PLANET
We examine environmental challenges and solutions through research-backed content and expert guidance.
About TRVST: Inspiring Positive Change for People and Planet
TRVST began eight years ago with a simple question: What if we could connect people's passion for change with the knowledge they need to make it happen?
We're a team of researchers, writers, and activists who believe that informed action creates lasting change. Like you, we've watched climate reports grow more urgent and plastic pile up on our shores.
In response, we started collecting stories of people making a real difference through their projects, big or small. Today, we're a team of passionate experts aiming to inspire action for positive change.
Our purpose is simple: create the conditions for positive change through science, education, and inspiration that lead to meaningful action.
The Challenge We Face
The environmental crisis demands more than awareness—it requires informed action at scale. Consider our current reality:
2024 marked the hottest year in recorded history, with global temperatures exceeding pre-industrial levels by 1.5°C
WMO
Wildlife populations have declined by 73% since 1970, with one million species facing extinction
WWF
Oceans contain over 170 trillion plastic particles, affecting marine ecosystems worldwide
PLOS ONE
The IEP predicts that 1.2 billion people could be displaced globally by 2050 due to climate-related events
IEPDespite growing public concern, these trends continue. In a world where war persists, climate denial abounds, and misinformation spreads unchecked, it's easy to doubt what any one of us can do.
The Power of Collective Action
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
— Margaret Mead
- When you choose sustainable products, you help shift market demand
- When you share knowledge, you expand the circle of awareness
- When you join with others, your impact multiplies
At TRVST, we've seen firsthand how connections between passionate individuals catalyze change. From community gardens transforming urban food systems to grassroots campaigns changing corporate policies, collective action drives progress at every level.
Creating actionable change has always been part of our DNA. We've focused on impact from our earliest events connecting skilled volunteers with worthy causes through our work championing changemakers and their stories.
No single person created the environmental challenges we face, and they won't be solved by individual action alone. But when individuals connect, share knowledge, and coordinate efforts, we can, and arguably we must, create a world we'd be happy to leave to the next generation.
TRVST exists to provide reliable knowledge, practical solutions, and connections to others working toward the same goals.
What Makes Us Different
Evidence-Based Approach
We evidence every article we publish. Our team analyzes peer-reviewed studies, interviews experts, and translates complex environmental science into clear guidance.
Balanced Perspective
We don't oversimplify. Our content acknowledges trade-offs, presents multiple viewpoints, and helps readers make informed decisions based on solid data.
Solution Focus
While acknowledging challenges, we emphasize practical solutions that work in real life—whether you're a student, parent, business owner, or community leader.
Comprehensive Resources
We're building what aims to be the most extensive environmental glossary online, defining complex terms and concepts in accessible language.
On the horizon:
We're developing tools for personal carbon footprint tracking, community connection platforms, and collaborative spaces where users can co-create environmental solutions. Our vision is to transform knowledge into measurable action through technology that connects and empowers.
Our Areas Of Expertise
Our work spans three interconnected domains, each comprising 4 fields of action that support our mission of creating positive change:
PEOPLE
We explore how social systems affect environmental outcomes through a focus on equality and responsible practices.
SELF
We connect personal well-being with planetary health through content on sustainable living and meaningful action.
Note: These domains are in various stages of development. Our Planet content is most extensive, with People and Self sections growing steadily. We're actively expanding across all three areas to provide a comprehensive resource for environmental action and positive change.
The Team Behind TRVST
Meet Some of Our Key Team Members
Ben Hart · Founder
Marketing strategist and teaching professor. Ben founded TRVST as a means of leveraging technology, inspiration and community to scale impact.
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Jennifer Okafor · Environmental Expert
Jen's been writing content for TRVST from day one. She uses her skills and experience to help people discover real world answers to the world's environmental challenges
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Isabela Sedano · Sustainability Expert
Isabela's passionate about ways to create impact. With a degree in civil engineering she takes a scientific approach to connecting our content with our changemaker audiences.
