San Francisco joins Meatless Monday bandwagon
A nonbinding resolution calls for meatless options to be offered.
New York City goes after salt
Bloomberg administration wants to see a 20 percent reduction amount of salt in prepared or packaged foods.
Pollan talks food rules with Stewart
Michael Pollan discusses the high cost of cheap food with Jon Stewart.
Pollan: Don't buy food you've seen advertised
Monsanto, swine flu, Lay's claim to be local, Michelle Obama's organic garden, school lunch programs and more. This video has Michael Pollan weighing in on a lo
Pollan weighs in on Obama's first 100 days
The president is getting a report card for his first 100 days in office from Michael Pollan and others. How's he doing on the food front?
Michael Pollan: Make me do it
Michael Pollan reminds us that this is just the beginning. We need to write our legislators and make change happen. Show them that change is happening.
Michael Pollan: The food culture
Michael Pollan discusses how people need rethink how they eat and remember to teach children healthy eating.
Michael Pollan: Local economies
Michael Pollan predicts local economies will become revitalized and discusses how this will benefit people around the world.
Michael Pollan: Decentralizing food
Michael Pollan explains how having such a centralized food system can be dangerous to the country.
Michael Pollan: Not enough farmers
Michael Pollan argues that fossil fuel efficiency replaced farmers, and we need to get them back.
Michael Pollan: Get animals back on farms
Michael Pollan lists three things that need to be removed in order to get animals back on farms.
Michael Pollan: Polycultures: A step in the right direction
Michael Pollan explains how a variety of plants and animals make for healthy farms, which make for healthy people.
Michael Pollan: The problem with monocultures
Michael Pollan explains that if farmers are only growing one or two crops, that means people are only eating one or two crops, which does not make for a healthy
Michael Pollan: How did we get to this point?
Michael Pollan explains in a nutshell how the system went from working well to its current state.
Michael Pollan: Food reform framework
Michael Pollan lays out his ideas about what it would take to reform the food system.
Michael Pollan: A history of food policy
Michael Pollan explains how public health problems in the past made food so cheap it started costing people their health.
Michael Pollan: Healthcare crisis
Michael Pollan explains how healthcare costs are increasing while the amount of money people spend on good food is decreasing and suggests a change.
Michael Pollan: Energy and climate change
Michael Pollan discusses how the food system uses too much fossil fuel and reminds us that solar energy from plants is free.
Michael Pollan: The components of the address
Michael Pollan breaks down his address into different components.
Michael Pollan: Introduction
Michael Pollan thanks and congratulates several organizations.
Michael Pollan: State of the Movement Address
Michael Pollan's State of the Movement Address from the Georgia Organics Convention
The Pliocene called. It wants its CO2 levels back.
Earth's atmosphere hasn't had this much CO2 in human history, and possibly not since the Pliocene Epoch about 3 million years ago.
Mystery behind the beach invasion of Garfield phones finally solved
Decades after the first of the iconic orange phones began washing ashore, a French community finally has answers.
When you're hiking, keep your music to yourself
The whole point of getting out into the natural world is to see, smell and hear the sounds of nature.
Taj Mahal threatened with demolition
The Indian Supreme Court delivers a serious ultimatum to the government: clean up or tear down the ailing global architectural landmark.
Why are blue whales changing the frequency of their songs?
Researchers suspect it could be in reaction to melting sea ice as well as human noise pollution.
Urban air pollution skyrockets as California wildfires burn
While the Camp Fire rages over 100 miles away in the Sierra Nevada foothills, San Francisco experiences an air pollution emergency.
Federal judge halts construction of Keystone XL pipeline
Part of the Keystone oil pipeline was shut down after a 5,000-barrel leak in South Dakota, the pipeline's operator TransCanada said.
You have a personal cloud of particles and bugs that follows you everywhere
Each of us is a cloud of microscopic particles, chemicals and microorganisms swirling around us that's always there. It's called an exposome, and it's unique.
French theme park teaches birds to collect litter
Smart rooks collect litter at Puy du Fou, a historical theme park in Western France, in exchange for food.
Taj Mahal gets beautifying mudpack treatments
To help erase unsightly yellowing brought on by air pollution, India's crown jewel is looking for new beauty miracles.
Methane-hunting satellite aims to expose industrial leaks
The Environmental Defense Fund is developing a satellite that will regularly monitor 50 major oil and gas regions for methane leaks.
Don't underestimate the carbon-capturing power of the most basic backyard
Research conducted in Madison, Wisconsin, finds soil in developed residential landscapes is better at absorbing CO2 than forests.
China enlists 60,000 soldiers to plant trees in war against air pollution
Over 60,000 members of the People’s Liberation Army will help increase the total acreage of forested land in China from 21 to 23 percent.
Can a pollution tracker help us breathe easier?
