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The Conscious Scoop: Mass Species Extinction, Beyond Meat Making History, and Extinction Rebellion Hits Hong Kong!

This week’s Conscious Scoop is an absolute must-read and must-share. The world’s leading scientists say that 1 million species are at risk of extinction. In other news, Beyond Meat makes IPO history, and the global Extinction Rebellion movement hits Hong Kong. Read on for more.

 

1. A damning UN report: scientists say a whopping 1 million species are at risk of extinction.

Through the latest UN global assessment report, scientists have delivered us a serious warning. Nature is being destroyed at a rate of tens to hundreds of times higher than the average over the past 10 million years. Our ecosystems, which we depend on for survival, are being eroded so fast that human society is in jeopardy. These natural ecosystems have lost about half their area, and the situation is so dire that negative trends will probably continue in all scenarios except those that embrace radical change across society, politics, economics, and technology.

“The society we would like our children and grandchildren to live in is in real jeopardy. I cannot overstate it.”

 

2. Beyond Meat surges 163% on its first day, in the best IPO so far in 2019, and the largest IPO in the US in nearly 20 years.

The plant-based meat company has had the strongest market debut so far this year – with a market value of over $3.8 billion. Its initial public offering was at $25 per share, but the prices have climbed up over 200% this week to nearly $80 per share in early trading. Industry analysts predict the vegan meat market could be worth more than $40 billion within the next decade, partly thanks to Beyond Meat.

When we say veganism is taking over the world, this is the proof.

 

3. Extinction Rebellion Hong Kong hits the streets for the first time with a silent “die-in”.

The global movement has finally arrived in Hong Kong. On 7th May, nine XR Hong Kong activists stood in front of a 7-meter wide globe installation (artwork by British artist Luke Jerram) with signs reading “change the politics not the climate” and “there is no planet B”. The activists then proceeded to lie down on the ground in the shape of an hourglass, symbolising a countdown to extinction, calling for the Hong Kong government to declare a climate emergency, among other demands.

4. Vegan representation at the Met?!

Lady Gaga certainly made a statement with her meat dress back in 2010, and now Katy Perry is making hers. At the ultra-prestigious, ultra-glamorous, ultra-celebrity Met Gala, Perry rolled up in a chandelier costume but later swapped it out for a burger costume. She shared an image of the outfit on Instagram, tagging Impossible Foods, hinting that the burger was actually vegan. Though Perry herself is not vegan, her fiancé Orlando Bloom is rumoured to be vegetarian, and in 2018 was apparently encouraging her to eat more plant-based foods.

Let’s see more of this at The Met Gala!

 

5. Amsterdam bans all petrol and diesel cars and motorbikes from 2030.

Despite the Dutch people’s love of bicycles, pollution is still a silent killer in Amsterdam, posing as “one of [its] greatest health hazards”. Sharon Dijksma, the city’s alderman responsible for traffic, transport, water, and air quality, has plans to make Amsterdam a leading zero-emission capital of the world. She says that electric transport is one of the keys to the success of this mission. 

The automotive industry lobby groups are expressing availability and affordability concerns, but let’s hope it’s full steam ahead!


Image credit: Extinction Rebellion Hong Kong