The WRI Weekly Roundup

Pollution hotspots via satellite, Kiva and MicroPlace compared, and ever-faster arctic ice melting.

October 30, 2007

Satellites Zoom in on Air Pollution Hotspots. With the help of modern satellite technology and a project known as TEMIS, scientists are now measuring and mapping the concentrations and transboundary movements of air-polluting emissions. October 26, 2007.
Arctic Melting--and Threat to Polar Bears--Accelerates. If greenhouse gas emissions continue in the "business as usual" trend, two-thirds of the world's polar bears may become extinct by 2050, according to a study released last month by the U.S. Geological Survey. October 22, 2007.

Colorado State's Global Social and Sustainable Enterprise Program. The Global Social and Sustainable Enterprise Program at the Colorado State University College of Business is an 18-month MBA program that brings 25 students together to build enterprises that address environmental, health and social problems in developing countries. October 27, 2007.
Boston Consulting Group Takes on Next Billion. Boston Consulting Group has been conducting extensive primary research into the spending habits and lifestyle of a segment of the population it identifies as the "next billion." October 25, 2007.
Kiva vs. MicroPlace - What's the Difference? Rob Katz discusses the similarities and differences of the lending models used by Kiva and MicroPlace. October 24, 2007.
Investor Forums 2007 - A New Generation of Entrepreneurs. Derek Newberry discusses the New Ventures Investor Forums. October 23, 2007.

New York Times. October 24, 2007. Challenging Gasoline: Diesel, Ethanol, Hydrogen. The supply chains for diesel, ethanol and hydrogen are immature. That should change in a few years, as the most important choice for consumers in car showrooms may be what kind of fuel they want to use.

Christian Science Monitor. October 26, 2007. A Tax on carbon to Cool the Planet. Economists agree that the real cost of burning fossil fuels – damage to the environment and health, not to mention the cost of replacing them as they run out – isn't reflected in today's prices. A carbon tax would directly send a market signal to reduce carbon use.

E&ETV. October 25, 2007. WRI's Venezia discusses new report on carbon capture and sequestration. As lawmakers look to implement policies that will help reduce our country's greenhouse gas emissions, one of the technologies they are considering is carbon capture and sequestration.

Nature. October 11, 2007. Policing the Voluntary Carbon Market. Voluntary greenhouse-gas emission offset markets are in need of government oversight.

The Times (London). October 24, 2007. The Next French Revolution: Nicolas Sarkozy Sets Out His Plans for a Green Future Target. President Sarkozy will attempt to claim leadership of the environmental movement, but his promises of a radical, green France risk falling victim to a reluctance to raise taxes, drop speed limits or touch the country’s reliance on nuclear power.

Brisbane (Australia) Times. October 24, 2007. Business Turns to "Carbon Labelling." Climate change can be good for business if the business can adapt to a changing environment, national and international guest speakers will tell guests at a climate change and business conference in Brisbane next week.

Nigerian Tribune. October 24, 2007.Fashola: Managing Waste in Lagos. The U.S. is still the world’s most significant polluter and should take action on climatic change before asking developing countries to do so.

Pollution Online. October 23, 2007. Senate Proposal Signals Positive Movement Toward Comprehensive Climate Legislation. Climate change legislation introduced recently by Senators Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and John Warner (R-Va.) sends a strong signal that the U.S. is moving toward reducing its greenhouse gas emissions.

Automotive.com. October 29, 2007. Five Finalists Compete for 2008 Green Car of the Year Award. The winner will be announced on Nov. 15 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

IT Business Edge. October 24, 2007. Climate Savers Computing: Create More Efficient Computers. Bill Weihl, Google's "green energy czar" is interviewed about Climate Savers Computing."

PR Leap. October 24, 2007. Citrix Online Works with PURE to Offset Carbon. Citrix Online works to reduce overall carbon emissions.

Greenpeace. October 18, 2007. Palm Oil Fuelling Climate Change. Growing international demand for biofuels as an alternative to climate-polluting fossil fuels is a serious threat to Australia and the South Pacific's last remaining tropical forests and could have serious consequences for the world's climate.

BNET. October 23, 2007. African Investments Worth a Look. It might sound crazy, but some of American business’s toughest competitors are in Africa.

Environmental News Network. October 24, 2007. Veteran ABC News Science Correspondent Ned Potter Moderates Panel on Ecosystems and Economics at DC Forum. The Environmental Law Institute will host "Ecosystem Services: Is There a Business Case for Environmental Protection?" on October 30 in Washington DC.

Science Daily. October 28, 2007. Parasites Take Toll on Forest primates. Pesky parasites that thrive in fragmented forests are taking a toll on already stressed primates in Ugandan forests, suggests a new study.

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