Event - Student Sustainability Summit

The annual Student Sustainability Summit takes place in January at the University of Alberta. This gathering offers students from across Alberta the resources and networks they need to join the next generation of sustainability leaders.

This weekend event includes sessions and panels designed to provide students with personal and professional development opportunities. Students will delve into topics including social justice, change management, local economies and campus sustainability. The summit is hosted by the Office of Sustainability, Sustain SU and the Students' Umbrella for Social Justice.

Sustainability Education: Teaching for sustainability (Videos)

Educating future leaders about sustainability is key to solving the increasingly interconnected challenges facing humanity. The practice of teaching for sustainability is known as sustainability education (SE), it is also called education for sustainability (EfS), and the United Nations calls it education for sustainable development (ESD). More generally we need to appreciate the importance of education as it relates to sustainable development. Education is one of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and it is a fundamental right. Investing in a quality education for all is essential to realize the other SDGs and targets. It is also the most powerful tool we have for sustainable development.

Environmental Economics and President Trump: Market Forces are Not Enough (Video)

The world has changed with the election of Donald Trump. On January 20th the US will say goodbye to President Obama a champion of climate action. He will be replaced by Donald J Trump, a climate denier and champion of fossil fuels. Many including Leon Kaye have argued that market forces will somehow save us. While this is a hopeful message it is tragically naive. Market forces are indeed moving sustainability forward and this is especially true of energy.

Trump's Victory Must Not Cause us to Lose Hope We Must Continue to Fight for the Health of our Planet

In the wake of the electoral victory of Donald Trump we must not lose hope nor can we afford to abandon the fight for climate action, clean air and clean water. We owe this to future generations. Although Trump managed to win the presidency due to the archaic collegiate system, it is important to remember that the majority of Americans stand with us. The majority voted for the most progressive environment and climate agenda ever in the US. Now more than ever we must find the courage to fight on. Those of us who took up the fight during the Bush administration remember what it was like to be an advocate under a less than receptive presidential administration.

Bill McKibben, the founder of 350.org, had this to say: "If Trump wins, it savages the planet's chances of dealing with climate change. In the (very) long run, the biggest result of a hideous night."  Climate scientist Michael Mann's Tweet sums it up perfectly: "When nightmare becomes reality." Following Trump's win there were protest marches in a number of cities including New York, Chicago, Boston, Berkeley, Portland, Austin and Los Angeles. We are not alone, the majority stands with us and we hope that we can peacefully make our voices heard.

Trump's Energy and Environment Agenda will be Countered by Businesses and Investors

What happens now that we have a Climate Denier as President of the wealthiest and most powerful nation on Earth? The situation is bleak and the future is dark. However, while a Trump presidency is indeed devastating for the climate and the environment, there is a bulwark in place that may help to offset his policy agenda. Driven by opportunities in cleantech, companies, investors, states and cities will continue their push forward. It is easy to understand why so many are disheartened. A science-based review of what needs to be done to tackle climate change suggests that a Trump presidency will push us past tipping points from which we may not be able to recover. Trump will be able to leverage the Republican's control both the House and Senate.

Donald Trump Laid Bare: Comprehensive Summary of Reasons Why Trump is a Disaster

Donald Trump may be the worst person ever to seek America's highest office. The litany of lies and concerns about his sanity are among a number of issues that is so voluminous that it is hard to keep track. It is important to appreciate that people condemning Trump include those who have worked with. Mark Cuban is among those who once supported Trump that indicate he is unfit to lead.

The issue is not just that Trump would not be a good president, the concerns run far deeper.  We know that if Trump was president it would mean game over for climate action and this would augur an unprecedented catastrophe.  A New York Times opinion piece even called Trump an "existential threat".

Voting for Trump is Tantamount to Treason

Donald Trump's bid for the presidency is one of the worst things that has ever happened to America. Trump has demonstrated that he is dangerously unqualified to be president as he is profoundly ignorant about policy matters. As he derides American patriots, and America itself, he has revealed himself to be a self-serving pathological liar who may be suffering from narcissistic personality disorder.

