Activism, Meet Impact.: Recent Episodes
Novel Hand
If you're passionate about people + planet, you're in the right place. Novel Hand is where activism meets impact. We believe that you can make an impact- in your career, in your relationships, and with your actions. We share sustainable and equitable solutions to humanitarian issues to help you do good. // On the full-length podcast, we talk with activists and leaders about how they create sustainable and equitable impact with new episodes every Wednesday morning. On Handful, our team tells you what we know about humanitarian issues in a condensed format-- each episode is shorter than a song, but long enough that you'll learn something new. New episodes come out sporadically. // We're talking about everything social impact and humanitarian issues, from the environment to education to poverty, with a focus on sustainability and equity. Learn more at novelhand.com/novel-hand-podcast // Read our daily articles on the Journal at novelhand.com/the-journal
So we went to the trouble of writing a series on voluntourism, but what does implementing these lessons look like in practical volunteer work?
Today on the podcast, Grace speaks with special guest Rose Capin about her roles at Vanderbilt Alternative Spring Break and Repair the World to learn how concerns about voluntourism factor into these service-based organizations.
If you would like to continue the conversation with Rose, you can reach out to her at rose.capin@gmail.com
This month’s Impactfull series on voluntourism: https://novelhand.com/impactfull-site/voluntourism/
Resources: @connectingthecause and https://www.connectingthecause.com/
Novel Hand: https://www.novelhand.com
We've all seen a photo on Instagram of a white woman holding an orphan-- and most of us have pretty strong opinions about it.
But there's a more difficult question here: how should we interact with humanitarian issues around the world? This March, Novel Hand is exploring our intentions to do good, white saviorism, and how we interact with human suffering through voluntourism.
This month's Impactfull series on voluntourism: https://novelhand.com/impactfull-site/voluntourism/
Novel Hand: https://www.novelhand.com
Last week, I started reading about the health benefits of matcha, and decided that I needed to try it.
So like every other zombie consumer out there, my fingers typed ‘amazon.com’ into the search bar without my brain even realizing it, I instantly had dozens of matcha options that could be at my door in a matter of hours.
However, I was quickly sidetracked from my matcha research by a little green symbol in the search results next to the words, “Climate Pledge Friendly.”
Amazon launched its Climate Pledge Friendly program to inform consumers of sustainable products in 2020, and added even more products to the program in 2021. But are products that Amazon deems friendly to the environment actually sustainable, or is it just greenwashing?
Read the full article: https://novelhand.com/climate-pledge-friendly-products-on-amazon/
Create Impact: https://novelhand.com/amazon-impactful-dec2021/
Your morning coffee might be hurting the environment.
When we talk about coffee and sustainability, we often focus on the farming practices of coffee growers. But just as important is the waste that's produced at the point of consumption.
Single-use plastic and other trash created from your morning caffeine kick adds up. That's where EcoRate comes in. This app allows you to rate coffee shops based on their sustainability.
Today on the podcast, I'm speaking with Alex Morgan, the founder of EcoRate. We discuss why waste is an issue at the consumption point of coffee, how EcoRate creates its coffee shop ratings, and why we should be concerned about our Starbucks cups in the first place.
Check out EcoRate: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ecorate/id1567140528
At the end of last month, a Chicago-based nonprofit filed suit against Hershey's and the Rainforest Alliance.
Corporate Accountability Lab alleges that Hershey's and it's sustainability certification are violating consumer protection laws by misleading consumers about labor practices in cocoa supply chains. External reports and investigations by CAL show that child labor occurs on farms that supply cocoa to Hershey's.
In today's episode, Alexa gives a brief overview of the social and environmental problems in the chocolate industry. Next, she explains this novel litigation and why you should care about it.
Learn more about social and environmental issues in chocolate: https://novelhand.com/?s=chocolate
CAL's blog post: https://corpaccountabilitylab.org/calblog/2021/11/2/cal-files-suit-against-hershey-and-rainforest-alliancenbsp
Read the complaint: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5810dda3e3df28ce37b58357/t/618167d28dd7f307c90da0e4/1635870679248/CAL+v.+Hersheys+and+RA_Stamped+Complaint.pdf
We're learning about AVOCADOS this month: where they come from, how they affect the environment, and why it matters.
On today's episode, Natasha talks with Mattie Gottbrath of the Global Citizenship Program at Washington University about food, cultural appropriation, and white saviorism.
They discuss the difference between cultural appreciation and appropriation, how to engage with different cultures, and solidarity and charity.
Learn more about avocados on Impactfull: www.impactfull.novelhand.com
Read more at novelhand.com
What is the role of true crime in our society? Will the Bachelor franchise ever get it right? Is AOC actually a capitalist?
On Activism, Meet, we're breaking down all of these issues and more. We're exploring the intersection of activism and pop culture to ask hard questions about our society and the role of social justice in media and culture.
In today's inaugural episode, Alexa explores the ethics of the true crime genre and what Gabby Petito's disappearance says about our consumption of tragedy. Next, she tells a story about her interaction with a progressive member of Bachelor nation and laments the franchise's disturbing new pattern. Lastly, Alexa is joined by a special guest to chat about AOC's on-brand Met Gala dress and why Kevin O'Leary is such a jerk.
Music by Wataboi from Pixabay
We're learning about avocados: where they come from, who grows them, how they impact the environment, and so much more.
This October, Natasha is exploring the human and environmental side of avocados. In today's episode, Alexa and Natasha discuss why we're focusing on avocados, what we learned from Rotten, and what solutions to the issues in the avocado industry might look like.
Learn more about avocados in this week's article: https://novelhand.com/worlds-green-gold-part-i/
Create impact: www.impactfull.novelhand.com
Follow Novel Hand at @novel.hand to get daily updates about avocados and more!
This month on Impactfull, we're supporting BlackFem and their work to ends wealth injustice.
Katherine talks with Jasmine of BlackFem about what wealth justice is, how financial trauma affects marginalized communities and what impact looks like in this area.
Learn more about BlackFem: https://www.blackfem.org/
Learn more about income inequality on Impactfull: https://www.impactfull.novelhand.com/
Would you compete over social and humanitarian issues?
Last week, CBS announced a new reality show, 'The Activist,' which pits advocates against one another for the opportunity to go to the G20 Summit in Italy this October.
After facing online backlash, the network released a statement saying that the show will be a documentary instead of a competition.
Alexa discusses why the show is problematic, whether there is any good that could come from it, and the nexus of activism and popular culture.
Read Anusha's article about The Activist: https://novelhand.com/activism-or-slacktivism-where-the-activist-on-cbs-went-wrong/
In September, we're learning about income inequality, wealth justice and wage gaps.
