Southeast Green - Speaking Of Green

This episode will focus on biodiesel, who can use it, why it's better than diesel and where you can get it in Atlanta. Anne Blair - Clean Fuels and Bioenergy Program Manager Anne is the program manager for SACE’s clean fuels and bioenergy programs. Her work focuses on diesel emissions reduction, advanced transportation and the utilization of biomass for electricity and fuel production, with an emphasis on state and federal energy, fuel, transportation, and climate policy and education. Anne joined the SACE staff in 2003. Anne serves on the Green-e Governance Board, the Southeast Diesel Collaborative Leadership Council, the Steering Committee for the Pine 2 Energy Coalition, facilitates the Tennessee Diesel Working Group and is a graduate of the Environmental Leadership Institute. Anne is the lead author of "A Safer Ride to School: How to Clean Up School Buses and Protect Our Children's Health" and "A Case for the Healthy School Bus: Lessons from the Field." Anne previously worked for River Network in Washin

Ellen Lee: Impassioned Environmentalist Believes Sustainability Equals Sensibility in Both Vehicles and Life Who: Ellen Lee, technical expert, plastics research Role: Researcher working to replace traditional, petroleum-based plastics with alternative composites that are better for the environment and the customer Did you know? Lee enjoys reading cookbooks like most people read novels Visit Ellen Lee at her home in Ann Arbor, Mich., and chances are better than average she’ll be outside, working in the garden. “We grow...a little bit of everything,” she says, laughing. “I love fresh vegetables. We have 10 raised beds, and that’s not enough. Every year, I say, ‘I need more room!’’’ Lee’s green thumb shouldn’t surprise anyone. At Ford, Lee is part of a unique team that works to make products more sustainable through science and technology innovation. The team researches traditional, petroleum-based plastics and looks to Mother Nature to create alternate composites that are durable, lightweight and better

April Ingle of the Georgia River Network will join us. April also participates with the Georgia Conservation Voters network. She will give us a look at all the bills in the environment realm and let us know what passed, failed and will be carried over to next year in the Georgia Legislature.  

John Englander is an oceanographer, spanning many disciplines and areas of expertise. He is a global ocean explorer with personal experiences on expeditions under the polar ice cap, deep dives in research submarines, and visits to Greenland and Antarctica. His mission is to be a clear, objective voice on our changing climate and oceans. Mr. Englander’s broad marine science background, coupled with dual majors in Geology and Economics allows him to see the big picture on climate and look ahead to the large-scale financial and societal impacts, particularly as they relate to sea level rise. High Tide On Main Street: Rising Sea Level and the Coming Coastal Crisis, his new book, was released October 22, 2012, a week before Hurricane Sandy hit the New York City area. John described just such an event hitting NYC as an example of what could occur, never imagining it would happen a week later. The book has received unanimous strong praise for its ability to take the latest science and put it into a long-term vi

Marci Burdett Reed entered the nonprofit sector sixteen years ago, following a career in commercial real estate and property management. Since November 2009 she has served as Executive Director of the American Institute of Architects, Georgia Association and the Architecture Foundation of Georgia. She spent six years at Southface Energy Institute as Director of Development and Communications and more than three years as a Vice President for Development in the College of Engineering at Georgia Tech. A lifelong volunteer for charitable causes, Marci is currently the National Chair of EarthShare, a Washington, DC based environmental organization raising awareness of and funding for more than 400 worldwide environmental charities. She is also Co-Chair of EarthShare of Georgia’s Advisory Council and a Graduate of the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership, on whose board she also serves. She is a member of the 2013 Class of Leadership Atlanta. Marci holds a Bachelor's Degree in English from Georgia State

Using Your Wealth To Create A Better Life -  It’s a classic tale with a modern, monetary twist: Guy loses the love of his life, half his fortune and almost everything he thought mattered, only to find happiness in the depth of despair when he realizes money can’t buy happiness—but it can help create it. The wealth in the U.S. has increased many times over, yet happiness has not. Most people wish their lives were happier and more fulfilling. These facts speak for themselves. Research data has shown increasing incomes over $70,000/year does not lead to greater happiness.

