December 23, 2024 • 25 mins
This episode of Climate Fairplay examines how the loss of gathering places or "third places" negatively impacts a community's overall health and our ability to create meaningful climate progress locally. The Sharable Facts and Stats segment focuses on why access to green spaces is critical in supporting public health and environmental resilience. It also includes a call to action for support in creating a sustainable pop-up market in Denver, designed to unite local businesses, nonprofits, and residents around practical solutions.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Climate Fair Play.
My name is Cody Sanford, host of this podcast.
I'm recording today in the mountains, just shy of 10,000 feet.
So if I sound a little breathless, it's either the altitude or my sheer excitement to talkabout why we need to create community access points to climate forward sustainable
(00:26):
solutions on a community level.
If you've talked with me recently, you've heard how excited I am to create a pop-upsustainable market in Denver, Colorado.
I'm explaining this concept in more detail in this episode.
I'll start by showing how we're losing a shared connection at a community level and whyrebuilding it for a sustainable future is important.
(00:54):
After the sustainable staff break,
I want to pick up where I left off a few episodes ago by describing my idea for a pop-upmarket centered on connecting sustainable solutions at a community level.
My goal with this segment is to show why nonprofits, sustainable businesses, localgovernments, and educational services would want to participate or sponsor these types of
(01:20):
pop-up market events, and why people would want to attend or volunteer.
I'll have more information on the climate fair play website and my social media pages.
I want to make sure that this information is as accessible as possible in case someoneelse focused on rebuilding community spaces and tends to create something similar.
(01:47):
It's just me here doing this and I feel blessed in my own way to be able to make thispossible.
However, it will become easier to achieve when it's a community effort.
Which goes back to what I said in the first episode.
Climate change feels like this enormous, hard to achieve challenge.
(02:08):
But when we utilize the power on an individual and a community level, the climate crisistransforms into a series of small battles rather than one overwhelming struggle.
Please remember to hit the subscribe button.
It's the easiest and most effective way you can support the efforts of the Climate FairPlay podcast by just tapping your finger.
(02:35):
Now, our community spaces are being lost, which should matter to you.
In our towns, including mine, there are fewer affordable cafes and coffee shops andoverall gathering spots are disappearing and becoming markedly
more expensive.
(02:55):
The pandemic definitely hit these spaces hard.
The full impact will probably never be fully understood.
One indicator, Yelp's Local Economic Impact Report, found that 60 % of the businessclosures after the pandemic had become permanent.
I want to emphasize that this isn't just the loss of spaces to hang out, the lack ofpublic spaces
(03:23):
has consequences for community relationships and loneliness.
Research shows that as these gathering spaces disappear, social isolation grows,neighborhood ties weaken, and so does a sense of public accountability.
These so-called third places, spaces that aren't our jobs or our homes, are vital becausethey are where we run into acquaintances.
(03:52):
talk with strangers and reconnect with friends.
We are losing these social spaces and in general, everything is just becoming moreexpensive just to go out.
And as a result, we are spending less time with friends and family.
Between 2014 and 2019, Americans average time with friends fell by 37%, dropping fromabout six and a half hours per week to just four.
(04:22):
As we spend less time with our friends, a recent American Psychiatric Association studyfound that 30 % of US adults say they are lonely once a week and 10 % say they are lonely
daily.
Loneliness appears to be an especially critical issue for younger Americans.
(04:45):
30 % of Americans between 18 and 34.
said they were lonely every day or multiple days a week.
Overall, this is having a direct effect on people's health.
Loneliness has even been declared an epidemic by the U.S.
Surgeon General.
Social isolation has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
(05:08):
Additionally, chronic loneliness has been found to have health risks comparable to smoking15 cigarettes a day.
And this is why restoring
and protecting third spaces is crucial to promote healthier and more connectedcommunities.
The loss of our third spaces and the decrease in our social interactions are not due to asingle cause, but a complex web of interconnected factors.
