EnvironMental with Dandelion: Recent Episodes
Dandelion Branding
We dive into all things sustainability and business. We'll talk about the issues, chat with industry professionals, give tips on how to make your business more sustainable, and go over ways to market your sustainable business better!
Your hosts, Aub and Courtney are business partners at Dandelion Branding, a marketing agency that specializes in growing sustainable brands.
Join us on a journey to learn more about the challenges we face, and what to do about them!
đź“Ł Apply to share your story: https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-contact/
đź“Ť Get help telling your brand story: https://calendly.com/dandelion-branding/quick-intro
EnvironMental with Dandelion Podcast shares sustainability stories you may have missed.
In this episode, we're covering the new USA EPA and what's been happening since February of 2025 - and we gotta say, it isn't great news.
Resources Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16JjiMpc4p5tzrX-8t45kzJyPrNSE4KNgo7kda_VDe_8/edit?usp=sharing
⌛⌛TIMESTAMPS
01:45: Fast Good News: EU Action on Food/Textile Waste & Greenwashing
05:07: Update on Greenpeace vs. Energy Transfer SLAPP Lawsuit
10:07: Main Topic: What the Hell is Going on with the EPA?
14:49: A Look into Who Is Lee Zeldin (AKA LeeZee)
18:28: A Timeline of 2025 at the EPA
22:49: The Largest Deregulation in American History is Announced
28:25: The "Clean Coal" & Domestic Energy Platform
32:48: "Make Gas Cans Great Again" (yes, for real)
39:00: "Make America Healthy Again"
41:25: This is a New, Backwards Movement
EPA
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Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories.
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
đź“Ł Apply to share your story: https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-contact/
đź“Ť Get help telling your brand story: https://calendly.com/dandelion-branding/quick-intro
In this episode of EnvironMental with Dandelion, Aub and Courtney dive into the latest ocean news you may have missed. We cover the surprising good news about legal action against polluters and the global fight against deep-sea mining. But we also go beyond the surface to tackle the darker truths: how heatwaves are killing off the ocean's "superheroes," why the UN plastic talks are a battle between fossil fuel states and the rest of the world, and what it all means for the air we breathe and the future of our planet.
Find the story you may have missed right here.
⌛⌛TIMESTAMPS
01:45: Fast Good News: ClientEarth, ICJ Rulings & UN Plastic Talks
06:13: Update on Deep-Sea Mining: International Court Delays
08:07: The USA's Move to Bypass International Law
10:28: The Terrifying "Race to the Bottom" of the Ocean
13:11: The Krill Story: Why These "Superheroes" Are Vital
17:13: Blue Whales Are Singing Less (And Why It Matters)
19:00: The Whale's Role: Fertilizing the Ocean & Why We Need More Whales
21:35: Coral Bleaching: The Worst Decline in 39 Years
24:50: Pathogens in the Ocean: The Melting Starfish Story
27:35: Heatwaves' Double Impact: Killing Good Species, Creating Invasive Ones
28:59: The Fight That Unites Us: The Unfiltered Truth
EnvironMental with Dandelion Podcast shares sustainability stories you may have missed.
In this episode, Aub chats with Lily Rice, Director of The Long Run Club, about the truth behind sustainable sportswear. We dive into the pervasive issue of greenwashing in the industry, the debate over using recycled polyester and microplastics, and the crucial difference between ethical language and misleading claims.
Find Lily Rice:
Website: https://www.long-run-club.com/
Instagram: @LRC_club (The Long Run Club)
Instagram: @thesportswear_designer (Lily Rice)
⌛⌛TIMESTAMPS
02:04: The Number One Thing to Know About Sustainable Kit
03:16: The Greenwashing Problem in Sportswear
06:10: The "Shit Kit" Problem: When Good Brands Make Bad Choices
08:38: The Role of The Long Run Club in a Sustainable Future
11:09: The Debate: Recycled Polyester & Microplastics
15:59: The "Eco-Infighting" Problem & The "What About" Argument
21:46: The Biggest Misconception in the Kit World: You Don't Need New Stuff
25:07: Shifting Consumer Behavior
28:35: Final Takeaway: Make the Best Product & Make the Best Choices
sustainablesportswear #greenwashing #ethicalfashion #recycledpolyester #TheLongRunClub #DandelionBranding
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Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories.
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
EnvironMental with Dandelion Podcast shares sustainability stories you may have missed.
See how all of our guests are flipping the script in their industry:
https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast/
In this episode, Aub sits down with "The Banana Lady" herself, founder Dr. Emma Fieldhouse, to play "The Climate Footprint Game." We dive into the surprising truth behind the products we use and the food we eat, revealing that the things we think are bad might not be the real culprits.
We explore why our approach to climate education needs to be reframed, how we can move beyond the unhelpful dichotomy of "individual versus system," and why a simple game can be the perfect way to spark critical thinking. Don't miss this fun, eye-opening conversation that makes sustainability stories tangible and accessible for everyone.
Find Dr. Emma Fieldhouse on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dremmafieldhouse/
Or head over to the website and get the dame: https://bananasgame.co.uk/
⌛⌛TIMESTAMPS
02:47: The Climate Footprint Game: Reframing the Conversation
04:04: The History of "How Bad Are Bananas?" & The Berners-Lee Brothers
07:01: Playing the Game: Tomatoes vs. Bananas
10:42: The Big Reveal: Why British Winter Tomatoes are a "Dumb Ass" Way to Produce Food
13:48: The Misconception of Distance in Carbon Footprints
14:44: The Mission of Future We Want: From "Couch to 5k" Climate Learning
21:52: Biggest Misconceptions in Climate Education
22:32: The "System vs. Individual" Dichotomy: We Need Both
sustainabilityeducation #thefuturewewant
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Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories.
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
EnvironMental Podcast leans into the sustainability stories you might have missed.
Not to scare you but the quiet comfort of predictable seasons is shattering as our world faces unprecedented storms, searing heat, and alarming shifts.
In this episode, Aub and Court deliver a vital climate reality check: exploring shocking global extreme weather impacts, exposing governmental greenwashing in our National Parks, and sharing unexpected good news from around the globe.
We then dive into what science says we can do, alongside a provocative take on humanity's true climate position and the challenge of societal inertia. Tune in for essential truths and a powerful call to action.
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Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories.
Show Notes Sources:
- Save the Flavors list: https://climatebasecamp.org/endangered-food-list/
- Dolphins are citizens:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jul/15/korean-activists-dolphins-animal-legal-rights-jeju-island 3. AP news on EnvironMental Justice:
https://apnews.com/article/amazon-uae-environmental-crime-operation-arrests-8361b6e0570a00ac14b40aab62937efc 4. The California Government shared that "Renewable Energy" isn't "alternative":
https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/07/14/in-historic-first-california-powered-by-two-thirds-clean-energy-becoming-largest-economy-in-the-world-to-achieve-milestone/ 5. Lever for Change the Emerging Climate Champions Award:
https://leverforchange.org/article/press-release/emerging-climate- чемпионов-announcement/ 6. Breakdown of the National Parks Exec order:
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/what-make-america-beautiful-again-means-for-national-parks 7. The Exec order:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/making-america-beautiful-again-by-improving-our-national-parks/ 8. World Weather Attribution (funded by Grantham Foundation, the European Climate Foundation and the Bezos Earth Foundation):
https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/ 9. State of the Global Climate 2024 WMO (World Meteorological Organization - (member countries, climate funds, and partnerships):
https://wmo.int/sites/default/files/2025-03/State%20of%20the%20Global%20Climate%202024_Extremes%20Supplement.pdf 10. EEA, European Environment Agency (funded by the 27 member states):
https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/topics/in-depth/extreme-weather-floods-droughts-and-heatwaves 11. Center for Climate & Energy Solutions (independently funded nonprofit):
https://www.c2es.org/content/extreme-weather-and-climate-change/ 12. The Climate Action Tracker is an independent scientific project that tracks government climate action and measures it against the globally agreed Paris Agreement & they list their funders on their about page and it's eu govt initiatives and climate foundations:
https://climateactiontracker.org/global/cat-thermometer/ 13. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Us funding and which is being proposed for serious budget cuts in the US):
https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/climate/climate-change-impacts 14. Climate Check - unsure of funding, I think they're a for-profit business:
https://climatecheck.com/ (USA) 15. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - mostly funded by the WMO:
https://www.ipcc.ch/documentation/ 16. Diary of a CEO with Eric Weinstein:
https://youtu.be/I-iyGGPabpI?si=eDY4m_G6zN1zOzNj
EnvironMental Podcast is about the intersection of business and sustainability.
See how all of our guests are flipping the script in their industry:
https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast/
In this episode we interview Maya Van Rossum, founder of Green Amendments for the Generations for the first time in three years!
We discuss how Green Constitutional Amendments recognize your inalienable human right to a clean environment, providing a powerful remedy when current laws legalize pollution.
Maya shares the critical progress of Green Amendments across the U.S. and the vital shift towards partnership in this movement.
Find Maya Van Rossum & Green Amendments for the Generations:
Website: greenamendment.org (also forthegenerations.org )
Email: maya@forthegenerations.org
⌛⌛TIMESTAMPS
01:31: Introducing Maya Van Rossum & Green Amendments
02:17: What is a Green Amendment?
03:09: Green Amendment Progress Across States
04:44: Political Climate's Impact on Environmental Protections
07:50: The Power of State-Level Green Amendments
11:57: The Value of Partnership in the Green Amendment Movement
17:42: Green Amendments as a Defensive Strategy (Super Funds)
21:20: Fighting FOR Something Positive (Empowerment)
23:21: No Real Barrier to Joining the Green Amendment Movement
GreenAmendments #EnvironmentalRights #ClimateAction #Sustainability #EnvironmentalJustice #HumanRights #localactivism
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Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories.
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dandelion_branding
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
SLAPP Back! Our Rights vs. Their Power Grab
In this episode the Dandelion Duo covers
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the critical Greenpeace anti-SLAPP lawsuit and its global implications for free speech
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the concerning rise of anti-protest laws and government power grabs impacting climate action
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the critical role of global conferences in climate policy
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and (not so) surprising news about government overreach that impacts climate action
all alongside some much-needed fast good news in sustainability.
GET GROUND NEWS:
https://ground.news/download
Get 1 month of free Premium with my referral code: 8238674
DON'T GET SLAPPED
https://www.acluohio.org/en/how-guard-against-slapp-suits
NYC LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
https://events.unglobalcompact.org/leaderssummit2025/
SIGN THE PETITION & SAY NO TO DEEP SEA MINING:
https://www.change.org/p/say-no-to-deep-sea-mining/u/33606955
⌛⌛TIMESTAMPS
01:57: Fast Good News in Sustainability
04:01: Resource Spotlight: Ground News
05:03: Defining SLAPP & Anti-SLAPP Cases
07:29: International Precedent for Free Speech
09:40: Stay Factual & Don't Get SLAPPed
11:47: The Importance of Conferences & Connections
18:41: Are Global Efforts Enough? (Falling short of targets, political will)
20:32: The Long Game of Societal Change vs. Climate Urgency
24:24: Government Power Grabs & Undermining Climate Action
30:42: The Importance of Civil Disobedience & Protests
Please let us know if you want linked sources from this episode, we're happy to send them to you
SustainabilityNews #ClimateAction #FreeSpeech #AntiSLAPP #ProtestRights #EnvironmentalJustice #GovernmentOverreach #SustainableFuture #DandelionBranding #Podcast
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Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories.
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
EnvironMental Podcast is about the intersection of business and sustainability.
In this special cross-over episode, aub and James Gill, co-founder of EcoSend, interview each other about making email a force for good, the surprising climate impact of our digital lives, and the importance of storytelling in sustainable business.
Join us to deep dive into how technology's physical footprint impacts the planet, why greenhushing is more insidious than greenwashing, and the shared mission of tipping the scales towards a more sustainable future.
Find EcoSend:
Website: ecosend.io
Jame's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesjgill/
See all of our guests:
https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast/
The MIt article James mentioned: https://news.mit.edu/2025/explained-generative-ai-environmental-impact-0117
⌛⌛TIMESTAMPS
04:14: Aub's journey into Earth stewardship & James's "aha moment"
10:43: The number one thing to know about the digital world's physical reality (data centers!).
12:21: Discussing the climate impact and ethical challenges of AI usage.
16:05: Why sustainable businesses are held to a higher standard and face unique challenges.
21:02: James's hope from movements like B Corp.
21:58: Our roles in sustainability
27:38: The insidious issue of greenhushing and why we must fight it.
39:46: Optimistic outlook for technology's role in a sustainable future.
SustainableBusiness #CleanTech #DigitalSustainability #GreenMarketing #EcoFriendly #Podcast #EmailMarketing #ClimateAction #Greenwashing #Greenhushing
In the June 2025 episode, we talk about:
⟶ Fast good news from the past month.
⟶ An ugly update on e-waste & actionable steps you can take to combat e-waste.
⟶ An in-depth look at the ongoing Greenpeace lawsuit, anti-protest laws, and the implications for freedom of speech.
⟶ Resources for knowing your protest rights.
⌛⌛TIMESTAMPS
⟶ 01:51: Fast Good News
⟶ 05:43: Ugly Update on E-Waste: Thailand seizures & UN report on rising e-waste.
⟶ 08:00: What To Do About E-Waste
⟶ 11:54: Greenpeace Defamation Lawsuit Background
⟶ 15:05: Greenpeace Fights Back: The SLAPP lawsuit
⟶ 17:45: Freedom of Speech & Anti-Protest Laws
⟶ 25:32: Know Your Rights
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ARTICLES FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:
Sign the Deep Sea Mining Protest:
https://www.change.org/p/say-no-to-deep-sea-mining/u/33518118
change.org/nodeepseamining
Track anti-protest laws: https://www.icnl.org/usprotestlawtracker/
Know your rights: https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights
Monitor E-Waste: https://ewastemonitor.info/the-global-e-waste-monitor-2024/
Thailand imports e-waste: https://apnews.com/article/thailand-illegal-import-electronic-waste-bangkok-port-994ef5e8c3776e9b77580d9954eebaeb
Hotel Tax: https://www.npr.org/2025/04/30/nx-s1-5382139/hawaii-hotel-tax-climate-change
Genetics: https://www.royalgazette.com/environment/news/article/20250522/groundbreaking-gene-research-to-help-restore-lost-habitat/
Learn About the GreenPeace Lawsuit:
↳ https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/19/greenpeace-lawsuit-energy-transfer-dakota-pipeline
↳ https://ground.news/article/jury-finds-greenpeace-must-pay-hundreds-of-millions-in-case-over-dakota-access-protest-activities
↳ https://climatecasechart.com/case/energy-transfer-lp-v-greenpeace-international/
↳ https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/verdict/
↳ https://apnews.com/article/dakota-access-greenpeace-energy-transfer-lawsuit-a449e34e61f7114e97b132fdd27815e8
↳https://law.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/Indigenous%20Resistance%20to%20the%20Dakota%20Access%20Pipeline%20Criminalization%20of%20Dissent%20and%20Suppression%20of%20Protest.pdf
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Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories.
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
EnvironMental Podcast is about the real stuff going on with climate change and sustainability.
In this short episode we interview Ariane Daguin, founder of D’Artagnan Foods and the All One One All Farm. She's a pioneer in ethical farm to table sourcing, an acclaimed chef, and an honored advocate for regenerative farming.
Find the farm and plan your trip: https://www.alloneoneall.org/
Read all our guest episode breakdowns:
https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast/
⌛⌛TIMESTAMPS
01:29 The Evolution of Food Sourcing
04:35 Transitioning Goals in Food Production
06:45 The Role of Education in Sustainable Practices
10:43 Personal Impact on Sustainability
12:54 Biodiversity and Its Importance
16:37 Misconceptions About Regenerative Agriculture
21:07 Changing Priorities for Health and Nutrition
22:01 Visiting the All One, One All Farm
farmtotable #alloneoneall
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Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories.
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
Hit subscribe so you don't miss out on all the inspiring sustainability stories!
