Better Living Through Well Being
Solving the puzzle of climate change is complicated and requires deep transformation in our global human activities. Meeting the challenge of reducing carbon emissions that heat our planet takes precious time we do not have. In order to prevent extreme weather changes around the world, business and industry need incentives, both to make it profitable to reduce their own carbon emissions and also to contribute to measurable, verifiable emission reductions that reduce, remove, or avoid greenhouse gas emissions elsewhere.
This is where the system of carbon credits and carbon offsets comes in. Carbon credits are purchased from a government entity when needed to meet preset carbon emission restrictions or are sold on the carbon credit market to other companies who are in need of them. Similarly, carbon offsets are generated by companies when they remove carbon from the atmosphere as part of their normal business activity. These can also be sold on the carbon credit market. When an entity’s greenhouse gas emissions are entirely balanced by purchasing carbon credits or from their own offsetting projects they are described as being carbon-neutral, or as having reached Net Zero.
Through a data-first approach, technology company Trimble has created a carbon marketplace called Connected Climate Exchange that bridges the gap between farmers, agronomists and businesses to track and leverage sustainable farming practices. Using its data aggregation capabilities, the Connected Climate Exchange is able to deliver quantifiable and verifiable reports validated by independent third-party providers who track carbon emissions reductions and removals within the agriculture supply shed at scale. Over the past 17 years, Trimble has sold over 4.5 million tonnes of agricultural carbon offsets, generating over $50 million for farmers.
Many countries have tightened emissions regulation to reduce the impact from on-road transportation. This has forced manufacturers away from traditional combustion engines and toward zero-emission types. The two technologies to have achieved zero emission are battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
There are pros and cons to the successful adoption of both BEVs and FCEVs in coming years. Using a comparison of their use in heavy-duty trucking as an example, hydrogen FCEVs show advantages over batteries for the heaviest and longest of hauls while BEVs are often better suited for lighter loads and more frequent stops. This is because hydrogen weighs less per unit of energy than batteries, creating a curb-weight advantage and allowing for heavier payloads and longer driving ranges than that of its battery-electric counterpart.
For a full overview of what the future might be for BEVs and FCEVs, plan to attend the free webinar “What Opportunities are Left for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle?.”
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Research shows that Health and Wellness is crucial to the trucking industry. The life expectancy of a driver is 16 years less than the average population, seven out of ten drivers are obese, and the longer a driver stays in the trucking industry the risk of developing obesity, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and potential early death become higher.
The free white paper “The Link Between Wellness and Retention: Luma’s Framework for Building an Employee Health and Wellness Program” is available for download.
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Looking back through the history of technology, it is easy to see how every major advancement such as the printing press, electricity, automobiles, and the Internet have taken away jobs. In each case, however, ultimately many more jobs were made within the changed society as adjustments to the new technology were made. Now for the first time in history it is possible that we may see a future where human work has actual competition.
The advancement of AI has evolved from initial ways to mimic human intelligence to more sophisticated abilities to produce original and detailed outputs with a high degree of usefulness and accuracy that currently represents the epoch of our technological progress. Yet, with the latest arrival of Large Language Models such as OpenAI’s Chat GPT that can understand and generate human-like text, it’s clear that today’s AI systems are getting stronger every day.
According to one expert, Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is seen as the holy grail of computer science. It will be able to do any task as well as or better than a human can do, not by being necessarily conscious, but very capable and without need for human intervention.
According to Bill Gates, an incredibly powerful AGI could be just decades away that “will be able to do everything that a human can, but without any practical limits on the size of its memory or the speed at which it operates.”
The comprehensive report “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work” offers extensive insights and case studies on AI’s evolving role and it urges us to ask ourselves what this means for all of us. “Will we fashion AI into the ultimate servant of our leisure and let it replace us entirely, or will we wield AI as a master tool to solve problems we never could before?”
It is important to realize that AI’s effectiveness and reliability is highly dependent on the data it consumes, and that it reproduces both our ingenuity and our flaws. This reality further underscores the need for responsible AI development, focusing on ethical training practices and accurate diverse data sets.
