SustainabiliGuy

[This is a shorter, edited version of "Monster Hurricanes & Climate Injustice, an episode I originally published on December 20, 2020. Enjoy.] 2020's hurricane season toppled record after record. The biggest one? Most named storms in one season. There were thirty this year. So how is that connected to climate justice? Well, a story begins to unfold if we only look at hurricanes Eta and Iota. Both hit Central America in November within two weeks of each other. And things become pretty clear once we start looking at who's most responsible for global heating.

This is show #50! And this is farewell. At least for now. I started this podcast on July 9, 2020 to try to wake people up to the climate emergency. That has been the goal from the start. And I hope that resonated with some of you. We are experiencing catastrophic climate and ecological breakdown. We must do everything we can as quickly as possible to avoid the worst effects of climate chaos. This final episode is dedicated to my wife Laura, who is the strongest person I know. It is also dedicated to all those people not yet born. We love you. Much love to all of you. And thanks for listening.

Yesterday I was subject to a cacophony of fossil fuel noise - lawnmowers, leaf blowers, trimmers, cars, trucks, airplanes... And yes, I was annoyed. And yes, there are obvious detrimental effects to the climate. But there's actually a lot more to the story. Aircraft noise, in particular, has loads of negative consequences for society. Things like poor learning outcomes in children, sleep disturbance, and negative health outcomes like higher rates of heart disease and hypertension. So yes, fossil fuel noise is terrible for so many reasons. I like to imagine a world where humans burn zero fossil fuels. A quieter, healthier, more peaceful place. What would we hear instead? Birds, water, wind, laughter, singing... Let's build that world.

Last week I made a new friend. Her name is Trikeceratops. And she's the best. She's a two-person tricycle cruiser. Cruising on Trikeceratops is instant happiness and giggles. Trikeceratops is an example of micromobility - the myriad ways for humans to get around that are above walking and below cars. Examples include bikes, trikes, skateboards, scooters, and roller blades. And there are a thousand reasons why I support micromobility. Top of my list today? It's simply more fun to move around this way. Let me know if you'd ever like to cruise on Trikeceratops with me!

I've been a middle school teacher for ten years. Peer pressure in middle school is intense. It is so palpable you can almost taste it. Standing up for what's right takes incredible bravery. Especially when you are by yourself. I witnessed incredible bravery this weekend from members of Extinction Rebellion UK who participated in the "Rebellion of One." They sat down in the streets with signage explaining why they're terrified of the climate crisis. Then they were arrested. It takes bravery to admit you are scared. It takes bravery to put yourself in a position where you can be harassed or beaten. It takes bravery to stand up to government and business and those who hold power. It takes bravery to stand up for what's right. Especially if you are a rebellion of one.

This was a week of intense action to protect our planet. It was rejuvenating, motivating, and inspiring to be a part of something that is bigger than myself. And yet, at the end of Earth Week, I find myself feeling mixed about our progress. Why? We are nowhere near where we need to be. Humanity, collectively, is not doing enough. So that's pretty much it. Sitting here on this Sunday morning reflecting on the current situation... Was there good stuff this week? Absolutely. Are we still hurtling toward ecological collapse? Yes. So be bold. Be brave. Keep fighting. This planet - and all of her inhabitants - are worth fighting for.

I joined a protest in New York City this weekend - calling out Blackrock and JPMorgan Chase for financing climate destruction. There were drums, chanting, and displays of public theater - like an activist dressing up as the CEO of Blackrock and "answering questions" in our presence while we heckled him. It was very silly. Protest is necessary for change. All social movements have people - regular people - rising up to demand a better world. And protest, for me, is incredibly fulfilling, regenerative, and profoundly joyful.

The Biden Administration just released the American Jobs Plan, a $2 trillion infrastructure spending proposal. The plan includes spending $80 billion on trains. In response, Amtrak released a wonderful blue-and-yellow map showing what they would do with the $80 billion. It includes extending service to major cities like Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Nashville. Is the American Jobs Plan perfect? No. It's too small, and it includes spending on carbon-intensive industry like aviation. Is it a good start? I think so. And the most exciting part? More trains. A low-carbon, slow-travel, efficient mode of transportation. Yes! Trains!

