Shows
Greening Up My ActThe Joy of BooksWhen was the last time you burrowed into a really great book? Kat and Tiff burrow deep into why reading books (not screens) is good for you and how to get back into it without breaking the bank or destroying the environment. Sources:ELA Brave and True - High School Students Can’t Focus and Here’s Why - https://elabraveandtrue.com/2022/12/08/why-students-cant-focus-to-read-booksEducation from Seattle PI - The Advantages of Sustained Silent Reading - https://education.seattlepi.com/advantages-sustained-silent-reading-1638.htmlNIH - How Does Fiction Readng Influence Empathy? - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3559433/JCFS...2025-06-0357 minGreening Up My ActThe Joy of Sloppy HabitsAtomic Habits not quite click with you? Same. In this episode, Tiff and Kat analyze the James Clear book, Atomic Habits -- and figure out a few reasons why the advice seems so unrelatable. In a brief step away from sustainability topics, the two hosts explore embracing your sloppiness and taking the pressure off yourself, away from this need to constantly achieve, strive, and produce. As Amazon affiliates, the podcast hosts may get a small commission on some of the links below.SourcesJames Clear, Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to B...2025-05-2754 minGreening Up My ActThe Joy of Spring CleaningIt's spring cleaning time! Explore eco-friendly ways to clean out your closets and really get into those crevices based on Tiff & Kat's favorite methods.Sources:www.ridwell.comPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act2025-05-2053 minGreening Up My ActWhat Are the Rules for Bird Feeders?In this episode, Tiffany and Kat discuss the joy of birdwatching. They explore the benefits and concerns of bird feeding, like potential health risks for birds and the sustainability of feeding practices. Some questions include: Should we feed birds? Can we feed them all year? How much of my paycheck do I have to spend on bird food? and more in this upbeat sustainability podcast.Sourceshttps://www.audubon.org/news/to-feed-or-not-feed\https://www.audubon.org/magazine/11-tips-feeding-backyard-birds PDF: Six feeders every bird should have: https://media.audubon.org/audubon_guide_to_bird_feeders.p...2025-05-1359 minGreening Up My ActWe Don't Deserve DogsWelcome back to Season 7 -- JOY! This season, we're focusing on what brings us joy with a little sprinkle of GUMA research plus tips on how to green it all up.This week: DOGS. Get a little history about why they are the way they are, science on why we love them, and ideas on being a better guardian for your good boy or girl today. Sources:Earth.org - The Environmental Impact of Pets: Working Towards Sustainable Pet Ownership - https://earth.org/environmental-impact-of-pets/CNN – Pets could boost wellbeing as...2025-05-061h 00Greening Up My ActIs Climate Education Our Best Hope?Did you know educating kids about climate change can have a serious impact on carbon output? This week, Tiffany and Kat explore the role of climate education in U.S. schools, discussing the barriers to effective teaching and how certain (ahem) industries (ahem) influence educational materials. Dig deeper into how to empower teachers and students, the impact of youth activism, and the need for parental involvement in climate education. We also give a sneak preview of next season -- Joy! (Coming May 6!)SourcesNature Conservancy: https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/h...2025-04-0850 min
Greening Up My ActIntroducing Cleaning Up My Yard by Greening Up My ActTimes are tough and the economy is uncertain, which is why we've decided to diversify by offering you, our listeners, a new all-natural, green, eco-friendly, organic, sustainable product:Cleaning Up My Yard by Greening Up My Act: Cat Poo Flavored Dog Treats!For only $15.99/month you can get these locally-sourced treats delivered to your door. Check out our Patreon to subscribe!www.patreon.com/GreeningUpMyActPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyact2025-04-0105 minGreening Up My ActWhat Green Policies Have We Lost?This week we look at the green policies and protections President Trump has already or is working to dismantle in his second term. Stay informed and maybe feel a little better about buying an electric vehicle or getting solar panels. SourcesWashington Post - Trump Has Rolled Back 125 Environmental Safeguards - https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/climate-environment/trump-climate-environment-protections/Climate Action News - What Trump’s second term means for climate action in the US and beyond - https://www.climatechangenews.com/2025/01/15/what-trump-second-term-means-for-climate-action-in-the-us-and-beyond/Texas Tribune - Trump’s promise to