Sustainable Solutions – Sailors for Sustainability

Learn all about the more than 50 sustainable solutions we have documented that help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals!

Sustainability is...

… a way of living or doing things that respects other life, does not deplete the earth’s natural resources, and can be replicated by everyone. In other words, it’s a way of life that can be maintained into the infinite future. If a practice or technique meets those criteria, we call it a sustainable solution.

Sustainability concerns every aspect of our daily lives. In the way we produce and eat food, the way we generate electricity, the way we travel, the way we build houses, the way we create and spend money, the way we view and treat the natural world, even the way we relate to our fellow human beings. Our nine themes cover these different aspects and you can find each sustainable solution listed under its main theme.

Click on the theme to read some background info on the topic and click on an item to learn more about each sustainable solution.

The Dutch versions can be found here.

Buildings

Tiny Houses, Big Benefits (NZL)

We explore why tiny houses are so popular in New Zealand and learn that more personal freedom and reduced material and energy use go hand-in-hand.

Earthship Ushuaia (ARG)

In Ushuaia we visit a self-sustaining Earthship built with recycled and natural materials. A truly sustainable building example from the end of the world.

Casa Tambor (CPV)

Casa Tambor - Where the Beerens and Molenaar families are demonstrating how to use local and recycled building materials on Cape Verde.

Insulation to Reduce Energy Use (DNK)

What makes insulation a sustainable solution and how have government policies in Denmark contributed to more energy efficiency.

Copenhagen’s Climate Actions (DNK)

What the Danish capital is doing to adapt to climate change and become carbon neutral by 2025.

The Social Benefits of Buying Local (PYF)

In Tahiti we discover markets with fresh fruit and vegetables from the island. We learn that buying local has various benefits for the community.

Self-Sufficient Living on Taravai (PYF)

On the island of Taravai, we meet a self-sufficient family. Their lifestyle is not only more resilient, but also provides sustainability benefits.

Community-Based Tourism (PER)

Community-based tourism, with slow travel and homestays at its core, make for an authentic and more sustainable travel experience.

Sustainable Schools (URY)

In Uruguay and Argentina, we visit two sustainable schools. The buildings and teachings are textbook examples of sustainability.

Transition Town Totnes (GBR)

In Totnes, home of the Transition Town movement, we learn how a focus on local food, renewable energy, energy neutral living, and the local economy makes a town more resilient and sustainable.

Ecovillage Findhorn – a Community Based on Sustainability (GBR)

Spirituality plays a big part at Findhorn Ecovillage, which is based on love for nature and each other.

Everyone Can Rescue Food (NZL)

We meet organisations that lead the way in reducing food waste and learn that all of us have a responsibility to tackle this global challenge.

People-to-People Clothing (ALB)

In Albania, we meet Pitupi that makes clothing “people-to-people” and where environmental and social values are as least as important as financial profit.

Sardex: a Local Currency for a Circular Economy? (ITA)

We sail to Sardinia to visit the local currency Sardex. Could this be a more sustainable monetary alternative suitable to support a circular economy?

Social Sustainability at Mondragon (ESP)

At Mondragon, employees are owners, salaries and profits are fairly distributed, there is solidarity among cooperatives, and education is held in high esteem.

Living Without Waste (DEU)

Germany’s first packaging-free grocery store, Unverpackt Kiel, helps consumers reduce plastic and food waste, and stimulates buying local.

Amsterdam Shares (NLD)

How Amsterdammers are sharing tools, bikes, games to save money and natural resources

Coral Gardening (PYF)

In French Polynesia we see the beauty of coral reefs, but these important ecosystems are under threat. Fortunately, it’s not too late to save them.

Saving Sharks with Sanctuaries (PYF)

French Polynesia is saving sharks with the largest shark sanctuary in the world. These top predators are vital in keeping reefs and oceans healthy.

A Farm That Restores Nature (CHL)

The Chilean farm Alihuen combines organic farming and tourist education to restore local flora and fauna on former grasslands.

Cleverly Fighting Plastic Pollution (CHL)

Chilean company Algramo uses clever, reusable packaging to reduce plastic waste and save customers money.

Investing in Nature (CHL)

Chilean Patagonia thanks its pristine wilderness to successful conservation efforts. Among them Tompkins Conservation, a remarkable, private initiative.

Artificial Reefs (CPV)

In Cape Verde and Brazil we learn how man-made structures can help to restore the underwater ecosystems.

Saving Sea Turtles on Sal (CPV)

On the island of Sal, we meet an organisation that saves sea turtles. And learn how biodiversity can be increased and damaged ecosystems restored.