In this episode, we'll talk about a UN-led $200 B per year backed by multiple nations plan to protect nature, China's renewable energy projects to tackle climate change, as well as some concerning developments in the US to downplay the impact and information around climate change AND the plastic lie that made us LIVID.
⌛⌛TIMESTAMPS
02:43 Fast Good News in Sustainability
05:12 Challenges Facing National Parks
07:37 The Plastic Recycling Lie
09:47 The Reality of Plastic Waste as Fuel
16:49 The Disillusionment with Recycling Solutions
19:03 Investigating Plastic Waste and Its Consequences
22:16 The Human Cost of Recycling Efforts
24:53 The Deceptive Marketing of TerraCycle
27:55 The Illusion of Sustainable Solutions
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ARTICLES:
Fast Good News:
- UN talks end in Rome with nations backing $200 billion a year plan to protect nature https://www.ecowatch.com/cop16-biodiversity-conservation-plan.html
- China announces plans for major renewable projects to tackle climate change https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/china-announces-plans-major-renewable-projects-tackle-climate-change-2025-03-05/
- Farmers sue USDA after agency deletes climate change data: https://www.alternet.org/farmers-usda-trump/
USA national park service
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- https://explorersweb.com/u-s-national-parks-report-record-visitor-numbers-at-catastrophic-time/
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czx7kez4vx2o
- How to support: https://www.reddit.com/r/NationalPark/comments/1ieojz9/support_national_parks_how_you_can_help_right_now/
The conversation: The Plastic Lie
- The Recycling Myth from the Why: https://youtu.be/j_tgfvomUf8?si=_XOW_4Yfdlvs15
- Information about using plastic as fuel: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/should-we-burn-plastic-waste
- Alliance to end plastic waste: https://www.endplasticwaste.org/
- How it works, Terracycle: https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/about-terracycle/our_recycling_process
- Lawsuit: https://climatecasechart.com/case/last-beach-cleanup-v-terracycle-inc/
terracycle #plastic #blackmarket #goodnews #cop16 #environmental
EnvironMental Podcast is about the intersection of business and sustainability.
In this episode we interview Shanley Harruthoonyan, founder of ABLE Ecosystems, a platform designed to bring transparency and communication to the forefront of supply chain management.
You can find Shanley at ableecosystems.com
See how all of our guests are flipping the script in their industry:
https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast/
⌛⌛TIMESTAMPS
01:26 - Reframing Supply Chains
03:30 - Communication & Data
04:19 - Evolving Relationships
09:31 - ABLE's Role in Sustainability
14:48 - Misconceptions of Certifications
17:03 - Building Brand Trust
20:30 - Supply Chain Stories
23:01 - Untold Stories of Change
supplychainmanagement #sustainablesupplychain #sustainability #environmental
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Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories.
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
In this episode, we cover countries standing up to preserve their ocean resources, an explosive piece on anti-environmentalist profiling, rapid-firing of positive sustainability news (because everyone needs that), government funded gaslighting and - get this - robot bees!
ARTICLES
Fast Good News:
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Portugal says NO deep-sea mining: (Sign the petition) https://www.change.org/p/say-no-to-deep-sea-mining/u/33216052
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The new robot in town that collects DNA from deep within the ocean: https://www.oakbaynews.com/local-news/victoria-company-combats-biodiversity-loss-with-deep-sea-robot-7835949
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The "Climate Change Reality Check": https://variety.com/2025/film/news/the-wild-robot-good-energy-climate-change-reality-check-1236313682/
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Is 47's bullshit backfiring?https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/18/trump-climate-accountabilityhttps://www.wsj.com/articles/with-trump-2-0-these-climate-donors-are-thinking-differently-fbe0e18c
Other news we're talking about:
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Investigative journalism shuts down an anti-environmentalist profiling headed by former monsanto PR exec: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/10/v-fluence-pesticide-critics
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F*cking Robot Bees: https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2025/02/04/researchers-develop-new-breed-robot-bees-pollinate-future-indoor-farms/1761738261390/
Also Check out the Green Amendments with our friend Maya: https://forthegenerations.org/
EnvironMental with Dandelion Podcast
Hit subscribe so you don't miss out on all the inspiring sustainability stories!
In this episode you'll find our latest energy controversy, a rapid-firing of positive sustainability news (because everyone needs that) and the latest bee science!
(See below for all the articles we talked about in this episode)
⌛⌛TIMESTAMPS
01:15 - Fast Good News
05:08 - We can still hit 75% of the climate goals
09:23 - Transitioning Energy Companies (and our latest conspiracy)
00:12:38 - Farmers Promoting Biodiversity
00:15:12 - Long-Term Farming Investments
00:19:22 - Pollinator Research with QR Codes
00:22:14 - Impact of Technology on Bees
00:25:02 - Importance of Native Bees
ARTICLES
Fast Good News:
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Solar Energy Transition:https://seia.org/5m/
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Biodiversity & Snails:https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gxqep4zk3o
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Don't forget to eat your probiotics:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10363603/
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New York Climate Superfund:https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-signs-landmark-legislation-creating-new-climate-superfund
Other news we're talking about
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We can still hit 75% of the climate goals with local and state buyin:https://www.climatechangemakers.org/blog/state-and-local-climate-leadership-in-2025
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Biodiversity strips on arable farms:https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/26/us-farmers-embracing-wildflowers-prairie-strips-erosion-pollinators
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Bees science:https://gizmodo.com/scientists-strapped-qr-codes-onto-thousands-of-bees-to-learn-how-far-they-actually-fly-2000554566
sustainabilitynews #goodnews #savethebees
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Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories.
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website:https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram:https://instagram.com/dandelion_branding
Linked In:https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
EnvironMental Podcast is about the intersection of business and sustainability.
See how all of our guests are flipping the script in their industry:
https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast/
In this episode we interview Maddie Hamann - co-founder and Director of Marketing for PACHA, a regenerative brand best known for their gluten-free, organic bread products made from buckwheat and packaged in home-compostable materials.
Maddie shared insights into the transformative power of regenerative agriculture and how it holds the key to solving some of our most pressing environmental challenges.
Don't forget to use code: dandelion20 and take 20% off your first purchase at livepacha.com
⌛⌛TIMESTAMPS
01:20 - PACHA's Key Message
02:55 - Challenges for Farmers
04:00 - Importance of Farmer-to-Farmer Communication
06:59 - Soil and Climate Initiative
08:11 - Buckwheat as a Sustainable Crop
09:15 - Regenerative Agriculture and Soil Health
11:33 - PACHA's Origin Story
17:49 - PACHA's Role in Sustainability
23:13 - Consumer Disconnect from Food Sources & Taste as a Marketing Tool
27:41 - Misconceptions of Regenerative Agriculture
30:14 - Regenerative Agriculture and Climate Change
31:18 - Marketing Regenerative Agriculture
32:53 - Discount Code
regenerativeagriculture
sustainabilitypodcast
pachabread
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Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories.
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
EnvironMental Podcast is about the intersection of business and sustainability.
In this episode we interview Avishai Greenstein, founder of Bamboozle, who created Astrik, a material that has become the first-ever biodegradable plastic made with repurposed bamboo.
Find Bamboozle here: https://www.bamboozlehome.com/
See how all of our guests are flipping the script in their industry: https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast/
⌛⌛TIMESTAMPS
(02:35) Challenges of Biodegradability
(04:07) Recycling and Biodegradable Plastic Longevity
(06:02) How Long Does Biodegradable Plastic Take to Breakdown?
(07:26) Microplastics Concerns
(08:45) Imperfect Solutions in Sustainability
(11:50) Avi’s Role in Sustainability
(15:02) Misconceptions Around Biodegradable Plastic
(19:40) The Spiral of Sustainability
(23:05) Making Sustainability Accessible
plasticwaste #biodegradableplastic #environmental
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories.
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
Environmental Podcast is about the functional sustainability efforts in the world.
See all of our episodes:
https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast/
This episode might ruffle some feathers: Should we clean up ocean plastic?
⌛⌛TIMESTAMPS
01:27 Carbon Storage Study with Biochar
04:27 Controversial Ocean Plastic Cleanup Perspective
06:06 Ecosystem Adaptation to Plastic
08:24 Human Impact on Earth
17:22 Microplastics as Sedimentary Rock
19:55 Future of Humanity and Plastic
23:43 What do you want to hear about?
sustainability #oceanplastic #hottake
THE ARTICLES WE COVER:
Biochar: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166516223002276
Ocean Clean Up: https://www.earth.com/news/surprise-study-some-scientists-call-for-halting-ocean-plastic-cleanup-efforts/
Plastic in our sedimentary rocks: https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/hitchhiking-microplastics-pollution-water-flocs/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories.
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
EnvironMental Podcast is about the intersection of business and sustainability.
See how all of our guests are flipping the script in their industry:
https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast/
In this episode we interview Ben Kimura, founder of Negotiating with Goliath, about the importance of relationship building in getting business investors.
⌛⌛TIMESTAMPS
00:45 Key Misconceptions in Fundraising
02:17 Importance of Research and Alignment
03:13 Example of Successful Fundraising
04:25 Investors as People
09:00 The Role of Lived Experience
11:54 Ben's Role in Sustainable Impact
15:32 Power of Compassionate Negotiation
18:10 Body Language in Negotiation
23:02 Building Engagement through Advice
24:40 Changing Perceptions of Negotiation
25:07 The Role of Storytelling
28:55 Connect with Ben & Join his Upcoming Mastermind Group
impactinvestors #businessinvestors #startup
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories.
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
EnvironMental Podcast is about the intersection of business and sustainability.
See how all of our guests are flipping the script in their industry:
https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast/
In this episode we interview Catina Aghayan, founder and chairwoman of Kingdom Konsult, about the crucial role of holistic business sustainability practices.
Find Catina at Kingdom Konsult
⌛⌛TIMESTAMPS
01:04 Approaching Business Sustainability Practices Holistically
02:40 Sustainability at the FIFA World Cup
06:12 Misconceptions About Sustainability Costs
07:24 Community Engagement in Sustainable Business Practices
10:26 Role of Kingdom Konsult in #Sustainability
12:47Impact of Sustainable Practices on Large Brands
15:32 Leadership's Role in Sustainability
16:49 Let's talk #Greenwashing
22:35 - Connecting with Kingdom Konsult
businesssustainability #environmental #sustainabilitypodcast
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories.
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
EnvironMental Podcast is about the intersection of business and sustainability.
See how all of our guests are flipping the script in their industry:
https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast/
In this episode we interview Joanne Flinn, author of Greensight: the Sustainability Guide for Company Directors, and chairwoman of the ESG Institute!
Find out how they advance the transition to a net zero economy while advocating for social and governance equity and justice!
⌛⌛TIMESTAMPS
(02:48)Overcoming Analysis Paralysis regarding ESG regulations
(04:09) Understanding the 5 ESG Archetypes
(10:02) Balancing the environmental and social factors in ESG
(14:02) The ESG Definers: The trendsetters that proactively shape a sustainable future.
(15:05) Role of the ESG Institute
(18:57) Changing Perspectives on Past Decisions
(20:39) Misconceptions about ESG Costs
(22:28) Changing the perception of ESG Regulations to be a heroes journey
(24:38) The Power of Impact Storytelling
(25:40) Roadmap for ESG Regulation Implementation
(29:00) How to connect with Joanne Flinn and access ESG courses
esgregulation #esgstorytelling #sustainabilitycourses
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories.
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
EnvironMental Podcast is about the intersection of business and sustainability.
See how all of our guests are flipping the script in their industry:
https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast/
In this episode we interview Alina Klarner, head of ventures at Impact Shakers. The discussion centers on the transformative role of angel and impact investing in fostering a sustainable economy through inclusive entrepreneurship.
Find the Pitch Comp: https://summit.startupguide.com/
Reach out to Impact Shakers: https://www.impactshakers.com/
⌛⌛TIMESTAMPS
(00:55) The Future of Impact Investing
(01:57) Who is Impact Shakers?
(03:36) The Importance in Diversity in Entrepreneurship
(04:42) Authentic Leadership in Business
(08:20) Access to Funding
(09:56) Role of Impact Shakers in the Sustainable Transition
(13:10) Human-Centric Investor Relationships
(19:25) Misconceptions About VC Funding
(25:18) Importance of the Pitch Deck
(27:34) Finding Impact Shakers
(28:48) Pitch Competition Announcement
impactinvesting #sustainability #investorrelations #marketing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories.
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram: https://instagram.com/dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
Welcome to the Environmental Podcast! 🌱
đź“ŚSee all of our interviews:
https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast
Today, we're excited to introduce Ankit Alok Bagaria, the co-founder of Loopworm. Ankit's innovative work focuses on using insects as bio-resources to create sustainable proteins and eco-friendly products, contributing to a greener future.
Loopworm is revolutionizing waste management by converting silkworm waste into valuable resources like animal feed, pet food, and sustainable cosmetics.
Get to know more at Ankit Alok Bagaria and Loopworm
✨ Timestamps ✨
00:50 - Introduction to host and Ankit Alok
02:08 – The challenges of overutilization of natural resources and the role of insects in sustainability.
06:30 - How Loopworm utilizes silkworm pupae and waste from the silk industry
10:30 - The potential of insect proteins in animal feed, pet food, and human health
14:00 - The future of Loopworm and expanding into new markets
16:00 - The role of insect oil and how it benefits livestock and pets
18:00 - The misconceptions around insect proteins and adoption challenges
20:00 - Ankit’s thoughts on the global insect protein industry and Loopworm's vision for the future
29:39 - Wrap-up
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories..
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website:https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram: @dandelion_branding
Linked In:https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
Welcome to the EnvironMental Podcast!🌍
💚 In today's episode, we are excited to chat with Emese Pancsa, the innovative founder of Compocity. Emese shares how her company is transforming urban composting, making it fun and accessible while turning food waste into valuable compost for our city's green spaces. 🌿🌱
Compocity isn't just about composting! It's a community-driven initiative focused on reducing urban food waste, fostering local green spaces, and inspiring sustainable living practices right in the heart of the city. 🌍♻️
đź’šHere's a glimpse of what to expect:
00:21 - Introduction
01:00 - Emese introduces Compocity and its mission
04:10 - The challenges of urban composting and how Compocity addresses them
07:03 - How Compocity builds trust and community involvement
08:54 - Description of the composting unit and its unique features
13:00 - Compocity's urban forest planting initiatives
14:30 - The importance of design in sustainability solutions
20:41 - Emese discusses the role of Compocity in reducing climate anxiety
24:00 - Future plans and expansion into new markets
✨ Expect to learn:
- How Compocity is revolutionizing urban composting with innovative technology and community engagement.
- The importance of trust and transparency in building sustainable communities.
- How to make composting accessible and engaging in an urban setting.
- The role of education in fostering a culture of sustainability.
- Strategies for integrating sustainability into urban environments through design and technology.
If you've enjoyed our podcast, please subscribe to our YouTube channel, Dandelion Branding. Your support helps spread the word on SUSTAINABLE MARKETING.
Learn More from Dandelion Branding.
FollowAubrey Wallace andCourtney Hume on LinkedIn.
__________________________
Connect with us on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding
If you have any questions or topics you want us to tackle in the future, reach out to us on Instagram or email us at info@dandelionbranding.com.
This episode of EnvironMental is about the digital carbon footprint!
đź“Ś See All Our Inspiring Sustainability Stories:
https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast
Today, we're thrilled to introduce you to Rich Brassett, the Co-Founder of Long Live King.
Rich's work focuses on digital sustainability, creating low-carbon websites that emphasize efficiency and environmental responsibility in the digital space.
Long Live King is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of the web by optimizing web technologies, promoting responsible consumption, and helping businesses operate more sustainably in the digital age.
Get to know more at Long Live King.
✨ Timestamps ✨
00:21 - Introduction
04:43 - The future of low carbon websites in Google rankings
05:50 - The importance of lightweight, accessible websites in the context of SEO
10:10 - Rich discusses the practical steps businesses can take to be more sustainable
19:15 - wasted data is wasted energy
24:00 - The drawbacks of using PDFs and exploring alternative solutions
27:00 - Closing thoughts and how to connect with Rich Brassett
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories..
