Author: Jared Wolf

I am a marketer, content creator, and climate change optimist committed to demystifying sustainability. I have published over 150 articles spanning climate and sustainability, dedicating his time to crafting scientifically-accurate, apolitical content around sensitive climate topics. My content is designed to create a healthier, happier climate conversation through earth-conscious, honest independent media.
  1. Business

The truth about the environmental impact of takeout food

Written by Jared Wolf
environmental impact of food takeout

The scoop: Food takeout and delivery accounts for considerable waste. About 29% of all greenhouse emissions come from packaging. And food takeout uses a lot of packaging.

The problem w/ takeout packaging: *orders burrito* Let me wrap that in foil for you. Here are plastic utensils and paper napkins wrapped in plastic. Oh, and three packs of ketchup + hot sauce. And a paper bag was placed in a plastic bag. Salt and pepper packets no one's eaten since the 90s? Take it. *eats with hand*

Facts and figures:

  • Finding the best material is complicated. One study found that Polystyrene/EPS Foam had a 7-28% lower environmental impact than aluminum and a 25% to six times lower impact than Polypropylene.
  • Plastic waste impacts over 700 marine species

Sustainable packaging solutions: Reduce and reuse. Recycling (in this context) is kinda BS. Buy in bulk. Use creative alternatives on the go. Shop at restaurants that use sustainable plant fibers or limited packaging. If you have a good relationship with your local food business, talk to them about affordable options.

Dig deeper → 3 min
  1. Lifestyle

14 Sustainable & Ethical Cleaning Products For A Non-toxic Home

Written by Jared Wolf
sustainable ethical cleaning products

Sustainability, in all forms, helps preserve our environment and natural resources, supports social and economic equity, and promotes public health. In the context of finding sustainable and ethical cleaning products, sustainability refers to both the product's environmental impact and the health effects of its use.

Cleaning is an essential part of life, but it doesn't have to be toxic. Several sustainable and ethical cleaning products on the market can help keep your home clean without harming the environment or your health. Here are 14 sustainable and ethical cleaning products you can find online for a clean, non-toxic home.

Dig deeper → 5 min
  1. Lifestyle

This is what one nonprofit CEO thinks about climate change

Written by Jared Wolf

I was fortunate to sit down with Upstream’s CEO, Matt Prindiville. During our conversation, we covered sustainability versus climate change, the power of the public and private sectors, ESG, circular economies, rational climate optimism, and more!

Upstream Solutions is a nonprofit organization founded in 2003 with a mission to not only reduce but remove single-use plastic from the world. Their organization finds, makes, and celebrates practical solutions that help people, businesses, and communities shift from single-use to reuse. Over the past few decades, they’ve worked with countless orgs committed to a more sustainable future.

When asked about the future implications of climate change, Prindiville said, "I'm an optimist. What scientists are saying is, of course, very scary. But when I think about the change I’ve seen in my career, it’s incredible how far we’ve come. Ten years from now, you'll see environmental and social responsibility be the norm worldwide."

Dig deeper → 10 min
  1. Business

Investors Demand Green Building Amid New Real Estate Boom

Written by Jared Wolf
green building

The scoop: New construction needs to prioritize sustainable practices to prevent an energy crisis in the future. Real estate investors are starting to take notice.

Facts and figures:

Bottom line: Investors are and will always be driven by returns. But the private sector is starting to realize the necessary risk assessment and tax burdens associated with energy-sucking real estate. Green building is the future.

Dig deeper → 3 min

  1. Business

Better brands: Is Lululemon sustainable?

Written by Jared Wolf
Lululemon Sustainable Review
Busy? Try the speed read.

The scoop: Lululemon is a cultural staple in the world of athleisure. Sustainability is not a core aspect of their brand strategy.

Some talking points:

  • Lululemon uses polybags (plastic) for finished products sent to distribution centers.
  • Most of their materials are not eco-friendly. They are working on that.
  • Four of five global distribution centers are zero-waste.
  • Lululemon is pretty transparent about their carbon footprint and accountability.

Bottom line: They are taking some steps toward sustainability, but I have to hold Lululemon to a higher standard than that. They have an opportunity to lead the athleisure industry, and they don't even come close.

Dig deeper → 4 min
  1. Business

Better brands: Is Patagonia sustainable?

Written by Jared Wolf
is-patagonia-sustainable
The scoop: Patagonia is a forward-thinking billion-dollar brand. But there is always work to be done. Let's see how they chalk up. Is Patagonia sustainable? Patagonia uses primarily recycled materials.They have a lifetime return and repair program for all of their products.Patagonia still uses animals in its supply chain, but they try to do it responsibly. I'd rather see no animal use.They are slightly above average when it comes to labor conditions.Patagonia looks to go carbon neutral by 2025.In September 2022, their founder donated non-voting shares of the company, amounting to $3 billion, toward a climate pledge trust. All Patagonia profits are now dedicated to climate change causes. Zoom out: Patagonia hits on the environmental side, but they have some work to do operationally, especially regarding transparency & ethics surrounding suppliers and animal welfare. No corporation is perfect; Patagonia is one of the best. Dig deeper → 3 min
  1. Tech

Space Tourism and Climate, here’s what to look for

Written by Jared Wolf
space tourism and climate

A burgeoning space tourism industry is gearing up for significant expansion. Critics believe that increasing space flights would be detrimental to the climate.

In the past year, two billionaire-backed companies, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, have completed successful test flights of their space tourism vehicles.

And last week, SpaceX, the company founded by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, announced that it had raised $1 billion from investors to help fund the development of its space tourism vehicle.

Let's find out how retail space flights will impact the climate.

Dig deeper ➝ 2 min
  1. Business

Better brands: Is Starbucks sustainable?

Written by Jared Wolf
Is Starbucks a sustainable brand
The scoop: Starbucks does a lot of reacting instead of acting. In that light, I do not consider Starbucks a cultural or sustainable leader in the food & beverage space. Sooo is Starbucks sustainable? No. Especially in today's climate, you're better off making your cup or supporting a local indie coffee shop. It's worth the extra few cents to help a business owner put food on their family dinner table. Dig deeper → 3 min.

Weekly Sustainability News!

By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy.

Sustainable Review is copyright material. All rights reserved.

Close Bitnami banner
Bitnami