January 31, 2008

" Sooner or later, we sit down to a banquet of consequences."

Robert Louis Stevenson, (1850-1894), Scottish poet

Summary

1. New Survey Uncovers Discrepancies on Corporate Citizenship Issues
2. Green Barricade
3. Bali to Hawaii: The Climate Caravan Moves On
4. States Seek Fraud Protection for Carbon Offset Market
5. Huge Kite Helps Container Ship Across Atlantic
6. Whole Foods Does Away With Plastic Bags
7. Job Opportunities

1. NAEM Workshop: External EHS Communications & Stakeholder Engagement April 24th, 2008 Mobile, AL. Register Now!
2. NAEM Workshop: Implementing Best Practices in Corporate Greenhouse Gas Management & Energy Efficiency. Hosted by Millipore Corporation.
   June 3rd-4th, 2008 Boston, MA. Register Now!
3. NAEM Workshop: Managing Global EHS Programs. Hosted by Rockwell Automation. August 6th-7th, 2008 Milwaukee, WI. Register Now!
4. NAEM Forum: 16th Annual EHS Management Forum October 22nd-24th, 2008 Memphis, TN. Registration Opens May 1st!

New Survey Uncovers Discrepancies on Corporate Citizenship Issues – processed survey
A survey released by the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship and The Hitachi Foundation shows CEOs and other executives support responsible corporate citizenship, at least in principle. The third biennial 2007 State of Corporate Citizenship in the US, "Time to get real: Closing the Gap Between Rhetoric and Reality," studies what CEOs and other business executives say they believe about the importance of corporate citizenship and what policies are actually in place at their businesses.

Green Barricade –article
Trade faces a new test as carbon taxes go global. Initiatives to control emissions and impose tariffs on imports from countries with lower regulatory standards have led to charges of protectionism. The US power industry and its unions are rarely assiduous cheerleaders of campaigns for higher taxes and tighter environmental standards. But the energy barons become more enthusiastic when American lawmakers are seeking to impose those burdens on other countries.

Bali to Hawaii: The Climate Caravan Moves On –commentary
The next step is approaching in President Bush's effort to round up the world's biggest emitters of carbon dioxide and extract non-binding pledges to limit growth in emissions and settle on a long-term target for cutting them. A two-day meeting of representatives from the Group of 8 industrialized nations and emerging powers led by India and China will get under way on Wednesday in Honolulu. Together, the participating countries are responsible for more than 80 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. Mr. Bush last year vowed, by the end of this year, to get them to agree on a goal for big cuts later in the century, in a process that he says is intended to aid the separate United Nations treaty talks.

States Seek Fraud Protection for Carbon Offset Market –article
Citing the potential "to manipulate the system," California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today recommended that the Federal Trade Commission sharpen its guidelines for businesses that sell carbon emission offset credits. Activities such as driving cars and running power plants produce greenhouse gas emissions which trap heat from the sun, causing global temperatures to rise. Under a carbon offset program, consumers are able to purchase emissions credits - which reflect specific environmental projects that reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gases elsewhere in the environment.

Huge Kite Helps Container Ship Across Atlantic–article
Oil at more than $90 a barrel is concentrating minds in the shipping industry. Higher fuel costs and mounting pressure to curb emissions are leading modern merchant fleets to rediscover the ancient power of the sail. The world's first commercial ship powered partly by a giant kite set off on a maiden voyage from Bremen to Venezuela on Tuesday, in an experiment that inventor Stephan Wrage hopes can wipe 20 percent, or $1,600, from the ship's daily fuel bill."We aim to prove it pays to protect the environment," Wrage told Reuters. "Showing that ecology and economics are not contradictions motivates us all."

Whole Foods Market Does Away With Plastic Bags –article
Whole Foods Market is joining the anti-plastic bag movement, announcing today it will end the use of disposable plastic grocery bags at the checkouts in all of its 270 stores in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. It says the goal is to be plastic bag-free by Earth Day, April 22, 2008.

Job Opportunities

Environmental Engineer /Specialist for The New York Power Authority one position located in Queens, NY and one in the central Catskill region. The incumbent will provide technical direction to fossil and hydro power plant personnel to ensure facility compliance with all federal, state, local and corporate environmental requirements.  This position is particularly focused on environmental monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements including petroleum bulk storage, hazardous and nonhazardous waste management, NPDES discharges, spill response and natural resource enhancement initiatives.  The successful candidate must possess a Bachelors degree in a related discipline and at least 3 years of industrial experience.  Contact: Bill Slade

Senior Director, Environmental Stewardship for consumer product company. The Sr. Director is responsible for strategy development – leading the research, development, implementation, communication, and maintenance of the strategic environmental sustainability plan. He/she will develop broad environmental sustainability strategies to meet the business needs for North America and globally, monitoring emerging issues related to environmental sustainability and developing global strategies and policies accordingly. The candidate will coordinate area environmental directors to establish global environmental sustainability strategy and corporate policy. - Responsible for building long term environmental sustainability management capabilities and skills both within the Operations team and at all levels of the business. This position requires strong leadership and managerial skills, excellent communication skills, and the ability to operate across a large organization and functional areas. The position has 4 direct reports. Ten years of environmental experience is required. An advanced degree in environment is preferred due to the fact that the judgment and decisions of this person could come under legal scrutiny during Federal or State reviews. Contact: Anita Artner

Environmental Engineer for Rhodia located throughout the Midwest. This position is to provide environmental site support and guarantor services for Rhodia facilities in North America located in the Midwest. Position is to support plant operations on compliance auditing, environmental permitting, development of environmental strategies, pollution prevention and reduction and training of plant staff. The Environmental Engineer will be in the Midwest covering Hammond, Cincinnati, and Chicago Heights. B.S. Degree Chemical or Environmental Engineering or equivalent technical degree, 3-7 years chemical plant experience, knowledge of Federal and State regulations relative to air, water and solid wastes, strong communication Skills: with plant staff and management, governmental agencies, public. Contact: Kia Zuber

Business Unit Manager for NSF-ISR located in Ann Arbor, MI. We are seeking a business unit manager to perform all duties required to manage and grow NSF-ISR's Environment, Health & Safety audit services.  This position will report to the general manager. Bachelor's degree in quality, science, or other related technical field, three to five (3-5) years of auditing or related experience, experience as a Business Unit Specialist or equivalent, willingness and ability to travel. Contact: Petie Davis

 

Have a safe, healthy and environmental week.

Carol Singer Neuvelt

NAEM Executive Director

202-986-6616

Check out our website www.NAEM.org for up-to-date information about NAEM's Forum, EHS management workshops and training seminars!