Video - International Day Of Protest Against Monsanto & GMO Foods MAY 25, 2013

An international protest is planned for May 25, 2013 against biotechnology company Monsanto in more than 250 cities in six continents and demonstrations are planned in tens of countries. Monsanto, a titan of the emerging biotech industry, has come under attack from environmentalists, agriculturalists and average consumers over the company's conduct in the realm of genetically-modified organisms and genetically-engineered foods. Monsanto has lobbied hard in Washington and around the globe to be able to continue manufacturing lab-made foods without the oversight that many have demanded. This protest comes in the wake of the passage of the "Monsanto protection act" that will protect GMO companies from assuming any liability.

Video - The Passage of the "Monsanto Protection Act"

A new law protects GMO companies from liability and takes away American's right to know what is on their plates. Congress approved and President Obama signed a bill that gives Monsanto and other GMO companies immunity from liability against the deleterious effects of the foods that they provide. The Protect Interstate Commerce Act (PICA), is an amendment inserted into the 2013 Farm Bill passed by the House of Representatives' Agriculture Committee. It revokes the ability of individual states' lawmakers to pass GMO-labeling laws.

The amendment, introduced by Rep. Steve King, a California Republican, protects companies that make genetically modified and genetically engineered seeds, which grow into GMO crops and find their way into an estimated 70 percent of processed foods in American grocery stores.

Video - Renewables to Eclipse Fossil Fuels in Europe, GE Wind Turbine, BP getting out of Renwables and Efficient Lithium Batteries

• Europe's share of renewable energy will increase between 40 and 50 percent by 2020. Oil and gas will decline over that period which will enable renewable energy to eclipse fossil fuels in Europe by 2020.
• New highly efficient GE wind turbine is using the internet to generate power more effectively.
• BP is getting out of solar and wind to focus on oil and gas.
• Vancouver based Perfect Lithium has developed highly efficient battery processing technique that can reduce energy storage costs by as much as 50 percent.

Video - The Tar Sands Give Canada the Worst Climate Record in the Western World

Due in large part to the tar sands, Canada's climate performance is worst in the Western world. If Prime Minister Stephen Harper has his way, it will get worse, far worse. As the debate on the Keystone XL pipeline rages in the US, Canada's fossil fuel industry is planning to triple production of the tar sands. This video provides facts that refute the spin coming from Canada's ruling Conservative party.

Guide - Green City Philosophy

There has never been a greater need for the people planning and running our cities, as well as the residents themselves, to understand the critical significance of green space in our urban environment. Working with green is a way to respond to the true needs of people when designing buildings, the public realm, transport and communications infrastructure. This is a goal to which every professional can apply themselves.

These guidelines are a starting point so interested parties can come together internationally and discuss techniques for urban development. What this set of guidelines shows is that the knowledge is already there. The theory, substantiated by empirical scientific research, proves that green infrastructure is a key element in constructing living spaces that work. This is powerful information at a time when budgets are being cut and every cost scrutinised. This set of guidelines and techniques will demonstrate to practitioners that investment and maintenance in green infrastructure is not a cost but brings value from a social, economic and environmental point of view – in summary the ‘Green City Philosophy’.

Guide - Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS)

This guideline on Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) was prepared by International Finance Corporation (IFC) and World Bank Group. The health and well being of a workforce is a key part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and it is crucial to the wider issue of sustainable development.

Research by Nuffield Health and Ashridge Business School asserts that “companies need to develop a strategic approach to health and well being and concentrate on building a ‘sustainable workforce’ if they are to remain competitive.” The UK-based report, Developing a strategy for employee wellbeing: a framework for planning and action, calls on companies to focus on improving employee well being as a way of strengthening an organization and reducing risk.

At a 2012 briefing in London, Nuffield Health chief executive David Mobbs said, “We already worry about the sustainability of the environment, but in the future it’s going to be about the sustainability of the health of your workforce. Health and wellbeing will become the new CSR,” said Mobbs.

Complimentary Webinar - Who Cares About Sustainability?

