Tuesday, August 19, 2008 Should we Shame-out-the-Garbage? POST A COMMENT 'Some guilt is good for you. Like the Ten Commandments, engraved on stone tablets, passed along to Moses to offer to his flock of 'guilt-filled-hearts... 'reminding them each day of the divine law, and their 'sustainable-eco-duties: (1)'Thou shalt not waste, when you should recycle (2)'Thou shalt not use Styrofoam, because it'll never disintegrate... (3) 'Thou shalt be mindful about your daily impact on the environment. (4) 'Thou shalt religiously separate your cans, bottles and newspapers in those blue recycling bins 'So these will be the commandments of the green crusaders -- (a kick ass costume is optional -- because after all, being green should still be fun). If the Batman taught us anything with his fancy moves; 'Fear is a strong motivator. It's even spilling into the workforce, also looking for more of that street cred in environmental responsibility, adapting -- "Less packaging. More beautiful" -- green mantra... Not only makes for smart $$ business, it's yet another way to outdo the competition by saying you're much more green and ethical to our planet. 'Showing up other companies, by showing your company's blood runs extra green. One quick fix, suggested in Business Week, that'll give your workplace an instant membership in that in "go green" crowd: Throw down tiny wastebaskets for non recyclable trash; making workers empty them into a central dumpster...'makes them think twice before tossing out trash. "At California’s Sonoma State University, recycling rose by 55%...'as people put cans and bottles in their proper place instead of in newly installed five-inch-tall bins." How 'bout adding a special sign: 'Would Jesus Christ Refuse To Recycle? - 'I smell an Ad Campaign (that could replace those I honk for Jesus bumper stickers). Check out this video showing that shame strategy at work (in a green hotel): Source: Business Week Labels: An Inconvenient Truth, brain-power, Business-101, economy, Energy-101, environment, Go-green, green living, mudprint.com, Trash, Trends posted by Henry Cruz at 1:15 PM Wednesday, August 13, 2008 Making sure that job is...Green? POST A COMMENT College students ain't interested in just "Working for the man" -- unless they get a touch of green -- and by green, I don't mean just cash: "Young people are thumbing their noses at companies that don't offer green-collar jobs," This according to a survey by the career network Experience. 'Sorta become the "in" thing for Students -- (and recent grads) -- to make more environmentally-conscious decisions when it comes to their career choices: In that nationwide poll: "Four in five (81%) said it is important to work for a green company and nearly as many (79%) said they would be more likely to accept a job offer at an eco-conscious company over a company that wasn't, when evaluating two similar offers." Since not everybody can wake-up an all-out expert on topics like sustainable technologies... 'Schools are adapting this eco-trend and offering a crop of courses -- "that help you safeguard the planet while boosting your skills." Ultimately, one-hand-washes-the-other fits perfectly for that green economy to stick...'Hitting the workplace from all angles: When a company has to appeal to both consumers and future employees...it then makes fiscal sense. Source: Time Out Labels: An Inconvenient Truth, Business-101, College Students, Energy-101, environment, Go-green, green living, News Trends, recycling, smaller carbon footprint, Waste management posted by Henry Cruz at 12:55 PM Saturday, August 09, 2008 Not in my backyard... POST A COMMENT I live far away from the wildlife, near the middle of downtown -- but, I like the concept of A Backyard Wildlife Habitat...'it fits right into a community mindset. Giving back to the community, helping it grow, and supporting local businesses nearby, etc. etc. All fits into the right steps towards creating a smaller carbon footprint... I look outside my window, at the tall building, and see everyday how suburban practices has led to the vanishing wildlife population...'but, things can be done...'like helping bees; which play such a vital role in food production -- (transfering pollen to plants). I read today about the National Wildlife Federation (nwf.org/backyard) and their recent efforts; which certifies homeowners who provide friendly environments for small mammal, birds, butterflies and reptiles...'sorta smacks of doing the right the thing. "It costs $40 dollars total: $15 for the membership in NWF and $25 for the sign." Says Mary Ann Newcomer, who stepped up to plate: "I see it as a way to donate to the NWF and to let others know I care about making my garden wildlife friendly." Source: Examiner.com Labels: environment, green living, Healthy Foods, News Trends posted by Henry Cruz at 5:15 PM Sunday, August 03, 2008 Energy-101: Here Comes the Sun! POST A COMMENT Storing solar-energy inside batteries right now is way too costly to be used in everyday usage. But, a new breakthrough is about to change all that... Basically, scientists have now figured out a Cheaper way of storing electricity from the sun-rays...'and as one expert offered, this means "you've answered everything." "The breakthrough uses a relatively simple way to use electricity to produce oxygen and hydrogen from water...When the two gases later are recombined in a fuel cell they cause a chemical reaction that spins off electrons that are forced through a circuit, reproducing the electricity." "The discovery shatters the biggest barrier to widespread use of solar power, namely that it's unavailable after dark, said Daniel Nocera, an MIT energy professor. Similar to the way plants store energy from the sun -- "The process uses nontoxic natural materials to convert sunlight into gases..." Researchers also say this could make solar power "in homes a mainstream