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 Jersey and beyond. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and more.

We hope you enjoy it! 

As a reminder, we are still doubling donations to the Uproot Project up to the first $500. Email your donation receipt to [email protected], and we will double it!

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Episode Description:  Hazard NJ: S2, E1: First a Miracle, Then a Curse

It was 1938 at a DuPont laboratory in far South Jersey when scientists stumbled upon the chemical that would become known as Teflon. The accidental discovery became a scientific miracle, laying the groundwork for an entirely new class of incredibly durable chemicals that would be used for all sorts of purposes. But that progress came with a toxic hidden cost that has only recently become fully understood. Now, the small town where it all started is on the front lines of a global pollution crisis.

Credits: 

HAZARD N-J IS AN N-J SPOTLIGHT NEWS PRODUCTION… YOU CAN SUPPORT OUR REPORTING BY HEADING TO N-J SPOTLIGHT NEWS DOT ORG SLASH DONATE.  

THE SHOW IS WRITTEN… EDITED… AND HOSTED BY ME… JORDAN GASS-POORE.  

MICHAEL SOL WARREN CONTRIBUTED REPORTING. HE ALSO CO WROTE AND PRODUCED ALL EPISODES.  

JAMES KRAFT IS THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER WITH N-J SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

OUR EXECUTIVE IN CHARGE OF PRODUCTION IS JOE LEE.

CHLOE MOTISI IS OUR PRODUCTION MANAGER.

ADDITIONAL RESEARCH WAS DONE BY JUDAH DUKE.

OUR SOUND DESIGNER AND ENGINEER IS MARK BUSH.

MUSIC FOR HAZARD N-J WAS COMPOSED BY NICK PENNINGTON.

ARTWORK BY MATTHEW FLEMING.

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE SCIENCE HISTORY INSTITUTE IN PHILADELPHIA FOR PROVIDING THE ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEW OF DUPONT SCIENTIST ROY PLUNKETT…

…ARROW FILMS FOR THE USE OF THE CRAZIES TRAILER…

AND THE HAGLEY LIBRARY FOR THE TEFLON RELATED AUDIO CLIPS.

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 have a great holiday season!

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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 single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode.   

We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors: 

Energy 

Cities 

Natural Environment 

Transportation 

Business 

Policy 

Social 

Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree.  The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means.  

www.sustainabilitydefined.com

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 products. Join us as we investigate the many sustainability issues they affect, from environmental footprints and social acceptance to female genital health and access and equity.

If you have been wondering about the latest with DAME, a company that has reimagined period products with more comfortable and sustainable alternatives, in this replay episode we have included some of the latest updates from the company. We hope you enjoy the listen!

As a reminder, we are accepting applications from Definers to take over the show. More details are in the September episode. If you are interested in this opportunity, please make sure to apply ASAP as we're starting to review applications! You can email us with your interest and why you should take over at [email protected].

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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 single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode.   

We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors: 

Energy 

Cities 

Natural Environment 

Transportation 

Business 

Policy 

Social 

Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree.  The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means.  

www.sustainabilitydefined.com

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 [email protected].

—We are still doubling donations to Uproot Project up to the first $500. Email your donation receipt to [email protected], and we will double it!

Here’s a description of Eva’s Sea Change podcast episode:

Even though New Orleans has water in every direction, it’s hard to access. And for a city with increasingly sweltering summers, this irony is painful.

This episode talks about the uncomfortable history of Lincoln Beach, how it led to New Orleans not having any public beaches today, and how a community has rallied together to get their beach back. The episode starts in the era of segregation, where if you were Black, the only place to soak up sun and sand was Lincoln Beach.

This episode was reported and hosted by Eva Tesfaye. Carlyle Calhoun is the managing producer. This episode was edited by Rosemary Westwood and Carlyle Calhoun with additional editing help from Halle Parker, Tyler Pratt, and Ryan Vasquez. Joseph King voiced WEB Dubois. Garrett Hazelwood is our fact-checker. Our sound designer is Emily Jankowski and our theme music is by Jon Batiste. 

