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Why triple bottom line reporting ?
" to create long term economic value for society- shareholders and other stakeholders alike- companies must also create social and environmental value"
Europe banks on green entrepreneurs in climate challenge By: Megan Darby
"For climate innovation to get into the market, it has got to be attractive to people," says Templer. and admits the decision to separate climate and energy "Was a bit mystifying". The energy KIC, "Clean" coal as well as low carbon technology. Templer says he joined Climate-KIC because he wanted less talk and more action.
10 startling facts about global wealth inequality
"Our estimates suggest that the lower half of the global population possesses barely 1% of global wealth, while the richest 10% of adults own 86% of all wealth, and the top 1% account for 46% of the total. " the richest 85 people in the world are worth more than the poorest 3.5 billion. Switzerland leads in average wealth, with each adult worth, on average, $513,000. Australia leads with $220,000. They're followed by Luxembourg, Belgium, France, Italy, the UK, and Japan. The U.S. falls way back on this measure, with a median wealth of just $45,000. Most Americans are worth less than most Italians, Belgians and Japanese.
Fox's Tucker Carlson Calls The Term "Climate Change Denier" Inherently "Anti-Science"
"That's The Kind Of Language Religious People Use"
Holistic Perspective Sustainability
A way of living that is capable of guaranteeing continuing of life for all
Business Perspective Sustainability
Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level Method of harvesting or using resources so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged"
Energy in an urbanizing world ExxonMobil's
According to ExxonMobil's Outlook for Energy, global energy demand will increase by 25 percent over the same period. Twenty-five years ago there were only 10 urban areas in the world that could boast more than 10 million inhabitants. Onitsha is less developed than similarly sized cities in China and India, but the city's rising middle class is hungry to make the switch to modern, energy-efficient household appliances, a change that USAID and the Nigerian Energy Support Program estimate could reduce energy consumption by as much as 40 percent. In addition, incentives for installing rooftop solar panels adopted in 2015 cut through what was previously a stifling bureaucratic process, guaranteeing that applications for rooftop solar panels are processed in weeks. Below are five metropolises where increasing urbanization means governments are already changing their energy footprints. To solve their energy problems, city leaders adopted an energy-saving building code in 2012.
Nearly half of U.S. seafood supply is wasted, study shows
As much as 47 percent of the edible US seafood supply is lost each year, mainly from consumer waste, new research suggests. The findings come as food waste in general has been in the spotlight and concerns have been raised about the sustainability of the world's seafood resources. In the U.S. and around the world, people are being advised to eat more seafood, but overfishing, climate change, pollution, habitat destruction and the use of fish for other purposes besides human consumption threaten the global seafood supply.
Cooling India Without Making a Hot Mess
As the country's economy improves—and temperatures rise—tens of millions of people are installing air conditioners. That spells trouble for climate change. t's easy to get lost in a land of mechanical specifics and chemical jargon when exploring this issue, but the bottom line is this: The new air-conditioner habit in India—and in other developing countries—could have serious ramifications for climate change.
Costa Rica- Sustainable Practices
At its core, sustainability is the synthesis of three factors: society, economy, and environment. These days Costa Rica is known as a global leader in sustainability. The CST program has done a great job making sustainability more mainstream in Costa Rica.
How Bamboo Could Soon be Part of Your Commute Ford Motor Company
Bamboo is just one of many materials Ford is working with to help lessen the use of petroleum-based plastics in vehicles. Research so far has led to the use of several sustainable materials in Ford vehicles today: soy foam, castor oil, wheat straw, kenaf fiber, cellulose, wood, coconut fiber and rice hulls. It's all part of Ford's journey to develop a more sustainable future.
Bangladesh struggles to turn the tide on climate change as sea levels rise
Bangladesh is already one of the most climate vulnerable nations in the world, and global warming will bring more floods, stronger cyclones. "This is a dry season business. But for the last couple of years, the rain has become more frequent. It is very bad for the dry fish." An organisation that helps local communities affected by the changing climate. "Day by day, salt water enters the land. In Kutubdia, every year, the government builds the embankment and every year, it is destroyed."
Bill Gates: the energy breakthrough that will "save our planet" is less than 15 years away
Bill Gates is one of those people for whom "needs no introduction" is actually true. The polymathic Microsoft founder now leads the world's largest and most important private foundation, and he's using that "platform to predict" that we're finally on the cusp of the clean energy breakthrough that's going to save the world.
China's new pollution tax excludes greenhouse gases
China has enacted a series of taxes on various types of industrial pollution. But to the dismay of even some of its own government researchers, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are not included in the tax plan.Still, for the first time ever, public institutions and companies that discharge listed pollutants directly into the environment will face specific environmental protection taxes. Under the law passed Dec. 25 by China's National People's Congress, emissions of such things as sulphur dioxide and sulfite will be taxed at 1.2 yuan
Coca-Cola company
Coca-Cola, once criticized for the amount of water it uses, has become the first Fortunate 500 company replenish all the water it uses globally.
