CleanTech Startups Map at Earth2Tech
Where are the cleantech hot spots? Earth2Tech has the ultimate map for curious CleanTech Startup watchers. Pinpointing locales around the globe, Earth2Tech’s 101 Cleantech Startups allows you to see all the places that cleantech companies are popping up.
(from Earth2Tech) The different sectors — like solar, energy storage, biofuels and electric vehicles — are all represented by a logo, and each pin on the map has all of the vital stats for each startup (founding year, investors, technology, etc.). We admit we’ve got a bit of a Valley skew, but we’ve thrown in some of the international cleantech heavyweights as well.
Green for All & The Dream Reborn: Lifting All Boats in the Green Economy
Green For All is an incredibly important part of the emerging green economy and lifting people out of poverty, the growing movement for “green-collar jobs.”
In April, Green For All is bringing organizations and leaders from communities across the nation together to produce The Dream Reborn, an event aimed at solving two of the world’s most severe crises - global warming and deepening poverty.
This conference will celebrate the life of Dr. King and present positive solutions for social and environmental justice - ecological solutions that can heal the Earth while bringing jobs, justice, wealth and health to all communities.
Among the presenters: Van Jones (Ella Baker Center/Green For All), Majora Carter (Sustainable South Bronx), Winona LaDuke (Honor the Earth), Malia Lazu (The Gathering for Justice), Mary Ann Hitt (Appalachian Voices), Reverend Yearwood (Hip Hop Caucus), Ian Kim (Oakland Green Jobs Corps) and more.
There are several ways to get involved with The Dream Reborn: Register to attend and learn how the green economy will lift all boats. Learn about the event at their website and spread the word. Or sponsor a youth community leader - this is a great way to show your support!
The Dream Reborn is at the Cook Convention Center, Memphis, Tennessee, April 4-6, 2008. Click here for more information.
And the Greenwashing Award Goes to…
I have to hand it to the marketing people at Dow Chemical. If there was ever an advertising campaign that was further from the truth or done so in a more beautifully scripted way than “The Human Element” I have yet to see it. So I was somewhat relieved to find it on the top of the Greenwashing Index list - at least it is getting the right kind of exposure.
I was first aware of the campaign when I got a special issue of Smithsonian, the 37 under 36: America’s Young Innovators in the Arts and Sciences, which is, to the best I can tell, completely sponsored by Dow and filled with print versions of “The Human Element” campaign.
The fact that the publication arrived in my mailbox just prior to a Los Angeles Superior Court found Dow (and Dole) liable in a pesticide exposure lawsuit brought by banana workers in Nicaragua, a legal battle than spanned more than two decades, was not lost on me. It was a carefully timed counter to yet another headline highlighting Dow’s disgraceful environmental and social record.
Here’s a snippet of The Human Element campaign, which is every bit as moving as it is infuriating:
Keeping You on Your Greenwashed Toes
Consumers are getting greenwashed left and right, that is doused with an onslaught of false or far fetched “green” claims from companies. But, for every action there is an equal and opposite action and the greenwash watchdogs are out in full force.
One of my favorites is the Greenwashing Index. Here is a site devoted to a discourse on greenwashing in advertising where users can rate ads based on certain criteria.
When you rate an ad with the Greenwashing Index, it will generate a score based on your response to the following statements. Your score will be included in the ad’s overall score and your comments will be added to the tally. Scoring is similar to golf: high scores are undesirable (for the advertiser).
The Criteria:
- The ad misleads with words
- The ad misleads with visuals and/or graphics
- The ad makes a green claim that is vague or seemingly unprovable
- The ad overstates or exaggerates how green the product/company/service actually is
- The ad leaves out or masks important information, making the green claim sound better than it is
I like this site because it not only draws attention to specific greenwashers but also helps consumers and concerned citizens learn what greenwashing is, how to spot it and why it’s bad for the environment and business. Check it out online and let me know what you think, The Greenwashing Index.
GM’s Lutz: ‘Global Warming is a Total Crock’
GM vice chairman of Global Product Development Bob Lutz, one of the top execs behind the highly anticipated Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid concept, recently told reporters that he thinks global warming is a “total crock of shit.” But also said he’s “a skeptic, not a denier.”
This latest from Lutz is certainly not shocking considering that Lutz is an executive that is used to speaking his mind. Like…
On the Union of Concerned Scientists: “I’m not sure if they are concerned,” he said. “But they are certainly not scientists.” (BW)
On the questionable environmental, energy, and economic benefits of the alternative fuel: “They make it sound like ethanol is taking food out of the mouths of babes. According to them, we’re going to have taco riots in Mexico because of ethanol.” (BW)
On Democratic proposals to raise Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) standards: “CAFE is a totally flawed strategy,” said Lutz. “It has never worked and it never will.” (BW)
On why high gasoline prices will not discourage affluent people from buying big sport utility vehicles: “Rich people don’t care.” (TH)
I do understand part of this comment of his…
“If I were dictator of America, I would gradually raise the price of gasoline by 25 cents every six months or so, until it’s more in line with gas prices in the rest of the world.”
