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The Rising Circular Economy of Electric Vehicles — Global Digital MOJO
By: Globaldigital Mojo
Tags: Ev, Automotive, Sustainable Development, Mobility, Electric Car

Efforts to shift gears away from fossil fuels towards more sustainable electricity powered sources have produced remarkable results in the automobile industry.

Electric vehicles (EV) are on the rise and they are here to stay. Countries like Japan are looking to phase out traditional fuel models, aiming for 100 % of Japanese manufactured automobiles to be EV by 2050 . The International Energy Association reports that based on current policy outlooks EVs (excluding two and three wheelers) will comprise 7% of all global vehicles by 2030, reaching 25 million vehicles and constituting 16% of all road vehicle sales .

However, EVs bring with them the dire issue of e-waste and new concerns about supply chain and environmental sustainability. The heart of the problem lies with the lithium-ion batteries powering EVs. Most EV parts are reusable but estimates of lithium ion battery recycling rates hover at 5%. Compared with the recycling rate of 99% of traditional lead batteries, this statistic is less than stellar . Lithium ion batteries are made of metals like cobalt, lithium and nickel which are costly and difficult to extract during recycling. Shortage concerns and environmental challenges additionally underpin the mining and disposal of these materials.

All is not bleak as firms are stepping up to address this blemish on the viability of EVs as a sustainable solution to mobility. Infact, by 2030 the automotive battery capacity available for repurposing is poised to increase by 560% according to the International Energy Association. Below are some of the trailblazers closing the loop and enabling a green circular economy of EVs .

Li-Cycle: This Canadian company is one of the biggest lithium-ion battery recyclers in North America. Through its spoke and hub system, it collects car batteries at stations called ‘spokes’ and processes them at its hub. Plastic and copper-aluminum outputs are sold to other recyclers while hydrometallurgical treatment is used to extract cobalt lithium and nickel. This allows for 95% of lithium-ion batteries to be recovered.

Gangefeng Lithium: This Chinese firm is one of the world’s largest producers of lithium for batteries and has incorporated battery recycling as a part of its model.

Tesla, BMW and Volkswagen are amongst the other major automobile companies integrating recycling processes to close the EV battery loop. The future of the EV ecosystem is looking bright and green.
Young Ecologists
By: Olli Stewart
Tags: Ecology, Summer Camp, Sustainable Development, Experiential Learning, Birding

Why do kids love Pokémon so much?

The game revolves around a protagonist embarking on a wild adventure — an adventure that centres around collecting (or catching) all the magnificently versatile beasts this fantasy world has to offer. This combination of vicarious travel and discovery is patently appealing to the young mind. It's amazing to hear kids discuss Pokémon with such passion and proudly relay so much information, it really seems to come naturally to them.

What would kids a thousand or so years ago have discussed?

There could be some similarities between our ancestor’s chatter and the avid nattering of kids talking about Pokémon today. Instead of Pokémon, the fictitious beasts are swapped for real animals dwelling in the forests and seas that surround them.

Urban life and the pursuit of academic brilliance does not afford children much time or freedom to satisfy their innate curiosity for the natural world, nor their thirst for adventure. The popularity of Pokémon games amongst the younger generations seems to be a very natural response to the modern childhood experience.

The natural world is still available to them though! Just about…

The vitality of the natural world is increasingly dependent on younger generations enthusiasm for it. On an Imagine camp we would be delighted if the experience left participants with an increased appreciation for nature. The Young Ecologists camp was designed to bolster that excitement for the natural world with guided bird watching, painting classes, river tubing and much more.

Birds are particularly accessible to everyone and contain a huge amount of diversity within their ranks. From city-dwelling pigeons, diving penguins, to vibrant flamingos - it’s difficult to find an order of animals with more varied a colour palette and range of habitats than birds.
Agenda 21 United Nations
By: Mujahid Saif
Tags: United Nations, Environment, Sustainable Development, Agenda 21, Climate Change

Agenda 21 United Nations is an action plan of the UN related to sustainable development and was an outcome of the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992.

A comprehensive blueprint of action to be taken globally, nationally, and locally by organizations of the UN governments, and major groups in every area in which humans directly affect the environment.

It recognizes that governments are largely responsible for sustainable development and that national strategies, plans, and policies are required.

Agenda 21’s goals necessitate significant assistance for developing countries. Money is also required for international entities to carry out Agenda 21’s recommendations.

Countries that have ratified Agenda 21 are encouraged to protect and conserve their natural resources and habitats on a local and national level.

Agenda 21 tackles social and environmental problems, including air pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss, health, overpopulation, poverty, waste production, and transport and energy consumption.

