Scientists develop paper that lifts viruses from water

With various activities throughout Europe, the European Paper Bag Day will take place for the third time on 18 October. The annual action day raises awareness of paper carrier bags as a sustainable and efficient packaging option that helps consumers to avoid littering and minimise negative impacts on the environment. This year’s edition will centre around the reusability of paper bags. For this occasion, initiators “The Paper Bag”, Europe’s leading kraft paper manufacturers and paper bag producers, have also launched a video series in which a paper bag’s reusability is tested and demonstrated in different everyday situations. Most consumers are increasingly concerned about the environment. This is also reflected in their consumption behaviour. By choosing environmentally friendly products, they try to reduce their personal carbon footprint.

Paper Excellence commends the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere Program decision to accept the Howe Sound Biosphere Region into its family of Biosphere Reserves. The network of Biosphere Reserves includes 701 sites in 124 countries around the world. The application was submitted by the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society. UNESCO Biosphere Regions are learning places for sustainable development. They are sites for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems. Each region has three complementary and balanced functions including: 1. Conservation of biodiversity and cultural diversity 2. Economic development that is socio-culturally and environmentally sustainable 3. Logistic support, underpinning development through research, monitoring, education and training

“Earlier this week, we saw an historic outcome from COP 21. Global government leaders and communities convened and agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, place a larger focus on climate temperatures, and pledged $100 billion a year to help developing countries meet their goals. We applaud our global leaders and tip our hat to all in attendance. Thank you for the good work you have committed to accomplish. Although the agreements entered in Paris last week are goals, not requirements, it’s up to us and our fellow businesses to venture onward, continuing the good work set in Paris. We also added our names as a signatory in the Business Backs A Low Carbon USA statement.