This week, the UN draft plan sets ambitious targets to avert Earth’s sixth mass extinction. Net-a-Porter launches a sustainable beauty edit. And Joaquin Phoenix calls out the meat and dairy industry. Read on for this week’s round-up of top environmental stories.
1. UN draft plan sets 2030 as the target to avert the sixth mass extinction.
Did you know that we’re in the middle of the so-called “sixth mass extinction”? Two years ago, a study found that human overpopulation and overconsumption has been causing biological annihilation, which threatens the survival of the human civilisation. A Paris-style UN agreement on nature is currently being drafted to combat just that. With this, almost a third of the world’s oceans and land should be protected by 2030 to stop and reverse this biodiversity decline. It should be adopted by governments in October, during a UN summit in Kunming, China. This draft plan has been met with approval from environmental activists, who are calling for governments to adopt the strategy and act on it.
But as Enric Sala, explorer-in-residence at National Geographic says: “this is the floor, not the ceiling.”
2. Quorn is the first major brand to introduce “carbon labelling”!
Quorn is a cult-favourite alternative meat brand. And now it’s going to gain more supporters with its new, informative labels. What’s carbon labelling? It’s precisely what you’d expect. With these new labels, shoppers will know the environmental footprint of their purchases. Come June, some Quorn products will have these labels. And by next year, it’ll be the entire Quorn range. And why is Quorn doing this? Peter Harrison, the chief commercial officer of Quorn Foods, said: “This is about giving people the information needed to make informed decisions about the food they eat and the effect it has on our planet’s climate – in the same way that nutrition information is clearly labelled to help inform decisions on health.”
What do you think about this new initiative?
3. Net-a-Porter launches sustainable beauty edit: Net Sustain.
Sustainability has made its way into fashion substantially. But in the beauty industry, not so much. So the luxury retailer has created a new platform to help shoppers make better choices. Net Sustain consists of 27 beauty brands that have met the criteria set by Net-a-Porter. Those who made the cut passed the test on materials used, ingredients, processes, craft and community, plus vegan and animal welfare. The 27 include classics like Tata Harper, Aesop, and Dr Barbara Strum, to name but a few, plus a couple of new, up-and-coming brands. With this edit, the luxury retailer is planning to lead the way towards better, more conscious beauty.
Want to shop for better beauty products? Check out our brand directory, or peruse some of our topical articles.
4. Climate crisis is likely to increase the violent deaths of young people in the US.
But not entirely for the reasons you might think. Rising temperatures will increase deaths from road crashes, violence, suicides and drowning. These all affect young people most. How are they linked? Climate change means hotter days, which encourages people to go out and drink. Warmer days also mean more violence and suicide. While the climate emergency is a public health issue and worsens problems like chronic and infectious diseases, the scientists say deaths from injury must be taken seriously.
5. Joaquin Phoenix calls out the meat and dairy industry.
Jane Fonda started Fire Drill Fridays a good while ago, and her last one was the biggest yet. The “Joker” star, Joaquin Phoenix, even showed up on his own accord. The animal activist made headlines recently for turning the Golden Globes vegan, and this time it’s about getting everyday people to consider going vegan. He pointed out that “the meat and dairy industry is the third-leading cause of climate change.” The actor added that this often goes unmentioned, and believes it should be talked about more.
So do we, Joker.
Image credits: Harper’s Bazaar