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website:https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram: @dandelion_branding
Linked In:https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
Welcome to the Environmental Podcast! 🌱
đź“ŚSee all of our interviews:
https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast
Today, we're thrilled to introduce you to Greg Newbloom, the CEO of Membrion!
Greg's innovative approach focuses on wastewater treatment technology, specializing in electro-ceramic desalination, emphasizing sustainability and environmental stewardship to foster a greener future.
Get to know more at MEMBRION
✨ Timestamps ✨
00:21 - Overview of Membrion and their technology
03:09 - Challenges with traditional desalination
06:45 - Issues caused by typical processes for industrial wastewater treatment
11:00 - Encouraging facilities to reuse treated water
17:00 - The concept of electro-ceramic desalination and its impact
24:03 - How to re-brand wastewater
26:30 - Conclusion
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories..
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website:https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram: @dandelion_branding
Linked In:https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
Welcome to the Environmental Podcast! 🌱
đź“Ś See our episodes: https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast/
Today, we're thrilled to introduce you to Sam Schutte, the CEO of Synthica Energy!
Synthica Energy builds anaerobic digestion plants in metropolitan areas that convert food waste into renewable natural gas!
They aim to provide critical services for processing organic waste, reducing landfill use, and cutting down carbon and methane emissions.
Learn more at Synthica: https://synthica.com/
✨ Timestamps ✨
00:29 - Introduction
02:11 - Synthica’s anaerobic digestion facilities and their capacity
04:59 - Challenges and solutions for packaged food waste
07:00 - Applications and benefits of renewable natural gas
13:58 - The role of Synthica in reducing carbon and landfill impact.
20:25 - The importance of anaerobic digestion technology.
30:40 - Industry challenges related to water management:
✨ Expect to learn:
1.The scale and capacity of Synthica's facilities.
2.The role of Synthica in reducing landfill use and carbon emissions.
3.The economic and environmental benefits of packaged food waste processing.
- Differences between anaerobic digestion and composting
5.Industry challenges related to water management
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specializes in telling sustainability stories..
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram: @dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
Welcome to the Environmental Podcast! 🌱
đź“ŚSee our past episodes:
https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast
💚 In this episode, we talk to Elisângela Mendonça, an Investigative Journalist at Global Witness!
Her groundbreaking work focuses on uncovering the hidden links between our food commodities and Amazon deforestation.
✨ Timestamps ✨
00:29 - Introduction
01:08 - Elisangela's Background
02:41 - Investigative Work on PepsiCo
04:17 - Importance of Journalism
13:29 - Risks in Investigative Journalism
17:08 - Focus on investigating the financiers of deforestation and greenwashing practices
20:32 - Closing Remarks
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that specialized in telling sustainability stories.
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/
Instagram: @dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
Welcome to the Environmental Podcast!🌍 💚In today's episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with @MaximGelmann, the innovative CEO of @Stroodles. We’ll get to know more about their mission to reduce single-use plastic waste by creating eco-friendly Products.🗑️Stroodles is not just a straw company! Stroodles is a movement which helps to fight against plastic waste.💚Here's a glimpse of what to expect: ✨ Timestamps ✨ 00:29 - Introduction01:58 - Stroodle's Approach to Sustainability07:00 - Innovative Edible Products 10:55 - The Power of Branding21:15 - Discussion on Bright and Eye-Catching Branding23:55 - Balancing Eco-Friendly Attributes with Market Appeal24:00 - Availability of Strudels Products✨ Expect to learn: 1. How Stroodles uses innovative edible products to promote sustainability.2.The role of branding in promoting sustainable practices.3.The importance of making sustainability fun and engaging.4. The necessity of balancing eco-friendly features with consumer appeal.5. Where to find and purchase Stroodles productsIf you've enjoyed our podcast, please subscribe to our YouTube channel, Dandelion Branding. Your support helps spread the word on SUSTAINABLE MARKETING. Learn More from Dandelion Branding. Follow Aubrey Wallace and Courtney Hume on LinkedIn. __________________________ Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding If you have any questions or topics you want us to tackle in the future, reach out to us on Instagram or email us at info@dandelionbranding.com.
Welcome to the Environmental Podcast!🌍 💚In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome BrianSheng, Co-Founder of Aquaria.Join us in this episode as Brian discusses his leadership ideas that transformed the Future of Water Access.🌍 Aquaria has already built the first homes in the world whose entire water is supplied by air, and powered by solar.Here's a glimpse of what to expect: ✨Timestamps✨ 02:30- Harnessing atmospheric water for sustainability04:30- Empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds06:00- Making clean water accessible and affordable10:00- Aquaria's impact on communities and infrastructure15:30- Benefits of aquaria's technology and accessibility__________________________ If you've enjoyed our podcast, please subscribe to our channel, Dandelion Branding. Your support helps spread the word on sustainability.Learn More from Dandelion Branding. Follow Aubrey Wallace and Courtney Hume on LinkedIn.Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding If you have any questions or topics you want us to tackle in the future, reach out to us on Instagram or email us at info@dandelionbranding.com.
Welcome to the Environmental Podcast! 🌱 💚
đź“ŚSee all of our interviews: https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast/
💚In today’s edition, we are excited to welcome Lilly Tench, author of Good Business: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Creating a Better World!💚Lilly believes in using innovation and entrepreneurship to address the world’s most pressing problems. Over the past ten years she has supported entrepreneurs working to develop solutions in key global industries from energy and agriculture.💚Learn more about Lilly and her book here: https://www.lillytench.com/good-business
✨ Timestamps ✨ 00:20 - Introduction00:57 - Overview of the Book: "Good Business"02:22 - Inspiration Behind the Book05:53 - Role in Creating a Sustainable Future07:21 - Balancing Mission and Profitability10:00 - Effective Business Models for Social13:00 - Consumer Awareness and Support for Climate Tech15:56 - Importance of Patient Capital17:53 - Examples of Impactful Businesses from the BookExpect to learn: 1. The balance between profitability and sustainability.2. How businesses can integrate social and environmental missions.3. The importance of consumer awareness in supporting sustainable businesses.4. The role of patient capital in the success of climate tech companies.5. Examples of innovative business models addressing environmental and social issues. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that helps sustainable brands build loyal, digital communities through organic content marketing and website optimization.Here's where you can find Dandelion: Our Website:https://dandelionbranding.com/helloInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dandelion_brandingLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding
💚Welcome to the Environmental Podcast! 🌱
đź“ŚSee all of our interviews: https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast/
💚In today’s edition, we are thrilled to welcome Ali Cox, CEO of Noble West.
🌾Ali is an agriculture and food ingredient marketing visionary and her award-winning consultancy is leading the charge for positive change.
Learn more about Ali and Noble West at:
https://wearenoblewest.com/team
✨ Timestamps ✨
00:24- Introduction
02:30- Mission of Noble West
06:30- Impact of consumer awareness on farming
08:30- Collaborations with large-scale agriculture
13:30- Financial implications of sustainable farming
18:04- Consumer Awareness and Financial Decisions
21:00- Supporting Farmers Financially
29:30- Supporting Sustainable Agriculture Initiatives
Expect to learn:
-
Importance of consumer education in agriculture.
-
Challenges and opportunities in large-scale farming.
-
The importance of fair compensation for adopting sustainable practices.
-
Discover strategies for Supporting Local Farmers.
-
Explore the complexities of the agricultural industry.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that helps sustainable brands build loyal, digital communities through organic content marketing and website optimization.
Here's where you can find Dandelion:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/hello
Instagram: @dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
Welcome to the Environmental Podcast! 🌱 💚 📌See all of our interviews: https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast/
💚 In today’s episode, we're delighted to feature the awesome @JoshWhite, Co-Founder of Cano Water.
Josh brings a wealth of expertise in pioneering sustainable solutions for the beverage industry.
As a co-founder of Cano Water, he's been instrumental in revolutionizing how we consume water, providing eco-friendly alternatives to plastic bottles.
Discover more about Josh and CanO Water: [link]
✨ Timestamps ✨
00:24 - Introduction
02:00 - Analysis of Packaging Materials
06:30 - Impact of Environmental Advocacy
09:30 - Economic Realities vs. Environmental Goals
17:00 - Regulatory and Business Responsibilities
23:30 - Using humor and creativity to engage audiences effectively
27:09 - Importance of trust and teamwork in fostering innovative solutions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency on a mission to bring sustainability into the mainstream. We help sustainable brands build loyal, digital communities through holistic content marketing + we interview to as many impact-entrepreneurs as we can about their role in the transition!
Here's where you can find us:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/
Instagram: @dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
Welcome to the Environmental Podcast! 🌱 💚 📌See all of our interviews: https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast/
💚 In today’s edition, we are thrilled to welcome Christian Rebernik, CEO of Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences, to our insightful conversation!
Christian brings a wealth of expertise in shaping the future of environmental education and sustainability practices. Under his visionary leadership, Tomorrow University has become an accredited university focused on innovation and empowering students to lead the charge toward a greener tomorrow.
Learn more about Christian and Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences at: https://www.tomorrow.university/about-us
✨ Timestamps ✨
00:24- Introduction
02:30- Tomorrow University programs
04:30- Empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds
07:15- What makes Tomorrow University graduates different
21:02- Flexibility and customization of educational programs
23:30- Challenges across industries.
27:09- Wrap-up
Expect to learn:
-
Importance of empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds for societal change.
-
Importance of matching personal values with organizational missions for fulfilling careers.
-
Integration of technology and data-driven approaches to personalize learning journeys at scale.
-
Importance of responsible leadership and sustainable business models.
-
The role of education leaders in fostering collaboration and driving sustainable change.
-
Harnessing the power of diverse ideas and perspectives for innovative solutions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency on a mission to bring sustainability into the mainstream. We help sustainable brands build loyal, digital communities through holistic content marketing + we interview to as many impact-entrepreneurs as we can about their role in the transition!
Here's where you can find us:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/
Instagram: @dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
Welcome to the Environmental Podcast! 🌱
đź“ŚSee all of our interviews: https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast/
In today’s edition, we are delighted to welcome Thomas Nowak, the Secretary General of the European Heat Pump Association, to our insightful conversation.
Thomas brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in promoting sustainable heating solutions across Europe. Through his leadership, the EHPA has championed the widespread adoption of heat pump technology, paving the way for cleaner and more efficient heating systems.
Learn more about Thomas and the EHPA at https://dandelionbranding.com/ep-heat-pump-nowak
✨ Timestamps ✨
00:34- Introduction
02:00- Explanation of heat pump
05:43- Empowerment through heat pump Adoption
10:36- Audience Engagement
20:18- Training and Education
23:23- Challenges with grid integration
27:09- Community engagement and Education iniciatives
Expect to learn:
-
How heat pumps can be integrated with renewable energy sources.
-
The refrigeration cycle and how it serves as the foundation of a heat pump.
-
Challenges associated with heat pump adoption.
-
The need for higher ambition and action in implementing heat pump technology.
-
Exploration of ongoing technological innovations in heat pump design.
-
Integrating heat pumps into the electric grid.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dandelion Branding is a digital marketing agency that helps sustainable brands build loyal, digital communities through organic content marketing and website optimization.
Here's where you can find us:
Our Website: https://dandelionbranding.com/
Instagram: @dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding/
Welcome to the Environmental Podcast!🌍 In today's episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with @Stacy Savage, the visionary Founder of @Zerowastestrategies. We’ll get to know more about their mission to minimize waste sent to landfills and incinerators by implementing comprehensive strategies that prioritize the principles of the circular economy.Zero Waste Strategies has emerged as a leader in the field of waste management, driving increased revenue, fostering deeper customer loyalty, and empowering employees through green initiatives Here's a glimpse of what to expect: 00:29- Introduction04:59- Finding Value in Waste 05:43- Empowering Employees for Sustainable Practices16:57- State Environmental Regulations and E-Waste Diversion 17:18- Impact of E-Waste Diversion on Texas Landfills19:07- True Zero Waste Facility Certification30:35- Wrapup Expect to learn: 1. Revenue Potential in Waste Materials2. Employee Empowerment and Accountability.3. Building Sustainable Business Practices4. Environmental Impact of E-Waste DiversionIf you've enjoyed our podcast, please subscribe to our YouTube channel, Dandelion Branding. Your support helps spread the word on SUSTAINABLE MARKETING. Learn More from Dandelion Branding. Follow Aubrey Wallace and Courtney Hume on LinkedIn. __________________________
Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding If you have any questions or topics you want us to tackle in the future, reach out to us on Instagram or email us at info@dandelionbranding.com.
Welcome to another episode of the Environmental Podcast!🌍In today's episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Francis Dierick, the visionary behind Chalk Rebels. His company revolutionizes the world of rock climbing with its sustainable chalk alternative.Francis Dierick advocates for sustainable practices in rock climbing, proposing a shift to eco-friendly chalk to preserve magnesium carbonate for essential industries, not recreational activities like climbing.What you can expect:00:00- Introduction00:50- Background details of Chalk Rebels05:43- Role of Francis toward sustainability07:16- Relation between chalk and climbers09:25- Effects of using chalk by climbers12.26- How do you change someone's habit of using chalk?13.28- Skincare products for chalk users 15:16- Skin care tips for climbers16:46- How to connect with FrancisExpect to learn:1. The Problem with Traditional Chalk2. A Sustainable Chalk for Rock Climbing3. Liquid Chalk vs. Powdered Chalk4. Cultural Shifts in Climbing HabitsIf you've enjoyed our podcast, please subscribe to our YouTube channel, Dandelion Branding. Your support helps spread the word on SUSTAINABLE MARKETING.Learn More from Dandelion Branding. Follow Aubrey Wallace and Courtney Hume on LinkedIn.__________________________ Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding If you have any questions or topics you want us to tackle in the future, reach out to us on Instagram or email us at info@dandelionbranding.com.
Welcome to another episode of the Environmental Podcast!🌍In today's episode, we explore the fascinating world of regenerative living with Vincent Deinum. Vincent Deinum has dedicated years to shaping regenerative strategies, intricately weaving ancient wisdom and modern sustainability through his work with U Turn and the Regeneration Cooperative.Here's a glimpse of what to expect:-Understand what regenerative living and its transformative power is.-Explore the merge of shamanic principles for sustainable practices-Vincent's journey in navigating challenges and promoting regenerative wisdom-How you can find your path of regenerative journey and make a differenceIf you've enjoyed our podcast, please subscribe to our YouTube channel, Dandelion Branding. Your support helps spread the word on SUSTAINABLE MARKETING.Learn More from Dandelion Branding. Follow Aubrey Wallace and Courtney Hume on LinkedIn. __________________________ Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding If you have any questions or topics you want us to tackle in the future, reach out to us on Instagram or email us at info@dandelionbranding.com.
Welcome to the Environmental Podcast!🌱Tune in to our episode with Farah Obaidullah, where we explore ocean conservation, the dark side of deep-sea mining, and the magic of working together for our planet.Farah Obaidullah is a seasoned Ocean Advocate with 20+ years in shaping strategies, leading campaigns, and championing marine health through The Ocean and Us & Women4Oceans.Expect to learn:• The environmental and ecological risks associated with deep-sea mining• The importance of international cooperation in protecting oceanic resources• The role of collective action in safeguarding our oceans• Farah's dedication and resilience in ocean advocacy, despite facing challenges and limited funding and more…Join Farah in the fight against harmful ocean exploitation and Say NO to Deep-Sea Mining.Be a part of the movement “The Ocean Hope Tour” to protect our oceans from irreversible harm.If you've enjoyed our podcast, please subscribe to our YouTube channel, Dandelion Branding. Your support helps spread the word on SUSTAINABLE MARKETING.Learn More from Dandelion Branding. Follow Aubrey Wallace and Courtney Hume on LinkedIn. __________________________ Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-branding If you have any questions or topics you want us to tackle in the future, reach out to us on Instagram or email us at info@dandelionbranding.com.
