Sustainability Defined
Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosts Scott Breen and Jay Siegel explore a new topic each episode with the help of an expert in the field. Each concept falls into one of seven sectors -- Energy, Cities, Natural Environment, Transportation, Business, Policy, and Social -- and is visually represented in a Sustainability Tree found at www.sustainabilitydefined.com.
Episodes
Ep. 103: Mattresses & Forever Chemicals (ft. Naturepedic)
We spend a third of our lives on our mattresses, but what's actually in them? In this episode, we dig into the hidden world of the mattress industry: the flame retardants, petroleum-based foams, and PFAS ("forever chemicals") lurking in conventional mattresses, and what happens when millions of them end up in landfills every year, slowly breaking down and releasing toxins for decades? What happens
Ep. 102: The Power of Trees
Trees do so much more than make our neighborhoods beautiful. In this episode, we explore the surprising science behind why trees are essential for our mental and physical health, our communities, and our climate. In this episode Cecilia and Nethra discuss how spending time in nature can reduce stress and improve focus, why urban forests are critical for cooling cities and protecting public health,
Ep. 101: Plastic Free Beauty (ft. AORA Makeup)
What does clean beauty actually mean and why does the industry still struggle to agree on a definition? In this episode, Nethra and Cecilia sit down with Nour Tayara, co-founder and CEO of Aura Makeup, a vibrant, plastic-free beauty brand born in Mexico City. A former L'Oréal sustainability lead turned engineer-entrepreneur, Nour breaks down why he ditched plastic packaging entirely in favor of a
A SPECIAL Ep. 100: Hot Commodities: Peanuts (ft. Once Again)
We are celebrating a major milestone with episode of 100 of Sustainability Defined! Before diving in, we have a special message for all of our incredible Definers who have been a part of this journey. Thank you for listening, learning, and helping us builld a community dedicated to making sustainability more accessible. For this special epsiode, we are bringing back the Hot Commodities series joi
Ep. 99: Sustainability & Supply Chains (Ft. The Association for Supply Chain Management)
In this episode of Sustainability Defined, we're switching things up! Before diving into one of our classic storytelling-style breakdowns, we sit down with Abe Eshkenazi, CEO of the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), to unpack the world of sustainable supply chains. If you've been following our Hot Commodities series, you know we've become a little obsessed with supply chains, bec
Ep. 98: Hot Commodities: Sugar (ft. Fairtrade America)
In this episode of Hot Commodities, we're diving into the sweet, and often bitter world of sugar. From sprawling sugarcane fields to the products lining our grocery store shelves, sugar is one of the most globally traded commodities, deeply embedded in our food systems and daily lives. But behind its ubiquity lies a complex supply chain shaped by labor challenges, environmental pressures, and grow
Ep. 97: Explained - The 2009 Endangerment Finding
In this episode, Nethra and Cecilia break down the EPA's 2009 Endangerment Finding, the foundation of federal climate regulation in the United States. As repeal efforts gain attention, this episode explores what the Endagerment Finding is, why it matters, and the legal challenges that could impact the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases. From the courts to future climate policy, this ep
Ep. 96: Hot Commodities: Bananas (ft. Equifruit)
Terrorism, corporate pay-offs, open-fire raids, rebranding and scandal....yes, we are talking about bananas. In this episode of our Hot Commodities series, we're peeling back the layers on the world's most popular fruit to reveal a history of corporate empires, political coups, and systematic exploitation that shaped entire nations. From the United Fruit Company's control over "banana republics" t
Ep 95: The State of ESG in 2026
We cut through the noise and jargon to define what ESG actually is and what it isn't. ESG feels like a sea of acyromns and alphabet soup, we help you understand the state of the current landscape and different reporting frameworks. Whether you're new to sustainability reporting or a seasoned professional, join us as Marcy Twete of Veerless helps us breaks down the fundamentals in clear, accessibl
Ep 94: 2025 Holiday Hodge Podge
In this festive year-end episode, Cecilia and Nethra are mixing it all together, personal updates, podcast reflections, and the sustainability success stories that made us smile this year. From quirky innovations to feel-good climate wins, we're spotlighting the moments that brought a little extra hope to 2025. We also share our favorite tips for sustainable gift-giving, low-waste holiday traditio
Ep 93: Sustainability at the Thanksgiving Table - Joy, Burnout, and Hope (ft. Soapbox Project)
