The Hopeful Environmentalist

Have you heard the news? A new report has found that Earth has officially crossed its first global tipping point. But what does that actually mean for our future? Are we past the point of no return?

Short answer: no, and giving up is the worst thing we could do.

In this episode, host Taylor Ganis sits down with Dr. Steve Smith, one of the scientists and writers behind the Global Tipping Points Report, to break down what global tipping points really are, how it effects each and every one of us, and how we can all take action.

Ways to take action:

• Read the Global Tipping Points Report
• If you are in the United States, here is a resource to help you find volunteer opportunities in your state/local community. (This list is a work and progress, and if you would like to volunteer some time to help add to it to help connect people to opportunities near them, then please email [email protected])
• Looking for a way to get involved with The Hopeful Environmentalist? We are currently looking for help with:
  • website design
  • social media managers
  • newsletter enthusiasts
  • audio editors
  • and more! Reach out to [email protected] to get involved
• Follow @hopeful_environmentalist on Instagram to stay up to date on ways to take action and to be in the know for new episodes

In this episode, host Taylor Ganis interviews the Earth herself, Hila. We dive into the story behind becoming the Earth, how we can open our minds to the nature around us (including in urban environments), and how art and creativity plays a role in movements.

Ways to take action:

• Support Hila and her work to make climate education accessible
• Follow Hila on Instagram
• Learn more about Hila's work

Additionally, our host, Taylor, publisher her debut children's book, Greeny La-Roo and the Earth Crew, which is a book to educate and empower the next generation of Earth Protectors to take small, but monumental action! You can check out the book here

In this episode, host, Taylor Ganis, sits down with Thom Norman, Co-founder of FarmKind, to discuss the ecological and ethical impacts of factory. We look at how we can transition to kinder food system that prioritizes people, animals and the planet, and what FarmKind is doing to aid this transition.

Call to Action:

• Donate to FarmKind
• Switch to a plant-based diet
• Learn about the work of organizations that are fighting back against factory farming and support them how you can (volunteering your skills and time, donating, signing petitions, etc.)

Additionally, our host, Taylor, publisher her debut children's book, Greeny La-Roo and the Earth Crew, which is a book to educate and empower the next generation of Earth Protectors to take small, but monumental action! You can check out the book here

In this episode, our host, Taylor Ganis, sits down with Lilly Woodbury, to take a deep dive into the all things plastic. From waste colonialism (if you're sitting there thinking, wtf is waste colonialism, then take a listen), the Plastics Treaty, to the Optimism Pendulum. We discuss the actions needed to move away from plastic and fear, to a world that is plastic free and activated by hope.

Ways to take action:

• Get involved with Surfrider Canada or Surfrider USA - you can find local Surfrider chapters and get involved in community projects!
  • Find a chapter near you (they have many opportunities to get involved locally!)
• Educate and empower the next generation by purchasing my environmental children's book, Greeny La-Roo and the Earth Crew
• Learn more about the Global Plastics Treaty
• Learn more about how plastic impacts people, planet + wildlife

In this episode, our host, Taylor Ganis, sits down with communications strategist, filmmaker, and author of the recently published book, Haiku and Hope, Maggie Dewane. We delve into the importance of storytelling and art in communicating complex topics such as climate change and how these forms of advocacy and communication can inspire us to take action. We protect what we love, and Maggie provides us with insight into exploring the places around us to deepen our love for the land.

You can purchase Maggies book, Haiku and Hope by visiting: https://www.fulcrumbooks.com/product-page/haikus-and-hope-50-states-of-climate-change. The book is also available on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, etc.

Follow Maggie on Social Media: @maggiedewane

Maggie's Website: https://maggiedewane.com/

If you would like to preorder my environmental children's book, Greeny La-Roo and the Earth Crew, visit: https://linktr.ee/HopefulEnvironmentalist?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

Factory farming is a notoriously cruel practice; but did you know that it also impacts both people and the planet? In this episode, our host, Taylor Ganis, talks with the Senior Director of the Humane League, Mia Fernyhough, about how factory farming impacts animals, people and the planet.

Episode Resources:

• Donate.TheHumaneLeague.org
• TheHumaneLeague.org/Take-Action
• FastActionNetwork.com
• CrumblCruelty.com
• EndCages.com

Call to Action:

• Sign the CrumblCruelty.com petition (this can be done in under a minute)
• Donate to the Humane League if that is accessible for you (Donate.TheHumaneLeague.org)
• Take 10 minutes to check out the Humane League website and educate yourself about something new

Guest Speaker:

Mia Fernyhough: Senior Director of Animal Welfare of the Humane League

You can follow the Hopeful Environmentalist on Instagram @hopeful_environmentalist to stay up to date on when episodes will be released and to get weekly doses of hope!

