Eco-esti

Eco-Esti is your go-to destination for insightful reviews on the latest climate change books, documentaries, and the best plant-based dining experiences. Join me as we explore sustainable living, eco-conscious media, and plant-based gastronomy - all with a passion for protecting our planet.

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Review: REconsidering Reparations

Táíwò's central argument is deceptively elegant: reparations should be understood not primarily as backward-looking compensation for historical wrongs, but as a forward-looking project of world-building. This reframing has profound implications for climate discourse.

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Review: ministry for the Future

Published in 2020, it opens with one of the most viscerally confronting scenes in contemporary fiction—a catastrophic heat wave in India that kills millions—and uses that tragedy as its moral foundation for everything that follows.

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Review: Bacon brothers, Christchurch

Finding exceptional vegan options at a restaurant called "Bacon Brothers" might seem unlikely, but this popular Christchurch establishment proves that even the most meat-focused kitchens can deliver impressive plant-based alternatives. Located within the vibrant Little High Eatery, Bacon Brothers demonstrates how creative burger joints can satisfy climate-conscious diners without compromising their core identity.

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Review: big Fig, Wanaka

Perched on Wanaka's stunning lakefront at 105 Ardmore Street, Big Fig delivers exactly what climate-conscious travellers hope to find: delicious, healthy food that happens to be environmentally friendly, served in one of New Zealand's most breathtaking settings. This vibrant cafe proves that sustainable dining and spectacular scenery make perfect companions.

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Review: Yonder, Queenstown

Nestled on Church Street in the heart of Queenstown, Yonder brings a refreshing approach to cafe culture that perfectly matches the town's vibrant, international atmosphere. This charming establishment describes itself as "passionate providers of coffee, brunch, drinks & late night shenanigans," and their menu reflects influences from travels around the world—including some delightful plant-based options that cater to climate-conscious diners.

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REview: Corner store, Dunedin

Located at the corner of Bath and Stuart Streets in Dunedin, The Corner Store Cafe embodies the kind of unpretentious, community-focused dining that makes sustainable eating feel natural and accessible. This neighborhood gem proves that plant-based options don't need elaborate presentations or exotic ingredients—sometimes the best vegan food comes from simple, well-executed comfort dishes made with care.

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Review: The Monday Room, Christchurch

The Monday Room has established itself as a Christchurch dining institution since 2016. While renowned for showcasing the finest Canterbury produce through modern classic New Zealand dishes, this sophisticated restaurant also demonstrates exceptional commitment to plant-based dining.

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Review: The NExt Apocalypse

Chris Begley's "The Next Apocalypse" is a thought-provoking examination of societal collapse that offers both stark warnings and unexpected hope for readers grappling with our environmental crisis, drawing fascinating parallels between past civilisations and our current climate predicament.

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REview: The Botanist, Wellington

Perched on Onepu Road with stunning views across Lyall Bay, The Botanist represents everything that's exciting about New Zealand's evolving plant-based dining scene. This innovative cafe and restaurant doesn't just serve vegan food—it creates genuine culinary experiences that happen to be entirely plant-based, proving that sustainable dining can be both delicious and sophisticated.

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Review: Cafe Baku, Lake Taupo

Situated on Roberts Street in the heart of Taupo, Cafe Baku brings together bold flavors and warm hospitality in one of New Zealand's most stunning lakeside settings.

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REview: Latitude 37, Mount Maunganui

Located on Maunganui Road in the heart of Mount Maunganui, Latitude 37 delivers what you'd expect from an award-winning restaurant: quality food, good service, and a relaxed atmosphere perfect for the Bay of Plenty's coastal vibe.

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Review: East, Auckland

East in Auckland’s CBD represents a refreshing evolution in plant-based dining that proves sustainable eating does not require sacrificing bold flavours or culinary sophistication.

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Review: Gorilla Kitchen, Auckland

Gorilla Kitchen has established itself as more than just another vegan restaurant, it’s a custodian of tasty food that’s redefining plant-based dining in New Zealand’s largest city.

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Mooncakes!

It’s Mid-Autumn Festival and that means it’s time for mooncakes!

The Mid-Autumn Festival has over 3,000 years of history, originating from ancient Chinese moon worship practices and harvest celebrations. It became an official holiday during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) and is now one of China's major festivals.

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Documentary Review: The True Cost (2015)

A decade after its release, "The True Cost" (2015) remains an essential watch for anyone committed to sustainability and ethical living. Directed by Andrew Morgan, the documentary exposes the devastating environmental and human costs of the fast fashion industry, a system build on exploitation, overconsumption and environmental destruction.

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Documentary Review: Before the Flood (2016)

Nearly a decade has passed since the release of Before the Flood (2016), the powerful documentary directed by Fisher Stevens and fronted by environmental advocate and actor Leonardo DiCaprio. In many ways the film remains a hauntingly relevant call to action - a mirror held up to humanity, reflecting the environmental crossroads we faced then and still face today. watching it now in 2025 feels like revisiting a warning siren that blared loud and clear, yet was only partially heeded. 

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Review: Ocean (2025)

Watching "Ocean" (2025), the latest documentary from Sir David Attenborough, feels like bearing witness to a planetary emergency. With haunting underwater footage, the film reveals the brutal reality of bottom trawling—industrial fishing vessels dragging weighted nets across the seafloor, reducing centuries-old coral forests to deserts of broken skeletons. If you haven't watched it yet, it's time...

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Documentary Review: Breaking Boundaries - The Science of our Planet (2021)

I finally got around to watching "Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet" on Netflix, and honestly, I wish I'd seen it sooner. Released in 2021 and narrated by David Attenborough (because of course it is), this documentary does something most climate films don't: it actually explains what "planetary boundaries" are and why crossing them should terrify us more than it apparently does.

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