SAN FRANCISCO (November 29, 2011) – The San Francisco Bay Area Green Chamber of Commerce will be co-hosting a special event on December 7, 2011 with Assemblymember Jared Huffman, author of AB 361: California’s Benefit Corporation legislation, and the three attorneys who led the effort to develop it – Donald Simon of Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean, John Montgomery of Montgomery & Hansen and Jonathan Storper of Hanson Bridgett. This event will offer business leaders a chance to learn more from the writers of the law about how to become and operate as a Benefit Corporation.

Benefit Corporation laws have passed in six states and counting across the US with California being the most recent addition to this list. California business leaders have an opportunity to encourage the adoption of Benefit Corporation certification for all businesses throughout the state to show that this new form of socially and environmentally responsible business is a necessary and effective tool for changing the way business can be done.

The event will be held from 8:30-10:00 a.m. at the Oakland law offices of Wendel, Rosen, Black, & Dean LLP located at 1111 Broadway, 19th Floor, Conference Room, Oakland, CA, 94607.  This is a one-time event that will be FREE for all to attend.

Speakers:

• Marin County Assemblymember Jared Huffman, a well known environmental advocate and author of AB 361 will provide information on the development and passage of AB 361.

• Donald Simon, an attorney, green business leader and partner at Wendel, Rosen, Black, & Dean, will explain everything aspiring Benefit Corporations need to know. Simon co-chaired the Benefit Corporation Legal Working Group to draft and spearhead the passage of AB 361 with Jonathan Storper of Hanson Bridgett and John Montgomery of Montgomery & Hansen.

Click here to RSVP for free to this event>>>

Click here for more information about the San Francisco Bay Area Green Chamber of Commerce>>>

About the Green Chamber of Commerce
The Green Chamber of Commerce is a growing and diverse business network dedicated to: promoting the success of our members, supporting the development of sustainable business practices, and advocating for green public policy. The Green Chamber provides its members with promotional opportunities, discounts, educational events, a voice in national and local policy, and tools to become more environmentally and socially responsible.

Contact:
Risa De Ferrari, Advocacy Co-Chair, Board of Directors
SF Bay Area Green Chamber of Commerce
415.839.9280
Risa@greenchamberofcommerce.net

]]> http://greenchamberofcommerce.net/2011/11/29/how-to-become-a-benefit-corporation-on-dec-7/feed/ 0 http://greenchamberofcommerce.net/2011/11/02/san-francisco-bay-area-green-chamber-of-commerce-to-celebrate-2011-accomplishments-on-november-10th/ http://greenchamberofcommerce.net/2011/11/02/san-francisco-bay-area-green-chamber-of-commerce-to-celebrate-2011-accomplishments-on-november-10th/#comments Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:38:28 +0000 Green Chamber of Commerce http://greenchamberofcommerce.net/?p=4965 Featuring Speakers from American Sustainable Business Council, Wendel Rosen Black and Dean LLP, and Better World Club

SAN FRANCISCO (November 2, 2011) – The San Francisco Bay Area Green Chamber of Commerce (GCC) is hosting its 3^rd Annual Celebration, “A Taste of the Bay Area”, on November 10, 2011. The Green Chamber will be celebrating successes over the last year including the passage of three key pieces of sustainable legislation the organization supported in 2011: San Francisco’s Opt-In Yellow Page Ordinance, AB 376; Shark Protection Act, and AB 361; California Benefit Corporation legislation.  The Green Chamber will also be showcasing outstanding member businesses at this event and highlighting important partnerships including the American Sustainable Business Council based in Washington DC.

The event is from 7:00-10:00 p.m. with a VIP/Media reception from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Levi Strauss & Co.’s (LS & Co.) newly remodeled headquarters located at 1155 Battery Street in San Francisco, California. Amy Leonard, LS & Co.’s Senior Vice President of Product Development and Sourcing will kick off the evening with welcome remarks followed by Green Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Stacie Shepp, sharing an overview of the Green Chamber of Commerce.