This week on Sustainability Defined, Cecilia and Nethra are bringing the conversation to the Thanksgiving table. We're breaking down how to talk about the climate crisis with the people we love, tackling eco-guilt and burnout, and navigating hope. Join us for a chat with Nivi Achanta, the founder of The Soapbox Project , about the power of remaining joyful when approaching sustainability and com
Atypical Ep. 11: The Green Skills Gap (ft. Leafr)
In the hot seat this week - Nick Valenzia, Co-Founder of Leafr. We sat down with Nick to understand the "Green Skills Gap" and what that means in an economy where getting a job in sustainability feels so difficult. How is AI influencing the green jobs market? How is the lack of specialized sustainability professionals holding back global climate goals? What do professionals need to be aware of in
Ep 92: Hot Commodities: Matcha (ft. Wild Orchard Tea)
Matcha, it's everywhere, from your morning latte to the latest wellness trend. But what does it really take to bring this vibrant green powder from farm to cup, and what can its journey teach us about sustainability? In this week's episode, Nethra and Cecilia peel back the layers of matcha's story tracing its production, supply chain, and booming global consumption. They explore how centuries-old
Episode from Source of Good Podcast: "From Farm to Closet: The Icon Coat by Eileen Fisher"
This week, we're doing a podcast swap with our friends over at Source of Good! Source of Good is a podcast that goes beyond the label of your favorite products, uncovering all the ingenious ways they're being made better for the planet, people, and our future. In each episode, brands and manufacturers break down how they're tackling sustainability challenges and creating real impact. We're sharin
Ep. 91: Navigating NYC Climate Week (ft. Climate Film Fest)
In this episode of Sustainability Defined, we're taking you inside NYC Climate Week 2025, one of the biggest sustainability events of the year. We'll share tips on how to navigate the overwhelming mix of panels, networking sessions, and activations, and give you a sneak peek into the events we'll be attending ourselves! But that's not all. This episode also features a special interview with the fo
Ep. 90: The Farm to Table Movement (with Chef Ariane Daguin)
Farm to Table — sounds obvious, right? But how did something so seemingly simple become such a radical act? In this week's episode, Nethra and Cecilia unpack the history, philosophy, and misconceptions surrounding the farm-to-table movement — from its roots in counterculture to its current role in shaping sustainable food systems. They explore how industrial agriculture and globalized supply chain
Ep. 89: Sunscreen 101: Reef-safe, SPF, Myths and Impact on Marine Life (ft. Surfrider Foundation)
Sunscreen usage has risen exponentially over the last decade - and with summer finally here, Cecilia and Nethra are exploring the impacts of sunscreen on our bodies and marine life. How does sunscreen break down in our ecosystems? What is "Reef-Safe"? What are the solutions to the accumulation of sunscreens in our coral reefs and marine habitats? What is the difference between SPF 30 and 50? Defi
Ep. 88: The Plastic Trail of Your Online Order - and the Seaweed Alternative
Online shopping is convenient, but at what cost?! In this episode, we explore the massive plastic footprint hidden in your doorstep deliveries, from poly mailers to mixed-material packaging that often ends up in landfills. Cecilia and Nethra break down the environmental toll of e-commerce and spotlight the innovative seaweed-based alternative offered by cleantech startup SWAY. Don't miss our inter
Ep 87: Wetlands & The World's Largest Restoration Project
Wetlands are the unsung heroes of climate resilience. From flood protection to water filtration, these ecosystems are biodiversity hot spots and are critical for the health of our planet. In this episode, learn more about what exactly a wetland is and how they are vital. Learn about the world's largest restoration project taking place in the Florida Everglades as we sit down with Dr. Steve Davis,
Atypical Ep. 10: Innovations in Sustainable Aviation - Insights from the Airbus Summit
Did you know that airplanes can run on waste cooking oil, municipal solid waste, forestry waste, and even algae in the form of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs)? Well, they can. Biomimicry, Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), and aircrafts inspired by GEESE? Learn about some of the innovations happening right now in the aviation industry and where it's headed in the coming decades. The industry h
Ep 86: Hot Commodities: Chocolate & Sustainability (ft. Tony's Chocolonely)
Welcome to the first episode of Hot Commodities: Chocolate & Sustainability, a new series from Sustainability Defined! Meet your new hosts, Cecilia and Nethra, as they dive into the environmental and social challenges within the chocolate supply chain. From cacao farming to the final product, they break down the key players, power imbalances, and pressing issues like deforestation, child labor, an
Atypical Ep. 9: Meet Your New Hosts!
