Justmeans's blogshttp://www.justmeans.com/editorials/corporatesocialresponsibility/4.htmlFri, 10 Feb 2012 22:47:33 GMThttp://www.justmeans.com en hourly 1http://www.justmeans.com/Canadians-Are-Moving-West-As-Extractive--Oil--amp-amp--Gas-Sectors-Boom/51919.htmlFri, 10 Feb 2012 14:34:11 GMTMeirav Even Har The 2011 Canadian census numbers released Wednesday, February 8, 2012 by Statistics Canada revealed what many suspected - Canadians are westbound. Western Canada, most notably Alberta and Saskatchewan, are experiencing economic growth in the mining, oil sands in-situ and petroleum services sectors. All while Ontario's economic muscles have weakened as automotive and manufacturing jobs are all but disappearing. A recent move by Caterpillar to shut its London, Ontario plant after workers refused t Read Full Article ]]> The 2011 Canadian census numbers released Wednesday, February 8, 2012 by Statistics Canada revealed what many suspected - Canadians are westbound. Western Canada, most notably Alberta and Saskatchewan, are experiencing economic growth in the mining, oil sands in-situ and petroleum services sectors. All while Ontario's economic muscles have weakened as automotive and manufacturing jobs are all but disappearing. A recent move by Caterpillar to shut its London, Ontario plant after workers refused to take an almost 50% pay cut, is one in a series of recent closures.In Canada, population growth is strongly linked to immigration. According to an article by Joe Friesen in the Globe and Mail's February 4th print edition, "About two-thirds of Canadian population growth is due to immigration, the other third to births (the reverse is true for the U.S.)." Coupling the latest census news about migration from east to west to the fact that immigration is a key to the Canadian workforce, the result could be the changing face of western Canada - increased cultural diversity in cities and workforce.Alberta, where the oil and gas industry dominates, according to Alberta Venture's "The 200 Highest Grossing Alberta companies 2011", companies such as Suncor Energy, Enbridge Inc., Encana, and Nexen Inc. all have strong diversity policies and employee engagement and retention programs in place. The four companies also ranked numbers 47th, 71st, 76th and 89th respectively, in the Corporate Knights 2012 Global 100 list; a ranking of most proactive large corporations in managing environmental, social and governance issues. It is worth noting only a total of six Canadian companies were included in this year's list.Encana's 2010 CSR Report details the new on-boarding process including market pay competitiveness, leadership development and third-party feedback mechanisms, among a slew of initiatives. Enbridge also reports annually on its social indicators in terms of employee health and safety, diversity, engagement and community relations for its corporate and operations staff around the world. Nexen measures employee engagement by participating in the AON/Hewitt Best Employers in Canada survey, which is then used to improve company programs around worker satisfaction and retention.While the oil sands have traditionally attracted many from Atlantic Canada, in addition to newcomers, competition for labour is still fierce. "The current labour market environment remains extremely competitive, particularly as many growth locations are in remote areas where it is difficult to attract workers," said Cheryl Knight, Executive Director and CEO of the Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada, in a media News Release, December 13, 2011 for the Petroleum Industry Q3/Q4 HR trends report.Oil and gas, while the dominant industry, is not the only one attracting a new labour pool in resource-rich western Canada. Extractive sector companies such as Agrium Inc. an Alberta-based major retail supplier of agricultural products and services, and Saskatchewan's Cameco and PotashCorp are all expected to see continued growth. Agrium and Cameco have both been recently ranked in the "Ten Best Companies to Work For" according to the Financial Post's 2012 survey. In a press release, Cameco's President and CEO Tim Gitzel is quoted: "The competition for people is fierce in Canada's resource sector... The fact that we place consistently near the top in these competitions shows that we are well positioned to succeed."Indeed, achieving success in maintaining a happy, productive labour force in the western economic engine of Canada will require a thoughtful, strategic approach to employee recruitment and retention. And with Canada's continued reliance on immigration for its population growth, recruitment plans must also target diversity.Image Credit: Calgary (by Kevin Saff)]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Valentine-s-Day--Sustainable-Lifestyles-Score-Higher-in-Dating-Game/51913.htmlFri, 10 Feb 2012 13:22:51 GMTAntonio Pasolini Leading a sustainable life can reap more rewards than helping the planet and slowing down climate change: it can spice up your love life, too.According to new research by Timberland, the outdoor gear company, more than three-quarters of Americans find green habits attractive when it comes to the dating game.Timberland surveyed more than 1,000 men and women to find out how important green behavior patterns are when people look for love.Littering is definitely a major turn-off for Americans: 46 pe Read Full Article ]]> Leading a sustainable life can reap more rewards than helping the planet and slowing down climate change: it can spice up your love life, too.According to new research by Timberland, the outdoor gear company, more than three-quarters of Americans find green habits attractive when it comes to the dating game.Timberland surveyed more than 1,000 men and women to find out how important green behavior patterns are when people look for love.Littering is definitely a major turn-off for Americans: 46 percent said they would question whether to date someone who littered. A refusal to recycle also sends potential lovers running away (15 percent of respondents mentioned it). Other significant parameters include leaving the lights on when not at home (14 percent) and being a climate change denier (14 percent).Okay, those were the don'ts, so how about the do's? 77% of respondents said they enjoy eco-minded behaviors such as spending time outdoors (57%), keeping a green home (50%) and being a conscious consumer (30%). But don't overdo it. Putting the environment before romance at all costs could jeopardize the relationship as well. 46 percent of respondents said that dates who insisted on environmentally responsible food (organic or local) or picked them on a bicycle (43 per cent) would get the boot.Fair enough. So now you need to worry about what to wear. Embrace sustainability when it comes to clothing, as 30 percent of Americans are attracted to people who consider the environmental impact of the clothes they buy.Timberland is teaming up with the dating experts at OkCupid to create the Green Guide to Dating and Love."One of the keys to a successful relationship is connecting with your mate on common interests," said Sam Yagan, CEO and Co-Founder at OkCupid. "The Timberland Green Guide to Dating and Love is resource for those who love the outdoors and want unique ideas for putting an eco-spin on the same-old cocktails or coffee dating routine."So now you know. If you don't want to be dumped or left on the shelf, make sure you green up your act.Image credit: Timberland]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Consumers-Would-Buy-More-Sustainable-Clothing--If-they-Could-Find-It/51906.htmlThu, 09 Feb 2012 13:15:17 GMTAntonio Pasolini The results of this research will probably strike a chord with many consumers, this blogger included. A survey carried out by Ryan Partnership Chicago and Mambo Sprouts Marketing found that consumers would like to buy more sustainable apparel, if only they were given the choice.The 2012 Styling Sustainability Survey discovered that around 69 percent ticked 'at least sometimes' when asked if they considered sustainability when purchasing clothing in 2011. It also discovered that shoppers would bu Read Full Article ]]> The results of this research will probably strike a chord with many consumers, this blogger included. A survey carried out by Ryan Partnership Chicago and Mambo Sprouts Marketing found that consumers would like to buy more sustainable apparel, if only they were given the choice.The 2012 Styling Sustainability Survey discovered that around 69 percent ticked 'at least sometimes' when asked if they considered sustainability when purchasing clothing in 2011. It also discovered that shoppers would buy twice as much eco-apparel in 2012.There's one problem, though: consumers have not been able to access sustainable goods, a fact that is hampering the take-up of eco-fashion. A third of respondents said sustainable clothing wasn't available when and where they shopped. One fourth of them said they didn't even know where to purchase sustainable clothing.The majority