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Barbara Vidal · Journalist
Barbara is passionate about environmental protection, science education, and community building.
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Evelyn Palmer · Environmental Science
Evelyn's goal is to inspire a new generation of environmental stewards through engaging, science-based storytelling.
View ProfileOur writers hold degrees in environmental science, the arts, and related fields. Many have worked directly with conservation organizations, research institutions, and sustainability initiatives.
Our editorial process involves:
- Identifying knowledge gaps through data analysis
- Researching using primary scientific sources
- Consulting subject matter experts
- Applying rigorous fact-checking
- Testing recommendations in real-world settings
- Updating content as new research emerges
Our Impact So Far
Since launching, we've helped:
Amplify changemakers by connecting them with wider audiences
Support evidence-based conservation initiatives
Promote low-carbon practices for homes and workplaces
Connect people with local environmental projects
Enable more informed consumer choices
What's In A Name
"All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust."
— J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
TRVST (pronounced "trust") represents our core belief that lasting change happens through trusted connections. Our name evolved through several iterations before finding its perfect form.
The "V" in our name nods to the victory symbol popularized by Churchill as a sign of peace and collective action. Historically, the Latin alphabet used V and U interchangeably—a tradition seen in the US peace dollar minted in the 1920s, which featured "IN GOD WE TRVST."
Our logo—a circle with five interconnected elements—symbolizes the connections we aim to foster between people, knowledge, and action. The circular design represents the cyclical nature of sustainable systems and the continuous journey toward a healthier planet.
While we recognize that trust in institutions has reached historic lows, we believe rebuilding it is essential for collective progress. Our mission centers on creating trusted pathways between people with passion, skills, and resources and the causes that need them.
In people we TRVST.
Read more: What's in a name.Where We're Heading
Our Origins
Our first business plan centered on exchanging time and skills for measurable impact through smaller action projects. Our pilot programs showed significant promise in creating networks that matched skills with needs.
The Challenges
Funding a business outside traditional models proved challenging. Social impact investors were risk-averse and focused on narrower outcomes, while "patient capital" remained more concept than reality. Seven years ago, we couldn't secure the funding needed for our envisioned platform.
Our Pivot
Rather than give up, we pivoted to content creation. Since then, we've published over 1,500 articles, guides, fact compilations, and changemaker stories.
The Future
Yet the landscape has transformed dramatically in seven years. Today, AI makes building technical solutions to complex challenges faster and more accessible than ever.
Our driving mission remains finding ways to scale our own impact and our collective impact. The dream is still alive—watch this space.
Why TRVST Matters
In a landscape dominated by corporate environmental platforms, TRVST offers something different—authentic expertise delivered with practical purpose.
Our Unique Approach
Beyond Surface Coverage
While many sites scratch the environmental surface, we dig deeper. Our articles don't just tell you what's happening; they explain why it matters and what you can actually do about it.
No Greenwashing
We won't pretend small actions solve systemic problems, nor will we overwhelm you with doom without direction. We present honest assessments and meaningful solutions without the greenwash that permeates environmental content.
Community Connection
Unlike larger platforms that simply broadcast information, we're building relationships. Our content responds to real questions from real people seeking practical guidance.
Independent Voice
Not backed by venture capital or corporate interests, we maintain the freedom to cover what matters most—even when it challenges conventional narratives or powerful industries.
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When you read, share, and act on TRVST content, you become part of a movement grounded in both science and hope. Sign up to receive updates as we continue to grow our platform and expand our impact.
Thank you for being part of this journey toward a more sustainable, equitable world.
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How We Sustain Our Work
People often ask how TRVST makes money. It's a fair question, as financial sustainability is essential for long-term impact.
Our Business Model
Advertising
We work with Raptive, a global ad network, to display relevant advertisements across our site. This revenue supports our ability to create free, accessible content.
