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Health, Social and Economic Benefits of Global Leaded Gas Phase-Out

2011-10-29T11:11:00.000-04:00

New York (UN) - Improvements in IQ, reductions in cardiovascular diseases, and decline in criminality are among the annual US$2.4 trillion benefits linked to ridding the world of leaded petrol.

These economic benefits, outlined in a new scientific study, may prove to be even higher if other diseases and factors such as cancer and rising urbanization, where the impacts of lead pollution are higher, were brought into the calculations.

"When the first draft report came out we all felt that these numbers were too high - how can removing lead from petrol result in benefits equal to four per cent of the GDP. It was too good to be true. However, we found independent corroboration of our approach in the literature, and we have had our work peer-reviewed by some of the leading experts in the field. When viewed over the decades of progress in phasing out leaded fuel, it is more appropriate to speak of the global benefits in trillions of dollars, not billions, but trillions," stressed Professor Thomas Hatfield, Chair of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the California State University, Northridge, who co-wrote with researcher Peter L. Tsai the study, the Global Benefits of Phasing Out Leaded Fuel.

The phase-out of leaded petrol began in developed countries such as the United States in the 1980s but in developing countries the additive was still being used until recently.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), as an outcome of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, was tasked with leading the final elimination of leaded petrol through a public-private partnership that helped most developing and transitional countries go unleaded.

The Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV), involving civil society, governments and the private sector including major oil and vehicles companies, has supported over 80 countries to phase-out lead in transport fuel.

Under the initiative, involving 120 partners, the small handful of countries still using small amounts of leaded petrol, are expected to make the switch over the next year or two.

"Yet again, here is a clear body of analysis that demonstrates that far from being a burden on economies, acting on environmental challenges generates multiple Green Economy benefits right across countries and economies. Although this global effort has often flown below the radar of media and global leaders, it is clear that the elimination of leaded petrol is an immense achievement on par with the global elimination of major deadly diseases. This will go down in history as one of the major environmental achievements of the past few decades. It is a triumph of diplomacy and public-private collaboration," said Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director.

"This successful partnership has all but completed the lead phase-out and in time-scales perhaps presumed overly ambitious in 2002. But its work is far from over and action is now underway to tackle other health hazardous vehicle emissions, such as the unacceptably high levels of sulphur still found in fuels on continents like Africa," he added.

Background
Lead poisoning has been one of the world's most serious environmental health problems, with impacts including increased blood pressure, higher risk of cardiovascular disease, delayed mental and physical development, reduced attention span (including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (or ADHD) and increased crime rates.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that between 15 and 18 million children in developing countries currently suffer from permanent brain damage due to lead poisoning and, according to the results of the research, leaded petrol was responsible for some 90 per cent of human lead exposure.
Lead pollution, even in very low concentrations, is seen as one cause for developmental impairment in children. Furthermore, the use of lead in petrol prevents the introduction of vehicles with emission controls, such as catalytic converters, that can reduce harmful emissions by up to 90 per cent. Catalytic converters are now standard in all new petrol vehicles worldwide.

The UNEP-led campaign over the past decade has resulted in a near-global elimination of leaded fuel and the new study from California State University shows the massive benefits of these efforts:

. Health Benefits - Over 1.2 million premature deaths avoided per year (of which 125,000 are children) and blood testing has shown that the elimination of leaded petrol results in lead in blood levels dropping dramatically. 90 per cent or more, particularly in cities.
. Social Benefits : lower crime rates: 58 million less crime cases and higher IQs. Research has indicated that children with lots of lead in their blood are much more likely to be aggressive, violent and delinquent.
: Economics : US$2.4 trillion (or 4 per cent of global GDP) costs saved per year.

Developed countries, including the United States and parts of Europe, banned the use of leaded-vehicle fuels in the 1980s and 1990s when it was found that inhalation of lead particles released from vehicle tailpipes is extremely toxic. Moreover, leaded petrol prevents the introduction of cleaner-vehicle technology.

However, the majority of developing countries have continued using leaded fuel until recently with major negative health, environmental and economic impacts.

"Although much work needs to be done to look at all of the impacts and benefits to society (for example, we may actually find additional benefits through reduced cancer and hearing problems), these are the best estimates we can come up with at the moment based on current research and data," said Professor Hatfield.

The study will be published in the Journal of Environmental Health in December 2011.

MGM Highest Ranking Casino on Newsweek's List of Greenest Companies

2011-10-21T11:06:00.000-04:00

LAS VEGAS - For the second consecutive year, MGM Resorts International has been listed among Newsweek Magazine's 500 most environmentally responsible companies in the United States, and also as the highest ranking company in the casino resort industry.

The company ranked as the third most highly rated hotel company on the list, and was one of only two hotel companies to move up in this year's rankings.

"Environmental responsibility is a core company value that is woven into and throughout our culture and business operations," said Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International. "For our customers, environmental stewardship is a key area of awareness. Our guests are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their expectations, and we are proud to be a leader in demonstrating that environmental responsibility and a superior guest experience go hand-in-hand with world class hospitality and entertainment," Murren added.

Murren noted that MGM Resorts recently issued its first Environmental Responsibility report detailing the Company's efforts to reduce its environmental impacts over the last four years.

"We're focused on reducing energy and water consumption, increasing recycling and reducing waste," said Cindy Ortega, the Company's Senior Vice President of Energy Environment Services Division. "One of the best examples of MGM Resorts' comprehensive approach to sustainability was the 2009 opening of CityCenter, the world's largest environmentally responsible development. The Company has also worked with its suppliers to develop sustainable purchasing practices focused on raw materials, logistics and an assessment of the environmental impact of products," Ortega said.

MGM Resorts is also among a select group of leading international hotel companies that are collaborating to standardize carbon footprint measurement and communication within the hospitality industry. The Carbon Measurement Working Group includes members of the International Tourism Partnership (ITP) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

Newsweek's rankings were produced with two leading environmental research firms, Trucost and Sustainalytics and the Green Rankings were created in 2009. MGM Resorts moved from #174 overall in 2010, to #157 in this years rankings.

New York Students to Survey Neighborhood Trees

2011-10-18T14:32:00.000-04:00

New York City high school students will survey neighborhood trees next week as part of a program to teach students to think about the urban environment.

The students hail from the NYC iSchool. The iSchool program is geared to engage students in meaningful work in real world situations and provide the in-house classroom structure to support that development.

Sponsored by Trees New York the neighborhood survey will encourage students to explore the environment beyond being a topic of study. It is hoped that through this experience participating students will begin to look at the environment as a viable and compelling career path going forward.

The Young Urban Forester program by Trees New York brings together high school students with environmental professionals in New York City. Students receive hands-on training and use the technologies commonly used in environmental analysis including GPS and GIS. These tools will help the 23 students develop their mapping skills while identifying community tree priorities in and around the Hudson Square survey area.

"Having local organizations like Trees New York participate in National NeighborWoods Month (NNM) helps us show the cumulative effect of a burgeoning urban and community forestry movement," said Alliance for Community Trees Executive Director Carrie Gallagher. The Alliance sponsors NNM and Trees New York is a member of the Alliance.

The event is one of hundreds of re-greening efforts throughout the country being promoted during October.

