Most of us have experienced the sharp discomfort of opening a report only to find endless data overflowing across the pages. While charts and diagrams have made data more digestible, imagine experiencing it in a more captivating way. Japanese geo-environmental scientist <keyword id="21391911" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hiroto-Nagai" source="keywords">Hiroto Nagai</keyword> has achieved just that with his groundbreaking composition, "<keyword id="21391913" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="string-quartet" source="keywords">String Quartet</keyword> No. 1 'Polar Energy Budget'”. Using three decades of <keyword id="21391912" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-data" source="keywords">climate data</keyword> from the <keyword id="20197564" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arctic" source="keywords">Arctic</keyword> and <keyword id="20227016" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Antarctic" source="keywords">Antarctic</keyword>, Nagai created a six-minute string quartet played by a four-person group using violins, a viola, and a cello. Nagai's aim was to convey the complexities of <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword> through <keyword id="19909814" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="music" source="keywords">music</keyword>, using publicly-available data from polar locations between 1982 and 2022. This included measurements of radiation, precipitation, temperature, and cloud thickness. Nagai assigned musical elements, such as instrument, pitch, and intervals, to each data point, crafting a piece that was both captivating and informative. While creating the piece was challenging, so was performing it. Violinist Haruka Sakuma described it as initially difficult to memorise and play due to its contemporary nature. Despite the challenges, Sakuma's PRT quartet triumphantly premiered the piece at Waseda University in Tokyo last year. The composition captivates listeners from beginning to end. As the sturdy cello sets the rhythm in the opening section, the violins add a layer of eerie tension, mirroring the intense and growing climate anxieties of recent decades. In a world grappling with climate change, Nagai's work aims to spark curiosity and deepen our connection to <keyword id="21066234" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="environmental-issues" source="keywords">environmental issues</keyword>. You can listen to a version of the piece <a href="https://youtu.be/Tulsx2wt3qU" data-type="tilCustomLink">here</a>, which also helps break down the climate data conversion into meaningful sheet music. The research findings have been published in iScience and can be accessed <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.109622" data-type="tilCustomLink">here</a>.

Ever wondered what climate change "sounds" like? This six-minute orchestral piece was made from decades of climate data!

Can we get more value from the significant investments going into renewable energy in <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>? India needs to see USD 293 billion of <keyword id="19895437" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investment" source="keywords">investment</keyword> made between 2023 and 2030 to meet our ambitious renewable energy (RE) targets, according to <a href="https://ember-climate.org/press-releases/india-needs-394-billion-additional-financing-to-reach-net-zero-targets/">Ember,</a> with an additional USD 101 billion required to align with the IEA Net Zero Pathway. This <keyword id="19955404" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="finance" source="keywords">finance</keyword> is needed to not only build capacity in solar and wind itself, but also the supporting transmission and storage infrastructure. This sum is significant by any measure, making it imperative that it is well-directed. For size comparison, India’s government spending on roads would be USD 230-265 billion over the same period, should recent trends continue. There are many other agendas that also require this funding. So what if this finance was “multi-solved”? What if it contributed to the decarbonisation of our energy system and helped advancement on health, meaningful livelihoods, economic and infrastructure resilience, while improving food, water and materials security and a stronger social fabric? What if financiers could ensure this money could fund more than just decarbonisation of the energy system, and quickly? To a certain extent, we can see evidence of increased awareness and intent for this multi-solving among the seven major types of financiers of RE in India (see diagram below). But evidence found through a Dalberg and Responsible Energy Initiative study suggests we’re definitely not getting the best bang for their buck. <keyword id="21390367" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ESG-integration" source="keywords">ESG integration</keyword> has become more common parlance across all RE financier types, indicating greater awareness of the need to consider environmental, social and governance factors within decision-making. Thematic investing is also growing, where investments target specific <keyword id="49089" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainability" source="Orion">sustainability</keyword> themes such as clean energy or the circular economy. Some mechanisms have become so mainstream that the government is using them widely. For instance, the 2023-24 budget included initiatives to scale RE that were funded by green bonds. ESG integration and thematic investing practices are playing a part in driving greater finance towards RE, but they are not yet enabling RE financiers to support developers or manufacturers to multi-solve. To do this, financiers need to move more towards investing for impact where they intentionally seek positive social or environmental impact alongside financial return, or even shareholder engagement, “suggestivism” or activism, where they actively engage with RE companies to enable and promote sustainability practices. Dalberg and Responsible Energy Initiative research suggests that, of the seven major types of RE financiers in India, the multilateral or bilateral development banks and finance institutions and the international pension funds have the strongest awareness, intent and capability to practice this shareholder engagement. Various examples were found of these types of financiers working to enable their RE investees to address decarbonisation while contributing to aims such as circularity, rural economic revitalisation and provision of climate-resilient infrastructure. The research found, however, that the development banks are the only type of financier that generally holds the capability to enforce sustainability standards and encourage greater impact post-investment. Even then, monitoring challenges means this is not the universal practice with all the projects they finance. Awareness and intent within foreign banks, sovereign wealth funds and private equity are certainly growing. In general, however, they are all still some way off supporting RE to multi-solve. Their understanding was found to be generally limited to ESG compliance and a net-zero goal. This means RE projects are often considered inherently sustainable, and therefore do not need support to realise more environmental and social goals — which is certainly not the case in reality. All financiers felt less able to consider social impacts due to complex quantification methods and varying global standards. Whilst global dialogue and stakeholder pressure (for instance from LPs and employees) is driving greater intent across all financier types, equity investors find it difficult to quantify the impact of more responsible investment processes (like shareholder engagement) on exit value, thus limiting their intent to act. There are some notable exceptions to this generalisation; for instance, TPG investors work to advise their RE investees on sustainability practices. However, these are islands of excellence in a large sea. Domestic banks in the majority lag behind in terms of awareness, intent and capability to engage in multi-solving due to low perceived legal and business risks. Anecdotal evidence suggests for instance that very few loan providers and relationship managers feel able to place or manage sustainability conditions on their lending to RE value chain members. Banks such as Axis Bank and Yes Bank have been working to improve this. So what might the seven types of financiers do to enable the RE sector to multisolve, therefore getting more impact bang for their buck? The first step for all types is to acknowledge the need to move from managing risk through ESG integration, to also intentionally seeking holistic positive benefit beyond net zero. The development banks and pension funds can lead this shift in narrative and intent, enabling the others to learn from their examples, contextualising the learning to the needs of each financier type. The second step is to move from intent to action. This means a broadening of what we mean by return to include impact and actively seeking to drive multiple positive impacts through each investment decision. This might require looking at longer time horizons than some investees are used to in order for the social and environmental benefits to be realised. This would inadvertently mean challenging some entrenched narratives around return periods. The third step is to see the role of financiers as enablers beyond the straightforward provision of capital. For instance, this may be through building in incentives for greater impact during the life of the plant and their financing. It may also be about taking a clear stand on specific issues, as <a href="https://www.eventideinvestments.com/insights/eradicating-forced-labor-from-solar-supply-chains/">Eventide</a> has on forced labour for instance, and engaging and collaborating with investees to overcome challenges. We need to move beyond collecting data on surveys to building knowledge and trying solutions together. We don’t have much time. At least USD 293 billion will be spent on RE in India alone by 2030. By taking the above steps, all types of financiers of the transition to RE can ensure that we get the maximum value from that money. RE can enable not just the decarbonisation of our electricity system, but also enhance health outcomes, meaningful livelihoods, and economic and social resilience. Anna Biswas is a Managing Director at the Forum for the Future India. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the author/interviewee do not necessarily reflect the views of Business Insider India. The article has been partly edited for length and clarity.

