Saving the World at Work by Tim Saunders Notes by Ray Bellanger Dec.4,2011

This book is exactly what I proposed from the beginning of my concern for the environment and lack of interest in climate change. This book walks you thru the steps to becoming a Planet Saver plus it gives you many examples of companies that have taken the lead and in each case they have saved money in the process. So It doesn’t cost to go green it pays you and your company to get with it, now! We have to act personally as the Gov.’s are dragging their feet and will do little even Kyoto to Duban, they are still pointing fingers at each other, instead of forging ahead and solidifying policy to overcome climate change before it overcomes us. As it surely will as the glaciers on top of China and India disappear in the next 10+ years. Then what are they going to do for water and that will effect us all. Even in US Chicago since 1995 has had many hotter and hotter summer to 2011 expecting 110 degree heat this year. In the north the reindeer are moving to more northerly calving grounds. The polar bears are coming south in search of food as there isn’t enough ice for them to catch the seals the usually live off. Even investment houses are looking for Socially Responsible Investments(SRI)’s have increased to even in 2005 reached $2.3 trillion. Following is a summary of my notes on this book:
Companies like: Interface, SAS, Lush, Whole Foods have talent retention and cutomer feeling good on patronage. Have developed business social skills and improved the companies environmental footprints while still increasing sales and profits.
Nikia does e-waste, sustainability, and disaster relief, helping rebuild villages and reduce disease. Ikea uses eco flate packaging that reduce fuel use by 15% per item.
The world is catching on in Galley Polls of 2007 found: 44% of 18 to 34 yrs. olds thought we should act in environmental issues. 38% of 35 to 54 yrs. olds, and 33% of 54+ the same. Even in 2005 Green Press Initiative found 80% would pay more for recycled products, as $1.oo more for books, and 75 cents more for magazines.
Aveda – personal care products was bought by + Estie Lauder which gave them $300million to expand. SAS won the “Best Company to Work For” award as it had less then 5% turn over rate when the industry average was 70%, saved them $70 million a year, having day care, health care, meals and unlimited sick days and pool and gym. In 1997 established Cary Academy to train young professional to get into IT jobs. Kay Mart decided to use only organic cotton. Salesforce.com was a fast follower. Patagonia a climber equipment and clothes company, have “1% Solution” they preserve wild life with their 1% of sales or profit.
G.E. after polluting the N.York’s Hudson river, decided to reduce it’s greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2012, went into green products in 5yrs. Was doing $20 billion in green industry plus 50% of it’s research as well.
Paul Allen of Microsoft company now a billionaire established the Allen Institute to do Brain Altus projects. First was to map the healthy adult brain of a mouse, it took 14 months and $100 million. Secondly the Human Brain Altus a four year project to be done by 2012.
For common sense of software go to www.cyc.com
Walmart has 7,000 trucks increase efficiency by 25% by 2008 and saved $20 million, and wants to reduce it’s energy use by 10% in 3 yrs. spent $500 million of equipment to do it and is sharing technology with Costco and Home Depot. Also slashed solid waste by 20% by 2008 and reduced food miles, and sold 50 million CFL lights since 2007.
Google offers free gourmet meals, messages, free dental and health care and a gym
Starbuchs free trade coffee
Toyota Hybrid cars + Ford + GM
Dell took 14 month to collect old computers way to long.
Ways to check out your company record: Google key words: lawsuits, social responsibility, safety, fair trade, awards, protests, injustice, sustainability and liability.
www.hoovers.com for investors, Yahoo Financial, The Street, MSN Money and blogs.
www.untied.com www.walmartwatch.com www.livingwage.georg.psu.edu
Business Ethics magazine ranks CRO top by citizens, check if “make waste Co.” or not
Timberland donated $50,000 and gave employees time 15 hrs. @ yr. then 1997 increase time to 40 hrs. @yr. paid and yr. long sabbaticals, plus larger projects like rebuilding schools and playgrounds and community centres, they donated labour wearing timberlands apparel. In two yrs. have donated 250,000 hrs. in time in 200 communities. Has “Path of Service” award = top service satisfaction attacks employees, with 90% participation donating 40 hrs. @ yr. in communities.
Save Your Community: 11 steps
1) join community project. 2) Create a virtuious circle in your community. 3)Sponsor a community organization. 4) Respond to a community crisis. 5) Offer your Co.’s as a meeting place. 6) Lend resources to community organizations. 7) Buy local. 8) Create local jobs. 9) Locat biz. Operations in impoverished communities. 10) Turn your waste into wealth. 11) Increase your personal community value.
UPS in Louisville High school.
Cisco – info technology co. started Cisco Network Academy in 7 states, 2004 donated computers and instruction in 4 yrs. 1.6 million students and 10,000 trained for IT jobs.
Munger, Tolles and Olson – legal co. – public speaking and debate skills taught in schools.
Pheonix Internat. Raceway – NASCAR races – Pres. Bryon Superber – started “Defensive Driving Schools in Arizona in High schools and universities.
Fed. Ex. Did “Walk this Way” for united Way and “Save Kids Worldwide” in Canada, Brazil, S. Korea, and Philippines.
La Villa in Clovis, N. Mexico, gives rooms to Rotary club and junior league
A.B/. Dick / IPS gives free meeting rooms for local non-profits.
Salesforce.com offer free software to community groups, has 1% Solution – gives 1% of sales as product donations.
Consorta – group purchasing co. helps hospitals and united way, saved them $7 million 1st yr.
Local Self Reliance – 53.3% revenues local state stay in state, 44.6% local, 8.7% spreads statewide , while less than 15% of big box stores revenue stays in state and offer lower wages! 2000 study 1000 customers = 50% important for company to be socially responsibility and sustainability of venders. 1) distance from farm to store most important. 2) pay living wage.
Cessena Aircraft co. Wichita, Kanasas, 14,000 employees, 11,000 in Wichita in , set up 1997 21st campus with Day Care and World Wellness program.
Electro motive – diesel Electric locomotives – gave old computers after upgrade to “Chicago’s Computers for Schools” a non-profit and to Chicago’s United Centre I 2 events collected 80,000 pds. Of office equipment.
Maryland farmers pick unpiched for market veg. for local food banks.
Fletcher Allen Healthcare of Vermont, collected from unused cafeteria to local non-profit feeding the homeless.
2007 Plush rock band – left over food to catholic charities of Maine, volunteers collected $5000 worth frozen and can goods for them too.
Save the Planet Chapter 12:
1. Use recycled paper
2. Think before you print
3. Print in duplex mode = both sides of each page.
4. Recycle
5. Reduce others footprint, to get off junk mailing lists and catalogues go to www.EcologicalMail.org
6. Become an energy saver, turn off lights when leaving a room at home and in office!
7. Reduce transportation emissions, on shipping use grd instead of over-night-air.
8. Reduce waste – 1999 one 10pd. laptop created 40,000 pds of waste to build
9. Buy offsets when possible. www.carbon-fund.org calculate and purchase offsets www.greenoffice.com www.climatecare.com
10. Choose virtual over physical communications, voice mail, skipe, use backups online www.LiveVault.com or www.datadepositbox.com
Green boomers = 40 million in US are buying green…
Act Now – CEO Adam Werbach is sustainable training co. trains 1000’s of Walmat managers @ yr. and they are reimbursed for taking environmental studies.
Timberland and Google awards employees who buy hybrid cars $5000 each.
Building check-up www.EnergyStar.gov.
Portfolio managers compare efficiences. Ex. Texas Instruments installed dimmers and sensors and decreased energy use by 80%.
A company “Self Accessing Guide” pdf of 51pages at www.wmsbf.org

