Justmeans's blogshttp://www.justmeans.com/editorials/socialenterprise/3.htmlTue, 21 May 2013 13:58:07 GMThttp://www.justmeans.com en hourly 1http://www.justmeans.com/H-amp-amp-M-Signs-Bangladesh-Safety-Accord-to-Prevent-Future-Factory-Tragedies/59464.htmlMon, 20 May 2013 02:00:45 GMTSangeeta Haindl H&M is among a group of European retailers who have agreed to sign a safety agreement aimed to prevent future factory tragedies in Bangladesh after over 1,100 people died following the collapse of the Rana Plaza complex last month. H hundreds of factories have been forced to close after workers have been demonstrating, demanding action.The disaster has prompted a government announcement to improve conditions, including raising the minimum wage for industry workers and making it easier for them t Read Full Article ]]> H&M is among a group of European retailers who have agreed to sign a safety agreement aimed to prevent future factory tragedies in Bangladesh after over 1,100 people died following the collapse of the Rana Plaza complex last month. H&M did not make their clothes at Rana Plaza. However, this tragedy has seen a call for better regulation and oversight of factories in Bangladesh. The collapse of the nine-storey garment factory is being called Bangladesh's worst industrial disaster; hundreds of factories have been forced to close after workers have been demonstrating, demanding action.The disaster has prompted a government announcement to improve conditions, including raising the minimum wage for industry workers and making it easier for them to form unions. This commitment by H&M is an additional step in its already ambitious and established sustainability program. Helena Helmersson, Head of Sustainability, says, "Fire and building safety are extremely important issues for us and we put a lot of effort and resources within this area. H&M has for many years taken the lead to improve and secure the safety of the workers in the garment industry. With this commitment we can now influence even more in this issue. We hope for a broad coalition of signatures in order for the agreement to work effectively on ground."H&M has publicly announced to support the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, initiated by Industry ALL Global Union and UNI Global Union. Parties will be committed to the goal of a safe and sustainable Bangladeshi Ready Made Garment (RMG) industry in which no worker needs to fear fires, building collapses or other accidents that could be prevented with reasonable health and safety measures. The Accord is designed for a five-year period and is a pragmatic step towards addressing improved fire and building safety in the RMG Industry and will add to H&M's already existing extensive and strict requirements from the suppliers.H&M plays an active role in improving fire safety in Bangladeshi garment factories. In 2011 it introduced an education programme to increase fire safety awareness among itssuppliers and their employees. Based on a study that was conducted in 2011, the concern of lapsed fire safety licenses was raised with the Government of Bangladesh. It also requires that all the supplier factories conduct electrical assessments in their factories, and H&M has offered to share these costs with them. This fashion retailer believes that this work will become an integrated part of the implementation program that follows the Accord.H&M has a strong presence in Bangladesh, which gives it the opportunity to contribute to the improvement of the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and contribute to the community's development. By being on site, putting demands on manufacturers and working for continuous improvements, big brands like H&M can start to create lasting changes.Photo Credit: H&M Website ]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Sustainable-Energy-in-China--DuPont-Reports/59460.htmlSun, 19 May 2013 00:58:46 GMTVikas Vij DuPont (NYSE: DD) has published a report that addresses the challenges and opportunities to secure the energy future in a rapidly expanding Chinese economy. The report was released at the SNEC 7thInternational Photovoltaic Power Generation Conference & Exhibition.It was prepared in collaboration with Fortune magazine's Content Marketing and Strategies Group.The study takes a close look at the critical challenges facing the Chinese energy sector, the growing energy needs in the country, the gover Read Full Article ]]> DuPont (NYSE: DD) has published a report that addresses the challenges and opportunities to secure the energy future in a rapidly expanding Chinese economy. The report was released at the SNEC 7thInternational Photovoltaic Power Generation Conference & Exhibition.It was prepared in collaboration with Fortune magazine's Content Marketing and Strategies Group.The study takes a close look at the critical challenges facing the Chinese energy sector, the growing energy needs in the country, the governmental energy strategy that encompasses conservation, and sustainable use of various energy sources such as fossil fuels, hydro power, nuclear power and renewable sources such as solar power. It carries details of how DuPont is engaging with private as well as government sector partners in China to help develop sustainable energy solutions.As per the report, China's energy industry is significantly impacted by the growing urbanization. The gross domestic product in China is expected to grow four-fold by 2050, which will lead to a very high growth in the consumption of energy. These are the estimates of the International Monetary Fund, which also says that this growth in China will lead to a reshaping of the international energy markets. Growth in energy demand in China is expected to boost energy prices and spur innovation across the global energy sector.DuPont Greater China President Tony Su said:"DuPont has been using science and collaborative problem-solving to improve the quality of lives for more than two centuries. We look forward to helping China deploy energy technologies that will underpin the health, safety and prosperity of its citizens for decades to come."The report emphasizes an important point that science-based innovation is the key to making Chinese consumption of valuable energy resources more efficient. Innovation will also stimulate development of viable and sustainable energy solutions, which will need active collaboration between scientists and policy makers, and private sector and communities.Photo Credit: AmbrozjoSource: Watch List News]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Tesla-Earnings-Receive-a-Boost-from--Green--Car-Credits/59457.htmlSat, 18 May 2013 08:53:34 GMTVikas Vij Tesla Motor Co. (NASDAQ: TSLA) may end up making $188 million this year from selling greenhouse gas and zero emission vehicle credits. Adam Jonas, an analyst at Morgan Stanley, says that Test is expected to draw about 11 percent of its annual revenue this year by selling 'green' car credits to other automakers. Most automakers are under pressure to meet clean air policies in US states such as California.Ever since this report came out, the shares of Tesla have jumped by about 50 percent. The aut Read Full Article ]]> Tesla Motor Co. (NASDAQ: TSLA) may end up making $188 million this year from selling greenhouse gas and zero emission vehicle credits. Adam Jonas, an analyst at Morgan Stanley, says that Test is expected to draw about 11 percent of its annual revenue this year by selling 'green' car credits to other automakers. Most automakers are under pressure to meet clean air policies in US states such as California.Ever since this report came out, the shares of Tesla have jumped by about 50 percent. The automaker, which produces the Model S electric sedan, relied significantly on its 'green' credit sales during the first quarter as it reported its first-ever quarterly profit.Jonas wrote in a research note that credit sales mean a lot to Tesla. "At one level, it amounts to a continuous capital raise, funded by the