Infographic - Incandescent Light Bulbs
Climate Change: Frequency, Costs and Mortality (World Meteorological Organisation)
Increasing Frequency
The first decade of the 21st century saw 3,496 natural disasters from floods, storms, droughts and heat waves. That was nearly five times as many disasters as the 743 catastrophes reported during the 1970s – and all of those weather events are influenced by climate change.
Rising Costs
Extreme weather is already costing us vast sums of costs money. The cost of disasters rose to $864bn (£505bn) in the last decade. Disasters were about 5.5 times more expensive by 2010 than they were in the 1970s, and most of that was because of the rising losses due to floods. About half of the $2390.7bn cost of disasters over the last 40 years was due to storms. In the US costs were led hurricane Katrina and super storm Sandy, each accounting for $196.9bn. The five costliest global disasters were US storms.
Growing Death Toll
The biggest death toll comes from storms which accounted for 1.45m of the 1.94m global disaster deaths. Drought is the next big killer. Heat waves are also a growing threat. In the 1970s heat waves didn't even register but by 2010, they were one of the leading causes of deaths from natural disasters. In Russia alone, more than 55,000 people died as a result of heat wave in 2010.
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Corporate Shaming: The 2014 Public Eye Awards
At least twelve clothing companies have heeded Greenpeace demands and reduce their environmental impacts. These companies include Mango, Esprit, Nike, H&M, Adidas, Puma, M&S, C&A, Li-Ning, Zara and Levi’s. For its part, the Gap has thus far refused to follow suit.
As explained on the the Public Eye website:
"The Public Eye sheds a critical light on irresponsible business practices and provides a platform to publicly criticize cases of human and labor rights violations, environmental destruction or corruption. The date and location of the Public Eye Awards are set deliberately to coincide with the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. Those hiding behind closed doors in Davos allegedly to solve the world’s problems often contribute to environmental destruction and human rights violations themselves. The Public Eye Awards remind the corporate world that the social and environmental consequences of their business practices affect not only people and the environment, but also the reputation of the company."
"The Public Eye Awards aim to contribute to the overarching goal of social and ecological justice and demonstrate the necessity of effective and legally binding measures on a national and international level. Corporations need to be held accountable for their irresponsible business practices in their home state – no matter where these wrong-doings occur."
Gazprom's Shameful Corporate Irresponsibility
Gazprom is also a media giant that uses its media holdings to misinform and influence public opinion. This includes depicting Greenpeace’s peaceful actions to protect the environment as foreign "eco-terrorism."
Gazprom is responsible for a number of eco-crimes including sizable oil spills. With satellite images and field visits, Greenpeace Russia’s specialists have identified 206 oil spills across 6 oil fields where Gazprom conducts drilling operations.
Gazprom has also been involved in an offshore drilling disaster that killed 53 people in December 2011, when the Kolskaya jack-up rig capsized during towing.
Perhaps most alarmingly, Gazprom is the first company to drill for oil in the ecologically fragile Arctic Barents Sea. In December 2013 Gazprom began extracting oil from a drilling platform, called Prirazlomnaya, located in the Pechora Sea.
Many have pointed out the dangers of drilling in this remote location. According to one study the damage from an oil spill would be "irreparable" (see graphic above). Gazprom could not hope to respond to an oil spill in Arctic waters and this would cause long term pollution problems that would imperil the habitats of local wildlife including Arctic seabirds and walrus.
The presence of Russian oil drilling operations has already led to the virtual eradication of reindeer in some places.
"We had about 800 reindeer five years ago. Now just 80 to 100 are left. They are mainly shot down by oil industry workers. I think that there is no future. If the oil companies would leave us, we can manage to save something here, to recover this place. But while oil workers are still here there is no future for us."
− Vladimir Vello, a deer farmer from the Purovsky district
Ireland's 2014 Green Award Winners
Here is a summary of the 22 recipients of Ireland's prestigious Green Awards for 2014. This year marks the 6th annual Green Awards. Organized by Event Strategies, these awards aim to celebrate excellence in sustainability and to encourage green best practice. Overall Green Business Award: St. James's Gate-Diageo Ireland
The Green Large Organisation Award: Intel Ireland
The Green Medium Sized Organisation: St. James's Gate-Diageo Ireland
The Green Small Organisation Award: Clearstream Solutions
The Green Corporate Citizen Award: Westmeath County Council
The Green Public Sector Award: ESB
The Green Retailer Award: Sean Caulfield's Centra Campile
The Green Product Award: Eco Cabin Energy Centre - Wood Energy Solutions
The Ecocem Green Building Award: Airfield Evolution - Solearth Ecological Architecture
The Green Residential Building Award: 28 Albany Road - Joseph Little Architects
The Green Community Award: Cloughjordan Community Development Committee
The Green Awards Duncan Stewart Award: Davie Philip
The Green Entrepreneur: Iseult Ward & Aoibheann O'Brien-FoodCloud
The Green Technology Award: Enrich Envirvonmental Ltd
The Waste to Business Resource Award: C. J. Sheeran Ltd.
