My article today on Triple Pundit about the settlement between Gibson Guitars and the DOJ

Here's an update on a new article I published earlier today on Triple Pundit with the latest news on the settlement between the Justice Department and Gibson Guitars following the accusations against Gibson of violations of the Lacey Act.

The article is entitled 'Gibson Guitars Settles in Lawsuit Over Illegal Wood Sourcing'. Here's the first part of the article:

If only life were like the Olympic Games – while in the Olympics participants either win or lose, life is full of compromise and most of the time there are no clear winners or losers. This seems to be the case in the fight between the Department of Justice and Gibson Guitars over whether the company imported wood illegally from Madagascar and India, violating the Lacey Act, a law requiring that all wood products and plants imported into the U.S. come from legal sources. This case, which made the headlines due to two raids on Gibson’s factory and accusations that Gibson is persecuted because of political reasons, ended last week in a settlement between the two sides.

To read the full article go to http://www.triplepundit.com/2012/08/gibson-guitars-lawsuit-lacey-act/

Links to other articles I wrote for Triple Pundit can be found at http://www.triplepundit.com/author/raz-godelnik/

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant trees for your books!

Greenwashing the Lorax? Check my article on Triple Pundit about the use of the Lorax for commercial purposes

Here's an update on an article I published today on Triple Pundit on what looks to be a cynical use by corporations of a great children's book with an environmental message: The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. It deals with the 70 sponsorships the Lorax movie has and focuses especially on the use Mazda is doing of the Lorax to promote its new SUV.

The article is entitled 'Lorax Tie-ins Go Overboard: Is it Greenwashing?'. Here's the first part of the article:

41 years after Dr. Seuss wrote this story, the Lorax is back, this time on the big screen as an animated 3-D musical comedy film. The movie is already a big hit, grossing more than $125 million in its first two weeks. According to Box Office Mojo, this is the second best opening for a movie concerned with environmental issues after Avatar. Yet, as some critics would claim, it should not be considered a “green” movie at all, given its massive use for commercial purposes.

To read the full article go to http://www.triplepundit.com/2012/03/companies-lorax-greenwash/



Links to other articles I wrote for Triple Pundit can be found at http://www.triplepundit.com/author/raz-godelnik/

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant trees for your books!

The New Treehuggers? Check my article on Triple Pundit about the Forest Footprint Disclosure's new report

Here's an update on an article I published on Friday on Triple Pundit on a new report presenting the latest efforts of large corporations to measure and manage their forest footprint.

The article is entitled 'Get Ready for the Forest Footprint Disclosure'. Here's the first part of the article:

If you were wondering what the next step in corporate transparency is, you got an answer earlier this week. Companies all over the world have been working in the last couple of years with the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) to disclose, manage and eventually reduce their carbon footprint and later on their water footprint. Now, another project, the Forest Footprint Disclosure (FFD), is working similarly with companies on their impact on forests. This week they released their third annual report.

To read the full article go to http://www.triplepundit.com/2012/02/ready-forest-footprint-disclosure/

Links to other articles I wrote for Triple Pundit can be found at http://www.triplepundit.com/author/raz-godelnik/

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant trees for your books!

My article on Triple Pundit about the help SFI certification gets from Maine Governor Paul LePage

Here's an update on a new article I published today on Triple Pundit with the latest news on the new battleground between SFI and FSC certifications.

This time it's Maine, where Governor LePage signed an executive order directing that that “any new or expanded state buildings shall incorporate ‘Green Building’ standards that give certification credits equally to forest products grown, manufactured, and certified under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard, Forest Stewardship Council, American Tree Farm System, and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification systems.”

The article is entitled 'Maine’s Governor Helps SFI Win an Important Battle Over FSC'. Here's the first part of the article:

I have to admit that I got it wrong. Last September, I wrote here about the battle between the competing forest products certification Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Forest Stewardship Council (SFI). I thought that the fact that seven large companies decided to reject the SFI certification meant that SFI is going to lose this battle, unless it worked with environmental organizations to improve its credibility. I didn’t take into consideration one factor that can change this balance of power and help SFI swiftly recover: friendly politicians.

To read the full article go to http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/12/sfi-wins-battle-fsc-maine-timber-friendly-governor/

Links to other articles I wrote for Triple Pundit can be found at http://www.triplepundit.com/author/raz-godelnik/

To read more on the fight between FSC and SFI, visit our website at http://www.ecolibris.net/SFI_or_FSC.asp

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant trees for your books!

