Event: Verge 2015

This event will take place on October 26 - 29 in San Jose, California. VERGE is GreenBiz Group's global event series focusing on the technologies and systems that accelerate sustainability solutions across sectors in a climate-constrained world. The event brings together the world’s largest companies, technology innovators, utilities and cities, creating a broad ecosystem of players to accelerate opportunities for business, the environment and society. The program focuses on transformative but practical, scalable, solutions-oriented exchanges through seven program tracks: Grid 2.0, Next-Gen Buildings, Smart Cities, Connected Transportation, Intelligent Supply Chains, Food & Ag Tech and Sustainable Water Systems.

Webcast - Green Infrastructure and the Triple-Bottom-Line: New Tech for Sustainable City Design

This webcast will take place on November 3, 2015 at 1 PM ET. Cities across the world are looking for more sustainable ways to manage their stormwater. As pollution increases and traditional methods bring with them new risks, many cities are embracing green infrastructure, an approach to water management that protects property and maintains water quality by mimicking the natural water cycle. Green infrastructure generates a wealth of social, environmental and economic benefits, from filtering pollutants to harvesting new sources of water. Autodesk now has new tools for simulating green infrastructure designs, quantifying their triple-bottom-line value, and communicating that value to civic stakeholders.

Infographic - Environmental and Climate Positions of Canadian Federal Parties (David Suzuki Foundation)

Why Divesting from Fossil Fuels is the Only Option

While there are many approaches to reducing our use of fossil fuels, outside of government regulation (eg: carbon pricing) divestment is really the only one that produces results. We know that to stave off the worst impacts of climate change we must keep temperatures within the 2 degree Celsius upper threshold limit. The only way we are going to do this is by radically reducing our consumption of fossil fuels. Investments that support the companies that are driving climate change are unethical and irresponsible. It is important to note that divesting from fossil fuels does not translate to lower returns. There are now a wide range of alternative investments that offer competitive rates of return.

Jim Webb: Views on Climate Change in the First Democratic Presidential Debate

Jim Webb is a former Republican whose record and policy positions on climate and energy are in line with the GOP. He supports more drilling including in the Arctic and more pipelines including the Keystone XL. He would like to expand the extraction of oil, gas and even coal and he wants to limit the EPA's authority to regulate emissions.

Webb seems to be the odd man out among the slate of Democrats vying for the presidential nomination. He is clearly far less interested in combating climate change than the other candidates: Martin O'Malley, Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, and Lincoln Chaffee.

Lincoln Chafee: Views on Climate Change in the First Democratic Presidential Debate

Lincoln Chafee is a contender for the Democratic nomination who supports climate action. As he said in the first Democratic Presidential debate:

"I want to address climate change, a real threat to our planet. And I believe in prosperity through peace."

Chafee is nowhere near as well known as Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders or even Martin O'Malley. He is a supporter of clean energy and he wants to protect the Arctic from drilling. Although he has indicated that he wants to reduce fossil fuel use, he would not deny funding (subsidies and tax breaks) to the fossil fuel industry.

Martin O'Malley: Views on Climate Change in the First Democratic Presidential Debate

Martin O'Malley is the best known of the four lesser candidates and he may be the most strident proponent of renewable energy of them all. The polls indicate that he is in third place, however he has a better plan to tackle climate change than the front-runner, Hillary Clinton and perhaps even the second place contender Bernie Sanders.

O'Malley says that tackling climate change and specifically transitioning the US away from fossil fuels and growing renewable energy will be the number one priority of his presidency.  As he said in the Democratic presidential debate on October 13th:

Bernie Sanders: Views on Climate Change in the First Democratic Presidential Debate

Bernie Sanders embraces the science of climate change (including the IPCC AR5 report) and the need for immediate action. Sanders has been a tireless champion of climate action. He has repeatedly professed his conviction that we need a climate policy informed by science. Polls show that Sanders is the only candidate anywhere near the front runner Hillary Clinton, however, her climate record is nowhere near as strong as his.

Hillary Clinton: Views on Climate Change in the First Democratic Presidential Debate

Clinton accepts the veracity of climate change and the need to act while she dismisses Republicans and those who think otherwise, "The reality of climate change is unforgiving no matter what the deniers say."

"You don't have to be a scientist to take on this urgent challenge that threatens us all. You just have to be willing to act," she said. "You don't have to be a scientist to accept scientific evidence," Clinton tweeted.

