?? Sustainability in a Nutshell by Rethink Global (Weekly Update August 17, 2023)

?? Sustainability in a Nutshell by Rethink Global (Weekly Update August 17, 2023)

? Climate Change?

Pakistan Must Adapt to Climate Change. But Who Will Help Us?

?? Pakistan's Climate Crisis Intensifies

  • Record-breaking mega-flood in 2022 impacted 33M people
  • Pakistan's climate issues resonate globally: "What happens in Pakistan won't stay in Pakistan"
  • Loss & Damage (L&D) fund created post-COP 27


??? Adapting to Rising Temperatures

  • Pakistan faces temperatures up to 53°C (127.4°F)
  • National Adaptation Plan launched in July 2023
  • Sindh province heavily affected, women given new land titles post-flood


?? Funding the Climate Fight

  • Pakistan needs $348 billion by 2030 for resilience
  • Financing gap for Sustainable Development Goals: $4.2T in 2023
  • U.N.'s efforts underfunded; Bretton Woods system must step up


?? Global Cooperation & Support Needed

  • U.N. Secretary General urges operationalizing renewable funding
  • Donor countries should commit 0.7% of GNI for development
  • Private sector crucial for sustainable global economy transition


In a Nutshell:?

Pakistan's escalating climate crisis underscores the urgent need for global cooperation and financial support. As the country grapples with extreme weather events and the associated economic challenges, international solidarity and action are paramount to ensure resilience and sustainability.?



?? Video of the week



?? Sustainable Farming

MADAGASCAR: €73 million for electrification and sustainable agriculture


?? Madagascar: €73M for Green Initiatives

EU & AFD fund solar energy and sustainable agriculture

Focus on forest ecosystem preservation and electrification


?? TalakyBe Project: €40M for Sustainable Agriculture

  • Aims to conserve and enhance forests in Anosy region
  • Development plan for new protected area & drone monitoring
  • Targeted agricultural services for ecosystem adaptation


?? Electrification via Solar: €33.2M

  • AFD and EU co-finance rural electrification
  • 130 localities powered by solar mini-grids in various regions
  • Aims to provide electricity to 175,000 people


?? Boosting Electricity Access

  • 85% of Madagascar lacks electricity
  • Government focuses on decentralized solar solutions
  • 2.4 MWp solar plant inaugurated, powering 3,600 homes


In a nutshell:?

The European Union and the French Development Agency are investing €73 million in Madagascar to promote sustainable agriculture and expand solar energy access, aiming to address the country's significant electricity deficit and preserve its vital forest ecosystems.?



?? Water Conservation?

NASA Data Helps Bangladeshi Farmers Save Water, Money, Energy


??? NASA Data Boosts Bangladeshi Farming

  • Bangladesh: 170M residents, 50% around farms?
  • Rice crucial; requires water, fuel, and care?
  • IRAS: Uses satellite data for efficient irrigation?


?? IRAS's Impact and Potential

  • First nationwide effort: 10M farmers in 2023?
  • Potential: 30% less water waste, 45% less fuel?
  • Save $115M annually, cut 300K tons CO2?


?? How IRAS Operates

  • Uses NASA/USGS Landsat, GPM, GFS data?
  • Advisories: Precise water needs, past irrigation errors?
  • Local specialists craft specific farmer advisories?


?? Human Touch and Future Prospects

  • Positive impact on millions, joy for researchers?
  • Expansion plans: Free NASA data, global potential?
  • Aim: Apply to other water-intensive crops, regions?


In a nutshell:?

The Integrated Rice Advisory System (IRAS), utilizing NASA's satellite data, has the potential to revolutionize farming in Bangladesh, offering significant water and fuel savings. This model can be expanded globally, benefiting other water-intensive crops and regions.?



