Sustainability In Your Ear

Latest Episodes:

Earth911 Podcast, Feb. 25, 2019: One Person's Impact -- Buying an EV Feb 25, 2019

Show notes

Making changes to improve the sustainability of our lives is not easy. Old habits, long-held assumptions, and preferences built over decades can keep us from making the moves that will help to reduce the CO2 and other greenhouse gas levels, as well as reduce water pollution and waste. Earth911's Mitch Ratcliffe tells the story of his recent conversation from a gas-guzzling sports car to an electric vehicle, a used 2016 BMW i3. He shares how his doubts about range prevented him from taking action and, ultimately, how quickly the EV proved itself during commutes and longer trips. The change also caused friction in his household and impressed and influenced friends to think about their carbon footprint.
In this "One Person's Impact" podcast, Mitch talks about the immediate reduction in CO2 produced during his commute and the potential to do more for the environment. One of the key learnings shared is that examining your electric utility's sources is key to making a change for reduced CO2 emissions. Mitch's utility generates only 1.5 percent of its power from coal, but if he'd been with a different utility, one that uses coal as a major source of power generation, his used EV would have reduced his impact very little.
Change takes time and it comes hard. We'll be sharing more stories of personal decisions, how to research them, and what they do for the planet. Stay tuned!

Earth911 Podcast, Feb. 15, 2019: Breaking Down the Green New Deal Feb 18, 2019

Show notes

The Green New Deal (read the actual bill) was announced with great fanfare in Washington D.C. and has received a flurry of Presidential-hopeful endorsements. But it is short on details while packed with related social goals that make it politically challenging to turn into policy. The Earth911.com reporting team sits down to talk about the Green New Deal, the important components, and the projects, technologies, and initiatives we see making progress toward a sustainable economy. Many of the reason for an urgent ten-year project to transform society have been laid out here on Earth911 and we cheer the bill's introduction. But saving the environment will be a process, not just a turn of the page, so it will take a long time and requires specific investments and incentives for technology to change corporate packaging and distribution systems.
The national conversation is just starting. We talk about how to keep it moving forward, as well as how the bill may be asking for solutions to poverty that will be a product of economic policy. The first economy to master sustainable practices will certainly grow and with the United States already near full employment, it may be more productive to focus on the environment to create jobs instead of making an issue of guaranteed jobs. The gang attempts to break down where the most progress is possible. We also discuss carbon removal technologies, which will be critical to returning the atmosphere to re-industrial CO2 levels.
Join the gang and share your thoughts with the community in our Earthling Forum.

Earth911 Podcast, Feb. 5, 2019: Meet GoingZeroWaste.com Creator Kathryn Kellog Feb 15, 2019

Show notes

In our continuing conversations with sustainability writers and bloggers we admire, Earth911 talks with Kathryn Kellog. She founded GoingZeroWaste.com after a personal health issue and has grown the site into a comprehensive source of sustainable living ideas. We have pointed to many of her articles, including he excellent Top 10 To Get Started Going Zero Waste, 7 Tips To Avoid Greenwashing, and her summaries of recycling and sustainability conferences. Kathryn also explains how she chooses the products available in the GoingZeroWaste store and her growing consulting business.
Kathryn's upcoming book, 101 Ways To Go Zero Waste, due April 2nd, is available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

Earth911 Podcast, Feb. 4, 2019: Sustainable Things - We love this; we love this not! Feb 04, 2019

Show notes

With Valentine's Day around the corner, Evelyn Lopez and the Earth911 team sits down to talk about what's working in our sustainable lives, as well as what needs improvement. We explore the Reduce. Reuse, and Recycling options in curbside programs, how to apply precycling practices before shopping, and the mysteries of recycling handtool batteries and compostable plastics. Earth911 contributors Sarah Lozanova and Trey Granger share their assessments of home energy use improvement and the viability of nuclear power and carbon-intensive air travel. We also discuss the best lifestyle choices we made in the last year, including shopping local, cooking for a lighter carbon impact, gardening, and entertaining.
Of course, we answer Earthling questions. This week, questions from our readers have us digging into recycling options for unused ammunition, what to do with vape pen waste, and the value of glass recycling in the wake of the China ban.

