Ecological Farmers Summer Bus Tour to Rodale (Event)

On July 19-21, 2012, there will be a summer bus trip to Rodale (3 full days/2 nights). We will participants will be part of the Rodale Institute Annual Field Day where speakers will present research information and a tour of their research farm. They will also visit include several farm stops in New York and Pennsylvania including Eric and Anne Nordell’s vegetable farm (at Trout Run, Pa) and Steve Groff’s Farm to discuss cover crops and his crop management systems.

STIHL Tour des Trees 2012 Fundraising Event in Oregon

The STIHL Tour des Trees is a cycling fundraising event that will take place in Oregon on Aug. 5 to Aug. 11, 2012. Participants cycle more than 500-miles visiting historical trees and planting new ones for future generations. Participants in this year's event will cycle and plant trees along the Columbia River Gorge, vineyards, the high desert and Mt. Hood.

The 2012 Women In Green Forum (Event)

The Women In Green Forum will take place on August 28-29, 2012 at Sheraton Delfina, in Santa Monica, California. This event is known for facilitating meaningful discussions between leaders in the sustainability movement and calling attention to emerging environmental issues and initiatives. The 2012 Forum promises to engage attendees with inspiring presentations and networking activities designed to encourage and develop this dialogue.

Environmental Advocacy through Citizen Journalism

Exposing all the environmental insults taking place around the world is an important part of changing the way we treat the Earth. This video shows you how to become a citizen journalist and report important environmental stories effecting your community.

How to Help Pass Environmental Legislation

This video addresses an approach to changing environmental and energy laws. This class teaches you how to get results by developing and proposing adoptable solutions at government meetings. Although the course suggests "ready to adopt" laws, there is no need to confine yourself to this list. In this world of negative politics this no-blame approach may improve the chances of successfully passing environmental legislation.

Environmental Advocacy Influence on Policy and Law

Environmental advocacy can change laws. When enough people get involved lawmakers will listen. In this video Allen Grosboll, co-legislative director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center, explains how you can use environmental advocacy to have a positive impact on policy.

The Fractal Frontier: Sustainable Development Trilogy from SLDI

The Fractal Frontier is a geometrical algorithm which balances and integrates the triple-bottom-line needs of people, planet and profit.  In this context a holistic fractal matrix becomes increasingly detailed, and guides effective decisions for sustainable results. It was originally developed to enable sustainable land development throughout the planning, financing, design, regulating, construction and maintenance processes while always enabling project context to drive specific decisions. These principles were developed by Sustainable Land Development international (SLDI). The SLDI Code for the sustainable development matrix are universal in their application and need not be confined to land development projects.

Pessimism is Impeding Environmental Advocacy

While it is easy to understand why so many environmentally concerned people are fearful and pessimistic, these attitudes detract from the goal of improving our environment. Fear is well warranted, we are on the verge of a widespread ecosystem collapse and we have reached 400 ppm of atmospheric C02 in the arctic. However, rather than just ask how bad things are, we should be asking how we can best address the calamities we face within the time we have available.

Fear mongering does not move us forward, if anything, it alienates people who most need to be brought into the discussion. The reaction to Rio+20 is a great illustration of the point. The summit in Rio has been justifiably described as “weak,” ”remarkably listless,” and a ”disappointment.” Sometimes the zeal of some environmentalists makes it hard for them to recognize progress. The business community’s commitments were the one bright spot at Rio, nonetheless they too were subjected to a barrage of harsh criticisms.  One article suggests that progress at Rio was derailed by big business. Some even dismissed the entire process, claiming that the summit was hijacked by powerful corporations.

Green Lumber Certification Standards

Green certification of lumber is very important as the responsible harvesting of trees can go a long way towards protecting our environment. Forests are the lungs of the earth, they provide oxygen and help to remove carbon from the atmosphere. There are at least five eco friendly certification standards in use across North America: 1) American Tree Farm Systems, 2) Canadian Standards Association, 3) Forest Stewardship Council, 4) Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes and 5) Sustainable Forestry Initiative. Of these programs, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Sustainability Forest Initiative (SFI) are the most widely used for determining whether wood is green and sustainable.

Manchester Wood Furniture

At Manchester Wood the environment matters, their goal is to create top quality furniture from beautiful American hardwoods with minimal impact on the environment. To meet this goal they use sustainable, eco friendly timber like white ash and soft maple. Their wood furniture uses hardwood lumber which is grown in sustainably managed forests in the Northeast by suppliers that meet strict State and National standards for forest management developed by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).

US Small Businesses are Creating Jobs and Contributing to Greentech Innovation

Small business is not only the engine that drives the US economy it is also creating jobs and driving green technology innovation. According to recent research, Small businesses are creating much needed jobs in America and they are also behind green technology innovation.