Agenda 21 is a program run by UN on sustainable development. it is a comprehensive program run globally, nationally, locally.

word ’21’ refers to the 21st century. It was submitted at the Earth Summit in 1992. this document contains 900 pages, 4 sections, and 40 chapters

To Read More Please Visit: Agenda 21 United Nations

Originally Article published on: The Green Politics
THE ORIGIN OF PERFECT JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE:THE SHOJI DOORS!!
By: One'S Basics Skills
Tags: Japan, Technology, Tourism, Sustainable Development, Apartments

THE ORIGIN OF PERFECT JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE:THE SHOJI DOORS!!

Japanese architecture is considered one of the finest project in the world while the use of natural wood in making the Shoji doors, window,room divider have been much explored when the tourist from all around the world used to visit Kyoto,Japan where they live in those traditional houses to feel the perfect balance between the calmness and the peace in those tourist destination. The Shoji doors are often made with the use of natural wood and transparent sheet of paper but now a days,a glass sliding doors in the verandah are very often used with the Shoji door from inside to promote the insulation in the homes especially in the cold and harsh climates.

While these Japanese traditional homes in Kyoto, Japan have been on the verge of extinction and if the proper plans & research of re-developing these traditional homes in the form of world class apartments, resorts with the sea view with the help of new technology around the world which could benefit millions of people living all around the world through branding if the proper care are not taken of by the architects in the Japan and around the world,then this could lead to a greater damage and could be on the verge of the extinction to one of the finest architecture around the world which have generated revenue through the tourism industry and increase in the employment in the region!!
For A Thriving Society, A Better Environment, A Sustainable Finance!
By: Sustainables Token
Tags: Cryptocurrency, Sustainability, Sustainable Development, Cardano, Crypto

Economy, with limited words, can be described to meet the unlimited needs with scarce sources. Thus, the key point boosted us to design Sustainables Token was consumption, no doubt. Consumption without production.

Although the above explanation stirs the thought that our point of origin is economy, no one can ignore the reality of three basic components of sustainability. Environment, economy and society.

Capitalism identifies human beings as homo economicus who live for their economical/physical benefits. But since the existence of human beings, the fight against the nature have made the people walk together and syndicate. In progress of time, history of civilization has had various impersonations. Chronology of human beings witnessed absolute monarchies in which the kings with the disorder of theomania, constitutional monarchies where the people had illusions of power and then mercantilism. Regardless, only one notion was standing! Benefits!

The day of the invention of steam engine lighted the fuse of the change! Consume more than you (can) produce! Consume resources, consume every single step of the pyramid of needs!

Hence, we started to generate the idea of Sustainables Token Project to reach a long-lasting prosperity for homo sapiens! A level of prosperity accessible for everyone knowing the value of the nature! With the awareness that we, the people of this planet have to unite to reduce our carbon footprint and use our resources cautiously.

We all know that the crypto currencies are the future! But on the flipside, the amount of the electricity used to mine various crypto currencies whether using renewable energy or not, is gross! Considering all these parameters, we created Sustainables, a token –not a coin- wich can’t be mined!

We work too hard to establish dialogues with institutions and organizations like Carbon Market, United Nations Development Programme, World Bank etc.

Environment, Society and Economy will always be our focus!
The Great Reboot
By: Sandeep Gopu
Tags: Sustainable Development, Reboot, Covid 19, Sustainability

COVID-19 has forced a reboot of the entire world by bringing all the countries, industries, individuals, and groups to a grinding halt. Humanity and the Earth as a whole were long overdue for a reboot to fix the various errors. Everyone (individuals, organizations, countries) was missing an opportunity to sit back and reflect on their activities’ outcomes. They are all running their races to keep up with changing demands which have long been diversified, and failing to unite efforts even when needed.

If there is one significant positive outcome from World War II, the last major global reboot, it is the globalization framework developed to avoid future conflicts. Being interdependent on one another, leveraging what one can do best compared to others has helped ensure peace without significant disputes. The creation of the European Union and various other global organizations such as UNO and related groups helped provide a space for dialogue and growth opportunities. The more significant theme emerged from humanity’s last reboot: peace, harmony, economic well-being, healthy lifestyles, and mutual support in crisis times.

Humanity always looks hopeful it has reemerged from major global events strong and proceeded ahead with more positivity, strength, and rigor. With the same positive spirit, humanity has to take advantage of this common crisis to initiate a dialogue about humanity’s future. Many things are taken for granted or haven’t changed or stayed stagnant for many years, but COVIDgave a wake-up jolt to all such beliefs and age-old ideologies.

