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Companies Prepare to Share Water Efficiency, Engagement, Labelling and Footprinting Strategies

2009-11-06 11:01:32 -0500

Sustainable water stewardship is helping business save money and energy as well as prepare for future freshwater shortages, according to participants of the upcoming Corporate Water Footprinting conference. Sustainability experts from top companies including Diageo, PepsiCo International, BC Hydro, Patagonia, Raisio, Intel, American Water and Coca-Cola are speaking at the event taking place December 2-3 in San Francisco and benchmarking best practices for sustainable water stewardship. Through a combination of corporate case studies and expert panels, Corporate Water Footprinting will offer practical advice on how water management can help companies save energy and costs and protect the watersheds in which they operate. One major focus of this year’s event is corporate engagement with policy makers and NGOs over water issues. Additionally the event will examine the latest standards and methodologies for water footprinting and labelling. Topics to be cover

Water as part of a sustainability strategy
The development of local, regional and national water policy – the likely impact for corporates
Corporate engagement on water policy – the opportunities and dangers
Stakeholder engagement on water issues – working with communities on water issues
The human right to water – the controversial issue that corporate water users are now being asked to address
The development of a water market – how much will water cost?
Energy-water-carbon nexus – saving money and carbon through water efficiency
Green tech for water efficiency
Latest footprinting methodologies – case studies and the development of recognised standards for water footprinting

Among the world firsts at the event the conference includes a presentation by Matti Rihko, CEO of Finnish company Raisio on the first food product with a water usage label. Additionally, Robert Harmon from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation will be presenting details of the first water offset product. Of keen interest to most participants will be the discussion on the “Human Right to Water” – chaired by the “Drought Doctor” and former Clinton administration speech writer James Workman. This controversial subject will be discussed by Dab Bena, Pepsi; Harry Ott, Future500.org (former Coca-Cola executive); Anil Naidoo from the Council of Canadians’ Blue Planet Project and Mark Schlosberg of Food and Water Watch. Corporate Water Footprinting’s interactive program is designed to inform those managing environmental, sustainability, facilities, supply chain, water, energy, natural resource, logistics, regulatory affairs, and public affairs functions. To download the event brochure, please visit the event web site at: http://www.asaseries.com/v8-12/Prospectus/Index.php?sEventCode=CW0912SANFRANCISCO For more information please contact Andrew Slavin, Green Power Conferences, 819-459-1162, andrew.slavin@greenpowerconferences.com or visit www.asaseries.com

Cadbury Delivers 5,000 Bicycles to Ghana, Africa

2009-11-06 10:03:25 -0500

Cadbury Canada announced this week the delivery of 5,000 bikes to children in Ghana, Africa as part of its innovative consumer promotion called The Bicycle Factory. The bikes will reach more than 200 communities in central and southern Ghana and will provide access to education to thousands of kids who would normally be at risk of not going to school. In addition to providing kids with a reliable form of transportation to get to school, the bikes will also provide each community with access to water sources and medical care. Many of the 216 communities are part of the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership, a ground-breaking program established in 2008 to help the social, economic and environmental sustainability of approximately 1 million cocoa farms. "Cadbury has been rooted in Ghana for more than a century and through this program, we are directly impacting the lives of children and the farming communities that help provide the cocoa beans that go directly into our Cadbury chocolate," says Gary Scullion, General Manager, Cadbury Canada. "Each bike also represents the good will and support of thousands of Canadians who were instrumental in helping us achieve our goal, and who were inspired to help make a difference a half world away." Delivering Hope and a Future Cadbury worked closely with World Vision Ghana, Care, the Voluntary Services Organization and the Bicycling Empowerment Network Namibia to ensure the effective distribution of the bicycles. With the need for bikes great in all regions, the team identified the children most at risk were those that walked a minimum of 3 km to school each day. The bikes are also specially designed for the African terrain. They are equipped with a single gear and mud guards, have a basket for carrying books, and have a sturdy carrier to also help carry little brothers and sisters to school. According to the United Nations, more than 40 million African children are growing up without schooling***. "In Africa, a bicycle is hope, freedom and survival," says Michael Linke, on-the-ground activist in Africa and founder of Bicycling Empowerment Network (BEN) Namibia. BEN Namibia distributes bicycles to community-based organizations, volunteers and directly to those in need. "A single bike can carry up to five times the weight, go four times as fast and travel four times as far as a person walking and it can change a person’s life and a community’s future." Access to a bicycle means greater independence and increased social, economic and educational opportunities. The 5,000 bikes will be delivered to the specified regions over the next four weeks with the help of the Bicycling Empowerment Network Namibia. With each delivery Cadbury is also investing in bike-building and training sessions for key individuals in each community. "By providing the skills and the training needed to build a bike, these individuals can in turn teach the children how to assemble and maintain a bike, therefore helping extend the life cycle of each bicycle and ensuring future access to school and other needs in the community," added Scullion. Canadians Pedal for Change Launched earlier this year, The Bicycle Factory converted Cadbury product purchases into bicycle parts with the aim of building 5,000 bicycles for Africa. The promotion came to life with an online, virtual factory at www.thebicyclefactory.ca where every Cadbury UPC code entered equalled a bicycle part and for every 100 UPC codes entered, a bike would be built. The Bicycle Factory* promotion also gave one lucky Canadian the opportunity to become a Cadbury ambassador. The lucky winner from Edmonton, Albert is currently in Ghana with the Cadbury team to see the delivery of the first bikes. "Cadbury brings joy to the lives of Canadians every day with our small indulgences," says Scullion. "Now, with the delivery of a bike to a child, we’re bringing joy and smiles to thousands of children and we’re helping create a life time of change by opening the doors to education, and that makes every Cadbury colleague smile proudly with joy." About The Cadbury Cocoa Partnership In January 2008, the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership was established together with the United Nations Development Programme, local governments, farmers and communities, and it is the largest sustainable cocoa farming program in existence. This ground-breaking initiative is designed to secure the economic, social and environmental sustainability of one million cocoa farmers and their communities in Ghana, India, Indonesia and the Caribbean. Cadbury is already building wells and libraries, fostering micro-finance loans, and developing long-term programs to encourage biodiversity and sustainable cocoa growing. Cadbury is investing more than $80 million CDN over the next ten years through the partnership and estimates that it will make a difference in the lives of half-a-million cocoa farmers in Ghana by 2018. For more information, visit www.dearcadbury.com. About Cadbury North America Headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey with the Canadian head office in Toronto, Cadbury North America is the Canadian and U.S. combined business of Cadbury plc – a leading global confectionery business with number one or number two positions in over 20 of the world's 50 largest confectionery markets. In Canada, Cadbury is the country's second largest confectionery company and the brand portfolio includes some of Canada's best-loved chocolate, candy, cough and gum brands such as Dairy Milk*, Caramilk*, Mr. Big*, Dentyne*, Trident*, Stride*, Bubblicious*, Halls*, and Maynards*. In Canada, some Cadbury "firsts" include the first 100 calorie chocolate bar (Cadbury Thins*), the first sugar-free breath freshening gum (Dentyne*) and the first liquid centre pellet gum with dual flavour combinations (Trident Splash*). Our people create brands people love with passion, dedication and drive. For more information visit www.canada.cadbury.com.

PeaceTags Announces 2009 Holiday "PeaceBaby" Necklace

2009-11-06 09:30:40 -0500

PeaceTags, a Seattle-based company creating necklaces engraved with quotes from famous peacemakers, announces its 2009 holiday PeaceBaby tag featuring a peace quote from Dr. Riane Eisler, internationally renowned author and humanitarian. Eisler has been honored as one of the world's 20 greatest peacemakers. Her quote "peace is putting love into action" will appear on the PeaceBaby tag, a petite version of the original sterling silver dog-tag line. PeaceTags donates all net proceeds of its necklaces to veteran’s and peace-making causes "When I learned that this little company is run by volunteers and gives all net proceeds to veteran's and peace-making causes, I was happy to help, states Eisler. The PeaceTags are beautiful gifts that give back. It's wonderful that their main goal is to encourage people to think about, talk about and work for peace." Dr. Riane Eisler is world known for her bestseller The Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our Future. Her newest book The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating a Caring Economics has been hailed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu as "a template for the better world we have been so urgently seeking;" by Peter Senge as "desperately needed," and by Jane Goodall as "a call for action." The book proposes a new approach to economics that gives visibility and value to the most essential human work: the work of caring for people and planet. Dr. Eisler was recently honored with the 2009 Distinguished Peace Leadership Award by the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. Past recipients include His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Captain Jacques Cousteau, King Hussein of Jordan and Walter Cronkite. Fredda Goldfarb, PeaceTags founder, notes that Dr. Eisler fits perfectly with the great thinkers whose words of peace are reflected on the tags. "We are excited to collaborate with Dr. Eisler. Her pioneering work in human rights and her focus on women and children has been pivotal to scholars, humanitarians and international organizations. Her ideas and writings are changing the world. We are delighted that people will be able to reflect her wise words by wearing a PeaceBaby necklace! She is the very definition of the word peacemaker!" says Goldfarb. PeaceTag's non-profit partners have included the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org), The Fisher House www.fisherhouse.org, and Voices Education Project www.voiceseducation.org. A portion of every sale of the Riane Eisler PeaceBaby tag will be donated to the Center for Partnership Studies, a non-profit organization Eisler founded that work to create a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable world through cultural transformation. (www.partnershipway.org) About PeaceTags PeaceTags is a Seattle based company creating dog-tag style pendants engraved with peace quotes from well known peace advocates including Gandhi, the Dalai Lama and Mother Teresa. PeaceTags was launched in 2007 in response to physical, emotional and spiritual injuries suffered by soldiers and civilians in war and is a registered trademark. PeaceTags are sold through their website www.peacetags.com and through limited retail stores. The original sterling silver tags are sold for $129.95 and the new petite PeaceBaby tags are offered at $79.95. The PeaceTag mission: To spread peace and help heal the wounds of war, one tag at a time.

Winner of Second Annual John P. McNulty Prize Announced

2009-11-06 09:00:06 -0500

The Aspen Institute and Anne Welsh McNulty are pleased to announce that the second annual John P. McNulty Prize has been awarded to Patrick Awuah of Ghana, founder of the Accra based Ashesi University. Meant to celebrate the spirit and memory of Institute trustee John P. McNulty, the $100,000 prize recognizes an extraordinary young leader making creative, effective, and lasting contributions to his or her community and is given annually to an Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN) Fellow. In addition, this year prizes of $10,000 are also being awarded to the other finalists On Thursday evening, November 5, Anne Welsh McNulty appeared at the Aspen Institute's 26th Annual Awards Dinner at the Plaza Hotel in New York City to praise all five finalists and unveil the name of the winner. Along with the McNulty Prize, the Institute proudly presented Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, with the Aspen Institute Henry Crown Leadership Award, and Judith Rodin, president of the Rockefeller Foundation, with the Aspen Institute Public Service Award. "My husband John was a passionate believer in the power of education to empower people from any background to achieve greatness. The education system gave him and his siblings, first-generation immigrants, the tools to succeed in America," said Anne Welsh McNulty. "In Patrick Awuah we have found not only immense personal leadership in founding Ashesi, one of the African continent's first liberal arts universities, but in the school's commitment to ethics and civics as a central part of education, he has guaranteed future generations of leaders for Ghana, Africa and the world." Awuah founded Ashesi University in 2002 after leaving a lucrative career at Microsoft in Seattle. He came to the U.S. during a time of political turmoil in Ghana but always felt the pull to return and do something of significance in his home country. As the winner of the McNulty Prize, Awuah will be able to use the $100,000 award to help further Ashesi University's mission: to create a new kind of university, one that focuses on quality, ethics and personal empowerment. Ashesi University offers a four-year undergraduate liberal arts education with a focus on business, technology, and leadership. Ashesi students participate in a required four-year leadership seminar series, which challenges them to discuss issues critical to building a better society. The university currently enrolls 424 students, 46 percent are women and close to 40 percent of the student body receives financial aid. Ashesi has graduated 173 students to date and nearly 100 percent of Ashesi alumni have found quality employment within months of graduating. Ashesi's goal is to broaden their impact within Africa by growing to 2,000 students while maintaining their selective standards, small class sizes, and world-class academic quality. The university has recently broken ground on a new campus outside of Accra, where students of diverse backgrounds can live and study together. Awuah, along with the four other finalists, was reviewed by a distinguished panel of judges consisting of Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of State; Bill Gates, Sr., co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; and Olara Otunnu, the president of LBL Foundation for Children and former UN Under-Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. This year's other finalists were Ricardo Terán, who co-founded Agora Partnerships in Nicaragua; Alejandro Poma, the founder of Libras de Amor in El Salvador; William Bynum, who established Hope Community Credit Union to serve the "unbanked" of the Mississippi Delta Region; and James Whitaker, the filmmaker for Project Rebirth, a unique film chronicling the strength of the human spirit coping with disaster: the aftermath of September 11, 2001. For more information about the John P. McNulty Prize, visit www.mcnultyprize.org. The Aspen Global Leadership Network is a worldwide community of entrepreneurial business, government and civil society leaders committed to values-based leadership. Through its programs, the AGLN is spurring these leaders -- called "Fellows" -- to move "from success to significance" and "from thought to action" by tackling the foremost societal challenges of our times. Collectively, the more than 1,000 Fellows from 43 countries that currently comprise the AGLN have the potential to make a measurable impact on some of the world's most intractable issues. More information on AGLN is available at www.aspeninstitute.org/agln. The Aspen Institute mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Aspen Institute does this primarily in four ways: seminars, young-leader fellowships around the globe, policy programs and public conferences and events. The Institute is based in Washington, DC, Aspen, Colorado, and on the Wye River on Maryland's Eastern Shore and has an international network of partners.

Replace Paper Towels with PeopleTowels(TM) To Fight Deforestation, Environmental Pollution, Global Warming

2009-11-06 06:00:06 -0500

PeopleTowels™ (www.peopletowels.com), the American pioneer in personal reusable hand towels, announced today that it will launch its business and premier product line at Opportunity Green Business Conference at UCLA on Saturday, where the company will provide each of the 500+ attendees a free PeopleTowel. PeopleTowels empower ordinary people and companies to contribute to a sustainable environment by switching from paper towels, which are used just once and then discarded, to reusable PeopleTowels in public restrooms. PeopleTowels are pocket sized reusable personal hand towels made with a custom-weight fabric, which is 100% Organic Fair Trade Cotton printed with eco-chic designs using environmentally friendly dyes. Small Lifestyle Change with Big Environmental Impact PeopleTowels estimates that if one person uses PeopleTowels instead of paper towels in public restrooms for one year, they will save a ¼ tree, reduce landfill waste by 23 pounds, and conserve 250 gallons of water. PeopleTowels are designed for easy access and easy use. These lightweight, fast-drying personal items are portable, with hang tags that make it easy to clip on a purse or a backpack. "At PeopleTowels, we believe that every person can have a positive impact on the environment by making small lifestyle changes that add up to a significant environmental impact, such as reusable water bottles or cloth shopping bags," said Linda Lannon, co founder of PeopleTowels. "With reusable PeopleTowels, we are providing the American public with another very easy-to-use product that will help people conserve even more." Business Conference Going Greener Karen Solomon, co-founder and CEO of the Opportunity Green Business Conference, commented: "By using PeopleTowels instead of paper towels, our attendees will know first-hand how this small and simple lifestyle change is a natural addition to their green lifestyle and corporate sustainability programs." PeopleTowels are now available for pre-order online at www.peopletowels.com. Customers who pre-order products prior to December 8th will receive a free special carrying pouch (while supplies last). One percent of PeopleTowels' sales profits go toward environmental-focused non-profits through 1% for The Planet. PeopleTowels have a wide range of inspired designs to appeal to different individual tastes. Organizations, non-profits and businesses can use PeopleTowels as an affordable addition to a sustainability program or green corporate gifting. Volume pricing is available upon request. Perfect Time; Proven Business Category U.S. consumers and businesses have shown a real desire to "go green" and make their own positive impact by living a more sustainable lifestyle. While personal hand towels are new to the US, these accessories have been used extensively in Japan for decades. About PeopleTowels California-based PeopleTowels, LLC, is the pioneer of the personal hand towel category in America. PeopleTowels™ are designed to empower ordinary people and companies to contribute to a sustainable environment by switching from paper towels to reusable PeopleTowels. Products have eco-chic designs and are small, machine washable, 100% Organic Fair Trade Cotton, and produced using only eco-friendly dyes. Using PeopleTowels avoids deforestation; reduces water waste, pollution and landfill; and slows environmental destruction that leads to global warming. More information can be found online at www.peopletowels.com. ®2009, PeopleTowels is the registered trademark of PeopleTowels, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Kijiji Joins Forces With The eBay Green Team On re+purpose Campaign

2009-11-05 15:16:56 -0500

Kijiji.com, eBay's free, local, family-friendly classified site, today announced a partnership with the eBay Green Team in the third and final phase of its six-week "re+purpose" campaign. From November 4-19 at www.ebay.com/greenteam, eBay and Kijiji will collaborate with do-it-yourself maven, Zem Joaquin of ecofabulous.com, to show consumers that reusing what exists in the world today is not only cool and affordable, it's environmentally friendly. Kijiji offers millions of customers a quick, safe, easy way for local buyers and sellers to extend the useful life of large, hard-to-ship household items, like cabinets, bed frames, couches and much more. When consumers decide to upgrade, they’re often unsure about what to do with an old item that is still in great shape. Kijiji allows buyers and sellers in the same area to connect and give items a second life, frequently keeping products from ending up in a landfill. "We are excited to be working with the eBay Green Team and ecofabulous.com to educate consumers on the ease of shopping sustainably," said Martin Herbst, general manager for Kijiji U.S. "Kijiji.com has always been about providing consumers with a safe, family-friendly marketplace to buy and sell secondhand items. Through the re+purpose campaign, Kijiji, eBay and ecofabulous are demonstrating how easy it is to live a green lifestyle by giving used items a second life - right in their own backyard." "The eBay Green Team brings together thousands of eBay users who, like me, are shopping pre-owned on eBay not only because it's chic and affordable - but because they know that the greenest product is the one that already exists," said Joaquin. "eBay - and their local classifieds site Kijiji - both have millions of great vintage treasures that, with a little TLC, can be turned into something totally unique and fabulous." The eBay Green Team - comprised of over 100,000 eBay consumers and employees from more than 25 countries - is committed to encouraging smarter, greener shopping choices. The community draws inspiration from some of the ways in which the eBay marketplace is intrinsically green. Kijiji users can take part in the re+purpose campaign, by participating in the eBay Green Team’s Creative Reuse Competition, which is being held from November 4 - 19. The competition is a national call for the best examples of DIY projects - made from reused items - from around the country. The winner-to be juried by Zem and eBay- will not only win $1,000 to spend on eBay and a two-hour eco-consultation with Zem, but additionally be featured as a Creative Reuse Expert for eBay. For the duration of the collaboration, www.ebay.com/greenteam will feature custom content from Zem to serve as inspiration and will reward new and returning eBay Green Team members with $1 donated on their behalf to Global Green USA, the American affiliate of President Gorbachev's Green Cross International, a leading environmental organization focused on fostering a global value shift to reconnect humanity with the environment by creating healthy, affordable green homes, schools and communities. About Kijiji Kijiji (www.kijiji.com), which means "village" in Swahili, is a free, local classifieds website that makes it easy to buy or sell everything from clothes to cars, find a job, adopt a pet, rent an apartment, and do so much more, right in your own neighborhood. Kijiji is currently available in more than 1,000 cities and countries around the world, and the site launched in 220 cities in the U.S. on June 29, 2007. In addition to the U.S., Kijiji has online communities in Canada, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Japan and Taiwan. Kijiji is part of a broader eBay Classifieds family including Gumtree, Marktplaats, Mobile.de and Loquo, which extends the reach of eBay Classifieds to more than 20 countries.

