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Sustainability has travelled many roads over the past 2 decades, from being seen as being an nice thing to do, to that of meeting compliance, to more recently, short term defensive mechanisms aimed at protecting bottomline erosion or blocking a competitor’s market entry or expansion plans.

However, what is happening today is that organisations areusing sustainability as a long term tactic forming offensive positions. Thoseprogressive enough to use sustainability in its entirety are seeking tostrengthen their business models through cross-industry partnerships, andmergers & acquisitions that capitalise on, sustainability strengths of others.This approach ultimately places them in far stronger positions in the market.

The likes of 2 fiercely competitive motor industrymanufacturers, Toyota and BMW, “recently announced joint research on nextgeneration lithium-ion battery technologies and BMW will begin supplying“clean” diesel engines to Toyota in 2014”.

We have long preached that industry and not government willdrive sustainability and if you are interested in reading about howsustainability is finding its new gear, read on…..

In a study recently concluded by Robert G Eccles, a professor of management practice at Harvard Business School, the overriding evidence indicates - most certainly.

The study divided 180 US organisations into "two virtually identical sets of firms in terms of size, financial performance and growth prospects, over the period from the beginning of 1993 to the end of 2010". The two distinct groups were defined as High Sustainability firms and Low Sustainability firms. Read More....

Believe it or not, Barbie has become the most recent environmental activist to join in and support Green Peace's drive to save the rainforests.

Some may never have thought that Barbie had it in her to Go-Green and perhaps without the strong "encouragement" from Green Peace, she may have never done so.

About a year ago Green Peace began a campaign that targeted the toy industry as they make use of considerable volumes of cardboard packaging, a lot of which is produced by paper and pulp manufacturers sourcing raw materials from unsustainable sources, such as Indonesian rainforests.

In fact it is the power of greening a supply chain that did the trick.Green Peace has been applying pressure on Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), to refrain from destroying the Indo rainforests and procure raw materials from sustainable sources such as FSC sources. Not only are rainforests the lungs of the earth but they are home to numerous endangered species and extremely fragile ecosystems.

Extremely unwisely, APP decided to ignore these requests and continued to conduct business as usual. Working through APP’s supply chain, Green Peace has managed to pressurise several of  APP’s main customers, to refrain from contracting with providers of goods from controversial sources.

In 2010 Green Peace began targeting Mattel, the world's largest toy manufacturer,and the manufacturer of the famous Barbie Doll. Green Peace activists scaled the side of Mattel’s 15 floor Head Office building and displayed a banner depicting Ken Doll, Barbie’s long-standing & loyal boyfriend, stating “Barbie, it’s over. I don’t date girls that are into deforestation.”

Just last week, Mattel agreed to revise its procurement policy and made the decision to move its business away from controversial suppliers (APP) to those who understand that Green is Good for Business.

Mattel joins the ranks of Home Depot, Staples, Lego and Hasbro who have implemented policy changes and moved away from APP. One major toy manufacturer who still has not responded with any change is Disney. For some companies, they just cannot manage to see the way forward and instead position themselves and their brands in extremely precarious positions.

To join in the movement to get Disney to conform, follow this link to see what is transpiring http/understory.ran.org/2011/06/10/disneys-ties-to-rainforest-destruction-exposed-again/ . The site also has an email link to Disney companies CEO.

Watch this space to see what else Barbie does for the green movement now that the first step has been taken!

However let’s not lose sight of the fact that she is still made of PLASTIC!

Mesothelioma, is more commonly known in South Africa as Asbestos Lung Disease, although not technically correct.

“Mesothelioma is a rare incurable cancerous disease usually caused by exposure to asbestos, in which malignant cells form a tumour in the mesothelium (the outer lining that protects the body’s major organs such as the stomach, heart, and lungs) - the most common site is the pleura (the outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity).”1

Mesothelioma is well promoted in other parts of the world but sadly not so here. Back in the mid 70's around some 20,000 people were employed on our asbestos mines. In fact it’s no small surprise that with the highest rate of mesothelioma diagnosis on earth, South Africa has been called the "Mesothelioma Capital of the World".

In the USA, 26th September is known as National Mesothelioma day. To support this day, organisations such as mesotheliomaSymptoms.com are spreading awareness by educating as many online communities about the dangers of asbestos exposure and how it can lead to this terminal disease.

“Asbestos is a carcinogenic, fibrous mineral, which was once widely used in construction, usually for insulating purposes. Asbestos fiber has been used in everything from building materials, car parts, roads, and school playgrounds to clothing, bedding, and even tampons.”1

However even after the bans have been placed on asbestos mining & production, it poses a real threat today for workers and homeowners making green improvements to their surroundings, through the removal and disposal of old asbestos products.

Although to date there is no proven cure for the disease, early detection can result in a physician being able to halt the spread of tumours and literally add years onto the life of patients.

“Patients with mesothelioma generally do not demonstrate symptoms of this disease until 20 to 50 years after their initial exposure to asbestos. Fibers that embed in the tissue surrounding the body’s internal organs, the mesothelium, usually must be present for many decades before the development of cancer. These fibers gradually accumulate and cause scarring, which leads to inflammation and cancer. Although these fibers are most often introduced into the body through inhalation, the material can also be introduced through ingestion as well. Initially, symptoms may be mild and an individual might not find them cause for alarm. However, as the cancer spreads, these symptoms become more severe and debilitating.”2

Should you know or suspect anybody who has been exposed to asbestos please do encourage them to find out more about its effects.

