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Jason Schramm has focused his passion for the vegan lifestyle along with his tech skills on developing global directories for vegan events, vegan-friendly movies, and plant-based meal delivery. When Jason embraced veganism 5 years ago, it started him on the path of evaluating his own life. He saw how difficult it was for folks interested in a plant-forward lifestyle to find one another and connect. Jason’s solution: VegEvents.com, the largest listing of vegan events throughout the world. VegMovies.com came next, replete with movie descriptions and warnings about potentially disturbing content. His most recent venture, VegMealDelivery.com was a creative response to the COVID lockdown. Attention to the environmental impact of his food choices brought with it a desire to further minimize his carbon footprint. Thus, Jason’s veganism became a gateway to a life of minimalism, mindfulness, and purpose. It’s his minimalist lifestyle that has afforded Jason the luxury of providing his resource websites at no charge. Jason’s story is one of self-reflection, freedom, and purpose, stemming from a bold choice to look at the way our actions impact the world at large and respond accordingly.

Anne-Marie Bonneau, the Zero-Waste Chef, is an author, blogger, fermenter, sourdough-er and zero waste evangelist. Join us for a wide-ranging conversation about consumerism, cooking and composting; sourdough, fermenting, and starting a movement. With tips & tricks as well as recipes & resources, Anne-Marie’s passion and enthusiasm for sustainability has spilled over to social media where she is spreading the word to over 200,000 loyal followers.Anne-Marie’s first book: The Zero-Waste Chef: Plant-Forward Recipes and Tips for a Sustainable Kitchen and Planet is due out in April, 2021. Mindfulness is the heartbeat of the transition to zero waste; awareness of our behaviors, values, and choices mixed with a solid measure of commitment and creativity. Anne-Marie embodies it all and shows us how we can make that journey one step at a time. More resources at https://www.sustainabilitynow.global/2020/12/19/41-tips-tricks-from-the-zero-waste-chef/

Raz Razgaitis is on a mission to eliminate single-use packaging and put bottled water out of business by making tap water safe and tasty again. Co-founder and CEO of FloWater, Raz sees the bottled water industry as our contemporary "Big Tobacco," capitalizing on a manufactured need while wreaking untold public health consequences due to plastic pollution. FloWater's technology is currently keeping 5.5 plastic Water bottles every second from reaching our landfills and oceans and this is just the beginning. Using the newest filter technology in their touchless hygienic water Refill Stations, FloWater creates public access to drinking water that tastes and hydrates better than anything in a single-use plastic bottle and is free of pathogens, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and micro-plastics. We talk about business, the challenges of taking on Goliath, changing prevailing perceptions and following one's heartfelt sense of mission.

Eden Green is helping establish food safety, food independence, and sustainable farming. Its turnkey greenhouse and vertical farming technology gives you the ability to locally grow large amounts of produce safely and efficiently, while using exponentially less land, energy and water than traditional farming and other indoor solutions. Their 1.5 acre greenhouse produces 900,000 pounds of leafy greens each year (a yield that is equal to 33 traditional acres) No diesel or other fuel on the farm Dramatically reduces fuel in transportation Utilizes natural pest control Uses the same amount of water as two houses Just in time food supply reduces food waste Employs 30 people making a living wage with benefits Learn more at https://www.sustainabilitynow.global/2020/11/14/39-eden-green/

Meet Colin McIntosh, Founder and irreverent CEO of Sheets & Giggles, a fast-growing brand in the $12B US bedding space. Colin's motto is, "Do good, have fun, make money — in that order. And he does! Colin shares his entrepreneurial insights: the business criteria that lead him to the bed linen space, marketing strategies that set S&G apart, and most importantly, how he built S&G around his underlying commitment to sustainability. With their simply sublime bed sheets and duvet covers made of sustainably grown eucalyptus, Sheets & Giggles is a perfect example of truly green entrepreneurship. From environmentally conscious products and production to business practices built around philanthropy and social justice, S&G does it all, with a sense of humor to boot. Join us for a great conversation about building a new paradigm for business with a guy who is changing the world one sheet at a time. Resources related to this episode can be found at https://www.sustainabilitynow.global/2020/11/08/38-bringing-sustainability-to-the-bedroom/

Eco-visionary Brian Hicks couldn’t stand sending the hundreds of thousands of pounds of spent coffee grounds from his and other restaurants to landfill, so he started a business called GroundSteam to collect and convert them to compost instead. Building on his success, Brian has since expanded his service to divert millions of pounds of coffee waste from restaurants in the Edmonton area.

Tim Tan of Affordable Abodes is tackling the low-cost housing crisis in Indonesia and Malaysia with modular, kenafcrete houses. Kenaf is a plant much like hemp in its versatility with thousands of uses, one of which is as the primary ingredient in an eco-concrete-style construction material called kenafcrete. Affordable Abodes streamlines the construction process by using lightweight, 2ft x 10ft steel reinforced kenafcrete panels to build better homes faster and more affordably than conventionally possible. 

