Tag: Sarah J. Kings

Climate Action, Climate Change, Environment, sustainability August 31, 2022May 14, 2023

Going Green Without Losing the Clean

Washington (ONGC) Analysis | August 31, 2022 by Sarah J. Kings, Reprinted from April 18, 2021 publication; Image Credit AdobeStock

Now more than ever, keeping a clean home is rising to the top of the priority list. As a parent, you are diligent in wiping down surfaces, disinfecting door-knobs, and beating back dust bunnies. But as you recycle container after container of Clorox Wipes and Febreze, you may be starting to wonder what impact this is having on the planet. You might even be thinking about making some eco-friendly swaps to your cleaning routine.

Continue reading →

circular economy, Climate Action, Environment, Ethics, Wildlife June 2, 2021August 30, 2022

Top 5 Vegan Beauty Brands | Vegan Scene

Washington (GGM) Analysis | June 2, 2021 by Sarah J. Kings

Consumer ethics has never been such a hot topic! Compassionate and eco-friendly shoppers are searching for resources and products everyday. With many making changes in their diet and fashion choices, there has never been a better time to switch out your old cosmetics and trade them in for vegan alternatives. Vegan beauty brands do not rely on animal cruelty and animal products or biproducts to create makeup. Here is a list of five major vegan and cruelty free beauty brands that are focused on both ethics and sustainability.

Continue reading →

circular economy, Climate Action, Climate Change, Nature, sustainability April 20, 2021May 14, 2023

Raising a Green Baby in 3 Easy Steps!

Washington (ONGC) Analysis | April 20, 2021 by Sarah J. Kings

For five straight years, United States birth rates have been steadily declining. Many speculate as to why people have been choosing to have fewer children. Back in July of 2019, Miley Cyrus told Elle Magazine that she was not interested in having children because of environmental concerns, and she’s not the only one. Despite the 1%-2% annual decline, there are still over 3.7 million babies born in the U.S each year. Unfortunately, bringing a sweet-faced love-bug into your life does tend to impact the environment negatively. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, 4.2 million tons of disposable diapers make their way to landfills each year.

Continue reading →

Climate Action, Climate Change, vegan November 19, 2020

A Vegan Thanksgiving Guide

Washington (GGM) Analysis | November 19, 2020 by Sarah J. Kings

Folks across the globe are going green to save mother nature. For many people, that green and clean attitude is going beyond recycling and getting an electric car—many people are changing up their eating habits as well. Animal agriculture practices are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, and slaughterhouses worldwide contribute to unnecessary land and water usage. As the Holidays approach, we must think about the estimated 300 million turkeys that are killed each year in the United States. Forty-six million of these birds are killed for Thanksgiving alone. Imagine the global impact we could make if we took turkey off of our plates this year. Here are some must-haves for an eco-friendly–very vegan–Thanksgiving.

Vegan Whole Turkey – Vegetarian Plus

By now, we have all heard of Tofurkey. This year change it up with a Vegan Whole Turkey by Vegetarian Plus. This is a 4-6lb “whole turkey” that will give your vegan table a Norman Rockwell Worthy centerpiece. The non-GMO soy “turkey” is juicy and delicious. It is cruelty-free and guilt-free, as it has a very low ecological impact.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is CWbL39eH2uXvTgqxM74WQlbYsj5tTHjViBvD2NFFxBl_U41nN1WdACSEvIAs_PixnMbciz5k1B4_S7NKvwwsmScbD8gB_oGXLZWIWLh9YJwD5lnFMxFJu7EfsTkMvYqNCQSAxJUi

Twitter: @VegeUSA

Miyoko’s Organic Cultured Vegan Butter

Luckily many Thanksgiving favorites, like mashed potatoes, green beans, and butternut squash, are already vegetarian. To make these dishes vegan try swapping out dairy and beef stock for things like vegetable broth, almond milk, and vegan butter when cooking. When choosing a butter alternative, try Miyoko’s Organic Vegan Butter, as it is cashew-based, and doesn’t use palm oil. If you ditch animal products and palm oil when serving up your side dishes, you can rest easy knowing that your dinner table didn’t contribute to deforestation or global warming.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is yTXM5xqqynq9PRekR90uA08wxhj-6Dg14JWQ1HcYw091qZGkvHoSq-1aInHpIKXycfR_r0IbHxaBz0MY6bqFrRHtAXd-I2W-ghgZOmNOT0h2y6WYprLVcN3MiD9-RFpXOYhSHX_9

Twitter: @MiyokosCreamery

Pumpkin Pie – Midnight Munchies

If you are vegan, trying to be vegan, or simply thinking about having a vegan treat, you need to know the name Cherise Danae. Cherise is a vegan chef, author, and founder of the site Midnight Munchies. Cherise’s Pumpkin Pie recipe is inspired by her late grandmother’s original recipe, and you can taste the love in each bite. The texture and taste are so on point that this pie will have everyone looking for second—or thirds.