NewPage 'Ed' Series Educates on Sustainable Communications

2009-11-05 14:49:06 -0500

NewPage Corporation today announced the release of Balance, the thirteenth issue in its "Ed" series of educational brochures. This new issue offers a big-picture view of sustainability in communications. Ed #13 Balance is about considering every step of the process in the creation of sustainable communications. The choices along the way are very complex, and everything is a tradeoff. Ed #13 Balance looks at the footprints of both print and electronic communications - their environmental costs and advantages - and ways to make the best use of both. It educates on ways to make a bigger impact on an audience while reducing the impact on the environment. The brochure is organized into three comprehensive sections: 1) Working Sustainably, 2) Cycles - Examining communications, carbon, paper and computer lifecycles and 3) Footprints - Ideas and information about your footprint. In these sections, key statistics are provided regarding the forest products industry and responsible forest harvesting, carbon emissions, energy consumption, waste disposal such as e-waste, communication lifecycles and much more. "Ed #13 Balance will educate its readers to more fully understand the environmental impact of both print and electronic communications," says Julie Davis, marketing communications manager, Commercial and Digital for NewPage. "Print is a truly sustainable communication vehicle that plays an important role in a successful, integrated marketing campaign and works in partnership with e-media initiatives to increase brand awareness." The "Ed" series is a friendly educator for all things paper, printing and design - a source for information and inspiration to help the creative community express their ideas, on-press and on paper. The brochure series is accompanied by the www.EdLivesHere.com Web site. About NewPage Corporation Headquartered in Miamisburg, Ohio, NewPage Corporation is the largest coated paper manufacturer in North America, based on production capacity, with $4.4 billion in net sales for the year ended December 31, 2008. The company's product portfolio is the broadest in North America and includes coated freesheet, coated groundwood, supercalendered, newsprint and specialty papers. These papers are used for corporate collateral, commercial printing, magazines, catalogs, books, coupons, inserts, newspapers, packaging applications and direct mail advertising. NewPage owns paper mills in Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Nova Scotia, Canada. These mills have a total annual production capacity of approximately 4.4 million tons of paper, including approximately 3.2 million tons of coated paper, approximately 1.0 million tons of uncoated paper and approximately 200,000 tons of specialty paper.

JohnsonDiversey Announces Commitment to Triple its Absolute Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2013 Under WWF's Climate Savers Program

2009-11-05 14:21:58 -0500

JohnsonDiversey today announced a commitment to triple its reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under the World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) Climate Savers program. The company's original industry leading pledge of an 8 percent reduction, made in 2008 when it joined the Climate Savers program, is now 25 percent and will be achieved in the originally committed timeframe ending in 2013. This makes JohnsonDiversey one of the first Climate Savers partners to substantially increase its commitment to reduce GHG emissions. The company will invest an estimated $14 million to achieve the emissions reduction and will capture cost savings of approximately $32 million. The achievement of this goal will come from operating efficiencies and targeted actions across every aspect of the company - manufacturing, distribution and general commercial operations. It will not be achieved through the purchase of green energy, utilization of another source's offsets or the sole reliance on installation of the latest technologies. JohnsonDiversey Chairman S. Curtis Johnson said the company's involvement in Climate Savers and its revised target of 25 percent reflects how seriously the company takes its heritage of environmental leadership. "Our commitment to further reduce our GHG emissions and go beyond the initial pledge we made when becoming a Climate Savers member demonstrates our company's passion for providing a cleaner, healthier future for the world," Johnson said. In announcing the new commitment during a Web-based forum jointly sponsored by Greener World Media, JohnsonDiversey President and CEO Ed Lonergan said, "We're taking an important leadership role in addressing climate change. Our customers want to know how their suppliers are reducing emissions and how we can work with them to improve their environmental performance." WWF President and CEO Carter Roberts said the increased commitment from JohnsonDiversey serves as a strong example to other companies that it is possible to achieve business growth while reducing carbon emissions. "By tripling their emission reduction goals, JohnsonDiversey is showing business leaders and political decision makers that addressing climate change is also really good business," said Roberts. "JohnsonDiversey and our other forward-thinking Climate Savers partners are leading the charge toward a healthier, more sustainable economy." JohnsonDiversey is one of 22 companies committed to Climate Savers. In March, this alliance of companies announced an estimated 50 million tons of voluntary emissions reductions after a decade of action. These reductions are equivalent to taking over 11 million cars off the road or the annual emissions of Switzerland. JohnsonDiversey has joined other Climate Savers members in supporting the "Let the Clean Economy Begin" campaign, which aims to persuade decision-makers at the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen in December to deliver an ambitious, fair and effective agreement to cut global greenhouse gas emissions. EDITORS NOTE: A replay of the Web-based forum featuring JohnsonDiversey President and CEO Ed Lonergan's remarks related to the new Climate Savers commitment can be found at the Greener Buildings Web site at www.greenerbuildings.com. ABOUT JOHNSONDIVERSEY JohnsonDiversey Inc. is committed to a cleaner, healthier future. Its products, systems and expertise make food, drink and facilities safer and more hygienic for consumers and for building occupants. With sales into more than 175 countries, JohnsonDiversey is a leading global provider of commercial cleaning, sanitation and hygiene solutions. The company serves customers in the lodging, food service, retail, health care, and food and beverage sectors. JohnsonDiversey is one of four separate companies controlled by the Johnson Family of Racine, Wisconsin, USA. To learn more, visit www.johnsondiversey.com. ABOUT WORLD WILDLIFE FUND WWF is the world's largest conservation organization, working in 100 countries for nearly half a century. With the support of almost 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, stop the degradation of the environment and combat climate change. Visit www.worldwildlife.org to learn more. The WWF Climate Savers program was established in 1999 as a unique voluntary partnership. It has been a trend-setter in demonstrating that absolute greenhouse gas emission reductions do not impede business prosperity. Climate Savers companies are showing that reducing corporate carbon emissions makes business sense and should be a core element of business strategy. The Let The Clean Economy Begin campaign unites the Climate Savers companies with a common message that it is possible to grow business while reducing carbon emissions. Through this campaign, Climate Savers companies are calling on their peers and political decision makers to make those changes necessary to move the world toward a clean economy. Visit cleaneconomy.panda.org to learn more. Current list of Climate Savers companies: Catalyst, The Coca Cola Company, The Collins Companies, Hewlett Packard, IBM, JohnsonDiversey, Johnson & Johnson, Nike, Polaroid, Xanterra, National Geographic, Elopak, Fairmont, Lafarge, Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks, Novo Nordisk, Sagawa, Sofidel, Sony, Spitsbergen Travel, and Tetra Pak.

Green Building Activity Sustains Impressive Growth During 2009, Says New Market Assessment

2009-11-05 14:00:07 -0500

Green building activity has sustained impressive growth during 2009, amid a brutal construction market that has decimated other segments of the construction marketplace, according to the 2009 Green Building Market & Impact Report published by GreenerBuildings.com, a website produced by Greener World Media. According to report author Rob Watson, floor area registered and certified by the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED green building rating system in 2009 is estimated to grow by over 40% compared to last year's totals, for a cumulative total of over 7 billion square feet worldwide since the standard was launched in 2000. The annual report, which can be freely downloaded at www.GreenerBuildings.com, assesses the environmental impacts of green building as well as its impact on the overall building market. It found that while dramatic declines in 2009 U.S. new non-residential construction might result in construction starts dipping below the one billion square foot mark for the first time in many years, registrations of LEED new construction projects in the U.S. are expected to exceed 1 billion square feet. "There may be a "lifeboat effect" at work, where the market is jumping to the hot trend in the hopes of dodging the economic bullet," says Watson, who served as the U.S. Green Building Council's national LEED Steering Committee Chairman between 1994 and 2005. "Somewhat reflecting this, membership in the USGBC is stronger than forecast, expecting to grow over 10% and top 20,000 for the first time, compared with a predicted 3% decrease." On the environmental front, Watson notes, "Overall, LEED's green impact shows some impressive numbers, but relative to the problem still is not providing sufficient contribution to halting unmanageable climate change." Among the report's key findings:

The estimate of reduced vehicle miles traveled (VMT) has grown to 780 million VMT to date versus 400 million in 2008. By 2030, the annual gasoline savings are expected to equal current U.S. imports from the Middle East.
Total water savings from LEED through 2009 is estimated at 15 billion gallons, comprising 0.5% of annual non-residential water use. By 2030, LEED results in nearly 1.3 trillion gallons of saved water, equivalent to 30% of current annual non-residential water use.
Annual carbon dioxide savings from LEED buildings is approximately 2.9 million tons from energy efficiency and renewables, a figure that is expected to grow to 130 million tons per year by 2020 and almost 320 million tons annually by 2030.
Based on average materials costs, green building materials represented approximately $7 billion in cumulative spending through 2009, which is expected to reach a cumulative $230 billion by 2030. Moreover, the embodied energy in buildings that are renovated instead of demolished is expected to save as much energy in 2030 as we import this year from Saudi Arabia. In addition, an average of over 60% of construction and demolition waste was diverted from LEED projects, totaling 25 million tons to date.
An average of at least 580,000 employees are currently enjoying improved indoor environments in LEED buildings at present, and the "green building workforce" is expected to approach 29 million by 2020 and almost 64 million by 2030. The productivity benefits from LEED buildings to date range from $230 to $450 million.

The report also assesses the impact of green building outside the United States. According to Watson, non-U.S. green building reached nearly 800 million square feet of registered projects in 2009, representing more than a fourth of all project square footage. Non-U.S. LEED projects could show a 30% increase in registration this year, thanks in large part to green building booms in China, India, and the Middle East. Green building is also growing quickly in Europe, notably Germany and Italy. The 2009 Green Building Market & Impact Report can be downloaded at www.GreenerBuildings.com. ABOUT ROB WATSON Rob Watson is the Executive Editor of GreenerBuildings.com, the one-stop website for the green design, construction and operation of commercial and institutional buildings. GreenerBuildings.com is produced by Greener World Media, the leading media company focused exclusively on the greening of mainstream business. Described by Thomas Friedman as "one of America's best environmental minds," Watson also serves as the chairman, CEO & Chief Scientist of the EcoTech International Group, which helps clients around the world achieve cost-effective high performance green buildings through design, technology and operations. Under Rob's direction as the "Founding Father of LEED" and as its national Steering Committee Chairman between 1994 and 2005, the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED rating system became the most widespread and fastest-growing standard by which green buildings are measured worldwide. A pioneer of the modern green building movement for over 20 years, in 2007 Rob founded the EcoTech International Group to meet the fast-growing demand for green building technologies and services in China, India and the U.S. ABOUT GREENERBUILDINGS.COM GreenerBuildings.com (www.greenerbuildings.com) is a comprehensive resource focusing on designing, building, and operating commercial buildings, it addresses key environmental issues facing today's building owners, facilities and operations executives, and property managers. It offers news, tools, and case studies showing how greening building operations can improve the bottom line. GreenerBuildings.com is produced by Greener World Media (www.greenerworldmedia.com), a media and business information services company. GWM also produces GreenBiz.com®, ClimateBiz.com, GreenerDesign.com, and GreenerComputing.com, as well as the annual State of Green Business report, the Green Building Market and Impact report, the State of GreenBiz Forum, the Green Confidence Index, and the GreenBiz Executive Network, a peer-to-peer learning forum for senior sustainability officers at multinational companies.

Greenbuild 2009 Conference Goes "Carbon-Neutral" with the Help of Renewable Energy and Offset Donations

2009-11-05 10:51:01 -0500

Leonardo Academy announced today that the emissions resulting from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)'s annual Greenbuild International Conference & Exposition have been offset through the generous donations of carbon offsets and renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Milliken & Company and WindCurrent, respectively. This marks the 8th year that Leonardo Academy's Cleaner and Greener® Program has donated its services to the USGBC for quantifying and procuring the offsets for the event's greenhouse gas emissions and emissions that affect health. Based on projected Greenbuild attendance and energy use, the donations to this year's conference in Phoenix, Arizona, have offset 100 percent of the greenhouse gas, sulfur dioxide, and mercury emissions, as well a portion of the nitrogen oxides emissions associated with the event. Due to this emission reduction achievement, Greenbuild 2009 earned Gold-level certification through the Cleaner and Greener® Program. Greenbuild, an annual conference hosted by the USGBC, brings together sustainability-minded people from all over the world to address the future of the built environment. In an effort to make Greenbuild a sustainable event, renewable energy certificate (REC) provider WindCurrent donated 3,100 MWh of RECs to completely offset the electricity use from the event, and Milliken donated 12,500 metric tonnes of carbon offsets to offset the remainder of the greenhouse gas emissions. WindCurrent's donation of RECs included Green-e certified wind-generated renewable energy from wind farms in the eastern United States. The carbon offsets donated by Milliken were created through carbon sequestered in the company's existing forests, which were assessed according to the Leonardo Academy Draft Standard for Trial Use for Emissions Inventories, Offsets, Reduction Credits, and TAGs. This donation from Milliken, a founding member of the USGBC, stems from a long-term commitment to the organization. Leonardo Academy's Cleaner and Greener® Program calculated the emissions resulting from the energy used at the event facility, as well as for travel, meals, and lodging associated with the event. This year's conference is expected to host more than 20,000 attendees, who will incur over 2 million vehicle miles and over 40 million flight passenger miles in transit to and from the Phoenix event, which will make a weighty contribution to the event's emissions impact. In addition to the substantial donations made by Milliken and WindCurrent, Greenbuild vendors, exhibitors, and general attendees also have the opportunity to offset the emissions associated with individual attendance by purchasing offsets through the Cleaner and Greener® website (www.cleanerandgreener.org/greenbuild2009.html). Donated and purchased emissions offsets will be permanently retired to offset the carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions (methane, CH4 and nitrous oxide, N2O) as well as the health-impacting sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and mercury (Hg) emissions resulting from the use of the convention center and the travel, meals, and lodging connected to the conference. The pre-event estimates of the event emissions and offset achievements are posted on Leonardo Academy's Cleaner and Greener® website (www.cleanerandgreener.org). This website also breaks down the total event emissions to the level of emissions per attendee, and provides a means for attendees to offset their personal event emissions. Following Greenbuild, the emissions and offset achievements will be updated to reflect actual event attendance and additional donations made during the event. Michael Arny, President of Leonardo Academy, stated, "Milliken and WindCurrent have, through their donations, brought to light the importance of two very different, but equally important emissions topics: the sequestration of carbon in existing forests and the continued support of renewable energy. It is wonderful that both of these companies have stepped up to make Greenbuild a carbon-neutral event again this year." About Milliken (www.sustainablecarpet.com) Milliken & Company, a founding member of US Green Building Council, achieves carbon negative certification without purchased credits. The privately-held international chemical and textile manufacturer uses alternative energy and generates zero waste to landfill from carpet manufacturing. Supporting its No Carpet to Landfill Pledge, all Milliken carpet products may be renewed, reused or recycled. Milliken champions sustainable principles and practices internally and in partnership with others. Together with USGBC, the company annually recognizes the achievements of local USGBC organizations by presenting the annual Chapter Awards of Excellence during Greenbuild. About WindCurrent (www.windcurrent.com) The WindCurrent company has been providing LEED-spec Renewable Energy Certificates to US institutions since 2002. Its current customers include the US Department of Energy, the World Bank, the National Institute of Health, M&T Bank, and Random House. WindCurrent has also greened most of the US federal buildings across the planet. About the U.S. Green Building Council (www.usgbc.org) The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. With a community comprising 78 local affiliates, more than 20,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 131,000 LEED Accredited Professionals, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009-2013. USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students. Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs. About Leonardo Academy (www.leonardoacademy.org) Leonardo Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1997 that is dedicated to advancing sustainability and putting the competitive market to work on improving the environment. We develop and distribute strategies, guidance, metrics, standards, education, and information on how to increase sustainability. We also help companies, organizations, families, and individuals successfully promote, encourage, and implement sustainability. Our integrated approach makes sustainability very practical for our clients. We provide sustainability assessments and strategies for companies and organizations, LEED® implementation and certification, emissions footprint analysis plus emission reduction and offset strategies, sustainable land management, sustainability education and training, and certification of emission reduction and offset achievements through our Cleaner and Greener® Program for events, companies and organizations.

Nation's Best Math and Science Students Earn Top High School Honors and Strive for $100,000 Scholarship

2009-11-05 10:37:53 -0500

WHAT: Could tomorrow's Albert Einstein or Alexander Graham Bell currently be a student in high school? What did the next generation of innovators come up with this year? Find out when the regional finalists of the 2009 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology -- America's premier science research competition -- head to the University of Texas at Austin November 13 & 14. At stake is a $3,000 prize for one individual, $6,000 for one team, and an invitation to the National Finals in New York City for a shot at the $100,000 Grand Prize! WHO: Seventeen whiz kids unveil graduate level research projects to a distinguished panel of university judges. Past Siemens Competition winners and Alumni have tackled some of the world's hardest and most pressing problems through math and science. Their feats include: invention of anti-bacterial coatings for medical devices, research of cures for drug-resistant Tuberculosis, exploring zebrafish spines for an inside look at bone growth, reinventing string theory, and developing a device to generate energy from ocean waves. What research will the Nation's brightest teen minds unveil this year? The 2009 Siemens Competition regional finalists are: Individual Finalists:

Sai S. Achi, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Denton, TX
Somak R. Das, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Denton, TX
Prianka Ghoshal, Westlake High School, Austin, TX
Peter D. Hu, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Denton, TX
Sahil Khetpal, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Denton, TX

Team Finalists:

Favyen Bastani and Jonathan Z. Lin, Jasper High School, Plano, TX
Sumit Gogia and Patrick J. Kim, The Science Academy of South Texas, Mercedes, TX and Vincent E. Yu, Sha Tin College, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
Sean P. Karson, Trinity Preparatory High School, Winter Park, FL; Dan Liu, Liberal Arts and Science Academy High School, Austin TX; and Kevin Y. Chen, William P. Clements High School, Sugar Land, TX
Sunil K. Pai, The Kinkaid School, Houston TX; and Aneesh Sampath, Ward Melville High School, East Setauket, NY
Tianjiao J. Zhang and Liang Gu, Bellaire High School, Bellaire, TX

WHERE: On the campus of the University of Texas at Austin, San Jacinto Hall, 309 E. 21st Street, Austin TX (Accredited media may park to unload equipment at loading zones on 21st Street. Parking is available in the Brazos Parking Garage at the corner of Brazos and Martin Luther King, Jr. Streets. Pull a parking card on entry and bring it with you to the event for validation.) WHEN: Friday, Nov. 13 – Room 207C 10:00 am - 11:30 am: Students set up projects 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm: Public viewing of projects Saturday, Nov. 14 - Room 207B 8:00 am - 1:00 pm: Students present to judges MORE: Want to be the first to find out who will head to the National Finals in New York? Log into and follow Siemens Foundation on Twitter (http://twitter.com/SFoundation) on Saturday, November 14, 2009 between 6:30 pm and 9:00 pm CST, when we announce the winners live! The Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology is a signature program of the Siemens Foundation, which provides more than $7 million in support of educational initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math in the United States. The Siemens Competition is administered by the College Board. More information can be found at www.siemens-foundation.org. Winners of the regional events are invited to compete at the National Finals at New York University in New York City, December 3 - December 7, 2009. Visit www.siemens-foundation.org on December 7, 2009 at 9:30 am EST to view a live webcast of the National Finalist Award Presentation. Interviews and Photo Ops available with students, judges and Siemens Foundation executives

The Nation's Best Math and Science Students Earn Top High School Honors and Strive for $100,000 Scholarship

2009-11-05 10:22:40 -0500

WHAT: Could tomorrow's Albert Einstein or Alexander Graham Bell currently be a student in high school? What did the next generation of innovators come up with this year? Find out when the regional finalists of the 2009 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology - America's premier science research competition - head to University of Notre Dame November 13 & 14. At stake is a $3,000 prize for one individual, $6,000 for one team, and an invitation to the National Finals in New York City for a shot at the $100,000 Grand Prize! WHO: Sixteen whiz kids unveil graduate level research projects to a distinguished panel of university judges. Past Siemens Competition winners and Alumni have tackled some of the world's hardest and most pressing problems through math and science. Their feats include: invention of anti-bacterial coatings for medical devices, research of cures for drug-resistant Tuberculosis, exploring zebrafish spines for an inside look at bone growth, reinventing string theory, and developing a device to generate energy from ocean waves. What research will the Nation's brightest teen minds unveil this year? The 2009 Siemens Competition regional finalists are: Individual Finalists:

Angela Ma, Carmel High School, Carmel, IN
Arjun Puranik, William Fremd High School, Palatine, IL
Marissa Suchyta, University of Chicago Laboratory High School, Chicago, IL
Dennis Tseng, William Mason High School, Mason, OH
Kevin Wang, Wylie E. Groves High School, Beverly Hills, MI

Team Finalists:

