Sunday, October 31, 2004
Environment
Rainforest Relief: Sparing the World's Rainforests from Consumption
ELIST, Oct. 12, 2004 (Green Building) - Rainforest Relief works to protect the world's remaining tropical and temperate rainforests by reducing the demand for the products and materials of rainforest destruction such as timber and paper,industrial agricultural products such as bananas, beef, coffee, chocolate and cut flowers, and mining products such as oil, gold and aluminum. New York, NY: phone/fax: (212) 243-2394; Portland, OR: (503) 236-3031; Email info@rainforestrelief.org;122 W. 27th Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10001P.O. 150566, Brooklyn, NY 11215 USA. www.rainforestrelief.org.
Rainforest Relief: Sparing the World's Rainforests from Consumption
ELIST, Oct. 12, 2004 (Green Building) - Rainforest Relief works to protect the world's remaining tropical and temperate rainforests by reducing the demand for the products and materials of rainforest destruction such as timber and paper,industrial agricultural products such as bananas, beef, coffee, chocolate and cut flowers, and mining products such as oil, gold and aluminum. New York, NY: phone/fax: (212) 243-2394; Portland, OR: (503) 236-3031; Email info@rainforestrelief.org;122 W. 27th Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10001P.O. 150566, Brooklyn, NY 11215 USA. www.rainforestrelief.org.
Green Sourcing
Enviro-Woodwax Adds Strength to Floors
ELIST Reference, Oct. 12, 2004 (Green Building) – "I used OS hardwax oil on my raw pine floor and it strengthened it beyond my imagination, because it really seeps into the wood. It also has a really nice natural sheen (not as shiny as some polyurethanes, but polyurethane is so toxic). It was extremely easy to apply with almost no odor at all (the smell it did have was very faint and non-offensive) and in a day I could walk lightly on the floor. OS is a german company that I believe follows strict environmental standards, and I know that the hardwax oil has a different base than the safecoat products (which are water based), which in the end sealed the decision for me. I would recommend OS products with no reservations. They also have very nice non-toxic stains that can be applied before you apply the wax. if you end up stripping your floor, then OS is the stuff to use... peace, oona mekas." Here is a link to Eco Design Resources, who list OS Woodwax, under Stains and Finishes, as well as many other eco-solutions for green building. http://www.ecodesignresources.com/ecoshop/paints.html.
Enviro-Woodwax Adds Strength to Floors
ELIST Reference, Oct. 12, 2004 (Green Building) – "I used OS hardwax oil on my raw pine floor and it strengthened it beyond my imagination, because it really seeps into the wood. It also has a really nice natural sheen (not as shiny as some polyurethanes, but polyurethane is so toxic). It was extremely easy to apply with almost no odor at all (the smell it did have was very faint and non-offensive) and in a day I could walk lightly on the floor. OS is a german company that I believe follows strict environmental standards, and I know that the hardwax oil has a different base than the safecoat products (which are water based), which in the end sealed the decision for me. I would recommend OS products with no reservations. They also have very nice non-toxic stains that can be applied before you apply the wax. if you end up stripping your floor, then OS is the stuff to use... peace, oona mekas." Here is a link to Eco Design Resources, who list OS Woodwax, under Stains and Finishes, as well as many other eco-solutions for green building. http://www.ecodesignresources.com/ecoshop/paints.html.
Cool Projects
Alberta Ecotrust "Ecohouse"
CALGARY, AB, Oct. 14, 2004 (Climate Change Fall ’04 Quarterly, Pembina Institute) - Alberta Ecotrust will be launching an exciting new initiative to build and sell an "Ecohouse" demonstration home in Calgary. The aim of the project is to have a practical example of a sustainable, energy efficient home without drastically increasing the cost. After the Calgary launch, the intention is to expand the "Ecohouse" program to other regions of Alberta. Major partners in the Ecohouse project are the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and Jayman Master Builder. The project provides an opportunity to inform the public about issues like sustainability, energy efficiency, climate change and green building technologies. Before the house is sold, it will be open to the public for six months as a practical hands-on demonstration. http://www.albertaecotrust.com/ecohouse.html.