Center for Sustainable Energy Opens in Brooklyn Park

2011-10-13T16:58:00.000-04:00

Center for Sustainable Energy Opens in Brooklyn Park

Wax On Wax Off: New Enviro Surf Wax

2011-09-28T10:13:00.000-04:00

As a surfer, it is your responsibility to be aware of your impact on the environment. It is every surfer’s obligation to protect and care for the place that gives us so much enjoyment. After all, without a healthy ocean ecosystem, surfing would be nonexistent. Everything from driving in search of waves, wetsuit production (and disposal), surfboard foam and resins, and even wax, have an impact. Surf wax is the only product in surfing which is truly disposable, yet is required by every surfer, for every session. The goal of wax is to displace water, while remaining sticky, and petroleum-based products are extremely effective at accomplishing those goals.

Traditionally, surf wax has been produced using paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, petroleum jelly, Vistanex (petroleum-based adhesive), and scents/dyes. Every time you paddle out, a small amount of wax is released into the marine ecosystem and absorbed by the local species. Although the amount of wax that falls off of your board may be small, the accumulation of the thousands of surfers does equate to a significant amount, not to mention the effects of bioaccumulation.

It was only a matter of time before better alternatives became available. Envirosurfer offers some outstanding surf waxes that are not only petroleum-free, but made of 100% natural, organic, non-toxic, and biodegradable ingredients. The surfing industry is highly dependent on oil to produce most mainstream products, and by using a natural surf wax, you are taking a step towards cutting that
umbilical cord. You are also avoiding the environmental damage which results from the slow release of wax into the ocean. To top it off, you are supporting the responsible wax companies through consumer sovereignty.

Besides using organic and biodegradable ingredients, here are some specifics on how the natural wax companies are using responsible sourcing and production methods: Matunas wax is made from organic products from a small, 25-acre farm in Santa Cruz, CA. Their product is entirely soy-free, and uses leftover strawberries, raspberries, and jasmine to scent their wax, instead of artificial or oil-based scents. Matunas, Sticky Bumps (soy), and Famous Green Label are all packaged in recycled paper and printed with soy ink (Matunas is printed with soy-free, recycled ink). Famous takes it a step further and donates a portion of every sale to the SIMA Environmental Fund, which works to keep breaks clean and accessible. All three of these companies are based out of California, which not only means you are
supporting local jobs, but you are minimizing the carbon dioxide used in the transportation of these items.

Go ahead and give it a try. The ocean has been good to you. It’s time you return the favor.

Corey Chin
Envirosurfer Team

NYC Reduces GHG Emissions by Almost Five Percent in One Year

2011-09-23T11:43:00.000-04:00

In conjunction with Climate Week NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that NYC was well on its way to meeting the commitments of the four-year-old PLaNYC.

Mayor Bloomberg said that, “We cut City government’s greenhouse gas emissions 4.6 percent during the 12 months ending June 30th, compared to the previous fiscal year. That keeps us on course to hitting our 2017 goal."

That 2017 goal as defined in PlanNYC is a carbon footprint reduction of 30 percent by 2017 against a 2005 baseline. Overall, the City seeks to reduce its total GHG emissions by more than 30 percent by 2030 using the same 2005 baseline.

“With the stakes as high as they are, just doing nothing is no option," stated Mayor Bloomberg in highlighting the efforts of New York City to date and the targets yet to be achieved.

To achieve these objectives the City has relamped more than 250 000 traffic signals and street lights with low wattage lighting and LED alternatives. The lighting changes alone have resulted in a 25 percent reduction in energy consumption. Methane emissions at wastewater treatment plants have been reduced by 15 percent through capture initiatives.

If New York City looks a little greener it could be due to the near half million trees planted that suck up and store CO2. The City expects to plant another half million trees to meet its PlaNYC target of one million
newly planted trees in New York City.

The PlaNYC Inventory of New York City Greenhouse Gas Emissions September 2011 update also notes that citywide GHG emissions were 1.1 percent lower in 2010 from 2009 due to energy efficiency efforts in electric use, steam generation and cleaner, imported hydro-electric energy.

“We’ve also passed a landmark ‘green buildings’ law that will cut energy costs and create up to 17,000 new jobs for New Yorkers," Bloomberg added with regards to the 2009 Greener, Greater Buildings Plan that is one of the most comprehensive environmental plans in the country.

The legislation also closed a loophole that had developers and building owners skirting around energy efficiency components to their buildings and plans. Due to its footprint New York City buildings account for approximately three-quarters of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Plan states that, "By focusing primarily on 16,000 of the city's largest properties, which constitute roughly half of citywide square footage and 45 percent of citywide greenhouse gas emissions, the Greener Greater Buildings Plan will result in an emissions reduction of almost five percent. It will also reduce citywide energy costs by $700 million annually by 2030."

European Parliament Calls for Fast Action to Cut Non-CO2 Climate Forcers

2011-09-18T06:52:00.001-04:00

Washington, DC – The European Parliament is calling for fast action to reduce non-CO₂ climate forcers including black carbon soot, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), methane, and ground-level ozone, which together are responsible for nearly half of climate forcing. The Parliament's call for action came in a Resolution passed today by an overwhelming majority (578 to 51 with 22 abstentions).

The Resolution calls for a comprehensive climate policy and “stresses that in addition to considering CO₂ emission reductions, it should place emphasis on strategies that can produce the fastest climate response,” specifically strategies to cut black carbon soot, HFCs, methane, and ground-level ozone. Because these climate forcers are short-lived, reducing them produces a fast climate response. This is in contrast to long-lived CO₂, where a significant portion remains in the atmosphere for thousands of years. Even cutting CO₂ emissions to zero today will not produce cooling for a thousand years.

"Cutting just two of the short-lived climate forcers — black carbon soot and ground-level ozone — can cut the rate of global warming in half and by two-thirds in the Arctic for the next 30 to 60 years, assuming we also make progress on CO₂," said Durwood Zaelke, President of the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development. Zaelke testified before the Parliament in March 2011 (see written testimony here, and video here). He added, "Cutting the short-lived forcers is not a substitute for cutting CO₂, which controls long-term climate temperature. But if we don’t cut the non-CO₂ forcers now and slow the rate of warming in the next few decades, we risk passing tipping points for abrupt and catastrophic climate impact."

The risk of passing tipping points includes the loss of Arctic sea ice, which currently acts as a defensive shield reflecting heat back into space, the disintegration of the Greenland ice sheet and the world’s other glaciers, as well as the die off of the Amazon and other forests. Current climate impacts are already causing significant harm, contributing to extreme weather events. This year has already seen record floods and droughts around the world including in the Horn of Africa where millions are facing starvation. Emissions of black carbon and other short-lived climate forcers can be reduced quickly using existing technologies and existing laws, according to a recent assessment by the U.N. Environment Programme and World Meteorological Organization.

The EU Resolution follows the first-ever ministerial meeting on short-lived climate forcers held 12 September in Mexico City, hosted by Mexico and Sweden, along with the United States and the United Nations Environment Programme. A follow-up technical meeting will be hosted by Bangladesh in October, with further ministerial meetings likely in the future.

