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This article for @archdigest written by @abigail_g This article for @archdigest written by @abigail_glasgow is a great read! Here’s a snippet, including a quote from me (or swipe left to see): Abigail: “this effort to sell sustainability—packaged in words like nontoxic, organic, or eco-friendly—has only increased in recent years, which is why the insight from climate educators—particularly women of color and Indigenous community members—is crucial in disseminating accurate information and ideas on how to actually live more sustainably.” Me: “I look at my mom and her lifestyle—she has this beautiful coconut farm in Kerala, south India. She has solar panels, she composts, she hangs clothes up to dry. I told her, ‘Mom, you live such a sustainable lifestyle.’ And she said, ‘What do you mean? What is that?” Abigail: “This is how sustainability content creator and advocate Ashley Renne encapsulates the cognitive dissonance surrounding what we call “sustainable living.” And Ashley’s mother is not operating in a silo. Environmentalism has been shaped by Indigeneous communities, communities of color, and low-income communities, who are accustomed to reducing their consumption and reusing materials. And yet, somewhere along the way, that expertise has been co-opted by wealthy and mostly white elites to mean organic pants worth a whole day’s wages and pictures of all-beige minimalist bedrooms.” Please read the whole article if you get a chance - all the eco advocates interviewed gave thoughtful perspectives and insight into this topic 💚🌿 And share your thoughts! How are you feeling about the “sustainability movement” these days?
My annual Easter reminder. Can we talk about this? My annual Easter reminder. Can we talk about this? Every year, parents and grandparents give bunnies and chicks to kids as Easter surprises. Not understanding what it takes to care for these animals, they abandon them after the novelty wears off. According to Nat Geo, Around 80% of rabbits bought for Easter die or are abandoned within the first year of ownership. Rabbits are smart, social creatures that live for many years and require the same kind of love and commitment you'd give a dog or cat. If you bring any animal into your home, it should go without saying that they are now your family, not disposable toys or entertainment. This is why holidays lowkey stress me out. Often, the traditions associated with our holiday celebrations lead to overconsumption, a surge in waste, and animal exploitation of some kind. Animals who become the symbols of these holidays (Easter bunny, Christmas reindeer, Thanksgiving turkey, etc) end up suffering for our entertainment. So maybe it's time we rethink the way we celebrate. As you start families of your own, I challenge you to examine the childhood traditions you plan to pass on to your kids. This is the perfect opportunity to start new ones. Traditions that are sustainable and cruelty-free. We have the power to help future generations break the cycles of our harmful habits. What's a tradition you enjoyed as a kid that you realize now in hindsight might not have been planet or animal friendly?
Plant-based pediatrician Dr. Shayna Smith (@plantb Plant-based pediatrician Dr. Shayna Smith (@plantbasedkidsmd) of @flourishpeds dropped a lot of gems in our live! Can kids be plant-based/vegan? Should protein be a concern? What other nutrients are important? How can we encourage kids to eat more plants? These are just a few questions she answers! Here's the replay for anyone who missed it. We are thinking of doing a Part 2. If we do, what should we cover next?
This year, for #WorldDayofSocialJustice, I have th This year, for #WorldDayofSocialJustice, I have the honor of speaking alongside powerful activists representing various movements. Each of us on this powerhouse panel assembled by @partnersinhealth, is an advocate who cares deeply about tipping the scales of justice. This very special panel will discuss modern day #activism, the role of social media, and the importance of going beyond social platforms to create systemic change.⁠ #Socialjustice starts with all of us. The goal of this conversation is to inspire viewers to consider the many social justice issues we face as a global community. We'll be sharing the different and unique ways YOU can make space and join social justice efforts to benefit all. You're invited and it's FREE! Event date: Thursday, February 17th, 2022 at 3:00 p.m EST⁠ Register for Tipping the Scales of Justice at the 🔗 in my bio.
Today I'm sharing a peek into @heyhotjupiter, my s Today I'm sharing a peek into @heyhotjupiter, my startup I've been building! I'll be on the WOC Beauty Bosses panel speaking about my journey as a co-founder and Chief Impact Officer. My sis and I are speaking, along with the powerhouse founders behind @lamikbeauty and @doubledowncosmetics, about the much-needed systemic change in access and representation within the industry. We're two working moms out here hustling to launch something beautiful that inspires our culture and the next generation to embrace sustainability in a relatable way. And we're doing it by creating a brand that helps kids just like ours build better habits for the health of their skin, the planet, and animals. PS. If you vibe with our mission to flip the script on who gets access to safe, vegan, climate-conscious products, DM me! I'll add you to my green circle, our private community where we share BTS of building the brand plus a few other perks we’ll let you know about soon 🥰✌🏽️ 🎟 ✨Event hosted by @bartlettbrands and @sfdesignweek - tickets in stories!
