??? Can We Meet Our Needs Without Overshooting Earth's Limits?

In today's edition, we're exploring a burning question – can we satisfy human needs without causing harm to the environment? And could companies actually be part of the solution to this challenge??

We'll be taking a deep dive into the controversial concept known as doughnut economics to see if it actually works. Join us as we explore the current environmental scene.

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??? Can We Meet Our Needs Without Overshooting the Earth's Limits?

The idea of operating within a "safe and just space" for humanity sounds great in theory. But putting it into practice is easier said than done.

There are so many ideas and initiatives happening around the world to make our planet a better place for everyone. Some of which is a bit controversial called "Doughnut Economics."

Imagine two rings - an inner ring representing the basics we all need to live a good life, like food, water, shelter, and education. Then there's an outer ring, which represents the ecological limits we can't cross, like climate change and biodiversity loss.

The goal is to stay within that doughnut-shaped space in the middle.?

Doughnut Economics raises many questions, but maybe that's just what we need to shake things up. Is it perfect? No way. But is it guiding us in a better direction than our current "exploit everything until it's gone" approach? I'd like to think so.

Background

• There are many initiatives and programs aimed at addressing challenges, including rebuilding 'blue nature,' promoting mental health in the workplace, and exploring the circular economy.
• Doughnut Economics tackles modern issues in economics, environment, and society.
• It has two rings: one for protecting the planet and one for meeting everyone's basic needs.
• The goal is to find a balance between human needs and the planet's health.
• Recycling is important for Doughnut Economics.

Today

• Companies can help communities and the environment by adopting responsible practices.
• The Ocean faces challenges like rising temperatures, plastic pollution, and overfishing.
• The Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA) works to protect the ocean's health.
• Green burial practices help save resources and reduce carbon emissions.
• There is a growing trend of mission-driven companies that prioritize the common good and social benefit.

What's Next

• The Solar Symphony project aims to bring the stars closer to Earth with interconnected satellites.
• Science and art combine in the Solar Symphony to inspire wonder and potential.
• Imagining utopias and searching for tomorrow's solutions can create a fairer future.
• Innovative governance that focuses on the needs of future generations will help society grow and shift people to focus on well-being rather than just owning things.
• Food systems will continue to play a key role in our survival, happiness, and social connections, but need a balance between technology and culture norms.?

Isn't striving for a better future worth embracing concepts like doughnut economics, even if they're questionable?

?? Visa launches AI-powered 'Developer Assist' tool to empower merchants with enhanced payment solutions.

?? Tuum expands into the Middle East with Abu Dhabi HQ after Series B funding led by CommerzVentures and Citi Ventures.

?? Fils and Aion partner to integrate ESG principles into Middle East financial services to offer initiatives for sustainable finance.

?? Fime chosen by Al Etihad Payments to assist UAE's Jaywan card scheme.

?? Telegram and Tether team up for USDT payments via The Open Network and Telegram wallet.

?? Areeba and Mastercard team up to improve MENA payment infrastructure, making payment programs quicker and more flexible.

?? Binance FZE in Dubai receives VASP license from Dubai’s VARA after MVP license.

?? India delays Paytm's $6 million investment in its payment arm over Chinese shareholding and regulatory concerns.

?? Brankas, first in Indonesia to offer AInS, with PJP Category 2 license, allows secure sharing of account balances during payments.

?? Canada to introduce open banking legislation by year-end, overseen by FCAC, after three-year investigation.

?? Q1 2024 sees first increase in Web3 venture funding since Q4 2021, which surged from $8B to $10.5B.

?? Maison Margiela and The Fabricant introduce digital fashion NFT, merging physical products with Web3 and metaverse experience.

?? CBI and Fuze partner to develop new digital asset products within UAE regulations.

?? MANTRA launches new incubation program at DWTC with $11M funding to support RWA tokenisation in MENA.

?? Keytom, a new digital asset neobank, launches in UAE, offering crypto transactions, savings, and investments.

?? UAE fintech startup Fortis secures $20 million in Series A funding to support its expansion.

?? SHUAA Capital settles $150 million bond with noteholders after weeks of negotiation

?? Jordan's Arab Therapy secures $1 million in seed funding to expand mental health platform.

?? Beltone Venture Capital partners with CI Venture Capital to manage $30M fund for MENA startups, investing in Bosta, Trella, and Ariika.

?? Web3 provider U-topia receives an $850,000 investment from GDA Capital.

?? Microsoft is investing $1.5 billion in UAE's G42 to advance AI solutions. As part of the deal, G42 will expand Microsoft Cloud and create a $1 billion fund.

Preparing for banking's AI revolution: This report delves into the banking industry's cautious approach towards the AI revolution. It highlights that banks need to strike a balance between risk management and embracing AI to meet customer expectations for improved experiences. Also, it states that AI adoption is expected to transform job roles within banking, but it may not necessarily lead to a reduction in overall job numbers. Click here to read the full report.

This week on Couchonomics with Arjun, join me as I welcome Elias Yazbeck, Managing Director and Head of Financial Services and Fintech at Helios Investment Partners, for Episode 8 of Season 3. We dive into the promising African startups, market dynamics, and the opportunities and challenges facing fintech in the region. Elias shares his insights into the financial services sector and what lies ahead for Helios Investment Partners. Tune in here for an insightful conversation on the future of finance in Africa

Now, a quick break for your wellness. Chief Wellness Officer at FAB Diego Carrete is on a mission to help executives get fit, increase their energy, and live longer.

Today, he shares 9 protein rules to build lean muscle (without the hassle).

Hello there,

I spent the entire Eid holidays in Dubai, just reading, giving myself permission to be “unproductive,” and simply being present with my family.?

Having an uninterrupted hour to train, which I used to take for granted, was such a weird feeling.

During my visit to a gym I hadn't been to in years, I ran into someone I met in 2015. He did not recognize me at first, but I did. He looked exactly the same as he did a decade ago, despite consistent training 5x week (that’s around 2,600 gym sessions in a decade!).

As a businessman who values money, he's been getting a terrible ROI on his time and energy.

Here’s a harsh truth I realised too late: you can train for hours, but if you are not consuming sufficient protein, you’ll remain under-muscled.

9 protein rules to build lean muscle (without the hassle):

1. As we age, muscle loss increases, and we need more protein (the only studies showing that reduced protein leads to longevity are done in mice).
2. In a study, 62-year-old seniors trained for 6 months with no muscle gain. A group of the same age took protein supplementation and gained over 3 pounds of muscle.
3. If you eat too much protein, the excess is excreted as urea in urine.
4. Proteins are the building blocks for muscles, enzymes, and many important hormones. We must obtain 9 of the 20 required amino acids from our food because we can't synthesize them.
5. The RDA recommends a minimum of 0.8g per kg of bodyweight – which is for survival, not for optimal health. A study found that elderly people consuming this amount lost muscle mass in only 2 weeks.
6. For active individuals with normal kidney function, one gram per pound of body weight per day is recommended (the safe upper limit is 3.7g per kg of body weight).
7. You should not have one meal a day. Spreading protein intake across several sittings helps avoid amino acid loss; aim for 3-4 servings a day at 0.25g per pound of body weight.
8. Age, sex, activity level, and lean body mass are factors that need to be considered to determine protein intake.
9. Low protein in the elderly leads to low muscle mass, increasing mortality and decreasing quality of life.

Elderly individuals should monitor lean muscle mass via DEXA scan and add protein if it declines. Your survivability against any cause of disease or death is going to be improved with the health of your skeletal muscle. Period.

Helpful? See you next week were we show you the optimal protein intake schedule to fuel your body for a whole day.

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