4. DEMOCRATIZATION How can genuine democracy emerge from authoritarian regimes?
Democracy relationship citizen and government process Basic Right Individuals Sustainable Global Democratic System take place. Laws and institution benefiting individual rights, educated informed new political parties such as Pirate Parties in 50 countries, free sharing information and knowledge - 40% living in 88 Free Countries - 25% living in 59 Partly Free Countries - 35% living in 40 Countries Not Free - 29.8 million people modern-slavery worldwide, 21 million people forced labor - World political and civil liberties in 54 countries, improve in 40 countries -
The invisible threat
Each week, Dallas County health workers set out scores of small traps in neighborhoods across the city and its suburbs, looking for infected mosquitoes that could offer an early warning about a possible disease risk. The small traps are baited with a homemade broth called "stinkwater" that replicates the odors of the fetid swamps preferred by females for laying eggs.
Brazil's plan to roll back environment laws draws fire: 'The danger is real'
Environmentalists and indigenous rights campaigners have attacked efforts by the Brazilian government to roll back laws protecting the environment and indigenous territories, warning the moves could have disastrous consequences and even threaten the country's ability to meet its commitments under the Paris climate deal.
Target corporate responsibility
Every time we open our doors, we continue a commitment that's been growing since 1946: a brighter future for our team members, our communities and the world we live in. Supporting communities through giving has always been a cornerstone of our business and a belief that guides so many of our decisions. Each year, we've given 5 percent of our profit to communities, which today equals millions of dollars a week. We also believe that donating our time, talent and resources is equally important as the income we give. Our team members give hundreds of thousands of hours volunteering in their communities every year.
Clearer picture emerging over Brazil's mining disaster
Experts say Brazil's Rio Doce region will take decades to recover, after 2015's devastating mine waste spill. Fishermen face an uncertain future, while the potential for further accidents looms. What is widely considered Brazil's worst environmental disaster occurred November 5, 2015, when a tailings dam in the Mariana district burst, unleashing millions of tons of toxic mud.
U.S. confirms Florida Zika cases are first local transmission in any state
Florida and federal officials on Friday confirmed the first local spread of the Zika virus through infected mosquitoes in the continental United States.
1. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE How can sustainable development be achieved for all while addressing global climate change?
Focusing new technologies: Electric car, saltwater agriculture, -Green GPD increase while poverty and global GHG decrease 5 years - 2012 hottest, 2013 seventh hottest year - Natural disaster risk triple from $525.7 billion 40 years ago to 1.58 trillion. - Global waste increase 10-fold last century, could double by 2025 from today - Next 100 years could be disastrous - Oceans absorbs 30 million tons CO2 each day, increasing acidity Poorer country least GHGs most vulnerable climate change, because depend on agriculture,fisheries, lack financial and technology - Glaciers melting, Disease Patterns change, Coral Reefs dying -30% fish stock collapsed, 21% mammal species and 70% plants under treat - Daily avg. CO2 in Hawaii 400 ppm on May 10, 2013 - 2% global GPD ( $1.3 trillion per year) 10 key sectors toward low-carbon, green economy increase income per capita Reduce ecological Footprint 50% by 2050 -
ADM food
Food Ingredients If you're looking for something new, unique or on-trend for your food business, turn to ADM. Many of the world's largest and best-known food manufacturers think ADM first for their formulations. Our high-quality ingredients are in thousands upon thousands of the products consumers use and enjoy every day, from grains and meats to salad oils, yogurt and chocolate. To feed your food business, partner with ADM.
Wayward EPA Needs New Vision, Not More Money
Former EPA head Gina McCarthy clanged alarm bells Thursday over the Trump administration's proposed cuts to the EPA's massive budget. That's because the Trump administration wants to slash its $8.2 billion budget by at least 25 percent, a level not seen since 1991. The EPA employs about 15,000 people, with 40 state offices across the country and thousands of outside contractors. The new EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt, has already explained to a mayoral conference he wants to make sure budget cuts don't affect the Brownfields program, water infrastructure plans, and Superfund projects. Pruitt told E&E News that after only being at EPA a week, it's difficult for him to make the needed cuts as there are so many programs, grants, and contractors to evaluate.
