How do we stay calm when everything is falling apart?
Should we even be aiming TO BE calm?
Yes, we should
I know it feels like the world (read: U.S.) is falling apart.
I know we're witnessing some insane corruption play out before our eyes.
I know we're witnessing horrific levels of hypocrisy.
I know so many people do not feel safe in their homes.
But to play the long-game we need to be calm. Or at the very least find moments of calm.
Whether that's turning off the wifi on a flight.
Setting your phone on do not disturb for a few hours.
Not grabbing our phones first thing in the morning.
Or plugging into something that brings you joy.
Because we should be outraged.
We should be on guard.
We should be paying attention.
But in order to stand up for American rights and values, we need to be smart, be calm, and use some of the common sense that seems to be vastly underutilized right now.
That's what I want this newsletter to be: a moment of calm, a resource for smart choices, and a reminder that our actions matter. Even the small ones.
shop hangers that don't hurt people & planet
september's sustainable superstar: Sandra Velasquez, founder of Nopalera
Have you made the swap from plastic body wash to soap bars yet?
It's one of my absolute favorite eco-friendly changes to make! It’s such a fun way to discover new brands and I love that soap bars need to be changed more often than bottles, so you get to experience new scents if you like to switch it up like me.
Enter: Nopalera!
This fellow Latina-owned business was founded by Sandra Lilia Velasquez to celebrate and elevate Mexican heritage. Sandra built her brand around the iconic Nopal cactus, a symbol of resilience in Mexican culture.
I first discovered Nopalera through their adorable soap bars and it has been amazing to watch them grow into a full line of plastic-free products like shampoo and conditioner bars, body creams, and even perfumes.
I have always been and will always be proud to be a Latina, but it's not always easy, especially in the U.S. right now.
So, I love supporting Latina business owners who are sharing and celebrating their culture while creating beautiful, sustainable products.
Nopalera is a perfect example of a brand that’s rooted in purpose, not just profit, and shows that a great product and a powerful mission can go hand in hand.
september's blog: what BIG hanger doesn't want you to know (lol)
Let's bust a myth: Are plastic hangers recyclable? The short answer is usually a resounding no. In the latest blog, we're diving into why wishcycling them can actually harm your local recycling program, and what's really going on with all those hangers. Read our blog for the full scoop on hanger waste and how you can make a smarter choice. (hint: we’re the smarter option because if our hangers actually break, they can be recycled).
what's new with us?
well, on August 7th, the 47th administration imposed tariffs of 30% on South African imports. So far it's business as usual but it sucks and as a small business this is a lot to deal with. I don't have answers yet but will keep you updated!
september's earthly eco news
🏝️Luxury hotel with a side of environmental activism? The St. Regis Bali Resort is proving that purpose-driven hospitality is more than a buzzword and helping those with eco-anxiety actually enjoy a stay.
🪸The resort asks guests to ‘leave the reef better than you found it’ by adopting and planting their own coral-bearing Reef Stars (all scientifically-backed). Beyond preserving the marine landscape, the resort bottles its own glass water from reverse osmosis to cut back on plastic waste and composts 175 metric tons of food waste. It's a powerful example of a brand not just talking about it but being about it.
␡The current administration is rewriting HIStory how they want it: You know how there are all those articles like ‘Big oil has known about climate change since the 60s’ and ‘Scientists knew recycling would never work, why didn’t the public’? And it’s always like, but how did we not know?
📊This is how. Right now, a handful of people are trying to control the narrative, with the current administration deliberately purging over 11,000 climate and health datasets from government websites. This data informs and supports every person in this country.
🦸🏻But while the government erases, a quiet network of heroes is saving. Librarians, archivists, and everyday people are racing to rescue this vital information, fighting for facts, transparency, and a shared foundation of truth. This isn’t a quick fix; it’s a fight. And it’s one we need to be paying attention to. Because when a society loses control of its facts, it loses its shared foundation for a better future.
👿Trying to figure out who’s the villain? DeSmog has been tracking the fossil fuel groups, conservative policymakers, and climate deniers single-handedly demolishing American climate policy. Here’s who: The American Petroleum Institute; U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Project 2025; Trumps ‘Climate Working Group’ currently controlling the EPA; Heartland Institute; Koch Network.
🌿The EPA has been infiltrated: Another day, another white man stripping away the future for some attempt to ‘have power’ or ~whatever. The new head of the EPA (LEE ZELDIN) has proposed getting rid of the “endangerment finding,” the legal basis for all federal climate regulations (and the scientific backbone that greenhouse gases endanger the public).
🗡️ His goal is to drive “a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion.” This move would undo all federal climate standards, from clean cars to limits on coal plants. BUT a lot of major corporations are not on board. Industry groups have publicly said they actually prefer a predictable federal regulatory system. This growing divide highlights a key truth: even some corporations know that a stable, regulated system is better for business and a better deal for all of us.
Here's how you can take action right now: When it feels like the big systems are rigged against us, it’s easy to feel hopeless. But these rollbacks are not a done deal. They require public comment and will face legal challenges.
- Make your voice heard by submitting official public comments against the proposed changes.
- Support the fight by supporting the work of groups like the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) or other legal advocacy nonprofits.
- Act locally! States can have stronger regulations than the federal government. Find out where your state's elected officials stand on environmental issues and make sure your voice is heard at the local and state level.
safe safe and stay sustainable folks 💚