Former Toronto Mayor Urges Environmental Solutions

Posted on September 4, 2011 by quest

In his first formal appearance as the Polytechnic Institute of New York University Future of Cities Global Fellow, former Toronto Mayor David Miller challenged the incoming students to tackle what he called the world’s foremost challenge: innovating to solve urban problems. His recent convocation keynote speech this to approximately 560 new first-year undergraduates publicly marked the relationship between NYU-Poly and Miller, a global leader in urban environmental sustainability, economic development and social integration. As Toronto mayor from 2003 to 2010, Miller became recognized for innovations that furthered the city’s environmental sustainability, economic development and social integration. Miller is currently counsel, international business and sustainability, to the Toronto law firm Aird & Berlis LLP and president of Urban Green Jobs, Inc.

Noting that recently the scales tipped so that most of the people of the world now live in cities, Miller told the students: “This fundamental change has an important implication for your studies. No longer will it be sufficient to simply study chemical or computer engineering, or any other technical field and become an expert – it will also be essential to understand the public policy context and challenges within which your research is being conducted.” Using real-world examples from his experience, Miller told the students that engineers and technology will play an increasingly important role in solving these urban problems. He also pointed to ways to have fun while creating solutions. He pointed to the example of the NYC BigApps Challenge, which employs open source code and open government information to create apps to make city life better for residents and visitors.

Jon Stewart Surprises NYU Students

“We have faith in your capacity to learn and make the world a better place,” NYU-Poly President Jerry Hultin told students in his welcoming remarks. “Here at NYU-Poly, you will find a 21st century toolbox of education and research…With our faculty I challenge you to combine the traditional engineering disciplines in new ways, and to set a personal goal to make a difference.” Miller’s role as Future of Cities Global Fellow will include other lectures, as well as teaching and assisting NYU-Poly and NYU in developing programs that connect technology and society to solve pressing urban challenges. Among other projects, he plans to co-instruct a studio class in which students work to increase sustainability in local parks. Urban technology is one of NYU-Poly’s highest academic priorities, befitting its mission as a comprehensive school of engineering located in one of the world’s great urban centers.

Santiago Chiles’s LEED Gold Green Building

Canadian Solar To Sponsor German Soccer Clubs

Posted on August 21, 2011 by quest

Canadian Solar, one of the world’s largest solar companies, has announced that the Company is now the official exclusive sponsor of German top-league soccer teams Hannover 96 and 1. FC Nuremberg. By this commitment, Canadian Solar will become part of one of Germany’s oldest sports, rich in tradition. Both new partnerships were arranged by SPORTIVE.

Canadian Solar is proud to join Hannover 96 and 1. FC Nuremberg as their official sponsor starting in the 2011/2012 season through to the end of the 2013/14 season. In return, Canadian Solar will receive dedicated marketing, hospitality and advertising privileges. Among other activities, Canadian Solar’s logo will be prominently displayed on stadium signage, interview boards, the official team photo and other advertising spaces at all top league home games.”Soccer is one the world’s most dynamic and most popular sports. The sport is clearly number one in Germany, which guarantees high visibility for our brand. Canadian Solar is active in the north and in the south of Germany, and we are proud to be associated with two leading professional teams representing both parts of the country,” said Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar.

Canadian Solar will also support the traditional 1. FC Nuremberg soccer club as its exclusive sponsor. Having achieved 47 points and ranked 6 in the country, the “Club” is celebrating its second-best season since 1988. “The partnership with Canadian Solar proves that the ‘Club’ is also a good advertising medium for international companies. Also in Germany, Canadian Solar sponsors the top league EHC Munich hockey club. In Italy, Canadian Solar is the sponsoring partner of the Italian basketball team Virtus Bologna. In North America, Canadian Solar is a partner of both the New York Yankees and of the San Francisco Giants.

Chinese avoiding exploding watermelons with organic farming

Aspen Summit Attracts Renewable Energy Trendsetters

Posted on August 20, 2011 by quest

Trendsetter, Model, Artist, Author and Designer, Maria Snyder joined other energy and environmental leaders as a speaker at the 8th Annual American Renewable Energy Day (AREDAY) Summit. The annual forum promotes powerful cross-sector dialogue and collaborations. This year’s theme, “Putting the Green in Green, Monetizing Carbon in the Global Economy,” brings leaders from a myriad of fields together including the financial sector, research institutes, think tanks, the film industry and government to Aspen CO.

