
Sophie Hirsh
Executive EditorLocation: New YorkEducation: Muhlenberg CollegeSophie is a New York-based journalist, animal lover, and Taylor Swift fan.
Since graduating from Muhlenberg College, she has reported on a wide range of topics at media outlets including Mashable, Romper, Reductress, and across 10 Condé Nast brands. She has been part of the Green Matters team since 2019, where she currently serves as Executive Editor. At Green Matters, Sophie covers all things sustainability, climate change, and environmental justice; she also manages the Green Matters Instagram, newsletter, and more.
Sophie is passionate about treating the planet well, and she loves getting to write about her favorite topics every day for the Green Matters audience. After work, you can find her thrifting, baking, or trying a new vegan restaurant.
More From Sophie Hirsh
8 Books to Help You Go Zero Waste or Live More Sustainably
Zero-waste living doesn't have to be overwhelming — and these eight books about sustainable living are all extremely helpful.Could The Earth Stop Spinning? Here's What Would Happen
Could the Earth actually stop spinning? More importantly, what would happen if the Earth stopped spinning?Climate Group Says Biden Hiring Adviser With Fossil Fuel Ties Is a “Betrayal”
Joe Biden just appointed Rep. Cedric Richmond as one of his senior advisers, even though Richmond has significant ties to the fossil fuel industry.Beyond Meat's Vegan Burgers Are Getting Meatier and Healthier
Beyond Meat has two new Beyond Burgers heading to market: one designed to be even meatier than the original, and one that has a significantly lower fat content.Jeff Bezos’ Earth Fund Grants $791 Million to 16 Climate Groups — See the Recipients
Jeff Bezos is donating $791 million from his Earth Fund to 16 climate organizations.4 Trendy Thrift Flip Upcycling Tutorials — No Sewing Required
These thrift flipping ideas are easy, stylish, and require no sewing!Join These Animal-Loving Celebrities in Turkey-Free Thanksgiving Pledge
A Turkey-Free Thanksgiving Pledge by Farm Sanctuary has gotten the attention of celebrities, including Alec Baldwin, Edie Falco, Rooney Mara, and Sia.Biden Declares Climate a Top Four Issue, Reveals Transition Teams for Environmental Agencies
President-elect Joe Biden has revealed his transition team, and declared climate as one of the top four issues of his transition.Reasons to Try a Plant-Based Turkey This Thanksgiving + Some of the Best on the Market
The turkey on your Thanksgiving table could be replaced with a plant-based option this year — here are a few of our favorites.Biden’s Dog Major Will Be the First Rescue Dog to Live in the White House
Joe Biden's dog will be the first rescue dog to live in the White House.What Is Bycatch? The Fishing Industry's Darkest Side Effect, Explained
Bycatch is the discarded sea animals who get caught in fishing nets and die as side effects of the commercial fishing industry.How to Fight for Climate Protections in the U.S., No Matter Who the President Is
Read on for a few suggestions of ways you can fight the climate crisis, whether Trump or Biden gets to sit in the oval office for the next four years.Denmark Sentences All 17 Million Mink to Death Due to Coronavirus Mutation
Denmark’s government is mandating the nationwide slaughter of all 17 million mink currently living on fur farms in response to the coronavirus.100 Bison Move to New Home on Rosebud Sioux Tribe Land, Strengthening Cultural Resiliency
South Dakota's Rosebud Sioux Tribe Land welcomed 100 buffalo, aka plains bison, onto their land, in a monumental moment for the tribe.Rising Temperatures Are Killing Farmed Animals — And the Solution Is Simple
The Southwestern U.S. has become too hot for farmed animals, and the heat is killing them.Twitter Roasts Shell for "Gaslighting" Consumers With Emissions Poll
Shell's Twitter poll regarding emission reduction did not go over well with the brand's followers, as well as climate activists in the Twitterverse.In Mexico, Vulnerable Sea Turtles Are Nesting at Record-Breaking Rate
Coronavirus beach closures have caused a record-breaking number of endangered sea turtles to nest on a Mexican beach.What to Do With Old Pumpkins (Hint: They're Not Trash)
What can you do with old pumpkins? From composting to donating to zoos, there are endless options to keep them out of the landfill.Coronavirus Pandemic Has Inspired 64 Percent of Americans to Live More Sustainably, Survey Finds
COVID-19 quarantines have inspired many Americans to pick up more eco-friendly habits, according to a new survey.The Ultimate Guide to Vegan Candy for a Sweet Halloween
Many Halloween candies you know and love happen to be vegan.Green People Voting Blue: Climate Activists Share Why They're Heading to the Polls
Climate activists share why they're voting for Biden and Harris with Green Matters.Trump Reverses Protections for Alaska's Tongass National Forest, Harming Indigenous Peoples
Alaska's Tongass National Forest is now open to mining and logging, after Trump overturned a 2001 rule.Why Amy Coney Barrett's "Neutral" Views on Climate Change Are Actually Dangerous
Amy Coney Barrett shared her views on climate change during her Supreme Court confirmation hearings, and environmentalists were not impressed.Who Will Biden Appoint as EPA Administrator? These Politicians Could Be the Frontrunners
Biden's EPA Administrator needs to have a strong plan for fighting the climate crisis — here are a few possible contenders.Biden's vs. Trump's Climate Plans: Whose Policy Is Stronger? Cheaper?
