Environment « Nesmith's Notes

Changing Rules – Guardian/Trafigura Example

Filed in Energy | Environment | Management | Responsibility | Social

In our ongoing series on how social media is changing the rules, will look at the 2009 example of Trafigura and the gagging order, I should say super gagging order, placed on the Guardian.

The key lesson to be learned in the Trafigura case study is really an old lesson. You often get more exposure through your actions of trying to keep something from being exposed in the first place. Social Media simply makes it much more likely and far, far more broadly exposed when this happens.

There is another lesson to be learned from this case. It seems to me, Trafigura could have done a much better job, should have done a much better job in cleaning up their act or even preventing it from happening in the first place. I have not researched the details of what transpired and that’s a story for another day.

In October 2009, the Guardian received a super gagging order preventing it from reporting on activities in Parliament. The Guardian reported that it had received the super gagging order preventing it from reporting on specific questions to be asked by MPs which could not be named regarding issues which they could not comment on. The only information that they could share is the case involved the London solicitors Carter-Ruck.

Had the Guardian reported this 5 years earlier, it may have very well been the end of the matter.

However, in 2009 Twitter was available and the following tweet was sent. “Now Guardian prevented from reporting parliament for unreportable reasons. Did John Wilkes live in vain? http://tinyurl.com/yhjxo38”, and the Social Media Floodgates opened.

Carter-Ruck claimed the injunction had been in place for over a month and it was never intended to prevent the paper from reporting activities in Parliament. Nevertheless, the damage was done. With intentions of keeping the issues quiet, the exact opposite happened and was spread virally well beyond the normal distribution of a Guardian story about Trafigura.

For more on this matter, see these articles:

Twitter can’t be gagged: online outcry over Guardian/Trafigura order

How injunctions threaten press freedom

Social media turns toxic avenger for The Guardian (#trafigura)

Breaking (good) News: Ban on Guardian’s Trafigura reporting lifted

Ivorian dumping report published

27Oct

When social responsibility pressure backfires…

Filed in Economy | Environment | Management | Responsibility | Social

The Economist’s Schumpeter columnist calls out some of the unintended consequences of NGOs and government regulations in his piece on “The Case for Business in Developing Economies”, a new book by Ann Bernstein.

Ann Bernstein, the head of a South African think-tank called the Centre for Development and Enterprise, thinks that advocates of corporate social responsibility (CSR) tend to miss this point. In her new book, “The Case for Business in Developing Economies”, she stresses the ways companies benefit society simply by going about their normal business. In a free and competitive market, firms profit by selling goods or services to willing customers. To stay in business, they must offer lower prices or higher quality than their competitors. Those that fail disappear. Those that succeed spread prosperity. Shareholders receive dividends. Employees earn wages.

I have not read it, but for those doing business in the developing world, it seems to bring to light some important problems and issues.

Many of these unintended outcomes are created when the short term needs of a community are overlooked while pursuing the ultimate vision. Just as government officials and NGO leaders can get too focused on that long term vision, corporate leaders must not become too focused on short term gain and lose sight of long term value. Sustainability for the corporate operations often drive decisions which are in lock step with sustainability for customers, suppliers, employees, natural resources and shareholders.

Ms. Bernstein would like to see more and better coverage of the benefits jobs bring to developing countries’ communities. Today companies spend their time and effort where it does the most good, lobbying the rules makers. Changes will come as customers begin choosing products based on more than style and price.

30Aug

America Heading to a Carbon Tax?

Filed in Economy | Energy | Environment

With the failure of Cap and Trade Legislation to even begin a healthy debate, the US seems more poised for a Carbon Tax than ever. Seen my many as a far simpler method to cut emissions, a tax avoids both the advantages and complexities of a market designed to cut emissions at the lowest cost. More importantly, it converts the regulators emission limits or caps from an outright declaration to one where the tax rate will need be set (along with the necessary legislative pork) to a price that gets the job done quickly, fairly and with minimal economic impact.

17May

Global Reporting Initiative Certification

I just received my GRI G3 reporting certification from the course I took last week. The course was delivered in Colorado for the first time due to the efforts of CORE with support from Deloitte. Lead, out of Canada, provided the training based on materials from the Global Reporting Initiative.

The instructor was well informed, as were the 26 attendees. Lively discussion, along with some good and some not so good exercises provided us all with a great understanding of the G3 framework and the processes companies should put in place to engage stakeholders, prioritize initiatives, disclose results, share goals and increase sustainability through management processes and transparency.

