💪 The Global Greenwashing Crackdown

Happy Friday Morning ☀️ and welcome to the first ever edition of the Herbivore. If you’re looking for ways to improve sustainability in your day-to-day life, discover new sustainable products & businesses, and stay informed on climate news in a fun and positive way, you’ve found your pack!

P.s. stick around until the end for a quiz that will test your climate knowledge and a chance to win a gift card!

🌍️ Weekly Sustainability Challenge

Did you know? Food waste is responsible for 6% of global GHG emissions.
What’s one of the most wasted food item in North America? Bread 🍞

California’s journey to decarbonize trucking

California is building a 96-truck charging depot, a huge step towards the state’s goal of decarbonizing trucking by 2035.

Why trucks? While trucks make up just 7% of vehicles in California, they generate over 25% of the state’s Green House Gas emissions, and contribute to California having some of the worst air quality in the U.S. So in May of this year, California approved the new Advanced Clean Fleets rule, banning the sale of traditional combustion trucks by 2036 and pushing for 100% zero-emission trucks on the road by 2045.

This is remarkable for two reasons: first, California is the first jurisdiction in the WORLD(!) to approve the ban of combustion trucks; and second, the state is actually making progress towards this goal, working with companies like Forum Mobility, WattEV, and Zeem to build out the infrastructure to support over 2 million electric trucks.

Congestion pricing: curbing traffic and emissions in NYC

Driving to New York City? Think again! New York City is set to begin charging drivers for driving downtown, starting next spring.

Why? NYC has some of the worst gridlock in the world! Each day, some 700,000 cars, taxis, and trucks drive through Lower Manhattan, polluting the city with GHG emissions and a barrage of car horns.

Introducing “congestion pricing”: a toll designed to discourage people from driving into NYC, while raising money to spruce up public transport. The city is proposing charging drivers up to $23 during peak periods, in order to cut 20% of cars on the road and raise $1 billion a year for public transport improvements.

While this is the first time congestion pricing will be introduced in the U.S., cities like London have had it in place for over 20 years! The result: less traffic, cleaner air, safer streets, better transit. Has your city considered it? Let us know!

The global greenwashing crackdown and how you can take action

From Europe, to the US, to Canada, regulators are finally cracking down on companies using “green” labels without any substantive evidence.

What changed? In May, the UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) announced plans to crack down on companies using offsets to claim carbon neutrality. And in this year’s most high profile case, luxury fashion brand, Gucci, dropped it’s claim of being "entirely carbon neutral" after consumers realized the company had been buying carbon credits to claim neutrality.

It’s no longer the wild wild west of greenwashers and giants like Gucci, Keurig, Walmart, and others will have to put the work in if they want to be part of the planet-friendly crew!

How can you stay ahead of greenwashing?

(1) Shopping at B Corporations is a great way to support brands that have been certified for their transparent environmental and social practices.

(2) Use third parties like Good on You, that objectively rate brands.

🙋‍♀️ Sustainable business highlight

Meet Beeja May, a Toronto based, kids, second-hand clothing shop that’s making shopping second-hand as easy as buying new!

Why we love them?

• Founded by Canadian, BIPOC founders, Christine and Simon are parents themselves and want to leave the world in a better place for kids like theirs. Read their story here!

• Beeja May helps parents give kids clothing a second life. And makes it easy, fun, and cost effective to shop for your little ones.

• They give customers the option to Hold & Consolidate their orders over a 14 day period to reduce shipping trips and emissions. 🌍

🦕 Herby’s climate-friendly finds

This week: we’re highlighting sustainable home goods for your kitchen!

• Stasher’s silicone reusable food bags — we’re all about reuse and no product bugs us more than plastic ziplocs

• Good Guests on Earth’s all purpose cleaner — beautifully designed, refillable home cleaning solutions from a Canadian female duo

• Lomi — turn your food waste into a garden, not garbage

• ChopValue’s charcuterie board — a kitchen staple, made from recycled chopsticks

🍂 Herby’s weekly roundup

Some quick hits of interesting articles, books, and events

• Montana kids are suing the state for their role in climate change; the result could set an important precedent for governments everywhere

• A Canadian girl inspired over 700 kids to make artwork on climate change

• The Canadian government is matching donations to the Canadian Red Cross Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada Fires Appeal until June 29th!

• Tips for parents and educators on raising climate conscious kids

• A weekly read we’re loving: Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants

🤓 This or That?

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