15 ways to help the planet in under 15 minutes (quick & easy ways to be sustainable)

[@veraerdei6008]

Your audio quality got so much worse in your recent videos, I just wanted to point it out, because you might not have noticed it. I hope you will be able to fix it as soon as possible. This problem makes your videos really hard to enjoy. In some of your videos like this one and "tips for an eco-friendly home (renewables, energy efficiency, and money)" the audio is really bad, but in "the dangers of microplastics | where they come from, how they impact the planet & how to stop them" it's completely fine. I am sorry for bothering you and complaining, because this (as all your other videos) was an amazing and informative video!!!

[@anavidreader277]

I second this!

[@pinkfeet518]

i agree!

[@cassidy983]

I agree!

[@rebeccaowen8699]

Maybe it's because the house is probably pretty empty by now since they are moving? I don't know, maybe that created the different sound? Just my thoughts 😅

[@laurenambrose4012]

Audio was def off

[@hardertobreathe]

People don't realize how easy it can actually be to make political change sometimes. Because so few people actually participate in voting/activism, the ones who do get outsized results. For example, a local activist group that I volunteer with took a proposal to our city council to ban plastic bags. They were prepared to go to bat for it, but when the council saw the request, they basically shrugged their shoulders and said "Sure". So now there has been a ban on plastic bags in our county for 2.5 years just because someone asked. So just want to echo what you said and urge everyone reading to vote and participate!! Thanks for the video! 😊

[@curiouschicana9098]

A note on the farmers market thing, in the state of NM at least there's a program where they essentially double the value of your food stamps if you buy locally grown food. It's worth checking out if you're state does something similar

[@mishaaudis2693]

Arizona does this as well. 😊

[@melaniehamilton-basich3469]

I believe California's CalFresh does this as well.

[@winterzealot]

Wow!! That's great to know as someone in New Mexico :) Thank you so much!

[@avacurtis2729]

Utah does this for folks on food stamps

[@7drunkenmermaids431]

Where in NM are you? I'm wondering if that program would apply to something like Skarsgard, who delivers all over the state, that we have here in NM. Have you heard anything about that? I live in Ruidoso and we don't have much of a farmers market.

[@karaleigh_eva]

You’ve encouraged me so much not only to reduce my own waste, but to dedicate my time to research and take action toward the future I want to see. I’m actually doing a class presentation on “eco-minimalism” in hopes of reaching out to other people who care. It’s so easy to feel hopeless in your efforts but seeing all the beautiful people in these comments sections is just so reinvigorating 💕💕💕

[@roserobb]

An early sustainable moving tip: hit up your local buy nothing pages and you can often get boxes for free! Or, if that doesn't shake out, go to a grocery store and ask if they have any boxes, and you can also often get boxes for free!

[@dianabaez2285]

Definitely grocery store, they be happy to give them to you

[@magalysoro-fernandez4052]

I did this, I also used a giant suitcase that someone from my buy nothing group was going to throw out

[@BouncyBrown]

Craigslist too!

[@KikiIsBusy]

The nextdoor app is also good for this. The rest of it is a dumpster fire though.

[@MichiruEll]

Also, this might be niche, but if you're a uni student, go ask labs at the science faculty, or the main shop of the science faculty. They get so many deliveries! And all the boxes are great sizes.

[@SaveMoneySavethePlanet]

100% on registering to vote! In LA we have a funny situation right now where ridership on all public transit is steadily decreasing, but there is a whole smorgasbord of projects in the works creating new lines and LA is actually the city currently investing the most in public transit! But why? If ridership is declining? It’s all cause we VOTED for it. Measure M and Measure R are two big things which generated a lot of income. In addition, electing Biden who put Pete Buttigeg in as the secretary of transportation led to him giving LA a massive grant for public transit projects in the last year. So yea, voting (across the board) can have a huge effect on your day to day life. Sometimes it just takes a bit to see the effect actually happen.

[@AlicedeTerre]

Yes yes yes! Good job LA! I visit there fairly often since my sister lives there and it saddens me how car centric it is. Soooo happy for you guys. Us in SF, on the other hand, are sliding backwards with our transit agency losing money. If you have friends in SF pls encourage them to vote yes on L for transit.

