Home shared
Showing posts with label shared. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shared. Show all posts

The Green Facts on Facebook's 10th Birthday

Add Comment Edit
It has been a decade since the social media phenomenon known as Facebook first opened its doors. In that time Facebook has succumbed to public pressure from Greenpeace’s Unfriend Coal campaign and has been moving quickly in a more environmentally sustainable direction.

In addition to greener facilities Facebook hosts a vast assortment of Groups and Facebook pages related to green business, social entrepreneurs, and nonprofit activism.

One of the highlights of Facebook's efforts is its new one million square foot Menlo Park Campuses in California that include 10 office buildings. The new campus features a green roof which takes the form of a tree-filled park. Facebook is also seeking LEED (Gold) certification for the new establishments.

In the Spring of 2013, Facebook joined the Department of Energy’s Workplace Charging Challenge which will assess, design, implement and install infrastructure in support of workforce plug-in electric vehicle charging stations. 

Two of Facebook’s data centers use outside air to keep servers cool and minimize energy needed for cooling. These smart-design features are being partnered with low tech solutions such as employee practices in Menlo Park. These employees are installing recycling and composting bins as well as a host of little things like reusing existing fixtures rather than buying new ones. Half of these employees are taking part in a green transportation program that relies on bikes, car pools and free shuttles.

Not all the news from Facebook is good news. In 2013 the company joined the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a powerful organization that has helped the fossil fuel industry to control state legislatures.

Facebook's worst problem concerns its burgeoning energy use. As documented in the company's annual carbon emissions and energy use report, the company's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions increased 35 percent in 2012 compared with 2011. In 2012 the carbon intensity per user was about 18 percent higher compared to 2011.

To deal with the growing energy demand from its one billion users, Facebook has ambitious plans to reduce its GHGs and source much of its power from renewable energy. Facebook is building two data centers one in Iowa and one in Sweden that use only renewable power. Facebook is also decreasing emissions from office space, employee commuting and air travel, data center construction, and hardware transportation.

Facebook also teamed up with Apple and Google to force Duke Energy, their electric utility in North Carolina to offer a renewable energy program.

In a forward looking move that saves energy, Facebook is reportedly using Blu-Ray in their newly built data center in Oregon and it may incorporate the feature into other data centers. The technology provides cold storage and is capable of storing 1 petabyte of data in a single cabinet. Blu-Ray disks offers savings of up to 50 percent compared with the hard disks and uses 80 percent less energy than cold storage racks.

© 2014, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Articles
Jeremy Rifkin on the "Third Industrial Revolution": How Renewable Energy and the Internet are Changing the World
The Revolutionary Power of Social Media Driving Corporate Sustainability
The Growth of Social Media as an Increasingly Important Vehicle for the Environment
Environmental Activism and Social Media
Social Media and Sustainability
Read More»

Video - Changing the Narrative to Change the World

Add Comment Edit

This video from SustainableMan offers an eloquent essay from Charles Eisenstein, author of The Ascent of Humanity and Sacred Economics. Eisenstein proposes that to change our world, we need to change the story: “The greatest illusion of this world is the illusion of separation.” How do we change the world? Change the story. The greatest illusion of this world is the illusion of separation." ~ Once the story our world is built on reflects the reality of interconnection, we will be on a true path towards sustainability. The speaker is Charles Eisenstein (author of 'The Ascent of Humanity' and 'Sacred Economics').

Related Posts
Video - It's all in our heads: The psychology of sustainability
The Symbolism of Easter in an Ecological Context
A New Environmental Movement Breeds Hope for the Future
Crafting a Positive Environmental Narrative
Pessimism is Impeding Environmental Advocacy
Environmental Success Stories: Mercury, SLCPs and Many More 
Video - Narratives on Carbon Pollution: Are Individuals to Blame for Carbon Pollution?
Video - Making People Care About Climate Change: The Psychology of Risk Perception
Building Support for Action on Climate Change Before We Reach Tipping Points
A Thanksgiving Infused with Environmental Gratitude
How Morality Can Win the War on Climate Change
An Environmentalist and a Buddhist Monk Discuss Human Behavior
Sacred Economics: Exploring the Myth of Separation (Video)
The Religious Psychology of Green
Green Ethics
Green Ethics and Trade
Read More»

