Starting with some art…
New Years and resolutions can feel like quite the trap designed for our own failure. However, they don’t have to be. If we start 2024 off with a little bit of grace and humility for ourselves then there is nothing that cannot be achieved. Even if you do not reach your goals or resolutions for the year remember that you will make progress and improve. We all can get better with time as long as we are determined to try and don’t fall into any traps 😉.
Now to the Good News…
NC State researchers develop biodegradable film to aid a plastic-free future
Scientists at North Carolina State University, have developed a plant based plastic substitute that is far more sustainable and environmentally friendly. The film is made from biopolymers that have a basis in nature. One is derived from seaweed, and the other is a compound that makes crab shells hard. These biodegradable materials could be a long term sustainable solution to reducing petroleum based plastic films; which when not handles properly end up as microplastics that damage water ways or can take a very long time to breakdown properly. While next steps need to be producing this product at scale it is wonderful to see real solutions to plastic waste are coming to fruition.
Black-led Chicago nonprofit sees cycling as a tool for building healthy communities
Equiticity Racial Equity Movement is an organization in West Chicago that is aiming to reduce the stigma around bicycling, and other lower emission forms of getting around the city. They are focused on hyper local improvements and advocate for better infrastructure in an area where typically they are subject to disinvestment by the powers that be. However, they are making headway with community bike rides, walking tours, street festivals, and more. With the support of a grant by ComEd they were also able to launch a Mobility Opportunities Fund that helped people to purchase the eco friendly, bikes, electric bikes, electric cargo bikes, and even EVs.
Drink like a centenarian: The top 5 beverages for longevity
If you go to your fridge to grab a drink, what is the most likely thing you’ll grab? If you’re like me you might not always be grabbing the healthiest options for living a long life. However, one of my favorite online publications has compiled the top five beverages we should all be drinking more of if we want to live to be over 100. The top five as determined by the science of studying blue zones is,
coffee (black from what I can tell)
green tea (I put honey in mine which probably isn’t great)
black tea (mostly for the same reasons as green tea … again not sure on the sweeteners)
water (the article explains that the water in blue zones may be cleaner, however no matter what it is one of the best things to drink)
wine (last on the list, however the researcher explained that people in blue zones have a glass daily in most cases)
Check out the full article for all the info on why these drinks are the best for you, and if you can next time you get up to grab yourself a drink remember these options are great for your health!
Thank you so much for joining me on my journey through the good news this week. We need to remember that there is light at the end of every tunnel and that together we can make the world a better place.
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