Environmental sustainability has been a recurring topic in the corporate world for the past few decades. Whether from internal or external pressure, organizations are being held accountable for their impact on the environment and the community in which they operate.

Join Greg Scandrett, VP of Product Development for Enviance in this groundbreaking webinar, where he discusses the current approach many organizations take on corporate environmental sustainability and why it is a failed model.

By comparing the similarities between the current corporate environmental sustainability model and the quality movement from the 20th century, you will be challenged to question some of your concepts on what organizations should be doing to achieve corporate environmental sustainability.

Genetic Engineering: The Dark Side of Climate Ready Crops

Climate change is already affecting food supplies around the world as heat waves and drought reduce grain harvests and food prices soar. For every 1˚ C rise above optimum growing season temperatures, farmers will likely experience a 10 percent decline in their yields. And with a growing global population expected to hit 9 billion by 2050, 80 million more people need to be fed each year.

Between 2008 and 2010, at least 261 patents were filed or issued related to “climate-ready” crops—seeds supposedly able to withstand extreme conditions like droughts and floods; of these patents close to 80 percent were controlled by just six agribusiness giants, (DuPont, BASF, Monsanto, Syngenta, Bayer and Dow). This represents an exclusive monopoly and control over the world’s plant biomass.

Organic Produce and Sustainable Seafoods

Organic and certified sustainability seafoods are increasingly popular, they are also healthier and environmentally less damaging than traditional foods. Organically grown foods are less destructive to the land, and because they do not require chemical fertilizers and they have a lower greenhouse gas profile.

According to a recent United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report titled Green Economy and Trade-Trends, Challenges and Opportunities, The global market for organic food and beverages is projected to grow from $62.9 billion in 2011 to $105 billion by 2015.

The total value of seafood that has been farmed according to certified sustainability standards is forecast to increase to $1.25 billion by 2015, up from $300 million in 2008, according to the report.

Insects are a Sustainable Food Choice

As the impacts of climate change worsen, extreme weather including drought will make it harder to grow enough food to feed the world. In addition, rising population levels, particularly in urban centers, will put added pressure on already constrained food resources.

By 2030, over 9 billion people will need to be fed, along with the billions of animals raised annually for food and as pets. Meanwhile, land and water pollution from intensive livestock production and over-grazing are leading to forest degradation, thereby contributing to climate change.

Why Oil Prices Matter for Renewable Energy

The long-term prospects of solar, wind and other clean sources of energy are tied to the cost of fossil fuels. The artificially low price of oil makes it harder for renewable sources of energy to compete. Subsidies drive down the price of petrochemicals, but the true costs are not reflected in crude oil prices.

Investors are also driving up prices. Not too long ago oil was a commodity that traded principally on the actual or the anticipated forces of supply and demand. However, new strategies are increasingly driving investments in petrochemicals which are designed to cash in on the economic recovery. (The simple logic being that coming out of recession the demand for oil will increase as the economy improves.)

The EIA's Emissions Analysis by US States

In May, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) released an analysis titled, State-Level Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions, According to the EIA's assessment, between 2000 and 2010, CO2 emissions fell in 32 states and rose in 18 states. However, from 2009 to 2010, only 14 states saw a decrease in emissions. This increase is attributable to the fact that the US was emerging from recession. The greatest percentage decrease in CO2 emissions occurred in Delaware at 27.9 percent, (4.5 million metric tons). The greatest absolute decline was 58.8 million metric tons in Texas (8.3 percent). New York experienced a decline of 38.6 million metric tons (18.3 percent). The greatest percentage increase was in Nebraska at 16.0 percent (6.6 million metric tons), while Colorado experienced the greatest absolute increase (11.8 million metric tons or 13.9 percent).

World Bank President Advocates Putting a Price on Carbon

Many believe that putting a price on carbon is the best way to combat climate change. Now the chorus of those calling for just that has been joined by World Bank President Jim Yong Kim. He recently urged the world’s environmental ministers to implement a five-point plan that includes putting a price on carbon dioxide emissions, improving agricultural practices and ending fossil fuel subsidies.

