JUNE 23, 2016
Nelson Council decision on zero carbon building code – Dr. Kyle Merritt, Doctors and Nurses for Planetary Health Kootenay Boundary.
AI debate running hot, resistance growing. – Jessica Cheung, Council of Canadians.
Sanctuary – theatre in a cedar stump at Vancouver Art Gallery – Damien Gillis, BC filmmaker.
The July 7 Nelson City Council meeting is deciding on the zero carbon building code for new homes. Dr. Kyle Merritt from Doctors and Nurses for Planetary Health Kootenay Boundary, says the city should take the step.
AI data centres and tech represent a huge investment decision. The Council of Canadians recently hosted a Civil Society Summit on the topic. Jessica Cheung from the Council tells us about the growing resistance.
A video production is now on running in a giant tree stump at the Vancouver Art Gallery. BC filmmaker Damien Gillis tells about it and about the giant Kootenay Duncan cedar the stump is modelled on.
The EcoCentric is hosted by Keith Wiley and Solita Work at Noon Tuesdays on Kootenay Coop Radio 93.5 FM in Nelson and area and around the world on KootenayCoopRadio.com. The show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 9.
After broadcast Tuesdays at noon, audio links to the episode and interviews here: TheEcoCentricRadioShow.ca.
JUNE 16, 2026.
Alberta scan on water, logging, forestry and data. – Jenny Yeremiy, TheGravityWell.net
2026 Suzy Hamilton Legacy Award winner Jessica Hewitt.
Canadian concern about lack of action on climate growing. – Tim Grey, executive director, Environmental Defence Canada.
Sierra Club of BC launches campaign for World Cup – Jens Wieting, senior policy and science advisor.
Alberta is in a water, energy, logging and political crisis. Jenny Yeremiy is an Alberta geo-physicist who left the oil patch to launch an online channel and podcast on big issues in the province.
Jessica Hewitt is a Bonnington resident concerned about logging in the watershed and one of the recipients of this year’s Suzy Hamilton Legacy Award for a female-identified Kootenay environmental activist.
Canadians are getting more concerned about climate every year according to polling, says Tim Gary, executive director of Environmental Defence Canada.
Sierra Club of BC has launched it’s largest ever public messaging campaign on protecting old growth forest, and just in time for the World Cup frenzy in Vancouver. Jens Wieting from Sierra Club of BC tells us about the exciting campaign.
The EcoCentric is hosted by Keith Wiley and Solita Work at Noon Tuesdays on Kootenay Coop Radio 93.5 FM in Nelson and area and around the world on KootenayCoopRadio.com. The show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 9.
Audio link to the episode here: TheEcoCentricRadioShow.ca.
ECOCENTRIC MAY 26, 2026.
Carney government announcements derail Canada’s climate plan – Mark Winfield, York University
Forestry minister Ravi Parmer responds to Joe Karthein concerns – special report by Heather Austin, KCR reporter.
Go By Bike Week in BC comes up May 30 to June 6. Lots of local events. – Solita Work from West Kootenay Cycling.
The Carney federal government has been steam rolling industrial development through with an ongoing series of announcements of end-running any environmental oversight. Professor Mark Winfield from York University says the cumulative policy impact is huge. He outlines it for us.
Joe Karthein, local activist behind the Save What’s Left campaign talks with Co-op Radio’s Local Journalism Initiative reporter Heather Austin. She went on to get a response from BC Forestry Minister Ravi Parmar in a special segment for the show.
Solita Work from the West Kootenay Cycling Coalition gives us the lowdown on local Go By Bike BC events coming up starting May 31 and running to June 6.
The EcoCentric is hosted by Keith Wiley and Solita Work at Noon Tuesdays on Kootenay Coop Radio 93.5 FM in Nelson and area and around the world on KootenayCoopRadio.com. The show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 9.
Audio link to the episode here: TheEcoCentricRadioShow.ca.
ECOCENTRIC MAY 12, 2026.
Concrete plan to fix BC forest crisis – New Forest Act campaigner Jennifer Houghton.
Poll shows British Columbians want more government action on the climate crisis – Andrew Gage, West Coast Environmental Law.
World summit on transition off fossil fuels – Liz McDowell from Stand.Earth was there.
The BC forest industry is in crisis. The long-predicted ‘fall down’ or collapse of available trees is closing mills and jobs. Jennifer Houghton and a group of forest professionals from the Grand Forks area created a draft New Forestry Act for the province and are doing a second provincial tour to promote the plan for an ecologically sustainable forestry practice. Jennifer and the group have events coming up in Nelson and Trail in June.
