Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 10 hours ago
Climate change, sustainable living, saving the planet — they don’t have to feel like sacrifices. Turns out you can shrink your carbon footprint and have a darn good time in the process.
In this episode, happiness expert Elizabeth Dunn and sustainability scientist Jiaying “JZ” Zhao sit down with Caleb to discuss how joyful decisions can make climate action easier, more sustainable, and more contagious.
Liz and JZ explain why doom-and-gloom messaging around climate change can backfire, how individual choices still matter, and how sustainable living habits like eating less beef, avoiding fast fashion, switching banks, biking more, choosing EVs, taking local vacations, and reducing your carbon footprint can improve both the planet and your happiness.
#climatechange #sustainableliving #climateaction
In this episode, Caleb, Elizabeth, and Jiaying discuss:
(00:00) Introduction
(02:23) Why Climate Fear Backfires
(09:24) The Case for Making Meat a Treat
(17:44) The BLT Climate Paradox
(20:53) The Hidden Climate Cost of Your Bank Account
(23:50) Fast Fashion, Slow Happiness
(31:10) Why Driving Makes Us Unhappy
(39:08) The Best Trips Are Closer Than You Think
(45:24) The Science of Social Tipping Points
(49:41) The Climate Power of a Single Vote
About the Guests:
Elizabeth Dunn is a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia and one of the world's leading researchers on happiness and well-being. Her work explores how people can use their time, money, and relationships to build more satisfying lives.
Jiaying Zhao is a professor of psychology and the founder of the Behavioral Sustainability Lab at the University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on climate action, behavioral change, and the role of psychology in accelerating the transition to a more sustainable future.
Together, they are the authors of Leave the Lights On, a book that challenges conventional thinking about climate action by showing how joy can be one of our most powerful tools for change.
🔗 SPONSORED BY:
Northwest Registered Agent They’ve been helping small business owners and entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses for nearly 30 years. Learn more at northwestregisteredagent.com/nbifree
Shopify Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts free at shopify.com/nbi
📩 Transform your day in 10 minutes. Enjoy daily, bite‑sized insights from breakthrough nonfiction books—audio or text—straight from the authors. Trusted by 90K+ learners, our editors choose only the books that matter.
🔗 bookoftheday.nextbigideaclub.com
💡Discover the books that matter with the Next Big Idea Club. Curated by Adam Grant, Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, and Daniel Pink. Beyond just reading, the Next Big Idea Club is a journey. It’s where thought leaders converge, where ideas transform into action, and where books become a gateway to a brighter future.
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OUR CURATORS
💡 Malcolm Gladwell: Renowned journalist, author, and speaker.
💡 Susan Cain: TED speaker, introvert advocate, bestselling author.
💡 Adam Grant: Noted psychologist, author, and Wharton School professor.
💡 Daniel Pink: Expert author on business, work, and behavior.
If you enjoy the content on our official YouTube channel, please like, subscribe, and thank you for watching!
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#NextBigIdeaClub
Climate change, sustainable living, saving the planet — they don’t have to feel like sacrifices. Turns out you can shrink your carbon footprint and have a darn good time in the process.
In this episode, happiness expert Elizabeth Dunn and sustainability scientist Jiaying “JZ” Zhao sit down with Caleb to discuss how joyful decisions can make climate action easier, more sustainable, and more contagious.
Liz and JZ explain why doom-and-gloom messaging around climate change can backfire, how individual choices still matter, and how sustainable living habits like eating less beef, avoiding fast fashion, switching banks, biking more, choosing EVs, taking local vacations, and reducing your carbon footprint can improve both the planet and your happiness.
#climatechange #sustainableliving #climateaction
In this episode, Caleb, Elizabeth, and Jiaying discuss:
(00:00) Introduction
(02:23) Why Climate Fear Backfires
(09:24) The Case for Making Meat a Treat
(17:44) The BLT Climate Paradox
(20:53) The Hidden Climate Cost of Your Bank Account
(23:50) Fast Fashion, Slow Happiness
(31:10) Why Driving Makes Us Unhappy
(39:08) The Best Trips Are Closer Than You Think
(45:24) The Science of Social Tipping Points
(49:41) The Climate Power of a Single Vote
About the Guests:
Elizabeth Dunn is a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia and one of the world's leading researchers on happiness and well-being. Her work explores how people can use their time, money, and relationships to build more satisfying lives.
Jiaying Zhao is a professor of psychology and the founder of the Behavioral Sustainability Lab at the University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on climate action, behavioral change, and the role of psychology in accelerating the transition to a more sustainable future.
Together, they are the authors of Leave the Lights On, a book that challenges conventional thinking about climate action by showing how joy can be one of our most powerful tools for change.
🔗 SPONSORED BY:
Northwest Registered Agent They’ve been helping small business owners and entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses for nearly 30 years. Learn more at northwestregisteredagent.com/nbifree
Shopify Stop waiting for permission to build something. Your next revenue stream starts free at shopify.com/nbi
📩 Transform your day in 10 minutes. Enjoy daily, bite‑sized insights from breakthrough nonfiction books—audio or text—straight from the authors. Trusted by 90K+ learners, our editors choose only the books that matter.
🔗 bookoftheday.nextbigideaclub.com
💡Discover the books that matter with the Next Big Idea Club. Curated by Adam Grant, Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, and Daniel Pink. Beyond just reading, the Next Big Idea Club is a journey. It’s where thought leaders converge, where ideas transform into action, and where books become a gateway to a brighter future.
✨JOIN US✨
nextbigideaclub.com
🗣️FIND YOUR NEXT READ🗣️ – Listen to thousands of audio insights (by the authors) in the Next Big Idea App
Apple App Store: apps.apple.com/us/app/next-big-idea-books-in-15min/id1502959151
Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.heleo.nbic
OUR CURATORS
💡 Malcolm Gladwell: Renowned journalist, author, and speaker.
💡 Susan Cain: TED speaker, introvert advocate, bestselling author.
💡 Adam Grant: Noted psychologist, author, and Wharton School professor.
💡 Daniel Pink: Expert author on business, work, and behavior.
If you enjoy the content on our official YouTube channel, please like, subscribe, and thank you for watching!
CONNECT WITH US
Next Big Idea Podcast: pod.link/nextbigidea
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/10026818
Twitter: twitter.com/nextbigideaclub
Instagram: instagram.com/nextbigideaclub
Facebook: facebook.com/nextbigideaclub
Contact: info@nextbigideaclub.com
Subscribe for more insights:
youtube.com/NextBigIdeaClub?sub_confirmation=1
#NextBigIdeaClub
