Skating Around the World – Episode 2

From cancer fighting fungi to a supermarket sustainability measures

In our series ‘Skating Around the World’, we are inviting you to enjoy some of our favourite significant news stories from around the globe, the stories which show who and what is driving positive impact on issues from gender inequality to health innovations, to fighting climate change.

• In a landmark, historic ruling by India’s Supreme Court, all women, including single women too, could get an abortion up to 24 weeks.  It adds clarity to the amended 2021 abortion law which listed several groups that did not include single women. The court said all women, regardless of their marital status, were entitled to safe and legal abortion.
• Retailers leading the sustainability charge this week include Tesco and John Lewis Partnership. Tesco has announced it is accelerating its previous plans to half food waste from 2030 to 2025. It is also one of the first UK food retailers to align its executive pay performance targets to key sustainability measures, including reducing food waste. The John Lewis Partnership has announced a new ‘Plan for Nature’ including pledges to eliminate deforestation, use sustainably sourced raw materials, and bring agricultural production emissions to net-zero levels by 2024.
• Infinited Fiber, a Finnish start-up company, is pioneering a new technology to transform waste textiles into a new clothing fibre.
• With October being Menopause Awareness Month, discussion has been brewing about the need to open up more about menopause earlier in women’s’ lives. At Skating Panda, we believe it’s not enough to have a menopause workplace policy, but it needs to become part of the work culture, and it needs to be put into action. It’s important that employers are well equipped to provide a choice to women on their health at whatever life stage.
• A new ground-breaking study published by the University of California, San Diego demonstrates the potential of using fungi as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool against cancer.
• The number of female runners aged 50 and older participating in the London Marathon has increased by 65% since 2018. According to this report in the Guardian, it’s due to the pandemic, daily pressures and Paula Radcliffe.

Although the world is facing an enormity of issues, it’s important to remember that progress is still being made and that the fight for change continues. We are enjoying sharing these news stories with you, reflecting the path to real impact.