Browsing environmental news sources so you don't have to. Contact Laura Barnes (lbarnes@istc.illinois.edu) with questions, comments, and suggestions.
Follow ENB on TwitterVideoJug bills itself as the world’s most comprehensive library of free factual video content online. Their environment section includes videos on recycling, green living, green product design, and other topics of interest to ENB readers. Take a look and leave a note in the comments to tell others what you think.
Gazelle provides an easy, fast, and safe way for you to sell electronics and recycle electronics. When you sell cell phones, mp3 players, laptops, or other gadgets to us, you’ll earn cash and help save the environment by keeping old, used gadgets out of landfills.
Read the full story in Technology Review.
Researchers at the University of Duisberg-Essen in Germany have discovered a bacterial enzyme that creates a key raw material for making acrylic glass and acryclic paints. This enzyme could provide a new pathway to producing acrylics without using fossil fuels or generating much toxic waste.
The latest issue of Renewable Energy Weekly is now available. Highlights include:
Green Stocks Central provides news, analysis and tracking of publicly traded companies in the green sector. Good resource for those interested in green investing.
BofA Curbs Coal Financing with New Policy
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2008/12/05/bofa-curbs-coal-financing-with-new-policy
Bank of America will phase out lending to companies that use mountaintop
extraction as their primary means of coal production as part of a new coal
policy.
Earth Capital Partners Launches, Seeks $5 Billion for Eco-Investments
http://greenbiz.com/news/2008/12/05/toxins-in-toys
New investment group Earth Capital Partners launched this week with an
announcement that it wants to raise $5 billion in five years for ventures
involving climate change and energy security.
Toxins Present in One-Third of Toys
http://greenbiz.com/news/2008/12/05/toxins-in-toys
A Michigan non-profit tested 1,500 toys, finding significant levels of lead,
arsenic and other chemicals in one out of every three.
A New Corps for a Green New Deal
http://greenbiz.com/news/2008/12/04/a-new-corps-green-new-deal
Seven MBA students helped big name companies such as Google, Yahoo! and Cisco
identify energy efficiency opportunities in their operations that will save $35
million in net costs over five years in a new Environmental Defense Fund project
called the Climate Corps.
Command Packaging Invests in Recycling Plastic Bags
http://greenbiz.com/news/2008/01/01/command-packaging-invests-recycling-plastic-bags
The plastic bag maker collects waste plastic bags, bubble wrap, newspaper bags
and other plastic scrap to turn into new, sturdier bags.
University of Pennsylvania Offers Dual Green MBA
http://greenbiz.com/news/2008/12/04/university-pennsylvania-offers-dual-green-mba
A new program offered by the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and
School of Arts and Sciences enables graduate students to earn a dual master of
business administration-master of environmental studies degree in three years or
less, the university says.
Wal-Mart, Leading Suppliers Form Council to Foster Creation of Green Jobs
http://greenbiz.com/news/2008/12/03/wal-mart-leading-suppliers-form-council-foster-creation-green-jobs
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has launched a green jobs council in partnership with many
of its leading suppliers of goods and services in an effort to help rebuild and
retool America’s workforce.
Finance Giants Adopt ‘Climate Principles’
http://greenbiz.com/news/2008/12/03/finance-giants-adopt-climate-principles
Five major banks and insurers have agreed to adopt a new framework that will
guide the sector toward addressing and managing climate change across their
products and services.
Florida Power & Light Breaks Ground on World’s First Hybrid Solar Plant
http://greenbiz.com/news/2008/12/03/florida-power-light
When it goes online in 2010, Florida Power & Light Company’s hybrid plant will
also be the second largest solar energy facility in the world and is expected to
provide 75 megawatts of solar thermal capacity while directly displacing fossil
fuel use, the utility said.
Looking for Carbon Disclosure From the IT Sector
http://greenbiz.com/news/2008/12/03/looking-carbon-disclosure-it-sector
The technology sector isn’t typically seen as being among the major greenhouse
gas emitters, but the nonprofit As You Sow wants some of its players to disclose
more information about their carbon footprints.
