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Dell Computer is the most environmentally sensitive computer manufacturer and IBM is number two according to Innovest Strategic Value Advisors. The others in the top five are Compaq, Quantum, and Apple Computer. The worst eco-performers are Data General, Western Digital, Silicon Graphics, and Gateway. Innovest, a NY-based company, conducts research to demonstrate the relationship between company environmental initiatives and financial performance. Their research indicates that environmentally proactive companies tend to have stronger management in general, and therefore perform better financially. The trend is consistent in the industries they have studied so far – energy, chemical and computer. Environmentally active firms outperform those ranked last by about 25 percent. Some of the indicators they used to determine environmental excellence among computer manufacturers were whether a company has a take-back program for old computers, energy efficiency ratings for computers, and the amount of pollution generated by manufacturing plants. Thanks to Robert Gregory for notifying me of this.
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In May, just a few weeks after receiving their country license from The Natural Step International Board, TNS South Africa learned that Desmond Tutu agreed to be their Patron. “Of all the great South African leaders to have emerged at the end of this century, none carries the torch of integrity and compassion for humanity higher than Tutu. We are deeply honored and enormously excited that The Natural Step will be traveling under his banner in this part of Africa,” commented Peter Willis, Executive Director of TNS South Africa.
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Greenleaf Publishing is looking for contributors for its forthcoming book, “Greener Manufacturing and Operations, From Design to Delivery and Back”, to be edited by Joseph Sarkis and published around November 2000. Send an abstract of 300-400 words via email attachment before December 15, 1999. The book will cover design for the environment, total quality environmental management, green supply chains, environmental management systems and standards, zero emissions, and source reduction. Joseph Sarkis, Clark University, Graduate School of Management http://www.greenleaf-publishing.com
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Monsanto is far from giving up on GMOs, but in response to world-wide pressure the company decided to halt its efforts to commercialize Terminator seeds. The technology renders seeds sterile after one season and forces farmers to purchase seeds each year from Monsanto. Although European resistance to genetically modified organisms in food is well-know, Asian governments and activists are confronting the issue even more aggressively. Kirin and Sapporo, the two largest Japanese breweries, no longer use GM grains, and the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is investigating whether corn snacks sold there contain the organisms and may conduct random tests of all snack foods. South Korea’s Agriculture and Forestry Ministry is deciding which items must be labeled by year end. In the Philippines, the government declared that if environmental disasters result from current field tests of GM corn the companies will face civil and criminal sanctions. Farmers can sue the companies if tests prove damaging to their farmlands. Labeling may become easier now that a simple test – as simple as a home pregnancy test – can determine in minutes whether a product contains GMOs. Since GMOs have a different protein than naturally occurring plants, the test determines […]
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In 1995, Indonesia introduced the first public environmental reporting initiative in a developing country, the Program for Pollution Control, Evaluation, and Rating (PROPER). Under this system, companies receive one of five color ratings based on their environmental performance, and the results are publicly reported. Gold: clean technology, waste minimization, pollution prevention. Green: exceeds minimum standards Blue: meets minimum standards Red: do not meet minimum standards Black: no pollution control effort, serious environmental damage Between 1995-1997, the 200 large water polluting factories that participated improved their compliance level from 34 – 51 percent. Shakeh Afsah, PROPER developer, conducted a survey of these facilities and found that accurate information and structured reports and ratings enabled the companies to identify and compare their performance with similar facilities. Afsah is tailoring versions of the system for governments in Columbia, Thailand and India. In India, the Cement Manufacturers Association is modifying the program to focus on environmental performance, energy efficiency and carbon emissions. He is applying the principles to forest certification as part of a USAID project in Indonesia. Shakeh Afsah, International Resources Group: safsah@irgltd.com Source: Environment Health & Safety Newsletter: thunder@pipeline.com
