Is the economy improving? At least for supply chains and manufacturing, signs point to yes.
Oh, did I say for manufacturing? Make that non-manufacturing, too.
It seems health care is finally starting to get the picture on supply management. Turns out better managed hospitals may actually improve patient care. Who'd've thought?!
Increasing public scrutiny of environmental practices means supply chains in the developing world are getting the shakedown. This is a good thing in the long run, though I'm sure business leaders are pretty unhappy with it right now.
2.15.2011
On "shared value"
Michael Porter has become one of the greatest, most articulate advocates of business's increasing impetus to create shared value for the community as a means of competitive advantage. It's something that seems intuitive to us CSR/sustainability nerds, but has been thought anathema to good business by many for a long time. Porter also has some great publications on the subject, but I figured I'd link to the recent HBR interview, which sums up the articles nicely.
Rethinking Capitalism - Video - Harvard Business Review
Rethinking Capitalism - Video - Harvard Business Review
11.15.2010
Walk, Jog, Run
A pretty good outline from Southern Energy Management of how a small or mid-sized enterprise can start to build a better footprint. Look inward, then look up and downstream. Also, be patient.
Extending the Triple Bottom Line to Create a Sustainable Supply Chain
Extending the Triple Bottom Line to Create a Sustainable Supply Chain
An interesting perspective on the animal husbandry debate
Eating less meat could save 45,000 lives a year, experts claim | The Guardian
Vegetarianism is often cited as a dietary option which would drastically reduce CO2-equivalent emissions, and as an option to feed more people and provide better access to clean potable water worldwide (rather than using it for water-intensive factory ranching). Now, here's a study--albeit from biased sources--that suggests even eating less meat could save tens of thousands of lives annually just in the UK.
A key point mentioned in the article is the consumption of processed meats (and subsequent overconsumption of sodium). Still, it doesn't make a distinction between responsibly raised versus factory farmed animals, perhaps because the nutritional difference is negligible. That said, it might make for an interesting conversation.
Vegetarianism is often cited as a dietary option which would drastically reduce CO2-equivalent emissions, and as an option to feed more people and provide better access to clean potable water worldwide (rather than using it for water-intensive factory ranching). Now, here's a study--albeit from biased sources--that suggests even eating less meat could save tens of thousands of lives annually just in the UK.
A key point mentioned in the article is the consumption of processed meats (and subsequent overconsumption of sodium). Still, it doesn't make a distinction between responsibly raised versus factory farmed animals, perhaps because the nutritional difference is negligible. That said, it might make for an interesting conversation.
Late, but interesting
I wonder where all the naysayers are who thought Apple could never achieve 3m ipad unit sales. I'd love to know how much salt is needed to eat one's words.
Apple's 3rd-quarter results.
Apple's 3rd-quarter results.
10.28.2010
Three on sustainability
They're maybe not as related as I generally like my aggregated links to be, but I need to clear out my backlog of links I've been meaning to share.
First (and oldest), a post on how the prices of PV are falling, but why it still doesn't make much sense despite the falling prices (hint: it largely has to do with the other associated costs).
Second, a piece on Walmart's decision to source with a more local/regional focus. The gist: assuming they stick to their word, we may have a battle on our hands of Homeric proportions.
Third, UNC's Morrison Residence Hall receives top billing in the EPA's first-ever National Building Competition. This link is particularly important to me, since Morrison's energy-efficiency initiatives were made possible by the Renewable Energy Special Projects Committee, a student-run group established to manage the $4/student/semester fee passed by the Green Energy referendum. Full disclosure: I was one of the key people involved with the referendum, and an initial appointee to the committee once it was formed. The time I spent working with a handful of other dedicated students is still one of the most gratifying periods of my life, especially in the success borne of our efforts. This award, then, is the proverbial icing on the cake.
Now, I'll try to stop glowing and get back to you with more links forthwith.
First (and oldest), a post on how the prices of PV are falling, but why it still doesn't make much sense despite the falling prices (hint: it largely has to do with the other associated costs).
Second, a piece on Walmart's decision to source with a more local/regional focus. The gist: assuming they stick to their word, we may have a battle on our hands of Homeric proportions.
Third, UNC's Morrison Residence Hall receives top billing in the EPA's first-ever National Building Competition. This link is particularly important to me, since Morrison's energy-efficiency initiatives were made possible by the Renewable Energy Special Projects Committee, a student-run group established to manage the $4/student/semester fee passed by the Green Energy referendum. Full disclosure: I was one of the key people involved with the referendum, and an initial appointee to the committee once it was formed. The time I spent working with a handful of other dedicated students is still one of the most gratifying periods of my life, especially in the success borne of our efforts. This award, then, is the proverbial icing on the cake.
Now, I'll try to stop glowing and get back to you with more links forthwith.
10.21.2010
World-Class Education
Back from Vegas, and officially exhausted. Vegas is interesting, though kind of overstimulating in the lights and sound department. Yesterday, I rented a car so I could drive out to the middle of the desert and get some silence (what I ended up getting was desert, plus an extra-special return drive through an impressively diabolical-looking desert storm).
...but I digress.
Here's a great shout-out to two of the major local universities, a top-50 ranking among the world's best educational institutions. TBJ links you there, but you can see the expanded list here.
...but I digress.
Here's a great shout-out to two of the major local universities, a top-50 ranking among the world's best educational institutions. TBJ links you there, but you can see the expanded list here.
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