EcoSparks

About EcoSparks

A Shanghai-based sustainability podcast showcasing the next generation of passionate, planet-focused young people. Follow discussions with young change-makers, future leaders, and sustainability experts every other week. Gain new perspectives from individuals with diverse cultural and industrial backgrounds on how you can make a difference.

Publisher

WeDiscover

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

18 Feb 2024

Latest episode

19 Aug 2024

Latest episodes

6 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Aug 2024

   One Drop At a Time | Santiago Rodrigo Patiño and Daniel Hurtado, Future Leaders

   In Episode 6 of the EcoSparks podcast, we follow Santiago Rodrigo Patiño and Daniel Hurtado, Co-Founders of FLUVIQ, as they journey from Spain to Shanghai to develop their startup. In an era where water scarcity is an escalating global concern, the demand for efficient and sustainable water management solutions has never been higher. FLUVIQ addresses this challenge by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to optimize water consumption in agriculture.This epi...

2. 

   17 Jun 2024

   Circular Design Makes The World Go Round | Tim Binnion, Expert

   In Episode 5 of EcoSparks, we are joined by Tim Binnion, the founder of (better)labs, and notably the first to combine product design and engineering with sustainable and circular innovation in China. Tim shares everything from his experience as the founder of a sustainable startup in China to the potential of circular design for creating a better planet, along with entrepreneurial lessons for young entrepreneurs! Time Stamps: 02:11 What actually is circular design? Has it something to do with drawing circles? 04:43 How can we make the shift as individuals and companies to a circular mindset? 06:41 What is emotional durability and why does it matter? 11:10 Tim's top circular brands 14:01 So..what does Better(labs) do? 15:37 How can we make a circular business model? Tim’s future plans for (better)labs 16:38 What is it like being the founder of a sustainable startup in China? 19:21 The potential for circular design to be incorporated into exhibitions and pop-ups 22:01 As individuals, how can we reimagine the use of our objects and be more mindful of our impact? 25:31 The biggest differences in China’s sustainability evolution over the 15 years Tim has lived there 27:06 Is it truly fair to blame China for mass production and consumption? 27:36 How different is Australia in sustainability? 29:51 ESG programs and carbon reduction goals 32:11 Marketing a sustainable company in China without saying the ‘S’ word 35:56 Tim’s “better” definition of sustainability 38:01 The Ellen McArthur Foundation as a resource and how we can increase our understanding 42:11 Tim’s sustainable future defined by no waste Contact Tim Linkdin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/timbinnion/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/timbinnion/) Company Webiste: https://www.betterlabs.cc/ (https://www.betterlabs.cc/) Follow EcoSparks LinkedIn: wediscoverecosparks [Producers] Host: Ella Taylor Guest: Tim Binnion Editors (s): Ella Taylor, Zoe Zhang, Kay Xu Designer: Zoe Zhang Music: Aileen Zhao [Join us] We invite interested and passionate candidates for both interviewer and interviewee roles. So what are you waiting for? To reach out, share a copy of your updated CV and the reason why you are interested at: marketing@wediscovereducation.com

3. 

