The EcoThink Podcast

Today's episode is a special one, as Yuko and Maia interview Seth Klein about his recently released book: A Good War - Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency. Seth has a wealth of experience on climate activism and the political stage of Canada, and his new book is well worth the read for anyone interested in learning how this country in currently dealing (or not dealing) with the climate emergency, and how so much more can and should be done similar to Canada's push for action during the second World War.   For more information on Seth's work and where to purchase his book, visit www.sethklein.ca  Check out the Climate Emergency Unit https://www.climateemergencyunit.ca/ for information on how to get involved.

In this week's episode of the EcoThink Podcast, Yuko and I revisit the topic of Fast Fashion, taking more time to discuss the social justice and human rights issues that are tangled up in this goliath of an industry. Talking points include the closing of the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, a legal accord that was created as a result of the 2013 collapse of Rana Plaza that has expired in May 2021; what are the COVID impacts on workers in fast fashion; suggestions for western consumers of clothing on how to address these issues; and what kind of mindset shift needs to happen for companies to embody sustainability as a main tenet of their design and operations.   Sources: Slow Fashion in a Fast Fashion World: Promoting Sustainability and Responsibility by Mark K. Brewer   What Does ‘Fast Fashion’ Mean for Workers? Apparel Production in Morocco and Romania by Leonhard Plank; Arianna Rossi; and Cornelia Staritz   Bangladesh textile workers’ death avoidable by Emily Young https://www.bbc.com/news/business-22296645    Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2021/04/10440069/eight-years-after-rana-plaza-factory-workers-rights    Sustainable Fashion as a Tool for Alleviating Poverty: https://www.borgenmagazine.com/sustainable-fashion/

Welcome back to Episode 13 of The EcoThink Podcast! This week Yuko and I sit down for a very exciting talk with Dr. Cherisse Du Preez who is an amazing deep sea marine biologist with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans here in Canada. Listen to her blow our minds as we talk about the amazing biodiversity that exists in the deep ocean here in the Pacific Northwest, the extreme nature of the habitat near deep sea vents and on sea mounts, and how human impacts have already reached this mysterious part of the world.   Also, Cherisse shares with us how to keep up with current work, as next week on June 15th she and her team will be off to explore Canada's deepest sea mounts for the first time. I recommend following Cherisse on social media @CherisseDuPreez to keep up to date with new developments, and check out #pacificseamounts2021 to follow the expedition as they live stream their findings!   Sources and additional links:   Pacific Seamounts 2021 LIVE DIVE webpage: https://www.oceannetworks.ca/pacific-seamounts-2021 The Pacific Seamounts 2021 story page: https://www.oceannetworks.ca/pacific-seamounts-expedition-2021 Follow Cherisse on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook @CherisseDuPreez   Past expedition hashtags: #PacificSeamounts2018 ; #PacificSeamounts2019   Upcoming expedition hashtag: #PacificSeamounts2021   Ocean Networks Canada: https://www.oceannetworks.ca/   Rapid deep ocean deoxygenation and acidification threaten life on Northeast Pacific seamounts by Tetjana Ross, Cherisse Du Preez, Debby Ianson: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.15307   Recommended videos: Seamounts: https://youtu.be/hjPf_zmhU00 Hot vents: https://youtu.be/04nrtlWwlx8

Welcome back to another episode of EcoThink! This week, Yuko and Maia discuss Old Growth Forests, regenerative and sustainable forestry, and the new strategic review "A New Future for Old Forests" published last year in 2020.  In Fairy Creek we are seeing public protest against logging of old growth forest, as people are gathering to blockade logging action from Teal Jones. This forest is one of the last remaining coastal old growth in the province and needs to be protected. We discuss why forests are so crucial to our environment, mental health, and our social identity as British Columbians.    Sources: Strategic Review 2020: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/forestry/stewardship/old-growth-forests/strategic-review-20200430.pdf Seeing Rep Map: https://thenarwhal.ca/bc-forests-old-growth-impacts-map/ Ancient Forest Alliance FAQ: https://www.ancientforestalliance.org/learn-more/common-qas-about-bcs-old-growth-forests/ Why Keeping Mature Forests Intact is Key: https://e360.yale.edu/features/why-keeping-mature-forests-intact-is-key-to-the-climate-fight Old Growth Forests can accumulate carbon in soil: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/314/5804/1417.abstract Old Growth Forests as Carbon Sinks: https://www.nature.com/articles/nature07276?te=1&nl=climate-fwd:&emc=edit_clim_20200813 The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-hidden-life-of-trees/9781771642484-item.html?s_campaign=goo-DSA_Books&gclid=Cj0KCQjwktKFBhCkARIsAJeDT0h_UfIyzwKR8wkJpuRzX__3-XoOwa4PUDqJeAlPzTbA3Ss2NV4bm98aAj00EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

