Friday, November 28, 2008

What is a Cradle to Cradle Certification?

Cradle to Cradle Certification provides a company with a means to tangibly, credibly measure achievement in environmentally-intelligent design and helps customers purchase and specify products that are pursuing a broader definition of quality.

This means using environmentally safe and healthy materials; design for material reutilization, such as recycling or composting; the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency; efficient use of water, and maximum water quality associated with production; and instituting strategies for social responsibility.

If a candidate product achieves the necessary criteria, it is certified as a Silver, Gold or Platinum product or as a Technical/Biological Nutrient (available for homogeneous materials or less complex products), and can be branded as Cradle to Cradle.

From bedding to building exteriors, passing by cleaning products and surfboard wax, the Cradle to Cradle certified products list covers it all.

View the entire list of Cradle to Cradle certified items .

In search of an inspiring bedside table book «Cradle to Cradle:Remaking the Way we Make Things» is the one you're looking for.

In addition to its provocative content, Cradle to Cradle, is printed on a polymer film instead of paper. While current materials and systems are incomplete, this book's materials suggest ways 'technical nutrients' might be used in the future, cycling safely and prosperously in the 'technical metabolism' of plastics recycling.

Learn more about this book is not a tree.

The Sustainable Development Challenge: Creating new opportunities for business

By the World Business Council for Sustainable Development

The world we inhabit has changed radically in the last two decades. Over the last 20 years attention of the scientific community, governments, civil society and business is focused increasingly on the rapid growth of developing world economies and rising awareness of sustainability issues and their impacts. The world is faced with the seemingly conflicting imperatives of meeting the demands of rapid population growth – most of it in so-called developed countries – while at the same time reducing negative impacts on society and the environment. If we do not get this right, the results could be devastating.

The current global population of 6.5 billion is predicted to grow by half again by 2050 and to reach a staggering 9.2 billion, 85% of whom will be in so-called developing countries. Energy demand to meet the needs of this growing number of people and help them out of poverty is forecast to grow by as much as 50% between now and 2030 requiring investments and infrastructure development worth some US$ 20.2 trillion over the same period. Then there is demand for food and non-food crops which is also rising. At the same time, the world faces very real problems of resource depletion, water scarcity, ecosystem destruction and climate change.

If populations in rapidly emerging economies are to achieve levels of development and standards of living to which they aspire, and if we are to slow and reverse resource destruction and limit climate change impacts, then we will need, by some estimates, to cut our carbon emissions by as much as 50% by 2050. This assessment is now widely accepted.

Another change that has taken place is a new found awareness that far-sighted business is part of the solution and ready to collaborate with concerned stakeholders to tackle these challenges. Members of WBCSD were among some of the most influential pioneers of this change.

Read more on WBCSD's website.

Yum! Brands Annual World Hunger Relief Campaign

Yum! Brands Annual World Hunger Relief Campaign Builds More Awareness and Engagement Than Ever to Help Stop World Hunger; Five Million Volunteer Hours and $17.5 Million in Overall Donations and Still Counting

Effort Will Help United Nations World Food Programme and Other Hunger Relief Agencies Provide More Than 70 Million Meals, Saving More Than 1.8 Million Lives

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM) annual World Hunger Relief campaign to help stop world hunger has created even more global awareness, deeper engagement and volunteerism and increased donations to benefit the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and other hunger relief agencies.

As the world’s largest volunteer movement and private sector effort to combat hunger for the second year, more than 1.4 million employees, franchisees and their families across nearly 36,000 KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Long John Silver’s and A&W Restaurants in more than 100 countries volunteered approximately five million volunteer hours to aid hunger relief efforts in communities worldwide. The month-long effort has raised more than $17.5 million in overall donations to date and counting for WFP and other hunger relief agencies.

Global hunger has reached epic proportions – reaching nearly 1 billion people – due to the convergence of higher commodity and global food prices; increased competition for products that produce energy; severe droughts and floods due to climate change and increasing demand from growing economies in Asia and South America.

“Global hunger is a huge problem and has become worse with nearly 925 million people starving and going to bed hungry every day,” said David Novak, Chairman and CEO, Yum! Brands, Inc. “That’s why we are so inspired and more determined than ever to be the leader in wiping out hunger.”

