Eco Insights

Today, Chloe and Georgia spoke with Darren Riley, Co-Founder and CEO of JustAir. After earning his B.S. in Information Systems, Darren decided to use his love of data and technology to mitigate the issue of air pollution, specifically in BIPOC communities, by starting JustAir. JustAir aims to collect data and make it accessible to all so that air quality disparities can be identified and solved in order to ensure everyone has access to clean air, regardless of what community they were born into. We spoke to Darren about the general issue of air pollution, his experience with JustAir, and the importance of communicating science effectively.  After listening, be sure to check out JustAir by visiting their website.

In this episode we welcomed Penelope Kopp, a Co-Founding National Leadership Board Member and current Actions Director of the Jewish Youth Climate Movement (JYCM). JYCM is a Gen-Z led movement dedicated to combating climate change and environmental injustice from a Jewish lens. We spoke to Penelope about the intersection of Judaism and environmentalism, JYCM’s works and her own experiences with this work, and how faith-based environmentalism can shape political and cultural perspectives. Be sure to check out JYCM’s work here: https://www.jewishyouthclimatemovement.org

In this episode of Eco Insights, our hosts interview Jamie Simone, a social worker turned urban planner who designed the iconic 606 Trail in Chicago. We discuss the importance of active listening, community engagement, and sustainable urban design. Have you ever thought about all the planning and effort that goes into the structures, transport, sidewalks and roads we use every day? Listen to this episode to learn more?

We are excited to welcome Dr. Kelly Tzoumis, a professor of Environmental Public Policy and Public Administration at Depaul University, to the podcast. The focus of the episode was a specific aspect of her work: The New Ecological Paradigm (NEP). The NEP is a survey consisting of 15 questions used to measure environmental concern among a group of people. Our insightful conversation with Dr. Tzoumis consisted of discussing the survey itself, the importance of understanding how factors like race and socio-economic status influence environmental worldview, the applications of the NEP in environmental policy, and more. How do you think your background influences your environmental worldview?

On today’s episode we interview Kavi Chintam, a PhD candidate for Chemical Engineering at Northwestern University working in the intersection between science and policy. We discuss the importance of the inclusion of science in policy making and reducing controversy in politics, as well as the role science policy plays in reducing environmental injustice. Have you heard of science policy? Do you think science should play a larger role in politics today?

Today we welcomed Melati Wijsen, the Founder of Bye Bye Plastic Bags (an NGO which focuses on eliminating plastic bags from communities around the world) and Youthtopia (a platform that aims to provide a space for young people to become change makers) to the podcast. Melati is committed to mobilizing young people across the globe to take action on the climate crisis, and in this episode, we discuss her work with both organizations, gaining public respect as youth, the importance of collaboration in environmentalism, and how to act local while still thinking global. 

In today’s episode, our hosts interview Professor Xavier Basurto from Duke University. We discuss the evolution and intersectionality of his career, the importance of collaboration within sustainability, and his research into common-pool resources and collective action. Professor Basturto explains his research with the Seri people from a Mexican fishing community, where he developed strategies to support small-scale fisheries. Now more than ever, it is crucial we work with communities around the world to protect the global commons.

On today’s episode, hosts Chloe Young and Georgia Scarr interviewed Isaias Hernandez, Environmental Educator and Creator of Queer Brown Vegan. We spoke about utilizing social media in social justice movements, taking accountability, and the importance of amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. The climate crisis is inherently intersectional, and Queer Brown Vegan truly embodies this. Be sure to visit https://queerbrownvegan.com to learn more.

On today’s episode, Chloe and Georgia spoke to Adan Ramirez, the Co-Founder of Greenfluidics. Greenfluidics created an Intelligent Solar Biopanel based on microalgae and nanotechnology, all with the aim of building an energy efficient future that benefits both the planet and the people. Adan told us about the inspiration for the technology, the process of creating it, and how it compares to other renewable energy alternatives such as solar panels.

Frances Davenport, a PhD student at Stanford University in the Earth Systems Science department, was a part of the ground breaking study that found that intensifying precipitation contributed one-third of the financial costs of flooding in the United States over the past three decades. This begs the question… how does Climate Change impact flooding? What is the difference between snowmelt-driven and rain-driven flooding, and what does it have to do with Climate Change? How are flooding patterns changing over time? All insightful questions, answered in this episode.