[@SaveMoneySavethePlanet]

@@AlicedeTerre that’s really sad to hear that SF of all places feels like it’s backsliding in the public transportation department 😔 Hopefully people show up and vote for it in a month! I personally get annoyed always hearing people claim that it’s cheaper to build freeways than public transit. So I’m releasing a video next month where I do a ton of math in order to show that our community spends way more money building car centric infrastructure.

[@MichiruEll]

Regarding food waste: I recommend smaller fridges. Use less energy, and if you can fit less food, there's less chances of it going bad

[@BizBrew]

Always a lot of good information! One thing I do have to mention though for the watering aspect is if the plants die then the issue of soil erosion can happen as the roots of those plants hold the soil down. Getting them to replace the grass with multiple low growing plants so it's not a monoculture that require less water to keep the soil erosion from occurring might be something to consider. I'm not a master gardener and still have much to learn on the topic but just one little thought. Anyways, as always you rock!

[@4-kathryn]

I adore Payday peanut bars, so last week I contacted the Hersey company if they could make more sustainable packaging for those candy bars. I doubt it'll happen but if enough folks request it we could potentially change minds.

[@headlikesoup]

I know this might sound weird, but I felt kind of proud Not Stopping my 3yo picking up trash and putting it in the bin while on a walk through town. It’s so important to encourage and teach that this is a very positive thing to do.

[@headlikesoup]

And yes, we got some looks, but that’s ok. It’s a shame people are not more open to litter picking.

[@Lizzy43645]

I can’t believe you’re officially moving!!!! So excited for you. I was livid at 3 giant catalogs in my mailbox last week and went online to get off those lists. The holidays are so stressful seeing the wasted paper.

[@Selinde5]

For junk mail, there are also legislative changes that could help. Where I live, there is a distinction between advertisements "addressed" to you, and advertisements that are just put into every mailbox in the street (flyers and such). The first type is only allowed by law if there is an existing vendor-client relationship (e.g. if you've purchased something from that store in the past) and you can always opt out of those when you make that purchase (very few companies actually try to offer them, they all prefer email). The second type is only allowed if you have an official sticker on your mailbox saying "yes to flyers please". Very occasionally something slips through (usually a local small business that doesn't know the law very well) but I generally don't receive any junk mail, and it took me exactly zero effort. That last part is important, because if it's the default then I know that most of my neighbors also don't receive any, even if they don't really care about the environment.

[@ellaronci2703]

this is the perfect video! it really helps people who are looking to help but arent in the place to change thier entire lifestyle

[@madelynbryan5712]

I’d love to see a video deep dive into “sustainable grocery brands” like Annie’s

[@modernminimalist1]

My favorite quotes are "The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it" & " You must be the change you wish to see in he world"🌍❤

[@ellaronci2703]

7:33 I didnt know about emails being bad! I always thought random junk emails werent a big deal other than being annoying. can you make a video or something diving into this more? id love to learn more about it and what i can do. is it just deleting them after i get them or do i have to unsubscribe?? i genuinely have no idea so any help would be much appreciated!!!

[@curiouschicana9098]

Unsubscribing would be best so you never have to worry about them again, but yeah delete everything you dont need. My understanding is that everything you do or every little bit of data you store on the internet takes energy. Not just energy from your own personal computer, but from the huge computers and data centers that keep the internet functioning. So like, don't leave tabs open if you're not using them, don't store data on the cloud (documents, photos, videos, emails, etc) that you don't need. Honestly, I don't think there's much data on how much a difference that would make, but it never hurts to declutter your digital life.

[@elihinze3161]

I've just switched my statements to paperless, looked up when early voting starts where I am in Texas, and marked it on my calendar! I pick up trash all the time, too; it drives my husband nuts. 😂 I've started carrying small grocery-store bags to collect it with on my walks!

[@abideanddwell]

I love this so much! THANK YOU! I promise I am not trying to sound lazy so hear me out. Is there a way you can make a google docs or google sheets of some of the templates that you use to write to companies and government? I am new to this and don't always have the best wording to get my point across. I would be open to pay for this as a package of some sort! It would help me to get my feet wet while also learning to have my own voice.

[@DaisyGalvanlikes]

This is a great idea

[@BouncyBrown]

I've been asking for this! Give us some boilerplate! (I never thought of it as a lazy request! Some people just aren't good writers and even the people who are might not have the time or bandwidth.)