established internal combustion engine auto competition. This is one part irony, one part grand design."Tough emission policies for automakers in several states have thrown open a market that is directly advantageous to manufacturers like Tesla. The company has accumulated green car credits because it only sells electric cars. During the first quarter, Tesla drew about 12 percent of its revenue, or about $68 million, from selling zero emission credits. It made another $17.1 million from selling greenhouse gas credits.Jonas wrote in the research note: "Stripping out the credits reveals a still very low profitability for the core auto business in 1Q." The figures indicate that "the vast majority of the company's 1Q gross margin came from the credits themselves."Revenue from credit sales could possibly be large enough to help Tesla to pay off the remainder of its $465 million US Department of Energy loan over the next 12 to 18 months. Jonas says that it could also pay for the company's capital expenditures in 2013 and provide for a considerable part of capex and R&D costs in the future.Photo Credit: flaivolekaSource: Business Spectator]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Welcome-to-the-City--Sky-Gardens--Roof-Meadows-and-Rooftop-Farms/59285.htmlFri, 17 May 2013 02:00:49 GMTSangeeta Haindl There is something romantic about roof gardens: flowers amongst the clouds. Now the most romantic city in the world, Paris, has just opened its largest green roof, covering 7,000 square metres, equivalent to a football stadium. Situated on top of the Beaugrenelle shopping centre, its purpose is to provide a haven for biodiversity and limit temperature extremes inside and around the building. Nesting boxes will soon be installed next to a dozen hives to attract birds. Green roofs are not a modern Read Full Article ]]> There is something romantic about roof gardens: flowers amongst the clouds. Now the most romantic city in the world, Paris, has just opened its largest green roof, covering 7,000 square metres, equivalent to a football stadium. Situated on top of the Beaugrenelle shopping centre, its purpose is to provide a haven for biodiversity and limit temperature extremes inside and around the building. Nesting boxes will soon be installed next to a dozen hives to attract birds. Green roofs are not a modern day idea. They have been a feature of urban landscape for centuries. Germany in the Sixties led the way in the development of the modern green roof with which we are familiar today, and they have become an increasingly common feature of towns and cities in Canada, Australia, the U.S. and Europe.Yet, creating green roofs are more about urban needs than romantic notions as their environmental benefits are well known. They provide a whole host of positive reasons for designing them from biodiversity conservation, rainwater harvesting, thermal and acoustic insulation, flood prevention via lower surface water run-off levels, air filtration and the reduction of the urban heat island effect. As towns continue to grow, replanting vegetation has become an urban requirement and green roofs are spreading fast. Last year 1m square metres of plant-covered roofing was built in France, with as much as in America and 10 times more than in Germany.Green roofs are also increasingly being used for another sustainable purpose: urban agriculture. Growing food on roofs too is not a new idea, yet it is one that is rapidly expanding into both urban culture and strategic planning policy. Toronto is a city right at the forefront of the urban agriculture movement. A study in 2009 by the National Research Council Canada found that if just 6 per cent of the city's rooftops (one per cent of the land area) were greened, Toronto would reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 2.18 mega tonnes per year. Additionally, this would deliver greater food security, stimulate the food production economy, provide new employment opportunities and further decrease carbon emissions by lowering food transportation times and distances.In the U.K. green roofs are not quite as developed as in Canada, and a handful of landmark projects have attempted to realise this ambition. A rooftop allotment in London's King's Cross area has been transformed into an urban eco-garden, providing naturally grown food for a local eatery. In Boston, Higher Ground Farm was recently successfully funded on Kickstarter to become that city's first commercial rooftop farm and the second largest open-air rooftop farm in the world. It will be installing its food-producing green roof on a 55,000 square foot space on the South Boston waterfront this year. It is no longer possible to plan cities without making room for nature. In Mumbai, India the proposed Imperial Tower, a 116-story tower will feature several sky gardens. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations is forecasting urban areas to account for 70 per cent of the world population in 2050. Perhaps building roof farms and roof gardens will become a prerequisite for all future building developments.Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Dell-Social-Innovation-Challenge-Recognizes-Exceptional-Social-Entrepreneurs/59399.htmlThu, 16 May 2013 23:20:25 GMTVikas Vij The annual Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) Social Innovation Challenge received a 60 percent higher response from participants this year, with more than 25,000 students from 100 countries submitting 2,600 projects. The Dell Challenge awarded some of the exceptional social entrepreneurs and innovators who are making an impact to address some of the most pressing problems the world faces today.Dell has given away a total of $350,000 in seed money to social entrepreneurs tackling a variety of challenges rangin Read Full Article ]]> The annual Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) Social Innovation Challenge received a 60 percent higher response from participants this year, with more than 25,000 students from 100 countries submitting 2,600 projects. The Dell Challenge awarded some of the exceptional social entrepreneurs and innovators who are making an impact to address some of the most pressing problems the world faces today.Dell has given away a total of $350,000 in seed money to social entrepreneurs tackling a variety of challenges ranging from energy consumption and pollution to medical problems. The company also provided mentoring for 250 semi-finalists as a part of the program.Dell's Grand Prize of $60,000 was won by Shital Somani and her team from India for their "Solar Conduction Dryer" project. During her 90-second pitch at the Challenge, Somani said that about 20 to 30 percent of the harvest of Indian farmers is spoiled due to lack of refrigeration facilities, leaving the farmers in perpetual poverty. The Social Conduction Dryer would enable the farmers to dry their surplus produce and save it for up to a year, without having to depend on the unreliable power supply. The entry also won the audience choice prize of $1,000.Foot Soldiers, a company from Bangladesh, won the second place at the awards and received $40,000 in seed money. Foot Soldiers provides affordable sandals made from recycled tires for people in Bangladesh. Nearly 50 million impoverished people in the country cannot afford footwear. Foot Soldiers can produce durable rubber sandals for these people for $1 a pair.The third winning entry at the Challenge was Good Benefits, an American company that develops easily-administered benefits packages for business to enable employees to funnel money into causes they believe in. Good Benefits received $20,000 in prize money. Sunride, a German team that creates community crowd-sourcing for solar power, and Semka, a Mexican enterprise that uses blood tests instead of biopsies for cancer patients were two other finalists who received $10,000 each.Source: Silicon Hill News]]>http://www.justmeans.com/DiCaprio-s-Environmental-Charity-Art-Auction-Raises--33-Million/59396.htmlThu, 