universal positive » Green

CES 2012 Spotlight

Roger Darnell — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:00:28 +0000

Every year, the International Consumer Electronics Show unites tens of thousands of consumer electronics industry leaders, journalists and fans in Las Vegas, and most major news outlets mount impressive campaigns to cover and analyze the most interesting new products, developments and hype. While I have yet to attend a single CES, I do follow much of the news that comes out before, during and after the festivities. Now that CES 2012 is behind us, here are a few highlights I thought you might appreciate.

. Among the CES keynote speakers was Robert Kyncl of YouTube, who is interviewed in the video featured above. All the actual CES Keynotes are available here.
. Ad Age Staffers’ Biggest Highlights and Takeaways From CES
. As CES opens, what are the most wanted gadgets? by Chris Morris for Variety
. Best of CES Awards 2012 from CNET
. CES Exhibitor Press Pitch Videos ~ tip courtesy of Larry Dobrow for MediaPost’s VideoCritique.
. CES 2012: Here’s What The Music Biz Will Be Watching For by Andrew Hampp, NY and Glenn Peoples, Nashville, for Billboard
. Top 7 Green Gadgets To Debut at This Week’s 2012 CES by Diane Pham for Inhabitat.com
. Wrap-Up: Tech’s Effect on Behavior Underscored at CES from Creativity

Good works from Thornberg & Forester

Roger Darnell — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:02:53 +0000

Ever since DreamWorks Animation and Conservation International commissioned the principals of award-winning design and production company Thornberg & Forester (T&F) to create a special feature PSA for the DVD release of Kung Fu Panda back in 2008, the NYC-based group has kept on applying its diverse talents to the needs of worthwhile nonprofit and non-governmental organizations and environmental causes. Videos from those projects now appear on T&F’s Good Works channel on Vimeo, and more project information is available at www.thornbergandforester.com.

Ready for 24 hours of climate reality?

Roger Darnell — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:00:06 +0000

I wrote a few weeks ago about Nobel Laureate and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and The Climate Reality Project. Guided by the knowledge that the climate crisis is real and we know how to solve it, more than 5 million members and supporters worldwide are about to launch their campaign to bring climate crisis facts into the mainstream, with the goal of engaging the public in conversations about real solutions. As recently reported by Morgan Clendaniel for Fast Company, the project’s 24 Hours of Reality event is sending clear signals:

“The shit has hit the fan and the fat lady is singing to the cows who’ve come home.”

Please visit climaterealityproject.org and consider joining the fight.

Forces for Good: Al Gore

Roger Darnell — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:32:11 +0000

Three years ago, Nobel Laureate and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore issued a powerful challenge to America: “Today I challenge our nation to commit to producing 100% of our electricity from renewable energy and truly clean carbon free sources within 10 years.”

Since then, his words have moved many into action, and led to the establishment of The Climate Reality Project. Guided by the knowledge that the climate crisis is real and we know how to solve it, through more than 5 million members and supporters worldwide, this project is bringing the facts about the climate crisis into the mainstream and engaging the public in conversation about how to solve it. On September 14, 2011, the project’s “24 Hours of Reality” initiative will focus the world’s attention on the full truth, scope, scale and impact of the climate crisis, to remove the doubt, reveal the deniers, and catalyze urgency around an issue that affects every one of us.

Please visit climaterealityproject.org and consider joining the fight to help citizens around the world discover the truth and take meaningful steps to bring about change.

Killer reels: Thornberg & Forester

Roger Darnell — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 13:00:36 +0000

The principals of award-winning design and production company Thornberg & Forester (T&F, www.thornbergandforester.com) recently announced that many of their 2010 collaborations with leading business luminaries received top honors at the annual PromaxBDA Conference in New York City. A playlist featuring all the award-winners is here.

Among its four 2011 North America Design Award winners is T&F’s own “Brand Video” which scored Gold in the Self Promotion category. Other Golds were presented for its collaboration with advertising agency BBDO for GE’s Advanced Imaging sponsorship of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics in the Long Form category, and the firm’s 2010 GEL Conference graphics package, which won for Best Collaborative Effort. T&F’s original Green is Universal campaign for NBC won Bronze in the category for Art Direction and Design, Network/Channel Image Campaigns. Congratulations everyone!