Eco Art by Christopher Rodrigues @ NYC's RARE Gallery

2011-06-28T02:55:00.000-04:00

New York City's RARE Gallery is pleased to announce ". . . all of you on the good Earth," an exhibition of Planets, a series of otherworldly photo-collaged digital images by British/Canadian artist Christopher Rodrigues. The show, which runs from June 30 to August 12, marks Rodrigues' solo debut at RARE.

The exhibition's title directly references the Apollo 8 crew's 1968 Christmas Eve address that was broadcast live from the Command Module during lunar orbit as the Earth came into view over the Moon's horizon. Much like the televised images beamed back to Earth during the mission, Rodrigues' focus is on a planetary view of nature, where the entire solar system is home to isolated, Eden-like environments, inherently sick places, and those made uninhabitable because of human interference.

With his Planets series, of which nine of the nineteen images are being shown at RARE, Rodrigues seeks to promote the healing of our planet. Each world focuses on a different stage our planetary landscape has passed through or can potentially inhabit. While a small group of planets portrays a balanced setting of water, land, and atmosphere, others reflect a manipulation of these components to create more aqueous, gaseous, or green realms, as well as ones marked by pollution, waste, and scarring. Some planets are more elemental, hardly formed at all, seeming to mimic the birthing process of stars, pure and unadulterated.

". . . all of you on the good Earth" connects the artist's evolving concept of landscape depiction with the environmental issues that concern him. Rodrigues' artistic methods have progressed over the years from traditionally focused painting, drawing, and collage to the utilization of digital imagery and Photoshop which have allowed him to create a unique, pop-up book aesthetic that resembles, yet breaks with, traditional practices for making art. His process is one of searching the Internet for images from which he can borrow pixels of color, manipulating the pixels in a painterly fashion using Photoshop to generate a library of elements (e.g., trees, flowers, rocks, water, clouds), and then assembling them in a collage-like manner to build his planets.

The Planet series of "photographs" honors nature while celebrating technology, an important concern in an age when humans are struggling to find a balance with the planet that sustains them. Rodrigues believes that through the proper use of computers we can organize and facilitate solutions to a fair share of today's global crises. According to the artist, while computers have been vehicles for greed that are partially responsible for many of the problems of our time, such as pollution, over-industrialization, and war, they can also be tools for positive change and evolution.

Rodrigues studied art at the University of Toronto from 1994 to 1995 and from 1999 to 2001, and at Ontario College of Art & Design from 1995 to 1996. He exhibited twice in 2011 at the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art and the Vivarium Gallery, a window-front gallery he co-founded in Vancouver. In 2010, Rodrigues showed at Port Moodie Arts Centre in Vancouver, the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art, the Hunterdon Art Museum in New Jersey, and The Rymer Gallery in Nashville, TN.

The opening night reception is being sponsored by Grolsch Premium Lager.

Bank of America to Invest $2.6 Billion in Rooftop Solar

2011-06-23T18:43:00.000-04:00

NEW YORK - Rooftop solar generation takes a giant leap forward as a consortium of companies led by Bank of America Merrill Lynch to build the largest distributed rooftop solar generation project in the world. The loan guarantee - from the Department of Energy - supporting $1.4 billion of debt facilitates a total project size of about $2.6 billion, which is being financed entirely by the private sector over the next four years.

This distributed solar project will generate employment across 28 states and will create the equivalent of more than 10,000 full-year jobs. Once fully funded and completed, these installations are expected to provide approximately 733 megawatts (MW) of distributed solar energy, which is enough clean, renewable energy to power approximately 100,000 homes.

Of this first phase, 15 MW of solar capacity is ready immediately for construction and installation in Southern California, where the power generated will be sold to a local utility under long-term power purchase agreements that have been approved and executed. NRG Energy has committed to be the lead investor for the first phase of the project over the next 18 months.

Bank of America is acting as sole financial and structuring advisor and sole lender on this transaction, which is being executed under the Department of Energy's Financial Institutions Partnership Program (FIPP). Through FIPP, the DOE will guarantee 80 percent of the $1.4 billion debt financing for this transaction.

"By harnessing the full capabilities of our platform we're able to deliver this innovative transaction that brings together many parts of our Global Banking and Markets franchise," said Tom Montag, president of Global Banking and Markets. "This important accomplishment transforms the dynamics of distributed solar generation, delivers a significant source of clean energy and creates thousands of jobs across the U.S."

Prologis, the leading owner, operator and developer of industrial real estate, will provide site access to rooftops and will also act as developer, construction manager and program sponsor, in addition to making an equity investment. This effort is the most recent example of the company's long-standing and industry-leading commitment to renewable energy.

This transaction also is a part of Bank of America's 10-year, $20 billion environmental business initiative, which focuses on addressing climate change by aligning its global financial products and services to help advance energy efficiency and low-carbon energy markets.

ISO Launches ISO 50001 Energy Management Standard

2011-06-15T21:32:00.000-04:00

With energy one of the most critical challenges facing the international community, the publication on 15 June of the ISO International Standard ISO 50001 on energy management systems is an eagerly awaited event because it is estimated the standard could have a positive impact on some 60 % of the world’s energy use.

ISO 50001 will provide public and private sector organizations with management strategies to increase energy efficiency, reduce costs and improve energy performance.

The standard will be available on the ISO Website www.iso.org on 15 June. In addition, ISO is launching the standard on 17 June at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG). Presentations on the following themes are planned:

ISO 50001 within the context of ISO standards in general and how they can contribute to solving global problems
A description of ISO 50001 and its benefits
How the standard was developed, who was involved and how they overcame challenges
What ISO 50001 can do for developing countries.

ISO Secretary-General Rob Steele comments: “Energy is critical to organizational operations and can be a major cost to organizations, whatever their activities. An idea can be gained by considering the use of energy through the supply chain of a business, from raw materials through to recycling.

“Individual organizations cannot control energy prices, government policies or the global economy, but they can improve the way they manage energy in the here and now. Improved energy performance can provide rapid benefits for an organization by maximizing the use of its energy sources and energy-related assets, thus reducing both energy cost and consumption. The organization will also make positive contributions toward reducing depletion of energy resources and mitigating worldwide effects of energy use, such as global warming.”

ISO 50001 is intended to provide organizations with a recognized framework for integrating energy performance into their management practices. Multinational organizations will have access to a single, harmonized standard for implementation across the organization with a logical and consistent methodology for identifying and implementing improvements. The standard is intended to accomplish the following:

Assist organizations in making better use of their existing energy-consuming assets
Create transparency and facilitate communication on the management of energy resources
Promote energy management best practices and reinforce good energy management behaviours
Assist facilities in evaluating and prioritizing the implementation of new energy-efficient technologies
Provide a framework for promoting energy efficiency throughout the supply chain
Facilitate energy management improvements for greenhouse gas emission reduction projects
Allow integration with other organizational management systems such as environmental, and health and safety.

Expedition to Study Gulf of Mexico EcoSystem

2011-06-09T13:00:00.000-04:00

BATON ROUGE, LA - Ocean Alliance, the University of Southern Maine and Albemarle Corporation launched a 14-week scientific voyage on June 8, 2011 to study the impacts of recent oil spills and natural disasters on the Gulf of Mexico, one of the world's most important ocean habitats.

