The lead content of surface enamel at that time was determined to be high. A number of widely used dentifrices were tested for lead since it was suspected that they could be a source of this element. Every single sample tested positive for lead.

Toothpaste samples taken from certain brands showed high levels of lead in the areas immediately surrounding the product container’s walls. When squeezed from nearly empty tubes, the paste contained substantial levels of lead in these tests. These findings left little doubt that these products contained a neurotoxin that could cause harm if ingested. How many years ago was that? Yes, that was 45 years ago, and we have continued to use products that may not be as safe as they should be. But what’s the specific problem, and shouldn’t we have been protected by the agencies given that charge?

Children and Lead Exposure

There are several well-documented negative impacts of lead exposure on children’s health, including:

Brain and neurological system injury
Decreased development
Issues with learning and conduct disorders
Speech and hearing impairments

Resulting in:

Reduced intelligence of a lifelong nature
Minimal capacity for sustained attention
Academic underachievement

In children, we need to be especially concerned, as this is where the most damage can occur, and the consequences can be lifelong. Lead is harmful to children because it enters the bloodstream rapidly. Once in the bloodstream, lead is transported to the brain, bones, and every part of a child’s body. It is insidious and may not be detected immediately except when specific blood tests are performed. The question here, of course, is whether or not lead is suspected to be the culprit, and testing is ordered.

A child’s blood lead level will increase if they ingest lead. However, blood lead levels decline over time when a child’s exposure to lead ends. However, despite decreasing levels of lead, not all lead will be eliminated, and this is where the damage lies.

Kidney, perspiration, and feces are excreted by the body as a portion of the lead. Bones are another repository for lead. Lead levels in bones can decline over decades. But there’s more here than we would suspect, and we would be lulled into a false sense of security that the body has a natural ability to read itself of lead. The story is more complex than that.

Due to its ability to penetrate and remain in the body, lead is extremely harmful to children’s health. Lead can enter the blood circulation and even reach the brain when a kid breathes lead dust or consumes lead particles. Remember the toothpaste that we mentioned earlier? Lead, alarmingly, can lodge in bones and soft tissues, where it can stay for decades, unlike many poisons that the body removes.

One reason lead is so harmful is that it resembles calcium and iron, two essential minerals necessary for a growing body. Lead, when ingested, mimics these essential nutrients and fools cells into utilizing them instead. This change disrupts the brain’s normal development and functioning.

Like insulation, the protective myelin layer around nerve cells is likewise damaged by lead. Damage to this coating prevents the normal transmission of nerve signals throughout the brain. Physical and mental development, as well as learning and processing information, are all impacted by this harm. It is crucial to limit lead exposure in youngsters because the consequences can be long-lasting and happen at very low exposure levels.

Toothpaste Current Research

After all these years, researchers decided to revisit the exploration of currently available toothpastes and other potential sources of metal contamination. The results are anything but heartening and have raised new concerns for even the most well-known brands of toothpaste.

Many of the popular brands were included in a 2025 research project, and a chart is available here. In fact, you can find information on multiple products and their safety regarding contamination by lead or other materials here. It’s not only toothpaste that we need to be concerned about because we’ve recently been made aware of contaminants, such as metals, in baby food.

In the area of toothpaste, especially for children, 51 Brands were tested and, unfortunately, even those that were supposed to be “green” had issues with contamination. Lead was present in approximately 90% of toothpastes, arsenic in 65%, mercury in slightly less than half, and cadmium in one-third. Many brands have some harmful substances. Many popular brands were found to contain harmful substances, including Crest, Sensodyne, Tom’s of Maine, Dr. Bronner’s, and others.

In their defense, several corporations have pointed out that lead is ubiquitous in nature and thus impossible to eliminate. Currently, the federal Baby Food Safety Act of 2024 is stuck in Congress, which would limit lead levels in children’s food to 10 parts per billion. The lead limit in infant food in California is six parts per billion; however, this does not apply to toothpaste. The majority of toothpastes surpassed those levels.

You can find arsenic in nature just about everywhere: rocks, dirt, water, air, and even some living things. Organic chemicals, including those found in seafood (such as fish and shellfish), are one possible form they can take. However, when we detect unacceptable levels of any heavy metal, such as lead, in a product intended for oral use or ingestion, it is mandatory that we take every possible step to eliminate it. To do less is unconscionable and damaging to children and adults.

As always, it is wise to inform yourself about all the foods and materials that you will either ingest or apply to your body. This research would not have seemed necessary, except that almost 50 years ago, lead was found in toothpaste. Now that we have the information, we can act intelligently with it and protect ourselves and our children.

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As winter approaches, the effects of the conflict will push Ukraine’s health infrastructure to the brink. With public works systems attacked, water supply systems damaged, food chains disrupted, and heating systems in disrepair, Ukrainians must contend with dual dangers — physical wounds and a looming public health catastrophe.

A Broken Health System

In addition to its borders, Ukraine’s health system is also under siege. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 1,000 health facilities have been damaged or destroyed since the conflict began in 2022. Hospitals struggle to operate with limited resources, a shortage of medical supplies, and overburdened staff. The lack of access to essential medicines, compounded by interrupted supply chains, means that essential health services are increasingly inaccessible to millions.

Since the war began, the Ukrainian population’s health needs have changed dramatically. War injuries, trauma, and mental health conditions are on the rise, while chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cancer — conditions that require regular treatment and medication — go unchecked and untreated. Patients are unable to receive the care they need while doctors are stretched thin, tending to the war-wounded, displaced, and people with long-standing health concerns. Under the best conditions, sick people get sicker when they lack access to care. What happens when care becomes nonexistent?

The public health toll is expected to skyrocket without access to quality care. The indirect consequences of this war — poor sanitation and lack of heating — add to Ukraine’s already precarious health situation, leaving millions vulnerable to illness and preventable deaths.

Public Works Under Siege

War doesn’t just target people — it targets infrastructure. Public works, the backbone of daily life, have been severely compromised. Cities across Ukraine — particularly on the Eastern front — have suffered the bombing of power stations, water treatment plants, and sewage systems. The assault on infrastructure isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a public health time bomb.

Water quality, in particular, is a growing concern. Contaminated water sources have led to an increase in waterborne diseases, including dysentery, which are particularly threatening to the elderly and the young. Clean drinking water is becoming scarce in many regions, forcing civilians to resort to unsafe alternatives. The WHO has already warned of the potential for large-scale outbreaks if the water supply continues to degrade.

With sanitation systems destroyed, the spread of disease becomes even more likely. Waste disposal has been disrupted, and raw sewage contaminates streets and water systems in many areas. The health risks are immense, especially for children and those with weakened immune systems.

Food Supply: The Silent Hunger Crisis

War may not always bring immediate famine but plants the seeds of a silent hunger crisis. Ukraine, the so-called “breadbasket of Europe,” has become a nation where food insecurity is a growing threat. The conflict has upended agricultural production, destroyed farmlands, and blocked essential transportation routes, making it nearly impossible for many to access fresh food.

International relief organizations have warned that the food supply chain is on the verge of collapse. Farmers have abandoned their fields, both out of fear for their lives and because they are called to serve and defend. Crops have been left to rot, and livestock has been slaughtered prematurely due to a lack of resources to care for them. As food prices soar, more families cannot afford even basic staples.