Alberta Ecotrust "Ecohouse"
CALGARY, AB, Oct. 14, 2004 (Climate Change Fall ’04 Quarterly, Pembina Institute) - Alberta Ecotrust will be launching an exciting new initiative to build and sell an "Ecohouse" demonstration home in Calgary. The aim of the project is to have a practical example of a sustainable, energy efficient home without drastically increasing the cost. After the Calgary launch, the intention is to expand the "Ecohouse" program to other regions of Alberta. Major partners in the Ecohouse project are the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and Jayman Master Builder. The project provides an opportunity to inform the public about issues like sustainability, energy efficiency, climate change and green building technologies. Before the house is sold, it will be open to the public for six months as a practical hands-on demonstration. http://www.albertaecotrust.com/ecohouse.html.
EcoVersity / Field School
Green Apprenticeship and Building with Earth at Kibbutz
WEBSITE Reference, Oct. 13, 2004 (GreenBuilding List, From: lotan-build@lotan.ardom.co.il) - Hi to all Friends far and near, The 3 month Green Apprenticeship course at Kibbutz Lotan is back from January 2005. Please share this opportunity with friends and relatives and together we will regrow, rebuild and rethink our way of living in our shared home - mother earth. The Green Apprenticeship course info on our web site in English- http://www.birdingisrael.com/LotanTourism/ecoCenter/ga/ga2005.htm. And in Hebrew - http://www.birdingisrael.com/LotanTourism/hebrew/gaHeb.htm.
Green Apprenticeship and Building with Earth at Kibbutz
WEBSITE Reference, Oct. 13, 2004 (GreenBuilding List, From: lotan-build@lotan.ardom.co.il) - Hi to all Friends far and near, The 3 month Green Apprenticeship course at Kibbutz Lotan is back from January 2005. Please share this opportunity with friends and relatives and together we will regrow, rebuild and rethink our way of living in our shared home - mother earth. The Green Apprenticeship course info on our web site in English- http://www.birdingisrael.com/LotanTourism/ecoCenter/ga/ga2005.htm. And in Hebrew - http://www.birdingisrael.com/LotanTourism/hebrew/gaHeb.htm.
EcoDesign / Green Building Resources
Green Building *Doesn't* Cost More
WEBSITE Reference, Oct. 9, 2004 (World Changing, Quick Changes) Metropolis has an interview up with Lisa Fay Matthiessen and Peter Morris, of the cost-management firm Davis Langdon, who just released a report "Costing Green: A Comprehensive Cost Database and Budgeting Methodology" (PDF) which concludes that meeting green building standards costs the same, or only slightly more, than conventional building practices, once the expertise is available to make smart choices. http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/001372.html.
Green Building *Doesn't* Cost More
WEBSITE Reference, Oct. 9, 2004 (World Changing, Quick Changes) Metropolis has an interview up with Lisa Fay Matthiessen and Peter Morris, of the cost-management firm Davis Langdon, who just released a report "Costing Green: A Comprehensive Cost Database and Budgeting Methodology" (PDF) which concludes that meeting green building standards costs the same, or only slightly more, than conventional building practices, once the expertise is available to make smart choices. http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/001372.html.
Leadership Challenge
Take the Business Ethics Pledge
READER’S Email Reference, Oct. 13 2004 (to Dr. Ralph Wilson's Web Marketing Today) - Have you taken the pledge? My colleague Shel Horowitz, author of Principled Profit: Marketing that Puts People First, is looking for 25,000 "influencers" to take the Business Ethics Pledge -- and find a way to influence other people: announce it through a newsletter, a sign in your store, a five-minute talk at the Rotary Club, etc. There's so much hype and baloney out there. Will you join me in signing the pledge? Here it is: "I pledge allegiance, in my heart and soul, to the concepts of honesty, integrity, and quality in business. I recognize that the cornerstone of success is treating all stakeholders fairly, with compassion, and with a commitment to service. Working from abundance, I recognize that even my competitors can become important allies. I will not tolerate crooked practices in my business, from co-workers, direct or indirect reports, supervisors, managers, suppliers, or anyone else -- and if I encounter such practices, I will refuse to go along with them and report them to appropriate authorities within and outside the company. I pledge to support the "triple bottom line" of environmental, social, and financial responsibility. And I pledge to participate in a serious effort to focus the business community on these principles, by sharing this message with at least 100 other business leaders." Don't let the "100 other business leaders" throw you. Go to Shel's site for simple ideas. I signed the pledge. Will you do so, too? Let's make a difference in our business world! Do it now. http://www.principledprofits.com/25000influencers.html.