Qingyuan Chen, University of Chicago Laboratory High School, Chicago, IL; and Fred Schmitt, Naperville Central High School, Naperville, IL
Randy Jia and David Lu, Detroit Country Day School, Beverly Hills, MI
Renjay Lui and Bingjie Qiu, Troy High School, Troy, MI; and Lucille Zhang, Detroit Country Day School, Beverly Hills, MI
Qinqin Yu and Sarah Kang, Rock Bridge High School, Columbia, MO
David Zheng and Michael Luo, Carmel High School, Carmel, IN

WHERE: On the campus of the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN WHEN: Friday, Nov. 13 - Study Lounge & Reading Room, Jordan Hall of Science 11:00 am- 12:30 pm: Students set up projects 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm: Public viewing of projects Saturday, Nov. 14 - Sargento Auditorium, Jordan Hall of Science 8:00 am - 1:00 pm: Students present to judges MORE: Want to be the first to find out who will head to the National Finals in New York? Log into and follow Siemens Foundation on Twitter (http://twitter.com/SFoundation) on Saturday, November 14, 2009 between 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm EST, when we announce the winners live! The Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology is a signature program of the Siemens Foundation, which provides more than $7 million in support of educational initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math in the United States. The Siemens Competition is administered by the College Board. More information can be found at www.siemens-foundation.org. Winners of the regional events are invited to compete at the National Finals at New York University in New York City, December 3 - December 7, 2009. Visit www.siemens-foundation.org on December 7, 2009 at 9:30 am EST to view a live webcast of the National Finalist Award Presentation. Interviews and Photo Ops available with students, judges and Siemens Foundation executives

Neenah Paper Introduces ‘Carbon Neutral Plus’

2009-11-05 09:46:56 -0500

In today's world, many businesses are searching for ways to reduce their environmental footprint. Neenah Paper (NYSE: NP) is taking it a step further with the introduction of "Carbon Neutral Plus," the company's commitment to not only conserve the environment by reducing carbon emissions, but to take a broader approach to conservation by supporting biodiversity projects which protect and restore natural habitat. "We believe it's our responsibility as a company to not only make changes within our business, but to influence our world even further by supporting projects that conserve, protect and restore our natural resources," explains Meredith Grant, environmental marketing manager for Neenah Paper. "Our Carbon Neutral Plus campaign is part of the larger Neenah Green philosophy and yet another way in which Neenah meets its company-wide objective of being good stewards of the environment for generations that follow." The company's signature brands, including CLASSIC CREST®, CLASSIC® Laid, CLASSIC® Linen, CLASSIC COTTON®, CLASSIC COLUMNS®, and STARWHITE® Papers, have been manufactured as carbon neutral since 2007 and now will be enhanced to carry the Carbon Neutral Plus logo. In November, ENVIRONMENT® Papers will join the company's Carbon Neutral Plus line-up to respond to the growing needs of the business world and customers to reduce their environmental footprint. "Many consumers purchase Neenah Paper products because they know our papers are environmentally responsible, premium papers," says Grant. "Carbon Neutral Plus is the next step in our commitment to the environment and to our customers - with every purchase of the signature brands, consumers are joining us in our journey to conserve." Reducing Its Carbon Footprint…Plus More Neenah Paper is a leader in the papermaking industry on many environmental fronts including its commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of its papermaking process. The company has implemented many mill-based solutions such as using energy more efficiently and investing in Green-e® certified renewable energy. In addition, the company is a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange, North America's only voluntary and legally binding cap-and-trade system. With Carbon Neutral Plus, the company moves beyond making operational changes to reduce carbon emissions, and enhances its commitment with tangible, accountable projects that directly impact the sustainability and biodiversity of the world. "At Neenah, we want to create positive change within our communities - whether it's our local Wisconsin mill community or our world community," explains Rodger Ferguson, Neenah director, environmental services. "Over the years we have consistently supported projects and initiatives that fall within our environmental focus. The Carbon Neutral Plus campaign allows us to formally expand that commitment." Conserving the Environment One Project at a Time In fact, says Ferguson, Neenah has a deep history of supporting environmental projects and initiatives:

Most recently, Neenah announced its sponsorship of a project that helps reforest a conservation property in Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula, one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world and home to some of Wisconsin's wintering migratory birds.
Neenah works closely with the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin on its conservation initiatives including: helping to fund Wisconservation Corps, an AmeriCorps program that helps train young conservation professionals responsible for managing state natural areas that are home to endangered and threatened plants and animals; and helping to conserve the Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area, a biologically diverse prairie system in the upper Midwest and home to more than 400 species of plants.
Neenah's fine paper mills are also actively involved in conservation and have been recognized for donating land for a grassland preservation area, public trails and public green space in the community of Appleton, Wis.; setting aside a 103-acre island in the Wisconsin River to maintain the island's many original habitats; and granting access to a natural environment on its Whiting Mill property to enhance the enjoyment of the community's walking trails.

Sums up Grant, "Whether we're reducing our carbon emissions, or supporting conservation projects, Carbon Neutral Plus is guided by our focus on having a positive impact on the environment whenever possible." For more information on the company's sustainability initiatives, visit the Neenah Green Web site at www.neenahpaper.com/NeenahGreen. About Neenah Paper For over 100 years, Neenah Paper has been an innovative leader in the creation and manufacturing of premium and specialty papers. Neenah brings state-of-the-art technology to its signature brands, CLASSIC®, ENVIRONMENT®, STARWHITE®, NEENAH® and SUNDANCE®, as well as a host of other fine paper products preferred by graphic designers and printers. Neenah recently signed an exclusive partnership agreement with Crane & Company to manufacture, market and distribute Crane's fine business paper brands: CRANE'S CREST®, CRANE'S BOND®, CRANE'S LETTRA®, CRANE'S PALETTE(TM) and CRANE'S® Choice Papers. Neenah's award-winning and versatile digital papers round out its comprehensive portfolio. Neenah's sustainability commitment is reflected through the Neenah Green initiative, which includes mill-based solutions for minimizing environmental impact. A proud consumer of Green Energy, Neenah Paper is also a U.S. EPA Green Power Partner, and manufactures many brands carrying the Green-e, Green Seal and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certifications (SW-COC-000885). For more information, visit www.neenahpaper.com or call (800) 558-5061.

Nike Introduces N7 Collection

2009-11-05 09:05:07 -0500

This weekend Nike (NYSE:NKE) will debut the Nike N7 Collection, a select range of performance footwear designed with the environment and the future of Native American communities in mind. The N7 Collection will be sold exclusively through 33 Nike Factory Stores in the U.S. and via www.nike.com, with a portion of the profits going to the N7 Fund, which supports youth sport in Native American communities. "For more than 10 years Nike has worked closely with Native American communities to provide support through product innovations specific to the needs of Native Americans and by providing grants to support sport programs through the N7 Fund," said Sam McCracken, General Manager of Nike's Native American Business. "With the introduction of the N7 Collection, consumers now have the ability to be their own agents of change, as the profits from their purchase will help young people in Native American communities realize their potential through sport." The N7 Collection was created through the lens of Considered Design where products are engineered for higher performance and lower environmental impact. The N7 Collection features the N7 Air Pegasus+ 26, the N7 Huarache, as well as the N7 SMS RT for preschool and toddler sizes. Nike N7 Air Pegasus+ 26 The Pegasus is one of Nike’s best known icons and Nike's top selling running shoe. After 26 years on the feet of elite and everyday runners, the Pegasus continues to prove that it's capable of running past just about anything. The Nike N7 Air Pegasus+ 26 features Native American inspired design details and graphics that tie the shoe back to the N7 Collection. Features include:

The N7 Air Pegasus+ 26 features a snug, secure fit, enhanced stability and a smooth, natural range of motion through all phases of footstrike with strategically placed overlays and zonal support.
A full-length Air-Sole unit delivers the ride and cushioning associated with the Air Pegasus franchise and now accommodates a Nike+ sensor for an enhanced running experience.
The fitsole sockliner, featuring N7 design details, molds to the shape of your foot for a custom fit with great support.

Considered Design features include:

Environmentally Preferred Materials (EPMs) were used wherever possible. The EPMs used in the upper have a high recycled content.
The Waffle outsole uses Nike's environmentally-preferred rubber as well as Nike Grind, recycled athletic footwear and manufacturing scrap, to provide great multi-surface traction with a measure of added cushioning.
The Nike Air bags also used 83 percent recycled content.
Best-practice manufacturing enabled the air bag and midsole components to be attached using water-based adhesives.

Nike N7 Huarache The Nike N7 Huarache combines a performance basketball shoe featuring the newest innovations for sport paired with Nike's Considered Design approach. The N7 Huarache features design details and graphics that tie this shoe back to the N7 Collection, engineered for higher performance and lower environmental impact. Features include:

The N7 Huarache features performance innovation with Nike Zoom, an incredibly thin heel and forefoot unit that brings the foot closer to the ground for optimum feel and aggressive maneuverability. Very light. Very responsive.
A compression inner-sleeve delivers the locked-down, N7 Huarache fit for superior performance.
The directional herringbone outsole features pivot points for great traction on court.

Considered Design features include:

The N7 Huarache performance basketball shoe uses EPMs, with a high recycled content, wherever possible.
The stitching details and embroidery create structural support, eliminating the need for excessive overlays, embellishments and backing materials.
A smarter pattern design allowed for a cutting efficiency of 70 percent on the upper, substantially reducing waste.
The N7 Huarache features Nike Grind in the outsole, a rubber compound made from recycled athletic footwear and manufacturing scrap.

Nike N7 SMS RT (Kids) The Nike N7 SMS RT is a durable, all-day play shoe that meets the demands of the rough-and-tumble kid. The shoe features Sensory Motion System (SMS) technology for a natural, efficient range of motion, aiding healthy foot development for growing kids. Features include:

Design details and graphics tie this shoe back to the N7 product line, engineered for higher performance and lower environmental impact.
The SMS technology utilizes Nike Free inspired, multidirectional flex grooves that allow natural flexibility to facilitate fine muscle development, which is key for foot strength and balance.
The Sensory Motion outsole consists of a minimal rubber cupsole that maintains flexibility while providing protection, durability and traction.
A stretchy, lace-free closure system works with a hook-and-loop closure system to deliver easy on and off and a snug, secure fit.

Considered Design features include:

The Nike N7 SMS RT shoe uses EPMs, with a high recycled content, wherever possible.

The collection launches Saturday, November 7, 2009. Suggested Retail prices: N7 Huarache $110; N7 Air Pegasus+ 26 $85; N7 SMS RT toddler/ preschool kids $21-$47. For additional information regarding the N7 Fund, please visit www.n7fund.nike.com. To find the location of your nearest Nike Factory Store or purchase the collection directly, visit www.nike.com. About NIKE, Inc. NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned Nike subsidiaries include Cole Haan, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand. For more information, visit www.nikebiz.com. About N7 Fund The N7 Fund is committed to helping unleash the potential of Native American youth through the power of sport. In addition to building surfaces for play, the N7 Fund provides grants and product donations to support youth in their quest for sport; and it brings volunteers, organizations and decision-makers together to improve opportunities that help youth grow up healthy and active. The N7 Fund is managed by an external Board of Directors to make a difference beyond the playing field. For more information, visit www.n7fund.nike.com.

Dow and BASF win IChemE Award for jointly developed HPPO technology

2009-11-05 08:00:07 -0500

The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) and BASF announced today that they have received the Institution of Chemical Engineers' Innovation and Excellence Award in Core Engineering for their jointly developed Hydrogen Peroxide to Propylene Oxide (HPPO) production technology. The annual award - presented on November 3 in York, United Kingdom - recognizes the project or process that best demonstrates a chemical engineering solution to improve resource efficiency, lifetime value and/or process optimization. The Dow-BASF innovation offers distinct economic and environmental benefits when compared to conventional propylene oxide (PO) process technologies. A joint eco-efficiency study conducted by the two companies in 2007 revealed the new HPPO process reduces wastewater by 70 to 80 percent and energy use by approximately 35 percent, compared with existing PO technology. PO plants using the HPPO technology also require up to 25 percent less capital to build than conventional technologies, as they have reduced infrastructure, a smaller physical footprint and simpler raw materials integration. "We see two very important factors required to solve world challenges - innovation and collaboration - coming together in this example," said Neil Hawkins, Dow's vice president of Sustainability and EH&S. "It will require new technology and partnering like this between companies, governments, NGOs and communities to secure our sustainable future." "We are proud to have such an outstanding example of research and development," said Stefan Deibel, vice president of BASF's Polyurethanes division. "This state-of-the-art technology combines economic success with improved environmental performance." In 2008, Dow and BASF successfully started up the first commercial-scale production plant based on the novel BASF/Dow-developed HPPO technology at BASF's Antwerp, Belgium, facility. A second plant based on this technology is scheduled to begin production in Map Ta Phut, Thailand, in the first half of 2011. About Dow Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in approximately 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. In 2008, Dow had annual sales of $57.4 billion and employed approximately 46,000 people worldwide. The Company has 150 manufacturing sites in 35 countries and produces approximately 3,300 products. On April 1, 2009, Dow acquired Rohm and Haas Company, a global specialty materials company with sales of $10 billion in 2008, 98 manufacturing sites in 30 countries and approximately 15,000 employees worldwide. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com. About Dow PO/PG Dow is the world's largest producer of propylene oxide (PO), polyether polyols, and is a leading producer of quality aromatic isocyanates, such as MDI and TDI, an essential component of polyether polyols. The business manufactures and markets polyurethane products and polyurethane systems that create rigid, semi-rigid and flexible foams, adhesives, sealants, coatings, elastomers and binders. Dow's polyurethane products and fully-formulated polyurethane systems are used for a broad range of applications including construction, infrastructure repair, wind energy solutions, automotive, appliance, furniture, bedding and shoe soles to decorative molding, athletic equipment and more. Dow also offers the latest in polyol technology with RENUVA(TM) Renewable Resource Technology and VORANOL(TM) VORACTIV(TM) polyols, part of an ongoing initiative by Dow to lead the industry in providing high-performance products. For more information, visit www.dowpolyurethanes.com, www.pusystems.com, www.dowhyperlast.com, www.dowpg.com, www.dowpo.com, www.dowrenuva.com and www.voractiv.com. About BASF BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €62 billion in 2008 and had approximately 97,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

Solio Mobile Solar Chargers Debut at Apple Stores Internationally

2009-11-04 17:36:55 -0500

Solio®, the world's most popular solar charger, announced today that Apple stores will begin selling an exclusive Apple model, the Solio Mono-a (TM) Hybrid charger. Beginning in October, Apple stores will begin to market Solio mobile solar chargers, which are lightweight, palm-sized mobile power devices that capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic (PV) panels. The Solio Mono-a has earned Made for iPhone (MFI) and Works with iPhone (WWI) certification ensuring manufacturer specified performance. The chargers, a product of Solio's parent company Better Energy Systems, support Apple's array of popular handheld devices, including 3G and 3GS iPhones(TM) and family of iPods®. Solio chargers help consumers achieve an EcoMobility(TM) lifestyle, the growing desire to live a sustainable yet on-the-go and powered lifestyle. "Apple's popular and much-adored iPhones and iPods have enabled people to be connected and entertained virtually anywhere in the world. Given this portability, consumers will inevitably be - at some point - away from a power source," said Chris Hornor, CEO and Founder of Better Energy Systems. "With Solio's Apple-specific portable power pack, you're never without a back-up plan." The Solio Mono-a for Apple is capable of powering five additional hours of talktime on the iPhone or 45 additional hours of playtime on an iPod Touch. Solio devices store energy using a lithium-ion battery that is capable of holding a charge for up to one year and can be recharged up to 1,000 times before being replaced. In addition, special optional add-on adapter tips make Solio chargers compatible with thousands of additional handheld devices, including handheld gaming units, digital cameras, Bluetooth headsets and more. Solio units can be re-charged via the sun, a USB port on an Apple computer or a wall socket. Solio products are responsibly built and designed to be recycled after their useful life is over. For example, consumers can remove the battery from the Solio and mail it to Better Energy Systems, who then disposes of the battery responsibly. This process helps eliminate added toxic e-waste that continues to pollute landfills around the world. Consumers may purchase a replacement battery from Better Energy Systems for $25. Solio chargers are also the only chargers that are made of 80 percent recycled and recyclable materials. Apple's Solio Mono-a will be sold for a suggested retail price of $79.95 and will be available nationally in the U.S. and in select Apple retail locations globally. About Better Energy Systems Better Energy Systems was created with the vision of broadening the public's perceptions of and access to sustainable energies. Globally recognized for innovative products like the Solio® mobile solar charger and Tread® cases, Better Energy Systems continues to influence the mobile consumer with its cutting edge renewable products and methodologies - making better energy a way of life for everyone. For more information visit www.solio.com.

Give Peas a Chance – Pulses offer improved sustainability in the field and on the plate

2009-11-04 17:35:38 -0500

The Canadian pulse industry today released a white paper on the benefits of using pulses - beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas - as a food ingredient that provides nutritional and health benefits and contributes to environmental sustainability. Give Peas a Chance - The case for more pulses in the field and on the plate shows how using pulses can improve the nutritional profile of food products and reduce the carbon footprint of the food produced. "Food manufacturers and retailers are not only looking for healthy and nutritious products, they also wants to know the environmental story of the food they are producing and marketing," says Gordon Bacon, CEO of Pulse Canada. "Pulses have a great story to tell as they offer both sustainability in the field and positive nutritional results on the plate." The health benefits of pulses are plentiful. Higher in protein than most other crops, pulses are low in fat and they have a low glycemic index, which means their carbohydrates are mostly fibre and starch that prevent blood sugars from rising quickly after eating. Clinical trials have shown that eating pulses are not only nutritionally beneficial, they provide excellent health benefits and can even help combat chronic health concerns such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Pulses are also an environmentally-friendly crop. As a member of the legume family, they have a symbiotic relationship with soil organisms, which allows them to make their own nitrogen fertilizer from the atmosphere. By producing their own fertilizer, this reduces the need for manufactured nitrogen made from fossil fuels. With consumer demand for healthy and environmentally-sustainable products increasing, the global food industry is looking for solutions. Pulses can be part of the solution with their combined health and environmental benefits. The pulse white paper, Give Peas a Chance - The case for more pulses in the field and on the plate, outlines the opportunities and is available online at www.pulsecanada.com/givepeasachance. "The message is very simple," says Bacon. "If more pulses are eaten, more will be grown and that’s great news for health and for the environment." Pulse Canada is the national association representing pulse growers, processors and traders. Direction and funding is provided by Alberta Pulse Growers Commission, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, Manitoba Pulse Growers Association, the Ontario Bean Producers Marketing Board, Ontario Coloured Bean Growers and the Canadian Special Crops Association (CSCA). Over the last 20 years, Canada's pulse industry has become a world leader in pulse production, research and exports. Today, Canada is the world's largest exporter, selling to more than 150 countries around the globe, and one of the world's largest pulse producers. For more information, visit www.pulsecanada.com

