Shows
Sustainability DefinedEp. 88: The Plastic Trail of Your Online Order - and the Seaweed AlternativeOnline shopping is convenient, but at what cost?! In this episode, we explore the massive plastic footprint hidden in your doorstep deliveries, from poly mailers to mixed-material packaging that often ends up in landfills. Cecilia and Nethra break down the environmental toll of e-commerce and spotlight the innovative seaweed-based alternative offered by cleantech startup SWAY. Don’t miss our interview with Alyssa Pace, SWAY’s Communications Lead, as we dive into how compostable packaging and seaweed/nature based solutions could help reshape the future of sustainable shipping.2025-06-0750 min
Sustainability DefinedAtypical Ep. 10: Innovations in Sustainable Aviation - Insights from the Airbus SummitDid you know that airplanes can run on waste cooking oil, municipal solid waste, forestry waste, and even algae in the form of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs)? Well, they can. Biomimicry, Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), and aircrafts inspired by GEESE? Learn about some of the innovations happening right now in the aviation industry and where it's headed in the coming decades. The industry has some ambitious goals of reaching net zero by 2050, running aircrafts on mainly SAFs, using newer lightweight materials to reduce fuel consumption, and even getting aircrafts to fly in the same v-pattern as flocks of...2025-04-211h 04
Sustainability DefinedEp 86: Hot Commodities: Chocolate & SustainabilityWelcome to the first episode of Hot Commodities: Chocolate & Sustainability, a new series from Sustainability Defined! Meet your new hosts, Cecilia and Nethra, as they dive into the environmental and social challenges within the chocolate supply chain. From cacao farming to the final product, they break down the key players, power imbalances, and pressing issues like deforestation, child labor, and climate change. This episode explores the role of women in cacao production, the struggles of smallholder farmers against large corporations, and potential solutions such as agroforestry and ethical sourcing. Cecilia and Nethra aim to unpack the...2025-04-041h 13
Sustainability DefinedAtypical Ep. 9: Meet Your New Hosts!👋 Big news, Definers! We're thrilled to introduce your NEW podcast hosts, Cecilia Rios & Nethra Rajendran! We are excited to be passing the mic to two incredible voices. In this episode, Jay and Scott join Cecilia and Nethra for a warm welcome and a sneak peek at what's to come with Sustainability Defined. We are confident they will bring fresh perspectives and a wealth of passion to the table. Get to know them in this special introductory episode as they share their backgrounds, sustainability interests, and the future direction of the show. Ready to meet your new h...2025-03-0720 min
Sustainability DefinedEpisode from Hazard NJ Podcast: "First a Miracle, Then a Curse"Happy New Year, Definers! This month we are continuing our break and sharing a podcast episode from an Uproot Project member, independent podcast producer and investigative journalist - Jordan Gass-Poore'. “Hazard NJ” is an NJ Spotlight News podcast that examines serious pollution issues. Season 2 dives deep into the crisis of toxic pollution caused by PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” around New Jersey and beyond. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and more. We hope you enjoy it! As a reminder, we are still doubling donations to the Uproot Project up to the fir...2025-01-0328 min
Sustainability DefinedEp. 85: 2024 Holiday Hodge PodgeThe end of the year is near! It’s time for our annual Holiday Hodge Podge episode. This year we summarize some of our favorite podcast and sustainability moments from the year and of all time, Jay and Scott provide personal updates and their favorite sustainability articles of the year, and we give some sustainable holiday gift ideas. We also discuss what’s next for the podcast. We hope you all have a great holiday season! ----------------- Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Host...2024-12-0653 min
Sustainability Defined*UPDATED* Ep. 52: Feminine Hygiene Products with Celia Pool and Alec Mills (DAME)Happy November Definers! This month we are continuing our break and resharing a listener favorite, Episode #52: Feminine Hygiene Products with Celia Pool and Alec Mills of DAME. Unfortunately, the artificial sensitivities around the topic of this episode - feminine hygiene products - have hindered widespread discussion of the significant environmental and social issues associated with these products. Join us as we investigate the many sustainability issues they affect, from environmental footprints and social acceptance to female genital health and access and equity. If you have been wondering about the latest with DAME, a company that has reimagined p...2024-11-0159 min
Sustainability DefinedEpisode from Sea Change Podcast: "Bringing Back The Beach"This month we are on break and sharing a podcast episode from an Uproot Project member and environmental journalist - Eva Tesfaye. We hope you enjoy it! Two reminders: —We announced last month Jay and Scott are moving on and accepting applications from Definers to take over the show. More details in last month’s episode. You can email us with your interest and why you should take over at hosts@sustainabitydefined.com. —We are still doubling donations to Uproot Project up to the first $500. Email your donation receipt to hosts@sustainabilitydefined.com, and we will d...2024-10-0434 min
Sustainability DefinedAtypical Ep. 8: Jay and Scott are Moving On…You Can Take Over!Happy September Definers! We’ve got a bit of a different episode for you all this month as we discuss what is next for Sustainability Defined through the rest of the year and beyond. As we mention in this month’s short episode, we are hoping to pass along the show to the next generation of hosts. We hope that the show will afford a few of our Definers the early career opportunities, benefits, and fun that we experienced as we created the show. If you’re interested, reach out to us at hosts@sustainabilitydefined.com and co...2024-09-0611 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 84: Sustainable Jewelry with Anna-Mieke Anderson (MiaDonna)Fine jewelry is made from precious metals, think gold and silver, and stones, like diamonds or other gemstones. Traditionally these raw materials are mined from deep in the earth’s mantle and produced with extensive human labor to create the rings, necklaces, and other jewelry pieces we love to wear. As an industry, this component of our style can create negative effects on both the environment and people. In this episode, we explore the world of sustainable jewelry and how the industry is addressing environmental and ethical challenges. This episode is sponsored by MiaDonna, an innovative, ethical fin...2024-08-021h 08
Sustainability DefinedEp. 83 Avocado Sustainability with Honor Eldridge (Author of “The Avocado Debate”)Definers, we’re back this month with a fun episode around a fan favorite, the avocado! It is estimated that per capita consumption of avocados in the United States has grown by 440% in the last 20 years and around 11 billion pounds of avocados are eaten globally. This has raised many questions about the sustainability of farming, production, and enjoyment of this fruit. In the episode we share a little about how avocados make it from farm to your guacamole and some of the social and environmental implications of our complex food systems. We are joined by Honor Eldridge, Fo...2024-07-051h 04
Sustainability DefinedEp 82: Forest Management with Chris Reeves (P&G) and Amy Clark Eagle (Forest Stewardship Council U.S.)Definers, did you know that forests cover one third of land globally and house some of the earth’s most precious natural resources? In this month’s episode, we’re discussing forest management and how organizations are working to maintain and enhance the economic, social, and environmental value of global forests. This episode is #sponsored by Procter & Gamble (P&G). P&G is working directly with their supply chain partners and other organizations to grow the supply of sustainably sourced certified materials and pulp. P&G paper brands, which include tissue and towel products from Bounty, Puffs, and Ch...2024-06-071h 21
Sustainability DefinedEp. 81: Resiliency in Residential Real Estate with Becky Becker (Equity Residential) and Lindsay Brugger (Urban Land Institute)Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and scorching summers are putting a strain on residential real estate. Research on nearly 200 climate events from 2000 to 2019 from The World Economic Forum found that the global costs associated with climate change have cost around $2.8 trillion, when accounting for the cost of damage to infrastructure, property, agriculture, and human health. In this episode, we'll explore the impacts climate change has changed the residential real estate landscape, discuss the latest trends in climate-resilient construction and discover how large asset managers are working towards a more sustainable future. We are joined by Becky Be...2024-05-031h 35
