This autumn, serial tech entrepreneur and Vietnamese media mogul Jessica Minh Anh along with Hudson River Park are collaborating on a momentous event, raising carbon neutrality awareness within NYC.
Beforehand, Anh–a Petronas scholar, hosted the world’s first oceanic catwalk in the Mediterranean.
With the World Trade Center as the backdrop, J Autumn Fashion Show will exhibit avant pieces to a progressive audience of purveyors within various sectors: media, innovation and environmental.
How Long Until CBD Gummies Kick In? And How Long Do They Last?
It’s no secret that CBD gummies are everywhere these days. Still, many people are hesitant to use gummies in place of a standard CBD oil tincture. One of the most significant factors that stop people from feeling comfortable with things like CBD gummies, is the lack of certainty about how long they take to kick in.
So, how long should it take before CBD gummies kick in, and how long can you expect them to last? Let’s take a look.
What Are CBD Gummies?
CBD gummies are a particularly interesting form of CBD because they are one of the few types that users directly ingest. While other forms of CBD involve direct absorption (i.e. sublingually or topically), CBD gummies are exposed to the digestive metabolic process. This can make it tough when it comes to figuring out how long gummies take to kick in.
How Long Until The CBD Gummies Kick In?
A whole host of different factors, from biological and genetic to environmental and dietary, impact the expected time it can take for CBD gummies to start working. A big factor is the fact that CBD gummies are imbibed orally by ingesting them. This means that their expected time to take effect can vary pretty drastically depending on when the user last ate.
More food sitting in their stomach waiting to digest means a longer wait before the effects are noticed. Furthermore, everyone has an individual rate of metabolism, which will control the rate that the CBD is absorbed.
Weight is another issue – CBD is fat-soluble, which means that it will tend to stick to fat molecules. Those that carry around a bit of extra weight might find that their CBD gummies take longer to take effect.
Finally, the actual CBD composition of the gummy plays a considerable role. Stronger CBD gummies will last longer, but their effects might take awhile to peak due to their prolific intensity.
How Long Will The CBD Gummy Last?
The rate that CBD lasts in the human body is dependent on its half-life, which is how long the body takes to work through half of the concentration of CBD. Unfortunately, the exact half-life of CBD has not yet been accurately pinpointed. Some studies shows that it can vary considerably based on the method of consumption.
On average, the half-life of CBD seems to be between 10 hours and 24 hours, though this is again entirely based on the method of consumption.
Final Thoughts: How Long Until CBD Gummies Kick In, And How Long They Last
Lots of new people are starting to try CBD gummies, especially in the UK, as the market has really blossomed in the last decade. Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to pin down the specific amount of time that CBD gummies take for their effect to take hold. A combination of weight, metabolism, the CBD’s strength, and even just individual genetics govern pretty much every aspect.
Reimagined after 70 years of innovation and improvement, the newest model of Land Rover’s Defender 110 honors the company’s history of creating safe and reliable vehicles, with a new-found attention to detail and design for the 21st century.
At CES 2021, Chief Design Officer of Land Rover, Gerry McGovern, spoke about the Defender 110 and said,
“The new Defender is respectful of its past but is not harnessed by it …. This is a new Defender for a New Age. Its unique personality is accentuated by its distinctive silhouette and optimum proportions, which make it both highly desirable and seriously capable – a visually compelling 4×4 that wears its design and engineering integrity with uncompromisedcommitment.”
Whether you’re off-roading, looking to pick up some necessary lockdown supplies, or traveling to see friends and family, the Defender promises to get you to your destination safely. Here at 360 Magazine, we recently took the luxurious yet rambunctious 2021 Land Rover Defender for a test drive, and were impressed by the car’s capabilities and curb appeal. We took the vehicle out for a spin to retrieve must needed supplies from various retailers including Home Depot, PetSmart, and Michael’s Art Supplies, shoot emerging recording artist LaJUNE, and pop in on my son and mother after they recovered from COVID-19 for some much needed fun. During all of these getaways, the Defender’s breaks dug deep into the asphalt at stop signs and hugged tight corners. All of the passengers felt safe and secure in the vehicle which operated with control and ease throughout all of our adventures.