Rewilding Kalamos (GRC)

On the Greek island of Kalamos, we learn about rewilding. We are inspired by the way this form of ecosystem regeneration balances natural and human needs.

Reforestation on Steroids (ITA)

Reforestation helps to fight climate change, drought and fires. Innovations like the COCOON support young trees and accelerate the creation of new forests.

Creative with Cork (PRT)

In Portugal we learn all about the environmental and social sustainability aspects of cork. Time to get more creative with this remarkable natural material!

Nature Conservation through Access and Education (SWE)

How Sweden’s right to roam (allemansrätten) and scientific legacy led to its pioneering role in nature conservation.

Solving the Plastic Soup (NLD)

What the Netherlands is doing and what you can do to reduce plastic waste.

Energy from the Earth (NZL)

We explore how the Kiwis make smart use of energy from the Earth and learn that we don’t need fossil fuel-based electricity at all.

Energy on El Hierro (ESP)

On the small and remote Spanish island El Hierro, we visit a world-leading renewable energy storage solution that combines wind- and hydropower!

Spanish Solar Energy at Night (ESP)

In one hour enough solar energy reaches the Earth to provide energy for everyone for a year. But how will we harvest and store it? Spain has the solution.

Marine Energy in Orkney (GBR)

Public-private partnerships pioneer a new form of renewable energy: energy from the sea (tides and waves).

Getting Energy on Samsø (DNK)

Through engagement of the community and local ownership, the islanders managed to become energy independent with renewable energy.

Smart with Seaweed (NZL)

In New Zealand we learn how seaweed can be used to improve soil biology, with significant environmental and economic benefits for all farm types.

Urban Gardening (NZL)

In New Zealand’s cities we discover various ways of urban gardening and learn about the many benefits of growing food in cities.

Improving Children’s Health with Veggies (PER)

High in the Peruvian Andes, poor school children learn how to grow and cook healthy, organic veggies. An example for the world?

Meatless in Buenos Aires (ARG)

In the beef capital of the world, the tide is turning in favor of plant-based diets. Good news for human health, animals, nature and the climate.

Alda’s Organic Neighbourhood Farm (URY)

Organic farmer Alda explains how fertile soil enables her to grow food without poison, increases biodiversity, and has positive climate effects.

Natural Coffee (BRA)

We visit a coffee forest in Brazil and learn all about the environmental and social benefits of agro-ecology. Surely the preferred way to feed the world!

Food Forests (BRA)

In Brazil, Ernst Götsch explains to us how to grow healthy food in cooperation with the forest, an inspiring solution for the widespread deforestation.

Banana Logic: Butterflies instead of Poison (ESP)

On the Canary Island of La Palma in Spain, we discover that the logical way to grow bananas is with butterflies instead of poison. Fran GarLaz explains why and how.

Greek Gold (GRC)

In Greece we take a closer look at olive oil, which is an integral part of Greek history and culture. And discover ways of growing olives sustainably.

Slow Food: Local, Artisanal and More Sustainable Food (ITA)

The Slow Food movement promotes food that is good for the consumer, good for the producer and good for the planet.

In Search of Sustainable Wine (FRA)

Join us on our trip in search for sustainable wine to nuns, a family-run traditional vineyard, a château and the Italian Permaculture Institute.

Permaculture on a Swedish Island (SWE)

How a family on a Swedish island applies permaculture principles on their organic farm.

Drawing on Ancestral Values (CHL)

Easter Island’s famous statues not only attract tourists, but also symbolize ancestral values and even drive many sustainable initiatives.

Ibiza’s Green Heart (ESP)

Sustainability on a party island? We sail to Ibiza and discover its Green Heart at Casita Verde, where Chris Dews leads many inspiring initiatives.

Hooked on Hiking (ESP)

We travel to Santiago de Compostela, the end point of the St. James Way. And learn how hiking can be both a spiritual and a physical sustainable solution.

Eradicating Ecocide (GBR)

Polly Higgins is on a mission to make mass destruction of the earth an international crime.

Solar All the Wa(y)ve (GRC)

Has the future of motor boating arrived? After meeting both a prototype and a commercial solar boat we surely think so!

Emission-Free Shipping over Sea (PRT)

In Porto we moor next to Fair Transport’s sailing cargo vessel Tres Hombres. Their mission: to promote emission-free transport and to minimize transport.

Electrified Norway (NOR)

How hydropower generates electricity for electric driving and the world’s first fully electric car ferry.

Cycling in Amsterdam (NLD)

Cycling benefits your health, finances, air quality, and the climate!