From Emergency to Emergence.
The pandemic has also exposed extreme vulnerabilities in the global market economy, including its long and highly specialized linear supply chains, corporate monopolies shielded from market forces, privatized technologies, and ruthless competition without regard for its impact on people and the Earth.
https://www.yesmagazine.org/opinion/2020/04/23/coronavirus-rebuild-economy/
Climate crisis: in coronavirus lockdown, nature bounces back – but for how long?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/09/climate-crisis-amid-coronavirus-lockdown-nature-bounces-back-but-for-how-long
Ecological Balance Means Less Risk of Diseases Like COVID-19
https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2020/sustainable-planet-means-less-risk-diseases-covid-19/87171/
Wireless grids and towers of power: Engineering our way out of dirty energy
Tolkien was right: giant trees have towering role in protecting forests
Study highlights importance of biodiversity as part of strategy to stop planet overheating
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/09/tolkein-was-right-giant-trees-have-towering-role-in-protecting-forests
Long-living tropical trees play outsized role in carbon storage
https://phys.org/news/2020-04-long-living-tropical-trees-outsized-role.html
Demographic trade-offs predict tropical forest dynamics
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/368/6487/165
Colombia wants to plant 180 million trees: Is it a realistic goal?
https://news.mongabay.com/2020/04/colombia-wants-to-plant-180-million-trees-is-it-a-realistic-goal/
New Study: Parts of Texas Could Face Abrupt Ecological Collapse By 2030.
A Nature study describes a chain reaction that will accelerate the massive die-off
of species in regions throughout Texas and the American South.
https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2020/04/new-study-parts-of-texas-could-face-abrupt-ecological-collapse-by-2030/
Urban Farming Booms During Coronavirus Lockdowns
https://www.ecowatch.com/urban-farming-coronavirus-2645686792.html
Recycled content used in plastic packaging applications
In order to help build a truly circular economy businesses are increasingly looking
at ways to incorporate recycled content into their packaging. This is no less true
than in the area of plastics packaging. This guide is intended to help support such
applications for food and drink, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products by providing
detailed information on measuring recycled content, regulatory requirements and
technical considerations. It additionally identifies the risks of not following required
procedures and addresses considerations in relation to labelling and communications.
https://www.fdf.org.uk/publicgeneral/recycled-content-used-plastic-packaging-applications.pdf
After COVID-19, Here Comes More & Better Farming With Solar Panels
https://cleantechnica.com/2020/04/09/after-covid-19-here-comes-more-better-farming-with-solar-panels/
Earth Day: Greta Thunberg calls for ‘new path’ after pandemic
Climate activist says Covid-19 outbreak shows change can happen when we listen to scientists
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/22/earth-day-greta-thunberg-calls-for-new-path-after-pandemic
Nature’s Path Sees Long-Term Value in Regenerative Organic Certification
https://www.environmentalleader.com/2020/04/natures-path-regenerative-organic-certification/
The future of food is ancient, according to Bob Quinn
One of the U.S.’s foremost organic farmers on the changes modern agriculture needs most
https://news.globallandscapesforum.org/43891/the-future-of-food-is-ancient-according-to-bob-quinn/
Why old is new again in farming, and why it has the potential to feed and save the planet
https://www.greenbiz.com/article/why-old-new-again-farming-and-why-it-has-potential-feed-and-save-planet
Reviving an ancient way of aquaculture at Hawaii’s Heʻeia fishpond
https://news.mongabay.com/2020/04/reviving-an-ancient-way-of-aquaculture-at-hawaiis-heʻeia-fishpond/
Chico State holds annual sustainability conference online to discuss resiliency, city planning.
https://theorion.com/84346/news/chico-state-holds-annual-sustainability-conference-online-to-discuss-resiliency-city-planning/
How Do People Living in a Food Desert Feed Themselves Amid a Pandemic?