Here in Germany we pay about $7.67 per gallon for regular fuel. When I was in Hawaii several years ago a gallon easily cost you $3.50+ per gallon. The mainland US has a sheltered wallet when the costs of gasoline are put in a global perspective.
What’s most interesting to me about his latest statement is that it came from a man who has steered GM’s focus to the development of low carbon vehicles. His latest statement just shows that GM is responding to the market or consumer demand and this is obviously not a values-based decision.
There is quite a buzz around about Lutz’ “crock” statement. Perhaps people assumed Lutz was of a different opinion on global warming or maybe it’s just the lack of tactfulness, the way in which he said it. It’s not shocking to me given the source. I’m curious, what do you think about Lutz’ comment given his involvement in the Volt?
Also see:
- Talk About a Crock at Lutz’ blog
- GM-Volt.com, the unofficial Volt site
Via EL
NESEA Building Energy Conference in Boston
The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association’s (NESEA) 33rd annual Building Energy Conference and Trade Show is coming up soon in Boston, March 11-13, 2008.
This is is a great opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about the green building industry.
Sessions and workshops will focus on time tested practices as well as the latest, cutting-edge innovations in green building and renewable energy. You’ll get a chance to see case studies from start to finish presented by some of the industry’s top leaders.
The built environment is a pivotal aspect of successful environmental stewardship. The ideas and knowledge that will be available at this conference offer unique insight into how dependent the health of people and ecosystems are on the ever-advancing practices of this industry.
Learn more at NESEA Building Energy 08
DHL Delivers via Kite-powered Cargo Ship
Global DHL delivered 71 containers from Germany to Venezuela with the kite-powered MS Beluga Skysails cargo vessel last week, according to ENN. Tapping the wind power across the oceans allowed the ship to travel faster or decrease fuel consumption by 20%.
And the successful voyage is just in time to counter the criticism against the shipping industry for green house gas emissions:
(From ENN)The maiden voyage was completed at a time when ship-related greenhouse gas emissions are under fire from several fronts. Earlier this week, a report commissioned by the U.N. International Maritime Organization surfaced, finding that ship-related emissions, at 3.5 percent of global carbon emissions, were grossly underestimated and nearly double than previous estimates of 1.4 percent.
Read more on the shipping industry’s environmental impact at DHL Completes More Eco-Friendly Ship Voyage as Industry Comes Under Fire. And see the ship set sail from Hamburg at Using Kites to Pull Cargo Ships Across the Seas.
Be True Green @ Work
Everything you’re looking for to green your work place is right here in this compact guide from National Geographic.
With 100 tips to green your office, this is a great guide for anyone looking to create an eco-friendly workplace covering topics like going carbon neutral, ecolabelling, marketing, green building and lots more - small steps to innovative strategies.
Available from National Geographic for $19.95 here. Also check out How to use True Green @ Work in the Green Guide.
Great Green Leap Day Encourages Volunteerism
The National Trust, a UK non-profit that counts over 50,000 people among its workforce and volunteers, has decided that the highest and best use of the extra day that leap year brings next week is to encourage a day of environmental service. The organization has told its staff and volunteers to take the day off as long as you use it to save the planet on Great Green Leap Day, February 29th, 2008.
So, instead of a free day’s work from their huge staff, The National Trust is sending out the spirit of volunteerism. Workers are encouraged to “reflect on their environmental footprint and look at ways of reducing it”. And the non-profit is hoping other employers will follow their lead.
The National Trust works year round to preserve and protect the coastline, countryside and buildings of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. I think it’s great that they are encouraging their employees to find more ways to connect with the environment and work for positive change. What do you think?
Truer, Greener, More Sustainable Economics
A little while back I mentioned that economic innovations surge with environmentalism.
“Once regarded as irrelevant to economic activity, environmental problems are drastically rewriting the rules for business, investors, and consumers, affecting over $100 billion in annual capital flows,” say Worldwatch Institute project co-directors Gary Gardner and Thomas Prugh.
The Worldwatch Institute report State of the World 2008: Innovations for a Sustainable Economy (full report available for purchase: $15 e-book, $18.95 paperback) highlighted that the world’s first global, sustainable market is becoming a reality with environmental initiatives, revolutionary industrial production methods and a surge in environmentally focused investment groups.
In Green Economics: Turning Mainstream Thinking on Its Head, Worldwatch Institute’s Thomas Prugh offers what ‘truer, greener, more sustainable’ economics look like and why we should pay attention to the paradigm shift that is shaping the green economy.