informed themselves of the garment's eco-attributes through product tags while 37 per cent asked for information in-store. Another 61 per cent showed interest in apparel sustainability rating or index."The data is showing a strong interest in eco/sustainable apparel. This represents a growth opportunity, especially if manufacturers and retailers make it easier to find," said Christine Nardi Diette, group president, Ryan Partnership Chicago.The first phase of the research consisted of an online survey using MamboTrack panel to better understand 'sustainable' purchase decisions and shopper behavior. MamboTrack is a leading survey research platform of over 50,000 health and wellness consumers willing to share their opinions and insights about natural and organic products as well as sustainable living. For the analysis, the 802 MamboTrack survey respondents were segmented into groups and coded as shades of green according to how important sustainability was to their purchase decisions.The second phase of the study consisted of a series of structured retailer and manufacturer conversations. Interviewees were selected to represent the full spectrum of business philosophies and practices (e.g., natural/conventional, small/large, etc.) that are key to the study's purpose. The goal was to gather industry insight and perspective to supplement the consumer findings, as well as explore these stakeholders' potentially increasing focus on the "triple bottom line" (people/planet/profit).One of the big finds is that shoppers search for eco-friendly apparel at mainstream retailers where they shop. Therefore, these products represent an immediate growth opportunity for all apparel retailers, not just niche shops."We believe there's a case to be made for more consistent and impactful eco-apparel product labeling and compelling point-of-sale signage. A 'store-within-a-store' concept for this category could significantly increase shopper perception of availability as well, eliminating a major barrier to purchase," Diette added.Eco-shoppers are demanding, though. The report revealed they are not willing to trade fit or durability and rank a number of "sustainable" factors at the same level of importance in their purchase decision, such as "fun" and "fashionable." Technology has made it possible to offer all these options simultaneously; therefore, green fashionistas can have their whole wheat cake and eat it, too. But first, the market needs to start catering for them.Image credit: One Green Score]]>http://www.justmeans.com/WWF-Canada-and-Loblaw-to-Raise-Awareness-about-Climate-Change-in-National-Sweater-Day/51877.htmlWed, 08 Feb 2012 11:21:14 GMTMeirav Even Har The second annual National Sweater Day - a WWF-Canada campaign, presented by Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) - will take place February 9th and is expected to engage thousands, predominantly through school and workplace activities. The campaign is meant to educate and motivate Canadians on the issue of Climate Change; specifically, how individual actions can help reduce energy use at work, school and home. The message is simple: wear a sweater and lower the thermostat. "If every Canadian turne Read Full Article ]]> The second annual National Sweater Day - a WWF-Canada campaign, presented by Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) - will take place February 9th and is expected to engage thousands, predominantly through school and workplace activities. The campaign is meant to educate and motivate Canadians on the issue of Climate Change; specifically, how individual actions can help reduce energy use at work, school and home. The message is simple: wear a sweater and lower the thermostat. "If every Canadian turned down their thermostat by two degrees Celsius [35.6 Fahrenheit] each winter, 2.2 mega-tonnes of carbon dioxide could be saved every year - equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road," writes Hadley Archer, WWF's VP Strategic Partnerships and Development.In 2011, National Sweater Day had approximately 500,000 Canadian participants, a noteworthy achievement for its first year. Loblaw - Canada's largest food retailer - had over 400 of its grocery stores participate by engaging both employees and customers. WWF's Climate Savers program for business also helped drive participation numbers in workplaces.This year's campaign has a focused theme - grandma. A playful creative take on a nagging grandmother wanting her sweater gift to be worn. While fun, it is also a smart theme as it has a meaningful reference: "there is a strong showing that energy conservation is almost a lost art," says Josh Laughren, Director of Climate and Energy at WWF. "Previous generations had to exercise energy conservation and did it intuitively." Speaking from his Toronto office, Mr. Laughren observed that people understand the campaign is not about the day or the hour - referencing WWF International's Earth Hour campaign - but rather a personal commitment and a call to action on climate change. "The individual action is really important not because we'll solve the climate change problem, but because the only way we are going to drive action by government and business is by demonstrating constituent change - demanding to see action by our government and business leaders. That's what Sweater Day and Earth Hour is all about. Creating a constituency for change."WWF and Loblaw have worked in partnership since 2009, primarily on sustainably sourced seafood. National Sweater Day is supported through partial proceeds from Loblaw's national Charge-for-Plastic-Bags program, which has successfully reduced over 2 billion plastic bags in stores since 2007. In a statement, Bob Chant, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Communication at Loblaw notes, "Sweater Day is a great way for us to remind our colleagues, customers and all Canadians about the positive impact of collective action. Whether it's reducing our electricity use with energy-efficient lighting, improving our refrigeration systems or doing small things like turning down our thermostats, together we are taking steps in the right direction for our environment."And while winter temperatures have been warmer than usual in most parts of Canada, February 9th may still be cold enough to don on a sweater, lower the thermostat and remember why even simple actions, when multiplied, can really make a difference.Photo courtesy of WWF-Canada]]>http://www.justmeans.com/IBM-Supports-Socially-Responsible-Internet-Initiative/51842.htmlTue, 07 Feb 2012 12:14:28 GMTAntonio Pasolini Today is Safer Internet Day 2012 (#SID2012) and the initiative has attracted the support from technology giant IBM. The company said it is supporting the initiative by releasing free internet safety training tools for students. The company has thousands of volunteers working to help raise awareness and educate students and businesses on Internet safety and digital responsibility.Safer Internet Day started in 2004 and these days it is supported in all five continents and almost 80 countries, incl Read Full Article ]]> Today is Safer Internet Day 2012 (#SID2012) and the initiative has attracted the support from technology giant IBM. The company said it is supporting the initiative by releasing free internet safety training tools for students. The company has thousands of volunteers working to help raise awareness and educate students and businesses on Internet safety and digital responsibility.Safer Internet Day started in 2004 and these days it is supported in all five continents and almost 80 countries, including all 27 countries of the European Union. The goal of the day is to help make the Internet safer for children and young people.IBM is unveiling three free volunteer kits to educate students, parents and teachers on Internet safety: Control Your Online Identity - A volunteer education kit, it is designed to help teenagers learn to protect personal data online and reputation online. Teenagers are typically savvy about how to use the Internet, but often unaware about what happens to personal data once it's shared. This presentation and volunteer information helps students learn how to protect personal data and control how they present themselves online. Internet Safety Coaching - Aimed at teachers or adults working with children, this is a general primer on Internet safety providing basic information about common Internet activities by young people including instant messaging and social networking. This kit is designed to raise awareness of Internet safety and how to have a meaningful and open dialogue with children on this topic. Cyberbullying -- Aimed at parents or adults who work with children, this activity helps adults learn about how young people use the Internet today and how to recognize cyberbullying symptoms, how to prevent online bullying from happening and how to intervene if it does happen."The resources we are donating will help teachers and parents raise awareness that most Internet-based threats to individual and