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Michael Jordan, one of the most decorated athletes of all time, used his stage and his bank account to speak out on the recent shootings of African Americans and police officers. The Charlotte Hornets owner and Chicago Bull legend donated $1 million each to the Institute for Community-Police Relations and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to bridge the tensions between the blue community and the black community.

Jordan released a statement to The Undefeated outlining his concern for the recent violence and his hope to see the nonsense cease.

Here is his full statement:

“As a proud American, a father who lost his own dad in a senseless act of violence, and a black man, I have been deeply troubled by the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of law enforcement and angered by the cowardly and hateful targeting and killing of police officers. I grieve with the families who have lost loved ones, as I know their pain all too well.

“I was raised by parents who taught me to love and respect people regardless of their race or background, so I am saddened and frustrated by the divisive rhetoric and racial tensions that seem to be getting worse as of late. I know this country is better than that, and I can no longer stay silent. We need to find solutions that ensure people of color receive fair and equal treatment AND that police officers – who put their lives on the line every day to protect us all – are respected and supported.

Over the past three decades I have seen up close the dedication of the law enforcement officers who protect me and my family. I have the greatest respect for their sacrifice and service. I also recognize that for many people of color their experiences with law enforcement have been different than mine. I have decided to speak out in the hope that we can come together as Americans, and through peaceful dialogue and education, achieve constructive change.

“To support that effort, I am making contributions of $1 million each to two organizations, the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s newly established Institute for Community-Police Relations and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. The Institute for Community-Police Relations’ policy and oversight work is focused on building trust and promoting best practices in community policing. My donation to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the nation’s oldest civil rights law organization, will support its ongoing work in support of reforms that will build trust and respect between communities and law enforcement. Although I know these contributions alone are not enough to solve the problem, I hope the resources will help both organizations make a positive difference.

“We are privileged to live in the world’s greatest country – a country that has provided my family and me the greatest of opportunities. The problems we face didn’t happen overnight and they won’t be solved tomorrow, but if we all work together, we can foster greater understanding, positive change and create a more peaceful world for ourselves, our children, our families and our communities.”

Jordan’s father, James R. Jordan, Sr., was found floating in a creek in South Carolina in the summer of 1993 after disappearing for three weeks. Jordan stepped away from basketball following his dad’s death to pursue a career in baseball but never made it out of the minor leagues. He returned to the hardwood a year later and on Father’s Day 1996 emotionally collapsed to the floor after securing his fourth championship, the first since his father’s passing.

It’s not uncommon for basketball players to use their stage and prominence as a tool to intersect sports and politics. NBA superstars LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kobe Bryant and Derrick Rose all donned black shirts reading “I can’t breathe” in pre-game warm-ups to spread awareness of Eric Garner’s death at the hands of an NYPD officer. The Los Angeles Clippers, amid the Donald Sterling scandal that saw their 80-year-old owner go on a racist rant to his 31-year-old mistress, wore their warm-ups inside out and considered not playing in the playoff game altogether.

But when it comes from arguably the best basketball player of all time — six NBA championships, six Finals MVPs, five MVPs, 14 All-Star appearances — people listen. And it’s a rare appearance of advocacy from Jordan, who has traditionally shied away from such opportunities. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, said Jordan “took commerce over conscious” in a 2015 NPR interview, alluding to Jordan’s propensity to prioritize capitalism over advocacy.

Jordan, who branded his name to be synonymous with expensive, highly-sought shoes, was quoted in NBA writer Sam Smith’s 1995 book "The Second Coming" that he wouldn’t take a political stance in a senatorial campaign because “Republicans buy sneakers, too.” Despite pledging donations to democratic campaigns, Jordan’s recent donations to the NAACP and the Institute for Community-Police Relations appears to be a milestone for the former North Carolina Tarheel.

The star whose worth more than a billion dollars may not be remembered as a great social justice leader like the late Muhammad Ali, but maybe this was Jordan’s coming out party.

Other athletes who have spoken against the recent slew of violence (from The Undefeated):

• Carmelo Anthony


• Chris Bosh


• DeMarcus Cousins


• Cam Newton


• Terrell Owens


• Chris Paul


• Richard Sherman


• Charles Tillman

Photo by Basket Streaming/Flickr

Impossible Foods, the Bay Area fake meat start-up that's received millions in Silicon Valley venture funding, is now making a splash within the New York food scene. The completely plant-based burger that oozes a primal red color when squeezed is on the menu at one of Momofuku’s restaurants, the foodie blog Eater reported last week.

David Chang, the celebrity chef and cookbook author, was “blown away” when he tried the re-engineered fake burger that tastes, apparently, just like beef.

