Aaron Sorkin Teaches Screenwriting

Alice Waters Teaches The Art of Home Cooking

Bill Nye Teaches Science and Problem-Solving

Black History, Black Freedom, and Black Love

Chris Hadfield Teaches Space Exploration

Es Devlin Teaches Turning Ideas Into Art 

Esther Perel Teaches Relational Intelligence

Gut Health

Dr. Jane Goodall Teaches Conservation

Jeff Goodby & Rich Silverstein Teach Advertising and Creativity

Joe Holder Teaches Fitness and Wellness Fundamentals

LeVar Burton Teaches the Power of Storytelling

Lewis Hamilton Teaches a Winning Mindset

Melinda French Gates Teaches Impactful Giving

Michael Pollan Teaches Intentional Eating

Neil deGrasse Tyson Teaches Scientific Thinking and Communication

Noam Chomsky Teaches Independent Thinking and Media’s Invisible Powers

Redefining Feminism with Gloria Steinem and Noted Co-Instructors

Richard Branson Teaches Disruptive Entrepreneurship 

Robin Arzón Teaches Mental Strength

Ron Finley Teaches Gardening

The Power of Empathy With Pharrell Williams and Noted Co-Instructors

Speaking Truth to Black People

Using Your Greatness for Service

Perpetuate Black Love

Goodby’s Rules for Creative Vandalism

How to Start an Agency, Specifically This One

Meet Your Instructors

Unpacking the F-Word

Tapping into Pleasure to Fuel Change

Claiming Civil Rights for Survivors

My Storytelling Heroes

Pay It Forward

The Love Ethic

Draw a Ring Around Yourself

Let Your Values Guide Your Giving

Melinda’s Journal: Berkeley, California, 2019

Understanding Power Dynamics

Pave the Path for Others

Meet Your Instructor: Noam Chomsky 

New Media: Information and Misinformation 

Manufacturing Consent: The Control We Can't See 

Boost Well-being, Inspire Change

Meet Your Instructor

Rethink Your Relationship With Food

Confront Barriers to Intentional Eating

Follow Food Rules, Not Diets

Eat Food

Not Too Much

Balance Caffeine and Sugar Consumption

Finding Your Creativity

Food as Fuel

The Ocho System Food 101: Eat Real, Eat Right

The Microbes Among Us

The Modern Gut Dilemma

Rebuilding the Biome, Mind, & Body

How to Exercise Self Discipline

Optimize Your Body for Performance

Build the Habit of Eating Intentionally

Coming Back to the Table

The Power of Food: The Edible Schoolyard

Food As Activism

Cook Sustainably With Local Foods

What You Know Is Not as Important as How You Think

Cognitive Bias

Group Workshop: Aaron Pitches Mission to Mars

Rockets: What It Feels Like to Launch

Rockets: The Price of Exploration

Spaceships: Capsule Design

The ISS: Conception, Design, and Construction

The ISS: Life Support Systems

Spacewalking: Spacesuits

Spacewalking: Space and Perspective

Mars: How to Get to Mars

Mars: Living on Another Planet

Mars: In-Situ Resource Utilization

Mars: Exploring Mars, Geology, and Astrobiology

Fight Tooth and Nail to Solve Problems

Think Cosmically, Act Globally

Pioneer in Space Sustainability

Climate Change

Land

Reasons for Hope

The Future of Our World

Science Changes Your Perspective

Achieve Freedom From Fear

Facing Climate Change: Our Greatest Challenge

Let’s Seek Scientific Solutions to Climate Change

Foster a Science-minded Society

Sustainable Art

Turning Truth Into Activism 

Take Immediate Climate Action

Science & Technology

Teaches Economics and Society

Paul Krugman

Paul Krugman Teaches Economics and Society

With Noted Experts

Crypto and the Blockchain

Teaches Poker Strategy

Phil Ivey

Phil Ivey Teaches Poker Strategy

Teaches Conservation

Dr. Jane Goodall

Teaches Business Innovation

Rosalind Brewer

Rosalind Brewer Teaches Business Innovation

Teaches Scientific Thinking and Communication

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Teaches Space Exploration

Chris Hadfield

Teaches Filmmaking

James Cameron

James Cameron Teaches Filmmaking

Teaches Poker

Daniel Negreanu

Daniel Negreanu Teaches Poker

Teaches Game Design and Theory

Will Wright

Will Wright Teaches Game Design and Theory

Teaches Disruptive Entrepreneurship 

Richard Branson

Teaches How to Think Like an FBI Profiler

John Douglas

John Douglas Teaches How to Think Like an FBI Profiler

Teaches Values-Driven Leadership

Coach K

Coach K Teaches Values-Driven Leadership

Chris Hadfield and Noted Co-Experts

Crisis Day

Chris Voss and Noted Co-Experts

Small Habits that Make a Big Impact on Your Life

James Clear

James Clear: Small Habits that Make a Big Impact on Your Life

Navigating Change

Jay Shetty

Teaches Mathematical Thinking

Terence Tao

Terence Tao Teaches Mathematical Thinking

Teaches Music and Connection

Yo-Yo Ma

Yo-Yo Ma Teaches Music and Connection

Teaches Science and Problem-Solving

Bill Nye

With Leading Experts

Brain Health

Brain Health with Leading Experts

Guided by Leading Experts

Achieve More With GenAI

Gut Health with Leading Experts

Think Like a Boss, Live Like a Legend

Martha Stewart

Teaches The Art of Negotiation

Chris Voss

Teaches the Art of Negotiation

Chris Voss Teaches The Art of Negotiation

David Zilber

Dr. Emeran Mayer

Erica Sonnenburg & Justin Sonnenburg

On your big day together, treat the planet with a lot of love, too. A sustainable wedding is one that is:

- __A low producer of emissions__: Sustainable practices help you lower your carbon footprint, whether in your everyday life or at your wedding ceremony. For example, try to ensure people traveling to your event use environmentally friendly transportation. At the event itself, keep emissions low as well. By holding your ceremony and reception in the same location, for instance, you eliminate the need for transportation between the events.