Another great book: Sea Sick: Global Ocean in Crisis

by Alanna Mitchell, who worked at the Globe and Mail, and lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She travels to different research vessels, showing how we are changing the oceans very basic life animals and plants, and how they may effect us very soon. Plus what China is trying to do, and how what they do will effect our own future. Very good insightful reading. Thank you!
Keep smiling !!!

informed authors in "The Hot Topic" :

"What we can do about global warming" as by Gabrielle Walker and David King. They give us this great book, 2008, but very up to date. Gives lots of facts of what's happening in many countries, developed and developing ones, places where they at this time, like in last few years.

Just read a great book "The Nature Principle"

by Richard Louv
I've written 15 small pages of notes while reading this book, I highly recommend it as it covers lots of areas, and gives lots of examples of what people are doing in different parts of the world to help with this problem.
Only two examples:
Planet Durum - U of California, build a bio-region, started in 1970, "Living-in-place" as in re-inhabitation, that's being fully alive in and with a place...

Happy Planet index: (HPI) 2009 Living better using less, to live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives in a sustainable ways. By 2030 = 30 billion people here, have to develop community gardens, mild exercises, met others, and eat healthy locally.

Some times not new, but more of us have to get on board now!!!
Keep smiling !!!

Second step: Reducing your carbon foot print

You can start by recycling and reusing as much as you can. Then you should also watch your purchases like your next car should be fuel efficient and small as possible. Then I assumed you already have changed all your light bulbs, to more efficient curly ones and lowing your thermostats during the day and especially at night. Also we could be buying electric motor bikes for our short shopping trips, I have a list of them available some in Canada and the U.S. as follows:
www.blueavenue.ca
www.igoelectric.com
www.emmo.ca or www.emmo.com
www.superscooter.ca
There are many more let me know of any new ones you might find,thanks!

What to do to get with the solution vs. the problem

First step we can all take is let your government representatives know how you feel, we must get on there case, Now. Like MP and MPP and city councilors as well for starters. Also them to help in financing all kinds of alternate sources of energy beside oil and natural gas, real soon! Plus encourage them also to read David Suzuki's book, "More Good News" and so should you, if you haven't already. Thank you.