Sustainability In Your Ear

Latest Episodes:

Earth911 Interview: Coastal Flooding In 2050 With Climate Scientist James Renwick Jan 01, 2021

Show notes

Environment and Earth Sciences at Victoria University, Wellington New Zealand, joins Earth911 to discuss the prospects for coastal flooding due to climate change. He shares troubling but important insights into how much seas have already risen since the 1800s -- about one foot -- and the potential for up to two feet more flooding in the coming century. He also reports the UNIPCC will acknowledge that the critical 1.5C warming threshold is locked in unless the world takes radical action to reduce emissions immediately. Humanity has already committed future generations to potentially disastrous climate impacts, he says.
Renwick explains how much water is stored in Antarctica and the projections for economic and housing losses along the U.S. East coast, which is particularly prone to flooding because of the configuration of ocean currents. He also discusses the growing accuracy of climate models and how accelerated warming seen in recent years appears poised to continue speeding ice loss at the poles. But, Renwick argues, the international climate dialogue has shifted from resistance to acknowledgment of climate impacts and growing national and local action, which gives him hope. "Things are moving in the right direction," he told Earth911's Mitch Ratcliffe. "But we've got a lot of work to do."
The upcoming COP26 meeting of global leaders, which was postponed to Fall of 2021 due to the pandemic, will feature many nations increased commitments to reduce emissions. In the meantime, he urges individual citizens to speak out and choose sustainably produced products, as well as support effective local remediation projects, such as tree-planting programs. Each of us can make a difference. Start your journey with this conversation with Professor James Renwick.

Earth911 Interview: Talking 2021 Global Climate Progress with The Economist's Catherine Brahic Dec 28, 2020

Show notes

Catherine Brahic, the environment editor at The Economist, joins Earth911's Mitch Ratcliffe to discuss her November 16, 2020, editorial, "The world could turn a corner on climate change." She explains the United Nations' upcoming COP26 meeting, when world leaders will renew and update their climate change commitments, was postponed to Fall 2021. Brahic shares her assessments of climate progress to date and the pivotal roles of China and the United States in 2021, when scientists and policymakers say aggressive action is essential to preventing a 1.5℃ increase in average atmospheric temperature. Yet, Brahic is optimistic because of the return of the U.S. to the Paris Climate Accord under Joe Biden and recent corporate investments in green bonds and greenhouse gas reductions.
You can read Catherine Brahic's editorial, "The world could turn a corner on climate change," at https://econ.st/3qC6RBd.

Earth911 Interview: Talking Sustainability at Archer Daniels Midland with Paul Bloom Dec 21, 2020

Show notes

Earth911 talks with Paul Bloom, vice president of Sustainable Materials at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), about the food and plant-based maker’s sustainability goals and changes to how they make food and plant-based products. He shares with Earth911’s Mitch Ratcliffe how ADM has invested to create sustainable alternatives to synthetic and petroleum-based materials.
Bloom leads the company’s efforts to develop new renewable, plant-based sustainable solutions for food production and ingredients used in personal care, paint, and a variety of industrial products. ADM is also pursuing partnerships to produce alternatives to the chemical products corporate customers rely on to make everything from glue to biofuels. His team developed a molecule from fructose to replace the plastic used in water bottles and a polymer made from acrylic acid to make diapers more sustainable.
ADM has announced sustainability goals to reduce its waste, emissions, energy and water usage by 50% compared by 2035, which they shared in its recent annual sustainability report. To follow ADM’s projects and strives to a more sustainable market, follow them visit https://www.adm.com/.

Earth911 Conversations: Bridging the Right-Left Renewable Energy Policy Divide with Todd Myers Dec 16, 2020

Show notes

Todd Myers, Director of the Center for the Environment at the conservative Washington Policy Center joins Kevin Wilhelm, CEO of Sustainable Business Consulting, and Earth911's Mitch Ratcliffe to discuss the common planks of a renewable energy policy shared by both sides of the political divide. Myers in the author of Eco-Fads: How the Rise of Trendy Environmentalism Is Harming the Environment, as well as a member of the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Council and former staff at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. We discuss how to structure climate policy to achieve a rapid transition to renewable energy, the benefits and hazards of pricing carbon and carbon taxes or credits, and the challenging issue of moving people from jobs in one era to another, which often leads to debates over green policy being a job creator or job killer.
This is the second in an ongoing series of conversations that will include individuals from all sides of the ongoing discussion about what the United States will be, its role in the world, and how it will address climate change and the equitable transition from a fossil-fuel-powered economy.