Read the first article in the series: https://novelhand.com/an-introduction-to-income-inequality-in-the-us/
Create impact at www.impactfull.novelhand.com
Poverty + Inequality: https://gsdrc.org/topic-guides/poverty-and-inequality/measuring-and-analysing-poverty-and-inequality/defining-poverty-extreme-poverty-and-inequality/
Income Inequality in Austin, Texas:
- NPR article: https://www.kut.org/health/2018-05-15/study-says-austin-has-the-lowest-levels-of-income-inequality-among-large-us-cities
- Racial Wealth Divide: https://www.austincf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/RacialWealthDivide-Profile-Austin.pdf
The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act (or BFFPPA, as it's affectionately known) could radically transform how we produce and manage plastic waste in the United States-- if it gets passed. But what all does this bill actually include? For the final episode of our Plastic Waste series, Emma F. breaks down the BFFPPA and how it could help solve our plastic waste problem.
Read the BFFPPA summary here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k4Zxx5tBTbBELtg18Bkv2SpA75ss5PPh/view
Support the BFFPPA and learn more about the Break Free From Plastic Pollution movement: https://www.breakfreefromplastic.org/pollution-act/
Check out our current plastic labeling system, and why the "recycling" symbol doesn't always mean recyclable: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/g804/recycling-symbols-plastics-460321/
Catch up on the rest of the Plastic Waste series: https://novelhand.com/category/impactfull/
Continue learning and creating impact with Impactfull: https://www.impactfull.novelhand.com/
I just moved to Austin, and I'm taking you with me!
Alexa here. Over the next few months, I’ll share how I’m getting to know Austin and becoming a more engaged citizen. My experience is Austin-specific, but what I’m doing is critical for anyone moving to a new place. I’ll be exploring everything from electricity and composting to history and local government.
Read the first two articles of the series here: https://novelhand.com/alexa-in-atx/
Look for new articles each Friday, and follow Novel Hand on Instagram for more frequent updates: https://www.instagram.com/novel.hand/
Several Novel Handers share our experiences attempting to go plastic free. It's not as easy as you might think-- but it just might be worth it!
Grace shares about switching to more sustainable shampoo and cleaning products. Emma has experienced a plastic bag ban in her home state and has some tips for remembering your reusables at home and on campus. Alexa is making eco-friendly swaps in her new city by switching up her shaving routine.
What's the zero-waste movement, and are you doomed to fail in your zero-waste journey? Read Emma's article to learn more and find out your chances: https://novelhand.com/waste-not-want-not-exploring-zero-waste/
Learn EVEN MORE about how you can go plastic free from this month's impact buttons on Impactfull: www.impactfull.novelhand.com
Nonprofit Director Katherine sits down with Emma F., our Environment and Sustainability Editor, to talk about plastic pollution in the ocean and some of our favorite nonprofits working to keep our seas clean.
- Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas initiative: https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/
- The Ocean Cleanup: https://theoceancleanup.com/
- Surfrider Foundation: https://www.surfrider.org/initiatives/plastic-pollution
Impactfull: https://www.impactfull.novelhand.com/
Plastic is everywhere... and it's a problem.
Emma Fagan sits down with Jennifer Congdon of Beyond Plastics to chat about why plastic is a problem (hint: it never really breaks down) and how we can be part of the solution. They discuss extended producer responsibility, personal actions to reduce plastic waste, how plastics contribute to climate change, and the politics of plastic.
If you use plastic, you're going to want to listen to this episode.
Emma and Jennifer discuss the impact of plastic waste on the environment and human health, along with potential solutions to the plastic crisis.
Learn more about plastic waste and take action at www.impactfull.novelhand.com
Check out Beyond Plastics: www.beyondplastics.org
I’m Alexa, your occasional host and constant supporter in this journey to turn our activism into sustainable and equitable impact. If you care about people and the planet, you’re in the right place. Each month we cover a new topic, from chocolate to climate refugees to plastic. We’re talking to experts and activists about the world’s most pressing humanitarian issues to learn how we can be part of their solutions.
With new episodes each Wednesday and the occasional mini episode, which we call Handfuls, you’re on your way to creating real impact in your daily life. Let’s get started!
P.S.—you’re going to want to check out www.impactfull.novelhand.com for the full experience, including ways to make impact TODAY based on what you learn in this week’s episode.
Today on the podcast, Nonprofit Director Katherine and Refugees and Migration Editor Grace sit down to discuss our July Impactfull partner, Climate Refugees, and to wrap up an excellent month of learning and impact.
Using a people-driven approach, founder and Executive Director Amali Tower and the team at Climate Refugees work to uplift the voices of vulnerable climate refugees to increase awareness and bring about policy change at local, regional, and international levels.
Climate Refugees is our July Impactfull partner. Your Impactfull subscription supports Climate Refugees and their work to create policy change to help address climate-driven displacement.
Learn more here: https://www.climate-refugees.org/
Learn more and create impact at: https://www.impactfull.novelhand.com/
Natasha sits down with Kayly Ober, senior advocate and program manager of the Climate Displacement Program for Refugees International for the third episode of our Impactfull series on climate refugees.
Kayly has over a decade of experience researching and analyzing issues related to climate and migration, including her work with the TransRe project, World Resources Institute, andthe Asian Development Bank. Kayly’s PhD dissertation at the University of Bonn focuses on analyzing the climate-migration-adaptation nexus in rural Thailand.
How important is it to have a cultural connection to the country you are researching? What kinds of vulnerabilities has COVID-19 exposed on internal migration? What can governments do to help alleviate this global problem? All of this and more are answered in today’s episode.
Check out Kayly’s work discussed in this episode here:
-https://www.refugeesinternational.org/reports/2021/2/10/at-a-climate-change-crossroads-how-a-biden-harris-administration-can-support-and-protect-communities-displaced-by-climate-change
-https://www.refugeesinternational.org/reports/2020/10/5/complex-road-to-recoverynbspcovid-19-cyclone-amphan-monsoon-flooding-collide-in-bangladesh-and-india
-http://www.transre.org/index.php/about/our-team/kayly-ober
Check out the introductory article from our Impactfull series on climate refugees here: https://novelhand.com/climate-refugees-impactfull-intro/
Our article from last week focuses on some of the pressing challenges faced by climate refugees: https://novelhand.com/climate-refugees-impactfull-challenges/
Learn more and create impact at: https://www.impactfull.novelhand.com/
What does it mean to take an interdisciplinary approach to research and policy for an issue as complex as climate refugees and climate-driven migration?
For Prof. Jonathan Gilligan, it looks like drawing on expertise across fields - ranging from environmental science and law to psychology and political science - and developing a multifaceted view of the relationship between humans, the environment, and the decision to migrate.
Today on the podcast, Grace sits down with Prof. Gilligan to talk about his interdisciplinary work and the types of solutions we should consider to mitigate climate change and respond to climate refugees and migrants.
Check out the introductory article from our Impactfull series on climate refugees here: https://novelhand.com/climate-refugees-impactfull-intro/
Our article from this week focuses on some of the pressing challenges faced by climate refugees: https://novelhand.com/climate-refugees-impactfull-challenges/
Learn more and create impact at: https://www.impactfull.novelhand.com/
Grace introduces our newest Impactfull series on climate refugees by sitting down with Kelsea Best, a PhD candidate in the Earth and Environmental Science department at Vanderbilt University.