In this episode, Yuko and Maia sit down to learn from Javan Bernakevitch,  a life and land designer, speaking, writing, teaching and consulting with people, businesses and farms all over the world through All Points Design and RegenerativeLiving.online. He believes if we don't design our lives, they'll be designed for us, and not for our benefit. And, if humans want to have a long life here on our planet we best act like we are part of the ecology. He works to ensure that his client's lives and landscapes get better every year. Resources: To learn more about Javan and his work, visit his websites: https://vergepermaculture.ca/team/javan-k-bernakevitch/ https://allpointsdesign.ca http://regenerativeliving.online/

In this episode, Maia and Yuko join Dr. Andy MacKinnon in a fascinating discussion about fungi and their role in our ecosystem. As an expert mycologist (mushroom scientist), Dr. MacKinnon shares his knowledge with us on what Fungi are as a group of organisms (surprise, they aren’t closely related to plants at all!), some of their roles in our ecosystems (including the ones that live inside our bodies), and why beneficial fungi are so important for the health of our forests. If you are interested in picking up some of Dr. MacKinnon’s work on mushrooms and plants of the Pacific Northwest, check out the Plants of Coastal British Columbia guidebook: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/9781772130096-item.html?s_campaign=goo-Shopping_Smart_Books&gclid=CjwKCAjwj6SEBhAOEiwAvFRuKB0GDs5nLUaemTZJUeIVnLGAwa3XG9LXd0P1Cq3o35PIIVGocu5mbRoCjCQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds And if you can’t get enough about mushrooms, go pre-order his Royal BC Museum Handbook “Mushrooms of British Columbia” https://publications.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/product/mushrooms-of-british-columbia/

In this episode, Maia sits down with Dr. Heather Baitz, a clinical psychologist who lives and works on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation in Nanaimo, BC. The interview discussion ranges from Climate Anxiety and Distress and how Dr. Baitz has dealt with these issues in her own life; how community activism and connection are crucial to surmounting feelings of overwhelm and apathy related to the climate crisis, and to Dr. Baitz’s own experience in climate activism. We also discuss the five principles put forward by Project Inside Out for effective environmental action, and some really exciting successes in both the Nanaimo Climate Action Hub and the newly launched BC Climate Action Network.    *Please note that the BC Climate Action Network is a temporary name and the organization will be updating their official name once it has been approved by the province. Check out their website below for more information.   Resources:   IPCC 1.5 Report: https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/   Project Inside Out: https://projectinsideout.net/guiding-principles/   BC-Climate Emergency Network: https://bcclimateactionnetwork.wordpress.com/   Nanaimo Climate Action Hub: https://www.nanaimoclimateaction.org/    Doughnut Economics Model - Kate Raworth: https://www.kateraworth.com/doughnut/    BC-Climate Alliance: https://www.bcclimatealliance.ca/

In this episode, Maia and Yuko discuss what we know about the history of Climate Science. Maia reviews her old school notes and does a little digging to blow Yuko’s mind about: Who was the first person to discover the Greenhouse Effect? How did European colonization of the Americas impact climate change? Why are ice cores from Antarctica so cool? Who was the first woman scientist to work on climate change science? How long have scientists known about global warming? And more!    Quotes:   “Our atmosphere is basically a giant blanket that covers our entire planet.” (Yuko)   “History is flawed in that we don’t have the entire story all the time.” (Maia)   “We’ve had a long recorded history of the climate changing, and this concept was introduced so long ago, and yet we are still debating whether climate change is real?” (Yuko)   Note: Greenhouses were becoming more and more common in England and America in the 1700s and 1800s, so it could very well have been what inspired Fourier to complete his experiments.    Resources and Useful Links:   Robin Wall Kimmerer “Braiding Sweetgrass”   Quick article discussing the history of Climate Science: https://www.history.com/topics/natural-disasters-and-environment/history-of-climate-change   How colonisation in America impacted the climate:  https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-47063973   Who is Eunice Foote? https://www.climate.gov/news-features/features/happy-200th-birthday-eunice-foote-hidden-climate-science-pioneer   Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change https://www.ipcc.ch/   The Keeling Curve https://keelingcurve.ucsd.edu/   Ice cores in Antarctica from Vostok and Dome-C http://www.antarcticglaciers.org/glaciers-and-climate/ice-cores/ice-core-basics/