The welcome remarks will be followed by three dynamic speakers:

• David Bodwin, co-founder of the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC), a network of business associations (including GCC) representing more than 100,000 businesses nationwide. ASBC promotes sustainability through public policy at the federal and state level and was a key player in helping pass the Benefit Corporation legislation in CA.

• Donald Simon, co-founder of the Green Business Practice Group and internal sustainability efforts for Bay Area law firm Wendel Rosen Black and Dean LLP, and lead attorney in advising and advocating for AB 361: the Benefit Corporation bill.

• Mitchell Rofsky, President of the Better World Club, America’s only environmentally friendly auto club with 24/7 nationwide roadside assistance for cars and bikes.

Attendees will enjoy live music by Jess King in the latter part of the evening. Jess King is an internationally known musician, joining us from Paris with cellist, Gerry Sung. Sung has performed with musical talents, including Mariah Carey, Steve Miller and John Secada.

“A Taste of the Bay Area” will feature a variety of food and drinks from around the SF Bay Area including: Organicopica, SpringLoaf, BiRite, FraMani, Three Twins Ice Cream, Wish Upon A Cupcake, Frey Vineyards, Equator Coffee & Tea, and Green Planet Water.  The VIP/Media reception will be sponsored by Credo Restaurant with appetizers prepared by Chef Gustavo Romero.

A variety of Green Chamber members will also have displays and will include: Green Dentistry, Dominican University of California’s Green MBA, Teselagen Biotechnology, Trim Tab Media, Exegy, Chinook Book along with GreenerPrinter and Best Life Organics.

Sponsors include:  East Bay Municipal Utility District, Elena Christopoulos, Eminess, and Wish Social Events.

A raffle will include a diverse array of prizes including an overnight stay in an Eco Studio at Hotel Healdsburg (priced at $355/$455) plus dinner for two at Spoobar (Value $125) and a framed ‘rock and roll’ print from Duncan Miller Gallery donated by Daniel Miller.

Advance tickets are $35 for GCC members, $50 for non-members and $15 for students.  Prices at the door are $45 for GCC members, $60 for non-members and $25 for students. Free tickets are available for businesses that become GCC members before Nov 10th.

About the Green Chamber of Commerce The Green Chamber of Commerce is a growing and diverse business network dedicated to: promoting the success of our members, supporting the development of sustainable business practices, and advocating for green public policy.  The Green Chamber provides its members with promotional opportunities, discounts, educational events, a voice in national and local policy, and tools to become more environmentally and socially responsible.

For more information about the Green Chamber of Commerce visit:  http://greenchamberofcommerce.net

For more information about the event visit:  http://greenchamberofcommerce.net/annual-event/

For sponsorship opportunities visit:  http://greenchamberofcommerce.net/annual-event/sponsorships/

To purchase tickets visit:  http://greenchamberofcommerce.net/annual-event/tickets/

Contact:
Stacie Shepp
Executive Director
SF Bay Area Green Chamber of Commerce
415.839.9280
Stacie(at)greenchamberofcommerce(dot)net

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Francisco Bay Area Green Chamber of Commerce Hosts Third Annual Gala Event
Celebrating “A Taste of the Bay Area” to be held on Nov. 10 at the newly remodeled headquarters of Levi Strauss & Co.

SAN FRANCISCO (October 5, 2011) – The San Francisco Bay Area Green Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 3^rd Annual Celebration, “A Taste of the Bay Area” on November 10, 2011. This event will bring together an appetizing variety of many of the Bay Area’s best organic and sustainable caterers, food companies, local restaurants and wineries, in addition to showcasing many outstanding local green product and service companies. There will be live entertainment as well as key sustainable industry and policy speakers.

