Hawaii Community Foundation’s Post

“Talk about it!” That’s one of the most common replies I give to the question, “What can the average person do to be more environmentally conscious?” It’s certainly not the answer the questioner wants to hear, and I have to quickly clarify what I meant by it. What I don’t mean: -Calling up your senator to demand that they vote differently on an upcoming policy issue -Standing up at your school board meeting to insist that the school district redirect all funding to installing solar panels right away -Protesting and shouting climate change chants at the top of your lungs, from the steps of your city bank While all of those are important to making systemic change happen, for most people who are what I like to call “environmentally curious,” that is not only not going to happen (yet!!), but actively discourages them from taking any kind of action. If that is what action requires, most people are out. But what we need the most, are more ways to bring people IN. While I look forward to the day we get there, it is not an appropriate first step for most. Here are some ways to begin using your voice to “talk about it” that are less scary, but will have a powerful effect on the climate anxiety you feel, as well as make others feel that they have permission to talk about it too. -Bring a vegetarian or vegan option to a cookout/potluck. Share with your friends that you have really been enjoying exploring plant-based meals (and finding some delicious recipes) on your meatless day(s) each week -Hosting a birthday party for a kid? When sending out invites, tell guests no gifts, but instead they can donate to [insert passion of your child]. Examples from my kids include the World Bird Sanctuary (for my owl-loving oldest) and the local library (for my book-loving youngest) -Invited to a birthday event (adult or child)? Ask the person whose birthday you are celebrating where you can donate on their behalf (you may just learn something about a passion of theirs) -Talk to your close friends about your fears for the future. It will bring you closer and give them permission to address their own fears (rather than stuffing them down and carrying a low level anxiety with them at all times) -Ask your local races when (not if!) they will be adding an option to opt out of a t-shirt for races -Ask your local coffee shop owner if they can have a mug (or glass) be the default option for dine-in orders, instead of disposable cups While all of these require some degree of courage, you will be amazed by how well they can go down, and by how much you inspire others to ask similar questions. This is how change happens, and you can be a part of it.

💥 Myth busted! 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗸 𝗮 𝗻𝘂𝘁. • We’re a nation of tea and coffee drinkers, never far from our next cuppa. • And for two-thirds of us, that means dairy milk every time. • But our research shows people’s hot drink habits could be about to change...    Over half of Brits are open to drinking less dairy but haven’t made the switch yet. In fact, a quarter of us have never tried a non-dairy alternative. Hubbub's new campaign is here to change that. Check out the video below, and read my new blog on the subject today. It covers: • The environmental benefits of plant milk • The main barrier to people eating more plants, and less meat & dairy • What food service businesses and retailers can do next  & much more. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/ekRB7Fpy ++ P.S. I'm CEO of environmental charity Hubbub. We bring business, government and civil society together to create campaigns that make it easier and more possible for all of us to make choices that are good for the environment. Follow me - Alex Robinson - to find out how, or get in touch for more. #environment #sustainability  

It's the end of a big meeting. There's loads of food left over. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁? 💀🥗  Lots of us do our best to cut down food waste at home. But at work it can be a different story. Too much. Too complicated. Someone else's problem. And what do you do with 29 croissants and a huge bowl of fruit anyway? 🤷 There are some simple hacks that can help. Check out the below, taken from our experience working with other businesses (and our own office life in Somerset House 😉). They're mostly for small and medium-sized organisations like us. If you're at a large company and need help cutting your food waste, then come and have a chat about how behaviour change campaigns could help. 🤝 ++ P.S. I'm CEO of environmental charity Hubbub. We create campaigns with business, government and civil society that inspire environmental action. Follow me - Alex Robinson - for insights on environmental change, leadership and more. #environment #sustainability #zerowasteweek #foodwaste

The current hodgepodge of definitions, methods, and evidence for aquatic #FLW makes finding scaleable solutions nearly impossible- limiting strengthened food and nutrition security, improved food safety and quality, or adoption of successful livelihoods by coastal communities. Donors should consider comprehensive funding to systematically measure and assess #Foodlossandwaste #FLW in aquatic food value chains.

