Archive for August, 2008
Why go to Let’s Talk Coffee?
Friday, August 29th, 2008
A roaster (Batdorf and Bronson) and several coffee growers explain the importance of the face-to-face transparent trade event pioneered by Sustainable Harvest Coffee - Let’s Talk Coffee. This is from the first event, held in Oaxaca, Mexico
Author: SustainableHarvest
Keywords: Coffee sustainability fair trade organic farmer training
Added: August 29, 2008
August 28, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Questioning America’s Most Ambitious Renewable Energy Law
Thursday, August 28th, 2008This November, Californians will be voting on a ballot initiative that could require the state’s utilities to generate half their power from renewables by 2025. Sounds good, right? Not according to some of nation’s most influential renewable energy companies, associations and advocacy groups. This group of opponents says the legal language of the proposed law is so flawed, it could severely hurt the state’s renewable energy market.
Proponents say the legal language is tight and that opponents are being controlled by the state’s utilities, which don’t want to meet the targets. As the voting day approaches, the debate over the language in the initiative is heating up and both sides are pushing their messages aggressively. We’ll have a feature report on the different interpretations of the proposed law and its potential impact on the industry.
Also, we’ll explore the reasons for China’s emergence as one of the top renewable energy markets for investors. Jonathan Johns, head of renewable energy at the advisory firm Ernst and Young, joins us to discuss the promise of China and the difficulties for renewables in the UK.
Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
August 21, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Pickens’ Plan and California’s Proposition 10; Auctioning Environmental Commodities
Thursday, August 21st, 2008T. Boone Pickens has a plan — but is it the correct plan for the nation? This November, Californians will have the opportunity to vote on an initiative that could be the first step down Pickens’ path toward greater reliance on natural gas for transportation fuel. But this week’s guest says that the initiative, known as Proposition 10, is flawed and could negatively impact renewable energy in California.
We’ll speak with Tony Rubenstein, a Los Angeles-based consultant on clean technologies and corporate social responsibility, about why Proposition 10 is not good for the state’s budget or its burgeoning renewable energy market.
Then we’ll talk to Phil Adams, CEO of World Energy, about the role of online auctioning of allowances in greenhouse gas emissions reduction programs. He’ll tell us why he believes the auctioning platform allows for more efficient and transparent transactions over bid-ask exchanges and broker-based models.
Finally, correspondent Mark Braly has some interviews on the promotion of mustard-seed biodiesel for city and regional vehicle fleets in California.
Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
August 14, 2008 - Inside Renewable Energy - Keeping the Industry in Check
Thursday, August 14th, 2008With all the money from investors, attention from the mainstream media and interest from consumers pouring into clean technologies, the situation is looking good for renewable energy. But as the financial opportunities grow, so too does the potential to oversell the benefits of some technologies. In this podcast, we’ll explore some problems that over-exuberance and lack of quality information can create for the industry.
Sue Kateley of the California Solar Energy Industries Association, tells us about some sketchy solar companies in the Golden State.
Small-Wind Expert Mick Sagrillo talks about the sham companies that have emerged over the years in the residential wind market.
Brad Smith of Renewzle.com explains the need for online intermediary companies in the solar space to give consumers a simplified and trustworthy experience.
Dr. Barry Butler of Butler Sun Solutions warns about the potential for overstating the abilities of Dish/Stirling Systems, potentially creating negative perceptions about the promising technology.
Finally, independent environmental reporter Peter Fairley gives us his take on the role of journalism in this increasingly popular-yet-complex energy landscape.
Inside Renewable Energy offers the latest in renewable energy news and information.
New Tree Nursery in Tanzania
Tuesday, August 12th, 2008
This short video tours the new tree nursery that Sustainable Harvest at Origin and its partners in the Kanyovu coffee cooperative recently established in the community of Nyakimwe.
Author: SustainableHarvest
Keywords: Sustainable Harvest Tanzania coffee
Added: August 12, 2008
An Inside Look at an Emergency Survival Kit
Sunday, August 10th, 2008
Peak Moment 122: If an emergency forced you to evacuate your home, would you be prepared? Matthew Stein, author of When Technology Fails, shows what to pack in your 72-hour emergency survival kit — and why. Check out the first aid kits, sleeping bag and space blanket, LED flashlight, hand-crank disaster radio, portable stove and cook set, freeze-dried food, multi-tool, compass, water holder, and essential water treatment items; plus sewing, repair, and health items. The packing list is on his website, http://www.whentechfails.com
Author: peakmoment
Keywords: emergency preparedness survival
Added: August 10, 2008
Storytelling Seminar
Saturday, August 9th, 2008
Participants at Let’s Talk Coffee 2008 will have a special one day seminar from storyteller consultant Joel Ben Izzy, from the SF Bay Area, on how to create stories of impact about Relationship Coffees.
Author: SustainableHarvest
Keywords: storytelling marketing sustainable harvest coffee Joel Ben Izzy Let’s Talk Coffee
Added: August 9, 2008
The TH Interview: Ariella Maron—The Greening of New York City
Friday, August 8th, 2008
Love it or hate it, New York’s 8.25 million people are some of the greenest citizens walking among us. Whether they know it or not, New Yorkers have significantly lighter footprints than the vast majority of Americans, and Mayor Bloomberg is trying to seal the deal by greening NYC’s buildings, yellow taxis, black limos, public transit, and introducing a climate protection act and congestion charging (although it failed, despite notable support). This is all in preparation for an influx of new New Yorkers in the next twenty years.
Ariella Maron is Bloomberg’s Deputy Director of Long Term Planning and Sustainability, which means it’s her job to see that the city gets greened and that the journey is properly mapped. She spoke to us about the nitty gritty of PlaNYC 2030, and about New York’s potential on the world stage. ::TreeHugger Radio
Listen to the podcast of this interview via iTunes, or just click here to listen, right-click to download.
Special thanks goes to CraigMichaels, the organizer of the Sustainable Operations Summit, for arranging this interview.
(Full text after the jump)
Vegan Coconut Soup at Cafe Gratitude with the Hippy Gourmet
Friday, August 8th, 2008
http://www.HippyGourmet.com
http://www.CafeGratitude.com
In this segment from Organic Living TV with the Hippy Gourmet, we meet up with Vinicio Penata who shows us the “I am thankful” raw, vegan Coconut Soup recipe! Cafe Gratitude is a wonderful concept restaurant chain that combines delicious, healthy dishes with messages of pure abundance all around us!
Author: hippygourmet
Keywords: vegan coconut soup raw Hippy Gourmet TV PBS Cafe Gratitude food recipe love yummy
Added: August 8, 2008
TGM #97: Bigger highways in Banff National Park (August 8, 2008)
Friday, August 8th, 2008This week:
Conservation specialist Nigel Douglas speaks with host Jordan Poppenk about a planned highway expansion in Banff National Park and the competing priorities that are bringing wildlife preservation and economic development into conflict.
Following up on last week’s episode about problems with municipal sewer overflow into rivers waterways, Riversides spokesperson JP Warren speaks with Jordan about [...]
Grape Harvest at Routas
Friday, August 8th, 2008
The 2003 harvest at in Chateau Routas was a lot of work and a lot of fun. The Bieler family was gracious enough to let us photograph the goings-on.
Author: thepeoplewhofeedus
Keywords: grapes harvest france provence wine charles bieler
Added: August 8, 2008