The event will be held from 6:00-10:00 p.m. at the Levi Strauss & Co. (LS & Co.) newly remodeled headquarters located at 1155 Battery Street in San Francisco, California. LS & Co. and the Green Chamber of Commerce (GCC) are excited about the opportunity to work together to create what is sure to be a memorable and successful 2011 Green Chamber celebration.

Lindsay Hassett (a.k.a. The LED Lady), a Green Chamber member and founder of Illumalighting will be the master of ceremonies for this year’s event. Lindsay has emceed many local San Francisco Bay Area green events including the Harmony Festival. The LED Lady will be running this year’s raffle, which will include a unique selection of goods and services from Bay Area green businesses.

There will be live music featuring Jess King. Earlier this year, Jess King made the leap from New York to Paris, where she has been busy writing, recording and performing. She is currently working with an exceptional team in Europe to define her musical talent.  Cellist, Gerry Sung, will accompany King. Sung has performed with many international stars; among them, Mariah Carey, Steve Miller and John Secada.

“It gives me tremendous pride to support the San Francisco Bay Area Green Chamber of Commerce,” says Jess King.  “It is incredibly important that we each, as individuals, do whatever we can to care for our environment and planet, for not only our benefit but for future generations.”

GCC Executive Director Stacie Shepp anticipates this year’s event to be the organizations biggest and best yet stating, “The San Francisco Bay Area Green Chamber of Commerce is celebrating our fourth year.  We look forward to honoring our accomplishments this year, such as helping the San Francisco Board of Supervisor’s passage of the Yellow Page Ordinance. We invite you to come out on the 10^th of November to celebrate with us, learn how to get involved as a member, and find out who the, ‘Most Innovative Sustainable Initiative Award of 2011’ will go to.”

Sponsorship opportunities are available and individual tickets are now on sale starting at $35 per person for Green Chamber members. Don’t wait… Buy yours today!

About the Green Chamber of Commerce
The Green Chamber of Commerce is a growing and diverse business network dedicated to: promoting the success of our members, supporting the development of sustainable business practices, and advocating for green public policy.  The Green Chamber provides its members with promotional opportunities, discounts, educational events, a voice in national and local policy, and tools to become more environmentally and socially responsible.

For more information about the Green Chamber visit:
http://greenchamberofcommerce.net

For more information about the event visit:
http://greenchamberofcommerce.net/annual-event/

For sponsorship opportunities visit:
http://greenchamberofcommerce.net/annual-event/sponsorships/

To purchase tickets visit:
http://greenchamberofcommerce.net/annual-event/tickets/

Contact:
Stacie Shepp
Executive Director
Green Chamber of Commerce
415.839.9280
Stacie(at)greenchamberofcommerce(dot)net

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The pipeline would deliver oil from the tar sands in Canada to the Gulf of Mexico across the United States.

In their letter, Green America’s Green Business Network and The Green Chamber of Commerce said the pipeline would further United States addiction to oil and risk disastrous new oil spills in rivers and the Ogallala aquifer.  Global warming and oil spills have been seen to have an extremely detrimental effect on the economy, which affects the well-being of their businesses.

In addition to these risks, production of the 700,000 barrels of heavy crude that would travel from the tar sands every day creates a tremendous amount of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.  Both the potential for environmentally harmful oils spills and increase in GHG emissions would be harmful to the environment, in addition to the harm to business in the United States.

The text of the letter to President Obama follows:

“We write to you on behalf of thousands of small businesses in the United States that are deeply concerned about the proposed Keystone XL pipeline.  The well-being of our businesses and the economy in the United States are tied to the health of our environment.  The Keystone XL pipeline will have an immensely negative impact on the environment.  It would bring 700,000 barrels of heavy crude from Canadian tar sands to the US every day, furthering the US addiction to oil, and risking new oil spills in rivers and the Ogallala aquifer. The production of oil from tar sands would generate enormous greenhouse gas emissions, and create greater impacts from global warming.