The ‘bloody burger’ made its debut at Nishi, Chang’s fusion eatery in the Chelsea neighborhood on Eighth Avenue. Nishi’s menu makes it clear that, for now, the burger is available only in limited quantities on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Chang touted the burger on his Tumblr page. The edgy chef, known for his “no reservations, no vegetarian options” ethos and penchant for F-bombs in his cookbook, repeated the same environmental statistics that Impossible Foods cites about this patty. The company claims its burger uses 95 percent less land, 74 percent less water and emits 87 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than its cattle-derived counterpart.

So what is the secret ingredient of this concoction, which includes wheat, coconut oil and potato protein? The heme molecule, part of the metalloprotein hemogoblin that gives blood its rich red color. Abundant in protein, it is a fundamental building block of animal and plant matter. Heme is much more difficult to extract from plant-based materials, yet Impossible Foods’ researchers have cracked that code. The result is a mixture that looks like meat, tastes like meat and, as this YouTube video shows, even sizzles like meat.

Impossible Foods is one of several fake meat start-ups that is scoring Silicon Valley buzz and dollars, while promising to disrupt the global food industry for the better. Beyond Meat, for example, makes a chicken breast alternative derived from pea powder and organic soy. The company’s eight-ounce packages of fake chicken strips has been in stores such as Whole Foods for several years, and recently rolled out its pseudo-beef Beyond Burger patties.

And those meat alternatives can be served with a side of Just Mayo from Hampton Creek, a San Francisco-based food technology company that produces vegan alternatives available for a competitive price at retail chains such as Target. Hampton Creek uses a varietal of yellow peas to mimic the creamy texture that eggs give to mayonnaise. The quality of the Just Mayo product line, and its parent company’s success, so worried the trade group American Egg Board that it lobbied the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to find a way to prevent Just Mayo from appearing on supermarket shelves. That effort failed, along with a lawsuit by Unilever, owner of the mayonnaise brand Hellmann’s, which charged that the egg-less product should not dare call itself “mayo.”

Impossible Foods and its competitors are serving up meatless options that are far better in taste and quality than the pallid options available a decade ago. And to find a convert such as David Chang means that this industry has a bright future ahead – and a tastier, healthier and more sustainable future for the rest of us.

Image credit: Impossible Foods

Can a small New Zealand startup revolutionize the personal care products industry? Brianne West, founder of four-year-old Ethique, believes so. Frustrated by the waste that products such as shampoo can generate, West is striving to convince consumers that they need to change how they approach personal care.

One of the absurdities of the personal care and consumer packaged goods (CPG) industries is that these companies ship products across borders, and across the world, that are often mostly water. This is especially true of body washes, shampoos and conditioners, the vast majority of which can contain anywhere from 80 to 90 percent water. Many of these companies often scam consumers into thinking their products are environmentally friendly and beneficial for skin and hair.

After all, ingredients such as green tea for its caffeine or tropical extracts for moisturizing effects sound like a no-brainer. Then you have to put on glasses to read the ingredients, and you'll often discover that there is more fragrance than extracts and elixirs in these products. Add the fuel consumed hauling these glorified bottles of water around, in addition to the plastic bottles that end up in landfill, and you have an industry that has a long road ahead until it can say it is truly sustainable. CPG companies such as Unilever say they are working on this problem, but the evidence suggests there is more garbage piling up worldwide than clear progress on waste diversion.

Ethique’s products eliminate both the pesky plastic and water. Instead of the cylinders of plastic to which we are accustomed, the company shapes shampoo, conditioner and, of course, soap, into bars. Ingredients include cacao butter, coconut oil, spices, fruit extract and even clay.  Ethique also says its products can be used for a bevy of purposes. 'The Guardian' conditional bar, for example, should also suffice for shaving or moisturizing. Products for babies include candelilla and lavender.

The selling point of these products is that you are paying for natural ingredients — not water. According to the company, one of the company’s shampoo bars is equivalent to 10 ounces (300 milliliters) of the liquid alternative. In an interview with Forbes last week, West claimed the company's products have prevented 60,000 plastic bottles from ending up in landfill so far. Included in the company’s list of examples detailing how strongly it has committed to sustainability, Ethique also says that its packaging is compostable.

If there is one personal care startup that has the potential to disrupt a stodgy industry, and score venture capital funding so that it can expand, Ethique appears to the one that is at or near the front of the line. The company now ships within New Zealand and Australia; it is tempting to persuade consumers to ditch the bottle by pitching a sampler pack that costs NZ $14 (US$10) and is sent with free shipping – but for now, that offer is only available within those two countries.

Image credit: Ethique/Instagram

By Daniel Kern

“There’s one issue that will define the contours of this century more dramatically than any other, and that is the urgent and growing threat of a changing climate.”

