SustainaPod

How can we improve walkability in urban cities? In the third episode of this Engineering Series, Paco tackles this idea with Vicky Chan, the founder of several NGOs including walkability DVRC. They discuss how we should rebuild rather than start from scratch, the need to change how we dress, and the importance of adaptation. They also talk about what he learned from his Bachelor’s degree at the Pr...

What are eco-engineered tiles, and why can they save many marine species? In the second episode of this Engineering Series, Paco is joined by Lantau conservation front advisory committee chairman Professor Kenneth Leung. He explains the design of the eco-engineered tile and the aim to mitigate the damage by sea walls. They also discuss how it is never too late to change, how he became studious in...

What are OPV cells, and can they provide enough electricity for a Tesla to travel across Australia? In the first episode of this Engineering Series, Paco speaks with Professor Paul Dastoor, a solar energy researcher from the University of Newcastle Australia. They discuss the Charge Around Australia Project, the importance of all forms of renewable energy, and the need for younger people to contri...

The twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change have already and will continue to affect the livelihoods and survival of the most vulnerable coastal populations. The tide is turning to respond to these complex challenges. What can be done to ensure the conservation of vulnerable coastal ecosystems and foster resilience amongst coastal communities? In this episode of ‘Sustainapod’, Belinda...

The last episode of the season! Many say youth are the future. But who says they can’t make a difference today? This week, co-hosts Kadence and Deeya interview Kenneth Kwok, the founder and Chief Education officer of KIDSforSDGS (@kidsforsdgs insta name) - a not-for-profit that seeks to empower, educate and upskill the next generation through impact, innovation and inclusion. Join us as we discuss...

Youth climate advocacy doesn’t often go beyond educating and protesting in our local communities, and it is difficult to make our voices heard in such circumstances. How can we raise our voices to ensure we have a seat in the table of politicians, negotiators and other powerful decision-makers? Arwen sits down with Angela, a sophomore at Harvard University, who’s primary interest in the climate ad...

Educating ourselves is one thing, but capacity building is another - how can we determine when it's time for us to practice what we’ve been learning and applying it to the real world? We talk to Hermia and Mark, both with lengthy and praiseworthy experience in climate advocacy under their belts; from co-creating their own society NESS (Network of Environmental Student Societies), to their own indi...

For us online observers, COP26 had just been a two-week bootcamp to keep updated with climate negotiations through livestreams. For youth delegates Hermia and Mark, COP26 had been a whirlwind of workshops, talks, protests and social events. This week we caught up with the two youth delegates of Hong Kong to talk about their experiences at COP26, how they got involved with youth advocates (shoutout...

Long before Covid-19 put a stop to cross-border travelling, Natalie Chung Sum-Yue’s social enterprise ‘V’air’, has been promoting low-carbon local tourism in Hong Kong to mitigate climate change. What’s more, Natalie is also a published author and one of the youngest members of the Hong Kong government’s Council for Sustainable Development. Belinda and Kadence sit down with Natalie, the Japan Time...

Transitioning from our currently unsustainable ‘linear’ approach of resource consumption to a more ‘circular’ one will require initiative, innovation, and ingenuity. Belinda and Deeya speak with Anushka Purohit, youth CEO of award-winning startup Breer, on how she’s transforming leftover bread into beer, subsequently successfully tackling the serious issue of food waste in Hong Kong. We talk about...

The 2021 report published by the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) caused quite a stir, with scientific information that demonstrates just how much longer the world can last in the fight against climate change, if business continues as usual. We asked online if anyone wanted to join this discussion: our young eco-warriors Hay Wong, Sakshi Gupta, and Evan Yang signed up to share thei...

How can we take both individual and collective action to tackle the plastic crisis? Katia and Justin speaks with Jennifer Wang-Fang, the Co-founder and the Director of Education & Community Outreach at EcoDrive — an organisation that has launched the hugely successful Enough Plastic campaign to the streets of Hong Kong. We talk about the balance between individual and collective action, the role o...

