Easy Being Green

Not all energy is created equally. Taylor and Deanne discuss ways you can balance your demand for energy to make it more efficient. They also discuss the future of renewable energy and some current roadblocks in the way of making solar, biomass, geothermal, wind, and hydropower the majority energy source. 

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The California wildfires are sweeping the state and displacing a massive population. Homes are being lost, evacuation centers are at capacity, pets need fostering, and people need your help. Deanne and Taylor discuss various funds to support fire victims. If you want to hear more about the impact of climate change on forest fires and vice versa, listen to our previous episode.  

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As more greenhouse gas emissions enter our atmosphere, climate change takes effect. Drier regions become drier, making wildfires more prevalent. Wildfires not only devastate the area of the fire, but also contribute to the high carbon levels in our air, further instigating climate change. It is a negative feedback loop that Taylor and Deanne discuss and share thoughts on we can slow it down. 

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We constantly hear about rising sea level and the threats to our planet, but what does it actually mean? Deanne and Taylor dive into the topic of melting ice caps, CO2 emissions, and how rising sea levels will impact (and already are) our lives. 

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The speech that Greta Thunberg delivered at the UN Climate Summit has sparked an out pour of responses regarding the state of our planet and the lack of ambition from world leaders to make real change. Deanne and Taylor recap the Climate Summit, discuss Greta's emotional delivery and discuss activism in general and how you can make a difference. It's a heavy episode, but hope is not lost.

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Traveling makes up 8% of global carbon emissions annually! Taylor and Deanne discuss ways to get that number lower without reducing how often you take vacation. Think about where you stay, how you get there, where you shop and much more. It's these choices we make that can add up to create change. The travel industry is not slowing down, and neither is climate change, so travel smart: travel green.

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It can be daunting to feel confident when recycling something that you're unsure of. Is this recyclable? Will it contaminate other recyclables? Does my recycling facility accept this? Should I just hold onto it until I know hoe to recycle it properly? There are so many rules when it comes to recycling so Deanne and Taylor break it down. The main rule: Check which MRF you are assigned and read their rules; you'll feel a lot more confident!

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The Great Barrier Reef is home to more than 1,500 species of fish, 411 types of hard coral, one-third of the world's soft corals, 134 species of sharks and rays, six of the world's seven species of threatened marine turtles, and more than 30 species of marine mammals. As Global Warming heats up our planet and the temperature of the water changes, the reef is put under great stress and cannot recover if it doesn't have enough time to heal before another stressful event. The reef is dying at a terrifying rate and faces great peril in the future if another heat wave strikes. The only cure is to reverse global warming and remove greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere.

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Habits are the easiest way to live a greener life, and the best time to start those habits to make them long lasting? As a kid! Teach your kids the importance of recycling, eating plant based, reducing energy and water usage, shopping local and more. Taylor and Deanne dive into many topics that your kids should be green experts on, because they are the future of this planet.

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Wildfires, Logging, Agriculture, Urbanization are just a few of the ways in which our forests are being destroyed. Not only do trees reduce carbon from the environment, when they die, they release carbon into the atmosphere. As forests die the air we breath becomes more toxic, the homes to more than half of the animal, insect, and plant species are lost in addition to the homes of indigenous people. Climate change is occurring at an almost unstoppable rate, and the destruction of these forests is a massive accelerator. Deanne and Taylor talk about ways in which you can decrease your contribution to deforestation. 

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Farming, of any type, takes up land which contributes to deforestation. Cows release methane, a major Greenhouse Gas. Transportation of food takes gas, which releases emissions into the air. Packaging of food contributes to landfill as well as food waste. the list goes on. Deanne and Taylor talk about the steps they have taken to have a more sustainable relationship with food and what goals they have to improve upon it.

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Our homes are where we spend a good chunk of our time, and in turn, end up using a lot of energy. There are tons of changes that you can make today to make your home more efficient. Switching to LED light bulbs, changing your hot water temperature and unplugging appliances are just a few. Taylor and Deanne also explore more long term changes and their effects plus some additional benefits (saving money). Listen in on what steps Taylor and Deanne are making to make their homes more efficient and how you can too.

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Everyone has a different awareness level of Climate Change and how we as individuals fit in to it. Deanne and Taylor share their stories of how they became aware and inspired to make changes to their own lives and to share with others in hopes of changing more behaviors. Listen as their varying turning points in life woke them up to see the reality of what is happening to our planet and how we can make a difference.

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We all know that cars in general are bad for the environment. From oil drilling to gas emissions, the planet suffers from these convenient transportation devices. Fortunately, there are plenty of other options that aren't quite as bad. With Buses, trolleys, and trains populating every big city and most smaller ones, a convenient and greener option is always just steps away. Speaking of steps, walking is another fantastic alternative as is biking! Now, this being said, neither of us are perfect; we both drive our cars frequently, but we consciously try to take some of these alternative transportation options and are doing so more frequently. Little strides lead to big strides.

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Everyone knows the big ones: water bottles, coffee mugs, and grocery bags. If those are the only ones you reuse, it's still something. And if you don't at least partake in the big three, try it out!

Taylor and Deanne dive into the other things they reuse including clothes (thrift shopping), bulk food shopping, to-go food containers, food and leftover reuse, and many more. 

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Compost, recycle, glass, plastic, paper, waste, oh my! Recycling can be confusing, but don't let that deter you from trying. Find areas where you can make easy changes and go from there. Taylor and Deanne discuss the ways in which they practice recycling, and the areas they can improve.

Landfill contributes a considerable amount to the carbon dioxide released into our atmosphere, so if we can reduce that even a little bit, it will help!  

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Climate change is nothing new. Scientists have studied it and seen cycles of high and low climates for over 150,000 years. Hopefully everyone already knows that it is at its highest it's ever been before, which, unfortunately is proven to be due to humans. The understanding of this didn't happen overnight, it was gradual. People were in denial and dismissed scientists when they brought this to the public. Over the past few decades however, it has become a very common theme in politics and public service. We are doing a lot to help the earth heal, but there is always more we can do. 

Taylor and Deanne share one of the main ways you can help reduce your carbon footprint, and that is earth conscious transportation. 

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Taylor Powers and Deanne Tetzl, the hosts of Easy Being Green introduce themselves and give backgrounds as to what got them to where they are today and why they are doing this show. 

Coming from different backgrounds and different generations, their stories differ greatly, but their reasons are the same, to help heal the planet. Every little thing makes a difference, whether it is recycling, carpooling, reducing your waste, thrift shopping, eating local, or banning plastic bags, we can all help in small or big ways. 

Deanne and Taylor have been co-workers and friends for over three years and decided to share with the world their passion for living a more eco-friendly life in hopes of inspiring others, and if nothing else, to have some fun. 

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