OPINION: As India seeks $293 billion for renewable energy transition, how can we get more bang out of each green buck?

April 22 is celebrated as <keyword id="6455105" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="world-earth-day" source="Orion">World Earth Day</keyword> and the theme for the day this year is Planet Vs Plastics. The world produces around 350 million tonnes of plastic waste every year. Approximately 12% is burned and less than 10% is recycled, while the remaining accumulates in landfills, chokes our water bodies, and ends up in the oceans. Plastics take more than 400 years to degrade, which means the menace created due to unsustainable production and consumption practices is here to stay on this planet for a very long time. Life cycle assessment of plastic reveals that petroleum-based plastics can be recycled three to four times — with product quality deteriorating with each cycle — finally finding its way to landfills. Rapid growth in global plastic production didn’t happen until the 1950s. In the next 70 years, annual production of plastics increased nearly 230-fold to 460 million tonnes by 2019. In 2016, the World Economic Forum had estimated that plastic production could triple by 2050, if the businesses continue as usual. Such a trend in plastic production and usage is expected to result in rapid accumulation of plastic waste in landfills, reaching 12 billion tons by the middle of the 21st century. Although the plastic waste produced per person is higher in rich countries, mismanaged waste has been reported to be much higher in low- to middle-income countries due to a lack of awareness and inadequate infrastructure for recycling the waste. As per the Annual Report 2019-20 on the implementation of Plastic Waste Management (PWM Rules 2016), by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the Ministry of Environment, Government of <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>, the quantum of plastic waste generated in India had been recorded at 3.47 million tons per year (roughly 9,857 tons per day) and India ranked the fifth largest generator of plastic waste. The mismanaged waste is finding its way into rivers, lakes, and the oceans at a frightening rate. The problem of marine <keyword id="1820144" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="plastic-pollution" source="Orion">plastic pollution</keyword> today is a major cause of economic, social and environmental concern. Coastal regions suffer from the harmful health impacts of plastic pollution and waste brought in by the tides, while the livelihood of the locals is inextricably linked to the fishing and tourism industry. According to conservative forecasts made in March 2020, the direct harm to the blue economy of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations was expected to be $2.1 billion per year, a significant financial cost to be borne due to marine plastic pollution. Almost 70% of the plastic in the oceans comes from land-based sources through rivers and coastlines. The other estimated 30% comes from marine sources such as fishing nets, lines, ropes, and abandoned vessels. The ‘All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union’, in a recent representation to the Environment Ministry, highlighted the detrimental impact of plastic waste on fishing activities and the overall health of the local rivers and the Arabian Sea, and an urgent need to ban plastic in the region. Riverbeds covered with plastics disrupt fish spawning activities. These concerns need to be addressed with actions which have immediate and long-term impacts to prevent plastics and other waste from polluting the rivers and oceans, as well as ways to clean up the existing waste. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="What can be done?" comment="subhead" text="What can be done?">What can be done?</cmsannotation> Mobilising global attention to solving the problem of marine plastic has been attempted through the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). In particular, SDG 14, advocating for conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources, is driving an integrated approach towards solving the problem of marine plastic pollution. Similarly, SDG 11, to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable; and SDG 12 to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, are advocating a collective attempt towards better waste management to end plastic pollution. Multi-stakeholder collaboration will be crucial for an effective policy, backed by responsible actions from the corporate and non-governmental organizations. The ‘Closing the loop’ project of the UN’s Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) assists cities in measuring and monitoring plastic waste using innovative technologies like artificial intelligence, satellite imaging, drones, citizen science and waste flow modelling, pinpointing the 'source to sea' movement of how plastic leaks into the marine environment from cities. Identifying hotspots for plastic leakage can assist governments and organisations in developing effective policies backed by actions that address the plastic problem directly. Producer extended responsibility is a necessity at the business level, where producers are responsible for collecting and recycling products which they launch onto the market. Product designing needs to focus on the use of non-plastic, recyclable, or biodegradable materials to replace single-use plastics. There is a strong need to embrace circular and sustainable economic practices throughout the plastics value chain to accomplish this. Price structures should also reflect the adverse impacts of <keyword id="21385548" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="plastic-consumption" source="keywords">plastic consumption</keyword> and promote alternative materials or reused and recycled plastics. Plastics are inexpensive because they are made with substantially subsidised oil, with fewer economic incentives to employ recycled plastics. Encouraging individual action to control plastic pollution is equally critical to reduce plastic waste each year. Promoting a plastic-free workplace will encourage the replacement of single-use plastic products with reusable items or more sustainable single-use alternatives. Public awareness campaigns explaining how people’s actions contribute to marine plastic pollution, or how they may contribute towards beach and river clean-ups; encouraging the use of disposable plastic bags etc., can accelerate the collective efforts towards a plastic-free environment. Most importantly improving waste management strategies is crucial to ending plastic pollution. It is a solvable problem, and making a difference in plastic waste management would do much more to reduce the nuisance. Even if the world used half as much, there will be significant amounts of plastic flowing into the rivers and oceans. The need of the hour is to embrace circularity in plastic waste management with multi-stakeholder engagement and an understanding of the linkages for integrated solutions. <keyword id="19997312" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="circular-economy" source="keywords">Circular economy</keyword> is a way of creating value through extending product lifespan and relocating the waste from the end of the supply chain to the beginning. To ensure sustainability of resources it is important to switch from linear to circular economy. This helps use resources more efficiently and more than once by reuse or recycling. Sonu Goyal is Dean - Academics at the International Management Institute, New Delhi. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the author/interviewee do not necessarily reflect the views of Business Insider India. The article has been partly edited for length and clarity.

