Laura Hoch

The data is clear. “Exponential growth of the plastics industry is undermining the world’s efforts to address climate change,” said Heather McTeer Toney, executive director, Beyond Petrochemicals. Key takeaways from Berkeley Lab's new report on GHG emissions from global plastic production: 🌎 The industry represents 5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.  📈 Expected growth could balloon that share to more than 20 percent of our carbon budget by 2050.  🛢 More than a third of emissions from plastic production occur during oil and gas extraction and refining. https://lnkd.in/gX7YjT7X

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Gearing up for another "taster" offering of Energy System Science and Practice, and also surfacing more data that align with the 10 metrics of "regenerative" health from a "flow network" perspective. Ensuring there are robust #flows of crucial resources (energy) to and through the collective body is foundational to regenerative #health. Here is evidence that we are NOT where we should be economically (and socially) in this respect: "Losing a job can be devastating for anyone, regardless of income level. But it can be especially turbulent for those already living paycheck to paycheck or without alternative sources of income. "Much of the displaced low-wage workforce was in an economically precarious position before the #pandemic. They earned average hourly wages of only $10.40 per hour, less than a third of the average hourly wage of the displaced mid/high-wage workforce ($33.80 per hour), and equal to only $22,000 annually if working full time. Some displaced low-wage workers may have been able to fall back on the income of other family members, but even before pandemic-induced job losses, about two in five were living below 200% of the poverty line, suggesting lean finances to begin with. "By contrast, only 7% of mid/high-wage workers lived below the 200% of the poverty line. (200% of the federal poverty level is equivalent to about $40,000 per year for a family of three in 2018 dollars.) More than one in four low-wage workers were receiving safety net benefits such as food assistance or Medicaid. "The demographic characteristics of the displaced low- and mid/high-wage workforce also reflect the fault lines in our #economy. The displaced low-wage workforce is far younger, more racially and ethnically diverse, and have completed less formal education than the displaced mid/high-wage workforce." More about low-wage workers and economic displacement here - https://lnkd.in/gEYtniq3

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At our Techonomy Climate West conference, Cofounder + CEO of Novoloop Miranda Wang joined Dan Costa to discuss "Breaking the Mold and Innovating Sustainably in Materials Science" ♻ Novoloop is an emerging leader in plastic circularity, transforming post-consumer plastic waste into the world’s first chemically Lifecycled™ performance materials. The venture-backed start-up has raised $26M to date and is building and scaling new technologies to reinvent the chemical value chain. Watch the full session here: https://lnkd.in/dTzUwF4g #TechonomyClimate #climate #climatechange #climatetech #climateaction

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New report by LBNL on #climate-forcing emissions from plastic. This is really the first definitive study attributing emissions to the plastic chemical industry and it finds about 2.25 GtCO2/yr. This is roughly half of total emissions from the chemical industry and makes up close to 6% of total global emissions. https://lnkd.in/earjZUZY #plasticpollution

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Transforming the Future of Plastic Use: U.S. Plastics Pact Roadmap 2.0 The U.S. Plastics Pact has launched Roadmap 2.0, an actionable plan to eliminate plastic packaging waste and transition to a circular economy. Building on the progress of the initial roadmap, the new plan sets ambitious targets, including designing for circularity, eliminating problematic plastics, and enhancing recycling infrastructure. By fostering collaboration and innovation, Roadmap 2.0 aims to drive systemic change across the plastics value chain. Join us in supporting a sustainable future! https://lnkd.in/gXydpxSC #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #USPlasticsPact #ESG

