Environment Test 2
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), as we have learned in this class is best defined as
Environmental impacts a product might have over the course of its life
What are the tax implications of being a "b-corp" in Louisiana and other states?
No tax breaks for benefit corps or certified b corps in LA or other states
Environmental Justice can best be described as
Not having citizens' environmental rights be disproportionately affected because of the socio-economic standing
Performance Economy
insists on the importance of selling services rather than products
List 5 forms of renewable energy sources
Wind Hydropower Geo-thermal Tidal Solar
What are your overall thoughts of the idea of the "Benefit Corporation?"
Using business as a force for good
What are the major categories of LEED Credits and what are some examples of what the MCCNO is doing to be a more sustainable facility going forward.
*1. ARC status* -Energy -Water -Waste -Transportation -Human experience *2. Mandatory requirements and policies: prerequisites* 1. Energy -Energy efficiency best management practices -Fundamental refrigerant management 2. Materials/resources: -Purchasing policy -Facility maintenance & renovation policy 3. Indoor environmental quality -Minimum indoor air quality -Smoking policy -aGreen clean policy *3. Credits* -Rainwater management -Heat island reduction -Light pollution reduction -Site management -Purchasing tracking -Enhanced refrigerant management -Grid harmonization -Green cleaning -Integrated pest management
the three "Scopes" of a carbon footprint analysis (pp. 86-92)
(1) "direct" emissions from sources your company owns or controls, including: ---On-site fuel combustion including generation of heat, steam and electricity in company-owned equipment ---Fuel combustion in company owned vehicles/airplane/ship/heavy machinery ---"fugitive emissions" from company owned facilities or equipment due to leaks, spills, or evaporation ---Agricultural activities and land use changes (2) "indirect emission" from purchased electricity, steam or heat used to run offices, factories and other facilities (3) "other indirect value chain" emissions triggered by your company's activities but from sources not owned or directly controlled, including: ---Fuel combustion in vehicles/airplanes/ships/rail owned by others ---Employee commuting ---Customers' use of the products or services sold ---Recycling and disposal of the product ---Extraction and production of all goods purchased ---Waste disposal and wastewater treatment that is contracted out ---Any other supply chain or outsourced activities
discuss the keys of Mainstream Appeal:
*"From Eco Friendly to Male Ego Friendly,"*: men feel like it isn't masculine to use reusable shopping bags because they look like a man purse. 82% of people correlate being green to being feminine. Men do not want to give up steak and their trucks to drive a pruis. That is why the tesla cars are so amazing because they are a sexy male sports car that is also ecofriendly. Something like the nissan leaf is too girlie. *"Lose the Crunch,"*: steve jobs endorsed the nissan leaf as not just a card for tree huggers, but all people who want a good car. If it is too granola, it sends a message to the mainstream consumer that the product is not for them. *"Kill the Sustainability Tax,"* the price premium for sustainable products. Sustainable products are more expensive which makes mainstream people believe they cannot afford them. Green products are perceived to be only for the rich and elite. The people who are rich enough to care. *"Overcoming Cynacism"*: eco-suspicion and eco-confusion stopped people from buying eco products. People had a hard time believing that companies actually cared.
Know major concepts of the Louisiana Environmental Scorecard Program discussed in class via the powerpoint. What kind of policy was it (based on regulations or economic incentives?). How did it work? Which industry did it target? How did the formula work? What are key "variables" in the "formula?" Was the program successful and why (i.e., how would you "measure" its success?) Is the importance of tax exemptions the same for companies in any industry? What are the major factors that contribute to a company's plan to site in a given location (use a petroleum refinery/chemical manufacturing company as an example). How does that compare to say the film industry?