OPINION: Planet vs Plastics — A multi-stakeholder approach to clean up the Earth

CII <keyword id="1149348" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="igbc" source="Orion">IGBC</keyword> Chandigarh Chapter on Saturday organised an interactive session on <keyword id="17225400" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="sustainable-cooling" source="Orion">sustainable cooling</keyword> for a low-carbon future to mark <keyword id="6455105" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-earth-day" source="Orion">World Earth Day</keyword> and as part of the 23rd Edition of <keyword id="17150057" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cii-coolex" source="Orion">CII Coolex</keyword>. The event aimed to address the growing demand for sustainable cooling solutions in response to the increasing strain on energy systems and the exacerbation of the climate crisis. The session brought together experts from various fields, including architecture, engineering, construction, and climate science, to share and exchange the latest developments and innovations in sustainable cooling. The session explored a range of topics, including the current state of cooling technology and its impact on energy consumption and emissions, emerging technologies and trends in sustainable cooling, design strategies for minimizing cooling needs in buildings, and case studies. Sharing the welcome remarks, Col Shailesh Pathak, Chairman, IGBC Chandigarh Chapter and CEO, Art &amp; Glass Inc, said: "Green rating systems and building codes play a crucial role in driving the adoption of energy-efficient cooling technologies, which are essential for reducing our carbon footprint and mitigating the impact of climate change. "The use of energy efficient ACs, such as those with inverter technology, can result in significant reductions in energy consumption and emissions up to 50 per cent. IGBC 31 different rating systems advocate and reward the use of for energy efficient appliances and eco-friendly and products among other green practices." Jit Kumar Gupta, Co-Chair, IGBC Green Hill Habitat Rating System and Former Advisor (Town Planning), PUDA, emphasised the need for green spaces and buildings in the planning and development processes. "By prioritising the incorporation of green spaces and green buildings, we can reduce energy consumption, improve air quality, and create a more liveable environment for all. As the world moves towards low carbon emissions, IGBC's launched a mission on net zero has been successful in this endeavour, with more than 350 leading organisations committing to achieve net-zero status for their new and existing buildings, in which energy plays a key role." The session was part of the ongoing CII Coolex exhibition on air-conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation, which is showcasing the best of technologies in energy-saving, intelligent, and eco-friendly solutions for commercial and industrial enterprises as well as households. <h2>Recommended stories:</h2> <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="99657828" title="OPINION: Green finance — need of the hour for net-zero transition — is gaining momentum in Indian economy!" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Energy efficient ACs with inverters can reduce emissions by half: IGBC leads session on sustainable cooling

