The Aspen Institute’s Post

Happy Earth Day from your favorite Gen Z advocates! In celebration, we want to share with you some research we’ve collected from the Koi Pond (our collective of 700 Gen Zs across the world) on Gen Z's sentiments towards environmentalism and sustainability. Gen Zs are notorious for their dedication to social justice causes, in particular, environmentalism as we are tasked with facing the future of previous generation's damage to our Earth. This dedication is reflected in Gen Z’s actions towards sustainability. Some more quick facts: ♻ 91.3% of Gen Zs recycle 🌬 We’re most interested in decreasing air pollution 📲 More than 50% of Gen Zs get information about environmentalism from social media #earthday #sustainability #genzmarketing #research #environmentalism #agency

Is it time for an Internal Price on Nature? 🌳 💵 Check out this article by one of our community members, Karl Burkart at One Earth, as he dives into new ways to close the nature-finance gap by pricing in externalities. #naturefinance #naturetech #innovation

Great article written by Karl Burkart discussing the importance of taking nature into account in business decisions, and how an "Internal Price on Nature" can transform how we operate. It's crucial for companies to recognize the true cost of their environmental impact, enabling them to address the problems caused and the associated risks. In this context, just as internal carbon pricing has spurred action on climate change, valuing nature can integrate environmental considerations into corporate decision-making, fostering a more responsible and sustainable business model. #biodiversity #naturalcapital

Seems like a good use for an ecological benefits framework.

Our (Astrid Huopalainen & José-Carlos García-Rosell) commentary "Beyond Anthropocentrism: A Call to Action for Multispecies Inclusivity" is now published in Business & Society. Abstact: Acknowledging organizations within a multispecies world is crucial for advancing sustainability. This commentary advocates for “multispecies inclusivity” in business and society as a new concept, transcending the traditional anthropocentrism that determines whose interests “matter.” We offer insights into this concept, discuss associated challenges, and propose pathways for implementing it into organizational practices. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/d_yjmtwh

Happy Earth Month! Check out my latest book recommendation and review. and share what your thinking about this Earth Month. #EarthMonth #SustainablePlanet #BookRecommendations Hannah Ritchie offers a refreshing take on environmental solutions through the lens of data science. Ritchie presents a pragmatic and even optimistic approach to building a planet where we’re “providing a good life for everyone today while protecting the environment for future generations.” A central premise is that the food we eat lies at the heart of the world’s sustainability problems and in particular animal agriculture. Our food system is responsible for 25% of greenhouse gas emissions, 70% of global freshwater use and accounts for half of the world’s habitable land. It also plays a predominant role in deforestation, biodiversity loss and species extinction. Although Ritchie's data-driven approach offers a global perspective and solutions, I found the absence of ethical considerations regarding other sentient beings troubling. The underlying premise of maximizing the planet's resources solely for human benefit neglects the importance of acknowledging a reciprocal relationship between humans, animals, and nature. This anthropocentric viewpoint has contributed to the environmental issues we face today. However, I recognize that human behavior often hinges on self-interest, so this book serves as a catalyst to ignite discussions and drive advancements toward a planet that's healthy and sustainable for all. Check out more of my book reco's here. https://lnkd.in/eh42NVjs

We are always on the lookout for groundbreaking innovations that redefine sustainability and offer tangible solutions to environmental challenges. Today, we are excited to spotlight INVERSA Leathers, a pioneering company that is revolutionizing the leather industry with a profound environmental impact. INVERSA Leathers has taken an inventive approach by developing high-performance, luxury-grade leather from invasive species. This ingenious solution not only provides the fashion industry with top-quality materials but also plays a crucial role in restoring ecosystems affected by these non-native species. Their product line, including Invasive™ Dragonfin Leather and Invasive™ Lionfish Leather, directly contributes to the rehabilitation of critical habitats such as the Mississippi River and coral reef ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico. What sets INVERSA Leathers apart is their commitment to eco-positivity. Each piece of leather represents more than just a sustainable choice; it is a step towards healing our planet. By removing invasive species, INVERSA actively protects and restores native flora and fauna, turning a pressing environmental problem into a valuable resource. At Orca Climate Fund, we believe in supporting initiatives that not only mitigate environmental impact but also contribute positively to our ecosystems. INVERSA Leathers exemplifies this ethos, demonstrating that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand to create a better world. https://lnkd.in/dRjTY9x2 #Sustainability #Innovation #EcoPositive #InversaLeathers #ClimateAction #EnvironmentalRestoration #OrcaClimateFund