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*Nurse Practioners are in high demand as the NP profession grows to meet healthcare shortages for primary care through delivery of exceptional whole-patient care.
* Norfolk Southern releases its Climate Transition Plan aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions for a low-carbon future.
* Investment in workplace wellness initiatives yield important benefits as measured by employee satisfaction and mental health and emotional support in survey.
* Biologists uncover secrets of the process used by plants to control inheritance and pass down genetic memory.
* The Body Shop becomes the first global beauty brand to achieve 100 percent vegan product formulations as certified by The Vegan Society.
* Herbal supplement brand Gaia Herbs partners with a world-renowned model to inspire people to join them on their wellness journeys.
* Formulators of clinically tested supplement present masterclass on the science of senolytics to show practitioners how and why it can be used to mitigate many common age-related symptoms.
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I am grateful to be in a collaborative business with many talented and skilled professionals. Your feedback is always welcome.
- Mary Michele McLaughlin
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Connected Climate Exchange Links Farmers to Companies Looking to Meet Sustainability Commitments
Technology company Trimble has announced the Connected Climate Exchange, a carbon marketplace to connect and aggregate verified data across the agriculture supply chain to enable a more sustainable future. To meet net zero commitments, Trimble offers new opportunities for industry stakeholders to quantify their sustainability efforts, scale their businesses with climate offerings and ultimately minimize the negative effects of climate change. Trimble's Connected Climate Exchange creates a streamlined process for aggregating data across farm organizations and verifying this data for emissions reductions and removals buyers. By connecting an ecosystem of farmers, agronomists, ag retailers and carbon buyers in one marketplace, the Connected Climate Exchange enables participation in carbon markets and sustainability programs that were previously too time-consuming and complex. "Farmers have long struggled to comprehensively report and tell their sustainability story in quantifiable and verifiable terms. They need a technology solution that brings greater value and helps bring structure to disconnected data," said Darren Howie, director, emerging digital and sustainability, Trimble. "As a trusted partner in the agriculture industry, Trimble is taking a farm-centric approach. While many carbon programs work by identifying a specific practice to implement and search for farms, Trimble is partnering with agronomy-focused, enterprise agriculture companies to optimize interventions at the farm level, then aggregate the impacts to support emission reduction programs for companies upstream in the agriculture value chain."
Westminster, Colorado
IDTechEx Predicts Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles to be 4% of the Zero Emission Solution
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have made monumental progress in the passenger car market, becoming a standard drivetrain option. The success in cars is also overflowing into other vehicle segments, such as vans, trucks, buses, 2-wheelers, and more. However, despite some key proponents, fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) have had a much tougher time getting to significant adoption. What are the major barriers, and where can FCEVs still be part of a zero-emission transport network? IDTechEx's report on "Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles 2024-2044" examines the FCEV market with historic and current adoption, drivers and barriers, TCO analysis, model benchmarking, and forecasts for units, fuel cell demand, battery demand, and market value across cars, vans, trucks, and buses. IDTechEx predicts that fuel cell electric vehicles will account for just 4% of zero-emission vehicles on the road in 2044, but the opportunity is greater in certain market segments. Dr James Edmondson, Principal Technology Analyst at IDTechEx and author of this article, will be presenting a free-to-attend webinar on the topic on Thursday, January 18, 2024 - What Opportunities are Left for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles?
Boston, Massachusetts
Revving Up for Wellness: Report Shows Truck Drivers Seek Health and Wellness Learning Opportunities in 2024
A new report reveals that truck drivers are seeking improved health and wellness opportunities in 2024, as the industry continues to face retention challenges. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the trucking industry lost 6% of its pre-pandemic workforce during the pandemic, about 91,000 workers. Carriers still feel strain hiring and retaining drivers. This report authored by Luma Brighter Learning, provides insights and a framework for building holistic wellness programs to support driver retention. Luma is an award-winning and evidence-based learning company with a proven track record of delivering better learning outcomes for improved safety performance. In fact, Luma's platform data shows emotional intelligence, stress management, and relationship topics are most popular among drivers. Out of 86 available "wellness eNuggets," social-emotional lessons like Building Self-Confidence, Gratitude, and Staying Connected While on the Road rate highest for engagement. Several carriers highlighted in the report have already begun responding to these needs. Chalk Mountain Services implements preventative care programs, biometric screenings, smoking cessation plans, and cash incentives for health milestones. Paschall Truck Lines offers gym memberships, "motivational Mondays," and ongoing messaging about mental health.
