Greenscore - A Sustainability Podcast
29 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 months ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingLiving sustainably can feel complicated and confusing. Our podcast makes it easy! Hosted by Jake Whittall and Dr. Taylor Uekert.
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Episodes
Our Top Sustainability Tips: Takeaways from 3 seasons of Greenscore
August 14, 2023 12:00 - 33 minutes - 23.4 MBWith three seasons and 28 episodes under our belts, what better time to look back through Greenscore and share our top sustainability tips and takeaways?! Join co-hosts Jake and Taylor as they discuss their favorite quotes, statistics, guests, and surprises, and summarize some key tips for living more sustainably every day. Thanks for listening! Have feedback or content ideas you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Carbon Credits: Does offsetting your carbon footprint help the planet?
July 19, 2023 07:00 - 44 minutes - 30.8 MBYou might have heard about carbon credits in the news, or checked the box to offset greenhouse gas emissions from your latest flight. But what do carbon credits actually mean? Find out with our guests Dr. John Dees and Avantika Singh from Carbon Direct, a company that provides science-backed carbon management solutions to measure, reduce, and remove your carbon emissions. We'll discuss what carbon credits are, how they are measured and applied, and how much of a difference they can make in...
Summer Special: Sustainable camping with Leave No Trace
July 05, 2023 07:00 - 40 minutes - 28.1 MBCamping is an increasingly common summer activity. It is not only a great excuse to get outdoors, but has also been proven to reduce stress and contribute to emotional and physical wellbeing. But if over half of American households are camping, how can we make sure everyone can enjoy this activity without harming the environment? Join Becca and Luke McGraw from Leave No Trace as they talk us through the environmental impacts of camping, and how seven simple rules can help protect nature for...
Toilet Paper: How to avoid flushing the forest down your toilet
June 28, 2023 07:00 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MBThe average person uses about 600 miles of toilet paper in their lifetime, and each year over 30 million trees are cut down to serve the toilet paper needs of the United States alone. But have you ever wondered about the environmental impacts of cutting down those trees you're flushing down the toilet? Explore this topic with our guest Michael Zelniker, a Canadian actor and filmmaker who recently directed the documentary “The Issue with Tissue - a boreal love story,” which discusses the b...
Jargon Buster: Your guide to becoming a sustainability pro
June 21, 2023 07:00 - 48 minutes - 33 MBFrom biodegradable to carbon neutral, there is so much jargon used by brands marketing themselves as sustainable. But what do these terms actually mean? And how can we keep ourselves from getting overwhelmed by confusing jargon? Join our guest Dr. Kat Knauer from the Bio-Optimized Technologies to keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment (BOTTLE) Consortium at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as she talks us through common "green" jargon like bio-based, biodegr...
The Internet: Powering our web obsession
June 14, 2023 07:00 - 37 minutes - 25.5 MBThe Internet is everywhere - on our phones, our laptops, our cars, and even our refrigerators! But have you ever stopped to think about how the Internet actually works and what environmental impact it has? Well now is your chance - join co-hosts Jake and Taylor as they discuss the physical infrastructure behind the Internet and how its enormous energy use results in 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions each year. We'll also cover some simple switches you can make to your web surfing to low...
Makeup: Beautifying yourself and the planet
June 07, 2023 07:00 - 44 minutes - 30.3 MBCosmetics are a $400 billion global industry, and many of us do not leave the house without some form of cosmetics, whether a basic moisturizer or a full face of makeup. Yet between microplastics, irresponsible ingredient sourcing, animal testing, and plastic packaging waste, makeup packs a much bigger environmental impact than the tiny bottles it comes in might suggest. Find out more in this episode with Lou Dartford, a makeup artist specializing in green beauty. We'll discuss how some ...
Valentine's Day Special: How to show your love without hating on the planet
February 13, 2023 16:00 - 27 minutes - 19.2 MBIt's Valentine's Day and love is in the air... but perhaps not for the planet. In the United States alone, millions of greeting cards, roses, and chocolate confections will be exchanged on this holiday, creating waste and contributing to climate change. So how can you show your affection for loved ones without hating on the planet? Find out in this episode, where co-host Taylor Uekert talks us through the environmental impacts of some of the most popular Valentine's Day gifts: chocolate, ...
Christmas Trees: Real or artificial for a more sustainable holiday season?
November 30, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MBThe holiday season is upon us, and for folks who celebrate Christmas, that probably means you're getting ready to decorate your Christmas tree. Approximately 100 million natural Christmas trees are sold in the US and EU every year, with another 10 million artificial trees sold in the US alone. Depending on whether you grew up with a real or an artificial Christmas tree, you might already have a preference for one type over another. But have you ever thought about the environmental impact of ...
