Happy Monday 👋

Did you know that just under half of all endangered species around the world are at risk because of invasive species? 

Invasive species are non-native species that have invaded a new area to the point of damaging the surrounding environment…

And, unfortunately, they are seen as one of the top five major threats to ecosystems.

So, today, I would like to share an event with you that raises awareness of invasive species and how we can tackle the problem!

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

• Raising awareness of invasive species 🏞️
• Scientists develop new sustainable mortar 🏠
• How to turn rocks into carbon-sequestering materials 🪨
• And more… 💚

🏞️ Event of the Week: National Invasive Species Awareness Week

👉 Did you know that this week (February 24-28) is National Invasive Species Awareness Week? This event was founded to raise awareness of invasive species, the threats they pose, and how to prevent their spread to protect our natural ecosystems. 

1️⃣ The big picture: National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) was founded in 1989 by the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) as National Invasive Weeds Awareness Week but it was broadened to National Invasive Species Awareness Week in 2010 to cover all types of invasive species. Today, it is a multi-agency event that educates the public on the threat of invasive species through webinars, educational activities, conservation initiatives, and campaigns.

2️⃣ Why is this important: Invasive species are found in every habitat around the world from lakes and rivers to croplands, forests, and even cities. To date, over 3,500 invasive species have been recorded with threats from biological invasions increasing across all regions. Invasive species are among the leading threats to native wildlife, with approximately 42% of threatened or endangered species at risk because of them. Invasive species are primarily spread by human activities, often unintentionally. So, education is vital to slowing the spread and protecting our natural world. 

3️⃣ How can you get involved: You can get involved in National Invasive Species Awareness Week by joining a webinar to learn more about invasive species, volunteering to help remove invasive species from local habitats, spreading the word on social media using the #NISAW hashtag, or making sure you only plant native plants in your garden. 

Below are our favorite charities that are especially relevant for this awareness event:

• 9 Best Charities for Protecting Nature
• 10 Best Charities That Fight to Protect Our Environment
• 10 Best Charities That Fight for Endangered Animals

If you are looking for additional inspiration, you can find a wide range of charitable causes to support in our charity support blog.

📢 Three Good News

🖨️ Researchers print sustainable cooling materials using 3D printers:

• Researchers at the Institute of Science and Technology in Austria have utilized a 3D printing technique to fabricate high-performance thermoelectric materials, drastically reducing production costs.
• Thermoelectric materials convert temperature differences to electric voltage but their efficiency is often limited and production methods are wasteful and costly.
• The team even designed the printing inks to create robust atomic bonds between grains to enhance the thermoelectric performance of their materials, as well as specify the exact size needed to reduce wastage.

🏠 Scientists create new environmentally-friendly mortar:

• Scientists at Newcastle University have developed a mortar made from recycled plastic and silica aerogel to improve insulation and reduce plastic waste.
• This new material could improve sustainable construction practices while reducing heat loss in buildings, in areas where you get thermal bridging. For example, through gaps between bricks in the walls which are filled with mortar.
• Publishing in the journal Construction and Building Material, the team showed that the new mortar reduced heat loss by up to 55% compared to conventional mortar, while maintaining the necessary strength for masonry construction.

🪨 New process gets common rocks to remove and store carbon dioxide from the air:

• Scientists at Stanford University have discovered how to turn common materials into materials that spontaneously remove and store CO₂ from the atmosphere. In fact, in lab tests, the materials pull carbon dioxide from the air thousands of times faster than occurs with natural rock weathering. 
• The earth has an abundance of minerals that are capable of removing CO₂ from the atmosphere. However, they don’t naturally react fast enough to counteract human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.
• This new process would require less than half the energy used by leading direct air capture technologies making it a much more sustainable option. 

🤝 Three More Important Awareness Events

👃 February 27, Anosmia Awareness Day:

• Up to 3% of Americans live with anosmia, or the loss of the sense of smell.
• The goal of this day is to raise awareness of anosmia and let those suffering know they are not alone.

🐻‍❄️ February 27, International Polar Bear Day:

• Polar bears are in crisis, with climate change threatening their territory and reducing their food supply.
• This day was created by Polar Bears International to raise awareness about polar bears and the threats they face and urge people to take action to protect them.

💙 February 24-28, Eating Disorders Awareness Week:

• Eating Disorders Awareness Week is dedicated to increasing public knowledge about the realities of eating disorders, which affect over 14 million people globally.
• The week focuses on early intervention, providing resources for recovery, and advocating for those who struggle with these illnesses.

Related: You can discover all the 108 most important awareness events (for the month, days, weeks) in our awareness calendar for February 2025!

📜 These Days in History

💻 February 24, 1955: American businessman, Steve Jobs, who was a pioneer of the personal computer era and co-created Apple Inc., was born.

🇺🇲 February 25, 1870: American clergyman, politician, and educator Hiram Rhodes Revels was sworn into the US Senate, making him the first African-American to serve in the US Congress. 

🇺🇲 February 25, 1910: Millicent Fenwick was born in New York City. Throughout her career as a member of the UN General Assembly and a US Congresswoman, she championed liberal causes such as civil and women’s rights. 

💭 Quote of the Day

“Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”

Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple

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

Stay impactful 💚