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Live lighter on the earth

Sustainability

Sustainability starts with knowing the people, animals, and plants in our own neighborhood. Here's where to start — locally and at home.

Support local & ethical makers

Refill & bulk stores (Southern California)

Bring your own containers and skip the packaging.

The Refill Shoppe — VenturaThe Nada Shop — EncinitasEco Now CA — Costa MesaBYO — Long BeachSustain LA — Los AngelesRefillery — Los AngelesNo Tox Life — Los Angeles

Industrial vs. ecosystem farming

Conventional agriculture leans on pesticides, excess fertilizer, long-distance transport, and factory animal operations. Ecosystem farming works with the land. Find a grower near you at the California farmers-market directory ↗.

Before you buy: a packaging checklist

  1. 1

    How far did it travel — what is its carbon footprint?

  2. 2

    Was it sustainably harvested?

  3. 3

    How much recycled content does it contain?

  4. 4

    Is it biodegradable or compostable?

  5. 5

    Can it be reused or repurposed?

Learn more — a curated library

🎧 Podcasts

  • Reversing Climate Change (Nori)
  • Carbon Removal Newsroom (Nori)
  • Green Dreamer (Kamea Chayne)
  • The Anthropocene Reviewed (John Green)
  • Costing the Earth (BBC Radio 4)
  • Drilled

📚 Books

  • This Changes Everything
  • Braiding Sweetgrass
  • Zero Waste Home
  • Project Drawdown
  • Silent Spring

🎬 Films

Climate: Chasing Ice, Chasing Coral, Our Planet, The Human Element, Ice on Fire, Fire in Paradise

Consumerism: The Story of Stuff, Dirty Money, Broken, The Devil We Know, Stink, Miss Representation

Food: Food Inc., Rotten, Cowspiracy

For kids: The Biggest Little Farm, The Lorax, Wall-E, Over the Hedge, Happy Feet

Our Sustainability Coordinator

Mona Benanni holds a permaculture certification and an M.S. in Global Affairs from NYU, with past work in UN water-security initiatives. Follow her at @journeyofakhalifah ↗.