Global Reporting Initiative
The Sustainability Reporting Framework – of which the Sustainability Reporting Guidelines are the cornerstone – provides guidance for organizations to disclose their sustainability performance. It is applicable to organizations of any size or type, and from any sector or geographic region, and has been used by thousands of organizations worldwide as the basis for their sustainability reporting.

Efficiency, Energy, Environment, GHG, governance, GRI

28Apr

BP – What will it be: Face up and Fix it or Cut and Run?

Filed in Energy | Environment | Management

With an oil slick that is 80 miles across and 42 miles north to south just a few dozen miles from the Louisiana Coast, BP certainly has created a mess. Now the only question more important than how to stop the bloody thing from leaking is what will BP do about it.

They can take the Exxon route after Valdez which was too slow, too little and too eager to head to a courtroom. Or BP can take the necessary precautions sooner rather than later, avoid what is possible, clean quickly what was not and stay around to finish the full job. Well BP, what’s it gonna be?

05Mar

CU Ranks at top of Sustainable Campus list

Filed in Education | Efficiency | Environment

The Daily Camera reports the University of Colorado’s Boulder campus has received another green designation. The Sustainable Endowments Institute, a special project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors gave CU the highest grade awarded on its 2010 report card. And for the second year in a row, CU was named an Overall College Sustainability Leader.

CU this fall was ranked by Sierra magazine as the No. 1 green university in the nation.

The rating was based on an independent review by the Sustainable Endowments Institute and responses by CU-Boulder officials to 120 questions assessing sustainability in the categories of administration, climate change and energy, food and recycling, green building, transportation, student involvement, endowment transparency and shareholder engagement and investment priorities.

Colorado, Efficiency, Environment

04Feb

SEC seeks to clarify climate change reporting

Surprising no one, the SEC released interpretive guidance on the presentation of global climate change risks last week.

Specifically, the SEC’s interpretative guidance highlights the following areas as examples of where climate change may trigger disclosure requirements:

Impact of Legislation and Regulation: When assessing potential disclosure obligations, a company should consider whether the impact of certain existing laws and regulations regarding climate change is material. In certain circumstances, a company should also evaluate the potential impact of pending legislation and regulation related to this topic.
Impact of International Accords: A company should consider, and disclose when material, the risks or effects on its business of international accords and treaties relating to climate change.
Indirect Consequences of Regulation or Business Trends: Legal, technological, political and scientific developments regarding climate change may create new opportunities or risks for companies. For instance, a company may face decreased demand for goods that produce significant greenhouse gas emissions or increased demand for goods that result in lower emissions than competing products. As such, a company should consider, for disclosure purposes, the actual or potential indirect consequences it may face due to climate change related regulatory or business trends.
Physical Impacts of Climate Change: Companies should also evaluate for disclosure purposes the actual and potential material impacts of environmental matters on their business.

Reporting agencies and other groups, such as the Carbon Disclosure Project and Global Reporting Initiative, applauded the move.

01Feb

The World’s Water – L’Desh Fresh

Filed in Environment | International Politics

Some things are worthy of a second look. Check out this educational advertisement for the water millions walk miles to taste.

L’DESH FRESH

economics, Environment, water

01Feb

Snow Driving Down South

Filed in Environment | Science

Growing up in the South, you don’t have a lot of opportunities to test out your winter gittin’ around skills. And with a big snowstorm about to him my hometown area, here are a few hard learned lessons about moving around in the white stuff.

Cowboy boots and ice don’t mix.

Always wipe the snow off the top of the car door before you open it. Or just wear your rain pants everywhere.

Drive like you’re in your bass boat. Look way out front and pretend you got little or no brakes.

Them big ‘ol four wheel drives are great at getting ya’ going, but ain’t no help at all when it comes to stopping.

And the number one thing to remember: It’s not all about how well you can drive in the snow, it’s more about how the folks around you drive in the snow.

Now that I really think about it, you may want to stay home if you can.

Environment, snow, South

24Jan

Starbucks Customers React to Caloric Info

Filed in Efficiency | Energy | Environment

It appears Starbucks customers in New York are able to make intelligent decisions when provided with the information about the calorie content of food on the menu.

