See Change Happen

Tap, Bottled, Carbon Footprints and Pharmacuticals. I'm thirsty.

Water. It's become an amazingly huge topic in the news of late. And a topic that seems to grow more confusing the more I investigate. Yesterday, apparently, was World Water Day aimed at increasing awareness about the lack of clean drinking water around the globe. Clean water, both internationally and domestically, is a problem

The arguments over bottled water in the US began when it was revealed that most bottled water is simply purified tap water in a fancy package, and at a much higher price. The US water industry is a $12b business, so someone was making a ton of money convincing the US consumer they could no longer drink from the tap.

And it worked. There were a few years from 2000 - 2003 where I didn't drink tap water at all. I would wake up in a hotel and feel justified breaking into the $9 bottle of water because I felt I simply had no alternative.

For awhile, the big issue surrounding water was the carbon footprint created by shipping it all over the place. Attached is a great photo a friend posted on his blog that visualizes just how much oil it takes to get water to the US.

But, now, concerns about shipping something we could drink from the kitchen tap are being overshadowed by news about the trace pharmaceuticals found in our tap water. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23563705/. As the Herald Tribune recently said, "Bottled water industry faces the same federal standards for pharmaceuticals as tap water- none." So, it seems the best solution still appears to be to drink local, purified water.

This whole issues of drugs getting into our drinking water is fascinating (and somewhat scary). If anyone has a regional breakdown of chemicals by city, send it my way. Judging from the number of people who regularly take medication in NYC, I may be able to fight depression or high blood pressure just by getting my 8 glasses of tap water per day

Walmart is as big as...

A few months ago I saw this visualization in Good Magazine and have been meaning to post it ever since. It shows that the Walmart retail space covers an area larger than Manhattan. McDonalds, the next largest, seems tiny in comparision. (click to enlarge image)

The Smart Car Visualized

Wired.com featured this great shot of a Smart Car next to a stretch limo. After seeing the YouTube crash test videos,
I'm not quite ready to buy one, but I love the impact of this visual.
http://www.wired.com/cars/coolwheels/multimedia/2008/03/gallery_smartcar_review?slide=3&slideView=3

Helen Walters on why Apple's design is so good

In her Business Week blog, Helen gives a great explanation or actually, translation, of how Apple creates products consumers love.

Interesting presentation at SXSW from Michael Lopp, senior engineering manager at Apple, who tried to assess how Apple “gets” design when so many other companies try and fail. After describing Apple’s process of delivering consumers with a succession of presents (“really good ideas wrapped up in other really good ideas” — in other words, great software in fabulous hardware in beautiful packaging

Here's the rest of the story: http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/next/archives/2008/03/apples_design_p.html

Giving the finger to Hummers

At last week's SxSW I went to see climate change expert Bill McKibben, author of Deep Economy, speak about how screwed we are as a planet if we don't change the way we live.

McKibben made one particularly persuasive point: if water levels rise as predicted, 140 million Bangladeshis will be displaced as a result of global warming. However, collectively, those 140 million people don't create enough CO2 emissions to register on the global fossil fuel meter. It's incredibly unfair.

This blog is the kind of thing McKibben would like - user submitted photos of people giving the finger to a Hummer.

http://www.fuh2.com/submissions.php

This is a cool job

When it was first being built, I worked on the Virgin America brand and have always thought I'd love to work for them someday. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm qualified for this position but maybe there is someone out there who is. **NOTE, a couple of people asked how to apply and unfortunately, I'm not sure. The posting was part of an email from Bay Area non-profit netimpact.org.

Virgin America

Bring a little fun back to flying

This is a unique opportunity to build and fly Virgin America's sustainability program.
And maybe Richard Branson will give you a ride in his hot-air balloon.

Job Title: Director of Sustainability
Type: Full time
Pay range: Based on Experience
Location: Burlingame, CA

Position Overview:

As San Francisco’s hometown airline, Virgin America is a next generation low-fare carrier that will serve as many as 10 cities within its first year of operation, and up to 30 cities within five years.

This role of this position will be to build a leading Environmental Responsibility and Sustainability Program. Specifically, this person will be charged with creating, leading, and managing the global environmental and sustainability program for Virgin America. This person should be a seasoned “green” expert who has established and worked with high-profile corporate teams. This person must also be someone who can influence all aspects of the company with cross-departmental leadership.

Duties & Responsibilities:

    * Create, lead, and manage the Company’s environmental responsibility and sustainability/“green” efforts.
    * Serve as a primary point of contact for the Company’s environmental responsibility and sustainability/“green” efforts.   
  * Create strategies, policies, internal/external reports on environmental responsibility and sustainability; establish and roll out related best practices through Virgin America and its business units.
  * Coordinate with relevant business team members to proactively maximize opportunities for environmental responsibility and sustainability—with an early focus on measures designed to reduce CO2/NOX aircraft emissions and create a company-wide recycling program.
  * Partner with appropriate business team members to find additional ways to make the company “green” in addition to ensuring full compliance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations especially California and Federal air emissions requirements (e.g. EPA and airport conformity assessments).
    * Create and lead a network of Environmental Champions across the company.
  * Keep abreast of industry developments by reviewing trade journals and publications and by attendance at seminars and conventions.
    * Assist SVP-Legal & Government Affairs in analyzing relevant legislative and regulatory developments.

Skills and Experience Required:

  * Excellent academic and work credentials; College degree; Masters in Environmental Studies or Climate related issues, MBA, or J.D. a plus
  * Experience and knowledge of “green” best practices with a particular focus on jet aircraft operations and air quality issues
    * Knowledge and understanding of FAA, EPA, and California Air Board regulations.
    * Experience creating and managing successful environmental programs (either corporate or consultancy)
  * Proven track record in evaluating environmental responsibility best practices, determining applicability/relevance to an organization, analyzing issues, anticipating future trends
    * Deep knowledge of and ability to analyze and communicate about air emissions and environmental reporting - process, tools, trends
    * Ability to manage, influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams and mobilize organizations at all levels
    * Proven track record representing an organization and forging relationships with a wide variety of external stakeholders
    * Experience driving multiple programs and projects in complex, highly-regulated organization
    * Ability to influence behavior across large organization
    * Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, including public speaking
    * Minimum 5 years of relevant experience

The successful candidate will help drive sustainability at Virgin America. This person will build upon the established ground work of our existing efforts and shape a comprehensive program for California’s hometown airline.