UvA Green Office Podcast

Join Luc and Kyle as they discuss how to navigate the controversies and debates around veganism.

Generation Z is more vocal about the need for action on climate change than older generations. Climate change has increased uncertainty about our future. As the effects of climate change intensify over time, people realize that future generations will inherit the current state of the planet. Generation Z children have grown up with social media providing them with a widespread digital platform unlike any generation before. With the rise of online climate change content among users, our generation is becoming more engaged in the issue. In this final episode of the season, Nefeli and Julia explore all aspects of our generation's commitment to climate action. Most importantly, they look at the impact of social media on Generation Z initiatives. Plus, the hosts look at the COP summit and its ambitious commitments with the help of their guest Claire, a UvA Student and environmental activist. Do not forget to think critically about your consumption habits!Let's connect and talk about sustainability on LinkedIn at Evropi-Nefeli Syriopoulou and Julia Wolska.References:Lashbrook, Angela. "‘No point in anything else’: Gen Z members flock to climate careers". The Guardian. September 06, 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/06/gen-z-climate-change-careers-jobs.  Wiley, Clare. "The Gen Z climate activists going viral on TikTok". Made for minds. May 18, 2021, https://www.dw.com/en/the-gen-z-climate-activists-going-viral-on-tiktok/a-57531865. Claire’s resources:Generation Climate Europe Claire Patterson on LinkedIn. Youthful Cities David Suzuki 

Generation Z is currently the most engaged generation when it comes to fashion. However, they pay attention to where products come from and how they are made. Younger consumers are very concerned about social and environmental issues, which many see as the defining issues of our time. They are increasingly backing up their beliefs with their buying behaviour. They prefer brands that share their values and avoid those that do not. In this episode, your hosts Nefeli and Julia explore all aspects of sustainability and fashion. Their guest, Martyna is the Co-Founder of the ethical, sustainable brand, @sis.tainable. Do not forget to think critically about your consumption habits!References: “The State of Fashion 2019” (United States: McKinsey & Company, 2019), https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:1140e5d4-150a-3205-b277-80d5d59f9cd5#pageNum=1.Lall, Rashmee Roshan. “Gen Z and the business of being woke.” openDemocracy. February 19, 2022. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/oureconomy/gen-z-and-the-business-of-being-woke/.

The advent of increased tourism has led to a shift in priorities and perspectives regarding the preservation of the natural environment as construction and development, particularly on the coast, have increased. In this episode, your hosts Nefeli and Julia explore all aspects of sustainability and travel. Generation Z is often described as socially and environmentally conscious, wanting to be mobile, and desiring authentic local experiences. Some of these life choices have been made by their guest Kim to become more eco-friendly in her travels. Do not forget to think critically about your consumption habits!References: Globetrender. “GEN Z TRAVELLERS THINK ‘A LOT’ ABOUT THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.” Globetrender. January 12, 2020. https://globetrender.com/2020/01/12/gen-z-environment-travel-2020/.

This BookTalk episode is part 2 of a 2 part series on Tatiana Schlossberg’s Inconspicuous Consumption: The Environmental Impact You Don't Know You Have  which empowers readers to think about the environment in a new way and make more informed choices when it comes to the future of our world.  Episode 2  will focused on Fashion and FuelAssociated Links:UvA Green Office Green Fashion GuideWhere to get Inconspicuous Consumption: The Environmental Impact You Don't Know You Have by Tatiana Schlossberg

Generation Z is leading the modern environmental movement. Inspired by our generation's activity in addressing environmental issues on and offline, the ‘Green Gen’ series is created. This is the first introductory episode where your hosts, Nefeli and Julia, talk about how our generation has evolved compared to our parents. Climate change has greatly affected the state of our planet. But also how our generation is trying to change the disastrous consequences of neglecting the environment. Online petitions and lifestyle changes are just a few examples of what we can do to save our planet in a sustainable way. Some of these life choices have been made by their guest, Anna, a UvA law student, to become more environmentally friendly. Do not forget to think critically about your consumption habits!References: “Gen Z, Millennials More Active than Older Generations Addressing Climate Change on- and Offline.” Pew Research Center Science & Society, Pew Research Center, 25 May 2021, https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2021/05/26/gen-z-millennials-stand-out-for-climate-change-activism-social-media-engagement-with-issue/ps_2021-05-26_climate-and-generations_00-01/.  

