Thursday, January 31, 2008

Renewable Energy Tax Credits Added to Stimulus Bill
http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/013108EA.shtml
Renewable Energy Access reports: "On Wednesday, the Senate Finance Committee included measures to extend the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for renewable energy through the end of 2009 in its version of an economic stimulus package originally proposed by President Bush."

Polar Bears Take Center Stage at Senate Hearing
http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/013108EB.shtml
A report from The Associated Press says, "A decision on whether to protect Alaska's polar bears under the Endangered Species Act might not come before the government opens a major bear habitat to oil leases next week, though staff recommendations are completed, the US Fish and Wildlife Service chief said Wednesday."

Carbon Trading Must Be Globally Regulated
http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/013108EC.shtml
Simon Linnet, The Telegraph UK, writes, "A call for a new international body, the World Environment Agency, to regulate carbon trading."

Organic Consumers Association


ORGANIC BYTES #127
Health, Justice and Sustainability News Tidbits with an Edge!


1/31/2008

Written and edited by Craig Minowa and Ronnie Cummins

IN THIS ISSUE:

  • FEBRUARY 5TH IS SUPER-DUPER TUESDAY!
    DON'T FORGET TO VOTE IN THE ILLINOIS PRESIDENTIAL AND STATE PRIMARIES!
  • SUSTAINABILITY ALERT: THE DARK SIDE OF ETHANOL AND BIODIESEL SUBSIDIES
  • RELATED QUOTES OF THE WEEK
  • QUICK AGRO-FUEL FACTS
  • OCA WEB FORUM TOPIC OF THE WEEK: WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF BIO-FUELS?
  • TIP OF THE WEEK: UNCHAIN YOUR HEART: BREAK THE CHAINS OF TOXIC PESTICIDES AND CHILD SLAVERY ON VALENTINE'S DAY
  • FOOD SAFETY ALERT: UNLABELED ALLERGENS IN FOOD THREATEN CHILDREN'S HEALTH
  • HEALTH SURVEY OF THE WEEK: WHO IN THE WORLD LOVES FAST FOOD THE MOST?
  • QUICK TIDBIT: MAJOR NETWORK TOLD NOT TO AIR PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTING VACCINE PROBLEMS
  • WEB VIDEO OF THE WEEK: SWEET MISERY - A POISONED WORLD

FEBRUARY 5TH IS SUPER-DUPER TUESDAY!
DON'T FORGET TO VOTE IN THE IL PRESIDENTIAL AND STATE PRIMARIES!

The Organic Consumers Association is a nonpartisan organization that neither supports nor opposes any political party or candidate for office, so all we can tell you is, "Get out and vote!" If you're interested in legislative advocacy and electoral politics please consider *becoming a member of the Organic Consumers Fund* [https://payments.auctionpay.com/ver3/?id=W042062]. OCF and the OCF Political Action Committee are launching a new project called the Grassroots Netroots Alliance (GNA) to identify and support outstanding progressive candidates who realize the importance of organic agriculture and also have a good understanding of the broader issues of justice, peace, democracy, health and sustainability. GNA has launched its Illinois page just in time for the February 5th primaries. Send a survey to your local Illinois candidates to find out where they stand on issues of health, justic and sustainability, and see results of candidates who have already taken the GNA survey: http://www.grassrootsnetroots.org/states/IL.cfm

_______________________________

SUSTAINABILITY ALERT:
THE DARK SIDE OF ETHANOL AND BIODIESEL
SUBSIDIES
Americans now understand that climate-destabilizing greenhouse gases are a major threat to our survival. Unfortunately, large corporations have convinced Congress to ignore real solutions to the crisis (like significant advances in fuel-efficiency), while providing billions of dollars per year in subsidies to big-agribusiness for agrofuels.

More than a hundred U.S. based and international organizations, including the Organic Consumers Association, are calling for a moratorium on the more than $8 billion of annual government subsidies paid to large corporations producing agrofuels from industrial-scale genetically engineered crops. Family farmers currently receive only a small portion of annual funds allocated to agrofuels. While billions of dollars in subsidies for corn, soy and palm oil-based agrofuels, certainly result in higher profits for corporate giants such as Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, and Monsanto, their overall contribution to reducing reliance on foreign oil and greenhouse gases is negligible (see facts below).

