Sputnik's Lesson: Why the U.S. Can't Afford To Sit Out The Green Technology Revolution

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:40:36 GMT

Nearly five decades ago, JFK challenged us to go to the moon; not because it was easy, but because it was hard. He called it a challenge Americans were "willing to accept," "unwilling to postpone" and one which they intended to win. History has recorded the scale of that triumph. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Here Comes the Sun: Increasing Incentives for Solar Energy

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:17:35 GMT

The sun accounts for nearly 99 percent of the mass of our solar system, provides heat and light to the eight planets and is responsible for all life on Earth, sustaining billions of plants and animals with its rays, while also driving our planet's climate and weather patterns. It is, bar none, the most powerful force we have ever known. And today, we are closer than ever to unlocking its potential to help tackle our nation's energy and sustainability challenges. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Balancing Act: When Carbon Pricing Isn't Enough

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:54:35 GMT

Right now, Congress is debating climate change legislation. And while the focus is on GHG reduction, a lot more than pollution is on the line, including America's economy, our national competitiveness and our energy security. That's why we called our recent study on policy leadership in the quest to address climate change The Balancing Act: because it addresses the three key areas of climate change, energy security and a sustainable economic future. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Enhancing Our Commitment to a Sustainable Future: Business Roundtable's 2009 Progress Report

Fri, 08 May 2009 07:35:13 GMT

In 2007, former British Environment Secretary David Miliband delivered a speech in London entitled Green Business is Good Business. In the address, Miliband affirmed his belief in the power of sustainable business. "Ethical and environmental concerns are becoming core business - not as an alternative to making profit but as a route to it. They are reshaping business strategy and operations, not just marketing and corporate donations," he said. "In many countries, businesses and financial institutions are ahead of the politicians in understanding the risks and opportunities of climate change." ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

We Can Solve America's Sustainability Challenges Together: President Obama's Remarks To Business Roundtable

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:50:00 GMT

On March 12, President Obama spoke with Business Roundtable's members - dozens of chief executives of America's top companies - at their quarterly meeting in Washington. The President outlined his administration's top priorities for the coming year, touching on the budget, regulatory reform, international tax fairness, workforce training and other issues. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

What Do You, CEOs Of America's Largest Corporations, and Members Of Congress Have In Common?

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:21:22 GMT

The potential to change America's energy future while fighting climate change. It's true. One of the single most effective tools we have to tackle both of these challenges is also one of the simplest: Energy efficiency. And everyone can help. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Getting More For Less: Efficiency At Home And Work

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 11:45:54 GMT

The current economic downturn has us all looking for ways to cut back. In most cases, this means giving things up - that morning latte, the season's hot new boots, a much-needed vacation.

There is a way to get more for less, though: by being more energy efficient. A few simple changes to your home and your car can make them safer, greener and, perhaps most importantly, less expensive to operate.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Toward A More Sustainable 2009

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:53:08 GMT

With New Year's just around the corner, it's time to make resolutions for the coming 12 months. Many of us have pledged the old cliches year after year: dieting, saving money or quitting smoking.

Resolving to be healthy or financially fit is important. But with fluctuating energy prices and rising social awareness around the importance of sustainability, many Americans are ditching the tried and tired New Year's cliches in favor of more holistic "green" resolutions for the benefit of themselves, their communities and the earth. These individuals are resolving to make a real difference in the world - in small, but collectively impactful ways.

We know that sustainability starts with each and every one of us, individual and company alike. What better way to kick off 2009 than to make some commonsense adjustments around the office?

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Green Jobs - Let's Seize The Opportunity

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:34:32 GMT

Upon taking office in January, President-elect Obama will face a daunting array of challenges to our nation's prosperity. Short-term issues include severe financial credit disruptions, economy instability and rising unemployment. But the biggest trial for the new administration will be how to address these pressing issues while, at the same time, solving long-term challenges, like creating a more efficient and sustainable energy future for America.

The good news is that economic and sustainability issues go hand in hand. There is a way to secure our energy future while building our economy and creating jobs. When we talk about creating alternative sources of energy - whether it's wind, solar or biofuels - we often overlook a vital, untapped resource right here at home: the ingenuity, talent and productivity of U.S. workers.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Electoral Energy

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:34:01 GMT

It has been a long election season with countless twists and turns and changing poll numbers, but we're almost to the finish line. As Americans prepare to cast their votes, it's time to sharpen our focus and take a closer look at where the major party candidates stand on some of the most pressing issues facing our country: promoting sustainable growth and improving our energy infrastructure.