Welcome to the EnvironMental Podcast! In this episode, our beloved hosts Aub and Courney Interview each other about their plans for Dandelion Branding in 2024, the importance of sustainable marketing and where they see the podcast going in the future.Expect to learn:• The role of branding in sustainability• Holistic approach to marketing• Importance of effective communication, education, and collaboration in driving the transition to a more sustainable future.• Why embracing all voices in sustainability is important?If you've enjoyed our podcast, please subscribe to our YouTube channel, Dandelion Branding. Your support helps spread the word on SUSTAINABLE MARKETING.Learn More from Dandelion Branding.Follow Aubrey Wallace and Courtney Hume on LinkedIn.__________________________Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dandelion-brandingIf you have any questions or topics you want us to tackle in the future, reach out to us on Instagram or email us at info@dandelionbranding.com.
Read our full take on small business impact here: dandelionbranding.com/ep-small-business-impact-kumar-vijayendra
In this episode of EnvironMental with Dandelion, we welcomed Kumar Vijayendra, author, speaker, and entrepreneur, to our show.
Kumar is raising awareness on just how much impact small businesses have on the sustainability transition. Turns out, it's huge!
Kumar just announced his book, The Sustainable Entrepreneur! You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Sustainable-Entrepreneur-Profitable-Business-Planet/dp/B0C9SK1D8P
Or connect with him through his website: https://iamkumarv.com/
Read the full episode update: https://dandelionbranding.com/ep-degrowth-pinar-takk/
In this episode of EnvironMental with Dandelion, we welcomed Pinar Akiskalioglu Founder of Takk Skincare, to our show.
Takk is on a mission to make self care simple with their singular line of products. No frills, no fluff - just the good stuff!
We discuss consumerism and the role commerce brands have in the sustainable transition.
You can find out more about Takk on their website: https://mytakk.com
In this episode of EnvironMental with Dandelion, we welcomed Rachel Schnorr, the Membership Director for Ad Net Zero, to our show.
Ad Net Zero is a non-profit trade association with a mission to decarbonize the advertising industry and achieve a 90% reduction in emissions.
We discuss the role of advertising in sustainability and the challenges in measuring the digital carbon footprint.
You can find out more about Ad Net Zero on their website: https://adnetzero.com/
And read our full episode update here: https://dandelionbranding.com/ep-sustainable-advertising-rachel-schnoor/
In this episode of EnvironMental with Dandelion, we caught up with Christina Pirello, Emmy Award-winning host of the national public television series, Christina Cooks, airing across the country since premiering in 1998, and the best-selling author of 13 cookbooks.
We discuss her journey as a vegan and her transition to focusing on sustainability and planetary health as part of her role in addressing climate change.
We also talk about the importance of young people taking action for a sustainable future and discusses the role of a chef in promoting better food choices for personal and environmental well-being.
You can find out more about Christina's vision for the future on her website: https://www.christinacooks.com/
And read our full episode update here: https://dandelionbranding.com/ep-christina-sustainable-cooking/
This week we got to chat with Westen from Virtue Impact!
We heard about the incredible work they do to make it easy for brands to take that first step towards bringing more good into the world.
We talked about the importance of transparency in business and how staying organized increases your impact!
You can catch up with Westen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/westenmacintosh/
And learn more about Virtue on their site: https://www.virtueimpact.com/
Read our take here: dandelionbranding.com/ep-virtue-impact-transparency-business
In this episode of EnvironMental with Dandelion, we caught up with Ben Christensen, CEO of Cambium Carbon!
Ben was first on the show in February of 2021 (seriously!) and his Cambium Carbon updates have us floored!
We discuss sustainability, circular economies, and Cambium Carbon's role in addressing climate change. We also talk about workforce development and creating access to stable career paths in the green economy, particularly for at-risk youth.
You'll hear about Cambium Carbon's focus on using locally sourced and salvaged materials to create new jobs and their mission to offer carbon-negative materials in the building products legacy industry!
You can find out more about Cambium Carbon on their website: https://cambiumcarbon.com/
And read our full episode update here: https://dandelionbranding.com/ep-cambium-carbon-circularity/
We caught up with Freddie Catlow - the Cofounder of PlanBoo!
It's been a year and a half since Freddie was last on the Pod, and he had a ton of exciting updates for us.
We also talked about the issues around literacy in the carbon capture world along with:
- the accessibility of ESG
- how 7 billion people in the world all have to be on the same page if we want to create impact
- how the number of acronyms/lexicons in this space doesn't help.
Here's where you can learn more about PlanBoo: https://planboo.eco/
You can catch up with Freddie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freddie-catlow/
And you can read our blog about this episode here: https://dandelionbranding.com/ep-plan-boo-carbon-capture
In this episode of EnvironMental, we chat with Michelle Miller, the owner and creative director of Minty Made and founder of the Green Marketing Academy, about sustainability in marketing!
In this episode we talk about fighting digital waste and the best ways to lower a business' digital carbon footprint!
Here are the various places you can connect with Michelle:
The Minty Made site: mintymade.com
The Green Marketing Academy: greenmarketingacademy.com
Michelle's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/greenmarketingmovement
And here is where you can find our article: https://dandelionbranding.com/ep-minty-made-digital-carbon-footprint
In this episode of EnvironMental with Dandelion, we welcome Sira Dheshan Naidu, co-founder of Disruptor London, to the show!
Sira shares the origin story of Disruptor London and discusses the challenges of defining and creating a sustainable brand, especially in the beauty industry.
We talk about the gendered nature of the industry and Disruptor London's mission to create inclusive products, along with the intention and logic behind creating a multi-functional product.
Find Sira and Distruptor London at their website: https://disruptor.london/uk
And you can listen to the show and read our takeways here:
https://dandelionbranding.com/ep-disruptor-london-sustainable-beauty/
In this episode of EnvironMental with Dandelion, we spoke with Kela Feller Communications & Partnership Manager at B'ZEOS!
They make packaging from sustainably harvested SEAWEED with the goal of replacing single use plastics. Their products are home-compostable and can be used with the conventional plastics machinery!
Give us a like and listen and then go hang out with B'ZEOS:Website: https://www.bzeos.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/bzeos_official/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bzeos/
Here's where you can find our article: https://dandelionbranding.com/ep-bzeos-sustainable-packaging/
And Hey guess what?! EnvironMental was also selected to be in the Feedspot list of the top sustainable podcasts! Find us here: https://blog.feedspot.com/sustainable_business_podcasts/
This week we aren't joined by a guest (unless you count Court's dog, Goose) because it has been more than a year since we gave you an update on our sustainability ecosystem.
We talked a lot about the reality of marketing from the standpoint of sustainability, along with our vision for how our economy and sustainable movement has to grow.
We are grateful for our monthly sustainability social hours, where we cover different challenges for business owners working in the sustainability sector. See those events here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/dandelion-branding-33861197719
Plus we announced our 2023 CONFERENCE: Unity in ESG; Breaking out of Your Sustainability Silo! You can find all the conference information here: https://esg-unity.com/
As always, you can find us at dandelionbranding.com if you want to chat
And if you'd like to join us on EnvironMental with Dandelion, reach out to us at info@dandelionbranding.com
In this episode, we're joined by Lena Chao, founder and CEO of Clean Circle!
We talked about her clean beauty brand that focuses on sustainability and ethical production. Lena told us about her personal background in the textile industry, how she became interested in sustainability, and the challenges she faced in finding sustainable suppliers and manufacturers.
This is a great episode to listen to if you're into #cleanbeauty, you have the occasional bought of #impostersyndrome, or you're looking for a sustainable skincare brand with an inspiring founder.
You can find Clean Circle here: clean-circle.comRead our article: https://dandelionbranding.com/ep-lena-chao-skin-health/
In this episode of EnvironMental, we speak with Richard Dickson, co-founder of Play it Green.
Play It Green helps individuals and businesses become more sustainable by reducing their carbon footprint and planting trees!
He shares the Play It Green mission along with the services they offer, including a subscription service that provides tips, education, and discounts on sustainable products and services - literally for ÂŁ5!
We also talk about
-
the importance of transparency and collaboration in business relationships
-
the need for urgent action to address climate change
-
and the impact of consumer behavior on the environment.
You can connect with Richard through Play It Green: https://playitgreen.com/
Read our article about the show here: https://dandelionbranding.com/ep-richard-dickson-behavior-change/
This episode of EnvironMental with Dandelion is drama.Aub talked with Michael Klepacz, founder of Natural Materials Unlimited about how the usefulness of bast fibers was squashed by the paper mafia, the dogma around wood pulp, and the cotton gin.
You can find Michael through his website: https://www.naturalmaterials.eu/
Read the episode article here: dandelionbranding.com/ep-michael-klepacz-hemp-fabric/
We all live downstream of something.
Jon Scott, head of corporate relations and legacy giving for Clean Water Action joins us on this episode of EnvironMental podcast to talk about
-
clean water
-
individual action
-
and fixing democracy
Find Clean Water Action here: https://cleanwater.org/
You can find Jon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-scott-a535354/
And read our article here: https://dandelionbranding.com/ep-jon-scott-clean-water/
In this episode of EnvironMental Podcast we spoke with Nick Steiner, Founder of PermaNick and head of Coach Matching at Climate Farmers about regenerative farming!
Listen to learn about Climate Farmers and how regenerative agriculture is scalable!
Regenerative ag is something that we have been hearing and talking about since the beginning of EnvironMental, but we have never actually had someone on the podcast that could speak to its scaling potential. We were beyond excited!
You can find climate farmers here: https://www.climatefarmers.org/
And you can connect with Nick through Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/permanick_permaculture/
Full story; https://dandelionbranding.com/ep-nick-steiner-regenerative-agriculture/
Simple Shoemaking founder, Sharon Raymond, joins us on EnvironMental to talk about the plastic in your everyday footwear and why making our own shoes is so important.
We talk about the sustainability of leather vs the alternative options for ecological shoemaking, plus how simple it is to get creative with reused materials!
You can connect with Sharon and get her shoemaking books on her website: simpleshoemaking.com
Read the full story here: https://dandelionbranding.com/ep-sharon-raymond-shoemaking/
In this episode of EnvironMental with Dandelion, we talk to Rianne Doller, Founder of Kickass Quilts, about sustainability and ... quilting?
Yep - you read that right!
Rianne is on a mission to reframe quilting from something for the elderly to a skill for the sustainability-minded - and we're about it.
Quilting is a way to bring joy to sustainability while changing consumer habits and learning to find value in small things.
You can find Rianne on her website: https://kickassquilts.org/
and you can find the full write up for this episode on our website here:
https://dandelionbranding.com/ep-rianne-doller-quilting/
In this episode of EnvironMental we talked about "girl science" (ie. what the good ol' boys call environmental studies), with Erin Wiedmer.
She's a freelance ecosystem restorer and permaculture designer - and boy does she love soil!
Erin told us about studying soil under a microscope and the difference between a chemically fertilized field and a field fertilized using organic materials - which by the way is staggering.
We definitely recommend following and connecting with Erin in LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-wiedmer-1bb6593/
You can listen to the episode and learn more here: https://dandelionbranding.com/ep-soil-conservation-erin-wiedmer/
In this episode of EnvironMental, we spoke with Taso Arima about IperionX his sustainable Titanium - and we had trouble picking our jaws up off the floor.
What we thought could be a greenwashing nightmare of a podcast turned out to be one of the most exciting episodes we have ever done. Taso explained how IperionX works - including the chemistry behind their revolutionary production system. We learned that titanium - and its alloys - is infinitely recyclable. It really is the metal of the future!
See the IperionX Website: https://iperionx.com/
Follow them on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iperionx/
See all of our podcasts: https://dandelionbranding.com/environmental-podcast/
In this episode of EnvironMental, we spoke with Sue Inches: an author and activist with a 25 year history as an environmental lobbyist.
We are impressed with how easy she makes environmental lobbying sound - and how tied it is to story telling.
Sue also just released her book, which is really a field guide for advocacy called, "Advocating for the Environment; How to Gather Your Power and Take Action." (Such a powerful title, we know).
And she gives us great advice for folks that are in the environmental spiral: Find a community. Take action.
You can read our whole story here: https://livingbranddirectory.com/ep-environmental-lobbyist-sue-inches/
And connect with Sue (plus buy her book) at her website: https://sueinches.com/
Gillian talks to the duo about the biggest business pickle out there: how to use business as a force for good in the world.
Her business, the aptly named Business Pickle, is a research advisory that helps business owners make their global sustainability goals actionable. Each "season" the Business Pickle puts out research on three relevant sustainability topics to help business owners make better decisions.
Listen to the podcast and read the full article on our website: https://livingbranddirectory.com/ep-business-good-gillian-pereira/
Connect with the Gillian and the Business Pickle at their website: https://www.thebusinesspickle.com/company/about-us
In this episode of EnvironMental Podcast, we got very excited about Sustainable Investing as we spoke with Breene Murphy, the VP of Strategy for the Carbon Collective. Â Breene took this sleepy topic and turned our heads with his optimistic view on climate crisis solutions and investment. Â Â The Carbon Collective is a sustainable investment agency on a mission to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon society.
In this episode, you can see us get more and more enthralled by Anna Luckai, the founder of Sanctuary Innerwear, and her beautiful process of plant healing through her clothing.
This Canadian native was a teacher for decades when she decided to retire and pursue her dreams of creating her own line of lingerie that feels transformational to your body.
With these garments, you're adding your clothes to your wellness routine - and feeling cozy while you do it!
You can learn more about Anna and Sanctuary Innerwear at the full article here: https://livingbranddirectory.com/ep-anna-lukai-tencel-plant-dyes/
And of course, you can find Anna and get your favorite new pjs at her website here: https://www.sanctuaryinnerwear.com
In this episode we had an incredible time chatting with Maya van Rossum about The Green Amendment - which is both Maya's book AND the goal of her nonprofit: for the generations.
The idea behind a Green Amendment is to make sure that there is unquestionable legal protection to a clean, safe, and healthy environment. This amendment grants the right to things like clean water and clean air - which Americans don't currently have the right to.
This is an especially important movement in light of the recent EPA Supreme Court Case!
Check out this episode to hear Maya talk about why her and her team are starting with State Amendments first, the process of getting an amendment passed, and how you can get involved in the Green Amendment!
You can find the article here: https://livingbranddirectory.com/ep-green-amendment-maya-van-rossum
And you can learn more and get involved with the Green Amendment movement in your state here: https://forthegenerations.org/
Get The Green Amendment: The People's Fight for a Clean, Safe, and Healthy Environment on Pre-Order: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1633310647/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_M9M5JFHR9WK850THTSNY?pldnSite=1
On this episode of the EnvironMental Podcast we kept coming back to how big of a gamechanger this book could be if its put into action.
Urvashi Bhatnagar and her co-author Paul Anastas have offered a "how to" for building businesses that put sustainability at the forefront.
The biggest takeaway here is that when businesses close the loop on their product creation, and add 'sustainability' to their definition of 'performance,' they become a sustainable solution.
Listen to podcast to hear about the four principles for managing and scaling sustainability, along with the advice Urvashi has for finding the next innovative solution.
See the whole article here: https://livingbranddirectory.com/ep-sustainability-scorecard-urvashi-bhatnagar/
You can find Urvashi at the Greenovation website: https://www.greenovationproject.com/
And pick up your copy of the Sustainability Scorecard here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/678206/the-sustainability-scorecard-by-urvashi-bhatnagar-and-paul-anastas/
We had NO IDEA that reusable packaging could be a real alternative for single use food and drinks until Page told us about it on this episode of EnvironMental Podcast.
The whole goal of her company, Topanga.io is to create a digital infrastructure of a circular economy. Now, that's a huge goal - but if anyone can do it, we believe it's the Topanga Team.Â
What started as a small scale milk man-style grocery delivery service has turned into a full time software development operation to help businesses challenge the trash can.
On this episode, we are wowed by Haley Stratton - an energetic environmental scientist and eco-artist!
In her day job, Haley gets to go around Colorado and assess future development sites for environmental safety! She identifies protected wildlife and habitats, offers recommendations for legal permits on development sites, and then monitors those sites to make sure that the permit laws are being followed.
And somehow, in between her field work, map making, and reporting, Haley finds time to operate Craftovert and dream up future eco-art work shops!
With Craftovert Co. Haley hand makes safe, and reliable candles that don't add harmful carcinogens to the air! And her handmade concrete candle holders are so cool!
