In Tune to Nature Podcast

Solutions to Food System Drivers of Biodiversity Loss: Dr. Helen Harwatt of Chatham House

This 26-minute interview features Dr. Helen Harwatt, one of the researchers of the 2021 report "Food System Impacts on Biodiversity Loss" by Chatham House, a research and policy institute in the UK. We explore what aspects of global agriculture and dietary practices, namely animal ag, are causing species extinctions at such high rates and discuss the three solutions/levers the report proposes: 1) shifting toward plant-based diets, 2) preserving existing habitats and rewilding some farmland, and 3) enacting sustainable farming practices -- all of which need to happen together, hinging on the reduction of animal ag (consumers demanding less animal meat and dairy). We end by discussing some policy implications to enact needed food system changes, especially as leaders meet at global summits on public health, climate, and biodiversity.

The interview is hosted by Carrie Freeman, for In Tune to Nature radio show on WRFG (Radio Free Georgia), and aired Wed. March 10, 2021 on WRFG- Atlanta radio.  In Tune to Nature airs every Wednesday from 6:30-7pm EST on 89.3FM-Atlanta radio and streams on wrfg.org. 

Please support independent, non-commercial radio like Radio Free Georgia. 

Photo Credit: Farmer standing in his field in the agricultural landscape of Cotabato Province, Mindanao Island, the Philippines. By Tessa Bunney/Contributor/Getty Images. (cover image for Chatham House biodiversity report)

 

 

Racism as Zoological Witchcraft: Aph Ko on Multidimensional Liberation

Author and activist Aph Ko explains her novel and insightful ideas on race and animality to foster multidimensional liberation for all human races and animal species, based on her book Racism as Zoological Witchcraft: A Guide to Getting Out (Lantern Press: 2019) (Jordan Peele's movie Get Out is an inspiration here). In this 26-minute "In Tune to Nature" Podcast, host Carrie Freeman asks Aph to explain concepts from the book, such as how racism is a form of "zoological witchcraft" where "white supremacy uses both minoritized bodies and animality to communicate and reinscribe a mythical fantasy of racial superiority" (p. 99). She also explains the value of concurrently fighting racism and animal oppression (as a form of animal oppression) through an "afro-zoological resistance" or "multidimensional liberation" movement. Her advice is pertinent to anyone interested in racial justice, animal liberation, or vegan advocacy.

Also check out Aph Ko's website BlackVegansRock.com 

In Tune to Nature is a 30-minute show airing each Wednesday from 6:30-7pm EST (hosted by Carrie Freeman or Melody Paris) on 89.3 FM-Atlanta and on wrfg.org. Please support non-commercial, progressive indie radio like Radio Free Georgia. 

 

Animals as Legal Beings Rather than Persons or Objects: With Law Prof. Maneesha Deckha

Legal scholar Maneesha Deckha explains her novel category of "beingness" to raise the legal status of animals, in her new book "Animals as Legal Beings: Contesting Anthropocentric Legal Orders" (Univ of Toronto Press, 2021). In this 25-minute interview on In Tune to Nature, hosted by Carrie Freeman, Professor Deckha (Univ of Victoria, BC, Canada) explains how feminism, postcolonialism, and critical animal studies informs her less exclusionary and more universal notion of a legal "being" as opposed to some ideal and limiting legal notion of an independent, rational "person."

"In Tune to Nature" airs on Radio Free Georgia's 89.3FM-Atlanta and wrfg.org Wednesdays 6:30-7pm EST. Its co-hosts are Carrie Freeman, Sonia Swartz, and Melody Paris. www.facebook.com/intunetonature 

Please support independent, non-commercial media like Radio Free Georgia.

Take care of yourself and others, including other species. 

The Animals Manifesto for Preventing Pandemics: Building Forward with One Health One Welfare Principles

This 25-minute podcast explains the 2021 Animals' Manifesto to prevent pandemics, signed by over 150 eco & animal protection NGOs to influence international policy-making in support of One Health & One Welfare holistic approaches to considering the mutual welfare interests of humans and other species. "In Tune to Nature" radio host Carrie Freeman interviewed Jessica Bridgers of World Animal Net in early January 2021 to explain the manifesto's origins from the covid crisis, its signatories, its purpose, and its policy recommendations to transform animal farming, animal based food consumption, the wildlife trade, testing on animals for vaccines, and welfare implications for domesticated animals. 

