Green Time TV:

Watching Out

by Don Fitz

Things happen which make environmentalists keep their eyes open. December 2014 episodes of Green Time TV look at antibiotic resistance which can be traced to factory farming, social and environmental problems with cannabis prohibition, social environments of black children, and promises to reduce carbon emissions.

Nearly 80% of antibiotics sold in the United States are used on factory farms rather than for human medicine. At the same time, two million Americans get an antibiotic resistant infection annually, and in 2013, 23,000 of those infected died. The first December Green Time show features Alyssa Hartman, of Food and Water Watch, and Don Fitz discussing the FDA’s being aware of problems associated with antibiotic resistant bacteria but continually failing to act.

What sort of resources does the state of Missouri expend to enforce the prohibition of cannabis? During the second December show, John Payne, of Show-Me Cannabis, and Don Fitz discuss effects of an arrest and conviction for a cannabis offense for the individual and society. They look at how decriminalization laws (such those in Columbia and St. Louis) have helped address these problems. If decriminalization for some users helps, should we advocate full legalization?

The third December Green Time is an episode of Harambee 101. It examines the necessity of caring environments for black children. Host Xavier Silva is a youth member of the Junior Black Chamber of Commerce (JBCC). He interviews Darryl L. Wise, CEO, Annie Malone Children & Family Service. They discuss foster care, children’s homes and the many services that Annie Malone continues to provide to children and youth in the St. Louis area.

For the final December show, Adolphus Pruitt and Sam Cummings discuss the NAACP’s new report “Just Energy Policies: Reducing Pollution & Creating Jobs?” Reducing air pollution is critical because childhood asthma is epidemic in the African American community. This could be due to 68% of African Americans’ living within 30 miles of a coal-fired power plant. The clean energy field may bring jobs to the African American community.

December shows include the trailer from “Reefer Madness” and the movies “Down to Earth Farming,” “Rain Drops,” “Asheville Beyond Coal – Green Jobs,” and “The Cost of Coal: Michigan.”

Green Time appears at noon on Saturdays in St. Louis on Channel 24-1 and at 8 pm on Mondays in St. Louis on Channel 24-2, Springfield on Channel 39, Joplin on Channel 36 and Marshfield on Channel 17. Green Time programs air on these dates:

• December 6 & 8: “Antibiotic Overdose”
• December 13 & 15: “The Criminal Injustice of Cannabis Prohibition”
• December 20 & 22: “Harambee 101 (Rain Drops)”
• December 27 & 29: “Just Energy Policies”

“Like” Gateway Greens on Facebook and click “Get notifications.” Also see Green Time on greentime.tv. If you would like to help produce Green Time TV call 314-727-8554 or email [email protected]

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