What does it take to stand on the front lines of one of the most dangerous and increasingly common realities of our climate crisis era? Discover the intense world of elite wildland firefighting with Kelly Ramsey, the first woman in about a decade to join the Rowdy River Hotshots, a pseudonymously named, California-based crew of highly trained wildland firefighters. In this episode of Earth911's Sustainability In Your Ear, Kelly shares insights from her powerful new memoir, Wildfire Days: A Woman, a Hotshot Crew, and the Burning American West, which chronicles her transformative two years fighting fires and discovering herself in the process. Her journey into the masculine world of hotshot crews offers a unique perspective on who becomes one of these ultimate first responders, exploring not just the Marine-style training and intense physicality required, but also the personal transformation that comes from confronting both literal and metaphorical fires.

As we head into 2025, the conversation takes on urgent relevance, with budget cuts reducing the number of available firefighters despite wildfires growing more severe by the decade. 1,600 firefighters have been laid off this year, despite a growing need. Kelly explains the concept of Preparedness Level 5, when there are no crews left at the time fire danger peaks, and warns that understaffing could leave the nation operating at this dangerous level for much of the upcoming fire season. She also addresses the psychological and physical toll of this extreme profession, the sobering reality of firefighter mortality. She also offers practical advice for those living in wildfire-prone areas on home hardening and evacuation preparedness. Tune in to hear Kelly's powerful story of transformation, resilience, and the urgent need to support our wildfire fighting forces. Learn more about Kelly and Wildfire Days at kellylynnramsey.com.

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What if the solution to our plastics crisis isn't just about individual behavior change but building entirely new marketplaces that make plastic-free living accessible and transparent? On this episode of Earth911's Sustainability In Your Ear, discover the grassroots approach with Simona Paganetto, founder of Implasticfree.com, who has transformed her search for plastic alternatives into a curated directory of nearly 150 vetted brands committed to ditching plastic packaging and single-use products. What began as Simona's journey toward plastic-free living has evolved into a store that bridges the gap between conscious consumers and genuinely sustainable brands. Her rigorous vetting processes and careful curation has made Implasticfree.com a trusted resource for shoppers navigating the confusing landscape of sustainability claims and greenwashing.

Simona's approach differs from typical environmental activism—she's learning digital marketing while building her mission-driven venture, creating a refreshingly authentic take on environmental entrepreneurship that prioritizes transparency and continuous learning over having all the answers. We also explore the psychological barriers people face when trying to go plastic-free, from the perception that sustainable products are always more expensive to the overwhelming nature of changing deeply ingrained habits. You can explore curated plastic-free alternatives at implasticfree.com.

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As climate change accelerates and traditional crops face mounting pressures from drought, extreme weather, and soil depletion, innovative solutions are emerging from unexpected sources. Explore the soil-restoring potential of the pongamia tree with Marc Diaz, Chief Commercialization Officer at Terviva, an agtech company that has spent over a decade unlocking this hardy species’ dual capabilities as a nutritious food source and sustainable fuel feedstock. Through their Ponova platform, Terviva is demonstrating how pongamia can restore degraded agricultural land while building equitable supply chains that empower smallholder farmers, particularly women in India, with above-market wages and technical support. The tree’s versatility extends beyond environmental benefits. Pongamia beans are rich in both protein and oil, positioning them as valuable ingredients for food applications while simultaneously serving as feedstock for biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel.

Marc explains how pongamia’s nitrogen-fixing properties improve soil health over time, making it ideal for regenerative agriculture practices, while its protein- and oil-rich beans serve as valuable ingredients for both food applications and biofuel production. With recent partnerships involving Chevron Renewable Energy Group and Japan’s Idemitsu scaling pongamia cultivation for sustainable aviation fuel, and expansion into citrus-depleted regions of Florida and California, this versatile tree exemplifies the kind of adaptive, multi-purpose approach needed for climate-resilient agriculture. He also shares insights into what farmers need most when transitioning to climate-resilient crops: technical support, financial backing, and education about new cultivation methods. By addressing these needs while placing equity at the center of their business model, Terviva is proving that commercial success doesn’t require compromising social impact.Tune in to discover how one species is helping reimagine food and fuel systems for a changing world, and learn more at terviva.com and ponovafoods.com.