“I’m incredibly proud of the overwhelming outpouring of support, volunteerism and generosity from our employees, franchisees, their families and our customers around the globe to make this year’s World Hunger Relief campaign an even greater success than last year,” said Novak. “Through our efforts, we will provide more than 70 million meals and save the lives of more than 1.8 million people, moving them from hunger to hope.”

Read more on Businesswire.com .

Visit Fromhungertohope.com .

10 reasons to start shopping locally (especially now!)

Economic recession adds more urgency to supporting your local independent retailers!

By WorkCabin.ca Staff

In downtowns and on main streets in cities and towns across Canada, the economic recession has many local independent retailers feeling nervous. Already operating with small profit margins and ever growing operating costs, local retailers now have another worry: will consumers spend even less in their stores during these tough times? Hopefully they'll spend more. How's that possible? Well, it may be as simple as consumers changing habits.

For years across North America, communities have pitched the merits of shopping locally. Some shoppers embrace it. Some don’t. Now, more than ever, though that message has urgent meaning if we are truly committed to building better communities where we live.

1. How we use our dollars has powerful value: Imagine the impact we could have on helping our local economies weather this difficult period by not taking our shopping dollars out of our communities? Consumers actually invest in their community by spending in their community. You may not see the rewards, like you do with an RRSP, but the payoff is quality of living where you live (please read on).

2. Preserve your community’s character: On the outskirts of our communities, big box stores are expanding their reach and making our communities look like Any City, Canada. But in our downtowns, a unique character is maintained that specifically identifiies with each particular city or town. Many of these Main Streets date back 100 years or more. If we lose this character, we see urban decay and loss of pride begin.

3. Support a sustainable community: By shopping locally, you help contribute to a ‘circling’ effect, whereby jobs, taxes, dollars and income remain locally and get spun off again into helping sustain other jobs, wealth, and a vibrant community.

4. You’ll save money and be different: Drive downtown, find a parking spot (many are now free!), or take public transit, and start walking and window shopping! Forget that myth that independent retailers are more costly. They’re not. And they’re truly one of a kind. You’ll find merchandise that’s not available at the big box stores, which means you’ll be using and wearing stuff that’s different from the big-box-obsessed consumers.

5. Support the people who support your community: When we need prizes for corporate events, contributions to charities, sponsorships for sports teams, donations for libraries and schools, who do we turn to? Local retailers. Why? Because they're our neighbours. You won't have fill out a generic form and send it to a head office who knows where). When we shop locally and generate income for local retailers, they in turn have even more incentive to support us.

6. You truly will be appreciated:Most independent retail owners rely on themselves and a small staff to run their business. It means whenever you shop in their store, you’ll see the same faces, get to know them, and form a bond. Got an emergency plumbing job that only requires a small two-inch piece of pipe? You might get it for free from a retailer who has come to know you well as a regular customer. Elsewhere? You’ll be charged $2.25.

7. Support the biggest retail employer in your community:Yes, mega stores do employ many people, but overall, it’s no secret that local businesses are the largest retail employers in Canada. Imagine if that sector disappeared overnight? Our local economies would be devastated – and that means you would definitely be impacted, either directly or indirectly.

8. Of course, it’s better for the environment: Your local retailers likely use less gas to transport goods, or better still, buys much of their goods close to home. They’re also prone to being energy conscious because a hydro bill is a big deal to their bottomline. Now, by shopping locally, you'll also use less gas and generate less harmful emissions. There's that beneficial 'circling' effect coming into play again.

9. Smaller is better: What would you rather have? Hundreds of downtown shops and services, or an entire town or city served by only a half-dozen mega stores? When we lose our local independent retailers, we lose a vital part of competition in the marketplace, and product variety. What you end up with is Generic Town, Canada, and very likely higher prices due to lack of competition.

10. Do you want more prosperity for your community?: It’s a frequent complaint heard all the time: We need more jobs in our community. We need more factories and industries. Here’s a tip: most corporations and companies scout out communities before they choose to locate a plant or head office. And guess which place is on their list? You got it. Your local retailing community. Corporations want to locate in towns and cities where the population demonstrates that they support their community, not shun it. A vibrant community is important to corporations too, and their employees who may be relocating.

WorkCabin.ca. is Canada’s green outpost for green jobs

Finding the Words

By Simplegreenaction.ca Staff

Sometimes our busy lifestyles keep us from doing the things we’ve been meaning to do, like reading a good book or writing a letter.

