Sophie Hirsh
Executive EditorLocation: New YorkEducation: Muhlenberg CollegeSophie Hirsh is a New York-based writer. She was part of the Green Matters team from 2019 through 2025, first as Senior Editor before being promoted to Executive Editor.
You can contact her via www.sophiehirsh.com.
More From Sophie Hirsh
Court Orders Shell to Halve CO2 Emissions by 2030 in Historic Ruling
A Dutch court has ordered Shell to almost halve its carbon emissions in the next nine years.
Vegan Grape Leather Bag Raises $200K on Kickstarter
Vegan grape leather, made with the byproducts of the winemaking process that often go to waste, is the newest sustainable fabric.
Greta Thunberg Highlights the Five Ways “We Are F--cked” in New Short Film
Greta Thunberg's new short film '#ForNature' highlights the relationship between the animal agriculture industry and the climate crisis.
Tiger King Park: Justice Department Seizes 68 Big Cats From Lowe's Zoo
The U.S. Department of Justice has seized nearly 70 big cats from Tiger King Park — but who currently owns the park?
Celebrity Pet Matchmaker On Hollywood Dog Rescuers, Adoption Advice, and More (Exclusive)
In honor of National Rescue Dog Day, we interviewed Melissa Bacelar, aka the celebrity pet matchmaker, and the founder of Wagmor Pets.
Just 20 Companies Produce 55 Percent of Single-Use Plastic on Earth
According to a new report, a group of just 20 companies are responsible for more than half of the single-use plastic used on Earth.
This Is Why You Should Keep Your Smartphone as Long as Possible
The environmental impact of buying a new smartphone, which most people do every two years, is a lot higher than you might think.
Oatly Launches IPO, Despite Last Year’s Controversy (or Perhaps, Because of It)
Oatly will start selling stocks to the public this week, despite the controversy the oat milk company faced to get here.
These Environmental Justice Organizations Are Fighting for People and the Planet
There are many environmental justice organizations using their resources and platforms to educate the masses on the intersections between climate and social justice.
The “Big Five” Are No Longer Animals to Hunt, But to Photograph
A group of photographers and conservationists recently came together to redefine the centuries-old big five as the "New Big 5."
Affordable Bidet Attachments to Take Your Toilet to the Next Level
There are so many affordable bidet attachments out there that you can easily install on your toilet by yourself — or even take with you on the go.
18 Dead Elephants Found in India — but by Lightning or Poison?
A herd of 18 dead elephants was recently found in a remote forest in India.
What Are Forever Chemicals? Study Finds PFAS in 100 Percent of Breast Milk Samples
Forever chemicals aka PFAS can contaminate pretty much everything around us — and two new reports have detected forever chemicals in surprising places.
A Vegan World Could Essentially End the Climate Crisis — Here's What It Would Look Like
A vegan world would be a much more compassionate, just, and healthy place, and pretty much everyone on the planet would ultimately benefit from the change.
Biden Gives Final Approval to Historic Offshore Wind Farm, Vineyard Wind
President Joe Biden just approved an offshore wind project called Vineyard Wind, located in Massachusetts.
Farmed Animal Sanctuaries Around the U.S. Reopen for Tours After COVID Closures
These farmed animal sanctuaries around the U.S. have reopened for in-person tours as of May 2021.
With the World Reopening, People Are Surrendering Their “Pandemic Pets”
With lockdown restrictions lifting in many countries, many are surrendering and rehoming their “pandemic pets.”
Slashing Methane Emissions by 45 Percent Is Crucial to Avoid Climate Catastrophe — and Easy, Says UN Report
Cutting our methane emissions by at least 40 percent could massively help the planet avoid climate catastrophe.
The Grand Canyon Is Letting 12 Hunters Kill Bison. 45,000 Applied.
Officials are opening up the Grand Canyon to bison hunting this fall — technically, “lethal removal.”
A Year After “Nature Is Healing” Memes, the Links Between COVID and Climate Change Are Clearer Than Ever
There are endless connections between the coronavirus and climate change — namely, humans had the power to start these crises, and they certainly have the power to stop them.
Nikki Reed Shares Her “Green Routine” in Honor of New Vegan Shoe Line (Exclusive)
Nikki Reed recently launched line of sustainable vegan sneakers, and she shared her Green Routine with us in honor of the release.
This Startup is 3D-Printing Wood Made From Upcycled Sawdust (Exclusive)
Forust that is 3D printing wood by upcycling sawdust and other byproducts from the wood industry that would otherwise be considered waste.
IKEA Is Now Buying Back Furniture in the U.K. — How the Program Works
IKEA’s furniture buyback program just expanded to the U.K., with a goal of reducing IKEA’s environmental impact and waste output.
Lizzo’s Best Vegan Recipes, As Seen on Her TikTok
Lizzo is constantly blessing TikTok with plant-based recipes, leading her fans to wonder if she is vegan.