What if the ingredients discarded daily in food production could become the foundation of a more sustainable food future? On this episode of Earth911's Sustainability In Your Ear,  discover the pragmatic vision with Yousuf Ahmed, founder of B-SIDES, a Brooklyn-based startup, proving that upcycled snacks can be delicious and environmentally responsible. Inspired by tasting a single slice of spent grain bread in 2014, Yousuf transitioned from finance and music to food innovation, launching B-SIDES to bring upcycled, plant-based snacks into the mainstream. The company's flagship product, Crunch Puffs, transforms oat pulp—typically discarded during oat milk production—into protein-rich, allergen-friendly snacks packaged in home-compostable materials. From sourcing pulp from small Midwest oat milk makers to manufacturing in Canada and selling through Amazon and New York indie grocers, B-SIDES is creating a playbook for how small brands can lead on both climate action and culinary creativity.

Yousuf shares the technical challenges of working with oat pulp as a primary ingredient and the complexities of achieving a moisture seal with home-compostable packaging. We explore how his background in finance and music has influenced his approach to food startups, including the trade-offs between local production and proximity to raw materials, as well as strategies for positioning upcycled food to sustainability-conscious consumers. As Yousuf emphasizes, sustainable products must deliver on taste and price to succeed in the market—environmental benefits alone aren't enough. His pragmatic approach offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs: real market-winning products that can change manufacturing's negative impacts while sustaining profitable companies must compete on quality first, with sustainability as an added benefit rather than an excuse for inferior performance. You can find B-SIDES Crunch Puffs on Amazon and at select retailers. Learn more about the company at enjoybsides.com.

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Dive into our coverage of sustainable food and packaging innovation

• Best of Earth911 Podcast: Alter Eco Foods CEO Keith Bearden Is All-In On Regenerative Chocolate Farming
• Best of Earth911 Podcast: Imperfect Foods’ Maddy Rotman on Eliminating Food Waste
• Best of Earth911 Podcast: PFAS...

As the world confronts the urgent challenge of removing billions of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, breakthrough innovation is essential to scale solutions fast enough to meet global climate goals. On this episode of Earth911's Sustainability in Your Ear, discover the groundbreaking results of the $100 million XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition, a four-year competition among 1,300 teams from 88 countries that represents one of the most ambitious efforts to catalyze carbon removal innovation. We're joined by Nikki Batchelor, Executive Director of XPRIZE Carbon Removal, and Michael Leitch, Senior Technical Lead for the competition, to discuss what may be one of the most consequential moments in carbon removal innovation to date. They discuss how the competition's $100 million scope and multi-year timeline attracted breakthrough solutions and outline plans for continued engagement with the winning teams as they scale their innovations.[

Kenya-based Mati Carbon claimed the $50 million grand prize with an enhanced rock weathering approach that spreads finely ground volcanic rock on farmland, simultaneously capturing atmospheric carbon while improving soil health for local farmers. Mati Carbon's victory wasn't just about technical innovation; it demonstrated a cost-effective approach that delivers multiple benefits in Kenya and India's smallholder farming communities. Three runners-up—NetZero, Vaulted Deep, and UNDO—each received $5 million for their distinct approaches, which spanned biochar production, underground carbon storage, and large-scale mineral spreading.

In 2024 alone, humans released 41.6 billion tons of CO2 into the atmosphere, adding to approximately 1.5 trillion tons emitted since the Industrial Revolution. Current carbon removal projects operate at a kiloton scale and must rapidly expand to millions of tons annually. The goal isn't merely offsetting new emissions—it's achieving net-negative emissions to reverse the climate damage already done, albeit slowly. Learn more about the XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition and other grand challenges at xprize.org. Watch the documentary series about the competition and winners on the XPRIZE Carbon Removal YouTube channel.

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On today's Sustainability In Your Ear, meet Brenna Simmons-St. Onge, a systems strategist, regenerative futurist, and founder of B the Light Consulting, as we explore her family's extraordinary three-year journey around the world. The Regenerative World Quest isn't your typical travel adventure; it's a deliberate mission to identify, amplify, and help replicate Earth's most promising regenerative communities and projects. From Costa Rica to South Africa, she and her family engage with leaders, learn from Indigenous knowledge holders, and discover models that regenerate land, restore community agency, and reconnect people to purpose. Brenna's aim is to demonstrate how regeneration—not just mitigation—can serve as our organizing principle for addressing the climate crisis.