https://truthout.org/articles/how-do-people-living-in-a-food-desert-feed-themselves-amid-a-pandemic/
Let’s come together in these physically distancing times
https://davidsuzuki.org/story/lets-come-together-in-these-physically-distancing-times/
Is factory farming to blame for coronavirus?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/28/is-factory-farming-to-blame-for-coronavirus
Move over, fishmeal: Insects and bacteria emerge as alternative animal feeds
Not your typical sheep paddock: why sunflowers and lentils herald NZ’s regenerative revolution
https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/120516134/not-your-typical-sheep-paddock-why-sunflowers-and-lentils-herald-nzs-regenerative-revolution
The University of Otago’s Janet Stephenson argues the current ‘economic pause’ is the perfect opportunity to redirect our economy to a more sustainable path
https://www.interest.co.nz/news/104702/university-otagos-janet-stephenson-argues-current-economic-pause-perfect-opportunity
Recycling Takes Another Hit During Pandemic
The Coronavirus pandemic is creating a growing waste crisis even as we see images of the earth’s environment clearing from less pollution.
https://www.packworld.com/covid-19/article/21128225/recycling-takes-another-hit-during-pandemic
The Ecological Significance Of Biomass
Biomass can reduce excessive dependence on fossil fuels
https://gineersnow.com/industries/renewables/ecological-significance-biomass
Post-corona: What would the bio-based industry look like?
https://biomarketinsights.com/post-corona-what-would-the-bio-based-industry-look-like/
Circular Aluminium Action Plan Launched
Aluminum is by nature circular and fit for multiple recycling: it can be recycled over-and-over again without losing its original properties.
https://www.spotlightmetal.com/circular-aluminium-action-plan-launched-a-924981/
Friend or foe: unwrapping the plastic packaging debate
Despite a public outcry following Blue Planet 2 in 2017, single-use plastic is still ubiquitous in the UK. It is almost impossible to avoid, whether for food, healthcare or endless online deliveries. But is plastic as bad as we think? Anna Proffitt explains the importance of full disclosure to tackle this emotive subject.
https://www.newfoodmagazine.com/article/109083/friend-or-foe-unwrapping-the-plastic-packaging-debate/
Coronavirus risks a return of the throwaway culture
‘People don’t have faith anymore in these products without the packaging,’ says an industry lobbyist.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/14/coronavirus-risks-a-return-of-the-throwaway-culture-187464
EPA is abandoning those suffering from toxic PFAS pollution
https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/494333-epa-is-abandoning-those-suffering-from-toxic-pfas-pollution
Climate science deniers at forefront of downplaying coronavirus pandemic
Vocal influencers such as the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and the Heartland Institute are hitting back at a time when people’s trust in science is rising
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/25/climate-science-deniers-downplaying-coronavirus-pandemic
COVID-19 & Plastic Promoters
The following individuals and groups, who have historically focused on denying or downplaying the risk of man-made global warming, have turned their attention to the COVID-19 crisis.
This set of examples looks at those who have used the coronavirus as an excuse to promote plastics and plastic bags as the only safe materials to use due to viruses like COVID.
https://www.desmogblog.com/covid-19-plastic-promoters
The climate science denial machine created by the fossil fuel industry is now a major source of COVID-19 disinformation.
https://www.desmogblog.com/covideniers-anti-science-covid-19-denial-overlaps-climate-denial
California Lifts Ban on Plastic Bags Amid Virus Concerns
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/24/us/california-plastic-bag-ban-coronavirus.html
Removing The Novel Coronavirus From The Water Cycle
https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2020/04/02/removing-novel-coronavirus-water-cycle
Almond Orchard Recycling a Climate-Smart Strategy
https://climatechange.ucdavis.edu/news/almond-orchard-recycling-a-climate-smart-strategy/
We Need a Green New Deal for Farmland
https://www.yesmagazine.org/opinion/2020/03/30/green-new-deal-farmland/
Recycling and the circular economy during a pandemic
https://packagingeurope.com/recycling-and-the-circular-economy-during-a-pandemic/
Earthships: A Circular Economy solution for Africa
The Circular Economy model is steadily gaining momentum around the globe, doing away with a linear and wasteful mindset.
https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/environment/earthships-a-circular-economy-solution-for-africa/
GLOBAL ECONOMY
Ellen MacArthur: Fashion’s linear production model is dead
https://newslagoon.com/ellen-macarthur-fashions-linear-production-model-is-dead/13730/
Report addresses plastic pollution in the Arctic Ocean
It offers recommendations to researchers and policymakers designed to help address the issue.
