
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
Home Births Are on the Rise in the U.S. — Watch These Incredible Videos
In the U.S. in 2021, home births reached their highest rate in three decades. Here are some incredible home birth videos, plus a look at the data.Animal Activists Free 10,000 Minks From Fur Farm in Ohio — and Assert They Can Survive in the Wild
Animal activists, allegedly from Animal Liberation Front, just freed 10,000 minks from an Ohio fur farm.Sponge Cities May Be the Way of the Future in Flood-Prone Areas, From China to Florida
How do sponge cities work? Here’s what you need to know about this nature-based solution, and how it can prevent floods and provide other benefits.The Population Has Officially Hit 8 Billion. Here's How This Could Impact Climate Change
When did the population reach 8 billion?Fact Check: Is Iran Really Sentencing 15,000 Protesters to Death?
This week, many celebrities and media organizations shared that Iran was sentencing 15,000 protesters to death. Is it true?These Stuffed Animal Restoration TikToks Are So Heartwarming and Satisfying
A stuffed animal repair can sometimes be necessary to give your plush bestie a new lease of life.Al Gore Presents Climate TRACE's AI-Based Emissions Data on 70,000 Polluters at COP27
Climate TRACE, which Al Gore is a founding member of, has published new data identifying more than 70,000 polluting sites.Who Founded Just Stop Oil, the Civil Resistance Climate Group Throwing Soup at Art?
Who owns Just Stop Oil, and what exactly is the climate activist group’s mission?Climate Activists Barricade Airports in 13 Countries, Demanding Governments Ban Private Jets
Protests in over a dozen countries this week focused on asking world leaders to ban private jets.Rainn Wilson Changes His Name to Spread Awareness for the Climate Crisis — and Wants You to Join Him
Rainn Wilson's new name is a bit of a mouthful: “Rainnfall Heat Wave Extreme Winter Wilson” — among other variations.5 Climate Change Podcasts That Will Educate, Energize, and Inspire You
We’ve rounded up some of the best podcasts on climate change to help inspire you to take climate action.Herschel Walker's Climate Policies: Are the Candidate's Controversial Remarks on Trees for Real?
What are Herschel Walker’s climate change policies like? And is he right about the world already having enough trees?These Rug Cleaning Videos Provide a Satisfying and Sustainable ASMR Experience
Rug cleaning ASMR videos have taken off on TikTok and all across the internet, and for some reason, they are endlessly satisfying.COP27 Is Serving Lab-Grown Meat — Though the Rest of the Menu Is Causing Controversy
Lab-grown meat is being served at COP27 for the first time, but the conference has been accused of greenwashing for serving animal products, too.Al Gore Kicks Off COP27 — and So the Greenwashing From World Leaders Begins
Al Gore's COP27 opening remarks called out heads of state for their inaction on climate change.EWG Detects "Forever Chemicals" in Pet Food Bags
A new report has detected PFAS in pet food bags, leaving pet parents concerned about how this may affect their dogs and cats.10 Facts About Greta Thunberg, the Swedish Climate Activist Changing the World
Here’s a look at some Greta Thunberg facts, as the Swedish climate activist nears her 20th birthday.How to Vote on the Environmental Bond Act Ballot Proposal in New York
The Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs, Environmental Bond Act will be a ballot proposal in New York this November.'Potter' Fans Place Socks at Dobby's Gravesite — but They Put Wildlife at Risk
Dobby’s gravesite in Wales has gotten a bit out of hand, with Potterheads leaving socks at the grave — which officials are calling an environmental hazard.As Climate Mitigation Efforts Stumble, We Need Climate Adaptation More Than Ever
What does adaptation to climate change involve, exactly? A new UN report asserts that we are behind on climate change adaptation measures.November's Beaver Blood Moon Is Also a Total Lunar Eclipse: How to Watch
The Beaver Blood Moon, which is the full moon for November 2022, is coming up — and it's also a total lunar eclipse.The Qatar World Cup Controversies, From the Environmental Impact to Anti-LGBTQ Laws (Exclusive)
The Qatar World Cup’s environmental impact and ethical issues presented by the country’s laws regarding homosexuality have made many reluctant to support the tournament.These Small Composting Companies Are Fighting Food Waste Across the U.S.