Rather than extracting experiences as tourists, Brenna and her family integrate into the places they visit, contributing through forms of meaningful exchange. Her key insight is that true abundance comes from within—our creativity, generosity, and the love we share with others and the planet. Thee regenerative communities she's visited focus on building a prosperity based on relationships, ecological health, and community resilience rather than accumulating material possessions. The Regenerative World Quest will culminate in a documentary series and practical playbook that others can use to live more lightly on the planet, thinking seven generations ahead following Indigenous traditions. To follow Brenna's journey and learn from the regenerative communities she discovers, visit https://bthelightconsulting.com/ or follow her on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. 

Energy is required at every step of the food and beverage industry supply chain, from growing grapes to bottling and delivery, making it a significant source of emissions and a prime target for climate innovation. On this episode of Earth911’s Sustainability in Your Ear, we explore how wineries and other producers are turning to clean, renewable energy to cut costs, reduce emissions, and future-proof their operations. We’re joined by James Presta, Business Development Manager at REC Solar, and Mario Trinchero of Trinchero Family Estates, a storied family-run winery in California’s Sonoma County. REC Solar and Trinchero teamed up to bring solar energy to one of the country’s largest winery operations, showing how collaboration between energy experts and agricultural producers can drive meaningful progress toward a carbon-neutral future.  

James explains that a decentralized electric grid is emerging—powered by modular solar installations and guided by power purchase agreements (PPAs) that lock in long-term energy prices. When networked together, these individual installations can form a resilient web of renewable power. Solar, wind, and geothermal systems will provide flexibility and stability in a world of climate extremes—if we act quickly enough to scale them. Mario reflects on the motivations behind his family’s move to solar: sustainability is not just good business, it’s essential to preserving the land and legacy that define the brand. By using solar energy in its winemaking process, Trinchero has cut emissions and operating costs while strengthening its commitment to environmental stewardship.

We also delve into the mechanics of PPAs—a modern-day version of the 1930s rural electrification initiative that brought power to American farms. But now, companies like REC Solar—not government agencies—extend the grid through private partnerships. These agreements offer fixed pricing, shared risk, and maintenance contracts, but it’s critical to understand the provider’s long-term plans. A strong PPA can unlock the potential to electrify entire supply chains, eliminate dependence on diesel generators, and drive innovations where wires have never reached. And the potential for abundant, clean power is growing. What could we build if we end up with more energy than we need? As James and Mario suggest, the answer may be anything we can imagine with the right infrastructure—without the pollution that defined the last century. Learn more about REC Solar at recsolar.com and about Trinchero Family Estates at tfewines.com.

On today’s Sustainability In Your Ear, meet Kavita Patel, a principal at MUUS Climate Partners, as we discuss how smart investments and business support can drive environmental impact while generating returns. MUUS Climate Partners invests in early-stage climate technology companies, with a portfolio including battery recycler Nth Cycle, EV charging innovator AmpUp, and innovative air conditioning developer Harvest. The firm targets critical sectors—energy, industry, materials, and transportation—where innovation is essential for meeting climate goals. In our conversation, Kavita addresses the “green premium,” pointing out that while consumers may pay more upfront for sustainable products, they often realize long-term savings. She emphasizes that the most significant opportunity to reduce costs lies in eliminating waste throughout our economy, from production, through the use phase, to recovering and reusing materials traditionally discarded after a single use.

Kavita emphasizes that the most significant opportunity to reduce costs lies in eliminating waste throughout our economy, from production, through the use phase, to recovering and reusing materials traditionally discarded after a single use She also .shares a key insight about entrepreneurial leadership: successful climate tech founders have multiple backup plans. True innovators become “chief resource obtainers” by finding value where others see none. The entrepreneurs who will transform our economy can turn scrap into gold, whether starting with used equipment or reimagining landfill contents as raw materials for sustainable products. To learn more about MUUS Climate Partners and their approach to climate technology investment, visit muusclimate.com.

