Category: Green Building LEED News
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Schools Ditch Styrofoam Lunch Trays for Compostable Plates
Replacing non-biodegradable polystyrene trays with a compostable version is the first target of a pioneering attempt by six big-city school systems to create new markets for sustainable food and lunchroom supplies. The Urban School Food Alliance—whose members are public school districts in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Orlando, FL—hopes to persuade suppliers to create and…
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First Nations and Allies Stand Strong in Fight Against Enbridge Tar Sands Pipeline
By Elizabeth Shope Today marks the third anniversary of the Save the Fraser Declaration, a declaration signed by more than 130 First Nations, which states: We will not allow the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines, or similar tar sands projects, to cross our lands, territories and watersheds, or the ocean migration routes of Fraser River salmon.…
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Carbon Polluting Companies Prepare for Emissions Tax
[caption id="attachment_314414" align="alignright" width="360"] Photo courtesy of Shutterstock[/caption] The writing is on the wall—and the financial books—for some of the nation’s largest companies and carbon polluters. Environmental data firm CDP’s latest report shows that at least 29 companies anticipate the government forcing them to pay for carbon pollution. That list includes Walmart and Duke Energy.…
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Rising Demand for Southeast Trees Endangers U.S. Wildlife and Biodiversity
The rapid development of woody biomass energy facilities in the Southeast U.S. has large implications for regional land cover and wildlife habitat, says a new study by three major Southern universities, released today by National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC). The Southeastern U.S. is currently experiencing what is likely the…
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Obama Executive Order Calls For Federal Government to Triple Use of Renewable Energy in 7 Years
President Barack Obama believes it’s time for federal agencies to use more renewable energy—nearly three times the amount they’re already deploying. The president issued a memorandum today ordering a boost in solar, wind and other technologies to 20 percent by 2020. “In order to create a clean energy economy that will increase our nation’s prosperity,…