This week, Prada’s heir makes a bold move. America’s leading medical groups declare a public health emergency because of climate change. And Mother Nature cranks up the heat in Chennai. Buckle in, because this Conscious Scoop is a wild ride.
1. Prada phases out virgin nylon.
The luxury Italian fashion house has seen a change in leadership in recent years. Family heir Lorenzo Bertelli took on a bigger role two years ago. With that, came radical change. “Being a good entrepreneur means considering the social value first,” he said. Since the 1980s, their iconic nylon bags have begun undergoing an overhaul. By 2021, Prada is aiming to ensure that all the nylon it uses are recycled. Additionally, they’re also launching the “Re-Nylon” collection, featuring a range of six classic bags. The material? Nylon. But nylon that’s been reclaimed from ocean plastics, fishing nets and textile fiber waste.
So the devil wears recycled nylon.
2. UN expert says human rights might not survive, alongside the rule of law.
Philip Alston, UN special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, said that the escalating climate crisis puts the world at risk of “climate apartheid”. This means that the rich will be able to pay to escape the heat and hunger, while the rest of the world suffers. Democracy, the rule of law, along with basic rights to life, water, food, and housing, for hundreds of millions of people are likely to be undermined. Alston criticises the inadequacies of the UN, countries, NGOs and businesses. He further highlights that the steps are “entirely disproportionate to the urgency and magnitude of the threat.”
3. America’s leading medical groups declare a “public health emergency” over climate change.
You’ve seen it all. Air pollution, wildfires, droughts, water shortages, and heatwaves. All of these are all linked to climate change. That’s why health professionals from over 70 institutions came together in declaring the emergency. And these health professionals don’t just sound the alarm when there’s nothing to be worried about. In their declaration, they’ve written: “Climate change is one of the greatest threats to health America has ever faced.”
We offer a correction: “the world” – not just “America”.
4. Chennai literally almost ran out of water.
You’d think this kind of thing only happens in the movies. Chennai, India’s sixth largest city with a population of almost 10 million, is almost out of water. People are actually lining up for water. Also, restaurants are turning away customers and a man was killed in a brawl over water. Why? Unsurprisingly, it’s a few reasons. The first: the city’s water sources (major reservoirs) have dried up or are drying up. Climate change has made rains more erratic. The second: the seasonal monsoon was late. And the third: government mismanagement and lack of planning.
Soon, many other cities will start to experience this too.
5. Heat waves are on the rise in Europe.
Forecasters are saying that a “potentially dangerous” heat wave is going to hit the continent this week. Apparently, global heat records are being set five times as often today as they would in a stable climate. After last year’s heat waves and droughts, many are wondering if this year, history will repeat itself. Forecasting services are reporting a solid “maybe.” Temperatures are expected to surge nearly 20 degrees Celsius (36 degrees Fahrenheit) above the seasonal average of 22 degrees Celsius (72 Fahrenheit).
If you’re not asking your government to declare a climate emergency, what are you doing?