Video - Solar Roadways: Crowdfunding



This is the story of the creators of the solar roadway. They provide a long list of issues that can be resolved with solar roadways. They present their prototype and review their grassroots operation. They also make their pitch for a novel crowd-funding program that has already surpassed their goal of $1 million by raising more than $1.5 million.


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Video - Solar Roadways: The Concept Explained



Solar Roadways is a revolutionary concept that embeds smart solar panels (made largely out of recycled materials) into roads. This concept will not only generate power, it will light roads and melt any snow and ice. Through embedded LEDs it can provide safer travel by providing warnings to drivers as necessary. It will also bury conduits for all forms of data cables and clean storm water. Most importantly, for a modest investment of under $5 billion, it will provide jobs and substantially reduce our footprint from burning fossil fuels.

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Video - The White House's Climate Assessment Explained


Referencing the White House's Climate Assessment, Dr. John Holdren, President Obama's Science Advisor, says that climate change "is not a distant threat, it is affecting the American people already."

Depending on where you are in the US, summers are longer and hotter, we are seeing more wildfires and allergies as well as heatwaves, extreme precipitation events, storm surges, draught and other impacts on agriculture. To learn more about President Obama's climate action place click here.

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Video - Solar Sphere: A Revolutionary Sun Tracking Technology



The Future is not Green it is Transparent. This highly efficient, low carbon, sun harvesting concept has proven to be far more effective than traditional solar panels. This short video explains the concept of the solar sphere which can diffuse light for better electricity generation. The sphere is called the Rawlemon after its inventor, a German architect working in Barcelona Spain. Sun is the greatest technology source on Earth, however, for optimal energy solar panels must turn to track the sun as it moves through the sky. This glass sphere concept can track the sun without moving.

For more information click here or if you wish to donate to the campaign click here.

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Fossil Fuels are a Clear and Present Danger

Fossil fuels are the primary cause of climate change. This is not some distant concern it is with us today and destined to get worse -- far worse-- if we do not address our addiction to petrochemicals. The scientific evidence is clear and overwhelming, unless we stop burning fossil fuels soon climate change will radically undermine life on Earth.

The impacts of global warming are the most studied phenomena in the history of the world. A recent White House report written by hundreds of scientists confirms and the work of the thousands of scientists that contributed to the UN's IPCC AR5 report. Both studies come to the same conclusions as reams of previous research.

Thousands of scientists from diverse disciplines are virtually unanimous in their shared conviction that climate change is a clear and present danger. We need to appreciate that by burning fossil fuels we are jeopardizing the basic things we require for our survival, namely our air, water and food.

In addition to the dangers posed by the burning of fossil fuels we have to deal with alarming rates of contamination from spills. As revealed by the nightly news spills of gas, conventional oil, tar sands bitumen and coal effluents are a regular phenomenon. Hydrocarbons in all their forms and at all stages of their life cycle (from extraction to transport and use) are fundamentally irreconcilable with efforts to manage climate change.

We simply cannot allow misinformation from the fossil fuel industry or their political minions to prevent us from acting. The false dichotomy between economic well being and planetary health is an utterly absurd choice. We do have viable economic alternatives, however we must resist powerful interests engage in radical efficiency and move away from fossil fuels towards cleaner forms of energy.

There is no avoiding the fact that any conception of a future for life on the Earth precludes fossil fuels.

© 2014, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Environmental Leader's Insider Knowledge Report (2014)

For the fourth year in a row, Environmental Leader and Enviance Inc. have published Environmental Leader's complimentary Insider Knowledge Report. This 140 page report contains the knowledge and expertise of over 100 industry experts (There is an author index in the back of the report). It offers tips and lessons learned from corporate environmental, sustainability and energy decision-makers. Readers are afforded the opportunity to learn from industry experts including their mistakes, their tactics and their achievements. Taken together this report can enable readers to develop and execute their own successful initiatives.

Executives from Bridgestone, Waste Management, Dell, Owens Corning, TD Bank, General Motors, Johnson & Johnson, and more than 100 other enterprises contributed to this report.

Click here to download the complimentary report.

Copyright © 2014 Environmental Leader, All rights reserved.

Solar Innovation in Energy Generation and Transportation

As far as solar power is concerned innovation is far more than just a buzzword. There are a vast number of innovations that are driving solar growth and contributing to the industry's bright future.

One novel approach involves using the sun's energy to manufacture solar panels.

Perhaps the most revolutionary applications involve solar powered transportation. Sun powered vehicles can significantly reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

The number of solar innovations run the gamut from pragmatic to fantastic. Some fascinating solar powered concepts not only reduce our footprint but help to clean up the environment. One example is the solar sponge which can harvest and sequester carbon from the air.

