Eco-Libris: moving towards sustainable reading

Do the Tobacco and Beverage Industries Share the Same CSR Playbook?

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 09:22:19 -0400

Do the Tobacco and Beverage Industries Share the Same CSR Playbook?:

New research warns that public health advocates must continue to monitor the CSR activities of soda companies and remind the public and policymakers that, similar to Big Tobacco, soda industry CSR aims to position the companies, and their products, as socially acceptable rather than contributing to a social ill. But is it talking about CSR or cause marketing?

On-demand printing helps sustain the printed page | Marketplace from American Public Media

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 20:35:06 -0400

On-demand printing helps sustain the printed page | Marketplace from American Public Media:

Next time you order a book online, consider this: odds are increasing that the book itself hasn’t been printed yet. Welcome to the world of on-demand printing, where books live electronically on a hard drive somewhere until someone wants a copy.

Huggies Ad Suggests: Men are from Mars, Diapers are from Venus

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 06:53:28 -0400

Huggies Ad Suggests: Men are from Mars, Diapers are from Venus:

Who knew men are so sensitive? Well, certainly not Kimberly-Clark (K-C). The company enraged many dads earlier this month with its new “Dad Test” campaign for Huggies diapers. The idea behind the campaign was as follows: “To prove that Huggies diapers and wipes can handle anything, we put them to the toughest test imaginable: Dads, alone with their babies, in one house, for five days.”

Water Infrastructure Monitoring Pioneer TaKaDu Wins Global Cleantech 100 Award

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 08:10:14 -0400

Water Infrastructure Monitoring Pioneer TaKaDu Wins Global Cleantech 100 Award:

On Tuesday, while Israelis celebrated the release of Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier held captive in Gaza for five years by Hamas, the team of TaKaDu, an Israeli start-up had another reason for celebration. That same day their company was the “Company of the Year – Europe & Israel” in the prestigious 2011 Global Cleantech 100, organized by Cleantech Group in collaboration with the U.K.’s Guardian News and Media.

How green is the Kindle Fire - part 3: Will it kill B&N and drive the bookseller into bankruptcy?

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 05:46:12 -0400

How green is the Kindle Fire - part 3: Will it kill B&N and drive the bookseller into bankruptcy?:

Today we continue with our Amazon week. After discussing if the new Kindle Fire and other new Kindles will contribute to making e-reading greener (it will), and comparing Kindle Fire with iPad 2 and Nook Color and see which device is greener (iPad 2), we’ll talk today about the impact of the new Kindle products on Barnes & Noble.

First, the bottom line: B&N is in trouble. Now let’s see why.

CDP Global Forum’s Comprehensive Look at Sustainable Business

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 05:59:36 -0400

CDP Global Forum’s Comprehensive Look at Sustainable Business:

On Wednesday the Global Forum had an international gathering of business and political leaders in a unique virtual workshop-style discussion which focused on ways to create sustainable, profitable business growth around the world. The 2-hour meeting organized by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). The meeting took a realistic tone, bridging long-term vision with existing challenges.

Would Candidate Michele Bachmann Approve Her Own Record on the EPA?

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 06:38:06 -0400

Would Candidate Michele Bachmann Approve Her Own Record on the EPA?:

It’s never boring with Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) around. I’m sure both fans and non-fans of the Republican presidential candidate would agree. One thing they might not agree on so much is her integrity. Critics especially like to point out major differences between the record of Representative Bachmann and the rhetoric of candidate Bachmann when it comes to the EPA.

Are Urban Farms Actually Bad for the Environment?

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 09:34:05 -0400

Are Urban Farms Actually Bad for the Environment?:

Edward Glaeser doesn’t see the point in urban farms. Well, it’s not completely true – the Harvard Professor does see educational value in them for school kids, but that’s it. Last month Glaeser wrote an interesting piece on the Boston Globe about urban farms (“The locavore’s dilemma“), where he made a very persuasive argument that urban farms actually represent an inferior alternative from an environmental point of view. His main point was that devoting scarce urban land to farms and not to people will reduce cities’ density level, which will then cause the rise of carbon emissions.

Borders and bankruptcy: Goodbye to bricks and mortar | The Economist

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 06:56:40 -0400

Borders and bankruptcy: Goodbye to bricks and mortar | The Economist:

TO DESCRIBE the woes of bricks-and-mortar bookstores is to join the dirge-singing chorus. Everyone knows the tune: sales at bookstores have fallen because buyers are ordering books online or downloading them to e-readers. Bookstores may be great places to browse and linger, but online is where the deals are. In the latest chapter in the Borders saga, the bookstore chain has agreed to sell its assets for $215m to Direct Brands, a media-distribution company owned by Najafi, a private-equity firm, which would also assume an additional $220m in liabilities. This will serve as the opening bid for the company’s bankruptcy-court auction, scheduled for July 19th.

