Sustainable Planet 81g1a

The results of a media search would have anyone believe that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are the worst things ever created, science experiments deg crops that destroy human health and the planet. Instead, the global food system is far more complex than the claim that conventionally-grown crops (a.k.a. GMOs) are Frankenfoods and organic crops will save the day. Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include: How the methods farmers have used since the domestication of agriculture morphed into GMO production How corporations gave genetically modified crops a bad name Which claims about organic farming are overblown or legitimate Whether to believe nutritional claims about organic produce Why Asians have the Green Revolution to thank for development Why monocropping is rotten, even if the crops are organic Why organic crops will never be able to feed the global population How the race to the bottom is the biggest enemy of the global food system Recommended Resources The Mayo Clinic’s take on organics Are Organic Foods Really More Nutritious? The USDA’s attempt to standardize organic certification Why farmers choose GMO crops A bit dated, but systematic policy review of GMOs A video on bioengineering of food Kimberly’s Substack newsletter post

Most people might not consider blaming space pollution for disruptions in our daily lives. But the exponential increase in satellites and debris in the Lower Earth’s Orbit is more than just science fiction. From heads of government concerned with national security to gamers losing valuable seconds in an online competition, space pollution is a growing concern. Jorden and Kimberly discuss why space junk, virtually in our own backyard, deserves higher priority on our sustainability radar. Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include: How space junk could wreak havoc on more than just arrival time Why the Tragedy of the Commons extends to outer space Who’s responsible for emptying the space garbage can Why the Kessler syndrome is just as scary as the name implies How ridiculously rich people’s rocket launches incur yet another cost externality How space exploration contributes to climate change Why Global South countries bear the brunt of space activities Recommended Resources For anyone wanting to refresh their memory, here’s The Tragedy of the Commons by Garrett Hardin, 1968 And here’s the rebuttal Jorden mentioned, The Comedy of the Commons by Carol Rose, 1987 What to do with all that space junk floating around LEO Why The Kessler Syndrome isn’t just a sci-fi plot Kimberly’s newsletter post on Substack

Most people might not consider blaming space pollution for disruptions in our daily lives. But the exponential increase in satellites and debris in the Lower Earth’s Orbit is more than just science fiction. From heads of government concerned with national security to gamers losing valuable seconds in an online competition, space pollution is a growing concern. Jorden and Kimberly discuss why space junk, virtually in our own backyard, deserves higher priority on our sustainability radar. Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include: How space junk could wreak havoc on more than just arrival time Why the Tragedy of the Commons extends to outer space Who’s responsible for emptying the space garbage can Why the Kessler syndrome is just as scary as the name implies How ridiculously rich people’s rocket launches incur yet another cost externality How space exploration contributes to climate change Why Global South countries bear the brunt of space activities Recommended Resources For anyone wanting to refresh their memory, here’s The Tragedy of the Commons by Garrett Hardin, 1968 And here’s the rebuttal Jorden mentioned, The Comedy of the Commons by Carol Rose, 1987 What to do with all that space junk floating around LEO Why The Kessler Syndrome isn’t just a sci-fi plot Kimberly’s newsletter post on Substack

Once a cornerstone of American agriculture, political interests in cotton led to the ban on hemp production. Though having many similar uses, hemp wins the environmental battle against cotton. From clothing to canvas, paper to plastic, Jorden and Kimberly compare the versatility and sustainability advantages of the two plants, weighing hemp’s chances as a viable rival to cotton. Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include: How a Canuck one-ups a Yank on the American history of hemp The laundry list of uses for all parts of cotton and hemp plants Why the Great Depression spawned the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act How astonishingly more sustainable hemp is than cotton Why China is the biggest hemp producer, with in second place Why your next home might be built from hemp Recommended Resources The, apparently, only comparative sustainability study ever done on cotton versus hemp Increasing US government for hemp A house built of hemp Robust data, or so claims the US Cotton Trust Protocol on cotton sustainability Kimberly's Substack newsletter

Once a cornerstone of American agriculture, political interests in cotton led to the ban on hemp production. Though having many similar uses, hemp wins the environmental battle against cotton. From clothing to canvas, paper to plastic, Jorden and Kimberly compare the versatility and sustainability advantages of the two plants, weighing hemp’s chances as a viable rival to cotton. Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include: How a Canuck one-ups a Yank on the American history of hemp The laundry list of uses for all parts of cotton and hemp plants Why the Great Depression spawned the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act How astonishingly more sustainable hemp is than cotton Why China is the biggest hemp producer, with in second place Why your next home might be built from hemp Recommended Resources The, apparently, only comparative sustainability study ever done on cotton versus hemp Increasing US government for hemp A house built of hemp Robust data, or so claims the US Cotton Trust Protocol on cotton sustainability Kimberly's Substack newsletter

