Greenopolis- Learn, Act, Rewards, Together!

We are about to see the  launch of Greenopolis, the interactive, collaborative and educational “green” community Web 2.0 site that Waste Management and other partners are developing. Although built by WM, it is open source- open to anyone who has something to contirbute and want to participate. The website focuses on bringing together individuals, communities, organizations and corporations to help people learn, partner and make incremental, positive environmental changes in their daily lives and communities.  Greenopolis is partnering with dozens, and eventually hundreds, maybe thousands of businesses, schools, non profits and governments to foster sustainable learning that leads to “green” behavior. Millions of incremental steps multiplied by millions of actors to really shift the game. 

 

The site is getting lots of visitors, members and positive blogging.

You can a part of it. You can check out the site at www.greenopolis.com. Meet Liv Greene, oiur AIM bot/avatar, and engage in the site any way you like. Antich and dozens of other centers for higher ed are taking part. You can contact me on the site- my username is Greenopollis Joe, and I really want your feedback and suggestions. We’ve got a short time to save a big planet. We all need to move now.

 

Joe

The Story of Stuff

We’ve seen the link to this internet video before…a very informative way to spend 20 minutes of your time, learning about the “upstream” and “downstream” lives of our stuff.  It fits in well with the “Cradle to Cradle” concepts.

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

 The link below is an interview with the author of the video, and offers some insights into why and how she did it.

“Consuming Our Way to Unhappiness”

http://www.alternet.org/story/72568

She totally reinforces the fact that stuff does not equate to happiness…a point Bill McKibben emphasizes in “Deep Economy”

 Anne N.

Biodiesel from Algae

This paper discusses production of biodiesel using algae. It gets really interesting when it mentions creating systems to use human waste to feed algae to create energy.

http://www.unh.edu/p2/biodiesel/article_alge.html

David j.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the foundation of well known companies such as:  Timberland, Seventh Generation, Ben and Jerry Icecream, Green Mountain Coffee, and the Body Shop.    The list of companies who are engaged in CSR and including corporate social responsibility reports along with annual reports grows every year.

National and state chapters of Businesses for Social Responsibility (BSR) are bringing like minded businesses together to network; enhance CSR practices, and measure accomplishments. 

CSR has become a huge movement.

In this blog, we want to learn about CSR initiatives in small and large businesses.  We want to find out why companies engage in CSR, how employees feel about CSR initiatives, the ways CSR initiatives evolve in organizations, and how companies are measuring their CSR success.

We are interested in case studies, personal stories, and visions for the future.

Climate Change

Climate Change is a scientific study, a social phenomena, a political issue and an opportunity for dialogue across diverse stakeholder groups. 

Al Gore, in his acceptance speech for the Nobel Prize, commented that, “the next generation will ask us one of two questions. Either they will ask: “What were you thinking; why didn’t you act? Or they will ask instead: “How did you find the moral courage to rise and successfully resolve a crisis that so many said was impossible to solve?”Whether you agree or disagree with Al Gore, there is tremendous need and opportunity for citizens to discuss the science, issues, opportunities, and threats of climate change.  We want to gather information, articles, personal reflections, and professional insights to create a broader and deeper understanding of Climate Change. Please join us in a constructive dialogue about Climate Change.   

Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture, local foods, and organic foods are all topics we explore in the Green MBA at Antioch University New England. 

Our challenge is to stay on top of  the latest sustainable agriculture initiatives, policies, marketing strategies and consumer demands.  In launching this blog we invite people to post interesting articles and begin conversations about the many issues surrounding sustainable agriculture.

We want to know who are the change agents?  What are the trends?  How do consumers make choices about local foods?  What are the connections between local food movement and climate change?  How can we enhance regional local and organic food markets? How do consumers decide what organic foods to purchase?

We encourage bloggers to post articles, share ideas, reflect on new findings, and be a part of this evolving field.

Seattle residents commit to eat food grown within 100 miles

Seattle residents commit to eat food grown within 100 miles:

http://www.columbian.com/news/state/APStories/
AP08052007news178303.cfm

Organic farmers face ruin as rich nations agonise over food miles

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/
real_food/article2182994.ece

Resources on Industrial Agriculture and Humane Sustainable Food Systems

Tons of ideas in this resource list with great links.

http://www.crle.org/resources.asp

USDA Announces Sustainable Operations Council

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns recently announced the creation of the USDA Sustainable Operations Council for efficient and effective use of USDA’s energy and resources. “This new council helps all USDA’s employees work together to operate, promote and use sustainable operating practices so we save energy and practice effective use of our resources,” said Johanns. Additional information about USDA’s Sustainable Operations can be found at

http://www.greening.usda.gov