There’s already a lot to feel positive about for sustainability progression in 2024. From thriving biodiversity to people driving production and politics, we’re hoping for a year of creativity and innovation towards a future that feels conscious.
Salford Showcases Europe’s Largest Living Wall
Eden, highly anticipated as one of the UK’s most sustainable office buildings, has been completed. Converted from a derelict Salford car park, it celebrates Europe’s largest living wall, covering over 36,000 sq. ft with more than 350,000 plants!
This green infrastructure contributes to a community lacking green spaces, removes air pollutants, lowers urban temperatures, and enhances Salford’s biodiversity. The project is part of the English Cities Fund’s £1 billion regeneration of the Salford Central area.
This is an important milestone and landmark in the investment of urban green spaces, showcasing the many opportunities to thrive through conscious revival!
Source: Gov UK
European Consumers are Driving A Sustainable Start Up Wave
Startups across various sectors are riding a global wave of funding driven by the increasing consumer demand for sustainable practices. In the packaging industry, Berlin-based Packmatic secured €15 million in funding, emphasising the market’s push for sustainable packaging solutions.
This aligns with the broader trend seen in sectors like fashion, with Lithuania’s Vinted considering a secondary share sale worth over €200 million to boost its sustainable fashion platform. The wave is evident in industries worldwide, highlighting the growing importance of sustainability in consumer choices and investor strategies.
Let’s keep voting with our wallets and drive this wave even further!
Source: Tech Crunch
Under Armour Released Microfibre Shredding Technology
Under Armour has released a tool to measure microfiber shedding in textiles, addressing the environmental impact of synthetic fabrics. The tool, developed in collaboration with UK-based James Heal and Germany’s Hohenstein Institute, enables mills and businesses to assess the shedding of microfibers during washing.
As part of its sustainability goals, Under Armour aims to offer 75% “low-shed materials” by 2030. The effort comes amid global concerns about microfiber pollution, with up to one-third of ocean plastic litter believed to originate from shedding during washing.
This tool is a crucial step toward the company’s circular economy ambitions, and we can only imagine the impact for the entire fashion industry if it’s widely adopted.
Source: GreenBiz
Four New Octopus Species Discovered
Scientists have identified at least four new species of octopus near Costa Rica near hydrothermal springs. This discovery of new marine species is beyond exciting for biodiversity and global insight.
Identifying new species contributes to our understanding of the diversity of life, enhancing our knowledge of different ecosystems, their functioning, and the interactions between species along with the uniqueness and importance of specific habitats. This information is crucial for conservation efforts, helping to identify areas that need protection and preservation.
Source: ABC News
Could 2024 be the year nature rights enter the political mainstream?
Two new coalitions, the More Than Human Rights (Moth) project and Animals in the Room (Air), have emerged in the global campaign advocating for ecosystems and species to have legal rights and political representation.
These initiatives, comprising scientists, lawyers, philosophers, and artists, employ innovative strategies such as authorship claims for forests, policy advocacy for animals like bears and whales, and fungal approaches to promote ecological thinking.
They reflect a growing wave of nature and animal rights movements, addressing concerns about humanity’s exploitative relationship with other species and perceived shortcomings in addressing the climate crisis through technology and markets. Would they get your vote?
Source: Guardian
It’s not always easy to stay positive in January, so we hope we’ve made your day a little brighter with our round up! Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter so as you don’t miss our monthly blast of feel good news.
