Earth Profit
News
August 26, 2008
- Constellation NewEnergy Supplies US Open With RECs
Electricity consumption at the US Open will be matched by an estimated 2,000 Green-e certified renewable energy certificates supplied by Constellation NewEnergy, a subsidiary of Constellation Energy.
“Big-time sporting events provide a unique platform to educate our fans on green initiatives, and we feel that the best way we can educate is to lead by example,” [...]- 2 months
source: (Environmental Leader) - Portugal Points The Way For Renewable Energy Adoption
As the world reels at the high price of fossil fuels, business and governments are increasingly casting about for renewable energy models. Portugal is happy to oblige.
Portugal? Yes Portugal. While most of the world remained mired in the old mindset of the fossil fuel driven economy, Portugal committed to leading Europe’s clean-tech revolution with some [...]- 2 months
source: (Environmental Leader) - Automakers Fall Behind On EU CO2 Targets
According to a new study by European Federation for Transport and Environment, car makers are not doing enough to meet the EU’s proposed target of curbing average CO2 emissions from new cars to 130 grams per kilometer by 2012, compared to current levels of around 158g per km, Reuters reports.
The report shows that automakers will [...]- 2 months
source: (Environmental Leader) - International Biofuel Standard Set
The Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels has gathered environmentalists, industry leaders, and university researchers to develop the first international standard for biofuel production, Worldwatch Institute reports.
The roundtable is the first large-scale effort to establish a international standard for biofuels. Similar efforts for specific fuel feedstocks such as palm oil, soybeans and sugar cane are already under [...]- 2 months
source: (Environmental Leader) - McCain on Leno last night
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source: (4 entrepreneur) - Major studio film shoots in Los Angeles grind almost to a halt
Production was ramped up in anticipation of a possible actors strike, with most big-budget movies for next year wrapping by June 30.
By Richard Verrier, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
An extra in the DreamWorks SKG production of “The Soloist” walks past movie lights during a location shoot at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles in March. L.A. film shoots have virtually ground to a halt because Hollywood studios ramped up production earlier this year in anticipation of a possible actors strike.
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If not for an epic struggle between alien robots, the streets of Los Angeles might be devoid of major studio drama.
Filming of big-budget movies has ground to a virtual halt across the city and much of the county, a slowdown partly driven by scheduling decisions studios made a year ago to prepare for a possible actors strike.
Only one major studio film, DreamWorks SKG’s sci-fi flick “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” is shooting on location in Los Angeles, compared with seven studio films that were in production this time last year, according to FilmL.A., the nonprofit group that coordinates film permits for Los Angeles and in unincorporated areas of the county.
The only other major studio production underway is Ron Howard’s “Da Vinci Code” prequel “Angels & Demons,” which is shooting on the Sony Pictures lot in Culver City.
“We’ve had a substantial drop-off,” said Ed Brown, business agent for Local 44 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, which represents set decorators, prop makers and special effects technicians, among other crafts. About 3,500 of the union’s 5,500 active members are still working, he said.
That’s a decrease of nearly 10% from last year at this time, Brown said, adding that the decline would have been steeper if not for continued strength in local television production and a steady flow of smaller-budget films, whose producers have signed agreements with the Screen Actors Guild to allow them to film.Read the full story
Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite
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source: (4 entrepreneur) - Promise of Sustainable Forestry Ends Tree-Sitter Protest
A timber company in northern California has a new owner, new name and new outlook on how to manage forests, bringing an end opposition from activists.- 2 months
source: (GreenBiz.com Green Business News) - P2 Institute to Help N.Y. Businesses Improve Practices
The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute opened its doors to the public last week, offering a peek at the center that will help businesses reduce toxic chemical use and improve green manufacturing.- 2 months
source: (GreenBiz.com Green Business News) - But Was It the 'Green Olympics?'
At the close of what was promised with much fanfare to the the greenest Olympics ever, did Beijing manage to achieve their goals, and is it a signal that China can pursue both economic growth and a cleaner environment?- 2 months
source: (GreenBiz.com Green Business News)
August 25, 2008
- Coke Rolled Out ‘Green’ Coolers At Olympics
Coca-Cola company recently announced that all coolers and vending machines provided by Coca-Cola for the Beijing 2008 Olympic games were “green.” More than 5,600 “eKOfresh” units are free of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the greenhouse gases commonly used as refrigerants and as blowing agents in insulation foam. Some potent HFCs are 11,700 times more harmful than CO2 [...]- 2 months
source: (Environmental Leader) - Borealis and Uponor Study Water Footprint Of Plastics Industry
At the World Water Week in Stockholm, Borealis and Uponor announced that the two companies will enter into a joint initiative to pilot the concept of water footprint in the manufacturing of a plastic application.
Using the concept of water footprint and virtual water developed by John Anthony Allan (see Today’s Video), the initiative will investigate [...]- 2 months
source: (Environmental Leader) - Boston Sets Rules for Turbines
Boston planners are proposing changes to the city’s zoning code to allow wind turbines in certain areas, Boston Herald reports.
Three separate sets of wind-power regulations to address different turbine categories have been drafted. One sets requirements for wind turbine facilities of 100 kilowatts or more. The others set standards for smaller stand-alone wind turbines and [...]- 2 months
source: (Environmental Leader) - Salt Lake City Law Firm Aims for LEED Silver Certification
The new Salt Lake City office of law firm Brinks, Hofer, Gilson & Lione is aiming for a LEED silver certification by adding features such as high-efficiency heating-and-cooling system, energy-efficient lighting features and using recycled materials, the Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Developer Hamilton Partners is working to ensure that the 22-story office building at 222 S. [...]- 2 months
source: (Environmental Leader) - City Harvest Turns Refrigerated Truck Fleet ‘Green’
City Harvest has partnered with Penske Truck Leasing to launch an environmentally-friendly refrigerated truck fleet. The non-profit plans to convert its entire fleet of 16 trucks to full hybrid technology by the end of 2009.
