Healthy soil plays a critical role in the climate change agenda due to its ability to sequester carbon, improve water retention, and grow healthy food. Significant initiatives are underway with building healthy soils and growing food at the center.
The mission of Planted Places is to make it easy for people to grow food sustainably in small spaces. We do this through regenerating soil and growing vertically and in small containers.
We talked to Andy Shrader, a leader in LA climate change initiatives and at the forefront of policy to learn what we can do to make an impact.
SCROLL BELOW TO LEARN WHAT IS BEING DONE AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY!
Welcome - Meet Andy
Andy Shrader spent the last decade advising one of the LA City Councilmembers on climate, energy and environmental policy issues, including launching RegenerateLA, the City's healthy soils initiative, as an advisor to the Kiss the Ground organization. He is now working as a political strategist and consultant.
Utilizing Soil to Combat Climate Change
This discussion highlighted the importance of soil in mitigating climate change, a commitment to creating sustainable food systems, and the economic benefits of encouraging businesses to become more sustainable.
Urban Composting Strategies
We discuss how a small group can make a BIG impact. This grass root effort led to an overhaul of the LA commercial waste removal system which lead to an initiative to recycle food waste and turn it into compost which in turn is used to build healthy soils. The circle of life!
Healthy Soil Strategies in Action
Andy discusses Regenerate LA - an initiative to create a more sustainable Los Angeles, one with improved resilience against climate changes. One of the unique focus areas is to build healthy soil using compost from urban food waste to rebuild soil in public parks and medians.
Combatting Food Insecurity
The food supply chain has become increasingly fragile in recent years, due to the effects of climate change on food resources and prices. To ensure food security for everyone, it is essential to start growing food yourself and to invest in growing food in local urban settings.
The Power of Growing Our Own Nutritious Food
Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is a vital part of maintaining good nutrition and staying healthy. Healthy soil provides the fuel for nutrient dense food. We discuss the importance of growing fast growing veggies and sourcing from local farms to maintain nutrition.
Community Gardening and Urban Farming
We discuss examples of community gardens and urban agriculture that have been gaining popularity as individuals and organizations strive to provide access to fresh, locally grown produce.
How you Can Help
We explore the concept of using mindful food choices to create a healthier economy and environment. It emphasizes the importance of growing food and understanding where our food comes from and the positive effects of making conscious buying decisions.
The Power of Consumers in the Climate Revolution
Find organizations that help protect the environment in your own communities as an important step towards a cleaner, greener future. We discuss some examples of organizations making a difference.
Spreading Climate Initiatives Across the Globe
Andy helped launch and guide a coalition working together on climate policies with some of the over 2,300 cities across the planet that have declared climate emergencies. Their work involves advocating for conscious economic decisions and aiding cities in transitioning away from fossil fuels.
If you're convinced that growing your own food is what you want to do to make your impact on climate change - then Planted Places can help!
We have variety of solutions to meet you where you're at. You can go big and grow vertically on the Planted Wall or start smaller with our Starter Garden in a Box.