• April 13: Press Preview with David Breashears – 8.45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• April 13: Panel Presentations/Second Friday Program: 5:00 p.m. – 8.00 p.m. Free Admission
• April 21: What’s Your Question? 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. A Cambridge Science Festival Program with David Breashears at the Stata Center. Reception to follow at the MIT Museum.

During the past century, many glaciers of the Greater Himalaya have been in retreat. Rivers of Ice: Vanishing Glaciers of the Greater Himalaya will reveal the dramatic glacial melt through stunning photography taken by mountaineer and filmmaker, David Breashears, and include artifacts and displays relating to the local inhabitants of the region.

Like his predecessors from earlier times, David Breashears has endured hardships, and pushed available technologies to record images of the region. Over the course of his thirty-two year mountain climbing career, Breashears has come to know the region as few others have. “I want to share my knowledge,” says Breashears, who views the Rivers of Ice exhibition as an opportunity to trigger public dialogue as scientists and policymakers work to better understand the glaciers’ potential impact on the fresh water supply in Asia, and on global environmental issues in general.

New tools and techniques are being developed to answer extremely complex and difficult questions about water supply, hydrology, and the scientific data gathering process, all of which contribute to better understanding exactly what is happening to the glaciers of the Greater Himalaya.

The exhibition at the MIT Museum, a related symposium being organized by the Cambridge Science Festival, and other talks and lectures throughout 2012, will provide insight to some of the most groundbreaking environmental research currently taking place, and offer the general public the opportunity to engage with scientists and researchers.

Rivers of Ice: Vanishing Glaciers of the Greater Himalayas, in the Thomas Peterson ’57 Gallery at the MIT Museum, is a collaboration between the MIT Museum, GlacierWorks, and the Asia Society, and has been designed by Thinc Design. This exhibition has been funded in part by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Farvue Foundation.

The exhibit is open from April 13, 2012 to March 17, 2013

For more information, please visit:

http://web.mit.edu/museum/exhibitions/rivers-of-ice.html

The 3rd Annual Massachusetts

Sustainable Economy Conference

Monday, April 30, 2012
8:15 am – 4:30 pm

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

How Can Massachusetts Build Bridges to a 21st Century Economy?

***

For a discount at registration use code SECEcoMarketing

***

The 3rd Annual SEC is designed to advance the knowledge, perspective and networks of all sector leaders and others working to create a sustainable economy, improve economic recovery and growth, reduce operation costs, drive job creation, build sustainable communities and expand the green economy in Massachusetts. This is achieved with interactive panels, roundtable discussions and single-leader sessions on diverse and relevant topics with distinguished Conversation Leaders and a networking reception.

Massachusetts and the world economy face unprecedented challenges as well as opportunities in the 21st century. In response, the mission of the 3rd Annual SEC is to build bridges within and across Massachusetts’ government, business, academic, nonprofit and community sectors to foster sustainable communities and a viable 21st century economy.

A key to creating a viable 21st century economy is for all sector organizations to systematically participate in the market shift to embed sustainability, as well as diversity and inclusion, into their business model while partnering in new ways within and across sectors.

The demand for sustainable solutions will be drivers for the 21st century economy. The 3rd Annual SEC is designed to:

• Provide a platform to discuss new collaborations and partnerships for sustainable solutions within and across sectors
• Serve as a resource on cutting edge “sustainable thinking” through experiences, case studies, and showcases
• Promote diversity and inclusion to improve business performance in Massachusetts
• Provide effective tools and approaches for meeting the challenges of the changing global market and encouraging businesses to meet the new market expectations
• Promote an equitable and ecologically sustainable economy

The 3rd Annual SEC brings together the government, business, academic, nonprofit and community sectors for the purpose of creating sustainable communities and a sustainable economy in Massachusetts. It is designed to foster the development of new networks and business relationships.

Recently, I had the privilege to hear several experts speak about this topic. They all offered opinions and advice. Some recommendations presented are actionable. Here are some that got me thinking:

(1) Steven Chu, Secretary of the US Department of Energy (DOE): Products invented in America and sold worldwide represent the seeds of our future prosperity.

(2) James McCarthy, Alexander Agassiz Professor of Biological Oceanography, Harvard University: It’s not too late to act, but we must not delay!

(3) Robert Kaplan, Baker Foundation Professor, Harvard Business School: Leadership in Sustainability requires vision, commitment, alignment, and an action plan with accountability

(4) Richard Lazarus, Howard and Katherine Aibel Professor, Harvard Law School: Enable legislation in the US Congress by:

• Empowering long term interests in the political process
• Protecting courageous states such as California and the Northeastern states in RGGI (including Massachusetts)
• Reducing the leverage of short-term interests and limiting the filibuster rule in the Senate

(5) Christoph Reinhart, Building Scientist and Architectural Educator, Harvard Graduate School of Design: 40% of energy consumption is in buildings, so start by measuring energy use!

