Sustainia100: Most Sustainable Solutions in Fashion and Resources
Editor’s note: This is the sixth and final part in a series on the various aspects of the Sustainia100. Here are parts one, two, three, four and five.
Fashion offers a plethora of opportunities for sustainability, from the materials used to the amount of water and energy used to create clothing.
The Sustainia100 recognizes the best of the best, from Levi & Strauss Co., which has saved millions of liters of waters during production, to Bionic Yarn, a line reinventing fashion with the use of plastic bottles. It's so cool, even Pharrell Williams is on board.
Sustainia’s research team reviewed more than 900 projects in fashion, resources and eight other sectors before selecting the 10-category list of 100. The Sustainia100 Advisory Board consists of 21 sector experts from 11 international research organizations. Take a look at 10 of their selections from fashion and resources, followed by the full list of 20 for those sectors.
Fashion
- I:Collect (I:CO): Global take-back system for textiles
- CRAiLAR Technologies: Replacing cotton with low-impact flax fiber
- Good World Solutions: Transparency and real-time data for buyers
- Teijin: Perpetual recycling makes used polyester new again
- Bionic Yarn: Recycled plastic bottles reinvent sustainable fashion
- Mud Jeans: Leasing jeans for a circular fashion industry
- Atlantic Leather: Turning food waste into exotic leather
- Levi Strauss & Co.: Water recycling in denim production
- GOONJ: Used clothing as a currency for development
- Sustainable Pearls: Pearl farms fostering marine conservation and social enterprise
Resources
- Ecor and Noble Environmental Technologies Corp.: Construction products made from natural waste
- Zilok: Platform for sharing products with peers
- Give Back Box: Prepaid shipping for donations
- gNappies and gDiapers: Biodegradable diapers reducing waste
- Orbital Systems: Shower system recycles and cleans water
- Cambrian Innovation: Water treatment plant producing renewable energy
- Replenish: Reusable bottle system for cleaning products
- Newlight Technologies: Carbon-negative plastic
- TNF Ecopapers and EARTH University: Paper made from banana plants and old textbooks
- Bio-on: Biodegradable Plastic from Waste Materials
Politician Working to Curb Pipeline Protestors Has Ties to Shadow Lobbyists
By Itai Vardi
A recent intensification in protests against Williams Partners' planned Atlantic Sunrise pipeline in Pennsylvania prompted a state senator to propose legislation aimed at limiting demonstrations.
Last month, Pennsylvania Sen. Scott Martin (R-Norman) announced his intention to introduce legislation that would pass the costs of law enforcement responding to protests onto the demonstrators. Martin also helped introduce a different bill that would criminalize protests at natural gas facilities.
FERC Releases 'Utterly Insufficient Review' for Mountain Valley Pipeline
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released its Final Environmental Impact Statement Friday for the Mountain Valley Pipeline, a controversial 303-mile pipeline that would carry two billion cubic feet of fracked gas per day from West Virginia through Virginia.
'World's Fastest Folding Electric Scooter' Revolutionizes Commuting
The so-called "first and last mile" problem is one of the biggest hurdles with public transportation. How do you encourage more people to take Earth-friendlier commutes when their homes are miles away from the train or bus station?
One solution, as this Estonian electric scooter company proposes, is to simply take your commute with you—literally. Tallinn-based Stigo has developed a compact e-scooter that folds to the size of a rolling suitcase in about two seconds.
'Making the Impossible Possible': In Loving Memory of Lucia Grenna
[Editor's note: I'm still in shock after hearing the news that Lucia Grenna passed away in her sleep last week. When we first met in April of 2014 at a Copenhagen hotel, I was immediately taken by here powerful presence. We spent the next couple days participating in a Sustainia climate change event where Lucia presented her audacious plans to connect people to the climate issue. I had the chance to partner with Lucia on several other projects throughout the years and work with her incredible Connect4Climate team. I was always in awe of her ability to "make the impossible possible." Her spirit will live on forever. — Stefanie Spear]
It is with a heavy heart that Connect4Climate announces the passing of its founder and leading light, Lucia Grenna. Lucia passed peacefully in her sleep on June 15, well before her time. We remember her for her leadership and extraordinary ability to motivate people to take on some of the greatest challenges of our time, not least climate change.
Neil deGrasse Tyson Fans Deserve More Than Twisted Tale on GMOs
By Stacy Malkan
Neil deGrasse Tyson has inspired millions of people to care about science and imagine themselves as participants in the scientific process. What a hopeful sign it is to see young girls wearing t-shirts emblazoned with the words, "Forget princess, I want to be an astrophysicist."
Massive Antarctic Ice Shelf Days From Breaking Off
By Andy Rowell
Any day now we will truly witness climate change in action. Within days at worst, maybe weeks at best, scientists predict that a huge section of the Larsen C ice shelf in Antarctica will break off into the ocean, in what is called a major "carving" event.
Whatever Trump Is Selling, His People Are Buying Including a Solar Border Wall
President Trump visited Cedar Rapids, Iowa on June 21 to speak to a large crowd in the U.S. Cellular Center at a political rally organized by his campaign.
As Trevor Noah noted during The Daily Show episode last night (starts at 2:25), the real reason Trump has these rallies is to "get back in front of his loyal crowds and feed of their energy." Noah believes that "Trump supporters are so on board with their dude he can say anything and they'll come along for the ride."
World's Biggest Coal Company Closes 37 Mines as Solar Prices Plummet
The rapid growth in renewable energy continues to put a dent in the demand for coal.
Coal India, the world's biggest coal mining company and producer of 82 percent of the country's coal, announced the closure of 37 mines that are financially "unviable."
The Rise and Fall of Coal in America
By Katie O'Reilly
Two years ago—long before coal became one of the most dominant and controversial symbols of the 2016 presidential election—Bloomberg Philanthropies approached production company RadicalMedia with the idea of creating a documentary exploring the U.S. coal mining industry. Last spring, they brought on Emmy-nominated director Michael Bonfiglio, tasked with forging a compelling story out of the multitudes of facts, statistics and narratives underlying the declining industry.