👋 Big news, Definers! We're thrilled to introduce your NEW podcast hosts, Cecilia Rios & Nethra Rajendran! We are excited to be passing the mic to two incredible voices. In this episode, Jay and Scott join Cecilia and Nethra for a warm welcome and a sneak peek at what's to come with Sustainability Defined. We are confident they will bring fresh perspectives and a wealth of passion to the table. G
Episode from Sea Change Podcast: "All Gassed Up: Part 1: The Carbon Coast"
This month we are continuing our break and sharing another episode from the Sea Change Podcast! However, stay tuned for next month as we are on track to introduce you to our new hosts. We are so excited to introduce you to them! Find Sea Change on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts to listen to the entire "All Gassed Up" series. About this Series: Right now in the US, the
Episode from Hazard NJ Podcast: "First a Miracle, Then a Curse"
Happy New Year, Definers! This month we are continuing our break and sharing a podcast episode from an Uproot Project member, independent podcast producer and investigative journalist - Jordan Gass-Poore'. "Hazard NJ" is an NJ Spotlight News podcast that examines serious pollution issues. Season 2 dives deep into the crisis of toxic pollution caused by PFAS, or "forever chemicals," around New Jer
Ep. 85: 2024 Holiday Hodge Podge
The end of the year is near! It's time for our annual Holiday Hodge Podge episode. This year we summarize some of our favorite podcast and sustainability moments from the year and of all time, Jay and Scott provide personal updates and their favorite sustainability articles of the year, and we give some sustainable holiday gift ideas. We also discuss what's next for the podcast. We hope you all ha
*UPDATED* Ep. 52: Feminine Hygiene Products with Celia Pool and Alec Mills (DAME)
Happy November Definers! This month we are continuing our break and resharing a listener favorite, Episode #52: Feminine Hygiene Products with Celia Pool and Alec Mills of DAME. Unfortunately, the artificial sensitivities around the topic of this episode - feminine hygiene products - have hindered widespread discussion of the significant environmental and social issues associated with these produ
Episode from Sea Change Podcast: "Bringing Back The Beach"
This month we are on break and sharing a podcast episode from an Uproot Project member and environmental journalist - Eva Tesfaye. We hope you enjoy it! Two reminders: —We announced last month Jay and Scott are moving on and accepting applications from Definers to take over the show. More details in last month's episode. You can email us with your interest and why you should take over at hosts@sus
Atypical Ep. 8: Jay and Scott are Moving On…You Can Take Over!
Happy September Definers! We've got a bit of a different episode for you all this month as we discuss what is next for Sustainability Defined through the rest of the year and beyond. As we mention in this month's short episode, we are hoping to pass along the show to the next generation of hosts. We hope that the show will afford a few of our Definers the early career opportunities, benefits, and
Ep 84: Sustainable Jewelry with Anna-Mieke Anderson (MiaDonna)
Fine jewelry is made from precious metals, think gold and silver, and stones, like diamonds or other gemstones. Traditionally these raw materials are mined from deep in the earth's mantle and produced with extensive human labor to create the rings, necklaces, and other jewelry pieces we love to wear. As an industry, this component of our style can create negative effects on both the environment an
Ep. 83 Avocado Sustainability with Honor Eldridge (Author of "The Avocado Debate")
Definers, we're back this month with a fun episode around a fan favorite, the avocado! It is estimated that per capita consumption of avocados in the United States has grown by 440% in the last 20 years and around 11 billion pounds of avocados are eaten globally. This has raised many questions about the sustainability of farming, production, and enjoyment of this fruit. In the episode we share a l
Ep 82: Forest Management with Chris Reeves (P&G) and Amy Clark Eagle (Forest Stewardship Council U.S.)
