This week on Radio Green Earth we’ll be talking about some rare and endangered critters. First we’ll go to Big Pine Key and visit the Key Deer Refuge, which is home to the endangered Key Deer, a subspecies of the white tail deer that isn’t found anywhere else on earth.

We’ll then go into the heart the Florida Keys to learn which surprising animal is the most dangerous invasive species of the area. While in Key West, we’ll talk about a new opportunity where you can have a say in how the Keys and its waters are managed, preserved and protected.

And have you ever heard about the Fisheating Creek, one of Florida’s premier paddling destinations? Get the story and hear about the old controversy over control of the creek. Plus, don’t miss this week’s ORCA Ocean Minute!

Join us for an hour of environmental news, these feature stories, our green tip-of-the-week, and our environmental events calendar this Thursday at 9 AM on WQCS 88.9 FM and Thursdays 6 PM on Seaview Radio 95.9 FM, 106.9 FM, & 960 AM. Also available at www.radiogreenearth.org  and on iTunes.

By Jane West, Esq., Environmental Attorney

We don’t usually think of climate change as being gender biased in how it impacts human life on earth, but the vulnerability of women in major disasters is surprisingly higher than the mortality rate of men. Extreme weather conditions are widely accepted by the scientific community to be directly connected to global climate change.

When women do not enjoy economic and social rights equal to men, more women than men die in disasters according to a 2006 study by the London School of Economics. This gender discrepancy came to light during the Asian Tsunami, Hurricane Mitch, Hurricane Katrina, the European heat waves and cyclones in South Asia.

Why exactly is this the case? There are several reasons. First, post-disaster, women are usually at higher risk of being bustled off into unsafe, overcrowded shelters due to lack of assets such as savings, property or land.

Second, in the context of events that require mobility, cultural constraints on women’s movement hinders their timely escape. An exacerbating factor is that women often avoid shelters due to fear of domestic and sexual violence. The more poverty stricken the country, the higher the risk to women and their children.

Paradoxically, women are not as engaged as men in the critical area of renewable energy – a key climate change mitigation technology. In many parts of the world, energy is primarily thought of in terms of electricity to operate equipment and infrastructure, gasoline and diesel fuels for motors and vehicles, and the delivery of oil for natural gas. Dealing with mediums such as electricity and fuel is often considered men’s work where women are not expected to be involved with power generation and fuel distribution. As a result, women are often absent from discussions about energy plans and policies. However, in many developing countries, most energy currently comes from traditional biomass fuels such as wood, charcoal and agricultural waste. The collection and management of these fuels is strictly within the purview of women in the poorest areas of the globe. It is estimated that close to two billion people in the developing world use traditional biomass fuel for their primary source of energy. Yet women are not engaged with the broad policy decisions on how to transition out of this high CO2 emitting fuel source. So naturally, there is a real disconnect between decisions being made at the highest levels on climate change and the practical application and implementation of those policies by women who are not engaged in the process.

The solution to this paradox sounds simple enough – women in developing countries should be actively engaged in national energy decision making. But translating that solution into reality will be challenging at best. At the very least, the funds that wealthier countries have earmarked for global climate change adaptation should be targeted in a way that recognizes that the situation of women in poverty stricken areas is different from men and as such, different approaches will be needed in order to remain relevant and useful.

The funny thing, you may have just read that whole bit and thought, yeah, well things are different here in the United States. Uh, not really. Yes, of course, the vast majority of us are fortunate in that we don’t have to grapple with issues such as foraging for bits of wood to burn. But the truth is, Americans consume some crazy amounts of energy. We drive around running errands, dropping kids off, picking them up, running dishwashers, washing machines and dryers, doing all the stuff we do everyday to make our jobs and home run smoothly…all of which requires vasts amount of energy. In fact, the average American burns up 98,418kW hours per year whereas the worldwide average is only 21,213kW.

Considering that we are some heavy-weight contenders in the energy consumption arena, you would think American women would have a lot to say on the matter in both the public and private sector. Yet a quick glance at the make up of our top policy leaders on energy, the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources reveals that there are only 5 women out of the 22 members on the Committee. The statistics get even worse when we look at who the CEOs are of the Fortune 500 companies (many of which derive profit from the energy sector) – currently only 12 are women. So even here in our own backyard, deep-impacting policy decisions about energy are being made at the highest levels with very little input from half the population that uses energy! The bottom line is: If you use it (and we all do), engage.

Educate yourself on where your energy comes from and make the best decisions you can to lessen the impact of that energy source on our climate. All the cool ladies do it!