The Green Energy Award: Astellas Ireland Co. Ltd. (Kerry Plant)
The Green Supply Chain Award: St James's Gate-Diageo Ireland
The Green Transport Award: Translink
The Green School or College Award: Queen's University Belfast
The Green Tourism & Leisure Award: Guinness Storehouse
The Green Food Producer Award: Carbery
The Green Leader Award: Neil McCabe - Green Plan -Dublin Fire Brigade
Global Tiger Day: Tigers are on the Brink of Extinction
There are six main species of tigers living in the wild today: Siberian tigers; Bengal tigers; Indochinese tigers; Malayan tigers; Sumatran tigers and South China tigers. Several subspecies of tigers have already gone extinct, including Bali and Javan tigers.
Tigers have been declining rapidly over the last 100 years, with 97 percent of wild tigers being lost in the last 100 years. At the turn of the last century there were 100,000, at present there are as few as 3000 live in the wild today.
Tigers have lost 93 percent of their natural habitat due to the expansion of cities and agriculture by humans. Deforestation is decreasing not only habitats but prey. The fact that their habitats have been reduced to isolated pockets not only makes it harder for them to find prey, it also increases the risk of inbreeding.
These small islands of habitat make tigers more vulnerable to poaching. Tigers are also poached for medicinal purposes. Their bones and body parts are considered status symbols and they are used in Chinese medicine as pain killers and aphrodisiacs. Their claws are used to treat insomnia and their hides are widely coveted. As their prey gets scarce, tigers are forced to hunt domestic livestock, which has led many local communities to kill them on sight.
Climate change is also posing a major threat, with rising sea levels threatening to wipe out even more of their habitat. One of the world’s largest tiger populations is found in the Sundarbans—a large mangrove forest area shared by India and Bangladesh on the northern coast of the Indian Ocean. This area harbors Bengal tigers and protects coastal regions from storm surges and wind damage. However, rising sea levels that were caused by climate change threaten to wipe out these forests and the last remaining habitat of this tiger population. According to a WWF study, without mitigation efforts, projected sea level rise—nearly a foot by 2070—could destroy nearly the entire Sundarbans tiger habitat.
At this rate, all tigers living in the wild could be extinct in 5 years. Thankfully there are a number of measures underway to help protect tigers. This includes conservation policies that protect tigers in parks and preserves. To enable tigers to expand their genetic diversity wildlife corridors have been established to allow them to move between protected zones.
Forest rangers, local law enforcement, governments and conservation organizations are cooperating to help protect the tiger. Educational efforts are also crucial to help these conservation activities.
Tiger protection also benefits from efforts to eliminate the trade of tigers and tiger parts. Two large scale international regimes are the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the International Union for Conservation (IUCN).
A New Collaborative Business Model Expedites Innovation
This work is the product of a new partnership between scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and students of the Berkeley Energy and Resources Collaborative (BERC), an interdisciplinary organization founded by MBA students at the University of California, Berkeley's Haas School of Business.
There are a wide range of disciplines contributed to this model, they include business, law, public policy, engineering, and molecular biology.
One of the technologies being explored involves a novel solar-chemical storage device, which represents a breakthrough fabrication method for high-efficiency solid-state photovoltaic devices, and the use of ionic liquids to pre-treat biomass for conversion to biofuel.
For more information click here.
Interactive Map - Summer Heat in the US
Summers are already warmer than they were in the 1970s and they will get far worse in the future. An interactive map from Climate Central shows just how hot summers will get if we continue with business as usual.
By the end of the century, assuming the current emissions trends, summer heat is projected to be 7-10°F* warmer on average than it is now. Some cities will have summers 12°F warmer. In fact, by the end of this century, summers in most of the 1,001 cities analyzed by Climate Central will get far hotter.
To see the interactive map click here.
* Note: This analysis only accounts for daytime summer heat — the hottest temperatures of the day, on average between June-August.
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Event - Waste Management Executive Sustainability Forum
For five years running, the top names in the field have broken new ground at the Forum. Here, in a one-day event that includes keynote addresses, panel discussions and breakout sessions, Forum experts and attendees immerse themselves in the latest strategies and solutions for achieving environmental excellence.
For more information or to register click here
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Event - National Clean Energy Summit 7.0: Partnership & Progress
This year’s summit aims to highlight how the private sector and government collaborate to deploy clean energy, invest in innovation, modernize our nation's electric grid, and reduce climate changing pollution.
The “Stepping to the Plate on Climate Change: Business Leadership on Pollution Reduction” panel will allow for a prospective look at how businesses assess the risks of climate change and how public-private partnerships in clean energy are simultaneously growing the economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This will also allow for a discussion of the risks posed by climate change to existing business models and why it is necessary from a business perspective to plan for those externalities.
