There is one aspect of my job that I love beyond measure is that it gives me the opportunity to meet truly passionate individuals and groups, and let me underline a crucial point here, passionate entrepreneurs are often reasonable and progressive. These are actually three main traits that characterize successful entrepreneurs. The type of entrepreneurs that I have been meeting in the last three years shares this in common: they are very attune with their environment and the impact they have on the economy, society and environment, at any level. They are progressive, triple bottom line focused, social and environmental entrepreneurs, and one thing they will not compromise on is their values and code of ethics. I have discovered over this weekend this applies to organic medical marijuana outdoor growers as well. Continue Reading »

From our friends at Oceana
Oceana Applauds Commitment to New Analysis for Shell’s Plans to Drill in the Beaufort Sea, Calls for Better Science and Preparedness Before New Leasing

December 1, 2010

Contact: Michael LeVine ( mlevine@oceana.org )
Will Race ( wrace@oceana.org )

Anchorage, AK – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced an updated strategy for the Bureau of Ocean Management, Regulation, and Enforcement’s (BOEMRE) management of offshore oil and gas activities. The announcement contains some good news for the Arctic: the agency will prepare new environmental analyses for Shell’s proposal to drill in the Beaufort Sea in 2011 with opportunity for public review and comment; and it will enter an agreement to collaborate with NOAA on future planning decisions. In addition, however, DOI has included the Chukchi and Beaufort seas as areas to be considered for future leasing in 2012-17 and stated that it will honor existing leases, which could include those purchased under Chukchi Lease Sale 193.

“The Obama administration took some important steps forward today,” according to Oceana Pacific Director, Susan Murray. “By rejecting Shell’s proposal to rush forward, BOEMRE has the opportunity to get better science and learn from what happened in the Gulf before allowing drilling in the Beaufort Sea.” Continue Reading »