Environmentally Sound with Larry Burns

On the May edition of Environmentally Sound, host Larry Burns, vice president for external affairs at The University of Toledo, talks with people involved with addressing environmental sustainability concerns on different levels – education, government, business and individual activism.

In this month’s episode:

• Dr. Defne Apul, assistant professor of environmental engineering at The University of Toledo, discusses her unique research into water sustainability and the importance of educating students about carbon footprints.
• We reflect with U.S. Representative John Dingell on his 56 years in Congress where he authored environmental legislation, preserved wetlands and worked to cap industry pollution.
• Steve Harworth, co-owner of Michigan Green Safe Products, tells us about his business that makes eco-friendly disposable products from corn and sugar cane rather than petroleum-based products.
• And Shaun Nethercott shares how she and her Matrix Theatre Company are raising awareness about the waterways that are now and used to be part of the Detroit area.

Related links

UT environmental engineering assistant professor Defne Apul

U.S. Rep John Dingell

Michigan Green Safe Products

Matrix Theatre Company

On the April edition of Environmentally Sound, host Larry Burns, vice president for external affairs at The University of Toledo, discusses Earthy Day and the importance of sustainability for both the environment and the economy.

In this month’s episode:

• Tom Horton, vice president of Midwest public relations for Waste Management, talks about their partnerships with industry to turn waste into fuel.
• Frank Calzonetti, vice president for research and development at The University of Toledo, discusses the importance of research for the advancement of the green industry.
• Carol Goland, executive director of the Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association, shares information about the state’s local and organic food systems.
• And Susan Bass, senior vice president of programs and operations for Earth Day Network, tells us about the global efforts to broaden and mobilize the environmental movement.

Related links

Waste Management

UT Research and Economic Development

Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association

Earth Day Network

On the March edition of Environmentally Sound, host Larry Burns, vice president for external affairs at The University of Toledo, discusses pollution and climate change concerns.

In this month’s episode:

• John Hartig, author of the new book "Burning Rivers: Revival of Four Urban-Industrial Rivers that Caught Fire," discusses the consequences of pollution.
• Jeffrey Masters, cofounder of Weather Underground, talks about how climate change is affecting our current weather.
• Anjuli Bamzai, a program director with the National Science Foundation, shares the research underway to better understand our climate.
• And University of Toledo President Lloyd Jacobs reflects on the five-year anniversary of the merger of UT and the former Medical College of Ohio and gives us a glimpse into the future of higher education.

Related links

Burning Rivers: "Revival of Four Urban-Industrial Rivers that Caught Fire"

Weather Underground

Union of Concerned Scientists

NSF Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences

The University of Toledo

On the February edition of Environmentally Sound, host Larry Burns, vice president for external affairs at The University of Toledo, discusses energy.

In this month’s episode:

• Shahzeen Attari, a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University, shares the interesting findings of her study on people’s conceptions of energy use.
• Dan Burklo, dean of engineering tec hnologies at Northwest State Community College, talks about a new degree program that trains people for alternative energy technology careers.
• UT College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Dean Karen Bjorkman discusses the work underway in the newly established college.
• And Kris Axhoj talks about the book he co-authored, “Resurrection of a Nation,” that promotes onshore drilling for America’s energy needs.

Related links

Shahzeen Attari

Northwest State-UT alternative energy technology systems design

Northwest State-UT alternative energy technology systems service

Karen Bjorkman

Resurrection of a Nation

On the special January edition of Environmentally Sound, host Larry Burns, vice president for external affairs at The University of Toledo, is joined by WRJ radio personality Paul W. Smith at the 2011 North American International Auto Show to discuss sustainability in the automotive industry.

In this month’s episode:

• Bill Perkins, vice chairman of the 2011 North American International Auto Show, discusses how “green” vehicles have become a key competitive edge among automakers and how the auto show is making sustainability a priority.
• Ted Zielinski, an engineer with Maumee’s auto supply company Dana Holding Corp., talks about how heavily involved the company is in creating next generation automobiles.
• And Susan Cischke, the Ford Motor Company vice president in charge of sustainability, environment and safety engineering, tells us about the company’s efforts to respond to the demand for more efficient automobiles.

Related links

2011 North American International Auto Show

Dana Holding Corp.

Ford

On the December edition of Environmentally Sound, host Larry Burns, vice president for external affairs at The University of Toledo, discusses sustainability issues related to education, research and government.