Yep that's right. Beauty products with the biggest Yep that's right. Beauty products with the biggest health and environmental impacts are marketed to women of color. Surprise, surprise. But not really right? Part 2 of our @Beautyandimpact Podcast Episode on "Decoding Clean Beauty for Women of Color" dropped yesterday and the conversation continues with the brilliant Boma Brown-West of the @environmental_defense_fund. In Part 2, we talk to Boma about the Clean Beauty Justice initiative, how women of color can learn more about the products we use to make informed environmental choices and the racial disparity when it comes to beauty and personal care products available to us. Give it a listen! Find us by searching for Beauty and Impact on your favorite podcast app. If you love the content, please subscribe too 💚✨🥰
What’s the latest news in sustainable travel? @a What’s the latest news in sustainable travel? @alaskaair partnered with @boxedwater to officially eliminate the biggest sources of plastic waste on their flights - plastic water bottles and cups (which I saw first-hand on a recent gifted trip). And guess what, this switch removes an estimated 1.8 million pounds of single-use plastics from their planes over the next year! For those who are already eco-minded, we know the most sustainable option for individuals is to bring your own reusable water bottle and refill it. In my ideal world, everyone would do that. But that’s not reality (at least not now). Until sustainability becomes embedded in American culture, it will take the work of corporations to implement solutions that make it easier for people to make more eco-conscious choices via the products they use. In the travel industry, that means airlines, hotels, airports, etc need to provide travelers with more sustainable options. For example: 💧For those who bring their reusable water bottles, we need more refill stations. 💧 For those who don’t bring one, we need the travel sector to be like Alaska Airlines and replace plastic water bottles with plastic-free options. How Boxed Water is Better Than Plastic Bottled Water: ✨ the water is packaged in paper cartons ✨ packaging is recyclable, refillable and BPA free ✨packaging is made of 92% plant material sourced from sustainably harvested trees ✨ the resealable cap comes from leftover materials in the paper-making process Pretty dope. Next time you fly Alaska and they give you Boxed Water, be sure to keep it with you! It’s sturdy and safe enough to continue using and refilling. #iflyalaska #betterplanet
It's Green Tea Tuesday, and today I want to post a It's Green Tea Tuesday, and today I want to post a reminder to check out my new podcast @beautyandimpact which spills all the green tea on beauty and sustainability! 🍵 Our latest episode talks about the health and environmental impacts of your beauty products, so give it a listen 💚 We drop a new episode every two weeks, so I hope you're excited for next Wednesday's show! It'll be Part 2 of our "Decoding Clean Beauty for Women of Color" episode, and will dive deeper into how these health and enviroental impacts of beauty also disproportionately affect women of color the most. ✨ PS. To listen or subscribe, the 🔗 is in my bio or simply search for "Beauty and Impact" in your favorite podcast player.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my big sis and partner-in-crime HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my big sis and partner-in-crime @jasminepennamma. Whewwww if y'all only knew just how close we've gotten these last few years and what we've been working on together. All I can say is she means everything to me. Becoming a mother a year ago was transformational for me in so many ways, one of which was my heightened appreciation for both my sister and my own mother. You don't know what you don't know - and it took me becoming a mom to fully grasp the sheer magnitude of motherhood. It's essentially a rite of passage, one my sister experienced years before I did - but at the time I was oblivious to how pivotal that transition to "mother" was for her. She's a way more supportive sister to me than I was to her when she first became a mom. And although I can't go back and change that, I'm so appreciative of the shared bond we have now as mothers and sisters. From hanging out in India, multiple times in Atlanta, and most recently Arizona, I'm grateful for all this quality time we've been able to spend together, geeking out over mom stuff, our podcast, and our secret project we've been working on since 2019. If you want to help us celebrate Jasmine's big day, subscribe to our new podcast @beautyandimpact. Search "Beauty and Impact" on your favorite podcast streaming platform to find it. 🥰 And PLEASE wish her a happy birthday!! 🎉🎉🎉
Whoop! Our new podcast @beautyandimpact is here! O Whoop! Our new podcast @beautyandimpact is here! Our show is a deep dive into how sustainability intersects with beauty and culture. We’re sharing resources, interviewing experts and helping educate people of color about the health and environmental impacts of the beauty industry. Our guests will put you on game and even have your jaw dropping at times. Beauty is a billion dollar industry and it's no secret the amount of damage it has caused our planet (and self-esteem) throughout the years. But change is happening and we're bringing you the visionaries driving it. Beauty + Impact is now available for you to subscribe to on your favorite podcast platform (🔗 in bio). We currently have an introductory episode on there, but the first OFFICIAL episode drops Wednesday and it’s a heavy one! Green tea will be spilled so get your cup ready. What topic are you hoping to see us cover in an episode? 🎙️
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Ashley Renne