Should humans consider things like solar geoengineering to address climate change? I was adamantly against it until I read Elizabeth Kolbert's Under a White Sky: The Nature of Our Future. Now - well - I'm open to it. There are a lot of questions regarding making huge decisions like this. Questions about cost, timeline, and scalability. But the biggest question of all still remains: Is it ethical to geoengineer our planet to address climate change?

What's the best way to effectively communicate the climate emergency? What's the right tone? Which emotions do you convey when you're sharing bad news? News like collapsing fisheries, record-breaking carbon in the atmosphere, banks that are financing climate destruction... What's the best way to change hearts and minds? There is no single good answer. But these are all good questions to ponder.  

Why do I care so much about the climate? I've always cared about it, but there was one traumatic and painful experience that changed it from one of my passions to my life's mission. My wife Laura had emergency life-saving surgery in February 2019. And through that experience I learned about the fragility and impermanence of life. And I learned about what I can and can't control. It made me ask myself: "What is my purpose in life?" And since then, I have poured that trauma and pain and fear and grief into climate action. Because I want the world to be a better place. That's my climate story. I'd love to hear yours. What are you fighting for?

Household plants filter air, help kids learn better, and create better health outcomes. They truly have magical and wondrous properties. Laura and I take care of ten plants in our home. This nurturing on a micro-scale makes me feel more connected to our Earth - our collective home.  I feel more gratitude, more awe, and more wonder seeing these plants grow and thrive. And taking care of these plants makes my heart feel full. Much love to all of you. And to all of your plants as well!  

Have you ever had a stroke of good luck? A promotion? Perhaps a new house or new car? And then months later found yourself at the same level of happiness as you were before? Let's talk about the hedonic treadmill. Because it's time for all of us to step off. For our sake. For our children's sake. For the sake of the planet. We all have one life to live. How will you live yours?

The climate emergency is what I think about the most. It's what I care about the most. We need to transform all aspects of society immediately to avoid the worst effects of climate chaos. But many people are unaware of the climate emergency. That's why I want to teach you. Yes, you. Whoever you are. Whether I know you personally or not. I want to teach you. For free. About the climate. From this day until the end of my days. This offer stands forever. What can we learn about? Here are some ideas: sustainability basics and principles, climate basics, the climate emergency, what to do about the climate emergency, emissions by country, corporate greenwashing, plastic pollution, calculating your own carbon footprint, the divestment movement, food, cars, bicycles, airplanes, environmental justice, intergenerational justice, economic justice, doughnut economics, climate communication, climate philosophy, climate feelings, the joy of living a low-carbon lifestyle... We could even read an essay or book together. Or watch a documentary together. I'm game for anything. Send me a message. Let's learn together. Because once more people know about this, more people will act. Looking forward to hearing from you!

This week I watched a documentary called Dominion. It's like a greatest hits compilation of animal abuse and cruelty. It was very difficult to watch. We know that animal agriculture has a profound negative effect on the climate. This documentary highlighted another reason to eat more plants: animal welfare. In this episode I reflect on my helping to slaughter a lamb almost nine years ago. And how that has impacted my thinking. This stuff is unpleasant. But it's important to seek and know the truth. Where does our food come from? And why are we, the consumers, so far removed from the killing of animals?

The French government cancelled plans to expand Charles de Gaulle airport. Woohoo! That's a massive win for the climate. But ending commercial aviation must come from the bottom-up as well as from the top-down. I quit flying on October 6, 2019. And I plan on never flying again. And there's more and more research showing the shifting social norms around flying. More and more people are flying less or quitting altogether because of the climate emergency. Will you join us?

