regular updates.

Pennsylvania's great environmental leaders -- from Rachel Carson to Maurice Goddard to Gifford Pinchot and William Penn -- all had a passion for preserving our state's natural beauty. The same can be said about State Representative Dave Levdansky (D-Allegheny and Washington), whose heroic leadership in the General Assembly made the difference in stopping the legislature from allowing wholesale drilling for natural gas in our state forests.

This podcast features PennFuture’s President and CEO, Jan Jarrett, as she talks with Levdansky about his passion for protecting the forests and his support of the severance tax on natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale. Levdansky now plans to create a  widespread conservation movement in the state, linking hunters, anglers, outdoor enthusiasts, and environmental groups and their members, creating a strong citizens lobby for Penn's Woods.

You can put your passion to use, too, by joining PennFuture. PennFuture was called the state's "leading environmental advocacy organization" by the Philadelphia Inquirer. So join the leader on our secure website, and sign up for our publications. And remember, you can make sure you don't miss any podcasts by subscribing to them through iTunes.

 

This week's podcast brings home the reality of French gourmet and lawyer Anthelme Brillat-Savarin's oft misquoted, "You are what you eat." We visit a special educational farm that helps us understand the circle of life and the need to pay attention to where our food comes from.

The Lands at Hillside Farms is a non-profit organization working to restore its farm estate to create an educational center for the community. Hillside Farms offers school programs that teach children about healthy eating, and the Peace and Carrots Day Camp that promotes nonviolent communication by getting kids out into the garden. This podcast features PennFuture intern Sarah DeCesaris as she interviews farmer and educator, Christine Dorherty about the educational programs at Hillside Farms. Hear Christine explain why it is important to teach children and their parents about healthy eating and sustainable agriculture.

If you aren't already a member of PennFuture, what are you waiting for? PennFuture was called the state's "leading environmental advocacy organization" by the Philadelphia Inquirer. So join the leader on our secure website, and sign up for our publications. And remember, you can make sure you don't miss any podcasts by subscribing to them through iTunes.

One of the toughest issues urban areas face is vacant land, and what can be done with that land. Sometimes the land was abandoned as families and businesses move on. Sometimes the ownership of the land was transferred to the city when taxes aren’t paid. But however the land becomes vacant, it creates problems for the city. Often overgrown with weeds, and full of trash, the vacant land becomes a blight on the city and drags down property values and quality of life for everyone who lives, works, or plays nearby.

Fortunately, Philadelphia is doing something about the problem. Our podcast this week is from the September 9, 2009 Urban Sustainability Forum, “No Vacancy: Reimaging Vacant Land in Philadelphia.” PennFuture’s Director of Outreach, Christine Knapp, finds out about Philadelphia’s plans from Terry Gillen, senior advisor to Mayor Nutter for economic development (and executive director of the Redevelopment Authority of Philadelphia) and Farah Jimenez, executive director of Mt. Airy•USA, a nonprofit real estate development corporation leading efforts to strengthen the residential and commercial environment in the Mt. Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia. We then listen in to a presentation by Daniel T. Kildee, Genesee County (Michigan) treasurer, who discusses how the city of Flint Michigan handled its vacant land problem.

Did you know that PennFuture has staff throughout the state – in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, West Chester, and Wilkes-Barre?  We’re ready to help you protect Pennsylvania’s environment and economy.

If you aren't already a member of PennFuture, what are you waiting for? PennFuture was called the state's "leading environmental advocacy organization" by the Philadelphia Inquirer. So join the leader on our secure website, and sign up for our publications. And remember, you can make sure you hear our podcasts first by subscribing to them through iTunes

If state budget negotiators succeed, the very nature of what makes Pennsylvania just that - "Penn's Woods" - will be destroyed. That's because many of our elected officials seem unwilling or unable to stand up to the oil and gas drilling industry's million-dollar lobbying scheme. They need to hear from you: don't support any budget that harms Pennsylvania's forests and parks.