Everyone asks the same question around this time: “What am I going to do this summer?” If you’re not going on an extravagant vacation to a foreign country or even to a different state, you might be looking for community events to attend. Our guide to local summer activities can be helpful for those of you looking for something to do once or twice a week.

Beach Clean-ups
Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s Blue Friends Society hosts at least one beach clean-up a month. These include breakfast and beverages and are run by Lynne Wells. They’re located at 14200 U.S. Highway One, Juno Beach, FL 33408. For more information, go to http://www.marinelife.org/page.aspx?pid=299.

Camp
For kids from 9 to 13 years old, the Loxahatchee River District is holding Aquatic Adventure Camp from June 11-15, July 9-13, July 16-20, and August 6-10. From 9 am to 4 pm, kids can explore the Loxahatchee River by collecting marine animals, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and playing eco-games. The price is $215 per camper. Call 561-743-7123 to register. For more information, go to http://loxahatcheeriver.org/community_events_calendar.php?month_year=5_2012.

Loggerhead Marinelife Center has its Junior Marine Biologist Summer Camp is Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. There are varying dates for the different camp programs. Turtle Adventures (June 11-15, 25-29, July 9-13, 23-27, August 6-10) Explore Florida (June 18-22, July 2-6, 16-20, 30-August 3) Field Experiences (August 6-10) Prices vary from $180 to $145. For more information, go to http://www.marinelife.org/page.aspx?pid=391.

Turtle Feeding
Loggerhead Marinelife Center has Outdoor Turtle Feeding every Tuesday and Friday from 12:00 to 12:30 pm. Anyone is welcome to watch the turtles receive their daily nutrition. For more information, go to http://www.marinelife.org/page.aspx?pid=299.

World Oceans Day
On June 8, 2012, Loggerhead Marinelife Center is having a day of fun activities based on Dr. Suess’ One, Two, Three and the Seas to conserve and protect our oceans. The event is from 10 am to 5 pm and is free. For more information, go to http://www.marinelife.org/page.aspx?pid=299.
The Florida Oceanographic Society is also having a day of fun activities on June 10, 2012. This event features stingray feeding, a sea turtle program, and game fish feeding. It is from 12 to 4 pm and is $5 for adults and free for children under 12. For more information, go to http://www.floridaocean.org/p/97/world-oceans-day-2012.

To see the complete list of events, go to our events calendar on our website: http://radiogreenearth.org/blog/?page_id=3154.

On Wednesday, May 16th, and Thursday May 17th 2012 will be the Green, Energy, & Climate Conference featuring education and networking that will help advance businesses in today’s green economy. Held at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, the Florida Green, Energy, & Climate Conference/Expo will include technical presentations, legislative updates, vendor boothes and more.

Among the many activities each day will be a Legislative Panel Session that will focus on energy diversity and how Florida could achieve a balanced energy fuel mix. The Keynote Speaker this year will be Patrick J. Sheehan, director of the Office of Energy to Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS). Both days will include sessions such as Legislative Session, Cost Effective Clean Energy, Grid Modernization, Fleet Conversion, Sustainable Economic Growth, and more. There will also be presentations called “How to Green Your City.”

Radio Green Earth is conducting an essay contest for students and host Missy Straus will present the Palm Beach County Schools Essay Contest winners.

Also, this is the third annual “100 Cities Summit” Initiative, which includes city and county leaders from Florida brought together through sustainability. For more information visit the Florida Green, Energy, & Climate Conference/Expo website: http://www.floridagreenconference.com/index.html.

This week on Radio Green Earth we will talk about some major environmental issues. We’ll be starting with a chat with Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management Director Rob Robins about the many activities in the Lake Worth Lagoon, from Snook Island development to artificial reef controversy.

We return to the Everglades this week to discuss the great news that two major lawsuits that have been holding up restoration progress for nearly a decade are finally nearing a settlement. Greenpeace has released the CATO Report, which stands for carting away our oceans, and we’ll get all the details. We’ll also hear an Inuit activist’s thoughts on oil drilling plans in the Arctic Ocean and the Norway oil spill that may be in the ice forever.

Concerned about the presumptive Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney? We’ll talk to a Republican conservationist who will discuss the candidate’s environmental positions.

We also congratulate the winners of the Green Schools Awards and learn about the 2012 Florida Green, Energy, & Climate Conference/Expo in Palm Beach County that is May 16 and 17, 2012. Plus, find out how your grocery store is rated in terms of its sustainable seafood.

Join us for an hour of environmental news, these feature stories, our green tip-of-the-week, and our environmental events calendar this Thursday at 9 AM on WQCS 88.9 FM and Thursdays 6 PM on Seaview Radio 95.9 FM, 106.9 FM, & 960 AM. Also available at www.radiogreenearth.org and on iTunes.