 |
Thursday, June 03, 2010 |
In this issue: |
The Successes of Copenhagen
By Joseph Tohill, Green Collar Association Staff Writer
When the Copenhagen Summit drew to a close in December of 2009, many were disheartened by the lack of action from some of the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitters. The goal of limiting global temperature increases to no more than 2 degrees Celsius over the course of the century seemed out of reach. But some new details have emerged which give reason to be cautiously optimistic. According to a recent Reuters article there are now 110 nations on board – a number which includes even the world’s biggest emitters. These countries have pledged to reduce national emissions by a certain percentage below 1990 levels. While all nations can aspire to the 30% reduction pledged by the EU, it is simply not politically feasible in many countries. The US and Canada have each made a conservative pledge of 17% below 2005 levels (4% below 1990 levels). Unfortunately, even if all 110 countries achieve their targets, it is projected that the world will still warm to about 3 degrees. While still one degree away from the 2 degree target, it is significantly better than the 4.8 degree estimate under a business-as-usual scenario.
>> Click Here
|
Pricing PollutionBy Alanna Mackenzie, Green Collar Association Staff WriterCan the same market forces that resulted in the climate crisis be unleashed to solve it? This is the reasoning that lies behind carbon trading, the fastest-growing commodities market on earth. The system was first introduced in 2005, when Kyoto Protocol signatory nations agreed to issue caps on how much carbon they could emit into the atmosphere. Since then, over $300 billion worth of carbon transactions have taken place, and this number is expected to rise in the near future.1 Carbon trading works by imposing limits upon companies who emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and financial penalties should these companies overstep these limits. If companies’ emissions fall short of their imposed limits, they will receive money as a reward for their behavior.
>> Click Here
|
Niche-Market Opportunities in CarbonBy Joseph Tohill, Green Collar Association Staff Writer The primary objective of carbon markets is to establish a more accurate means of accounting for the costs of carbon emissions. This is accomplished through setting a certain threshold for emissions – companies that surpass this threshold must purchase carbon-offsets to bring their emissions down. This also creates an excellent opportunity for the establishment of a niche market in the sale of carbon-offsets. Businesses can specialize in activities that reduce carbon concentrations in the atmosphere, and then sell these reductions to other businesses. >> Click Here
|
Shale Discoveries Brings Natural Gas EnergyBy Janaina Lins, Green Collar Association Summer Intern from Brazil A wave of drilling, over the past decade, has uncovered giant supplies of natural gas in shale rock. The potential of shale rock was always noticeable, but only now we have a low- cost technology for shale gas to become an important resource of the decade. "Shale gas will revolutionize the energy industry and change the world in the coming decades. It will prevent the rise of any new cartels. It will alter geopolitics and it will slow the transition to renewable energy", Amy Myers, The Wall Street Journal.
>> Click Here
|
|
Member NewsMembers are invited to submit news releases to greencollar.org. In addition to posting these to our site, we add them to our newsletter. Please enjoy the following news releases from some of our members. To submit your news, please e-mail us: gcnews@greencollar.org
|
NYITNew York Institute of Technology (NYIT) did its part for the environment during its first annual, campus-wide Spring Cleanup Campaign. At NYIT’s campuses in Old Westbury and Manhattan, as well as its Central Islip site, all NYIT community members participated in the initiative to discard unnecessary electronic and physical documents that have accumulated over the years. During the initiative, more than 11 tons of paper were shredded and recycled, equivalent to saving 200 trees, 5,000 gallons of oil, and 100 cubic feet of landfill space, according to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Solid and Hazardous Materials Bureau of Waste Reduction and Recycling. >> Click Here
|
NYITNew York Institute of Technology (NYIT) will host its fifth annual energy conference, "Building a Sustainable Future," on Friday, June 4, 2010, at the NYIT Auditorium on Broadway in New York, NY. Speakers will address sustainable initiatives in architecture, business, and engineering. Topics will also include climate models, media issues, and public perception (NIMBY). The conference will also include a special multimedia performance by violinist Kenji Williams, who will present "Bella Gaia: A Poetic Vision of Earth from Space." Attendees may receive five continuing education hours applicable to re-registration as a professional engineer or registered architect. >> Click Here
|