- __Eco-friendly__: On your wedding day, strive to meet [zero-waste](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/zero-waste-lifestyle-explained) standards. Work with a green wedding planner to figure out best practices around treating the environment with the respect it deserves. This means cutting down on litter, utilizing reusable decorations, and relying on secondhand clothes when possible rather than consuming unnecessary resources.
- __Socially conscious__: You don’t have to skimp on wedding style to take an ethical approach to the event. As you strive to meet your environmental goals, do your part to use socially conscious vendors for your wedding. For instance, some diamond rings contain gemstones acquired through nefarious means. You can seek out conflict-free ring manufacturers to mitigate this.
Sustainability lays the groundwork for a healthier environment. Sustainable practices help ensure an optimal [climate](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-climate-change-affects-the-planet) for future generations, as well as a low amount of waste or [pollution](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/plastic-polution-facts) in the present day. Eco-friendly habits are just as much about reducing your negative environmental impact as they are about creating a positive effect on the wider world.
If you’re an innate environmentalist at heart, having a sustainable wedding will allow you to enjoy your ceremony and reception with a clean conscience. Consider these eight ideas for throwing a memorable eco-friendly wedding:

1. __Consider reusable floral arrangements__. Think about using potted plants for your wedding rather than cut flowers. Talk to a florist about how you can use floral arrangements in a sustainable way. For example, you could use [bouquets](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-a-wedding-bouquet) of flowers that are easy for you to replant after the event.
2. __Cut down on food waste__. Try to make sure you serve just the right amount of food at your wedding. Wedding cake and dinner items alike often end up in the trash after a celebration ends. Plan ahead so you can make sure everyone has enough to eat without going overboard and producing [food waste](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-reduce-food-waste-and-repurpose-scraps).
3. __Donate your décor after the wedding__. Take your centerpieces and wedding favors to a secondhand store so someone else can reuse them in the future. Speak with your friend group to see if they’d like to take anything home with them. For that matter, use an online platform to sell your décor and make your money back after the event.
4. __Shop for vintage wedding dresses__. Some dressmakers might offer sustainable wedding dresses featuring reusable materials, but it might be easier to find an old dress at a vintage or [thrift](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-thrift-shop) store instead. Bridesmaids and groomsmen can also seek out their own clothes for the party in a similar fashion.
5. __Shrink your guest list__. Cut down the number of people coming to the wedding venue to smaller numbers if possible. As much as you might want to celebrate with as many people as possible, fewer people traveling to your event will mean less of a negative impact in terms of [carbon emissions](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-reduce-carbon-emissions). 
6. __Source your wedding rings ethically__. Once you exchange wedding bands, you make the jump from an engaged couple to newlyweds. Consider using [rings](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ring-finger) of recycled gold or silver as you make this move into your future together. If you haven’t proposed yet, you can also seek out engagement rings featuring lab-grown diamonds.
7. __Try virtual wedding invitations__. Take an online DIY approach to invite people to your wedding. Allow people to RSVP on your [wedding website](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/faqs-for-wedding-website) instead of using unnecessary paper. You’ll take some stress off the wedding planning process by choosing not to send these letters anyway. 
8. __Use biodegradable paper goods__. Opt for reusable glassware, cutlery, and plates rather than single-use paper goods if possible. If you want a sendoff with confetti, see if you can find a version made from seed paper. Use recycled paper for signage as well.
Have a wedding to plan? Learn how to take on the process strategically. Discover Mindy Weiss’s approach to [setting a budget](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/wedding-budget), [choosing a theme](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/wedding-theme-ideas), and [sending invitations](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/when-to-send-wedding-invitations) when you sign up for the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com).
By planning a sustainable wedding, you treat the Earth with respect while celebrating your love and commitment. Eco-friendly wedding décor can go a long way to bringing a sense of style to your wedding and lower your footprint in reference to the wider environment. Learn more about what a sustainable wedding is and how to plan one.