Climate Anxiety: Turning tough feelings into real environmental change
November 16, 2022 08:00 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MBOn Greenscore, we give you the tools to make sustainable choices in everyday life. But with daily reports on extreme weather events, soaring energy costs, and biodiversity losses, the fight against climate change can feel overwhelming. Sound familiar? Well you are not alone - these feelings of climate climate anxiety and eco-grief are increasingly being experienced worldwide. Join us for this special episode on climate anxiety, featuring Dr. Jessica Pratt, an Associate Teaching Professor i...
Coffee: Tackling the hidden damages of the world's favorite hot drink
November 09, 2022 08:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MB2 billion cups of coffee are drunk every day worldwide. If you are one of those many coffee drinkers, you might choose your coffee based on flavor, cost, or ease. But have you considered adding sustainability to your list? Find out why you should in this episode with Dan Webber, founder of Chimney Fire Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster committed to sustainable and responsibly-sourced coffee. We explore how coffee is grown and roasted, the enormous carbon, water, deforestation, and social...
Baking Supplies: Satisfying both your sweet tooth and the planet
November 02, 2022 07:00 - 42 minutes - 25.7 MBThere's nothing like freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies or apple pie - or anything sweet, really - still warm from the oven. While dessert might last only a few moments, the supplies used to prepare it, like parchment paper or aluminum foil, could live on as trash for decades. So how can we enjoy baking without clogging up the planet's "digestion"? Find out with our guest Jen Panaro, founder and editor of Honestly Modern, an online space about eco-friendly living for modern families. She ...
Nappies/Diapers: Cleaning up your baby's (and the planet's) mess
October 26, 2022 07:00 - 40 minutes - 26.6 MBA newborn baby will go through about 4,000 diapers/nappies in a year. The vast majority of these diapers are disposable and account for ~1.5% of waste in the United States. Reusable nappies can help minimize waste going to landfill or incineration, but do they make sense for busy parents, and how do they compare environmentally? Find out in this episode with Eve Bell, founder of Baba+Boo, an award-winning reusable cloth nappy company. Eve talks us through how disposable and reusable diaper...
Menstrual Products: Breaking taboos for a "greener" period
October 19, 2022 07:00 - 44 minutes - 30.6 MBDespite the fact that 50% of the world's population have periods during their lifetime, menstrual health and the products designed for it remain shrouded in mystery, confusion, and shame. With approximately 70 billion tampons and pads sold each year in the EU and US alone - over 80% of which are landfilled after a single-use - it is time to break taboos and explore innovative and more sustainable period products. In this episode with guest Elisabeth Dewey from the natural period products ...
Light Bulbs: Do LEDs make a difference?
October 12, 2022 07:00 - 32 minutes - 22.3 MBLighting accounts for 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which is no surprise when you learn that standard incandescent light bulbs waste a whopping 90% of incoming electricity as heat! LEDs (light emitting diodes) have been advertised as an eco- and budget-friendly lighting alternative, but are they really "green"? Find out in this episode, where Greenscore co-host and temporary light bulb expert Taylor Uekert explains how different types of light bulbs are made and their environmenta...
Utilities: Does powering your home have to cost you and the planet?
October 05, 2022 07:00 - 39 minutes - 27.1 MBElectricity - we need it to power our lights, washing machines, phones, and so much more. But did you know that much of that energy is made from fossil fuels and accounts for about a third of your carbon footprint? In this episode, join our guest Lilly Richard from the Green Neighbor Challenge as she explains the environmental impact of household utilities and how we can easily, cheaply, and with a hugely positive effect, switch to green energy providers. Check out the Green Neighbor Cha...
We're back! Introducing Greenscore Season 2
September 28, 2022 07:00 - 13 minutes - 9.53 MBGreenscore is back! This mini episode highlights our favorite episodes from last season - including tips for sustainably drinking coffee, running, and buying jeans - and introduces Season 2. Join us to explore the science behind green lifestyle changes and how much of an impact they can actually make. Check out our website for more: https://greenscorepodcast.com/ Thanks for listening! Have feedback or content ideas you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Toothcare: Why keeping your teeth clean makes an environmental mess
April 14, 2022 15:00 - 39 minutes - 23.3 MBThe average person will go through 300 toothbrushes in their lifetime. Brushing our teeth is essential for maintaining personal hygiene and health, but with most toothcare products made of non-recyclable plastic, how can we make sure that keeping clean doesn't come at the cost of more mess for landfills and the environment? In this episode, we'll find out how toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss are made and disposed, explore some eco-friendly options currently on the market, and leave you ...
Beer: How to drink healthily and sustainably
March 26, 2022 13:00 - 40 minutes - 20 MBGlobally, we drink about 188 billion liters of beer each year, enough to fill over 75,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools! But this much beloved drink comes with a serious environmental footprint: a single pint of beer requires 8-10 pints of water and large amounts of energy to make. So how can we enjoy beer without harming the planet? In this episode, we speak with Felix James, co-founder of London-based Small Beer Brew Co, to learn about how beer is made and how companies like his are maki...
