This marks Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ latest initiative as a leader and role model in responsible travel and environmental stewardship, adding to the company’s ambitious announcement made last year to combat climate change alongside the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Together with the WWF, Fairmont has set a world-class CO2 reduction target and has subsequently become a member of WWF’s global Climate Savers program.

By developing a company-wide emission reduction plan with the WWF and introducing it’s new Energy and Carbon Management program, Fairmont has secured its position as an environmentally progressive hospitality company.

Differing methods of oil conversion

As biodiesel conversion is still a new concept, there is currently no one universal method or solution, causing different properties to use different techniques. For instance, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa has partnered with Yokayo Bio-Fuels, a local biodiesel firm, to gather approximately 150 gallons of kitchen grease each quarter, turning it into tallow or feed.

The Fairmont Scottsdale has also teamed up with an outside firm to transform leftover oil into fuel for vineyards and other businesses that rely on diesel, generators, forklifts and cars. The resort collected 1,901 gallons in 2008 and 650 gallons so far in 2009, for a total of 2,551 gallons of grease to date, which in turn has been recycled into biodiesel; enough to supply the annual fuel consumption of approximately five cars. By not discarding the kitchen grease down the drain, other benefits are also realized including fewer clogged pipes and reduced use of harmful chemicals to clear drains and treat wastewater systems.

At The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies, grease is transformed into fuel to power grounds equipment and two resort shuttle buses that play a DVD informing guests about fuel conversion and other green initiatives at the hotel, while The Fairmont Banff Springs, in conjunction with a local high school under the direction of the Zero Emission Research Institute, alters cooking oils to operate golf course maintenance equipment. The Fairmont Winnipeg donates used cooking oil, approximately 4,700 liters each year, to Biodiesel Manitoba Inc., a company dedicated to the research and development of products to assist the expansion of Manitoba’s biodiesel industry, whereas The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver works with West Coast Reductions, the largest independent rendering company in Western Canada, to recycle approximately 180 liters of kitchen oil each week.

The Fairmont Washington D.C. has partnered with The Greener Oil Company to collect kitchen grease to be recycled and used in the production of biodiesel fuel, and recycles approximately 325 gallons each quarter, while the Fairmont St Andrews in Scotland turns leftover oils into power for its shuttle bus and other on-property equipment. Fairmont Singapore recycles used kitchen oil as well as paper, plastic, glass and metal, and managed to recycle 6.49 tons of cooking oil in the beginning of 2009, resulting in a cost savings of $3,245.

London’s The Savoy works with one of the UK’s leading processors of used cooking oils. While closed and undergoing an extensive restoration, the hotel’s prestigious Simpson’s-in-the-Strand restaurant remains open. Waste from food preparation and plate scrapings are sorted into separate bins provided by recycling management group PDM. The company currently collects the waste weekly, which is then taken to PDM’s organic biomass-to-energy renewable power plant where the food products are processed to recover liquid fat, which is used in the manufacture of biofuels. The hotel expects to generate enough energy through this process to power the daily lighting requirements of 10% of the hotel’s guestrooms upon reopening in 2010 – helping to reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint.

Other Fairmont hotels participating in oil conversion efforts include The Fairmont San Francisco, The Fairmont Royal York, The Fairmont Miramar Hotel, The Fairmont Southampton, The Fairmont Newport Beach, The Fairmont Monte Carlo, Fairmont Mayakoba, Fairmont Château Laurier, The Fairmont Kea Lani, The Fairmont Vancouver Airport, Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, and The Fairmont Empress.

Stepping toward a greener future

For close to two decades, Fairmont has strived to minimize its impact on the planet through its award-winning Green Partnership program, a comprehensive platform focused on key areas such as waste reduction, energy management, water conservation, and innovative community outreach programs.

In a sign of corporate leadership, the company also encourages others to follow in its footsteps and has developed the Green Partnership Guide, a how-to text that any company can obtain to create or grow their environmental programming.

For more information, visit www.fairmont.com/environment.

With the announcement of the group’s new publication: The Beginner’s Guide to Aviation Biofuels, ATAG is hoping to better inform industry employees and members of the flying public about this “new age in flight.”

Currently, ATAG is the only global organization representing all parts of the commercial air transport sector.

A new era in air travel

“For the first time we have identified a viable alternative to fossil fuels for commercial aviation. We have seen the age of flying boats, the jet age and the age of democratisation of air travel,” said Paul Steele, Executive Director of ATAG. “In the next few years, we are preparing to enter the ‘biofuels age’ of flight.”

In the last year, the industry has put major focus on the development of sustainable biofuel – a source of energy that could have around an 80 percent reduction in carbon lifecycle emissions compared to current fossil fuel based Jet A-1.

