No win no fee solicitors

Have you recently been involved in an accident or suffered an injury or loss? Do you think someone else was to blame? Then No Win No Fee Solicitors will quickly put you in touch with a specialist personal injury solicitor in your area.

The time has surely come when we must speak out as Buddhists,with firm views of harmony as the Tao.
I suggest that it is also time for us to take ourselves in hand…This would be engaged Buddhism where the Sangha is not merely parallel to the forms of conventional society and not merely metaphysical in its universality…This greater Sangha is, moreover, not merely Buddhist. It is possible to identify an eclectic religious revolution that is already underway, one towhich we can lend our energies.
—Robert Aitken Roshi

• ▼  2010 (10)
  • ▼  February (2)
    • CORRUPTION IN WASHINGTON IS SMOTHERING OUR FUTURE
    • NATIONS SET EMISSIONS REDUCTION TARGETS: SO, WHO'S...
  • ►  January (8)

• ►  2009 (44)

• 350.org
• Climate Ark
• Climate Change News Digest
• Earth Policy Institute
• Ecobuddhism at Facebook
• Grist
• Renewable Energy World
• Rocky Mountain Institute
• The Oil Drum
• Worldwatch Institute

• Alberta works quietly to improve image of oil sands
• Australia has hottest-ever summer
• United Kingdom: Climategate scientist questioned in Parliament

• “Green” means more than just money when choosing a college
• Does a greener car mean more green from your pocket?
• Campus commuters to lower carbon emissions
• Lightweight, fuel-efficient cars not necessarily less safe
• Reducing how much we drive -- child miles traveled?

It is undeniable that the world wants to change Chevron. People from all over the globe are signing this petition, people young and old, from so many backgrounds. We’ve had celebrities, musicians, investors, and Chevron employees standing up and demanding change from one of the largest corporations on the planet.

As the new leader of the 3rd largest oil company in the world, CEO John Watson can right the wrongs of his predecessors and transform his company into one that cares.

150,000+ are saying “Enough is enough. Energy shouldn’t cost lives.”

From Ecuador to Richmond,CA to Burma and everywhere the oil giant operates in-between they leave a trail of environmental devastation, human rights abuses, and a legacy of health problems.

150,000+ say ENOUGH to Big Oil destroying our environment and the health of our communities.

Chevron, and their Big Oil cohorts, spend hundreds of millions of dollars on lobbyists and political contributions to buy off politicians and destroy policies that would be good for our climate and our future.

150,000+ people say ENOUGH to Chevron’s control of our government and our democracy.

To truly change Chevron and the oil industry, we are going to need to be 150,000 x stronger and louder and more powerful than we ever have been before. Our communities, our climate, our planet, and our future depend on it.

You in?

Learn more from our friends at Amazon Watch!

The 3BL Media CSR Minute: 60 seconds or so of daily news and commentary on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the triple bottom line (3BL).

The CSR Minute is your daily video digest of the most relevant Corporate Social Responsible news of the day. Our team of 3BL Media correspondents tracks the global world of corporate social responsibility to bring you coverage of the most important announcements, initiatives, issues, trends, ideas, and breaking news.

Today's Items: Caterpillar's Dow Jones Sustainability Index Status; Alcatel Lucent's Eco-Award; SDialogue's Name Change

Check it here on YouTube.

For those of you who don’t know, WCLG published a book on how to save green while going green entitled, We Can (All) Live Green: Simple Steps to Save Money, Stay Healthy and Support the Planet. If you follow one tip per section of the book, we estimate a savings of $5,000. This is a very, very conservative estimate. By the way, anyone out there need an extra $5,000?

1. Buy produce in season. Have you ever seen how much a wintertime basket of berries costs? Ouch. Off-season produce usually requires much more energy and resources to produce and transport, and it often retains less nutritional value too. Buying in-season produce only can skim $250 or more off your yearly grocery bill.

2. If you can’t afford fresh fruits and veggies, try frozen or canned. It’s usually cheaper to buy frozen or canned fruits and veggies, rather than fresh produce at the chain markets. Nutritionally, fresh is best, but frozen is a close second. Canned is fine too, if price is an issue; just make sure you’re always getting organic, and not a lot of added sugar or sodium. Depending on where you live, if you buy frozen or canned, you can save $200 a year and up on your grocery bill.

3. Try at least one vegetarian meal a week. You will save money on your weekly grocery bill! And it’s easier to cook a delicious vegetarian meal than you might imagine. When you’ve mastered one veggie meal a week, try to increase to two, and so on. It will add up: Having just one veggie meal a week can save you $200 a year; five meals a week saves $1000 a year! 

4. Embrace hand-me-downs – from friends, family members and fashionable neighbors. Participate in giving hand-me-downs too! Be creative – organize a “swap till you drop” party. There are lots of ways to save money and share your clothing with others, all while getting a few new duds of your own. An especially good option if you have children, since they often outgrow their clothing before our pocketbooks are ready for another trip to the store. Depending on your usual clothing expenses, you can save $200 to $400 a year and more.

