Did you know the phrase "Don't mess with Texas" arose from a campaign to stop litter? Neither did I. Check out these videos showing celebrities acting against litter, even picking it up. Now you can join us in picking up litter, even daily, as I've done for years, making it TV for it twice and counting. Note, however, that picking up litter only moves it around. It doesn't reduce the amount of waste. Not buying it in the first place reduces. Many waste producers like to suggest managing waste after manufacture can resolve our waste problems. Not even close. Only…

This graphic tempts you to think having fewer children is the best you can do, dwarfing not flying or going vegetarian, but I'll describe below how you can do a lot more. More than personal actions Everyone gets that one person's actions round to zero on a global scale. I agree. I act consistent with my values as a matter of integrity. Making a difference on a global scale comes from leading others. Leading people You can't reduce your number of children below how many you have now, but you can influence others to smaller families. Learning and practicing leadership…

Here is how what we call leadership in the area of sustainability would look in another area. Imagine you attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. One person stands up in front and says, “I've read all about what alcohol does to the liver. I'm an expert. Here's what you should do.” This person continues lecturing on the science of alcohol and the liver and what everyone should do. This person also has a bottle of gin in hand, regularly taking a swig saying, “Don't be distracted by what I do. What one person does doesn't matter. We have to get governments…

Speaking at last years 9th annual Sustainology hosted by the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce led to speaking and participating in a panel at this year's Swedish Food Tech Big Meet. We originally planned for me to speak and lead a demonstration at the event planned for the spring. We had nearly locked down the sailing plans when the pandemic struck. I loved participating by internet, but would have loved more to sail there in person, cook my famous no-packaging vegan stew for the crowd, and tasted the food from the renowned chefs participating. Soon! I spoke to Johan, whom…

The Story of Plastic may be challenging to watch in the gritty reality of what plastic waste is doing to our world. But it also offers hope by showing us people acting and making change in surprising and effective ways around the world. It invites us all to join them.Beth Comstock, Former CMO and Vice Chair of GE, Director at Nike, Trustee of The National Geographic Society EDIT: after reflecting on the movie, in a later email Beth added: The more I think about it, the more that movie makes me mad---mad at how we've ignored the issue, it's impossible to ignore…

People with causes often share facts to influence others. Sometimes the facts work, sometimes they annoy the other person, even when that person could use the fact. I figured out why, or at least one reason. When people feel powerless information makes them feel ashamed, frustrated, and the like. Since they feel they can't do anything, they see the information as highlighting the problem and makes them feel bad. They'll tend to want you to go away. They'll perceive you as misunderstanding them and therefore as having no useful reason to share. When they feel powerful, information motivates them. They'll…