Many organizations are reluctant to let the employees have flexible working arrangements like working partly from home, working in split hours, and analyzing business travel. Individuals spend extravagantly on celebrations over 5X their annual earnings, failing to plan for future financial low points, ignoring the health and personal hygiene. Governments worldwide neglected the healthcare sector for many years, lacking planning to handle any pandemics or any contingency plans to offer essential medical services during a major crisis event. Rents have risen, unsustainably, over the years in many metropolitan cities in the name of urbanization, making the average middle class unbearable.

It is time to think and reflect on day-to-day lives as an individual, an organization, a government, and the planet as a whole at a global level. This is an opportunity to change our actions towards a more sustainable, resilient, happy lifestyle at every level. We are slowly emerging out of crisis and getting back to normalcy. This is an opportunity to re-define what normalcy is and what it means to build resiliency into our way of life. This COVID pandemic may be one of a kind large-scale occurrence. Still, there may be other global events that will affect everyone, like Climate change, food scarcity, fresh drinking water across many growing metropolitan cities.
Getting Started With Upcycling
By: Madhurima Mantha
Tags: Sustainability, Sustainable Development, Upcycle, Solutions, Climate Change

Imagine going on a long scenic drive to an exotic location; you have to cross a dumpyard on your way. Unfortunately you’re stuck in a traffic jam right near the dumpyard. You are not able to stand the smell any longer and wish this dumpyard never existed.

How nice would it be if your wish has all the possibilities to become a reality?

The key to that reality is what we call Upcycling. As this word is being typed my auto-correct interrupted saying this word does not exist.

The concept of Upcycling is not just new to the auto-correct but also to the whole of the humanity of the 21st century.For instance modifying an old ladder into a bookshelf is a good example of upcycling.

However the practice of Upcycling is not exactly new. In the days when mass production and single use products were absent people never had Disposable materials. But today the excess of luxury has created excess waste contributing to environmental degradation.

Now that raises a question; while there are active recycling works happening, why upcycling? What is the difference between upcycling and recycling and how is recycling better?

Let us understand better with an example. Let’s take the case of the ever famous plastic bottles.

Creativity

Recycling of bottles is to shred them to the last unit and transform it into some other article. Upcycling of bottles could make them into plant pots, pen stands, lamps or anything else you can imagine it to become. So, upcycling puts your creative side under spotlight and recycling does not.

Carbon Footprint

Recycling of bottles that is shredding them down requires energy from the machines which leads to an increase in the carbon footprints. Upcycling on the other hand does not require energy at all.

Prolonging the Dumping act

Recycling of bottles transforms them into other articles but with lesser quality, as the shredding done is not just of the bottle but also its quality. Every time the article returns to get recycled its quality diminishes. And then one fine day the journey of the bottle in the disguise of some other article with no quality at all, comes to its eventual destination — The dumpyard. To be precise the whole process of recycling is just a mere prolongment of a good’s eventual destination to a dumpyard.

SO WHAT DO WE DO?

STOP LOOKING AND LABELLING THE THINGS AROUND YOU AS WASTE INSTEAD SEE HOW ELSE IT COULD LOOK

We at Yours Secondly (https://www.yourssecondly.com/), believe in developing affordable upcycled products that can be put to use on a daily basis. The era of single-use products is over! It’s time to transform products into something beautiful and useful, giving them a chance to serve a different purpose.
Amid renewed DISCOM woes, new data points to mini-grids for last-mile electrification in India
By: Power For All
Tags: India, Sustainable Development, Energy, Microgrid Industry, Utilities

Amid renewed DISCOM woes, new data points to mini-grids for last-mile electrification in India

New data shows that private sector mini-grid companies are delivering significant impact to last-mile communities in India, while state grids continue to struggle to address their financial woes and under-serve rural communities. This outperformance of state grids by mini-grids is despite the fact that a national policy was drafted in 2016 to support mini-grids but was never approved.

According to a new assessment of 9 villages in Jharkhand State powered by renewable energy mini-grids built and operated by Mlinda, immediate results from the installations included:

CO2 emissions per annum in the area went down by 43% Energy efficiency of GDP went up by 87% Household incomes went up by 23% Village GDP went up by 7.3% Annual revenues of village enterprises went up by 28%

An Mlind mini-grid in Gumla, Jharkhand State (credit: Mlinda)

Meanwhile, a more comprehensive report released recently by Smart Power India further reinforced the value of mini-grids, showing that customer satisfaction with private mini-grids was considerably higher than for state-run grids.

Two of every five rural consumers in India are unsatisfied with service from state-run power utilities and millions remain without electricity despite declarations of 100% household access, according to SPI. In addition, more than one-third of small rural businesses remain without grid electricity. Private mini-grids, meanwhile, had a higher rate of customer satisfaction, suggesting that high-quality, reliable, and customized electricity service can help improve customer satisfaction. More than 80% of mini-grid users are satisfied or very satisfied with their connections.