The proposed budget would be devastating for Pennsylvania’s environment. First, the budget sacrifices the integrity of our state forests by rushing to lease them for drilling. Secondly, it allows energy production companies to drill without enacting a severance tax. And it repeals the Oil and Gas Lease Fund that for 55 years has provided revenue for protection and management of state parks and forests.

As if that's not enough, while gas drilling fat cats are handed their sweetheart deal, the state's theaters, museums, bingo halls and volunteer fire departments are given the shaft, with surprise taxes proposed for cultural events and small games of chance. Hmmm... sound like a good deal for Pennsylvanians? Not so much.

Watch PennFuture's president and CEO Jan Jarrett make the argument against the current budget proposal. The speech was part of a recent press conference with House legislators and a broad coalition of state partners standing up to protect our most treasured state resources.

We cannot let the state legislature destroy Penn’s woods and the very fabric of our state. The short-sighted sacrifice of our public land and wholesale concessions to the multi-national energy companies that want to drill here cannot be tolerated. This is a taxpayer rip-off.

Contact your state representative today and say "no!" to No-sylvania. Then make a tax-deductible contribution to PennFuture so that we can continue to work for a just future where nature, our communities and the economy thrive.

After a delay of a few weeks, this week’s podcast is the third and final part of Recovery Act 101, a free forum held on May 11 in Philadelphia, targeting small businesses, discussing the top things businesses need to do to compete for funding for green initiatives in the federal stimulus package.

Led by David C. Dickson, district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration, this podcast features a terrific group of experts who guide the audience through exactly how to get a part of the stimulus money, and grow green jobs.

If you aren't already a member of PennFuture, what are you waiting for? PennFuture was called the state's "leading environmental advocacy organization" by the Philadelphia Inquirer. So join the leader on our secure website, and sign up for our publications. And remember, you can make sure you hear our podcasts first subscribing to them through iTunes.

The proposed budget deal just announced includes a massive giveaway to huge, multi-national energy corporations that want full and immediate access to drill, baby, drill in our public forests and parks.

Greedy gas companies spent more than one million dollars lobbying state government this year, and it looks like it paid off. The state budget does not include a severance tax on natural gas drilling even though it injures Pennsylvania taxpayers. To add insult to injury, the budget deal also opens up state parks and forests to gas drillers. Because gas prices have fallen, gas leasing prices have also fallen, so now giant multi-national energy corporations will be able to make a sweetheart deal to lock up leases at bargain basement prices.

If our state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is forced to hold lease auctions in our state lands today, WE LOSE. This is an outrageous breech of the public trust and no way to balance the budget.

This is a taxpayer rip off – listen to PennFuture’s President and CEO Jan Jarrett describe the anatomy of this rip off.

Then, take action by urging your elected officials to dump this bad deal.

Multi-billion dollar energy companies have spent $1 million in lobbying money in Pennsylvania this year to try to stop legislators from enacting a severance tax on natural gas extraction. Their money appears to be working, as the state budget negotiations are going forward without a severance tax on the massive Marcellus Shale reserves.

These companies stand to make billions off of our natural resources, and yet Pennsylvania remains the only state with large operations that does not charge a severance tax.  These fees can help to cover costs for damaged roads and bridges, contaminated drinking water and other environmental regulations. Instead, the legislature would foist those costs onto Pennsylvania taxpayers rather than force industry to clean up its own mess.

This podcast features PennFuture's President and CEO Jan Jarrett eloquently making the case for a tax on Marcellus Shale drilling.

Take action today. Tell Harrisburg enough is enough. Demand a severance tax -- that could bring hundreds of millions of dollars into the state coffers each year -- be included in budget negotiations.

