Episodes
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Did you know there are over 400,000 eco-friendly hotels around the world? Join Tiff and Kat in exploring how to identify these hidden gems in the wild and what they're doing to combat overtourism.
NatGeo - https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/what-sustainable-tourism-meansProven Partners - What Makes a Hotel Eco-Friendly? https://www.proven.partners/blog/eco-friendly-hotelThe Conversation - Why Australia Might Be at Risk of Overtourism - https://theconversation.com/why-australia-might-be-at-risk-of-overtourism-99213NatGeo - https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/renewable-energy-how-hotels-make-a-differenceUNSW Sydney - The carbon footprint of AirBnB is likely bigger than you think - https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2021/05/the-carbon-footprint-of-airbnb-is-likely-bigger-than-you-thinkCNN - https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/eco-friendly-hotels-greenwashing-cmd/index.html
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Rockefeller-founded brand Paravel claims to make the "world's first carbon-neutral suitcases." The company's mission is also to make the world a better place. Are either of these things realistic? Join marketing writers Tiff and Kat as they explore the highfalutin world of luxury sustainable travel in your favorite sustainability podcast.
Paravel: https://tourparavel.com/collections/luggage Nat Geo: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/what-sustainable-tourism-means CNN: https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/paravel-travel-luggage Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/2021/09/the-net-positive-manifesto Travel & Leisure: https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/how-to-recycle-an-old-suitcase Terracycle: https://shop.terracycle.com/en-US/products/luggage-and-travel-bag-boxes-zero-waste-boxes
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Airplanes and passenger jets get a lot of flak for emissions and pollution. But just how much does your flight overseas affect climate change? And what are scientists and the government doing to try and fix it? Find out in this week's episode of your favorite green living podcast.
Katâs rocket scientist sisterOur World in Data - Sector by sector: where do global greenhouse emissions come from? - https://ourworldindata.org/ghg-emissions-by-sectorThe Commons - How to Fly Sustainably: 6 Tips to Cut Your Carbon âFlightâ Print - https://www.thecommons.earth/blog/simple-steps-to-make-flying-more-sustainableAscent, the aviation sustainability center - https://ascent.aero/Nasa, Partners Explore Sustainable Fuelâs Effects on Aircraft Contrails - https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/armstrong/nasa-partners-explore-sustainable-fuels-effects-on-aircraft-contrails/FAA (Federal Aviation Admin) - Fueling Aviationâs Sustainable Transitions (FAST) Grants - https://www.faa.gov/general/fueling-aviations-sustainable-transition-fast-grants/App in the Air -- https://appintheair.com/ US Dept of Energy - Alternative Fuels Data Center - https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/sustainable-aviation-fuelBuilt In - What Are Electric Planes? https://builtin.com/articles/electric-plane
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15-minute cities are a bit of a head-scratcher. On the one hand, hosts Tiff and Kat talk through beautiful examples of real cities becoming more walkable and bikeable. But on the other hand, there are some truly wild 15-minute city conspiracy theories around the topic. Let's get into it!
Deloitte: https://www.deloitte.com/global/en/Industries/government-public/perspectives/urban-future-with-a-purpose/15-minute-city.htmlFast Company: https://www.fastcompany.com/91119919/how-paris-became-a-15-minute-city Bureau of Investigative Journalism: https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2023-10-04/what-is-the-15-minute-cities-conspiracy-theory/ Wired: https://www.wired.com/story/15-minute-city-conspiracy-uk-politics/
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Find out if an electric scooter (e-scooter) is the green transportation choice of your dreams or if it's all just a green hooey fantasy in the lastest episode of your favorite sustainability podcast.
Reddit post - https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricScooters/comments/cnhox6/escooters_are_worse_for_the_environment_than_many/ - Are e-scooters polluters? The environmental impacts of shared dockless electric scooters - https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ab2da8Nought (Scooter company) - Are e-scooters good for the environment? https://nought.tech/blogs/journal/are-e-scooters-good-for-the-environmentCenex - Maximizing the benefits of e-scooter deployment in cities - https://www.cenex.co.uk/app/uploads/2020/08/Maximising-the-benefits-of-e-scooter-deployment-in-cities.pdfColorado Sun - Electric scooters are the most efficient way to cut greenhouse gas emissions - https://coloradosun.com/2024/03/19/electric-scooters-transit-commuting-colorado-greenhouse-gas/7 Reasons E-scooters are better than cars - Apollo - https://apolloscooters.co/blogs/news/7-reasons-why-electric-scooters-are-better-than-carsConsumer Reports - New Study Shows Safety Risks of Riding e-Scooters on the Sidewalk - https://www.consumerreports.org/electric-scooters/safety-risks-of-riding-e-scooters-on-the-sidewalk-iihs-study/Wired - Escooter rentals arenât as green as you think - https://www.wired.com/story/e-scooter-rentals-carbon-emissions/
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Is ridesharing more sustainable than owning a car? Let's find out together on this episode of your favorite sustainability podcast. Hosts Tiff and Kat explain the (slightly shocking) study results, Uber's "road to zero emissions," and more. Vroom vroom!