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
How is Artificial Intelligence Changing Work?
"It's hard to overstate what "work" means to humanity -- it's an integral part of what we do. A defining characteristic. From chariots to cathedrals, currency, jet planes, and colliders, our hunger for innovation is plain as day. But will our pursuit of technological advancements lead to further flourishing, or will we work ourselves out of a job?" -- Excerpt: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work. AI is all around us and it's not new, but its capabilities have reached a stage of proficiency and usefulness that rivals human potential. From automating routine tasks to revolutionizing complex decision-making processes, AI's capabilities are reshaping industries and redefining professional roles. Much could be said about the extent to which such advancements have and will impact industry at-large.
Omaha, Nebraska
AANP Spotlights Five Critical Health Care Trends
The nurse practitioner (NP) profession is looking ahead to a new year and new opportunities to advance access to high-quality health care for patients. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) has identified five critical health trends that will impact the delivery of patient-centered health care in 2024 and beyond. "As health care continues to evolve, nurse practitioners are at the forefront of change, consistently adapting to meet the dynamic needs of patients and their communities," said AANP President Stephen A. Ferrara, DNP. "Patients deserve access to high-quality health care nationwide, and NPs are urging other health care leaders and policymakers to prioritize policies that make health care more efficient and effective by making 2024 the Year of Patient-Centered Health Care."
Austin, Texas
Norfolk Southern inaugural Climate Transition Plan aims for low-carbon future
Norfolk Southern Corporation has released its inaugural Climate Transition Plan (CTP). The CTP is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with a focus on transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability is rooted in Norfolk Southern's values and its deep understanding of climate science. Norfolk Southern's CTP will focus in part on fuel management and consumption, all to help achieve its science-based target of reducing GHG emissions intensity 42% by 2034. These include innovative technologies and operating practices to improve locomotive fleet fuel economy. Fuel accounts for over 90% of the company's scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions. Increased consumption of low carbon fuels and renewable energy usage are also key components of the plan. "Reducing the environmental impact of our operations is driven by our commitment to a cleaner and better planet for our employees, our customers, and our communities for generations to come," said Josh Raglin, Chief Sustainability Officer at Norfolk Southern. "We recognize the significant role of greenhouse gas emissions in global climate change, and we are determined to do our part in mitigating these emissions."
Atlanta, Georgia
51% of Employers Cited Employee Satisfaction as their Organization's Most Important Goal, According to Integrated Benefits Institute Analysis
The rising costs of healthcare coupled with the stresses of modern working life have made employee health and well-being an increasingly critical priority for employers. Investing in workplace wellness initiatives yields benefits in productivity, absenteeism, recruitment, retention, company culture, and more. However, designing and implementing impactful programs comes with substantial challenges. Employers must balance quality programming with cost management, account for diverse workforce needs, and leverage data analytics to gauge value. To better understand the value of products and programs that support employee health, the Integrated Benefits Institute conducted a mixed methods research study analyzing survey data from 305 HR professionals in the United States alongside qualitative insights. Data collection focused on factors driving benefits priorities, implementation challenges, partnerships, use of data and metrics, lessons from the pandemic, tensions between employee desires and business objectives, and recommendations for strategic investment. IBI's survey found that 51% of employers cited employee satisfaction as their organization's most important goal, followed by cost mitigation/revenue generation (41%). Forty-four percent of companies collect employee health data either monthly or continuously to assess program value; 72% collect data on satisfaction, 57% on retention, and 52% on productivity – linking insights to both quality and costs. Sixty-four percent of respondents indicated that they conduct formal evaluations of their health programs annually.