— U.S. President Barack Obama, U.N. Climate Change Summit, September 23, 2014

Last December, 195 countries met in Paris to discuss climate change at the 21st Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Paris Agreement commits to limiting global temperature rise to a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, while setting an aspirational goal of 1.5 degrees Celsius. Under the agreement, governments targeted replacing fossil fuels almost entirely with clean energy in the second half of this century.

Thirty-four countries representing 49 percent of greenhouse gas emissions formally joined the agreement, or committed to joining the agreement as early as possible, at a high-profile April signing ceremony at the United Nations. The climate agreement becomes “operational” when formal approval is received from at least 55 countries accounting for 55 percent of global emissions. The White House said countries accounting for about half of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions would join the Paris climate agreement this year, bringing the agreement close to the finish line.

Consumers are reducing their own “carbon footprint”

Many of our clients at TFC Financial Management are reducing their personal “carbon footprint,” buying energy-efficient appliances, turning to renewable energy, driving hybrid cars, or using ride-sharing services. Some clients want to incorporate sustainability into their investment portfolios, by investing in companies that have a gentler climate impact. Many proponents of sustainable investment strategies argue that traditional fossil fuel companies will be in structural decline in coming decades, challenged by governmental and consumer actions to limit the impact of oil, gas and coal on the environment.

Low-carbon and fossil fuel free strategies

There isn’t a universal “climate-friendly” investment strategy that has captured the hearts and minds of investors. Some investors gravitate toward low-carbon investment strategies, others prefer fossil fuel free strategies. Despite similar intentions, there are notable differences between low-carbon and fossil fuel free strategies.

Low-carbon investment strategies attempt to minimize the overall carbon footprint of the companies owned in the portfolio. Several first-generation low carbon products are diversified portfolios that attempt to track a broad-based index, while minimizing aggregate carbon emissions and fossil fuel reserves. A “low-carbon” ETF offered by a major ETF provider reports a 77 percent reduction in current carbon emissions and a 97 percent reduction in future carbon emissions relative to a broad-based index; a “sustainability” mutual fund offered by a major mutual fund company reports a 73.6 percent reduction in emissions and a 99.7 percent reduction in potential emissions.

Low-carbon investors evaluate the carbon footprint of both fossil producers and consumers of fossil fuels. A low-carbon portfolio may avoid or underweight significant fossil fuel consumers such as airlines; they include energy services companies that provide fossil fuel production, transportation and storage services but often have low emissions and reserves. Some low-carbon products include major energy companies such as ExxonMobil, but at lower position weights than in a broad-based index.

Fossil fuel free investment strategies approach climate change differently. Fossil fuel free products typically exclude companies that explore for, process, refine or distribute coal, oil or gas. Fossil fuel free products also typically avoid utilities companies that produce or transmit electricity derived from fossil fuels or transmit natural gas. Fossil fuel free products will completely avoid energy companies such as Exxon Mobil and Chevron, while also avoiding energy services “enablers” such as Schlumberger and Kinder Morgan. Fossil fuel free products focus on production rather than consumption, so airlines and other consumers of fossil fuels are included as potential investments.

Investors who have social preferences beyond climate change may consider other exclusionary factors. Some of today’s fossil fuel free strategies were originally socially responsible products that excluded investments in companies in the alcohol, tobacco, gambling, firearms, and nuclear power industries. Some first-generation low carbon products, which may not carry a socially responsible investment (SRI) heritage, include alcohol, tobacco and other companies typically excluded by SRI strategies.

Impact investing

Some clients may wish to go beyond strategies that avoid fossil fuel stocks or minimize the carbon footprint of a portfolio. Impact-focused clients want their investment funds to contribute directly to societal change. Impact investing is a distinct approach, through investing in projects or companies with the intent to effect mission-related social or environmental change.

Progress in the adoption and cost competitiveness of renewable power such as wind and solar has made clean energy a popular focus for climate-sensitive impact investors, and we’re also seeing growing interest in water-related investments. We recommend that impact investments supplement a well-diversified core investment portfolio, as investments in clean energy or water are often more volatile, less liquid, and reliant on technology innovation and a favorable policy environment.

Investment considerations and closing thoughts

Researchers have reviewed mutual fund performance to evaluate whether there are performance trade-offs associated with values-driven investments. Results have been mixed. Academic theory suggests that any investment constraints potentially limit returns, however, proponents for sustainable and responsible investing argue that either the constraints have limited impact or that the impact is balanced between offsetting positive and negative contributions.

Actively managed values-driven funds have had the same difficulty in beating passive benchmarks that their non-responsible investing peers have had. The high cost of many strategies may have some impact, serving to erode returns and reinforcing the frequently heard refrain that low cost, low turnover, disciplined strategies “win” in many asset classes.

Investors who have both climate change and financial objectives should:

• Define what you want to accomplish: Defining the investment objective, climate change considerations and time horizon are a critical step in the process.