Event - Green Aruba Conference and SIDS Workshop for Policy Makers

Green Aruba Vll is a three day event that will take place November 14 - 18, 2016 in Oranjestad, Aruba. This is the seventh Green Aruba meeting dedicated to countries transitioning to a sustainable energy. Since 2010, Green Aruba has served as a platform to showcase Aruba's progress in sustainable energy transition. Most importantly, this conference makes it possible for other countries, institutions and experts from all over the world to share valuable information, knowledge, experiences and best practices.

Event - COP 22 and IRENA Renewable Energy Side Events

COP 22 will take place November 7-18, 2016 in Marrakech, Morocco. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), established in 1994, aims to stabilize the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at a level that prevents "dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system".

Is Trump Clinically Insane? (Videos)

Donald Trump is a strange man and his statements have caused many to question his competency.  More than a few have even called him crazy. His pathological lying is a matter of record and the question as to whether he is clinically insane is valid, particularly as we stand on the cusp of the possibility that this man may soon be America's commander-and-chief (God help us).  In this post we will explore some of the evidence to suggest that Trump may indeed be suffering from a mental illness.

He has taken a host of absurd positions the appear ludicrous, not the least of which is his insistence that climate change is caused by the Chinese to destabilize America (apparently he does not know that China is a world leader in clean-tech particularly renewable energy).

Trump's Litany of Lies Captured on Video

Donald Trump is a pathological liar. It is hard to review all of Trump's criminality, racism, sexism, bigotry, xenophobia, inhumanity, and depravity (although in the coming days I will try). In the interim take a look at these five videos of Trump and listen to his seemingly endless succession of lies. This summary of deceit records Trump in his own words during the primaries and in each of the three debates. Of course he has also lied about climate change but, given that he has lied about everything else that should come as no surprise. Here is a debate excerpt in which Trump denies denying climate change. Than the Tweet that confirms the lie.

It is Up to the Young to Secure their Futures this Election Cycle

Millennials are one of the keys to defeating Trump and they have a lot of skin in the game. Unlike their older cohorts, young people understand the science of climate change, they know what is at stake this election. Hilary will improve the odds that they may be able to live out their lives with minimal climate impacts, while a Trump presidency would guarantee a climate calamity that will make life very difficult for anyone on Earth. Trump does not have the support of the young, nor does he have the support of women, blacks, or Latinos, Those who have an education, those who know how to think critically, those with common sense. However, if the US is to avert an unparalleled catastrophe, they must turn out to vote. Never has it been more important to vote, never has the choice been more stark.

The Rise of Renewables and the Fall of Fossil Fuels

Market trends like the volatility of fossil fuels and the declining costs of wind and solar, have driven a six-fold increase in non-hydro renewables in the last decade.  This growth has been prodigious, however, we can expect to see even more growth in the years to come.
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This is another record breaking year for renewable energy in both the developed and developing world. All around the world, renewables are growing at a faster rate than ever before. In 2015, for the first time ever, renewable energy accounted for more than half of new power generation worldwide. Last year, we saw more investment capital being funneled into renewables than ever before and more installed capacity. Currently, renewable energy generates almost a quarter of the world's power demands.

Overview

Greenest Colleges in America: The Princeton Review

The Princeton Review has released its much-anticipated ranking of the greenest colleges in the US. This is the seventh annual free guide of  environmentally responsible colleges.

The 2016 edition of the Princeton Review Guide ranks a total of 361 Green Colleges. The leading colleges are models of sustainability. They have shown leadership in terms of their academic offerings, career preparation, campus policies, initiatives, and activities.

Each of the 361 schools in the guide gets a detailed write-up that focuses on things like energy usage, renewables, recycling and water conservation.

How Sustainability has Become a Mainstream Phenomenon

Sustainability programs are not just for forward-thinking international conglomerates they are now part of mainstream practices for business both large and small. The data has convincingly made the case that sustainability is good for business and managers are integrating it into their strategies in ever increasing numbers.

There are a number of good reasons why businesses are embracing sustainability. In 2015 sustainability reached a tipping point and in 2016 it has become obvious that sustainability is a 21st-century megatrend. We are even beginning to conceive of a post sustainability world.

The Horrors of Halloween Waste

While Halloween may be a retailers dream, from an environmental perspective it is a nightmare. On this day consumers generate a mountain of waste including tons of non-biodegradable candy wrappers and plastic items like decorations and costumes. Halloween appears to be growing in popularity and it is expected that Americans will increase their spending in 2016. 