Italian Coffee Giant An Italian Coffee Giant On The Future Of Sustainability
Founded by Francesco Illy, who invented what the company claims is the first "modern espresso machine," Andrea Illy talked about his views on sustainability, The company claims that its coffee growers receive on average, a 30% wage premium for working with Illy as compared to other fair trade systems. Fair Trade is based not on sustainability but solidarity. If we want to change the society we need to change now because (the ways things are set up) is systemically unsustainable. Businesses creates society, so to change society, we need to change the private sectors.
Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels is now owned by employees
Fox8: November 17, 2016After 28 years of operating one of the top-rated hotel and restaurant companies in the South, the founders of Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels announced that it is now 100% owned by its 600+ staff members. This makes QW one of only a few employee-owned restaurant and hotel companies in the entire country.
Bill Gates: Why do we care more about baldness than malaria?
Gates blames capitalism for channelling more money into curing minor ailments. Bill Gates has declared capitalism "flawed" because it channels more resources to curing minor ailments such as male baldness than to addressing the diseases that destroy millions of lives every year. He gave $1.5bn (£1bn) to the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation last year. "The malaria vaccine in humanist terms is the biggest need, but it gets virtually no funding. ou can only die from one of them.
Al Gore: The case for optimism on climate change
Gore asks three powerful questions about the man-made forces threatening to destroy our planet — and the solutions we're designing to combat them.
What can the Government do to boost entrepreneurship in 2013? By: YHP
Government try to further encourage entrepreneurship in the UK through a number of initiatives such as startup loans for young entrepreneurs, the Government backed GrowthAccelerator programme & the continued growth of TCIO, established by UKTI, which helps by attracting inward investment, and supporting companies in London's tech cluster who want to expand into international markets. Supporting startups in the Bedford community. A startup loan could help pay for your living costs for 3 years so you can concentrate on trying to build a business.
P&G Sustainability
Helping to Enable Consumers to Make More Sustainable Choices P&G is committed to offering consumers brands that meet and exceed expectations without compromise. We have established a long-term vision and set short-term goals to ensure we stay on track to one day achieve that vision. I need to... View P&G's Citizenship Report divider View Our Objective divider View what we're focused on
How Climate Change Could Spread Diseases Like Zika
Humans have taken every precaution to avoid mosquitoes and the diseases they carry, from Malaria to Zika. The link between climate change and mosquito-borne illness centers around how rising temperatures may expand the area in which mosquitoes can thrive. Mosquito populations would likely increase in those areas if temperatures hit the optimal range for mosquito breeding or if precipitation increases dramatically.
AFFORDABLE AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY The fight over how to power the developing world
In Cambodia, only 31 percent of the population has reliable power. In Haiti, it's 34 percent, and in ultra-modern Singapore, 72 percent of residents had electricity as of 2010, according to the World Bank. In war-torn South Sudan, where 50 percent of the population lives in poverty and the average life expectancy is 55 years, reliable power has largely fallen by the wayside. When the World Bank last tallied the numbers in 2010, a paltry 1.5 percent of the country's then-population of around 10 million people had access to electricity. Still, decentralized power has its limits, particularly with issues like solar energy storage far from figured out to generate large-scale electricity or ensure uninterrupted power. These countries provide stark examples of global "energy poverty," or the lack of access to reliable modern energy, which impacts an estimated 2 billion people worldwide.
Minerals and metals scarcity in manufacturing: The ticking time bomb
In Minerals and metals scarcity in manufacturing: scarcity can cause stress at any link of the supply chain, it is especially evident as you move down the supply chain. Data information, recycling technology, substitution technology and regulation are all considered required elements of any response to the issue of minerals and metals scarcity. And since the relationships between these resources are strong, both the causes of, and the solutions to scarcity are complex.
Brazil halves environment budget amid rising Amazon deforestation
In a bid to contain a growing budget deficit, the government has slashed the funding to enforce forest protection laws The Brazilian government is cutting its environment ministry budget by 51% as part of a bid to limit the country's spiralling deficit. The cuts come as deforestation rates are rising, driven by demand for timber, soy and beef. The Amazon region saw a 29% increase in forest clearance last year, It is an even steeper drop in spending than the 31% Donald Trump's administration is proposing for the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Holistic Perspective Innovation
Introduction of something new
Understanding Modern China
Is the West partly to blame for China's Environmental mess? Western countries, including the UK and the US, are often more than happy to blame issues with the environment on the industrialising BRICs and NICs; especially on China. It is no secret that China has some of the worst environmental issues in the world; it is the largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world, contributing to almost quarter of all emissions.
World Economic Why world mistrust must not threaten the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
It's a far cry from the hope we all felt in 2015, the year when world leaders agreed on two landmark accords for safeguarding the future of our planet and its people: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Climate Change accord, Both documents were built on world agreement, solid science and the conviction that the status quo was neither acceptable nor sustainable.