This week’s podcast takes up where last week’s podcast left off, continuing the workshop with the third panelist, Fred Dedrick, Pennsylvania Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development, continuing the discussion of opportunities for growing green jobs through the stimulus programs. Dedrick’s presentation is followed by a question and answer session moderated by Leanne Krueger-Braneky, executive director, of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, with answers coming from all three panelists: Dedrick, Mark Alan Hughes who, at the time of the workshop, was director of sustainability for Philadelphia, and David C. Dickson, district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

You’ll then hear the nitty gritty about how the city of Philadelphia stands ready to help grow the green economy in a quick presentation by Kevin Dow, who at the time was Deputy Commerce Director, Office of Neighborhood and Business Services.

This podcast is the second in a three part series featuring Recovery Act 101, a free forum held on May 11 in Philadelphia, targeting small businesses, discussing the top things businesses need to do to compete for funding for green initiatives in the federal stimulus package.

Tune in for the third podcast next week.

If you aren't already a member of PennFuture, what are you waiting for? PennFuture was called the state's "leading environmental advocacy organization" by the Philadelphia Inquirer. So join the leader on our secure website, and sign up for our publications. And remember, you can make sure you hear our podcasts first subscribing to them through iTunes.

This  podcast features the first of an ongoing series featuring Recovery Act 101, a free forum held on May 11 in Philadelphia, targeting small businesses, discussing the top things businesses need to do to compete for funding for green initiatives in the federal stimulus package.

The all-day workshop featured in this podcast was chaired by Leanne Krueger-Braneky, executive director, of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia. After a quick welcome and introduction by Dr. Stephen Curtis, president of the Community College of Philadelphia (where the workshop was held), Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter outlines what the city is doing with money from the stimulus package, and the real opportunities that are available to Philadelphia’s businesses and public interest groups. This podcast ends with two presentations from the morning panel by Mark Alan Hughes who, at the time of the workshop, was director of sustainability for Philadelphia, and David C. Dickson, district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Stay tuned for more in this podcast series.

If you aren't already a member of PennFuture, what are you waiting for? PennFuture was called the state's "leading environmental advocacy organization" by the Philadelphia Inquirer. So join the leader on our secure website, and sign up for our publications. And remember, you can make sure you hear our podcasts first by going to iTunes and subscribing to them.

In this week’s podcast, PennFuture’s western Pennsylvania Outreach Coordinator Joylette Portlock takes you on an audio tour of eLoop LLC, an ethical electronics recycling firm in Plum Borough, just outside of Pittsburgh. You’ll hear Ned Eldridge, eLoop’s president and CEO; Penny Holden, vice president of sales; and Jimmi Burns, director of operations, describe the recycling process step-by-step. You’ll learn exactly how our electronic waste -- the fastest growing waste stream in the world – should be disposed of. Turns out our televisions, computers, cell phones, PDAs, printers, etc., are full of toxic chemicals that must be disposed of as hazardous waste, and precious metals and other valuable components that can be reused.

Unfortunately, there is no law in Pennsylvania banning all this electronic waste from our landfills. But that could change. Two e-recycling bills currently before the Pennsylvania General Assembly - HB 708 and SB 816. These bills will require manufacturers of electronics to take back their old products and arrange for them to be responsibly recycled. HB 708 has been approved by the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and should be ready for a vote by the full House soon. SB 816 is currently before the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

In late June, PennFuture, eLoopLLC, and the Pennsylvania Resources Council held a special electronics recycling event as part of the Black and Gold City Goes Green Campaign. With just a few days notice, more than 350 Pittsburghers brought their old electronics to Heinz Field and paid to recycle three truckloads — about 20 tons — of old televisions, computers and more. The effort kept between six and seven tons of lead out of landfills.

You can sign up to automatically receive PennFuture Podcasts by going to iTunes and subscribing. And you can make sure you are on the cutting edge of environmental activism by joining PennFuture at our secure website.

Last November, the citizens of Philadelphia voted overwhelmingly in favor of amending the City Charter to create a new Department of Parks and Recreation and a new Commission. One of the first jobs of the new department is to adopt standards and guidelines for running and expanding the city’s parks.