Earth911 Conversations: Introducing Our Healing Divides Series with Kevin Wilhelm Dec 09, 2020

Show notes

After another election fought over by parties committed to winning and sidelining the opposition for four years will not heal the nation or provide the basis for constructive conversations about progress toward a fair and sustainable net-zero society. Mitch Ratcliffe, publisher of Earth911.com, and Sustainable Business Consulting's Kevin Wilhelm introduce a series of conversations that cross the right-left, urban-rural, technologist-Luddite, low- and high-income, racial and enthnic divides that have paralyzed progress. Wilhelm is the author of How to Talk to the “Other Side”: Finding Common Ground in the Time of Coronavirus, Recession and Climate Change and a professor at Harvard University who has consulted with hundreds of companies about their sustainability planning, programs and reporting.
This is the first is an ongoing series of conversations that will include individuals from all sides of the ongoing discussion about what the United States will be, its role in the world, and how it will address climate change and the equitable transition from a fossil-fuel-powered economy.

Earth911 Podcast: Mark Schaus on Creating A Livable, Sustainable World Dec 02, 2020

Show notes

Author Marc Schaus talks with Earth911's Mitch Ratcliffe about his new book, Our Livable World: Creating the Clean Earth of Tomorrow, a hopeful book about addressing climate change through improved energy efficiency and new, clean electricity generation technologies. Schaus explains that many new technologies are appearing that can help pivot the economy to renewable energy, and this is a source of hope. In addition to historically cheap solar power, waste-free nuclear fusion and tidal energy arrays that generate electricity from the flow of ocean tides and waves will make fossil fuels obsolete. But he also points out that fatalistic human thinking and cognitive biases born of filter bubbles can be a barrier to progress. And waiting to make investments in renewables will lead to more military confrontations over oil reserves and preventing mass migrations could lead to disaster even as new options are on the horizon.

EARTH911 Interview: Steve Groff on the Future-Proof Farm Nov 30, 2020

Show notes

Steve Groff, author of The Future-Proof Farm, the creator of widely used regenerative farming techniques known as cover-cropping, joins Earth911. He talks with us about the importance of improving soil health and explains the changing relationship between the farm and grocery store. America lost more than one-third of its topsoil during the last 150 years, and Steve says his technique mimics nature to restore all the carbon, living organisms, and nutrients that are lost by modern farming in just 20 to 30 years. By planting year-round and minimizing tilling, Steve’s approach to regenerative farming provides better crop yields for farmers and healthier food for consumers.
We also talk about what it takes to be an honest marketer in the age of sustainable farming. It starts with being honest, marketers and farmers need to keep their word and avoid exaggerating their sustainability claims. Eventually, these changes in the fields will transform the entire process of growing, harvesting and moving fresh produce from farm to the store shelves.
Take some time to read Steve Groff’s book learn how cover-cropping – planting fallow fields to keep the soil alive – can help a farm thrive financially while improving the output from their sustainable farm. Many companies, such as General Mills and Wrangler, have adopted Steve’s method in their supply chain.
Check out stevegroff.com to learn more and buy his book The Future-Proof Farm for a comprehensive introduction to cover-cropping techniques.