British Columbians are well aware that the climate crisis is one factor in constantly rising prices for food and many things. West Coast Environmental Law commissioned a poll this spring to check public opinion on climate and government action and spending to protect us from the crisis. Lawyer Andrew Gage tells us what they found.
Last month the first ever gobal conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels was held in Santa Marta, Columbia. 57 countries representing one third of the world’s economy talked about how to get off gasoline. Liz McDowell, Senior Campaigns Director with Stand.earth, was there and gives us a first-hand report.
The EcoCentric is hosted by Keith Wiley and Solita Work at Noon Tuesdays on Kootenay Coop Radio 93.5 FM in Nelson and area and around the world on KootenayCoopRadio.com. The show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 9.
Audio link to the episode here: TheEcoCentricRadioShow.ca.
ECOCENTRIC MAY 5, 2026.
Castlegar innovates rides. Seniors shuttle – Reidun Rossi, Castlegar Community Services
Carless in Nelson, what would make life easier – Josh Wapp on what the city needs
Transit Alliance launches and Go By Bike Week coming up – Solita Work, Keith Wiley.
Reidun Rosi of Castlegar Community Services talks about shuttle services for seniors and local transportation innovations. Twenty-two years in Nelson without a car, Josh Wapp, tells us about the everyday challenges of getting around and what would help. Keith Wiley talks about the plans for the Public Transit Alliance of BC launched last week. Transit Alliance. Co-host Solita Work and Keith discuss activities for BC Go By Bike Week coming up at the end of May.
The EcoCentric is hosted by Keith Wiley and Solita Work at Noon Tuesdays on Kootenay Coop Radio 93.5 FM in Nelson and area and around the world on KootenayCoopRadio.com. The show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 9.
Audio link to the episode here: TheEcoCentricRadioShow.ca.
ECOCENTRIC APRIL 28, 2026.
RCMP arrest watershed defenders at Rosebud Lake – Dave Lang was there.
Public Transit Alliance of BC launches – Tara Shushtarian, West Coast Climate Action Network
Canadian resiliency in energy. – An Energy Mix webinar talks about choices.
A peaceful protest near Rosebud Lake by Nelway, BC was ended when RCMP moved in and arrested and removed watershed defenders. The locals want to stop a major logging haul road into the watershed and environmental reserve zone. The RDCK had a unanimous vote making the small communities official community plan into bylaw, including an ecological reserve to protect the sensitive KARST watershed. Dave Lang was at the protest and tells us why the watershed needs protection.
The Public Transit Alliance of BC is launching its new push for better public services province-wide with a public ZOOM event on Tuesday, April 28th. One of the organization Tara Shushtarian says quite a number of groups are involved and talks about what they are looking for.
The transition from fossil fuels is picking up steam as a result of the US war on Iran. The Energy Mix held a webinar on what that might mean for Canada. We hear from expert panelists, Dan Woynillowicz, Patricia Lightburn and Brendan Haley.
The EcoCentric is hosted by Keith Wiley and Solita Work at Noon Tuesdays on Kootenay Coop Radio 93.5 FM in Nelson and area and around the world on KootenayCoopRadio.com. The show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 9.
Audio link to the episode here: TheEcoCentricRadioShow.ca.
ECOCENTRIC APRIL 21, 2026.
Voices from the Earth Day Celebration – Folks from Nelson
New book on art, therapy and the environment – Monica Carpendale, founder emeritus at Kootenay Art Therapy Institute
Folk sing-along concert – singer-songwriter Luke Wallace in Nelson from Vancouver
Sunday, April 19, the Earth Days Nelson held a downtown celebration and parade to mark the world’s 56th Earth Day, April 22. Kootenay Coop Radio and The EcoCentric were there and bring some voices of participants.
Founder and instructor emeritus from the Kootenay Art Therapy Institute in Nelson, Monica Carpendale is bringing out a new book co written with her son, Will Parker. She tells us about art, therapy and mental health and the environment AND about the book launch on Earth Day in Nelson.
Vancouver singer-songwriter Luke Wallace has two shows in the Kootenays, in Nelson, April 24 and Kaslo April 25. He tells us how his concerts are participatory and uplifting and empowering.
ECOCENTRIC APRIL 7, 2026.