unravel Biden's climate policies could take...2025-03-2547 minGreening Up My ActClimate Change Needs New Marketing — How to Fix ItNeed tips for talking climate change with your Trump-supporting uncle? Tiff and Kat chat about climate polarization — and how we need to rebrand these initiatives to reach across the political aisle. The two hosts use their marketing experience in this sustainability podcast to figure out exactly how we can get more people to fight for change.Sourceshttps://www.theclimatechangereview.com/post/the-polarization-of-climate-change https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/farmers-federal-funding-freeze-trump-administration-scramble-respond-rcna191544https://civileats.com/2025/02/11/trumps-funding-freeze-creates-chaos-and-financial-distress-for-farmers/ https://www.bupipedream.com/news/state-agriculture-program-experiences-funding-cuts/162769/ https://www.climate.gov/news-features/climate-qa/does-it-matter-how-much-united-states-reduces-its-carbon-dioxide-emissions https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/08/09/what-the-data-says-about-americans-views-of-climate-change/ https://www.pewr...2025-03-181h 01Greening Up My ActEasy Ways to Take Action Against Polluting CompaniesWe've talked at length about how large corporations influence federal policy and how you can try to do the same. Let's take a look at how YOU can influence large corporations, especially the ones doing the most damage to the environment.Sources:UMass Amherst Political Economy Research Institute - Greenhouse 100 Polluters, 2024 - https://peri.umass.edu/greenhouse-100-polluters-index-currentMcCune Law Group - Corporate Accountability for Environmental Damages - https://mccunewright.com/blog/2023/11/holding-corporations-responsible-for-environmental-damagesVistra Energy - https://hub.vistracorp.com/our-companies/Columbia Climate School - Climate Lawsuits are on the Rise - https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2023/08/09/climate-lawsuits-are-on-the-rise-this-is-what-theyre-based-on...2025-03-111h 04Greening Up My ActCitizens United 101: What It Means for the Climate (Part 2)"Climate denial and Citizens United are two sides of the same coin." That was U.S. Senator Whitehouse basically summing up this episode. Discover why the fight against climate change practically stopped in its tracks following the 2010 Citizens United ruling -- and why it feels so infuriating -- and what we can do about it today.Sourceshttps://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/speeches/how-citizens-united-altered-the-climate-debate/https://www.commoncause.org/articles/inextricably-linked-how-citizens-united-halted-climate-action/ https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/15-years-later-citizens-united-allows-corporate-greed-to-fuel-climate-disasters/ https://e360.yale.edu/features/how-big-money-in-politics-blocked-u-s-action-on-climate-changePlutocrats United: Campaign Money, the Supreme Court, and the Distortion of American Elections: https://am...2025-03-041h 02Greening Up My ActCitizens United 101: What It Means for the Climate (Part 1)In this two-part episode, hosts Tiff and Kat break down Citizens United, the Supreme Court case that unleashed unlimited corporate spending in politics — and how that money fuels climate inaction. With fossil fuel giants pouring millions into elections and lobbying, we explore how this decision came about in the first place. Join us as we uncover the link between big money, political gridlock, and the fight for a sustainable future.As Amazon Associates, some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you click and bu...2025-02-2551 minGreening Up My ActHow to Lobby Your State GovernmentFederal government got you down? Explore how to lobby your state government and influence local climate policy to help get your feelings in a better place. SourcesNetwork for Business Sustainability: How Business Leaders Can Lobby for Climate Action - https://nbs.net/how-business-leaders-can-lobby-for-climate-action/Inside Climate News: What to Expect from State Governments on Renewable Energy Policy in 2025 - https://insideclimatenews.org/news/09012025/inside-clean-energy-state-government-policy-2025/Greenpeace: Lobbying 101 - https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/lobbying-101/American College of Radiology: 10 Tips for Lobbying State Legislatures - https://www.acr.org/Advocacy-and-Economics/State-Issues/Advocacy-Resources/Lobbying-State-LegislaturesPBS: Here’s What to Know Abo...2025-02-1850 minGreening Up My ActStart Local: 5 Ways to Get Involved in Your CommunityWe get it: It's easy to want to hide in your hidey hole right now. But sadly, we don't got time for that. Instead, it's time to cobble together as many safe, sustainable