Green Dreamer: Sustainability From Ideas To Life With Eco Pioneers, Revolutionary Thinkers, Leading Creatives

Adam Sacks is a climate activist, writer, and the Executive Director of Biodiversity for a Livable Climate. On this podcast episode, Adam sheds light on how biodiversity loss may be a greater threat to our planet than climate change; why we need to include the conservation of biodiversity as a key climate health solution; how real-life stories of regeneration around the world prove that we already know what it takes to rebuild healthy, resilient ecosystems; and more.   Episode notes: www.greendreamer.com/136 Support the show: www.patreon.com/greendreamer Instagram: www.instagram.com/greendreamerpodcast

Bob Donofrio is the creator of Futura Jewelry, a brand that creates a global curation of iconic jewelry designs using only certified Fairmined Ecological Gold. (At present, it's the only brand to do so.)   After a life-changing discovery a few years ago of the threat that mercury from small-scale gold mining poses to people and our planet, he founded the brand in efforts to support a cleaner future and better social and environmental standards in the industry.   On this podcast episode, Bob sheds light on how mercury emissions has been dubbed a global crisis by the United Nations; why Fairmined Ecological Gold, specifically used in jewelry, is necessary to improve the practices in gold mining (though gold is also used for other things like computer chips); how the creation of beautiful, meaningful, and timeless designs can encourage deeper appreciation for fashion rather than drive overconsumption; and more.   Episode notes: www.greendreamer.com/135 Support the show: www.patreon.com/greendreamer Instagram: ww

Leah Penniman is an educator, farmer, the author of Farming While Black, and food justice activist who currently serves as founding co-executive director of Soul Fire Farm in Grafton, New York—a people-of-color led project that works to dismantle racism in our food system.   On this episode, Leah sheds light on the impact of colonialism on soil health around the world; how the oppression of Black and Indigenous people-of-color in the United States has affected farmland ownership and continued, institutionalized injustice; how we can take action to support racial justice in food production; and more.   Episode notes: www.greendreamer.com/134 Support the show: www.greendreamer.com/support Instagram: www.instagram.com/greendreamerpodcast

Tristram Stuart is a speaker, an international award-winning author (The Bloodless Revolution and Waste: Uncovering the Global Food Scandal), the founder of Feedback and Toastale, and an expert on the environmental and social impacts of food.   On this episode, Tristram shares how we've come to adopt a wasteful, linear food system (and what a circular system would look like), how we can be more respectful to nature in spite of our economy undervaluing what is truly invaluable, how we can rewire our broken food system through delivery services driven by supply of what is available rather than consumer demand, and more.   Episode notes: www.greendreamer.com/133 Support the show: www.greendreamer.com/support Instagram: www.instagram.com/greendreamerpodcast

With a background in alternative fuels, renewable energy, energy efficiency, transportation technologies, and financial services, Brian Goldstein is the Executive Director of Energy Independence Now (founded by Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation‘s CEO, Terry Tamminen), a nonprofit on a mission to support the transition to a clean transportation system through hydrogen fuel.   On this episode, Brian shares how hydrogen fuel cells work, the environmental impact of electric vehicles compared to hydrogen-powered vehicles, the practicality and potential of fuel cells to help green the transportation sector, and more.   Episode notes: www.greendreamer.com/132 Support the show: www.greendreamer.com/support Instagram: @KameaChayne @GreenDreamerPodcast

J.I. Cruz is the co-founder of ACEPR, a nonprofit social enterprise and accelerator program that aims to provide Puerto Rican community leaders with the resources, financing, and know-how needed to establish renewable energy microgrid cooperatives across the island.   On this episode, J.I. shares how renewable energy relates to natural disasters like hurricanes, the role of decentralized electric grids in sustainable development, how he deals with ageism as someone who started his social venture at 21 years old, and more.   Episode notes: www.greendreamer.com/131 Support the show: www.greendreamer.com/support Instagram: @KameaChayne @GreenDreamerPodcast

My special message to you. Happy Earth Day and Month, Green Dreamer!   Support the show and join our network: www.greendreamer.com/support Instagram: www.instagram.com/greendreamerpodcast

Judith D. Schwartz is a journalist who focuses on nature-based solutions to global challenges and the author of Cows Save the Planet and Water in Plain Sight: Hope for a Thirsty World.     On this episode, Judith shares why fixating on reducing carbon emissions alone is a shortsighted approach to tackling climate change, how 'organic' is losing its standards and meaning, what it means that we've been managing against environmental challenges rather than managing for them, and more.   Episode notes: www.greendreamer.com/130 Support the show: www.greendreamer.com/support Instagram: www.instagram.com/greendreamerpodcast

Whitney Bauck is an Associate Editor at Fashionista. She got her start writing about the intersection of fashion, faith, and ethics, and now frequently explores the topics of sustainability, worker rights, and diverse representation within the fashion industry.   On this episode, Whitney shares why she thinks regenerative agriculture may be the next big thing in sustainable fashion, her thoughts on what drives fashion trends, how we can influence the industry to be more ethical and sustainable in practice, and more.   Episode notes: www.greendreamer.com/129 Support the show: www.greendreamer.com/support Instagram: www.instagram.com/greendreamerpodcast