The impacts of global warming — from droughts, to floods, to extreme weather – are bad for business in the United States.  As we saw in the Gulf, oil spills also have a devastating impact on the economy.  The failure to shift America away from its dependence on oil to cleaner fuels will further imperil our economy and reduce the number of green jobs we need for sustainable economic growth.

Your administration has taken bold and necessary steps to increase the green energy economy in the US.  Now, we urge you to reject the Keystone XL pipeline, and further invest in clean energy technologies.  It is the right decision for the US, and it is the right decision for business.”

East Northport, NY (PRWEB) August 03, 2011

Years ago, a television commercial for frozen dinners featured the jingle, “From the freezer, to the oven, to the table….” That memory came to mind while considering the lifecycle of the typical paper yellow directory: From the doorstep, to the garbage, to the landfill. Of course, there’s a big difference; if people don’t want to eat frozen dinners, they don’t have to buy them. Shouldn’t the same be true for printed phone directories? It will be in the City of San Francisco starting next May, when yellow book publishers and distributors become subject to fines of up to $500 per violation if they deliver yellow pages directories to residents who have not previously requested them or agreed to accept them upon delivery. This legislation, the “opt-in” model, is the first of its kind in the country and, ideally, will serve as a template for local jurisdictions across the United States in their efforts to cut waste, save resources, and preserve the environment via legislation to curtail the unsolicited delivery of printed yellow books.

YellowPagesGoesGreen.org, an online directory of business listings owned by Yellow Pages Directory, Inc. has partnered with the Green Chamber of Commerce to encourage more local legislative initiatives aimed at stopping the proliferation of unwanted yellow pages directories. While the opt-in model chosen by San Francisco unquestionably promises the most optimal environmental result, the opt-out model recently enacted by the City of Seattle also has the potential for huge benefit. Seattle, which has launched its own municipal “opt-out” registry, is now imposing fines of up to $125 per book on companies who deliver yellow directories to those on the city’s opt-out list, while charging publishers a fee of 14 cents per directory delivered in the city.

Seattle’s law has also recently withstood a legal challenge in federal court by the yellow pages industry. San Francisco’s opt-in ordinance is currently being challenged in court, bringing to light two ironically noteworthy facts. First, the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, is being brought by a trade group called the Local Search Association. Who are they? Why, they’re the old Yellow Pages Association with a new name that has eliminating all reference to the color yellow. The Local Search Association, formerly the Yellow Pages Association, is arguing against San Francisco’s opt-in legislation with the claim that it violates their First Amendment rights. Instead, they call for an opt-out model to achieve the goal of waste reduction in San Francisco. If you can’t beat ‘em….

YellowPagesGoesGreen.org provides a simple, feature rich and environmentally friendly alternative to print directories with its online version of business listings. Additional new features on the web site including driving directions showing how to get to a business are a case in point. Simply search for the business you seek and click for the listing details — to the right of the listing you’ll see not only a street map with the precise location of that business pinpointed but you will also find driving directions from your location below the listing with one quick-click. Ask yourself when the last time was in which you received directions from a printed listing in a telephone book? Must you take yet an additional step to then find out how to get there? Online alternatives to print are exceptionally detailed, more practical for today’s consumer and at the end of the day simply better for the environment preventing the disastrous waste cast upon our world from unnecessary landfills of print.

Yellow Pages Directory Inc., owner of both YellowPagesGoesGreen.org and PaperlessPetition.org, offers an environmentally-friendly Web-based alternative to paper telephone directories while providing a simple and convenient mechanism for customers to opt out from the receipt of printed yellow books. Both web sites have been instrumental in promoting opt-out awareness across the United States over the past several years, and allowing users to reduce their own environmental footprints in the process. Yellow Pages Directory Inc. has also taken steps to reduce its own impact on the environment through the use of the most up-to-date and energy-efficient web-hosting services available.