Amid these clear signs that business-as-usual utility models for rural customers in India isn’t working, media also reported this week that state-run distribution companies (DISCOMs) are once again failing, with financial losses up 4.4% year-on-year at the end of FY19, reversing a declining trend since a DISCOM reform program called UDAY was launched in November 2015. Technical and commercial losses also remain much higher than planned, while DISCOMs lost 25 paise on every unit of electricity sold, when that number should be at zero under UDAY.

A welder using mini-grid power (credit: Mlinda)

New alternatives are needed, whether it is greater adoption of distribution franchising to the private sector, or enacting the 2016 mini-grid policy and providing the private energy service companies the regulatory and policy certainty they need in India to access cheaper, long-term capital.

Coming just 6 months after UDAY was started, the mini-grid policy if enacted could have made a significant contribution to DISCOM financial health, while also delivering reliable, quality power to hundreds of millions of rural Indians who require energy access to grow their livelihoods.
See Green Industrial Co., Ltd.-Implementing a hazardous-substances management system for environmental innovation(旭聚企業股份有限公司)
Tags: Sustainability, Economy, Environment, Sustainable Development, Taiwan

Purchasing safe, healthy and environmental products has become a common practice for consumers in Europe and the United States. As the largest supplier of natural rubber yoga mats in the world, See Green sees product safety as its number- one priority. With the assistance of ‘Project Rising Star in Green Innovation for SMEs’, See Green invited up-stream suppliers to jointly implement a hazardous-substance management system to adopt a new process protocol ready for increasingly stringent international procurement standards.

See Green is the largest natural rubber yoga-mat manufacturer in the world. With its long-term experience of working with international leading brands, See Green grasps the importance of the intense attention directed to product safety.

Aside from being functional, the yoga mats are also required to be safe and environmental friendly. To make the mats environmentally friendly, See Green has attempted to recycle industrial waste and turn it into safe raw materials to achieve the goal of zero waste and mitigate negative environmental impacts. “To achieve the same profit, treating recycled material takes a lot more effort. But I feel a sense of purpose,” said the Chairman of the board Kao Guang-lung. Many clients from Europe and the United States appreciate the green principles of See Green and are willing to place more orders. Kao has foreseen the future trend of the international market in advance.

The environmental awareness of international buyers also zooms in on the toxic substances in raw materials, handing See Green another challenge to conquer. Project manager Dung Min-Ju explained, “We used to focus mostly on the functionality of materials. Without proper precautions in material control-system management, there might be quality flaws that undermine the increasing heightened material-safety requirements in the international market.”

To improve full-scale material safety and product quality control, See Green participated in the ‘Project Rising Star in Green Innovation for SMEs’ and implemented its hazardous- substances management system. During the management- system reform, supply chain management was another key focus. Suppliers and employees must understand the hazardous-substances control requirements in all materials to secure material safety.

At the same time, See Green underwent product carbon- footprint assessment jointly with its suppliers to find out the hot spots of high carbon emissions to enable further improvements. Holding “simple production” as the business value, and maximizing production with the smallest amounts of resources, See Green infused its operations with sustainability by its development of a hazardous-substance management and carbon footprint assessment, leading the partners of a green supply chain to expand their international competitiveness.
Sustainable built environment free online resources.
By: Kiss House
Tags: Learning, Building, Community, Resources, Sustainable Development

We’ve been asking: How can we collectively come out of this time stronger than we were when it began? What role can we play in keeping our economy buoyant? How do we all continue to work towards a sustainable built environment?

To this end, and with the help of others in the industry, we’ve pulled together a list of brilliant resources (link below).

Late last week (knowing that there’s always great work afoot) we asked the great and the good working in the sustainable built environment:

“What online resources from CPD’s to podcasts, socials and webinars are you running or aware of?” @thekisshouse on Twitter

The response was exceptional! As you’ll see at the link below, the result is a jam packed list of inspiring resources, brilliant for those in the industry and anyone with a special interest in self build, Passivhaus and quality architecture.

CPD’s, tutorials, webinars, lectures plus much more

There’s a multitude of essential resources designed to educate, boost professional development, support connection, aid collaboration, inform and inspire.

We have listed free online resources from key organisations in the field including International Passivhaus House Association, Passivhaus Trust, ASBP, AECB, CIOB, CIBSE, RICS, RIBA, Building Performance Network and many more.
Photo story: How could camel milk change the fortunes of Gujarat’s pastoralists?
By: Steps Centre
Tags: Camel Milk, Gujarat, Sustainable Development, Camel, Pastoralism

The Fakirani Jats, who are known for their camel breeding skills, link their culture, health and wellbeing with the Kharai. A commonly-heard phrase is: “What is a Jat without the camel?”