A recent report by the US Small Business Administration, indicates that small businesses outperformed large companies in net job creation by about 75 percent from 1992-2010. Small business is stimulating the US economy and small business innovation is contributing to America's competitive advantage.

Greentech and Renewables Help the Economy and Create Jobs in the US

Demand for green technology and sustainable energy solutions is helping the US economy and providing new jobs. Two new reports, one from the Brookings Institution and another from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics convincingly make the point the America is benefiting from green technology and renewable energy. These reports make it harder for critics to deride the virtues of the green economy. This message is particularly important for Republicans who continue to advocate for an economy premised on old energy paradigms.

Why We Need to Reach American Climate Change Deniers

While there are a growing number of people that accept the facts about our climate, almost one third of Americans are putting the survival of our species at risk. The industrial revolution took 200 years, if we are to survive, the sustainability revolution will need to make substantial changes in one tenth of that time. Time is running out, and unless we can find a way to get through to those who refuse to see the facts, we risk failing to make the needed changes in the time we have available. 

A New Study Indicates We Are Reaching a Tipping Point

According to a new study we are on the verge of an environmental tipping point. We are heading towards an imminent, irreversible collapse. The researchers indicate that the planet’s ecosystems could quickly and irreversibly collapse this century. These conclusions were arrived at by 18 scientists using a combination of scientific theories, ecosystem modeling and paleontological evidence.

As reviewed in SFU News Online, these scientists reviewed the Earth’s worsening trends in biodiversity and extreme weather. This was factored in the context of the Earth's interconnected ecosystems. Their results were contained in an article titled "Approaching a State-Shift in Earth’s Biosphere," a paper recently published in Nature.

Environmental Tipping Points

We must act now to avoid the tipping points of runaway global warming. A tipping point occurs when climate changes pass a "critical threshold at which a small change in human activity can have a large, long-term consequence for the Earth's climate system." As opposed the gradual, long-term warming trend, such a tipping point could accelerate or change the effects already being perceived due to global warming. Researchers have identified nine possible tipping points: The Indian summer monsoon; Arctic sea ice, the Sahara and Sahel in Africa could change dramatically, the Amazon rainforest could die back significantly, the Boreal Forest could die back, the Atlantic thermohaline circulation, the El Nino Southern Oscillation, he Greenland ice sheet and the West Antarctic ice sheet.

The Zayed Future Energy Prize for Renewable Energy and Sustainability

The Zayed Future Energy Prize for renewable energy and sustainability began in 2008 and has been awarded annually to large corporations, individuals, small businesses and non-government organizations that have displayed evident effort in advancing renewable energy and sustainable technologies. The 2013 edition of the Zayed Future Energy Prize for renewable energy and sustainability will for the first time offer a special prize for high schools starting to engage in the sustainability business. Renewable energy prize opens $500,000 award in the high school category.  This new category will award $500,000 to be divided among five regions – the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania.

NABCEP Sales Certification

On July 16, 2012 the NABCEP Sales Certification training will be taking place at Atlantic Cape Community College, Mays Landing Campus East from 6pm – 9pm. The fee is $1,299 (Tuition $499, Materials $250, Lab $550). This NABCEP approved training is a PV Entry Level Exam based on a set of learning objectives developed by NABCEP Committee of PV subject matter experts. Concepts will include: Qualify the Customer; Site Analysis; Conceptual Design; Financial Costs, Incentives and Savings; Financial Benefit Analysis and Financing; Nonfinancial Benefit Analysis; Performance Analysis; and Preparing Proposals.

Clean Energy Week in Sydney Australia

On the 25th of July to the 27th of July, Clean Energy Week will take place in Sydney Australia. This three day long event includes a dynamic, industry-driven conference program, a huge trade exhibition, a schools' program and events for the general public.Clean Energy Week is Australia's largest event for the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries, incorporating ATRAA (Australia's largest solar conference)

Transforming the UK's Electricity Market (Event)

The event Transforming the UK's electricity market deals with the situation one year on from the Reform White Paper and the Ofgem Review. It will take place on July 12, 2012. Delegates will assess the ongoing transformation of the UK's electricity system. Planned sessions focus on the progress that is being made, and the next steps in delivering the key elements of the market reform package including discussion on taking forward the Emissions Performance Standard and Carbon Price Floor for decarbonising electricity, and the proposed Capacity Mechanism for ensuring the future security of electricity supplies. In the context of market regulation, the agenda also includes discussion on the extent to which the regulatory environment has been strengthened since the Ofgem Review, as well as the further work that is required to ensure the protection of consumers and that investment in the energy sector is cost-effective.