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prwebyellow-pages/no-more-print/prweb8693391.htm

Read more: http://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/11/08/p1830941/yellowpagesgoesgreen-org-lauds-green-initiatives-partners-with-environm#ixzz1U0dg7REe

Local jurisdictions across the country must follow the lead of cities like San Francisco and Seattle in enacting legislation to curtail the proliferation of unwanted paper yellow pages directories.

East Northport, NY (PRWEB) July 15, 2011

All politics is local. Realizing the enormous impact that local initiatives can have upon national public policy,Yellow Pages Goes Green, an online business directory owned by Yellow Pages Directory, Inc., is joining forces with the Green Chamber of Commerce in spearheading a Call to Action to promote conservation and eliminate the unnecessary waste inherent in the production and distribution of printed yellow pages books. Yellow Pages Goes Green urges governmental leaders in villages, towns, counties and cities across the United States to join us in furthering the Green movement and preserving our environment by sponsoring local legislation requiring that publishers of printed yellow directories be subject to opt-in or, at the very least, opt-out requirements. As a first step, Yellow Pages Goes Green is hereby calling upon local jurisdictions throughout the country to post a link tohttp://www.YellowPagesGoesGreen.org on their individual governmental websites. This will raise public awareness of the opt-out option while providing a convenient means to achieve it, and will produce immediate results everywhere the link is posted.

While the distinction between the opt-in and out-out models is simple, the difference is nothing short of dramatic. The opt-in model, as illustrated by recentlegislation passed in San Francisco and slated to begin on May 1, 2012, will restrict the delivery of printed yellow directories to those who have either requested them beforehand or personally agree to accept them at time of delivery. Adopted despite the organized opposition of various Yellow Pages publishers and trade groups, San Francisco’s three-year pilot program is intended not only to be eco-friendly, but also affords the practical benefits of limiting the distribution of yellow books to those who actually want them, and saving the city the carting and recycling fees associated with disposing of tons of unsolicited books. Both Yellow Pages Goes Green and the Green Chamber of Commerce acknowledge that mandatory opt-in programs such as San Francisco’s promise the greatest potential for environmental benefit, and call upon local governments nationwide to consider similar legislation.

Opt-out registries, such as that recently enacted by the City of Seattle, are the next-most potent weapon against the scourge of yellow pollution. In Seattle, companies that deliver printed yellow books to citizens who’ve opted out through the city’s webpage can be fined up to $125 per book, and consumers who still want a directory can choose the one they’d like to receive from among the several different books delivered each years throughout the city. It has been reported that nearly 250,000 books have already been canceled through the Seattle program; a huge step in the right direction.

The only drawback to the opt-out model is that it works only when people actually take the initiative and opt out. How many times have you come home to find phone books dumped in your driveway or dropped at your front door? Did you want or need them? Do they even make it inside the house before you toss them? You might have opted out from receiving those bulky, wasteful, unsolicited yellow directories by visitinghttp://www.YellowPagesGoesGreen.org and following the simple “opt-out” prompts, but it just didn’t occur to you to do that until the latest Yellow Pages print edition appeared at your residence. In that sense, the opt-out model is analogous to those old record clubs; unless one mailed back the “Do Not Send” card each month, the merchandise would just keep coming. Awareness of the options available is crucial, and we ask that civic leaders throughout the nation join us now in getting the word out — no more
unwanted yellow books!

About Yellow Pages Directory Inc.
Provides an eco-friendly Internet-based alternative to printed telephone books as well as helps consumers optout of print directories. The online site helps customers reduce their environmental footprint by giving them a substitute for traditional print Yellow Pages directories, reducing their paper use. The company owns both YellowPagesGoesGreen.org as well as PaperlessPetition.org, both of which have contributed greatly through the years to today’s general opt-out awareness in the United States. As an initiative for the promotion of green
eco-friendly alternatives Yellow Pages Directory Inc. takes several added initiatives to minimize the impact it has on the environment with its own office space, computers, servers and web site hosting services.http://www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org