Earth911 Interview: Industry Veteran Jack Kerfoot On Beating Big Oil with Renewable Energy Nov 27, 2020

Show notes

Earth911 talks with oil industry veteran and critic Jack Kerfoot, the author of Fueling America: An Insider’s Journey. He spent decades in the oil industry and argues that it is responsible for pollution and geopolitical issues that plague our planet and people. Approximately 3.7 million people die from chronic or acute pollution-related illness per year due. Kerfoot argues that the U.S. and countries around the world can make a fast pivot to renewable energy while eliminating sources of conflict and illness globally.
High global demand for oil continues to drive a flood of cheap oil into the market from nations like China and Russia where oil is the main source of national income. He questions whether the needs oil serves offset the social cost. Jack explains that in China, for example, air pollution is so bad that one cannot see their hand in front of their face on a smoggy day.
Jack Kerfoot
Jack argues that Oregon, where he resides, could be powered entirely by renewable energy sources if oil subsidies were eliminated to allow funding to flow to the most efficient source of power. He challenges businesses large and small to embrace sustainability planning to help in the struggle against pollution while saving money. Kerfoot also offers ideas to the incoming Biden Administration about how to save the American economy using renewable energy, and without requiring any taxpayer-financed subsidies.
Jack Kerfoot’s book, Fueling America: An Insider’s Journey is his memoir about his life spent in, and dissection of, the global oil industry’s perversion of basic economics to preserve its business.

Earth911 Interview: Roger Duncan and Dr. Michael E. Webber on the Future of Buildings, Transportation, and Power Nov 23, 2020

Show notes

Earth911 talks with Roger Duncan and Dr. Michael E. Webber of the University of Texas at Austin. They are the authors of The Future of Buildings, Transportation, and Power. We discuss the profound changes in the ways we travel and the places we work or live that will occur as we build a sustainable economy. Listen in to hear the political, social, and economic opportunities and challenges that will emerge as electricity displaces internal-combustion engines and fossil fuel power generation.
Duncan and Webber describe a world in which cars and buildings are “sentient-appearing” systems that learn and adapt to their users. How should the U.S. prepare for a smart, networked environment? We talk about their advice for President-elect Joe Biden and his administration about the transformation of education and policy necessary to provide widespread prosperity in the sustainable era. They are techno-optimists who believe technology can wring immense efficiencies out of the current, wasteful economic system, which will fund new green jobs and companies capable of supporting everyone’s basic needs. We also explore how information technology can continue to grow in importance without creating more new CO2 emissions than its saves.
We also talk through the sudden changes in behavior caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, which has accelerated the adoption by companies of sustainable practices. After three decades, the digital transformation of society has leaped forward because of the pandemic as people stay home and work remotely, organize and manage services, such as home grocery delivery and new retail experiences, and rethink their relationship to work.
Check out The Future of Buildings, Transportation, and Power to learn more about what we can expect in the future of sustainability and the ways we live. You can also find them at webberenergygroup.com.

Earth911 Interview: Sustainability and Music, a Conversation with Space of Never Not Nothing Nov 20, 2020

Show notes

Earth911 talks with Space, keyboardist and guitarist of Never Not Nothing, (“NNN”) a rising British duo that takes sustainability seriously. Space discusses the band’s philosophy of positive nihilism and how they contribute to sustainable culture through direct donations and support for green music festivals. The band, originally named Black Futures, recently changed its name in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Space and his bandmate, Vibes (percussion, which is an understatement), write “party music for the end of the world.” They believe that people can look directly into the face of climate catastrophe and find ways to build a better, sustainable world. Check out their latest video conversation about their 2020 tour, which was pursued across parts of the world by COVID-19. We even get a little philosophical.
NNN’s positive nihilism involves composing the environment of their shows to create an empathetic relationship between fans, the crowd as a whole, and toward the planet. They strive to find their own meaning in an otherwise meaningless world and to stay optimistic about the future about which they dream
Choosing eco-friendly music festivals is a great way to enjoy music while staying sustainable. NNN plans to participate in the upcoming 2000Trees music festival in 2021. The festival gathers rock bands across the world to promote eco-friendly celebration with a plastic-free, locally catered experience for fans. NNN also lives its commitments by donating a portion of merchandise proceeds to sustainable non-profit organizations. Never Not Nothing contributes part of their profits from their merchandise sales to the U.K.’s National Health Service and to preserve the venerable Boileroom music venue in Guildford, UK.
Want to hear more of Never Not Nothing? You can find their music on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music.

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