https://www.wastetodaymagazine.com/article/report-plastic-poluution-arctic-ocean/
Circular economy principles are alleviating COVID-19 shortages
https://www.greenbiz.com/article/circular-economy-principles-are-alleviating-covid-19-shortages
Ellen MacArthur Foundation responds to coronavirus outbreak
https://www.packaging-gateway.com/news/ellen-macarthur-foundation-responds-to-coronavirus-outbreak/
The other challenge (after coronavirus) that no one in the world to escape
Companies, investors and governments should prepare for a major reallocation of capital to another very important issue: climate change.
https://playcrazygame.com/2020/04/11/the-other-challenge-after-coronavirus-that-no-one-in-the-world-to-escape/
A Green Stimulus to Rebuild Our Economy
An Open Letter and Call to Action to Members of Congress
https://medium.com/@green_stimulus_now/a-green-stimulus-to-rebuild-our-economy-1e7030a1d9ee
Memo: Land Access for Beginning and Disadvantaged Farmers
https://www.dataforprogress.org/memos/land-access-for-beginning-disadvantaged-farmers
Scientists Reveal the Factors that Influence the Mechanism of Soil Nitrogen Transformation
http://english.cas.cn/newsroom/research_news/earth/202004/t20200403_232152.shtml
Oh give me a home where the bison roam …
A fascinating regenerative energy of holistic health management is propelling a thundering herd of 400 bison to flourish across the vast eastern Colorado plains of Arapahoe County, while strengthening the root system of the plants that the animals graze.
https://www.thefencepost.com/news/oh-give-me-a-home-where-the-bison-roam/
Big Oil is using the coronavirus pandemic to push through the Keystone XL pipeline (Bill McKibben )
The oil industry saw its opening and moved with breathtaking speed to take advantage of this moment
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/apr/05/climate-crisis-villains-oil-industry-big-banks-pipelines
A Pragmatic Approach to A Trillion Trees
https://www.paloaltoonline.com/blogs/p/2020/04/05/a-pragmatic-approach-to-a-trillion-trees
Saving People from Coronavirus Can Teach Us How to Do the Same for Climate Change
https://www.yesmagazine.org/opinion/2020/04/03/coronavirus-climate-change/
Some ranchers and conservationists agree: Grazing and logging can save birds
(ReCYCLE of Michael Pollan 2007 NY Times . . .)
Our Decrepit Food Factories
Public-health experts have been warning us for years that this situation is a public-health disaster waiting to happen. Sooner or later, the profligate use of these antibiotics — in many cases the very same ones we depend on when we’re sick — would lead to the evolution of bacteria that could shake them off like a spring shower.
https://michaelpollan.com/articles-archive/our-decrepit-food-factories/
Alarm over deaths of bees from rapidly spreading viral disease
Researchers study whether new strain of chronic bee paralysis virus is responsible
Climate Change To Affect Fish Sizes And Complex Food Webs
https://www.utas.edu.au/latest-news/utas-homepage-news/climate-change-to-affect-fish-sizes-and-complex-food-webs
Bold project hopes to DNA barcode every species in Costa Rica
https://news.mongabay.com/2020/04/bold-project-hopes-to-dna-barcode-every-species-in-costa-rica/
Michigan State University scientists discover legacy of past weather inscribed in stories of prairie plant restoration
Before there were farms in southwest Michigan, there were prairies. For thousands of years, tall grass prairies stood undisturbed until European settlers turned the rich, highly productive soils to agriculture.
Today, tall grass prairies East of the Mississippi are virtually extinct.
https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2020/msu-scientists-discover-legacy-of-past-weather-inscribed-in-stories-of-prairie-plant-restoration/
Vermont Has Conserved One Third of the Land Needed for an Ecologically Functional Future
For the first time in more than a century, Vermont and neighboring states are losing forestland to development at a rate of almost 1,500 acres per year.
New study points to successes and gaps in the state’s landscape-level conservation design
https://www.uvm.edu/rsenr/news/vermont-has-conserved-one-third-land-needed-ecologically-functional-future
Smaller scale solutions needed for rapid progress towards emissions targets
Low-carbon technologies that are smaller scale, more affordable, and can be mass deployed are more likely to enable a faster transition to net-zero emissions, according to a new study by an international team of researchers.
http://www.uea.ac.uk/about/-/smaller-scale-solutions-needed-for-rapid-progress-towards-emissions-targets
Trapped ions may unlock a path to better batteries and much more
Batteries of the dual-ion variety that use aqueous electrolytes – electrolytes containing water – have “remarkable potential for low-cost energy storage,” Ji said. Compared to lithium ion batteries, they’re safer, more environmentally friendly and can be more cost effective.
