Introducing a new format: STEWARD Debates! Join host Sophia Li for a live debate to a sold-out audience recorded during New York Climate Week to tackle this question: Are Sustainability and Affordability Complementary or Contradictory?”

A responsibly made cotton T-shirt costs twice to three times its fast-fashion equivalent. In food, organic produce can cost over 50% more than conventional options, while globally we waste nearly one-third of all food produced. And in design and culture, circular practices promise longevity, yet require upfront costs many cannot afford.

The paradox deepens when we look at scale: producing “sustainable” goods for millions often means consuming more land, water, and energy in absolute terms. What sustains the planet in principle may strain resources in practice.

To explore this tension, we are joined by voices across fashion, food, culture, and design, who will test not only the economic models but the moral imperatives that shape how we live, eat, wear, and create. This episode explores the tensions with access, ethics, and economic realities from personal and industry lenses.

This powerhouse panel features experts from design, fashion, food, and culture:

Karen Pflug, Chief Sustainability Officer, Ingka Group

Hawa Hassan, Chef and James Beard Award Winner

Adam Met, Musician AJR Band, Adjunct Professor at Columbia

Olivia Cheng, Founder & Creative Director Dauphinette

Join us for a stimulating discussion where our panelists are given the rare space to speak freely about these controversies with the help of some audience participation. 

Resources:

Read Adam Met’s Neo-Industrial Revolution: A Declaration for a New American Climate

Buy Hawa’s new cookbook: Setting a Place For Us

Read Karen’s opinion piece: It’s Time To Make Sustainability Work for the Many

Stay up to date with Sophia ⁠@sophfei⁠ and ⁠@steward.media⁠ on Instagram and Tiktok.

Credits:

Created by Sophia Li

Produced by Morgan Von Steen, Delilah Harvey, PodHouse

Video by PodHouse

Hosted at The Bench