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March 4, 2008 
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What's Hot in Climate Today
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Who Will Take the Lead on Climate - Big Oil or Silicon Valley?
A few interesting and very telling news stories from the week's news: global VC investment jumps 43% in 2007, Silicon Valley investors focus on clean technology, and BP considers “ditching’ renewable energy business.
Last week BP CEO John Hayward hinted that the company may offload its alternative energy unit because of “poor returns.” By contrast, the March 1 issue of The Economist ran an article on Silicon Valley executives fleeing the computer industry for careers at cleantech companies. The Economist piece poses the question as to whether Silicon Valley is better equipped to develop clean technologies such as biofuels and electric cars than “big companies.” I believe we may be seeing the answer unfold before us. For all the positive press associated with BP and their commitment to "Beyond Petroleum," I believe the real innovation and risk-taking will be by those investors and executives that are comfortable in new technologies. Big Oil is comfortable taking predictable risks in exploring for oil and gas in new frontiers, not in developing new technologies. Silicon Valley has the mindset and culture to be comfortable in a truly high-risk environment. They will make the technology breakthroughs that we need. It will be pioneers such as Shai Agassi, Elon Musk, Vinod Khosla, and others who are bold enough to develop disruptive technologies and change the world. Perhaps it will be Big Oil that brings all of these technologies mainstream. Each has a role in moving the world from a hydrocarbon economy to one that is carbon free. The next year will be telling as those who embrace risk strike out and create the technologies and services the world needs to move beyond petroleum. We do live in exciting times. ~Will Sarni, CEO, DOMANI, and SLM Advisor What do you think? Post Your Comment Here! This Week's Top News... Virgin Caters to First-Class Passengers with Fuel-Cell Limo Service 
Virgin Atlantic has partnered with General Motors to ferry first-class passengers to the airport in Chevrolet Equinox hydrogen fuel-cell cars as part of its Upper Class limousine service. The zero-emissions vehicles will join Virgin's limo fleet at Los Angeles International Airport first, with plans to expand to New York later this year. Read more...
Yahoo "Green Screen" Shows Company's Energy Use in Real Time 
Yahoo has set up an interactive energy-monitoring display at its corporate headquarters in Sunnyvale, Calif. The "Yahoo green screen" shows employees the campus' energy use in real time. Read more...
Burt's Bees Pays Its Employees to Go Carbon Neutral 
Burt's Bees is subsidizing employee purchases of renewable energy certificates. The North Carolina-based company says it will offer matching grants of up to $100 each to help its workers offset their carbon footprint at home. Read more...
Global VC Investment in Cleantech Jumped 43% in 2007 
Venture capitalists invested a record $3 billion clean technology deals worldwide in 2007, a 43% increase over the $2.1 billion invested in 2006, according to new report from Dow Jones VentureSource. Read more...
BP May Ditch Renewable Energy Business 
BP chief executive John Hayward has hinted he may offload his company's alternative energy unit, noting that hefty investments in solar, wind, and biofuels have yielded poor returns for shareholders. Speaking at a strategy meeting yesterday, Hayward suggested that if businesses in BP's green unit - valued between $5 and $7 billion - fail to turn a profit soon, some or all may be sold off as the company shifts its focus to locating new oil and gas reserves. Read more...
NYC Sets Fuel-Efficiency Standards for Corporate Limos 
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has ordered the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) to boost fuel efficiency standards for its 10,000-vehicle fleet of "black cars" servicing corporate clients. The new standards effectively force a switch to hybrid engine technology. Read more...
Coke, UPS, SC Johnson Expand Green Fleets 
Coca-Cola, UPS, and SC Johnson are boosting their investment in cleaner, more fuel-efficient delivery and sales fleets. Read more...
Dell Joins The Climate Group 
Dell has become the first IT company to join The Climate Group, a nonprofit coalition dedicated to exploring market-based solutions to climate change. Dell has pledged carbon neutrality for company facilities, manufacturing operations, and business air travel beginning in 2008. Read more...
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Hot Planet - Cool Clothes 
Increasingly, apparel designers and buyers are asking “What is the source of our raw materials?" "Where were the materials harvested, processed, produced?" "What went into the process (inputs) and what came out (impacts)?" This mindset shift goes beyond sustainable agriculture and fair labor practices; if you're currently in the clothing business - be it design, production, or purchasing - expect carbon footprint to soon emerge as another key consideration. By Coral Rose Read more...
Time to Think Outside the Truck 
One more sign that we’ve reached a tipping point in the way businesses look at their logistics and distribution systems: British electronics chain PC World is sharing delivery-truck space with a sister company. Think that’s all well and good for businesses that operate under the same corporate umbrella, but don’t see the value for a company like yours? Have you checked the price of diesel lately? By Phil Berry Read more...
EcoImpact CO2 Calculator 
EcoSynergy’s EcoImpact CO2 Calculator tabulates the carbon emissions associated with many common consumer packaged goods, offering eco-conscious manufacturers and retailers a quick snapshot of a given product category’s average carbon footprint and top emissions contributors. The free calculator can be emailed among web users or embedded in a user's website. For more about EcoSynergy and to use or share the EcoImpact CO2 Calculator, click here.
Top Headlines from Other SLM Channels FTC Sets Sights on Green Packaging Claims Microsoft CEO Unveils Best Practices Guide for IT Administrators Nestle Publishes First-Ever Global Sustainability Report Sustainability Programs Need Personal Appeal, Says Saatchi & Saatchi VP Sodexo's Recycled Napkins Save Clients Money, Report Shows Report: Private Companies Need CSR to Attract Business, Workers Wal-Mart Creates "Green Suggestion Box" for Potential Vendors Seven-Eleven Saves with Energy-Efficient Equipment, Lighting SB'08 Plans Taking Shape! 
A flurry of activity is taking place behind the scenes as plans take shape for SB'08, June 2-5 at the Hyatt Regency, Monterey. Check in for a sneak peek, and save money by registering today!
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