Common Caws for Sustainability Podcast

Our main podcast series welcomes new UWB Sustainability Coordinator Shahrzad! Hosts Shahrzad and Stephan chat about upcoming events from Sustainability and cover several ways to get involved with us. 

In the fourth Episode of the miniseries Teleplantic host Elysia connects with Cascadia College’s President Dr. Eric Murray. Elysia notes the similarities and differences to the previous episode with the Chancellor of University of Washington Bothell. There is a focus on community effort, and roles specific actors have in ensuring sustainable campuses. 

In the third episode of the miniseries, Teleplantic host Elysia connects with Patrick Wallace from Denver, Colorado.  Their discussion shows the influence that region, communities, and values have on sustainable thinking. We also get to learn a little about one of the most Sustainable Ski companies, Meier skis, located in Denver, Colorado. 

This is the second episode of the miniseries Teleplantic where we shed a bit of light on individuals’ perspectives on Sustainability. In this episode, host Elysia connects with Tim Denler who operates the Greenwater drinking water treatment facility in Tacoma, WA, and talks about the importance of water and its relation to sustainability. They connect important points with the UN Sustainable Development goals and the Flint Michigan Water Crisis. 

Welcome to the first episode of the miniseries Teleplantic where we shed a bit a light on individuals' perspectives on Sustainability. In this episode, Cascadia College Sustainable Practices students and podcast host Elysia, connects with the Chancellor of University of Washington Bothell, Dr. Esterberg. In this episode, the conversation focuses on sustainability in relation to the Chancellor's role at the University and in their personal life as well. The discussion focuses on the importance of community, equity and social wellbeing.

In this episode, Vanessa and Belle say goodbye to Growing Up Green, and reflect on what they learned in each episode. In episode 2, we were introduced to environmental economics through tourism and COVID-19 social impacts. In episode 3, we covered the challenges of environmental education. In episode 4, we examined interdisciplinary learning in education and literature. In episode 5, we discussed the development of youth activism, and environmental social media outreach. In episode 6, we took a look at the US electoral college and made important distinctions on what makes environmental policy. In episode 7, we discussed the importance of nature-based environmental education, and what it means to get kids outside. Now we will say goodbye to our hosts in episode 8 and reflect on our journey. Thank you for listening!

In this episode, Rachel and Stephan introduce Earth Month 2023. UW Bothell and Cascadia College are celebrating an entire month for sustainability, climate justice, and the environment this year. Since the founding of Earth Day in 1970, this single day celebration of the world that we live in has grown to include opportunities for civic engagement and volunteerism in more than 193 countries! We discuss the theme for this year's Earth Month: Project Drawdown and how to get involved. Our full list of events can be found at the links below!

In this episode, Vanessa interviews UW student Sammy Bellman, an Environmental Science Terrestrial Resource Management and Comparative History of Ideas dual major who is doing her senior thesis project on racial justice and a lack of access to nature-based education. They discuss different types of nature-based schooling, the barriers to access, the opportunities that come from environmental education, and environmental justice. Sammy explains her passion for the environment and for her project, and what she has learned from her work and research. 

In this episode, Belle interviews political science UW PhD student Meagan Carmack. They discuss Meagan’s article on the Green New Deal, more specifically analyzing the electoral payoffs for the Green New Deal for the House Democrat incumbents in the 2020 national elections. Belle and Meagan also discuss the motivations behind sustainable action (or lack thereof) in different states, and what determines successful climate policy.

In this episode, Vanessa and Belle interview Nick Engelfried, a freelance writer, nonprofit founder, and climate activist who recently released his new book: “Movement Makers: How Young Activists Upended the Politics of Climate Change.” Vanessa, Belle, and Nick discuss getting started as a young climate activist, and the impact youth has in the political field. Nick describes his experiences with environmental activism as a college student, and how these experiences went on to help create his book. Vanessa, Belle, and Nick also consider the impact social media has on environmental movements, and how it can be both a help and a hindrance to positive change and education.