The hybrids are expected to double City Harvest’s efficiency and reduce emissions by 40 percent, according to Joe Cataudella, New York [...]- 2 months
source: (Environmental Leader) - Expert Advice on Green Storage System
With rising energy prices, green data centers are becoming more of an economic imperative instead of simply an environmentally-friendly choice. In order to help storage vendors become more eco-friendly, Enterprise Storage Forum (ESF) asked experts how their company does it.
According to 3PAR CEO David Scott storage vendors can become eco-friendly by:
1. Developing compliant internal initiatives [...]- 2 months
source: (Environmental Leader) - “Virtual Water” Content Of Products Measured
The concept of “virtual water” reveals the amounts contained in the products we consume, Reuters reports. The concept can build awareness in consumers of their ”hidden” water usage, or that contained in the whole production chain of goods and services.- 2 months
source: (Environmental Leader) - Shippers Make Changes To Counter Higher Fuel Prices
Increasing fuel prices have inspired - perhaps compelled - many companies to restructure their operations in order to diminish erosion of their profit margins, according to eyefortransport’s “The Impact of High Fuel Prices on Logistics” Report 2008.
Over 800 shippers, 3PLs and carriers were asked their views on how high fuel prices are realigning their transportation [...]- 2 months
source: (Environmental Leader) - Samsung Criticized for Lack of Recycling Programs
The Electronics TakeBack Coalition has launched a marketing campaign attacking Samsung for not taking environmental responsibility to recycle old electronics that may contain toxic metals, Media Post reports.
The campaign aims to make consumers aware of toxic metals used to manufacture TVs and other electronic devices before 2005, and to point consumers to the fact that [...]- 2 months
source: (Environmental Leader) - “That’s Hot,” Because Of Global Warming…
With such interest in the upcoming election of 2008, we have highlighted some of the energy policies of John McCain and Barack Obama—oh, and Paris Hilton. Obama Energy Policy:
Obama refers to his energy plan as “New Energy for America,” and, according to his website, it includes:
* Provide short term relief to American families
Obama will grant a $1,000 emergency rebate to help American families pay their higher energy bills (the money comes from oil companies).
* Eliminate our need for Middle Eastern and Venezuelan oil within 10 years
He wants to increase fuel economy standards; get 1 million plug-in hybrid cars on the road by 2015; create a new $7,000 tax credit for purchasing advanced vehicles; promote responsible domestic production of oil and natural gas.
* Create Millions of New Green Jobs
He intends to ensure 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025; develop and deploy clean coal technology; prioritize the construction of the Alaska natural gas pipeline; create a “Green Vet Initiative” which trains war veterans to enter the new energy economy and gain green employment.
* Reduce our Greenhouse Gas Emissions 80 Percent by 2050
Obama’s cap-and-trade policy will require all pollution credits to be auctioned, and proceeds will go to investments in a clean energy future and rebates and other transition relief for families; make the U.S. a leader on climate change.
McCain Energy Policy:
McCain refers to his energy plan as “The Lexington Project,” in honor of “the town where Americans asserted their independence once before,” according to McCain’s website. This project includes:
* Expanding Domestic Oil And Natural Gas Exploration And Production
According to McCain, “the current federal moratorium on drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf stands in the way of energy exploration and production.”
* Taking Action Now To Break Our Dependency On Foreign Oil By Reforming Our Transportation Sector
He will commit a $5,000 tax credit for each customer who buys a zero carbon emission car; $300 million prize should be awarded for the development of a battery package that has the size, capacity, cost and power to leapfrog the commercially available plug-in hybrids or electric cars; believes in Flex Fuels and Alcohol-Based Fuels as alternatives to gasoline
* Investing In Clean, Alternative Sources Of Energy
He will offer $2 billion annually to clean coal technologies; wants to build 100 new nuclear plants by 2030.
* Protecting Our Environment and Addressing Climate Change
He proposes a cap-and-trade system that would set limits on greenhouse gas emissions while encouraging the development of low-cost compliance options.
* Promoting Energy Efficiency
He plans on “Greening” the federal government and upgrading our energy grid.
Paris Hilton’s Policy:
Hilton’s policy doesn’t have an official name, but we can call it “Paris Hilton’s Super Smart Energy Plan,” and it includes:
“…limited off-shore drilling, with strict environmental oversight, while creating tax incentives to get Detroit making hybrid and electric cars. That way, the off-shore drilling carries us until the new technologies kick-in, which would then create new jobs and energy independence. Energy crisis solved. I’ll see you at the debates, bitches.”
Indeed, it will be difficult to make a decision come election day…
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source: (Ecotality Life) - iPhone 3G Gets The Solar Treatment With New Case
Just when you thought the iPhone couldn’t get any cooler, along comes a case that will juice it up courtesy of clean energy from the sun.
The design comes from Mobilefun and the case will charge up your phone for functional use in about three hours. It will take about 10 hours of direct sunglight to charge the battery to capacity. Energy is stored in a 1500 mAh battery. As the 11th Hour Action site points out, the best thing to do may be to keep the charger on the dashboard of your car (or another sunny location) and then charge your phone at night. You can also choose to charge the battery via USB.
Look for this solar case to be available later this month.
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source: (Ecotality Life)