Definers, did you know that forests cover one third of land globally and house some of the earth's most precious natural resources? In this month's episode, we're discussing forest management and how organizations are working to maintain and enhance the economic, social, and environmental value of global forests. This episode is #sponsored by Procter & Gamble (P&G). P&G is working directly with th
Ep. 81: Resiliency in Residential Real Estate with Becky Becker (Equity Residential) and Lindsay Brugger (Urban Land Institute)
Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and scorching summers are putting a strain on residential real estate. Research on nearly 200 climate events from 2000 to 2019 from The World Economic Forum found that the global costs associated with climate change have cost around $2.8 trillion, when accounting for the cost of damage to infrastructure, property, agriculture, and human health. In this e
Atypical Ep 7: Responsible Beauty
Happy April Definers! We're back this month with a special bonus episode about P&G Responsible Beauty, sponsored by Procter & Gamble (P&G). Through Responsible Beauty, P&G has committed to being a positive force for beauty in the world as they work to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for all. In this episode, we have a "beautiful" conversation with John Scarchilli, Direct
Ep 80: Carbon Removal with Ben Rubin (Carbon Business Council)
Since many of our current decarbonization and greenhouse gas reduction pathways aren't making progress at the needed scale, the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change( IPCC) found that carbon removal is now "essential" to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Many cite carbon removal as the key to addressing climate change, when combined with traditional emissions reduction str
Atypical Ep 6: The Uproot Project
We're back this month with a special atypical episode featuring The Uproot Project! The Uproot Project is a network for and by environmental journalists of color. The organization is working to address the need for more journalists of color in newsrooms covering environmental topics. During the episode you'll hear from Lucia Priselac, Founding Director of The Uproot Project, who details more about
Ep 79: 2023 Holiday Hodge-Podge
Happy December Definers! It is time again for our annual Holiday Hodge Podge episode. Tune in to hear the Sustainability Defined Team's favorite podcast moments from the year and interesting sustainability articles, meet our Research & Operations Director, Taylor, and hear Scott and Jay's professional/personal updates, and sustainable gift ideas - PLUS our holiday gift giveaway! Have a happy holid
Ep 78: Invasive Species with Leigh Greenwood (The Nature Conservancy)
Invasive species are known to cause harm to the environment, economies, and even human health. Managing these species has become of major concern globally, as invasive species are one of the top factors that contribute to biodiversity loss. In fact, a 2023 United Nations global assessment report estimated that invasive species have been a major factor in 60% of all recorded animal and plant extinc
Ep. 77 Human Rights in Supply Chains with Aruna Kashyap (Human Rights Watch) and Alex Silberman (U.S. Department of Labor)
Business supply chains are complex, diverse, and have a lot of stakeholders. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), more than 450 million people work in supply chain-related jobs. In this month's new episode, we break down the landscape of global supply chains and the interconnectedness with human rights across the globe. We have two expert guests sharing their expertise: –Aruna
Ep 76: Rare Earths with Scott Dunn (Noveon Magnetics)
This month we are talking all about rare earths, the role they play in today's society and the efforts to improve their sustainability. While you may not be familiar with the 17 rare earth elements, the chances are very high that if you're reading this right now, rare earths are actually a common part of your daily life. This episode is #sponsored by Noveon Magnetics. Noveon is a company working t
Ep 75: The Energy Grid with Kristina Skierka (Power for All)
Our July episode is all about the energy grid! We discuss how electric grids work, the conditions of grids around the world, and emerging trends and policies that can improve grid sustainability and resiliency. We are joined in the episode by Kristina Skierka, CEO at Power for All. Power for All is an organization that envisions a world where all people benefit from the opportunities and quality o
Ep 74: Transparency with Dan Saccardi (Ceres) & Kathy Mulvey (Union of Concerned Scientists)
