How to feng shui your fridge — and other happy climate hacks | Jiaying Zhao (re-release)
6/16/202615 min
Is it possible for taking action on climate change to make you feel happy? Behavioral scientist Jiaying Zhao believes that's the only way we'll create lasting, sustainable change. From treat meals to feng shui fridges, she offers eight life hacks to lower your carbon emissions while increasing your joy and fulfillment.
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First 90 secondsElise Hu· Host0:00
[gentle music] You're listening to TED Talks Daily, where we bring you new ideas to spark your curiosity every day. I'm your host, Elise Hu. You've heard tactical changes we should make to curb climate change. Drive less, eat less meat, shop less. But what if the key to saving the planet is actually about being happier? Behavioral scientist Jiaying Zhao thinks so.
Jiaying Zhao· Soundbite0:24
When most people think about climate action, they immediately default to things they have to give up for the planet. This mindset is so ingrained in us, partly because the current narrative on climate action is about personal sacrifice. Drive less, eat less meat, shop less. Less, less, less.
Elise Hu· Host0:43
In this talk from 2023, Jiaying and her colleague Elizabeth Dunn, a happiness scientist, set out to answer a question nobody had quite asked before. What if the things that are good for the planet could also be good for you? She calls it the happy climate approach.
Jiaying Zhao· Soundbite0:59
Let's take a look at perhaps the messiest part of everybody's home, the fridge. I don't think the fridge is designed with human behavior in mind. We often forget about the things in the drawers, and that can lead to a lot of food waste and emissions. So what's the happy climate action here? Feng shui your fridge.
Elise Hu· Host1:20
[laughs] That's coming up right after a short break.