The Earth News

Weight control and weight loss has become a part of life for a large percentage of the population in developed countries. With the calorie rich diets of the cash strapped economies making the battle against the bulges fiercer, there exists lucrative opportunities for weight control and weight loss products. Weight management offers long-term opportunities. Obesity stands out as a major growth engine turbo charging the markets expansion both in terms of value and volume. Until now, obesity was considered to be an epidemic in developed countries. Lately, however, obesity is reaching alarming proportions even in developing countries. Spreading swiftly from the United States to Europe and other rich nations, obesity has today penetrated even the worlds most poorest countries, acutely afflicting their urban population.

San Jose, California (PRWEB) February 25, 2008 — As stated by the recent report published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., world weight control products market is projected to maintain an impressive CAGR of 7.04% over the 2001-2010 analysis period and reach about US$35.7 billion by 2010. By the year 2015, the market is further projected to reach US$52.5 billion. Growing concerns about the risks associated with obesity will be the prime factor driving sales of weight control products the world over. The United States, with a share estimated at 40.53% in 2007, constitutes the largest market, and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 6.90% over the 2001-2010 period. Among the product markets, light foods is forecast to grow at the fastest CAGR of 10% over the aforementioned analysis period. Weight control carbonated and other liquids market, the largest segment in the world market, is projected to reach US$24.2 billion by the year 2015. Sales in the weight control dressings market worldwide are projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.90% over the years 2001 to 2010. Other weight control product segments independently analyzed include Low-Fat & Fat-Free Dairy Products, Prepared Intakes, and Herbal Supplements.

Author: Public Relations

Jatropha Curcas came under the spotlight recently at JatrophaWorld 2008, which is being touted as the single largest international gathering of Jatropha entrepreneurs and financiers. Over 350 delegates from 40 countries convened in Jakarta, Indonesia on 23-24 January to be a part of the JatrophaWorld 2008 phenomenon. A panel of internationally acclaimed experts delivered insightful speeches on Jatropha plantation management, project finance, agronomy, genetics, tissue culture, Carbon trading, CDM financing, harvesting, irrigation, oil extraction and processing, and applications of Jatropha and Jatropha by products. Discussion on the socio-economics of Jatropha put the crop in perspective as a tool for rural poverty alleviation. The second conference in the JatrophaWorld 2008 series will be held in Miami on 10-11 June 2008.

(PRWEB) February 7, 2008 — At a point in time where the success of Jatropha investments are hinging on a better understanding of the crop, JatrophaWorld 2008 rode high on the enthusiasm surrounding Jatrophas potential as Biodiesel feedstock and a source of renewable energy and poverty alleviation.

JatrophaWorld 2008 saw over 350 Jatropha experts, industry players and entrepreneurs from 40 countries convening at the summit, which presented a snapshot of the Jatropha markets and industry.

Organized by CMT-Centre for Management Technology, the event attracted a wide portfolio of delegates including bankers, venture capitalists, investors, financiers, Biodiesel producers, plantation owners, entrepreneurs, scientists, agronomists and government officials.

The expert panelists at the conference covered a wide range of topics that presented an excellent overview and overall summary of all the latest developments in Jatropha to date.

The topics and issues discussed at the event included Jatropha plantation management in Southeast Asia, the latest on Jatropha Agronomy and genetics research, new developments in oil extraction and processing, the status of development in mechanical harvesting technologies, irrigation technologies and current and future applications of Jatropha and its by-products.

Discussions on Carbon trading and CDM financing explored alternative revenue streams for Jatropha investors. The social economics of Jatropha, and its impact on rural development was also examined and discussed with a wide variety of views expressed on Jatrophas role as a tool for poverty alleviation.

Mr. Cheung Siu Ming, Executive Director of Oleo Bioenergy Investments based in China rated JatrophaWorld 2008 as “Valuable to the investors and other companies involved in Jatropha Biodiesel” echoing the sentiments of the delegates who were at the event.