A new study by Stanford released Jan. 6 examined consumer behavior before and after calorie counts were posted, and determined that when restaurants post calories on menu boards, there is a reduction in calories per transaction. Based on transaction data provided by Starbucks, researchers from the Stanford Graduate School of Business found that calorie-posting in New York City in 2008 led to a 6% reduction in calories per transaction.

I suspect this surprises few of us. Yet, opponents of posting this information claim it is available elsewhere and therefore not needed in the cafe.

Studies continue to reveal this is just not the case. Information available in real time makes a difference in our buying decisions. The same is true for energy conservation efforts. Just presenting people with details about the energy they are using while they are using it, changes behaviors that on average reduce energy consumption by 3-5%. Give folks simple ideas to reduce consumption further and the vast majority of us will do so. That’s why we are working with companies to make energy usage information (and comparisons across companies, departments and work areas) available to employees.

Efficiency, Energy, Environment, marketing

23Jan

U.S. Bound by Obama\’s Copenhagen Emissions Pledge — U.N. Official – NYTimes.com

Filed in Efficiency | Energy | Environment | International Politics | Politics

In a move clearly designed to keep up the pressure on the US to take strong action on climate change, UN climate chief Yfo de Boer stated, “Whatever route is taken, the president of the United States committed to a 17 percent emissions reduction in Copenhagen. The president of the United States committed to more ambitious emissions reductions for 2030 and 2050. And it is those statements to which the international community will hold the government of the United States accountable.”

via U.S. Bound by Obama\’s Copenhagen Emissions Pledge — U.N. Official – NYTimes.com.

Efficiency, Energy, Environment, Politics

20Jan

Smart-grid spending to hit $200 billion by 2015 | Green Tech – CNET News

Filed in Economy | Efficiency | Energy | Environment | smartgrid

The term “smart grid” is shorthand for a number of technologies intended to automate and digitize management of electrical power. By computerizing the 20th century electrical system, utilities and others in the power industryhope to manage and control electrical output more efficiently and reliably. Though smart grid sounds like it’s a single system, it’s more an array of different tools and technologies, from smart meters to solar power, all designed to reduce costs, waste less energy, and provide better networking and communications between homes and utilities.

Smart-grid spending to hit $200 billion by 2015 | Green Tech – CNET News.

economics, electricity, Energy, smartgrid

20Jan

U.N. climate chiefs apologize for glacier error – CNN.com

Filed in Energy | Environment | International Politics

The U.N.\'s leading panel on climate change has apologized for misleading data published in a 2007 report that warned Himalayan glaciers could melt by 2035. In a statement released Wednesday, U.N. climate chiefs apologize for glacier error – CNN.com the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said estimates relating to the rate of recession of the Himalayan glaciers in its Fourth Assessment Report were “poorly substantiated” adding that “well-established standards of evidence were not applied properly.”

In an attempt to put the proper spin on this, IPCC chairman, Rajendra Pachauri admitted errors and according to Agence France-Presse, stated, “Theoretically, let’s say we slipped up on one number, I don’t think it takes anything away from the overwhelming scientific evidence of what’s happening with the climate of this earth,” he said, according to Agence France-Presse.

Errors and mistakes happen in science research as in all other areas of human involvement. And when they do, it is best to own up to them quickly and with humility. This seems to be as important for climate science, maybe even more important, because predictions are so difficult, hindsight is always 20/20 and there are so many groups wanting to poke holes in the research and predictions. Some may even claim that early predictions were intentionally exaggerated in order to gain more attention.

In any event, those wanting to really understand the issue are no more likely to take this error and believe all the science is suspect, than they would take the worst case prediction and ignore everything else.

Energy, Environment

05Dec

Yellowstone BioBlitz Uncovers Species Previously not Known to Exist in the Park

Filed in Environment | Science

The first ever Yellowstone BioBlitz took place in August and uncovered more than 1200 species in a two-square mile area of northern Yellowstone, including several species not previously known to exist in the park. While Yellowstone’s wolves, bison, bears, and elk typically receive the most attention-both from scientists and tourists-the focus of the BioBlitz was on decidedly smaller and lesser-known creatures. Yet to scientists and park officials the findings were no less exciting. Findings included microscopic worms, mushrooms, a bluish-green lichen, a slender grass, and a colorful tiger beetle. 373 plant species

86 mushroom types
46 kinds of bees
5 kinds of bats (I know a 9 year old who would love to see these)
24 butterflies
Over 300 kinds of other insects

This rich biodiversity provides the ecological building blocks upon which the larger, more charismatic mammals depend for survival. The BioBlitz results will help park management better understand ecosystem dynamics and potential threats to ecosystem stability. You can read more about the BioBlitz at the Greater Yellowstone Science Learning Center.