The scientific mission left Key West, Florida with a ten-person team aboard the 93-foot floating laboratory, Odyssey. The team will collect samples from fish, squid, krill, sperm and Brydes whales, and the water from depths of up to 3,000 feet to try to monitor and gauge the health of the Gulf ecosystem. The expedition, set to leave on World Oceans Day, is supported by a number of foundations and individuals as well as by primary sponsor Albemarle.

"The oceans are downhill from everything, so ultimately, everything washes down into our oceans," said Iain Kerr, D.H.L CEO, Ocean Alliance. "Nowhere else in America can we better see the impact of recent events than in the Gulf of Mexico, which receives all the runoff from the Mississippi river as it meanders through the heart of America. Recent flooding and the oil spill in 2010 have put the Gulf species under enormous habitat pressure recently, and our expedition will strive to find ways to appropriately address the long-term effects on the Gulf ecosystem."

The expedition will follow the 3,000 ft depth contour line into the Gulf of Mexico, spending considerable time working within 5 to 100 miles of the Deepwater Horizon site. Each expedition leg will last around 2 weeks, with students and scientists joining the Odyssey for different legs.

"Albemarle is dedicated to using scientific research to find safe, sustainable solutions to environmental challenges," said Mark Rohr, Albemarle Chairman and CEO. "We are proud to support the voyage of the Odyssey as its team seeks to better understand the impacts of society on our important ecosystems."

The data collected on the expedition will be taken to the University of Southern Maine and analyzed by researchers at the Wise Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology. The report of the impacts is expected to assist scientists in better understanding how and what can be done to lesson or reduce the impacts these recent events have had on this ecosystem that is the home of so many important species of whales.

Daily blog updates on the voyage will be posted at www.oceanalliance.org, http://www.usm.maine.edu/toxicology/gulf/index.php and via links on www.albemarle.com.

NHL Makes Stanley Cup 2011 Water Neutral

2011-06-02T19:52:00.001-04:00

NEW YORK – NHL Green, the National Hockey League's sustainability initiative, unveiled the NHL Water Restoration Project on June 1, an unprecedented commitment to balancing the League's water footprint that will make the 2011 Stanley Cup Final the first ever water-neutral series in League history.

Through the project, the NHL has pledged to restore at least one million gallons of water to Oregon's Deschutes River, replenishing an important resource in a critically dewatered ecosystem. Total water used throughout Rogers Arena and TD Garden, from the faucets to the ice surface, will be tracked and its equivalent restored through Bonneville Environmental Foundation's Water Restoration Certificates™.

"This is a monumental statement on the part of the NHL, its fans, teams, and players," says Todd Reeve, Vice President of Watershed Programs at the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. "This commitment to match water used on the ice and in the arena with an equal amount restored to a critically dewatered river represents a cutting edge commitment to sustainability."

The portion of the river that runs between the City of Bend and Lake Billy Chinook is known as the Middle Deschutes River. It is a scenic gem with the potential to support world-class recreation and functioning aquatic ecosystems. However, water rights holders, individuals who in addition to property ownership possess a legal right to remove river water for "beneficial economic use", divert most of the river's water at Bend. These disruptions of stream flow have degraded habitats, resulting in poor water quality and a decline in the overall health of the river. The NHL Water Restoration Project will help return the Middle Deschutes to the vibrant watercourse it once was.

Water not only is essential to the planet, but it's key to business -- especially when your business is hockey. Many NHL players learned to play the game on outdoor ponds. NHL Green is committed to keeping those bodies of water available for the next generation of hockey stars. As droughts, water rationing and water pollution become more prevalent, water stewardship is developing into a top priority among the League's sustainability plans.

Innovative Market Solution to Water Sustainability

Historically, water rights holders have had to adhere to policies that foster a "use it or lose it" model for water use, resulting in waste, overconsumption and the deterioration of watercourses. New, progressive water laws now consider water left in rivers and streams to be a "beneficial use", meaning water may be restored to rivers and streams without forfeiting the landowner's water rights.

In 2009, Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) created Water Restoration Certificates (WRCs), to provide an economic incentive for water rights holders to contribute to restoration efforts. BEF's WRC program is the first national-level, market-based solution that restores flow to deteriorating fresh water resources in the United States. BEF's WRCs help critically dewatered rivers and streams become healthy and flowing again.

The NHL Water Restoration Project provides financial support for BEF in its collaboration with the Deschutes River Conservancy, the organization facilitating negotiations with local water rights holders and managing construction of stream flow restoration projects in the Deschutes basin. The State of Oregon assures compliance by both parties.

Standards and criteria for the program have been certified by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to ensure water is returned in ways that provide the greatest environmental benefit to rivers, streams and fish and wildlife populations. The League's purchase of each WRC is officially recorded and available for view online through Markit Environmental Registry.

The National Hockey League partnered with Bonneville Environmental Foundation for the 2011 NHL Winter Classic and 2011 NHL All-Star Game, purchasing 426 Renewable Energy Certificates to support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the development of new renewable energy facilities. In 2009 and 2010, BEF was recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Department of Energy and the Center for Resource Solutions as Green Power Supplier of the Year.

Bicycling from Canada to New York City...Almost

2011-05-23T13:29:00.000-04:00

May is Bike Month across America with many cities hosting events. New York City hosts many rides and activities. This is just one New York biking story. The bike pictured above is the bike that took the following journey.

My bicycle trip to New York City from Ottawa, Canada was supposed to start in Ottawa. It didn't. The bicycle trip was my 40th birthday present to myself and as I didn't think I'd be able to get my bicycle over the border I had my son drive me down to Ogdensberg, sans bike.

Since I wasn't bringing my own bike, I needed to find one in New York State. I could have picked one up at Wal-Mart in Watertown but I wanted my bicycle to have character, to have a history. Bike's from Wal-Mart have neither.

What I needed was a second hand bike that had its own character. It didn't have to be 40 years old like me. I didn't want it to be 40 years old like me. As the bike was going to be my best friend until we pedaled into Manhattan together it needed human qualities that only a bike with a history could provide.

There was no bicycle to be found in Pulaski. There were bikers however - not bicycle bikers but real bikers - and over the course of a few beers we mapped out my route to New York City. The next morning I said goodbye to my son, and started walking down the road. I had heard that there was a yard sale "a couple of miles down the road" with lots of bikes. Surely one of them would have the character and strength I needed for my ride into the Big Apple.

Williamstown is where I finally found my bike. I had walked into town just as the late June skies opened up. Fortunately the skies opened as I was passing the one bar in town and so I sought refuge and a cold beverage. The one patron at the bar couldn't believe that I had walked from Pulaski to there.
"That's 25 miles," he said incredulously. I shrugged, mileage didn't matter to me, I was on a quest. I told Mr. Incredulous my story and why I was walking. I had to find that one particular bike. An hour later and the barfly had sold me his 10 year old Huffy for $50. He had stopped riding it after his eighth heart attack two years before. My bicycle trip had officially begun.

