A Little Greener

10,000 Tortoises

In April of 2018, a news story broke about the discovery of 10,000 tortoises being held in terrible conditions in a house in Madagascar. The tortoises, which were primarily radiated tortoises, a critically endangered species, had been collected for likely sale into the pet trade. Thanks to the hard work of conservationists, led by the Turtle Survival Alliance, the tortoises were able to be relocated and cared for with the hope of eventually returning them to the wild. This week, Casey and Sara welcome ALG's first guest: reptile animal care professional, Andrew Ahl. Andrew shares his firsthand account of what it was like to travel to Madagascar to help care for these tortoises. 

Innovation and Conservation

Have you ever heard about a technological solution to an environmental issue that just seemed too good to be true--and then it turns out it was (carbon sucking machines, anyone)? While new innovations in technology might not be enough to stop climate change and protect habitats alone, there are lots of ways that technology is helping us in our fight. This week, Sara and Casey take a look at some new advances, from a paint so white it can make surfaces cooler to 3-D printed calcium carbonate, and discuss the pros and cons of technology in conservation.

The Future of Cars

For many of us, cars are essential transportation. Personal vehicles give us the freedom to go where we want when we want. We might have our favorite makes, models, and colors. Our cars might also have lots of fond memories attached. However, cars are also a big source of individual carbon emissions. This week, Casey and Sara discuss the future of cars--and it is looking electric! They also give us a joint review of the Toyota Prius and share their experiences making the switch to a hybrid vehicle. 

Greening Your Vacation

From transportation to waste to the impact of tourist activities, there are lots of ways that our vacations impact the environment. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take them! Start planning your next getaway as you listen to Casey and Sara discuss some of the things that we can do to make our trips just a little greener.

Anthropomorphism and Media

Assigning human traits to animals (anthropomorphism) can be a hotly debated subject in the scientific and conservation education communities. Casey and Sara discuss the risks and benefits of using anthropomorphism, and how this technique is utilized in nature documentaries like Netflix's recent release, Penguin Town.

Minisode: Plastics, Packaging, and the Future of Recycling

What if you could recycle your plastic, metal, and glass waste without ever leaving your home? One company is looking to make this a reality through an in-home recycling appliance. Casey and Sara discuss this, as well as some new Extended Producer Responsibility laws in the United States, in this week's episode.

Minisode: An Even Littler Greener

With Sara on the road this week, this episode is a quick one. But, take a listen for a couple of updates and additional thoughts on combating food waste, as well as some introductory tips on staying green while on vacation.

Food Waste: Part Two

Continuing on from last week's episode, hosts Casey and Sara discuss how we as consumers can help to reduce food waste. It isn't just about making sure you clean your plate at every meal. Learn how to prep better for shopping trips and avoid unnecessary food purchases, as well as what food expiration dates really mean, and why the way we dispose of our food has an impact on the environment.

Food Waste: Part One

Food waste is a complicated problem with lots of environmental impacts. In addition to the fact that food products in landfills produce methane, they also represent wasted water, resources, and land used in the production of the food. In the first of a two-part episode, Casey and Sara discuss food waste that occurs in the farm and retail portions of the food supply chain. Stay tuned next week for Part Two, focusing on consumer food waste!

Minisode: Faster, Higher...Greener?

With the Olympics in full swing, Sara and Casey take a look at some of the sustainability efforts made for the 2020(one) Tokyo Games. They also discuss a recent study on the sustainability of the Olympic games since 1992 and explore what steps might be taken to make this major global event a little greener moving forward. Resources used in this episode can be found here: tinyurl.com/algep119