2012 LOHAS Forum And Eco Integrity

Posted on May 17, 2012 by quest

The LOHAS Forum, the nation’s premier gathering of thought leaders, investors and industry executives focused on the $290 billion LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) market, announced today the speaker lineup and full program for this year’s LOHAS Forum 2012. Now in its sixteenth year, the event will take place June 12 – 14 in Boulder, Colorado with interactive discussions focused on a broad portfolio of current issues including alternative energy, health and wellness, social justice, branding, green customer loyalty and effective ways to raise capital.

“The LOHAS community is looked at to pave the way for today’s consumers when it comes to the latest and greatest trends in healthy and sustainability – and it is events like the Forum that bring together the thought leaders in the space to facilitate open and creative dialogue,” said Ted Ning, director of the LOHAS Forum. “We could not be more excited for this year’s LOHAS Forum, as we will be turning Boulder into the ultimate eco-conscious hotspot and playing host to some of the most influential thinkers in sustainability.”

Speakers at LOHAS Forum 2012 include Chip Conley with Joie de Vivre Hospitality, Toni J. Bellafiore with American Honda Motor Company, Inc., Gopi Kallayil with Google, Jodi Berg with VitaMix, Sue Harvey Brown with Patagonia Footwear, Madeleine Buckingham with Mother Jones, Mary Jo Cook with Fair Trade USA, Tom Laforge with The Coca-Cola Company, among many others. LOHAS Forum 2012 will also feature a full schedule of interactive programming where attendees will be given access to thought leaders and industry experts with deep diving workshops, networking opportunities during daily receptions, meals and exercise activities; and intimate break-out sessions each afternoon. For the first time ever, this year’s LOHAS conference will integrate all the richness the city of Boulder has to offer. Attendees will not only be treated to an inspiring and powerful event, but will also get to dive head first into the cultural roots of Boulder.

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Sustainable Food Festival Cooking Up In Monterey

Posted on May 15, 2012 by quest

Food lovers, culinary experts and chefs from across the country will convene in Monterey, California from May 18-20 for Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Cooking for Solutions, a premier event celebrating the use of sustainable food. On the night of May 17, eleven top chefs from ARAMARK Parks and Destinations will showcase their culinary talent at the Aquarium using regional ingredients and sustainable practices in a special Meet the Chefs Reception. ARAMARK, which manages the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s dining experiences in partnership with award-winning Napa Valley chef and restaurateur Cindy Pawlcyn, is bringing together chefs from its portfolio of parks, resorts and cultural attractions to take part in this weekend’s festivities and participate in this prestigious event. Invited guests attending the Meet the Chefs Reception will dine on a menu featuring fresh, local and seasonal ingredients while learning more about the protection and conservation of the environment.

“It is an honor for our chefs to be invited to participate in the Meet the Chefs Reception,” said Brian Stapleton, vice president of food and beverage, ARAMARK Parks and Destinations. “We look forward to providing guests with an extraordinary menu and memorable evening that reflects the chefs’ passion for cooking with sustainable ingredients.”

“Monterey Bay Aquarium has dedicated itself to educating the public about the importance of protecting our environment and natural resources,” said Bruce W. Fears, president, ARAMARK Parks and Destinations. “We also have deep respect for the environment and are delighted to have our chefs participate in Cooking for Solutions, which is widely regarded as one of the country’s finest sustainable food festivals.”Programs and events, such as Cooking for Solutions and Meet the Chefs, allow ARAMARK to demonstrate its commitment to protecting and improving the environment. ARAMARK believes sustainability is a process and has implemented environmental management practices and systems within the areas of food purchasing, supply chain, building operations, energy and water conservation, transportation and waste management.

Eco Fashion Footwear

Solar and Renewable Energy Innovations Awarded 200k

Posted on May 15, 2012 by quest

Young entrepreneurs developing energy from waste water treatment, robots for cleaning solar panels and solar cell films with 20% more efficiency took the top prizes at the First Look West (FLoW) regional finals competition, which closed last week. At an awards celebration held at the California Institute of Technology on May 1, Stanford Nitrogen Group, Greenbotics and Xite Solar shared $200,000 in prize money.Professor Harry Atwater, Director of Caltech’s Resnick Sustainability Institute, says “Successful competitions such as this show how universities, working with investors and the business community, are leaders in accelerating innovation flow to the real world, and in launching our future entrepreneurial leaders.”

At the Regional Awards Celebration, keynoter and Judge Andrew Chung, Partner at Khosla Ventures, captured the tone of the competition during an address that touched on the importance of thinking beyond the obvious. “Entrepreneurship shouldn’t be about extrapolating the past, but rather inventing the future,” Chung said. “Startups shouldn’t let the word of the ‘experts’ or conventional ‘wisdom’ constrain them from imagining new possibilities.”