By planning a sustainable wedding, you treat the Earth with respect while celebrating your love and commitment. Eco-friendly wedding décor can go a long way to bringing a sense of style to your wedding and lower your footprint in reference to the wider environment. Learn more about what a sustainable wedding is and how to plan one.

8 Sustainable Wedding Ideas: Wedding Sustainability Basics

On your big day together, treat the planet with a lot of love, too. A sustainable wedding is one that is:<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">A low producer of emissions: Sustainable practices help you lower your carbon footprint, whether in your everyday life or at your wedding ceremony. For example, try to ensure people traveling to your event use environmentally friendly transportation. At the event itself, keep emissions low as well. By holding your ceremony and reception in the same location, for instance, you eliminate the need for transportation between the events. </li><li class="">Eco-friendly: On your wedding day, strive to meet <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/zero-waste-lifestyle-explained' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/zero-waste-lifestyle-explained","linkCopy":"zero-waste","category":null}'>zero-waste</a> standards. Work with a green wedding planner to figure out best practices around treating the environment with the respect it deserves. This means cutting down on litter, utilizing reusable decorations, and relying on secondhand clothes when possible rather than consuming unnecessary resources. </li><li class="">Socially conscious: You don’t have to skimp on wedding style to take an ethical approach to the event. As you strive to meet your environmental goals, do your part to use socially conscious vendors for your wedding. For instance, some diamond rings contain gemstones acquired through nefarious means. You can seek out conflict-free ring manufacturers to mitigate this. </li></ul>

What Is a Sustainable Wedding?

Sustainability lays the groundwork for a healthier environment. Sustainable practices help ensure an optimal <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-climate-change-affects-the-planet' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-climate-change-affects-the-planet","linkCopy":"climate","category":null}'>climate</a> for future generations, as well as a low amount of waste or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/plastic-polution-facts' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/plastic-polution-facts","linkCopy":"pollution","category":null}'>pollution</a> in the present day. Eco-friendly habits are just as much about reducing your negative environmental impact as they are about creating a positive effect on the wider world.

Why Is Sustainability Important?