London Cleantech Cluster (Event)

London Cleantech Cluster is produced by Rushlight Events. It will take place in London, UK. This event will provide a platform to bring together all the various initiatives, activities and programmes undertaken by organisations throughout the region to support the development of cleantech businesses and to facilitate the deployment of sustainable alternatives.

Four Training Events From the Green Power Academy

Here are four events taking place in London UK produced by the Green Power Academy. They will be taking place between the 13th and the 18th of July 2012. These four events involve renewable technologies, economics and financing. For more information and registration information see below:

Foresight NEXT Professional Development Program (Sustainability Courses)

Foresight NEXT is a unique program that combines interactive seminars and dynamic speakers with engaging site visits. This program is designed to help professionals integrate sustainability into their companies’ operations. This approach delivers the judgment, economics, strategies and communication necessary to affect positive change.

Annual US SRI Conference for Responsible Investors (Event)

The largest and longest running annual US SRI Conference moves to east coast for 2012. Early bird registration rate savings have been extended to July 10th for The SRI Conference on Sustainable, Responsible, Impact Investing. The event will take place October 2-4, 2012 at the Mohegan Sun Conference Center in Connecticut.

Biomimicry in Action: Janine Benyus on Design (Video)

Janine Benyus has a message for inventors: When solving a design problem, look to nature first. There you'll find inspired designs for making things waterproof, aerodynamic, solar-powered and more. Here she reveals dozens of new products that take their cue from nature with spectacular results. A self-proclaimed nature nerd, Janine Benyus' concept of biomimicry has galvanized scientists, architects, designers and engineers into exploring new ways in which nature's successes can inspire humanity.

Canada has the Dirtiest Oil on Earth (Video)

In June, the Sierra Club released The Dirtiest Oil on Earth, an animation on the dangers of tar sands crude and pipelines transporting the world’s dirtiest oil from Alberta, Canada, through the US The animation illustrates the dangers of spills, destruction of natural areas, contamination of air and water supplies and political influence exerted by the oil industry to build pipeline projects designed to transport tar sands across the US to reach foreign markets.

Video on the Global Environment Outlook (GEO-5)

The fifth edition of the Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-5), launched on the eve of the Rio+20 Summit, assessed 90 of the most-important environmental goals and objectives and found that significant progress had only been made in four.

Video on the Hopeful Elements in the Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-5)

The fifth edition of the Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-5), assessed environmental goals and objectives. Despite the fact that nations have fallen far short of the pledges they have made, there are some glimmers of hope. GEO-5 also reveals which strategies work best and policies that offer real solutions. Some of the successes involve community based conservation efforts, biological corridors, new farming methods, recovery of degraded lands, market based mechanisms, wetlands conservation, marine protected areas, sustainable fishing, recycling, feed in tariffs, and adaptation strategies. If these initiatives were scaled up they could help put economic and social development on a sustainable footing.

Montreal Protocol - Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-5)

The fifth edition of the Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-5) was published on June 6, 2012. This United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report indicates that the Montreal Protocol has been very effective in elimination the use of Ozone depleting substances. The world has nearly eliminated the production and use of ozone depleting substances, under the Montreal Protocol.

It is estimated that implementation of the Protocol will result, in the United States alone, in 22 million fewer cases of cataracts in people born between 1985 and 2100, and 6.3 million fewer skin cancer deaths by mid-century.

Ecofreek Reuse Search Engine

Ecofreek.com is a search engine that searches the web for free and 'for swap/trade' items people no longer need from over 15+ major sources. Ecofreek provides the most diverse and accurate results anywhere in the world. They also encourage people to exchange and re-use items though their search engine and also our 'places to give things away' section. Ecofreek is funded by donation and they offer packages including shirts, cloth grocery bags, stickers etc in exchange for donations. To go to ecofreek click here.

Air Pollution in the Global Environmental Outlook (GEO 5)

The fifth edition of the Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-5) was published on June 6, 2012. This United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report indicates there are major issues related to air pollution. Air pollution is among the main causes of premature deaths and health problems, especially in children.Indoor air pollution from particulate matter is responsible for nearly 2 million premature deaths annually - including 900,000 deaths in children under the age of five.

Out-door particulate matter may be responsible for around 3.7 million deaths annually. Ground-level ozone is responsible for 700,000 respiratory deaths, over 75 per cent of which occur in Asia.

Biodiversity Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-5)

The fifth edition of the Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-5) was published on June 6, 2012. This United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report indicates there are major issues related to biodiversity. The world failed to reach the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target of a significant reduction in the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. Around 20 per cent of vertebrate species are under threat. The extinction risk is increasing faster for corals than for any other group of living organisms, with the condition of coral reefs declining by 38 per cent since 1980. Rapid contraction is projected by 2050.