Provincial funding for active transportation alternatives frozen for over a year – Colin Stein, executive director of the BC Cycling Coalition.
Nelson Green Home and Energy Show coming up April 15 – Emily Mask, Nelson’s Climate and Energy strategist.
Inter-modal options for travelling and tourism in the Kootenays – Brad Parsell, executive director of Kootenay Rockies Tourism.
Solita Work is back as co-host for the monthly show on transportation.
Nelson’s Green Home and Energy show is back from 6:00 to 9:00 pm on Wednesday, April 15 at the Nelson Prestige hotel. Emily Mask, the City’s Climate and Energy strategist tells us about the displays and presentations at the big event. She also has an update on the Nelson E-bike loan program which is rolling along and more on bike lanes in the City.
Brad Parsell of Kootenay Rockies Tourism talks about planning for inter-modal transportation and rural connectivity. Coming to visit a pristine natural paradise in your fossil-fuelled vehicle? Maybe there’s a better way.
The provincial budget details on transportation are not out yet, but Colin Stein from the BC Cycling Coalition tells us money for most cycling and active transportation has been frozen for over a year.
The EcoCentric is hosted by Keith Wiley and Solita Work at Noon Tuesdays on Kootenay Coop Radio 93.5 FM in Nelson and area and around the world on KootenayCoopRadio.com. The show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 9. Find the audio link to this episode here: TheEcoCentricRadioShow.ca.
TUESDAY, MARCH 31 2026
Dealing with radon gas in the basement –North Shore resident Terry Lowery
Find great Kootenay bike routes with new map – Max Dumoulin and the West Kootenay Cycling Coalition
Dawson Creek considers multimillion dollar water pipeline – Ben Parfitt, on TheTyee.ca
North Shore resident Terry Lowery has been tracking radon levels in the air in his basement for years. He reports, as is common, that levels fluctuate quite a bit. Terry tells us about mitigation, making the air safer, and about your own radon measuring process.
A lot of bike routes you might not be aware of in the Kootenays on new online map by Max Dumoulin. It’s on the WestKootenayCycling.ca website.
Late last summer Dawson Creek’s water source, the Kiskatenaw River just about dried up. The North east was hit really hard by BCs extensive drought. Well-known BC investigative journalist, Ben Parfitt has been on this show several times. He’s back to alk about a plan for a water pipeline to pump millions of litres out of the Peace.
THIS IS A REPEAT SHOW WITH SOME OF THE LAST FEW MONTH’S BEST INTERVIEWS.
The EcoCentric is hosted by Keith Wiley and Solita Work at Noon Tuesdays on Kootenay Coop Radio 93.5 FM in Nelson and area and around the world on KootenayCoopRadio.com. The show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 9. Find the audio link to this episode here: TheEcoCentricRadioShow.ca.
TUESDAY, MARCH 23 2026
April Earth Month in Nelson events – Judith Fearing, Earth Days Nelson
Nature can’t afford Carney, the banker. – Eric Reder, Wilderness Committee
Global water crisis talk in the Kootenays – Maude Barlow, Council of Canadians
WHISTLER SWANS NOW OVER-WINTERING ON KOOTENAY LAKE WEST ARM. PHOTO: KWiley.
April is a big Earth month in Nelson with environmental events running all month long. Judith Fearing from Earth Days Nelson talks about some of the many exciting activities.
The West Kootenay Watershed Collaborative held its big World Water Day symposium held Nelson March 22. Keynote speaker, Maude Barlow detailed how water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource world-wide.
The Wilderness Committee’s Eric Reder says Canada and the world needs Mark Carney the Values environmentalist, not just Carney the banker.
The EcoCentric is hosted by Keith Wiley and Solita Work at Noon Tuesdays on Kootenay Coop Radio 93.5 FM in Nelson and area and around the world on KootenayCoopRadio.com. The show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 9. Find the audio link to this episode here: TheEcoCentricRadioShow.ca.
TUESDAY, MARCH 17 2026
Kitimat residents cope with noise, soot and light – The Narwhal’s Matt Simmons
Rosslanders win injunction stopping magnesium mine – Melanie Mercier, Save Record Ridge
War spikes oil prices, will inflation and chaos follow? – Economist Jim Stanford
Some days 90 metre flames tower over Kitimat from the new LNG Canada plant. The noise and pollution is hard for locals, who want clarity on when it can be brought under control. Journalist Matt Simmons, with The Narwhal says rather than answers they have been getting more ‘gaslighting’.