Government support for agrofuels in the U.S. costs taxpayers roughly $2 per gallon in subsidies at the gas pump. These misguided funding priorities have taken tens of billions of dollars of funding away from essential greenhouse gas reduction policies, such as energy conservation, solar and wind power, fuel-efficiency technologies, and mass transit. While the OCA supports the production of biofuels from recycled waste (such as used vegetable oil, manure or sewage) and biomass sustainably grown and harvested for the benefit of local communities, the current focus is a recipe for disaster. Learn more and sign the Agrofuel Moratorium Petition today: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_9980.cfm

_______________________________

RELATED QUOTES OF THE WEEK
"Farmers are seeing little of the huge profits ethanol refiners like Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) are banking... ADM will earn an estimated $1.3 billion from ethanol alone in the 2007 fiscal year."

From New York Times article: "How ADM makes a killing on ethanol"

"The United States, in a misguided effort to reduce its oil insecurity by converting grain into fuel for cars, is generating global food insecurity on a scale never seen before."

Economist Lester Brown speaking to the Des Moines Register 1/25/2008

__________________________________

QUICK AGRO-FUEL FACTS

  • Increasing fuel efficiency by just 3% would reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil more than all of the agrofuels combined.
  • The amount of grain it takes to fill an average gas tank with ethanol would be enough to feed a person for a year (source: Foreign Affairs)
  • If the United States stopped growing food and converted its entire grain harvest into ethanol, it would satisfy less than 16 percent of its automotive needs. (source: Earth Policy Institute)
  • The majority of U.S. biofuels are produced from pesticide intensive genetically engineered crops (soy, corn).
  • Monocultures of soy and sugar cane in Latin America and palm oil in Indonesia and Malaysia have led to massive deforestation and the loss of invaluable biodiversity.
  • Current methods of industrial-scale biofuel production worsen global warming by increasing deforestation and degradation of peatlands and soils, while also creating more nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizer use.

___________________________________

OCA WEB FORUM TOPIC OF THE WEEK
WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF BIO-FUELS?
OCA's web forum provides an online discussion space for like-minded folks. Over 1500 people have registered to the forum and are posting thoughts about everything from organic gardening to food safety to sustainability issues. This week's feature topic is on bio-fuels. What's good about them, what's bad about them, and what role do they have in the future of the sustainability movement?
Click here to read what other people have to think and join in the discussions: http://organicconsumers.org/forum/index.php

___________________________________

TIP OF THE WEEK: UNCHAIN YOUR HEART:
BREAK THE CHAINS OF TOXIC PESTICIDES AND CHILD SLAVERY ON VALENTINE'S DAY

Tis that time of year when more than 20 million Americans are buying sweets and flowers for their loved ones on Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, these tokens of love aren't as sweet or pure as they may appear. Over 40 percent of the world's conventional chocolate (i.e. non-organic and non-Fair Trade) comes from Africa's Ivory Coast, where the International Labor Organization and US State Department have reported widespread instances of child slavery. Meanwhile, commercial flowers, most of which are produced in countries such as Colombia, are the most toxic and heavily sprayed agricultural crops on Earth. In order for you to deliver your bouquet to your beauty, poorly paid workers in Third World countries put in up to 18 hour work days for poverty wages during peak flower buying times such as Valentine's Day. But don't let the bad news squelch your Valentine's plans. Show your love by choosing Fair Trade and organic flowers and chocolate for your Valentine's Day gifts. Check out OCA's Buying Guide, watch an entertaining flash movie and take action against the 5 major chocolate and flower corporations:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/valentines/

_________________________________

We need your support today to protect the rights of
organic consumers and family farmers.


Donate Now!

http://www.organicconsumers.org/donations.htm

________________________________

FOOD SAFETY ALERT:
UNLABELED ALLERGENS IN FOOD THREATEN CHILDREN'S HEALTH

In the last issue of Organic Bytes, we highlighted Robyn O'Brien as the activist of the week. Robyn's organization, AllergyKids.com, is working with the OCA to close a loophole in U.S. food labeling regulations that is allowing common foods to contain dangerous new allergens without labeling. Specifically, the U.S. Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act fails to highlight and require labels for the now commonplace foreign or "novel" gene-spliced proteins and allergens in soy, corn, canola and other food products. According to Daniel Sheehan, an FDA scientist, American children are part of "a large, uncontrolled and basically unmonitored human infant experiment." Contact your Congress-members to require labels on gene-spliced foreign proteins and allergens in food products, which are contributing to the epidemic of food allergies, autism, ADHD and asthma in our children.
Learn more and take action: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_9979.cfm

___________________________________


image parody

HEALTH SURVEY OF THE WEEK:
WHO IN THE WORLD LOVES FAST FOOD THE MOST?