Author: Divya Sangam

The Crazy 4 Math Contest is once again receiving entries from all over the world, showing that mathematics, the universal language, is enjoyed by children everywhere. “Many of this years entries combine math with social responsibility,” says Susan Jarema, founder of Googol Learning. “Its wonderful to see families using math in all positive areas of their lives, including recycling, carbon counting, health, manners, tree planting and contributing to a food bank.” To enter the Crazy 4 Math Contest, children simply have to describe how they use math in an activity they enjoy. Entries must be submitted online by July 30th at www.Crazy4Math.com. There are hundreds of great entries posted from previous years and you can check out and vote online for your favorite entry in August.

(PRWEB) July 23, 2007 — The Crazy 4 Math Contest is once again receiving entries from all over the world, showing that mathematics, the universal language, is enjoyed by children everywhere. “Many of this years entries combine math with social responsibility,” says Susan Jarema, founder of Googol Learning. “Its wonderful to see families using math in all positive areas of their lives, including recycling, carbon counting, health, manners, tree planting and contributing to a food bank. We have even seen children who extended math to their neighborhoods and families, coming up with delightful examples of Mothers Day Math and Friendship Math.”


“There is no limit to the ways math can be used and the places it can be found,” says contest sponsor David M. Schwartz, who writes award-winning childrens books with mathematical themes and publishes the web column “Math Moments” (www.davidschwartz.com), featuring families who have found enjoyable ways to use math in their everyday activities. “One of the joys of math is seeing how many ways we can use it to better our lives, which is the essence of the Crazy4Math contest. I am thrilled that this contest is encouraging even more children to find even more math — and to use it in building a better world. The connections between mathematics and the environment are countless, and it inspires me to see children discovering some of them. Its good for the planet and its good for the kids!”

By looking for math in their daily lives and The Crazy 4 Math contest was founded in 2005 to help students keep up their math skills over the summer. Research indicates that children lose math skills over the summer. But this does not need to be the case. Math skills can actually advance! Summer is the perfect time for children to experience the wonder of learning by exploring and developing new interests. Its also a chance for them to discover that learning happens all the time, not just in school. “Families can discover that math can be found everywhere,” says Jarema. “By looking for math in their daily lives and “talking math”, parents can ensure that their children will get the extra practice required to stay ahead.”

Author: SUSAN JAREMA

Institutional Investor Events (II Events) in cooperation with the Social Investment Forum is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Forum on Responsible Investing, taking place on January 24-25, 2008 at the Union League Club, New York. Produced in association with Money Management Letter and Foundation & Endowment Money Management, the forum will bring together members of the investment community to break down the important issues, challenges and questions surrounding responsible investing. It will also feature the release of The Social Investment Research Analyst Networks (SIRAN) report on The Environmental and Social Performance Reporting of Emerging Market Companies.

New York, New York (PRWEB) January 14, 2008 — Institutional Investor Events (II Events) in cooperation with the Social Investment Forum is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Forum on Responsible Investing, taking place on January 24-25, 2008 at the Union League Club, New York.

Responsible investing now accounts for over $2.29 trillion AUM, and with climate change still high on the political and corporate agenda, the growth shows no signs of slowing. The trend towards the mainstreaming of responsible investing continues on its upward curve: nearly one out of every 10 dollars under management in the U.S. today is part of a responsibly invested portfolio (Social Investment Forum).

The 2nd Annual Forum on Responsible Investing, produced in association with Money Management Letter and Foundation & Endowment Money Management, will bring together members of the investment community to break down the important issues, challenges and questions surrounding responsible investing.

Hear From Keynote Speaker Rob D. Lake, ABP Investment; Nancy K. Kopp, State of Maryland; David G. Lemoine, State of Maine; Michael Musuraca, New York City Employees Retirement System (NYCERS); Jonathan L. Shear, University of Utah; Stephen Viederman, Christopher Reynolds Foundation; The Needmor Fund; Victor De Luca, Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation; Luther M. Ragin, F.B. Heron Foundation; Mindy S. Lubber, Ceres; Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR);Zoe Riddell, Carbon Disclosure Project; Jerome Tagger, Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), Adam Sterling, Sudan Divestment Task Force … and more.