There has been a series of successful test flights, with fuels being trialled from such diverse sources as camelina, jatropha and algae by Virgin Atlantic, Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines and Continental Airlines. Further flight tests are being prepared with JetBlue and Interjet in the coming year.

“Those trials were a success from both a safety and a technical viewpoint. We are now expecting at least a small quantity of sustainable biofuels to start being used on commercial flights in the next three to five years.” Steele commented.

Biofuel explained

The Beginner’s Guide to Aviation Biofuels has been published to explain some of the benefits for aviation moving to a new, cleaner, source of fuel.

According to recent industry polls, almost half of those surveyed were unsure of the difference between first and second-generation biofuel supplies, while a whopping 60% are entirely unaware that sustainable aviation biofuels are going to be available in the next few years.

The guide examines the key safety and technical criteria and the testing process currently underway, while also looking at the challenges that remain if the industry is to maximise the potential of biofuels.

“We are now confident that biofuels can be technically used in flight,” continued Steele. “There remain two major complexities: guaranteeing the biofuel we use is sustainable and doesn’t impact on food and water supplies; and ensuring we can get enough to use. The industry has called on governments to support potential biofuel suppliers in developing the necessary feedstock and refining systems until the fledgling sustainable aviation biofuels industry has achieved the necessary critical mass.”

Future outlook

“After all,” commented Steele, “the history of aviation is marked by people achieving extraordinary things, despite the conventional wisdom of the time telling them it couldn’t be done. We feel the same way about the biofuels age of flight.”

What do you think? With the current economy facing the airline industry, tied with the push to eliminate fossil fuel spanning all industries, will biofuel be as much of a welcome success as Steele suggests?

For fifteen years, the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition has provided national leadership on biofuels issues, including ethanol, biodiesel, advanced biofuels, co-products, and technologies yet to come.

To achieve his vision for energy independence, President Obama is implementing the “Presidential Biofuels Directive,” an outline of biofuel development and intiatives. The President noted that the Coalition’s February 2009 recommendations helped form key points of the directive, and led to the President’s request for the Coalition to work with “members of my cabinet to implement the directive.”

President Obama praised the organization for its leadership in biofuels policy and public education, and has asked the Coalition to join him in implementing the Directive. While he notes that his Administration is committed to the rapid development of cellulosic ethanol, he states that  “This transition will be successful only if the first-generation biofuels industry remains viable in the near-term, and if we remove long-standing artificial barriers to market expansion.”

“It is my hope that the Presidential Biofuels Directive will lead to new jobs, new businesses and reduce dependence on foreign oil,” he added.

“We cannot achieve the promise of cellulosic biofuels if we do not continue to support and develop the first-generation corn ethanol industry and the infrastructure needed to distribute and deliver biofuels today and in the future,” said Governor Hoeven. “This is an endorsement for our continued commitment to the ethanol industry we have today, while moving forward with the development of emerging cellulosic biofuels technologies.”

“While the President’s acknowledgement of the Coalition’s leadership is certainly gratifying, we understand that there is both a great responsibility and a great challenge in helping the President implement his biofuels directive,” said Governor Culver. “The Coalition is up to the task. We are very honored, and look forward to working with the Administration to achieve the President’s vision for a transition from petroleum-derived transportation fuels to a sustainable, low carbon energy future.”

“The governors in the Coalition have seen the profound and positive impact that first-generation biofuels are having on our state and local economies,” Governor Hoeven added. “They are the foundation for an even more robust and sustainable domestic energy industry that will enhance our nation’s economy and energy security.”

President Obama’s Letter to the Coalition can be viewed at: http://www.governorsbiofuelscoalition.org.

In the past month, an Air New Zealand Boeing 747-400 test flight used a 50% mix of biofuel from the plant jatropha and Continental Airlines flew one of its Boeing 737 aircraft on a 50% biofuel mix from algae and jatropha. Today’s Japan Airlines flight will use biofuel made from camelina, jatropha and algae.

Paul Steele, Executive Director of the Geneva-based Air Transport Action Group, the only global organisation representing all parts of the commercial air transport sector, said, “The biofuel test flights occurring around the world on different engine and aircraft types, using different sustainable biofuel feed stocks are strong examples of the progress being made by aviation in exploring how biofuels can reduce our carbon footprint.”

“In flying a test using three types of biofuel, Japan Airlines will demonstrate how aviation is able to pursue a range of biofuel options, not just rely on one source. This is important as we look to sustainable biofuels as an alternative energy source for aviation. The ability to blend supplies from different sources will enable a more secure supply and regional diversity.”

The aviation industry is pursuing sustainable biofuel options that can be ‘dropped-in’ to existing jet fuel, enabling airlines to use increasing amounts of biofuel as the supply becomes available. The test flights over the past month will be followed by rigorous analysis of the results and more tests until the aviation industry is fully satisfied that the biofuel is safe to use in flight. The biofuels will then go through Government regulatory certification before being rolled out commercially.

