January 17th, 2012 by TRT Blog

Since 2006, the American Colleges and Universities Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) has collected over 674 signatories for the cause. ACUPCC has aimed to combat global climate change through a network of high education institutions that have committed to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions as well as increase research and education to promote the importance of sustainability.

The ACUPCC states that signatories will set a target date and interim goals to become climate neutral, integrate sustainability into the educational experience, and more. The most recent university to announce its sustainability target date is University of Wisconsin, Green Bay (UWGB).

The school has recently set a plan of action to become climate-neutral by 2050. The university has categorized its campus emissions into three categories: direct emissions from university owned and controlled sources, emissions from products that deliver on-campus energy, and emissions related to university operations.

UWGB’s climate plan was released campus-wide for an entire institutional collaboration. To learn more about UWGB’s sustainability plans read the entire article here. To learn more about the American Colleges and Universities Presidents’ Climate Commitment visit the website.

ACUPCC, climate change, education, greenhouse gas, Sustainability, University of Wisconsin

November 15th, 2011 by TRT Blog

In the recently released 2011 Standard & Poor’s 500 report, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), an independent non-profit organization with the world’s largest corporate climate change and water information database, found that for the first time over 50 percent of S&P 500 companies integrate climate change policy into their core business decisions and strategy. The number of companies adopting such policies has risen 30 percent in one year, from 35% in 2010 to 65%.

Within the report, companies announced such green projects as: increasing energy efficient facilities; improving business processes and transportation networks; encouraging sustainable behavior from employees; and providing financial incentives for embracing and managing climate change issues.

The report even set out to debunk a few energy efficiency myths. In the past, companies have sighted lengthy investment return rates as excuses for not increasing green practices, but 60 percent of the reported projects have now seen payback in three years or less. These quick investment returns, along with investor pressure, shaky fuel prices, and new revenue opportunities, are the driving forces behind this year’s increased statistics.

Despite recent difficulties getting the general population to fully back energy efficient projects, this report reflects restored confidence in the importance of sustainability efforts led by the world’s largest companies—proving that carbon emissions aren’t just hurtful to the environment, they can be hurtful to investment portfolios as well.

500 report, Carbon Disclosure Project, CDP, climate change, companies, policy, Standard & Poor's

August 23rd, 2011 by TRT Blog

The governments of this world must step in and create firm legislature to dictate the steps necessary to slowly reverse the downward trend of our planet – and step up soon.   Businesses, citizens and the planet’s health all demand it.

When you’re relied on to be a driving force behind anything, it’s never good if you fail to meet expectations. Far too often this sentiment follows government participation in key decisions.

For example, during the U.N. climate negotiations in Cancun last December, some 20 heads of state showed up to discuss the impact human induced climate change is making on our planet.  Illustrating the earlier point about failed expectations, consider the dramatic drop off from the 120 heads of state who attended in 2009.

But there was an increased attendance from another sector: business.  Business leaders attended in force, and showed a united front to state that climate change is bad for business, and to urge changes must be made.

There seems to be one factor in getting business under one roof speaking in harmony; money. Giants such as Google and Wal-Mart, which were amongst the 250 businesses represented at the conference, could only voice concern to governments that a framework be developed to help create long-term strategies to reduce the risk faced by businesses due to negative climate change.

The International Chamber of Commerce urged negotiators “to establish a set of clearly outlined financing goals and objective, transparent governance procedures to help businesses understand the public policy agenda on climate finance” – which was said to be a major factor in determining whether or not a business would invest in an initiative.

Even though it’s not for the altruistic reasons we would like, businesses are still sending the message that governments must listen to. The world and its economy cannot continue down the path it’s on.

With the next round of discussions to commence in October, it’s more important than ever that the governments of this world step in and create firm legislature to dictate the steps necessary to slowly reverse the downward trend of our planet – and to step up soon.   Businesses, citizens and the planet’s health all demand it.

Business, climate change, Government, ICC, U.N

June 10th, 2011 by TRT Blog

We focus heavily on the current and planned work being done to improve the environment here in the U.S., but the onus doesn’t fall entirely on the United States to resolve the issues facing our planet. Government officials across the globe are working towards building a more sustainable and energy efficient future. During the 2011 G8 Summit held in Deauville, France last month, leaders of some of the world’s largest economies gathered to recommit to the effort of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

While the G8 Summit is designed to discuss and work towards amicable solutions to many of the world’s issues, few of these issues carry the weight that the status of the environment presents with the possibility of such severe, widespread long term problems. At the summit, the tragedies of Japan’s recent earthquake and tsunami were discussed along with the resulting fallout from the Fukushima nuclear reactor raising concerns about the viability of nuclear power. Once thought to be the best replacement of fossil fuel, many delegates agreed about the urgent need to look into alternate power sources.