At Business Roundtable, we believe enacting sound energy and environmental policies should be a top priority for the next administration, and we're thrilled that both Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) have made tackling energy and climate change top priorities of their campaigns. As we learned in July when we hosted the candidates' advisors at our Energy and Environment Forum, Obama and McCain share some common policy positions.

On environmental policy, for instance, both favor "smart grid" power lines and have promoted cap-and-trade plans to combat global climate change. Both oppose oil exploration in ANWR. Both favor a combination of tax incentives and public investments to spur development in clean coal and alternative energy sources like wind and solar.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Searching For A (Bipartisan) Solution

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 07:22:43 GMT

At Business Roundtable, our member CEOs are deeply concerned about the effects of high energy prices on our competiveness in the international economy and the home economies of the millions of individuals that drive U.S. prosperity. In fact, energy costs were recently ranked among the top cost pressures facing our members. We believe America's citizens, communities and companies need - and deserve - an energy policy that is bipartisan, immediate and long-term in order to enhance our energy security and ensure economic prosperity.

In our energy report, More Diverse, More Domestic, More Efficient, we emphasized the need for balanced, long-term energy strategies to achieve alignment between supply and demand while increasing our national energy security. Throughout the past few months, we've been encouraged by recent examples of bipartisan cooperation. One example was the Gang of 10 and its proposal to expand Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) exploration while increasing investments for alternative sources of energy. Another encouraging sign was House passage of legislation aimed at partially lifting the ban on tapping our offshore resources.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Waste To Energy

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:46:14 GMT

According to the Energy Information Administration, the average American throws away about 4.5 pounds of trash daily, and nearly 1,600 pounds per year. Finding smart, innovative ways to deal with this waste is one of many major environmental challenges facing our society. Surprisingly, the garbage we throw away may actually be part of the solution to diversifying our nation's energy mix. Waste, it turns out, is one of our leading energy alternatives.

Our garbage, called municipal solid waste, or MSW, is recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as a renewable fuel. In fact, trash has been a source of alternative energy for at least a century. In 1898, New York City began recovering energy from its garbage through incineration techniques. Today, with our nation burning 14 percent of its solid waste, incineration is the most common form of waste-to-energy (WtE) processing.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Energy Policy Crosses Party Lines

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:27:59 GMT

If we've learned anything from watching the Democratic and Republican conventions over the past few weeks, it's that energy policy is at the forefront, both in our policy debates and in the minds of our citizens. Republicans and Democrats alike understand the challenges posed by surging energy prices to our nation's growth and prosperity.

Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, America's leading CEOs consider these surging energy prices a serious threat demanding immediate attention by our nation's policymakers. In fact, our members recently ranked energy prices, along with health care, as their top cost pressure.

At Business Roundtable, we believe in long-term, bipartisan solutions that explore all available energy sources. We need to improve efficiency, invest in renewable energy and promote a diverse fuel mix to meet our nation's growing energy demands. This mix should explore every possible energy avenue, including wind, solar and geothermal. It should tap the potential of biofuels and nuclear, while exploring cleaner and more efficient ways to put our nation's abundant natural resources - including natural gas, clean coal and petroleum - to work for the American people.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Gold, Silver And Green?

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:33:19 GMT

The Summer Olympic Games in Beijing kicked off on August 8 amidst competition, national pride and a Blue Sky day. Well, a Blue Sky day according to Beijing standards. The Detroit Free Press reports that only one percent of Chinas urban dwellers breathe air that is safe according to European norms. Accordingly, many athletes are training outside Beijing, and some have caused a stir by wearing masks.

While the world has questioned Beijings environmental preparation since the city won its Olympic bid in 2001, the games have, thus far, been a success. The opening ceremonies were an amazing sight, offering a glimpse into the complexity of modern Chinas culture, customs and rapid gallop into the 21st century. Since the Chinese began modernizing with free market reforms in the late 1970s, the nation's economy has increased tenfold, and the percentage of people living in poverty has fallen dramatically.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Saving Energy: One State at a Time

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:20:51 GMT

Improving energy efficiency is a critical component of Business Roundtable's overall strategy for enhancing energy security. With every unit of energy we conserve through greater efficiency, we lower energy consumption and therefore use less oil, gas or coal to meet increasing energy demand.

Energy efficient improvements span from consumers making simple lifestyle changes to businesses retrofitting their aging infrastructure.