16 May 2013 23:15:05 GMTVikas Vij Leonardo DiCaprio's environmental charity auction at Christie's in New York has raised an impressive $33.3 million from wealthy art collectors. Most of the sale proceeds went to environmental protection causes promoted by the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. The Hollywood actor, who was himself present at the auction, urged collectors to bid as if the planet's fate "depends on us" - and they responded to his call generously.The 11th Hour auction featured 33 works of art, most of them contemporary. Read Full Article ]]> Leonardo DiCaprio's environmental charity auction at Christie's in New York has raised an impressive $33.3 million from wealthy art collectors. Most of the sale proceeds went to environmental protection causes promoted by the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. The Hollywood actor, who was himself present at the auction, urged collectors to bid as if the planet's fate "depends on us" - and they responded to his call generously.The 11th Hour auction featured 33 works of art, most of them contemporary. A large part of the collection was created especially for the event and addressed environmental themes. The exceptionally strong response doubled pre-sale estimates, with nine of the works selling in excess of $1 million. Mark Grotjahn's Untitled led the sale with $6.5 million and The Tiger by Zeng Fanzhi went for $5 million. Both the sales were about double of their pre-sale estimates.DiCaprio says that his foundation is "dedicated to protecting the last wild places on Earth and the critically endangered species that inhabit them." Elizabeth Peyton's 2013 portrait of DiCaprio himself sold for $1.05 million at the auction, surpassing its original sale estimate of $400,000-600,000.DiCaprio emphasized at the event that the embattled global environment is in need of far greater help. "Despite the significant efforts of organizations and individuals all over the world, our modern way of life has caused unprecedented devastation to our oceans, our forests and our wildlife. We are at the 11th hour, we are facing a tipping point of environmental crisis unprecedented in human history," he said.Source: IOL]]>http://www.justmeans.com/The-Best-of-British-Community-Spirit-in-Business---Think-Local/59280.htmlThu, 16 May 2013 02:00:48 GMTSangeeta Haindl We have seen how social media and communities come together during times of crisis; think of Hurricane Sandy last year and how the use of Twitter became a real time lifeline. Well, wouldn't it be great if the digital world enabled community spirit during the good times, too, and not just the bad? One new exciting and rapidly growing platform does exist in Enfield, a suburb of London: 'Love Your DoorStep (LYDS).'Since it was set up in 2012 as a Facebook group, it has launched a local radio statio Read Full Article ]]> We have seen how social media and communities come together during times of crisis; think of Hurricane Sandy last year and how the use of Twitter became a real time lifeline. Well, wouldn't it be great if the digital world enabled community spirit during the good times, too, and not just the bad? One new exciting and rapidly growing platform does exist in Enfield, a suburb of London: 'Love Your DoorStep (LYDS).'Since it was set up in 2012 as a Facebook group, it has launched a local radio station; a local app; found a local missing person; works with over 350 local businesses; and has 4000 local people talking in real time about what's going on across Enfield! It has now evolved into a website, with a mission to share information on products and services, offering spontaneous help and recommendations.LYDS prompts people living in Enfield to engage and discuss issues relevant to the area and is getting people to talk in a way they've never done before. It is encouraging neighbours to work as a team to build stronger community links and support systems. Crucially, it has become the ideal platform to bring together businesses and individuals with a common purpose to support one another through job opportunities, charitable causes, networking, business referrals and genuine endorsements.The British Future State of the Nation Report 2012 highlights that respondents believed that if you knew your neighbours, took part in local events or knew people to nod to in the street then you were more likely to be optimistic about the year ahead and also more likely to be economically upbeat. LYDS strongly advocates people to shop locally, spending their money with the area's independent businesses. Explaining that by doing so people are choosing to invest in the economy of their own community. As local business owners are also more connected to their own community than larger chains, with a vested interest to give back to the area by supporting local charities, campaigns and causes. This action is an extremely valuable part of creating a cohesive and a sustainable community.Emma Rigby, mum of two who is the inspiration and founder behind this social innovation initiative, is originally from New Zealand and says, "When I married my husband, who grew up in this area, it naturally become my home away from home and I knew that this was where we'd raise our children. Neither of us could quite believe it when the riots happened, right on our doorstep. I had this desperate need to create some community spirit that seemed lost in the wake of the riots." Emma's vision now is to have LYDS across the U.K. and one testimonial on the site, sums everything up perfectly, "I cannot tell you enough how Love Your DoorStep has opened my eyes and mind of the necessity of community. How great is the feeling to be a part...If only the whole country had Love Your DoorStep."Photo Credit: Wikimedia]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Auto-West-BMW-Wins--The-Most-Sustainable-BMW-Dealership-in-the-World--Award/59356.htmlWed, 15 May 2013 05:21:40 GMTVikas Vij BMW AG has recognized Auto West BMW as the world's most sustainable BMW dealership. The company awarded this coveted title to Auto West BMW at this year's BMW Sales Excellence Award Ceremony that took place at the iconic BMW Museum in Munich, Germany.This prestigious award marks BMW's global commitment to address the pressing issues related to sustainability, as one of the most innovative auto companies in the world. The award is a way to recognize dealerships around the world that are helping p Read Full Article ]]> BMW AG has recognized Auto West BMW as the world's most sustainable BMW dealership. The company awarded this coveted title to Auto West BMW at this year's BMW Sales Excellence Award Ceremony that took place at the iconic BMW Museum in Munich, Germany.This prestigious award marks BMW's global commitment to address the pressing issues related to sustainability, as one of the most innovative auto companies in the world. The award is a way to recognize dealerships around the world that are helping pave the way for a greener future.Canada-based Auto West BMW ranks among the leading dealers in the world. Auto West is committed to promoting sustainability and environmental awareness through its dealership network. The company's founder and president, Joachim Neumann, said: "This sustainability award plays a crucial role in promoting the principles of environmental responsibility to an industry that's considered to be very wasteful. Auto West Group is committed to developing a greener environment for Canada - one project at a time."Among Auto West BMW's unique sustainability features is a green roof concept that consists of eight gardens with 2,200 plants. The company has installed BC's only commercial vertical axis wind turbine, which produces up to 3,500 watts of power to generate natural energy. The company has also installed a series of rooftop solar panels that produce 2,300 KWH of power to reduce overall power consumption.Pete Sargent, Project Manager for Auto West Group, said: "We have made all of these investments without the