As the world continues to battle issues like overpopulation, scarcity of resources, climate change and global warming, the theme for this year’s <keyword id="6455105" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="world-earth-day" source="Orion">World Earth Day</keyword> — ‘Invest in our planet’— comes as no surprise. We've now realised and witnessed the consequences of our actions on ecosystems, and this impact has unquestionably highlighted the importance of mindful and environmentally friendly behaviour. Simple efforts like 'Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.', using less plastic, and following a vegetarian diet can help the environment, but making green financial decisions can make even more substantial contributions to the cause. This year, World Earth Day comes with a reminder to take charge and urgently unite citizens, governments and businesses to consistently strive for the betterment of our planet and deal with its greatest threat: climate change. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Environmentally-conscious in businesses" comment="subhead" text="Environmentally-conscious in businesses">Environmentally-conscious in businesses</cmsannotation> Some of us may dispute the need for businesses to become environmentally friendly, believing that individual action alone can make a significant difference. However, a conscientious and environmentally sustainable approach should be followed in all aspects of life, including the home, office and public spaces. Unless businesses, too, start acting immediately, climate change will continue to harm economies, create scarcity of resources, drain earnings and lower job possibilities. Sustainable company policies, stock prices and corporate performances have all been shown to have a direct relationship with each other. And companies that adopt strong <keyword id="13677102" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="environment-social-governance" source="Orion">Environment Social Governance</keyword> (ESG) standards have higher profits, stronger financials, happier employees, and more stable stock performance. We don't have the option of going green or making money in today's world. Sustainability has been demonstrated to be the go-to way to prosperity and long-term profitability time and again, and thus, the two must go hand in hand. The government must also encourage citizens, companies and institutions to invest in a more resilient future by promoting green business practices as not only an ethical, but also a profitable alternative. Governments that accept and encourage the use of green technologies not only set a good example, but also raise awareness of the need for sustainability in the economy. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Individuals contributions to sustainability" comment="subhead" text="Individuals contributions to sustainability">Individuals contributions to sustainability</cmsannotation> Meanwhile, individuals can support the government and industry in green endeavours in a variety of ways. You can, for example, support and promote eco-conscious companies, disconnect from unsustainable investments and large banks, move your money to an ethical investing portfolio and an ethical bank, and utilise your career or abilities to invent and support ideas that will help to combat the climate issue. It's also critical for the government to invest in and encourage climate education so that people understand the value of a healthy environment, develop green innovations and find long-term climate change solutions. As consumers, we have the power to influence businesses and technologies. Businesses will respond with more eco-friendly options and fewer detrimental ones if we invest in sustainable or green technologies and products. To influence the market, educating ourselves and choosing sustainable alternatives are a must. Investing in the planet also entails leading a sustainable lifestyle — one that considers all of our behaviours as well as the subsequent on biodiversity, the environment, and the planet. Going digital, speaking out against deforestation, assessing your carbon footprint and foodprint, limiting your plastic usage, composting, and supporting organic products are just a few examples of how each of us can alter our day-to-day habits to make a significant difference in government policies. When we take a strong stance in favour of environmentally-friendly choices and lifestyles, we are urging the government to take strong action against those who mean harm to the environment. Investing in our planet should be viewed as an investment in our future. While we pay attention to our habits and make changes in our lifestyles, we must also remember that our decisions can influence companies and the government to introduce more green activities. Supporting organisations and initiatives that aim to restore the environment is another excellent approach to investing in our planet. At Grow-Trees.com, we encourage individuals to invest in our planet for as little as Rs 85 per tree. These trees can be used to greet friends and family while also serving as an investment in a healthier and greener future. A catastrophe can serve as a springboard for change. The current climate calamity necessitates a complete paradigm shift. Businesses that are adopting urgent climate action are paving the way. Let's not forget that sustainable businesses contribute to healthier communities as well as wealthier shareholders, as the stock market is currently displaying. <keyword id="2015605" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="supriya-patil" source="Orion">Supriya Patil</keyword> is an environmental expert with a Master’s in Environmental Science. She forged her journey with Grow-Trees.com with an indisputable passion to work towards simplifying the notion of man-animal cohabitation. With the Trees+ concept, she has pioneered a number of innovative tree plantation initiatives that benefit biodiversity as well as socio-environmental systems. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of <keyword id="1857762" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="business-insider-india" source="Orion">Business Insider India</keyword>. The article was originally published in <a href="https://weather.com/en-IN/india/climate-change/news/2022-04-22-earth-day-how-we-can-invest-in-our-planet-for-better-future">The Weather Channel</a>. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sustainability/article/indian-livelihoods-turn-less-green-sharp-decline-in-hiring-green-jobs-over-the-last-five-years-compared-to-the-global-average/articleshow/90971775.cms" style="">Indian livelihoods turn less green! Sharp decline in hiring green jobs over the last five years compared to the global average</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sustainability/article/sustainable-wardrobes-amid-the-farce-of-fast-fashion-cut-back-on-75-of-clothing-purchases-try-renting-outfits/articleshow/90962722.cms" style="">'Sustainable wardrobes' amid the farce of fast fashion; Cut back on 75% of clothing purchases &amp; try renting outfits</a>

OPINION: On Earth Day 2022, here's how individuals and businesses can start investing in our planet for a sustainable future

