[News] KFC is turning rainforest to trash, Greenpeace reveals

KFC's secret recipe no good for Indonesian rainforests 

KFC is contributing to massive deforestation in Indonesia. It uses wood from deforested Indonesian forests home to endangered orangutans and tigers. This wood is transformed into packaging by Asia Pulp and Paper, known for using illegal timber.

 Greenpeace launches its campaign by hanging giant tarpaulin banner at KFC's headquarters.

Once again a multinational company is being accused by Greenpeace of contributing to deforestation in this Asian country. In the past the environmental organization has also launched campaigns against Mattel, the creators of Barbie, and Nestle, which manufactures Kit Kat. Both companies have agreed to clean-up their supply chains and drop rainforest destruction.

Snapshots of the deforestation happening in Indonesia

You can read about the Barbie, It's Over Campaign and the Give Me a Break, Killer Campaign in previous posts. This time, Greenpeace has launched the KFC No Good for Rainforests! Campaign, which is a play on the fast food chain's 'KFC So Good' slogan.

 Greenpeace Philippines activists hold flash mob protest in front of KFC in Quezon City

Also, concerned persons worldwide are invited to Join the Revolt against KFC's turning rainforests into rubbish by sending an online message directly to the bosses of KFC. You can read more about the campaign and how you can take action towards saving Indonesia's rainforests through the KFC No Good campaign website.

You can also watch these campaign videos made by Greenpeace:

[News] Save the trees, save the seas, buy your Good Karma Shirt today

Good Karma Shirts - Make a Difference Today

When we talk about making a difference in our world, we immediately thing about big things done by big organizations. We think about how we can make a difference in the future, when we have more time and money. However, we have the power to make a difference is small ways here and now.

"Around us people have started to realize that little things could be great things ... Times have changed. And it is Good Karma's highest objective to deliver the infectious message to all youth that a little is a lot, and that even one shirt can save a country," reads the about us page of Good Karma, a project initiated by the University of the Philippines Industrial Engineering Club (UP IE Club).

Proceeds from each t-shirt sold by the group goes to one of four beneficiaries the organization has partnered with:

 

 

• Kristiyano-Islam Peace Library (KRIS Library), an award-winning education organization that provides for the education needs of the youth in poverty stricken communities, will benefit from sale of white shirts.

 

• Haribon Foundation, the pioneer environmental organization in the country committed to the protection of the Philippine environment, will benefit from the sale of green shirts.

 

• Kabataang Inyong Dagat Suportahan (K.I.D.S.) Foundation, that works for the benefit of cancer patients of the Philippine Children's Medical Center and other institutions, will benefit from sale of red shirts.

 

• Save Philippine Seas, an organization pushing for legislative measures that enable the protection and conservation of our natural resources in the Philippines, will benefit from the sale of blue shirts.

Each Good Karma Shirt costs P250. Starting June 14, 2012, you can buy your shirts from any of the following student organizations:

Industrial Engineering Club
3rd Floor, College of Engineering
University of the Philippines Diliman

Ateneo Environmental Science Society
Ateneo de Manila University
 
ER+GO
University of Asia & the Pacific

Junior Pharmacists' Association - Gamma Chapter
University of Santo Tomas

Please visit the official Good Karma website for a listing of contact persons and how you can reach them. You can also like the Good Karma Facebook page and follow Good Karma on Twitter.

Suggested Beneficiary for Good Karma:

In case anyone connected with the program happens to read this post, I would like to recommend a fifth beneficiary. I have had the experience of working with Child in Life, Health, and Development (CHILD) Foundation, while studying at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business.

This organization is dedicated to providing better healthcare to children admitted in the pediatric wards of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). If ever, funds raised for this foundation would provide for medicines and medical equipment (e.g. hospital beds, incubators, breathing equipment) needed for proper treatment of newborns and young children, while at the hospital.

You can visit the CHILD Foundation website for more information.

[Technology] Panasonic solar powered live broadcast of solar eclipse from Fujiyama cancelled due to bad weather

A total solar eclipse was visible from Japan on May 21, 2012. Panasonic, in a move to cement its reputation as one of the world's greenest technology companies, attempted to broadcast a live coverage of the eclipse from the top of Fujiyama or Mt. Fuji using solely solar power.

(Photo Credits: www.solarpower.com)

Unfortunately, the weather refused to cooperate. The solar power worked despite the lack of sunlight. As you can see from the video below, they waited for the clouds to part for over an hour before throwing-in the towel.