• Do your homework: Understand the investment strategy and costs of each potential solution.


• Review the risks: There may be financial trade-offs associated with a climate change strategy. Understand the investment risks associated with different investment strategies, so that you’re fully informed about the environments in which the strategy will thrive or struggle.

Image credit: Pixabay

Daniel Kern joined TFC Financial Management in 2015 and is responsible for overseeing TFC’s investment process, research activities and portfolio strategy. Prior to joining TFC, Dan was the president and chief investment officer at Advisor Partners, a boutique asset manager in the San Francisco area that manages equities and asset allocation products for advisors, financial institutions and family offices. Dan’s previous experience included a managing director/portfolio manager role at Charles Schwab Investment Management where he was head of asset allocation. Prior to Charles Schwab, Dan held a managing director/principal role at Montgomery Asset Management where he managed global and international equity portfolios. A CFA charterholder, Dan is a member of the CFA Institute and a Trustee for Green Century Funds. Dan is a graduate of Brandeis University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of California, Berkeley - Haas School of Business.

Disclosures

Registration with the SEC should not be construed as an endorsement or an indicator of investment skill, acumen or experience. This communication may include opinions and forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are opinions and/or forward-looking statements (including words such as “believe,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “may,” “will,” “should,” and “expect”). Although we believe that the beliefs and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such beliefs and expectations will prove to be correct. Various factors could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements. Historical performance is not indicative of any specific investment or future results. Views regarding the economy, securities markets or other specialized areas, like all predictors of future events, cannot be guaranteed to be accurate and may result in economic loss of income and/or principal to the investor. Investment process, strategies, philosophies and allocations are subject to change without prior notice. Nothing in this communication is intended to be or should be construed as individualized investment advice. All content is of a general nature and solely for educational, informational and illustrative purposes. Any references to outside content are listed for informational purposes only and have not been verified for accuracy by the Adviser. Adviser does not endorse the statements, services or performance of any third-party author or vendor cited. Unless stated otherwise, any mention of specific securities or investments is for hypothetical and illustrative purposes only. Adviser’s clients may or may not hold the securities discussed in their portfolios. Adviser makes no representations that any of the securities discussed have been or will be profitable.

by Vikas Vij — Airports have traditionally been viewed as a prime source of anti-environmental activity. Whether it is the high amount of air pollution from the airplanes, the high-energy consumption levels within the airport, or the noise pollution that is generated as a plane takes off or lands, the airport systems have been low on sustainability in almost every major area.

Now some visionary architects are working towards the idea of building more sustainable, eco-friendly airport systems that can contribute to a better, more environment-friendly world. The architects of the U.K.’s two central airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, have come up with revolutionary plans to transform the sustainability of airports.

According to the US Federal Aviation Administration, sustainable airports have three important goals: reducing environmental impact, prioritizing economic growth and generating social progress. To achieve this, airports need to take serious steps to reduce emissions, decrease noise pollution, eliminate light and visual pollution, protect wildlife and natural vegetation and lower the consumption of critical resources such as electricity, water and land.

Gatwick’s 10-point sustainability plan provides an outstanding example of what a sustainable airport should be like. The plan aims to increase social and economic growth while reducing carbon emissions, maintaining better air quality, eliminating noise pollution, reducing energy consumption by 20 percent, and increasing the rate of waste recycle.

The movement to build greener airport systems in the US began with Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Creating a manual that serves as its blueprint towards building an environment-friendly airport, the O’Hare International was among the first few major airports to take significant measures to reduce environmental impact in 2003.

Its blueprint takes into accord every little detail and ensures that even airplanes and not just the airport itself, forgoe required measures to ensure sustainability and eco-friendliness. Since then, this plan towards a sustainable airport has become a foundation for other leading airports to follow.

Image Credit: Flickr via osde8info

With a busy week behind you and the weekend within reach, there’s no shame in taking things a bit easy on Friday afternoon. With this in mind, every Friday TriplePundit will give you a fun, easy read on a topic you care about. So, take a break from those endless email threads and spend five minutes catching up on the latest trends in sustainability and business.

Here at TriplePundit, we can't get enough travel. But when we travel, it's important to tread lightly. Cookie-cutter itineraries and 40-person tour groups are not only boring, but they also leave a hefty impact on the planet and rarely benefit local economies.

In a new poll conducted by AIG Travel, most respondents (52 percent) said it’s important to travel sustainably, but more than a third (35 percent) reported difficulty doing so. About half of the respondents cited “not knowing how” as the top barrier.

Luckily, with the growing popularity of small tour groups and eco-tourism, you shouldn't have too much trouble making your next trip a sustainable one. All you need is a little info! Bookmark these seven eco-tourism hotspots, and keep them in mind when you finally cash in those vacation days.

