Sustainably Geeky

The ocean provides invaluable ecosystem services enabling the survival of most life on Earth, regardless of whether it lives in the water or near the coast. The ocean also provides ample recreation and tourism opportunities. Alex Fogg from Destin-Fort Walton Beach (DFWB) joins us to discuss marine conservation, eco-tourism and how DFWB is merging the two to help protect local resources and th...

Sports have a huge personal and cultural impact for people all around the world, bringing communities together and offering unique social experiences. They also have a sizeable impact on the environment. So how do we balance the personal fulfilment and social connection that sports provide with the need for a healthy planet? Claire Poole from Sport Positive joins to discuss this tension, and how t...

Humans produce an incredible amount of rubbish, and it causes an incredible amount of damage to our environment and health. Better waste management practices are part of the solution, but waste reduction is just as vital. Sarah Currie-Halpern from Think Zero LLC joins to discuss how our waste is managed, how to improve this system, and how Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations are hel...

It's time to change the outdated idea that humans are separate from nature. Bioregioning takes a holistic approach to nature restoration that emphasizes the human connection to the landscapes we inhabit. Sarah Prosser, Weaver and CEO of Bioregioning South East Ireland, joins us to discuss their work and the principles of bioregioning. She shares examples where bioregioning is being succe...

Wolves and other apex predators play a critical role in their ecosystems,, but they are often feared and vilified by humans. Katie Stacey explores this tension in her book No Paradise with Wolves. The book follows the journey of Katie and her partner as they restore their farm in Northern Spain, while simultaneously learning about and advocating for protection of the local environment, specif...

When looking to protect land from development, mining and other harmful activities, Conservation Easement Agreements (CEAs) are perhaps one of the most effective methods for permanently protecting private land. Despite their effectiveness, many are not familiar with this method of land protection, so we've brought in Joel Enman from Ontario Farmland Trust to explain how CEAs work. He also dis...

In this bonus episode we're joined by Kara Escajeda from Parrie Haynes Ranch, a park in Central Texas under threat of being closed. Kara discusses the challenges facing the park, and the current state of public land in Texas. She also explains the importance of parks in general for local communities and the environment, and offers tips for how to advocate for green spaces in your area. Resources d...

The negative environmental consequences of industrial food production are well known, but how does this system affect the people producing the food? Alex Woodard joins to discuss his book Ordinary Soil, a story that offers insight into the human impacts of "modern" farming methods. The book covers a broad spectrum of social and environmental issues including soil degradation, toxins, the...

As the cost of renewable energy continues to fall, it has become an attractive alternative to fossil fuels. Solar energy is especially attractive, as it allows consumers to produce energy onsite. Owen Barrett from Shine joins us to discuss the basics of residential solar, and how his company is helping make solar available to multifamily housing units. He also shares his thoughts on the...

There are many alternatives to fossil fuels, but how do we pick which one(s) to use? Rinaldo Brutoco, Founding President and CEO of the World Business Academy and H2 Clipper, Inc., joins us to discuss why he believes hydrogen is the best choice. Rinaldo explains how hydrogen works and how it's being used today. He also discusses common misconceptions about hydrogen, and why the transition awa...

Our planet is home to millions of species, many of which have yet to be discovered. Human activity is threatening an alarming number of these species, resulting in a biodiversity crisis that is drastically impacting human and non-human life. Dr. Debbie Saunders of NatureHelm joins to discuss this crisis and possible solutions. She maintains a hopeful outlook while emphasizing t...

This month we're joined by Trevor and Kyle Ritland, authors of the new book The Golden Toad: An Ecological Mystery and the Search for a Lost Species. The book explores the mysterious disappearance of the golden toad from its home in Costa Rica, and how Trevor and Kyle's lifelong fascination with the species led them to investigate its disappearance. They discuss this experience and how it fits int...

