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
Our Favorite Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products That Are Truly Zero-Waste
Eco-friendly cleaning products with no plastic packaging have appeared to be one of the fastest-growing product categories in the sustainability industry.
These Restaurants and Food Delivery Platforms Offer Reusable Takeout Containers
If more restaurants offered food and drinks in reusable packaging that could be washed, the restaurant industry could reduce waste immensely.
Madeleine Albright Passes Away at 84 — Where Did She Stand on Climate Issues?
Madeleine Albright passed this week away at 84. Where did the former secretary of state stand on climate change issues?
Former English Teacher Has Rescued Over 5,000 Animals Since Opening a Sanctuary (Exclusive)
Kathy Stevens opened Catskill Animal Sanctuary in upstate New York back in 2001, and since then, she has rescued over 5,000 farmed animals.
‘Bad Vegan’ Chef Nikki Bennett on What Really Went Down at Pure Food and Wine (Exclusive)
Pure Food and Wine's head chef Nikki Bennett shares how accurate she found 'Bad Vegan,' whether Sarma Melngailis paid her staff, and more.
The Ultimate Guide to Recycling and Reselling Sports Equipment
Is it possible to donate, resell, or recycle sports equipment?
Miriam Margolyes of 'Harry Potter' Lends Her Voice to Save the "Tree of Music" (Exclusive)
Miriam Margolyes, the iconic actress who portrayed Professor Sprout in the 'Harry Potter' films, narrated a campaign to protect the endangered tree species used to make violin bows.
Antarctica Reaches Record-Breaking Temperatures, Weighing in at 70 Degrees Hotter Than Average
Some parts of Antarctica measured at over 70 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) hotter than average.
11 of Our Favorite Eco-Conscious Celebrities and Famous Families
We rounded up 11 of our favorite eco celebrities and famous families out there, all of whom use their voices to advocate for the planet in different ways.
Impossible Foods Founder Steps Aside for New CEO, Peter McGuinness
Peter McGuinness is taking over for Pat Brown as CEO of Impossible Foods.
New Doc 'Milked' Uncovers "White Lies in Dairy Land" — and Provides Solutions (Exclusive)
'Milked,' a new documentary out of New Zealand, gives viewers a non-graphic look into the truth behind the dairy industry.
No, Starbucks Is Not Getting Rid of Paper Cups — but a New Program Aims to Promote Returnable and Reusable Cups
Is Starbucks getting rid of cups? Is the coffee chain's latest announcement a legitimate commitment to reducing cup waste, or is it just greenwashing?
Our Favorite Sustainable Glasses, Plus How to Recycle Old Eyeglasses
Sustainable glasses companies keep cropping up, offering prescription frames, readers, blue-light glasses, and sunglasses that will keep your eyes protected while respecting the Earth.
Our Favorite Vegan Leather Jackets for a Cruelty-Free Fashion Moment
If you are vegan, or otherwise avoid buying or wearing animal products, investing in a high-quality vegan leather jacket may be a worthwhile purchase.
How the Fossil Fuel Industry Is Responsible for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
Missing and murdered Indigenous women across the U.S. is a serious and often overlooked issue. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez drew attention to this in a recent hearing.
Why the Russia-Ukraine Conflict Is Raising Oil Prices, Explained Simply
Has the Russia-Ukraine conflict caused the highest oil prices ever?
Eco-Friendly Claw Clips For a Trendy and Sustainable Updo
One brand's eco-friendly claw clips went viral on TikTok recently — here are a few options for sustainable claw clips and other hair accessories.
These Sustainable, Circular Fashion Companies Offer Their Own Recycling Programs
These sustainable and circular fashion companies have their own recycling programs.
Volkswagen Ship Carrying 4,000 Luxury Cars Sinks, Could Potentially Leak Oil Into Atlantic Ocean
The Felicity Ace cargo ship, which was transporting luxury cars, just sank, sending the entire ship, 4,000 brand new cars, and thousands of tons of fuel and oil to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.
UN Climate Change Report Is "An Atlas of Human Suffering," With Bleakest Prognosis Yet
Is it just us, or is it starting to feel like the UN climate change reports never bring good news?
Where SCOTUS Nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson Stands on Climate Issues
Where does Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson stand on climate change issues?
Russia-Ukraine Conflict Is a Stark Reminder of the Military’s Impact on Climate Change
Here are the basics on the military and climate change, as well as a look into the steadily rising gas prices as a result of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
How to Help Trans Kids in Texas: Where to Donate, Send Letters, and More
Now is a great time to support organizations working to protect and support trans and non-binary youth in Texas.
How Food Co-Ops Work to Save You Money, Reduce Waste, and Build Community
Food co-ops are a great place to shop for zero-waste, local, and healthy foods, get involved in your community, and so much more.
Guinness Beer Could Soon Be Made With Regeneratively-Grown Barley
Guinness just announced a new regenerative agriculture pilot program that the brand believes will be one of Ireland’s most ambitious agriculture programs in history.