1. Ecuador: The Amazon, the Andes and the Galapagos

From the Amazon, to the famed Galapagos Islands, to the cloud forests of the Andean foothills, Ecuador is a burgeoning hotbed of eco-tourism. Last year, TriplePundit's Nick Aster and Sarah Lozanova explored these three distinct regions and shared tips to help you plan a trip you'll never forget.

For travel to the Galapagos Islands, the volcanic archipelago 730 miles west of Guayaquil, you'll need to plan ahead. Made famous by Charles Darwin’s visit in the early 1800s, the Galapagos remains home to stunning biodiversity -- and 97 percent of the islands are a tightly restricted national park. A limited number of tourists can visit each year, and only a few dozen operators can take you there. 3p founder Nick Aster traveled with EcoVentura, which emphasizes sustainability in its cruises to the islands.

On the mainland, a number of local operators can take you on low-impact tours into the Amazon. And eco-lodges abound in the cloud forests of the Andes, where you can 'get away from it all' and peep exotic birds like parrots and toucan.

2. Cusco and the Peruvian Andes

Ecuador and Peru have a shared history dating back to the Incan Empire. But this South American gem is home to its own unique culture and landscape. Of the 104 types of weather and climate patterns seen on Earth, 48 can be found in Peru -- ranging from arid beaches and lush rainforests to stunning mountain vistas.

The Andes and the ancient city of Cusco are ground-zero for eco-tourism in Peru. Hike to Incan and pre-Incan ruins, embrace the culture at local markets and get to know artisanal weaving collectives, or trek the famed Inca Trail from Cusco to the lost city of Machu Picchu. TriplePundit saw these sights and more on a trip to the Peruvian Andes with REI Adventures last year. Click here for tips for your own adventure.

3. Botswana

"Botswana is the African darling of the international community, praised for its success as a progressive society with a multi-party democracy," 3p's Travis Noland wrote after a trip to the south African country last month. "This thriving economy is also an environmentally-responsible tourism destination."

Lonely Planet named Botswana its top travel destination in 2016, giving you one more reason to check it out. Travis opted for adventure travel operator G Adventures, which emphasizes a positive relationship between the tourism industry and local communities. Yes, you can go on safari in G Adventures' all-terrain vehicles. But the most memorable part of your trip may very well be interactions with local communities like the San.

4. Kathmandu, Nepal

Nepal is best known for its Everest treks and its ancient capital, Kathmandu. But the South Asian country is still reeling from the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Kathmandu last year, killing more than 8,500 people.

As nonprofits and governments go back and forth on how best to rebuild affected communities, the need emerges for the private sector step in and fill the gaps. And efforts are underway to revitalize Nepal’s most lucrative industry — tourism.

Earlier this year, industry nonprofit Tourism Cares announced Nepal as officially “open for business” and released a free map of “meaningful destinations” in Nepal to promote travel in 2016. Adventure and impact tour companies like REI Adventures have also returned to the region, offering mountain treks, jungle safaris and immersive cultural experiences.

5. Copenhagen, Denmark

Looking for an urban adventure that doesn't skimp on the eco-flair? Look no further than Copenhagen. With over 250 miles of designated bike lanes and a solar-powered canal tour, you can see the whole city without stepping foot into a car.

And be sure to check out Copenhagen's acclaimed and ultra-sustainable restaurant culture. 3p's Jo Piazza suggests three stand-outs to try.

6. Costa Rica

It's hard to talk about eco-tourism without mentioning Costa Rica. Once tourism heated up, the mostly jungled Central American nation took matters into its own hands -- and quickly. By establishing vast preserves and offering plenty of opportunities for visitors to experience the unique environment while preserving it for future generations, Costa Rica was able to maintain its natural biodiversity while raking in over $7 trillion in tourism revenue annually.

Nature preserves are scattered across the small country. Check out a few, or bring the family to a designated 'eco-park' such as Diamante Eco Adventure Park, home to the country's longest oceanview zipline -- which spans almost a mile between two mountain peaks.

7. Your local National Park or wilderness

Okay, so we all dream of that big international excursion. But when it comes to eco-tourism, some of the best spots could be hiding in your own backyard. From the winding rivers of Colorado's Snowmass Wilderness to the famed geysers of Yellowstone, America's national parks have a lot to offer.

By choosing one in your own neighborhood, you further reduce the impact of traveling long distances -- and you may even discover a new favorite spot. Check out the National Park Service's Find Your Park tool to explore parks near you.

Image credits: 1) and 3) Mary Mazzoni; 2) Nick Aster; 4) Jo Piazza 

Florida residents will have more toxic chemicals in their drinking water thanks to a controversial ruling by the state’s Environmental Regulation Commission (ERC).