As the climate continues to change, so too do our expectations for what the future might hold. Climate fiction (cli-fi) is a growing genre that explores these possibilities, for better or worse.  Clean energy tech expert Todd Medema is one of the people telling these stories in his debut book  How to Surf a Hurricane.  Todd joins us to discuss his inspiration for writing the bo...

Our addiction to fossil fuels has devastating impacts on the environment, weather, and human health and security. Tzeporah Berman, Founder & Co-Chair of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, joins us to discuss the consequences of climate change and the need for urgent action to avoid further damage. She explains why reducing fossil fuel emissions is not enough, that we must also...

Supercool! If you're curious about innovative advancements in sustainability, this is the episode for you! Josh Dorfman, host of the podcast Supercool, shares examples of effective climate solutions being implemented around the world. He also shares ideas for how we can better communicate the good news stories that are often overlooked. Josh's positive outlook for the future is a welcome shif...

Everyone has to eat, but it can be overwhelming to decide what the healthiest options are, both for humans and the planet. Ali Cox, a fifth generation farmer and founder of agricultural marketing firm Noble West, joins us to discuss sustainable food production and consumption. She also shares the progress being made in the industry, and some of the challenges of communicating these stories to...

The indoor spaces we live, work and spend our lives in can have great impacts on our physical and mental well-being, and how we build them can have great environmental impacts. This month we talk with Steve Pallrand, Founder of CarbonShack, about the significance of the indoor environment. Steve discusses how individuals and businesses can build and design enjoyable spaces sustainably. He also sha...

The outdoor industry produces a vast amount of products that allow us to experience nature in ways we never could before, but these products can have a detrimental impact on the natural world they're allowing us to access. To help us examine this paradox, we're joined by Annie Agle, VP of Sustainability and Impact at Cotopaxi. Annie discusses the responsibility of companies to give back and reduce...

This month we're joined by Sandhya Sabapathy, Global Head of Environment and Net Zero at Entain and Founder of Kaleidoscope, to discuss the importance of inclusivity and environmental justice. Drawing on her experience working with private companies and volunteer organizations, Sandhya shares examples of inclusive leadership in action and discusses the importance of intersectionality in...

The environmental impacts of the transportation sector are immense, but that also means there are a lot of opportunities for improvement. Dan Hendry from the Get on the Bus movement, driven by Small Change Fund, joins to discuss the role of mass transit in addressing these challenges. He shares insights into how mass transportation is evolving and opportunities for improvement. Dan also expla...

With so much climate disinformation out there, it can be difficult to know what to believe. Tom Spencer, Founder and Editor of IrishEVs.com and Creator of the Irish Greenwashing Awards, helps us examine the challenges associated with communicating environmental topics in an age of information overload. Tom explains the historical context that got us here and how the media lands...

Traditional meat and dairy production have severe environmental impacts, so what if there's a better way? Dr. Elliot Swartz from the Good Food Institute joins us to talk about cultivated meat and its potential to transform the food industry. We discuss how it is created, its environmental and health impacts, and how it could impact the future of food production. Resources discussed in this ep...

It can be difficult to process everything happening in the world today without becoming overwhelmed. So how do we manage? Dr. Lynne Sedgemore, author of Presence Activism, joins to discuss her upcoming book and how presence can help address a variety of difficult emotions, with a particular focus on climate anxiety. We also explore some of the common reactions to the...

There's no way around it-the circular economy is here to stay! We are joined by returning guest Brittanny Belanger, Founder of Earthub, to discuss how they're helping the Ottawa community live more sustainably. We also explore how their work contributes to a larger circular economy, and the benefits of this system. Resources discussed in this episode: Earthub website Sam's Good News Channel G...

Transitioning away from fossil fuels is essential to reducing carbon emissions, and will require utilizing a variety of energy sources. One of these is  renewable natural gas (RNG), a growing industry that uses food  waste to produce energy. Sam Schutte, Co-Founder and CEO of Synthica Energy, joins us to discuss how this technology works and the role it could play in reducing o...