EPA Lauds Siemens Green Power Purchases

2009-11-04 16:28:32 -0500

In keeping with its ongoing sustainability initiatives, Siemens Industry, Inc.'s Building Technologies Division is purchasing green power, a sustainability practice recognized and supported through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Green Power Partnership. To reduce its overall carbon footprint, the company has been buying renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Texas utility Reliant Energy since 2008. In the most recent fiscal year, Building Technologies has purchased more than 2.5 million kilowatt-hours (KWh) of green power consumed by its Buffalo Grove, Ill. corporate campus, which includes its manufacturing facility, and its suburban Chicago branch office. In total, these purchases account for nearly 8% of the entire electricity consumption of all Building Technologies Division facilities nation-wide. "EPA is pleased to welcome Siemens Building Technologies Division to the Green Power Partnership. We applaud their commitment to using green power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said Susan Wickwire, Chief of the Energy Supply and Industry Branch at EPA. The Green Power Partnership works with a wide variety of organizations-from Fortune 500 companies to local, state and federal governments, as well as a growing number of colleges and universities. According to EPA, the green power purchases by these organizations help reduce the environmental impacts of electricity use and support the development of new renewable generation capacity nationwide. Green power is derived from electricity generated from an environmentally preferable renewable source, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. These sources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources. "We're thrilled to be part of the EPA's Green Power Partnership," said Building Technologies' Brad Haeberle, vice president and Sustainability Council chair. "It's an unprecedented opportunity for us to integrate this meaningful and long-lasting environmental initiative into our operations in a collaboration that allows us to contribute to country's energy independence while easing the impact on climate change-all-in-all, a great return on our greening investment." Siemens Building Technologies' green power purchase saves over 5 million pounds of CO2 per year, which is the equivalent to the CO2 emissions from over 325 average American homes annually. Building Technologies is purchasing its RECs from Reliant Energy, one of the first retail companies in Texas to offer renewable energy products generated from wind power. In addition to wind power, Reliant provides power from several other renewable sources including solar energy and methane gas from landfills. Reliant Energy is one of the largest purchasers of RECs in Texas, purchasing, according to the company, more than 3 million certificates from 2002 through 2006. The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use. The Partnership currently has more than 1,000 Partner organizations voluntarily purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower. About Siemens: Building Technologies A division of Siemens Industry, Inc. (SII), Building Technologies (BT) Division is a leading provider of energy and environmental solutions, building controls, electrical distribution equipment, fire safety and security systems solutions. BT's solutions enable America's buildings to be more comfortable, secure and environmentally friendly as well as less costly to operate. With a U.S. headquarters in Buffalo Grove, Ill., BT employs 7,400 people and provides a full range of services and solutions from more than 100 locations coast-to-coast. Worldwide, the company has 28,000 employees and operates from more than 500 locations in 51 countries. The Building Technologies Division posted worldwide revenues of $9.02 billion in fiscal 2008. www.usa.siemens.com/buildingtechnologies Siemens Industry Siemens Industry, Inc. (SII) is the U.S. affiliate of Siemens' global Industry Sector business -- the world's leading supplier of production, transportation and building technology solutions. The company's integrated hardware and software technologies enable comprehensive industry-specific solutions for industrial and infrastructure providers to increase their productivity, sustainability and profitability. The Industry Sector includes six divisions: Building Technologies, Industry Automation, Industry Solutions, Mobility, Drive Technologies and OSRAM SYLVANIA. With nearly 222,000 Siemens Industry Sector employees worldwide, the Industry Sector posted a worldwide profit of $5.82 billion on revenues of $57 billion in fiscal 2008. www.usa.siemens.com/Industry

The Levi's(R) Brand to Make $100,000 Donation to Green Pioneer of America's Choice

2009-11-04 13:37:50 -0500

The Levi's® brand is proud to announce that it will match its $100,000 Grayson Ozias IV Fortune Challenge giveaway with a $100,000 donation to a "green" charitable organization. Over the past several weeks, GO IV Fortune gamers nominated hundreds of organizations with a commitment to sustainability and the environment, to be considered for the $100,000 donation. Today, the Levi's® brand announces the ten organizations selected as finalists in its new interactive challenge. Online participants are invited to go to www.levi.com/goforth beginning today to cast their vote to help select the winning green organization. The voting period lasts from now until November 16, and the winning organization will be announced on November 17, 2009: Following is a list of the ten finalist green organizations: Sierra Club www.sierraclub.org/ Since 1892, the Sierra Club has been working to protect communities, wild places, and the planet itself. National Park Foundation www.nationalparks.org/ The official charity of America's national parks. World Wildlife Fund www.worldwildlife.org/ The world's leading conservation organization focused on protecting the future of nature. Bonneville Environmental Foundation www.b-e-f.org/ Supports the development of renewable energy and watershed restoration while empowering people to shrink their carbon footprint. Natural Resources Defense Council www.nrdc.org/ Safeguards the Earth -- its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends -- for future generations. Riverkeeper www.riverkeeper.org/ Protects the ecological integrity of the Hudson River and its tributaries, and safeguards the drinking water supply of New York City and the lower Hudson Valley. charity: water www.charitywater.org/ Bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. 100% of the money raised goes to direct project costs -- funding sustainable clean water solutions in the areas of greatest need. Rural Renewable Energy Alliance www.rreal.org/ Strives to address rural poverty by delivering solar heat to low-income families, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and breaking down barriers to the widespread use of solar energy. Solar Richmond http://www.solarrichmond.org/ Bringing green jobs, clean energy, and economic opportunity to Richmond, California, through solar installation training for low-income residents. Save the Dunes Conservation Fund http://www.savedunes.org/ Preserves, protects, and restores the Indiana Dunes and all natural resources in northwest Indiana's Lake Michigan watershed. "As a company built on values, we have a history of promoting sustainability in how we make our products and how we run our company. From pioneering labor and environmental guidelines for our suppliers, to supporting more sustainable ways to grow cotton - our values guide everything we do," said Robert Hanson, president of Levi's Strauss Americas. "Our 'Go Forth Fortune' challenge is a fun and engaging way to encourage consumers to identify fellow green pioneers that are making a difference in communities across the United States," added Doug Sweeny, vice president of Levi's Strauss Americas. "It was important for us not only to bring the spirit of our 'Go Forth' campaign to life with our new digital program, but also to recognize our rich legacy of promoting sustainability." Levi Strauss & Co. has been an early industry leader on sustainability issues. Almost two decades ago, the company was the first to establish labor and environmental requirements for suppliers, followed by guidelines on water quality, and restrictions on the substances that can be used to make its clothes. Just last week, Levi Strauss & Co. introduced A Care Tag for Our Planet, a new initiative that aims to put billions of pounds of unwanted clothing to good use instead of into landfill. Beginning in January 2010, the Levi's® brand will be the first major retailer to include messaging on product care tags that encourages people to donate unwanted clothing to Goodwill®. About the Grayson Ozias IV Fortune Challenge Launched October 5, 2009, at levi.com/goforth, this interactive challenge invites participants to solve mysteries as they unfold, keep up with other players or go for the gold themselves with the final cipher. It is a mystery, wrapped in a puzzle and an adventure across our country. Levi's interactive presentation august 19, 2009 The narrative behind the challenge follows Grayson Ozias IV, a fictional character based on the Levi's® brand's pioneering and innovative spirit, on his adventures across America until his 1896 disappearance into the wilderness, after hiding his considerable fortune. The game's scavenger hunt leads to many cities and towns across America, each a part of Grayson's journey and tasks players to step out from behind their computers and the hunt will lead some lucky player into the real world directly to the buried treasure. Each task at each city or town triggers the next clue in the challenge. The ongoing puzzle, an elaborate cryptogram, requires a combination of knowledge, skill and determination. The players will be receiving clues and pieces of the puzzle from launch to finish. The first player to crack the final puzzle and send it to the Levi's® game team will win Grayson Ozias's buried fortune. Players can also win other great prizes throughout the journey. The hidden fortune is the third expedition from Levi's® Go Forth campaign, first launched July 1, 2009. The campaign will be supported heavily in digital social media (Facebook, Twitter), online via rich media and offline (ESPN The Magazine). The first two expeditions -- the New Declaration and the New Americans -- were an homage to today's America. About the Levi's® Brand The Levi's® brand epitomizes classic American style and effortless cool. Since their invention by Levi Strauss in 1873, Levi's® jeans have become the most recognizable and imitated clothing in the world - capturing the imagination and loyalty of people for generations. Today, the Levi's® brand portfolio continues to evolve through a relentless pioneering and innovative spirit that is unparalleled in the apparel industry. Our range of leading jeanswear and accessories are available in more than 110 countries, allowing individuals around the world to express their personal style. For more information about the Levi's® brand, its products and stores, please visit http://levi.com.

Solio Partners With iGo to Offer Added Mobility and Adaptability

2009-11-04 12:29:21 -0500

Better Energy Systems, has partnered with iGo, Inc. (Nasdaq: IGOI) to use their intelligent tip solution across the new Solio-iGo charger line, providing consumers with thousands of new connectivity options for adaptability and mobility. Solio has created a unique set of solar charger products that are compatible with iGo power tips, making them compatible with more than 3,200 devices, including mobile phones, handheld gaming units, MP3 players, cameras, GPS units and more. iGo power tips are selected separately when consumers purchase a Solio, rather than the typical bundling that occurs at retail. RadioShack, which began carrying the Solio chargers in September, offers iGo power tips alongside the Solio products. "The ability to be connected while on-the-go is a concept we at Better Energy Systems call 'EcoMobility'," said Chris Hornor, CEO and Founder of Better Energy Systems. "Thanks to this special iGo tip system, it's easier for consumers to utilize the sun's eco-friendly energy, and stay connected no matter where you are or what you need to charge." "We are excited to partner with Solio on this venture because we have a similar mission: to provide maximum connectivity for consumers with minimal environmental impact," said Walter Thornton, VP, Product Management and Supply Chain of iGo. "Using our intelligent tip technology, e-waste is reduced because consumers are able to charge multiple devices with one charger, as well as reuse their chargers as they acquire new devices. The production and disposal of a tip produces dramatically less waste than a charger." Solio mobile chargers are lightweight, palm-sized mobile power devices that capture the sun’s energy using solar cells. The devices store energy using a lithium-ion battery that is capable of holding a charge for up to one year, can fully charge a mobile phone up to 2.5 times, and can be recharged up to 1,000 times before being replaced. The new iGo-compatible models, available at RadioShack, will be available in three new colors: the Solio Mono(TM) in Gloss Black, the Rocsta(TM) in Red and the Classic in Gunmetal. Solio units can be re-charged via the sun, a USB port on a computer or a wall socket. Solio products are responsibly built and designed to be recycled after their useful life is over. For example, consumers can remove the battery from the Solio and mail it to Better Energy Systems, who then disposes of the battery responsibly. This process helps eliminate added toxic e-waste that continues to pollute landfills around the world. Consumers may purchase a replacement battery from Better Energy Systems for $25. Solio chargers are also the only chargers that are made of 80 percent recycled and recyclable materials. iGo chargers leverage iGo's intelligent tip technology to provide a universal charging solution and significantly minimize electronic waste by enabling one charger to power hundreds of brands and thousands of models of mobile electronic devices through the use of interchangeable tips. The Solio-iGo compatible chargers are available in all RadioShack corporate stores, as well as select franchise locations, and range in price from $49.95 to $79.95. About Better Energy Systems Better Energy Systems was created with the vision of broadening the public's perceptions of and access to sustainable energies. Globally recognized for innovative products like the Solio® mobile solar charger and Tread® cases, Better Energy Systems continues to influence the mobile consumer with its cutting edge renewable products and methodologies - making better energy a way of life for everyone. For more information visit www.solio.com. About iGo iGo, Inc., based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a leading provider of power management solutions, including eco-friendly chargers for laptop computers, netbooks and mobile electronic devices (e.g., mobile phones, PDAs, digital cameras, etc.). iGo is also the creator of a new, innovative patent-pending power saving technology that automatically eliminates virtually all wasteful and expensive standby or "vampire" power that is generated from chargers that continue to draw electricity when a mobile electronic device no longer requires charging or is disconnected from the charger For more information visit www.iGo.com.

Cadbury Delivers a “Rosier” Christmas for Eco-Conscious Consumers

2009-11-04 12:14:35 -0500

As the countdown to Christmas begins, Cadbury is giving its festive family favourites - Roses and Heroes - a green makeover. The confectionery company is breaking with tradition and switching its round metal tins for square, recyclable cardboard boxes. The environmentally friendly packaging will be trialled in Tesco stores this Christmas and depending on consumer feedback, it will be rolled out more widely in the future. The move, part of Cadbury's Purple Goes Green environmental strategy, includes a pledge to reduce packaging of seasonal and gifting products by 25% by 2010. Replacing tins with 100% sustainably sourced cardboard achieves a 45% weight reduction and saves 201 tonnes of steel as a result. Sales of Roses and Heroes tins have helped Cadbury become the market leader in Christmas confectionery over the years. The company hopes that tapping into consumer demand for sustainable packaging will be a further boost to sales. As well as satisfying the desire for eco-friendly gifts, consumer testing by Cadbury has shown that the square boxes are felt to be more practical and easier to wrap without revealing the present inside. Cadbury is also implementing an average 32% packaging reduction across its selection box range, saving the equivalent of 1,352 trees. This saving equates to approximately 400 tonnes of cardboard – the equivalent of 73 African elephants. Cadbury will also introduce a 28% average packaging reduction on tree decorations which will result in over 25 tonnes of packaging saved per year. Jo Grice, Head of Marketing Giving and Seasonal for Cadbury said: "We know from our research that many of our consumers are dreaming of a green, not white, Christmas this year. Introducing an environmental twist on a festive favourite – Roses and Heroes tins – will help us to meet shoppers’ ethical concerns whilst still delivering those magical moments of pleasure this Christmas. And they are far easier to wrap!" "Reducing the packaging across many of our popular ranges such as selection packs and tree decorations is our way of giving the planet a gift this Christmas and will help us meet our environmental commitments." Mark Barthel from WRAP said: "We are very encouraged to see that Cadbury is continuing to innovate and reduce the packaging across its product ranges. Over the festive season, when the amount of waste sent to landfill increases significantly, it’s good to see Cadbury and Tesco working together to help consumers and the environment." Consumers around the world will also be able to benefit from reduced packaging this Christmas. In Poland, one of Cadbury’s key Christmas markets, festive wrapping will be reduced by more than half (51%) across the Wedel range of chocolate. For further information please contact: Depali Sanghvi, Lisa Malyon or Lauren Goddard at Blue Rubicon on +44 (0) 207 260 2700 or Cadbury’s Press Office on +44 (0)1895 615011. Photography and samples are also available upon request. About Purple Goes Green Cadbury's 'Purple Goes Green' programme, launched in June 2007, leading the food manufacturing sector in committing to a 50% absolute reduction in carbon emissions by 2020, as well as setting targets for packaging and water-use reduction. For more information visit: www.dearcadbury.com About Cadbury plc Cadbury plc is a leading global confectionery company with an outstanding portfolio of chocolate, gum and candy brands. It has number one or number two positions in over 20 of the world's 50 largest confectionery markets. Cadbury also has the largest and most broadly spread emerging markets business of any confectionery company. With origins stretching back nearly 200 years, Cadbury's brands include many global, regional and local favourites including Cadbury, Creme Egg, Flake and Green & Black's in chocolate; Trident, Clorets, Dentyne, Hollywood, Bubbaloo and Stimorol in gum; and Halls, Cadbury Eclairs and The Natural Confectionery Company in candy. For more information visit www.cadbury.com About Cadbury plc Cadbury plc is a leading global confectionery company with an outstanding portfolio of chocolate, gum and candy brands. It has number one or number two positions in over 20 of the world's 50 largest confectionery markets. Cadbury also has the largest and most broadly spread emerging markets business of any confectionery company. With origins stretching back nearly 200 years, Cadbury's brands include many global, regional and local favourites including Cadbury, Creme Egg, Flake and Green & Black's in chocolate; Trident, Clorets, Dentyne, Hollywood, Bubbaloo and Stimorol in gum; and Halls, Cadbury Eclairs and The Natural Confectionery Company in candy. For more information visit www.cadbury.com

Sesame Workshop Awarded Grant From MetLife Foundation to Promote Healthy Habits Utilizing the Muppets of Sesame Street

2009-11-04 11:17:43 -0500

Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, has been awarded a grant from MetLife Foundation to promote Healthy Habits for Life with the Sesame Street family in India and Mexico. The initiative will be launched in India via Galli Galli Sim Sim, a multimedia educational initiative that facilitates young Indian children learning basic and life skills, as well as communicates health messages to children, parents, and educators, and in Mexico through the expanded Plaza Sesamo Habitos Saludables para la Vida, a multimedia initiative that harnesses the power of Plaza Sesamo to deliver age-appropriate, educational, and compelling health messages to meet the specific needs of Mexican preschoolers. For more information about these programs, please visit http://www.sesameworkshop.org/aroundtheworld. "MetLife Foundation is proud to partner with Sesame Workshop to help educate families in India and Mexico on the importance of establishing healthy habits at a young age," said Dennis White, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation. "We are committed to promoting the health and well-being of the next generation and encouraging parental involvement and family engagement from early childhood." The grant will enable the production of specially-themed episodes, public service announcements, online content, storybooks, posters, and community events -- all featuring the beloved Muppets of the Sesame Street family. The public service announcements will begin airing in Mexico this month and distribution of the outreach materials is slated for the spring of 2010. In India, public service announcements will begin airing this winter, along with the launch of mobile community viewings of Galli Galli Sim Sim content and online health messages and activities. "We are thrilled to be able to expand our nutrition and healthy habits educational outreach program in India and to continue to develop and distribute a wide-range of materials for children to learn about critical health issues in Mexico," said Caralynn Sandorf, executive vice president and chief development officer, Sesame Workshop. "Through its generous grant program, MetLife Foundation has a longstanding tradition of empowering communities to make a positive difference. We are so grateful to have its support in providing the tools families need to lead healthier happier lives." Sesame Workshop Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that revolutionized children's television programming with the landmark Sesame Street. The Workshop produces local Sesame Street programs, seen in more than 140 countries, and other acclaimed shows to help bridge the literacy gap including The Electric Company and Pinky Dinky Doo. Beyond television, the Workshop produces content for multiple media platforms on a wide range of issues including literacy, health and military deployment. Initiatives meet specific needs to help young children and families develop critical skills, acquire healthy habits and build emotional strength to prepare them for lifelong learning. Learn more at www.sesameworkshop.org. MetLife Foundation MetLife Foundation was established by MetLife to continue the company's long tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. The Foundation supports programs that improve education, promote health, encourage parental involvement and family engagement, help revitalize neighborhoods and stress accessibility and inclusion. The Foundation contributes to arts and cultural organizations across the United States, with an emphasis on increasing opportunities for young people, reaching broad audiences through inclusive programming, and making arts more accessible for all people. For more information about the Foundation, please visit its web site at www.metlife.org.

Winners Announced in Dow’s Sustainability Innovation Student Challenge

2009-11-04 09:44:19 -0500

The Dow Chemical Company recently recognized the inaugural winners of its Sustainability Innovation Student Challenge - an awards competition established to encourage and promote solutions to the world's most pressing social, economic and environmental problems. Graduate students and their professors from around the globe were recognized at a ceremony held at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. "Sustainability is the cornerstone of our continuing success at Dow," said Neil Hawkins, Dow's vice president of Sustainability and Environment, Health and Safety. "We are rewarding students and universities who recognize the importance of innovation and excellence in solving challenges, because they will certainly contribute to a more sustainable future. Innovations that help Dow reduce its own footprint, and that enable our customers to deliver sustainable solutions to their marketplaces, will drive progress," said Hawkins. Among the winning students and universities:

Can Bayram, Cynthia Pierre, Zachary Lindemann, Yann Manibog, Eric West and Suelyn Yu - Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, USA
Melissa Bailey, Stanley Eosakul, Konstantinos Tsioris, and Noah Wilson-Rich - Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. USA
Katie Cychosz, Ian Dailey, Eric Graham, Shally Madan, Siddharth Sinha, Elizabeth Uhlhorn, Rachel Arndt, Rebecca Cheney, Jamie Cohen, Allison Craddock, Stephanie Etkin, Caitlin Greeley, Brendan Moriarty, Nicholas Posavetz, and Christopher Gaines - The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Judith Sykes, Ulf Narloch and Sina Bonyadi - Cambridge University in Cambridge, UK
Yan Ning, Zhao Chen, Cai Zhipeng, Fan Xiaobing, Bi-Jie Li, Bing-Tao Guan, Chang-Liang Sun, Zhenqiang Xu, Feng Wang, Ting Yang, and Huanghuang Yan - Peking University in Beijing, China
Boutros Fouad Sarrouh - The University of Sao Paulo in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Award winners were selected using a peer review process by the participating universities with guidance from high-level criteria provided by Dow. Some of the project highlights included:

Building a community-based sustainable food system
Energy efficient low-income homes in South Africa: evaluation of international support mechanisms
New generation transportation fuels based on coal, natural gas and biomass: toward sustainable and green
Biotechnological production of xylitol using sugarcane bagasse - evaluation of operational parameters and economical feasibility

Graduate student teams selected for their research and innovations received $10,000 for use at the students' discretion. In addition, The Dow Chemical Company Foundation donated $20,000 in financial support directly to each university to offset costs of managing the selection process and travel for students to the recognition event. Attendees were also treated to a special presentation and exchange of dialogue with John Warner, Chief Technical Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Warner Babcock Institute of Green Chemistry and co-author of the book Green Chemistry: Theory & Practice. "It was The University of Michigan's great pleasure to host this year's recognition event," said Professor Donald Scavia, Special Counsel to the President on Sustainability at The University of Michigan. "Our students continually amaze us with their talents and leadership on this important topic, and it was enriching to meet future leaders from universities around the world with equally impressive accomplishments." About Dow Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in approximately 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. In 2008, Dow had annual sales of $57.5 billion and employed approximately 46,000 people worldwide. The Company has 150 manufacturing sites in 35 countries and produces approximately 3,300 products. On April 1, 2009, Dow acquired Rohm and Haas Company, a global specialty materials company with sales of $10 billion in 2008, 98 manufacturing sites in 30 countries and approximately 15,000 employees worldwide. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

Novartis Honors Six Energy Saving Programs as Important Investments into a Sustainable Future

2009-11-04 09:36:21 -0500

Six projects - from Austria, Germany, Switzerland and the USA - recognized by this year's Novartis Energy Excellence Awards
Substantial energy savings and reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions achieved by record number of project submissions

Novartis has announced the winners of its annual Energy Excellence Awards (EEA), which recognizes associates who contribute to the reduction of the group's greenhouse-gas emissions. This year's theme was "When it comes to energy, saving is an investment", highlighting that energy efficiency, often resulting in cost savings, is important for the sustainable development of Novartis. Novartis employees from all around the world submitted a record 69 energy-saving projects for the EEA 2009. Together, these will account for annual energy savings of 1060TJ, equivalent to more than six percent of the group's total energy consumption. Respective greenhouse-gas emission reductions will add up to 131kt of carbon dioxide. "The huge increase in submissions this year - 50 percent more than last year - demonstrates the sense of individual and collective determination within our organization to act responsibly on climate change," said Thomas Wellauer, Head Corporate Affairs and Member of the Executive Committee, who will present the Awards at a formal ceremony at the Basel Campus in December. A judge panel of eight highly experienced energy and environmental experts began evaluating submissions in September. They selected six winning projects - from Austria, Germany, Switzerland and the USA - demonstrating outstanding initiatives for effective heat recovery, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) free cooling, renewable energy application, energy-efficient processes and energy management. About the Energy Excellence Awards Novartis is fully committed to ambitious energy targets in line with the Kyoto Protocol - that is, reducing emissions up to 2012 by at least five percent below the 1990 level. The Novartis EEA is a global program that recognizes associates who contribute to improving the company's energy efficiency and reducing environmental emissions. The judge panel is made up of external international specialists from NGOs, academia and business organizations, together with three Novartis experts. Key criteria for winning an Award include supporting business growth objectives while reducing C02 emissions, minimizing energy costs and utilizing renewable energy sources. About Novartis Novartis provides healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Focused solely on healthcare, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines, diagnostic tools and consumer health products. Novartis is the only company with leading positions in each of these areas. In 2008, the Group’s continuing operations achieved net sales of USD 41.5 billion and net income of USD 8.2 billion. Approximately USD 7.2 billion was invested in R&D activities throughout the Group. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 99,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

Grand Opening of Shop Green Mall Today.