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?? Circularity

Innovative requirements could boost circular economy of plastics and critical raw materials in vehicles


?? EU's push for circular economy in vehicles

  • New vehicles: 10% of EU's plastic demand
  • Automotive sector: 50% of EU's critical raw materials use
  • Innovative policies can enhance material recycling


?? JRC studies shape new vehicle regulations

  • Mandatory targets for recycled plastics in cars
  • Increase recycling of critical raw materials (e.g. rare earths, copper, palladium)
  • Only 19% of plastics from old vehicles currently recycled


?? Shift to electric cars: New challenges

Electric cars increase demand for palladium, copper, rare earths

Proposed regulations aim for better recycling of these materials

By 2040, recovery of up to 1400 tonnes of rare earth materials


?? European Commission's proposals

Design electric vehicles for easier motor removal & reuse

Label components with critical raw materials

Mandatory removal of certain components before shredding


In a nutshell:?

The EU is pushing for a circular economy in the automotive sector, emphasizing recycling and reuse of materials, especially with the shift towards electric vehicles. New regulations are proposed to enhance recycling practices and manage the increased demand for critical raw materials.?



?? ?? ?? Clean Energy?

Ghana steps up solar energy in bid to meet renewables target

?? Ghana's Push for Solar Energy

  • Hot temps & irregular rain affect agriculture
  • Target: 10% renewable energy by 2030
  • Bui Power's $480M solar farm to produce 250 kilowatts


?? Major Solar Projects & Investments

  • President commissions 13-kilowatt project in Kaleo
  • Eusbett Hotel in Sunyani uses solar for daily power
  • Pax Garments invests in 50-kilowatt solar system


?? Financial Support & Corporate Initiatives

  • Absa Bank's $24M green loan boosts clean energy
  • Focus on job creation, economic growth & poverty reduction
  • World prioritizing solar over oil investments


?? Innovative Solar Solutions & Future Plans

  • 5 megawatt floating solar plant in Bui hydroelectric dam
  • First of its kind in West Africa
  • Plans to expand to 65 megawatts in future


In a nutshell:?

Ghana is making significant strides in solar energy, with major projects, investments, and innovative solutions. With the right policies, the country is on track to achieve its 10% renewable energy target by 2030.?



?? Plastic Pollution?

Transforming flies into degradable plastics


?? Transforming flies into eco-friendly plastics

  • Insects as a source for biodegradable plastics
  • Researchers isolate insect-derived chemicals for bioplastics
  • Presented at the American Chemical Society (ACS) meeting


?? From waste to resource: Black soldier flies

  • Larvae used for animal feed, adults discarded post-breeding
  • Adult carcasses turned into useful materials
  • Chitin from flies potentially avoids seafood allergies


?? Chitin to chitosan: The science behind it

  • Chitin, a major component in flies, extracted and purified
  • Converted into chitosan for bioplastics
  • Hydrogel produced can absorb 47x its weight in water


?? Potential applications and future vision

  • Hydrogel for floodwater capture in croplands
  • Bioplastics like polycarbonates from fly compounds
  • Vision: Insects consume discarded plastics, then reused for new plastics


In a Nutshell:?

Researchers are transforming discarded black soldier flies into biodegradable plastics. The process involves extracting chitin from the flies and converting it into useful bioplastics. This innovative approach offers a sustainable solution to plastic pollution, aligning with the circular economy concept where insects not only provide the source material but also consume the discarded plastics.



?? ?? Sustainable Business?

Plant-Based Plastics Gain Favor as Companies Pursue Sustainability Goals


?? Bioplastics on the Rise in Global Market

  • Bioplastics production growing at 14% annually
  • Predicted to reach 3% of plastics market in 5 years
  • Strong demand from fashion and food-packaging sectors


?? Benefits of Plant-Based Plastics

  • Derived from starch-rich plants: corn, wheat, sugar cane
  • Cuts greenhouse-gas emissions by half compared to fossil plastics
  • Half of bioplastics are biodegradable; require special composting


?? Early Adopters and Market Demand

  • Lululemon aims for plant-based nylon by 2030
  • Eastman's cellulose acetate used in eyewear, textiles, packaging
  • Interest from cosmetics, electronics, and durable goods sectors


?? Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

  • Fossil plastics still cheaper; prices may drop with increased demand
  • Regulatory support needed for bioplastics' growth
  • Dow's initiative: converting agricultural waste to recyclable plastics


In a nutshell:

Bioplastics, derived from plants, are gaining traction in the global market due to their environmental benefits. While they face challenges like cost and the need for regulatory support, their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and offer sustainable alternatives to fossil-based plastics is promising.