U.S. Green Building Council
LEED is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices across the globe. Watch our video to learn more about how LEED promotes better buildings and places that complement our environment and enhance our communities.
U.S. Green Building Council LEED
LEED v4 is bolder and more specialized for building projects worldwide. Materials: human health and the environment Performance-based: indoor environmental quality to ensure improved occupant comfort Smart grid: forefront with a credit that rewards projects for participating in demand response programs Water efficiency: evaluating total building water use
China Has Done More About Pollution Than You Think (But It Must Do More)
Look at the sky in China, and it's easy to think that the apocalypse is now. And China has the technology and human capital to get it done. But before the haze can clear, China must sharpen its focus on the implementation and enforcement of regulations. The State Council mandated reduction goals for each of the three key air pollution prevention and control regions.
The 10 Companies That Pay Americans The Least
Macy, Starbucks, Sears Holdings Cooperation, T-J-Maxx, Aramark, Target, Kroger, McDonald's Corp, Yum! Brands, Inc, Walmart Stores Inc.
The politics of climate change in the United States
Miami is dealing with the effects now. Receding glaciers, volatile weather, and rapid greenhouse gas accumulation all point towards human-induced climate change. In fact, 97 percent of published reports agree that climate change is fuelled by man-made greenhouse gases.
Guest Lecturers "Institutional Entrepreneurship vs Incrementalism: Sustainability Approaches, UNCGs Climate Action Plan and approaches
Mission: UNCG Sustainability Office practices in administrative units of the university and create a meaningful link between academics and operations. Vision: sustainable potential, and a culture sustainably minded leaders create solutions to global challenges. Dr. Shanna Eller - Sustainability Coordinator Coordinator in the Office March 2016. Maura Conley - Sustainability Program Specialist Maura Conley began the Sustainability Specialist position in November 2016.
Diseases Carried by Vectors
Mosquito sucking blood - VectorsClimate is one of the factors that influence the distribution of diseases borne by vectors (such as fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, which spread pathogens that cause illness). The geographic and seasonal distribution of vector populations, and the diseases they can carry, depends not only on climate but also on land use, socioeconomic and cultural factors, pest control, access to health care, and human responses to disease risk, among other factors
Americans may be wasting more food than they think
Most Americans are aware that food waste is a problem, are concerned about it, and say they work to reduce their own waste, but nearly three quarters believe that they waste less food than the national average, new research suggests.
Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, NC
Named the highest rated "Green" hotel and restaurant in America. Opened in late 2007, Proximity Hotel and Print Works Bistro are the first in the hospitality industry to obtain the USGBC's top level of certification. His "Sun" comment refers to the 100 solar rooftop panels that heat water for the AAA Four Diamond hotel. To illustrate how the hotel and bistro save energy without negatively affecting guest comfort, he asks, "How is it a compromise for a guest to shower with water that is heated by the sun? Or, how is it a compromise for a bistro guest if his or her dishes are washed with solar heated water?". "Proximity Hotel is especially to be commended for achieving LEED Platinum. This facility is one that both the community and its guests can be proud of," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO, Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. Officials from the USGBC will present the LEED Platinum plaque to the Proximity and Print Works Bistro at a ceremony at the hotel on November 10. Built and operated by Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels, the Proximity is just a stone's throw away from its sister businesses, Lucky 32 Kitchen and Wine Bar, Green Valley Grill and the Four Diamond O.Henry Hotel.
END OF NATURE In its pursuit of "smart cities," India is becoming a drier, hotter and angrier country
Now, more than ever, we need to recall our broken bonds with the natural world. As they and the greenery that sustains them fades, it is important to recognise that the smart-city era can never be realised without a sustaining natural environment. The Indian Space Research Organisation scientists recorded forest loss until 2013.
Which are the world's most polluted cities?
Of the 3,000 cities in the WHO's air quality database, the most polluted at the time of measurement was Onitsha, a fast-growing city in Nigeria, which recorded roughly 30 times more than the WHO's recommended levels of PM10 particles. Peshawar in Pakistan was in second place, followed by Zabol in Iran.
Climate Quickies: Scientists (Briefly) Discuss Climate Change
One of the problems with debunking climate change deniers is that they reuse old, long-debunked claims over and over, even long after those claims are shown to be wrong
Business perspective Entrepreneurship
Organizing, managing, and assuming the risk of a business / Organizing a business venture and assuming the risk for it
Building a Future for Ospreys
PPL companies have been partnering with others like the pennsylvania game commission to aid in the return of this magnificent raptor that includes putting up osprey nesting platforms which give these birds high places to nest in locations away from power lines Ospreys sometimes choose to nest on the tops of transmission tower putting them at risk
Peru's illegal gold mines are devastating the Amazon rain forest
Peru, the largest gold producer in Latin America and the sixth largest in the world, has long struggled with illegal gold mining. QUINCE MIL, Peru — The roads cutting through the Amazon rain forest are lined with signs encouraging people to protect Peru's natural resources and take care of the environment, but people aren't sure why the government posts them anymore.