ISO Revisions Seek Overarching Guidance on 14001 Environmental Management Systems and Other ISO Standards

Add Comment Edit
Revisions are being undertaken in ISO 14001 in order to create an overarching format in conformity with Annex SL (previously ISO Guide 83) which defines the framework for a generic management system. This new guidance is holistic and is intended to end conflicts, duplication, confusion and misunderstanding from different MSS management systems. Since being issued in 1996 and then revised in 2004, the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems standard has been adopted by more than 250,000 organizations around the world.

Annex SL, is described as a “high level structure and identical text for management system standards and common core management system terms and definitions.” Annex SL offers overarching guidance on ISO management system standards (MSS). It is intended to help explain how different standards fit together with minimum redundancy. Annex SL offers a common format, structure and core requirements for ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 27001 and ISO 50001.

ISO's goal in revising its standards is to conform to Annex SL so that standards share a common format. However this is no easy feat as consensus is required from all 130 participating countries. All new ISO MSS will adhere to this framework and all current MSS will migrate at their next revision. In future all ISO MSS should be consistent and compatible.

The ISO Technical Committee (TC) 207 has started the process of revising ISO 14001, with a target of issuing a Final Version in 2015.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Posts
Integrating ISO 26000 (Social Responsibility) into your Management Systems
ISO 50001 Energy Management Standard
Benefits of The ISO 50001 Energy Management
The Implications of ISO 50001 for Your Business
The Importance of ISO 50001 On Demand Webinar
ISO 50001 Podcast SeriesISO Principles for Environmental Labels ISO 14020 Series
ISO Standards and Greener Vehicles
ISO 14001 Certification in the Solar Sector
ISO Sustainable Buildings Standards
Cititec ISO Environmental Management
ISO Campus 14001 Environmental Training
Read More»

Video - Indian environmentalist and CEO Shares his Support for Earth Hour

Add Comment Edit


Indian environmentalist and CEO of Paharpur Business Centre & Software Technology Incubator Park, Kamal Meattle, shares his support for Earth Hour.

Related Articles
WWF's Earth Hour Playbook for Business
Earth Hour: Tangible Action Beyond the Symbolism
WWF's Earth Hour 2013: Why You Should be Part of It!
Read More»

Video - Business supporting Earth Hour

Add Comment Edit


This video from Royal Business Center reviews what businesses can do to support Earth Hour. Businesses do more than just turn off the lights of the premises and ask staff and customers to do the same. Businesses support Earth Hour by implementing practices and offering services all year round that reduce environmental impacts.

Related Articles
WWF's Earth Hour Playbook for Business
Earth Hour: Tangible Action Beyond the Symbolism
WWF's Earth Hour 2013: Why You Should be Part of It!
Read More»

WWF's Earth Hour Playbook for Business

Add Comment Edit
To help businesses with Earth Hour, WWF Canada has put together a Playbook for Business. The official playbook includes all sorts of activities and events to run not only during Earth Hour, but beyond the hour too. There are a number of things that businesses can do in addition to participating in Earth Hour, promoting the event in the workplace, and encourage employees to participate in Earth Hour at home.

Business activities run the gamut from awareness raising trivia quizes to work programs and ongoing actions. Host a departmental energy trivia challenge and test your employees with energy-related facts and prizes. To check out the energy trivia from Living Planet click here.

Companies are invited to join WWF’s Living Planet @ Work program. It includes access to free online tools and ideas for implementing sustainability initiatives, plus background documents on sustainability in the workplace. To see WWF's Living Planet @ Work Program click here.

For those businesses that want more action on climate change there are contest and other bright ideas to get people involved and reduce company footprints. To see other bright business ideas that go beyond Earth Hour click here.

One of the best things that a business can do is hire a company to perform an energy audit at your workplace. This will help you determine areas of inefficiency and find opportunities for improvement. With the help of WWF and Living Planet @ Work resources, work with your office manager, landlord and other stakeholders to set energy reduction targets. Communicate these targets to all stakeholders and announce when milestones have been reached.

