Earth Day 2009 - Show Recap
Original Air Date:
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Earth Day 2009 - Protect Our Oceans:
After opening the show with footage of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Oprah started the Earth Day episode by explaining the problem with pollution in our oceans today. Stretching from the coast of California to Japan, the GPGP is 90 feet deep in some places and was 80% created by waste from land. Such a large area of pollution in the water is causing disaster to sea animals; considering there is 6 times more plastic for fish to consume than their actual diet of plankton.
Fabian Cousteau, grandson of famed explorer Jacques Cousteau, stopped by to speak with Oprah about the state of the world's oceans. Fabian explained that the state of the oceans should be important to everyone because it affects everyone. When the fish consume plastic, they also become too contaminated for humans to consume. The amount of trash you produce can directly affect the food on your plate - the entire world is connected; it is a closed system. Since no single nation is responsible for our oceans, says Fabian, it is up to all of to value their protection.
Plastic Bags:
Oprah revealed the shocking statistics that more than 150 billion bags have been used this year alone with only 1% of them being recycled; the rest are thrown in the garbage. Dozens of countries have banned the use of plastic bags or created a tax or fee associated with them. San Francisco was the first US city to ban the use of such bags, while Ireland began to charge .33 cents per bag and saw a 94% drop in their use.
Garbage - How Much Do You Waste & Where Does It Go?:
On average, each person in the US creates 4.5 pounds of garbage per day. Multiply that times the 306 of us living in this country and we have a serious problem. Annabelle Gurwitch from the Planet Green Channel took Oprah's cameras to the Puente Hills Landfill in LA to show viewers what happens to garbage after it's picked up. The landfill received 8500 tons of garbage 6 days per week and is only 1 of 3 landfills in LA county.
American's waste 71.6 million tons of paper every year, 2.5 million plastic bottles and 43,000 tons of food every day.
The fact remains that much of what is entering our landfills can be reduced, recycled or reused if people are given the information about the amount of waste and the effects on the world.
Oprah introduced the Nevins family via Skype from Naperville - a family of 5 with 4 pets. The Nevins' were given the challenge of saving their garbage for the week to be able to see what they were actually consuming and wasting. The family collected 10 bags of garbage and a filled container of recyclables in 1 week. They shared how the experience opened their eyes and made them want to do more.
The Recycle Bank:
The Recycle Bank is a program that exists in over 100 cities in the US that pays customers for their recyclables. Joining the program, you are given a container that is weighed, earning you points for ever pound of materials you recycle. The points are then earned for discounts or free goods from a number of retailers.
Simran Sethi with Simple Green Tips:
Environmental concerns are slipping in the minds of Americans with the current state of the economy, says Simran Sethi. Simple green changes in your home can save you money and are just common sense. Simran's tips include:
TerraCycle:
TerraCycle is a company that reuses materials to create new products for consumers from bags to cleaning products. Going as far as collecting goods from landfills, TerraCycle are also getting schools involved to reduce their waste.
Michael Pollan - How to Eat Green:
Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma appeared on the show via Skype from Berkeley to help viewers how to make less of an impact on the environment with their diet. A large portion of our country's waste comes from food packaging. An idea to reduce the overall use of resources in your diet is to introduce Meatless Monday into your family's weekly routine. Just eliminating meat from your diet 1 day per week can make a large impact on the world. Michael also suggested that the main focus of grocery shopping should be on the outer edge of the store where the food is fresh.
The Dervaes Family - The Urban Homestead:
Footage was shown from the home of the Dervaes family, who has created their own "urban homestead" in Pasadena, California. Calling themselves a 21st century prairie family, the Dervaes' produce 3 tons of fruit and vegetables every year, their own milk and eggs, sell produce to area restaurants, use solar power and drive on vegetable oil fuel - all of 1/10 of an acre of land.
A Promise of a Waste-Free Lunch:
Simran provided viewers with an array of products that are renewable and reusable for packing a lunch. Simran's, and Oprah's, hope, is that viewers will see the products that are available and make a promise to pack a waste-free lunch.
Fuel Efficiency:
Sarah Snow from the Discovery Health Channel provided viewers with tips on how to create more fuel efficiency with just a few minor changes. Sarah's tips include:
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Earth Day 2009 - Protect Our Oceans:
After opening the show with footage of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Oprah started the Earth Day episode by explaining the problem with pollution in our oceans today. Stretching from the coast of California to Japan, the GPGP is 90 feet deep in some places and was 80% created by waste from land. Such a large area of pollution in the water is causing disaster to sea animals; considering there is 6 times more plastic for fish to consume than their actual diet of plankton.