energy option and might even make power companies obsolete, at least for residential needs." "This is the nirvana of what we've been talking about for years," Nocera told the MIT News Service. "Solar power has always been a limited, far-off solution. Now we can seriously think about solar power as unlimited and soon." "This is a major discovery with enormous implications for the future," offered another MIT expert. ''It opens up the door for developing new technologies for energy production." Ultimately, this breakthrough would aid us in getting off of our dependence of Foreign Oil. So...I'm sure we'll all be watching this story carefully. Here's a great primer video --(with MIT's Nocera) -- offering a break down of how this actually works: Source: ABC News Labels: Business-101, economy, Education, emissions, Energy-101, environment, fuel economy, hybrid, ideas, MIT Research, News Trends, Oil Prices, science 101, smaller carbon footprint, Solar Power, Trends posted by Henry Cruz at 4:30 PM Friday, August 01, 2008 Go-Green: Smelling Cash in Trash! POST A COMMENT Talking 'waste management might get that stereotype-image of a Tony Sopranos-mob-type -- (wink, wink) -- offering some under the table payoffs. 'But, high finance is now holding its nose to smell-up investing opportunities in taking-on-the-trash. Today's smart economy and job growth go hand-in-hand with promoting smarter environmental sustainability...So, welcome-in the saying, “One man's trash is another man's treasure” -- and welcome-in the trash boom: "recyclers can make vast profits from combing through ordinary rubbish, processing it, and then reselling it to other companies. And that leads to another, bigger thought: Trash is no longer just an environmental liability. It is becoming a financial asset," says Business Week. Landfills are no longer just a landfill...It’s a source of renewable energy: Trash creates bacteria when decomposing. A 50 percent methane/50 percent carbon dioxide mixture is naturally emitted. Pipes can collect and deliver the gas to a central processing location...ultimately, working like a boiler does, replacing natural gas and providing energy... Big-dollar $$ signs: "waste and recycling...drew a record $622 million of investment in 2007, compared with $245 million a year earlier and just $20 million in 2001, according to Cleantech Group..." More and more builders of mainstream developments are also embracing green neighborhoods - (Some communities even offer carbon offset fees to make it pocket friendlier to Go-Green)...and you can't get any more eco-friendly than flipping waste back into something useful. Source: Business Week Labels: brain-power, Business-101, economy, emissions, environment, Go-green, green living, recycling, science 101, smaller carbon footprint, Trash, Waste management posted by Henry Cruz at 12:22 PM Sunday, July 27, 2008 Oil Addict: 'rough & costly road ahead POST A COMMENT 'Flashback-Hello-2-the...1970s - when folks called for the 55 mph Speed Limit to conserve on Oil. As fuel costs trickle-down into other areas...that idea for new energy alternatives don't sound so bad. As the Washington Post points out -- two recent factors suggest even rougher roads ahead: 1. That recent announcement from Mexico that it will cut it's crude output by 15 percent... 2. Also news from India's Tata Motors -- "to begin producing a new $2,500 "people's car" called the Nano in the fall. The company hopes that by making automobiles affordable for people in India..." Run the numbers, "supply and demand," will continue to drive world oil prices...and drivers will not see "gas prices retreat to the levels they enjoyed for much of the last generation." Also...while "The high price of oil has sparked recent efforts by technology experts...to come up with ways to wean the world economy off its addiction..." "Developing countries like China and India, however, are in no hurry to embrace this new vision. They want to join the ranks of economic powerhouses and question why they should be forced to temper their aspirations..." Hear that sound? -- It's those huge-SUV makers...'going outta business. Now, if we can only find a decent car battery; 'cause that electric car sounds real good right 'bout now. Source: Washington Post Labels: An Inconvenient Truth, Business-101, economy, emissions, environment, hybrid, Oil Prices, Trends posted by Henry Cruz at 12:49 PM Tuesday, July 08, 2008 Oil Dependent: Blows in the Wind? POST A COMMENT 'Might take an 80-year-old to show this old hungry dog some new tricks -- 'solving our countries $700 billion-a-year dependency on foreign oil. T. Boone Pickens' plan suggests replacing gasoline use with natural gas...and eventually with wind... "Things were fine until the price went vertical on us," said Mr. Pickens. He calculates that, spending $140 a barrel for crude, adds up to $700 billion a year...all going into foreign pockets. The "hurdles to the Pickens plan...include building the infrastructure to dispense natural gas as a vehicle fuel, building new power plants to replace natural gas-fired plants, overcoming possible opposition from oil companies and politicians..." Funny, that Pickens himself has been investing in vehicular natural gas for years and now has plans to build a massive wind farm in the Panhandle. But he offers "that's not the reason for his campaign." "I'm 80 years old. I'm worth $4 billion. I don't need to make any more money," he said. Instead, he said, this is about patriotism and his reputation as a man who "sure puts his money where his mouth is." - and maybe a little bit to-do with money...but, at least it's one option on the table to a problem that wont be going away anytime soon. Source: Hispanic Business Labels: Business-101, capitalism, Culture, economy, emissions, environment, fuel economy posted by Henry Cruz at 1:30 PM Monday, April 21, 2008 Globally: not