On a daily basis, humans are nudged, and if it’s done effectively—or if people aren’t paying close enough attention—without necessarily realizing they’re being swayed. Environmentalists latched on to Nudge Theory in the late 2000’s, hoping to make sustainable choices the default, despite the fact that humans aren’t inherently eco-friendly creatures. Jorden and Kimberly discuss the ins and outs of Nudge Theory, whether it’s worth the hype, and whether we should believe anything academics say. Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include: Just how ethical it is to serve cricket-flour muffins under the pretense that they’re your grandma’s classic recipe Why meat is at the end of a buffet line How Nudge Theory nearly broke scientific research What increases the likelihood that recyclables end up in the appropriate bin How to make sustainable choices more accessible Where the balance is between individual action and systemic change   Recommended Resources Where it all began (sort of) A comprehensive overview of Nudge Theory A ‘Replication Crisis’ in academia A recent meta-study evaluating Nudge Theory research

On a daily basis, humans are nudged, and if it’s done effectively—or if people aren’t paying close enough attention—without necessarily realizing they’re being swayed. Environmentalists latched on to Nudge Theory in the late 2000’s, hoping to make sustainable choices the default, despite the fact that humans aren’t inherently eco-friendly creatures. Jorden and Kimberly discuss the ins and outs of Nudge Theory, whether it’s worth the hype, and whether we should believe anything academics say. Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include: Just how ethical it is to serve cricket-flour muffins under the pretense that they’re your grandma’s classic recipe Why meat is at the end of a buffet line How Nudge Theory nearly broke scientific research What increases the likelihood that recyclables end up in the appropriate bin How to make sustainable choices more accessible Where the balance is between individual action and systemic change   Recommended Resources Where it all began (sort of) A comprehensive overview of Nudge Theory A ‘Replication Crisis’ in academia A recent meta-study evaluating Nudge Theory research

To even come close to meeting greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, fossil fuels need to make way for sustainable sources of energy that provide liquid fuel and electricity. Not only are these alternative fuels more likely to make climate change mitigation goals realistic, but sustainable fuels actually save energy, as they are far less energy-intensive to produce. Jorden and Kimberly discuss the viability of biofuels, hydrogen, and electrofuels and where change is most needed and likely to happen. Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include: The benefits and disadvantages of the main contenders Where electrification fits into the grand scheme of alternative fuels Why countries turned to biofuels in the 1970s Why Kimberly hates the US Farm Bill How to differentiate the hydrogen colors of the rainbow How the aviation industry is the biggest and eco-challenge Where and why hydrogen buses proliferate How fungi can save the planet—or at least offer a sustainable fuel source   Recommended Resources A comprehensive overview of sustainable fuels About Biofuels and their sustainability issues The King Corn documentary US Fact Sheet Briefing Fact Sheet for 2035 Clean Energy Economy – a comprehensive list of US advancements in clean energy How Mushrooms will save the day! All about hydrogen for energy US Energy Consumption for 2023

To even come close to meeting greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, fossil fuels need to make way for sustainable sources of energy that provide liquid fuel and electricity. Not only are these alternative fuels more likely to make climate change mitigation goals realistic, but sustainable fuels actually save energy, as they are far less energy-intensive to produce. Jorden and Kimberly discuss the viability of biofuels, hydrogen, and electrofuels and where change is most needed and likely to happen. Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include: The benefits and disadvantages of the main contenders Where electrification fits into the grand scheme of alternative fuels Why countries turned to biofuels in the 1970s Why Kimberly hates the US Farm Bill How to differentiate the hydrogen colors of the rainbow How the aviation industry is the biggest and eco-challenge Where and why hydrogen buses proliferate How fungi can save the planet—or at least offer a sustainable fuel source   Recommended Resources A comprehensive overview of sustainable fuels About Biofuels and their sustainability issues The King Corn documentary US Fact Sheet Briefing Fact Sheet for 2035 Clean Energy Economy – a comprehensive list of US advancements in clean energy How Mushrooms will save the day! All about hydrogen for energy US Energy Consumption for 2023

In the 20th regular episode of Sustainable Planet, Jorden and Kimberly explore why critical minerals are vital to modern society, excavate who’s got what and where, and unearth just how deep the issues go surrounding critical minerals. Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include: Why all rare earth elements (REEs) are critical minerals, but all critical minerals are not REEs Who defines what qualifies as critical minerals and why artisanal mines aren’t trendy How China gained a stranglehold over most of the world’s critical mineral processing Why just because a country has 75% of the world’s cobalt reserves or 52% of the global lithium supply isn’t necessarily the #1 processor of the mineral How a slew of acronyms—from IRMA and ICMM to ISO and IEA are attempting to regulate critical mineral extraction Strategies to tackle the abundance of environmental and humanitarian issues surrounding the mining industry Recommended Resources The IEA’s Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2024 Trade Tensions Escalate The DOD and critical minerals Mining in Africa Critical Minerals Recycling Kimberly’s Substack latest newsletter post

