Friday, March 27, 2009

Earth Hour, Saturday, 8:30pm




Don't forget to do it in the dark, whatever "it" is. Whether you are reading, eating, watching television, exercising, or anything else, remember that Saturday, March 28 at 8:30pm local time is Earth Hour. Turn off all nonessential lighting for 60 minutes to show your support for saving the Earth and creating a healthier environment. Isn't "it" more fun by candlelight anyway?

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Green For All Founder Van Jones to join Obama Administration as Special Advisor for Green Jobs

Press Release

Green For All Founder Van Jones to join Obama Administration as Special Advisor for Green Jobs;
Economic Powerhouse Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins to take reins of Green For All

OAKLAND, CA – The “green jobs” movement will get a major boost next week as Green For All Founder Van Jones joins the Obama administration and economic justice powerhouse Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins takes the reins at Green For All.

On March 16, Van Jones will leave to become Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). His duties will include: helping to shape and implement job-generating climate policy; working to ensure equal protection and equal opportunity in the administration’s climate and energy proposals; and publicly advocating the administration's environmental and energy agenda.

New leadership for Green For All will come from Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins. A savvy champion for justice, Ellis-Lamkins has successfully expanded health-care access across California. She has also helped to raise the minimum wage for low-income families in the South Bay – twice.

“Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins is one of the nation's most brilliant, inspirational and creative problem solvers for working families,” said Van Jones. “She has a proven track record of success. Under her leadership, Green For All will deliver on the promise of a green economy that is strong enough to lift people out of poverty."

Phaedra’s many victories have won her wide praise. San Jose Magazine named Ellis-Lamkins one of the 100 most powerful people in Silicon Valley. Silicon Valley Business Journal called her one of "40 to watch under 40.”

Ellis-Lamkins is presently the head of the South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council and Working Partnerships USA. She will join Green For All this month as its Chief Executive Officer.

“I am thrilled and humbled to be joining Green For All, an organization whose exceptional reputation is exceeded only by the good work that it has accomplished,” Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins said. “I see the work of Green For All as an antidote to fear and pessimism: a statement that we can tackle the difficult problems of poverty, quality employment and environmental sustainability.”

“We couldn’t be prouder of Van, Phaedra and Green For All,” said James Rucker, Green For All board member and executive director of ColorofChange.org. Rucker added, “Van going to work for the Obama White House affirms three things: the quality of Green For All’s accomplishments over the last fourteen months; the quality of Van’s work over the last twenty years; and, the dedication of President Obama’s White House to the vision of an inclusive green economy. Replacing Van with an exceptional leader like Phaedra just makes the whole thing even more extraordinary.”

In its first fourteen months, Green For All has become an organization with a multi-million dollar annual budget, thirty-two staff members and an on-line network of 70,000 people. It has won a string of victories, most notably $500 million for green-job training as part of the $48 billion for job training and education in President Obama’s Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The organization’s other accomplishments include: hosting the 2008 Dream Reborn Conference in Memphis on the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination; leading the U.S. Conference of Mayors to endorse a green jobs pledge; and, in partnership with 1Sky and Al Gore’s Alliance for Climate Protection, producing the September 27, 2008, “Green Jobs Now” day of action – which resulted in rallies and events in all 50 states.

This year, Green For All will be focused on helping to ensure equal access to the money in the green aspects of Obama’s recovery package, while winning jobs and justice in the upcoming federal climate legislation.

For more information, contact Marni Tomljanovic (212) 691-2800 tomljanovic@sunshinesachs.com

Monday, March 16, 2009

100 Months to Act on Climate Change


Prince Charles warned businesses that we only have 100 months to act on climate change before the damage becomes irreversible. Prince Charles' speech to business leaders is intended to spur businesses to action in addressing climate change and in implementing climate mitagation strategies. Furthermore, the Prince argued that "green" is good for business. The speech comes in anticipation of the G20 summit to be held in London next month and is an effort to put the environment at the top of the political agenda.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Foodservice Sustainability Prize to be Offered


Has your foodservice business implemented measures to address sustainability? If so, your business may be eligible for a $5000 grant from Hobart Center for Foodservice Sustainability (HCFS).


Individuals and companies can apply by submitting a case study of demonstrating how their program addresses sustainability challenges such as reducing energy and water use; decreasing wastewater or solid waste; or implementing Farm-to-Fork programs or other combined programs. Descriptions of specific foodservice equipment used to achieve sustainability goals, including ENERGY STAR®-qualified equipment, is also encouraged.


The recipient will use the proceeds to invest in additional sustainability efforts. Submissions are open now through August and the winner will be announced in November.


Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Free College Course: Introduction to Sustainable Engineering


Introduction to Sustainable Engineering is being offered online and free of charge to the first 30 students to apply and be accepted. The course is being offered by Blekinge Institute of Technology's (Sweden) Mechanical Engineering Department. The course requires no engineering background, is taught online in English, and tuition is paid by the Swedish government although students must buy the textbook (estimated at $100 USD). The ten-week course runs from April 17-June 25.


The application process is similar to any college or university and requires an application and transcripts of previous college-level work and degrees. The application period is open March 6-20 and all materials must be received by March 27. Check the website for further details.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Earth Hour 2009: March 28



Saturday, March 28 at 8:30pm local time, individuals, businesses, and cities across the world will honor Earth Hour 2009. Earth Hour simply asks you to switch off lights (where feasible) for one hour beginning at 8:30pm in your local time zone. Earth Hour seeks to raise awareness about climate change and is a "call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet."