UC Irvine ExtensionThe UC Irvine Extension has earned the distinction of being a U.S. Green Building Council Education Provider. Ten sustainability courses are offered through the program, including Introduction to Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability & Green Business; Legal Developments Concerning the Environment & Climate Change; and Energy Retrofits: Saving Energy in Existing Buildings. "Green initiatives and sustainability jobs will only continue to grow during the next few years," says Kirwan Rockefeller, UC Irvine Extension’s director of sustainability leadership. "We felt it was imperative to develop high-quality courses that will help this industry and its professionals flourish." >> Click Here
|
UC Irvine ExtensionDesignation Validates University’s Dedication to High-Quality Education; Enhances Professional The University of California, Irvine Extension announced April 26, 2010 it had been approved as a U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Education Provider. The USGBC has reviewed and approved the technical and instructional quality of 10 UC Irvine Extension Sustainability courses. As an Education Provider, UC Irvine Extension’s high-quality education programs will help to enhance the ongoing professional development of the building industry and LEED Professionals. UC Irvine’s courses are approved by USGBC for GBCI CE Hours towards the LEED Credential Maintenance Program. >> Click Here
|
UBC Summer Institute in SustainabilitySustainability Leadership In Action -- This one-week professional development program delivers the principles, best practices and practical skills necessary to make sustainability the foundation of your organization’s on-going operations. Experts from corporate, academic and government sectors share their knowledge on implementing programs and developing strategies that incorporate the triple-bottom-line perspective of people, planet and profits. >> Click Here
|
UBC Summer Institute in SustainabilityThe UBC/UW Summer Institute in Sustainability is an award-winning professional development program designed to empower those taking a leadership role in developing policy, creating plans, and managing sustainability initiatives. Experts from corporate, academic and government sectors share their knowledge on implementing programs and developing strategies that integrate the triple bottom line perspective of people, planet and profits. Learn to develop policies, plans and procedures that are mindful of public policy, stakeholder interest, and the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profits. >> Click Here
|
Solar Energy InternationalSolar Energy International (SEI) a non-profit leader in Renewable Energy and Sustainable Building technologies since 1991, is proud to announce its 14th year of solar electric (PV) training for women. As the solar electric industry grows, it is a prime time for women to enter the solar PV field. These extremely popular workshops have been well-attended by women from all over the world looking to gain technical knowledge on how to design and install code compliant solar electric systems. The classes are taught by leading women in the field and are designed to empower and encourage women to explore the industry. >> Click Here
|
|
Green Workforce Preparedness InitiativePutting the Green Collar JOBS into the Green Economy The opportunity is clear: millions of new jobs and global leadership in the worldwide green economy. The motivation is strong: avoid irreparable damage to the environment and global economy while enhancing national security and prosperity. The inevitability is clear: India, China, and Europe, as evidenced by their economic policies and multi-billion dollar investments, are committed to leading the charge. Achieving a green economy is not a question of "if" or even "when", but rather one of "how." The first mover will lead the energy infrastructure of the future. Transforming an economy requires not only new technologies and a vision of tomorrow, but also a green collar workforce – uniting blue and white collar, equipped with a new set of skills and tools to make them successful and grow the economy at large. >> Click Here
|
About Green Collar Association
Green Collar's mission is to advance the socially responsible economy and promote green collar jobs by aligning the interests of companies, educational institutions, and members of the workforce - including professionals and skilled workers. We believe that an issue of such critical importance to our economic growth, national security, and environmental health will require a collaborative approach that engages the best and brightest ideas, people, and resources from each sector. Thus, Green Collar Association is focused on:
>> Read more
|
We want to hear from you! Let us know if there's a particular story, theme, or idea you'd like us to explore. Do you have article suggestions we should know about? We publish selected letters from our members and occasionally we have open calls for written submissions. If you send us an email request we'll be glad to publish your news releases. Please email us: gcnews@greencollar.org.
|
|
Not a member? 
|
Stay Connected
|
Featured Organization Members
|
Member LogoGreen Collar Association members proudly display our member logo in corporate communications!
Download the GCA member logo.
|
|
|
Subscribe | Unsubscribe | Printable Version | Send this to a friend |
|
www.greencollar.org
This email was created and delivered using Industry Mailout |
