Tough Times with Lou Young

Earth Day again. Are we just in time or far too late? 2024 marks the 54th celebration of Earth Day and we connect with folks from across the country who relate their experience and perception of the day and the climate problem through the years. Who’s optimistic? Who’s not and why? Rev Billy weighs in with a lament about the litany of failed human protests in the deepening climate crisis. We also visit with Lem Srolovic from the NYS Attorney General’s Office via Aidan Charron’s “22 Minutes” podcast, where the discussion is about the state lawsuit against Pepsi over plastic waste pollution. The theme of Earth Day 2024, after all, is “Planet Vs. Plastics.”

ECLIPSE: WITNESSING TOTALITY

Live from the past, Eclipse watchers in Watertown NY report from April 8 as the sun is blott4ed out from the sky. Share the experience of a lifetime!

LET’S TALK ABOUT WATER

The Co-Founder of the Rockland Water Coalition joins Lou Young for a discussion about our drinking water: The massive NYC water system of reservoirs and aqueducts, the well fields, the de-salination schemes, and the prices that always seems to be going up. George Potanovic is that man.

Lots of callers and interviews. Quench your thirst for knowledge!

GOT DEMOCRACY?

Orange County's Michael Sussman stops in for a riveting two hour visit to talk about how democracy is in danger because we really don't understand it.  Sussman is one of the best Constitutional lawyers who've ever practiced and helps us connect the dots where local and national politics go off the rails together and the future begins to look murky.  It is not a partisan problem but the talk prompts several penalty buzzers from our man on the audio board Will Hennessey who enforces the banned words of "Tough Times" (you can't say "conservative, liberal, Republican or Democrat")  In a rare moment Lou gets the buzzer himself!  

Leilani Yizar-Reid joins the discussion direct from the Village of Mamaroneck where an affordable housing fight is raising eyebrows and our resident activist, George Potanovic talks about a LACK of public input in local government while host Lou Young recounts how unfiltered opinion at local meetings can lead to misinformation and intimidation.Reverend Billy revisits the Sixth Extinction, now renamed 6X because it is hard to say three times fast.  News From The Natural World and the Stop Shopping Choir make their weekly appearance.  Music by Cowboy Junkies, Everclear and.....wait for it.....Groucho Marx!

Two hours gone in a flash.  One listener texted that he was sad to see it end.  You however are in luck because it is right here for your listening pleasure.

ACTIVISTS' ANNIVERSARY An anniversary for a local activist group.  SPACE (Stony Point Action Committee for the Environment turns 34 and THAT'S a lot of activism!  Serial co-host George Potanovic brings on Susan Fulgaris as they trip down memory lane recounting various battles to control development, protect water supplies and, at one point, even stopping a River Desalination Plant that was designed to have Rockland County residents drink processed brackish Hudson River Water when perfectly fine fresh water is flowing right through the area to water laws in Bergen County NJ.  Former Rockland Emergency Management honcho Gordan Wren calls in to talk about building codes, and basic safety protections that are going unenforced and several others join in to demand the State of New York do SOMETHING to compel local regulators to do a little regulating.  Later in the Show Reverend Billy weighs in on the big picture with some wise words from Elizabeth Kilbert, Westchester County author of the seminal eco-work "The Sixth Extinction."There's a "News from the Natural Word" report about torrential rain in the Arabian Desert and how well intentioned plastic bag bans backfired in places.  There's music too.  Two hours fly by so take a listen!

THE MAN FROM DOWN UNDER

In this episode of Tough Times, host Lou Young welcomes environmental activist Liam Robb O’Hagan to the studio for a freewheeling romp through climate action in our rapidly changing world. O’Hagan, a Westchester web designer and habitual volunteer, tells us about Climate Smart programs he’s involved in: from pollinator paths to suburban geo-thermal projects, riverside greenways as flood mitigation measures, and the simple thing we can all do to bring butterflies to our backyards. He’s a climate warrior who believes concern over climate change should inform public policy and personal lifestyles. The show begins with the strains of Men at Work’s “Down Under” in a nod to our guest’s obvious Aussie accent except…..He tells us he’s from New Zealand but sometimes SAYS he’s Australian because….Well you’ll have to listen. George Potanovic and Will Hennessey are here as always along with callers who regard Liam as a fellow traveler. Reverend Billy the Stop Shopping Choir, Savitri D and News from the Natural World flesh out the two hours along with some music from our guest’s home turf: Midnight Oil (Australia) and Lorde (New Zealand).

Yes, and some safety tips about those lithium batteries. Whew! Join us!

NYACK ON MY MIND

It’s easy to get down about climate change; that’s one of the things that tends to make our host, Lou Young, into something of a “doomer” about the future. But there is another way to deal with climate anxiety: DO SOMETHING. Nyack, NY a delightful village on the Rockland County side of the Marion Cuomo/Tappan Zee Bridge is on a journey to address climate change and get ready for the coming reality. Marcy Denker and Steve Cea from Nyack’s Climate Smart Committee and contributors to it’s recently adopted Climate Action Plan join Lou, co-host George Potanovic, Will Hennessey, and most importantly Nyack Mayor Joe Rand for a tour of things we regular folk can do to help the planet and ourselves. Electric Vehicles, Clean Energy, Heat Pump Technology and a lot more as the village gets ready to host a Climate Solutions Fair at Nyack Center on February 7, 2024 from 7-9PM. Also—what’s your favorite apocalypse movie? And We’ve got Reverend Billy and the Earth Church, the Stop Shopping Choir, a song from Rick Nelson, and a farewell to Melanie Safka the singer-songwriter who became a legends at Woodstock, just up the road from our studio and passed away days ago at the age of 76. Inspiring talk and music. Join us!