HyreCar sustainability claims: https://www.hyrecar.com/environmental-benefits-ridesharing/#how-does-ridesharing-contribute-to-the-improvement-of-the-environment Union of Concerned Scientists: https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/ride-hailing-problem-climate Yale Environment Review: https://environment-review.yale.edu/ridesharing-part-sustainable-future NRDC: https://www.nrdc.org/bio/rabi-abonour/report-role-uber-and-lyft-sustainable-cities Uber's road to zero emissions: https://www.uber.com/us/en/about/sustainability/ Rideshare Guy: https://therideshareguy.com/uber-statistics/
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We're back from summer break and ready to talk about public transit -- specifically, buses. Are they a better option for sustainable transportation? And why can't America get its act together when it comes to public bus systems?
MIT Climate Portal Explainer - Public Transportation - https://climate.mit.edu/explainers/public-transportationWorld Resources Institute - Post-pandemic, public transport needs to get back on track to meet global climate goals - https://www.wri.org/insights/current-state-of-public-transport-climate-goalsCNBC - Hereâs why public transit keeps running out of money - https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/25/heres-why-public-transit-keeps-running-out-of-money.htmlTransit for America - the Basics on How Public Transit is Funded - https://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/James-Corless-Indy-academy-5-14-15.pdfReason Foundation - Does Bus Transit Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions? (2010) - https://reason.org/commentary/does-bus-transit-reduce-greenhouse/Sustainable America - Why Doesnât the U.S. Have Better Public Transportation? - https://sustainableamerica.org/blog/why-doesnt-the-us-have-better-public-transportation/
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Ever wonder if passenger trains are actually a sustainable form of transport? Learn all about that in the newest episode of this fun sustainability podcast! Tiffany also covers her disaster of a cross-country Amtrak train trip in 2018 (and how to do it right if you're considering buying your own Amtrak tickets).
Boston Consulting Group: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2022/riding-the-rails-to-the-future-of-sustainability European Environment Agency: https://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/motorised-transport-train-plane-road Train company Brightlineâs press release: https://www.gobrightline.com/press-room/2023/brightline-130-mph-milestone Popular Science on U.S. high speed rail: https://www.popsci.com/technology/high-speed-rail/ Washington Post on high-speed rail plans: https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2023/08/30/us-high-speed-rail-projects/
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How much of an impact can you make on carbon emissions by choosing to ride your bicycle instead of driving? And is it always the best choice? Kat and Tiff put their bike helmets back on to discuss the pros and cons of being a bike commuter (or casual rider) in America.
UCLA Transportation - How Riding a Bike Benefits the Environment - https://transportation.ucla.edu/blog/how-bike-riding-benefits-environmentBicycling for Beginners - REI - https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/getting-into-biking.htmlIs cycling safe? - Harvard News - https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2023/01/is-cycling-safe-in-many-cases-the-answer-is-noHow Much Does a Bike Cost? - BuyCycle.com - https://buycycle.com/blog/en/post/how-much-does-a-bike-cost/Car, bike or motorcycle? Depends on where you live - Pew Research Center - https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2015/04/16/car-bike-or-motorcycle-depends-on-where-you-live/
SourcesSecondary sources
How being a cyclist is like being a woman - Kat Cox - https://medium.com/@pqhaattte/how-being-a-cyclist-is-like-being-a-woman-1abbeeeac118Cycling is bad for the environment - Velo by Outside Mag - https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/must-read-cycling-is-bad-for-the-environment/IRS Commuter Benefits - TRPC - chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.trpc.org/DocumentCenter/View/4213/IRS-Commuter-Benefits?bidId=#:~:text=%E2%80%9CQualified%20bicycle%20commuting%20reimbursement%E2%80%9D%20means,employee's%20residence%20and%20place%20ofNational Bicycling and Walking Study - US Dept of Transportation Federal Highway Administration - https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/docs/case15.pdf (January 1993)Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact
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In our 50th (!!!) episode, Tiffany teaches Kat about the idea of "clean diesel" and how the U.S. government has been pushing it. Does it exist? Is it something you can use to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle? Or is it just a bunch of green hooey?
