Sustainable U: Eco Libs//Studying Abroad in Sweden

Sustainable U: Degrowth (Part 2)

So for today’s second part of this episode, we’ll be dissecting the idea of degrowth. Degrowth, which prioritizes ecological sustainability and social well-being, is the deliberate reduction of energy and resource consumption to bring economies into harmony with the natural world. Degrowth challenges the status quo of measuring economic well-being based on the capitalistic hegemonic order. It is not just a recession; rather, it is a purposeful process meant to lessen the negative effects of economic activity on the environment while maintaining a fair and balanced allocation of resources. It's also become a hot topic in popular debate of what constitutes a successful economy under the guise of the free market and consumerism, and measuring growth solely based on Gross Domestic Product GDP. I had the opportunity to learn more about degrowth during a perceptive dialogue with Claudius Gräbner-Radkowitsch, who is a Junior Professor at the Europa University Flensburg in Northern Germany. We learn why degrowth is such a contentious phrase because it questions the conventional wisdom that measures standard of living and prosperity using the capitalistic system, as degrowth advocates to protect natural resources and guarantee environmental justice for all through sufficiency. Stay tuned to learn more about this hotly debated idea for part two of this episode. Here's the episode overview: * Assessing Degrowth in a Degrowth Economy * Ensuring Fairness in the Shift to Degrowth * Public Policy and Regulations Supporting Degrowth * The (Carbon) Emission Trading System and its Impacts * Sustainable Swaps: Public Facilities/Transportation in the EU * The Future of Degrowth: A Pragmatic Approach * Technology’s Role in a Sustainable Future * Final Thoughts on Degrowth and Sustainability ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Music credits Be Forest (2014).Sparkle.  Live on WFMU's Dark Night of the Soul with Julie: Nov 6, 2014.Free Music Archive. Retrieved from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Be_Forest/Live_on_WFMUs_Dark_Night_of_the_Soul_with_Julie_Nov_6_2014/Sparkle/ Be Forestis licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Be Forest (2014).Airwaves. Live on WFMU's Dark Night of the Soul with Julie: Nov 20, 2014.Free Music Archive. Retrieved from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Be_Forest/Live_on_WFMUs_Dark_Night_of_the_Soul_with_Julie_Nov_6_2014/Airwaves/

Sustainable U: Degrowth (Part 1)

So for today’s episode, we’ll be dissecting the idea of degrowth. Degrowth, which prioritizes ecological sustainability and social well-being, is the deliberate reduction of energy and resource consumption to bring economies into harmony with the natural world. Degrowth challenges the status quo of measuring economic well-being based on the capitalistic hegemonic order. It is not just a recession; rather, it is a purposeful process meant to lessen the negative effects of economic activity on the environment while maintaining a fair and balanced allocation of resources. It's also become a hot topic in popular debate of what constitutes a successful economy under the guise of the free market and consumerism, and measuring growth solely based on Gross Domestic Product GDP. I had the opportunity to learn more about degrowth during a perceptive dialogue with Claudius Gräbner-Radkowitsch, who is a Junior Professor at the Europa University Flensburg in Northern Germany. We learn why degrowth is such a contentious phrase because it questions the conventional wisdom that measures standard of living and prosperity using the capitalistic system, as degrowth advocates to protect natural resources and guarantee environmental justice for all through sufficiency. Stay tuned to learn more about this contested idea for part one of this episode. Here's the episode overview: * Journey into Academia and Research * Understanding Degrwoth and its Core Values * Distinguishing Degrwoth from Conventional Growth * Challenges and Opportunities of Degrowth * Balancing Degrowth with Poverty Alleviation * Sustainability and its Complexities * Defining Degrowth and its Implications * Distinguishing Degrowth from Sustainable Development * Obstacles to Degrowth in Contemporary Society * The Role of Sufficiency in Economic Growth * Balancing Sustainable Goals with Economic Growth * Non-negotiable Sustainable Principles * Assessing Success in a Degrowth Economy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Music credits Be Forest (2014).Sparkle.  Live on WFMU's Dark Night of the Soul with Julie: Nov 6, 2014.Free Music Archive. Retrieved from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Be_Forest/Live_on_WFMUs_Dark_Night_of_the_Soul_with_Julie_Nov_6_2014/Sparkle/ Be Forestis licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Be Forest (2014).Airwaves. Live on WFMU's Dark Night of the Soul with Julie: Nov 20, 2014.Free Music Archive. Retrieved from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Be_Forest/Live_on_WFMUs_Dark_Night_of_the_Soul_with_Julie_Nov_6_2014/Airwaves/