As most of the day was behind me I only managed to make it to Rome that night, just as the skies opened again. But it was a good start - I didn't over-exert myself and I got a good night's sleep.
The next couple of days consisted of pedaling up some hill (in my mind it was a mountain) for 20 minutes then racing down the other side of that hill (in my mind it was a mountain) in 20 seconds. There was no time to catch my breath - 20 minutes up a hill, 20 seconds down - repeated ad nauseum.

Beaten from yet another day of little progress - I had expected to average between 14-20 miles per hour and I had been averaging closer to seven owing to the hills (in my mind they were mountains) - I checked into a rundown little motel in the middle of nowhere.

The elderly owner shook his head at me when I told him what I was doing. He wasn't impressed. "A couple of years ago we had this 80-year-old guy on a bike spend the night here. And he was coming from California," he said shaking his head in disdain for me. The old guy wanted to charge me $107 for my room. Until then I had been paying between $30-40 per night on the road.

"There's another motel 20 or so miles down the road," he offered with a wicked smile. We both knew I didn't have another 20 miles of cycling in me and it was now 9PM. I paid his rate and cursed both old men under my breath before falling asleep in my $107 bed which was as comfortable as the backseat of a '78 Camaro.

Fittingly, it was the Fourth of July when I crossed the George Washington Bridge into Manhattan. I quickly found Broadway and started to cycle down America's Main Street towards Greenwich Village and the end of my journey. My body was beaten up after five days of riding over the Adirondacks and the Catskills but I had a grin from ear-to-ear. I was 40 and I had just completed the longest bicycle ride of my life.

EPA Launches Climate Awards Program

2011-05-19T14:58:00.000-04:00

Washington, DC – The Climate Registry (The Registry), the Pew Center on Global Climate Change (Pew Center) and the Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO) announced that they will jointly sponsor a new national awards program with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to recognize exemplary corporate, organizational and individual leadership in response to climate change.

By showcasing voluntary action on climate and energy under a unified banner, EPA, The Registry, Pew Center and ACCO are sending a strong signal that innovative and sustained leadership in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) management will be recognized in the United States.

"The co-sponsorship of this new recognition opportunity reflects EPA’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and recognizing leadership on climate change," said EPA Assistant Administrator Gina McCarthy. "We are pleased to be partnering with three non-profit organizations that have demonstrated expertise in GHG emissions management."

An event to honor award recipients will be held in early 2012. Specific award categories will include:

Sustained Excellence in Public Reporting –Recognizing companies that continually raise the bar in the area of public disclosure of GHG emissions data. This would include regular public reporting and verification of corporate GHG inventories, GHG goal setting and achievement of GHG emissions reductions.
Supply Chain Leadership –Recognizing companies that have their own comprehensive GHG inventories and emissions reduction goals and can demonstrate that they are at the leading edge of managing carbon in their supply chain.
Organizational Leadership –Recognizing companies that have “mainstreamed” climate change across their operations and can demonstrate that they factor climate change into their business decisions.
Individual Leadership –Recognizing individuals exemplifying extraordinary leadership in leading their organizations’ response to climate change and/or affecting the responses of other organizations.

These award categories provide a legacy for EPA’s Climate Leaders program, which provided support to private sector corporations who voluntarily set and achieved greenhouse gas reduction targets, and ACCO’s Climate Leadership Awards, which recognized exemplary leadership by organizations in industry, government, academia and the non-profit community.

“Corporate leadership is essential to advancing climate and energy solutions,” said Eileen Claussen, President of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. “In growing numbers, companies and their employees are working tirelessly in pursuit of cost-effective solutions that reduce carbon and benefit consumers. Recognizing these great accomplishments serves to motivate and accelerate efforts throughout the business community toward a cleaner, more efficient energy future."

“The Climate Registry is delighted to partner with EPA, the Pew Center and ACCO on this important program, which will build on the work of Climate Leaders as well as our own carbon management program,” said Denise Sheehan, Executive Director of The Climate Registry. “Together we look forward to continuing to provide the tools, resources and recognition that organizations need to take their climate and carbon leadership to the next level.”

"Amongst ACCO’s primary missions is bringing together climate executives from across sectors to collaborate and establish best practices," said Daniel Kreeger, ACCO's Executive Director. "We look forward to undertaking such a timely and important effort with our partners - The Climate Registry and the Pew Center - who have been on the cutting edge of climate response, and of course EPA, whose Climate Protection Awards inspired ACCO’s 2010 Climate Leadership Awards program and whose Climate Leaders program has been so instrumental in driving climate response."

More information is available online at www.epa.gov/climateleaders. Additional information on the award categories and nomination process will be made publicly available in the next few weeks.

The Green Grid Completes Energy Efficiency Recommendations

2011-05-18T14:20:00.000-04:00

Portland, OR – The Green Grid Association together with The Data Center Metrics Coordination Taskforce, delivered its latest recommendations for energy efficiency measurement and reporting earlier this week.

The new report, titled “Recommendations for Measuring and Reporting Overall Data Center Efficiency: Version 2 – Measuring PUE at Data Centers” completes the guidelines for applying the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE™) metric, created and promoted by The Green Grid. The new information includes specific recommendations for how to measure and calculate PUE in mixed-use data center facilities and introduces a condenser water source energy weighting factor.

Alignment on these methodologies across the industry will lead to consistent and repeatable measurement strategies that allow data center operators to monitor and improve the energy efficiency when operating their existing data centers, or when designing new facilities.

For a dedicated data center, the total energy in the PUE equation will include all energy sources at the point of utility handoff to the data center owner or operator. For mixed-use data centers, the total energy will be all energy required to operate the data center, similar to a dedicated data center, and should include cooling, lighting, and support infrastructure for the data center operations.

“The task force has accomplished a tremendous amount of work to help the data center industry have a common understanding of energy efficiency metrics to improve data center efficiencies and reduce energy use,” said Dan Azevedo, Symantec representative and Board member of The Green Grid. “We are looking forward to working with our colleagues on the next steps for the industry, including identifying a roadmap for future efficiency programs such as IT productivity and carbon accounting.”

The task force intends to continue collaborating in the years ahead to ensure that data center resource efficiency and productivity is delivered as consistently as possible across regions. The Green Grid, which encourages worldwide industry collaboration, is actively working on dozens of strategic and tactical projects to improve data center resource efficiency.

Montreal Protocol Celebrated for Ozone Success

2010-09-16T13:49:00.000-04:00

Washington, DC – Today marks the 23^rd anniversary of the Montreal Protocol, the international treaty that was created in 1987 to protect and restore the ozone layer. The treaty has not only achieved each of its goals over the last several decades, including this year’s major milestone which marks the complete phase-out of CFCs, it has also become the world’s best climate treaty, to date.

Aggressively phasing out CFCs translated not only to major ozone protection, but also to significant climate protection: 222 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO₂-eq.) in mitigation which has delayed climate change by 7 to 12 years.

The Montreal Protocol Parties began actively protecting the climate system in 2007 with an agreement to accelerate HCFCs, the chemicals that replaced CFCs. This agreement will avoid up to 15 billion tonnes of CO₂-eq. by 2040, another potential big win for climate, albeit with a caveat:

“The Montreal Protocol Parties took unprecedented action in 2007 to protect the climate system, in addition to the ozone layer, but their well-meaning actions will be quickly undone if we don’t pay attention to the alternatives that will replace HCFCs,” warned Durwood Zaelke. “The HFC substitutes for HCFCs are big, bad greenhouse gases that need to be taken out of circulation now.”