Striking the right balance between protecting Philly’s parks and citizens’ use of the parks is in the hands of Michael DiBerardinis, the new Commissioner. In this podcast, PennFuture’s Rachel Vassar interviews DiBerardinis as he prepared to speak to the July 2009 Urban Sustainability Forum. She also interviews two experts from other cities, Zari Santner, director of Portland (Oregon) Parks & Recreation and Lucie Springmeyer, Executive Director, Forest Park Forever in St. Louis, Missouri.

Are you a PennFuture member? There’s no time like the present to join. You’ll get first notice on cool programs like the Urban Sustainability Forum, movies, panels, workshops and parties. Donate today at our secure website.

In April, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter announced the city’s first-ever sustainability plan, Greenworks Philadelphia. This podcast features PennFuture’s Rachel Vassar interviewing two of the people responsible for implement that plan, William Toffey, City Energy Manager at the Mayor's Office of Sustainability and  Scott McGrath- Interim Recycling Coordinator for the city.

Rachel caught them as they were preparing to address the June, 2009 Urban Sustainability Forum, Philadelphia's Sustainability Framework: Filling in the Picture. The Forum provided an in-depth look at the framework, made up of five goals, 15 targets and over 100 initiatives to achieve the goal of making Philadelphia the greenest city in the country.

Are you a PennFuture member? There’s no time like the present to join. You’ll get first notice on cool programs like the Urban Sustainability Forum, movies, panels, workshops and parties. Donate today at our secure website.

Last week, you learned of that special place in Sullivan and Lycoming Counties, the Loyalsock Creek. You met the women and men who have worked so hard to clean up the stream from damage from mining and other pollution, and how successful they've been.

In part two, the documentary features the risks that the area faces from poorly planned development. A shopping mall, proposed within the flood plain of the Loyalsock, could endanger the health of the stream, and the safety of everyone who lives, works, or plays downstream from the mall. And of course, anything that damages the Loyalsock will damage all the waters below it, including the Chesapeake Bay.

If you aren't a member of PennFuture, there’s no time like right now to join us. Your support will help us provide the assistance local communities, like the Loyalsock area, need to help protect their beautiful and vital waters, land and air. Each year, we provide at least $2 million in free legal help to local communities - your donation can help us do more.

And don’t forget that you can beat the crowd and listen to PennFuturePodcasts first. Just download the free software iTunes and follow the directions to subscribe to PennFuture's podcasts. They’ll be delivered to you automatically.

Pennsylvania has many outstanding and beautiful rivers, streams and creeks, and few are as well-loved and supported as Loyalsock Creek. The Loyalsock runs through Sullivan and Lycoming Counties into the West Branch of the Susquehanna, eventually down to the Chesapeake Bay itself.

Loyalsock Creek is used for trout fishing and white water kayaking. The Loyalsock Trail is a wilderness trail that runs along it, providing opportunities for hiking. Worlds End State Park is located on the Loyalsock in Sullivan County.

This documentary features the people of the area who have worked ceaselessly to clean up the Loyalsock and are fiercely protecting it now. You’ll hear the pride in their voices as they talk about the recovery of the Loyalsock from damage from the coal industry and bad development, and exactly how important this waterway is to the quality of their lives.
And, of course, you’ll learn about the importance of cleaning all the streams and rivers upstream if we are ever to have a healthy Chesapeake Bay.

In Part two, which will be available on July 17, you’ll learn about the new threats to the Loyalsock, and what local citizens, working together, are doing to protect it.

This podcast features another brief look behind the scenes at PennFuture, building on the conversations last week and the previous week. PennFuture’s intrepid podcaster and Federal Policy Manager Joy Bergey has a short discussion with Pam Fendrock, our northeast Pennsylvania outreach coordinator. Pam talks about her special feelings for the area, and that she believes PennFuture is the best way to improve the place she calls home. She also discusses the area’s problems dealing with the aftermath of anthracite mining. Finally, she invites supporters to visit her office in Wilkes-Barre on the Public Square, located right next to Circles Sandwich Shop, which she calls the “best sandwich shop in town.”