Program highlights include:
Fiduciary Issues and Engagement Strategies for Plan Sponsors (including NYCERS, University of Utah and the States of Maine, Connecticut and Maryland) ESG Integration and Mission-Based Investing for Foundations (including Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation, The Needmor Fund, F.B. Heron Foundation and more!) Real-World Examples of the Engagement of Mainstream Financial Institutions Performance Measurement: How can ESG analysis be integrated more effectively into portfolio performance and attribution models? Update from the PRI, CDP and INCR: What do these initiatives mean to your business? CSR Case Studies: How has shareholder activism driven changes in corporate policies and practices? Investing in Clean Energies: Seeking Opportunities in a Carbon-Constrained World
The forum will also feature the release of The Social Investment Research Analyst Networks (SIRAN) report on The Environmental and Social Performance Reporting of Emerging Market Companies. Conducted by the independent investment research firm KLD Research & Analytics, Inc., the report examines the state of sustainability reporting at 75 emerging markets companies, focusing on seven countries: Brazil, China, Korea, India, Russia, South Africa and Taiwan. Details of the reports findings will be presented during the forum.

For more information on this event please visit www.iievents.com. If you would like to feature this event in your publication and attend this event as press, please contact Cristin Riffle-Lash, Tel 212-224-3969.

About II Events
Institutional Investor Events produces awards events and high quality conferences and seminars that leverage the content of Institutional Investor News 17 financial newsletter titles. Like the Institutional Investor newsletters, the conferences deliver critical intelligence across the entire field of financial services, providing leading edge information on tomorrows trends. www.iievents.com

Author: Cristin Riffle-Lash

The trend towards the mainstreaming of responsible investing continues on its upward curve: nearly one out of every 10 dollars under management in the U.S. today is part of a responsibly invested portfolio (Social Investment Forum), and climate change remains high on the political agenda. But when it comes to disclosures, how much is green washing and how much is true compliance? Is there such a thing as green alpha, and where can it be found? What investment vehicles are available for ESG integration beyond traditional screening methods, and who is using them? This forum will debate these issues and more.

New York, NY (PRWEB) November 5, 2007 — Institutional Investor Events (II Events) is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Forum on Responsible Investing, produced in association with the Social Investment Forum on January 24, 2007 at the Union League Club, New York, New York.

Responsible investing now accounts for over $2.29 trillion AUM, and with climate change still high on the political and corporate agenda, the growth shows no signs of slowing.

The 2nd Annual Forum on Responsible Investing, produced in association with Money Management Letter and Foundation & Endowment Money Management, will include sessions on decision-making processes and engagement strategies for responsible investing, foundation insights, performance measurement, the engagement of mainstream financial institutions, innovative alternative investment vehicles, global initiatives in responsible investing and global climate change, corporate social responsibility case studies, investing in clean energies, European insights on ESG Integration, and more.

Keynote Speaker: Rob D. Lake, Head of Sustainability, ABP Investments; Our Elite Speaking Faculty Also Includes: Victor De Luca, Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation; Mindy S. Lubber, Ceres & Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR); David G. Lemoine, State of Maine; Michael Musuraca, New York City Employees Retirement System (NYCERS); Luther M. Ragin, F.B. Heron Foundation; Zoe Riddell, Carbon Disclosure Project; Howard G. Rifkin, State of Connecticut; Jonathan L. Shear, University of Utah; Timothy H. Smith, Social Investment Forum; Sarah Stranahan, The Needmor Fund; Stephen Viederman, Christopher Reynolds Foundation & The Needmor Fund; Sonia Wildash, Ethical Investment Research Services (EIRIS) and more.

Who Should Attend? Institutional and private investors, public and corporate pension funds, foundations and endowments, family offices, asset management firms, investment management consulting firms, investment advisors, financial advisors and independent consultants Investment banks, alternative investment fund managers, SRI funds, index providers, research firms, industry associations, working groups and corporations engaging in, or planning to expand their corporate responsibility activities.

Author: Cristin Riffle-Lash

Platinum Guild Internationals Academy Award Red Carpet Jewelry Preview at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood to feature Aquabars Hydration Station®.

Los Angele, CA (PRWEB) February 21, 2006 — Platinum Guild International (PGI-US) adds Aquabar to its bling extravaganza, a penthouse style suite for the 78th Annual Academy Awards at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood March 2nd & 3rd, that will feature millions of dollars worth of designer jewelry and a custom Hydration Station® by Aquabar.