Other recently released vehicles– such as the Mercedes Benz G Class, Toyota 4Runner, and Jeep Grand Cherokee– all pale in comparison to the Defender’s sleek design and driving capability, crafted with commitment to your safety and pleasure.
Design
The Defender’s doesn’t put style over substance as its incredible capabilities match its dazzling curb appeal. Immediately upon viewing the available Indus Silver, Gondwana Stone, or Pangea Green paint jobs shine with a glimmer of affluence and sophistication and compliment the vehicle’s constructivist, modular interior. A magnesium cross bar beam has been installed both for its reductive design and durability that it grants to the vehicle’s body. Beautiful alpine lights in the rear of the vehicle allow for an open-air design from floor to roof. The large panoramic sunroof in the car cabin makes the vehicle feel even more spacious by letting in even more light.
Additionally, the second row of origami seats can fold down to allow even more room inside the car cabin. With these seats folded down, the Defender 110 offers a total storage capacity of 78.8 cubic feet, or 36.2 cubic feet with the second row of seats positioned upright. Deep pockets on the back doors, baskets on the side doors, and a lockable 1.5-gallon glove box each allow for easy access to storage inside the vehicle.
Designed to maximize storage, users can lift up the floor to reveal a hidden storage bin equipped with a tool kit. In the trunk, a clip-in, textured floor design designed for rugged use covers the floor and the backs of all of the seats. This load space lets users transport the treasures and grit of your outdoor adventures, and can be hosed off or machined washed once arrived at your destination.
As you’re cruising down the road, the car’s all terrain, blackout tires will transport you on a smooth ride to any destination you can dream of, and in case of emergency, a full-size spare tire is mounted on the rear of the vehicle. The wheels come in several available sizes (in): 18 x 8.0, 18 x 8.0, 20 x 8.5, 22 x 9.0. Additionally, the rear of the vehicle possesses advanced tow assist and an ultra-strong tow hitch receiver with a maximum towing capacity of 8,201 lbs.
Technology
The new Land Rover Defender 110 offers the world’s first dual-modem, dual eSIM design, manufactured to enhance efficiency and function. Furnished with the Pivi Pro infotainment system in the vehicle’s dashboard, the system alerts drivers with Software-Over-The-Air (SOTA) updates, and lets users stream music and operate applications with CloudCar technology. CloudCar technology allows for drivers to safely and seamlessly incorporate their digital lives into their driving– drivers can dial into meetings, store calendar invites, and stream music services like Spotify, TuneIn, and Deezer with ease.
Further, a 10-inch high-resolution touchscreen allows drivers precise control over the vehicle with a digital speedometer display. Everything a driver needs to adjust is easily accessible. Other capabilities include driver assist, advanced off road, and standard off road standard packs. This model also offers Bluetooth, Android audio, and Apple CarPlay, so you can stay connected with those you hold close, no matter how far away they are.
And if you are embarking on an ambitious road trip to see your far-away family? The Defender 110 offers six standard speakers, or an optional Meridian sound system with subwoofers, so you can keep the beats bumping. Wherever you go, Smart Voice Guidance technology will optimize routing to get you to your destination most efficiently.
The Defender is equipped with AC power, so you can power accessories (such as a cooler) from remote locations. Wherever you go, the advanced technology and luxurious experience of driving of Land Rover Defender 110 stays with you.
Performance
Equipped with all-wheel drive, this off-road vehicle can handle all landscapes. The Defender’s auto-functionally Terrain Response 2 and ClearSight Ground View technologies can recognize different types of outdoors terrain and adjust the vehicle accordingly. Whether you are driving through the desert or tundra, the Defender promises the same deluxe driving experience. With a built-in hydraulics system, the Defender is able to be raised or lowered over whatever external grit you encounter, protecting the vehicle and its occupants against a single scratch. The Defender’s Response 2 technology grants intelligent off-road technology to drivers, optimizing traction in various outdoors environments.