Keeping all of our staff and offices up and running takes help from our supporters. If you aren't already a PennFuture member, there's no time like the present to donate. Together, we're changing Pennsylvania for the better!

This podcast features a look behind the scenes at PennFuture, building on last week's conversation. Tanya Dierolf, our outreach coordinator for Central Pennsylvania gets to know better her counterpart, Joylette Portlock, our outreach coordinator for Western Pennsylvania. We learn more about how Joylette got to know PennFuture (the infamous Pittsburgh holiday party is mentioned!), and a bit more about one of her main projects, the Black and Gold City Goes Green.

Tanya then chats with staff attorney Brian Glass, who works out of our Philadelphia office. Brian describes his career switch from private practice, where he defended the sorts of clients he now fights against at PennFuture, lending his skills and expertise toward assisting citizens dealing with problems like improper stormwater management in communities. He's having a lot more fun working on this side of the table, and making an important difference in people's lives doing so.

If you aren't already a PennFuture member, there's no time like the present to donate. Together, we're changing Pennsylvania for the better!

This podcast features a look behind the scenes with a free wheeling discussion between PennFuture's President and CEO, Jan Jarrett, and our Federal Policy Manager, Joy Bergey.

Jan and Joy talk about why they do the work they do and what they like best about their jobs. From global warming to TMI, these women will show you the passion, intelligence, and sensitivity they bring to the work, and why PennFuture does so much so well.

If you aren't already a PennFuture member, there's no time like the present to join. Together, we're changing Pennsylvania for the better!

Urban agriculture is not a contradiction in terms. It's alive and well in cities worldwide.

This podcast presents speakers from the Urban Sustainability Forum: “How can we feed Philadelphia? Growing the Grange,” held earlier this month at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philly.

PennFuture’s Rachel Vassar interviews Marcia Caton Campbell, Program Director, Center for Resilient Cities in Milwaukee. The Center works to help residents and public servants create healthy, high-quality environments. They build the capacity of urban communities to create and preserve green infrastructure networks that improve the natural environment, citizen health, and economic opportunities.

We also hear from Ben Reynolds, Food Link Project Officer and Network Director of Sustain London. London Food Link works towards increasing the availability of sustainable food in London, tackling the barriers preventing access to healthy and sustainable food for all Londoner and protecting and celebrating London's diverse food culture.

You can join Philadelphia area residents who are working to build a greener, cleaner and more sustainable Philly by being part of the Next Great City initiative. Just go to the website and take the pledge to stay active and informed.

For decades the lack of a comprehensive plan to guide the creation of public amenities and private development has kept the Delaware riverfront from being all that it could be. But no more, thanks to citizens with a vision.

This podcast features some of the speakers from a public meeting held on April 21, 2009 by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission to consider accepting the Civic Vision for the Central Delaware as the framework for future planning. Adopting the Civic Vision will open portions of the river to residents for the first time in a lifetime, while improving the economic vitality of the area and the entire city as a result of increased neighborhood and riverfront attractiveness.

PennFuture’s Rachel Vassar first interviews Steven Weixler, chair of the Central Delaware Advocacy Group (CDAG), who discusses CDAG’s involvement the Civic Vision, and what the Civic Vision is. Next, Patrick Starr, senior vice president the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, discusses greenways, and the importance of the East Coast Greenway. Finally, Harris Steinberg, executive director of PennPraxis, the clinical arm of PennDesign, the School of Design for the University of Pennsylvania, talks about the importance of the Action Plan in moving the Vision forward. He urges listeners to get involved by attending public meetings at the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, advocating building Pier 11 as a recreational pier, and participating in the Master Planning.

You can be part of this civic vision, and other projects to help make Philadelphia the Next Great City. Visit the NGC website to learn how, or sign up for the e-newsletter.

Although it is home to miles of highways and development, Montgomery County may arguably be the greenest county in Pennsylvania. That’s due to the vision of the citizens and elected officials who have put together a Greenprint – a vigorous project to reduce the county’s contribution of heat trapping gases that cause global warming.