Beef: How your burgers affect the environment
March 06, 2022 20:00 - 36 minutes - 22.1 MBBeef accounts for 20% of all meat production and makes up an important part of many people's diets. Yet this dinner staple also causes 26% of global methane emissions and 80% of all deforestation. In this episode, we explore the environmental impact of the humble hamburger (or beef burger) and highlight some of the innovative meat-free alternatives that can make our diets more eco-friendly without compromising on flavor. Further reading: https://ourworldindata.org/meat-production https...
Running Shoes: How to avoid running your shoes straight into the landfilll
February 21, 2022 05:00 - 41 minutes - 25.2 MBExercising more is often towards the top of our to-do lists, and running shoes are an essential piece of equipment for most forms of fitness. But with 90% of all shoes ending up in landfills or incinerators, how can we reduce the environmental toll of our exercise habits? Find out in this episode, where we'll discuss how running shoes are made and disposed, what "greener" options are out there, and how we can protect the planet while staying fit. To learn more: https://www.sneakerfactor...
Wrapping Paper: Staying green without being a Grinch
December 19, 2021 19:00 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBThe holiday season has become synonymous with wrapping paper: all of those beautiful, glittery and bow-laden packages being passed from giver to giftee. But with 227,000 miles of wrapping paper used each year in the UK alone, what is the environmental impact of this particular holiday tradition? Find out in our special Christmas episode, where we discuss how wrapping paper is made and disposed of, and suggest some festive "greener" alternatives. References: https://oecd-environment-focus....
Jeans: The dark side of denim
December 10, 2021 16:00 - 41 minutes - 28.5 MBLook down: chances are fairly high that you're wearing a pair of jeans! With 2 billion pairs of jeans manufactured each year, denim is a stylish and comfortable staple of many people's closets. Yet jeans also have a dark side: their production uses enormous quantities of water and synthetic dyes, and raises both environmental and human rights concerns. Learn more about the impacts of your favorite pair of jeans in this episode with Laura Vicaria from MUD Jeans, the world's first circular ...
Dog Poop Bags: The environmental impact of cleaning up after your canine companion
November 30, 2021 21:00 - 40 minutes - 27.6 MBFor many of us, dogs are our best friends. But with an estimated 12.5 billion dog poo bags used each year in the UK alone, how can we clean up after our beloved pets while also minimizing our contribution to plastic pollution and climate change? Find out in this episode with Michael Oddie from Tuff Pets, a company producing eco-friendly pet products. We'll discuss the environmental impacts of traditional versus compostable dog poo bags, as well as the confusing terminology around biodegrad...
COP26 Special: Why this climate conference is a big deal
November 02, 2021 19:00 - 34 minutes - 23.7 MBAs the world's leaders gather in Glasgow to discuss climate change at COP26, we take a brief look at what it means for us in this special episode of Greenscore. What is being discussed, what decisions are (or are not) being made, what should you look out for amongst the hundreds of news articles and podcasts covering the conference, and - perhaps most importantly - why should you care? Thanks for listening! Have feedback or content ideas you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Face Masks: Being green while staying safe
October 29, 2021 16:00 - 34 minutes - 20.9 MBFace masks have become ubiquitous over the last year and a half. And so have abandoned face masks littering our sidewalks, parks and oceans. With an estimated 129 billion face masks used each month, how can we protect the health of ourselves and others while also being eco-friendly? Find out in this episode with Charnett Chau, a research fellow at University College London's Plastic Waste Innovation Hub. Charnett talks us through the environmental impacts of single-use versus reusable mas...
Coffee Cups: How your disposable cup is affecting the planet
October 15, 2021 16:00 - 39 minutes - 22.8 MBCoffee is an international obsession. But what impact do the billions of disposable coffee cups used each year have on the environment? How are these cups made and what happens to them once you have finished your drink? In this episode we look at the environmental impact of single-use versus reusable coffee cups. Our guest is Saxon Wright, Co-Founder and Chairman of Huskee, a reusable coffee cup company looking to build a circular economy around their products. He talks us through how dis...
Plastic Food Packaging: Trade-offs and choices in your local supermarket
October 03, 2021 20:00 - 37 minutes - 22 MBThink back to your latest supermarket visit: what sort of fruit, vegetables or meat did you buy - and how much of it was wrapped in plastic? With 78 million tonnes of plastic packaging produced each year, the answer for most people will be 'an awful lot.' So why is there so much plastic packaging, how is it made and disposed, what environmental impact does it have, and what can we as consumers do about it? We'll answer all these questions and more in this episode with our amazing guest Dr R...
Greenscore: Who we are and what we're doing
October 03, 2021 18:00 - 9 minutes - 5.13 MBWelcome to the introductory episode of Greenscore, a podcast aiming to make everyday decisions about sustainability a little bit easier! In this episode, we introduce ourselves (Jake and Taylor), what we want to achieve in this podcast, and what exactly a "greenscore" is. Thanks for listening! Have feedback or content ideas you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.