Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and scorching summers are putting a strain on residential real estate.  Research on nearly 200 climate events from 2000 to 2019 from The World Economic Forum found that the global costs associated with climate change have cost around $2.8 trillion, when accounting for the cost of damage to infrastructure, property, agriculture, and human health. In this episode, we'll explore the impacts climate change has changed the residential real estate...

Happy April Definers! We’re back this month with a special bonus episode about P&G Responsible Beauty, sponsored by Procter & Gamble (P&G). Through Responsible Beauty, P&G has committed to being a positive force for beauty in the world as they work to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for all. In this episode, we have a “beautiful” conversation with John Scarchilli, Director, Procter & Gamble Hair Care, Scientific Communications, about how brands...

Since many of our current decarbonization and greenhouse gas reduction pathways aren’t making progress at the needed scale, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change( IPCC) found that carbon removal is now “essential” to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Many cite carbon removal as the key to addressing climate change, when combined with traditional emissions reduction strategies. In this month’s episode, we’ll give you a run down on the basics of carbon removal along...

We’re back this month with a special atypical episode featuring The Uproot Project! The Uproot Project is a network for and by environmental journalists of color. The organization is working to address the need for more journalists of color in newsrooms covering environmental topics. During the episode you’ll hear from Lucia Priselac, Founding Director of The Uproot Project, who details more about the creation of the organization, her role, its work, and how the public can support.  As a...

Happy December Definers! It is time again for our annual Holiday Hodge Podge episode. Tune in to hear the Sustainability Defined Team’s favorite podcast moments from the year and interesting sustainability articles, meet our Research & Operations Director, Taylor, and hear Scott and Jay’s professional/personal updates, and sustainable gift ideas - PLUS our holiday gift giveaway! Have a happy holiday season! --- Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one...

Invasive species are known to cause harm to the environment, economies, and even human health. Managing these species has become of major concern globally, as invasive species are one of the top factors that contribute to biodiversity loss. In fact, a 2023 United Nations global assessment report estimated that invasive species have been a major factor in 60% of all recorded animal and plant extinctions! In this episode we have a fantastic discussion with Leigh Greenwood, the Forest Pest and...

Business supply chains are complex, diverse, and have a lot of stakeholders. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), more than 450 million people work in supply chain-related jobs. In this month’s new episode, we break down the landscape of global supply chains and the interconnectedness with human rights across the globe. We have two expert guests sharing their expertise: –Aruna Kashyap, Associate Director on Corporate Accountability in the Economic Justice and Rights...

This month we are talking all about rare earths, the role they play in today’s society and the efforts to improve their sustainability. While you may not be familiar with the 17 rare earth elements, the chances are very high that if you’re reading this right now, rare earths are actually a common part of your daily life. This episode is #sponsored by Noveon Magnetics. Noveon is a company working to redefine and rebuild the rare earth magnet industry to be one that doesn’t just power the...

Our July episode is all about the energy grid! We discuss how electric grids work, the conditions of grids around the world, and emerging trends and policies that can improve grid sustainability and resiliency. We are joined in the episode by Kristina Skierka, CEO at Power for All. Power for All is an organization that envisions a world where all people benefit from the opportunities and quality of life that come from reliable, affordable, clean energy. This episode should “illuminate” all...

We are back this month with an episode on transparency. Historically, businesses have kept a lot of information guarded, but when it comes to sustainability, more companies are using transparency to make decisions, gain trust, and engage with their consumers, investors, and other key stakeholders. After an introduction going over the basics of all things sustainability and transparency with a focus on corporate transparency, we have TWO expert guests: Kathy Mulvey, Accountability Campaign...

We’re taking this month off, but we still have new content for you in the form of an episode of one of our favorite podcasts–STAFFER. STAFFER is a weekly podcast with former staffers sharing their stories of working on the Hill hosted by Jim Papa of Global Strategy Group. This episode features an interview with an accomplished sustainability professional, Mike Boots, Executive Vice President at Breakthrough Energy and Director of the Gates Ventures DC Office. By listening, you’ll learn a lot...

This new bonus episode introduces our Definers to the Master of Science in Environment and Sustainability Management Program, or MS-ESM program at Georgetown University. The MS-ESM program is a full-time, 11-month interdisciplinary program held on-campus in Washington, D.C. Over the 11 month time span, students complete courses that blend science with business principles that are critical to meeting the world's sustainability goals.  In this episode we chat with a professor and a student in...