Prugh’s vision of the green economy considers the following:
- Scale. Or understanding ecosystems.
- Stress development over growth.
- Make prices tell the ecological truth.
- Account for nature’s services.
- The precautionary principle.
- Commons management.
- Value women.
Get the whole picture at Green Economic: Turning Mainstream Thinking on its Head at Worldwatch Institute.
Free Webinar: Making Sense of Furniture Emissions in the Workplace
Remember Spring Cleaning Week & Greening Your Office Furniture? Well, if you are looking to go further in-depth into creating a greener, healthier workplace Environmental Design & Construction Magazine (ED&C) is running a three part webinar series on Indoor Air Quality starting with Making Sense of Furniture Emissions in the Workplace.
This session explains indoor air quality assessment, the new ANSI/BIFMA Furniture Emissions Standards, and how these standards are used in the marketplace. The course demonstrates how emissions occur and how emissions are measured using an easy-to-understand graphic approach. Course participants also will learn which certification programs meet the criteria of the ANSI/BIFMA standards, as well as which green building specifications reference them, and how these components of indoor air quality programs are applied to reduce indoor air emissions.
Yes, it’s geared toward green build professionals but this webinar is useful for anyone who wants to learn more about how material choices affect indoor air quality and how to create a healthier workplace. It’s a 60 minute course and it’s free! You can register online here.
Nike's Latest Trash Talking
Nike is talking trash with the development of a basketball sneaker made entirely from manufacturing waste. Steve Nash, the All-Star Guard for the Phoenix Suns, helped in the creation and debuted the shoe at a NBA game last night, according to TreeHugger. In a press release, Nash said “Any opportunity to promote the environment and preserve our planet is a step in the right direction.”
How does the shoe fit green? Find out at TreeHugger
Designers Accord: Design's 'Kyoto Treaty'
I recently had a chance to hear Valerie Casey of IDEO speak in NYC, which was great. Casey is the creator of the Designers Accord, a set of articulated principles that promote sustainable practice and knowledge sharing in the design industry.
To date more than 3,500 design companies have endorsed the “treaty” with the numbers growing at a rapid pace. This increasing engagement with sustainability, driven by the accord’s goals, is a wide reaching dialogue that has the potential to touch all sectors of the design world including interaction, digital, industrial, graphic, communications, advertising, architecture - and those involved in the design industry, including engineers, business consultants, researchers, writers, marketers, and educational institutions.
Jessie Scanlon has a great article over at BusinessWeek that takes a look at how this idea evolved, where it is at present and what’s expected in the future in A New Model for Green Design. Also find more at DesignersAccord.org.
Resources for Green Job Seekers
More and more of today’s job seekers are looking for socially and environmentally responsible companies that give them more than just a paycheck. The variety of ways that workers can align their values with their livelihood is growing exponentially and there are plenty of resources to help you find the green job you want.
Green Dream Jobs: from Sustainable Business, is a great database of jobs from companies all over the globe with the bulk concentrated in the US. This site is a great place to connect with environmentally conscious employers. Green Dream Jobs is only open to employers that clearly embrace sustainable business practices and/or have high quality environmental jobs. They’ve been in operation for 10 years and have the reputation for posting the best environmental jobs.
Ruston WHEB: a specialist search firm, dedicated to strengthening executive and non-executive teams for companies, investors and advisers operating across environmental and clean energy markets. Sectors: Carbon and Climate Change, Clean Energy, Corporate Responsibility and Professional Advisory, Environmental Biotechnology, Private Equity and Finance, Public Sector and Not-for-Profit, Waste Management and Recycling. (UK & International).
Environment Job: This is a UK website, but there are listings for employment, volunteer opportunities and events all over the world. Sectors include Conservation, Environmental Campaigning, Renewable Energy, Recycling, Ecology, Environmental Education, Food, Farming and Organics, Sustainability, Sustainable Transport and Climate Change.
GreenBiz: is a great resource for keeping up with the green economy and the job seeker section on this site is great. It draws from international companies and attracts some of the best employers and job seekers around. Also here are tools for job seekers like career resources and a Green Career Advisor.
BSR: Business for Social Responsibility is the place to find a wide range of jobs with companies that have a focus on social and environmental responsibility. This site posts listings from top organizations like the World Wildlife Fund, Earthwatch Institute and The Marine Stewardship Council. The theme is corporate social responsibility.
One World: If you are looking to make the world a better place, One World is a great place to find jobs and volunteer positions that will let you do just that. Very international, you can search Ethical Jobs, Volunteer Opportunities and find Ethical Careers Resources.
TreeHugger: Arguably one of the most influential environmental blogs on the internet, TreeHugger gets a bevy of job listings from companies that walk the walk on social and environmental responsibility. Clean tech, farming, retail, renewable energy, organic goods, conservation and lots of other earth-friendly options.
