Sustainability Archives - Page 5 of 10

CALIFORNIA IS FLOOD PRONE

It’s hard to draw attention to flood management during a drought. Nevertheless, this is precisely the time to act to reduce future flood risk.

Damaging floods are common throughout California and over the past 60 years, every county has been declared a state or federal flood disaster area multiple times.

This winter the scenario looks like it will be no different and maybe even worst. Especially taking into consideration the extreme drought the state has been going through and the prospect of an El Nino fast approaching.

Before we start going down the all too familiar list of reasons why flood is likely to happen in the state, let’s take a step back and focus on a matter that’s been in the media lately which relates to this subject: climate change, population growth, and infrastructure investment.

California flood management faces significant challenges. There is a large and growing gap between flood infrastructure needs and rates of investment. Population growth and new development are increasing the threats to public safety and the economic risk from flooding. The changing climate is likely to bring larger and more frequent floods, with few intense storms after long dry months. That is how most of California gets its annual precipitation and when these storms occur, runoff flows rapidly into valleys and coastal areas, potentially creating high flood risk.

SPOTLIGHT: JENTRI JOLLIMORE FROM BADGER BALM

Welcome back! It is time for our Spotlight series. Today we will be featuring a New Hampshire based B Corp that we had the pleasure of getting to know through amazing online Twitter chats. We chatted up PR and Social Media manager, Jentri Jollimore, and got a some great insights. In this interview you will see how B Corp has the power of changing business relationships and how striving to work for better companies has become a common path to follow.

Tell us a little bit more about Badger Balm and the story behind the company.

Badger Balm started about 20 years ago when Bill Whyte was a carpenter building sustainable housing in New Hampshire. His hands were cracked, rough, and even bleeding! He concocted a balm to soothe his hands and a business was born. (You can read a longer version of the story here.)

We’ve grown into a company of about 70 people, and we manufacture almost all of the products here in Gilsum, New Hampshire. We are a USDA certified organic company, and we use only the highest quality, sustainably sourced ingredients.

In addition to making awesomely natural products, Badger also focuses on social responsibility. Every employee is offered a free organic lunch every day, and the company has a Babies at Work program and off-site, affordable child care.

What is your roll in the organization and what interested you in joining a “good company”?

I am Badger’s PR & Social Media manager, and most of my time is spent in the digital realm connecting with our customers and spreading the word about B Corps. I was interested in joining the Badger team because it’s important to me to work for a company that is aligned with my beliefs.

First off, congratulations on making the B Corp “Best for the Environment” list! Why did Badger Balm become a B Corp and what are the benefits the certification brings to the company?

Thanks for the congrats!

I believe Badger’s primary motivation for becoming a B Corp was measurement. From the beginning of Badger’s existence to the present Bill, Katie, Rebecca and Emily (family-owners) were focused on being sustainable and socially responsible. But there comes a point when you say, “ok, what’s next?” The B Corp certification provided not only a benchmark, but a group of like-minded businesses to share ideas with. Its collaborative system, and I think it’s a really healthy way to do business. Badger’s mandate has always been “Healing Products, Healthy Business” so from the beginning being a B Corp was a perfect fit.

Now that you guys have been a B Corp for a while what are the values you’re seeing for your business?

We’re growing as a business, and I believe having a structure around how we grow is helpful.

From my end it’s very helpful with customer communications. There’s a lot of jaded folks out there who are being over-marketed to. And since being “green” and “sustainable” has become big business, it’s become increasingly difficult for sincere little companies to communicate to them that we are the real deal. B Corp certification helps with this. Of course as the B Corp certification is still relatively new and requires a little education – but that’s win-win. Customers learn that we are a great company that is actually transparent, and they learn that there are many other businesses and services out there who are also working for the greater good.

“Business” is not a bad word. But there are businesses that could do better for their communities and the world at large. It’s up to public demand to determine this. And it’s up to the public to demand that these businesses not only tell us that they’re doing good, but to prove it by being totally transparent. So by encouraging Badger customers to learn about and support B Corps, we are doing our part to shift the tides a little.

How has the B Corp community affected how you do business and how do you interact with other like-minded companies?

Certainly we try to connect and source materials and services from other B Corps.

I like to connect with other CPG B Corps and spread the word through fun stuff like social giveaways. We recently did a spotlight and giveaway on Cuppow, which is a really cool company from nearby Somerville, MA. I’m a big fan of comradery in business – so we’ve even partnered with other body care companies like S.W. Basics to promote the B Corp movement on social media. It’s fun, which makes it more engaging.

Can you share a few next steps you guys are taking towards using business as a force for good?