Kim urged more countries to roll out price mechanisms either through a tax on carbon, indirect taxation, regulation or creation of a carbon market. Kim made the remarks to 30 of the world's environment ministers gathered in Berlin for informal talks on a new global climate deal to take effect in 2020.

A Large and Growing Chorus is Calling for an End to Fossil Fuel Subsidies

As we move past the threshold of 400 parts per million of atmospheric CO2, fossil fuel subsidies appear even more unconscionable. These subsidies could be used to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy. In addition ending subsidies could   decrease carbon pollution by 13 percent.

A number of prominent organizations including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the United Nations (UN) are calling for an end to fossil fuel subsidies.

In March, 2013, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released a report that called for an end to fossil fuel subsidies. The IMF report titled, Energy Subsidy Reform: Lessons and Implications, indicates that these subsidies account for almost nine percent of all annual country budgets, amounting to a staggering $1.9 trillion.

Investing in the Green Economy: Leveraging Significant Private Investment through Modest Public Finance

Wide spectrum public investment is the key to growing the green economy. This augers three important questions: How can we attract adequate amounts of private investment to unleash the full potential of the green economy? What do we invest in? How do we scale-up finance from developing economies?


Investment in clean energy has increased, with global spending on renewable energy rising six-fold since 2004. Despite ongoing economic weakness around the world, much more needs to be done.

As much as $100 trillion is required by 2030 to finance global infrastructure needs if we are to avoid an unsustainable increase in global temperatures. A total of $140 billion annually is required just to green the estimated $15 trillion investment in energy generation by 2020.

Survey of Executives Views on Sustainable Supply Chains

Here is an overview of PwC‘s 2013 global supply chain survey, Next-generation supply chains: Efficient, fast and tailored. From May to July 2012, PwC surveyed 503 supply chain executives. Some 44 percent of them hold senior management positions, while 34 percent hold C-level posts. Here is a breakdown starting with the 42 percent of respondents who rated sustainability as highly important:

• 87 percent named optimizing their carbon footprint as their top priority for green adherence in their supply chain,
• 87 percent said that it’s best to reach an agreement with their suppliers on adhering to the highest ethical standards.
• 81 percent favor collaborating with suppliers to create a responsible supply chain footprint and procurement framework.

Global Wind Energy at a Glance (China, EU, US)

Wind energy is one of the most significant renewable energy sources for electricity generation worldwide. Led by the EU, North America and China wind is one of the fastest growing clean energy sectors. In these three markets wind energy is expected to triple in the next ten years and in two decades it is forecast to grow 8 fold over current installed capacity (that does not include wind energy in other regions).

World wind generation capacity more than quadrupled between 2000 and 2006, and this capacity has doubled every three years. Worldwide there are now over two hundred thousand wind turbines operating, with a total capacity of 282,482 MW as of end 2012

According to a report titled "The Critical Decade: Global Action Building on Climate Change," in 2012 global wind capacity increased by 21 percent.

Prodigious Growth Predicted for the Global Green Economy

Over the next seven years the global green market will grow by almost one and a half trillion dollars. According to a new UN report the green market will be worth 2.2 trillion by 2020. This represents a threefold increase from where we are today. Trade in certified products and in environmental goods and services is on the rise but nowhere near where it is expected to be in the coming years.

According to a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report titled Green Economy and Trade-Trends, Challenges and Opportunities, the green market is destined to be a major driver of economic growth.

This growth is forecast to take place in reduced carbon technologies, energy efficiency and renewable energy.The report specifically identifies six economic sectors where green trade opportunities exist: agriculture, fisheries, forests, manufacturing, renewable energy and tourism.