Phyllis Cuttino is director of Pew’s Clean Energy Program, which works to accelerate the clean energy economy in order to seize its economic, national security and environmental benefits for the nation. Pew advocates for national energy policies that enhance industrial energy efficiency, expand energy research and development and deploy advanced transportation and renewable technologies. She joined the Pew Charitable Trusts in 2007 as project director for the Pew Campaign for Fuel Efficiency, which played a critical role in passage of the first increase in federal fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks in more than 30 years. Cuttino has a background in policy, strategic communications and campaigns. In the policy arena, Cuttino worked on the senior staffs of two United States senators. In philanthropy, she served as vice president of public affairs for Ted Turner’s $1 billion gift to U.N. causes. As a senior vice president at a consulting firm in Washington, Cuttino helped Fortune 500 companies

Join us as we speak to Andrea Wesser who runs the MegaWatt Ventures program. The program is run out the University of Central Florida Business Development group. We'll talk MegaWatt Ventures and several other clean tech programs University of Central Florida is running to help entrepreneurs throughout the Southeast.  For more information megawattventures.com/

South Carolina Solar companies are the latest group to tackle their state legislature in regards to getting a more solar friendly environment for the state. Join us as we speak to Bruce Wood, recent past chair of the South Carolina Solar Council. As we discuss politics, regulation of energy and selling solar in South Carolina.

Lisa Wise is a social worker and nonprofit administrator with more than 30 years of experience in the fields of human services and community development. Lisa currently serves as Executive Director of Initiative for Affordable Housing, Inc. in Decatur, Georgia, where she has primary responsibility for directing and overseeing all functions of the organization. Since she took the helm in 1992, Initiative has grown from one house and one homeless family to a multi-faceted agency that improves and strengthens the lives of homeless and low-income women, children and families through affordable housing, enhanced life skills and employment. The agency provides housing and social services for homeless families, affordable housing for low-income individuals and families, and employment and training for individuals with little or no work experience. As Initiative has expanded programming and impact, its budget has grown to over $3 million.

Florida Water Star is a water conservation certification program for new and existing homes and commercial developments. Standards and guidelines for water efficiency are included for: Indoor fixtures and appliances Landscape design Irrigation systems If you want to apply for certification or just want to update your home or business, following program guidelines make it easy for anyone to save water resources. The program outlines standards for a broad range of homes — from a condominium with no yard to an older home on a half-acre lot with an aging irrigation system — and commercial properties and community developments. An independent certifier inspects each project prior to certification. Florida Water Star can be effectively integrated into projects along with other programs such as ENERGY STAR, the Florida Green Building Coalition’s (FGBC) green standards, and the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED program. Florida Water Star’s performance-based approach can enhance projects by providing a

Join us as we get up to date with Jim Harrington with Rainwater Pillow. Jim Harrington developed The Original Rainwater Pillow" in 2008 as a response to the drought in Georgia. Owner of Jim Harrington Garden Designs, one of the Atlanta Area's top landscaping companies, he recognized the havoc that a lack of available water could wreak on his customer's gardens and the potential for rainwater harvesting as a solution. The result is The Original Rainwater Pillow, an innovative way to take advantage of heavy downpours and provide ample water for flowers, gardens and other outdoor and indoor water needs. The pillows are hidden in horizontal wasted space already availble in many homes and buildings so you do not have a hard-to-disguise tank or the excavation expense required for cisterns! We build custom pillow sizes and foot prints up to 200,000 gallons to fit your available space. This allows you to utize all your avialble space and maximize your rainwater collection volume. Jim and his wife, Cecie are both

Brian Carr joined The Clean Air Campaign as communications director in April 2008. Prior to becoming communications director, Brian worked for Primerica Financial Services (part of the Citigroup network of companies), where he created successful internal and consumer campaigns. Earlier in his career, Brian managed print and broadcast advertising during the launch of Cingular Wireless for BBDO Atlanta, an advertising agency. He also founded and ran his own firm for a time, providing grassroots marketing, design and interactive media services for e-commerce and retail clients. Brian graduated from the University of Georgia in 1996 with a degree in journalism.