How might exposures to cultures different from our own allow us to see our own blind spots when it comes to our common lifestyle habits (and those of other people's)? How has our current fashion industry come to be so wasteful, and what can we do as individuals to help the industry move in a healthier direction?   Sharing her wisdom here is Sarah-Jayne Smith, Founder of Magpies and Peacocks—the only nonprofit design house in the United States. Let's dive in!   Episode notes: www.greendreamer.com/127 Support the show: www.greendreamer.com/support Instagram: @KameaChayne @GreenDreamerPodcast   HIGHLIGHTS [3:01] Kaméa: "Do you think the amount of space that Americans have compared to other countries in the world has, in part, inspired this culture of disposability?"  [14:18] Sarah-Jayne talks about what she thinks it was that allowed the fashion industry to become so disposable and wasteful. [18:50] Kaméa: "What do you think acting as a nonprofit has allowed you to do that operating as a business may not have?

At a time when we need to galvanize collective power to drive systemic change, why is it important for us to go beyond conscious consumerism to also focus on political action? What can we do besides voting to support environmental policy throughout the year? Sharing his wisdom here is Will Hackman, an activist and contributing writer on the topics of energy, environment, climate change policy. Let's dive in!   Episode notes: www.greendreamer.com/127 Support the show: www.greendreamer.com/support Instagram: @KameaChayne @GreenDreamerPodcast   HIGHLIGHTS [2:55] Kaméa: "Is it more effective to try and do what we can as individuals with our lifestyle choices, or is it more effective to work on environmental policy change?" [10:50] Where the U.S. stands in terms of its environmental policy in relation to other countries. [15:55] What 'decarbonizing the economy' entails, and what it would this look like in practice. [18:08] How climate change and other environmental factors are affecting our oceans, including oce

What does it mean for us that plastic is actually in part a byproduct of the oil industry? How do we deal with the frustration of being around friends or family members with wasteful habits while we're working hard to reduce our personal waste? Sharing her wisdom here is Kathryn Kellogg, author of the new book 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste. Let's dive in!   *Become a patron for bonus episodes, access to our Green Dreamer Network, and more: www.greendreamer.com/support   HIGHLIGHTS [3:53] Explaining the concept of zero waste to someone learning about it for the first time. [6:32] Dealing with the frustration of being around friends or family members who may be very wasteful. [9:49] Kathryn: "People are so focused on what they can't do that they miss all of the awesome stuff that they already are doing or what they can do." [20:08] Kaméa: "Based on what you know, is plastic a byproduct of the oil industry, and if so, what does this mean in terms of plastic's place in our society today?" [24:21] Kaméa: "What are you

What is biodynamic farming, and what can we learn from this to support the regeneration of a healthier planet? How have our individual actions already shifted societal trends, and how are they continuing to crystalize our path towards a sustainable future? Sharing his wisdom here is author and Founder of Y on Earth, Aaron Perry. Let's dive in!   *Become a patron for bonus episodes, access to our Green Dreamer Network, and more: www.greendreamer.com/support   HIGHLIGHTS  [3:11] Aaron discusses Nature-Deficit Disorder and how urbanization may contribute to mental illness. [6:01] Aaron discusses how our daily individual actions add up to help drive larger positive change. [8:32] Aaron explains what biodynamic agriculture is.  [12:44] What Aaron does as Chief Sustainability Officer for organizations and companies. [22:00] Aaron explains how global and national events in the 20th century led us to where we are today in terms of unsustainable policies and systems.  [28:12] Aaron: "One of the big choices we each hav

What do we need to know about how microplastic pollution impacts our health and the health of our natural ecosystems? Why can natural microfibers shed from our clothes also be problematic when they wash down the drain? Sharing her wisdom here is Rachael Miller, the Co-Founder of Rozalia Project and the Founder of Cora Ball, a solution that keeps microplastics from our clothing from washing down the drain. Let's dive in!   *Become a patron for bonus episodes, access to our Green Dreamer Network, and more: www.greendreamer.com/support   HIGHLIGHTS    [9:23] Rachael explains how our clothing and textiles break apart and shed microfibers. [11:42] Why our clothing made from natural fibers (and not just synthetics) can also be problematic. [15:47] Rachael talks about how her team designed Cora Ball through biomimicry.   [25:16] Rachael: "Everyone who wears and washes clothes is part of this problem... And everyone who wears and washes clothes can be a part of this solution." [27:41] Rachael: "Unlike microbeads, the