Support the Hopeful Environmentalist by becoming a Patron for a dollar a month!

This episode was edited by the Hopeful Environmentalist's incredible Audio Intern, Onochie Emeka.

Climate change is wreaking havoc on our world - from melting glaciers, to more intense storms. But did you know that climate change is also coming for our food and wine? In this episode, our host, Taylor Ganis, sits down with Michael P. Hoffmann, who is a distinguished professor at Cornell University, and one of the authors of the book, Our Changing Menu, to discuss the ways in which climate change impacts our food and food systems, how coffee and wine production are being impacted, and what we all can do to protect the future of the foods we so desperately need and love.

Everyone needs food, so this episode is especially important.

Episode Resources:

• Our Changing Menu Website
• Link to purchase the Our Changing Menu Book

Call to Action:

• The last 10 minutes of this episode discuss some ways to take action!

Guest Speaker:

Michael P. Hoffmann; Professor Emeritus in Cornell's Department of Entomology; Author of Our Changing Menu

You can follow the Hopeful Environmentalist on Instagram @hopeful_environmentalist to stay up to date on when episodes will be released and to get weekly doses of hope!

This episode was edited by the Hopeful Environmentalist's incredible Intern, Onochie Emeka.

SOA’s Chief Program Officer Brandon Levy brand ON (he/him)

Ensuring ocean and environmental solutionists have the funding they need to turn their innovative ideas into action, is a critical part of fighting the climate crisis that we find ourselves in. The Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) is helping to do just that: fund innovative ocean and climate solutions and activate and arm young people with the tools and knowledge they need to take action. In this episode, our host, Taylor Ganis, speaks with Brandon Levy, the Chief Program Officer at SOA, about the various programs they have that are available to young people and ocean solutionists and innovators. We also discuss what deep sea mining is and how everyone listening has the ability to take action, no matter where you are in the world.

Episode Resources:

• Ecoprenuer application:
• Sustainable Ocean Alliance Website
• Sustainable Ocean Alliance Instagram
• John Oliver’s youtube video discussion on deep sea-mining

Call to Action:

• Take action to stop deep sea-mining and #DefendTheDeep https://www.soalliance.org/campaign-against-deep-seabed-mining

Guest Speaker:

Brandon Levy; Chief Program Officer, Sustainable Ocean Alliance

You can follow the Hopeful Environmentalist on Instagram @hopeful_environmentalist to stay up to date on when episodes will be released and to get weekly doses of hope!

This episode was edited by the Hopeful Environmentalists incredible Intern, Onochie Emeka.

How do the movies we watch and the shows we binge help normalize having conversations about climate change (hint hint, you can find the answer to this in the episode)?

In this episode, I speak with the Editor-In-Chief of Good Energy, Carmiel Banasky, to dive into their latest report which looks at how, and if, todays films discuss /mention the climate crisis. We also discuss the role that Hollywood has in shaping our reality, and resources that screenwriters can access to integrate climate in their creative work.

Episode Resources

• Check out the the full report
• The Playbook (a guide to help screenwriters integrate climate change)
• Check out Carmiel's Website
• More about the Climate Reality Check
• The Last City Podcast

You can follow the Hopeful Environmentalist on Instagram @hopeful_environmentalist to stay up to date on when episodes will be released and to get weekly doses of hope!

Women in leadership is a climate solution. In this episode, our host, Taylor, speaks with the founder and executive director of the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), Osprey Orielle Lake, to dive deeply into the concept of how women play integral roles in the fight for an equitable future. We discuss some incredible statistics that show how women in leadership can positively impact climate outcomes, how being open to other worldviews can change our collective behaviors, incredible rights of nature cases, and much more.

In Osprey’s book, "The Story is in Our Bones: How Worldviews and Climate Justice Can Remake a World in Crisis", she poses the question, “can we undo the doing”. After listening to this episode, let us know your thoughts. Do you think we can undo the doing?

EarthX Congress of Conferences Event Info:

• Registration: earthx.org
• 20% Discount Code for EarthX Congress of Conferences: EXGREEN20
• Instagram: @earthxorg

Episode Resources

• Check out the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network
• Buy Osprey's Book
• Check out Osprey's Website

You can follow the Hopeful Environmentalist on Instagram @hopeful_environmentalist to stay up to date on when episodes will be released and to get weekly doses of hope!