We are back this month with an episode on transparency. Historically, businesses have kept a lot of information guarded, but when it comes to sustainability, more companies are using transparency to make decisions, gain trust, and engage with their consumers, investors, and other key stakeholders. After an introduction going over the basics of all things sustainability and transparency with a focu
Atypical Ep 5: STAFFER Podcast Episode with Mike Boots (Breakthrough Energy and Gates Ventures)
We're taking this month off, but we still have new content for you in the form of an episode of one of our favorite podcasts–STAFFER. STAFFER is a weekly podcast with former staffers sharing their stories of working on the Hill hosted by Jim Papa of Global Strategy Group. This episode features an interview with an accomplished sustainability professional, Mike Boots, Executive Vice President at Br
Bonus Episode: Georgetown University's Master of Science in Environment and Sustainability Management (MS-ESM) Program
This new bonus episode introduces our Definers to the Master of Science in Environment and Sustainability Management Program, or MS-ESM program at Georgetown University. The MS-ESM program is a full-time, 11-month interdisciplinary program held on-campus in Washington, D.C. Over the 11 month time span, students complete courses that blend science with business principles that are critical to meeti
Ep 73: Water Conservation with Ashley Fill (Procter & Gamble)
This episode is on water conservation and #sponsored by Procter & Gamble (P&G). Water is Earth's most abundant natural resource, as more than 71% of the Earth's surface is water. However, freshwater that can be used by humans is only a small percentage of this available water. Because of this we have to preserve, control, and manage our water resources through conservation. We hope our Definers ar
Bonus Episode: Yale's Financing and Deploying Clean Energy Certificate Program
We know Definers are always hungry for ways to maximize their impact within sustainability, so we're excited to focus today's bonus episode on Yale's Financing and Deploying Clean Energy Program. Yale's Financing and Deploying Clean Energy (FDCE) online certificate program trains and connects rising leaders to catalyze an equitable transition to a clean economy. In the episode you will hear from R
Ep 72: Biodiversity with Dr. Paula Ehrlich (E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation)
Biodiversity underpins many things we rely on (think food, water, and oxygen). In fact, half of the world's GDP is dependent on natural resources. This means that about $44 trillion of economic value across the globe relies on nature and its interconnectedness. So... something worth paying attention to! Join us as we dissect this topic with the help of Dr. Paula Ehrlich, President and CEO of the E
Ep 71: Water & Agriculture with Ashwin Madgavkar (Ceres Imaging)
From the carrots you're munching on to the chocolate in your grande extra-whip double-mocha latte (no judgment), agricultural water use underpins most everything we eat on a daily basis. In fact, agriculture on average accounts for 70% of all freshwater withdrawals globally - enough to cover the entire United States in 2 feet of water each year. Join us as we unpack this critical issue with the he
Bonus Episode: Conversation with David Sandalow (Inaugural Fellow, Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University; Zayed Sustainability Prize Selection Committee Member - Energy Category)
We're excited to partner with the Zayed Sustainability Prize to bring you a special pair of episodes focusing on this transformative global award that recognizes organizations and high schools driving impactful sustainability solutions across five distinct categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water and Global High Schools. Our first episode in this partnership spotlights David Sandalow, one of the
Ep 70: 2022 Holiday Hodge-Podge
Tis the season for our annual Holiday Hodge-Podge episode! Join Scott and Jay as they share their favorite 2022 Sustainability Defined moments, interesting sustainability articles, work and personal updates, and sustainable gift ideas - PLUS our Instagram holiday gift giveaway and an opportunity for your donation to a certain charity to be matched by Jay and Scott. ------ Sustainability Defined is
Ep 69: Air Pollution with Molly Rauch & Almeta Cooper (Moms Clean Air Force)
We hope this episode is a breath of fresh air on a critical topic. In 2019, 99% of the world's population lived in places where the World Health Organization air quality guideline levels were not met. Air pollution is widespread and can have tremendous negative impacts on public health and the environment. Listen in as we talk with TWO incredible guests from Moms Clean Air Force: Molly Rauch (Pub
