Green Business Trends

May 11, 2006

Reality TV Embraces Eco-Fuels

The new reality show “Coolfuel Roadtrip” acquaints thousands of viewers with cleaner fuel technologies including ethanol, fuel cells, biodiesel. Its host, Shaun Murphy, a 39-year-old Australian nature-show host, documents his 2004 summer trip across the United States in 30 different vehicles, using 12 unique fuels—all without using a drop of gasoline.

Along the way, Murphy even picks up celebrity environmentalists like Daryl Hannah and Jackson Browne, and stays connected to the rest of the world through gadgets like his solar-powered laptop and solar satellite dish.

Visit www.coolfuelroadtrip.com for a station in your area. »

Professional Skateboarder Teaches Sustainability

In late April, at the first of a series of planned sustainability events at California Whole Foods markets, professional skateboarder Bob Burnquist performed stunts for his audience of young skateboarders and taught them about organic food, renewable energy, and green living. Sponsored by the Action Sports Environmental Coalition (ASEC), the event also drew environmental activist Julia Butterfly Hill, and included skateboarding music blasting from solar-powered speakers.

Visit www.asecaction.org to learn more. »

BP Commits $8 Billion to Alternative Energy

In November, BP announced its plans to double its investment in alternative and renewable energy, to create a new low-carbon power business known as BP Alternative Energy. Committing $8 billion to this effort over the next decade, the BP Alternative Energy effort builds on the success of BP Solar, which expects to hit revenues of $1 billion in 2008.

“Consistent with our strategy, we are determined to add to the choice of available energies for a world concerned about the environment, and we believe we can do so in a way that will yield robust returns,” said BP chief executive Lord Browne. “Our recent experience, particularly with solar, has given us the expertise and confidence to develop new products and markets alongside our mainstream business.”

Learn more at bp.com. »

Evangelical Environmentalists Ask: What Would Jesus Drive?

“Because transportation is a moral issue,” according to the Evangelical Environmental Network and Creation Care magazine, together they have launched the “What Would Jesus Drive?” campaign designed to educate religious conservatives about climate change and persuade more people to consider the environment when choosing their transportation.

If more conservative pastors took on environmental issues, according to a spokesman for the National Association of Evangelicals, religious conservatives would “change everything from the detergent they buy and the cars they drive to the politicians they vote for.”

Learn more at www.whatwouldjesusdrive.org. »

 

Table of Contents

Reality TV embraces eco-fuels

Skateboarder teaches sustainability

BP invests $8 Billion in Alternative Energy

What Would Jesus Drive?