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
A Rare Green Comet Is About to Pass by Earth: How to See It
A rare green comet, which has not been visible from Earth in tens of thousands of years, is going to be an exciting sight to behold.5 Sustainable, Non-Alcoholic Drink Companies for Enjoying Mocktails
Here are some of the most eco-friendly non-alcoholic drinks on the market, in honor of Dry January.Girl Scouts Kick Off the 2023 Season With a New Vegan Cookie and Major Vegan Sponsor
Girl Scouts of the USA is launching a new vegan cookie and partnering with a major vegan brand for the 2023 cookie season.How to Score a Free Lush Face Mask By Saving Your Empties (Exclusive)
Lush's recycling program is one of the company's many sustainability initiatives.Standing Rock Protests Come to Life in Feature Film 'On Sacred Ground,' Starring David Arquette (Exclusive)
'On Sacred Ground' is a new movie that chronicles the 2016 construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, as well as the protests against it.A Massive Palm Oil Spill on Melbourne Beaches Leaves Beachgoers, Well, Oily
In Melbourne, Australia, a massive spill of vegetable oil — consisting mostly of palm oil — has contaminated oceans and beaches.Try Reusable Water Balloons for an Eco-Friendly Summer Battle
We suggest using reusable, eco-friendly water balloons for all of your water balloon fight needs.Niagara Falls Tunnel Tours Open to the Public, Beneath Old Hydroelectric Power Plant
A tunnel under Niagara Falls is now part of the tour experience at this world wonder.The Voluntary Human Extinction Movement Believes Not Having Kids Will Preserve the Human Race
The Voluntary Human Extinction Movement aims to reduce the number of people on Earth.What Does Sustainably-Sourced Seafood Actually Mean?
Does sustainable seafood really exist? Here's everything you need to know.Pamela Anderson’s PETA Ads Prove She Is Dedicated to Protecting Animals
Over the years, Pamela Anderson’s PETA ads have made waves — and this week, she starred in a new one in honor of Valentine’s Day 2022.Is Chris Evans Vegan? The "Sexiest Man Alive" and His Rescue Dog Are BFFs
Is Chris Evans vegan? The Captain America actor was just named 'People's' Sexiest Man Alive.The Best Reusable and Compostable Cotton Swabs
Are there any zero-waste Q-tip alternatives out there that can help us avoid sending plastic cotton swabs to landfills?Animal Testing Is Still Required for Drugs and Certain Cosmetics — What Are the Pros and Cons?
Here's a look into the pros and cons of animal testing, aka vivisection, both in the pharmaceutical industry and the cosmetics industry.New York Governor Has Officially Legalized Human Composting Statewide
Human composting in New York could soon be legal, as Gov. Kathy Hochul prepares to — hopefully — sign the bill that would make human composting in New York a legal practice,Though Rodeos May Seem Fun, They Cause Immense Abuse to Horses and Cattle
Animal abuse in the rodeo industry is rampant — so rampant that people protest rodeos constantly.China Removes Another Layer of Animal Testing Requirements, Meaning More Brands Can Become Cruelty-Free
China has lightened some of its regulations, meaning a number of popular companies can now be classified as truly cruelty-free.Vegan Silk Is Being Made Out of Plants Like Eucalyptus, Pineapples, and Bananas
What is vegan silk made of? A variety of common and unique fabrics can be used to make silk alternative fabrics.Zero-Waste Laundry Detergent Sheets for a Sustainable Clothing Wash
These are some of the best laundry detergent sheets.Benefits of a Tiny Home: Everything You Need to Know About the Eco-Friendly Houses
Tiny homes are a rising trend — and not only are they cool, but they're affordable and eco-friendly.BIllie Eilish Says She Doesn't Fly Private, for New 'Vogue' Cover Along With Eight Climate Activists
Does Billie Eilish fly private planes or commercial? The musician opened up about the controversial topic in a new 'Vogue' interview.How to Save Water at Home: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Tips
Save water around the house with these 15 tips.Are There Eco-Friendly Acrylic or Press-On Nails? Here Are Your Best Options
Here's a look into some of the slightly more eco-friendly acrylic and press-on nails on the market.Get Into the Veganuary Spirit With These Books About Veganism
These books about veganism will help you on your vegan journey, whether you're just starting out or are a longtime activist.These Are the Greenest States to Die In, According to a New Report
A new report analyzes the greenest states to die in, as they have better access to green burials, such as human composting and aquamation.Modern Slavery Expert Shares the Horrors of Cobalt Mining for EVs and Smartphones on 'The Joe Rogan Experience'
Joe Rogan interviewed modern slavery expert Siddharth Kara about the cobalt mining industry, which presents a host of ethical and human rights issues.These New Animal Species Have Been Discovered — or Rediscovered — in 2022