Kelsea studies environmental and climate migration in coastal Bangladesh, thinking about the relationship between humans and their natural environments as well as the complexity of decisions made about migration.
From the terminology we use, to the types of research we conduct, climate change and climate-driven migration requires interdisciplinary collaboration and a sense of our shared humanity as to develop equitable and just policy for climate refugees.
Read the introductory article to our climate refugees series here: https://novelhand.com/climate-refugees-impactfull-intro/
Learn more and create impact at: http://www.impactfull.novelhand.com
Nonprofit Director Katherine interviews Todd Larsen of Green America about how they campaign large cocoa companies to change their business practices. They discuss the Chocolate Scorecard, why changing business models from the top down is so difficult, and the future of the cocoa industry.
Green America is our June Impactfull partner. Your Impactfull subscription supports Green America and their work to create systemic change in the cocoa industry. Learn more here: www.impactfull.novelhand.com
Today I’m sharing my conversation with professor and cocoa scholar Dr. Kristy Leissle. She literally wrote the book when it comes to the cocoa and chocolate industry-- her book Cocoa explores the cocoa world from a variety of angles.
Dr. Leissle is unique because of the perspectives that she takes in learning about this issue. I really enjoyed getting to ask her a few lingering questions that I had after finishing her book. Here’s our conversation-- we discussed everything from trade justice to her work at the Cocoapreneurship Institute of Ghana.
This is our third podcast episode in this month's Impactfull series. Check out the articles and the rest of the series here: www.impactfull.novelhand.com
This week, we're focusing on child labor in the cocoa industry. I spoke with Ayn Riggs, the founder of Slave Free Chocolate.
Ayn is advocate for greater accountability and transparency in the cocoa and chocolate industry. Through Slave Free Chocolate, she organizes consumers to petition companies and to eat chocolate that isn't created with slave labor.
I spoke with Ayn about why she recently took Tony's Chocolonely off of her slave free chocolate list, the upcoming Supreme Court decision concerning Nestle and Cargill, and her favorite kind of chocolate.
Learn more about the humanitarian and social issues of the chocolate industry at www.impactfull.novelhand.com
Perhaps the most important aspect of the chocolate industry is who grows cocoa.
Child labor is an endemic problem in the cocoa industry. According to a recent study conducted by NORC and the US Department of Labor, about 1.56 million children in Ivory Coast and Ghana are engaged in child labor.
Today on Handful, Alexa explains the prevalence of child labor in the cocoa industry and the failed regulation of this exploitation.
Read the full article here: https://novelhand.com/child-labor-in-the-cocoa-industry/
Learn more and create impact at www.impactfull.novelhand.com
Haiti’s political unrest and constitutional crisis have been a fixture of news about the country for the last several years. As Haitians continue to leave an environment of violence and repression, the United States has been one of the primary destinations for these vulnerable migrants. In an attempt to assist Haitians in their transition to life in the United States, the Biden administration extended Temporary Protective Status to migrants from Haiti on May 24.
To understand why the Biden administration turned to TPS, it is essential to examine the conditions that Haitians experienced at home which led them to migrate. Today on the podcast, Grace and Natasha discuss the political, economic, and social unrest in Haiti and also examine the relationship between Haiti and the United States in recent history. With a deeper understanding of the identities and experiences of Haitian migrants, they also suggest actions that may alleviate the short- and long-term problems driving the immigration crisis. Consider donating to Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees and Haitian Bridge Alliance, who are working towards providing long-term solutions.
Read more: https://novelhand.com/haitian-migrants-tps/
What does chocolate have to do with deforestation?
For the first episode of our chocolate series, I spoke to Sam Mawutor of Mighty Earth. He runs campaigns to influence business and government to act to end deforestation in cocoa-growing regions.
Sam and I discussed how farmer poverty and deforestation are connected, his favorite kind of chocolate, and what average consumers (like you!) can do to create impact.
Learn more about Sam: https://www.mightyearth.org/about-us/samuel-mawutor/
To create impact, head to www.impactfull.novelhand.com to sign up for Impactfull. This month, we're exploring the social and environmental impacts of the chocolate industry-- from living incomes for cocoa farmers to deforestation.
Who doesn't like chocolate?
Everyone's favorite treat has a dark secret-- a whole host of humanitarian and environmental issues. This month on Impactfull, Alexa goes behind the scenes of the lucrative chocolate industry. You'll learn about child labor, living income, and deforestation-- and how these problems can be remedied. You'll want to make an account at www.impactfull.novelhand.com to create impact in the chocolate industry through this month's impact buttons.
Today's Handful is an introduction to the series. Alexa read's today's Impactfull article, "Bitter Chocolate: What's Going on in the Cocoa Industry?"
Read the article (and see pictures of cocoa pods!) at https://novelhand.com/bitter-chocolate-the-cocoa-industry/
IMPACTFULL IS LIVE!
Go to www.impactfull.novelhand.com to create your account and start creating impact.
Over the past six months, we've been building an innovative platform to help you turn your activism into impact. Impactfull features a monthly humanitarian topic, with weekly articles and podcasts to help you become an expert. Impact buttons give you opportunities to create impact right on the site.
For $5 per month, you can access personal impact statistics and an expert panel. $4 will go to an effective nonprofit, and $1 will support the Novel Hand team.
For $10 per month, you'll get access to Q&A with our team and a pre-test and post-test to see how much you've learned each month. $9 will go to an effective nonprofit, and $1 will support the Novel Hand team.
On June 1st, we're launching Impactfull to help you turn your activism into impact. Monthly topics will educate you about the world's most pressing humanitarian issues-- and you'll have ways to make an impact right from our site.
Over the next week, we'll share more about why we created Impactfull, how we created it, and why you'll learn so much from it.
We're so excited to introduce you to Impactfull!
Learn more on Instagram at @novel.hand and at novelhand.com
How many people are held in slavery today? What does modern slavery really mean?
I recently read "The Truth About Modern Slavery" by Emily Kenway. This book goes beyond the term modern slavery, a popular rallying cry, to explore the true nature of exploitation in the global economy. Looking at migration, sex trafficking and supply chains, Kenway shows how the current dialogue around modern slavery and exploitation leaves out a big part of the picture.
Read more in today's article: https://www/novelhand.com/the-truth-about-modern-slavery
Alexa here! It's been a few weeks since we've had a new episode, but it's only because our team is so busy creating new ways for you to turn your activism into impact.
We're launching a new product on June 1st- and we want to hear from you as we plan it! Email me at alexa[at]novelhand.com to share what you're passionate about. Novel Hand covers all sorts of topics, but we want to be sure that we're covering the issues that are most important to you. You can also contact us via Facebook and Instagram.
We'll be back with another episode next week!
Due to the growing opioid epidemic, Appalachia has a death rate by poisoning, which includes drug overdoses, that is 37 percent higher than the rest of the country.
This week on the podcast, Olivia explores issues affecting Appalachia. Learn more: https://novelhand.com/opioid-epidemic-in-appalachia/
What does it take to be a public interest lawyer?