(05:41):
The high cost of going out is one significant factor.
Going out is increasingly more expensive.
So people are staying home and spending more time alone.
The rise in cost can be linked to inflation for the pandemic.
And when everything is more expensive as well as price gouging from large corporations andthe costs fall on the consumer.
(06:09):
The pandemic was a defining moment for social connections.
The lockdowns forced our favorite gathering spots to close and over time
We got used to working, learning and living more isolated ways.
It's increasingly common that people don't need to go outside their houses forentertainment or often even outside their heads.
(06:34):
Our media consumption on our phones consists of personalized algorithms designed to graband keep our attention.
Our phones and our social media have filled a void.
as we spend more time alone.
People spend over two hours each day on social media, but only a fraction of people findsocial media truly fulfilling while far more derive meaningful connections from time spent
(07:04):
with family and friends.
Businesses struggled severely during and after the pandemic, but this trend actuallystarted over a decade ago.
So many stores in North America have closed since 2010 that people called it the retailapocalypse before COVID-19 ever happened.
(07:27):
Another shift is that Americans are becoming more secular.
Religion is less influential in people's daily lives.
As a result, fewer people are affiliated with a church, which historically has been acommunity support system.
According to the Gallup poll in 2000, 70 % of Americans belong to a church.
(07:53):
By 2020, this number dropped to 47%.
Involvement in community organizations as a whole has decreased.
COVID-19 did a number on civic engagement.
Before the pandemic, about 30 % of Americans had volunteered through communityorganizations.
(08:14):
That fell
to 23 % during the pandemic period and post COVID, research shows that engagement incommunity organizations has risen after the pandemic, but it's still not at the levels it
was at in 2019.
All of these trends, rising costs, dwindling community spaces, the retail apocalypse, therise in digital media and diminishing civic engagement form a broader picture
(08:44):
of what it means to live in a more disconnected world.
Without regular opportunities to meet face to face, talk and share experiences, we lose asense of belonging and community.
Restoring and protecting places where people can gather and the priority isn't for peopleto spend money, but to actually interact with each other is crucial for building a better
(09:12):
community.
Losing our third places like cafes, parks, and libraries also has negative consequencesfor our health and our well-being.
I've mentioned already how loneliness, exasperated by the lack of community places, healthrisks comparable to smoking.
(09:34):
Other risks to people's well-being include increased mental health decline, weaker socialsupport networks,
in reduced physical activity.
It also undercuts our ability to address environmental challenges.
When neighbors rarely meet face to face or share experiences, building the trust andnetworks needed for effective local action becomes harder and research reflects this
(10:04):
point.
A 2019 study in environmental research letters found that
communities with strong social bonds were more likely to embrace sustainable behavior andcollectively push for climate action.
Without natural gathering spots, it's more challenging to form connections and a sense ofshared purpose that helped turn a good idea into a real solution.
(10:33):
For example, experts emphasize that sustainable efforts
everything from renewable energy projects to planting trees are some of the most effectivestrategies for reducing emissions, but only if people can collaborate at a community
scale.
Environmental progress involves more than just technology and policy.
(10:56):
It relies on connecting with the social community fabric.
For instance, a 2020 report by American Planning Association shows that
Neighborhoods with accessible green space foster more interaction and collective action,including efforts to protect the environment.
(11:17):
People who feel genuinely connected with each other are more likely to engage in dialogueand spark creative problem solving.
Whether it's organizing a neighborhood solar installation or advocating for greaterinfrastructure.
Stronger social ties help ensure that building an environmentally sustainable future ismore than a concept on paper.
(11:43):
The loss of our places to organize and meet weakens our collective ability to tackle thebig problems like climate change.
Effective, sustainable solutions need to be concentrated on what works for a community.
Without places to naturally meet, discuss solutions and mobilize support, even the mostpromising green initiatives struggle to take root.
(12:10):
We're losing the places that actually bring us together at the same time whenenvironmental progress needs that connection now more than ever.