Experts have already discovered a few new and rare species in 2022.Our Favorite Plant-Based Holiday Recipes for a Cozy Vegan Feast
These plant-based holiday recipes are sure to please everyone at your table.Is Mike White Vegan? The 'White Lotus' Creator Is a Longtime Animal Lover
Is Mike White vegan? Here's what we know about the 'White Lotus' creator's lifestyle and diet.Ohio Mink Farm Shutting Down, Just Weeks After Activists Freed 10,000 of Their Minks
The Van Wert, Ohio mink farm is closing down, just five weeks after animal rights activists freed 10,000 minks from a fur farm.New Research Highlights the Potato's Health Benefits, so Let's Stop Vilifying These Tasty Spuds
Are potatoes healthy? A new study says they have a number of health benefits. Let's look at the nutrition of red potatoes, sweet potatoes, and more.Biden Signs Big Cat Public Safety Act Into Law, Thanks to 'Tiger King' Boost
The Big Cat Public Safety Act will ban public contact with and possession of big cats including cheetahs, lions, and, of course, tigers.Alicia Silverstone Gets Nude to Promote Vegan Leather: "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Animals"
Alicia Silverstone's new PETA ad calls attention to the environmental destruction in the leather industry.Why Environmentalists Are Criticizing 3M's New Pledge to Stop Manufacturing PFAS
3M just announced that it will stop manufacturing and making PFAS by 2025.At the COP15 Biodiversity Summit, Leaders Sign 30x30 Deal to Protect Nature — and Ourselves
Parties from all across the world agreed to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which sets various targets for improving biodiversity.Pasta Dishes Top the List of TikTok's Top Vegan Recipes in 2022
TikTok data was analyzed to determine the top trending vegan recipes and cuisines on the social media platform in 2022.In Honor of Her Birthday, Taylor Swift Donates to Beth and Howard Stern's Cat Rescue
Taylor Swift made a donation to Beth Stern and Howard Stern’s cat rescue in honor of her 33rd birthday.Stella McCartney Will Use New Recycling Process to Turn Textile Waste Into New Fabrics
Stella McCartney’s textile waste will soon be recycled into new fabrics for the designer to user, thanks to a new partnership with Protein Evolution, Inc.Massive Aquarium in Berlin Bursts, Killing 1,500 Tropical Fish: Everything You Need to Know
Berlin's AquaDom aquarium tank exploded, expelling thousands of tropical fish, hundreds of thousands of gallons of water, and broken glass throughout the hotel and onto the street.Are Diapers Biodegradable? Here Are the Most Sustainable Diaper Options
Are diapers biodegradable? Here's your guide to keeping diaper time eco-friendly.NY Governor Signs "Puppy Mill Pipeline" Bill Into Law, Banning Stores From Selling Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits
The puppy mill pipeline bill will prohibit stores from selling dogs, cats, and rabbits.Elon Musk Has Banned ElonJet: How to Follow the Private Jet-Tracking Account Elsewhere
Elon Musk has permanently suspended the ElonJet account on Twitter — but you can still follow it on Instagram, Facebook, and Mastodon.These Portable EV Chargers Will Help You Boost Your Electric Car On the Go
A portable EV charger battery can help reduce range anxiety.A Controversial Canadian Politician Is Trying to Overturn a Straw Ban in Her Province
Premier Danielle Smith wants to use the sovereignty act to overrule the single-use plastic ban in Alberta, Canada.England to Announce Ban on Single-Use Plastic Balloon Sticks, Cutlery, and More
A new single-use plastic ban is about to be enacted in England, in an effort to reduce pollution across the U.K.Director of 'SLAY' Left Haunted After Filming in Leather Tanneries, Factory Farms: "Skins Are Not a Fabric" (Exclusive)
The documentary 'SLAY,' from director and producer Rebecca Cappelli, exposes animal abuse, environmental harm, and human rights issues in the leather, wool, and fur fashion industries.Can You Install Solar Panels in an Apartment? Here Are a Few Options
Solar panels for apartments are out there, ranging from small portable ones that can charge your phone to high-tech blinds outfitted with solar panels.Dog Flu Cases Are on the Rise: Signs to Look Out For, and How to Prevent It
The current dog flu outbreak is not something any pet — or pet parent — wants to deal with, but fortunately, there is a vaccine that can help prevent the dog flu and reduce the flu’s effects.How Community Fridges Work to Improve Food Access and Build Community
Community fridges provide free food (and sometimes other goods) to people in need from the neighborhood, directly help fight food insecurity at the grassroots level, and reduce food waste.Our Favorite Zero-Waste, Cruelty-Free Hand Soaps
We’ve rounded up eight companies — plus one DIY option — making low-impact, cruelty-free hand soaps, from hand soap tablets to bar soaps to liquid refills in plastic-free bottles.