computer security can significantly be reduced by actions that informed users take themselves," said Harriet Pearson, IBM Security Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer.Volunteers are taking action in several parts of the world. In Finland, for instance, IBM's lead volunteer on Cyberbullying will participate in a national summit at Helsinki City Hall in conjunction with Safer Internet Day. In Germany IBM will expand its partnership with klicksafe, the national partner of the Insafe network, focusing on the Manage Your Identity Initiative. In the United Kingdom, IBM volunteers will use the volunteer kits to promote online safety awareness in schools. IBMers will partner with non-profit YPNGlobal on their initiative called Cyber Champions. In Italy, an IBM team will conduct events in local schools using both the IBM materials and a film from Safer Internet Day to discuss Internet safety and cyberbullying. In Romania, IBM volunteers are partnering with NGOs APDETIC and Junior Achievement Romania to deliver an Internet Safety session to students focusing on controlling your online identity and Facebook usage.IBM said last year its employees donated more than three million hours of volunteer service.Image credit: Safer Internet]]>http://www.justmeans.com/The-Meaning-of-Responsibility/51837.htmlTue, 07 Feb 2012 11:39:52 GMTWayne Visser Part 1 of 13 in Wayne Visser's "Age of Responsibility" Blog Series for 3BL Media.Do you sigh when you hear the word responsibility? Perhaps responsibility is even a dirty word in your vocabulary. Perhaps you associate it with burdens and restrictions; the opposite of being carefree and without obligations. But responsibility doesn't have to be a chore, or a cage. It all depends how you think about it.Responsibility is literally what it says - our ability to respond. It is a choice we make - whet Read Full Article ]]> Part 1 of 13 in Wayne Visser's "Age of Responsibility" Blog Series for 3BL Media.Do you sigh when you hear the word responsibility? Perhaps responsibility is even a dirty word in your vocabulary. Perhaps you associate it with burdens and restrictions; the opposite of being carefree and without obligations. But responsibility doesn't have to be a chore, or a cage. It all depends how you think about it.Responsibility is literally what it says - our ability to respond. It is a choice we make - whether to be attentive to our children's needs, whether to be mindful of the plight of those less fortunate, whether to be considerate of the impact we have on the earth and others. To be responsible is to be proactive in the world, to be sensitive to the interconnections, and to be willing to do something constructive, as a way of giving back.Responsibility is the counterbalance to rights. If we enjoy the right to freedom, it is because we accept our responsibility not to harm or harass others. If we expect the right to fair treatment, we have a responsibility to respect the rule of law and honour the principle of reciprocity. If we believe in the right to have our basic needs met, we have the responsibility to respond when poverty denies those rights to others.Taking responsibility, at home or in the workplace, is an expression of confidence in our own abilities, a chance to test our own limits, to challenge ourselves and to see how far we can go. Responsibility is the gateway to achievement. And achievement is the path to growth. Being responsible for something means that we are entrusted with realising its potential, turning its promise into reality. We are the magicians of manifestation, ready to prove to ourselves and to others what can happen when we put our minds to it, if we focus our energies and concentrate our efforts.Being responsible for someone - another person - is an even greater privilege, for it means that we are embracing our role as caregivers, helping others to develop and flourish. This is an awesome responsibility, in the truest sense, one which should be embraced with gratitude, not reluctantly accepted with trepidation. Responsibility asks no more of us than that we try our best, that we act in the highest and truest way we know. Responsibility is not a guarantee of success, but a commitment to trying.So why is responsibility seen by many as such an onerous burden? Responsibility becomes onerous when choice is removed from the equation, when we do not realise our freedom to act differently, when we forget that we are allowed to say no. Responsibility becomes pernicious when we take on too much, when we mistakenly think that more is always better, when we take on the guilt and expectations of others. Accepting too many responsibilities is, in fact, irresponsible - for it compromises our ability to respond. Do few things but do them well is the maxim of responsibility.Being responsible also does not mean doing it all ourselves. Responsibility is a form of sharing, a way of recognising that we're all in this together. Sole responsibility is an oxymoron.Taking responsibility is a way of taking ownership in our lives, of acknowledging our own hand in the shaping of destiny. Responsibility is the antidote for victimhood.When we walk with awareness, we realise the enmeshed nature of reality, we see the subtle strands that make up the web of life, we accept that everything is linked to everything else. Responsibility is being conscious of the oneness of existence.Responsibility, if we manage it well, should never be like the curse of Sisyphus, eternally rolling a rock uphill, but rather a blessing gratefully received. For what can be more joyous than making a positive contribution in the world, or making a difference in someone else's life?Responsibility is the footprint we leave in the sand, the mark of our passage. What tracks will you leave? Where is the place where you can most freely and effectively respond? The choice, as always, is yours.I wrote these opening words on responsibility in 2005, and I believe they are still as relevant today as they were back then. Responsibility is the choice we make to respond with care. My book - The Age of Responsibility - and this 3BL Media blog series, is a way of taking stock. What choices have we made - in the way we live our lives, in the way we do our work and in the way we run our businesses? How have we responded to the needs of our day - especially the social, environmental and ethical crises we face? And have our actions been taken with care - have we cared about our impacts on others?There are even more troubling questions. For instance: Are companies more a part of the problem or the solution? Is the net impact of business positive or negative? There are other questions too; awkward questions that cut even closer to the bone. For better or for worse, I chose corporate sustainability and responsibility (CSR) as my way to make a positive difference in the world - the mark of my footprints in the sands of time. But given that CSR has increased dramatically over the same 50 years that many of our global problems have been getting worse, does that mean that CSR is ineffective?It gets worse. Could the whole CSR bonanza be an unwitting accomplice to the spate of corporate crimes of recent decades? Am I quietly and unintentionally aiding and abetting our collective demise? After all, Enron was stuffed to the gills with CSR - from codes of conduct and ethics officers to corporate volunteering and community development programmes. I am sure all of these CSR programmes had their merits. And yet, if they did nothing to prevent these companies acting like pirates on the high seas of finance, what good are they?If CSR cannot form the bedrock of ethical corporate behaviour, does it deserve to have 'responsibility' in its title? More worryingly still, if CSR is used to legitimise businesses or practices that are, at heart, irresponsible, surely CSR is partly to blame for the various corporate 'sins' that go undetected and unpunished? I am led to a very uncomfortable conclusion. At worst, CSR in its most primitive form may be a smokescreen covering up systemically irresponsible behaviour. At best, even the most evolved CSR practices might just be a band-aid applied to a gaping wound that is haemorrhaging the lifeblood of the economy, society and the planet.So we need a new approach - a new CSR, which I call CSR 2.0. This blog series will explore why CSR 1.0 is broken, and how CSR 2.0 can breathe new life into the concept and practice of corporate sustainability and responsibility. I hope you will join me.Image credit: Vectorportal]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Sustainable-Paper-Is-Part-and-Parcel-of-a-Green-Magazine/51785.htmlMon, 06 Feb 2012 13:22:31 GMTAntonio Pasolini When the internet became a mass phenomenon, sometime in the mid-1990s, futurologists on duty started throwing around the paperless office concept. And it did seem to be going that way. After all, if everything was going to be digital, why on earth would should we knock down trees to make paper? Many people thought that magazines and