Students Choosing Green Schools

Berkeley and George Washington Universty are among two institution of higher education addressing sustainability issues. With Eco-Conscious students, recognition of their unique resource for research and activism, and coupled with a desire to compete with academia as thought leaders, higher education is making an impressive drive in all topics environmental.

AASHE is proof that students are no longer choosing soley based on name, reputation or the ability to land the “job-o-choice” after school. A university or college’s commitment to this issue will be a key factor among idealist and realist alike. Eco-Commerce is a viable and growing business market. Many schools have environmental departments as part of their business and law majors, as well as “stand alones“. No longer do students have to decide between “making a difference” and “making the rent”. Correcting past errors and preventing future ones now will put food on the table. It is a choice that is seemingly energizing the current generation of students.

“…a single leaf turns not yellow but with the silent knowledge of the whole tree…” – Khalil Gibran

Bush’s Plan: Stop Growth of U.S. GHG emissions by 2025

Prefixed by the “complicated ” science of climate change, the debate around the issue and an oddly positioned link of his administration’s progress in lowering GHG emmissions with a 17 percent growth in the economy, President Bush began his speech on the climate from the Rose Garden this Wednesday. The root of his words was an announcement of “a new national goal: to stop the growth of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 2025.”

The hinges of this plan are:

• Energy Legislation for new fuel economy
• Increased efficiency of lighting and appliances
• Technologies and tax incentives for states to increase renewable power and building code efficiency
• International agreement to accelerate cuts in HCFC emmissions

President Bush provided three areas as the suffix to his plan. He nodded to what has been done so far, what type of regulations is useful and what is not and spoke of the best system of incentives for these changes.

“The difference between offering the exceptional versus the acceptable is in communicating that the receiver is valued rather than an obligation.”

Tax Credits For Renewable Energy Threatens U.S. Deficit?

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman, Jeff Bingaman, doubts the House will accept the extension of a tax credit for wind and solar-energy projects. The bill would give a company 30% of what it spend on solar equipment as a tax credit. Due to what is seen as possible damage to the U.S. deficit, the House is unlikely to pass the bill without “some corresponding offsets”.

A 7% surge in solar energy company stocks and options showed optimism for Bingaman and Senate Finance Committee Chairman, Max Baucus’s ability to negotiate a compromise measure offsetting the budget shortfall the bill will create. However, it seems the optimism was premature. Reportedly, talks have reached an “impasse”.

“A Simple Wisdom: Sharing is a wise tool for accumulating wealth.”

Gore’s New Timetable for Climate Crisis

Providing a new slide show as evidence that the rate of climate change is faster than recently predicted, former Vice-President Al Gore calls for an “urgency” that mimics the “generational mission” of the civil rights movement. Gore speaks on a new reality of climate change backed by slides of figures, charts and graphs. This was followed by period of Q & A. Allow yourself about 30 minutes to view the entire clip.

“Many hands make light work.” – Irish Proverb

Introduction: Clear CO-OP

The challenge of this, both, honors and humbles us. “Honors us” because we are part of the solution. “Humbles us” through realizing we are only a part. We recognize that changing the globe will take a global effort.

This is why Clear Standards offers Clear CO-OP; a proposed partnership of our resources and your insight. The vision is a Green-centric business blog supplemented by your real world knowledge via a discussion forum. Think of it as “an interactive Green news exchange” where you share with international colleagues as we all go about changing the planet. The virtual “Give a penny. Take a penny.” of eco-strategy.

“Perhaps each of us can make it on our own. Question is: ‘Are we brave and wise enough not to?’”