External Resources
Addressing the climate challenge is a long learning journey. We encourage our community to read articles and reports, watch films, listen to podcasts and attend webinars and trainings.
Our team regularly scout and review the content out there and share here to make the learning journeys of our community easier.
Note that some of the resources below may be controversial by design; they are included here to provoke thought, engagement, and debate. The author's positions do not reflect the opinions of the CIC Team.
Keyword: Climate
Goodread rating: 4.2
CIC Score: 0.41
How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need
By Bill Gates, published in 2021
In 2019, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation committed $310 million to support climate adaptation efforts benefitting farmlands around the world. In this wonklike and persuasive book, Gates takes his environmental activism a bridge further, laying out an ambitious plan to reduce greenhouse emissions to zero by 2050. Drawing on data from researchers, policymakers, and engineers, Gates advocates for solutions both scientific (like developing alternative fuels) and personal (like increasing civic engagement in environmental justice issues). If you feel a radical shred of hope reading these galvanizing pages, dare to let in—without hope, we’ll get nowhere.
Keyword: Climate
Goodread rating: 4.3
CIC Score: 1.92
Don’t Even Think About It
By George Marshall, Published in 2014
Why is our response to climate change so woeful? George Marshall explores how we make choices to act or ignore. And when it comes to climate change, it’s usually the latter. Climate change is a “wicked problem,” Marshall writes, a complicated challenge with no clear enemy and no silver-bullet solution. To tackle this problem and mobilize action, “Don’t Even Think About It” argues we need science, but just as importantly, we need emotional, compelling narratives.
Keyword: Climate
Goodread rating: 4.2
CIC Score: 0.41
Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future
By Elizabeth Kolbert
The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction returns with another sobering look at our Anthropocene Epoch, this time centered not on the countless calamities ahead, but on the trailblazing efforts of scientists to turn back the doomsday clock. Kolbert describes the subjects of Under a White Sky as “people trying to solve problems created by people trying to solve problems”; she turns her lens to human interventions in nature, like the storied redirection of the Chicago River, and to the pressing need for further intervention to correct our folly. Traveling everywhere from the Great Lakes to the Great Barrier Reef, she chronicles her encounters with scientists, who are pioneering cutting-edge technologies to turn carbon emissions to stone and shoot diamonds in the stratosphere. Heralded by everyone from Barack Obama to Al Gore, Kolbert’s urgent, deeply researched text asks if our ingenuity can outrun our hubris.
Reports
Books
Growing Better: Ten Critical Transitions to Transform Food and Land Use
This report lays out the scientific evidence and economic case that demonstrate that, by 2030,
food and land use systems can help bring climate change under control, safeguard biological diversity, ensure healthier diets
for all, drastically improve food security and create more inclusive rural economies.
Creating a Sustainable Food Future
The report focuses on technical opportunities and policies for cost-effective scenarios to meet food, land-use, and greenhouse gas emissions goals in 2050 in ways that can also help to alleviate poverty and do not exacerbate water challenges.
EAT-Lancet Commission Brief for Everyone
The EAT-Lancet Commission presents a global planetary health diet that is healthy for both people and planet. Discover the report’s key takeaways and specific actions that we all can take to contribute to the Great Food Transformation.
How Bad Are Bananas
Short and simple descriptions of the carbon footprint of everything, from a banana to a car. When going through these examples, you'll start to see patterns. If you've found this topic as confusing as we have, we promise that all the sudden it will all make sense.
MEATHOOKED - THE HISTORY AND SCIENCE OF OUR 2.5-MILLION-YEAR OBSESSION WITH MEAT
Why do humans love meat? This book explores that question by looking at evolution, nutrition, culture, chemistry, history, taste, and more. An enjoyable and eye-opening read.
WASTE - Uncovering the Global Food Scandal
Looking at food waste from all angles to describe the problems along the value chain - and offer solutions. Tristram Stuart has also done a TED talk on this topic if you'd like a short cut.
Omnivore's Dilemma
A farm-to-fork exploration of 3 very different diets in the US: Industrial, Pastoral (both 'big organic' and small) and Personal (hunting your own food). This is a very readable book for anyone who'd like to dive deeper into the US food system, with good learnings that transfer to other countries.
The Part-time Vegetarian
Easy and tasty recipes that have a vegetarian base but can be extended by adding meat or fish. These adaptable recipes are especially helpful if you want to cook for a mixed group of meat-eaters and plant-based eaters - and want to keep everyone happy!
Podcasts
Sustainability Podcast Series
The CGF Sustainability Podcast takes a deep dive in to all things sustainability: from forced labour, to plastics, food waste, deforestation, and refrigeration. The series gives listeners insights in to the strategies of the key players working behind the scenes to tackle the challenges facing our industry and the planet.
Feed and Flourish
Hannah MacInnes joins some of the participants and guests of The Klosters Forum to discuss some of the key environmental issues of today including themes of plastic pollution, biodiversity and food systems. The Klosters Forum is a neutral platform that brings together disruptive and inspirational minds to address some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Deliciously ella
Confused about health and wellness? Each week we interview an expert to bring a little inspiration to your life - from gut health to mental health and anxiety, how to make sustainable changes, finding happiness, what happens to our brains when we exercise, skincare 101, dealing with stress, veganism and the environment and so much more.
Movies
David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020)
A broadcaster recounts his life, and the evolutionary history of life on Earth, to grieve the loss of wild places and offer a vision for the future.
Emmy-winning narrator David Attenborough ("Our Planet," "Planet Earth II") looks back and shares a way forward.
WASTED! THE STORY OF FOOD WASTE (2017)
We’ve mentioned this time and time again here on Sustainable Jungle, food waste is one of the most prolific (yet entirely preventable) categories of waste out there. Which is why we’re such big proponents of composting.
