The Paula Gordon Show |
Conversation 1 Denis Hayes recalls for Paula Gordon and Bill Russell the beginning of America's awareness of environmental threats to human health and well-being. Mr. Hayes distinguishes this movement from America's older concern for conservation. He reminds us of humans' global interdependence and gives examples of great successes for self-un-doing (not self-fulfilling) hypotheses since 1970. |
Conversation 2 The conversation's setting (the Lewis Environmental Studies Center at Oberlin College in Ohio) is described as the first step for what could be an energy-self-sufficient and carbon dioxide-neutral campus by 2020. Mr. Hayes expands, with a variety of examples of young people's power. He recounts the systematic derailment between 1978 and 1994 of the earlier movement to seriously address energy problems. He describes the environmental movement's recent past. Government's role in advancing technology is examined, exemplified by automobiles and the computer chips central to the technology which powers today's robust economy. Mr. Hayes offers his view of the proper role of government. |
Conversation 3 America's Revolution was fought to escape a landed aristocracy, Mr. Hayes reminds us, linking today's increased concentration of wealth to the need for campaign finance reform and environmental concerns. He reminds us to take pride in the environmental movement's very real accomplishments of the last 30 years, then focuses on how very much remains to be done, with examples of both. Global warming is Mr. Hayes' example of a deep international challenge where no one wants to be first in getting serious. He reveals cynical tactics of those favoring the energy status quo. He gives examples of how sometimes David still beats Goliath, even in global face-offs. |
Conversation 4 Mr. Hayes describes a variety of reasons men and women get involved in environmental issues. He notes that mistakes made by environmentalists tend to be in understating (not overstating) the severity of the threats we face. He offers examples. He projects how things might be in the next 15 to 50 years, confident the major changes ahead cannot be predicted. He considers potential disasters which could result from unintended efforts to increase competitive advantages, with a vivid and sobering example of how human cleverness could be our undoing. |
Conversation 5 Urging us not to be paralyzed by what we face, Mr. Hayes gives a series of examples of what individuals can do that will make a difference in addressing climate change. He explains why using less electricity is the second most important thing we can do to slow climate change. (Power companies rely heavily on burning coal and oil to generate electricity.) THE most important thing is to abandon Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), he says, offering viable alternatives. Mr. Hayes calls "irrefutable" the evidence that we have good alternatives to our current heavy dependence on oil and coal. He assures us that private gain, not the larger economy, is being challenged. He gives examples of how major industries are working to wean themselves from fossil fuels. |
Conversation 6 Reminding us of Senator Gaylord Nelson's central role in founding Earth Day, Mr. Hayes explains its enduring power. He recalls the role Earth Day played in establishing curbside recycling across America. He calls us all to action, even as we continue to learn. |
Acknowledgements Acknowledgements We met with Denis Hayes at the dedication of the Joseph Adam Lewis Environmental Center at Oberlin College. Hundreds of people, led by Professor David Orr, were involved in the creation of this remarkable building. They all have made a difference. Now, let the work begin. The Office of College Relations greatly assisted in making it possible for us to record a series of conversations during the course of the celebratory weekend. We particularly thank Vice President Al Moran, his able assistant Darla Warren and the incomparable Marci Janas. British Petroleum, alas, has not lived up to its rhetoric. |
Related Links:
Because the challenges to the Earth are many, complex and life-threatening, we have produc ed a wide variety of programs on the Earth and our relationship with it. Guests have included: Rchard Leakey, Claudine André, David Orr, Karl Henrik-Robèrt, Edward O. Wilson, Ray Anderson, Janiine Benyus, Alexandra Fuller, Paul Hawken, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Sy Montgomery, William Calvin, Carl Safina, Bill McKibben, David Suzuki, Riki Ott, and Mike Tidwell.
|