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Check out recent or past events featuring the Aspire to Zero community
April 11, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Earth Ethics Environmental Education Series
Tuesday, March 22nd at 6:00 p.m. CST VIRTUAL
“The Problem with Plastics”
Northwest Florida – 01 April 2022.
Join us for a discussion on “The Problem with Plastics.” Guest speakers will discuss the impacts plastics and microplastics are having on the environment and our health. We will also discuss the impacts of single-use plastics and what actions we can take to eliminate our use of them.
Guest Speakers are Laura Tiu, Ph.D., and Rachana Shah.
Dr. Tiu is a Marine Science Extension Agent with the University of Florida Sea Grant. Her areas of expertise include aquaculture, technology transfer, industry development, and environmental education. Signature projects include the development of an Aquaponics Community of Practice, a group of individuals learning together to advance aquaponics in the region. Dr. Tiu provides leadership for the Florida Sea Grant Aquaculture Working Group with projects focusing on offshore aquaculture, shellfish and baitfish aquaculture, and seafood safety and integrity. She is also working on a micro-plastic awareness project, supports a Florida-friendly fishing guide effort with the for-hire boat captains, and coordinates a series of environmental awareness eco-tours in the panhandle of Florida.
Rachana Shah, Rachana is a systems thinker, zero waste consultant, activist, public speaker, mother of 2 young children, and a proud resident of Queens, NYC (traditional territory of the Lenape Munsee, Canarsie, and Matinecock peoples). Currently, Rachana does zero-waste consulting for corporate offices, residential buildings, and foodservice businesses, helping them plan and launch successful organics collection programs, conducting zero waste audits, and more. Prior to this, Rachana collaborated with schools keen to join NYC’s Zero Waste Schools program so they can begin composting programs and increase awareness of the climate crisis. She is a Beyond Plastics certified Speaker, Climate Reality certified Leader/Speaker, and graduate of the DSNY’s Zero Waste Academy. She has worked in the waste space both domestically and abroad, in waste reduction and climate justice efforts, and has a background in Complex Systems.
Questions, comments, or to RSVP to the event email Mary Gutierrez, Executive Director for Earth Ethics, Inc., at earthethicsaction@gmail.com.
– end of release –
Thank you for your interest in protecting the environment.
850.549.7472 | earthethicsaction@gmail.com | earthethics.us
March 8, 2022
December 9, 2021
December 2, 2021
April 27, 2021
October 5, 2020
Environmental Racism Panel, Part of a Series by Malayalees for Black Lives Matter. Watch on Facebook or coming soon on YouTube. The panel features:
- Rachana Shah, Founder Aspire to Zero
- Greg Kandankulam, Senior Manager of Sustainability
- Richu Aby, Ethical and Sustainable Fashion Blogger @sustainabxtch
- Panel Moderator: Cindu Thomas-George, Principal Trainer at Shakti Diversity and Equity Training
October 2, 2020
Rachana writes about the intersection of Climate Justice and Racial Justice in a Guest Blog Post for Malayalees for Black Lives Matter. Read it at MBLM or under Blog here at Aspire to Zero.
September 30, 2020
Malayalees for Black Lives Matter is an Indian diaspora community that stands in solidarity with Black Americans and works to disrupt anti-Black racism. They are featuring a Structural Racism Panel Series which seeks to discuss the impact of racial inequality on various sectors, such as Entertainment and Education,
Rachana was honored to be a part of the discussion about Environmental Racism.
August 10, 2020
Podcaster and Co-Founder of Her Product Lab, Monica Rozenfeld, interviews Rachana about how she started Aspire to Zero and feeling of Imposter Syndrome that almost got in the way. Click to listen:
July 3, 2020
“Just in time for plastic-free July, we have self-proclaimed Sustainability Avenger and founder, Rachana Shah, on our series to myth bust recycling. Is it worth it? How effective is it? Why do it when only 5% of waste from America – the biggest waste producing country in the world – is being recycled?
We tackle these questions head on, in addition to peeling back some sticky layers of our climate justice problem – from classism as a barrier to more inclusive solutions, to contending with shame in our imperfect efforts to be sustainable. You’ll leave with a solid toolkit to be part of the solution for the long-haul.”
June 15, 2020
Solving Climate Change (Once And) For All
Now more than ever, our work needs to be intersectional. Whether you’ve been in the climate fight for years or are keen to join the cause, it’s imperative that we expand climate action to include social justice.
What does this mean? Where to begin? How does one person make a meaningful difference? Where do we find inspiration to continue the fight?
I tackle these questions and more alongside a dozen experts and entrepreneurs, covering the intersection of race, business, sustainability, and innovation with climate action.
[The series is finished. Check out what projects the series creator and moderator, Bee Hui Yeh, is working on currently at beehuiyeh.com.]