News from May 2009

Environmental sustainability a concern for majority of shoppers

Fifty-four percent of shoppers demonstrated that they actively consider environmental sustainability characteristics in their buying decisions, according to a new study released today by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and Deloitte. But while shoppers are often thinking green, they actually bought green products on just 22 percent of their shopping trips. More than 6,400 shopper [...]

NZ Cabbies compete strongly for green custom

“Green cabs” are scoring a hit in the capital – but green-branded taxis aren’t the only eco-friendly choice, according to industry players.
Lyn Davis and Brett Allen are owner drivers in a Green Cabs franchise and they say it’s taking off because “people want to be seen to be green”.
Green Cabs use only Toyota Prius [...]

Wellington, NZ takes baby steps on emissions

GREATER Wellington Regional Council has taken its first step on the road to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adopting a baseline to measure its future carbon footprint.
The council’s sustainability committee has a new regional greenhouse gas emissions inventory, from which it will measure changes in emissions, based on the 2006/07 year.
Since 2001, total emissions of equivalent [...]

New Research Alliance in Singapore to Identify Sustainable Water Solutions

The WateReuse Foundation and PUB, Singapore’s national water agency, signed a research agreement to co-fund up to US$5 million worth of research that will help water agencies worldwide provide a sustainable water supply, while enhancing the environment and protecting public health. The agreement was signed during the WateReuse Foundation’s 13th Annual Water Reuse & Desalination [...]

Global Biopower Company Names New Honorary Chairman for India

Chennai, India.
New Biopower provider Clenergen Corporation has turned to a trusted member of the Indian business community as it lays the foundations for a commercial platform in the country.
Dr. Arvind Pandalai, who was instrumental in developing the State Trading Corporation of India into a 25 billion dollar trading conglomerate, is to become Honorary Chairman of [...]

US$10 Billion Southeast Asia Market - Singapore International Water Week

- Singapore - Opportunities to get a slice of the US$10 billion water market in Southeast Asia await delegates of the Singapore International Water Week 2009 come June. They will get a first-hand account and cross-regional perspective to the water developments and projects from the Laos and Brunei ministers as well as high-level officials and [...]

AIA National Convention in San Francisco Emphasizes Diversity, Sustainability, and Economic Viability

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2009 National Convention and Design Exposition concluded with a theme presentation with thirteen-person panel discussing contemporary architecture. Other keynote presentations focused on design and global practice, and firm diversity.
The convention attracted 22,400 registrants, and over 900 exhibitors. In addition, more than 10,000 virtual convention seminars were accessed via [...]

Smart Choices for Biofuels

The Sierra Club and Worldwatch Institute recently released a report, Smart Choices for Biofuels, highlighting the need for important policy reforms at this critical juncture in America’s effort to increase the use of biofuels. The report outlines the economic and environmental impacts of first-generation biofuels such as corn ethanol, proposes strategies to make the biofuels [...]

Food Localization .. more than just a footprint

Washington, D.C.-Our environmental “foodprint” is determined not just by how far food travels, but also by what we eat and how it was produced, according to the latest issue of World Watch magazine. Final delivery from producer and processor to the point of retail sale accounts for only 4 percent of the U.S. food system’s [...]

Wind Power Installations Up 29 Percent in 2008

WorldWatch.org reports that global wind capacity increased an estimated 27,051 megawatts in 2008, with cumulative installations up almost 29 percent. The United States led in new installations, surpassing Germany to rank first in wind energy cumulative capacity and electricity generation.
A new snapshot of wind energy trends from Worldwatch Institute analyzes data since 1980 and reveals [...]

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