You can find Haley and Craftovert at her website: https://craftovert.com/
or head over to Instagram and give her a follow: @craftovert
You can find this episode article feature on our Living Brand Directory here: https://livingbranddirectory.com/ep-haley-environmental-scientist/
This episode of EnvironMental was so much fun - and so informative - thanks to our guest, Freddie Catlow, the enigmatic and (self described) bamboo-obsessed co-founder of Planboo.
Freddie gives us the deets on bamboo like:
- it's a grass that can grow a meter every day
- it's hard enough to be treated like a wood for construction, but can totally be made into fabric and paper and silverware (and just about anything else)
- it's a great carbon sink
AND then he started talking about bio char - and we were floored.
Bio char is made from putting the bamboo biomass through a process called Pyrolyzation.
Then, the bio char can be used a ton of ways to improve the health of soil organically over time!
Check out the Planboo site here: http://planboo.eco/
This episode of EnvironMental with Dandelion is really exciting for us because we get to sit down and chat with Charlotte Opal - the executive director of the Forest Conservation Fund, the nonprofit that we donate to!
The Forest Conservation Fund is a nonprofit based in Switzerland that chooses forest protection and conservation projects! We talk a lot about the importance of protecting the forest because as Opal says,
"No deforestation is not the same thing as forest positive."
In this episode Charlotte also tells us about the project that we're supporting with our donations along with several of the other projects that they're working supporting right now.
We're impressed with their dedication to working within rainforest areas that are at serious risk from agriculture, and how they always want to help fund projects that are built from within communities. They support forest stewards and indigenous peoples and always promote biodiversity!
You can learn more about the Forest Conservation fund on their website: https://www.fundforests.org/
& you can read the full story here: https://livingbranddirectory.com/ep-charlotte-opal-forest-conservation/
This episode of EnvironMental is about Marketing!
We realized that we've never covered how we infuse sustainability into our digital marketing business @dandelion_branding with our clients every day.
Aside from focusing on sustainable brands, we also focus on ways to be more digitally sustainable in the marketing world!
In this episode we cover:
- what is sustainable marketing? (We operate two definitions!)
&
- what are some basic things you can do to be more digitally sustainable
We also talk a bit about the challenges of marketing for sustainable brands, greenwashing, and the "green hush" - which is a new way sustainable brands are being snowballed by wordsmithery.
On this episode of EnvironMental we had an inspiring conversation with Sara Ibrahim around sustainable personal fashion.
We've covered the issues around the fashion industry extensively in the past - and we are grateful to Sara for helping us bring beauty and art to the fashion conversation.
Sara is an experienced sustainable personal stylist and always says that the most sustainable clothing options are the ones you already have.
Sara is a force for the silent revolution - repeat wearing your clothing and building your wardrobe around your own body shape - not the sizes that the fast fashion industry decides makes us cool.
She values the fact that your wardrobe is your oldest relationship.
She helps folks see their clothes in a different way. She makes it simple to choose your look every day - to use fashion as an extension of you.
In this episode, Sara shares incredible tips for mindfully connecting with your own personal style and the clothes that are already in your closet. She also shares a few tips about how we can add new pieces to our wardrobes and the red flags to look for when you're trying to shop sustainably!
Thank you SO much, Sara!
You can find her on instagram at @simastylistlondon
And her website: https://www.simastylist.com/
This week we're welcoming Toby Radcliffe, Cofounder of ZeroBees, to the podcast!
ZeroBees is on a mission to make it easier for small and medium businesses to reach net zero.
They focus predominately on helping businesses reduce their CO2e by making short and long term plans with quantifiable benefits.
Toby talks to us about shifting our language from "reduction and offsetting" to "CO2e reduction and climate investment."
And he reminded us of the best ways to reduce is to start with the low hanging fruit: make sure your electricity is renewable, that you're minimizing travel, and that you're engaging your employees in the reduction too.
And then when you've reduced as much of your carbon footprint as possible, consider climate investment with a small project that is robust, accountable, permanent, and that you're paying a decent amount for it!
You can learn more about Zero Bees at the website: https://www.zerobees.com/
and you can reach Toby via email here: toby@zerobees.comÂ
This week we're welcoming Grace Moore to the podcast to talk about her brand, Atlo!
Atlo is pioneering the refillery movement in Atlanta, Georgia with a mobile refillery and an online accessories shop.
We talk about what it means to be focused on a low waste lifestyle (not to to be confused with zero waste pressure) and how refilling your products can help people on their low waste journey.
In this episode you hear about how Atlo is dedicated to helping normal people make simple, sustainable changes to reduce the use of containers and single use packaging over time. Because lots of people making a simple shift is better than a few people huge changes.
Learn more about Atlo and their refillery mission here: https://www.helloatlo.com/
This week we're welcoming Lizzie Horvitz, sustainable entrepreneur, onto the podcast to talk about her business, Finch!
Finch is a new browser extension that is about to be a serious game changer in the sustainable ecommerce space. It's going to make it easy (!) to find the most sustainable products on the market, right as you shop!
Imagine that you're browsing around on Amazon, looking for something like, wipes. You choose a product that SAYS it's sustainable - but heck, how can you really know? FINCH! You just open up your Finch browser extension, and you can see both the sustainability rating for the product you're viewing AND a few sustainable alternatives to check out instead. (how incredibly helpful is that, right?)Â
It's launching in January of 2022, so head over to their homepage to sign up for their waitlist!
https://www.choosefinch.com/#/
Lizzie invites you to reach out to her with any questions - but do it quick. Because they're still small enough that she personally answers questions right now, but we have a sneaking suspicion that it won't be long before Finch is a sustainable-household name!
This is one launch we are waiting in anticipation for!Â
Less than 20% of textile waste either stay on the market or get recycling Another quarter is incinerated which is CO2 intensive and the rest ends up in the landfill! Â
Like most things, the problem came up before we had even thought about the future. Literally millions of tons of textile waste is created globally every year and there isn't a clear solution yet. Â Â
There are a lot of people that have taken up the challenge though! Â There are thousands of homesteader articles giving you a lot of ways to upcycle your old clothing. From making kitchen rags and reusable food wraps to makeup removal pads and scrunchies - you can turn your favorite old clothes into new beautiful accessories. Â
You can also compost your 100% natural textiles and take back programs are cropping up around the world. Â And there's tech in its infancy that pulls apart clothes, and respins it to twine that can be used to make new fabric! Â
References and Promised Links:Â
TerraCycle Program: https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/zero_waste_boxes/fabrics-and-clothing-en-auÂ
Wolkat: https://www.wolkat.com/Â
New Order of Fashion lab for recycling clothing: https://neworderoffashion.com/lab/Â
Fashion Waste Index: https://labfresh.eu/pages/fashion-waste-indexÂ
BBC stats : www.bbc.com/future/article/20200710-why-clothes-are-so-hard-to-recycle
In this week's episode, Courtney answered the question:
Which is more sustainable, shopping retail or shopping online?
As per usual, there's no cut and dry answer here.
It totally depends on how you're getting to and from the shop and your online purchasing (and return) behavior.
Finally! Something we can have an impact on with our consumer behavior!
This week on our sustainability podcast, we're still covering Fast Fashion - and it feels like we're getting to the nuts and bolts of the problem here.
When we spoke about fabric, that seemed to have a sustainable solution that a consumer can choose - great - this week... not so much.
This week Courtney covered the social aspects of the manufacturing of today's fashion.
The long and short of it this:
-
sweatshops are still a real thing.
-
we (the consumer, and often the business owner) are purposefully distanced from the way our clothes are made
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companies being in charge of their own auditing won't results in significant changes
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the real solution relies on international worker's rights movements and labor laws
Until we see huge changes in the labor laws around the world, we highly recommend purchasing from businesses that share information about exactly who makes your clothing and where.
Sources:
https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-018-0433-7
https://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/the-myth-of-the-ethical-shopper/
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/The-Big-Story/How-the-death-of-fast-fashion-is-transforming-Asia-s-garment-industry
Last week, we learned that getting legitimate data on the impact of the fashion industry is a real challenge. So we decided that the best way to take a look at the industry is to break down the supply chain.
This week, aub shares the lay of the fabric-land.
There are tons of fabric types out there, so she covered the most popular.
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Polyester and Nylon (AVOID)
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Rayon/Viscose (AVOID)
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Cotton (CHOOSE ORGANIC)
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Lyocell (GREAT)
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Linen (GREAT)
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Bamboo (CHOOSE OEKO-TEX CERTIFIED)
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Hemp (GREAT)
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rPET (OKAY FOR THINGS THAT DON'T GO OFTEN THROUGH THE WASH)
The best suggestions we have for choosing fabric:
-
your best solution is choosing recycled, organic, and natural fabrics.
-
go with all natural fabrics
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make sure they are grown organically
-
and look into how they're processed
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look for certifications like GOTS or OEKO-TEX
Three fantastic resource guides for you:
https://www.sustainyourstyle.org/en/fiber-ecoreview
https://www.sustainablejungle.com/sustainable-fashion/sustainable-fabrics/
https://greenstory.ca/resources/sustainability-guides/green-fabric-guide/
Other Resources for this episode:
Rayon is bad for the environment: https://www.bbcearth.com/news/fashion-materials-you-didnt-realise-were-bad-for-wildlife
The Soil Association's cotton guide: https://www.soilassociation.org/causes-campaigns/our-climate-in-crisis/thirsty-for-fashion/
The World Counts difference between organic and conventional cotton: https://www.theworldcounts.com/challenges/consumption/clothing/cotton-farming-water-consumption/story
This is the first podcast of our fashion industry sustainability topic.
In this episode, we're feeling a little frustrated. We've been talking about, learning, and working within the sustainability sector for a while.
And the issues within the fashion industry are inescapable!
Especially right now, it seems like everywhere we turn there's a new finding or data point or study talking about the impact of the fashion industry on our planet.
But actually - it turns out that a lot of those sound bites are from out-of-context sources.
And it is very hard to find real, clear data around the fashion industry and the impact it has.
This is partially due to the intentionally opaque nature of the industry, the massive scale on which fashion is produced, and how intertwined this industry is with a lot of the other polluters on the planet.
Throughout the conversation, we decided that for this topic, we want to break down the supply chain and dive into each part of the fashion industry to understand it better!
Here are some resources we turned up as we were searching:
The Vox Article we mention in the episode: https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2020/1/27/21080107/fashion-environment-facts-statistics-impact
Here's some info about the mushy and intermixxed the fashion industry is: https://ecocult.com/now-know-fashion-5th-polluting-industry-equal-livestock/
The Geneva network offers stats from well known sources like INEP, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, UNCTAD, and the WTO. Are those stats real? Hard to tell, but here's the article for you to read what we know so far: https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/resources/updates/sustainable-fashion/
This week's episode Court did a deep dive into the dangers of the Dakota Access Pipeline and Line Three.
The Dakota Access Pipeline gained media attention in 2016 when the Sioux tribe sued the government over the construction project, its lack of environmental protections, and broken treaties with indigenous nations.
Despite the protests the pipeline was built and all lawsuits were eventually (and unfortunately) dropped.
We're seeing very recent news that there are active issues with the DAPL pipeline though, and it's undergoing a full environmental review.
Now, the current pipeline project underway is called Line 3. This pipeline would travel across the Mississippi river, over 200 other waterways, and miles of marshlands.
This land is crucial not only to the First Nation communities that live there, but also to the millions of people who rely on water that passes through it.
Do we never learn?
Construction of these oil pipelines permanently affects environment and ecosystems, regardless of if there are spills. If there are any spills, this would have massive environmental and ecological ramifications.
Why are we taking such risk and continuing to invest in infrastructure for a dying industry?
We must protect our water, not protect the pocketbooks of fossil fuel executives.
Sign the petition and make your voice hear here: https://www.stopline3.org/take-action
Sources:
https://conbio.org/publications/scb-news-blog/scientists-sign-letter-against-dakota-access-pipeline
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/federal-court-closes-dakota-access-case-allows-fresh-challenges-2021-06-22/
https://elpc.org/blog/nothing-suggests-line-3-pipeline-can-comply-with-minnesota-water-quality-standards/
https://www.honorearth.org/
https://www.stopline3.org/
This week on the podcast, we start diving into fresh water access.
In the US, having access to fresh water is treated like a privilege, especially for poor communities. The clearest example of that is the Flint Water Crisis.
aub did a deep dive into the timeline of what happened in Flint - its not pretty.
The problem in Genessee County, Michigan hit national and international news in 2016. But by then it had already been almost two years since the water crisis started.
aub shares the timeline of events because every step of the way show how severely mishandled this situation was from the start. It shows the blatant disregard for the Flint community.
The Flint water crisis is seen as a political scandal now - but that feels like it doesn't do the situation justice.
100,000 PEOPLE DIDN'T HAVE CLEAN DRINKING WATER FOR FOUR YEARS. And the story is still unfolding in the aftermath.
Corruption, mismanagement, and poisoning of an entire community of people, done for a pennies on the dollar savings venture.
The government ignored and gaslit the citizens of Flint, they sidestepped culpability, and treated their city like it was expendable.
Would this happen in a white community? In a rich neighborhood?
In a low-crime city?
No. Absolutely not.
References:
Flint Stats and US stats from the US Census Bureau.
Timeline from NPR
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/04/20/465545378/lead-laced-water-in-flint-a-step-by-step-look-at-the-makings-of-a-crisis?t=1628953587723
Associated Press timeline: https://apnews.com/article/us-news-health-michigan-rick-snyder-flint-7295d05da09d7d5b1184b0e349545897
The September 2015 health advisory to the citizens of Flint
http://flintwaterstudy.org/2015/09/public-health-advisory-regarding-lead-in-flint-water-from-the-genesee-county-board-of-commissioners/
The 2017 Michigan Civil Rights Commission statement: The Flint Water Crisis: Systemic Racism through the Lens of Flint
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdcr/VFlintCrisisRep-F-Edited3-13-17_554317_7.pdf
Evidence of the cover up found:
https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2019/04/millions-of-flint-water-documents-found-in-basement-prosecutors-claim.html
The most current info on Rick Snyder charges:
https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/michigan/2021/03/18/ex-michigan-gov-rick-snyder-loses-challenge-to-flint-water-charges/
In this episode of EnvironMental we start our investigation into the fresh water crisis we're facing right now.Â
The gross misuse of water by the energy, agriculture, and fashion industries are leading to a rapidly approaching end of fresh water availability.Â
This is a major crisis that needs to be addressed now.Â
Aub and Court chat about current facts, and some very interesting data points around how much water a hamburger requires. (Guess what, it's over 600 gallons PER burger you're eating.)
There's much work to be done on a large scale, but individual action can make a difference! Be conscious of your water usage, especially while on vacations.
Here are our references for this episode:Â
https://www.theworldcounts.com/challenges/planet-earth/freshwater/when-will-the-world-run-out-of-water/story
https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/how-much-water-there-earth?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/freshwater-crisis
Water Usage Stats: https://www.motherjones.com/food/2015/04/blue-jeans-cars-microchips-water-use/
Uses of water in industry: https://www.aquatechtrade.com/news/industrial-water/industrial-water-essential-guide/
In this week's conversation about sustainability, we're wrapping up the discussion about Food and Agriculture.
This was the biggest topic we've covered so far - the section was 8 weeks long and we didn't get to talk about everything we wanted. In particular, we didn't get to jump into court cases related to farming, commercial agriculture practices, GMOs, or immigrant worker populations.
What we did learn leads us to conclude that the planet, and people, have been treated like an assembly line for far too long. We simply cannot continue to rely on the linear systems that we've been operating for more than a century and expect safe, reliable results for the future.
The issues are extremely multifaceted and they show up in myriad ways. From the loss of fertility in our soil to desertification to the intentional creation of food deserts and food insecurity.
These problems can only truly be solved with holistic priorities like focusing on regenerative agriculture, paying a living wage, healthy community farming techniques, a paradigm shift towards community subsistence first, and cultural education.
We decided to transition at this point because there's another topic that needs a holistic view: fresh water.
