In this episode of We The Children, Zach and Clare travel to Berkeley, California, to meet environmental activist Annie Leonard. With nearly 50 years of experience in environmental advocacy, Annie has been a driving force behind movements to rethink consumerism, waste, and corporate responsibility. From her early days as a self-proclaimed "garbage spy" to creating The Story of Stuff and leading Greenpeace USA, Annie’s work has exposed the hidden costs of overconsumption and pollution.
Zach and Clare explore Annie’s journey, from witnessing clear-cut forests as a child to tracking global waste dumping and tackling the growing plastic crisis. She explains why our love of stuff is out of control and how young people can lead the movement for systemic change. The conversation highlights solutions like the sharing economy, responsible design, and political action. Plus, they dive into Annie’s latest work with the Jane Fonda Climate PAC, advocating for leaders who prioritize climate action.
Highlights
- Annie’s background and early activism (00:01:33)
- The clear-cutting moment that sparked her environmental passion (00:03:56)
- Becoming a "garbage spy" and tracking waste across the world (00:05:21)
- The impact of The Story of Stuff and what’s changed since its release (00:12:06)
- The Great Pacific Garbage Patch and the crisis of plastic pollution (00:15:08)
- Why recycling alone isn’t the solution (00:18:22)
- The importance of political action and Annie’s work with the Jane Fonda Climate PAC (00:22:40)
- Choosing hope as an act of resistance (00:26:26)
- How young people can drive community-led climate action (00:27:43)
Links & Resources
- The Story of Stuff – www.storyofstuff.org
- Jane Fonda Climate PAC – www.janepac.com
- Stoked Plastics – www.stokedplastics.com
- Take a landfill tour near you to see where your waste goes!
Connect With Us
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