THE MUSTS

World

I’ll be there for you

Group of friends changes Hawaii's environmental law

A group of young people between the ages of 9 and 18 were responsible for filing a lawsuit in Hawaii that led to a historic climate agreement in the state.

• In 2022, the group of child activists argued that they had the right to live in a place with a climate compatible with life and without gross climate change.

However, due to flooding and rising sea levels, Hawaiians have struggled to carry out traditional activities such as growing food and fishing. In addition, the state is still recovering from last year's devastating wildfires, which destroyed more than 850 hectares and killed at least 100 people - generating a loss of 6 billion dollars.

Hawaii now has clear rules to reduce greenhouse gases and protect natural beauty and resources. Among other points, the Court has defined that:

• Air, land and sea transportation must zero carbon emissions by 2045;

• More than 40 million dollars will be set aside to expand the electric vehicle charging network.

It could impact the whole US: With the favorable decision by the Hawaii courts, the expectation is that other states will receive similar lawsuits calling for a "sustainability calendar".

Bigger picture: It all started with a group of friends... I decided to highlight this news because we are at a time where so many young people are feeling discouraged by politics. We feel powerless and condemned when this is not always the case. We are the change.

Quick round around the globe:

• Bolivia: Bolivian military tried to seize power in the country last week. (Read)

• Brazil: Brazil's Amazon sees worst 6 months of wildfires in 20 years.(Read)

• Denmark: The country passed the world’s first carbon tax on livestock. (Read)

• UK: Labour party wins historical victory. (Read)

• Germany: Proposed tax relief for foreign skilled workers is criticized. (Read)

• France: Surprise win for leftwing alliance keeps far right from power. (Read)

Turns out, they were wrong about the right. They should have been looking left.

Schitt’s Creek by Dan Levy: If you haven't watched Schitt's Creek yet, you can thank me later. This Canadian sitcom is a delightful mix of humor, heart, and small-town charm. The series follows the once-wealthy Rose family as they adjust to life in a small town in the middle of nowhere called Schitt's Creek after losing their fortune.

The chemistry among the cast is electric, and their comedic timing is impeccable. Each character's journey is both relatable and inspiring, making you root for them every step of the way while also having a laugh.

With short twenty minutes episodes (you know I love short episodes), the show is also celebrated for its positive representation and inclusive storytelling. The romance between David and Patrick, for example, is portrayed with such authenticity and warmth, breaking away from stereotypes and offering a refreshing narrative of love and acceptance. Whether you're in it for the laughs, or the cute heartfelt moments, Schitt's Creek has become one of my favorites comfort series. Let know me after you try.

 (Rating 8/10)

The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess by Chappel Roan: Important disclaimer: I have known Chappell Roan for more than a year and have been planning to talk about her for a while, way before she exploded the way that she did. With that in mind, for those who don’t know her yet - you heard it here first.

As an emerging artist, her sound is a refreshing blend of alternative pop and indie, creating an authentic and engaging auditory experience. One of the standout aspects of her music to me is the deeply personal and emotive lyrics, which delve into themes such as love, loss, and self-discovery in tracks like "Pink Pony Club" and "California" showcasing her ability to weave intricate narratives that resonate with a wide audience.

This album not only entertains but also invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences and in my personal opinion, might win her Best New Artist in the Grammy next year.

Best songs: My Kink is Karma; Pink Pony Club; Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl; California.

For those that like Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Phoebe Bridgers. 

(Rating 7/10)

It's Time.

Time to begin something new. Time to start and time to conclude.

Time has always been something I've struggled with. There's never enough time. Sometimes, I've never even started and I'm already feeling behind. Even when the "behind" is completely imaginary—and most of the time it is. And although I'm far from winning the impossible battle against it, at this particular point in my life, time and I walked together.

• Remember when I told you in March about refusing a job offer from one of my dream companies? That company was Fever.

However, due to unfruitful salary negotiations, I had to accept that maybe I didn't want as much what I had always wanted up to that point. Refusing an exciting position when I wasn't completely satisfied with my role at ING was not easy. It was a bittersweet moment, filled with a lot of uncertainty. But believe it or not, I wrote the company a heartfelt message thanking them for everything, declining the position, and I spoke out loud to the universe: "Maybe it was not the time—but thank you for the opportunity." Being selected by a company I had always admired was already an achievement, right?

A little more than a month passed, and I received an email from the team lead at Fever. "Hi Micael, would you have 15 minutes tomorrow for a quick conversation? There is an opportunity that I'd like to speak to you about." I was leaving for my trip to Montenegro in two days, so we set up a call for the next day.

• She explained how the team was saddened by my decision to decline the position and how impressed they were with my performance throughout the process and their internal benchmarks—so much so that they decided to offer me a more senior position, this time with a salary that aligned with my expectations, if I was still interested.

I left for Montenegro the next day. And now, that team lead is my manager.

There are so many small lessons I could take from this story: From knowing our value and not settling for less, to always sending a thank-you email after a selection process—but for me, this was a lesson about timing. Sometimes the universe has a way of aligning things perfectly when we least expect it.

And there you have it! The news you’ve been waiting for two editions. Hope it was worth your time :)

With love,

Micael.

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