Oakland, California
How plants pass down genetic memories
When organisms pass their genes on to future generations, they include more than the code spelled out in DNA. Some also pass along chemical markers that instruct cells how to use that code. The passage of these markers to future generations is known as epigenetic inheritance. It's particularly common in plants. So, significant findings here may have implications for agriculture, food supplies, and the environment. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) Professors and HHMI Investigators Rob Martienssen and Leemor Joshua-Tor have been researching how plants pass along the markers that keep transposons inactive. Transposons are also known as jumping genes. When switched on, they can move around and disrupt other genes. To silence them and protect the genome, cells add regulatory marks to specific DNA sites. This process is called methylation. Martienssen and Joshua-Tor have now shown how protein DDM1 makes way for the enzyme that places these marks on new DNA strands. Plant cells need DDM1 because their DNA is tightly packaged. To keep their genomes compact and orderly, cells wrap their DNA around packing proteins called histones. "But that blocks access to the DNA for all sorts of important enzymes," Martienssen explains. Before methylation can occur, "you have to remove or slide the histones out of the way."
Cold Spring Harbor, New York
The Body Shop becomes the first global beauty brand with 100% vegan product formulations certified by The Vegan Society
The Body Shop has announced that it has become the world's first global beauty brand* to achieve 100% vegan product formulations across all ranges including skincare, body care, haircare, makeup and fragrance. The entire product formulations portfolio has been certified by the Vegan Society.** The trailblazing beauty retailer has achieved the ambitious target it set itself in 2021, when 60% of its products already carried the Vegan Society trademark. The Body Shop was also the first beauty retailer to campaign against animal testing in cosmetics in 1989, with a fundamental belief that animals should not be harmed in the pursuit of beauty. While the fight continues for a worldwide ban on animal testing in cosmetics, for The Body Shop, a fully vegan product range is the next milestone in cruelty-free beauty.
London, England
Gaia Herbs Welcomes Gisele Bundchen As Their First Wellness Ambassador
Gaia Herbs, a respected global leader in herbal supplements, is excited to announce they are partnering with philanthropist, New York Times bestselling author, and supermodel Gisele Bundchen. Together, they look to inspire and teach people about steps to take to start living a healthier lifestyle. Gisele will join Gaia Herbs in the role of "Wellness Ambassador" she will share her personal experiences with wellness and herbs with the Gaia Herbs audience. For over 20 years, Gisele has included Gaia Herbs' products in her personal wellness rituals. She has included in her routine Adrenal Health - Lion's Mane Mushroom -Turmeric Supreme Extra Strength, and she supports her family's immune system with Black Elderberry Syrup. As a student, she will bring attention to the importance of knowing how to identify and choose the highest quality and most transparent herbal supplements. "I first learned about herbs from my grandmother, who had a tea for everything," Gisele said. "She wasn't an herbalist, but she knew about the power of plants. Today, after years of connecting with plants and wellness, I'm proud to partner with Gaia Herbs and excited that together, we can help share nature's wisdom with everyone." This partnership is a natural fit for Gisele, who trusts Gaia Herbs' unmatched purity, quality, traceability, and transparency. Together, they share the mission of supporting others as they develop their own wellness rituals with their health advisors.
Brevard, North Carolina
Neurohacker Collective Announces Free Masterclass For Health Practitioners On Latest Aging Discovery
Neurohacker Collective, a global nutraceutical company dedicated to healthy aging, has announced a physician's only masterclass about the emerging science of senolytics and how health practitioners can use senolytics in their practice. Neurohacker's science team recently achieved promising results in a double-blind, placebo controlled trial of their health formula for better aging, Qualia Senolytic. Now, their science team is paying their formulation knowledge forward by hosting a free masterclass for other doctors and health professionals. Senolytic science is the study of how to reduce the accumulation of senescent cells in the human body, particularly through supplementation of many little known natural compounds recently discovered to assist in that process. Senescent cells (also called "zombie cells"), are old cells in the human body that no longer perform their useful function, but linger on in our bodies, wasting our energy and nutrition without providing a valuable health benefit. As we age, senescent cells tend to accumulate in our bodies, leading to many negative outcomes, such as low energy, joint discomfort, and slow workout recovery, all commonly associated with aging.
Carlsbad, California
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