We want to know about limitations, where the water is, how we can live (and operate our businesses) more sustainably, plus we want to talk about places like Flint, Michigan (aub's hometown) where the infrastructure breakdown is poisoning the water supply.
Stay tuned!
This is the second week we're talking about the book, Black Food Matters. A collection of interdisciplinary articles written or compiled by Ashanté M. Reese and Hanna Garth
We decided to split this up and talk about it over two episodes because this book is an important set of voices sharing the tangible intersection of systemic racism, power, and food culture.
This week Court thoughtfully covers the topics around cultural appropriation and food justice on the restaurant scene.
These are the chapters we talk about:
6 - Soul Food Gentrification: Food, Racial Heritage Tourism, and the Redevelopment of Black Space in Miami by Billy Hall
7 - “Preserve and Add Flavor”: Barbecue as Resistance in Memphis by Kimberly Kasper
8 - Sisters of the Soil: Urban Agriculture in Detroit by Monica M. White
9 - Race, Land, and the Law: Black Farmers and the Limits of a Politics of Recognition by Willie J. Wright, Tyler McCreary, Brian Williams, and Adam Bledsoe
10 - The Mango Gang and New World Cuisine: White Privilege in the Commodification of Latin-American and Afro-Caribbean Foods by Judith Williams
11 - Afterword: Problematizing the Problem by Psyche Williams-Forso
This is the first of 2 episodes dedicated to the book, Black Food Matters. A collection of interdisciplinary articles written or compiled by AshantĂ© M. Reese and Hanna Garth Â
We decided to split this up and talk about it over two episodes because this book is an important set of voices sharing the tangible intersection of systemic racism, power, and food culture. Â
For this first week, aub shares a thoughtful overview of the first half of the book's articles:  1 - In the Food Justice World but Not of It: Everyday Black Food Entrepreneurship by Ashanté M. Reese  2 - The Intersection of Politics and Food Security in a South Carolina Town by Gillian Richards-Greaves  3 - Nurturing the Revolution: The Black Panther Party and the Early Seeds of the Food Justice Movement by Analena Hope Hassberg  4 - Blackness and “Justice” in the Los Angeles Food Justice Movement by Hanna Garth  5 - Good Food in a Racist System: Competing Moral Economies in Detroit Andrew Newman and Yuson Jung
This week on EnvironMental, aub did a deep dive into food deserts.
More than 10% of people in the US live in a food desert, which is a geographic area where access to affordable, healthy food options are limited.
Our ability to create and grow food from a centralized place also allowed for things like urban city sprawl and a decrease in rural farms - and with both of these came food deserts.
There is no perfect solution for the food desert because every area is unique and we're so used to being separate from our food system, that it will take TIME to implement actual systems of change.
Tune in to hear to learn about the prevalence of food deserts and the potential solutions aub found for food deserts around the country.
Here are this week's resources:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-are-food-deserts#other-terms
https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-food-deserts
https://www.aecf.org/blog/exploring-americas-food-deserts
https://mymorningmusings.com/?p=129
This week on EnvironMental, Courtney did a deep dive into food insecurity. Â
The long and short is that food insecurity is a trap - it's a cycle that is generationally difficult to escape from. Â
It is highly correlated with high rates of violence and poverty and while there are solutions like using our food waste more wisely, the only real solution for food insecurity is providing a living wage. Â Â
Here are Courtney's resources:Â
-
feedingamerica.orgÂ
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Feeding Peace: An Investigation of the Relationship between Food Insecurity and Violence - Illinois state university https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1019&context=sccedÂ
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National Center for Biotechnology Information - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2805706/Â
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Frontiers in Sustainable food systems - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2020.00016/full
This week on EnvironMental we spoke with Anne Terhorst, Junior Business Developer for Food Tech Brainport, a company that is dedicated to improving food tech to make food production more sustainable. Â
We talk about the human condition and how even though we can solve a lot of issues with technological advances, we can't make global change without people accepting those advances into their everyday lives. Â
The reality is that we have big changes to make to our global food system, and those types of changes take time, energy, and intention to implement. Â
This inspiring conversation left us all with a lot to think about, and if you love it and you have any questions, you can reach out to Anne through LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-terhorst/
This week on EnvironMental we talk about Farming for the Long Haul by Michael Foley!
This book offers a fantastic look at the history of traditional farming and gives actionable advice for how we can transition to growing food within our communities.
Would we recommend it? Yes! To anyone who felt like they might want to farm or have a garden that grows food.
After reading this, we feel inspired to start growing food and learning more about homesteading techniques that we can share within our communities.
Even though we can connect and share information globally, one thing that we notice month over month is that the real solutions to long-term sustainability are based in community - Â governance, advocacy, energy, gardening, homesteading, and community living.
Over the past 100 years, we have stepped further and further away from our local communities, to the point now where we are losing the hands-on information we will need when fossil fuel energy isn't available to us anymore.
So this week, we decided to start trying to think and act in a more community-based way.
To take one single step on the journey towards community living - whether that means meeting your neighbors or finding a new homesteading skill to take on - join our little challenge!
This week on the EnvironMental Podcast, we start talking about food and agriculture.
You can tell by the tone of the episode that we’re a little overwhelmed by how big this topic is and how many directions it CAN go in!
Here’s the good news: there’s a lot of room for improvement.
But the reality we’re living is a little dire. Here are some facts that we want to dive deeper into this month:
- Food accounts for over a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions
- Hispanic and African American families are twice as likely to experience food insecurity during the pandemic
- Food has been losing nutritional value since the 50s
- And we are wasting 30+% of all the food we grow on a regular basis.
Throughout the next months, we also want to talk about the intentional design behind food deserts, get a better understanding of the best ways to balance food growth and consumption (like, how is there so much waste AND so many hungry people?!), and talk about the meat production.
This is a huge, huge topic partially because it’s so important for our survival but also because the flaws of the food industry have compounded over time. As big ag has continued to grow, these flaws have become clearer and clearer. Profits over people and planet can’t be the answer on a huge scale anymore!
We’re excited to spend this month learning about how broken the system is, and what steps we can take to help improve it!
References:
https://ourworldindata.org/environmental-impacts-of-food
https://www.oecd.org/agriculture/topics/agriculture-and-the-environment/
https://civileats.com/2019/08/20/study-finds-farm-level-food-waste-is-much-worse-than-we-thought/
https://moveforhunger.org/the-environmental-impact-of-food-waste
https://changeforchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Food-Security-vs-Food-Sovereignty.pdf
https://bioneers.org/hidden-hunger-does-food-lack-essential-nutrients-zmbz2105/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-are-food-deserts
This week's episode of EnvironMental is a short wrap up of the conversation we have been having around the transition to renewable energy.
The long and short of it is that there are so many solutions out there! And the good news is that there are a lot of people are working on them, but the not-so-great truth is that there's no big global plan for the necessary transition to renewable energy.
While it is awesome to have a lot of people working on energy solutions, we think this is an important conversation that we should be having more often within our communities in general.
Because when it comes to energy usage, there is a lot that we can each do personally to reduce our individual ecological footprint.
One of those big energy drains that we can change personally is FOOD WASTE! So we also announced that the next topic we will investigate is food and agriculture!
Please subscribe to our channel to stay tuned!
This week we're talking with Tom Vocke (THE Tom!) with Lightyear! Â He's an electrical engineer who has been part of the transition to solar energy, especially in cars, since 2011. Â We spent time asking about the reality of transitioning to renewable energy - he's optimistic about what is possible! Â He told us about the limits of solar energy, what a solar cell is made out of, and why solar is getting cheaper! Â Right now, the renewable energy industry has its eyes set on increasing efficiency in solar panels and figuring out how to store electricity more effectively, but the reality is there is room for innovation and systemic change everywhere in the energy industry. Â We need to put solar panels on everything, and we need to upgrade to smart meters, and we need to ensure that our current power grids can handle the transition. Â There's a lot to be done, and a lot of incredible minds, like Tom's, working together to make it possible! Â #solarenergy #renewabletransition #renewableenergy #greenenergy #environmentalpodcast
This week we read the Carbon Boycott by Samuel Avery
Do we think it's possible to boycott carbon?
Yes.
Do we think it's going to be easy?
No.
In his book, Sam gives several examples of times throughout human history that we've made huge societal changes for the betterment of our society - from the Boston tea party to the civil rights movement to the end of apartheid.
We ARE capable of the type of boycott that this book calls for.
The carbon boycott is a slow, steady change that we are dedicated to. That we need to work on together individually and in communities.
Because the truth is that the availability of fossil fuels is dwindling.
That means we need to think about the energy issue as "renewable energy VS. no energy." NOT "renewable energy VS. fossil fuel energy."
And the more we transition now, the easier it will be when we don't have fossil fuels anymore.
So how can you take part in the boycott?
1 - Eat less meat. This isn't to say that tomorrow you need to be vegan, but meat production is a massive source of carbon in our atmosphere.
2 - Consider how your other meals make it to you - are they locally sourced? Are they coming from far away? How are they packaged? What can you grow yourself?
3 - Look at your investments. Trace them back to their source, are you supporting the fossil fuel giants? Stop those investments and shift them to a renewable source.
4 - Look into the potential energy sources. Can you pay for your house to be supplied by solar or wind energy? Can you buy solar panels for your house?
5 - Join or create a community that is dedicated to helping with policy change or community/city migration to renewable energy.
6 - Make the big transitions when you're making big life changes. When you get a new car, go for electric. When you move or renovate your house, consider heat pumps and solar energy.
All of these steps help us to move towards less reliance on fossil fuel energy and will make the transition to renewables more smooth! It can be done!!
This week we're leaving the topic of dirty energy and fossil fuels behind to start talking about the necessary transition to renewables.
We split up and independently answered some questions, and then shared it with each other on this week's podcast.
Aub went first and talked about where we are in the transition and what kind of plan we have in place. There's a lot of information out there about this and to make the long story short - we're gaining in renewables for electricity, but buildings (heating and emissions) and travel are still big issues for the transition.
While there are a lot of people focused on individual solutions, there's no overarching plan, and no one taking charge of this transition. There are a lot of pieces missing in the political and environmental priorities, like how we need to invest in improving the efficiency of the current infrastructure while we find new, renewable sources of energy. Or how subsidies for fossil fuels are still double (or more) the subsidies given to renewable sources.
Courtney picked it up from there, sharing information about energy democracy and a few companies that are dedicated to putting people of color in leadership positions.
She said, "We can't expect to have clean energy solutions without having clean election solutions." And this beautifully sums up the discussion. She shared information about "energy cooperatives" and how this feels like something new, but there are actually quite a few already! The heads of the power companies in these regions bank on the fact that people never even know that they have decision power in their community's energy source.
Next week we're going to continue this conversation by reading a book called The Carbon Boycott; A Path to Freedom from Fossil Fuels By Samuel Avery.
We have moved away from using Amazon to find our audiobook sources because Mr. Bezos, respectfully, doesn't need our dollars (or yours) so here's our link to Libro, a site that makes it possible for you to buy audiobooks through your local bookstore: https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm282860
Here are our sources for this episode:
Transition updates, plans, and efficiency
https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2019/6/18/18681591/renewable-energy-china-solar-pv-jobs
https://www.energy.gov/eere/analysis/energy-efficiency-vs-energy-intensity
https://www.iea.org/reports/the-critical-role-of-buildings
https://www.resilience.org/stories/2020-05-20/nobody-takes-the-renewable-energy-transition-seriously/
Microgrids
https://microgridknowledge.com/microgrid-defined/
greentechmedia.com/articles/read/lessons-learned-from-californias-pioneering-microgrids
Energy Democracy
The webinar Courtney mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Foh7HMthX1w
PDF https://www.rosalux.de/fileadmin/rls_uploads/pdfs/sonst_publikationen/Energy-democracy-in-Europe.pdf
Asian Pacific organization working on BIPOC leadership training
http://apen4ej.org/
This week on EnvironMental, we decided to let sleeping dogs lie.
We spent the past month talking about fossil fuels and the fossil fuel industry, and to be honest, we needed a break.
The more we dig into this industry, the more we find ourselves wading through human rights violations, environmental catastrophes, tax breaks, politics, and corruption.
(hey, there's a reason investigative journalists were called, "muckrakers" in the beginning)
There is seemingly no end to the propaganda or the well placed, oil slick PR people putting pressure on politicians to support dirty energy.
Instead of going over it AGAIN, we decided that the best thing to do would be to spend some time sitting in reverence of our planet. To share a positive intention and a few ideas for how you can connect with the earth.
In our upcoming episodes, we will continue to talk about energy - specifically to transition to renewables.
Subscribe to stay tuned.
After last week's run in with propaganda left us with a ton of questions, we decided to split up and research independently, then come back together and share what we learned.
Courtney looked into the injustices, and potential issues with mining for renewable energy and found that we might just be swapping one issue for another one.
And she updated us on the currently accepted research on climate change - which, in essence, is that shit is about to go DOWN.
We seem to always come back to the topic of injustice from the fossil fuel industry, and to be honest - it was never (we literally mean never) an ethical industry. Human rights violation and ecological destruction started with John D. Rockefeller and never stopped... but it did move (largely) off of US soil.
Where we find that the fossil fuel industry has been sowing the seeds of instability in other countries for decades. And why? For profit.
Because, as Aub found out when she followed the money, we (tax payers) spend upwards of $1 trillion globally in tax breaks and subsidies for the industry (that number does NOT include the various negative externalities) - more than half of which goes towards the projects in "developing nations" to create infrastructure there.
And the industry does this under the guise of "progress" and "unconventional oil and gas development" because, according to Alex Epstein and the other big oil lobbyists, there's a ton of fossil fuels left - we just don't have the tech to get it.
But that's not the whole truth.
Aub also looked into what there IS left and found out that it is indeed very quickly running out. - Like less than a lifetime running out - and what we're pumping up from new tech, like the fracking method, isn't as viable. It needs more refinement.
In general. The relationship we, as a global society, have with the fossil fuel industry, is a toxic, abusive one that we are in the beginning stages of figuring out how to leave.
Based on past behavior, and where the rare elements are for the renewable sources we're trying to create, we don't think this transition will go down without a fight.
See our Youtube video here for a link of our sources: https://youtu.be/6t_p1G5WeJ8
We read The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels by Alex Epstein this week because we're not here just to tow the democratic- climate crisis - anti-fossil fuels line, we're here to investigate the fossil fuel industry and climate change issue deeper.
This wasn't the book that we had hoped it would be.
It was more of a thirsty love letter to the fossil fuel industry than anything remotely resembling an unbiased account of why fossil fuels could be moral to continue using.
We asked last week, "can we separate the energy from the industry" and our distinctive answer is nope. Definitely not.
Hearing someone defend fossil fuels as having a causative relationship for every type of growth and human ingenuity while claiming further ingenuity into renewable resources would be too costly and dangerous was frustrating, to say the least.
Hearing over, and over again the words, "cheap and reliable" intermixxed with standards of the "free world" while being actually shamed for maintaining value in anything other than a Western societal human (read: white, privileged, and American) was infuriating.
Many humans were (and are still) harmed in the making of today's fossil fuel energy technology. This energy is cheap because of deep cut governmental subsidies. It remains cheap because the labor and land to get it remains to be stolen. It stays cheap because the industry would rather pull its strings and start a war (or fund a war) so they can find footholds to create a way to exploit communities and governments (and the land),
We don't pay the true cost of the energy we rely on.
We don't pay the true cost of fossil fuel tech and we never have. Calling it cheap is a gross misrepresentation.
This energy is "reliable" because we have built an infrastructure and invested in the technology to make it reliable. Epstein goes to great lengths to say this and to say that we should fear for our right to pursue cheap, reliable energy - then also to say that investing in any other tech in a similar way is a waste because we should be grateful to the fossil fuel industry for all that it has given us.
And yes, the fact of the matter is that we, as a society, are not ready flip the switch (pun intended) on fossil fuel usage.
We still have years left of development and transitioning into renewable energies. No one is denying that, and no one is saying that we should cut the power off around the world.
But Epstein would have you believe that Environmentalists are out here trying to kill babies by denying NICU units power unless they build new solar and wind farms. Again, a gross misrepresentation of the truth.
