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The Impact-Effort Tradeoff

2023-03-07 Mama Minimalist

When it comes to sustainable action, we tend to label behaviors as either/or: Either we’re acting in a way that’s “eco-friendly” or …, well, not. But the reality is some lifestyle tweaks are greener than others: When time, energy, and funds are finite, where’s the best place to focus our efforts?

On today’s show: A conversation with Sam Schreiner about the 4 categories of sustainable action – with a hefty dose of data-driven analysis to boot.

Here’s a preview:

[7:00] 0.1 versus 1.0 makes a big difference! 5 examples of high impact efforts

[20:00] The privilege problem: Why are high impact behaviors also often high cost?

[27:00] Let’s chat about low impact efforts. Do they matter?

[31:00] Gateway drugs and ripple effects: Here’s why its impossible to quantify a lifetime’s-worth of intention

Resources mentioned:

University of California Berkeley CoolClimate Calculator
Project Sunroof
Episode #330: The Big Fix
Episode #253: Everything Eco-Minimalist Birthdays
Ecosia
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Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com

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The Sustainable Minimalists Podcast

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How Many Jeans Do You Own?

Denim jeans were once the preferred trouser for cowboys in the American west; some decades later, they became a symbol of rebellion for non-conformist teens. These days jeans are all about comfort and casual style, and the average American woman owns 7 pairs. And yet blue jeans also happen to have one of fashion's biggest environmental footprints. On today's show Sarene Alsharif reveals the harsh realities associated with jeans production; she also shares practical strategies for transforming this wardrobe staple into a sustainable solution. Here's a preview: [7:00] Stone-washed with actual stones? Dyed with carcinogenic dyes? Uncovering your favorite pair's dirty little enviro-secrets [13:00] Want some stretch? Revisiting our desire for synthetic fibers in our denim [23:00] The trend cycle = smoke and mirrors [27:00] It's a marriage not a fling (and other tried-and-true sustainable fashion tips) [31:00] Stephanie's nihilist thoughts: What happens when collective action matters, and yet the collective isn't doing its part? Resources mentioned: How To Save The World With A Pair Of Jeans (via YouTube) Tad More Tailoring Atomic Habits (by James Clear) The Comfort Crisis Embrace Discomfort To Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self (February's Book Club pick!) This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting! **If you're a financial supporter over on Apple Podcasts and want to join Book Club, please email me and let me know! For privacy reasons, Apple won't share your contact info with me. Just email me and I'll happily add you!** Join our (free!) Facebook community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My Story

Hello there, I’m Stephanie. I live a crazy, beautiful life as a full-time wife, blogger + mother to two spirited daughters. I’m on a mission to simplify eco-friendly living so as to greater enjoy life’s sweeter moments.

Want to know more? Read my story.