# Jeffrey Hollender announced Seventh Generation new growth plans: become a $1 Billion dollars corporation in the next 5 years. The Vermont based company hired Chuck Maniscalco, former Pepsi-Co champion and entered into a partnership with CleanWell Company to market (natural) disinfectant-cleaners.

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#10 – Greenwashing is now a familiar word. It can be described as a deceptive marketing tactic aimed at promoting a product or an organization based on unproven or unmerited environmental claims. In March 2009 TerraChoice revealed that “98% of products committed at least one of the sins of greenwashing”. Although the environmental consulting firm identified seven sins, we condensed them into three, which in our opinion are the most used and also represent the worst type of greenwashing. These practices are perversely dangerous, as they tend to add confusion and mistrust about green claims. Continue Reading »

Not surprisingly Green Age’s 2009 top 3 personalities have made the headlines for the right reasons. The months preceding Copenhagen have brought the spotlights on many individuals and organizations, but no one had been more expected than President Barack Obama. Some have been disappointed by his position, more by the lack of concrete results, and to sum up this year’s climate talk “We do not have the fair, ambitious and legally binding agreement that millions around the world hoped the world leaders gathered in Copenhagen would deliver. They are not done yet, and neither are we.” posts 350.org on their web site. As important this event was, let’s not forget there is a life outside climate change negotiations; organizations and individuals that have made a real difference in advancing the cause of a cleaner and a safer world, conservationists, scientists and activists alike have helped push environmental and health issues one (at least) step further. So without any delays, here is our top 3:

#3: The Climate Change Activists. Copenhagen and environmental talks could not have been the same without them, they are at the heart and soul of the contestation movement, and although they some times have made the headlines for the wrong reasons, it would be silly to ignore their roles in telling the world what was really happening in Copenhagen: tcktcktck, 350.org, avaaz.org, Union of Concerned Scientists and so many more that have rallied millions of people under the banner “A Fair, ambitious and bidding agreement now”. Keep the beat up, people! and so many more that have rallied millions of people under the banner “A Fair, ambitious and bidding agreement now”. Keep the beat up, people!

#2: Ken Cook, without a moment of hesitation is the environmentalist who, in our humble opinion, can contribute the most to environmental and health protective reforms. His non-profit, Environmental Working Group that he started with Richard Wiles in 1993, has raised to become one of the most respected voice in the green community through acute analyses. This year alone, EWG’s work in toxic chemicals in umbilical cord and many children products, school clening supplies, farm subsidies and water pollutions have helped change the conversation and speed the ban of some of the most harmful chemicals. He was also named ultimate green game changer by Huffington Post.

#1: And the winner is … President Barack Obama. We can’t think of anyone who has had more impact on the green and sustainable scene since Al Gore and the release of the Inconvenient Truth in 2006. President Obama did not wait long before pushing green initiatives. Even before taking office, he and his staff met with hundreds of NGOs, green and cleantech professionals. Immediately after moving to the White House, (and we’re going to cite our friends from Grist.com) “he appointed the greenest Cabinet ever, chock-full of top-notch scientists and long-time climate advocates. His administration has made massive green stimulus investments, set EPA moving forward to regulate CO2 and chemical policy reform, pushed green jobs, promoted eco-friendly retrofits, established new fuel-economy rules and efficiency standards, launched national retrofit programs, delayed mining and drilling permits, set new energy standards and goals for all federal departments, created a White House garden and farmers market, and oh so much more”. Unfortunately he has deliver more mountaintop-removal permits than his predecessor – although he plans to make it more constraining; we’re still waiting for him to take a position in regards to GMOs and conventional biofuels; and – but that is not very fair to charge him for this – he has not been able to impose (or convince) the Houses and the world of the necessity to adopt and implement drastic measures to curb the world’s CO2 emissions. But hey, in less than a year, he has done more than the last 3 presidents combined.

It is not “that” difficult to create a useful and accessible online tool when the will is there. Trust me, I have experienced it first hand. Imagine getting 10 of the largest cities in California to collaborate on making available to other cities across the world their best green practices and actually to make it happen in a record 9 months time … Of course, some of the cities started to feel the increasingly heavy burden of answering requests from other cities and consultants interested in learning from them the how’s, the what’s and the why’s of say waste reduction policy and practices in Oakland or San Francisco, San Jose or Santa Monica. But that was not the only hurdle. In time of financial crisis, allocating a budget of roughly $100,000 to eventually save money and promote sustainability practices is a hard sell, even though everyone understands it has to happen: By switching to 100% recycled paper, GCC members annually have saved since 2008: 8,600,000 pounds of CO2 emissions, 19,600,000 gallons of water, 11,500,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, and 67,000 trees. The list of achievements goes on covering energy, waste reduction, urban design, transportation, environmental health and water. Continue Reading »

Jeffrey Hollender has made the decision to step aside as CEO of Seventh Generation, a company he grew to become one of the most iconic sustainable brands. He should be saluted not just for building a company of which social and environmental values have inspired many entrepreneurs but also for realizing what many entrepreneurs have failed to realize in time when the conjuncture of rapid growth and market switch call for a new set of skills. The newly appointed CEO, Chuck Maniscalco – a former Pepsico executive, will have the challenging task of growing the company from $150 million in annual sales to $1 billion in a market that should grow 873% over the next 5 years. But don’t think for a second Jeffrey Hollender will stop being the inspiration behind Seventh Generation conquest of the home natural products … he is still the Chief Inspired Protagonist after all. Continue Reading »

When we take a closer look at GM seed manufacturers claims, they look either deceiving or unable to deliver and their attempt to explain crops failure by blaming insufficient fertilization in laboratory is not really convincing … Continue Reading »

You can live without it but It is when you start using it that you realize how powerful and useful GreenHome is.