Tl;dr

Animal agriculture is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions
300 million turkeys are killed each year in the United States
46 million turkeys are killed each year for Thanksgiving
Vegetarian Plus’ Vegan Whole Turkeysoy “turkey” is juicy and delicious
Miyoko’s Organic Vegan Butter is cashew-based, and doesn’t use palm oil
Midnight Munchies’ Pumpkin Pie is a delicious vegan must-have for Thanksgiving

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is gallantarcher_3d_socialmedia.jpg

Climate Action, Climate Change, Environment, vegan November 5, 2020April 26, 2022

It’s Time to Meet Meati | Vegan Scene

Washington (GGM) Analysis | November 5, 2020 by Sarah J. Kings

Meati Foods is a Colorado based vegan startup, and their food is amazing! This plant based meal option is cruelty free and unbelievably sustainable. Each serving of their Meati Chick’n is packed with healthy fiber and 16 grams of complete protein. There is nothing “fake” about this alternative meat either. Believe it their food is made from fungi. The company’s slogan is “funging delicious!” With absolutely zero fat and cholesterol, and plenty of vitamins and minerals, Meati Foods is a no brainer.

Continue reading →

circular economy, Climate Action, Eco, Environment September 8, 2020September 8, 2020

Move Over Pumpkin Spice Lattes— Fall is Time to Change Up Your Family Garden

Washington (GGM) Analysis | September 8, 2020 by Sarah J. Kings

Creating a garden together helps families form long-lasting memories and allows each family member to explore the beautiful and bountiful side of Mother Nature. According to Reuters News, home gardening, seed sales, and community gardening have become very popular during the last few months. In an interview with Market Watch, Linda Look, owner of an Arkansas-based seed store, The Seed Guy, said that sales and demand were unprecedented this spring. “This year has been unique because of COVID-19,” she said.

Instagram- @itsthymetogarden

Those of you who have started gardening and composting with your kids this spring and summer might be wondering how to continue these comforting and joyful family moments in the fall season. Don’t fear, September and October aren’t just for Pumpkin Spice Lattes. In fact, there are plenty of delicious foods that thrive as the temperature drops, and experts say that fall is the perfect time to start composting!

Top 5 Foods to Plant This September

Spinach
Radishes
Carrots
Kale
Snow Peas

Swapping out your cucumbers and tomatoes with these veggies and leafy greens will help you keep up the conservation conversation all through the fall season!

5 Steps to Make The Best Fall Compost Pile Ever

Collect your fall leaves
Collect the extras from your summer garden
Layer them with drying flowers, old tomato plants, & grass clippings
Reserve extra leaves in a separate pile & as a “brown layer” in between compostable kitchen food
Keep a tarp ready to protect your pile from getting soggy as the rain comes in

Twitter- @Gaia_College

So as September rolls into October and you sip your beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte, don’t let the golden and orange leaves fool you. You don’t have to say goodbye to your family garden. Switch up your produce, and teach your kids how to make the perfect fall compost pile. You will make wonderful memories, and your kids- and Mother Nature- will thank you!

Come back every Tuesday for more Eco-Friendly Parenting tips!

Climate Action, Eco, Environment September 1, 2020September 3, 2020

How to Make an Eco-Friendly Hero Board With Your Kids!

Washington (GGM) Analysis | September 1, 2020 by Sarah J. Kings

Most parents would like their children to become happy and healthy adults. As an eco-conscious parent, you are also aware of the need to provide a safe and viable environment for your children as they grow up. With this in mind, you have been recycling, upcycling, and teaching your children habits that reduce waste. You might be noticing that with talks of the climate crisis all around them, your children might be expressing feelings of being overwhelmed. Afterall, this is a massive issue, and it may leave your young one feeling like it is too big to tackle. Making a Hero Board composed of positive role models who are making headway in combating this crisis is an excellent way to assuage anxious feelings in your child.