AFTER THE DELUGE

Six Months ago a strange rain tore through the Hudson Valley: 10 week’s worth of water in a matter of hours delivering a gut punch to Highland Falls, NY just outside the gates of the US Military Academy at West Point. This edition of Tough Times with Lou Young features Highland Falls Mayor Joseph D’Onofrio, and NY State Assemblyman Chris Eachus. They’ve got a progress report on repairs, aid, and plans for resiliency for businesses and residents. In an era climate change it’s a work in progress as FEMA adjusts it protocols in the face of the accelerating rate of claims. Activist and co-host George Potanovic joins Lou the studio along with producer Will Hennessey on the controls. Reverend Billy, the Stop Shopping Choir, News from the Natural World with Savitri D. Good music and conversation. Join us!

CLIMATE VOICES 2023

Lou Young, George Potanovic, and Will Hennessey look back at a year of shows as the climate change deepened and the conversation became increasing more urgent. Guests include Riverkeeper’s Tracy Brown, NY Senator Peter Harckham, Rockland Fire Chief Jerry Knapp, Energy expert Susan Shapiro, Geologist Jeff Tolhurst, Sustainability Director Peter McCartt, Wood’s Hole Senior Scientist Christopher Reddy, and OysterFamer Andrew Larkin. Interviews with just a few of our guests from 2023. Can you say eclectic? A fun two hours.

TOUGH TIMES With Lou Young #63    “The Do-ers”

It’s one thing to be a “doomer” as producer Will Hennessey refers to our host Lou Young, and quite another thing to face the changing climate with local action.  Our guests this week are four local climate activists who volunteer, organize, and make real changes in their communities.  Lou calls them “Do-ers” as in folks who actually get something done.

The show’s resident activist George Potanovic joins in helping explain the array of positive actions these folks are taking.  First Ellen Silver, who chairs a Climate Smart Committee in the Westchester Village of Mamaroneck, explains how her group connects homeowners with products and programs to reduce their carbon footprint and make their suburban homes more sustainable.  Dana Harkrider describes the creation of a pollinator pathway through her community, the Rockland County Village of Nyack (turns out if you plant the right stuff, bees, and monarch butterflies WILL COME.  We hear also from Marcy Denker who is spearheading a plan to toughen the “soft infrastructure” of trees in her community.  Finally David Freeman introduces us to a river greenway project that is turning the banks of a flood prone suburban river into a pair of long, linear parks that double as a major flood mitigation measure.  While none of it will stop climate change, ALL of it will help people grapple with the consequences.

As always, there’s music, Savitiri D’s NEWS FROM THE NATURAL WORLD and the fiery oratory of Reverand Billy.  Enduring tough times may not be easy, but no one says we can’t have A LITTLE fun.

SHE WALKED WITH GIANTS: TERRI THAL, THE GREENWICH VILLAGE FOLK SCENE, AND BOB DYLAN!

Terri Thal comes to "Tough Times with Lou Young" with a story of how music, a revolutionary spirit, and a decade of intense change helped shape our American culture.  Ms Thal recalls her time as confidant and manager for folk greats like Dave Van Ronk and Bob Dylan and informs us about the roots of some of the tunes that have become the soundtrack of our lives.  For instance, did you know that “Mack The Knife” was a German folk tune with a political edge before it became a a big band-style ode to mob violence?  Did you know that Bob Dylan was a rocker before he ever launched into folk music in the 1960’s?  That the legendary folk trio, “Peter, Paul and Mary” would’ve been “Dave, Paul and Mary” if a certain folk artist hadn’t turned down the gig?  Host Lou Young leads Terri through a tour of the seminal changes that took place in New York’s music scene before Dylan became an icon and Nobel Laureate as folk singers began penning their own popular tunes ushering in the era of the Singer/Songwriter that remains with us deep into the 21st Century.  Co-host George Potanovic and producer Will Hennesey help pilot the show through this two hour journey that includes updates in environmental developments, “News From The Natural World” with Savitri D and a stirring “sermon” from Reverand Billy from the Church of Stop Shopping.  Terri’s new book “My Greenwich Village, Dave Bob and Me” has it all and we help plump the surface.  And what a discovery to find out Lotte Lena, mentioned by Bobby Darin’s version of “Mack the Knife,” was a real person.  And who was Lucy Brown?  Music from Tom Paxton, Bobby Darin, and lots of Bob Dylan.  It’s a blast!

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT FOR CLIMATE SCIENTISTS, AND A VETERAN’S DAY TRIBUTE

Christopher Reddy, a senior scientist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) on Cape Cod, MA, has written a new book called “Science Communication in a Crisis,” with advice for climate scientists when they are communicating with the public. The author says scientists find themselves hesitant to speak with the public and media out of concern that their work will be trivialized or misunderstood.

Holding a Ph.D in Oceanographic Chemistry, Reddy tells host Lou Young, and co-host George Potanovic and producer Will Hennessey that while scientists are continually searching to view the larger picture of the ocean’s health and their research contains reliable scientific data and facts – it is revealed to us like a puzzle, one piece at a time.

The second hour includes a full Earth Riot episode from Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping and songs that honor warriors on this Veteran’s Day 2023 from Billy Joel, Leonard Cohen, Dire Straits, Steve Earl, and Motorhead.

