Welcome to the September 2008 Green InSight eNewsletter!

Jon Dougal Editor, Green InSight

" Global Warming can be slowed, and stopped, with practical actions that yield a cleaner, healthier atmosphere." James E Hansen, Director, NASA Goddard Institute

This insightful and progressive newsletter is concerned with present energy issues and technologies as well as the future of energy. The information is brought to you in living color, on widescreen digital HD format, and sparing paper use with our long shelf-life, greedy little electrons to deliver the latest from the far corners of the alternative and renewable energy empire to foster sustainable development. We exalt your feedback and contributions of your latest experiences and reactions to our content. Sustainability is not just our mission, it is our passion.

Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa Signs Groundbreaking Green Building Law On Earth Day

Sustainable cities are all the rage after the 2005 Sustainable Cities Summit in San Francisco. 161-166 cities in the U.S. and many more around the world see the value in greening their cities as both an economic measure as well as a “quality of life” issue. Sustainable cities offer better employment options, encourage a better tax base and operate more efficiently. Finally one of the worst U.S. cities is promising a better future.

Promising and delivering are not the same we hope disappointment doesn’t set in after this mayor’s tenure.

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The Other Shoe is Falling in Renewables

As volatile as the stock market and more so the energy segment has been in the past 3 months we thought the following was a cautionary tale to take into perspective.

Now with the financial meltdown the question become will the current energy act continue into 2009 offering a future for solar/wind/renewable rebates and federal financing to keep those industries going? Hold your breath!

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Eight Strikes and You're Out

See the previous article on the other shoe dropping then connect the dots. Tom Friedman is a straight shooter and an authority on middle eastern politics. Keep politics out of clean technology!

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VOB – Vegetable Oil Based Resins

By: Jon Dougal
Source: September 19, 2008

For the last 10 years we have been arguing, cajoling, pushing and prompting the U.S. Plastics Counsel to promote vegetable based plastics. Being a trade group (527) whose mission it is to create, augment, implement and popularize the agenda of the member corporations, we could not understand why bio-based plastics couldn’t be on the agenda as well as petroleum (solvent) based resins and adhesives.

Well time has caught up with the plastics industry. Petroleum prices have shown that they can influence the costs of just about everything based on it. Asphalt, adhesives, filaments- like nylon fiber, paints, plastics, and resins.

While the federal government has mandated “Environmentally Preferable Purchasing” for all federal monies projects as well as 26 states endorsing the same idea, bio-based products are becoming the norm for the construction industry.

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Approval by ASTM Legitimizes Solazyme's Product

There are various testing agencies, and methods, most of them speak to ingredients or environmental impacts; few hold the creditability of the ASTM. If the claims by Solazyme can be verified and performance matches existing fuel stocks they have a winner and so does the public.

Not withstanding, we exist in a fuel hungry world and their market will be unlimited both for product and process, profits assured.  Is it fair to expect they will make the process open source so the world can share it?  Benefiting all mankind?

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OptiSwitch Technology could boost ethanol yields

While popular opinion about ethanol is that the U.S. government created an uncontrollable monster in ethanol mandates – What If? – more alcohol could be produced from less corn? Maybe resulting in lower food prices?

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Eco Travel? Well Almost!

Our staff has been building and maintaining what we know is the most comprehensive “Upcoming Events” calendar in the Green Marketplace for 15 years. Encompassing an agenda across many different trades and industries, including but not limited to architecture, engineering, glass, fenestration, soils technology, and storm water management is our goal and we can and do provide it. The premise is to afford those who enjoy traveling a venue, which may revolve around a trade or industry of interest. While educating yourself on varied topics of interest, you will be excited to know that this travel is a legitimate business expense.

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Insurance for the Greener Traveler

With an increasing number of holidaymakers concerned about their carbon footprint, the ETA (Environmental Transport Association) has launched a new type of travel insurance for the environmentally aware traveler. The new green travel insurance policy includes a discount of up to 25 per cent for trips that do not involve flying.

Travel to exotic locations in an age of kidnapping and daily airline bankruptcy gives a whole new importance to “travel Insurance.”

Here is an organization worth remembering and bookmarking!

http://www.eta.co.uk/insurance/travel/summary

Interested in sponsoring our next eNewsletter issue? Contact Jon Dougal at (415) 798-1933 or editor@greenmotion.org.