Protein of Future Food
Plant proteins processed to chemically re-create the structure of meat are the next generation of vegetarian options, says Beyond Meat founder Ethan Brown. Ethan Brown Ethan Brown, CEO and founder of California-based Beyond Meat, is convinced there's a better way to feed the planet. But to get there, he has to persuade consumers that real...
Business Perspective Innovation
Process by which an idea or invention is translated to a good or service for which people will pay / New idea, method or device
Sustainability Emerges as a Business Model Proximity Hotel
Proximity Hotel is the first LEED Platinum "green hotel" and the building's design and construction followed guidelines of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™,
Mineral Scarcity Warning of shortage of essential minerals for laptops, cell phones, wiring
Researchers say global resource governance and sharing of geoscience data is needed to address challenges facing future mineral supply. Specifically of concern are a range of technology minerals, which are an essential ingredient in everything from laptops and cell phones to hybrid or electric cars to solar panels and copper wiring for homes.
Climate Time Machine This series of visualizations shows how some of Earth's key climate indicators are changing over time.
Sea Ice, Sea Level, Carbon Dioxide and Global Temperature
Entrepreneurs: China's Next Growth Engine?By: Julia Ebner
Should China want to remain an international economic superpower, it will need to substitute its current growth model - one largely based on abundant, cheap labor - with a different comparative advantage that can lay the foundation for a new, more sustainable growth strategy.
China and Sustainability: Connecting the Dots Between Economy and Ecology By: Richard Brubaker
Sustainability in China is a complex problem, encompassing more than solar panels, hybrid cars, and green buildings. It was an "AHA" moment for many, particularly those nearest the lake, and it was one of the first tipping points where China's planners began connecting the dots between economy and ecology.
State objective goal TBL
Sustainable development
Triple Bottom Line
TBL or 3BL " People, Planet, Profit" using societal and environmental not just economic
Mother Jones These Photos Show How the EPA News Transformed America Clean water, non-toxic ground, and silence we would never have had.
The Environmental Protection Agency has a murky future in the Trump administration. Hours before the President promised in his address to Congress "to promote clean air and clear water," he signed an executive order to roll back an Obama-era EPA clean water rule.
When the Millennium project found
The Millennium Project was founded in 1996
UK bottom of European avoidable food waste league
The UK produces the highest amount of avoidable food waste in Europe -- equivalent to a tin of beans per person per day, new research demonstrates. The study found that the bulk of the avoidable food waste was vegetables, fruit and cereals, partly due to the shorter shelf-life of these foods. However wasted meat contributes more to lost nitrogen and water resources.
A European View of Sustainability By: Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy
The biggest challenge is over-exploitation of natural resources. Human consumption goes beyond the natural boundaries of our planet. Our way of life, more specifically the way we run our economy, is simply not sustainable. We have to adjust the fundamentals of our economy. For instance, our economies do not put an economic value on a large number of benefits we receive for free. The value of a forest is taken into account when it is turned into timber, but not when it is kept intact. The value of natural resources should somehow be reflected in the economy.'
Duke Energy Sustainability
The decisions we make today that affect our "triple bottom line" - people, the planet and profits
Could these five innovations help solve the global water crisis?
The global water crisis has many causes, requiring many different solutions. As 1.2 billion people live in areas of water scarcity, these solutions must span policy, technology, and behaviour change to make a real difference. A number of technological innovations address the crisis in novel ways. We asked two water experts - Vincent Casey, senior water and sanitation adviser at WaterAid, and Hannah Safford, an energy and environmental policy analyst - to assess some of the most creative approaches.
Sustainability Emerges as a Business Model
The goal is to educate and introduce customers to the cost, health and environmental benefits of going green, Bartle says. Selling and Saving Green, why he's incorporating green strategies into his business plan. According to Bartle, new home sales show that green homes sell for a premium and sell faster. Green Key Real Estate that have successfully developed a formula that works.
Kraft Heinz Bid For Unilever Is Interesting Test Of Corporate Sustainability And Shareholder Value
The part of this which interests me, and which is interesting from the economic, not finance or business, point of view is what this tells us about corporate sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and the rather older and possibly more vicious shareholder value type of capitalism. For Unilever has long promoted itself as being very much in favour of those former two ideas and 3G Capital seems very much more interested in the last of those three ideas.
