Sustainability

TED Talk: Jeff Skoll Makes Movies for Change

Patrick — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:51:46 -0400

Jeff Skoll, who you may or may not know as the co-creator of eBay, is also the founder of the Skoll Foundation, which gives grants for communities to build banks, schools, and other institutions.

Skoll is the owner of Participant Productions. P.P. is dedicated to creating documentaries and films about social and political issues to make change in our society. Participant Productions created North Country and helped produce An Inconvenient Truth, among various other films and documentaries.

Watch this video for Skoll's description of his goals and upcoming Participant Productions films:

Throwplace: Your Trash Really Can Be Another's Treasure

Molly — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 21:51:55 -0400

What do you do with items that are in good condition but are not needed any more? You could have a yard sale, throw them away, or try to recycle them, but Throwplace.com offers another alternative that both benefits the environment and people in need.

In 1999, Throwplace.com was developed by Lomangino as an internet site of exchange. The process is easy, fast, and simple. Charities, businesses, and individual people can all contribute. Anyone can list online possessions they are willing to give away. Then, interested people can take what they like for free. read more »

Props to Ukrop's!

Molly — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 10:33:07 -0400

Ukrop's, a community-serving and environmentally friendly grocery chain in Virginia, has begun another sustainable program. The supermarkets, which fry their own chicken, will use the soy oil from the fryers to convert into bio fuel.

Southside Fuel, a local company, will process the used oil from the frying vats into a standard 15 percent biodiesel, the most that the current trucks can handle.

Ukrop's expects to produce around 60,000 gallons of bio fuel each year, about one fourth of its needs. This is really an incredible amount and will really cut down on their carbon emissions. read more »

Drilling in the Arctic?

Molly — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 15:19:07 -0400

Scientists have discovered that there is a large fossil fuel reserve underneath the ice of the Arctic. This massive reserve may contain up a fifth of the world's oil- 90 billion barrels, and a third of the known reserves of gas.

Yes! We are SAVED from the energy crisis!

I don't think so. read more »

AASHE and Conscious Lifestyle

laurenmr — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:31:02 -0400

In its most recent newsletter, The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, better known as AASHE, listed Conscious Lifestyle's Socially Innovative Venture Competition.

AASHE is a member organization of colleges and universities in the US and Canada working to create a sustainable future. With its focus on youth, and goal of promoting sustainability in all sectors of higher education, AASHE is very relevant to Conscious Lifestyle ventures, which by definition are active proponents of sustainability on campuses.

Check out the AASHE website today!

Making the Grade

ShermaineWaugh — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:11:34 -0400

The college selection process is a rigorous one. As a rising senior, I know how difficult it is to search for a school that meets all your needs, be they class size, student teacher ratio, best dorms, or even best parties. Every little thing counts in order to make sure your four years go smoothly. But when cruising college campuses and digging through acceptance stats, how many of us stop to think about how a school best our meets ecological needs? I doubt most even have a clue how to tell just how green their dream college or university really is.

It might not be a top priority for some, but for those young men and women who are becoming increasingly environmentally aware, it is important for them to have this information at hand. read more »

Job Opportunities for Alumni

laurenmr — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:48:30 -0400

Found through AASHE and its newsletter, Idealist, Higher Ed Jobs, and Bright Green Talent

Climate Program Manager, AASHE
AASHE, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, seeks a Climate Program Manager to lead AASHE's efforts to support signatories of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment. A bachelor's degree in a related field is required (graduate degree preferred). Applicants should also have at least five years experience in energy management and/or emissions mitigation.
Deadline: apply now read more »

Conference Opportunities

laurenmr — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:54:10 -0400

Found through Youth Venture, AASHE and its newsletter, Conference Alerts, and Americans for Informed Democracy

HMF International Film/Media Festival and Conference read more »

Eco Chic: Fashionable, Affordable, and Environmentally-friendly Clothing

Molly — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:02:57 -0400

A new clothing line called Nature89 is now offering eco-friendly wear, both trendy and comfortable. The company sells a variety of products including tanks, hoodies, printed tees, polos, skirts and shorts. The style is classic casual with functional elements. Prices range mostly $from $15 to $35. Both men's and women's wear are offered.

All clothing is made from organic and pesticide-free cotton, eco-friendly dyes, and water-based inks. The entire collection is certified 100% organic.

Nature89 was founded by apparel entrepreneur Tariq Huq and a team of designers. They are committed to fair trade and to the environment. Besides being eco-friendly, the clothing line does not use any child labor, and all adult workers are provided a fair wage. 1% of its sales is donated towards the preservation of nature. read more »

Obama and McCain: The Environmental Edition

Molly — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:33:34 -0400

With the presidential campaign well under way, many issues have been debated and discussed such as Iraq, gas prices, and foreign policy. One of the lesser addressed areas is each candidate's stance on the environment and animal rights. However, Obama's and McCain's views on this matter should be taken into a greater consideration for the decision of who should become the next leader of the country. read more »