Sustainability DefinedAtypical Ep 7: Responsible BeautyHappy April Definers! We’re back this month with a special bonus episode about P&G Responsible Beauty, sponsored by Procter & Gamble (P&G). Through Responsible Beauty, P&G has committed to being a positive force for beauty in the world as they work to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for all. In this episode, we have a “beautiful” conversation with John Scarchilli, Director, Procter & Gamble Hair Care, Scientific Communications, about how brands like Herbal Essences, Head & Shoulders and Olay are building sustainability into superior product designs, leveraging P&G’s Responsible Beauty principles. We cover...2024-04-0545 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 80: Carbon Removal with Ben Rubin (Carbon Business Council)Since many of our current decarbonization and greenhouse gas reduction pathways aren’t making progress at the needed scale, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change( IPCC) found that carbon removal is now “essential” to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Many cite carbon removal as the key to addressing climate change, when combined with traditional emissions reduction strategies. In this month’s episode, we’ll give you a run down on the basics of carbon removal along with the successes and challenges in this area of climate action. We are joined by Ben Rubin, Executive Dir...2024-03-0158 min
Sustainability DefinedAtypical Ep 6: The Uproot ProjectWe’re back this month with a special atypical episode featuring The Uproot Project! The Uproot Project is a network for and by environmental journalists of color. The organization is working to address the need for more journalists of color in newsrooms covering environmental topics. During the episode you’ll hear from Lucia Priselac, Founding Director of The Uproot Project, who details more about the creation of the organization, her role, its work, and how the public can support. As a part of this episode, we are offering to match your support of the amazing work of The U...2024-02-0225 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 79: 2023 Holiday Hodge-PodgeHappy December Definers! It is time again for our annual Holiday Hodge Podge episode. Tune in to hear the Sustainability Defined Team’s favorite podcast moments from the year and interesting sustainability articles, meet our Research & Operations Director, Taylor, and hear Scott and Jay’s professional/personal updates, and sustainable gift ideas - PLUS our holiday gift giveaway! Have a happy holiday season! --- Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen. Each episode focuses on a single topic...2023-12-011h 05
Sustainability DefinedEp 78: Invasive Species with Leigh Greenwood (The Nature Conservancy)Invasive species are known to cause harm to the environment, economies, and even human health. Managing these species has become of major concern globally, as invasive species are one of the top factors that contribute to biodiversity loss. In fact, a 2023 United Nations global assessment report estimated that invasive species have been a major factor in 60% of all recorded animal and plant extinctions! In this episode we have a fantastic discussion with Leigh Greenwood, the Forest Pest and Pathogen Program Director at The Nature Conservancy. Leigh provides some great insight on how these species spread and what...2023-11-031h 19
Sustainability DefinedEp. 77 Human Rights in Supply Chains with Aruna Kashyap (Human Rights Watch) and Alex Silberman (U.S. Department of Labor)Business supply chains are complex, diverse, and have a lot of stakeholders. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), more than 450 million people work in supply chain-related jobs. In this month’s new episode, we break down the landscape of global supply chains and the interconnectedness with human rights across the globe. We have two expert guests sharing their expertise: –Aruna Kashyap, Associate Director on Corporate Accountability in the Economic Justice and Rights Division at Human Rights Watch and –Alex Silberman, International Relations Specialist at The U.S. Department of Labor. Both p...2023-10-061h 43
Sustainability DefinedEp 76: Rare Earths with Scott Dunn (Noveon Magnetics)This month we are talking all about rare earths, the role they play in today’s society and the efforts to improve their sustainability. While you may not be familiar with the 17 rare earth elements, the chances are very high that if you’re reading this right now, rare earths are actually a common part of your daily life. This episode is #sponsored by Noveon Magnetics. Noveon is a company working to redefine and rebuild the rare earth magnet industry to be one that doesn’t just power the needs of today but can last to power every...2023-08-0459 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 75: The Energy Grid with Kristina Skierka (Power for All)Our July episode is all about the energy grid! We discuss how electric grids work, the conditions of grids around the world, and emerging trends and policies that can improve grid sustainability and resiliency. We are joined in the episode by Kristina Skierka, CEO at Power for All. Power for All is an organization that envisions a world where all people benefit from the opportunities and quality of life that come from reliable, affordable, clean energy. This episode should “illuminate” all there is to know about how grid systems work to power our lives! ...2023-07-071h 18
Sustainability DefinedEp 74: Transparency with Dan Saccardi (Ceres) & Kathy Mulvey (Union of Concerned Scientists)We are back this month with an episode on transparency. Historically, businesses have kept a lot of information guarded, but when it comes to sustainability, more companies are using transparency to make decisions, gain trust, and engage with their consumers, investors, and other key stakeholders. After an introduction going over the basics of all things sustainability and transparency with a focus on corporate transparency, we have TWO expert guests: Kathy Mulvey, Accountability Campaign Director, Climate & Energy Program, at the Union of Concerned Scientists Dan Saccardi, Program Director, Company Network at Ceres ...2023-06-091h 18
Sustainability DefinedAtypical Ep 5: STAFFER Podcast Episode with Mike Boots (Breakthrough Energy and Gates Ventures)We’re taking this month off, but we still have new content for you in the form of an episode of one of our favorite podcasts–STAFFER. STAFFER is a weekly podcast with former staffers sharing their stories of working on the Hill hosted by Jim Papa of Global Strategy Group. This episode features an interview with an accomplished sustainability professional, Mike Boots, Executive Vice President at Breakthrough Energy and Director of the Gates Ventures DC Office. By listening, you’ll learn a lot about Mike’s career journey and lessons learned along the way including from staffing Ted Danson...2023-05-051h 00
Sustainability DefinedBonus Episode: Georgetown University’s Master of Science in Environment and Sustainability Management (MS-ESM) ProgramThis new bonus episode introduces our Definers to the Master of Science in Environment and Sustainability Management Program, or MS-ESM program at Georgetown University. The MS-ESM program is a full-time, 11-month interdisciplinary program held on-campus in Washington, D.C. Over the 11 month time span, students complete courses that blend science with business principles that are critical to meeting the world's sustainability goals. In this episode we chat with a professor and a student in the program: Vishal Agrawal, the Henry J. Blommer Family Endowed Chair in Sustainable Business and a Professor of Operations Management at t...2023-04-2143 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 73: Water Conservation with Ashley Fill (Procter & Gamble)This episode is on water conservation and #sponsored by Procter & Gamble (P&G). Water is Earth’s most abundant natural resource, as more than 71% of the Earth’s surface is water. However, freshwater that can be used by humans is only a small percentage of this available water. Because of this we have to preserve, control, and manage our water resources through conservation. We hope our Definers are thirsty to learn about how we as humans use and can conserve water. The episode includes a focus on how P&G’s Home Care team is working toward a water positi...2023-04-071h 06
