In this episode, we explore climate change issues and practical steps you can take to reduce your environmental impact as we wrap up Plastic Free July. Tickborne Illnesses We revisit the topic of tickborne diseases, which are becoming more prevalent due to climate change. We’re joined by Dr. Gary Richter, a renowned veterinarian, who shares tips on protecting pets from ticks and fleas. Read more about ticks and pet protection: https://www.petmd.com/dog/how-check-dog-ticks USA Today’s tick season map: https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2024/05/05/tick-season-region-map-us/73530929007/ Wildfire Preparedness In light of recent wildfires triggered by fireworks, we discuss the impact of climate change on natural disasters. Keith Lambert, pollution control expert, provides valuable advice on preparing for and mitigating wildfire risks. EPA’s climate indicators: https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-us-and-global-temperature The Material Footprint Crisis We discuss the growing concern over material consumption and waste, highlighting the significant rise in the material footprint from 1990 to 2017. High-income countries lead in per capita material use, exacerbating global resource depletion. Explore the material footprint data: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2019/goal-12 FAO’s food waste statistics: https://www.fao.org/4/mb060e/mb060e00.htm#:~:text=The%20results%20of%20the%20study,1.3%20billion%20tons%20per%20year Practical Actions for Reducing Plastic Waste As Plastic Free July comes to a close, we introduce a personal plastic footprint calculator to help you continue reducing your plastic consumption year-round. Learn about the tool and its benefits from one of its creators. Plastic Footprint Calculator: https://www.omnicalculator.com/ecology/plastic-footprint INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/ WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorminimalist ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/book LISTENER SURVEY: https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/outdoor-minimalist/support