Malnutrition is a natural and present danger, particularly for children. Without proper nutrition, growth and cognitive development are stunted, leaving long-term scars on the next generation. As winter approaches, the lack of food and energy shortages will only exacerbate this crisis, pushing more civilians into hunger and despair.

Meanwhile, the destruction of the Ukrainian agricultural sector has a ripple effect on global food security. Ukraine is a major exporter of grains and other essential food products. The disruption of these exports contributes to rising food prices and shortages worldwide, particularly in emerging nations that rely heavily on Ukrainian imports.

The Winter Threat: No Heat, No Shelter

In Ukraine, winter is not just a season — it can be a test of survival. For millions, the coming months will be defined by the struggle to stay warm in a country where the infrastructure that supports heating has been obliterated. With power plants targeted and fuel supplies dwindling, many Ukrainians will be forced to endure sub-zero temperatures without adequate heating or shelter.

The loss of heating is not just uncomfortable — it’s unbearable and deadly. Hypothermia, respiratory illnesses, and other cold-related conditions pose a significant threat. Hospitals, already overburdened with war casualties, may soon face a surge in patients suffering from the cold.

The mental health toll of enduring another freezing winter in a war zone cannot be understated. The constant strain of survival and the physical challenges of the cold erode millions’ emotional resilience. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are already widespread, and the coming winter will only deepen these psychological wounds.

Beyond the Battlefield: The Global Impact

While the immediate suffering is concentrated mainly in Eastern Ukraine, the war’s health implications extend far beyond its borders. The displacement of millions of Ukrainians has led to one of the most significant refugee crises in recent history, with neighboring countries — Poland, Romania, and Moldova — bearing the brunt of this humanitarian wave. Moldova, perhaps the poorest nation in Europe, has demonstrated how kindness and empathy are part of the healing process, going beyond merely opening its borders. It has made room in schools and public buildings to house, clothe, and educate new residents.

Refugees face a host of health challenges in their new environments, from urgent access to healthcare to the anxiety of overcrowded shelters. Despite best efforts, host countries struggle to provide adequate services to these displaced populations, putting further strain on their public health systems.

In addition, the war is exacerbating existing health crises globally, such as the COVID-19 variants. Resources and attention have been diverted to the conflict, undermining efforts to combat other health emergencies. The war’s strain on the global economy is also limiting the capacity of international organizations to provide aid, leaving millions in Ukraine and beyond in dire need of support.

A Call for Urgent Action

The war in Ukraine is more than a geopolitical conflict — it’s a humanitarian disaster with profound health consequences. As the world watches, the health of millions hangs in the balance. The international community must act swiftly to provide the resources and support necessary to prevent further loss of life — medicines, warm clothes, temporary shelters, and mental health support.

Humanitarian aid is desperately needed to repair the health infrastructure, restore clean water supplies, and ensure access to food and heating. Governments, NGOs, and private sector organizations must work together to deliver life-saving assistance before the full impact of winter sets in.

This war has shown us that health is not only a question of access to hospitals and doctors — it is intertwined with every aspect of life. From public works to food systems to mental health, the well-being of the nation’s civilians is inextricably linked to its survival. Beyond discussions of continued support for defense, health access must be prioritized. Lives are at stake, and time is running out as winter approaches.

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The UN Conference of the Parties (COP) has gathered annually for nearly three decades, bringing together leaders from almost every nation to tackle the most pressing issue of our time: climate change. However, the media’s focus on immediate outcomes and controversies often invites us to overlook these Summits’ long-term progress and significance. It’s important to remember that these events are not just about the headlines but about the promise of change and hope they bring for a sustainable future.

While skeptics may point out the shortcomings of these Summits, they may be missing the bigger picture. No nation is perfect, and even those with sustainability policies must recognize that turning their backs on emerging nations’ struggles delays global action. The participation of developing countries in the COP process is not just theoretical; it is crucial to the worldwide mobilization necessary to tackle the issue.

These nations, often the most at risk from climate change, are not just participants but key contributors to arriving at inclusive solutions. Their unique perspectives and challenges shape the discussions and decisions made at these Summits, making them an integral part of the global climate action.

In nearly three decades, COP Summits have made remarkable progress. The Paris Agreement, adopted at COP21, was a significant milestone in global climate action. This agreement, signed by 195 countries, aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, with an aspiration to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees. Recognizing such achievements is crucial; it reminds us that these gatherings and collaborations are not in vain but a beacon of hope for a sustainable future.

The Early Days: Building a Framework for Global Action

The first COP meeting in 1995, held in Berlin, marked the beginning of a sustained global effort to address climate change, and it set the tone for what would become an evolving negotiation process. COP1 established the “Berlin Mandate,” a landmark agreement that recognized the historical responsibility of developed countries, the most significant historical emitters of greenhouse gases, in causing climate change. This mandate laid the groundwork for future discussions and paved the way for the Kyoto Protocol, adopted two years later in 1997 at COP3 in Kyoto, Japan.

The Kyoto Protocol was a watershed moment in global climate policy. For the first time, countries agreed to legally binding emission reduction targets. Although it applied to developed nations, the protocol set a precedent for collective and individual national accountability.

The agreement faced its share of challenges—most notably, the United States’ refusal to ratify it—but it still represented a significant step forward. The protocol underscored the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities,” a concept that remains central to climate negotiations today.

Mid-Course Correction: The Road to Paris

As the COP Summits progressed, it became increasingly evident a more inclusive and flexible approach was needed, as it was recognized that the Kyoto Protocol, focusing on binding targets for a subset of countries, would not be achievable. The realization led to the Bali Action Plan at COP13 in 2007, which initiated a process to negotiate a new global agreement to include all nations, developed and emerging.

This was the Paris Agreement, adopted at COP21 in 2015. The Paris Agreement marked a significant shift in how nations engage to stem climate change. Unlike the Kyoto Protocol, which imposed top-down targets, the Paris Agreement encourages countries to set their determined contributions (NDCs) based on specific circumstances. This flexibility was vital to securing the participation of nearly every country worldwide. The agreement also established a framework for transparency and accountability, requiring countries to report on their progress regularly.

Yet the Paris Agreement’s most significant achievement was its commitment to limit global warming to “well below 2 degrees Celsius” above pre-industrial levels, intending to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees. Though ambitious, this target reflects the scientific consensus necessary to avoid climate change’s most catastrophic impacts. The Paris Agreement was a triumph of collaborative diplomacy, demonstrating that global cooperation is possible despite incredible policy and economic standing differences.

The United States was a late signer of the Paris Agreement. It joined the community in 2016 but withdrew soon after, in 2017; on January 20, 2021, President Biden reaffirmed the US commitment to the Paris Agreement on his first day in office.

New Era of Ambition and Accountability

In the years following the Paris Agreement, the COP Summits have focused on putting the structure needed to implement its goals. COP24 in Katowice, Poland, 2018 formalized the “Paris Rulebook,” providing detailed guidelines on implementing the agreement’s provisions. This includes rules for how countries should report their emissions and progress and how to ensure transparency and accountability.

