Paging Authors Podcast: Van Jones

Posted by Dana on 01.23.2009 at 3:05 pm

A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege of chatting on the phone with internationally acclaimed and award-winning activist Van Jones about his book The Green Collar Economy.  Van was both informative and funny – at one point comparing clean coal to having unicorns pull our cars.  I sincerely hope you enjoy listening to the interview as much as I enjoyed talking to him.  Read more…

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1 Comment » | Tagged Author Podcast, dana barrett, environment, Green Business, GreenforAll.org, jobs, The Green Collar Economy, Van Jones

Top Ten Best Green Books

Posted by admin on 12.12.2008 at 5:59 pm

This one is pretty straightforward.  With the world changing like it is, and arguments on either side of what is to be done as a result, there are incredible opportunities both in the career world and even on your block.  These are 10 books that you need to read:

1. Hot, Flat and Crowded – Barack’s favorite economist is a hot author lately, and between his tomes on the Middle East and takes on the world, this is a must read. 

2. Green to Gold – If you are someone at a decision making level in your company, no matter what industry, this is a must read.  It’s the new Bible of green business.

3. Natural Capitalism – Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins and Hunter Lovins are three of the smartest people in the green space and they’ve been doing this for years.  This amalgamation of thoughts from the three pundits is rife with information vital to understanding how the world economy will change over the next years.
Read more…

1 Comment » | Tagged Book Lists, green books, Green Business

Carbon vs. Green

Posted by admin on 01.04.2008 at 9:11 am

You’re in California and you have a business.  You’re trying to figure out how you can make a positive environmental impact despite the fact that you can’t get your computer network to run on the power created by the intern you’ve made ride an exercise bike attached to a turbine.

We’ve all been there before.

Well maybe we haven’t ALL been there before, but if you are allow me to make two suggestions I’m sure you’ll see what I mean.  For Better World Books’ purposes, since we aren’t located in CA and since we have a number of fixed costs related to UPS, we have to deal with the inherent carbon emissions created by our company.  We choose to deal with these emissions by making donations such that all of our shipments are carbon neutral, a reality achieved with help of the lovely folks at carbonfund.org.

However, if you’re a business (or resident, for that matter) of the aforementioned sunny left coast state, allow me to enlighten you (using renewable energy, of course, and a halogen idea bulb at that): Village Green Energy.

Village Green, created by three guys with great commitment and too much education, is a group that offers “REC’s.”  An REC, or Renewable Energy Certificate is a purchase that not only offsets the carbon that you create, but actually ensures that part of the energy you use is from a renewable energy source.  In that way, not only are you offsetting the carbon output of you (whomever you are), but you’re actually reducing the emissions that get into the air and simultaneously reducing your dependence on fossil fuels (look at you, you multi-tasker!).  First of all, imagine the impact you can create, just by making your own effort.  Next, imagine the kind of positive press that can create (if you don’t believe me, re-read this post a few times, it’ll start being clear…)

Get more info at their website.  Take a deep breath, doesn’t the air seem that much fresher?

Have your say » | Tagged Uncategorized, Green Business, off-topic

Idealists get Lesson in Green Business

Posted by admin on 03.28.2007 at 11:49 am

This past weekend we sent a variety of Better World Books employees to the Idealist 2007 conference in Chicago . How great to see so many motivated students finding new and innovative ways to help their communities.

An excellent highlight to the conference was our very own Xavier Helgesen’s presentation on Green Business Practices. The conversation covered an excellent and wide array of topics including many of the efforts the BWB is making to be a greener company everyday. We had a great time discussing the concept of being a carbon neutral company and how carbon credits and investment in alternative energy practices are rapidly becoming integrated in daily business practices across the country. It was also an excellent opportunity for blossoming entrepreneurs to get some great feedback on the difficulties and finer points of starting a socially conscious business. WorldFund’s Michelle Viegas was also attended, which enabled some excellent discussions on the differences between the non-profit and for-profit business worlds.

It was wonderful to meet representatives from all over the country and I am grateful for such a warm welcoming from the whole Idealist crew, DePaul University , and everyone who attended the conference.

Have your say » | Tagged Uncategorized, chicago, Green Business, Idealist, Illinois, worldfund, Xavier Helgesen