If you don’t believe us, maybe you’ll believe the late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, producer of our next eco film.
Looking at it another way what we eat impacts our planet, Wasted! The Story of Food Waste takes viewers on a journey from farm to landfill and shares how small (and tasty) changes can solve one of the 21st century’s greatest problems.
Chasing Coral (2015)
Perfect for those looking for environmental films on Netflix, this documentary takes viewers on a thrilling adventure to explore the coral reefs around the world that are quickly disappearing. It takes a look at the alien-like underwater world and starkly highlights the impacts of humans on these fragile eco-systems. Chasing Coral is the product of more than 500 hours spent underwater in 30 different countries. The dedicated filmmakers won the Sundance Film Festival award among many others for this work of art.
JUST EAT IT (2014)
Featuring interviews with TED lecturer, author and activist Tristram Stuart and acclaimed author Jonathan Bloom, Just Eat It looks at our systemic obsession with expiry dates, perfect produce and portion sizes, and reveals the core of this seemingly insignificant issue that is having devastating consequences around the globe. Just Eat It brings farmers, retailers, inspiring organizations, and consumers to the table in a cinematic story that is equal parts education and delicious entertainment.
Kifaru (2019)
Award winning ‘Kifaru’ follows the lives of two young Kenyan recruits who join Ol Pejeta Conservancy's rhino caretaker unit - a small group of rangers that protect and care for ‘Sudan', the last male northern white rhino in the world. Spanning over the course of the caretakers' first four years on the job, Kifaru allows viewers to intimately experience the joys and pitfalls of wildlife conservation firsthand through the eyes of these Kenyan rhino caretakers, offering a once in a lifetime experience to feel what extinction feels like never before.
SEED: THE UNTOLD STORY (2016)
SEED: The Untold Story follows passionate seed keepers protecting our 12,000 year-old food legacy. In the last century, 94% of our seed varieties have disappeared. As biotech chemical companies control the majority of our seeds, farmers, scientists, lawyers, and indigenous seed keepers fight a David and Goliath battle to defend the future of our food. In a harrowing and heartening story, these reluctant heroes rekindle a lost connection to our most treasured resource and revive a culture connected to seeds. SEED features Vandana Shiva, Dr. Jane Goodall, Andrew Kimbrell, Winona Laduke and Raj Patel.
The True Cost (2015)
As the name suggests, The True Cost takes a look at the true cost of fast fashion and the impact of the clothing industry. Clothing has been getting cheaper and cheaper, while the environmental and social costs have grown tremendously.
This documentary begins with the Rana Plaza incident and takes soon-to-be-horrified fashionistas through fashion’s many issues. Beyond that, it offers a solution by showing what an ethical and sustainable fashion industry could look like.
Chasing Ice (2012)
Preceding Chasing Coral by a few years, Chasing Ice is the award-winning documentary that, quite literally, chases Earth’s disappearing ice. Earth’s landscape is changing drastically, glaciers perhaps most dramatically of all. While not everyone can visit such environments, this documentary captures the devastation in real-time.
Treeline (2019)
Patagonia (one of our favorite sustainable clothing companies) takes us beyond eco-friendly outerwear to explore some of the world’s most stunning forest landscapes.
Through the lens of pro-level skiers and snowboarders, Treeline is a four-part series that travels to British Columbia, Japan, and Nevada to remind us of our unique connection with trees. While adventure snow sports provide a level of visual excitement, the soundtrack and narration highlight the importance of nature in a culturally diverse and spiritual way.
A PLASTIC OCEAN (2016)
“We need a wave of a change.” And if you don’t already believe those words, this next film will change your mind.
This Netflix documentary investigates how plastic pollution is ending up in Earth’s oceans. A Plastic Ocean features shots from more than 20 different locations to show viewers that the health of our waters may be more fragile than we think—but we can do something about it.
RACING EXTINCTION (2015)
“When you lose the small things, everything fails,” Academy Award-winning filmmaker Louie Psihoyos says. But with this next environmental film he doesn’t just say it. He shows it.
The 2015 “eco-thriller” Racing Extinction gives viewers a never-before-seen look at mass extinction and endangered species.
You may not know this, but the world is in the midst of the sixth mass extinction. With the survival of half of all species (seriously!) hanging in the balance, this documentary uses covert tactics and a powerful narrative style to teach views about extinction as it happens naturally, and how that process is being expedited by human actions (like our dependence on oil and gas).
Surviving Progress (2011)
Surviving Progress takes a look at where we are, how we’ve developed and the consequences our advancement has had (on the environment and society as a whole).
Featuring interviews with experts like Stephen Hawking, Margaret Atwood, and Jane Goodall, this film leaves viewers with one question: are we living in a truly thriving society? Can there simply be too much of a good thing?
Innovation
Winnow
Kitchens using Winnow know exactly what they’re putting in their bins. The Winnow team helps the food service and hospitality industry cut down on food waste by making the kitchen smarter.
Listen to co-founder Marc Zornes talk about food waste in our Expert Roundtable.
Entec Nutrition
Entec Nutrition is a British company at the forefront of the development of farming insects as an environmentally friendly, high quality and nutritious source of feed.
The Part-time Vegetarian
The team works with scientists, investors, and entrepreneurs to make groundbreaking good food a reality.
Initiatives - to be added
How Bad Are Bananas
Short and simple descriptions of the carbon footprint of everything, from a banana to a car. When going through these examples, you'll start to see patterns. If you've found this topic as confusing as we have, we promise that all the sudden it will all make sense.
WASTE - Uncovering the Global Food Scandal
Looking at food waste from all angles to describe the problems along the value chain - and offer solutions. Tristram Stuart has also done a TED talk on this topic if you'd like a short cut.