My article on Triple Pundit on the evil app of Amazon

Here's an update on a new article I published today on Triple Pundit with the latest news on the new price check app, which is supposed “to guide you in making informed purchase decisions”, and got by now the nickname 'the evil app'. Why? Check the article..

The article is entitled 'Amazon’s Evil App Makes It the New Enemy of Main Street'. Here's the first part of the article:

Amazon has always had a love-hate relationship with small businesses. For some, it provided a well-needed online platform to sell their products, while for others it created a competition that drove them out of business. Now, with Amazon’s new price comparison app, which was promoted last Saturday with further discounts for anyone who goes to brick and mortar retailers, but chooses to buy at Amazon, it looks like things are changing. Amazon is becoming the new villain retailer threatening the future of local economies, a role that Wal-Mart filled until recently

To read the full article go to http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/12/amazon-new-evil-app-makes-new-enemy-main-street/

Links to other articles I wrote for Triple Pundit can be found at http://www.triplepundit.com/author/raz-godelnik/

To read more on how green is your (and my) Kindle, visit our website at http://www.ecolibris.net/kindle.asp

Image credit: Wayne Senville, Flickr Creative Commons

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant trees for your books!

My article on Triple Pundit on how Allstate reduced its paper use, saving both trees and money

Here's an update on a new article I published today on Triple Pundit on Allstate's achievement to cut its paper use internally by 41 percent and externally (customer focused reductions by eliminating unnecessary customer bill documents for example) by 12 percent, saving not just many trees but also a lot of money!

The article is entitled "Allstate Cutting Paper Use Drastically, Saving Both Trees and Money". Here's the first paragraph of the article: 

The insurance company Allstate uses a lot of paper – in 2009 it used approximately 3.7 billion sheets, equal to approximately 450,000 trees. So it’s not surprising that the company identified paper reduction as one of its top environmental priorities, setting a goal of reducing overall office paper use by 25 percent by 2010. In their latest CSR report, which was released earlier this week, Allstate is revealing that it actually did much better, reducing its office paper use last year by 41 percent.

To read the full article go to http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/09/allstate-cutting-paper-drastically-saving-both-trees-money/


Links to other articles I wrote for Triple Pundit can be found at http://www.triplepundit.com/author/raz-godelnik/

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant trees for your books!

My article on Triple Pundit on the latest raid on Gibson Guitars

Here's an update on a new article I published today on Triple Pundit on lat week's raid on Gibson Guitars, the second one in two years, following suspicions the company violated the Lacey Act.

The article is entitled "Is Gibson Guitars Unfairly Bullied or Have They Really Screwed Up… Again?". Here's the first paragraph of the article:

Last week, for the second time in two years, federal agents raided the facilities of Gibson Guitars, probably the most well-known guitar maker around the world. Although the two raids are the result of different cases, the accusations then and now are similar – violations of the Lacey Act, a law requiring that all wood products and plants imported into the U.S. come from legal sources.

To read the full article go to http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/08/gibson-guitars-wood-lacey-act/

Links to other articles I wrote for Triple Pundit can be found at http://www.triplepundit.com/author/raz-godelnik/

Image credit: jacksonpe, Flickr Creative Commons

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant trees for your books!

My article on Triple Pundit on Bibliotaxi, a new book-sharing service in Brazilian taxis

Here's an update on a new article I published on Triple Pundit on Bibliotaxi, a new service that is looking to transform taxis in Sao Paulo, Brazil into both libraries and community connection points.

The article is entitled "Bibliotaxi Transforms Cabs into Local Libraries". Here's the first paragraph of the article:

On a survey published earlier this year by NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission, 31.3% of the respondents picked the Taxi TV as the worst thing about cab riding today. Although so many New Yorkers hate these TV sets, the commission’s reply is actually adding another channel with more shopping and cooking shows. Maybe the commission should learn from a taxi service in a neighborhood in Sao Paulo, Brazil that thought there might be a better alternative to provide cab riders with: Books.

To read the full article go to http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/08/bibliotaxi-brazilian-cab-riders-good-book-connect-community/

Links to other articles I wrote for Triple Pundit can be found at http://www.triplepundit.com/author/raz-godelnik/

Image credit: Bibliotaxi

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant trees for your books!