EPA on NOx: https://www.epa.gov/no2-pollution/basic-information-about-no2 US Department of Energy: https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/di_diesels.shtml Scientific American on âclean dieselâ: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-diesel-finally-come-clean/ International Council on Clean Transportation: https://theicct.org/sites/default/files/Gas%20_v%20_Diesel_%20CO2_emissions_%20EN_%20Fact%20_Sheet%202019_05_07_0.pdf Performance results on ducted fuel injection: https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/2021-01-0503/ Impactful Ninja: Carbon footprint of biodiesel: https://impactful.ninja/the-carbon-footprint-of-biodiesel/ Car Talk: https://www.cartalk.com/content/car-talks-guide-alternative-fuels-0
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We're starting off season 5 with a controversial chat about electric vehicles and whether they're worth the switch.
NPR - EV Batteries Hurt the Environment, but Gas Cars are Still Worse - https://www.npr.org/2024/05/09/1250212212/ev-batteries-environmental-impactThe Atlantic - The Best Hope for Electric Cars Could Be the GOP Districts Where Theyâre Made - https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/05/electric-cars-republicans-democrats-biden-infrastructure/678341/Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - The U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization - https://www.energy.gov/eere/us-national-blueprint-transportation-decarbonization-joint-strategy-transform-transportationUSA Facts - What are the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions? - https://usafacts.org/articles/what-are-the-main-sources-of-us-greenhouse-gas-emissions/CarMax - Electric Cars vs Gas Cars: Whatâs the Difference? - https://www.carmax.com/articles/electric-cars-vs-gas-carsCNBC - Poor resale values of EVs threaten adoption, warn some experts - https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/05/poor-resale-values-of-evs-are-a-problem-for-the-industry-warn-experts.html
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Hooray! Kat and Tiff are so excited to announce they launched a Patreon. If you're looking to support an independent podcast and you get value from their show, they'd love the support. The cost of one cup of coffee a month gives you a bonus episode every month (even between seasons)!
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In the final episode of season 4, Kat and Tiff may break your heart a little as we discuss the truth about large-scale tree planting programs. But don't worry -- there's some hope for the forests.
U.S. Forest Service Plant-a-Tree Program - https://plantatree.fs.usda.gov/Yale Environment 360 - Are Huge Tree Planting Programs More Hype Than a Solution? - https://e360.yale.edu/features/are-huge-tree-planting-projects-more-hype-than-solutionCarbon Brief, Analysis:How some of the worldâs largest companies rely on carbon offsets to âreach net-zeroâ - https://interactive.carbonbrief.org/carbon-offsets-2023/companies.htmlU.S. Department of Agriculture - The Power of One Tree - The Very Air We Breathe - https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2015/03/17/power-one-tree-very-air-we-breatheEcoTree - How much CO2 does a tree absorb? - https://ecotree.green/en/how-much-co2-does-a-tree-absorbScience News - Why planting tons of trees isnât enough to solve climate change - https://www.sciencenews.org/article/planting-trees-climate-change-carbon-capture-deforestationDeep Root - How Much Should You Water Your Tree? - https://www.deeproot.com/blog/blog-entries/how-much-should-you-water-your-tree/
Season 5: Travel and Transportation starts June 4!
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Where exactly do you put compost? If you're as lost as Tiffany and Kat were, learn 9 easy ways to use compost. Whether you buy compost or make it, your favorite sustainability podcast is here to bring you all the tips on adding it to your indoor and outdoor plants.
NYC Compost Project: https://earthmatter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/tip-sheet-how-to-use-compost-cpts-htuc-f.pdfOregon State Uni. Extension: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em-9308-how-use-compost-gardens-landscapes Better Homes and Gardens: https://www.bhg.com/how-to-use-compost-7372129
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Xeriscaping literally means "dry-scaping", and it's been popular in desert towns in the U.S. since the 80s and 90s. But it's got a lot of promise for fixing the issues you may have with making an eco-friendly lawn even if cactus isn't your aesthetic. Get some tips for xeriscaping on a budget in this episode of your favorite greenliving podcast.
PBS Newshour - What is xeriscaping? How you can turn your lawn into a sustainable oasis - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/how-xeriscaping-offers-a-water-efficient-environmentally-friendly-alternative-to-lawnsBudget Dumpster - How to Xeriscape on a Budget for an Eco-Friendly Yard - https://www.budgetdumpster.com/blog/how-to-xeriscape-your-yard/EcoWatch - Xeriscaping: Everything You Need to Know - https://www.ecowatch.com/xeriscaping-facts-ecowatch.htmlDeseret - Xeriscaping Drawbacks (from 1990!) https://www.deseret.com/1990/8/1/18874220/xeriscaping-drawbacks/Todayâs Homeowner - States Where It Is Illegal to Collect Rainwater - https://todayshomeowner.com/gutters/guides/states-where-it-is-illegal-to-collect-rainwater/FCMP Outdoor RC4000-BRN 50-Gallon BPA Free Flat Back Home Rain Catcher Water Storage Collection Barrel for Watering Outdoor Plants & Gardens, Brown - https://amzn.to/3QbsqHg
BONUS CONTENT: A bit about rain barrels!
