Love letter #44

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Hej!

How are you? This week's love letter is short and sweet but we promise you we'll be back with an exciting update around Utopia Lab in the next edition (and potentially some more news, stay tuned). Nevertheless, we got some great reading recommendations for you so don't miss out! 
01 Curated by Another Tomorrow
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> How concerned are companies about climate change, really?

Sustainability has become a buzzword for many organisations, with companies claiming to take climate action and incorporate sustainability into their mission. But are they simply paying lip service to the problem or do they really care about it internally?

This TIME article analyses 300 publicly-listed companies' annual 10-K fillings (financial documents required by the SEC) and highlights how companies have perceived climate change as a threat to their business since as early as 2012. However, it was only recently that they have started using more specific terms to address their climate goals, but it still remains fairly uncommon. 'Renewable energy' more than doubled, from 15% to 37%, while 'environmental impact' went from 14% to 26%. The phrase 'science-based targets' first showed up in 2017 and is now in 7% of filings.

Another insight from the article is that climate measurement is gaining popularity, with the word group jumping from 10% of the analysed filings in 2018 to 39% of them in 2021.


Find out more about why climate language in 10-K fillings enhances accountability for companies' climate action here 
Photo source

> The frightening impacts of loneliness

Did you know that loneliness is not just harmful to mental health but also our physical health?

In an exploration of individuals living in New York City during the pandemic, this article talks about how the pandemic has worsened the ‘pandemic of loneliness’ in America that existed pre-COVID. In a recent survey by the health department, 57% of New York’s residents felt lonely some or most of the time, and 2 out of 3 felt socially isolated in the past month. 

Similar to other forms of stress, loneliness actually increases risk of seemingly unrelated health problems like heart disease, cancer, stroke, dementia and premature death. Shockingly, one meta-analysis compared the risk effects of loneliness and isolation to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. 

So, how can we support those who are lonely? One suggestion is to ask them for help, instead of giving them help (which we often think is the best solution). This gives them a sense of worth and an opportunity to be altruistic. In addition, we should also reflect on the importance of our relationships with people and make it a point to prioritise investing in them.  
 
Read more here 
> Apple iMessage: The Fear of the Green Bubble

While Android is the leading mobile operating system worldwide with a market of 70% (vs Apple's iOS with a 25% share), Apple has done something right: branding

The Wall Street Journal dig deeper into Apple's strategy dubbed "the walled garden" that goes way beyond the blue messaging bubbles: 
"The cultivation of iMessage is consistent with Apple’s broader strategy to tie its hardware, software and services together in a self-reinforcing world—dubbed the walled garden—that encourages people to pay the premium for its relatively expensive gadgets and remain loyal to its brand. That strategy has drawn scrutiny from critics and lawmakers as part of a larger examination of how all tech giants operate. Their core question: Do Apple and other tech companies create products that consumers simply find indispensable, or are they building near-monopolies that unfairly stifle competition?"

Read the full article here.


Illustration: Yann Bastard

Stay safe and stay curious!
/ Linnéa & Team Another Tomorrow

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