On today's Sustainability In Your Ear episode, discover a transformative approach to rainforest conservation with Dr. Hannah Peck, Deputy Director and Policy Lead at Cool Earth. She brings a decade of experience in the rainforests of Peru and Papua New Guinea with Cool Earth's innovative strategies that prioritize direct support over traditional carbon offset models. Cool Earth challenges the heavily promoted carbon offsets industry, arguing that they often serve as a smokescreen for continued emissions rather than a genuine solution to the climate crisis. Instead, the organization emphasizes reducing emissions at the source and investing in the people best prepared to protect nature: Indigenous communities. Cool Earth's approach is based on unconditional cash transfers that free Indigenous communities to make decisions based on sustainable practices and forest conservation rather than economic necessity. The cash transfers reduce the incentive for activities that lead to deforestation, such as illegal logging or mining.

In 2023, Cool Earth launched a pioneering basic income pilot in the Amazon rainforest. They provide about $5 million a year in funding Indigenous communities, where every adult receives a regular income to meet their needs. This initiative aims to support long-term sustainability and forest conservation by enabling individuals to focus on preserving their environment rather than engaging in environmentally harmful economic activities. Hannah explains that Indigenous communities manage most of the remaining ecologically healthy rainforests. Cool Earth presents a compelling case for a more equitable and effective approach to combating climate change. To learn more about Cool Earth's work and how you can support their mission, visit coolearth.org.

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On this inspiring episode of Sustainability In Your Ear, we reconnect with storyteller, systems thinker, and regenerative agriculture pioneer Douglas Gayeton to explore the latest developments in the Ecological Benefits Framework (EBF)—a potentially game-changing tool designed to redefine how we value nature. First introduced during an Earth911 podcast event in 2023, the EBF offers a bold new way to measure what matters most to nature—air, water, soil, biodiversity, carbon, and equity. Unlike traditional carbon accounting, the EBF provides a comprehensive view of how projects can restore and regenerate ecosystems. 

Douglas calls the EBF a “Rosetta Stone” for ecological impact that offers a shared language for communities, companies, nonprofits, and funders. In our conversation, Douglas takes us inside the making of the EBF—its philosophical roots, its rigorous methodology, and its potential to become a new baseline for evaluating impact in the regenerative economy. He reflects on what we’ve learned so far and how early adopters are helping shape a framework that’s equal parts science, storytelling, and social contract.Now being piloted in 24 projects across the globe and featured in the upcoming BBC series Unearthing The Future, the EBF is quickly becoming a foundational tool in the regenerative movement. In this conversation, Douglas shares how the framework is helping shift investment and storytelling toward the systems that sustain life. Learn more at ebfcommons.org and thelexicon.org.

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As federal environmental protections face weakening, a grassroots movement is gaining strength across the U.S., focusing on environmental rights rather than policy adjustments. Maya van Rossum, environmental attorney and founder of the Green Amendments For The Generations movement, returns to Sustainability in Your Ear to discuss that states' response to cuts to federal environmental regulations. Maya explains how state-level constitutional amendments are redefining environmental protection as an inalienable right, akin to freedom of speech. She outlines the importance of constitutional change for achieving genuine environmental justice, the necessary steps for mobilizing community support, and how rights-based environmental movements are establishing sustainable, community-driven strategies for a healthier future. 

For over a decade, Maya has spearheaded this initiative, successfully passing Green Amendments in Pennsylvania, Montana, and New York. Currently, more than 20 states, including Oregon, are contemplating similar amendments. The discussion also addresses the recent rally at the Oregon state capitol, which showcased the momentum behind the Right to a Healthy Environment Amendment (SJR28) and signifies the evolving role of grassroots environmental advocacy. Unlike typical legislation that can be reversed with changing political climates, Green Amendments establish essential protections for clean air, water, and climate at the constitutional level. This framework provides citizens and communities with a robust legal foundation to challenge polluters and safeguard the environment for future generations, particularly during periods of political regression. For more information about the Green Amendment movement and to track developments nationwide, visit forthegenerations.org

In the race to address climate change, technology often steals the spotlight—solar breakthroughs, carbon capture, electrification, and AI. None of it scales without the right leadership. Green progress depends on the people who can fund, integrate, and lead technology-driven organizations to success. Meet Colin Smith and Kahlil Dumas, co-founders of Execnow, an executive placement firm focused on building leadership teams that can scale climate innovation. They connect mission-driven companies—from emerging startups to established companies—with leaders who can grow sustainable operations and adapt to fast-changing markets.

