Sustainably Geeky

How do we live a simpler life that is more in tune with the natural world? Permaculture invites us to work with nature rather than against it. Jennifer talks with Taelor Monroe from the Austin Permaculture Guild about what permaculture is and how to implement it into all aspects of our lives. Resources mentioned in this episode: Gaia's Garden: A Guide to Home-scale Permaculture Earth User's Guide...

Human waste doesn't have to go to waste...in fact, it turns out it's quite useful! Advancements in wastewater treatment have allowed this endlessly renewable resource to be turned into biosolids, a fertilizer that helps capture carbon while adding nutrients to the soil. Industry experts Maile Lono-Batura (Director of Sustainable Biosolids Programs at the Water Environment Federation), Dr. Sally Br...

Farming has changed drastically over the years, but is it for the best? Regenerative farmer and author James Rebanks joins us to discuss the evolution of farming and how he's working to transition his farm away from the industrial system that has become so pervasive around the world. We also discuss his new book Pastoral Song , released in the US in August 2021. Resources discussed in this episode...

Diversity, equity and inclusion should be at the forefront of everything we do, and the environmental movement is no exception. Social inequalities influence not only how accessible nature is to different groups, but also who suffers the most from industrialization. Susana Cruz, Founder of Chicana in Nature, joins us to discuss the importance of representation, and what we can all do to help make...

We're diving into the world of coral! Chelsea Eareckson with the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) discusses the important role coral plays in the global ecosystem, and how climate change is affecting this unique and fragile species. To learn more about the Coral Reef Alliance, visit coral.org . Host: Jennifer Hetzel Like the show? Do us a favor and rate / review the show on iTunes, Stitcher or wherever...

Join us as we geek out over nature with David Mizejewski, Naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation. David discusses how he became a naturalist, television personality and a spokesperson for the National Wildlife Federation. He explains the importance of conservation and how we can all help the natural world from our own backyards. Resources discussed: David Mizejewski National Wildlife Fed...

Sustainability doesn't happen by accident. It requires a concerted effort to implement practices and design elements that work with and mimic nature. We talk with Brittanny Belanger, C.E.T., LEED Green Associate, and Founder of Earthub, to discuss sustainable urban design, and how you can help encourage this kind of development in your community. To leran more about Earthub, visit earthub.ca . Hos...

In this bonus episode, we talk with Michael Ziman, the Founder of One Tree Pledge, a sustainability initiative that aims to negate the carbon emissions from our homes and commercial buildings by asking people to pledge to plant 1 tree for every 1 square foot of their home or commercial structure. We discuss why he founded One Tree Pledge and the impact trees have on the environment and our daily l...

It's easy to feel overwhelmed in an ever-changing world that is threatened by climate change, consumerism and complacency. New York Times bestselling author Sarah Wilson joins us to discuss her newest book "This One Wild and Precious Life" and how we can address the challenges facing our planet and society. The book is a call to action that demonstrates how activism and connection with nature can...

Join us as we shine a light on solar energy. Steve Brown, President of Houston-based Capital Assets, LLC, discusses the potential of solar power and how his company is helping people access it. We examine the need to switch from fossil-fuel based energy, and how this can become a reality. Here are the resources discussed in this episode: Capital Assets Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute Steve...

In this bonus episode, we continue our conversation with limnologist and cli-fi author Nina Munteanu. We discuss her book A Diary in the Age of Water and what led her to write this dystopian tale of a future that revolves around water scarcity. Nina's background as a limnologist gives her a unique perspective on the challenges that await us if we do not address climate change. Find the book on Ama...

Water you waiting for? This month we talk with limnologist and cli-fi author Nina Munteanu about the water cycle and how human activity affects it. Nina discusses the importance of water in all its forms, and its affect on global warming. Here are the resources discussed in this episode: Movies: Borealis by Kevin McMahon Age of Nature by PBS and narrated by Uma Thurman Chasing Ice with photographe...

In this episode, Jennifer talks with Hannah Reynolds, Organizer with Divest Princeton, and Ben Dziobek, President of the Stockton Environmental Club, about their work organizing Students for International Divestment Day. They explain what divestment is and how you can get involved in the movement to get money out of fossil fuels. Resources: Sustainable Organizations; Students for International Div...