The distinguished policymakers in attendance include former Governor of Utah Jon Huntsman; former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Risky Business Committee Member Henry Cisneros; and Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International Jim Murren. They will discuss the effect of climate change from a business perspective as well as sustainability efforts to ensure a strong economy. These key players will join Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and keynote speaker former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, along with other top policymakers and market leaders to generate ideas that bring the public and private sectors together leading to further growth of our clean energy economy.
Other Confirmed speakers include:
Neera Tanden, President, Center for American Progress
John Podesta, Counselor to President Obama
Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture
Billy Parish, Mosaic
Lyndon Rive, SolarCity
Matt Rogers, Nest Labs
Daniel Yates, Opower
For more information or to register for Summit click here.
Event - Global Sustainability Summit
The 2014 Global Summit will give companies the tools, connections and proactive solutions to take their sustainability programs to the next level. From domestic agriculture to developing markets, the Global Summit will bring together leading experts to address the topics companies around the globe are facing today and in the future.
The Global Sustainability Summit is designed to help companies with all levels of awareness, expertise and global reach incorporate sustainability into every aspect of their business model.
Keynote sessions will feature some of the world’s leading thinkers and change agents focused on the most pressing issues in the industry – including incorporating sustainable solutions from the ground up, reducing waste in the supply chain and creating new and innovative incentives for consumers in the future.
Attendees will have the opportunity to tailor their conference experience by selecting sessions from different strategic areas of focus including:
Emerging Issues and Trends
Leading-edge global ideas; innovations currently changing the world of sustainability; research and compelling success stories (from both within and outside the food industry) “What don’t I know that I don’t know”; what will be shaping the industry in ten years.
Technology and Innovation
Solutions for measuring and managing sustainability; increasing traceability and transparency; emerging opportunities and best practices for linking and leveraging sustainability to common mobile platforms; new twists on old technology.
Packaging and Waste
Solving infrastructure issues; essential collaboration and communication with stakeholders; engaging employees and consumers to reduce waste; packaging innovations; food waste reduction successes and failures from global to local
Education and Communications
Sustainability story telling for consumers and executives; examples of success in communications; using technology/social media to connect with new audiences/better connect with current audiences; making sustainability meaningful from C-suite to customers; new insights from youth consumer panels; exploration of innovative tools and platforms in social media
Natural Resource Challenges
Trends; predictions; cost of risk; preparing for the future of constrained resources; water; emerging tools and solutions; stakeholder engagement; governmental/societal challenges or opportunities for engagement
Sustainable Supply Chain and Sourcing
New sourcing tools; risks and opportunities with current and future high-impact commodities; breakthrough examples of successful solutions; emerging issues including social issues, audits and actions
Sustainable Agriculture and Seafood
Defining sustainable agriculture; barriers and opportunities; dialogue between farmers, ranchers and the supply chain; examples of sustainable fisheries partnerships and sourcing tools
For more information and to register click here.
Video - Fear is at the Heart of the Psychology of Climate Change Denial
At first glance climate change deniers are simply ignorant. However, when seen through the lens of climate psychology we realize that it is a far more complex issue. Denial is motivated by pain and fear. The harrowing reality of climate change augers despair and causes people to shut down. People are overwhelmed so in this context denial can be understood as a psychological coping mechanism. For more information on how the negative emotions associated with climate change are impeding action click here. For information explaining why we need a new climate narrative click here.
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Video - The Psychology of Climate Action and Inaction
In this lecture Dr Gifford addresses his research into the psychology of climate action and inaction. In particular, he considered the question of how to engage people in actions to help mitigate climate change rather than just express concern about it, and he identified the seven key psychological barriers to individual climate action. In this way, he provided valuable insight into the behaviors which policy makers and companies need to target to ensure efficient energy use, in a cost effective manner.
Dr Gifford is a professor in the Department of Psychology and the School of Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria in Canada, where he is also the founding director of the program in the Human Dimensions of Climate Change. He is the editor of the Journal of Environmental Psychology, author of four editions of the textbook Environmental Psychology: Principles and Practice, former president of the environmental division of the International Association of Applied Psychology and a former member of the American Psychological Association's Task Force on the Interface between Psychology and Global Climate Change.
Video - An Introduction to Climate Denial
This video reviews different types of climate denial. What it is, how it manifests and why it exists at all.
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Video - Anti-Environmentalism: Coal Rollers and other Insane Americans
To protest clean air regulations and show their support for dirty energy a group of people known as "coal rollers" are modifying their diesel trucks so that they spew thick plumes of black smoke. Watch as these trucks "roll coal" and blanket other, cars, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists, with black smoke from their modified pickup trucks.
Owners of these trucks not only despise President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency, they also hate people who drive small fuel efficient vehicles. As one of the coal rollers explained, “that’s my way of giving them the finger.” Adding angrily, “you want clean air and a tiny carbon footprint? Well, screw you.”
Other groups show their contempt for the environment in other ways. In an attempt to convey their derision for the energy reduction initiative known as Earth Hour, one group has spearheaded a movement to turns on as many light and consume as much energy as they can.
