Business Network News

June 24, 2009

Clean Energy Can Benefit Low-Income Americans

Green For All and NRDC just released a new report entitled “Green Prosperity: How Clean-Energy Policies Can Fight Poverty and Raise Living Standards in the United States.”

The report, by the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts, finds that investments in a clean energy economy can significantly drive down the unemployment rate and provide job opportunities to Americans across all skill and education levels. Through increased employment and lower energy bills and transportation costs, the standard of living for low-income people in particular would rise.

Read the report »

Green Cities Florida Empowers Sustainability

Over 600 people convened at the first annual Green Cities Conference in Orange County, FL to gain resources for growing a greener economy. The event featured over 65 experts, including Green America’s Executive Director Alisa Gravitz. The Orange County Convention Center launched its new solar electric system, and the Climate Change Education Center.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said that “it is opportunities like Green Cities Florida that support our region's efforts to shift the way we think and operate, ultimately saving money, supporting job growth, and protecting our natural resources.”

Green Festivals’ event and production company Seven Star, Inc. produced the event.

Check out videos and presentations from Green Cities Florida »

Native Energy Helps Green Tornado-Stricken Town

NativeEnergy is providing critical revenues for the people of Greensburg, Kansas, who have overcome tragedy with green opportunity after a massive tornado destroyed 95% of their town. The community has committed to becoming the “Greenest Town in America” by rebuilding in unique, sustainable ways, and documenting their transformation through Discovery’s Planet Green network.

NativeEnergy’s “Help Build” carbon offset funding model generates clean energy for Greensburg, with the help of leading charter supporters Clif Bar, Green Mountain Coffee, and Stonyfield Farm.

Learn more about the Greensburg Wind Farm »

GBN Members Win Finalist Honors in INTUIT Awards

Betty Belts and Green Packaging Inc. prevailed over 1,900 entries in the INTUIT Small Business United Contest and landed in the top fifty finalists, winning $5,000 for each of their businesses. Each received high marks for creativity and inspiration from the voting community on their video stories of being green entrepreneurs.

Watch the Betty Belts video »

Watch the Green Packaging Inc. Video »

New Sustainability Recruiting Job Site

Sustainability Recruiting announces a new Web site for recruiters and job seekers, geared to attract candidates that are passionate about sustainability and to meet the hiring needs of socially responsible businesses. They offer a free consultation to discuss hiring needs, and a $500 referral fee for providing a new recruiting client.

Check out the new site »

Chicago Friends Win MacArthur Awards

Green Festival Chicago allies: Center for Neighborhood Technology and Chicago Community Loan Fund, received the prestigious MacArthur awards. They were two of eight organizations from five countries to receive the 2009 Award for Creative & Effective Institutions, granting up to $650,000 to each organization to support their work.

SRI in the Rockies Celebrates Twenty Years

The SRI in the Rockies Conferencecelebrates its 20th Anniversary October 25-28, 2009 at the JW Marriott Starr Pass in Tucson. Over 650 professionals in the field of sustainable and responsible investing (SRI) are expected to attend this premier gathering of the SRI field.

SRI in the Rockies is the oldest and largest conference of its kind in North America, serving as a primary source of networking and opportunity to learn from vital industry change leaders. This year's conference theme, From Crisis to Opportunity: Investing for a Sustainable Economy, will focus on the challenges and opportunities of the current financial climate.

Get more information online »
or call Krystala Kalil, Conference Coordinator, at (888)774-2663.

Divine Chocolate in Forbes Magazine

Erin Gorman, CEO of Divine Chocolate was featured in Forbes Magazine. Gorman, former Program Director for Green America, launched the US branch of UK-based Divine Chocolate, a Fair Trade company with sales of $25 million. Divine is partly owned by the farmers in Ghana who harvest the cocoa.

Read the article »

Stakeholders Capital Launches SRI

Stakeholders Capital, Inc. launched this month to drive socially responsible investing (SRI) into the mainstream. Together with sister organization Gargoyle, they will bring “Common Good Investing” to diverse individuals, institutions, and social funds.

Learn more »

Verité to Hold 11th Annual China Symposium

Verité, an organization that advocates for fair labor worldwide, will hold their annual China Symposium on October 30, 2009, in Shanghai, China. Titled “Ownership, Capacity and Impact,” it will focus on current obstacles and best practices in achieving CSR goals, and explore supplier development.