NHPTV's "Planet Granite Hour" Launches April 1

(DURHAM, March 31, 2010) — Are you trying to keep up with the “green scene” and do your part for the planet? Then tune in to New Hampshire Public Television’s PLANET GRANITE HOUR, featuring a variety of programs about sustainability, ecology, and energy conservation practices, airing Thursdays at noon and Saturdays at 5 p.m.The origins of Earth Day, now celebrating its 40th anniversary, is explored on EARTH DAYS, an AMERICAN EXPERIENCE documentary about the modern environmental movement, airing Wednesday, April 21 at 9 p.m. EARTH DAYS traces the history of the American environmental movement from its beginnings in the 1950s to its status today as a major political force in America. Watch a preview >> http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/trailer/earth-days-promo/ NHPTV’s PLANET GRANITE HOUR, hosted by New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility executive director Molly Hodgson Smith, is part of NHPTV’s PLANET GRANITE community engagement initiative to raise awareness, highlight activities and present possible solutions to advance sustainability practices around the state and region. The initiative scans the state’s green scene, and presents stories and resources on-air and online (www.nhptv.org/planetgranite). Watch the PLANET GRANITE HOUR on Thursdays at noon and Saturdays at 5 p.m.PROGRAMS AIRING ON NHPTV IN APRIL: Earth Days: American ExperienceWednesday, April 21st @ 9 PM & Thursday, April 22nd @ 11 PMTraces the origins of the modern environmental movement through the eyes of nine Americans who propelled the movement from its beginnings in the 1950s to its moment of triumph in 1970 with the original Earth Day and to its status as a major political force in America.SPECIAL PRESENTATION: On April 11, PBS will premiere the documentary on Facebook and viewers will be able to interact with the filmmaker and executive producer in real time. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=340070081191&index=1Thousand Suns: Food, Ecology and ReligionThursday, April 1st @ noonThe Gamo Highlands of Ethiopia is one of the world’s last bastions of biological and cultural diversity. Isolated in the African Rift Valley, with extraordinary agricultural diversity, it is sustained by a social system whose animist orientation has ensured the survival of 54 tribal groups.EcoSense For Living: Children and NatureThursday, April 1st @ 12:30 PM“Nature deficit disorder” is explored, a term coined by Richard Louv to describe the physical, mental, and emotional effects that children suffer when they lose contact with nature. A Passion for SustainabilitySaturday, April 3rd @ 5 PM Green business is rapidly becoming synonymous with good business. Explore new environmental buzzwords and discover what large and small companies are doing to make their companies not only green but also more profitable in the bargain.RiverwebsThursday, April 8th at noonRiverwebs takes a close look at an international group of river ecologists who share a story of tragedy, growth, and recovery. Next American DreamSaturday, April 10th at 5 PMAn examination of the ways in which American cities – specifically our downtowns – will change and grow in the decades ahead. Rare BirdThursday, April 15th at noonThe true story of 15-year-old David Wingate, who, in 1951, helped solve the mystery of the Cahow, a bird considered extinct for more than four centuries.Growing Greener SchoolsThursday, April 22nd @ noon Green building is giving us a better understanding of the potential impacts our school buildings have, not only on the environment, but also on our children’s’ and their teachers' health and development. A Sense of WonderSaturday, April 24th at 5 PMA documentary-style film depicting pioneering environmentalist Rachel Carson, author of “Silent Spring,” in the final year of her life. Struggling with cancer, Carson recounts with both humor and anger the attacks by the chemical industry, the government and the press as she focuses her limited energy to get her message to Congress and the American people.Living Green: Energy ConservationThursday, April 29th @ noonFeatures energy-saving strategies for homes, including construction techniques, how one can retrofit a home to become energy efficient, rebates and tax credits for energy conservation practices, and lifestyle changes.NHPTV’s Planet Granite initiative focuses on raising awareness, presenting possible solutions, and highlighting activities that advance sustainability and energy conservation practices. Through a partnership of statewide organizations involved in sustainability issues, the Planet Granite initiative includes educational and community outreach programs to encourage involvement by individuals, communities, schools, and businesses. nhptv.org/planetgranite.

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