Blog: Sustainability

We’re pumped about working with Seneca Sustainable Energy! It’s going to build a $45 million renewable heat and power facility, which will generate up to 18.8 megawatts of electricity and provide heat for Seneca Sawmill’s dry kilns. And, it continues Seneca’s commitment to fully use every log by fueling its boiler with byproducts from its mills and slash.

An article in today’s The Register-Guard describes the project and its benefits. Check it out!

Though there is some opposition, it is based on wanting the company to go beyond current standards. Seneca is already doing more than required, and is spending about one-quarter of the projects’ cost for pollution control technology.

Renewable, local energy! Way to go, Seneca!

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by Bob Willard

The subtitle of the book is what it's all about: How to Transform Your Company. This short, 128-page book captures the essence of modern business thought: Peter M. Senge, Stephen R. Covey, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, George Ainsworth, John P Kotter, and Everett M. Rogers. Wow! It shows how applicable all those thought leaders are to moving sustainability forward.

In the author's words, here's what you get: ". . . practices that have always worked for effective leaders championing any kind of organizational change. These are the lesson learned–without the backup theory, stories, case studies, and anecdotes."  This is powerful stuff – so much information in such a small space. 

Another insightful paragraph: "Sustainability initiatives thrive on meaning. When corporate values align with person values, employee energy, creativity and commitment are unleashed, accelerating sustainability changes and adding passion capital to the financial, natural, and social capitals of sustainability." 

Make no doubt about it, the author wants to advance sustainability. But, truly this book will help any executive move change through an organization. And, this is the kind of book you'll read more than once. I'm going to start my second read right now!

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by David Bach

You might know Bach as a financial expert who encourages people to align their financial lives with their values.

He offers 50 different ideas, with lots of details on how to live green while spending less and saving more. He explodes the myth that being environmentally responsible is expensive. He stays true to his basic premise: “It is not what you earn that makes you rich or poor; it what you spend.” And extends it to say, “… wasting money and hurting the planet go hand in hand.”

Here’s the most eye-opening thing I learned: “Switching from a ‘Standard American Diet’ to a vegetarian diet takes a bigger bite out of global warming than trading in your SUV for a hybrid car!” Why? “Methane from captive livestock accounts for nearly a fifth of all greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans.” Wow!

And, there’s a section on going green at work. General Electric saved $6.5 million in electricity costs a year by enabling its computers’ energy efficiency settings. Check it out to see what you could do at work, at home and at play. Plus, you’ll keep more of your money and make the world a better place. What could be better?

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by Lisa Harrow

Subtitled An Alphabet for Living, this small - but information rich - book organizes hundreds of web sites that help you become sustainable. Sometimes you'll find a tidbit of useful advise. Some of the more interesting headings = transportation, formal dresses, coffee, golf, plastics and alternatives. You'll put this next to your computer and refer to it often. Sustainability awaits!

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