Has our society become too complex to sustain?By George Monbiot, published in the Guardian 19th April 2010Man proposes; nature disposes. We are seldom more vulnerable than when we feel insulated.The miracle of modern flight protected us from gravity, atmosphere, culture, geography. It made everywhere feel local, interchangeable. Nature interjects, and we encounter – tragically for many – the reality of thousands of miles of separation. We discover that we have not escaped from the...
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The Clean Energy Economy is already taking off.
Despite all the naysayers’ affirmations that switching to clean energy will damage the economy, reality is the complete opposite. The clean energy economy is already booming despite the hard economic times. From Change.org The Clean Energy Economy Is Already Booming Without much attention from policymakers, or funding from the public trough, a low-carbon economy has already taken off in the United States. The jobs being created nationwide in clean energy are helping to bolster the...
The Business Logic of Sustainability
At his carpet company, Ray Anderson has increased sales and doubled profits while turning the traditional “take / make / waste” industrial system on its head. In a gentle, understated way, he shares a powerful vision for sustainable commerce. The Business Logic of Sustainability If an oil-intensive company can do it, anyone can do it…
A Fish-Climate Analogy
Here’s a thought provoking analogy, comparing what’s happening with climate-change denial to what has happened with the cod fisheries in Newfoundland. The tragedy of climate commons
Earth Day: 10 Big, Really Hard Things We Can Do to Save the Planet
Earth Day: 10 Big, Really Hard Things We Can Do to Save the Planet
Alternative Fuel Takes Flight
Today, Airbus published a press release stating, “The A380 is the first commercial plane to be powered by alternative fuel.” Loaded with special fuel derived from natural gas, the Airbus will take off from its production plant at in western England. Upon takeoff, the plane will perform a three-hour test flight ending at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, southwest France. Airbus hopes these attention-grabbing efforts will jump-start competition and collaboration for continued development of alternative...
Winning the Oil End Game
Here’s a very interesting talk by Amory B. Lovins on weening ourselves off of oil while saving and creating jobs and fostering economic growth. He lists a bunch of simple ideas and shows their effect on oil consumption. This talk is based on his freely downloadable book which details all of his calculations so you can verify them for yourselves.
The ugliness of bottled water
Here’s a good article spelling out 5 compelling reasons why bottled water is a VERY BAD IDEA. And it doesn’t even mention the fact that much of the bottled water sold in North America actually comes from far away places like France, Italy, and even Fiji. This is amazing when you consider that Canada has the most fresh water of any country in the world!
New Sustainable Development MBA programs
Several universities have begun offering new MBA programs that focus on sustainable development. Here is a new one by Colorado State University called Global Social and Sustainable Enterprise Program. This is a very interesting and encouraging trend. Perhaps humanity is slowly waking up to reality!
Landmark Program to Reduce Energy Use in Buildings
President Bill Clinton today announced the creation of a global Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Program, a project of the Clinton Foundation’s Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI), which will assist cities in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. This program brings together four of the world’s largest energy service companies (ESCOs), five of the world’s largest banks and sixteen of the world’s largest cities in a coordinated effort to significantly reduce energy use in buildings. Read the...