**Summary of "World's Richest 10% Are Costing Earth Trillions, Study Finds"** - **Main Thesis**: The wealthiest 10% of consumers globally are responsible for significant environmental damage, with the total cost estimated between $1.7 to $5.7 trillion annually, surpassing international climate and biodiversity financing gaps. - **Methodology**: The study, led by Inge Schrijver, Rutger Hoekstra, and Paul Behrens from Leiden University, calculated environmental damage costs by first estimating the consumption-based 'footprints' of the world's wealthiest 10% in 2017, then assigning monetary values to the environmental impacts using the Environmental Prices Handbook 2024. - **Key Environmental Impacts and Costs**: - **Biodiversity Loss**: The largest contributor, making up 47-56% of the total environmental bill, with global costs ranging from $800 billion to $3.1 trillion. - **Climate Change**: Accounting for 36-45% of the total, with global costs ranging from $610 billion to $2.5 trillion. - **Other Impacts**: Nitrogen cycle impacts (10-14%), phosphorus cycle impacts (5-8%), and freshwater use (2-5%). - **Country-specific Findings**: - **United States**: Top 10% consumers' environmental bill ranged from $19,000 to $63,000, representing 6-20% of their income or 0.8-3% of their wealth. - **India**: Top 10% consumers' environmental bill ranged from $410 to $1,400, representing 0.8-2.8% of their income or 0.2-0.5% of their wealth. - **Potential Revenue from Environmental Taxes**: The study highlights the potential revenue that could be generated by implementing an environmental tax based on the polluter-pays principle, which could help fund large-scale transitions to sustainable societies and improve lower-income households' lives. - **Limitations**: The study acknowledges that environmental taxation may not be a panacea for global climate change and biodiversity loss, and that practical implementation may face challenges. - **Publication**: The research was published in the journal Communications Sustainability. - **Context**: The study was conducted in response to the growing concern about the disproportionate environmental impact of the wealthiest individuals and the need to put a price on environmental damage to incentivize sustainable consumption. - **Why Saved**: This article was saved to raise awareness about the environmental responsibility of the wealthy, to inform discussions on environmental taxation, and to provide evidence-based insights into the potential revenue that could be generated to fund sustainability efforts.

**Summary of "New study reveals how protest tactics impact public support for Black Lives Matter"** • **Study Title**: "Protest Tactics and Public Support for the Black Lives Matter Movement" by David S. Meyer and Zachary B. Seifter (2021) • **Purpose**: To examine how different protest tactics influence public opinion and support for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in the United States. • **Methodology**: The study analyzed data from a national survey conducted in August 2016, which included questions about BLM protests and respondents' opinions on the movement. It also considered media coverage and protest events data. • **Key Findings**: - **Non-violent protests**: These were associated with higher levels of public support for BLM. Participants who reported seeing non-violent protests were more likely to express support for the movement. - **Violent protests**: Conversely, participants who reported seeing violent protests were less likely to support BLM. However, the effect was smaller than that of non-violent protests. - **Media coverage**: The study found that media coverage of BLM protests significantly influenced public opinion. More coverage led to higher support for the movement, regardless of the protest's tone (violent or non-violent). - **Protest size**: Larger protests were associated with increased public support, suggesting that the scale of demonstrations can sway public opinion. • **Counterpoints**: - The study acknowledges that participants' perceptions of protest violence may be influenced by media framing, which could bias results. - It also notes that support for BLM is influenced by numerous factors beyond protest tactics, such as racial attitudes and political ideologies. • **Author Insights**: - The authors argue that protest organizers should consider the strategic use of non-violent tactics to maximize public support for their cause. - They also emphasize the importance of media coverage in shaping public opinion about social movements. • **Context**: This study was saved as it provides valuable insights into the impact of protest tactics on public support for social justice movements, which is particularly relevant in the current political climate and ongoing BLM protests.

• **Study Title:** "The Effects of Δ9-THCV on Energy and Motivation in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial" • **Purpose:** The study aimed to investigate the effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), a minor cannabinoid, on energy and motivation in healthy volunteers, without inducing the appetite-stimulating ("munchies") effect commonly associated with Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). • **Methodology:** - Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted at the University of California, San Diego. - 36 healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to receive either 10mg of THCV or a placebo. - Participants performed a series of tasks designed to measure energy, motivation, and cognitive function. • **Key Findings:** - THCV significantly increased energy levels compared to the placebo group, as measured by the Subjective Energy subscale of the Visual Analog Mood Scales. - THCV also enhanced motivation, as indicated by improved performance on a monetary incentive delay task, without affecting cognitive function. - Unlike THC, THCV did not increase appetite or influence food consumption. • **Quote from the Study:** "These findings suggest that THCV may represent a novel therapeutic agent in the treatment of disorders characterized by low energy and motivation, such as fatigue and anhedonia, without the psychotropic effects or appetite stimulation associated with THC" (Source: Marijuana Moment). • **Significance:** This study highlights the potential therapeutic benefits of THCV, which could be useful in developing treatments for various conditions without the unwanted side effects of THC. • **Context:** This article was saved because it presents promising research on a lesser-known cannabinoid, THCV, and its potential applications in treating energy-related disorders. The study's double-blind, placebo-controlled design lends credibility to its findings. • **Source:** Marijuana Moment, a news outlet focused on cannabis policy and research, published this article on April 22, 2021, based on a study published in the journal "Psychopharmacology."