While General Electric announced structural changes to compensate for increased business in its energy-efficient lighting sector, BP is planning to restructure itself to emphasize…more petroleum.
Once self-dubbed "Beyond Petroleum" because of its increased focus on clean energy — and even considered to be one of the friendlier oil companies by clean energy supporters — BP is now folding its gas power and renewables division into its two exploration and refining segments.
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By Alicia Erickson •
October 11, 2007
Several contests launched this month in honor of Fair Trade month. From free chocolate to trips, there’s a chance for everyone to win.
Divine, a delicious Fair Trade chocolate company, has a tasty deal for all the top chefs out there. They’re looking for recipes that have "heaps of creativity, Divine appeal, and powerful statements about why contestants are hungry to change the world through Fair Trade." The sweetest
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By Joshua S Hill •
October 10, 2007
I’m not going to kid anyone and suggest that I’m the only or biggest proponent of this theory, but over the past year or so, I’ve written several articles in various locations expressing the belief that it is businesses that are going to be the ones to break the global warming shackles. In fact, there are many out there who share this view. It will be big business that pushes us all in to
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General Electric (GE) has announced it is restructuring its lighting business towards energy efficiency models and decreasing its emphasis on traditional incandescent bulbs. Thanks to consumer demand for efficient lighting and some governments even threatening to ban old fashioned bulbs, GE is refocusing its products to align more closely with the need.
Jim Campbell, President and CEO of GE’s consumer and industrial division, explained:
"We are increasing our focus on the development and production of
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By Heidi Strebel •
October 8, 2007
Heave ho and the horn blows. It’s departure time for another container ship. Port of embarkation: Savannah, Georgia. Destination: Adana, Turkey. About 25 of the containers on this ship are filled with Georgian cotton. Despite the enduring cotton crisis in America, half a million tons of the fiber pass through the port of Savannah each year, representing some 500 million dollars in exports that are shipped to countries around the world, including China, Pakistan
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Canadian and U.S. officials are respectively discussing impending regulation to cut down carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Businesses in both nations are slowly getting the message and working together to prepare for – and perhaps help mold – the change.
The Canadian Council of Chief Executives reached an “unprecedented consensus” last week when they officially called for action that included “absolute” emissions cuts. A national strategy is needed, they argue, rather than the patchwork [...]
When I talk to people about thinking sustainably, they inevitably ask for books to read, and although there are several books I love about sustainability, they’re all very specific to one area of sustainability. Want to read about food? Try Michael Pollan, Peter Singer, or the new Barbara Kingsolver book
. Climate Change? How about The Weather Makers
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By Celsias •
October 5, 2007
Editor’s note: This week, Celsias editor Craig Mackintosh takes a look at Toyota’s images as a "green" car company, and some issues that could undermine that perception. This post was originally published on October 3, 2007.
When people think of a ‘green’ car, the first that pops into most people’s minds is the Toyota Prius - the world’s most successful hybrid auto. Toyota has been riding a wave of consumer
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Every year, Gustavus Adolphus College in tiny St. Peter, MN holds a Nobel Conference, authorized by the Nobel Foundation of Stolkhom, Sweden. The conference brings together renowned experts to discuss timely issues, like aging or globalization. This year, it was “Heating Up: The Energy Debate.”
I attended the two-day event, which delivered in its round-up of impressive energy and global warming experts: Nobel Laureate in Physics Dr. Stephen Chu, biofuels expert Dr. Lee Rybeck
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By Alicia Erickson •
October 2, 2007
Sam’s Club, a division of Wal-Mart, annouced that they have converted their "private label Member’s Mark premium ground coffee" to Fair Trade Certified. The process from bean begins with 3678 small scale, independent farmers who then sell their beans to "democratically-run cooperatives for a set, guaranteed minimum price." This pool of beans from thousands of independent farmers is what composes the Member’s Mark brand. In conjunction with this announcement, Sam’s Club is offering a
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