The pastoralists are aware of the medicinal value of camel milk. They believe that camel milk can cure or treat many diseases. In the past, a pastoralist would only survive on camel milk for days at a stretch — though more recently, dietary habits have changed.

There is a Kutchi saying: “Milk, like sons, can never be sold”. The female camels are also considered sacred and could not be sold. However, with the changes in dairy as well as in the wider landscape, milk is being sold now.

Camel milk has been found to have many advantages over cow milk. It has high nutrient value, and can be consumed by people who are lactose intolerant. Some studies have recommended it as an effective treatment for diabetes.

It is a common practise to let the baby have the first share of the camel milk. The rest is consumed within the household, and the surplus is sold.

The use of camels has also changed over the years. The age-old traditions of using camels for tilling agricultural land, using their dung as manure, and selling male camels, have declined. Meanwhile, household costs and the expenses of maintaining camels have increased.

This has led some pastoral households to diversify their income. Young people are moving away from their traditional livelihood.

The older generation of pastoralists in Kachchh see this as a serious challenge to the conservation of the Kharai camels, and the continuation of their culture. But the rise of the camel milk business may yet bring hope for people’s livelihoods, and for the future of the camels of Kachchh.

The camel milk initiative is a key example of grassroots mobilisation, alliance-building with private (Advik Foods) and cooperative dairy chains (Sarhad/Amul), Sahjeevan and KUUMS.

But there are certain challenges. Camel milk has a low shelf life because of its high salt content and can turn bad quite quickly unless properly refrigerated. Another challenge is the saline taste of the milk which is proving to be a deterrent in increasing consumer demand. Companies like Amul are experimenting with flavoured camel milk to increase the acceptance.
Bulk Buying: Reduce Waste to Save the Planet
Tags: Flatio, Sustainability, Environment, Sustainable Development, Bulk

Bulk shopping is becoming a featured part of conventional grocery stores that allow consumers to fill their jars and containers with the products, buying the amount they want and pay for them by weight. Bulk buying is excellent for the customer and the planet.

It has become popular as many people try to move toward a zero-waste lifestyle by reducing the amount of waste they produce.

Why is it Eco-Friendly?

Reduce the amount of plastic

One of the most significant sustainability benefits of buying bulk is reducing product packaging going into landfills. Individual products sold in supermarkets are predominantly packaged in plastic which is often immediately thrown away. Also, most plastic packaging contains harmful chemicals that can leach into water and soil. Buying in bulk helps us to save on packaging waste and reduce the impact on the ecosystems.

Minimize transportation

The transportation of bulk products to retailers can be packed more densely and efficiently on a truck which means fewer rides. With more efficient transportation, we are helping the environment by reducing CO2 emissions.

Waste less food

Bulk shopping allows you to buy the exact amount you need for the day, a recipe, or the week, which means less food waste. Buying in bulk will inspire you to be more mindful of your consumption choices.

What you can buy in bulk

Anything that doesn’t have a short shelf-life can be bought in bulk; food, cleaning products, beauty products, etc.

Food

Food products are the main category bought in bulk nowadays. The list of products you can buy in bulk is extensive: noodles/dry pasta, rice, dried beans, flour/oats, grains, legumes, spices and dried herbs, nuts, dried fruit, cereal, etc.

Cleaning and beauty products

Cleaning and beauty products are pretty good bets for bulk buying also, and the list of products is growing each day. For cleaning, you can find laundry detergent, fabric softener, multi-purpose cleaning products, among others. Regarding the beauty market, you can find toothpaste, shampoos, soaps, body lotions — natural markets and natural chain stores often have these toiletries available to purchase without packaging.

How to buy in bulk

When you buy in bulk, you will need somewhere to store the goods: a glass container, a jar, Tupperware, etc. You take it to bulk food shops, get the shop to weigh the jar/container first (they write the weight on the bottom) then add the food you wish.

Why not look for a bulk store near you and give it a try? Nature will thank you!
Envisioning an Ideal Society — and How to Get There
By: Network For Business Sustainability
Tags: Future, Sustainability, Sustainable Development, Equality, B Corp

By Abby Litchfield

By envisioning the world 50 years from now, researcher Charlene Zietsma says, business leaders can imagine the future they want and brainstorm how to make it a reality. Imagining a perfect society or “utopia” can “free you from constraints,” Zietsma says. Then, the challenge becomes finding ways to make it real, starting now.

To help define that utopia, the Network for Business Sustainability asked its community of business managers and academic researchers to engage in a survey with three questions:

what a perfect society would look like,

how their life or work would change, and

how they or their organization could move toward it.