*Attributes* ---Developed to help reduce Louisiana's pollution and improve its economy ---Joint policy initiative by the state's department of environmental quality and economic development *Mechanism and timing* ---Ties companies industrial property tax exemptions to their environmental records ---Implemented and effective from December 1990-jan 1992 before being dismantled by the new administration *Formula of policy* Base score (50) Regular points: + compliance record (max 25) + emissions to jobs ratio (max 25) = preliminary score + Bonus Points (5 categories) (max 15) = total score (<= 100) ----> final score correlates to percentage of tax exemption granted *Benefits of the Scorecard program* Qualitative ---Companies want to maximize their property tax exemption ---Emission reductions would reduce future emissions-per-jobs ratio ---Discourages delay tactics of compliance fines and penalty assessments ---More savings associated with decreased disposal costs of hazardous wastes (from reductions) - these savings were not in the scope of research ---Public opinion of companies' "grades" from the scorecard (ie A good, F bad) Quantitative ---Pollution reduction of TRI (36 million lbs) and Criteria Air Emissions (141.8 million lbs) ---Economic incentives to companies of >$7 million ---Allowed local governments to recoup over $5.2 million over next 10 years for education (1.7% of the total $293.7 million requested in 1991)
Next Billions and the Green Giant Effect (who do you feel are some of the next Green Giant companies, and why?)
*Beyond Meat Burgers*: they are pioneering, along with others, to make a burger patty that tastes exactly like the beef burger. *Lush*: has mainly bar soaps which do not require plastic wrapping. They have bar shampoos and bar conditioners to help people transition into a plastic free lifestyle. *Stella McCartney*: she has the first vegan luxury brand. Her bags are as iconic as a gucci or prada bag which is made from leather or fur. The products are very expensive and typically crunchy, granola type people do not spend $500 on a purse. Doing the right thing is made easy because you just want to buy the products and then realize after that it was all sustainably sourced. *Love Beauty and Planet (a unilever brand)*: makes all soaps in an ocean recycled plastic packaging. *REI*: they have promotions such as "opt outdoors" and are involved in environmental initiatives. They are making a big impact on people who enjoy spending time in nature, but definitely appeal to the eco types.
Measuring your company's waste (pp 93-94)
*Hauler records*: haulers track the amount of waste picked up. *Waste auditing*: physically collecting and sorting out waste. You can measure out and count recyclables versus trash. *Reviewing purchasing records*: helps to pinpoint exactly what was purchased. *Surveying and talking to employees*: employees can yield helpful data and show you where you should be looking for waste. *Walking through facilities*: help see all aspects of a business to see what needs focusing in on.
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) pp. 98-103 (what is LCA, understand the example of the paper cup)
*LCA method is to assess various environmental impacts across different stages of a product's life Most LCAs set out to assess the environmental impacts of products from "cradle to grave" (resource extraction to final disposal)* *Four stages* 1. Define the goal and scope 2. Assemble the "life cycle inventory" 3. Assess the impacts 4. Interpret the results *Lifecycle of a paper cup* ---Forestry practices to grow and harvest trees ---Steel to make the machines that turn trees into pulp, and energy to run those machines ---Water and dyes to turn pulp into paper ---Glue to put the cup together ---Electricity or natural gas for operating the machinery to form the cup ---Production waste (wastewater, scrap paper material, waste glue, rejected low-quality cups) ---All the packaging and transportation-related inputs and outputs involved in shipping the cup to the retailer or consumer ---The consumer's trip to the store to purchase the cup ---The trash that results from disposing of the cup and original packaging *Simplified/screening LCA* ---Most common approach ---Quick and cheap ---Smaller/medium businesses *Full/extensive LCA* ---Costly, resource-intensive exercises usually undertaken by large companies and/or business that plan to market environmentally friendly on their products.
