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Almost 70% of Americans have experienced at least one form of extreme weather over the past year, according to research from Pew. Whether extreme heat or flooding, Americans are accepting the fact that the climate has changed, and we must adapt or risk losing our homes, livelihoods, and in some circumstances, our lives. When facing week after week of severe thunderstorms, as I have been in Florida, or days on end of 110+ degree temps, as Phoenix residents have, it's easy to feel helpless.
Truthfully, there's very little that you or I can do as an individual that will walk us back from the precipice of our climate today. Recycling, being energy-efficient, buying sustainable brands, eating less meat, and other behaviors are all important—and we certainly shouldn't stop doing them. But politicians and corporations are truly in the driver's seat when it comes to large-scale adaptation. (One of the most important actions you can take is to vote.) Staunching our nation's over-reliance on fossil fuels is a vital step, which 67% of Americans say the country should prioritize. For additional resources on climate change, and steps you can take to advocate for climate-friendly policies, visit the EPA's climate center here and the White House's Climate Task Force page here.
Going circular. Visa is partnering with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and other organizations to launch a new initiative called the Recommerce Behavioral Insights Lab. The lab will run rapid, real-world experiments to understand and share how businesses can help consumers actively engage in the transition to a more circular economy. The lab will focus on three key areas: understanding the barriers to circular shopping, developing solutions to overcome these barriers, and measuring the impact of circular shopping. The Lab is a significant step forward in the effort to make circular shopping the norm. // Sustainable Brands—Visa's Recommerce Behavioral Insights Lab Aims to Make Circular Shopping Behaviors the Norm
Follow our footsteps... Sustainable footwear brand Allbirds has released open-source plans for its net-zero shoe, the M0.0NSHOT. The company hopes that by sharing its approach, other brands will be able to create their own net-zero shoes and help advance industry-wide progress in sustainability. The M0.0NSHOT is made from a variety of sustainable materials, including sugarcane-based SweetFoam midsoles and eucalyptus fiber uppers. M0.0NSHOT's 0.0 kg CO2e shoe saves about 14.0 kg CO2e, the carbon footprint of the average sneaker—without relying on a single carbon offset. // Triple Pundit—Allbirds made a net zero shoe and wants other brands to copy it
Turning a new page. “We put millions of people in prisons. What if we put millions of books there instead?” This is the question that sparked Freedom Reads, a nonprofit organization transforming prison cells into microlibraries with the goal of opening up a new world of knowledge for incarcerated people. While prison libraries aren't a new concept, Freedom Reads' approach is. The organization places bookshelves in more accessible locations, and doesn't limit access to certain hours. Libraries can play a vital role in the rehabilitation of incarcerated people, providing access to information, education, and resources that can help people prepare for life after prison. In addition to bringing microlibraries to prisons across the country, Freedom Reads works to train librarians and other staff members on how to create more inclusive and welcoming spaces. // Fast Company—How this MacArthur genius is turning empty prison cells into redesigned libraries
De-stigmatizing the workplace. With as many as 60% of people battling substance use disorder also holding down a job, it's likely that your company has an employee with the disorder, or in recovery. Increasingly, "recovery-friendly" workplaces will become a core part of DEI initiatives. To start, employers should embrace education opportunities to help ensure all employees understand substance use disorder and the importance of recovery. Additionally, senior leaders in the organization need to be supportive of creating a recovery-friendly workplace to combat stigma and foster a culture of acceptance and understanding. // Fortune—As the opioid epidemic worsens, recovery-friendly policies are the next frontier in workplace inclusion // Fortune—60% of Americans battling drug or alcohol addictions also have jobs
Purpose 360 Podcast celebrates 150 episodes with Campbell Soup Company! We invited Mark Clouse to share the journey behind Campbell’s purpose: “Connecting people through the food they love.” Accompanied by a set of new and compelling values, purpose has become the driving force behind the company’s recent transformation—from a steadfast commitment to its hometown in Camden to its new employee value proposition. Through this lens, Campbell has embarked on a transformative journey that builds on the company’s impact over the last 150+ years. Listen to the episode here.