Today’s eco snapshot👇🏽
How Did I Get into Sustainability and Climate Change
Startup of the Week: Zestyplan
5 Brands That Are Upcycling Waste
News That Lifted My Spirits This Week
💚 How Did I Get into Sustainability and Climate Change
One of the most common questions that I get asked is how did I get into the climate space. So I thought I would use this space to answer that.
I completed my MBA in 2020 and since I had worked with a couple of startups and in a corporate role before that, I knew I wanted to get back to the startup space post MBA.
But I had this (weird, maybe) filter in my head-
I wanted to work with impactful startups. Startups that were doing something good. Good for society, humans, and other species.
Instead of sitting and researching about these startups, I decided to talk to the founders directly.
Now founders are busy people. Why would they agree to talk to a recent graduate (who is probably looking for a job)?
For every 10 requests I sent, I heard back from 1 founder.
So I decided to change my approach.
I started a video podcast series. For those of you who have been supporting my work for a long time, you might remember Epic Stories. That was the name of the podcast series.
When I started inviting these founders for the podcast series, the acceptance rate went to 8/10. I recorded, edited, and published these videos. For 15-20 minutes of their time, the founders got free PR and marketing.
And I got to learn a lot. I started understanding the problems plaguing the planet through the lens of the solutions that are being built. And I feel that was a less overwhelming way to learn about the climate crisis.
I am trying to replicate this journey for others through my content in this newsletter and on LinkedIn.
The idea behind sharing climate-positive stories is to make more people aware of the climate crisis in a less overwhelming way.
So that was the start of my climate journey. I started as someone who had no time for climate issues. Then moved to a phase where I started understanding the problems but was unsure if I could do anything.
Post that, I started taking small steps. Then one thing led to another and I think I breathe sustainability now.
I also did a poll recently to ask people where they are on their climate journey:
Do you know where you are on your climate journey?
Are you someone who believes that climate change does not exist?
Or are you consciously putting efforts to fight that?
Folks at OutsideIn HR have created this quiz to help you discover your Planet Persona.
Check it out here.
⌛ Time for the quiz of the week
Merwede is a neighborhood in <this city> and it is built around 4 principles:
1 vehicle for every 3 homes.
No space is provided for privately owned vehicles.
Shops, restaurants, and amenities are all within walking distance and residents are encouraged to travel by bike.
Excellent public transport infrastructure.
Sounds like a dream neighborhood!
Answer at the end of the newsletter. No one (including me) can see your response so feel free to vote 😉
✨ Startup of the Week: Zestyplan
All of us can have a positive impact on the planet by changing the way we eat. But change is hard. This app is making this transition easier…
Chew change…Our food systems greatly impact our planet, leading to issues like deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and food waste. We're even throwing away 30% of the food we bring home, wasting not only food but energy and water resources. This also releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. We all have a role to play in solving these problems, and it starts with changing how we buy and eat food. But let's face it, change isn't easy.
That’s where Zestyplan comes in. It’s making it easy for people to transition to sustainable eating. It has built The Zestyplan App.
The app contains:
🤔 A meal planner
🥗 A recipe creator, finder, and saver
📝 A grocery list maker
🔍 A sustainable food brands database
Wasteless whisk…The Zestyplan App helps reduce food waste and promote sustainability by providing practical tools. Its recipe creator can whip up a recipe using what's already in your fridge and suggest low-impact recipes. The built-in grocery list maker ensures you only buy what you need for your recipes, which you can purchase from your usual stores or from suggested sustainable brands.
Eco Eats…This entire process makes it easier to plan your meals while reducing the amount of food waste and supporting sustainable brands. The app also suggests various climate-friendly changes that can help you stay on track with sustainable eating.
✅ 5 Brands That Are Upcycling Waste
Airpaq: Makes bags from seat belts and airbags.
Remark Glass: Upcycling glass into new products.
Ecobean: Converting spent coffee grounds into usable products.
Nuzzie Blanket: Weighted blanket made from recycled plastic bottles.
Kern Tec: Upcycling fruit pits into plant-based foods.
😹 News That Lifted My Spirits This Week
Solar Soars: Biden's Earth Day celebration includes a $7 billion Solar For All grant award, lighting up opportunities for over 900,000 households.
Climate Justice: India's Supreme Court rules that the right to life now includes protection from climate change impacts.
Eagle Aid: Scotland's Parliament passes legislation to protect eagles and other rare wildlife, enhancing upland habitats.
📞 Interested in chatting about sustainability and climate change?
Every week, I do a few 20-minute calls with people who are either building or working in the sustainability and climate change space or are interested in exploring it.
These calls are free and more about you than me. Feel free to book one here:
Click that 💚 if this added some value to you.
Enjoy your weekend, and see you next week😊