Flow, a handheld tracking device by Plume Labs, wants to help us better understand — and avoid — urban air pollution.
Polluted German cities eye free public transit
Several German cities are planning to fight air pollution by eliminating fares on public transport.
Sensational flavour and lively atmosphere at Thai Square in St Albans
Here in St Albans Thai Square can be found in the historical quarter of the city on the corner of George Street. The entrance of Thai Square is flanked by two stone elephants with their trunks fortuitously elevated. We open the door to a richly decorated lobby.
Why the Alban Arena's panto is the highlight of the festive season
A NIGHT out at the Alban Arena’s Christmas panto in St Albans has become a tradition each year for many families and groups, as it has, I’m glad to say, for ours too.
Axe throwing company opens its first UK venue in Wembley Boxpark
When I told people I was going to try axe throwing, I was met mostly with confused expressions. While in America the target sport has fast become a popular pastime, the UK has yet to catch up. That is about to change, however, as the world’s largest urban axe throwing company, Bad Axe, has just opened its first venue outside of North America.
Our verdict on Sopwell House's new £14million spa in St Albans
The moment you step through the door, Cottonmill Spa sprawls before you like the promise of paradise. Not for nothing are guests given maps to help them find their way around. You could easily get lost here, but oh what a place to get lost in.
Get pampered at Watford Debenhams with a Dior facial and makeup consultation
Having a facial in a department store might not sound the most relaxing experience. However, once the door slides shut on Dior’s private spa room in Debenhams’ flagship store in intu Watford, it only takes a moment to tune out the voices from outside and tap into your inner zen.
An Update from Larry Mantle
Pictured: Larry broadcasting AirTalk from the Mantle household for the first time last Friday.; Credit: Larry Mantle/KPCC
Larry MantleDear KPCC Listener,
I hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy during this pandemic. We’re doing well at the Mantle house, but with Kristen and our son Desmond working and studying at home, we’re experiencing some of the same daily logistical challenges you likely are. With that in mind, I’d like to update you on the dramatic changes that have occurred with AirTalk during this time of COVID-19.
Every day a noted medical expert is joining us to answer listener questions. It’s allowed us to stay on the cutting edge of COVID-19 and public health developments.
We’re also continuing to convene the largest conversation anywhere in Southern California, but with a new focus. Each day listeners are describing how they’re dealing with the coronavirus, whether staying at home or providing essential services to our community. We’ve heard from students studying online, truck drivers looking for open restrooms on the highway, restaurant owners and employees wondering when, or if, they’ll be able to reopen, and listeners living in their cars seeking a hotel room or shower. In 35 years of hosting AirTalk, I’ve never experienced a time of greater importance for bringing Angelenos together. It’s vital that we talk with - and hear from - each other as we meet this experience together.
This wasn’t how I’d anticipated the 35th anniversary month of AirTalk, but I’m deeply appreciative of the work our dedicated producers are doing while they work from home. A prime example came last week when a hospital emergency forced our physician guest to cancel shortly before airtime. Our producers leapt to action, quickly finding noted infectious disease specialist Dr. Peter Chin-Hong to step right in.
When we finished the live segment, I thanked Dr. Chin-Hong for dropping his important work at UCSF Medical Center to join us. He replied that it’s always a pleasure to speak to one of his favorite audiences.
I couldn’t agree more. KPCC listeners are deeply devoted, not just to their favorite programs, but to the irreplaceable mission of KPCC. We’ll do everything we can during this difficult time to serve that mission – by serving you. Thank you for giving us that opportunity.
Sincerely,
Larry Mantle
Host, AirTalk
P.S. KPCC has always been funded by listeners, and member support is truly critical at this time. With recent substantial losses of sponsor support related to the pandemic, every donation makes a tremendous impact for this vital public service. If you can, please make a gift today to sustain the journalism you and your community needs.
This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.
Rooting for the 49ers taps into California's rivalries
Larry MantleAfter the San Francisco 49ers beat the Atlanta Falcons for the right to go to the Super Bowl, I tweeted my appreciation of a California team going to the game. If no local team is in the running (or exists), I'm always glad to root for a Bay Area team that makes it.
My tweet got responses from some Southern Californians who have no interest in supporting a San Francisco team, especially given the Giants' World Series championship. It goes without saying that many Dodger fans are loathe to support the Giants, under any circumstances.
Given the historic bad blood between the teams, that's no surprise, but I think it runs even deeper. The divide between Northern and Southern California is about more than sports, or even water rights. It's rooted in distinct cultural differences between the two.
However, California has evolved to the point where the bigger cultural divide now might be between coastal and inland regions. Rural Northern Californians typically dislike San Francisco far more than Angelenos do. Similarly, inland Southern California residents often see Los Angeles as the prohibitively expensive home of two-hour traffic jams.
