Happy Tuesday 👋

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

• Advanced agriculture that can lead to massive emissions reductions 🌾
• How fungi can recycle cigarette butts into useful resources 🍄
• Peru invests over $20 million into conservation for the Amazon Rainforest 🌳
• And more… 💚

Have you heard how the food we eat is a major contributor to climate change?

That’s one major reason why I try to eat as much local and plant-based food as possible (plus, I totally believe that it just tastes better).

But imagine, if we could develop technology that would turn our emissions from food production around…

So that agriculture won’t emit greenhouse gas emissions—and even become net negative (aka, reduce more than they emit).

What sounds like a vision for the future might even become a reality much faster, at least if there’s enough (consumer) pressure to implement it!

🌾 How Agricultural Tech Holds the Key to Massive Emission Reductions

1️⃣ The big picture: The world’s food system is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for between 21% and 37% of the planet’s total emissions each year. However, a joint study from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University and Princeton University revealed that advanced agricultural technology and management practices can even help us generate negative emissions from food production. This means that these technologies can reduce more greenhouse gases than the food systems produce. 

2️⃣ Why is this good news: As the global population is projected to approach 10 billion by mid-century, unchecked emissions from the food system could account for 50% to 80% of total emissions by 2050. Yet, advanced agricultural techniques like “enhanced weathering,” where silicate rock dust is added to soils, can sequester billions of metric tons of carbon annually. Agroforestry can capture up to 10.3 billion metric tons of carbon each year, and seaweed farming can remove up to 10.7 billion metric tons of CO₂. These innovative methods offer a comprehensive approach to drastically reduce emissions from the food sector—beyond any dietary changes that are needed to make our plates more sustainable.

3️⃣ What’s next: The emphasis is now on regional implementation of these solutions on a larger scale. By integrating advanced agricultural technologies, such as soil modifications, agroforestry, sustainable seafood harvesting, and hydrogen-powered fertilizer production, we can achieve significant reductions in emissions. However, the researchers stress the importance of a portfolio of solutions tailored to local conditions helping to reshape the food system, making it more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

👉 Related: You can already help support farmers by contributing to the best charities that help farmers and fight against agriculture CO₂ emissions with the best agriculture carbon offsets.

📢 More Good News…

🍄 Fungi can recycle cigarette butts into clean by-products:

• Melbourne-based company, Fungi Solutions, is launching a research project with No More Butts, to upcycle cigarette litter into usable resources.
• 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are discarded every year, releasing harmful microplastics and toxic chemicals into soil and waterways.
• Scientists will collect the waste, which is shredded, hydrated, and sterilized. It’s then used to grow a fungi culture that binds the waste and molds it into a new form.

🪫 New lithium extraction process using string, will reduce time and land usage: 

• Researchers at Princeton University have developed a process to extract lithium from briny water using porous fibers twisted into strings. 
• Lithium is a vital component in electric car manufacturing and grid energy storage. However, current methods are time and land-intensive. 
• The new technique works by dipping the strings in a salt-water solution, which allows brine water to travel up the string in the same way that tree roots absorb water. As the water evaporates lithium particles crystalize, allowing for easy harvesting.

🌳 Peru invests in conservation efforts through debt-for-nature scheme:

• The government of Peru signed a deal to redirect over $20 million it owes to the US to protect three priority areas of the Peruvian Amazon.
• The money will be used to establish parks and protected areas, as well as improve the lives of local communities and indigenous peoples. 
• The scheme has been made possible by the 1998 Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act. Since its founding, $380 million has been invested by 14 countries, preserving over 28 million hectares of tropical forest.

🌏 Event of the Week: International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

👉 Did you know that this Saturday, September 16, is International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer? This event is a way to celebrate the steps taken toward creating a cleaner planet and to raise awareness of current issues regarding the depletion of the ozone layer.

1️⃣ The big picture: International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer was founded in 1994 by the United Nations General Assembly to mark the signing of the Montreal Protocol. It was intended to facilitate gatherings of key figures and environmental experts in Montreal to discuss solutions to the Ozone layer crisis. Since then, it has become a worldwide awareness event to promote clean energy sources and reduce plastic waste. 

2️⃣ Why is this important: The ozone layer absorbs a portion of UVB light from the sun, preventing it from reaching the earth’s surface. UVB radiation has harmful effects on humans and animals, such as cancer and cataracts, because it damages the normal processes of cells in the body. Since the 1970s, studies have shown that the ozone layer is depleting much faster than it can recover. Over the years, awareness has been raised about the use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) like CFCs (e.g. aerosol propellants) but much more needs to be done to protect this vital part of our atmosphere.

3️⃣ How can you get involved: You can get involved in the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer by raising awareness of its importance in your local community. Consider setting up an educational fundraiser or highlighting the effects of harmful man-made chemicals through your social media platforms. Another way you can get involved is to learn more about the ozone layer yourself. There are plenty of interesting textbooks on the subject or you can find informative videos on the internet.

Additionally, you can check out the organizations below that fight for a cleaner planet:

• 9 Best Charities That Promote Sustainability
• 9 Best Charities That Fight to End Plastic Pollution
• 9 Best Charities That Fight to Protect Our Environment

📜 This Week in History

🧑‍🚀 September 12, 1992: Mae Jemison became the first African American woman to fly in space, as part of the STS-47 Spacelab J Mission. She served as a mission specialist aboard the Endeavour Space Shuttle. 

📚 September 13, 1916: Roald Dahl, considered to be one of the most influential children’s literacy writers of all time, was born in Wales, UK.

✝️ September 14, 1975: Elizabeth Ann Seton became the very first American-born saint, adorned by Pope Paul VI.

💭 Quote of the Day

“Somewhere inside of all of us is the power to change the world.”

— Matilda, by Roald Dahl

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

Stay impactful 💚