Sustainable Standards

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This is the future. Sustainable standards for all sorts of products. And not just at the end of the supply chain, such as a sustainable car, but at all stages. Is a sustainable car really sustainable if it took unsustainable methods to produce it?

I've worked on a LEED project before and, as I've said in a previous blog posting, I think its a positive step in the right direction. Sustainable standards are going to become the new branding.

Over the next couple of weeks I will be looking at all those sustainable standards in depth starting with the Forest Stewardship Council Certified Wood standards. I will be giving an overall letter grade and encourage discussion on the ratings.

Back in town

Hello again,

I've been away on personal matters the last 5 days and have been unable to blog. Starting tomorrow I'll be consistently posting again.

Earth Day Footprint Quiz

I just did Earth Day's Ecological Footprint quiz and my score left a lot to be desired. I scored 3.5 earths, meaning that if everyone lived like I do, we would need 3.5 earths. I have mixed feelings about the quiz. On one hand, I agree that I need to improve my living by making it more sustainable. However, I find their quiz does not quantify enough of the questions which leaves lots of wiggle room, meaning they could skew things towards their agenda. Either way, I think these types of quizzes are an important way for many to quantify their consumer behavior.

Dell goes green

Looks like Dell Computers is leading the way in going green in the tech sector. Michael Dell the CEO of Dell Computers is implementing a policy of planting one tree for every computer sold. He has also come out calling on the whole industry to implement free recycling programs for their customers. While I'm usually skeptical of corporate social responsibility (CSR), it is hard to argue that Dell isn't backing up its words with actions. Dell has already implemented a free recycling program for its customers. And while planting one tree for every PC sold may not be directly coorolated in terms of sustainability, its better than the current "net loss" to the environment in the computer industry where it is operated like any other industry, solely on profit maximization. No doubt Dell has its own interest in this as well. If they are seen as a corporation that cares about the planet, it will generate good publicity and marketing, thereby increasing sales. With Dell already having the best supply chain in the industry, thereby driving down their fixed and marginal costs, they can afford to implement eco-friendly policies without lagging behind their competitors. All in all, a good move regardless of Dell's own self-interest at stake.

Motorola unveils cell phone for the developing world

It really seems like technology for the developing world is taking off! First a laptop for the developing world was announced last year with a price tag of $100. And now, a cell phone powered that can be powered by the motions of a bike has been announced by Motorola. Where power sources are hard to come by and with increasing stresses upon existing power sources, enabling a cheap, affordable method of powering a cell phone for the developing world seems like a pretty bright idea to me. In China, more than 500 million people use bikes as their primary means of transportation. The potential market for this innovation is the huge. Not only has Motorola developed this innovation but they are branding bicycles designed for this purpose. Brilliant. I'll be keeping an eye out for any new developments.

Environmental Minister links Global Warming to strange Vancouver weather

It seems the Conservative government officially is connecting the effects of the weather in the lower mainland of British Columbia with global warming. Environmental Minister John Baird surveyed the damage done at Stanley Park today and stated that it is clear that climate change is affecting our environment. Once again, no actual policy to their much maligned Clean Air Act was announced. However, I didn't expect any official policy announcement today. Today was purely optics to show the government recognizes that Canadians care greatly about the changing environment and that they are "surveying the damage" to get a clearer picture of what to do.

Today indicated where the Conservatives could go with policy. If they see the link between global warming and our changing environment, there can be some optimism that policy that actually matters could be in store in the near future. By connecting the dots in terms of global warming, Stephen Harper and John Baird begin to look less aware and uninterested in finding ways to combat environmental problems.

Developing Markets and LEED

Source: emagazine.com

India has become the first country outside of the US to meet the standards for platinum-certification as outlined by LEED. The article also discusses how China, in the midst of its economic boom, is also having a green revolution.

Last summer the Chinese Premier and Mayor of Shanghai unveiled plans for the
world’s first fully sustainable “eco-city” in Dongtan, strategically located at
the mouth of the Yangtze River next to Shanghai. The first phase of the massive
project will be completed in time for the 2010 Expo in Shanghai. By then, the
city plans to showcase innovative urban water harvesting and purification
systems, community waste recycling, waste-based biogas facilities and
co-generation power plants. When completed in 2040, the city will be
three-quarters of the size of Manhattan and almost entirely self-sufficient in
energy, water and food.

While I have been aware for sometime now that the Chinese government and Chinese entrepreneurs have been developing green solutions to energy use, they are going above and beyond my expectations. I did not believe that environmental sustainability would be a top priority for China this decade since they are still a developing country, regardless of the amount of economic growth that is taking place.

The article questions whether or not it will be enough to quell an energy crisis. It's a fair question, but to get the developing world on board with energy conservation is a huge step and something that, at this point, may become the model for the West in the coming years.

Environment #1 issue in Canada, Conservative government taking heat for inaction

Source: The Canadian

This article argues that the current Canadian government's strategy, under Prime Minister Stephen Harper and newly appointed Environmental Minister John Baird, is optics and inaction over meaningful policy on global warming. The Harper government has been unsuccessful in selling its Clean Air Act, a "Made in Canada" solution to the country's environmental woes. The plan has been panned by pundants and opposition that Harper sacked Rona Ambrose, then Environmental Minister, to try to convince Canadians that the government is serious about environmental conservation and sustainability. Harper is now taking heat for merely replacing a cabinet minister without forwarding any useful policies.

While I'm skeptical of the current government's urgency in addressing this critical issue, Harper has yet to unveil a revamped plan of action. Therefore, I will not judge until the government releases a policy statement. Judging by the government's lack of action in combatting climate change, Harper's libertarian stance on the issue and the government's strong connection with Alberta Oil, I'm not holding my breath for any drastic change from this administration.

I hope Stephen Harper and the Conservative government prove me wrong.

Green Building Revolution

An interesting article from the Kansas City infoZine news.

Today, five percent of new commercial construction meets standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program (LEED), a voluntary, consensus-based standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. Ten percent of new homes satisfy the federal government's Energy Star guidelines, meaning they're nearly one-third more energy-efficient than regulations require.

This article points to some positives and negatives from recent trends in the construction industry in the US. Although 5% of new constructions meet the requirements set out by LEED, which I find surprising, the author brought up a good point that to reduce American's portion of greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere, the "green revolution" is not going fast enough. The article is accurate in portraying buildings as the real "energy hogs" rather than the much maligned SUVs. Not that SUVs don't have anything to do with the problem. On the contrary, SUVs need to become more efficient. However, buildings are a larger culprit and are often not addressed by the media.

I have worked on a LEED building project quite recently and had the privilege to learn a lot more about it. It is not a perfect model for building standards. It tends not to account for "locked-in" factors that cannot be changed. For example, for buildings located on swamp land, there are automatic deductions on their points system. If you are trying to convince a building or land owner to get on board with LEED, not accounting for such locked in factors can be a disincentive. LEED should not become too diluted, but some flexibility in the program will most likely encourage more green buildings to emerge in the coming years.

However, the bottomline is that it's good to see 5% of all new constructions in the US following the strict guidelines.

Welcome

Welcome to my blog. Here you will find the most current information on all things sustainable. I will post movie reviews, book reviews, analysis on public policy and current events pertaining to sustainability. I encourage comments to be left on the blog and emails sent my way. I will check my blog and email frequently to do my best to stay in touch with you.