Stories from Gina-Marie Cheeseman
Finance
The Environmental Challenges and Opportunities Facing Food and Beverage Companies
Food and beverage companies need to buy agricultural commodities to make their products. Commodity sourcing can be very challenging.
August 11, 2021
Community Development
The COVID-19 Pandemic Could Mean Fewer Farmworkers
The recruitment of farmworkers needed to work across the U.S. is facing far more difficulties due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
April 14, 2020
Energy
Recycled Aluminum Could Allow for Next-Gen Energy Storage
One company says it's developed a disruptive option for energy storage: instead of using batteries, store power in a system based on recycled aluminum.
April 7, 2020
Community Development
Truckers Keep on Trucking, Even During This Pandemic
Truckers are still committed to keeping store shelves stocked during this pandemic, and small businesses across the U.S. are going above and beyond to help.
March 31, 2020
Community Development
3p Weekend: Musicians, Museums and Zoos Lift Spirits with Live Streaming During COVID-19 Outbreak
Live streaming is one way to lift spirits as the world goes on lockdown to avoid the spread of COVID-19. And luckily, live streaming options abound.
March 20, 2020
Energy
The Olympics Will Become Carbon Positive From 2030
From 2030 onward, the Olympics will become climate positive - and each of the future host cities already have ambitious sustainability plans.
March 16, 2020
Sustainable Living
Patagonia to Consumers: Repair and Recycle Your Garments
Patagonia is urging its customers to help reduce textile waste by either recycling used gear and clothing or even better, make the effort to repair them.
March 13, 2020
Sustainable Living
BMW Concept i4 Makes a Huge Statement on Electromobility
Making a huge statement on electromobility, the all-electric BMW Concept i4 will feature a range reaching up to 373 miles with 530 horsepower.
March 10, 2020
Sustainable Living
Not Just for Sushi: Seaweed is the Magic Ingredient for This Sustainable Packaging Startup
This sustainable packaging startup says its takeout boxes made from seaweed and plant extracts could replace plastic and even bioplastic containers.
March 5, 2020
Sustainable Living
Puma x First Mile Collection Embraces Circularity and Social Impact
Last month, Puma launched a sportswear collection made from recycled plastic with a social impact twist.
March 2, 2020
Energy
Report: Apparel Brands Warm to Sustainable Cotton, But There's More Work To Do
Sustainable cotton procurement is on the rise, but the apparel sector still has plenty of room for improvement, according to this new global ranking.
February 24, 2020
Energy
'Tesla Killer' Polestar Says It's Going Beyond All-Electric Vehicles
EV manufacturer Polestar says it plans to make its EVs even more sustainable by reducing weight, eliminating plastic content and reducing waste materials.
February 19, 2020
Energy
The Rapid Decline of Bumble Bees Threatens U.S. Agriculture
Climate change is behind the rapid disappearance of bumble bees - which could put the food and agriculture sectors at huge economic risk.
February 13, 2020
Sustainable Living
Land O’Lakes Redesigns Packaging to Showcase Stories About Dairy Farmers
Land O’Lakes' newly redesigned packaging shines a spotlight on the company's most valuable asset: its dairy farmers, almost a third of whom are women.
February 11, 2020
Energy
Your Future Coffee Sweetener Could Come from Food Waste
This Dutch startup has a new approach to food waste: It takes apple and pear leftovers and turns them into a sugar substitute.
February 10, 2020
Energy
Clif Bar Wants to Create a Compostable Wrapper
Long a sustainability leader, Clif Bar & Company recently announced that all of its packaging will be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.
February 7, 2020
Energy
New Jersey: Builders Must Now Consider Climate Risks
New Jersey is the first state in the U.S. to require that climate considerations become part of permitting decisions, which means builders must consider climate risks.
January 31, 2020
Voices for Change
The British Medical Journal Joins the Fossil Fuel Divestment Movement
The leading medical journal announced a fossil fuel divestment campaign and urged health professionals to push for a low-carbon economy worldwide.
January 30, 2020
Energy
IMF: Unmitigated Climate Change Will Slow Economic Growth
As climate action dominates talk at Davos, the IMF is reminding the global business community that climate change will hamper economic growth worldwide.
January 23, 2020
Energy
Nestlé is Investing Billions To Develop a Market for Recycled Plastic
Nestlé pledged to invest more than $2.6 billion to create a market for food-grade recycled plastic and said it will cut costs in other parts of the business in order to "pay a premium" for these materials.
January 21, 2020
Energy
Going 100 Percent Renewable in 2020, PepsiCo Pushes Ahead on Climate Action Plan
PepsiCo’s 100 percent renewables announcement builds on its past and current climate efforts, from across the U.S. to facilities abroad.
