sustainability
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New study shows fashion industry’s plastic waste problem
The fashion industry is responsible for millions of tonnes of plastic waste, much of which ends up polluting the environment due to improper management.
In short:
- A study by NC State University revealed that the fashion industry produced over 20 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2019.
- Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic were the largest contributors, accounting for 89% of this waste.
- Much of this plastic pollution occurs in lower-income countries where discarded clothes end up, exacerbating environmental issues.
Key quote:
"Much of the plastic waste that leaks into the environment comes from clothes that are thrown away, especially synthetic apparel. There is also waste from manufacturing, packaging and even from tyre abrasion during transport, as well as microplastics which get pulled into the water when we wash our clothes."
— Richard Venditti, professor of paper science and engineering at NC State
Why this matters:
This isn't just about the eyesore of a landfill; these microplastics are seeping into our water, soil, and ultimately, our food chain. Read more: California governor vetoes bill that would require microplastic filters on washing machines.
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Paris repurposing landmarks in quest for green Olympics
The Paris Olympics promises minimal new construction, using the city's iconic landmarks to create sustainable and visually stunning venues for the Games.
In short:
- Paris uses temporary structures and existing landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower and Palace of Versailles, to host Olympic events.
- Significant green upgrades include 250 miles of new bike lanes, metro extensions, and 300,000 new trees.
- The renovated Olympic Village and venues feature eco-friendly designs, although some projects have faced criticism.
Key quote:
“We have transformed public spaces, public transport, the river – without the Games, it could have taken a decade or two more.”
— Emmanuel Grégoire, former Paris deputy mayor for urban planning
Why this matters:
Ultimately, the success of Paris 2024 will be judged not only by the medals won and records broken but also by its ability to pioneer a new era of environmentally responsible global events. Paris’s ability to balance grandeur with green principles could set a new benchmark for future Olympics and other international gatherings. Read more: Life after carbon: The next global transformation of cities.
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Newsletter
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Sustainability awards go to ad agencies with fossil fuel clients
Despite partnering with major polluters, advertising agencies WPP, Publicis Groupe and Edelman received top sustainability awards at Cannes Lions.
In short:
- Edelman won a sustainability award for an energy-saving campaign but has long-standing contracts with fossil fuel companies like Shell.
- Publicis Conseil and Renault were awarded for providing vehicles in "mobility deserts" despite Publicis Conseil’s past work with TotalEnergies.
- WPP agencies AKQA and Ogilvy also won sustainability awards while maintaining ties with oil giants such as BP and Chevron.
Key quote:
“In a warming world, every degree has a significant impact.”
— Edelman campaign voiceover
Why this matters:
Awarding sustainability honors to agencies with polluting clients illustrates the inconsistency in recognizing genuine environmental efforts. It raises concerns about the credibility of such awards and the ongoing influence of fossil fuel companies.
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Newsletter
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Investment firms face challenges under new EU sustainable rules
The EU's new regulations for sustainable investing will force many investment firms to either rename thousands of funds or divest $40 billion in assets.
In short:
- The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has introduced rules to clarify the criteria for sustainable investment funds.
- Funds labeled as ESG, SRI, or similar will no longer include high-emission industries unless they meet specific environmental standards.
- Major companies like TotalEnergies may be divested from many ESG funds, affecting $3.5 billion in investments.
Key quote:
"Investors should know exactly what they are getting in their mutual funds."
— Andrew Behar, CEO of As You Sow
Why this matters:
Ensuring transparency in ESG funds is crucial for maintaining investor trust and encouraging genuine sustainable investments. As financial markets adapt, the clear labeling will help investors make informed decisions aligned with their environmental values.
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Reviving ancient practices to combat desertification in Jordan
Communities in Jordan are successfully using the ancient practice of hima to combat overgrazing and desertification, revitalizing local ecosystems and traditions.
In short:
- Hima, an ancient land-management practice, is being revived in Jordan to combat overgrazing and desertification, resulting in a significant increase in plant biomass and biodiversity.
- The rotational grazing system protects certain areas, allowing them to recover, which benefits both the environment and local shepherds.
- International conservation organizations are looking to scale up this culturally integrated approach across the Middle East.
Key quote:
"Our religion tells us that whoever plants a tree—and an animal, a bird, or a person eats from it, or takes shade in it, or lives in it—then he has good deeds, and his reward is with God."
— Emad al-Alimat, Bedouin shepherd
Why this matters:
Reviving hima not only restores ecosystems but also supports local communities, blending conservation with cultural and religious traditions, and offering a sustainable model for land management in arid regions. Read more: Climate, justice, and the deep roots of regenerative farming.
