I’m out of town this weekend, and I apologize for being a little light on posting this past week, but here are a few articles I’ve read recently that I thought you might find appealing. Enjoy them, and the weekend!

—–

Air Travel | DFW Airport partners with EPA to reduce pollution | “Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the newest partner to join a national effort led by the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce harmful chemicals. As part of the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities, the airport pledges to reduce 940 pounds of pendimethalin and trifluralin found in herbicides used to treat airport grounds. | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Global Warming | Global warming might hurt your heart | “Global warming may be melting glaciers and forcing polar bears onto land, but doctors warn it could also affect your heart. “If it really is a few degrees warmer in the next 50 years, we could definitely have more cardiovascular disease,” said Dr. Karin Schenck-Gustafsson, of the department of cardiology at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute.” | Associated Press

Greenhouse Emissions | APEC urged to keep up climate change imperative | “Paul Keating has urged APEC to affirm “the moral imperative” of reducing global greenhouse emissions. The former Labor prime minister said the main thing on climate change for the weekend forum was “to get the countries into the swing of it all”. | Michelle Grattan, The Age

Honey Bees | Mysterious die-off of honeybees explained | “The sudden and mysterious disappearance of honeybees in the United States over the past year may be due to a virus, according to a new research paper by an international team of scientists.” | Martin Mittelstaedt, The Globe and Mail

Wind Energy | Proposed wind farm generates heat | “The ball is in the court of the Cape Cod Commission. But what’s in play is still up for debate in the minds of many who attended last night’s public hearing on Cape Wind Associates’ proposal to build 130 wind turbines in Nantucket Sound.” | Patrick Cassidy, Cape Cod Times

I haven’t posted one of these in some time. But, I’ve come across a bunch of good stuff recently and would like to share. My usual promise is that I’ll link to five stories on five topics from five different sources. For this issue Business Week had two really interesting items in it so you will have to deal.

—–

Alternative Fuel |  Europe Looks Beyond Ethanol | “Spurred by American automakers and the farm lobby, U.S. President George W. Bush is betting big on ethanol as a green additive to gasoline that can help make America more energy-independent. But most European automakers and politicians are far less convinced that ethanol made from corn is the best green fuel choice. “Cars that run on ethanol are more of a marketing gimmick,” says Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, director of the Center for Automotive Research in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.” | Gail Edmondson, Business Week

Democracy | Fascist America, in 10 Easy Steps | “Last autumn, there was a military coup in Thailand. The leaders of the coup took a number of steps, rather systematically, as if they had a shopping list. In a sense, they did. Within a matter of days, democracy had been closed down — the coup leaders declared martial law, sent armed soldiers into residential areas, took over radio and TV stations, issued restrictions on the press, tightened some limits on travel and took certain activists into custody. They were not figuring these things out as they went along. If you look at history, you can see that there is essentially a blueprint for turning an open society into a dictatorship. That blueprint has been used again and again in more and less bloody, more and less terrifying ways. But it is always effective. It is very difficult and arduous to create and sustain a democracy, but history shows that closing one down is much simpler. You simply have to be willing to take the 10 steps.” This is from one of my new favorite websites. Naomi Wolf does a great job explaining very simply how fucked up our government’s behavior is. Kudos! | Naomi Wolf, AlterNet

Food | Canadian authorities confirm the country’s 10th case of mad cow disease since 2003 | “In the latest case, the disease was discovered in a dairy cow in the western province of British Columbia. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said no part of the animal entered the human food or animal feed systems.” Does the milk count? “The agency said it appears the 5 1/2-year-old cow was infected during its first year of life. It is now checking other animals born around that time to try to track down the source of the infection. Nine previous cases of mad cow, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy, have been detected in Canadian cattle since May 2003, when the discovery of an Alberta cow with the disease caused the United States to slam the border shut to cattle exports entirely.” | Associated Press

Planet Earth | Planet Earth | “More than five years in the making, PLANET EARTH redefines blue-chip natural history filmmaking and continues the Discovery Channel mission to provide the highest quality programming in the world. The 11-part series will amaze viewers with never-before-seen animal behaviors, startling views of locations captured by cameras for the first time, and unprecedented high-definition production techniques. Award-winning actress and conservationist Sigourney Weaver is the series’ narrator. ” If you have not seen any of these you’re missing out. What the makers of this series have done is remarkable, and you’ll think have the things you see are completely made up. I’ve never said, “Did you see that?” more times in one hour then I did during each one of these shows, and I’ve only see about half.

