ESS articles:

1) Solving the Plastic Crisis Through Community Empowerment

https://www.ecowatch.com/plastic-pollution-solutions.html

 8.4 metric tons of plastics produced in this world to date

 6.3 billion tons of that is trash and less than 10% of that is recycled
 This has created a crisis not only for the environment, but also our health
 Microplastics (tiny pieces of plastic debris) are now ever present pollutants, now
found in most places in the world, from marine life to the top of Mt. Everest to now
our bloodstreams
 Plastic pollution disproportionally affects marginalized communities and communities
living near plastic waste sites
 According to a report from the UN, high polluting facilities and industries are often
placed in vulnerable communities who are no subject to toxins from plastic
incineration and other hazards from plastic disposal
 Communities relying on marine life ingest toxins from contaminated water sources
 Ground soil in these communities are also being contaminated, making agriculture an
unreliable source for economic stability and local food security
 Fashion is a large source of plastic waste pollution
 Thread international is one of that turns plastic waste from developing countries into
fabric and other materials for big brands, as well as its own recycled “Day Owl
Backpacks”
 The first mile initiative helps bring full transparency of what happens to the waste
plastic, and supports waste collectors in Haiti, Honduras and Taiwan, while also
connecting brands to the communities they have positively impacted
 These companies support doesn’t end at waste collectors and workers, but involves
their families and others in the community
 “Environmental justice cannot be solved in the absence of social justice” – Viven Luk
(director of The first mile initiative)
 Thread became an established business in Haiti in 2013, when they were making
fabric out of plastic
 Thread tried to get a lot of brands to build factories in Haiti which would provide jobs
for the community, but none of the companies took them seriously
 In 2015 Timberland signed on to be their first brand collaboration where they made a
line of boots and bags with thread’s fabric
 Thread today works with Ralph Lauren, Marmot, Reebok, Puma, Aerie, Converse and
many other reputed brands
 Thread created jobs for the community in Haiti, while simultaneously reducing the
immense plastic waste and further supported several families in the area to get
education and other essentials
 Today they help in holistically supporting over 700 families across Haiti
 They have also diverted more that 6 million pounds of plastic waste from landfills and
oceans into useful products
 They have recycled over 130million plastic bottles
 Thread stands out from the other initiatives in Haiti, due to its intimate involvement
with the member of the marginalised communities contrasting with the other
initiatives which are mostly incentivised by money
  Thread is currently planning on expanding the first mile in Asia, Africa and parts of
USA, by evaluating how much waste is impacting the indigenous communities and
how proper waste management will benefit them
 A 2021 study said that only 100 companies produce 90% of all single use plastic
waste generated globally

2) Spiritual Leader Sadhguru Takes 100-Day Motorcycle Journey To Save Soil.

https://www.ecowatch.com/sadhguru-motorcycle-journey-soil-conservation.html

 More than half the worlds agricultural soil has been degraded
 Scientists and the UN agree that the remaining soil will only sustain us for 40-50
years
 Soil health receives very less attention as compared to other environmental issues and
threats
 To bring awareness and initiate change Sadhguru set off on a 100-day, 30,000km
motorcycle journey
 Sadhguru’s journey officially started on march 20th in London, but this journey truly
began 24 years ago in Tamil Naadu
 In 1998, UN officials warned that 60% of Tamil Nadu would become a dessert by
2025
 Sadhguru was shocked by his and after some of his own research he said no, it will
be sooner than that and that is where this all started