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By Risa De Ferrari

Certified Benefit Corporations (B Corps) are a new classification of business joining the ranks of certifications such as: sole proprietorships, standard incorporations (C Corps or S Corps), and limited liability corporations (LLCs) to name a few.  B Corps are unique in that they build upon the legal framework of an organization the opportunity to legally consider the impact decisions will have on the triple bottom line: business, society, and the environment. This differs from current corporate structures, which legally restrict the focus of the company to maximizing shareholder value. B Corps facilitate this triple-bottom-line mission by aiding organizations in reframing their usual business practices by incorporating commitments to greater accountability, transparency, sustainable business practices, and socially responsible initiatives into the bylaws of the company.

There are many long-term potential benefits to becoming a B Corp certified organization. For starters, the certification may lead to uncovering opportunities for cost savings in waste, water, and energy. In relation, the sustainable & clean tech business sectors are the only area of the economy growing consistently and a major incentive for this kind of certification is to attract more of the billions of dollars that are being invested, which has the added benefit of promoting job creation. As companies become B Corp certifiedthrough B Lab (an independent third-party verification) for their sustainable practices, major investment can be attracted because sustainable and clean tech investors are using the B Corp status recognition as a way to vet companies to invest in.

Additionally, as more states legally recognize B Corp certifications there is potential for creating tax incentives. Philadelphia is the first city in the nation to create a pilot tax incentive program for certified B Corps and if it proves successful, other cities and states may follow. Ultimately, the B Corp certification will provide an avenue for aligning employee, community, and corporate values, and uphold these commitments in the case of a merger/acquisition and when seeking investment; in this way the holistic mission of the company will remain intact.

Today, we stand on the brink of a sweeping movement for B Corporations across the US that represents a vital step in transforming the commerce of today into the thriving green economy of tomorrow. States throughout the country including Virginia, Maryland, Vermont, and New Jersey, have already successfullypassed B Corp legislation into law. Additionally, a number of other states including Colorado, Hawaii, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Michigan introduced and hope to pass forthcoming Benefit Corporation legislation into law by the end of this year. We’re excited that California is one of them.

The California Benefit Corporation bill AB 361, introduced by Marin County, California Assemblymember Jared Huffman in February of this year, has had a great deal of attention and support from its beginning. Major support from organizations such as: the American Sustainable Business Council, Green America, the Green Chamber of Commerce, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Social Venture Network, and the US Green Business Council, in addition to the passage of B Corp laws in other states previous to California have made for a very convincing argument. AB 361 sailed past the first round of state assembly committee hearings, recently passed through the State Assembly itself, and is now expected to go to the state senate for review before going before California State Governor Jerry Brown.

For California, AB 361 represents a major tipping point in the US economy and may one day redefine what it means to do business as usual in this country. As Adam Lowry, Co-Founder and Chief Greenskeeper of Method Inc., a rapidly developing consumer products company based in San Francisco put it, “Benefit Corporations represent the corporate model of the future, and AB 361 will allow California to establish leadership in developing this new economy.”

AB 361 has only taken its first few steps in the long walk to the final vote in November but the amount of enthusiasm and support shown at this early stage demonstrates that the timing is right for this transformational bill to pass into law.

Written by Risa De Ferrari, an intern for the Green Chamber of Commerce with review by Alexia Marcous, Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Green Chamber of Commerce

Original Article>>>

With terms like “sustainability” and “green industry” being used freely and indiscriminately in public discourse, this panel was a breath of fresh air, bringing the vague and broad reaching dimensions of “Clean Tech” into focus.

The panel of experts was convened by the Green Chamber of Commerce this past week in Silicon Valley at the impressive and eclectic TechShop and coordinated by Heather Durham, founder of SVTAGS, a cable television show covering Technology, Art, Green & Sustainability in Silicon Valley. Among the experts, Mark Mitchell Senior VP of Serious Energy, Olivier Jerphagnon, Founder of the Green Frog of Silicon Valley, Lisa Anne Pinkerton, Founder of Technica Communications, and Alper Ertas, Attorney at Novak Druce. (You can read more about their bios here.)