On July 26, the ERC approved a proposal by the Department of Environmental Protection for higher levels of toxic chemicals in the state’s rivers and estuaries in a 3 to 2 vote. The ERC approved the DEP’s proposal to increase the number of regulated chemicals that can be dumped into Florida’s waters from 54 to 92 chemicals. It also increased the allowed limits on over two dozen known carcinogens that are now regulated -- with a wide range spanning from levels of 20 percent to 1,100 percent higher than current limits.

The Florida Clean Water Network, which was against the proposal from the get-go, states that Floridians will get “weaker protection from almost two dozen carcinogens” now that the ERC has approved the proposal. “Essentially all of the chemicals would be allowed in our drinking water supplies, shellfishing areas, swimming and fishing waters at significantly higher amounts than EPA recommends,” the Network says.

“This is a wholesale denial in Florida of the value of our lives,” Linda Young, executive director of the Florida Clean Water Network, told the Tallahassee Democrat. “This is our governor — who is the person who’s driving this — saying Floridians’ lives don’t matter. What matters are our industries, our corporations, making more money. And they can do that by putting more pollution in our waters.”

Rep. Gwen Graham (D-Fla.) is against the DEP’s proposal. In June, she wrote a letter to the DEP opposing the lower standards. “Lowering our water quality standards while our lakes, springs, rivers and coasts are turning green is insulting,” Graham said in a statement. “Allowing more cancer causing chemicals after the disaster in Flint is unconscionable.” Graham pointed out that Floridians traveled to Tallahassee from across the state to express their concerns about the proposal. “The Environmental Regulation Commission ignored them,” she said.

A number of environmentalists and conservationists wrote op-eds for Florida newspapers opposing the DEP proposal. Lisa Rinaman, the St. Johns Riverkeeper, is one of them. Eating fish is one of the “primary pathways to exposure to these dangerous chemicals,” Rinaman wrote in a op-ed for the Florida Times Union. Floridians are eating much more fish than was estimated when current criteria were developed. “The more fish we eat, the more chemicals we ingest,” Rinaman said.

Florida is already dealing with what Rinaman called “toxic green sludge,” in an op-ed for the Florida Times Union. Earlier this month, Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for Martin, St. Lucie, Lee and Palm Beach counties due to the toxic algae bloom that started in Lake Okeechobee and spread to beaches, CNN reports. The algae is “triggered by by fertilizer sewage and manure pollution that the state has failed to properly regulate,” Earthjustice spokeswoman Alisa Coe told CNN.

Randall Denker, a former DEP enforcement attorney who has practiced environmental law in Florida for almost 40 years, wrote a letter to ERC commissioners expressing concern about the proposal. He pointed out in the letter that Florida is “already dealing with a number of troubling water issues,” and mentioned the toxic algae blooms. He also mentioned salt water intrusion in coastal drinking wells, surfactants in the water, xeno-estrogens that alter fish gender, and radioactive pollution from mining activities found in some waterbodies.

Tourism is a big industry in Florida, employing nearly 1.2 million people, Denker wrote in the letter. Last year, over 105 million tourists came to Florida, and 23 million of them visited beaches, spending $22 billion. “No one will pay to visit a place that is polluted or has the potential to make them sick,” Denker wrote.

Clearly, Floridians are not being protected by the ruling of the ERC. As Ray Bellamy, Tallahassee based physician and former member of the ERC, wrote in an op-ed for the Tallahassee Democrat: “The reduction of public health harm should be a prime goal of surface water discharge regulations.”  Indeed, it should be a prime goal. Something is dreadfully wrong when reducing health hazards is not the priority of a governmental commission. 

Image credit: Flickr/airwaves1

Americans are exposed to a number of chemicals every day, and much of the exposure is in their own homes. Some of those chemicals are attracting negative attention: An investigation by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) of over 2,000 cleaning products on the U.S. market found that many contain chemicals that are linked to serious health problems.

Over the past few years, Walmart has proven to be concerned about the chemicals in the products it sells. The big-box giant began to share information about the chemicals in household and personal care products back in 2013, when it published its Sustainable Chemistry Policy. The Policy focused on transparency in ingredients and making safer product formulations.

In April, Walmart announced it had reduced the use of "high-priority chemicals" by 95 percent. This week, the retailer shared more information detailing the progress it has made on what it deems 'high priority chemicals' and how it defines these ingredients.

The information shared this week included the identities of the high-priority chemicals. Why are these chemicals of such concern to Walmart? Let’s take a close look at each one to find out more.

Toluene is a solvent. According to the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), studies on humans have “reported developmental effects, such as central nervous system dysfunction, attention deficits, and minor craniofacial and limb anomalies, in the children of pregnant women exposed to high levels of toluene or mixed solvents by inhalation.” The highest concentrations of toluene are usually from indoor exposure through common household products, including paints, paint thinners, adhesives, synthetic fragrances and nail polish.

