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Throughout the world, concerns about the changing climate and deteriorating environment are gaining momentum. In the U.S., 75% of adults aim to help the environment in their daily lives. Fifty-one percent of Japanese consumers are more concerned about the environment than they were a year ago; residents in the U.K. rank climate change as their second-greatest concern; and German residents rank climate change as their primary concern.

Alongside the concerns about climate change and sustainability, more ethically minded consumer trends are leading businesses and corporations down a path of more robust corporate social responsibility. Research by the Haas School of Business at Berkeley found that nine out of ten Millennials would switch brands to one associated with a cause they support, while other reports confirm consumers’ willingness to pay more for sustainable products.

Perhaps one of the key drivers of sustainability recently has been the growth in sustainability communicators online. More than 4 billion people around the world are now using the internet. Well over half of the world’s population is now online, with the latest data showing that nearly a quarter of a billion new users came online for the first time in 2017. The world’s second largest search engine, YouTube, is now used by over 2 billion people every month including over 75% of the adult population in the United States.

There have been quite a few digital media companies that have emerged in recent years as industry leaders. Companies like Vox, Vice, NowThis, and Seeker have established a new standard for communicating stories and information. These brands, while not focused solely on sustainability, have created a model for communication that others have followed. And, there are a number of brands and organizations that have seen the opportunity that exists at the intersection of sustainability and digital media, like The Years Project, The World Economic Forum, “We Can Save the World” (by Nameless Network), and “Our Planet” (by ATTN:).

What has been most inspiring, though, has been the growth in number and capability of sustainability communicators online. Here are five small YouTube channels (in no particular order) that we think are making a big difference for the environment.

1. Our Changing Climate: This channel has a very consistent and appealing aesthetic, which, coupled with its well-researched explanations, has garnered over 200,000 subscribers. Despite what the name of the channel would suggest, it is not solely focused on climate change. The channel has covered a wide variety of sustainability-related topics and will often focus on specific brands.

2. PBS’s Hot Mess: If you are a sustainability educator, this is the channel for you and your students. This channel has over 30 videos specifically focused on climate change. The videos are both thorough and incredibly engaging. If you are looking for something to integrate into your high school or university science classes, this content is ideal for use in an academic context.

3. zentouro: This is perhaps one of the longest running sustainability channels on YouTube. Miriam, also on PBS’s Hot Mess, has an exceptional ability to unpack complex sustainability concepts and present them in a way that is conversational with the viewer. Her channel is over 10 years old and has over 50 videos focusing mostly on climate change and activism.

4 and 5. Shelbizlee and Sedona Christina: Shelbi and Christie are likely two of the most prolific sustainability YouTubers, both having created hundreds of videos related to intentional living, wellness, low-waste life hacks, veganism, and eco-minimalism. Watch these two channels if you are just starting to transition to a sustainable lifestyle.

There are undoubtedly many other sustainability YouTubers that we didn’t mention, but we think the five above are pretty amazing. What are your favorite sustainability YouTube channels? Leave a comment below to let us know what you think. And, of course, please subscribe to Carbon Radio’s YouTube channel! We’re just getting started.