LEED/USGBC
*LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design* ---Eco-oriented building certification program which rates new constructions and major renovations on how green and sustainable the new building is. *USGBC: US Green Building Council* ---membership-based non-profit organization that promotes sustainability in building design, construction, and operation. USGBC is best known for its development of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating systems and its annual Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, the world's largest conference and expo dedicated to green building
discuss and provide examples related to the three pillars of A New Behavioral Contract (Pre-Sponsibility, Truth-Sparency, Experimental Collaboration/Making Frenemies)
*Pre-Sponsibility*: Unilever building a consumer use phase into its emissions reduction goals (emissions from when the consumer uses the product and washes the soap down the drain and waits for the shower to be heated): ---The act of proactively taking responsibility for your entire footprint before someone else puts pressure on you to do so. ---Taking ownership on the full life cycle impact of your products. *Truthparency*: upon getting backlash from using palm oil, unilever cut ties with the company they were receiving palm oil from and made a statement to the public that honestly states how greenpeace's claims were accurate and that unilever is committed to sustainable sourcing. ~This has become a competitive advantage.~ *Experimental Collaboration/Making Frenemies*: Unilever's sustainable shower sessions to get collaboration from people on how to reduce shower times. ---Coke and pepsi come together to discuss recycling. Both donated to the closed loop fund which aimed to make recycling available to all americans. Inviting businesses to collaborate to solve problems. *Making frenemies*: the closed loop fund is when companies come together to solve a bigger issue. Walmart and Patagonia come together to approach other companies to address a common challenge on how to make apparel more sustainable. You can achieve much more with others than you can alone.
What is an EMS? Why do you think more and more companies are developing EMS's today? What are 5 key elements of an EMS? What is ISO 14000 and why would companies want to do this?
-Environmental Management Systems - formalized management of a company's internal environmental protocols. The EMS is comprehensive, systematic, and well-documented tool of oversight and management. -Companies are now held to higher standards than they once were. People are checking their sustainability reports and pressuring CEO's to release GRI reports. People are embracing the idea of voting with your dollar and want to invest in companies who are willing to invest in societal wellbeing *5 key elements of an EMS* ---Policy statement (company stance) ---Identify major environmental impacts ("aspects" of all impacts within company) ---Develop goals, objectives, and targets (ie planning component) ---Train employees (ie documentation component of the system) ---Management oversight and review (includes auditing functions) *ISO 14000* - international standards organization standards for environmental - related issues in a company (14000 series). ISO 14001 refers specifically to the certification standards for a company's EMS. ---Environmental policy statment ---Identification of environmental aspects and impacts ---Environmental-related legal issues ---Goals, objectives, milestones of EMS ---Organizational structure ---Training, communication, EMS documentation
Describe/discuss why the MCCNO is such an important economic engine for New Orleans (what do they do, what are they, what is their vision/mission, why do people come there, how many employees, what is their annual economic impact to the city, etc)
-Largest contiguous prime exhibit space in US with 1.1M sq ft under one roof, over 3 m sq ft under one roof -GBAC and LEED facility -Organizations-level vision: to be a leading-edge organization known for innovative delivery of exceptional event experience in a world-class destination -Organization sustainability vision: to be a leader in the convention industry in sustainability and a model to the New Orleans market -Why convention centers? 1. Meet colleagues in person 2. Get educated 3. Network and make deals 4. Major announcements 5. See, taste and feel products 6. Visit New Orleans! -Employees: 250 full-time staff and 250 part time staff, 24,250 supported jobs -Profit: Big Economic Impacts ---$2.4B (1.3B direct) Total economic impact in 2018
What does it mean to be a "Benefit Corporation." What are some of its major characteristics?
-New legal tool that creates a solid foundation for long term mission alignment and value creation. It protects mission through capital raises and leadership changes, creates more flexibility when evaluating potential sale and liquidity options, and prepares businesses to lead a mission-driven life post-IPO -A benefit corporation is a traditional coporation with modified obligations committing it to higher standards of purpose, accountability and transparency: *Purpose*: benefit corporations commit to creating public benefit and sustainable value in addition to generating profit. This sustainability is an integral part of their value proposition *Accountability*: benefit corporations are committed to considering the company's impact on society and the environment in order to create long-term sustainable value for all stakeholders *Transparency*: benefit corporations are required to report, in most states annually and using a third party standard, showing their progress towards achieving social and environmental impact to their shareholders and in most cases the wider public
Triple Bottom Line Reporting
-an accounting framework with three parts: social (people), environmental (planet) and financial (profit). -believes that companies should commit to focusing as much on social and environmental concerns as they do on profits. -Demands that companies place responsibility in the stakeholders, not shareholders.