All in all, our investigation of the positive side of fossil fuels left us baffled and angry. There was so much conjecture and venom that now we find ourselves on a mission to get to the truth.
So for next week, we decided to do some independent research on funding, injustices, actual risks, and real climate change statistics.
Subscribe and stay tuned!
This week we jump into the topic that we will spend the next two months talking about - Energy.
We're starting with fossil fuels because the industry has its sticky fingers in every pie.
To jump into the topic, we started this with a quote from the epilogue of The Crisis, a new podcast from Vice News, which perfectly describes the issue we want to talk about this month.
"...From our reporting, it's clear that fossil fuels companies can have way more influence over our lives than we might realize. From the highest offices of govt to the smallest towns, they shape the world we live in, the conditions of where we live, the politics of where we live, and the environment around us.
But it takes time and money and effort to bring these realities to light because systems of power are built to keep replicating themselves to keep power concentrated in the hands of a few people, to keep things running exactly as they are."
While we need to break free from fossil fuels, like leaving an unhealthy relationship, we don't want to vilify fossil fuels as a energy source - it has vastly improved the standard of living around the world and has lead to growing technologies that we rely on every day.
However, the fossil fuel industry is responsible for terrible, heinous acts - against the environment and human rights alike. They regularly create sovereign agencies within countries that have corrupt or lazy governments, lax tax laws, and abundant natural resources. They use money to wield political power and exploit the people they take into their service.
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Is it possible to separate the energy from the industry?
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What are the redeeming qualities, if any, in the fossil fuels industry?
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Is there a fossil fuel company that we can trust? Is there a "fair trade" fossil fuel company?
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What is the trade off and the true cost in not sourcing energy from exploited countries?
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How do we keep the people around the world that work in this industry, safe?
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What does the infrastructure of green energy look like? How can we safely transition there?
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Is it possible to shift the job force to clean energy? What would that look like?
This week on EnvironMental, we talk about our main takeaways from the past month that we’ve spent diving into sustainable sourcing.
We asked a few questions like what global certifications should we trust? What questions should we ask? What resources are out there, and what does it take to create a sustainable supply chain?
And we have to say - our questions were answered PLUS SOME.
We talked to Trish Flaster, who gave us tons of incredible resources to help small brands find safe sources. Then we read the first hand account of Gero Leson on growing the sustainable value chains for the big multinational, Dr. Bronners.
We are incredibly inspired by the possibilities that are out there for small brands right now to plug into vetted value chains, and for the future of growth that still exists in the sustainable, traceable value chain for a small brand.
1 tip for how to treat your supply chain? Know every member of your chain and treat them all like they’re your team members (because they are!).
These are the top resources for small brands we found throughout this month:
- Botanicalliaisons.com is Trish’s business. She can help you if you need a sourcing specialist or if you need help finding the right connection to a supplier that you can trust.
- Supplyside365.com - this is a network of people - a hub - for industry professionals (in every part of the supply chain) to get connected, meet each other, learn from each other, and find the best sourcing for their fair sustainable brands.
- www.fairforlife.org - Fair For Life certifies entire supply chains to ensure that they are fair trade and holistic. They have a list of their certified resources and how to connect with them so you can source fair products and ingredients.
- www.ssciglobal.org/ - The Supplement Safety & Compliance Initiative is a nonprofit led by brands and retailers to ensure that the supplements they promote are safe, authentic, and compliant to global standards.
This week on EnvironMental, we're talking about what we learned from reading the first hand accounts of building Fair Trade value supply chains around the world!
In Honor Thy Label: Dr. Bronner's Unconventional Journey to a Clean, Green, and Ethical Supply Chain, Gero Leson lays out exactly how (and why) Dr. Bronner's builds their supply chain so that they can have the best sources available for their products!
We honestly could NOT have imagined a better book to help us understand this topic this month, and it just so happened, it was released March 8th (we had already recorded our first podcast of the month on this topic when it launched!)
Dr. Bronner's has been a serendipitous part of our lives for the past several years, and we don't find it hard to believe that this supply chain journey was so steeped in serendipity that they named their global value chain Serendiworld!
This was an incredible view into how a big company can make a difference for farmers and along whole supply chains around the world using constructive capitalism as their engine.
Our initial concern was that, while Honor Thy Label is INSPIRING AF, it might not be as manageable for a very small business. But then we realized that Dr. Bronner's isn't just building their own supply chains. They're making it possible for small sustainable brands to build ethical supply chains too. AND THAT IS INCREDIBLE!
MAIN TAKEAWAYS:
1 - Do what you can to cut out middle men and go direct to the source, especially if there is a language/culture barrier.
2 - Support your farmers with what they really need, treat them like team members, and try to be empathetic with what they are expereincing (Trish also said this last week!)
3 - Make sure that the farmers and the team knows that cutting corners won't be tolerated.
4 - Try to work with regenerative and dynamic agriforestry techniques wherever possible.
5 - Be patient. It takes time, energy, and money to build these supply chains from the ground up, but it is possible and VERY rewarding in the end!
6 - Start with internal team and doing good with the team and your ethical brand FIRST. Then go outward!
BEST RESOURCE
This book is FULL of sources, but in an effort to help this stand out we agree that the best resource for sustainable brands in Honor Thy Label is Fair For Life - www.fairforlife.org
This company certifies entire supply chains - farms, products, processors, brands, and ingredients! They have a list of their certified resources and how to connect with them so you can source fair products and ingredients. They are willing to help you through the process, and they have continuous surveillance to hold their registered operators accountable!
This week on EnvironMental, we talk to Trish Flaster - a sourcing aficionado with decades of work under her belt dedicated to ethical ingredient sourcing.
She shares her story about being a pioneer in service of understanding different cultures of native people and reciprocating the gift of their plant knowledge in a way that helps them to preserve and sustain their culture.
She gave really great advice about working with suppliers around the world - especially if you're working through translators:
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- Ask questions in several different ways that will give you the right information.
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- Create a conversation around fair reciprocity, "what do they need" over "this is what we offer."
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- Remove the people in the middle as often as possible - talk directly to the supplier.
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- Treat your suppliers like a member of your team.
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- Set realistic expectations - visit if you can, or send a video phone to see how things are REALLY operating. Know that you may have to set up infrastructure if you need certain things.
Here's where you can find Trish: https://www.botanicalliaisons.com/
She also gave us a TON of resources to share with you to help you get started with ethical sourcing.
Here's that list (whoa):
http://www.econbot.org// - The Society for Economic Botany (SEB) is about people exploring the uses of, and our relationship with plants, cultures and our environment. They publish a quarterly publication (Economic Botany) and hold talks and conferences throughout the year.
https://omniactives.com/ - Omniactives helps small businesses bring safe products to market. They develop ingredients and offer plant extracts that are "tested for quality right from the raw material sourcing stage to the finished product stage."
http://www.ssciglobal.org/ - The Supplement Safety & Compliance Initiative is a nonprofit led by brands and retailers to ensure that the supplements they promote are safe, authentic, and compliant to global standards.
https://www.herbalgram.org/ - The American Botanical Council is a nonprofit that offers education around herbal medicines, helps small sustainable herbal businesses network, and has programs dedicated to safe and sustainable herbal supply chains (https://sustainableherbsprogram.org/)
https://www.tagone.com/ - Tag One is a supply chain traceability app that allows small businesses to see every part of their own supply chain and share that information with their customers.
https://supplyside365.com/ - Supply side 365 is "an intelligent, industry hub for health & nutrition professionals to discover, connect, meet, learn and source." You can join this community for free until August of 2021.
https://www.nutraingredients.com/ - Nutraingredients is a William Reed company that is dedicated to sharing resources in the nutrition industry.
This week we're introducing the new topic for the month: Sourcing.
What we know is that small, sustainable businesses have to navigate through a sourcing nightmare in order to find products and ingredients that are suitable for their own standards and the standards of their customers.
Quality is hard to come by.It's more expensive for the business owner and that cost has to be passed along to their customers.
While the sustainable brand audience will pay more for the quality, regulations from country to country are different, and from some places, they're easy to fudge.
This month, we're going to talk about what questions to ask as a business owner, and what to ask as a consumer.
We're going to learn about global certifications to trust around the world. Right now we know about Demeter and the FSC, but there HAS to be more, right?
This week we're wrapping up our discussion around deforestation.
Throughout this month, we answered our biggest questions from part one and we learned the right way to ask questions about this topic.
This topic feels like something that we could spend years learning about and join in the fight against the destruction of the world's forests - because there isn't a clear solution to this problem.
As a brand, you should work within the system to fight deforestation directly - whether that's solving the problem with your business model directly, or DEMANDING ethical sourcing from your suppliers.
And as a consumer, look at your bathroom shelves and check out your fridge. Make sure that the brands you're supporting and the companies that you pay money to AREN'T contributing to deforestation.Â
It takes more research, and it's ANOTHER lifestyle change, but changing the world starts with changing our own behavior.
Here are the links to the articles that we mentioned in this podcast:
http://www.earth-policy.org/indicators/C56
http://www.fao.org/state-of-forests/en/
https://treefoundation.org/education/forest-facts/
https://fsc.org/en
sustainability #deforestation #palmoil #ethicalsourcing
In this episode of EnvironMental, we're continuing our conversation around deforestation with a SECOND changemaker chat this month!
We're jumping in with Catalina Von Hildebrand to talk about an industry that is partly responsible for deforestation - the cocoa industry.
Do you know where your chocolate is coming from? (Hint: no, you probably don't. Not specifically at least.)Â
The true source of chocolate is something well hidden by the industry because the big key players utilize some very shady and down right horrific business practices they wouldn't want the public to know about.
Catalina and the small NGO that she works with, Alisos, are on a mission to create a zero deforestation cocoa product.
They're focusing on agri-forestry in Columbia and starting an international knowledge exchange between the largest cocoa producing countries in the world. They are working towards leveling the playing field for farmers, producers, manufacturers, and business owners so they can all talk about how to improve the quality and sustainability of cocoa.
You can check out the project here: https://alisos.net/en/
And as usual, if you like this conversation, subscribe to our channel for weekly deep dives into sustainability.
environmental #cambiumcarbon #deforestation #newpodcast
In this episode of EnvironMental, we're diving into one needed solution for deforestation with the CEO of Cambium Carbon, Ben Christensen.
Cambium Carbon is dedicated to urban reforestation! (So cool!)
We learned that more trees fall in cities around the US than in the forests and that most of those trees go to the landfill - what the actual fuh?!?!
Cambium Carbon has taken on the problem - and even though they've currently been incorporated for under a year (!) the team has started helping cities all around the USA start building infrastructure for creating a local circular economy for city trees.
They work with cities to create the infrastructure to move and reuse fallen urban trees, Â they volunteer to help plant new trees in urban green spaces, and they connect with LOCAL BRANDS to turn that fallen tree into beautiful, valuable products. WOW!
Check out Cambium Carbon at cambiumcarbon.com and reach out to them if you'd like to join their brand market.
This week we continue our conversation around #deforestation by listening to Save the Planet by Almir Narayamoga Surui.
Almir is chief of the Surui native tribe in the State of Rondonia in Brazil. In this book, he shares his life and his tribe's story of the conservation of their land.
Would we recommend this book? Yes. It is a wonderful, touching, and enlightening look through the eyes of a native tribal leader, but it's not an "easy" read. But it's an important one.
So much of this book is about the effects of environmental racism, and although Almir doesn't frame it this way, it's frustrating and tragic to see how colonialism continues to play a massive part in the industrializing world.
This book won't provide you with solutions to the problem of deforestation. The issue is too big, and so much of it is political, and even more is based around corruption, greed, and capitalism. This problem isn't something we're just going to be able to "solve" overnight or by any one single act.
To paraphrase an important lesson from this book: the real struggle is about changing mindsets and lifestyles. Not just laying down new laws or enforcing the old ones. We have to learn to respect nature and respect the wisdom of indigenous cultures.
That being said, here are some solutions that Almir Narayamoga Surui suggests:
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eat less meat.
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question your consumption habits.
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choose products that come from sustainable places.
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support NGOs that are working on reducing deforestation.
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spend time make people more aware of the issue.
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remember that nature has already solved all of the problems that we face, it's up to us to figure out how to utilize that knowledge.
In the podcast, we also talked about this article:
https://www.aiche.org/chenected/2016/10/sustainability-challenges-paper-industry
And this global partnership focused on REDD+ projects:
https://www.forestcarbonpartnership.org/what-redd
environmentalpodcast #podcast #sustainability #environmental #savetheplanet #bookreview
———
We do these every month. Subscribe to our channel for our monthly 4 part series of investigating different aspects of sustainability.
In today's episode of EnvironMental we share what we already know about the topic of Deforestation and what questions we want to answer this month. We have so many questions about this large topic and we're really looking forward to researching it and understanding more about the complexities.
These are some of our main questions:
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What is the biggest contributor to deforestation?
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What areas of our planet have been more affected by deforestation?
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How much of the world should be a forest to be considered sustainable?
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When did deforestation start being a problem?
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Is there a real sustainable option?
In coming episodes, we hope to answer those questions and more to uncover how we can shift our impact.Â
It's the overview week for this month's podcast topic: Sustainable Packaging!
In this week's episode, we talk about what we've learned over the past month.
Starting at 49:30 you will find our 10 suggestions for helping you choose your brand's packaging.
This month:
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We talked about sustainable packaging as an issue and what questions we have around it
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Read and gave our book review: "The Future of Packaging," by Tom Szaky, founder of Terracycle
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Changemaker Chat with Greg Barber of Eco Friendly Printer
Here are some things we learned:
- how to choose sustainable packaging for your brand?
(talk to your local MRFs to find out what's in demand to be recycled, start with a list of what you want before researching the supplier, and then demand sustainability in your supply chain)
- what solutions are actually helpful and what should you avoid in your packaging right now?
(bioplastic and decomposable plastics aren't real solutions right now, find infrastructures that will be able to help your customers)
environmentalpodcast #sustainablepackaging #sustainability
This week we were joined by Greg Barber of Eco Friendly Printer and he taught us all about post consumer waste, bleaches, dyes, and inks used for printing and what options brands have if they're looking to source more sustainable paper and packaging materials.
Greg has over 30 years of experience in the sustainable printing industry and his passion for it is contagious!
If you're looking for better paper and printing options for your brand, get in touch with Greg! Check out their site: ecofriendlyprinter.com
Also special shoutouts to the incredible organization Greg started: http://www.neilswheelsny.com/
Also honorary mentions to the paper mills working to make sustainable paper more attainable:
Mohawk
Neenah
Monadnock
Rolland - The creators of 100% post consumer waste paper!
Let's start with the basics: do we recommend this book?
That's a big YES!
It's not really a book for beginners, and we certainly felt like last month's focus on recycling gave us the language and knowledge to talk about packaging issues.
The Future of Packaging offers a different way to look at the issues around the packaging industry and the importance of working within the current recycling infrastructure. Packaging, recycling, and circular thinking all go hand in hand - if we want our circular system to work better, we need to put time and energy into improving our systems of production and waste management.
This book offers some great, realistic solutions to the packaging waste problems our planet is experiencing.
Who should read this?
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Any brand that is focused on making sustainable packaging choices
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Any person dedicated to sustainability efforts
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Sustainable Problem Solvers
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Anyone that wants to know where we came from and where we are going in the packaging industry
This month on EnvironMental we are focused on packaging!
In our first week, we talk about what constitutes packaging and we define what the issue is when it comes to packaging and waste - MOST of the packaging that we buy ends up in a landfill.
While there are a ton of packaging options out there, there isn't a perfectly sustainable solution to the packaging waste problem just yet.Â
Plus the best, most sustainable option (reducing consumption and/or reusing any "single use" plastics) brings about a modicum of shame that we need to move past as a society.
Subscribe to get notifications for the upcoming EnvironMental podcasts where we're going to:
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Review the book: The Future of Packaging: From Linear to Circular by Tom Szaky (Founder of TerraCycle)
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Talk to a sustainable packaging specialist in the industry
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Offer solutions to brand and consumers alike.
In this episode we're wrapping up what we've learned this month, along with what you can do as a brand to elevate recycling within your business.