My article today on Triple Pundit on the new recycling offers coming from Apple

Here's an update on a new article I published today on Triple Pundit on the new additions to Apple's reuse and recycling program.

The article is entitled "Apple Will Recycle Your Old PC for Free". Here's the first paragraph of the article:

Last week Apple announced it is expanding its reuse and recycling options to computers from any manufacture. According to AppleInsider, if your product qualifies for reuse — meaning it has monetary value — you’ll receive an Apple gift card equivalent to its fair market value. If your product does not have a monetary value, Apple will recycle it at no cost to you. The website MacRumors reports that Apple also expanded its trade-in program to allow users to send in their used iPhone and iPad devices for gift cards.

To read the full article go to http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/08/apple-recycle-computer-free-ewaste/

Links to other articles I wrote for Triple Pundit can be found at http://www.triplepundit.com/author/raz-godelnik/

Image credit: Ron Wiecki, Flickr Creative Commons

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant trees for your books!

My article today on Triple Pundit - this one is not for Cosmo Kramer..

Here's an update on a new article I published today on Triple Pundit on a new viral video about employee engagement, which refers to the banking sector and specifically to bank employees that unlike Kramer didn't think from early age they MUST become a banker..

The article is entitled "How to Engage Bank Employees that Lack Passion for the Job" Here's the first paragraph of the article:

"Kramer: I was never able to become a banker. Newman: Banker! So you’re killing yourself because your dreams of becoming a banker have gone unfulfilled. You-you-you-you can’t live without being a banker. Kramer: Yeah, yeah. If I can’t be banker, I don’t wanna live. Newman: You must be banker. Kramer: MUST be banker. "(Seinfeld, The Ticket – episode no. 4, season 4)

Not all the employees in the banking sector are like Cosmo Kramer. Many of them work in banks for various reasons other than a burning desire to become bankers, which might present a challenge when it comes to employee engagement. But does it actually matter what motivates people to work in a bank in the first place? Does it make a difference if it is a bank we’re talking about or Google, for example, where its founders claim that talented people are attracted to the company because it empowers them to change the world?

To read the full article go to http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/07/engage-employees-nine-five-job-trusted-company/

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant trees for your books!

My article today on Triple Pundit about the coolest video on Whole Foods!

Here's an update on a new article I published today on Triple Punditv on a new viral video about Whole Foods.

The article is entitled "It’s Getting REAL in the Whole Foods Parking Lot, Good News for Execs." Here's the first paragraph of the article:

I’m sure that when Whole Foods’ executives saw for the first time the YouTube video ‘Whole Foods Parking Lot (see the video below)’ they were relieved. This self-mocking parody on a shopper at Whole Foods, they’ve learned, is very funny and does not include any nasty language. You won’t find any mention of John Mackey (Whole Foods’ co-founder and co-CEO) and his positions on health care reform, unions and climate change, not to mention the code name “rahodeb.”

We’re safe, they probably told each other – no boycotting groups on Facebook this time, just more than 1.77 million people humming to themselves ‘It’s getting’ REAL in the Whole Foods Parking Lot’.

And here's the video:




To read the full article go to http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/06/getting-real-foods-parking-lot-company-loves/

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant trees for your books!

Vapor Trails is an EcoThriller for Mystery Lovers and Environmentalists Alike

Guest book review by Jen Boynton

I was eager to read RP Siegel’s eco thriller Vapor Trails (co-written with the accomplished Roger Saillant) because RP is one of our star writers at Triple Pundit. He consistently delivers well written, insightful blog posts that demonstrate a solid understanding of sustainable business and everything that is right and wrong with the way our economy runs. He makes me think. Plus, I’m a sucker for a mystery novel.

A successful commentator on sustainable business news does not necessarily make skilled novelist, especially one who can deliver a juicy beach read like an eco thriller, so I wasn’t sure what I’d get. I’m pleased to announce that all in all Vapor Trails is a very satisfying read from a mystery standpoint, while providing a crash course in sustainability principals that’s accessible for the uninitiated but not boring for sustainability experts.

