The Lexicon of Sustainability

The Lexicon of Sustainability is based on a simple premise: people can't be expected to live more sustainable lives if they don't even know the most basic terms and principles that define sustainability.

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Episode 23, Season 1
57 (The Average Age of the American Farmer)

57 is the average age of US farmers. See what’s next in education and green collar jobs.

2:46
Episode 22, Season 1
Food Security

Food: deserts, security, sovereignty — terms, culture and politics for feeding the world.

3:25
Episode 21, Season 1
Urban Farming

Farming on rooftops and in vacant lots connects urbanites to where their food comes from.

2:50
Episode 20, Season 1
Water

Agriculture depends on water. Find out where our water comes from and how to conserve it.

3:24
Episode 19, Season 1
Land Trust

Land trusts can keep farms afloat when the real estate is worth more than the yield.

2:37
Episode 18, Season 1
GMOs

GMO labeling advocates want consumers to know about all the ingredients in their food.

3:09
Episode 17, Season 1
Fair Trade vs. Direct Trade

When you buy food, you’re buying values, values of those who grow, transport and sell it.

3:03
Episode 16, Season 1
Antibiotic-Free

Learn how and why nearly 80% of antibiotics in the U.S. are used on healthy animals.

2:32
Episode 15, Season 1
What is Sustainability?

Sustainability is an ideal rooted in the choices we make as consumers and producers.

4:14
Episode 14, Season 1
Terroir

Food has characteristics defined by geography and climate. The French have a word for that

1:56
Episode 13, Season 1
Traceability

Nearly 1/3 of the fish we buy isn’t what the label says. Can we trace their origins?

3:20
Episode 12, Season 1
Grass Fed

From feedlots to pastures, learn about cattle farming, grass- and corn-fed beef.

3:01
Episode 11, Season 1
Unconventional Agriculture

See how unconventional farmers are working with nature, not against it.

4:31
Episode 10, Season 1
Seeds

Learn the importance of protecting the culture and biodiversity of seeds.

3:01
Episode 9, Season 1
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

What if you could buy fresh fruit and vegetables each week, grown by a local farmer?

1:44
Episode 8, Season 1
Economies of Community

Economies of community help people connect, build and rebuild local food systems.

2:46
Episode 7, Season 1
Wheat or White?

Learn the difference between whole wheat and white and meet the people preserving grains.

3:01
Episode 6, Season 1
Food Waste

Learn how people are rescuing "ugly" food by composting, redistributing and eating wisely.

4:19
Episode 5, Season 1
Local vs. Organic

What’s more important, that your food is organic or you know who and where it comes from?

3:16
Episode 4, Season 1
True Cost Accounting: The Real Cost of Cheap Food

True cost accounting helps consumers understand the real cost of the food they buy.

2:57
Episode 2, Season 1
Local

As consumers take increased responsibility for what they eat, many become locavores.

5:40
Episode 1, Season 1
Forage

Our earliest descendants were hunter/gatherers who foraged for their food.

6:35
Episode 3, Season 1
The Story of an Egg

Learn the real story behind such terms as cage free, free range, and pasture raised.

6:03

The Lexicon of Sustainability

Episodes