Good News for the Biosphere at-a-Glance!
This email is not a commercial initiative, but a free expression of optimism about the potential of humankind and the progress being made to help sustain and regenerate our biosphere.
We are Not Alone in the Universe! Consciousness Surrounds Us
Comparative psychologists are abuzz with excitement as bees and chimpanzees show evidence of a capability previously thought to be exclusive to humans. Every day, we benefit from accomplishments and inventions that are far too complicated for any single person to have developed from scratch. Evidence of this so-called ‘cumulative cultural evolution’ is everywhere — from the cars on our roads to the TVs in our homes. Our ability to learn from other people is key to this, and it’s been argued that such ‘social learning’ is unique to humans. However, two recent studies provide strong evidence that other species can, in fact, learn complex, helpful behaviors from others that they wouldn’t have developed on their own. Read all about it (and see footage of bees doing some very clever tricks) in Emma Young's summary of the research here.
Now, Companies are Committing Fraud in Europe if They Lie About an Environmental Claim Without Proof
The European Union’s Parliament seeks to protect consumers from misleading marketing practices and help them make better purchasing choices. To achieve this, a number of problematic marketing habits related to greenwashing and the early obsolescence of goods will be added to the EU list of banned commercial practices. Most importantly, the new rules aim to make product labelling clearer and more trustworthy by banning the use of general environmental claims like “environmentally friendly”, “natural”, “biodegradable”, “climate neutral” or “eco” without proof. Learn more here.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has a Climate Problem
Historically one of the world’s largest climate-denying organizations is losing some of its largest members. At least 37 corporate members have privately rebuked the powerful trade association for opposing national efforts to slow rising temperatures, according to a review of business filings by Corbin Hiar and Timothy Cama. The growing divide between the Chamber and its membership comes amid sharpening scrutiny by lawmakers and investors around the trade association’s efforts to undermine policies that could force businesses to overhaul polluting facilities or build cleaner products, as the Chamber has shown in the past; will they follow the money this time?. Learn more here.
How can Work be Democratically Organized to Help Solve the Wealth Gap?
From small towns to large cities throughout the country, a significant shift towards workplace democracy and equitable wealth sharing is gaining momentum. At the forefront of this movement are worker-owned cooperative businesses, where employees work and share ownership and decision-making. New federal legislation is being readied for introduction that will remove legal and bureaucratic barriers to let this concept soar as a business model option. It has the power to localize business ownership and increase community wealth instead of sending profits to internally based organizations controlled by the wealthiest one precent. Lear more here.
Environmental Justice Supported by International Court
The first-of-its-kind decision holds the government of Peru accountable for its failure to protect the inhabitants of La Oroya, who were exposed to decades of toxic pollution from the La Oroya Metallurgical Complex. The Court determined Peru failed to fulfil its obligations related to regulating business enterprises, constituting a violation of the right to a healthy environment. The Court ordered Peru to provide specialized medical assistance, compensation for victims' losses and suffering, strengthen environmental standards, rehabilitate damaged ecosystems, and prosecute those responsible for the pollution and threats against environmental defenders. Here.
Our Biosphere - Is defined as that part of the Earth in which living organisms exist (the entire zone of life). As such, it is viewed as all the places that support life and includes the overlapping zones of the atmosphere, the upper part of the geosphere, and all of the hydrosphere. Or more simply; any place on Earth where life can exist. Not protecting our Biosphere is the root cause for most of the critical environmental, social and economic disasters we face today in the Anthropocene Era.
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Bill Stough, LLC | 616.889.0640 | PO Box 414, Byron Center, MI 49315