Sea Change is a WWNO and WRKF production. We're a part of the NPR Podcast Network and distributed by PRX. Sea Change is made possible with major support from the Gulf Research Program of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. WWNO's Coastal Desk is supported by the Walton Family Foundation, the Meraux and the Greater New Orleans Foundation. You can reach the Sea Change team at [email protected].

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 fun that we experienced as we created the show.

If you’re interested, reach out to us at [email protected] and convince us that you’re the right person to take the show to its next level.

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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 single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode.   

We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors: 

Energy 

Cities 

Natural Environment 

Transportation 

Business 

Policy 

Social 

Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree.  The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means.  

www.sustainabilitydefined.com

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 and people. In this episode, we explore the world of sustainable jewelry and how the industry is addressing environmental and ethical challenges. 

This episode is sponsored by MiaDonna, an innovative, ethical fine jewelry company. It specializes in designer-style, affordably priced, conflict-free engagement rings and fine jewelry made exclusively from lab-grown diamonds and recycled gold and platinum. MiaDonna is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, USA, and sells to more than 40 countries worldwide. Our expert interview is with Anna-Mieke Anderson, Founder and CEO of MiaDonna, as well as its charitable foundation, The Greener Diamond. She is an internationally recognized environmental and humanitarian activist and a pioneering visionary in the lab-grown diamond industry.

www.miadonna.com

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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 single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode.   

We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors: 

Energy 

Cities 

Natural Environment 

Transportation 

Business 

Policy 

Social 

Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree.  The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means.  

www.sustainabilitydefined.com

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 little about how avocados make it from farm to your guacamole and some of the social and environmental implications of our complex food systems.

We are joined by Honor Eldridge, Food Systems Expert and Author of “The Avocado Debate,” a newly published book that provides insight and perspective on the unseen impacts of one of the world’s most popular foods.

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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 single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode.   

We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors: 

Energy 

Cities 

Natural Environment 

Transportation 

Business 

Policy 

Social 

Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree.  The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means.  

www.sustainabilitydefined.com

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 their supply chain partners and other organizations to grow the supply of sustainably sourced certified materials and pulp. P&G paper brands, which include tissue and towel products from Bounty, Puffs, and Charmin, have an ambition to source 100% Forest Stewardship Council™ certified pulp by 2030. In the episode, we are joined by certified forester Chris Reeves who works on P&G's paper business and Amy Clark Eagle, the Director of Science & Certification at Forest Stewardship Council U.S.

We hope that you “branch out” and give this episode a listen! 

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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 single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode.   

We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors: 

Energy 

Cities 

Natural Environment 

Transportation 

Business 

Policy 

Social 

Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree.  The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means.  

www.sustainabilitydefined.com

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 episode, we'll explore the impacts climate change has changed the residential real estate landscape, discuss the latest trends in climate-resilient construction and discover how large asset managers are working towards a more sustainable future. 

We are joined by Becky Becker, Vice President of Environmental and Climate Adaptation at Equity Residential (EQR) and Lindsay Brugger, Vice President of Urban Resilience at Urban Land Institute. Whether you're a homeowner, renter, or investor, we hope this episode will leave you with a foundation of knowledge to weather the storm of resilience in residential real estate.

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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 single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode. 

We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors: 

Energy 

Cities 

Natural Environment 

Transportation 

Business 

Policy 

Social 

Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree. The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means. 

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, Director, Procter & Gamble Hair Care, Scientific Communications, about how brands like Herbal Essences, Head & Shoulders and Olay are building sustainability into superior product designs, leveraging P&G’s Responsible Beauty principles. We cover everything from responsible sourcing, to the reduction of virgin plastic use, inclusive design and more. Hope you’ll take a listen!

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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 single topic that helps push sustainability forward. We explain each topic with the help of an experienced pro, place it within our organizational tree, and help our listeners define what exactly sustainability is, episode by episode. 

We have divided our organizational tree into the following seven sectors: 

Energy 

Cities 

Natural Environment 

Transportation 

Business 

Policy 

Social 

Each episode is categorized under one of our sectors and visually depicted within our organizational tree. The more episodes we complete, the more the tree will visually define what exactly sustainability means.