Tuning In

Keeping up with the most recent updates on environmental issues has never been easier. The latest eco-news, your local political report, new gadgets and tips for living la vida verde – all of this and more is just a click away. Many websites are offering free podcasts that you can listen to online at your computer or from anywhere via your mp3 player.

For example, iTunes has a large selection on a variety of topics such as:

• “Living Green” is a videocast hosted by Meredith Medland. Medland is an executive coach and journalist who focuses on the psychology and spirituality of ecology. Each video runs 30 to 45 minutes and covers items such as socially-responsible investing, clean tech, alternative healthcare, tourism and lots more.
• “America the Green” is a radio show that features 30 to 60-minute interviews with industry leaders on subjects from organic food to biofuels to policy making.
• Sierra Club Radio offers weekly, 30-minute podcasts of green news plus interviews with politicians, activists, journalists and other experts.

Short on time?

• “Planet Green” is a fun, 3 to 5-minute videocast featuring creative ideas and the newest eco-friendly products.
• “Our Changing Planet” is a series of 90-second videos by the Upper Midwest Aerospace Consortium at the University of North Dakota. As you probably have guessed, these videos are more scientific in nature than most podcasts, but still easily understood. Hosts explain both natural and man-made processes constantly in play on planet Earth.
• “Green Dirt” gives you a tip a day in just under a minute, like this gem: “instead of turning up the heat and walking around in a T-shirt, buy a wool sweater.”

My personal favorite is “Greentime”. This video blog documents the sustainable living efforts of a South Florida couple. In 15-minute segments, Rhett and Amy show and tell their attempts to be greener. Subjects include revealing research on renewable energy certificates to homemade body and face scrubs and everything in between. It’s inspiring to see real people actually trying the products and concepts that others just talk about.

These are just a few samples of what is available on the web today. Two words of caution: Surf Smart. Just because a “fact” is online, doesn’t mean it’s true. Cross-reference, find out who funded a study or a documentary, research the credentials of experts – in other words, know your source.

No matter what shade of green you are, there is a podcast to help you go greener.

Just stay tuned!