local communities as we can manage. If you're pissed or scared (or both) and want to make an impact on local politics, join Tiff and Kat to get your hopes back up in these crazy f*cking times.Sourceshttps://www.americanprogress.org/article/fighting-climate-change-from-capitol-hill-to-city-hall/ https://www.sheshouldrun.org/resources/3-ways-to-get-involved-in-local-government/https://www.lcv.org/programs/climate-action-program/ Patreon: patreon.com/gr...2025-02-111h 01Greening Up My ActCan Your Vote Impact Green Policies?Does voting really matter to U.S. policy? A lot of people in our country feel like voting is pointless. Join Tiff & Kat in exploring if that's really true.Sources:U.S. News & World Report: How Many People Didn’t Vote in the 2024 Election? https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2024-11-15/how-many-people-didnt-vote-in-the-2024-electionThe Guardian: Why Eligible Voters Did Not Vote https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/13/why-eligible-voters-did-not-votePrinceton Quarterly Journal of Economics: Do Voters Affect or Elect Policies? https://www.princeton.edu/~davidlee/wp/voterspolicies.pdfNonprofitVOTE: The Benefits of Voting https://www.nonprofitvote.or...2025-02-0456 minGreening Up My ActHandling Eco-Anxiety: Staying Hopeful While Fighting for ChangeStruggling with eco-anxiety, like any person with eyes? Hosts Tiff and Kat explore how to stay hopeful and motivated while tackling unprecedented environmental challenges, offering practical tips to turn worry into action. Join them as they share stories, insights, and strategies to cultivate resilience and make a positive impact in a world that needs it in your favorite sustainability podcast.As Amazon Associates, some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you click and buy.SourcesNOAA climate.gov: https://www...2025-01-2858 minGreening Up My ActPut Your Money Where Your Mouth IsIf you want your money to impact ecological matters, where should you put it? Billionaires aren't the only people who can make the world change with their money.Get tips on how to find the right charitable organization to donate your money to where they'll actually do something with it, and get a few suggestions to start you off. SourcesNational Philanthropic Trust - Charitable Giving Statistics - https://www.nptrust.org/philanthropic-resources/charitable-giving-statistics/Earth Easy - 10 high-impact environmental charities with integrity - https://learn.eartheasy.com/articles/where-to-donate-10-high-impact-environmental-charities-with-integrity/Indigenous Environmental Ne...2025-01-2141 minGreening Up My ActWhat the Heck is a Sustainable Community, Anyway?Welcome to season 6 -- we're talking activism for non-activists! To kick things off, Tiff looks into sustainable communities. What are they? Are they real? Do Bigfoot and the Jersey Devil hang out there, or human folk? Turns out they are real, but complicated. Even if these communities can be a little... out there... they're ripe with inspiration to make your own neighborhood more sustainable one step at a time.SourcesInstitute for Sustainable Communities: https://sustain.org/about/what-is-a-sustainable-community/Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage: https://www.dancingrabbit.org/Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram2025-01-1440 minGreening Up My ActAnti-Black Friday 2024: How to Survive the Holidays When Your Brain is a Mashed PotatoReady or not, the holidays are upon us. Get tips on how to make it through this season without going into debt (emotional or economic) in our annual anti-Black Friday gift guide. We wish you a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season full of light, warmth, and love. Season 6 starts early January 2025!Sources:CNBC - What Not to Buy This Year- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/26/black-friday-and-cyber-monday-are-here-what-not-to-buy-this-year.htmlABC - Black Friday's History - https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/black-fridays-history-tells-us-holiday-shopping-2024-116228668 Charles Schwab - Three Ways to Avoid Doom S...2024-11-2855 minGreening Up My ActPolitical Action is Coming (Season 6 Preview)Your favorite green living podcast is back with a preview of our sixth (!!!) season. It's been a rough couple of months for a number of reasons (check out our Patreon for a full run-through) but we are coming back in January 2025 with Season 6: Political Action! We'll be talking about: how voting affects green policies how to lobby your U.S. government from the city to the state to the fedswhat green plans the U.S. government has in place (or what they'll be tearing down)how to take action against cor...2024-11-1935 minGreening Up My ActWhy You Should Be Asking About Eco-Friendly HotelsDid 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.We're going through a lot right now so we need to take a break until early 2025!Sources: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...2024-09-031h 03Greening Up My ActIs Paravel Actually Sustainable? Unzipping Eco-Friendly LuggageRockefeller-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.SourcesParavel: 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.terra...2024-08-2747 minGreening Up My ActWhat's Up with Air Travel?