Circular Economy
1-Cradle to Cradle 2-Performance Economy 3-Biomicry 4-Natural Capital 5-Industrial Ecology 6-Blue Economy 7-Regenerative Design
Know the 7 principles of Mainstream Appeal
1. Make it personal: make it about people first, and then the planet second. Unless you are eco minded you do not want to hear about the planet you want to know how the product is going to benefit you personally. 2. Behavior first, attitudes second: attitudes often follow behaviors. Behaviors often follow a set of beliefs. Lure people in for a reason other than the environment. 3. Guilt doesn't sell: guilt shuts people down and makes them sad. We want to make people feel encouraged, like they are doing something good. "Food with integrity" sign in the Chipotle video that did not go anywhere near the store, just on youtube and into movie theaters. 4. Make it easy: make it something people can wrap their brains around and feel good about. 5. Make it normal: people want to live a normal sustainable life. People do not want to have to make conscious visible choices. 6. Lose the labels: green and sustainable are too mainstream and misguiding. 7. Make it modern: better to be forward thinking than green.
What does LEED provide?
A competitive guide for lowering a building's environmental impact, focusing on energy efficiency
Louisiana's Environmental Scorecard program was an attempt at (most accurate answer)
A joint economic and environmental policy between the State's Departments of Economic Development and Environmental Quality
How did our coastal wetlands develop in the first place (i.e, what natural forces helped create them)?
All built by the historical sheet-flow flooding (accretion process) of the Mississippi River Louisiana built via sediment deposition process
What is the largest component of Tulane's GHG emission inventory?
Buildings
Why should the business community care about wetland loss or any environmental resource depletion?
Businesses and the community should care about environmental resource depletion because these resources are used and unappreciated in every day life. People do not realize all of the risks and extinction around the fish that they eat or the fresh water they enjoy. Our way of life is all made possible by ecosystems and if those collapse, we will no longer be able to live our current lives.
Paris Climate Accords of 2015
Calls for a balance of climate finance between adaptation and mitigation and support for climate change solutions in less developed and small developing countries. Under the UN agreement and framework, an international treaty was written and signed in Paris in December 2015 which aimed to reduce the emissions of gasses that contribute to global warming.
which film did you watch as the replacement for our standard field trip and what are some of the most important things you learned from the film (that you didn't realize before)? Be able to discuss in a short paragraph questions like that regarding the film you watched.
Carbon Nation There are lots of unique solutions to climate change -military -algae gas -hybrid cars
Regenerative Design
Closed loop system of processes that restore, renew or revitalize their own sources of energy and materials, creating sustainable systems that integrate the needs of society with the integrity of nature (see multiple sources of definitions).
What are the different sources of power Entergy (and most other utilities) creates electricity from? What are the environmental problems associated with each of those different sources---how do they (sources of power) rate from better to worse in terms of impacts on Climate Change? One of the acronyms Rick notes in several places in the slides on the "sources" of power is CCGT (or "modern gas" post 2000)---what is that? (he mentioned briefly, but it is important).
Coal, nuclear, natural gas and hydro provide power to the electric grid ---Shift from coal to natural gas ---Seeing significant shift into renewables to help decarbonize the entire power system · CCGT: Combined cycle gas turbines
IMPORTANT: Entergy of course focuses on lots of very important issues in its operations, including compliance with laws and regulations, technology, efficiency, sustainability, climate, and politics, just to mention a few? Which is the single most important one----head and shoulders above the rest---and why (he mentioned this several times---and it is mentioned further down in this review guide)?