During the period between October and December, retailers make up as much as 30 percent of their yearly sales numbers. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF). As reported by Fortune, Americans are expected to spend a record 8.4 billion on costumes, candy, decorations and greeting cards this year.  The two worst Halloween buys for the environment are decorations and costumes. Both are commonly made of plastic that end up in landfills and do not break down. Plastics also contain endocrine-disrupting phthalates toxins including bisphenolic compounds like BPA.

Countries Leading the Renewable Energy Revolution

According to the Renewables 2016 Global Status Report, as of early 2016, there was a total of 173 countries that had renewable energy targets in place. China is leading renewable energy growth, followed by the US, Japan, the UK, and India. China also leads in non-hydro renewables, followed by the US, Brazil, Germany, and Canada. However, the per capita renewables is led by Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Spain, and Portugal. When country's GDP are factored, the biggest investors were small countries like Mauritania, Honduras, Uruguay and Jamaica.

Europe is showing that 100 percent renewable energy is possible. The Renewables 2016 Global Status Report shows that in Europe green energy is now the leading source of electricity, providing 44 percent of total EU capacity in 2015. Germany is one of the world's renewable energy superpowers. The country generated so much renewable energy last spring that utilities paid users to consume electricity.

Event - Renewable Energy World International

This event will take place on December 13-15, 2016 in Orlando Florida at the Orange County Convention Center (North and South Halls). Renewable Energy World International tracks are designed to be made horizontally applicable across all technology sectors. Hear from our track champions on what is being covered during these impactful conference sessions.

Building Relationships

Make connections with 20,000 other renewable energy professionals from around the globe. Learn from each other during multiple networking events.

Event - Smart City Expo World Congress: Projects and Urban Solutions

Smart City Expo World Congress(SCEWC) will take place on November 15-17, 2016, in Barcelona, Spain at the Gran Via Venue. This event will offer insightful debate, exclusive networking and experience exchange, that's driving Smart Cities forward. The are a vast array of inspirational sessions, keynotes and roundtables. Gain extensive know-how from the more than 50 cities, countries and joint pavilions striving to shape the cities of the future. WSCEWC is the international summit of discussion about the link between urban reality and technological revolution. Since its first edition in 2011, it has succeeded to become a referential global event to support the development of our cities.

Green Buildings Deliver Results (Videos)

Green buildings deliver climate friendly results. A green building can reduce greenhouse gasses, minimize waste, and decrease water usage. A number of studies have independently documented measurable results.

A California study by William Eisenstein, Ph.D. of UC Berkeley indicated that green buildings are associated with much lower GHG emissions as compared to traditional buildings. Certified commercial green buildings cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from water consumption an average 50 percent. Green buildings reduce solid waste management-related GHG emissions by 48 percent and lowered transportation-related GHG emissions by 5 percent.

Climate Gets Woefully Little Time in the Presidential Debates

Over the course of the four debates (three presidential and one vice presidential) environmental and climate issues have been all but ignored. The first debate spent the most time on climate change, although that was less than a minute and a half and unsurprisingly, Hilary Clinton did most of the talking.  Donald Trump has avoided the topic altogether.

According to Grist the conversation on climate in the first presidential debate amounted to just 82 seconds! By the fourth debate it declined to around 2 seconds.

Renewable Energy Business Leadership: Tools and Guidance

Corporations are moving in droves to secure a supply or renewable energy to power their operations. Whether they build renewable energy generation capacity onsite or they source that power from a third party, the trend is unmistakable. There are a number of good reasons why corporations are doing so, the attractiveness of the environmental benefits are buoyed by the fact that renewable energy pricing is far less volatile than fossil fuels. The move towards renewables is being driven by the realization that such acquisitions benefit the bottom line.

Trump's Energy Lies from the Second Presidential Debate

Donald Trump has been lying his way through the entire presidential campaign.  A position could not be considered distinctively Trump's unless it was supported by lies and energy is no exception. By way of supporting his energy policy Trump has rattled off a long list of falsehoods.

Now that Trump's political obituary is  being written and we are all catching our breath after dodging his fossil fuel powered bullet, lets take a look at some of Trump's energy lies.

