“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” -Martin Luther King Jr. If ever there was a time to give back to your community, this is it. Michelle Obama highlighted the tradition of volunteering on Martin Luther King Jr. Day two years ago, saying, “Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are committing to renew America together, one community at a time.” Keep it up all of you that are giving back...you ROCK!
Save Bryce Canyon National Park from a dirty mine
The Alton Development Company wants to build a strip mine next door to Bryce Canyon National Park. Tell Utah Governor Herbert that it’s no place for a mine, especially because air pollution from the mine will damage one of our country's most beloved national parks.
Go to: https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2001&autologin=true
Starting 2010, the GLP Mobile Tour will be documenting local sustainability projects as they travel the country. These grassroots Webisodes will be available to view on their Mobile Tour webpage, so keep an eye out for new additions as they travel.
(CNN) -- Interior Secretary Ken Salazar approved the nation's first offshore wind farm, signing off on a project that has bitterly divided Cape Cod over the last nine years.
The 130 turbines are to be located several miles from the Massachusetts shore in the iconic waters of Nantucket Sound. The interior secretary said Cape Wind, as the project is known, is the start of a "new energy frontier."
"The United States is leading a clean energy revolution that is reshaping our future," Salazar told reporters in Boston. "Cape Wind is an opening of a new chapter in that future, and we are all part of that history."
"Cape Wind will be the nation's first offshore wind farm, supplying clean power to homes and businesses in Massachusetts, plus creating good jobs here in America," he said. "This will be the first of many projects up and down the Atlantic coast." "With this project, Massachusetts will lead the nation. This day has been a long time coming."
The location of the wind farm has stirred heated emotions over the years. Cape Wind became one of the most heavily vetted energy projects in the world. Seventeen state and federal agencies weighed in, reviewing everything from its impact on shipping, aviation and fisheries.
Salazar visited the Cape earlier this year. At the time, he pledged to cut through the nine years of regulatory red tape and make a final decision by the end of April.
At Wednesday's news conference, the interior secretary said the process took far too long and future offshore projects would follow a "more rational and orderly" process.
There is no reason, he said, "why an offshore wind permit should take a decade to review and approve."
The most notable opponent of Cape Wind was the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, a champion of green energy who, to the dismay of environmentalists, fought against the wind farm. The Kennedy compound will have a view of the wind turbines.
See how the views on the Cape will change
Other opponents ranged from billionaire energy giant William Koch to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. American Indians in the region also objected, saying the wind farm would be located on sacred ancestral grounds and disturb important sunrise ceremonies.
"I am strongly opposed to the administration's misguided decision to move forward with Cape Wind," Sen. Scott Brown said Wednesday. "While I support the concept of wind power as an alternative source of energy, Nantucket Sound is a national treasure that should be protected from industrialization."
In announcing his decision, Salazar said Cape Wind must follow stringent measures during construction, and it must conduct additional marine and archeological assessments of its impact. The company must also explore ways to make the wind turbines less visible from shore.
"The smart responsible development of wind potential on Horseshoe Shoal need not conflict with the history and tradition of Nantucket Sound," Salazar said.
Greenpeace, the Sierra Club and nearly every major environmental group in the nation supported the project, saying it's necessary in moving the nation forward. Six governors in the region also backed Cape Wind.
"Even though we enjoy overwhelming majority support, it's not a popularity contest," Cape Wind CEO Jim Gordon told CNN. "This decision needs to be made on the merits. And the record shows that it is in the public interest."
In an editorial today, the Boston Globe said simply: "Make clean energy a reality; approve Cape Wind now." The New York Times earlier this week also endorsed the project.
"Offshore wind farms are a common sight in Europe but not here," the Times wrote. "Cape Wind would be this country's first -- sending, finally, a signal to the world about America's resolve to fight global warming and reduce its dependence on foreign oil."
Last night, the Goldman Environmental Prize announced the 2010 winners during an evening celebration. Six activists from across the globe were honored, and each has an incredible story. From battling CAFOs in rural Michigan to battling shark finning in Costa Rica, from protecting elephants from farmers in Cambodia to restoring seed diversity among farmers in Cuba, from changing the definition of conservation in Swaziland to changing the route of a freeway in Poland.
