Tag Archives: Climate change

Launch of Development of Standard for Sustainability Master Plans

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National Master Sustainability Plan

The Green Marketing Company provides marketing services for the National Master Sustainability Plan.

(Madison, WI, April 10, 2013) – Leonardo Academy announced the launch of the development of a standard for sustainability master plans using the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) process to define sustainability goals and achievements for regions, states and campuses. The development of this standard was announced in ANSI Standards Action on March 22, 2013. Those interested in learning more or in participating in this process can visit the Leonardo Academy web site at: www.leonardoacademy.org

The Need
The affects of Hurricane Sandy along the eastern seaboard highlight the need for developing sustainability master plans that can guide and measure sustainability achievements for restoration and for the long term. In other areas where disasters have not occurred, sustainability master plans are also needed to define sustainability goals, steps for getting there and metrics for measuring progress. Since the need is most urgent in the eastern coastal states, the first sustainability master plans will be developed for New Jersey and other states affected by Hurricane Sandy. The master plan development process will then expand to other states.

Sustainability master planning brings together land use planning, sustainability for the built environment, waste management, energy efficiency, energy supply, renewable energy, transportation, water management, resource management, recreation and preservation. It takes the vision of a sustainable future for an area and makes it concrete by defining sustainability goals, implementation steps and metrics for measuring progress.

The Strategy
The standard for sustainability master planning will be developed in tandem with the sustainability master plan for New Jersey and other states affected by Hurricane Sandy. The interplay between the development of the standard and the state-specific plans will inform and energize both processes. Eric Hansel, President of EGM Green, and Michael Arny, President of Leonardo Academy, are partnering to launch this process and to drive it to timely completion.

The Standard and State Plans Being Developed
This standard will address how to develop a sustainability master plan for an area. It will be scalable so that it can be applied to wide range of areas, such as multi-state regions or states, as well as smaller areas like corporate, government and university campuses. It will address all three aspects of sustainability – environmental, social and economic for the region/area – and define the current and target levels of sustainability, the steps and time tables required to reach the targets, and performance metrics.

The Benefits of a Sustainability Master Plan Standard for the Public and Businesses
Sustainability standards provide a framework that defines sustainability objectives, paths for reaching them and parameters for measuring achievements. Sustainability standards also provide recognition that helps to create incentives and a language of commerce around achieving sustainability goals. The public benefits from sustainability standards by living in a healthier environment and businesses benefit from the clearly-defined framework that gives them a new opportunity to compete and be recognized for their progress on sustainability implementation. An example of this is the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standard rating system for buildings, which has transformed the building industry into being more sustainable.

Funding and Sponsorship Opportunities
Fundraising for this standard development process has begun. If your organization or company would like to provide a grant or be a sponsor, please contact Leonardo Academy.

For More Information
Visit the Leonardo Academy web site at www.leonardoacademy.org. To be added to an email list to receive updates about the standard, send your request to development@leonardoacademy.org.

Introducing Reality Drop!

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Got an email from my good friend Jason Mraz today, thought I would share.  Ok, so I call him a good friend because of the 4 emails I got from him this week that started with Dear Friends lol!   Jason is our featured Green Musician at The Good Word.
 
Dear friends,
Jason Mraz performing at the February 28 - Mar...

Jason Mraz performing at the February 28 – March 4, 2011 TED Conference. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Way too often I hear and read blatantly false statements about climate change, namely that it doesn’t exist. It’s very frustrating — and it makes me want to fight back and make sure we all hear the truth.

There’s a new online tool called Reality Drop from The Climate Reality Project, along with Arnold Worldwide, built to spread the truth and destroy denial around climate change. This is the REAL information from scientists’ decades of research, not government or corporations. Give it a try.

Visit Reality Drop and get started!

There are two things I’m passionate about: my music and nature. Therefore, I’m passionate we get it right about climate change so we may continue to enjoy music and our precious environment. Reality Drop is a way to respond to those who deny climate change and make sure our friends have access to the truth — and have fun while we’re at it.

VISIT REALITY DROP!

Thanks, Jason Mraz & Steve Schappert

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Simple Devotion

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Young Man and Woman Holding Hands on BeachDumb, determined, destined, damaged, definite, defiant, demanding, dense, deserted, devoted, diehard, diligent, direct, disappointed, disgusted, diverse, dominant, downtrodden, dramatic, drastic, dreamlike, dynamic, dysfunctional and just too damn stupid to doubt the most dramatic changes can begin with simple devotion.

So lead me, follow me, join me, help me or get the “F” out of the way, cuz I’m coming through with so much to do. I don’t understand the word “no” and I’ll work my fingers to the bone even when there is nothing to show.

There is good in the world, hoist your sails and watch it unfurl, good is contagious, fabulous and glorious.  If you are conscious and ambitious GOOD will be victorious!

Keep in mind I’m only dumb enough to try and change the world, don’t have all the answers, if you could share and add a little that would be great!   -Steve

“Change The World”  by Eric Clapton

If I could reach the stars
Pull one down for you,
Shine it on my heart
So you could see the truth:

That this love inside
Is everything it seems.
But for now I find
It’s only in my dreams.