Solar energy issues are front and center with several experts in the field of solar energy among the more than 100 speakers at this year’s Summit. Rhone Resch, President and CEO of Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Kevin Smith, CEO of Solar Reserve, and Jim Coombes, Director of Sales Finance and Strategic Planning for REC Solar, will join heavy weights such as Ted Turner and T. Boone Pickens in the four days of conversation about renewable energy.

AREDAY’s purpose is to foster immediate action that addresses climate change through renewable energy development and deployment. The eighth annual AREDAY summit, themed offers attendees, exhibitors and sponsors the opportunity to engage with global environmental powerhouses. AREDAY chooses topics that help people understand the detrimental impact we are having on the biosphere and to see that fixing the problem provides a huge economic opportunity. “We try to find and engage those people who are doing innovative things out there,” says “Putting the Green in Green: Monetizing Carbon in the Global Economy,” Sally Ranney, co-director of AREDAY.

James Cameron

Since 2004, American Renewable Energy Day has been bringing leaders and educators together to promote rapid deployment of renewable energy and energy efficient strategies through demonstration, presentation, performance, film and dialogue. Each year AREDAY has hosted national and international speakers along with presenting of renewable energy booths from all over country attracting thousands of guests.

Supertrees of Singapore Elevate Renewable Energy

Solar Stage and Eco Village At Philly Folk Festival

Posted on August 12, 2011 by quest

Local artists The Great Unknown, Hoots and Hellmouth, Dr. Dog, Birdie Busch, and the Spinning Leaves are helping raise awareness and funding for new green programs at the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Todd Henkin from The Great Unknown posited, “This year, the Festival will be introducing a compost program, bringing in local foods, hosting the Sustainability Living Roadshow in its first East Coast tour, and presenting a host of eco-programs!” A solar stage and eco-village will be headquartered just inside the main gate of the Festival. We are overwhelmed with the participation from the local community of musicians, organizations and activists at this year’s Folk Festival from August 18th to the 21st,” says Levi Landis, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Folksong Society, the nonprofit organization that presents the seminal event. “The local involvement comes in the form of a regional performer focus on Friday of the festival, a sustainability initiative led by the biggest area artists, and advanced participation by Black Walnut Winery and Yards Brewing Company,” Landis added.

Friday at the Folk Festival will be a truly special Philadelphia-focused celebration. For the 50th commemoration, Yards Brewing Company has brewed its first ever lager—the Folk Fest Lager—and joins new event partners Black Walnut Winery to host a special VIP meet and greet with Friday headliner performers. “As a local Pennsylvania winery, we were thrilled to be invited to join The Philadelphia Folk Festival for their 50th anniversary,” beamed Black Walnut winemaker Lance Castle. “It will be a great experience to share our wines, which we make using locally-grown grapes, with such an incredible local tradition like the Folk Festival.” Tickets are on sale for the VIP event, which is $125 and will feature these local crafted beverages along with farm fresh foods to taste while patrons meet and greet with Roy Book Binder, Tempest, US Rails, Birdie Busch, Hoots and Hellmouth, and Alexis P. Suter!

Friday will also feature winners of the Unsung Heroes campground band competition, the Philadelphia Jug Band and HogMaw. They beat out over 5 dozen artists to present the Folk Festival campground experience on the Martin Main Stage. Returning this year, XPN’s Helen Leicht will be hosting the Philly Local showcase on Saturday afternoon with Suzie Brown and Jim Boggia. The Philadelphia Music Co-op is a Folksong Society sponsored program to develop local artists. The co-op brings Suzie Brown, as well as a showcase of co-op artists Wes Mattheau and the New Way Down, The Berrys, Brad Hinton, and Burning Bridget Cleary on the Lobby Stage Friday afternoon. Co-op artist James McCarthy will bring special kids programs and performances throughout the weekend. An All Festival ticket is just $124

Transform The White House

Leonardo DiCaprio joins Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury

Posted on July 27, 2011 by quest

Leonardo DiCaprio joins distinguished group of international leaders in government, business, academia and renowned Green activists has been selected to join the Jury for the Zayed Future Energy Prize. The Zayed Future Energy Prize is recognized as the world’s preeminent award -driving innovation, leadership, long-term vision and impact in renewable energy and sustainability.