Execnow often places fractional executives, giving companies flexible access to high-levelIt'sent. It's a model that aligns with the pace and complexity of climate tech and helps growing firms stay lean as they grow. Colin and Kahlil's work spans cleantech, regenerative agriculture, biotech, and AI industries, which are being transformed by leaders who can execute and achieve impact. We explore what makes an effective climate leader, how founders can attract the right talent, and why treating people with dignity is more than a personal preference—it's essential to competing in a global, interconnected market. At a moment when the government is erasing climate language from websites and regulatory systems, Execnow is helping companies double down—not pull back—on building the leadership that can navigate uncertainty and drive lasting change. You can learn more about their work at execnow.co

In today’s media environment, disinformation and distraction are pervasive. The most troubling issue may not be misinformation but the critical information that is systematically ignored or underreported. Andy Lee Roth, Editor-at-Large of Project Censored, returns to Sustainability In Your Ear to discuss the top censored stories of 2023–2024, with a special focus on environmental reporting. Project Censored has tracked and amplified suppressed stories since 1976, drawing attention to the topics that corporate media tends to ignore. Roth highlights how the U.S. is witnessing explicit censorship of climate-related information alongside the erosion of regulatory frameworks and cutting federal support for scientific research. Media campaigns are designed to resist change and maintain the status quo, even at the expense of future generations.

In 2024, most of Project Censored’s top stories involve environmental issues, signaling a critical moment in our media landscape. From the health risks associated with gas stoves to the underreported impacts of climate debt, from greenwashed net-zero pledges to global and domestic challenges in water security, vital environmental and climate issues often go unreported. The stories are not lacking in evidence, they are under-reported due to the incentives of media ownership and the influence of advertisers. Roth argues that people can practice media literacy to unpack the incomplete narratives that dominate the media to better understand the world around them. Ultimately, he believes that change lies in the hands of an informed and engaged public. Citizens are the ultimate arbiters of policy, values, and future direction—and it’s through independent journalism that society learns and debates a more sustainable and just future. You can learn more about Project Liberty and the Under-Reported Stories of the Year at projectcensored.org.

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Josh Dorfman—known for his The Lazy Environmentalist book series—visites to share his latest efforts to make sustainability seamless, smart, and scalable. From hosting eco-living shows to launching climate tech ventures, Dorfman’s mission: make sustainable choices attractive and accessible. In the 1990s, while working in China, Dorfman saw the country’s shift from bicycles to cars and realized the environmental cost of global development. That insight set him on a path to shift consumer culture toward greener living. “People don’t respond to guilt,” he said. “They respond to practical, self-interested solutions that make their lives better.” Dorfman now leads two new initiatives: Plantd and Supercool. By blending smart storytelling with practical solutions, Dorfman shows how sustainability can be not just necessary—but undeniably cool.

Plantd is a carbon-negative building materials startup using ultra-fast-growing grass to produce high-performance panels that outperform and underprice traditional plywood. Backed by former SpaceX engineers, Plantd’s electric, zero-smokestack production line locks atmospheric carbon into walls, floors, and roofs—without cutting down trees. Their work has caught serious attention: DR Horton, the largest U.S. homebuilder, recently placed an order for 10 million panels. The Supercool podcast and newsletter spotlight climate innovation that resonates across political lines. Dorfman’s storytelling targets the middle ground—where sustainability aligns with health, economics, and lifestyle. Episodes feature stories like upcycled e-bike marketplaces, AI-optimized HVAC systems, and green retrofits of federal buildings. “We already have the technology to solve climate change,” Dorfman said. “What we need is faster adoption—and that comes from telling the right stories.” You can learn more about Plantd's carbon-negative building materials at https://www.plantdmaterials.com/ and tune into the Supercool podcast at https://getsuper.cool/

As trade dynamics shift and tariffs reshape supply chains, construction companies must rethink how they source materials, balance costs, and integrate sustainable solutions. The push for greener, more resilient construction materials is at the heart of this transformation. Grant Quasha, CEO of Eco Material Technologies, returns to the show to share an update. Since his last appearance in October 2023, the company has made significant strides—including securing an $800 million Green Term Loan Facility, which will significantly accelerate the development and adoption of low-carbon cement alternatives. With goals to double production to 20 million tons per year, Grant and his team are working to redefine how we build the world around us.