Now that we've gone through why community spaces matter, I want to move on.
to how people can actively create these social connections that contribute toenvironmental progress.
(12:32):
In particular, I'd like to highlight a sustainable focus pop-up market that this podcastis creating in Denver, Colorado.
This initiative aims to bring local sustainable businesses, environmental nonprofits, andthe like together under one roof accessible to the community.
(12:53):
The goal is to foster a sense of place and build environmental solutions that actuallywork for people.
But before we get into this, I want to discuss the importance of green spaces in urbanareas in this episode's shareable facts and stats segment.
(13:17):
So when I do these solo episodes, I bring in a shareable facts and stats segment, a briefmemorable episode highlight that listeners can share with their friends and family.
I want this to spark a conversation beyond usual small talk.
My goal is to offer concise but relatable insights into the episode topics.
(13:40):
In this episode, I will discuss why public parks.
and green spaces are critical for building a sustainable community.
For starters, studies show they make our lives genuinely healthier.
Spending time in public parks and outdoors helps lower stress, and a growing body ofresearch shows that it improves a person's overall well-being in several other ways.
(14:09):
Research found spending time in nature results in better sleep, healthier immune systems,improved attention spans, and just improved people's mood.
Second, these public parks and green spaces sustain the environment in urban areas.
They are noteworthy carbon sinks.
(14:30):
One mature tree can remove up to 48 pounds of CO2 per year and nurture a surprising amountof native biodiversity.
They provide habitats for pollinators, birds, and small mammals.
They cool surroundings by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit and capture harmful pollutantsthat would otherwise be in our air.
(14:53):
By moderating the urban heat island effect, capturing CO2, and absorbing stormwater toreduce flooding, these natural areas make our communities more environmentally resilient.
Third,
Screen spaces offer something our cell phones or a science lecture can never.
(15:14):
Direct hands-on experience with nature.
Studies show that spending time in these spaces increases environmental awareness byproviding access to plants and animals and a glimpse into how they interact with their
ecosystems.
When we witness firsthand how our local ecosystems change and what the driving forces are,
(15:37):
It's like an introduction class into ecology.
When we are in nature, every sense is engaged.
We hear the birds sing.
We can feel the tree bark or smell the fresh air, all of which research shows strengthensour emotional connections and enhances memory.
Greenspaces serve as outdoor classrooms.
(16:00):
It improves our understanding of wildlife conservation and sustainable practices by up to40 percent.
At the same time, these spaces are essential for fostering community bonds.
Neighborhoods using shared green spaces report higher levels of collective action andenvironmental advocacy.
(16:22):
Public parks and green spaces are essential to living and solving environmentalchallenges.
They improve our health, they sustain urban ecosystems and deepen our understanding ofnature.
These spaces are the foundations of sustainable, thriving neighborhoods.
(16:43):
Now, after listening, if you're looking for more information on why access to nature isimportant, I'll be posting an article on the Climate Fair Play website, along with the
shareable graphic designed for social media.
I'm a little behind on these, but I will be getting to this very soon.
(17:05):
You can find it and join the conversation by following the podcast at Climate Fair Play.
Now, I want to paint a picture for you.
Imagine a farmer's market that doesn't try to sell you a teacup jar of artisan salsa orcandles that smell like morning moose mist, each sold at a premium that they could cover
(17:28):
the cost of your next vacation.
This makes me think back to when I work at the produce section of a grocery store, howthis so-called farmer would show up early in the morning, buy boxes of potatoes and other
fresh produce, and then strike to the local farmers market and resell them as if they camestraight from his fields.
(17:49):
The guy would even wear overalls boots and a cowboy hat as if he was putting on aperformance for the suburbanites looking for local produce.
This can help it feel like
a bait and switch to me.
Since seeing this firsthand, I've questioned where the produce sold to the farmers marketactually is grown.
And honestly, I think the experience of a farmers market is going downhill.