Earlier this week for Earth Day, I organised some activities for my daughters to get involved with after school. We started by discussing the significance of Earth Day and shared our thoughts about ways we can help protect our planet. Here's what we got up to: 🔬 Earth Day Experiment: We explored the impact of global warming, sparking meaningful and interesting conversations. 💬 Sorting Game: We sorted Earth Day cards into 'good for the Earth' and 'bad for the Earth' categories, using resources from Twinkl (Twinkl Educational Publishing). 🌍 This or That Earth Day Game: The whole family got involved and discussed their choices. 📚 Storytime – We chose to read ‘Somebody Swallowed Stanley’ by Sarah Roberts. A powerful book which helps to teach children the problems a simple plastic bag can create in our oceans. On Thursdays, I dedicate 30 minutes to support my young buddy with a reading session via the Chapter One UK platform. This week, we blended Chapter One UK resources and Earth Day-themed activities. We started with tricky words, then discussed climate change and our efforts towards sustainability. My buddy shared her family's recycling efforts, with paper and cardboard topping the list 😊 I also proudly shared Datagraphic’s approach to creating a better world. I mentioned a group of volunteers from Datagraphic recently carried out a litter pick and collected 30 bags of rubbish in our local area. When I told my buddy about our 734 solar panels that help to generate green energy I got the most adorable reaction; “WOW! 700 and…!”. We ended our session with ‘Somebody Swallowed Stanley’. My buddy, an animal lover, understandably wasn't impressed with Stanley the plastic bag. This book is a fantastic way to get young children thinking and talking about environmental threats posed by plastic pollution. #EarthDay #learningthroughplay #climatechange #noordinaryjellyfish #childrensbook #ChapterOne #employeevolunteering #Sustainability #DgCommunity #Environment #ESG #DgPlanet #DgPeople

🥫🖼️ Does throwing soup at the Mona Lisa boost the climate cause? 🧐 Climate activists targeted the Mona Lisa at the Louvre on Sunday to highlight issues of sustainable food systems and farmer welfare. This dramatic gesture begs the question: does it effectively promote their cause or does it risk alienating the public? 🎯 1. Motivation and Message: The activists from the group "Riposte Alimentaire" (Food Retaliation) aimed to highlight issues related to sustainable food systems and farmer welfare. By targeting an iconic artwork like the Mona Lisa, they intended to shock and provoke discussion about these issues. 📰 2. Public Perception and Impact: The act has indeed drawn significant media attention but also sparked polarized opinions. While it succeeded in generating conversation, there's a risk that the method of protest overshadows the underlying environmental concerns. 🎨 3. Historical and Current Comparisons: Similar protests have occurred in Europe, involving food being thrown at artworks, including Van Gogh's "Sunflowers." These acts follow a pattern of targeting high-value art to provoke discussion on climate change. 🏛️ 4. Institutional Response: The Louvre's quick response to protect the artwork underscores the challenges faced by cultural institutions in balancing the preservation of heritage with the expression of political issues. This reaction reflects a broader cultural attitude of prioritizing the safety and sanctity of art. 🌾 5. Broader Context: The timing aligns with broader agricultural protests in France, potentially drawing a connection between environmental and farming struggles. 🔄 6. Future Implications: The long-term impact of such protests could influence how sustainable agriculture and farmer welfare are discussed in public forums. Additionally, it might affect the security and management strategies of cultural heritage sites. 🪧 7. Ethical Considerations: The use of historical and cultural artifacts in activism raises ethical questions about the boundaries of protest and the preservation of art. ➡️ While targeting the Mona Lisa has brought global attention, the act navigates a delicate balance between innovative protest and the risk of potential backlash or misinterpretation. So is the use of iconic art in environmental activism a necessary shock tactic to draw attention to crucial issues, or does it detract from the core message? 🤔 #ClimateActivism #MonaLisa #SustainableFarming #ArtAndProtest

And still more (or less)... Green Success Stories takes one more look at Hope Jahren's The Story of More, wherein she discusses how we may have swallowed more than we can chew, and what we can do to unleash the power of less. https://lnkd.in/egzrxRQE