Another significant achievement came at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2021 under the theme “Together for Our Planet.” The Summit saw a wave of new commitments from countries to enhance their NDCs, reflecting a growing recognition that the original Paris pledges were insufficient to meet the 1.5-degree target.

The Glasgow Climate Pact agreed upon at COP26 urged countries to “revisit and strengthen” their targets by 2022 and included the first-ever explicit mention of phasing down unabated coal power. The pact also emphasized the need for developed countries to fulfill their promise to provide $100 billion per year in climate finance to emerging nations, a commitment that has been a sticking point in negotiations since.

COP26 also saw the launch of several major initiatives aimed at accelerating climate action. The Global Methane Pledge, for instance, committed signatories to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030, an action that could significantly slow the rate of global warming. Additionally, more than 130 countries pledged to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030, recognizing forests’ critical role in absorbing carbon dioxide.

Addressing the Critics: Why COP Matters

Indeed, the COP process is not without its flaws. Critics often point to the slow pace of negotiations, the gap between promises and action, and the influence of powerful fossil fuel interests in the nations hosting the Summit. All these concerns are valid. However, they should not overshadow the progress made or the world’s ticking clock in addressing climate change. The COP Summits are instrumental in creating a framework for addressing a common concern—people and planet are at risk.

The shift from the Kyoto Protocol to the Paris Agreement reflects a broader understanding that tackling climate change requires grasstop to grassroots global collaboration and local action. COP provides a community setting for bringing together governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations, and thought leaders to share ideas, forge partnerships, and hold each other accountable.

Notably, the COP Summits have played a crucial role in elevating the climate crisis on the global agenda. These meetings’ visibility and media coverage have helped build public awareness and pressure governments to act. Climate change is now a central issue in international relations due in no small part to the sustained efforts of the COP process.

Looking Ahead: The Road to COP29 and Beyond

The upcoming COP29 Summit in Baku will be another critical moment as we prepare for the future. The focus will be on assessing the collective progress toward the Paris Agreement goals and scaling up ambition to meet the 1.5-degree target. This will require substantial government commitments and more significant engagement from the private sector and civil society.

The challenges are immense, and the achievements of the past 28 COP Summits provide a good cause for optimism. Each Summit has built on the potential of the previous gathering, gradually moving the world closer to a shared, sustainable future. The road ahead will not be easy, but the COP process has shown that, despite imperfections, it remains our best hope for achieving climate justice. The COP gatherings matter because they are the only global forum where every country has a voice in the essential effort to course-correct climate change. They matter because they have led to concrete actions that will make a difference.  They matter because they embody the principle that collaborative action can change the course of history, no matter how daunting the challenge. As we approach COP29, remember that these meetings are about give and take and building

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By leveraging local knowledge and fostering active community participation, these initiatives ensure that interventions are effective, culturally relevant, and sustainable. It’s about empowering the community to take control of their health destinies, making sure every step taken is a step that resonates with their unique way of life. When communities are at the helm, the improvements in health outcomes are not just significant; they are monumental, lasting, and deeply personal. This is the true power of community-driven public health: a collaborative effort that transforms lives, one initiative at a time.

Community-driven initiatives are crucial for several reasons. First, they promote higher levels of engagement and ownership among community members, leading to more sustainable health outcomes. Second, when communities are directly involved in identifying problems and implementing solutions, the interventions are more likely to be culturally relevant and accepted.

Moreover, these initiatives often leverage local knowledge and resources, making them cost-effective and adaptable to specific local contexts. Community participation also helps in building trust and accountability, which are essential for the success of any public health intervention. Finally, community-driven initiatives can bridge gaps in formal health systems by providing tailored solutions to underserved populations.

Successful community initiatives

Engaging community members in every step of the process ensures ownership and sustainability. Moreover, strong local leaders can drive change and motivate others to participate. Focusing on long-term solutions, such as sustainable agriculture or sanitation facilities, ensures lasting benefits. Collaboration with government agencies can also provide additional resources and legitimacy to the initiatives.

In India, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, or Clean India Mission, is a nationwide campaign launched by the government to improve sanitation and hygiene. Communities across urban and rural areas have been mobilized to build toilets, promote handwashing, and eliminate open defecation.i Similarly, the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) has also implemented various health initiatives to empower women and improve family health. Its approach integrates health education with economic empowerment.ii

The Aaraku Coffee Project in Andhra Pradesh is another unique initiative combining sustainable agriculture and health improvement. Alongside agricultural training, the project includes health education and the provision of basic healthcare services to tribal communities. The holistic approach of integrating economic development with health interventions has proven to be highly effective in enhancing the well-being of the community.iii

The Mae Fah Luang Foundation in Thailand is a prime example of how sustainable agricultural practices, such as organic farming, can drive public health improvements. Established to improve the livelihoods of hill tribe communities, the foundation has integrated health initiatives with economic development.iv By promoting sustainable agriculture, the foundation has enhanced food security and reduced malnutrition and health issues related to poverty.

Similarly, in the Philippines, community-led health and nutrition programs such as the Integrated Community Food Production initiative have empowered local communities to produce their own food through sustainable methods, thereby reducing the rates of malnutrition, especially in children.v

Another example is how Indonesia has implemented numerous community-driven projects aimed at improving water quality and sanitation, which are critical for preventing waterborne diseases. One notable initiative is the Community-Based Total Sanitation (CBTS) programme, which encourages communities to build and maintain their own sanitation facilities, thereby reducing open defecation and improving overall hygiene.vi

However, it’s important to acknowledge that these community-level initiatives often face formidable challenges such as limited resources and resistance to change. Overcoming these hurdles demands not just flexibility and persistent community engagement but also an unwavering commitment to adapt interventions based on real-time feedback.

What have we learned from these efforts? First and foremost, building trust within the community is paramount as it is the foundation upon which all successful interventions are built. Continuous education and training are equally essential, ensuring that community members are well-equipped to sustain these initiatives. Moreover, integrating economic development with health interventions has proven to be a game-changer, demonstrating that health and prosperity go hand in hand.

Community initiatives are not just a piece of the puzzle but the driving force behind sustainable public health changes. By actively engaging local populations, tapping into cultural wisdom, and emphasizing sustainable practices, these initiatives have significantly improved health outcomes across the Asia-Pacific region. These stories are powerful testaments to the potential of community-driven efforts to create lasting public health improvements. They serve as valuable blueprints for future initiatives, illustrating that we can overcome any challenge and build healthier, more resilient communities with trust, education, and economic integration.

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The Significance of New York Climate Week

New York Climate Week, hosted by the Climate Group in collaboration with the United Nations and other partners, serves as a platform for governments, businesses, and civil society to showcase their commitments to climate action. Since its inception, the event has played a crucial role in galvanizing global efforts to combat climate change, with leaders announcing ambitious pledges and initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and foster sustainability.

One of the critical features of Climate Week is the Climate Week NYC Hub, a series of events and workshops focused on various aspects of climate action, from renewable energy to sustainable finance. This hub serves as a melting pot of ideas and solutions, fostering stakeholder collaboration and innovation.

The Intersection of Climate and Politics

The intersection of climate and politics becomes particularly pronounced in an election year. Political leaders are not only under pressure to address the pressing issues of the day but also to appeal to their voter base and secure reelection. This dynamic can influence the discourse surrounding climate action, potentially shaping the outcomes of events like New York Climate Week.

