“A New Sound: Green For All”

Video description

The dirty energy economy has brought pollution and poverty to too many. But a clean-energy economy can bring opportunity, health, and wealth to struggling communities. Weatherizing homes, installing solar panels, manufacturing wind turbines – these jobs of a clean energy economy will put millions of people to work in their own communities.

A new green economy will provide opportunity to people who have been left out of the old economy. That is the promise of Green For All.

Watch the video. Take Action. Share A New Sound with your friends and family.

How to build perfect transparency? The future of Web 2.0?

Facebook’s introduction

Information has never been so easy to share around the world since the invention of writing (in Mesopotamia/ or very old Irak). Nowadays, almost everybody can travel the world via internet (or other medias) and know what’s going on abroad; as a result, the world has slowly become one. Web 2.0 permits each of us to provide critical information and starts on new way of recording and building History. For Instance, internet allowsed transparency on the situation in Iran, therefore the world knows and can react (we will see what happen tho). Web 2.0 (web based communities) is so powerful (= strength of NGOs to generate actions), and could permit us to build sustainable groups… Don’t you think so?

Do you think that Governement intervention is a good way to implement Sustainability?

Starting conversation on Facebook

HawaiianEDventure:

- In this blog, Ecogeek, there is a nice conversation about the Hawaiian law which required new building to install solar panel ! Is it abuse? A trampoline action? Hopeless? …etc
You might have your own opinion, but do you have any arguments ? Don’t be afraid to share them, cause like it is said in the movie “thank you for Smoking”  when you have a solid argument you are never wrong !!! Plus, your comments will open different ways of looking at the subject !
For me I would state that government once helped in the great depression (New Deal)… Indeed, politician and economist had recognized the power of John Maynard Keynes theory, who simply said that government is here to help and stabilize eco when needed !!! Our eco definitely needs help and stabilization!!! Remember that it is a personal argunment and not necessarily truth !!!

Jules Ung:

It’s so contraversial as to whether government intervention is required to encourage innovation in renewable energy and sustainable practices. However, when public utilities (such as the electric grid) are regulated by government, it then becomes the government’s responsibility to correct and imbalances in the market.

The way forward seems to be capitalism with a conscience – people, planet, and profit. There is no stronger incentive than a free market to foster innovation, and efficiency.

HawaiianEDventure:

Very good point ! Market does foster better innovations through competition. However, a market will grow only if there are large profit incentives. Right now the cost of going “sustainable” is too expensive to build a market competitive enough to work by itself. Therefore, government could act as a great stimulator and regulator for the “green Market” ! just as a reminder, laws gave birth to capitalism (to protect ownership …); more laws could permit Capitalism to Sustain itself (Transparency, Social and environmental obligation). Like one song said: “Without justice there will be no peace”.
To be continued !!!
Aloha

Role of the United Nations in International Sustainability

Brief description of the United Nations

How could not we mention about the United Nations, while talking about international Sustainability? The UN is, probably, the most famous international organization facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achieving world peace. The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II to replace the League of Nations, to stop wars between countries, and to provide a platform for dialogue.

Since the UN was meant to facilitate international dialogue, the organization appears as a major element in the development of international Sustainability; let’s see if the United Nation could be a major player for the development of International Sustainability?

Starting conversation published by Hawaiian EDventure on Facebook

As the most powerful countries in the world recognized during the London G-20 meeting, international trades, which are the roots of the ECONOMICAL CRISIS, need regulations (Tax Heavens, Bonuses, over night speculations by laying off…etc). In fact, globalization  has never really be regulated … Tough to establish international authority … especially since the UN and international organizations (WTO for instance) have slowly lost credential during these past years (e.g. UN veto on the Iraq which didn’t have any influence). However, the UN still carries the notions of hope and international collaboration (after World War II). How come we’ve lost faith in an international system that could protect weaker countries and establish international equity?
How the UN could get more influence (again)? Maybe with the UNEP (the United Nations Division for Sustainable development)

