The Sustainability Side

In Episode 23 of The Sustainability Side, Dr. Sama sits down with Afryea Charles, founder of Ecolexica, to explore the emerging world of marine renewable energy, ocean energy, the Blue Economy and island energy sovereignty.Marine renewables remain far less visible than solar and wind, despite the potential of technologies that harness waves, tides and other ocean resources.Afryea believes that bringing marine renewables into the mainstream will require much more than technological innovation.It will require investment, commercialisation, policy support, public understanding, community trust and powerful communication.With an MBA in Sustainable Energy Management and more than 25 years of experience across communications, marketing, sales, HR, humanitarian work and public education, Afryea works at the intersection of energy, business strategy and storytelling.Through Ecolexica, she helps marine-renewable-energy founders, ocean-tech innovators and climate leaders transform complex technologies into narratives that investors, policymakers, communities and the wider public can understand.Her message is clear:The future of energy is not only in the ground, the sky or the boardroom. It is also in the water.🎙️ Episode 23 — The Sustainability SideConnect with us @thesustainabilityside - In all social media.Guest: Afryea CharlesFounder, EcolexicaConnect with Afryea:LinkedIn — @afryeacharlesInstagram — @afryeacharlesX — @afryeacharlesThreads — @afryeacharlesYouTube — @afryeacharlesSubstack — @afryeacharles

What if shade wasn’t just a nice-to-have, but essential city infrastructure? 🌳🏙️As global temperatures rise and urban heat islands intensify, treating trees as simple street decoration is costing cities billions—especially when nearly 45% of newly planted urban trees fail within their first few years.In Episode 22 of Voices of Sustainability, we sit down with Maks Udov (Horticulture & Landscaping Expert with 30+ years of experience) and Bruno Jelinić (Landscape Designer & Urban Forestry Specialist). Together, we break down why cities need to protect existing trees, use satellite data for strategic planting, and engineer root zones for long-term survival.In this episode, we cover:🌳 Trees as Critical Infrastructure: Moving beyond aesthetics to cooling, air quality, flood reduction, and mental health.🛰️ Data-Driven Urban Forestry: Using satellite screening, heat maps, and NDBI indexes to locate urban heat islands and target problem zones.📉 Solving the 45% Tree Failure Rate: Why newly planted urban trees die and how root-zone engineering changes the game.💧 Water Conservation: How innovative systems like the Aqua Vault can reduce tree irrigation needs by up to 80%.🏜️ Greening Extreme Climates: Insights and potential for arid regions, including Green Riyadh, Dubai, and the broader Middle East.🏙️ Planning for Shade: Why urban planners, architects, and municipal leaders must build tree clusters rather than isolated plantings.Connect with Our Guests:Maks Udov: LinkedIn ProfileBruno Jelinić: LinkedIn ProfileConnect with the Movement:Website: http://thesustainabilityside.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/thesustainabilityside/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesustainabilitysideFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesustainabilitysideSupport Our Mission:Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thesustainabilitysideJoin our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheSustainabilitySideShop Our Official Store: https://www.store.sashaglobalconsortium.com🎙️ Produced by: The Sustainability Side (TSS)🎧 Available on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | YouTube Music#UrbanForestry #SustainableCities #ClimateAction #VoicesOfSustainability #TheSustainabilitySide #UrbanPlanning #GreenInfrastructure #TreeCanopy #BeatTheHeat #GreenRiyadh #ClimateResilience #TSS

Is "Net Zero" just another corporate buzzword, or a real pathway to climate action?In this episode of Voices of Sustainability, we break down what Net Zero actually means and how organizations can shift from vague climate promises to real, measurable impact. We sit down with guest Ms. Sriranjani Srinivasan—a sustainability professional, architect, educator, and climate action advocate with over 15 years of experience in green buildings, ESG, and carbon management.Together, we cut through the jargon to turn a complex topic into practical, credible strategies for businesses of all sizes.In this episode, we cover:• Defining Net Zero: What it actually means in simple terms (and why it's about balance, not zero emissions).• Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Mistakes organizations make when building net zero strategies.• Scope 3 & Supply Chains: Why supply chain emissions matter most and how to tackle them.• Spotting Greenwashing: How to move from surface-level claims to transparent accountability.• The Role of Carbon Offsets: Where offsets fit into a credible, science-backed climate plan.• Actionable Steps for SMEs: How smaller businesses with limited resources can begin their journey.• The Future of Climate Action: Moving from targets to transition plans and viewing carbon as a core business metric.About the Guest: Ms. Sriranjani Srinivasan is a sustainability consultant, carbon technical lead, architect, and educator. With over 15 years in the field, she has helped numerous organizations move from environmental ambition to practical action across ESG, green building design, and carbon management.Connect with our Guest:LinkedIn (Sriranjani Srinivasan): www.linkedin.com/in/sriranjani-srinivasanShop Our Mission:Official E-commerce Store: https://www.store.sashaglobalconsortium.com— Ours is such a global concern; every purchase you make directly supports our sustainability initiatives and provides you with products that are kind to the planet.Connect with the Movement: Voices of SustainabilityJoin The Sustainability Side (TSS) as we bridge the gap between local action and global impact. Your support helps us amplify the voices that matter.🔗 Follow The Sustainability Side (TSS):Website: http://thesustainabilityside.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/thesustainabilityside/Linkedin Group:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/15887044/WhatsApp Group:https://chat.whatsapp.com/HXBAbdTu2Ls8l7WagaJmXq?mode=gi_tInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesustainabilityside?igsh=MTMzOXZkamtsb254Zg==Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesustainabilitysideListen to the Podcast:Catch our latest episodes and interviews on all your favorite streaming platforms:Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Amazon Music💖 Support Our Mission:If you find value in our work and want to help us keep the conversation going, consider supporting us through our community platforms:Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thesustainabilityside/goal?g=1Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheSustainabilitySide?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink#NetZero #ClimateAction #Scope3Emissions #Decarbonization #ESG #Greenwashing #CarbonManagement #SustainableBusiness #VoicesOfSustainability #TheSustainabilitySide #GGC #SustainabilityPodcast

