When the BioMass Hits the Wind Turbine

130 - Buying Land

Many people dream of the day they can buy themselves a dozen acres out in the country, build their little cabin, raise some tomatoes and let the world drift by with all its craziness and insane stimulation.  Surprisingly few actually turn that dream into reality.

Join Annie and Jay Warmke of Blue Rock Station for a discussion of the process and pitfalls of locating and purchasing that little patch of paradise - and how to make the odds a bit better that that dream will not turn into a nightmare.

088- Solar Pollution

Solar energy is one of the fastest growing industries worldwide.  It currently produces about 2% of the US electricity - but is anticipated to generate as much as 30% within a decade.  And as is true with any large industry - it will create its share of problems.

Join Annie and Jay Warmke of Blue Rock Station for a discussion of the environmental problems the growth of solar energy will generate for our planet - from mineral extraction, to pollution during manufacturing, to how to deal with the waste stream when the systems grow old and fail.

129 - Transitioning Your Life Towards Living Sustainably

Nearly 30 years ago Annie and Jay Warmke quit their high-paying corporate jobs, sold their suburban home, and moved to the hills of Appalachia to build a home out of tires and mud. The goal was to live a carbon neutral – or even a negative carbon lifestyle.

Many of the over 35,000 people who have visited Blue Rock Station over the years have asked - “What made you do such a crazy thing? And how did you manage it?”

Join Annie and Jay Warmke of Blue Rock Station for a discussion of their experience moving towards a sustainable lifestyle and the lessons learned over 30 years of living in a house made of trash.

128 - Solar Incentives Available Today

We are transitioning to a solar economy. In the last decade solar power has become the cheapest form of energy available – far cheaper than coal, nuclear and even natural gas.

Yet there still remain incentive programs at the federal, state and local levels that help make solar power even cheaper still. In fact, some programs designed for rural businesses will even pay around 75% of the cost of installing a system.

Join Annie and Jay Warmke of Blue Rock Station for a discussion of the various incentive programs currently available that can help place solar on your home or business at an incredibly low cost.

127 - Hippie versus Hipster

Today's "hipster" culture seems to idealize their perception of the "hippie" culture of the 1960's.  The see it as a time of great change, rebellion, great music...

But was it really?  Society once again faces great threats, a dysfunctional political system, a focus on consumerism, an alienated and disconnected youth.  But is that where the similarities end?

Join Annie and Jay Warmke of Blue Rock Station for a discussion of the realities and myths, the similarities and differences of how today's and yesterday's youth have rebelled (or bought into) the culture of the day.

126 - Mentoring in the Gig Economy

The world of work is changing.  Gone are the days of working for a company for 45 years then retiring with a gold watch and a pension.  Every worker is an independent contractor - whether they want to be or not.

But how do we gain the skills necessary to succeed as an independent business man or woman when our schools don't teach these skills and there are few apprenticeship or workplace training programs.  Enter the role of mentors as we navigate these unfamiliar waters.

Join Annie and Jay Warmke of Blue Rock Station as they discuss the role of mentoring in the gig economy with Jess Bernhardt, an intern seeking to establish her own small business.

085 - When Energy is Free

We are used to energy becoming more and more expensive over time.  The cost of electricity has increased 7 fold since 1970.  That same year a gallon of gasoline cost 36 cents.

But solar energy has changed that assumption.  The cost of a solar panel has dropped from over $100 per watt in 1975 to only around 25 cents today.  If these trends continue - energy will soon be free.

But that doesn't mean you won't pay for it.  Join Annie and Jay Warmke of Blue Rock Station to discuss how energy will change over the coming decades and what that means to you and me.

#075 - Where have all the Birds Gone?

Annie and Jay Warmke of Blue Rock Station are joined by Dawn Hewett, editor of Bird Watcher's Digest, in a discussion of the impacts of global warming and our non-sustainable lifestyle is having on the bird population.

Since 1970 more than 3 billion birds have disappeared from our modern day version of nature.  What is happening, what does it mean, and how can we minimize the impact on our planet?

#052 - Reclaiming Building Materials

There is a wealth of materials out there, in old buildings, that can be reclaimed and integrated into new construction. Yet most of it just ends up in landfills. How do we interrupt this waste cycle and salvage the beautiful fixtures and raw materials – along with our history?

#044 – Greenwashing

Companies have gotten the message – you care about the planet and want to purchase products and services that tread gently on this green earth. So they market their environmental benefits – even if there are none.

 

Greenwashing is everywhere, in our stores, in our media, in our language. How do you recognize it when you see it – and how do you avoid being taken in by misleading claims?

 

Join Annie and Jay Warmke of Blue Rock Station for a discussion of the realities of sustainable living.