From June 7 – 10, 2011 Science Creative will be attending the Sustainable Brands ’11 conference because we understand the vital importance of conducting business in ways that are smart, efficient and always focused on the long-term benefits rather than the usual short-term financial gains.
We’re proud that our partners such as Higher Ground Roasters and Seafood For The Future are two prime examples of environmentally responsible and socially conscious companies that view the future with endless possibilities especially when tied to ethical consumerism and sustainable practices. We look forward to reporting on the latest from the SB ’11 conference in June.
Rethink Sustainability
The folks at Bioengineering Group created a pretty cool video that we think neatly sums up Sustainability.
These days when one thinks about clean energy, solar and wind power most likely come to mind first while geothermal and wave power may not be too far behind.
However, the other growing source of clean energy that is plentiful, available and producing jobs is Biomass Energy and right now its proponents are working hard towards making the industry a major player in the clean energy sector.
Until recently the emerging biomass industry has been somewhat below the radar in the public realm. One may ask why the mass media hasn’t promoted biomass as a major renewable energy source as they certainly have done when showcasing solar and wind energy?
Science Creative contacted Richard Madeira, Vice President of Enginuity Energy in Pennsylvania, and he explained, “One reason may be that biomass fuels just aren’t sexy and the sector itself isn’t as well organized as the others. However, once people sit down and learn the facts, they always say – Wow!”
Quick Facts
The Biomass Power Association (BPA) provides detailed facts and valuable information about biomass energy, but suffice it to say, the non-sexy aspects Mr. Madeira referred to consist of agriculture waste such as plants, animal manure and animal mortality. Then there is manufacturing refuse such as waste wood and timber slash. There is also food-processing refuse from food manufacturers and municipal waste.
Public Understanding
The Wassau Daily Herald reported that a recent public meeting held in Wisconsin for a proposed biomass plant, whose purpose will be supplying electricity for a paper mill, revealed that many residents were undecided going into the meeting. However, at the meetings conclusion the attendees were apparently satisfied with the answers they heard. ”No one particular issue stood out,” remarked Barry McNulty, a spokesman for We Energies at the event. “Residents asked very good questions… and we tried to give them a better understanding of what we do and how we do it.” Since the plant was proposed in September 2009, the company has tried to get ahead of critics with direct mailings, community meetings and door-to-door consultations.
In our ongoing quest to become less dependent on fossil fuels and also be more Eco-friendly on a daily basis, part of the sustainability equation means we have to focus on doing a better job of closing the loop.
In Vermont there is an example of a little town that has benefited from local cooperation with food sustainability from farm, to producer, to market/restaurant, and then on to the local composting depot to complete the loop. Hardwick, Vermont represents a concerted effort by its citizens to be more sustainable while also being environmentally responsible. The other important aspect that this cooperative and sustainable system provides is much needed jobs.
The rustic town of 3,000 people has been featured on Canada’s CBC, The New York Times, HDNet’s Dan Rather Reports and is also the subject of Ben Hewitt’s new book, The Town that Food Saved, which examines how soy milk and grass-fed meat have changed and inspired the local economy. Through sustainable food, Hardwick has provided much needed jobs. The town was noticed by Vermont’s own green company, Seventh Generation which stated, People came together and cooked up a whole new economy based on the idea of local food.
After a slow start into the first six months of 2010, solar energy is on the rise – at least on Wall Street.
According to a recent Barron’s article, the solar industry in general is on a more firm foundation than the Street generally believes.
Could there also be something else at work that has raised the profile of solar energy as a viable and mainstream clean energy alternative?
With the ongoing environmental and economic disaster of the Gulf oil spill, solar energy has quickly moved back into the global conversation about energy options. Look no further than the World Cup.
In our June 12th article about the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the record numbers of viewers around the globe, we pointed to Yingli Solar, a leading solar energy company, as an up-and-coming advertiser who recognized the branding and strategic opportunity of the World Cup to introduce the company and brand with on-field advertising. After investing $20 million for 64 games and gaining worldwide exposure in TV, online and mobile audiences, the six-year old company now has the eye of a major investor.
As reported in The New York Times, ”The World Cup is a fantastic platform to get our name out,” according to Robert Petrina, managing director for the Yingli Green Energy Americas division of Yingli who likened the growing interest in soccer in the United States to the growing interest in sources of renewable energy like solar panels.
Our company is well known in the industry we’re in and has grown to be one of the best-known brands in the space. But to move to the global stage is a massive step. The decision was made with the input of all the various offices around the world,” he added, which include Madrid, Munich and Rome — located in three soccer-mad nations, it should be noted.
Over 64 games, the $20 million investment equates to $312,500 per game. Considering that FIFA officials expect to exceed a cumulative 26 billion people, an average of approximately 400 million viewers per match, and factoring the additional online and mobile audiences, both the company and solar energy industry gained exposure. For Yingli, the investment has already achieved even more with a commitment of $5.3 billion to expand its manufacturing operations.
