Our market economy fails to place value on the benefits of our environment, and some of the most necessary of our basic needs - healthcare - cannot be governed by the "rational consumer" economic model. We need a new way to do business that focuses on the end goal of an economy - improved quality of life - and not on a tangential measure that may or may not actually directly measure quality of life - the amassing and deployment of capital. I applaud the work of these innovators and entrepreneurs and cannot wait to be a part of whatever comes of it.
Richard Branson and Jochen Zeitz Reveal The B Team Leaders and Kick-start a Plan B for Business
"'Business is integral to society, but it has also created most of the negative environmental challenges of this century,' co-founder Jochen Zeitz said today, 'The B Team will help to catalyse a shift away from the existing short-term, unsustainable mindset, towards the long-term interest of people, the planet and the wider economy. Tackling these three challenges is a starting point for a 'Plan B' to form.'"
We are already starting to see a change in the energy industry, where cleaner, safer, and better sources of energy have finally started to spur major job growth and lower harmful emissions. The time is close at hand when these industries will have matured to compete with the entrenched inertia of the fossil fuel industry.
Report: More than 12,000 clean energy, clean transportation jobs announced in first quarter 2013
"'The fact that nine out of the top 10 states in the report have renewable portfolio standards is no accident,' Albert said. 'These policies are doing exactly what they’re supposed to do: Create jobs and create clean, renewable energy that helps both our economy and our environment.'"
Further trends in the industry show that even for "clean" energy like nuclear, the forces of the market now trend toward those forms that improve quality of life for all without damaging the quality of life for some. This trend will continue if those who invest demand it, and if those who consume demand it...if there is demand, there will be supply.
News on energy alternatives—Wind, efficiency are in, small nukes are out
"These are important deals, as they demonstrate what choices we have for getting off fossil fuels for electric power. Iowa has championed large-scale windfarms since 1983, creating a model for renewable electricity standards. Iowa has demonstrated how to ramp up renewables, and already uses wind for 25 percent of the electricity supply. The new announcement will put the state at about 30percent windpower. MidAmerican apparently doesn’t see a problem with that level of wind, and has no plans to raise consumer rates as it increases its own supply of windpower."
Banning large, sugary drinks (imperfectly), banning styrofoam, and putting a price tag on the cost to deal with the damage caused by a fossil fuel energy economy? Add to that local laws 84 and 87 regarding building energy auditing, retrocommissioning, and benchmarking, and Bloomberg might be the most environmentally-friendly politician since Teddy Roosevelt.
Bloomberg storm plan praised, but faces obstacles
"The 438-page proposal released by Mr. Bloomberg on Tuesday has some 250 recommendations. They include the installation of levees, flood walls and bulkheads, as well as the creation of sand dunes and wetlands. The mayor would also like the city to renovate public housing, adjust flood insurance prices and establish an elevated neighborhood in Lower Manhattan called Seaport City.
Utility companies would upgrade their systems, and the city would develop a fuel supply system for use during severe weather disruptions. The sweeping plan includes provisions for coastal defenses, buildings, utilities, fuel and food supplies, health care, transportation and telecommunications."
The consequence of the status quo...fossil fuel based energy and chemically-driven farming practices...will be too harsh to survive. The ironic thing is, from the point of view of risk, doing nothing and being wrong will cost us so much more than making the necessary changes and being right. We see this year already the impact on beef prices, and corn, soy, and wheat will follow. We have the ability to make a change, we have the knowledge to make it happen, and we have to do it now.
Say bye-bye to cheap food
"'[W]ith energy prices high and rising and production growth declining across the board, strong demand for food, feed, fibre and industrial uses of agricultural products is leading to structurally higher prices and with significant upside price risks,' states the 10-year agricultural outlook [PDF] published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization."
Happy Friday!
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