In Tune to Nature is an eco and animal protection show hosted by Carrie Freeman on the indie, non-commercial station Radio Free Georgia (WRFG) that broadcasts on Wednesdays at 6:30pm EST in Atlanta on 89.3FM and streams worldwide at www.wrfg.org  Sonia Swartz and Melody Paris also serve as hosts.

Cultivating a Human Animal Earthling Identity to Build Alliances Between Social Causes

In this 50-minute interview with author Dr. Carrie Freeman, fellow activist and host Melody Paris discusses the ideas within Carrie's newest book The Human Animal Earthling Identity: Shared Values Unifying Human Rights, Animal Rights, and Environmental Movements (2020, UGA Press), such as:

• why identity and values matter to social change,
• how animal rights can be a bridge between human and nonhuman protection,
• common opponents and root causes of social and ecological problems,
• how empathy, respect, and coexistence relate,
• how social movement organizations can better serve as allies for other causes, and
• values that befit the Human Animal Earthling identity and how to enact them in ways that are biocentric and inclusive of all living beings.

It ends by discussing some ways to overcome philosophical tensions around meat eating, non-native species, and wildlife management, as well as listing 13 projects around which social movements could build coalitions.

You can find out more about the book at www.humananimalearthlings.com 

This podcast is a joint show that originally aired on Dec 30th 2020 on WRFG Radio Free Georgia 89.3FM-Atlanta for Second Opinion Radio (Melody Paris, host) and In Tune to Nature (Carrie Freeman, host).

Investigating Wild Animal Welfare: Michelle Graham of Wild Animal Initiative

In this 25-minute podcast, the Exec. Dir. of Wild Animal Initiative explains their unique research mission to understand and improve the lives of wild animals as sentient individuals not just 'populations'. Animal welfare does not have to be limited to domesticated animals; Wild Animal Initiative hopes to facilitate "research and applied projects that will open the door to a clearer picture of wild animals’ needs and how to enhance their well-being. Ultimately, Wild Animal Initiative envisions a world in which people actively choose to help wild animals — and have the knowledge they need to do so responsibly."  Their website is www.wildanimalinitiative.org where scientists, researchers, and policy-makers are welcome to get involved.

Host Carrie Freeman interviewed Michelle Graham for the "In Tune to Nature" radio program on Radio Free Georgia (www.wrfg.org) which was broadcast on 89.3FM-Atlanta on Dec 16, 2020. In Tune to Nature is a weekly show airing Wednesdays from 6:30-7pm EST. The show's website is www.facebook.com/intunetonature 

Take care of yourself and others, including other species.

Holiday Wellness Gift Giving: Green, Vegan, & Natural Gift Ideas to Support Health

Host Carrie Freeman provides ideas for green, vegan, natural, & affordable holiday gifts to support health and wellness during this pandemic. This 25 minute "In Tune to Nature" podcast was also broadcast on 89.3FM Atlanta on Radio Free Georgia, Nov. 25th 2020. 

She shares her nutrient dense smoothie seed mix, and recommends micro-green and herbal tea growing gifts, specific whole foods plant based diet cookbooks like Eat to Live, Forks Over Knives, How Not to Die, Plant Strong, Plant Pure Nation, and Oh She Glows, or magazines like Veg News, nutmilk makers, and natural and cruelty-free skincare and household cleaners (for a non-toxic home). These gifts are great ways to show your friends and family that you care about them as well as the planet and fellow animals. 

You can listen to In Tune to Nature every Wednesday from 6:30-7pm EST on wrfg.org and keep track of guests and action items at our show website at www.facebook.com/intunetonature  

Take care of yourself and others, include other species.