To see the Playbook for Business click here.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Articles
Earth Hour: Tangible Action Beyond the Symbolism
WWF's Earth Hour 2013: Why You Should be Part of It!
Read More»

Earth Hour: Tangible Action Beyond the Symbolism

Add Comment Edit
Earth Hour is about more than symbolic gestures designed to consolidate support for action on climate change. While the importance of bringing people together for environmental betterment cannot be overstated, Earth Hour also produces tangible benefits. The event is a catalyst for thousands of environmentally oriented actions and initiatives around the globe. From Africa to the Americas, businesses and governments are getting involved alongside millions of people all around the world.

Last year in the US, nearly 35,000 Girl Scouts led a Save Energy Project for Earth Hour. They installed 132,141 energy efficient light bulbs in homes and community centers, eliminating 77,553,119 pounds of CO2 emissions, the equivalent to the CO2 sequestration from planting 7,495 acres of trees per year.

This year WWF-Russia secured 100,000 signatures for their Earth Hour petition to protective forests, which may be a catalyst to reinstate a ban on industrial logging in sensitive areas.

In Botswana, former President Mr Festus Mogae has made a four-year commitment to plant one million indigenous trees as part of his ‘I Will If You Will’ challenge. This campaign has already planted 100,000 trees in a severely degraded area in Southern Botswana called Goodhope.

In Argentina, Earth Hour organizers and WWF affiliate Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina is mobilizing thousands of participants to help pass of a Senate bill to make Banco Burwood the biggest Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the country. If successful, the 3.4 million-hectare MPA will raise the level of protection of Argentina’s Exclusive Economic Zone from 1 percent to 4 percent.

In 2011, some of Singapore’s largest corporations took action for the planet by making an ongoing commitment to reduce their over reliance on air-conditioning. Initiated by WWF Singapore, the Earth Hour ’24 degrees or higher’ campaign called on businesses across the city-state to reduce their energy consumption by permanently setting the air-conditioning in their office buildings to 24 degrees Celsius. This action successfully involved some Singapore’s biggest corporations including Fullerton Heritage and real estate company, CapitaLand. CapitaLand also launched a “Wear Less Day” campaign the day before Earth Hour, encouraging staff and tenants to dress down for the temperature change to promote energy efficiency.

Whether reducing carbon through energy efficiency projects, planting trees or pressing political leaderships for environmental betterment, Earth Hour is making a difference.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Articles
WWF's Earth Hour Playbook for Business
WWF's Earth Hour 2013: Why You Should be Part of It!
Read More»

WWF's Earth Hour 2013: Why You Should be Part of It!

Add Comment Edit
Earth Hour is the largest grassroots environmental event in history. Hundreds of millions of people, businesses and governments around the world unite each year to turn off their lights for one hour to show their support for action on climate change. In 2012 a total of almost 7000 towns and cities in more than 152 countries got involved. In 2013 Earth Hour takes place on Saturday March 23, from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM local time.

Earth Hour is a global movement that demands large-scale action. Shutting off your lights for Earth Hour is a highly visible symbolic act that is a catalyst for action on the issue of climate change. While turning off your lights for one hour will not put an end to climate change, hundreds of millions of people acting together across the globe can make a difference.

This event is an opportunity to press governments, businesses and citizens around the world to make important ecological progress including moving away from fossil fuels and embracing a future powered by clean renewable energy.

As studies indicate we are ebbing ever closer to irreversible civilization altering tipping points, we need to demand that all facets of society act in a responsible fashion that makes ecological and economic sense. The longer we wait to more it will cost and the less likely we are to succeed.

This is a pivotal year for our planet and all the species that inhabit it. We must act now to shape our future and stave off the worst impacts of climate change.

WWF’s Earth Hour is a unique annual phenomenon that focuses the world’s attention on planetary health, and how we need to protect it. Be part of the largest movement on the planet, be part of Earth Hour.

