Imperfect Eco-Hero

While there is no doubt that WHAT we eat impacts climate change most, however, what about HOW we eat? One third of all food produced globally goes to food waste; at the same time, food insecurity is an increasing issue all across the world. These were just some of the thoughts four friends in Switzerland asked themselves when they brainstormed together what they could do more to tackle this problem. Project Äss-Bar was created as not only a business in a new niche, but also as a community-based project to reduce food wastage across Switzerland. Today’s guest and one of the founders of Äss-Bar, Dr. Raoul Stöckle, will talk more about how they’re tackling these issues and more, all through baked goods.

Games serve so many different roles in our lives. They can be a form of  art, they can be a method of escapism from the hecticness of life, and  they can convene community by connecting people all across the world.  But can games also heal our relationship to nature and help us navigate  the climate crisis? Today’s guest, Daniel Fernandez Galeote is a  game designer and a doctoral researcher at the Gamification Group,  Tampere University. His research aims to understand the potential of  games for climate change engagement and combines the study of existing  games with the creation of new ones. His work is enriched by frequent  conversations with scientists, educators, activists, and game  developers, among others and considers a variety of environmental issues  and topics. Follow Imperfect Eco-Hero on Instagram at @imperfect_ecohero. Find more information and resources about this episode at www.imperfectecohero.com/episodes.

The fashion industry is the second largest polluter in the world, just after the oil industry. Everything from the chemicals used, to the water consumed and polluted, to the waste problem and inhumane working conditions, has led this to be one of the fastest growing industries producing huge amounts of environmental damage worldwide. So what do you do when you’ve built a career around this industry? That was the big existential question our guest today - New York based Actress and Model, Candice Lam - had been struggling with until she took matters into her own hands. In an effort to promote not only sustainable and ethical brands and products, but to also highlight the process of running a fully eco-friendly fashion production too, Candice produced and modeled her first ever fashion editorial photoshoot called 4 Elements. “4 Elements”, inspired by the Four Elements of Nature, was a ground-breaking project challenging the industry’s and consumer’s connotation of what “sustainable fashion” really means. Follow Imperfect Eco-Hero on Instagram at @imperfect_ecohero. Find more information and resources about this episode at www.imperfectecohero.com/episodes.

The islands of The Bahamas are a tropical hot spot and rank among the best destinations in the world for its beauty, stunning coral reefs, and a spectacular diversity of marine life. But like every coastal region in the world, unfortunately, the Bahamas is also home to ocean plastic pollution. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of both our guests today, Kristal Ambrose and Asia Butler, the Bahamas is moving towards a healthier future above and below the surface. Both Bahamian natives, Kristal is the founder of Bahamas Plastic Movement, a non-profit that is building a community of education and activism around plastic pollution in this Caribbean island chain. Asia is one of her students from her Plastic Warrior summer camp programs and citizen science projects, making profound change not only within the non-profit but in her community as well. Kristal and Asia’s work is especially significant and relevant given the recent global achievement made. Just earlier this month at the United Nations Environmental Assembly 173 countries agreed to develop a legally binding treaty on plastics to end plastic pollution! Thanks to both of their immense love for the underwater world, Kristal and Asia, along with all the Bahamas Plastic Movement crew, are truly creating positive change for the ocean. Follow Imperfect Eco-Hero on Instagram at @imperfect_ecohero. Find more information and resources about this episode at www.imperfectecohero.com/episodes.

Last summer, Jordan stumbled upon an exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC. One installation was particularly inspiring and impactful. It was called “Flying Gardens of Maybe”, part of the Unsettled Nature exhibit. This installation reflected on the age of humans in relation to the Earth, by examining the unintended consequences of human actions on nonhuman life. We then made an Instagram post highlighting the artist, Andrew Yang, as an Imperfect Eco-Hero. To our delight, we were recently able to connect with and interview this artist! Andrew Yang is not only an incredible artist whose work has been showcased globally, but holds a PhD in Biology and an MFA in Fine Arts, and is an associate professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In today’s episode, we’re exploring the clash between art and science, the implications of one’s impacts, building meaningful connections as a climate activist, gracious failures, and how to communicate questions rather than answers.