Because Why?! The Science and Nature Pod. (Formerly Now, That's What I Call Green.)

Cycling Is the Solution to All Our Problems

I have the best news: we already have the solution to all of our problems. This could save over 8 million lives a year, make us live longer with fewer sick days, save billions of dollars, and make us all a lot happier to be around... I feel like this should be front-page news? The problem is, it’s boring. Because it’s cycling.It turns out the issue of cycling is actually far, far more complicated than most of us realise. The health, economic and community implications are massive, but we still don’t have huge swaths of the community cycling in droves. So why is this, and what can we do to change it?Well, that’s what this episode is all about.In this episode let's discuss:Why cars are such massive pollution contributorsExamples of cities that have prioritised cycling and actually reaped the benefitsHow cycling impacts communitiesCycling’s benefits on physical healthCycling’s benefits on mental healthThe surprisingly massive impacts of car parksHumans’ inability to assess danger - and why it affects cyclingWhy helmets actually add to the idea that cycling is dangerousThe societal factors that influence cycling uptakeThe tiny annoyances that throw people off using bikesThe main reason people don’t cycleAnd the solution to all of itThanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?!Mā te wā - see you next week.You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course.Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

Is Bottled Water Really Better for You?

So, bottled water is kind of a scam. People think it’s healthier and safer, despite zero evidence to back that up. So… is it all just one giant marketing con? Well… kinda. In this episode, I’m taking you through the wild history of bottled water to show exactly how we ended up here - and why it’s so, so, so ridiculous! Quick note: I originally did the research and writing for this podcast in July 2024, so the stats I mention are current to that period.In this episode I go through:The surprisingly long history of bottled water (it’s been around way longer than you think)What needed to happen to make bottled water a massive global hitThe weird correlation between bottled water sales and countries that already have safe tap waterA statistical breakdown of where people are actually buying bottled waterThe shocking differences in testing requirements between bottled and tap waterHow bottled water companies harm the countries they source fromWhy microplastics could be way worse for our bodies than we realiseWhy bottled water isn’t automatically safer than tap waterThe facts about fluoride and chlorine in tap waterWhy nitrates in water are a concernThe jaw-dropping amount of water it takes just to make one bottle of waterThanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?!Mā te wā - see you next week.You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course.Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

You Asked: Coffee vs Tea, Milk Choices & The Bioplastic Myth

Welcome to another This or That episode!I break down the least impactful options from things you’ve been asking about.This episode is actually a repost, because some of you have sent in these questions - clearly, we all have choices that keep us up at night. And often, what we expect isn’t actually the truth!In this week’s selection we have tea vs. coffee, and which is worse for the environment, what the best and worst options are for the milk you use with your drink, and finally, what exactly are bioplastics? And, whether we should even be using them...Let's talk about: The comparison of tea vs. coffeeHow much water it takes to make tea and coffee, respectivelyWhat the most sustainable version of milk isThe worst milk option for the environmentThe various environmental issues caused by dairy farmingThe truth behind a big myth about soy farming in the AmazonThe difference between bio-based plastics and biodegradable plasticsThanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?!Mā te wā - see you next week.You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course.Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

You Asked: 3 Sustainability Questions - Lightbulbs, Bags & Food

Welcome to a This or That episode! I break down the least impactful options from things you’ve been asking about.This episode is actually a repost, because some of you have sent in these questions - clearly, we all have choices that keep us up at night. And often, what we expect isn’t actually the truth!This week’s selection has a pretty controversial topic, and one that maaay just surprise you.See if you can guess the answers before I reveal them - and then let me know if you got them all!In this episode let's cover:What uses more energy, turning off lights or energy efficient bulbs?What has less of an impact, paper or plastic bags?What resources and processes are made to make paper bags?What matters more, what you eat or where its from?What parts of your food intake you should reduce to help lessen your impact? (Don't worry, I'm not telling you to completely give up your favourites.)Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?!Mā te wā - see you next week.You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course.Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

The $20,000 Microplastic Hoax and Other 'Wellness' Scams

Welcome to the first episode under the brand-new banner, Because Why?! The show where my curiosity gets the better of me, and I drag you along for the ride. (You're welcome?)We’re still talking about the environment, but now the scope is much wider: science, ethical business, politics (even when it makes my eye twitch), and the weird, wonderful, and occasionally infuriating claims floating around out there.In this episode, I’m kicking things off with wellness trends, dodgy health claims, and overhyped “miracle” fixes people keep getting sold. From seed oil scaremongering to the microplastic “hoover,” cold plunges, cortisol face, and the mysterious world of “structured water,” let's dissect the pseudoscience to establish what’s true, what’s nonsense, and why these ideas catch on in the first place.In this episode, you’ll hear about:​Seed oils - are they really as bad as people say? (No)​The actual science behind seed oils​What the microplastic hoover is - and whether it works (It probably doesn't)​How therapeutic apheresis really stacks up​Practical tips to reduce your microplastic exposure​Why cold plunges might carry more risks than you think​Can you really tell your stress hormone levels just by looking in the mirror? (No)​What cortisol actually does in your body​Why “hormone balancing” is mostly myth and marketing​The three biggest reasons anecdotal evidence tricks us​Can water really be “structured” or “vortexed” to be better for you? (No)​The truth about hydrogen water and the science behind itIf you want to keep doing cold plunges, I’m happy for you! Just... be careful. And if you’ve got $20,000 burning a hole in your pocket, maybe think twice before signing up for a microplastic blood cleanse. The boring truth is usually what works: sleep, balanced diet, exercise, social connections.Thanks for joining me on this first episode of Because Why?! Mā te wā - see you next week.You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course.Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠ Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠Sources: Seed oils: (word count prevents proper referencing.)- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2012.03.029- https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-7075-8-36- https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000510- https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011737.pub3- https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.010236- https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(17)30307-8