The proposed open pit mine on Record Ridge overlooking Rossland has been slowed after a citizens group won a court injunction until their court case about their concerns about noise and dust gets more answers. Melanie Mercier from Save Record Ridge in Rossland talks about it.
Prices at the pump jumped almost immediately after missiles and bombs started flying over Iran. Stagnant oil prices last jumped like this back in 2022 when Russia attacked the Ukraine which set off a devastating inflation spiral. Economist Jim Stanford talks about the impact on affordability issues that could soon be worsening even further for Canadian families.
The EcoCentric is hosted by Keith Wiley and Solita Work at Noon Tuesdays on Kootenay Coop Radio 93.5 FM in Nelson and area and around the world on KootenayCoopRadio.com. The show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 9. After January 13 find the link to this episode here: TheEcoCentricRadioShow.ca.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2026
Roads and traffic impact on nature – American author Ben Goldfarb
Car and road pollution hurts – Dr. Monica Dutt, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
Incessant Noise hurts, mostly from traffic – Ingrid Buday, No More Noise
Solita Work hosts another look at the impact of roads and traffic on the planet, our environment and even our own health.
Ben Goldfarb is an American author of several books including Crossings: How Road Ecology Is Shaping The Future of Our Planet. Dr. Monica Dutt takes an interest in public health and the impacts of pollution, especially from cars. Ingrid Buday is the founder of No More Noise and works for safer sound environments.
The EcoCentric is hosted by Keith Wiley and Solita Work at Noon Tuesdays on Kootenay Coop Radio 93.5 FM in Nelson and area and around the world on KootenayCoopRadio.com. The show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 9. After January 13 find the link to this episode here: TheEcoCentricRadioShow.ca.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2026
Natural forests help reduce floods and disaster – hydrologist Dr. Younes Alila.
Canadians are NOT climate Doomers – Cara Pike, from ReClimate.ca
BC’s LNG gamble facing uncertainty – Dr. Andy Hira, Clean Energy Research Group
More flooding in BC as the province gets hit by heavy rains. UBC forest hydrology professor Dr. Younes Alila says intact ecosystem forests reduce risks from extreme climate events, including floods and landslides.
“Climate Doom” is a pretext some folks use for turning a blind eye to the climate emergency. But it’s fewer people in Canada than you might think. Cara Pike from ReClimate.ca says research shows the vast majority of Canadians want our country to be a climate champion.
Reuters News this week forecast lower LNG prices in 2026 and Shell and Mitsubishi are trying to sell off parts of their interest in the brand new Kitimat LNG liquefaction plan. Dr. Andy Hira from the Clean Energy Research Group at Simon Fraser University says the BC government huge investments in the sector are looking shaky.
The EcoCentric is hosted by Keith Wiley and Solita Work at Noon Tuesdays on Kootenay Coop Radio 93.5 FM in Nelson and area and around the world on KootenayCoopRadio.com. The show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 9. After January 13 find the link to this episode here: TheEcoCentricRadioShow.ca.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2026
Critiquing the Clean BC plan – Guy Dauncey from West Coast Climate Action Network.
Saving toads at Fish Lake – Wayne McCory, Vallahalla Wilderness Society.
Who’s afraid of AI? – Rachel Pettigrew, Canadian Centre For Policy Alternatives.
Early in December the report on the government-ordered review of the Clean BC climate plan, came out. Guy Dauncey one of the founders of the West Coast C
limate Action Network did a detailed analysis of the good, the not good, and the missed completely.
Toads migrate three times a year across Hwy 31 A up at Fish Lake between New Denver and Kaslo. Biologist Wayne McCrory has worked for years with many Valhalla Wilderness Volunteers to reduce the carnage when tens of thousands toadlets cross the highway in a wondrous mass migration.
AI is apparently everywhere, and nowhere, and a doom machine and the saviour of the planet. Keep everyone guessing seems to be destabilizing. Rachel Pettigrew from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, helped do an analysis of the promising, the burdensome and the dire outlooks. Keith suggests never give a name to an AI ‘friend’.
The EcoCentric is hosted by Keith Wiley and Solita Work at Noon Tuesdays on Kootenay Coop Radio 93.5 FM in Nelson and area and around the world on KootenayCoopRadio.com. The show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 9. After January 13 find the link to this episode here: TheEcoCentricRadioShow.ca.
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