Compliance to the law so they don't get in trouble
Who are the 4 key stakeholders of Entergy? And which of those two can Entergy try to "attract" or "compete for" (the other two are already a "given"----based on the type of corporation Entergy is classified as)?
Customers, employees, communities and owners Employees and owners?
An example of a company's taking a strong social corporate responsibility stance is: A. Committing funds to improve local neighborhood recreational areas B. Providing the local community with factual and complete information about the businesses operations and environmental issues C. Triple bottom line reporting D. All of the above
D
Full Cost Accounting, as we have learned in this class is best defined as A. Incorporating all of a product's known costs, both internal and external to the production process B. Incorporating all of a products known costs throughout its lifecycle C. Including the externalities associated with a product D. All of the above
D
What is Entergy looking to now to base its "mission" on going forward on in terms of electricity with all sectors? Does "electrification" allow the company to (1) grow its load and (2) reduce its emissions at the same time? Can this be done and What does that ultimately depend on?
Decarbonization Partner with Mitsubishi to cofire hydrogen Power sector can help other sectors de-carbonize -If you electrify processes you can reduce emissions -Pragmatic way to help customers reduce emissions
Two Key features in the Scorecard formula were
Emissions-to-jobs ratio and compliance record
IMPORTANT (again): what is meant by the term "Proactive Compliance?" And why is this so important in an Environmental Strategy for a major utility company?
Engaging to make sure that use the regulations that you have to comply with whats coming down the pipe. You need to understand how things are going to change and how those are going to impact your business.
What is the nature of Entergy's business---and is it wholesale or retail or both? What sectors of the economy do they serve? Which sector is the biggest? What are primary factors or issues that utility companies (like Entergy) are judged on (he mentioned 2 specifically: affordability and reliability, which he said equates to the idea of customer sustainability---could you expound on that if asked)?
Entergy is both a wholesaler and a retailer because they sell to large companies and to individuals. They deal with the generation, transmission, distribution, and consumer aspects of energy. They are working throughout the whole energy creation and distribution process. They serve industrial, governmental, residential, and commercial Their biggest sector is industrial, then residential Factors utility companies are judged on: keeping power affordable, reliable, and increasingly sustainable Sectors: -Arkansas -Louisiana *biggest -Mississippi -New Orleans -Texas
EMS, as we have learned, is an acronym that defines the following:
Environmental Management System
The transfer of knowledge and information between the business community and the local citizenry regarding environmental risks, costs, and benefits related to the individual businesses and their potential impact on the local community is best defined as
Environmental communication
It appears the only reason petro-chemical companies like to site their plans in LA is because of the 10 year property tax exemption that goes along with their job creation
False
Triple Bottom Line Reporting involves which of the following elements?
Financial, Environmental Stewardship, and Corporate Social Responsibility
With regard to your reading from Chapter 4 in Profit and the Environment, GRI is an acronym that stands for
Global Reporting Initiative
GRI
Global Reporting Initiative: standards organization to help businesses, governments, and orgs understand and communicate their impacts on issues such as climate change, human rights, and corruption. Helps businesses become more transparent with their stakeholders about the impact that their production has on the environment.
List a few of the many benefits our coastal wetlands in Louisiana provide to both our animal and plant life as well as to humans, including socio- economic benefits.
Habitat for mammals, birds and nursery for marine organisms ---Commercial & recreational fisheries ---Other recreational activities Strom protection Oil and gas industry infrastructure protection Port and navigation protection
How would you define her "market" or her business model? Is it unique?
Her "market" is those looking to purchase locally made goods that give back to the environment. It is a unique business model that is starting to grow.
From Linda Baynham's talk on renewable energy issues, what is by far the most common source of renewable energy in the US?