January 20, 2020
Energy
MGM Resorts International Practices Water Conservation in Las Vegas
Water is precious in Las Vegas. Located within the Mojave Desert, it’s a city whose outskirts contain desert vegetation and dry mountain ranges. It gets only 4.17 inches of rain a year, with an average 21 days of rainfall.
September 28, 2017
Finance
Green Building Helps the Environment While Saving Money
Green building is a trend that is on the upswing. The number of global builders that have at least 60 percent of their projects certified green will double from 2015 to 2018, predicts the World Green Building Trends.
September 17, 2017
Sponsored
COMMIT! Forum
Mining for Fertilizer: How Mosaic Manages Environmental Impacts
To gain practical skills for sustainability management, join us at the COMMIT! Forum in DC October 11-12 2017 There are over […]
July 31, 2017
Sponsored
COMMIT! Forum
The World’s Largest Hog Producer Talks Animal Welfare
To gain practical skills for sustainability management, join us at the COMMIT! Forum in DC October 11-12 2017 Our pork chop […]
July 28, 2017
Sustainable Living
How Airlines are Reducing Food Waste
Food waste is a big problem. An estimated 30 to 40 percent of the food supply in the U.S. alone is wasted.
July 20, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
How CSR Programs Benefit Employees
A company with a strong corporate social responsibility has more engaged employees. Almost 60 percent of employees who are proud […]
June 27, 2017
Sustainable Living
The Proximity Hotel is the First U.S. Hotel to Earn LEED Platinum Certification
The hotel industry has a big environmental impact. Hotels use vast amounts of energy and water, and generate solid and hazardous waste. Some hotels are now grasping the importance of reducing their environmental impact.
June 23, 2017
Technology
Startup Teaches Coding Skills to Refugees in the Netherlands
Having to flee a war-torn country is agonizing. Learning how to adapt to a new country can be even harder, […]
May 31, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Volvo Will Eventually Ditch Diesel In Favor of EVs
Expect fewer diesel cars on European roadways in the future thanks to Volvo, which pledged to eventually ditch these models in […]
May 30, 2017
Energy
Imported Cooked Chicken . . . Coming to a Store Near You?
Cooked chicken from China may soon be a mainstay in American grocery stores. The U.S. federal government will soon allow […]
May 30, 2017
Energy
FedEx is Reducing its Environmental Footprint
Getting packages and documents delivered on time creates a big environmental footprint, but FedEx wants to change that.
May 25, 2017
Finance
Philadelphia Sues Wells Fargo Over Discriminatory Lending Practices
Racial discrimination in mortgage lending is prohibited under the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA). But the city of Philadelphia says the […]
May 25, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Unilever’s Sustainable Living Brands Growing Faster Than Other Brands
Unilever launched its Sustainable Living Plan six years ago. The consumer packaged goods giant framed the plan as a blueprint […]
May 24, 2017
Energy
Lockheed Martin Gets Serious About Waste-to-Energy
“Landfills and fossil fuels no longer meet the pressing needs of our time,” Lockheed Martin declares on its website. The […]
May 23, 2017
Study: Obamacare Helps Self-Employed Californians and Those Working For Small Businesses
Earlier this month, House Republicans voted to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. While these lawmakers trumpet their vote and […]
May 22, 2017
Technology
Lowe’s Creates a Robotic Exosuit To Help Employees Stock Products
Lifting and moving products through a store is not an easy job, and it can wind up leaving employees with […]
May 18, 2017
Energy
Salesforce Proves Business Can Lead the Way on Climate Action
In 2015, a nonprofit group of leaders called the B Team, led by Richard Branson, created an agreement they called […]
May 17, 2017
Sponsored
Building Healthier Communities
Engaging Employees Around Community Action
Engaging employees in community action is a win-win for companies: It improves corporate image, makes the workplace more enjoyable and, […]
May 4, 2017
United Nations: Repealing Obamacare May Violate International Law
Just when we thought attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act were dead, the GOP tried it again. The latest […]
May 1, 2017
Energy
Report: Almost Half of Fortune 500s Set Climate Change, Clean Energy Targets
Climate change and clean energy targets are an important part of a company’s environmental sustainability program. The good news is […]
April 28, 2017
Technology
Apple's Ambitious Recycled Materials Goal
Electronic waste, commonly called e-waste, is a big problem. Over 20 million tons of e-waste are produced annually around, 3.4 […]
April 27, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Philadelphia Startup Will Collect Leftover Food During NFL Draft
The 2017 National Football League (NFL) draft is happening in Philadelphia this weekend, from April 27 to 29. And a local […]
April 27, 2017
Energy
Business and Innovation in Food Waste
Food that is thrown away winds up in landfills where it gives off methane, a greenhouse gas with a warming potential […]
April 26, 2017
Energy
Oil and Gas Giants Flee Canada's Tar Sands
A growing number of American oil and gas giants are divesting themselves of their Canadian tar sands holdings. In the […]
April 21, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Candidate for Interior Department Fought for Corporate Water Rights in California
David Bernhardt is rumored to be a candidate for Deputy Secretary of the Interior. If his name sounds familiar, it’s […]
April 19, 2017
Energy
Greenpeace USA Releases Second Annual Canned Tuna Rankings
