Food and the Environment

Recycling is a good thing. It keeps garbage out of landfills, keeps raw materials in the earth, and reduces energy consumption. But recycling can be inconvenient and confusing. And not everything put in the recycling bin actually gets recycled at all. In fact, some environmentalists even see recycling as a form of “greenwashing,” distracting us from the serious problems caused by our wasteful lifestyles. So what’s the deal? Should we recycle? If so, what are the rules? And what are the best ways to process our stuff to contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet?

Grass-fed beef is often marketed as a healthier, more eco-friendly, and more ethical option for red meat-eaters. But how true are these claims? Is grass-fed really better than conventionally-raised beef? And can it be good for your health or the planet?

Plastic is a great example of a technological solution that created an even bigger problem. Plastic is cheap, versatile, useful, and convenient. And over the past hundred years, it’s changed our lives in ways almost too fundamental to register. But what are the costs to our health and to the environment? If you want to reduce the amount of plastic in your life (and in your body), where do you start, and how do you go about it?

2020 was an incredibly difficult year for a lot of people. And yet, we still have many reasons for gratitude and hope. More people than ever before are interested in caring for their immune systems and optimizing their health. And Food Revolution Network has expanded our reach significantly. Here are some of our top accomplishments from 2020.

Traditional native nations in the Americas have often been portrayed as primitive societies. But the truth is that they developed extraordinarily wise and sophisticated methods of agriculture and land stewardship. In this article, Diné artist and activist, Lyla June, explores what indigenous relationships have to teach us today, so we can all learn from native wisdom and do our part to protect the world’s soil, water, forests, and climate.

Mushrooms are one of the most widely available and popular plant foods. What is it that’s so special about mushrooms, why should you consider adding them to your diet, which ones are best, and which should you avoid?

Looking for holiday gifts you’ll feel good about giving or receiving? These healthy, ethical, and sustainable gifts are functional, useful, and inspired. You’ll find causes to support, health and beauty items, kitchen enhancements, educational entertainment, and more for the people and the planet that you love.

Ocean Robbins sits down with Lyla June, indigenous activist, ecologist, and musician of Diné (Navajo), Tsétsêhéstâhese (Cheyenne), and European lineages. Lyla and Ocean discuss how indigenous farming practices have shaped the world, why indigenous peoples are critical to preserving biodiversity, and how we can cultivate a sense of belonging and rightful place as we live in the modern world.

Soy is celebrated as a superfood by some who claim it can fight heart disease, hormone-related cancers, and osteoporosis while providing a potent plant-based protein source. But others tell us that it’s a central driver of breast cancer, thyroid problems, dementia, and environmental problems like deforestation. So what’s the truth? Is soy good for you? And what are the health and environmental consequences of consuming it? Here’s what you need to know about soy.

Reducing food waste through recycling, composting, and other sustainable programs has gained steam over the last decade. But since the coronavirus pandemic began, these efforts have largely been stalled or abandoned entirely by city municipal waste programs, threatening to undo progress in reducing landfill waste.

Thinking about growing your own food? Figure out what to plant and when, by using a planting calendar.

More and more people are interested in a whole foods, plant-based diet. Some are motivated by specific health concerns. Others by interest in disease prevention, peak performance, sustainability, or ethical concerns. And documentary films are playing a huge part in fueling this growing movement. They’re a great way to learn more, get inspired, and also to spread the word and inspire friends, coworkers, classmates, and even family! This article explains why — and shares 10 of our favorite whole foods, vegan, and plant-based food documentaries.