[GBlist] WRI CO2 "footprint" info <FYI>

["Bion D. Howard" <bdhoward@ix.netcom.com>]

  Posted under Federal Library Act, for non profit use.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

>New WRI Website Asks/ How Big Is Your CO2 Footprint?
>April 19, 2001 
>
>WASHINGTON, Apr 18, 2001 (U.S. Newswire via COMTEX) via NewsEdge
>Corporation - The World Resources Institute (WRI) today launched
>SafeClimate.net (<http://www.SafeClimate.net>), a Web site where visitors
>can take decisive action to address global warming. 
>
>SafeClimate.net site challenges individuals and organizations to calculate
>the size of their own carbon dioxide (CO2) footprint and pledge to reduce
>it by taking one or more actions outlined on the site. According to climate
>scientists, CO2 emissions from human activities are the largest source of
>greenhouse gases contributing to global warming. 
>
>"We don't have to wait for our government to lead. SafeClimate.net
>provides the opportunity for concerned citizens and organizations to do
>their part and demonstrate their concern on this issue," said Jonathan
>Lash, WRI president. "Every step toward carbon reduction is a meaningful
>one in reducing the threat of global warming." 
>
>Visitors to SafeClimate.net can use the site's calculator to estimate their
>carbon dioxide emissions from energy and transportation use. It also
>offers a set of voluntary actions they can take to reduce their emissions
>like purchasing climate-friendly products on-line, signing up for green
>energy, and making easy lifestyle changes such as properly maintaining
>appliances for maximum energy efficiency. Any proceeds from the site will
>be used to fund climate protection projects. 
>
>SafeClimate.net also provides the latest information on climate science,
>policy, and technology through a bimonthly column. Daily environmental
>news is available at the site, too. Visitors will have the opportunity to
>send letters to policymakers appealing for them to reduce the threat of
>global warming. 
>
>The site contains a report on WRI's pledge to reduce its own carbon
>dioxide footprint. In 1999, WRI became the first non-profit organization to
>commit to zero net emissions by 2005. To meet the zero net goal, WRI
>uses energy efficient appliances in its office. It also purchased carbon
>offsets by investing in a project in Portland, OR to upgrade a school boiler
>to use natural gas instead of oil, thereby reducing CO2 emissions. 
>
>"By walking the talk, we have learned a tremendous amount about the
>benefits and challenges of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It's a
>healthy dose of reality that we can bring to our efforts to stimulate
>action by governments and business," said Elizabeth Cook, director of
>WRI's Environment and Business Program. "The Internet is a great way to
>share our experience and tools to make it easier for other office-based
>organizations." 
>
>WRI is developing partnerships with a variety of membership groups and
>organizations to increase SafeClimate.net's impact. Environmental
>Defense will offer the SafeClimate.net's bimonthly climate column, for
>example, on its recently launched ForMyWorld Web site. ClimateGuru, an
>information management site for the public and private sectors, will also
>feature the column, as well as a link to the SafeClimate.net CO2
>calculator. National Wildlife Federation's Campus Ecology Program will
>offer energy-efficient products sold through SafeClimate.net to engage
>their network. Conservation International will be promoting
>SafeClimate.net through its web site, given the serious impact climate
>change is likely to have in accelerating species extinction. 
>
>SafeClimate.net was developed through the support of individual donors
>and private foundations, including the Shell Foundation, The New York
>Community Trust, and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur
>Foundation. 
>
>"SafeClimate.net provides the public with the means to really make a
>difference," said Kurt Hoffman, deputy director of Shell Foundation. "With
>e-education, e-activism, and e-commerce, it's really one-stop shopping,"
>he added. 
>
>------- The World Resources Institute (<http://www.wri.org>) is an
>environmental think tank that goes beyond research to create practical
>ways to protect the Earth and improve people's lives. 
>
>CONTACT:          
>Adlai Amor of World Resources Institute, 202-729-7736,
>         <mailto:aamor@wri.org>
>
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    ||              Contact:  Bion D. Howard, President
=(O) =     Building Environmental Science & Technology
    ||      P.O. Box 1107   Edgewater, MD 21037  USA
         Phone:  410.867.8000   Telefax: 301-889-0889
                   <http://www.energybuilder.com>

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