Technology | The Miracle Polymer for the New Millennium | “ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) is the building material of the future. This wonder polymer, a transparent plastic related to Teflon, is replacing glass and plastic in some of the most innovative buildings being designed and constructed today. Its selling points? Compared to glass, it’s 1% the weight, transmits more light, is a better insulator, and costs 24% to 70% less to install. It’s also resilient (able to bear 400 times its own weight, with an estimated 50-year life-span), self-cleaning (dirt slides off its nonstick surface), and recyclable.” | Elizabeth Woyke, Business Week

—–

Above is some really good reading for the weekend. Naomi Wolf’s piece, which is extracted from her upcoming book, is my favorite. The ETFE stuff is great too . . . appeals to the nerd in me. Have a great Cinco de Mayo!

Man, oh man. Good stuff today. The GMO article and Oil & Gas article are my two favorites. The amount of power these oil companies have in unbelievable. And what they get away with . . . grrrr! Today’s issue covers the gamut so I hope you enjoy it.

—–

Climate Change | EU seeks to lead world in climate change battle | “European Union leaders gathered on Thursday for a summit aimed at setting ambitious goals to fight climate change in a move the bloc hopes will spur the United States and other big polluters to follow suit. Leaders from the EU’s 27 nations are due to back a target to cut greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming by 20 percent by 2020 compared to 1990 levels, shifting to up to 30 percent if industrialised and big developing countries join in.” | Jeff Mason, Reuters

Genetically Modified Food | Genetically modified products have received chilly reception | “A pair of local companies are developing omega-3 enriched soybeans that they hope will have consumers not just accepting, but demanding, biotech food. Monsanto Co. and Solae Co. said Wednesday that they are teaming up to produce the first genetically modified food product with a benefit for consumers, rather than farmers. So far, all GM crops are designed to survive pests or herbicides.” | Rachel Melcer, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“Hormonal” Milk | California dairy co-op to stop using rBST hormone | “Consumer groups are applauding a major dairy cooperative’s decision to dissuade its farmers from using a synthetic hormone to coax more milk from cows, a move insiders say will have a ripple effect across the dairy industry. Members of California Dairies Co., who generate 10 percent of the milk produced in the nation, will have to stop injecting their herds with the genetically engineered hormone, rBST, by Aug. 1. If they don’t, they’ll have to pay a premium for the co-op to truck their milk to alternative markets. RBST, or recombinant bovine somatotropin, is already banned in Canada and Europe, mostly overs concerns that it makes cows more prone to illness.” | Santa Rosa Press Democrat

Oil & Gas | Exxon Record Profits Also Shows Company Took Less Profit in Run Up to the Election | “The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR) said today’s earnings reports show that industry leaders cut domestic refining profits in the run-up to the November election in order to lower gasoline prices, very likely hoping to influence the mid-term election. The nonpartisan group is calling for Congressional investigations to determine whether Exxon and others manipulated the market to effect the election.” | Common Dreams

Transportation | GM exec: Fuel-efficient cars follow $6 gas | “U.S. gasoline prices will need to be $6 a gallon before General Motors can afford to make cars as fuel-efficient as its European models, a GM executive said. The automaker succeeds at selling fuel-efficient sports coupes such as the Opel Corsa OPC, made by its Opel German subsidiary, because European customers paying $6 a gallon for gasoline are willing to pay $30,000 for a highly fuel-efficient subcompact, he said.” | United Press International

—–

So, didja enjoy it? Didja? Didja? I wish it were Friday.

