Photo Via Samsung Electronics, 'Blue Earth'
Have you ever heard the phrase, ‘you vote with your dollar’? Well it’s true. Many consumers now only purchase products that have been deemed environmentally friendly. The effect? Producers must supply these environmentally friendly products or risk a serious drop in sales. Well, believe it or not, major cell phone manufacturers have begun to catch on. The result? Samsung’s up and coming eco-phone will be sporting it’s own solar panel and much more! Read more…
Victims of the 2006 monsoon flooding in Ahmedabad that displaced 25,000 people. Photo Credit: Meena Kadri
While we are witnessing the adverse effects of climate change far and wide, some are experiencing it’s consequences more than others. A recent news release from the Grameen Foundation and Oxfam America examined the critical role that microfinance institutions can be part of in order to lessen the impact of climate change on poor people. The article, Climate Change and Microfinance, written by Asif Dowla, a noted microfinance expert, points to some of the key poverty-related issues that need to be addressed this week at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. Read more…
Our current climate crisis is without borders. All nations, developed and developing, are in the same boat when dealing with the possible effects. Most leaders around the world have come to the realization that both ground work and international legislation are necessary to preserve our environment for the future. Things are no different in Jamaica. Read more…
Photo Credit: Hopenhagen
This is huge! 5 days and counting until 192 countries meet (well actually their representatives) in Copenhagen, Denmark, one of the greenest countries in the world, for what is thought to be the last big chance for our world to come together with a legitimate plan to combat global warming! Make your voice heard by signing the petition on the Hopenhagen website (it’s very quick and easy) and let the world know “what gives you hope for a better planet”… Read more…
Photo Credit: James Salvas
We know investors care about money, but what about water? Most of us probably haven’t considered the importance of water conservation for businesses; especially those of manufacturing and agriculture. But times are changing. Companies are under increased pressure to operate in a water-constrained world. Read more…
Photo Credit: McKay Savage
In remote parts of Africa or the Indian subcontinent, electricity is not easily accessible to hundreds of millions of people. Among these, are business owners who must either close down their shop once the sun sets, or turn to candle light or polluting kerosene lamps for illumination. Kerosene is highly flammable and the fumes are noxious. Every year thousands of people in developing countries die from accidents involving kerosene stoves and lamps. Recently, however, a new option has surfaced.
Through small loans provided for solar power devises, microfinance has supported these rural regions suffering from the lack of electricity that has hindered economic development, literacy rates, and overall health for residents. The solar power projects, typically funded by microcredit institutions, are assisting in reducing the carbon emissions in India and achieving its goal to double the contribution of renewable energy to 6 percent within the next four years. Read more…
Photo Credit: Simone Berna
The EU has taken huge strides in limiting Genetically Modified crops by rejecting their use for over a decade. In fact, in March, 2008 it was found that almost 60% of the EU population opposed the use of GMOs in agriculture. The Irish agree with this ban and aim to keep the island a GMO-free zone, off limits to any environmental release of GM seeds and crops. In doing so, they will see positive results in business, health and the environment.
By banning the use of these less than natural crops, Ireland has much to look forward to. Their livestock and human population will be protected; the landscape will escape the possibilities of invasion of GM superweeds (which will in turn protect farmers from GM patent infringement lawsuits); and will provide a competitive advantage on livestock and food exporters. Read more…
Though energy policy and the passing of climate change legislation is a time consuming process, President Obama displayed on Monday the power of an executive order. Obama has called on all federal agencies to set goals for deep emissions cuts by 2020. These agencies must create individual plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within 90 days. After the creation of these goals, the agencies must employ new strategies and technologies to meet targeted emission levels by 2020. Read more…
Photo Credit: David Boyle
Climate Change policy is like putting together a puzzle. There are many different pieces and all must come together and fit before the big picture is realized.
Two big important pieces of the puzzle came together today as the Senate introduced its climate bill called the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. The second piece of the puzzle regards the EPA as it revealed today, for the first time, that they will regulate carbon emissions from big industry. This is a huge day in energy policy as two separate forms of government have made their respective strides towards a clean energy future. Read more…
photo credit: Carl Chapman
In 2007 the US Fish and Wildlife Service made the decision to remove the “threatened” label from the Yellowstone Population of Grizzly Bears. The Yellowstone Grizzlies had been designated as “threatened” in 1975 which granted them “special protections” as part of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The USFWS removed the Grizzlies from the list in 2007 after the population numbers “increased from an estimated population of 136 to 312 when they were listed as threatened in 1975, to more than 500 bears today.” But just recently, Judge Donald Molloy of the Montana District Court ruled that the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision would leave the bears under-protected. Judge Molloy ruled that the existing regulatory plans were inadequate and that they “depend on guidelines, monitoring, and promises or good intentions for future actions (which are) unenforceable and non-binding on state and federal agencies.” Read more…
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