In April 2025, Hearst Magazines came together for the 4th annual Eco-Conscious Living Summit. Here, Hearst editors, thought-leaders and change-makers gathered for inspired conversation and actionable ideas that move us all toward living more sustainable lives.
We invite you to relive the day with us. Below, each session that took the stage. And may it spark the joyful resolve we all experienced in exploring forward-thinking solutions to pave the way for a greener tomorrow.
Session 1: Sustainability with Integrity: Redefining Standards for a Greener Future
Jane Francisco, editorial director of the Hearst Lifestyle Group and our editor in chief, spoke to Jocelyn Lyle, executive vice president of mission and partnerships for the Environmental Working Group; Julia Collins, founder and CEO of Planet FWD; and Zac Ludington, head of product strategy and innovation at Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly Program, about how to change personal buying habits to help the planet.
Read a summary here.
Session 2: Change the Recipe: Feeding Hope Through Innovation and Compassion
José Andrés prefers to be called “cook” rather than “chef” (despite hosting a new show premiering in May called Yes, Chef). “I am a cook. Give me some food and I will make something for you to eat,” he said. This is what started the conversation between Andrés and Michael Sebastian, editor in chief of Esquire, watch their conversation below.
Read a summary here.
Session 3: The Future of Fragrance: Indigenous Wisdom and Streamlining Last-Mile Supply Chains
Lindsey Kneuven, head of impact and grants at Pura, told ELLE beauty director, Kathleen Hou, about the company’s journey with the Western Australian Martu tribe to grow sandalwood.
Read a summary here.
Session 4: Products With Purpose: Redefining Home Comfort Through Sustainable Innovation
Plan. That is the takeaway advice from the conversation that Good Housekeeping Institute home improvement and outdoor director Dan DiClerico has with interior designer and television personality Arianne Bellizaire; home improvement expert, partner of the heating-cooling firm Trane, designer and builder Anthony Carrino; and Vijay Deshmukh, Trane’s vice president of product management-residential HVAC and supply.
Read a summary here.
Session 5: Flavor First: Seeds, Chefs and the Quest for Deliciousness
Chef Dan Barber has a passion for vegetables. So much so, in fact, that he challenged a seed breeder to create a squash that tastes good. That challenge was accepted, and after a partnership with a farmer, the Koginut squash was born. This is the story he told Joanna Saltz, editorial director of Delish, see the whole exchange below.
Read a summary here.
Session 6: Rooted in Theatre: Can Broadway Save the Trees?
Idina Menzel, the Tony Award–winning actress and singer who currently stars in the Broadway musical Redwood, sat down with Stellene Volandes, Town & Country editor in chief, to spill a few secrets about the show and its creation.
Read a summary here.
Session 7: The Forever Home: Rebuilding for the Future
Interior designer Mikel Welch is renovating a home in Pasadena, California. Amongst the ashes of the fires that tore through the area this winter, Welch is thinking about how he can make his home resistant to the climate challenges to come. It was apt, then, that he participated in a conversation with Amanda Cimaglia, vice president of corporate affairs of AZEK/TimberTech; Nate Berkus, author and founder of Nate Berkus Associates; and Veranda editor in chief, Steele Marcoux, about rebuilding the forever home for the future.
Read a summary here.
Session 8: Earth’s Next Act: Youth Writing the Climate Script
Cosmopolitan editor in chief Willa Bennett hosted a conversation with actor and producer Auli’i Cravalho and two winners of The World Around Young Climate Prize, Amara Nwuneli and Dayana Blanco.
Read a summary here.