“The most encouraging part of these trials is the tremendous cooperation that has been displayed by all parts of the industry involved. Today’s test is the culmination of a lot of work completed over the past year by Japan Airlines, Boeing, Pratt & Whitney and Honeywell UOP as well as the biofuel source providers. Aviation is setting the standard for cross-industry cooperation projects to reduce our environmental impact.”

In April 2008, a group of aviation industry leaders signed the Aviation Industry Commitment to Action on Climate Change in Geneva, Switzerland. This declaration brought together industry leaders – representing airports, airlines, air traffic control organisations and the biggest aircraft and engine manufacturers in the world.

Steele remarked, “The declaration signed last year in Geneva set the stage for action at a global level to combat aviation’s climate change impact. Although our industry represents just two percent of world manmade CO2 emissions, industry leaders have recognised that all parts of the economy have to play their part in reducing environmental impact.”

Since June of 2008, Aerotica has been providing bio-diesel in addition to its sales of aviation and jet fuel. The bio-diesel is produced from a mixture of recycled vegetable and cooking oils, and can be run in any vehicle accustomed to diesel.

NatureAir is the first airline in Central America to run its entire ground operations equipment and fleet of diesel vehicles off of this biodegradable fuel. This alternative fuel is estimated to reduce nearly 49,256 gallons of CO2 emissions per year.

“This program is an important milestone in NatureAir’s dedication to protecting the environment and conserving our nature resources,” said NatureAir Founder and CEO Alex E. Khajavi. “We wanted to do something beyond our carbon-neutrality airline program. The world’s natural resources are precious and this alternative fuel program is a step in the right direction to keeping our air and waters healthy.”

A majority of the recycled vegetable oil comes from NatureAir employees, each of whom were given their own canisters for collecting cooking oil in their homes to later bring the previously discarded oil to Aerotica where it is then converted to bio-diesel. The fuel helps keep the country’s waters free from pollution, significantly reduces smog production, and keeps vehicle motors cleaner than regular diesel or gasoline.

Currently Aerotica is a private fueling station for only personal company distribution and use but with the help of the Costa Rican government that may soon change. NatureAir is in talks with the government to be able to open Aerotica bio-fuel sales to other Costa Rican companies.

“Aerotica has been selling regular gasoline for over 50 years, therefore it was a proud day when we were able to bring the next generation of sustainable and responsible fuel to Costa Rica. While we may be the first to use bio-diesel, we certainly hope other companies will soon have the capabilities to run their vehicles off of cleaner and less expensive sources of energy,” said Mr. Khajavi.

NatureAir is the world’s first certified carbon neutral airline, and the fastest growing regional airline in Central America. Since its inception in 2000, NatureAir has grown from flying 18,000 passengers annually to more than 140,000 in 2008. The company got its start with one plane and 17 employees. Now it has a fleet of eight planes and more than 150 employees. NatureAir is the only twin-engine airline in Costa Rica with both scheduled and chartered flights, and offers 74 daily flights to 17 destinations in Costa Rica, and Panama. The Rainforest Alliance, Conde Nast Traveler and Virgin Holidays have recognized NatureAir for its sustainability efforts, as100% of its carbon emissions from flight operations are offset through conservation and reforestation. NatureAir is the exclusive Central American airline for the best hotels and tour operators worldwide. It is known for its award winning on-time performance and its staff’s adventurous spirits. For more information visit: www.natureair.com.

To learn more about NatueAir’s bio-diesel efforts visit its Nature Blog.

The flight is one of a series of trials taking place around the world, where airlines are testing different types of biofuel to determine the viability of using sustainable alternatives to the Jet-A1 (kerosene) fuel currently used by commercial aviation. This is the first test flight to take place in North America and the first to use a twin-engine aircraft.

"This demonstration flight represents another step in Continental’s ongoing commitment to fuel efficiency and environmental responsibility," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Larry Kellner. "The technical knowledge we gain today will contribute to a wider understanding of the future for transportation fuels."

Paul Steele, Executive Director of the Air Transport Action Group , the only global organization representing all parts of the commercial air transport sector, said that today’s flight was being watched closely by the aviation industry, "We have been looking at a number of potential fuel sources as long-term replacements for today’s jet fuel. Algae has been identified as one of the most promising alternatives so we are eager to see how it performs in normal operating conditions.

"We congratulate Continental Airlines on taking this step towards a sustainable future. It is also significant that Continental has worked so closely with partners Boeing, CFM International and Honeywell UOP in carrying out this test. Aviation is setting the standard for cross-industry cooperation projects to reduce our environmental impact. By working together, great things can be achieved."

