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Sustainability
Sustainability looks at the consequences of economics through a social and ecological lens. In general, sustainability integrates public policy, urban planning and transport, quality of life and ethics; for corporations, it involves improvements to work practices and analysis of economic, environmental and social impact (the "triple bottom line") to ensure process, and ultimately financial, efficiency.
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Modern, net-zero energy homes made more affordable with modular design
Prefabricated homes conjure up images of uninspired architecture, but Simpatico Homes is constructing sustainable houses out of factory-built modules that are beautifully designed. SmartPlanet's...
3 | January 23, 2012 8:21am
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Passive House: A new metric for 'green' homes
Sonoma, Calif., homeowner Catherine O'Neill decided last year to "green" her home, so she called on Rick Milburn, owner of Solar Knights Construction, to look at Passive House--a sustainable...
7 | March 28, 2011 3:58pm
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The Green Enterprise: California Academy of Sciences
Since 1853, the California Academy of Sciences has been considered one of the world's most respected institutions. Now more than 150 years later, it's continuing to lead by example, showcasing how...
November 21, 2008 12:35pm
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LEED pioneer shows off his sustainable home
Founder of the U.S. Green Building Council, David Gottfried helped dream up rating system that eventually became LEED-otherwise known as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design...
8 | August 10, 2010 8:47am
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NASA's Sustainability Base: Bringing space-age technologies to earth
Steve Zornetzer, associate director of NASA Ames Research Center, talks about the space agency's plan to design eco-friendly buildings on earth using technologies developed for space exploration....
August 29, 2011 3:32pm
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Smart coffee roaster burns 80% less carbon
Equator Coffees, a specialty coffee wholesaler, is going green throughout its business operations. The co-founders, Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell are using sustainable farming practices to...
2 | January 27, 2010 8:34am
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Wine caves: Going green, by going underground
William Jarvis built his winery underground so he wouldn't pollute the natural environment with large winery tanks and buildings. Among the sustainable technologies his business relies on are...
2 | January 18, 2011 9:28am
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Chegg: A 'green' alternative to buying college textbooks
Silicon Valley start-up Chegg.com rents textbooks to students for only the time they need them. The books are then returned via UPS free of charge. SmartPlanet correspondent Sumi Das talks to...
3 | April 11, 2011 1:09pm
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Paper and plastic are upcycled to create a designer chair
Modern design takes a sustainable turn with Artek's Shigeru Ban 10-unit System Chair. SmartPlanet's Sumi Das explores the possible configurations of this modular system.
5 | January 19, 2012 8:24am
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The real cost of e-waste
How are companies tackling the e-waste problem? PC maker, Hewlett-Packard has an ambitious goal to recycle two billion pounds of e-waste by 2010. Correspondent Sumi Das talks to the company's...
20 | June 2, 2009 9:19am
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Going green inside the wine business
Frog's Leap Winery is nestled in the Bay Area's scenic Napa Valley. The vineyard is known for its crisp sauvignon blancs, and earthy zinfandels, but now they're getting attention as one of first...
5 | July 15, 2008 10:27am
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Sustainable sleeves made from cork
One last idea for the last-minute shoppers and those Vegas-bound for CES. SmartPlanet's Sumi Das shares electronic sleeves made out of cork, because every iPad & iPhone cover should be certified...
1 | December 21, 2011 8:50am
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Greening highways and homes
Dan Kammen directs the Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Transportation Sustainability Research Center at UC Berkeley. His research focuses on greening our homes and highways from both a science...
3 | May 29, 2009 11:34am
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What sustainable design means to the bottom line
Autodesk tools aim to help designers conceptualize projects on a computer before starting the costly (and energy-intense) construction process. Correspondent Sumi Das talks to the company's...
1 | April 7, 2009 10:57am
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Soil science produces better tasting wine
What could make a more flavorful wine? The answer might be in composting food waste. Bob Shaffer is an agronomist who consults for Napa and Sonoma county vineyards. Through scientific soil...
6 | November 4, 2009 8:42am
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Outdoor furniture company targets 'sustainability'
Marin Outdoor Living had a difficult 2009, but the retailer changed strategies and is now focusing on a popular line of sustainable outdoor furniture, Mama Green, and "staycation shoppers". Going...
8 | June 24, 2010 7:36am
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Golf course managers take a swing at sustainability
Crystal Springs Golf Course in Burlingame, California is trying to change how golf courses are maintained by focusing on eco-friendly practices. SmartPlanet visits the golf course to take a look...
September 26, 2011 9:28am
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Samsung outlines sustainability efforts
Samsung's David Steel talks about the company's progress to date in the area of sustainability, at a press event in San Francisco. Steel discusses how the electronics maker is going green in...
1 | October 11, 2010 4:17pm
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The Green Enterprise: Intel
Smart Planet looks at how Intel is developing green technologies for its customers and within its own organization. Innovations include ultra-lower power 45nm chips, greening its fab operations in...
1 | May 12, 2008 4:39pm
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Getting green with Cisco's 'footprint' tool
At the Green Legal Strategy panel in San Francisco, John Hailey, Cisco's senior manager of sustainable development, shows off the company's "Environmental Data" tool available for free on the...
October 28, 2008 5:35pm
