NAACP President Benjamin Jealous touts Jones as “simply one of the few Americans in recent years to have generated powerful new ideas that are creating more jobs here…In America, we ultimately judge people on what they are doing for tomorrow, not for what they did yesterday.”
Moving concrete ideas forward on the economy and the environment is imperative and requires an inclusive approach. Jones offers tremendous perspective and solutions to generate skilled labor by training Americans, an integral effort in building a clean energy future right here in the United States. Stanford University is also expected to host Van Jones in April to speak at the ASSU FutureFest, Secretary Chu is slated to speak in March. Van has moved an environmental and employment agenda forward that is critical in this day and time; it is fitting that the fruits of his labor are now being recognized.
To read NRDC President Frances Beinecke’s post on Van’s achievements please visit: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/fbeinecke/van_jones_a_welcome_return_for_1.html
To read a posting on Van’s New York Times Bestseller please visit: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/bcolander/kudos_to_mr_jones.html
]]>The brilliance of ioby is that it is action oriented. No longer does one need to simply hear about environmental catastrophes and feel too overwhelmed and disempowered to be part of the solution. Just a few clicks and you are no longer scared stagnant. Leveraging online microphilanthropy ioby offers you the opportunity to invest in the change you wish to see in the world, literally and figuratively.
The average project costs roughly $419. Project participants also blog about their work, which increases the level of transparency and enables you to see your money at work. The scale of these projects varies, but the collective impact is unquestioned. Here are a few of my favorite projects, clearly on the lower end:
Children's Bucket Garden and Composting:
Teaches kids about soil preparation, plant life-cycles, plant care etc.
Amount needed-$69
Naturally Made Cleaning Supplies:
Teaches adults how to make their own non-toxic cleaning supplies.
Amount needed-$87
Composting Class:
Teaches the benefits of composting, provides bins, worms and instructions on how to start and maintain a bin.
Amount needed-$115
As we witness global initiatives to move this country towards energy independence, Congress taking action to address climate change, and an environmentally enlightened generation, we should look to harness the momentum of this time. The ability to have information, in real time, to address some of our more local and immediate environmental concerns is invaluable. Kudos to Cassie, Erin, and Brandon (fellow Yalies and former classmates) for their tremendous efforts to bring ioby to fruition, job well done!
]]>Established in September of 2008, Gotham Greens was born creating New York City's first commercial-scale hydroponic rooftop farm. The 12,000 ft facility will be installed on the roof of a single story building in Jamaica, Queens. This rooftop farm will grow over 30 tons of premium-quality fruit and vegetables for New York City retail and restaurant markets utilizing commercially proven Controlled Environment Agriculture techniques with unique energy saving innovations. By using on-site photovoltaic equipment for electrical needs while capturing waste heat, therefore the harvest approaches carbon neutrality. This is tremendously exciting in the world of energy efficiency!
Gotham Greens uses progressive energy efficient and sustainable agricultural techniques. They irrigate their crops with captured rainwater while minimizing their electrical load by using natural ventilation, evaporative cooling, and high-efficiency pumps and fans. Therefore, environmental benefits include land and water savings coupled with the elimination of fertilizer, pesticide, and stormwater runoff.
Recent first place winners of the Green Business Competition, the managing partners of Gotham Greens include Viraj Puri and Eric Haley accompanied by Jennifer Nelkin, the Greenhouse Director. This innovative business model offers tremendous promise for energy efficiency while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and demonstrates a paradigm shift in our approach to urban agriculture-kudos to Gotham Greens!
For additional details on Gotham Greens, please visit: http://gothamgreens.com/
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