Hydropower
An EMS Certification that is based on international standards is known as
ISO14000
Cradle to Cradle
Idea that all natural resources used in the human economy process are used over and over again as continual inputs (or feedstocks) and never wasted (never put into landfills). Resource extraction to recycling as opposed to disposal
According to the reading from Profit and the Environment, the credibility, quality, and usefulness of an Environmental Report (be it one that uses GRI guidelines or not) will BEST be enhanced through
Independent verification
What does LEED stand for?
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
IMPORTANT: as mentioned above on all of the important issues in its operations, do you feel Entergy's investors are more concerned and driven by short term political issues (i.e,, current federal or state administrations that are in power at any given time) or longer term issues like investment in sustainable technologies? So which of those two is the company more likely to follow? (the short term political issues of the day or the longer term sustainability investments for the future)?
Longer term issues like investment in sustainable technologies for the future
IMPORTANT: What is the #1 reason CEO's and CFO's care about environmental issues like pollution emissions (i.e., what does it tell them about their operations)?
Measure of company efficiency (waste is expensive) Moral Obligation Public Expectation
List some of the examples of how "Technology" will help Entergy meet NET ZERO emissions in 2050? How important is "Hydrogen" in their future portfolio?
NET ZERO -Legacy asset retirements -Renewables and storage -Nuclear license extensions -Hydrogen co-firing -Advanced hydrogen infrastructure -Offsets - to net out remaining emissions -Carbon capture -Advance nuclear HYDROGEN -Very important, partnered with Mitsubishi power to look at employing green hydrogen technology in mobile units, storage, generating hydrogen from nuclear and coupling that with short term storage in batteries -Going to have a power plant in Texas that will have the capability one day to co-fire hydrogen
Define Environmental Justice - what are some examples of environmental injustices locally and globally?
Not having individuals or group of individuals be disproportionately impacted (in a negative way) from an environmental standpoint. Ex: not having access to clean air, clean water, etc. o Bophal (1984) o Chernobyl (1986) o Exxon Valdez oil spill (1989) o Hurricane Katrina (2005) o BP Oil Leak (2010)
What are the three components of the "Integrated Utility" model that Entergy is a type of? Each component has its fair share of environmental issues (problems) associated with it----be able to discuss and give a couple examples of each.
POWER GENERATION o air emissions from fossil fuel burning facilities, waste that's generated, cola plants generate ash, hazardous waste that is generated from maintenance activies (cleaners, paints and solvents) TRANSMISSION o impacts wetlands, neighborhoods o kills wildlife DISTRIBUTION o kill wildlife,
An EMS is a continual cycle of activities that can be diagrammed most simply as
Plan - Do - Check - Review/Revise
According to Linda Baynham's talk on renewable energy policy, energy prices for wind and solar are still going up.
TRUE
List 6 benefits of Environmental Reporting
Tangible report of your EMS Good PR tool to show stakeholders Exposes inefficiencies and areas in need of improvement May give company a competitive edge Forms trust within community Keeps firm ahead of the curve and anticipating change
From what you know about the traditional utility model (i.e., the Grid---very centralized distribution of electricity) and info learned on solar power (i.e., solar panels on homes----very decentralized and on-site generation of electricity for each home), what do you see as the future of electricity in this country and others?
The future of electricity in this country is going to go towards more sustainable resources, such as solar power.
Industrial Ecology
The study of material resource and energy flows through the human industrial/economic systems, with the goal of becoming more efficient and waste preventative. (see multiple sites on the subject).
Natural Capital
The world's ecosystem services and natural and environmental resources, all of which are used by the human economy in production processes, and many of which no cost is internalized.
People, Planet, Profit
Three types of bottom lines in triple bottom line reporting. -*People bottom line*: also known as social equity, is concerned with a company's stakeholders, not shareholders. It states that employee's welfare is maximized through working conditions and fair pay. Also concerned with the company's impact on the general public. -*Environment bottom line*: also known as the planet bottom line, is concerned with the size of the company's ecological footprint. This focuses on energy reduction and disposing of toxic materials safely. -*Future-impact bottom line*: how the company plans to lead a sustainable future. The economic benefit that can be enjoyed by all of society.