From the Yellowstone Association’s Dec. ‘09 E-Newsletter

Environment, Science, wildlife, Yellowstone

04Dec

Leeds School of Business’ Annual Colorado Business Economic Outlook is Dec 7th

Filed in Economy | Energy | Environment

The 45th Annual Event Sponsored by the Business Research Division in the Leeds School of Business and BBVA Compass
The annual forecast of the state’s economy includes snapshots from specific counties and regions around the state, as well as updates on international trade, population, labor force and personal income growth, and a general outlook on the national economy.
December 7
Grand Hyatt Hotel, 1750 Welton Street, Denver
1:00 p.m. Welcome by Leeds School and BBVA Compass
1:15 p.m. Colorado economic outlook for 2010
         Richard Wobbekind, Economist, Leeds School of Business
         John Lymberopoulos, Professor Emeritus, Leeds School of Business
2:00 p.m. Question and answer panel session
2:30 p.m. Keynote address: Nathaniel Karp, Chief U.S. Economist, BBVA Compass
3:15 p.m. Concurrent discussion sessions:
         The Future of Uranium, Renewables, and Coal–Impacts on Colorado’s Economy
         Moderator and Speaker: Vince Matthews–Colorado Geological Survey
         Panel: Jim Burnell–Colorado Geological Survey
                    Bob Burnham–Wood Mackenzie
                     Jeff Lyng–Governor’s Energy Office
4:45 p.m. Networking reception
There is no charge for this event. No RSVP is necessary. Download printable postcard invitation.
More info:

Education, Energy, Environment

01Dec

DOE Grants $338M to Geothermal Projects across 39 States

Filed in Colorado | Economy | Energy | Environment

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will provide up to $338 million in funding for the exploration and development of new geothermal fields and research into advanced geothermal technologies.

These grants are directed toward identifying and developing new geothermal fields and reducing the upfront risk associated with geothermal development through exploration and drilling projects and data development and collection.

In total, 123 projects in 39 states will receive funding from these grants.

Energy, renewable energy

28Nov

Obama Heads to Copenhagen with a 17 Percent Reduction Offer

Filed in Economy | Efficiency | Energy | Environment | International Politics

President Obama set to be in Copenhagen on Dec. 9th with an offer to cut US GHG emissions in the range of 17% from 2005 levels by 2020.

Efficiency, Energy, Environment, Politics

26Nov

100 Year-old Boulder Canyon Turbines Replaced

Filed in Colorado | Economy | Energy | Environment

The DOE is investing up to $1.18 million for a project in Boulder, Colo. to upgrade the 100-year-old Boulder Canyon Hydroelectric Project by replacing two older turbines with a single unit. The new turbine is expected to operate at a wider range of flows and higher efficiency ranges, resulting in an increase in annual generation of 11,000 MWh (30% increase).

Along with 6 other projects the DOE is investing $30.6 million to create an additional 187,000 MWh/year, while replacing turbines that are as much as 90 and 100 years old. Clean (cutting 110,00o tons of CO2 emissions/year), cheap (adding generation at less than 4 cents per kWh) and lowering operating and maintenance costs.

Colorado, Efficiency, electricity, Energy

12Nov

Green Energy Projects Discover “not in my backyard” Means Them, Too

Filed in Energy | Environment | Politics

In Massachusetts, a proposed wind farm called Cape Wind was dealt a blow last Friday that will delay what would be the first offshore wind farm in the U.S. The Massachusetts Historical Commission agreed with local Indian tribes who claim that the location for the wind farm should be considered for listing in the National Historic Register because the Wampanoags’ history and culture are “inextricably linked to Nantucket Sound,” according to the opinion.

An offshore wind farm in north Wales, U.K.

(Credit: Vestas)

“If the tribes are successful, that would have a severe chilling effect (on the entire wind industry) because tribes up and down the coast could make the same claim,” said Mark Rodgers, the communications director for Cape Wind. “Never before has an open ocean been caught up in this kind of declaration.”