Beneath the hood, the Defender is equipped with both dual turbocharged and supercharged Inline 6 engines, and a 48-volt hybrid system. The Defender offers a permanent magnet electric motor. With such a powerful system, the Defender can put out 396 peak horsepower at 5,500rpm, and 406 pound-feet of torque at 2,000-5,000rpm. The vehicle also boasts an 8-speed automatic transmission and dual-range gearbox. The fuel economy of the Defender is also impressive, with 1t MPG in the city, or 20 MGP on the highway. The 2021 Land Rover Defender is expedition ready wherever you wish to go, while assuring that safety and comfort come along for the ride.
Safety
Engineered without compromise, the Defender commits to the utmost safety of its users. Land Rover’s 2021 Defender comes with driver assist, which includes emergency braking, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, cruise control, speed limiter functions, driver condition monitors, and front and rear parking aids. The vehicle’s 3D Surround Camera system, developed with Bosch, is equipped with four wide-angle HD Cameras that provide a 190-degree field of view– a 50-degree wider field of vision when compared to traditional rear-view mirrors. This system includes a 3G bits/s video backbone and 14 ultrasonic sensors, which makes backing up into the smallest of spots effortless. Even if your trunk is full, the Defender is equipped with a digital rear-view mirror for increased visibility.
Best of all seat pretensions and front-impact, side-impact, and overhead airbags have been installed to protect passenger’s heads and torsos in case of a crash. To further ensure the safety of its occupants, the Defender protects its passengers with a security system designed to anticipate and detect unwanted vehicle intrusion.
Ergonomics x Additional Features
At a modest MSRP of $62,250, the Defender offers luxury and sophistication to anyone ready to get behind its wheel. Upon purchase, there are four optional accessories packs that allow users to specifically tailor their Defender experience: the Explorer Pack, Adventure Pack, Country Pack, or Urban Pack. The Land Rover Defender 110 drives users to experience new landscapes of life, during a time while everyone else is staying inside. Accoutered with a pop-up roof tent accessory, the Defender is ready to travel with you wherever you go, whether it be on an outdoors expedition or just a short trip to the grocery store.
The Land Rover Defender 110 model will be released for sale in the U.S. in early 2021.
LAND ROVER LAUNCHES ‘DEFENDER ABOVE & BEYOND SERVICE AWARDS’ TO HONOR U.S. ORGANIZATIONS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY
Reflecting the seven decades of Land Rover, U.S. non-profits will be awarded a customized Land Rover Defender to empower them to further their efforts in helping those around them
Through July 27, 2021, Land Rover will be accepting video nominations here for organizations making a difference
Organizations must be U.S.-based 501(c)(3)1non-profits whose efforts fall within the seven categories outlined in the program
For information and rules3on the ‘Defender Above & Beyond Service Awards,’ please visit Land Rover’s website or follow @LandRoverUSA on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter
Across seven decades, Land Rover vehicles have earned a unique place in the hearts of humanitarian agencies across the world. The Defender continues this legacy and maintains its standing as a vehicle purpose-built for service. Inspired by the endless acts of service across the U.S. from extraordinary citizens this past year, Land Rover announced the launch of the ‘Defender Above & Beyond Service Awards’ to celebrate U.S.-based charitable organizations that are making a positive impact in their local community. To honor the 70-year history of the brand, Land Rover will award a specially outfitted Defender to seven organizations to help further their charitable efforts.
Organizations must be U.S.-based 501(c)(3)1 non-profits whose efforts fall within the seven categories below:
Search and Rescue
Coastal and Marine Conservation
Animal Welfare
First Responders
Environmental
Urban Improvement
Fire Services
Entrants can nominate a non-profit charity or non-profits can nominate themselves here by filling out the entry form and submitting an up to three-minute video that shares what your charity is about, how it addresses a need in your community and how the Land Rover Defender will help to further your effort.
Starting with Search and Rescue and Coastal and Marine Conservation, Land Rover will call for entries through Wednesday, April 7, 2021 before opening submissions for the next categories. Once selected by a panel of qualified judges, finalists’ videos will be posted on their website for public voting before submissions for the next categories take place. All winners will be announced on September 2, 2021. To view submission deadlines for each category, please visit their website.