(Photo Credits: www.solarthermalmagazine.com)

The Panasonic climbing expedition composed of company technicians and professional climbers even reached the peak of the summit where the video equipment was setup. The solar panels and other equipment was stationed at 5th station of the usual mountain climbing route.

The climbing team kept in touch with the live broadcast hosts and guests through Panasonic green technology throughout the event.

(Photo Credits: questpointsolarsolutions.com)

What's nice is how the live broadcast of the annual solar eclipse, which only appears every 25 years, was completely silent except for when the two hosts were speaking. You can imagine the generator noise ruining what could have been a serene appreciation of nature, had solar power not been used.

Indeed "Filming the Sun, Using the Sun" would have been the perfect tagline for this event, and Panasonic should be lauded for making the attempt. For more details, visit the official website of Panasonic's Eclipse Live from Fujiyama by Solar Power.

Attempted live video broadcast of solar eclipse

More info on Eclipse Live from Fujiyama by Solar Power

[Event] A day of art and music in celebration of Ocean Month at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center

May is the month of the Ocean, and on May 25, 2012 there will be a double celebration at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center (NAPWC). First, over 700 participants from various backgrounds will be painting what could become the country's longest mural.  The "Wall of Nature" will span the 1,075 meter fence of the NAPWC.

Marine Life mural is pre-sketched, so it'll be easier to paint on May 25

(Photo Credits: http://www.facebook.com/MonthOfTheOcean)

Those who want to participate in the mural painting can register for free. Just register with the moderators of Month of the Ocean.

After the mural fencing which begins at  8:00 a.m., everyone is invited to attend Ocean Jam, a concert in celebration of Ocean month. The concert, to be held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 pm., will be held inside the NAPWC.

(Photo Credits: http://www.facebook.com/MonthOfTheOcean)

It will feature music artists including Joey Ayala, Noel Cabangon, Radio Active Sago Project, Kalayao, Acel, Nityalila, Peryodiko, Niko Pepito, Jeck Pilpil and Peacepipe, and MusiKalinangan.

The winners of the Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Photo Competition will also be announced during the concert. You and your friends can attend Ocean Jam for free.

[Business] Davies Paints Philippines Launches Clean Air Anti-Formaldehyde Paint

Clean Air paint by Davies Paints improves indoor air quality 

Davies Paints Philippines, one of the country's leading paint manufacturers, has recently launched its own environmentally friendly paint. Clean Air is a 100-percent water-based acrylic paint made for use indoors.

This paint has an anti-formaldehyde formula that improves indoor air quality by removing toxic and pungent odors released by regular paints. Thus, it promotes a cleaner, fresher and healthier environment for the whole family to enjoy.

 (Photo Credits for three photos: http://daviespaints.com.ph)

Availability for this paint is currently limited to the color white. Davies is also advertising its line of colorful and fresh-smelling paints.Click here for more information on Davies's Clean Air paint.

Davies Clean Air versus Boysen KNOxOUT

Boysen Knoxout Project EDSA

(Photo Credits: http://www.deiville.info)

While it may seem like Davies Paints has launched this new product to compete with Boysen and its KNOxOUT Air Cleaning Paint, this isn't necessarily the case. This paint is meant primarily for application outdoors. It's air filtering capabilities are more suited for application outdoors.

 Boysen Knoxout Project EDSA 2

(Photo Credits: http://reynthology.blogspot.com)

KNOxOUT projects have been implemented in different parts of Metro Manila including in the Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines Diliman. Many of the walls along EDSA were also painted using this air cleaning paint.

 (Photo Credits: http://greenphils.com)

This paint currently comes in six colors: a breeze of grey, aura green, cleaning ivory, clear sky blue, purifying white, and refreshing red. Click here for more information on Boysen KNOxOUT.

[Business] Reusable Sleeves, Krispy Kreme, and products made from recycled materials

Krispy Kreme uses Cup Sleeves Made from 100% Recycled Plastic Bottles

(Photo Credits: http://www.blogger-index.com)

I don't usually buy coffee from Krispy Kreme and I'm not fond of hot coffee. Fortunately, my boss was drinking a cup of hot coffee purchased from the doughnut chain one afternoon. After finishing his drink, he showed me the coffee cup sleeve, and I saw that it was made from 100% plastic bottles.