Holistic Perspective Entrepreneurship
The power to make things happen
Poverty Global Monitoring Report
The report details the decline of those living in global poverty, which is reclassified as living on $1.90 or less a day, to a forecast 9.6 percent of the world's population in 2015 - a projected 200 million fewer people living in extreme poverty than in 2012.
The 10 Fastest Growing Green Startups in 2016
These ten green startups didn't wait to adopt green practices but instead built their businesses on a platform for a greater, greener world. From healthy fast food to organic lawn care and alternative energy, and global-scale companies to grassroots organizations, here's a list of 10 of 2016's fastest growing green startups. Not only are green startups catching the eye of venture capitalists — they're gaining new support from socially responsible investors, green investors, and popular crowdfunding platforms. Green startups face additional challenges brought on by their inherent "triple bottom line." However, these ventures typically have founders with the passion and drive to rise above challenges. Some companies "go green" either to reduce environmental harm, or to gain consumer support.
Our Urban Campus
This is one of the many advantages of having an urban campus. The green roofs on our Doppler building and adjacent Meeting Center reduce building heating and cooling loads, clean and reduce storm water runoff by at least 70%, moderate the urban heat island effect and improve local air quality. Several years ago we outgrew our space in Seattle and we made a conscious choice to invest in downtown Seattle—even though it would have been cheaper to move to the suburbs. This unique approach is nearly 4x more efficient than traditional heating methods and will also enable the Westin Building data center to cut back on the energy it uses to cool its building. We offer PEV charging stations for our more than 25,000 employees in Seattle. This "district energy" system works by capturing heat generated at a non-Amazon data center in the neighboring Westin Building and recycling that heat through underground water pipes instead of venting it into the atmosphere.
Malaria, Mosquitoes, and DDT The toxic war against a global disease
This year, like every other year within the past couple of decades, uncountable trillions of mosquitoes will inject malaria parasites into human blood streams billions of times. Some 300 to 500 million full-blown cases of malaria will result, and between 1 and 3 million people will die, most of them pregnant women and children. That's the official figure, anyway, but it's likely to be a substantial underestimate, since most malaria deaths are not formally registered, and many are likely to have escaped the estimators. Very roughly, the malaria death toll rivals that of AIDS, which now kills about 3 million people annually. But unlike AIDS, malaria is a low-priority killer. Despite the deaths, and the fact that roughly 2.5 billion people (40 percent of the world's population) are at risk of contracting the disease, malaria is a relatively low public health priority on the international scene. Malaria rarely makes the news. And international funding for malaria research currently comes to a mere $150 million annually. Just by way of comparison, that's only about 5 percent of the $2.8 billion that the U.S. government alone is considering for AIDS research in fiscal year 2003.
James Hansen: Why I must speak out about climate change
Top climate scientist James Hansen tells the story of his involvement in the science of and debate over global climate change. In doing so he outlines the overwhelming evidence that change is happening and why that makes him deeply worried about the future.
How climate activist Ma Jun went from China's enemy to ally By David McKenzie, CNN
Trump is promising to reduce energy regulations, eliminate the carbon reducing Climate Action Plan, and has called climate change a hoax.
UNDEREMPLOYMENTU.S. underemployment rate from March 2016 to March 2017 (by month)
Underemployment in the United States As decreasing since the year 2016. In March 2017, the U.S. underemployment rate was at 13.5 percent. Nevada leads the above mentioned ranking of the U.S. underemployment rate by state.
Why Startups Are Not Interested in Sustainability
Until the culture of this space changes, together with the perception of sustainability, I doubt if we'll see any change in the focus of new startups when it comes to sustainability. Of course there will always be exceptions. But if we want to change the status quo, we need the majority of startups to focus on sustainability issues. Otherwise, "living in the future" might not be that pleasant, not even in Silicon Valley.
Narendra Modi, Favoring Growth in India, Pares Back Environmental Rules
VAPI, India — Factory owners in this city on the western coast of India have been fuming, railing, and arguing for years against a single troublesome number: the pollution index used by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, which identified Vapi as an area so badly contaminated that any further industrial growth there was banned. Make sure that business owners would invest in the equipment necessary to monitor their own pollution levels, as envisaged in the government's new "utmost good faith" policy. Or at least, the ones who could afford it would.
NASA Global Climate Change
Vital Signs of the planet
Officials Preparing for Zika Virus to Spread in the U.S.
WASHINGTON — The federal government, preparing for homegrown cases of the Zika virus, is planning to release a proposal for responding to them
Climate Change May Make Insect-Borne Diseases Harder to Control
Warmer temperatures will combine with numerous other factors to make diseases like malaria and West Nile virus harder to control
Promising Zika vaccine moves to next stage
We are one step closer to a vaccine against the Zika virus. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, said Friday that the DNA vaccine candidate developed by scientists at NIAID's Vaccine Research Center has been a success in animal trials and in the first human trial of the vaccine.