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.Sources:Kat’s 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 “Flight” Print - https://www.thecommons.earth/blog/simple-steps-to-make-flying-more-sustainableAscent, the av...2024-08-2045 minGreening Up My Act15-Minute Cities: A Conspiracy Theory Paradise?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!SourcesDeloitte: 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/ Patreon: pat...2024-08-1351 minGreening Up My ActAre E-Scooters the Greenest Way to Get Around?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.Sources: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 t...2024-08-0646 minGreening Up My ActRidesharing: Can We Vroom Vroom to Sustainability?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!SourcesHyreCar 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/u...2024-07-3052 minGreening Up My ActAmerica's Bus ProblemWe'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?SourcesMIT 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 - Here’s 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 Am...2024-07-231h 09Greening Up My ActWe're taking a break -- we'll be back July 23!It's been a rough few weeks so we're taking a little time off. Thanks for your understanding.In the meantime, catch up on our past episodes or check out our Patreon!Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act2024-07-0200 minGreening Up My ActAre Trains Greener Than Cars? All Aboard to Find Out!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). SourcesBoston 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 Brightline’s press release: https://www.gobrightline.com/press-room/2023/brightline-130-mph-milestone Popular Science on U.S. high speed rail: https://www.popsc...2024-06-2540 minGreening Up My ActIs It Better to Bike?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. SourcesUCLA 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 M...2024-06-1849 minGreening Up My ActIs There Such a Thing as "Clean Diesel"?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?Sources 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 “clean diesel”: 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_%20Fa...2024-06-1143 minGreening Up My ActAre Electric Vehicles Worth It?We're starting off season 5 with a controversial chat about electric vehicles and whether they're worth the switch. Subscribe to our new Patreon to get exclusive content and support the podcast! www.patreon.com/greeningupmyactSources: 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 They’re 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 Dec...2024-06-0451 minGreening Up My ActAnnouncement: Our Patreon Is Live!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)!Head here to sign up: patreon.com/GreeningUpMyActPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My...2024-06-0301 minGreening Up My ActLies Your Childhood Told You About Tree Planting ProgramsIn 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.Season 5: Travel and Transportation starts June 4!Sources: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 world’s largest companies rely on carbon offsets to ‘reach net-zero’ - https...2024-05-0741 minGreening Up My ActWhat Are You Supposed to Do With Compost?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.SourcesNYC 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 Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactI...2024-04-3048 minGreening Up My ActXeriscaping: The Landscaping of the FutureXeriscaping 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. BONUS CONTENT: A bit about rain barrels!As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links below are paid links.PBS Newshour - What is xeriscaping? How you can turn your...2024-04-2350 minGreening Up My ActAre Bee Hotels Worth the Space in Your Garden?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!Sources:UC Davis on ‘beewashing’: 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 “Honey bees are not in p...2024-04-1649 minGreening Up My ActCanning: Is It Just for Trad Wives and Doomsday Preppers?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.Sources: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...2024-04-0938 minGreening Up My ActAre Biodegradable Pots Any Good?