The biofuel blend includes components derived from algae and jatropha plants, both sustainable, second-generation sources that do not impact food crops or water resources or contribute to deforestation. The algae oil has been provided by Sapphire Energy, and the jatropha oil by Terasol Energy. This is the first time a commercial carrier will power a flight using fuel derived in part from algae.

The aircraft’s No. 1 engine will operate on 100 percent traditional jet fuel, allowing Continental to compare performance between the biofuel blend and traditional fuel. As Continental has worked with Boeing, GE Aviation/CFM and UOP for more than nine months to carefully evaluate and test the biofuel in engines on the ground, no difference in performance is expected.

The biofuel is a "drop-in" fuel, and no modifications to the aircraft or engine are necessary for the flight to operate. The biofuel meets and exceeds specifications necessary for jet fuel, including a flash point and a freezing point appropriate for use in aircraft.

Following the flight, Continental will participate with its partners in post-flight engine analysis to ensure that the effect on the engine and aircraft, in addition to performance, is substantively no different between biofuel and traditional fuel.

"Through their leadership Continental Airlines is helping aviation pioneer a greener, more diverse fuel supply for the future," said Billy Glover, managing director, Environmental Strategy for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Having a broader, more sustainable fuel portfolio is vital to our industry and demonstrating the viability of these renewable fuels addresses that goal, while potentially helping to further reduce environmental impacts."

In April 2008, a group of aviation industry leaders signed the Aviation Industry Commitment to Action on Climate Change in Geneva, Switzerland. This declaration brought together major players from across the industry – representing airports, airlines, air traffic control organisations and the biggest aircraft and engine manufacturers in the world. Included were Continental Airlines (represented by the International Air Transport Association), Boeing, CFM International and the Houston Airport System.

Paul Steele remarked, "The declaration signed last year in Geneva set the scene for action at a global level to combat aviation’s climate change impact. Although our industry represents just two percent of world manmade CO2 emissions, industry leaders have recognised that all parts of the economy have to play their part in reducing environmental impact.

"Today, with this test flight in Houston, we are one step closer to achieving our goal of carbon neutral growth for aviation."

Paul Steele, the executive director of the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), a representative of organizations from across the aviation industry, said that the flight was a significant step towards the industry vision of carbon neutral growth, “Earlier this year, the leaders of the aviation industry gathered in Geneva to sign a Declaration on Climate Change, committing the industry to a pathway towards carbon neutral growth.

“The efforts taking place in New Zealand today and other industry projects are designed to make progress towards that goal, providing the aviation industry with a reduced-carbon form of energy and allowing the sustainable future of air transport which is a key generator of economic growth.”

A major part of the industry’s future carbon emissions reductions rely on the ability for aircraft to shift towards biofuels.

The aviation industry has said it is committed to pursuing sustainable, second-generation biofuel sources such as jatropha and algae, which don’t compete with food supplies for land or water.

“Significantly, the trial today shows the cooperation that is occurring between industry partners, in this case Air New Zealand, Boeing, Rolls-Royce and Honeywell UOP. Such coordinated efforts are vital for environmental progress.

“Unlike many sectors, the aviation industry is undertaking work across each of its component parts – airports, airlines, air navigation service providers, engine and aircraft manufacturers – often with the different players coordinating efforts to help each other reduce emissions.

Globally, aviation produces two percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions, but it is a growing sector. Through technology and operational performance improvements, the sector has managed to decouple the growth in carbon emissions to around half the rate of the growth in passengers. The industry has also established a website to chart the progress of many projects underway across the world to reduce emissions from aviation even further. The site, www.enviro.aero, is a resource centre for anyone interested in aviation’s environmental impact.

Steele said, “This flight and the other environmental projects underway at Air New Zealand provide leadership to others in the aviation industry and, importantly, other parts of the economy.”

Continental has partnered on this project with Boeing, CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of General Electric Company and Snecma, refining technology developer UOP, a Honeywell company, and oil providers Sapphire Energy (algae) and Terrasol (jatropha).

The demonstration flight will be the first biofuel flight by a commercial carrier using algae as a fuel source and the first using a two-engine aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 equipped with CFM International CFM56-7B engines.

The fuel used in one of the two CFM engines during the demonstration flight will be a blend of 50 percent traditional jet fuel, and 50 percent biofuel from algae and jatropha.

Operating under a specially-issued “Experimental” aircraft type certificate, the aircraft will be crewed by Continental’s own FAA-licensed test pilots. With no passengers on board, the flight test plan calls for operating the No. 2 (right) engine on the special biofuel blend, including power accelerations / decelerations, in-flight engine shut-down and restart and other flight maneuvers that include both normal and non-normal procedures. Numerous flight parameters will be recorded, and a post-flight engine analysis will contribute to findings which are expected to show that the biofuel blend is readily substitutable for regular fuel without any degradation of performance or safety, and with a net reduction in carbon emissions.