What's at stake when the coverage of environmental issues leave out their impacts on the people they affect? What is the role of an artist in supporting the sustainability and regeneration of a thriving planet? Sharing his wisdom here is Michael A. Estrada, a photographer, writer, and the founder of Brown Environmentalist, also known as BEEN Media. Let's dive in!   *Become a patron for bonus episodes, access to our Green Dreamer Network, and more: www.greendreamer.com/support   HIGHLIGHTS   [5:10] Kaméa: "What is the role of an artist in environmental activism?" [6:58] Michael talks about what led him to focus on the experiences of people of color in sustainability.   [11:16] Michael discusses how common media narratives about environmental activism may have harmed BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). [13:06] Michael: "Yes, it's painful. But in that pain, there is also a lot of healing that needs to be done."  [15:06] Michael and Kaméa discuss how social media has been unhelpful in creating the pic

How does our mental and emotional wellbeing impact our ability to serve those we love, our communities, and our planet? What is it that actually motivates behavioral change, and what does this mean for us as people wanting to spark positive change in our own lives and the lives of people around us?   Sharing her wisdom here is Dr. Parneet Pal, Chief Science Officer at Wisdom Labs. Let's dive in!   *Become a patron for bonus episodes, access to our Green Dreamer Network, and more: www.greendreamer.com/support   HIGHLIGHTS [9:03] Kaméa: "Across the board, we're experiencing increasing levels of stress, burnout, anxiety, and loneliness. What are the driving forces are behind this negative trend?" [11:13] How technology affects our mental health. [19:19] How our daily stress responses can impact our mental and emotional wellbeing and our abilities to think beyond our own good. [21:15] Parneet talks about what mindfulness is from a scientific standpoint. [25:25] How practicing mindfulness can lead to more compassi

To address the unsustainability of our current food production, how can we work towards having localized and regenerative food systems? What do we need to know about the mislabeling, or greenwashing, of our food products?   Sharing her wisdom here is Wen-Jay Ying, Founder and CEO of Local Roots NYC. Let's dive in!   *Become a patron for bonus episodes, access to our Green Dreamer Network, and more: www.greendreamer.com/support   HIGHLIGHTS [5:55] Wen-Jay: "There is so much content about food out there that it can feel kind of intimidating. But if you can make it really fun and a little sexy, I think people are more likely to listen."   [10:20] Kaméa: "Were there any specific roadblocks that you faced as a female, minority business owner?" [14:25] Kaméa: "How did we come to adopt such an unsustainable food system in America?" [18:35] Wen-Jay explains how localized food systems can actually boost nutrition in our foods and therefore, also their flavors. [21:26] Wen-Jay and Kaméa discuss how not all whole foods

How does the dominant narrative that we are destructive as humans actually do our work in sustainability a disservice? What is the importance of accepting that not everyone will approach or see environmental activism in the same way?   Sharing their wisdom here are conservation psychologists and leading researchers at New Knowledge Organization, Dr. John Fraser and Dr. Rupu Gupta. Let's dive in!   *Enjoying the show? Support Green Dreamer on Patreon for bonus episodes, access to our private support community, and more.*   HIGHLIGHTS [8:23] Kaméa: "How has your transdisciplinary approach allowed you and your team to reach new findings or come up with more powerful solutions for sustainability?" [11:02] John explains how humanity has a pattern of depleting our resources, and how this is not a new problem. [16:29] John discusses the personal and social wellness challenges of conservationists.  [18:51] Kaméa: "What advice can you offer for those of us who feel guilty for taking a positive approach to sustainabili

How do we reach people who aren't already mindful of their environmental impact, while not pushing them away by being 'too hardcore' in our approach? What should we keep in mind when we're sharing sustainability with our friends and people who are just entering the scene so that our messages can reach them in an engaging and meaningful way?   Sharing her wisdom here is eco-realist and YouTuber Shelbi of Shelbizleee. Let's dive in!    *Enjoying the show? Support Green Dreamer on Patreon for bonus episodes, access to our private support community, and more.*   HIGHLIGHTS  [5:39] How Shelbi first started dumpster diving. [9:06] Shelbi discusses the importance of holding stores and companies accountable for their waste. [15:16] Shelbi explains why she quit dumpster diving. [18:00] How Shelbi evolved her message to emphasize her focus on sustainability more while not pushing away subscribers initially just intrigued by dumpster diving or by the makeup products she found in dumpsters. [20:44] Shebi on the importanc

How has the media coverage of sustainability evolved over the last decade, and how can we support its presence in mainstream narratives? What was it that instilled in us this idea that living sustainably is all about sacrificing things rather than about gaining things that can truly enrich our lives?   Sharing her wisdom here is Candice Batista, an environmental journalist and the founder of The Eco Hub. Let's dive in!   *Enjoying the show? Support Green Dreamer on Patreon for bonus episodes, access to our private support community, and more.*   HIGHLIGHTS   [3:26] What sparked Candice's interest in environmental journalism.  [7:11] Candice talks about how she was 'very preachy' at first and why she now approaches her messaging from a more educational tone. [8:51] Kaméa: "What's your current greatest challenge in helping to inspire public engagement and action?" [12:58] Candice: "People can tell when you're doing something because you have to or when you're doing something because you're really passionate abo