Locally led food banks are a powerful bridge between two of the world’s biggest challenges: food security and climate change. That’s why the recently published report, “Reducing Food Loss and Waste–A Roadmap for Philanthropy,” is such a critical resource to drive action by governments, philanthropy and the private sector to reduce food waste – one of the top solutions to climate change. Read more about it from our friends at Global Alliance for the Future of Food. ⤵

There's a growing commitment to reducing food loss and food waste globally. When in Jamaica, I was desperately trying to bring attention to the fact that as much as 40% of fruits and vegetables are lost after harvest and never make it to the market. This contributes to high prices for local produce as simple solutions for improving storage and transport still await upscaling. I am glad to see this Roadmap on Food Loss and Waste by Philanthropic Organizations. #foodsystemstransformation #foodwaste #foodloss #foodsystems #postharvest #foodandclimate

"Empowering Communities: A Movement Towards a Hunger-Free World" Imagine with so many, a world where hunger and starvation are eradicated, where every individual has access to nutritious food, and where nourishment is a basic human right. It's a vision that can be achieved through collective action, as we, the people, take it upon ourselves to address this global crisis. Our mission is not only to feed ourselves but to transform the way we perceive food, shifting from eating to satisfy our desires to eating to live. By excluding corporate aid and implementing a well-thought-out process, we can revolutionize the fight against hunger. But what might the corporate response be behind closed doors? Let's explore the possibilities. Storyline: 1. The Awakening: In a world plagued by hunger, a grassroots movement emerges, capturing the hearts and minds of people from all walks of life. The movement emphasizes self-reliance, community empowerment, and sustainable agricultural practices. People come together, inspired by the idea that they have the power to shape their own destinies and ensure food security for all. #EmpoweringCommunities #FoodRevolution 2. Ripples of Change: As the movement gains momentum, it sends shockwaves through the corporate world. Behind closed boardroom doors, executives grapple with the realization that their profit-driven models have contributed to the perpetuation of hunger. Some forward-thinking companies, however, recognize the need for change and start exploring sustainable business practices that align with the movement's objectives. #CorporateResponsibility #EthicalBusiness 3. The Battle for Control: Meanwhile, other corporations view the movement as a threat to their dominance and market share. They mobilize their resources to discredit the movement, spreading fear and highlighting potential economic consequences. Lobbyists work tirelessly to influence policymakers and protect their own interests. Yet, the people remain undeterred, united in their pursuit of a hunger-free world. #PeopleOverProfit #CollectiveAction 4. From Awareness to Action: The movement continues to gain traction on social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. Everyday individuals, influencers, and thought leaders share stories of local initiatives, innovative farming techniques, and community-driven solutions. The narrative inspires others to take action, fostering a global network of change-makers who believe in the power of solidarity. #GlobalFoodSecurity #CommunitySolutions 5. Shifting Paradigms: As the movement grows, it becomes impossible to ignore. Governments are pressured to prioritize food security, allocating resources toward sustainable agriculture and equitable distribution systems. Policies are reformed to support small-scale farmers, incentivize local food production, and reduce wastage. Conscious consumerism becomes the norm, and individuals make informed choices to support ethical and sustainable businesses.