Ep 68: The "Forever Chemicals": PFAS with Lauren Gropper (Repurpose)
We know, another acronym to remember, but it's an important one. PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are a group of chemicals that have made certain useful products possible (e.g., rain jackets and non-stick pans) but what are their environmental and physiological impacts? In this episode, we dive into the science behind PFAS and its potentially significant harm to the environment and publi
Atypical Ep 4: Washing Laundry in Cold Water with Todd Cline (Tide)
We often get asked, "What are simple things I can do to act on climate change?" and after hearing this episode we think you'll agree that one simple thing you can do is use cold water when doing laundry. Are you a Definer who uses hot water when doing laundry? Well, if you use cold water instead, you can reduce your energy use from doing your laundry by 90 percent! The sponsor of this bonus episod
Ep 67: Sustainable Weddings with Gina Lett-Shrewsberry (Inspirations by Gina)
The bells are ringing and love is in the air! To commemorate Jay getting married in June, we've put together an episode that focuses on what practices can be taken to make weddings more sustainable. Listen in to learn more about the environmental impact of weddings, the leaders in the sustainable wedding space, and how Jay is implementing sustainability into his wedding. In this episode, we speak
Ep 66: Recycled Content with Nick Higgins (Glad)
Have your eyes ever wandered to the bottom of your to-go container and found the words "made of X% recycled content"? Ever wondered what is meant by "recycled content" and how it plays a role in our global recycling systems? Of course you have, you're a Definer! In this info-packed episode, we've partnered with Glad, a leading household waste solutions company that's investing heavily into increa
Atypical Ep 3: Energy Management with Lauren Scott (Acuity Brands)
How are businesses and sustainability professionals managing their energy consumption? During this bonus episode, we dive into a recent report compiled by Atrius (part of Acuity Brands) that provides valuable insights into how sustainability professionals across industries are scrutinizing their energy consumption and incorporating tools to better manage their energy use. Join us as we learn how a
Ep 65: Personal Sustainable Investing with Ken LaRoe (Climate First Bank)
If you've wanted to know how you can use your savings and investments to advance sustainability, this is the episode for you! We highlight the basics of sustainable investing and banking and provide the tools and facts to allow Definers to determine their own individual actions and opinions. Plus, Jay and Scott talk about what they've done right (and not so right) with their own money, as well as
*UPDATED* Ep 37: Offshore Wind Energy with Benj Sykes (Orsted) and Liz Burdock (Business Network for Offshore Wind)
Happy new year and happy new developments of clean, renewable energy! Can offshore wind energy play a role in our global decarbonization efforts? Listen in as our hosts, Jay and Scott, take a deeper dive into current offshore wind energy market updates, global trends, and new project developments since our original episode in 2018. Prepare to have your mind, blown. ----------------------------- Su
Ep 64: 2021 Holiday Hodge-Podge
Where did the year go? Join our hosts, Scott and Jay, as they review their favorite 2021 Sustainability Defined moments, interesting sustainability articles, personal updates, and sustainable gift ideas. Tis the season for our annual holiday hodge-podge episode. 2021 was no ordinary year with lots of changes for sustainable action and Sustainability Defined - you won't want to miss this episode! -
Ep 63: Sea Level Rise with John Englander (Rising Seas Institute)
We cover a lot of heavy-hitting topics here on Sustainability Defined, but today's topic of sea level rise might just be one of the heaviest. Sea level rise (SLR) refers to the increase in the level of the world's oceans due to the effects of climate change. The ecological and socioeconomic impacts of this rise are staggering. Join us as we unpack how sea level rise works, why our current rate of
Ep 62: Transit Oriented Development with Rick Cole (The Congress for the New Urbanism)
What do Washington DC, Denver's Union Station, and Scott's recent vacation to Italy all share in common? Aside from being sweet places to visit, they all provide fantastic examples of Transit Oriented Development, the focus on this month's episode. Transit Oriented Development ("TOD") refers to the creation of compact, walkable, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use communities centered around high-quali