Today on the podcast, Alexa spoke with current law student Angelina about her experiences working in the justice system. Impact is central to Angelina's mission-- but how can aspiring lawyers (and anyone who wants to help others) learn about how to best create impact? Angelina gives advice for finding what you're passionate about and how to start law school on the right foot.
As the Biden administration settles into the White House, it faces many challenges and juggles many potential policies for how to combat the problems the world is facing. One such suggestion comes from a surprising place – the fashion industry.
On Feb. 9, journalist Elizabeth Segran published an article in Fast Company calling on the Biden administration to focus on the issues plaguing the fashion industry; a lack of environmental regulations and human rights abuses were named as key examples. Segran’s primary suggestion was that President Biden appoint a fashion czar, someone who would oversee programs and laws designed to combat the industry problems.
Learn more: https://novelhand.com/the-us-need-fashion-czar/
Each year, in preparation for the chocolate-centric Easter holiday, a coalition of NGOs survey the world’s largest chocolate companies on their environmental and social impact. This year’s ‘chocolate scorecard’ might surprise you.
Twenty-seven companies were evaluated based on six criteria: human rights due diligence, traceability & transparency, living income, child labor, deforestation & climate, and agroforestry.
Learn more: https://novelhand.com/2021-chocolate-scorecard/
How can I pay rent in a pandemic?
As we approach the one-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic here in the United States, this question weighs heavily on the minds of about one in five renters.
In December, it was estimated that the nationwide eviction crisis would put 11.4 million households more than three months behind on their rent payments by the new year. With each of these households owing an average of $6,000 two months ago and a relief package still delayed, American renters collectively owe over $70 billion in past-due rent, late fees and unpaid utility bills.
Learn more: https://novelhand.com/tracking-understanding-evictions-during-pandemic/
As you’re taking a shower or filling up your water bottle, you probably don’t think much about water and its role in your life. But how we conceptualize and use water can affect who has access to water and how much of it is available.
Today is World Water Day, and this year’s theme is ‘Valuing Water.’ While water may seem neutral or unremarkable, it is critical to our lives and to society. This World Water Day, we’re considering the value of water and how our perspectives on water affect humanitarian issues around the globe.
Today on the podcast, Alexa, Emma and Grace discuss water through three different perspectives.
Learn more here: https://novelhand.com/world-water-day-2021/
U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order condemning anti-Asian racism on Jan. 26, but anti-Asian hate crimes continue to make the headlines.
To get a better understanding of what is currently happening, Valerie interviewed Raymond Chang, president of Asian American Christian Collaborative (AACC), about the rise of Anti-Asian hate crime in the United States.
Read more here: https://novelhand.com/interview-on-anti-asian-racism/
Today on Handful, Olivia shares several ways to ensure that your clothes are good for people and the planet.
Read more here: https://novelhand.com/move-toward-sustainable-closet/
The Trump Administration’s “Ban” on Cotton from China Won’t Solve the Human Rights Crisis. Here’s Why. // Today on Handful, Alexa explains why the Trump Administration's ban on cotton imports from China, while significant, is a first step rather than a solution to the ongoing exploitation of Uighur Muslism in Xinjiang.
Learn more: https://novelhand.com/trump-administration-ban-on-cotton-china/
The U.S. looks ready to re-establish itself as a leader on the global stage as the world faces critical challenges and must do so by restoring its credibility and transforming international aid policies, according to Dr. Edward Carr of Clark University.
After reading his recent piece for The Conversation on the topic, David followed up with Dr. Carr to discuss U.S. credibility as a global leader, his experience working with farmers in West Africa, how aid money flows and what all these topics mean for the future of U.S. foreign aid.
Read more here: https://novelhand.com/future-of-us-foreign-aid/
With a switch to vehicles powered by electric batteries comes the need for the raw materials needed to produce them. The uptick in mining of lithium, cobalt and nickel, the three main materials needed to meet the demand for electric vehicles, presents increased environmental and social problems.
Today on Handful, Delia explores these potential problems and describes how we can act as consumers.
Read more here: https://novelhand.com/electric-vehicle-costs/
Have you ever felt like you could be doing more good?
As a community of activists working together to positively impact the world, this is a question that we at Novel Hand ask often. Our new Novel Hand book club tackled this question.
Peter Singer’s The Most Good You Can Do sparked a vibrant discussion about philanthropic giving, ethical careers, and the effective altruism movement. On today's episode, Grace and Alexa review highlights of our discussion, including some of the questions that motivated our conversation.
Read more about the book and our conversation here: https://novelhand.com/book-club-recap-the-most-good/
How can you drink coffee more sustainably? Regan explores the humanitarian side of the coffee industry-- from farmers to your cup. Read more about impact and coffee here: https://novelhand.com/humanitarian-issues-impact-coffee-industry/
Today on Handful, Brylie shares about her experience volunteering with IHELP – the Immigrant Home English Learning Program.
IHELP, formerly known as the Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Program, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing English lessons and developing life skills for the immigrant and refugee population of St. Louis.
Read more about Brylie's experience here: https://novelhand.com/helping-the-immigrant-community-in-st-louis/
Public health has been at the forefront of society over the past year-- but what is it? Alexa talks with Maria Valdez, co-host of the "What's Up Public Health" podcast and a public health professional. Alexa and Maria talk about what public health is, why Maria chose to go into public health rather than medicine, and the role of social determinants of health.
Check out Maria's podcast here: https://anchor.fm/whats-up-public-health
During my treadmill run on Sunday afternoon, I watched a few episodes of The Office. Between scenes, I saw a commercial that boldly claimed that Amazon has given 5.4 million items to victims of natural disasters.
I’m not an expert on humanitarian aid– but something about measuring your impact by number of items given feels random at best.
Read the full article here: https://novelhand.com/amazon-your-disaster-response-philanthropy-isnt-fooling-me/
On World Day of Social Justice, we're focusing on equity in the digital economy. Grace, Shareen and Valerie discuss a framework for thinking about the visibility of social justice concerns. They also discuss a few important social justice issues in the context of the digital economy and reflect on the visibility of social justice issues in our personal lives.
Read their full article here: https://novelhand.com/world-day-of-social-justice/
On Jan. 27, President Joe Biden signed an executive order which prevents the Department of Justice from renewing its contracts with federal private prisons. He stated that this order, which also targets discriminatory housing policies, was an effort on his part to prevent large corporations from profiting off of incarcerated people and to set an example for the US government to change its whole approach on the issue of racial equity.
Though this order does not directly end governmental use of private prisons, as immigration detention facilities are still utilizing them, it will curb the industry. Only the 10 percent of all US prisoners who are held in federal custody are affected by this order, but the largest single customer of the privatized prison companies is the federal government, as state governments are the second largest. As the industry loses this support, the system will slowly start to falter. This will not happen immediately after the passing of this order, because the privatized prison system is a multi-billion dollar industry, but it does enact a serious obstacle that could become fatal to it.
