Forces for Nature

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Jen Gale is the founder of Sustainable(ish), a podcast and blog that have grown into a myriad of resources meant to help individuals find support and ideas in their efforts of becoming more eco-friendly. She's all about embracing the "-ish" in our actions. We all have different circumstances and, within those, she helps you to aim for progress and not the unattainable perfection. If you ever thought your contribution to saving the planet was insignificant, Jen will surely change your mind.

Highlights

• Compared to the systems change that's needed, how much can our individual actions really move the needle (you'll be surprised!)?
• Tips on how to change a habit.
• How can you get your family or housemates on board with changes that you would like to make?

What YOU Can Do

Oh goodness, this episode is full of golden nuggets! Here are some big-impact ones:

• You would be surprised at just how responsive local politicians can be if they heard from their constituents. Write to them or call!
• Break down your sustainability goals into the smallest steps so that the big goal isn't so intimidating.
• Lower your consumption. A trick to avoiding impulse buying is by placing the item in your cart and waiting 3+ days before going to buy it. Often, it's that pause that makes us realize that we don't really need it.
• Talk about sustainability, your eco-concerns, or your goals. This helps to normalize it in society.

Resources

• Sustainable(ish) Podcast
• The Sustainable(ish) Clubhouse
• Carbon Literacy Class
• Book: The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide
• Book: The Sustainable(ish) Guide to Green Parenting
• Facebook
• Instagram

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?

Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!

This summer, it's been hard to ignore the fact that climate change is no longer something we can think of as a future threat. It is here and it is impacting lives and livelihoods on unprecedented scales. But, it's also something that many people are still trying to fully understand. Today's guest is James Lawler, the founder of Climate Now, a Webby Award-nominated multimedia resource that distills the science and economics of climate change. He's here to answer questions sent in from listeners about what climate change is, what we can expect, and what we can do- in understandable and relatable terms. And he offers exciting resources we can all take advantage of.

Highlights

• Isn't more CO2 good for plants?
• Is it better to use less or recycle more?
• What are these terms being thrown around lately- CO2 removal, negative emissions tech, net zero, offsets?

What YOU Can Do

• Take advantage of the subsidies now available through the Inflation Reduction Act to buy more energy-efficient appliances and eco-friendlier heating for your home.
• Find the renewable energy providers in your area and see what other financing may be available.
• Join a group like those mentioned below. There is power in collectives!
• After you reduce your emissions as much as possible, offset the rest.

Resources

• Citizens Climate Lobby
• Climate Cabinet Action
• Sealed
• *For the rest of the show notes, head on over to this episode's webpage!

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?

Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!

*This episode first aired in April 2021 and Chris's title mentioned in the show has changed since.

Climate change and environmental protection haven't always been as politicized as they are today. And, unfortunately, in being so, progress on these fronts gets hindered. Chris Barnard is helping to change that. He's the VP of External Affairs of The American Conservation Coalition, a group founded by political conservatives working to transform the narrative of denialism in order to get more voices to the table. We talk about how these issues shouldn't be political, how you can find allies across the political spectrum, and which solutions may satisfy all.

Highlights

• How have conservatives, at least stereotypically, come to be labeled as anti-environment or even anti-science?
• What does Chris think is missing from the current environmental conversation?
• What kind of work has his organization done to bridge the political divide on climate change and other environmental matters?

What YOU Can Do

• Decide to be pro-environment over pro-X political party.
• Have healthy discussions with others who may not necessarily share your political views. As long as your end goal is the same regarding protecting the environment, discussion and compromise can move us so much further, together.
• Have an open mind to solutions you may have disregarded before.
• Educate yourself. Chris, for example, recommends resources such as the Market Environmentalism Academy.

Resources

• American Conservation Coalition website
• ACC Instagram
• ACC Twitter
• ACC Facebook

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?

Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!

**This episode first aired in June 2020. You can find the updated clip from Ryan at 21:00**

Did you know that only 10% of all plastic that's ever been produced has been recycled?!* And that just 60% of communities in the U.S. have access to curbside recycling pick-up?** Our waste is a huge problem but, today's guest, Ryan Hickman, is determined to be part of the solution. At just 12 years old (yes, you read that right!), he's CEO of his own company, Ryan's Recycling. He joins us today with his dad, Damion, and helps to demystify the confusion that recycling can sometimes cause.

Highlights from our talk:

• (1:54) How does Ryan's Recycling work?
• (2:43) You'll never guess how many customers he has!
• (4:26) Nor how much he has recycled so far...
• (6:28) Lightning round of 5 items and their recyclability
• (12:49) What happens to the items you recycle?
• (15:11) In addition to saving up for a garbage truck, Ryan also donates some of his profits to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. His favorite animal there was Heartbreaker. <3
• (17:02) Why does Ryan feel like he can make a difference?

How YOU can do recycling right:

• Glass, steel, and aluminum can be recycled indefinitely. Try to choose these items over plastic.
• Recycling codes for plastic #1 (hard) and #2 are the most widely accepted.
• Plastic #1 (soft), #4, #5 some centers will accept these.
• Plastic #3, #6, #7 most centers cannot take these but do check.
• Pizza Boxes- You can recycle the clean lid, but compost or throw out the bottom part that has the grease.
• Takeaway Soda or Coffee Cups- Despite being paper on the outside, they have a plastic waterproof lining on the inside. This makes them non-recyclable. As for their lids, they tend to be #6 plastic and very few centers will accept them. However, the cardboard slip used to protect you from the heat can be recycled!
• Plastic Bags- most curbside programs won't accept plastic bags because they can damage the machines. However, many grocery stores have recycling programs for them so drop them off on your next grocery run.
• Peanut butter jars- This is a lesson about how important it is to clean out the items before you throw them in the bin. Although the jar may be recyclable, if it isn't cleaned, it will be thrown out. Worse, it may cause the whole batch to be thrown out!

** You can find more suggestions in the show notes on the episode's webpage!

As per Ryan, "When in doubt, throw it out." Each municipality is different and some take more items and, some, less. A quick online search will find their number for you to call and get clarification from them.
*https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/07/plastic-produced-recycling-waste-ocean-trash-debris-environment/
**

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?

Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!

This is another episode of the Forces for Nature, EarthX Conference series!

How can the landscapes around us play a direct role in reducing carbon emissions? In this episode, we talk with Jim Blackburn, the CEO of BCarbon, about nature-based carbon sequestration. Jim shares how BCarbon is helping landowners restore prairies, forests, and wetlands to store carbon naturally, and why the voluntary carbon market could play a pivotal role in combating climate change. We explore how these projects contribute not only to carbon reduction but also to ecological resilience, biodiversity, and sustainable economic incentives for landowners. Whether you’re curious about the carbon market or looking for impactful ways to reduce your own carbon footprint, this episode sheds light on a holistic approach to climate action.
Highlights

• How does BCarbon’s nature-based approach to carbon capture work, and why is it different from technological carbon capture technology?
• How can we know if carbon credits are truly making a difference or if they’re just being used as “greenwashing”?
• Why might investing in carbon credits be a meaningful step for individuals and businesses aiming to offset their environmental impact?

What You Can Do:

• Look into verified, nature-based carbon offset options to balance out your personal or business emissions.
• Support local conservation and restoration efforts that contribute to biodiversity and carbon storage.
• Engage with nature.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

• BCarbon – Learn more about BCarbon and how they work with landowners for natural carbon sequestration.
• Texas Coastal Exchange – A program supporting carbon sequestration along the Texas coast.

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?