Because Why?! The Science and Society Pod.

We are back! Thank you for your patience while we sorted out a bit of our workload, but your reward is that this week we are doing one of my favourite episodes. It has taken a lot of research and a lot of reading that made me really quite f*cking angry about the way we do things. Today we are talking about what is actually good for the environment, Plastic glass or aluminium and one of them is the...

There’s something I’ve been seeing a lot of on social media lately. Ecoapathy. Ecoanxiety. There is a growing number of people who are not only angry and apathetic but also saying “what is the point, it’s too late now to prevent climate catastrophe’.This is a mindset that is actually dangerous to the environmental cause, especially since it is actually not too late to fix things and in fact, we ki...

This week we’re going to talk about lawns. They look great, right? They're soft to walk on, I guess they're nice enough to look at. They're great for backyard cricket if you are one of those people. But they're actually pretty shit for the environment. For a long time I’ve been a big advocate for just digging up all lawns, but if you don’t quite understand why I feel this way, this...

I have had enough of trolls and the idea of the perfect environmentalist. I’m sure many of you have seen or experienced random people on the internet tearing down anyone’s attempts at being eco friendly by pointing out other areas where they have failed to do so. There is no such thing as a perfect environmentalist and anyone who claims there is, is either deluded, or using the concept to create n...

Today we're going to focus on resolutions. I know, nobody keeps resolutions, so let's call them goals. This episode is all about sustainability goals for our personal lives, because yes, we need systemic change to change the world, but we can also do our bit with individual action. Now this is going to cover a whole range of topics and if you can pick up and try even one of them this year...

This time, we're tackling the rubbish (literally) world of fast beauty. You know, the kind that's all over your TikTok and Instagram feeds with the weirdest trends and obsession with buying the next greatest foundation. Fast beauty may look pretty on the surface, but there is a massive catch; the real cost of keeping up with these ever-changing trends, to people and planet. I'm having a chat about...

This Christmas, your presence, is present enough... (pass me a bucket). But this sentiment is so true, even if you find the sentence a little vomit inducing. This episode is all about dodging the holiday excess and nailing the art of gifting with a conscience. Chatting how to keep things magical without the environmental baggage. Think less clutter, more memories; less wrapping, more... laughing?...

In this episode of "Now, That's What I Call Green," discover the intricate world of sustainable eating. Discover the environmental impacts of popular options like oat milk (which is the best plant milk...?) and the innovative realm of lab-grown meat. I chat the issue of food waste, revealing alarming statistics and practical solutions - because it's one of the easiest things we can do to lessen ou...

It's a special episode of "Now, That's What I Call Green," because my first guest is one of the superstars of the sustainability world in Aotearoa - Kate Hall (you'll probably know her as Ethically Kate). Join me as we explore Kate's personal journey toward sustainable living, the motivations that fuel her dedication, and the beacon of hope she finds in the midst of environmental crises. We chat h...

Ever given a side-eye to your backyard and considered its hidden eco-potential? In today's episode, I, Brianne West, dig into the unsung narratives of local ecosystems. We're diving into the silent retreat of our six-legged friends and what it means for our environment. From the sprawling concept of rewilding to quirky yet effective ways to boost life in your own patch of green, we'll unpack the b...

In this special episode of 'Now, That's What I Call Green', I, Brianne West, sift through the environmental pledges of major political parties in the looming Aotearoa New Zealand election. Delving into subjects from climate change responsiveness to renewable energy vows, I'll lay out what each party is pledging—taking it with a grain of salt—for the well-being of our planet. Listen in to shape up...

Ever been duped by a so-called 'eco-friendly' product that was more 'meh' than 'green'? In this episode of 'Now, That's What I Call Green', I, Brianne West, shine a spotlight on the sneaky world of greenwashing. We'll take a wander from the impactful days of Rachel Carson's 'Silent Spring' straight to the glossy ads of today's fast fashion. Unmask the top five greenwashing tactics and grasp why di...

In the kick-off episode of "Now, That's What I Call Green", I, Brianne West - your friendly nature obsessed biochemist, am about to bust some sustainability myths wide open! Ever wondered about the real scoop on tree planting or whether paper is actually better than plastic...? Or maybe you've been seduced by the "natural" label on products and thought, "How natural is it really?" Stick around for...