expectation of an immediate financial return. This is about being good corporate citizens within our community by doing what is right for the environment, while also setting an example as a sustainable leader in the automotive marketplace."Source: Hybrid Cars]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Eating-More-Protein-is-Associated-with-Weight-Loss/59277.htmlTue, 14 May 2013 02:00:37 GMTSangeeta Haindl At some point in our lives, we have been on some kind of diet or other. There is the 'cabbage soup diet'; '5:2 diet'; and then high protein diets such as Atkins, Zone and South Beach, etc. Some people turn to higher-protein diets to lose weight, because some studies suggest that higher-protein diets help people better control their appetites and calorie intake. Diets with 30 per cent protein are now considered "reasonable" and the term "high protein diet" is now reserved for diets with over 50 p Read Full Article ]]> At some point in our lives, we have been on some kind of diet or other. There is the 'cabbage soup diet'; '5:2 diet'; and then high protein diets such as Atkins, Zone and South Beach, etc. Some people turn to higher-protein diets to lose weight, because some studies suggest that higher-protein diets help people better control their appetites and calorie intake. Diets with 30 per cent protein are now considered "reasonable" and the term "high protein diet" is now reserved for diets with over 50 per cent protein.Now, a new study released in the May/June 2013 issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behaviour, reports that ''eating more protein'' to prevent weight gain is associated with reported weight loss. The research from the University of Minnesota in the U.S. surveyed 1,824 midlife women in the age group 40-60. You need protein at all stages of life. It is the major component of all cells, including muscle and bone. It's needed for growth, development and immunity to fight off infections and protect the body. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is for men 56 grams a day and for women 46 grams a day.This latest study focused on three key factors: first, how these women describe and recognise protein sources and requirements; second, identify the reported frequency of using the ''eating more protein'' practice to prevent weight gain; and lastly, compare reported protein intake to reported frequency of using the ''eating more protein'' practice to prevent weight gain.On the whole, most women who participated in this research correctly pinpointed good protein sources, while the majority could indicate the daily per cent of dietary energy recommended from protein. ''Eating more protein'' to prevent weight gain was reported by 43% of women (and more than half of obese women) as a practice to prevent weight gain. Reported use of this practice was related to self-reported weight loss over two years. Two factors associated with effective use of this practice included the level of protein intake and self-efficacy toward weight management. Noel Aldrich, lead author of this report says, "Education regarding dietary protein requirements may enhance the use of this practice. Given that the majority of Americans are overweight, identifying the most effective practices and related factors surrounding successful weight loss and prevention of weight gain are important."Is it possible to eat too much protein? There are no dangers associated with higher intakes of protein, unless you havea kidney or liver problem. To be on the safe side, check with your doctor before adding large amounts of protein to your diet. Dieting is tough and putting it into practice can be complicated. Finding a diet that you enjoy that works with your lifestyle and has the right combination of nutrients is a very personal process.Photo Credit: Elephantjournal.com ]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Enerliance-Recognized-for-its-Contribution-to-the-Environment/59288.htmlMon, 13 May 2013 06:36:02 GMTVikas Vij The OC Register Metro magazine in Orange County has recognized Enerliance for its exemplary contribution to the environment. The company has been listed as a member of the "2013 Green Team" by the magazine. The company's cutting-edge software platform LOBOS delivers significant environmental benefits for large buildings.LOBOS adds intelligence to the air conditioning systems in large buildings, resulting in substantial reduction in energy waste. During a situation of energy grid congestion, the Read Full Article ]]> The OC Register Metro magazine in Orange County has recognized Enerliance for its exemplary contribution to the environment. The company has been listed as a member of the "2013 Green Team" by the magazine. The company's cutting-edge software platform LOBOS delivers significant environmental benefits for large buildings.LOBOS adds intelligence to the air conditioning systems in large buildings, resulting in substantial reduction in energy waste. During a situation of energy grid congestion, the platform also provides fully automated demand response capabilities. According to Enerliance, if the system were deployed across the country, it could offer the equivalent of energy generated by 21 nuclear power plants.Enerliance's listing as a 2013 Green Team member is a recognition of the company's past achievements as well as its promising future potential. The systems current energy savings in terms of greenhouse gas reductions are equivalent to keeping more than 4,000 cars of the roads for a year.Enerliance president, Ray Pustinger, said: "LOBOS systems and logic have been installed in more than 40-million square feet of commercial space, with another 34-million square feet planned for 2013. Right now, it's saving more than $3 million in annual energy costs for facility owners and occupants."The future is a lot more promising. An Enerliance-commissioned independent study found that if the LOBOS system were installed in every compatible office building nationwide, it could cut down energy consumption by over 46,000 gigawatt hours each year. In terms of emissions, this would be equivalent to keeping about 10 million cars off the roads each year.Pustinger said: "Demand for LOBOS is being driven by the combination of the system's environmental and cost benefits. Companies who install LOBOS don't have to pick between being green or saving money. They get both."Source: PR Web]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Food-Recovery-Network-Started-by-Students-to-Help-End-America-s-Hunger/59274.htmlMon, 13 May 2013 02:00:06 GMTSangeeta Haindl According to official statistics, America's food waste amounted to 35 million tons in 2010. Ninety-seven per cent of that ended up in incinerators or landfills, where rotting food is a top emitter of methane gas, which is 21 times more harmful toward climate change than carbon dioxide. At the same time, 50 million Americans are food insecure, including one in five children. So, how do you solve a problem like food waste? Well, an innovative venture led by university students called Food Recovery Read Full Article ]]> According to official statistics, America's food waste amounted to 35 million tons in 2010. Ninety-seven per cent of that ended up in incinerators or landfills, where rotting food is a top emitter of methane gas, which is 21 times more harmful toward climate change than carbon dioxide. At the same time, 50 million Americans are food insecure, including one in five children. So, how do you solve a problem like food waste? Well, an innovative venture led by university students called Food Recovery Network (FRN) has cracked it. It is helping to end hunger and create real change in local communities.Three students from different campus organisations came together in 2011 to form the FRN at the University of Maryland, College Park, where they put together a team, got student groups to volunteer one night a week and worked with Dining Services to start recovering leftover food. In the first weeks, students were recovering 150-200 pounds of food a day. Every night of the week, a different student group on campus would spend an hour recovering food from the dining halls and donating it to shelters in the D.C. area. By the time the 2011-2012 year was over, the group had donated 30,000 meals to D.C.