Happy Thursday 👋

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

• Legislation to reduce microplastic pollution ❌
• How working remotely helps to increase your sustainability 💼
• A sustainable alternative to palm oil 🌴
• And more… 💚

When was the last time you heard anything positive about microplastics? Right, me neither…

Yet, they are still in way too many products and made their way into literally every place that you can think about. 

Microplastics are just everywhere. In your water, in your food, in the air you breathe—and even in the organs of your body.

That’s why we need more legislation to stop companies from adding them to their products. Just like this one…

❌ How the EU is Taking Bold Steps to Reduce Microplastics Pollution

1️⃣ The big picture: The European Commission has made a significant move to protect the environment by adopting measures to restrict the intentional addition of microplastics to products. The regulations will ban the sale of products that intentionally contain microplastics and release them during use. These newly implemented rules aim to prevent the release of approximately half a million tonnes of microplastics into the environment. However, certain exemptions and transition periods will be in place for affected parties to adapt to these new regulations.

2️⃣ Why is this good news: Microplastics have become a major environmental concern, finding their way into oceans, rivers, and even our food and drinking water. The new EU measures address this pressing issue by targeting products that intentionally add microplastics. The broad definition of microplastics used in the restriction covers all synthetic polymer particles smaller than five millimeters that are organic, insoluble, and resistant to degradation. This initiative is a significant step towards reducing human-made pollution and aligns with the European Green Deal and the new Circular Economy Action Plan‘s objectives.

3️⃣ What’s next: The first set of measures, such as bans on loose glitter and microbeads, will already come into effect 20 days after the restriction’s official announcement. For other products, a longer transition period will be in place, allowing companies some time to develop and transition to alternative solutions.

👉 Related: Join the fight against our existing plastic pollution by supporting the best charities that fight to end plastic pollution!

📢 More Good News…

💼 Study reveals remote work can cut work-related carbon footprint by more than half:

• Researchers from New York City’s Cornell University and Microsoft have found that full-time teleworkers can reduce their emissions by 54% compared to onsite workers.
• The study also shows that remote work can help relieve traffic congestion during peak hours, which may improve fuel economy and mitigate climate change.

💧 California orders bottled water company to stop ‘unauthorized’ piping from springs:

• Water regulators in California ruled Tuesday that the company Arrowhead must stop taking millions of gallons of water from springs.
• Lisa Belenky, senior counsel for the Center for Biological Diversity, said by adopting the order, the state has taken “a critical first step toward protecting this creek and Strawberry Canyon’s springs, as well as the fish, wildlife and riparian vegetation that depend on these waters.”

🌴 Researchers develop PALM-ALT as a more sustainable alternative to palm oil:

• Researchers in Edinburgh have recently created PALM-ALT, which has 70% fewer carbon emissions as compared to conventional palm oil.
• Additionally, PALM-ALT has 88% less saturated fat and 25% less fat overall compared to palm oil, making it a healthier alternative. 

🌽 Event of the Week: World Vegetarian Day

👉 Did you know that this Sunday, October 1, is World Vegetarian Day? This event was set up to promote the benefits of a meat-free diet, both for the environment and for human health. 

1️⃣ The big picture: World Vegetarian Day was founded in 1977 by the North American Vegetarian Society to encourage people to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle and raise awareness of the ethical, environmental, and health-related reasons to eat a plant-based diet. Today, the event is used by vegetarian organizations around the world to spread information about the benefits of vegetarianism. Many food outlets and restaurants also get involved by only serving plant-based meals on this day.

2️⃣ Why is this important: Globally, over 50 billion animals die every year for human consumption. Furthermore, two-thirds of all the animals we eat are factory-farmed. These animals are often raised in constricting cages with no access to natural light. Eating meat also carries a large carbon footprint with the animal agriculture industry producing 18% of all worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. This is 5% more than all transport emissions combined. Vegetarians have just 30% of the environmental impact compared to meat eaters.

3️⃣ How can you get involved: The best way you can get involved in World Vegetarian Day is to cook up a vegetarian meal for your friends and family. Alternatively, try a plant-based meal at a restaurant. You can also consider buying fresh produce from a farmers market or spreading awareness in your local community.

Additionally, you can check out the organizations below that fight for a healthier planet and improve animal welfare:

• 21 Best Charities for Helping Farm Animals
• 9 Best Charities for Climate Change
• 10 Best Charities That Fight to Protect Our Environment

📜 This Week in History

💊 September 28, 1928: Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, which has revolutionized global medicine and helped save millions of lives.

👩🏻❄ September 29, 1955: Ann Bancroft was born. She later became the first woman to cross both polar ice caps to reach the North and South Poles, led the first all-female expedition to cross the ice to the South Pole, and wrote several books, including “No Horizon Is So Far: Two Women and Their Historic Journey Across Antarctica”.

💭 Quote of the Week

“For me, exploration is about that journey to the interior, into your own heart. I’m always wondering, how will I act at my moment of truth? Will I rise up and do what’s right, even if every fiber of my being is telling me otherwise?”

― Ann Bancroft; American explorer, author; first woman to reach North Pole on foot and by sled, and the first woman to cross both polar ice caps

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

Stay impactful 💚