Preamble:
Technology and nature have traditionally been pitted against one another as opposites that can never coexist. However, in breaking free from constraining and damaging modes of thinking and acting that have lead us down this unsustainable path of economic and technological development, it is also essential to recognize that production and economic demands need not work against the environment but for it, in many innovative, generative ways. The idea is that current United States and European sociocultural patterns of production and consumption can be made sustainable through a variety of steps in technology, collaboration and information dissemination. Under labels such as “radical resource productivity,” “appropriate technologies,” "natural capitalism," and “efficiency,” fall a number of different practices, and market-based solutions serving to make the link between ecology and economy sustainable and mutually beneficial.
The following links offer a small sample from the universe of alternative technologies, highlighting the practical applicability of this approach in general terms, but also with emphasis on waste management, computers, green certification and alternative energy/materials. Two other areas in which this approach can play a major role are environmentally friendly architecture and innovative transportation technologies.
Organizations listed within the domain of Health and Environmental Justice
address the current global crisis of sustainabilty as it pertains to health.
They recognize that the same industrial and business practices currently
destroying the environment and preventing people from exercising control
over their quality of life also make it difficult to sustain the public
health. In response, organizations within this domain attempt to
modify those industrial practices that are hazardous to health and to empower
communities and individuals to address the environmental health problems
affecting them. Their activities include direct action, advocacy,
education, monitoring, and support of alternative technologies and industrial
practices. In keeping with the requirements listed in the general
preamble, the organizations listed here address at least 2 of 3 of
the dimensions of sustainability: ecological sustainability, economic sustainability
and social sustainability.
List of Domains and Topics:
1. Health & Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice2. Technological Alternatives
Toxins & Pesticides
Air & Water Quality
Reproductive Health
Nuclear
General Environmental Health
Appropriate Technology
Waste Management
Computers
Alternative Energy
Miscellaneous Information, Research, Resources
1. Communities for a Better
Environment (CBE)
(California)
"Communities for a Better Environment (CBE) is 15,000 member urban
environmental health organization that works for the implementation and
enforcement of laws intended to provide clean air and water and toxic-free
communities in the two major urban areas of California - the San Francisco
Bay Area and the Los Angeles Basin. CBE's mission is to work towards a
healthy, sustainable future through effective advocacy and community action
that prevents pollution and reduces environmental health hazards in urban
communities. CBE's goals are to prevent pollution, especially by converting
industry to nonpolluting, safe and sustainable forms, and to promote democracy
and fairness in environmental decision-making so that affected people can
control their own quality of life".
2. Environmental
Health Coalition (EHC) San Diego
(San Diego, CA)
"Environmental Health Coalition is one of the oldest and most effective
grassroots organizations in the United States, using social change strategies
[community organization, political action, toxic clean-ups, etc.] to
achieve environmental justice.
EHC is dedicated to the prevention and cleanup of toxic pollution threatening our health, our communities, and the environment. We promote environmental justice, monitor government and industry actions that cause pollution, educate communities about toxic hazards and toxic use reduction, and empower the public to join our cause.
EHC is a multi-issue organization, with each campaign united by the following beliefs and values: All people have the right to live, play and work in a safe and healthy environment. All people have the right and responsibility to act to correct environmental damage and prevent future degradation. EHC represents the public interest and takes direction from the communities we represent. Communities of color and poor communities are disproportionately affected by toxic materials used in the workplace and discharged into the air, land and water. Pollution prevention is the most effective approach to addressing the toxics crisis. EHC supports the integrity of ecosystems and recognizes human dependence on them. EHC promotes community and worker right-to-know about toxic chemicals. It is the government's duty to enact and enforce laws to safeguard the environment, worker and public health".
3. Environmental Justice Resource
Center, Clark Atlanta University
(Atlanta, GA)
"The Environmental Justice Resource Center (EJRC) at Clark Atlanta
University was formed in 1994 to serve as a research, policy, and information
clearinghouse on issues related to environmental justice, race and the
environment, civil rights, facility siting, land use planning, brownfields,
transportation equity, suburban sprawl, and Smart Growth. The overall goal
of the center is to assist, support, train, and educate people of color,
students, professionals, and grassroots community leaders with the goal
of facilitating their inclusion into the mainstream of environmental decision-making.
The center is multi-disciplinary in its focus and approach. It serves as
a bridge among the social and behavioral sciences, natural and physical
sciences, engineering, management, and legal disciplines to solve environmental
problems. The center's programs build on the work that it staff has been
engaged in for over two decades".