In this month’s episode:

• University of Toledo President Lloyd Jacobs discusses efforts underway to transform UT from the traditional college structure to one that provides more opportunities for collaboration.
• Toni Nelson, project manager for the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, talks about the organization’s efforts to encourage climate neutrality.
• Climate change researcher Jiquan Chen, an ecology professor at UT, shares his work investigating ecosystem processes underlying the changing climate and increasing environmental disturbances.
• And U.S. Sen. George Voinovich shares the latest in the political efforts to protect Lake Erie and all the Great Lakes, particularly from threats such as Asian Carp.

Related links

The University of Toledo

UT President Lloyd Jacobs

American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment

Jiquan Chen

Landscape Ecology & Ecosystem Science Lab

U.S. Sen. George Voinovich

On the November edition of Environmentally Sound, host Larry Burns, vice president for external affairs at The University of Toledo, discusses ways to make your holiday season a little greener.

In this month’s episode:

• John Smith, manager of the Home Depot store in Rossford, shares how he is helping people spruce up their homes with energy efficient holiday decorations.
• UT law student Kyle Smitley talks about her eco-friendly children’s clothing line, barley & birch, for the young people on your gift list.
• The economic importance of the holiday shopping season is discussed with UT Assistant Professor of Economics Kevin Egan.
• And Lynn Shoshani, president of Little Kay Gardens, tell us about her “Gift Wrap That Grows.”

Related links

Home Depot

barley & birch

Kevin Egan, UT assistant professor of economics

Little Kay Gardens

On the October edition of Environmentally Sound, host Larry Burns, vice president for external affairs at The University of Toledo, discusses the varied approaches people and organizations take to sustainability.

In this month’s episode:

• Paula Ross, a research associate with the UT Urban Affairs Center, talks about her work helping restaurants get their goods from local farmers, which promotes both sustainability and the local economy.
• Keith Mills, cofounder of Ohio Interfaith Power and Light, discusses the organization’s spiritual and moral approach to protecting the Earth.
• Dean of the UT College of Engineering Nagi Naganathan shares the research underway to secure an environmentally sustainable future.
• And Michael Chilcote, general manager of the Mt. Elliott Cemetery Association, tells us about the state’s first true natural burial cemetery.

Related links

UT Urban Affairs Center

Ohio Interfaith Power and Light

UT College of Engineering Office of Research

The Preserve at All Saints Cemetery

Mt. Elliott Cemetery Association

On the September edition of Environmentally Sound, host Larry Burns, vice president for external affairs at The University of Toledo, discusses the importance of our water natural resources.

In this month’s episode:

• Michele Arquette-Palermo, an official with the Clinton River Watershed Council who leads the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education, discusses her work to protect and promote education of natural resources.
• UT associate professor and chair of Geography and Planning Patrick Lawrence talks about the recent annual “Clean Your Streams” event and efforts to preserve Ottawa River in Toledo.
• The importance of the Great Lakes to Michigan’s economy is the focus of conversation with Dave Lorenz of Pure Michigan Travel.
• And Ohio Nature Conservancy officials Josh Knights and Richard Hylant provide an update on their work to protect Ohio’s resources, specifically Lake Erie.

Related links

Clinton River Watershed Council

Michigan Alliance for Environmental & Outdoor Education

President’s Commission on the River

Pure Michigan

Ohio Nature Conservancy

‘Ohio’s other great lake’ is a warning for Lake Erie By Josh Knights

The August edition of Environmentally Sound is a special edition featuring the best of the radio program hosted by Larry Burns, vice president of external affairs at The University of Toledo.

In this month’s episode, we look back at interviews with:

• Rick Stansley, chair of University of Toledo Innovation Enterprises who told us how UT is “putting it’s money where it’s mouth is” when it comes to economic development and how alternative energy initiatives are at the foundation.
• Megan Reichert, director of incubation at The University of Toledo Center for Clean and Alternative Energy, discussed the role of universities in business incubation and how UT is helping to build the economy of northwest Ohio.
• Dr. Anne Baker, executive director of the Toledo Zoo, talked about sustainability and animal conservation, as well as what they’re doing to embrace sustainability in their facilities.
• Doug Rothwell of Business Leaders for Michigan shared how his organization is working to rally the business community to create a better tomorrow.

Related links

Toledo Public Schools

Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education

Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization at UT

American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment