I didn’t expect to laugh about this 😂

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Hi friend,

It’s Friday morning. You are reading VITAMIN C 🍋. 

Last week I went to a stand-up comedy show.

I walked out feeling lighter - even after a day filled with heavy conversations about food and climate.

It made me wonder…

Could stand-up comedy be the missing link in how we talk about our crises?

Not the kind of comedy that sugarcoats reality.

But the kind that makes you laugh and think — so you leave empowered, not paralyzed.

I don’t know exactly how to weave more comedians into my work but I have a feeling it’s worth finding out.

PS: Many of you asked if I could offer this newsletter in German. I listened.

So, starting in September, you’ll be able to read VITAMIN C in German too.

Therefore:

1. [Inspiration] 😂 Laughing through climate grief?

Speaking about comedy, I recently came across Stuart Goldsmith, a British comedian and climate communicator. Goldsmith takes on eco-anxiety, carbon offsets and hypocrisy with humor.

Check him out - I will definitely be watching more of his stuff.

2. [Food for Thought] 🍓 What I learned from 100+ LinkedIn comments

Last week, I posted this picture on LinkedIn and asked: “Would you pay $19 for ONE strawberry?”

I wanted to highlight a growing Western trend, ultra-premium fruit wrapped in excessive packaging.

My question came from a place of accessibility: should essentials like fruit be turned into luxury items when many can’t afford fresh vegetables daily?

The reactions in the comments surprised me.

Over 100 people reminded me that in Japan or South Korea premium fruit is about meaning, not status - a gesture of respect, often given to loved ones in hospitals, much like chocolates in other countries.

It was a reminder for me and a good takeaway for you as well:

When we talk about climate, food, or sustainability, always check for cultural context first - it can make or break your message.

3. [Climate Heroes] 🪩 Ibiza can throw a party but can’t feed itself - yet!

Ibiza is famous for its beaches, DJs, and endless nightlife, but behind the party lights, the island faces a hidden challenge: over 90% of its food is imported.

At Juntos Farm, Sophie, Christian, and Finn are changing that story.

They’ve transformed an abandoned dairy into a living lab for regenerative farming - blending cover crops, compost, and community dinners to reconnect people with the land.

From party capital to food security pioneer, and a model other supply-dependent islands could learn from.

👉 Full story here.

4. [Food for Thought] 🥩 Meat, masculinity & misinformation

A new report by Hubbub UK explores the surprising rise in meat consumption among young men - driven by TikTok fitness trends, bro science, and protein panic.

But here’s the surprising part:

Many of them don’t even like eating so much meat. They just think they should.

This deep dive uncovers:

↳ Why climate messages aren’t landing

↳ The role of “masculine” food myths

↳ What needs to change to support better, greener choices

If you care about food, gender, or sustainability, it’s worth your time.

Full report here.

 5. [Fun] 🎮 Step into the Finance Minister’s shoes

The Financial Times just launched The Chancellor Game—an interactive simulator that lets you act as the UK’s Finance Minister.

Created with economic modeling by the Resolution Foundation, this game allows you to:

↳ Plan spending on health, defense, welfare, infrastructure

↳ Set taxes

↳ Balance fiscal rules against cabinet

And every choice has ripple effects: cut here, and there’s less for climate action; spend there, and sustainable farming might get a boost.

It’s a playful way to see just how complex — and political — sustainability decisions really are.

Play now (free, no subscription needed) here.

Stay awesome,
Lia

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