The weekend was long and little sleep was had. I’d just embarrass myself if I tried to opine. But, there’s always good stuff about the environment and sustainability flying around in cyber space. Here’s what I’ve been reading.

—– 

Climate Change | Climate change institute created | “Climate change has become such a major issue that a leading UK university is to create a dedicated institute to study the subject. A £12m private donation is to fund the Institute for Climate Change at Imperial College London. It will research the consequences and causes of such environmental change.” | BBC News

Corporate Responsibility | Texas Pacific and KKR to drop coal plant plans if deal succeeds | “KKR and Texas Pacific Group, two of the world’s biggest private equity firms, will drop controversial plans to build eight coal-fired power stations if their planned $44 billion (£22 billion) acquisition of TXU Corp is successful. The Times has also learnt that Goldman Sachs Equity Partners, the private equity arm of the US investment bank, will co-invest with KKR and TPG. Confirmation of the deal could come as early as today. ” | Siobhan Kennedy and Tom Bawden, The Times

Entertainment | Oscars go green as Gore issues environmental rallying cry |  “Oscars gold turned green on Sunday as Hollywood pledged allegiance to the anti-global warming crusade waged by environmental globe-trotter Al Gore. From the environmentally friendly cars dropping off stars on the red carpet to Gore’s acceptance speech rallying cry against the perils of climate change, the 79th Academy Awards will be remembered as the green Oscars. Heart-throb Leonardo DiCaprio set the mood for the evening by arriving for the red carpet parade at the Kodak Theatre in a Toyota Prius, the most popular hybrid car on the US market which is powered by electricity and gasoline. | Rob Woollard, AFP

Housing | NYC’s largest homeless shelter closing | “The 1,001-bed Camp LaGuardia is New York City’s biggest homeless shelter – and the only one surrounded by farms and trees – but its very existence is probably a surprise to many lifelong New Yorkers. . . . With a homeless population estimated at 35,000, the city wants to spend LaGuardia’s $19 million budget on longer-term solutions such as subsidized housing with social services.” | Michael Hill, Associated Press

Renewable Energy | Global warming worries to boost renewables | ‘Three decades after former U.S. President Jimmy Carter experimented with solar panels on the White House roof, grim U.N. warnings about climate change may kick-start wider global use of renewable energy. “The political willingness to act is now significantly higher,” Achim Steiner, head of the U.N. Environment Program (UNEP), told Reuters. Governments from Japan to Germany are already subsidizing energies such as wind, hydro, biofuels, geothermal, solar or tidal power, spurred by worries about security of supply, climate change and high oil prices at about $60 a barrel.’ | Alister Doyle, Reuters

I’ve been on an opinion kick so the ol’ Sustain-a-Links newsletter has fallen by the wayside. But, I’ve come across an assortment of great articles recently and thought I’d share what I’ve been reading. Here you go!

—– 

Farming |  Sustainable farm beats drought | “An Australian farmer is surviving a severe drought by turning away from intensive sheep farming in favour of growing and harvesting native plants. Australian John Weatherstone is fighting one the nation’s worst droughts — but his Lyndfield Park property southwest of Sydney is fairing better than most because of his sustainable farming method.” | Baris Atayman, Reuters

Organic Food 1 | Not by carrot alone | “ Israelis have fallen in love with organic food. Some of the economy’s big players have succeeded in identifying the potential, and decided to enter the sector. In the past year, for example, Tnuva acquired Harduf and Ma’abarot bought Adama. The food chains also identified the change in consumers’ taste and increased the shelf space earmarked for organic products. At the same time, 10 new stores in the organic field opened in 2006; they are larger and better appointed stores than those that were established at the beginning of the decade and in the 1990s. ” | Tali Cohen, The Business Post

BUT 

Organic Food 2 | Organic may not be healthier | “Organic became the nation’s fastest growing food segment largely on claims that it’s safer and healthier than conventional fare, but according to a new report such conclusions are premature. The study, a survey of existing literature co-authored by a University of California at Davis food toxicologist, does not ultimately assert that one production method is superior to another, but it suggests there could be trade-offs and argues additional research is necessary to determine the benefits and risks of each.” | James Temple, Contra Costa Times

