The Urban Food Revolution: Changing the Way We Feed Cities by Peter Ladner. (New Society Publishers, 2011) Click to buy this book from New Society: The Urban Food Revolution

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver at TheCommentary.ca.

We rely too much on industrial agriculture, to the point where it’s damaging our health, our economy and the environment itself. Sure food is cheap and easy to come by in this part of the world, but the costs inherent are almost incalculable. A new book, The Urban Food Revolution: Changing the Way We Feed Cities is part recipe for solutions to our problems, and highlights places where great advancements are taking place; examples of where we could be with new ways of growing and delivering our food. It’s a fascinating, stimulating and important book. Peter Ladner is a journalist, and a former two-term member of Vancouver’s city council. He is the publisher and co-founder of Business in Vancouver, and a director of The Natural Step Canada. This book is published by New Society Publishers. The website for more is at www.peterladner.ca. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Peter Ladner; Good morning, Mr. Ladner.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver at TheCommentary.ca.

The most frequent guest in the life of this program in the nearly seven and a half years and nearly seven hundred interviews has been Rafe Mair. He’s been on nine times since 2004. I grew up listening to Rafe. I came of age politically listening to his radio program from the mid-to-late 1990s on, learning about the constitution, provincial and federal politics, and of course the environment. As a broadcaster, one can’t do any harm trying to emulate Rafe whenever behind a microphone interviewing a politician. I know this every time one of these pols come on, because I know I’m not as good as Rafe Mair. Since leaving daily broadcasting, Rafe has co-founded The Common Sense Canadian. It’s a website that he’s talked about on this program, whereupon is presented environmental news and views. It’s a great website and its co-founder Damien Gillis joins me now to talk about it and a benefit for The Common Sense Canadian, Thursday, 24 November 2011. The Rafe Mair Roast: 80 and Still Kicking Ass will celebrate Rafe Mair as he turns 80 this year. There’s a great list of speakers who’ll come out to the Wise Hall here in Vancouver to rib and pay tribute to the legendary broadcaster, former politician, a stalwart defender of free speech and the environment. Among those scheduled to speak, Rick Cluff, Red Robinson, Grand Chief Stewart Philip, Michael Smyth, Moe Sihota, and Shiral Tobin, among many others. Ms. Tobin of the CBC’s Early Edition will serve as MC. Tickets can be had at www.TheCanadian.org. Damien Gillis is a documentary filmmaker whose work focuses on the environment and social justice. He joins me from here in Vancouver today. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Damien Gillis; Good morning, Mr. Gillis.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver at TheCommentary.ca.

Chris Shaw joins me again. He is a De-Growth Vancouver candidate for city council. We’ll talk to him now about the reasons why he’s running, the issues surrounding this campaign, about De-Growth Vancouver and more. Dr. Christopher Shaw is a neuroscience research at the University of British Columbia, and the author of Five Ring Circus: Myths and Realities of the Olympic Games, which he was on with back in 2008. The website for De-Growth Vancouver is www.de-growth.com. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Chris Shaw; Good morning, Dr. Shaw.

Eating Dirt: Deep Forests, Big Timber, and Life with the Tree-Planting Tribe by Charlotte Gill. (Greystone, and the David Suzuki Foundation, 2011) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Eating Dirt

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver at TheCommentary.ca.

A new book, just published is Eating Dirt: Deep Forests, Big Timber, and Life with the Tree-Planting Tribe. It’s just been nominated for the richest nonfiction prize here in Canada, the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize. The book’s author Charlotte Gill joins me now. I’ve just started reading the book, and it’s a fascinating look at tree planters, their work, their sense of accomplishments not only after a season of driving seedlings into the ground—in Ms. Gill’s case nearly 20 years, but also years from now as this is the slowest growing of our renewable resources. We get a sense of logging’s impact on this part of the world, the majesty of the environment and the forestry business. The planter is a vital part of the ecological process, as well in the forest industry. Charlotte Gill is the author of a fiction collection called Ladykiller which was nominated for a number of prizes including the Governor General’s Award, and the BC Book Prize for Fiction. She’s planted more than a million trees. The book is published by Greystone and the David Suzuki Foundation. The website for more is at www.charlottegill.com. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Charlotte Gill; Good morning, Ms. Gill.

The Leap: How to Survive and Thrive in the Sustainable Economy by Chris Turner. (Random House Canada, 2011) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Leap: How to Survive and Thrive in the Sustainable Economy

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver at TheCommentary.ca.

Chris Turner joins me now. He’s written a new book, The Leap: How to Survive and Thrive in the Sustainable Economy. We live in important times, critical times. We have mounting and multiple crises. There’s a financial crisis, energy crisis, food crisis, and climate crisis. So far, it seems we’ve looked at each in isolation. In this book, Mr. Turner suggests a new way of looking at things. We’ll get him to tell us about this book, where he takes us through the forthcoming industrial revolution, what’s involved with that for communities, government and businesses. We’ll talk about where around the world, there’s hope, where there are examples of sustainability success. Chris Turner is one of the country’s leading writers on sustainability and the cleantech industry. He was last on for his previous book, The Geography of Hope, which was a bestseller and a finalist for a number of awards. He’s won other awards for his writing, and has appeared in sundry publications. The book is published by Random House. The website for more is at www.thegeographyofhope.com. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Chris Turner; Good morning, Mr. Turner.