Then again, never before has a rare combination of private and government investment pumped so much into alternative energy projects. As these projects grow in frequency and scale, a new breed of NIMBY (not in my backyard) is emerging: Opponents of wind or solar installations who generally support renewable energy, just as long as they are built somewhere else. Coal and nuclear plants, it turns out, aren’t the only energy facilities people don’t want built in their backyards…or coastlines.

The Cape Wind fight, in particular, has brought together a testy combination of excellent wind conditions, opposition from well heeled local residents including members of the Kennedy clan, and a surprising assertion of Native American rights.

via .

Energy, Politics, renewable energy

25Sep

Ole Miss and SmartSynch Report Electricity Usage with…Twitter

Filed in Education | Efficiency | Energy | Environment | smartgrid

The University of Mississippi is using data from SmartSynch’s smart meters and passing it to dashboards for campus operations personnel to monitor, analyze and act via RSS and social networking tools like Twitter and Facebook. As a part of the university’s Red, Blue and Green initiative, students and faculty can register with the school’s Green Initiative website and get real time view and comparisons of energy usage around the campus.

Education, Efficiency, electricity, Energy, Environment, smartgrid, South

12Aug

Power of Influence Reduces use of Power – Electric Power, that is

Filed in Efficiency | Energy | Environment

It appears that people don’t only wish to keep up with their neighbors with bigger homes and wider if flatter TVs. This seems to be true with energy efficiency as well.

From hotels to neighborhoods, the power of influence work by Dr. Robert Cialdini is being put to the test with positive results. Looks like water may be next.

Efficiency, electricity, Energy, influence

29Jul

Energy Efficiency is Job 1

Filed in Economy | Energy | Environment | Science

McKinsey and Company’s central conclusion from their U.S. Energy Efficiency report says much about the energy efficiency opportunity in the US:

Energy efficiency offers a vast, low-cost energy resource for the U.S. economy – but only if the nation can craft a comprehensive and innovative approach to unlock it. Significant and persistent barriers will need to be addresses at multiple levels to stimulate demand for energy efficiency and manage its delivery across more than 100 million buildings and literally billions of devices. If executed at scale, a holistic approach would yield gross energy savings worth more than $1.2 trillion, well above the $520 billion needed through 2020 for upfront investment in efficiency measures (not including program costs). Such a program is estimated to reduce end-use energy consumption in 2020 by 9.1 quadrillion BTUs, roughly 23 percent of projected demand, potentially abating up to 1.1 gigatons of green house gases annually.

Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Economy – McKinsey and Company

effciency, Energy, Environment

14Jun

BP Statistical Review of World Energy

Filed in Economy | Energy | Environment

2008 proved to be a year of extremes for both the economy and energy around the world. Not surprising since fuel prices are so closely tied to world economic growth and in 2008 one of the longest periods of sustained economic growth can crashing to a halt. This sent record oil prices of $140 per barrel plummeting by more than 70%. See the details in BP Statistical Review of World Energy – June 2009.

Economy, Energy

04May

NREL Receives Wind Power and Infrastructure Funding

Filed in Economy | Energy | Environment | Politics | Technology

Department of Energy Secretary Chu announces $93 million from the Recover Act to support the development of additional wind energy in the United States. The money will support R&D and testing for wind turbine drivetrains, support university and industry consortia focusing on critical wind energy challenges, advanced technology development in the private sector and a National Wind Technology Center in Colorado.

Chu also announced the National Renewable Energy Laboratory will receive $100 million for infrastructure projects. The largest is the development of an energy efficient LEED Platinum certified office, constructed at the same cost as that of a low efficiency commercial office building. The others are to use solar and other green energy sources to reduce the labs carbon use and to upgrade the integrated bio-refinery research facility used to develop commercial scale cellulose to ethanol technologies.

During his visit to the Golden, CO facility Chu stated that $26 billion of the more than $100 billion in the Recover Act for renewable energy projects had already been authorized with the goal of 70% being authorized by early September. He also discussed streamlining the DOE loan approval process with the goal of reducing the time to getting a loan application approved to a few months. It has been known to take years under the current process.

It is great to see some of this huge spending bill is being directed to innovation and more importantly that this is being coordinated with private industry. There continues to be a gap in funding for the commercialization of proven technologies. Until this gap is filled, the great innovation from the labs and universities will be delayed in helping solve our energy issues.

Economy, Energy, Environment, Politics, Technology

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