Category Archives: Sustainability

US Natural gas production and the return of manufacturing ?

Posted on November 6, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (Nov 7, 2011) describes the rise of shale gas extraction, suing fracking, and the US becoming the world’s largest natural gas producer. With natural gas becoming a low priced energy alternative to coal, with lower greenhouse gas emissions … Continue reading →

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Rare earth mountains and Federal supply chain assistance ?

Posted on November 6, 2011 by aviyer2010

A bloombergbusinessweek article (Oct 31-Nov 6, 2011, pg 85) describes a private company’s attempt to mine rare earths from the Bokan montain in Alaska. The mountain represents the highest purity source of rare earths in the US.  But China represents … Continue reading →

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Defense support for biofuels for aircraft and impact

Posted on October 31, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Bloombergbusinessweek article (oct 31-Nov 6, pg 44-45) decsribes plans by the navy and Marines to shift 50 % of their fuel to renewbale sources by 2020, the Army 25 % by 2025. Sources include camelina (an oil bearing plant), … Continue reading →

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Cross State Pollution Rules and Impact

Posted on October 25, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the Economist (Oct 15,2011) describes the issues surrounding CSAPR or Cross State Air Pollution Rule. The rule by the EPA requires power plants in 28 states to  decrease sulphur dioxide emissions by 27% and nitrogen dioxide by … Continue reading →

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Simple Labels or Comprehensive Nutrient Labels for Food ?

Posted on October 23, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (Oct 21, 2011, B3) describes a new proposed food labeling system by the Institute of Medicine. The proposal would list calories per serving and up to three stars. Each star would be for … Continue reading →

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Near Net Zero at Frito-Lay’s Casa Grande, Arizona plant

Posted on October 19, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in Sustainable Life Media (Oct 8, 2011) describes efforts at Frito Lay’s plant to reduce its energy and water impact. 67 % of the energy used comes from renewable sources – solar power. 75 % of the water … Continue reading →

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Organizing Chilean rural carpenters into networks to sell sustainable wood furniture

Posted on October 1, 2011 by aviyer2010

A report by the WEF and BCG (http://reports.weforum.org/new-sustainability-champions/#view/new-sustainability-champions/case-studies/florida-ice-farm/) describes a Chilean wood producer Masisa. The company gets wood from pine and eucalyptus farms it owns, which are processed to form wood boards.It organized remote rural carpenters into networks that can … Continue reading →

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Costa Rican Pepsi bottler’s triple bottom line and growth

Posted on October 1, 2011 by aviyer2010

A report by the World Economic Forum and the Boston Consulting Group (http://reports.weforum.org/new-sustainability-champions/#view/new-sustainability-champions/case-studies/florida-ice-farm/) describes efforts by Floria Ice & Farm, a Pepsi bottler in Costa Rica that links 60 % of CEO pay to the triple bottom line. The impact … Continue reading →

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Preventing cholera in Bangladesh by used folded saris

Posted on September 27, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (Sept 27, 2011) describes the historic levels of cholera that persisted when sweetened drinks were strained using a sari (made of cotton fabric) because microorganisms are smaller than the pores in the fabric. A research … Continue reading →

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Village Health volunteers and health care success in Thailand

Posted on September 27, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (Sept 27, 2011) describes the role of Village Health volunteers – one million strong in a nation of 65 million, who watch for disease outbreaks, spread warnings wen detected and thus curb infectious diseases. These … Continue reading →

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