Tough Times takes you to the amazing annual open house at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, NY in what host Lou Young is calling “the best science fair EVER.” Environmental activist and co-host George Potanovic headed out to the fair October 14th and shares some of the research concepts that are helping Lamont scientists track global climate change. It’s an informative two hours that includes a visit to the EarthChurch with Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir, News From the Natural World with Savitri D and some great eco-music from the 20th and 21st Century. Listen and learn!

In a fast paced two hours we hear from folks who are stepping into the breech, either running against incumbent officeholders or vying for a vacant or “open” seat in this off-year local election. Who wants the job even when the odds are long? Host Lou Young and co-host George Potanovic listen (and grill) these newcomers for Rockland County District Attorney; Rockland Legislature Districts 5, 10, 11, 16 & 17; Clarkstown Town Supervisor; Town Council in Clarkstown, Stony Point, and Haverstraw. This election is November 7, 2023 with early voting underway as we post the podcast.

Our guest is an expert in sea level rise from Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, NY. Jacqueline (Jackie) Austermann is an Assist. Professor at Columbia University and a member of the Observatory’s Division of Seismology, Geology, and Tectonophysics. How deep? How Soon? Where? When? And what about the simultaneous sinking and rising of landmasses. Find out where you are on this damp global seesaw. Two hours of great conversation, questions, answers, music and a spirited visit to the The EarthChurch in New York City.

Getting ready for the March to End Fossil Fuels. One the eve of the march that drew 70,000 protesters to the United Nations in defense of planet Earth, the Tough Times Staff runs through the eco-rolodex to check in on our friends and take the current temperature of climate activism. Two hours of lively conversation, music and a trip to the Earth Church in New York City.

At the end of the hottest Summer in human history consider that it may also be the coolest Summer of the rest of your live! In this latest episode of “Tough Times” host Lou Young worries that our fatal climate change tipping point may have already been reached. Peter McCartt, Westchester County’s Director of Conservation and Sustainability, tries to offer Lou a measure of optimism and hope. Peter is joined in that effort by Alex Beauchamp, the Northeast Regional Director for Food & Water Watch, Environmental Activist Jacqui Dreschler, and “Reverend” Bill Talen from the Brooklyn-based Church of Stop Shopping. Along with co-host George Potanovic, and producer Will Hennessey they all make plans to attend The March to End Fossil Fuels scheduled for September 17th in New York City near the United Nations. It’s an informative moment as the talk Lou down from his grim fatalism. There is also a great half-hour service from the Church of Stop Shopping and a spirited debrief including a farewell to Jimmy Buffet and a new tune from The Rolling Stones. Yeah, that’s encouraging, join us!

WE’RE ALL IN THIS SCI-FI MOVIE NOW!

2023 may be remembered as the year the climate change worm turned……..on us. Record planetary heat and a drumbeat of extreme weather reports pour in as the crisis hits home hard. On this episode of Tough Times host Lou Young, our resident activist George Potanovic , and producer Will Hennessey welcome Senator Pete Harckham, Chair of the NY State Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation, NY Assemblyman Chris Eachus, and Mayor Joseph D’Onofrio of Highland Falls to assess the toll of recent weather events and help chart a new path toward climate resiliency for state and local government. With localized massive rainstorms inundating different communities every other week the list of immediate needs is growing fast, including larger drainage culverts, higher bridges, bioswales, and new development plans that address the new climate reality. Time’s up and the clock is ticking! Since this is a left brain/right brain show our second hour is devoted to some iconic musical matches that include artists as varied as Rod Argent and the Zombies, Airborn Toxic Event, The Boss, Don Henley, Marvin Gaye, Mick Jagger, Metallica, and Richard Wagner. Can you say eclectic? Join us for a fun two hours of information and inspiration.

The Heat is On, This is NOT a Drill, Climate Change is Here.

A series of disastrous extreme weather events devastated multiple communities in the Hudson Valley recently and we’ve been told to prepare for more. Hosts Lou Young and George Potanovic discuss the looming problem with NY State Assemblyman Chris Eachus, Clarkstown Town Supervisor George Hoehmann, and Mamaroneck Mayor Tom Murphy. The group discussed tax breaks for homeowners in flood zones who want to raise their homes, and aggressive flood mitigation projects because the climate disasters can now “happen anywhere.” Murphy is proposing dramatic zoning changes for his community, and Hoehmann is spearheading an effort to bring municipal operations in his town of 80 thousand residents completely off the electric grid with power generating solar arrays. Eachus, says small flood ravaged communities like Highland Falls near the US Military Academy at West Point, need the protection of the federal government.

All this makes Lou very reflective and in the second hour he takes us on a musical tour of past cultural touchstones. Will Hennessey, the young producer who also works on the show says he’s a “Doomer.” What do you think? It’s an entertaining and informative two hours.

CONVENIENT DISTRACTIONS

We can’t solve the big complicated stuff, so we concentrate on the small simple stuff. Tough Times Host Lou Young wants us to “get real”

First, Environmentalists are celebrating passage of a NY State Bill to ban release of irradiated water into rivers and streams. Seems like a no brainer until realize its aimed at a one-time event which a million gallons of water contaminated with trace amounts of radioactive Tridium at the Indian Point Nuclear Power Center at Buchanan NY, currently being decommissioned by Holtec International. Lou points out that if Holtec has to keep the water on site it’s be stored along with 70 thousand TONS of spent Uranium fuel which is dangerous radioactive and will remain so essentially forever. How is that a victory, he asks? Michelle Elie from the Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition comes on to make her point.