newspapers were destined to become a thing of the past as well.However, things turned out differently. Nearly two decades on, our use of paper has only increased. Wi Read Full Article ]]> When the internet became a mass phenomenon, sometime in the mid-1990s, futurologists on duty started throwing around the paperless office concept. And it did seem to be going that way. After all, if everything was going to be digital, why on earth would should we knock down trees to make paper? Many people thought that magazines and newspapers were destined to become a thing of the past as well.However, things turned out differently. Nearly two decades on, our use of paper has only increased. With the boom in personal printers, the amount of paper used has grown exponentially. As for magazines and newspapers, some of them went out of business. But other magazines were launched and newspapers are not gone yet, although print runs have gone down in some cases and they seem to find themselves trapped in a state of permanent crisis.Since paper persists, it's good to see magazines made of the stuff (ironically called 'dead tree' magazines by digital publishers) taking measures to make their businesses more sustainable. Recently, Dirt Rag and GRIT magazines received recognition for their sustainability efforts at the 2012 Aveda Environmental Award competition. Dirt Rag was the winner of the 2012 Aveda Environmental Award and GRIT received the finalist honor.Both magazines have bolstered their green credentials by using FutureMark Paper to print their product. According to a report published by the American Forest & Paper Association, paper production is responsible for over 66% of all types of greenhouse gas emissions in the life cycle of a typical magazine. Therefore using green paper is the most effective way for these companies to tread more lightly on the planet. For that same reason, paper choices is a major parameter for the Aveda Environmental Award, as paper-making offsets all other aspects combined in evaluating the environmental footprint of manufacturing and distributing of magazines.FutureMark is a maker of high-quality paper with an average of more than 90 per cent recycled content (more than 30 percent from post-consumer waste). Its recycled paper is used to print magazines, catalogs, textbooks, pictorial books, advertising inserts and container labelling.The event was co-hosted by Green America in partnership with Aveda. Green America says that optimizing recycled content in paper is the best sustainable choice for publishers, as it requires less chemicals, water, trees and energy to produce new paper from old ones when compared to producing new paper from trees.Image credit: Aveda Environmental Award]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Sustainable-Energy-Challenge-Kicks-Off-in-the-UK/51765.htmlFri, 03 Feb 2012 16:54:05 GMTAntonio Pasolini The Co-Operative, a pioneer of social responsibility in the UK and in business since1844, has launched a challenge whereby it will seek six to eight communities keen to develop projects that "involve local people, change the way we think about energy, and inspire others to shape a renewable energy future."The Community Energy Challenge is part of The Co-operative's Clean Energy Revolution campaign, which calls for a moratorium on the development of shale gas in the UK (fracking) and support for Read Full Article ]]> The Co-Operative, a pioneer of social responsibility in the UK and in business since1844, has launched a challenge whereby it will seek six to eight communities keen to develop projects that "involve local people, change the way we think about energy, and inspire others to shape a renewable energy future."The Community Energy Challenge is part of The Co-operative's Clean Energy Revolution campaign, which calls for a moratorium on the development of shale gas in the UK (fracking) and support for clean energy by government. It will support a set of community energy projects in the hopes of unleashing an alternative energy revolution in the UK.The Community Energy Challenge will provide 12-18 months of enterprise development, mentoring, technical advice and community facilitation for six to eight communities, enabling them to initiate co-operative renewable energy projects at a significant scale (e.g. valued at 1m (US$1.58m) to 3m (US$4.75m) and/or rated in excess of 500kW).The Co-operative Group has hired the Centre for Sustainable Energy to manage the project, which aims to bring the selected community projects to a state where it's ready for further support and investment from The Co-operative Enterprise Hub and The Co-operative Bank."The Community Energy Challenge offers a supported application process designed to help communities develop strong project proposals, even from a standing start. Lack of technical know-how should not be a barrier and communities with ambition are encouraged to apply," CSE says on its website.The Community Energy Challenge will operate a competitive bid process. All applications will be carefully evaluated and the final selection made by an expert panel. The deadline for expressions of interest is 29 February 2012. The organizers anticipate a mix of technologies (wind, hydro, solar PV, biomass, anaerobic digestion) and a geographical spread in the chosen projects.Image credit: The Co-operative]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Socially-Responsible-UK-Solar-Company-Announces-Launch-of-US-7-9m-Funding-Round/51722.htmlThu, 02 Feb 2012 15:45:03 GMTAntonio Pasolini Eight19, a company based in Cambridge UK and which is developing printed plastic solar cells as well as IndiGo pay-as-you-go solar power technology for emerging markets, has announced the launch of a 5m (US$7.9m) "Series B" funding round. The funding will be used for the further development of the company's low cost printed plastic solar film and for accelerating the deployment of Eight19's IndiGo pay as you go solar power products. Both products are already attracting strong customer demand in Read Full Article ]]> Eight19, a company based in Cambridge UK and which is developing printed plastic solar cells as well as IndiGo pay-as-you-go solar power technology for emerging markets, has announced the launch of a 5m (US$7.9m) "Series B" funding round. The funding will be used for the further development of the company's low cost printed plastic solar film and for accelerating the deployment of Eight19's IndiGo pay as you go solar power products. Both products are already attracting strong customer demand in emerging markets, Eight19 said in a press statement.The company received 4.5m (US$7.1m) of funding in September 2010 from the Carbon Trust and Rhodia SA and it is expected that the new round will be taken up by a combination of existing and new investors.The company said it is beginning the mass rollout of pay-as-you-go solar products in Kenya, with 4,000 units scheduled for deployment in the first quarter of 2012. This follows the product launch that took place in that country last September. It is now being launched in other parts of Africa and the Indian sub-continent.IndiGo takes its inspiration from pay-as-you-go cell phone schemes. The system consists of a low-cost solar panel, a battery unit with an inbuilt mobile phone charger and a high efficiency light emitting diode (LED) lamp. Users put credit on their IndiGo device using a scratchcard, which is validated over SMS using a standard mobile phone. It costs $1 a week to run and it is leased for an initial $10 fee.The goal is to replace kerosene lamps which, besides performing poorly, also contribute to bad health and global warming. The World Bank says there's a US$38bn replacement market for kerosene lighting across the globe. Eight19 says interest in IndiGo is so high that demand currently exceeds supply.Recently Eight19 also announced the commissioning of Europe's largest printed solar development facility at its headquarters in the UK. The plant will be used to further develop Eight19's flexible Printed Plastic Solar film using roll-to-roll manufacturing techniques at a peak linear speed of over 3.6 kilometres per hour."This round of funding, which is expected to close in Q2, 2012 will underpin the next stage in the company's journey to develop its leading technology base for low cost printed plastic solar cells. The IndiGo provides clean, renewable energy in a uniquely affordable way, allowing users to grow their energy supply over time. It will transform the lives of those living off-grid so that communities will be able to dispose of their kerosene lamps and replace them with electric lights", said CEO Simon Bransfield-Garth.Image credit: Eight19]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Socially-Responsible-Facebook-Campaign-Helps-Homeless-People-in-Chicago/51693.htmlWed, 01 Feb 2012 11:21:46 GMTAntonio Pasolini Facebook can be much more than a social network for friends; it is also an amazing tool for fundraising and activism that produces real results.Apartments.com, a leading