Reinventing Fire – new book from Amory Lovins

This video introduces Amory Lovins new book. The leader of the Rocky Mountain Institute outlines how the U.S. can replace oil by 2050.

Here is a link to the Reinventing Fire website.

Sustainability- Interpretation of a Gen-Y'er: Sustainability in practice

I am the type of person who learns more via experiences and ‘doing stuff,’ than sitting at a computer staring at a black and white screen, and constantly looking out the library window at the blazing sun counting down the assignments and exams until the summer holidays, when I am finally able to get rid of this long-acquired library-tan.
Aside from the whinging, and feeling sorry for myself, what I am trying to get across is the fact that by experiencing the changes first hand through my current place of employment, transforming it into a sustainable business, has allowed me to become aware of just how important, and easy to do it is.
The first seeds of this transformation were planted into the business by a regional tourism venture that made our boss aware of the importance of employing sustainable practices, and how it would contribute to the wider tourism bracket, which our business, being of hospitality, fell under. An incentive was given that, if we were to incorporate sustainable methods, the group would promote our business upon their website for free- for an organisation with a virtually non-existence budget for marketing was a big opportunity.
The first transformation was incorporating recycle bins, provided by the regional council, which sorted our wastage into recyclable goods. This included separating coloured glass bottles and plastics which can be melted down and re-used.
Shortly after saw a local printing company offering to collect our waste paper, which could be used to produce new printable paper used for regional newspapers and other businesses. It didn’t take long for our boss to start purchasing quality recycled cartridge from them, which is now used within the pages of our menus. While this was only a small change, it supports recycling and re-use of waste resources, and decreasing the need for diminishing our natural resources such as tress, and congestion in landfills.
Aware of the organisations attempts to reduce waste, a local farmer offered to provide large buckets to collect food waste to feed to his pigs and chickens, which he picks up twice a week. Not only does this save him money on food for his animals, but also saves the organisation money in waste. Over the past year he has started collecting our used fryer oil, which he and his wife recycle into fuel to run their tractors and quads.
During the recent recession, the need became apparent of supporting local businesses to ensure their survival. For this reason the organisation made alterations in their supply chain, sourcing many of their ingredients used in their menu items as locally as possible. Not only did this garner community respect, but enhanced the morality and respect for the business as it was putting money back, and supporting the local community. Although many of these ingredients are more costly than those sourced from a mass producer, due to the publicity and increased customer turnover from the tourism website, it meant the organisation could continue to afford the difference.
Increased customer turnover over the past 4 years saw a need to renovate the premises to accommodate. This included expanding the outside deck to provide more space for extra seating, which saw the organisations director research and source wood required for the deck from a ‘sustainable forest,’ which would see trees replanted on existing forest land to be used, removing the need for new forest to be cut down. Once again, this once again exhibits the businesses view on the importance of sustainability.
The magnificent surrounding environment of the premises sees trees which have grown undisturbed for years. Included in these are native Pohutakawa within the confines of the premises boundary. The business director acknowledges the protection of these trees by placing signs explaining of the significance of these trees to both the premises and environment and encourages people to protect them and not to climb on, or harm them in any way.
Collection boxes are also in place upon the counter, which staff encourage tips to be placed in. The money collected goes toward the regional tourism company, and their efforts to preserve and educate, while showcasing, the picturesque environment to tourists and visitors, both present and future.

Sustainability: Interpretation of a Gen-Y'er: Sustainability and our tourism

In my prior post I introduced the ‘New Zealand Tourism Strategy,’ which aims at preserving our countries 100% pure, and ‘clean green’, reputation, while transforming our tourism industry into one of sustainability by 2015 to ensure our core tourism product- our environment- is protected for future generations to experience and appreciate. To us Gen-Y’er’s, it also ensures continued midnight bush walks, peeing in the bush on camping trips with friends, and perving on gorgeous tanned (shirtless) male foreigners who are attracted to our country via our wholesome reputation and renowned tourist activities. And, as with all good intentions, come challenges.
One significant challenge is the fact this strategy, and achieving a sustainable tourism industry, cannot be achieved in isolation. Tourism within New Zealand is woven throughout our economy, and is dependent upon many other organisations, therefore must motivate these organisations to employ sustainable methods, as well as work together and support one-another in order to achieve this.
One way this can be achieved is through education. Mentioned within one of my earlier posts I explained how our Government holds sustainability as one of their main priorities. By educating smaller businesses on how they can employ sustainable practices and methods within their business, as well as the positive side effects of becoming a sustainable business will provide them with the knowledge and tools to begin to transform their businesses.
Monetary incentives and government assistance may also assist in motivating these businesses. These may come in the form of financially assisting hospitality based industries and hotels in installing solar panels to reduce energy usage, or subsidising advertising for businesses who exhibit sustainable practices, in order to generate public awareness, while encouraging other businesses to do the same.
As sustainability is becoming a public issue, generated by council and significant group awareness, businesses that employ sustainable methods and adopt sustainable practices not only enhance their morality, but also tend to garner community respect by showing they are willing to change their organisation to care for the environment, and future generations. It exhibits thinking beyond oneself, and ones life, and thinking beyond the box, while doing their part for the future.