“This flight represents another step in Continental’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and identifying sustainable, long-term fuel solutions for the aviation industry,” said Continental Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Larry Kellner.

Continental, Boeing, UOP and CFM have worked together for more than nine months on the research, production and testing of the biofuel, including laboratory and ground-based jet engine performance testing to ensure compliance with stringent aviation fuel performance and safety requirements.

As part of a broader industry effort, Boeing and other industry leaders, including airlines and engine manufacturers, are helping to guide the aviation sector toward sustainable biofuels produced through advanced biomass conversion technologies and processes that have the potential to reduce greenhouse gases throughout their lifecycle. Sustainable biofuels for aviation incorporate second-generation methodologies relative to fuel source selection and processing, which are uniquely suited for aerospace use. These biofuels can then be blended with kerosene fuel (Jet-A) to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.

Continental’s participation in this project is part of a company-wide commitment to environmental responsibility. On average, Continental burns approximately 18 gallons of fuel to fly one mainline revenue passenger 1,000 miles, which represents a 35 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption since 1997. This is due in large part to the efforts of its employees in streamlining operational procedures and to an investment of more than $12 billion to acquire 270 fuel-efficient Boeing aircraft and related equipment. Continental remains committed to further improving fuel efficiency in the decade to come, including investing in its fleet with orders for more than 50 Boeing 737-900 Next Generation aircraft, and 25 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Continental has also reduced, by 75 percent, nitrogen oxide emissions from ground equipment at the carrier’s largest hub, in Houston, through switching to electric ground service equipment and other new technology. This technology is now being tested for use in cold climates.

Through these investments and other projects, including the construction of airport facilities in an environmentally responsible manner, the testing of alternative fuels in ground service equipment, offering a credible carbon offsetting program based on the actual fuel burn of the Continental fleet, and an expansive recycling program, Continental will continue to manage the environmental impact of its business.

The group aims to enable the commercial use of renewable fuel sources in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while lessening commercial aviation’s exposure to oil price volatility and dependence on fossil fuels.

Meanwhile, a number of airlines have already joined in supporting the initiative, including Air France, Air New Zealand, ANA (All Nippon Airways), Cargolux, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines, KLM, SAS and Virgin Atlantic Airways, amounting to approximately 15% of commercial jet fuel use.

Every member is required to subscribe to a sustainability pledge stating that sustainable biofuel must have a smaller carbon "lifecycle" than kerosene-based fuel while performing just as well.

"We welcome the aviation sector’s will to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and appreciate their efforts to ensure the sustainability of their biofuels sourcing," said Jean-Philippe Denruyter, WWF global bioenergy coordinator and Steering Board member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels. "By teaming up with the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels, the aviation sector can build on an existing solid multi-stakeholder process that will reinforce this initiative."

The user’s group pledged to consider only renewable fuel sources that minimize biodiversity impacts: fuels that require minimal land, water and energy to produce, and that don’t compete with food or fresh water resources. In addition, cultivation and harvest of plant stocks must provide socioeconomic value to the local communities.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for leading airlines, supported by well-respected energy and environmental organizations, to help commercial aviation take control of its future fuel supply in terms of origin, sustainability and environmental impacts," said Billy Glover, managing director, Environmental Strategy for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The number one priority going forward is to complete thorough assessments of sustainable plant sources, harvesting and economic impacts, and processing technologies that can help achieve that goal."

The group has announced two initial sustainability research projects. Assistant Professor Rob Bailis of Yale University’s School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, through funding provided by Boeing, will conduct the first peer-reviewed, comprehensive sustainability assessment of jatropha curcas to include lifecycle CO2 emissions and the socio-economic impacts to farmers in developing nations. Similarly, NRDC will conduct a comprehensive assessment of algae to ensure it meets the group’s stringent sustainability criteria.

Both species may potentially become part of a portfolio of biomass-based renewable fuel solutions that, through advanced fuel processing methodologies developed by energy sector leaders such as UOP, can help aviation diversify its fuel supply.

"This taskforce comes at just the right time to help airlines cut costs and decrease their greenhouse gas emissions," said Liz Barratt-Brown, NRDC senior attorney. "If done right, sustainable biofuels could lower the airlines’ carbon footprint at a time when all industries need to be moving away from fuels with high levels of greenhouse gas emissions, especially high carbon tar sands and liquid coal."

For more information, visit www.boeing.com .

Though most Americans support bold action to create a clean energy future, many are disheartened that individual actions such as switching to energy efficient light bulbs, taking mass transit, and voting aren’t enough.