How a Non-Profit’s projects with Business Partners provide environmental and other public benefits with a Madison Avenue impact. Bob Harris is president and one of three founders of Black Bear Solar Institute, a unique non-profit based right outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in East Tennessee.  The Great Smoky Mountains receive eleven million visitors each year, so Black Bear Solar Institute concentrates on education through demonstration to teach visitors and residents of the area lessons in ecology, sustainable living, environmental stewardship, and successful coexistence with our wildlife neighbors.  Using technology to teach ecology, Black Bear Solar Institute strives to show in tangible ways what is possible for people to achieve right now using today’s technologies and practices. With a background in renewable energy, electric transportation, manufacturing automation, and wildlife rehabilitation facility operation, Bob combines this experience with another of the founder’s 22 years in wi

Southface is an Atlanta-based nonprofit that for 34 years has promoted sustainable homes, workplaces and communities through education, research, advocacy and technical assistance. Shan Arora has been with Southface for three years and focuses on community-based sustainability initiatives, transit-oriented development, and energy efficiency / renewable energy policy. The first sustainability plan he worked on, the DeKalb County Long-Range Comprehensive Energy and Sustainability Plan, received the Georgia Planning Association’s 2012 award for Outstanding Planning Process for a Large Community. He currently manages GeorgiaEnergyData.org, an initiative by Southface to provide comprehensive information regarding Georgia’s conventional energy, renewable energy, and energy efficiency infrastructure. Prior to Southface, Shan worked in the international trade / international tax field for a decade, first with a software company in Washington, DC and then with Deloitte Tax in Atlanta. He received his Bachelors and La

A consultant to national account, commercial, industrial and institutional clients on financial and technical issues related to electric, gas, and water utilities.  He develops energy management strategies for clients and has prepared them for electric and gas deregulation.  His efforts have reduced clients’ energy costs by lowering energy consumption, tariff & contract negotiation, and competition in deregulated markets.  Mr. Segars has 26 years experience in the utility industry.  Currently, he consults for Expo Energy & Environmental, Inc. and is a principal of Consensus Energy, LLC, a firm that implements energy efficiency concepts.  Prior to consulting, he worked 12 years at Southern Company as a National Account Manager and a Power Sales Representative.  Mr. Segars has won several industry awards for projects to improve energy efficiency.  In addition, he has made presentations and been recognized in publications on energy topics and the decision to outsource energy consulting services.  In 200

Vegan chef and author Mark Reinfeld offers a variety of best selling vegan cookbooks. He specializes in vegan, vegetarian, raw food and gluten freeplant-based diets. He offers a series of vegan cooking classes, including 2 day workshops, teacher trainings, 5 and 10 day immersions, as well as retreats, tours and vacations in both America and Europe. He further offers vegan fusion cuisine recipe development and consulting.

You know what it’s like when you take home a brand new box of shoes? Imagine giving that feeling to someone who really needs them; the stories they hold, and the new stories, memories and opportunities that await them. Scour your home for as many shoes as you can find and put them into a gigantic box; more is definitely better. Print out a bunch of SoleMate notes because now it’s time to share all of your shoe stories. You’ve done the hard work; we’ll cover the shipping costs.

Zola's mission Zola is committed to offering solutions to environmental challenges and empowering those who want to make a difference in their community. Embracing a grassroots approach, Zola Coordinators educate individuals about small changes they can make to improve their lives and the environment.  Inspired by this message, guests will then have the opportunity to purchase high-quality, affordable, environmentally friendly, and socially responsible products. We believe that when people know better, they do better. Beth Remmes, Founder Think of me as your personal eco-shopper for some of the best environmental products on the market today. For years, I have recycled and sent e-mails to my representatives, but beyond that I thought there wasn’t much more I could do to really make a difference. Then I heard the statistic that said, “If everyone just changed one light bulb to a CFL, it would be the equivalent of taking a million cars off the road.”  It reminded me that small steps, taken together, can hav

Sam came to the Global Soap Project with a background in international nonprofit management, fundraising, and consulting.  He worked for several years at the consulting firm Transformation Force International, serving as a strategic planning and fundraising consultant to nonprofit organizations around the world.  During that time, he also served as an Adjunct Professor of Management at Virginia Tech.   Following that, he led fundraising, communications, and senior service programming as Vice President of External Relations for Volunteers of America, based out of Salt Lake City.  After his tenure there, he served in Washington DC as a Director at Beyond Borders, a human rights organization, and then as Executive Director at The International Center for Sustainable Fundraising, a capacity-building organization.   Sam joined the Global Soap Project as Executive Director in February 2012.  He has an MBA in International Management and is also a licensed pilot.  Over the past 15 years, he has served on boards of d