We received 13 responses, roughly half from researchers and half from consultants and managers, and share highlights below in words and pictures. The word clouds identify the themes in response to each question.

A perfect society is more equal and ecologically sound.

Word cloud derived from responses describing a perfect society.

A perfect society provides greater equality and access to opportunity, NBS members said. Almost two-thirds of respondents described it as a society where “every person can have a decent life,” as researcher Elke Schuessler wrote. A decent life means access to resources, like quality health care and education. It can also mean the ability to influence government and other institutions. Researcher Charlene Zietsma, in her survey response, described “Leadership … shared among those with different perspectives.”

A perfect society also is ecologically sound: A third of respondents described a world with significant environmental changes, particularly in the area of energy. “Innovation programs and government subsidies would create virtually free, perpetual energy,” wrote Taryn Mead of Western Colorado University. There will be “zero carbon transport everywhere,” wrote Giulia Cricenti of BSD Consulting.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals can serve as a framework for this society. A quarter of respondents referenced the SDGs specifically, but many more mentioned related concepts. A perfect society is one “that has attained the SDGs,” wrote consultant Bob Willard, who wrote a white paper that outlines what it will take to get there.

In this new world, people will relate in richer ways, respondents said. “There will be mutual respect,” wrote Christine Moser of VU Amsterdam. “Communities will be stronger, with people willingly contributing,” wrote Sal Huddin of Waqia Services. People would have the “opportunity to not just live, but thrive,” wrote Kiera Murphy, a B Corporation consultant.
ClearMax™ Envisions a Sustainable Future for Everyone
By: Clearmax, Windows
Tags: Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Development, Glass Doors, Windows, Resilient Communities

ClearMax is a San Diego-based window and door replacement company. We aim to cultivate healthier and more resilient communities by saving energy and lowering energy costs for those who need it most.

The majority of low-income households, households of color, and renting households experience disproportionately higher energy bills in relation to their income than the average family, according to a study by Energy Efficiency for All and the American Council for an Energy-Efficiency Economy. The study found that low-income households, who often have older homes and less-efficient appliances, spend more than triple the income percentage spent by higher-income households on heating, electricity, and air conditioning.

This is why nearly one-third of U.S. households struggle to pay their energy bills, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Of that third, nearly 50 percent are black and 40 percent Latino. There is a clear gap in energy efficiency between low-income and higher-income households and it’s taking a toll on our communities.

While working in the construction industry I, Joshua Sharon — CEO of ClearMax, witnessed first-hand how low-income families have to pass up energy-efficient home improvements due to high costs upfront. This obvious need for accessible and affordable energy-efficient options gave me the idea to start ClearMax.

Heat gain and heat loss through windows are responsible for 25%–30% of residential heating and cooling energy use, according to energy.gov. Energy-efficient windows work by using energy-efficient glass that blocks the sun’s rays in addition to more advanced insulation materials that help to trap heat (or cool air) and keep windows free of condensation.

There are varying levels of energy efficiency in windows but two of the most important factors are the U-factor (the rate of heat loss for the window) and the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient or SHGC (how effectively the window blocks heat from the sun). The lower the rating, the more energy-efficient the window. Beyond these factors, just by replacing single-pane windows in your home, you can save an estimated $101–$583 and 1,006–6,205 pounds of CO2 (which is equivalent to 51 to 317 gallons of gasoline), according to energystar.gov.

Switching to affordable, energy-efficient windows benefits the entire community in various ways — from using less energy and creating a more sustainable city to lowering energy costs and allowing everyone access to energy-efficient home improvements.

Here at ClearMax, we seek to reduce San Diego’s carbon emissions and lower energy costs for low-income households while empowering them with the ability to live more sustainably all by making energy-efficient windows affordable and accessible to all.

View our new tool that allows anyone to order custom windows online
Crowdfunding Campaign Kazi Yetu Ltd Organic Tanzania tea collection
By: Arnaud Havet
Tags: Crowdfunding Campaign, Fair Trade, Sustainable Development, Tanzania, Organic Food

Crowdfunding campaign

One of my colleague has launched an interesting crowdfunding Campaign to purchase a Tea packing machine for their Tea Cie in Tanzania. A good model of social and fair trade start up enterprise to support.

All the best and wishing you a successful fundraising campaign

https://lnkd.in/epuBusQ

In January 2020 we wondered how this virus in China is even impacting on us as small social enterprise in Tanzania. We had planned to fly to Shanghai and buy a tea packing machine. Then everything went quite fast and we lost almost all of our local customers. However, we managed to still grow, now focusing on export markets, our initial objective. We are in shops in Germany, France, UK, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and East Africa.

