In an era where trust is currency and sustainability is a non-negotiable, shoppers are demanding more than just green labels and vague promises. They want proof.Enter digital product passports (DPPs), a game-changing tool that gives consumers instant access to a products entire journey, from materials sourcing to sustainability credentials. That means, whether theyre buying a pair of running shoes or the latest smartphone, DPPs are making it easier to for them to shop smarter, cut through greenwashing, and support brands that truly walk the talk.The future of shopping is transparentConsumers often wonder where their clothes were made, how much carbon their new shoes emitted during production, or whether that eco-friendly label actually means anything.These passports help consumers answer those traceability questions in seconds. By simply scanning a QR code, consumers can unlock a products full story, from materials, to manufacturing processes, to certifications.DPPs can also be used by brands wanting to go the extra mile by sharing product impact, such as its unique carbon footprint, plus use phase care instructions and even repair or recycling options, helping shoppers take control of their own habits to lower their unique footprint.This isnt just a marketing gimmick. The European Unions new regulations, like the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), will soon require brands to disclose detailed impact data. That means transparency is shifting from a nice-to-have to a must-have, and the brands that embrace it now will be ahead of the curve.How digital product passports will help consumers shop smarterInstead of relying on vague sustainability claims, shoppers can view and verify a products impact. Plus, using climate data in marketing is already tried and tested, benefitting both consumers and brands.After an entire career dedicated to sustainability, this is the point I try to drive home most often: Consumers can determine if a product is designed with longevity in mind (think durable, repairable, and end-of-life options like 100% recyclable).Lastly, in an overcrowded market where fast fashion remains dominant, consumers can choose to back brands that are genuinely working to reduce their footprint. Instead of falling for greenwashing tactics or supporting companies that overlook sustainability altogether, consumers can reward those making real progress toward a lower-impact future.Why brands are paying attentionFor many companies, DPPs arent just about compliance. Theyre about consumer trust and finding a competitive edge.With shoppers becoming more conscious, brands that offer full transparency win loyalty. Instead of empty promises, they can showcase real data about their impact.To power this level of transparency, brands need serious data. By automating carbon calculations across thousands of products, companies like ours help brands seamlessly integrate real-time impact data into digital product passports.Luxury resale platforms are beginning to use DPPs to help consumers make informed second-hand purchases. Sportswear brands will be integrating them to help shoppers compare different material choices. Even electronics companies are adopting them to offer innovative repair and recycling pathways, moving to a more circular economy.Were partnering with forward-thinking companies like British jewelry brand Missoma and global lingerie brand Triumph to share product-level impact data through dedicated passports, ahead of ESPR regulations. These regulations will require DPPs but wont fully mandate them for at least another year.Triumphs first digital product passports are now available to e-commerce customers, says Vera Galarza, Triumphs global head of sustainability. At Triumph, its crucial that the data is completely accurate, she says, as customers want reliable and trustworthy information.For consumers, this means easy-to-understand environmental facts at their fingertips. For businesses, it means more accountability, better design choices, and deeper engagement with sustainability-minded customers.At Missoma, weve always believed in pushing boundaries when it comes to sustainability and transparency, says Marisa Hordern, founder and creative director at Missoma. This technology gives our customers a deeper connection to their jewelry, allowing them to trace every step of its journey, from ethically sourced gemstones to the final handcrafted piece. Missoma plans to expand use of DPPs across more of its collections, to help set a new traceability standard for the jewelry industry. We will also continue to empower our community to make more informed and conscious choices, she says.Shopping in the age of accountabilityFor consumers, digital product passports mean more power, better choices and fewer regrets in the buying process.DPPs are not just a trend. Theyre becoming a legal requirement and will be part of your brands future. Soon, checking a products impact will be as normal as checking its price tag. Thats why its exciting that the brands leading the way today arent just ticking regulatory boxestheyre reshaping the shopping experience.The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more.