These groups of radical Luddites demonstrate just how committed some people are to environmental destruction. It is more than just protecting a way of life, it is a reflexive and irrational opposition to environmental protection.
The passionate ignorance of these groups suggest that eradicating climate denial and anti-environment efforts will be very difficult indeed. For more information about anti-environmentalism click here.
The US is the World's Leading Climate Denying Nation
A total of 52 percent of American agreed with the statement, “the climate change we are currently seeing is a natural phenomenon that happens from time to time.” India was tied with the US followed by China. In contrast, only 34 percent of Swedes, 26 percent of South Koreans, and 22 percent of Japanese agreed with the statement.
When asked if we are headed for environmental disaster unless we change our habits quickly, only 57 percent of Americans said yes compared to 91 percent of Chinese.
The United States also had the ignominious distinction of having the largest percentage of people who disagreed with the statement, “the climate change we are currently seeing is largely the result of human activity.” A total of 32 percent of Americans disagreed with this followed by 25 percent of Australians.
In France, Italy, Turkey, Spain and Argentina, 80 percent or more of the population believe that human activity is the cause of climate change.
To see the complete Ipsos Mori Global Trends Survey click here.
© 2014, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.
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What Resistance to Evolution Teaches us about US Climate Denial
Those engaged in efforts to enlighten climate deniers can learn a great deal from the long history of the anti-evolution movement.
Almost one hundred years ago this month, a young high school teacher by the name of John Thomas Scopes went on trial for teaching Darwinian evolution. From its inception to this day, the science of evolution has been under siege.
Climate denial is like resistance to evolution in that it is an irrational position rooted in faith rather than facts. Although those who resist evolution and those who deny climate change are often intellectually vacuous, the web of lies they weave is surprisingly pernicious.
It took 44 years to get the highest U.S. court to rule in favor of evolution (in 1968 the U.S. Supreme Court overturned an Arkansas statute outlawing the teaching of evolution). Despite this ruling and the wealth of scientific evidence, resistance to evolution persists.
The U.S. holds the ignominious distinction of being a world leader for both its resistance to evolution and rejection of climate change. According to a Reuters poll, 33 percent of U.S. citizens reject evolution and an Ipsos poll found that 32 percent of Americans do not believe in anthropogenic climate change.
Incognizance endures in the face of an overwhelming body of evidence. We should not underestimate the obstinacy and determination of those who belligerently ignore the facts. These people are steeped in an aggressive form of ignorance that forms a world view which is not easily undone. Some climate deniers revel in their opposition to science and spitefully go out of their way to be environmentally destructive.
Coal rollers
The reflexive and irrational opposition to climate science is illustrated by a small fringe group known as “coal rollers.” As a means of protesting U.S. clean air regulations, these people are modifying their diesel trucks so that they spew thick plumes of black smoke.
Owners of these trucks not only despise President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency, they also hate people who drive fuel efficient vehicles. As one of the coal rollers explained, “that’s my way of giving them the finger.” Adding angrily, “you want clean air and a tiny carbon footprint? Well, screw you.”
Republican denial
While coal rollers may be a fringe element, there are a number of elected officials in the U.S. that are also passionate supporters of climate denial. It is no secret that the legislative deadlock on climate change and clean energy is largely attributable to the denial of Congressional Republicans.
As revealed in a Think Progress article, almost 60 percent of Republicans in Congress are climate deniers. Over 56 percent (133 members) of the Republican caucus in the House of Representatives deny the basic tenets of climate science and 65 percent (30 members) of the Senate Republican caucus deny man-made climate change.
Even more alarming is the fact that 90 percent of the leading Republican decision makers in both the House and the Senate are climate deniers. The majority of Republicans on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology are climate deniers, as are most of those on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. All of the Republicans on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee have said climate change is not happening or that humans are not the cause.
Economy and jobs
While most Republicans are reflexively obstructionist, others acknowledge that combating climate change is an engine for growth that enhances the nation’s global competitiveness and provides jobs. The tremendous economic and employment opportunities associated with climate change mitigation and adaptation are evident in the growing levels of investment. Annual investments in the global clean energy market alone could reach $230 billion a year in 2020 and as much as $424 billion in 2030.
Dollar for dollar, studies show that cleantech investments provide four times the jobs of fossil fuels. Currently, cleantech is seeing job growth which is two and a half times that of traditional jobs. With people clamoring for economic growth and hungry for jobs, deniers who seek public office risk alienating voters.
Conservatives want solar too
Many conservatives support greener energy and in red states across America, the demand for renewable energy is growing. To illustrate the point, Republicans in the Peach state recently voted in favor of an ambitious solar energy plan. The new law requires that Atlanta-based Georgia Power Co. increase its solar power capacity by 525 megawatts within two and a half years. What makes this decision noteworthy is the fact that it was supported by an unprecedented coalition of conservative lawmakers and the Tea Party. Support for rooftop solar is another green initiative that is getting support from red states like Arizona and Idaho.
