Sunscreen usage has risen exponentially over the last decade - and with summer finally here, Cecilia and Nethra are exploring the impacts of sunscreen on our bodies and marine life. How does sunscreen break down in our ecosystems? What is "Reef-Safe"? What are the solutions to the accumulation of sunscreens in our coral reefs and marine habitats? What is the difference between SPF 30 and 50? Definers, tune into this month's episode as we explore these topics and hear from our expert guest Katie ...
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Online shopping is convenient, but at what cost?! In this episode, we explore the massive plastic footprint hidden in your doorstep deliveries, from poly mailers to mixed-material packaging that often ends up in landfills. Cecilia and Nethra break down the environmental toll of e-commerce and spotlight the innovative seaweed-based alternative offered by cleantech startup SWAY. Don’t miss our interview with Alyssa Pace, SWAY’s Communications Lead, as we dive into how compostable packaging and sea...
Jun 07, 2025•50 min
Wetlands are the unsung heroes of climate resilience. From flood protection to water filtration, these ecosystems are biodiversity hot spots and are critical for the health of our planet. In this episode, learn more about what exactly a wetland is and how they are vital. Learn about the world's largest restoration project taking place in the Florida Everglades as we sit down with Dr. Steve Davis, the Chief Science Officer at The Everglades Foundation. The Everglades Foundation has been the drivi...
May 05, 2025•54 min
Did you know that airplanes can run on waste cooking oil, municipal solid waste, forestry waste, and even algae in the form of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs)? Well, they can. Biomimicry, Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), and aircrafts inspired by GEESE? Learn about some of the innovations happening right now in the aviation industry and where it's headed in the coming decades. The industry has some ambitious goals of reaching net zero by 2050, running aircrafts on mainly SAFs, using newer li...
Apr 21, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Welcome to the first episode of Hot Commodities: Chocolate & Sustainability, a new series from Sustainability Defined! Meet your new hosts, Cecilia and Nethra, as they dive into the environmental and social challenges within the chocolate supply chain. From cacao farming to the final product, they break down the key players, power imbalances, and pressing issues like deforestation, child labor, and climate change. This episode explores the role of women in cacao production, the struggles of ...
Apr 04, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 1
👋 Big news, Definers! We're thrilled to introduce your NEW podcast hosts, Cecilia Rios & Nethra Rajendran! We are excited to be passing the mic to two incredible voices. In this episode, Jay and Scott join Cecilia and Nethra for a warm welcome and a sneak peek at what's to come with Sustainability Defined. We are confident they will bring fresh perspectives and a wealth of passion to the table. Get to know them in this special introductory episode as they share their backgrounds, sustainabi...
Mar 07, 2025•21 min
This month we are continuing our break and sharing another episode from the Sea Change Podcast! However, stay tuned for next month as we are on track to introduce you to our new hosts. We are so excited to introduce you to them! Find Sea Change on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts to listen to the entire "All Gassed Up" series. About this Series: Right now in the US, there is a GAS BOOM. A liquified natural gas boom — or LNG. The US produces the most LNG in the world. An...
Feb 07, 2025•41 min
Happy New Year, Definers! This month we are continuing our break and sharing a podcast episode from an Uproot Project member, independent podcast producer and investigative journalist - Jordan Gass-Poore'. “Hazard NJ” is an NJ Spotlight News podcast that examines serious pollution issues. Season 2 dives deep into the crisis of toxic pollution caused by PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” around New Jersey and beyond. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and more. We hope y...
Jan 03, 2025•28 min
The end of the year is near! It’s time for our annual Holiday Hodge Podge episode. This year we summarize some of our favorite podcast and sustainability moments from the year and of all time, Jay and Scott provide personal updates and their favorite sustainability articles of the year, and we give some sustainable holiday gift ideas. We also discuss what’s next for the podcast. We hope you all have a great holiday season! ----------------- Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sust...
Dec 06, 2024•53 min
Happy November Definers! This month we are continuing our break and resharing a listener favorite, Episode #52: Feminine Hygiene Products with Celia Pool and Alec Mills of DAME. Unfortunately, the artificial sensitivities around the topic of this episode - feminine hygiene products - have hindered widespread discussion of the significant environmental and social issues associated with these products. Join us as we investigate the many sustainability issues they affect, from environmental footpri...