Event - Solar Energy & Technology 2013

Solar Energy & Technology 2013, will take place on Sunday August 25 to Thursday August 29 in California. Solar Energy + Technology 2013 is part of SPIE Optics + Photonics. At this event attendees can gain access to a focused program of 200+ technical presentations and courses on photovoltaic cell technologies plus R&D of solar concentrators, solar hydrogen and other illuminations systems. Hear leaders in the field address barriers and solutions for commercialization of solar-generated products.

In a world where interdisciplinary collaboration is the rule rather than the exception, the scope of the Solar Energy + Applications technical program gives you opportunities to collaborate across disciplines that no other event can. Don't miss the Solar Energy + Applications plenary and technical events.

For more information or to register click here.

Event - International Conference on Environmental Pollution and Remediation

The 3rd International Conference on Environmental Pollution and Remediation (ICEPR) will take place Monday July 15 to Wednesday Jul 17, 2013, in Toronto, Ontario. The International Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology (International ASET Inc.) is proud to present the 3rd International ICEPR.

ICEPR is a series of international conferences held yearly. These conferences focus on all aspects of Environmental Science, Engineering, and Technology. After successfully holding the second ICEPR in Montreal (Canada), International ASET Inc. will be hosting this conference in Toronto this year.

Calling on Minister Oliver to apologize for denying climate change and its impacts

When is Minister Oliver Going to Listen to Experts on Climate Change

In this video from Canada's Parliament, the minister of Natural Resources is asked when he is going to stop making embarrassing statements denying the dangers of global warming.

Video - Advanced Energy Legislation (AEL) Tracker

Created by Colorado State University's energy policy center, Center for the New Energy Economy, the Advanced Energy Legislation TRACKER database contains information for clean energy legislation across all 50 states for free to any user. The TRACKER database provides current legislative language, recent actions, bill sponsor information, and policy trend analyses.

For more information about the Advanced Energy Legislation Tracker click here.

Leading Canadian Economist to Tell Europeans about the Climate Impacts of the Tar Sands

One of Canada’s top economists is traveling to Europe to warn them about the environmental impacts of the tar sands. Simon Fraser economist Dr. Mark Jaccard has worked with governments in Canada and the US to fashion climate policies. He suggested that the emissions reduction efforts by governments around the world will make it increasingly difficult to find markets for Canadian crude derived from tar sands.

He is also warning that current efforts to expand Canada's tar sands could leave billions of dollars in stranded assets, including pipelines like TransCanada Corp.’s proposed Keystone XL

Climate Scientists' Urge Canadian Minister to Back-off Expanded Fossil Fuel Production

Twelve climate scientists and energy experts sent a letter to Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver questioning his commitment to combating climate change. The letter also urged him to reduce the country's production of fossil fuels and increase support for cleaner sources of energy.

Dear Minister Oliver,

As climate scientists, economists and policy experts who have devoted our careers to understanding the climate and energy systems, we share your view that “climate change is a very serious issue.”

But some of your recent comments give us significant cause for concern. In short, we are not convinced that your advocacy in support of new pipelines and expanded fossil fuel production takes climate change into account in a meaningful way.

Canada to Fight EU Proposal Labeling Tar Sands as Dirty

The EU has proposed labeling Canada's tar sands as "dirty" which would result in an import tax on Canadian bitumen. If the proposal is successful, EU refiners who use Canadian tar sands crude would face extra costs as they are required to cut carbon content in fuels by 6 percent or pay a penalty.

The Europeans did not flinch when confronted by threats of a trade war from a Canadian cabinet minister. Canada’s Natural Resources Minister, Joe Oliver, said Wednesday Ottawa would consider launching a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) if the EU proceeds with a fuel-quality directive that singles out crude from Canada’s oil sands as harmful to the planet’s climate.

If the trade referee were to side with the Canadian federal government he could grant Ottawa the authority to retaliate by slapping punitive tariffs on European imports.

However the Europeans do not think that Canada's case will sway the WTO. The European Union ambassador to Canada, Matthias Brinkmann, told reporters in Ottawa on Thursday that he believes the WTO would find no fault with the fuel-quality directive.