The new SustainableEDU series  aims to share regular conversations with UvA lecturers who teach about sustainability in its many interdisciplinary forms.  We're kicking off this series with the course ‘Applied Social Psychology: Towards a Sustainable Society.’ In this episode, Arda chats with Assistant Professor and course coordinator, Cameron Brick. Together they'll dive into the contents and objectives of the course, environmental psychology, policy communication, and how existing psychological processes can be harnessed to deal with climate change. Applied Social Psychology Course: studiegids.uva.nl/xmlpages/page/2020-2021-en/search-course/course/78654Cameron Brick’s Website: cameronbrick.com

The brand new BookTalk series will kick off with a 2 part episode on Tatiana Schlossberg’s Inconspicuous Consumption: The Environmental Impact You Don't Know You Have  which empowers readers to think about the environment in a new way and make more informed choices when it comes to the future of our world. Episode 1 will  focus on the areas on Internet and Technology as well as Food. Associated Links:UvA Green Office Amsterdam E-Waste GuideFresh Bag AmsterdamWhere to get Inconspicuous Consumption: The Environmental Impact You Don't Know You Have by Tatiana Schlossberg

In today's society, the use of social media has become an important source of information and communication, as it not only shapes general opinion, but also influences public perception of sustainability issues. Nefeli and Julia, with the help of their guests Shirin and Chris, students at UvA, discuss the positive and negative impact of "green influencers" in social media. "Green influencers" are on the rise on social media platforms these days as they try to link sustainability issues to other topics that are not traditionally part of sustainability, but make it easier for their followers to identify with them. Do not forget to think critically about your consumption of "green" content online!References:Ceelen-Thomas, M. (2020). Exploring Behaviours of Zero Waste Consumers. Department of Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship College of Business and Law, University of Canterbury. https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10092/100768/Ceelen-Thomas%2C%20Mikaila_Master%27s%20Thesis.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=yDrell, C. (2019, July 30). Is It Possible to Live Trash-Free? Marie Claire. https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a28468755/is-the-zero-waste-movement-doable/Flora, L. (2021, May 3). Zero-waste moves from niche to mainstream. Glossy. https://www.glossy.co/beauty/zero-waste-moves-from-niche-to-mainstream/Oldensjö, E. (2018). The Practice of Influencing – How Zero Waste YouTubers Try to Influence the Reduction of Waste Through Online Communities. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Published. https://stud.epsilon.slu.se/13400/1/oldensjo_e_180625.pdfReporter, G. S. (2016, April 26). Zero-waste bloggers: the millennials who can fit a year’s worth of trash in a jar. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/22/zero-waste-millennial-bloggers-trash-greenhouse-gas-emissionsSlatalla, M. (2010, February 15). A Visit From the Priestess of Waste-Free Living. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/16/fashion/18spy.htmlUsing social media to prevent litter and flytipping. (2021, June 9). Zero Waste Scotland. https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/litter-flytipping/social-media

In this episode of the Docu Chats, we talk about  Social Dilemma. We give a spotlight to social sustainability and in particular, look at how technology and social media can have damaging consequences for us and future generations. We draw similarities between push notifications and gambling, talk about how social media platforms influence our behaviour and health and discuss the business models which drive the online world. As always, we leave you with a well-curated list of changes you can make to streamline and control your online presence.References“What is Social Sustainability?”. ADEC Innovations. https://www.esg.adec-innovations.com/about-us/faqs/what-is-social-sustainability/“What benefits can online communities offer to members?”. i-SCOOP. https://www.i-scoop.eu/online-communities-social-communities-primer/benefits-can-online-communities-offer-members/Vogel, Erin; Rose, Jason; Roberts, Lindsay; Katheryn Eckles. “Social comparison, Social media, and self-esteem.” Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 3(4), 206–222. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000047Newton, Casey. “The leader of the Time Well Spent movement has a new crusade”. The Verge. April 19, 2019. https://www.theverge.com/interface/2019/4/24/18513450/tristan-harris-downgrading-center-humane-techhttps://voicesofvr.com/787-ethical-design-of-humane-technology-with-tristan-harris/Cabrera Escobar, Maria; Veerman, Lennert; Tallman, Stephen; Bertram, Melanie; Hofman, Karen. “Evidence that a tax on sugar sweetened beverages reduces the obesity rage- a meta-analysis”.  BMC Public Health 13, 1072 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-1072“Information Security Compliance: Which regulations relate to me?”. Tcdi. December 21, 2020. https://www.tcdi.com/information-security-compliance-which-regulations/