If you’re an innate environmentalist at heart, having a sustainable wedding will allow you to enjoy your ceremony and reception with a clean conscience. Consider these eight ideas for throwing a memorable eco-friendly wedding:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Consider reusable floral arrangements. Think about using potted plants for your wedding rather than cut flowers. Talk to a florist about how you can use floral arrangements in a sustainable way. For example, you could use <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-a-wedding-bouquet' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-a-wedding-bouquet","linkCopy":"bouquets","category":null}'>bouquets</a> of flowers that are easy for you to replant after the event. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Cut down on food waste. Try to make sure you serve just the right amount of food at your wedding. Wedding cake and dinner items alike often end up in the trash after a celebration ends. Plan ahead so you can make sure everyone has enough to eat without going overboard and producing <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-reduce-food-waste-and-repurpose-scraps' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-reduce-food-waste-and-repurpose-scraps","linkCopy":"food waste","category":null}'>food waste</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Donate your décor after the wedding. Take your centerpieces and wedding favors to a secondhand store so someone else can reuse them in the future. Speak with your friend group to see if they’d like to take anything home with them. For that matter, use an online platform to sell your décor and make your money back after the event. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Shop for vintage wedding dresses. Some dressmakers might offer sustainable wedding dresses featuring reusable materials, but it might be easier to find an old dress at a vintage or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-thrift-shop' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-thrift-shop","linkCopy":"thrift","category":null}'>thrift</a> store instead. Bridesmaids and groomsmen can also seek out their own clothes for the party in a similar fashion. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Shrink your guest list. Cut down the number of people coming to the wedding venue to smaller numbers if possible. As much as you might want to celebrate with as many people as possible, fewer people traveling to your event will mean less of a negative impact in terms of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-reduce-carbon-emissions' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-reduce-carbon-emissions","linkCopy":"carbon emissions","category":null}'>carbon emissions</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Source your wedding rings ethically. Once you exchange wedding bands, you make the jump from an engaged couple to newlyweds. Consider using <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ring-finger' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ring-finger","linkCopy":"rings","category":null}'>rings</a> of recycled gold or silver as you make this move into your future together. If you haven’t proposed yet, you can also seek out engagement rings featuring lab-grown diamonds. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 7. Try virtual wedding invitations. Take an online DIY approach to invite people to your wedding. Allow people to RSVP on your <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/faqs-for-wedding-website' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/faqs-for-wedding-website","linkCopy":"wedding website","category":null}'>wedding website</a> instead of using unnecessary paper. You’ll take some stress off the wedding planning process by choosing not to send these letters anyway. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 8. Use biodegradable paper goods. Opt for reusable glassware, cutlery, and plates rather than single-use paper goods if possible. If you want a sendoff with confetti, see if you can find a version made from seed paper. Use recycled paper for signage as well. </li></ol>

8 Sustainable Wedding Ideas

Have a wedding to plan? Learn how to take on the process strategically. Discover Mindy Weiss’s approach to <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/wedding-budget' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/wedding-budget","linkCopy":"setting a budget","category":null}'>setting a budget</a>, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/wedding-theme-ideas' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/wedding-theme-ideas","linkCopy":"choosing a theme","category":null}'>choosing a theme</a>, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/when-to-send-wedding-invitations' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/when-to-send-wedding-invitations","linkCopy":"sending invitations","category":null}'>sending invitations</a> when you sign up for the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>.

Ring the Wedding Bells

By planning a sustainable wedding, you treat the Earth with respect while celebrating your love and commitment. Eco-friendly wedding décor can go a long way to bringing a sense of style to your wedding and lower your footprint in reference to the wider environment. Learn more about what a sustainable wedding is and how to plan one.

By planning a sustainable wedding, you treat the Earth with respect while celebrating your love and commitment. Eco-friendly wedding décor can go a long way to bringing a sense of style to your wedding and lower your footprint in reference to the wider environment. Learn more about what a sustainable wedding is and how to plan one.


Setup for an outdoor sustainable wedding ceremony.

sustainable-wedding

Sustainable farming and sustainable agriculture are umbrella terms for food production systems that promote [biodiversity](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/biodiversity-guide) and stewardship of natural resources over profitability. [Sustainable](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/food-sustainability) farming includes practices that improve [soil fertility](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/fertile-soil), land utilization, and water quality. 

Although these sustainable operations are typically small-scale and less profitable than their commercial counterparts, their practices reduce the environmental impact of food production and enhance the balance between humans and local ecosystems.
Sustainable agriculture practices offer incentives, such as [water conservation](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/water-conservation-explained), the improvement of local food independence, the reduction of an operation’s [carbon footprint](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ways-to-reduce-your-carbon-footprint), and the overall promotion of environmental sustainability, among others.

