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For decades, the plastic crisis has always felt far away, whether through time or across distance. But unfortunately, were no longer talking about environmental pollution out there in the ocean. Microplastics, tiny fragments that come from the breakdown of everyday plastic items, are now inside all of us, turning this from a theoretical risk into a shockingand deeply personal (physically) reality. Despite this fact, most Americans remain unaware of just how prevalent microplastics are in our lives. New national research that we conducted with our partners at The 5 Gyres Institute paints a troubling picture: while 77% of Americans say theyve heard the term microplastics, only 49% actually understand what it means. Even about half of people51%know its often a result of larger plastic breaking down. The knowledge gap That knowledge gap is more than an academic concern. Its a public health crisis, especially when you consider that, after the term is defined for survey respondents, 90% of Americans state that theyre worried about microplastics in the human bodyand theyre right to be. Science confirms that these particles have been found in breast milk, placental tissue, lungs, brains, blood, and more. And studies are increasingly linking microplastics to serious health impacts, including cancer, heart disease, hormone disruption, and infertility. But even when you close that knowledge gap, people who care often feel stuck. Our research shows that 70% of Americans dont know how to reduce their exposure to microplastics and 67% cant name a single company actively working on the problem (were hoping to change that!). That sense of powerlessness is as dangerous as the plastic itself, because people want better. They just dont know where to turn. At Grove, weve seen firsthand that Americans are searching for answers and theyre looking to us: to companies, brands, and private-sector leaders. They want healthier homes, safer products, and more sustainable choices. They want corporations to leadnot with vague promises, but with bold, measurable action. This is our collective moment. A solution Consumers didnt create the plastic crisis. We, the private sector, did. For decades, our industries have driven plastic adoption in product design, packaging, and sourcing. And we were lied to and manipulated by the petrochemical and plastics industry that shaped this system. Now, we, the private sector in 2025, must dismantle it. That means going beyond plastic. It means rejecting outdated systems that rely on single-use packaging, microbeads, and petrochemical-based materials. It means investing in compostable and refillable formats, shifting supply chains, being transparent about ingredients and sourcing, and leaning into the circular economy. It means learning and being aware of the impact plastics are having in our bodies and environments. It means supporting legislation, like the newly introduced bipartisan Microplastics Safety Act, which calls on the FDA and HHS to investigate and report on the health impacts of microplastics. Most importantly, it means refusing to offload responsibility onto consumers and admitting that recycling, long touted as a solution, simply isnt enough. Only 5% of plastic is recycled and the rest ends up in landfills, incinerators, or breaks down into microplastic particles that pollute our air, food, water, and (if not abundantly clear by now) our bodies. At Grove, we remain unwavering in our commitment to eliminate plastic from the products we make and selland to empower others to do the same. But we cant do it alone. The cost of inaction Consumers are demanding accountability. Our research shows that 79% of Americans believe microplastics represent a human and environmental emergency; 82% believe companies should be doing more. But only half (54%) believe that businesses are actually stepping up. That gap is where trust and long-term relevance will be won or lost. The cost of inaction is rising. Not just in terms of public health, but in trust, consumer confidence, and regulatory risk. There will come a time soon when inaction on microplastics will be seen for what it is: negligent at best, and reckless at worst. Companies that continue to delay action on plastic pollution arent just making a business decision. Theyre making a decision that directly impacts human health. Brands that cling to plastic-heavy models are effectively choosing profits over people, and theyll have to live with the consequences. But brands that choose to lead? Theyll be rewarded with consumer loyalty, resilience, and relevance in a world thats rapidly waking up to this crisis. The science is clear. The public is paying attention. The future will not be plastic. And the time for action is now. Jeff Yurcisin is CEO of Grove Collaborative.
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E-Commerce
As U.S. climate policy was noisily dismantled in Washington over the spring and summer, another climate story unfoldedquieter, faster, and broadcast to millions. It unfolded in the streets of Monaco. So Paulo. Shanghai. In the form of all-electric race cars tearing through city centerscheered on by fans living the transition to a low-carbon world, not waiting for it. Formula E: A global entertainment platform Launched just over a decade ago, Formula E now reaches half a billion fansmany of whom are new to motorsports. Not because it promised sustainability. But because it delivered a better product: short, high-drama races. Urban venues. A streaming-ready format. Cultural relevance in an EV-first world. Its a playbook worth studying for any company trying to bring climate innovation to the mainstream. This isnt about messaging. Its about strategy. From clunky to cutting edge When Roger Griffiths first saw a Formula E car in 2014, he wasnt impressed. A veteran of IndyCar, Le Mans, and Formula 1, he knew a lot about going fast. And this wasnt it. The battery was huge, heavy, and underpowered. The performance? Underwhelming. But Formula E wasnt starting from scratch. It was pulling from the top shelf of global motorsport. What struck him wasnt the hardware. It was the names showing up anyway: Michael Andretti, Alain Prost, and Frank Williamslegends who had built dynasties in IndyCar and Formula 1. Even Richard Branson had joined the grid. We cant afford (for) this to fail, Griffiths recalled on the Supercool podcast. Too many people have too much invested. Formula E didnt begin with speed or range. It started with credibility. And in the early days of climate tech, that buys you time to iterate toward something better. So they did. Designed for a new kind of fan Formula E didnt mimic Formula 1. It built a motorsport tuned to a new era. Races last just 45 minutestight enough for modern attention spans, long enough to create drama. The circuits run through the hearts of global cities, not remote tracks. Fans take public transit or Uber to races. The vibe? Less pilgrimage, more pop-up festival. The audience is younger, urban, and digitally native. Many arent interested in owning a car at all. Young people today dont necessarily want to own cars, said Griffiths. Were