Sustainability DefinedBonus Episode: Yale's Financing and Deploying Clean Energy Certificate ProgramWe know Definers are always hungry for ways to maximize their impact within sustainability, so we're excited to focus today's bonus episode on Yale's Financing and Deploying Clean Energy Program. Yale’s Financing and Deploying Clean Energy (FDCE) online certificate program trains and connects rising leaders to catalyze an equitable transition to a clean economy. In the episode you will hear from Rob Klee, a Lecturer at Yale and the Managing Director of the Clean Energy Program at the Yale Center for Business and the Environment, as well as Dr. Luis Aguirre-Torres, a Senior Adviser at Rewiring America and an...2023-02-1756 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 72: Biodiversity with Dr. Paula Ehrlich (E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation)Biodiversity underpins many things we rely on (think food, water, and oxygen). In fact, half of the world’s GDP is dependent on natural resources. This means that about $44 trillion of economic value across the globe relies on nature and its interconnectedness. So... something worth paying attention to! Join us as we dissect this topic with the help of Dr. Paula Ehrlich, President and CEO of the E. O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation. Enjoy! ------ Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Sc...2023-02-031h 13
Sustainability DefinedEp 71: Water & Agriculture with Ashwin Madgavkar (Ceres Imaging)From the carrots you're munching on to the chocolate in your grande extra-whip double-mocha latte (no judgment), agricultural water use underpins most everything we eat on a daily basis. In fact, agriculture on average accounts for 70% of all freshwater withdrawals globally - enough to cover the entire United States in 2 feet of water each year. Join us as we unpack this critical issue with the help of Ashwin Madgavkar, founder of Ceres Imaging, an innovative spectral imaging company and 2020 Zayed Sustainability Prize recipient working to optimize agricultural water use around the world. Learn more about the Zayed...2023-01-061h 04
Sustainability DefinedBonus Episode: Conversation with David Sandalow (Inaugural Fellow, Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University; Zayed Sustainability Prize Selection Committee Member - Energy Category)We're excited to partner with the Zayed Sustainability Prize to bring you a special pair of episodes focusing on this transformative global award that recognizes organizations and high schools driving impactful sustainability solutions across five distinct categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water and Global High Schools. Our first episode in this partnership spotlights David Sandalow, one of the Prize's selection committee members within the energy category. David is the Inaugural Fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy and co-Director of the Energy and Environment Concentration at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. He's al...2022-12-1622 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 70: 2022 Holiday Hodge-PodgeTis the season for our annual Holiday Hodge-Podge episode! Join Scott and Jay as they share their favorite 2022 Sustainability Defined moments, interesting sustainability articles, work and personal updates, and sustainable gift ideas - PLUS our Instagram holiday gift giveaway and an opportunity for your donation to a certain charity to be matched by Jay and Scott. ------ Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen. Each episode focuses on a single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each t...2022-12-021h 02
Sustainability DefinedEp 69: Air Pollution with Molly Rauch & Almeta Cooper (Moms Clean Air Force)We hope this episode is a breath of fresh air on a critical topic. In 2019, 99% of the world's population lived in places where the World Health Organization air quality guideline levels were not met. Air pollution is widespread and can have tremendous negative impacts on public health and the environment. Listen in as we talk with TWO incredible guests from Moms Clean Air Force: Molly Rauch (Public Health Policy Director) and Almeta Cooper (National Manager, Health Equity). We deep dive with each guest into their experience in public health policy and what specific policy solutions and individual a...2022-10-071h 22Sustainability DefinedEp 68: The "Forever Chemicals": PFAS with Lauren Gropper (Repurpose)We know, another acronym to remember, but it’s an important one. PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are a group of chemicals that have made certain useful products possible (e.g., rain jackets and non-stick pans) but what are their environmental and physiological impacts? In this episode, we dive into the science behind PFAS and its potentially significant harm to the environment and public health. And it’s our favorite for the expert interview–an entrepreneur! We chat with Lauren Gropper, the Founder and CEO of Repurpose, on how she started her plant-based serviceware company and how Repurpo...2022-09-021h 12Sustainability DefinedAtypical Ep 4: Washing Laundry in Cold Water with Todd Cline (Tide)We often get asked, “What are simple things I can do to act on climate change?” and after hearing this episode we think you’ll agree that one simple thing you can do is use cold water when doing laundry. Are you a Definer who uses hot water when doing laundry? Well, if you use cold water instead, you can reduce your energy use from doing your laundry by 90 percent! The sponsor of this bonus episode, Tide, is leading a behavior change movement to get consumers to switch to energy-saving cold water, while saving money in the process. In fact, Tide h...2022-04-2938 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 67: Sustainable Weddings with Gina Lett-Shrewsberry (Inspirations by Gina)The bells are ringing and love is in the air! To commemorate Jay getting married in June, we've put together an episode that focuses on what practices can be taken to make weddings more sustainable. Listen in to learn more about the environmental impact of weddings, the leaders in the sustainable wedding space, and how Jay is implementing sustainability into his wedding. In this episode, we speak with Gina Lett-Shrewsberry, the owner of Inspirations by Gina, a full-service floral and event design studio based in California. Gina is a certified Green Wedding Professional and creates “couture floral experiences with an...2022-04-081h 07
Sustainability DefinedEp 67: Sustainable Weddings with Gina Lett-Shrewsberry (Inspirations by Gina)The bells are ringing and love is in the air! To commemorate Jay getting married in June, we've put together an episode that focuses on what practices can be taken to make weddings more sustainable. Listen in to learn more about the environmental impact of weddings, the leaders in the sustainable wedding space, and how Jay is implementing sustainability into his wedding. In this episode, we speak with Gina Lett-Shrewsberry, the owner of Inspirations by Gina, a full-service floral and event design studio based in California. Gina is a certified Green Wedding Professional and creates “couture floral ex...2022-04-011h 07Sustainability DefinedEp 66: Recycled Content with Nick Higgins (Glad)Have your eyes ever wandered to the bottom of your to-go container and found the words "made of X% recycled content"? Ever wondered what is meant by “recycled content” and how it plays a role in our global recycling systems? Of course you have, you're a Definer! In this info-packed episode, we've partnered with Glad, a leading household waste solutions company that's investing heavily into increasing the recycled content in its products. Tune in to learn more about what recycled content is, how it fits into our recycling systems and what Nick Higgins, VP, Commercial Lead for Glad...2022-03-041h 05
Sustainability DefinedAtypical Ep 3: Energy Management with Lauren Scott (Acuity Brands)How are businesses and sustainability professionals managing their energy consumption? During this bonus episode, we dive into a recent report compiled by Atrius (part of Acuity Brands) that provides valuable insights into how sustainability professionals across industries are scrutinizing their energy consumption and incorporating tools to better manage their energy use. Join us as we learn how automating data management and other manual processes can increase the efficiency of energy teams looking to further integrate sustainability goals within their businesses. You never know, maybe it will “spark” an interest in new energy management solutions you can implement in your own...2022-02-1836 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 65: Personal Sustainable Investing with Ken LaRoe (Climate First Bank)If you've wanted to know how you can use your savings and investments to advance sustainability, this is the episode for you! We highlight the basics of sustainable investing and banking and provide the tools and facts to allow Definers to determine their own individual actions and opinions. Plus, Jay and Scott talk about what they've done right (and not so right) with their own money, as well as how they are investing the podcast's money with sustainability in mind, which includes investing in the pursuits of our listeners. Our expert guest, Ken LaRoe, has started three values-based banks with...2022-02-041h 38