Here is a list of solar innovations in energy generation and transportation:


Energy Generation

Solar sidewalks
Solar roadways
Space based solar arrays
Solar windows(employing Quantum dot technology)
Colorful solar glass
Solar paint
Printing solar cells on paper
Solar shingles
Hot nano-tubes (which help solar panels to capture more sunlight)
Solar panels made from weeds
Small solar lighting
Solar sphere sun tracking technology 

Transportation

The Hyperloop: Solar Powered Rapid Transportation
Off the grid solar powered cars (eg Luminos and Stella)
Solar Powered Yacht
Solar Powered Plane
Solar Elevator electricity, energy, evolving, growing, increase, increasing, more, power, renewable energy, renewables, rising, sun,

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Webinar - Best Practices For Sustainability Benchmarking

The webinar "Best Practices For Sustainability Benchmarking" will take place on Wednesday, June, 18th 2014 from 11am - 12 noon (EST), 8am - 9am (PST) or 4.00pm - 5.00pm (UK). Most aspects of sustainability programs are new. And owners of the program can often be walking through new territory without a map. The range of initiatives is broad: implementing renewable energy contracts to achieve zero carbon emissions from your data centers, designing a strategic marketing umbrella prior to the launch of commercial sustainability propositions, organizing your team or benchmarking how you allocate your budget across dozens of activities. Sustainability leaders need benchmarks to get the balance right in their activities and spending.

This webinar, hosted by Verdantix CEO David Metcalfe, provides an overview of a wide range of best practices for benchmarking your sustainability program. Topics covered in the webinar comprise industry-specific sustainability budget benchmarks, sustainable supply chain benchmarks, strategic marketing benchmarks that link your brand with sustainability and carbon strategy benchmarks. During the webinar you will learn how to apply these benchmarks to your business including leveraging the assessment frameworks to win more budget.

When registering for the webinar please use your work or institute email address. Personal email addresses e.g. gmail, yahoo, aol cannot be approved. Access to Verdantix webinars is provided to your organization on a complimentary basis for up to four registrations per person and eight per organization.

Click here to register to join this complimentary webinar.

Haglöfs' Sustainability Report 2013

Haglöfs is a leading sustainable brand that is based in Sweden. They have seen strong growth in the last five years and they recorded a sales volume of SEK 690 million in 2012. Haglöfs is owned by ASICS Corporation since 2010.

As a responsible company they are concerned about the environment, labor and human rights. Such issues have been parameters throughout Haglöfs’ modern development. The Company has acknowledged that its operations have an effect on the environment – both positive and negative.

In 2008, Haglöfs made a strategic decision to integrate sustainability into its business development. The decision was based on two objectives working in tandem – to ensure long-term profitable growth and at the same time to contribute towards a sustainable society. Since then, Haglöfs’ business concept and vision have contained a clear definition of the Company’s position on sustainability issues. Haglöfs has also formulated a number of sustainability targets, the current ones applying to the period 2013-2015.

Significant events in 2013

* Haglöfs decides to label products that are most advanced in terms of sustainability with the Company’s own Take Care symbol, which allows end consumers to make an active choice in the store.

* Haglöfs decides that, from the 2016 season, all products will be developed as Take Care products and that anything else will be considered an exception.

* Haglöfs appoints sustainability managers at all its Subsidiaries around the world.

* Haglöfs joins (as the only consumer brand) the major SUPFES research project and is participating in efforts to find alternatives to perfluorinated substances.

* Haglöfs conducted four Fair Wear Foundation inspections. At the end of the year, 79 percent of Haglöfs’ total production volume at its manufacturers’ production facilities had been inspected, meaning that the target of 90 percent is within reach.

* Haglöfs is participating in a development partnership with OrganoClick and the University of Borås, aimed at producing fluorocarbon-free water repellent treatment.

Click here to download Haglöfs Sustainability Report.

Rise Initiative: Helping Businesses and Investors Manage the Risks Associated with Climate Change

On Monday May 19th, the United Nations (UN) launched an initiative that helps businesses to manage the risks associated with climate change. After a decade of record breaking economic losses and disruption due to climate change, risk management is an increasingly high priority issue for businesses all around the world. This UN initiative is called RISE and it shows the current and future effects of climate change. The idea is that by laying out current and future threats it can businesses to plan for disasters and invest wisely.

Those who are contributing to the RISE Project include the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the Economist Intelligence Unit, Florida International University, Principles for Responsible Investment, AECOM and global insurance broker Willis.

As part of this initiative PwC will continue to work on disaster risk management with some of the world’s largest corporations, including Walmart and Citibank. In an ongoing effort they will continue to develop disaster risk management strategies and create voluntary industry standards intended to strengthen social demand for disaster risk-sensitive products. The Economist Intelligence Unit will develop risk analysis for economic and business forecasts that include disaster risk.

In addition to global businesses the R!SE Initiative is intended for asset owners, investment managers, insurers and re-insurers.

Risks like disruption from flooding, crucial materials to manufacturing becoming more and more expensive and damage to reputation all need different handling, and risk management approaches haven’t evolved as fast as the changing landscape, PwC says.

See PwC's February report titled, "How can resilience prepare companies for environmental and social change?"

For more information on the RISE initiative click here.