This episode is on water conservation and #sponsored by Procter & Gamble (P&G). Water is Earth’s most abundant natural resource, as more than 71% of the Earth’s surface is water. However, freshwater that can be used by humans is only a small percentage of this available water. Because of this we have to preserve, control, and manage our water resources through conservation. We hope our Definers are thirsty to learn about how we as humans use and can conserve water. The episode...

We know Definers are always hungry for ways to maximize their impact within sustainability, so we're excited to focus today's bonus episode on Yale's Financing and Deploying Clean Energy Program. Yale’s Financing and Deploying Clean Energy (FDCE) online certificate program trains and connects rising leaders to catalyze an equitable transition to a clean economy. In the episode you will hear from Rob Klee, a Lecturer at Yale and the Managing Director of the Clean Energy Program at the Yale...

Biodiversity underpins many things we rely on (think food, water, and oxygen). In fact, half of the world’s GDP is dependent on natural resources. This means that about $44 trillion of economic value across the globe relies on nature and its interconnectedness. So... something worth paying attention to! Join us as we dissect this topic with the help of Dr. Paula Ehrlich, President and CEO of the E. O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation. Enjoy! ------ Sustainability Defined is the podcast that...

From the carrots you're munching on to the chocolate in your grande extra-whip double-mocha latte (no judgment), agricultural water use underpins most everything we eat on a daily basis. In fact, agriculture on average accounts for 70% of all freshwater withdrawals globally - enough to cover the entire United States in 2 feet of water each year. Join us as we unpack this critical issue with the help of Ashwin Madgavkar, founder of Ceres Imaging, an innovative spectral imaging company and 2020...

We're excited to partner with the Zayed Sustainability Prize to bring you a special pair of episodes focusing on this transformative global award that recognizes organizations and high schools driving impactful sustainability solutions across five distinct categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water and Global High Schools.    Our first episode in this partnership spotlights David Sandalow, one of the Prize's selection committee members within the energy category. David is the Inaugural Fellow...

Tis the season for our annual Holiday Hodge-Podge episode! Join Scott and Jay as they share their favorite 2022 Sustainability Defined moments, interesting sustainability articles, work and personal updates, and sustainable gift ideas - PLUS our Instagram holiday gift giveaway and an opportunity for your donation to a certain charity to be matched by Jay and Scott. ------ Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (and bad joke) at a time. Hosted by Jay...

We hope this episode is a breath of fresh air on a critical topic. In 2019, 99% of the world's population lived in places where the World Health Organization air quality guideline levels were not met. Air pollution is widespread and can have tremendous negative impacts on public health and the environment.  Listen in as we talk with TWO incredible guests from Moms Clean Air Force: Molly Rauch (Public Health Policy Director) and Almeta Cooper (National Manager, Health Equity). We deep dive...

We know, another acronym to remember, but it’s an important one. PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are a group of chemicals that have made certain useful products possible (e.g., rain jackets and non-stick pans) but what are their environmental and physiological impacts? In this episode, we dive into the science behind PFAS and its potentially significant harm to the environment and public health.  And it’s our favorite for the expert interview–an entrepreneur! We chat with Lauren...

We often get asked, “What are simple things I can do to act on climate change?” and after hearing this episode we think you’ll agree that one simple thing you can do is use cold water when doing laundry. Are you a Definer who uses hot water when doing laundry? Well, if you use cold water instead, you can reduce your energy use from doing your laundry by 90 percent! The sponsor of this bonus episode, Tide, is leading a behavior change movement to get consumers to switch to energy-saving cold...

The bells are ringing and love is in the air! To commemorate Jay getting married in June, we've put together an episode that focuses on what practices can be taken to make weddings more sustainable. Listen in to learn more about the environmental impact of weddings, the leaders in the sustainable wedding space, and how Jay is implementing sustainability into his wedding. In this episode, we speak with Gina Lett-Shrewsberry, the owner of Inspirations by Gina, a full-service floral and event...

The bells are ringing and love is in the air! To commemorate Jay getting married in June, we've put together an episode that focuses on what practices can be taken to make weddings more sustainable. Listen in to learn more about the environmental impact of weddings, the leaders in the sustainable wedding space, and how Jay is implementing sustainability into his wedding. In this episode, we speak with Gina Lett-Shrewsberry, the owner of Inspirations by Gina, a full-service floral and event...

Have your eyes ever wandered to the bottom of your to-go container and found the words "made of X% recycled content"? Ever wondered what is meant by “recycled content” and how it plays a role in our global recycling systems? Of course you have, you're a Definer!  In this info-packed episode, we've partnered with Glad, a leading household waste solutions company that's investing heavily into increasing the recycled content in its products. Tune in to learn more about what recycled content is,...