This podcast features Montgomery County resident and PennFuture staffer Joy Bergey, a member of the Advisory Committee on Climate Change, interviewing some of the key leaders of the Greenprint project. She talks to County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, who discusses the many parts of the project, including successful outreach to the business community. She also talks to Steve Nelson, Director of Policy for the Montgomery County Planning Commission, who discusses how the County is working to operate all its properties and programs while causing as little pollution as possible. And she completes the picture by interviewing Caesar Gambone, co-engineer and plant supervisor for the County, who talks about his work on the frontlines in making direct reductions in energy use and pollution throughout the county.

You too can make a difference in cutting heat trapping gases. Join PennFuture’s Cool Pennsylvania Campaign – and Pittsburghers can join The Black and Gold City Goes Green Campaign – to help make Pennsylvania even cooler!

How much "green" will Pennsylvania get from the federal stimulus bill, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act? PennFuture's director of outreach Christine Knapp counts the ways our environment and economy will benefit during a recent appearance on NBC 10's Live @ Issue program with Steve Highsmith.

In addition to federal dollars flowing to improve the state's public transportation infrastructure, sewer and water line upgrades, and important energy efficiency projects, the stimulus bill also provides significant new funding for green jobs development. Philadelphia in particular is poised to capitalize now from new, sustainable jobs, thanks to hard work that the Sustainable Business Network and the Green Economy Task Force have done over the past year to create linkages between employers, trainers, and job-seekers. Similar work is underway just outside Philadelphia as part of the Smart Energy Initiative, a project of the Chester County Economic Development Council. Recognized as the 2009 Regional Economic Development Project of the Year by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, the Smart Energy Initiative is bringing together employers and other partners to create workforce and economic development opportunities in the clean energy sector.

Not to worry... there's plenty to go around. Check out PennFuture's special edition of Green Power Update that has a rundown of new federal and state funding for clean energy and energy efficiency projects. Whether you are a homeowner, business owner, entrepreneur or aficionado there's something in it for you. You can learn more about why it matters at one of our upcoming events-- our global warming conference in northeastern Pennsylvania, or our clean energy conference in Harrisburg.

In March, Philadelphia's Urban Sustainability Forum centered on the multitude of green-minded projects, initiatives, and groups working throughout Philadelphia neighborhoods. PennFuture's Christine Knapp spoke with a few of the featured presenters.

Who's got the greenest block in all of Philadelphia? Bets are it's one of the communities in Sustainable 19125, or it soon will be. As Shanta Schachter, director of development and operations for the New Kensington Community Development Corporation explains, they are out to show the Next Great City that their zip code has sustainability cornered. Focusing on advocacy, policy and infrastructure, most of the ideas for these neighborhoods have grown up from the neighbors themselves, and are taking root in a big way.

How do you make positive change in your neighborhood? Start with who you know, the person right next door, and work your way out in concentric circles, advises Lara Kelly, co-chair of Northern Liberties Clean and Green. Home to Liberty Lands, the largest privately-owned park in the city, and perhaps the northeast, this group knows a thing or two about how to successfully nurture a green-up activity from idea to reality.

Helping Philadelphia community based organizations do just that-- make concepts fundable, bricks-and-mortar projects, is Beth Miller's Community Design Collaborative, linking planners, architects, and landscape architects with neighborhood groups. The Collaborative funds that critical first 10 percent of projects, to aid in putting designs on paper, so that groups can move forward in obtaining support for completion.

To learn more about the Next Great City initiative, visit our Web site. There, you can get more involved by making a donation or taking action.

Best known for her book, Silent Spring, Rachel Carson was a true daughter of Pennsylvania, launching the modern environment movement with her powerful writing about nature and how humans change the natural world. Her family home, in Springdale, Pennsylvania, is now the site of the Rachel Carson Homestead.