Canada's Ruling Conservatives Take Another Swipe at Environmental Protections

Canada's ruling federal conservatives are once again taking the ax to the nation's environmental protections. In a bid to virtually eliminate government agencies that could stand in the way of fossil fuel extraction, The federal government is reducing the number of departments and agencies that can do environmental reviews from 40 to just three. The only federal bodies to carry out reviews will be the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, the National Energy Board and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

"We need to tap into the tremendous appetite for resources in the world’s dynamic emerging economies — resources we have in abundance," said Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver in defense of the move.

Canada is Banking on Carbon Capture to Offset Tar Sands

Canada is hoping the carbon capture and storage (CCS) can help to mollify its increasingly isolated position vis-a-vis the the nation’s failure to limit emissions. The tar sands are a significant contributor to Canada’s rising greenhouse gas emissions. The Canadian tar sands industry now generates between 40 and 50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide every year, or around 7 percent of the Canada’s total emissions.

This will be the first commercial scale test of CCS technology which requires an expansive network of pipelines, capture facilities, and storage reservoirs. However, large scale CCS is unproven and the technology is both costly and risky.

New Tool Tracks State Energy Legislation Across the US

A new database provides free, up-to-date, searchable energy legislation across the US. States are spearheading changes in advanced energy policy, but tracking the plethora of information in all 50 states can be overwhelming. Thanks to a new tool called Energy Legislation Tracker, it is now much easier to access legislative initiatives in all US states.

The tool was created by Colorado State University (CSU)’s Center for the New Energy Economy (CNEE) and Advanced Energy Economy (AEE). This online database tool covers energy-related state legislation that runs the gamut from renewables to fossil fuels.

Report on Global Emissions Reduction

A report titled "The Critical Decade: Global Action Building on Climate Change," presents an overview of progress in international action on climate change since August 2012, The report concludes that global momentum to tackle climate change is growing with every major economy setting in place policies to drive down emissions and increase renewable energy investment and renewable energy.

Although there has been significant progress (particularly from the US and China) global emissions keep rising. While coal plants in the US are on the decline, they are on the increase in the developing world. Even China is substantially slowing its building of new coal power plants while radically increasing their dependence on renewable energy.

Here are some of the key findings in the report:

The Solar Industry at a Glance: Past Present and Future

The last couple years have been difficult for the solar industry, but in 2013 we are likely to see consolidation that will bode well for the long term. In 2011 and 2012 we saw major reorganization in the solar industry. In 2011 there was a 66 percent loss on the Ardour Solar Energy Index (SOLRX) and last year there was a 35 percent loss.

In 2012 only one of the major solar companies posted a tiny profit, and companies averaged over $28 million in losses. Other solar industry metrics like  earnings per share (EPS), price to book ratios, sales growth and analysts projected earnings are similarly disheartening.

According to IHS iSuppli Market Intelligence, the number of PV suppliers is expected to plunge by 70 percent in 2013.

As reviewed in a report titled "The Critical Decade: Global Action Building on Climate Change," new solar power capacity in China has risen by 75 percent in 2012 and is expected to triple by 2015. Globally, the capacity of solar photovoltaic panels increased by 42 percent in 2012.

Carbon Pricing and Emissions Trading a Global Review

Carbon trading is increasing around the world as levels of atmospheric carbon are about to move past the 400 parts per million threshold. The European Union has been operating the world’s biggest emissions market since 2005. According to Thomson Reuters Point Carbon the North America carbon trading market doubled in 2012 with the inauguration of carbon markets in California and Quebec. This is in addition to the eastern Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and the Western Climate Initiative (WCI). In 2012, the volume of permits and credits traded was estimated to be 179 million tons, valued at $782 million.

Although six US states (New Mexico, Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Utah) abandoned the WCI, five Canadian provinces joined California to form the biggest North American carbon trading market by value. In 2012 the WCI distributed 24 million metric tons of allowances in California and Quebec. As well as pursuing participating in the WCI, California has been actively creating its own cap and trade program.