To further grow the business and reach scale effects, we want to now finally procure the tea packing machine. For this, we launched the crowdfunding campaign.

I would be grateful if you could spread this message in your networks. Especially in the beginning it is important to find many backers as this accelerates the campaign even further. And for every backing there will be plenty of fair teas from Tanzania, branded reusable tea cups, and trees planted in Tanzania.
Three policy innovations that Turkey is making through the SDG Impact Accelerator
By: Ussal Sahbaz
Tags: Techdiplomacy, Sustainable Development, Sdgs, Gates Foundation, Undp

This unique public-private partnership structure enabled the implementation of three innovative approaches for the international development and diplomatic communities:

Technology diplomacy. For centuries, armies were the most crucial power of nations. Then came economic statecraft. In the last two decades, diplomats started to talk about soft power — the ability to shape the preferences of others through appeal and attraction. Only in the last few years, “technology diplomacy” has become a tool for foreign policy. This is why more than 30 countries around the world have a startup visa program now (the most famous being Startup Chile). This is also why Denmark, and in turn, France appointed “technology ambassadors.” These countries acknowledge that technology in itself became a “superpower” and they need to establish “diplomatic” relations with the technology actors to get the most of them.

SDG Impact Accelerator is a technology initiative that epitomizes Turkey’s basic pillars about foreign policy: humanitarian values and entrepreneurial spirit. Startups from around the world, including Kenya, Rwanda, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, Palestine, Jordan, and India, worked on global technology solutions for the global refugee issue.

Probably, there could not be a better testbed for solutions targeting 60 million refugees around the world than Turkey, given Turkey hosts 4 million Syrian refugees, the largest refugee population around the world. SDG Impact Accelerator brought together United Nations, global philanthropies and businesses with startups to implement real solutions. By walking the walk instead of talking the talk, SDG Impact Accelerator has set a new benchmark for technology diplomacy.
THE SUN RAYS AND CLOUDS: IT IS THE RAINY DAY IN THE CITY WITH SOME WINDY NIGHTS !!
By: One'S Basics Skills
Tags: Ecology, India, Tourism, Sustainable Development, Eco Tourism

THE SUN RAYS AND CLOUDS: IT IS THE RAINY DAY IN THE CITY WITH SOME WINDY NIGHTS !!

What a beautiful day it is,while sitting in the verandah and enjoying a hot cup of coffee looking at the rain while I used to do a bit of innovation and research on" whether the rainy season lowers down the temperature in the particular regions where the weather remains warm and humid throughout the year” while on doing a research, I was finding the perfect way to reduce the use of air- conditioners in every home all around the world and to promote eco-tourism by planting green trees all along the lanes where the largest population live. It can be the tea and coffee plantation, coniferous trees, pine forest and many others which helps in cooling down the temperature rather than aiming at plantation of such plants like rice,maize and corns which does not have a lot of potential in promoting eco-tourism all around the world.

These plantation of trees will not only help in lowering down the temperature but can help us in fighting against the climate change that the world has been dealing with nowadays while these will help us to become less dependent on the various technologies which we use in our daily lives like air conditioner, microwave, room heaters and others. Well it is upto us if we want to breathe fresh air and reduce the use of the technology,we all need to take the initiative by planting more& more trees which can help us in lowering down the climate in the largest populated regions of the world!!
A clarion call for food systems transformation
By: Un Food Systems Summit
Tags: Resilience, United Nations, Sustainable Development, Food Systems, Sdgs

A clarion call for food systems transformation

More than 40,000 people from around the world participated in 850 Independent Dialogues in support of the Food Systems Summit being convened on September 23 by the United Nations.

The major themes that emerged from those Dialogues have now been published in a Synthesis Report available here. Dialogue participants provided guidance on what is needed and envisioned to transform food systems. Transformation means major, significant, deep, and broad changes beyond piecemeal reforms, incremental change, and narrowly focused projects and programs. Participants spotlighted the importance of ensuring sustainability and strengthening resilience. Sustainability entails humanity and nature thriving together, with resilience as the capacity to regenerate and adapt. Resilience supports sustainability.

Here are highlights of other major guiding themes from the Dialogues:

· Make equity a priority. Dialogue participants emphasized contributions to equity as a priority criterion for judging food systems solutions.

· Treat everyone as a stakeholder in food systems. The call is for everyone to be involved; all hands on deck.

· Value diversity & engage inclusively. An extension of treating everyone as a stakeholder is valuing diversity and engaging inclusively which are essential to achieve equity.

Dialogue participants emphasized that UN member-state governments will need to be at the forefront in supporting and driving transformation but that all sectors and stakeholders will need to work together with governments toward food system transformation. This will require creating transformative partnerships, synergies, and alliances supported by multistakeholder

platforms and networks. Power imbalances will have to be acknowledged and managed.