This year's winners are:Thuli Brilliance Makama, SwazilandThuli Makama, Swaziland's only public interest environmental attorney, won a landmark case to include environmental NGO representation in conservation decisions and continues to challenge the forced evictions and violence perpetrated against poverty-stricken communities living on the edges of conservation areas.
Tuy Sereivathana , Cambodia Tuy Sereivathana worked to mitigate human elephant conflict in Cambodia by introducing innovative low-cost solutions, empowering local communities to cooperatively participate in endangered Asian elephant conservation.
Małgorzata Górska, Poland Małgorzata Górska led the fight to protect Poland's Rospuda Valley, one of Europe's last true wilderness areas, from a controversial highway project that would have destroyed the region's sensitive ecosystems.
Humberto Ríos Labrada, CubaA scientist and biodiversity researcher, Humberto Ríos Labrada promoted sustainable agriculture by working with farmers to increase crop diversity and develop low-input agricultural systems that greatly reduce the need for pesticide and fertilizer, encouraging Cuba's shift from agricultural chemical dependence.
Lynn Henning, USA Family farmer in rural Michigan, Lynn Henning exposed the egregious polluting practices of CAFOs -concentrated animal feeding operations- gaining the attention of the federal EPA and prompting state regulators to issue hundreds of citations for water quality violations.
Randall Arauz, Costa RicaDrawing international attention to the inhumane and environmentally catastrophic shark finning industry, Randall Arauz led the campaign to halt the practice in Costa Rica, making his country the new international model for shark protection.
Their passion and committment is so very inspiring! Thank you to all of you. ~ Dana
Tetra Tech Selected for $18 Million Seattle Seawall Replacement Project
PASADENA, Calif., Mar 23, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Tetra Tech, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTEK) announced today that it has been selected to provide program management and technical services for the Central Waterfront seawall replacement project for the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). The SDOT estimates the value of this contract at approximately $18 million.
Built between 1916 and 1934, the seawall runs along Elliott Bay in downtown Seattle. Tetra Tech will assist SDOT in replacing the central portion from S. Washington Street to Pine Street (approximately 3,500 lineal feet), the construction of which is anticipated to cost $285 million. SDOT is seeking to replace the seawall with a long-term solution that meets seismic standards, improves habitat, and provides effective protection for the public, waterfront facilities, and economic activities.
"Tetra Tech has extensive experience with delivering multi-disciplinary design efforts, enhancing marine habitats, preparing environmental documentation, and providing permit support for large, complex projects involving land and water," said SDOT in a statement released by the City of Seattle.
Tetra Tech will provide program management, planning, design, public outreach, and environmental and permitting services for the replacement of the Central Waterfront seawall.
About Tetra Tech (http://www.tetratech.com/)
Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting, engineering, program management, construction, and technical services addressing the resource management and infrastructure markets. The Company supports government and commercial clients by providing innovative solutions focused on water, the environment, and energy. With approximately 10,000 employees worldwide, Tetra Tech's capabilities span the entire project life cycle.
Any statements made in this release that are not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements.Any forward-looking statements made in this release represent management's best judgment as to what may occur in the future.However, Tetra Tech's actual outcome and results are not guaranteed and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions ("Future Factors"), and may differ materially from what is expressed.For a description of Future Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, see the discussion under the section "Risk Factors" included in the Company's Form 10-K and 10-Q filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE: Tetra Tech, Inc.
March 24, 2010, 3:02 pm —
The Battle Over Bottled Water
By SINDYA N. BHANOO
“The Story of Bottled Water” accuses bottled water makers of wanton pollution and consumer deception.
The International Bottled Water Association responded with a video extolling the industry’s virtues.
Published in recognition of World Water Day, a video called The Story of Bottled Water (at right, on top), made its debut on YouTube this week, using animation and snappy narration to convey what its makers consider to be the evils of bottled water. (It comes from the same folks who produced ”The Story of Stuff” — an eco-themed viral video sensation from last year.)
Not missing a beat, the International Bottled Water Association, declared the new video to be sensational, and quickly posted its own minifilm, highlighting the sustainability practices of its members, which include major brands like Nestlé.