In the 20th regular episode of Sustainable Planet, Jorden and Kimberly explore why critical minerals are vital to modern society, excavate who’s got what and where, and unearth just how deep the issues go surrounding critical minerals. Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include: Why all rare earth elements (REEs) are critical minerals, but all critical minerals are not REEs Who defines what qualifies as critical minerals and why artisanal mines aren’t trendy How China gained a stranglehold over most of the world’s critical mineral processing Why just because a country has 75% of the world’s cobalt reserves or 52% of the global lithium supply isn’t necessarily the #1 processor of the mineral How a slew of acronyms—from IRMA and ICMM to ISO and IEA are attempting to regulate critical mineral extraction Strategies to tackle the abundance of environmental and humanitarian issues surrounding the mining industry Recommended Resources The IEA’s Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2024 Trade Tensions Escalate The DOD and critical minerals Mining in Africa Critical Minerals Recycling Kimberly’s Substack latest newsletter post

Kimberly talks with Leah Rampy about earth & soul: Reconnecting Amid Climate Crisis and her experience as a retreat leader. Key Topics Kimberly and Leah discuss include: What to do when rats infest your community garden Why humans would be a lot better off if we were as cooperative as nature is How immigration’s impact on the New World is akin to terraforming in science fiction stories Why modern society’s disconnect from nature is bad for people and the planet How reframing our approach to climate issues shows us what we can gain For more, check out Leah's website for events and her newsletter Leah’s book, earth & soul: Reconnecting amid Climate Chaos Leah’s forthcoming book Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees, co-authored with Beth Norcross, available for preorder Also be sure to check out Kimberly’s Substack newsletter post

Kimberly talks with Leah Rampy about earth & soul: Reconnecting Amid Climate Crisis and her experience as a retreat leader. Key Topics Kimberly and Leah discuss include: What to do when rats infest your community garden Why humans would be a lot better off if we were as cooperative as nature is How immigration’s impact on the New World is akin to terraforming in science fiction stories Why modern society’s disconnect from nature is bad for people and the planet How reframing our approach to climate issues shows us what we can gain For more, check out Leah's website for events and her newsletter Leah’s book, earth & soul: Reconnecting amid Climate Chaos Leah’s forthcoming book Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees, co-authored with Beth Norcross, available for preorder Also be sure to check out Kimberly’s Substack newsletter post

Whole industries have emerged to help people cope with all the stuff capitalism has brainwashed us into accumulating. Driven by everything from conspicuous consumption to the disposable mindset, Jorden and Kimberly recount how consumers are encouraged to buy, purge, and repeat. Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include: Why governments need people to buy more stuff How reality television shows at the turn of the century paved the way for the KonMari Method, IKEA, and the equivalent of 51,458 football fields’ worth of storage unit space Why today’s furniture is unlikely to end up in an antique shop What to do with all that stuff we’ve accumulated How virtual clutter is also taxing the environment Ways to avoid the trap of cycle repetition Why you should check out previous episodes about Consumerism, (E 2), The Clothing Industry (E 7), Sustainable Housing (E 11), and Sand (E 14) if you missed them Recommended Resources How to achieve a 1.5-Degree Lifestyles J.B. MacKinnon’s The Day the World Stops Shopping No Impact Man -book and documentary Kimberly’s latest Substack newsletter post

Whole industries have emerged to help people cope with all the stuff capitalism has brainwashed us into accumulating. Driven by everything from conspicuous consumption to the disposable mindset, Jorden and Kimberly recount how consumers are encouraged to buy, purge, and repeat. Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include: Why governments need people to buy more stuff How reality television shows at the turn of the century paved the way for the KonMari Method, IKEA, and the equivalent of 51,458 football fields’ worth of storage unit space Why today’s furniture is unlikely to end up in an antique shop What to do with all that stuff we’ve accumulated How virtual clutter is also taxing the environment Ways to avoid the trap of cycle repetition Why you should check out previous episodes about Consumerism, (E 2), The Clothing Industry (E 7), Sustainable Housing (E 11), and Sand (E 14) if you missed them Recommended Resources How to achieve a 1.5-Degree Lifestyles J.B. MacKinnon’s The Day the World Stops Shopping No Impact Man -book and documentary Kimberly’s latest Substack newsletter post