Last week, the polling body Synovate and the BBC released results of a survey analyzing how people around the world view fast food, dieting and exercise. One of the questions of the survey was "I like the taste of fast food too much to give it up." 44 percent of Americans agreed with the statement while only 19 percent of the French agreed. For the first time, the UK gained the dubious honor of being the fast food capitol of the world with 45 percent of people saying they couldn't give up the greasy grub. When it comes to weight loss, over half of surveyed American, French and British people said they cut down on food to shed pounds, while Malaysia had the highest percentage of people connecting weight loss to herbs and supplements. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are among the top users of low-fat products and meal replacements, but also gym memberships and home exercise equipment.
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_9928.cfm

___________________________________

QUICK TIDBIT:
MAJOR NETWORK TOLD NOT TO AIR PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTING VACCINE PROBLEMS

The American Academy of Pediatrics is calling on the ABC television network to cancel the premiere episode of Eli Stone, in which a mother wins a $5.2 million lawsuit charging her son got autism from a vaccine. The Academy claims airing the program may cause more people to question the safety of vaccinations. In related news, a recent poll in OCA's web forum found that 72% of the survey participants avoid all vaccinations, 11% avoid some vaccinations, 12% get all of their vaccinations, and 4% believe vaccinations should be required by law. http://organicconsumers.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=679

___________________________________

WEB VIDEO OF THE WEEK:
SWEET MISERY - A POISONED WORLD

If you're still eating foods containing the artificial sweetener aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal, diet drinks, etc.), you need to watch this documentary. Aspartame was approved for widespread use in the U.S. in July of 1983. Within six months, brain tumor rates climbed 10%, diabetes went up 30% and brain lymphoma tumors skyrocketed 60%. Learn how this toxic chemical was scandalously approved by the FDA and is now one of the most widespread food additives in the U.S.
Watch it now: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_9978.cfm

__________________________________

FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR STATE
Only the OCA provides a nationwide network with health, justice and sustainability news on global, national, and local levels. Check out the new state pages on our website to find news and events near you. We want your help in keeping the state pages as relevant and up to date as possible. We are striving to organize or publicize 50 new state campaigns each month, but we can't do that without your help. You can help by becoming a writer for OCA. Please email us campaign updates. You can also send us ideas for campaigns if you are not sure how to write them up for the site, and we will work with you to develop a campaign update. Email your ideas to volunteer@organicconsumers.org Please visit your local OCA webpage today by choosing your state in the dropdown menu in the left-hand navigation bar and clicking on the "Become a news scout" link on your state page. http://www.organicconsumers.org

_______________________________


******** support our supporters*********

WHERE DO YOUR ROSES COME FROM?

This Valentine's Day, say "I Love You and the Earth too!" with roses from OrganicBouquet.com With millions of tons of toxic chemicals used in producing roses every Valentine's Day, the simple act of sending eco-friendly roses makes a huge impact on the Earth and the lives of farm workers.

OrganicBouquet.com also participates in a variety of other progressive causes, including a carbon program that offsets greenhouse gases generated from shipping your flowers; the use of sustainable packaging materials; and a charitable giving program that contributes to over 40 non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting social and environmental causes.

Some decisions are tougher than others, so it's especially nice when making the right decision is easy. So take a moment to ask yourself this Valentine's Day, will my roses be green? OrganicBouquet.com

Please forward this publication to family and friends, place it on websites, print it, duplicate it and post it freely. Knowledge is power!

__________________________________

NOTE TO CO-OP AND NATURAL FOOD STORE SUBSCRIBERS:
Organic Bytes is a great tool for keeping your staff and customers up to date on the latest issues. Feel free to forward this email to your staff and print for posting on bulletin boards and staff break tables. You are also welcome to use this material for your newsletters. There's an attractive print-friendly PDF version of this available for free download at http://www.organicconsumers.org/organicbytes.cfm


_________________________________

ORGANIC BYTES is a publication of:
ORGANIC CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION
6771 South Silver Hill Drive
Finland, Minnesota 55603
Phone: (218)- 226-4164 Fax: (218) 353-7652
__________________________________

Subscribe: http://www.organicconsumers.org/organicbytes.htm



__________________________________

xaxa93168

UW-Madison News Release--Mendota 'ice quake'

Jan. 31, 2008

To: Editors/News Directors
From: Jill Sakai (608) 262-9772. sakai@wisc.edu
Subject: TIP/ICE QUAKE

The shaking felt this afternoon in areas near Lake Mendota was most likely an ice quake, according to University of Wisconsin-Madison geologists. A tremor was recorded by a geology department seismometer at 12:50 p.m. today and lasted approximately two or three seconds.