While celebrities examine the latest in platinum jewelry from PGI-USA, the U.S. marketing arm for the worldwide platinum jewelry industry, they will sip on the finest waters, juices, and soft drinks from around the world from Aquabars Hydration Station®. The Station is an elegant, custom-designed oasis replete with orchids, moss, and sandstone, featuring only the healthiest and most refreshing liquids such as Finé Japanese Artesian Water, airforce Nutrisoda®, Flo - First Liquid Obsession, Metromint, and Harrogate Spa Water, the official water of Buckingham Palace and Englands Royal Family. Having hydrated themselves with the premium drinks on offer, the invited celebrities, VIPs, and media will leave the suite even more refreshed than when they arrived.

Im privileged to be working with the great people at PGI-USA and Clifford PR again, after much success at their Golden Globes Red Carpet Jewelry Preview. Aquabars Hydration Station® will only be enhancing an already exclusive and elegant venue Im privileged to be working with the great people at PGI-USA and Clifford PR again, after much success at their Golden Globes Red Carpet Jewelry Preview. Aquabars Hydration Station® will only be enhancing an already exclusive and elegant venue,” says Jason Boarde, Owner and Creator.

Aquabar distributes, resells, and markets premium waters, natural juices, special teas, and soft drinks. Through its Hydration Stations®, the company is quickly becoming recognized as a premium water resource and for supplying the coolest sips and eye-catching hydration displays for special events. Aquabar caters its services to VIPs, corporate clients, select retail outlets, restaurants, hotels, spas, and the specialty service industry.

In light of the health issues facing the world today, Aquabars mission is to provide only the best beverages for people who are dedicated to their health and well-being. Aquabar offers comprehensive service and meticulously selects each brand based on its purity, health benefit, taste, aesthetic, and value.

To learn more about Aquabar and its Hydration Stations®, please visit www.aquabar.ws or contact Jason Boarde at 323-216-2198.

Author: Jason Boarde

Leonardo Academy announced last week during the U.S. Green Building Councils (USGBC) Annual Greenbuild International Conference & Exposition, that this event is offsetting its emissions under Leonardo Academys Cleaner and Greener® Program which is dedicated to reducing and offsetting emissions to improve health and climate. For the sixth consecutive year, Leonardo Academy has donated its Cleaner and Greener® services to the USGBC for calculating emissions, gathering emission offsets, and certifying the level of offsets achieved. For this years conference in Chicago, IL, the emission offsets already donated have offset 100 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions and average of 50 percent of each of the other types of emissions from projected energy use for travel to conference, meals, hotels and conference space based on preconference projected attendance.

Madison, Wisconsin (PRWEB) November 12, 2007 — Leonardo Academy announced last week during the U.S. Green Building Councils (USGBC) Annual Greenbuild International Conference & Exposition that this event is offsetting its emissions under Leonardo Academys Cleaner and Greener® Program which is dedicated to reducing and offsetting emissions to improve health and climate. For the sixth consecutive year, Leonardo Academy has donated its Cleaner and Greener® services to the USGBC for calculating emissions, gathering emission offsets, and certifying the level of offsets achieved. For this years conference in Chicago, IL, the current emission offsets donated have offset 100 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions and average of 50 percent of each of the other types of emissions from based on projected Greenbuild attendance and energy use.

The Cleaner and Greener® Program certifies organizations and events for offsetting emissions from energy use. This program addresses emissions that impact both human health and climate. Michael Arny, President of Leonardo Academy, said, “Reducing and offsetting emissions that affect climate and health is a critical pert of reducing our environmental impacts and everyone can follow the U.S. Green building Councils Greenbuild example in taking action.”

Projected Greenbuild energy use and emissions were prepared by Leonardo Academy. Leonardo Academy is gathering donations of emissions offsets from both companies and individual donors to offset Greenbuild emissions. Large emission reduction donors for this event are: Milliken & Company, Wind Current, and Sterling Planet. Greenbuild attendees also have the opportunity to offset their personal attendance emissions through charitable contributions toward the purchase of emission offsets. Offset Sources donated through Cleaner and Greener to offset Conference emissions:

Milliken — Donated more than 25 million pounds of carbon dioxide sequestration credits from its forests, enough to offset 100% of the carbon dioxide emissions generated by Greenbuild 2007 (www.sustainablecarpet.com),

WindCurrent — Donated 500,000 kWh of Green-e certified wind renewable energy credits sourced from Midwestern wind farms (www.windcurrent.com),

Sterling Planet — Donated 200,000 kWh of Green-e certified biomass and wind-generated renewable energy credits (www.sterlingplanet.com).