   8 Apr 2024

   Mindless Consumption to Meaningful Creation | Ruilin Huang, Young Change Maker

   In the fourth episode of 'EcoSparks', Aileen interviews her peer Ruilin Huang (Lynn), a high school student based in Shanghai who is dedicated to making a sustainable economic impact. Despite balancing final exams and university applications, Lynn has already provided green solutions for two companies in Shanghai and understands the importance of aligning macro-policies with the demands of our planet. Join Aileen and Lynn as they discuss Lynn's sustainable suggestions at a macro level, the connection between meditation and sustainability, as well as her advice for other students looking to adopt a greener way of living! [Timeline] 00:15 Lynn in a nutshell. 01:33 Lynn's Passion for Economics, Biology, and Her Intended Major 03:00 "Scarce"- Based View of Sustainability 04:00 Lynn's Adopted Scarcity-To-Growth Mindset: "Consumption to Creation" 04:32 Her Journey To Sustainability - Linking Economic Development to Environmental Sustainability 05:55 The High Schooler Provided Green Solutions At the Corporate Level 07:22 What Future Career Paths Are In Store For Lynn? 09:20 A 'Hopeful' Anti-Greenwashing Sustainable Future Redefined By Guidelines 10:52 The Rise of 'Data Sexuals' 11:55 Gratitude for Our Natural Environment Being A Driver for Sustainability 13:04 Why We Should Escape the Temporary Pleasures (Impulse Buying) Gained from Consumption 14:18 Rethinking Product Design / Material Acquisition With Sustainability in Mind 16:15 Why Macropolicies Should Shift Towards Nurturing Green-Purpose-Driven Innovation 18:01 Our Generation Lacking Sustainability Knowledge / Lynn's Advice! 20:28 Using Mindfulness to Melt Boundaries with Our External Environment 21:30 Sustainability Beyond Our Natural Environment [Producers] Host : Alieen Zhao Guest : Ruilin Huang (Lynn) Editor(s): Ella Taylor, Zoe Zhang, Kay Xu Designer : Zoe Zhang Music : Aileen Zhao [Join us] We invite interested and passionate candidates for both interviewer and interviewee roles. So what are you waiting for? To reach out, share a copy of your updated CV and the reason why you are interested at: marketing@wediscovereducation.com

4. 

   23 Mar 2024

   Plant Forward Food For Thought | Yi-Wen Lee, Expert

   In our third EcoSparks episode, Emma interviews Yi-Wen Lee, Plant Forward Chef Educator, noted member of 'THE CHEFS' MANIFESTO' initiative by SDG2 Advocacy Hub, and key initiator for many global food education programs. She has a unique, diverse cultural and industrial background being a world citizen with 17 years of fashion marketing experience in New York and China before transitioning to the world of whole foods education in 2012. From sharing digestible food literacy concepts to comparing the farmer market scene in Shanghai and New York to the best way to adapt the sustainable food conversation for the audience, the co-founder of The Plant Forward LLAB's insights make for a dialogue packed with food for thought! #lets.plantforward.together [Timeline] 0:40 Who Is Yi-Wen? 2:20 Defining Sustainability Through Secularity, Regeneration, and Mindfulness 3:15 Yi-Wen's Career as a Plant Forward Food Educator and Its Connection to Sustainability 4:52 Making the Move from Fashion to Food 6:37 Farmers Markets Vs. Supermarket Shopping 8:53 What Is the Farmers' Market Scene Like in Both Shanghai and New York? 11:37 How Well 'Read' in Food Literacy Are Australia, the US, and China? 14:25 Food Literacy Is Becoming a Hotter Topic 16:48 Yi-Wen's Guide to Living More Sustainably and Nutritiously 19:01 Yi-Wen's Plant Forward Platform 植本食薏 23:18 Utilizing Both the Skins and Seeds of Your Fruit and Vegetable 25:34 We Can All Be Flexitarians 26:28 Diversity in the Plant-Centric Food Pyramid 30:11 Energy Providing Greens and Their Fascinating Likeness to a Uterus 31:31 Adapting The Food Conversation for the Audience 33:32 Conscious Food Prep and the Importance of Regeneration 39:34 Reflecting on What Foods Make You Feel Sleepy and Energized 43:34 Mindful Eating and Our 5 Senses (Snapping a Picture Being One of Them!) 45:13 What Are Some Challenges in Incorporating Sustainability? 47:28 Yi-Wen's Winter-time Tip for Soup and Salad 50:24 What Are Some Ways to Make Shanghai More Food Sustainable? 55:03 Pushing for Sustainability Without Explicitly Saying "Sustainability" 55:43 Yi-Wen's Sustainable Future is 'Regenerative' [Producer] Host: Emma Zhang Guest: Yi-Wen Lee Editor: Ella Taylor, Zoe Zhang, Kay Xu Designer: Zoe Zhang Music: Aileen Zhao Connect with Yi-Wen Lee https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-yi-wen-lee-4242706/ Can’t Get Enough of EcoSparks? You can now follow us and get in touch on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/wediscoverecosparks/?viewAsMember=true (https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/wediscoverecosparks/?viewAsMember=true) [Join us] We invite interested and passionate candidates for both interviewer and interviewee roles. So what are you waiting for? To reach out, share a copy of your updated CV and the reason why you are interested at: marketing@wediscovereducation.com

5. 