2009-11-04 08:15:06 -0500

Today is Shop Green Mall's Grand Opening! Only certified green products, businesses and services are found at Shop Green Mall. The mission of the Mall is to strengthen the green business economy by recycling our money within the community. http://shopgreenmall.net. FREE Retail Space Now through November 30th, certified green business can have FREE floor space in the Mall, which is usually rented by square "byte-age." The Mall was built to offer Premium Retail Space for green products and services on the internet, and drive traffic to their stores in droves. Without burning fossil fuel. Just in time for the holidays. Shoppers can find a magnificent range of unique merchandise and gifts at Shop Green Mall, including baby clothing, food, unique mens, womens and teen fashions, cleaning products, jewelry, home décor, office and school supplies, pet products, air purifiers, water filters, high-tech rain barrels, and much more. Check out GameWhys, the perfect stocking stuffer, where children and grown-ups explore how we live and who we are. It's family entertainment as you save an ice cap, and save a forest. Shop Green Mall also features green business services such as advertising, printing, web and multimedia design, meeting facilitation and wind-powered web hosting. All of the retailers in the Mall are certified green by Green America (formerly Co-op America), a leader in the green movement for over a decade. Hunt things down quickly and easily with Shop Green Mall's sophisticated search engine and get your holiday shopping done energy efficiently. Hang around and network at the Mall. Join our online social networking communities to share ideas, and enjoy great resources for making your life more safe from chemicals, and more sustainable for good karma. Building a strong green economy. "I founded Shop Green Mall to showcase the goods of Green America members and other earth-friendly businesses that were seeking retail space, and places to shop," says Nancy Hoffmann — a pioneer in the field of green communications, Shop Green Mall creator, and founder of the design firm, TomatoDesign.Net. "It's for the millions of people like me who want to put our money where our consciousness is." Come and mosey around the Mall. The Mall is a wonderful place to find great holiday gifts for everyone on your list, that say you care enough to protect their health, by helping to protect natural resources. Enjoy perusing the goods and services, and meeting new friends as you look around. http://shopgreenmall.net. Shop without a footprint. The Green Mall is on a wind-powered server, so it's 100% eco-friendly. You can showcase your inventory or shop to your heart's content without leaving a trace of carbon. Sign up for FREE retail space, good through November 30th, 2009 and showcase your goods and wares today. URLs: http://tomatodesign.net http://shopgreenmall.net Tweet: http://twitter.com/TomatoDesign Blog: http://tomatogreening.wordpress.com

Ethisphere Magazine Enlists Seven Leading Chief Executives and Chairmen to Highlight Importance of Business Ethics

2009-11-03 13:35:33 -0500

Focus on Long-Term Benefits of Ethics: Productivity, Profitability and Retention of Customers and Employees The Ethisphere Institute, a think-tank dedicated to the research and promotion of best practices in business ethics and compliance, announced today that it enlisted prominent CEOs and directors to contribute to the Q3 2009 issue of Ethisphere Magazine. The latest issue of the Magazine features the seven leading executives, whose organizations accounted for just under $100 billion in combined revenue in 2008, sharing their insights on how an ethical culture and leadership can result in positive and lasting impacts internally and externally. Sharon Allen, Chairman of the Board of Deloitte LLP, served as Guest Editor for the issue. "Ethisphere is proud to feature these company leaders and we commend them for making the time and effort to share their experiences and advice with others in their positions," said Alex Brigham, Executive Director of Ethisphere. "More than ever before, chief executives and boards share responsibility for the ethics and compliance efforts of their company. These leaders understand the importance of ethics and compliance as business issues and have made implementing, communicating and upholding high standards their utmost priority." For their contribution, each executive wrote about the role of ethics in various business functions, including customer relationships, organizational culture, tone from the top, employee engagement and more. Guest contributors to the Q3 edition include:

Sharon Allen, Chairman of Deloitte
Charles L. Harrington, Chairman and CEO of Parsons Corporation
Chad O. Holliday, Jr., Chairman of DuPont
Don Knauss, Chairman and CEO of Clorox
Robert W. Lane, Chairman of John Deere
Thomas L. Monahan, Chairman and CEO of Corporate Executive Board
Barry Salzberg, CEO of Deloitte

"We're going through some pretty stressful times…and we're not out of it yet. It's more important than ever that company leadership reinforces the importance of ethics in a time like this," said Holliday. Knauss agreed, adding, "The line doesn't stop at internal controls and ethics policies. In order to truly develop trust with their customers, companies must walk the walk. At the end of the day, when a company models that behavior inside and out, when they walk the walk, then they establish a solid foundation of trust." Harrington cited any short-term sacrifices made in order to maintain a record of integrity are well worth it. "The end results," he insists, "are virtually always long-term gains: gains in reputation as a company that doesn't cut ethical corners; gains in attracting employees who already have their own personal commitment to integrity and want to work for a company which is similarly committed; and gains in attracting the right kind of suppliers, subcontractors and teaming partners with whom to work." Each executive's article in its entirety is now available in the Q3 issue of Ethisphere Magazine and online at www.ethisphere.org. Other highlights of the upcoming edition of Ethisphere Magazine include a feature story on how ethics can measurable affect an organization's brand and value, a spotlight on conducting business in Nigeria and commentary on the SEC's recent proposal of greater ethics disclosure in proxy filings. About Ethisphere Institute The research-based Ethisphere Institute is a leading international think-tank dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, anti-corruption and sustainability. The Institute's associated membership group, the Ethisphere Council, is a forum for business ethics that includes over 200 leading corporations, universities and institutions. The Ethisphere Council is dedicated to the development and advancement of individuals on its membership council through increased efficiency, innovation, tools, mentoring, advice, and unique career opportunities. Ethisphere Magazine, which publishes the globally recognized World’s Most Ethical Companies Ranking(TM), is the quarterly publication of the Institute. More information on the Ethisphere Institute, including ranking projects and membership, can be found at http://www.ethisphere.org.

President of Tanzania and the Abbott Fund Dedicate Modern Emergency Medical Department

2009-11-03 11:14:50 -0500

For the first time, emergency room services meeting international standards will be a part Tanzania's public health system, thanks to the opening of a new Emergency Medical Department building and extensive training being conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital. At a ceremony yesterday, President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania joined representatives from the Abbott Fund in dedicating the new facility. The building renovations, new equipment and staff training are being supported by a grant from the Abbott Fund, the philanthropic foundation of the global health care company Abbott. The initiative is part of a broader partnership between the Government of Tanzania and the Abbott Fund to strengthen the country's health care system. "The opening of this emergency center will help to save lives in Dar es Salaam and across the region, and will lead to fundamental differences in emergency care training in the future," said President Kikwete. "We are grateful for this latest step in our long and very successful partnership with the Abbott Fund." Emergency medicine is not a specialty that is typically offered as part of medical training in most parts of Africa. As a result, patients admitted to public hospitals for acute conditions generally receive limited care until a specialist is available to provide treatment. With the opening of the new Emergency Medical Department, state-of-the-art urgent care will be available to patients. A comprehensive training program will upgrade emergency care expertise for staff at Muhimbili, with the long-term goal of training future physicians in the specialty of Emergency Medicine. "The new Emergency Medical Department provides resources and procedures that significantly improve urgent medical care at our hospital," said Professor Leonard Lema, executive director, Muhimbili National Hospital. "Our broader goal is to utilize this department as a training ground and create a residency program in emergency medicine at Muhimbili. This will help elevate the level of emergency care expertise in other hospitals in Tanzania." The $3 million project is an extension of the Abbott Fund's partnership with the Government of Tanzania to improve health care infrastructure and systems in Tanzania. The Abbott Fund has invested more than $60 million to date in one of the largest public-private partnerships in Africa aimed at enhancing access to health care on a national scale. Today, one in three people with HIV taking antiretroviral therapy receive services at a facility that has benefited from Abbott Fund support. "Throughout our partnership in Tanzania, we have worked with the government to identify critical needs in the health care system and develop solutions that will have the greatest impact in improving people's lives," said Catherine Babington, president, the Abbott Fund. "Through this new facility and a strong focus on staff training, our goal is to significantly improve emergency medical care in Tanzania." To quickly strengthen local expertise, emergency room physicians and nurses from academic centers in the U.S. are working side by side with staff at Muhimbili and mentoring them in standard emergency room procedures and equipment use. Training focuses on basic life support, adult cardiac life support, pediatric life support and advanced trauma life support. The staff also is learning how to use new diagnostic equipment, including point-of-care testing that can provide rapid insights into underlying disease and the overall health status of patients. In addition, MRI and CT scanning equipment also will be available. To date, more than 500 health workers have received training in emergency care at Muhimbili. Dr. Alwyn Mziray, a native Tanzanian trained in emergency medicine in the U.S., has returned to Tanzania to lead the project and co-manage the new center. About the Abbott Fund in Tanzania The modernization of the Emergency Medical Department at Muhimbili is the latest effort in an ongoing partnership between the Abbott Fund and the Government of Tanzania to strengthen the country's health care system. In 2007, the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBC) honored the Abbott Fund with an Award for Business Excellence for National Action for its public-private partnership with the Government of Tanzania. Key results to date include:

Improving laboratory services on a national scale by modernizing all 23 regional-level hospital laboratories in Tanzania. Nearly half of the labs have already been built or renovated, with the full program anticipated to be completed by the end of 2010.
At Muhimbili National Hospital, the Abbott Fund built a new outpatient center that serves about a thousand patients each day and integrates HIV care with other services, and renovated, automated and computerized the central pathology laboratory.
Conducted more than 15,000 health care worker trainings.
Provided HIV counseling and testing for more than 300,000 people, and donated 1 million rapid HIV tests to the Tanzanian national HIV testing initiative.
Helped more than 150,000 children and families by providing access to health services, education and training, and pioneering legal protection for orphans and widows affected by HIV/AIDS.

About Abbott and the Abbott Fund

www.abbottfund.org

www.abbott.com

Walmart's Sustainability Leader to Discuss Company Efforts and New Initiatives at November 18 World Environment Center Forum

2009-11-03 11:07:51 -0500

The World Environment Center (WEC) today announced that Walmart’s Senior Vice President for Sustainability, Matt Kistler, will be the featured speaker at the next Washington Sustainability Forum on November 18, 2009 at the Sofitel Hotel in Washington, D.C. Mr. Kistler will address a variety of topics related to the company's sustainability initiatives. These include the recently announced worldwide Sustainability Index and how it will help create a more transparent supply chain, drive product innovation and ultimately provide customers with information they need to assess products’ sustainability. Mr. Kistler will also discuss sustainability initiatives occurring across Walmart operations and geographic regions. His remarks will be followed by an extended question and answer session. "Walmart is accelerating the implementation of sustainable development around the world through commitments from its top management to the day-to-day actions of its associates," stated Dr. Terry F. Yosie, WEC’s President & CEO. "From its supply chain initiatives to the millions of consumers it serves on a daily basis, Walmart is a company that clearly illustrates how the sustainability agenda has become a major business and societal priority." WEC is an independent, global non-profit organization whose mission is to assist companies implement sustainable development in their business strategies and operations in partnership with national governments, non-governmental organizations, universities and other stakeholders. WEC conducts no advocacy activities and takes no positions on public policy issues. WEC’s Washington Sustainability Forum enables senior representatives of business and other organizations to share a conversation with global leaders on important aspects of sustainable development. For more information please go to www.wec.org.

SC Johnson Report Shows Responsibility Supports Resilience

2009-11-03 09:31:43 -0500

Companies earn consumer trust when they share how they impact the environment around them1. As a leader in environmental responsibility, SC Johnson is pleased to release its 2009 Public Report today. The company continues to move forward in its quest to do the right thing and to earn the trust of its consumers by openly sharing information. The report highlights the company's commitment to and progress against its sustainability objectives. This report marks the privately-held company's 18th year of publicly sharing information. "This progress reflects SC Johnson's firm commitment to investing in a sustainable future," said Chairman and CEO Fisk Johnson. "While we celebrate our progress against our goals, we know there is much more to do. We must move faster in finding new sustainable approaches that will head off a global resource crunch. It is not just the responsibility of businesses, it is the responsibility of everyone to find ways to restore and sustain our resources. I'm hopeful our progress will help other companies and people make responsible changes." Celebrating Doing What’s Right SC Johnson has a wide variety of efforts to drive global development and growth that benefit the people around us and the planet we all share. From exceptional philanthropy, volunteerism and education to new business models that bring economic growth to the world's poorest communities, the company is helping to create stronger communities for families around the globe. Highlights of the report include:

The company continued to lead the industry by increasing its transparency and further demonstrating our commitment to doing what's right with the voluntary launch of an innovative ingredient disclosure initiative which openly communicates product ingredients, including fragrances, dyes and preservatives.
SC Johnson continued to make strides using its patented Greenlist™ process, with use of "Better" and "Best" rated materials increasing to 47 percent of total materials.
Through cogeneration with landfill gas, wind power and biofuels, approximately 36 percent of SC Johnson's total electricity usage worldwide came from renewable energy.
SC Johnson cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at its worldwide factories by 27 percent during the last eight years, including all its United States operations by 17 percent since 2005. These reductions - achieved three full years ahead of the company's 2011 target - are the equivalent of taking approximately 11,100 U.S. cars off the road for one year2.
SC Johnson continued to educate about malaria, dengue and other insect-borne diseases, including joining the Global Business Coalition on HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria, and working as part of the Clinton Global Initiative.
The company's base of the pyramid efforts in Kenya and other countries continued, and it has kicked off a supply chain initiative with Rwandan pyrethrum farmers and the Borlaug Institute at Texas A&M.
SC Johnson continued to provide valued support to the communities where we operate, with our 10-year cumulative giving surpassing $180 million.
The company sets aside 5 percent of pre-tax profits globally for corporate giving - nearly four times the average - and works with partners, such as Conservation International. Around the world, our subsidiary companies contribute an average of 2 percent of pre-tax profits and partner with local foundations.

It's Not Enough

About the Public Report

http://www.scjohnson.com

www.scjohnson.com

New SC Johnson Ad Inspired by Family

2009-11-02 18:45:13 -0500

SC Johnson, a Family Company, has released a new ad titled "Soul" as part of its ongoing campaign featuring the values of the company and emphasizing the company’s commitment to sustainability. The company pulls from its own history as a family-run company for more than 120 years, to share what's important to the families that use our products. "We are inspired by the families around us in the world we live," said CEO and Chairman Fisk Johnson. "We are driven by the commitment to do what's right - it's not just a business obligation, it's a family one." The company and its iconic brands including Windex®, Pledge®, Ziploc®, Glade® and Scrubbing Bubbles® is led today by the founder's great-great-grandson, Fisk Johnson, the fifth generation to lead the company. As a family-run company, SC Johnson has the ability to focus on the future - doing what's right for families all around the world - and not on the next earnings report or market drop. With 83 percent of the public believing that stricter laws and regulations are needed to protect the environment1, SC Johnson believes the issue is everyone's responsibility. "Business, government and the general public all have the responsibility to do what's right," said Fisk Johnson. "At SC Johnson we have a history of being ahead of government regulation. We look for more creative ways to make a bigger difference in the world. This isn't just a business obligation, it's a family one." With 77 percent of Americans recycling and doing what they can to protect the environment2, SC Johnson is doing their part just like families and consumers around the world. Among the ways the company is making a bigger difference:

The use of wind power at the Bay City, MI facility will cut an additional 29,500 tons of CO2 annually
Cogeneration using methane gas from a local landfill powers the largest global factory, Waxdale in Racine, WI
Greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) have been cut 27 percent since 2000
Building greener products like the biodegradable Nature's Source™ line of cleaners for families who prefer products with more natural ingredients and Ziploc® evolve™ sandwich and storage bags that are made with 25 percent less plastic
Voluntarily committing to use safer surfactants in household products, for which the company received the U.S. EPA's Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative award
Surpassing industry guidelines and launching an innovative and expansive ingredient communication program that includes sharing dyes and fragrances

The ad will run on several cable networks, including Animal Planet, ABC Family, Discovery Health, The Weather Channel, Hallmark, HGTV, National and various print publications. To view the new ad and to learn more about SC Johnson's environmental history, visit www.scjohnson.com SC Johnson is a family-owned and managed business dedicated to innovative, high-quality products, excellence in the workplace and a long-term commitment to the environment and the communities in which it operates. Based in the USA, the company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household cleaning products and products for home storage, air care, and insect control. It markets such well-known brands as GLADE™, OFF!™, PLEDGE™, RAID™, SCRUBBING BUBBLES™, SHOUT™, WINDEX™ and ZIPLOC™ in the U.S. and beyond, with brands marketed outside the U.S. including AUTAN ™, BAYGON™, BRISE™, ECHO™, KABIKILLER™, KLEAR ™, and MR. MUSCLE™. The 123-year old company, with more than $8 billion in sales, employs approximately 12,000 people globally and sells products in more than 110 countries. www.scjohnson.com 1Pew People and Press survey, "The environment and the Economy" survey, May 2009. Visit http://people-pres.org for more information 2 Pew Research "Networked Families" survey. Visit www.pewinternet.org for more information.