Nov 01, 2024•1 hr
This month we are on break and sharing a podcast episode from an Uproot Project member and environmental journalist - Eva Tesfaye. We hope you enjoy it! Two reminders: —We announced last month Jay and Scott are moving on and accepting applications from Definers to take over the show. More details in last month’s episode. You can email us with your interest and why you should take over at hosts@sustainabitydefined.com . —We are still doubling donations to Uproot Project up to the first $500. Emai...
Oct 04, 2024•34 min
Happy September Definers! We’ve got a bit of a different episode for you all this month as we discuss what is next for Sustainability Defined through the rest of the year and beyond. As we mention in this month’s short episode, we are hoping to pass along the show to the next generation of hosts. We hope that the show will afford a few of our Definers the early career opportunities, benefits, and fun that we experienced as we created the show. If you’re interested, reach out to us at hosts@susta...
Sep 06, 2024•12 min
Fine jewelry is made from precious metals, think gold and silver, and stones, like diamonds or other gemstones. Traditionally these raw materials are mined from deep in the earth’s mantle and produced with extensive human labor to create the rings, necklaces, and other jewelry pieces we love to wear. As an industry, this component of our style can create negative effects on both the environment and people. In this episode, we explore the world of sustainable jewelry and how the industry is addre...
Aug 02, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Definers, we’re back this month with a fun episode around a fan favorite, the avocado! It is estimated that per capita consumption of avocados in the United States has grown by 440% in the last 20 years and around 11 billion pounds of avocados are eaten globally. This has raised many questions about the sustainability of farming, production, and enjoyment of this fruit. In the episode we share a little about how avocados make it from farm to your guacamole and some of the social and environmenta...
Jul 05, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Definers, did you know that forests cover one third of land globally and house some of the earth’s most precious natural resources? In this month’s episode, we’re discussing forest management and how organizations are working to maintain and enhance the economic, social, and environmental value of global forests. This episode is #sponsored by Procter & Gamble (P&G). P&G is working directly with their supply chain partners and other organizations to grow the supply of sustainably sour...
Jun 07, 2024•1 hr 22 min
Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and scorching summers are putting a strain on residential real estate. Research on nearly 200 climate events from 2000 to 2019 from The World Economic Forum found that the global costs associated with climate change have cost around $2.8 trillion, when accounting for the cost of damage to infrastructure, property, agriculture, and human health. In this episode, we'll explore the impacts climate change has changed the residential real estate landscape, d...
May 03, 2024•1 hr 36 min
Happy April Definers! We’re back this month with a special bonus episode about P&G Responsible Beauty, sponsored by Procter & Gamble (P&G). Through Responsible Beauty, P&G has committed to being a positive force for beauty in the world as they work to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for all. In this episode, we have a “beautiful” conversation with John Scarchilli, Director, Procter & Gamble Hair Care, Scientific Communications, about how brands like...
Apr 05, 2024•45 min
Since many of our current decarbonization and greenhouse gas reduction pathways aren’t making progress at the needed scale, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change( IPCC) found that carbon removal is now “essential” to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Many cite carbon removal as the key to addressing climate change, when combined with traditional emissions reduction strategies. In this month’s episode, we’ll give you a run down on the basics of carbon removal along wi...
Mar 01, 2024•59 min
We’re back this month with a special atypical episode featuring The Uproot Project! The Uproot Project is a network for and by environmental journalists of color. The organization is working to address the need for more journalists of color in newsrooms covering environmental topics. During the episode you’ll hear from Lucia Priselac, Founding Director of The Uproot Project, who details more about the creation of the organization, her role, its work, and how the public can support. As a part of ...
Feb 02, 2024•25 min
Happy December Definers! It is time again for our annual Holiday Hodge Podge episode. Tune in to hear the Sustainability Defined Team’s favorite podcast moments from the year and interesting sustainability articles, meet our Research & Operations Director, Taylor, and hear Scott and Jay’s professional/personal updates, and sustainable gift ideas - PLUS our holiday gift giveaway! Have a happy holiday season! --- Sustainability Defined is the podcast that defines sustainability, one concept (a...