Dibutyl phthalate is a solvent and used to make plastic flexible. It is found in a variety of household products. Although it appears to have a low acute toxicity in the short-term, it could have a chronic toxicity in the long term, according to the EPA. Although there are no studies available on the reproductive, developmental or carcinogenic effects of dibutyl phthalate in humans, studies on animals found developmental and reproductive effects from oral exposure. The state of California classifies it as a reproductive and developmental toxicant, and the EU banned its use in cosmetics and personal care products.

Diethyl phthalate is also a solvent and used to make plastic flexible. It is used to make a variety of products, including toothbrushes, tools, toys and food packaging. It can even be used in cosmetics and aspirin. It can be “released fairly easily from these products,” according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. The Australian government’s Department of Health characterizes diethyl phthalate as altering certain “fertility-related parameters” and inducing developmental effects in newborn rodent pups.

Nonylphenol exthoxylates (NPEs) are surfactants used in a wide variety of household products, including laundry detergent. The EPA is concerned that because NPEs are used in many “down-the-drain” products, they are directly released to the environment. They are highly toxic to aquatic organisms and have been found in samples taken from freshwater, saltwater, groundwater, sediment, soil and aquatic biota. In the environment, NPEs break down into nonylphenol (NP), which Safer Chemicals calls “one of the most notorious examples of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals.” And NPEs and NP may be a threat to the health of developing fetuses and young children.

Formaldehyde is used as a bonding agent in a variety of household products such as glues, permanent press fabrics, paints and coatings, lacquers and finishes, and paper products. It is also used as a preservative in some medicines, cosmetics and other household products, including dishwashing liquids and fabric softeners. The EPA classified formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen in 1987. In 2011, the National Toxicology Program classified as a known human carcinogen. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) also classifies it as a human carcinogen.

Both butylparaben and propylparaben are used as preservatives in personal care products and are classified as parabens. Parabens “mimic estrogen and can act as potential hormone (endocrine) system disruptors,” EWG states. They can be “absorbed through skin, blood and the digestive system,” according to Safer Cosmetics.

Triclosan is an antibacterial compound used in personal care and home cleaning products. According to EWG, triclosan is “persistent in the environment and may be associated with endocrine (hormonal) toxicity.”

Looking over the list, it's heartening to see that Walmart managed to all but eliminate these ingredients from its shelves. The move speaks to its sway with consumer packaged goods companies and suppliers -- and hopefully the market is paying attention.

Image credit: Flickr/Chris Potter

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has caused yet another uproar. On Wednesday, he goaded Russian hackers to cyber-spy on Hillary Clinton and search for her alleged missing emails.

Trump’s statements and tweets, which appear to encourage Russian involvement in investigating Clinton, have the GOP flummoxed once again over its controversial candidate.

Meanwhile U.S. government agencies are investigating last week’s hacking of DNC emails and the role Russian hackers may have had in the snafu, which led to the resignation of chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

This latest chapter of the most bizarre U.S. presidential election in recent memory can be described as art perversely imitating life.

On one side is Clinton’s snark over wiping a server “with a cloth,” and an obscure Vermont senator challenging her up to the final primaries last month. On the other extreme, we watched 16 candidates slowly topple to a man making his first run for public office. During the GOP battle, Trump's crude language seemed only to further cement his bond with a large part of the U.S. electorate. His latest shenanigans, however, have alarmed his opponents even more. The Economist even says is his presidency could potential weaken the global economy.

Even more alarming, to many observers, is Trump’s complete lack of transparency. Trump’s latest gambit, in his mind, aimed to sabotage Clinton’s candidacy even further. But his latest outburst calls into question his judgment and business dealings. From his calls for a “wall,” to banning all Muslims from entering the U.S., to his tantrums over the “Mexican judge,” this week’s tirade -- together with his apparent affection for Russian president Vladimir Putin -- will only intensify calls to release his tax returns and inspire more investigations about the opaque nature of his business dealings.

Watch for even more attention on Trump, analogous to what happens when one pries open those iconic Russian Matryoshka dolls. Just as the opening of each doll reveals yet another one inside, this latest volley by Trump inspires more questions. As Trump is forced to open his thoughts on more issues, watch for new investigations and demands for more information over exactly how the real estate mogul assembled his business empire.

Trump’s open invitation for hackers to illegally access his opponent’s email has caused so much indignation that some analysts, including reporters for the Daily Beast, suggested that he may have even committed a felony. Such an outcome, even an investigation, is highly unlikely. Just as in the case of the FBI’s review of Clinton’s emails, going to such lengths would cause only further chaos during an election that has already frayed many nerves and split the country.