On the very top of the sustainable pyramid, we find the green gurus, they think green, they speak green, they live green days and nights. They were actually born green and see the world with a very acute green consciousness. After their green life on earth, they’ll probably ask to be buried naked under a tree.

A bit below, you’ll find the green movers: green entrepreneurs, green activists, green living people that are amongst the happiest that the world is turning green. They can be impatient, and not find themselves at the right place at the right time, but this is fine, they’ll keep pushing and moving things around until they feel they are making a positive difference. Their mantra is “failing is not an option”. They are convince of the urgency of the situation and will do a lot to improve it. Continue Reading »

The European Union Commission is considering lifting the ban on US poultry treated with antimicrobial substances, a move that is opposed by European consumers organizations, the European poultry industry, farmers unions and environmental and health NGOs. It is not the first time European constituents are expressing concerns over US agricultural products (GMOs are at the center of a much heated debate at the moment while growth hormones are banned). It is very tempting to accuse them of protectionism, a political game EU members seem to have perfected hiding behind consumer safety or even cultural exception. Yeah, that would be easy. But again, can we seriously blame them to be worried about their health and safety. Continue Reading »

This is a documentary that will shake you and might make you want to ask questions. This is not the first documentary unraveling the deceitful tactics of profit/power-driven corporations, amid the weaknesses of the individuals whose job is to protect and serve the people. The issues Marie-Monique Robin raised in The World According to Monsanto are fundamental to the future of applied molecular genetic research, the welfare of humankind and the preservation of environmental diversity. She brings an ethical, social, economical and environmental perspectives that should have been at the heart of the research and development, regulatory and commercialization processes. Continue Reading »

At a press conference in Ottawa on Friday, Canada Health Minister Tony Clement said the government would take “prudent” action in banning the sale and importing of baby products containing the chemical. Canada will be the first country to regulate and limit the use of bisphenol A. Laboratory studies have shown that when infants are exposed to the substance, it can lead to future behavioural and neurological problems. However, he said that the levels of bisphenol A (BPA) that most Canadian adults are exposed to is not harmful. This announcement has led many retailers to pull products containing bisphenol A from their shelves such as Wallmart, which announced that it will immediately stop selling products with BPA in its Canadian stores, and will stop selling baby bottles with the chemical in U.S. stores next year. More info on CTV Canada.

The long wait is over. Companies that would start their projects to use renewable energy through the end of 2009 will receive a tax credit of 2 cents per kilowatt hour generated. The cost is estimated to $6 billion over the next decade. “Extensions would also be given to other tax credits for making energy-efficient appliances, building energy-efficient facilities and residential purchases of renewable energy systems. Through the credits, homeowners and businesses could avoid paying 30 percent of the cost of installing solar of fuel cell systems.” Reports ClimateBiz.com

Penta, deca, octa are not pets’ names but chemistry names (actually the number of bromine atoms per molecule of diphenyl ether) for a family of polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDE) used to retard combustion of electrical and electronic equipment that would be caused by an internal ignition or a small external flame like a … candle. In an unprecedented move, the European Court of Justice restored the ban against decaBDE.
It might sound like a middle age battle, as the Kingdoms of Sweden, Denmark and Norway were fighting the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Besides this – amusing – detail of history, this episode translates the growing concerns of the hazardous impact of brominated and chlorinated halogens and hydrocarbons on human health and the environment. It is also a display of the PR and lobbying efforts of bromine manufacturers to make fire resistant testing always more stringent. The tactic is simple: fear and fact manipulation. On the other side, 120 distinguished scientists, biologists, researchers and physicians have come together to rebut these facts and warn the electrical and electronic community of the potentially harmful consequences of enabling this new standards. Click here to access the court order.

My friends calls it “bowing to pressure”. Or call it addressing and satisfying  shareholders’ concerns if you want. Of course, when these shareholders are as influential as Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, a large religious representing 300 religious institutional investors or about $100 billion in investment funds and a very large activist network of investors – CERES-directed Investor Network on Climate Risk representing $3 trillion and they put forward a resolution that ask specifics about gas emissions reduction … But the good news is … Ford is the first car manufacturer to announce its strategy to reduce its fleet’s greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2020. GM should follow soon (and announce the (re) launch of the electric car?).

Speaking of car, how about BMW’s new “7 hydrogen”?
The car is being delivered to 100 celebrities. It uses hydrogen, a gas that is present naturally but is highly volatile, meaning a) it requires an industrial process to produce it or capture it and b) it needs to be refrigerated to extremely low temperatures (minus 423 degrees Fahrenheit) to be kept in its liquid form (unless it is used right away after it has been captured).

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Finally! I thought this would never happen. But what took them so long? Al Gore’s Alliance for Climate Protection has launched its grassroots initiative. The We campaign’s goal is to empower people to take action to fight global change. You can create group and share your own initiatives with others. Continue Reading »