4. The Center for Health, Environment
and Justice (CHEJ)
(Falls Chruch, VA)
"The Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) was founded
in 1981, as the Citizens Clearinghouse for Hazardous Waste (CCHW), by Lois
Gibbs community leader at Love Canal. CHEJ believes in environmental justice,
the principle that people have the right to a clean and healthy environment
regardless of their race or economic standing. The Center believes the
most effective way to win environmental justice is from the bottom up through
community organizing and empowerment. CHEJ seeks to help local citizens
and organizations come together and take an organized, unified stand in
order to hold industry and government accountable and work toward a healthy,
environmentally sustainable future".
5. Environmental Justice
Action Group (EJAG)
(Portland, OR)
"The Environmental Justice Action Group is a grassroots, membership-based
organization committed to education and activism around the issues of health,
safety, and environmental justice in North and Northeast Portland. It is
dedicated to developing and supporting community-based leadership in people
of color and low-income communities. EJAG's Board, members, and staff reflect
the diverse communities of people who live and work in North and Northeast
Portland".
1. Greenaction
(California and Southwest U.S.)
"CCAT (California Communities Against Toxics) is creating Greenaction
in collaboration with former staff of Greenpeace who have worked closely
with our communities for many years. Bradley Angel, Southwest Toxics Campaigner
for Greenpeace for 11 years, is the Executive Director of Greenaction.
Working together with communities for the last eleven years we have a tremendously
successful track record. Together we have been directly responsible for
dozens of major victories and have forced fundamental changes in industry's
use, manufacture and disposal of toxic chemicals.
Greenaction confronts threats to our health and environment and also promote sustainable solutions. Together we will save lives and impact government and industry policies. Greenaction launches action campaigns to support community and worker struggles for health and environmental justice. During 1998 Greenaction will focus its campaign activity in California and Arizona, but will assist wherever possible. Greenaction: provides impacted communities and the general public successful action-oriented campaigning in support of struggles for health and environmental justice. Together we can stop toxic threats to our health, air and water; holds accountable corporate polluters and government agencies who fail to protect public health, the health and safety of workers, and the environment; works for real solutions including pollution prevention and toxic-free alternatives; engages in non-violent direct action against destroyers of the environment; helps empower communities through sharing of skills, experience and networking; provides information, technical assistance, and trainings on media and organizing; engages in public education about threats to public health posed by pollutants; fully supports the Principles of Environmental Justice and oppose environmental racism".
2. Toxic Links Coalition (TLC)
(Berkeley, CA)
"The Toxic Links Coalition (TLC) is a growing alliance of community
groups, women with cancer and cancer survivors, health care and environmental
justice organizations, silicone survivors, women with endometriosis, and
other reproductive disorders, and concerned individuals working together
to educate our communities about the links between environmental toxins
and the decline in public health. Founded in 1994, the Toxic Links Coalition
works to stop the proliferation of chemical and radioactive industrial
carcinogens that threaten human health and the health of the planet. The
Toxic Links Coalition believes we all have a right to health and environmental
justice; views cancer and other environmentally linked diseases and disorders
as human rights abuses, not as individual medical problems; targets companies
that perpetrate irresponsible production, use, and disposal of carcinogenic
and toxic wastes and products; demands accountability from corporate and
agricultural polluters; works against environmental racism, and recognizes
that people of color, immigrants, and workers bear a disproportionately
high toxic burden".
3. Californians for Pesticide Reform
(California)
"Californians for Pesticide Reform is a coalition of environmental,
health, labor, agricultural and other public interest organizations that
has developed a long-term plan for changing the climate of public opinion
to achieve a range of health- and pesticide-related policy reforms at local
and statewide levels. CPR works to: (1) Increase public understanding of
pesticide use and health risks associated with pesticides, and the failure
of the state's regulatory system to protect us from these hazards. (2)
Expand and support a network of grassroots community activists pursuing
local pesticide reform in their own regions and mobilizing their communities
to push for statewide policy reform. (3) Promote the viability of alternatives
to pesticides in agricultural, forest and urban settings and demonstrate
the advantages of decreased pesticide use. (4) Build a strong and diverse
coalition of organizations and individuals speaking out about the dangers
that pesticides pose to public health and the viability of alternatives.
(5) Defend and improve California's pesticide use reporting system".