<ul><li>Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection.</li><li><keyword id="116541" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Reebok">Reebok</keyword> has launched a new range of plant-based running shoes to mark Earth Day. </li></ul>Reebok releases the new version of its innovation in running footwear: Floatride Energy GROW, the plant-based <keyword id="92034" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Running-shoe">running shoe</keyword> for high-performance. It combines the award-winning Forever Floatride Energy model with the commitment and responsibility to protect the environment and strive to create a fitter planet. Floatride Energy GROW is an industry leading shoe within Reebok´s [REE]GROW category which guarantees at least 50% of the used materials are plant-based. To keep the high-performance standards of the best-in-class running shoe, each component was researched and tested to deliver this innovative product. <div type="image" title="+C23018_SS21_Floatride_Energy_3_Grow_PR_Images_M_2" msid="82178975" hostid="261"></div> Key features include: - Full performance running feel expected from the Forever Floatride Energy 3 model - Castor bean midsole delivers responsive and lightweight cushioning - Comfort flared heel collar and natural rubber outsole is durable and flexible - BLOOM algae sockliner is molded for increased support and cushioning - Eucalyptus upper is durable and breathable - Total weight of 8.1 oz/230g women; 9.7 oz/275g men "Running in the Reebok Floatride Energy GROW has been an eye-opener in seeing what's possible when you switch from traditional materials to plant-based,” said Joel Charley, COO Midnight Runners UK. “As far as I can tell, there is no sacrifice in performance, and certainly not in style. This no-compromise, sustainable approach is wonderful to experience as Reebok takes steps (no pun intended) towards doing their part for the future of our planet." The <keyword id="6455105" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-earth-day">World Earth Day</keyword> is coming up on April 22nd and everyone has the power to inspire positive change. Reebok believes “what we´re made of matters” and adapts this to its products without sacrificing performance. Reebok is focusing sustainability efforts under two pillars: [REE]GROW, which focuses on the creation of products from natural materials; and [REE]CYCLED, which focuses on creating products using recycled or repurposed materials. Reebok is committed to reducing virgin polyester from its material mix and eliminating it altogether by 2024. The Floatride Energy Grow allows you to enjoy your daily allowance of speed with a helping of sustainability. Earth-friendly ingredients and all the lightweight, responsive cushioning, durability and traction you expect delivers for your run and our planet. The Reebok Floatride grow collection is available now at select Reebok stores and online at shop4reebok.com starting INR 9,999.

Reebok launches a new range of shoes made from eucalyptus, bloom algae and natural rubber before World Earth Day

<ul><li>In recent years, Bhumi has stepped onto a bigger stage – one where the spotlight shines on environmental and climate awareness. </li><li>Acknowledging her efforts, the <keyword id="19984049" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="UNDP" source="keywords">UNDP</keyword> named her as India's first National Advocate for <keyword id="19950641" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainable-development-goals" source="keywords">Sustainable Development Goals</keyword> (SDGs).</li><li>In an exclusive interview with <keyword id="21390875" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Business-Insider-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Business Insider India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Business Insider India">Business Insider India</keyword>, <keyword id="19939209" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhumi-Pednekar" source="keywords">Bhumi Pednekar</keyword> spoke about her struggles with eco-anxiety and her take on the <keyword id="20000756" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-action" source="keywords">climate action</keyword>.</li></ul> Lights, camera, Earth! When we first saw Bhumi Pednekar in Dum Laga Ke Haisha in 2015, we witnessed her impressive acting skills and her ability to connect with the audience. With time, she grew into a formidable presence on the Indian cinema landscape, paving the way for socially-aware, yet entertaining filmography. In recent years, this Bollywood superstar has stepped onto a bigger stage – one where the spotlight shines on environmental and climate awareness. In a world where the spotlight often blinds stars to the sufferings of the planet and its people, Bhumi reminds us that every person on this planet needs to keep that spark for eco-consciousness alive. In an exclusive interview with Business Insider India, Bhumi Pednekar spoke about her struggles with eco-anxiety during her early years, her efforts to strike a balance between her professional career and environmental responsibilities, her advice for the younger audience, and her take on the climate action across the globe. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDxplE0_Os4" data-type="tilCustomLink">Catch the full interview here!</a> <div type="image" title="Actress Bhumi Pednekar" agency="Business Insider India" msid="109502773" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Actress Bhumi Pednekar&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> “When I started my climate journey, it was a very lonely path for me, Every time I spoke about it, people made fun of me. Eventually, through the years, I met like-minded people, and I realised that this is a real problem. Even today, I get really worried, I have bouts of anxiety and go into a spiral that you know, what will happen now and so on. In such times, what truly helps me is to actually do something towards dealing with the problem,” says Bhumi. Acknowledging her efforts to spread awareness on these critical topics, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) named her as India's first National Advocate for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Just last month, the World Economic Forum (WEF) recognised her as a Young Global Leader (YGL). On <keyword id="21293562" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Earth-Day" source="keywords">Earth Day</keyword> 2024, she also joined UNDP’s global initiative called the ‘The Weather Kids’ — a global campaign to raise awareness about climate change and drive the world towards taking meaningful climate action. Talking about the campaign Bhumi Pednekar stated, "I’m deeply disturbed by Climate Change and the impact that it is having the world over. I have dedicated my life to working on this and helping raise awareness… I have always been committed to using my platform to raise awareness about the urgency of climate action and to empower individuals and communities to adopt sustainable practices. Together, we can make a difference and create a more sustainable and resilient world for future generations.” Further, Bhumi’s role as a <keyword id="21390874" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-warrior" source="keywords">climate warrior</keyword> has also seen her collaborating with activists and institutions nationwide, amplifying their voices and supporting initiatives focused on environmental preservation and climate action. As an ardent advocate for environmental and climate action, she has effectively utilised her fame to champion causes like waste segregation, rainwater harvesting, recycling, and conscious fashion choices. <div type="image" title="Actress Bhumi Pednekar" agency="Business Insider India" msid="109503174" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Actress Bhumi Pednekar&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> “Climate Warrior, which is our nonprofit, is an advocacy platform I started in 2019. The idea was to bring all the work of creating awareness under one umbrella. And then we started the Bhumi Foundation, through which we are again just trying to streamline everything that we do, we have not opened it up for others to come in and work,” said Bhumi, encouraging younger generations to also find their own tribe to influence and drive change. The theme for today’s World Earth Day 2024 is Planet Vs Plastic, and it is time for all of us to gauge our individual and collective impact on our environment and try to reduce it. “One big thing that we can do is to look for and support businesses that are trying to go green and create a positive impact on our planet. If investors support such businesses, and consumers pick such products, our carbon footprint can be lesser,” explains Bhumi. “Every day is Earth Day. This is our only home, there is no alternative, and there is no plan B! The way we show empathy and sympathy towards our loved ones, we should show empathy towards everybody else that we share this planet with. It really breaks my heart when you see on the news that a major city like Bangalore is still witnessing a water crisis and our capital city Delhi has winter days where schools are canceled because of the pollution. We are all in this together, we all are a part of the problem. And we all need to be a part of the solution as well,” concludes Bhumi. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of Business Insider India. The excerpts has been partly edited for length and clarity.

