Hello Forecasters,
Welcome back to the Inflection Point.
Things are really heating up this summer, and we're all feeling it.
Shifts in climate and culture are happening so quickly that they seem out of our control.
One way we can cultivate more certainty is to rely on the theory of cause and effect. By understanding causality, we increase our ability to predict and intervene.
Here are 3 environmental trends fueling product innovations in the CPG space.
1) Dengue Fever
Transmitted by mosquitos, Dengue leads to severe flu-like symptoms with potentially fatal complications.
Florida and North Carolina are currently on high alert as global cases surge.
Climate change plays a significant role in the proliferation of mosquitos.
Hurricanes, floods, and other extreme weather events create standing water, which allows mosquitoes to thrive in warm climates. A global rise in temperatures extends mosquitoes' breeding season and geographical range.
So, will mosquitos buzz around the winter streets of Chicago in 2100?
Some think so.
Expect more consumer interest around 'clean' and 'organic' bug sprays.
Kinfield Golden Hour
Sold out everywhere, this $22 bug spray comes in travel wipes and can be purchased with bug bite patches.
'Clean' and effective, it's the only bug spray endorsed by Gwyneth Paltrow's goop.
Kinfield is one brand that stands out for climate adaptation products, marketing to the extremes of winter and summer.
2) Lyme Disease
According to the CDC, in the U.S., Lyme disease causes nearly 500,000 illnesses a year.
Early symptoms include fever, headaches, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash.
Bella Hadid has candidly shared about her struggle with the disease.
Climate change is directly correlated to deer overpopulation.
- Changes in predator populations
- Extended growing seasons
- Warmer winters
Harsh winters used to be a natural checkpoint for deer populations. Warmer climates extend growing seasons and create food abundance for deer and their ticks.
Urbanization and human land use have cleared wildlife habitats, while predator populations, such as wolves and cougars, are dropping at alarming rates.
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals is creating the first-ever preventative tick solution.
According to the biotech company, you could take the tablet the day or hours before going to a tick-exposed area.
The drug targets and kills the tick if you should get bitten.
Because a tick must be attached for at least 24 hours before it can transmit Lyme disease, swiftly killing the tick would help prevent the infection.
The drug could be effective for as long as a month.
3) UV Radiation
The earth's natural sunscreen is the ozone layer.
Chlorofluorocarbons in aerosol sprays and cooling products like ACs and fridges are toxic chemicals that have created the 'hole' in our ozone layer.
Improper disposal of these items is dangerous for our environment, which is why brands like Dior have discontinued the use of aerosol sprays, even their award-winning Air Flash.
The depletion of our natural protective layer means sun protection has become a daily necessity.
From foundations to moisturizers, the beauty and skincare market is flooded with SPF-infused formulas. Anti-aging trends strongly market their SPFs by connecting wrinkles and sun exposure, while dermatologists are concerned with skin cancer.
Cases of Melanoma are rapidly increasing in the United States.
This data is consistent with the NWO.ai signal for 'Melanoma,' which saw a significant increase in consumer interest from 2022 to 2023.
Dermatologists welcome the sunscreen boom, fueled by new formulas, social media awareness, and celebrity male skincare lines.
When it comes to climate change, adaptation is key.
Whether in beauty, consumer health, or food and beverage, innovations today will be centered on resiliency in a rapidly changing world.
Brands must stay on top of environmental, geopolitical, and cultural trends to best identify evolving consumer needs.
NWO.ai makes it easy to compare topics across industries and markets.
OK, that's all we've got for now.
Thanks for spending time with us on this week's Inflection Point.
We'll see you next time.