Failure to find fault
Climate deniers are quick to point to even the smallest errors in climate science. Deniers are not moved by scientific consensus, they prefer to side with outliers. However, it is getting harder to find sane scientists capable of any sort of cogent rebuttal. Even scientists who were previously deniers are being forced to recant under the weight of the evidence.
Let them fester
If only the weight of the evidence were enough to break the back of climate denial. In the Scopes trial, the prosecuting attorney William Jennings Bryan was humiliated and ridiculed for his foolish beliefs. Five days after the judge ruled, Bryan lay down and died. While climate deniers are highly susceptible to ridicule, they are unlikely to die as quickly or as conveniently as Bryan.
Eighty nine years after the Scopes trial there are still more than a hundred million Americans who oppose evolution. There are also a similar number of Americans who dismiss climate science. Many are unreachable as their attitudes are articles of faith that are not easily uprooted.
While there are many parallels that can be drawn between those who are opposed to evolution and those who deny the existence of climate change, there are also some salient differences. The chief difference is that questioning the validity of evolution does not threaten life on a planetary scale. With atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide surpassing 400 ppm, we are on track for a 9 degree temperature increase by the end of the century.
We will never be able to convert the majority of climate deniers. The long history of the anti-evolution movement forces us to concede that there will always be Luddites who support profoundly irrational positions. Rather than waste energy trying to enlighten deniers, we should relegate them to their rightful place on the lunatic fringe.
Source: Global Warming is Real
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Webinar - Energy Data as a Profit Lever
eSight Energy, Verdantix, and Urjanet partner on this webinar to discuss energy data as the new profit lever.
Topics will include:
- The role energy data plays in improving profit margins
- The potential value of energy data for sustainability and looming carbon taxes
- How eSight is using energy data to power their analytics and software applications, giving insights to cut costs and carbon emissions
2014 Top Green Provider Award (Food Logistics magazine)
The Food Logistics Top Green Providers Award recognizes companies whose products, services, or exemplary leadership is enhancing sustainability within the food and beverage industry. With a focus on sustainability in the global food supply chain, Food Logistics profiles companies who are exceeding industry standards in their sector. This year's list includes food producers and manufacturers, 3PLs, transportation and logistics providers, equipment manufacturers and others whose products and services are driving sustainability from farm to fork. The companies chosen as Food Logistics Top Green Providers are profiled in their June issue.
"In the food and beverage sector, sustainability and environmental stewardship are primary considerations given the unique relationship between businesses in this sector and our planet's natural resources," explained Lara L. Sowinski, editor-in-chief for Food Logistics. "Our 2014 list of Top Green Providers includes agricultural companies, 3PLs, temperature-controlled facilities and others who demonstrate leadership in sustainability, which in turn positively affects their customers as well."
"Strategic supply chain planning helps INSIGHT customers to develop green initiatives, optimize supply chain networks, lower energy costs, and reduce carbon emissions," said Dr. Jeffrey Karrenbauer, president and co-founder of INSIGHT, Inc. "INSIGHT's software enables clients to identify the cost, energy or carbon minimal supply chain strategies that reduce costs between 5 and 20 percent, and by implementing green initiatives such as identifying opportunities for shipment consolidation."
2014 Product and Project Awards (Environmental Leader)
In alphabetical order here are Environmental Leaders' top products and projects in the energy, environmental and sustainability management space, as chosen by industry experts (see the list of judges at the bottom of the page).
Product of the Year
3ESC
Avery Dennison CleanFlake Portfolio for PET Recyclability
Bloomberg LP Carbon Risk Valuation Tool
Cascade Energy SENSEI
Caterpillar Inc. Cat 336E H Hybrid Excavator
Constellation’s Efficiency Made Easy (EME)
Digital Lumens LightRules Power
ECORE International Forest rx
Enablon 7.0: The New Enablon Platform
EnerNOC’s Energy Intelligence Software Platform
Entegreat enCONTEXT
Environ BOMcheck
FoundationFootprint
Heineken David XL Green
Indow Window Insert
Lockheed Martin Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
Meluha the Fern, an Ecotel Hotel
Owens Corning PROPINK EcoTouch Insulation
PE International SoFi Software
Power Assure Software Defined Power
Practically Green
TSO Logic Application-Aware Power Management
Urjanet
Verisae Vx Energy Management
World Energy Solutions’ World Energy Exchange
Project of the Year
Anheuser-Busch InBev Accountability through Metrics & VPO
Caesars Entertainment Energy Management Program
Canadian Tire Petroleum Retail Petroleum Network eTemp Rollout
Dell’s Creation of 2020 Legacy of Good Plan
Digital Lumens: Ending a 10-Year Search for Intelligent Lighting at Creed Monarch
FirstFuel’s US General Services Administration Deployment
General Motors: Driving a Global Movement for Zero Waste
Johnson & Johnson Earthwards Process
Jones Lang LaSalle: IntelliCommand in Procter & Gamble’s Portfolio
Open Data Center Alliance Proof of Concept: Carbon Footprint and Energy Efficiency Rev 1.0
Schneider Electric and Sustainable Apparel Coalition Development of Higg Index 2.0
Sprint Network Vision E-Waste Elimination
Staples CA ‘Easy on the Planet’
Waste Management Phoenix Open
Xanterra Parks & Resorts Zion Lodge Water Recirculation System
Panel of Judges
Judging Coordinator Matthew Littlefield
President & Principal Analyst, LNS Research
Adam Brennan Sustainability Project Manager, PUMA
Carol Baroudi Global Sustainability & Compliance, Arrow Electronics
Charles Rechtsteiner Business Integration Manager, Corporate Real Estate & Facilities, Autodesk Inc.