*UPDATED* Ep 21: Water Infrastructure with Will Sarni (Water Foundry)
Coming at you this month with a fresh update to one of the most critical topics we've covered on the show - water infrastructure. Press play and remind yourself how important water infrastructure is to our daily lives! ------ Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay Siegel and Scott Breen. Each episode focuses on a singl
Ep 61: Carbon Pricing with Dr. Marc Hafstead (Resources for the Future)
Are we at Sustainability Defined psychic? Well, no… but we do know what you're wondering - what is carbon pricing and can it be a viable solution to mitigate our global GHG emissions? Fear not Definers, we've got you covered. In today's episode, we dive into how different carbon pricing systems, like emissions trading systems (ETS) and carbon taxes, function in global economies. A price on carbon
Atypical Ep 2: Sustainability Defined Staff (Matt Arends and Amelia Kovacs)
It's not just Jay and Scott behind Sustainability Defined. We have volunteers and paid staff that help us with research, social media, etc. Today for an atypical episode we want to highlight a couple staff members, one who has played a critical role for years and is leaving the podcast for an exciting opportunity in market garden farming, and another who is just joining the team after being a devo
Ep 60: Sustainable Landscaping with Dr. Sharon Hall (Arizona State University)
Many Definers may enjoy laying in a lush, green lawn staring up at a blue sky while listening to the latest Sustainability Defined episode. We love that, but it's also important to think about how we got those landscapes and how we can maintain them more sustainably. This episode considers the footprint of all kinds of man-made and maintained landscapes, particularly the around 50 million acres of
Ep 59: Eco-Anxiety with Dr. Lise Van Susteren (Climate Psychiatry Alliance)
Feelings of helplessness toward the ecological crisis, persistent worry about the future of the climate, intense guilt about your own carbon footprint... sound familiar? These are all symptoms of eco-anxiety, the focus of our 59th episode and something we at Sustainability Defined can relate to directly. Join us as we unpack what exactly eco-anxiety is, why it's so important, and what we can do ab
Ep 58: Biotechnology and Sustainability with John Melo and Beth Bannerman (Amyris)
Biotechnology may sound like a futuristic word, but utilizing living organisms and their derivatives to produce products and processes goes back a long time and continues to provide important products today. In this episode, we'll explore why biotech is important and its current applications that advance sustainability. We'll also dive into biotech's potential complications. Our interview is with
*UPDATED* Ep 16: Sustainable Beer with Katie Wallace (New Belgium Brewing)
Definers, we had to delay our brand spankin new episode to April so this month we're replaying one of our most popular episodes, episode #16 on sustainable beer. But, before we replay that episode, we have an updated interview with one of our favorite people, Katie Wallace of New Belgium Brewing. We ask her for updates on what she talked about in the original episode, the latest sustainability new
Ep 57: Energy Storage with Marek Kubik (Fluence)
Alas, it's time for us to stop storing this episode and release it to our Definers. This episode focuses on energy storage systems, which – as you might've guessed – store energy until it is needed at a later time. This of course includes lithium-ion batteries that power everything from your car to your TV remote, but as we'll discuss, there are other exciting storage systems on the market. In thi
*UPDATED* Ep 32: Reversing Global Warming with Paul Hawken (Project Drawdown)
Happy 2021, Definers! This month we have an update to one of our most popular episodes ever. We interviewed Paul Hawken of Project Drawdown back in June 2018. For those unfamiliar, Project Drawdown is a non-profit focused on helping the world reach "Drawdown," which is the future point in time when the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline. The ne
Ep 56: Sustainability & Spirits with Sophie Kelly (Bulleit Frontier Whiskey) and Eric Sprague (American Forests)
Congratulations, definers! You've made it through 2020! We think it's time for a toast… a toast of whiskey, to be precise. Join us as we round out this unparalleled year by exploring sustainability within the spirits category. We begin this episode by unpacking the environmental, economic and social impacts of spirit production. We then distill how and why top spirits brands are diving into sustai
Ep 55: 2020 Holiday Hodge-Podge