However, the politicization of climate change poses a significant challenge to meaningful progress. Partisan divides can sometimes hinder bipartisan cooperation on sustainability policies, leading to gridlock and a failure to build any meaningful momentum. Additionally, short-term political goals may take precedence over long-term environmental objectives, undermining the urgency of climate action.

The seemingly endless push and pull between what the environment demands at this moment and moving forward and what policymakers are willing to agree on may prove disastrous if we cannot collectively overcome bad-faith actors and engage in solutions-oriented negotiations on common, fact-centered ground.

The Role of Leadership

Despite these challenges, political, social, and corporate leadership remains crucial in driving sustainability policy forward. Political leaders can set the agenda, prioritize climate action, and mobilize resources to support renewable energy, conservation efforts, and other sustainability initiatives.

Moreover, corporate leaders are pivotal in advancing sustainability goals through corporate social responsibility initiatives, supply chain management, and investment in clean technologies. By aligning their business practices with environmental stewardship, companies can contribute to a more sustainable future while enhancing their reputation and competitiveness in the market.

The Role of Corporations

Corporations wield significant influence in the fight against climate change, given their economic power, resources, and ability to drive innovation. Their participation and engagement during New York Climate Week can significantly contribute to the success of the event and the advancement of sustainability goals. Corporate communications, in particular, can play a crucial role in amplifying the impact of Climate Week initiatives and fostering collaboration among businesses, governments, and civil society. Here’s how corporations and their communication strategies can make Climate Week a success:

1. Demonstrating Commitment to Sustainability

Corporate participation in New York Climate Week sends a powerful commitment to sustainability and climate action. By showcasing their initiatives, achievements, and commitments to reducing carbon emissions, conserving natural resources, and promoting renewable energy, corporations can inspire others to follow suit. Whether through keynote speeches, panel discussions, or interactive exhibits, companies can use Climate Week to highlight their sustainability efforts and demonstrate leadership in addressing climate change.

2. Sharing Best Practices and Lessons Learned

Climate Week allows corporations to share best practices, lessons learned, and success stories in sustainability. Through workshops, roundtable discussions, and networking events, businesses can exchange knowledge and expertise on energy efficiency, carbon management, supply chain sustainability, and circular economy initiatives. By sharing insights and collaborating with peers, corporations can accelerate progress toward common sustainability goals and drive collective action.

3. Engaging Stakeholders and Building Partnerships

Corporate communications are crucial in engaging stakeholders and building partnerships during Climate Week. Through strategic messaging, storytelling, and outreach efforts, companies can effectively communicate their sustainability priorities, values, and achievements to employees, customers, investors, and the broader public. By fostering transparency and dialogue, corporations can build trust and credibility, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and cultivate a supportive ecosystem for climate action.

4. Mobilizing Resources and Driving Innovation

Corporations have the resources and expertise to drive innovation and scale up solutions for climate change. During Climate Week, companies can announce new investments, partnerships, and initiatives to advance sustainability goals, such as renewable energy projects, green technology innovations, and sustainable supply chain initiatives. By mobilizing financial resources, technical expertise, and market influence, corporations can catalyze innovation and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

5. Advocating for Policy Change and Collective Action

Corporate communications can also play a role in advocating for policy change and collective action on climate issues. Companies can advocate for supportive policy frameworks, incentives, and regulations that promote sustainability and drive investment in clean energy and climate resilience by engaging with policymakers, industry associations, and advocacy groups. Through public advocacy campaigns, thought leadership initiatives, and corporate lobbying efforts, corporations can leverage their influence to shape public policy and drive systemic change.

The Power of Collective Action

At its core, New York Climate Week is about collective action. It brings together stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, united by a common goal: to address the climate crisis and build a more sustainable world. Through collaboration and dialogue, participants can identify shared challenges and opportunities, forge partnerships, and catalyze change at scale.

Moreover, the outcomes of New York Climate Week can extend far beyond the event itself. Pledges made and initiatives launched during the week can inspire further action and investment, both at the local and global levels. By amplifying the voices of leaders committed to climate action, Climate Week has the potential to mobilize public support and pressure policymakers to prioritize sustainability policy.

The Role of Public Engagement

Public engagement is also critical in driving momentum for sustainability policy. Citizens can hold their elected officials accountable, advocate for climate-friendly policies, and support businesses prioritizing environmental responsibility. Grassroots movements, youth activism, and community-led initiatives can all significantly shape the political landscape and drive meaningful change.

Monitoring the critical conversations at Climate Week can be a challenge for the concerned individual citizen, but finding a non-profit or advocacy organization to align with either in a membership capacity or even to follow on social media and receive updates may provide a more complete picture of how the sustainability conversation is being framed.

In an election year, the power of the electorate to influence policy outcomes is especially pronounced. By demanding action on climate change and making sustainability a top priority at the ballot box, voters can send a clear message to policymakers about the importance of environmental stewardship. Staying informed is critical.

COP v. Climate Week: Global Gatherings with Very Different Tenors

New York Climate Week is just one of the significant global gatherings focused on climate on the calendar. COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, will happen shortly after the United States elections in November. While New York Climate Week and the Conference of the Parties (COP) bring together global stakeholders to address climate change, they differ in scope, format, and objectives. Understanding these distinctions is essential for assessing how New York Climate Week may shift paradigms in the fight for sustainability policy, particularly as America chooses its next president.

1. Scope and Focus

COP conferences, organized by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), are large-scale international gatherings where countries negotiate and finalize multilateral agreements on climate change. These agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, set binding targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions and establish frameworks for international cooperation on climate action.

In contrast, New York Climate Week is a more diverse and decentralized event, encompassing a wide range of stakeholders beyond national governments. While COP conferences primarily involve government representatives, Climate Week engages businesses, civil society organizations, and local governments, fostering a potentially more holistic approach to climate action.

2. Format and Structure

COP conferences follow a structured negotiation process, with formal plenary sessions, working groups, and side events focused on specific issues. These conferences culminate in adopting official documents, such as the COP decisions and the conference outcome reports, which serve as the basis for international climate policy.

New York Climate Week, on the other hand, features a more fluid and dynamic format, with various events, panel discussions, and workshops hosted by multiple organizations and stakeholders. While Climate Week lacks the formal decision-making authority of COP conferences, it provides a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration, driving momentum for climate action at all levels.

3. Objectives and Outcomes

The primary objective of COP conferences is to negotiate and finalize international agreements on climate change, focusing on achieving consensus among participating countries. These agreements often set long-term targets and timelines for emissions reductions and mechanisms for financial assistance and technology transfer to support developing countries in their climate efforts.

In contrast, the objectives of New York Climate Week are more diverse and multifaceted. While the event aims to showcase commitments and initiatives from various stakeholders, its ultimate goal is to mobilize action and catalyze momentum for climate solutions. The outcomes of Climate Week may include new partnerships, initiatives, and pledges, as well as increased public awareness and engagement on climate issues.

4. Political Context

Another key difference between New York Climate Week and COP conferences is the political context in which they occur. While the UNFCCC process governs COP conferences and involves formal negotiations among countries, Climate Week takes place in a broader political landscape shaped by national and regional dynamics.