But further digging into Trump’s friendship with Putin, and his affinity for Russia, should be on the table. As showcased on the Washington Post, Trump's business ties with the country date back to when it was known as the Soviet Union in the 1980s. He also has a relationship with Putin that in the very least could be described as friendly. Furthermore, his assessment of Russian “oligarchs” was certainly a complimentary one, quite unlike how that term used to describe Russia’s business elite is understood in the daily lexicon.

Trump’s cozy relationship with Russia, and his interview last week with the New York Times during which he made it clear that any defense of a NATO ally would be conditional, should first and foremost worry voters. But for those who believe climate change is a risk, and are aware of Russia’s dragging of its feet before it signed onto last year’s COP21 agreement, it should also raise concerns. Trump’s actions reveal a man who puts himself and his business dealings first before his country’s international commitments; his refusal to allow the media and public to see his tax returns do nothing but to fester even more suspicion of where his loyalties lie.

Image credit: Rasagri/Wiki Commons

Presidio Graduate School (PGS) and Pinchot University, two schools whose alumni share a friendly rivalry of the sort most common to organizations with few differences, have long been considered the leaders in the field of Sustainable MBA programs. They were two of the original "sustainable through-and-through" programs -- embedding sustainability into every course and tract -- as opposed to just tacking it on as an elective like many traditional schools.

Pinchot holds the claim of being the the first school to offer an MBA in Sustainable Business in 2002, and Presidio holds claim to being the New York Times's chosen school to go to if you want to change the world. TriplePundit has strong ties to the PGS community -- our founder Nick Aster was an esteemed member of the second cohort of students; I was right behind him in the seventh cohort. However, many students from both schools have contributed to TriplePundit over the years.

Those early days were full of what I like to call typical startup culture: a ton of energy and enthusiasm, amazing learning opportunities and a fair amount of disorganization and unrest. Early grads fondly remember experimental education practices like required participation in flowing dragon swords, wherein two participants enter a circle of their peers and, cosplaying with black wooden dowel - cum -"swords," dance together while maintaining eye contact. The goal of the engagement is to keep your swords in contact without ever looking at them. Each dance is unique. The discomfort was the learning, I think. These strange practices are a favorite topic of conversation whenever grads get together for a cocktail. While we joke, they certainly taught us all resilience and the ability to seek one's own path amid uncertain circumstances. These tools are tremendously valuable in today's workforce where the only constant is change, and I'm truly grateful for my Presidio education.

Most of the experimental stuff has fallen by the wayside while traditional courses in micro and macro economics, marketing, operations, and strategic management have strengthened and refined. As the years have gone on, the schools have formalized in the best possible way -- cementing curricula, implementing formal internship programs and business plan competitions which put students to work as sustainability practitioners.

And now they are merging.

The schools shared the news in a joint press release, stating:

"This is a tremendous opportunity for the future of sustainability. Over the past several months, the board and staff of PGS has worked closely with Pinchot’s faculty and staff to carefully analyze the risks and benefits to both organizations. After considerable due diligence, a unanimous decision was made in favor of moving ahead. With our aligned missions and visions for the future, it is truly a win-win for members of both communities, both organizations and for the world."

The release points to the schools' similar missions as a key reason for the merger. This was echoed by Saskia Feast, PGS board member and alum, when we spoke by phone. "Acquisitions are most successful when you’re bringing together organizations with similar values and mission," she explained.

The merger has been in the works for several months. Many small schools lack deep endowments and struggle to grow programs, attract the strongest students who can manage a difficult curriculum, and keep finances in order. Pinchot was rumored to be in financial trouble and an acquisition was an elegant solution to protect the degrees of alumni and keep current students on track.

A key benefit of the merger for Presidio is the ability to access Pinchot's "metro" program, where students study in-person (as opposed to the hybrid online/offline program at PGS). International students are unable to receive visas to attend the hybrid program. The ability to bring in international students (and their tuition dollars) offers a huge benefit -- a massive increase in the pool of potential students and a broader network of individuals working to use business as a force for good around the world.

Despite these many practical reasons for joining forces, PGS was focused on the potential to more effectively meet its and Pinchot's cores missions.

"Our hope is that this merger will strengthen the offering and broaden our network." Feast explained. "I work in Environmental Finance and I see the need for Sustainable MBA grads every day. If you want to be in the field you need a Sustainable MBA. This merger presents a strong signal to potential students that this is the place to go."

The merger is effective immediately and will impact students attending classes this fall. The plan is to consolidate all administrative functions in Presidio's San Francisco office, reducing expenses. Contracts are currently being extended to Pinchot faculty and the curricula at both organizations will stay the same for the time being, since they are already similar.

As Feast puts it, the best thing about the merger is: "Resilience. It gives us strength in numbers. Placing value on diversity has long been a hallmark of both organizations. These schools and their alumni come from different backgrounds but are united by vision of business as a force for good. It's good to have more of us."