-area shelters.Today, the FRN has expanded to 21 campuses in nine U.S. states plus Washington, DC, recovering over 140,000 pounds of food. Colleges are the perfect place for food rescue, because of the abundance of food and free labour through student volunteers. However, in spite of these winning factors, 75 per cent of American colleges do not have a food recovery programme; for the estimated 22 million wasted meals a year. Now the Sodexo Foundation has made a major investment in the FRN, which will make a huge difference to its work and be able to advance its fight against food waste and hunger across the States. The Sodexo Foundation is committed to investing in youth engagement and the fight against hunger; it has given a $150,000 grant to the FRN. Through this partnership these two organisations will be able to break down walls and expand a very common sense solution; food for people, not for dumpsters!During its first 20 months, FRN was run entirely by students volunteering. The organisation is currently led by a co-founding team of students who each contribute 5-20 hours per week guiding other students across the country. This valuable funding from the Sodexo Foundation will enable this body to employ full-time paid staff and provide opportunities to expand, and operate as a professional organisation. FRN's mission is simple: to make food recovery the new norm and to have 1,000 chapters across America donating 10 million pounds of food by the end of 2017.Photo Credit: Food Recovery Network Website]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Patagonia-Launches--20M-Green-Venture-Capital-Fund/59266.htmlFri, 10 May 2013 10:37:49 GMTVikas Vij Patagonia has launched an in-house venture fund to provide seed capital to eco-friendly businesses. The company's proven business model of charging a premium for green products gives it the confidence to achieve success with new like-minded startups following the same philosophy.Patagonia gives away one percent of its profits to grassroots environmental nonprofits as a practice. With the new venture fund of more than $20 million, the company is looking to invest in for-profit sustainable busines Read Full Article ]]> Patagonia has launched an in-house venture fund to provide seed capital to eco-friendly businesses. The company's proven business model of charging a premium for green products gives it the confidence to achieve success with new like-minded startups following the same philosophy.Patagonia gives away one percent of its profits to grassroots environmental nonprofits as a practice. With the new venture fund of more than $20 million, the company is looking to invest in for-profit sustainable businesses. This is an in-house venture that will identify and support startups involved with energy, food, water or waste.Investments in each small business will range in size from $0.5 million to $5 million, depending on the capital needs of the business and its future prospects and goals. Any company with revenues or capitalization in excess of $1 million is eligible for consideration for this investment. The most likely candidates will essentially be the ones that fit into Patagonia's own vision.Rose Marcario, CEO of Patagonia Works, said: "We believe in our company's long-term vision around the environment and areas we want to make change in. We know there are great entrepreneurs out there with really great ideas and resources and they could be the next Patagonia.We want to invest in an eco startup and company with the same values around the environment as us."The venture fund is an extension of the vision of founder Yvon Chouinard who has built Patagonia into a $400 million enterprise with 29 stores selling high-end outdoor apparel. Marcario said: "Patagonia, the company, has doubled in size and we have generated additional capital, and Yvon and I have talked about what we can do with that cash to have influence over protecting the environment. Yvon wants to use that money to create greater change in the world. He's not doing what some companies do, who hoard their cash or pay huge dividends."Patagonia is already investing money directly into the environment. Last year it began investing in sustainable food practices through a unit called Patagonia Provisions. The unit produces wild salmon jerky. The salmon are caught in-river in British Columbia and processed in consonance with the guidelines of conservation NGOs.Photo Credit: AmbrozjoSource: The Daily Beast]]>http://www.justmeans.com/The-Orchestra-of-Recycled-Instruments-Played-by-Children-from-the-Dump/59104.htmlFri, 10 May 2013 02:00:48 GMTSangeeta Haindl Unfortunately, too many children are born into the world with little or no hope. Imagine being born without hope, that it has been taken from you even before you have had the chance to live your life? Well, there is such a place: the town of Cateura which was built virtually on top of a landfill. Situated along the banks of the Paraguay River, the landfill receives over 1,500 more tons of solid waste each day. Poor management of the waste has caused critical pollution to the most important water Read Full Article ]]> Unfortunately, too many children are born into the world with little or no hope. Imagine being born without hope, that it has been taken from you even before you have had the chance to live your life? Well, there is such a place: the town of Cateura which was built virtually on top of a landfill. Situated along the banks of the Paraguay River, the landfill receives over 1,500 more tons of solid waste each day. Poor management of the waste has caused critical pollution to the most important water source in the country and threatens the health of its residents. There are seven different neighbourhoods built around the landfill, accounting for over 2,500 families living in close proximity to dangerous waste. Most of the families, including children, are employed by the landfill as recyclers. The extreme poverty here has forced children to work in the stench-filled refuse dumps, neglecting any education that might lead them to a better life. That is, until one man came along, Favio Chvez, who worked alongside this landfill community as a technician, helping recyclers to classify refuse. He became acutely aware that the children needed something positive in their lives and was inspired to do something, so he began using the trash in the landfill to create instruments for the children. This is probably going to be one of the most inspiring stories you will have read for some time . . . .An estimated 500gancheros (recyclers) work at Cateura on the outskirts of Asuncin, where 1.5 tonnes of rubbish are deposited daily, separating plastic and aluminium that they sell on for as little as 15p a bag. Some of this refuse has a value to Chvez and his Cateura Orchestra of Recycled Instruments, which is made up of 30 schoolchildren. These young musicians have learned to play amongst the rotting refuse of Cateura and are now receiving worldwide acclaim that included a concert this April in Amsterdam.The metal oven trays found on the dump are turned into violins with an electric saw, while cellos are created from oil barrels. The necks of string instruments are carved from old strips of wood and a guitar can be fashioned from two large tins that once contained a Paraguayan sweet potato dessert.Chvez believes the mentality required to learn an instrument can be applied more widely to lift his pupils out of poverty as thanks to the orchestra the children have seen new countries, which has opened them up to opportunities for a better future. The orchestra will play this year in Argentina, the U.S., Palestine, Canada, Norway and Japan; and has an invitation to play in