Brown Girl Green

In this episode, we meet with Chris Desai - a world renown entrepreneur and philanthropist from humble beginnings who has made considerable contributions to the benefit and protection of this planet with the organic luxury fashion brand Vayyu, the registered charity The Vayyu Foundation and its two global projects. In this podcast episode we are focusing on UOCEAN 2050, which is a pioneering, practical, and non-profit charitable initiative of The Vayyu Foundation based in the United Kingdom with a global reach. Their primary mission is to combat river and ocean plastics and restore marine ecosystems working with minority and stigmatized communities. We learn about Chris’s love and passion for the ocean We learn about realizing the effects of fast fashion on the planet  We learn about entrepreneurship to change the fashion industry and the birth of successful companies  Follow and connect with Chris and his companies on socials: Instagram: @uoceanproject @vayyu Twitter: @uoceanproject  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdesai/?originalSubdomain=uk Check out the UOcean page, and see if there are places near you where you can volunteer!  https://uocean.org/volunteer Here is a great article to check out with small ways to help our oceans: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/ocean/help-our-ocean.html Another great resource to work on cutting back on the plastics you use: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/act-for-the-ocean/plastic-pollution/what-you-can-do#:~:text=Cut%20back%20on%20single%2Duse%20plastic&text=Over%20time%2C%20these%20simple%20swaps,single%2Duse%20plastic%20sandwich%20bags. Here are additional organizations and charities to check out! https://www.americanoceans.org/blog/best-ocean-clean-up-charities/ Here’s another podcast episode to check out: How To Protect The Ocean: Speak Up For Blue:  https://open.spotify.com/show/3mE8fDuPv6OiTZ64EfIob9

In this episode, we meet with Aiyana Bodi - a senior associate at Project Drawdown. Aiyana works with corporate partners and their employees to scale climate solutions in more meaningful and impactful ways in the workplace.  We learn about influencing companies towards a sustainable shift  We learn about how companies actually take action to make change We learn about employee activation for equitable solutions in the workplace  Follow and connect with Aiyana on socials: Instagram: @aiyanab Twitter: @aiyanabodi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aiyana-bodi-96871383 Check out and support Project Drawdown: https://drawdown.org/ Check out Aiyanas page on the Project Drawdown site: https://drawdown.org/staff/aiyana-bodi Learn more about the work Project Drawdown is doing by Earth.org: https://earth.org/project-drawdown/ A helpful article to check out:  https://business.nextdoor.com/en-us/small-business/resources/blog/9-ways-to-make-your-business-more-eco-friendly

In this episode, we meet with Kayalin Akens-Irby - the head of growth at Planet FWD, the leading carbon management platform for consumer brands to tackle climate change. Kayalin is an impact-oriented woman who cares about trying to build a better future for everyone. We learn about using climate tech to fight the climate crisis We learn about the lack of diversity in the climate tech space We learn about discovering your worth in tough professional spaces Follow and connect with Kayalin on socials: Instagram: @kayasoleia Twitter: @kayalinsoleia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayalinakensirby?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F Check out and support Planet FWD: https://www.planetfwd.com/about Some awesome resources to check out for folks in the climate space: Elemental: https://elementalexcelerator.com/ Emerson Collective: https://www.emersoncollective.com/ Earthshot: https://earthshotprize.org/how-the-earthshot-prize-works/ Google for startups: https://startup.google.com/programs/black-founders-fund/united-states/ Another podcast episode to check out:  Climate Tech Circle: Matt Myers https://open.spotify.com/episode/1vIbEuujCS4D8HYxkSWIMO?si=6f2ec702845442bb

Xavier Cortada, Miami’s pioneer eco-artist, discusses how his background influenced his art and the power of art as a medium for connection. He shares his experiences using art to raise awareness of environmental issues and heal communities. Discover how his Native Flags art piece empowers individuals to protect the North Pole. They also explore how art can challenge victim narratives and highlight the creativity within marginalized communities.

In this episode, we meet with Alexia Leclercq - a grassroots organizer, scholar, and artist. Alexia is the co-founder of the Colorado River Conservancy under PODER and a political education non-profit named Start: Empowerment. They have led various environmental justice campaigns from passing national climate and chemical reform legislation and fighting for clean water, to addressing aggregate mining pollution, relocating toxic tank farms, and organizing mutual aid.  We learn about how to mobilize in your community We learn about the water injustices happening in Texas  We learn about the history of community organizing Follow and connect with Alexia on socials: Instagram: @alexia.leclercq Twitter: @eeealexia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexia-leclercq Check out and support the organizations Alexia is a part of: PODER: https://www.poderaustin.org/ Start: Empowerment: https://www.start-empowerment.org/ Colorado River Conservancy: https://www.austincoloradoriver.org/ Read an article written by Alexia in Dec. 2022: “How Asian-Pacific Islanders Shaped Environmental Activism”: https://atmos.earth/asian-pacific-islanders-climate-activism/ Check out the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform: https://www.yecap-ap.org/about