[@elizarline]

These are really helpful, thanks! I’ve been working on not contaminating my recycles. Even have a flier from my local county on dos&don’ts. Still hard, still things I forget or miss from other members of my household, but little by little. I would note that going paperless is great for people who are set up with a reliable computer and smart phone. A lot of people still use older tech phones, or can’t afford to maintain a laptop, etc. Also, depending on the bill and the company/provider, paper can be a far better way to make sure bills get paid on time and at the right amount. I’ve been burned more than once by companies not informing me directly on changes. Only way to know would be to regularly log in to every online account to make sure things are good and that just doesn’t work for a lot of people, including me. If you don’t log in monthly at least, you can also still get burned by late fees and credit hits, and not because you didn’t pay, but because the amount was incorrect. For paper’s sake I hope paperless can work for a lot of people, and I will continue to try 😊 Thank you for all the advice you share!

[@le4905]

I remember sharing that quote a handful of years ago and it's stuck with me since then.

[@1bestfriend2u18]

Congratulations on your new space in Austin. 🌟

[@marzettik]

This was super cool. Oh, is it just me or does the audio seem a little off?

[@amiradelcorto7281]

Yes!!

[@slothgirl2107]

the voting website was extremely helpful. Thank you!

[@sarahkelland2842]

Great video as always 💚 Maybe you could show how you go about searching for local environmental groups? Even a short insta/tiktok?

[@avacurtis2729]

I would see if your city has a Sierra Club chapter first and then try to figure out who they partner with to find more

[@katrinaporter5708]

Hi Shelby, I was wondering what you knew about micro-plastics and how to combat the spread of them. For me in particular, I work in a lab that makes glasses and every time a lens is cut to fit frames, it leaves behind a large amount of plastic dust that collects in the sock and the container of water below the machine. When cleaning the water out of the bin, I notice that even with my device that separates water from plastic these very small plastic particles cannot be filtered and I have to watch milky white water go down the drains. I know this can’t be good and have no idea how to combat it.

[@1bestfriend2u18]

10:55 document it and if you feel comfortable let us know your journey on starting your chapter.

[@margaritamartinez6413]

Thanks for Sharing

[@its1sasha142]

Well done w this video! These things people can do easily in their everyday life for the environment/nature/planet!

[@nanny8675309]

Another great video! Thank you for the great info. I also wanted to say your shirt is super pretty and I love the plants in the background I love seeing them all the time😍

[@raydgreenwald7788]

Hey Shebeleze, do you have thoughts on human composting for a burial option?

[@ambero.9754]

does turning your surg protector off count as unplugging?

[@SusanForeman1963]

Those puff sleeves are amazing.

[@feylights166]

I selected paperless (automatic payment) for my insurance, and they still send me the bill, even though I've already paid.

[@mhmmhm5995]

I went to the website of my local recycling company, and they said that you don’t have to think about which plastic you put into the recycling bin since they have a machine that sort those using a scan! I was pleasantly surprised

[@croakiex9873]

I live in a home on a dead end street, that's also on the end of two adjacent roads - My house has become a "catch all" for stray garbage from the trash trucks and the rest of the neighborhood and it drives me absolutely insane.. I'm constantly picking up other peoples garbage, and while I am glad I know it's actually getting disposed of - but it's really opened my eyes bc I'm certain this happens often, to a bunch of neighborhoods. If each person was just a little more careful, this wouldn't be such a huge issue for us and others :/

[@aurorapapillon4883]

If you start your own group for anything eco, can you show us how you plan and organise it? I'm a bit awkward and I'm finding it hard to figure out how to start a local plogging group (safely) so I'd love to see how someone else does it

[@LittleBitOfLee]

Hi Shelby, I love you’re videos and you have really helped me start my journey for environmental advocacy and justice. I have been learning about soil draw-down to reverse global warming and was wondering if you ever heard of it?

[@15angieee]

You are an inspiration. Love your top, so cute on you.

[@terryannanderson8812]

Great video. Excellent content. Good luck with the move.

[@jol5245]

Awesome video, good job👍

[@natgars]

So helpful this video as always.I will miss this set up but I’m excited about all the new content that can come from moving to a different house/city.

[@its1sasha142]

Good points!

[@Sirsockbuddy]

congrats on the move!!