What do you think of when you hear "natural gas"? What do you think of when you hear "methane gas"? Communicating the climate emergency effectively is necessary to create rapid and transformative change. We just have to choose our words carefully. That's why I choose to use the following language: 1. methane gas over natural gas 2. global heating over global warming 3. plant-based diet over vegan diet How will you communicate the climate emergency?

I had a bit of a bumpy week regarding my climate feelings. The three I feel most often are sadness, anger, and restlessness. So I decided to air them out this week. To talk about them. Because sharing my climate feelings with other people always makes me feel better. It's normal to feel these things once you know the state of the world. So air them out. How does the climate emergency make you feel? And message me if you want to air your feelings out together. I'd love to chat. Much love to all of you.

Exponential GDP growth doesn't make sense on a planet with finite resources. Dr. Kate Raworth has created the economic diagram for the future of our planet and all of us: The Doughnut! We must thrive within the doughnut by respecting ecological boundaries and maintaining our social foundation in order to have a just, equitable, and sustainable society for all people. Throw away the antiquated economic principles. And embrace the doughnut.

It is the responsibility of white people to dismantle white supremacy in all its forms. That's the only way forward to create a just, equitable, and sustainable society for all people. BIPOC leaders featured in this episode include Layla F. Saad, Cori Bush, Leah Thomas, Jason Reynolds, and Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. But it is up to white people to do the work. So let's get to work.

In 2011 I wrote this goofy rap to help explain alternative energy to my 6th grade students. It references Justin Bieber and the Nissan Leaf, so you know it's good. Enjoy!

I reduced my carbon footprint from 2019 to 2020 by 89%. In 2019 it was over 25 tonnes. In 2020 it was under 3 tonnes. Why live a low-carbon lifestyle? For me, it's all about justice.

Harvard Forward contacted me this week asking me to help with their divestment campaign. Obviously, I did. The divestment movement is one of the most powerful levers we have against fossil fuel companies. What should you do? Pressure all organizations, institutions, and universities. Demand that they divest from fossil fuels. And message me after you contact them so we can share an air high-five together! What are you waiting for?

2020's hurricane season toppled record after record. The biggest one? Most named storms in one season. There were thirty this year. So how is that connected to climate justice? Well, a story begins to unfold if we only look at hurricanes Eta and Iota. Both hit Central America in November within two weeks of each other. And things become pretty clear once we start looking at who's most responsible for global heating.

The evil Once-ler (voiced by Ed Helms) sings "How Bad Can I Be?" in the 2012 film The Lorax. The lyrics touch on the economy, greenwashing, and extractive corporate growth. It's some seriously scathing social commentary.

People often ask me "What should I do about the climate?" And one of my answers is always "Educate yourself." These are my favorite climate documentaries. I hope you watch them too!

Laura joins me (again!) to discuss our Thanksgiving meal and its impact on the planet. What we eat matters!

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are upon us. 'Tis the season! 'Tis the season to buy new stuff! The Earth can't regenerate the amount of resources humans are using. We are buying too much new stuff. It is simply unsustainable. So what to do? How can you show your love, appreciation, and affection for your family and friends without buying any new stuff? You could make a video, write a poem, create a homemade card, or take a long walk with a family member of friend. You could even make a rat yo-yo.

"You're being an alarmist." Yes. I am. I want you to be alarmed. I want you to panic. The climate crisis is panic-worthy. So take that panic and turn it into concrete action.

A fully functioning democracy makes voting as easy as possible for all people. We are not a fully functioning democracy because voter suppression is real and alive in this country. So how can we make voting as easy as possible for all people? Here are 8 changes the United States should make so that our democracy is more politically sustainable. So that our democracy best represents the wishes of all people in this country.

The election is in two days. Climate is on the ballot. My friend and college roommate Pat DePoy and I discuss Trump, Biden, climate plans, climate ads, and what we think will happen this week. What's your voting plan?

"Should I eat this mushroom?" "Never munch on a hunch, dude." Ethan and I share our experience hunting for mushrooms over the last few weeks. It has been joyful, awe-inspiring, and soul-soothing. We have found turkey tail, birch polypore, witch's butter, cauliflower fungus, and tippler's bane! But we still seek some choice edibles - things like lion's mane and chicken-of-the-woods. You should definitely go mushrooming too!