TH Sit Down with Patagonia Founder
Remember Patagonia’s Footprint Chronicles? This is the company’s online portal where consumers can track the environmental impact of selected goods. That’s not the only green move or motivation behind Patagonia and TreeHugger has gone in-depth with founder Yvon Chouinard to find out more. The two part interview is available on TreeHugger Radio and in print here and here
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A Green Guide for the Hotel Industry
The hotel industry consumes a lot of energy and resources to keep travelers happy. A new guide from Flex Your Power - CA’s energy efficiency marketing and outreach campaign - has some tips for hoteliers on how to make green the best practice.
The Hotels Best Practices Guide was recently released giving hotel owners somewhere to turn for energy-saving and resource-conserving tips, and some cost savings to boot. The guide covers many aspects of running a hotel like restaurants, laundry, pools, lighting. There’s also lots of information on greener buildings in general.
According to ENN:
The guide was designed with the easiest and most cost-effective strategies in mind, providing information on how hotel operators can make changes on their own or with the help of experts. Aside from making energy-saving changes, Flex Your Power recommends conducting an energy audit, creating an energy savings plan and monitoring energy use to determine what’s working.
Via ENN
Zero-waste Packing: Earth Friendly Moving
Moving can create a lot of waste, or at least just remind you that you’ve got a lot more junk than you thought. Reusing boxes and packing supplies is a great way to cut down on the waste from packing supplies but sometimes even the most green-minded packers get overwhelmed.
A new company out of California is making the move a little greener with a zero-waste packing and moving system. Earth Friendly Moving uses recyclable trash and offers the RecoPack™, a reusable box from recycled materials, to pack up your belongings and move them with a biodiesel fleet.
Highlights from Greener Gadgets 2008
Some of you know that I was recently in NYC for the Greener Gadgets conference, presented by Inhabitat and Marc Alt + Partners. We were live blogging throughout the day and there was a live webcast of the panel discussions and presentations.
It was a fantastic event with a diverse pool of industry reps, artists, designers and academics. If you weren’t there or missed the live broadcast, you can catch the highlights over at Inhabitat, including videos, pictures and wrap-ups from the presenters.
If you are interested in industrial design, e-waste, energy or just gadgets in general, I highly recommend checking out all the ideas and innovations that were in the spotlight.
Get a Free Green Office Guide from Sustainable Industries
Want to….
Create a more efficient workplace?
Buy environmentally responsible products?
Reduce your impact on the environment?
Measure your eco-minded success?
Get a free copy of Sustainable Industries Green Office Guide (and find lots more resources on green building products, green real estate, farming) here.
In the snack drawer - Spring Cleaning Week
We all like to have those work day pick-me-ups stashed somewhere nearby. If you bring your own food and snacks you are saving calories, saving money and saving landfills from all the packaging of takeout. If your company has a lunchroom lineup provided, there are some great ways to incorporate sustainable strategies into office snacks and drinks.
Coffee: So many cups, so few hours in the day. If coffee is an office staple, consider this: coffee is the second most traded commodity on the planet next to oil. Go for organic and fair trade, support farmers direct to keep it socially responsible. You can order Costa Rican blends direct from the people that grow the beans here, delicious and ultimate fair trade. Or checkout Co-op America’s list of fair trade coffee retailers near you here. Also, encourage employees to use refillable mugs and provide a space for them in the kitchen to cut down on paper waste.
Snacks: Many offices have a snack supplier and, oh, how those little sugar-filled morsels can call out to those with the afternoon munchies. If you’ve already got a snack supplier, approach them about alternatives that are organic, local and healthier. Also consider approaching a local farmer or CSA (community supported agriculture) group about organizing a lunchroom lineup. Imagine fresh, local fruits and veggies filling the office kitchen. You’ll all eat healthier while supporting local farmers. Find a CSA near you at Local Harvest.
Potluck: In case you were wondering, these are so back in style. You’ve probably got some world class chefs right in your office talent pool and organizing a weekly or monthly potluck is a delicious idea. Think about the benefits: everyone can contribute (either with money, talent, or supplies), everyone gets a delicious homemade meal and it’s a great way to create community within the workplace.
Real Deal: Using real cutlery and plates at the office helps cut down on waste. If you can spring for an Energy Star dishwasher, clean up is easier and Energy Star means you’ll use less water and energy to keep things clean. If you’ve got lots of mouths to feed and can’t manage the cleanup, consider biodegradable cutlery and plates. Earthware Biodegradables has lots of options that are made from renewable sources, have a long shelf life, are durable and reusable. Their GMO-free corn-based cutlery can biodegrade in as little as 45 days.
Got more tips for greening the office kitchen? Let us know, leave a comment.