Chris Davis Vice President of Program Management, Citigroup Inc.
Daniel Gilbert NA Program Manager for Solid Waste & Recycling, ISS Facility Services
Dave Meyer Senior Consultant, EORM
David Dornfeld Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Will C. Hall Family Professor of Engineering , University of California, Berkeley
Ephi Banaynal dela Cruz Director of Social & Environmental Accountability, Microsoft
Frank O'Brien-Bernini Vice President & Chief Sustainability Officer, Owens Corning
Graham Russell Founder & Principal, TruPointAdvisors
Hugh M. Share (Bert) Senior Global Director-Beer & Better World , Anheuser-Busch InBev
Jami Lamontagne Senior Director, Sustainability & Internal Communications, Sam's Club
John Hazlett Manager -- Water Footprinting Services, Williams Creek Consulting
Justin Grau Senior Engineer, ConAgra Foods
Mark Rhodes VP of Sustainability, CH & Pharma, GlaxoSmithKline plc
Namita Vikas Senior President & Country Head, Responsible Banking, YES BANK
Nuris Ismail Energy Consulting Manager, Power Advocate
Robert B. Pojasek, PhD Practice Leader – Sustainability and Risk Management, Reputation Limited
To download the compete 100 page report click here.
Top US States and Cities in Cleantech (Clean Edge)
Clean Edge is a clean-tech research firm behind the annual index. They track the clean-tech activities of all 50 states and the 50 largest metro areas in the US, from EV and renewables adoption to patent and investment activity.
In the Metro Index, San Francisco and San Jose repeated as no. 1 and no. 2, while San Diego jumped four places to no. 3, giving California the nation’s top three metros and five of the top seven. Eight of the top 10 metro areas are located in the top four states; the exceptions are Washington DC and Austin.
To download the complete list click here.
Businesses Feel the Heat from Declining Labor Productivity
A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) study warned that climate change is likely to have a significant negative impact on productivity for the US workforce as a whole.
The NOAA study found the increasingly hot and wet climatic conditions have cut productivity rates by as much as 10 percent since the 1950s. The study also found that labor capacity losses could double by the 2050s.
The observation that a warming world will decrease productivity was reiterated in the recent Risky Business report.
According to a study titled, "The direct impact of climate change on regional labor productivity," lost production and other costs should be expected in a warmer world.
The heat associated with global climate change will have deleterious implications for millions of working people. As explained in the study climate change will decrease labor productivity in most regions. This is particularly true in the absence of mitigation efforts.
The study estimates that by the 2080s, the losses of population-based labor work capacity will range from 11 percent to 27 percent. This will increase costs as more hours will be required to achieve the same output. Additional costs will come from occupational and health interventions against heat exposure. The worst affects are expected to occur in Southeast Asia, Andean and Central America, and the Caribbean.
Hot weather also enables ozone and the formation of fine particulate matter pollution which can travel hundreds of miles. This not only diminishes productivity it contributes to morbidity and mortality.
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Economic Benefits of Combating Climate Change (IIED)
Economic Costs of Combating Climate Change (IPCC)
Reducing Fossil Fuel Use: The Longer We Wait the More it will Cost
Infographic - How Much Would it Cost to Go Green Globally?
Graphic - The Cost of Mitigating Climate Change
The Financial Costs of Biodiversity Loss
Extreme Weather and the Costs of Climate Change
Extreme Weather
The Costs of Global Warming
The Costs of Climate Change Related Flooding
Graphs - Global Cost of Flooding
The Costs of Flood Damage will Rise Along with Sea Levels
Balken Flooding and the Costs of Climate Change
Tornadoes and Floods Underscore the Costs of Global Warming
Floods in the Philippines Underscore the Deadly Toll from Climate Change
Hurricane Irene and the Staggering Costs of Climate Change
Extreme Weather Makes a Convincing Case for Climate Change
Online Tools to Follow US Energy Legislation
Among the tools in PowerSuite are Billboard and DocketDash. Users can search a database of dockets and legislation from states across the country. They can then track and collaborate on legislation using Billboard or utility commission documents using DocketDash. Notifications can be set up to alert users when there are changes in bills or dockets, and summaries, notes and other information can be shared with colleagues. Additional tools developed for PowerSuite in the future will share its common interface and functionality, AEE said.