SustainaPod’s special guest in this episode is none other than the incredibly inspiring Kamakshi, the 17-year old founder Youth Ocean Alliance, a global organisation working on citizen science and conservation projects for the ocean. She shares her insights with us on what it takes to be a youth change-maker, her plans for Youth ocean Alliance, and the importance of self-care as an eco-warrior for...

Part 2 of this discussion with Jenny Zhang from Carbonbase details her experiences working at a fast-growing startup, as well as her quick transition between working at a multinational corporation and going into the entrepreneurial scene. An insightful topic for our young audiences who aspire to be entrepreneurs or start a business for themselves!

Blockchain is increasingly relevant in today’s economy, with everyone hopping on cryptocurrency trends and fintech solutions. How does blockchain enable better climate solutions? Jenny Zhang from Carbonbase sits with us to talk about technology and blockchain’s role in carbon offsetting for companies and environmentally-vulnerable populations, as well as risks and trends to look out for in the nea...

In this second episode with freelance journalist Laurel Chor, our co-hosts Belinda and Kadence discuss climate change communication, challenges facing environmental journalism and the industry more broadly, and Laurel offers inspirational words of advice for young change-makers.

How best can we communicate environmental issues and climate change? Join us on this episode with freelance journalist Laurel Chor, whose previous clients include National Geographic, New York Times, and Reuters, as she shares her insights and experiences across the world. Our co-hosts Belinda and Kadence discuss with Laurel the value of journalism for communicating climate issues, working with di...

Welcome to part 2 of our series with Lauren from Redress! In this episode, we go into depth about the circular fashion economy and what we as consumers are responsible for, as well as a frequently under-discussed topic of what businesses and brands are responsible for. Furthermore, we also talk about the vital role education plays in promoting the circular economy, focusing specifically on what Re...

Education is a crucial part of inspiring people to explore the world of circular fashion. As consumers, we have the responsibility to shop sustainably, but how exactly can we do this? Listen in on this wonderful conversation as Mako and Celine discuss the circular fashion economy and the importance of educating both students and adults on this topic, with Lauren from Redress - a Hong Kong based en...

In this second part of our discussion with Jenny from Ark Eden, Kadence and Paco talk about growing their own food and supporting local farmers and businesses.

Should children receive an eco-education? Is permaculture the solution for sustainability? This week on Sustain-a-Pod, Paco and Kadence speak with Jenny Quinton, the founder of Ark Eden. We talk about her work, her previous experience as a teacher, her beliefs, and most of all, what we, as consumers, can do to fight climate change. Ark Eden is looking for eco-leaders to head their holiday camps. I...

In this episode, Arwen and Mioie will be taking a dive into corporate sustainability with Patty, a sustainability branding consultant at Sedgwick Richardson. Working with corporate multinationals around Asia, Patty forms their sustainability strategies and ensures objectives are met for us consumers to enjoy. Sliding into the shoes of a consultant, we take a look at what a day-to-day consulting jo...

On this exciting episode of Sustain-a-Pod, we explore sustainability in the fashion industry with Gloria Yu, a designer, content creator, and sustainability advocate. Listen in as we discuss her inspiring journey into the sustainable fashion world, look into the future of sustainable fashion, as well as bring up the toxicity in the sustainable world!

Jump on to this week’s call as Paco and Kadence chats with Sabrina Chann, the 19-year-old university student at the Wharton School at UPenn, and founder of Donut Waste. She founded Donut Waste from a pitching competition, and after the successful launch of Donut Waste, Sabrinna soon expanded Donut Waste with multiple other projects, such as the selling of educational gardening kits, a middle schoo...

Arwen and Jayden hop on a call with Eugenia Chow, Hong Kong-based vegan and climate activist. Eugenia (@eugreenia on Instagram) is a university student who made a name for herself when she started her journey towards sustainable living and veganism a few years ago in the bustling city of Hong Kong. In this content-packed episode, our hosts and guest passionately talk about issues surrounding alter...