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Why do you need external expert to get derogation for PFAS restrictions?   The PFAS REACH landscape is a maze of complexity, stringency, and constant change.   This environment creates uncertainty and frustration for your business putting your products and profitability at risk.   👉But it doesn't have to be that way.   👉Don't let REACH complexity hold your business back.   👉Leverage our senior expertise to secure derogations and build a sustainable future for your products.   How?   ✅ Expert Guidance for Confident Navigation   Our senior experts possess the in-depth knowledge and practical experience to navigate the intricacies of PFAS restrictions.   We'll help you to secure derogations and develop forward-thinking strategies for long-term product sustainability.   ✅Clarified Complexity and Minimized Uncertainty   In a process marked by complexity and flux, our experts provide a steady hand.   We'll translate intricate rules into actionable steps, charting a clear course forward for your business.   By anticipating political and stakeholders landscape shifts, we’ll position your business for continued success.   ✅Proactive Strategy   Our proactive approach positions you as a solution-focused, forward-thinking provider, avoiding missteps that could lead to negative criticism.   Our established relationships with EU regulators lend credibility of your products.   We safeguard your brand and reputation throughout the derogation process.   👉What if you had a team of external senior experts, right at your fingertips, dedicated to managing your derogation process?   👉Would that make controlling your derogation process easier and less stressful?   Let's talk about it in a comment or private message.

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Outdoor Clothing Brands and the Ongoing PFAS Challenge 🌍🧥 A recent article reveals that many outdoor clothing brands continue to use PFAS, or "forever chemicals," despite the known health risks. (Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eNSGVcJH) PFAS are used for their water- and stain-resistant properties, but these chemicals are linked to serious health issues such as cancer, infertility, and immune system suppression. Despite growing awareness and regulatory pressure, the widespread use of PFAS in the textile industry persists. Key Points: - PFAS are found in a variety of outdoor clothing items due to their durable water-repellent (DWR) finish. - The health risks associated with PFAS are well-documented, including cancer and infertility. - Many brands have pledged to phase out PFAS but continue to use them due to their effectiveness. At SUIKI, we recognize the urgent need for safer alternatives and effective solutions to remove and destroy existing PFAS contamination. Our innovative PFAS destruction technology aims to tackle this issue head-on, ensuring a safer environment and healthier communities. It's time for the outdoor clothing industry to take a stand against PFAS and for all of us to push for safer, sustainable solutions. Together, we can make a difference. #PFAS #OutdoorClothing #EnvironmentalHealth #Sustainability #Innovation #CleanWater #PFASDestruction #PublicHealth #SaferAlternatives

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A repairable jacket is a more sustainable jacket. ♻️ When we set the intention of keeping more gear out on the hill (and out of the landfill), our product designers got with the waste reduction experts at Rugged Thread Outerwear Repair. Thanks to this partnership, Burton is getting closer to achieving our goal of a 50% global repair rate for warrantied apparel. A recent example: Burton jackets now feature a zipper panel that’s much easier to replace. This task used to take at least a half day. Today, it only takes a half hour. Since repair is more accessible than ever, we hope you’ll take us up on our warranty program when you need it. So you and your gear can enjoy many well-loved years of adventure. Designing for repairability is just one of the ways we’re incorporating circularity principles into our supply chain. Want to see how else Burton is tackling waste and advocating for industry-level solutions? Read the latest blog ➡️ https://brtn.co/4b6E3Ht #CircularInnovation #ProductCircularity #Sustainability 

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I know cement manufacturing is not the most exciting topic for a LinkedIn post. But, making it for use in concrete accounts for about 8% of GHG emissions globally. Yikes! So, it's awesome to see the Wizards at work again developing a manufacturing process that dramatically reduces cement's GHG footprint. Here is a link to the CleanTechnica article for your weekend reading pleasure. :) https://lnkd.in/gbqjT_F5 #climatechange #sustainable #sustainablemarketing #GHG