Donated emission offsets will be permanently retired to offset the carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and mercury (Hg) emissions from the conference facilities, travel, meals, lodging, utilities, and other potential energy use connected to the conference. The pre-event estimates of the event emissions and offset achievements are posted on Leonardo Academys Cleaner and Greener® website (www.cleanerandgreener.org). Following Greenbuild, the emissions and offset achievements will be updated to include the actual event attendance and additional donations made during the event. Starting with Greenbuild 2007 events that are Cleaner and Greener® Certified will have emissions and offsets quantified using methodology referencing the LEO 5000-2001 Draft American National Standard for Trial Use on Emission Inventories, Offsets and Emission Reductions, the EPA Climate Challenge and USGBC credit interpretations on emissions and emission offsets.

Author: Michael Arny

Combined entity offers most advanced techniques for green building initiatives.

Phoenix, Ariz. (PRWEB) June 20, 2007 — Rider Hunt (www.riderhunt.com), one of the world’s foremost professional property and construction consulting firms, has joined forces with Levett & Bailey in Asia and the UK-based Bucknall Austin to create a new global practice. The combined group will consist of 1,800 professionals serving clients in four broad geographic regions: Oceania, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), Asia and the Americas.

The new entity represents a fusion of resources, intellectual property and service delivery methods to better serve construction, engineering and development professionals around the globe. As one of the largest global practices, services will include cost consulting, project management and advisory.

This state of mind is part of all that we do, and every interaction we have with our clients, regardless of where in the world they turn to us for help. “This new global practice is comprised of three organizations that are the recognized and established leaders in their respective regions,” said Julian Anderson, president of Rider Hunt. “Our clients will benefit from not only the industry’s collection of top talent, but also the knowledge transfer and pooling of industry-specific intellectual property and practices across the world.”

Global Green Building Expertise Benefits Clients Locally
The new practice will harness the more than 220 years of company experience across four continents, including industry-leading techniques for sustainable building practices. Two offerings, relifing and four dimensional cost modeling, will help socially responsible organizations take a leadership role in managing the potentially harmful impact of waste, carbon emissions, and energy efficiencies on the global environment.

For example, clients outside the Americas will benefit from Rider Hunt’s relifing program, which helps building owners capture the remaining value and extend the life of their buildings after years of service. The methodology, sometimes implemented as a “Building Life Extension Study”, is now a requirement for Arizona state buildings of a certain size. Relifing 80 buildings in Arizona has resulted in a more environmentally friendly approach to development needs that has also saved the taxpayers $26 million over a six month period. As a result, The American Legislative Exchange Council has adopted Rider Hunt’s relifing as “model” legislation for all 50 states.

Clients will likewise benefit from the Bucknall Austin development of a Four Dimensional Cost Modeling System, which helps to predetermine and manage carbon outputs for buildings. The system facilitates rapid ‘what if’ scenarios to establish bottom line impacts for capital costs, including the modeling of energy, CO2 and capital allowances. The system looks within the structure of the building and identifies solutions over a period of time to make the existing asset more environmentally friendly. For example, the model found that installing a steam recirculation system within an existing munition facility in South Wales would result in reheating from 90 degrees Celsius instead of 40 degrees Celsius. This small initial investment had the triple benefit of massively cutting the energy bill, in turn reducing the carbon cap levy and reducing CO2 emissions.

“These initiatives are but a few examples of how our combined talent and expertise can provide lasting value for our clients through clarity of strategy, superior service, and the ability to be forward looking,” added Anderson. “This state of mind is part of all that we do, and every interaction we have with our clients, regardless of where in the world they turn to us for help.”