Bunge palm oil company
While not a plantation company, we recognize the important role we can play in encouraging a transition to more sustainable palm oil production practices that exclude the conversion of areas of high conservation value or high carbon stock, minimize greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, utilize responsible agronomic practices, and protect the rights of workers and local communities.
Scientists just found another key threat to global food security
With the world's population expected to exceed 9 billion people by the year 2050, producing enough food for everyone is a top concern for global policymakers. In a new study in Nature Communications, a group of researchers concluded that the world's grasslands are going to need a lot more phosphorus — an important nutrient for plants — if they're going to produce enough grass to meet future food demands.
what is the millennium project?
an independent non-profit global participatory futures research think tank of futurists, scholars, business planners, and policy makers who work for organizations, governments and cooperation
Skeptical Climate Scientists Coming In From the Cold 17.1k Shares Member Options Sign up | Sign In By James Varney, RealClearInvestigations
global warming as something less than a planet-ending calamity believe the incoming Trump administration may allow their views to be developed and heard. This didn't happen under the Obama administration, which denied that a debate even existed. Now, some scientists say, a more inclusive approach - and the billions of federal dollars that might support it - could be in the offing. "Here's to hoping the Age of Trump will herald the demise of climate change dogma, and acceptance of a broader range of perspectives in climate science and our policy options," Georgia Tech scientist Judith Curry wrote this month at her popular Climate Etc. blog.
What benefits do companies have?
increase level of trust with consumers, gain credibility, and has potential to abstract new investment and employees
Global inequality may be much worse than we think
it's familiar news by now. Oxfam's figures have gone viral: the richest 1% now have more wealth than the rest of the world's population combined. Global inequality is worse than at any time since the 19th century. The first thing to say about Oxfam's numbers is that they present a very conservative picture. Given that the rich hide so much of their wealth in tax havens and secrecy jurisdictions, it is impossible to know how much they really have. Recent estimates suggest that up to $32tn is stored away in tax havens - around one sixth of the world's total private wealth. If we were to add that to Oxfam's metrics, inequality would look much, much worse.
TBL focuses corporation
not just economic value, environmental and social value that they add or destroy
The millennium project consists of what?
sustainable development and climate change, clean water, population and resources, democratization, global foresight, convergence of IT, rich-poor gap, health issues, education, peace and conflict, status of women, transnational organized crime, energy, global ethics
Tucker Carlson Takes on Bill Nye 'the Science Guy' Over 'Climate Deniers' [VIDEO]
talked about climate change, and how 'deniers' exhibited signs of cognitive dissonance - believing contradictory concepts.
3. POPULATION AND RESOURCES How can population growth and resources be brought into balance?
- Balance future population and resources: Vegetarianism, synthetic biology and longevity technologies. Teach urban ecology, access R&D, tele-education and seawater agriculture -World population grow 1 billion in 12 years, food should increase 70% by 2050 - 8.3 billion to 10.9 billion in 20150 - 52% world population Urban Areas by 2050 increase 58% -2025, 4.3 billion resident generated 2.2 billion tons solid waste, increase from 1.3 billion per year -Birth 70.5 years grow to 80 by 2100 -2.2 billion people diet insects - Farmland and agriculture $ 25 billion could triple next 3 to 5 years. agriculture decline 9-12% by 2050 result Global Warning - 1 in 8 people chronically undernourished
2. CLEAR WATER How can everyone have sufficient clean water without conflict?
- demand for freshwater could be reduced by saltwater agriculture on coastlines, hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical urban agriculture installations in buildings, the production of pure meat without growing animals, increased vegetarianism, fixes for leaking pipes, and the reuse of treated water. Over two years billion people have gained access to improved drinking water since 1990, but 783 million people still do not have such access. Water tables are falling around the world, 40 percent of humanity gets its water from sources controlled by two or more countries, and global water demand could be 40 percent more than the current supply by 2030 (2030 Water Resources Group 2009). The slow but steady Himalayan meltdown is one of the greatest environmental security threats in Asia. Its mountains contain 40 percent of the world's freshwater, which feeds 40 percent of humanity via seven great Asian rivers. Breakthroughs in desalination — such as the pressurization of seawater to produce vapor jets, filtration via carbon nanotubes, and reverse osmosis — are needed along with less costly pollution treatment and better water catchments. - Future demand for freshwater could be reduced by saltwater agriculture on coastlines, hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical urban agriculture installations in buildings, the production of pure meat without growing animals, increased vegetarianism, fixes for leaking pipes, and the reuse of treated water.