How do Biden and Trump’s climate plans compare?Zero-Waste Halloween Candy to Give Trick-or-Treaters
Although zero-waste Halloween candy is rare, it can be zero-waste. Here are some tips for keeping your child's trick-or-treating free of plastic.Wash Your Impossible Burger Down With Impossible Dairy Milk
Impossible Foods is working on a dairy milk product that tastes just like cow's milk — but it's made from plants.Biodegradable Glitter May Not Be as Safe as You Thought...
Is biodegradable or eco glitter really safer for oceans and rivers than conventional plastic glitter, or is it all just microplastics?Trump vs. Exxon: President's Claims About Oil Company Stoke Controversy
Trump claimed Exxon would donate millions to him at the drop of a hat — and the oil company quickly responded.The Most Innovative Zero-Waste Laundry Detergents on the Market
There are so many innovative zero-waste laundry detergents out there.Will Biden Ban Fracking?
Will Joe Biden ban fracking if he is elected president? Here are the former VP's views on the controversial method of drilling for oil.How to Shop for Ethical, Slave Labor-Free Chocolate
The cocoa industry is riddled with injustice — here's your guide to being a conscious chocolate consumer.15 Black-Owned Vintage Stores You Can Shop Online
These 15 Black-owned online vintage shops will help you get your thrift on.Insects Are Rapidly Declining in Population, Which Could Be a Disaster for the Earth
More than 40 percent of insect species are on the path to extinction, with 2.5 percent of insects dying each year.Solar Power Is Now Cheaper Than Coal
Solar power is currently cheaper than the price of coal, according to the International Energy Agency's World Energy Outlook 2020 report.How the Climate Crisis Harms Native Americans
It's Indigenous Peoples’ Day — let's look at some of the ways the climate crisis has been harming Native Americans for centuries.China Bans Farming and Consumption of 64 Wild Animal Species in Response to Coronavirus
China has banned the farming of wild animals including porcupines, hedgehogs, and bamboo rats.Thrifting During the Coronavirus: The Best Websites + Tips for Returning to Secondhand Stores
Secondhand shopping safely during the coronavirus is possible — here are our best tips for thrifting online, and going into stores safely.These GPS “Eggs” Are Catching Sea Turtle Poachers in the Act
The InvestEGGator is a 3D-printed decoy sea turtle egg that can catch poachers in the act using GPS technology.Biden and Harris Take to Twitter to Remind Us the Climate Crisis Is Real
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are tweeting quite a lot about climate change and the West Coast wildfires.Deforestation Could Turn 40 Percent of the Amazon Rainforest Into a Savanna
The Amazon rainforest could soon become the Amazon savanna — that is, 40 percent of it could, if we continue exploiting the planet at the going rate.Take a Virtual Tour of IKEA's New Sustainable Tiny Home
IKEA has designed and built a sustainable tiny home, and the space is available for free virtual tours online.Our Favorite Climate Justice Instagram Accounts to Add to Your Feed
Climate justice is a key part of the fight against the climate crisis, and these 10 Instagram accounts are all about intersectional climate activism and education.Why Are So Many "Sustainable" and "Zero-Waste" Products Made From Animals?
Zero-waste products use non-vegan, animal-based materials and ingredients far too often. Why isn't anyone talking about this?England’s Straw Ban Finally Goes Into Effect — But Is It Just Low-Hanging Fruit?
England’s ban on plastic straws, plastic stirrers, and plastic-stemmed cotton swabs is now law.France Bans Wild Animal Circuses and Other Cruel Animal Entertainment
France is banning the use of wild animals in traveling circuses, marine parks, and mink fur farms.Punch Sustainably With the First Cactus Leather Boxing Gloves
Cactus leather boxing gloves, made by Sanabul using materials by Desserto, are a sustainable choice for vegan and eco-conscious fighters.Maryland Just Became the First State to Ban Foam Takeout Containers
Maryland just became the first state to ban foam containers statewide.Latinx-Owned Sustainable Companies to Support During National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time to support small Latinx-owned and Hispanic-owned companies — especially ones with sustainable practices and products.Portugal Is No Longer Extracting Fossil Fuels After Canceling Two Remaining Contracts
Portugal’s last two remaining fossil fuel extraction contracts were just canceled, meaning the European country is officially no longer drilling for oil and gas.