1. __Crop rotation__: Farmers who practice crop diversity do so to help ensure they are not depleting the soil quality of the same nutrients from growing season to growing season. Rotating crops can also disrupt disease and pest cycles. Additionally, growers who plant [cover crops](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-cover-crops-to-benefit-your-garden) like clover, [alfalfa](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-grow-alfalfa-sprouts), and rye can maintain and replenish soil health by reducing [topsoil](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-topsoil-explained) erosion, conserving water use, and trapping nitrogen and other essential nutrients during the off-season. 
2. __Holistic landscape management__: By reducing tillage and other staples of commercial farming operations, sustainable agricultural systems can improve soil fertility and develop land use solutions that accommodate a natural balance in local ecosystems. Growers who adopt agroforestry and [organic farming](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/organic-farming-guide) systems can create a sustainable environment for animals, plants, and food crops to grow and flourish together.
3. __Livestock integration__: The introduction of chickens, goats, geese, and [pollinators](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/open-pollination-guide) can improve biological diversification and increase farm production. Goats, chickens, and sheep can provide farming families with milk, eggs, and, eventually, meat. These farm animals can also live free-range lives, often feeding on invasive weeds and predatory insects that might harm crops.
4. __Natural pest management__: Subscribers of sustainable farming develop alternative pest reduction strategies that reduce or eliminate the use of chemical fertilizers, [herbicides](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/herbicides), and pesticides. These synthetic chemicals remain in the produce or pollute local waterways through runoff. In an integrated pest management strategy, sustainable farmers can use the animal production of waste and other organic matter for [fertilizer](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-fertilizers-explained).
5. __Renewable energy__: Farms can reduce their environmental impact by switching from fossil fuels and the local power grid to renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectric, [solar](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/solar-energy-explained), and wind energy production. 
6. __Water quality control__: Most crops in our current food system require significant water resources to bring produce to edible maturity. Even meat producers consume unsustainable levels of water through feed and other inputs. This management of resources and lack of accountability has led to decreased economic equity, drought, and a severe threat to the public health and financial well-being of rural communities near commercial farms.
See food like you have never seen it before. With the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/), journalist and educator Michael Pollan teaches you how to determine your [ingredient sources](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/michael-pollan-on-where-does-food-come-from), [shop at the grocery store](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/michael-pollan-on-grocery-shopping-tips), and rethink your relationship to food.
Everyone has to eat to live, but commercial farming methods and traditional crop production might be destroying the planet. Read on to learn about sustainable farming and standard green practices that might be the key to a brighter future for the world’s natural ecosystems.

Everyone has to eat to live, but commercial farming methods and traditional crop production might be destroying the planet. Read on to learn about sustainable farming and standard green practices that might be the key to a brighter future for the world’s natural ecosystems.

Sustainable Farming Explained: What Is Sustainable Agriculture?

Sustainable farming and sustainable agriculture are umbrella terms for food production systems that promote <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/biodiversity-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/biodiversity-guide","linkCopy":"biodiversity","category":null}'>biodiversity</a> and stewardship of natural resources over profitability. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/food-sustainability' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/food-sustainability","linkCopy":"Sustainable","category":null}'>Sustainable</a> farming includes practices that improve <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/fertile-soil' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/fertile-soil","linkCopy":"soil fertility","category":null}'>soil fertility</a>, land utilization, and water quality. Although these sustainable operations are typically small-scale and less profitable than their commercial counterparts, their practices reduce the environmental impact of food production and enhance the balance between humans and local ecosystems.

What Is Sustainable Farming?

Sustainable agriculture practices offer incentives, such as <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/water-conservation-explained' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/water-conservation-explained","linkCopy":"water conservation","category":null}'>water conservation</a>, the improvement of local food independence, the reduction of an operation’s <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ways-to-reduce-your-carbon-footprint' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ways-to-reduce-your-carbon-footprint","linkCopy":"carbon footprint","category":null}'>carbon footprint</a>, and the overall promotion of environmental sustainability, among others.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Crop rotation: Farmers who practice crop diversity do so to help ensure they are not depleting the soil quality of the same nutrients from growing season to growing season. Rotating crops can also disrupt disease and pest cycles. Additionally, growers who plant <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-cover-crops-to-benefit-your-garden' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-cover-crops-to-benefit-your-garden","linkCopy":"cover crops","category":null}'>cover crops</a> like clover, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-grow-alfalfa-sprouts' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-grow-alfalfa-sprouts","linkCopy":"alfalfa","category":null}'>alfalfa</a>, and rye can maintain and replenish soil health by reducing <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-topsoil-explained' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-topsoil-explained","linkCopy":"topsoil","category":null}'>topsoil</a> erosion, conserving water use, and trapping nitrogen and other essential nutrients during the off-season. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Holistic landscape management: By reducing tillage and other staples of commercial farming operations, sustainable agricultural systems can improve soil fertility and develop land use solutions that accommodate a natural balance in local ecosystems. Growers who adopt agroforestry and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/organic-farming-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/organic-farming-guide","linkCopy":"organic farming","category":null}'>organic farming</a> systems can create a sustainable environment for animals, plants, and food crops to grow and flourish together. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Livestock integration: The introduction of chickens, goats, geese, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/open-pollination-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/open-pollination-guide","linkCopy":"pollinators","category":null}'>pollinators</a> can improve biological diversification and increase farm production. Goats, chickens, and sheep can provide farming families with milk, eggs, and, eventually, meat. These farm animals can also live free-range lives, often feeding on invasive weeds and predatory insects that might harm crops. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Natural pest management: Subscribers of sustainable farming develop alternative pest reduction strategies that reduce or eliminate the use of chemical fertilizers, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/herbicides' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/herbicides","linkCopy":"herbicides","category":null}'>herbicides</a>, and pesticides. These synthetic chemicals remain in the produce or pollute local waterways through runoff. In an integrated pest management strategy, sustainable farmers can use the animal production of waste and other organic matter for <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-fertilizers-explained' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-fertilizers-explained","linkCopy":"fertilizer","category":null}'>fertilizer</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Renewable energy: Farms can reduce their environmental impact by switching from fossil fuels and the local power grid to renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectric, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/solar-energy-explained' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/solar-energy-explained","linkCopy":"solar","category":null}'>solar</a>, and wind energy production. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Water quality control: Most crops in our current food system require significant water resources to bring produce to edible maturity. Even meat producers consume unsustainable levels of water through feed and other inputs. This management of resources and lack of accountability has led to decreased economic equity, drought, and a severe threat to the public health and financial well-being of rural communities near commercial farms. </li></ol>

