Beyond Petroleum

Beyond Petroleum

Can we really ever move beyond petroleum? Traditional fossil fuels like coal and petroleum are so ingrained in our culture and way of life that eradicating them as fuel sources soon is unlikely. We need to think about what we produce and the costs that go beyond the balance sheet: the costs to the environment, to the people that live where our raw materials originate, the cost of the life of a pelican, gull or fish. It is our personal responsibility to consume less and conserve more.

Natural Gas as Panacea: Dubious Path to a Green Future

Natural Gas as Panacea: Dubious Path to a Green Future

Many energy experts contend natural gas is the ideal fuel as the world makes the transition to renewable energy. But since much of that gas will come from underground shale, potentially at high environmental cost, it would be far better to skip the natural gas phase and move straight to massive deployment of solar and wind power.

How Sustainable is “Green Building”?

How Sustainable is “Green Building”?

While the terms green and sustainable are often used interchangeably, not all green building techniques are sustainable. Green building encourages the reduction of harmful impacts that buildings have on the environment and their occupants while focusing on environmental sustainability, but does not necessitate truly sustainable practices. While sustainable strategies stipulate the conservation, or preservation, of resources and require the reconciliation of all economic, social, and environmental demands.
There is a need for the establishment of a framework that encourages economic, social, and environmental sustainability for green buildings.

Global Warming Deniers and Their Proven Strategy of Doubt

Global Warming Deniers and Their Proven Strategy of Doubt

For years, free-market fundamentalists opposed to government regulation have sought to create doubt in the public’s mind about the dangers of smoking, acid rain, and ozone depletion. Now they have turned those same tactics on the issue of global warming and on climate scientists, with significant success.

Business Pressures Driving Change and Innovation in the Supply Chain

Business Pressures Driving Change and Innovation in the Supply Chain

Andrew Winston, founder of Winston Eco-Strategies, kicked of day two of the Sustainable Brands 2010 conference with an informative talk on how the difficult environmental, economic and supply challenges that business and industry face, have changed that game and how those challenges are presenting opportunities.

Green Demolition: Building Green from the Ground Up – A Vital Side of Sustainable Development

Green Demolition: Building Green from the Ground Up – A Vital Side of Sustainable Development

A look a why green demotion is an important part of the sustainability equation, how to go about it and how to keep your cost down.

If You Can’t Go to Sustainable Brands 10 Catch Our Live Blog Coverage!

If You Can’t Go to Sustainable Brands 10 Catch Our Live Blog Coverage!

The Sustainable Brands 10 Conference, held in Monterey, CA from June 7-10, is probably the hottest ticket in town for people working with sustainability issues. Unfortunately, not all of us will be able to attend. While we cannot get you there, we can do the next best thing… Live blog Sustainable Brands 10 for you.

Event Spotlight: Accredited Sustainability (CSR) Practitioner Workshop

Event Spotlight: Accredited Sustainability (CSR) Practitioner Workshop

The Centre for Sustainability and Excellence(CSE) is launching its 3rd North American Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Certification Workshop on June 17 – 18, in San Francisco, CA, USA. The workshop is a two-day intensive program for all professionals responsible for the management of Sustainability, who may acquire the skills and competencies required to become Qualified Sustainability (CSR) Practitioners and earn an internationally recognized business qualification.

Freeing Energy Policy From The Climate Change Debate

Freeing Energy Policy From The Climate Change Debate

Environmentalists have long sought to use the threat of catastrophic global warming to persuade the public to embrace a low-carbon economy. But recent events, including the tainting of some climate research, have shown the risks of trying to link energy policy to climate science.