This Crazy Time: Living Our Environmental Challenge by Tzeporah Berman. (Knopf, 2011) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: This Crazy Time: Living Our Environmental Challenge

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver at TheCommentary.ca.

She has been described as a modern environmental hero, she’s also been dubbed controversial. She is however an effective campaigner. Tzeporah Berman joins me now to discuss her new book, where she talks about her life and her work, This Crazy Time: Living Our Environmental Challenge. She’s written the book with Mark Leiren-Young. Tzeporah Berman is Greenpeace International Climate and Energy Co-Director, and is the founder of ForestEthics and PowerUp Canada. Her website is at www.tzeporahberman.com. The book is published by Knopf. She’s in Toronto this day, promoting this book, but makes her home again here in Vancouver. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Tzeporah Berman; Good morning, Ms. Berman.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver at TheCommentary.ca.

It is Saturday, the 23rd of April 2011; nine days until election day.

The federal election is on May 2nd, and in recent weeks there’s been much discussion on the program about the national campaign. Between now and the 2nd, I hope to welcome all of the candidates running in the riding of Vancouver Kingsway. It’s where I live, and as a voter it’ll be good to get close to home and hear directly from the men and women who are running for office. There are seven candidates on the ballot. As of Friday morning, five have confirmed appearances for this program.

We begin this morning with Louise Boutin. She is the Green Party candidate. She was born and raised in Montreal, and moved to Vancouver in 2006. She lives in the Kensington area of Vancouver, and is a Realtor. She is active on the environmental front and in the local theatrical community. The website for more is at www.greenparty.ca. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Louise Boutin; Good morning, Ms. Boutin.

The Next Eco-Warriors edited by Emily Hunter. (Conari Press, 2011) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Next Eco-Warriors

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver at TheCommentary.ca.

We hear all the time about how dire everything is with regards to the environment. It still is, and more can be done, but it’s not all hopeless. A new book, The Next Eco-Warriors features 22 young men and women who are doing their part. The editor of the book, one of the 22 featured in the book joins me now. Emily Hunter is the environmental correspondent for MTV News Canada, and climate producer for The Real News Network in Washington. She is the daughter of Greenpeace co-founders Robert and Bobbi Hunter, and she’s worked on numerous campaigns from saving the whales in the Antarctic to protecting indigenous species in the Galapagos Islands. In the book the 22 people write about their own experiences, their passions, the roots of their activism, as well perhaps one can get inspired to do their own thing to help save this planet. This Friday, the 22nd, other than being Good Friday, is Earth Day. This book is a great way to think about the planet and our place in it, do that while thinking about Jesus. The Next Eco-Warriors is published by Conari Press. The website is at www.nextecowarriors.com. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program in Toronto this morning, Emily Hunter; Good morning, Ms. Hunter.

The Vertical Farm: Feeding the World in the 21st Century by Dr. Dickson Despommier. (Thomas Dunne Book, 2010) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Vertical Farm

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. In Vancouver, this is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

Dr. Dickson Despommier joins me now. He is the author of a new book, a fascinating one, The Vertical Farm: Feeding the World in the 21st Century. It’s a provocative, yet thoughtful book showing us how we could have our own local food source, especially if we live in an urban centre. With food in short supply, the same with water and energy, Dr. Despommier thinks we should build up. Now, scientists, architects and people around the globe are getting hip to the idea that these specially designed buildings can grow not only food, thanks to hydroponics and aeroponics, but they can be sources of employment and because of their locations, they would also reduce dependence on fossil fuels in terms of getting the food to people. Dr. Dickson Despommier spent thirty eight years as a professor of microbiology and public health in environmental health sciences at Columbia University. He has won numerous awards, and he’s been featured in countless national and international media outlets, both print and broadcast. It’s a Thomas Dunne Book, which is an imprint of St. Martin’s Press. The website for more is www.verticalfarm.com. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Dickson Despommier; Good morning, Dr. Despommier.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

In Vancouver, I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

Sturla Gunnarsson joins me now. He is one of the country’s best known and prominent filmmakers. He’s the director of the soon to open, Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie. It’s screened at the Toronto and Vancouver International Film Festivals, and will open nationally on Friday, 15 October 2010. The film, presented by eOne Films, tells Suzuki’s story and throughout the film is a lecture he gives about his views on life, the environment and more. It’s already won an award at the Toronto festival, and the word on the film has been quite good. Sturla Gunnarsson is a multiple award winning director. His films include the epic Beowulf and Grendel, Rare Birds, and Such a Long Journey. He also directed the documentary Air India 182, as well episodes of television series such as Defying Gravity, Degrassi: The Next Generation, DaVinci’s Inquest, and more. He joins me from here in Vancouver. $1.00 from every ticket sale of Force of Nature will be donated to the David Suzuki Foundation. For more information visit www.davidsuzuki.org, as well as Mr. Gunnarsson’s website, www.sturlagunnarsson.com. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Sturla Gunnarsson; Good morning, Mr. Gunnarsson.