{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Sanchali Pal of Commons Commons on why they developed their own sustainable brand ratings, one way to combat fast fashion this month, & the importance of connecting data with storytelling to shift behavior","description":"In Episode 327, Kestrel welcomes Sanchali Pal, founder and CEO of Commons, an app that rewards you for living and spending sustainably. On Commons\u2019 app, you can get rewarded for shopping sustainable brands and for taking climate actions like thrifting, taking public transportation or eating plant-based. \u201cWhen people think about the actions they can take that are sustainable, the most obvious ones are things like flying less or recycling or eating more plant-based. People don't always think about their clothing habits, but I think that's really changing with the conversation around fast fashion. I mean, the fashion industry has a greater environmental impact than the airline industry. It's like two to three times as much, which is pretty crazy. And so it is really exciting to start to see that conversation happen and start to think through what part we can all play in shifting that industry together.\u201d -Sanchali FEBRUARY THEME \u2014 DIVERSE WAYS TO COMBAT FAST FASHION This week\u2019s episode is brought to you in collaboration with Commons. As a cohost of their Anti Fast Fashion Challenge, I\u2019m stoked to share more about how you can get involved to boycott (in many different ways) harmful fast fashion brands this month. While it can be challenging to fathom, especially being so deep within the sustainability and fashion conversation, fast fashion is booming. From the H&Ms and Zaras, to the more recent addition of ultra fast fashion brands like Shein and Temu, our culture is addicted to fast fashion. From the cheap prices to the convenience factor to the instant gratification, the allure of fast fashion is real. But as many of you know, buying fast fashion comes with an intense environmental and human impact.  Fast fashion aligns itself with disposability and waste, boasting crazy low prices. The materials are predominantly synthetic and often lose their shape after a couple washes. The synthetic materials shed loads of microplastics into the environment. Garment workers face exploitation and non-livable wages. All the while, social media and marketing continue to drive us to think we need another new piece of clothing to stay relevant. It\u2019s a lot. And that\u2019s why I am so excited for this conversation \u2013 and to be cohosting this month\u2019s Anti Fast Fashion Challenge. A way for us all to collectively come together to challenge that intense urge to buy another cheap item, and instead \u2013 not shop, mend something, get something tailored, shop secondhand, or invest in a brand that centers sustainability. \u201cOur spending is the best data source we have on our emissions.\u201d (14:26) -Sanchali \u201cIt Starts At Home?\u201d \u2014 research Sanchali mentions on household spending Join The Anti Fast Fashion Challenge Commons Sustainable Spending Tool \/ Brand Ratings  How Commons Rates Brands  Commons Website Listen To The Second Nature Podcast Follow Commons on Instagram ","author_name":"Conscious Chatter","author_url":"http:\/\/consciouschatter.com\/","html":"