U.S. apartment Internet listing subscription service website, yesterday presented a check for $15,000 to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. The money was raised as part of the website's "Raising Awareness. Taking Action: A Campaign to Help End Homelessness" Facebook initiative. As part of the campaign, Apartments.com promis Read Full Article ]]> Facebook can be much more than a social network for friends; it is also an amazing tool for fundraising and activism that produces real results.Apartments.com, a leading U.S. apartment Internet listing subscription service website, yesterday presented a check for $15,000 to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. The money was raised as part of the website's "Raising Awareness. Taking Action: A Campaign to Help End Homelessness" Facebook initiative. As part of the campaign, Apartments.com promised to donate $1 to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless for every new "LIKE" it received on Facebook from November 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011."In every aspect, this campaign was a huge success. We received overwhelming positive feedback from our Apartments.com staff and customers, as well as the general public," said Kevin Doyle, senior vice president and general manager of Apartments.com. "We know $15,000, by itself, won't bring an end to homelessness, but we hope it helps the Coalition to be able to continue the monumental good they do each and every day."Apartments.com said it chose the Chicago-based advocacy group as the beneficiary of this inaugural campaign because the NGO is the leading voice for the homeless in the city of Chicago, where the online business is headquartered. It was estimated that last year more than 100,000 people suffered from homelessness in Chicago and an estimated 3.5 million people each year experience homelessness. Apartments.com designed the initiative to generate nationwide participation and help bring greater attention to this widespread issue across America."Chicago Coalition for the Homeless was founded over 30 years ago on one simple premise: that in a just society, housing is a human right. To that end, we work with families, youths and adults, advocating to better lives through access to shelter, housing, jobs and schools," said Ed Shurna, executive director of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Let-s-Raise-a-Glass-to-Social-Responsibility/51685.htmlMon, 30 Jan 2012 19:01:20 GMTAntonio Pasolini A Napa Valley winemaker has joined a socially responsible project that takes its inspiration from the New Testament passage where Jesus turns water to wine. Michel Rolland has partnered with CNN Hero Doc Hendley, founder of Wine To Water, which has provided water to approximately 100,000 people in twelve countries, and Montesquieu Wines, a California winery and importer. Together, they are selling a wine called Bonne Nouvelle to raise funds for clean water projects in Ethiopia.There's a water cr Read Full Article ]]> A Napa Valley winemaker has joined a socially responsible project that takes its inspiration from the New Testament passage where Jesus turns water to wine. Michel Rolland has partnered with CNN Hero Doc Hendley, founder of Wine To Water, which has provided water to approximately 100,000 people in twelve countries, and Montesquieu Wines, a California winery and importer. Together, they are selling a wine called Bonne Nouvelle to raise funds for clean water projects in Ethiopia.There's a water crisis in that country. Every day millions of people struggle for their lives due to drought and contaminated water. WTW says one billion people in the world today lack access to adequate water and 2.5 billion people lack access to improved sanitation. "We are devoted to fighting this epidemic. Wine symbolizes fortune in our society. Our goal is to give the fortunate population an opportunity to fight for those who can't fight for themselves," the charity says on its website.Proceeds from the sales of Bonne Nouvelle (which means 'good news' in French) will go directly to Wine To Water to dig deep bore wells in the Dale region of Southern Ethiopia, where 6 out of 10 people lack access to clean water. The project's initial goal is to raise $40,000, which is enough to fund four wells, providing permanent water access for over 8,000 people.For each bottle sold, US$20 will go to the project. Bonne Nouvelle is hand-crafted from vines on a mountainside vineyard in the famed Stellenbosch region; the 2003 Bonne Nouvelle is a beautifully rendered reflection of South African terroir. It is described as a "perfectly-matured blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Pinotage" with "an alluring bouquet of black currants and forest pine, a complex palate layered with dense cherry, graphite and delicate smoke, and an enduring finish that coats the mouth with mint chocolate and fine tannins."Montesquieu Wines' founder Fonda Hopkins, who works separately with Michel Rolland and Doc Hendley on several other projects, brought them together to forge this partnership. "Michel and Doc come from completely different backgrounds," said Hopkins. "But both men are so passionate about life and committed to excellence that this project came together as a natural fit." Montesquieu is facilitating the partnership by importing and distributing the wine at no charge."It's wonderful to see some of the top players in the wine community step up to the plate to make such a difference," said Hendley. In 2009, Hendley was named a CNN Top 10 Hero for his work. He is currently touring the nation discussing his new book Wine to Water: A Bartender's Quest to Bring Clean Water to the World, published by Penguin.Image credit: WTW]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Todd-Newton-s-Sole-Adventure-in-Social-Responsibility/51603.htmlFri, 27 Jan 2012 12:42:46 GMTAntonio Pasolini International shoe charity Soles4Souls has released a video made by game show host Todd Newton whereby he documents his recent trip to Haiti. Newton was in Haiti with Soles4Souls Founder/CEO Wayne Elsey between January 5th and 8th, exactly two years after the earthquake that devastated the country. Upon his return, Newton created a video that documents the trip and asks the public to join him in helping the non-profit restore Haiti.While there, Newton assisted with shoe distributions at local or Read Full Article ]]> International shoe charity Soles4Souls has released a video made by game show host Todd Newton whereby he documents his recent trip to Haiti. Newton was in Haiti with Soles4Souls Founder/CEO Wayne Elsey between January 5th and 8th, exactly two years after the earthquake that devastated the country. Upon his return, Newton created a video that documents the trip and asks the public to join him in helping the non-profit restore Haiti.While there, Newton assisted with shoe distributions at local orphanages and villages. He saw firsthand the life-threatening need for shoes and took action as the NGO's Exclusive Sole Ambassador."Upon first meeting with Wayne Elsey and Soles4Souls I immediately felt the energy and passion for their mission," said Newton. "After traveling to Haiti with them, I witnessed the great need for that passion. This is an organization that lives and breathes for our brothers and sisters who are in need and I could not be more honored to be the Sole Ambassador."The video, which can be found here, features both Newton and Elsey sharing the story of Soles4Souls and bringing viewers a firsthand look at the country's devastation and need for continued assistance."Todd Newton is the perfect choice to be our Sole Ambassador - someone who doesn't just understand our mission, but uses their personal platform to help further our cause in any way they can," said Elsey. "We are excited about partnering with him, and grateful he selected us as his charity of choice."Soles4Souls collects new shoes to give relief to the victims of abject suffering and collects used shoes to support micro-enterprise efforts to eradicate poverty. Soles4Souls' other two divisions, Clothes4Souls and Hope4Souls, provide the same relief and support through clothing and other necessities.Besides providing a socially responsible service to those in need, Soles4Souls also provides a chance for supporters to step up their sustainability credentials. By donating their footwear, they are actually recycling them and preventing another item from being thrown away. The charity says that Americans discarded 300 million pairs of shoes last year. Shoes break down in landfills and release toxic glue that ends up leaking into the water supply and atmosphere.Image credit: Sole4Souls]]>http://www.justmeans.com/AT-amp-amp-T-s-Sustainability-Drive-is-Fueled-With-Alternative-Energy/51595.htmlThu, 26 Jan 2012 11:25:52 GMTAntonio Pasolini AT&T said it has placed more than 5,000 alternative fuel vehicles on U.S. roads since it embarked in a 10-year commitment of up to $565 million to deploy approximately 15,000 alternative fuel vehicles