However dramatic or small, energy efficient improvements can lead to real, substantial results in reducing our energy demand and our energy costs.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Energy Security Requires Diversifying Fuel Mix and Supply

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:30:23 GMT

Enhancing America's energy security is one of our country's most pressing challenges, and U.S. policymakers are facing increased pressure to come up with solutions. Here's why: As negotiations around the expiration of the Kyoto Protocol loom and both domestic and international economies continue to grow, worldwide energy demand is surging. Indeed, by 2025, worldwide demand for petroleum is expected to increase by 30 percent*. Business Roundtable firmly believes that enhancing our energy security will require diversifying our fuel mix and increasing fuel supplies to meet the energy needs of the transportation sector. Investing 100 percent in renewable biofuels is not the answer. Relying on petroleum alone is not the answer. Our energy blueprint, released last year, outlined our belief that a more secure energy future requires the nation to aggressively pursue the following six parallel strategies:... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Moving Forward: Introducing the Sustainable Growth Initiative

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:17:26 GMT

There is no question that the world of today is a much different place from just a few years ago. And one of the most exciting policy developments we've seen over the past few years is the progress we've made on global climate change. And Business Roundtable strongly believes we should keep moving forward. I am proud to say that Business Roundtable - an association of chief executive officers of 160 of the largest companies in the world, representing every sector of the economy - has been out in front on this issue. Our CEOs worked hard to come to agreement on the need to address climate change early on. They understood the importance of addressing energy and environmental issues from an economically sustainable perspective.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Building a Greener Future

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:31:19 GMT

Americans have come to expect environmentally conscious materials and processes in virtually every aspect of their lives. We now work "green" and vacation "green," and who would have believed that driving a car could be done in an environmentally friendly way? Business Roundtable members take their responsibility to "green" the world for their employees, customers and shareholders very seriously. And there are countless initiatives our members are implementing to support better business in a better world, such as developing and utilizing new technologies that use energy more efficiently, and improving the overall efficiency in the commercial and residential sector.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Finding the Right Balance

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:23:25 GMT

EPA granted the right to regulate carbon, April 2007. Congress passes energy legislation, December 2007. Conference of the Parties in Bali, December 2007. ...Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act fails in the Senate, 2008. While it's clear our nation has come a long way on the journey toward a sustainable future in just over a year, we still have some distance to go. The climate change legislation that recently failed to garner sufficient support in the U.S. Senate did not adequately address some of the critical issues facing our nation's businesses; but, we are committed to continuing the work to get it right.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

A Seat at the Roundtable: Green Insights From Members of Business Roundtable - Featuring Ursula M. Burns, President, Xerox Corporation

Fri, 02 May 2008 14:20:34 GMT

Guest Post By: Ursula Burns, president, Xerox Corporation Introduction by: Marian Hopkins, Business Roundtable We are thrilled to introduce a new series for our Business Roundtable guest posts, A Seat at the Roundtable: Green Insights from members of the Business Roundtable. These posts feature the perspectives of member company leaders - directly from the leaders themselves - on environmental initiatives personally important to them and to their business practices. We are excited to unveil our introductory guest post below featuring Ursula M. Burns, president, Xerox Corporation. Xerox is a leading Roundtable member that and has made sustainability a serious business priority for more than 40 years. An active member of the Roundtable's leading initiatives, S.E.E. Change and Climate RESOLVE, Xerox is a model case for how strong leadership and a commitment to sustainability can lead to success and a positive impact on the environment.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

"SEE"ing Change

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:10:22 GMT

Progress is the movement towards a goal, or forward advancement. It can be measured by pencil marks against a wall showing a child's growth; by saving pennies and quarters in a jar; by a budding forest where there was once no trees. When it comes to building a sustainable future, progress can be measured by the financial investment businesses and individuals are making to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and other pollutants. Yet progress towards a sustainable future must be about more than just numbers - it must encourage smarter businesses, support more efficient communities and empower individuals. Progress must spur cultural change, which then fosters continued progress. Today, Business Roundtable is proud to release "SEE"ing Change: 2008 Progress Report, the first progress report for our S.E.E. Change (Society, Environment, Economy) Initiative, which was established in 2005. In "SEE"ing Change, 32 member companies showcase their specific business efforts to promote environmental stewardship, social progress and economic growth.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Time For Recalibration