Presidential Candidate Lawrence Lessig on Climate Change and Campaign Finance

Lawrence Lessig announced his bid to run for the presidential nomination of the Democratic party on September 9. He has one goal, to get money out of politics. This is a laudable ambition because as long as fossil fuel industry is able to buy Republican politicians, Congress will not act on climate change.

Lessig is a Harvard Law School professor who taught international law at the University of Chicago before focusing his attentions on cyberlaw and, more recently campaign finance.

Infographic: Top Ten Most and Least Energy Efficient US States

The Fossil Fuel Divestment Movement is having an Impact on Investors Businesses and Power Companies

The fossil fuel divestment movement is gaining serious traction and resonating widely. Divestment is at the forefront of efforts to manage climate impacts, and due to concerns about growing financial and reputational risks, investors, businesses and power companies are being forced to take notice.

While many initially dismissed divestment from fossil fuels as purely symbolic there is growing reason to believe that it is powering meaningful change. To date we have seen a total of 2.6 trillion divested from fossil fuels and the movement continues to grow. In the last year alone there has been a 50 fold increase in divestment activity.

Course - DNV GL Energy Academy: Wind Turbine Technology

DNV GL Energy Academy: Wind Turbine Technology will take place on October 28 - 29, 2015 in Bristol, England. This two day course explains the basics of wind energy conversion and the evolution of today's giant wind turbines. It also reviews many key decisions about the design concepts of the turbine technology that is powering the fastest growing sector of the world’s electricity industries. This includes explanations behind the number of blades and locating turbines  upwind or downwind.

Canadian Thanksgiving is at Odds with Columbus Day

Although they co-occur, in many respects Columbus Day and Canadian Thanksgiving are diametrically opposed to each other. While Canadian Thanksgiving is a harvest festival celebrating nature's bounty, Columbus Day marks the start of our systematic destruction of the natural world.

Monday October 12th is Canadian Thanksgiving a time to be grateful, it is also Columbus day in most parts of the new world. It is hard to reconcile the start of our exploitation of the new world and the expression of gratitude for the bountiful harvests nature provides. 

Event - International Conference on Earth Science & Climate Chang

The 5th International Conference on Earth Science & Climate Change will be held on July 25-27, 2016, in Bangkok, Thailand. The theme of the Conference is “Stimulating and Analysing the changes of Earth & Climate-ICESCC”. More than 300 participants from more than 50 countries are expected to participate.

Event - Companies & Causes Canada

This event will take place on October 22, 2015 in Toronto Canada.Two weeks from today the second annual Companies & Causes Canada conference arrives in Toronto. At this conference you can Meet like-minded peers in a comfortable way. Not only will you hear from top Canadian brands, you'll also have an opportunity to attend small, more interactive mini-workshops throughout the day. Here are some of the nonprofits and companies that will be in attendance:

Event - RenovaMex 2015

This event will take place on December 1 & 2, 2015 at the Hotel Sheraton Santa Fe, Ciudad de Mexico. RenovaMex provides participants with an excellent opportunity to position their business as a leader in Mexico's new energy market.

RenovaMex 2015 is the leading conference and meeting place for the renewable industry in Mexico. At this event you can meet the corporate leaders, government officials and financiers behind the development of renewable energy in Mexico. These are the people who can help you to overcome regulatory, financial and technological challenges.

Environment and Sustainability in China Study Tour (Video)

The Environment and Sustainability in China Study Tour is a collaborative venture between La Trobe Asia and local partner CERES Global, led by Dr Benjamin Habib from La Trobe University, Ben Walta from CERES Global, and La Trobe graduate and China hand Angela Fennell. Funding for this project has been provided through the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan. Student participants have been selected on a competitive basis to take part in this tour, which will count as a credit-bearing elective subject in their undergraduate degree.

The Fossil Fuel Industry and Republican Climate Change Deception

Sen. Whitehouse attributes climate misinformation to the fossil fuel industry and their Republicans minions. He points to the scientific inaccuracy of the climate change hiatus as a classic case in point. Such lies are deliberately woven to prevent us from acting.

The science is clear, and comprehensive. Global warming is caused by carbon pollution. However, for decades the fossil fuel industry has bought off Republicans in the senate who proceed to use their position to undermine the facts and obstruct action on climate change.

EDF Trains Business Leaders Through their Climate Core Program

Almost all 21st century MBA programs include some for of sustainability schooling, however, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) adds valuable real world experience through practical onsite training. Through a program called Climate Corps, EDF provides training to young MBA students so that they may be better prepared to make a difference in the business world. This premier fellowship program recruits and train top graduate students and embeds them in leading organizations to provide expert hands-on support for your energy management initiatives.