We’re having a supplier’s day – well, 2 days actually – next week! I’ve attached the press release, but in short we’re inviting our partners here to encourage them to become part of the B Corp movement. I think that is one of the biggest impacts we can make as a company right now.

There you have it! Thank you Jentri, for taking the time to answer our questions and being a part of our blog. Don’t forget to check Badger Balm out on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Their website is pretty great as well.

MEASURING MOISTURE IN THE SIERRA NEVADA

The Sierra Nevada’s blue oak trees can tell many historical facts of the region, however the one scientist are focusing on is the amount of snowfall California has seen in the past 500 years. They have developed a method of measuring moister accumulation based on the blue oaks tree rings, and despite the current drought, the outcome of the study came as a surprise to the paleoclimatologist Valerie Trouet. “We expected (the results) to be bad, but we certainly didn’t expect it to be the worst in the past 500 years.”

To determine the result, the research team developed a model where the combination of two data sets of blue oak tree rings showed historical precipitation levels from more than 1,500 trees. By tracing a time frame and comparing the data, they came to the conclusion that the winter of 2015 was the driest in the 500 year spam.

When winter comes to California, these trees utilize the moisture stored in the soil to grow, therefore the width of their rings reflect the amount of precipitation from that season. The wider the ring, the wetter the winter.

This comes to show how we are migrating into a different world – one where temperatures are higher and there is a decline in precipitation. We have to adapt to the changes around us. A decrease in snowpack will automatic result in lower levels of water in California’s reservoirs. Even though El Niño is promising a rainy season, will the blue oaks in the Sierra Nevada tell a different story come winter 2016?

Read more about the importance of California’s snowpack here.

FALCON WATER FACT

California’s success in slashing water use in July by 31 percent — smashing the goal set by Gov. Jerry Brown — shows residents have come to terms with what four dry years have done to the state’s water supply.

The dramatic savings, reflected in state data on urban water use released Thursday, marks the second straight month in which Californians met or exceeded the 25 percent statewide target, dodging potential fines for water districts that fall short.

Brown lawns are the norm in many places and unwashed cars the expectation as the state’s big rivers and reservoirs have shriveled amid the drought.

#keepsavingca

RAIN, RAIN, RAIN. SNOW!

With El Niño all over the media, it’s hard not to reminisce about the rain. Thunderstorms and summertime go so well together.

Afternoon thunderstorms become a common thing if you grow up in a wet region. It gives you a feeling of relief after a long hot summer day, almost as if the weather has given you time out to sit and relax indoors, finally allowing yourself to take that overdue nap you have been contemplating all day long.

Living in California and enduring the driest of all seasons, gives us a whole new meaning to rain. Whenever we experience a thunderstorm it looks prettier than anything you have ever set eyes on before. Can we then blame how overly attached we are to rain, to this phenomenon? Maybe because of how ephemeral it is, Californians have transformed rain into this higher figure where we all pray for it to come our way.

We want it to rain as much as anyone else, nonetheless might we be heading off track when it comes to holding it responsible for curing the water scarcity? Many places in California get to experience summer thunderstorms often, however it doesn’t keep quite as snow does.

So, we should be praying for snow. Not rain.

It’s the snow that holds the water through the winter season and come spring melts into healthy rivers and streams that fill most reservoirs we rely on. In fact, melted snow counts for 30% of California’s water supply.

The snowpack this year was the lowest on record, and many didn’t even make it to the count because they hit the zero percentage. The state didn’t even bother with the last survey of the season because there wasn’t enough snow on the ground to measure.

Perhaps, someday the memories we have of winter days skiing down mountain tops will become as nostalgic as those summer thunderstorms. But for now, let’s pray for snow.

NEW INSTALLATION: PARK IN TAICHUNG

Welcome back! Today we will be featuring a new international installation. Let’s get right to it, shall we?

This eco-friendly bathroom facility is located in Taichung. Taichung is an industrial city on the western coast of central Taiwan, however because of it’s surrounding it also plays as a gateway for exploring the island’s mountainous interior and nature.

Designed by the Environmental Integration Group, it’s purpose is to bring nature back into our everyday lives. Using environmentally friendly design concepts, the architecture firm, installed our waterfree urinals in addition to dry toilets. Not only do the waterfree fixtures save water, but they also reduce carbon emissions.

In addition to water efficiency, the design brings the outside in – with bamboo walls. With the gaps through each bamboo, you can see the natural light streaming in, without loosing privacy.

We love the overall design of the facility, as well as the environmental value of the construction. Great job guys!