London too. Now there is a film project on Kickstarter called, Landfill Harmonic, which tells the story of these amazing children who play instruments made from recycled rubbish to bring hope to other children whose future is otherwise bleak.Photo Credit: Facebook Page of Landfill Harmonic ]]>http://www.justmeans.com/New-Poll-Shows-That-America-s-Middle-Class-is-Anxious/59101.htmlThu, 09 May 2013 02:00:42 GMTSangeeta Haindl One of the few things U.S. politicians on the right and the left agree on is that social mobility in their country has calcified. A new poll by The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) andthe National Journal shows the middle class is anxious and in flux, worried that they may fall behind. The mood of the country has worsened, with only 29 per cent of respondents believing the U.S. is headed in the "right direction," a considerable decline from a three-year high of 41 per cent recorded in November 2 Read Full Article ]]> One of the few things U.S. politicians on the right and the left agree on is that social mobility in their country has calcified. A new poll by The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) andthe National Journal shows the middle class is anxious and in flux, worried that they may fall behind. The mood of the country has worsened, with only 29 per cent of respondents believing the U.S. is headed in the "right direction," a considerable decline from a three-year high of 41 per cent recorded in November 2012.The poll shows that there is a sense that the term 'middle class' has been redefined to mean not falling behind, rather than upward mobility and material possessions. Thomas J. Wilson, Chairman, President and CEO of Allstate, says, "Over the last four years, Americans' views in this poll have been consistently right about the economy.Today, they are sounding the alarm bell that the economy is not on track for sustainable growth. Americans are crying out for leaders to work together to create a path to economic prosperity.We should listen and act now."People believe a typical middle-class family makes between $60k and $65k per year; the actual median income for an average family of four is at $68,274. Now, 12 per cent of Americans consider themselves to be lower class and two per cent identify as upper class. People mostly blame decisions made by political leaders and major business institutions over the past few decades for wages falling behind living expenses and believe the government and private sector (local business excluded) are making the economic situation worse for the middle class. While many dream of upward mobility, most are concerned about falling out of their economic class and believe that the key to staying in or moving into the middle class is attaining a higher level of education, but find it unaffordable! The whole concept of class is difficult to pin down; once, riding a bike and having only one pair of shoes may have been an indicator of low income and social status, but now it might mean ethical choices of a skilled professional. In Britain, the traditional view of the country made up of working, middle and upper class people is no longer accurate.One of the largest studies of its kind, the Great British Class Survey of 161,000 people, has charted the emergence of a new class system of seven groups blurring conventional boundaries between the 'middle' and 'working' classes. Led by BBC LabUK and sociologists Professor Fiona Devine from the University of Manchester and Professor Mike Savage fromthe London School of Economics, this survey says only 39 per cent of Britons now fit the stereotypes of those in the 'established middle class' and the 'traditional working class'. U.S. historian Dr Tim Stanley summed up the difference between social status in the U.S. and U.K. saying, "To Americans, social status is all about money and power. To Brits it is all about birth and accent."Photo Credit: youshotmedown blog page ]]>http://www.justmeans.com/The-Ritz-Carlton-Hotel-Company-Launches-CSR-Program-in-the-Middle-East/59232.htmlWed, 08 May 2013 10:54:07 GMTVikas Vij The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company (NYSE: MAR) has reaffirmed its commitment to corporate social responsibility with the launch of its global CSR program, 'Community Footprints,' in the Middle East. Community Footprints program strives to make a meaningful impact in the local communities around the world where the company's hotels and resorts are located.A Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Oman, Al Bustan Palace, has entered into a partnership with Rashid bin Al Nazar School Sidab over the past year to provide Read Full Article ]]> The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company (NYSE: MAR) has reaffirmed its commitment to corporate social responsibility with the launch of its global CSR program, 'Community Footprints,' in the Middle East. Community Footprints program strives to make a meaningful impact in the local communities around the world where the company's hotels and resorts are located.A Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Oman, Al Bustan Palace, has entered into a partnership with Rashid bin Al Nazar School Sidab over the past year to provide a learning and mentoring program for its students. The program, 'Success Through Service,' involves hotel employees in a series of workshops in Arabic. It focuses on imparting education and training to young students in a range of areas such as business, hospitality and useful life skills. The company's nine hotels in the Middle East already have a Community Footprints strategy in place. Ritz-Carlton is committed to enhancing its efforts in this area in 2013.Vice president Community Footprints, Sue Stephensonsaid the program focused on "making a sustainable difference in the communities within which The Ritz-Carlton operates.As we extend our physical footprint in the Middle East, we are committed to replicating the success of our global social responsibility and community engagement commitment, in the region. We believe that global companies have a responsibility to implement and inspire positive action in a way that is geographically and culturally relevant."Ritz-Carlton also invites guests staying at its hotels in the Middle East and other parts of the world to participate in the company's community impact efforts. It pursues this goal through the Give Back Getaways 'voluntourism' program, which includes an opportunity to learn about Qatari ecology and help plant and preserve the native Safallah flower. Ritz-Carlton had institutionalized Community Footprints program in 2002 to tackle important global issues such as hunger and poverty relief, child well-being and environmental responsibility.Photo Credit: juliafSource: Hotelier Middle East]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Virtual-Weight-Loss-Programmes-May-Facilitate-Greater-Weight-Maintenance/59094.htmlWed, 08 May 2013 02:00:38 GMTSangeeta Haindl The U.S. weight loss industry is one sector that is buoyant, with its market forecast to hit $66 billion this year. Losing weight is a major concern for nearly 36% of Americans who are considered obese. Now, innovative research and new programs, gadgets, technologies to monitor a person's health, including more attention focused on obesity as a major health issue is making this a thriving industry. However, there are many barriers that can interfere with weight loss for people participating in f Read Full Article ]]> The U.S. weight loss industry is one sector that is buoyant, with its market forecast to hit $66 billion this year. Losing weight is a major concern for nearly 36% of Americans who are considered obese. Now, innovative research and new programs, gadgets, technologies to monitor a person's health, including more attention focused on obesity as a major health issue is making this a thriving industry. However, there are many barriers that can interfere with weight loss for people participating in face-to-face programs