In an election year, the political context surrounding New York Climate Week may be particularly significant as policymakers seek to demonstrate leadership on climate issues to their constituents. However, participating countries’ domestic political priorities may influence the ambition and commitment they bring to the event.

As New York Climate Week approaches, the stakes remain high. Amid an election year, the event has the potential to catalyze momentum for sustainability policy, but it also faces challenges posed by political polarization and short-term thinking. Nevertheless, the power of collective action, leadership, and public engagement is a proven combination that gets results. We can build a more sustainable future for future generations by coming together to address the climate crisis. As individuals, businesses, and governments, we all have a role in moving the needle toward a more sustainable world.

The post New York Climate Week in an Election Year appeared first on Medika Life.

A seeming relationship appeared to exist between eating salmon and the incidence of a specific mental health disorder. The earlier research, omega-3, indicated it could lower schizotypy because people who ate more fish when they were 3 to 5 years old had lower rates of schizotypal personality disorder when they were 23 years old. New research has tested that idea.

A community group of 290 11–12-year-olds who met the criteria for conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, or high aggression scores on a standard test were included in the intention-to-treat, single-blind study. Three groups were entered into the study: omega-3 alone, CBT alone, and omega-3 and CBT together. Schizotypy was down 25.7% in the omega-3-alone group and 36.6% in the omega-3-plus-CBT group three months after treatment.

Compared to the CBT group 9 months after treatment, the interpersonal schizotypy factor showed stronger effects in both omega-3 groups. Reductions in schizotypy were much stronger in people who ate a lot of omega-3 nutrients. The results have indications for benefit not simply to patients, but to society in general.

The high costs these behaviors have for society make finding ways to stop them important, if cost is the sole purpose of such research. I tend to dispute a dollars-and-cents approach and prefer the benefit shown to the patients.

One type of intervention is adding nutrients to the food. Research shows a link between insufficient nutrients and acting aggressively or antisocially. For instance, not getting enough food when you are 3 years old has been linked to acting aggressively and unsocially when you are 8, 11, and 17 years old. Also, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown that taking multivitamins and mineral supplements can help lower antisocial behavior.

Children not getting enough nutritional food are more likely to have problems with their brains and thinking, which can lead to behavior problems that appear in public throughout childhood and youth. The results show that cutting malnutrition in children may help lower antisocial and violent behavior later on. We know the need for specific nutrients for proper brain development at an early age, yet nutrition has received insufficient attention.

Many studies have been done over the years on the biological and social factors that make kids more likely to be aggressive. Still, surprisingly, little is known about how poor nutrition can lead to aggressive behavior in kids. It is not often that a nutrition shortage is looked at in terms of externalizing behavior. Still, many studies have shown that food additives, hypoglycemia, and, more recently, cholesterol, can change how people act. Why salmon and omega-3; how does it work?

Getting more omega-3 may help make up for the structural and functional problems seen in people who are aggressive and antisocial. This is because omega-3 helps control the activity of membrane enzymes, protects neurons from cell death, encourages neurite outgrowth, and improves synaptic functioning and dendritic branching. When viewed in these terms, salmon and its omega-3 seem like wonder drugs you can easily buy in the fish department of the market.

If most research points toward these supplements or salmon, one major problem remains even in the face of research singling out these supplements and salmon in particular. What is it? Finance plays a major role in household incomes; supplements and salmon can be expensive, ergo inaccessible, items to add to any shopping list.

Should local groups or the government begin to provide the supplements (we know they won’t give out fish vouchers) to help kids in terms of brain development and functioning? But the case must be viewed in the face of how violence, either proactive or reactive, adds to the local budgets, instills fear in the community, and may relegate young people to lives of despair or imprisonment. What is cheaper, a bottle of supplements or maintaining someone in a prison cell for years? It’s patently clear which is preferred.

The time for dietary medicine would seem to have come, and we have to wonder why it’s not being emphasized more.

The post Salmon Is Taking Center Stage in Kids’ Personality Disorders appeared first on Medika Life.

Medika Life published a piece titled The Top 20 AI Voices to Watch some months ago, and most of the thought leaders, influencers, and theorists featured have continued to demonstrate why they lead the AI conversation.

But AI isn’t the only significant advancement, problem, or concern clouding the future of innovation and patient care. We can’t allow the AI boom to distract from the other issues that should be on sector leaders’ radar screens while we read about the hot trends and people to follow in 2024.

[Hear first hand Michael C. Mann, host of Planetary Health First, Mars Next, and Gil Bashe discuss the importance of this Top 10 Health Issues list.}

It All Ties Back to the Cost of Health – Election Year 2024

Get ready for the 2024 election cycle!  Presidential and down-ballot candidates will be the loudest voices trying to appeal to public sentiment and pinging voter pain points.

Congress has several health issues influencing drug innovation and affordability on its radar screen. There is little doubt that Congressional staffers from both parties have made the cost of prescription drugs a front-and-center policy focus so that medications are more affordable for constituents. Measures that empower Medicare to negotiate drug prices and increase transparency make good press. But in the US health system, when you fix one thing, you will break another. Our system is fragmented.  One sector executive has little idea of how another’s business model works.

Drugs are a relatively small piece of the overall health puzzle that hit employees and consumers. Still, they’re apparent pocketbook issues and popular targets for elected officials seeking simple solutions to complex health cost problems. Take, for example, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. The IRA is the significant legislative effort that connects drug pricing to Medicare reimbursement. This piece of pivotal legislation has industry executives and investors up at night considering the law’s provisions on direct negotiation, Part D coverage and the inflation price cap.

Utilization Offsets Price Reductions – We Hope

As industry champions navigate (or confront) legislative issues, those same stakeholders must collaborate with payers, policymakers, providers, and patient communities to ensure that future policies result in a health system that supports innovation and provides greater access. That was a core reason pharma companies came to the Obamacare table enthusiastically.  Greater access translates into more utilization, which offsets price reductions.

Biopharma industry advocates’ biggest fear is that pricing flexibility and profitability loss will negatively affect drug discovery and development investment. Policymakers hopefully recognize that there’s some truth in this pushback. Lawmakers must explore ways to incentivize drug innovation, such as tax credits and grants for research and development in critical areas while promoting cost-cutting and affordability measures.

Top 10 2024 Public Health and Legislative Issues to Watch

• Access

Policies to reduce healthcare disparities and improve affordability expand access to care for underserved populations, while initiatives to incentivize healthcare workers to serve in underserved communities improve access. While addressing cost, drug pricing reforms impact pharmaceutical companies’ ability to invest in research and development, potentially affecting the availability of new treatments.

There can be no “villains” in fixing the access conundrum. Collaboration is a must! No one can debate in good faith that a healthier population reduces overall health costs.  But does anyone care enough to act? The US health GDP is unsustainable as it nears 20%. That does not mean we should turn away from expanding access. It requires Congress to finally accept that the Affordable Care Act isn’t going anywhere and look to refine it, making timely access that keeps disease at bay a bipartisan ideal.

While the IRA will reduce the burden of cost around insulin and other medications for seniors, it does not resolve the access to care challenge for millions of Americans. Payers must consider their role in helping people with chronic conditions and reduce the chaos resulting from non-medical switching.

