I believe that a better future is possible.
As a sustainability scientist and behavioral scientist, I know that the challenges we face are large and complex. I also know that we have a fighting chance if we embrace action and optimism.
Dr. Michaela Barnett is a sustainability scientist, strategist, and communicator. Michaela has a B.S. in Sustainability Science from Furman University and Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. She is the founder and owner of KnoxFill, East Tennessee’s first low waste refill store. Michaela’s work has appeared in Nature Sustainability, MIT Sloan Management Review, Gizmodo, Salon, The Conversation, Behavioral Scientist, and many more.
Featured Writing
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Decades of public messages about recycling have crowded out more sustainable ways to manage waste.
In our research on sustainability, the public often fails to understand waste management
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Recycling bias and reduction neglect.
Reducing waste generation is far more sustainable than managing waste after it has been created. However, our research finds strong evidence for a recycling bias and reduction neglect.
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The lie behind plastic pollution is that we're responsible.
Companies have been shifting responsibility for their waste onto consumers since the 1970s by publicly blaming litterbugs and emphasizing personal responsibility to recycle
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If you care about the environment, stop feeling guilty. Feel angry instead.
Your sustainability guilt is misplaced.
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The false promises of green materialism.
The emergence of green materialism and how buying less improves our well-being with Sabrina Helm.
Recent media coverage
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Over-emphasizing recycling is a problem. By Sarah DeWeerdt. Read the full article here.
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Do you have ‘recycling bias’? by Kate Yoder. Read the full article here.
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Recycling with KnoxFill. By Ali James. Read the full article here.
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Scientists say recycling has backfired spectacularly. By Noor Al-Sibai. Read the full article here.