1. Clean Water Action
(Washington D.C. and 17 state offices)
"Clean Water Action is a national citizens’ organization working
for clean, safe and affordable water; prevention of health-threatening
pollution; creation of environmentally-safe jobs and businesses; and empowerment
of people to make democracy work. Clean Water Action organizes strong grassroots
groups, coalitions and campaigns to protect our environment, health, economic
well-being and community quality of life. Currently advocating for improvements
in the Drinking Water Right-to-Know reports (also, known as Consumer Confidence
Reports) put out by the EPA. Clean Water Action believes the goal of the
Drinking Water Right-to-Know reports should be to inform the public, increase
the protection of public health and encourage public participation in drinking
water protection efforts. With that in mind, Clean Water Action has been
advocating the following improvements to these reports in three vital areas:
Information, Protection and Public Participation".
2. Georgians for Clean Energy
(Atlanta, GA)
Founded in 1983, GCE is a nonprofit, consumer and environmental
organization specialized in energy issues. Georgians for Clean Energy strives
to protect our air and water by changing the way that energy is consumed
and produced. This is done through public education, legislative advocacy,
and constituency building.
Recent Projects & Accomplishments:
GCE has:
1.
Casa de la Mujer/Grupo Factor X
(Mexico)
"Esta organización ofrece programas educativos relacionados
a la salud reproductiva y sexualidad de las trabajadoras de las maquiladoras.
Sus programas enseñan cómo los químicos afectan a
las mujeres y sus comunidades. El grupo ofrece talleres para obreras y
vecinos sobre las leyes ambientales relacionadas a las fábricas.
Los miembros del grupo también trabajan como promotores de la salud
y le ofrecen a las amas de casa información sobre tóxicos
y la salud ambiental. El grupo está elaborando dos reportes: "Memoria
Histórica de las Mujeres Trabajadoras en Tijuana" y "Los Efectos
Nocivos a la Salud Reproductiva de las Mujeres por el Uso de Sustáncias
Tóxicas en las Maquiladoras".
"Factor X offers advice regarding labor issues (such as occupational health, gender discrimination, and reproductive health) to women, both individually, and in collectives. The group offers medical services, which include a complete physical and alternative medicines. Current projects include a 14-week training, for "promotoras organizadoras" (organizers/health promoters) that covers occupational health, labor rights, and gender issues. Factor X is also compiling information for two reports: "Memoria Histórica de las Mujeres Trabajadoras en Tijuana" and "Los Efectos Nocivos a la Salud Reproductiva de las Mujeres por el Uso de Sustáncias Tóxicas en las Maquiladoras".
2.
Perzent--Karakalpak Center for Reproductive Health and Environment
(Uzbekistan)
"Perzent" means "progeny" in Karakalpak. Oral Ataniyazova is a gynecologist
who also obtained a Ph.D. in medical science in Moscow. For her research,
Dr. Ataniyazova studied about 5,000 reproductive-age women in Karakalpakstan.
Her findings were so alarming that in 1992 she founded the first Karakalpak
women's clinic for reproductive health: the "Marriage and Family" Clinic.
In 1997 the clinic, which rents out five rooms from the government hospital in Nukus, consulted and treated 1,300 patients with a variety of sexual and reproductive problems. The center has developed an environmental education program for 200 pupils of Nukus schools, published brochures and booklets on health and on the relationship between health (particularly reproductive health) and the environment, and maintains an environmental library open to the public. It created the Ecological Club "Shagala" to provide environmental education programs in rural areas.
Together with the Save the Children Fund it started an environmental education program for 5-6 year old children. Center Perzent publishes a monthly newsletter in both the Russian and Karakalpak languages, and distributes it to all Central Asian republics. This newsletter features articles on local NGOs, educational programs, and legislation that affect women. The newsletter also contains translations of materials from various international organizations and a column that answers questions from readers on issues such as pensions, stipends and labor laws.
1. Downwinders
(Nevada)
"Downwinders takes its name from the residents living in the prevailing
wind pattern surrounding the Nevada Test Site, and who have been constantly
exposed to radioactive fallout from America's nuclear testing activities
conducted there. Downwinders was founded with two primary goals:
to expose the plight of downwind residents whose fallout exposures have
caused cancers, leukemia, and other illnesses, and to obtain justice for
their injuries; and to fight for an immediate end to all nuclear testing
at the Nevada Nuclear Test Site and elsewhere".
2. Shundahai Network
(Las Vegas, NV)
"Shundahai Network was formed at the Nevada Nuclear Test Site in
1994, by a council of long-term nuclear disarmament activists, at the request
of Corbin Harney, a Western Shoshone Spiritual Leader. They have evolved
into an international network of activists and organizations bridging the
gap between the environmental, peace and justice and indigenous land rights
communities. Shundahai Network is a collective of dedicated activists who
work with a broad network of people and organizations to respond to pressing
environmental, nuclear, and Native issues and to ensure that Native voices
are heard and heeded in the movement to shape US nuclear and environmental
policies".
