4 things a week: International Women's Day
1. World
After being showed an article about the environmental impact of coffee in Wired magazine, I went down a rabbit hole exploring the validity of the article’s claim that, per cup, coffee pods are actually better for the environment than filter coffee. This is because they use less coffee per cup and it’s the coffee itself that has the greatest impact over heating the water or any packaging involved. The research findings are laid more pretty clearly in this article, and, show that it actually very much depends on how much coffee you use - most people use at least 20% more coffee granules or grounds than recommended - and whether you run your machine or kettle on green energy or not. However, despite this, it concludes that in all cases filter coffee produces more CO2e than coffee pods. Of course this is only one study, but it certainly wouldn’t be the answer most people expect and one that most people refuse to believe.
Finding a Reddit debate in response to the article, there is clear disbelief in the findings. No-one can get there head around the idea that coffee pods, with the amount of waste they produce, could possibly be better for the environment than a packet of filter coffee. And that fundamentally is the problem with getting people to make better choices. No one understands what’s happening upstream. We don’t have a clue what goes into making so much of what we consume. And, on top of that, one thing is certain: it cannot be possible that a company like Nestle could be making a more sustainable coffee option than the local bag of ground coffee we pick up at the weekend. Because obviously all corporates are the devil... right?
Thinking about other markets in which awareness has been raised. Meat vs plant-based was one that came to mind. I think most people would agree that a plant burger is better for the environment in terms of carbon emissions than a beef burger. So we know it is possible to educate consumers. But it’s the plant-based industry that has run the campaigns to educate consumers. When it comes to coffee, what’s the alternative? Tea? Maybe we should switch our coffee for a daily whisky instead? According to data a shot of whisky has less than half the carbon emissions of a black coffee. Well if it’s going to save the planet…
2. Innovation
I wrote about Avi Schiffmann’s Friend back in August; an always-on AI necklace designed to be a constant companion. Last month saw the official launch of Tolan. A tamagotchi style AI companion that is tailored to the individual. Users are matched to their Tolan through a personality interview and each Tolan comes with a unique world that starts off barren and evolves with vegetation, terrain, and structures based on the user/Tolan interactions. The idea is that you can ask you Tolan anything; what to wear or cook, seek advice or simply have a chat. Each night, the model that powers the Tolan reflects on the conversations that took place that day and thinks about what it should talk about tomorrow. Interestingly when we were discussing this in the office, one of the reactions from the team was “I haven’t downloaded it because I’m concerned that it will be too much of a commitment”; like an actual Tamagotchi the idea of having a creature that is nurtured by interaction feels like once you start, you can’t stop. Which of course, Portola; the company behind the alien creatures, have probably intended. How else will they keep their $10 a month subscriptions coming in.
That being said, it’s an interested approach to make something more gamified and playful than so many of the AI chatbots created to date. And they are undeniably cute.
Obviously it still begs the question as to 'why?' But with a loneliness declared a public health concern by the World Health Organisation and potentially as bad for people’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, I think the problem to be solved is pretty clear. You might argue that it's a sad state of affairs that the solution is a kids cartoon character on a screen instead of human-to-human connection, but if it works it works. And $10 a month is definitely less than I spend meeting up with real friends.
3. Morrama
Hands up who’s going to Milan Design Week? 🙋♀️
If you can squeeze your running shoes into your bag, you must come and join us on Wednesday morning for a jog around the city followed by breakfast and networking. We are hosting our Out of Office Run Club for the first time during the Fuorisalone in partnership with TDC PR and CRC, a local running club (plus another exciting sponsor to be announced!) and we’d love to see you there.
And we’ll have some goodies for those that come along. Read more, and sign up your interest here. Places will be limited, so get a move on 🏃…
4. Inspiration
So its International Women's Day on Saturday. Something that, quite frankly, passes me by each year without much attention. But this year I've decided that whether I agree or not with the idea of having a single day in the calendar to pat ourselves on the back and say how great we are, I do feel that its important to advocate those amazing women doing awesome things. Because there isnt enough of us. Yes, I put myself in that category. I am an amazing woman doing awesome things. Ha, imagine if a man said im an amazing man doing awesome things....? Perhaps thats part of the problem. Anyway, Im not here to debate the details... lets focus on the women instead.
These are people weve worked with in some way over the past few years that have truly inspired us with their attitude, approach and incredible achievements:
Alexie Sommer of URGE Collective and fellow instigator of Design Declares. Alexie has been a mentor and friend from the moment we met in 2022.
Anna Samuels, founder of Boxx , Anna is building a boxing-based fitness brand centred on empowerment and community.
Anna Williamson and Jocelyn Charman who head up NPD and Logistics at Wild and without whom none of the Wild products would have got to market.
Akriti Gupta, founder of Loopie, who managed to launch a business and have a baby at the same time!
Eliza Flanagan and Mary McLeod, founders of Kankan; a wonderful duo making refillable soaps - in a can.
Giorgia Granata, co-founder of Wype and a woman on a mission to eradicate wet wipes. Its been amazing to watch Giorgia and business partner Eli take their business from strength to strength.
Insiya Jafferjee, co-founder of Shellworks, a material innovation company creating biodegradable plastic-alternative materials for the packaging industry.
Lauren Bowker, materials alchemist and founder of the THE UNSEEN Beauty is doing some incredible things with colour in the beauty industry.
Leyla Acaroglu, founder of Disrupt Design and all round sustainable design champion; an undeniable source of energy and inspiration.
Solveiga Pakštaitė, founder of Mimica; a brand on a mission to reduce food waste through next-generation food expiry labelling and a long term female-founder ally.
Sri Ellen Hollema, founder of Mat Zero; providing safe, sustainable, and life-saving warmth to those who need it most. One of this years winners of the Innovate UKs Women in Innovation Award (a list of 50 women doing inspiring things thats well worth checking out).
Victoria Ndoh, founder of Vactraca is on a mission to reduce the number of children that go unvaccinated in refugee and displaced persons communities around the world.
And of course... my colleagues Léa Berger, Juliette Bouilly and Lucy Williams who inspire me daily with their creativity, hard work and passionate approach to design.