Recycling and Replacing Plastics: Ctr for Hard to Recycle Materials in Atlanta

Peggy Whitlow Ratcliffe, Exec Dir & Founder of Live Thrive Atlanta explains today's plastic recycling market and what can be recycled at the Atlanta CHARM facility (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials) and what happens to plastics when they leave the center (some gets recycled into carpeting and foam insulation). With "In Tune to Nature" radio host Carrie Freeman, Peggy discusses how and why manufacturers and governments should facilitate replacement materials that are biodegradable and don't end up polluting the oceans for hundreds of years, killing wildlife, or filling up landfills permanently. We consumers are overloaded with plastics (some of which are non-recyclable) and need sustainable materials instead. In the meantime we should try to avoid plastics, especially #3, #7, and styrofoam, and recycle what we do use.

Georgians can make an appointment to visit the CHARM facility (south of Grant Park in Atlanta) on Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays to recycle items like plastics, glass, electronics, hazardous materials, clothing, mattresses, etc. at LiveThrive.org  

This "In Tune to Nature" show on plastic recycling and replacement aired on Wed. Nov 11, 2020 on wrfg.org (Radio Free Georgia) and 89.3FM-Atlanta. Carrie Freeman hosts this eco-and-animal-friendly show twice monthly. The show's website is www.facebook.com/intunetonature  

Take care of yourself and others, including other species.

WWF Recipe for a PLANET-Based Diet to Curb Extinction: With Dr. Melissa Ho

WWF's Living Planet Report 2020 indicates agriculture and food are key drivers of continued species decline, so they developed a plan to shift humanity toward a restorative PLANET-based diet and food system. "In Tune to Nature" radio host Carrie Freeman interviews Dr. Melissa Ho, Sr. VP of Freshwater and Food at the World Wildlife Fund to discuss these environmental impacts and the WWF recipe for change at the individual level and systems level (ex: regenerative farming and government policies on ag and nutrition that also take environmental impacts into account, for a more comprehensive account of human health). (25 minute podcast)

See the WWF food report at https://planetbaseddiets.panda.org/ 

This radio show originally aired on October 28, 2020 on WRFG.org and 89.3FM-Atlanta. In Tune to Nature is broadcast every Wednesday from 6:30-7pm EST, on the indie media station Radio Free Georgia. Consider donating to non-commercial independent community media at wrfg.org.  The show's website is www.facebook.com/intunetonature 

Protecting Scientific Integrity from Federal Politics: Dr. Jacob Carter with the Union of Concerned Scientists

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and Biologist Dr. Jacob Carter recently published detailed recommendations to protect federal employees who work with scientific data to drive decision-making, to ensure that partisan politics or a culture of fear over losing jobs doesn't hinder them from independently serving the public interest in protecting the health of humans and the environment. The path to shore up scientific integrity in U.S. Federal Government Agencies is outlined in the UCS 2020 report: "Roadmap to Science in Decision-Making" and is discussed in this 25 minute podcast by UCS biologist Dr. Jacob Carter with host Carrie Freeman for Radio Free Georgia's "In Tune to Nature" radio show, to air October 14, 2020.

If you support scientific integrity measures and the use of science in decision-making (like with climate change and pollutants and public lands), contact your Congressional legislators and mention this UCS report and the "Scientific Integrity Act." Environmental scientists at our federal agencies (like the EPA and the Dept of Energy or Dept of the Interior) need to be able to do their jobs without political interference from whomever holds power in the White House. See here examples of many attacks on science, mainly during trump's reign.

In Tune to Nature is long-running eco and animal-protection show (hosted by Carrie Freeman and Sonia Swartz) that aims to increase your environmental literacy and give you info you need to know to be a responsible environmental citizen. It airs every Wednesday at 6:30 - 7pm EST on Atlanta's 89.3FM and streams worldwide on wrfg.org. Keep up with guests and action items at www.facebook.com/intunetonature 

Voting in GA 2020 Election: Interview with Brionte McCorkle with GA Conservation Voters

In prep for the Nov 3, 2020 election (GA has 2 U.S. Senate Seats on the ballot), we review early voting options in Georgia, such as how to request a mail-in (absentee) ballot (ideally no later than October 1st); or to find early voting polling locations in your county from Oct 12 - 28th (and what counts as valid ID). This  Georgia My Voter page  helps you check your registration status (Oct 5th is registration deadline) and find early voting locations   Another good resource is GoVoteGA.org (for volunteering and for help with voting).