That was a bit of a surprise since the brown reusable cup sleeve looked really well-made. I thought it was made of expensive synthetic materials and not recycled plastic bottles. Perhaps this environmental initiative is something other coffee chains can adopt.

 (Photo Credits: http://www.recyclethis.co.uk)

I know Starbucks uses coffee cup sleeves made from recycled corrugated paper, the difference being that Krispy Kreme's cup sleeves are reusable. Now, the question is whether or not customers will actually reuse the sleeves. Most of them probably discard the sleeves together with  their empty coffee cups.

Reusable Sleeves made from Eco-Friendly Materials Come in All Shapes and Uses

(Photo Credits: http://www.etsy.com)

Recycled fabrics can actually be used to create sleeves for a variety of purposes such as CD holders, tablet PC cases, ice cream up holders, plant holders, and so on. You can visit Etsy's A Green Sleeve page for more creative reusable sleeve ideas.

(Photo Credits: http://www.etsy.com)

Another company that uses recycled plastic is The Weekend Project has created its own line of Paper Wallets from Tyvek envelopes, which is also made from recycled plastic.

 (Photo Credits: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Weekend-Project)

Meanwhile, Jacinto & Lirio has managed to create designer bags and statement journals from water hyacinth leather.

 (Photo Credits: http://www.facebook.com/JacintoandLirio)

[Technology] Panasonic aims to be No. 1 Green Innovation Company in Electronics Industry

Panasonic, one of the leading electronics manufacturers in the world, has taken leaps and bounds towards becoming the "No. 1 Green Innovation Company in the Electronics Industry." By integrating green innovations in all aspects of doing business, the company hopes to integrate contribution to the environment with business growth.

(Photo Credits: http://www.coroflot.com)

Thus, the Eco Ideas mark has become the symbol of Panasonic's dedication to continuous environmental sustainability management. To accomplish its environmental goals, the company has identified seven key areas, or what it calls "Environmental Action Items," to focus on:

Carbon Dioxide

• Panasonic seeks to reduce carbon emissions released when manufacturing products. It also seeks to reduce the power consumption and overall carbon footprint resulting from the use of its products.

Resources

•  The company to increase the amount of recycled resources used from product design to production.

(Photo Credits: http://panasonic.net)

Water

• By designing and manufacturing water-saving products that help customers conserve water and keep expenses minimal, the company hopes to improve the performance of its product line. The company also seeks to reduce the amount of waste water produced during the manufacturing process.

Chemicals

• Panasonic is aware of the adverse environmental impact of using chemicals, so it strives to use less of, find substitutes for, or completely discontinue use of harmful chemicals when manufacturing products. Materials used for creating products are also screened for toxicity before use.

Panasonic holds Eco Ideas forums and exhibits

(Photo Credits: http://ex-blog.panasonic.co.jp)

 Biodiversity

• Biodiversity conservation is important to this company, so it continuously studies the biodiversity of areas where its manufacturing plants are located. By working together with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the company is able to implement best practices in habitat management. The company has also initiated the use of sustainable and recyclable bamboo in its some of its products.

Stakeholders

• Panasonic regularly coordinates with supply chain partners on ways they can together reduce their carbon footprint. The company also holds environmental education programs and worldwide tree planting activities.

 Panasonic integrates green technologies in its latest products

(Photo Credits: http://www.ebuild.com)

Every Region

•  The company strives to adapt its environmentally friendly way of doing business to different needs and characteristics of every region it operates in, including Asia Pacific, Europe, China, North America, Latin America, Russia, Middle East & Africa, and Taiwan.

Click here for more information on Panasonic Eco Ideas.

[Technology] Download the WWF-Philippines App on Nokia's OVI Store for free

Nokia users can now do their share in helping the environment. Download the WWF-Philippines application on Nokia's OVI Store for free. The cellular phone company will donate P10 to WWF's local conservation and species protection programs, each time the app is downloaded.

(Photo credits: www.glennong.com)

Moreover, one can have fun playing the application, while learning more about our country's endangered species at the same time. Learn about the local pawikan, dugong, Calamian deer, mouse deer, Philippine crocodile, Philippine eagle, tarsier, true giant clam, and warty pig through this fun and free game.

 (Photo credits: Nokia OVI Store website)

Click here to access the Nokia Store and download the WWF-Philippines application. Both parties entered this partnership in the hopes of reaching millions of Nokia mobile phone users in the country.