Sustainability Defined*UPDATED* Ep 37: Offshore Wind Energy with Benj Sykes (Orsted) and Liz Burdock (Business Network for Offshore Wind)Happy new year and happy new developments of clean, renewable energy! Can offshore wind energy play a role in our global decarbonization efforts? Listen in as our hosts, Jay and Scott, take a deeper dive into current offshore wind energy market updates, global trends, and new project developments since our original episode in 2018. Prepare to have your mind, blown. ----------------------------- Sustainability Defined is the podcast that seeks to define sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen. Each episode focuses on a single topic that...2022-01-0757 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 64: 2021 Holiday Hodge-PodgeWhere did the year go? Join our hosts, Scott and Jay, as they review their favorite 2021 Sustainability Defined moments, interesting sustainability articles, personal updates, and sustainable gift ideas. Tis the season for our annual holiday hodge-podge episode. 2021 was no ordinary year with lots of changes for sustainable action and Sustainability Defined - you won't want to miss this episode! ----------------------------- Sustainability Defined is the podcast that seeks to define sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen. Each episode focuses on a single topic that...2021-12-031h 13
Sustainability DefinedEp 63: Sea Level Rise with John Englander (Rising Seas Institute)We cover a lot of heavy-hitting topics here on Sustainability Defined, but today's topic of sea level rise might just be one of the heaviest. Sea level rise (SLR) refers to the increase in the level of the world’s oceans due to the effects of climate change. The ecological and socioeconomic impacts of this rise are staggering. Join us as we unpack how sea level rise works, why our current rate of rise blows most everything else in history out of the water, and how SLR will reshape economies and the ways people live around the world. Our gu...2021-11-051h 11
Sustainability DefinedEp 62: Transit Oriented Development with Rick Cole (The Congress for the New Urbanism)What do Washington DC, Denver's Union Station, and Scott's recent vacation to Italy all share in common? Aside from being sweet places to visit, they all provide fantastic examples of Transit Oriented Development, the focus on this month's episode. Transit Oriented Development ("TOD") refers to the creation of compact, walkable, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use communities centered around high-quality train systems. It represents a stark departure from the car-dominated development patterns that have come to define much of the world's contemporary development practices, often times ending up in the form of urban sprawl (ew!). Join us as we break down the unique...2021-10-011h 03
Sustainability Defined*UPDATED* Ep 21: Water Infrastructure with Will Sarni (Water Foundry)Coming at you this month with a fresh update to one of the most critical topics we've covered on the show - water infrastructure. Press play and remind yourself how important water infrastructure is to our daily lives! ------ Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen. Each episode focuses on a single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help...2021-09-031h 05
Sustainability DefinedEp 61: Carbon Pricing with Dr. Marc Hafstead (Resources for the Future)Are we at Sustainability Defined psychic? Well, no… but we do know what you’re wondering - what is carbon pricing and can it be a viable solution to mitigate our global GHG emissions? Fear not Definers, we’ve got you covered. In today’s episode, we dive into how different carbon pricing systems, like emissions trading systems (ETS) and carbon taxes, function in global economies. A price on carbon can help address the fact that climate impacts are often endured by people who are neither the producer nor the consumer of an activity that exacerbates climate change – what economists...2021-08-061h 06
Sustainability DefinedAtypical Ep 2: Sustainability Defined Staff (Matt Arends and Amelia Kovacs)It’s not just Jay and Scott behind Sustainability Defined. We have volunteers and paid staff that help us with research, social media, etc. Today for an atypical episode we want to highlight a couple staff members, one who has played a critical role for years and is leaving the podcast for an exciting opportunity in market garden farming, and another who is just joining the team after being a devoted listener and studying and working in sustainability. The outgoing staff member is Matt Arends. If you’ve ever engaged with our social media or been impressed with our grap...2021-07-0234 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 60: Sustainable Landscaping with Dr. Sharon Hall (Arizona State University)Many Definers may enjoy laying in a lush, green lawn staring up at a blue sky while listening to the latest Sustainability Defined episode. We love that, but it's also important to think about how we got those landscapes and how we can maintain them more sustainably. This episode considers the footprint of all kinds of man-made and maintained landscapes, particularly the around 50 million acres of lawn in the United States. You'll hear about the many impacts of landscaping our environment, including the crazy amount of air pollution that comes from gas powered equipment, as well as techniques you...2021-06-041h 05
Sustainability DefinedEp 59: Eco-Anxiety with Dr. Lise Van Susteren (Climate Psychiatry Alliance)Feelings of helplessness toward the ecological crisis, persistent worry about the future of the climate, intense guilt about your own carbon footprint... sound familiar? These are all symptoms of eco-anxiety, the focus of our 59th episode and something we at Sustainability Defined can relate to directly. Join us as we unpack what exactly eco-anxiety is, why it's so important, and what we can do about it. We're lucky to chat with Dr. Lise Van Susteren in this episode, a licensed psychiatrist and pioneer in the field of eco-anxiety. Take a deep breath, press play, and c...2021-05-071h 02
Sustainability DefinedEp 58: Biotechnology and Sustainability with John Melo and Beth Bannerman (Amyris)Biotechnology may sound like a futuristic word, but utilizing living organisms and their derivatives to produce products and processes goes back a long time and continues to provide important products today. In this episode, we'll explore why biotech is important and its current applications that advance sustainability. We'll also dive into biotech's potential complications. Our interview is with the CEO and Chief Engagement and Sustainability Officer of a biotech leader, Amyris. John Melo and Beth Bannerman will explain Amyris' biotech platform and products – and how this science and technology contribute to a more sustainable future. We guarantee after this ep...2021-04-0257 min
Sustainability Defined*UPDATED* Ep 16: Sustainable Beer with Katie Wallace (New Belgium Brewing)Definers, we had to delay our brand spankin new episode to April so this month we're replaying one of our most popular episodes, episode #16 on sustainable beer. But, before we replay that episode, we have an updated interview with one of our favorite people, Katie Wallace of New Belgium Brewing. We ask her for updates on what she talked about in the original episode, the latest sustainability news (Fat Tire is now certified carbon neutral!), and general Katie updates (she has made the wise choice of joining Jay and Scott in getting a pet). See you next...2021-03-0554 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 57: Energy Storage with Marek Kubik (Fluence)Alas, it’s time for us to stop storing this episode and release it to our Definers. This episode focuses on energy storage systems, which – as you might’ve guessed – store energy until it is needed at a later time. This of course includes lithium-ion batteries that power everything from your car to your TV remote, but as we’ll discuss, there are other exciting storage systems on the market. In this episode we talk about the various energy storage systems, explain why storage is important, dissect its downsides, and discuss the exciting future for energy storage. Our guest is Marek K...2021-02-051h 09
Sustainability Defined*UPDATED* Ep 32: Reversing Global Warming with Paul Hawken (Project Drawdown)Happy 2021, Definers! This month we have an update to one of our most popular episodes ever. We interviewed Paul Hawken of Project Drawdown back in June 2018. For those unfamiliar, Project Drawdown is a non-profit focused on helping the world reach “Drawdown,” which is the future point in time when the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline. The need to reach Drawdown is as important as ever, so we thought it would be a good episode to revisit to start the year. Before playing the original episode, we provide an upda...2021-01-011h 04