AT&T Offers to Help EPA Find Ways to Cut GHGs
http://greenbiz.com/news/2008/12/02/att-offers-help-epa-find-ways-cut-ghgs
The telecommunications giant sent a comment letter to the agency to establish
itself as a stakeholder as the EPA considers whether to use the Clean Air Act to
regulate greenhouse gas emissions. A range of business and public interests
voiced support and opposition during the public comment period, which ended
Friday.
How Will Commodities, From Oil to Soy, Affect Consumer Goods Companies?
http://greenbiz.com/news/2008/01/01/how-will-commodities-from-oil-soy-affect-consumer-goods-companies
A new report envisioning a future with stricter environmental laws and policies
shows how trends could impact the prices of common commodities.
With $1 Billion in Savings, HP Models the Benefits of Green IT Overhauls
http://greenbiz.com/news/2008/12/02/1-billion-savings-hp-benefits-green-it
After completing a three-year refresh of its technology, Hewlett-Packard has cut
its total IT spending in half, saving $1 billion per year; the company’s
Critical Facilities group can help companies of all stripes achieve similar
results.
Green Globe Int’l. to Boost Eco-Friendly Travel Services with New Partnerships
http://greenbiz.com/news/2008/12/01/green-globe-travel
Green Globe International, the global certification program for environmentally
responsible tourism, has announced new agreements with international hotel,
student and travel groups in strategic partnerships aimed at offering new
products and services to a broader audience.
Eat, Drink and Be Greener
By Sarah Fister Gale
http://www.greenbiz.com/feature/2008/12/08/eat-drink-and-get-greener
Recognizing the mountains of avoidable waste and the vast opportunities for
improvements, corporate cafeterias, restaurants, and catering services across
the nation are targeting dining operations for their next big green initiatives.
Detroit’s Big Three Go for Round 2 in D.C.
By Leanne Tobias
http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2008/12/05/big-three-round-2-dc
Seemingly chastened, Big Three execs return to Capitol Hill to discuss an auto
industry bailout — and get another frosty reception. Leanne Tobias lays out a
green strategy to break the ice and move forward.
British Supermarket Testing Recycling Crusher
By Ariel Schwartz
http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2008/12/05/british-supermarket-testing-recycling-crusher
I’ve heard many people say that recycling “isn’t worth it” because it takes too
much energy for items to get to recycling plants. British supermarket Tesco has
found a way to silence these naysayers with an in-store recycling machine that
crushes waste.
Wal-Mart: A Bully for the Greater Good
By Marc Gunther
http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2008/12/04/wal-mart-a-bully-for-greater-good
As the world’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart has long been a powerful force in the
global economy — a bully, its critics would say. These days, though, the
company is winning praise for using its leverage — that’s a polite term for
bullying — to protect the environment and help the poor.
Sustainable Business Circa 2018: Will It Be Nasty or NICE?
By Joel Makower
http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2008/12/03/sustainable-business-circa-2018-will-it-be-nasty-or-nice
What will the world of sustainability look like a decade from now? It’s anyone’s
guess, of course, but most companies seem to be operating as if that world will
look substantially like the one we encounter today. So, what will the world look
like? And how should forward-thinking companies prepare?
Van Jones’ Green Vision
By Leslie Guevarra
http://www.greenbiz.com/podcast/2008/12/02/van-jones-green-vision
Van Jones, the author, activist and adviser who helped bring social justice
issues to the forefront of the green movement, talks to GreenBiz about his
highly acclaimed book, “The Green Collar Economy,” and what inspired him.
What does a sustainability literate student look like? Check out the National Education for Sustainability K-12 Student Learning Standards that have been developed as a guide for individual teachers and state departments of education. The standards were compiled by the K-12 and Teacher Education Sector of the U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development with input from K-12 educators in public, private, and preservice (teacher education) fields.
For more information on Education for Sustainability and the K-12 and Teacher Education sector of the U.S. Partnership, visit http://www.uspartnership.org/.
Would you like to connect with other educators about how to integrate sustainability into your teaching or school operations? The K-12 and Teacher Education sector of the U.S. Partnership of Education for Sustainable Development has recently launched sustaink12, the first national listserv for K-12 educators focused specifically on education for sustainability. Educators involved in teaching students in any subject in the K-12 arena are encouraged to join. There are two ways to join the listserv:
