August 2024 newsletter: From research to legal complaints
August 31, 2024
The lazy days of summer have been anything but for the team at Stand.earth. Our staff is wrapping up a full season of projects including impactful new research on disturbing trends of rising pollution in the aviation sector, numerous high-visibility moments for our fossil-free fashion campaign surrounding the Summer Olympics, and notable feedback from influential decision makers as our Canada shipping team continues to call for increased protections for coastal waters.
While this time of year increasingly feels synonymous with a wide range of unnatural disasters — including extreme heat, intense wildfires, and prolific tropical storms — it is hope for more livable summers in the future that drives our work. On the street and in the boardroom, our staff and our global network will continue pushing forward in our efforts for a climate-safe future until we make it real for everyone.
Thanks for your interest in our efforts, and your desire to contribute to securing a healthy, thriving future for everyone on Earth.
New investigation: Air freighters increased pollution by 25% since 2019
Our transportation program recently released a new investigation that finds air freight carriers like FedEx, UPS, and Amazon Air have significantly increased their greenhouse gas emissions since 2019. The report also finds that the U.S. and the three carriers listed above are responsible for an outsized share of that pollution.
Global spending on clean energy technologies and infrastructure is on track to hit $2 trillion in 2024 — almost double the amount be invested in fossil fuels this year, according to a report released earlier this summer by the International Energy Agency. IEA attributes some of the gains to improved supply chains and reduced costs for clean technologies.
Pressure mounts on Lululemon with filing of French greenwashing complaint
Just days before Canadian athletes wore the company’s apparel at the Summer Olympics, Lululemon faced a new round of legal challenges as Stand.earth filed a first-of-its-kind complaint in France against the fashion retailer for greenwashing its products. The action in France comes on the heels of a similar complaint Stand filed earlier this year in Canada against Lululemon, which is now under investigation. Under fire for its staggering growth in emissions and heavy reliance on climate-damaging fossil fuels, the company has faced ongoing scrutiny this summer with demonstrations organized by Stand and partners across Canada, including outside Lululemon’s flagship store in Vancouver and at the Toronto Home of Team Canada building.
Complaint prompts probe into Canada’s water pollution practices
Stand.earth recently filed a formal complaint with an international commission as part of its ongoing campaign to pressure Transport Canada to take responsibility for coastal waters by regulating the shipping industry against dumping waste. This followed a release regarding the Transport Ministry “cutting-and-pasting” weak shipping regulations from its “Interim Order” last year, and a report released in May which outlined the impacts and solutions to shipping and cruise line industries operating business as usual in Canada’s pristine and ecologically diverse coastal waters.
Climate Clock demonstrations worldwide call for urgent action
July 22 was a significant day for many reasons. In addition to going down as the hottest day in recorded history, it also marked Climate Emergency Day when the Climate Clock ticked down to four years for the first time. With the support of partners including Stand.earth, activists in 24 countries across six continents carried the Climate Clock through streets, schools, and halls of power to acknowledge the milestone and demand that leaders #ActInTime. Learn more about these courageous stories online.
“There is no long-term future and only material risk in oil expansion since governments worldwide and financial institutions have committed to an energy transition.”
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