https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/trapped-ions-may-unlock-path-better-batteries-and-much-more
Why did Ecuador’s tallest waterfall suddenly disappear?
https://news.mongabay.com/2020/03/why-did-ecuadors-tallest-waterfall-suddenly-disappear/
Bringing Christ and coronavirus: Evangelicals to contact Amazon indigenous
As the coronavirus spreads around the globe, with more than 300 known cases already in Brazil, and members of Pres. Jair Bolsonaro’s staff infected, an evangelical Christian organization has purchased a helicopter with plans to contact and convert isolated indigenous groups in the remote Western Amazon.
Ethnos360, formerly known as the New Tribes Mission, is notorious for past attempts to contact and convert isolated Indians, having spread disease among the Zo’é living in northern Pará state. Once contacted, the Zo’é, lacking resistance, began dying from malaria and influenza, losing over a third of their population.
Ethnos360 is planning its Christian conversion mission despite the fact that FUNAI, Brazil’s indigenous affairs agency, has a longstanding policy against contact with isolated groups. Their so-called “missionary aviation” contact plan may also violate Brazil’s 1988 Constitution and international treaties.
Analysts worry Brazil may be about to overturn its “no contact” FUNAI policy. In February, Bolsonaro put Ricardo Lopez Dias in charge of The Coordination of Isolated and Recently Contacted Indians (CGIIRC), a FUNAI department. Dias was a missionary for New Tribes Mission for over a decade, doing conversion work.
As the coronavirus spreads around the globe, with more than 300 known cases already in Brazil, and members of Pres. Jair Bolsonaro’s staff infected, an evangelical Christian organization has purchased a helicopter with plans to contact and convert isolated indigenous groups in the remote Western Amazon.
Ethnos360, formerly known as the New Tribes Mission, is notorious for past attempts to contact and convert isolated Indians, having spread disease among the Zo’é living in northern Pará state. Once contacted, the Zo’é, lacking resistance, began dying from malaria and influenza, losing over a third of their population.
Ethnos360 is planning its Christian conversion mission despite the fact that FUNAI, Brazil’s indigenous affairs agency, has a longstanding policy against contact with isolated groups. Their so-called “missionary aviation” contact plan may also violate Brazil’s 1988 Constitution and international treaties.
Analysts worry Brazil may be about to overturn its “no contact” FUNAI policy. In February, Bolsonaro put Ricardo Lopez Dias in charge of The Coordination of Isolated and Recently Contacted Indians (CGIIRC), a FUNAI department. Dias was a missionary for New Tribes Mission for over a decade, doing conversion work.
What Could Become Possible
From health care for all to lower-carbon lifestyles, many once radical ideas now seem more possible — and more necessary — than ever.
https://otherwords.org/what-could-become-possible/
Through biomimicry, Brazil seeks tech innovations inspired by nature
Thank Farmers and Grocery Workers for Their Service
Our national security depends on those workers who feed us. They deserve a living wage and health care.
https://otherwords.org/thank-farmers-and-grocery-workers-for-their-service/
Now more than ever it seems we can’t live without plastic. Can we learn to live with it?
Companies and governments are working to minimize environmental harm of plastic packaging and products, but they face a nuanced reality.
https://ensia.com/features/plastic-packaging-environment-oceans-trash-solutions/
My take on Frontline’s “Plastic Wars”
https://www.plasticsnews.com/blog/my-take-frontlines-plastic-wars
A Nature study describes a chain reaction that will accelerate the massive die-off
of species in regions throughout Texas and the American South.
https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2020/04/new-study-parts-of-texas-could-face-abrupt-ecological-collapse-by-2030/
Catholic institutions divest from fossil fuels.
More than 150 Catholic institutions – including banks, universities, and foundations – have pledged to divest from fossil fuels. And they’re making their commitments public to inspire others to take a similar moral stand.
https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/04/catholic-institutions-divest-from-fossil-fuels/
Amsterdam adopts first ‘city doughnut’ model for circular economy
https://www.smartcitiesworld.net/news/news/amsterdam-adopts-first-city-doughnut-model-for-circular-economy-5198
Here’s how we’re ensuring there will be enough sustainable
and nutritious food for 9.8 billion people by 2050.