Secondly, Rockland County first responders are up in arms over a plea deal that spares a rabbi and his son jail time in the fatal fire at the 2021 Evergreen Court Adult Home. Lou asks, are these two REALLY responsible for the situation that lead to the death of a resident and a firefighter? Former Rockland County County Director of Emergency Services, Gordan Wren says ‘no.” The blame, he says lies with elected officials who have allowed building and fire codes in the county to go unenforced for decades. George Cich, the father of another firefighter who was seriously injured in the blaze weighs in as well.

Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping check in with a half hour of “Rockin’ in the Natural World” and we pause to appreciate an especially beautiful number from the Stop Shopping Chorus called “Vastness.” As always, producer Will Hennessey steps in to keep Lou “on the rails.” Two hours go by in a flash. Join us!

Ending New York’s Political “Hide-and-Seek”

A bill headed to Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk will end New York’s practice of electing county and town officials in low-turnout off-year elections and move voting for ALL those jurisdictions to even numbered years, the so-called “federal schedule.” Our guest NY State Senator James Skoufis of Orange county is primary co-sponsor of the bill and our primary guest on Tough Times with Lou Young this week. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Investigations and government Operations explains that many politicians and party bosses depend on low- turnout, often uncontested elections to hang on to power. This bill has been introduced for years BUT THIS YEAR IT PASSED and now it is up to the Governor to sign. Lou and Will Hennessey examine this basic election reform with Senator Skoufis as well upcoming environmental initiatives and the decommissioning of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant. The show also features a stirring “sermon” from Reverend Billy about “opening up a discussion with the Earth,” a special edition of News From The Natural World and a cool recording from “Sway” recording at the Corning Glass Festival a couple of years back…. Lou is the lead singer on this cover of AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds.” In the last half hour we also listen to songs Lou is learning the lyrics to as the band prepares to play at New Rochelle’s Summer Concert series. Fun stuff mixed in the with serious. 2 hours zip by. Join us!

NUCLEAR CLEAN-UP, SMOKE IN THE SKY, AND AM UNDER SEIGE

Radioactive remnants of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant continue to haunt us as Holtec International’s Director of Government Affairs and Communications answers questions about the ongoing decommissioning of the 58 year-old energy center. There’s the question of what to do with a million gallons of Tritium contaminated water and 90-thousand tons of “spent” radioactive fuel. Callers from Rockland & Westchester Counties, NYC, and Binghamton NY weigh in on the ongoing controversies in some spirited exchanges.

Then there’s AM radio. Major car companies have started building vehicles without AM receivers and proponents of the classic radio form insist that’s a threat to public safety and an insult to basic American culture. President of the NY Association of Broadcasters David Donovan says there’s hope in a bi-partisan bill to save AM radio in Congress.

Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping weight in with an Earth Church episode called “Ghost Wind.” Great new music from the Stop Shopping Choir and News From the Natural World. Music from Everclear, Queen, and Bruce Springsteen. Two hours that crackle.

Dealing with the downside: This two hour episode features a discussion about the NRC’s licensing of an interim storage site for nuclear waste in Lea County, New Mexico for Holtec International, the firm that is decommissioning the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant at Buchanan, NY.

Since all the fuel ever used at the site since the 1970’s is still stored on site we wanted to know what the prospects are for moving it out. Patrick Brennan from Southwest Public Policy Institute, a major proponent of the New Mexico storage site, explained how it would work and how the matter is being debated in NM. Local Callers weighed in, at least one suggesting we should keep the spent fuel on site in NY. Others wondered if it could be moved safely. We also heard from Susan Fulgaris from Stoney Point Action Committee for the Environment about the Champlain Hudson Power Express, a huge power cable that will connect Queens NY with massive hydroelectric projects in Canada. She is concerned that plans to run the cable through Rockland County could be disruptive. We had a panel of listeners react to an eclectic and fascinating series of items in News From the Natural World with Savitri D.

The show includes a full episode from Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping (Eco- Riot Radio) and a recent recanting of a report that homeless veterans were displaced by arriving asylum seekers at a local hotel: a fake news blip we honored with a rendition of “Whatever it is I’m Against it” From Groucho Marx recorded in 1932. Fake news, it turns out, isn’t new.

Tough Times #49    5/13/23

Problems that won’t go away…..Indian Point, Migration, and Trump.  Host Lou Young and Producer Will Hennessey welcome Michele Lee, Assemblyman Chris Eachus, and a procession of listener callers for two hours of discussion about radioactive water, spent nuclear fuel, nearby schools in danger, and the seductive allure of technology.  Rev Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping conduct Earth Church services from Manhattan’s Lower East Side. We also examine the migration influx from our southern border, through NYC and into its norther suburbs. And Lou asks the question if Donald Trump smelled politically dead during his recent town hall on CNN.   Additional Music from Donald Fagan and The Byrds.  The time flies!

Saving the River/Saving the Planet

This two hour show was recorded in tandem with a Rally to Save the (Hudson) River near the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant which is being decommissioned in Buchanan, NY. Lou Young and Will Hennessey welcome studio guest Susan Shapiro from the Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition while Activist George Potanovic reports live from the rally. Much of the discussion revolves around the plan by the company charged with decommissioning the nuke, Holtec Inc, from releasing a million gallons of wastewater contaminated with radioactive tritium. Beyond the immediate wastewater concerns there’s also the question about the huge amount of radioactive “spent” fuel stored at the site and what to do with the property if and when it ever deemed safe to use for another purpose. As we ponder those questions the very nature of nuclear energy and it’s frightening appearance in the public consciousness comes into play: Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping report from a march through indigenous lands in Utah that were used for atomic weapons testing last century. You’ll also hear about “the most bombed place on Earthy,” listen to the sound and description of the USSR’s massive “Tsar Bomba” as it was tested in 1961. All that, and some outstanding music, some if it contemporary, but other works from the very dawn of the nuclear age. Country musicians from Georgia and Alabama worried in tune and lyric about the power we have unlocked. Tough times indeed.