Read more: https://novelhand.com/the-outsized-role-of-private-prisons/
Handful // Did you know that child marriage is illegal in the Dominican Republic, but not in the United States?
On today's episode, Brylie explains how a lack of federal regulation concerning child marriage allows this practice to continue in many states.
Read more here: https://novelhand.com/child-marriage-in-the-united-states/
Small Island Developing States, known as SIDS, are a group of 58 territories recognized by the UN as developing with specific social, economic, and environmental vulnerabilities. Jamaica, Samoa, Singapore, and Puerto Rico are all islands classified as SIDS.
Their small geographic size, remoteness from international markets, reliance on biodiversity and natural resources for tourism, and weak economic diversification make them particularly vulnerable to economic and climatic shifts. These characteristics decrease their resistance and resilience to impending global climate and environmental changes.
Learn more from Delia's article: https://novelhand.com/vulnerable-small-islands/
Erika talks with Alexa (her older sister!) about some of the articles she has written over the past 11 months as a contributor to Novel Hand focusing on technology and social impact.
One of Erika's first articles was about applications of virtual reality for social impact. In today's episode, Alexa and Erika discuss how virtual reality could be used to build empathy in our increasingly digital world.
Next, they discussed potential uses of hacktivism and how this form of activism utilizes collective action to create change. Erika also talks a bit about big tech and our role as consumers in creating change.
For many of us in the United States, late January tends to be that time of year when we find ourselves cooped up inside, wishing for warmer weather, and generally ready to be done with winter now that the holiday season has passed.
Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to socialize outdoors, these cold winter months can feel like a drag, but they have more serious consequences for the roughly half a million Americans experiencing homelessness on any given night.
To address this issue, some city governments and charitable organizations across the U.S. have turned to tiny houses over the last few years. Now the downsizing novelty often associated with HGTV shows has emerged as a serious and promising solution to help people experiencing homelessness in urban areas.
Read more here: https://novelhand.com/tiny-houses-and-homelessness/
Valerie asks, "Can Privatization Aid the Government in Providing Water?" | Learn more: https://novelhand.com/the-water-dilemma-can-privatization-aid-the-government-in-providing-water/
Coffee, sports and your bank account aren't neutral. Alexa explores the question, "Is there a humanitarian side to everything?" | Learn more about the Listenable audio course: https://novelhand.com/listen-now-the-humanitarian-side-of-everything-on-listenable/ | Access the course here: https://frstre.com/go/?a=76205-87a7d9&s=1331193-33542d&p_affiliate.referral_code=alexabussmann
Where does the US immigration system stand, and how can it be improved? [Part One] | Read more here: https://novelhand.com/united-states-immigration-mpp/
Where does the US immigration system stand, and how can it be improved? [Part One] | Read more here: https://novelhand.com/united-states-immigration-mpp/
Many Native American tribes across the United States are heavily impacted by environmental activity independent of their own communities and reservations. These outside environmental activities include mining, fracking, and drilling, all of which can negatively impact the surrounding environment and the health of Native communities. In today's Handful, Elina explains more about this problem. Read more at https://novelhand.com/native-american-natural-lands/
When did you learn to read? You might have memories of sounding out words like 'cat' and 'bat' in Kindergarten or First Grade. | One in five adults in the United States possess low literacy skills. It's a problem with varied causes, but several innovative solutions. Today on the podcast, Lila explores the problem of generational illiteracy in the US and its possible solutions. Read more https://novelhand.com/illiteracy-solutions-us/
South Sudan only has four ventilators and 24 ICU beds in the entire country. In today's episode, Eleanor discusses how COVID-19 has affected South Sudan. Read more at https://novelhand.com/covid-19-and-healthcare-in-south-sudan/
How can we know that our donations are actually helping those who need them most?
Today on the podcast, I'm sharing my conversation with Gret Glyer, CEO and Founder of DonorSee. This company allows you to see the impact of your donations. Through their website, you can choose a cause to donate to. After you make your donation, you'll receive a video of your impact.
DonorSee is all about innovation, and that is evident in how Gret talks about his company. In this episode, you'll hear about why DonorSee is an LLC instead of a nonprofit and how they vet their partners. Gret also gives his advice for young people who want to create impact with their careers.
It's been an incredible year at Novel Hand-- we launched this podcast in February, and since then we've created dozens of episodes, launched Handful, and have invited over 30 people to our team as contributors and interns. This is our final podcast episode of 2020. We're taking a break from podcasting for now, but we'll be back in 2021 with new content! As always, read our latest articles at novelhand.com/the-journal
There were so many PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) from chemical dumps that the fish developed a genetic mutation that made them immune to the chemical compounds, according to National Geographic. Now, the Duwamish River is flourishing. Today on Handful, Sydney discusses community conservation as an approach to preserving local land and biodiversity. Learn more at https://novelhand.com/community-conservation/
Ninety-nine percent of children in Niger are experiencing learning poverty. Almost all of them are not proficient in reading by the time they are ten years old. Today on Handful, Lila explains the concept of learning poverty and how it can help us to understand the importance of education in eliminating poverty. Learn more at https://novelhand.com/learning-poverty/
A criminal record reduces the chance of a job callback by 50 percent. Today on Handful, Eleanor discusses how Dave's Killer Bread gives those with a criminal record a second chance. Learn more at https://novelhand.com/bread-and-the-prison-system/
On Oct. 7, protests erupted across Nigeria. On today's Handful, Clare discusses police brutality in Nigeria and as a global issue. Learn more at https://novelhand.com/police-brutality-global-issue/
Over a million children in West Africa work on cocoa plantations-- and the problem has gotten worse in the past twenty years. Today on the podcast, Alexa talks about child labor and slavery in the chocolate supply chain, how it ended up in the Supreme Court, and what you can do to be a more conscious chocolate consumer. | Read more at https://novelhand.com/supreme-court-child-slavery-on-cocoa-plantations/ and https://novelhand.com/the-chocolate-case-review/
According to the U.S Agricultural Census, in 1910, Black landowners owned roughly 15 million acres of farmland, primarily in the South. That number has dwindled to a mere 1.1 million acres. | On today's Handful, Izzy explains the the land loss of Black farmers and covers farms that are dedicated to eradicating racism in agriculture. Read more at https://novelhand.com/land-loss-of-black-farmers/
Every two seconds, someone in the world is forced to flee for safety. Today on Handful, Tori explains who internally displaces persons are, the challenges they face, and what can be done to protect them. Learn more at https://novelhand.com/internally-displaced-persons/
What is the "coded gaze"? Regan describes how widely-used artificial intelligence services harbor undeniable racial and gender biases. Learn more at https://novelhand.com/artificial-intelligence-and-discrimination-where-bias-meets-tech/
Recycling isn't as easy as throwing your plastic water bottle in the right bin. Today on Handful, Elina shares potential solutions to the recycling crisis and gives ways that you can get involved. Learn more at https://novelhand.com/china-and-the-petroleum-industry/
Novel Hand started in Guatemala. As an intern for International Justice Mission, I learned firsthand about how nonprofits measure impact. Today on the podcast, I'm sharing the inspiration behind Novel Hand and my heart for intentional impact. Read more at novelhand.com/why-i-started-novel-hand
Grace and Shareen discuss the importance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Learn more at https://novelhand.com/elimination-of-violence-against-women/
I recently spoke with Liberty Gaither, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Manic Metallic, about her passion for fashion as an art and as a vehicle for sustainability.
