February 2010

GreenBiz.com

by Mindy Lubber

Banks and other financial institutions could refurbish their tarnished reputations by using their smarts to innovate new financial products that actually help average Americans while addressing some of the nation's greatest challenges: unemployment, economic competitiveness, national security and climate change.

By Jill Duggan, Visiting Senior Fellow, World Resources Institute

Given the intensity of the debate on whether market mechanisms for reducing greenhouse gases should be adopted in the US, many people are surprised to hear that 10 states in Northeastern United States have already implemented a cap-and-trade system for the power sector.

By Barry Worthingon, Executive Director, United States Energy Association (USEA)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa Jackson – a major speaker at last year’s Energy Efficiency Forum – said recently, “In the clean energy future, energy efficiency is action number one.”

Her words reflect what we are all seeing every day: more than ever before, organizations and governments around the world are focused on making buildings, vehicles and industries more energy efficient as their first means to cutting costs, creating jobs and addressing climate change. And again this year – for the 21st year in a row – the Energy Efficiency Forum will help advance that important cause.

By Jonathan Lash, World Resources Institute

Last week's announcement from the White House suggests that significant emissions cuts could save money–along with the environment.