Friday, December 16th, 2022: This week in the sustainability news cycle…

We need to talk about nuclear fusion. The eco-headlines were dominated by the waves being made by Lawrence Livermore National Lab in California after they successfully performed a new process, generating more power than they put in...and this has never happened before. Look, we're not nuclear scientists, but even we can understand that this is a big deal. 

Something that is a little more our speed? Taylor Swift being targeted once more for her 'excessive' private jet use. We haven't seen the last of the 'climate criminal' discourse just yet. 

We've got more on greenwashing, France's new flight ban, the Sydney to Hobart race and a little bit of festive Christmas content to round out 2022. 

This is our final episode of the Thriving Planet Podcast for the year. Stay green, stay conscious, and we'll be back in your ears come January 2023!

Get the full rundown:

We have a genuine fusion energy breakthrough (via Vox)

Can Fusion Solve the Climate Crisis? (via The New York Times)

Two-thirds of companies in misleading ‘greenwashing’ claims (via Sydney Morning Herald)

Eco-Activists target Taylor Swift, Allegedly leak her travel plans ahead of world tour (via Auto Evolution) 

France Bans Some Shorter Domestic Flights to Curb Emissions (via AFAR)

Sydney to Hobart yacht race sees first electric yacht J-Bird enter, taking on Wild Oats and Black Jack (via ABC News) 

Potted Christmas trees are a rentable alternative to their fake and fresh-cut cousins (via NPR)

We’re also following…

Read about “imperfect environmentalists” on Refinery29

For more bite-sized bits of sustainability news, follow Thriving Planet on Instagram and Facebook or visit our website.

Listen to our Terminology Guide episode here

The Thriving Planet Show is a product of Avid Collective.

Hosts and producers: Ash Webb and Kristen Amiet

Producer: Luke Spano

Editing and sound mixing: Alex Smith of Make Noise

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday, December 9th, 2022: This week in the sustainability news cycle…

Who would have thought the top story would have been about a red-wheely bin? Not us. An innocuous photo of an Adelaidian waste bin has taken the internet by storm, as its owner’s only filled it up just once in a year and a half, leaving social media abuzz asking “how, how, teach us your ways”.

More seriously though, this week saw the recently enacted climate protester laws take full effect as Deanna Coco was sentenced to 15 months in jail for her role in disrupting traffic on Sydney Harbour bridge earlier this year. The response has been interesting, with just as many people defending Coco’s actions as there are people celebrating the harsh penalty. 

We talk the renewable energy ‘space race’ going down among the states, Jane Fonda, Justin Bieber, TikTok, and the Winter Olympics along the way. 

Get the full rundown:

Photo of Adelaide bin leave hundred shocked (via news.com.au)

NSW premier describes jailing of climate activist Deanna ‘Violet’ Coco as ‘pleasing to see’ (via The Guardian)

WWF Australia Annual Report 2022 (via WWF Australia)

Annual Climate Change Statement (via The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water)

Jane Fonda: climate change and the UN’s ‘racial sacrifice zones’ (via Spectator Australia)

Justin Bieber launches water brand at Qatar World Cup to improve sustainability (via The Chronicle) 

IOC delays decision on Winter Games host over climate change (via DW)

‘May as well hold it on Mars’: Five weeks before the Winter Olympics, China has almost no snow (via Fox Sports)

We’re also following…

Check out Tucker Lindgren’s TikTok about endangered animals

Read the Washington Post’s op ed on why and how having kids in the wake of climate change is a complex question

How to have eco-friendly sex: the only guide you’ll need for a green bedroom

For more bite-sized bits of sustainability news, follow Thriving Planet on Instagram and Facebook or visit our website.

Listen to our Terminology Guide episode here

The Thriving Planet Show is a product of Avid Collective.

Hosts and producers: Ash Webb and Kristen Amiet

Producer: Luke Spano

Editing and sound mixing: Alex Smith of Make Noise

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday, December 2nd, 2022: This week in the sustainability news cycle…

Mars takes the leap into paper-based packaging for some of our favourite choccies, so add them to your list of guilt-free treats. 

World Cup footballers are feeling the heat, new laws aim to prevent another Jukkan Gorge traged, and South Australia’s goverment floats a novel way of dealing with electrical waste.

Plus, Ash is back and she’s brought a new royal update with her. 

Get the full rundown:

Snickers, Milky Way get new paper-based packaging makeover (via the Australian Financial Review)

World Cup footballers face 'unseasonable heat' in Qatar because of climate change (via The Daily Mail)

Barrier Reef flagged as ‘in danger’ (via ABC News)

New heritage laws to stop another Juukan Gorge tragedy (via The Sydney Morning Herald)

Rio Tinto funds foundation for traditional owners of Juukan Gorge (via The Sydney Morning Herald)

The South Australian Greens wants to mandate use of expiry dates for electronic devices (via ABC News)

Prince William and Kate to visit US for climate change prize (via BBC)

We’re also following…

Read about the word of the year’s fossil fuel origins

Get a jump on your Chrissy wrapping with Wrappt Melbourne

For more bite-sized bits of sustainability news, follow Thriving Planet on Instagram and Facebook or visit our website.

Listen to our Terminology Guide episode here

The Thriving Planet Podcast is a product of Avid Collective.

Hosts and producers: Ash Webb and Kristen Amiet

Producer: Luke Spano

Editing and sound mixing: Alex Smith of Make Noise

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.