Forces for good: TONIC and YOU

Roger Darnell — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:47:27 +0000

TONIC is a platform for brands (consumers, celebrities and causes) to educate, interact and engage consumers around positive actions. Started as a destination for good news content, TONIC now generates its own news via the worlds of Silicon Valley, Madison Avenue, Philanthropy and Hollywood. This week they shared 10 thoughtful tips on ways to do good and be awesome this summer. As their social media marketing manager Alethia Austin writes, “Here at Tonic, we believe the things to do during summer that are the most fun are those that have a positive effect on you, the people around you and our beautiful planet. We’ve put together a few ideas for you to consider when you find yourself wondering what to do during these long, wonderful summer days.” I’ve summarized their suggestions below, but encourage you to check out the full article linked above for further ideas and inspiration. Thank you very much for your interest, and for doing your part to make our world better for us and generations to come.

1. Pick up trash.

2. Donate food to local shelters or directly to homeless individuals.

3. Provide direct support to a local teacher.

4. Plant a garden (Tonic tip: www.guerrillagardening.org)

5. Plan ahead, save water and use reusable containers.

6. Be proactive in helping animals (yours and others) stay hydrated.

7. Challenge yourself to not eat meat or fish for a week or longer.

8. Forgive others!

9. Give your time by volunteering (Tonic tip: www.volunteermatch.org)

10. Read books on philanthropy (Tonic tip: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin).

Forces for Good: Mike Corso

Roger Darnell — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 17:21:13 +0000

If I have my facts straight, publisher, writer and marketing consultant Mike Corso has personally been operating Cool Site of the Day for well over 13 years, and last year, he decided to take-up a very important initiative: On Fridays, the daily email he sends out showcasing a unique, innovative website is themed as the “Do Good, Feel Good” E-mail. For example, back in October, he used his Friday edition to report on General Electric’s Ecomagination initiative detailed in the video above, reminding us that for every photo readers uploaded, Ecomagination would donate 480 gallons of clean, safe drinking water to communities in need. For more information on Cool Site of the Day and to subscribe to Mike’s newsletters and social media outposts, please visit http://www.coolsiteoftheday.com.

And to Mr. Corso, thank you very much for the thought leadership and the daily inspiration!

“Water must be protected everywhere”

Roger Darnell — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 22:49:22 +0000

Blog Action Day is an annual event held every October 15 that unites the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day with the aim of sparking a global discussion and driving collective action. This year’s topic is water.

I’m very proud to have compiled a few thoughtful pieces on this subject here in the past, including these:
Earth Day 2010 and beyond… onward and upward!
Moving forward: World Water Day 2010
Kevin McMahon: Thanks for the Documentary
Irena Salina: Thanks for the Documentary
Onward and upward, one step at a time…

A click on the image above will lead you to the innovative website for the non-profit charity: water organization, which is doing its part to bring clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.

Thank you very much for taking a look at these projects if you’re interested. Did you know that the General Assembly of the United Nations voted on July 28th that safe and clean drinking water and sanitation is a human right essential to the full enjoyment of life and all other human rights? The Assembly resolution received 122 votes in favour and zero votes against, while 41 countries abstained from voting, including Canada. Please consider supporting the UN’s efforts to bring clean, safe water to millions by signing the petition below.

Many thanks to the Polaris Institute for the continuing education.

Uplift and Upload Now for Prizes from BET and Coca-Cola

Roger Darnell — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:14:10 +0000

BET Videos

In their latest collaboration with advertising agency Wieden+Kennedy, international creative design and production studio Brand New School and director Jonathan Notaro recently produced the stop-motion brand film above, which promotes the Uplift and Upload Contest sponsored by Coca-Cola for BET’s popular daily music video show, 106 & Park. Seize this chance to show how you’re creating and spreading happiness in your community by uploading a video of your good deed at www.bet.com/uplift — but please note, according to the official rules, entries must be received by 6pm ET on Friday, July 23 (even though the video states that July 21 is the entry deadline).