(6) Rebecca Henderson, John and Natty McArthur University Professor, Harvard Business School: Businesses will take action if they combine passion to make a difference with hardheaded realism and creativity

(7) Eric Chivian, Recipient of the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize, Founder and Director of the Center for Health and the Global Environment, and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School: Risks of inaction are too great. We need to practice precautionary medicine techniques with the environment.

Secretary Chu spoke at MIT on November 30, 2011. He’s clearly well versed in climate change issues, as well as in energy and cleantech.  Also, he’s a very likable person.

I wanted very much to hear a call to action from him – something that he is pushing and something that we can all do to advance the cause of cleantech and minimize our dependence on fossil fuels. Unfortunately, he didn’t offer that. Instead, he spoke about the history of technology and innovation. He touched on the need for the US to be competitive, prosperous and sustainable. Interestingly enough, he didn’t insist on US-based manufacturing, although he agreed that that would add to our strength. He pointed to several examples where the US generated ideas or took ideas from other countries that ultimately turned into competitive advantage solutions for the US. Examples included fertilizer, telecommunications, the automobile, and the airplane.

After his talk I was unsettled; what I believe this country needs is strong leadership from our President. Obama as Chief Educator can drive home the need for clean energy and energy efficiency solutions. He can take Robert Kaplan’s recommendation and set a vision and objectives that the country can follow. For example: set Greenhouse Gas targets. Meanwhile, various states such as Massachusetts are setting targets and achieving them. In fact, Massachusetts was just recognized as the most energy efficient state in the nation! And businesses and universities are taking significant action.

On December 8, 2011 several Harvard professors spoke at a Harvard Thinks Green talk. They all had prescriptions for success. They represented multiple disciplines. Each one had 10 minutes to make a statement. Let’s get them to talk with Steven Chu and others in the US Administration!

At a national level we should set the stage for longer term thinking in Congress, and we should have short and long term environmental targets.

As a marketer, I believe that people are moved by stories. Stories can make the problems and solutions come to life. When people hear stories from and about people like them, they are more likely to buy into the solution.

There are so many great stories out there (possible topics for a future post):

• Sustainability – and specifically energy efficiency solutions – save money
• Businesses that adopt sustainability practices are more productive
• Jobs are being created
• The world is learning to do more with less
• Customers, employees, partners and investors enjoy working with sustainable entities

So, get passionate, be involved, and take action. Making a difference and improving your sustainability is not only is good for you, the environment and your community, but also for the economy!

Thank you to all who participated! It was a lively discussion.

Did you know…

… that restaurants are the most energy intensive industry per square foot?  According to NStar an average 6,000 square foot restaurant in Massachusetts spends approximately $45,000 per year on electricity and gas combined.  20% savings, generally from relatively simple measures, can equate to $9,000 per year in savings.

Small changes – either in behavior or in infrastructure – can amount to large energy and cost savings.  And the restaurant won’t need to sacrifice service, quality, style or comfort. People want to work at and frequent institutions that are more sustainable. Benefits of energy efficiency and sustainability include: improved employee satisfaction, increased patronage and sales, and a cleaner, healthier environment.

There are two kinds of energy efficiency changes:

1. Behavior (i.e., changes in focus and procedures)
2. Infrastructure (i.e., new equipment)

Since most of the energy consumed in a restaurant is in food preparation and cooking, energy efficiency savings are mostly in kitchen appliances such as ovens, ranges, dishwashers and refrigeration.  Simple maintenance measures include tightening bolts and screws, replacing used or worn gaskets, and turning down appliances that aren’t in use.  Turning down or off equipment that is not in use, or even delaying when you turn on equipment at the beginning of the shift can make a huge difference.

Today there are several programs available to help restaurants pay for upgrades to Energy Star equipment. Also, many municipalities — such as the City of Lowell in Massachusetts — offer grants, loans and rebates to further assist qualified businesses.

So, what kind of help do restaurants need to be more energy efficient?  Training!

Restaurateurs are busy. That’s why Eco Marketing recently developed and conducted a very prescriptive energy efficiency course for a group of restaurants in Lowell, Massachusetts: Brew’d Awakening, Espresso’s Pizza, Fio’s Pizza, La Boniche, Life Alive, and Mambo Grill.  The city is working hard to help businesses and truly become a green city – which will save all of us resources and dollars.

