Tag Archives: sustainability
In Focus: Green Engineering Advancements
As social interest increases worldwide on the path towards more environmentally friendly and green options, the next big challenge in the field of engineering is to concoct green alternatives to the fundamentals of daily life. Governments are getting in on the act as well as they push for more environmentally friendly legislation and increase support [...]
Samsung Galaxy S4 Smartphone Certified Sustainable
Samsung is the first to achieve the new international smartphone certification, which rates the devices on environmental design and socially responsible manufacturing. Its flagship Galaxy S4 smartphone received certification from TCO Development, which launched the rating system last month. Its also the top-rated smartphone by Consumer Reports. Samsung is the largest manufacturer of smartphones worldwide. “The demand for environmentally friendly [...]
NASA’s Sustainability Base: Open for Business
NASA’s “Sustainability Base” is open for business, setting the bar for green federal buildings by exceeding LEED-Platinum and making use of the same closed loop processes used in space travel. Designed by pre-eminent green architect Bill McDonough, known for cradle-to-cradle solutions, the new building is designed to showcase NASA’s culture of innovation by adapting many of its technologies to [...]
Green Design Standards and the Construction Industry
When thinking about designing a green building, there are written codes and standards that architects and engineers can use to achieve their desired goals. The following standards set the guidelines that are commonly used by designers and contractors for the development of environmentally-friendly buildings. International Green Construction Code (IGCC) The IGCC is a reference guide [...]
Hotels Embrace Solar Across the World
The resort and hotel business is extremely competitive and costly. As more and more hotels become increasingly extravagant, they require evermore energy to run. Many are switching to green renewable energies to cut costs and in theory they could eventually become self-sufficient, or even produce an energy surplus. The easiest way to start to do [...]
U.S Army Announces $7B in Renewable Energy Projects
The U.S. Army has just launched the first in a series of renewable energy contracts that will eventually total $7 billion by the end of this year, using power purchase agreements along with a standard procurement tool that is expected to crush any obstacles that are put in its path. That includes the notorious budget [...]
Dubai: Building A Green City
Though the burgeoning city-state of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates may be many wondrous things, a haven for green development and sustainability has not been one of them. In almost the blink of an eye Dubai has evolved from a small brown desert port into a glistening jungle of glass and steel skyscrapers rising [...]
Top 5 Materials for your Green Home
If you’re designing your dream home and you like to keep an eye on your carbon footprint, you might be concerned about the impact of all your construction plans. But don’t despair! There are steps that you can take to limit your emissions and minimise the effect that your new home has on the environment. [...]
The Best Time To Go Solar?
Investing in solar power is a major decision, so its no surprise that some would rather wait and go solar a few years down the road. But there are also several reasons to invest in solar sooner, not later. The incentives won’t last forever Thanks to falling costs in solar panels and components, and generous federal and [...]
Walmart: Renewable Energy Rockstar
Walmart (NYSE:WMT) CEO Mike Duke this week announced a major update on the company’s goal of being supplied by 100 percent renewable energy. At Walmart’s Global Sustainability Milestone Meeting at the company’s headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., Mr. Duke unveiled two goals the company is committed to achieving by the close of 2020. First, on the [...]
Education’s Role in Environmental Protection
Preserving the environment requires a promotion of the knowledge and good practices about being environmentally friendly. What better place than an educational environment to serve as a model for eco-friendly operations management? Institutions like universities have the financial capacity, and eager young student body, to promote environmental protection. Furthermore, they can enlist the volunteerism of [...]
Top Sustainability Trends of 2012 from Greenbiz
As 2012 came to a close, GreenBiz asked executives from a range of companies and organizations to reflect on the past year and look at what lies ahead. They obliged by telling us about their accomplishments, frustrations, lessons learned, their thoughts about the biggest issues of 2012 and what they think will drive sustainability in 2013. A [...]