Live an adventurously green life

My thoughts, opinions, and personal essays on travel, being vegan, green living, smart tech, and blogging as a mixed race Black and Indian woman.

Category: Opinion

Posted on 22 Oct 20194 Nov 2019
Is Camel Riding Ethical? | Sustainable Travel in Egypt

Animal Activism, Blog, Destinations, Middle East, Opinion, Sustainable Tourism

Is Camel Riding Ethical? | Sustainable Travel in Egypt

Is camel riding ethical? In Egypt I witnessed cruel working conditions for camels, horses and donkeys. Here are my thoughts. 

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Posted on 16 Sep 201917 Sep 2019
Self-Driving Electric Cars Don’t Exist | It Can Wait Pledge

Blog, Opinion, Smart Tech

Self-Driving Electric Cars Don’t Exist | It Can Wait Pledge

Distracted driving is outdated. Whatever it is, it can wait. Here are 5 ways to prevent distractions from happening!  

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Posted on 10 Sep 20175 Jan 2019
Tiger Escape in Atlanta – The REAL Issue Nobody is Talking About

Blog, Opinion, Sustainable Tourism, Vegan Lifestyle

Tiger Escape in Atlanta – The REAL Issue Nobody is Talking About

For the past few days or so, my Facebook timeline has been flooded with news about the tiger that had been roaming the streets of Atlanta. Many seemed bewildered for the most part. C’mon, is it really that shocking? Let me explain. FIRST, WHAT HAPPENED? The Bengal tiger wandering around Atlanta was named Suzy and

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Posted on 13 Jul 201724 Nov 2018
Is 1st Class Worth the Money On a Short Flight?

Blog, Opinion

Is 1st Class Worth the Money On a Short Flight?

Let’s talk about irony. I’m the quintessential travel addict who eats, sleeps, and breathes globetrotting. Yet my husband Karl, who is more content in his man cave, is the one who always gets us upgraded to 1st class for free when I do happen to convince him to travel with me somewhere. HOW SWAY? It’s

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Posted on 30 Apr 20177 Jan 2019
The Middle East is a Scary Place? | Layover in Doha, Qatar

Asia, Blog, Destinations, Hotels, Middle East, Opinion

The Middle East is a Scary Place? | Layover in Doha, Qatar

When I was looking up flights to India, without hesitation, I chose whatever was the most convenient to my schedule. In this instance, Qatar Airlines was the best choice since it meant I’d only have to deal with one stop in Doha, Qatar. I booked my flight without batting an eyelash. I realized later though

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