6 Sustainable Farming Practices

See food like you have never seen it before. With the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>, journalist and educator Michael Pollan teaches you how to determine your <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/michael-pollan-on-where-does-food-come-from' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/michael-pollan-on-where-does-food-come-from","linkCopy":"ingredient sources","category":null}'>ingredient sources</a>, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/michael-pollan-on-grocery-shopping-tips' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/michael-pollan-on-grocery-shopping-tips","linkCopy":"shop at the grocery store","category":null}'>shop at the grocery store</a>, and rethink your relationship to food.

Eat With Intention

Everyone has to eat to live, but commercial farming methods and traditional crop production might be destroying the planet. Read on to learn about sustainable farming and standard green practices that might be the key to a brighter future for the world’s natural ecosystems.

Everyone has to eat to live, but commercial farming methods and traditional crop production might be destroying the planet. Read on to learn about sustainable farming and standard green practices that might be the key to a brighter future for the world’s natural ecosystems.


Closeup of a farmer's hands as he's planting seeds.

sustainable-farming

Activist Kate Fletcher coined the term “slow fashion” in 2007 as a play on the slow food movement, which highlighted the importance of responsibility, awareness, but also pleasure related to food consumption. Similarly, Fletcher sought to promote sustainable fashion practices while also showing how slow fashion benefits the consumer with higher-quality clothing. 

The slow fashion movement seeks to “slow down” the fashion industry by addressing waste and promoting conscious consumption. In addition to buying fewer garments, proponents of slow fashion look for eco-friendly materials, like cotton and linen, and timeless silhouettes that withstand trend cycles. Slow fashion also favors purchasing secondhand clothing and upcycling unwanted garments into new pieces.
Slow fashion as a business model is a direct response to fast fashion, a method of mass-producing trendy clothing with low-quality materials to meet consumer demands. Fast fashion does not encourage continuous long-term wear and does not come from biodegradable materials. These two factors make it so that fast fashion typically winds up in landfills. To meet the accelerated production demands of the fast fashion industry, garment workers often work overtime for extremely low wages, frequently in unsafe working environments.

Slow fashion interrupts the fast fashion supply chain by promoting conscious consumption. It encourages consumers to buy less but also to be mindful of the environmental and labor practices behind each garment. As a result, slow fashion proponents avoid fast fashion brands in favor of locally sourced, ethical clothing from conscious brands. This can counteract the carbon footprint of the fast fashion industry by reducing demand from unsustainable businesses.
Slow fashion and sustainable fashion share similarities, but they also have some differences. 

- __Carbon emissions__: Environmental impact is a central concern to both slow and sustainable fashion brands. Generally, this means that garments are cruelty-free, made from sustainable or recycled materials, and do not involve environmentally harmful manufacturing processes. 
- __Labor practices__: Slow fashion and sustainable fashion determine sustainability not just based on environmental impacts but also the working conditions involved in the manufacturing process. Conscious brands must pay all employees a fair wage, or the garment will not qualify as ethical fashion. 
- __Sustainable textiles__: Deadstock fabrics, recycled materials, raw materials, and other sustainable fabrics are all hallmarks of both slow fashion and sustainable fashion. Some fashion companies have adopted a zero-waste model, meaning the brands do not waste any material when crafting a garment. 
- __Trends__: While slow fashion and sustainable fashion both caution against overconsumption related to finicky trend cycles, slow fashion counteracts the desire to buy trendy pieces by designing tried and true silhouettes that will always remain in style.
Here are a few ways to determine if a brand is part of the slow fashion movement: 