5. Rideshare. The National Safety Council projects a $3000 yearly saving for commuters who rideshare. I want to be as conservative as possible in my promises, so I can assure you of savings above $2,000 a year, and hope you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much more you will actually save! Anyone out there who can use an extra $2,000 or more right now? Coordinate a commuting strategy with coworkers or neighbors and start saving now: at least $2,000 a year.

6. Consider making your own household cleaning products. For a small investment of time and effort you will be supporting your health and the planet, while putting some cash in your pocketbook. You can save $200 or more a year.

7. Reduce your energy consumption. If you utilize any combination of suggestions from the Energy Vampire section, you can save up to 50% off of your energy bill. Cost savings: a minimum of $600 a year.

8. Stop buying bottled water. Purify your tap instead. There are a few exceptions to this, but if you purify your tap, you are getting equally pure if not purer water than most bottled water – all for a fraction of the cost. For a family of four, bottled water costs about $10 a week, minimum. Over the course of a year, you can save a minimum of $400 – and you are reducing plastics in our landfills as well!

9. Recycle…and get paid. Through a little organization, planning and time commitment, you can actually make money by doing the right thing. Depending on recycling options in your community – and your family’s commitment level – you can actually make (at the very least!) $300-plus a year. Look into it!

10. Take the “One Tank of Gas Challenge.” We Can Live Green issues a friendly challenge to you and your family to find a suitable vacation spot that you can travel to on…you guessed it…one tank of gas. Get the whole family involved and see what destinations your family or friends come up with. When you agree on a choice, take the plunge and take your trip. Happy trails to all of you!

Buy the book to get more great tips – you can find it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders, Tower and much more! Check it out!

By Chase – Die Hard Greenie

We Can Live Green

I have recently started blogging and really enjoy writing about my opinions etc. 

I work in the insurance industry. When most people think of insurance it makes them roll their eyes and think of old boring men. Although there is still an element of this, insurance is starting to become a more popular industry for younger folk. 

The most popular forms of insurance are car insurance, travel insurance and life insurance. I spend many hours with clients understanding their needs and making recommendations for suitable insurance polices. 

Another thing that people don't understand about the insurance industry is that providing insurance quotes doesn't take hours and hours. The client completes a questionnaire and I then send it on to the underwriter. It is the underwriter that must produce the insurance quote.

Check back soon to read more... 

At the moment the economy is is pretty bad shape. Banks are reluctant to lend, people are reluctant to take risks. The economy is basically going on standstill until the necessary conditions are achieve, whatever they may be.

However, there may be a glimer of hope as the financial markets seemed to have calmed down from the turbulance that occured earlier on in the year. 

 In the coming months I think the role of China to instigate global AD increase will be paramount. China are becoming something of a superpower in the World and with their $1.3 trillion reserve created by the continual pegging of the currencey to keep comparative advantage in exports, they have the means to save the World. The way they use the money is vital, but I guarentee once they start with the hot money flows worldwide there is only way the economy can go.

 However, because of large influx of money into many markets, the likley effect in the next year or so is rapid rise in inflation in the countries that used fiscal stimulus packages. This will have to be nipped in the bud as quickly as possible or it could create a new world problem.

 Hopefully by mid 2010 most of the World countries would be out of the recession. Although I fear for many of the eastern EU states which look like they will drag the EU recession down for longer than anticipated.

 Free Xbox 360

Talking Points

The legislation puts a new focus on reducing the amount of trash that enters the Anacostia River and creates a new fund dedicated to the cleanup and restoration of the Anacostia River. The legislation represents a unique attempt – as best we can tell, the first of its kind in the nation – to work with business and environmental leaders to develop a shared strategy to reduce the amount of trash in the Anacostia River. In addition, this initiative creates a partnership with Maryland to create a shared stewardship for the health of the entire Anacostia watershed.

Regarding Trash in the Anacostia River

• 20,000 tons of trash enters the Anacostia River each year.
• According to a recent report by the DC Dept. of the Environment, plastic bags, bottles, cans, snack wrappers and Styrofoam make up 85% of the trash in the Anacostia River.
• In the river’s tributaries, such as Watts Branch, nearly 50% of the trash is plastic bags.
• According to the report, placing a small fee on “free” bags could eliminate up to 47% of the trash in the tributaries and 21% from the river’s main stem.
• DC WASA removes 477 tons of trash from the Anacostia River each year; Anacostia Watershed Society volunteers have pulled another 536 tons of trash out of the River.

The Cost of Taking No Action

• EPA is establishing a new Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) of allowable trash in the Anacostia River and violations are likely to occur with each rainfall event, potentially costing the District millions of dollars annually.
• Each “free” bag that becomes litter already costs District residents:
  • District agencies already spend millions on trash rather than people.
  • DC WASA spends millions on Anacostia River trash removal, passed on to District rate payers in their monthly water bill.
• Continued pollution of the Anacostia River is dangerous and creates a potential risk to wildlife and marine life.