As reported by Ben Adler in an October 10th Grist article, here is a review of some of Trump's energy lies from the second debate.

GRI's New Sustainability Reporting Standards are Leading the Way Into the Future

GRI is the gold standard in sustainability reporting and they have just updated their guidelines. GRI is the world's leading sustainability reporting organization their state of the art guidelines are the most widely used in the world. GRI was founded in Boston in 1997, its roots lie in the US non-profit organizations the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES) and the Tellus Institute. GRI regularly updates their reporting guidelines.

According to Environmental Leader, sustainability reporting is now a mainstream practice with 81 percent of S&P companies publishing such reports.  Research published in the MIT Sloan Management Review, suggests that three quarters of senior executives in investment firms agree that a company’s sustainability performance is important to consider when making investment decisions.

Sustainability Professionals Discuss the Benefits of Constructive Disagreement

If you want the best to come out of your sustainability efforts subject them to scrutiny and invite diverging views. The world in which we live is full of echo- chambers when what we need is sustainability thought leadership that invites dissenting points of view.  We should welcome debate that leaves no stone unturned and no sacred cows unchallenged. We should be leary of fulsome exchanges that do not deepen or broaden our understanding of an issue. The goal is to arrive at the best possible strategy and the best possible practices.

This train of thought was precipitated by a recent LinkedIn thread which made a similar point. The thread occured on a Sustainability Professionals board and it was started by Hamish Taylor. "Constructive disagreement is so much more powerful than passive collaboration," Taylor said.

Event - The Green Expo

This event will take place Wednesday to Friday, October 26 to 28, 2016 at the WTC in Mexico City. Exhibition hours are from 12 to 19:00 hrs. Congress Hours are from 8:00 to 18:00 hrs.

The Green Expo® is the leading Exhibition and Congress where solutions and new technologies presented by ecological and sustainable companies to the public and private sectors, who are looking for up to date products and services, thus creating a profitable sustainable industry. The technology and solutions presented by companies in the environmental, renewable energy, water and green housing are generating economic benefits and are setting the standards for the future in Mexico.

Event - Green Schools Summit

The tenth anniversary of the Green Schools Summit with take place on November 2 - 3, 2016 in Pasadena, California. The first - and the largest - statewide green school event, the summit provides a unique opportunity for leaders from the nation's largest public education system to discover new ways to create healthy, efficient learning environments.

Best Practices in Green Schools (Video)

The creation of best practices for the green school movement may be among the most important things we can do to curtail environmental degradation and slow climate change. The green schools movement combines a healthy learning environment, science-based information, and nature focused pedagogy that instills motivation.

Ignorance impedes the widespread adoption of sustainability because the children of today are the adults of tomorrow, it is essential that these kids are given the tools they need to understand and act in a way that contributes to a more sustainable society. To raise a generation of children who understand how to be good stewards of the earth we need a compendium of best practices.

The Climate Implications of Dodging Trump's Fossil Fuel Powered Energy Bullet

Donald Trump's policy positions are about as erratic and dysfunctional as his speaking style, however, from the beginning he has consistently indicated his support for fossil fuels.

Now that it is all but certain that Donald will not be the 45th President of the United States, lets peer into the dark dystopia of a world in which Trump would have been the chief architect of America's energy policy.  The following is a brief summary of the consequences of Trump's energy platform with an emphasis on what this would have meant for climate change.

Trump's Political Obituary and Life after Being Pummeled by Hilary

A review of the litany of egregious comments from Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump, his historic failure to secure support, the mindset of those that do support him and the damage he can still wreak on America's Democracy.

The three debates are over and the sun is setting on Donald Trump's foray into politics. It is fitting that Trump's political career comes to an end where it started. Trump rose to prominence as a personality in the casino industry, cutting his teeth first in Atlantic City and then in Las Vegas.

A List of Canada’s Top 25 Brands for 2017

A national survey of Canadian consumers reveals Canada's best brands for 2017. The leading 25 companies have won over the hearts and minds of Canadians. These brands have done this by forging customer loyalty that also contributes to their bottom line.

The list of the 25 Best Brands in Canada is the result of a survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,503 Canadians by Rogers Consumer Insights Team. Performed online in July 2016, the poll sought opinions on five key aspects of a company’s reputation (the quality of its products and/or services; its customer service; its commitment to innovation; community involvement; and the person’s overall view of the brand) from people who profess familiarity with the brands.

