Environment

Xylem Inc., a leading global water technology company, has been ranked number 10 on Barron’s inaugural 100 Most Sustainable Companies list, which was announced in its February 3, 2018 issue. Xylem was also ranked number 2 on Barron’s Special Report: The Most Sustainable Industrials.

Recently, the Walmart Foundation, through the Walmart U.S. Manufacturing Innovation Fund, supported a project at Texas Tech University where researchers are using a foam indigo dyeing technique on cotton fibers. According to Texas Tech, this method, which uses a frothy foam dye designed to penetrate the entire fiber, eliminates the use of harsh chemicals and reduces water and energy usage by nearly 90%. This innovation could be a game changer for denim manufacturers by lowering costs and reducing environmental impacts.

Xylem Watermark volunteers from Yellow Springs, Ohio spent World Water Monitoring Day with EarthEcho at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, participating in water education activities for more than 100 students from surrounding schools. Volunteers joined EarthEcho co-founder and President Philippe Cousteau Jr. in leading students through invasive species removal, tree-planting, and water quality testing using the EarthEcho Water Challenge test kit.

Since 2007, the Ethisphere Institute has been recognizing companies which “influence and drive positive change in the business community.” In a statement, the Ethisphere Institute wrote that companies which consistently show “transparency and authenticity,” should be rewarded for upholding values which “support the rule of law and operate with decency.”

Diamond traceability back to the mine of origin – vital to the international due diligence movement for precious gems and minerals – just took a giant step forward. SCS Global Services, an internationally recognized certification body and standards developer, is pleased to announce that its diamond provenance certification program now incorporates advanced laser testing that can identify the source of any rough, cut, or polished diamond, anywhere in the chain of custody. Use of this disruptive technology, combined with comprehensive certification assessment protocols, provides unmatched assurance to diamond retailers and consumers alike that the diamonds they purchase or sell are not coming from conflict-affected and high-risk sources. This is a first for diamond origin verification.

John Perry Barlow, Grateful Dead lyricist, co-founder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation and environmentalist, died in his sleep this past week at the age of 70 after a lengthy illness. Host Alex Wise had the honor of meeting and interviewing Mr. Barlow for Sea Change Radio a couple of times and this week we pay tribute to him by re-visiting those discussions.

JetBlue, New York's Hometown Airline®, today announced the development of a Caribbean consortium with The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG). Aligned with other like-minded partners across multiple disciplines, this effort will address conservation and commerce in the Caribbean. The Consortium will start with a “Spotlight on Cuba” and will focus on other Caribbean destinations in the future. In 2016, JetBlue became the first U.S. airline to bring affordable and convenient commercial air travel to Cuba after more than 50 years.

During year one, this group will make recommendations on development and environmental issues, to help ensure that Cuba’s natural habitat is protected for future generations.

Tetra Tech received the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Oklahoma Chapter’s Grand Conceptor Award, the chapter’s highest honor, for design of the Chickasaw Nation’s Inkana Bridge. The annual awards showcase the best engineering projects from across Oklahoma. As winner of the Grand Conceptor Award, Tetra Tech’s Inkana Bridge project will be part of the ACEC national competition of 2017’s most outstanding and innovative engineering achievements.

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