EarthTalk®
by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss
Dear EarthTalk: Is Tesla the world’s greenest large company given its product line, use of renewable energy and innovations in manufacturing efficiency? -- Tim M., Fairfield, CT
While it’s hard to say which large company is the world’s “greenest,” Tesla, known for its electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy solutions as well as for promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact, certainly would be one of the contenders for such a title.
Tesla's product line, which includes electric cars and trucks, energy storage systems, solar panels and roof tiles, and now even green tiny homes, aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation and energy production. By promoting the adoption of EVs, Tesla seeks to contribute to reducing air pollution and addressing climate change.
In addition to its products, Tesla has also made efforts to use renewable energy in its operations. For example, the company has built large-scale solar energy installations and has invested in solar panel manufacturing. Furthermore, Tesla's Gigafactories, which are used for manufacturing batteries and other components for EVs, are powered by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.
Tesla has also been recognized for its innovations in manufacturing efficiency, such as its use of automated production processes and advanced technologies in its factories. These efforts are aimed at optimizing energy usage, reducing waste, and improving overall environmental sustainability.
However, it's important to note that sustainability and environmental impact are complex issues, and evaluating the “greenness” of a company requires considering various factors beyond just its product line, use of renewable energy, and manufacturing efficiency. Factors such as the entire supply chain, labor practices, waste management and social impact also play a role in determining a company's overall sustainability performance.
So where exactly does Tesla stack up? The non-profit As You Sow ranks the pioneering EV maker at #5 on Clean200, its global list of large companies ranked according to sustainability criteria. Apple tops the list at #1, with Alphabet (parent company of Google), Deutsche Telekom AG and Verizon filling in the other top spots in front of Tesla. As You Sow updates this list every year based on the most current data on each company’s so-called “clean” revenue, that is, income derived from green, non-polluting sources.
Whether Tesla can rise above #5 next year is anybody’s guess, but it’s rise on the Clean200 list may be worth betting on given its #9 listing in 2021 followed by #6 in 2022. And this past March, Tesla shocked the business world at its 2023 Investor Day by unveiling not a newer, more affordable Tesla-for-the-masses as expected but instead a master plan to use the company’s evolving suite of products and marketing platform to help steer the world away from fossil fuels once and for all.
According to Tesla founder Elon Musk, switching over from fossil fuels to renewable energy globally would cost $10 trillion, less than the world would spend on fossil fuels over the timeframe it will take to transition. “Earth can and will move to sustainable energy, and it will do so in your lifetime,” Musk told investors.
CONTACTS: Tesla, tesla.com; Clean200, asyousow.org/report-page/2023-clean200-investing-in-a-clean-energy-future.
Dear EarthTalk: How are environmental advocates using TikTok to raise awareness and gather support for their causes? -- B.K., Seattle, WA
Social media has become a powerful tool for environmental activists to raise awareness and advocate for change, and no social media network is hotter these days than TikTok. This fast-growing platform where users create and share short videos has quickly become one of the most popular apps in the world—as of 2023, the app has more than 1.5 billion active users. As such, it has also become a powerful tool for activists to reach a large audience and raise awareness for environmental issues. Indeed, environmentalists have taken to TikTok to share their messages in creative and engaging ways, using humor, music, and personal anecdotes to connect with viewers.
One of the advantages of using TikTok for activism is the platform’s reach to younger audiences that may not be as engaged in traditional forms of environmental and climate activism. More than two-thirds of TikTok’s user base in the U.S. is under age 40, while 10–19-year-olds make up the single largest group by age on the platform. By using TikTok, these younger demographics can be reached and inspired to take action on environmental issues, organize petitions and fundraisers, and get involved in other ways.
One of the most popular environmental advocates on TikTok is Carissa Cabrera, a marine biologist and activist from Hawaii who has been creating TikToks for more than five years and has a large following on the platform—her @Carissaandclimate account has more 250,000 followers of her educational content.
“Generation Z wants to get information and tools at their fingertips, and it’s all packaged in an entertaining way,” says Cabrera. The fact that most TikToks last less than 30 seconds makes it a challenge to grab the user’s attention, so Cabrera usually gets to the point in the first three seconds and then employs comedic stories and/or dances to round out the post. Her goal is to create catchy content that’s quick and easy to memorize and that makes users want to watch it over and over and share with others so as to get more and more people to act on behalf of the planet.
Cabrera also contributes TikToks via EcoTok, which features innovative videos from a core group of activists and educators with the common goal of showing followers ways to live more sustainably.
"EcoTok started with a group of people looking for an outlet to share their frustrations,” Cabrera reports. “Climate change is a daunting subject that can be hard to face alone.” She adds that their early arrival into TikTok helped build a committed, strong community, with more than 100,000 followers and millions of “likes.”
