The Daily Valet. - 3/22/21, Monday

✔️ You Can't Outrun the Bubbles

Monday, March 22nd Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

Grab yourself a spiked seltzer and hop into a self-driving car.

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

You Can’t Outrun These Bubbles

Fizzy water (spiked and otherwise) is suddenly everywhere

The global sparkling water market was already valued at $24.5 billion in 2019, but it’s still in its infancy according to experts, who forecast it will reach $60 billion in about five years. No surprise to anyone who’s seen the rows and rows of fizzy water on offer these days.

As the popularity rises—especially in the flavored category—beverage manufacturers are debuting new iterations with functional benefits like caffeine, CBD and immunity-boosting vitamins.

Ocean Spray is launching Wave, a new line of naturally caffeinated sparkling waters made with fruit juice. And CBD-infused Quatreau sparkling water from Canada just debuted in the States.

Then there’s 7-Eleven, which just released Serafina, a sparkling water in an elegant green bottle. Imported from Italy, the sparkling mineral water brand was created exclusively for the convenience store, it comes in three flavors: plain, organic lime and organic lemon ginger.

Of course, we can’t forget about spiked seltzer. Last week was a big week for the hard stuff. Rapper Travis Scott’s highly anticipated agave-spiked seltzer brand Cacti hit shelves and has already sold out online. And Topo Chico is moving in on White Claw by using the cult mineral water as a base for such refreshingly boozy flavors as Tangy Lemon Lime, Exotic Pineapple, Strawberry Guava and Tropical Mango.

And while most of these bubbly waters contain no added sugars and are free from artificial flavors and sweeteners, that doesn’t mean they don’t come with some risks. According to Dr. Edmond R. Hewlett, of the American Dental Association, consuming flavored water in high quantities can not only erode your enamel, but make you more susceptible to cavities too.

↦ FYI: LaCroix is introducing three new flavors to its lineup of sparkling waters—the first new additions in over a year.

Olympics Ban Foreign Spectators

We can’t travel to Japan for the Games

Were you, like me, looking forward to traveling to Japan for the Tokyo Olympics this year? Well, it looks like we're going to have to change our plans.

Organizers of the Tokyo 2020 Games—which had already been delayed by one year because of the coronavirus pandemic—announced Saturday that international spectators will be barred from the Summer Olympics and Paralympics.

Officials said the risk was too great to admit ticket holders from overseas during a pandemic. The Japanese public also has opposed fans from abroad. Several surveys have shown that up to 80% oppose holding the Olympics, and a similar percentage opposed fans from overseas attending, reports ESPN.

The announcement comes as the Olympic torch relay kicks off on Thursday from Fukushima prefecture in northeastern Japan—the site of a deadly earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster that took place a decade ago. The relay will last for 121 days, crisscross Japan with 10,000 runners, and is to end on July 23 at the opening ceremony at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

↦ FYI: Reuters reports that Japan may grant special entry to some foreign volunteers with special skills for the Olympics.

Partner

At the end of a long, cold winter, what better way to usher in the coming Spring by bringing some nature inside?

Near-Endless Summers?

Future summer season may last six months by the end of this century, winter only two

This could either be a good news or bad news situation, depending on your outlook: Summers in the Northern Hemisphere will last around six months by the year 2100 if global warming continues unchecked, according to a recent study that examined how climate change is affecting the pattern and duration of Earth's seasons.

Scientists say the irregularities could have a range of serious implications, affecting human health and essentially all aspects of the environment. An extended summer season would mean large-scale changes in agricultural seasons and processes; behavioral changes in plants and animals; increased heat waves, storms and wild fires.

In contrast, winters could last less than two months a year, while spring and autumn would be similarly shorter, reports LiveScience.

And because seasons dictate the life cycles of plants and animals, climate change could disrupt species' ability to adapt. A climate scientist told NBC News “If we take an example of flowers coming out of the ground, those flowers could come out but bees aren't there to pollinate yet or they're already past their peak.”

↦ Dig Deeper: LiveScience examines how preventing the most jarring changes to our planet's seasons in the future begins with reducing carbon emissions now.

Look ... No Hands

Self-driving cars are coming, but not as fast as most of us would like

Tesla's “Full Self-Driving,” has been available to a select group of Tesla owners since October, but CEO Elon Musk promised widespread access starting last week. Then he pushed out the wider release a few more days, and over the weekend and Tesla drivers were still waiting. Now, Musk says access is expected next month.

While Tesla has offered their standard Autopilot since 2014, competitors have cropped up, like General Motors—which rolled out an updated version of Super Cruise, now available on the newest Cadillac Escalade and will also be an option on the upcoming Chevy Bolt EUV this summer.

Both Super Cruise and Autopilot don't claim to be autonomous driving since you have to still pay attention and be ready to take over, but the technology is inching forward in that department. GM just announced it would acquire self-driving startup Voyage—and both companies have said they aspire to launch full-fledged commercial robot taxi services.

Meanwhile, Chinese autonomous driving startup Momenta, led by a former Microsoft executive, just raised half a billion dollars from Toyota and other car makers. They're currently testing autonomous cars in Beijing and China’s eastern city of Suzhou, along with a research centre in Germany's Stuttgart. So while it might not be right around the corner, the future of self-driving cars looks bright.

↦ Insight: How will drunk driving laws adapt to self-driving cars? TNW investigates.

In Other News

↦ Covid Cases Are Rising in 21 States As Health Officials Warn Against Reopening Too Quickly

↦ Whiskey Makers Face Worsening Hangover From Trade Dispute

↦ Miami Beach Declares State of Emergency Over Spring Break Crowds

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

What we bought (and are buying)

An underrated wine

Iceland’s newest volcano

Partner

Usher in Spring With Flowers

Celebrate the seasonal rebirth with some fresh blooms

At the end of a long, cold winter, what better way to usher in the coming Spring by bringing some nature inside? Even if the weather isn't perfect outside, we can brighten someone's day or simply improve our own surroundings with a stylish plant or bouquet of fresh blooms. UrbanStems, the tastemaker's choice for flowers, has a wide assortment to suit anyone's personal style or decor—all available to be shipped right to you (or a lucky loved one). It's a simple way to be reminded that better, brighter and warmer days are ahead.

The Trailblazer dried bouquet featuring broom blooms, hydrangea and billy balls, $85

The Mulberry pink-toned purple tulip bouquet, $55

The Fighter yellow kalanchoe plant benefiting the ACLU Women's Rights Project, $52

The Advocate golden bouquet featuring ranunculus and roses, $130

↦ Shop: Full Spring collection from UrbanStems

What We’re Buying

TruSkin Vitamin C, E, Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Vitamin C is a powerhouse ingredient for quality skin care products. The go-to nutrient is an extremely potent antioxidant that not only soothes skin to reduce inflammation, but also promotes healthy collagen production. Which means redness, ruddiness and fine lines are all minimized. This serum is something of a skincare insider secret. You could easily spend three times this on another elixir that blends the same potent Vitamin C with plant-based hyaluronic acid, but thankfully you don't have to.

↦ Get It: $29.99 / $19.99 by TruSkin