[@Ally-ug3nq]

Great 🙃 🤸🏻‍♀️ video 🎥 S! Brilliant ☺️ advice and tips. Looking adorable 😍🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🎃🎃🎃 . I live outside USA so I have taken tips that are relevant to me and what I can do where I live. . I look forward to your videos ❣️ in your Austin home 🏡

[@Gardenpixee]

We are in the middle of moving, doing is sustainably would be even better!

[@crowgrl13]

Is switching off a power strip the same as unplugging?

[@charleylouise3900]

If you’re in the uk or another place that has a switch on the socket, that’s the same as unplugging. If you use a standard American or European plug where there’s no switch on the topic, then some energy still travels through when the appliance switch is off (if it has one)…. How do I know? I could hear the residual energy in my charger when it wasn’t turned off at the socket!

[@crowgrl13]

@@charleylouise3900 Good to know, thank you!

[@mariebarker4499]

God bless you!!!

[@film9491]

Can you give instructions on how to unsubscribe from junk mail? Great video!

[@tracy6144]

Catalog choice is a good website to start with

[@islahilton4651]

Can you please make a video about what to watch, Read and listen to about climate change

[@guineawheat]

Hey, you may want to check your audio settings as your mic is peaking hard in this video - either mic is too sensitive (gain is too high), too close, or you're talking too loudly (which seems least likely) - I'm sure there are guides available for whatever model you use that can help either fix the settings on the mic or the edits in post.

[@rachelwolf5370]

Thank you for sharing such an informative video!

[@susanaaguirre9558]

Hello shelbi!! been a subscriber for years! I love everything you do and educate us on but I have a question!! Is there a way you can do a video on books that we can read/ listen to learn more about sustainability? i know you've talked about The Story of Stuff, and other books before but a video dedicated on the would be very helpful! Thank you!

[@pointeplusplus]

Fantastic video and congrats on the move! I have one kinda weird question for the mail thing - my house was bought from an estate sale and I still get so much mail for the previous owner even though I've lived here for over 3 years. I've complained to the post office 6 times, but it still keeps coming in. Is there any way I can cancel it? It seems like such a waste

[@kelleenbrx6649]

Return to Sender is the best way for that specific mailer to change the address.

[@kasironi]

Also could put return to sender-deceased or no longer at this address

[@pointeplusplus]

@@kelleenbrx6649 I appreciate all of the replies! I tried the return to sender/no longer at this address (I even got a stamp!) for the first year but I didn't notice any change in the amount of mail I got

[@roxanaalecu3741]

We don' t do it for the planet,we do it for our lives.

[@Sarah-gl5ne]

I've never been so early!! Love your videos!

[@miles_quartz]

do they sell sustainable versions of those reacher/ grabber claw things? or should I look on ebay or something

[@selenac9941]

out of curiosity i looked on fb marketplace and three different ones popped up for sale near me, worth a try

[@kalliemj]

how do you move all of your plants to a new house or city? i assume its not good to put in a moving truck

[@mags7432]

I love your top!!!! Btw

[@Separatechurchnstate743]

Please share the ones in Austin when you move!!

[@CarlinaSunshine]

Can you do a video on who to vote for in Florida or what policies that are zero waste/green/sustainable but not super costly at the same time? And can you make more videos like this one? And on how to be zero waste on a budget? And I have a problem with wanting to buy Monster High dolls and merch even though it’s probably not the most sustainable or minimalistic thing, so could you please make a video on how to avoid hoarding dolls when you are collecting some?

[@magizzles]

SUPER IMPORTANT ECO-READ RECOMMENDATION: Less is More by Jason Hickel Degrowth is the way forward people!

[@MsEmilyish]

please do a “what I eat in a day as a climatarian!!”

[@katiecraven403]

The audio is pretty bad! Helpful tips though ❤️

[@juliadandy6019]

Off topic: your hair looks so good!!

[@oliviaswan6751]

What site do you use to get rid of physical junk mail?

[@tracy6144]

Catalog choice is a good website to start with

[@bechannel582]

I love you shirt 👕 ❤️

[@ElisaAvigayil]

Skip to @1:19

[@HanhNguyen-uk8bc]

Currently living overseas and updated my voter registration today so I can still receive my ballot. I try not to miss any election but I absolutely don't want to miss these midterms.

[@mariak9085]

“Are We Screwed?” is a great book to read about climate change!