The climate tech sector is at a crossroads. We have the tools we need to fight climate change, but the real challenge is scaling and deploying them. This is where climate-curious outsiders play a crucial role.At Epic Cleantec, a company I cofounded to tackle water scarcity through innovative reuse technology, none of us came from an environmental background. That outside perspective turned out to be a huge advantage. When I began this journey, I didnt know much about water. I wasnt a trained environmental or civil engineer, which meant I never even learned about how things were traditionally done. This lack of traditional expertise freed us from being tied down by how things were supposed to work, allowing us to find fresh solutions to persistent problems.My path to climate tech was anything but linear. I had flirted with a wide range of disparate career paths spanning veterinarian, chef, club promoter, historian, political lobbyist, and lawyer. I even briefly entertained becoming a rabbi, until my own rabbi convinced me not to take that path. Unsurprisingly, I often faced skepticism at conferences and industry events, where our companys unconventional approach was met with doubt.But heres the key takeaway: Solving the climate crisis isnt just about creating new technology. Its about turning these innovations into practical, widespread solutions. Thats where operational know-how comes insomething outsiders often bring to the table. People whove run businesses, managed complex regulations, and scaled global operations have the experience to make climate solutions a reality.Why climate tech needs outsidersThe climate tech industry has largely been driven by environmental scientists and policymakers. But solving the climate crisis calls for more than just scientific advancesit requires major business transformation. To truly deploy climate solutions on a global scale, we need the same expertise that turned industries like fintech, e-commerce, and cloud computing into giants.Investors get it. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink predicts the next wave of unicorns will come from climate tech. But to build these companies, we need more than passion. We need professionals who understand scalingproduct managers who can push out software, operations experts who can optimize supply chains, and strategists who know how to drive rapid market adoption.The idea that climate tech needs deep environmental knowledge is a misconception. Whats truly needed are professionals who know how to turn great ideas into sustainable, scalable businesses, all while navigating complex regulations. The future of climate impact depends on commercial success.The solutions are ready, they just need deploymentA lot of the technology needed to curb emissions and build climate resilience is already here. From energy storage to electrification, water reuse to regenerative agriculture, many solutions are ready to go. So, the challenge isnt really about innovation; its about implementation.Just look at how SaaS and fintech industries scaled quickly by leveraging automation, networks, and efficient capital use. If we applied those same strategies to climate tech, we could meet our climate goals much faster. Imagine applying the lessons learned during the rapid growth of ride-sharing or cloud services to solar energy, battery tech, or industrial decarbonization.Climate tech isnt just about better tech; its about changing systems. It requires navigating complex regulations, aligning with ever-changing corporate sustainability goals, and getting entrenched industries on board. Outsiders who have scaled companies in heavily regulated fields like healthcare, finance, and transportation are particularly equipped to drive this change.A crucial moment for climate techClimate tech isnt a niche anymoreits becoming one of the most exciting frontiers of innovation. As more professionals from traditional tech and business sectors seek out purpose-driven careers, climate tech offers a unique blend of meaning and market opportunity. The influx of outsiders isnt just helpful, its essential.For climate tech to thrive, we need to embrace professionals with diverse and wide-reaching expertise. Industry leaders must actively recruit people with transferable skills, and investors must see the value in teams that blend technical knowledge with business acumen. Solving the climate crisis isnt just about inventing new technologiesits about getting them into the world at scale, fast.The opportunity is huge, but the urgency is even greater. To meet global climate goals, we must think outside the box and bring in the people who are ready to challenge the norms. For those climate-curious, theres never been a better time to dive in because climate tech isnt just the future of innovation, its the future of business.The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more.

Theres a term popularly used to describe AI art today, a term called uncanny valley, which refers to that small valley between fake and real, where the mind can tell the difference. Sometimes movies overdo their 3D VFX so much that it falls in the uncanny valley, where its not bad, its not good, its too good so much so that the brain knows its CGI. Today, we ask you to cross that uncanny valley. With KeyShots latest 2025 edition, we want you to show us how real you can make your renders. In essence, we want you to fool us.Welcome to the KeyShot Photoreal Challenge, where we ask you to push the boundaries of realism to make a render so believable, we think its a photograph. Theres a catch, however. This challenge is all about transparent materials and light. We want to see light filter through transparent, translucent, or cloudy materials with sheer realism. Play with reflections, refractions, caustics, and more importantly, with KeyShot Studio 2025s new Planar Lighting UI that allows you to very intuitively place lights around your scene the way you would place lights in real life for your product photography. The KeyShot Photoreal Challenge invites you to share either rendered images or a video with us, and winners not only get a free subscription to KeyShot Studio Pro, but theyll also have their work shown on KeyShots startup window, visible to hundreds of thousands of designers using the popular rendering software!Click Here to Participate Now! Hurry, deadline: April 14, 2025 11:59 PST.How to ParticipateDownload the model provided by TITAN Watches or build your own model/scene.Share the design (3 total KeyShot renderings or 1 ten-second video) to your Instagram account with the #KeyShotPhotorealChallenge and tag @yankodesign_official and @keyshot3dSubmit your Instagram links (you can share multiple entries till the challenge ends) at designchallenge@yankodesign.com by April 14, 2025.NOTE: Only the entry links shared to the email address will be consideredShortlisted entries will be asked to submit their KeyShot files before being awarded prizesTimelines:Challenge begins: March 14, 2025Challenge ends: April 14, 2025 11:59 PSTImportant InformationDownload the Free Trial of KeyShot 2025.1 to participate.Use Physical Lights (light materials applied onto objects and planes) instead of HDRI Environment Lights. The scene must make use of at least 2 physical lights.Use of AI tools to enhance/modify your render will result in disqualification.PrizesGold Prize x 1A free year of KeyShot Studio ProA free year of access to KeyShot Studio Web OR KeyShot Network RenderingGet your design featured on the KeyShot website and social mediaFree access to a Will Gibbons KeyShot Master Class of your choiceSilver Prize x 1A free year of KeyShot Studio ProGet your design featured on the KeyShot website and social mediaFree access to a Will Gibbons KeyShot Master Class of your choiceBronze Prize x 1A free year of KeyShot Studio ProGet your design featured on the KeyShot website and social mediaHonorable Mentions x 2Get your design featured on the KeyShot website and social mediaJury:Sam Gwilt Senior Industrial Designer, BLONDKarim Merchant Product Content Manager, KeyShotSarang Sheth Editor-in-Chief, Yanko DesignClick Here to Participate Now! Hurry, deadline: April 14, 2025 11:59 PST.The post YD X KeyShots 2025 Photorealism Rendering Challenge Dares You to Create Renders That Fool the Eye first appeared on Yanko Design.