Pandora Is Replacing All Mined Diamonds With Lab-Grown Ones
Pandora will no longer source mined diamonds, instead only using lab-grown diamonds in its collections.
One-Stop Shops for Sustainably Shopping Online That Are Better Than Amazon
Sustainable one-stop-shops can help make online shopping a little more eco-friendly. Check out this list of our favorite sustainable online marketplaces.
South Africa Finally Outlaws Captive Lion Breeding and Bone Trade
South Africa is outlawing captive lion breeding and the lion bone trade.
A 300-Ton Fatberg Has Severely Clogged an English Sewer
A Birmingham sewer has become clogged with one of the biggest fatbergs England has ever seen.
Are Compostable Bags Really Compostable? What You Need to Know This Int’l Compost Awareness Week
Happy Int’l Compost Awareness Week! Here's everything you need to know about compostable and biodegradable bags.
Nicky Hilton Shares Her “Green Routine” to Celebrate Her Sustainable Shoe Line (Exclusive)
Nicky Hilton just released her first sustainable fashion line of sustainably-made vegan shoes, in collaboration with French Sole.
Colorado to Become Second State to Legalize Human Composting
What is human composting? Colorado is about to legalize the process, which allows deceased humans to be composted rather than buried or cremated.
Who Gives A Crap About Toilet Paper, Anyway? How This TP Company Is Doing Things Differently — Exclusive
Who Gives A Crap cofounder Danny Alexander tells us more about the sustainable toilet paper brand.
Report Exposes How Sustainable 26 Major Toilet Paper Brands Are — Check Out the Winners and the Losers
The NRDC released its annual Issue with Tissue 2.0 report, ranking toilet paper brands based on sustainability.
Hawaii Will Become First State to Declare a Climate Emergency
he Hawaii Legislature is about to declare an official climate emergency, making Hawaii the first state to do so.
Scientists Successfully Use Bacteria to Extract Microplastics From Water
Scientists have just discovered a new way to remove microplastics from the environment using bacteria.
Sustainable Athletic Wear Brands for Eco-Friendly Workouts
Is it possible to find sustainable athletic wear? Fortunately, there are plenty of brands making fairly sustainable and eco-friendly exercise apparel.
Is Biden Really Banning Meat? Behind the Republican-Fueled False Rumor
Any rumors that President Biden plans to ban meat are simply untrue — but it would be a pretty positive thing for our planet.
This Company Is Turning Shipping Containers Into Sustainable Tiny Homes (Exclusive)
Shipping container company SG Blocks recently launched SG Home, a line of sustainable houses and tiny houses made from shipping containers.
How to See the Pink Supermoon Tonight
The Pink Moon, which is the first supermoon of the year, is going to light up the night sky tonight, on April 26, 2021.
Level Up With These ~Weird~ Tips for Expert Zero-Waste Living
Here are three very specific — and kinda weird — tips for seasoned zero wasters.
‘My Octopus Teacher’ Sends Powerful Message About Protecting the Planet
'My Octopus Teacher' is nominated for the Oscar for Documentary Feature, and the film hopes to inspire viewers to fight climate change.
Biden Promises to Halve U.S. Emissions by 2030 at Earth Day Summit
At the Earth Day summit, President Joe Biden set a new climate commitment for his country — he promised to halve U.S. emissions by 2030.
How to Make Your Environmental Activism More Intersectional (Exclusive)
In honor of Earth Day, we asked a few of the internet’s most inspiring intersectional environmental activists for their top advice on making one's climate activism more intersectional.
Step Aside, Earth Day Gift Guides — Why You Should Celebrate By Not Buying Anything
Earth Day is one of my favorite holidays — but I’d sooner buy someone a gift for National Potato Chip Day than I would for Earth Day.
Alison Brie Wants You to Plant Trees With Her for Earth Day (Exclusive)
Alison Brie has partnered with the Planet Oat Project and One Tree Planted to plant trees in honor of Earth Day.
How to Start Going Zero Waste: 7 Steps for Beginners
Here's our beginner’s guide to transitioning to a zero-waste or low-impact lifestyle.
France Votes to Ban Short Flights, to Reduce Nation's Emissions
Lawmakers have voted for France to ban domestic flights that can be replaced by short train trips.
Scientists Discover New Layer in Earth’s Core
Researchers have just discovered a new layer of the Earth, which they are calling the “innermost inner core.”
Matchbox Commits to Greener Toy Cars, Packaging, and More by 2030
Matchbox cars are getting a green makeover in honor of Earth Day.
How to Watch the New 'Greta Thunberg: A Year to Change the World' Docuseries
Here's how to watch Greta Thunberg: A Year to Change the World, which features Thunberg sitting down in-person with David Attenborough for the first time.