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🔬The science is in: Microplastics are EVERYWHERE — and are just one part of the problem. Take a look at The Washington Post's newest piece on invasive #microplastics. One study found that people consume on average 74,000 to 121,000 microplastic particles per year through breathing, eating and drinking. Microplastics have been found in: 🩸Blood  🧠 Brain 🫁 Lungs 🫀Heart 👀 Testicles 👶 Placenta  🍼 Breast milk There are hundreds of plastic particles floating in a room. They are invisible to the naked eye, but their tiny size makes them even more dangerous. So, where are they coming from? Researchers say that microplastics in the air mostly come from clothing, sloughing off nylon and polyester clothes, but others come from things like car tires, plastic packaging and cosmetic exfoliating agents. 👚 Microplastics can slip into lungs, the bloodstream and even cells. Scientists are increasingly concerned that microplastics may be linked to growing rates of cancer, heart disease and other chronic illnesses. ☣️ Read more: https://lnkd.in/g2x5xZGd Call on the Biden administration to finally take a strong stance on plastics this November during the final round of #GlobalPlasticsTreaty negotiations ➡️ https://bit.ly/gptpetition

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🗣 "As one of the biggest contributors to the PFAS problem, it is time that the textile industry stepped up and took action. We have a responsibility to do the right thing.” Read what Rob Piazza our Head of Sales had to say when he spoke on the use of PFAS and how phs Besafe has made the commitment to ban or restrict PFAS from its services wherever alternatives are available. 📌 Read our blog here >>> https://bit.ly/4bJR625 #PFAS #Sustainability #ToxicChemicals #ForeverChemicals #PFASFree #Chemicals #Sustainable #phsBesafe #Pollution #SustainableFuture

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How costly will it be to capture CO2? And how much warming would be averted if we did? CO2 Coalition Science and Research Associate runs the numbers. https://lnkd.in/dZvCct5s

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Faced with the complex task of quantifying the positive impacts of recycling, my teammate Monkgogi B. put his financial whiz hat on and drew a pretty clear picture: When you account for the social and environmental returns with a triple-bottom line accounting approach, the true ROI of recycling investments are several fold greater than other metal extraction routes. We follow these data-driven insights with specific recommendations for policymakers, recyclers and investors to unlock these benefits .   Together we looked at existing analytical models (thanks Argonne National Laboratory) and publicly available data to quantify the impacts of recycling on emissions, land use, water use, jobs, and related economic activity. Stakeholders invested in building a circular economy provided invaluable support in refining our analysis. If you are working on battery circularity topics or want to learn about it, check out our report here https://lnkd.in/gFhjqZQD #EVbatteryrecycling #batterycirculareconomy #triplebottomlineaccounting #lithiumionbatteries

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"It's not just about WHAT you source, it's about HOW your source." What would it look like to be a regenerative buyer? I'd love to hear some ideas in the comments. I had the priviledge to co-facilitate a session on "Responsible Sourcing" with Montana S. in the Naturally Boulder Sustainability Forum. There, we discussed a crucial consideration for TRULY shifting impact. "It's not just about WHAT you source, it's about HOW your source." In this, I made the argument that, theoretically, it is possible for a brand to purchase "regenerative" ingredients/materials in an extractive way. Yuck 😖 Purchasing regenerative ingredients isn't good enough if a brand isn't also serving as a REGENERATIVE BUYER along the way. Not only does the impact of an ingredient/material need to improve to shift the impact of brands, but the WAY that sourcing is conducted also needs to shift. Think about deep relationship development and the shifting of power and risk. I see brands shifting the roles they hold as buyers by sharing in the upfront transition costs, developing long-term contracts, and collaborating with other - often "competitor" - brands to increase investment to sourcing communities. 😎 One challenge facing the regenerative sourcing initiative is that - without shifting power and sharing risk - we haven't really changed much. What would it look like to be a regenerative buyer? I'd love to hear some ideas in the comments. The Extractive - to - Regenerative framework in this image was inspired by the ever-important work of Carol Sanford. #riskmitigation #responsiblesourcing #regenerativeagriculture #scopethree #responsiblebusiness #sharingpower Jenna Fitch Kristine Carey Allison Reser Natalie Kra, MBA/MENV Amanda Hartt Celestia Howe Chris Bentley Corey Clark Paloma Lopez Asa Mckee Mary Rochelle Susan Morrell