Dec 01, 2023•1 hr 5 min
Invasive species are known to cause harm to the environment, economies, and even human health. Managing these species has become of major concern globally, as invasive species are one of the top factors that contribute to biodiversity loss. In fact, a 2023 United Nations global assessment report estimated that invasive species have been a major factor in 60% of all recorded animal and plant extinctions! In this episode we have a fantastic discussion with Leigh Greenwood, the Forest Pest and Path...
Nov 03, 2023•1 hr 19 min
Business supply chains are complex, diverse, and have a lot of stakeholders. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), more than 450 million people work in supply chain-related jobs. In this month’s new episode, we break down the landscape of global supply chains and the interconnectedness with human rights across the globe. We have two expert guests sharing their expertise: –Aruna Kashyap, Associate Director on Corporate Accountability in the Economic Justice and Rights Division...
Oct 06, 2023•1 hr 44 min
This month we are talking all about rare earths, the role they play in today’s society and the efforts to improve their sustainability. While you may not be familiar with the 17 rare earth elements, the chances are very high that if you’re reading this right now, rare earths are actually a common part of your daily life. This episode is #sponsored by Noveon Magnetics. Noveon is a company working to redefine and rebuild the rare earth magnet industry to be one that doesn’t just power the needs of...
Aug 04, 2023•59 min
Our July episode is all about the energy grid! We discuss how electric grids work, the conditions of grids around the world, and emerging trends and policies that can improve grid sustainability and resiliency. We are joined in the episode by Kristina Skierka, CEO at Power for All. Power for All is an organization that envisions a world where all people benefit from the opportunities and quality of life that come from reliable, affordable, clean energy. This episode should “illuminate” all there...
Jul 07, 2023•1 hr 19 min
We are back this month with an episode on transparency. Historically, businesses have kept a lot of information guarded, but when it comes to sustainability, more companies are using transparency to make decisions, gain trust, and engage with their consumers, investors, and other key stakeholders. After an introduction going over the basics of all things sustainability and transparency with a focus on corporate transparency, we have TWO expert guests: Kathy Mulvey , Accountability Campaign Direc...
Jun 09, 2023•1 hr 19 min
We’re taking this month off, but we still have new content for you in the form of an episode of one of our favorite podcasts–STAFFER. STAFFER is a weekly podcast with former staffers sharing their stories of working on the Hill hosted by Jim Papa of Global Strategy Group. This episode features an interview with an accomplished sustainability professional, Mike Boots, Executive Vice President at Breakthrough Energy and Director of the Gates Ventures DC Office. By listening, you’ll learn a lot abo...
May 05, 2023•1 hr
This new bonus episode introduces our Definers to the Master of Science in Environment and Sustainability Management Program, or MS-ESM program at Georgetown University. The MS-ESM program is a full-time, 11-month interdisciplinary program held on-campus in Washington, D.C. Over the 11 month time span, students complete courses that blend science with business principles that are critical to meeting the world's sustainability goals. In this episode we chat with a professor and a student in the p...
Apr 21, 2023•44 min
This episode is on water conservation and #sponsored by Procter & Gamble (P&G). Water is Earth’s most abundant natural resource, as more than 71% of the Earth’s surface is water. However, freshwater that can be used by humans is only a small percentage of this available water. Because of this we have to preserve, control, and manage our water resources through conservation. We hope our Definers are thirsty to learn about how we as humans use and can conserve water. The episode includes a...
Apr 07, 2023•1 hr 7 min
We know Definers are always hungry for ways to maximize their impact within sustainability, so we're excited to focus today's bonus episode on Yale's Financing and Deploying Clean Energy Program. Yale’s Financing and Deploying Clean Energy (FDCE) online certificate program trains and connects rising leaders to catalyze an equitable transition to a clean economy. In the episode you will hear from Rob Klee, a Lecturer at Yale and the Managing Director of the Clean Energy Program at the Yale Center...
Feb 17, 2023•57 min
Biodiversity underpins many things we rely on (think food, water, and oxygen). In fact, half of the world’s GDP is dependent on natural resources. This means that about $44 trillion of economic value across the globe relies on nature and its interconnectedness. So... something worth paying attention to! Join us as we dissect this topic with the help of Dr. Paula Ehrlich, President and CEO of the E. O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation. Enjoy! ------ Sustainability Defined is the podcast that define...
Feb 03, 2023•1 hr 13 min
