L2ideas Green Blog

80 leaders are spending the day discussing the need for an updated version of the Kyoto protocol at the UN in New York.

President Bush's administration has historically been against specific emissions standards, regulations, guidelines and fines for non-compliance in the USA -- and today is no different.

But Bush isn't the only leader speaking on behalf of the USA. Arnold Schwarzenegger made a speech, exhorting the crowd that what was needed is "Action, Action, Action." He assured listeners that the US states are embracing emissions caps; specifically California's legislature has approved a law requiring a reduction of greenhouse gases by companies within the state by an estimated 25 percent by 2020.

A world consensus is emerging, mandating that CO2 emissions be curtailed. That's why companies should make the shift pro-actively, before the imposition of fines.

Every company contributes to C02 emissions: establish a baseline and look for opportunities to improve. Be a visionary and ensure a competitive advantage in a world where there is a growing consensus for carbon emission reduction.

Need help with your calculating your C02 emissions? Contact L2ideas. Additionally, we can help you integrate your efforts with a comprehensive Risk Management strategy.

Labels: business, carbon, climate_change, Kyoto

In the UK, the Joint Contracts Tribunal is meeting to discuss the possibility of integrating Sustainability performance indicators and thresholds as a part of contracts for the construction industry.

Contractual obligations are the foundation of capitalism. When there is a question about whether conditions of satisfaction were met, all the stakeholders turn to the contract. Anything outside of the contractual framework is out of scope; and if it is a positive benefit, it is merely viewed as "icing on the cake."

The inclusion of sustainability concerns in the contracts of major sectors is a big advance. This is representative of the paradigm shift that is taking hold in Europe. The US is a little bit behind, but I am confident that we'll gain momentum. L2ideas can help.

Labels: business, sustainability

Ignore the anti-Walmart propaganda. Open your mind to the possibility that they really are a force for good. In terms of environmental policy, they are doing more than almost any other major international company right now. They really are leading the way in Sustainability.

The message that they are sending to their company and supply chain is clear:

• Walmart wants to be Supplied by 100% renewable energy


• Walmart wants to have Zero Waste


• Walmart wants to Sell Sustainable Products

Maybe they should re-color their logo: from blue to green.

Labels: business, green, sustainability, Walmart

Numerous industries report that consumers will prefer, and pay more, for items that are more environmentally sound.
Here are some links that ground this statement:

• Renewable Energy


• Publications


• Hormone Free Milk

Labels: consumer, green

The Interior Department announced that the American Bald Eagle could be taken off of the Endangered Species List.

This is great news, but it shouldn't make anyone too comfortable. A paradigm shift still needs to take root in America to ensure that we don't drive any of our indigenous wildlife to the brink of extinction with our carelessness.

(Image from treehugger)

Labels: endangered, wildlife

OK, I guess we can forgive magazines for being the paper wasters that they are when we consider that many of them are, in fact, raising awareness of important issues. Last month, Fortune Magazine applauded green companies, this month's Vanity Fair is singing the praises of green celebrities and attempting to raise awareness of global climate change.
Check out the magazine --- and if you're interested in saving paper and ink, perhaps you can share one copy with a friend.

Labels: celebrities, climate_change, green

This month, Fortune magazine is highlighting 10 giant companies who are leading the green movement.
The companies listed are:

1. Honda


2. Continental Airlines


3. Suncor


4. Tesco


5. Alcan


6. PG&E


7. S.C. Johnson


8. Goldman Sachs


9. Swiss Re


10. Hewlett-Packard

Labels: business, green

SustainLane compiles the list of green tech incubators. And the winner is...
Austin, Texas, which has the following

• a Clean Energy Incubator (CEI) and


• the Austin Technology Incubator (ATI)

• San Jose


• Berkeley


• Pasadena


• Greater Boston

Labels: business, green, technology

Solar-powered cell phones may soon be coming to a purse or pocket near you.

The flexible solar cells are made from organic dies and organic materials, which sounds like an excellent "cradle to cradle" design idea.

Labels: consumer, green, solar, technology

This article claims that some US government officials are trying to "steer" the report of the Intergovenmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) -- and not in a good way. These same black-suited "officials" of the State Department were said to have called the report "Kyoto-centric."

"The US has also attempted to steer the UN report, prepared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), away from conclusions that would support a new worldwide climate treaty based on binding targets to reduce emissions - as sought by Tony Blair. It has demanded a draft of the report be changed to emphasise the benefits of voluntary agreements and to include criticisms of the Kyoto Protocol, the existing treaty which the US administration opposes."

Labels: climate_change, government, Kyoto

This link got me thinking... are simplicity and sustainability different and disparate, related and compatible, or some mix?

My view is that simplicity and sustainability are different, but related and compatible.

If you are in the R&D stages of designing any product or service, then please keep both goals in the forefront of your thinking. Less waste and more product happiness are two things that consumers want.

Labels: consumer, design, simplicity, sustainability

The Slow food movement seeks to combat fast food and promote ecological, cultural, and regional food growth.

Worth reading is this abstract by Scott Kinnear:
"Organic food alone will not solve our long term environmental, social and economic sustainability needs. We also need to develop a culture that appreciates that less is more, quality is more important than quantity, and that has great respect for all life. We need a profound sense of purpose, dignity and a search for equality. These values emanate from movements like Slow."

Yes Scott, we do. We need to foster a paradigm shift towards quality, dignity, and positive, sustainable abundance.

Labels: food, organic, slow

American businesses are moving the ball forward. Recognizing that there is a business opportunity in being able to offer a more environmentally friendly product, they're embracing the marginal utility of sustainable design.

Take a look at this Business Journal article.

One quote describes the shift:
"Profits are important, he says, but there's more to business than profits. Taking care of the environment must also be part of the equation."
Later in the article:
"We're opening up a new market, and once that market opens up we'll have more demand and the price will go down," he says of the sustainable product market.

Labels: business

In a few years, you'll not only be able to go to Vegas and win green, you can visit the green MGM City Center.

The MGM CityCenter is a $7 billion project under development on the Las Vegas Strip. Designers are working within the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification guidelines for this project.

Seems that green is for more than money in Vegas!

Labels: architecture, business

L2ideas and the L2ideas Green Blog is the brainchild of Lura Lee.
Here's what I look like.