• Affordability

Affordability remains the chief concern of the public, legislators, and the health industry. Rising health costs put immense pressure on patients, payers, and providers. Public policies are expected to address this issue through price transparency, cost-control mechanisms, and expanded access to affordable health options. The heat on biopharma companies will continue to increase. 

• Climate Change and Health

The intersection of climate change and public health is inescapable. Policies addressing climate change and its health impact will lead to peer-review research and climate technology approaches in health, such as adapting infrastructure to deal with extreme weather, air-quality warnings, and debunking myths that climate change has no human health impact. Bottomline, the planet doesn’t need people!  People need the planet.  Keep planet earth healthy!

• Data Security

Health data is going digital – all the way. With the increasing digitization, protecting people’s data is paramount. Stricter data privacy and security regulations require companies to invest in advanced cybersecurity measures, pumping the brakes on some innovations due to compliance needs. Prioritizing cybersecurity requires technology, training, and investment. How can hospitals keep pace with digital health innovation and meet their skilled staff and resourcing needs? Federal policy leaders will need to consider special appropriations to make that feasible. Otherwise, more community-based hospital systems will go broke.

• Drug Access and Equity

Ensuring equitable access to medications is pressing. Policymakers must focus on reducing disparities in drug access, potentially through IRA-like pricing reforms, which will negatively impact the pharmaceutical industry’s profit margins. We must also closely examine how pharmacists can play a more significant role in dispensing medications for specific medical conditions. Pharmacists are in almost every community – hospitals can be hours away.

Addressing healthcare disparities, particularly in underserved and rural communities, cannot be lip service. Rural communities have higher burdens of preventable conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, and injury compared to urban populations. Public health policies must prioritize improving women’s health, preventive education and health access and increasing representation in clinical trials. This requires mobilization from varied government agencies working with the private and nonprofit sectors to deploy resources to hotspots suffering from limited access to health care providers and social services.

• Health Worker Burnout

The healthcare workforce is strained due to an aging population and increased service demand. According to one recent survey, one in three workers planned to leave their position, with 14 percent of respondents saying they were prepared to go the discipline entirely in 2024. Public health policies must address workforce shortages and pilot innovative training, telemedicine, and technology approaches to support the physician/patient relationship beyond simply pressuring doctors by increasing workflow to see more patients daily.

• Innovation Vulnerabilities

Lawmakers are looking closely at reforming the patent system to prevent abuses that stymie generic drug competition. Stricter regulations on patent extensions and exclusivity periods encourage competition and lower drug prices. However, the problem has been that the largest generic drug companies deploy vast legal teams, challenging innovator patents and using these suits as “blackmail” to secure deals, positioning early market generic entry. “Pay for delay” is a double-edged sword. Congress must strengthen patent protection if it elects to lower the bar for generic companies to compete.

• Mental Health

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the mental health crisis to the front pages. It took a taboo topic and gave families permission to go public with their burden.  Mental health stigma is an obstacle to treatment.  Schools and employers must champion public health policies that continue prioritizing mental health services. Likewise, policymakers must push for long-needed action in higher and primary education settings, digital mental health platforms and through increased accessibility to mental health care.

• Pandemic Readiness

We failed! Communication is always part of the health delivery and access process! The shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed a systemic lack of preparedness, underscoring the need for better response strategies based on the learnings from acknowledged failures. Public health policies in 2024 are likely to prioritize investments in research, vaccine distribution, and infrastructure to ensure readiness for what is almost certain a stream of future pandemics. This will drive innovation in vaccine development, distribution systems, and, yes, the need to add public health communication expertise.

• Telehealth

Telehealth has seen explosive growth in recent years, driven by the pandemic, patient-care convenience, and a need to reduce carbon impact. Policymakers must balance the accessibility and convenience of telehealth with ensuring quality of care and data security. Stricter regulations impact the telehealth and digital health industry, and watchdog groups must prioritize access, avoiding the quicksand of reimbursement disadvantages and physician styles. Telehealth must be prioritized to ensure it’s not just about urgent access but also about making care easier for the consumer. Face it, the consumer – while certainly core to all the top issues – is rarely the center of attention of the system.  That must change and telehealth is a clear benefit for patients.

Election 2024 Will Place Health and Cost In the Spotlight

These health issues ought to be at the forefront of Congress’s agenda to strike a balance between fostering continued waves of drug innovation and ensuring Americans can access medications at affordable prices. 2024 promises to be transformative for the health industry, driven by public health policy issues and filtered through the distorting lens of an election year. Innovation is about more than discovering and developing new products. It translates into access to care with policies targeting affordability, tackling health disparities, and increasing mental health services.

Driven by technological and health information advancements, changing demographics, and shifts in public health priorities, the life science industry is constantly evolving. Public policy makes Presidential and state candidate debates entertaining – and worrisome. Suggested policies that shape the operating landscape for hospitals, biopharma companies, and digital health companies are designed to protect the public interest. But the public’s needs and business must not conflict.

What can we expect will happen? Check your crystal ball!

The post The Top 10 Public Health Policy Issues for Election Year 2024 appeared first on Medika Life.

Already recognized for its health, defense, and technology achievements, the country is emerging rapidly as a global environmental innovation leader. How can such a small nation punch so heavily above its weight in high science and intense engineering advances? Simply put, Israel has all the right stuff: more engineers per capita than most developed nations, an entrepreneurial, collaborative energy that is infectious, a heavy focus on STEM, and a keen business understanding that Israel is a critical development-center hub with North America and Europe as the primary business targets.

According to Start-Up Nation Central, the non-profit that connects Israel’s tech and science community to the world, almost 1,000 Israeli enterprises are pursuing a range of decarbonization, climate adaptation, and environmental protection technologies with the potential to mitigate the impacts of climate change and address its root causes.

Israel plans to rub shoulders with the world’s leading NGOs and companies and highlight its advances at the upcoming COP28 gathering in Dubai. Under the banner of the Israeli Innovation Authority – a collaborative body of government agencies – this organization announced that it will sponsor 100 Israeli environmental innovation start-ups and expects to bring a 1,000-person delegation to Dubai at the end of November for the three-week convening of policy leaders, mega-corporations and change agents.

During the summer trip, we met with 11 companies on the frontlines of climate tech innovation. We cannot say whether they are among those the Israel Innovation Authority will sponsor – but they should undoubtedly be on the sector’s “to-follow” radar screen. As necessary, their subsectors – biodegradables, food supply, renewable energy, sustainable urban development, and water supply – reinforce how environmental innovation has become big business.

Biodegradables

Biodegradables are crucial for addressing climate change and reducing the burden of persistent waste. Unlike conventional plastics, they minimize pollution and conserve resources. Inventing products and promoting greater use can mitigate plastic-related emissions, decrease landfill waste, and advance toward a more sustainable future.

Solutum

What happens to shrink-wrap after it is discarded? Unsurprisingly, it often ends up in landfills with other non-biodegradable waste products. Solutum is addressing this challenge and may enable mega-companies to comply quickly with policies from 28 countries that have laws to encourage reduced and greater recycling of discarded packaging. The company seeks to reduce plastic pollution through sturdy and biodegradable alternatives. Its approach uses natural biomass that dramatically reduces fossil fuel use. It controls the compound’s temperature sensitivity to water through proprietary manufacturing to create predetermined temperature and dissolving times to eliminate waste from landfills. LinkedIn

Here is the Medika Life feature article on Solutum.