Green-e Climate Certifies The CarbonNeutral Company's Renewable Energy-Based Carbon Offsets

2009-11-02 18:26:33 -0500

Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) today announced that Green-e® Climate, the nation's leading certification and verification program for retail greenhouse gas emission reduction (carbon offset) products, has certified "The CarbonNeutral Company Offset (China)" product, sourced from clean energy from a hydropower station in Yunnan Province, China. The CarbonNeutral Company is the first international provider of Green-e Climate Certified offsets, and the company's offset product has met or exceeded Green-e Climate's strict standards for project verification and measurement, consumer transparency, and truth-in-marketing claims. The CarbonNeutral Company has now been granted the use of the Green-e Climate Certified logo. "We are pleased The CarbonNeutral Company can now offer its customers an offset product certified by Green-e Climate," said Jane Valentino, manager of Green-e Climate. "These offsets are sourced from international renewable energy projects that have met some of the highest standards in the industry, and combined with the company's commitment to transparency and quality, are an excellent choice for consumers who want to offset their contribution to climate change by supporting clean energy projects that wouldn't have otherwise been built." The offsets are sourced from renewable energy projects certified by the Voluntary Carbon Standard, an independent nonprofit organization registered under Swiss law. By purchasing these offsets, business and consumers will aid the development of new renewable resources that wouldn’t have otherwise been built, leading to a reduction in the rise of emissions from fossil-fuel electricity generation worldwide. Green-e Climate is a consumer-protection program requiring greenhouse gas emission reductions to be verified according to strict project-level certification programs that ensure the reductions have taken place, are permanent, and come from projects that would not have happened under a "business as usual" scenario. Sellers of certified offsets must provide customers with a product content label that explains where the reductions were sourced from, including the locations and types of projects. Sellers must also undergo a yearly audit to ensure their supply of offsets matches their sales, and comply with Green-e Climate's consumer disclosure and truth in advertising requirements. About Green-e Climate and Center for Resource Solutions Green-e Climate is the nation's first certification program for greenhouse gas emission reductions sold to consumers on the retail market. This consumer-protection program strengthens the voluntary market by providing credible oversight of and transparency to retail offset products. Green-e Climate is a program of the Center for Resource Solutions, a nonprofit that creates policy and market solutions to advance sustainable energy. Learn more about Green-e Climate at www.green-e.org/climate. About The CarbonNeutral Company The CarbonNeutral Company (www.carbonneutral.com) is a world leading carbon offset and carbon management business, working with over 300 major businesses and thousands of small and medium sized companies. Over the last ten years, it has purchased carbon credits from over 200 projects across six continents. CarbonNeutral® is the registered trademark of The CarbonNeutral Company and is the leading brand mark and quality standard for action on climate change. Permission to display the CarbonNeutral mark is only given to clients when CO2 emissions have been measured and reduced to net zero through a program implemented in accordance with The CarbonNeutral Protocol. This Protocol assures quality of offset projects, carbon footprint assessments and communication and is regularly reviewed by an Independent Advisory Group. The "audit trail" includes an annual independent verification of CarbonNeutral programs-from contracts with carbon offset partners through to contracts with clients and everything in between. The CarbonNeutral Company has two regional operating headquarters in New York and London, as well as an office in Singapore, and a network of affiliates in Japan, Canada, France and UAE. The CarbonNeutral Company is a founding member of The International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA), which provides leadership and a unified voice advocating for rigorous industry standards www.icroa.org.

Vivendi Announces Request for Proposal for Vivendi Create Joy Fund

2009-11-02 13:06:33 -0500

Vivendi, a world leader in communications and entertainment, today announced the fourth cycle of its Vivendi Create Joy Fund, a corporate social responsibility initiative providing funds to innovative projects focused on bringing joy and opportunities to young people in need. Proposals will be accepted from November 1, 2009 through November 30, 2009 at createjoy.vivendi.com. Now in its second year, the Vivendi Create Joy Fund has supported over 20 projects in the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Africa in Morocco, Burkina Faso and Mali. Housed within the Sustainable Development section of the corporate website, the newly launched Vivendi Create Joy website allows organizations to review objectives and criteria and to submit proposals. The site also highlights current and past partners and showcases beneficiaries of the initiative. For more information or to submit a proposal, please visit createjoy.vivendi.com. About the Vivendi Create Joy Fund Since 2008, the Vivendi Create Joy Fund has supported over 20 NGOs in the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Africa. The Fund brings joy and opportunities through entertainment and communications to young people in need. See www.createjoy.vivendi.com About Vivendi A world leader in communications and entertainment, Vivendi controls Activision Blizzard (#1 in video games worldwide), Universal Music Group (#1 in music worldwide), SFR (#2 in mobile and fixed telecom in France), Maroc Telecom Group (#1 in mobile and fixed telecom in Morocco), Canal+ Group (#1 in pay-TV in France) and owns 20% of NBCU (leading U.S. media and entertainment group). In 2008, Vivendi achieved revenues of €25.4 billion and adjusted net income of €2.7 billion. With operations in 77 countries, the Group has about 43,000 employees. www.vivendi.com

MetLife Foundation Awards $125,000 Grant to Liz Lerman Dance Exchange

2009-11-02 12:56:23 -0500

Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, an internationally recognized contemporary dance company, has been awarded a MetLife Foundation grant for $125,000 to create the MetLife Foundation Healthy Living Initiative at Liz Lerman Dance Exchange. This national program is designed to meet the growing demand for the skilled integration of art and artistic methods into the medical and health/wellness fields. Arts integration improves the quality of the healthcare experience for patients, their families, and the health professionals who serve them. Accredited healthcare institutions with arts programs have reported benefits such as shorter hospital stays, less medication, and fewer complications. The MetLife Foundation Healthy Living Initiative at Dance Exchange incorporates three activities to expand access to arts programs for patients nationwide, including: artistic work with patients in healthcare settings, training of health professionals and caregivers in innovative artistic tools, and professional development for teaching artists who work with patients and caregivers. "We are proud to partner with the Dance Exchange on this innovative arts in healthcare effort," said Dennis White, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation. "Our partnership on the Healthy Living Initiative is an extension of our commitment to making arts accessible to all and promoting dance as an art form that can enrich all our lives through creativity and excellence." "This generous support from MetLife Foundation will add a new chapter to our ongoing exploration of the question "Who gets to dance?'" said Liz Lerman, Founding Artistic Director of Liz Lerman Dance Exchange and author of Teaching Dance to Senior Adults. "Sometimes art achieves what therapy, medicine, or the best care of health professionals cannot. Sometimes art even achieves something that's beyond the best intentions of the artist." About Liz Lerman Dance Exchange Liz Lerman founded Liz Lerman Dance Exchange in 1976. Its unique brand of dance/theatre breaks boundaries between stage and audience, theater and community, movement and language, tradition and the unexplored. Through explosive dancing, personal stories, humor, and a company of performers whose ages span six decades, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange stretches the expressive range of contemporary dance. Its work consists of formal concerts, interactive performances, specialized community residencies, and professional training in the art of community-based dance. An artist-driven organization, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange employs a collaborative approach to dance making, administration, and implementation. Representing the multiple artistic voices of Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, current choreographic projects include explorations of coal mining, sustainable energy, genetic research, radical prayer, human rights, particle physics and geology. For more information, please visit www.danceexchange.org. About MetLife Foundation MetLife Foundation was established by MetLife to continue the company's long tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. The Foundation supports programs that improve education, promote health, encourage parental involvement and family engagement, help revitalize neighborhoods and stress accessibility and inclusion. The Foundation contributes to arts and cultural organizations across the United States, with an emphasis on increasing opportunities for young people, reaching broad audiences through inclusive programming, and making arts more accessible for all people. For more information about the Foundation, please visit its web site at www.metlife.org.

Despite Economic Downturn, Consumer Hunger For Green Has Not Been Satisfied

2009-11-02 12:45:32 -0500

While the worst recession since the Great Depression has tempered consumer demand for green products, the desire for green is still present, says global market research firm, GfK Custom Research North America, who is a presenting sponsor of the 3rd Annual Good and Green®...The Green Marketing Conference, on November 17th and 18th in Chicago, Illinois. Join GfK in Chicago where experts from GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media and GfK Roper Consulting will address several pressing questions facing the environmental marketing community, including the degree to which the economy is affecting green consumption and what consumers expect from businesses vis- à-vis the environment in this climate. The following are details on the presentations: "Green Consumers, Red Economy"- Holly Heline Jarrell, Group Managing Director GfK Custom Research North America

An examination of issues facing environmental marketers including: Does the economic downturn represent a bump in the road or an insurmountable obstacle for eco-friendly brands? Which consumers are pulling back from green, whose commitment is holding firm, and which consumers will lead us to a greener place beyond the downturn?
An introduction to the GfK Roper Green Gauge® consumer segmentation, which provides an environmental marketing roadmap to changing green audiences in the US.

"Idealism or Realism? What Do Consumers Actually Expect of Companies?" - Annie Weber, Senior Vice President, GfK Custom Research North America and Tim Kenyon, Senior Market Analyst

A look at how companies can balance the impact of the economy on their own businesses with the need to be good to the community, green with the environment and still run financially-successful businesses. And a discussion on consumer expectations of companies, as well as other stakeholders, when it comes to environmental and CSR issues.

For more information or to register for the conference visit: www.goodandgreen.biz About GfK Custom Research North America Headquartered in New York, GfK Custom Research North America is part of the GfK Group. GfK Group offers the fundamental knowledge that industry, retailers, services companies and the media need to make market decisions. It offers a comprehensive range of information and consultancy services in the three business sectors of Custom Research, Retail and Technology and Media. The no. 4 market research organization worldwide, GfK Group operates in more than 100 countries and employs over 10,000 staff. In 2008, GfK Group sales amounted to EUR 1.2 billion (1.6 Billion USD). For further information, visit our website: www.gfkamerica.com.

The Makers of Clorox(R) Clean-Up(R) to Award $50,000 to Kids Programs Through New Power A Bright Future Grant Program

2009-11-02 12:03:19 -0500

During these tough economic times, budget cuts are an unfortunate reality. That means important kids' programs everywhere, despite dedication and hard work, are getting scaled back or even eliminated. Clorox® Clean-Up®, the only all-purpose cleaner powered by Clorox® Bleach, is here to help. Through its new Power A Bright Future grant program, the Clorox® Clean-Up® team will award five grants of $10,000 each to applicable kids' programs - in hopes of enriching kids’ lives across the country. From November 2-29, 2009, the Clorox® Clean-Up® team invites individuals to nominate non-profit kids' programs for a Power A Bright Future grant by submitting a photo and short essay about the project for consideration. Each winner will receive a $10,000 grant to help the project grow and flourish. Winners will also be featured within an advertisement in an issue of People magazine. "Moms are very important to us and we want to help them in every way possible - from helping them clean their homes to helping provide an enriching after-school program for their kids," said Selin Alkan, Associate Marketing Manager at The Clorox Company. "These important programs have the power to shape lives and bring about positive change for kids everywhere, and the Clorox® Clean-Up® team is thrilled to be able to help." A panel of influential children's advocates including representatives from the National Education Association Health Information Network, Mom Central Consulting and Extraordinary Mommy.com will review all submissions and select 50 finalists based on criteria that includes: impact of program on kids; quality of the entry; and fitting within the contest theme of helping kids' programs . From December 7th - January 17th 2010, the public will have the opportunity to vote online (www.facebook.com/cloroxcleanup) for their favorite kids' program. The final five will be announced by the last week of January. As a thank you for voting, consumers will receive a Clorox ® Clean-Up® coupon the first time they vote. "No matter what, today's kids absolutely deserve a brighter future," said Stacy DeBroff, founder of Mom Central Consulting. "Non-profit organizations that are focused on our youth can use all the help they can get. There is no more important investment than those involving children. By participating in this program, local children's programs have the opportunity to expand current programming, reach more children and, above all else, enrich and change lives." For more information about the Power A Bright Future grant program, including official contest rules and entry guidelines, log on to (www.facebook.com/cloroxcleanup). The Clorox Company The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer products with fiscal year 2008 revenues of $5.3 billion. Clorox markets some of consumers' most trusted and recognized brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products, Green Works® Natural Cleaners, Armor All® and STP® auto-care products, Fresh Step® and Scoop Away® cat litter, Kingsford® charcoal, Hidden Valley® and K C Masterpiece® dressings and sauces, Brita® water-filtration systems, Glad® bags, wraps and containers, and Burt's Bees® natural personal care products. With 8,300 employees worldwide, the company manufactures products in more than two dozen countries and markets them in more than 100 countries. Clorox is committed to making a positive difference in the communities where its employees work and live. Founded in 1980, The Clorox Company Foundation has awarded cash grants totaling more than $73.4 million to non-profit organizations, schools and colleges. In fiscal 2008 alone, the foundation awarded $3.7 million in cash grants, and Clorox made product donations valued at $5.3 million. For more information about Clorox, visit http://www.thecloroxcompany.com/

Sustainable Stock Exchanges Event

2009-11-02 11:26:21 -0500

On 2 November 2009, this unique event at UN headquarters in New York will explore how the world's exchanges can work together with investors, regulators, and companies to enhance corporate transparency, and ultimately performance, on ESG issues and encourage responsible long-term approaches to investment. Co-hosted by the Principles for Responsible Investment, the UN Global Compact, and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), this one-day conference brings together representatives from exchanges, institutional investors and external stakeholders. In the wake of the global financial crisis, a growing number of investors and policy makers see an urgent need to promote better risk management, good governance and enhanced transparency in order to protect long-term returns. This includes addressing emerging environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues, which are increasingly being seen as drivers of long-term performance and stability, both on the micro and macro levels. A number of exchanges are already implementing ESG strategies, such as enhancing listing rules and disclosure requirements, setting up ESG indices and launching new exchanges for ESG-related asset classes such as carbon. Some of the questions to be discussed at the event include:

What are the emerging trends in responsible investment and corporate responsibility and how are these relevant to exchanges?
What are leading exchanges doing now around ESG issues?
What is the role of exchanges and regulators in enhancing ESG transparency and raising corporate standards?
What opportunities exist in developing ESG indices and new exchanges for ESG-focused investments?

The indicative agenda is available here. Register here

Overstock.com Announces Partnership With Wounded Warrior Project

2009-11-02 11:11:24 -0500

Overstock.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: OSTK) announced today their corporate partnership with Wounded Warrior Project. From November 1 through Veterans Day 2009 a wounded warrior, family or warrior caregiver will be profiled and share their story through video on Overstock.com. "The goal of Wounded Warrior Project is to help make this generation of wounded warriors the most successful and well-adjusted in our nation's history," said Overstock.com Chairman and CEO Patrick Byrne, "At least 10% of our employees have or have had family members in the military. Overstock.com felt it was our turn to give back to those men and women who serve our country in Iraq and Afghanistan. Whether or not you agree with the war; here's an opportunity to give valuable assistance to American soldiers." Overstock.com hopes to raise $30,000 by November 11th, Veteran's Day, by allowing customers to donate a dollar or more to the Wounded Warrior Project at checkout. To learn more visit www.overstock.com/woundedwarriorproject In addition to the November awareness campaign, Overstock.com customers can purchase Wounded Warrior Project apparel. All net proceeds go directly to Wounded Warrior Project. "We are grateful to Overstock.com and its team of enthusiastic employees that have clearly demonstrated a passion for our mission and organization," said Steven Nardizzi, Executive Director of Wounded Warrior Project. "The level of support throughout their organization is extremely impressive and, more importantly, will have a very positive effect on the warriors we are privileged to serve." About Wounded Warrior Project The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Its purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service members, to help severely injured men and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. To get involved and learn more, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org. About Overstock.com Overstock.com, Inc. is an online retailer offering brand-name merchandise at discount prices. The company offers its customers an opportunity to shop for bargains conveniently, while offering its suppliers an alternative inventory distribution channel. Overstock.com, headquartered in Salt Lake City, is a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ Global Market System and can be found online at http://www.overstock.com. Overstock.com regularly posts information about the company and other related matters on its website under the heading "Investor Relations." Overstock.com® is a registered trademark of Overstock.com, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the amount of donations the Company may raise for the Wounded Warrior Project. Our Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2008, our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, or any amendments thereto, and our other subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission identify important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections, estimates or forward-looking statements.

Schering-Plough Announces Sponsorship of Rabies-Control Projects in India

2009-11-02 11:01:16 -0500

Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP) today announced it has initiated sponsorship of two projects in India to reduce the incidence of human and animal rabies through improved educational awareness and mass vaccination of dogs. The company will donate $200,000 and rabies vaccine from Intervet/Schering-Plough as well as share expertise with partners to support successful implementation of the projects in ten villages surrounding Bangalore and Pune, India. "Our company has a commitment to reducing the prevalence of rabies in vulnerable places around the world, and these new initiatives in India demonstrate continuing support of eradication efforts," said Schering-Plough Chairman and CEO Fred Hassan. "As with the Afya Serengeti project that Schering-Plough supports in Africa, educating people about rabies and how to prevent it is the most effective weapon against the disease." Using the "Adopt a Village" concept, education about rabies prevention and treatment will be aimed at the entire community and adapted for everyone from small children to adults and village leaders. With guidance from the nonprofit Global Alliance for Rabies Control, the programs will involve medical and veterinary professors, experts in the field of rabies along with medical students from area universities. Special accommodations will be made to educate people in their own dialects, with sensitivity to their customs. "Our goal is to provide a sustainable solution for communities in developing countries to prevent rabies that takes into account how people interact with community dogs and other animals in their environment," said Deborah J. Briggs Ph.D., executive director, Global Alliance for Rabies Control. "Rabies remains a neglected disease of the poor and disenfranchised, and we believe projects such as these being developed in India will serve as models that can be replicated in other vulnerable areas. The grim truth is that every day more than 150 people die of rabies. More than 100 of them are children and every one of the deaths should have been prevented." Separate but similar projects will be implemented in two geographic areas of India. The Global Alliance for Rabies Control will supervise projects in four selected villages outside the city of Bangalore: Ramohally, Hulluvenahally, Chandrappa circle and Prasanachari palya. The Alliance will partner with a number of India-based groups to ensure maximum impact. Partners from India include the Rabies in Asia Foundation; the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS); Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) and the Veterinary College, Bangalore. The Alliance will also develop educational materials for teaching children worldwide about rabies prevention. The Bombay Veterinary College, Mumbai, will take the lead role for projects in six major villages in Pune district, namely Narayangaon, Khodad, Arvi Pimpalgaon, Yedgaon, Alephata and Vadgaon Anand. The college will be supported by K.N.P. College of Veterinary Science, Shirval, and Karuna Animal Health Foundation, Narayangaon. Intervet India, the Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health business located in the Pune region, will be contributing technical support for the project as an extension of its current rabies prevention efforts. Rural Indian villages are especially vulnerable to rabies, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). India reports the highest incidence of human rabies accounting for an estimated 20,000 of the 55,000 deaths reported worldwide each year. Three-quarters of the deaths in India occur in rural areas with the highest rates among the poor, particularly children under the age of 15. The new programs in India will start with surveys to learn how well rabies prevention is understood in the selected villages and to assess the status of rabies among the villages' dog and other animal populations. Researchers will also track the numbers of reported cases and human and animal deaths due to the disease. The next phase of the program will involve massive campaigns of public education, focusing on effective rabies prevention practices for humans and animals as well as appropriate treatment after exposure to the disease. Education is urgently needed because WHO research shows most deaths occur when people bitten by, or exposed to, a rabid animal do not seek or receive appropriate treatment. In most countries where canine rabies is prevalent, victims of dog bites lack understanding of the importance of seeking appropriate medical treatment from a qualified health facility. Proper wound cleansing and immunizations, done as soon as possible after contact with a suspect animal, can prevent the onset of rabies in virtually 100 percent of exposures, the WHO has found. If left untreated, the fatality rate after rabies infection is 100 percent. The education campaigns will draw attention to the importance of vaccinating community dogs. Improving community understanding of the life-saving value of administering canine vaccines is crucial; the WHO has determined that the most cost-effective strategy for preventing rabies in people is to eliminate rabies in dogs through animal vaccinations. This will especially benefit children, who typically have closer contact with dogs than adults and are less inclined to report injuries sustained from playing or other interaction with the animals. The final phase of the Indian projects will involve a comprehensive evaluation of whether the education and vaccination efforts produced measurable improvements in the incidence of rabies in people, dogs and other animals. About Schering-Plough Schering-Plough is an innovation-driven, science-centered global health care company. Through its own biopharmaceutical research and collaborations with partners, Schering-Plough creates therapies that help save and improve lives around the world. The company applies its research-and-development platform to human prescription, animal health and consumer health care products. Schering-Plough's vision is to "Earn Trust, Every Day" with the doctors, patients, customers and other stakeholders served by its colleagues around the world. The company is based in Kenilworth, N.J., and its Web site is www.schering-plough.com. Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health is a leader in research and dedicated to the development, production and marketing of innovative, high-quality animal-health products for all major farm and companion animal species. For more information about Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health visit: www.intervet.com and www.intervetusa.com. About the Global Alliance for Rabies Control The Global Alliance for Rabies Control is the foremost non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating rabies throughout the world. The mission of the Alliance is to promote rabies awareness and control. The organization contributes to support rabies control programs and educational initiatives. The Global Alliance for Rabies and Control was established to bring together public and private expertise in the field of rabies, including medical, veterinary, wildlife and animal welfare agencies, to utilize a 'one medicine' approach to establish rabies prevention programs. The Alliance coordinates the World Rabies Day campaign and works alongside its partner institutions and organizations. (www.rabiescontrol.net) SCHERING-PLOUGH DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information in this press release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements related to expectations or forecasts of future events. Schering-Plough does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from Schering-Plough's forward-looking statements, including market forces, economic factors, product availability, patent and other intellectual property protection, current and future branded, generic or over-the-counter competition, the regulatory process, and any developments following regulatory approval, among other uncertainties. For further details about these and other factors that may impact the forward-looking statements, see Schering-Plough's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including Part II, Item 1A "Risk Factors" in the Company's third Quarter 2009 10-Q, filed October 29, 2009.