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The Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems is a mammoth project that will summarize the totality of human knowledge about sustainable development at the beginning of the new millennium. Supported by UNESCO, this global research project is designed to educate policy makers and individuals and set the research agenda on sustainable development in all disciplines that affect knowledge of the issue. The Encyclopedia will be published on a CD-ROM. It is divided into six areas: Global Sustainable Development, Water, Energy, Environment, Food and Agriculture, and Knowledge Foundations. One of the sub-sections is on ecological economics and experts in the field are invited to contribute. There are eight themes in the section: 1) ecologically sustainable corporate practices 2) complexity and chaos in environmental-economic interactions 3) system dynamics in policy making 4) system dynamics in resource management policy 5) foundations and historical roots of ecological economics 6) principles of ecological economics 7) policy Issues and ecological economics 8) the cultural dimension of ecological economics Contact Roderic A Gill, New England Ecological Economics Group (NEEEG) and visit the website. Encyclopedia website: http://www.eolss.co.uk
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Tenet Healthcare Corporation, the second-largest U.S. health care company (120 hospitals) has agreed to give preference when purchasing supplies to those made without PVC provided they are reasonably priced and of equal quality. This directive also applies to BuyPower, a group purchasing operation owned by Tenet, which purchases about $3 billion in medical products a year. Tenet agreed to work with suppliers to develop PVC-free disposable medical products. Earlier this year we reported that Baxter International, the largest U.S. IV bag manufacturer, committed to phase out use of PVC. Universal Health Services, Kaiser Permanente and Catholic Healthcare West are shifting away from vinyl too. PVC is used in 25 percent of plastic medical products, alternatives to which are readily available at competitive prices. The decision was spurred by a shareholder proposal from three institutional investors – Sisters of Saint Francis, Medical Mission Sisters, and the Service Employees International Union Master Trust. They asked Tenet to consider eliminating PVC because of its health and environmental threats; dioxin, a known carcinogen and reproductive toxin, is a byproduct of the manufacturing process and of incineration PVC waste. Research indicates that phthalates, a softener in PVC products, leach from medical products, notably IV bags, […]
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Leave it to Berkeley, CA. to be the first school district in the U.S. to offer organic, locally grown food to its 10,000 students. In August, the Berkeley United School District’s Board voted unanimously to implement a program that incorporates whole-foods principles and organic gardening into the school’s curriculum and the food it serves. Food Systems Project coordinator Jered Lawson states, “We want to purchase organic to ensure that it’s GMO-free, BGH-free and irradiation-free. Our emphasis is fresh and local, and to build responsible relationships with local food manufacturers and growers of organic and natural foods.” The district phased out sugar-based soft drinks and snacks and phased in organic substitutes like fruit from San Francisco-based Veritable Vegetable, whole wheat bread from a local bakery, and organic rice cakes and tortilla chips from companies like Newman’s Own and Barbara’s Bakery. The USDA is funding the project with a three-year grant as part of Berkeley’s Center for Ecoliteracy. The Center’s mission is to improve community health by teaching families how to establish and maintain lifelong healthy eating habits. The USDA has made Berkeley a pilot project linking farms to schools. Source: Natural Foods Merchandiser
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You know what book: the subtitles are different in the U.S. and abroad, but it’s Natural Capitalism (:The Next Industrial Revolution [in Europe]; :Creating the Next Industrial Revolution [in the U.S.]). The long awaited call to arms by Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins and Hunter Lovins launched September 30. The American edition sold out before the publication date and has gone into a second printing. The book will be translated into German and published by Bertelsmann in early 2000 and translations into French and Mandarin Chinese are in negotiation. One of the promising developments noted in GEO 2000 is the realization by the global business community that environment and commerce go hand in hand. Natural Capitalism offers a foundation for the next industrial revolution, through which we may solve many pressing environmental problems. You can download excerpts and chapters at the Natural Capitalism website. We will be publishing excerpts from the book shortly. Outside the U.S., order through Earthscan Publications and in the U.S. order the book directly through Rocky Mountain Institute. Discounts available for more than 5 copies.
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The National Environmental Trust, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Physicians for Social Responsibility begin an international $11 million media and grass roots global warming campaign this week. It starts with TV spots on 200-plus stations nationwide and a movie trailer, “A Perfect Balance,” later this month. Narrated by celebrities, the trailer illustrates how global warming is caused, and how it can be reduced. Translated into at least 10 languages and broadcast in 60 countries until Earth Day 2000, it is expected to reach more than a billion people world-wide. An associated website, http://www.hotearth.com serves as an information source on global warming and practical solutions. A “Pollution Solutions Tour” will visit 36 cities in the next two months, displaying readily available environmental products.
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