all the same! POST A COMMENT LOCATION MATTERS? Are you a East versus West turf kinda-person? I never thought location much mattered. I'm more along-that-old-saying, "If you Cut Me, Will I Not Bleed..." - which hints that we are all kinda-made-from-the-same-stuff inside, so thanks Newsweek for F-ing with my head. Yeah, well...you live, you learn. I'm trying. According to this Newsweek Article (Blame the Bugs), location not only helps to form the way we think, it also effects our immune system. So there might be some truth behind another saying: What hurts you doesn't hurt me, it makes me stronger (if I'm on the right coast)! For example, The USA... "epitomizes individualistic, do-your-own thing cultures, ones where the rights of the individual equal and often trump those of the group and where differences are valued." Versus folks in Japan that... "exalt the larger society: behavior is constrained by social roles, conformity is prized, outsiders shunned..." So, The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence (if that fence is someplace-far-far-away). Or how many pathogens....confused yet? (your ass must be from the west coast)... "Societies that arose in places with fewer pathogens had the luxury of individualism, which is less effective at limiting the spread of disease but brings with it other social benefits, such as innovation." So basically, Your-Moms-Better-Than-Anyone-Else's (if she's from the right coast)..."For years scientists have scratched their heads over why collectivism declines with distance from the equator, and why living in colder regions should promote individualism (you'd think polar people would want to huddle together more). The answer seems to be that equatorial regions breed more pathogens." So along that thinking multi-racial people might create the best of all-worlds...in theory at least. Source: Newsweek Labels: Culture, environment, Health, race relations posted by Henry Cruz at 11:57 PM Wednesday, November 14, 2007 More than a sting... POST A COMMENT We usually don't realize the value of Mother Nature...or rather...the importance of Fucking around with Nature -- case in point, the missing bee's story -- feature in 60 minutes -- outline how important the cycle of life and the roles each of us play -- is important to putting food on the table. Labels: environment, News Trends posted by Henry Cruz at 12:12 PM Wednesday, October 17, 2007 How Green Collar fights poverty! POST A COMMENT Right near where I live, I found a place (FoodForLifeSupreme) that does more than put up a smart plate of veggies -- (and focuses instead on the future)...'that trend may become the newest buzz for the next gen. Hungry for new ideas: With "Blue Collar jobs" fading fast...one idea that helps the planet and helps fight poverty might be just the thing to help -- Green-collar retrofitting jobs -- "a big chunk of the African-American community is economically stranded. The blue-collar, stepping-stone, manufacturing jobs are leaving. And they’re not being replaced by anything. So you have this whole generation of young blacks who are basically in economic free fall.” (Source NYTIMES) places like “Green for All” campaign (greenforall.org)in the Bronx says, “If we can get these youth in on the ground floor of the solar industry now, where they can be installers today, they’ll become managers in five years and owners in 10. And then they become inventors,” said the dude running the show. “The green economy has the power to deliver new sources of work, wealth and health to low-income people — while honoring the Earth." Labels: economy, environment, green living posted by Henry Cruz at 3:59 PM Saturday, September 29, 2007 Keep up with the Greens' POST A COMMENT 'reading about "telling little green lies" --(Business Week) that talks about how Green Living is a hot button issue in Britain: Being green is now seen as a competitive pursuit by 68 per cent of those questioned and the new way to 'keep up with the Joneses', one report said. Almost sounds like adding that pressure here in the USA could help our environment woes....however, that same report said a "staggering 90 percent of those surveyed said they had lied to friends and neighbors about living in an earth friendly way." the main reason for those little green lies? -- one-fifth of the folks said they didn't know how to make their lives more eco-responsible. Labels: environment posted by Henry Cruz at 5:01 AM Tuesday, September 25, 2007 Bush Kills emissions reduction acts! POST A COMMENT _________ ’love new music…’that right sound can set the mood ’mood for truth?…’breath this in -- there are documents that reveal the Bush administration killed "emissions" efforts out in Cali (Source Washington Post): "The Bush administration has conducted a concerted, behind-the-scenes lobbying campaign to try to generate opposition to California's request to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks, according to documents obtained by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform." 'Song sound familar? "A flurry of e-mails among Transportation Department (DOT) officials and between its staffers and the White House, released yesterday, highlights efforts that administration officials have made to stir up public opposition to the waiver. Rather than attacking California's request outright, Bush officials quietly reached out to two dozen congressional offices and a handful of governors to try to undermine it." -- 'wonder what Jesus would have to say about such opposition against helping the Planet? -- 'after all, aren't we all brothers in arms here? (cue music) Labels: emissions, environment posted by Henry Cruz at 6:46 PM     ARCHIVES October 2005 . November 2005 . December 2005 . August 2007 . September 2007 . October 2007 . November 2007 . December 2007 . March 2008 . April 2008 . May 2008 . June 2008 . July 2008 . August 2008 .