Earth Day 2024: Actress Bhumi talks about 'Pednekar ke ped', ostrich mentality, climate anxiety and more

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Lawyers for Tibetan herder Dingzhen Zhenzhu are taking action against people flaming him on <keyword id="11895013" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="social-media" source="Orion">social media</keyword>.</li><li>Dingzhen first went viral in November 2020 for his bright smile in a clip from a short film.</li></ul>A Tibetan yak herder <a href="https://asiatimes.com/2020/12/is-rugged-tenzin-the-most-handsome-man-in-china/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">once known as the most handsome man in China</a> has learned a harsh lesson: social media fame comes with a heavy price. This week, lawyers for Dingzhen Zhenzhu issued a letter via his agent warning people to stop making defamatory comments about him, particularly those containing "insulting, terrifying, vulgar, or vilifying words." Representatives for Dingzhen said in the letter that the Tibetan-farmhand-turned-social-media-star had been the target of vulgar and belittling comments on social media that have had a "serious impact" on him. Dingzhen first went viral on Chinese social media in November 2020, when a short clip of him smiling captured the hearts of Chinese internet users. The clip of Dingzhen, then 20, spread like wildfire on <keyword id="11892748" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="china" source="Orion">China</keyword>'s TikTok, Douyin, leading web users to dub him the most handsome man in China, per the <a href="https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3111292/chinas-most-handsome-man-right-now-tibetan-herder-wows?module=inline&amp;pgtype=article">SCMP</a>. The clip originated from a short film of Dingzhen in <keyword id="11897692" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="tibet" source="Orion">Tibet</keyword>, walking over the plains and talking about his daily life on the grasslands. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gC3X86bOx30" frameborder="0"></iframe>The clip went so viral that Hua Chunying, a Chinese government spokesperson, highlighted his "bright, sunny, and innocent smile" on her Twitter page. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1333005030585143296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2020</a></blockquote>Because of that clip, Dingzhen managed to secure a job in his county of Litang in the southwestern Sichuan province as a tourism ambassador, and was even <a href="https://youtu.be/ZT9XBmqywrw">sent as one of China's representatives to a United Nations Development Program event for World Earth Day in 2021.</a><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r0B0SCuXp0k" frameborder="0"></iframe>However, while Chinese social media users <a href="https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1006471/netizens-thirsty-for-tibetan-heartthrob">fawned over him</a> and dubbed him the <a href="https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202011/30/WS5fc455c2a31024ad0ba984ff.html">"smile of the plateau"</a> and a "sweet wild boy," he has faced continuous criticism. For one, his image took a hit <a href="https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202101/1212750.shtml">after a photo of him vaping was leaked on social media</a>.He has also been the target of putdowns on China's Twitter-like site <keyword id="12012028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="weibo" source="Orion">Weibo</keyword>, with <a href="https://radiichina.com/ding-zhen-tibetan/">online posters calling Dingzhen</a> the epitome of superficiality in China, and mocking the success he's attained despite not being highly educated. In a statement attached to the lawyer's letter, Dingzhen cautioned people to not "do anything evil, no matter how trivial you think it is." Dingzhen and his representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider.

Meet the 'most handsome man in China' — a Tibetan yak herder who's threatening to sue online critics for claiming he's just a pretty face

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Payments firm <keyword id="1614454" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Klarna">Klarna</keyword> has raised $1 billion in new funding, tripling its valuation to $31 billion.</li><li>This makes "buy now, pay later" giant Klarna the most valuable private startup in Europe.</li><li>The new round of funding included a mix of new and existing investors.</li></ul>Swedish "buy now, pay later" payments company Klarna has nearly tripled its valuation to $31 billion in less than six months, after it announced on Monday a new $1 billion fundraising round.The new round, which makes Klarna the most valuable European startup, was oversubscribed four times and included a combination of new and existing investors.The firm completed a $650 million funding round in September from a group of investors led by Silver Lake that valued it at $11 billion.<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/klarna-fintech-giant-reports-sevenfold-increase-in-losses-2020-8">Klarna</a> also said it would pledge 1% of the capital raised to a newly created initiative that focuses on key sustainability challenges around the world and would launch on April 22 on World Earth Day.Reuters had reported last week that the company, which competes with PayPal and Australia's AfterPay, was finalizing another private funding round.Klarna, which was founded in 2015, has 90 million active consumers and 250,000 merchants on its payments service, according to its <a href="https://www.klarna.com/uk/about-us/">website</a>. <keyword id="6370208" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Payment">Payment</keyword> services such as Klarna that let customers delay payment for online purchases have raised <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/explosion-buy-now-pay-later-credit-klarna-regulation-2021-2">concerns among authorities that young people are falling into debt</a>.The UK government said February 8 it <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/explosion-buy-now-pay-later-credit-klarna-regulation-2021-2">plans to regulate these kind of services</a>, after a report produced by the financial regulator's former chief, Christopher Woolard argued that "buy now, pay later" schemes could be "harmful" if left unregulated.

