Sustainability Weekly
Fridays are for…
World Water Day, Earth Hour 2024, Asbestos Bans, NYC Trash, and more!
by Alli DiGiacomo
Happy Friday, first week of Spring, and World Water Day! This year's theme is “water for peace”, and it sheds light on the ability of water to create peace or spark conflict, as well as the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. Read more below!
This weekend, the annual Earth Hour is happening on Saturday, March 23rd at 8:30pm. Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organized by the World Wildlife Fund. The event encourages individuals, communities, and businesses to give an hour for Earth. Landmarks, businesses ,and individuals can participate by switching off non-essential electric lights for one hour from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. while participating in an eco-friendly activity, as a symbol of commitment to the planet. Earth Hour started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia, in 2007 and has expanded to over 410,000 hours of planet-positive activities pledged in 2023.
Keep reading for more of this week’s sustainability news!
T H I S W E E K ’ S T O P S T O R I E S
WORLD WATER DAY 2024
Water is a resource that can either foster peace or ignite conflict, particularly when it's scarce, polluted, or unevenly distributed. Access to safe water and sanitation is crucial for public health, food and energy systems, economic productivity and environmental integrity. However, 2.2 billion lack safe drinking water, 3.6 billion lack safe sanitation, and 2.3 billion lack access to handwashing facilities with soap and water at home. Diarrheal diseases, often spread through unsafe water and sanitation, cause millions of illnesses and hundreds of thousands of deaths annually. More than 3 billion people rely on water crossing national borders, yet only 24 countries have cooperation agreements for all shared water resources.
With climate change exacerbating water challenges (Water-related disasters account for 70% of all deaths from natural disasters), and populations growing, urgent action is needed to conserve and protect this critical resource. On World Water Day 2024, the theme 'Water for Peace' underscores the importance of cooperation, which can create a positive ripple effect by fostering harmony, prosperity, and resilience to shared challenges. A core focus of this day is to support the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) : Water and Sanitation for all by 2030. Actions you can take today include conserving water and raising awareness about water quality and conservation.
US FINALLY BANS ALL ASBESTOS
The Biden administration has finalized a ban on chrysotile asbestos, the only type still used in the United States, marking the first significant federal restriction on the toxic material since 1989. The ban prohibits its use, manufacture, and import due to its link to lung cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the lining of some internal organs. Chrysotile, known as white asbestos, is a mineral used in roofing materials, textiles and cement as well as gaskets, clutches, brake pads and other automotive parts. It is also a component in diaphragms used to make chlorine.
The phaseout process will extend over a decade, with lobbying efforts influencing the final rule. Legacy asbestos remains a significant concern due to past widespread usage. The ban contrasts sharply with the Trump administration's stance, which opposed legislation to ban asbestos.
ALL TRASH BAGS WILL NEED TO BE IN BINS IN NYC
Starting this month, all New York City businesses must use lidded bins for their trash as part of the city's efforts to minimize the rat crisis and reclaim public space by keeping streets cleaner. Fines will be imposed for violations after a one-month warning period. The Department of Sanitation has conducted extensive outreach to educate businesses on the new regulations. There is flexibility regarding container type and location, as long as they are sealed and rat-proof. This initiative, along with new residential rules, is expected to divert 70% of the city's trash into containers, leading to a decline in rat sightings and enhancing the quality of life for New Yorkers.
MORE IN SUSTAINABILITY NEWS
A miniature forest will be planted in NYC this Spring.
How wind turbines are being recycled.
Need something to do this rainy weekend? Consider watching a nature documentary.
The shift to EV’s will prevent millions of childhood asthma attacks.
French lawmakers approve bill penalizing fast fashion.