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
April the Giraffe Passes Away at 20
April the Giraffe has passed away at the age of 20, after a long life filled with delighting internet users around the globe.
“Give Seals Space,” New Campaign Urges Beachgoers As Lockdowns Lift
If you see seals on the beach, it's important not to disturb them, says a new campaign.
12 Luxury Fashion Brands That Have Gone Fur-Free
These luxury fashion designers have gone fur-free over the past few years.
Rainforest Destruction Surged in 2020, at 12 Percent Increase From 2019
Rainforest destruction increased by 12 percent from 2019 to 2020, with a total of 12.2 million hectares of tree cover being wiped out in 2020.
We Can Completely Revitalize the World’s Oceans by 2050, New Study Finds
Oceans could once again flourish in 2050 — if we make the effort.
‘72 Reasons to Be Vegan’ Is the Perfect Gift for the Vegan-Curious (Exclusive)
‘72 Reasons to Be Vegan,’ a new book from Gene Stone and Kathy Freston, is the perfect gift for the vegan-curious.
6 Eco-Friendly Dog Beds to Keep Nap Time Sustainable
These eco-friendly dog beds will help keep your dog’s nap time as planet-friendly as possible.
‘Seaspiracy’: 8 Major Takeaways About the Fishing Industry From the Netflix Doc
'Seaspiracy' just hit Netflix, and the documentary exposes various environmental and human rights injustices in the fishing industry.
A Thailand Supermarket Is Using Banana Leaves Instead of Plastic Produce Packaging
A Thai supermarket is using discarded banana leaves instead of plastic to bundle produce.
Formerly Homeless Man Moves Into the First 3D-Printed Tiny Home
A previously homeless man is the first person to live in a 3D-printed tiny house, built by ICON and New Story.
Why Does the Sky Turn Green Before a Tornado?
Why does the sky turn green before a tornado? Do green skies really mean a tornado is coming?
Corona Rolls Out Biodegradable Six-Packs Made From Barley Waste
Corona is rolling out biodegradable six-pack packaging that's made from barley, which is composed of waste from the beer-making process.
The Evolution of Greta Thunberg
How did Greta Thunberg go from quiet teenager to internationally famous climate activist? Here's a look at her past few years.
Biden May Allocate $1 Trillion to Fighting Climate Change, Under Proposed Economic Plan
President Joe Biden and his advisers are preparing to unveil a $3 trillion dollar economic plan in Congress, part of which would fight the climate crisis.
How "Forever Chemicals" Are Affecting Fertility, Sperm Count, and Even Penis Size
Toxic forever chemicals are affecting human fertility, sperm count, sexual satisfaction and desire, and even penis size.
Endangered Whale Species Welcomed a Record 18 Calves This Season
This calving season has been the most successful for the North Atlantic right whale since 2013, with 18 newborns spotted as of mid-March 2021.
What Is the Paris Agreement? Everything You've Been Wondering About the Landmark Climate Accord
The Paris Agreement is an important agreement signed by countries all around the globe in 2016 — here's what it entails.
Seaweed Reduces Cows' Methane Emissions, Study Finds — but There's a Better Solution
Feeding cattle seaweed could reduce their methane emissions by 82 percent — but why are we trying to fix this broken, polluting industry?
Baked Oats Are Taking Over TikTok: Try These Easy Vegan Recipes
What exactly is baked oats? TikTok's latest food trend is a sweet twist on a classic breakfast.
NASA Launches 2.9-Ton Bundle of Space Junk Into Orbit
Space junk is a serious problem — and NASA just ordered the International Space Station to release a 2.9-ton pile of space debris into orbit.
2021’s Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen Are Here, With New Pesticide-Laden Veg (Exclusive)
The 2021 Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen have been unveiled by the EWG, advising U.S. shoppers on what produce to buy organic.
Virginia Passes Act Banning Animal Testing for Cosmetics
Virginia just banned animal testing for cosmetics, as well as the sale of cosmetics that were tested on animals.
Senate Confirms First Native American Cabinet Member, Deb Haaland as Interior Secretary
Rep. Deb Haaland has been confirmed as the Secretary of the Interior by the Senate, making her the first Native American to ever hold a presidential Cabinet position.
Zero-Waste Lip Balms — Natural, Cruelty-Free, and Vegan Options
There are endless zero-waste lip balms that are also cruelty-free, vegan, made with natural ingredients, and plastic-free!
You Can Finally Buy Lia, the Flushable, Zero-Waste Pregnancy Test
Lia, the first biodegradable, flushable, and zero-waste pregnancy test, is finally available.