Of course, only time will tell if recent discussions in Congress about banning TikTok in the U.S. over fears of data mining by the Chinese government—the company behind the app is based in China—could mean the end for a valuable channel where environmentalists have been able to reach younger potential sympathizers here and inspire them to join the climate movement.
CONTACTS: Carissa and Climate, tiktok.com/@carissaandclimate; EcoTok, tiktok.com/@eco_tok.
Dear EarthTalk: I am looking for more stuff I can binge watch on my TV. Any environmental documentaries you’d recommend? -- Couch Potato, via email
The power of film is in its capacity to transport viewers to places we might not have been able to go before. Nature documentaries in particular bring us close to ecosystems and species that are beyond most people’s reach. They can reinvigorate the environmental movement, as with An Inconvenient Truth, or expose environmental travesties, like Blackfish’s exposé of Seaworld. Here are a few recent environmental documentaries filled with incredible footage and a wealth of information.
A documentary that touches on the powerful cross section between mental health and nature, The Scale of Hope centers on a former White House climate advisor, Molly Kawahata, as she prepares for an intense climb in Alaska. Kawahata examines the various ways hikers, travelers and climbers can use their passion to advocate for climate conservation in this Patagonia-produced film. Or follow Alex Honnold, a free solo climber famous for his ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite, as he travels to the Amazon with National Geographic in Explorer: The Last Tepui. He attempts to get biologist Bruce Means to the top of a tepui while they learn why tepuis are necessary to Amazonian biodiversity.
Take a deep dive into the lives of whales with Secrets of Whales, a mini-docuseries, also produced by National Geographic. Each episode looks at a different whale species and at its relationship dynamics and survival techniques. Another ocean-focused documentary is Seaspiracy, which examines the validity of ‘sustainable’ fisheries and advocates for a fish-free diet to protect marine environments. The filmmakers work shines a light on illegal fishing practices and the detrimental effects of ghost nets and overfishing.
For those interested in examining how their diet can affect climate change, check out Meat Me Halfway with Brian Kateman, an investigative documentary about mindful meat consumption. Kateman founded the reducetarian movement; this movie encourages viewers to reduce their meat intake, as total vegetarianism or veganism isn’t realistic for everybody.
Fire of Love is a visually stunning documentary using footage shot by the two main subjects - volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft. The movie follows the Krafft’s expeditions, from Mt. St. Helens in Washington to Mt. Unzen in Japan, as they perform research on active volcanoes. This documentary also highlights the importance of preparedness for environmental disasters, as they commit to informing at-risk regions about the importance of evacuations.
Against all odds, The Year Earth Changed found the bright side of lockdowns, isolation and travel restrictions: Certain ecosystems thrived during the height of COVID-19 pandemic. Whales were recorded using completely new sounds, able to communicate without boat noises acting as obstacles, and female sea turtles had the benefit of empty beaches during nesting season. The documentary shows the benefits of taking a step back and offering back to nature the space that humans have dominated for decades.
And for a quick but impactful watch, try After Ice. This twelve-minute film compares footage of Icelandic glaciers in the twenty-first century with archival footage from the National Land Survey of Iceland. After dedicating just an hour or two toward one of the documentaries, you might find yourself looking at the environmental movement with a new perspective.
CONTACTS: The Scale of Hope, patagonia.com/stories/the-scale-of-hope/video-124190.html; Seaspiracy, seaspiracy.org; Meat Me Halfway, youtube.com/watch?v=tx96wVA8jd4; Explorer: The Last Tepui, ondisneyplus.disney.com/movie/explorer-the-last-tepui; Secrets of Whales, disneyplus.com/series/secrets-of-the-whales/3aHpgjYaJTM5; Fire of Love, youtube.com/watch?v=p8CDWqP5krk; The Year Earth Changed, https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/the-year-earth-changed/umc.cmc.3fob3t7nfhehpb3ilgynzxmnu; After Ice, vimeo.com/504355699.
Dear EarthTalk: I recently heard the term “slow design.” Can you enlighten? – J.M., New York, NY
Slow design is a design philosophy that emphasizes quality, longevity and sustainability. It seeks to counteract the fast-paced, disposable nature of contemporary culture by prioritizing thoughtful, intentional design over mass-produced, trend-driven products. It is about creating objects that are functional and beautiful, and that are crafted with care, using materials that are responsibly sourced and manufactured.
At its core, slow design is about taking a more holistic approach to design. It's about considering the entire life cycle of a product, from the materials used to make it to how it will be used and disposed of at the end of its life. Look for pieces that are created with sustainably harvested wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as well as “Cradle-to-Cradle” certification awarded to products produced in eco-friendly ways and that can be recycled after use. Slow design seeks to create products that are not just aesthetically pleasing, but that are also sustainable, durable and socially responsible.