Another major theme was the need to amplify and empower historically excluded voices. Dialogues spotlighted women, Indigenous Peoples, youth, and smallholder farmers and other small-scale producers as needing and deserving special attention and engagement.
Hacking development gaps with blockchain-based aid delivery
By: Oxfam Unblocked Cash
Tags: Blockchain, Humanitarian Innovation, Sustainable Development, Sdgs, Humanitarian Aid

Oxfam’s UnBlocked Cash has been selected the winner of the 2020 World Summit Awards in the Inclusion & Empowerment category.

Beneficiaries can pay with these e-voucher cards at the network of vendors participating in the program. Photo: Arlene Bax / Oxfam in Vanuatu

The World Summit Awards are promoting the projects that utilize technology with smart content to hack the worldwide gaps defined by the UN SDGs. The Oxfam-led project has been recognised from among +350 nominated projects as the technological solution with high social impact on promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all (SDG 8) and reducing inequalities (SDG 10).

The UnBlocked Cash is a blockchain payment solution that features community-inclusive product iteration, decentralized finance, and blended service delivery across tech, civil society, and the humanitarian sector.

Oxfam has first piloted the project in Vanuatu in 2019 in partnership with Sempo and ConsenSys Social Impact (now Emerging Impact). Since October 2020, the UBC solution is being implemented in the live response program (Covid-19 & Tropical Cyclone Harold) in Vanuatu by a consortium of 17 international and local partners, where Oxfam Vanuatu is a technical lead.

Until now the UBC project has also been piloted by Oxfam in Latin America. In February 2021 the solution will be tested by Oxfam in Papua New Guinea.
Sustainability is NOT our Mandate
By: The Sustainability Lens
Tags: Sustainability, Sustainable Development, Development, Projects, Sdgs

UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — 17 Goals for Sustainability

If you’re cooking up a development project, add a substantial amount of the term ‘Sustainability’ and you’re good to go.

A development sector specialist, or anyone associated with funded projects in one way or the other, can probably relate to the overuse of the term ‘Sustainability’. There is no point defining the term here. The internet is full of definitions. It is perhaps one of the most used terms in our conversations but despite the constant discussions and debates over it, the development sector is filled with examples of projects which are far from being sustainable.

If you’re a development sector enthusiast like me, you will understand and relate to my dilemma of seeing projects lacking in ‘Sustainability’. Whatever little progress that projects do achieve in their lifetime, vanishes the day the project is wrapped up.

It hurts.

Pick up any development project from Asia or Africa. You will find numerous success stories of individual beneficiaries talking about the life-changing impact of the project on their lives, websites that list groundbreaking interventions and ceremonies, documentaries that outline the scale and benefits of the project activities, and reports that are filled with technical jargon and cautiously calculated numbers and figures describing the massive outreach of the project. All in all, the project is always a hit on paper. The reality, on the other hand, is very different.

I am a fan of the term ‘Sustainability’ myself and I make sure to question it before initiating any activity. However, I wouldn’t call myself an expert on this topic. I am far from it. I am learning more about it everyday.

May I quote real time examples? Definitely. I have several and I will share my experiences with you and would love to hear from you on this matter as well!
How a childhood memory made me want to invest in solar panels 🍰☀️
Tags: Renewable Energy, Ethical Banking, Sustainable Development, Solar Energy, Impact Investing

How a childhood memory made me want to invest in solar panels 🍰☀️

Impact investing is also about reconnecting the crowd with local businesses that are meaningful and relevant to their communities. GoParity Follow Jan 21 · 3 min read

I can clearly see it with my mind’s eye: I am about 8 years old, and it is Easter in my great-grandfather’s hometown in the countryside of Portugal. On the table is this amazing, strange pastry, a local specialty, in the shape of a lizard, with colorful decoration and a cute red wool ribbon around its neck.

Manuel, meet the Sardão!

The famous and traditional “Sardão de Lousada” (The Sardan from Lousada).

I have since then learned that this festive pastry is traditional to several towns from Portugal, and it is probably some reminiscent of a pre-roman, pre-Christian pagan tradition. The roman Avienus wrote of the land of Ophiusa, and its serpent-worshiping people, referring to legends from the Bronze Age in what is now Portugal, so who knows if these people would have baked the Sardão!

Anyway, I digress, but this was my instant emotional connection to our new financing campaign: Solar Bakery, in Lousada. The story behind this 50-year-old family-owned company is embedded in the village’s history: in the 1960’s, new sanitary regulations pushed the three main baker families to unite and build a new modern facility. Together, they founded the Central Bakery, which opened its doors in 1968.