Is the biggest obstacle to sustainability not climate change itself, but confusion? Across the globe, millions of small business owners hear terms like ESG, Net Zero, Scope 3 emissions, and carbon reporting and ask: Where do we even begin?In this episode of The Sustainability Side, in partnership with Global Goals Connections (GGC), host Dr. Sama A welcomes back Karen Formosa—Founder of Practical Sustainability, ESG Practitioner, and GGC Sustainability Ambassador.Together, they break down the "Sustainability Gap" and reveal why small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are already practicing real, tangible sustainability without needing massive budgets or corporate jargon.📌 In this episode: • The Sustainability Gap: Why traditional frameworks were built for corporate giants, not SMEs. • The Impact of Greenwashing: How corporate missteps damage small business confidence and cause silence. • 5 Practical Steps for SMEs: Simple, low-cost actions you can start today without an expert. • The Agility Advantage:Why small businesses can drive real environmental change faster than corporations. • Rapid Fire Round: Karen’s take on sustainability myths, greenwashing red flags, and the future of AI in sustainability.🔗 Connect & Learn More: • Practical Sustainability: practicalsustainability.uk • Karen Formosa on LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/karenformosa • Watch Previous Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-kfZ7sML1Fo?si=YyR9BQodbpJAG1kz🛒 Shop Our Mission: Every purchase at our official store supports our sustainability initiatives and provides you with products kind to the planet: • SGC Official Store: store.sashaglobalconsortium.com✨ Follow The Movement:The Sustainability Side (TSS): • Website: thesustainabilityside.com • Instagram: @thesustainabilityside • LinkedIn: showcase/thesustainabilityside • Facebook: facebook.com/thesustainabilitysideGlobal Goals Connections (GGC): • Website: globalgoalconnections.com • Instagram: @ggc.2026 • LinkedIn: company/globalgoalsconnections💚 Support the Podcast: • Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/thesustainabilityside • Patreon: patreon.com/TheSustainabilitySide

Most of society views single parents through a lens of stigma rather than celebrating their resilience—a misconception we need to shatter. In this episode of The Sustainability Side, peace ambassador and sustainability advocate Otu Wales Tabe joins us to dive into the untold stories, mental health struggles, and incredible strength of single parents carrying the weight of their families.Discover why policy shifts and collective community support are vital to restoring dignity, empowering families, and building more inclusive societies. Whether you are a parent, social worker, or policymaker, join us to learn what true strength looks like and help ensure no parent fights alone.Key topics we discuss:Cultural Stigma: How deeply rooted norms perpetuate harmful stereotypes and how to change perceptions.Role Overload & Time Poverty: The mental and emotional toll of balancing household duties, caregiving, and isolation.Stories of Resilience: Inspiring firsthand insights into the unique strengths developed by children raised in single-parent homes.Community & Policy Shifts: The critical need for programs and policies that recognize, support, and empower single parents.Shop Our Mission:Official E-commerce Store: https://www.store.sashaglobalconsortium.com Every purchase you make directly supports our sustainability initiatives and provides you with products that are kind to the planet.Connect with the Movement: Voices of Sustainability Join the alliance between The Sustainability Side (TSS) and Global Goals Connections (GGC) as we bridge the gap between local action and global impact. Your support helps us amplify the voices that matter.Follow The Sustainability Side (TSS):Website: http://thesustainabilityside.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/thesustainabilityside/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesustainabilitysideFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesustainabilitysideConnect with Otu Wales Tabe:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amb-otu-wales-tabe-22622a296/Follow Global Goals Connections (GGC):Website: https://www.globalgoalconnections.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/globalgoalsconnections/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ggc.2026Support Our Mission:Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thesustainabilityside/goal?g=1Join our Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheSustainabilitySide#SingleParenting #Resilience #TheSustainabilitySide #ParentingPodcasts #SingleMoms #SingleDads #MentalHealthMatters #CommunitySupport #SocialJustice #Empowerment #FamilyStrength #BreakTheStigma #TSS #tss #TSSFroum