FLoW represents the Western Region of the DOE’s National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition (NCEBPC). The winning teams from six regions across the country will now participate in the National Competition in Washington D.C., June 12 and 13, 2012. The awards event was the culmination of a six month competitive process searching for the untapped clean energy innovation that lies in American university labs. In its first year FLoW attracted 83 applicants from 34 universities across twelve states, and saw inventions ranging from new battery materials for portable electronic devices to net energy+ home kits, hydroponic farms and telephone apps for tracking energy use in the home.

Solar Powered Light Little Sun Launched

The Power of A Solar Salary

Posted on May 14, 2012 by quest

First Solar, Inc. recently announced that James Hughes has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Hughes succeeds Mike Ahearn, First Solar’s founder and Chairman, who has been serving as interim CEO since Oct. 2011. Hughes joined First Solar in March as Chief Commercial Officer. Ahearn will continue in his role as Chairman of the Board.“Jim has been instrumental in developing the strategic plan that will enable us to compete and win in this new era for the solar industry, and it became clear he is the right person to lead the execution of that plan”

Bloomberg BusinessWeek is reporting that Hughes will receive a $750,000 salary. He is being promoted from within the company.“Jim has been instrumental in developing the strategic plan that will enable us to compete and win in this new era for the solar industry, and it became clear he is the right person to lead the execution of that plan,” said Ahearn. “Jim brings a wide range of experience that will be invaluable in leading our organization, having owned and operated utilities, built power projects, cultivated partnerships and led profitable growth in a wide array of key markets around the world.”

“I am excited for this opportunity to lead First Solar into a new era for the industry,” said Hughes. “First Solar is unrivaled in terms of talent and experience and has the premier platform from which to implement solar power at a meaningful scale around the world. The rapid cost reductions in the industry position solar at the threshold of the mainstream energy markets, and we are well-positioned to capitalize on that opportunity.” First Solar, the world’s largest maker of thin-film solar panels recently closed it plant in Germany and laid off 2000 workers.

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AAA On Driving Eco Friendly EV’s And Hybrids

Posted on May 13, 2012 by quest

Ok if Paula Patton Co star from the most recent Mission Impossible film was wiling to take a test drive with you in BMW’s new Concept Car even more EV’s would sell. But, are you hoping to decrease your carbon footprint and live a greener life? What and how you drive is a large part of your daily carbon footprint. Electric engines, several hybrid options and even traditional internal combustion engines have become more efficient and emit fewer greenhouse gasses. Even if you’re not in the market for a new car, AAA has tips to help you get the best efficiency and minimize greenhouse gasses no matter what you drive. “There has been an influx of ‘green’ technologies by automakers into the market, which is great for consumers seeking a more environmentally-conscious choice for their next vehicle purchase,” said John Nielsen, AAA’s Director of Automotive Engineering and Repair.

2012 has been an exciting year for full-electric vehicles (EV). These vehicles do not use gasoline and rely solely on battery power. With the average cost for a kilowatt hour of electric energy at approximately 12 cents, to fully charge an EV with a 24KWh battery pack would cost around $2.88. That works out to between 3.0 cents and 4.4 cents per mile for fuel. Making EV’s even more appealing and green; there is no need for oil changes, ignition system maintenance, fuel system service or exhaust pipe and muffler replacements.

In addition to full electric cars there is also the option of Gasoline-Electric Hybrids, Compressed Natural Gas/Diesel Vehicles, and More Efficient Gasoline Vehicles. But fuel economy can be realized in plug-in hybrid powertrains. These vehicles use a rechargeable battery pack that allows the car to travel up to 35 miles before the onboard gasoline engine starts. In some cars, this engine will provide power to the drive wheels. In other models this engine powers a generator that delivers power to the motor driving the vehicle while also recharging the batteries. Unlike fully electric vehicles, a plug-in hybrid is limited only by the range of its gas tank. The Toyota Prius PHEV and 2013 Ford Fusion are great examples of plug-ins in the marketplace today.

Sexy Celebrity Environmentalists Making A Difference

Posted on May 12, 2012 by quest

Sure, celebrities are known for making a lot of green, but few have gained recognition for going green. In celebration of Earth Day 2012, Recently Rodale a source for news and ideas for healthy living on a healthy planet assembled an inaugural list of the “Top 50 Sexiest Environmentalists.” A definitive ranking of actors, adventurers, athletes and influencers, the list rounds up those that are using their star power to make meaningful contributions to environmental causes or dedicate significant time to supporting related nonprofits or organizations.

Of course there are list and then there are list Leo Dicaprio, Natalie Portman and Woody Harrelson have been on a green journey for some time now. And given the reality of what’s gong on with solar energy and the environment the list of celebrities more people greening up is likely to grow. On the list is heart throb Lenny Kravitz and Alexandra Cousteau: The granddaughter of the famous explorer Jacques Cousteau who founded Blue Legacy, a nonprofit that inspires people to take action on critical water problems.

From careers that depend on the conservation of the environment, like those of Olympic snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler and pro-surfer Rob Machado, to lifestyle changes inspired by having a family, like Jessica Alba and Alicia Silverstone’s adoption of healthier consumer practices. Today New York City born actress Rosario Dawson launched National Train day on behalf of Amtrak.