It is easy to see why there is confusion in discussing clean tech, as the field is not vertical and includes many subcategories including renewable energy, water and energy conservation, green building design and building materials.

Although there has been around 2 billion dollars in venture capital investments in this field, it is dwarfed by the 10 billion that the Chinese government has invested. Currently, China is the world leader in clean tech.

Social media (as a category) has trumped clean tech recently for Silicon Valley’s venture capital funding, and as a result, some of the financial momentum hasn’t been there for significant strides in research and implementation.

One of the major take-aways from the panel was that in order to have effective implementation and reach of clean tech innovations it is vital to partner with existing large corporations and offer them the opportunity to adopt the new, better technologies into their own massive systems and market share. Particularly with industries such as water and energy, the level of infrastructure and the dominance of only a few companies makes it vital to seek out partnerships and ally with existing players.

The good news is that the natural economic driver of increasingly costly resources already has forward thinking companies like IBM and GE investing in energy and water conservation within their operations.

Mark Mitchell described some of the opportunities within the building industry to vastly reduce energy consumption. Forty percent of the energy we use is spent on running buildings and the top three construction materials that make up the construction are steel, concrete, and gypsum plaster. The technology exists to have carbon neutral concrete, but it is not currently economically competitive. As of Dept. of Energy Steven Chu has said, “30% of energy in buildings is wasted.”

Olivier Jergaphron highlighted the disconnect and disparity in new technology inventions that do not benefit the larger U.S. economy and the need for green technology innovations to fuel production and manufacturing in economically depressed regions in the U.S.  An astonishing fifty percent of college graduates in the U.S. are from other countries. Jergaphron also talked about the underlying reality that U.S. lifestyle norms will have to change in the future – owning multiple cars and driving long distances will not be viable. People don’t like to think about this and it’s political suicide to seriously address it at the federal level.

Lisa Anne Pinkerton emphasized the need for individuals and businesses not to wait around for government policies on the federal level to fuel change. If products can be delivered at cost, and with better performance, they will naturally start to be adopted.

What drives the market for clean tech? Information for consumers, such as carbon labeling, local and state policies like theRenewables Portfolio Standard.  Because there are so many facets to clean tech, it doesn’t have the clout of a single industry and it is unlikely that you’ll see any clean tech lobbyists on capital hill anytime soon. So how do we speed up clean tech? “Local initiatives create pressure,” says Lisa Anne Pinkerton.

Other highlights:

Mark Mitchell described an incredible case study for Serious Energy, the Empire State Building retrofit. The project involved processing all existing glass windows in the building and installing panes treated for greater energy efficiency. Completed in less than 6 months (using the fifth floor of the building), the massive project took less than 3 years to pay for itself, decreased building vacancy by 60% and increased value by 30%. To top it all off, the shiny newcomer to the stock market, LinkedIn recently moved in to this newly green building taking an entire floor.

Olivier Jerphagnon described how a U.S. documentary revealing the dangers and devastation caused by fracking (a method using high water pressure to extract oil from beneath the ground) had such a profound impact in France that they have now outlawed the practice, although in the U.S. and Canada the practice is still in active use.

So what’s the take away?  Opportunities for green tech within energy and water industries will only grow moving forward as resources become more scarce and conservation becomes a business necessity. Will this lead to an ever shrinking horizon? “Don’t underestimate the power of game changers,” says Mark Mitchell. “Innovation, such as a new energy source like fusion could change the entire playing field.”

Here at BetterWorld, we’re hopeful that companies and individuals will adopt smarter green practices before we need them. One of the easiest ways to reduce one’s carbon footprint is by adopting a smarter way of working, we have framework for this, we call it BetterWork.

Salem Kimble is Social Media Manager with BetterWorld Telecom

Original Article>>>