Greening Up My Act: A Sustainable Living Podcast

In this episode, Tiffany and Kat discuss the joy of birdwatching. They explore the benefits and concerns of bird feeding, like potential health risks for birds and the sustainability of feeding practices. Some questions include: Should we feed birds? Can we feed them all year? How much of my paycheck do I have to spend on bird food? and more in this upbeat sustainability podcast.

Sources

• https://www.audubon.org/news/to-feed-or-not-feed\
• https://www.audubon.org/magazine/11-tips-feeding-backyard-birds 
• PDF: Six feeders every bird should have: https://media.audubon.org/audubon_guide_to_bird_feeders.pdf?_gl=1*15msanl*_gcl_au*NDk4NjU0NjkwLjE3NDU5NTUyOTE.*_ga*OTExNjg5NjkxLjE3NDU5NTUyOTE.*_ga_X2XNL2MWTT*MTc0NTk1NTI5MS4xLjEuMTc0NTk1NjUwNy42MC4wLjA.
• https://blog.nwf.org/2024/01/year-round-bird-feeding/
• Funny article about state birds: http://www.thebirdist.com/2013/04/state-birds-what-they-should-be.html

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Welcome back to Season 7 -- JOY! This season, we're focusing on what brings us joy with a little sprinkle of GUMA research plus tips on how to green it all up.

This week: DOGS. Get a little history about why they are the way they are, science on why we love them, and ideas on being a better guardian for your good boy or girl today. 

Sources:

• Earth.org - The Environmental Impact of Pets: Working Towards Sustainable Pet Ownership - https://earth.org/environmental-impact-of-pets/
• CNN – Pets could boost wellbeing as much as a wife or husband - https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/09/health/pets-boost-wellbeing-marriage-study-intl-scli-wellness/index.html
• The Atlantic - Dogs Are Entering a New Wave of Domestication - https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2024/10/service-dog-domestication-behavior/680240/
• National Geographic - We Didn’t Domesticate Dogs, They Domesticated Us - https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/130302-dog-domestic-evolution-science-wolf-wolves-human
• The Guardian - Making a dog’s dinner - https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/apr/29/making-a-dogs-dinner-vets-and-canine-experts-on-the-most-eco-and-affordable-ways-to-feed-your-pooch
• The Humane Society - Environmental Impacts of Puppy Mills - https://www.humaneworld.org/sites/default/files/docs/environmental-impacts-puppy-mills.pdf
• ANIVIVE - Do mixed breed dogs live longer? - https://www.anivive.com/learn/article/do-mixed-breed-dogs-live-longer
• PETA - Animal Rights Uncompromised: ‘Pets’ - https://www.peta.org/about-peta/why-peta/pets/

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Did you know educating kids about climate change can have a serious impact on carbon output? This week, we explore the role of climate education in U.S. schools, discussing the barriers to effective teaching and how certain (ahem) industries (ahem) influence educational materials. Dig deeper into how to empower teachers and students, the impact of youth activism, and the need for parental involvement in climate education. 

Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!  

Sources

• Nature Conservancy: https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/how-we-work/youth-engagement/educating-for-climate-action/
• Pew Research Center: https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2021/05/26/gen-z-millennials-stand-out-for-climate-change-activism-social-media-engagement-with-issue/
• Columbia University: https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2023/02/09/climate-education-in-the-u-s-where-it-stands-and-why-it-matters/ 

We'll be back May 6 with season 7!

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Times are tough and the economy is uncertain, which is why we've decided to diversify by offering you, our listeners, a new all-natural, green, eco-friendly, organic, sustainable product:

Cleaning Up My Yard by Greening Up My Act: Cat Poo Flavored Dog Treats!

For only $15.99/month you can get these locally-sourced treats delivered to your door. Check out our Patreon to subscribe!

www.patreon.com/GreeningUpMyAct

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This week we look at the green policies and protections President Trump has already or is working to dismantle in his second term. Stay informed and maybe feel a little better about buying an electric vehicle or getting solar panels. 

Sources

• Washington Post - Trump Has Rolled Back 125 Environmental Safeguards - https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/climate-environment/trump-climate-environment-protections/
• Climate Action News - What Trump’s second term means for climate action in the US and beyond - https://www.climatechangenews.com/2025/01/15/what-trump-second-term-means-for-climate-action-in-the-us-and-beyond/
• Texas Tribune - Trump’s promise to unravel Biden's climate policies could take years to fulfill - https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/08/texas-environment-trump-biden-climate-change/
• PBS Newshour - Here’s what to know about Trump’s executive actions on climate and environment - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/heres-what-to-know-about-trumps-executive-actions-on-climate-and-environment
• NPR - Trump's pulling a U-turn on EVs, but not much has changed — yet- https://www.npr.org/2025/01/30/nx-s1-5272749/donald-trump-ev-electric-vehicles-subsidies-auto-industry
• WIPFLI - Trump’s executive orders don’t impact clean energy tax incentives- https://www.wipfli.com/insights/articles/tax-trumps-orders-dont-impact-energy-tax-credits

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Need tips for talking climate change with your Trump-supporting uncle? Tiff and Kat chat about climate polarization  — and how we need to rebrand these initiatives to reach across the political aisle. The two hosts use their marketing experience in this sustainability podcast to figure out exactly how we can get more people to fight for change.

