The Canadian Green Building Center - In China!

Partnership between Vancouver Global Green, Tianjin Eco-City second deal announced from Vancouver Green Capital Business Mission

(VANCOUVER, B.C.) Sept. 14,2010  A new research and development centre for Canada’s green building technology will be opening in Tianjin, China, through an agreement involving Vancouver Global Green, EnVision Shanghai, and the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City.

The agreement was reached during the Vancouver Green Capital Business Mission in China, during which Mayor Gregor Robertson, Councillor Raymond Louie, and 22 Vancouver businesses are meeting with Chinese businesses and government officials to strengthen business ties between China and Vancouver.

VanDusen Botanical Gardens' new visitor center in Vancouver, British Columbia, designed by Busby Perkins+Will, is another project aiming to meet the sustainable requirements of the Living Building Challenge.  - Could be used as a good example of Sino-Canadian green know-how exchange.

 “Vancouver is renowned for our green building expertise, and this new R & D centre in Tianjin will help our companies tap into China’s growing demand for more efficient, sustainable buildings,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase our talent and in the process, secure new investment and strengthen our local economy.”

The Net Zero Canadian Research and Development Centre will demonstrate Canada’s capabilities in green building technologies, and serve as a one-stop location for Canadian technology companies in China. The centre will be built in the Eco-Business Park, which is part of the Tianjin Eco-City, a bilateral project between China and Singapore. The Eco-Business Park is positioned to be a base for international green businesses, and will serve Northern China’s growing need for clean technology and energy.

Partners in the Net Zero Canadian Research and Development Centre include the Tianjin Eco-City, EnVision (Shanghai) Co., and Vancouver Global Green, an association of the key design professionals involved in the Vancouver Olympic Village and the City LEED Platinum Community Centre.

“To be able to get a foothold in the Chinese market for green building technology is a great opportunity for our company and green building experts across Canada,” said Roger Bayley of Roger Bayley Inc., an advocacy company for sustainable community development. “Vancouver is developing a strong profile in China for our focus on green technology and innovation, and this new centre will reinforce that image while at the same time expanding our market opportunities.”

The establishment of the Centre also involves the City of Vancouver, which will provide support from the City’s Sustainability Group for educational programs and resources, as well as facilitate connections with Vancouver green building companies. The Canadian Research and Development Centre is expected to begin construction in 2011.

www.mayorofvancouver.ca/blog

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One Noffs Upcycling

Prince William Supports One Noffs

We've written about companies who engage in upcycling to create scarves, bags, teddy bears, and more. Similarly, our latest spotting breathes new life into cast-off clothing, but adds a charitable twist. Launched by the Ted Noffs Foundation, Sydney-based One Noffs offers local aspiring fashion designers the opportunity to rework donated garments into one-of-a-kind designs, which are then sold to fund programs for disadvantaged kids.

The Ted Noffs Foundation concept store – One Noffs – is shouting out to all young and talented Sydney-based designers to come and show their creative flare. One Noffs is reinventing the idea of the cool thrift store. With a very LA feel about them, One Noffs is encouraging design students, designers and mums and dads from around Sydney to get involved.

Participants receive a big bag of pre-loved clothing which they have three weeks to remanufacture, either at home or on One Noffs' in-store sewing machine. A section of the foundation's second-hand stores will be dedicated to these one-off designs. Each designer receives 20 percent of the sale price and their bio is added to the item’s swing tag.

There's nothing like one-of-a-kind designs to make consumers feel unique, but add stitch of upcycling, sew in a social cause element and the products become all the more desirable. 

Website: www.noffs.org.au  by: Gerard McLennan

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The California - British Columbia Clean Energy Connection

Clean Energy Law Praised by British Columbia Premier

Sen. Pavley staffer Adrienne Alvord and Sen. Pavley at Committee Hearing
Sen. Pavley with British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell

I was honored to introduce British Columbia Premier, Gordon Campbell on the Senate Floor recently. Campbell, who has served as premier since 2001 praised California's Clean Energy Law (AB 32), which I authored while I was serving in the Assembly. He said the 2006 adoption of our landmark greenhouse gas reduction law sparked policy changes in British Columbia that helped to create more than 20,000 new clean-tech jobs.

"Californians need to know the enormous contributions they have made not just to the state but to the whole continent," Campbell told the Sacramento Bee. "The economic impacts are enormous."

During a dinner meeting with Campbell, he reiterated to me the economic importance of moving forward with implementing our clean energy regulations.

 

Thank you to Senator Pavley and Her Fantastic Staff for their Newsletter Updates!!

To e-mail the governor and urge his support on any/all of these bills click here.

Last month the governor signed SB 535 (Yee). The bill seeks to incentivize the purchase of electric vehicles and plug in hybrids - the next generation of clean cars - by allowing them to access high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. The bill will also give hybrid drivers who already have yellow decals an additional six months of HOV lane eligibility (extends the sunset date from January 1, 2011 to July 1, 2011).

Recycled Water SB 918 (Pavley) - Increases opportunities for water recycling in California by directing the Department of Public Health to develop criteria for safely using recycled water.

Stormwater AB 1834 (Solorio) - Allows landowners to install a rainwater recapture system to irrigate landscaping or recharge groundwater.