?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? Biodiversity

Aligning nature-positive investments with biodiversity richness


?? Global reliance on nature's health

  • Over 50% of world GDP depends on ecosystem services
  • Biodiversity nearing functional collapse due to human activity
  • Mismatch in biodiversity richness & environment-positive expenditure


?? Mapping biodiversity & government spending

  • Most biodiverse countries spend least on nature (except Australia)
  • 58% of 106 countries spend <0.5% GDP on environment
  • Asia, Africa, N. America, S. America: low spenders, high biodiversity


?? Focus on triple-A regions: Asia, America, Africa

  • Brazil, China, Indonesia, Congo (DRC), India: top funding priorities
  • Financial institutions urged to assess biodiversity-richness vs. expenditure
  • Blended finance & biodiversity credit markets crucial


?? Call for nature-positive investments

  • UNEP FI-led Taskforce: Integrate nature-related risks in assessments
  • Private investors to consider regional financial appetites
  • Align with Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework


In a nutshell:

There's a global mismatch between countries with high biodiversity richness and their environment-positive expenditure. To protect our ecosystems, there's an urgent need to focus on regions like Asia, America, and Africa and channel funding to countries like Brazil, China, and India. Financial institutions and private investors play a pivotal role in bridging this gap.?



?? ?? ??? Sustainable Lifestyle?


New trends: Young people switching to a more sustainable lifestyle


?? Young Chinese Embrace Sustainable Lifestyles

  • Generation Z in China pursues "life without trace"
  • He Yuming's zero-waste kit: reusable items, minimal garbage
  • Growing trend: Lower carbon footprint, fulfilling lives


?? Social Media's Role in Eco-awareness

  • Su Yige, an eco-vlogger, promotes "life without trace"
  • Emphasizes self-love and planet love on YouTube
  • Environmentalism: A journey of self-discovery and lifestyle


?? Sustainability as a Conscious Choice

  • He's journey: From minimalism to sustainability
  • Shifts to eco-friendly products: shampoo bars, reusable cups
  • Future goals: Reduce disposable napkins, plastic bags


?? Thriving Eco-conscious Community

  • Su's quote: "Need millions doing zero waste imperfectly"
  • Online group "life without trace" has 30,000+ members
  • Plogging Beijing: Combining jogging with litter pick-up



In a nutshell:

A growing number of young Chinese individuals are adopting sustainable lifestyles, driven by personal choices and community support. Through social media and community groups, they're spreading awareness and making eco-friendly choices more mainstream in China.?



?? Research says…


The world’s plan to make humanity sustainable is failing. Science can do more to save it


?? UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at risk

  • Half-way to 2030, likely none of the 17 goals met
  • Only 12% of the associated 169 targets on track
  • Global crises like climate change and economic hardship addressed by SDGs


?? Science's role in achieving SDGs

  • Researchers aligning work with SDGs globally
  • Need to consider trade-offs between different SDGs
  • Geopolitics and limited interdisciplinary cooperation hindering progress


?? 2023 Global Sustainable Development Report insights

  • Recognizes interconnectedness of SDGs
  • Recategorizes SDGs into six "entry points"
  • Recommends transformational change and phasing out unsustainable practices


?? Changing how science is done for sustainability

  • Science should be multidisciplinary, equitable, inclusive
  • Emphasize value of Indigenous and local knowledge
  • LMICs more aligned with SDGs than high-income countries


In a nutshell:

The UN's Sustainable Development Goals, aimed at addressing global crises and ensuring a sustainable future, are at risk of not being met by 2030. A multidisciplinary, inclusive, and equitable approach to science, recognizing the value of diverse knowledge, is crucial for achieving these goals.?



?? ?? ?? ?? Green Jobs


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?? Lead E-Vehicle Technician

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