Take action for a sustainable tuna fishery

Greenpeace are spotlighting the destructive fishing practices in the Pacific tuna fishery. You can take action by adding your support here. Here is the video from that site.

Peter Bruce

Sustainability- Interpretation of a Gen-Y'er: Our Tourism and Sustainability

Being a student, my life consists of studying and working so I may afford to study. As most of my lectures are during the day, it requires me to look outside the typical 9-5 working day, to seemingly weird hours in order to earn my keep, and, unfortunately this has landed me behind a bar from 5-11 most nights, as well as, (heaven forbid!), the majority of weekends.
Yes, I admit, my social life is one of virtual non-existence during the semesters, but, with the premises located directly upon a beautiful beach in the middle of the picturesque Whangarei Heads, coupled with the shirtless tanned male specimens that exists within our customer basis, (albeit only accounting for a very small percentage), during the summer months, it isn’t all that bad.
Being inducted into the hospitality industry when I was a mere 14 year old, I have seen the importance of sustainability raise from a myth, to one of significant importance- both within this sector, and the wider tourism genre.
As noted within my previous articles, turning New Zealand into a sustainable country is one of our Governments main priorities. This comes in parcel with protecting our natural environment and natural resources we are, internationally, so well known for.
The ‘New Zealand Tourism Strategy,’ (http://www.tourismnewzealand.com/developing-nz-tourism/about-the-tourism-industry/the-nz-tourism-strategy-2015), explains of the importance of one of our largest grossing industries ‘going green,’ and protecting our 100% Pure New Zealand brand and incorporates 2 main principles into turning our tourism industry into one of sustainability.
Kaitiakitanga, or ‘Guardianship,’ exhibits the crucial importance of caring and protecting our environment for future generations, both national and international, to experience. This includes preserving and effectively managing New Zealand’s natural, and manmade, resources through sustainable methods.
Manaakitanga, hospitality, denotes the importance of the host presenting an invitation to our counterparts- albeit national or international, to experience the best of what we have to offer. It incorporates the mutual respect both the host and the visitor should behold for another as well as the surrounding environment.
Through these two core sustainability principles, the strategy holds 4 main goals:
1. Our natural environment will continue to attract visitors for years to come, and allow the current tourism activities and associated organisations to exist in the future.
2. The above feature will also allow for increased profit for these businesses, enabling them to reinvest and continually enhance their business.
3. With our tourism being one of our main influencers upon the international community, it offers the opportunity to educate and motivate wider communities of sustainability, as well as the importance of incorporating sustainable methods within businesses.
4. Expanding tourism industries nationally allows for these businesses and the surrounding communities to work together for mutual benefits. This can include supporting local businesses.
This strategy was born in 2001, with a 15 year objective to ensure these goals are incorporated in every tourism based organisation within our country, in order to become a sustainable, environmentally, socially and economically responsible tourist destination, and continue in preserving New Zealand’s core tourism product; our environment.

Sustainability: Interpretation of a Gen-Y'er: Our Government and Sustainability

I have been lucky enough to have been born and brought up in ‘clean green’ New Zealand; an image bestowed upon us by our overseas counterparts. Having a fitness freak of a mother I basically lived (against my will) outdoors among the bush and sand- much like a modern day Tarzan- minus the hairy chest and leopard print skirt. Even though, at the time I wondered why SIPHS never came to take me away, I look back with fond memories. Yes, I was never gifted with the joys of Playstations, or Gameboys, but I learnt to appreciate, and make the most of the beautiful nature we New Zealanders are gifted with.
I guess what I am trying to advocate here is the importance of future generations being able to have the opportunities to enjoy the surrounding natural environment as we have been able to. And, while I don’t agree with the 4 parking tickets I received over the past two days, or the $134.94 I had to pay to renew my managers license by simply having to fill out a piece of paper, I do agree with the Council’s views upon the importance of sustainability, which fall under the wider governments desire to make New Zealand the ‘first truly sustainable nation in the world.’
http://www.sustainability.govt.nz states that ‘sustainability is at the heart of the New Zealand government’s agenda. It underpins the themes of economic transformation, national identity, and families-past, present and future. These three themes remain the means by which sustainability will be built into the economy and society to position New Zealand as an innovative and sustainable nation, with sustainability at the heart of our identity.’
When I first read this I must admit it sounded too good to be true, immediately filing it under the ‘Things-Our-Government-Will-State-To-Look-Good-And-Win-Votes-But-Will-Never-Actually-Be-Carried-Out’ folder, where it nestled between the ‘Tax Cuts’ and ‘$15 Minimum Wage’ promises they have been heralding for the past few years. However, after reading on I found my initial female intuition was-for the first time in my life-wrong, discovering they have already implemented actions to carry out this promise.
Introduced in September 2007 was the Emissions Trading Scheme, the Governments plan to reduce New Zealand’s green house gas emissions to counter climate change, and also included a Plan of Action for Sustainable Land Management, which basically ensures that not every square inch of New Zealand will mimic Auckland city in the near future.
This was followed up by the New Zealand Energy Strategy in October 2007, which acknowledged 2 major energy disputes our country faces;
• Reducing carbon emissions brought about by our energy production and use in order to counter climate change
• Develop alternative methods of clean energy which is affordable while being environmentally friendly and responsible.
Coupled with the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy, it details the Governments’ desire for a sustainable low emissions energy system, while detailing the steps it will take, both present and future, that will make these visions a reality.
There was also the Emissions Fart Tax bill that came into par, where Helen Clark planned on charging her fellow farmyard friends 3cents each time they let rip- a perfectly normal bodily function, according to my partner. (Though I don’t see how forcibly pushing it out in order to make it as loud as you can, with the sole purpose of completely disgusting your girlfriend out is natural…) To which much of New Zealand replied with a hearty laugh at the ridiculousness of the idea, and, luckily enough for those cows’ buttocks, and poor farmers who would floor the price for their stock’s bodily functions, the bill was quickly shoved back where it came from- much to a very red-faced embarrassed Helen Clark.