How the Initiative Works

• The legislation will place a small 5-cent fee on all single-use plastic and paper carryout bags from Retail Food Establishment license holders (which includes grocery stores, food vendors, convenience stores, drug stores, and others) and Class A and B liquor stores.
• The legislation requires that these plastic and paper carryout bags be recyclable.

Community Education and Outreach

• The legislation delays implementation for 6 months to a year, requiring the city to conduct an intensive public information campaign and outreach that includes providing reusable carryout bags to residents for free or low-cost, and work with service providers to distribute multiple reusable bags to seniors and low-income households.  

How the Fee Would be Used

• The 5-cent fee will be divided between the business and a newly created Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Fund.
• Businesses will retain either 1 or 2 cents of the fee, depending whether they offer customers a carryout bag credit program for reusable bags.
• The remaining amount of the fee will be deposited into the Fund to target environmental cleanup, reclamation, and restoration efforts on the Anacostia River, as well as continue a public education campaign and provide free reusable bags to DC residents, in particular the elderly and low income residents.

Where Has This Been Tried Before

• Other cities are moving in this direction. New York, Seattle, and many European nations have already required, or plan to require, a small charge for plastic and paper bags. These initiatives have dramatically cut down on these single-use bags – by as much as 90% in some places.
• In addition, many businesses are already taking similar steps on their own in addition to selling low-cost durable, reusable bags. Discount food stores like ALDI and Save-A-Lot, and even IKEA, charge customers a nominal fee for every bag – greatly reducing the number of plastic and paper bags used and encouraging customers to bring reusable bags.

A website, www.TrashFreeAnacostia.com, has been set up to support the Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Initiative and to be a resource for information about the effort to reduce the amount of bags that enter the River.

The economy in Alberta is falling over. Right now alot of companies are going bankrupt. I think the main problem comes from the north of alberta, at Fort McMurray. There, oil companies do everything in their power to hide how they manage the environment. They surely prefer to save their investment instead of following the rules and act responsibly thoward the environment. Sadly, I think they will stop only if people boycut them. One of my friends was working there, and now he refuses to go back, for many reasons, but I strongly approve him, because he chose to work for a greener company. If these companies go bankrupt, I will be happy, honestly. So if you know someone working there because of the good money, do everything in your power to turn them back, please.

 With the crisis we are facing, too much people care more about their financial security than about how the government acts to save their pockets. Let's settle this one: yes, oil is one ressource in Alberta, and besides the cows and farms, there is nothing else to make the economy roll. Or is there something else? THE WIND!! There is so much wind in this province! I am certain that a company like Marmen would be interested in planting a couple thousands windmills in the vast plains. With windmills, in 5 to 10 years maybe, Alberta could become independant from the atomic and thermal sources of power, and with some electric cars coming on the market, the turn could be easier if the province can provide cheap/green electricity. I will buy a ecolo-car this year, I recommend you do the same. Boycutting oil IS the solution for saving the environment in Alberta, and some greedy souls as well.

According to a recent study by Javelin Strategy and Research, bank customers want green banking. 43% of customers polled said they would rather do business with a bank that seems more “green.” But many big banks are trying to paint themselves green simply by promoting an online billing system.

It is true that monthly paper statements have a big impact on the environment. If every household in the US were able to switch to paperless billing, this would save an estimated 16.5 million trees per year or about 46,000 acres (averaging 360 trees per acre). Trees protect watersheds, support wildlife habitats, and build soil fertility while sequestering carbon (deforestation is now the second leading cause of global warming).

But there’s a problem here.

While we can all agree that preventing deforestation by encouraging paperless billing is great for the environment, the implication that by doing so, a bank is obviated from its environmental responsibility and can now call itself “green” strains credibility. What does it matter if you save a few thousand trees in North America while funding dirty coal operations or deforestation in the Congo (you can go to Greendig.net to find out which banks they are)?

Fortunately, there are some Real Green Banks who, despite the economic downturn, are posting healthy profits and offering their customers amazing interest rates. Take ShoreBank for example.

ShoreBank has operated for over 30 years based upon the principles of green banking (long before paperless bills even existed!) and they offer an investment model that hopefully many banks will follow – TPL, or “triple bottom line.” The guiding philosophy of TBL is that, in addition to bringing financial profits to the company, they must ensure both the community and the environment also profit. To that end, they partnered with Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus to help create the Grameen Bank which has lifted literally millions out of poverty through micro-lending.

Their foundation in “good old fashioned banking,” as founder and CEO Ron Grzywinski calls it, has allowed them to escape the trap of quarterly earning reports and over-leveraged debts that got so many other banks in trouble. And they now offer one of the highest yield online savings accounts in the US.  You get 3.5% (up to $250,000 insured by FDIC) and the nice feeling of knowing that all your money is going to help build the green economy.

To me that’s the direction real “green banking” needs to take.