In this episode Maia and Yuko get to talk to Dr. Jennifer Clark from Cascadia Seaweed. As the Chief Science Officer and resident marine phycologist (i.e. seaweed scientist) at Cascadia, Jennifer is a wealth of information on all things seaweed! We talk about what are seaweeds and how does Cascadia Seaweed farm them? How do they help to mitigate climate change and bio-remediate regions of the ocean that are impacted by agricultural and municipal runoff? How can you incorporate more seaweed into your diet in unusual ways? We also discuss upcoming projects at Cascadia Seaweed such as bioplastics, a seaweed gametophyte bank, and the upcoming Seaweed Days Festival on May 17th-23rd.   To learn more about Cascadia Seaweed and Seaweed Days, go to @cascadiaseaweed and @seaweeddays on all social platforms, or check out the links below.   Follow Dr. Clark on instagram or twitter @jenn_seas_seaweed    Cascadia Seaweed : https://www.cascadiaseaweed.com/ Seaweed Days: https://www.seaweeddays.com/seaweed-farming-101   How seaweed can help reduce methane from cow burps: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190617164642.htm   How seaweed can help bioremediate excess nutrients in the ocean https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9783527801718.ch7   How seaweed can sequester carbon emissions https://ghginstitute.org/2018/09/06/kelp-and-carbon-sequestration-exporting-terrestrial-ghg-accounting-to-the-deep-sea/

Join your co-hosts Maia and Yuko in a discussion about Fast Fashion. What is it? What are the impacts on our environment? What are some social issues that arise from the pressures to manufacture the clothes we like to buy for cheap at big chain stores? Next week April 19th to April 23rd is Fashion Revolution week! Learn more at www.fashionrevolution.org This topic was requested by a friend and listener to the podcast - if you have a topic you would like us to discuss in the future you can reach out to us @ecothinkproductions on Instagram! Helpful links and resources to learn more: The New York Times article published in 1989 that coined the term Fast Fashion: https://www.nytimes.com/1989/12/31/style/fashion-two-new-stores-that-cruise-fashion-s-fast-lane.html   The Intersectional environmentalist Instagram post about how Fast Fashion is a women's issue https://www.instagram.com/p/CMfH2dzHmiv/ - this post includes great resources to check out! Concerns about big chain stores greenwashing their fast fashion: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/fast-fashion-environmental-makeover-1.3789537   The Environmental Price of Fast Fashion by Niinimäki, K., Peters, G., Dahlbo, H. et al. https://www.nature.com/articles/s43017-020-0039-9   Sustain Your Style - a great website with plenty of information and figures on the impact of fast fashion: https://www.sustainyourstyle.org/en/whats-wrong-with-the-fashion-industry#anchor-environmental-impact   The True Cost Documentary - Fascinating documentary about the true cost of fast fashion. https://truecostmovie.com/watch/the-true-cost?limm_check_out_complete=1&r=OTk5&s=MA%3D%3D&sg=MA%3D%3D&t=OTk5&d=MA%3D%3D&c=&o=Mjk2OTY%3D

In this episode Yuko and Maia speak with Heidi Grantner, resident Carbon Accountant and self described "excel nerd" at Synergy Enterprises. Heidi works with local businesses to calculate and analyze their carbon footprint, determine where to start focusing efforts to reduce carbon emissions, and overall succeed in achieving their goal of becoming a certified climate champion! She also highlights a couple of great local businesses who are already started on their sustainable business journey, and you can find out more about them in the links below: Links: Check out Synergy Enterprises and their client list at www.synergyenterprises.ca Learn more about Circular Economy and Life Cycle analysis at the Ellen Macarthur Foundation - https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/ Book recommendation: Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough and Michael Braungart https://mcdonough.com/cradle-to-cradle/

Anna Bohn is part of the development team of the Lighter Footprint App and co-founder of Etho Studio – a creative agency that supports academic institutions, engineers, developers and non-profits in creating more livable cities. Join Maia as she interviews Anna about the app, sustainable living, and her journey as a graphic design artist working in climate change science.    Resources: The Lighter Footprint App: https://www.lighterfootprint.org/   Etho Studio: https://www.etho.studio/   The Eco-City Footprint Tool https://www.ecocityfootprint.org/   What is an ecological footprint?: https://www.footprintnetwork.org/our-work/ecological-footprint/   What is a carbon footprint?: https://www.footprintnetwork.org/our-work/climate-change/

