What do House Music, Plant Futures, and Sustainability Have in Common?
At Plant Futures, we know that real change happens when it’s fun, meaningful, and meets people where they are. That’s why students and young people are at the heart of everything we do—they understand the power of joy in creating impact. And nowhere was that balance of joy and purpose more alive than at Portola Music Festival, where sustainability took center stage alongside the beats of house music. This festival proved that culture, music, and climate action can blend seamlessly, redefining what it means to party with a purpose.
It’s no secret that the music industry has a long way to go in reducing its carbon footprint. But festivals like Portola, hosted by Goldenvoice, are leading the way, showing that sustainability can be part of the activities we love. Meghan Tierney, Senior Manager of Sustainability at AEG, emphasized their commitment to “continue to try to do better than the last time.” At Plant Futures, we couldn’t agree more—our mantra, "Progress over Perfection," drives our approach to sustainability. It’s about building a better world, step by step, beat by beat.
Our team was thrilled to be invited by Portola to highlight their sustainability efforts firsthand. Most notably, Portola showcased the future of hybridized, battery-powered stages, at the Ship tent where DJ duo Tinlicker played on Saturday night. One of the first decarbonized stages in the world, REVERB’s Music Decarbonization Project and Overdrive Energy Solutions are at the cutting edge of revolutionizing the way we enjoy our favorite artists, dancing, and community, while protecting our planet.
The festival also integrated various initiatives to reduce their environmental impact, including solar panels, compost bins by Green Mary, and innovative reusable cup systems by r.World.
Tinlicker, Elelctronic DJ Duo & Samantha Derrick, Plant Futures
A standout moment? Chatting with the Electronic Duo,Tinlicker, about the role of artists in driving change. Micha Heyboer spoke about the power of music to inspire action:
“Climate change is a big issue all over the world, and as a musician, you have the power to reach a lot of people, a lot of young people. If we want to keep this earth healthy, everyone should think about it.
- Micha Heyboer, Tinlicker
Tinlicker is committed to reducing their carbon footprint, choosing bus travel over flights whenever possible. Micha also highlighted the importance of mindful consumption, from our food choices to our travel habits:
“I think the music festival industry could just not offer meat at festivals. People have to get to know that there are good options, nice options, and tasty options, and we should respect what we eat.”
- Micha Heyboer, Tinlicker
Their example reminded us that sustainability isn’t about giving up what we love—it’s about finding new ways to enjoy it while caring for the planet.
After talking with several DJs and artists, we were excited to try the innovative plant-based food options offered by dozens of vendors. As Adrian Garcia, Director of Food and Beverage for Goldenvoice described, “festivals provide a perfect opportunity and platform for food vendors to experiment and incubate new plant-based food recipes over the course of two days.”
Another inspiring moment came from Sunset Roasters’ oat milk default. It’s a simple switch, but one embraced by festival-goers and vendors alike. As Hamza from Sunset Roasters explained, oat milk is non-perishable, less wasteful, and better for the planet—plus, customers love it. It’s these small shifts that show how easy sustainability can be when it becomes the norm.
Lead Chef Janice Dulce noted the growing demand for plant-forward at Filipino FOB Kitchen: “The reality is that more and more people are actually looking for vegetarian and vegan options. I saw this at my restaurant, and people don’t even miss the meat... especially going to festivals, you don’t want to be so weighed down.”
And then there were the Vegan Hood Chefs, serving up plant-rich meals that were as delicious as they were impactful. Their commitment to making food accessible and celebrating local culture was a highlight of the festival: “Everybody should have the opportunity to have food that's accessible, and folks that are fully vegan should have the luxury of having a great time at a festival and having great food,” said Raheema Calloway, Chef at Vegan Hood Chefs.
Reflecting on the experience, Plant Futures’ founder Samantha Derrick summed it up:
“As someone who has attended music festivals for more than a decade, I think there’s a unique opportunity for such a large industry to be a platform for change and climate action. Living sustainably doesn't have to be restrictive or limited to academic or professional parts of our lives. It should be fun and integrated into all aspects of our life, and what better place to live in alignment with our values than at music festivals?”
- Samantha Derrick, Plant Futures
We’re all about creating social experiences that inspire and include everyone. The energy at Portola left us buzzing with excitement to bring that spirit back to our chapter communities around the world. The experience was a reminder of how small, thoughtful actions can create big impacts—especially when it comes to events of this scale.
Together, we’re building a future where sustainability is celebrated—not just talked about—and where fun, community, and real action come together to create lasting change.
