Climate Action

If you've been wondering what people mean when they talk about a Green New Deal, today's episode of Sea Change Radio should help. This week we air the second half of our discussion with technologist Ramez Naam.

World Environment Day 2019 marks one year since the International Olympic Committee (IOC) joined UN Environment’s #CleanSeas
initiative to beat plastic waste and called on the Olympic Movement to come on board. Since then, 11 International Sports Federations (IFs), four National Olympic Committees (NOCs), three of the IOC’s commercial partners and the Japanese town of Ichinomiya – host of the Tokyo 2020 surfing competitions – have joined the initiative. Here are some examples of how they are turning their commitments into action.

Water, water everywhere. And with the troubling prospect of more of it in coming years, concerns over climate change and its effects are deepening, from more frequent extreme events in the Midwest to rising sea levels affecting low-lying areas vulnerable to coastal flooding. Aging infrastructure still dominates the discussion, yet a pressing question lingers: How can water utilities and those entrusted to oversee them do more, sometimes with less, to mitigate against mega-storms already proven to outmatch legacy conveyance and storage strategies?

The demonstration featured a model, live electricity pole similar to those in place in most residential neighborhoods and presentations on the dangers of live electricity wires and how fences and other materials can become energized. Dig Safely New York also offered tips on damage prevention by calling 8-1-1 before doing any outside ground work and the hazards caused by digging into underground facilities.

Smithfield Foods strengthened its commitment to sustainability through a new zero-waste-to-landfill initiative. The company will reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills by 75%, and turn 75% of their facilities into zero-waste-to-landfill operations by 2025. Currently, one quarter of Smithfield Foods' facilities are certified as zero-waste-to-landfill, and reuse or recycle at least 50% of all waste generated.

To kick-off the busy summer travel season while keeping carbon offsetting top of mind, JetBlue (Nasdaq: JBLU) today announced it will offset the carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) for all JetBlue customers flying throughout the month of June. JetBlue is partnering with Carbonfund.org Foundation, an environmental non-profit organization, to offset CO2 for all scheduled JetBlue flights from June 1 to June 30, 2019.

Last year, global wine production rose to near-record highs, reaching a harvest of 292.3 million hectoliters – that’s more than 7.7 billion gallons. In the U.S. alone, domestic and imported wine sales reached $70.5 billion. The world clearly loves wine.

But, few industries feel the perils of climate change more directly than the wine industry. And with temperatures expected to only become more extreme, wineries are being forced to consider the long-term risk a changing climate will have on their business.

Private companies have a vested interest in maintaining and improving the health of the ocean, according to a new report published by the United Nations Global Compact and developed in consultation with 300 representatives of business, civil society and academia. A healthy marine environment is not only necessary for many companies’ long-term operations, but it can offer significant business opportunities too.

The Wellness Economy is one of the biggest industries today as many are looking for solutions to manage health and well-being. Pollution, manufactured goods, and other pressures are among some of the factors driving people to consider simpler, more natural options. Those same stresses are also impacting the health of the planet – so why not invest in the same type of care for the environment?

A month ago, Paris hosted the first European Sustainable Brands conference during a volatile time for the region; the grassroots Gilets Jaunes (Yellow Vests) movement protesting high taxes and economic inequality in the French capital, young people from the Youth Strike 4 Climate movement organizing protests in various UK cities and the disastrous fire at Notre Dame cathedral bringing modern philanthropy back to the debate table. With over 3,000 attendees representing a mix of entrepreneurs, start-ups, non-profits, and brand managers of large companies, it was an inspiring and refreshing experience.