HFCs – many with hundreds to thousands the global warming potential of CO₂ – are currently the main coolants used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems, as well as blowing agents for insulating foams. However, now that new ozone- and climate-friendly alternatives are available and more are emerging, HFCs are an unnecessary climate burden. Should the HFC problem go ignored, there is a price. The growth of HFCs is skyrocketing and if they are not controlled, their climate impact could equal that of CFCs at their peak, according to the new Executive Summary of the 2010 Ozone Assessment by the Montreal Protocol’s Scientific Assessment Panel, which was released today. Over 300 scientists were involved in the preparation on the assessment.

“Air conditioning and refrigeration are huge industries, and HFC emissions are expected to grow dramatically over the next few decades without serious regulation – this would essentially wipe out progress achieved so far under the Kyoto Protocol,” added Zaelke.

The solution? Getting rid of HFCs – gases that are very similar to CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances – by phasing them down under the Montreal Protocol. Taking this action has a big reward: up to 100 billion tonnes of CO₂-eq. in climate mitigation by 2050.

The Federated States of Micronesia, with backing from other island Parties, is determined to make this happen at this November’s Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in Kampala, Uganda. The small island nation, increasingly vulnerable to sea level rise and other climate impacts, submitted a proposal on HFCs in April, for the second year in a row, in the hopes of making a major dent in greenhouse gas emission that will help delay near-term consequences from climate change. Mexico, the US, and Canada, followed suit, with their own joint proposal, but more leadership is needed.

“There’s a general feeling of ‘yes, this is a good idea’, but it’s not being backed up with the kind of high-level political support that we need,” said Zaelke. “The Montreal Protocol strategy is fast, cost-effective, can achieve major mitigation, and has the backing of 196 Parties, a strong financial mechanism and 23 years of experience and expertise. In comparison with other available options right now, this is a damn good deal.”

In his remarks for International Ozone Day, United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon recognized the Montreal Protocol’s key role to play in achieving climate success, encouraging the treaty to continue its important efforts, ". . .Because ozone-depleting chemicals are also greenhouse gases, the Protocol is instrumental in the fight against climate change. . .and will continue to play an important role. . .I encourage Parties to the Montreal Protocol to continue to build on this model and to explore synergies that could help address other environmental challenges, especially climate change."

The Blessing of the Waves in Surf City USA

2010-09-01T07:01:00.000-04:00

ORANGE, CA – Southern California is home to many world-class surf breaks and the majority of these are in Orange County. Many people spend much of their time surfing and enjoying the natural beauty of the coast line and recognize the spiritual importance of this natural asset. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange will, in solidarity with other faith traditions, host the third annual Blessing of the Waves at the iconic Huntington Beach Pier (400 Pacific Coast Highway) October 3, 2010, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

The goal of the event is to bring together surfers and ocean-minded people, regardless of their faith tradition, to show spiritual appreciation for the ocean and all that it gives the planet and its population. This gathering demonstrates concern for a cherished environment already compromised by the effects of climate change, toxic emissions, and other pollution.

“In Orange County our beaches are more than simple geography; they are a cultural and spiritual center of our community. It is important that we recognize this common element in all our lives, regardless of faith tradition,” said Most Rev. Tod D. Brown, Bishop of Orange.

The Diocese of Orange organized this first of its kind inter-religious event in 2008 drawing more than 400 participants to the Huntington Beach pier to take part in this community activity. The second annual event held in 2009 drew more than 1,000 participants to the iconic pier for this spiritual observance. Participants called attention to the immeasurable importance of our oceans and beaches, and took a deeper look at their spiritual significance. The third annual interfaith event will feature a pledge to protect our oceans and beaches, acknowledgment of marine safety representatives, and close with surfing priests and other religious leaders. Tongan and Samoan choirs will perform traditional ocean songs, giving thanks to God for our ocean environment.

“It is fitting that this blessing will be held on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology. Our coast line and its diverse ecosystem are under constant strain and increased environmental pressures,” said Rev. Christian Mondor, OFM, PhD, Vicar Emeritus Sts. Simon and Jude. “I am excited to join with members of our diverse faith community here in Huntington Beach to bless waves, those who ride on them, and the lifeguards who protect ocean goers.”

California’s coastal region is under significant threat due to pollution and global climate change. California will lose an estimated 41 square miles of coastline due to erosion by 2100, according to the California Climate Change Center. Wave height and wave shape – requisites for surfing are adversely affected by sea floor conditions influenced by silt and other detritus entering the ocean. Our beach water quality is already dangerous to the health of swimmers and others – between April 2009 and March 2010, more than 100 beaches in California were closed because of the presence of toxic waste and other hazards.

(An unedited version of this release including video can be found by clicking here.)

Penn State to receive up to $122 million for "Energy Innovation Hub"

2010-08-30T07:59:00.000-04:00

Washington, D.C. - A team led by The Pennsylvania State University will receive up to $122 million over the next five years from the Department of Energy to establish an Energy Innovation Hub focused on developing technologies to make buildings more energy efficient. The Energy Innovation Hub will be located at the Philadelphia Navy Yard Clean Energy campus, and will bring together leading researchers from academia, two U.S. National Laboratories and the private sector in an ambitious effort to develop energy-efficient building designs that will save energy, cut pollution, and position the United States as a leader in this industry.
Buildings account for nearly 40 percent of U.S. energy consumption and carbon emissions. Developing systems to improve building efficiency will provide significant benefits - reducing energy use and bills, cutting pollution, and creating jobs in the building efficiency industry.

"The Energy Innovation Hubs are a key part of our effort to harness the power of American ingenuity to achieve transformative energy breakthroughs," said Secretary Chu. "By bringing together some of our brightest minds, we can develop cutting-edge building energy efficiency technologies that will reduce energy bills, cut carbon pollution, and create jobs. This important investment will help Philadelphia become a leader in the global clean energy economy."

"This significant federal funding to establish the Energy Innovation Hub will build on Pennsylvania's growing reputation as a clean energy leader," said Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell. "In addition to helping to protect our environment, investments in clean energy create good-paying jobs. And the great ideas that will come from this groundbreaking energy lab will help to reduce our nation's reliance on foreign energy sources - representing a win-win for taxpayers."

"This funding is great news for the Commonwealth and is a crucial step towards creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly America," said U.S. Senator Bob Casey. "With this support, the consortium can focus on energy efficiency and innovation and assist communities in reducing their energy use and creating good jobs for Pennsylvanians."

"Reducing energy consumption by buildings is an indispensable part of a clean energy, energy-efficient, low-emission American economy," said U.S. Senator Arlen Specter. "This funding presents a major opportunity to create new jobs and industries, save energy, reduce energy prices, and reduce emissions. I am pleased that Penn State and Philadelphia are leading the nation through technical innovation."