Ah, yes. The leaf blower. One of my favorite devices in the whole world... I drop some facts about pollution, particulate matter, and noise. It's probably worse than you think. And I end with my ode. O, leaf blower...

The last time I flew in an airplane was on October 6, 2019. So on October 6, 2020 I celebrated my First No Flyiversary. And I couldn't be any happier. Why did I decide to stop flying? Reasons include catastrophic climate breakdown, climate injustice, and my own mental health. When will you celebrate your First No Flyiversary? I can't wait to celebrate with you!

Guest #3! My friend Corey and I break down capitalism and how it relates to climate breakdown. Is capitalism sustainable? And if not, then what should we do about it? How is capitalism connected to Gross Domestic Happiness? Thanks, Corey, for hanging with me today! 

My Climate Beast had been whispering in my ear: "Your individual actions don't matter. What you're doing is too small. The scale and severity of the climate crisis to too big." Well, I slayed my Climate Beast. Here are 5 reasons why individual actions DO matter. And remember - you matter. And what you do matters.

In this episode I outline the scale and severity of the climate crisis. It's a temperature check of the earth. In September 2020. Some of this might be uncomfortable to hear. It might make you feel shock, outrage, fear, despair, hopelessness, numbness, or grief. That's normal. I've felt all of those things before. We must take urgent action to stabilize our climate.

I decided to go with something a bit more playful this week - Why I love riding bikes! In this episode you will: 1. Meet Red Shadow and Leproduck, my two best friends. 2. Hear about the time when irony flipped me over the handlebars of a BMX bike.  3. Laugh at my failed bike trip through the desert in Nevada in July.

I'm a big fan of Eric Holthaus and his book - The Future Earth: A Radical Vision for What's Possible in the Age of Warming. You should totally read it. Why? "You were born at exactly the right time to change everything."

I had never phonebanked before because I was too scared. But I did it! I signed up with the Sunrise Movement to call voters in Massachusetts for Ed Markey's reelection to the United States Senate. Ed Markey is one of the cosponsors of the Green New Deal. He must be in the Senate - for the sake of the planet. Here's what happened!

The staggering number and severity of natural disasters - wildfires, hurricanes, floods, etc. - made me climate furious last night. So I made a couple of signs and stood on the street corner this morning. What are you doing to address the climate crisis? Message me at sustainabiliguy@protonmail.com so I can help you make some climate moves. Seriously.

America's thirst for massive SUVs and pickup trucks has increased greatly in recent years. So I did an experiment to satisfy my curiosity.

Does your money fund climate destruction? You should figure it out. And then do something about it. In this episode I share my story. I hope it inspires you.

The year is 2234. The climate is different. What will people think of us?

A very warm welcome to my dear friend and fellow sustainability educator, Sam Mason. We calculated our personal carbon footprints for 2019 and the first half of 2020. Then we revealed the results. How will you reduce your carbon footprint in 2020? Our methodology - From Being the Change by Peter Kalmus

My first guest! Woohoo! Laura and I break down our journey from a carnivorous diet to "mostly eating plants." We hope you eat more plants too. 

Racism and runaway climate breakdown are inextricably linked. Fight for the planet. Fight for her people. What kind of world do you want to live in?

Here are 5 examples illustrating how driving your own car is the default option in America. How many will you notice in the next few days?

Absolutely loved this book and its message. I hope you read it. Read Being the Change online for free. The plosives were pretty gnarly in this episode. Sorry! I'm working on wrangling a pop filter (borrowed, traded, or purchased used, of course) for the next episode.

John Kerry, AOC, Varshini Prakash, and six others made recommendations to the Biden campaign. We will see how it all shakes out... The full report from joebiden.com

A bit about myself and why I started talking into a microphone. Then I share some thoughts about levels of bicycling infrastructure and who might choose to ride their bicycle...