“Defender vehicles have been used for various humanitarian causes around the world for decades and with its recent return to the U.S., we wanted to expand on that legacy with ‘The Defender Above & Beyond Service Awards’ and celebrate organizations that know the value of community and drive to do great things with them,” said Joe Eberhardt, President & CEO, Jaguar Land Rover North America. “Over this past year, we have been inspired by the endless acts of service from people who embody the Above and Beyond spirit of Land Rover, and we’re excited to reward these individuals with new customized Defender vehicles so they can continue to help those around them.”
With a nod to the historic Land Rover Defender, the New Defender is the toughest and most capable Land Rover vehicle yet, combining a new body structure with all-new technologies and legendary engineering to create a Defender fit for the 21st century. The 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 is on sale now in the U.S. and is priced from $50,5002, the Defender 90 body style is also on sale now in the U.S. and priced from $46,1002. Configure your Defender on theirwebsite.
For information on the Land Rover ‘Defender Above & Beyond Service Awards’, please visit Land Rover’s website or follow them on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Organizations must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in one of the seven (7) Categories specified, be approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt, charitable organization as of March 9, 2021, and maintain its tax-exempt status (i.e., good standing) until the end of the Contest Period. The 501(c)(3) must be a public charity or a private operating foundation, but not a private foundation.
All prices shown are Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. Excludes $1,350 destination and delivery, tax, title, license, and retailer fees, all due at signing, and optional equipment. Retailer price, terms and vehicle availability may vary. See your local authorized Land Rover Retailer for details.
Information, submission deadlines, rules on the ‘Defender Above & Beyond Service Awards,’ can be found here.
Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, the USDA Forest Service today announced it surpassed goals and set records in 2020.
“2020 was a challenging year, with record wildland fire activity and the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the Forest Service, we have risen above these challenges and set our minds, hands and hearts to carrying out our mission to meet the needs of the communities we serve,” said Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen.
The Forest Service relied on its strong science, innovation and partnerships to overcome this year’s challenges as the agency found new solutions to serve the public during a time of unprecedented need.
Creating healthy, productive forests and supporting rural economies
In 2020, the Forest Service provided jobs and stability for local economies through a year of historic timber production, selling more than 3.2 billion board feet of timber, the second-highest level in 20 years. The agency also improved forest conditions and reduced wildfire risk on over 2.65 million acres, removing hazardous fuels like dead and downed trees, and combating disease, insect and invasive species infestations.
The Forest Service undertook a suite of regulatory reforms to meet the goals of the Secretarial Memorandum to the Chief of the Forest Service modernize and align agency directives with new legislative authorities and reduce regulatory burdens. By the end of December 2020, the Forest Service will have nearly completed all guidance to implement new legislative authorities in the 2018 Farm Bill. In addition, Forest officials quickly began implementing President Trump’s Great American Outdoors Act to increase access to national forests and grasslands and make progress towards reducing the agency’s $5 billion infrastructure backlog.
Managing wildfire, and providing for health and safety
The Forest Service was successful in prioritizing early suppression of wildfire ignitions while facing a record-breaking fire year, with the most acres burned on national forests since 1910. The agency’s modeling research on how COVID-19 may spread between firefighters or in communities during response efforts led to new interagency safety protocols to better support fire camp management. The protocols not only successfully minimized the spread of COVID-19 among the agency’s 10,000 firefighters, but early learning suggests the safety measures resulted in additional health benefits to fire crews, reducing ailments common in fire camps, which translated to a healthier and more resilient firefighting workforce available to protect lives, homes, and communities threatened by wildfire.
Sharing stewardship responsibilities and being better neighbors
The Forest Service made significant strides toward Shared Stewardship this year, working more closely than ever with Tribes, States, and local partners to make sure the right work happens in the right place at the right time. So far, 44 states and territories are now involved in a Stewardship Agreement. The agreements allow the Forest Service to employ the latest tools and share decision making on the highest priorities to improve forest conditions across broad landscapes. These new agreements have resulted in increasing resiliency of forests, protection of communities and reduction of wildfire risks. They have also produced jobs and stabilize economies.
Increasing access and improving recreation experiences
This year, Americans sought out their public lands in tremendous numbers, finding relief in the Great Outdoors, showing us once again how public lands unite our nation. In response, the Forest Service generated solutions to ensure visitors had every opportunity to safely use and enjoy their national forests and grasslands during the pandemic. The Forest Service welcomed record-breaking numbers of visitors, many of whom were first time users, with 95% expressing satisfaction with their experiences.