“The Zayed Future Energy Prize serves as a catalyst to sustainable development. For us, going carbon neutral is not just the right thing to do; we believe it is in our economic self-interest. Countries that have the foresight to green their economies today, will be the winners of tomorrow” We welcome to the Prize highly accomplished individuals who bring together a multi-faceted set of experiences in the industry along with a shared passion and commitment to advancing renewable energy and sustainability around the world,” said Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Director General of the Zayed Future Energy Prize. “We will greatly benefit by each of their specific areas of expertise and participation.”Newly-selected members of the Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury are: HE Mohammed Nasheed, President of the Republic of the Maldives, Elizabeth Dipuo Peters, Minister of Energy for South Africa, Hon. Timothy Wirth, President of the UN Foundation and Better World Fund, Andre Agassi, Founder of the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education and Grand Slam Tennis Champion and Hon. Cherie Blair, Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation.The new Jury members will join continuing members: HE Olafur Ragnar Grímsson, President of Iceland; HE Ahmed Al Sayegh, Chairman of Masdar; and Dr. Susan Hockfield, President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

“Our appreciation is also extended to the exiting jury members whose efforts have laid the foundation and created the momentum for the prize in its inception phase. We recognize their efforts and are confident that they will continue to support the prize as its ambassadors.” he added. The Zayed Future Energy Prize aims to incentivize, encourage and become a catalyst for the ongoing development of renewable energy and clean technology.The Jury will convene later this year as the final judging panel in a four-tiered open process that selects the prize winners and finalists who will be honoured in an Awards Ceremony in Abu Dhabi on 17 January 2012. The annual Zayed Future Energy Prize is open to individuals, large companies, entrepreneurs, small- to medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and NGOs in the field of renewable energy and sustainability.The prize organization has developed a multi-tiered evaluation procedure to ensure consistency throughout the judging process. Participants can win up to $1.5 million.

The 11th Hour

Solar Satellites Key To Green Energy

Charlize Theron & Ryan Reynolds Going Green Hollywood Style

Posted on July 18, 2011 by quest

If you can believe the latest word out of Hollywood, Green Lantern star Ryan Reynolds and Academy Award winner, film producer and former fashion model Charlize Theron have been dating for months. Both have some pretty strong ” green” activist street creds. Theron also is a supporter of animal rights and active member of PETA. She appeared in a PETA ad for their anti-fur campaign.

In July 2009 it was announced that Theron’s Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) would form a coalition with LAFC Soccer Club to give soccer fields to rural areas in South Africa. LAFC Chelsea, one of the United States’s most successful and prominent youth soccer clubs, made a three-year commitment to help build a community-wide soccer program for the schools in the Umkhanyakude District. This help includes uniforms, cleats, balls and equipment, along with professional training for local coaches, referees and administrators. “Our goal is to help truly create a safer, healthier and better life for young people in South Africa, especially those living in remote areas, and to ensure that the resources we bring are self sustaining. The three year commitment is so incredible and key to being sure that the program will be around for many years to come”, says Charlize Theron.

Canadian born actor Ryan Reynolds known for his roles in National Lampoon’s Van Wilder, Waiting…, Definitely, Maybe, The Proposal and X-Men Origins: Wolverine wrote in the Huffington Post after the BP oil rig explosion; “What we’re doing is literally the same thing cave men did: we set things on fire to produce energy. There are so many viable alternatives. Wind farms and solar plants, for instance, don’t explode, destroying thousands of miles of marshlands and oceans. That’s something worth focusing on. I started out feeling angry about the spill, and I think a lot of other people did too. Slowly but surely, I’ve been trying to redirect that anger into something positive. And you start to think, “How can we change this? How can we turn this into an opportunity? I see this whole thing as a wakeup call: a chance to shift to cleaner energy and build a greener economy.  It’s easy to vilify Big Oil after a tragedy like this, but there are still hard working people in that industry who need to put a roof over their heads. I firmly believe we can pass clean energy and climate legislation and by doing so, put millions of Americans to work.”