Sources

• https://www.theclimatechangereview.com/post/the-polarization-of-climate-change 
• https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/farmers-federal-funding-freeze-trump-administration-scramble-respond-rcna191544
• https://civileats.com/2025/02/11/trumps-funding-freeze-creates-chaos-and-financial-distress-for-farmers/ 
• https://www.bupipedream.com/news/state-agriculture-program-experiences-funding-cuts/162769/ 
• https://www.climate.gov/news-features/climate-qa/does-it-matter-how-much-united-states-reduces-its-carbon-dioxide-emissions 
• https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/08/09/what-the-data-says-about-americans-views-of-climate-change/ 
• https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2016/10/04/the-politics-of-climate/ 
• https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/pas-secret-weapon-to-fight-climate-change/ 
• https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/john-curtis-utah-republican-wants-make-climate-change-bipartisan-issue

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We've talked at length about how large corporations influence federal policy and how you can try to do the same. Let's take a look at how YOU can influence large corporations, especially the ones doing the most damage to the environment.

Sources:

• UMass Amherst Political Economy Research Institute - Greenhouse 100 Polluters, 2024 - https://peri.umass.edu/greenhouse-100-polluters-index-current
• McCune Law Group - Corporate Accountability for Environmental Damages - https://mccunewright.com/blog/2023/11/holding-corporations-responsible-for-environmental-damages
• Vistra Energy - https://hub.vistracorp.com/our-companies/
• Columbia Climate School - Climate Lawsuits are on the Rise - https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2023/08/09/climate-lawsuits-are-on-the-rise-this-is-what-theyre-based-on/
• Investopedia – What is ESG Investing? https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/environmental-social-and-governance-esg-criteria.asp

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"Climate denial and Citizens United are two sides of the same coin." That was U.S. Senator Whitehouse basically summing up this episode. Discover why the fight against climate change practically stopped in its tracks following the 2010 Citizens United ruling -- and why it feels so infuriating -- and what we can do about it today.

Sources

• https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/speeches/how-citizens-united-altered-the-climate-debate/
• https://www.commoncause.org/articles/inextricably-linked-how-citizens-united-halted-climate-action/ 
• https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/15-years-later-citizens-united-allows-corporate-greed-to-fuel-climate-disasters/ 
• https://e360.yale.edu/features/how-big-money-in-politics-blocked-u-s-action-on-climate-change
• Plutocrats United: Campaign Money, the Supreme Court, and the Distortion of American Elections: https://amzn.to/3WXyjeJ 

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In this two-part episode, hosts Tiff and Kat break down Citizens United, the Supreme Court case that unleashed unlimited corporate spending in politics — and how that money fuels climate inaction. With fossil fuel giants pouring millions into elections and lobbying, we explore how this decision came about in the first place. Join us as we uncover the link between big money, political gridlock, and the fight for a sustainable future.

As Amazon Associates, some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you click and buy.

Sources:

• https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/citizens-united-explained 
• More Perfect podcast: https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolabmoreperfect/episodes/citizens-united 
• https://www.fec.gov/legal-resources/court-cases/citizens-united-v-fec/ 
• Congressional Research Service: https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12691 
• https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00825851/ 
• Plutocrats United: Campaign Money, the Supreme Court, and the Distortion of American Elections: https://amzn.to/3WXyjeJ 

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Federal government got you down? Explore how to lobby your state government and influence local climate policy to help get your feelings in a better place. 

Sources

• Network for Business Sustainability: How Business Leaders Can Lobby for Climate Action - https://nbs.net/how-business-leaders-can-lobby-for-climate-action/
• Inside Climate News: What to Expect from State Governments on Renewable Energy Policy in 2025 - https://insideclimatenews.org/news/09012025/inside-clean-energy-state-government-policy-2025/
• Greenpeace: Lobbying 101 - https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/lobbying-101/
• American College of Radiology: 10 Tips for Lobbying State Legislatures - https://www.acr.org/Advocacy-and-Economics/State-Issues/Advocacy-Resources/Lobbying-State-Legislatures
• PBS: Here’s What to Know About Trump’s Executive Actions on Climate and Environment - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/heres-what-to-know-about-trumps-executive-actions-on-climate-and-environment

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