Hi Everybody,

I would like to say I was shocked when I read the article from Sundays NY Times about Wei-Hock Soon, the scientist from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, who’s expertise is often used in the fight to deny global warming, but unfortunately, I was not shocked! Instead, I rolled my eyes and just muttered to myself, “of course. What else is new!”? I’ve become so cynical and distrusting of science and the news. It just confirms my beliefs that you need to question everything, do your own research with grassroots organizations you can trust, follow the money, and listen to your gut. In this article, it exposed newly released documents that links Dr. Soon’s funding, to corporate interests and the fossil fuel industry. In the last decade alone, he has accepted over 1.2 million dollars from fossil fuel companies, and of course did not disclose these connections in any of his papers, nor when he testified before Congress or State Capitals. His claim that global warming is a naturally occurring variation in the sun’s energy, and is not a result of human activity, is false and has no merit! Yet, how many arguments were made in the name of his research, or decisions made based on his claims, or other scientists that make such claims? It is infuriating! This approach of industry paying off scientists, to create scientific doubt, has been used for years, starting with the tobacco industry, followed by the fossil fuel industry, the bio-tech and pharmaceutical industry, the food industry, and of course Monsanto is famous for it. This information just confirms the need for each and everyone of us, to not trust everything you hear, but to question and look into the partnerships and money connected with the research. A few weeks ago I talked about my surprise at learning about partnerships between organizations like the World Wildlife Fund, Dupont and Coca Cola, or natural food companies that are owned by big corporations that lobby against GMO labeling. It just goes to prove that the issues are complicated and not easy. And we all need to brace ourselves for the onslaught of lobbying that is sure to follow, with the newly released?Dietary Guidelines, which encourages people to eat a more plant based diet for both their health and that of the planet’s, including recommendations to eat less meat, dairy, sugar and salt.

While sitting down to write this blog, I was bombarded with news of?President Obama vetoing the Keystone XL Pipeline. This is a great victory for all the people in this country that care about global warming, and it certainly feels like a victory for me! I am ecstatic! ?However, I’ve been around long enough to know that this is not the end of it, and I’m sure the GOP is working their side, right now, as we speak. It will be an exceptional showdown of power, and is certainly going to offer us years of drama! In the meantime, I am just going to rejoice in todays news!

This week, (fingers crossed that the Progressive Radio Network’s move is complete) my guest is Diane Hatz, the organizer and host behind, TEDx Manhattan, Changing the Way We Eat,? and Founder of Change Food, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating consumers about the problems with our food system, both nationally and globally. As one of the privileged ticket holders to this years event, and as a past attendee, I can honestly say that TEDx Manhattan IS Changing the Way We Eat! The line up of speakers are all inspirations in their fields, from restauranteurs, journalists, doctors, chefs, farmers, activists, artists, investors and entrepreneurs, and their talks are all accessible to everyone at live screenings that will be taking place around the country and world. Many of the screening parties are already sold out, so if you haven’t yet registered to attend a screening party, I would do it right now! The live screenings are not only a way to participate in TEDx Manhattan, but it is another opportunity to come together within your local community to connect, network and build relationships that help to make a sustainable, healthy food system a reality in your community. Slow Food North Shore is partnering with the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington to bring a viewing party to Long Island. Come on down and make some new friends!

Remember, my show is recorded live, every Thursday, from 10-11 am, EST.? To tune in, navigate to?PRN.fm?and click the ?Listen Live? button on the left. Also try downloading the?PRN mobile app, and take the station with you wherever you go! If you want to call in during the show with any questions for me or my guest, the call in number is 888-874-4888.

If you can?t tune in at that time, you can listen to the show in the?PRN archives,?or on my website, or through iTunes. You can also access the show by calling in to?The Progressive Radio Network?at 619-550-0869. Please ?like??iEat Green?s?Facebook page?and feel free to?rate the show and leave comments on iTunes and on my website. Thank you all for your support.

With love and gratitude,

Bhavani