Businesses Practicing Sustainability are Leading the Way Forward

A growing number of businesses are redefining the scope of their responsibilities. Whether as part of a sustainability program, or as a function of CSR initiatives businesses are beginning to appreciate that they will not thrive in the 21st century without addressing environmental and social issues.

Importance of business

Many years ago Paul Hawken said: "Business is the only mechanism on the planet powerful enough to produce the changes necessary to reverse global environmental and social degradation."

Renewable Energy Development in Mexico and the World

In Mexico and elsewhere renewable energy is a rapidly developing and expanding field. Here is an audio presentation that reviews the framework within which the industry is developing.

This lecture is by Michael Liebreich, founder of Bloomberg New Energy Finance is from a previous edition of the RenovaMex annual conferences. In this lecture you can get:

The Cost of Oil: BP Reaches $20 Billion Settlement with the Federal Government

In the largest single entity settlement in the Department of Justice's history, BP will have to pay $20.8 for its role in the infamous Gulf of Mexico oil spill in April, 2010. Since the disastrous explosion of the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform BP has been engaged in protracted negotiations with the federal government. Now the Department of Justice have finalized the settlement with BP. The settlement comes after years of legal wrangling. In July, the Supreme Court denied the company’s appeal to block benefits for those not directly affected by the spill.

What Activists can Learn from Shell's Arctic Retreat

While the laudable efforts of activists have been given credit for ending Arctic drilling, environmentalists could benefit from a better understanding of the dynamics at play. Attributing Shell’s decision to cease its drilling operations in the Arctic to environmental protest is an undeniably compelling narrative. If only a handful of passionate kayaktavists could stop Shell from drilling in the Arctic. The problem is that it is not true.

Biblical Rains in South Carolina are Consistent with Climate Change

What is being described as"Biblical" rainfalls have caused catastrophic flooding that has devastated much of South Carolina and killed at least 14 people. This is one of the worst flooding events in US history with more than half of the state submerged under water. The damage from the "once in a thousand year rainfalls" is expected to amount to many billions of dollars. Such rainfalls and flooding are known to be consistent with climate change.

"We haven't seen this level of rain in the low country in a thousand years," Gov. Nikki Haley told reporters Sunday afternoon. "That's how big this is."

National Climate Report Card (NRDC)

Seven Steps to Integrating Sustainability (Report)

Sustainability management is a a powerful and growing trend that can lead to meaningful changes, however, it can be a slow and difficult process. If you and your organization are considering incorporating sustainability into your management planning here is a resource that can help.

In this Environmental Leader 2015 Insider Knowledge Report, sponsor VF Corporation shares 7 steps to balancing environmental impact with a company's business plan in order to deliver value to brands and consumers.

Governments are Pledging to Reduce GHGs Ahead of COP21

The fight against global warming is largely about reducing emissions and both national and regional governments are beginning to do what they must to keep temperatures below the 2 degree Celsius upper threshold limit We are seeing bold action ahead of COP21 where it is hoped that we will finally see an international agreement to combat climate change including radical emissions reductions. As we ebb ever closer to climate talks in Paris, the world is increasingly focused on what is called Intended Nationally Determined Targets (INDC).

Corporate Efforts to Reduce Greenhouse Gases

The fight against global warming is largely about reducing emissions and corporations are stepping up to the plate to do their part to keep temperatures below the 2 degree Celsius upper threshold limit.

It is becoming increasingly clear that carbon reduction makes good business sense and decoupling emissions from growth is one of the leading challenges of sustainability. We saw evidence of corporate leadership at last year's UN Climate Summit and this year we have seen dramatic carbon reduction efforts from a number of companies including GE, PG&E and Time Warner Cable.

More Evidence for the Decoupling of the Economy and Emissions

A new report confirms that we can simultaneously grow the economy and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The report corroborates the findings from a number of other sources.

The most recent report called "Turning Point,"comes from research prepared for green thinktank Heinrich Böll by DIW Econ, a German institute for economic research.

Event - Update on the CR Reporting and Communications Summit

CR Reporting and Communications Summit will take place 10-11 November 10-11, 2015 at the Tower Bridge Hilton. Here is an updates speakers and attendee list The increasing importance of sustainability reporting is helping to make this year’s event is the biggest yet. Some of the issues that will be addressed include G4 implementation, master materiality and using reporting to embed sustainable values within your organization.