through 2018, including "one of the largest U.S. corporate commitments to compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles to date." AT&T deployed the 5,000th vehicle, a CNG van, in Palmdale, California. AT&T currently operates more than 70,300 vehicles in its corporate fleet."In a short period of time, with Read Full Article ]]> AT&T said it has placed more than 5,000 alternative fuel vehicles on U.S. roads since it embarked in a 10-year commitment of up to $565 million to deploy approximately 15,000 alternative fuel vehicles through 2018, including "one of the largest U.S. corporate commitments to compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles to date." AT&T deployed the 5,000th vehicle, a CNG van, in Palmdale, California. AT&T currently operates more than 70,300 vehicles in its corporate fleet."In a short period of time, with the support of community leaders all over the country, we've invested in the deployment of thousands of advanced technology vehicles that promote cleaner air, use less fuel and help AT&T lower its operating costs," said Jerome Webber, vice president, AT&T Global Fleet Operations. "While some may see just another car or truck on the road, we think these vehicles represent the shared values of the communities where we live, work and play."AT&T was one of the fleet operators to respond to the Department of Energy's Clean Cities' National Clean Fleets Partnership, launched in 2010 as part of President Obama's national challenge to cut America's petroleum imports by one-third by 2025. Through 2013, AT&T anticipates it will have purchased up to 8,000 CNG vehicles at an estimated cost of $350 million. Additionally, over the life of the commitment, AT&T expects to invest $215 million to replace approximately 7,100 fleet passenger cars with alternative-fuel models.Over the 10-year deployment period, AT&T said it will save 49 millions of gallons of gasoline and reduce emissions by 211,000 metric tons, the equivalent of removing 38,600 passenger vehicles from the road for a year. The calculations were published in a report by the Center for Automotive Research.The company has also invested in more sustainable garage services through programs that include new recycling scheme that turns old rubber into fuel and consumer products (an estimated 60,000 old tires annually); recycling all primary garage products, including 180,000 pounds of oil filters, 200,000 gallons of oil and 23,000 gallons of antifreeze annually; and eliminating the purchase of 9,000 pounds of lead annually that were being used to balance new fleet vehicle tires at high speeds.Image credit: AT&T]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Ford-Foundation-Fuels-Socially-Responsible-Filmmaking/51557.htmlTue, 24 Jan 2012 18:14:13 GMTAntonio Pasolini With the Sundance film festival currently showcasing to the world the best of independent filmmaking until the end of the month (Jan 29), cinema is a hot topic right now. But to get socially responsible projects projects like the ones seen at Sundance off the paper is not always an easy task. This is one of the reasons the Ford Foundation provides funding to documentarians.Last year, a day before the start of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, the Foundation launched JustFilms to focus on film, vi Read Full Article ]]> With the Sundance film festival currently showcasing to the world the best of independent filmmaking until the end of the month (Jan 29), cinema is a hot topic right now. But to get socially responsible projects projects like the ones seen at Sundance off the paper is not always an easy task. This is one of the reasons the Ford Foundation provides funding to documentarians.Last year, a day before the start of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, the Foundation launched JustFilms to focus on film, video and digital works that "show courageous people confronting difficult issues and actively pursuing a more just, secure and sustainable world." In its inaugural year, the initiative has made more than $10 million in grants to support more than 100 filmmakers and media professionals around the world.Five features films funded by JustFilms are screening at Sundance 2012. Among the projects are How to Survive a Plague (Dir: David France), which received $400,000 to chronicle the battle to find live-saving drugs to fight AIDS in the U.S. There's also Detropia (Dir: Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady), which tells the story of the economic challenges faced by innovative Detroit residents. It was made on a budget of $450,000.Other films include The House I Live In (Dir: Eugene Jarecki), about the swelling of the U.S. prison industry by the war on drugs; Red Hook Summer (Dir: Spike Lee), about a young Atlanta boy who spends a summer in Brooklyn with his grandfather, whom he's never seen before. Besides, an additional nine films in the festival are receiving funding through Just Film's partnerships with the Sundance Documentary Film project and the Independent Television Service (ITVS)."We're extremely pleased that five projects receiving major support from Just Films have been selected to premiere at Sundance," said Darren Walker, vice president of Ford's Education, Creativity and Free Expression Program. "This is exactly what our initiative is all about-ensuring that talented filmmakers who are tackling tough social issues can break through to large new audiences in a timely way."JustFilms intends to invest $10 million every year through 2016 to support and expand the community of creative types around the world who, despite the relevance of their projects and their passion to create them, often lack funding to pursue them to completion and to find an audience."We believe that Sundance is just the beginning of an opportunity for these filmmakers, and many others like them, to reach a new audience of engaged people who are hungry for stories about issues shaping our future," added Walker."While focusing on issues as diverse as human rights, poverty, cultural expression and sustainable development, every project supported by JustFilms has one thing in common-the power of good storytelling," said Orlando Bagwell, director of the JustFilms initiative at Ford. "These films make complex and often difficult issues accessible and entertaining, opening up whole new opportunities for audiences to engage on topics that may have once felt overwhelming or simply out of reach."Image credit: Sundance]]>http://www.justmeans.com/New-Report-Forecasts-Technological-Advances-in-the-Sustainable-Economy/51542.htmlMon, 23 Jan 2012 14:22:12 GMTAntonio Pasolini Global Industry Analysts has released a new global outlook on the Green Technologies Industry. The report focuses on how "economic activity that violates the laws of sustainability is driving the acceptance and adoption of green technologies worldwide." Renewable chemicals, clean energy technologies (such as wind, solar and hydro), hybrid automotive powertrain technology, and green IT practices, among others, are expected to see the strongest growth, it predicts.Sustainable, green energy will ge Read Full Article ]]> Global Industry Analysts has released a new global outlook on the Green Technologies Industry. The report focuses on how "economic activity that violates the laws of sustainability is driving the acceptance and adoption of green technologies worldwide." Renewable chemicals, clean energy technologies (such as wind, solar and hydro), hybrid automotive powertrain technology, and green IT practices, among others, are expected to see the strongest growth, it predicts.Sustainable, green energy will get stronger to meet the growth in energy demand as the global population increases exponentially. The authors of the report single out wind, solar and geothermal power as industries bound to witness robust gains in the upcoming years. Technology developments in photovoltaic cells and wind turbines, coupled with government incentives will strengthen the role played by renewables in the energy mix portfolio in the future.Renewable chemicals will benefit from innovations in industrial biotechnology processes and feedstocks. With the traditional chemical industry coming under tighter scrutiny, companies, government, and academic institutions are investing heavily to support research and development in new and renewable feedstocks. The use of renewable raw materials in production of chemicals, such as plant-based sources, enzymes, vegetable oils, fatty acids and microorganisms, is attracting immense interest because of its potential to reduce the chemical industry's negative impact on human health and environment. A key area of focus is to replace costly chemical production processes with cheaper, environmental friendly, sustainable bioproduction processes with interestingly new chemistries. As a result, renewable resources for manufacturing polymers and chemicals for meeting their social and environmental responsibility as well as eliminating or reducing hazardous substances