🌍🌱 Exciting News! 🌱🌍 I'm thrilled to share that I'm diving back into the topic of sustainability, which I had to put on hold for a bit due to other priorities. Now, I'm joining the volunteer project "Habits for a Better World" organized by Karel Vredenburg, focusing on the impact of food systems on climate change. Yes, you heard right – while most discussions highlight fossil fuels, it's crucial to also address farming, land clearing, and the broader food system's role in climate change. For those who know me, the intersection of food and sustainability has always been a passion. During my master's, I researched this extensively and published a paper on scaling food systems through collaborative design. If interested, you can take a look at it here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dsFgt8jG Since joining IBM three years ago, I've channeled my energy into supporting various sustainability initiatives, including the Climanomics solution with Hodan Saeed and Claudia Dalla Torre, where we explored the impact of food on agriculture and climate change. Now, I'm bringing my passion and design skills to this new project, advocating for better habits and sustainable food systems. As a vegan, I promote a plant-based diet and believe in its potential to reduce our climate impact. Consider this: the total emissions from the food system rise to ~34%, with 16 million square kilometers of land used for crops and 34 million square kilometers for grazing animals. That’s 38% of Earth’s land surface! Animal agriculture alone uses around 29% of Earth’s land, while plant-based agriculture covers just 9%. Shifting even partially towards a plant-based diet can significantly lower our environmental footprint. Let’s make impactful changes together! Check with your 👀 ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/dvue3h_H #Sustainability #ClimateChange #FoodSystems #PlantBased #BetterHabits #VolunteerProject 🌎💚

#1 in my (new!) series about Changemakers - sharing people/companies/organizations in and out of my network who are doing changemaking work** I first met Kimberly Trouville Smith, CEO of Copia, while producing the 2023 Conscious Capitalism CEO Summit. Connected by another attendee, Kimberly asked us to donate all surplus food from the event through her company, Copia (which we did). Each year in the U.S., around 149 billion meals worth of food goes unsold or uneaten. Most of this ends up in landfills, where it emits methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than CO2 and a major contributor to climate change. Copia's goal is to reduce food waste by creating networks and connections to move high quality, nourishing food and get it in the hands of those who need it most. As someone who is personally committed to reducing food waste and changing food systems (I sit on a local food pantry board and get huge dopamine hits whenever we rescue and redistribute food for our delighted community members), I LOVE this project. Copia takes the hurdles that exist for moving food waste (liability, regulation, measurement, reporting) and makes the process seamless for donors and recipients, helping donor companies large and small track contributions and showcase their impact. Win, win, win. Food waste and hunger are wildly complex issues that require a diversity of tactics to tackle. I appreciate that Kimberly and Copia are providing tangible, tactical ways for businesses of all sizes to play their part. Bonus! Copia was listed as an "Inc. Best Place to Work 2023". My hope is we can be done with the days when businesses do good solely through products or services but are terrible to their people. Kudos to Kimberly for ringing both bells. 🍎 🍌 🥑 CTA: Follow Kimberly and Copia on LI and reach out if you’re in the US and in a position to donate surplus food waste or if you’re a nonprofit looking to receive food surplus. **changemaker defined here as: someone who is taking creative action to solve a social problem for the greater good. A changemaker demonstrates that they are motivated to act and they remain tenacious in their efforts. #foodwaste #consciousbusiness #leadership #foodjustice #climate #circulareconomy

What are you doing to take care of the planet this Earth Day? 🌎 Here are 6 tips on easy ways to add sustainability to your daily schedule: 1. Plant a tree or flowers native to your home. 🌳 2. Ditch single-use plastics for reusable water bottles. ♻ 3. Bring reusable bags when you go grocery shopping. 🛍 4. Choose biking over driving for quick errands. 🚲 5. Add more plant-based meals to your diet. 🥕 6. Reduce your energy consumption by turning off lights and unplugging electronics when not in use. 🔌 Found these tips helpful? 🌟 Find more resources for health and wellness through the DRI Foundation’s DRI for Life group: https://bit.ly/3j1KdmP. #DRICommunity #DRILawyer #DRIFoundation #DRIforLife #earthday2024 #sustainability The DRI Foundation is committed to giving back to DRI members, their communities, and the cities that host DRI events. Proceeds raised by the DRI Foundation go directly toward funding and fostering initiatives that make a difference, including diversity programs, healthy living programs, and more.