ON DUTY CITIZEN
REZA CRISTIAN
1) What inspired you to get involved in the sustainability* movement?
It was my frugal family’s lifestyle habits and the urge to want to help our planet after learning about how fast fashion is a major destroyer combined that brought me into this world. But what really stuck out to me was that in the media just as the word “sustainable” starting buzzing around was not inclusive for everyone from different social and cultural backgrounds and I wanted to help change and disrupt that. That’s when SUSTAIN the Mag was born.
2) What specifically is your involvement in the sustainable/ethical world?
I am the founder and Editor-in-Chief of SUSTAIN the Mag, an online media platform where eco-conscious warriors cultivate a healthy, planet-friendly lifestyle based in NYC.
3) What are some daily habits or tips you have to live a more conscious lifestyle?
For me it’s all about making small changes and being extra conscious. For example, if you are out shopping make sure to avoid the single-use plastic, or tell that bartender no thank you to that plastic AND paper straw (unless otherwise needed) before serving you your drink. Switch out your products to sustainable products that will last longer and actually cost less, such as a menstrual cup. But in the end, don’t forget about giving back to nature, by either growing a garden or composting food scraps.
4) In the climate change movement, who inspires you most?
Oh my! I can name a whole lot right now, there are so many black and brown Indigenous activists out there that are truly fighting for our climate. But for me, its the amazing Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, who is an Indigenous environmental activist, hip hop artist and youth director of Earth Guardians and he is only 19-years old!
5) What are you most optimistic about in regards to environmentalism?
I am excited that more people are becoming aware of the state of our planet, which is hopefully driving change, but I will become more optimistic when we all get up and vote soon to bring someone into the office that will actually help drive change rather than destroy our optimism.
6) Name some of your favorite sustainable or ethical brands and why you trust them.
This question is so hard! I love so many of them right now. I will list a variety from corporations to smaller brands that are locally based.
-Eileen Fischer, Mara Hoffman, ADAY, ThredUp, Veja
-Sense of Shelf, The Consistency Project, Cled, Linear Beauty, Lunette, Leaf Shave and Kammok.
Of course, these are just to name a few. They range from B-Corps to smaller scale sustainable brands that are disrupting the industry and making it badass and inclusive.
7) What are some of your resources you use to learn more about sustainability?
I love reading as much as I can and consuming words like food. I’ll research or find articles online that talks about sustainability which then inspires me to create content for SUSTAIN. Right now Atmos has some really great content as well as The Slow Factory when it comes to sustainability facts and research data.
*We understand ‘sustainability’ is such a broad topic so feel free to elaborate what sustainability means to you.
I believe sustainability needs to be more unapologetic when it comes to this industry and we can’t be afraid to call out those that aren’t working with black and brown Indigenous advocates, because Indigenous people have been taking care of our planet far longer than we have been destroying it. We need to look to them.