Sustainability DefinedEp 56: Sustainability & Spirits with Sophie Kelly (Bulleit Frontier Whiskey) and Eric Sprague (American Forests)Congratulations, definers! You’ve made it through 2020! We think it’s time for a toast… a toast of whiskey, to be precise. Join us as we round out this unparalleled year by exploring sustainability within the spirits category. We begin this episode by unpacking the environmental, economic and social impacts of spirit production. We then distill how and why top spirits brands are diving into sustainability head-first. We’re joined by Sophie Kelly, Senior Vice President of Whiskeys at Diageo North America, and Eric Sprague, Vice President of Forest Restoration at American Forests, who help us understand the link between...2020-12-041h 03
Sustainability DefinedEp 55: 2020 Holiday Hodge-PodgeIt's that time of year again, listeners/definers! The Sustainability Defined Holiday Hodge-Podge episode—a yearly tradition many consider to be as emblematic of the holidays as snow(wo)men and Mariah Carey. Join us as we review 2020's major podcast milestones, share updates from our personal lives, discuss our favorite sustainability stories of the year, and - of course - share our favorite sustainable gifts for this holiday season. Happy holidays and thanks for joining us through this year's wild ride! ----------------------------- Sustainability Defined is the podcast that seeks to define sustainability, one concept (an...2020-11-0656 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 54: Racism and the Modern Environmental Movement with Faith Briggs (Global Works Community Fund)Like so many others, Sustainability Defined is learning more about structural and historic racism and what we can do to advance racial justice. This is the first of what we intend to be a number of episodes that focuses on particular aspects of the intersection of race and sustainability. We‘ve created a page on our website with a running list of valuable resources on racism and environmental justice (sustainabilitydefined.com/racism) for those eager for more info. Going forward, we plan to consider and include connections to racial justice in all episodes. We start this episode wi...2020-10-021h 23Sustainability DefinedEp 54: Racism and the Modern Environmental Movement with Faith Briggs (Global Works Community Fund)Like so many others, Sustainability Defined is learning more about structural and historic racism and what we can do to advance racial justice. This is the first of what we intend to be a number of episodes that focuses on particular aspects of the intersection of race and sustainability. We‘ve created a page on our website with a running list of valuable resources on racism and environmental justice (sustainabilitydefined.com/racism) for those eager for more info. Going forward, we plan to consider and include connections to racial justice in all episodes. We start this episode wi...2020-10-021h 23
Sustainability DefinedEp 53: Pollinators with Rob Davis (Center for Pollinators in Energy), Kevin Hackett (NativeEnergy), and Elysa Hammond (Clif Bar & Company)We run a family-friendly podcast here at Sustainability Defined, but in this episode, we’re going to talk about sex. Plant sex, to be precise. Pollinators play a critical role in moving pollen from male to female parts of the flower so the plant can reproduce. Without pollinators to help plants reproduce, we wouldn’t have all sorts of food and products that we enjoy daily, our ecosystems would be severely harmed, and we wouldn’t have all those pretty flowers to look at. The world of pollinators is huge; we’re guessing many of you listeners think of bees whe...2020-09-0400 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 52: Feminine Hygiene Products with Celia Pool and Alec Mills (DAME)Should it be taboo to talk about a $6 billion industry that is responsible for greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to driving three million cars for a year? Of course not! But unfortunately, the artificial sensitivities around the topic of this month's episode - feminine hygiene products - have hindered widespread discussion of the significant environmental and social issues associated with these products. Join us as we investigate the many sustainability issues they affect, from environmental footprints and social acceptance to female genital health, access and equity, and many more. In addition to speaking with the co-founders of DAME...2020-08-0758 min
Sustainability DefinedAtypical Ep 1: Racial Justice, Favorite Sustainability Articles & Listener VoicemailsThis is our very first “atypical” episode. It’s gonna sound a little different than what we usually share, and we probably won’t do these too often, but hey, variety is the spice of life. So, first on this episode, we read a statement on racial justice. We’ve done a lot of reading and thinking over the past several weeks and wanted to acknowledge the fact that we have failed in a number of ways when it comes to racial justice. Our self-awareness and anti-racism have fallen short, and we’re coming to recognize the inherent shortcomings of a show ho...2020-07-0342 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 51: Urban Greening with Sandra Albro (Holden Forests & Gardens)In this episode, we focus on how we can beautify our cities while delivering environmental benefits through a process called urban greening. Urban greening refers to public landscaping and urban forestry projects that create mutually beneficial relationships between city dwellers and their environments. We discuss urban greening’s impacts on human health, what listeners can do to promote urban greening, what successful green infrastructure projects look like, and which cities boast the most green space (Scott guessed wrong on which cities were at the top of the list, so we think you’ll be surprised too!). We’re joi...2020-06-051h 00
Sustainability DefinedEp 50: Hospitals and Sustainability with Julie Moyle (Practice Greenhealth)It's time for our first check-up on hospitals and sustainability. With coronavirus upending our way of life and infecting so many people, it's critical that our hospitals continue to operate. Sustainability ensures hospitals can continue operations in times of stress, and it also helps hospitals save money, reduce their impact on the environment, and make their communities more healthy. In this episode, we break down how hospitals can operate more sustainably and highlight some compelling examples from leaders like Boston Medical Center and Cleveland Clinic. We also have insights from someone well positioned to tell us about sustainability trends...2020-05-011h 05
Sustainability DefinedEp 49: e-Mobility with Giovanni Bertolino (Enel X)Transportation is a major source of global greenhouse gas emissions. In the United States, it's actually the #1 source, above both energy and industry, which, you know, are kind of big activities. A transition to e-Mobility – the use of transportation modes that are fully or partly driven with an electric drivetrain – along with decarbonizing our energy system would mean significant progress in the fight against climate change. In this episode we talk about what's needed to make the transition to e-Mobility a reality, how to accelerate (see what we did there?) that transition, and what the challenges are to more wide...2020-04-031h 03
Sustainability Defined*UPDATED* Ep 1: Electric Bikes with Amber Wason (Riide)Do you remember your first time? We sure do - it was on a bike! In preparation for some awesome new content coming up, we're replaying our very first episode from way back in April of 2016. Join us as we cover the basics of electric bikes and discuss the latest developments in the e-bike market. Hint: they're gaining speed and show no signs of braking. ------ Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen. Each episode focuses on...2020-03-0649 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 48: Careers in Sustainability with Trish Kenlon (Sustainable Career Pathways)"How do I get started with a career in sustainability?" "Do I need a master's degree to advance within the field?" "What if you really love the company you work for, but they don’t have an opportunity to work in sustainability (and get paid for it)?" Pursuing a career in sustainability can seem as tough as defining sustainability in the first place. Fret not, dear listeners! We collected your questions and crafted an episode dedicated to exploring the landscape of jobs in sustainability. Join us as we break down the market for sustainability jobs, relate our ow...2020-02-071h 13
