The Peel: Recent Episodes
Southface Institute
Welcome to The Peel, where we break through the surface of sustainability in Florida and get to the juicy stuff at the center of it all.
Ryan Foelske of Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) returns to delve into the differences between net zero and real zero emissions and how power companies are working to reduce their impact on the environment via natural gas.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Ryan Foelske | Manager, Carbon-Free Electricity at RMI
Join us and Ryan Foelske of Rocky Mountain Institute as we go over two different pricing models that FPL (Florida Power & Light) offer for those interested in adding solar to their energy mix — rooftop solar and Solar Together.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Ryan Foelske | Manager, Carbon-Free Electricity at RMI
Welcome to the wonderful world of Microforests! Join Charles Reith, PHD for a talk on how they work, active microforest projects in Sarasota, and more.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Charles Reith, PhD | Sustainability Activist & Southface Board Member
Jeremy from Groundworks USA talks us through how his organization helps make a positive (and equitable) impact on the built environment and the steps they take to built trust and work with local communities to effect that change.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Jeremy Hoffman, PhD | Director of Climate Justice and Impact at Groundworks USA
Greenwashing or not? We dive all in on ESG factors in investing and if they're a good measure of company accountability with Ryan Foelske of RMI.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Ryan Foelske | Manager, Carbon-Free Electricity at RMI
Art that addresses climate concerns is a unique way to forge emotional connections with new audiences and approach pressing issues in a less technical light. We talk with playwright Chantal Bilodeau on recent projects and her take on this unique blend of art and science.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Chantal Bilodeau | Climate Change Theatre Action
Trying to combat climate misinformation and science denial at the Thanksgiving table? We talk with John Cook, senior research fellow at Melbourne Center for Behavior Change on how to tackle those difficult conversations.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: John Cook | Sr. Research Fellow at Melbourne Center for Behavior Change
On this live webinar episode of The Peel, Dawn Sherriffs from Environmental Defense Fund talks on how you can effectively advocate for energy policy change at a local level.
Host: Davis Foster | Graphic Design + Media Manager, Southface
Guest: Dawn Sherriffs | Environmental Defense Fund
Julia Herbst from Solar United Neighbors joins us to discuss solar co-ops, the future of rooftop solar in FL, and how SUN is working to help more people go solar and fight for energy rights.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Julia Herbst | Gulf Coast Solar Program Associate for Solar United Neighbors
Joseph Bonasia from Florida Right to Clean Water joins us to discuss their ongoing petition for an amendment to the FL Constitution that will help ensure Florida waters are clean and safe for both people and animals. Sign the petition at www.floridarighttocleanwater.org Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface SarasotaGuest: Joseph Bonasia | Communications Director for the Florida Right to Clean Water Amendment
Maeven Rogers takes us through the differences between resiliency and sustainability, what makes a project sustainable, and benefits for citizens in upcoming federal funding opportunities.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Maeven Rogers | Chief Sustainability and Resiliency Officer, City of Palm Coast
Join us as we interview Jane Goodwin, former Sarasota County School Board Chair, as she discusses her career path, sustainable development in Sarasota, and the challenges posed by the politicization of Florida schools.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Jane Goodwin | Former Sarasota County School Board Chair
With renewed support from the federal government, it's a good time to be into electric vehicles! We talk with Mary Linn from the Electrification Coalition on the future of the great American (electric) road trip and how you can take advantage of all the new incentives and credits.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Mary Linn | Florida / Georgia Campaign Organizer for the Electrification Coalition
Tracie Troxler from Sunshine Community Compost stops by to talk about educating and activating people around compost locally (and nationwide), food waste, and soil stewardship. Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface SarasotaGuest: Tracie Troxler | Founder and Executive Director of Sunshine Community Compost
We talk with Jon Thaxton, former Sarasota County Commissioner, on the state of affordable housing and policy in Sarasota, and conservation concerns as we race towards every parcel of land being spoken for.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Jon Thaxton | Director of Community Investment at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Join us as we talk with Lee-Hayes Byron from UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability on the positive impact their programs are having on the area, green building in Sarasota, and the career path to becoming a Sustainability Director.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Lee-Hayes Byron | Director of UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability
We talk on Southface’s advocacy work with Florida energy policy, how anyone can get involved, and the upcoming rate hikes that will impact homeowners this year.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Alyson Laura | Project Manager for Advocacy in Florida at Southface
Goodwill receives millions upon millions of items that don't make it to the sales floor every year. But, how is that donated waste prevented from entering landfills? Join us as we talk with the president and CEO of Goodwill Mansota on their sustainability and outreach plans.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Donn R. Githens | President and CEO of Goodwill Manasota
Join us as we talk about the Piney Point wastewater disaster and how Suncoast Waterkeeper and other members of the Waterkeeper Alliance are fighting to prevent this from happening again through advocacy and legislation.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Justin Bloom | Founder of Suncoast Waterkeeper
Join us as we talk about the exciting energy regulation outcomes of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) in Georgia and how easy it is to advocate for the upcoming FEECA docket in Florida!
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Will Collier | Advocacy Project Manager at Southface Institute
We talk with Elizabeth Moore on what inspired her rise to fame as Sarasota's own major environmental philanthropist, her favorite projects, and the importance of coastal ecology.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Elizabeth Moore | Environmental Philanthropist
We talk with Matt Ross, owner of Eco-$mart and Florida House Board Member on his eco journey and the sustainable construction industry. This episode was recorded before we moved out of the Florida House.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Matt Ross | Owner of Eco-$mart
We talk the Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (FEECA) and what we hope will come from the upcoming revisal of FEECA rules & incentives — impacting your energy bill.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Katie Southworth | Advocacy Program Director at Southface Institute
We talk the history of psychedelics and how they might help us reconnect with our natural roots.,
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Alexandra Mars | New College Graduate and former Florida House Permaculturist
We talk the history of the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, the exciting conservation projects they're working on, and learn some fascinating facts about Sarasota in the process. Did you know we have 7,000 lakes and ponds and none of them are real?
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Kelly Romanoff | Innovation and Impact Officer at the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation
We talk green tiny homes, the tenets of a technical education, and the soft skills tradespeople need to succeed in their careers.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Shauna Donahue | Program Manager for Industrial Technologies at Suncoast Technical College
We talk with recovering tech CEO and author of "Freeing Energy," Bill Nussey.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Bill Nussey | Founder of the Freeing Energy Project
We talk STEAM in Florida schools and ways to create a space that best engages young minds.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Tessa Healy | STEAM Integration Coach at Wilkinson Elementary
Solar power, the energy grid, and net metering with Andrew Tanner of Region Solar.
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Andrew Tanner | Region Solar, Director
Join us as we discuss Florida-focused utility planning and the key people, organizations, and agencies that determine its outcome!
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Katie Southworth | Southface Insitute, Advocacy Program Director
Join us as we discuss Florida's energy future and how anyone can get involved in grassroots energy advocacy work!
Host: Amber Whittle, PhD | Executive Director of Southface Sarasota
Guest: Katie Southworth | Southface Insitute, Advocacy Program Director