(18:13):
It's feeling more and more like a performance and it's becoming full of overpricedconsumer products and it's feeling less like a genuine community exchange.
Now I crave a place where people who actually care about building a sustainable community
come together.
I want a place where sharing ideas, learning about effective environmental solutions, andfinding ways to get involved with environmental sustainability are the entire points of
(18:40):
the meeting.
This is exactly why I've secured an indoor multi-use facility in the heart of Denver,Colorado to create a sustainably driven pop-up market.
I'm honestly not sure on what I should call this or what the naming mechanism should be.
Suggestions are welcome, but if you say something like, Farmey McFarms face, you're bad.
(19:04):
The market is an opportunity for businesses and nonprofits building a sustainable futureto showcase their products, services, and educational opportunities to connect directly
with their communities.
At this event, I also want to make space for artists.
(19:24):
because environmental art is a powerful way to connect the urgency of climate issues withhuman emotion.
I just want a welcoming space for all community members to have honest conversations aboutconcrete steps towards community sustainability.
This type of event creates a win-win for everyone involved.
(19:48):
For attendees, it's an opportunity to engage
with environmental organizations that align with their values.
For vendors, research shows that people are more likely to stay loyal to companies thatcare about social or environmental issues.
With the published research showing 88 % of people feel this way.
(20:12):
This is an opportunity to foster a relationship with Denver residents who are activelylooking for eco-friendly products and solutions.
Research shows that millennials and Gen Z are much more likely to back brands andorganizations that offer experiences that match their values.
This is an opportunity to foster a relationship with Denver residents who are activelylooking for eco-friendly products and solutions that are effective for their own lives.
(20:44):
A 2017 study found that 87 % of consumers would support companies
aligning with their values.
Additionally, 77 % of people say in-person events increase their trust in an organization.
This type of grassroots event aligns directly with what Denver's environmental goals are.
(21:09):
The city aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2040, reduce waste and energy emissions,and increase access to renewable energy and sustainable transportation.
This setup helps environmental community efforts feel closer to those they intend toserve.
I think this sort of dynamic is more interesting than just sitting through a lecture andresearch shows that people agree with me.
(21:35):
I found studies showing farmer markets see an increase in engagement when tied tosustainability or environmental causes, which is an important point.
There's more engagement when these events are actually focused on communitysustainability.
I think that this is because people are drawn to events that allow them to feel directlyconnected to their communities.
(22:00):
Environmental progress often feels abstract and attending a sustainability focused pop-upmarket provides a way to learn, invest and volunteer in local environmental causes.
The goal of this event
is not to focus on transactional interactions like most farmer markets, but actually be anincubator for environmental progress on a community level.
(22:25):
I want this space to serve as a place where attendees and vendors can connect withlike-minded individuals, where people can build trust with businesses and organizations in
their communities, and discover environmental solutions that connect with their needs andvalues.
So right now I'm sending out a call for support.
(22:49):
If you're a local business looking to connect with an engaged, eco-conscious community ora nonprofit brand partner or sponsor who wants to champion the values of environmental
stewardship, your participation from the start could help shape the very heart of thisevent.
This is an opportunity to forge relationships that build trust and long-term loyalty.
(23:14):
Also, I want to reiterate that it's just me here doing this and I could use the help.
If you're up for volunteering or pitching in, let's make something happen.
The contact form for volunteers, vendors, for sponsors is found in the show notes and atclimatefairplay.com.
(23:38):
That's going to be it for this episode of the Climate Fair Play.
Don't forget to subscribe to the Climate Fair Play podcast and share this episode withanybody you think would be interested in building community resources for environmental
sustainability.
more updates and ways to get involved, visit climatefairplay.com.
(24:00):
I'm providing as much information on the website as possible as how I'm putting thispop-up market together, because I think it's important to share this information.
Since we focus so much on the community level in this episode.
Next, I want to talk about the current state of the global sustainable development goalsas we break into 2025.
(24:23):
I also have some cool interviews lined up soon.