And I can change the world,
I will be the sunlight in your universe.
You would think my love was really something good,
Baby if I could change the world.

If I could be king,
Even for a day,
I’d take you as my queen;
I’d have it no other way.

And our love would rule
This kingdom we had made.
’til then I’d be a fool,
Wishing for the day…

That I can change the world,
I would be the sunlight in your universe.
You would think my love was really something good,
Baby if I could change the world.
Baby if I could change the world.

I could change the world,
I would be the sunlight in your universe.
You would think my love was really something good,
Baby if I could change the world.
Baby if I could change the world.
Baby if I could change the world.

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Teachers: agents of change for nature

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Capillary wave/Ripple effect

Respect for nature, where does it start? Teachers, scholars, and advocates of sustainable lifestyles from all levels of education are emphatic that respect for nature starts during childhood. They say knowledge, based in healthy respect for Nature and ecosystems, is key to cultural transitions to a cleaner, more just and sustainable future. Many believe outdoor education provides our youth with a deeper environmental ethic that can be a strong antidote to status-quo climate-changing behaviors. Wanna hear more? Please listen to the audio report.  Get The Full Story  & Additional Resources

 

Music Video: How easy and important it is to use clean energy in our lives.

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It’s up to all of us to speak out about climate change. And sometimes, the best way to join the conversation is to make a little music.

So Jason Mraz and I got together at my house to put together a music video for The Climate Reality Project’s 24 Hours of Reality: The Dirty Weather Report. Jason sang his song, “93 Million Miles,” and I talked a little about how easy and important it is to use clean energy in our lives.

If you haven’t already seen our video,we’d love for you to watch!

Whether we talk about it or sing about it, we need to stand up to the anti-science deniers and have a real conversation about climate change. And that’s exactly what 24 Hours of Reality did.

24 Hours of Reality focused the world’s attention on both the impacts of climate change and the clean energy solutions we have at our disposal, and garnered nearly 17 million views and generated 145 million online impressions.

Each of us has his or her own story about how climate change affects them, and more importantly, each of us has a role to play in promoting solutions to the climate crisis. There are literally thousands of ways to get involved.

We were proud to be part of such a vital event. Join us. Watch our video. Check out 24 Hours of Reality — it was phenomenal!

All the best,
Ed Begley, Jr.

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Simple steps to saving money and energy

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12 Dec. 2009, Copenhagen, Denmark - Global Day...

Conventional energy production is dirty. Despite recent global climate summits and their often heated sessions, inaction is not reducing man-made damage to the atmosphere. While most citizens rely on legislation for protection from excessive pollution, generations of unsustainable production, consumption and toxic waste burden the natural forces behind climate cycles. Corporate operatives direct government policy and massive advertising steers consumer dollars away from systems that support a cleaner, more just and sustainable future. Join us to learn more about simple, money- and energy-saving steps everyone can take at home, work and at school.

Continue for a Good Dirt Radio audio eco-spot and transcript.

Positive change happens through critical mass | The Good Word

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Population growth (Photo credit: eutrophication & hypoxia)

Click here for a Good Dirt Radio 5-minute eco-spot on critical mass.

With almost 7 billion of us on the planet, we often get overwhelmed at the exponential force that population growth has over key issues like energy, the environment and the economy. While we may have no control over the big picture, we do have control over our own consumption habits. A large enough number of citizens getting involved can create positive change on a grand scale. Listen in to learn how a certain number of citizens, getting involved and working for positive change, can change climate history through creating a ‘critical mass.’

Click here for resources and information on this topic.

Read transcript below.

Welcome to Good Dirt Radio, reporting on positive change… taking root.

With almost 7 billion of us on the planet, we often get overwhelmed at the exponential force that population growth has over key issues like energy, the environment and the economy. While we may have no control over the big picture, we do have control over our own consumption habits. A large enough number of citizens getting involved can create positive change on a grand scale.

The ‘critical mass’ theory states enough collective momentum causes change. In his book, The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell says when natural thresholds are reached, shift happens. With climate change, a critical number of people applying simple, readily available ideas and actions that offset current levels of consumption, waste and pollution can help swing the pendulum of atmospheric change away from self-destruction. Marilyn Ferguson calls this phenomenon the ‘hundredth monkey’ theory, in her book The Aquarian Conspiracy. After a few monkeys learn a new action, more monkeys begin to follow the example until it becomes the ‘new normal.’ With the harsh realities of climate change becoming evident, everyone can find a role, however large or small, in creating a ‘new normal.’

Durango, Colorado’s Dean Anderson is an author, speaker, ‘change-leader’ and co-founder of Being First. CEOs and global clients seek his advice. For over 30 years, Anderson and his partner and wife, Linda, have been helping individuals and business leaders understand the power of numbers in applying positive systemic change. He says consumer awareness relates to climate change.

via Positive change happens through critical mass | The Good Word.

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