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Today I attended the opening session of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in NYC. It's my second year attending. In many ways, it's similar to other conferences, with plenary sessions, breakouts, networking, etc. In other ways, it's unique. To begin with, as former President Clinton said in his speech to us, "This is the only conference you'll ever attend where the gift bags are empty." Because CGI provides its members with the chance to give to others. There is a great deal of power at CGI. More than 60 current and former heads of state, 500 business leaders, and 400 leaders from NGOs and philanthropic organizations from 84 countries attend. As at most conferences, the real deal making happens outside of the sessions. What makes this conference different is that the pitching and buying is among NGOs and philanthropists/funders. And the matchmaker between the NGOs and funders is President Clinton and CGI. In fact, one of the great success stories we heard today was Global Give Back Circle. For continuation, go to http://3bl.me/ema6v8

The number of companies delisted since 2008 for repeated failure to meet the UN Global Compact's mandatory annual reporting requirement, also known as the Communication on Progress (COP) policy, has now passed 1,000.

As I mentioned in a previous post, one of the challenges when talking about sustainability is wondering how you (or I) could possibly do anything to help the dire situation our planet is facing. One of the most exciting parts of my Global Sustainability class from last week was the discussion of how entrepreneurs and innovators are looking at sustainability not as a problem, but as an opportunity. An opportunity to make a difference, yes. But also an opportunity to make money.

The U.S. 2009 Lodging Report, published by Ernst & Young, LLP calls green hotels a global "niche trend" within the hotel industry whose growth is fueled by several factors: governments with requirements to build greener, investors, and hotel companies.

This forum was an initiative by the European Commission and EU Presidency with the support of France, Germany, Ireland, the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development and CTA

greenhouse gas emissions tracking software by verisae inc

Sunita Narain heads India's Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a non-governmental, public interest research and advocacy organization set up for research, lobbying and communicating on issues of sustainable and equitable development. The centre's efforts include spreading awareness, research and advocacy, education and training, building a knowledge base, and pollution monitoring.

Agriculture needs to be sustainable in the 21st century.

The market for carbon offsets is huge. One website offers to calculate your carbon footprint, then urges you to offset it by donating to the Conservation Fund. Another site tells you that by purchasing offsets, you are fighting climate change.

The building sector is the biggest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the U.S. Energy used in U.S. buildings produces about 43 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. However, buildings certified under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) have less impact on the environment, according to theGreen Building Impact Report 2008. The report assessed non-residential construction because it accounts for 40 percent of the environmental burden from the buildings sector.

The fires in Australia are still raging. Parts of the Western U.S. are experiencing the worst droughts on record. It seems Fortune magazine summed it up correctly in a May 2000 article that called water a "precious commodity" in the 21st century. Consider this: less than three percent of the world's water is fresh. Unfortunately, beyond the challenges of a changing climate, three other factors have decreased that small amount of fresh water: pollution, habit degradation, and wetlands destruction. For both humans and their surrounding natural landscape, water conservation is critical.

The operation of buildings in the U.S. accounts for 43 percent of all U.S. carbon emissions, and 76 percent of U.S. electricity use. Every year five billion square feet are built in the U.S., five billion feet are renovated, and 1.75 billion square feet of buildings are demolished. Energy conservation and efficiency improvements in the building sector have the "greatest potential for an effective near-term mitigation wedge for climate change," according to a study cited by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

One of the most cost efficient and easiest way to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is to "reduce meat consumption," according to Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, head of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It's a change he says would have more impact than ditching your present wheels for a hybrid car.

In 1973 when Andy Lipkis was 15 years old trees in Los Angeles were dying at an alarming rate due, in part, to the horrific smog. Many people told Andy he could do nothing to help fix the problem, but he didn't listen. During summer camp he decided to mobilize his fellow campers, take an abandoned parking lot and convert it into a meadow with smog resistant trees. The project was a success and a good monster had been created. Andy never stopped planting. He went on to found the group TreePeople and has been honored worldwide for his efforts to plant millions of trees.

The report by the Earth Policy Institute, Time for Plan B: Cutting Carbon Emissions 80 Percent by 2020 sounds a warning bell to the human race, pointing out that climate change is melting the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets. A melted Greenland ice sheet would cause the sea level to rise 23 feet, and a melted Antarctic ice sheet would add 190 feet to the sea level.