EU's Bold Move to Save Nature – And Why It Matters to You 🌳

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Read time today: 2 minutes 54 seconds

Hi friend 👋,

I hope your day is off to a fabulous start!

This week I’ve been traveling the country for work. The long train rides were the perfect time to crank out this newsletter.

I dove into the depths of the internet so you don’t have to— here are my top 5 insights and findings:

1. [Good News Climate] 🌍 EU Passes Landmark Nature Restoration Law

It’s time to celebrate! 🎉 After a two-year political rollercoaster, the EU has finally passed the Nature Restoration Law. This groundbreaking legislation is the first in the world to set legally binding targets for biodiversity restoration.

What’s the big deal?

By 2030, 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas must be restored. This includes rewetting drained peatlands and introducing new measures to protect forests. The law is crucial, as 80% of EU habitats are in poor condition, with 1 in 5 species at risk of extinction.

Why it matters:

1️⃣ Peatlands, covering just 3% of the world’s land, store twice as much CO2 as all the world’s forests combined.

2️⃣ Over 75% of European crops depend on pollinators like bees, whose populations are dwindling.

3️⃣ And here’s a kicker—50% of global economic output depends on biodiversity.

2. [Market Spotlight] 🧠→💪 Gut Health is the New Mental Health

Gut health is exploding—literally. If you’ve been paying attention to the latest Instagram trends or read any trend report, you’ve noticed the skyrocketing interest in the little bacteria living in our gut.

Just look at this chart: interest in “gut health” has shot up like a rocket over the past few years.

Why does this matter? Because people are waking up to the fact that our gut isn't just about digestion—it's deeply connected to our mental health. And this shift in understanding is creating massive business opportunities.

No need for a 20-page business plan when you have a chart like that.

3. [Trend Watch] 🪖 Vegan Diets in the Military

Alright, here’s something you probably didn’t see coming: the military going vegan. Yep, while some forces are still stuck in the past (looking at you, Bundeswehr), the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are already dishing out plant-based meals like it’s no big deal.

Why does this matter? The CAF isn't just serving some tofu for fun. They’re recognizing that for many soldiers, a vegan diet is more than just a preference—it’s a belief. And they’re stepping up to accommodate that. It's a bold move that’s setting the bar for other militaries around the world.

Read more here.

4. [True Crime Food ] 🍫The Dark Side of Chocolate: What Almost Everyone Ignores

Who doesn’t love a warm cup of cocoa after a winter walk or a quick chocolate bar pick-me-up at the office? Chocolate is more than just a sweet treat—it’s a massive industry, worth $140 billion globally. But beneath that sweet surface lies a bitter reality.

Here’s the hard truth: The world’s cocoa farms are plagued by extreme hardships, child labor, poverty, and even modern-day slavery.

A shocking 73-90% of cocoa farmers live below the poverty line. 😱

Over 2 million children and enslaved individuals work on cocoa plantations, torn from their families and deprived of education. 😠

Want to dig deeper into this dark secret? John Oliver’s #LastWeekTonight did a brilliant job exposing the underbelly of the chocolate industry with his signature mix of humor and hard-hitting journalism.

Sometimes, the sweetest things in life come with the most bitter realities. 🌍

🎥 Watch the full 20-minute segment here: John Oliver on the Chocolate Industry

 5. [Inspiration] 🌟 Name Trees, Not Influencers

Already shared this on LinkedIn, but strongly believe in the message, so sharing it again here. 

In a world where kids can name more Kardashians than trees in their backyard, it's time for a reset. Imagine a generation that knows the difference between an oak and a maple, a hawk and an eagle—not just brands and celebrities. 🌳🦅

This is a great reminder from pediatrician Joel Gator for all us parents out there: Let's inspire our children to connect with the world around them in a meaningful way.

Have a great day,
Lia

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