The 15 Worst Companies For The Planet
-Archer Daniels Midland: The agricultural giant isn't terribly green. While it's working on many bio fuels, it has faced hundreds of millions of dollars worth of lawsuits for various types of pollution. - AES Utilities are just gross. While AES joined the US Climate Action Partnership, the industry group that supports cap and trade in July, it's a huge polluter. - PPL Allentown, PA-based electricity company PPL is hell on the world, but at least it's upfront about it. On PPL's website is a good section on its carbon emissions. Alas, "PPL currently has no formal greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan in place." It blames the lack of coherent regulation. -Progress Energy Being ranked the 12th worst company in the world has to hurt Progress Energy a bit. The company was named to Dow Jones sustainability Index for the fifth year in a row for being a leader at "managing economic, environmental and social issues." It even offers customers a chance to buy carbon offsets. -Duke Energy Jim Rogers is one of the most famous utility CEOs out there. He's been on 60 Minutes and The Colbert Report talking about clean energy. He's even said he doesn't see a future for coal in the US. Despite all his clean energy talk, however, he's Mr. Carbon Emissions. -FirstEnergy You just can't generate electricity and not pollute. As an aside, we saw that the CEO of FirstEnergy took a 25% pay cut as the recession took its toll on the utility. We don't know if this was up to him, but it seems like a decent thing to do. - Southern Wow. Southern really wants you to think it's green. Go to its website. First thing you see, "Exporting Clean Coal." Undearneath that? Carbon capture, smart grid, corporate responsibility. -Bunge This agribuisiness doesn't have any sort of mention of the environment on its front page, so no wonder it has one of the lowest reputational ratings. -American Electric Power The company is about to fire up the world's first carbon capture plant. Good thing. Its coal plants are spewing lots and lots of carbon dioxide. If its clean coal plant works, maybe it will turn things around. -Ameren This utility serving Missouri and Illinois is better than many, since it uses natural gas and nuclear power. - Consol Energy As one of the country's biggest coal miners, Consol is one the worst environmental offenders. -ConAgra Foods One of the biggest packaged food companies is also one of the worst for the earth. In 2006, ConAgra was ripped by CERES for its lack of environmentally responsible behavior. -Allegheny Energy While it's obviously not doing well on this list, Allegheny appears to be taking some proactive steps, including spending $1.2 billion on clean air technology. It's also measuring its carbon dioxide emissions, and looking at alternatives. -NRG Energy NRG Energy is another hulking utility that belches pollution. It's also tiptoeing its way into cleaner energy. It's going to be testing clean coal, with the help of a big check from the DOE. It's also going to build solar and wind farms. -Peabody Energy Worst of the worst. Peabody Energy (BTU) is a coal company, so this makes sense, but boy did they flame out on Newsweek's rankings. Peabody's environmental impact is huge, says Newsweek, and its environmental policies are minimal.
Almost 20 percent of grain in China lost or wasted from field to fork
A comprehensive new review of food waste in the People's Republic of China has concluded that about 19 of every 100 pounds of grain produced in the country go to waste, with related losses of water for irrigation and farmland productivity.
Canada must leave most of its fossil fuels in the ground to help world avoid climate catastrophe
A new report has a clear message for the world, and for Canada: We must leave the majority of our fossil fuel reserves in the ground to avoid the worst effects of climate change. Thursday, January 8, 2015, 4:35 - When it comes to avoiding the worst effects of climate change, a new report draws a line in the sand - or the oil sands, in the case of Canada.
46% of Americans Say They Are Underemployed
A new study from PayScale.com found that 46% of American workers today consider themselves underemployed, and it's a safe bet that if these people aren't working to their full potential, they're not earning as much as they could, either. PayScale found that a little over half of respondents with a high school or equivalent education are underemployed. People with some college coursework under their belt but no degree reported the highest level of underemployment at 57%.
5 New Solutions For The Fashion Industry's Sustainability Problem We buy-and throw out-more clothes than ever. It's time for new innovation to lower the footprint of our clothing.
A new type of microbe can eat an old shirt and break the polymer down into a basic raw material that can be sold back to polyester manufacturers. The process even works on fabrics that are a mix of materials, like cotton and polyester. The result is cheaper than making new fabric from petroleum. Growing a traditional fabric like cotton usually has an enormous footprint: It can take more than 20,000 liters of water to grow enough cotton for a single pair of jeans, and cotton also uses more insecticides than any other crop in the world. This new process uses an environmentally friendly solvent to dissolve old cotton clothing into a cotton-like material that can be spun into new fibers-eliminating both waste and the problems that come with growing new cotton.
Governance questions posed by the changing U.S. political landscape
A particular focus is currently on the United States, with the new Trump Administration now in place. The specific policy changes of the Trump administration and their implications are still taking shape, and remain a point of controversy, both politically and economically.