Happy Birthday, Lady Liberty!
Yes, you can be an environmentalist and celebrate democracy.
Want to inspire more climate action? Click the ♡ at the top of this email. Mille grazie!
If I have one wish for this holiday weekend, it’s for all Americans to set aside their differences and work together in the war against climate catastrophe.
Lofty idealism, I know, especially considering that SCOTUS overturned the Chevron Doctrine (which transfers the interpretation of regulatory law from federal experts to unelected judges) and gave immunity to the orange monster.
Thankfully,
reminded me that “SCOTUS sounds a lot like SCROTUM. Which makes sense, ‘cuz they’re a bunch of dicks.”For the rest of the nation, this summer’s heat dome encasing 100 million Americans across 27 states has made tangible the urgency of this multi-pronged crisis.
On hot, stagnant days, air quality declines while pollen count, ozone levels, and particulate matter increase, adversely affecting our most vulnerable: infants, small kids, pregnant people, older adults, folks living with mental illness, outdoor workers, and people like me with chronic illnesses.1
Exploding hundreds of millions of pounds of minerals and gunpowder in celebration of the American Experiment only makes matters worse.
“But, Gia!” you cry. “Haven’t you waxed poetic about fireworks?”
It’s true—I’m a sucker for Sousa. But the tears streaming down my face aren’t because I love my country. They’re because my eyes are burning.
From now on, I vow only to attend the people-, animal-, and environment-friendly alternative: drone light shows.
No noise or air pollution, no fire hazards—just pure delight!
Have you seen a drone show live? Tell me about it in the comments.
Just Say No
It’s environmentalists' second favorite month: Plastic Free July! Nearly all plastics are made from fossil fuels, and experts estimate that plastic production generates around a quarter to a third of all emissions—four times the amount of carbon airlines emit. That doesn’t even begin to touch plastic’s devastating ecological and health effects.
So join me in refusing pointless plastic—the excessive, unnecessary, and often ridiculous plastic in our everyday lives—by taking the Plastic Free Pledge.
Then, up your climate action by posting your plastic-free swaps on Instagram. For every photo with a Blueland sticker, the company will donate $10 to Beyond Plastics, a nonprofit dedicated to ending plastic pollution everywhere. Here’s how:
Visit Blueland's Instagram profile (@blueland)
Tap the PFJ highlight to use the Blueland sticker
Tap Add Yours, then select a photo of your pointless plastic alternative
Share the photo to your (public) Story
And in Other News…
Denny and I will be home comforting the kitties tonight, as I’m recovering from a wonderful week at the Hollywood Climate Summit. I met so many amazing people, all of whom are dedicated to using entertainment to create a more habitable and just future for all. This year’s event featured all-vegan cuisine, from which I’m still stuffed.
Cohort 5 of the Climatebase Fellowship wrapped up its 12-week curriculum, and I was honored as an Innovator for my climate action reality TV show—the nexus of the Summit and the Fellowship.
I had the honor of speaking with sisters-in-law Rachel and Tina on SpoonFull of Strength, a wonderful podcast that highlights the stories of people living with chronic illness and provides inspiration and hope for a better, healthier future.
Listen on Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Apple Podcasts.2
I’ll leave you with a delightful comic from my pals
and at . Have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend!
Tanti baci,
I misspoke when I said there are 14 EDS subtypes. What I meant to say was that there are 13 subtypes, hypermobile type being the most common, as well as people diagnosed with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder, making for 14 groups total.
My friend and current housemate is navigating life with EDS. I had never heard about it until earlier this year. 🕊️ peace your way