'Buy now, pay later' giant Klarna has tripled its valuation to $31 billion, making it Europe's most valuable private startup

<ul><li>Dating has seen a phenomenal change during the <keyword id="43587" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="pandemic">pandemic</keyword> and dating apps like <keyword id="228306" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="OkCupid">OkCupid</keyword> are helping simplify meeting and building deep connections with people online.</li><li>We chat with <keyword id="3448882" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Anukool-Kumar">Anukool Kumar</keyword>, <keyword id="267929" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="marketing-director">Marketing Director</keyword>, OkCupid India on the pandemic's impact on its business and how it is making sure its platform is able to evolve with the changing needs of its users. </li></ul> The year 2020 had a profound impact on all our lives. As we were restricted to our homes, there was a transformation in the way we live our lives, buy, consume, watch, or even interact with people. With almost no physical contact with friends, families, technology came to our rescue. Businesses had to pivot quickly to stay relevant. For dating apps, the game is all in helping build human connections. So when people were socially distanced, the challenge was to do find new ways of building that connect. Again, technology came to the rescue. We saw many platforms introduce new features that enhanced overall experience for people using these apps. Virtual dates became an acceptable way of dating. It also brought a lot of first-time users to these platforms. For dating app OkCupid, the past one and a half years has been all about innovating and making it easier for people to connect on their platform and make the most of the experience. Last year, the platform rolled out its mobile app redesign globally called Stacks which is a new matching system that consolidates multiple discovery methods into one, making it even easier to find the type of person users are looking for. We caught up with Anukool Kumar, <keyword id="6354839" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="marketing">Marketing</keyword> Director, OkCupid India to understand the kind of impact the pandemic has had on the platform, the strategies it used to keep its users at its core and its future in India. Excerpts: Q) How have the last 1.5 years been for OkCupid as a brand? How did the pandemic impact your business? In 2018, OkCupid was brought to India in response to a growing number of women looking for a serious relationship on their terms. The last few years have been so exciting for us as we’ve seen women discovering their independence and extending that security to choosing relationships that see them as more than just a horoscope or radius of a roti. The same holds for men in India who are seeking a partnership instead of traditional Indian gender roles in a marriage. The pandemic then created two major changes that affected the business of dating apps and OkCupid in particular. First, with fewer avenues to meet people we saw a surge in the number of first-time users on OkCupid with more women than ever before actively opening conversations. The second was a change in mindset-with time on their hands to introspect on the sort of relationship they’re looking for, single millennials ended conversations missing a spark faster while engaging in old school courtship online blurring the lines of IRL and online romance. What this meant for us as OkCupid is that there were more moments of serendipity on our platform impacting business (currently and in the future) positively while making a tangible difference in the social fabric of India. Q) Dating also evolved in these last 13-14 months. How have you as a platform been able to keep up with these changing times and evolving consumer needs? OkCupid has always been a platform that empowers users to find their kind of love based on shared interests, quirks and beliefs. With over 3000 questions at the heart of the product and more topical questions added in a timely manner, we ensure relevant subjects that matter most to millennial Indians are addressed by the app. In 2021, a lot of the focus has been on expressing one’s intent to get the vaccine and match with someone who believes in the same science; we've seen a 763% increase in mentions of the vaccine on OkCupid India's bios since March 2021. Hence to make it easier for our users to find a potential match who believes in the benefit of getting vaccinated, we introduced the ‘I’m vaccinated’ badge and stack as an endeavour to help people make informed decisions, especially in their search for love. Last year, we had also rolled out our biggest mobile app redesign globally called ‘Stacks’ which is a new matching system that consolidates multiple discovery methods into one, making it even easier to find the type of person you’re looking for. The new Stacks discovery experience shows matches in a focused, thoughtful way, and gives OkCupid daters the choice and control over who they could match with through a series of new categories including ‘online’ (to match with people who are online), ‘recommended’ (a stack of OkCupid’s top recommendations based on preferences), ‘nearby’, ‘match %’, etc. One of the key examples of this was the release of our first-ever global Climate Change Advocate Profile Badge and Stack in the weeks leading up to World Earth Day 2021, which was inspired by dating millennials on OkCupid who are passionate about climate change and believe in being advocates of the same. Q) Have there been any interesting trends you have witnessed on the platform since the pandemic? Dating has seen a phenomenal change during the pandemic with millennials increasingly taking their time to get to know each other, discovering love through long, profound conversations and digitally shared experiences. The quest for love has continued to increase, mirroring the need for human connection. We witnessed more and more millennials investing their time in forming stronger emotional bonds with their potential matches online before making plans to meet them in real life. There were also higher engagements with a potential partner, where the intentions are clear of wanting love by expressing exactly what they want in a relationship, also leading to higher unmatches that didn’t have any spark. The best parts of “courtship” or slow dating, is now the norm and it's proving to be a far more fulfilling connection. In fact, 85% of users on OkCupid believe it’s important to develop an emotional connection before a physical one, so the switch to virtual dates has allowed these emotional connections to thrive. Q) What kind of growth have you witnessed? Was there increased traction during the months of lockdown? What is your current user base? At OkCupid, we have a growing consumer base of millions of Indian