For more information click here.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Articles
WWF's Earth Hour Playbook for Business
Earth Hour: Tangible Action Beyond the Symbolism
Read More»

World Agrees on a Treaty Restricting Mercury

Add Comment Edit
After protracted negotiations that spanned almost half a decade more than 140 countries have signed on to the world's first legally binding international agreement to control mercury emissions. The agreement puts in place rules that limit mercury emissions from power plants and industrial boilers as well as certain kinds of smelters handling metals like zinc and gold. The treaty phases out mercury laden products, like batteries and thermometers as well as certain types of fluorescent lamps, soaps and cosmetics. The agreement also establishes rules for direct mining of mercury and addresses safe storage of mercury waste.

The treaty sets mercury reduction targets on a range of products, processes and industries. The agreement provides clear guidelines for industry and will reduce mercury emissions which are a known threat to human health.

"Mercury has been known as a toxin and a hazard for centuries-but today we have many of the alternative technologies and processes needed to reduce the risks for tens of millions of people, including pregnant mothers and their babies. A good outcome can also assist in a more sustainable future for generations to come," said United Nations Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner.

In small-scale gold mining for example there are now mercury-free methods and other low-cost solutions for reducing emissions.

The new agreement will ban the production, export and import of a range of mercury-containing products. Nations that have small-scale gold mining operations, (a leading cause of mercury contamination) will be required to draw up national plans to limit mercury emissions.

This agreement will reduce cases of neurological and behavioral disorders, and other health problems linked to mercury, as well as the contamination of soils and rivers caused by man-made emissions of the metal.

The treaty will be signed at a special meeting in Japan this October and it will come into force in 2020. In the interim Japan, Norway and Switzerland have pledged funds to fast-track action.

Because of the long life of mercury, once released it can remain in the environment for centuries. This means that it is likely to be several years or decades before reductions in mercury emissions have a demonstrable effect on mercury levels in nature and the food chain.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Articles
Legally Binding Treaty to Reduce Mercury Emissions
UNEP Mercury Study: Levels of the Toxic Metal are Increasing
Xcel Energy's Planned Emissions Reductions Include Mercury
EPA Chief Forced Out
Read More»

UNEP Mercury Study: Levels of the Toxic Metal are Increasing

Add Comment Edit
A UNEP study released in January 2013 found mercury pollution in the top layer of the world’s oceans has doubled in the past century. In the past 100 years, man-made emissions have caused the amount of mercury in the top 100 metres of the world's oceans to double. Concentrations in deeper waters have increased by up to 25 percent. The study also indicates that hundreds of tons of mercury have leaked from the soil into rivers and lakes around the world. The report says an estimated 260 tonnes of mercury - previously held in soils - are being released into rivers and lakes.

The study titled Global Mercury Assessment 2013 indicates that communities in developing countries are facing increasing health and environmental risks linked to exposure to mercury. Most of the mercury contamination in Africa, Asia and South America are largely attributable to the use of the toxic element in small-scale gold mining, and through the burning of coal for electricity generation. Coal burning is responsible for some 475 tonnes of mercury emissions annually, or around 24 per cent of the global total.

Annual emissions from small-scale gold mining are estimated at 727 tonnes, or 35 per cent of the global total. Greater exposure to mercury poses a direct threat to the health of some 10-15 million people who are directly involved in small-scale gold mining, mainly in Africa, Asia and South America. An estimated 3 million women and children work in the industry.

Much human exposure to mercury is through the consumption of contaminated fish, making aquatic environments the critical link to human health.

The study, which provides a comprehensive breakdown of mercury emissions by region and economic sector, also highlights significant releases into the environment linked to contaminated sites and deforestation. Asia is the largest regional emitter of mercury, and accounts for just under half of all global releases.

The UNEP studies reiterates the need for swift action by governments, industry and civil society to strengthen efforts to reduce mercury emissions and releases. Delays in action, say the reports, will lead to slower recovery of ecosystems and a greater legacy of pollution.

The report highlights rising mercury levels in the Arctic which is far from its point of origination. An estimated 200 tonnes of mercury are deposited in the Arctic each year. The study points a ten-fold increase in levels of mercury in certain Arctic wildlife species in the past 150 years.