© 2014, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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UNEP's NCD Roadmap: Implementing the Four Commitments of the Natural Capital Declaration

In May, 2013, the United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) released a plan for financial leadership in natural capital. The Natural Capital Declaration (NCD) Roadmap is titled "Implementing the Four Commitments of the Natural Capital Declaration." The Roadmap marks the start of Phase ll of the NCD.

The core objectives of Phase ll of the NCD are to

1. Stimulate Financial Institutions that have signed up to the NCD to show progress towards implementing the NCD commitments.

2. Develop practical tools and metrics to integrate natural capital in all asset calsses and rlevant financial products.

3. Increase the number of signatories so as to build a greater level of acknowledgement within the financial sector about the materiality of natural capital.

To access the Roadmap click here.

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Course - CSR Masterclass

The two day CSR Masterclass course trains present and future professionals and decision-makers to:

1. Understand the different aspects of CSR with the aim to make it practical in different strategic and operational environments in emerging markets, especially the BRIC countries
2. Master CSR best practice, sustainable development decision-making tools and analytical instruments used or likely to be used by institutions across the world
3. Promote CSR skills of individuals therefore make the concept even more widespread than it is today
4. Make the concept of CSR applicable in private and public institutions Audience
5. Professionals in private companies, public sectors, NGOs, international organizations and governments who are or would like to be involved in CSR.

Materclass Breakdown

Day One: 10am – 4:00pm Integrating Social and Organizational Values

Making the business case for social responsibility by calculating costs and benefits Recognizing the links between the welfare of society and the success of the organization

Examining opportunities designed to benefit the organization as well as the community Integrating corporate social responsibility best practices into key business areas Identifying and managing the positive and negative impacts of business activities on society

Lunch 12:30-­‐1:30pm

Driving Social Responsibility Throughout the Organization
Aligning social responsibility strategies and goals with organizational objectives
Embedding CSR within the business culture to sustain the strategy over the long term
Building CSR expertise through hiring and partnerships
Integrating social responsibility metrics into general performance management systems
Disseminating information on CSR policies throughout the organization
Demonstrating how CSR practices continue to affect individuals and departments
Communicating the impact of social responsibility to capital markets, shareholders, and other stakeholders

Day Two: 10am-­‐4:00pm Managing Risk and Decision Making

Evaluating complex environments and potential impacts before investing capital or making business decisions
Interacting successfully with governments, NGOs, and stakeholders
Decentralizing CSR to allow for local differences and optimizations across the organization
Identifying current vulnerabilities and predicting future pitfalls related to business practices
Developing preparation and prevention processes for handling crisis scenarios Integrating CSR initiatives in vendor and supplier agreements

See the updated schedule below. If you have any questions or would like to register email: info@one4allcsr.com - Ask about early registration discounts.

DateCourseLocation
May 28-29, 2014CSR MasterclassSingapore
May 22-23, 2014CSR StrategySingapore
June 9-10, 2014CSR MasterclassNew York
June 11-12, 2014CSR StrategyNew York
June 13, 2014Internal & External CSR CommunicationNew York
June 16, 2014PR Channels of Corporate Social ResponsibilityNew York
June 23-24, 2014CSR StrategyLondon
June 25, 2014PR Channels of Corporate Social ResponsibilityLondon
June 26-27, 2014Reporting, Measurement, & Certification ProcessesLondon
August 6, 2014Introduction to CSRSan Francisco
August 7-8, 2014CSR MasterclassSan Francisco
August 21-22, 2014CSR Reporting, Measurement, & Certification ProcessesHouston
September 8, 2014ISO26000 TrainingNew York
September 11-12, 2014CSR Reporting, Measurement & Certification ProcessesNew York
September 14, 2014Introduction to CSRDubai
September 15-16, 2014CSR MasterclassDubai
September 17-18, 2014CSR StrategyDubai
September 21, 2014Internal & External CSR CommunicationDubai
September 22, 2014PR Channels of Corporate Social ResponsibilityDubai
September 23-24, 2014CSR Reporting, Measurement & Certification ProcessesDubai
September 28-29, 2014CSR MasterclassDoha
October 6, 2014Introduction to CSRHong Kong
October 7-8, 2014CSR MasterclassHong Kong
October 9, 2014Internal & External CSR CommunicationHong Kong
October 13-14, 2014CSR Reporting, Measurement, & Certification ProcessesHong Kong
October 16-17, 2014CSR MasterclassSingapore
October 20-21, 2014CSR StrategySingapore
October 23-24, 2014CSR MasterclassCapeTown
November 12, 2014Introduction to CSRLondon
November 13-14, 2014CSR MasterclassLondon
November 17-18, 2018CSR StrategyLondon
November 19, 2014PR Channels of Corporate Social ResponsibilityLondon
November 20-21, 2014CSR Reporting, Measurement, & Certification ProcessesLondon
December 3, 2014Introduction to CSRNew York
December 4-5, 2014CSR MasterclassNew York
December 8, 2014Internal & External CSR CommunicationNew York
December 9, 2014PR Channels of Corporate Social ResponsibilityNew York