Three things for August 25
1. Tony Hawk collaborates with Liquid Death to sell skateboards
Liquid Death, a water company advocating for the reduction of plastic, recently announced a collaboration with pro-skater Tony Hawk to sell 100 limited edition skateboards infused with the skater’s blood.
“The Hawk Blood Deck” was listed on Liquid Death’s website for $500 before selling out. Each board contains one vile of Hawk’s blood and comes with an official autograph from Hawk himself.
“I am deeply thankful to have a connection with my fans, and I appreciate how Liquid Death connects with theirs,” Hawk shared via a press release. “This collaboration is taking those connections to a new level, as I have literally put my blood (and soul?) into these decks. And I take pride in knowing that organizations fighting plastic pollution and creating skate parks worldwide will be supported through our efforts.”
Part of the boards’ revenue, 10%, will go towards an anti-plastic nonprofit called 5 Gyres and building skateparks in underserved communities through Hawk’s The Skatepark Project.
2. Starbucks releases a new fall-inspired drink
The pumpkin spice latte is now competing with a new Starbucks drink, Apple Crisp Macchiato, as a fan favorite.
The Apple Crisp Macchiato has “layered flavors of apple and brown sugar melding like the filling of a gooey apple pie in harmony with espresso,” according to a press release from Starbucks.
“Starbucks began testing ‘a bushel of apple-flavored favorites’ — including apple maple syrup, apple cider doughnuts, and a variety of apple pies, cakes, and crisps — in the spring of 2020 while developing the drink,” Insider shared.
Many Starbucks customers rushed to try the new flavor, and it was well-received. According to consumers, the drink tastes like liquid apple pie.
3. Fossil leaves may reveal climate in last era
Richard Barclay, geologist and botanist, discovered a ginkgo leaf fossil embedded in an ancient rock dated back to when Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops roamed prehistoric forests.
“What’s also special about ginkgo trees is that their fossils often preserve actual plant material, not simply a leaf’s impression. And that thin sheet of organic matter may be key to understanding the ancient climate system — and the possible future of our warming planet,” reports the Associated Press.
The ginkgo leaf has a recognizable shape and has not changed drastically throughout time, reports AP News.
“The reason scientists look back in the past is to understand what’s coming in the future,” said Kevin Anchukaitis, a climate researcher at the University of Arizona.
Scientists are emphasizing the importance of this fossil because it gives them a chance to study climate change, and predict changes in the modern era.