Brionte McCorkle, Exec Director of Georgia Conservation Voters talks with "In Tune to Nature" radio host Carrie Freeman for this 24-minute radio show that aired on 89.3FM wrfg.org in Atlanta on Sept 23rd.

To research Georgia candidates' voting record on environmental protection legislation, see this Environmental Scorecard   It's hard not to notice that most Democrats score much higher than most Republicans. 

Protecting National Wildlife Refuges from Mining & Drilling: Interview with George Nickas of Wilderness Watch

The Okefenokee Natl Wildlife Refuge wetland in Georgia is fending off a potential titanium mine and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska continues to be threatened by oil and gas drilling disrupting caribou and bird nurseries. George Nickas, Exec. Dir. of Wilderness Watch, explains the unified efforts of environmental organizations and citizen groups working to defend these precious natural wilderness areas from damaging industrial extractions that fail to provide a "refuge" for wildlife. This 25-minute interview, by host Carrie Freeman of In Tune to Nature, aired on Sept 9, 2020.

In Tune to Nature airs live Wednesdays from 6:30-7pm EST on radio station 89.3FM-Atlanta and worldwide on wrfg.org (Radio Free Georgia, non-commercial independent radio). The show's website is www.facebook.com/intunetonature 

See also https://protectokefenokee.org/ The Okefenokee Protection Alliance

Media Representation of Veganism and Farmed Animals: An Interview with Gene Baur of Farm Sanctuary

Gene Baur, author and President of Farm Sanctuary, discusses insights on journalistic coverage of farmed animals, vegans, and veganism, as well as the animal agribusiness industry's advertising and marketing tactics. Gene and interviewer Carrie Freeman (radio host, media professor, and coauthor of AnimalsandMedia.org guidelines) also discuss respectful language to use to describe fellow animals. 27 minute podcast. Recorded in November 2019. USA.
www.farmsanctuary.org    www.animalsandmedia.org

In Tune to Nature airs live Wednesdays from 6:30-7pm EST on radio station 89.3FM-Atlanta and worldwide on wrfg.org (Radio Free Georgia, non-commercial independent radio). The show's website is www.facebook.com/intunetonature 

How & Why to Respect Fish: A new campaign from In Defense of Animals

"The planet's most abused animals can't run or scream" --they are the trillions of individual fishes we hook, suffocate, farm, eat, experiment on, or breed and keep in captivity in tanks. In Defense of Animals is championing the cause of these misunderstood aquatic beings at Respectforfish.org  August 1st 2020 was the first "Respect for Fish Day" supported by a large coalition of groups. Fleur Dawes of In Defense of Animals discusses why and how to show respect for fish (especially focusing on experimentation and the pet trade), in this 26-minute podcast with host Carrie Freeman of In Tune to Nature, which originally aired Aug. 12, 2020. 

In Tune to Nature airs live Wednesdays from 6:30-7pm EST on radio station 89.3FM-Atlanta and worldwide on wrfg.org (Radio Free Georgia, non-commercial independent radio). The show's website is www.facebook.com/intunetonature 

Animal Activism in the time of Covid and Black Lives Matter

In this unique time, Atlanta animal activists Christopher Eubanks (Atlanta Save Movement) (shown in photo), and Melody Paris (Georgia Animal Rights & Protection) and Carrie Freeman (PEACE Club at GSU) discuss animal rights and vegan activism strategies for this pandemic era, related to what messages we should use to connect zoonotic diseases like Covid-19 to the meat trade and animal exploitation, and how we can still be effective activists in the shadow of Covid while "social distancing." The latter half of the show covers how animal activists can sincerely support the Black Lives Matter movement to continue its momentum toward social justice in this special moment.  

We conducted this 45 minute interview In July 2020 for a double radio show combining Second Opinion Radio (which Melody hosts) and In Tune to Nature (which Carrie hosts) on WRFG (Radio Free Georgia); the show originally aired on July 29, 2020 on wrfg.org 89.3FM radio.  

Consider supporting this progressive, independent radio station: Radio Free Georgia. Thank you.