Prize | Branson, Gore launch prize to cut greenhouse gases | “Virgin chief Sir Richard Branson Friday launched what he called the world’s biggest prize to inspire innovators to develop a way to remove greenhouse gases from the Earth’s atmosphere. Branson announced the $25 million Virgin Earth Challenge prize at a joint press conference in London with Al Gore, the former US vice-president turned global environment campaigner. ” | Robin Millard, AFP

Taxes | Wisconsin gov. proposes taxing Big Oil | “Gov. Jim Doyle proposes taxing big oil companies more than $270 million over the next two years to help pay for the state’s transportation needs. Doyle said the assessment will equate to $1.50 per barrel of oil sold in the state, and the companies would be prohibited from passing the tax on to customers at the pump. Violations carry a criminal penalty of up to six months in prison.” | Scott Bauer, AP

—–

Hope you enjoyed the latest issue. Stay tuned for more great stuff from green | rising.

Let’s see what we can learn as we head into the weekend . . .

—– 

Chemicals | California bans toxic dry-cleaner chemical | “California regulators on Thursday enacted the nation’s first statewide ban on the most common chemical used by dry cleaners, pleasing environmentalists but worrying some small businesses. By 2023, no more dry-cleaning machines that use the toxic solvent perchloroethylene, a potential carcinogen, will be permitted in the state.” I’m sure the little guys are worried about higher costs related to new equipment. But, hopefully large-scale purchases of new equipment and chemicals will bring down prices such that the marginal cost to businesses and the consumer is minimal. Higher dry cleaning prices might bring down margins but margins in the business are already ridiculous, and probably understated given most cleaners only take cash. They’ll live . . . and incidentally so will the rest of us now! | Arizona Daily Star

People | Environmental workers gongs | “EIGHTEEN outstanding employees from Queensland’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been honoured today with EPA Australia Day Achievement Medallions.” First of all, the title of the article is exceptionally strange. I’m going to attribute it to cultural differences between Americans and those down under. Congratulations to these people, and thanks to everyone who busts his or her ass every day to make our world better while the rest of us fuck it up. | Australia’s News Network

Species | Waterbirds in decline globally | “Nearly half of the world’s waterbird species are in decline, mostly because of rapid economic development and the effects of climate change, according to a global survey released Tuesday. The fourth Waterbird Population Estimates found that 44 percent of the 900 species globally have fallen in the past five years, while 34 percent were stable and 17 percent rising.” I didn’t even know there was a division of our flying friends called waterbirds. Now that I do, and that they’re dying off, I’m sad. | Chicago Tribune

Sustainability | The imperative of sustainability | “We have arrived at that point in the year when the great and good, from government, academia and the richer public corporations, gather in the Swiss town of Davos under the aegis of the World Economic Forum.” This is a great piece by Peter Sain Iey Berry. It’s theme is related to some of my previous posts, including The World Trade Organization and Sustainable Development and WTO Smackdown, and is essentially that economics and the environment can not be separated. “We are not perhaps quite at the stage where the World Economic Forum will rename itself the World Environmental Forum, but the message for Europe’s politicians is clear: sustainability must become the overarching consideration.” | EU Observer, Peter Sain Iey Berry

Transportation | Tip of the Day – How to Buy a Green Car | “You’re shopping for a car when something occurs to you. This is your chance to help reduce global warming and help our country become energy independent. But how do you choose a “green” car?” Simple how-to guides on saving energy are key to raising awareness among the masses. Hopefully this article will persuade even one person to go green. | Edmunds, Phillip

—–

If I have some time I’ll be back online this weekend to discuss sustainability as event develop. Else, I’m sure I’ll be ready to go come Monday. Have a good weekend, and I hope you are enjoying green | rising‘s new format.

Yo yo. I started classes this week so it’s been a little hectic. I am taking a great class on value creation which will hopefully translate to some good posts on incorporating sustainability in all aspects of corporate strategy. We’ll see.