Alternative Energy Stocks and Risk Mitigation

Good investing strategies are dependent on proper risk assessment. Climate change constitutes a significant economic risk.

Alternative energy stocks are part of wider market trends. The Dow hitting an all time high of 15,000 in May bodes well for alternative energy stocks in the second half of 2013. The strong stock performance at the beginning of the year is also a good predictor of stock performance for the rest of the year (historically, the performance of the stock market in January is a good predictor of the market for the year).

Although there are some contradictory reports, overall an increasing number of investors are integrating climate change into their risk assessments.

As reported in the Guardian, a 2012 memo from several major investment networks responsible for more than $22.5 trillion in assets said, “Further delay in implementing adequately ambitious climate and clean energy policy will increase investment risk for institutional investors and jeopardize the investments and retirement savings of millions of citizens.”

Dirty Digital Footprints: An Exposé of “Green” Websites

Although interest in sustainability is expanding to include a wide range of areas, an analysis of 40 leading “green” websites indicates that digital footprints are often overlooked. 

At the end of April, the World Wide Web celebrated its 20th anniversary, and while the Internet is often considered to be more environmentally friendly than traditional communications channels, this supposition is subject to a number of caveats.

Most people think the web is a green medium, but the average website has a carbon footprint that is similar to a book or a newspaper. Some web pages have a carbon footprint which exceeds that of a printed page, especially if the web page is left open for long periods of time.

Event - 2013 Annual National Environmental, Energy And Resources Law Summit

The 2013 Annual National Environmental, Energy And Resources Law Summit will take place on Thursday Jun 20 to Fri Jun 21, in Yellowknife, NT. at The Explorer Hotel, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. This summit is set against the backdrop of Canada’s arctic region. This engaging program is designed to provide private practitioners, in-house corporate and government counsel, regulators, and other professionals with an annual update on the hottest issues in the environmental, energy and resources law field.

Event - Ethics & Shareholder Value Summit

The Ethics & Shareholder Value Summit will take 13 - 14 June, 2013 at the Westin New York Grand Central in New York, NY, (on 12 June, 2013, there will be a pre-conference seminar). The Conference Board has retooled the previous Business Ethics & Compliance Conference to the Ethics & Shareholder Value Summit to address the role of the ethics and compliance officer which is reshaping as companies integrate risk, governance and sustainability in their discussions with shareholders. As public companies actively manage reputation-related practices, more emphasis is placed on shareholder value and linking ethics and compliance with Wall Street analysts, investment managers, and institutional investors. This conference addresses how ethics fits into the bigger picture of corporate performance and places a new set of expectations onto the role of ethics as a factor in creating long term shareholder value.

Event - ISSP Conference 2013

ISSP Conference 2013 will take place on May 8 -10, 2013 at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. ISSP is hosting its next face-to-face summit of ISSP members and other sustainability professionals from May 8–10, 2013 at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. Speakers from GRI, Alaska Airlines, The Nature Conservancy, Presidio Graduate School and other top flight organizations will address conference attendees. Sustainable Urban Communities, Integrated Reporting, Sustainability In the Industrial Sector and Green Architecture are just a sampling of the great content that will be presented.

Video - Sustainability: The Potential of Universities to be Living Labratories

In this Ted Talk, John Robinson, the Associate Provost, Sustainability at the University of British Columbia, and a professor with UBC's Institute for Resources, Environment & Sustainability, addresses regenerative sustainability and the unique potential for universities to become living laboratories of sustainability — by engaging students, staff and faculty in testing and evaluating sustainable behaviours, policies and programs at an urban neighbourhood scale, in partnership with the public, private and NGO sector.

Video - A Primer on Sustainability

Video - Sandra Steingraber Shines a Spotlight on the Problems of Fracking

After serving 10 days of her 15-day sentence for trespassing during a protest against fracking, activist Sandra Steingraber was released from the Schuyler County jail last week in Watkins Glen, N.Y. The day before she was imprisoned, she talked with Moyers about her fight to stop fracking and the release of toxins contaminating our air, water and food.