“Next year, we will continue to build on these successes to improve conditions on America’s national forests and grasslands to ensure they are healthier, more resilient and more productive,” added Chief Christiansen. We will keep building on the partnerships that make these successes possible and commit to increasing access to better connect people to their natural resources, so these national treasures endure for generations to come.”
For more information about the Forest Service visit www.fs.usda.gov
Guided by an inherent passion to transform travel as a force for good,Preferred Hotel Group, Inc.– the family-owned company that manages and operates global travel and hospitality brands includingPreferred Hotels & Resorts,Historic Hotels of America,Historic Hotels Worldwide, PHG Consulting and Beyond Green Travel– proudly announces the launch of Beyond Green. This innovative hospitality brand debuts with a global portfolio of 24 founding member hotels, resorts, andlodgesthat exemplify sustainable tourism leadership. Driven by purpose, the new brand represents Preferred’s steadfast commitment to building a better and brighter future for travel in a way that also helps to protect the planet for future generations.
Born through an inspired, natural synergy between the Ueberroth Family – the owners of Preferred Hotel Group, Inc. – and ecotourism pioneer and global sustainability expert Costas Christ – the founder of Beyond Green Travel, which Preferred acquired in February 2020 – Beyond Green brings together forward-thinking properties around the world that are committed to delivering on the three key pillars of sustainable tourism: environmentally friendly practices that go beyond the basics; protection of natural and cultural heritage; and contributing to the social and economic wellbeing of local communities.
The name itself – Beyond Green – was chosen in recognition of not only the immense importance of environmentally friendly practices, but also the paramount responsibility that the travel and tourism industry has towards protecting biodiversity, preserving cultural heritage, and improving local people’s livelihoods in travel destinations around the world, all while delivering an enjoyable and meaningful traveler experience.
“Never before has there been a greater need to promote a kinder and gentler way to explore our beautiful, yet fragile planet. Driven by our brand promise, Believe in Travel, which guides every decision we make as a company, we believe that now is the time to go big and be bold as we look to the future of travel,” said Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotel Group, Inc.
“We are humbled by the opportunity to partner with so many inspiring leaders in sustainable tourism to launch our newest brand, Beyond Green, that was built with purpose, gratitude, and respect for nature, communities, and culture, continued Ueberroth.”
“While there may be a tendency to think of sustainability as just the latest travel buzzword, its roots are long and deep. What we are witnessing is an evolution of travel,not a passing trend,” said Costas Christ.
“Beyond Green is about reconnecting with our common humanity and understanding that the diversity of our cultures and different ways of life are what create the rich fabric that makes travel so enjoyable and fascinating. In that same context, nature brings inspiration and renewal to our lives. Sustainable tourism is not about giving something up, it is about gaining something more – a great vacation that it is also a force for good,” said Christ.
The Beyond Green platform will support the needs of its member properties by providingglobal connectivity, distribution technology, marketing, sales, quality assurance, branding, and sustainability solutions, as well as access to participate in I Prefer Hotel Rewards, the world’s largest global points-based loyalty program for independent hotels. Beyond Green will also enhance visibility for its global portfolio and champion sustainability storytelling through its brand website, StayBeyondGreen.com, which launched today in an interim state prior to the brand’s official consumer debut in Q1 2021. Beyond Green member properties will also be bookable on a common GDS chain code, to be announced in early 2021, which will be linked under Preferred Hotel Group Inc.’s master GDS chain code – PV.
With plans for strategic growth over the next 24 months, Beyond Green celebrates its launch in collaboration with 24 inspiring founding members located across 15 countries:
&Beyond Bateleur Camp (Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya)
To be considered for Beyond Green membership, a property must demonstrate leadership in the three key pillars of sustainable tourism as part of a rigorous vetting process and show progress in meeting more than 50sustainability indicatorsthatalign with global sustainable tourismstandards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Examples of these requirements, among others, which form part of an ongoing, biennial on-site inspection process, include management of overall environmental operations to establish benchmarks and set additional sustainability goals including carbon emission reduction targets; elimination of plastic water bottles and reducing single-use plastics; support for biodiversity conservation initiatives and restoration and protection of natural habitats; embracing local cultural vernacular in design and décor and supporting the preservation of cultural heritage sites, a demonstrated priority to hire locally according to fair wages, benefits, and non-discrimination policies that meet or exceed legal requirements; and priorityto purchase goods and services from locally owned and operated businesses.