In this "Mini-sode", Maia covers Ocean Acidification: what is it, what causes it, and how does it happen?  Seaquaria Ocean Education has a great Ocean Acidification free downloadable resource on their website, check it out here: https://seaquaria.org/educator-resources/  Resources: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/critical-issues-ocean-acidification https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/ocean-coasts/ocean-acidification

Did you know that only 9% of plastic is ever recycled? In this episode, Yuko tells Maia more about what she's learned about the plastics recycling business. Get ready to learn about a short history of recycling in North America, modern day businesses that are making efforts to improve recycling, and what we all can do to try our best to work within an imperfect system.  Useful links: Fusion Thetics Inc - ONT based company that use Keurig coffee pods, Nespresso aluminum, Cannabis containers, oil bottle, pail and paint pails, white agricultural bale wraps, and greenhouse film for their plastic lumber. They use 1 type of polymer, polyethylene (PE) plastic. https://fusionthetics.com/why-we-recycle/   Full Circle Plastics LTD. in Lethbridge, Alberta also uses plastic paint containers to create plastic lumbar. https://www.fullcircleplastics.com   TerraCycle is a social enterprise that diverts waste from landfills to be recycled. These include different types of plastic, metals, and organics. They also offer free recycling programs where they give you shipping labels so you can ship them some of your recyclables. They also work with different brands to establish drop off points for various items such as Brita filters, cigarettes, and staples. https://www.terracycle.com/en-CA/brigades   https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution#:~:text=With%20the%20largest%20population%2C%20China,Brazil%20at%2012%20million%20tonnes

Did you know that a barracuda was caught off the coast of Vancouver Island? In this episode, it's Maia's turn to talk to Yuko about what she's learned about species distribution of fish and how it is affected by ocean warming and acidification caused by Climate Change.  Trends in landings and vulnerability to climate change in different fleet components in the Portuguese coast: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165783616301126?via%3Dihub Upper Ocean O2 Trends: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/2017GL073613 Risks of Climate Change to Canada's Fisheries: https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/349668.pdf Climate Change Impacts on Marine Ecosystems: https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-marine-041911-111611 Ocean Heatwaves Dramatically Shift Habitats: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200805124046.htm Feeling the Heat, How Fish are Migrating from Warming Waters: https://e360.yale.edu/features/feeling-the-heat-warming-oceans-drive-fish-into-cooler-waters Barracuda caught off of Vancouver Island: https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/tropical-barracuda-caught-off-vancouver-island-1.5024105

In this episode, Yuko discusses what she learned about plastic pollution with Maia.  We discuss how plastic has been demonized despite being a hugely important invention. Single use plastics however are an extremely wasteful use for such a versatile material. This is a beast of a topic, so get comfy and join us down the rabbit hole! Sources that we discuss: The Science of Plastics - https://www.sciencehistory.org/science-of-plastics Canada single use plastic ban - https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/news/2020/10/canada-one-step-closer-to-zero-plastic-waste-by-2030.html Professor Chelsea Rochman at UofT - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mbv6Y2MWgTM Victoria Plastic Bag Ban - https://www.victoria.ca/EN/main/residents/climate-change/waste-reduction/single-use-plastic-bags.html Single use straws and differently abled people - https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/07/11/627773979/why-people-with-disabilities-want-bans-on-plastic-straws-to-be-more-flexible Microfibers - the plastic in our clothing - https://friendsoftheearth.uk/plastics/microfibres-plastic-in-our-clothes How to reduce microfiber pollution - https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/blog/2017/3/2/15-ways-to-stop-microfiber-pollution-now The Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson - https://zerowastehome.com/ The War on Plastic - https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201023123128.htm Reusing Lululemon Bags - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338079260_Why_do_consumers_love_to_use_Lululemon's_reusable_shopping_bags Leaving plastic packaging at the grocery store - https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/02/health/plastic-attack-movement

We couldn't help ourselves! Even though our official launch date isn't until March 3rd, we decided to record an intro episode - a session zero - and give you a sneak peek into our mindset as we start this journey together.  In this preliminary episode, co-hosts Yuko and Maia discuss how they came to be interested in climate and environmental science, why they decided to do this podcast together, and what they are excited about sharing with listeners in coming episodes.

Welcome to the EcoThink Podcast! We are excited to announce that this podcast will launch on March 3rd, 2021. Join co-hosts Maia and Yuko on their geeky adventure through environmental science. This podcast is for all listeners interested in learning more about environmental and climate science, without dealing with the traditional silos and ivory towers of information. Subscribe now so that you don't miss a single episode!