1. Red Fronteriza de Salud
y Ambiente
(Hermosillo, Sonora, México)
"La Red Fronteriza de Salud y Ambiente es una organización
no gubernamental ubicada en la Cd. de Hermosillo, Sonora, que orienta sus
actividades y ofrece sus servicios a ciudadanos, grupos y organizaciones
sociales afines en los estados de Sonora y Arizona, principalmente. Mantiene
comunicación y enlace con organizaciones de los estados fronterizos
y del centro del país, respecto de una diversidad de temáticas,
propuestas y acciones enmarcadas en la búsqueda del mejoramiento
de la calidad de vida de nuestras sociedades. Publica el trimestral "Raíces
de Arena" que brinda información variada sobre el medio ambiente
fronterizo".
"Red Fronteriza publishes the quarterly magazine, Raices de Arena, which provides a variety of information on border region environmental issues. They work with non government organizations along the border to develop creative responses and solutions to border health and environmental problems. Maintains a database of information and publications. Instrumental in the development of Project SALAM, which developed a local model for training and supporting promotoras de salud in the Sonora-Arizona region".
2. Safer World
(Denmark)
"Safer World is a private, non-profit, international, internet-network.
Safer World gives information in different languages about: links between
poisoning and disease; environmental health and environmental illnesses
prevention; and activities for a safer environment".
3. Science and Environmental Health Network
(Windsor, ND)
"SEHN advocates the wise application of science to protecting the
environment and public health. Founded in 1994, SEHN serves as both network
and think tank for the environmental movement, helping environmental organizations
use science in their work, guiding scientists to public interest research
and public service, informing public policy with science grounded in ethics
and logic. Project areas: current interpretations and applications
of the precautionary principle; Biotechnology Project; The Student Public
Interest Network (SPIN); Public Interest Research; Public Health".
4. WHO Healthy Cities Project
(WHO Regional Office for Europe - Copenhagen, Denmark)
"The WHO Healthy Cities project is a long-term international development
project that aims to place health high on the agenda of decision-makers
in the cities of Europe and to promote comprehensive local strategies for
health and sustainable development based on the principles and objectives
of the strategy for health for all for the twenty-first century and local
Agenda 21. Ultimately, the Healthy Cities project seeks to enhance the
physical, mental, social and environmental wellbeing of the people who
live and work in cities. Approximately 1100 cities and towns are linked
with 29 national and several regional and thematic (multi-city action plans)
healthy cities networks in Europe. Cities participating in the WHO European
network have developed and implemented a wide range of programmes and products
including city health profiles and city health strategies based on intersectoral
cooperation, community development initiatives and programmes that address
the needs of vulnerable groups, lifestyles, environmental health and Agenda
21".
5. The Healthy Building Network
(Washington D.C. and Minneapolis, MN)
"The Healthy Building Network advocates the use of safer, ecologically
superior building materials as a means to a healthier indoor environment
and global environmental preservation. We will accomplish this mission
by: Identifying and promoting healthy building policies and practices;
Supporting the development and use of materials, technologies, and products
that are safe for the environment and human health; Educating and engaging
all affected constituencies to work for ecologically sustainable and healthy
buildings; Eliminating--without compromising safety, performance, or quality
of buildings--the use of materials whose lifecycle (extraction, manufacture,
use, and disposal) threatens the environment and human health; Advocating
environmental and economic justice and improved health for communities
and workers disproportionately impacted by the lifecycle hazards of building
materials, as well as for other constituencies negatively impacted throughout
the material lifecycle. Affiliated with Institute for Local Self-Reliance".
6. Physicians for Social Responsibility
(Washington, D.C.)
"Physicians for Social Responsibility is working [from the U.S.]
to create a world free of nuclear weapons, global environmental pollution,
and gun violence. Understanding that nuclear war continues to be the most
acute threat to human life and the global biosphere, PSR reaffirms its
commitment of nearly forty years to the elimination of nuclear weapons
and the reversal of the arms race and the national budgetary priorities
which fuel that race, sacrificing our nation's health, social and economic
needs. With a reduction in East-West tensions, PSR sees a chance for our
nation to address more insidious environmental threats to human survival,
such as global warming, ozone depletion, toxic chemicals, and the world
population explosion. Recognizing that neglect of social problems and emphasis
on militarism has resulted in a crisis of societal violence, PSR also seeks
to reverse our domestic arms race and to encourage ways of finding peaceful
solutions to interpersonal and local disputes, as well as international
conflicts.
