A Little Green – Détails, épisodes et analyse

S3 E8: “We have created this future... I think we can also create a different future.”

Let’s dream for a moment... not about a New York that survives climate change, but one that actually thrives in the future. It’s not a simple task, but luckily, there are people like Gita Nandan out there doing some serious reimagining. Gita is a designer, architect, and co-founder of the R.E.T.I. Center in Red Hook. She and Christina discuss how Gita works with the community to build innovative climate solutions. Some of them can even seem out of another world – one that’s guided by the principles of environmental justice, a regenerative economy, and social responsibility. Gita shares her vision with Christina and proposes a refreshing alternative to resilience. In this final episode of the season, we also take a moment to celebrate the resilience and survival of our city more than a decade after Superstorm Sandy.

Resources:

• NWS High Water Mark Project

Featured in this episode:

• Gita Nandan – Founder of the RETI (Resilience, Education, Training and Innovation) Center
• The Barnacle Parade

S3 E7: “We're going to be loud about this until something's done.”

We’ve heard from so many amazing individuals and organizations that are mobilizing on the grassroots level, but how do they harness all of that local power and get things done legislatively? Christina speaks to Lonnie Portis, the New York Policy and Advocacy Manager at WE ACT for Environmental Justice. Lonnie shares the key to getting things done at the policy level. Then, Christina sits down with Louise Yeung, the Chief Climate Officer with the Comptroller’s office to ask whether New York is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to climate solutions and environmental justice.

Resources:

• Uptown Chats Podcast
• NYC Climate Dashboard

Featured in this episode:

• Lonnie Portis, New York City Policy and Advocacy Manager - WE ACT for Environmental Justice
• Louise Yeung, Chief Climate Officer - NYC Office of the Comptroller

S2 E7: “It's a connection with Mother Nature and it's a way to find yourself.” 

As a child in Michoacán, Javier Zamora remembers planting radishes and picking citrus. When he came to LA, he built a comfortable life for himself and his family, but everything changed when the 2008 recession hit. We follow Javier through the ups and downs of his journey and how he ultimately found his way back to tending to plants and his community.

Check out Javier’s farm and learn more about organic farming at jsmorganics.com.

S2 E6: “Oh my gosh, this is my very best self. And I am happier than I have ever been.” 

Virginia Rose grew up loving nature. She rode horses and went backpacking with her family until a sudden accident changed her life forever. Virginia would go on to pursue a career in education. After retiring, Virginia found an unlikely hobby that would reconnect her with the outdoors and with an integral part of herself. Her experience would launch a movement to make nature more accessible for all. 

Visit birdability.org to learn more about Virginia’s work.

S2 E5: “That started my journey to being an activist and an artist.” 

In 2022, Staten Island’s Elizabeth Shvarts was named New York’s Youth Poet Laureate. Ten years earlier, her home was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy; the experience opened her eyes to the devastating impacts of climate change at a young age. Elizabeth devoted herself to poetry and channeled her exceptional gift into climate action, becoming part of a community of young people driving change.

You can follow Elizabeth on Instagram @elizabeth.shvarts. Tell us how nature has changed your life @avocadogreenbrands on Instagram.

S2 E4: “You have to figure out how to use your wings and what they're for.” 

Nichole Alexander spent three years raising endangered butterflies while incarcerated. The butterflies weren’t the only beings that metamorphosed along the way. Nichole had experienced immense loss and years of discouragement within the prison system. Nature provided respite, a healing environment, and newfound confidence that would inspire Nichole to better her community and make the world a more just place.

Visit sustainabilityinprisons.org to learn more about their programs.

S2 E3: “Nature saved my spirit, saved my marriage and created a safe place for me to...find purpose and meaning in what life really is about.” 

Sonya and Necota Staples fell in love in college, got married, and bought a house in the suburbs of Atlanta. But happily ever after wouldn’t be that simple. They tell a story about the camping trip that changed the trajectory of their marriage, and their relationship with nature, forever.

Follow @staplesintents on Instagram or visit staplesintents.com to follow their work. 

We’d love to hear about your life-changing experience with nature. Share it with us @avocadogreenbrands on Instagram.

S2 E2: “It was almost the revelation of my own humanity.” 

Spending just two hours a week in nature could improve your mental and physical health. That’s the conclusion researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School came to in their 2019 study; that analysis would change Mike Fuhrmann’s life forever. After struggling with anxiety and depression, he would go on to hike over 13,000 miles of the country’s most spectacular trails. Along the way, he learned to manage his mental health, was inspired to pick up a camera, and made lasting connections with fellow wanderers.

Visit www.portraitofahiker.com to follow Mike’s journey.

Content Warning: This episode contains a brief discussion of suicide, which may be upsetting to some listeners. If you or a loved one is in crisis, or having thoughts of suicide, help is available, please call 988, the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Hotline or visit their website at 988lifeline.org.

S2 E1: “One of the powers of this little canoe...is keeping these really important parts of our culture, our history, and our traditions alive.” 

Thousands of years ago, Polynesian seafarers did something remarkable: they navigated their way across endless miles of open ocean guided only by the stars, the wind, and the sea, ultimately arriving in Hawaii. As a child, Lehua Kamalu grew up hearing this epic story, and in 2022, she was the first woman to captain and navigate that ancient route. To kick season two of A Little Green off, Lehua shares how one historic canoe and the people that make up its crew could help preserve Hawaiian culture and the health of our planet.

Visit www.hokulea.com to learn more about the Polynesian Voyaging Society. 

Do you have a story to share? Tell us how nature has changed your life @avocadogreenbrands on Instagram. 

S1 E8: What can one person do about the climate crisis? 

It’s a question that’s nagged Christina from the beginning of this podcast, and one she seeks to answer in the final episode of our series. With seven episodes under her belt, she wants to know how she can put all of these learnings into practice in her own life, and perhaps most importantly, how to share everything she’s picked up with the people around her.

She finds out that all this “talking about it” is actually a pretty big deal. Dr. Katharine Wilkinson and Professor Sarah Jaquette Ray make the case for having these climate conversations. So, Christina sets out to understand what climate communication is all about. What’s the best way to talk about all of this? And, will anyone even listen? 

Susi Moser, climate change communicator and researcher, shares tangible ways we can all start talking about climate change today -- in ways that will engage and motivate others. It turns out that these seemingly small nudges can make a profound difference.

Highlights:

• What are climate change deniers up to these days? (4:01)
• This could be the number one thing we can all do to fight climate change (5:31)
• What actually makes people change their minds? (6:42)
• Trustworthy messengers make all the difference (8:38)
• Lessons we can learn from climate change communicators (9:37)
• Balancing hope and reality (11:35)
• Three steps to start climate conversations in your own life (14:46)
• What it really means to “do our part” (26:06)

Terminology:

• Climate denial
• Climate change communication
• Information deficit model

Resources:

• The most important thing you can do to fight climate change: talk about it
• Learn more about climate change knowledge and attitudes from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication
• Climate Engagement and Activism (Pew Research Center)
• Find more of Susi Moser’s work here.
• Listen next: Our 6 Favorite Podcasts Inspiring Climate Activism
• Read next: 7 great sources for staying up to date on climate change