CIWM Sustainability & Resource Awards Finalists

Earlier this month, the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) announced the finalists for its Sustainability & Resource Awards. year. These long-standing and well-respected awards are given for outstanding achievement in the sustainability, resource and waste industry.

CIWM is a professional body representing over 6,500 waste professionals working in the sustainable resources and wastes management sectors, predominantly in the UK and overseas.

Sustainability and Life Cycle Assessment (Infographic)

Major corporations are showing serious interest in sustainable product design. Driven by the desire to be more energy and resource efficient corporations are changing the way they design their products. They are investing massively in sustainability for reasons ranging from the bottom line to brand reputation.

There are a lot of good reasons why corporations are increasingly adopting sustainability. There is a plethora of research that makes the business case for sustainability.

Groundbreaking Montreal Protocol Agreement Cuts Climate Pollution

There was some momentous climate news this weekend, yet it slipped under the radar and was barely noticed by the popular media. An agreement was signed that will eradicate one of the most potent greenhouse gasses in the world. At a UN-sponsored Montreal Protocol meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, 197 nations came to a legally binding agreement to phase down hydrofluorocarbons or HFCs.

Many years before the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015, the Montreal Protocol was a global deal to eliminate chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), also known as Freon. These chemicals were found to be eating away at the ozone layer. CFCs and the HFCs that replaced them are used in fridges and air conditioners.

Event - Distributech Conference and Exhibition

This event will take place from January 31 - February 2, 2017.  Distributech Conference and Exhibition is succinctly described as, "Perfect Content For Bringing Renewables To The Grid".

DistribuTECH is the leading annual electric power transmission and distribution conference & exhibition event that addresses technologies used to move electricity from the power plant through the transmission and distribution systems to the meter and inside the home. Bringing together 11,300+ individuals from 78 countries, DistribuTECH offers industry professionals from electric utilities, water utilities, and other municipal utilities more information and networking opportunities than any other annual T&D event.

Event - EcoCareer Conference: Buidling Pathways to Sustainable Careers

This online event will take place on February 22 & 23, 2017. Increasingly, companies are integrating sustainability into their business operations. Are you or your students interested in career opportunities that are good for people and good for the planet? If so, consider participating in this two-day virtual event to hear from leading experts and:

Event - Central Coast Sustainability Summit

The sixth annual Central Coast Sustainability Summit will take place on Monday, October 17th, 8 AM - 4:30 PM, in Santa-Barabara California at the Loma Pelona Conference Center, UCSB. This event will be attended by representatives from government, chambers of commerce, nonprofit organizations, campuses, utility companies and private industry. Participants will discuss common sustainability issues, share best practices, and seek partners. The event aims to inspire action and regional collaborations that may seed potential solutions to environmental issues in the area.

Elon Musk's Innovative Vison and Tesla's Sustainability Leadership (Videos)

There are very few companies that have a more expansive green mission than Tesla.  We cannot mention Tesla without mentioning its owner and CEO,  Elon Musk. He is not just an innovative genius, he is a world leading champion of the low carbon economy.  Musk has instilled a vision for Tesla the encompasses a wide range of climate friendly products. This includes electric vehicles, home battery technology and solar energy.

The Terrifying Truth about the Rising Seas

Rising levels of greenhouse gases are increasing global temperatures and this is causing sea levels to rise. Global warming causes sea levels to rise by melting ice sheets, glaciers, and sea ice, it also causes water to warm and expand. Although we face a number of threats, sea-level rise may be the most daunting and intractable of our climate challenges. Scientists agree that sea levels will rise and much of the most recent research suggests that this rise will be larger and faster than originally thought.

Adapting to Sea Level Rise

We will need to adapt to rising sea levels, even if we do what we must to curb GHG emissions. Things like sea barriers and flood-prevention efforts would help minimize the risk in some areas. There are places in the world where this work is already beginning. Miami Beach is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to install pumps and raise sea walls and roads.

Jakarta is investing $40 billion to build temporary protection measures for the short term while they build a new enclosure dam. U.S. cities are also beginning to work on projects to adapt to rising sea levels.