In this episode, we meet with McKenna Dunbar - who is currently a Building Electrification Lead at Sierra Club. McKenna is renowned for their unwavering commitment to environmental justice and equitable clean energy transitions. We learn about their research project turned into a passion We learn about navigating in a mainly white dominated space We learn about the power of environmental justice and community  Follow and connect with McKenna on socials: Instagram: @mckennadunbar  Twitter: @mocokono LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/electrification/ Check out and donate to the Sierra Club: https://act.sierraclub.org/donate/rc_connect__campaign_designform?id=7010Z0000027LIjQAM&formcampaignid=70131000001LjZ2AAK&ddi=N18MOTF008&_gl=11crrv9f_gaMTcwMzIyMTAxOC4xNjg2NTg1MTIw_ga_41DQ5KQCWV*MTY4OTYwNDY0MS4yLjAuMTY4OTYwNDY0NC4wLjAuMA Check out Seventh Generations Climate Justice & Equity page: https://www.seventhgeneration.com/climate-justice Check out OhmConnect, a company that helps you save energy and save money! https://www.ohmconnect.com/ Read this article about the importance of clean electric energy: https://www.fortum.com/newsroom/cleaner-world/electrification-biggest-climate-action#:~:text=Fossil%20fuels%20must%20be%20phased,consumed%20in%20new%2C%20sustainable%20ways. Another podcast episode to check out: The Electrification of Everything Sky to Sea by a16z Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4KGzbcqxiiwLdxZbr7JX3i?si=92d14f17416d4875

In this episode, we meet with Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, the President and CEO of ECOS. ECOS produces plant-powered detergents and cleaners that are safer for the people, pets, and our planet! We learn about the history and creation of ECOS We learn about the toxins in our cleaning products and the negative affects it causes We learn how a company like ECOS was able to get to the trifecta of carbon neutrality, water neutrality, and TRUE Platinum Zero Waste certification Follow and connect with Kelly and ECOS on Instagram: @kellyfromecos @ecosclean Check out the ECOS site to get their products and learn more: https://www.ecos.com/ Check out the Environmental Working Group with resources on how to make healthier choices: https://www.ewg.org/who-we-are Article to check out about the switch to natural cleaning products: https://www.bondcleaninginadelaide.com.au/9-reasons-to-make-the-switch-to-natural-cleaning-products/ Another podcast episode to check out: How to Start Switching to Clean Products: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7bNIdOy6sV43YIfBN3j2bV?si=WvQUl-rjRH6h8bnkIyMAwA

In this episode, we meet with Johanna Schmidt - a sustainability researcher in the Impact & Economics department at Triodos, a mission-driven bank and impact investment manager in the Netherlands. We learn why banks don’t support Deep-Sea Mining We learn why Deep-Sea Mining is a business risk We learn Deep-Sea Mining and it’s environmental risks are minimally researched Stay updated and involved with The International Union for Conservation of Nature: https://www.iucn.org/ Check out Triodos Bank: https://www.triodos.co.uk/ Article about Environmentalists warning Investors of Deep-Sea Mining Risk read: https://ejfoundation.org/news-media/environmentalists-warn-investors-of-deep-sea-mining-risk Read A Manifesto For Our Ocean: https://ejfoundation.org/resources/downloads/EJF-Ocean-Manifesto-2023.pdf Check out the UN High Seas Treaty: https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/06/1137857 Another podcast episode to check out: Promise and Peril at the Bottom of the Sea: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3WoAQfN1Q2AKLxrNyodFi5?si=8-mGxfj7Q4KUUoETguYpWA

In this episode, we meet with Pelenatita Kara who is the Program Manager of the Civil Society Forum of Tonga and has been working as an advocate against deep sea mining since 2012. We learn about what deep sea mining really is and how it is performed. We learn that it can take decades for experts to understand the nature of deep sea marine life and the ramifications of mining it, since there is limited research. We learn about how deep seabed mining can start as soon as July 2023, once the legality of it is determined by the International Seabed Authority, the United Nations, and stakeholders. Follow and connect with Tita: LinkedIn @ Pelenatita Petelo Kara Check out and join the Civil Society of Tonga Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/CivilSocietyForumTonga?mibextid=LQQJ4d Check out the website and sign the petition: https://csft.to/ Find out more about the calls for a moratorium on deep sea mining: https://www.seabedminingsciencestatement.org/ Another podcast episode to check out: How to Save a Planet: Should We Mine the Deep-Sea? https://open.spotify.com/episode/50uusaWIsZZdO2LhjSUhON?si=O6oZHVoDQqSbdX-Gu0GHZg Find out more at https://brown-girl-green.pinecast.co

In this episode, we meet with Jeremy Orr - a skilled senior-level attorney and manager with a demonstrated history in law, policy advocacy, and nonprofit leadership. He is highly experienced in the areas of social justice, civil rights, and environmental justice.  We learn how Jeremy started his journey in the climate litigation space as a community organizer We learn about some environmental victories you might not have heard about We learn how to educate ourselves and get involved in our community to spark change Follow and connect with Jeremy: Twitter @jeremyforr  LinkedIn @Jeremyforr  Keep up to date with Earthjustice at @earthjustice on Instagram. https://earthjustice.org/ Stay informed and do your research, here's a great resource: https://www.clientearth.org/ Find and contact local elected officials: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials A book to check out: Toxic Communities: Environmental Racism, Industrial Pollution, and Residential Mobility by Dorceta Taylor Find out more at https://brown-girl-green.pinecast.co