Until the Inland Empire or the San Joaquin Valley get major league teams, we won't see that rivalry playing out at a stadium near you. In the meantime, I'm cheering on the Niners, and my state, on February 3rd.
This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.
What the "Up" series of documentaries tells us about stages of life
Director Michael Apted (L) with Larry Mantle in the AirTalk studio.
Larry MantleThis past Wednesday on "AirTalk," film director Michael Apted came in to talk with us about his eighth documentary in the series that's followed the lives of 13 people, beginning in 1964 when the kids were seven. They've shared their stories with Apted every seven years, and he's clearly invested a lot of emotion into this project.
"56 Up" is wonderful for how it shows the mid-life evolution of the participants. Apted includes scenes from earlier interviews, so that we see what aspects of today's 56-year-olds were present in childhood and what turns their lives have made over these years.
"56 Up" is showing at the Nuart in West Los Angeles, and Apted will be doing Q-and-A at some of the screenings.
This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.
The "amazing" list of banished words is "literally" "awesome"
Larry MantleWhen "Offramp" host John Rabe's father, Bill, created the list at Lake Superior State University in Michigan he likely didn't know it would thrive nearly 40 years later. As language evolves there should never be a shortage of words and phrases we want to "kick to the curb."
This morning on "AirTalk," I asked listeners to pick the ones they "hate on." We got some good ones, including my overused "unpack," as in "let's unpack that idea." Falling into word patterns can happen so subtly that we don't even know it until someone points it out.
My nomination for the list -- "it is what it is." What are yours?
This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.
It was a remarkable show of listener generosity and commitment
Larry MantleHis expression said it all. KPCC Director of On-Air Fundraising Rob Risko walked into my studio about 10:45 a.m. to update me on where we stood with our Fall member drive. I knew we had a $10,000 challenge that had started first thing in the morning, but didn't have any idea how far behind we had fallen in reaching the required 1,000 member threshold.
Rob gave it to me straight -- we had to attract well over 500 members during "AirTalk" to meet the challenge. I knew that was nearly impossible during a full two-hour show, let alone one that would be significantly pre-empted by the President's news conference. Regardless, I knew we had to do our best and hope our listeners would contribute in a record-setting way. Boy, did they.
We didn't start our show until 11:25 a.m., following the news conference. Right off the bat the phones started ringing and the KPCC website starting humming. The volume of member contributions stayed high with only a few exceptions. There were times we could barely keep track of how many members were coming in. It was one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences I've had in all my years hosting "AirTalk."
I've been on a high all afternoon thinking about how commited our listeners are to the mission of KPCC. You've made me very happy, and very proud of our audience. Thank you for a wonderful show of support. I will long remember this day.
By the way, we set a fundraising record for "AirTalk" with today's show. We're still tallying it all up. I'll have the totals for you tomorrow morning at 11.
This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.
Are we there yet?
Larry MantleYes, we've finally reached the culminating day that we've been pointing to for the past 18 months -- Election Day! However, it's quite different from those of the past. An estimated 40% of voters have already cast ballots, so it makes the actual day a bit less climactic. We might also lack a clear winner by Wednesday morning.
It's possible that the swing state votes are so close that it's impossible to accurately determine the electoral vote. Then we'll have to exercise extreme patience through the official counts and inevitable legal challenges. It could be a mess.
It could also, of course, be over by the time polls close in California. We only have a few hours to wait until we'll know.
I'll be anchoring KPCC's election night coverage, starting at 8 p.m. NPR's coverage starts us off at 5 p.m., and we'll intersperse national and California returns into our comprehensive KPCC coverage until late Tuesday night. I hope you'll join me, Patt Morrison, and the full KPCC news team.
This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.
The challenges of debate moderating have grown along with partisan differences
US President Barack Obama and Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney debate on October 16, 2012 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. Undecided voters asked questions during a town hall format.; Credit: STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images
Larry MantleThere continue to be questions about how moderators approach Presidential debates and about whether the extra time President Obama has received in the first two debates indicates moderator bias in his favor.
I had chalked up the concerns to Republican hyper-partisanship, such as we saw with many Democrats criticizing Jim Lehrer for his moderating — as though Obama would’ve won the first debate if only Lehrer had asserted himself more. However, even CNN has been doing significant follow-up on its own Candy Crowley’s performance in debate number two.
Maybe it’s not just hardcore GOP loyalists who are questioning Crowley’s decision-making on when to cut in and when to allow the candidates to take more time. I thought she did pretty well, but there are plenty of critics.
As someone who has moderated hundreds of debates, I thought I’d share my thoughts on what we’ve seen so far in this election. Though I’ve never moderated a Presidential debate, with its incredible level of attention, concern about rules, and demands by campaigns, there are certain fundamentals regardless of the office or issue at stake.