How Zero-Waste Chef Max La Manna Is Fighting the Climate Crisis With Food
Chef Max La Manna keeps his kitchen zero-waste and vegan — and he wrote a book called "More Plants Less Waste" to help you do the same.
These Zero-Waste Influencers Don't Care About Being Perfect: "This Idea of Perfection Is Impossible"
Zero-waste influencers can sometimes focus too much on perfectionism — but these bloggers are keeping it real by sharing their trash.
Environmentalists Demand Biden Shut Down the Line 3 Pipeline
What exactly is the Line 3 pipeline? Environmentalists are demanding Biden shut it down.
7 Women Killing It in the Environmental Space, In Honor of International Women's Day
This International Women's Day, celebrate the women killing it in the environmental space.
Celebrate International Women's Day With These Books by Women About the Climate
International Women's Day is every March 8 — honor women in the climate movement by picking up one of these books.
10 Young Climate Activists Changing the World, in Honor of International Women's Day
In honor of International Women’s Day 2021, here are 10 young women climate activists who are undoubtedly changing the world.
Coronavirus Caused Global Emissions to Plummet — Then Sharply Rise
Even though we produced 6 percent less emissions in 2020 than we did in 2019, by the end of 2020, emissions were even higher than they were before the pandemic.
Antarctic Ice Shelf Loses 490-Square-Mile Iceberg — a Decade in the Making
The Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica just lost a massive iceberg.
'Seaspiracy' on Netflix Will Uncover the Fishing Industry's Environmental Secrets
The upcoming original Netflix documentary Seaspiracy plans to uncover some of the fishing industry's deepest secrets.
H&M Is Using Cactus Leather in New “Science Story” Collection
H&M is using eco-friendly vegan cactus leather in its new Science Story collection.
25 of NYC's Best Vegan Restaurants: A Guide to the Best Options for Every Price Point
New York City's vegan restaurants are at the top of their game — here are 25 of our favorites.
Celebrities Who Started Sustainable Slow Fashion Brands
We commend these five celebrities for using their platform to shine a light on sustainable fashion with their fashion brands.
Customers Boycotted These "Sustainable" Fashion Brands After BLM Scandals — How Have The Companies Followed Up?
Everlane, Reformation, and other "sustainable" brands were under fire in the summer of 2020 for racism — but how have things changed, seven months later?
Why Are Bats Protected? We Depend on These "Misunderstood" Little Creatures
Why are bats protected by the Endangered Species Act? Bats are incredibly important animals.
Israel Oil Spill Covered Endangered Turtles in Tar — Here's How Mayo Is Saving Them
In the wake of the 2021 Israel oil spill, helpers discovered a unique way to clean tar-covered sea turtles: feeding them mayo.
How Nonprofit Generation Green Is Fighting for Environmental Liberation
To learn more about environmental liberation, we interviewed Generation Green founder Destiny Hodges.
Volunteers Save 28 Beached Whales on New Zealand Beach in Three-Day Rescue Mission
Hundreds of volunteers and medics worked together in a three-day rescue mission to save 28 beached whales in New Zealand.
Why Does Silver Melt Ice? Here's How to Tell If Your Silver Jewelry Is Real
Is it true that real silver melts ice? And if so, why does silver melt ice?
Texas Snowstorms Drove Refineries to Emit Massive Amounts of Air Pollutants
Texas snowstorms caused refineries to perform gas flaring and release staggering amounts of air pollution across the state.
How to Help Texas — Where to Donate to Benefit the Homeless, Incarcerated, and More
How can we help Texas? This week, 2.8 million Texans faced power outages for several days, amidst freezing cold temperatures following Storm Uri.
7 Innovative Zero-Waste Toothbrushes That Go Beyond the Bamboo Brush
These innovative zero-waste toothbrushes are more than just bamboo — we've rounded up brushes with reusable handles, replaceable brush heads, electric options, and more.
Why Is Texas Without Power? How Climate Action Could Have Prevented This
Why is Texas without power in February 2021, and how is this all connected to the climate crisis?
Did the “Indonesian Death Zoo” Shut Down? Cher Calls Out Neglect at Surabaya Zoo
A new petition to shut down the Surabaya Zoo, aka the "Indonesian Death Zoo," aimed at the country’s president, is gaining traction.
5 of Our Favorite Sustainable Beauty Innovations From 2021
Check out five of our favorite new, innovative, and sustainable beauty products from 2021 (and late 2020).
Recycling Centers You Can Tour, In-Person or Virtually
Here are a few awesome recycling centers around the U.S. that you can visit — many of which also offer virtual tours.