Vapor Trails begins with the stories of members of the sustainability community from many walks of life descending on a sustainability conference in New Orleans. The cast includes Jacob Walker the anarchist bike mechanic who cycles to the conference all the way from Portland, OR, and Mason Burnside the executive from Splendid Oil who has just been banished to the sustainability department for a PR gaffe involving an oil spill in Ecuador. With such caricatures in place the story starts off with a moralistic tone. Mason gains new understanding about why his company’s work is harmful, which might cause a few readers eyes to roll ever so slightly. The fable reaches new heights as we learn that the conference is actually taking place on the eve of Hurricane Katrina and the characters witness the devastation first hand and must rely on one-another to survive.

Luckily, the relationships between the characters deepen after they leave New Orleans, and they change from caricatures to uniquely motivated characters in their own rights.

The plot also quickly deepens when the thriller component of this “eco-thriller” gets introduced in the second half of the book. Readers are led on a hunt for a member of the sustainability team at Splendid Oil who has mysteriously disappeared without a trace, quite possibly at the hands of executives who’d prefer to sweep his earnest brand of sustainability under the rug. Eco-dangers associated with another Splendid Oil project come to light as the team tries to trace their missing friend. The reasons for his sudden departure will keep even experienced environmentalists guessing, all the while the story and the plot are deep, specific and believable.

The pace of the book quickens throughout, ending in a chase that will keep readers quickly turning pages until the very end.

Overall, this was a very satisfying read for environmentalists and mystery lovers alike and I highly recommend it.

Jen Boynton is Editor in Chief at Triple Pundit.

Why a Green Strategy Will Help Barnes & Noble Avoid Bankruptcy? Check out my article on Triple Pundit

If you follow this blog for some time, you already know we write extensively on the possibility that Barnes & Noble will follow Borders and file for bankruptcy. We really don't want it to happen, so as I was thinking about ways B&N could avoid bankruptcy, I realized that green strategy might be the solution for B&N.

Why a Green Strategy Will Help Barnes & Noble Avoid Bankruptcy? If you want to know the answer, or at least my thoughts about the answer, you're welcome to read my article about it at Triple Pundit.

Here's the first paragraph of the article:

This is not the best of times for Barnes & Noble. B&N shares have lost about 50% of their value in the last couple of weeks and it doesn’t look like B&N can find a buyer, regardless of the low price. Not surprisingly, there is a growing concern that B&N may eventually follow Borders and file for bankruptcy.

B&N is in a search to redefine its business model. They really don’t have a choice as the traditional brick and mortar bookstores model doesn’t work that well anymore. It’s true they got the Nook, but they also have 705 stores with 18.4 million square feet (not including B&N College stores) they need to transform back into an asset to stay in business.

So here is an idea – how about adopting a green strategy to avoid bankruptcy?

The full article is available at http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/04/green-strategy-barnes-noble-avoid-bankruptcy/

For information and resources please visit the future of bookstores webpage on our website. You're also welcome to check our B&N bankruptcy index.

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Promoting sustainable reading!

My article on Triple Pundit on the impact of ebooks on the carbon reduction goals of the book industry

Earlier today, an article I wrote, entitled Will Ebooks Jeopardize the Book Industry’s Carbon Reduction Goals? was published on Triple Pundit. This article is, as the title hints, about the impact of ebooks on the carbon reduction goals of the book industry (20% reduction by 2020).

Here's the first paragraph of the article:

The shift towards ebooks is having a significant influence on every part of the book industry, from publishers working to reinvent their value proposition to brick and mortar bookstores fighting for their future.

But what about the carbon footprint of the book industry? Does this shift represent an opportunity for the industry given the growing number of books sold without even one tree falling down? Or, maybe it is also a potential risk as ebooks can actually hurt the efforts of the industry to reduce its footprint? Well, apparently it can be both.

You can read the whole article at http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/02/will-ebooks-jeopardize-book-industrys-carbon-reduction-goals/

More resources on the ebooks vs. paper books environmental debate can be found on our website at http://www.ecolibris.net/ebooks.asp.

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Promoting sustainable reading!

goodbye paper tickets, welcome e-tickets

Triple Pundit brings us very good news: The global airlines body IATA will stop using paper tickets and will move entirely on electronic ticketing from June 1 next year.

Giovanni Bisignani, director general of IATA told Reuters that in just 278 more days, the paper ticket will become a collector's item. We were pleased to hear from Bisignani that this changeover will save about 50,000 trees a year!!

Now, all is left to do is to ask all the passengers to print their electronic tickets on recycled paper..

Raz