So, again, all of this will be found at the Climate Fair Play podcast feed and at theClimate Fair Play podcast website.
Thanks for listening and being a part of the conversation.
I appreciate every single listen.
(24:44):
Until next time.
Climate Fair Play.
My name is Cody Sanford, host of this podcast.
I'm recording today in the mountains, just shy of 10,000 feet.
So if I sound a little breathless, it's either the altitude or my sheer excitement to talkabout why we need to create community access points to climate forward sustainable
(00:26):
solutions on a community level.
If you've talked with me recently, you've heard how excited I am to create a pop-upsustainable market in Denver, Colorado.
I'm explaining this concept in more detail in this episode.
I'll start by showing how we're losing a shared connection at a community level and whyrebuilding it for a sustainable future is important.
(00:54):
After the sustainable staff break,
I want to pick up where I left off a few episodes ago by describing my idea for a pop-upmarket centered on connecting sustainable solutions at a community level.
My goal with this segment is to show why nonprofits, sustainable businesses, localgovernments, and educational services would want to participate or sponsor these types of
(01:20):
pop-up market events, and why people would want to attend or volunteer.
I'll have more information on the climate fair play website and my social media pages.
I want to make sure that this information is as accessible as possible in case someoneelse focused on rebuilding community spaces and tends to create something similar.
(01:47):
It's just me here doing this and I feel blessed in my own way to be able to make thispossible.
However, it will become easier to achieve when it's a community effort.
Which goes back to what I said in the first episode.
Climate change feels like this enormous, hard to achieve challenge.
(02:08):
But when we utilize the power on an individual and a community level, the climate crisistransforms into a series of small battles rather than one overwhelming struggle.
Please remember to hit the subscribe button.
It's the easiest and most effective way you can support the efforts of the Climate FairPlay podcast by just tapping your finger.
(02:35):
Now, our community spaces are being lost, which should matter to you.
In our towns, including mine, there are fewer affordable cafes and coffee shops andoverall gathering spots are disappearing and becoming markedly
more expensive.
(02:55):
The pandemic definitely hit these spaces hard.
The full impact will probably never be fully understood.
One indicator, Yelp's Local Economic Impact Report, found that 60 % of the businessclosures after the pandemic had become permanent.
I want to emphasize that this isn't just the loss of spaces to hang out, the lack ofpublic spaces
(03:23):
has consequences for community relationships and loneliness.
Research shows that as these gathering spaces disappear, social isolation grows,neighborhood ties weaken, and so does a sense of public accountability.
These so-called third places, spaces that aren't our jobs or our homes, are vital becausethey are where we run into acquaintances.
(03:52):
talk with strangers and reconnect with friends.
We are losing these social spaces and in general, everything is just becoming moreexpensive just to go out.
And as a result, we are spending less time with friends and family.
Between 2014 and 2019, Americans average time with friends fell by 37%, dropping fromabout six and a half hours per week to just four.
(04:22):
As we spend less time with our friends, a recent American Psychiatric Association studyfound that 30 % of US adults say they are lonely once a week and 10 % say they are lonely
daily.
Loneliness appears to be an especially critical issue for younger Americans.
(04:45):
30 % of Americans between 18 and 34.
said they were lonely every day or multiple days a week.
Overall, this is having a direct effect on people's health.
Loneliness has even been declared an epidemic by the U.S.
Surgeon General.
Social isolation has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
(05:08):
Additionally, chronic loneliness has been found to have health risks comparable to smoking15 cigarettes a day.
And this is why restoring
and protecting third spaces is crucial to promote healthier and more connectedcommunities.
The loss of our third spaces and the decrease in our social interactions are not due to asingle cause, but a complex web of interconnected factors.
(05:41):
The high cost of going out is one significant factor.
Going out is increasingly more expensive.
So people are staying home and spending more time alone.
The rise in cost can be linked to inflation for the pandemic.
And when everything is more expensive as well as price gouging from large corporations andthe costs fall on the consumer.