   7 Mar 2024

   A Tale of Two Cities and Their Sustainability | Claire Li, Future Leader

   In the second session of EcoSparks, we follow Toronto University Student Claire and our host Emma, as they tackle the topic of sustainability through Claire’s unique cross-cultural lens. From her view on how big cities like Toronto and Shanghai tackle sustainability and order takeout to Gen Z’s attitude towards green living and climate change - there is no doubt Claire’s unique perspective and insights as a psych major make for a fascinating discussion! [Producer] Host: Emma Zhang Guest: Claire Li Editor: Ella Taylor, Zoe Zhang, Kay Xu Designer: Zoe Zhang Music : Aileen Zhao [Timeline] 01:12 Who is Claire Li? 01:57 Understanding Sustainability as a Lifestyle 02:54 How Moving to Toronto Changed Her Outlook on a Sustainable Lifestyle 04:16 Shanghai Vs. Toronto (Which City Does It Better?) 04:59 Takeaways and Toronto’s Government Planning As Food for Thought 06:11 The Recycling Scene in Shanghai 07:34 Claire’s Experience Working At Toronto Rescue and Knife Life Rescue 10:46 The Attitude of Gen Z Towards Sustainability 12:33 What Practical Sustainable Changes Can Young People Make (Hint: More Food For Thought) 14:23 China’s Coincidental Sustainable Way of Cooking Using Every Part of The Animal 16:53 Gen Z’s Attitude Towards Climate Change 19:14 The Defining Power of Public Speaking & Claire’s Experience In Debate 23:48 What Does Claire’s ‘Engaged’ Sustainable Future Look Like? [Join us] We invite interested and passionate candidates for both interviewer and interviewee roles. So what are you waiting for? To reach out, share a copy of your updated CV and the reason why you are interested at: marketing@wediscovereducation.com

6. 

   18 Feb 2024

   “How Do We As A Society Treat Nature?” | Aileen Zhao, Young Change Maker

   In the first episode of EcoSparks, Emma and Aileen dive headfirst into what the concept of sustainability uniquely means to Aileen as a high school student, as well as her interesting perspective on what leads us as a society to treat nature the way we currently do. They both address how we as a society, in particular younger generations, are becoming forced into the loop of buying more and more commodities in comparison to years ago. Aileen gives her hot take on the reasoning behind younger people’s resistance to paying attention to sustainability, while also offering her practical advice on how people can incorporate sustainable practices into their everyday lives. [Producer] Host: Emma Zhang Guest: Aileen Zhao Editor: Ella Taylor, Zoe Zhang, Kay Xu Designer:Zoe Zhang [Timeline] 0:52 Aileen Zhao in a nutshell. 1:29 Sustainability as an abstract concept, getting to its core meaning. 2:36 Aileen being drawn to Sustainability, childhood dreams, & passion for creating alignment. 4:26 The big philosophical question : How do we as a society treat nature? 6:31 High school sustainability events and the way one should integrate sustainability in a club. 8:56 Dissolving the gap between sustainable theories and their incorporation in life (Eg. via Marxism!) 10:51 A discussion on durability  - the cycle of consumerism and our materialistic new generation. 12:56 Aileen’s Guide for Young People to be more sustainable. 14:07 The perceived lack of willingness by young people to embrace sustainability. 14:56 Making big cities more sustainable: What could be done better? 16:24 “Only the people with power can control climate change”. 17:45 Small individual changes that can make a big impact! 18:14 What does a sustainable future look like? [Join us] We invite interested and passionate candidates for both interviewer and interviewee roles. So what are you waiting for? To reach out, share a copy of your updated CV and the reason why you are interested at: marketing@wediscovereducation.com

Contact EcoSparks

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.