—–

Apocalypse | Doomsday Clock moves closer to midnight |  “The world is nudging closer to nuclear or environmental apocalypse, a group of prominent scientists warned Wednesday as it pushed the hand of its symbolic Doomsday Clock closer to midnight. The clock, which was set two minutes forward to 11:55, represents the likelihood of a global cataclysm. Its ticks have given the clock’s keepers a chance to speak out on the dangers they see threatening Earth.” The end is nigh. You’ll learn from the Conflict post that civilians are doing well in regards to death from warfare, etc . . . Unfortunately, the odds of more potent, genocidal events, is rising across the globe. Five minutes ’til midnight. Yikes! | Raphael G. Satter, Associated Press Writer, Yahoo News

Cities | Our Urban Future | “Our ability to meet the needs of the urban poor is one of the greatest humanitarian challenges of this century. It is also going to shape key global developments—from the security of those who live in nearby luxury apartments to the stability of Arctic ice sheets near the planet’s poles. It is particularly ironic that the battle to save the world’s remaining healthy ecosystems will be won or lost not in the tropical forests or coral reefs that are threatened but on the streets of the most unnatural landscapes on the planet.” Another great piece from TomPaine.com. These site, like green | rising, is all about common sense. This piece challenges readers to look at urban growth from a global perspective. It’s naive for people to think urban growth occurs elsewhere in the world like it does here in the U.S. Slums will constitute the majority of urban growth over the next few decades and only responsible planning and sustainable development will help abate the horrors that come with concentrating the poor. | Chris Flavin, TomPaine.com

Conflict | Are wars really exacting a higher civilian death toll? | ”The conventional wisdom at the United Nations and other international agencies, and among many human-rights and humanitarian workers, is that the deliberate targeting of civilians has increased since the end of the Cold War. Indeed, one of the most widely cited statistics in this field is that 90 per cent of those killed in today’s armed conflicts are civilians, compared with 50 per cent in the Second World War and just 5 per cent in the First World War. Yet, no evidence has ever been produced to substantiate the 90-per-cent fatality claim — a statistic that surfaces regularly in UN documents and academic articles. What evidence there is suggests the actual figure is much lower. According to Uppsala University’s Conflict Data Program — which produces the most comprehensive and up-to-date statistics on armed conflicts — between 30 per cent and 60 per cent of violent deaths in today’s armed conflicts are civilians.” A related article points out “This is indeed good news, but these statistics don’t mean much to people who are dying in droves in Iraq or in Darfur. Mack points, they should help us understand what is behind such drastic drops and apply the lessons to current and future conflicts.” True dat. Let’s send more troops places. Woo hoo. | Andrew Mack, The Globe and Mail

Energy | A Clean Energy Robin Hood? | “Fortunately, in the 2006 midterm elections, the American people sounded the bugle, and voted for change.  Today, as part of the Democrats’ First 100 Hours Agenda, the New Congress voted to repeal these multi-billion dollar handouts to America’s richest, and give the money instead to fund renewable energy sources.  They took the first step to help break America’s addiction to oil. Call it a Robin Hood story of Clean Energy.  Now, it’s up to us to make sure that this band of Merry Congressmen continues on this noble path of a clean and safe energy future for all.” The link may not take you to this issue of RAW since it’s new but it will take you to the most recent ones. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, it’s worth subscribing too. | Odette Mucha, RAW Contributor, Sierra Club

Food | Dierbergs will join Schnucks in price cuts | “Schnuck Markets launched its aggressive pricing strategy on Sunday, ahead of what it sees as rapid expansion of Wal-Mart Supercenters into the St. Louis metro area. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., based in Bentonville, Ark., has more than 2,100 Supercenters in the U.S., including seven in the St. Louis market.” This is a local story but one that presents a growing trend. Dierbergs and Schnucks are by no means small companies, but they are locally owned, and are now facing stiff competition from Wal-Mart. Can two locally-owned groceries sustain themselves in an ever more competitive industry? | Gail Appleson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

—–

Good links today, and I didn’t get past the letter “F”. That’s what happens when you wait too long to publish another issue of Sustain-a-Links. I know, the name is kind of blah. Send me a suggestion if you think of anything better. Enjoy.

