Carbon Trees

As I was passing through one of my favorite news sites, Frontline, I came across one of their recent World reports that focuses on the effects of climate change and in particular the impending  “trillion-dollar carbon trading market” that appears headed toward creation (See COP15).

I posted the first piece from “The Money Tree” below although if you watch the entire episode you will come across the Green Police and be forced to think ever more critically of the unintended effects of each action.

In the end I came away with many new questions but a clearer picture of how the process works in far away lands. I simply do not understand why the natives cannot stay on the land so long as they are not expanding…which may be part of the reason for their expulsion.

Additional reading from Mother Jones

Alumni Network

As I head toward my final year of college I have begun to think about what it means to be an alumnus. My thoughts have been compounded by the duty I have as the Senior Class representative on the student senate.

• How would I reach out to someone in a specific field?
• Who are the most famous or accomplished alumni?
• In what ways can our network be best utilized?

I have come to the opinion that the University I attend, USF, requires a web page that better highlights those who should be role models for current students. As such I am in the begining stages of setting something like this up and hopefully meeting some amazing people along the way.

The US Debt

Read the whole piece here

Starting a Net Impact Chapter

How it came to be…

I was fortunate enough to connect with a number of members associated with Net Impact over the summer through various networking events I attended for Hub Bay Area. Eventually I was contacted by someone from the Net Impact central office and asked if I was interested in starting an Undergraduate Chapter at USF. After doing some basic research I decided that such a club could greatly benefit all of my peers who have even a small incling towards sustainable business.

What is Net Impact

• A network of more than 15,000 new generation leaders committed to using the power of business to improve the world
• A membership organization that brings MBAs, graduate students, a select group of undergraduate students, and young professionals together to network, learn and take action on socially-responsible business issues
• An organization that educates, equips and inspires members to use their business skills for social impact
• An organization comprised of a central office (Net Impact central) and over 200 Net Impact chapters led by volunteers that work locally to carry out the Net Impact mission

Why I’m excited

The Bay area is a hotbed for socially responsible business in addition to being a locale full of start-ups and professionals seeking to create a new paradigm. By harnessing some of the energy around this movement on the campus of USF and inspiring new initiatives and events, it is likely that both students and faculty will think ever deeper about sustainable techniques. My hope is that USF embraces the movement as a way to lead and attract those with the most potential.

Beyond co-sponsoring events with the graduate chapter and utilzing the successful chapters at UC Berkeley (Graduate and Undergraduate) and within the city of San Francisco (Professional) members will also be able to participate in live webchats with promenient figures in the space:

Is ‘cash for clunkers’ a sham?

Over the course of the last week I have inevitably run into a multitude of news reports on the “Cash for Clunkers” program. One particular report that featured the plight of the auto wreckers was very intriguing and has not been addressed by many of those involved in the debate:

Watch the video here

Although I am not an expert in this field I find it disturbing that there is not focus by the media on how the decommission process is working. Instead, we hear how sales are increasing and auto dealers and makers are expierencing increased sales. Even President Obama explained that the program is “helping consumers and the auto industry.” But what about the waste? Can all the car parts be reused?

I figured that this was the case until I watched the video above and learned that the dealers are required to “kill” the motors of cars that are running perfectly fine. Essentially making the motors and transmissions useless and evaporating the incentive of the wreckers. So what happens to the parts that cannot be used and recycled? The pieces too dangers to be thrown in a landfill? Hopefully they don’t end up like the millions of discarded computer parts.