Kari McDonald is using her experience and know-how from years in the fossil fuel industry to engineer a transition from traditional fossil fuels and fertilizers to sustainable and regenerative solutions. About two years ago, Kari’s company, Bio Energy Solutions Inc., acquired the Green Power House technology popularized in the movie “The Need to Grow.” Since then, she’s been bringing farmers and fossil fuel technicians and engineers together to make it an even safer and more efficient system. In fact, the rechristened Energy Junction comprises three integrated systems that are customizable and modular. Collectively, they are capable of generating electricity, as well as an assortment of other products including algae, biochar, bio-stimulants and wood vinegar, biogas and biodiesel. Through her work as an industry consultant, Kari was confronted with the very real question, “What happens to communities of coal miners when the coal mine shuts down?” That’s where her enthusiasm for the Energy Junction comes from. Any truly sustainable solution must address the economic consequences of displaced industries. This technology provides an economic solution as well as one that is environmentally sound. You will come away from this interview truly hopeful and inspired to see that it’s actually possible to transition from fossil fuels to regenerative earth-and-people-friendly energy and agriculture. Learn more at https://wp.me/p9ThFB-fW

Zen Honeycutt is unstoppable. Founder of Moms Across America, Zen is a champion for local activism, and an inspirational example of the indomitable power available when we stand up, speak up and take action. She’s gone toe-to-toe with Monsanto in a campaign to educate the public to the extreme dangers of glyphosate and is currently leading the charge against the 5G technology that is poised to infiltrate our communities with potentially devastating health consequences. Zen inspires and educates us to the impact of our voice and teaches us how to take constructive action that will shape the future for generations to come. Resources referenced in this show can be found at https://www.sustainabilitynow.global/2020/09/01/33-glyphosate-5g-and-what-you-can-do-about-them/

Join us for an exploration of microbial magic with Dr. Christo Miliotis, eco-entrepreneur and microorganism enthusiast. From gut & soil health to delectable foods, pest & weed control to hydrogen gas, learn how microbes are the key to a thriving future. A renaissance man whose passion for microbes has led him from farm to food and beyond, Christo is a tireless inventor. Guided by the principles of regenerative biodynamic agriculture he’s developed “Agent Green,” an organic fertilizer and weed killer along with a leaf fertilizer and insecticide he’s named “Bee Friendly.” His love of fermentation inspired a beet kvass he’s calling “Up Beet” and a special concoction he’s christened “Fire In The Belly” that contains everything required for optimal nutrition. Christo is even taking his obsession with microbes to the screen with his upcoming documentary entitled “The Universe Beneath Our Feet.” This conversation will open your eyes to an unseen world that shapes the very fabric of our lives. More info and resources mentioned in this interview can be found at https://www.sustainabilitynow.global/2020/08/15/32-the-magic-of-microbes-w-dr-christo-miliotis/

Dr. Stephanie Seneff, Senior Research Scientist at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory is sounding the alarm about Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, the world’s most popular weed killer. Is the 99% correlation between Glyphosate usage and the epidemic rise of autism coincidental, or is it just one of many indicators of the danger posed by this pervasive chemical? With glyphosate in our soil, our food, and perhaps the very air we breathe, Dr. Seneff suggests that it plays a significant role in the rise of diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, autism, obesity and more. In fact, it may have a significant impact on immunity and susceptibility — as well as the spread of COVID 19.

Join us for an informative interview with Cameron McIntosh, president and founder of Americhanvre Cast Hemp. We’ll discuss hempcrete — an amazing building material that is carbon sequestering, fireproof, non-toxic, soundproof, and resistant to mold, rot, mildew and pests. Hempcrete construction can also save up to 60% of the heating and cooling costs vs. traditional construction. Cameron sits on the board of the US Hemp Building Association, co-hosts the Hemp Entrepreneur podcast and is the Hemp Local Supply Chain Committee Coordinator for All Together Now PA which aims to unite rural and urban communities via local self-reliance and support of local businesses across a variety of sectors, including plant medicine, local food, zero waste and hemp. We'll also discuss the first residential spray application of hempcrete in the US along with its benefits and the challenges that the industry faces. Resources and more info from this interview are available at https://www.sustainabilitynow.global/2020/07/18/30-hempcrete-building-a-better-future-w-cameron-mcintosh-of-americhanvre/

Founder of Fearless Farmers, Amy Milliron creates online and onsite regenerative farming curricula for kids of all ages. Amy advocates for regenerative agriculture as a path to reverse climate change, heal the soil and improve health.  Mom, educator, farmer, and activist, Amy came to regenerative farming by way of a deep commitment to feeding her family nutrient dense and healthful food. Starting with a successful battle to change state policies affecting nursing mothers, Amy’s advocacy and vision grew to address solutions related to the greater food supply and its impact on the health of people and planet. Join us for this candid conversation about activism, the future of farming, and the power we each can wield to bring forth positive change.