- __A small-scale production__: Slow fashion produces sustainable clothing in small batches to reduce waste or may even operate on a made-to-order basis so that they do not produce extra garments. Additionally, slow fashion brands tend to avoid large retailers in favor of local shops–short distances between the manufacturer and retailer help keep the process carbon neutral. 
- __Focus on quality over quantity__: Proponents of slow fashion focus on quality over quantity. A brand will likely have fewer pieces available and produce pieces meant to last from high-quality, sustainable materials. 
- __Use of earth-friendly fabrics__: Brands will favor textiles meant to last, so you will likely see garments made of linen, organic cotton, and wool. They may also choose compostable or biodegradable fabrics, such as hemp or bamboo.
Slow fashion is not accessible to everyone. Some slow fashion brands are too pricey or not size-inclusive, which can leave out groups of people. If you want to join the slow fashion movement, here are a few steps you can take: 

1. __Create a <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-build-a-capsule-wardrobe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-build-a-capsule-wardrobe","linkCopy":"capsule wardrobe","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>capsule wardrobe</a>__. Since slow fashion involves less shopping, purchase pieces that complement each other so you can wear them interchangeably. Pare down your closet to select versatile pieces you enjoy to create a capsule wardrobe.
2. __Choose natural fabrics__. Natural fabrics hold up longer and are more sustainable. Synthetic textiles, on the other hand, usually come from petroleum and are more damaging to the environment if they end up in a landfill. 
3. __Focus on investment pieces__. A key point of the slow fashion movement is to adjust your shopping habits to prioritize quality over quantity. Instead of purchasing cheap, trendy garments each season, invest in pieces that reflect your style so you can wear them for years to come. This slows the demand for fast fashion and reduces textile waste. 
4. __Look for OEKO-TEX certification__. This assures the consumer that the product has tested negative for chemicals that harm humans or the environment.
5. __Prioritize GOTS certification__. The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) sets forth certain environmental and labor requirements that textiles must meet to qualify as organic. If a garment has a GOTS certification, it is a fair-trade item with minimal environmental impact. 
6. __Take care of your clothes__. Reducing waste means sticking with the garments you have when possible. Increase the lifecycle of your old clothes by washing them as little as possible, mending them when necessary, and using sustainable dyes to cover stains or discoloration. 
7. __Thrift__. Instead of buying new clothes, you can opt to shop at thrift shops. You can give a new home to previously loved clothes and help keep items out of landfills.
Become a better fashion designer with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, Diane von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs, Tan France, Anna Wintour, and more.
You can reduce your carbon footprint by supporting fashion designers with a sustainable clothing approach. Learn how the slow fashion industry combines timeless style with sustainable practices and how to minimize the environmental impact of your shopping habits.

You can reduce your carbon footprint by supporting fashion designers with a sustainable clothing approach. Learn how the slow fashion industry combines timeless style with sustainable practices and how to minimize the environmental impact of your shopping habits.

Slow Fashion: How to Join the Slow Fashion Movement

Activist Kate Fletcher coined the term “slow fashion” in 2007 as a play on the slow food movement, which highlighted the importance of responsibility, awareness, but also pleasure related to food consumption. Similarly, Fletcher sought to promote sustainable fashion practices while also showing how slow fashion benefits the consumer with higher-quality clothing. The slow fashion movement seeks to “slow down” the fashion industry by addressing waste and promoting conscious consumption. In addition to buying fewer garments, proponents of slow fashion look for eco-friendly materials, like cotton and linen, and timeless silhouettes that withstand trend cycles. Slow fashion also favors purchasing secondhand clothing and upcycling unwanted garments into new pieces.

What Is Slow Fashion?

Slow fashion as a business model is a direct response to fast fashion, a method of mass-producing trendy clothing with low-quality materials to meet consumer demands. Fast fashion does not encourage continuous long-term wear and does not come from biodegradable materials. These two factors make it so that fast fashion typically winds up in landfills. To meet the accelerated production demands of the fast fashion industry, garment workers often work overtime for extremely low wages, frequently in unsafe working environments.Slow fashion interrupts the fast fashion supply chain by promoting conscious consumption. It encourages consumers to buy less but also to be mindful of the environmental and labor practices behind each garment. As a result, slow fashion proponents avoid fast fashion brands in favor of locally sourced, ethical clothing from conscious brands. This can counteract the carbon footprint of the fast fashion industry by reducing demand from unsustainable businesses.

