Archive for June, 2009
Clean Energy Creates Jobs, Improves Economic Growth
Posted on 12. Jun, 2009 by admin.
OAKLAND, Calif. — For at least the last year and a half, “Green Collar Jobs” has been the buzz term among those in business and policy circles as the answer to rising unemployment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Two recently released reports show that the nation and states such as California can improve economic growth by employing clean energy strategies. In addition, one report states that “business-as-usual” could make California’s economy worse in the long run.
The Pew Charitable Trust released a report on June 10, noting that jobs in the clean energy sector have generated significantly more jobs than the overall economy. And in an unrelated report, released June 9, “Energy Pathways for the California Economy,” (PDF) compiled by the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of California, Berkeley presents similar findings. The report by the ARE department was funded by the nonpartisan nonprofit organization, Next 10.
“The clean energy economy is poised for explosive growth,” Lori Grange, who is interim deputy director of the Pew Center on the States, said in a news release. “These jobs are driving economic growth and environmental sustainability at a time when America needs both.”
Read entire article on GreenBiz.com
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Starbucks Coffee: Green or Greenwashed?
Posted on 10. Jun, 2009 by admin.
Starbucks is given credit by many for revolutionizing the American coffee drinking experience. The company, however, is both praised and criticized by environmentalists. Is Starbucks a leader of sustainability or a greenwasher?
The Coffee Industry
The coffee industry itself is inherently unsustainable. Coffee is cultivated in more than 60 tropical countries across tens of millions of acres of land. Tropical soils unfortunately are vulnerable to erosion and loss of topsoil, particularly when the native vegetation is removed. Coffee also has relatively high water footprint — to produce one cup of coffee requires 140 liters of water.
Historically, much coffee was shade grown under a variety of native trees on small farms. A surge in coffee demand a decade ago significantly increased global production, thus boosting the prevalence of monoculture farming. The land is often cleared of native vegetation and pesticide use became more common.
Read the entire article at GreenBiz.com
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18 Visions Design celebrates 5 years in business
Posted on 07. Jun, 2009 by admin.
The economy has been up and it’s been down but we are still around…and today marks 5 years of being in business!
18 Visions Design is proud to celebrate its fifth year in business. 18 Visions Design was established in June of 2004 by Jason W. Feaga as a web/graphic design firm. The company has expanded its service offering over the past five years to include multimedia, internet marketing, green printing, and has experienced substantial growth each year since its inception. “We are thankful to our clients who have entrusted to us the critical responsibility to design and market their company’s product” says Jason Feaga, Principal of 18 Visions Design. “Regardless of how large or how small, we treat every client with the same respect.” We can only hope the next five years are as exciting as the first.” We are heavily involved in the Green community and expect the green way of business to grow. Our hope is one day soon, we are not even using the term “green”, it just is the way we all run our businesses and live our lives.”
We recently rebranded our logo and feel it’s the perfect way to celebrate our 5th year milestone. A BIG THANK YOU goes to everyone that has been involved with 18 Visions Design over the last 5 years!
