Goal For The Green

It all began 3 years ago, when the first Earth Hour, was observed world wide in March, 2007. Each year since then, more than 80 countries, many global landmarks, and major cities, fall into a dark abyss, from 8:30 -9:30 P.M.

The Earth Hour Event, is not just about turning off your lights for one hour.  Rather, it is an event that shows concern, against global warming and climate change.

It is estimated that in 2009, as many as one billion people, may have participated in the event. Last year in Toronto, Canada, the electricity demand, for just that one hour, fell 15% below usual demand, and 7% below their Earth Hour, in 2008.

Why participate?

Earth Hour is intended to be a call to Action, to show support for our future, and the future of our planet.

In doing so, we can join together to create a sustainable future for Mother Earth, and for future generations, simply by electricity saved.  If you haven’t gone “green”, it is the one simple thing you can do, that can really make a difference, in the carbon footprint of our planet.  It’s the one time when black, really is “green”.

Show your support this Saturday evening March 27th, from
8:30 to 9:30 P.M.  Lights out, and working towards many better tomorrows, for our planet, and  future generations to come!

I’m bringing this post forward, because of the timing and relevance to the message.  On Monday, December 7th, the UN meets to decide the course of action to be taken on climate change.  There is a link at the end of the video, to click on, and sign a petition if you choose to support the cause.

Sam Bergen from the U.K., sent me this stunning video clip he made with found words.

It is now December, and time to spread the word on this important topic, so it stays  fresh on people’s minds.

I think Sam did a great job with both the message, composition and editing of this most important message.  I’m sure you will agree.

See where the cutest ladybugs live!

Last week during a webinar (posted here),  Robert Watson shared the results of the 2009 Green Building Impact Report.  Watson is the Editor of GreenBuildings.com and the ” Father of LEED,” ( Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

At the conference, Johnson Diversey CEO and President, Ed Lonergan, announced that their company has tripled their WWF Climate Savers commitment of an 8% absolute GHG (green house gas) emissions reduction, to a 25% reduction target for the same time period (by 2013). The company announced it will invest $12 million to achieve the changes, and anticipates operational savings of $32 million, demonstrating that sustainability is the right approach for both the environment and the bottom line.  Lonergan emphasized the company’s integrated bottom line- clarifying that Johnson Diversey sees no separation between People, Planet, and Profit.

In the last year, Johnson Diversey has shown, the evolution of the triple bottom line, or old way of thinking.  In the old way of thinking, in regards to business, People were the human impact, The Planet, was the environmental impact, and Profit was a companies financial profit.  Now, the shift is to an integrated bottom line, that combines both growth and cost savings, achieved by reduced operational costs.

Ed Lonergan states that, ” We’ve found addressing climate change, is not only good for the environment, but it also makes really good business sense. And, I think when that happens, the world changes.”

We cannot rely upon government alone, to make the changes we need to save our planet. Voluntary commitments by major corporations such as Johnson Diversey, show us that the private sector and individuals can make a big difference.  So, I am inviting you to triple your commitment to the environment.  If a multinational corporation operating in 175 countries can do it, so can we, your average everyday people!

At this link,  you can take action now on climate change, as well as view a flash video player of the Building a Sustainable Future Webinar, access both the 2008 and 2009 LEED Green Building Impact Reports, and much more.

Now, we can all do our part on working toward a better tomorrow, and a “green” future.  “Let the clean economy begin.”

See where the cutest ladybugs live!