(06:09):
The pandemic was a defining moment for social connections.
The lockdowns forced our favorite gathering spots to close and over time
We got used to working, learning and living more isolated ways.
It's increasingly common that people don't need to go outside their houses forentertainment or often even outside their heads.
(06:34):
Our media consumption on our phones consists of personalized algorithms designed to graband keep our attention.
Our phones and our social media have filled a void.
as we spend more time alone.
People spend over two hours each day on social media, but only a fraction of people findsocial media truly fulfilling while far more derive meaningful connections from time spent
(07:04):
with family and friends.
Businesses struggled severely during and after the pandemic, but this trend actuallystarted over a decade ago.
So many stores in North America have closed since 2010 that people called it the retailapocalypse before COVID-19 ever happened.
(07:27):
Another shift is that Americans are becoming more secular.
Religion is less influential in people's daily lives.
As a result, fewer people are affiliated with a church, which historically has been acommunity support system.
According to the Gallup poll in 2000, 70 % of Americans belong to a church.
(07:53):
By 2020, this number dropped to 47%.
Involvement in community organizations as a whole has decreased.
COVID-19 did a number on civic engagement.
Before the pandemic, about 30 % of Americans had volunteered through communityorganizations.
(08:14):
That fell
to 23 % during the pandemic period and post COVID, research shows that engagement incommunity organizations has risen after the pandemic, but it's still not at the levels it
was at in 2019.
All of these trends, rising costs, dwindling community spaces, the retail apocalypse, therise in digital media and diminishing civic engagement form a broader picture
(08:44):
of what it means to live in a more disconnected world.
Without regular opportunities to meet face to face, talk and share experiences, we lose asense of belonging and community.
Restoring and protecting places where people can gather and the priority isn't for peopleto spend money, but to actually interact with each other is crucial for building a better
(09:12):
community.
Losing our third places like cafes, parks, and libraries also has negative consequencesfor our health and our well-being.
I've mentioned already how loneliness, exasperated by the lack of community places, healthrisks comparable to smoking.
(09:34):
Other risks to people's well-being include increased mental health decline, weaker socialsupport networks,
in reduced physical activity.
It also undercuts our ability to address environmental challenges.
When neighbors rarely meet face to face or share experiences, building the trust andnetworks needed for effective local action becomes harder and research reflects this
(10:04):
point.
A 2019 study in environmental research letters found that
communities with strong social bonds were more likely to embrace sustainable behavior andcollectively push for climate action.
Without natural gathering spots, it's more challenging to form connections and a sense ofshared purpose that helped turn a good idea into a real solution.
(10:33):
For example, experts emphasize that sustainable efforts
everything from renewable energy projects to planting trees are some of the most effectivestrategies for reducing emissions, but only if people can collaborate at a community
scale.
Environmental progress involves more than just technology and policy.
(10:56):
It relies on connecting with the social community fabric.
For instance, a 2020 report by American Planning Association shows that
Neighborhoods with accessible green space foster more interaction and collective action,including efforts to protect the environment.
(11:17):
People who feel genuinely connected with each other are more likely to engage in dialogueand spark creative problem solving.
Whether it's organizing a neighborhood solar installation or advocating for greaterinfrastructure.
Stronger social ties help ensure that building an environmentally sustainable future ismore than a concept on paper.
(11:43):
The loss of our places to organize and meet weakens our collective ability to tackle thebig problems like climate change.
Effective, sustainable solutions need to be concentrated on what works for a community.
Without places to naturally meet, discuss solutions and mobilize support, even the mostpromising green initiatives struggle to take root.
(12:10):
We're losing the places that actually bring us together at the same time whenenvironmental progress needs that connection now more than ever.
Now that we've gone through why community spaces matter, I want to move on.
to how people can actively create these social connections that contribute toenvironmental progress.
(12:32):
In particular, I'd like to highlight a sustainable focus pop-up market that this podcastis creating in Denver, Colorado.