Abbott Saving 1 Billion Gallons of Water Annually

2009-11-02 11:00:06 -0500

Abbott announced today that it is saving 1 billion gallons of water annually since launching a comprehensive, global effort in 2004 to preserve natural resources through reducing use of water in the production of its nutrition and other health care products. In 2004, the company set out to achieve a reduction in water use compared to its 2004 baseline by the end of 2011, when normalized to sales. Abbott has nearly reached its goal of a 40 percent reduction in water use two years ahead of time as its manufacturing water use has decreased 37 percent, normalized to sales. The company has also achieved a seven percent reduction in absolute terms, while at the same time increasing production at many of its plants as demand for its products has grown. "Abbott is committed to using water and other natural resources in a responsible and sustainable manner," said Corlis Murray, vice president, Global Engineering Services, Abbott. "Water is essential to our ability to provide our customers with the health care products from Abbott they depend on, but the quality of water we return to the environment is also important." Abbott's global water use policy includes a commitment to:

Increasing water use efficiency at its manufacturing sites worldwide
Understanding and mitigating risks of water stress and scarcity
Educating communities where it operates on water conservation.

Increasing water use efficiency Abbott is incorporating water-saving design and technology into new and existing facilities. For example, Abbott's plant in Sturgis, Mich. is utilizing more efficient water scrubbers to control dust emissions, resulting in the saving of 8.5 million gallons of water per year. The company's Casa Grande, Ariz. plant has installed water-efficient fixtures, low water use landscaping and implemented a "Leak Tag" program which ensures leaks are detected and fixed promptly. In addition, after being sent to the local water treatment plant for cleaning, some water is now returned to the community for uses such as in landscaping and golf course irrigation. Abbott's nutritional plant in Singapore was built from the ground up with several environmental objectives in mind, including water conservation. The plant uses water-efficient fittings, irrigation systems and cooling towers. As a result, the company received the Green Mark "Gold" certification from the Singapore Building and Construction Authority. Understanding water stress and scarcity Abbott is using the World Business Council for Sustainable Development's "Global Water Tool," which is helping its 40 major manufacturing plants throughout the world assess their local water needs. It compares Abbott's water uses with external data, creates performance metrics and geographic mapping, facilitates communications with internal and external stakeholders on water challenges, and fosters water conservation and efficiency. Following water stress assessments, a number of Abbott plants have already achieved major reductions in consumption including Casa Grande (an 11% reduction since 2007) and Campoverde, Italy (a 14% reduction during the same period). Educating communities In Arizona, Abbott and its non-profit foundation, the Abbott Fund, have partnered with Project WET, the state's leading water education program for teachers and students. The program engages people of all ages in learning about water resources and conservation. "Only through knowledge and understanding do people actually begin to apply new concepts in their lives and adopt new behaviors," said Kerry L. Schwartz Director, Arizona Project WET. "By teaming with Abbott, Arizona Project WET is making a difference in developing a culture of water conservation in Arizona." Safeguarding the environment and preserving natural resources are an important part of Abbott's mission to improve people's health and the company's efforts to be a leader in global citizenship. In addition to water conservation, Abbott has identified increased use of cleaner and renewable energy, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and limiting the impact of product packaging as environmental priorities. The company has set measurable goals in each of these areas to track its progress. All of Abbott's various health care businesses are examining their manufacturing processes and needs, as well as their product packaging, to develop environmentally friendly and sustainable approaches to help the company meet or exceed these goals. Abbott was recently named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for the fifth consecutive year. Abbott was one of just two U.S.-based companies in the pharmaceutical industry category to be listed on both indices. The Dow Jones Sustainability World Index ranks Abbott among the top 300 of the world's largest 2,500 companies, based on an assessment of economic, social and environmental performance. About Abbott Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs more than 72,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries. Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at www.abbott.com.

TD Charitable Foundation Donates $2 Million in Grants to Support Housing Stabilization Efforts through its 'Housing for Everyone' Competition

2009-11-02 10:45:10 -0500

The TD Charitable Foundation announced today the 56 winners of its annual "Housing for Everyone" grant competition. Award winners will receive a total of $2 million in grants to support affordable housing initiatives from Maine to Florida, a $500,000 increase in program awards from 2008. Now in its fifth year, the "Housing for Everyone" grant competition drew almost 500 proposals from housing non-profits for projects that help to stabilize the housing environment in communities where TD Bank does business. Grant awards ranged from $10,000 to $100,000. The winning organizations, as well as the total grants per market, include:

Connecticut: $250,000 total donated to Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust, Inc.; Christian Activities Council; Connection Fund, Inc.; Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund, Inc.; Neighborhood Housing Services of New Britain; Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven, Inc.
Delaware: $40,000 total donated to Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County; National Council on Agricultural Life and Labor Research, Inc.
The District of Columbia: $50,000 total donated to Shelter House, Inc.; SOME, Inc.; Wesley Housing Development Corporation of Northern Virginia.
Florida: $40,000 total donated to Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches, Inc.; Urban League of Broward County.
Maine: $60,000 total donated to Bread of Life Ministries, Inc.; Rumford Group Home, Inc.; Tedford Housing.
Massachusetts: $250,000 total donated to Beverly Affordable Housing Coalition, Inc.; HAP, Inc.; Lawrence Community Works, Inc.; Lower Cape Cod Community Development; Twin Cities Community Development Corporation; Worcester East Side Community Development Corporation.
New Hampshire: $60,000 total donated to Harbor Homes, Inc.; NeighborWorks Greater Manchester; Southwest Community Services, Inc.
New Jersey: $500,000 total donated to Bergen County Community Action Partnership, Inc.; Center for Family Services, Inc.; Community Loan Fund of New Jersey, Inc.; Housing and Neighborhood Development Services, Inc.; Interfaith Neighbors, Inc.; Isles, Inc.; Jersey City Episcopal Community Development Corporation; La Casa de Don Pedro, Inc.; New Jersey Community Development Corporation, Inc.; Parkside Business and Community in Partnership, Inc.; Patterson Habitat for Humanity, Inc.
New York: $390,000 total donated to AAFE Community Development Fund, Inc.; Albany County Rural Housing Alliances, Inc.; Bridge Fund of New York, Inc.; Community Development Corporation of Long Island, Inc.; Cypress Hill Local Development Corporation, Inc.; Homeless and Travelers Aid Society; Housing Partnership Development Corporation; Housing Plus Solutions, Inc.; Metropolitan New York Coordinating Council on Jewish Poverty.
Pennsylvania: $300,000 total donated to Asociacion Puertorriquenos En Marcha; Chester Community Improvement Project; Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley; New Kensington Community Development Corporation; Mt. Airy, USA; Philadelphia VIP, Inc.
Vermont: $60,000 total donated to Champlain Housing Trust, Inc.; Regional Affordable Housing Corporation; Windham Housing Trust, Inc.

"Now more than ever there is a need to help families stay in their houses and protect our neighborhoods from the effects of foreclosure and abandonment," said Elizabeth K. Warn, President of the TD Charitable Foundation and Executive Vice President of Community Development for TD Bank. "We are pleased that we were able to increase the number of grants in the 'Housing for Everyone' competition this year and help thousands of people from Maine to Florida continue to have a place to call their home." The 2009 "Housing for Everyone" competition focused on supporting housing stabilization efforts for fiscally-responsible affordable housing organizations. Organizations were required to have tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status and to develop or maintain affordable housing, or provide housing-related programs and services to very-low, low- and moderate-income individuals or families. About the TD Charitable Foundation The TD Charitable Foundation is the charitable giving arm of TD Bank N.A., which operates as TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank®, and is one of the 15 largest commercial banking organizations in the United States. The Foundation's mission is to serve the individuals, families and businesses in all the communities where TD Bank operates, having made over $53 million in charitable donations since its inception in 2002. The efforts of the Foundation are coordinated locally through TD Bank's community relations departments and are focused on the areas of affordable housing, education and financial literacy, and the environment. More information on the TD Charitable Foundation, including an online grant application, is available at www.TDBank.com.

Commercial Kitchen Program from Project WET and Abbott offers water and money saving opportunity for Casa Grande’s businesses

2009-10-30 18:55:33 -0400

Water conservation is a high priority for all of us - that's why Arizona Project WET and the Abbott Fund, the philanthropic foundation of the global health care company Abbott, are pleased to offer a water and money saving opportunity to Casa Grande's businesses with commercial kitchens. Arizona Project WET and the Abbott Fund today announced that they are offering installation of high efficiency pre-rinse spray valves at Casa Grande commercial kitchens at no cost to businesses. Arizona Project WET, the Pinal County Cooperative Extension, Arizona Department of Water Resources, Arizona Water Company, and the Abbott Fund were onsite for the first installation at Barney's Restaurant in Casa Grande, Ariz. These new, more efficient valves use only 1.6 gallons of water per minute, compared to three gallons per minute in base models. In addition, the new valves provide stronger water pressure, which removes food faster and makes them more efficient and water friendly. Savings will be reflected in water bills - businesses can expect savings of up to 65 percent. Arizona Project WET, an Arizona Cooperative Extension program, is this state's leading water education program for teachers and students of all grade levels. The program engages people of all ages in learning about water resources and relevant issues facing their region of the state. Abbott, which has manufacturing facilities in Case Grande, supports the Arizona Project WET initiative through its philanthropic foundation the Abbott Fund and through employee volunteering in the community. The Arizona Department of Water Resources, through their RinseSmart program, will be providing the new water efficient pre-rinse spray heads. This team is initiating an intergenerational education program targeting teachers, students, residents and the business community. Please email Tasha Krecek from Project WET at Tasha@cals.arizona.edu , or call (520) 836-5221 for further information.

4th Annual Henry Schein 'Think Pink, Practice Pink' Campaign Coincides With Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2009-10-30 08:15:29 -0400

Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC), the largest distributor of healthcare products and services to office-based practitioners, once again partnered with the American Cancer Society for the fourth annual "Think Pink, Practice Pink" campaign to raise awareness and support a cure for breast cancer. As a flagship program of Henry Schein Cares, the Company's global social responsibility program, the "Think Pink, Practice Pink" campaign included a special selection of "pink" products for Dental, Dental Lab, Medical, Animal Health and Special Markets customers, a portion of the sales of which are being donated to the American Cancer Society to help fund research and care in the fight against breast cancer and other cancers. This year, a portion of proceeds from sales of the featured products also are going to the Henry Schein Cares Foundation to help improve access to care for underserved communities around the world. "The 'Think Pink, Practice Pink' campaign is a terrific partnership between our Company, our customers and our suppliers to further the important work of the American Cancer Society and help cancer patients," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Henry Schein. "This successful program has grown in scope and importance each year, and has been embraced by Team Schein Members in our facilities around the country, who demonstrate their commitment by wearing pink clothing and ribbons." This year's broad offering of "pink" products ranged from healthcare consumables and practice supplies to apparel and gift items. In its first three years, the initiative raised more than $200,000 for cancer research. In addition to the sale of pink products, Team Schein Members from the Company's various U.S. facilities wore pink clothing and received special commemorative gifts during the month. At the Company's world headquarters on Long Island, where some studies indicate that breast cancer is the number one killer of women between the ages of 35 and 55, many Team Schein Members also showed their support by participating in the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk" at Jones Beach. About Henry Schein Henry Schein, a Fortune 500(R) company and a member of the NASDAQ 100(R) Index, is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices. The Company's four business groups - Dental, Medical, International and Technology - serve more than 575,000 customers worldwide, including dental practitioners and laboratories, physician practices and animal health clinics, as well as government and other institutions. The Company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, which provides customers in more than 200 countries with a comprehensive selection of more than 90,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 100,000 additional products available as special-order items. Henry Schein also provides exclusive, innovative technology offerings for dental, medical and veterinary professionals, including value-added practice management software and electronic health record solutions. Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein employs more than 12,500 people and has operations or affiliates in 23 countries. The Company's net sales reached a record $6.4 billion in 2008. For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.

Sodexo Helps Three Schools Earn USDA Recognition for Outstanding Nutrition Environment

2009-10-30 08:00:47 -0400

Sodexo, a leading student nutrition services provider, created specially-designed menus, well-being programs and promotions, encouraged participation in physical activities and supported nutrition education initiatives to help three separate schools from public school districts in Florida and Rhode Island earn certification through the USDA’s HealthierUS School Challenge. The HealthierUS School Challenge is an elite and comprehensive program to recognize healthy school environments that promote good nutrition and physical activity. Sodexo, and its student nutrition program at all three schools, partnered with both the Santa Rosa County School District in Milton, Fla. and the Pawtucket School Department in Pawtucket, R.I., to help three schools earn certification. W.H. Rhodes Elementary School in Florida earned Silver level certification status, while both M. Virginia Cunningham Elementary School and Curvin McCabe Elementary School in Rhode Island earned Gold level certification. "Sodexo is committed to doing everything we can to support the student well-being efforts of the districts we serve," said Lorna Donatone, president of Sodexo School Services. "Certification through the HealthierUS School Challenge is a tremendous accomplishment for our partner districts and we are proud to play a role in helping them achieve their goals. The best part about our work with this program is that the students are the people who benefit in the end." Sodexo's contributions to the certification process in the three schools went beyond healthy menu planning and traditional foodservice work. At the Pawtucket School Department, Sodexo created the Caught You Eating Healthy program to encourage students to make healthy choices by rewarding them when they are "caught" on camera with healthy items on their trays. At the Santa Rosa County School District, Sodexo coordinated grade-level specific nutrition education courses with health and science teachers and encouraged student participation in physical activities like the American Heart Association's Jump Rope For Heart program. Sodexo's expertise in student well-being combined with its considerable resources as a student nutrition provider to over 470 school districts across the country make it an ideal partner for districts looking to gain certification through this program. "Sodexo is traditionally known for our breakfast and lunch programs in schools, but we actually have a much larger presence in the districts we serve, including nutrition education - knowledge and skills that students will take with them beyond their school years," said Roxanne Moore, registered dietitian and Sodexo's national wellness director. "We are focused on the overall well-being of the students we serve and that goes way beyond the food they get in the cafeteria. We really want to give students the tools they need to live a long and healthy life." The elementary schools in Florida and Rhode Island join Ponderosa Elementary School from Billings Public Schools in Billings, Mont., a school that achieved Gold level certification in 2008, as the four schools Sodexo has assisted in earning the honor. Sodexo is committed to take measurable sustainable actions that ensure a brighter future in the areas of health and wellness, environmental stewardship and community development. Sodexo School Services focuses on nutrition, achievements, environment, community and activity to promote student well-being. Sodexo, Inc. Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com) is a leading integrated facilities management services company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with $7.7 billion (USD) in annual revenue and 120,000 employees. Sodexo serves more than ten million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, government, and remote sites. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., is a member of Sodexo Group, and funds all administrative costs for the Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $11 million in grants to fight hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at (www.sodexoUSA.com/blog).

Best Selling Children’s Author R.L. Stine Reads Scary Stories to Harlem Children: Donation of One Million Books Through First Book

2009-10-29 14:57:07 -0400

R.L. Stine, the renowned author of Goosebumps and Fear Street books and his newest series Goosebumps HorrorLand, visited PS161 in Harlem today to read "scary stories" to students to celebrate Halloween and to mark the one millionth book to be donated to children across the country, as part of KPMG LLP's Family for Literacy program. R.L. Stine told scary stories, answered children's questions and helped present the symbolic one millionth book. "I think it would be a very scary world without books, so I am a very happy to be with KPMG and First Book to celebrate the great work they have done together in getting one million books in the hands of kids," says Stine. As part of the celebration, each student attending the reading party received their very own R.L. Stine book to take home and the entire school received a donation of 900 books for library and classroom use. Since the inception of the partnership two years ago, together First Book and KPMG have delivered one million books to children in need. Local KPMG offices have held bake-sales, sold lemonade, and held other fundraisers to raise funds and awareness for the cause of literacy. KPMG's Family for Literacy program, which pairs KPMG commitment and resources with First Book's national reach and local impact, was originated by Susan Flynn and Beth Veihmeyer whose husbands, Timothy Flynn and John Veihmeyer, are the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of KPMG. "Reaching children in need with one million books is a tremendous milestone and we are forever grateful to KPMG's Family for Literacy program for bringing these resources into children's lives forever," says Kyle Zimmer, President and CEO of First Book. "With the help of the KPMG family we hope to share a million more stories in the coming year." "Encouraging children to read is absolutely crucial to their development and future learning potential," said KPMG Partner Tom Duffy, who along with his wife Debbie, handed out the first book to a child eighteen months ago. "First Book is a world-class organization with a compelling mission and together we are opening new worlds of possibility for children who need books in their lives." About KPMG KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (www.us.kpmg.com), is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International. KPMG International’s member firms have 137,000 professionals, including more than 7,600 partners, in 144 countries. About First Book First Book provides new books to children in need addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy - access to books. An innovative leader in social enterprise, First Book has distributed more than 65 million free and low cost books in thousands of communities. First Book now has offices in the U.S. and Canada. For more information about the nonprofit First Book please visit www.firstbook.org.

New Monthly Index Reveals Pent-Up Demand For Green Purchases

2009-10-29 13:28:54 -0400

American consumers are ready to increase their purchases of environmental products and services as the U.S. economy emerges from recession, though premium prices for green goods remain a barrier for many, according to a new monthly tracking service. The Green Confidence Index, launched today, is a monthly snapshot of Americans' attitudes about and confidence in their leaders and institutions, nationally and locally, on the subject of environmental responsibility, as well as in their own understanding of issues and their willingness to make green purchasing choices. It is the first comprehensive monthly tracking of consumers’ green attitudes and purchasing. The Index is a partnership of three leading business information services companies: GreenBiz.com, part of Greener World Media, which also produces research reports and events on the greening of mainstream business; Earthsense, an applied marketing company that produces Eco-Insights, the largest syndicated survey of U.S. consumers' attitudes and behaviors toward the environment and sustainability; and Survey Sampling International, the world's largest provider of multi-mode survey research sampling solutions. The Index is based on a monthly survey of more than 2,500 adults who are nationally representative of the U.S. adult online population. It is calculated using responses in three areas:

Responsibility: how leaders and institutions are perceived to be addressing environmental issues (weight: 40%)
Information: the adequacy of information available to make informed decisions (20%)
Purchasing: past and future purchases of green products (40%)

The Index was set in July 2009 at 100.0. Today's release includes results from the first three months of survey results, through September 2009, when the composite Index stood at 103.8. "Americans' attitudes about how they view environmental problems and solutions are complex and dynamic," says Joel Makower, executive editor of GreenBiz.com and chairman of Greener World Media. "For years, periodic surveys have tried to capture snapshots of those attitudes. By surveying monthly, the Green Confidence Index will reveal real-time shifts and nuances marketers don't usually see." "Manufacturers and retailers are increasingly aware of 'the green gap,' where consumers' behaviors and purchases often lag behind intentions, due in part to marketplace confusion about what makes products green," according to Earthsense Chief Research Officer Amy Hebard. "As better information and clearer standards evolve, the Green Confidence Index will be a valuable monitor of progress in communications and how this translates into buying decisions." In addition to the regular monthly tracking of attitudes and habits, the Green Confidence Index tracks Americans' perceptions of companies. Each month it asks, "What company, if any, do you think of as being 'green'?" This is an unaided question, meaning no list is provided. Respondents simply name companies that are front of mind. In the inaugural report, Clorox and Walmart loomed far ahead of any other brands or companies mentioned, followed by (alphabetically) General Electric, Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, SC Johnson, Toyota, and Whole Foods. In all, more than 300 companies received at least one mention. Another question asked Americans about the environmental information they use and trust "When you need information about environmental issues to guide decisions" about shopping, investing, and voting. Americans reported that they had little use for corporate blogs and websites, which were also deemed the least-trustworthy source of information. Friends, relatives, and colleagues were the highest-rated sources, with consumer ratings and reviews the second most-trusted source. The Green Confidence Index is a subscription-based service. Top-level results of each month’s survey are published for public consumption by GreenBiz.com and distributed through news releases. More comprehensive data are available by subscription, including a monthly briefing document and a quarterly report spotlighting select trends and demographics. Annual subscriptions are $499, with charter subscriptions available at $299 through December 31, 2009. More information and a sample copy of the monthly briefing can be downloaded at www.greenconfidenceindex.com. ABOUT GREENBIZ.COM GreenBiz.com (www.greenbiz.com) is the leading online resource on the greening of mainstream business, and the flagship website of Greener World Media (www.greenerworldmedia.com), a media and business information services company. GWM also produces ClimateBiz.com, GreenerBuildings.com, GreenerDesign.com, and GreenerComputing.com, as well as the annual State of Green Business report, the Green Building Market and Impact report, the State of GreenBiz Forum, and the GreenBiz Executive Network, a peer-to-peer learning forum for senior sustainability officers at multinational companies. ABOUT EARTHSENSE Earthsense (www.earthsense.com) is an applied marketing and research company whose mission is to "make sense of our world to give confidence in the value of going green." It blends market research and database marketing principles to make consumer insights actionable. Earthsense is the creator of Eco-Insights, the largest study to focus on consumers and the environment (30,000 each wave), to help close the gap between attitudes and behaviors. ABOUT SURVEY SAMPLING INTERNATIONAL Survey Sampling International (www.surveysampling.com) is the premier global provider of sampling solutions for survey research. SSI offers access to more than 6 million consumer and business-to-business research respondents in 54 countries via Internet, telephone, and mobile. Additional client services include custom profiling, survey programming and hosting, data processing, sampling consulting, and survey optimization. Founded in 1977, SSI has an international staff of 400 people representing 50 countries and 36 languages.