users, as we continue to help millennials find love. The onset of the pandemic resulted in an increased number of conversations on OkCupid as millennials look for more serious and meaningful relationships. Globally, there’s been an overall 30% increase in messages sent on OkCupid each day since 2020. In India, we witnessed a 26% increase in conversations with over 91% of millennials still looking to date virtually and find love. We also noticed that during the lockdown millennials were not restricting their intention to find love within a certain pincode and expanded the distance to match with their potential partner. In fact, those who removed geographical restrictions continue to see 10% higher likes. Q) The last few years has seen the coming in of a lot of dating apps. How have you been able to differentiate yourself in space? OkCupid was founded in 2004 by Harvard mathematicians who believed in the power of questions to lead you to meaningful connections. The app is built around an algorithm that uses answers to over 3000 questions to introduce daters to people on the same wavelength - their kind of person. We make sure the algorithm makes connections based on the answers and preferences shared by the users and these are further contextualised by location, gender identity, and cultural realities. Over the last 15 years the questions that form the heart of the app have constantly evolved to serve daters looking for love. No other app tries to learn about your personality and preferences as much as OkCupid does, and our sophisticated algorithm makes the most relevant matches for users based on deeper things, like beliefs and interests, instead of just a photo and other parameters such as location. For that same reason, we have an intentionally long sign-up process of answering relevant questions to contextualize potential matches better. The algorithm considers your responses to questions, your preferences, interests and hobbies, and your profile to find the people you’re compatible with. This is the inimitable core of OkCupid and the reason why the app has led thousands of people to find their kind of love. OkCupid was also the first dating app that gave users the choice to use their preferred pronouns or create one to add to their profile along with 20 sexual orientations, 22 gender options and over 60 identities thus making it truly inclusive. Q) Give us a sense of your marketing journey so far... From a marketing POV, what is your current area of focus? Going ahead, what will be your broad marketing strategy? Is Digital your biggest spend? At OkCupid, the focus is towards creating a superior product for our Indian users to find love on their terms and our marketing efforts are directly correlated with that purpose. One of the biggest challenges the pandemic has caused is the hit that traditional media has taken. On the other hand, it has been an opportunity for digital media to grow. Digital content consumption is at an all-time high, which has led us to completely revamp our overall marketing strategy towards platforms that hold our audience’s attention. Our digital-first approach is not limited only to social media, but covers all platforms like YouTube or even podcasts. Our aim is to put our brand narrative out there - be it on a video streaming platform like Hotstar, or a music streaming platform like Spotify, or working with influencers to speak to our users on the app and connect with our target audience. The core of our strategy is to keep reinforcing the brand narrative of finding one’s own kind of love- across platforms and keeping our messaging consistent in all the engagement that we do. Q) Where will OkCupid's next phase of growth come from? From a marketing perspective, we are witnessing more and more people engaging in conversations around the kind of love they want. From an industry perspective, the pandemic has heightened digital content consumption and social media has managed to garner a lot of user engagement in the past year. Hence, our strategy is to keep reinforcing the brand narrative of finding one’s own kind of love across platforms and keeping our messaging consistent in all the engagement that we do. We will continue with our ‘Love Is’ campaign over the years to come, and continue to introduce features and questions on the app that make it more relevant to daters today. Q) Has there been an increase in your user base from smaller cities or do users from metros still make a majority of your users? At OkCupid, the bulk of our users in India belong to the age group of 25-35 years. These users are from metropolitan cities as well as Tier 2 and 3 cities. Q) How are you making the platform more inclusive? Since its inception OkCupid has been exclusively inclusive, respecting and celebrating every individual find their kind of love without fear of judgement. It was the first dating app to give users the choice to use their preferred pronoun or create one to add to their profile and expand gender and orientation options for users with over 20 sexual orientations and 22 gender options. This led to almost 2 million straight and queer users proudly displaying their pronouns on their dating profiles worldwide and find a meaningful match for themselves in an authentic way. In its endeavour to provide an inclusive experience for all daters, this Pride Month, OkCupid also made a global announcement to release over 60 identities for users to choose from an array of options like Bear, Bottom, Butch, Femme, Hard Femme, High Femme, Otter, Boi, Versatile, etc, to allow members of the LGBTQ+ community the option to signal who they are, how they identify and what they want in a partner. These identities were developed in consultation with staff and community experts, including the Human Rights Campaign, which is thelargest LGBTQ rights organization. This app development reinforces OkCupid’s message of ‘Find Your Kind Of Love’, and reminds people looking for love to never compromise. Q) What is your vision for OkCupid in India? Our vision is simple- remind single millennials that they deserve the love they seek and will find it. We live in a world that is filled with disappointment and despite the growing number of people seeking love there is also a growing sentiment that love doesn’t exist- not the romantic love that takes your feelings, beliefs and values into consideration. At OkCupid, we care about our users and are committed to helping users find their kind of love. For us, it’s all about giving our daters the value they look for and expect from the world on our platform. The pandemic has made us more careful of where we invest our emotions and time, and daters are no different. The fact that daters are coming on the app and actually finding love and the OkCupid love stories of all ages and types are a testament to this.

You Searched For "world earth day" and got 10 results

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