Take the Business Ethics Pledge
READER’S Email Reference, Oct. 13 2004 (to Dr. Ralph Wilson's Web Marketing Today) - Have you taken the pledge? My colleague Shel Horowitz, author of Principled Profit: Marketing that Puts People First, is looking for 25,000 "influencers" to take the Business Ethics Pledge -- and find a way to influence other people: announce it through a newsletter, a sign in your store, a five-minute talk at the Rotary Club, etc. There's so much hype and baloney out there. Will you join me in signing the pledge? Here it is: "I pledge allegiance, in my heart and soul, to the concepts of honesty, integrity, and quality in business. I recognize that the cornerstone of success is treating all stakeholders fairly, with compassion, and with a commitment to service. Working from abundance, I recognize that even my competitors can become important allies. I will not tolerate crooked practices in my business, from co-workers, direct or indirect reports, supervisors, managers, suppliers, or anyone else -- and if I encounter such practices, I will refuse to go along with them and report them to appropriate authorities within and outside the company. I pledge to support the "triple bottom line" of environmental, social, and financial responsibility. And I pledge to participate in a serious effort to focus the business community on these principles, by sharing this message with at least 100 other business leaders." Don't let the "100 other business leaders" throw you. Go to Shel's site for simple ideas. I signed the pledge. Will you do so, too? Let's make a difference in our business world! Do it now. http://www.principledprofits.com/25000influencers.html.
Science & Technology / Exemplary Resources
National Wind Energy Atlas is Released
E-LIST, Oct. 25, 2004 (Ecology North ref - Canadian Association for Renewable Energies) - Canada is the first country to develop a comprehensive Wind Energy Atlas for large territory. The Atlas allows windfarm planners to generate a detailed picture of wind patterns for any location and allows windfarms to be situated with greater precision and speed of development. The system can also forecast wind conditions two weeks in advance, to allow generators to predict when auxiliary power sources need to be brought on-line to supplement wind generation. http://www.ec.gc.ca/press/2004/041018_n_e.htm.
National Wind Energy Atlas is Released
E-LIST, Oct. 25, 2004 (Ecology North ref - Canadian Association for Renewable Energies) - Canada is the first country to develop a comprehensive Wind Energy Atlas for large territory. The Atlas allows windfarm planners to generate a detailed picture of wind patterns for any location and allows windfarms to be situated with greater precision and speed of development. The system can also forecast wind conditions two weeks in advance, to allow generators to predict when auxiliary power sources need to be brought on-line to supplement wind generation. http://www.ec.gc.ca/press/2004/041018_n_e.htm.
Science & Technology / Exemplary Business Resources
Universal Energy Exchange – Buy – Sell - Trade
WEBSITE Reference, Oct. 31, 2004 (Energy Matters) - Energy Matters was established as a world wide trading site for information on energy, fuels & power generation. You might want to check this out - Universal Energy Exchange - Buy - Sell - Trade - http://www.thinkenergy.com/exchange/. The main Directory has an AMAZING list. (One would have to individually search for each company though if he were not a member. But, well worth the effort, either way, if this is the information you're looking for.) http://www.thinkenergy.com/.
Universal Energy Exchange – Buy – Sell - Trade
WEBSITE Reference, Oct. 31, 2004 (Energy Matters) - Energy Matters was established as a world wide trading site for information on energy, fuels & power generation. You might want to check this out - Universal Energy Exchange - Buy - Sell - Trade - http://www.thinkenergy.com/exchange/. The main Directory has an AMAZING list. (One would have to individually search for each company though if he were not a member. But, well worth the effort, either way, if this is the information you're looking for.) http://www.thinkenergy.com/.