The event was very localized and did not have the hallmarks of an earthquake, but it did grab the attention of employees in lakeshore buildings. Dozens of staff had called either UW Police of facilities staff to inquire about the rumbling disturbance.

Ice quakes, usually accompanied by loud cracking noises, are caused by large shifts in ice and are most commonly triggered by drastic temperature changes, similar to those of the past few days, says UW-Madison seismologist Cliff Thurber. Based on the size of today's event, he says a fresh break or pressure ridge may be visible on Lake Mendota.

Thurber is available for media comment on today's ice quake and can be reached at (608) 262-6027 or thurber@geology.wisc.edu.



****************************************************
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news release system, please send an email to:
releases@news.wisc.edu

For more UW-Madison news, please visit:
http://www.news.wisc.edu/

University Communications
University of Wisconsin-Madison
27 Bascom Hall
500 Lincoln Drive
Madison, WI 53706

Phone: (608) 262-3571
Fax: (608) 262-2331


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Great Lakes Daily News: 31 January 2008
A collaborative project of the Great Lakes Information Network and The
Environment Report.

For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/


EPA to host environment update meeting tonight at SVSU
----------------------------------------
A meeting to update the public on a variety of environmental issues affecting Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron will be hosted by U.S. EPA tonight at Saginaw Valley State University. Source: The Bay City Times (1/31)


Erie tire-burning facility raises concerns in Ontario
----------------------------------------
The Ontario Ministry of Environment and Canadian environmentalists are closely monitoring plans to build a massive tire-burning facility on the U.S. side of Lake Erie. Source: The London Free Press (1/31)


$200m ozonation plant a first
----------------------------------------
Montreal plans to be the first large metropolis in the world to treat all its waste water with a cutting-edge technology that uses ozone to remove bacteria, viruses, harmful pharmaceutical drugs and industrial chemicals. Source: The Montreal Gazette (1/31)


Lawton: Protecting Great Lakes key to state economy
----------------------------------------
Protecting the Great Lakes is a critical economic development driver, so Wisconsin legislators should pass the Great Lakes Compact, according to Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton. Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (1/30)


Love Canal funds $12 million fisheries 'wish list'
----------------------------------------
A $12 million settlement of a 23-year-old lawsuit over pollution damages will go toward improving fishing and fishing access along the New York portion of Lake Ontario and the Niagara and St. Lawrence rivers. Source: BassFan (1/30)


Tourists venturing to Chicago in winter
----------------------------------------
Many visitors think winter's a good time to come to Chicago because there are deals to be had and fewer crowds. Source: CNN (1/30)


Rabaska foes will take case to federal government
----------------------------------------
Opponents of a proposed liquefied natural gas port across the St. Lawrence River from Québec City still believe they can block the project, even though it has a green light from the provincial government. Source: The Montreal Gazette (1/30)


U.S. scraps futuristic coal plant
----------------------------------------
The U.S. Dept. of Energy has canceled a futuristic, virtually emissions-free coal plant scheduled to be built in Illinois as a test project, choosing instead to invest in carbon sequestration. Source: The New York Times (1/30)


Paddling upstream: Plan to clean Chicago rivers meets some resistance
----------------------------------------
A proposal by Illinois EPA to tighten Chicago's water quality standards will likely face stiff challenges from the private sector. Source: Medill Reports (1/29)


U.S. shipbuilders grapple with labor shortage amid rise in orders
----------------------------------------
While the orders keep coming in, shipbuilders on the Great Lakes and elsewhere are hampered by a shortage of skilled, experienced workers capable of assembling and welding freight ships. Source: Phillyburbs (1/28)


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Amazon destruction, fickle green consumers, Chinook salmon runs collapse and much more...

Home | Member Press Releases | Submit News | Contact ENN |
Click Here!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
News of Note

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's government is unwilling and unable to halt destruction in the Amazon rainforest despite emergency measures it announced last week to curb rising deforestation, environmental experts say.

Top Stories

California's Central Valley fall run of chinook salmon apparently has collapsed, portending sharp fishing restrictions and rising prices for consumers while providing further evidence that the state's water demands are causing widespread ecological damage.

The bad news for commercial and sport fishermen and the salmon-consuming public surfaced Tuesday when a fisheries-management group warned that the numbers of the bay's biggest wild salmon run had plummeted to near record lows.