According the Homestead’s website, “It is here in southwestern Pennsylvania that this little girl, who grew up to become ‘one of the most influential people of the 20th century,’ according to TIME magazine, developed her love or nature. The youngest and only child of three to attend college, Rachel Carson was a published writer by age 10. In addition she began a life-long love of the ocean - perhaps inspired by her daily view of the great Allegheny River. As a young adult, Rachel went on to finish degrees in biology and marine biology.” Rachel Carson is a graduate of Pittsburgh’s Chatham University, home of the Rachel Carson Institute.

Last month, the Institute and the Garden Club of Allegheny County held the Pittsburgh premier of the biographical film, “A Sense of Wonder,” featuring Kaiulani Lee’s portrayal of Rachel Carson's life and work. The film was followed by a panel discussion about Carson’s impact on the environmental and public policy.

PennFuture’s Joylette Portlock interviewed the other panelists about Carson, the film and the state of the environmental movement. This podcast includes interviews with Chatham University’s Nancy Gift, acting director of the Rachel Carson Institute; Fiona Fisher, director of communications at the Rachel Carson Homestead; and Dave Cooper, who presented the Mountaintop Removal Roadshow.

This week’s podcast features PennFuture’s Tanya Dierolf interviewing State Representative David Kessler (D-Berk) about the Organic Farming Transition Program.

Kessler details his work with the Rodale Institute in proving organic farming fights global warming and water pollution, grows healthier food, and improves the farmers’ bottom line. The new program, which Kessler successfully advocated last session, provides funding and expertise to farmers who wish to convert from non-organic to organic farming.

Applications for the program are online at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s website.

On March 24, a coalition of environmental, conservation, preservation, housing, and research groups, along with elected officials, held a press conference  in Harrisburg to outline their proposals to build jobs and promote great and green communities and government accountability. The campaign, Pennsylvania Works!, will work to create public policy that puts Pennsylvanians to work and builds a resilient, robust and green economy for all.

This podcast features the state elected officials and leaders of the campaign, detailing their plans to guarantee that Pennsylvania Works! for all.

This week’s podcast of Philadelphia’s Urban Sustainability Forum, held on February 19, answers the question, “Is sustainability just for good times?

With Philadelphia facing historic budget shortfalls (just like every other municipality), the forum shows how sustainability can be a solution, not an expense. Reducing energy use, developing new sources of clean energy, and creating green jobs are key components of the City of Brotherly Love’s plan to grow the economy while increasing sustainability.

Our guest interviewer, Leanne Krueger-Braneky, Executive Director of the Sustainability Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, interviews the experts from the forum – PennFuture’s director of outreach Christine Knapp, Philadelphia Deputy Mayor Rina Cutler, City Finance Officer Rob Dubow, and banker Frank Baldassare of E3 Bank.

Philadelphia is serious about growing green jobs. The city was the site of Vice President Joe Biden’s first meeting of the Middle Class Task Force, with green jobs as the prime focus, on February 27. Earlier in the day, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced more than $1.3 million in grants to the City of Philadelphia, Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, and Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA). ECA will get the biggest portion, about $900,000, to turn the second floor of a former textile factory in Kensington into a school to teach skills for green jobs.

This week's podcast features a wide-ranging conversation between PennFuture's staff attorney specializing in farming issues, Kimberly Snell-Zarcone, and Amy Leber of Shared Earth Farm in Mechanicsburg. Amy explains how CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) work, and how using this method to buy a share of a farm’s products creates a bond between farmers and families. She also discusses the journey from "what is this and what am I supposed to do with it” to foodie-dom, where shareowners are delighted to discover the new tastes and new (and sometimes old) foods available during different growing seasons. They also discuss the real connections CSAs and buying local campaigns make between the farmers and families - especially kids – that help keep organic farmers succeeding.

This discussion took place during last weekend’s Farming for the Future Conference 2009 in State College, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA). This phenomenal conference, held every year, is a veritable potpourri of workshops, major speakers, art, music and, of course, food. All meals at the conference come from sustainably, organically, and regionally raised foods from over 50 PASA members and friends.

You, too, can join this good food movement; and find a local organic farm or join a CSA here.

