This column highlights the top economic stories of the week.

One way in which today’s corporation is becoming enlightened to the fact that green manufacturing CAN equal more profitable manufacturing is through a new concept called “lean manufacturing“.   In the 1980’s, JIT, or just-in-time techniques became all the rage in management circles as they shaved costs from production by eliminating the need for high levels of inventories by focusing on using just what was needed, when it was needed. More on this story here.

Economists are examining the argument for imposing special taxes on goods and services whose prices do not reflect the true social cost of their consumption, are now considering a tax on junk food. But while it might seem obvious and logical, some argue that a tax on junk food might even increase obesity, especially among the physically active. More on this story here.

Does Cause Marketing thwart social change? In the “The Hidden Costs of Cause Marketing” in the Summer issue of theStanford Social Innovation Review, Angela M. Eikenberry argues that cause marketing is “consumption philanthropy,” connecting shopping with a social good, whereas high-levels of consumption in the developed world could be hurting philanthropists’ efforts to save rain forests, fisheries, etc. And it may be counterproductive in increasing empathy for people in need and a sense of responsibility to help. More on this story here.

China’s economy grew nearly 8% in the second quarter of 2009, the government said, in a stunning turnaround for the Asian powerhouse that offered some hope for the rest of the world. Analysts said the rebound in China would offer a boost of confidence for the global economy as it struggles out of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s. To fight the downturn, the government had begun implementing an internal infrastructure stimulus package that invest heavily in renewable energy.  More on this story here.

Hollywood has unleashed a new wave of disaster films that focus on what will happen after the apocalypse. But even when they tackle serious issues, most of the new disaster movies and TV shows take pains to avoid moralizing, which can be toxic at the box office. Issue-oriented films, such as “In the Valley of Elah,” starring Tommy Lee Jones, and Tom Cruise’s “Lions For Lambs,” have tended to fare poorly with audiences. More on this story here.

Much like California, Guangdong province in Southern China, is the incubator of a large, innovative and dynamic economy far from Beijing and Shanghai, China’s centres of political and financial power. With an official population of 95.4m, it leads the country in economic output and exports, though the latter have fallen about 20 per cent from pre-crisis levels. The Chinese Communist party’s leader, Wang Yang, uses this as an opportunity to carve a cleaner and greener Guangdong. More on this story here.

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However, scratch the surface at Universal Studios theme park in California and you’ll see there’s a refreshing priority toward going green that both enhances the traveler’s experience and makes a statement on what a company the mega-size of NBC Universal can do in the green direction.

When we see the big Hollywood players like Universal Studios going green, it is easy to quickly write them off as playing in the big cash flow leagues that come with the size of mega corporations like NBC Universal. Because of the size and resources involved, it is easy to write-off any efforts Universal Studios is doing as way beyond the scope of Joe and Jane, average ecopreneurs with more dedication than dollars.

Sure, Universal Studios sells in green with Hollywood style and pizazz, but scratch the surface on some of their efforts and you’ll see there are simple, tangible tactics any business can model at their own level and needs. Here are three tips from their “green is universal” program to draw inspiration from, no Access Hollywood required:

1. Add Signage
Granted, people flock to Universal Studios theme parks for entertainment other than eco-tips.

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On December 9th, the Center’s For Our Children fundraiser will feature an organic gourmet dinner by Chef Domenica Catelli, one of the judges on Iron Chef who is also famous for her ability to get kids to eat their vegetables, without hiding them. Dessert by Chef Akasha Richmond, owner of the Culver City restaurant Akasha, follows. In addition to her restaurant, which is dedicated to sustainable, local and organic ingredients, Akasha is the author of Hollywood Dish and the spokesperson for SILK soymilk.

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But being green has definitely gone mainstream, and from celebs like Julia Louis-Dreyfus with her lavish, multi-million dollar solar-powered home, to Pierce Brosnan, aptly named the ‘Best Dressed Environmentalist’ by the Sustainable Style Foundation, the stereotype of the gritty, unkempt nature wanderer that once dominated the category no longer applies.