Twitter- @FunWritings

First get out a dry erase board or a chalkboard and some chalk. Next, give your child a list of five to ten people to research in a virtual scavenger hunt. These people should all be worthy of being called a Hero for Mother Nature. Ask your child to come up with an eco-friendly fact about each person on the list. Once your child has discovered one thing that each of these individuals is doing for the environment, have a discussion with them. Allow them to explain what they found out, and talk about which people are the most inspiring. Ask your child to pick their top three favorite people from the list, and give them some time to do some more research. On the chalkboard, your child can draw an image of their top three heroes, write down inspirational quotes, and jot down some interesting things that those people are doing to improve the health of the environment.

Here is a list of 10 people you can use to get this process rolling.

・Lise King – Executive Director of United Nations Global Impact

・Leonardo DiCaprio – Actor, producer, and activist

・Greta Thunberg – Child activist and leader in climate change

・Jane Fonda – Actress and activist

・Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – United States Congresswoman

・Sean Mendes – Singer and environmentalist

・Natalie Portman – Actress, Producer, and activist

・Jane Goodall – Research Scientist and activist

・Bernie Sanders – Vermont Senator

・Dr. Gavin Schmidt– Climate Scientist at NASA

Instagram- @leonardodicaprio

For even more fun, use your driveway and some sidewalk chalk, instead of a chalkboard. This activity will give your child the chance to do a little research about all the positive things that are being done to help Mother Earth. It will give you a chance to bond with your child over this important issue. It will also encourage them on their journey, and remind them that they are not alone in their efforts to combat the climate crisis.

Come back every Tuesday for more Eco-Friendly Parenting tips!

circular economy, Climate Action, Environment, sustainability, Wildlife August 27, 2020August 27, 2020

US Vegan Climate Index Isn’t “Shackled to The Past”

Washington (GGM) Analysis | August 27, 2020 by Sarah J. Kings

European investing platform Beyond Investing– no relation to Beyond Meat– celebrated the second ‘birthday’ of its US Vegan Climate Index this summer. As the world’s first exchange-traded fund (ETF) focused on veganism and environmentalism, the US Climate Index (VEGAN) should be a ticker on your investor watchlist.

Twitter- @BeyondInvest

The US Climate Index avoids companies and business models that pose a threat to the environment. This means that they do not support animal exploitation or unethical business. In a press release published on June 16, 2020, Beyond Investing reported, “over its two-year live history, VEGAN has outperformed the S&P 500 Index…on a price return basis of 5.93%.” VEGAN outperforming the S&P 500 means big things for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) funds.

When questioned about the future of ESG investing, Claire Smith, Beyond Investing CEO, shared some poignant thoughts with The Hill Report. “ESG investing will become the primary driver for investment. Investors are holding companies to higher standards and questioning the viability of unethical and polluting business models. It represents the opportunity to invest for the future that you want to see, as opposed to keeping your money shackled to the past.”

Instagram- @beyond_animal

With a boom of awareness of veganism and sustainability in the US, and the success of companies like Beyond Meat and Tesla, new Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) are sure to be popping up. Investors in the US Climate Index can rest assured that each new IPO will be properly screened and vetted before being added to the fund. Smith said that she anticipates “more IPOs of ethical plant-based and cruelty-free food and lifestyle product companies.” She looks forward “to including them in our US Vegan Climate Index as replacements for those damaging companies that fail our screens.” As the demand for ethical investing soars higher, people looking to the stock market should consider the US Vegan Climate Index.

Tl;dr

European investing platform Beyond Investing celebrates two years of the US Vegan Climate Index
As the world’s first exchange-traded fund (ETF), US Climate Index (VEGAN) is a ticker to watch
VEGAN has outperformed the S&P 500
CEO, Claire Smith predicts that more IPOs of ethical plant-based and cruelty-free food and lifestyle product companies are on the rise
US Climate Index screens companies to ensure that only ethical businesses are added to the fund

Climate Action, Climate Change, sustainability August 26, 2020August 26, 2020

Top 3 Elite Standouts in EVs

Washington (GGM) Analysis | August 26, 2020 by Sarah J. Kings

Vegan and sustainable are the new ‘it words’ in luxury right now. Fashion brands are phasing out fur and animal leather left and right, and high profile celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Gisele Bundchen are calling for climate change action every day. Brands are listening and developing product lines that meet the demands of the growing population of socially conscious consumers. The automotive industry is no different.