In this episode, Belle interviews UW Program on the Environment and English doctoral candidate and professor Leah Rubinksy. They discuss the significance of environmental education and communicating environmental ideas through writing. Leah discusses her dissertation on Caribbean women’s writing, with an emphasis on the idea of motherhood, memory, and place. The power of nostalgia and familiarity can impact how a person views climate change, and why our involvement matters.

In this episode, Vanessa interviews professor Mark Windschitl from the University of Washington College of Education. Mark and Vanessa cover some of the challenges and opportunities in environmental education. They also explore how to teach climate change and climate justice to students at different ages.

In this episode, Belle interviews Syracuse University PhD student Rachel Ameen. They discuss her senior thesis paper on coastal tourism in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and examine how closely intertwined consumerism, tourism, and environmentalism are. They also discuss the impact of COVID-19, and how class and privilege greatly affect how an area is affected by social and environmental change.

Our main podcast series welcomes new UWB Sustainability Coordinator, Rachel! Hosts Rachel and Stephan get to chat about the changes afoot on campus, including the new residential village and Innovation Hall. Our Offices are hosting a climate dialog winter speaker series on climate change and agriculture, and Rachel discusses an exciting announcement out of UW Seattle!

University of Washington students, Vanessa and Belle, introduce themselves and go over why they are interested in the environment, and the main topics of the new miniseries: Growing Up Green! This mini series will be exploring environmental education and communication and how that affects environmental policy and justice.

Camille and Ben wrap up their miniseries by sharing what they have learned throughout the process. They reveal what they think are the biggest take home messages gleaned from their guests and how these can apply to everyday life. Thank you for tuning in throughout this series and they hope you learned something. You can contact Camille and Ben with the information below.

In episode 7 of this miniseries, Camille meets with climate activist Court Olson to discuss the impacts of eco-anxiety on environmental activism. Court Olson, president of the People for Climate Action, shares his experiences with environmental education and what led him to his current position and how eco-anxiety impacts participation.

In this next episode, Camille meets with the president of the Igiugig Tribal Village Council, AlexAnna Salmon.  AlexAnna shares how climate is impacting Indigenous villages and her experiences with eco-related anxiety. She also touches on what her primary focus is for future generations to learn.

Part 2!
Ben interviews University of Washington Philosophy PhD candidate Arthur Obst about the values of wilderness. Arthur explains what he sees are the reasons why people should exercise humility when thinking about natural areas; the value of ‘letting be.’ They also discuss the treatment of wild animals and if human intervention in natural areas can ever be a good thing.

Ben interviews University of Washington Philosophy PhD candidate Arthur Obst about the values of wilderness. Arthur explains what he sees are the reasons why people should exercise humility when thinking about natural areas; the value of ‘letting be.’ They also discuss the treatment of wild animals and if human intervention in natural areas can ever be a good thing.

In this episode, Camille talks with Dr. Bob Berley about his work as a climate psychologist. Together they discuss eco-anxiety and how we can deal with these emotions. They also look closer at how environmental education impacts climate anxiety. Take a listen to this episode to hear how we are all “planting acorns” for the future.

Camille and Ben interview University of Washington Seattle Professor Karen Emmerman. This episode covers a wide range of topics, from Professor Emmerman’s experience as a philosopher in residence at John Muir elementary school, to eco-anxiety, to her views on speciesism.

Hosts Camille and Ben introduce their miniseries, Environmental Ethics and Approaches to Education, and highlight the main points that will be discussed in each episode. They explain the importance of their two topics and how they relate to one another. They also discuss how they became interested in sustainability and what led them to their individual topics.

Christy and Vivian introduce the importance of food agriculture and benefits of self-planting in our communities. They interview Cherry Liu, the Beacon Food Forest Outreach Coordinator, who describes more in depth about the history of farming and how she began working for the Beacon Food Forest. Cherry describes how individuals should opt for local food sources and self-farming for fresh produce rather than big supermarket companies.