IBM To Provide Employees With 100% Primary Health Care Coverage, New Wellness Rebate

2009-10-29 13:14:19 -0400

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that it will provide U.S. employees with 100 percent coverage for primary health care, beginning in 2010. Employees enrolled in IBM plans will receive full coverage throughout the year -- no coinsurance or deductible -- for in-network primary care with their internist, family practitioner, pediatrician, general practitioner or primary osteopath. IBM will be among the first U.S. companies to cover primary care at 100 percent. The company also announced a new wellness incentive for employees to encourage changes in lifestyle to build energy, better health and vitality through all aspects of personal well-being -- emotional, mental and physical. IBM pioneered the concept of healthy living rebates for its employees in 2004 and the new rebate will be one of five $150 cash incentives available to all full-time IBM employees in the U.S. "This new approach advances IBM's advocacy of wellness, preventative and primary care -- the cornerstone of keeping people healthy and productive," said Randy MacDonald, IBM senior vice president, Human Resources. "As a result of our focus on wellness and primary care, IBM employees have become healthier and our costs are rising more slowly." IBM's expanded support for primary care will lower costs for employees by eliminating co-payment or co-insurance any time that they, or covered family members, receive care from an in-network primary care doctor. It enhances IBM's coverage for preventive or "wellness" visits, such as yearly check-ups, which began in 2006. The new benefit will apply to all IBM-self insured medical plan options, which currently cover about 80 percent of IBM employees in the U.S. Other employees participate in HMOs, which typically provide most, but not all, preventive and primary services at low or no cost after payment of premiums. Both IBM and its employees have yielded significant savings over the past several years through the company's support for wellness and preventive care. Between 2004 and 2007, IBM invested $79 million in wellness programs, saving about $191 million in health-related costs. IBM's support has also produced a dramatic increases in healthy behavior among its employees, such as physical activity and healthy eating. A recent IBM telephone survey (1) of 1,000 Americans found that one in four people have not received a "wellness" visit within the last year, despite mounting evidence that 40 percent of deaths are due to preventable causes (2). The IBM survey concludes that those who see their doctor for routine wellness visits are more informed, are happier with the care they receive, and are more involved in managing their health. Those who have not had a wellness visit within the last five years are less satisfied with the medical care they receive from their primary doctor. New Healthy Living Rebate Gives Employees $150 For Adopting Healthy Lifestyle IBM also announced a new Personal Vitality Rebate, which will encourage employees to think about good health and well-being in broader holistic terms -- not simply by checking one's weight or watching cholesterol, but also paying attention to good sleep habits, effective stress management and proper nutrition. The rebate will become part of IBM's popular wellness rebate program that rewards employees and their children for exercise, healthy eating and other healthy behaviors. Each rebate is $150 in cash, and employees can chose any two rebates to receive up to $300 in cash per year. Following the same successful model as IBM's other rebate programs, the Personal Vitality Rebate will use interactive online tools to help employees take steps over 12 weeks to build energy and vitality. The self-paced program will be securely accessed by employees and does not set targets or requirements. Rather, employees can take action on a personalized plan with activities such as monitoring sleep habits or tracking and managing daily activities that boost or drain energy. Both the 100% primary care coverage and new wellness rebate will take effect on January 1, 2010, after IBM's annual benefits enrollment period. Footnotes (1) Actual Causes of Death in the United States. Journal of the American Medical Association 2004;291:1238-1245. Ali H. Mokdad, PhD; James S. Marks, MD, MPH; Donna F. Stroup, PhD, MSc; Julie L. Gerberding, MD, MPH. (2) The IBM Health Care Survey analysis is based on the findings of a phone survey that was conducted by Braun Research among 1,000 adults ages 18 or older from June 25-29, 2009. Respondents comprised a representative sample of insured, underinsured, and uninsured. The total results reported are at the 95 percent confidence level with a margin of error of +/-2.5 percent.

Martin Eakes, National Leader in Responsible Lending, Receives Prestigious Ned Gramlich Lifetime Achievement Award for Responsible Lending

2009-10-29 12:00:07 -0400

Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) announced today that Martin Eakes, a nationally recognized expert on community development finance serving low-income people and communities, received the third annual Ned Gramlich Lifetime Achievement Award for Responsible Lending. Named in memory of the late Federal Reserve Board Governor Edward (Ned) Gramlich, the Award honors a lifetime of achievement in responsible financial services. Gramlich served as a Board Member of OFN after leaving the Federal Reserve Board. Eakes is the Chief Executive Officer of North Carolina-based Self-Help, a community development lender which he co-founded in 1980. He also leads the Center for Responsible Lending, a research and policy affiliate of Self-Help that Self-Help established in 2002. Eakes, also a MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Award winner, is a national leader in fighting abusive financial practices targeted at poor families, including predatory home loans, payday lending, and abusive checking and credit card fees. “Martin is a leader among leaders in a critical segment of the financial services industry—responsible lending,” according to Mark Pinsky, President & CEO of Opportunity Finance Network, the organization that will present the award. “He has made a transformational impact through innovative financing and policy leadership. Because of Martin, countless people and communities across the nation who were underserved by traditional lenders or preyed upon by predatory lenders now have homes and businesses, and are building wealth instead of debt.” OFN presented the award to Eakes on October 29th at the OFN Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. Eakes addressed the audience of more than 700 CDFI practitioners from across the nation. “I am deeply honored to receive this award, all the more so because it honors the memory of Ned Gramlich, a true friend and hero of community development finance,” Eakes said. “Self-Help works to provide low-wealth individuals and communities the opportunity to succeed. This award reflects on the success of our borrowers and how lending to low-wealth families, when done responsibly, can help transform lives. OFN and its membership have always understood the need for responsible lending and the urgency of combating abusive lending practices, which makes this award even more meaningful to me." OFN established The Ned Gramlich Lifetime Achievement Award for Responsible Lending in 2007 in memory of Former Federal Reserve Governor and OFN board member Ned Gramlich. The award is the opportunity finance industry’s highest tribute and honors one exceptional person each year who has dedicated their life, and not just their career, to a shared enterprise in promoting and implementing responsible financial services for low-income and low-wealth people. Gramlich, who served on the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve from 1997 to 2005, was a tireless advocate for responsible finance. He was one of very few people to warn publicly as much as nine years ago that irresponsible mortgage lending practices would likely lead to the crisis we are in now. Eakes’ achievements include1:

Since its founding in 1980, Self-Help has provided $4.5 billion in financing to 45,000 homeowners small business owners, and other nonprofits, nationwide.
Helping borrowers nationwide to build wealth through ownership of a home or business.
Strengthening underserved communities by financing nonprofits, childcare centers, community health facilities, public charter schools and residential and commercial real estate projects.
Operating a secondary market program that enables private lenders to make more loans in low wealth communities.
Establishing the Center for Responsible Lending to help push for better regulation and stem the tide of foreclosures.

Eakes is a native of North Carolina, and has been honored by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation as a MacArthur Fellow for his work. Other awards include the Credit Union National Association Wegner Award, National Consumer Law Center’s Father Robert F. Drinan Leadership Award, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation National Families Count Award. About Self-Help Headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, Self-Help operates branch offices in seven North Carolina cities, as well as one office in Washington, D.C., that conduct mortgage and small business lending. Self- Help also operates three full-service credit unions in eastern North Carolina, to provide consumer loan products and services to mostly rural manufacturing communities. About Opportunity Finance Network: Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), the leading national network of more than 160 financial institutions, creates growth that is good for communities, investors, individuals, and the economy. To date, the opportunity finance industry has financed more than $25 billion in underserved markets in all 50 states, yielding more than 200,000 jobs, 500,000 housing units, and 5,000 community facility projects. More information is available at: www.opportunityfinance.net.

Kraft Foods Extends Commitment to Sustainable Cocoa Farming

2009-10-29 11:45:20 -0400

Kraft Foods today announced a major step forward in its long-standing support of sustainable cocoa farming. Based on pioneering work started in 2005 in the Cote d'Ivoire, the company has launched the first mainstream chocolate products in Europe to carry the Rainforest Alliance Certified(TM) seal. Additionally, it has committed to increase current purchases of cocoa beans from Rainforest Alliance Certified(TM) farms ten-fold by the end of 2012, to 30,000 tons. Beginning in France and Belgium, Cote d'Or premium dark chocolate will now contain cocoa from farms that meet the sustainability standard of the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ program. Over the coming months, the certified Cote d'Or range will be rolled out to consumers in the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, the Netherlands, Canada and the United States. It will also be made available to chocolate lovers in Sweden, Denmark and Finland under the Marabou brand; and using the Suchard brand in Austria and Switzerland. The brands represent the first mainstream European chocolate to carry the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal. By the end of 2012, the company has committed to use only cocoa beans from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms across its entire Cote d'Or and Marabou ranges, equal to some 30,000 tons of beans. This commitment results from a pioneering project with internationally respected partners. Since 2005, Kraft Foods has been working with the Rainforest Alliance, leading development organizations in Germany and the US - Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) - as well as with the cocoa trader, Armajaro, to support sustainable cocoa production in the Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa. The commitment also builds on Kraft Food's experience and long-standing collaboration with Rainforest Alliance to develop sustainable coffee growing for use in mainstream brands – a relationship that has resulted in the company becoming the world's leading buyer of coffee beans from Rainforest Alliance Certified(TM) farms. Edward Millard, Director for Sustainable Landscapes at the Rainforest Alliance, believes that taking Rainforest Alliance Certified™ cocoa to mainstream brands is key to making a real difference. "Our collaboration with Kraft Foods and grassroots groups in Cote d'Ivoire will result in long-term, positive changes in the lives of cocoa farmers, their families, communities and the ecosystems on which they depend," said Millard. "Working together, we are protecting water, wildlife and soils, while training a new generation of farmers in the economic, environmental and social benefits of sustainable agriculture." The public-private partnership, known as the "Market-Oriented Promotion of Sustainable Certified Cocoa Production" project, has enabled six Ivorian cooperatives, representing over 2000 farmers in the Daloa/Issia and Abengourou areas, to gain the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal. The results have been encouraging. The last crop year alone witnessed improved yields and significant productivity gains, in some cases above 50%. The incidence of cocoa 'black pod' disease was also reduced by one third and farmer incomes have improved. "This is very good news for all involved," explained Carsten Schmitz-Hoffmann, responsible for social and ecological standards at the GTZ, a key partner in the project. "GTZ sees Kraft Foods as an industry pioneer enabling us to advance our work in support of sustainable cocoa and coffee farming practices. We are particularly excited that sustainably-produced Ivorian cocoa is now available in an outstanding brand like Cote d'Or." According to Schmitz-Hoffmann, it is important for cocoa farmers to improve their incomes by introducing better agricultural practices, improving selling methods and ensuring that the certified cocoa they produce has broader appeal beyond niche markets. Pascal Bourdin, Senior Vice President of Kraft Foods and General Manager of its European chocolate business, agrees and believes that sustainably farmed cocoa will provide high quality cocoa beans over the long term. "Cote d'Or and Marabou are two of our premium chocolate brands. By using sustainably grown Ivorian cocoa, we can continue to offer the most intense chocolate pleasure to our consumers while improving the lives of cocoa farmers and helping secure high quality cocoa for the longer term." Bourdin underlines that this latest initiative represents only one step in Kraft Foods' broader sustainability commitment. The company intends to continue its efforts to encourage sustainable cocoa farming, working individually in cocoa producing regions as well as with others as part of broader initiatives such as those led by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Cocoa Foundation. "I believe we've made a great start. My dream is to see every piece of chocolate worldwide made with cocoa from certified farms," says Bourdin. About Kraft Foods Kraft Foods (www.kraftfoodscompany.com) makes today delicious in 150 countries around the globe. Our 100,000 employees work tirelessly to make delicious foods consumers can feel good about. With global powerhouse brands like Oreo and LU biscuits, Philadelphia cream cheeses, Jacobs and Carte Noire coffees, Tang powdered beverages and Milka, Cote d'Or and Toblerone chocolates, we deliver millions of smiles every day. Kraft Foods (NYSE: KFT) is the world's second largest food company with annual revenues of $42 billion. The company is a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard & Poor's 500, the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the Ethibel Sustainability Index. For further information about the public-private partnership, visit www.certified-cocoa.com. Other related links: www.rainforest-alliance.org; www.gtz.de/en; www.worldcocoafoundation.org

Abbott Receives Sustainability Award for Continued Efforts to Protect the Environment in Illinois

2009-10-29 11:00:06 -0400

Abbott announced today that it has received the annual Illinois Continuous Improvement Award for environmental excellence. It is the eighth time Abbott has received the award for its efforts to safeguard the environment and integrate sustainability initiatives throughout its operations in Illinois. "Abbott's efforts in Illinois are an important part of our broader work to safeguard the environment through sustainable business practices across all of our global operations," said Corlis Murray, vice president, Global Engineering Services, Abbott. "We are taking a multi-faceted approach to minimizing our impact on the environment; from the way we manufacture our products, to how we manage our facilities, to engaging and involving employees in environmental initiatives. We're looking across our businesses to find ways to do things differently, which will improve the environment and strengthen our business over the long-term." Abbott was recognized for implementing 11 projects aimed at reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and waste, and saving water and energy at its Lake County, Ill. headquarters and manufacturing facilities. These initiatives included:

Implementing a "green" roof that improves energy efficiency and reduces rainwater runoff
Reducing CO2 emissions by improving cooling efficiency at the central information technology (IT) data center
Establishing a program to recycle employees' personal electronic equipment
Eliminating more than 44 tons of waste annually by recycling packaging material from incoming packages
Implementing changes to its manufacturing processes to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 5 million pounds per year and reduce the amount of raw materials required for one process by more than 1 million pounds per year.

The Continuous Improvement Awards are part of the Illinois Governor's Sustainability Awards program. Previously called the Governor's Pollution Prevention Awards, the awards recognize businesses and organizations in Illinois for significant achievements in protecting the environment through sustainable business practices. The award is administered by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC), a division of the Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability at the University of Illinois. Safeguarding the environment is an important part of Abbott's mission to improve people's health and the company's efforts to be a leader in global citizenship. Abbott has identified increased use of cleaner and renewable energy, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, water conservation and limiting the impact of product packaging as environmental priorities. The company has set measurable goals in each of these areas to track its progress. All of Abbott's various health care businesses are examining their manufacturing processes and needs, as well as their product packaging, to develop environmentally friendly and sustainable approaches to help the company meet or exceed these goals. Abbott was recently named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for the fifth consecutive year. Abbott was one of just two U.S.-based companies in the pharmaceutical industry category to be listed on both indices. The Dow Jones Sustainability World Index ranks Abbott among the top 300 of the world's largest 2,500 companies, based on an assessment of economic, social and environmental performance. About Abbott Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs more than 72,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries. Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at www.abbott.com.

Millions of Americans Rally Make a Difference Day 2009 – October 24

2009-10-29 10:57:55 -0400

Millions of Americans will unite in a common mission to improve the lives of others on Make A Difference Day, Saturday, Oct. 24. Sponsored by USA WEEKEND Magazine in partnership with HandsOn Network, Make A Difference Day is the nation's largest day of doing good. For nearly two decades, Make A Difference Day has consistently called millions to action to feed, clothe and house their neighbors. Newman's Own supports the day with an annual $100,000 donation that is given to 10 charities as National Make A Difference Day Awards. This year, Newman's Own is also providing breakfast cereal to feed volunteers at 50 projects. "This has been such a difficult year, and now, more than ever, people across America need help," says Marcia Bullard, President and CEO of USA WEEKEND Magazine. "Helping even for just for one day can change a life." Thousands of projects are planned coast to coast involving corporations, communities, non-profit organizations, entire states and individual Americans. Many of the 250 HandsOn Network affiliates are leading projects across the nation. "Make A Difference Day is a demonstration of our core belief that it’s through people that change happens in the world," says Michelle Nunn, CEO of Points of Light Institute and Co-Founder of HandsOn Network. "People across the country will be engaged in service projects that will strengthen their communities on this special day of civic engagement." Recognizing the power of Make A Difference Day, other organizations have joined with USA WEEKEND and HandsOn Network this year to inspire and recognize the valuable work of volunteers:

AARP’s Create the Good. The organization will recognize the efforts of two Make A Difference Day projects with $5,000 donations to their charities of choice. The winners must participate in projects that helped senior citizens remain in their homes. AARP will feature their stories in ongoing communications.

Disney FamilyFun. For one family that volunteers together on Make A Difference Day, the magazine will make a $2,500 donation to the family’s charity of choice. Disney FamilyFun also is promoting the event online and in two issues of the magazine, which has 2 million readers.

Entertainment Industry Foundation. Hollywood’s leading charity has joined forces with USA WEEKEND to encourage Americans to volunteer on Make A Difference Day and through their iParticipate program. Since September, USA WEEKEND has published essays about the importance of volunteering, written by stars including singer Alicia Keys and actor Gary Sinise. The Oct. 18 cover of USA WEEKEND features stars from each of the four major TV networks, kicking off a week when more than 60 shows will feature messages about volunteering.

WE tv. The cable network is airing Make A Difference Day public service announcements daily through Oct. 24. It is also promoting Make A Difference Day online. In addition, USA WEEKEND is partnering with WE tv on a volunteering survey; the results will appear in an April 2010 issue of the magazine.

University of Phoenix. North America’s largest private university is funding Make A Difference Day projects in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Dallas and Phoenix with HandsOn Network Action Centers. University of Phoenix students, faculty and alumni are expected to volunteer at each site. Make A Difference Day also will be promoted on the university’s website, which gets more than one million unique visitors per day. About USA WEEKEND Magazine USA WEEKEND Magazine is a national weekly magazine, distributed through more than 700 newspapers in the United States. It created Make A Difference Day in 1992. Awarded for its journalism and design, USA WEEKEND focuses on social issues, entertainment, health, food and travel. USA WEEKEND is a Gannett Co., Inc., publication. About HandsOn Network HandsOn Network, the volunteer-focused arm of Points of Light Institute, is the largest volunteer network in the nation and includes more than 250 HandsOn Action Centers that reach more than 83% of the nation’s population and extend to 10 countries. HandsOn includes a powerful network of more than 70,000 corporate, faith and non-profit organizations that are answering the call to serve and creating scaled impact. In 2008, the network delivered approximately 30 million hours of volunteer service valued at $615 million. For more information, visit handsonnetwork.org.