The adoption of wind, solar and biodiesels were all discussed during the summit, however with each, there are challenges. Biodiesels in particular pose a grave threat to the world’s rainforest. Palm-oil, a plant used in a variety of products, including fuel, is growing in popularity and increasing the rate at which rainforests are being reduced. With this rapid depletion, a major natural carbon dioxide storage source is being removed, resulting in adverse effects on the climate around the world. With this, the natural production of food suffers as do the prices for these goods. Suddenly, we’re faced with skyrocketing food costs because of mismanaged efforts to use a seemingly useful and environmentally friendly fuel.

Thankfully, the leaders at the G8 Summit are aware of this and have not only expressed their commitment to the environment, but are also coming together to encourage emerging economies to reduce their emissions and commit to the world’s environmental future as well. We truly do believe that it takes government involvement to make true progress in the battle for climate change, and with commitment from the some of the world’s largest, most influential countries we can only expect positive results.

alternative energy, climate change, environment, G8, Sustainability

April 19th, 2011 by TRT Blog

This month we’ve seen how two different sectors of our country approach Earth Day, and how they go beyond what you normally see from other businesses. We’re delighted to be involved with industries that realize the value that green business practices bring to the environment, as well as to their bottom line. Our Government has shown its commitment to Earth Day as well, and while less risk-averse than the other two sectors we’ve covered, it still has strong methods and goals in place.

Despite this, there is still no unifying message across federal or state governments. Many times when in this debate, we still find the politicians and pundits arguing over the existence of climate change, and what should be done to control it. It’s quite ludicrous that this debate is still going on. We can all agree that green practices are necessary – a brief scan of the websites of Congressmen and Senators shows that all acknowledge what they’ve done to improve the environment. However, when presented with an actual change in policy, many of these same voices go quiet. And with big power companies funding these voices, it unfortunately seems there may not be anyone speaking up to make the change needed.

If there is to be sweeping changes necessary, the Government needs a unified stance, and to make its message clear to the public. As long as there is division within the halls of our Government, so there will be division around the country. Without a clear, unified message on the best practices for companies and individuals, stories like that of the solar panel installers who charge over 5 times the national average because there are no set standards will continue to take place.

Of course it’s healthy to have an open debate, but the next step must be less talking and more action

climate change, Government

March 4th, 2011 by TRT Blog

As more and more evidence is provided that shows climate change is a very real threat to our environment and creatures within those environments, we must admit, we’re still puzzled as to why there has been such a strong resistance to change. Evidence such this page from NASA seem to paint a very clear, irrefutable image of what is taking place on our planet. However, the Economist says 42 percent still don’t see climate change as a serious problem.

Much of the same argument is made in the article that we’ve seen before; citizens are distrustful  of a topic so polarizing in government, the cost to make sweeping changes are too much for the US, especially as we’re still not fully recovered from the latest economic depression and how can we believe evidence that could be created by scientists out to push their own (or certain political) agendas. Unfortunately it’s going to take some time before the US as a whole sees eye to eye with this matter and by then it may be too late.

Other factors listed move away from the same tired reasoning why Americans don’t believe in global warming. Psychological thoughts about denying a problem to terrible to comprehend border on childish, while the metaphysical can take a strong hold of many whom firmly believe that their God wouldn’t let a disaster take place. Isn’t that what everyone said to Noah?

There won’t be a clear answer to why climate change isn’t taking off the way we feel it should but at least what’s written now is less about the problems and slowly turning to how to find a solution. In the Economist piece, a proposed way to satisfy both economic and psychological concerns was to link the debate for climate change and renewable energy into one. Marrying interests of two different groups would allow America to shine as a progressive nation with regard to climate change when it’s clear we’re being lapped by other countries mostly because of in-fighting.

awareness, climate change, higher power

December 14th, 2010 by TRT Blog

While not likely to happen anytime soon, the debate on whether or not to invest in the reduction and reversal of climate change should be a short one. The bottom line and the harsh reality, is that our environment needs to be improved, or else we may not have much of a planet to live on soon. Unfortunately, there remains too much discussion about ‘how we’re going to get there’ and the need to change our ways, and not action being taken to actually make an impact that future generations can benefit from.