Discuss Entergy's leadership on the issue of Climate Change, and their Climate Change Strategies/Goals/Targets over the years. What do you think about them overall in terms of a utility company's stance on Carbon (i.e., how important has the "leadership" role been to Entergy over the past 25 years?).
To create sustainable value for customers, employees, owners, and communities we serve through the use of sustainable business practices that integrate environmental, social, and economic objectives and concerns. Supply chain, company operations, customers -Old CEO was a trailblazer when it came to recognizing the risk of climate change, so started recognizing the risk to the company and started to work to mitigate the risk. Saw it as an opportunity to engage and invest in solutions and technology for sustainability -First in the US to establish a voluntary CO2 goal. Goal has been renewed three times and made more stringent - aka actions are being taken.
Diagram and discuss their use of EPA's Food Recovery Hierarchy—be able to give examples of each level.
Top (most preferred) 1. Source reduction - reduce the volume of surplus food generated --- understand menu, source locally, reuse similar ingredients 2. Feed hungry people - donate food to food banks, soup kitchens and shelters 3. Feed animals - divert food scraps to animal food 4. Industrial uses - provide waste oils for rendering and fuel conversion and food scraps for digestion to recover energy 5. Composting - create nutrient-rich soil amendment 6. Landfill/incineration - last resort to disposal Bottom (least preferred)
Define Environmental Communication---why is it so important? Why are business leaders now being versed and trained in these ideas (environmental justice and environmental communication)?
Transfer of knowledge and information between the business community and the local citizenry regarding environmental risks, costs and benefits related to the individual businesses and their potential impacts on the local community
Define "triple bottom line" reporting (or "people/planet/profit reporting). What are six benefits of environmental reporting?
Triple bottom line reporting: reporting corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship activities along with financial information 6 benefits of environmental reporting ---Demonstrates value of EMS in company (helps serve as working document) ---Demonstrates management commitment to environmental issues ---Green marketing for investors ---May help minimize risk of regulatory intervention ---Creates opportunity for the entire community surrounding the company (suppliers, neighbors, employees, etc) ---Makes the company more receptive to future developments and more intensified reporting (eg social and ethical reporting)
A company that is prepared to give the public easy access to environmental information may be on top of its sensitive issues and may have less to hide regarding environmental issues
True
From an environmental management standpoint, why is it important we continue to try to restore/protect our wetland resources (i.e., "why should we care about coastal wetland loss---i.e, MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR OUR CLASS--what are the economic impacts of that loss?)? What does climate change have to do with it all?
We need to restore wetlands because they reduce the impact of hurricanes and tropical storms.
Would you expect to see more types of businesses like hers in the future?
Yes I do. People are starting companies with social purposes
Full Cost Accounting
a method of cost accounting that traces direct costs and allocates indirect costs by collecting and presenting information about the possible environmental, social and economical costs and benefits or advantages calculating the triple bottom line for each proposed alternative
Biomicry
an approach to innovation that seeks sustainable solutions to human challenges by emulating nature's time-tested patterns and strategies. The goal is to create products, processes, and policies—new ways of living—that are well-adapted to life on earth over the long haul (see www.biomimicry.org).
Why are utilities at the center of climate change issues? What are some of the fuel sources and storage issues Entergy is looking at for the future?
everyone needs power and it is easily changeable. Because we are over consuming our resources and we are using resources that are unsustainable and highly polluting. When someone heats their home using energy from entergy, they are polluting because the way that entergy is creating its energy is through non-sustainable sources. looking at hydrogen fuel sources spindle top storage facilities to store hydrogen energy battery storage for solar
Blue Economy
where the best for health and the environment is cheapest and the necessities for life are free thanks to a local system of production and consumption that works with what you have. Based on the Zero Emissions Research Initiative (ZERI) (see www.theblueeconomy.org). NOTE: another use of the term "Blue Economy" relates to the sustainable use of the ocean/marine environment as of vital importance to a more sustainable economy. Both of these definitions apply to the term "Blue Economy."