Before the holidays arrive, with all their distractions and demands, make time this month to learn something new and get your own thoughts out there. Here are five simple things you can do:

1. Comment on an environmental blog

Blogs should be a conversation, and bloggers love a good comment (*cough cough*). If you read something you like or have something to add to the point of view, let it be known!

2. Read a book

Did you know that David Suzuki has published 43 books in his lifetime? Canada’s most recognizable environmental activist clearly has something to say. Of course, if you want something edgier, you can visit an independent bookstore and check out titles that intersect race, gender, and class with environmental issues.

3. Sign up to an environmental organization’s newsletter

Electronic newsletters are convenient because they arrive in your inbox and can be read at your leisure. More than just the news, eco-themed newsletters will also let you now about events and job or volunteer opportunities in your area.

Read the entire article on Simplegreenaction.ca.

Leadership will be crucial in the coming years

By David Suzuki with Faisal Moola

It’s an understatement to say that we are living in interesting times. The world seems to be undergoing a profound shift. On one hand, the looming environmental and economic crises are scaring many of us; on the other, events such as the election of the first African-American president in the U.S. are giving people hope.

We shouldn’t let unrealistic expectations set us up for disappointment, but at least Barack Obama seems to have recognized that new ideas are needed to resolve the problems facing the world, and to seize the opportunities the crises present.

In a speech to the Governors’ Climate Change Summit in Los Angeles on November 18, the president-elect referred to climate change as the most serious threat facing America and the world, and said, “My presidency will mark a new chapter in America’s leadership on climate change that will strengthen our security and create millions of new jobs in the process”.

Although Obama’s proposed targets don’t go far enough to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, they are at least acknowledgement of the seriousness of the problem and represent a reversal of the Bush administration’s attitude. His promise to implement a cap and trade system is a good step. Economists and scientists agree that putting a price on carbon emissions, through cap and trade and carbon taxes, is essential to combating catastrophic global warming.

It’s a shame that the top two contenders for leadership of the Liberal party in Canada have stepped away from the idea of a carbon tax, blaming it for the party’s dismal showing in the October federal election. Our governing party hasn’t demonstrated great leadership either. Along with the U.S., Canada has been a laggard among industrialized nations on climate policy and action, and now it looks like we could soon be the worst of the dinosaurs.

But Obama won’t be sworn in until January 20, and a lot is happening now. CEOs of the big three U.S. automakers – Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors – recently flew to Washington in private jets to ask for a US$25 billion bail-out from taxpayers. They’ve been told to come up with better plans, but those plans will be considered in early December, before Obama takes the reins. Keep in mind that current U.S. President George Bush overruled California’s attempt to require stricter emissions standards for automobiles.

Should we have sympathy for free-market capitalists like GM vice-chair Bob Lutz, who claimed climate change is a “crock of” … and that hybrid cars such as those made by Toyota “make no economic sense”, while his company continued to produce gas-guzzlers? Meanwhile, Japanese automakers are doing okay with more fuel-efficient vehicles such as hybrids.

If the U.S. automakers were to show greater commitment to innovation in fuel efficiency and alternative-fuel technology, they might deserve some help – although you have to wonder why it should take a crisis to wake them up. This is an example of how misguided some of our current economic thinking has been.

Economics is considered a science, but the economic theories we’ve been relying on have some serious flaws – including the belief that limitless growth is possible in a limited biosphere. As with any science, we can revise our theories based on proofs of failure and success. Fortunately, many people are proving that taking care of the environment is also the best way to take care of the economy and that we can’t have an economic system that ignores the value of the necessary services provided by nature.

Japanese automakers have shown that keeping up with science and changing conditions puts you in a better position to adapt and survive. Blindly continuing with business as usual as the world changes means you’ll likely be left behind.

On a larger scale, ignoring the seriousness of climate change and continuing to rely on fossil or nuclear fuels for energy can only lead to environmental and economic disaster. President-elect Obama knows that measures such as putting a price on carbon emissions and investing in renewable energy are essential for his nation’s energy security, economic progress, and environmental stability. Other countries, such as Germany and Denmark, saw this many years ago.

The U.S. and the world have a lot of catching up to do to forestall the catastrophic consequences of our outmoded economic thinking. Let’s hope the new U.S. president is up to the challenge and that he helps set an example for all world leaders to follow.

Take David Suzuki’s Nature Challenge and learn more at www.davidsuzuki.org .