“The Story of Bottled Water,” in a nutshell, accuses bottled water companies of scaring consumers by saying that tap water is dirty and contaminated, while they themselves simply bottle tap water. “Pepsi’s Aquafina and Coke’s Dasani are two of the many brands that are really filtered tap water,” the star of the video, Annie Leonard, says.
She goes on to say that 80 percent of plastic bottles end up in landfills or are burned in incinerators.
But the International Bottled Water Association, using different statistics, says that water bottles are the nation’s most recycled plastic container, with a 30.9 percent recycling rate.
“Consumers are really quite thoughtful in selecting and enjoying a safe, healthy, convenient, calorie-free beverage that’s delicious, refreshing and a very smart drink choice,” said Tom Lauria, the association’s vice president of communications in a press release. “That’s the real story of bottled water.”
The association says that bottled water is a necessity — particularly in emergencies like floods, tsunamis and earthquakes.
“Lifesaving bottled water cannot be available in times of pressing need without a viable, functioning industry to produce it,” the association wrote.
But the United Nations, in a report released on Tuesday, emphasized that bottled water was not sustainable.
The report that found producing bottled water for the United States market consumed 17 million barrels of oil annually.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Ms. Leonard’s video had been viewed more than 120,000 times. The I.B.W.A.’s had received about 250 visitors.
National Sustainable Design Expo
When Apr 24 – 25 2010
Where Washington, DC (map)
DescriptionThe 6th Annual National Sustainable Design Expo brings together professional scientists, engineers, and business leaders around innovations designed to advance economic growth while reducing environmental impact. Staged on the National Mall between 4th and 7th streets, the expo also showcases the design projects of college students from across the country competing in EPA’s Annual P3 (People, Prosperity, and the Planet) Award Competition. The Expo is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). http://www.epa.gov/P3/
Green Energy Index 52 week change, Up 55.59%
Santa Barbara International Marathon, November 6, 2010. Last year we had 31,000 racers! Living Green Resources greened the event and is excited to do even more this year!!
The Dow Live Earth Run for Water on April 18, 2010 is a series of 6km run/walks (the average distance women and children walk everyday to secure water) taking place over the course of 24 hours in 192 countries, featuring concerts and water education activities to ignite a massive global movement to help solve the water crisis.
March 17, 2010~
Lohas sustainablility conference, Boulder, Colorado.
June 23rd-25thth, 2010 Boulder, CO
Learn how to: Successfully approach the LOHAS consumers with your products and services. Network with like-minded executives from all LOHAS market sectors. Speak directly with mainstream media who are interested in covering companies and products designed for the conscious consumer. Hear the experts’ latest trend data from the leading LOHAS market sectors. http://www.lohas.com/
NEW YORK, Feb. 11 /CSRwire/ - Students from 25 leading business schools worldwide will have a chance to compete for recognition and $40,000 in prize money by exploring the significant and positive influence that business can have on society. Through the analysis of a new business case study focusing on international management challenges, the Aspen Institute's 2010 Business & Society International MBA Case Competition aims to inspire future business leaders to innovate at the intersection of corporate profits and social and environmental impacts.
Learn more about the 2010 Business & Society International MBA Case Competition by visiting the Competition’s official website: www.AspenCaseCompetition.org.
"Corporations are real weenies," he says. "They are scared to death of everything. My company exists, basically, to take those risks and prove that it's a good business." This is Yvon Chouinard, founder and CEO of Patagonia, the $ 270 million USD outdoor clothing talking to U.S. News who just included him in their 2009 list of America's 25 Best Leaders. Yvon knows about risk. Both personal (climber, skier, white water paddler, surfer). And corporate. In 1972 Yvon told rockclimbers there was a more environmentally sound way to protect themselves on rock routes that didn't require bashing metal pitons in and out of the rock. At that time he was making his money selling pitons. In 1994 he discovered the perils of conventional cotton and gave his staff just 18 months to move Patagonia's entire cotton clothing line to organic cotton. At the time 20% of his sales came from cotton sportswear. Since then Patagonia has managed to persuade companies like Nike, Timberland, and even Wal-Mart to begin switching to organic cotton.