The mission of this Energy Innovation Hub is to research, develop and demonstrate highly efficient building components, systems, and models which are applicable to both retrofit and new construction. The Hub team will pursue a research, development and demonstration (RD&D) program targeting technologies for single buildings and district-wide systems.

These technologies include computer simulation and design tools to enable integrated project teams of architects, engineers, contractors and building operators to work collaboratively on retrofit, renovation and new building design projects; advanced combined heat and power (CHP) systems; building-integrated photovoltaic systems for energy generation; advanced HVAC systems with integrated indoor air quality management; and sensor and control networks to monitor building conditions and optimize energy use. The RD&D program will also incorporate a systematic analysis of the role of policy, markets and behavior in driving the adoption and use of energy technologies in buildings.

The Energy-Efficient Building Systems Design Hub is one of three Hubs that will receive funding in FY10. In May, the Department announced that a team led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory will establish a Hub on modeling and simulation for nuclear reactors. In July, the Department announced that a team led by the California Institute of Technology will establish a Hub focused on developing Fuels from Sunlight. The Energy Innovation Hubs are large, multidisciplinary, highly collaborative teams of scientists and engineers working over a longer time frame to achieve a specific high-priority technical goal. They will be managed by top teams of scientists and engineers with enough resources and authority to move quickly in response to new developments.

The team, led by Dr. Henry C. Foley, will use the Navy Yard campus, which has over 200 buildings and operates an independent electric microgrid as a "virtual municipality" to test and validate the technologies developed by the RD&D program in real buildings.
The Energy Innovation Hub will be funded by the Department of Energy at up to $22 million this fiscal year. The Hub will then be funded at an estimated $25 million per year for the next four years, subject to Congressional appropriations.

Additionally, the Energy-Efficient Building Systems Design Hub will serve as an anchor for a multi-agency initiative to support a Regional Innovation Cluster. Further details of the Regional Innovation Cluster will be announced soon.

Save the Planet - Sustain A School

2010-08-23T07:14:00.001-04:00

LOS ANGELES - The Ultimate Green Store has set up a division of its affiliate program for schools to be able to fundraise online. "The process is simple," says Laura Meyer, CEO of the company in announcing the launch of their Save the Planet - Sustain A School program.. "Schools can join the affiliate program through our website and download banners for their school website or e-newsletters, thereby providing parents with a resource for hundreds of eco-friendly products including a large selection of back-to-school supplies and school gear. The store will soon be launching a Teens & Dorm section that will tie into the application of the program to universities and college students."

A percentage of every sale that results from a click from the school website or e-newsletter will go back to the school. The program is open to any school - public or private - at any level from elementary schools to universities.

With so many schools communicating with parents and students online and supporting or initiating green practices, The Ultimate Green Store.com believes this is a great opportunity for schools to fundraise and support green products. Announcements about scheduled webinars about the program for parents and school administrators will follow.

In addition to the affiliate component of the program, The Ultimate Green Store.com will be donating a percentage of sales to provide schools in need with eco-friendly school supplies. "Crippled by budget cuts, a growing number of schools across the country are facing a serious shortage of school supplies," says Meyer, a mother of three school-age boys. Educators whose classrooms lack basic items such as paper and pencils must often pay for them out of their own pockets. Supply shortages present a serious challenge for teachers and can lower the quality of education children receive.

The Ultimate Green Store.com will do its job of giving back by donating things like tree-free paper, recycled newspaper pencils, biodegradable rulers and recycled crayons. Meyer says schools will be encouraged to share with their students literature provided by The Ultimate Green Store.com about how the donated items help the planet. Says Meyer, "educating students about going green is empowering to all kids - it gives them something to care about and a greater purpose."

Mexican diplomacy in the rescue of Cancun climate change summit

2010-08-20T07:56:00.000-04:00

LONDON - Leading figures in the Mexican negotiating team are trying to save the upcoming UN climate change summit in Cancun from collapse in a bout of frantic diplomacy and bring developing countries back on board. They have spent the past few weeks attempting to restore confidence in the negotiating process after the most recent round of talks in Bonn ended in a standoff between industrialized and developing countries.

Fernando Tudela, Mexico's chief negotiator, said the host nation accepted the Cancun summit would not deliver an international climate change treaty, but insisted a "spectacular breakthrough" was still possible. Tudela said the Cancun summit would aim to deliver "a set of meaningful decisions" on issues such as climate financing and adaptation, while also engineering an end to the "regime standoff" that has marred past negotiations.

Tudela's colleagues have been attempting to lay the foundation for an advance over the past few weeks by reaching out to those countries that have repeatedly blocked climate change negotiations. Also, Mexican officials are actively courting those developing countries that have "felt excluded" from the negotiations. The nations that admitted being frustrated by their exclusion from the Copenhagen climate change summit include Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Pakistan, the Gulf states, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Peru and Colombia.

Mexico's climate ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba said, "We have a very clear understanding that this is a process that needs to have everybody involved, not only the major [greenhouse gas] emitters." He also revealed that Mexico was attempting to broker a deal with African countries to ensure they are better prepared for the next round of climate change talks. The talks, formally known as the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP 6) will be held at the seaside resort from November 29 through to December 10, 2010.

Meanwhile, Patricia Espinosa, Mexico's minister for foreign affairs, who will chair the COP15 meeting in the Cancun summit, this week travelled to India to meet with the country's influential environment minister Jairam Ramesh. According to reports in the Hindustan Times, Espinosa told Ramesh that "an ambitious outcome at the global meet requires India's sustained political guidance and support." The two countries' negotiating teams also discussed their respective positions ahead of the Cancun climate change summit, particularly with regards to carbon emission targets and technology transfer arrangements.

Cutting Black Carbon Soot Could Save Arctic

2010-07-29T13:35:00.004-04:00

Washington, DC – Reducing emissions of black carbon, the dark component of soot, could be the best – and perhaps only – way to save the Arctic from warmer temperatures that are melting its snow and ice, according to a study published today in the Journal of Geophysical Research. Dr. Mark Jacobson of Stanford University studied the short-term effects of reducing black carbon and other greenhouse gases, including CO2 and methane, over a 15-year period of time, with black carbon reductions appearing to be the fastest way to avoid further Arctic ice loss and warming.

Jacobson’s study found that aggressive reductions in black carbon emissions produced from both the burning of fossil fuels and burning of biomass, could lower temperatures in the Arctic by 1.7˚C within the next 15 years. The Arctic has warmed at least 2.5˚C over the past century – a reduction of this magnitude could help slow ice loss and potentially save it from reaching a tipping point where it would be impossible to recover its snow and ice cover.

“The Arctic is a critical defense shield for the Earth’s climate system. Its vast expanse of ice and snow is reflecting significant incoming heat back into space. We cannot afford to lose the Arctic,” said Durwood Zaelke, President of the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development. “Targeting black carbon with aggressive, fast action today is the most important strategy for saving the Arctic.”

Black carbon has a particularly negative impact on the Arctic and other regions with snow and ice, such as the Tibetan Plateau in Asia. After a few days or weeks, the black carbon particles are washed out of the atmosphere and deposited on the ground below, darkening the reflective white surface and leading to greater absorption of solar radiation. This leads to more melting and larger pools of dark water, which then absorb more heat, continuing a dangerous feedback cycle.