In the ancient and universal tradition of the physician who promotes
healing and seeks truth, members subscribe to the following values: (1)
That life on Earth is precious, powerful and vulnerable; (2) That human
life draws vital sustenance and coherence from the ecological and social
systems in which it participates; (3) That the acquisition and application
of scientific knowledge imposes the responsibility to protect life, not
to endanger or destroy it; (4) That knowledge about global threats results
from experience and scientific study including modeling and simulation,
which inherently contain uncertainty; (5) That the necessary decisions
based on such uncertainties must be evaluated in settings open to public
review, so that the best possible approaches can be achieved; (6) That
citizens have a right to informed participation in such decision-making
processes made by both government and industry which affect their health,
welfare and environment; and (7) That our commitment to future generations
requires that problems of violence and militarism, global environmental
degradation and social and economic inequities be addressed now and not
be left as a toxic legacy to be solved by those who follow us".
1. Development Center
for Appropriate Technology
(Tucson, AZ)
The Development Center for Appropriate Technology serves as a center
for the collection, coordination and distribution of research materials,
experience and information to communities, groups, or individuals seeking
ways to create non-destructive and self regenerating milieus, throughout
the world. Their definition of Appropriate Technology encompasses
sustainable design, affordable housing and community development.
Their vision involves both the acquisition and the use of knowledge.
"DCAT seeks to support these efforts by serving as a center for the collection, coordination, and distribution of research results, experience, and information, and by creating networks, which encourage and nurture collaborative projects. In addition, DCAT is committed to making its own contribution toward a new model of global stewardship through education, research, and demonstration of concepts and tools to enable communities to pursue economic and human development in greater harmony with nature.
Activities:
For appropriate technologies to be successful, they must be used.
This requires increased public understanding, acceptance, and support of
them. Convenes public forums, conferences, seminars, and workshops. Conducts
and supports research and testing of sustainable technologies, systems,
and resource-efficient designs.
Works to develop demonstration projects
and prototypes.
Publishes educational and informational
materials, and Scientific research.
Works with other organizations, educators
and schools, governmental agencies, businesses communities,
neighborhoods, and individuals to promote
appropriate technology and Sustainable development."
2. Center for Alternative Technologies
(Wales)
The Center for Alternative Technologies is "visionary environmental
project" created on the site of an abandoned quarry. It is a 40 acre
site with working examples of wind, water and solar power, energy conservation,
environmentally sound buildings, self build, organic growing and alternative
sewage systems, of which seven are open to the public as a kind of eco-resort
for the sustainable vision. The center is self described as a charity.
"CAT is concerned with the search for globally sustainable, whole
and ecologically sound technologies and ways of life. Within this search
the role of CAT is to explore and demonstrate a wide range of alternatives,
communicating to other people the options for them to achieve positive
change in their own lives. This communication involves:
Inspiring - instilling the desire to change by practical example
Informing - feeding the desire to change by providing the most appropriate
information
Enabling - providing effective and continuing support to put the change
into practice.
CAT has a holistic approach to its work, integrating ideas
and practice relating to land use, shelter, energy conservation and use,
diet and health, waste management and recycling. Through its resident
community and work organisation, CAT is also committed to the implementation
of co-operative principles and best achievable environmental practices."
3. The Rocky Mountain Institute
(Colorado)
The Rocky Mountain Institute was created in 1982 with the purpose of
aiding individuals, organizations, corporations and governments with solving
problems, gaining competitive advantage, increasing profits, and creating
wealth through the more productive use of resources. They embody
the philosophy of "natural capitalism" with their holistic, whole-systems
thinking which aims at integrating environment and economy in the most
productive, mutually beneficial way. They offer a variety of consulting,
strategic and educational services in a wide variety of areas such as energy,
water, business, building, and communities.
"Rocky Mountain Institute is an entrepreneurial, nonprofit organization that fosters the efficient and restorative use of resources to create a more secure, prosperous, and life-sustaining world. Our staff shows businesses, communities, individuals, and governments how to create more wealth and employment, protect and enhance natural and human capital, increase profit and competitive advantage, and enjoy many other benefits—largely by doing what they do far more efficiently. Our work is independent, nonadversarial, and transideological, with a strong emphasis on market-based solutions. "
1. National Center for Clean Industrial
and Treatment Technologies
(Michigan, U.S.)
