1 - Environmental Intelligence: Deep Diving on the Plastic Waste Crisis in the developing world

John Holm is the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at PYXERA Global where he leads the organization’s initiatives in circular economy and zero waste communities. He is also a senior adjunct lecturer for Maastricht School of Management in The Netherlands on Shared Value and Circular Economy. His more recent work has him engaged in helping build zero waste communities in geographically diverse regions such as Ghana and parts of the Far North.   In a recent article on circular partnerships, he wrote: “In an era of hyperbole and empty rhetoric, where terms like “corporate purpose” are on the lips of every business leader, the circular economy transition provides a real opportunity to demonstrate authentic and inclusive stakeholder engagement and deliver ROI together with environmental stewardship.”

We’re with Katharine Hayhoe, an atmospheric scientist and professor of political science. She has been named a United Nations Champion of the Earth and one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People, and serves as the climate ambassador for the World Evangelical Alliance. She was recently called “one of the nation's most effective communicators on climate change” by The New York Times.    Her most recent book, a national bestseller, is Saving Us. Hayhoe argues that when it comes to changing hearts and minds, facts are only one part of the equation. We need to find shared values in order to connect our unique identities to collective action.    Writer Margaret Atwood took to Twitter to call Saving Us “A must read if we’re serious about enacting positive change from the ground up, in communities, and through human connections and human emotions.”

We’re with Andrew Winston, the author of the bestsellers Green to Gold and The Big Pivot. His latest book, Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More than They Take, co-authored with renowned Unilever CEO Paul Polman, was a finalist for the Financial Times & McKinsey Business book of the Year Award.   Andrew defines a net positive company as one that “improves well-being for everyone it impacts and at all scales—every product, every operation, every region and country, and for every stakeholder, including employees, suppliers, communities, customers, and even future generations and the planet itself.” He says no company yet has reached that goal.

"Turn Off the Plastic Tap" is an art installation recently revealed by Ben Von Wong meant to showcase the impact plastic pollution has on the environment. Ben has created different campaigns that have lead to hundreds of millions of views.  Check out the project and find pictures to use here: https://blog.vonwong.com/turnofftheplastictap/ #TurnOffThePlasticTap is looking for sponsors to get to the United Nations Environmental Assembly. If you can help, follow this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScLrU2SqWZyEG4Cpg-QKjIqwWE75grLHFnopdBwNj860B9UKw/viewform

Circular economies - what are the facts, what are the opportunities? OPLN Founder Dave Ford and Bridget Croke, Managing Director at Closed Loop Partners, discuss. Check out The Reusies - aka The Reuse Awards - for more information about leaders in the closed economy space.

Waste collection in the global south - what are the facts, what are the experiences? OPLN Founder Dave Ford and Ian Rosenberger, CEO at First Mile and Day Owl, Founder and Board Chair at WORK, discuss.