Greenpeace USA released its second annual canned tuna rankings this week, bringing both good and bad news. Some companies moved up significantly […]
April 19, 2017
Energy
2020 Can Be the Turning Point Year For Climate Action
The Donald Trump administration is busy rolling back the environmental legislation put forth under his predecessor, Barack Obama. Despite Trump’s anti-environmental measures, […]
April 14, 2017
Sponsored
Your Corporate Guide to Responsible Waste Management
P&G and Microsoft Demonstrate How to Move Beyond Recycling
Did a waste audit reveal your company’s recycling program isn’t exactly where you want it to be? Don’t be discouraged. […]
April 12, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Monday: Senate Committee to Hold Climate Change Hearing Near Mar-a-Lago
Climate change adaptation is not a priority for U.S. President Donald Trump and company. Meanwhile, the planet’s atmosphere is still […]
April 7, 2017
Sponsored
Your Corporate Guide to Responsible Waste Management
The Journey To Corporate Zero-Waste-To-Landfill
Zero-waste-to-landfill (ZWTL) is a popular goal for businesses that wish to lead on sustainability. It sounds like a noble goal, […]
April 3, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Qdoba, Jack in the Box Boost Animal Welfare Standards
Qdoba Mexican Eats and Jack in the Box, part of the same parent company, joined a long line of food […]
March 31, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Nike Jumps On Upcycling Bandwagon With New Shoe Packaging
Nike’s new shoe packaging is made from 100 percent post-consumer waste, including milk and orange juice containers and coffee lids. […]
March 30, 2017
Consumption: Still the Elephant in the Corporate Boardroom
The world is on track to both quadruple its GDP and to triple consumption of natural resources by 2050, according to […]
March 30, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Trump Nullifies Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Rule For Federal Contractors
The pushback against social justice regulations passed under former U.S. President Barack Obama is in full force. This week incoming […]
March 28, 2017
Technology
Survey: New Administration Causes Tech Workers To Think About Diversity
Donald J. Trump’s presidency is causing tech-industry employees to think more about diversity and inclusion, according to polling and research […]
March 28, 2017
Energy
Trump Advisors Continue to Urge Climate Inaction
Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), a key energy advisor to the Donald Trump administration, has some interesting ideas about America’s role […]
March 24, 2017
Energy
Burger King, Tim Hortons Announce New Animal Welfare Commitments
This week Restaurant Brands International, the parent company of Burger King and Tim Hortons, announced new animal welfare commitments for […]
March 22, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Trump Administration Will Review Obama-Era Fuel Efficiency Standards
During a visit to Michigan earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration “will work tirelessly to eliminate the industry-killing […]
March 17, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Protests Mount Against Trump's Proposed Domestic Spending Cuts
U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2018 is out, and it is every bit as devastating to […]
March 17, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Kraft Heinz Opposes Sustainability Shareholder Resolutions
Kraft Heinz Co. plans to vote on three sustainability-related shareholder resolutions at its annual meeting in Pittsburgh next month. And the […]
March 14, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Transport Companies to Scott Pruitt: Hands Off Clean Diesel
A group of transportation and emissions-control companies and trade associations want to give Scott Pruitt a piece of their mind. […]
March 10, 2017
Energy
Food Waste Guru Jonathan Bloom: New Date Labels Aren't Enough
It’s well documented that food date labels confuse American consumers. Shoppers are often faced with conflicting terminology, such as ‘sell […]
March 9, 2017
Sponsored
Progress to 2020: Tackling Resource Use From All Angles
How Public-Private Partnerships Can Tackle Water Scarcity
North Central Texas is one of many drought-prone regions in the U.S. Fortunately, a partnership between two Texas cities and […]
March 2, 2017
Energy
Companies Bolster Animal Welfare As Consumer Pressure Heats Up
TGI Friday’s announced a new animal welfare policy this week, one of several top food companies to take the plunge into what’s […]
March 2, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Google Gives $11.5 Million to Reform the Criminal Justice System
The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Although African Americans are only 13 percent of the U.S. […]
February 28, 2017
Energy
British Supermarket Chain Powers Trucks With Food Waste
Food waste is a massive global problem. About a third of all the food produced globally every year is wasted or […]
February 28, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Scott Pruitt Forgot Something in His First Address as EPA Head: The Environment
This week Scott Pruitt gave his first address as the new head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Strikingly absent from […]
February 24, 2017
Energy
New California Bill Targets 100 Percent Renewable Energy By 2045
This week California Senate leader Kevin De Leon introduced a bill that would require utilities to procure 100 percent of their […]
February 23, 2017
Energy
Investors and Insurers Call On G-20 To Phase Out Fossil Fuel Subsidies
Investors and insurers with over $2.8 trillion in assets under management are calling on the G-20 countries to phase out […]
February 22, 2017
Energy
Russia and U.S.: Partners In Climate Inaction?