Event - Wind Integration Workshop

The 14th International Workshop on Large-Scale Integration of Wind Power into Power Systems as well as on Transmission Networks for Offshore Wind Power Plants will be held from October 20 to 22, 2015, in Brussels, Belgium. This event will take place immediately following the 5th International Workshop on Integration of Solar Power into Power Systems.

Event - Solar Integration Workshop

This event will take place on October 19 & 20, 2015, in Brussels, Belgium. This one-and-a-half day Solar Integration Workshop will be held for the fifth time, again in conjunction with the International Workshop on Large-scale Integration of Wind Power into Power Systems as well as on Transmission Networks for Offshore Wind Power Plants.

Event - Japan Electric Power Summit (JPES)

JEPS 2015 Summit will take place on November 30 to December 2 at the Tokyo Marriott Hotel. There will be a Pre-Summit Workshop on Business Development in Japan's Liberalized Electric Power Sector. The main conference is titled "Upping Competitiveness & Efficiency towards 2020!" It will address:

Big Oil's Legacy of Lies Misinformation and Subterfuge (Video)

The oil industry uses its vast resources to undermine science and lobby politicians. Oil industry giants have waged war against climate action. Oil giants have created a massive web of misinformation designed to put their profits ahead of the health of people and the planet. On its own ExxonMobil has poured $30 million into funding groups denying the scientific evidence and consensus on human-caused global warming.

An eight month investigation from Pulitzer Prize winning Inside Climate News has uncovered more proof of Exxon's malfeasance. According to this investigation Exxon knew the facts about fossil fuels role as the leading driver of climate change forty years ago. According to Exxon documents they put their concerns about profitability ahead of the science and embarked on a sophisticated campaign of misinformation. As explained by InsideClimate News, Exxon has "spent more than 20 years discrediting the research its own scientists had once confirmed." All the way back in 1982 Exxon's own science clearly indicated that carbon pollution would cause global temperatures to rise.

The Business of Sustainability (Video Webinar)

Bottom line concerns are pushing businesses are inspiring an ever growing number of businesses to pursue sustainability with earnest. In its simplest essence sustainability is about people, planet, and profits. Everyone from corporate giants to small businesses see value in reducing costs and increasing revenue. Sustainability is now widely appreciated as a great way to improve performance. For years now the business case for sustainability has been getting stronger as more companies report on the achievements. Regardless of what brings businesses to the table, support for sustainability is at the forefront of the fight climate change, environmental degradation and social injustice.

Energy Storage in California Schools

Schools in California are leading proponents of energy efficiency and the low carbon economy. To illustrate the point a number of California school districts are working with Green Charge Networks to provide lithium ion-based battery storage. Overall Green Charge is installing more than 1,500 kWh of energy storage capacity under Power Efficiency Agreements (PEAs). Green Charge has also tied electric vehicle charging stations into each of these systems.

Indigenous People Seeking to Profit from Fossil Fuels

It is a sad irony but some indigenous people on the front lines of ecological degradation are benefiting from those who destroy their lands to extract fossil fuels. While many aboriginal communities are at the forefront of efforts to stop fossil fuel exploitation, others are looking to benefit financially from hydrocarbon exploitation as they try to contend with the loss of their traditional ways of life.

Green Infrastructure Initiatives at Three US Schools

Schools have long been at the forefront of green infrastructure initiatives. It is a marriage that makes perfect sense as a greener infrastructure saves costs, improves the health of students, and contributes to better academic performance. Here are some green infrastructure initiatives at three US schools, Fairfield University, Longwood Central School and Ball State University.

At the Longwood Central School District in Long Island, New York, four Flex Energy microturbines are currently being installed as part of a comprehensive energy savings project. These turbines include an integrated hot water cogeneration module to allow for a mechanical connection to multiple facility hot water systems, as well as absorption chilling. The Flex turbines alone will produce the equivalent of 120 tons of air conditioning through an absorption chiller by capturing waste heat.

Why the Corporate World is Embracing Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is looking increasingly attractive to corporate America. There was a time when the corporate world would scoff at renewable energy.  However, the rapid expansion of renewable energy combined with declining price points lends credence to the belief that we truly have a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

It is with good reason that the corporate world is falling in love with renewable energy. According to a report put out by Ceres, David Gardiner & Associates, Calvert Investments, and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) clean energy has saved Corporate America more than a billion a year.

As explained by the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Christiana Figueres, "Investing at scale in clean, efficient power offers one of the clearest no-regret choices ever presented to human progress."