To help build Beyond Green as a dynamic, digital-first platform that serves travelers through authentic storytelling and wholesome sustainability stewardship, Preferred sought expert direction from two strategic agencies – Robert Louey Design and Spherical. Robert Louey Design was tasked with the branding work, inclusive of brand development, positioning, and strategy, as well as graphic design and language. Spherical has been charged with building a digital identity for Beyond Green to coincide with its consumer launch in Q1 2021, which entails creative direction and channel strategy, the production of a variety of digital assets for advertising, marketing, and social media use, and the creation of a standalone consumer-facing website.
Travel advisors, media, hotels interested in membership, and travelers can learn more about Beyond Green and its founding members by visiting www.StayBeyondGreen.com. Prior to debuting its brand website with full booking capabilities in Q1 2021, Beyond Green invites all travelers who want to book a stay within its unique portfolio of hotels, resorts and lodges to email Book@StayBeyondGreen.com.
The millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought globally are creating stress over everything from personal health to employment, lifestyle, and finances. Given these difficult circumstances, it’s more important than ever for people to know about coping mechanisms to better manage stress, protect their immune system, and increase their chances of staying healthy, says Dr. Nammy Patel, DDS, author of Age With Style: Your Guide To A Youthful Smile & Healthy Living.
“COVID is maximizing stress for so many people,” Dr. Patel says. “It has a far-reaching impact into every part of our lives, and if we don’t manage the stress, it severely affects our bodily systems – causing burned-out adrenals, high cortisol, and thyroid issues, to name a few consequences of high-stress levels. Thus, the immune system is lowered, and we are more vulnerable to illness.
“This era we are living in is very traumatic, and it’s very concerning. In dentistry, gum disease, sleep disturbances or apnea, and teeth breakage can all be evidence of stress. Poor oral health, as studies show, can be a gateway to medical issues. People often don’t identify how much stress they’re under, and how it’s affecting them physically, until they actually get sick.”
Dr. Patel has the following suggestions people can incorporate into their daily lives to better deal with stress.
5 Ways To Cope And Protect Your Health:
Adhere to a healthy diet. While in quarantine or a new normal in which people are spending the vast majority of their time at home, having healthy foods at home and not over-snacking are vital considerations. “We must be more mindful of the foods we put in our bodies,” Dr. Patel says. “Eat as many greens and whole foods as possible. Avoid dairy products as they increase mucus production in the sinus and the chest, leading to lots of sneezing and congestion. The coronavirus enters the nose and makes a home in the sinus, and to increase immunity, it’s important that the sinus and chest are not inflamed. Food prep makes it easier to eat healthy while working from home. Prepare salads and other healthy meals in advance.”
Don’t over-indulge in drinking. “For some people, drinking is the only source of enjoyment during the pandemic,” Dr. Patel says. “And we see people who are isolating having Zoom calls with friends while drinking wine. The problem is that one glass turns into two or more, and with the sugar content of wine, you may wake up during the night. This disturbs sleep, and sleep is when the immune system regenerates. Restorative sleep is essential to our health.”
Take vitamin supplements. “Often, those with adrenal fatigue don’t take in enough essential nutrients as stress increases their body’s nutritional demands,” Dr. Patel says. “To address adrenal and cortisol burnout, take multivitamins in order to get trace minerals.”
Develop a morning ritual. “Deep breathing exercises can be calming and get you out of the hyper state,” Dr. Patel says. “You want to get rid of the ‘fight or flight’ mode and enter the ‘rest and digest’ state of mind.”
Find a stress management activity that works for you. Many people don’t like to exercise, but Dr. Patel notes exercise doesn’t have to be rigorous to be effective. “A type of exercise one enjoys doing at home like walking, running, or yoga goes a long way toward releasing stress hormones,” she says. “And for those who like intense workouts, it’s all good in terms of reducing stress. Another good stress management technique is using biofeedback mechanisms like alpha state meditations to increase immunity.”
