S4S guest speaker on April 2nd: Stanley Young – CEO, NeuroSky. He is the visionary behind the bio-sensor company that has quickly become the global leader in mass market Brain-Computer Interface technology.

Have you ever dreamed of moving an object with your mind? Come to test out the technology that lets you do just that!

The awesome S4S 2012 officers: Julia, Chyntia, Ramona, Cristina, Tu, and Rana

AUTODESK field trip!
Here's a loaded question: Did you know that reducing energy loads can greatly improve your building’s energy efficiency? Learn more on the Sustainability Workshop at AUTODESK!

Berkeley-Stanford Cleantech Conference

The 7th Berkeley-Stanford Clean Tech Conference will feature great panels and networking opportunities. This year's conference will will explore how China and the U.S. will collectively (and competitively) create green jobs from perspectives of policy, business, and technology.

 Sputnik 2.0? The Pursuit of Green Jobs In China and the U.S.

Where: PG&E Headquarter - 77 Beale Street, San Francisco

When: April 9th, 2011 | 10am - 8pm

Get further details here: http://cleantech.stanford.edu/bscc7/

Sign up now and let us know how you liked it!

 

SOCIAL MEDIA FOR SOCIAL GOOD - EVENT

"SOCIAL MEDIA FOR SOCIAL GOOD"

 Speaker Kitt McCurdy
Context optional
Date: March 21, 2011
Time: 5:45 p.m.
Room: 2203

Spread the word and join us for this great event!

The “Green” Investment Trap

I know many of you remember our discussion a couple of weeks ago about how many companies are investing and trying to go ”green.” The skeptic in me came out and said that I don’t believe that these companies really do believe in what they are promoting, but rather are going with the new trend. Everywhere we look now there is an “organic” stamp on everything from apples to make up and even gum…not sure how gum can clarify as organic… ?

Whether you want to believe it or not, being green, sustainable, and buying organic is a new TREND and it is what everyone is trying to be a part of so that they are not the outsider. How many companies out there are promoting themselves as being environmentally friendly and going green, yet they have not changed how much paper their employees print, or the lightbulbs in their offices, or even promoted a recycling program at their offices? I’m willing to bet that it is a big chunk of them!

O.K. enough of my own personal opinion, let’s go and list some facts down.

1. According to the LA Times, green investing has been quite volatile if we look at the WinderHill Clean Energy Index or the S&P Energy Index. Just two and half years ago the WinderHill Clean Energy Index closed the year 70% down, compared with the 34% that the Dow Jones was down. In 2008, S&P Energy Index lost 35.9%

2. The New York Times in October 2009, cited Green Technology investments a big Plummet. In California alone green technology investments fell 61/% in 2009!

3. Remote Revolution.com said it best in this direct quote: ” Still, I have noticed that there are several companies who produce “green” goods and who suggest that they are doing their part to reduce waste, recycle, give back, etc. simply because of their process. They are missing the other half of the equation—the half that is essential when calculating just how environmentally heroic these organizations are.  They are focusing on the greenness of the output and missing the importance of the input—the workers and the duties they perform. A company that looks past this issue is not green and is far from progressive.”

Even though I believe that many consumer lifestyles will change in California tremendously within the next decade, it is very hard for me to believe that the rest of the United States will comply and start carrying about not only our nation, but our world. I’m also very much still on the side that the majority of the companies are promoting being green and investing in green technology simply because it is a trend and because they do not want to lose out on any money that this boom will create for them, but do not whole heartedly believe in actually making a change or bettering the world.

by Juliannabb

UPCOMING EVENT - MARCH 3rd

Sustainability & Supply Chain Professional’s Key Role

By World Renowned Speaker

Cathy Rodgers, MBA

Vice President, Global Opportunities at IBM

and

Golden Gate University Alumnus

Sourcing for a Sustainable Future

One tree will be planted for each person in the audience 

WHEN:  Thursday, March 3, 2011

5:30 PM – Registration/Networking

6:30 PM – Dinner

7:30 PM – Speaker

WHERE:  Golden Gate University

536 Mission Street, 5^th Floor Room 5310

San Francisco, CA 94105

REGISTRATION

APICS & ISM Members; advance registration: $25

APICS student member; advance registration: $15

Non-members & At-the-Door: $35

Reserve in Advance and be part of the tree planting event at:  add your name & APICS email address here.

Speaker Biography:

Responsible for providing complex global opportunity engagement and pursuit leadership on approximately $20B international deal annual pipeline. Cathy is responsible for IBM Global Services Worldwide Strategic Relations and has been instrumental in driving cooperative relationships with a wide variety of key ISV, OEM and Services business partners. Her leadership, integrity and creative partnering approaches paved the way for a world-class engagement model in the growing area of 'multi-sourcing' and co-opetition. Cathy currently Chairs the IBM GTS Smarter Planet/Cities Global Advisory Board, is the Chairperson for ISM (Institute of Supply Management) Committee on Sustainability & Social Responsibility and is a member of Tech America's Commercial Executive Board of Directors, Chairman of the Committee for International Policy; including the International Environmental Committee.

Cathy is one of IBM's most sought after executives for employee motivational events and speaks regularly on the topic of sustainability, supply chain, creating a smarter planet and women in business. Cathy's passion, bold thinking, teamwork and commitment to being a positive catalyst for change has continued to have a significant positive impact on her team, her global colleagues, the people she mentors and the clients she supports.

Cathy has been recognized twice as woman of the year in business in California, has received a special accommodation from the Governor of California and was previously featured in the New York Times for her work with minority suppliers. Cathy holds a B.A., M.A. in Education/Community Services, and an MBA with a minor in Finance (from GGU), and holds a lifetime teaching credential.