Sustainability; Interpretted by a Gen Y'er,

In one of her debut songs, singer and songwriter Sandi
Thom chants ‘Oh I wish I was a punk
rocker with flowers in my hair, in ’77 and ’69 revolution was in the air, I was
born to live in a world that doesn’t care, oh I wish I was a punk rocker with
flowers in my hair.’ However it seems today’s age is more caring and aware then
that of their punk rocker counterparts.

It has been in the past 2 decades that we, as
humans, have finally mastered the skill to consider something other than
ourselves- Mother Earth. It has been this emergence from the blissful ignorance
that Earth’s resources are never ending, and a realisation that we are exhausting
her of her natural resources, that gave birth to the idea of sustainability.

For anyone that has been living under a rock for the
past 50 years, or that has just emerged from a 30 year LSD trip, the importance
of sustainability emerged in the Worlds first Earth Summit in Rio in 1992, the
Bruntland Report for the World Commission on Environment and Development defining
it as; “Development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
(http://www.globalfootprints.org/page/id/0/5/)

Since this initial definition, there have been many
different considerations to what ‘sustainability’ means, although they all seem
to have one belief in common; reserving Mother Earths natural resources for
future generations.

While our hippy equivalents were polluting the
atmosphere with marijuana smoke, and destroying endless trees to create placards
opposing illegalisation of drugs, we are busy finding alternative sustainable
sources to run vehicles, and researching and adapting environmentally friendly
changes to our businesses which assist in conserving for the future, more of
which I will explain in a later article.

As with any global issue, like global warming, there
are those conspiracy theorists that believe it is all a bunch of codswallop; some
sort of conspiracy panned out by the government to instil fear into us, to
which I ask, even if, on a whim they are right, how is becoming more
environmentally friendly harmful? How is picking up that piece of litter on the
side of the road, or recycling that empty beer bottle, harmful to oneself? And,
after years of evolution and amazing inventions, why is it just recently that
we have acknowledged the need to show some respect to our planet?

LanzaTech to supply Virgin with low-carbon fuel

The New Zealand company LanzaTech have made a deal with Virgin Airlines to supply low-carbon jet fuel. The Lanzatech process recycles waste gasses from sources such as steel mill flues – gases that would have otherwise been a pollutant. There is potential for 60 billion litres of jet fuel to be produced from steel mills.  The potential reduction in Virgin’s carbon footprint is estimated at 50%. Here is a video of LanzaTech’s work in the steel industry.

Image credit: http://rhodylady.wordpress.com/tag/virgin-atlantic/

Excellent sustainability videos – the White Dog Cafe

Judy Wicks transformed her Philadelphia restaurant into a Community Food Enterprise. She has created multiple environmental and social good. Restaurant profits are sourced from local farms  – farmers are featured on some of the menus. From a simple start of looking for free range pork, her enterprise has snowballed into a huge range of sustainability projects.

Here is a link to another video with more info. Do you have a similar enterprise in your city?

Excellent sustainability videos: Willie Smit's rainforest

Willie Smits tells the inspiring story about how his organisation transformed an area of cleared land back to rainforest, sustaining both local communities and wild life, including orangutan. Willie Smits typifies a leader who is deeply moved by the tragedy caused by human activity, and how this motivation generates great vision and energy to do better. You can also watch this video at TED.

This video is especially inspiring as Willie Smits demonstrates how the climate is transformed when people take steps to re-establish forest cover.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeankern/257830958/lightbox/