You Asked: Coffee vs Tea, Milk Choices & The Bioplastic Myth
Welcome to another This or That episode!I break down the least impactful options from things you’ve been asking about.This episode is actually a repost, because some of you have sent in these questions - clearly, we all have choices that keep us up at night. And often, what we expect isn’t actually the truth!In this week’s selection we have tea vs. coffee, and which is worse for the environment, what the best and worst options are for the milk you use with your drink, and finally, what exactly are bioplastics? And, whether we should even be using them...Let's talk about: The comparison of tea vs. coffeeHow much water it takes to make tea and coffee, respectivelyWhat the most sustainable version of milk isThe worst milk option for the environmentThe various environmental issues caused by dairy farmingThe truth behind a big myth about soy farming in the AmazonThe difference between bio-based plastics and biodegradable plasticsThanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?!Mā te wā - see you next week.You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course.Find our full podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwestLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/
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You Asked: 3 Sustainability Questions - Lightbulbs, Bags & Food
Welcome to a This or That episode! I break down the least impactful options from things you’ve been asking about.This episode is actually a repost, because some of you have sent in these questions - clearly, we all have choices that keep us up at night. And often, what we expect isn’t actually the truth!This week’s selection has a pretty controversial topic, and one that maaay just surprise you.See if you can guess the answers before I reveal them - and then let me know if you got them all!In this episode let's cover:What uses more energy, turning off lights or energy efficient bulbs?What has less of an impact, paper or plastic bags?What resources and processes are made to make paper bags?What matters more, what you eat or where its from?What parts of your food intake you should reduce to help lessen your impact? (Don't worry, I'm not telling you to completely give up your favourites.)Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?!Mā te wā - see you next week.You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course.Find our full podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwestLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/
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The $20,000 Microplastic Hoax and Other 'Wellness' Scams
Welcome to the first episode under the brand-new banner, Because Why?! The show where my curiosity gets the better of me, and I drag you along for the ride. (You're welcome?)We’re still talking about the environment, but now the scope is much wider: science, ethical business, politics (even when it makes my eye twitch), and the weird, wonderful, and occasionally infuriating claims floating around out there.In this episode, I’m kicking things off with wellness trends, dodgy health claims, and overhyped “miracle” fixes people keep getting sold. From seed oil scaremongering to the microplastic “hoover,” cold plunges, cortisol face, and the mysterious world of “structured water,” let's dissect the pseudoscience to establish what’s true, what’s nonsense, and why these ideas catch on in the first place.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Seed oils - are they really as bad as people say? (No)The actual science behind seed oilsWhat the microplastic hoover is - and whether it works (It probably doesn't)How therapeutic apheresis really stacks upPractical tips to reduce your microplastic exposureWhy cold plunges might carry more risks than you thinkCan you really tell your stress hormone levels just by looking in the mirror? (No)What cortisol actually does in your bodyWhy “hormone balancing” is mostly myth and marketingThe three biggest reasons anecdotal evidence tricks usCan water really be “structured” or “vortexed” to be better for you? (No)The truth about hydrogen water and the science behind itIf you want to keep doing cold plunges, I’m happy for you! Just... be careful. And if you’ve got $20,000 burning a hole in your pocket, maybe think twice before signing up for a microplastic blood cleanse. The boring truth is usually what works: sleep, balanced diet, exercise, social connections.Thanks for joining me on this first episode of Because Why?! Mā te wā - see you next week.You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course.Find our full podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/Sources: Seed oils: (word count prevents proper referencing.)- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2012.03.029- https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-7075-8-36- https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000510- https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011737.pub3- https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.010236- https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(17)30307-8
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Physics Myths Busted: 5G, Airplane Toilets, and Cats with Toast
A few weeks ago, we had the amazing physicist, science writer, and communicator Laurie Winkless on the podcast. She was so great, one episode wasn’t enough... so she’s back to do some mythbusting!In this episode we talk about:If glass is really a liquidA bunch of physics myths that have been debunkedWhat 5G actually is and whether 5G towers kill or control peopleHow microwaves work and if they are safeWhether you can use your mobile phone at petrol stationsIf you really need to turn off your phone on a planeWhether a plane toilet could suck your innards out (yes, really)If you are safe in a car during a lightning stormWhat would happen if you dropped a coin from a building... would it slice through someone?And even what happens if you stick toast to a catQuotes from the episode:“People want simple answers, and the reality is that few things are simple.”“The less you know, the more arrogant you are about the little bit you know.”More about LaurieFind her via her website or on social media.You can get involved with the podcast online too of course.Find our full podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nowthatswhaticallgreenYou can follow me on socials on the below accounts.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/
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Animals you hate that are actually awesome - with Bethany Brookshire (Part 2)
Welcome back to Part 2 of a fascinating kōrero with science journalist and author Bethany Brookshire. This one gets a smidge more controversial...We talk about the animals we hate because they’re successful (looking at you, pigeons), the cultural weirdness of how we define pets vs pests, and how control - or our lack of it - shapes our relationship with the natural world. Plus, there's a story involving Burmese pythons and a pair of trousers (you’ve been warned) and yes, we talk about cats in Aotearoa. In this episode we cover: The rise and fall of the humble pigeon - and why we hate them nowCats and conservation in New Zealand (yes, it’s a problem)Pets vs pests - what’s really the difference?Why “invasive species” is more about us than the animalsThe real reason we hate common animalsEmpathy, ethics, and ice cream trucks on every cornerAnd the man who hiked pantless through the Everglades with snakes in his trousersFor more about Bethany find her via her website And don’t forget to head to our Instagram for a chance to win her book Pests: How Humans Create Animal VillainsYou can get involved with the podcast online too of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nowthatswhaticallgreenYou can follow me on socials on the below accounts.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/
About Because Why?! The Science and Nature Pod. (Formerly Now, That's What I Call Green.)
The questions you’re too afraid to ask, answered!
Science & nature meet culture & business.
The antidote to podcast bros.
Because Why?! is a educational platform for curious people who care about people & planet, and cleaning up the mess we've made of... almost everything.
On this channel we explore science, nature, society, business, and policy. Expect videos on climate change, environmental issues, ethical business, sustainability, technology, politics, history, human behaviour, and how everything fits together.
If you’re into learning, critical thinking, fact-checking, welcome!
Listen to Because Why?! The Science and Nature Pod. (Formerly Now, That's What I Call Green.), The Infinite Monkey Cage and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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