🚫 PFA ban, planet parade, and storm surfing bats

Happy Friday my friend,

My heart is breaking to see the fire devastation in Los Angeles – the city I lived in for 13 years. Many homes of friends are completely lost. If you have the means to support the firefighters, here is one good option.

On a separate note – I'm filled with gratitude seeing how many of you joined our Earth Conscious Life Membership in the first few days! There's still time to secure your Founding Members rate before it is never offered again. You'll get access to our weekly Deep Dive articles (delivered to your inbox every Wednesday) and our growing library of conscious living resources and videos. CLICK HERE to become part of this transformative community and help us create lasting change for a more regenerative future.

ECL TRIVIA: Which animal is considered one of the smartest farm animals, with intelligence comparable to a 3-year-old child? (Answer below)

🌎 Planet Health

🪐 PLANET PARADE: Every other planet in our solar system this month— except Mercury— will be lined up in the night sky at once, in a magical “planetary parade.” Uranus and Neptune will be too small to see with the naked eye, but planets like Jupiter and Mars will be illuminated brightly and easy to spot. This month marks Mars’ closest approach to Earth in 2 years! Learn about where and when to see all the planets on a clear night.

♻️ RENEWABLE GERMANY: Germany's renewable energy use has significantly increased. Last year, renewable energy accounted for 62.7% of the country's electricity consumption. Wind energy was the leading source, making up 33% of net public electricity generation, and solar power increased by 18% since 2023. See more about Germany’s commitment to (and targets for) renewable energy here.

🦈 SHARK PROTECTION: South Australia has issued protections for certain species of sharks and rays, prohibiting fishing of “critically endangered species,” including five species only found in the waters of Australia. Interestingly, “campaigning from conservation groups, researchers, scuba divers and snorkelers to increase the level of protection” for these (and other) species largely inspired the onset of the new rules.

🧑‍⚕️ Human Health

🦠 GUT-LOVING MICROBES: A new study shows that the diversity and quality of what you eat affects the composition of your gut microbiome. More specifically, if you eat a lot of red meat, you likely have a “corresponding signature microbe” that differs from vegan-based eating microbes. To read which specific microbes are linked to poorer cardiometabolic health, how the study was conducted, and how increasing plant-based foods in omnivore diets can improve gut health, click here.

🙅🏼‍♀️ FOREVER CHEMICALS NO MORE: In Minnesota this month, “consumer products across 11 different categories will be banned from sale if found to contain non-essential, intentionally added PFAS.” As part of Amara’s Law (named after 20-year-old Amara who passed away from cancer linked to PFAS), this prohibition applies to products like cosmetics, cleaning products, cookware, and more. Read more about this powerful initiative.

🧠 MIND-CHANGING MEDITATION: Can meditation truly change the way your mind works? Click here to read about the latest research just published, which demonstrates long term meditation practice “leads to enduring changes in neural processes.” Pointing to significant brain wave activity differences across gamma, theta, and alpha frequencies from non-meditators, “even during rest,” scientists hypothesize these minds may have improved cognitive function over time.

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Photo of the week

😊 Conscious Corner

Other earth-conscious stories you may have missed…

🦇 BAT MIGRATION: Scientists discover bats surf storm fronts to save energy during long journeys (more)

🐺 WOLF PROTECTION: Swedish wolf population faces challenges as controversial hunt begins (more)

🌊 ISLAND SOLUTIONS: Small island nations leverage oceans for innovative eco-action (more)

🧬 ANCIENT CLIMATE: Scientists reveal CO₂'s fundamental role in Earth's past warming cycles (more)

🐕 STRESS SIGNALS: Research shows dogs can smell human stress and adjust their behavior (more)

Trivia Answer:

Pigs. Contrary to common beliefs, pigs are not only one of the smartest farm animals but are also among the most intelligent animals in the animal kingdom, capable of learning faster than dogs and primates.

To a healing future,

— Rob

P.S. I’d be pleased to have you join our Earth Conscious Life Membership to secure your Founding Members rate before it is never offered again. We’ve got a lot in store for 2025, and together we are making real impact in the world. Even more big announcements coming very soon (hint: a new film!). As an ECL Member you’ll get our weekly Deep Dive articles (delivered to your inbox every Wednesday) and unlimited access to our growing library of conscious videos. CLICK HERE to learn more.