How do we hold the grief, rage, and love that come with caring deeply about the climate crisis and still keep going? In this conversation, I’m joined by my friend Jen Knoch, a Toronto-based sustainability advocate and the creator of the Climate Emotions Retreat, to explore what it looks like to feel these emotions fully, stay rooted in care, and take meaningful action alongside others.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, inspired, or somewhere in between, this episode is a reminder that you don’t have to hold it all alone — and that small acts of tending and care really do matter.

Takeaways

• How naming and sharing climate emotions like grief, anger, and fear can help us stay connected and engaged.
• The community care practices that sustain Jen’s work — from food rescue to plant swaps.
• The impact of Ontario’s Bill 5 and what it reveals about climate grief and resistance.
• How rescued plants, slow walks, and seed libraries remind us that small acts of care can build connections and sustain a movement.

One Small Shift

Go for a bike ride and notice what’s blooming around you.

Books

ECW Press

New Society Publishers

Facing the Climate Emergency – Margaret Klein Salamon

Earth and Soul – Leah Rampy

Braiding Sweetgrass – Robin Wall Kimmerer

The Serviceberry – Robin Wall Kimmerer

Organizations

Climate Awakening

Indigenous Climate Action

Ecojustice

Environmental Defence

Ontario Nature

Mutual Aid & Local Resources

Community Fridges Toronto

Karma Co-op

Cycle Toronto

Find Your MPP (Ontario)

Connect with Jen

Five Minutes for the Planet (Jen’s Substack)

Instagram

Climate Emotions Retreat

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Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio

What we throw away tells a story. When we take time to look at what’s going into the bin (and why), we can start making more intentional choices, one small shift at a time.

This week on Sustainable in the Suburbs, I’ll guide you through how to do a simple waste audit. It’s a great starting point if you’ve ever wondered where to begin with low-waste living. And it’s a powerful reminder that every small step adds up!

Takeaways

• How to do a simple waste audit at home, at the office, or in the classroom.
• What to look for when analyzing your waste.
• How mindset shifts can help you reduce waste without overwhelm.
• Why household waste is only one piece of the bigger system — and what you can do about that.

One Small Shift

This week, just start noticing. Before you download your FREE Household Waste Audit Workbook, just take a short pause when you are about to toss something in the bin. Where did this thing in your hand come from? What else could you do with it? What bin does it really belong in? And what happens to it after it leaves your home?

Resources

If you’re looking for more ways to reduce waste at home, you might also like these posts:

Household Waste Audit Workbook (free printable download)

How to Conduct a Waste Audit With Kids

How to Prevent Food Waste With Kids

11 Ways to Reuse Food Scraps

Simple Kitchen Audit Workbook

If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.

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Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio

How do you turn “trash” into treasure and find joy in the process?

In this conversation with Amber (@sustainablyamber), we explore how upcycling, thrifting, and creative reuse can spark climate action and community connection.

You’ll hear how Amber got started, why she’s passionate about helping others value materials, and how everyday acts of making, reusing, and sharing can help us build a more sustainable life.

If you’ve ever wondered how to get started with creative reuse or what to do with “stuff,” this episode will leave you inspired to start small — and think big.

Takeaways:

• Creativity can be a powerful part of climate action.
• Upcycling is about rethinking the potential of everyday items.
• Thrifting, reuse stores, and community sharing build resourcefulness.
• DIY gifts and projects foster joy and connection.
• Gardening and growing food deepen our appreciation for nature.
• Small shifts, like reusing what you already have, are forms of activism.

One Small Shift:

Before you buy new, ask yourself: What could I repurpose or reuse instead? Small choices like using what you have or making gifts by hand help reduce waste and spark creativity.

Connect With Amber:

Sustainably Amber - Blog

Instagram

If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.

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Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio