No. 15: The climate crisis in Pakistan
Sometimes I actually need to talk about the devastating news, especially when no else is!!
First off, I want to take a second to talk about the devastating flooding in Pakistan, and how no one is talking about it. Currently, 1/3 of Pakistan is submerged, and from space, it looks like one big lake. 1,100+ people have died, millions have been displaced, billions have been lost in damages. Their monsoon season - with 10x the downfall - has caused this, but everyone knows it’s actually climate change at the root of the problem, despite Pakistan only responsible for 0.49% of global emissions!!!!!! (CNN)
Source: CNN
Oh, and there’s flooding in Jackson, Mississippi, which have created problems with treating water and has left residents without drinking/washing/everything water, but fixing this mess will cost billions. (NPR)
Let’s talk Aldi, the little German supermarket
Unlike Trader Joe’s, they actually have a report and goals!
From the 2022 Corporate Responsibility Progress Report, they have four main sections:
Packaging
Carbon footprint
Waste
Sourcing
I won’t be commenting on every statement, but it is an easily understandable reading you can also check out if interested!
Packaging
Aldi:
Reduce packaging materials by 15% and make 100% of ALDI-exclusive packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.
• NEW Use 20% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, that is, material that has already been tossed into the recycling bin by consumers, in our plastic packaging by 2025.
• NEW Eliminate all plastic shopping bags from stores by the end of 2023.
Ains:
Pretty impressive goals granted they have a short timeline! The reason they can make these happen (like Trader Joe’s) is because the majority of products sold are ALDI-exclusive. And by plastic bags, they specify they sell plastic bags (maybe reusable, but not super durable) if you forget your own bags.
Carbon footprint
Aldi:
GOAL: Cut our carbon
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26% by 2025
Progress: Installed rooftop solar panels on additional ALDI buildings, bringing our total to over 120 stores and 12 distribution centers producing and consuming green electricity from solar power. We plan to install solar panels on an additional 60 stores and one new distribution center in 2022.
Leading the industry with nearly 500 stores (and counting) using refrigerants that have near-zero global warming potential, and 51% of potential carbon emissions have been saved due to our continued transition to natural refrigerants and phase-out of harmful refrigerants.
ENSURING OUR CARBON EMISSIONS DON'T GROW WITH US
We're one of the fastest-growing retailers in the country, but we are making sure our carbon emissions don’t grow with us. Our new and remodeled stores use environmentally friendly building materials and feature energy-efficient HVAC systems and LED lighting. Several of our regional distribution centers, as well as our corporate headquarters in Batavia, Illinois, have even begun adding electric vehicle charging stations. (Also view here)
Ains:
As we learned two weeks ago, the refrigerant thing is kind of the bare minimum, but the solar panels are impressive! So are the EV charging stations. (Interesting article related to this here)
Waste
Aldi:
Goals
• By 2025, we will achieve zero waste in operations by diverting 90% of our waste from landfills through recycling, donation and organic recycling programs.
• We aim to reduce our food waste by 50% by 2030.
Progress
Diverted 74% of operational waste companywide.
Donated 33M+ pounds of food to our donation partners.
A nonfood donation pilot program in select stores has resulted in more than 72,000 pounds (and counting) of nonfood donations.
Composted nearly 870 tons of food between the ALDI Test Kitchen and select stores.
Recycled nearly 350,000 tons of material that would have otherwise gone to landfill (this has avoided the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent of almost 10 million gallons of gasoline per month!). (Also view here)
Ains:
Not many thoughts, think it’s pretty impressive (from for improvement, but that’s what they’re striving for!), but their goal does seem a bit slow. Thoughts?
Sourcing
Aldi:
GOALS:
• 100% of our Barissimo coffee products, including everyday items and ALDI Finds, will be certified as sustainably sourced by 2025.
• Strengthen our requirements to source all fresh, frozen, farmed and wild seafood from fisheries that are third-party certified as sustainable or from Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) by the end of 2025.
• Commit to eliminate deforestation in our high-priority supply chains by the end of 2030.
• Convert to Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)-certified palm oil derivatives and
fractions for all nonfood products by the end of 2024.
• Use recycled or certified cotton to produce ALDI-exclusive apparel and home textile products by 2025.
Progress
53% of everyday ALDI coffee products come from sustainable sources.
100% of Simply Nature branded coffee products come from sustainable sources.
Increased supply chain transparency through a partnership with the Ocean Disclosure Project.
100% of everyday items made of wood or pulp are certified as sustainably sourced from well-managed forests.
100% of the palm oil used in private label products is certified sustainable by the RSPO.
Established new responsible sourcing requirements for our food products containing fish and seafood ingredients.
Ains:
Well, regulating seafood as “sustainable” is impossible, as Seaspiracy points out. Also read these → Why "Sustainable Seafood" Doesn’t Really Exist—And What To Replace It With, Is sustainable seafood for real? A review of the movie Seaspiracy
Summary
In my opinion, based on all of these findings, Aldi seems to be on the right path, and if you ever get to shop in one, they have some amazing new vegan options, from cheeses, to ice cream, to mock meats, and more! :) And they are removing best-by dates in the UK!
Check out…
Pathfinder: Uplifting Climate Stories by Alaina Wooda Garbage Queen - this is a brand new newsletter I’m so excited about! There’s already one issue,
The RealReal is a Mess (The Cut) - Possibly another secondhand storefront we shouldn’t support?! But still love vintage pieces on Etsy, Poshmark, eBay, and Depop!
How beavers are helping fight climate change (CBSNews) - They build dams which creates fire and drought resistant environments (prevent rainwater and snowmelt from draining down rivers + oceans)!!
Don’t sweat the small stuff ;)
A short section on literally just my personal thoughts that I want to share and remind readers progress > perfection.
This topic came about from drinking from a plastic water bottle yesterday, but also…
When there is no plant-based, affordable, effective source to keep you healthy, alive, and fucntioning, please take your meds!
Short answer is: using a plastic cup a few times doesn’t undo all of your hard work, and sharing this newsletter will certainly do a lot more! ;)
Good climate news <3
Germany and Denmark to construct Baltic Sea power hub
Germany and Denmark will likely be related by a 470km underwater cable by 2030, and Danish electrical energy manufacturing within the Baltic Sea doubled to 3GW, from offshore wind generators positioned 15-45km from the island of Bornholm, Danish power minister Dan Jørgensen stated on Monday. The mission will cut back CO2 emissions and make Europe extra unbiased from Russian fuel and oil. The 2 nations will share funding and earnings.
Finally, a heat-pump water heater that plugs into a standard outlet
The latest heat pump models have also proven they can keep water hot even when temperatures drop below freezing outside.
Heat pumps work like air conditioners in reverse, using condensing liquids to move temperatures from outdoors to indoors — a far more efficient way to heat water than directly heating metal coils as resistance heaters do. Heat pumps are also more efficient than burning fossil fuels to heat water, making them a “no-brainer” for utility-bill-conscious homeowners, she said.
Diagram of how a heat pump water heater works. Source: New Buildings Institute
California legislators passed the most ambitious climate package ever. Here’s what it does - More updates on Cali :)
They approved measures that will require the state to become carbon-neutral by 2045, produce 90% of its electricity from clean sources by 2035, create safety zones around oil wells near homes and draft rules for carbon capture technology, which seeks to pull emissions from the air and inject it underground.
• AB1279 by Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi, D-Torrance (Los Angeles County), would create a legally binding goal that the state achieve carbon neutrality — meaning the state either eliminates or captures all of its greenhouse gas emissions — by no later than 2045. It would also require the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 85% below 1990 levels in that time frame.
• SB1020 by Laird would create interim targets to ensure the state hits its goal of generating 100% clean electricity by 2045, with targets of 90% by 2035 and 95% by 2040.
• SB1137 by Sen. Lena Gonzalez, D-Long Beach, would ban new oil wells and extraction facilities within 3,200 feet — or more than a half mile — of homes, schools and parks. Newsom ordered state oil regulators to adopt a similar rule last year, but the bill would make it binding.
• SB905 by Sen. Anna Caballero, D-Salinas, would create regulations to permit and monitor controversial new technologies that aim to capture carbon from the air and sequester it in underground caverns.
Brazil Set to Build the World’s Biggest Urban Garden by 2024 -
Covering the size of 15 soccer fields, “intended to popularize consumption of organic produce and provide a source of income to disadvantaged families.” So far, only 4% of the total projected has been constructed, which is equivalent to 400-500 garden!
Wrap up
That’s it, be sure to check out the links in all issues, there are definitely some gems there :)))