“Earth Observatory to Earth, come in Earth….”  On this show, two scientists from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, New York check in to “Tough Times with Lou Young” to weigh in on the advancing climate crisis and its effect on our local environment.  Dr. Dorothy Peteet is Director of the Paleoecology Division of the observatory’s New Core Lab; Dr. Roisin Commane is Atmospheric Chemist at the observatory’s Carbon Dioxide and methane in New York City.  Both teach at Columbia University and have been affiliated with NASA in various environmental studies.  The two hours fly by as we get the big picture about what’s happening to our wetlands and atmosphere and some clear ideas about where the problems are and what we can do about it.  How about using dredged silt to strengthen marshes, or re-engineering our existing buildings to burn less energy?  Check in and you might be surprised by the real state of the natural environment in and around America’s largest city. Lou Young hosts, with George Potanovic and Will Hennessey.

The Trouble with Trash:

Greasy Pizza boxes and single-use plastics plague the people who move our mountains of trash and try to make sure what we put in the recycle bin is actually reused. Now we’re also beginning to separate our food scraps and isolate a varied array of hazardous items like complex electronics and potentially flammable batteries and the task gets ever more complex, just as the stakes get higher: Climate change is real and our options are narrowing but trash keeps coming. Our guests this week on “Tough Times with Lou Young” are Howard Phillips and Gerry Damiani, the Chairman and Executive Director respectively of Rockland Green, the solid waste management operation in Rockland County, NY.  The men take through the sprawling operation they oversee, including nine physical plants, and provide unique insight into this front line in the current climate battle.

Activist George Potanovic, and Producer Will Hennessey join Lou in this surprisingly breezy two-hour podcast that provides a real-life picture of what happens to the junk we generate daily, with a special “Eco-Riot” interlude by Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir, including News from the Natural World with Savitri D. And more….always so much more….

PRICE HIKES ON TAP:

The cost of water is on the rise and reason is twofold: infrastructure and supply. This week “Tough Times with Lou Young” welcomes Bill Madden, spokesman for Veolia Water, and Tom Murphy, Mamaroneck Mayor and Board member at the Westchester Joint Water Works to discuss why rates are rising and who should pay. Also joining the conversation is Sam Rulli, Director of the Rockland County Department of Environmental Health as we discover that new federal rules for handling PFAS (so-called “forever chemicals”) in our drinking water is going to add additional costs. Both Westchester and Rockland Counties are experiencing intense development pressure that promises to tax available water supplies as well. Also on the program Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping with audio from Angela Davis’s visit to Rockland County, Music from the choir, the Fiery Eagle of Justice and News from the Natural World featuring Savitri D. Listen also for music from Marty Robbins, Black 47, The Beach Boys, Nina Simone, America, and Pat Benatar and the wisdom of co-host George Potanovic, and producer Will Hennessey. Not enough? We only have two hours!

Who’s starting the fire?

On today’s show, our host George Potanovic is sitting in for Lou Young who is on vacation. George’s conversation with in studio guests Gordon Wren, the retired Director of Rockland Fire & Emergency Services and President of C.U.P.O.N. (Citizens United to Protect Our Neighborhoods) and Michael Miller, CUPON founder and current Vice-President begins by asking both men why they have been such outspoken critics of what they see as the lack of government enforcement of building codes, especially in the Village of Spring Valley, that have resulted in serious injury and have endangered the lives of both residents and the firefighters who frequently face unpredictable obstructions due to construction defects during fire emergencies. We also discuss legal actions CUPON has taken concerning the misapplication of RLUIPA – a federal law that can overrule local planning and zoning laws when considering applications to construct religious schools and homes within the Town of Ramapo and other communities within Rockland, Orange and Bergen counties that are often at odds with the environmental regulations meant to protect our health, welfare, land, air, water and economy – and prevent the resulting adverse affects of climate change.  Thank you to our studio engineer/producer Will Hennessey, our brief visit from Reverend Billy, music by Buffalo Springfield and Hozier – and we appreciate all the phone calls from our listeners! Tough Times with Lou Young airs Saturdays from 1pm to 3pm on WRCR AM 1700 and WRCR.com. Past episodes are available for your listening pleasure on Spotify, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.

A SERIES OF UNATURAL NATURAL DISASTERS: CALIFORNIA AS CANARY-IN-A-COAL-MINE

We begin our broadcast in a snowed-in cabin up in northern California. Geologist Dr. Jeff Tolhurst opines on all he’s experienced: the wildfires, the punishing drought, the atmospheric rivers of rain, and the epic blizzards. California has seen each of these events before, but never all at once, at least not in human memory. Tolhurst wonders about the future and how much worse it can get before the west coast becomes more of a repellant than attraction. He’s joined by TV executive Michael Horowitcz from his home in Sherman Oaks, a suburb of Los Angeles where the climate-change disasters take on a slightly different texture, equally ominous: a desert under deluge. Is that the LA River or a Disney flume ride on steroids? Once again this week the two hours fly by and include musical interludes from Warren Zevon, Fantastic Negrito, Joni Mitchell, Neal Young, and Randy Newman. We hear from Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping and some fascinating news items that cover, protest, extinction and penis size (Yes, you read that correctly!). Host Lou Young, Co-host George Potanovic, and producer Will Hennessey invite you to this advance glimpse of a possible apocalypse. Enjoy!