In the timely new book Coming Clean: Breaking America’s Addiction to Oil and Coal, Michael Brune, the dynamic leader of environmental group Rainforest Action Network (RAN), offers a hopeful, helpful, do-it-yourself guide to solving America’s climate and energy crises.

Many books describe the human and ecological costs of fossil fuels and climate change, while others survey and evaluate the range of technological solutions to our energy crisis. Coming Clean (Sierra Club/Counterpoint, $14.95) is unique because it is offers strategic solutions as well as ways for motivated citizens to collectively challenge corporate America and political leaders.

In his examination of “the dirty side of ‘clean coal,’” oil drilling in the Amazon, and how to separate fact from fiction in the world of biofuels, Brune presents a sober analysis of the world as it is now and a clear vision for achieving a cleaner, more energy efficient and socially just future. Above all, Coming Clean is a book of hope.

“Strung out by high gas prices? Melting ice caps give you the sweats? Lost in fantasies about clean coal, tar sands, and undiscovered oil fields in Alaska? Coming Clean is a roadmap to recovery, a smart, heartfelt guide to building a better world.” — Jeff Goodell, author of Big Coal: The Dirty Secret Behind America’s Energy Future

“If politics as usual could do it, the climate crisis would be fixed by now. Of course voting is essential. But so is the Rainforest Action Network’s brand of activism: target corporate polluters directly and break their hold over government policy. Mike Brune shows how to do it in a book Exxon-Mobil no doubt wishes had never been published.” — Mark Hertsgaard, author of Earth Odyssey and environment correspondent for The Nation

“Straight from the front lines of the battle for a clean, cheap energy economy, Mike Brune tells the fascinating inside story. With fuel prices soaring, his practical vision for how we can ‘come clean’ is tremendously important. I especially appreciate his guidance on how we can make this revolution happen before it’s too late.” —Wes Boyd, cofounder of MoveOn.Org

“A thoroughly engaging, reader-friendly analysis of our energy dilemma. Brune’s empowering book tells us how to take back our future from the energy bullies leading us down a path to climate chaos.” — Ross Gelbspan, author of the Heat Is On and Boiling Point

“Winning the battle against climate change will take a lot more than buying better light bulbs and inflating our cars’ tires. Coming Clean shows how to get the systemic change we really need.” — Bonnie Raitt, musician/activist

“This is a valuable odyssey through the coming world of clean, sustainable, resilient energy. As Brune puts it, ‘Join us: it’s fun over here.’” — R. James Woolsey, energy-independence expert, former CIA director

“An optimistic, realistic, pragmatic call to action. In this eloquent book, Mike Brune offers practical approaches, hope, and inspiration. A must-read for anyone who dreams of a sustainable, just, and peaceful future.” — John Perkins, author of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man and The Secret History of the American Empire

“At last! A road map to a clean energy future. As Michael Brune says, embracing clean energy is not an obligation, it is an opportunity.” —Van Jones, author of The Green-Collar Economy

Brune is the executive director of RAN, which has been called “some of the savviest environmental agitators in the business” by The Wall Street Journal, “a lean, green, fighting machine” by the San Francisco Chronicle, and “mosquitoes in the tent” of corporate America by Fortune. Brune joined RAN at age 26 to direct its successful campaign to convince Home Depot to stop selling wood from endangered forests. A year later, Time magazine called the victory the top environmental story of 1999.

Michael Brune is available for interviews. He is on a book and organizing tour through next spring that will include stops in San Francisco, New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Minneapolis and Chicago. See the full schedule at comingcleanbook.org.

Review copies of Coming Clean are available upon request.

“It is actually inexcusable for the Caribbean to need to use dirty fuels anymore when it has all these natural resources on its doorstep,” said Branson, as quoted by Business Week. “We’ve managed to prove on paper and now we’ll prove in reality that the Caribbean could run with the determination of governments on solar and wind. There is no need to continue using dirty fuels.”

Currently, the site of this latest venture is an uninhabited “speck” off the island of Virgin Gorda.

Branson is partnering with several alternative energy consultants on the Mosquito Island project, including Ken Kao, a Boston-based architect and lecturer at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. “The renewable energy sources of sun and wind are very promising,” Kao said. “The islands receive significant solar radiance and extensive winds.”

Although the development is in its earliest stages, British Virgin Islands government is said to so far be keen on the idea.

“They are trying to go green and be environmentally friendly with every aspect of the project. That’s definitely very good for the B.V.I. because we’re such a small set of islands,” said Dylan Penn, the planner coordinating the government review of the resort project.

Earlier this year, Branson’s Virgin Atlantic carried out the world’s first flight of a commercial aircraft powered with biofuel in an effort to show it can produce less carbon dioxide than normal jet fuels. The flight was partially fueled with a biofuel mixture of coconut and babassu oil (from a type of palm nut) in one of its four main fuel tanks.

