EnviroMedia Opinion Piece Published in Silicon Valley Newspaper

We knew the Presidential election would mean good things for federal action on addressing the climate crisis, regardless of the outcome. However, based on our experience at last year's UN climate change conference in Bali, we were motivated to write a pre-election opinion-editorial piece called, "Climate Change Requires Attention Before the Oath." Thankfully, the piece still held up post-election and was published today by the San Jose Mercury News.

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Back to the United Nations Climate Change Conference

We may not know exactly who President Bush and President-elect Obama are sending to this year's critical UN Conference on Climate Change in Poznań, Poland, but we're set to find out first-hand as we head that way as delegates for the U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Development. This conference is the next step on the road to the Copenhagen Protocol (successor to the Kyoto Protocol) in 2009. While in Poznań, we'll forge relationships between the USBCSD and energy-efficiency stakeholders, while also serving as conference correspondents for several U.S. businesses and news outlets. Be sure to watch for daily updates, Dec. 8-13 on our EnviroBlog.

It's In the Water ...

... and we're far from talking about water pollution. Rather, we're pleased to announce two new additions to our EnviroFamily:

• Lila Rose, born August 9, to Katie Dienhammer, Director of Accounts, and
• Jake Ryan, born October 31, to Steve Roberts, Vice President of Green Canary Sustainability Consulting.

We missed Katie so much while she was on maternity leave that we promoted her from account supervisor as soon as she returned to the office last week. We'll miss Steve, too, while he's on parental leave, but we're sure the feeling's not mutual just yet. Besides he got his promotion to "veep" before he left. Congratulations Katie and Steve!

Celebrate America Recycles Day: Know Your E-Waste

First, National Geographic began the year with its provocative January 2008 feature story, "High-Tech Trash," and then CBS News 60 Minutes continued the conversation in a big way with its "Electronics Wasteland" investigative reporting piece that aired Sunday night (November 9).

With reports like these becoming more prevalent, and the TV world going from analog to digital in February 2009, we want to take the opportunity to spotlight e-waste as America Recycles Day approaches on November 15. While electronics recycling has grown in the U.S. over the last several years, reports on improper shipping of related hazardous waste to poor countries are unfortunately also increasing.

Jim Puckett, executive director of the Basel Action Network (BAN), a nonprofit that works to prevent "toxic trade," told 60 Minutes, "It's the dirty little secret of the electronics age."

E-waste from computer equipment and TVs can include lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium and beryllium — and if not properly processed can leach into water supplies and affect the health of workers and others in the communities.

According to BAN, some 80 percent of our e-waste in the U.S. is exported to Asia.  Meanwhile, we've got about 180 million old TVs, computers and components stored in our closets here in the U.S. (EPA). That means we've got to recycle, but at the same time conduct due diligence to know where our e-waste is going. A good place to start is BAN's "e-steward" third-party certification program: http://www.e-stewards.org/. The good news is Texas just joined Maryland, Minnesota and Maine as one of only four states with e-waste collection laws that require manufacturers to take back their computers for recycling. The Texas law only covers computers, but regardless of where you live, you can check "e-stewards" about good TV recyclers in your area.

Something tells us digital TVs may be hot gift items this holiday season. As founders of America Recycles Day, we're asking our friends and colleagues to prepare for the digital TV switch-over with our environment in mind, and know your e-waste.

Valerie Davis
CEO, EnviroMedia Social Marketing

Kevin Tuerff
CEO, Green Canary Sustainability Consulting