Welcome to the July 2010 Green InSight eNewsletter!

Jon Dougal Editor, Green InSight

"Socialism collapsed because it did not allow prices to tell the economic truth. Capitalism may collapse because it does not allow prices to tell the ecological truth."
Øystein Dahle, former Exxon Vice President for
Norway and the North Sea

This insightful and progressive newsletter is concerned with energy issues as well as a sustainable future. The information is brought to you in living color, free of animal testing, on widescreen digital HD format, and sparing paper use, saving fragile water systems, with our long shelf-life phthalate free plastics, using greedy little electrons to deliver the latest from the far corners of the alternative and renewable energy empire to foster sustainable development. We exalt your feedback and contributions of your latest experiences and reactions to our content. Consider reading this your attitude adjustment hour. Sustainability is not just our mission, it is our passion.

Sustainable Packaging: CEOs Believe Overwhelmingly That Sustainability Has Become Critical to Their Success

Date: June 22, 2010
Source: Packaging Digest (www.packagingdigest.com)

EDNOTE: The flooring industry received some bad news in the 1990’s. It seems that a survey reported that a huge amount (2.5 bln tons) of carpeting were being delivered to the landfills every year. The industry thought that might be construed as “bad press”, poor PR. That survey catapulted the flooring industry to be the first most proactive sustainability supporters of most US industries. Recycling, Ray Anderson, triple bottom line were all created and supported by the flooring industry – a huge consumer of raw materials.

Spend a few minutes getting your fast food fix and just stare at the trash receptacle for a few minutes while stuffing your face. You’ll get a fix on the packaging industry and why the following report is so newsworthy.

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Baxter Highlights Progress Toward Sustainability Priorities

Date: June 24, 2010
Source: Packaging Digest (www.packagingdigest.com)

EDNOTE: Now this is corporate transparency and true triple bottom line action. Baxter International Inc. on June 24th, 2010, released its 2009 Sustainability Report – "Our Priorities for a More Sustainable Future," marking the 11th consecutive year the company has released a sustainability report about its social, economic and environmental performance. The report features progress the company has made toward its sustainability priorities and goals, and its commitment to addressing global sustainability challenges through a range of initiatives, including advancing product stewardship through product carbon footprint certification and engaging employees in volunteer initiatives in their communities. This serves as a model for others.

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Our Beaker Is Starting to Boil

By: Nicholas Kristof
Date: July 16, 2010
Source: The New York Times (www.nytimes.com)

EDNOTE: Some research in social psychology suggests that our brains are not well adapted to protect ourselves from gradually encroaching harms. We evolved to be wary of saber-toothed cats and blizzards, but not of climate change — and maybe that’s also why those in the news media tend to cover weather but not climate. We evolved unprepared to handle incremental change.

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Journalists’ Junket to Germany

By: Sonja Persram, BSc., MBA, LEED® AP Sustainable
Alternatives Consulting Inc.
Date: July 19, 2010

EDNOTE: Our contributing editor returns from Germany with some insights on energy and GHG policy. Maybe the US could learn something from the largest solar economy in Europe?

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Building With Bamboo

One plant combats climate change, encourages economic growth and protects the poor from natural disaster. Why aren't there more bamboo houses?

By: Elisabeth Best
Date: July-August 2010
Source: Miller-McCune (www.Milier-McCune.com)

EDNOTE: Bamboo as a building material has been popular in every country of the world where it grows. One of the three fastest growing plants, bamboo, offers unlimited opportunities in a new form – OSB. Oriented strand board, a replacement for plywood can be made from bamboo. Chipped and flaked and molded or pressed into shapes like molding, sheeting, trusses, bamboo offers a natural resource that actually replenishes the planet the more it is consumed.

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Chevron Engages In Widespread Legal Assult of First Amendment

Date: July 14, 2010
Source: www.current.com

EDNOTE: While you’re busy boycotting BP (Beyond Petroleum), and your attitude is more prone to green/clean technology you may want to add to your portfolio of bad attitude oil companies by noting Chevron’s attempt to stifle transparency of their actions in South America. Are there any “GOOD” oil companies?

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California's New Energy Divide

A new ballot initiative threatens to suspend the Golden State's climate-change law.

By: Ronald Brownstein
Date: July 3, 2010
Source: National Journal Magazine (www.nationaljournal.com)

EDNOTE: California’s spirit of pioneering and innovation led to ground breaking legislation with AB32 the anti global warming act. Using the Air Resources Board and the governing body the act has the potential to kick start the green economy not only in California, but across the U.S. Emphasis placed on non-polluting products and practices has far reaching potential to develop new industries like electric powered tractors to unload containers at the nation’s harbors greatly reducing particulate matter in cities in juxtaposition to the ports.

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The First PG&E Check in the State of California for a Residential, Solar-Hot Water Heating System

Date: June 30, 2010
Source: Sun, Light & Power (www.sunlightandpower.com)

EDNOTE: Preheating water before it is heated in the typical way reduces the need for energy – either gas or electric. Using the sun to pre-heat the water greatly reduces energy bills and the ROI is short and easily recovered – now especially with rebates it makes converting a “no-brainer”.

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Interested in sponsoring our next eNewsletter issue? Contact Jon Dougal at (415) 798-1933 or editor@greenmotion.org.