Day: February 20, 2018

PepsiCo launches water bottle and flavored pod system

Read the full story at Food Dive.

  • On the heels of its bubly sparkling water launch, PepsiCo is introducing a beverage system that includes a water bottle and flavored pods, called Drinkfinity, according to Co.Design.

  • The new Drinkfinity brand, which officially launched in the U.S. last week, offers 12 pods. Flavors include Mango Chia Flow, Pineapple Coconut Water Renew and Mandarin Orange Charge. One pod creates one beverage, which ranges form 30 to 80 calories.

  • One challenge the new beverage system faces is that the pods can’t be tossed into consumers’ regular recycling bins. A prepaid envelope is included with pod shipments, allowing customers to mail the pods to a location that has the ability to recycle them.

Why ‘Cloud Seeding’ is Increasingly Attractive to the Thirsty West

Read the full story at Stateline.

Machines that prod clouds to make snow may sound like something out of an old science fiction movie. But worsening water scarcity, combined with new proof that “cloud seeding” actually works, is spurring more states, counties, water districts and power companies across the thirsty West to use the strategy.

Hundreds of U.S. Mayors Collectively Oppose Trump Reversal of Clean Power Plan

Read the full story at e360 Digest.

Mayors from 233 U.S. cities, representing more than 51 million Americans in 46 states and territories, have released a joint letter voicing their opposition of the Trump administration’s efforts to repeal the Clean Power Plan, arguing that the reversal would “put our citizens at risk and harm our efforts to address the urgent threat of climate change.”

New recyclable resin makes wind turbines much more sustainable

Read the full story from Vanderbilt University.

New composite materials make wind energy even greener by making the turbines themselves recyclable.

Consumer & Industrial Products Now a Dominant Urban Air Pollution Source

Read the full story from the University of Colorado.

Chemical products that contain compounds refined from petroleum, like household cleaners, pesticides, paints and perfumes, now rival motor vehicle-related emissions as the top source of urban air pollution, according to a surprising NOAA-led study.

Green Science’s White People Problem

Read the full story at Grist.

The environmental sciences lack diversity — and that leaves holes in our understanding of health.

Climate change spells turbulent times ahead for air travel

Read the full story in The Guardian.

From rising temperatures preventing take-off to rising seas flooding runways, aviation needs to adapt to changes already grounding flights around the world

Countries made only modest climate-change promises in Paris. They’re falling short anyway.

Read the full story in the Washington Post.

Global emissions of carbon dioxide are rising again after several years of remaining flat. The United States, under President Trump, is planning to withdraw from the Paris accord and is expected to see emissions increase by 1.8 percent this year, after a three-year string of declines. Other countries, too, are showing signs they might fail to live up to the pledges they made in Paris.

In short, the world is off target.

Webinar: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – how will they impact your business?

Thu, Feb 22, 2018 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CST
Register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1211359836547497987

This webinar is part of Michigan DEQ’s Sustainability Series.

With 193 governments agreeing to deliver 17 goals tackling major world issues by 2030, change lies ahead for business, not only to rethink strategy and business behavior to align with the goals, but also to assess and evidence their impact. Join us to learn more about:

  • Current business communication on the SDGs
  • Business and citizen’s priorities on SDG reporting practices
  • PwC’s support with the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, and GRI, the world’s leading organization for sustainability reporting, to create a mechanism to help businesses prioritize and report on the SDGs

About the Presenter
Jessica Gehl is a Manager in PwC’s Sustainability Services practice. She manages various major clients’ engagements for pre-assurance and assurances for corporate sustainability reporting. Jessica has provided leadership to a variety of global client’s projects related to greenhouse gas emissions, energy, water, waste, health & safety, beneficiation, healthy living, and responsible sourcing (specifically related to the Kimberley Process and Conflict Minerals legislation). Sustainability engagements have included short and long term strategy development encompassing greenhouse gas emissions reduction target setting, materiality assessments and sustainability strategy workshops. In previous PwC roles, Jessica was part of PwC USA conflict minerals practice team and the PwC global scorer team for the Carbon Disclosure Process.

ESRC Sustainable Business Training Series – Webinar 2: Basics of Energy Management

Tue, Mar 6, 2018 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CST
Register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8497590297505629442

Topics

  • Understanding your energy use and cost
  • No-cost/Low-cost opportunities to reduce your utility bills
  • The “Cost of Doing Nothing”
  • Tools and resources for evaluating energy savings
  • Success story presentation
  • Technical assistance available

Featured Presenter

Douglas Hamilton, CEO of Hamilton Associates, Inc., a 2017 Maryland Green Registry Leadership Award Winner, will share information about his company’s experience in identifying and implementing energy efficiency improvements

Environmental Sustainability Resource Center (ESRC) Presenters

  • Lissa McCracken, Executive Director
  • Cheryl Eakle, Senior Engineer
  • Mark Toda, Senior Engineer