Like industrial hemp, Kenaf has tens of thousands of uses. Bob Lawrason of Kenaf Partners USA joins us to discuss the role kenaf can play in reversing climate change, reducing pollution, restoring the land, and generating profit for farmers. Kenaf is fast growing, can be cultivated in most climates, regenerates the soil, and is unencumbered by the legal challenges faced by cannabis and industrial hemp production. When planted by existing corn cotton, and soy farmers as a rotational cash crop, it provides an economically viable way to make a gradual transition from sustainability, to resilience, and ultimately regenerative practices. Join us to learn about this remarkable plant and how it can be instrumental in solving so many of our current planetary challenges. Learn more and find resources mentioned in this interview at https://www.sustainabilitynow.global/2020/06/13/28-kenaf-the-next-industrial-hemp/

An almost prescient interview for this unique moment in time, we speak with elder activist Lynne Iser about the role of elder wisdom in shaping a new future. Touching on a range of topics —local economies, inclusive community, the movement from consumerism to conservation, and more — this thoughtful conversation affirms the importance of inter-generational connection and communication to inform the values that will guide our emerging culture.

Andrew Bailey, inventor of the Enviroplex, explains how his off-grid carbon-capture complex pulls CO2 directly from the air. Captured carbon is easily converted to calcium carbonate (for use in concrete), carbon fiber (an alternative to aluminum and steel that can be 3D printing) and baking soda (non-toxic with a plethora of uses). Carbon sequestration is one step in a three-pronged approach to Climate Restoration, the endeavor to return earth’s atmosphere to the state it was in before the industrial revolution. Step 1: Stop burning fossil fuels Step 2: Remove excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere Step 3: Re-freeze the arctic …No small feat, however, the World Economic Forum identifies climate restoration as a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity. This is a conversation about possibility in a time of deep uncertainty and shifting priorities. We invite you join us in sourcing new perspectives and new solutions in this moment of global possibility.

Maya van Rossum, founder of The Green Amendment movement, has sparked an environmental revolution with a truly novel idea: amend the Bill of Rights in every state Constitution to include an inalienable right to clean water, clean air and a healthy environment. As surprising as it may seem, only Pennsylvania and Montana currently enshrine these rights as fundamental liberties. In 2013 van Rossum and her team won a watershed legal victory in Pennsylvania to stop unscrupulous frackers and succeeded in upholding the environmental protections in the PA Constitution, setting a precedent for other states to follow. Maya is a fireball, a woman on a mission to save our planet by shifting the balance of power from corporate interests to true protection of people and planet through constitutional environmental provisions. Join us for a spirited conversation that will ignite your hope, raise your awareness and provide meaningful opportunities to help turn this country around.

Good news! Climate change is not a natural disaster; it is a disaster of our own making, and we CAN reverse it by adopting new cultural assumptions and practices. Join us for an introduction by Vinit Allen to the Awakening the Dreamer Symposium, an initiative from the Pachamama Alliance to challenge and re-educate the notions at the core of our current state of planetary peril. Ideas such as: Money makes things better More is better We have dominion over nature and it exists for our use Men do things better than women Life is about competition are foundational assumptions of our culture that have led to social and environmental abuse and overconsumption. The key to restoring our planet and creating a just and sustainable world is a new cultural story — a story of one human family inextricably connected to all life and to the planet itself. This conversation is one of hope and possibility, a call to take a stand and take action. What’s ours to do? We can start by cutting back rather than cutting out. Change your bank and credit card to banks that are conscientious about who they are loaning to Research the companies you buy from Invest in socially responsible funds Generate less emissions: cut back on flights and do more carpooling Eat more plant-based foods Create healthy soils: compost Talk about the things that matter, spread the message Spend time in and cultivate a direct relationship with nature To support content like this, please support us on https://www.patreon.com/sustainabilitynow Spread the word! It’s up to us — together — to do this thing!

Rich in free nutritional and medicinal fare, nature serves up a bountiful table as a solution to food insecurity. Learn more in this introductory and informative jaunt into the world of wild food foraging with Philadelphia expert, Lynn Landes. Starting with the basics, Lynn explains that foraging and plant identification is a multi-sensory experience, engaging sight, touch, taste and smell. She cautions careful introduction of new wild foods and teaches us how to test before we ingest, in order to avoid adverse reactions. You’ll learn about mulberries, plantains, mugwort and more. You’ll also gain a new appreciation for the generosity of our precious mother earth. Lynn has provided an extensive list of resources to inspire your foraging future and welcome you into a deepening and nourishing relationship with our planet. Enjoy and eat hearty!

The environments in which we work and play impact our health and well-being in a multitude of ways. Emily Winer of the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) explains how the pioneering WELL standard supports people and communities to thrive. Complimentary to the materials-focused LEED certification, WELL is a holistic framework that sets a new global benchmark for performance in ten areas: air, light, sound, water, movement, physical materials that make up a building, thermal comfort, nourishment, community and mind. It turns out that incorporating circadian lighting, strategies to encourage exercise, stress management programs, modulating acoustics, air quality, and more is not only good for health but good for the bottom line. Studies show that WELL workplaces are healthier, happier and more collaborative with a reduction in absenteeism and sick days, and even result in better sleep. Join us to learn how WELL is transforming business and corporate culture from the inside out and from the top down to create environments that enhance physical, social and emotional well-being.