catering to a crowd that thinks differently about mobility. Formula E recognizes that. Meanwhile, the technology caught upfast. Jaguar used race-day insights to improve the range of its I-PACE SUV. BMW co-developed systems between i3 engineers and race teams. Formula E became a proving groundnot just for fans, but for the EV industry. Built to evolve Unlike legacy motorsports, Formula E gave itself permission to break with tradition. It experimented early and often: Fan Boost. Attack Mode. Interactive features lifted from gaming culture. Some flopped. Others stuck. But the league kept shipping, learning, and moving forward. The old me wouldve said, What a stupid idea, Griffiths said of Attack Mode, which gives drivers a temporary power boost if they hit a marked zone on the track. The new me said, Im not surebut Ill give it a go. Formula E doesnt wait for perfect. It tests ideas in publicon race day, with millions watching. Either way, the race goes on. The sport gets better. That mindset isnt just tolerated, its structural. Formula Es governance enables change. Its culture rewards it. 5 lessons for climate innovators Innovators can learn these five lessons from Formula E. 1. Turn constraints into strengths.Early EVs couldnt finish a full race. Formula E shortened them to 45 minutes, creating tighter, more intense competition perfectly tuned for social media highlight reels and streaming. 2. Design for urban lifestyles.Electric cars are quiet enough to race in city centers. Fans dont need to drive. They grab an Uber and plug into the experience as part of modern life. 3. Iterate in public.Formula E doesnt hide experiments. It ships them in real time, where fans become part of the process. Innovation is part of the show. 4. Let climate be the platform, not the pitch.Sustainability underpins the whole thing. Sponsors dont need convincing. Fans dont feel preached to. Thats what makes it scale. 5. Design for whats emerging.Formula E didnt retrofit old formats for electric race cars. It aligned with a modern, urban culture: streaming-first viewing and shared mobility. These behaviors define where were heading. A better future, built for speed Formula E didnt scale by talking about emissions. It scaled by delivering an incredible fan experience. It understood how younger audiences live, move, and engageand built a sport around that. It made the low-carbon future feel inevitable, not through fear, but through energy and excitement. And it proved something essential: Climate innovation doesnt have to trade performance for principle. It doesnt have to trade anything at all. Josh Dorfman is CEO and host of Supercool.
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E-Commerce
For years, crypto headlines have fixated on trust issues: fraud, volatility, and the few bad actors whove given crypto a Wild West reputation. But the National Cryptocurrency Associations new 2025 Crypto Confidence Pulsea Harris Poll survey of Americans who dont currently hold any cryptoreveals something more fundamental is holding people back: a knowledge gap. Almost 90% of non-holders said they dont feel knowledgeable about buying, trading, selling, or even using crypto. And 49% cited a lack of understanding as the main reason theyre unlikely to engage with the technology in the future. Despite cryptos increased visibility in popular culture, media, and markets, confusion still reigns. Perhaps the clearest sign of confusion among non-holders is this: About 41% say they dont know who or what is backing cryptodespite the fact that its core feature is that it has no central backer at all, and 55% admit that researching the space simply feels overwhelming. Non-holders arent rejecting crypto outright; many are simply unsure what to thinkoverwhelmed by jargon, unclear about practical uses and cryptos capabilities. In fact, nearly a quarter of non-holders said they would consider using crypto if they could pay for goods and services with itsomething thats already possible today. The barrier to entry can be overcome through education. Confusion is the real risk That lack of understanding creates space for fear to grow. When people cant easily grasp how something works, trust becomes harder to build, no matter how good the underlying technology might be. Security concerns (43%), distrust of platforms (36%), and persistent misperceptions around scams and hacks continue to cloud public opinion. Even for those who are interested in crypto, nearly one-third still say theyre unsure where to begin, according to our study. For crypto to fulfill its promise as a more inclusive, accessible, and innovative tool, the industry must provide clarity, not just code. That means education that is simple, transparent, and tied to the real-world benefits crypto can offertoday. But heres where the data gets especially insightful: Non-crypto holders are not a monolith. The survey identifies five distinct personas, each with unique motivations, anxieties, and opportunities for engagement: The Curious: Already talking about crypto with friends; almost half (42%) of this group is likely to acquire crypto this year The Trendwatchers: Watching from the sidelines and intrigued, but need more real-world examples of crypto in action The Skeptics: Seeking proof, safety, and oversight, this cohort is most concerned about security, scams, and the perceived instability of the space The Traditionalists: Prefer legacy systems like banks and credit cards and need clear reasons why crypto matters to their day-to-day The Cautious: Unsure where to start and worried theyve already missed the boat, but open to learning more from trusted sources A one-size-fits-all approach to crypto education wont cut it: Each group needs a different message. The Curious may benefit from more practical guidance around how to set up a wallet or navigate different types of tokens. Trendwatchers may be most influenced by seeing more retailers they know and love starting to accept crypto payments. Skeptics need assurance, which will likely come in the form of policy decisions. Traditionalists need to understand how crypto and traditional finance work together. The Cautious will likely need help cutting through the hype and jargon. If we want to close the knowledge gap, we need to start by knowing our audience. Advance regulation without stifling innovation We also cant ignore the role of regulation. This isnt just a policy matterits a consumer protection issue. Clear, smart rules can help demystify the landscape and signal that this is a legitimate, secure space to engage. Until policymakers and industry leaders work together to provide consistent guardrails, uncertainty will continue to cloud perception. Crypto has long been misperceived as a trustless system. But in reality, its adoption hinges on trust: People need to understand the technology before they can trust itand they need someone they trust to help educate them. Education is the infrastructure. And if the crypto industry wants to build for tomorrow, its time to lay that foundation today. Stu Alderoty is president of the National Cryptocurrency Association.
Category:
E-Commerce
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