are you a climate hypocrite?
Hi, my name is Paulina - I am a climate hypocrite.
I heard this phrase the other day and I can’t stop thinking about it — because it perfectly captures how I’m feeling. And I’m guessing maybe you too?
It came from the Gen Dread newsletter in reference to the fact that no matter what we do, no matter how sustainable we try to be, we’re existing in a society dependent on fossil fuels.
That’s heavy.
But it kinda feels good to say it out loud?
Last month, I talked about how facism & corrupt systems are intentionally burning us out.
And when everything else feels out of control, what’s left?
Ourselves. Our habits.
We turn inwards and as sustainably-minded folks, we focus on our individual actions. What we’re doing to make the planet better.
But because we’re all climate hypocrites our brain starts pointing out that these actions aren’t actually doing anything. They don't matter.
Until you’re emotionally & physically paralyzed, back in that downward spiral.
Well brain, you're wrong!
So what can you do?
- You can ( r e )frame
- You can find ways to take back control
Start by remembering we may be climate hypocrites, but we’re trying. You’re doing your best. And your best looks different every day.
Begin to think about:
- what brings you joy?
- what makes you feel good?
- how much energy/time do you have to give?
- where will it matter most?
From there — act on it.
- join a community effort
- walk TF out of that doctor’s appointment if you feel uncomfortable.
- don’t engage with the "devil’s advocate" douche canoe at the happy hour.
- stop spending money with corporate dumpster fires.
- shop small brands that actually give a shit whenever you can.
There are a lot of small brands out there working hard for people and the planet. And they don’t have a 48:1 CEO:Worker ratio (URBN's ratio btw).
So take a moment.
📲 Call a friend.
☕ Schedule a coffee.
🚶🏾Go on a walk.
Reframe the narrative and take back a little power.
Oh and buy some hangers from a brand who gives a shit.
may's sustainable superstars: suay in LA
I first heard about Suay because of their local dye bath and second because of their textile recycle bag program.
Clothing donation bins are everywhere these days but tbh we don’t really know where things end up.
To date, they’ve recycled and repurposed 6 million pounds of textiles.
Founded by Lindsey Rose Medoff, Suay creates products that actually clean up the fashion industry by using:
- post-consumer waste
- deadstock fabric
- and domestically-grown organic fibers
They are one of the only (if not the only) fully circular textile recycling, reuse, and repair operations.
Just days before the LA fires, fires destroyed 60% of the Kantamanto market in Accra, Ghana — one of the world’s largest hubs for secondhand clothing. [dead white man’s clothes].
In the wake of the fires, Suay received over 100,000 pounds of donation overflow. So they've paused intake and partnered up with the Or Foundation, a Ghana-based nonprofit creating justice-led solutions to the global textile waste crisis.
Together, they’re turning that textile mountain into 10,000 remade garments — while investing in long-term recovery and repair systems.
the best way to support small businesses is buying something! Otherwise...
- sponsor a $20 SUAY It Forward bag
- shop their home products & apparel collections - (like jackets made from towels!)
- sign up for their email newsletter
- follow and engage on IG
on the blog: our hangers are giving main character energy
You already know our whole thing is hangers made from recycled plastic.
BUT you might not know just how much thought went into every single detail. (and rage at the 50-for-$5 industry).
We don’t just melt down plastic and call it a day. We redesigned the whole damn thing.
- reinforced weak points
- thickened hooks
- made them practically unbreakable
- made them recyclable
- and strong enough for your heaviest winter coat and y/our conscience.
We track the breakdown of each hanger along with which micro-recycling plant made it happen. Every purchase is providing jobs and helping to clean up waterways in South Africa.
[FYI South Africa because they were the only providers who provided transparency]
Like most sustainable brands, I didn’t like what was out there so I did something about it. If you’ve ever questioned why we’re sustainable, this one's for you!
wrapping it up with earthly eco matters
📣 yelling in the streets works: a new review from the Yale Program on Climate Change confirms it — protests shift public opinion and drive media coverage. Even disruptive tactics help bring people on board. So if you’ve marched, yelled, or made someone uncomfortable on purpose: keep going. You’re making an impact.
💻 follow content creators to help the planet? yes please! every year, Pique Action puts out a Climate Creators to Watch List to platform creators who are using social media to inspire rather than misinform. Adding these creators to your algorithm can not only make your algorithm ‘greener’ (not literally) but help spread the good, green news!
🪸 coral comeback: bad news first. 2024 broke records as one of the most extensive coral bleaching events to date.
Now for the good news: Mars (yes, the candy bar company) has invested over $10 million since 2020 in a global coral reef restoration initiative.
In 2024, the team completed 24 new restoration projects planting more than 80,000 corals (using this cool reef star technology which consists of hexagonal steel structures) all while further advancing coral restoration science.
🐀 rats to the rescue? rats may have contributed to the Bubonic Plague and continue to wreak havoc in Chicago & NYC but giant rats in Tanzania are living a whole different kind of superhero life!
These rats are busting open the illegal ivory trade industry by sniffing out elephant ivory in cargo shipments with 90% accuracy. Though they’re still going through orientation, they’re expected to be deployed fully later this year.
that's all for now, folks!
stay safe & stay passionate 💚