We spoke about fashion as a disposable good and the rise of fast fashion. Liberty emphasized the short lifespan of trends as a driver of waste in the fashion industry and pointed to the importance of considering fashion's impact on the environment and people.
Liberty said, "Fast fashion is a mindset... we'll look at a t-shirt for $3 dollars and say, 'Oh, this is a great deal, I'll buy seven of them.' But then, how is a t-shirt three dollars?" She explained that a store won't sell a piece of clothing if they're not profiting from it-- so if a t-shirt is that inexpensive, the people who make the clothes probably are not being fairly reimbursed for their labor.
Read more here.
One of my favorite parts of this rollercoaster we've all been on since March has been welcoming two classes of interns to Novel Hand. Now, we're hiring interns for spring 2021!
There are three positions open: Research & Writing, Business Development, and Multimedia. We will hire multiple interns for each position. Read more about each position and apply: https://www.novelhand.com/were-hiring-spring-interns-2021
Beyond training and application of skills in one of three specific areas, the Novel Hand internship program provides opportunities for networking and professional development. The time commitment is 5-10 hours per week, and will begin in January and conclude in April. Deadlines and assignments are flexible based on the intern's academic and personal schedules.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible. Applications close Friday, Dec. 11.
Grace and Alexa discuss the humanitarian implications of the incoming presidential administration. Today, they review how President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris plan to reform immigration policy and spur economic recovery. Read more at novelhand.com. | Novel Hand is where activism meets impact.
Grace and Alexa discuss the humanitarian implications of the incoming presidential administration. Today, they review how President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris plan to advance racial equity and the incoming administration's healthcare policies. Read more at novelhand.com. | Novel Hand is where activism meets impact.
Grace and Alexa discuss the humanitarian implications of the incoming presidential administration. Today, they discuss how President-elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris score on their proposed climate change policies and plans to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more at novelhand.com. | Novel Hand is where activism meets impact.
This week on the Novel Hand Podcast, I talked with Porscha Scott, founder of InHer City Chic. This nonprofit gives women in inner city communities access to high quality fashion for free.
Porscha is passionate about empowering inner city women and providing them with community and clothes. Originally from Brownsville, Brooklyn, she calls New York City home and is excited to be leading a nonprofit that seeks to create change in her community.
Through pop-up style shops, InHer City Chic empowers young women through fashion and community.
In today's episode, Porscha shares how she got the idea for the organization, the process of founding a nonprofit, and her dreams for InHer City Chic.
This week on the Novel Hand Podcast, I talked with Porscha Scott, founder of InHer City Chic. This nonprofit gives women in inner city communities access to high quality fashion for free.
Porscha is passionate about empowering inner city women and providing them with community and clothes. Originally from Brownsville, Brooklyn, she calls New York City home and is excited to be leading a nonprofit that seeks to create change in her community.
Through pop-up style shops, InHer City Chic empowers young women through fashion and community.
In today's episode, Porscha shares how she got the idea for the organization, the process of founding a nonprofit, and her dreams for InHer City Chic.
Water, education, and loans - is credit a human right? | Read why Muhammad Yunus believes that credit is a human right. | Read why Gerschman and Morduch don't think that credit is a human right. | Learn more at novelhand.com/muhammad-yunus-microfinance/
Through Grameen Bank, 9.6 million people have access to credit. | Learn more about Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank. | Impact of Grameen Bank. | Learn more at novelhand.com/muhammad-yunus-microfinance/ | Novel Hand is where activism meets impact. Learn more at NovelHand.com
What is microfinance? Not just a little bank. | Check back tomorrow to meet the Father of Microfinance. | Novel Hand is where activism meets impact. Learn more at novelhand.com
“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. | Read more about sustainable development: https://novelhand.com/sustainable-development/ | Novel Hand is where activism meets impact. Learn more at NovelHand.com
In 2011, the National Association of Educational Progress recorded a 25 to 26-percent gap between white and Black achievement in grade 8 math. | Read more about achievement gaps: https://novelhand.com/about-achievement-gaps/ | Novel Hand is where activism meets impact. Learn more at NovelHand.com
Companies have found cheap land and labor in the South due to poverty pockets, minimal labor unions, low community involvement, and a lack of economic development. | Read more about the path of least resistance in environmental justice: https://novelhand.com/path-of-least-resistance/ | Novel Hand is where activism meets impact. Learn more at novelhand.com
In 2020 , 3 million acres have burned across California, nearly doubling 2018’s record. | Read more about California's wildfires and native burning practices: https://novelhand.com/fighting-fire-with-fire/ | Novel Hand is where activism meets impact. Learn more at novelhand.com
What's an ecopreneur? This week, I'm talking with Erika Rodriguez, Founder of Nadi Marketing. After leaving her full-time job earlier this year, Erika was eager to start something new. As a marketing professional passionate about conscious consumerism, founding a marketing company for sustainable and eco-conscious companies was a no-brainer.In today's episode, Erika and I discussed her entrepreneurship journey, some of the sustainable brands that she works with, and how to define "ecopreneur".
America wastes roughly 72 billion pounds of safe food every year. To put this into perspective, an alarming 40 percent of food from the supply chain goes uneaten, equal to nearly $218 billion dollars worth of food. | Read more about food waste and innovative solutions: https://novelhand.com/food-waste-in-a-land-of-hunger/ | Novel Hand is where activism meets impact. Learn more at NovelHand.com
Constructive conversations are critical to unlearning. | Read more about how to have constructive conversations about race, equality, and other important topics: https://novelhand.com/constructive-conversations/ | Novel Hand is where activism meets impact. Learn more at NovelHand.com
The United States of America is unique in that it possesses 640 million acres of Public Lands, acreage owned by the American people and managed by the federal government. | Learn more about America's Public Lands: https://novelhand.com/privatization-of-americas-public-lands/ | Novel Hand is where activism meets impact.
Although African Americans make up only 13 percent of the population, 42 percent of prisoners on federal death row are black, 35 percent of all individuals executed over the past 40 years have been black, and 66 percent of juveniles sentenced to death have been people of color. | Read more at https://novelhand.com/2020s-federal-execution/ | Just Mercy: https://novelhand.com/four-things-i-learned-from-just-mercy/ | Novel Hand is where activism meets impact.