Sustainability DefinedEp 47: Soil Carbon with Jennifer Cooper and Jeff Bernicke (NativeEnergy) and Hana Kajimura (Allbirds)Beneath our feet lies a huge carbon sink. In fact, soils hold more than three times the amount of carbon that's in the atmosphere! It used to hold a whole lot more before we disrupted the soil with certain kinds of development and agricultural practices. Today, many see restoring the carbon that used to be in our soil (and then some) as key to what's needed to avoid the worst effects of climate change. We talk with Jennifer Cooper and Jeff Bernicke at NativeEnergy to hear how it collaborates with organizations to deliver authentic, community-scale sustainability projects, including ones...2020-01-031h 05
Sustainability DefinedEp 46: 2019 Holiday Hodge-PodgeIt's that time of year again - peppermint mochas, trendy scarves, and Sustainability Defined's holiday hodge podge episode! We have our usual slate of sustainability-minded holiday gift ideas in addition to what we hope will be a new tradition: sharing highlights from our favorite sustainability articles of the year. We also interview Annabelle Mercer and Samantha Burch, students at Duke University's Masters of Environmental Manage program, who helped us develop a #marketing #strategy program for the podcast over the last several months. They join us to explain how they've refined our marketing strategy and how listeners can apply their...2019-12-0651 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 45: Sustainable Aquaculture with Sophie Ryan (Global Salmon Initiative)For most listeners, the term "farming" evokes images of tall crops on large swaths of land (hello, listeners from Nebraska!). Well, there is also farming in the water to raise fish! This practice is known as aquaculture, and it's becoming increasingly important as we look to meet the demand for fish as a protein source without putting additional strain on wild fish stocks. Aquaculture is also big business. In fact, Salmon aquaculture is the fastest growing food production system in the world. We talk with Sophie Ryan, CEO of the Global Salmon Initiative, about aquaculture generally and dive deep...2019-11-0159 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 44: Biomimicry with Nicole Miller (Biomimicry 3.8)Mimicking nature might be the plan for your Halloween costume (trick or treating is so close!), but looking to nature is also increasingly seen as a way to solve problems and innovate both in life and business. Biomimicry is a burgeoning field that involves finding sustainable solutions to certain challenges by emulating nature’s time-tested patterns and strategies. Innovators have found solutions to real-world problems through the study of the shape of a bird's beak, the hide of an armadillo, and the fins of a humpback whale. We'll dive into cool examples and how you can learn to apply th...2019-10-0439 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 43: High Speed Rail with Andy Kunz (U.S. High Speed Rail Association)High speed rail ain't your grandparents' type of train. Modern high speed rail systems sustain speeds of more than 125 MPH, drastically cutting transit time between major destinations while reducing road congestion at the same time. In this episode, you’ll learn about the many benefits of these systems and why so many global cities have developed state of the art systems while the U.S. lags behind. Prior to arriving at our final destination, we’ll also talk with Andy Kunz, President and CEO of the U.S. High Speed Rail Association, who will give us his insights on why...2019-09-0653 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 42: Climate Advocacy with Brady Walkinshaw (Grist) and Varshini Prakash (Sunrise Movement)In every episode, we make sure to include how you, dear listener, can put the concept we discuss into action. Well, with this episode on climate advocacy, we spotlight the ways you can get involved and share tips on how to be most effective. We need you out there explaining the urgent need for action (listening to this podcast earns you partial credit)! Our expert guests, Brady Walkinshaw, CEO of Grist, and Varshini Prakash, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Sunrise Movement, explain how they got involved in climate advocacy, ways to effectively spark action, and how you can take...2019-08-0254 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 41: Equity in Cities with Rob Phocas (City of Charlotte) and Jerry Tinianow (City of Denver)When we think about sustainability in cities, the first things we envision tend to be sexy mobility systems, smart buildings, and urban forests. Fact is, there's an additional layer to the sustainability cake that's just as important (and tasty): equity. It's not enough for sustainability efforts to increase renewable energy production, make water use more efficient, decrease carbon emissions, etc. We have to ensure that sustainability efforts consider the wishes and feedback of all residents, regardless of income level or neighborhood. Also, they should positively impact all parts of the city. In this episode, we unpack how to be...2019-07-0558 min
Sustainability DefinedHiatus Ep #3: Big Data and Sustainability with Kate Brandt (Google)Dearest Sustainability Defined family, we are taking a short hiatus. This is the third in a brief series of episodes where we'll give a short update on what we're up to outside of the podcast and then replay an oldie but goodie in its entirety. For this month's hiatus, we're revisiting our episode on Big Data & Sustainability. It's one of our most downloaded episodes and features an interview with Kate Brandt, Google's Sustainability Officer. Since this episode originally aired in October of 2017, Kate's continued to push the needle in sustainable tech and spotlight the positive impacts big...2019-06-0754 min
Sustainability DefinedHiatus Ep #2: Supply Chain Emissions with Zach Freeze (Walmart)Dearest Sustainability Defined family, we are taking a short hiatus. This is the second in a brief series of episodes where we'll give a short update on what we're up to outside of the podcast and then replay an oldie but goodie in its entirety. For this month's hiatus episode, we're revisiting Walmart's ambitious supply chain emissions initiative called Project Gigaton, which I think we can all agree is a badass name. For many companies, Scope 3 emissions (fancy term for supply chain emissions) make up most of a company's carbon footprint. Learn more about these emissions and...2019-05-0349 min
Sustainability DefinedHiatus Ep #1: Sustainable Beer with Katie Wallace (New Belgium Brewing Company)Dearest Sustainability Defined family, we are taking a short hiatus. This is the first in a brief series of episodes in which each episode we'll be giving a short update on what we're up to outside of the podcast and then replaying an oldie but goodie in its entirety. For this month's hiatus episode, we'll be raising a toast to sustainable beer. We didn't get score any free drinks out of this episode (definitely a miss on our part), but we did learn a heck of a lot about what goes into making beer sustainable and why...2019-04-0538 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 40: University Sustainability with Penn State UniversityGrab your notebook and #2 pencil... we're going back to school! Through their operations, research, and course offerings, universities have a large carbon footprint and play a major role in advancing sustainability. Join us as we dive into the nuances of sustainability on college campuses, including a special focus on Penn State University, where one of its professors, Lucy McClain, includes our podcast in her course curriculum. In this episode, you'll hear from Dr. Paul Shrivastava, PSU's Chief Sustainability Officer, Professor McClain, and two of the students in Professor McClain's class who had the privilege of listening to our episodes...2019-03-0152 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 39: Energy Efficiency with Scott Tew (Ingersoll Rand)Producing a watt of energy from renewable sources is great, but y’know what’s better? Not even using that watt in the first place! This is where energy efficiency comes into play. It allows us to keep doing our favorite activities but not use as much energy in the process. In this episode, you’ll learn about energy efficiency’s many benefits, the challenges to its widespread adoption, which organizations are leading the way in the field, and what you can do to be more energy efficient at home. One of these leading organizations is Ingersoll Rand, a diversif...2019-02-0150 min