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New Research Alert: Addressing Plastic Waste in the Global Apparel Industry Our groundbreaking study in Nature Communications on the pressing issue of plastic waste and leakage within the global apparel industry is now published. Key Findings: -Annually, 8.3 million metric tons of plastic waste are generated from the production, use, and disposal of apparel. -This significant environmental concern is predominantly driven by synthetic clothing. -To provide context, this waste is equivalent to 820 times the mass of the Eiffel Tower. This research highlights the urgent need for a transition towards a circular economy and a reduction in synthetic apparel consumption to mitigate this critical environmental challenge. We invite you to explore the full study, which offers a comprehensive assessment and proposes actionable solutions: https://lnkd.in/eAE8QXmf #PlasticLeakage #SustainableApparel #FashionWaste #CircularEconomy #MicrofiberPollution #CombatPlasticLeakage #PlasticFreeJuly Jesse Daystar, Ph.D., Steven Pires, Jon Devine, UC Santa Barbara, North Carolina State University Roland Geyer, Richard Venditti

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If you want to quickly get up to speed on all things CDR, I highly recommend the 2024 edition of the State of Carbon Dioxide Removal report that was published earlier today. https://lnkd.in/ev9SC-p6 If you don't want to read all 222 pages, take a look at the launch webinar. https://lnkd.in/eCVQ3Ggy I still need to dive into the report, but here are my early takeaways. - With our slow emissions reductions, CDR is more important than ever - Novel CDR technologies are deploying at very low scale - Of the technologies that are deploying, biochar continues to be a major player - The MRV space is confusing -- there are 100+ overlapping protocols - While there have been policy improvements, we need more policies to generate demand I am also excited by some of the improvements from prior edition. - Updated data through the end of 2023 - New chapters on the voluntary carbon market (VCM) and monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) - More robust chapter on public awareness - Inclusion of a data portal to dive deeper into the various charts #stateofcdr #CDR #carbonremoval #biochar #climateaction #climatecareers

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I joined the leadership of Fireguardia to make a difference. Our society has become reliant and complacent on the innovations from decades ago as we focus on AI, EV, and software, and we are overlooking some basic needs such as protection and safety at the human level. We are positioned for a revolution in the areas of consumer products and commercial applications of fire retardants. Working with Oscar Dominguez at the R&D helm, Fireguardia is bringing insightful, complex, and innovative solutions to a stagnant industry -- the fire protection market. We have carefully considered how our products will create a new paradigm in an area that is largely overlooked when it comes to our physical health and the impact on the environment. Our applications are based on a patented, bio-based fire retardant that can change our approach to an outdated solution area and join the era of protecting us from forever chemicals. The Wall Street Journal and Susan Pulliam are helping bring more awareness. Take a few minutes to read and gain a better understanding of the impact. #foreverchemicals Rebecca Harned Martin Mulvihill Paul Westlund, PhD. Michael Rowe Peter Grevatt Josh Snyder Ken Drew Stephen Yannarell Patricia LaFazia Diedra Rae Michael Dourson, Ph.D., DABT, FATS, FSRA

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In my latest article, I explain what is carbon removal and why it's so relevant in the climate action discussion. I give some examples of CDR methods and the challenges and opportunities of scaling up these methods to meet the global goal of achieving net zero by 2050. Thanks, B Lab U.S. & Canada 

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Symbiosis is the groundbreaking collaboration between Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Salesforce. This alliance mirrors nature restoration projects, which are vital for climate goals to be met. The work ahead is complex and costly; however, by pooling their unique strengths they commit to addressing challenges by integrating advanced technology, engaging communities equitably, and balancing benefits, while setting a standard for high-quality outcomes. This symbiotic relationship fosters a thriving, sustainable future, proving that true growth lies in the strength of interconnected support systems and innovative pre-competitive collaboration.

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