 |
|
|
|||||
Sustainability once sounded like the pinnacle of progressa badge brands wore proudly to signal responsibility on climate, health, and the environment. But for todays consumers, especially Gen Z, sustainable feels like standing still while the planet unravels. In the face of climate chaos, depleted soils, and vanishing biodiversity, maintaining the status quo is no longer enough. The call of our time is not just to sustain, but to restoreto repair whats been broken and restore whats been lost. I spoke with Gary Hirshberg, cofounder of Stonyfield Farm, about this new generation of consumers, the fundamental shift in product expectations, and the important role of agriculture. Q: Sustainability isnt enough anymore. Whats changing? Hirshberg: Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword. Todays younger consumers are not satisfied with talk and small token actions that commanded respect in the past. They actually know the difference between verbiage and meaningful action and are also far less inclined to applaud brands for simply reducing impacts. Instead, through social media and particularly influencers, they seek companies that are endeavoring to regenerate our planet by actively restoring the soil, rebuilding ecosystems, and strengthening local communities. And because they dont trust companies and institutions, they require third-party verification of these claims. Seventy-nine percent of shoppers consider sustainability before making a buying decision, according to a recent IPG study. But it doesnt stop there, with 63% of consumers willing to pay more for products with features like ethical sourcing or recyclable packaging. From groceries to skincare to clothing, eco-conscious consumers are driving change. According to the same IPG study, 92% of consumers want to know what brands are doing to fight climate change. Q: Why should agriculture lead this shift? Hirshberg: Agriculture is one of humanitys most significant contributors to climate change and is directly responsible for approximately 10% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with some sources estimating it contributes up to 25% when including emissions from land use changes like deforestation and monocropping, and also the manufacture of inputs like nitrogen fertilizers. These emissions, which include methane and nitrous oxide, come from processes like livestock, soil management, and the energy used in farm operations and transportation. But thanks to Rodale Institute and numerous other scientific organizations globally, we now know that organic practices produce significantly and sustainably lower emissions. By analyzing over a thousand soil samples organically and conventionally managed from across 48 U.S. states, The Organic Center and Northeastern University found that organic soils had 13% higher soil organic matter and 44% higher long-term carbon storage than conventionally managed soils. Recent studies by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and the Rodale Institute postulate that 30 to 40% of GHG emissions could be captured if cropland transitioned to organic farming. The solutions are at hand, and fortunately todays younger and better educated consumers are demanding them. I spent three decades growing Stonyfield Farm into one of the most trusted organic brands in America and the world, and I remain active with the company today. But our growth and loyalty are not just from what we sayour investments in advertising are a rounding error next to our conventional nonorganic counterparts. Instead, with social media and influencers, we have shown the dramatic climate and environmental results our farmers have achieved with significant increases in soil carbon, biodiversity, nitrogen reductions and retention, animal health, and other positive indicators. We have seen and shown first-hand that how we grow our food matters, and consumers are paying attention. Now, on the backs of decades of organic progress and results, we are witnessing increased interest in the notion of regenerative farming methods. But savvy consumers know that unless these systems are also organically certified, using the new Regenerative Organic certification, they are likely to be highly prone to greenwashing. Real climate progress can only be made when synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and the resulting dangerous nitrous oxide emissions are halted. And, true carbon sequestration requires soil ecology improvement below one meter of depth, as is the case with most organic systems. Regenerative Organic certified agriculture builds on the important foundation of USDA Organic standards by adding benchmarks for soil health and animal welfare, created to replenish our planet with nutrients for generations to come. Developed by the Regenerative Organic Alliance, this ensures farms are focused on contributing to ecosystem health by building topsoil, drawing carbon from the atmosphere, and investing in farm worker welfare. And because USDA certified organic standards require third-party inspections, verification, and reporting, consumers can have a far higher assurance that these practices are actually being used, versus simply depending on companies vague claims. Q: How should brands communicate the difference? Hirshberg: The market is saturated with vague sustainability claims and brands greenwashing, with terms splashed across packaging without clear definition of proof points. Organic brands across all sectors are growing faster than their conventional counterparts primarily because the emerging generation of younger, more educated parents and consumers are choosing to support verified practices. These consumers seek clarity and brands they can trust, and labels like Regenerative Organic Certified and USDA Organic are helping to cut through the noise and guide conscious consumers towards verified impact. Yet, theres still work to be done. IPG found that while 74% of people say certifications are important in buying decisions, many dont understand what these seals mean. Thats why education is criticalfor consumers and brands. According to a recent OTA study, consumers love free-from language or claims like no added hormones, but dont realize that organic certifications meet these expectations. Additionally, the study shares that the more consumers are familiar with specific characteristics like organic, the more likely they are to purchase. The label isnt enoughwe must tell the story behind it. Q: How are organizations like Stoyfield Farm helping consumers recognize and avoid greenwashing? Hirshberg: When we founded Stonyfield over 40 years ago, we learned that communicating the why behind organic was just as important as the what. And today, that is even more urgent. Consumers are hungry for stories of integrity, and regenerative organic agriculture offers a roadmap. Consumers are not just asking for change, theyre living it and demanding companies do the same. Jeff Tkach is CEO of Rodale Institute.