List the various causes of coastal wetland loss in Louisiana. Are these natural or human caused—or both?
· Barrier island degradation · Storms · Salt water intrusion · Canals · Oil and gas development · Levee system · Sediment reduction · Sea level rise · Subsidence
Given its size the MCCNO has lots of environmental impacts mainly to the energy, water, waste sectors. Be able to list/discuss some approaches/initiatives they have taken to lessen those impacts.
· ENERGY 1. Over 3,000 fixtures changed to date 2. Recycled over 4 miles of fluorescent light blubs 3. Cooling tower and chillers upgrade 4. Exhibit halls lighting upgrades - 5000+ bulbs 5. Entronix meters (provides detailed data on energy use · WATER 1. Restroom upgrades: renovated 34 public restrooms 2. 60 bottle filling stations 3. Water meter "mapping" 4. Storm water: rainwater is collected and channeled directly into the Mississippi river 5. Linear park (rain gardens, green space, water features) 6. Cooling towers and chillers upgrade - less energy = less water · WASTE 1. Recycle 2. Sort recycling to reduce contamination of recyclables 3. Show floor donations 4. Waste team (improved recycling, partnered with vendors, documented program) 5. Food waste initiatives - centerplate
What is hypoxia (i.e., the "dead zone").
· Hypoxia: low oxygen area where whatever cannot move dies · Gulf of Mexico dead zone is now 8,000 sq miles · Caused by excess nutrients from farming and other related human activities in Mississippi River Drainage basin going straight into the gulf (lost nutrients for wetlands cause damage in gulf) - accentuated by warm temperatures of surface water and calm seas in summer which lessens mixing between water columns. Nutrients cause algae blooms and low oxygen. Nutrients not intercepted by wetlands because of levees.
Rick talked about major utility companies being set up as different types of businesses---what type of business entity is Entergy? What does he mean by that? Who usually governs (oversees/regulates) their activities? In Louisiana who is "in charge" of regulating Entergy? How about in New Orleans? Are they guaranteed a ROE (return on equity)? Approx. what range (or ROE) had that historically been in?
· Regulated utility/regulated monopoly, meaning Entergy is the only company that is offering the service to the public. Have a duty to serve every customer in the area · Entergy is regulated by the states; so in Louisiana, the state of Louisiana regulates Entergy ---The regulators watch operations closely to ensure that they are meeting the customers' needs and are keeping power affordable and reliable and increasingly sustainable. · New Orleans is regulated by the state and by the city council of New Orleans · Authorized Return on Equity - as Entergy is an investor-owned utility, they provide the investors with a steady predictable return on investment. About 8-10%
What are some of the possible solutions to the problem?
· Reintroduce sediments and freshwater into wetlands (through diversions, siphons, etc. - this would also address hypoxia issue) · Use of dredged sediment materials · Barrier/shoreline protection (rock jetties, sand pumping, other techniques) · Sediment traps and building (ie Christmas tree projects) · Restoration/re-vegetation · Exotics control (ie nutria) · Introduction of waste-water effluent · No more oil spills! · Reduce our individual carbon footprints
Why is Entergy so concerned about the concepts of "Adaptation and Resiliency?" Who, or what, are they trying to protect and why? What are some of the physical risks to the company's assets, its employees and its customers? What practice is seen as the "lowest hanging fruit" (easiest approach) to reduce dependence on electricity from a business or residential consumer perspective? (one to think about as very important and discuss at review session----think "efficiency")
•Recognizing the risk of climate change, not only to our company assets. -Power plants -Transmission lines -Distribution lines -Substantions -Company locations •Risk to company, but also to customers and communities -Start to mitigate the risk of climate change •Opportunity to engage and invest in solutions and technology and engage with customer son helping them meet their goals •Reduce emissions down as low as possible through integration of technology (??)