Hear what sustainable business sounds like when a green product makes its case on economic terms. Adopting green materials becomes a no-brainer decision when they are cheaper and better (because pozzolanic concrete lasts longer) and deliver the sustainability consumers want. Grant explains the potential for using low-carbon concrete to build low-income housing, for which Americans are in severe need due to a shortage of 7.1 million affordable housing units. Providing climate-resilient housing is a potentially vast opportunity to drive the rapid adoption of low-carbon concrete. Concrete printing systems can be rolled up to a home site and complete the production of a house in hours, saving labor time spent on framing a traditional home. If you’re considering starting a sustainable company, consider 3D concrete printed construction as a business. There are only 32 of these construction companies in the U.S. That may be the entrepreneurial opportunity of the decade. Imagine the demand for affordable, fast homes just in LA. So, business goes on, and sustainability is on the menu. You can learn more about Eco Material Technologies at ecomaterial.com.

Plastic and paper waste from product packaging remains an environmental crisis, with millions of tons of packaging ending up in landfills and the ocean every year. Despite growing consumer demand for sustainable alternatives, many companies still struggle to balance eco-responsible packaging with cost, performance, and branding needs. Discover the challenges and opportunities shaping sustainable packaging alternatives with Elizabeth Corbett,  President of Enterprise Sales at AE Global, a leading packaging maker. Elizabeth helps brands in the cannabis, health & beauty, and consumer goods industries transition to packaging solutions that are both smarter and greener. With over 25 years of experience, she has developed growth strategies and designed sustainable packaging for some of the world’s most iconic brands, including Estée Lauder, Starbucks’ Teavana, and Tiffany & Co. Elizabeth argues that businesses don’t have to choose between aesthetics, functionality, and environmental responsibility—they can have it all. 

She also works closely with the Ocean Recovery Group, a pioneering initiative dedicated to collecting, cleaning, and recycling ocean-bound plastics to turn waste into valuable materials in an increasingly closed loop that can eventually eliminate plastic pollution. We’ll also discuss innovations in reusable, recyclable, and compostable packaging and how brands can achieve sustainability without sacrificing cost-effectiveness. Elizabeth suggests the best way to get sustainable packaging widely adopted is to establish rules that require post-consumer materials be used in new packaging. She points to New York’s post-consumer recycled paper bag requirements that changed design decisions for brands across the country. New York, California, Florida, or Texas, four big markets from which no national brand can afford to be absent, could transform the national packaging scene. Join the conversation for a discussion about extended producer responsibility, America's fragmented, fractured recycling infrastructure, and the benefits brands can enjoy when they lead the way toward green packaging. You can learn more about AE Global at aeglobal.com.

Humanity is grappling with the effects of climate change, and one urgent challenge is ensuring a stable and sustainable supply of protein for human consumption and agricultural use. That's where molecular farming, an innovative technology that uses the power of plants to produce high-quality proteins, may present a unique solution. Tune into Sustainability In Your Ear for a conversation with Maya Sapir-Mir, co-founder and CEO of PoLoPo, to explore how molecular farming could transform food production, and make potato chips better for us.

We’ll discuss the science behind PoLoPo's approach, the potential for reducing the environmental footprint of protein production, and what this means for the future of global food security. Genetic modification remains a subject of debate. While extensive studies confirm its safety for human consumption, concerns about its impact on biodiversity persist. Simply replacing one monoculture with another would not address biodiversity loss or solve global food production's more profound systemic challenges. One thing is sure: how we eat in the future will be different. Just as a meal today looks nothing like one from 1960, 1900, or 1770, the food landscape of 2040 will evolve—likely toward a more plant-centric, sustainable plate. However we get there, it will shape not just our diets but the future of our planet. Learn more about PoLoPo at https://polopo.tech 

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Check out previous Earth911 interviews about food innovation