Russia just might have its perfect climate change inaction partner in U.S. President Donald Trump, Neela Banerjee of Inside Climate […]
February 17, 2017
Energy
Researcher Links Climate Change and Increased Gastrointestinal Illness In Children
A team of researchers found a link between how climate change impacts untreated drinking water and the rate of gastrointestinal […]
February 16, 2017
Energy
Trump Administration Delays Bumblebee Protections
On inauguration day, President Donald Trump signed an executive order implementing a federal regulatory freeze. Among other things, the order […]
February 14, 2017
Energy
Climate Change is Threatening Britain's Historic Landmarks, Study Finds
Some Republican politicians aren’t sure whether human activity is the reason for climate change. However, a new study by an […]
February 14, 2017
Energy
Study: Residential Solar Power Crosses Party Lines
Division between America’s two political parties reached a fever pitch in this election season. These days it’s easy to assume Republicans […]
January 30, 2017
Energy
Activists Call for Divestment As Trump Moves Pipelines Forward
President Donald Trump signed two presidential memoranda on Jan. 24 that essentially green-lighted the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines. The […]
January 30, 2017
Energy
Report: The Clean Energy Economy Employs 4.5 Million Americans
Many in the environmental community sounded alarms during the first week of Donald Trumps presidency. First, President Trump removed references […]
January 26, 2017
Energy
The Corporate Shift to Cage-Free Eggs Continues
Hellmann’s says its entire U.S. consumer portfolio of mayonnaise and mayonnaise dressings is now made with only cage-free eggs. Hellmann’s, […]
January 25, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
General Motors Rakes in Revenues From Recycling
The automotive industry is “material resource–intensive,” General Motors stated in its 2015 sustainability report. The iconic American automaker wants to […]
January 20, 2017
Unilever Wants To Keep Plastic Packaging Out Of Landfills
Something big happened in the consumer packed goods industry over the weekend, though few may have noticed: On Saturday, Unilever said […]
January 19, 2017
Energy
Chipotle Rolls Out New Animal Welfare Standards for Chickens
Chipotle Mexican Grill has improved its animal welfare standards for chickens yet again. And for a company that buys about […]
January 18, 2017
Sponsored
From Farm to Factory: A 3 Part Series on Social Impacts in Apparel
Forced Labor Is More Common In the U.S. Than You Might Think
In towns and cities across the richest nation on earth, people are forced to perform jobs against their will. They […]
January 17, 2017
Energy
What California Can Learn from Singapore's Brilliant Water Strategy
All it takes is a glance at Singapore’s water conservation strategy to realize the city-state understands the importance of conserving […]
January 12, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
How California Plans To Make Water Conservation a 'Way of Life'
California is in the midst of its sixth straight year of drought, so conserving water must become a daily practice for […]
January 9, 2017
Technology
IBM Employees Start a Petition Over Their CEO's Support of Donald Trump
IBM CEO Ginni Rometty sent an open letter to President-elect Donald Trump a week after the U.S. election. In the […]
December 21, 2016
Corporate Responsibility
America's Top 5 Renewable Energy Companies
If we have any chance of avoiding the worst impacts of climate change, we will have to completely embrace renewable […]
December 21, 2016
Energy
Report: Sub-Saharan Africa Soon Won't Be Able to Feed Itself
Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to keep growing. The region is now home to a little under a billion people. But it […]
December 20, 2016
The High Environmental Cost of Fast Fashion
Those cheap jeans at H&M and the discount skirts at Forever 21 come at a very high cost to the […]
December 16, 2016
Sponsored
How Sustainability at Home Goes Beyond
It's Time to Make Water Conservation Your Problem
Water is necessary for life. We can’t survive without water, and we need it to produce food and even energy. […]
December 15, 2016
Energy
Researchers: Our Arctic and Atlantic Waters Must Be Protected
The global community came together in Pairs and agreed it must cap temperature rise at 2 degrees Celsius if we are to […]
December 9, 2016