Earth911 Podcast, Jan. 28, 2019: Micaela Preston of MindfulMomma Jan 28, 2019

Show notes

Micaela Preston has raised a family sustainably, sharing her learning with a growing audience along the way. MindfulMomma.com, Preston's site, delivers a wide variety of how-to sustainable living articles and products that she has tested herself. From non-toxic beauty products to natural products for the home, kitchen, and bathroom, MindfulMomma.com encourages people to think before they buy. It's a practice we can all adapt to feel better about ourselves and make the best choices for the planet. Preston talks with Earth911 about the practice of moderation and conscious decision-making.

Earth911 Podcast, Jan. 23, 2019: EarthEasy.com's Greg Seaman Talks Off-The-Grid Living Jan 25, 2019

Show notes

Greg Seaman, the founder of EarthEasy.com, had the courage to live his values. He, his wife, and son moved to an island off the Pacific Northwest coast more than 30 years ago. They lived off-grid and raised a family in a home they built from recovered wood. The Seamans settled into a comfortably challenging existence living lightly on the Earth. In 2000, he launched EarthEasy.com to share his experience and offer island-tested sustainable products. Building his own community, both on the island and in business, Greg created an income for a dozen people. He talks with Mitch Ratcliffe of Earth911 about the transition to off-grid living, how rural practices can enliven and make cities sustainable, and the problem of educating people about the environment.

Earth911 Podcast, Jan. 21, 2019: Brrr! It's Cold Outside Jan 21, 2019

Show notes

It's the deepest cold of the year in the Northern Hemisphere (while in the Southern Hemisphere, Australia is being ravaged by wildfires like the American West in Summer). The Earth911 team gathers at the microphone to talk about keeping warm inside, sealing your home to prevent the cold from entering, and the best ways to take care of yourself during the winter. Green lighting tips, the best vegan slow-cooker recipes, and how to recycle antifreeze are on tap. We also explore getting involved locally for Martin Luther King Day and the annual effort to save baby sea turtles that are attracted to light pollution and away from the sea when hatching. You can get involved with the information on this week's podcast.
And, as always, Earthling questions about recycling and sustainability.

Earth911 Podcast, Jan. 7, 2019: Veganuary! Jan 07, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to 2019 and the month of Veganuary. The Earth911 team gathers to talk about the growing Veganuary movement. People around the world are adopting a vegan diet during January and, if it goes well, embracing animal-free eating all year. We also explore the role of recycling oyster shells in the environment and the best ways to start this year's garden in January with indoor seedlings. Sarah Lozanova shares seed sprouting tips for healthier Winter eating and Trey Granger explains a cool new food waste-fighting app, Food Rescue USA. The app has already saved 32 million pounds of food. Plus, taking kids on environmentally positive trips to learn about their world and Earthling Questions!

Earth911 Podcast, Dec. 24, 2018: Renewable Resolutions! Dec 24, 2018

Show notes

It's the Sustainable New Year episode of Earth911's podcast as the team gathers around the microphone to talk impactful resolutions. What can we do to combat climate change, improve your use of renewable energy, reduce plastic pollution of the oceans, and lower CO2 emissions? What are the non-profits to support? How can we be better stewards of water? We also discuss getting involved in your community to reduce, reuse, and recycle? Getting kids and grandkids engaged wih sustainable thinking and ready to lead is an important contribution families can make to the world. In Earthling Questions, we answer the wrapping paper and bows recyclability question explain the options for old CD and DVDs.

Earth911 Podcast, Dec. 20, 2018: The Oceanic Society Celebrates Living Coral Dec 21, 2018

Show notes

The Oceanic Society (oceanicsociety.org) is celebrating Pantone's Color of the Year selection, Living Coral, a vibrant message that designers will use in media around the world. Earth911 talks with Wayne Sentman, director of Conservation Travel Programs at the Oceanic Society about the state of coral and raising awareness about coral bleaching and climate change. The organization encourages people to adopt "blue habits" that will reduce pollution and overfishing, as well as to keep coral reefs alive in the face of climate change.
Pantone's Living Coral is a vibrant red-orange that could vanish from the natural world in our lifetimes that is "animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge." You'll be seeing it online, in magazines, and business cards, among many other places -- remember the coral reefs when you do and share blue habits with your community.

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