Author: Cathy Planchard

Green Mountain Energy is offering a unique “Gift of Green” this holiday season through their BeGreen website, which launched last month to help fight global warming. These holiday gifts are sent to friends and family in an effort to help save the environment, literally one tree at a time, through sequestration in the Koontenai National Forrest in Montana. Sequestration is one of the ways to combat the growing carbon dioxide emissions problems that we face in the United Sates.

Austin, Texas (PRWEB) December 7, 2006 — Green Mountain Energy Company, the nations leading retail provider of cleaner electricity products is pleased to offer consumers an environmentally friendly holiday gift this season. A Gift of Green is a simple way to honor friends and family by helping to plant more trees, helping to offset some of the carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming.

About the Gift of Green
- For each Gift of Green you buy, one more tree gets planted.
- An average tree will absorb more than 650 pounds of CO2 over its lifetime - as much as not driving your car about 740 miles.
- The recipient of your environmentally friendly gift will get a plantable ornament that will grow into cilantro plus a card telling them about the environmental benefits of their tree.
- Its a great affordable gift for you and for the earth at only $9.95!

to change the way power is made. Each of these green gifts provides a tree which will be planted in the once-majestic Kootenai National Forest in Montana. For this reforestation project, Green Mountain Energy Company is partnering with American Forests to plant Ponderosa Pine trees to help the forest recover from large forest fires in 2000. In addition to absorbing CO2, the new trees will also help restore the wildlife habitat that was destroyed, and return the forest to its former glory.

About Green Mountain Energy Company

Green Mountain Energy Company is a leading provider of renewable energy in the nation. Green Mountain began in 1997 with a simple idea: “to change the way power is made.” The company began in the renewable electricity market with the belief that if given a choice, consumers will choose a cleaner electricity product over polluting fossil fuels. The company has also helped spur the development of thirteen new wind and solar facilities across the nation. www.greenmountain.com

Author: Gillan Taddune

Ce composite renforcé de fibres de carbone présente des avantages décisifs par rapport aux matériaux traditionnels tels les alliages cobalt-chrome, le titane ou linox.

THORNTON CLEVELEYS, ANGLETERRE (PRWEB) September 12, 2006 - Invibio®, leader dans la fourniture de biomatériaux destinés au marché médical, annonce aujourdhui le lancement du composite biocompatible ENDOLIGN”, un nouveau thermoplastique renforcé de fibres de carbone destiné à la réalisation de dispositifs médicaux implantables soumis à de fortes contraintes mécaniques et restant en contact avec le sang, les tissus ou les os durant plus de 30 jours. Le composite ENDOLIGN et son processus de transformation représentent une véritable alternative au métal, en proposant une résistance similaire combinée aux prédispositions des polymères en imagerie médicale.


Les tests de biocompatibilité réalisés sur le composite ENDOLIGN confirment quil dépasse les exigences de lISO 10993 pour les dispositifs médicaux implantables à long terme. La fabrication dENDOLIGN répond au standard qualité ISO 9001. Les fibres de carbone continues sont dans un premier temps imprégnées de la matrice polymère PEEK-OPTIMA® pour former des bandes. Ces bandes sont ensuite moulées en joncs cylindriques ou toute autre forme. Les fibres de carbone continues augmentent de façon très importante les propriétés mécaniques de la matière. Mesurée sur des joncs moulés unidirectionnels, la résistance à la flexion croît denviron 150 MPa pour un polymère PEEK-OPTIMA à plus de 1.000 MPa et son module de flexion (rigidité) de 3.5 GPa à plus de 150 GPa.

Les propriétés mécaniques des produits réalisés selon le processus composite ENDOLIGN peuvent être comparées à celles des matériaux métalliques traditionnels que sont les alliages cobalt-chrome, les alliages de titane ou linox, en y ajoutant la compatibilité à limagerie médicale. Du fait de sa radio-transparence, ENDOLIGN permet une visualisation parfaite de la zone dimplantation en utilisant les techniques dimageries médicales conventionnelles telles que les rayons X, la tomographie numérique (Computer Tomography) ou lIRM, contrairement aux matières métalliques utilisées traditionnellement en implantologie, celles-ci générant des artefacts ou distorsions empêchant une vision correcte des tissus et des os environnants.

Author: Tracy Conger