“The disruption of daily life by COVID-19 has caused us to rethink many things that we do,” Dr. Patel says. “How we deal with stress needs to be a priority now, and it’s not overly difficult if you develop good daily habits.”
Dr. Nammy Patel, DDS operates a practice called Green Dentistry in San Francisco and is the author of Age With Style: Your Guide To A Youthful Smile & Healthy Living. A graduate of the University of California’s School of Dentistry, she is a leader in the movement to bring environmental sanity and well-being into the dental world. Dr. Patel focuses on helping patients recognize the vital connection between dental health and whole body health.
MIT Sloan School of Management study shows potential long-term environment effects from COVID-19 and the findings show a decrease in clean energy investment could exacerbate health crisis
While the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced air pollution in the U.S., the longer-term impact on the environment is unclear. In a recent study, MIT Sloan School of Management Prof. Christopher Knittel and Prof. Jing Li analyzed the short- and long-term effects, finding that the actual impact will depend on the policy response to the pandemic. Their study suggests that pushing back investments in renewable electricity generation by one year could outweigh the emission reductions and deaths avoided from March through June 2020.
“The pandemic raises two important questions related to the environment. First, what is the short-run impact on fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions? Second – and more important but harder to answer – what are the longer-term implications from the pandemic on those same variables? The health impacts from the pandemic could stretch out for decades if not centuries depending on the policy response,” says Knittel.
In their study, the researchers analyzed the short-term impact of the pandemic on CO2 emissions in the U.S. from late March to June 7, 2020. They found a 50% reduction in the use of jet fuel and a 30% reduction in the use of gasoline. The use of natural gas in residential and commercial buildings declined by almost 20% and overall electricity demand declined by less than 10%. However, the professors point out that the shutdown also halted most investment in the transition to low-carbon energy. In addition, clean energy jobs decreased by almost 600,000 by the end of April.
“The short-term impact of the pandemic is clear, but the long-term impact is highly uncertain,” says Li. “It will depend on how long it takes to bring the pandemic under control and how long any economic recession lasts.”
The best-case scenario, according to the researchers, is a swift and low-cost strategy to control the virus, allowing the economy to reopen by the end of 2020. In this scenario, investment trends prior to the pandemic will continue.
“Unfortunately, we view a second scenario as more likely,” notes Knittel. “In this scenario, the consequences of the pandemic will be greater, with many more deaths and deeper disruptions to supply chains, and a persistent global recession. The need to backpedal on the reopening of the economy due to flare-ups could destroy rather than defer the demand for goods and services.”
In this scenario, the delays in investments in renewables and vehicle fuel economy could lead to an additional 2,500 MMT of CO2 from 2020-2035, which could cause 40 deaths per month on average or 7,500 deaths during that time.
“Our findings suggest that even just pushing back all renewable electricity generation investments by one year would outweigh the emissions reductions and avoided deaths from March to June of 2020. However, the energy policy response to COVID-19 is the wild card that can change everything,” they wrote in an article for Joule.
Li explains that budgets will be strained to pay for the costs of the virus, making it challenging to invest in clean energy. And if a recession persists, there may be pressure to lessen climate change mitigation goals. However, stimulus packages could focus on clean energy, increasing clean air, clean jobs, and national security.
“Just stabilizing the economy can go a long way to putting clean energy trends back on track. We need to solve the pandemic and continue to address climate change. Otherwise, it will lead to even more tragedy,” adds Knittel.
World Bee Day aims to strengthen measures to protect bees, which are vital pollinators for almost 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species and more than 75% of global food crops. Despite their importance in supporting food security and biodiversity, bees are under significant threat worldwide from intensive and monocultural farming practices, land-use change and habitat loss, pesticides and rising temperatures linked to climate change.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is actively involved in helping to safeguard these essential, remarkable and highly vulnerable creatures. In 2017, the company established an Apiary at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex. The Apiary is home to around 250,000 English Honey Bees, which reside in six traditional English-crafted wooden beehives. As well as foraging on the 42-acre Rolls-Royce site, with its half-a-million trees, shrubs and wildflowers, together with eight acres of sedum plants growing on the manufactory’s ‘living roof’, the bees roam over the surrounding 12,000-acre Goodwood Estate, at the heart of the South Downs National Park. Each year, ‘The Rolls-Royce of Honey’ is meticulously hand‑processed by local specialists and served to guests of the marque, including customers commissioning their motor cars in the company’s Atelier suite.
