Matt interviews Fiona Nugent, the creative mind behind Made by Fiona.

Fiona is a friend of Matt’s and a New York City-based knitter, pattern tester, and all-around crafter.

They talk about sustainability in fashion, making your own clothing, the fast-fashion problem, and what it means to be environmentally conscious when filling our closets. For more from Fiona, follow her on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube by clicking any of these links.

Make sure to check out our sponsor for today’s episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.

Matt talks about this year’s Biodiversity Summit in Colombia before breaking down what the 2024 U.S. Elections mean for the environment and our climate goals.

COP16 Sources:

1. COP16: Landmark biodiversity agreements adopted | UN News
2. ‘We are walking a long path’: Some progress at COP16, but so far to go

U.S. Election Sources:

1. U.S. Election Sends Alarming Message for Global Climate Efforts
2. What Trump Can—And Probably Can’t—Do to Reverse U.S. Climate Policy | Scientific American
3. Trump's win promises to shake up U.S. energy and climate policy : NPR

Matt interviews James Leitner, the Founder and Executive Director of Mission Clean Water (MCW). James recently returned from Uganda where his team installed hand-pump water systems to help bring clean water closer to the communities the wells service.

MCW aims to address a major issue with clean water projects in Africa: 60% of them fail within the first two years, according to the World Health Organization.

MCW says this is because projects are implemented too quickly, and without proper consultation and coordination with local communities.

Their focus on community involvement treats clean water as the beginning of the process, and not just a photo-op and plaque next to a well that will not function properly in a few years.

Their team of technical and community teams maintain communication, training, and long-term involvement so that their wells will continue to provide clean water to arid regions that have been underserved for generations.

Learn more at www.missioncleanwater.org and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Formerly known as Twitter).

You can also visit our sponsor of today's episode at Vala Alta using this link for 15% off.