Businesses are slowing things down and have significantly impeded government progress on regulating pollution. Their argument usually comes down to solutions being ‘antiethical to their economic interests’, as this GreenBiz article points out. And while businesses certainly have to the right to express their opposition to the rules that our government looks to put into place, at some point they (and we as a people) need to recognize that the millions of dollars they are feeding into propaganda and misinformation to keep the status quo is only going to hurt us in the long run.

GreenBiz continued to point out some of the steps that countries across the globe are taking to put themselves ahead in the envrionmental race. Germany, for example, has been and continues to be a dominant force in alternative energies while China and it’s growing economical and political clout is investing over $750 billion dollars over the next decade to clean energy technology. These countries are aware that the leader in these forms of technology can and most likely will lead the global economy in the 21^st century.

Our president has been quoted saying as much, and it’s obvious he would prefer America to be the nation that leads. However, with the steps some companies and organizations are taking in the name of profit, we may be our own worst enemy and find ourselves playing catch up to others who found a way to put profitability second to positive change.

climate change, green, GreenBiz, Sustainability

November 19th, 2010 by TRT Blog

With the recent vote in California to defeat Proposition 23, we would like think that climate change education and awareness was at an all time high — both amongst Californians and the nation as a whole. According to a recent survey conducted by Yale University’s Project on Climate Change Communication, however, more than half (57%) of Americans received an “F” with regard to their knowledge and education on climate change.

The study demonstrates that it is not the American public’s inability to understand the principles regarding climate change. This is more a case of the media and scientific communities coming up short in appropriately educating the public about climate work progress. Only 11% of those polled consider themselves “well-informed” – a number in dire need of increasing if we’re ever to make a significant difference.

It’s obvious that there is a huge need for climate education to begin in schools and awareness of this is growing. 75% of the survey’s respondents want to see this happen, and (perhaps) even more importantly 68% believe the government should set aside funding to make this happen. With so large a majority in favor of this, we can’t help but be a little shocked at the lack of any large scale push for climate education – especially considering the recent elections.

In order to really drive the points on climate change home and inspire change, a large initiative from the public will almost certainly be needed. With so many (82%) getting their information from TV first, and very little climate change coverage making it to TV, the pressure falls to the internet to lead the charge in informing the public – where 64% currently get their news on climate change.

Fortunately, 61% of respondents said they would use the internet as their first stop for news to learn more about climate change. We’re glad to have our small space on the web to provide information that we really believe is relevant to the preservation of our environment, and we feel it’s important to make sure the information we give can be taken and used to make a difference. Here are some other sites that do their part to keep the public aware and educated about climate change — check them out!

Grist.org

Greenbiz.com

Triplepundits.com

Treehugger.com

Is there something you would like to learn more about? Leave us a comment and let us know what you think.

climate change, climate education, Sustainability, Yale University’s Project on Climate Change Communication

November 9th, 2010 by TRT Blog

Despite the claim made by a Think Progress poll stating that 50% of incoming Republican congressmen deny that manmade climate change exists, many are aware that we’ve been responsible for the unfortunate state that our planet finds itself in – and many are doing what they can to reduce the damage that has already been done. Those doing their part range from individuals to some of the largest brand names in the world.

Companies have the (misguided) built in excuse of not getting a return on investment for turning down initiatives designed to change the operating status quo- especially when it comes to the environment. However as the public becomes aware of the steps needed to right the wrongs of generations past and present, those that don’t invest in change are finding out that their brand power isn’t what it once was.

Fortunately, many well known brands have learned that adjusting their practices can be beneficial to both their bottom lines, and the environment. On the heels of major announcements coming from Burger King and Nestle, General Mills has vowed to use 100% sustainable canola oil for their products which include Cheerios. H&M and Wal-Mart have vowed to better the processes used to produce textiles in its Chinese factories beginning with reducing the amount of hazardous dyes that have been known to be disposed of in rivers – (a staggering 200 tons of water are polluted with every ton of fabric produced). Meanwhile, companies like Kohl’s and Janssen (owned by Johnson & Johnson) are turning to solar power in an effort to get to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Many of these companies cite the need to improve the environment as the sole reason for these steps, and while we don’t doubt it is a large factor in their decision making process, there’s no question that consumer preference has played a major role in the end result. Especially with the volume of concerns heard from green shoppers across the world.

Regardless of reasoning and whether consumers are leading or merely influencing big business to change, we’re thrilled to see steps large and small being taken in the right direction for a cause that effects us all as citizens of this beautiful planet of ours.

climate change, Earth, environment, green, Sustainability, textiles