Kimberly talks with polymath Dr. J. Doyne Farmer about his new book Making Sense of Chaos: A Better Economics for a Better World. A physicist, Doyne’s life experience and intellectual curiosity landed him at Oxford University, directing an interdisciplinary group of researchers in the complexity economics program. Key Topics Kimberly and Doyne discuss include: Why Doyne decided against a promising career as a full-time gambler in Las Vegas Why we should cut traditional economists a break, even though they keep making some big mistakes How food coloring in a loaf of bread and rock-paper-scissors help explain chaos theory Why Doyne deserved a Nobel Prize in Economics for how accurately complexity economics predicted the economic impact of COVID-19 How complexity economics can help to rescue us from our climate change nightmare What Brian Eno’s ambient music and Doyne Farmer’s Climate Policy Laboratory have in common You can find Doyne on his website, Twitter, and LinkedIn Also check out Kimberly’s Substack newsletter post

Kimberly talks with polymath Dr. J. Doyne Farmer about his new book Making Sense of Chaos: A Better Economics for a Better World. A physicist, Doyne’s life experience and intellectual curiosity landed him at Oxford University, directing an interdisciplinary group of researchers in the complexity economics program. Key Topics Kimberly and Doyne discuss include: Why Doyne decided against a promising career as a full-time gambler in Las Vegas Why we should cut traditional economists a break, even though they keep making some big mistakes How food coloring in a loaf of bread and rock-paper-scissors help explain chaos theory Why Doyne deserved a Nobel Prize in Economics for how accurately complexity economics predicted the economic impact of COVID-19 How complexity economics can help to rescue us from our climate change nightmare What Brian Eno’s ambient music and Doyne Farmer’s Climate Policy Laboratory have in common You can find Doyne on his website, Twitter, and LinkedIn Also check out Kimberly’s Substack newsletter post

Halloween has grown into a multi-billion-dollar holiday. Along with all that spending comes a lot of sustainability issues. From candy and costume choices to what to do with all those leftover decorations and candy wrappers, Jorden and Kimberly hope to save the planet while keeping Halloween fun. Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include: Which tops U.S. Halloween spending: Candy, costumes, or decorations? Why strategically mapping out the best candy-score route isn’t necessarily the best for the planet How costumes became a single-use, disposable commodity That just how much Americans spend on Halloween decorations is scarily surprising Why ‘Summerween’ became a thing Why The Great Pumpkin does not recommend handing out raisins for Trick-or-Treat, but what candy he would recommend What to do with all those pumpkins, gourds, and straw when the Halloween decorations come down Recommended Resources An interesting history of Halloween The Afterlife of Pumpkins Pumpkins for Pigs   Spending Trends for Halloween Kimberly’s Substack newsletter post (coming next Thursday-ish, to give you something to look forward to during our off-week)

Halloween has grown into a multi-billion-dollar holiday. Along with all that spending comes a lot of sustainability issues. From candy and costume choices to what to do with all those leftover decorations and candy wrappers, Jorden and Kimberly hope to save the planet while keeping Halloween fun. Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include: Which tops U.S. Halloween spending: Candy, costumes, or decorations? Why strategically mapping out the best candy-score route isn’t necessarily the best for the planet How costumes became a single-use, disposable commodity That just how much Americans spend on Halloween decorations is scarily surprising Why ‘Summerween’ became a thing Why The Great Pumpkin does not recommend handing out raisins for Trick-or-Treat, but what candy he would recommend What to do with all those pumpkins, gourds, and straw when the Halloween decorations come down Recommended Resources An interesting history of Halloween The Afterlife of Pumpkins Pumpkins for Pigs   Spending Trends for Halloween Kimberly’s Substack newsletter post (coming next Thursday-ish, to give you something to look forward to during our off-week)

Like the Yellow-Billed Stork that migrates in Africa based on rainfall, more humans are migrating, some permanently abandoning their homes due to environmental circumstances. The world is witnessing an increase in the movement of climate refugees seeking better living conditions, expelled from their homes by factors ranging from rising sea levels and wildfires to droughts and floods. Jorden and Kimberly as they reveal where migration is most likely to happen, weigh in on the culpability of GN countries and corporations, and consider how risk might provide the impetus necessary to address climate change. Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include: Why Jorden is stuck in Canada and Kimberly can’t find a new place to live The top 5 environmental causes for human migration Why ‘climate refugees’ are now ‘climate migrants’, and they’re not just in developing countries Why most climate migrants never even leave their own countries... …but when they do, they’re less likely to be headed to developed countries than seek refuge in neighboring countries Which countries are most ‘climate secure’ and how this calculation differs from those that promote ‘climate protections’ Recommended Resources A comprehensive guide to climate migration issues UNHCR’s Fact Sheet Climate Secure Countries Climate Change Performance Index Kimberly’s Substack newsletter post, available next Thursday, to give you something to look forward to during our off-week : )