This week on Handful, we're featuring stories from our interns. Check back tomorrow for an episode from Elina! | Novel Hand is where activism meets impact. Learn more at htttps://novelhand.com
How can you protest or become more involved with the PIC? | Learn more at novelhand.com | Follow us on Instagram: @novel.hand
https://prisondivestsfdp.org/expand-your-impact
Did you know this supported the PIC? | Learn more at novelhand.com | Follow us on Instagram: @novel.hand
The International Prison Industrial Complex | Learn more at novelhand.com | Follow us on Instagram: @novel.hand
https://iwoc.iww.org.uk/prison-labour/
https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates
https://www.prisonpolicy.org/global/
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/critical-look-private-prisons-overseas
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/critical-look-private-prisons-overseas
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/critical-look-private-prisons-overseas
Racism & The PIC | Learn more at novelhand.com | Follow us on Instagram: @novel.hand
https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/louisianas-angola-proving-ground-for-racialized-capitalism/
What is the Prison Industrial Complex? | Learn more at novelhand.com | Follow us on Instagram: @novel.hand
https://www.naacp.org/criminal-justice-fact-sheet/
https://www.npr.org/transcripts/884989263
https://www.sentencingproject.org/publications/private-prisons-united-states/
https://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/issues/detention-101
https://www.themarshallproject.org/2019/09/12/here-s-why-abolishing-private-prisons-isn-t-a-silver-bullet
After protests erupt in November 2019, Iran successfully shut down the entire country's internet, as they continue to devise ways to limit freedoms and hide civil oppression. Learn more about this at: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/19/opinion/iran-internet-ban.html | Human Rights Watch: https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2020/country-chapters/iran#
How does a governing body differentiate the lines between private and public when it comes to cyberspace and how material is consumed? According to Iranian officials, privacy is not something that anyone owns. Learn more at: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/09/world/middleeast/irans-instagram-dancer-teen.html. | Others research by Freedom House: https://freedomhouse.org/country/iran/freedom-world/2020
On this week's episode of the Novel Hand Podcast, I interviewed Stephanie Turrentine. We discussed community buy-in, the Peace Corps, and legal advocacy. Stephanie served as a Peace Corps member from 2019-2020, and currently works at Lawyers for Equal Justice. As a legal advocate, Stephanie assists lawyers with impact litigation-- cases that have the potential to have a larger impact beyond a single case. Read more at novelhand.com/podcast-six.
Women are legally banned from singing in public in Iran. Learn about artists who have fled from Iran in pursuit of their musical careers: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-53451702.
What is the role of government in holding big business accountable? | Learn about benefit corps: https://benefitcorp.net/ | Lowest Wage Challenge: lowestwagechallenge.com | Wells Fargo's CEO commitment to diversity & inclusion: https://stories.wf.com/wells-fargo-ceo-a-watershed-moment/ | As always, learn more at novelhand.com/how-to-hold-big-business-accountable/
What is the role of collective action in holding businesses accountable to their stated social impact goals? | Check out the Lowest Wage Challenge: https://www.lowestwagechallenge.com/ | Read about the #PayUp campaign: https://www.givingfashion.com/community-1/2020/5/5/what-is-the-payup-movement | Learn more at novelhand.com
How can we hold big businesses accountable to stated social impact goals? | This week on Handful, we're answering listener questions about activism & social impact. Today's question is from Katy, who asked how we can hold big businesses accountable for their commitments to social impact. | Walmart's commitment: https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/2020/06/12/advancing-our-work-on-racial-equity | Read more at novelhand.com
ASK US YOUR QUESTIONS: novelhand.com/handful | This week on Handful, we'll be answering listener questions. Ask us anything -- sustainability, human rights, climate change, poverty, it's all fair game. We're excited to hear from you!
Business can be a force for good. Here’s how. | Learn more about B Corps: https://bcorporation.net/ | Read more about B Corps: novelhand.com/b-corp-handful | Check back on Monday for your next Handful!
Coffee can be a force for good. Here’s how. | Peace Coffee: peacecoffee.com | Learn about Fair Trade: https://novelhand.com/b-corp-fairtrade/ | Learn more at novelhand.com
Clothing can be a force for good. Here’s how. | Learn more about Patagonia’s social and environmental impact: https://www.patagonia.com/our-footprint/ | From the Patagonia CEO: https://time.com/5684011/patagonia/ | Learn more at novelhand.com
The Novel Hand Podcast is back! Today, Alexa is sharing what our team has been up to since our last episode, what she's been learning about over the past month, and what's to come on the NH podcast. Welcome back! Read more at https://novelhand.com/activism-meet-impact/
Beer can be a force for good. Here’s how. | Learn about Fat Tire Amber Ale: www.drinksustainably.com | novelhand.com | Follow Novel Hand on Instagram: @novel.hand
Business can be a force for good. Here’s how. | There are 3,522 Certified B Corporations across 150 around the world. | Learn about B Corporations: https://bcorporation.net/about-b-corps | Read about institutional impact: https://novelhand.com/institutional-impact/ | Follow Novel Hand on Instagram: @novel.hand
How can we make financial inclusion reality in the US? | Kiva.org |
https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R45979.pdf | Read more at novelhand.com | Follow Novel Hand on Instagram: @novel.hand
Credit is a humanitarian issue. Here's why. | Twenty percent of Americans are credit invisible, meaning that a credit score cannot be generated for them because they have no credit history. | Report from the Congressional Research Service: https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R45979.pdf | Credit Invisibility: https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201505_cfpb_data-point-credit-invisibles.pdf | Learn more at novelhand.com | Novel Hand is where activism meet impact. | Follow us on Instagram: @novel.hand
Cash is a humanitarian issue. Here's why. | For the unbanked, extra fees and costs just to be able to use your money can amount to up to $500 per year. | Learn more about digital financial inclusion: https://novelhand.com/covid-19-digital-financial-inclusion/ | Follow Novel Hand on Instagram: @novel.hand | Novel Hand is where activism meets impact.