• Earth911 Podcast: Alter Eco Foods CEO Keith Bearden Is All-In On Regenerative Chocolate Farming
• Best of Earth911 Podcast: Re:Dish CEO Caroline Vanderlip on Creating a Circular Food Service System
• Earth911 Podcast: Safe Catch CEO Sean Wittenberg on Making Seafood Sustainable
• Best of Earth911 Podcast: Wild Planet Founder & CEO Bill Carvalho on Making Seafood Sustainable
• Earth911 Podcast: Farmstead’s Pradeep Elankumaran on Building Sustainable Food Delivery

Climate Change has terrible impacts today, and youth coming of age face depressing prospects. However, they are stepping up to the challenge and could see the fruits of their efforts in a restored climate during their lifetime. Climate restoration requires extraordinary efforts of young people, who are already leading the charge. On this episode, Sustainability In Your Ear introduces another winner of the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, which recognizes each year a dozen youth for their innovation and action. The program considers kids between 8 and 18.  In 2024, one of the remarkable individuals awarded $10,000 by the program is Varin Sikka, a 16-year-old innovator from California. Varin has invented AirCat, a groundbreaking Direct Air Capture (DAC) system designed to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere on a large scale. He's doing more than imagining the technology. Varin has a 3D-printed home version and is working with Siemens Energy after taking AirCat to the COP28 meeting in Dubai held in 2023.

Varin was motivated to develop the AirCat by the apocalyptic wildfires that brought red skies to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2020. On today's show, he shares how he came to be a 16-year-old inventor, the feelings his friends have about climate change, and the advice he would give youth who feel climate anxiety: Get involved. This year's awards will be announced in the fall. Fiction writer T.A. Barron created the prize and named the program after his mother to help inspire kids to make a positive difference in the world. You can learn more about the Gloria Barron Prize, and if you are between 8 and 18 years old, consider entering to be considered for the 2025 awards at https://barronprize.org/ 

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Check out previous Earth911 interviews about carbon capture technologies

• Best of Earth911 Podcast: Nikki Batchelor and Mike Leitch Share XPRIZE Carbon Removal Progress
• Earth911 Podcast: Talking Carbon Capture Investments with Rick Parnell
• Earth911 Podcast: Talking Eco-Anxiety and Carbon Capture With the Foundation for Climate Restoration’s Dr. Erica Dodds
• Earth911 Podcast: Global Thermostat’s Graciela Chichilnisky on Distributed Carbon Capture Economies
• Best of Earth911 Podcast: Nikki Batchelor and Mike Leitch Share XPRIZE Carbon Removal...

Meet Garik Himebaugh, the founder of Eco-Stylist.com, a site dedicated to promoting sustainable fashion choices. Garik's journey into the world of sustainable fashion began with a background in peace studies and an MBA, and he discovered social entrepreneurship as a grad student and launched Eco-Stylist in 2018. There, he helps consumers make informed, sustainable fashion choices with a directory of brands that meet his criteria for ethical production and environmental responsibility.encouraging individuals to "dress like you give a damn." He was kind enough to contribute a recent article on Earth911, How to Build the Sustainable Wardrobe of Your Dreams. He points to how the fast fashion crisis is burying some countries in the global south in synthetic trash that can take decades or centuries to breakdown into potentially toxic plastic byproducts. Garik joined the Sustainability In Your Ear conversation to discuss how to check the sustainability claims made by clothing companies, the power of reuse and upcycling as a way to reduce your personal environmental impact, and his favorite responsible fashion brands, including Adelante, Outerknown, Naadam, and Patagonia.

Fast fashion is a plague on the planet and your wallet. Fast fashion is responsible for approximately 10% of global carbon emissions and nearly 20% of wastewater production, according to the World Economic Forum. The World Resources Institute reports that producing just one cotton shirt uses approximately 713 gallons of water — that’s enough water to meet one person's drinking needs for over two years. But, hey, you get a $10 shirt instead. The fast fashion industry is so destructive that the U.S. Government Accounting Office wrote in December 2024 that the nation needs a coordinated effort to reduce textile waste and promote recycling. But we can dress for success and the planet. Garik explains that the brands he admires “take responsibility for their clothes” by making them with organic and sustainable materials, providing repairs and take-back programs, as well as delivering durable products that can be made to last. You can learn more about sustainable fashion and shop Garik's curated selection of clothing at https://Eco-Stylist.com.

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