Indigenous stewardship doesn't have to be hard to navigate. Join us as we discuss this and the effect of colonialism on the environment with Andrew and Andrea, hosts of the podcast Local Terrane. We examine our food production system and how it can be modified to be more sustainable for the environment and indigenous people. Resources: Local Terrane Podcast New Leaf Old Roots Printmakers Against R...

Manmade chemicals are all around, but are they all bad for us? Michael Green, CEO of the Center for Environmental Health (CEH), joins us to discuss the work CEH has done to help protect us from harmful chemicals, which chemicals to avoid and which are helpful. He also offers tips for how to take action to make positive change in our own lives. Host: Jennifer Hetzel Like the show? Do us a favor and...

What's all the buzz about bees? These beneficial pollinators play a huge role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, but human activity has drastically affected their population for the worse. Join us as we talk with beekeeper Clayton Tucker to learn about why bees are important, how you can get into beekeeping and other ways you can help ensure their survival. Host: Jennifer Hetzel Like the show? Do...

The stars may be big and bright deep in the Heart of Texas, but they're only visible when there are sky is dark. Whether you're in Texas or anywhere else in the world, light pollution continues to distort our ability to enjoy the night sky, and it wreaks havoc on the natural world. We talk with Cliff Kaplan with the Hill Country Alliance and Chloe Crumley with the National Parks Conservation Assoc...

In this bonus episode, we talk to Dallas Kelley-Kerr of the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and Daniel Hernandez of Frontera Public Relations to learn about the work they're doing to get the Blackwell School in Marfa, TX designated as a National Park. The historic Blackwell School served to educate local children of Mexican descent in Marfa in the early-to-mid 1900's. This cultural...

We're getting the lay of the land...public lands, that is! On this episode Alan Spears and Dallas Kelley-Kerr from the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) join us to discuss the history of public lands and why they matter. They also explain what the NPCA does and how you can get involved to help advocate for our public lands. Host: Jennifer Hetzel Like the show? Do us a favor and rate /...

Waste is a terrible thing to mind, but unfortunately, there's a lot of it in the world. Join us as we talk to Linda van der Rijd, Owner of Screw Plastic, a company that makes plastic-free alternatives for everyday items. Linda explains what low-waste living is and why it is important. Just in time for Plastic Free July, the crew shares ideas for how to reduce your use of single-use plastic and oth...

Life's a garden, so dig it! We get into the weeds with Ben Cohen, Owner of Small House Farm and Founder of Michigan Seed Library to learn about the importance of seed saving. Ben gives tips for how to start saving seeds (both individually and as a community), and discusses how saving seeds and growing our own food can help us live a more sustainable life and become more self-sufficient. Host: Jenn...

Our planet is sick, and the only cure is bold collective action to help reverse the effects of climate change. Texas State Climatologist Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon discusses potential solutions and why he is optimistic that we can meet this challenge. He also explains how trends in long-term weather patterns have shifted and offers a perspective on how the COVID-19 pandemic might shift public attitud...

There's more than one way to get trashed on Spring Break! In this bonus episode, Jennifer joins the Living Lands and Waters (LLW) crew in Memphis, TN at their Alternative Spring Break (ASB). This annual event brings college students from around the nation together to pick up trash along the Mississippi River. Jennifer works alongside volunteers to help clean up McKellar Lake and learns firsthand a...

Going green isn't just for the Wicked Witch of the West! Whether new construction or renovation, all of us can implement green changes at home. Our own Jenn Rawlings explains the LEED certification system, and offers specific examples for green practices in residential buildings. Host: Jennifer Hetzel Like the show? Do us a favor and rate / review the show on iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you get y...

When it comes to Fast Fashion, there's a lot to unravel. Ashley Gill, Director of Standards for Textile Exchange , joins us in discussing Fast Fashion and the role the textile industry plays in enacting positive change in the way our clothes are produced. We examine the challenges and successes associated with sustainable clothing development, and ways consumers can shop responsibly and encourage...