Fabian Cousteau, grandson of famed explorer Jacques Cousteau, stopped by to speak with Oprah about the state of the world's oceans. Fabian explained that the state of the oceans should be important to everyone because it affects everyone. When the fish consume plastic, they also become too contaminated for humans to consume. The amount of trash you produce can directly affect the food on your plate - the entire world is connected; it is a closed system. Since no single nation is responsible for our oceans, says Fabian, it is up to all of to value their protection.
Plastic Bags:
Oprah revealed the shocking statistics that more than 150 billion bags have been used this year alone with only 1% of them being recycled; the rest are thrown in the garbage. Dozens of countries have banned the use of plastic bags or created a tax or fee associated with them. San Francisco was the first US city to ban the use of such bags, while Ireland began to charge .33 cents per bag and saw a 94% drop in their use.
Garbage - How Much Do You Waste & Where Does It Go?:
On average, each person in the US creates 4.5 pounds of garbage per day. Multiply that times the 306 of us living in this country and we have a serious problem. Annabelle Gurwitch from the Planet Green Channel took Oprah's cameras to the Puente Hills Landfill in LA to show viewers what happens to garbage after it's picked up. The landfill received 8500 tons of garbage 6 days per week and is only 1 of 3 landfills in LA county.
American's waste 71.6 million tons of paper every year, 2.5 million plastic bottles and 43,000 tons of food every day.
The fact remains that much of what is entering our landfills can be reduced, recycled or reused if people are given the information about the amount of waste and the effects on the world.
Oprah introduced the Nevins family via Skype from Naperville - a family of 5 with 4 pets. The Nevins' were given the challenge of saving their garbage for the week to be able to see what they were actually consuming and wasting. The family collected 10 bags of garbage and a filled container of recyclables in 1 week. They shared how the experience opened their eyes and made them want to do more.
The Recycle Bank:
The Recycle Bank is a program that exists in over 100 cities in the US that pays customers for their recyclables. Joining the program, you are given a container that is weighed, earning you points for ever pound of materials you recycle. The points are then earned for discounts or free goods from a number of retailers.
Simran Sethi with Simple Green Tips:
Environmental concerns are slipping in the minds of Americans with the current state of the economy, says Simran Sethi. Simple green changes in your home can save you money and are just common sense. Simran's tips include:
- Lighting: lighting accounts for 11% of your home electric bill - simple changes to CF or LCD bulbs can help the environment and your budget in the long run
- Programmable Thermostat: for each degree you reduce your thermostat, you can save 1% on your energy bill - Simran suggests a thermostat set at 68 in the winter and 78 in the summer
- Weather Stripping
- Draw or open your shades
- Smaller TVs and LCD televisions are more energy efficient to larger or plasma sets
- Water Aerator
- Water filtration pitcher or faucet attachment
- Energy Star Appliances
- Use cloth towels or microfiber instead of paper
- Lemons, vinegar and baking soda instead of harsh cleaning chemicals
- Turn down the temperature on the hot water heater 20 degrees and insulate the unit
TerraCycle:
TerraCycle is a company that reuses materials to create new products for consumers from bags to cleaning products. Going as far as collecting goods from landfills, TerraCycle are also getting schools involved to reduce their waste.
Michael Pollan - How to Eat Green:
Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma appeared on the show via Skype from Berkeley to help viewers how to make less of an impact on the environment with their diet. A large portion of our country's waste comes from food packaging. An idea to reduce the overall use of resources in your diet is to introduce Meatless Monday into your family's weekly routine. Just eliminating meat from your diet 1 day per week can make a large impact on the world. Michael also suggested that the main focus of grocery shopping should be on the outer edge of the store where the food is fresh.
The Dervaes Family - The Urban Homestead:
Footage was shown from the home of the Dervaes family, who has created their own "urban homestead" in Pasadena, California. Calling themselves a 21st century prairie family, the Dervaes' produce 3 tons of fruit and vegetables every year, their own milk and eggs, sell produce to area restaurants, use solar power and drive on vegetable oil fuel - all of 1/10 of an acre of land.
A Promise of a Waste-Free Lunch:
Simran provided viewers with an array of products that are renewable and reusable for packing a lunch. Simran's, and Oprah's, hope, is that viewers will see the products that are available and make a promise to pack a waste-free lunch.
Fuel Efficiency:
Sarah Snow from the Discovery Health Channel provided viewers with tips on how to create more fuel efficiency with just a few minor changes. Sarah's tips include:
- Keep up on maintenance
- Aggressive drivers waste 33% more gas efficiency
- Cold engine starts are less efficient for your car, so aim to make errands all on one trip
- Check your tire pressure
- Save gas by creating a route that only uses right turns
Source...