One of the key principles of slow design is the idea of "localism." This means designing products that are made in the same community where they will be used, using materials that are sourced locally whenever possible. By doing this, designers can reduce the carbon footprint of their products, support local economies, and create stronger connections between people and the things they own.
Another important principle of slow design is the concept of "timelessness." Rather than creating products that are trendy or fashionable, slow design focuses on creating products that are classic and enduring. By doing this, designers can help reduce the amount of waste produced by the fashion and design industries, which are notorious for creating products that are quickly discarded and replaced. One example is what's been dubbed the “brown furniture revival,” that being wood furnishings that were popular in days gone by but that are seeing a resurgence today due to their timeliness and sturdy quality.
Slow design also emphasizes the importance of craftsmanship and traditional skills. By working with skilled artisans and craftspeople, designers can create products that are not only beautiful and well-made, but that also support traditional forms of production and preserve cultural heritage.
Letting your home grow with you is another key to slow design. “There are those who move into a new place, furnish it in a couple weeks, and are happy to be done decorating,” say Apartment Therapy’s Katie Holdefehr. “Then there are those who see their home as an ongoing project without a specific end date.”
“By not rushing through the process, you can build a home that reflects your life, rather than passing trends,” she adds. “Part of embracing a slower pace is being okay with things that are unfinished.” As such, leave some room and blank wall space for pieces you discover in the future. “If we give ourselves permission to slow down, we may find that home isn’t a static place, but it changes along with us,” concludes Holdefehr.
In short, slow design emphasizes sustainability, durability, and quality over speed and disposability. By creating products that are thoughtfully designed, responsibly sourced, and made to last, slow design seeks to promote a more sustainable and ethical approach to design and consumption.
CONTACTS: Forest Stewardship Council, us.fsc.org; Cradle-to-Cradle, c2ccertified.org.
Dear EarthTalk: I recently heard the term “slow design.” Can you enlighten? – J.M., New York, NY
Slow design is a design philosophy that emphasizes quality, longevity and sustainability. It seeks to counteract the fast-paced, disposable nature of contemporary culture by prioritizing thoughtful, intentional design over mass-produced, trend-driven products. It is about creating objects that are functional and beautiful, and that are crafted with care, using materials that are responsibly sourced and manufactured.
At its core, slow design is about taking a more holistic approach to design. It's about considering the entire life cycle of a product, from the materials used to make it to how it will be used and disposed of at the end of its life. Look for pieces that are created with sustainably harvested wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as well as “Cradle-to-Cradle” certification awarded to products produced in eco-friendly ways and that can be recycled after use. Slow design seeks to create products that are not just aesthetically pleasing, but that are also sustainable, durable and socially responsible.
One of the key principles of slow design is the idea of "localism." This means designing products that are made in the same community where they will be used, using materials that are sourced locally whenever possible. By doing this, designers can reduce the carbon footprint of their products, support local economies, and create stronger connections between people and the things they own.
Another important principle of slow design is the concept of "timelessness." Rather than creating products that are trendy or fashionable, slow design focuses on creating products that are classic and enduring. By doing this, designers can help reduce the amount of waste produced by the fashion and design industries, which are notorious for creating products that are quickly discarded and replaced. One example is what's been dubbed the “brown furniture revival,” that being wood furnishings that were popular in days gone by but that are seeing a resurgence today due to their timeliness and sturdy quality.
Slow design also emphasizes the importance of craftsmanship and traditional skills. By working with skilled artisans and craftspeople, designers can create products that are not only beautiful and well-made, but that also support traditional forms of production and preserve cultural heritage.
Letting your home grow with you is another key to slow design. “There are those who move into a new place, furnish it in a couple weeks, and are happy to be done decorating,” say Apartment Therapy’s Katie Holdefehr. “Then there are those who see their home as an ongoing project without a specific end date.”
“By not rushing through the process, you can build a home that reflects your life, rather than passing trends,” she adds. “Part of embracing a slower pace is being okay with things that are unfinished.” As such, leave some room and blank wall space for pieces you discover in the future. “If we give ourselves permission to slow down, we may find that home isn’t a static place, but it changes along with us,” concludes Holdefehr.
In short, slow design emphasizes sustainability, durability, and quality over speed and disposability. By creating products that are thoughtfully designed, responsibly sourced, and made to last, slow design seeks to promote a more sustainable and ethical approach to design and consumption.
CONTACTS: Forest Stewardship Council, us.fsc.org; Cradle-to-Cradle, c2ccertified.org.
EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. See more at https://emagazine.com. To donate, visit https://earthtalk.org . Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org .
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