While no single solution can meet our society’s future energy needs, the answer lies instead in a family of diverse energy technologies that share a common thread: they do not deplete our natural resources or destroy our environment. Renewable energy technologies tap into natural cycles and systems, turning the ever-present energy around us into usable forms. The movement of wind and water, the heat and light of the sun, heat in the ground, the carbohydrates in plants—all are natural energy sources that can supply our needs in a sustainable way. Because they are homegrown, renewables can also increase our energy security and create local jobs.

So, what is Green Energy?
Green energy is the solution to a cleaner, sustainable energy system. Renewable energy—power from the sun, wind, plants, and moving water—is a sustainable way to meet our energy needs and protect the environment and public health.

• Wind energy converts the power available in moving air into electricity. Wind power does not produce emissions, generate solid waste, or use water.
• Bioenergy is energy from trees and plants. This includes crops grown specifically for energy production and organic wastes (such as wood residues from paper mills and methane from landfills). Using bioenergy to generate electricity reduces global warming emissions if new plants are grown to replace those that are harvested.
• Geothermal energy uses heat from inside the earth to make clean power.
• Solar power captures the heat and light of the sun to generate electricity. Solar energy does not produce emissions, generate solid waste, or use water.
• Hydroelectric power captures the energy in falling water. It does not produce emissions or solid waste, but can have a relatively low or high impact on the environment, depending on the site-specific factors such as maintenance of water flow and water quality, fish impacts, and other land use issues.

Why would a travel service, like a hotel or resort, use Green Energy?
Choosing green energy could make a big difference for the environment because electricity generation is the largest industrial polluter in the country. Electricity generation currently produces:

• About two-thirds of the annual U.S. emissions of sulfur dioxide, the main cause of acid rain and very small soot particles. These fine particles are believed to be responsible for the largest share of the 50,000-100,000 deaths caused by air pollution in the United States each year.
• About 30 percent of the nitrogen oxide emissions, which stress forest ecosystems and combine with organic compounds in sunlight to form smog. High smog levels can also trigger heart and respiratory problems and contribute to air pollution deaths.
• About 40 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions. This heat-trapping gas causes global warming, which may lead to increased droughts, flooding, disease, ecosystem disruption, and severe weather.
• Toxic-metal emissions (such as mercury and lead) and nuclear waste.

What Are the Dirtiest Energy Sources?
All fossil fuels and nuclear power contribute to one or more of the problems mentioned above. Since these power sources currently account for more than 90 percent of the electricity generated in the United States, it is not possible to avoid them altogether. But some are worse than others, and you can try to minimize their use.

Coal. Most electricity in the United States currently comes from coal. But coal burning is the leading cause of acid rain, the largest source of global warming emissions, and a significant source of smog, toxic metals, and tiny-particle pollution. Reducing coal usage is critical to slowing global warming and protecting the environment.

Oil. Oil produces high levels of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides and relatively high levels of carbon dioxide, as well as problems associated with drilling, refining, and transportation, such as tanker spills. Furthermore, the increasing U.S. dependence on imported oil is economically risky and will continue to increase the U.S. trade deficit.

Nuclear power. After coal, the next largest source of our electricity is nuclear power. While nuclear plants don’t cause air pollution, they do create radioactive waste, which must be stored for thousands of years. As accidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl proved, nuclear plants also carry the risk of catastrophic failure. And nuclear power can be very expensive.

What About Natural Gas?
In 2004, natural gas accounted for about 19 percent of the U.S. electricity mix. Use of natural gas is projected to increase dramatically in the next two decades if we continue on our current path, but supplies are limited and imports are increasing. Our growing reliance on natural gas combined with limited supplies makes this fuel subject to price spikes, which can have a significant impact on consumer energy costs. In addition, though natural gas is much cleaner than coal or oil, it does produce global warming emissions when burned. So, while the use of natural gas serves as a good transition to a cleaner future, it is not the ultimate solution.

What are some Green Power options that hotels and other services can choose from?

Green Pricing
Green Pricing is an optional utility service for customers who want to help expand the production and distribution of renewable energy technologies. With green pricing, you do not have to change your electricity provider. Instead, customers choose to pay a premium on their electricity bill to cover the extra cost of purchasing clean, sustainable energy. As of March 2006, more than 600 utilities, electricity providers in 36 states offer a green pricing option.

The majority of green pricing programs charge a higher price per kilowatt-hour to support an increased percentage of renewable sources or to buy discrete kilowatt-hour blocks of renewable energy. Other programs have fixed monthly fees, round up customer bills, charge for units of renewable capacity, or offer renewable energy systems for lease or purchase.