from traveling to conflict with work and home, the need for childcare and the loss of anonymity. A study released this May/June 2013 from The University of Kansas Medical Centre, published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behaviour, shows new alternative weight management programmes using social innovation and virtual reality.This virtual reality weight program was conducted using Second Life, a web-based public platform. Participants create virtual representations of themselves, called ''avatars,'' which interact with other avatars and navigate through the virtual world of Second Life. Voice communication is via a headset, which allows for person-to-person and group interaction. Education and training takes place on an ''island,'' which is purchased from Second Life and provides restricted group access to the nutrition education/training area.Dieters who want to participate in real-life scenarios without real-life repercussions can use virtual reality doing things like practice meal planning, grocery shopping and dietary control when eating at restaurants and holiday parties to a much greater extent when compared to the time-limited clinic meeting. Virtual reality may even be able to serve as a more feasible option to monitor individuals after completing a weight loss program. It is the results though that speaks volumesas they show that investigators found virtual reality compares favourably with face-to-face for weight loss and may facilitate greater weight maintenance! This programme is just the start and more technology-based weight loss programs well-funded by venture capital firms will emerge. Demographically U.S. dieters are heavier than ever as a combination of increased stress and a shift to rising consumption of comfort food and cheaper fast food resulted in significant weight gains. Research shows that 72 per cent of Hispanics and 84 per cent of African Americans are overweight or obese versus 68 per cent of non-Hispanic Caucasians. Forecasts predict that we will see more weight loss programs catering to the Hispanic and African-American dieter segments through bilingual websites, online and coaching services.The global market for weight loss will be worth US$586.3 billion by 2014. In China alone the demand for weight loss diet products has grown rapidly in the past decade. In 2011, more than 40 million children under the age of five were overweight. Once considered a high-income country problem, overweight and obesity are now on the rise in low- and middle-income nations, particularly in urban settings. More than 30 million overweight children are living in developing countries and 10 million in developed countries. Last fact, overweight and obesity are linked to more deaths worldwide than underweight. Photo Credit: Alan Cleaver]]>http://www.justmeans.com/World-Bank-Group-Awards--2-Million-in-Grants-to-20-Social-Enterprises-in-India/59108.htmlMon, 06 May 2013 05:13:44 GMTVikas Vij India Development Marketplace (DM) funded by the World Bank Group (WBG) has awarded grants totaling $2 million to twenty social enterprises in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand in India. Each grantee has been given $100,000 to help it scale up and extend its innovative business model. The grantees are working on unique development solutions to address the problems of the most vulnerable people. The business models are aimed at expanding access to basic services such as liv Read Full Article ]]> India Development Marketplace (DM) funded by the World Bank Group (WBG) has awarded grants totaling $2 million to twenty social enterprises in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand in India. Each grantee has been given $100,000 to help it scale up and extend its innovative business model. The grantees are working on unique development solutions to address the problems of the most vulnerable people. The business models are aimed at expanding access to basic services such as livelihood and employment, education, women and child welfare, agriculture, energy, health care and financial services.Of the 20 chosen social enterprises, more than 40 percent have business models to support and empower women living in low-income regions. Other selected enterprises include initiatives to increase access to affordable healthcare for families, grow the income potential of families, while promoting sustainable livelihood practices, and companies that apply technology in innovative ways to improve the delivery of key social services to underserved communities.Onno Ruhl, World Bank country director in India said: "The World Bank Group is committed to supporting innovative models and programs that support underserved communities, particularly in low-income states. The DM provides an opportunity to understand what works and under what conditions as a means to improve services to the poor. I recently visited one of our DM winners from last year which is crossing the proverbial last-mile by bringing regular medicines and the hope of a healthy life to TB patients. The DM is a platform that is aimed at bridging the gap between intention and implementation by helping development practitioners replicate successful pilots."The shortlisted social enterprises were reviewed by leading industry experts on parameters such as sustainability, social impact, innovation and growth potential. Anil Sinha, Regional Head, South Asia Advisory Services, International Finance Corporation, said: "Linking early-stage enterprises to next-stage financing through grant support and advisory services is important for the growth of emerging social enterprises in India. This year, too, the IDM will support grassroots organizations to refine and build their business models to ensure sustainable impact over the long term."Source: World Bank]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Fair-Trade-Knows-Mums-Make-a-World-of-Difference/59097.htmlMon, 06 May 2013 04:29:24 GMTSangeeta Haindl Around the world mums are the backbone of families and communities. This year, for Mother's Day, Fair Trade has launched a new campaign called "Moms Make a World of Difference." An original initiative, this project is bringing extra rewards when shoppers honour mothers globally through their Fair Trade purchases and falls on the same weekend as World Fair Trade Day, May 11-12.Fair Trade knows that mums are strong women, especially those living in developing countries, where they are a critical p Read Full Article ]]> Around the world mums are the backbone of families and communities. This year, for Mother's Day, Fair Trade has launched a new campaign called "Moms Make a World of Difference." An original initiative, this project is bringing extra rewards when shoppers honour mothers globally through their Fair Trade purchases and falls on the same weekend as World Fair Trade Day, May 11-12.Fair Trade knows that mums are strong women, especially those living in developing countries, where they are a critical part of the workforce that brings us the products we all enjoy and love every day. These women encounter more challenges than men. Every coffee bean, cacao pod, and rose they harvest is filled with determination to create a better future for their children and their communities. So what better way to celebrate this powerful mother's love than by filling your cart with delicious Fair Trade Certified products and spreading the word about the simple way that can make a difference to lives of these women?Make no mistake, life is hard for female wage workers who dominate employment in areas of export-oriented, high-value agriculture in the developing world. They represent 75 per cent of banana pickers in Kenya, 70 per cent of flower growers in Colombia, and 90% of Mexican produce pickers. Women tend to work longer hours than men; in Asia and Africa, studies show that women work as much as 13 hours more per week.This campaign gives a glimpse into the lives of these women, featuring the stories of six remarkable mothers who