Twitter- @AmberWCC

Luxury car companies are trying to top one another in EV development and the inclusion of other sustainable features in their latest models. Here are the top three luxury automakers and vehicles that are standouts in vegan and sustainable EVs.

2020 Tesla Model 3- Over the last decade, Elon Musk has worked every angle to get his fully electric brand on the road. In 2020, when people think of EVs and luxury, they undoubtedly think of Tesla. This sexy 5-seater has 322 miles of range and can go from 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds. Boasting a 15 inch touch screen display with features like in-car video games, this electric vehicle will never fail to impress.

2021 Lexus UX300e- Lexus delivers a classic and contemporary crossover in the development of the UX300e. The crossover uses a 54.3-kWh lithium-ion battery, and has a driving range of 248 miles. Lexus offers a vegan leather interior and the ability to control smart features through an app on your phone. The UX300e is currently available in Europe and Asia only, providing an added layer of exclusivity and allure.

2021 BMW iNext- Said to be available in 2021, this is an elite concept vehicle unlike any you have ever seen. The modern interior styling– inspired by the theme “boutique hotel”– is unmatched. With responsive tech woven into the fabric of the seats-that allows users to change the music or by interacting with textile surfaces in the car- stepping inside of one will feel like being transported to the future! BMW’s sleek Shy Technology is an element like no other— it is a must-see. The iNext is said to have 360 miles of range on a single charge. Making this an unmatchable elite driving experience.

Twitter- @LelaHo6

If you are looking to the world of luxury to rev up your sustainable lifestyle, look to Tesla, Lexus, and BMW. Their newest EVs and breakthroughs in technology are the wave of the future!

Climate Action, Climate Change, sustainability August 25, 2020

How to Use Your ‘Mom Status’ to Help Mother Nature

Washington (GGM) Analysis | August 25, 2020 by Sarah J. Kings

Think back to your childhood. If you ever had a problem that you couldn’t resolve yourself, who did you ask for help? Chances are, the answer is your mom. Had a pull in your ballet tights five minutes before your recital started? She had you covered with a spritz of hairspray. Couldn’t find your soccer cleats? Hall closet on the left next to the blue duffel bag— no hesitation. Tiffany Saunders told everyone that you stuffed your bra in the seventh grade? She called her mom, and the rumor mill ended. Done.

It’s ingrained in us from a young age— if you have a problem and need something done about it fast, ask a Mom. That’s why it is no surprise that ‘Mom’s in Movements’ make major headway. Whether it’s the hundreds of thousands of nutritious meals provided by Moms Against Poverty, the blockage of 3 million illegal gun sales due in part to Moms Demand Action, or the human shield provided to Black Lives Matter protesters in Oregon by the Wall of Moms— passionate mothers make a difference.

Twitter- @QCDCNY

These three celebrity moms are making big waves in sustainability and preserving the environment. Hear what they have been saying about protecting mother nature and preparing the planet for the next generation. You will definitely feel inspired!

Anne Hathaway– The Les Misérables actress is more than just a Hollywood star. She is an activist, NYU graduate, and a Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations. In an interview with InStyle, Hathaway explained how she is raising a ‘Zero Waste’ family. Anne said of the eco-friendly switch, “While working on The Hustle, I noticed disposable coffee cups, plastic water bottles, idling trucks, and food waste. When I finished the film, my family and I went zero waste.”

Hilary Duff– Mother of two little ones, this Lizzy McGuire actress was on the cover of the “Mother Earth” issue published by Parents magazine. She regularly uses social media to share tips that any family can use to help combat the climate crisis. Of these seemingly small steps, she said, “at first, saving the environment sounds scary and overwhelming, but as we implement new rules, it becomes easier and easier.”

Instagram- @hilaryduff

Alicia Silverstone– Author of The Kind Diet, this star is far from Clueless. Long-time plant-based mamma and activist, Silverstone makes her opinions known about climate action. In an interview with VegNews she stated, “our rapidly growing dependence on animals as a food source is one of the greatest threats to the climate.” She too regularly takes to social media to share eco-friendly recipes and tips.

If you are feeling empowered to use your ‘mom status’ to make positive changes, follow these stars on Instagram, or get involved in the movement by visiting Mothers Out Front. Mothers Out Front is dedicated to impacting the way the world responds to climate change. They provide resources for families and lobby for green initiatives. Right now, they are fighting for electric school buses for children. Who knows what they could accomplish with your help!