In June, halfway through 2024, firms and governments assess bi-annual performance, GDP, and shareholder returns. The obsession with short-term profits and growth has led to environmental and social damage, like planned obsolescence, reckless resource extraction, and stock buybacks over long-term investments. We need alternative economic frameworks that prioritize people, the planet, and profit.
In 2023, 1.3 billion tons of food went to waste, while over 122 million faced hunger. This colossal food waste issue not only affects the environment but also represents a massive economic burden. Recycling food waste through composting and anaerobic digestion can mitigate these issues, but infrastructure and mindset hurdles need to be overcome for widespread adoption.
Peatlands, often associated with mystery, hold potential in addressing climate crisis. European efforts in paludiculture and rewilding, along with research in the US, aim to restore and understand these critical ecosystems. Despite covering only 3% of land, peatlands store twice as much carbon as forests, offering hope in climate mitigation.
The number of lobbyists from fossil fuel and petrochemical industries at the UN talks on plastic pollution has increased by 37%. This rise signals intensified efforts to influence the outcome and poses a threat to any agreement limiting plastic production. Imbalances in representation and access raise concerns about the treaty's effectiveness, with corporate interests holding outsized sway.
Global airlines are resisting new EU rules to monitor non-carbon emissions from flights, arguing that the methodology is immature and the impacts are difficult to calculate accurately. The airline industry wants participation to be optional and limited to intra-EU flights, while environmentalists believe this would obscure aviation's true climate impact. The outcome will shape aviation's emission reduction efforts.
Two new studies investigate the potential of injecting stratospheric aerosols to delay the collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet. Experts suggest a limited time window for effective geoengineering and emphasize the need for urgent research and more information to inform leaders. Geoengineering could provide valuable time to reduce emissions, but uncertainties and governance issues remain.
The UN report uncovers massive untapped e-waste reserves, with over 7,000 metric tons of neodymium and millions of copper and aluminium discarded annually. The demand for these critical metals is set to soar due to renewable energy and EV expansion. Transitioning to closed-loop circular models is crucial for sustainability. EU policies aim to close supply gaps.
Societies have historically relied on technology to solve challenges, from the wheel aiding agriculture to nuclear weapons during the Cold War. However, complex issues like environmental sustainability and conflict resolution require holistic, social, and political approaches. Decarbonization and technological advancements, while important, may not address the underlying political dimensions of these challenges.
Universal Basic Income has the potential to mitigate environmental harm by reducing economic pressures that lead to overconsumption and unsustainable practices, fostering a circular economy. Challenges include funding and incentivizing sustainable choices. Despite concerns, UBI's potential for economic security and environmental sustainability merits serious consideration, and it may offer a solution to overcomsumption.
The launch of Ocean Cleanup’s system 03 brings hope for ocean waste cleansing. The project aims to tackle the plastic pollution crisis. This ocean-bound plastic stems from inadequate waste management in coastal areas. Embracing a circular economy, it recycles ocean-bound plastic, creating economic opportunities and reducing pollution. However, challenges persist in a consumption-driven capitalist world.
The Trash Economy 