Key Findings of the Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-5)

The fifth edition of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-5) was published on June 6, 2012. Some to the reports key findings include projections that see substantial GHG and temperature increases. The report also covers air and water pollution, economic implications, agricultural impacts, extinction risks, and fishing. Here are some key facts and figures from the report:

Under current models, greenhouse gas emissions could double over the next 50 years, leading to rise in global temperature of 3 degrees Celsius or more by the end of the century.

Independence Day 2012: Declaration of Freedom from Fossil Fuels

Two hundred and thirty six years ago, the colonies freed themselves from the injustice of British rule, now America needs to free itself from the injustice of fossil fuels. The United States' Declaration of Independence is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. On that day, thirteen American colonies proclaimed their freedom from Great Britain. On the fourth of July 2012, America needs a declaration of freedom from fossil fuels.

A few years after the American revolution, the industrial revolution dawned, beginning America's meteoric rise to global dominance. However, fossil fuels are the engine that drove this growth and they are also the leading cause of climate change.

The 10 Greatest Social Entrepreneurs of All Time

While it is admirable to build a successful business of any kind, some entrepreneurs do more than just make a profit with the fruits of their labor. Some actually help others, bringing resources, opportunities, training, and other assets to those who need them most. These social entrepreneurs use their know-how and business savvy to make the world a better place, combining a traditional business model with a pressing social mission in ways that have been helping to make big changes in places around the world for decades. Here, we highlight just a few of the standout social entrepreneurs who're showing that successful businesses don't have to just watch the bottom line and can truly be socially and environmentally conscious.

Best Foreign Corporations with Operations in Canada

Here is a list of the top non-Canadian corporations with operations in Canada as compiled by Corporate Knights. Corporate Knights “is a media, research and financial products company focused on quantifying and animating clean capitalism drivers for decision makers.” Corporate Knights Capital is a source for objective, data-driven ‘clean capitalism’ ratings for over 2000 companies globally.  To be on this list the companies must also “be listed on the Financial Post 500, and rank among the top 10 per cent of 4500 global companies according to the Global Sustainability Research Alliance (GSRA).” The GSRA is one of the “world’s largest sustainability research consortiums. According to GSRA and Corporate Knights the top Foreign Corporations operating in Canada:

Canada's Best and Worst Green Cities

According to a 2011 index sponsored by Siemens, Vancouver is the greenest city in Canada and Montreal is the least green. The index measured and rated the environmental performance of 27 cities in the US and Canada in nine categories: CO2, energy, land use, buildings, transport, water, waste, air and environmental governance. The index was a project run by the Economist Intelligence Unit, an in-house research unit of the British magazine The Economist. Cities were selected independently rather than through requests from city governments to be included. A panel of global experts in urban environmental sustainability advised the unit in developing methodology for the index.

Four European Environmental Events in July (Part One)

In the first half of July 2012 there are four notable environmentally themed events that will be taking place in Europe. The first is a summer course on European Environmental Law, the second is an environmental finance event, the third is an event focusing on sustainable development, and the fourth is an event focusing on carbon finance for renewable energy.

Water Pollution 2012 (Event)

On the 10th to the 12th of July, an event titled "Water Pollution 2012" will be held in Wessex, UK. This is the 11th International Conference in the series on Modelling, Monitoring and Management of Water Pollution. The meeting, which started in 1991, has always been very successful and provides a forum for the discussion and exchange of information between scientists, managers and academics from different areas of water contamination. The conference creates an international venue for interdisciplinary discussion and dissemination of work related to water quality and environmental problems caused by the increase of pollutant loads and the inappropriate management of water resources.

Building the Water Agenda 2012 (Event)

On the 9th to the 10th of July an event will take place at Chatham House in London, UK titled Building the Water Agenda. The opening session will outline the challenges associated with water and its links to other global policy agendas: climate change, economic growth, agriculture, environment, human needs and foreign policy. It will also address the challenges of addressing water security at policy levels and the concrete and tangible pathways for policy and action that are needed.

International Conference on Waste Management and the Environment 2012 (Event)

On the 4th to the 6th of July in New Forest, UK, an event will take place titled the International Conference on Waste Management and the Environment. The event is organised every two years by the Wessex Institute of Technology in collaboration with other renown institutions. Waste management is becoming one of the key problems of the modern world, an issue that is intensified by the volume and complexity of waste discarded by society's domestic and industrial activities. Unfortunately, many of the practices adopted in the past were aimed at short-term solutions without sufficient regard or knowledge for long term implications on health, the environment or sustainability and this, in many cases, leads to the need to take difficult and expensive remedial action.