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This week on your favorite sustainability podcast, Tiffany teaches Kat about bee hotels and whether they're really saving the right bees. Watch out for tarantula hawks and the Wasp Surprise!
UC Davis on âbeewashingâ: https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=30929Scientific journal PLOS One study on bee hotels: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0122126 Xerces Society: We should focus on habitat, not honey bees: https://www.xerces.org/blog/want-to-save-bees-focus-on-habitat-not-honey-bees âHoney bees are not in peril. These bees areâ: https://www.vox.com/down-to-earth/2023/1/19/23552518/honey-bees-native-bees-decline University of Minnesota Extension: Wasps are passive pollinators: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/wasps-are-gardeners-friend Songbird Essentials Bee Hotel: https://nature-niche.com/products/bee-insect-hotel
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What do you do when you've grown too many tomatoes? Other than pawning them off on coworkers, you can try canning. But is this home method something anyone can do? Or is it just the realm of doomsday preppers and stay-at-home trad wives? Explore the eco-friendliness of home canning with Kat and Tiff in the latest episode of your favorite sustainability podcast. Bonus: count how many times Kat mentions asparagus.
Clemson College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences - Canning Foods at Home - https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/canning-foods-at-home/All Recipes - I Was Legitimately Terrified to Can My Own Food, but I Just Learned How â And You Can Too - https://www.allrecipes.com/article/how-to-can-food/Jar Store How To - Why You Should Try Canning Your Own Vegetables at Home! - https://jarstore.com/blog/?p=why-you-should-try-canning-your-own-vegetables-at-homeGreen Living Detective - How Green Is It to Can Food at Home? - https://www.greenlivingdetective.com/how-green-is-it-to-can-food-at-home/Melissa K Norris - Is Home Canning Really Worth It? - https://melissaknorris.com/podcast/is-home-canning-really-worth-it-does-it-save-money-to-can-at-homeCDC - Home Canning and Botulism - https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/communication/home-canning-and-botulism.htmlUSDA - How long can you keep canned foods? - https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-keep-canned-goods
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Are biodegradable flower pots full of greenwashing? It depends. Listen as hosts Tiff and Kat jump over the moon for CowPots (and trip and fall over others). Find out what biodegradable plant pots are made of, how they work, and which ones studies say work best in this episode of your favorite sustainability podcast.
CowPots website: https://cowpots.com/Biodegradable pot trial: https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/b802d35a-acf9-4af8-ac90-86d48343570f/downloads/2016%20Poster%20from%20MSU.pdf?ver=1705439455031EPA review of CowPots: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-09/documents/profile-freunds-farm-september2017_0.pdf University of Guelph on manure: https://ses.uoguelph.ca/what-does-manure-have-do-climate-change Farmerâs Almanac: DIY pots https://www.almanac.com/10-biodegradable-planting-pots-and-how-make-your-own
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Spring has sprung and gardeners across the U.S. are planting their vegetable gardens. Find out if growing your own tomatoes will reduce your carbon impact and save you money in the latest episode of your favorite green living podcast.
The Garden Continuum - 6 environmental and health benefits of growing your own food - https://www.thegardencontinuum.com/blog/the-6-environmental-and-health-benefits-of-growing-your-own-foodInvestopedia - The Cost Effetiveness of Growing a Garden - https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0312/the-true-cost-of-growing-a-garden.aspxTreehugger - How to prevent food waste in your garden - https://www.treehugger.com/how-prevent-food-waste-garden-5201349Empress of Dirt - 10 Garden Mistakes That Waste Money - https://empressofdirt.net/garden-mistakes-waste-money/Earth 911 - Home âEcoânomics - Vegetable Gardens - https://earth911.com/home-garden/home-economics-vegetable-gardens/
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Word on the street is that leaving your leaves on your lawn -- rather than keeping up with perfect lawn care -- is better for the environment. But is it? Marketing writers Tiff and Kat explore potential greenwashing behind the popular hashtag in this fun episode of your favorite sustainability podcast.
Treehugger: https://www.treehugger.com/is-it-better-to-rake-or-leave-leaves-4864213 National Wildlife Federation: https://blog.nwf.org/2014/11/what-to-do-with-fallen-leaves/ Canadian Press: https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/don-t-rake-leaves-ncc-1.4887187 EPA Environmental Fact Sheet: Yard Waste Composting: https://shorturl.at/cdfIXYouTuber E Fleming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRVVtIf2ubw
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