are gaining prominence.The automobile sector is also greening its act as top league companies have started to invest significantly in green practices and concepts in automotive manufacturing. Venture capitalists have signalled clearly they are interested in investing in cost-effective and environmental friendly technologies for producing hybrid/electric/solar powered vehicles for a new age in transportation. Green transportation technology was one of the major beneficiaries of calculated investments made by venture capitalists during the recession.The corporate world has also embraced sustainable behavior through the adoption of green IT practices in enterprises. Short term, basic green IT projects, and policies aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and cost reductions are expected to receive continued focus. Despite the crisis, investments and interest among organizations on environmental friendly practices and green IT technologies actually increased as a cost-savind measure and a way to improve competitive advantage through brand loyalty.The authors also highlight the impact of Green Nanotechnology on manufacturing processes. It can be used to modify engineering practices at a molecular stage, thereby reducing raw material/energy consumption, wastages, pollution and the toxicity of manufacturing processes. For example, nanotechnology in electronics manufacturing can reduce the use of water, solvent and lithography, making the process less resource-intensive.Follow the link for more details on the report.Image credit: PNLL/Flickr]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Social-Responsibility-Gets-Bookish/51527.htmlFri, 20 Jan 2012 18:01:36 GMTAntonio Pasolini A new socially responsible campaign aims at advancing literacy in Latin American countries. The initiative is by Grupo Nelson, the Spanish division of Thomas Nelson, to celebrate International World Book Day on April 23, 2012.The name of the campaign is "Dona un Libro", or "Donate a Book" and it will encourage readers to donate new or used books to inspire others to read."It is a project of social responsibility. We have been given amazing partnership opportunities with organizations who are int Read Full Article ]]> A new socially responsible campaign aims at advancing literacy in Latin American countries. The initiative is by Grupo Nelson, the Spanish division of Thomas Nelson, to celebrate International World Book Day on April 23, 2012.The name of the campaign is "Dona un Libro", or "Donate a Book" and it will encourage readers to donate new or used books to inspire others to read."It is a project of social responsibility. We have been given amazing partnership opportunities with organizations who are interested in helping those who thirst for the knowledge and inspiration found in books," said Claudia Duncan, Marketing Director for Grupo, which is present in more than 20 Spanish-speaking nations.The primary focus of the project will be Central and South America. Grupo Nelson has worked with distributors and retailers to set up donation drop off points for consumers at their local stores. The retailers then choose a deserving organization in their area that will benefit from the books. These could be a community library, an orphanage or even a ministry.450 drop bins have already been reserved and ready for distribution. Furthermore, communities in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Venezuela, Argentina, Chile and Paraguay are partnering with their local bookstores to celebrate the gift of literacy on April 23, 2012."The bookstores will be the champions of this campaign," added Duncan. "Their effort is what will really drive consumers to come out and help make a difference in their local communities."According to the UNESCO, one in five adults is not literate. Two thirds of them are women while 67.4 million children are out of school. The organization has been trying to remedy the situation since its foundation in 1946, but considering the statistics indicating that nearly one billion people lack basic literacy skills, literacy for all remains "an elusive target", it says.Image credit:UniQ3papi]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Clean-Energy-Trust-Announces-Sustainable-Energy-Finalists/51517.htmlThu, 19 Jan 2012 14:17:45 GMTAntonio Pasolini A few days ago the Clean Energy Trust announced 10 finalists who will compete on March, 1st for a $100,000 grand prize at the second annual Clean Energy Challenge in Chicago. The sum is provided by the Department of Energy.The finalists come from six Midwest states and represent a broad range of technologies in the clean, alternative energy sector, including biofuels, renewable energy, energy efficiency and carbon containment.The panel selected the finalists from a field of 59 applications submi Read Full Article ]]> A few days ago the Clean Energy Trust announced 10 finalists who will compete on March, 1st for a $100,000 grand prize at the second annual Clean Energy Challenge in Chicago. The sum is provided by the Department of Energy.The finalists come from six Midwest states and represent a broad range of technologies in the clean, alternative energy sector, including biofuels, renewable energy, energy efficiency and carbon containment.The panel selected the finalists from a field of 59 applications submitted by clean energy companies in eight states still in their early stages. "The strong response, combined with the quality of the companies, shows entrepreneurs in the Heartland are seizing the opportunity to develop this emerging industry," said Amy Francetic, Clean Energy Trust executive director.The finalists are: Algaeon (biofuels), Algal Scientific (water treatment), Dioxide Materials (carbon remediation), Freiezo (wind energy), HEVT (transportation), Hyrax Energy (biomass), Phenometrics (Biofuels), SheerWind (wind energy), Thermal Conservation Technologies (energy efficiency) and WholeTrees (green building)."These are highly competitive applications that really showcase the innovation coming out of the region's universities, labs and incubators," added Francetic. "The most notable difference this year is the diversity of the new technologies being developed and a big emphasis on biofuels. Many of these businesses are developing prototypes, which makes the Challenge's ability to put them in front of venture capitalists and investors especially critical to their development."Finalist companies will receive mentoring and acceleration services as they prepare to compete in March. The judges include leading clean energy investors, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and energy companies from across the United States.The organizers said that companies that presented at the inaugural Clean Energy Challenge have gone on to raise more than $10 million in venture funding to date and are commercializing their technologies.A limited number of discounted early-bird tickets are now available for the 2012 Clean Energy Challenge. Besides the main prize and the Student Challenge award of $100,000, five state prizes of $10,000 each will be given to Student Challenge winners, totalling $250,000 in prizes.Image credit: Algal Scientific]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Going-Bananas-Over-Sustainable-Fabrics/51512.htmlWed, 18 Jan 2012 19:32:14 GMTAntonio Pasolini Next time you come across a squashed up banana skin and take it for trash, think again. New research shows the popular banana can be used as raw material for home textiles, apparels, non-woven and industrial fabrics and upholsteries.The idea is being tossed around (pun intended) by the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), which wants to help the national industry by using sustainable native resources and at the same time gain a competitive edge through innovation.And it's not only banan Read Full Article ]]> Next time you come across a squashed up banana skin and take it for trash, think again. New research shows the popular banana can be used as raw material for home textiles, apparels, non-woven and industrial fabrics and upholsteries.The idea is being tossed around (pun intended) by the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), which wants to help the national industry by using sustainable native resources and at the same time gain a competitive edge through innovation.And it's not only bananas they are talking about. Pineapples can cut it as textiles as well. And there's plenty in the Philippines: PTRI researcher Nora Mangalindan said pineapple plantations span on almost 59,000 hectares in the country. They could yield 55,483 tons of pineapple fibre. There's plenty of banana fiber to be had as well: 307,000 tons of the stuff, to be precise.Besides being sustainable and biodegradable, Mangalindan said there are technological benefits to the fiber as well, as it also performs better in terms of fiber and fabric properties. Pineapple fiber made from the fruit's waste is high in lignin and cellulose content. It can become silk-like textiles when