5 lessons for the future of water: COVID-19 is teaching us
that our eagerness for creation should not result in destruction of our planet.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/covid-19-water-what-can-we-learn/
– – Policy: Club of Rome calls for collaborative, green stimulus solutions.
Think tank urges world leaders to build a low-carbon, circular economy
in the wake of the health crisis.
https://www.businessgreen.com/news/4013962/club-rome-calls-collaborative-green-stimulus-solutions
29 NOBEL LAUREATES DEMAND THAT CHEVRON FACE JUSTICE FOR AMAZON POLLUTION And Call for Freedom for Human Rights Defender Steven Donziger
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ac2615b8f5130fda4340fcb/t/5e9890f6d641a53d544792d6/1587056892216/2020-04-nobel-laureates-statement.pdf
Climate-Driven Megadrought Is Emerging in Western U.S., Says Study
Warming May Be Triggering Era Worse Than Any in Recorded History
https://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2020/04/16/climate-driven-megadrought-emerging-western-u-s/
As calls to shutter wildlife markets grow, China struggles with an industry worth billions
Relying on ‘local food’ is a distant dream for most of the world.
Globalisation has revolutionized food production and consumption in recent decades, and cultivation has become more efficient As a result, diets have diversified and food availability has increased in around the globe. However, it has also led to a situation where the majority of the world’s population lives in countries that are dependent on, at least partially, imported food.
A recent study from Aalto University shows that less than one-third of the world’s population could currently meet their demand for food produced in their local vicinity
https://www.aalto.fi/en/news/relying-on-local-food-is-a-distant-dream-for-most-of-the-world
On This May Day, The Corporate-Dominated World Faces Not One, But Three Pandemics
All three pandemics have their roots in an economic model based on profits, greed and extractivism, which has accelerated ecological destruction, aggravated loss of livelihoods, increased economic inequality, and polarised and divided society into the 1% and 99%.
To Cut Carbon Emissions, a Movement Grows to ‘Electrify Everything’
In an effort to move away from fossil fuels, U.S. communities from California to Massachusetts are instituting bans on natural gas in new construction. Proponents say the measures are critical for speeding the transition to an all-electric future powered by renewable energy.
https://e360.yale.edu/features/to-cut-carbon-emissions-a-movement-grows-to-electrify-everything
Countries Must Act on Climate or Risk Up to $792 Trillion in Economic Damage
https://e360.yale.edu/digest/countries-must-act-on-climate-or-risk-up-to-792-trillion-in-economic-damage
Analysis: Wind energy expansion would have $27 billion economic impact
https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2020/Q2/analysis-wind-energy-expansion-would-have-27-billion-economic-impact.html
The EPA Just Gave Polluters A License To Kill
https://ourfuture.org/20200422/the-epa-just-gave-polluters-a-license-to-kill
Pandemic side-effects offer glimpse of alternative future on Earth Day 2020
Coronavirus has led to reduced pollution, re-emerging wildlife and plunging oil prices and shown the size of the task facing humanity
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/22/environment-pandemic-side-effects-earth-day-coronavirus
COVID underscores the urgency of holistic community-based approaches to conservation (commentary)
Food safety
Business continuity
Child care for any under 12
People will be part of the solution
“unseen” entities:
Climate change
And covid-19
Carbon Trust
Carbon positive means sequestering more carbon
Than emitting
Focus on stakeholders future
Get through
There will be a different landscape
Collaboration with essential products
Develop focus on products that are essential
How to support other businesses
Badger mentioned solar panels
Get city and states to make commitment
To clean energy
7G’s footprint is at home of the user (90%)
Reach out to supply chain, shorten supply chain where necessary,
And secure supply for “2025”.
Have long term view.
Look is most important.
Look at new needs: what products exists?
Consumer spending to slow down as crisis lengthens
Help:
Health care workers
Grocery workers
Half of management team working on reponse to crisis
Half of management working on new normal
Expecting ‘super premium’ category to decline
“organic” premium will probably be OK,
As people spend for at home use vs eating out.
Circular economy:
Opportunity to innovate?
This is essential.
Innovation?
How do we make “non-essential” items
That harm, obsolete.
e-commerce business growing:
less plastics? (don’t think so)
businesses ally with consumer advocate groups
increase transparency
business as a force for good
be a virtuous cycle
the phoenix rising from ashes
human connections: create “proximity”
level of collaboration
“we are going to live through it”
