Community Corner - Interview with Environmental Activist Nancy Pearlman

Los Angeles - July, 2009

BREATHE LA sat down with Nancy Pearlman this month to discuss her long career dedicated to environmental issues. Pearlman is an activist and an environmental Broadcaster who produces her own radio and TV shows, Environmental Directions and ECONEWS. She is also a Cultural Anthropologist , Ethnic Dance Performer and teacher. Pearlman was recently re-elected as Trustee, Los Angeles Community College District with 62% of the vote. The public  is invited to swearing in ceremony on July 15, 2009.

First in an occasional series.

You are a highly accomplished woman. Of all the things you do, Radio, TV, publications, eco tourism dance, what most defines you? How do you describe yourself?

 I am a socially and environmentally conscious person trying to improve the quality of life on this planet. As a generalist, I work on a variety of issues to promote changes in society that are important to all life.

 Tell us more about your beginnings, what inspired you to do what you do?

I was brought up to be a "social do-gooder" and to care about other people.
I found my niche in protecting wild areas and animals and plants. This flora and fauna need spokespeople, they can't speak for themselves. I love the wilderness. It should be there for future generations. I was fortunate to be taken out into nature as a child. When I began my environmental activism fort years ago, we had 5 to10 species a day becoming extinct. Now it has grown to 20 per day.

 What accomplishment makes you most proud?

  There are many accomplishments that make me proud. I am glad that I coordinated the first Earth Day in LA. I have the longest running Environmental Radio and TV Shows in the nation. I was doing it long before others jumped green bandwagon. I believe that I have consistently been out there speaking for our planet earth. Doing the radio show for 30 years, I've seen quite a change. At first, companies didn't want to do it because the issue was the environment vs the economy but now publicists call me and companies want to come on my show to talk about how green they are. On my TV Show, I was the first to document problems and solutions of our ecological crisis. I helped to create the green consciousness of today through all of my activism and media work. For example, I am proud that I have been fighting the battle to save wilderness, plants and animals by trying to establish habitat reserves and parks. Many of our battles, we lost, such as the Stanislaus River. I worked to save the Tule Elk, the smallest elk species in the world. I was one person of a team that worked on a variety of issues with many organizations and experts and am I proud to have worked with such dedicated conservationists. Now, I am also proud of being a Trustee of the Los Angeles Community College District where I have pushed for the toughest green building standards to make our nine campuses sustainable. Our colleges have over 6 billion dollars of taxpayer money that is being spent sustainabily. One policy I am still working in is to make our campuses smoke-free.

 What is your definition of an environmentalist?

There are many definitions of an environmentalist but I believe it is someone who is active in saving the earth, protecting resources, caring for other animals and plants, and committed to creating ecological societies by caring for humans as well..

 

 It appears that you are working hard to have an impact on the environment. Tell me what would happen if there were no Nancy Pearlmans in the world?

 There is a need for people like me, who are willing to speak up, stand up and take decisive actions that lead other people in the movement to save the earth. I am willing to put my life on the line. I have been in the forefront. I see the bigger picture on environmental and social issues and consider myself a leader, an activist and a policy maker. People always needed to lay the ground work, and I have done that. If we don't have good leadership, we will continue to have serious problems. I continue to attend hearings, testify and I educate the public. I will continue to fight for the cause even if I am the "thorn on the rose."

 

 Would you say that environmental education matters?

 Absolutely! For decades, we were not allowed to bring environmental materials into schools because it was considered too political; I am glad the times have changed. In the 1970s we passed environmental education laws requiring conservation and ecological education to be taught in California schools but we are still working to have them implemented. Today, everyone realizes that green is important and that is a great success.

It is nice that people are talking about the environment but we need more people talking about the root problem, overpopulation. We can't be afraid to talk about the real crisis in our country and world.

 

 

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