Time sure does fly. This issue of Sustain-a-Links is being brought to you by . . . I don’t have any sponsors. Let’s get started.

—–

Action | Ten Simple Things You Can Do to Go Green | ‘”It’s about everyone doing something,” said David, who is also the author of “Stop Global Warming: The Solution is You” and founder of the StopGlobalWarming.org Web site. “The impact of small actions by millions of people will be huge.”‘ I’m not going to list the ten things here but you should definitely go check them out. Do it, now. No wait! read the entire post first, then go. | Della De Lafuente, Associated Press, Environmental Network News

Conservation | The Land of Rising Conservation | “Mr. Kimura says he, his wife, and two teenage children all take turns bathing in the same water, a common practice here. Afterward, the still-warm water is sucked through a rubber tube into the nearby washing machine to clean clothes. Wet laundry is hung outside to dry or under a heat lamp in the bathroom.” Extreme is a word that comes to mind. The most significant point made in the article is that while energy-efficient products are key to experiencing energy savings a change in lifestyle is more important. | Martin Fackler, New York Times

Pollution Offsetting | Eco-conscious consumers pay to ease global warming guilt | “As anxiety over global climate change rises, a growing number of companies and nonprofit groups are offering eco-conscious consumers a chance to compensate the planet for the carbon emissions they generate when they drive, fly, use electricity or heat their homes.” Good for people! To be honest, I’ve done nothing but evaluate my own carbon footprint. But, I am one of two people in a one-car household where one person commutes to work on foot.

Transportation | GM shows Chevy plug-in concept | “The Chevrolet Volt, which is driven by electricity alone, uses a small three-cylinder gasoline engine only to recharge its batteries. The batteries can also be charged by plugging into an ordinary electrical outlet.” And it’s stylin’! I think GM may outlast Ford as a car company; the prior exhibits a level of innovation that I don’t Ford is capable of exhibiting. I hope it proves me wrong. | CNNMoney.com

Trends | The Top 10 Green Tech Trends for 2007 | “ThinkEquity alternative energy analyst David Edwards has released his Trends for 2007 list, and there’s a couple I wanted to highlight. No. 1 is a move from bolting solar panels to roofs – effective but not aesthetically pleasing – to integrating solar cells into building materials themselves.” Edwards’ list is good, I just hope number ten is true. | Todd Woody, Green Wombat

—–

There are more and more great articles to pick from every time I publish one of these. The news is heartening. Let’s hope this trend becomes a norm.

I know, I know, it’s been a while. I had finals last week and then went under the knife. You should be impressed, not disappointed, my postings have occurred even with this level of frequency.

—– 

E-Waste | Exported e-waste pollutes Africa | “With old computers, often the rule is: out of sight, out of mind. Many people don’t realize when they discard computers, televisions and old cell phones — or even donate them to a good cause — that the hardware can end up in a country where environmental standards are minimal or nonexistent.” This story has a great anecdote about an eco-entrepreneur in Africa doing wonders will all of our junk. | Bill Lambrecht, St. Louis Post Dispatch

Housing | Prince Charles building eco-friendly home for William | “The 8,500 square-foot home on the England-Wales border will feature solar-powered heating, and insulation made of sheep’s wool. It will also include five bathrooms, a dressing room, a grand dining room, a tree garden, and a hall lined with Greek columns.” If we could only be so lucky. At least the rich and powerful are doing good. Doesn’t happen enough. | Yahoo News

Tax | With 25 million less plastic bags, eco-taxation makes an impact | “The eco-tax has had a positive impact on the environment. In two years, the number of plastic bags has been reduced by 25 million. And yet the environmental tax has failed to encourage the use of biodegradable plastic bags, the only bags which can be turned into compost, and which remain largely absent from Malta’s shopping shelves.” | James Debono, Malta Today

