Greenr - Accelerate the Change!

The concept of algal biofuel has been discussed for decades but we may finally be seeing scalable solutions. CNet writer Michael Kanellos offers some insights in Algae: Another way to grow edible oils. Cnet also offers up a video on LiveFuels a national alliance of labs and scientists dedicated to transforming algae into biocrude by the year 2010. Two Australian companies - Linc Energy and Bio Clean Coal - have another approach. They’re working together to run emissions from a coal plant through a bioreactor to make biodiesel.

::Photo via AlgaeFuels.org

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The Guardian and Treehugger report on a new high-speed link between Madrid and Barcelona. The Ave covers the 410 miles between Madrid and Barcelona in just 2 hours and 35 minutes.

From The Guardian: The aim is to have 10,000km (6,200 miles) of high-speed track in Spain by 2020, meaning that 90% of the population will be no more than 30 miles from a station through which the train passes…trains produce at least four times less carbon dioxide per mile than planes, and even less when compared with short-haul flights. Spain is preparing itself for a future in which there may be limits on the number of flights a person is allowed to take, particularly within the EU.

Given the choice I will happily take a train over a plane any day. How about you?

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As a kid I tended a sizable vegetable garden. I don’t know what inspired me (a suburban kid) to till the backyard soil at age 10. But I loved the work and the joy of fresh, local food stuck with me. It was also the beginning of my entrepreneurial life as I sold produce to neighbors.

So today I was pleased to hear from my friends at Straus Communications that Slow Food Nation is coming to San Francisco later this year.

Most people have lost touch with food and farms, and this event will create a space in which we can celebrate, explore, and educate ourselves about food that is delicious, ecologically sustainable and socially just.

Slow Food Nation inspires and empowers Americans to build a food system that is good, clean and fair.

The world’s most pressing questions regarding health, culture, the environment, education, social justice and the global economy are all deeply connected to the food we eat and how it is produced.

Slow Food Nation is an event at the center of a movement with national impact and global implications. It will engage tens of thousands of attendees in learning how everyday choices affect our wellbeing, our culture and the health of the planet.

The event will be held from August 29 to September 1, 2008 in San Francisco, and will bring hundreds of farmers and food artisans from across the country to present an extraordinary range of foods and preparation techniques. It will offer activities for all ages, including food, music, talks, forums, workshops, films and exhibits, all highlighting food that supports an agricultural system that is good, clean and fair.

More at www.slowfoodnation.org

Put it in your calendar now!

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Some more on Saatchi’s acquisition of Act Now:

PUBLICIS GROUPE ACQUIRES ACT NOW, TOP SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANCY

• Act Now to Become Saatchi & Saatchi S, part of Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide
• Move Strengthens Publicis Groupe in Sustainability Communications

Adam Werbach, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi S said in a release yesterday: “Saatchi & Saatchi S is where world changing global communications meets deep sustainability expertise and passion. This is about taking the vision, mission and passion of the people of Act Now to the talents, process, scale, impact and creativity of the people of Saatchi & Saatchi.’”

Full Release

Coverage via Google News

This is BIG news in the sustainability field and likely a topic of conversation for Monday morning meetings in certain investment banking circles.

Send me your tips on who might be next…

Update:  Lots of coverage via blogs and regular media.

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