No moment of happiness is too big or too small for your chance to win the grand prize: $5,000 in spending cash, and an all-expense paid trip to New York, where you’ll present the “Wild Out Wednesday” Best in Show winner, alongside Rocsi and Terrence. Creating and spreading happiness is just an idea away.

Good luck!

Earth Day 2010 and beyond… onward and upward!

Roger Darnell — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:35:00 +0000

Huge thanks to Earth Day LA‘s Jim Stewart, Ph.D., for these insights for continuing to make positive impacts through our day-to-day activities… and to my inspirational buddy Kacy Palmieri, who has worked with Earth Day LA for the past several years, for passing along Jim’s sage advice.
1. Become carbon neutral: Use this carbon calculator, fill in the form with your energy use at home and on the road, and sign up to fund measures that will neutralize your carbon output.
2. Drive Less, Take Transit or Bike or Walk: A well-tuned car with properly inflated tires burns less gasoline—cutting pollution and saving money at the pump. If you have two cars, drive the one with better gas mileage whenever possible. Better yet, skip the drive and take walk, bike, or ride public transit.
3. Write your leaders now to urge them to use existing technology to raise fuel economy standards to 40 miles per gallon — the single biggest step we can take to curb global warming. This step can save nearly 4 million barrels of oil a day… and save you personally up to $2,000 at the pump over the life of your car.
4. Sign up for Green Power: Renewable energy solutions, such as wind and solar power, can reduce our reliance on coal-burning power plants, the largest source of global warming pollution in the United States. If you live in Los Angeles, call LADWP (800-473-3652) and sign up for Green Power. Some other municipal utilities offer it as well; ask yours.
5. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, especially those that burn the longest each day. Compact fluorescents produce the same amount of light as normal bulbs, but use 1/4 of the electricity and last 10X as long.
6. Save energy at home: Start with caulking and weather-stripping on doorways and windows, then adjust your thermostat and start saving. For each degree you lower your thermostat in the winter, you can cut your energy bills by 3 percent. To save on heating bills see www.socalgas.com. Finally, ask your utility company to do a free energy audit of your home to show you how to save even more.
7. Become a smart water consumer: Install low-flow showerheads and faucets, then turn your hot water heater down to 120ºF and see hot-water costs go down by as much as 50%.
8. Buy energy-efficient electronics and appliances: Replacing an old refrigerator or an air conditioner with an energy-efficient model saves electricity bills and cuts global warming. Look for the Energy Star label on new appliances or visit www.energystar.gov. Get rebates: See www.ladwp.com for details or call 1 800 246 0441 for free pick up service, or check your own utility’s website for home appliance rebates.
9. Plant a Tree / Protect a Forest. Planting shade trees around your house absorbs CO2, and reduces air-conditioning bills. In Los Angeles, call LADWP to have FREE shade trees delivered to your home: 800-473-3652.
10. Reduce + Reuse + Recycle! Producing new paper, glass, and metal products from recycled materials saves 70-90% of the energy and pollution, including CO2, that result when products come from virgin materials. And by all means, buy recycled products!
11. Mount a local campaign against global warming: Educate your community about how it can cut global warming pollution. Support measures at the national, state, and local level that make automobiles go further per gallon of gas; accelerate the use of clean, renewable energy sources like solar and wind power; increase energy efficiency and conservation; and preserve forests around the world.
12. Buy less: Consumerism is a pattern of behavior that helps to destroy our environment, personal financial health, and human institutions. See www.verdant.net for information on how to reduce consumerism.
13. Grow your own food, and buy local produce to save transportation fuel. Also, compost your food scraps….
14. Install solar panels.
15. Get Connected! Sign up for regular updates, such as the Sierra Club’s global warming action network: www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming/e-newsletter/
16. Educate your business, church and school about how they can save money and the planet by becoming carbon neutral through the Climate Neutral Network: www.climateneutral.com.