Outdoor Afro’s COO on Inspiring Black Joy in Nature, Celebrating the Planet, and More (Exclusive)
Outdoor Afro works “to create and inspire Black connections and leadership in nature,” as COO Joseph Mouzon tells Green Matters.
How to Make a Sustainable Margarita on National Margarita Day
It’s National Margarita Day! If you’re an eco-conscious fan of margs, you’ll be delighted to know that there are so many easy ways to make an eco-friendly margarita.
A Restaurant Accidentally Spilled 50,000 Gallons of Sewage Into Newport Beach's Waters
A massive sewage spill in Newport Beach has forced beaches to shut down.
The Ultimate Guide to Recycling Guitar Strings, Woodwind Reeds, and More
Keep reading for our guide on how to recycle guitar strings, orchestral strings, woodwind reeds, and more.
'Bad Vegan' Docuseries Is the True Crime Story of a Famous Restauranteur's Downfall
'Bad Vegan,' a documentary series heading to Netflix, is actually a true crime docuseries about restaurateur Sarma Melngailis, also known as the vegan Bernie Madoff.
What You Need to Know About the Potential Avocado Shortage in the U.S.
Due to a new, temporary ban on avocado imports from Mexico, the U.S. might be on the precipice of an avocado shortage.
U.S. Government Will No Longer Consider Race In Fight for Environmental Justice
What is environmental racism, exactly? The U.S. government has just made a disappointing declaration in regards to fighting for environmental justice.
Flavored Nutritional Yeast Just Dropped, and It's About to Rock Your Kitchen (Exclusive)
You can now buy flavored nutritional yeast, and it comes in two flavors: Roasted Garlic and Smoky BBQ.
Vegetable Ivory Is Making a Resurgence in Fashion — How the Sustainable Material Is Made (Exclusive)
What exactly is vegetable ivory, and what can it be used for?
6 Super Bowl Commercials That Highlighted Sustainability
Check out six of our favorite Super Bowl ads from 2022, each of which hopefully inspired viewers to consider sustainability.
Why You Won't See Any Single-Use Plastic in 'Marry Me,' the New J.Lo Movie
The movie 'Marry Me' doesn’t show any single-use plastic on-screen, instead intentionally opting for reusables.
How to Host Galentine’s Day, Sustainably
When is Galentine’s Day 2022? Here are all the details on this year’s holiday, plus a few tips on how to host Galentine’s Day, sustainably.
Memphis Zoo Responds to Billie Eilish-Backed Campaign to Free Two Senior Pandas
Billie Eilish recently voiced her support of a campaign to free two pandas from the Memphis Zoo, and the zoo has finally replied.
Mask Mandates Are Not Causing Litter — The System Is
A new study frames mask mandates as the cause of increased PPE litter — but it's the system that's at fault.
Michael Regan Is Leading the EPA "Through the Lens of Environmental Justice"
EPA Administrator Michael Regan recently appeared on 'The Daily Show,' where he spoke about his goals as EPA Administrator.
The USPS Proposes New Vehicles With Worse Gas Mileage Than Hummers
The Postal Service overhaul bill just passed in the House, angering environmentalists, as it would give the USPS a massive amount of gas-guzzling delivery vehicles.
The Ultimate Guide to Vegan-Friendly Musical Instruments
Are any musical instruments vegan, or is it common for them to be made using animal-derived materials?
These Zero-Waste Restaurants Around the World Are the Future of Dining
These zero-waste restaurants are making a number of efforts to reduce both their landfill waste and environmental footprints.
American BPA Exposure Levels Are Too High — Here’s How to Avoid the Plastic Chemical
We’ve got you covered with how to avoid BPA exposure, a lot of which comes down to making easy swaps around the house.
Environmentalist Characters Are Always the Punchline on Sitcoms, and It's Time to Change That
Eco-friendly TV characters are all too often the punchline — we'd love to see some stronger environmentalists in sitcoms.
Slutty Vegan's Pinky Cole on Giving Back, Her New Cookbook, and "Not Giving a F--k" (Exclusive)
To learn more about Slutty Vegan's founder Pinky Cole, we interviewed her for our “Green Routine” series.
Men Care About Sustainable Living, Too — Just Look at These Influencers and Activists
Something that may help the men in your life level up is encouraging them to follow male sustainability influencers.
Sure, We Can Keep Fossil Fuels… If We End This One Other Industry
Government and corporate reluctance to stop drilling for fossil fuels has inspired some scientists to try and shift the focus to ending another industry that massively contributes to climate change: animal agriculture.
Is Tom Brady Vegan? What We Know About the Newly-Retired Athlete's Diet
People have wondered about Tom Brady’s diet for years now, and if Tom Brady is vegan, vegetarian, or something else entirely.
Wild Crows Are Cleaning Up Littered Cigarette Butts in Sweden
In Sweden, a startup has trained the local wild crows to pick up cigarette butts that have been littered around the city.