Here are some of the highlights of the course:

1. Overview of sustainability and energy efficiency, and why they’re important for restaurants
2. Explicit instructions for improving energy efficiency throughout the restaurants
3. Guidelines as to the amount of savings to expect from various measures
4. Financing options, including savings over time, rebates from MassSave and National Grid, as well as rebates, loans and grants from the City of Lowell.
5. Management plans and templates for the restaurants to engage employees and track progress (hard copy booklet and cd)
6. Visits to each of the restaurants to review what they learned and make on-site recommendations

We’d love to hear from you!

• How does this sort of program compare to your energy efficiency and sustainability efforts?
• Are you more likely to dine in a restaurant that is making an effort to be more sustainable?

Register now for a 50% discount!  Enter code: EcoBeth at registration.

The 2nd Annual Massachusetts

Sustainable Economy Conference

Monday, May 2, 2011
8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
600 Atlantic Avenue  Boston, MA  02210

Improve and Grow the Economy of the Commonwealth by Advancing Business Sustainability

You are invited to the 2nd Annual SEC, a forum designed to help participants learn from the collective experience of principled business leaders and network with local, cross-industry thinkers and doers who are changing the Commonwealth through business.

By advancing sustainability, corporate responsibility and diversity into the business model, businesses in Massachusetts can improve and grow their bottom line and the economy. How business conducts its affairs and defines its goals and values can drive and improve the state of the economy.

The SEC educates, inspires and prepares business professionals by presenting an array of speakers sharing and addressing the challenges and accomplishments of topics such as:

• Sustainability
• Corporate Responsibility
• Diversity

The SEC invites MBA and other college students to the SEC to be empowered as the next generation of Massachusetts business leaders who will actively engage in progressive business practices that cultivate a sustainable economy.

Gain Practical, Actionable Guidance and Step-By-Step Advice

Governor Deval Patrick and the Massachusetts Legislature’s nation-leading efforts regarding energy efficiency, green communities, green jobs, clean tech and more are local sustainable solutions to nation-wide crises.  Contribute to statewide and local efforts to accelerate a resilient green future for the Commonwealth by implementing sustainability, corporate sustainability and diversity.

Learn and Implement

The audience of the SEC is the wide range of high-caliber business influencers and thought leaders from diverse sectors, disciplines and perspectives across the Commonwealth.  The SEC brings together the Commonwealth’s municipal, business, environmental and academic sectors for the purpose of creating a sustainable economy.

For more information: http://sustainableeconomyconference.com/

Massachusetts has the unique opportunity to be a world leader in Green Chemistry.  Many local colleges and universities have Green Chemistry courses, including UMass Boston with the country’s first PhD program in Green Chemistry.  With the help of John Warner, President and Chief Technology Officer of Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry and Paul Anastas, the Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) and the Science Advisor to the Agency, many companies are following the 12 principles of Green Chemistry.  These companies are reducing the use of toxic chemicals, saving energy, reducing waste, and saving money.  They are at the forefront of Sustainability.  Furthermore, they are stewards of the environment, helping to reduce climate change and pollution.

The EPA, along with Green Chemistry leaders such as Paul Anastas and John Warner, ran a forum today at the MIT Sloan School in Cambridge, MA to create a sustainable green chemistry future for New England.   It was a networking and community building event with NO PowerPoint presentations!

Local colleges and universities, non profits and businesses involved in Green Chemistry demonstrated their programs.  With the aim of creating a community of practice, we addressed business issues relating to Green Chemistry.  We discussed how to create a community of practice to bring Green Chemistry to more companies, and to improve the overall sustainability of these companies.

For companies the benefits of Green Chemistry are:

• Cut costs
• Save energy
• Reduce waste

Pharmaceutical companies can save as much as $15 million per year with a Green Chemistry redesign. For example:

• Pfizer will save more than 200,000 metric tons of chemical waste between 2007 and 2020 by “naturalizing” Lyrica^® and 25,000 tons of waste per year in the manufacture of Vfend^®.
• By “greening” Lipitor^® Pfizer also saves energy.

Some of the challenges and barriers include:

• Permitting
• Regulatory framework
• Financial commitment
• Lack of uniform standards
• Uninformed buying public
• IP/patent process

In order to promote Green Chemistry, we need to:

• Size the business opportunity
• Educate the general public
• Make more success stories accessible
• Provide a forum to share information
• Offer prizes and awards to recognize Green Chemistry achievements
• Establish linkages between schools and businesses

***

Utilizing the principles of Eco Marketing, the Green Chemistry coalition will need to: (a) better understand its stakeholders and what they need, (b) clearly articulate the messages for each set of constituents, and (c) create a communications program to reach out to people and encourage active participation.  This is doable, with a motivated team that can draw from the experience of those who have achieved successes thus far in Green Chemistry.

SolSolution is a nonprofit corporation whose mission is to simultaneously generate clean, renewable electricity and increase the quality of education in underprivileged schools. Funds from the sale of clean, solar-generated electricity are shifted to school’s educational budgets for the purchase of tangible resources. Come celebrate SolSolution’s launch into 2011 and enjoy a night of wonderful food and entertainment with great people.

Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Be at Launch!

1. You’ll meet great people with similar passions and interests for energy and education
2. Come fill your stomach with tantalizing Indian food from Tantric Bistro
3. Listen to notable speakers such as City Councilor John Connolly
4. Comedian Gary Gulman will leave you laughing and smiling for the rest of the night
5. You will be an integral part to putting solar panels up on our first school installation

All ticket prices and donations during the event will go towards helping us complete our first solar school installations. Your generosity and support will really make the night shine, but space is limited and seats are going fast, so make sure to get your ticket today!

Ticket prices:

• Launch! Single Entry $119   (*Early Rocket Discount $99)
• Launch! Double Entry $199   (*Early Rocket Discount $179)
• Launch! Student Entry $49: Only available for current undergraduate students and Young Professionals in Energy members — click here for separate registration

*Early Rocket Discount: Purchase your tickets before November 25, 2010, and we’ll discount your tickets $20. Don’t miss out on this great deal for a wonderful night of festivities! Click on the button above to take advantage of this limited opportunity now.

Can’t attend the event but still want to support SolSolution during the holiday season? You can click on the “Buy Tickets” button above, and you’ll find the option just for you!

We’re looking forward to the night, and we hope to see you there too! ]]> http://www.eco-mktg.com/blog/green-events/launch-solsolution-fundraiser-december-14-in-boston/feed/ 0 http://www.eco-mktg.com/blog/women-negotiating/dare-to-ask/ http://www.eco-mktg.com/blog/women-negotiating/dare-to-ask/#comments Tue, 09 Nov 2010 21:26:43 +0000 Beth Zonis http://www.eco-mktg.com/blog/?p=186

What kind of negotiator are you?  Are you afraid to ask for what you really want because you fear that asking may end – or significantly alter — the relationship?

The authors of the new book Dare to Ask! are adamant: If a woman doesn’t negotiate for what she wants, she probably won’t get it!

The Big Idea of Dare to Ask! is that it redefines negotiating as a win-win Collaborative Conversation rather than I win, you lose. Women have natural gifts — empathy, intuition, gift of gab, and talent for teamwork. Women can use these to empower themselves to become more comfortable demanding what they deserve and successfully negotiating to get it.

Consider these tips:

• Don’t be timid. If you don’t ask, it won’t be given.
• Ask yourself: What do I want? What do I need? What can I get?
• The more powerful you appear, the more seriously the other side will take you.

***

Meet author Cait Clarke on ABC News.  Join the conversation about negotiating for everything from personal relationships to your next raise.

To purchase Dare to Ask! the Woman’s Guidebook to Successful Negotiating, please visit: www.WomenNegotiating.com. Be among the first to buy it, read it, and get started on successful negotiating. Please enter Code BETH to indicate that you heard about this from me!  The cost is $19.95.

Please let me know if you find Dare to Ask! as helpful and insightful as I did!

From Lexington, Massachusetts on August 29, 2010 to the David Letterman Show on August 31, 2010,  Bill McKibben speaks about his book Eaarth, global warming and climate action.

Bill McKibben’s new book Eaarth provides countless examples of the conundrum our whole world is in because of global warming and peak oil. He suggests taking action: conserve energy and resources, make changes locally, and work together within your community. Some of the recommendations include community farming and community-based energy.  It’s a must read!

The first challenge is to make sure that everyone understands the problem (there’s too much carbon in the environment), the severity of the problem (dangerous weather patterns are risking the livelihoods and lives of all of us), and the immediacy of the problem (at 398 parts per million we’ve already surpassed the prescribed 350 parts per million of carbon in the environment).  Eaarth provides the facts — it enables us to see and feel the consequences.  They are real, and they are painful.

It’s clear that we need change, both locally and at a national level.  We all need to act at home, at work, and in our communities.  That means grass roots/bottom up: working diligently in every way that we can think of in order to reduce our carbon output.  We can all conserve energy and water, recycle and reuse, and also help our employers to make changes at the workplace as well.

We need political action: with a price on carbon set at the federal level, innovation for clean energy can be undertaken in earnest.  Feed-in tariffs in Germany are an excellent example of how government policy enabled growth in the clean energy sector, especially solar power.

With top-down and bottom-up efforts, we may be able to stall the global warming trend.  It will take enormous changes to actually reverse the trends so that the glaciers refreeze.  But we all need to do our part.  No one is immune from the consequences; no one should be immune from helping to preserve our environment for us, for our children, for our grandchildren, and for the plants and animals that share this planet with us.

• 350.org founder speaks at Cary Hall in Lexington
• Bill McKibben Urges Residents to Take up Climate Cause