Among all the news that scrolls by all day long (and there’s a lot of it), some stories fall by the wayside. For those interested in ecology and environmental responsibility—topics that are particularly close to our hearts here at Kipli—we’ve selected five news stories that made headlines in May 2021. Check them out below!
A New Label for Household Products
Following in the footsteps of Nutriscore, the repairability index, and the carbon score, it’s now Toxiscore’s turn to make its debut on store shelves. Thanks to a color-coded system, it will be easier to determine the toxicity of household products. Barbara Pompili, Minister of Ecological Transition, aims to make the Toxiscore mandatory by 2022, with the goal of helping consumers make more informed choices for their health and the environment. Currently implemented on a voluntary basis, the Toxiscore may not appear on the most dangerous products. While the goal of this label is commendable, it remains incomplete. Some advocacy groups are calling for a ban on certain hazardous substances rather than relying solely on citizen responsibility.
Learn more: Novethic – Toxiscore, the new label that identifies the most harmful household products – May 11, 2021
The Amazon Rainforest Is Running Out of Steam
According to a recent study, the Brazilian Amazon rainforest has emitted more greenhouse gases over the past decade than it has absorbed. This decline is concerning to scientists, since forests absorb between 25 and 30 percent of human-generated CO2, thereby slowing global warming. Furthermore, the study focuses on the Brazilian portion of the Amazon, which accounts for 60% of this primary forest. This is the first time that data has confirmed that the Brazilian Amazon has become a net carbon emitter. Scientists believe that if the Brazilian Amazon has already crossed this threshold, the rest of the Amazon could follow suit soon. The study also showed that deforestation accounted for 27% of the forest’s carbon losses, compared to 73% from degradation (small fires, selective logging, weakened trees near deforested areas, etc.). This finding calls on us to quickly rethink our relationship with tropical forests.
Learn more: Novethic – The Brazilian Amazon rainforest now emits more carbon than it absorbs – May 10, 2021
Tax Optimization: Amazon Under Scrutiny
44 billion euros—that’s the total amount of sales Amazon generated in Europe last year. It’s a new record for the American company, especially since it paid no taxes on those sales. To achieve this, Amazon relied on its Luxembourg subsidiary. The country has very favorable tax laws, which Amazon knows how to exploit to its advantage. This tax avoidance does not sit well with British Labour MP Margaret Hodge, who condemns the company’s practices at a time when local businesses are struggling. She believes that such giants must pay their “fair share of taxes” and contribute “to the common good.” For its part, Amazon claims to pay all taxes required by the countries where it operates. This presents a complicated situation for authorities, as the company skillfully navigates the tax rules of each country.
Learn more: Capital – €44 billion in sales, 0 in corporate taxes: Amazon, the king of tax optimization in Europe – May 4, 2021
The UN Warns of Global Warming
As a reminder, the Paris Agreement set the goal of limiting global warming to below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels, while taking actions to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C. However, according to a study by the UK Meteorological Office for the World Meteorological Organization,“there is a 40% probability that the global annual average temperature will temporarily exceed pre-industrial levels by 1.5°C during at least one of the next five years.” This is bad news for the planet, as rising temperatures lead to accelerated ice melt, rising sea levels, and an increase in extreme weather events.
Learn more: Sustainable News – Climate: The +1.5°C threshold may be reached by 2025, the UN warns – May 27, 2021
A Glimmer of Hope in the Pyrenees
In 2018, a female bear from Slovenia named Sorita was introduced to the Pyrénées-Atlantiques to save the bear population, which at the time consisted solely of males. It appears that this reintroduction has been successful, as Sorita gave birth to three cubs this winter! This is encouraging news, as this hasn’t happened since the 1970s. However, despite the efforts of animal protection organizations, there are only 64 bears in the region. The natural obstacles of the mountains and the challenges of inter-species competition thus threaten the survival of the young litter. Animal protection groups are therefore urging hikers not to get too close to the area where the mother and her cubs are located in order to ensure the bears’ long-term establishment in the Pyrenees.
Learn more: PositivR – Pyrenees: For the first time in 50 years, a female bear gives birth to three cubs – May 26, 2021
We hope you enjoyed this article.
Of course,
The Kipli Team