Time Doesn't Matter...Too Much
First, as strange as this may sound, the time taken by each candidate has little to do with who has an advantage. Yes, it’s always possible for a candidate to use another minute to fire off the defining line of the night. However, the well-practiced zingers or essential policy explainers are not left to the end of a candidate’s statement, as the clock is running out.
I’m sure Mitt Romney wasn’t thinking after the last debate, “If only I would’ve had that extra 90-seconds, and Obama hadn’t gotten 90 more than he deserved.” Both men front-loaded their major talking points and were going to get them in. Neither man could legitimately say he didn’t have a chance to make his strongest points. At some point, a time advantage could make a difference in who wins or loses, but an extra 90-seconds in a debate longer than 90-minutes isn’t going to do it.
Serving The Audience
As a moderator, you also have to think about what best serves your audience. I never guarantee candidates equal time, as it’s my job to serve the listeners, not their campaigns. I strive to get close to equal time, but can’t make any guarantee. Some speakers get to the point succinctly and have their points well put together. Others are messier in their arguments and eat up time just building up any head of steam.
If the moderator holds to a strict time limit, you run the risk of frustrating listeners by cutting off the rambler just as the candidate is getting to the point. There are methods a moderator can use to help guide the speaker toward being more succinct, but there’s no guarantee the person will be able to comply.
Isn’t this inherently unfair to the succinct speaker? No. The purpose of the debate is to allow the ideas to compete. It’s not a boxing match that’s about landing punches in a given time. The succinct debater has a big advantage, regardless of how much time the candidate has. That’s why Mitt Romney’s victory in the first debate was so lopsided — he won on the conciseness and clarity of his answers, coupled with Obama’s inability to get to his central points. Obviously, there are those who thought Obama’s arguments were still more compelling than Romney’s, and that Romney lacked essential details. However, for most viewers of the first debate, it was stylistically no contest.
Equal Time Is Not A Guarantee
When candidates are allowed to talk to each other directly, it’s very difficult to assure equal time. Even CNN’s clock that registers elapsed time for each candidate is subject to squishiness. Unless a debate is extremely formal, with carefully controlled time limits and a ban on candidates following-up with each other, you’re only going to have an approximation of time balance. I thought Crowley did pretty well to land the second debate with the balance she did. I’m not sure I could get it that close for a debate of that length. She had the added challenge of trying to determine when to cut in on President Obama’s lengthier answers. Also, Romney’s speaking rhythm allows more space for interruption. It’s tougher to break in on Obama.
Moderating Is A Balancing Act
Moderators are always trying to balance a need to move on to the next topic with allowing a candidate to answer an opponent’s charge. Sometimes, you open that door for a candidate, only to regret it later when the politician starts into a monologue, instead of confining the response to the previous challenge. Sometimes moderators, having gotten burned, will become less tolerant of such expansive rebuttals, as the debate goes on. Moderators are always juggling competing goals, and it’s a difficult job (at least for me).
Unfortunately, there are those who think debate moderators attempt to influence the outcome of the debate and the performances of the candidates. Maybe I’m naïve, but I can’t imagine any journalist who’s worked hard enough to get to the position of Presidential debate moderator subordinating his or her career in an effort to getting someone elected. Mainstream political journalism is like national sports reporting. You really don’t care who wins the Super Bowl, you want great story lines to explore with your audience. Yes, sports reporters have affinities for the hometown teams of their youth, but that can’t compete with the professional goal of covering great stories.
Yes, most journalists in mainstream media probably have a stronger cultural and political affinity for Obama, as he’s more like them. However, it doesn’t mean a journalist is going to sacrifice the better story to intentionally provide a benefit to the President.
This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.
Obama strong, rubber match awaits
Larry MantleIn the second of the three Presidential debates, President Obama displayed the passion he lacked the first time around. He also made his arguments more concisely, and didn't shy away from direct engagement with Mitt Romney. Snap polls after the debate show most viewers and listeners though Obama won the debate, though the percentages weren't nearly as overwhelming as Romney's advantage last time out.
Will the President's apparent victory show up in the polls as dramatically as Romney's previous win? What will the stakes be like for next Monday's final, tie-breaking, matchup?
This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.
The debate awaits
Larry MantleI’ll be live tweeting @AirTalk tonight during the debate. Of greatest interest to me about President Obama is whether he’ll be able to crisply make his arguments and maintain a high level of energy for the full 90-minutes. With Mitt Romney I’ll be looking to see whether he can loosen up in the town hall format and make a good connection with the questioners.
What was most striking for me about the first debate was how strongly Romney played with women. That had been a huge problem for him throughout the campaign. In fact, a couple of months ago I joked about the “ten single women in the country who were voting for Romney.” He found a way to connect with women two weeks ago and he’ll attempt to build on that tonight. The President, obviously, hopes to reverse his loss.
This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.