One would think that with a name like It’s Hot In Here, the hosts of the University of Michigan based environmental news/grooves radio show would have been in touch with It’sGettingHotInHere for years. And that maybe the two were even closely related.
Surprisingly, this is not the case, and I was overjoyed to be introduced yesterday to Jennifer, aka “Gina Gettum”, co-conceiver and host of the environmental news/music show on WCBN-88.3-FM-Ann Arbor since March 2008.
I asked Gina to tell me a bit about her show, and she said that the main goal of It’s Hot in Here is just to have a good time. “We hear so much doom and gloom with regards to environmental issues in the media, but the fact is that most of the people in this movement, the people working on these issues, and the people we want to engage with aren’t. We’re fun, sexy people. We like to stay positive, informed and rock out to great music. So, our show is quirky, fun, and full of laughter and sound effects. But it’s still smart and informative.”
Each show is built around a compelling environmental issue. Gina says “we’re lucky to be based in Ann Arbor, where we regularly draw upon the University’s and city’s wealth of academic and professional green-spertise!” Former guests of It’s Hot In Here have included fellow students, professionals and activists, as well as climate guru Joseph Romm, New York Times Bestselling Author John Perkins, former New York Times International Reporter Howard French, UM Professors Rebecca Hardin, Tom Princen, Andrew Hoffman, and Mark Wilson.
Short segments like “Out and In,” The Toxic Tangent,” “Fish Fish Ain’t Biting,” and “What’s in Season?” give listeners regular and often hysterical updates on the latest in green trends, environmental toxins, sustainable fish consumption and what’s fresh in your farmer’s market – while emphasizing practical ways to live green everyday.
Campus news has the potential to provide a valuable tool for youth to spread climate and environmental solutions ideas, and to share climate change news from around the world by tapping into those publications off-line that students still tune into or read. Radio programs like It’s Hot In Here provide a critical link to domestic and world environmental news, while also offering local solutions, community networking and fun.
Gina and her co-host[s] will be doing their next show specifically on Coal and all the happening’s in WV this coming Monday August 31st from 12-1 Eastern. Tune in to hear me (Madeline Kovacs, of Fired Up Media), talk for about five minutes on Fired Up’s 2009 projects, our goals, and the importance of youth- and citizen-produced media, and the other highlights sure to delight!
Shoot, are you in Michigan? I remember finding this site when I was first setting up the IHIH podcast page and figuring it was a good enough name and there would room enough for two in the world. Two in MI though, what are the chances?
Welcome to the show, I’ll listen in on monday.
I love this show
I love this show, too.
This is really exciting. I want to welcome Jennifer to our online community and invite other projects like this to step up and introduce themselves. A diverse media community focused on this work can be incredibly powerful and effective.
Cheers,
Richard