Christy and Vivian talk about the importance of food insecurity, and what the Kodiak Cave provides for the Cascadia Campus.  They interview Kim Jones, the operations manager of the Kodiak Cave Food Resource Center.  Kim covered that the Kodiak Cave focuses on the stigma of food insecurity and the efforts and needs students have.  Many students may resist using a ‘food pantry’, as being food insecure is often looked down up in our modern society.

Links:

Stephan welcomes the new co-host, Kristen, to the show!  This episode covers sustainability work, what UW Bothell is working on, and introducing the new EERC Program Manager!  Learn about when the EERC will open in St. Edward State Park, and how students will be able to get involved!

Learn more about the EERC:

Hosts Christy and Vivian interview Jo Blue with the UWB/Cascadia Health and Wellness Resource Center (HAWRC).  This episode covers how we choose to improve our mental health, and resources the campus offers people for all types of health.  Jo introduces the services that the HAWRC can provide to both Cascadia and UWB students, including the husky pantry.  Vivian and Christy share some of their experiences on their challenges and resources as students  when facing the pandemic.

In this final episode of the mini-series Transportation in a Sustainable Style, our hosts Connor and Leo discuss the future of transportation in Washington and how the state can act as a leader when it comes to sustainable methods of transportation. To dive deeper into this subject, they interviewed Dongho Chang, a city traffic engineer for the city of Seattle.

In this episode of Transportation in a Sustainable Style, our hosts Connor and Leo discuss what we can learn from green vehicles and how a clean vehicle policy in Washington can create a more sustainable future. To learn more about the topic, they interviewed Jay Donnaway, president of the Seattle Electric Vehicle Association (SEVA).

In the second episode of Transportation in a Sustainable Style, Connor and Leo explore how different methods of transportation can impact our individual health and well-being. They interviewed Tamara Schmautz, president of the Cascade Bicycle Club, to learn more about how biking can be a healthy form of transportation for us and the planet.

In this first episode of Transportation in a Sustainable Style, our hosts Connor and Leo discuss what can be done to improve student transportation options on college campuses, specifically the UW Bothell and Cascadia campuses. To learn more, they interviewed Martin Arroyo, the Director of Transportation Services at UW Bothell.

In the final episode of the "Climate Change is Happening. Now What?" Mini-series Cami and Miguel ask each other questions and reflect on the experience of putting the show together as they look back on past episodes and hear more from previous guests about their professional and sustainability journeys.

In episode six, we have a conversation with four activists that are doing impressive work on climate change as members of different interest groups who remind us that there is power when we participate in government. 

In episode five, we speak with Kristin from the Brightwater Treatment Plant in Woodinville to discuss the issues that come with wastewater treatment and learn about the common and unique steps taken to transform our wastewater to reusable water.

In Part 2 of this episode of Sustainable Living, Noah, Emily, Cami and Miguel (hosts of the Climate Change is Happening. Now What? miniseries) continue their conversation about sustainable eating. We talk about different eating philosophies and some unconventional methods of getting food.

In Part 1 of this cross-over episode, Noah and Emily (hosts of the Sustainable Living mini-series) are joined by Cami and Miguel (hosts of the Climate Change is Happening. Now What? mini-series) to talk about how our food choices have an impact on the food system, different farming methods, and sustainable food solutions. 

In episode four, we discuss what makes a business sustainable, take a look at some sustainability efforts from two of Washington's biggest businesses, and see how sustainability-oriented businesses differ from the rest. 

In this week's episode of Sustainable Living, our hosts Noah and Emily talk about e-waste. How has e-waste become such a huge environmental issue, and what are some solutions to e-waste? This episode also features an interview with two representatives from E-Cycle Washington, an electronics recycling program managed by the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

"Climate Change is happening. Now what?" Episode three is focused on the importance of good science education in young people for a sustainable society. We focus on Friends of North Creek Forest as an example of a good program that teaches science through child-led hands-on learning.