Affiliate Partnerships
We earn commissions when readers purchase products through certain links on our site. When we recommend sustainable products or services, we may receive a small percentage of sales at no extra cost to you.
TRVST Shop
Our newly launched SHOP features carefully selected sustainable products, with proceeds supporting our operations and environmental initiatives.
Tree Planting Programs
(coming soon) We're turning knowledge into action by funding reforestation projects, creating tangible impact while addressing biodiversity loss and carbon capture.
Profit with Purpose
TRVST is proudly a for-profit business with purpose at its core. We believe this model offers several advantages:
Sustainable Impact
By generating our own revenue, we can scale our work without depending solely on grants or donations.
Mission Reinvestment
Our profits fuel our purpose—allowing us to develop better resources, reach more people, and build innovative solutions for collective action.
Market Influence
As a business, we demonstrate that financial success and positive environmental impact can work hand-in-hand, encouraging others to adopt similar models.
We measure success not just by revenue growth, but by our effectiveness in connecting people with actionable environmental knowledge and opportunities for change. This dual focus ensures that as our business grows, so does our impact.
TRVST is currently a trading name of its parent company, We Are Atmosphere Ltd (UK). TRVST is funded by We Are Atmosphere Ltd and its founder, Ben Hart.
Transparency & Commitments
Our Commitment to You
As content across the web grows increasingly commoditized, we remain dedicated to:
- Reviewing products based on genuine sustainability merit, not marketing claims
- Featuring voices and perspectives often overlooked in mainstream environmental coverage
- Creating content that respects both scientific consensus and lived experience
- Building tools that connect knowledge with action
We may not have the resources of environmental media giants. Still, we have something we believe is equallay valuable (maybe even more so): a genuine commitment to helping you navigate environmental challenges confidently and clearly.
Your engagement with TRVST supports our work— and it helps build a more informed, connected community of people working toward meaningful environmental change.
Making TRVST Accessible to All
We believe environmental information should be accessible to everyone. To support this commitment:
- We provide audio versions of articles for those who prefer listening
- Our website is designed to work with screen readers and assistive technologies
- We maintain appropriate color contrast for better readability
- We structure content with clear headings to help readers navigate
- We use plain language wherever possible without sacrificing accuracy
We're continuously working to improve accessibility through best practices and technology updates. If you encounter accessibility barriers on our site, please contact us so we can address them.
Giving Back
While we're still building toward profitability, our mission of positive impact extends beyond our content:
- We amplify the stories of environmental changemakers who might otherwise go unnoticed
- We spotlight grassroots organizations doing crucial work on limited resources
- We connect our audience with actionable opportunities to support worthy causes
- We provide visibility for innovative solutions that deserve wider adoption
As we grow, we're committed to developing more structured ways to give back. Our roadmap includes:
- Creating a formal program to support environmental initiatives through direct funding
- Developing a platform that connects skilled volunteers with organizations needing their expertise
- Establishing partnerships with conservation projects that deliver measurable impact
- Allocating a percentage of future profits to environmental and social causes
Though our financial contributions are limited today, we believe that elevating important voices and connecting people with opportunities for change creates real value for our community.
Our Sustainability Practices
We're working to ensure our operations align with the values we promote:
- Digital Footprint: We offset the carbon emissions from our website hosting and other technology usage through verified carbon removal projects
- Remote-First Culture: Our team works remotely, eliminating commuting emissions and reducing the need for office space and resources
- Minimal Travel: We conduct meetings virtually whenever possible and carefully consider the environmental impact when travel is necessary
- Digital-First Communication: We minimize paper use by operating digitally for both internal operations and external communications
- Energy Efficiency: Team members are encouraged to use energy-efficient equipment and renewable energy providers where available
- Continuous Improvement: We regularly evaluate our practices and look for new ways to reduce our environmental impact
We recognize we're not perfect, but we're committed to transparency about our practices and to consistently improving our operational sustainability.