Greening Up My Act

We'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-cur...

"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. Sources https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/speeches/ho...

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, an...

Federal 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.  Sources Network 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...

We 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. Sources https://w...

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-election The Guardian: Why Eligible Voters Di...

Struggling 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...

If 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.  Sources National Philanthropic Trust - Charitable Givin...

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 sustai...

Ready 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-...

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 t...

Did you know there are over 400,000 eco-friendly hotels around the world? Join Tiff and Kat in exploring how to identify these hidden gems in the wild and what they're doing to combat overtourism. 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-means Proven Partne...

Rockefeller-founded brand Paravel claims to make the "world's first carbon-neutral suitcases." The company's mission is also to make the world a better place. Are either of these things realistic? Join marketing writers Tiff and Kat as they explore the highfalutin world of luxury sustainable travel in your favorite sustainability podcast . Sources Paravel: https://tourparavel.c...

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 sister Our World in Data - Sector by sector: where do global greenhouse emission...

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! Sources Deloitte: https://www.deloitte.com/global/en/Industries/government-public/perspectives/urban-futur...

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 share...

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! Sources HyreCar sustainability claims: https://www.hyrecar.com/environmental-benefits-ridesharing/#how-does-ridesharing-contr...

We're back from summer break and ready to talk about public transit -- specifically, buses. Are they a better option for sustainable transportation? And why can't America get its act together when it comes to public bus systems? Sources MIT Climate Portal Explainer - Public Transportation - https://climate.mit.edu/explainers/public-transportation World Resources Institute - Post-pandemic...

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). Sources Boston Consulting Group: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2022/riding-the...

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.  Sources UCLA Transportation - How Riding a Bike Benefits the Environment - https://transportation.ucla.edu/blog/how-bike-riding-b...

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...

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/greeningupmyact Sources:  NPR - EV Batteries Hurt the Environment, but Gas Cars are Still Worse - https://www.npr.org/2024/05/09/1250212212/ev-batteries-environmental-impact The A...

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/GreeningUpMyAct Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyact Instagram : @green...

In the final episode of season 4, Kat and Tiff may break your heart a little as we discuss the truth about large-scale tree planting programs . But don't worry -- there's some hope for the forests. 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 Mo...

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. Sources NYC Compost Project: https://earthmatter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/tip-sheet-how-to-use-compost-cpts-htuc-f.pdf Or...