With regards to understanding the effects of Mesothelioma, including tons of free advice, you will find it extremely worthwhile to visit www.mesotheliomasymptoms.com

1/ www.southafrica.to/people/disease/Mesothelioma/mesothelioma-South-Africa.htm

2/ www.mesotheliomasymptoms.com

CarbonCounted, the developers of the web based carbon management tool, CarbonConnect, is selected as the software platform to help hundreds of businesses confirm their carbon footprints.

It is just the type not-for-profit organization with a mandate to enable fast, third-party verified, cost efficient GHG inventories and product carbon footprints that Go-Green Consulting was searching for. There are several Carbon Footprint solutions available locally, but nothing that has the sheer stability, robustness and all-round offerings of CarbonConnect.

CarbonConnect has both large and small clients ranging from small independents to large retailers and some hugely blue chips companies entrusting it with their data.

CarbonCounted enables businesses to calculate their carbon emissions with a web-based GHG inventory system. CarbonCounted goes beyond traditional carbon calculators and enterprise carbon management.

CarbonConnect, the renowned web-based, third-party verified application tool, provides more value – at a significantly lower cost to businesses. In fact, upon enquiry, you will establish that the costs are in fact so negligible, that one can almost say that it is for no cost at all.

The only cost really associated with CarbonConnect is with that of the Consultant who will gladly assist your business where required with the boundary, scope, data collection and data capturing if required.

To contact us for a no-obligation consultation please email enquiry@go-green-consult.com . Also visit our website on http://www.go-green-consult.com/carbonfootprint.htm

The 17th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 17), will be held in the sunny city of Durban, South Africa.

Durban is first and foremost an African City, a place of rich contrasts and honoured traditions. Subtropical beaches and vast undeveloped landscapes provide the backdrop for large scale urban development together with more traditional rural lifestyles. Through this diversity, Durban embodies the challenges that face most of the cities in the global south. The city’s bold response to the challenges of climate change and variability have positioned the city as a global leader in the field of climate protection planning and established it as the ‘Climate Capital’ of South Africa.

With the development of a Municipal Climate Protection Programme, as well as the institutionalisation of climate change within the municipality, the city has provided an important framework for the implementation of a number of climate change projects. These projects focus on adaption and mitigation measures for the city as well provide a platform from which to generate socio-economic benefits. The city’s pilot Green Roof Project and large-scale community reforestation projects show how Africa’s biodiversity can become a tool, not just for climate change adaptation and mitigation, but also to create economic development opportunities. Within an African context, Durban’s renewable energy and climate change mitigation projects are regarded as revolutionary.

The City’s continued commitment to broadening the climate change dialogue with other South African cities, as well as its respected reputation within the international climate change arena, has secured its position as a climate change leader.

Beyond the challenges of climate change, Durban regards the protection of the broader natural environment as a critical part of the city’s planning and management. This is demonstrated through projects such as the protection of Durban’s open spaces and biodiversity, the initiation of large-scale domestic recycling projects, poverty relief programmes that provide jobs through the clearing of invasive alien plants, improved inner-city public transport systems and the development of innovative water technologies and catchment management programmes. As a sporting and events host, Durban’s commitment to environmental sustainability extends to the greening of events. During the FIFA World Cup™ Durban demonstrated its ability to host large-scale carbon neutral events, thus minimising the impact on the natural environment.

The COP 17-CMP 7 will mark a critical moment in the ongoing international climate change negotiations, and Durban is a fitting host for an event of this magnitude and significance.

 http://www.cop17durban.com/COP_17/Pages/default.aspx

The first six months of this year (2010)  have been the hottest in recorded history, weather experts have said.

Alerts have been issued in Hungary, where some have still enjoyed the heat

And the average global land and ocean surface temperature for June 2010 was 16.2C, the new report said.

This is 0.68C above the 20th Century average of 15.5C, climate scientists confirmed.

The figures were released by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which has recorded climate data since 1880.

The figures have been released after a heatwave in the UK and soaring temperatures have put large parts of Europe, from Italy to Russia, on alert.

The scientists said that while rising mercury has been typical across the globe in recent months, the most prominent high temperatures have been seen in Peru, the central and eastern parts of the US and western Asia.

But while warmer than average temperatures were recorded across Asia, the US and Peru, it has been cooler than usual in southern China, Scandinavia and the northwestern US.

The report was published as the US Senate prepares to debate a climate and clean energy bill later this month.

Environmental organisation World Wildlife Fund said the record "underscores the urgency of passing a climate bill that limits the fossil fuel pollution that is causing Earth's climate to change in dangerous and costly ways".

Lou Leonard, director of US climate policy for WWF said: "Climate change is not some abstract phenomenon that will affect us sometime in the distant future.

"It is happening now and its impacts are being felt across the country in the form of record-shattering heatwaves, flooding rains, persistent droughts and other extreme weather events.

"The changes we are already experiencing are not just causing uncomfortable living conditions for Americans.

"They are threatening human health, destroying our natural heritage, jeopardising our agriculture industry and putting our economy and national security at risk."

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/2010-Temperatures-First-Six-Months-Of-This-Year-Hottest-On-Record-Scientists-Say/Article/201007315666364?lpos=World_News_News_Your_Way_Region_7&lid=NewsYourWay_ARTICLE_15666364_2010_Temperatures%3A_First_Six_Months_Of_This_Year_Hottest_On_Record%2C_Scientists_Say