Finance is a humanitarian issue. Here's why. | Financial inclusion is a critical tool in poverty alleviation. | Learn more at https://novelhand.com/five-things-i-learned-from-financial-inclusion-at-the-bottom-of-the-pyramid/ | Follow Novel Hand on Instagram: @novelhand
Finance is a humanitarian issue. Here's why. | 2.5 billion people worldwide are financial nomads. | Learn more at https://novelhand.com/five-things-i-learned-from-financial-inclusion-at-the-bottom-of-the-pyramid/ | Follow Novel Hand on Instagram: @novelhand
Actions we can take to fight against Human Trafficking. Here’s why. | Read “20 Ways You Can Help Fight Human Trafficking in 2020”: https://www.state.gov/identify-and-assist-a-trafficking-victim/ | https://www.state.gov/20-ways-you-can-help-fight-human-trafficking/
Learn more at novelhand.com | Follow us on Instagram: @novel.hand
Champion sporting events are related to Human Trafficking. Here’s why. | Read “The Superbowl remains target for human trafficking”: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28607449/the-super-bowl-remains-target-human-trafficking| Learn more at novelhand.com | Follow us on Instagram: @novel.hand
In this episode, Handful host Jarred introduces himself and shares his hopes for the podcast.| Learn more at novelhand.com | Follow us on Instagram: @novel.hand
Human trafficking is a humanitarian issue. Here's why. | The Migration Data Portal reported that 164 countries are locations of exploitation | the United States is within the top 10 | In 2019, the Polaris Project worked on 11,500 situations of human trafficking, including 22,326 individual survivors, nearly 4,384 traffickers and 1,912 suspicious businesses | Follow the upcoming articles in our series at novelhand.com | Follow us on Instagram: @novel.hand | Migration Data Portal: https://migrationdataportal.org/themes/human-trafficking | Polaris Project: https://polarisproject.org/myths-facts-and-statistics/
Handful will be back with a new week or episodes hosted by Jarred on Monday, August 31. | In the meantime, read our latest articles at novelhand.com
What you wear is a humanitarian issue. Here’s why.| Nisolo: nisolo.com | My interview with Connie of Nisolo: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7mplrrdqr6V0Fbox3Pl7MI?si=I_XxHtOjSySB16JjPeuHkg | Environmental impact of fashion: https://quantis-intl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/measuringfashion_globalimpactstudy_quantis_2018.pdf | Learn more at novelhand.com | Follow us on Instagram: @novel.hand
What you wear is a humanitarian issue. Here’s why.| A polyester t-shirt releases 300 microplastics during its first wash. | More about microplastic pollution from textiles: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-43023-x | Environmental impact of fashion: https://quantis-intl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/measuringfashion_globalimpactstudy_quantis_2018.pdf | Learn more at novelhand.com | Follow us on Instagram: @novel.hand
What you wear is a humanitarian issue. Here’s why.| Garment factory workers may work up to 16 hours per day. | Forced Labor in Uzbekistan: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/18/world/asia/forced-labor-lives-on-in-uzbekistans-cotton-fields.html?_r=0 | Working Hours: https://cleanclothes.org/issues/working-hours | Learn more at novelhand.com | Follow us on Instagram: @novel.hand | This episode written in part by Grace Liu.
What you wear is a humanitarian issue. Here’s why.| Garment workers in Bangladesh make as little as $95 per month. | Global Living Wages: https://www.globallivingwage.org/ | Wages in Bangladesh: https://www.npr.org/2020/06/05/869486297/for-bangladeshs-struggling-garment-workers-hunger-is-a-bigger-worry-than-pandemi | Environmental impact of fashion: https://quantis-intl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/measuringfashion_globalimpactstudy_quantis_2018.pdf | Learn more at novelhand.com | Follow us on Instagram: @novel.hand
What you wear is a humanitarian issue. Here’s why.| It takes 2700 liters to make the typical cotton t-shirt. | The life cycle of a t-shirt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiSYoeqb_VY | Environmental impact of fashion: https://quantis-intl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/measuringfashion_globalimpactstudy_quantis_2018.pdf | Learn more at http://novelhand.com | Follow us on Instagram: @novel.hand
We're recapping our highlights from this week's episodes on cement manufacturing and the efforts toward plastic waste reduction and the innovative approaches being bridged by companies like Sway.
Shownotes: Seaweed can eliminate plastic waste. Here’s why.
Read “In 2018, seaweed is the new plastic”: https://thespoon.tech/in-2018-seaweed-is-the-new-plastic/#:~:text=Seaweed.&text=In%20fact%2C%20seaweed%20can%20grow,potential%20lies%20in%20disposable%20packaging. | Read “Environmental toll of plastics”: https://www.ehn.org/plastic-environmental-impact-2501923191.html?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1 | Sway: https://hellosway.co/
Shownotes: Seaweed can eliminate plastic waste. Here’s why.Read “In 2018, seaweed is the new plastic”: https://thespoon.tech/in-2018-seaweed-is-the-new-plastic/#:~:text=Seaweed.&text=In%20fact%2C%20seaweed%20can%20grow,potential%20lies%20in%20disposable%20packaging. | Read “Environmental toll of plastics”: https://www.ehn.org/plastic-environmental-impact-2501923191.html?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1 | Sway: https://hellosway.co/
Cement is leading climate change. Here’s why. | Read “Climate change: The massive CO2 emitter you may not know about”: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-46455844 | Gates Notes: https://www.gatesnotes.com/2019-Annual-Letter#ALChapter3 |Watch “The grand challenges of climate change”: https://youtu.be/0__6kx-vTO4
In this episode, Handful host Layla introduces herself and shares her hopes for this podcast. | Read more at novelhand.com/handful | Handful is turning activism into impact.
Meat is a humanitarian issues. Here's why.To learn more about plant-based meat, check out the Impossible Foods (https://impossiblefoods.com/) and Beyond Meat (https://www.beyondmeat.com/) | Read more at novelhand.com | Follow Novel Hand on Instagram: @novel.hand
Chicken is a humanitarian issue. Here’s why.| Read the study comparing the environmental impact of five animal proteins: https://www.pnas.org/content/111/33/11996#sec-1 | Chicken Facts: https://www.takeextinctionoffyourplate.com/pdfs/ChickenFactsheet.pdf | Beyond Fried Chicken: https://www.kfc.com/beyond | Beyond Meat: https://www.beyondmeat.com/ | Read more at novelhand.com
Bacon is a humanitarian issue. Here’s why. | Read the study comparing the environmental impact of five animal proteins: https://www.pnas.org/content/111/33/11996#sec-1 | Reactive Nitrogen: https://www.wired.com/2008/05/reactive-nitrog/ | Great Michael Scott meme: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/337277459576894862/ | Read more at novelhand.com
Burgers are a humanitarian issue. Here’s why.
| Learn more:
Meat Without Animals TED Talk: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxXUWDt0Mqw |
Good Food Institute: gfi.org |
Impossible Burger: impossiblefoods.com
Welcome to Handful- a really, really short podcast. We're turning activism into impact a few minutes at a time. Check back tomorrow for an episode about burgers. Learn more at novelhand.com/handful/.
Handful is a production of Novel Hand: Activism, Meet Impact.
This week Grace sat down with Alexis Cook, Vanderbilt alumna and co-founder of Unlocked. Unlocked is a Nashville-based jewelry brand which employs homeless Nashville women to produce ethical, sustainable, and beautiful jewelry. Founded in 2018, Unlocked has thrived as a social enterprise and offers a comprehensive transitional program called Pathways which offers housing, employment, mental healthcare, financial literacy, and a living wage to their Makers. Read more at novelhand.com/episode-004-unlocked
On Tuesday, March 3, several tornadoes hit central Tennessee. A few members of the Novel Hand team volunteered as part of the relief efforts. On this week's podcast episode, Angel and Alexa discuss how they volunteered and the best ways to support those affected by the tornadoes. Read more at novelhand.com/episode-003-tornado
This week we're talking to Connie Tsai of Nisolo about ethical fashion. Nisolo is an ethically sourced and environmentally conscious shoe company based in Nashville, TN. Listen to hear about their Lowest Wage Challenge and how we as consumers can be aware of the environmental and social impact of our purchases. Read more at novelhand.com/episode-002
Welcome to the Novel Hand podcast! In this episode, Alexa explains the mission behind Novel Hand and interviews a special guest.