The UNEP (the United Nations Division for Sustainable development), will issue its third draft (10-Year Framework Programme) on sustainable consumption and production (SCP) for developing countries.
The process, which started in 2002 during the Johannesburg Summit, has been very challenging. Indeed, the main objective of the 10YFP, which is to set up a framework for action on SCP that countries and other stakeholders can endorse to accelerate the shift towards sustainable consumption and production patterns, has to fit developing countries as well as developed ones (tough).
Take a look at the site, http://esa.un.org/marrakechprocess/index.shtml, the UN is on it !!!

Hawaii and Sustainability

Do you think that Hawaii could be one of the best example for international sustainability?

What Hawai`i means to you?

For us, it means a natural treasure (culture, history, environment, people, uniqueness and fragility…etc) ! That is why Hawai`i strongly believes in Sustainability as a way to share and preserve this treasure! As a matter of fact, the State of Hawai`i aims at being fully Sustainable by 2050 through its 2050 Sustainable plan.

This Group is meant to talk about different aspects of sustainability (related to Hawai`i or not) … good or bad … inspirational or worrisome…
in order to share info about sustainability and international tourism to inspire, warn and help each other to rebuild trust and collaboration!

By doing right we can do good, and in the long term. “nobody is smarter than all of us” then, let’s inter-being !!!

Aloha

UHH Sustainability’s action

June 3, 2009

The University of Hawai`i at Hilo will implement a Mixed Recycling Program on campus, effective July 1, 2009, that will mirror the County of Hawai`i`s new guidelines and expected to more than double the University’s weekly recycling total.

The UH Hilo Sustainability Committee estimates the change will minimally divert 94 cubic yards of waste away from the county landfill each week, compared to the existing  Sorted Recycling Program that diverts approximately 45 cubic yards over the same period. Conversion to the Mixed Recycling Program is expected to encourage more recycling on the part of faculty, staff and students by creating a more seamless and user friendly operation, since most trash receptacles in offices on campus will be designated Mixed Recycling Bins.”

This was a very important initiative for the committee as well as our student government and it’s not hard to see why given the substantial amount of waste it will divert from the landfill, said Dr. Debra Fitzsimons, vice chancellor for administrative affairs. We are talking about 132,000 cubic yards over the course of a year, which would be enough to fill the entire Student Services Building to the brim.”

Fitzsimons said the Mixed Recycling Program is just the latest example of UH Hilo’s green commitment to promote sustainable practices on campus. The Sustainability Committee, formed last fall, has made substantial progress in reducing the University’s carbon footprint over the past year, and continues to actively seek volunteers and/or suggestions.

For more information about volunteering on sustainability efforts, contact Fitzsimons at (808) 974-7750 or email debra.fitzsimons@hawaii.edu. For more specific information regarding the recycling program, contact Kolin Kettleson at (808) 974-7369 or email kolin@hawaii.edu.

What does Sustainability mean to you ?

Sustainability in Hawai`i

Sustainability has become a very important focus for the State of Hawai`i. Indeed, Sustainability practices have be recognized, by the Hawaiian Government for instance, to be the main action plan to protect the Islands’ fragile economy and eco-system. The Big Island, which is the natural resources richest Island, is certainly the perfect candidate to promote and encourage Sustainability in Hawai`i; but what does Sustainability mean to the Big Island’s community? Check out our video made during the Sustainability Forum at Hilo.

Video on Sustainability in Hawaii

Is sustainability credible?

Sustainable tourism Introduction

Even though sustainable tourism practice’s codes are supposed to help preserving local authenticity and enrich the visitors’ experience, it seems that the sustainability “brand”  may just be used as an commercial word. Indeed,  how can it be evaluated if a tour is really applying sustainable services, since high competition has led some businesses  not to  be always sincere with their products and services?

Take a look at this very insightful Times’ article on sustainability Click Here