But wait, what is a Biosphere? It is defined as that part of the Earth in which living organisms exist (the 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.
The Good News!
Mother Nature Has Her Day in Court
The highest court in one of India’s 28 states ruled last month that “Mother Nature” has the same legal status as a human being, which includes “all corresponding rights, duties and liabilities of a living person.” The decision from Madras High Court, located in the southeastern state of Tamil Nadu, also said that the natural environment is part of the human right to life, and that humans have an environmental duty to protect it for future generations. Read story here.
California Runs on 100% Solar Power for the First Time!
Electrek explains how California was able to run on 100% clean, renewable power for the first time in the state's history. Learn how this incredible milestone was achieved largely through advancements in solar technology!
New York State Legislature Passes Carpet EPR Bill
New York moved one step closer to becoming the second U.S. state, along with California, to enact a carpet Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law that will significantly increase carpet recycling and reduce toxics in the manufacturing of new carpet. The legislation requires manufacturers to be responsible for the costs of a carpet recycling program and will reduce environmental issues caused by carpet disposal, increase recycling, and lower costs to property taxpayers. The law will also incentivize manufacturers to design and sell carpets without dangerous chemicals, making indoor spaces safer.
Help Keep the U.P. Wild!
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a place like no other, and its most pristine places—including the Ehlco area, the Trap Hills, Norwich Plains, and the Sturgeon River Gorge—deserve our nation’s greatest protection. Nonprofit organizations, local environmental and business leaders are leading the effort to expand federal Wilderness protection for 50,000 acres of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Under the banner of “Keep the U.P. Wild” the Environmental Law & Policy Center is helping organize support to obtain Wilderness protection for these pristine areas. Learn more here.
Should Single-Use Disposable be Our Default Position? How to Start a Community Reuse Movement
One use and done has become the default. Learn how other communities across America, involving thousands of people are organizing to help build a better way than throw-away and then “try” to recycle the resulting waste in their cities and towns. In this episode of the Indisposable Podcast, the host speaks with organizers from three very different U.S. cities in different stages of the work to learn about their shared challenges and key elements of success in building coalitions for change. With Doug Calem (Columbus, OH), Dawn Rodriguez (Austin, TX), and Alejandra Warren (San Mateo County, CA). Watch here.
Chief Sustainability Officers (CSO) Gaining in Influence
Sustainability used to be disconnected from important business decisions and typically revolved around minimizing safety or reputational risks for the company. Those days are over. Today, CSOs in companies all over the world are rapidly increasing their focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. Is the next phase to focus on their companies’ harmful impacts to the biosphere? For the latest report see the PwC assessment here.
Progress on Upcycling Polystyrene (e.g., Styrofoam®)
Styrofoam egg cartons, hard plastic compact disc cases, red drinking cups and many other common products are composed of polystyrene, which makes up a third of landfill waste worldwide and had few recycling options except densification to lower transportation costs. Now chemists at Cornell University have discovered a way to use light and oxygen to upcycle polystyrene -- a type of plastic found in many common items -- into benzoic acid, a product used in fragrances, food preservatives, and other ubiquitous products. Read more here.
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This email is not a commercial initiative, but a free expression of optimism. Psychological research shows that fear is a stronger force for motivating us than joy, it’s the push behind commercial and social media news sources because it draws eyes. It is an unbalanced perspective and seeing too much of it causes anguish and anxiety about the fate of humanity. This email is a summary of some of the good news that does not get enough attention. My intention in sending this to you is to help fan the flames of hope and spread optimism that the long arc of history bends in the direction of truth, symbiosis, and ultimately respect for all forms of life.
Bill Stough, LLC | 616.889.0640 | PO Box 414, Byron Center, MI 49315