It's that time of year again, listeners/definers! The Sustainability Defined Holiday Hodge-Podge episode—a yearly tradition many consider to be as emblematic of the holidays as snow(wo)men and Mariah Carey. Join us as we review 2020's major podcast milestones, share updates from our personal lives, discuss our favorite sustainability stories of the year, and - of course - share our favorite sustai
Ep 54: Racism and the Modern Environmental Movement with Faith Briggs (Global Works Community Fund)
Like so many others, Sustainability Defined is learning more about structural and historic racism and what we can do to advance racial justice. This is the first of what we intend to be a number of episodes that focuses on particular aspects of the intersection of race and sustainability. We've created a page on our website with a running list of valuable resources on racism and environmental just
Ep 53: Pollinators with Rob Davis (Center for Pollinators in Energy), Kevin Hackett (NativeEnergy), and Elysa Hammond (Clif Bar & Company)
We run a family-friendly podcast here at Sustainability Defined, but in this episode, we're going to talk about sex. Plant sex, to be precise. Pollinators play a critical role in moving pollen from male to female parts of the flower so the plant can reproduce. Without pollinators to help plants reproduce, we wouldn't have all sorts of food and products that we enjoy daily, our ecosystems would be
Ep 52: Feminine Hygiene Products with Celia Pool and Alec Mills (DAME)
Should it be taboo to talk about a $6 billion industry that is responsible for greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to driving three million cars for a year? Of course not! But unfortunately, the artificial sensitivities around the topic of this month's episode - feminine hygiene products - have hindered widespread discussion of the significant environmental and social issues associated with these
Atypical Ep 1: Racial Justice, Favorite Sustainability Articles & Listener Voicemails
This is our very first "atypical" episode. It's gonna sound a little different than what we usually share, and we probably won't do these too often, but hey, variety is the spice of life. So, first on this episode, we read a statement on racial justice. We've done a lot of reading and thinking over the past several weeks and wanted to acknowledge the fact that we have failed in a number of ways wh
Ep 51: Urban Greening with Sandra Albro (Holden Forests & Gardens)
In this episode, we focus on how we can beautify our cities while delivering environmental benefits through a process called urban greening. Urban greening refers to public landscaping and urban forestry projects that create mutually beneficial relationships between city dwellers and their environments. We discuss urban greening's impacts on human health, what listeners can do to promote urban gre
Ep 50: Hospitals and Sustainability with Julie Moyle (Practice Greenhealth)
It's time for our first check-up on hospitals and sustainability. With coronavirus upending our way of life and infecting so many people, it's critical that our hospitals continue to operate. Sustainability ensures hospitals can continue operations in times of stress, and it also helps hospitals save money, reduce their impact on the environment, and make their communities more healthy. In this ep
Ep 49: e-Mobility with Giovanni Bertolino (Enel X)
Transportation is a major source of global greenhouse gas emissions. In the United States, it's actually the #1 source, above both energy and industry, which, you know, are kind of big activities. A transition to e-Mobility – the use of transportation modes that are fully or partly driven with an electric drivetrain – along with decarbonizing our energy system would mean significant progress in th
*UPDATED* Ep 1: Electric Bikes with Amber Wason (Riide)
Do you remember your first time? We sure do - it was on a bike! In preparation for some awesome new content coming up, we're replaying our very first episode from way back in April of 2016. Join us as we cover the basics of electric bikes and discuss the latest developments in the e-bike market. Hint: they're gaining speed and show no signs of braking. ------ Sustainability Defined is the podcast
Ep 48: Careers in Sustainability with Trish Kenlon (Sustainable Career Pathways)
"How do I get started with a career in sustainability?" "Do I need a master's degree to advance within the field?" "What if you really love the company you work for, but they don't have an opportunity to work in sustainability (and get paid for it)?" Pursuing a career in sustainability can seem as tough as defining sustainability in the first place. Fret not, dear listeners! We collected your ques
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