For more information or a free demonstration click here.
David Suzuki's Blue Dot Tour
The Blue Dot Tour is the celebration of a simple yet powerful idea: that all Canadians should have the right to drink clean water, breathe fresh air and eat healthy food. The Blue Dot Tour will visit 20 Canadian communities between September 24th and November 9th.
At this unique event you can see Canadians icons like:
Margaret Atwood, Robert Bateman, Barenaked Ladies, Bruce Cockburn, Jim Cuddy from Blue Rodeo, Cris Derksen, Feist, Jeremy Fisher, Grimes, Emily Haines from Metric, Jenn Grant, Greg Keelor from Blue Rodeo, Chantal Kreviazuk, Shane Koyczan, Stephen Lewis, Raine Maida, Joel Plaskett, Joe MacInnis, Jimmy Shaw from Metric, Kinnie Starr, Raffi, Royal Wood and Neil Young.
All of these Canadian icons plus many more are joining David Suzuki for one simple reason: they believe that by coming together to take action locally, we can guarantee that all Canadians will have the right to a healthy environment no matter who they are, or where they live.
Early Bird Tickets
For three days only the David Suzuki Foundation community has exclusive access to early bird tickets. We want you, our supporters, to have the chance to reserve the best seats in the house to this unique event. A special VIP experience offers an exclusive opportunity to join community leaders from diverse sectors for an intimate reception with David Suzuki and select performers. You’ll also receive premium seating at the event, sustainable appetizers, alcoholic and or non-alcoholic beverages and an inside look at the movement that’s sweeping the nation and making positive change in your community.
For more information and dates click here. (use the promo code: BLUEDOT.)
June's Record Breaking Heat and the Global Warming Trend
June is the third straight month of record breaking (or tying) global high temperatures. Nine of the 10 warmest June's on record have occurred in the 21st century, including each of the past five years. The world has not experienced a cooler than average June in almost 20 years (1976).
Parts of southeast Asia, eastern and central Africa, northern South America and southern Greenland experienced record June warmth as did New Zealand, France and Iceland.
June 2014 also featured the largest monthly global ocean temperature increase on record. Parts of the equatorial and northeast Pacific Ocean registered record warm levels.
With the exception of February, each month of 2014, has ranked in the four warmest of each respective month. The first six months of 2014 tied with 2002 as the third warmest such period on record for the globe, cooler only than 2010 and 1998.
Regions experiencing record warmth from January-June, include parts of eastern Australia, the western Atlantic Ocean, the west and northeast Pacific Ocean, an area from Iceland to northern Scandinavia.
The 20 warmest years have all occurred since 1981. The world is the hottest it has been since the end of the last ice age and warmer than it has been since the dawn of the agricultural revolution.
According to a study that reconstructed global temperatures, we have not seen this level of heat in 11,300 years. The study further concluded that the biggest and most rapid change in the climate has occurred in the past century.
As carbon dioxide levels continue to increase we can expect more record breaking temperatures. This warming trend will continue as we debate the veracity of climate change and the need to do something about it.
Related
Record Breaking Heat Suggests Accelerated Warming
Interactive Map - Summer Heat in the US
Freak Weather: Alaska is Warmer than Alabama
James Hansen's 2012 Research Linking Global Warming and Extreme Weather
In the US 2012 is The Hottest Most Extreme Year in Recorded History
Globally 2012 is One of the Hottest Years on Record
Responsible Business Awards: 2014 Ethical Corp Awards Shortlist
Ethical Corporation provides business intelligence for sustainability to more than 3,000 multinational companies every year. We publish the leading responsible business magazine, website, and research reports. Our conferences are widely recognised as the best in the field of corporate responsibility and sustainability.
The 2014 shortlist includes:
BEST EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT
Seventh Generation – LEAD w/Values
Procter & Gamble – Fabric Care
Dell – Dell’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and employee engagement
Bacardi Limited – How Bacardi Limited engages its global employees in sustainability and CR
TD Bank – The 4Hs of Environmental Engagement
Hong-Kong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH) – Be an inspiration – HSH Group Corporate Responsibility Video-making contest
Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) – How AB InBev is empowering colleagues to reduce environmental impact across 25 countries and its supply chain
Iatu Unibanco – Financial Education at Iatu Unibanco: a challenge that begins at home
SUSTAINABILITY COMMERCIALISED
B&Q – One planet home program
MBA Polymers – Sustainable Polymer Technology
Natura – SOU: Why do you need what you don’t need?