If you want to find a compost company near you, here are a few amazing small compost businesses operating around the U.S.New Report Finds Startling Emissions Gaps Between Wealthy and Poor
The UN's Emissions Gap Report found that the chances of us staying on track to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement are pretty abysmal.New Documentary 'I Could Never Go Vegan' Explores Why So Many Feel That Way
The new documentary 'I Could Never Go Vegan' explores the “leading reasons why people refuse to stop eating animals.”Human Composting Can Actually Be More Affordable Than a Traditional Burial — Here's the Price Breakdown
How much is human composting? This sustainable end-of-life process can sometimes be more affordable than traditional burial.Greta Thunberg Announces She Won’t Go to COP27 Due to Greenwashing
Greta Thunberg will not be at COP27 this year, as she believes the conference is greenwashing.Leftist, Pro-Environment Candidate Lula Seeks to Unseat Bolsonaro as Brazil's Next President
With the 2022 Brazil election for president around the corner in the South American country, many are curious to learn more about Bolsonaro’s competitor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.Polar Bear Week Celebrates the Iconic Arctic Animals — Here's Where to Donate
Polar Bear Week falls during the annual polar bear migration in the town of Churchill, Canada.Russian Missiles Severely Damage Ukraine Power System — but the War Is Enabling a Clean Energy Transition
Recently, Russia began sending missile strikes straight into Ukraine energy infrastructure, destroying grids and causing power outages.How to Celebrate World Vegan Month This November
World Vegan Day kicks off World Vegan Month and encourages people, companies, and policy makers to learn more about the vegan lifestyle.Check Out These Sustainable Stockings, From Indestructible Pantyhose to Cotton Tights
We’ve rounded up some of the most sustainable, durable stockings on the market.From Outer Space, NASA's EMIT Identifies Methane "Super-Emitters" on Earth
NASA’s EMIT program’s recent mission identified 50 methane “super-emitters” around planet Earth.Where Does Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Stand on Climate Change?
What are Rishi Sunak’s climate change policies? Here's how he compares to Liz Truss.Only 4.7 Percent of Plastic Was Recycled in the U.S. in 2021, Greenpeace Report Finds
Does plastic get recycled? A Greenpeace report found that 2021 recycling rates in the U.S. were abysmal.Why Kaitlyn Bristowe Adopted Her Two Golden Retrievers, Ramen and Pinot (Exclusive)
Kaitlyn Bristowe opens up about her dogs, why she advocates for "adopt, don't shop," and 'The Bachelorette.'Shein Launches Its Own Resale Platform — but Is It Just Greenwashing?
Shein Exchange is a new online peer-to-peer resale platform for used Shein items — but environmentalists are skeptical.Compostable Pads, Tampons, and Liners for a Sustainable Period
Are pads biodegradable? And more importantly, can pads or tampons ever be composted?"Forever Chemicals" Detected in Waterways Across the U.S. in New Survey
A recent report detected PFAS chemicals in 83 percent of tested waterways across the U.S.Stic Confirms Upcoming Dead Prez Album, Releases New Wellness Book (Exclusive)
Hip hop duo dead prez's stic.man is dropping a new book called 'The 5 Principles' — and he has the scoop on new dead prez music along with M-1.Ryder, the Carriage Horse Who Collapsed in NYC This Summer, Has Died
Carriage horse Ryder is dead, after two months of protests from activists.Testing Finds Concerning Levels of BPA in Sports Bras — Check Out These Cotton Alternatives
Recent testing has revealed BPA in sports bras and athletic shirts produced by a number of major brands, including Nike, Victoria’s Secret, and Athleta.Why Climate Protesters Just Threw Tomato Soup at a Van Gogh Painting
Just Stop Oil protestors recently tossed tomato soup from a can onto one of Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” paintings — in the name of climate action.October Is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month: What You Need to Know
It's Adopt a Shelter Dog Month! How much does it cost to adopt a dog from the shelter?275 Dogs Rescued From Alleged Dog Fighting Enterprises in South Carolina
We are celebrating the recent rescue of 275 dogs who were allegedly part of dogfighting rings in South Carolina.The New Living Planet Index Shows Serious Animal Population Declines — Why Has the Report Caused Controversy in the Past?
The 2022 Living Planet Report has just been released, and shows some serious population decline around the globe over the past few decades.Melanated Campout Is Immersing People of Color in Nature With Vibrant Camping Events (Exclusive)
Melanated Campout is a Black-owned and woman-owned company that hosts an annual camping retreat for people of color.Why Is the Mississippi River So Low? Climate Change Has Caused Mayhem Along the River
Why the Mississippi River so low in 2022? Here's the scoop.1,733 Climate Activists and Land Defenders Were Murdered Over Past Decade, Report Finds
In 2021, about 200 climate change activists were killed; and over the past decade, more than 1,700 were killed.Hurricane Ian Fatalities: What Early Reports Are Saying About Floridians
Here’s what we know so far about the Hurricane Ian death toll.