This initiative aims to bring local sustainable businesses, environmental nonprofits, andthe like together under one roof accessible to the community.
(12:53):
The goal is to foster a sense of place and build environmental solutions that actuallywork for people.
But before we get into this, I want to discuss the importance of green spaces in urbanareas in this episode's shareable facts and stats segment.
(13:17):
So when I do these solo episodes, I bring in a shareable facts and stats segment, a briefmemorable episode highlight that listeners can share with their friends and family.
I want this to spark a conversation beyond usual small talk.
My goal is to offer concise but relatable insights into the episode topics.
(13:40):
In this episode, I will discuss why public parks.
and green spaces are critical for building a sustainable community.
For starters, studies show they make our lives genuinely healthier.
Spending time in public parks and outdoors helps lower stress, and a growing body ofresearch shows that it improves a person's overall well-being in several other ways.
(14:09):
Research found spending time in nature results in better sleep, healthier immune systems,improved attention spans, and just improved people's mood.
Second, these public parks and green spaces sustain the environment in urban areas.
They are noteworthy carbon sinks.
(14:30):
One mature tree can remove up to 48 pounds of CO2 per year and nurture a surprising amountof native biodiversity.
They provide habitats for pollinators, birds, and small mammals.
They cool surroundings by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit and capture harmful pollutantsthat would otherwise be in our air.
(14:53):
By moderating the urban heat island effect, capturing CO2, and absorbing stormwater toreduce flooding, these natural areas make our communities more environmentally resilient.
Third,
Screen spaces offer something our cell phones or a science lecture can never.
(15:14):
Direct hands-on experience with nature.
Studies show that spending time in these spaces increases environmental awareness byproviding access to plants and animals and a glimpse into how they interact with their
ecosystems.
When we witness firsthand how our local ecosystems change and what the driving forces are,
(15:37):
It's like an introduction class into ecology.
When we are in nature, every sense is engaged.
We hear the birds sing.
We can feel the tree bark or smell the fresh air, all of which research shows strengthensour emotional connections and enhances memory.
Greenspaces serve as outdoor classrooms.
(16:00):
It improves our understanding of wildlife conservation and sustainable practices by up to40 percent.
At the same time, these spaces are essential for fostering community bonds.
Neighborhoods using shared green spaces report higher levels of collective action andenvironmental advocacy.
(16:22):
Public parks and green spaces are essential to living and solving environmentalchallenges.
They improve our health, they sustain urban ecosystems and deepen our understanding ofnature.
These spaces are the foundations of sustainable, thriving neighborhoods.
(16:43):
Now, after listening, if you're looking for more information on why access to nature isimportant, I'll be posting an article on the Climate Fair Play website, along with the
shareable graphic designed for social media.
I'm a little behind on these, but I will be getting to this very soon.
(17:05):
You can find it and join the conversation by following the podcast at Climate Fair Play.
Now, I want to paint a picture for you.
Imagine a farmer's market that doesn't try to sell you a teacup jar of artisan salsa orcandles that smell like morning moose mist, each sold at a premium that they could cover
(17:28):
the cost of your next vacation.
This makes me think back to when I work at the produce section of a grocery store, howthis so-called farmer would show up early in the morning, buy boxes of potatoes and other
fresh produce, and then strike to the local farmers market and resell them as if they camestraight from his fields.
(17:49):
The guy would even wear overalls boots and a cowboy hat as if he was putting on aperformance for the suburbanites looking for local produce.
This can help it feel like
a bait and switch to me.
Since seeing this firsthand, I've questioned where the produce sold to the farmers marketactually is grown.
And honestly, I think the experience of a farmers market is going downhill.
(18:13):
It's feeling more and more like a performance and it's becoming full of overpricedconsumer products and it's feeling less like a genuine community exchange.
Now I crave a place where people who actually care about building a sustainable community
come together.