Wheelabrator – Green Steam Keeps the Linens Clean
Kebony – The Sustainable Alternative To Tropical Hardwood
Ecolab – Ecolab: Partnering to solve global challenges, sustainably
Net-Works - Net-Works: good for people, the environment and business
GXT Green - GXT Green ECOgrade Degradable, Sustainable, Carryout bags
PureCircle – Empowering the food and beverage industry to drive down impacts through sustainable “better-for-you” ingredient choice
BEST PRIVATE COMPANY
Roshan – A Changemaker in 2014
MARS INCORPORATED
Bankinter – “Tic, Tac, Toe” Sustainability Project
Bacardi Limited – Bacardi Launches Good Spirited; Building a Sustainable Future
SC Johnson – SC Johnson’s journey to zero landfill
BEST SME
The Mad Monkey Hostel – Social Responsibility As A Core Business Driver
GXT Green – GXT Green and ECOgrade Degradable Bags
Intex Solutions
MBA Polymers – Sustainable Polymer Technology
Elan Hair Design – The UK’s most eco-friendly hair salon
BEST SUPPLIER ENGAGEMENT
Nestle – Responsible Sourcing at Nestle
Blackmores – Blackmores Fish Oil Sourcing
Glanbia Ingredients Ireland Ltd (GIIL) – Advisory Function Support of the On-farm Open Source Program
Woolworths – Enterprise development: Farming for the future
Vodafone – best supplier engagement
Lockheed Martin - Lockheed Martin’s Sustainable Supply Chain Management
BEST SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Coca-Cola Icecek - Coca-Cola Icecek 2012 Sustainability Report
H&M – H&M Sustainability Report 2013
The Maersk Group - The Maersk Group’s Sustainability Report 2013
GE – GE Sustainability Report 2013
Legal & General – Housing, Health and Later life matters
Merck – Merck 2012 Corporate Responsibility Report
Nestle – Nestle in Society: Creating Shared Value and meeting our commitments 2013
Nike – FY12/13 Sustainable Business Performance Summary
Deutsche Telekom – We take responsibility – CR Report 2013
The Co-operative - Sustainability Report 2013
BEST B2B PARTNERSHIP
MARS INCORPORATED – Mesquite Creek Wind Farm
Glanbia Ingredients Ireland Ltd (GIIL) - GIIL and Baileys Sustainable Cream Initiative
Agility – A Partner in Logistics Emergency Teams (LETs)
Zip Xpress – Haworth/Zip Xpress
BEST BUSINESS/ NGO PARTNERSHIP
Marks and Spencer and Good World Solutions – Leveraging mobile technology for real-time supply chain transparency Shell and the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves
Woolworths and WWF-SA partnerships: Sustainable business initiative
Barclays and Care and Plan UK - Banking on Change
Interface and Zoological Society of London – Net-Works: delivering social, economic and environmental benefits to the Philippines
Central England Cooperative and Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council
Starwood Hotels & Resorts and UNICEF – ‘Check Out for Children’
B&Q and BioRegional and The Sylva Foundation - Good Woods
Turk Telekom (TT) and Bogazici University GETEM and Assistive Technology and Education Laboratory – Books on the phone
SM Prime Holdings – Sensory Friendly Movies
MOST EFFECTIVE DOMESTIC COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Sky Academy Skills Studios
Mondelez International – Health for Life
Pure Leapfrog - Pure Leapfrog Community Energy Fund – Moving IRR to SRR
TTNET – Internet4All
PT Bumi Resources – The Self-Reliant Villages Program
Turkcell – “Women Empowerment in Economy” (WEE) project
PT Pertamina EP – Community Investment as Competitive Advantage of PT Pertamina EP Subang Field
Tropicalia – The Accidental Girlfriends
Votorantim Metais – The Future in our Hands: a project with a focus on qualification and inclusion of the youth in the labor market
MOST EFFECTIVE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Aviva – Aviva sets the standard for improving lives whilst tackling climate change KPMG – KPMG’s BRIGHT Programme Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) – A fair Deal for Sierra Leone Twinnings – Improving Health, Nutrition and Promoting a Protective Environment for Adolescent Girls on Assam Tea Estates HP – HP LIFE e-Learning
Vimpelcom – Most Effective International Investment Vimpelcom
Monsoon – Barabanki Weavers Project
Tetra Pak – Supporting small holder milk farmers in Bangladesh through the Dairy Hub model
The Co-operative – going ‘beyond Fairtrade’
BEST CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT CAMPAIGN (SOCIAL MEDIA AND TRADITIONAL)
CVS Caremark – CVS Quits
Sky – Sky Rainforest Rescue
B&Q – Great British Bee Count – Smart Phone App (B&Q and Friends of the Earth)
Santander – Reduza e Compense CO2
Racold Thermo – Racold Switch2Green Fashion Revolution – Fashion Revolution
HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY OF THE YEAR
Wembley Stadium, James Huartson
B&Q, Matt Sexton
YES BANK, Namita Vikas
Natura Ecoparque, João Mocelin
PureCircle, Ajay Chandran
CEO OF THE YEAR
Seventh Generation, John LeBourveau
ITC Hotels, Nakul Anand
Roshan, Karim Khoja
YES BANK, Rana Kapoor
Zip Xpress, Dina McKnight
Southwest Airlines, Gary Kelly
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