Other sources of mercury highlighted in the UNEP publications include:

  • Metal and cement production, through fuel extraction and combustion of fossil fuels 
  • Consumer products such as electronic devices, switches, batteries, energy-efficient light bulbs and cosmetics such as skin-lightening creams and mascara. 
  • Mercury contained in such goods can also enter the waste stream. 
  • Dentistry: Around 340 tonnes of mercury are used annually to make fillings and other dental products, of which up to 100 tonnes are likely to enter the waste stream 
  • Plastic production - particularly the manufacture of poly vinyl chloride (PVC). PVC is in high demand in many countries where there are extensive building projects 
  • Chlor-alkali industry (production of chlorine and caustic soda from salt) 
  • Primary mining - although the practice is now limited to a handful of countries with only one (Kyrgyzstan) still exporting

To see the UNET report "Mercury: Time to Act is available" click here

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Articles
World Agrees on a Treaty Restricting Mercury
Legally Binding Treaty to Reduce Mercury Emissions
Xcel Energy's Planned Emissions Reductions Include Mercury
EPA Chief Forced Out
Read More»

Video - Bipartisan Scientists Call for Bipartisan Solutions to Climate Change

Add Comment Edit
Read More»

Legally Binding Treaty to Reduce Mercury Emissions

Add Comment Edit
On Sunday January 13 delegates from more than 130 nations began a final round of negotiations with the intent of creating the world's first legally binding treaty to reduce mercury emissions. Mercury contamination is a major problem which has serious implications for pregnant women, women of childbearing age and young children. Mercury accumulates in fish and wildlife and goes up the food chain.

According to the U.N. environment program, which is also one of the sponsors of these talks, over the past century ocean based mercury contamination has doubled. The report demonstrates that hundreds of tons of mercury have leaked from the soil into rivers and lakes around the world. High rates of mercury pollution are largely attributable to coal burning, chemical production and small-scale mining, particularly what is known as artisanal gold production.

David Piper of the U.N. Environment Program stated that about 70 countries are involved in artisanal gold mining, putting up to 15 million miners at risk of exposure to mercury, including 3 million women and children. Developing countries are most at risk from mercury contamination.

If successful the treaty will set enforceable limits on the emissions of mercury which account for approximately 30 percent of mercury pollution, There is a good deal of confidence that this treaty will get the support of participants. The almost 900 delegates and dozens of non-governmental organizations have already agreed on a draft text to be used this week for negotiations.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Articles
World Agrees on a Treaty Restricting Mercury
UNEP Mercury Study: Levels of the Toxic Metal are Increasing
Xcel Energy's Planned Emissions Reductions Include Mercury
EPA Chief Forced Out
Read More»

Blog Action Day 2012: The Power of We

Add Comment Edit
In 2012, Blog Action Day takes place on October 15. This year the theme is the Power of We. According the Blog Action Day organizers, Community, Equality, Transparency/Anti-Corruption and Freedom, and People Power are sub-themes of the event. Blog Action Day is the one day of the year where thousands of people come together to focus on one important global topic, and help raise awareness.

Founded in 2007, Blog Action Day brings together bloggers, vloggers, podcasters, data producers and social media users. Hundreds of thousands of people take part in Blog Action Day from a hundred countries all over the planet. They will cover a wide range of interests in dozens of languages. On this day everyone comes together to address one important global topic all on the same day.

Previous topics have included water, climate change, poverty and food. This year the topic is the Power of We, it is a celebration of people working together to make a positive difference in the world.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Next: How We Can Leverage Businesses and People in Our Efforts to Combat Climate Change

Related Articles
Blog Action Day 2011: Food
Blog Action Day 2010: Raising Awareness about Water
Blog Action Day 2009: Climate Change
Blog Action Day 2009: One of the Largest Climate Change Events Ever Held on the Web 
Blog Action Day 2009: What Business Can Do To Help Manage Climate Change
Social Media Marketing and Environmental Sustainability
Social Media and the Green Message: WWF Global Online Event
Read More»
Subscribe to: Posts ( Atom )