Why Is Slow Fashion Important?

Slow fashion and sustainable fashion share similarities, but they also have some differences. <ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Carbon emissions: Environmental impact is a central concern to both slow and sustainable fashion brands. Generally, this means that garments are cruelty-free, made from sustainable or recycled materials, and do not involve environmentally harmful manufacturing processes. </li><li class="">Labor practices: Slow fashion and sustainable fashion determine sustainability not just based on environmental impacts but also the working conditions involved in the manufacturing process. Conscious brands must pay all employees a fair wage, or the garment will not qualify as ethical fashion. </li><li class="">Sustainable textiles: Deadstock fabrics, recycled materials, raw materials, and other sustainable fabrics are all hallmarks of both slow fashion and sustainable fashion. Some fashion companies have adopted a zero-waste model, meaning the brands do not waste any material when crafting a garment. </li><li class="">Trends: While slow fashion and sustainable fashion both caution against overconsumption related to finicky trend cycles, slow fashion counteracts the desire to buy trendy pieces by designing tried and true silhouettes that will always remain in style. </li></ul>

Slow Fashion vs. Sustainable Fashion

Here are a few ways to determine if a brand is part of the slow fashion movement: <ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">A small-scale production: Slow fashion produces sustainable clothing in small batches to reduce waste or may even operate on a made-to-order basis so that they do not produce extra garments. Additionally, slow fashion brands tend to avoid large retailers in favor of local shops–short distances between the manufacturer and retailer help keep the process carbon neutral. </li><li class="">Focus on quality over quantity: Proponents of slow fashion focus on quality over quantity. A brand will likely have fewer pieces available and produce pieces meant to last from high-quality, sustainable materials. </li><li class="">Use of earth-friendly fabrics: Brands will favor textiles meant to last, so you will likely see garments made of linen, organic cotton, and wool. They may also choose compostable or biodegradable fabrics, such as hemp or bamboo. </li></ul>

Characteristics of Slow Fashion Brands

Slow fashion is not accessible to everyone. Some slow fashion brands are too pricey or not size-inclusive, which can leave out groups of people. If you want to join the slow fashion movement, here are a few steps you can take: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Create a <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-build-a-capsule-wardrobe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-build-a-capsule-wardrobe","linkCopy":"capsule wardrobe","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>capsule wardrobe</a>. Since slow fashion involves less shopping, purchase pieces that complement each other so you can wear them interchangeably. Pare down your closet to select versatile pieces you enjoy to create a capsule wardrobe. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Choose natural fabrics. Natural fabrics hold up longer and are more sustainable. Synthetic textiles, on the other hand, usually come from petroleum and are more damaging to the environment if they end up in a landfill. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Focus on investment pieces. A key point of the slow fashion movement is to adjust your shopping habits to prioritize quality over quantity. Instead of purchasing cheap, trendy garments each season, invest in pieces that reflect your style so you can wear them for years to come. This slows the demand for fast fashion and reduces textile waste. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Look for OEKO-TEX certification. This assures the consumer that the product has tested negative for chemicals that harm humans or the environment. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Prioritize GOTS certification. The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) sets forth certain environmental and labor requirements that textiles must meet to qualify as organic. If a garment has a GOTS certification, it is a fair-trade item with minimal environmental impact. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Take care of your clothes. Reducing waste means sticking with the garments you have when possible. Increase the lifecycle of your old clothes by washing them as little as possible, mending them when necessary, and using sustainable dyes to cover stains or discoloration. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 7. Thrift. Instead of buying new clothes, you can opt to shop at thrift shops. You can give a new home to previously loved clothes and help keep items out of landfills. </li></ol>

7 Tips for Creating a Slow Fashion Wardrobe

Become a better fashion designer with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, Diane von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs, Tan France, Anna Wintour, and more.

Want to Learn More About Fashion Design?

You can reduce your carbon footprint by supporting fashion designers with a sustainable clothing approach. Learn how the slow fashion industry combines timeless style with sustainable practices and how to minimize the environmental impact of your shopping habits.

You can reduce your carbon footprint by supporting fashion designers with a sustainable clothing approach. Learn how the slow fashion industry combines timeless style with sustainable practices and how to minimize the environmental impact of your shopping habits.


Live Sustainably With Science

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Live Sustainably With Science

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