Rumor has it that the new Switch 2 will launch in June, and while itll probably be sold out for an entire year before us regular folk can buy one, I couldnt help but wonder why didnt Nintendo ever embrace the RGB lighting trend with the new Switch 2? Gaming and RGB lighting are practically synonymous, and any good gaming brand worth their salt has at least one product with an RGB backlight targeted towards gamers; but not Nintendo.So it was almost like kismet when I found these RGB Joy-Cons while browsing the internet. Theyre real, they have RGB strips running along the side, and theyre compatible with the existing Nintendo Switch. Perfect to jazz up your old console while you wait for the new one to be available, these controllers are gorgeous, functional, and really put the word Joy back in to Joy-Cons!Designer: UGR TechTheyre essentially third-party controllers compatible with the Switch. Its nothing new, Nintendo has a bunch of third-party companies who create accessories like dongles, transmitters, and other peripherals for the Switch. Just in case you feel the regular ones are a little too boring, swap them out for these bedazzled ones that come with glowing lights on the left and right, effectively giving your Switch a halo on the sides.You can expect the same performance from these controllers as you would from the stock Switch Joy-Cons. Theres 360 control thanks to a 6-axis gyroscope, dual-shock response, all the buttons along with two extra ones on the bottom that act as Turbo buttons for rapid-firing during games. The internal battery serves up 30 hours of gaming on a full charge, and given that this isnt manufactured by Nintendo, theres probably no joystick drift problem to deal with either!The RGB Joy-Cons are available on Stack Social for a starting price of $30.99, thats less than half the price of the original Switch Joy-Cons, which sell for $79.99 on the Nintendos website. Moreover, they come in a variety of colors, from standard grey, black, white, etc, to dual-tone variants like the signature Mario red and blue, and even this gorgeous purple and yellow colorway that matches Warios costume!The post Nintendo missed a BIG opportunity with RGB Switch Joy-Cons But you can buy them here first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top congressional aides met with Oracle on Tuesday to talk about TikTok, which faces a ban in the United States unless it is sold to a non-Chinese owner by early April.

From iOS 18 when the Passwords app debuted to the iOS 18.2 update, users could have exposed passwords to a bad actor on a privileged network, but you're likely safe.Apple Passwords left users open to targeted phishing attacksApple released iOS 18 in September 2024 with the new Passwords app, but it relied on the less secure HTTP protocol, not HTTPS, when opening links or fetching icons. This meant a bad actor on a privileged network could intercept the HTTP request and redirect users to a fake website and harvest the login.Security research company Mysk uncovered this issue and reported it to Apple in September, and the Passwords app was patched in December with iOS 18.2. That means the vulnerability was live in the wild for those three months and continued to be for anyone running a release prior to iOS 18.2. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Microsoft and Stoic Studio have confirmed that Towerborne will launch for Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, and Game Pass on April 29th. Check out the latest trailer below.Though Stoic is best known for The Banner Saga trilogy, Towerborne features a similar animated style and soundtrack by Austin Wintory. It takes place in a post-disaster fantasy world where most of humanity resides in the Belfry, and its up to the Aces to venture out, exterminate threats and garner resources.Overall, its an intriguing mesh of side-scrolling action, beat em up mechanics and action RPG-like loot progression. Best of all, console players can look forward to couch co-op support for up to four players.Towerborne arrives for Xbox, the Microsoft Store and Game Pass alongside a new update, Class Mastery. You can also check out our early access review for the base version, which has seen numerous other updates, content additions, and balance changes.

David Livingstone (19 March 1813 1 May 1873) was a Scottish physician, Congregationalist, pioneer Christian missionary with the London Missionary Society, and an explorer in Africa. Livingstone was married to Mary Moffat Livingstone, from the prominent 18th-century Moffat missionary family. His fame as an explorer and his obsession with learning the sources of the Nile was founded on the belief that if he could solve that age-old mystery, his fame would give him the influence to end the East African ArabSwahili slave trade. Livingstone's subsequent exploration of the central African watershed was the culmination of the classic period of European geographical discovery and colonial penetration of Africa. His missionary travels, "disappearance", and eventual death in Africaand subsequent glorification as a posthumous national hero in 1874led to the founding of several major central African Christian missionary initiatives carried forward in the era of the European "Scramble for Africa". This portrait by Thomas Annan was taken in 1864.Photograph credit: Thomas Annan; restored by Adam CuerdenRecently featured: Sword-billed hummingbirdMolly MaguiresPhaistos DiscArchiveMore featured pictures

I am thrilled to announce the release of my first short film - AURORA Aftermath. This is a personal, non-commercial project which I started as a way to learn more about Unreal Engine 5 and practice ci

Nvidia said it is building a Boston-based research center to provide cutting-edge technologies to advance quantum computing.Read More