Are Supermarket Rooftop Farms the Killer App for Local Food?

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:53:45 -0400

Are Supermarket Rooftop Farms the Killer App for Local Food?:

Every time gas prices go up, local food gets another shot to make its breakthrough to the mainstream. At $4 a gallon, when food in a supermarket travels an average 1,500 miles to get to the store, local food becomes more economically competitive. Still, no matter how high gas prices go, local food is still marginal in terms of market share (though we don’t know yet what the results of Wal-Mart’s local food initiative will be).

10 best ebooks on sustainable food!

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 23:16:20 -0400

10 best ebooks on sustainable food!:

1. The Dirty Life: A Memoir of Farming, Food and Love by Kristin Kimball - Scribner (October 12, 2010)

Kimberly Clark has New Sustainability Goals and a Refreshing Approach

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 06:42:07 -0400

Kimberly Clark has New Sustainability Goals and a Refreshing Approach:

Almost two years after it surprised everyone with an announcement of a new deal with its former foe, Greenpeace, Kimberly Clark is pushing the envelope again. True, KC’s announcement yesterday on its new Sustainability 2015 Goals might not sound such groundbreaking news at first glance, but a more thorough look into their plan reveals a comprehensive sustainability plan that might actually succeed. Why? Because it takes into consideration the all pillars of sustainability and not just the environment.

Alternative to slash and burn focus of new documentary, Up in Smoke

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:39:26 -0400

Alternative to slash and burn focus of new documentary, Up in Smoke:

this week, on Thursday June 9, The Economist Film Project will showcase a new documentary called Up in Smoke, about a British scientist, Mike Hands, who has perfected a sustainable alternative to slash and burn agriculture in the Amazon, and is working with farmers in Honduras to put it into practice.

It's not the end of the world so let's celebrate it by planting new trees!

Mon, 23 May 2011 09:51:44 -0400

It's not the end of the world so let's celebrate it by planting new trees!:

Saturday, or “The Day of Rapture” passed with some rain, but it wasn’t the end of the world, literally. I guess the news that we’re still here are good news for everyone, except maybe those who waited to be “raptured” - ascended to heaven before the end of the world, exactly at 6 p.m.

But there’s a cure that can help even these disappointed rapture believers:

Plant a tree.

10 best green business ebooks!

Thu, 19 May 2011 07:18:14 -0400

10 best green business ebooks!:

This time I prepared a list that is a bit different than our usual weekly lists of recommendations on the latest ebooks on green issues available as ebooks. Inspired by Marc Gunther’s article ‘Reader Faves: Best Books About Green Business’, I decided to present you with my 10 recommendations on green business books that are available in an electronic version.

The Future of Borders Post Bankruptcy

Sat, 14 May 2011 08:16:35 -0400

The Future of Borders Post Bankruptcy:

What is the Future for Borders Bookstores After Bankruptcy? We try to answer this question and so are many others and here you will find links to articles and analysis published on this issue, as well as updates on the situation at Borders.

Ishift- Innovation Shift by Jean Sifleet has joined the 100 Trees Project!

Wed, 11 May 2011 05:32:40 -0400

Ishift- Innovation Shift by Jean Sifleet has joined the 100 Trees Project!:

We’re happy to update you that Ishift- Innovation Shift by Jean Sifleet, a how-to guide about business innovation that is packed with information about business and legal strategies to stay competitive in this rapidly changing world, has joined the “100 Trees Project”!

Why Amazon Needs to Come Clean About its Carbon Footprint

Mon, 09 May 2011 10:28:15 -0400

Why Amazon Needs to Come Clean About its Carbon Footprint:

A couple of weeks ago, just before Earth Day, Amazon presented some interesting information about the green purchasing habits of its customers, showing how America is going green. One interesting piece that was missing in this report was how Amazon is going green. Frankly, I really don’t know how green is Amazon because when it comes to its own footprint, Amazon is consistently more secretive than the CIA (which actually doesn’t mind sharing its green initiatives). Will it change next month Next month, when shareholders will vote in their annual meeting on a resolution calling Amazon to prepare a report that will assess the impact of climate change on Amazon and make it public?

Best green books to give your your mom for Mother's Day

Sat, 07 May 2011 08:35:52 -0400

Best green books to give your your mom for Mother's Day:

Mother’s Day is going to be celebrated tomorrow in many countries and if you’re one of those who still haven’t bought your mom a gift and are asking themselves what I can bring my mom to make her happy, we might have an idea for you!

Apple factories accused of exploiting Chinese workers | Technology | The Observer

Sun, 01 May 2011 07:43:16 -0400

Apple factories accused of exploiting Chinese workers | Technology | The Observer:

Poorly paid workers are said to work excessive hours and suffer humiliations in the drive to produce iPads and iPhones