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:36:06 GMT

We separate whites and colors when doing laundry. We store frozen food in the freezer and everything else in the pantry or refrigerator. To recycle, we know plastics must be separated from glass, which must be separated from newspapers. We know "waste" goes in a dumpster, which eventually ends up in a landfill. However, what if the items discarded into the dumpster had more life? What if we redefined "waste," and moreover, what we did with all of our left-over "stuff?" There are examples around the world of people recalibrating the definition of "waste." In the United States, Freegans "dumpster dive" for their food and other disposed consumer items. Even further along the spectrum, Dharavi slum dwellers in Mumbai, India take recycling to a whole new level by scouring the local dumps for even the smallest item that can be reused or resold. Some are rebelling against a consumer-driven, wasteful society, whereas others struggle to make a living in a society that provides little other opportunities. Both have adjusted what society defines as waste.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Sustaining Growth - In More Ways Than One

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:10:41 GMT

Rewind the clock to September 2005, and you would see that the term "sustainable growth" carried a very different meaning than it does today. Many businesses struggled with how to incorporate sustainability into their operations. Further, businesses were not engaging each other to share best practices and learn from each other. To address this problem, Business Roundtable launched S.E.E. Change (Society, Environment, Economy). As discussed in previous posts, S.E.E. Change promotes better business and a better world by motivating committed companies to minimize their global environmental footprint and to improve the environment through new products, technology or services that create value for society and shareholders. This objective remains the same today. Through S.E.E. Change, Business Roundtable members implement a variety of sustainable growth initiatives and demonstrate that by working together, we can address our nation's most pressing challenges in a positive, constructive way. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

S.E.E.ing Change on Water Sustainability

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 08:41:43 GMT

While 70 percent of the world's surface is covered by water, it is estimated that only 1 percent of those total water resources is available for human use. Currently, between 500 million and 2 billion people are living in conditions of water stress. It is estimated that this number will rise to about 5.5 billion people by 2025.

Meanwhile, experts expect water use to increase by 22 percent over the next two decades.

These numbers should scare us all.

The business community has a responsibility to address the growing global challenges posed by water scarcity and water quality-both because water-related risks are significant for business and because we take our social responsibility seriously. Eight percent of U.S. energy demand is used to treat, pump and heat water. American businesses help confront the worldwide water crisis in the same ways we address energy efficiency: by bringing innovation and management discipline to reduce each company's water footprint and to maximize business opportunities to deliver enhanced quality and quantity of water.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Change Is In The Air: Accelerating Wind And Solar Energy

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:23:37 GMT

There is a pleasant, secure feeling when stepping outside on a spring day and feeling the warm wind run through your hair, the sun shining brightly in your eyes. Natural. Reliable. Consistent. There is an old saying, “What you are looking for is right under your nose.” The breeze we feel against our skin and the energy that warms us on a cool day when stored and harnessed are renewable energy sources that have the potential to reduce fossil fuel consumption, reduce GHG emissions and enhance overall U.S. energy security. Accelerating the deployment of renewable energy sources, like wind and solar-thermal in the United States power generation mix is an important energy efficiency strategy that the U.S. must continue to invest in as we address our imminent energy challenges. Yes, Don Quixote, those are windmills: Wind power generation
You may have seen wind turbines –the tall, typically white, windmillesque apparatuses that sprout up vertically from the ground with blades moving at a quickened, hurried pace. A wind energy system is composed of many wind turbines that transform kinetic energy from the wind into electric energy. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Moving Down Parallel Tracks From Bali

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:28:41 GMT

The significance of the 13th Conference of the Parties in Bali and its implications for moving forward on climate change cannot be stressed enough. Last Thursday, January 24 the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations summoned a full committee hearing,"International Climate Change Negotiations: Bali and the Path Toward a Post-2012 Climate Treaty" to discuss such matters.

We all followed the anticipation and media analysis of the United Nations climate change conference in Bali this past December. We heard the boos and disappointment in response to the United States' "leadership" echo in the halls and spread like wildfire in the media. We saw David versus Goliath - Kevin Conrad, representing Papua New Guinea, earnestly request, "I would ask the United States, we ask for your leadership... But if for some reason you're not willing to lead, leave it to the rest of us. Please get out of the way."

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Being Sustainable: Easy as 1-2-3, then 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 09:25:00 GMT

An inside look at actually making it happen

Once a company commits to -sustainability,' then what? While many Business Roundtable members, like DuPont, Alcoa, and GE are leading the way implementing sustainable business practices, how do companies initiate this process if they starting at the beginning?