Pick Your Apocalypse!

Popular fiction is obsessed with the end of civilization. In this episode we wonder out-loud about how magnetic the idea is and what grain of truth at the center of these stories scares us the most. Host Lou Young, co-host George Potanovic, and producer Will Hennessey pick the fertile brains of media executive/movie producer Matt Sullivan and energy expert/sci fi fan Susan Filgueras in an examination of our current the end-of-the-world menu Nuclear Holocaust, pandemic, climate change, and robot revolutions top the bill. We have clips from “The Last of Us” and “Children of Men,” two scenarios that feature a zombie fungus (based on a real-life organism), and a sudden infertility in the human race. Alien Invasions, Overpopulation, interplanetary contamination, and asteroid collisions come up as well. It all hangs by a thread and we seem to understand that, but is there something to be done? It's a fascinating 2-hours of observation, information, musical connections, and revival-tent fervor. (That last bit courtesy of Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping!) Another questions: What do Metallica and Richard Wagner have in common? You’ll have to listen to find out.

“Two Edged Swords: The Problem with that Solution”

Its 2 hours of facts and more than a little fun as Guests Jerry Knapp & Peter McCartt run us through some environmental innovations that come with difficulties of their own. Knapp is a long-time veteran firefighter/EMT with the West Haverstraw (NY) Fire Department and currently Rockland County Fire Chief of hazardous materials; and McCartt is Westchester’s Director of Sustainability and Conservation. They talk with Host Lou Young, Co- Host George Potanovic, and Producer/engineer Will Hennessey on this 40 th episode of “Tough Times with Lou Young.” Knapp runs us through the hazards of lithium batteries (so popular in an energy-conscious world) outlining the very real fire dangers and telling us flat-out that emergency responders aren’t really prepared to pry occupants from crashed Electric Vehicles because of their radically new designs: (Gasp—“Hang in there sir, while we read the safety manual!”) 

McCartt talks about his worries over the decommissioning of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant and the radioactive waste we’ll have to deal with “….essentially forever,” (to quote host Lou Young.) It’s radioactive so long that aliens could land here in 50,000 years and wonder what happened. 

Then there’s the giant environmental train wreck in Ohio and the revelation what every major freight company expects it to happen and prepares. That check to the town of East Palestine was just “an opening bid hoping the railroad gets lucky.” 

There’s Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping, Jerry’s shocked reaction, music from America’s failed drug war, and our very first listener song request (essentially some tunes you can use to whistle past the graveyard.) Folks these are tough time. Buckle up!

Indian Point Nuke: Not quite gone, certainly not forgotten.

Workers first broke ground for first nuclear reactor at Indian Point, NY in 1956. The last reactors stopped operating on April 30, 2021. Every bit of fuel ever used in those decades is still on site and part of the decommissioning process along with vast tanks full of radioactive water where spent rods are still stored. Guests on Tough Times with Lou Young this week include Marilyn Elie from Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition, Manna Jo Greene Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Environmental Director, Chairperson of the Westchester County Board of Legislators Catherine Borgia, and Marie Insera from United for Clean Energy. Lou and producer Will Hennessey grill the gals and get the goods on the decommissioned nuke and its potential future. Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping also stop by bringing News from the Natural World with Savitri D. We have music from The Clash, Margo Shepard, Barbara Streisand singing Burt Bacharach, and Imagine Dragons. (It’s a left brain/right brain thing) Co-Host George Potanovic is off and is expected back next week.

A chill wind blows. Is it a sobering dose of reality or the approach of doom? Our guest is Jessica Stomback, CEO of Joule, a company that helps local municipalities arrange aggregate agreements for clean energy and establish local power generation: solar arrays and windmill farms. Lou Young, co-host George Potanovic, and Will Hennessey explore the path of moving away from fossil fuels to clean energy and the creation of “minigrids” that can continue to function in the face of widespread outages during severe storms or terrorist attacks. Mamaroneck Mayor Tom Murphy joins the discussion from Westchester where the community is contemplating a possible municipal solar array on a capped landfill. e also hear from Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping, Savitri D with News from the Natural World, new music from the choir and the Fiery Eagles of Justice jazz combo as well as 40,000 citizens of Estonia singing their national anthem in defiance of Russian occupation. Music from John Lennon, Adele, and Linda Ronstadt along with some hope….. a little hope in an anxious time.

Finding the Balance. Lou Young grills Senator Pete Harckham about his new role as Chairman of the NY Senate Environmental Conservation Committee. How do we find the middle ground between preserving the larger environment and protecting our infrastructure endangered by climate change? Young is joined by co-host George Potanovic, the President of the Stoney Point Action Committee for the Environment and engineer/producer Will Hennessey as Harckham talks about everything from the decommissioning of the Indian Point nuclear power plant to the Champlain-Hudson Power Express line connecting Canada and New York City. Also joining the conversation: Mayor Mike Kohut of Haverstraw, and Mayor Karen Tarapata of Upper Nyack about clean energy for their communities, Reverend Billy and Church of Stop Shopping with a another dramatic “service” from the “Earth Church”, News from the Natural World with Savitri D and musical interludes of songs “joined at the psyche.” What do Johnny Rivers, Marvin Gaye, and Mick Jagger have in common? It’s two hours that’ll fly by.

