LOHAS in the News
Published: Wednesday, November 01, 2000
The National Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (NCEC), a nonprofit alliance of 60 U.S. business schools, has released “Beyond VCs: Using the Internet to Organize the Disjointed Private Equity Marketplace,” a study that concludes that venture capital (VC) firms are having difficulty managing the growth of investment deals and that trillions of dollars available for growth in the non-VC private equity marketplace will only be accessible if the Web is used to create an efficient marketplace. NCEC has joined Bethesda, Md.-based BeaconVentureCapital.com to create an organized online marketplace for this money. NCEC claims that VC dollars are virtually missing in action because the marketplace is “antiquated, needlessly localized and grossly inefficient.”
SUSTAINABILITY IS GOOD BUSINESS, STUDY SHOWS
A study released by the Washington-based Worldwatch Institute says that efforts to create environmentally sustainable economies have created 14 million new jobs worldwide. The study concludes that some of the most rapid job growth is occurring in areas that are developing wind-generated electricity, solar photovoltaics, recycling and remanufacturing. In related news, Tomorrow Essentials magazine reported in its October 2 issue that companies with sustainable business practices posted higher returns than other companies indexed by Dow Jones. The Dow Jones Sustainability Index, which tracks more than 200 companies, posted an average 14.89 percent return on equity for the first half of 2000, compared with an 8.43 percent return for companies listed in the regular Dow Jones Index.
CORPORATIONS ALLY TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING
British Petroleum, Shell International, Dupont, Calgary-
based Suncor Energy Inc., Ontario Power Generation, Montreal-based Alcan, Paris-based Pechiney, and Washington-based
Environmental Defense on Oct. 17 announced the creation of
the Partnership for Climate Action. According to a press release from Environmental Defense, the partnership's purpose is to
“champion market-based mechanisms as a means of achieving early and credible action on reducing greenhouse gas emissions that is efficient and cost-effective.” The target goal is to reduce
at least 80 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by the year 2010.
ZAPWORLD ACQUIRES ELECTRIC MOTORBIKES
Zapworld.com (ZAPP) on Oct. 12 confirmed that it has acquired Sebastopol, Calif.-based Electric Motorbike Inc. (EMB), a developer of electric motorcycles. ZAPP is to acquire all assets, technology, engineering capabilities and customer contacts from EMB for 140,000 shares of ZAPP stock plus $100,000. EMB manufactures what is believed to be the only production-ready electric motorcycles, called LECTRA. According to the Environmental News Network, CEO Gary Starr said the “acquisition underscores our belief that the market for light electric transportation is ready to take off.”
WIND POWER ON THE RESERVATION
San Diego-based SeaWest WindPower Inc. has signed a development agreement with the Blackfeet Tribe of Montana for a 22-megawatt wind-power project that will provide energy for more than 6,000 homes. It is expected to begin operation in October 2001. In related news, Alberta, Canada-based Peigan Utilities Inc. and Advanced Thermodynamics Corp. formed a joint venture called Weather-Dancer Wind Power to serve 3,000 residents of the Peigan Nation. The remaining energy will be sold to Alberta Power Pool and other customers.
SAN FRANCISCO OPENS GREEN BUILDING PROJECT
San Francisco's Department of the Environment opened the doors to its EcoCenter on Oct. 5. The offices and educational EcoCenter mark the first finished projects in the city's green-building pilot program. The Resource Efficiency Building Ordinance, which was enacted in July 1999, requires all pilot projects to demonstrate state-of-the-art green building technology, including energy conservation, recycled and nontoxic materials, and natural air circulation.
NEW B2B PORTAL FOR RECYCLING
Cary, N.C.-based RecycleXchange has launched a business-to-business portal for the recycling industry. The site, which features current news, search capabilities for business contacts and discussion boards, is open to the public. Visit www.recyclexchange.com.
EPA CHOOSES FIRST COMPANY FOR NEW PROGRAM
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has chosen Hillsboro, Ore.-based Epson Portland Inc. to be the first company admitted into its National Environmental Performance Track program. Epson Portland was chosen from more than 100 applicants. The program is designed to reward companies that practice a complete approach to environmental management. New applications for membership will be taken in the spring of 2001.
GAIAM AND REAL GOODS ANNOUNCE MERGER
Lifestyles products seller Gaiam (GAIA) and environmental products maker Real Goods Trading Corp. (RGTC) on Oct. 16 announced the signing of a merger agreement. The deal, which is subject to RGTC shareholder approval and which is expected to close in January, is a tax-free stock-for-stock exchange valued at $8.7 million, the companies say. Under the terms of the agreement, RGTC shareholders will receive one share of GAIA Class A stock in exchange for every 10 shares of RGTC.
ASSOCIATIONS CALL ON FDA FOR STANDARDS
The American Herbal Products Association, Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the National Nutritional Foods Association and the Utah Natural Products Alliance announced on Oct. 26 they are taking the initiative to work with the Food and Drug Administration to adopt national standards on ephedra. The groups are recommending adequate cautionary labeling as well as maximum ephedra amounts in products; serving limits; herbs of commerce conformity; the prohibition of synthetically derived ephedrine alkaloids in consumer goods or raw materials; a ban on claims that ephedra achieves an altered state of consciousness, euphoria, or functions as a legal alternative for an illicit drug. For more information visit www.EphedraFacts.com.
CHIROPRACTOR NAMED TO WHITE HOUSE GROUP
Veronica Gutierrez, D.C., has been chosen by President Clinton to serve on the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Gutierrez, who practices in Washington state, is the only doctor of chiropractic on the commission, which is charged with making recommendations on how public policy can maximize the benefits to the pubic of complementary and alternative medicine.
PILATES TRADEMARK OVERTURNED
In a decision that will likely alter the Pilates industry, U.S. District Court in Manhattan ruled on Oct. 20 that Pilates is a type of exercise, not a trademark. The case pitted Sean Gallagher, owner of the Manhattan-based Pilates Studio, against Balanced Body Inc. of Sacramento, Calif. in a battle over whether “Pilates” could be trademarked (“The Pilates Predicament: What's in a Name?” LOHAS Journal, September/October 2000). In essence, the trademark prevented any other Pilates instructors or equipment manufacturers not associated with Gallagher from using the name. The decision invalidates Gallagher's trademarks for Pilates exercise services and Pilates equipment, opening the door for other teachers and studios to use the term.
PLANET DOG DEFINES PHILANTHROPIC MISSION
Portland, Maine-based Planet Dog has announced the establishment of Planet Dog Philanthropy, a charitable
nonprofit that will fund programs that work to preserve and restore the natural environment and animal welfare. The organization will offer multiyear grants to innovative and creative programs in line with its mission. It will be partially funded by a percentage of the company's annual profits, and the company plans to launch a fundraising campaign to target private and corporate donations.