Here’s a frothy brew you wouldn’t want to put a straw into: a not-so-tasty blend of sewage and garbage. As unappealing as it may seem, together the two can cut greenhouse gases, help cleanup water supplies and add a new source of green and endlessly renewable fuel, all with the help of a new patented invention by Viridis Waste Control: Septage Bioreactor Landfill (TM) technology.

If we're to do business, keep the poison away. Such is the message reverberating lately in the global marketplace.

Mercury tests of tuna sushi bought in October by the New York Times from Manhattan restaurants and stores revealed toxic levels high enough to warrant precaution for children and pregnant women. Some suppliers have argued that because mercury enters the oceans as an industrial pollutant, its presence in fish is out of their control and must instead be dealt with on a global level.

The key component of the new modules is an organic dye which in combination with nanoparticles converts sunlight into electricity. Due to the small size of the nanoparticles, the modules are semi-transparent. This aspect makes them well suited for facade integration. The new solar cells are being developed by members of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, who will be presenting their new technology in Tokyo at Nanotech 2008, the world’s largest trade fair for nanotechnology.

ENN Spotlight

It seems so logical on the face of it. A company wishing to go green should focus on the green consumer, right? Not so. Marketing to the green consumer has proved difficult, even downright dangerous, for companies large and small. Here's why: Established companies fear alienating their base of mainstream consumers by appealing to the green consumer, and rightly so. The majority of consumers seek to satisfy their personal needs before considering those of the planet. Green for green's sake products often don't meet the basic needs that most people require from their products. Take hemp clothing, for example. If green for green's sake products could go mainstream, we'd all be wearing hemp sweaters and be happy.

about it.
More Top Stories

Whole Foods Markets from New Jersey to Virginia began giving away one free reusable bag per customer yesterday to encourage shoppers to "BYOB" - Bring Your Own Bag.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) are putting US$15 billion into an alternative energy and clean technology initiative to establish itself as the regional and global centre of future energy solutions.

Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE, announced the initiative at the World Future Energy Summit held in Abu Dhabi, last week (21—23 January).

TROLL STATION, Antarctica (Reuters) - A deep freeze holding 90 percent of the world's ice, Antarctica is one of the biggest puzzles in the debate on global warming with risks that any thaw could raise sea levels faster than U.N. projections.

Even if a fraction melted, Antarctica could damage nations from Bangladesh to Tuvalu in the Pacific and cities from Shanghai to New York. It has enough ice to raise sea levels by 57 meters (187 ft) if it melted, over thousands of years.

Explore ENN.COM
Topics covered by ENN
Member Press Releases
By: the RAND Corporation
Across the country most cities, regions, and states have recognized that they must begin to address the impacts of climate change. But the speed and seriousness of these climate impacts facing each region of the country remains deeply uncertain, complicating the ability of governments at all levels to respond to the challenge. By: Stockholm International Water Institute
To help improve living conditions for the 2.6 billion that live without access to adequate sanitation, the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) announced its intentions to increase its efforts on sanitation issues during the upcoming UN International Year of Sanitation. For example, the 2008 World Water Week in Stockholm "Progress and Prospects on Water: For A Clean and Healthy World," organised by SIWI in August 2008, will include a special focus on sanitation. By: Environmental Law Institute
Left alone, Brownfields are a cost to society. They can drain the economy, pose/present safety and environmental challenges and blight community health and vitality. On the other hand, Brownfields Redevelopment can stimulate the economy, eliminate risk to our health and environment, and revitalize communities. Florida continues to lead the country in this area. Over the past 3 days, significant progress has been achieved to advance this urgent need for community revitalization. This progress is the result of a series of unique events-outlined below-that serve the common goal of community development and improved public health. By: the Center for Biological Diversity
In response to information about a mysterious illness that has been associated with the deaths of more than 8,000 bats, on Tuesday conservation groups asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to close all bat hibernation sites and withdraw all federal permits to "take" - that is, harm or kill - imperiled bats until the cause of the deaths is understood. One species of bat that is at risk is the endangered Indiana bat. By: National Wildlife Federation
More than 600 prominent scientists from across the United States are calling on Congress to pass legislation that will curb America's global warming pollution and help protect wildlife and other natural resources threatened by global warming. Spearheaded by some of America's greatest scientific minds, including Harvard Professor E.O. Wilson, Thomas Lovejoy, Paul Ehrlich and Camille Parmesan, the scientists have sent a letter to Congress urging action. By: The Trust for Public Land
The Trust for Public Land (TPL) and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced today the protection of 600 acres along the southern flank of Ute Mountain. The property is located just south of the 14,000-acre Ute Mountain parcel conserved by TPL and the BLM in 2005. It was the last private parcel within a 42 square mile area in and around Ute Mountain. This acquisition completes the protection of one of New Mexico's most notable landscapes, ensuring the spectacular views and recreational opportunities remain for generations to come. The property will be managed by the BLM for recreation and wildlife habitat. By: the Center for Biological Diversity
Judge Marilyn Hall Patel Thursday issued a final ruling in Okinawa Dugong v. Gates, N.D.Cal., C-03-4350, finding the Department of Defense in violation of the National Historic Preservation Act and requiring it to consider impacts of a new airbase on the endangered Okinawa dugong to avoid or mitigate harm. By: the National Audubon Society
The National Audubon Society today named author Richard Louv as the 50th recipient of the prestigious Audubon Medal for sounding the alarm about the health and societal costs of children's isolation from the natural world-and for sparking a growing movement to remedy the problem.