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.SourcesCowPots 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...2024-04-0242 minGreening Up My ActVegetable Gardening: Wasteful or Worth It?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. Sources: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...2024-03-2647 minGreening Up My ActLeave the Leaves: Three Cheers for Lazy Gardening!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. SourcesTreehugger: 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.you...2024-03-1938 minGreening Up My ActHardscaping: Part of a Balanced Landscaping BreakfastHardscaping isn't one of those flashy lawn replacement movements that you hear about on Instagram, but it's got some pretty interesting benefits. Listen as Kat and Tiff walk you through this underrated aspect of sustainable landscaping.Sources:The Spruce - What is Hardscape? https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-hardscape-2131060Ernest Maier - 7 Benefits of Adding Hardscaping to Your Outdoor Living - https://ernestmaier.com/7-benefits-of-adding-hardscaping-to-your-outdoor-living/Unit Paving - A Beginner’s Guide to Sustainable Hardscape Design - https://unitpaving.com/a-beginners-guide-to-sustainable-hardscape-designEPA - Greenscaping Brochure - https://archive.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/tools/greenscapes/web/html/brochure.htmlWater Co...2024-03-1237 minGreening Up My ActWildflower Lawns for Everyone!Tiff and Kat take you through the pros and cons of the wildflower lawn movement -- the kinder, gentler alternative to turf lawns that could be a gateway drug to overthrowing your HOA. Explore how to spot greenwashing in the world of wildflower and meadow lawns with your two favorite marketing writers in this upbeat sustainability podcast.Sources:American Meadows - Plant a Wildflower Lawn & Transform Your Yard to a Pollinator Paradise - https://www.americanmeadows.com/content/wildflowers/inspiration/get-this-look-pollinator-yardNational Wildlife Federation - Greening Your Homeowners Association - https://www.nwf...2024-03-0550 minGreening Up My ActCan I Replace My Lawn With Clover?Clover lawns are all the rage — but should they be? Hosts Tiff and Kat answer:What eco-friendly claims do folks make about clover yards? Are they true?Why is Reddit so uncomfy?What are the disadvantages of clover lawns?Explore how to spot greenwashing in the world of clover lawns with your two favorite marketing writers in this upbeat sustainability podcast.SourcesMartha Stewart: https://www.marthastewart.com/8322420/clover-lawns Gardenia Creative Gardens: https://www.gardenia.net/guide/native-plant-alternatives-to-trifolium-repens Podcast: Backyard Ecology episode on clover: https://www.backyardecology.net/clovers-native-clover-conservation-clover-yards-and-more/ Reddit - No...2024-02-2745 minGreening Up My ActAre Lawns Evil? Exploring the No Mow MovementIs your turf grass destroying the planet — or is it more complicated than that? Welcome to season 4 of your favorite sustainability podcast, where hosts Tiff and Kat head to the Great Outdoors. In this episode, learn about potential greenwashing behind the no mow movement, whether not cutting grass for bees makes a real difference, and if you should nix your lawn altogether.Discover Magazine on lawns: https://www.discovermagazine.com/environment/your-perfect-lawn-is-bad-for-the-environment-heres-what-to-do-insteadNational Resources Defense Council on lawns: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/more-sustainable-and-beautiful-alternatives-grass-lawnThe Guardian on lawns: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jul/31/this-heatwave-is-a-reminder-that-grass-lawns-are-terrible-for-the-environmentScientific American on...2024-02-201h 04Greening Up My ActUPDATE: Season 4 Coming February 20Good news and bad news, friends of Greening Up My Act!The bad news: We had to delay season 4 until February 20.The good news: We have a whole new format which will be easier for us and more fun for you!Tune in Tuesday, February 20 wherever you get podcast. And thank you 2024-02-0500 minGreening Up My ActIs Dry Shampoo the Devil?Have you heard that dry shampoo causes cancer? In our last episode of season 3 (and first of 2024!), Kat and Tiff dig deeper into the savior of every harried working woman to find out if dry shampoo is as bad as you may have heard for your health or the environment and come up with more hope than you might expect. What we used:Batiste Dry ShampooSources:The Earthling Co., What’s Wrong with Aerosol Dry Shampoo?- https://theearthlingco.com/blogs/news/what-s-wrong-with-aerosol-dry-shampooAllure, Is It Time to Quit Dry Shampoo? https://www.allure.com...2024-01-0237 min