Tracy Brown, President Hudson Riverkeeper, weighs in the Army Corps of Engineer Plans to build massive storm surge barriers to keep the Atlantic Ocean at bay. “A square peg for a round hole” she calls it. Lou Young, George Potanovic, and Will Hennessey escort Ms. Brown through the host of coastal problems and proposed cures in this latest episode of “Tough Times with Lou Young.” We visit with climate activist Greta Thunberg in Davos, Switzerland and scan the planet from the ecological instruments in “the big machine.” The gang also pays tribute to the late David Crosby and introduces us to South African singer-songwriter Connell Cruise. Plus—we “marry” two tunes that were written twenty years apart: separate recordings landing in the same emotional space.

CLIMATE CLEAN ELECTRIC POWER Lou Young, co-host George Potanovic, and Will Hennessey grill experts on both sides of the Hudson about making our electric supply less fossil-fuel dependent. Peggy Kurtz from Rockland Community Power, Andrew Goodwillie from Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, Dan Welsh from Sustainable Westchester, Mike Donovan from Orange & Rockland Utilities explain the ins and out of community aggregate power contracts. State Assemblyman Chris Eachus joins the conversation. TV Producer Michael Horowicz reports on climate change conditions from the West coast. Lou Young “marries” two pieces of remarkable 20th century movie music. We also say goodbye to artist John Sims and listen to a remarkable piece called “Afro-Dixie Mix” as Black artists provide their take on the iconic theme of the Old South and Susan Filgueras from Stony Point Action Committee for the Environment (SPACE) discusses the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE).

Environmental outlook in the new year. Lou and the gang (George Potanovic, and Will Hennessey) welcome Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann (an environmentally minded Republican now running for a third term after dumping the town’s term limit law), NY State Senator Bill Weber and NYS Assemblyman Chris Eachus (both recently elected), and Andrew Larkin (A local oyster farmer) about the bi-partisan space where climate policy can flourish. Turns out bi-valves are our environmental friends, and the politicos on both sides of the aisle SAY they want to co-operate on saving the planet. Also: Reverend Billy and Savitri D from the Church of Stop Shopping, News From the Natural World and our first “Music Marriage.” What to The Zombies and Airborn Toxic Event have in common?

CHEMICAL CREEP/FUSION FUTURE//MEANDERING MCCARTHYISM

Lou Young and the crew (George Potanovic & Will Hennessey) lead an examination of “forever” PFAS Chemicals finding their way into our air. water, and bloodstreams.  Policy advocate Liz Moran from “Earth Justice”, Bill Madden from Violia Water Systems,

NY Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, and NY Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski join the discussion about the chemicals found in everything from firefighting foam to clothing (and that teflon pan on your stove).  Changing safety guidelines reveal a number of communities in Westchester and Rockland counties on the wrong side of the threshold.

We also hear from US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Deputy National Security Administrator Marv Adams about the Fusion power breakthrough achieved at the federal government’s Lawrence Livermore Laboratory.  What could be one of the most important discoveries in human history is explained in a way we can (almost) understand.  Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping also present coverage of Activist Angela Davis’ recent appearance in Rockland County despite local attempts to “cancel” her.  It’s part of what they’re calling “The new McCarthyism."

Tap the breaks on your Toxic Holiday Traditions: Christmas shouldn’t leave us stressed out and certainly shouldn’t make us broke; Why do we do it? This episode of Tough Times with Lou Young deals with stepping away from the most wasteful aspects of the holiday. You’ll hear a clip from the documentary “What Would Jesus Buy?” and enjoy a lengthy conversation with the film’s subject “Reverend” Billy Talen. 

Lou, co-host George Potanovic, & producer Will Hennessey also mourn the loss of singer/songwriter Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac, comparing their favorite tunes from the captivating “songbird.” 

There’s News From the Natural World with Savitri D and new music from singer/songwriter Kevin Thomas who introduces us to “Matilda” (You’ll like her too).

Our Sperm Count is Down!

A new study has confirmed a previously reported trend that human sperm counts are on the decline.  "Tough Times with Lou Young" explores this canary-in-a-coal-mine development with Dr. Shanna Swan, professor of environmental epidemiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City and author of the disturbing and essential book "Count Down."  Have we poisoned ourselves toward a path to extinction?

"Tough Times" team members George Potanovic and Will Hennessey join Lou and Dr. Swan in imagining the consequences of  the "countdown's end,"

The show also includes a reality-check breakdown of the Ukraine War from military historian Donald Wauchope and the inspiring musings of Rev. Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping.

Even when the future gets grim, hope burns bright.

Back from the Brink: What’s next?

After voters turned aside the predicted “red wave” in the national midterms Lou Young, George Potanovic, and crew wonder aloud if climate change is the issues that can unite the nation.

Here in NY State the $4.3 Billion Environmental Bond Act passed 70% to 30% and we speculate that passage of the federal Inflation Reduction Act with it’s climate initiatives helped national voters focus on the dangers facing the planet.

In Rockland County, NY voters also rejected a high-density housing development on 32 acres of former state land called the Letchworth Property, also by 70% voting no.

Guests include: Doug McKeige— Editor of The Climate Capitalist, Mamaroneck Mayor Tom Murphy, Westchester County Sustainability Director Peter McCartt, Stony Point United Chairman Greg Julian, Attorney Michael Dieterich, Resident Dave Evangelista, Stony Point United Members Anita and Walter Cintron.

We’ve got voices from COP 27 in Sharm-al-Sheik, Egypt

Inspiration from Reverand Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping,

and music from Gary Numan.

It’s not to late to save the planet……..or is it?   These are Tough Times.