 

Women in Green Forum

Sen. Pavley at Women in Green Forum
Sen. Pavley at Women in Green Forum

Senator Pavley: I was honored to be the keynote speaker for the 1st Annual Women in Green Forum, an inaugural event bringing women in the sustainability field together.

The two-day event was held last week at the Pasadena Convention Center and focused on topics such as green building, energy efficiency, clean transportation, renewable energy, organic food and beverage, eco fashion, environmental media, natural health/beauty, urban planning, and waste diversion. The Forum was the largest national conference for women in environmental careers with a mission of bringing "trailblazers" together to create a community of women inspiring future generations toward environmental career paths.

I spoke about my bills to curb tailpipe emissions (AB 1493) which is now a national standard, and California's landmark Clean Energy Law (AB 32). I reiterated the economic and environmental importance of implementing our clean energy law, which has sparked more than $10 billion in clean tech investment since its passage in 2006. The audience was enthusiastic about California's future as the center of clean-tech jobs and investment.

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Edun Rocks NY Fashion Plus Scenes From Paris Fashion Night Out

According to today's International Herald Tribune, style section:

Edun's diversity is built into the brand. The first convincing offering of a "green" wardrobe, this show featured inspirations from Africa, using the continent's historic prints and beading, as well as more subtle touches, from the new designer Sharon Wauchob. Embracing African in America is just one of the ways that designers are widening their reach and their theatrical programs. - Suzy Menkes

What shouts a message louder than silence?  Nothing! Edun, oh by the way, is ENTIRELY ECO!

Edun Creator/ Founder Ali Hewson

And now some scenes from last week's Vogue Fashion Night Out a' Paris!  Ooh La La!! What a tease for Paris Fashion Week.

Photos Courtesy Alexandra de Lapierre "Adelap"

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Vote the Environment - Mid-Term Elections

Vote the Environment 2010

Vote The Environment

This November 2nd, your vote in the mid-term elections will affect the air you breathe, the energy you use, the water you drink.

Your vote could affect not only the Gulf of Mexico, but your favorite river – not only the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge but your local bird sanctuary.

Your one vote could change the outcome of a vote in Congress. A Senate proposal in 2008 to drill in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge lost by only 14 votes.

Eighteen governorships, 10 Senate seats and 30 House seats are too close to call this year, not to mention countless other state and local races. Everyone elected will have an impact on our Earth.

Make your vote count.

  • Register to vote.
  • Know the environmental records of your candidates.
  • Vote the environment on Election Day.

Find simple, useful and informative election resources at votetheenvironment.org

   An adult Brown Pelican gets evaluated upon his arrival at the International Bird Rescue Research Center in Fort Jackson, Louisiana. The IBRRC cleans birds covered in oil from the Deepwater Horizon wellhead. Photo: Daniel Beltra
Gulf Crisis Response   Patagonia Environmental Initiatives 2010 E-book
 

One Percent for the Planet  Patagonia is a member of 1% for the Planet  Message Brought to You by Patagonia  & 
Eco Consulting * Eco Media


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Environmental Charter School Opens Doors In Los Angeles

Environmental Charter Schools (www.echsonline.org) celebrates the grand opening ofthe Environmental Charter Middle School (ECMS) with speeches by environmental experts Rachel Gutter, Tom Feegel, educational expert Alison Suffet-Diaz and ECMS Principal Kami Cotler. 

When:   Friday, September 10, 2010

                 Program begins at 8:15am

 

Moderator:  Sarah Backhouse (Host from Planet Green, Discovery Network), 

Speakers Rachel Gutter (Director of the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council), Tom Feegel (co-Author of Green My Parents), Alison Suffet-Diaz (Founder and Executive Director, Environmental Charter Schools) and Kami Cotler (Environmental Charter Middle School Principal).


Rachel Gutter is widely recognized as one of the nation's foremost experts on the topic of green schools. She oversees the U.S. Green Building Council's National Green Schools Campaign, the LEED for Green Schools Green Building Rating System and is responsible for initiating many programs at the USGBC.

 

Alison Diaz, Founder of Environmental Charter High School, and Executive Director of Environmental Charter Schools; is responsible for driving strategic development, as well as fundraising, fiscal and capital budgeting and planning, and oversight of administrative operations.

Environmental Charter Middle School Principal Kami Cotler will oversee the implementation of the Environmental Charter Schools curriculum and manage the day to day school activities.

ECMS will be presented with the Assembly Certificate of Recognition by a representative from the office of Assembly member Steven Bradford. Field Representative April Lawrence will present the school with a certificate on behalf of Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

ECMS opens its doors to 120- 6th grade students for the 2010 - 2011 school year; Enrollment is open to all students regardless of district boundaries.  The school offers students a small, caring school environment, 25-30 children per classroom, which supports students' transition from elementary school and prepares them for high school success. The educational program is designed to help students develop the academic skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to succeed in a college preparatory high school and to be effective stewards of their community. The middle school will extend learning beyond the classroom doors encouraging students to take action to solve local community issues and make measurable improvements in their environment. 

The opening of ECMS signifies a watershed moment in urban Environmental Education.  The school will deliver the same type of award-winning curriculum as Environmental Charter High School, curriculum that has been recognized by the Obama White House and which has been featured on PBS television.

 

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