Category:
E-Commerce
It appears that day trading could get easier. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, known as FINRA, on Tuesday announced it had approved amendments that will replace the current day trading and pattern day trading rules, “including the minimum equity of $25,000 for pattern day traders.” The proposed change, if approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), would mean traders would no longer need to maintain a minimum $25,000 balance in a margin account to execute four or more day trades within a five-business-day period, CNBC reported. Here’s a quick breakdown of what that means. What is day trading? Day trading, as defined by FINRAs margin rule, refers to a trading strategy where an individual buys and sells (or sells and buys) the same security in a margin account on the same day, in an attempt to profit from small movements in the price of the security. FINRAs margin rule for day trading applies to day trading in any security, including options. Day trading in a cash account is not permitted. All securities purchased in the cash account must be paid for in full before they are sold. What constitutes a pattern day trader? According to FINRA rules, youre considered a pattern day trader if you execute four or more day trades within five business daysprovided that the number of day trades represents more than 6% of your total trades in the margin account for that same five business day period. Why the change? The changes come as part of FINRA’s attempt to adapt their rules for todays high-tech trading environment. The proposal incorporates feedback FINRA received from member firms, industry groups, and investors. The Boards recent approval and discussion of various rule proposals are a key part of FINRA’s ongoing efforts to enhance its regulatory effectiveness and efficiency through the FINRA Forward initiative, FINRA board chair Scott Curtis said in a statement. The Board and FINRAs leadership team will continue to prioritize helping enable member firms to better serve investors and facilitate strong and fair capital markets. FINRA announced that the move follows a retrospective review that considered input from brokerage firms, industry groups, and investors. If approved, it would be one of the most significant changes in trading rules since 2001, when the pattern day trading rule was put in place to protect less experienced investors from large losses.
Category:
E-Commerce
A new study from CDC scientists shows that a dangerous strain of what some researchers have nicknamed a superbug is on the rise. The study, published on September 22 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, examines a bacteria called NDM-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (NDM-CRE). Researchers found that, between 2019 and 2023, NDM-CRE infections surged by more than 460% in the U.S. These infections, which range from pneumonia to bloodstream and urinary tract infections, are extremely hard to treat and can be deadly due to their antibiotic-resistant propertieshence the name superbug. What is a superbug? A “superbug is a colloquial term for a strain of bacteria that has developed resistance to the drugs that were once able to kill it, particularly one that is spreading at a concerning rate. According to a January article from the CDC, antimicrobial resistance develops when drugslike antibiotics and antifungalspressure bacteria and fungi to adapt. These germs then develop resistance mechanisms in order to survive. Alarmingly, the CDC adds, antimicrobial-resistant germs can share their resistance mechanisms with other germs that have not been exposed to antibiotics or antifungals. Essentially, nightmare bacteria lead to infections that are very difficult for doctors to treat. What is NDM-CRE? NDM-CRE is a sub-group of the bacteria known as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), which are resistant to some of the strongest antibiotics available. A 2022 report from the CDC, COVID-19: U.S. Impact on Antimicrobial Resistance, showed that, in 2020 alone, CRE was responsible for 12,700 infections and 1,100 deaths in the U.S. The second part of the acronym, NDM, represents this strains particular properties. It stands for New Delhi metallo--lactamase, which, per the CDC, is an enzyme that makes these bacteria resistant to nearly all available antibiotics, leaving few treatment options. Why is an NDM-CRE infection so serious? NDM-CRE infection is dangerous for a number of reasons. To start, due to the strains former obscurity, many doctors may not suspect it when diagnosing CRE infections. Once it is identified, though, researchers told NBC News that there are just two antibiotics that work against the infection, though both are expensive and have to be administered by IV. Because of how difficult they are to treat, NDM-CRE infections are associated with high risks of morbidity and mortality. Why is it spreading? According to a September 23 article from the CDC, the exact reasons for the surge in NDM-CRE infections is unknown. However, the agency believes it may be related to gaps in infection control (like hand hygiene, wearing gloves, and proper disinfection in healthcare settings) and limited testing may be to blame. Many hospitals and clinics do not have the tools to rapidly detect NDM-CRE infections or the presence of these dangerous germs in patients who aren’t yet sick, the article explains. Delayed identification leads to slower treatment, increased transmission, and missed opportunities for infection control. What can be done? The CDC recommends four courses of action for healthcare providers to help contain the spread. These include staying informed about the rising threat of NDM-CRE; testing carbapenemase strains as quickly as possible in infected patients; prescribing antibiotics carefully; and following infection control protocol as closely as possible. The full breakdown can be found here.
Category:
E-Commerce
All news |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||