Sustainable U: 4/20 Green Mile High//Eco-friendly Cannabis

From Reefer Madness to being 4/20 friendly, the culture around cannabis or “pot,” “marijuana,” ”hash” or what have you culture is ever expanding. I had the opportunity to learn more about hemp and cannabis and their potential as a sustainable swap or eco-friendly alternative in today's episode. I had a thoughtful conversation with Julyan Levy, a PhD candidate and researcher from Coventry University in the United Kingdom. In addition to being a strong supporter of small-scale urban agriculture methods for the medical and recreational use of cannabis, Julyan's research interests center on the link between humans and cannabis as well as plant agency itself. We also go into greater detail on how the cross-comparison between the legalization of cannabis differs in the UK and Canada. To find out more about how cannabis can help create a more environmentally friendly future, stay tuned. Here's the episode overview: * Personal reflections * Journey into Cannabis Research * Understanding Cannabis and Its Benefits * Defining Cannabis, CBD & Hemp * Sustainability and Its Challenges * Research Focus: Non-Capitalistic Economic Relationship * The Complexity of Human-Plant Relationships * Making the Invisible Visible * Acknowledging Indigenous Knowledge * Innovation in Cannabis Production * Medical Marijuana and the Opiod Crisis * Environmental Justice and Accessibility * Advocating for Sustainable Practices * Environmental Issues in the Cannabis Sector * Environmental Impact of the Cannabis Sector * Misunderstandings about Cannabis and Sustainability * Racism and Cannabis Prohibition * Local Sourcing and Sustainability in Cannabis * Policy Interventions for Sustainable Cannabis Practices ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Music credits Be Forest (2014).Sparkle.  Live on WFMU's Dark Night of the Soul with Julie: Nov 6, 2014.Free Music Archive. Retrieved from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Be_Forest/Live_on_WFMUs_Dark_Night_of_the_Soul_with_Julie_Nov_6_2014/Sparkle/ Be Forestis licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Be Forest (2014).Airwaves. Live on WFMU's Dark Night of the Soul with Julie: Nov 20, 2014.Free Music Archive. Retrieved from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Be_Forest/Live_on_WFMUs_Dark_Night_of_the_Soul_with_Julie_Nov_6_2014/Airwaves/

Sustainable U: Fashion & AI//OpenWardrobe

So for today's episode, we explore sustainable fashion and AI by sitting down for an insightful convo with OpenWardrobe AI's founder, Julia Dietmar. OpenWardrobe is an AI-powered digital wardrobe and outfit planning tool that helps users organize their belongings, put together looks, and choose eco-friendly items. By uploading or taking pictures of clothing, it digitizes closets, classifies them, provides styling tips and outfit recommendations, and even schedules outfits according to the weather and calendar. By uploading pictures of their clothing, users can build a virtual closet that the software can organize by color, neckline, pattern, style, and occasion. It integrates pieces from their digital wardrobe and makes outfit recommendations based on future events and personal style preferences. By assisting users to become conscious consumers in utilizing their existing clothing collection and making informed purchasing decisions, the app advocates for mindfulness and minimalism. So, for all you fashionistas out there, stay tuned to learn more!  Here's the episode overview: * Introduction to Open Wardrobe and Its Mission * Curiosity and Concerns in the Age of AI * Journey into Sustainable Fashion Tech * Satisfactions and Challenges in the Fashion Sector * Defining Sustainability in Fashion * Core Values of Open Wardrobe * AI's Role in Circular Fashion * AI and Supply Chain Transparency * Addressing Overproduction and Waste in Fashion * Integrating Technology and Sustainability in Fashion * AI's Role in Fashion Production and Design * Sustainable Business Models in Fashion * Ethical Considerations of AI in Fashion * Policy Interventions for Sustainable Fashion Interested in becoming an ethical consumer of fashion? Be sure to download the free mobile app for iOS and Android! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/openwardrobe-outfit-planner/id1549029468 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.open_wardrobe_mobile&hl=en_CA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Music credits Be Forest (2014).Sparkle.  Live on WFMU's Dark Night of the Soul with Julie: Nov 6, 2014.Free Music Archive. Retrieved from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Be_Forest/Live_on_WFMUs_Dark_Night_of_the_Soul_with_Julie_Nov_6_2014/Sparkle/ Be Forestis licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Be Forest (2014).Airwaves. Live on WFMU's Dark Night of the Soul with Julie: Nov 20, 2014.Free Music Archive. Retrieved from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Be_Forest/Live_on_WFMUs_Dark_Night_of_the_Soul_with_Julie_Nov_6_2014/Airwaves/

Sustainable U: Eco Libs//Studying Abroad in Sweden

So today is an exclusive, in-depth spiel on my personal experience studying abroad in Sweden. As a Canadian who relocated to Visby, Gotland, Sweden in August 2023 for graduate school I detail my experience of my exchange from the getgo, for example, from why I chose Scandinavia/Sweden for sustainabe development and business management studies, the coursework itself, my eco-friendly lifestyle chanage in which I embarked on an island challenge, advice for those hoping to study abroad and why I recommend it. So stay tuned! Here's the episode overview: * Introduction to the Journey  * Choosing Sweden for Graduate Studies * The Unique Educational Experience in Sweden * Grad School Courses and Curriculum Overview * Diving into Business Ethics and Philosophy * Social Impact and Leadership * Governance and Environmental Justice * Thesis and Research Methodology * Reflections on the Swedish Education System * Living on a Baltic Sea Island: A New Experience * Embracing Sustainability: The Island Eco Challenge * The Impact of Lifestyle Changes on Consumption * The Value of Studying Abroad * Reflections on Graduate School Experience/Closing remarks ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Music credits Be Forest (2014).Sparkle.  Live on WFMU's Dark Night of the Soul with Julie: Nov 6, 2014.Free Music Archive. Retrieved from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Be_Forest/Live_on_WFMUs_Dark_Night_of_the_Soul_with_Julie_Nov_6_2014/Sparkle/ Be Forestis licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Be Forest (2014).Airwaves. Live on WFMU's Dark Night of the Soul with Julie: Nov 20, 2014.Free Music Archive. Retrieved from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Be_Forest/Live_on_WFMUs_Dark_Night_of_the_Soul_with_Julie_Nov_6_2014/Airwaves/