Recently, MSN posted a list of the ‘Top 14 Green Celebrities,’ which contained some long-time environmental advocates and a few surprising new additions, all echoing a commitment to championing this important cause through various initiatives like Leonardo DiCaprio’s documentary film about global warming, the 11th Hour, featuring interviews with green leaders and a companion website where everyone can sign up to take action in their local communities, and George Clooney’s Oil Change, a campaign aimed at ending America’s independence on oil.  

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Hollywood is doing their best to promote green living. Not surprising since going green is all the rage these days!

Getting in on the act, Universal Studios, will celebrate Earth Day 2008, again this year,by hosting a free Eco Fair. On April 26th from 10:00-4:00, guests can attend this free event filled with interactive displays and featuring “The Office” star Melora Hardin and Lauren Koslow from “Days of our Lives”. See you there!

Despite this year’s shortened Hollywood award season and last minute preparations, organizers managed to up the green cred for entertainment’s premier event, the Oscars®.

During the telecast, host Jon Stewart mentioned that the Oscars® had gone green, but didn’t go into any details…I was left wondering, “How green?” A quick trip to the Oscars website revealed a lot of detail. Some initiatives were simple prerequisites for any greening program, such as:

• Recycling collection for glass, paper, metal and plastics
• Use of low-VOC paints in the green room
• Reuse of anything and everything possible after the show, including plants, furniture, and set pieces
• Purchase of paper products containing post-consumer content

Other elements were a bit more interesting:

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To capitalize on the event, Global Green is hosting a pre-Oscar party. To be held on Wednesday, February 20th at super-club Avalon in Hollywood, the event just might provide celebrity gawkers with their fill of ogling…the Los Angeles committee includes such A-listers as Orlando Bloom, Penelope Cruz, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Charlize Theron.

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The moviemaking business has a very large environmental footprint. Idling production vehicles, construction of elaborate sets, extensive lighting needs and a crew of hundreds who all need to be fed and transported are just a few of the contributing factors to the un-enviromentally friendly aspects of the film and television industry.

The UCLA Institute of the Environment's annual report last year found that when compared to other top industries in California, the film and television industry tops the list in air pollution and green house gas emissions. The problem, the study suggested, was that each production is a short lived entity and doesn't have to think of long term supply chain effects that face other types of business and industries.

Most U.S. states and major U.S. cities have a film department, which are usually part of the mayors office to facilitate film productions. Many provide assistance in acquiring permits, location scouting, and hiring local professionals, but very few offer additional incentives for going green or even contain info with practical, money saving tips on being more enviro-friendly.

New Mexico is an exception with their Green Filmmaking Program. The initiative is simple. It is a voluntary program that offers guidelines for productions that want to lessen their footprint. The film office has compiled helpful information on the use of alternative materials and green practices such as recycling, purchasing local products, donating set materials, leasing hybrid vehicles, getting biodiesel for generators, and other waste reduction techniques. They also offer additional tax incentives for productions that follow these guidelines.

New York City, a popular filming destination for movies and TV shows, has recently announced NYC: Green Screen, similar to New Mexico's program offering tools and practical guidelines for shooting greener in NYC.

New Zealand, another moviemaking hotspot (Lord of the Rings triology) features Greening The Screen, an environmental toolkit for productions. The main motivation there is to lessen the impact on New Zealand's historical and cultural heritage, but also to help the boost the country's economy.

The Environmental Media Association presents the Green Seal Award for productions that strive for enviro-friendly practices on and offset as an added incentive for green recognition.

There are some films that will go carbon neutral with out any help from a voluntary program, and others it just makes sense for them to do so, like An Inconvenient Truth. But there is a lot of room for improvement in this multi-billion dollar industry. Maybe Leonardo Dicaprio can extend his efforts to greening his workplace.

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