It's all about fashion! In the second episode of the "Zero Waste" series hosted by Nefeli and Julia, it's all about fashion and climate. The hosts discuss different movements in the fashion industry, such as zero waste, sustainable and slow fashion. With the help of their guest Cindy, a passionate fashion and sustainability student at UvA, this episode addresses several topics, from the production of raw materials to the impact of consumption on our lives and the controversies of the cult of fashion. Do not forget to think critically about your consumption habits!References:Elizabeth. “What Is Zero Waste Fashion? Plus 7 Brands to Know.” Conscious Life & Style, April 30, 2021. https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/zero-waste-fashion/. Erin, Verena. My Green Closet, February 23, 2021. https://mygreencloset.com/zero-waste-fashion-brands/. Fallon, Lillian. “The Beginner's Guide to the Ethical Fashion Movement.” Grotto Network, February 20, 2020. https://grottonetwork.com/make-an-impact/transform/what-is-sustainable-fashion/. Lee, Sylvia. “How Zero-Waste Fashion Is Slowly Saving the World.” The QUO" Change your way, February 15, 2018. https://www.thequo.com.au/stories/247-how-zero-waste-fashion-is-slowly-saving-the-world. MacGilp, Ruth. “Why Every Fashion Brand Should Start Thinking About Zero-Waste Design - Eco-Age.” Eco-Age, February 3, 2021. https://eco-age.com/resources/every-fashion-brand-should-start-thinking-about-zero-waste-design/. Mitchell, Olivia. “What Is Slow Fashion and Why It Matters.” Sustainable Jungle, April 24, 2021. https://www.sustainablejungle.com/sustainable-fashion/what-is-slow-fashion/. “Unfashionable Consumption: Is Fashion Fixing Itself?” Rapid Transition Alliance, November 15, 2019. https://www.rapidtransition.org/stories/unfashionable-consumption-is-fashion-fixing-itself/. “WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE FASHION?” Green Strategy Sustainable and Circular Fashion Consulting. Accessed May 20, 2021. https://www.greenstrategy.se/sustainable-fashion/what-is-sustainable-fashion/. “What Is Sustainable Fashion?” Make it last. Accessed May 20, 2021. https://makeitlast.se/what-is-sustainable-fashion/. “THE 'ZERO WASTE' TREND IN THE DESIGN AND FASHION INDUSTRY.” WORTH Project, June 11, 2018. https://www.worthproject.eu/the-zero-waste-trend-in-the-design-and-fashion-industry/.

In this episode of the Docu Chats, we discuss the National Geographic documentary, Before the Flood, directed by Fisher Stevens and narrated by Leonardo Dicaprio. The documentary covers the wide range of challenges that our world and populations face in our collective fight against climate change. We talk about the Paris Climate Agreement and its accountability, green energy sources, which countries are actually going green and which ones could strive to do better. We also look into what Dicaprio has himself done for the cause of global warming, as well as how differently this process will manifest itself in different parts of the world. As always, we leave our listeners with some super practical tips on how to get involved and make changes to their own lifestyles to ensure a greener future.References  The 11th Hour Trailer. YouTube, 2007. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IBG2V98IBY. Ancheri, Saumya. “10 Young Climate Activists Helping Save the Planet.” Condé Nast Traveller India. Condé Nast Traveller India, June 6, 2020. https://www.cntraveller.in/story/10-young-climate-activists-helping-save-the-planet-india-canada-usa-indonesia-world-environment-day-2020/.Denchak, Melissa. “Paris Climate Agreement: Everything You Need to Know.” NRDC, February 19, 2021. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/paris-climate-agreement-everything-you-need-know.“Celebrity Charity Finances Are Hidden Behind Closed Doors.” Charity Watch. Accessed April 4, 2021. https://www.charitywatch.org/charity-donating-articles/celebrity-charity-finances-are-hidden-behind-closed-doors. “Ecological Footprint.” Ecological Footprint Calculator. Accessed April 4, 2021. https://www.footprintcalculator.org/.“Greta Thunberg: Who Is She and What Does She Want?” BBC News, February 28, 2020. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49918719. Mann, Henry. “Tesla Battery Recycling: Revolutionary Closed Loop System.” CRUX Investor Articles, 2021. https://articles.cruxinvestor.com/tesla-battery-recycling.Mulvaney, Kieran. “World Climate Change Report Card: These Countries Are Meeting Goals.” Environment. National Geographic, April 3, 2021. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/climate-change-report-card-co2-emissions. Prime Minister Fumbles on Single-Use Plastic Question. CityNews Toronto. YouTube, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sBxAvxr9fo. “Timeline.” The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. Accessed June 3, 2021. https://www.leonardodicaprio.org/timeline/. Wallace-Wells, David. The Uninhabitable Earth: Life after Warming. Penguin Books Ltd., 2017.