Transportation | German car rallyist campaigning for eco-friendly fuel arrives in Delhi | ‘Thirty-seven-year-old Zietlow has appreciated India’s efforts at switching-over to the environment- friendly Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). “Germany is watching India do so well in CNG. This is one aim of my tour to connect all big cities and big countries, which are doing so well with CNG. I have so much support from every CNG country. It is the time now to change fuel into CNG,” he said.’ | newKerala.com

Vegetarianism | Kids With High IQs Grow Up to Be Vegetarians | “British researchers have found that children’s IQ predicts their likelihood of becoming vegetarians as young adults — lowering their risk for cardiovascular disease in the process. The finding could explain the link between smarts and better health, the investigators say.” Not only are there environmental benefits to vegetarianism it seems the benefits are inherently known to the intelligent. | Steven Reinberg, HealthDay

—–

Today’s issue presented a pretty good variety of subject matter. I hope you enjoyed the links.

It was a busy weekend and a really busy Tuesday. Congrats to all the Democrats who won. Now the real work begins. Prove you have what it takes to put this country back on track. Show the Republicans what they could have been but weren’t. Let’s get on with it. Over the last week I’ve saved a few great news stories about sustainability in a variety of industries. Here they are.

—–

Blog | Green Wombat | Similar my own green|rising, this blog posts about environmental issues, with recent topics ranging from software to help companies manage energy use to eco-friendly electronics recyclers. Good stuff. Of course my focus on sustainability definitely gives me a competitive advantage, just not a marketing advantage. | Business 2.0

Building | Tower of tomorrow | “When Fortune invited my design firm, which specializes in sustainable architecture, to share our vision of a building of the future, we decided not to guess about conditions decades or centuries away. Instead, we looked at the possibilities that exist now. Buildings consume 40 percent of our energy and can have life spans longer than humans. Because we live, work and associate with others in buildings, they form part of the fabric of human life—and thus have an enormous effect not only on the quality of individual lives but also on the state of the earth.” Totally. Freakin’. Awesome. Every building on earth should be designed this way. 40% our energy. Yikes. | William McDonough, Fortune

Corporate Responsibility | 75 years of Saving and Sustaining Lives | “At Baxter, sustainability is part of our business, and our business success. Since our founding in 1931, we have provided the world with medical technologies and therapies that have saved and sustained countless lives. Today, as we celebrate our 75th anniversary, we are also focused on the social, environmental and economic impacts we have on our stakeholders as we work to meet the challenges of a complex and changing global healthcare environment.” Uh huh. I only read the highlights brochure but gaining perspective on how companies view sustainability is good. Some of what’s written is p.r. gobble-de-gook but some is the result of a concerted effort by concerned people. Let’s see more of that. | Robert L. Parkinson, Jr.,  Baxter

Food | Report: World faces seafood species crisis | ‘If current trends continue, all current fish and seafood species could collapse by 2048, posing serious economic and health threats and irreversible damage to marine habitats, according to a major international study to be released Nov. 3. The report, “Impact of Biodiversity Loss on Ocean Ecosystem Services,” is to be published in the journal Science.’ Stop fishin’ so damn well! Fishing depletes the ocean, upsets the delicate balance of the ecosystem and is just plain dangerous to do. Why don’t we stop? The ocean will balance itself out after a brief period of overpopulation. It’s called nature – stop screwing with it. | San Antonio Business Journal

Travel | See the world with ‘green’ eyes | ‘Ecotourism, according to The International Ecotourism Society, is “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” For travelers, that can mean things like choosing socially and environmentally responsible travel providers, respecting the natural environment by sticking to trails and leaving plants and animals undisturbed, buying locally and respecting the culture by dressing appropriately and learning to say a few words in the local language.’ Hell, there should be a sin tax on travel that messes with someone else’s environment. If governments can charge differently for visas, and airlines and hotels can charge various taxes because of fuel use or property taxes, consumers should be taxed when they contribute to “unsustainability”. That’ll happen. | Marnie Hunter, CNN

 

—–

Many very rich links today. Great information though. Learning is fun!