Sustainability Defined*UPDATED* Ep 6: Food Waste with Ann Yang and Phil Wong (Misfit Foods)Still hunting for a New Years resolution? Look no further! Reducing food waste is one of the easiest ways we as individuals can fight climate change. It also happens to be the third most impactful solution on Paul Hawken’s Project Drawdown list to reverse global warming (see Episode 32 for our interview with Paul Hawken). We covered this important topic in early 2016, back when Jay and Scott were both single and ready to mingle in DC. There’s much to update on food waste so after we air the original 2016 episode, stay tuned as we investigate current trends in food...2019-01-0453 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 38: Holiday Hodge-Podge of sustainable gift ideas, climate change migrants, and guests from the Stockholm Resilience Centre, Grosvenor Real Estate, and the Woodrow Wilson CenterThis year, the holidays are coming early to Sustainability Defined listeners. Tune into our Holiday Hodge-Podge episode for all kinds of treats, including sustainable gift ideas, an overview of the climate change migrants issue, a summary of Jay's European travels, and exciting podcast updates. Plus, we include not one, but three (!) interviews from sustainability leaders around the world: Lauren Herzer Risi (Project Director of the Environmental Change and Security Program at the Wilson Center), Emily Hamilton (Senior Sustainability Manager at Grosvenor Real Estate), and Andrew Merrie (Communications Officer at Stockholm Resilience Centre). We hope you enjoy this episode and...2018-12-0758 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 37: Offshore Wind Energy with Benj Sykes (Orsted) and Liz Burdock (Business Network for Offshore Wind)Get your lifejackets on, folks - we're going offshore! While most installed wind energy capacity in the U.S. is on land, offshore wind is prevalent in Europe and poised to accelerate on American waters. We have no doubt you'll be blown away as you hear about the potential for offshore wind and the jobs it can generate. Join us as we speak with experts on two different continents: Jay spoke with Benj Sykes, UK Country Manager at Orsted, in London, and Scott sat down with Liz Burdock, CEO and President of the Business Network for Offshore Wind, at...2018-11-0241 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 36: Green Burial with Elizabeth Fournier (Cornerstone Funeral Services)When we say “sustainability,” the first thing you think about is how we bury our dead, right? Ok, we rarely think about it either, but by the end of this episode, we think you’ll agree that green burial has a significant environmental impact. We also hope the episode spurs conversations with your loved ones about your (and their) end of life wishes. The perfect guest joins us to chat about this interesting topic - Elizabeth Fournier, also known as “The Green Reaper.” With a nickname like that, we knew that she could keep up with our bad jokes. Enjoy this...2018-10-0554 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 35: Sustainable Beauty and Personal Care Products with Danielle Azoulay (L'Oreal USA)While we know our listeners are beautiful inside and out, we all have our go-to beauty and personal care products that help us feel fresh and clean. Dating would be a huge challenge without 'em. However, some of these products harm our health and the environment due to their ingredients, packaging, and manufacturing processes. We'll talk about the sustainability of beauty and personal care products generally and then explore how the world's largest beauty products company embraces sustainability when we chat with Danielle Azoulay, L'Oreal USA's Head of CSR and Sustainability. ----------------------------- SustainabilityDefined is the...2018-09-0746 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 34: Biodegradable Products with Susanna Carson (BSIbio Packaging Solutions)There are all kinds of claims out there about compostability, bio-based packaging, and biodegradability. In this episode, we clarify all those terms, explain why they’re important, and discuss the latest trends in biodegradable products. We then bring on our expert guest Susanna Carson, someone who once wore a compostable ball gown, to tell us about her bio-based product companies and what we should all know about biodegradable products. Armed with this new info, you’ll be sure to impress at your next party - a party that will undoubtedly feature compostable cups (we’re told that partie...2018-08-0347 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 33: Sustainable Tourism with Daniella Foster (Hilton)When you think of travel and tourism, what comes to mind? Maybe it's a pristine beach, an exciting new city, or all those airline miles you're dying to use. Odds are, the environmental impacts of your travel are more of an afterthought, but that's no reason to believe they don't exist. In this episode we dive into why a sustainable tourism industry is so important. We're joined by Daniella Foster, Hilton Hotels' Senior Director of Global Corporate Responsibility, to discuss everything from ecotourism to job opportunities for young people around the world. Recorded live from the Sustainable Brands '18...2018-07-0659 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 32: Reversing Global Warming with Paul Hawken (Project Drawdown)The effects of global warming can sound so calamitous that the problem itself seems insurmountable. Well do we have some good news for you! In this episode, we overwhelm you with solutions to global warming and explain how we can actually reverse it. Our latest sustainability celebrity, Paul Hawken, an environmentalist, entrepreneur, activist, and author, joins us to talk about his latest project--Project Drawdown. Project Drawdown has identified, researched, and modeled the 100 most substantive, existing solutions to address climate change. Join us as we break down some of these solutions and explore Project Drawdown with Paul’s unparalleled expertise....2018-06-0151 min
Sustainability Defined*UPDATED* Ep 11: Climate Change Communication with Ed Maibach (Center for Climate Change Communication)You, dear listener, may be one of the few Americans who knows that 97% of climate scientists believe climate change is human-caused... but how do you approach the topic with someone who doesn't believe it's even happening? And how many climate change skeptics are out there? We talk in this episode with the man who has the answers to these questions and more. Ed Maibach, Director of George Mason University's Center for Climate Change Communication, has been researching for the past several years the various ways Americans think about climate change and how to motivate people to act...2018-05-0448 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 31: LIVE Recording of Existing Buildings Keynote with Jay and Scott (U.S. Green Building Council keynote speech)We've been told we have the faces for podcasting, but apparently the U.S. Green Building Council thinks we have the faces for speeches too. USGBC invited us to its annual GreenCon event to give a keynote speech on existing buildings, and here for your listening pleasure is a live recording of our talk. It's certainly a timely topic - in 2015, about 40% of total U.S. energy consumption was consumed in residential and commercial buildings alone! Have a listen and forever change the way you see existing buildings. Plus, we start the speech with not one but *four* party...2018-04-0657 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 30: Green Finance with Joel Makower (GreenBiz Group)What if we took some of the trillions of dollars invested every year and put that money towards projects that address climate change and the UN Sustainable Development Goals? Well, green finance is trying to do just that. Learn in this episode about the various instruments and mechanisms that funnel more and more capital towards green projects. Plus, a special treat just for you! The man, the myth, the legend, Joel Makower, the Chairman and Executive Editor of "the" source for green business news, GreenBiz Group, joins us to talk green finance and (of course) his mustache. ...2018-03-0249 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 29: Green Aviation with John Mandyck (United Technologies)With an average of 10,000 airplanes in the global skies at any given time, it’s safe to say aviation is a huge part of our lives. Join us from takeoff to landing as we discuss how the global aviation industry is flying towards sustainability at an astonishing speed. John Mandyck, Chief Sustainability Officer at United Technologies Corporation, visits us to explain how his company is helping make planes greener than ever. You can find more info on United Technologies Corporation's sustainability efforts and its white papers on sustainable aviation at www.naturalleader.com, and you can follow John Mandyck on...2018-02-0238 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 28: Marketing Sustainability with Soli Townsend (Futerra)You’re probably thinking, “Does something as awesome as sustainability even need to be marketed?” Turns out, half the fun of sustainability is spreading its positive impacts as far as possible. Hear from our expert guest Soli Townsend, co-founder of the sustainability strategy and change agency Futerra, about how she has helped major companies market their sustainability actions and products all around the world. She'll also tell us about her new book The Happy Hero in which she explains how we can feel good by doing good. Join us as we start the year off right talking marketing, sustainability, and po...2018-01-0552 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 27: Sustainability and Art with Annie Griffiths (National Geographic and Ripple Effect Images) + Holiday Gift IdeasSure the facts and figures we discuss on the show are helpful, but a photograph or painting that emotionally touches someone can have just as big of an impact - or even more! Since Jay and Scott have rudimentary artistic skills at best (Scott's stick figures haven't improved much since 2nd grade), Annie Griffiths, an award-winning photojournalist and one of the first female photographers hired at National Geographic, joins us to talk about how art can catalyze behavioral and societal change. Plus, we give you five green holiday gift ideas in time for festivus and other year-end festivities. 