Superstorm Sandy settled the climate change argument for many exactly ten years ago on the day of this broadcast.  The storm sent a surge of water through New York Harbor and far up the Hudson River devastating riverfront communities further north than many believed possible.  Tough Times with Lou Young marks the moment back then with look at what we've done in the decade since.  Haverstraw, NY Mayor Mike Kohut joins Lou Young, George Potanovic, and Will Hennessey for a look at that riverfront community's award winning climate-smart comprehensive plan.  Other guests include State Assemblyman Steve Otis (co-author of the current $4.3 Billion New York State Environmental Bond Act), Mike Donovan (Spokesman for Orange and Rockland Utilities), Gordan Wren (Former Director of Fire and Emergency Services for Rockland County, NY), Jared Rodriguez (member of Haverstraw's Planning Board), Activist Bill Talen (aka Reverend Billy from the Church of Stop Shopping), Savitri D (News From the Natural World). The show also includes the classic recording of the group Ten Years After from the 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Festival in nearby Bethel because....you know, it's ten years after....

On today's Tough Times with Lou Young, Lou and George speak with Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney, currently representing the 18th Congressional District and running for the seat in the 17th Congressional District. They talk about the Inflation Reduction Act, the bond act, Infrastructure Bill and the state of our water. They also speak with Julie Tighe, author and President of The New York League of Conservation Voters. They talk about our reliance on fossil fuels and our need for renewable energy. We also speak with Breda Beckerle, a Stony Point resident who lives on the waterfront. Breda shares her experience, especially after storms like Superstorm Sandy, which happened almost 10 years ago and is still affecting the area. We also hear excerpts from Earth Riot Radio's latest episode titled "Radical Love". In addition, we have music from Tom Chapin. We also speak with Will Hennessey, who will be taking over for Kevin Thomas on the show. Tough Times with Lou Young airs Saturdays from 1pm to 3pm Eastern on WRCR AM 1700 and WRCR.com. The show is also available in podcast form on Spotify, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.

On today's edition of Tough Times with Lou Young, Lou and George welcome Ellie Kassner, Candidate for Stony Point Town Council. They discuss why she is running for office and what her ideas are for the future of the Town of Stony Point.  Topics include an updated master plan for Letchworth property, Hudson River waterfront, 9W Business District, economic development plan for increased business & tourism, and discussion about the $4.2 Billion Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act that will be on the November 8, 2022 ballot. We also speak with Greg Julian - founding member of Stony Point United, Jim Monaghan, Supervisor of Stony Point and NYS Senator Pete Harckham. We also have excerpts of the Earth Riot Radio podcast, episode #35 titled "Defend the Earth Like the Women of Iran". Plus, we have music from a new album from singer/songwriter Tom Chapin titled "Hold Your Ground". Tough Times with Lou Young airs Saturdays at 1pm Eastern on WRCR AM 1700 and WRCR.com. The show is also available in podcast form on Spotify, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.

On today's Tough Times with Lou Young, Lou is back in the chair again and starts the show by speaking with Diane Osgood of Osgood Consulting and Contributing Author and Editor of the book The Carbon Almanac. Lou and Diane talk about the effect of excess carbon on our environment. Then, we invite Sir Alex Halliday into the discussion. Sir Halliday is the Dean of Columbia University's Climate School. His Geochemistry lab is located in the Comer Building at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, NY. Today, the observatory had an open house and Sir Halliday was on with us to discuss the different exhibits and functions of the observatory.  George Potanovic from SPACE calls in from the observatory and speaks with State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick. Savitri D gives us News From the Natural World, while Reverend Billy gives us episode 33 of his Earth Riot Radio podcast titled "We Is A Community, They Is A Crowd". We also have music from Julian Lennon and two songs from Jake Shimabukaro (one with Billy Strings, one with Jimmy Buffett). Tough Times with Lou Young airs Saturdays at 1pm Eastern on WRCR AM 1700 and WRCR.com. The show is also available in podcast form on Spotify, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.

On today's show, George is sitting in for Lou, who is on a Covid journey. But, we do hear from Lou to start off the show. Then, we hear from Don Hammond, Mayor of Nyack, who talks about policies and projects that Nyack is working on to stabilize their shoreline and mitigate the effects of climate change in the village, including a ban on gas powered leaf blowers. We also discuss the environmental bond act coming up in the next election on November 8th. Bruce Tucker, Mayor of Piermont, talks about the unique challenges his village faced from previous storms, including Superstorm Sandy. We especially talk about the effect of methane pollution on the local environment.

In the last half hour, George's daughter, Allison, talks to us about veganism, misconceptions about it, the reduction of her carbon footprint and her love for singer/songwriter Hozier. We also have music from Tom Chapin, Will.i.am, Ani DiFranco and Hozier. Tough Times with Lou Young airs Saturdays from 1pm to 3pm on WRCR AM 1700 and WRCR.com. Past episodes are available for your listening pleasure on Spotify, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.

On today's show, Lou and George talk about recent effects of climate change that we've seen, including two storms - one that is striking Eastern Canada and the Canadian Maritimes and another that is on the way to Florida.  In addition, we take a deeper dive into the book The Carbon Almanac: It's Not Too Late. Lou and George also speak to Ellen Silver, Chairperson of the Village of Mamaroneck Committee for the Environment and the village's Climate Smart Communities Task Force Coordinator. She is also Larchmont/Mamaroneck Area Board Member of the United Jewish Federation. Ellen is on to talk about today's Mamaroneck Monarch Butterfly Festival and gives us some interesting facts about these beautiful butterflies. Plus we have tunes from Marvin Gaye, Gary Numan, Miley Cyrus and John Prine. Tough Times with Lou Young airs Saturdays at 1pm on WRCR AM 1700 and WRCR.com