WipeFlush

Wet wipes are a plastic-based product that clog pipes and enter septic systems. They are another ubiquitous plastic product entering water systems. WipeFlush founder Moshe Toprovsky is a lawyer by training and now a declared environmentalist. Toprovsky came up with an idea to make the wipe industry sustainable and support the continued convenience of wipes without damaging the environment. While at an early stage, the category is a must-watch.   LinkedIn

Food-Chain Sustainability

Plant-based alternative meat options are an environmental priority and reduce the carbon impact of traditional animal agriculture. Tasty alternatives require fewer natural resources, produce lower greenhouse gas emissions, use less land and water, and attract corporate and consumer interest. The faster we shift toward plant-based proteins, the sooner we can tackle the pressing climate challenges of deforestation and excessive water usage while ensuring a sustainable food supply to meet the growing global demand.

More Foods

The world is moving in the direction of consuming less meat. Some cite health priorities, and others are concerned about how meat production raises our carbon footprint. Yet, according to More Foods CEO Leonardo Markovitz, though most consumers want to reduce their meat consumption to live healthier lives, consumers don’t consider today’s meatless options healthy. The health-conscious, discerning public sees what’s in alternative meat products and aren’t impressed by the ingredients. More Foods has developed a new, scalable platform using pumpkin and sunflower seeds, leveraging the ability to extract oil from the seeds and create a scrumptious product already finding its way into popular restaurant chains. More Foods uses the leftover fragments from this process, turning them into a powder and a textured product. LinkedIn

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy innovation is essential to confront climate change and ensure a sustainable future. There’s no way around it: we must transition away from fossil fuels. By advancing technologies like solar, wind, and hydropower, it is possible to reduce carbon footprints and create new economic opportunities. Innovation in renewables for some nations will lead to energy independence and pave the way for a resilient energy infrastructure that meets global energy demands while preserving the planet.

BrightMerge

Transitioning entirely to electric cars and trucks seems like a no-brainer. The barrier to entry for car fleet managers, city planners and consumers is access to charging stations. Where to place power and how much requires data analysis and usage trends. Here is where cloud-based technology and AI can accelerate the adoption of the category. BrightMerge has created its “Microgrid Operations Platform” to help decision-makers better understand how much power a grid can produce and determine where and when to supplement the energy needs.  LinkedIn

First Airborne

The earth has enough sun and wind to meet renewable energy consumption needs. First Airborne is well on its way to helping wind farms address one of the sector’s biggest challenges – efficiency and profitability. The potential of wind power lies in its ability to generate clean electricity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to energy diversification. Now, it is one of the fastest-growing infrastructures in history. Measuring wind power is crucial to secure its place as a practical solution, and First Airborne is at the forefront of combining drone and highly sensitive measurement technologies to enable wind power to reach its greatest potential.

Here is the Medika Life feature on First Airborne.

Flower Turbine

Wind power needn’t interrupt the natural landscape. The company’s wind turbines capture the look of “tulips,” which are low-noise and produce alternative energy on-or-off the utility grid.  Flower Turbine is global – headquartered in New York, it operates a European subsidiary, its -manufacturing plant is in The Netherlands, and its engineering team is rooted in Israel. Its move from start-up to commercial operation underscores the potential of this company to scale up and secure multi-national government contracts.  LinkedIn

Hard to believe?  Just watch:

Rhino Eco

Rhino Eco promises to make solar and clean energy accessible. People have moved past the aesthetic hesitancy of having solar power panels affixed to their rooftops. Cost remains a factor, however, and individual companies offering solar panel installation must lower the barriers to adoption. Drawing upon the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Rhino Eco uses “fintech” to empower climate tech solar energy purchasing decisions. The solar panel sector includes larger and smaller contractors. Rhino Eco supports the sector – from installers to home owners – by offering several loan and lease financing options through its network and uses aggregated information technology to personalize financing possibilities tailored to each homeowner’s needs.  LinkedIn

Sustainable Urban Development

Urban clusters contribute significantly to climate change due to increased energy consumption, heat island effects, and carbon emissions. New construction materials with improved insulation and reduced carbon footprint are crucial to counter this. Also, “bioshade”— strategically planting trees and vegetation—mitigates heat, enhances air quality, and reduces energy needs for cooling. Implementing these innovations in urban design can curb climate change, create sustainable cities, and improve the quality of urban life.

BioShade

Increasing population density in urban centers is matched by deforestation and construction. Society is creating “urban heat islands.” Planned and scaled vegetation cover can help. Planting trees in cities can help. But trees require growing time – and heat waves are frequent and dangerous. BioShade Green Infrastructure is one pathway to reduce urban hot spots. This proven nature-based solution provides biological shading, natural shade, and natural cooling benefits, improving city air quality.  LinkedIn

ECOncrete

State, Federal, and local governments on the coast recognize that water lines are rising. Concrete reef barriers are the go-to solutions as populations build along desirable coastlines. However, this leads to ecosystem degradation – increasing risks to coastal residents, environmental marine life, and longer-term biodiversity.

Marine artificial reefs and water barriers are usually concrete-based, and designers too frequently disregard biodiversity priorities and ecological impact. Low-cost materials secure the “low-bid position” on public works contracts. But, what appears to be low-cost has a tremendous economic impact. Kicking the can down the road when it comes to construction sustainability is becoming costly. ECOncrete has created a material composition and design that supports biological sustainability and marine life. Its benefits are many. This environmental construction advance improves structural performance and reduces mitigation fees and penalties cost-effectively. LinkedIn

GreenVibe

Among the more expensive elements in construction is cement. However, expense is only one part of the architect’s and construction company’s burden. Cement production contributes to substantial carbon emissions, consuming fossil fuels and releasing CO2 during manufacturing and curing processes, significantly contributing to global greenhouse gas emissions. Each ton of concrete produces around 910 kg of CO2. GreenVibe has “wearable-like” technology to measure how much concrete concentration is needed to build safer, environmentally sound structures. Accurate factual data can reduce cement usage in the industry by 25%. LinkedIn

Water Supply

Climate-independent atmospheric water generation offers a transformative solution to water scarcity. By extracting moisture from the air, this technology provides a reliable water source regardless of regional climatic conditions. It reduces pressure on traditional water sources, enhances resilience to droughts, and ensures a more secure and accessible water supply for communities worldwide.