"Going Zero Waste" is the first episode of the "Zero Waste" series hosted by Nefeli and Julia. In this episode, a conversation about a zero waste lifestyle begins! The hosts talk about the zero waste movement from the 2000s to today, the consumer culture, the financial difficulties and the "controversies" in doing so. Last but not least, with the help of their guest Pebbles, a UvA student, who shares her journey on zero waste and sustainable living and simple ways to get involved in zero waste. Do not forget to think critically about your consumption habits!References Admin. “Who Started the Zero Waste Movement?” Zero Waste, August 17, 2020. https://www.zerowaste.com/blog/what-is-it-who-started-the-zero-waste-movement/. Anonymous. “What Is Zero Waste?” Recycling Council of British Columbia, August 11, 2016. https://www.rcbc.ca/resources/zero-waste. Ceelen-Thomas, Mikaila. “Exploring Behaviours of Zero Waste Consumers.” UC Library. University of Canterbury, January 1, 1970. https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/handle/10092/100768. Conway, Tara. “I'm Upset: The ‘Zero Waste’ People Must Be Stopped.” The Outline. The Outline, May 28, 2019. https://theoutline.com/post/7500/i-m-upset-the-zero-waste-people-must-be-stopped. “Does Going ‘Zero Waste’ Really Make a Difference?” Vocal Media. Accessed February 3, 2021. https://vocal.media/longevity/does-going-zero-waste-really-make-a-difference. Movers, Singh, and Donna McCaw. “Zero Waste Tips: 50 of the Most Impactful Earth-Happy Habits.” Sustainable Jungle, May 30, 2021. https://www.sustainablejungle.com/zero-waste/zero-waste-tips/. 

The first episode of the UvA Green Office Podcast is inspired by the Netflix documentary, Chasing Coral, produced by Jeff Orlowski, which brings to light some shocking truths about rising ocean temperatures and how this is harmful to corals. In this episode, we take forward a conversation around corals- how they are the most superior underwater organisms, why they are important and how our actions are posing a threat to their future. We also discuss some super simple ways to get involved with this cause, adopting more sustainable, ocean-friendly diets and what scientific research is doing to save coral reefs.References10 Ways to Protect Reefs. 2021. Ocean Service. https://aamboceanservice.blob.core.windows.net/oceanservice-prod/facts/coralinfographic.pdf. Harrabin, Roger. “Plant-Based Diet Can Fight Climate Change - UN.” BBC News. BBC, August 8, 2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-49238749. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “How Does Overfishing Threaten Coral Reefs?” NOAA's National Ocean Service. US Department of Commerce, June 23, 2016.  https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coral-overfishing.html. Petrovic, Z., V. Djordjevic, M. Milicevic, I. Nastijevic, and N. Parunovic. “Meat Production and Consumption: Environmental Consequences.” Procedia Food Science 5 (2015): 235–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profoo.2015.09.041. Teh, Louise S. L., Lydia C. L. Teh, and U. Rashid Sumaila. “A Global Estimate of the Number of Coral Reef Fishers.” PLOS ONE. Public Library of Science, 2021. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0065397. Warne, Kennedy. “New Science Could Save Dying Coral Reefs, in the Great Barrier Reef and Beyond.” National Geographic, May 3, 2021. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2018/11/great-barrier-reef-restoration-transplanting-corals/.  Welsch, Meghan. “Take Action.” Chasing Coral. Chasing Coral, January 29, 2021. https://www.chasingcoral.com/take-action/.

Join Jimena and Varya as they discuss "natural" disasters, silent violence and political ecology.

To follow up on our previous episode, we decided to interview Hannah. She shared her experiences and challenges of being vegan.