The United Nations designated 20 May as World Bee Day to mark the birthday of Slovenian artist, designer and apiculturist Anton Janša (1734-1773). Considered the father of modern beekeeping, Janša pioneered many methods still in use today. In his seminal treatise A Full Guide to Beekeeping, published posthumously in 1775, he declared: “Amongst all God’s beings there are none so hard working and useful to man with so little attention needed for its keep as the bee.”
A recent move by the federal government to expand the environmental review of the first major offshore wind farm in the U.S., Vineyard Wind, and the “cumulative impact” of offshore wind projects off the Atlantic Coast has left some in the Great Lakes asking why Lake Erie’s proposed Icebreaker Wind project was not included. According to the agency tasked with completing the enhanced environmental review, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the new effort is a result of “comments received from stakeholders and cooperating agencies request a more robust cumulative analysis,” and comes in response to concerns from anglers, the fishing industry, and coastal communities.
BOEM’s Vineyard Wind website reports, “Considering such comments, and taking into account recent state offshore wind procurement announcements, BOEM is expanding its cumulative analysis of projects within its draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Because BOEM has determined that a greater build out of offshore wind capacity is more reasonably foreseeable than was analyzed in the initial draft EIS, BOEM has decided to supplement the draft EIS and solicit comments on its revised cumulative impacts analysis.” The agency, which is part of the Department of Interior, further acknowledges that there will be an opportunity to comment on the supplemental EIS, which it expects to complete by no later than early 2020.
The fate of Icebreaker, to be located 8 miles from downtown Cleveland, is currently in the hands of the Ohio Power Siting Board and in the last stages of a multi-year decision-making process.
Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), the nation’s largest recreational boating advocacy, services and safety group, says it’s puzzled as to why the first project planned for freshwaters of North America that would initially site six turbines with backers planning for hundreds more did not garner the same consideration as other wind projects including Massachusetts’ 84-turbine Vineyard Wind and others in planning stages off the Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina coasts.
“Regardless of how you feel about wind energy, all wind turbine projects must be treated equally, regardless of siting, in salt and freshwaters,” said BoatUS Manager of Government Affairs David Kennedy. “We have BoatUS members on both sides of this issue, but what unites them is the need to ensure an environmental review process that doesn’t arbitrarily treat projects differently.” BoatUS has more than 104,000 dues-paying members in the four states bordering Lake Erie.
Lake Erie Marine Trades Association President Michelle Burke has previously raised concerns about Icebreaker’s environmental assessment shortcomings. Said Burke recently in Soundings Trade Only’s Dealer Outlook blog, “… This (Icebreaker) would be the first such (wind farm) installation on fresh water, the source of drinking water for 12 million people.” Burke and others are concerned about stirring up contaminated Cuyahoga River dredging spoils that were dumped years ago into the lake, potentially in areas of future turbine sites.
Michigan Boating Industries Association Executive Director Nicki Polan added, “While the (environmental) reviews will initially focus on the East Coast, we will immediately urge BOEM to put the proposed project on Lake Erie on their radar, too.” Polan says a full Environmental Impact Statement on Icebreaker is required before any construction is permitted.
Pirelli is the world leader in Sustainability in the Auto Components sector on the Dow Jones World and Europe indices. This is the result that emerged from the annual review of the indices conducted by RobecoSam and S&P Dow Jones and which will take effect from September 24th. Pirelli recorded a total score of 81 points compared with the sector average of 32. Launched in 1999, the Dow Jones sustainability indices are among the most important market indices regarding sustainability at the world level. Involving over 2,000 companies from 60 industrial sectors, the analysis is based on the integrated evaluation of economic, environmental and social factors, that are the three aspects which define the concept of sustainability in terms of enduring value creation for all stakeholders.