[@MOMOHEARTS]

For the government, let them know how much you care by voting Green! Voting Green goes to fight for the planet and many more!

[@SustainablyBex]

The vampire energy thing is so frustrating as I unplug everything when it’s not in use and have done since childhood when my parents taught me to but my partner does not believe in this and says it makes no difference even though his sister who works in energy has said this to us after I’ve brought it up to him multiple times 😅

[@teas.9566]

it would be nice if environmental issues were kept from some other issues that murk up the water in terms of voting

[@SparklinYoga]

I want to organize a dinner with my friends and watch Dominion… they might get nightmares though

[@raapyna8544]

Sounds great!

[@daniilouwho]

Do you ever share sample docs/letters that we can copy/paste and send to politicians and companies?

[@zakosist]

6:29 now I'm gonna go and ask my internet subscription to stop sending me paper mail, hope it will work. Edit: couldnt get in contact right now, but Im gonna call them during opening time

[@izzy.di4z]

great ideas! quick tip: your audio is peaking!

[@Ev3_6]

I eat a climatarian diet- no meat and no dairy

[@smritivats]

I often think about this quote that you started with, that millions and billions need to do sustainability imperfectly for us to make an impact...although I feel like millions and billions already live a very low waste, sustainable life, especially in the global south. So what is it that is really going to work?

[@gabedino]

Has anyone else been having trouble using the WGAC code?

[@1bestfriend2u18]

Cute blouse 👚 😍

[@cinnamonbun1354]

Ikr she looks incredible in it

[@Sophie-kn3gh]

👍

[@bm-k9546]

I live in Austin and would love to see (after you move and get settled in) what specific organizations you join and/or start. Let me know!! :))

[@AlicedeTerre]

Any viewers in SF vote YES ON J,L,N for car free JFK, transit, and opening up the parking garage in the park (so we can stop fighting over car free JFK) and NO on I, which wants to put cars back on jfk, the great highway 24/7.

[@zzsofi1552]

OMG even the (usually-not-so-eco-friendly) USA has the option to go paperless with bills? ;-; Wish we had that too. But I can only choose if I want a digital bill ALSO, but they will ALWAYS send me the paper one too. (The government kinda keeps our post service alive artificially with these rules.)

[@Thathippiekittykat]

Sorry I had to stop watching because the audio was really upsetting (as an autistic I find things like this a bit much!) I love your videos and what I did watch was really informative. Thank you for sharing though ❤

[@crystaloelke298]

Are there any laws against mailing junk mail?

[@va3279]

Most Sustainable I did is being born as Indian :)

[@corajohnson9802]

I get SO much junk mail and I try to stop it but it never works

[@justbeingkar]

I can't unsubscribe from any of my junk mail anymore because it's all general mail, no addressee or anything. I hate it. It's an entire kitchen garbage cans worth every week....after i unsubscribed from all that i can.

[@justbeingkar]

@@youtubeacc i could give it a shot

[@jasminecooper7280]

Stupid question who is Sage

[@gawahamster7608]

pick up da trash litter-ally 😎

[@nnbnbnn]

girl those sleeves need to chill out. love ur channel

[@Kittyheavenwith21cats]

what i swear you just moved to that house, why are you moving? did i miss this video

[@Shelbizleee]

I moved to that house 3 years ago. I explain in my newest video why we’re moving.

[@Kittyheavenwith21cats]

@@Shelbizleee ok sorry your videos havent been notified and i must"ve mssed it .ill search and make sure my bell is on. Thanks for your response. Your new is a great btw

[@heckyesitsjess84]

How do I unsubscribe from un-needed political flyers? I know who I'm voting for. I don't need any of that junk.

[@innap2607]

I loved your videos for couple of years now and I do not understand why you do not address war in Ukraine. Today a russia sent 83 missels targeting civilians in big cities. I understand that your Chanel is all about what we can do for our 🌎, I guess stoping war is quite important for this cause. russia is burning crops causing hunger in a lot of countries, they where shooting at the atomic power plant almost causing another Chernobyl and now threaten to use nuclear weapon. There are a lot of things that can be done to stop this terrorist state. We Ukrainians will fight to the end however the question is what will be left of our planet.

[@Azarko212]

I feel like Our Changing Climates channel would be better suited for that conversation

[@MrChevrolet94]

Driving and EV is NOT one of them

[@nathanengel5962]

Damn why you yelling?