Sustainability Weekly

SUSTAINABILITY
Written By Dara Magagnoli

Fridays are for…

Sustainable Gifting, Plastic, New Species, and more!

by Alli DiGiacomo

Happy Friday! There is a lot going on in NYC this weekend if you are not too tired after our holiday party tonight, including Fifth Avenue’s 200th Birthday party on Sunday. It will be closed to car traffic between 48th Stand 55th St for a celebration complete with live music, art installations, interactive experiences, and more. 

As gifting season is upon us, it's important to be mindful about what we are buying and consuming! The U.S. accounts for about 5% of the world's population but consumes roughly 17% of the planet’s resources. Our out-of-control consumerism significantly impacts the environment through resource depletion, waste generation, greenhouse gas emissions, and pollution. 

Here is a list of my favorite environmentally-friendly gift guides: 

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

THE WWF JUST RELEASED A 10-YEAR REPORT ON THE CONGO BASIN, REVEALING 742 NEW SPECIES

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) released a 10-year landmark report, cataloging 742 newly discovered species in the Congo Basin from 2013 to 2023. The Congo Basin is the world’s second-largest rainforest, spanning six countries and is a biodiversity hotspot under threat from habitat destruction. The report shows the importance of continued exploration and conservation in one of the world’s most biodiversity hubs.

Key findings from the report include:

- Mammals: Researchers discovered 10 new species, including the elusive *Colomys lumumbai*, a semi-aquatic mouse with waterproof fur, and the “lesula” monkey (*Cercopithecus lomamiensis*), known locally but newly documented in scientific records.

- Birds: A new owl species, the Príncipe Scops Owl, was identified on Príncipe Island. It is small with distinctive ear tufts and a “cat-like” call.

- Reptiles and Amphibians: Discoveries included 25 snakes, 10 geckos, and the Central African Slender-Snouted Crocodile, misclassified for years until molecular sequencing revealed it as a distinct species. Researchers also documented 22 new frog species, such as the nocturnal *Congolius robustus*, a key ecological indicator.

- Fish and Insects: 101 fish species were discovered, including some with electric pulse abilities, along with 121 insects, like the Swordbearer Emperor dragonfly and the Goldsmith Threadtail.

Also in the report is an emphasis on the significant role Indigenous communities have played in identifying these species, as their deep ecological knowledge predates scientific recognition. It also highlights the importance of urgent conservation in the Congo Basin’s habitats, because they are clearly crucial for global biodiversity and climate stability. The report has stunning photos and visuals that are worth checking out!

16 STATES ARE CRACKING DOWN ON FOREVER CHEMICALS

In 2024, 16 U.S. states enacted 22 laws addressing the dangers of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as "forever chemicals" for their persistence in the environment. Found in everyday products like cookware, cosmetics, and firefighting foam, PFAS are linked to severe health risks, including cancer, liver damage, and developmental issues. States such as California, Maine, and Vermont implemented bans or restrictions on PFAS in items like clothing, menstrual products, and artificial turf, with Vermont unanimously banning their use in cosmetics, textiles, and cookware. Other states, including Minnesota and Washington, passed measures requiring companies to fund PFAS testing, cleanup, and disclosure or to develop safer alternatives. Maine is set to implement the nation’s first total ban on PFAS in consumer goods by 2030. These state actions align with federal efforts, such as the EPAS’s new PFAS limits for drinking water. Since 2007, 30 states have approved 155 PFAS policies, with a large number of those policies emerging in the past five years. Advocates stress the importance of such regulations, especially for essential products, while encouraging consumers to choose PFAS-free options and support continued legislative efforts to protect public health.

NATIONS FAIL TO REACH AN AGREEMENT ON PLASTIC POLLUTION

Nations failed to reach an agreement on the world’s first treaty to tackle plastic pollution during talks in Busan, South Korea. The talks were filled with key disagreements over limiting plastic production, phasing out harmful chemicals, and funding the treaty’s implementation. Oil-producing nations, such as Saudi Arabia and Russia, opposed restrictions on plastic production, advocating instead for improved recycling and waste management. At the same time, countries like Rwanda pushed for a comprehensive treaty to address the root causes of plastic pollution. Environmental groups and activists demanded an ambitious, legally binding agreement. Delegates plan to reconvene in the coming months to continue negotiations, but nothing has been planned yet.

MORE IN SUSTAINABILITY NEWS

  • North Carolina is suing Duke Energy in the nation’s first climate accountability lawsuit against an energy utility, for deceiving the public for decades about the dangers of fossil fuels and complicating the energy transition. 

  • This New York town doesn’t want to be a climate experiment.

  • Colorado surpassed California in Q3 to become the state with the highest EV market share. EVs now make up 25.3% of new car sales in Colorado, and 82% of EVs sold there are fully electric. 

  • The U.S. calls for Giraffes to be listed under the Endangered Species Act, which would increase protections and funding for the gentle giants that have less than 69,000 mature individuals left in the wild. 

  • Some of the world’s biggest cities are so polluted they’re warming slower. 

  • ​Thanks to a “remarkable” rewilding project, Scotland’s bumblebee population grew by 116 times what it was two years ago. 

  • Check out this interactive map tracking clean tech in the US. 

  • UCLA announces the first street in CA to have Electreon wireless charging underneath the road, to be finished by the 2028 olympics. 

  • A recent report from BloombergNEF shows that China attracted almost half of all global renewable energy investments.

  • Maine is the latest state to sue oil companies for deceiving the public about the impact of fossil fuels on the climate, joining 8 other states. The suit orders the companies to provide funds to pay for adaption, mitigation, and resilience measures. 

  • Paris released their 2024-2030 Climate Plan that includes removing 60,000 parking spaces and replacing them with trees.

SUSTAINABILE SPOTLIGHT: PRETTY PLASTIC PANELS

Keeping with the plastic theme, Pretty Plastic Panels are exterior cladding made from 100% recycled PVC, primarily sourced from Post-Consumer (PCR) waste such as window frames, gutters, and downspouts. This PVC is washed, shredded, and made into granules before being delivered to our production facility in the Netherlands. Panels are also made from post-industrial waste generated at our own production site. All pre-consumer waste during production is shredded and reused to manufacture new panels, creating a circular manufacturing process. They are also designed for easy disassembly and reuse, and are recyclable at the end of their lifecycle.

An EPD and fire certificate are available. They have been used on facades and roods on both commercial and residential buildings.

Dara Magagnoli
Previous

Sustainability Weekly
Next

Sustainability Weekly