Editor's Note : 'Network News' features press releases submitted directly by organizations in ENN's member network. This content is not specifically endorsed or supported by ENN and is not subject to ENN's editorial process.
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News and Resources on Environmentally Responsible IT Management

GreenerComputing News - Produced by GreenBiz.com
January 31, 2008
FEATURED STORY
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Dell is now using its direct model in new ways to showcase the company's environmental commitment, which it has identified as a key strategy for future growth.

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The Latest News & Views on Environmentally Responsible Computing

Just Published: State of Green Business 2008
By Joel Makower and the editors of GreenBiz.com
In this landmark report, we answer the question: How are U.S. businesses doing in their quest to be more environmentally responsible? It introduces the GreenBiz Index, 20 indicators of progress, tracking the resource use, emissions, and business practices of U.S. companies: carbon, materials, energy, and toxics intensity, clean-tech investments, e-waste recovery, paper use, employee commuting, and more.
Download it for free at StateOfGreenBusiness.com

Greening the Physical Data Center
By Robert McFarlane
Following these simple, energy-saving steps for building and redesigning data centers can help companies of all sizes get out in front of EPA requirements for energy efficiency.

Best Practices Can Help IT Manufacturers Design Green
Incorporating environmental stewardship into IT product development presents tremendous opportunity for manufacturers.

HP Ups Green PC Ranks, Says Gov't Could Save Billions with Green Tech
HP introduces new energy-efficient business PCs and looks at how the government can save over $1 billion in the coming years with improved PCs and data centers.

Intel Named Biggest Buyer of Green Power
Intel Corp. will buy 1.3 billion kilowatt hours of renewable energy a year in a bid to stimulate the green power market.

Some IT Decision Makers Still Holding Out on Green Tech: Report
A new study from Harris Interactive finds that 16 percent of IT pros are "anti-green" unless it saves their company money; nearly one-third say companies should go green even if it means sacrificing some profitability.

Dell Launches New Servers to Stake out Green Data Center Turf
The company's new PowerEdge blade servers target HP and IBM's server businesses, aiming to use less energy for more performance than offerings from those two companies.

IT Can Take the Lead With CSR, According to Report
"Sustainable IT Provision" lays out why it's important for the IT industry to take eco-friendly steps and how it can accomplish CSR goals.

Fujitsu Unveils Green Initiative for Retailers
The company's "Pervasive Green" initiative includes retail-oriented hardware that is RoHS and WEEE compliant, as well as new operational goals to reduce its own environmental footprint.

IBM Leads Program to Share Clean Technologies
IBM, Nokia, Pitney-Bowes and Sony are the first companies to join the newly launched Eco-Patents Commons, a coalition spearheaded by IBM to offer environmental technologies, processes and ideas to spur innovation around the globe.

Wanna write for GreenerComputing? We are looking for guest and regular columnists and feature writers. We're seeking contributions from business leaders as well as the journalists who write about them. If you're interested, send a brief query to managing editor Matthew Wheeland, at editor@greenercomputing.com | Read our editorial guidelines

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Exercise Environmentally Preferable Purchasing for a Healthier Planet and Pocketbook
This Info-Tech report looks at how companies have benefited from adopting environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP) programs and gives recommendations on how to set up an effective EPP plan.

Lean & Green: Reducing IT Energy Drain for Business Gain
In a world of toxic e-waste and chronic energy shortfall, IT professionals of all stripes are seeking cost-effective ways to implement green practices across the enterprise, and this site aims to spread the word about sustainable computing practices.

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