FIREFIGHTERS CONSERVE WATER IN CA DROUGHT

When fighting wildland or structural fires, it’s hard to overstate the value of water. However, the ongoing drought has created new challenges to firefighters, who are trying to conserve water while dousing flames. According to state water officials, firefighters are being extremely careful to account for the impact of the drought and are working with water managers to identify where water is still available to use. They have also felt the drought’s effect when they’re not fighting fires. Training exercises are now using less water, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The drought is also slowing firefighting response in some places, as lower water levels have made it impossible in some instances for helicopters to funnel water from lakes and ponds. In some cases, that means sending air tankers farther to a deeper water source, or using other tactics such as using dirt or flames retardants instead of water.

With wild fires raging across the West, the drought has come as a great challenge. What used to be a season has turned into a year-round battle. However, officials have been surveying water sources for months as the drought has changed many landscapes and are on board with adapting as necessary.

WHAT WE’RE READING: THE BIG THIRST

Open “The Big Thirst”, by Charles Fishman, to any page, plop your finger down at any spot at random, and you’ll probably come across something about water you didn’t know or hadn’t thought about. It’s well-reported and well-told and we hope that ultimately it’s going to have an effect on how readers think about water.

The thesis is straight-forward. The golden era of water is over. Abundant, cheap, clean water no longer will be available, even in developed nations. Even though it is the most vital substance in our lives, water is also more amazing and mysterious than we can appreciate. The author does a brilliant job at showing how we’ve left behind the century-long era where water was thoughtlessly abundant and have entered a new age of high-stakes water.

As dramatic as the challenges presented by Charles Fishman may seem, the ultimate truth is that we have more than enough water. We just don’t think about it, or use it, wisely. However that is rapidly changing. With places like Atlanta, California and Las Vegas going through major water crises, companies are making breakthroughs in water productivity. Knowing what to do is not the problem, ultimately the hardest part is changing and implementing our new relationship with water.

Our favorite quote: “Many civilizations have been crippled or destroyed by an inability to understand water or manage it. We have a huge advantage over the generations of people who have come before us, because we can understand water and we can use it smartly.”

SPOTLIGHT: WATERisLIFE

WATERisLIFE is a nonprofit that provides clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene education programs in schools and villages in desperate need. This seems all too familiar, right? Another organization trying to solve water issues around the world. It’s great that people are willing to devote their lives to helping others and we are all on the same page when it comes to the importance of water. However, what stood out to us when we came across WATERisLIFE, is how and where they focus on making an impact.

Through community-driven and community-engaging programs they are able to work closely with other partners and local governments. With that said, they use community to create change and to develop new technology that will ensure households, schools, orphanages and medical facilities access to safe water.

3.4 million People die each year of water related disease, but the real issue is that most of them don’t even know how dangerous it can be to drink unsafe water. This is why, we think WATERisLIFE’s new technological development is nothing short of amazing. In partner with scientists and engineers at Carnegie Mellon and the University of Virginia, they created a solution to solve both of these problems. The drinkable book is the first to teach safe water habits to people and is printed on technologically advanced filter paper capable of killing deadly waterborne diseases. The paper functions as a coffee filter could and they have found a reduction greater than 99.9% in bacteria count. Which is comparable to the tap water in the US. This is amazing when you think about countries that have little to no access to clean drinking water.

This invention is the first step in providing communities with a sustainable clean water source, nonetheless we love how they incorporate technology and science to tackle such issues. Innovation can come in a simple form, but with a force that changes an entire village in need. Kudos to WATERisLIFE!

Don’t forget to take a look at their website and YouTube channel to see how the technology works.

NEVER TOO OLD TO GO GREEN

Carnegie Hall, the world renowned concert hall that has stood at 881 7th Ave. in Manhattan since 1891, has turned green with sustainability. With the help of global technology company Siemens, Carnegie Hall recently obtained the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver Certification – making it one of the oldest and most notable buildings to achieve such distinction.

The technology company incorporated a vital feature that helped secure Carnegie Hall’s green stamp of approval: centralized control through its APOGEE building automation system. The system combines regulators for heating, venting, and air conditioning onto one platform that can be controlled both locally and centrally. (Click on the image to read the details)

In addition to all the technology provided by Siemens, Carnegie Hall earned additional points toward certification with the addition of low-flow plumbing fixtures, LED lighting and occupancy sensors. However, the greening of the iconic property didn’t stop with interior upgrades; they created a 10,000-square-foot terrace allowing to decrease the building’s overall carbon footprint through the use of pavers and plantings.

What a great project overall! It was probably a challenge retrofitting a nearly 125-year old building that had no original blue prints with technology that would modernize its energy efficiency, fire and safety systems, and plumbing fixtures. However, as a result of all the efforts, Carnegie Hall is now one of the oldest buildings to receive a LEED Silver Leadership certification. Pretty impressive indeed!

Read the full article here.