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The Devil is in the…Distance?

By on March 20, 2013 in Green Economy, Sustainability General

by Beth Gray

In the October 2012 issue of Sustainability: The Journal of Record, editor Jamie Devereaux interviewed Helena Norberg-Hodge, founder and director of the International Society for Ecology and Culture (ISEC).  Norberg-Hodge provides some thought-provoking insights about our global economy, its impact on the environment and even its impact on our happiness. 

Norberg-Hodge presents a holistic view of globalization and in the end, her analysis of the global phenomenon that has shrunk our world is less favorable than many others’. … Read the rest

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What Exactly Does It Mean to be a “Green Business?”

By on June 26, 2012 in Adaptive Reuse, APUS Sustainability Efforts, Green Economy, Green-Building, Renewable Energy, Sustainability in Business, Sustainability in Higher Education

What is a “Green” Business? by APUS

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After Earth Day

By on April 13, 2012 in APUS Sustainability Efforts, Current Events, Earth Day, Green Economy, Sustainability General, Sustainability in Business, Sustainability in Higher Education

by Ryan Harding

I am confident that, with Earth Day on the immediate horizon, the nation’s biggest publications have begun to compose those bannerheads that will run on April 22, as the whole news media takes up its annual tradition of, for a day, fixing its gaze on environmental issues. For one day, we will collectively turn our eye to the issue of sustainability, reading retrospectives on the environmental movement, which trace its genealogy, and connect the movement’s past to its present and future, or op-eds on environmental degradation, carbon emissions, and water scarcity.… Read the rest

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Xerox Tasks Employees with Developing Green Ideas, Saves $10.2 Million

By on January 6, 2011 in Green Economy, Sustainability in Business

by Beth Gray

Document systems and services giant, Xerox, recently took an innovative step toward reducing the company’s carbon footprint and ended up saving itself loads of money.  Last year, the company encouraged employees to develop and share ideas on sustainability and efficiency.  Run company-wide, the request brought in thousands of ideas.  From that group, 30 nominations were selected as finalists.  Eventually, 13 winners were selected by the company. 

By implementing the ideas of the 13 winners, Xerox managed to save $10.2 million in FY2010 and eliminate some 2.6 million pounds of waste.  As Leon Kaye of the website Triple Pundit noted, “Some may sniff that $10.2 million is small potatoes for a $15 billion dollar company, but a cursory look through Xerox’s financials reveals that net income after tax was $475 million last year.”  Regardless of net or gross income, however, Xerox’s progress is noteworthy. 

… Read the rest

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Recent Survey Shows that Envirofriendly Behavior is on the Rise

By on October 14, 2010 in Current Events, Green Economy, Sustainability General

by Beth Gray

For the third consecutive year, National Geographic has partnered with GlobeScan to survey consumers around the world to determine how conscious they are to the environment when making typical consumer choices.  In the recently released 2010 edition of the survey, consumers in 17 countries were asked about “such behavior as energy use and conservation, transportation choices, food sources, the relative use of green products versus traditional products, attitudes towards the environment and sustainability, and knowledge of environmental issues.”  The survey utilizes a set of measurements encapsulated in the “Greendex.”  The results of this year’s survey are promising.… Read the rest

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Greening America’s Education System

By on October 5, 2010 in Current Events, Green Economy, Sustainability in Higher Education

by Beth Gray

On September 21st, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan addressed participants of the Department of Education’s first Sustainability Summit, an event promised a year ago and anxiously anticipated by educators and industry leaders interested in sustainability.  His remarks reflect those of President Obama who has stated his belief that a clean energy agenda will not only help the environment but also the nation since such initiatives would immediately put people to work developing technologies that will help break the country’s dependence on foreign energy sources.  The Administration has also noted that education must serve as a vehicle for achieving these goals.… Read the rest

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Financial Executive Issue Explores the Financial Elements of “Going Green”

By on May 24, 2010 in Green Economy

by Beth Gray

The March 2010 issue of Financial Executive is devoted to the financial aspects of “going green.” Targeted to members of the “C-suite,” specifically Chief Financial Officers, the magazine often explores and provides insights into new and growing trends in the business world. The March 2010 issue is no exception and is devoted to what is arguably one of the most relevant topics for any business leader: sustainability and the financial elements that come with a company’s decision to “go green.”

A variety of articles make up this particular issue and all offer telling insights into the necessity of businesses to consider the economic benefits of incorporating sustainability into their operations, product line, and overall culture.… Read the rest

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Many Discover that Finding a Green Job Isn’t So Easy

By on April 12, 2010 in Green Economy, Sustainability General

by Beth Gray

A recent article on CNNMoney.com explores the issue of finding a green job and why many are finding this task so difficult.  While President Obama has expressed his intention to migrate the United States toward a more green economy, those searching for jobs in this new economy are finding that it’s not as easy as many would think.  The article’s author, Anne Fisher, quotes Carol McClelland, founder and executive director of a website called Green Career Central who notes, “’The idea of ‘green’ jobs has gotten so much press that many people mistakenly think the jobs are already here.’”  In fact, as McClelland points out, “’Major economic shifts always happen slowly’” and the shift to a green economy is no exception.… Read the rest

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