The National Center for Clean Industrial and Treatment Technologies
helps industry prevent pollution by researching and developing clean technology.
CenCITT works to create industrial facilities where technologies, manufacturing
processes, reuse of materials, and treatment operations are applied to
minimize waste. The center's four research areas are: clean process advisory
system, clean reaction technologies, efficient materials utilization, and
environmentally conscious
manufacturing.
"The CenCITT is a research consortium founded in 1992 to address clean technology needs of industry in concert with the environmental interests of government and the public. Our mission is to assist industry in pollution prevention by devising clean technologies and process design tools, and by pursuing promising leads in treatment, beneficiation, and reuse where prevention is not feasible."
2. Residua
(UK)
Residua is concerned with the management of municipal solid waste.
It serves as a source of information and consulting/experience facilitation,
using a global network of expert contacts on the topics of resource recovery
and waste management (Includes the Resource Recovery Forum).
"Residua believes that society squanders resources in the waste it discards. Additional resources are spent unnecessarily in pursuing misguided waste management options with no net environmental benefit. Residua is convinced that society must strive for sustainable resource management, eliminating superfluous waste creation, recovering resources from waste with least overall damage to the environment. Residua is working to ensure relevant decisions are taken, informed by the best available access to information, with full regard to environmental interests.
Objectives:
Define waste
Promote the effective use of waste enhance understanding of waste
as a resource
Encourage consideration of the environmental impact of waste management
and the opportunities for resource recovery assist individuals, local authorities,
national governments and international organizations make justifiable decisions
on resource recovery."
1.
Linux Ecology
The idea of Linux ecology is captivating both for its own merits as
a way to protect the environment by conserving computer related resources
and facilitating education, but also because of the very nature of Linux
as an inherently democratic, decentralized, participatory system.
Linux is free, open-source and possibly one of the most stable, efficient,
adaptive and versatile operating systems ever devised, thus gaining wide
and very loyal following. As such, it can serve both as an actual
tool and as a symbol/example of the ideals of sustainability.
"Since it does not require big hardware, Linux may be used with old computers to make their life cycle longer. Games may be used in environmental education and software is available to simulate ecological processes. Though computers can be seen as part of environmental pollution, there are also ways to use computers in a more reasonable manner to help protect the environment.
Objectives:
Reduction in power consumption.
Reduction in consumables like paper and inks.
Reduction in waste by reusing older components or keeping them in
service longer.
Reduction in toxic waste such as used batteries.
Use of Linux in environmental education and research."
1. Renewable Energy Policy Project
(Washington D.C.)
The Renewable Energy Policy Project supports the advancement of renewable
energy technology through policy research. REPP studies the relationship
of policy, markets, and public demand to biomass, hydropower, geothermal,
photovoltaic, solar thermal, wind, and renewable hydrogen power. REPP conducts
and disseminates research, provides small grants to researchers outside
the organization, and works to support long-range strategic planning within
the renewable energy
community.
"REPP-CREST's goal is to accelerate the use of renewable energy by providing credible information, insightful analysis, and innovative strategies amid changing energy markets and mounting environmental needs. The combined REPP-CREST organization boasts a strong platform for research, publication, and dissemination of timely information regarding sustainable energy. REPP-CREST's software and Internet services provide access to a broad range of topics: innovative public policy reports generated by REPP-CREST, interactive media, renewable energy success stories, and informative on-line discussion groups."
2. Global Environment Facility
(Washington D.C.)
The Global Environment Facility fosters collaboration among governments,
NGOs, and the private sector to find cost-effective solutions for sustainable
economic development. Program areas address sustainable energy and energy
efficiency, reducing greenhouse gases, resource management, and water quality.
The GEF encourages businesses to identify, finance, monitor, and evaluate
GEF projects. Examples of private sector-based projects are available on
the GEF Web site.
"Launched in 1991 as an experimental facility, GEF was restructured after the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to serve the environmental interests of people in all parts of the world. The facility that emerged after restructuring was more strategic, effective, transparent, and participatory. In 1994, 34 nations pledged $2 billion in support of GEF's mission; in 1998, 36 nations pledged $2.75 billion to protect the global environment and promote sustainable development."
Miscellaneous Information, Research, Resources
1. Sustainable Architecture,
Building and Culture
A unique compendium of links and content oriented to the global community
of ecological and natural building proponents.
2. The Engineering and Physical Sciences
Research Council
They support sustainability, radical resource productivity and waste
management research.