This  podcast features PennFuture’s Joy Bergey reporting from a conference at the University of Pennsylvania about the Delaware River and how global warming may impact the cities on the river, including Philadelphia. The conference showcased a study by students of Professor Jonathan Barnett of Penn’s School of Design, Department of City and Regional Planning.

Joy first talks with Nikki Thorpe, one of the students who conducted the study. She also speaks with Professor Ben Horton of Penn’s Earth and Environmental Science Department, whose expertise is on sea level rise and global warming. Finally, we hear from architect David Waggoner from New Orleans. Many believe that the Katrina disaster was a look into the future of our warming world; Waggoner’s discussion of what New Orleans must do to prevent future Katrina’s is a sobering lesson for all of us about global warming.

You can take action to help stop global warming right now. Join our Cool Pennsylvania Campaign today.

The drive to create great green jobs is snowballing in Philadelphia, with more than 50 organizations working together as the Green Economy Task Force. Convened by the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, the group has made tremendous steps forward in helping Philadelphia take advantage of the growth of green collar jobs.

Following on the Urban Sustainability Forum featuring Van Jones, this podcast features speakers from January’s forum, “The Green Economy-Economy and Environment Working Hand in Hand.” The forum discussed best practices from other places, people, and individuals working on green jobs. The podcast features PennFuture’s director of outreach Christine Knapp interviewing David Foster, Executive Director of the Blue Green Alliance; Leanne Krueger-Braneky, Executive Director of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia; and Chicago’s Aaron Durnbaugh, Deputy Commissioner , Chicago Department of Environment's Natural Resources and Water Quality Division and Patricia Lee- Project Coordinator, Chicago Department of Environment.

Each year, the Pennsylvania Farm Show takes Harrisburg by storm. And each year, there are more and more exhibits displaying the growing renewable energy technologies that Pennsylvania’s farmers and institutions are employing and marketing. This year’s theme, Keeping Pennsylvania Growing, is designed to showcase our new rural renewable energy economy.

Our podcast this week comes from the Farm Show, where PennFuture’s Tanya Dierolf interviews Messiah College’s Michael M. Zummo about the college’s program to take used oil from the campus’ dining facilities and convert it to biodiesel for a variety of uses, including campus transportation. There’s only one problem – Mike’s program can’t keep up with the amount of oil used to fry the campus food!

Jonkanoo is a masquerade festival/parade from Jamaica, believed to be of West African origin. It is traditionally performed through the streets during the Christmas period.

In December, Pittsburgh’s Legacy Arts Project held Junkanew, a play on words to emphasis the need to conserve our planet. This celebration of music, dance, food, revolving around the environment, also featured leaders of the environmental justice movement nationally and locally. PennFuture’s western Pennsylvania outreach coordinator, Joylette Portlock, brings us the voices and enthusiasm of those leaders in this week’s podcast.

You’ll hear from Namosha Smith, the passionate organizer of the day-long event, which was subtitled “The Art of Red, Black and Greening.” You’ll also hear from the amazing Tanya Fields from Sustainable South Bronx, Andrew Butcher from Pittsburgh-based GTECH, and Lindsay Baxter, Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Pittsburgh.

You can find ways to make your Junk a new and work for environmental justice by visiting PennFuture's website. While there, you can Take Action and become a member.

Philadelphia’s Urban Sustainability Forum offers monthly presentations featuring the best local, national, and international experts on everything sustainable. Each forum also provides a networking opportunity for the Philadelphia community, who together are working to make the City of Brotherly (and Sisterly) Love the greenest, most livable and most sustainable city in the nation.

On November 20, 2008 the Forum’s topic was “Waste Not, Want Not:  The Economic Argument for Recycling,” featuring PennFuture’s director of outreach Christine Knapp; Neil Seldman, president of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance; and Robert Anderson, director of business development and marketing for Blue Mountain Recycling.

Tune in to this podcast to hear interviews of Seldman and Anderson, conducted by Knapp.