We gave 5 great, actionable tips for you as a brand owner to infuse recycling into your business.
Here are the resources we mentioned in this episdode:
If you're not into using uline for your brand's shipping materials, here's a great option for you to check out.
https://www.ecoenclose.com/
And if you're new to the world of branding, our 2021 Bloom Your Brand Course Cohort is starting really soon. Â Learn more and apply here: Â https://dandelionbranding.com/lp-bloom-your-brand-course/
recyclinginbusiness #sustainablebrands #environmentalpodcast
We had an incredible chat with Marissa Segundo, a Communications Consultant at Resource Recycling Systems (RRS)!
She has been working in the recycling industry for the past ten years and her focus is on strategic planning, media relations, and team leadership.Â
As a bilingual communicator, Marissa is proud to be a proactive bridge-builder to the Hispanic community. She has provided clients in the public and private sectors, as well as product stewardship initiatives with innovative communications plans centered on sustainability, waste reduction, and recycling!
In this podcast, Marissa gives us some really insightful background into how recycling centers work, the challenges they face, and the incredible work they do despite those challenges!
She shared videos of the back end of a recycling center, and gave us a lot of positive insights about the future of recycling!
A few sites to check out:
- recycle.com
- NextcycleMichigan.com
- GlassRecycles.org
We're back with our first Book Review for EnvironMental - we've decided as part of our monthly deep dives into different aspects of sustainability that we would read something focused on that topic. This month's topic: Recycling. We read Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine by Beth Porter.
So here's the overview:
Would we recommend this book? Yes - to people who are really into recycling OR in a high school, "how to be an adult" class as a text book.
There are a ton of great insights here - and we both especially loved Beth's commentary on Moral Licensing and Planned Obsolescence because it gave us solid terms to identify some common (and previously unknown) situations we encounter.
If you're a modern history buff, this book is great. There is a lot of valuable information on how we got to where we are today with the recycling industry as a whole, and there is also an optimistic hope for the future.
For GREAT recycling tips, check out Chapter 9.
Some good ones:
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Cut off the greasy part of your pizza box before you recycle it.
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Don't "Wish Cycle" - When it doubt throw it out, rather than in the recycle bin
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Clean things enough so they don't contaminate other recyclable items
Here are some great quotes:
"If you're not using recycled materials, you're not recycling"
"Recycling is managing our materials to extend their usefulness and reduce our environmental impact."
When referring to reducing, reusing, and recycling, Beth says, "These are just pieces of a process that can start at any time"
It's a great encouragement for folks who may not regularly choose to recycle, but want to understand more about the impact of their decisions!
Here's a neat resource from the book too:
Earth911.com
environmentalpodcast #sustainability #recyclingtips #reducereuserecycle
For the first full month of the EnvironMental Podcast, we're talking about Recycling!
See [timestamp] for a fun little challenge - figure out what can be recycled in your community and post a recycling sign somewhere lots of people will see it!
PROBONO OFFER - if you're building some sort of state or country-wide recycling directory, we would love to help you with SEO or helping you grow your search organically.
ABOUT THIS EPISODE:
We were raised with the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle motto - so when we decided to focus on recycling for the EnvironMental Podcast this month, we sort of felt like, "recycling, duh?"
But somehow there is simultaneously SO much information about the idea of recycling and very little information about the action of recycling. The systems in the US - and around the world - are city and county specific.
There isn't enough governmental regulation and there is very little effort placed on educating citizens about what they can and can't recycle. It falls almost entirely on the citizens to figure out recycling at home.
If you have a brand focused on sustainability, make it easy for your customers. Share what to do with your products and packaging once your product is finished.
Recyclingplastic #EnvironMentalpodcast #Sustainability #Recycling
This week on EnvironMental podcast, we talked about our feelings around last week's Changemaker Chat with Julia Kaleta and the new term we learned "Green Wishing."
We talked a lot about shifting socially conscious initiatives out of the "performative" space with your branding - AKA do the work to make sure that your sustainability and inclusivity isn't bullshit.
Also a PSA: Sustainability isn't a competition.
We need the people that are diving deep into specific issues and the people that are working to understand the interdisciplinary nature of sustainability to work together.
Do your best to remove your ego, and support each other wherever our sustainable journeys take us.
Also, we work with sustainable businesses and one of our goals is to help shift the responsibility onto bigger areas of the industrial processes - because this is a crisis that we all need to work on together!Â
To do that, we've got to be ready to do the work, make some massive changes, and sacrifice some of our conveniences, together.Â
In this first of our Changemaker chats, we're talking with Julia Kaleta!
She talks to us about the sustainability of one aspect of the fashion industry: dye making.
Hear Julia talk about what sustainability in this part of the industry is, the importance of color in our everyday life, and how brands can choose sustainable options for their colors.
Julia's latest project is The Atlas of Sustainable Colours, you can follow along with her on Instagram @atlasofsustainable or on her website https://juliakaleta.com/
She also suggested watching: The world’s most polluted river | DW Documentary, which you can watch on Youtube, and the artist researching medicinal clothing is Nienke Hoogvliet!
We've officially rebranded Offbrand Podcast - welcome to Episode One of EnvironMental! One of our biggest passions is sustainability and the human impact on the environment so we decided to shift our podcast to be able to learn more about this super important issue and share it with you! We're going to have guests, read books, and talk about how to grow brands more sustainably over time.
This is our last Book Review as Off Brand Podcast - and it's about Everybody Lies by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz!
We HIGHLY recommend this book, it's a great read!
It's relatable and easy to understand,
it also reminds us that we're all the same.
If you're into data and you want answers to questions like
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Is America Racist?
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What weird sex stuff are people into?
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Does it matter where you grow up, or where you go to school?
Confidential Resources for those in need:
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline - 1-800-4-A-CHILD
Domestic Abuse Hotline - 1-800-799-SAFE
We are branding Off-Brand!! STAY TUNED! We have been podcasting for almost a year and we really love it, but we want to align our weekly non-marketing chats with our passion: Sustainability. In this episode, we talk about why we're making the change and we announce the new name of our Podcast!
Check out our newest venture in the works here: http://livingbranddirectory.com/
This is the OG of self help books, meaning that it's pretty basic - but it's a total classic. So much of this is just basic human kindness that we would actually recommend this to high school students, or maybe even parents to read to their kids in elementary school!
To have a growing brand, it's important to develop leadership skills - which are notably different than the skills it takes to be an entrepreneur. There is a ton to talk about in this episode but the number one thing we think this really boils down to is that leadership takes empathy.
Here's what to do for your holiday sales on the craziest ecommerce year in the history of ever... We don't usually talk about marketing on this podcast but this week is the beginning of Q4 - so it's time to prepare for Black Friday 2020 and other holiday sales!Â
Get in touch at info@dandelionbranding.com
You need to take breaks. That means throughout your day and vacations throughout the year. We talk about scheduling in break times, meals, vacations, staycations, etc. This hustle and grind culture ain't healthy, so take some time for self-care and relaxation. Your body and mind will thank you for it.Â
Something that every entrepreneur deals with is analysis paralysis. This is where you overthink your choices and never make a decision. We share our experiences and our solutions in this week's podcast.
In this month's book review, we talk about Captivate by Vanessa Van Edwards. We both felt like while this book was filled with information, it wasn't great as an audiobook. We went over some of the things we found helpful from this book - and some things that we didn't find to be so engaging.
This week's episode is all about money, and more specifically the limiting money mindset many entrepreneurs (including us) face. We share some very personal stories about our own limiting beliefs, and the A-HA moment we had a few weeks ago that has brought about some major level-ups for our business! If you're feeling scared about investing in yourself, or in your business, this episode is for you!
In this episode, we give you a TON of new ideas for your Q4 planning - which you should legit start right now. From gift guides, early bird sales, to shipping cut off times - PLEASE take some of these ideas and roll with them - starting now!
We're both pretty introverted. Here's how we use it to our advantage when we're building our business.
In this month's Book Review Episode, we talk about Crushing it! This is actually the second time we've read this book, but it was no less inspiring. We give an honest review of the book itself, plus active commentary about our personal lives living the "Crushing It" dream!
Our origin story began in customer support and we've grown to know that it's one of the most important roles a business can have. Here we talk about why customer support is worth your investment and why they should have a seat at the decision making table.
This is our longest - and potentially most controversial - episode yet. We go over each of Cialdini's six “weapons of influence”, defining it and relating it to what we see happening in our society - and of course how you can use them in your business.
This term is thrown around a lot, even within our own communication, so we thought it was time to talk about what it means and whether or not "smarter" is always better than "harder."
To be clear: systemic racism is a problem in our society, and it's not just a black folks' problem. In this episode we talk about our connections to the movement, white lady privilege, college experiences, cop culture, and "the great unlearning" (our new term for this stage of civil revolution).
We're super jazzed about our book of this month: Dare to Lead by Brene Brown. Aside from the HUGE Thank You we have to the woman for writing the book, we both felt like we got A LOT out of it - and highly recommend it. This week's podcast episode is our honest review of this badass read 🙂
It's hard to be faced with an opinion you don't like but it's part of being a human that is willing to grow. We don't agree with the current idea floating around to ignore the people in your life that don't have skin in your game. The real test is HOW you listen to the people in your life!
It's Aub's turn for sharing this week - she talks about the fear/aversion of happiness, anxiety around feeling good, and shares her first memory of experiencing cherophobia in her lifetime. (also what the internet says about working through this issue)
Every day we are responsible for how we show up. Manson drives that point home really well in his book, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck - which is what we talk about in this episode! Â We both highly recommend the read and here's why!
Courtney goes deep this week because procrastination is something she works with on a daily basis. We talk about this psychological phenomenon as it relates to anxiety, self worth, addiction, self sabotage, and self control in one of our more serious episodes of the Off Brand Podcast!
We're self-ascribed workaholics so we're always working on our work-life balance. Â We talk about how we balance our schedules from across the world to talk every day, and still have time for the other parts of life!
Hit us up at info@dandelionbranding.com to let us know how you keep it all balanced!
Know when to pivot, be okay with being wrong, and let go of the ego of your creation. This week we talk a lot about the objectivity of data, about being in "the dip," and about how to know that you should keep going!
Everyone makes mistakes. This week we talk about how to handle mistakes personally and as a brand. Don't let screw ups bother you too bad because it gives you the opportunity to learn and grow. Stay transparent. Stay Accountable. And go fuck some stuff up.
We're releasing our first course session for the Bloom Your Brand Course, and we're talking about it on this week's podcast. We share some of the most important things we've learned about the course process and how to structure it around that way people learn!
Being an entrepreneur in April 2020 means currently having several layers of "connecting back with a new normal." We talk about chaos and offer some advice on how to find balance in your days.
Some people are really good at creative ideas and other people are really good at getting things done! You need both to run a biz - here's how to strike the right balance!
In this week's episode we talk about the SCRAMBLE - and how to get rid of it - When you're creating your plan just build in time for QA and marketing, and leave time for shit to break - because it will (especially if you don't plan time for it).
Typically we don’t talk about digital marketing in this podcast because we talk about it everywhere else, but this episode is about what to focus on within your website right now. #1 tip: Value is the name of the game.
We're already a digital company and we have been working from home for years - here is us talking about the best ways to get into the work from home vibe. Plus, we know it feels weird, but listen to the government right now. Don’t take advice from memes.
We're not here to add to the pandemic panic, and we're not 100% sure if this is some media overhype or if we should be stockpiling food and water. What we do know is that this infectious disease is effecting travel and businesses all around the world.
As folks that travel often, and deal with a variety of industries we see that this is affecting EVERYONE in a major way. It's hard for other things to not seem trivial in comparison, so we feel like we should talk about that.
Newsflash: there's no internet on the beach. Digital nomading is actually a lovely conglomeration of stealing internet, plugs in the ceiling, internet entitlement, going with the flow, and sitting inside in beautiful places. We still highly recommend it though.
This episode is where we learn that making too many decisions is literally the same thing as being hangry. Also making some people put themselves into decision fatigue, the butterfly effect is a fear-based problem, and the answer to every problem is obviously just snacks.
It is NOT a secret that we highly recommend having a partner to bounce ideas off of when you run a business - but here is how our partnership actually works. PLUS our origin story!
We officially launched our crowdfunding campaign - in this episode we talk through the ins and outs of our campaign; including how we choose our platform, why we decided to run it, and what we learned along the way.
Ode to the weeks that are personally stressful - we call those avalanche weeks. Entrepreneurs have personal lives too, and sometimes shit falls apart - how do you cope with those days? Plus Instagram and turtle shells.
Who's in charge here? In this episode we talk about perfectionism - how we see it manifest in the people around us and the best ways to deal with it. Bring your "I don't care" energy to the table and push "publish" - you have to get over it if you want to move your business forward.
Self discipline is the real question here - it is absolutely a client's prerogative to ask you for more, it only benefits them. It's your responsibility to set boundaries and be confident enough to say no... but do it in a way that makes you more money in the long run.
Imposter syndrome is a bear that a lot of entrepreneurs wrestle with and it can be debilitating to your business. In this episode we talk about how to move past imposter syndrome, how to use the feeling to serve you in your business, and how actual imposters never seem to suffer from this feeling. One incredibly helpful tip here; be grateful.
How do you get navigate getting back to your priority list? In business, your number one focus should be makin' that $$$ - otherwise you really just have a hobby. We talk about decision fatigue, prioritizing your to do list, and the importance of taking a step back. QUESTION OF THE DAY: What is the difference between traffic and conversion + which one is the priority?
Good things are always on the other side of change.
This episode talks about the fear of niching down and the natural process of finding what you do and who you speak to. We know that it's scary but more changes you make, the better you get at choosing those changes. Just don't be fake with your marketing.
We also spend the last ten minutes spitting ideas for how to get really solid user generated content. So listen to that.
Don't listen to this until you've taken some time off—because that's pretty much all we're talking about today. The importance of time off as an entrepreneur (hint: it's really good for your business) Also, be empathetic to the people that work for you. Give them time off, shut your company down for a few days (!), and don't make people feel guilty for vacationing. Our question this week is Etsy Vs Shopify. If you're not sure what to choose, listen to the end of this episode, we lay it out for you!
We're not afraid to talk about money. Or set boundaries. Or be brutally honest about what our priorities are and what is a waste of time. This episode also captures a pivotal moment in time in which Courtney is not swayed by the potential for proper data collection.
This episode has lots of f*cks and gives none at all. Learn to have patience because you're going to need it to build a business that lasts, and while you're at it - set realistic goals. We shit talk the unrealistic goal setting of the instant gratification culture we live in and then we have an SEO anecdote, proving that creating good content is the best way to get traffic. If you’d like to get in touch, hit us up at info@dandelionbranding.com
We're crass. Don't come at us.
This week we talk about dealing with apathy as an entrepreneur, cancel culture, and the Tik Tok Conspiracy.
Question: Investment: learning vs. gear
Check out our Facebook Group, The Curious Marketer: https://www.facebook.com/groups/curiousmarketer
Nope. We don't want to talk about kids.
We go deep into the trials specific to being lady entrepreneurs in our society in this episode.
At 37 minutes shit talk starts with "making excuses" and a rant about "time" and continues into us getting hot and bothered over staying organized.
This week's question is about monetizing content - when to do it and what you need before you ask for $$ from your audience.
Ghosters Beware: we're calling you out this week, along with ripping apart some baaad advice we see all the time, and talking through the journey from being an employee to an entrepreneur.
This week we talk about our anxieties and how they work in our partnership, how entrepreneur life is hard—and anyone that tells you different is bullshitting you,  we check out getlost.com for 15 (not 8) minutes, and we answer an all important question about 'how to be' on social media.
In our first ever podcast we give you a little background on who we are, and what we do!
We chat about the work/life balance of entrepreneurs and the pressures of gurus to work like crazy.
We talk shit about gurus that promise the world and fail to deliver—so irritating.
and our 8-minute audit is with: https://sierraaventura.com/
Get in touch and let us know if you like it at info@dandelionbranding.com
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Check us out on all the things!!
www.dandelionbranding.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dandelionbranding
Instagram: @dandelion_branding
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18982296/