Richard Branson's Latest Eco-ventures

Sir Richard Branson plans to turn the uninhabited Mosquito Island in the British Virgin Islands into the world's most eco-friendly resort. His vision includes harnessing all necessary power from wind and sun, use of biofueled vehicles, use of cool thermal airflows instead of air conditioning, and an organic orchard. The proposal is currently under review by the British Virgin Islands' planning department.

Branson also plans to start Virgin Green Owls in August, an eco-consulting firm to assist governments and corporations in becoming more environmentally-friendly.

Read the full story in the Sydney Morning Herald.

The War Against Climate Change

Richard Branson is being branded the modern day Churchill in the "war on climate change." In a February address to the United Nations General Assembly, Branson said climate change is “The first war that truly threatens almost all human life - a war that to win we must all fight together - one world, one people”. He suggested we must create a "powerful partnership that helps to scale up the best innovations by bringing together business leaders, economists, scientists, environmental groups and other expert organisations to tackle the war against global warming."

"...Like all wars this one may have to be fought on many ‘fronts’. How to extract carbon represents only one ‘front’. It’s a battle that may never be won. We need an overall battle plan. We need a War Room." The War Room should encourage "innovative technological ideas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or adapt to climate change."

Branson quoted Churchill throughout his speech and challenged governments to take action in the war against climate change. “One ought never to turn ones back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Never run away from anything. Never!”

If Richard Branson is being compared to Churchill in the "war against climate change," does that make Al Gore our modern day Eisenhower?

Virgin's Bio-Fueled Flight

Virgin Atlantic Airlines completed the world's first biofuel-powered jet flight today. The test flight was fueled by 20% biofuel (from babassu oil and coconut oil) and 80% conventional jet fuel. It will take weeks to analyze the data and determine the carbon footprint of the test flight. The flight was intended to highlight the fact that "cleaner" flying is possible. You can read the full story at CNN and Reuters.

Owner Richard Branson has offered a $25 million prize to the scientist that can discover how to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, has committed $3 billion to anti-global warming initiatives, and has pledged 100% of the proceeds from his transport businesses of the Virgin Group to environmental efforts.