I want a place where sharing ideas, learning about effective environmental solutions, andfinding ways to get involved with environmental sustainability are the entire points of
(18:40):
the meeting.
This is exactly why I've secured an indoor multi-use facility in the heart of Denver,Colorado to create a sustainably driven pop-up market.
I'm honestly not sure on what I should call this or what the naming mechanism should be.
Suggestions are welcome, but if you say something like, Farmey McFarms face, you're bad.
(19:04):
The market is an opportunity for businesses and nonprofits building a sustainable futureto showcase their products, services, and educational opportunities to connect directly
with their communities.
At this event, I also want to make space for artists.
(19:24):
because environmental art is a powerful way to connect the urgency of climate issues withhuman emotion.
I just want a welcoming space for all community members to have honest conversations aboutconcrete steps towards community sustainability.
This type of event creates a win-win for everyone involved.
(19:48):
For attendees, it's an opportunity to engage
with environmental organizations that align with their values.
For vendors, research shows that people are more likely to stay loyal to companies thatcare about social or environmental issues.
With the published research showing 88 % of people feel this way.
(20:12):
This is an opportunity to foster a relationship with Denver residents who are activelylooking for eco-friendly products and solutions.
Research shows that millennials and Gen Z are much more likely to back brands andorganizations that offer experiences that match their values.
This is an opportunity to foster a relationship with Denver residents who are activelylooking for eco-friendly products and solutions that are effective for their own lives.
(20:44):
A 2017 study found that 87 % of consumers would support companies
aligning with their values.
Additionally, 77 % of people say in-person events increase their trust in an organization.
This type of grassroots event aligns directly with what Denver's environmental goals are.
(21:09):
The city aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2040, reduce waste and energy emissions,and increase access to renewable energy and sustainable transportation.
This setup helps environmental community efforts feel closer to those they intend toserve.
I think this sort of dynamic is more interesting than just sitting through a lecture andresearch shows that people agree with me.
(21:35):
I found studies showing farmer markets see an increase in engagement when tied tosustainability or environmental causes, which is an important point.
There's more engagement when these events are actually focused on communitysustainability.
I think that this is because people are drawn to events that allow them to feel directlyconnected to their communities.
(22:00):
Environmental progress often feels abstract and attending a sustainability focused pop-upmarket provides a way to learn, invest and volunteer in local environmental causes.
The goal of this event
is not to focus on transactional interactions like most farmer markets, but actually be anincubator for environmental progress on a community level.
(22:25):
I want this space to serve as a place where attendees and vendors can connect withlike-minded individuals, where people can build trust with businesses and organizations in
their communities, and discover environmental solutions that connect with their needs andvalues.
So right now I'm sending out a call for support.
(22:49):
If you're a local business looking to connect with an engaged, eco-conscious community ora nonprofit brand partner or sponsor who wants to champion the values of environmental
stewardship, your participation from the start could help shape the very heart of thisevent.
This is an opportunity to forge relationships that build trust and long-term loyalty.
(23:14):
Also, I want to reiterate that it's just me here doing this and I could use the help.
If you're up for volunteering or pitching in, let's make something happen.
The contact form for volunteers, vendors, for sponsors is found in the show notes and atclimatefairplay.com.
(23:38):
That's going to be it for this episode of the Climate Fair Play.
Don't forget to subscribe to the Climate Fair Play podcast and share this episode withanybody you think would be interested in building community resources for environmental
sustainability.
more updates and ways to get involved, visit climatefairplay.com.
(24:00):
I'm providing as much information on the website as possible as how I'm putting thispop-up market together, because I think it's important to share this information.
Since we focus so much on the community level in this episode.
Next, I want to talk about the current state of the global sustainable development goalsas we break into 2025.
(24:23):
I also have some cool interviews lined up soon.
So, again, all of this will be found at the Climate Fair Play podcast feed and at theClimate Fair Play podcast website.
Thanks for listening and being a part of the conversation.
I appreciate every single listen.
(24:44):
Until next time.
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