Besides its damaging impact on the Arctic, black carbon emissions have a significant effect on the overall warming of the earth. After studying the different climate forcers’ impacts on Arctic temperatures, as well as clouds and precipitation, Jacobson was able to conclude that black carbon may be the second largest contributor to warming after CO2, echoing the conclusion by several other scientists.

“On top of all this, black carbon is a killer,” added Zaelke. “Nearly a million and a half people die every year from breathing air polluted by black carbon and contracting deadly respiratory diseases. Black carbon is bad news for development, which depends on a healthy population, and we need to get rid of it now.”

Fortunately, as Jacobson notes in his paper, fairly simple technologies such as diesel particulate filters for vehicles and more efficient cookstoves, are available now and can effectively reduce black carbon emissions.

“We have the technology to solve this problem, and now we need to make it a priority,” said Zaelke.

Solar power to supply 80 percent of General Mills energy needs

2010-07-26T07:33:00.001-04:00

General Mills yogurt facility in Methuen, MA has completed a solar retrofit that is expected to produce 80 percent of the warehouse's warm weather power needs. The Methuen plant is the company's first U.S. facility to produce its own electricity via solar energy.

"The enthusiasm of the work force and the partnership with state and local government led the way for us to install the solar panels," said Jon Russett, energy manager in General Mills' Supply Chain operations. "General Mills is committed to continuously improving its environmental performance."

The company's investment in renewable energy extends globally. A facility in Spain now receives all of its electricity and more than 30 percent of its overall energy needs from renewable energy sources - including wind power. Closer to home, General Mills is constructing a biomass burner at an oat-milling facility in Minnesota. Using leftover oat hulls from the milling process the burner is expected to generate 90 percent of the steam needed to heat the plant and make oat flour.

"As we continue to work on sustainability across our supply chain, we remain confident that the groundwork we've laid will continue to show even more progress in the future," said Russet.

Innovative Art Contest Explores Climate Change.

2010-07-20T03:03:00.007-04:00

LOS ANGELES - The Gulf oil disaster is but one example of the ways in which our fossil fuel economy is impacting the planet we call home. But as bad as this catastrophe is, the specter of global climate change looms even larger as a threat to sustaining life on Earth. Despite overwhelming evidence - species extinction and dwindling water supplies to mass migrations and mega-storms - the public is still unclear what climate really means for them.

That is why the Creative Visions Foundation is calling on artists worldwide to participate in the CoolClimate Art Contest – the first online art contest exploring climate change in its many forms – how it is impacting our lives and what can be done to ensure a sustainable future for all of Earth’s inhabitants.

How Does it Work?
Submit a work of art that explores our relationship with the climate – from clean energy jobs to pollution-free oceans – the subject choice is yours. You can submit a piece you’ve already made, or pass this email along and get an artist friend involved. Post your art on www.coolclimate.deviantart.com and you will be eligible to win prizes, be featured on the Planet Green Planet100 show and be displayed at key leader events nationwide on 10/10/10.

A panel of esteemed judges, including: Philippe Cousteau (ecologist); Van Jones (environmental activist) and; Jackson Browne (musician)will select 20 finalists from all submissions.

Submissions are now open and will close on August 23, 2010. You can read the Official Contest Rules on the CoolClimate Group Page.

Historically the creative community has always helped to create new and expanded visions of possibility during difficult times and we look forward to the artist’s vision for a cool and sustainable future.

GreenWorksLinks Back-to-School Environmental News Digest

2009-08-21T07:01:00.003-04:00

This week GreenWorksLinks goes back to school and looks at energy savings at institutions across the country and other items of environmental interest for returning students. While the following links are not news stories that would have made your local papers they are all steps in the right direction.

An Education in Energy Efficient Schools
Charlottesville Elementary Schools Receive Honor for Saving Energy
Global Youth United in Efforts to Stop Climate Change
Green jobs place teens in a learning environment
Wellness in the Schools
Atlanta area schools going greener
Ohio school renovates stadium with environment in mind
New 'Princeton Guide to Ecology' explores topics from climate change to community organization
Eco-Schools in the UK
LEED for Schools

Next week GreenWorksLinks looks at a project in a New York school while squeezing in a course on why the Internet goes down at inopportune times.

The Emperor's new clothes - Don't be bamboozled by green clothing claims states FTC

2009-08-18T13:38:00.003-04:00

The FTC came down on four clothing companies this week for claiming that their clothing apparel was made of bamboo and environmentally friendly. In its findings against Sami Designs LLC, doing business as (DBA) Jonäno; CSE Inc., DBA Mad Mod; Pure Bamboo LLC and; the M Group Inc., DBA Bamboosa the FTC opened a lot of eyes as its complaint went beyond greenwashing.

While the companies could have been using bamboo as the basis for their clothing lines what the cited companies were selling to consumers under a green banner was in fact rayon.

Rayon, neither a natural or synthetic fiber, begins its journey to the store shelves as a cellulose fiber. Any plant or tree - including bamboo - can be used as the basis of the fiber. During the energy intensive manufacturing process of rayon the fiber source of the plant is dissolved in harsh chemicals. The process eliminates all natural properties of the bamboo plant and any claims to the benefit of bamboo clothing run counter to the science involved. Worse yet, hazardous air pollutants are emitted in the rayon process.

“With the tremendous expansion of green claims in today’s marketplace, it is particularly important for the FTC to address deceptive environmental claims, so that consumers can trust that the products they buy have the environmentally friendly attributes they want,” said David Vladeck, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “When companies sell products woven from man-made fibers, such as rayon, it is important that they accurately label and advertise those products – both with respect to the fibers they use and to the qualities those fibers possess.”

Bamboo is not the only niche clothing market that has had troubles backing up its environmental claims.

Cotton, the undisputed king of fibers, has strayed from its roots to become a toxic environmental offender accounting for more than a quarter of all agricultural pesticide use. Organic cotton hopes to reverse that trend. Representing less than one half of one percent of global cotton production organic cotton faces an uphill battle for marketplace acceptance. An expensive proposition, organic cotton includes costly chemical process challenges to keep the boll organic in the growing and manufacturing phases. The cost threshold for consumers has led the industry to focus more of its environmental efforts on cleaner cotton.

Hemp, once an agricultural staple has seen a resurgence in popularity and applications as consumers and legislators now see the difference between hemp and its outlawed cousin cannabis. Using less land, one acre of hemp will produce as much fiber as 2-3 acres of cotton and contribute to a healthy, enriched, microbial soil life. As with cotton and bamboo clothing alternatives the problem with hemp has more to do with the unregulated manufacturing process in underdeveloped countries where the hemp is primarily milled.

Closer to home, clothing made from the durable, long fibers of hemp could be entering the mainstream sooner rather than later. Hanesbrands Inc. in partnership with Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. announced this month that it is now developing a process facility for commercial grade organic hemp production in North Carolina.

Is America being bamboozled by misleading environmental claims? Jonäno, Mad Mod, and Pure Bamboo have agreed to settlements with the FTC and a final report may be issued at the FTC's discretion after September 10. Jonäno who has agreed to conform to the new labeling guidelines has issued a statement of its own that addresses the FTC's complaint.