The event started in 2007 with an estimated 2.2 million homes and businesses participating. In 2008, an estimated 50 million individuals participated. In 2009, organizers hope to reach 1 billion individuals. Will you participate?



  • Chicago saved an estimated 420 tons of carbon emissions


  • Toronto's electricity usage dropped 8.7%


  • British Colombia saved 125 megawatts of electricity

Friday, March 6, 2009

Sloan Management Review Launches Beyond Green


MIT Sloan Management Review has launched its new blog, Beyond Green. As the name implies, it the the publication's blog on sustainability issues. Why was Beyond Green launched? "...we think that sustainability as a business issue will be core to every organization’s strategy agenda. It will transform management and strategy...."

Harvard Business Review's Leading Green blog was launched last year.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Cadbury Seeks to Reduce Emissions Through "Guide to Low Carbon Dairy Farming"


In calculating its carbon footprint, Cadbury discovered that over 60% of its emissions comes from milk production. As a result, Cadbury will begin working with select dairy farmers in the UK in an effort to help the farmers reduce emissions. The Cadbury Guide to Low Carbon Dairy Farming outlines best practices to help the farmers reduce carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide emissions.


The initiative is part of the larger "Purple Goes Green" carbon reduction strategy of the company. Cadbury's goal is to reduce absolute emissions by 50% by 2020.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Free Resume Printing at FedEx Office


In an effort to help job seekers around the country, FedEx Office is sponsoring "FedEx Office Free Resume Printing Day." On Tuesday, March 10, FedEx will print up to 25 resumes per person FREE. The resumes will be black-and-white, single-sided prints on resume quality paper. The offer applies at all locations across the country.

TerraCycle - Sustainable & Responsible Business of the Week



TerraCycle (Trenton NJ) is a true innovator in recycling and the pursuit of zero waste. The company's original product was TerraCycle Plant Food™, an all-natural, all-organic, liquid plant food made from worm poop and packaged in reused soda bottles.

Today, the product line consists of cleaners, fertilizers, composters, and more. The production process continues to minimize the need for newly created inputs and instead relies on recycling used products. For example, sprayers and caps put on the bottles are acquired from businesses that no longer need them; products are packaged in empty soda bottles, water bottles, and milk jugs; and even the TerrraCycle conversion centers are located in old run-down inner-city buildings that have been renovated.

Consistent with the company's knack for creating something useful from waste, TerraCycle now converts drink pouches into backpacks, lunch boxes, and pencil cases; cookie wrappers into notebook covers; newspapers into pens and pencils; e-waste into trash cans; and more! Individuals or organizations can sign up to collect and send in needed items for payment.

TerraCycle was started by Tom Szaky and Jon Beyer in 2001.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

U.S. Projects $646 Billion in Cap-and-Trade Revenue


According to Reuters, President Obama's budget for 2010 projects $80 in annual revenue from a U.S. cap-and-trade system, with $646 billion generated between 2012-2019. Analysts believe the estimates are realistic and possibly low.

The budget assumes a cap-and-trade system will be in place by 2012. Up to $150 billion of the revenue is targeted for clean energy technology investments over a 10-year period and for a tax credit to ease the transition toward a low carbon economy.

Monday, March 2, 2009

High Performance Green Building Policy Proposed in Portland


The City of Portland OR may soon tax new construction that does not meet LEED silver-certified standards. The tax (called a "feebate") would apply to commercial buildings larger than 20,000 square feet. Buildings that meet LEED silver certification standards would not pay the tax and buildings meeting gold or platinum standards would qualify for a rebate. The same proposed policy would apply to multifamily dwellings 5000 square feet and larger. The proposal also sets targets for the percent of single family residential construction to meet LEED or Earth Advantage standards. If the percentage targets are not met, a similar feebate program would be implemented.

Sustainability & Green Business Webinars for March 2009

Mark you calendar for the following sustainability and green business webinars being offered in March 2009. Remember to save the emissions...do it online!

Telling Your Story: Making the Most of Your Greenhouse Gas Reductions and Sustainability Efforts (Mar. 3)
How to Green Your IT (Mar. 4)
How to Write a Sustainability Report (Mar. 5)
LEED for Retail in Action: Case Studies from Early Adopters (Mar. 5)
Creating Climate Action Plans (Mar. 10)
Office Greening 101 (Mar. 11)
How to Engage Your Community (Mar. 12)
96 Hour Sustainability (Mar. 17)
Green Collar Jobs: Sustainable Work in a Low Carbon World (Mar. 17)
Green Purchasing (Mar. 18)
Green Building Incentives 2009: Where & How to Get Them (Mar. 19)
LEED Volume Certification for Retailers (Mar. 19)
Sustainability: Utilizing Standards and Best Practices to Create an Effective Sustainability Strategy (Mar. 24)
LEED 101: Certification & Market Overview for Brokers (Mar. 25)
Carbon Offsetting (Mar. 25)
Sustainability Careers for MBAs (Mar. 26)
Sustainability Consulting 101 (Mar. 31)
Students: Need the Numbers to Back up Your Great Ideas? (Mar. 31)

 
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