Happy Monday 👋

Here are the impactful insights that I have for you today:

• How to get involved in Autism Acceptance Month 🧩
• The US government announces new restrictions on heavy-duty vehicle emissions 🚛
• How scientists find a way to make chemical processes more sustainable through the power of light 💡
• And more… 💚

Quick question: how do you like our new email structure, where we focus on important events for you every Monday?

Hit “reply” and let me know!

Today’s issue focuses on an event that helps increase our understanding and acceptance of about 75 million people worldwide…

Together, we can help to fully include them and make them feel accepted 💚

🧩 Event of the Month: Autism Acceptance Month

👉 Did you know that today (April 1) kicks off Autism Acceptance Month? This international awareness event was established to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism.

1️⃣ The big picture: Autism Acceptance Month was founded in 1970 by psychologist and autism researcher Bernard Rimland Ph.D. to improve public perception of autism through education. The month of April was chosen to coincide with Bernard’s son’s birthday and the start of Spring – a time for new beginnings. It was officially recognized as a global event in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan. Today, Autism Acceptance Month is a global event providing more opportunities for people with autism and dispelling the myths surrounding the condition. The puzzle piece is an internationally recognized symbol for autism, representing power, hope, and unity for those on the autism spectrum. 

2️⃣ Why is this important: An estimated 75 million people worldwide are on the autism spectrum, which accounts for 1% of the human population. Despite being one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the US alone, people with autism continue to suffer from discrimination, with approximately 40% of adults with autism never working in a paid role. And, children with autism often find it difficult to make and maintain friendships, leading to bullying and isolation. 

3️⃣ How can you get involved: Throughout April, organizations, schools, and communities often run events to raise awareness of autism and facilitate global acceptance. So, to get involved in this event, it’s well worth researching events to attend in your local area. You can also get involved in Autism Acceptance Month by educating yourself on autism, or by spreading awareness through your social media channels. 

Below are our favorite charities that are especially relevant this awareness month:

• 10 Best Charities for Autism
• 9 Best Charities That Support Neurodivergent People
• 9 Best Charities That Support People with Disabilities

📢 Three Good News

🚛 The US government finalizes new tailpipe emissions limits for heavy-duty vehicles:

• The US government has announced tighter tailpipe emissions standards for all heavy-duty vehicles, including trucks and buses. 
• Currently, heavy-duty vehicles in the US push out an estimated 400 metric tons of CO₂ emissions every year, adding to the ever-growing climate crisis. In fact, transportation is responsible for more planet-warming emissions than any other sector. 
• According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these new regulations will save 1 billion tons of CO₂ from entering our atmosphere through 2055 and provide $13 billion in annual net benefits to society. 

🦅 The Biden administration restores endangered species protections in the US:

• President Biden has recently restored some protections under the Endangered Species Act, giving the government more leeway to designate plants and animals as endangered or threatened.
• The protections were revoked in 2019 by former President Trump to ease costs to taxpayers and businesses. 
• The Endangered Species Act was originally signed into law by former President Nixon in 1973. Since then, these regulations have been credited with helping to save iconic species such as the bald eagle and the California Condor. 

💡 A new study unveils the power of light as a greener alternative to traditional chemistry processes:

• Scientists at the University of Helsinki have found a way to harness the power of visible light to drive more efficient and sustainable chemistry.
• Our modern way of living is very dependent on the petrochemical industry for the creation of new drugs, paints, and plastics. However, the current processes used to make chemical products are not sustainable. 
• The new research uses a plasmonic photocatalyst combined with palladium to offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemistry processes.

🤝 Three More Important Awareness Events

🚭 April 1, Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action:

• As the name implies, Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action is a day of anti-tobacco activism. 
• Organizations come together to put on events that raise awareness of the dangers of tobacco consumption and encourage kids to stay tobacco-free. 

📚 April 2, International Children’s Book Day: 

• Sponsored by the UK-based non-profit International Board on Books for Young People, International Children’s Book Day brings awareness to the importance of reading. 
• Each year, a different country is chosen to select a theme and featured author, and activities occur throughout the day to encourage youth literacy.

🌠 April 2-8, International Dark Sky Week:

• During the week of April’s new moon every year, the world celebrates International Dark Sky Week by switching off the lights in the evening and admiring the night sky.
• The aim is to bring awareness to the light pollution that many people have grown accustomed to and encourage them to adopt environmentally conscious habits.

Related: You can discover all the 109 most important awareness events (for the month, days, weeks) in our awareness calendar for April 2024!

📜 This Week in History

✉️ April 1, 2004: Internet giant Google launched Gmail. Just 5 years later, the number of users had surpassed 1 billion.

💑 April 1, 2001: The Netherlands became the first country in the world to grant equal marriage rights to same-sex couples.

✍️ April 02, 1805: Author Hans Christian Andersen was born in Odense, Denmark. Over his lifetime, he wrote and published 168 fairy tale stories for children, including beloved classics such as The Ugly Duckling, The Snow Queen, and The Nightingale.

💭 Quote of the Day

“Just living is not enough… one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”

— Hans Christian Andersen, Danish children’s author

Share the news with your friends to make a bigger positive impact on the world and society together!

Stay impactful 💚