blended with polyester or silk, and is very lightweight, soft and low maintenance.As for banana fiber, it is finer than bamboo and ramie, which are materials it resembles, Mangalindan said. It is lightweight, but very strong and with high moisture absorption, besides sporting fantastic sustainability credentials. The researcher added this type of fabric will see a surge in demand as the international market will be seeking out sustainable fabric options to meet demand from ethical consumers.The research promises to inject some variety into the textile market in terms of sustainability. Currently, hemp and bamboo are some of the most commonly seen choices. But hemp is most often used for heavy duty pieces such as bags and shoes while bamboo carries its own environmental problems. In fact, a couple of years ago, four companies that use bamboo for clothing and other fabrics were charged by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for deceptive advertising techniques. The commission said that what they were selling was nothing but rayon, which can be made from any pulpy, cellulosic substance, bamboo included. Besides, the process of converting the pulp into fiber employs caustic chemicals (bamboo as construction material is a different story, though).When it comes to sustainable fabrics, like everything else, we have to look beyond the surface to see how sustainably woven they are.Image credit: Gsilva/Flickr]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Public-Eye--Awards--Companies-That-Go-Against-the-Grain-of-Sustainability-and-Social-Responsibility/51507.htmlTue, 17 Jan 2012 16:56:14 GMTAntonio Pasolini The Public Eye Awards, a Berne Declaration and Greenpeace Switzerland initiative to shame the worst cases of contempt for the environment and social responsibility, is on again. The event is scheduled to coincide with the World Economic Forum in Darvos, Switzerland, later in the month. It will take place on January 27 (noon at Hotel Montana) when the recipients of the Global Award (jury selected) and the People's Award (selected by the public) will be "honored."The six nominees in 2012 are: Barc Read Full Article ]]> The Public Eye Awards, a Berne Declaration and Greenpeace Switzerland initiative to shame the worst cases of contempt for the environment and social responsibility, is on again. The event is scheduled to coincide with the World Economic Forum in Darvos, Switzerland, later in the month. It will take place on January 27 (noon at Hotel Montana) when the recipients of the Global Award (jury selected) and the People's Award (selected by the public) will be "honored."The six nominees in 2012 are: Barclays (UK), Freeport McMoRan (US), Samsung (KOR), Tepco (J), Vale (BRA) and the Swiss corporation Syngenta. Online voting for the 2012 People's Award has already started. The short list presents the six most scandalous cases, selected by an expert panel out of a total of over 40 cases nominated by NGOs. Joseph E. Stiglitz, Nobel laureate in economics, will speak in Davos at the awards ceremony press conference about the global crisis.The British banking giant Barclays, the world's fourth-largest bank, has been listed because of its food speculation activities. The organizers of the award say it has been driving up global food prices at the expense of the poorest. In just the second half of 2010, 44 million people worldwide were driven into extreme poverty due to rising food prices, affecting mainly women in the Global South.Another contender is U.S. mining corporation Freeport McMoRan. It has been operating Grasberg Mine, the world's largest gold and copper mine, in West Papua for 45 years "without regard for nature or people." The mine produces 230,000 tons of tailings contaminated with heavy metals every day, resulting in a blanket of waste rock with a radius of up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) and up to 15 meters (50 feet) deep that kills everything in its path and threatens a World Heritage site. Greenpeace says Freeports activities lead to "frequent and blatant" human rights violations, including the torture of mine opponents.Samsung, which we wrote about the other day in connection with its energy efficient products, is not doing so well on the social responsibility front. The South Korean giant has been nominated for allegedly using banned and highly-toxic substances in its factories without informing or protecting its workers. At least 140 workers were diagnosed with cancer, of which at least 50 young workers have died. Samsung continues to deny its responsibility in those cases.Tepco has been listed for the role it played in Japan's nuclear disaster after the tsunami that ravaged the country's coast in March 2011. Greenpeace said the meltdown at Fukushima and the resulting radioactive contamination of people, land and sea could have been prevented. "The company also provided information that was verifiably false or very late in coming. A culture of favors, cover-ups and falsifications reigns at Tepco," Public Eye said.Brazilian mining company Vale, the fifth nominee, is Brazil's second-largest corporation, the world's second-largest mining firm, and the largest global producer of iron ore. The corporation has been listed for its 60-year track record of human rights violations, inhumane working conditions and disregard for the environment. The company is one of the interested parts in the construction of the controversial Belo Monte dam in the Amazon, the main reason for its nomination.The last company running for the award is Syngenta because of its "highly toxic" products. The company is the maker of the paraquat herbicide, which Public Eye says has been killing and poisoning users in the southern hemisphere. Another of Syngenta's products, the pesticide Atrazine, has contaminated 90% of drinking water in the American Midwest. The corporation conducted a smear campaign against a scientist critical of Atrazine, and attempted to buy his silence.Image credit: Public Eye Awards]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Texan-Sustainable-Energy-Company-Celebrates-10th-Anniversary/51448.htmlThu, 12 Jan 2012 19:05:48 GMTAntonio Pasolini Green Mountain Energy Company, an Austin-based electricity provider, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The company set up shop when the state of Texas opened its electricity market to full competition on January 1, 2002 to allow Texans to choose their provider.Green Mountain was the first retailer to offer sustainable, alternative energy in the state. "Opening the market to retail competition enabled Texans to not only choose their electric provider, but also choose the source of energy they Read Full Article ]]> Green Mountain Energy Company, an Austin-based electricity provider, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The company set up shop when the state of Texas opened its electricity market to full competition on January 1, 2002 to allow Texans to choose their provider.Green Mountain was the first retailer to offer sustainable, alternative energy in the state. "Opening the market to retail competition enabled Texans to not only choose their electric provider, but also choose the source of energy they want to support," said Paul Thomas, president of Green Mountain Energy Company. "As the first electricity provider in Texas to offer renewable energy to residential and commercial customers, Green Mountain is proud of the role we have played in the growth of renewable energy in the state and the success Texas has modeled for other states."To mark its tenth anniversary in the Texan electricity market, Green Mountain will be using social media, customer engagement programs, festivals and events.Mr. Thomas said Texans are increasingly interested in sustainable energy and recognize its critical role to preserve the environment and the region's economic future. Since 2002, renewable energy has grown from 1% to 5% of Texas' electricity mix, mostly through wind power, which has grown 10-fold from 2.6 million megawatt hours (MWh) to 26 million MWh. Texas leads the nation in the amount of installed wind generation capacity, with 6.4% of the state's power provided by wind as of 2010.Solar power also plays a significant role, generating 8.2 million kilowatt hours (kWh) annually in the state, or the equivalent of covering seven football fields with solar panels.Sustainable energy has also driven job creation in Texas. In 2010, nearly 10,000 jobs in the state were directly related to the wind energy industry.Since 2002, Green Mountain has delivered more than 10.7 billion kWh of cleaner energy to Texas customers. The company also has spurred the development of 32 new solar energy facilities at various schools and non-profit organizations in Texas through the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club. It has prevented the emission of 8 billion pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is the equivalent of not driving nearly nine billion miles.Image credit: Green Mountain Energy Company]]>