represent the women who grow and harvest Fair Trade Certified coffee, tea, chocolate, roses and sugar.The inspirational stories include one from Maria Elva Correa Torres of Peru, who dreams of using the income from her Fair Trade coffee to start a small grocery business or Elvia Almachi story. Elvia is a rose farmer in Ecuador who is earning her high school diploma at the adult school. All these tales will be highlighted onFair Trade USA's website and Facebook Page until May 12. In addition, thewebsite features discounts for a variety of Fair Trade Certified products and a collection of deliciousrecipes.Fair Trade certification is a critical tool for empowering women across the globe to overcome challenges. It is also a label which ensures that the farmers and workers, who grew the products worked in safe conditions, protected the environment and earn Community Development Premiums to reinvest back into their communities. The women are empowered to emerge as leaders within their communities and with support from Fair Trade now serve as board members of cooperatives, lead workers' committees and are making strides to improve education opportunities for their children. So, when you buy Fair Trade you're helping ensure that mums get safe working conditions, protection from hazardous chemicals and paid maternity leave!Photo Credit: Fair Trade USA Website]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Ameresco-Signs-Contract-for-Energy-Savings-Project-in-Montana/59091.htmlSat, 04 May 2013 01:18:10 GMTVikas Vij Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE: AMRC) has signed an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) with Lewis and Clark County in Montana. Work on the project has already begun, which will include installation of more than $1.6 million of energy efficiency improvements at 28 County-owned buildings. The County is expected to save about $77,000 each year through these energy efficiency measures as well as address crucial infrastructure needs. Ameresco expects to complete the project in the fall of 2013.Eric Bry Read Full Article ]]> Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE: AMRC) has signed an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) with Lewis and Clark County in Montana. Work on the project has already begun, which will include installation of more than $1.6 million of energy efficiency improvements at 28 County-owned buildings. The County is expected to save about $77,000 each year through these energy efficiency measures as well as address crucial infrastructure needs. Ameresco expects to complete the project in the fall of 2013.Eric Bryson, Administrator, Lewis and Clark County, said: "We had several County building systems that were at the end of their life cycle and although we had the resources available internally to fund the project, we utilized an energy savings performance contract to repay the capital budgets through the guaranteed energy savings. This energy savings performance contract with Ameresco will enable us to upgrade and replace all of the necessary infrastructure items this year and avoid the capital costs in the future. This is significant as it will allow us to leverage resources, make improvements, and implement immediate conservation measures otherwise not possible in these difficult economic times."Ameresco performed a detailed investment grade audit prior to launching work on the ESPC. The audit helped the company identify areas where energy savings measures could be put in place across the buildings and facilities owned by the County. The company also devised a plan for the design and implementation of project renovations. Energy efficiency improvements under the project include building envelope improvements, lighting upgrades, water conservation steps, and HVAC and boiler system upgrades.Louis P. Maltezos, Executive Vice President, Ameresco, said: "ESPC is a valuable tool for communities that need to be extremely diligent with their taxpayer dollars and need investment into their aging facilities. Our local Montana team worked very closely with Lewis and Clark County to make sure this project met their needs and expectations with the best value for every dollar invested. Additionally to ensure the County can achieve savings well into the future, Ameresco will provide the training and operational oversight of the new systems."Source: Business Wire]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Impossible-com--Making-the-Possible-Happen/59054.htmlFri, 03 May 2013 02:00:30 GMTSangeeta Haindl Lily Cole, supermodel and actress, has been spending a lot of time with Twitter founder Jack Dorsey. They have been hatching a plan, as Cole is setting up Impossible.com, an "altruistic social network." It will encourage people to gift skills and services to one another without expecting reciprocation - an alternative gift economy that aims to enable the building of communities in local areas through goodwill."Giving triggers social cohesion," Cole explained at the Wired 2012 conference. "It's a Read Full Article ]]> Lily Cole, supermodel and actress, has been spending a lot of time with Twitter founder Jack Dorsey. They have been hatching a plan, as Cole is setting up Impossible.com, an "altruistic social network." It will encourage people to gift skills and services to one another without expecting reciprocation - an alternative gift economy that aims to enable the building of communities in local areas through goodwill."Giving triggers social cohesion," Cole explained at the Wired 2012 conference. "It's also the basis for an economy not based on money. Impossible will facilitate that via social media." Cole has been working on this social innovation project for over a year, and is confident the concept will have appeal. Well known theorist and "de-growth" activist Charles Eisenstein talks about the benefits of a gift-based economy. He argues that such a model aims to bring about a workforce driven by passion rather than coerced by money and profit: he highlights certain co-operative schemes already proving the ideal can be made real.Social psychologist Dr. Robert Cialdini says, "We are socially programmed to give back. Thereciprocity rule states that when we give, help, invite, or provide a meaningful service to others, the recipients will feel obligated to repay in some manner." Reciprocity is a strong, socially-driven impulse that time and again proves true. It seems that Impossible.com knows and understands the power of acts of kindness, and is being proactive to create an eco-system that will start to sow seeds of favours.Right now, the Impossible website will first run as a closed beta to Oxford and Cambridge students, and is backed by Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales. The concept came out of a trip Lily made to a refugee camp on the Thai-Burmese border in 2010, where she witnessed a sense of community and cooperation that was "humbling and inspiring." A couple of failed attempts to launch the site led to Cole losing money she had ploughed into it; now, with help, some of whom have offered their services as a gift, and the upcoming launch looks imminent.Impossible.com can probably be defined as a social business, a non-dividend company created to solve social problems. Like an NGO, it has a social mission, but like a business, it generates its own revenues to cover its costs. While investors may recoup their investment, all further profits are reinvested into the same or other social businesses. Investments in social businesses purely support the accomplishment of a social objective, and an investor should desire no financial gain. In a social business, investors/owners can gradually recoup the money invested, but cannot take any dividend beyond that point. In short, social businesses are non-loss, non-dividend companies created to solve social or environmental problems. In this case, Impossible.com will be a business that runs on acts of kindness and favours.Photo Credit: Newtown Grafitti]]>