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Op-ed: In a warming world, nurses heal people and the planet
Nurses have the experience, motivation and public support to make an important contribution in tackling the climate crises.
During the Covid pandemic, the world cheered as we nurses stepped up. Everyone knows we are essential workers, but our essential role in coping with the climate crisis is much less cheered on, despite our ongoing efforts to be part of the solution.
According to The Lancet, climate change is the greatest global health threat of the 21st century. As temperatures soar, so do cases of heat-related illness and death, cardiac and respiratory disease, and infections like dengue and valley fever. There are 29 million of us nurses worldwide, with deep ties to the communities we serve. We are right there on the front lines – in clinics and hospitals, nursing homes and schools, seeing the health impacts of climate change firsthand.
Because of this, we have earned the public’s respect: in the U.S., we have been voted the most trusted health-care professionals for 22 years running. In a world awash with misinformation about healthand climate change, nurses are well-positioned to provide reliable, evidence-based information on both.
Many are rising to that challenge. In Detroit, for example, Mia McPherson, RN worked with the East Side Community Network to create a guidebook on extreme heat. The guidebook translates medical jargon into plain language, educating the community members about the deadliest climate impact. Others are at the forefront of research and clinical practice on climate health impacts. Roxana Chicas, Ph.D., RN, used real-time biomonitoring equipment to conduct a groundbreaking study of heat-related illness among farmworkers in Florida. Now Chicas is working to develop evidence-based methods to protect workers from dangerous increases in core-body temperature.
We’re also organizing. My organization, the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE), has supported and organized nurses advocating for action to protect health against climate threats, like pushing for strong federal regulations that protect outdoor workers from extreme heat, reduce emissions from the power sector and move the United States toward a zero emission transportation sector. Others, like the American Nurses Association, have released powerful statements on climate change.
Other nurses are working to make health care itself more climate-friendly, as the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions make up 8.5% of U.S. carbon emissions. Globally, if healthcare were its own country, it would be the fifth-largest emitter on the planet. Nurses like Sara Wohlford, RN, MPH, are leading sustainability programs within their health systems. When Wohlford began working as an emergency-room nurse at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, in Roanoke, Virginia, she was shocked by the routine waste of resources. So Wohlford launched a sustainability effort that has cut the hospital’s medical supply and food waste by tens of thousands of pounds per year.
"In a world awash with misinformation about healthand climate change, nurses are well-positioned to provide reliable, evidence-based information on both."
Despite these promising initiatives, the power of nurses remains largely untapped.
By supporting efforts to integrate climate change into nursing education, like the Nurses Climate Challenge School of Nursing Commitment or the ANHE’s Fellowship program, which provides nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully collaborate with communities most impacted by climate change, funders can help nurses leverage their power. Other programs, like the Florence Nightingale Foundation’s (FNF) Green Healthcare Leadership Programme, help nurses carve out time to participate in sustainability initiatives within their healthcare institutions.
Finally, funders can foster coordination among international nursing organizations, and support nurses’ attendance at international climate change meetings. These meetings provide unique opportunities for nurses to forge new relationships with governmental agencies and advocacy organizations who are unaware of the reach of nurses on this issue. It is especially important to include nurses from the global south, who are confronting the most extreme health impacts from climate change.
Last year was by far the hottest since humans have been keeping records. As we enter what UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres calls “the era of global boiling,” addressing the climate crisis and its parallel health crisis could not be more urgent. It’s an all-hands-on-deck moment, and nurses have the experience, motivation, and public support to make an important contribution. With more philanthropic support, nurses can help meet this critical moment.
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Newsletter
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Green party faces setbacks in EU elections
Green parties in the European Union have lost significant ground in the latest elections, prompting concerns about the future of the Green Deal and climate policies.
In short:
- Green parties dropped from fourth to sixth place in the European Parliament, with their vote share nearly halved in Germany.
- The Greens saw smaller victories in Denmark and Sweden but managed to secure a coalition victory in the Netherlands.
- The decline in Green votes is attributed to shifting voter concerns towards war and economic issues.
Key quote:
“This election will not make the climate and nature crisis any less existential. Flooding, droughts and heatwaves will only get worse – and all newly elected politicians will have to act to maintain our planet’s ability to sustain life and give our children a future.”
— Ariadna Rodrigo, campaigner at Greenpeace EU
Why this matters:
These results suggest a potential weakening of climate ambitions in the EU, which could hinder progress on environmental policies affecting global health and sustainability. Read more: The chemical industry may have killed a landmark EU chemical policy. Here’s what that means for the US.
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