2017-12-0130 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 26: Big Data and Sustainability with Kate Brandt (Google)In this episode we dive into big data, the massive collections of information that can deliver all kinds of insights, including thing like predicting popular tv shows, determining the best way to combat crime, and identifying air pollution hot spots. Big data also calls for a big time guest, and oh baby did we get one! Kate Brandt, the ever-smiling Lead for Sustainability at Google, joins us to explain how Google uses big data to advance sustainability inside the company and around the world. ----------------------------- SustainabilityDefined is the podcast that seeks to define sustainability, one...2017-10-0644 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 25: Supply Chain Emissions & Walmart's Project Gigaton with Zach FreezeUghhh! Just when you think your company's greenhouse gas emissions are under control, you remember those pesky little things called Scope 3 Emissions – all the *indirect* emissions that don't even come from the energy you use. Turns out, your supply chain carries massive amounts of emissions that are basically embedded in your product! How do you tackle this, you ask? You engage all of your suppliers and motivate them to cut back their emissions, which is exactly what Walmart's Project Gigaton aims to do. In spearheading this pioneering project, Walmart is asking its suppliers to reduce greenhouse gas em...2017-09-0143 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 24: Plastics with Andrew Almack (Plastics for Change) and Monique Oxender (Keurig Green Mountain)Ahhh, plastics. Ever heard of 'em? Many thanks to one of our listeners for suggesting we cover this topic. As such a huge issue, we think it deserves TWO interviews! Our guests--Andrew Almack, who works leads Plastics for Change in India to increase plastic recycling via the informal economy, and Monique Oxender, Chief Sustainability Officer at Keurig Green Mountain who has been working on the recyclability of those K-Cups we're sure many of you enjoy--provide us with diverse and interesting insights on plastics. After listening you'll never look at plastic - or that confusing number inside the recycling logo...2017-08-0454 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 23: Agroecology with Steve Brescia (Groundswell International)What is agroecology, you ask? Agroecology is a style of farming that makes the best use of nature's goods and services without inflicting any harm on earth's resources. Often confused with afroecology (the practice of farming with disco-style hair), it presents an exciting yet surprisingly familiar way that our food production system can reorganize itself more sustainably. Steve Brescia, Executive Director of Groundswell International, joins us to explain how farming "the way our grandparents did" can unlock a trove of sustainable tools as we adapt to changing climates. ----------------------------- SustainabilityDefined is the podcast that seeks...2017-07-0745 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 22: Circular Economy with Jennifer Gerholdt (U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation) and Angela Nahikian (Steelcase)In this episode, we talk with two women shaping the future of the circular economy. What is the circular economy? Well, it's this little business opportunity that could generate $4.5 trillion (that's with a "t") of additional economic output by 2030. The circular economy is about designing out waste--using fewer inputs on the front end, extending lifecycles of products, and refurbishing products or re-using inputs at the end of a product's useful life. Misfit Juicery (episode #6) and The Renewal Workshop (episode #18) are great examples of companies in the circular economy since they are creating value out of resources that would otherwise g...2017-05-1254 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 21: Water Infrastructure with Will Sarni (Water Foundry, LLC)Water infrastructure refers to the immense underground highway of pipes that brings us our life-sustaining resource (and takes it away after we do our business). It also was a source of many bad jokes flowing out of our pipes during the recording. Today's guest is Will Sarni, an expert in water technology and corporate water strategies, who recently wrote a report for Deloitte on the state of U.S. water infrastructure. Spoiler alert: it's in bad shape. It's a trillion dollar problem that will only get worse if we kick the can down the road. Will tells us how...2017-04-1441 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 20: Conservatism and Climate Change with Bob Inglis (Republic(en))Skeptical about an episode on Conservatives and Climate Change from two left-leaning (and dashingly handsome) hosts? Well, there are conservatives out there that want to address climate change, and our guest, Bob Inglis (also dashingly handsome), is one of them. Bob is a former Republican congressman and as the Executive Director of Republic(En), works to educate conservatives on climate change solutions that they can feel comfortable with and should support. Admittedly, we're not experts on conservative thought, but we do our darndest to give a fair portrait of conservatism and explain why many of today's conservatives don't seem...2017-03-1746 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 19: Sustainability in the C-Suite with Colin Dyer (JLL)Who knew a Fortune-500 CEO could be so friendly and approachable? We lucked out with the opportunity to interview Colin Dyer, the former CEO and current board member of JLL. JLL is the global real estate services company where Jay actually works! Colin joined us to talk Sustainability in the C-Suite, highlighting the lessons he's learned as CEO in turning big companies into sustainable corporate citizens. Fortunately, none of Jay's jokes were bad enough to cost him his job. BONUS: Colin's charming British accent. ----------------------------- SustainabilityDefined is the podcast that seeks to define sustainability, one...2017-02-1739 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 18: Sustainable Apparel with Jeff Denby (The Renewal Workshop)You probably have some awesome retro clothes in your closet because you want to get as much use out of your clothes as you can. We're with you, but unfortunately, in the USA, 80 pounds of apparel per American per year ends up in the landfill. Luckily, there is a superhero to the rescue. Our guest this episode, Jeff Denby, is the co-founder of a business called The Renewal Workshop that is going to take this linear model and make it circular. It partners with apparel brands to take returned and damaged clothing, clean it and repair it at a...2017-01-0642 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 17: Environmental Journalism with Nick Aster (TriplePundit)Environmental journalism is about way more than drawing ornate landscapes in your diary (although we're sure they're beautiful!). The field covers everything from John Muir's prolific writing of the American West to the stories we hear about climate change on the news. Nick Aster of TriplePundit joins us on the second episode of our Net Impact National Conference series to explain trends in environmental journalism and how he got his start with his renowned blog. ----------------------------- SustainabilityDefined is the podcast that seeks to define sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by...2016-12-0934 min
Sustainability DefinedEp 16: Sustainable Beer with Katie Wallace (New Belgium Brewing Company)Is there a combination out there more heavenly than sustainability and beer? We certainly don't think so, and Katie Wallace of New Belgium Brewing Company agrees. She joins us on the first episode of our Net Impact National Conference series to explain how New Belgium makes such sustainable (and tasty) beer. Cheers! ----------------------------- SustainabilityDefined is the podcast that seeks to define sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen. Each episode focuses on a single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic...2016-11-1833 min