With pressure for action increasing from shareholders, policymakers and the public, many companies must balance the steep learning curve of implementing sustainable growth with the harsh realities of meeting the bottom line. This is where Business Roundtable is at its best. As an organization of 160 CEOs of leading U.S. companies, we have actively encouraged the cross pollination of ideas on sustainability for many years. And we have the guidance and resources to meet these challenges. For companies, "Doing well, by doing good" does not have to mean doing it alone.

Our "S.E.E. Change" (Social, Environmental, Economic) initiative is just one example of bringing together the enormous resources of the private sector, providing members learn-by-sharing venues, and comparing best practices. It is a platform to assist member companies from the drawing board to the realization of sustainable growth programs.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Resolve for Energy Efficiency

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:03:08 GMT

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin The new year -- countless opportunities to tackle new challenges and find a new resolve to address missed opportunities from years past. Improving energy efficiency is one such challenge that we must work to address in 2008. Energy efficiency, a proven and broadly-accepted strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy security, is a platform Business Roundtable strongly supports. With every unit of energy we conserve through greater efficiency, this means lower energy consumption and therefore less oil, gas or coal to meet demand. And with crude oil recently hitting $100 a barrel, the need for a diversified energy mix is as clear as ever. Through the promotion of energy efficiency and the reduction of energy usage, real economic savings for consumers and businesses will scale beyond mere pocket change. As recently discussed, Business Roundtable supported components of the recent energy bill passed by Congress and signed by President Bush, particularly the emphasis on energy efficiency. In our energy blueprint released last June, we identified improving efficiency as a critical building block for a successful energy policy.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Our Favorite Things

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:56:51 GMT

The end of any year casts a shadow of reflection on accomplishments and importantly, on what could have been done in the last 12 months. However, this year, 2007, saw progress in addressing our generation's most pressing challenges - how to slow and ultimately stop the growth of greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy efficiency and improve our nation's energy security. It was a productive year and one that will hopefully be followed by a year filled with even more accomplishments.

What a year it was. People across the country began to see energy and the environment through a different lens, thanks in part to attention surrounding the following milestones:

Former Vice President Gore being honored with the Nobel Peace Prize for work in climate change and his series of Live Earth concerts.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Coal: Our Nation's Workhorse

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 12:25:32 GMT

What a week it has been for folks who follow energy and the environment. In the span of just five days, the United Nations opened its climate conference in Bali ; American CEOs said that for the first time ever, energy is tied with health care as the highest cost pressure for their companies; the U.S. Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee sent the first major global warming bill of the 110th Congress to the Senate floor; and energy legislation cleared the U.S. House of Representatives.

While I could write several posts providing details and opinions on each of these events, I'd like to stray off course a bit and look at an issue that is intrinsically linked to all of them -coal - the natural resource that is likely powering the very monitor you are reading from right now. The use of coal solicits a wide-range of passionate opinions, but unless you've found some miraculous way to -live off the grid,' you cannot deny that it is a vital energy source and essential for the quality of life we've all come to expect.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Recent Posts by TreeHugger's Marian Hopkins, Business Roundtable

Sputnik's Lesson: Why the U.S. Can't Afford To Sit Out The Green Technology Revolution

Here Comes the Sun: Increasing Incentives for Solar Energy

The Balancing Act: When Carbon Pricing Isn't Enough

Enhancing Our Commitment to a Sustainable Future: Business Roundtable's 2009 Progress Report

We Can Solve America's Sustainability Challenges Together: President Obama's Remarks To Business Roundtable

What Do You, CEOs Of America's Largest Corporations, and Members Of Congress Have In Common?

Getting More For Less: Efficiency At Home And Work

Toward A More Sustainable 2009

Green Jobs - Let's Seize The Opportunity

Electoral Energy

Searching For A (Bipartisan) Solution

Waste To Energy

Energy Policy Crosses Party Lines

Gold, Silver And Green?

Saving Energy: One State at a Time

Energy Security Requires Diversifying Fuel Mix and Supply

Moving Forward: Introducing the Sustainable Growth Initiative

Building a Greener Future

Finding the Right Balance

A Seat at the Roundtable: Green Insights From Members of Business Roundtable - Featuring Ursula M. Burns, President, Xerox Corporation

"SEE"ing Change

Time For Recalibration

Sustaining Growth - In More Ways Than One

S.E.E.ing Change on Water Sustainability

Change Is In The Air: Accelerating Wind And Solar Energy

Moving Down Parallel Tracks From Bali

Being Sustainable: Easy as 1-2-3, then 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Resolve for Energy Efficiency

Our Favorite Things

Coal: Our Nation's Workhorse