Be Air

Today, there are two main methods of atmospheric water generation:

1. Liquid desiccant absorption, and:
2. Cooling and condensation.

These methods have high water maintenance and are limited geographically by relative humidity rate. BeAir is taking on this technological challenge. Rather than reinvent the wheel, the company’s engineers have adapted membrane material from high-precision medical devices. The result is a new pathway – an accessible and easy-to-place almost anywhere – system that generates drinkable water from “thin air” using a precise energy force using 60% less power than other sector players. Be Air seeks to redefine how to tap into climate-independent atmospheric water generation with reduced energy requirements and minimal maintenance.  LinkedIn

The Climate Innovation Model

Israel has become a must-watch global hub in addressing climate change and promoting sustainability through the Israeli government’s support for collaboration that brings together a matchless entrepreneurial ecosystem, technologists with a proven track record of practical advancements, and a community of thriving startups. Other nations – particularly emerging nations – face similar challenges and conditions, and they can lead the charge in a global transition to a greener, more sustainable future by fostering collaboration to create an infrastructure that guides, supports and brings purpose-centered investors to the table of possibilities. These 11 companies and the 1,000 plus more in Israel may be role models for environmental innovation we should support through counsel, connections, and investment.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Nicole Grubner, partner and Environmental Innovation Lead, FINN Partners Israel, Cullen Burnell, chief of staff, Health and Purpose, FINN Partners, Levi Shapiro, founder and curator, mHealth Israel, Adam Salkin, partner, Herzog Law, Tel Aviv, Israel and to all the climate tech champions in the “Start-Up Nation” for sharing with me their efforts to improve planet earth.

The post Climate Tech May be Among the World’s Greatest Public Health Priorities appeared first on Medika Life.

The survey, conducted by Workiva, the world’s leading cloud platform for transparent reporting, spanned 13 countries and gathered responses from over 1,300 participants. The results underscore the increasing significance of ESG factors in business operations and decision-making. Furthermore, over half of the respondents identified strong reporting as a key competitive advantage.

ESG practitioners recognise the value of transparent and robust reporting to attract investors, retain customers, and ultimately gain a competitive edge in the market. Effective communication of environmental and social initiatives and solid governance practices is becoming increasingly vital for businesses in various sectors.

The findings align with the global shift towards sustainable business practices. Investors and stakeholders emphasise ESG metrics more, viewing them as indicators of a company’s long-term viability and commitment to responsible business conduct. As companies recognise the potential benefits of integrating ESG considerations into their strategies, the demand for accurate and comprehensive reporting is rising.

The growing need for ESG reporting is further supported by the increasing number of regulatory bodies introducing new disclosure requirements. The EU’s Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) requires listed companies to disclose their approach to integrating ESG factors into their strategies and operations. Similarly, other countries have introduced similar legislation, such as the International Sustainability Standards Board in the US and the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

The survey also reveals that many organisations still need to address reporting challenges. Issues such as data collection, verification, and standardisation are common obstacles that must be addressed to unlock the full potential of ESG reporting and impact on competitiveness. As ESG reporting frameworks continue to evolve, companies must navigate these challenges by investing in reliable data management systems and adopting internationally recognised reporting standards.

Furthermore, this survey underscores the need for collaboration and knowledge sharing among ESG practitioners. By sharing best practices, experiences, and insights, companies can overcome reporting challenges and accelerate progress towards sustainable and responsible business practices.

ESG reporting is an emerging form of corporate communication that aims to inform stakeholders about how companies manage environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities. ESG reporting enables companies to disclose their performance on ESG issues, explain how they are managing these issues, and demonstrate the value of their approach in terms of economic performance. This survey explores the benefits and challenges associated with ESG reporting and its impact on competitiveness.

In conclusion, the survey findings clearly demonstrate that ESG practitioners recognise the crucial role of reporting and data management in enhancing competitiveness. As more businesses focus on integrating ESG considerations into their strategies, the ability to effectively communicate and showcase sustainable practices will become a key differentiator in the market. Companies must invest in robust reporting systems, overcome reporting challenges, and collaborate with industry peers to stay ahead in today’s increasingly ESG-conscious business landscape.

Source: https://www.workiva.com/resources/2023-global-esg-practitioner-survey

The post Nine in 10 ESG Practitioners See Strong Reporting as a Competitive Advantage appeared first on Medika Life.

Doctors still struggled to keep me alive as my fever spiked to 105 degrees Fahrenheit and my resting heart rate hovered around 175. I had multiple intravenous bags of quinine dripped into me, a routine treatment that brought with it the unfortunate risk of sudden cardiac arrest due to my infection while on Larium, a controversial and, in hindsight, ineffective antimalarial drug.

It’s a massive understatement to say malaria sucks, but I am among the lucky ones who get to say it at all. Malaria remains one of the greatest public health threats facing humanity, infecting 241 million people each year and inflicting incalculable damage on the economic prospects of endemic countries. If my description of malaria sounded bad, how could a 4-year-old kid battle the disease without most of the resources I had in Kinshasa? Most of the 500,000 people killed yearly by malaria are children under 5 – a vicious toll on future generations.

That’s why this week’s announcement by the WHO approving the use of a second malaria vaccine is astoundingly good news. Since the introduction last year of Mosquirix, the first-ever malaria vaccine brought to market by GSK last year, health officials have been trying to balance the limitations of the vaccine – both in efficacy and supply – with the high cost and urgency to get it distributed. With the approval of R21/Matrix-M, developed by the Serum Institute of India, Oxford University and Novavax, comes the potential for greater price competition and sufficient supply.

The news couldn’t come soon enough. As climate change expands the habitat of malaria-carrying mosquitos, two issues are rapidly emerging. First, regions that have been malaria-free for decades – or have never experienced malaria – will be in the projected range of vector-borne diseases within a matter of years. These include North America and parts of Europe. At the same time, the overuse of prophylactic medications, such as chloroquine-based drugs, is fueling increased resistance in regions such as Southeast Asia.

Second, malaria primarily afflicts rural communities in many areas where malaria is endemic. No longer. Researchers are now tracking new forms of malaria that are settling in densely populated urban areas. This is a potential tectonic shift in the threat that vector-borne disease poses to sustainable economic development and health system resilience. Seasonal outbreaks may crash worker productivity, shutter universities, and overwhelm hospitals.

The two approved malaria vaccines may help prevent the worst-case scenario looming in our future, but they are not solutions by themselves; they are part of a Swiss Army knife of tools that public health officials are deploying to contain malaria. Some, like insecticide-treated bed nets, provide trusted, low-cost and accessible interventions for low-income populations worldwide. Other theoretical options, such as genetically modifying male mosquitos or making humans “invisible” to the insects, may prove more effective in grabbing headlines than protecting communities. But with more volatile weather patterns and increased resistance fueling a surge in malaria mosquitos, nothing should be off the table or dismissed out of hand.

Why is malaria prevention more than a feel-good development story? The answer to that question lies in a simple calculus. Most of the potential for future economic growth will come from markets in the Global South. Several countries in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia represent a surge in young, increasingly educated and upwardly mobile consumers. The rise of megacities and other large urban centers can focus economic productivity, but such concentration also dramatically increases the impact of widespread, uncontrolled disease outbreaks.

The implications for the business community are clear. As we saw with COVID-19, the potential for disease outbreaks to cause prolonged economic disruption is high. And the ripple effects are extensive. Vector-borne diseases such as malaria are not the same as the next pandemic threat, of course. Thankfully we have a variety of tools to prevent and treat malaria.

The imperative now is to make sure we apply a greater sense of urgency and policy support to fund the research and mitigation programs that are necessary to protect vulnerable populations today, as well as the growth markets of tomorrow. This requires the global business community to become vocal champion for public health initiatives that help blunt a future where disease-carrying mosquitos can derail the economic vitality of the next generation of consumers.

The post Securing our Economic Future Against Malaria appeared first on Medika Life.