Green Marketing
Green marketing is the sale of green power in competitive markets, where consumers have the option to choose from a variety of suppliers and service offerings, much like they can choose between long-distance telephone carriers. The key difference between green marketing and green pricing is that with green marketing, you are actually switching electricity providers.

In the U.S., Green marketing is offered in Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

Renewable Energy Certificates
Consumers throughout the United States have a third green power option: Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs or sometimes “green tags”). A REC represents the environmental attributes or benefits of renewable electricity generation (usually one credit = one kilowatt-hour). RECs can be purchased in almost any quantity and are usually available from someone other than your electricity provider. What you pay for is the benefit of adding clean, renewable energy generation to the regional or national electricity grid. The overall environmental benefit of purchasing a green pricing or green marketing product versus RECs is exactly the same. RECs provide a “green” option for people in any state, but are ideal for people who live in states where green pricing and green marketing options are not available.

The Future
Some renewable power sources now cost somewhat more than conventional power, because the market for renewable energy is not fully developed and renewables have received fewer subsidies than fossil and nuclear fuels. Also, the damage to the environment and human health—otherwise known as externalities—caused by fossil fuels and nuclear power is not included in electricity prices. Renewable energy needs your support to overcome these barriers and become less expensive in the future. Support hotels, resorts and other travel-related services that are pursuing green energy today!

The carbon offset facility will be made progressively available to customers outside New Zealand through the airline’s international websites later in the year.

“When customers purchase a flight on Air New Zealand, they will now be able to make a conscious choice about whether or not to take positive steps toward helping our environment,” says Mr Fyfe.The first carbon credits that Air New Zealand has secured are Emission Reduction Units from TrustPower’s Tararua windfarm. The project was awarded these Kyoto carbon credits as part of the Government’sProjects to Reduce Emissions programme.Customers will also be given the option on-line of making a donation to the Air New Zealand Environment Trust once the Trust has gained charitable status which is expected to be in May.

Trustees will include well known environmentalists, Rob Fenwick and Ruud Kleinpaste, both of whom have a strong interest in ecological issues in New Zealand. They will be joined on the trust by Air NewZealand Deputy Chief Executive Norm Thompson and General Counsel John Blair as well as a third independent trustee.

The Trustees will be given the task of identifying and managing projects which meet the criteria of the new Trust, which Air New Zealand is initially underwriting up to $450,000.

Air New Zealand will make regular contributions to the Trust as a means of offsetting the carbon footprint of its staff travelling by air on business.
“The establishment of the Trust, which we expect will receive several million dollars in funding annually from customers, is an extremely exciting initiative. We are confident it will really engage customers,as they will directly have an impact on research and development into alternative fuels and supporting projects that help sustain New Zealand’s environment and biodiversity,” says Mr Fyfe.

The first project of the Trust will be a conservation programme involving more than 100 acres on Mangarara Station in Hawke’s Bay. The owners of the station, Greg and Rachel Hart, are keen to develop amodel sustainable farming system which will include a native reforestation project, pastoral tree planting and a holistic approach to soil management.

A key part of the initiative is that the public will have access to the historic Hawke’s Bay farming station to see the project as it develops.
“Greg and Rachel have a rare vision and commitment to achieving sustainability and a willingness to share that with all New Zealanders and visitors to our nation,” says Mr Fyfe. “The project at Mangarara Station is one that all New Zealanders should be proud of.” Greg Hart says the vision for Mangarara Station is simple. “We want to work with nature to create a living and breathing example of what sustainable farming might look like and involve as many NewZealanders or visitors to our shores as possible in the project. We hope that this will be another small step in our nation’s journey to credibly show that we are serious about protecting the environment forfuture generations,” says Mr Hart.

“The idea to develop a model of sustainable farming, convert marginal hill country into native bush and offer a place for people to reconnect with the land was the easy part. However, finding a partner who shared our vision for environmental responsibility was difficult until we stumbled across the fact that Air New Zealand was about to take its environmental commitments to another level. We have nothingbut admiration for what the national carrier is endeavouring to do for our nation’s green credentials on the world stage.”

The Air New Zealand Environment Trust has reached agreement in principle with Mangarara Station which would see the Trust financially contribute to the purchase and planting of 85,000 trees over the next three years to create the conservation reserve, which the farm is placing under covenant to protect for future generations.

Today’s announcement follows on from a range of environmental initiatives underway by Air New Zealand as it seeks to take a key leadership role on environmental matters in the aviation industry.
Its broad range of initiatives includes:

• Being at the forefront of the drive to develop sustainable fuels for air travel through a partnership with Boeing and Rolls Royce. This will see a Boeing 747 test flight take place later this year utilizing a sustainable biofuel.
• Striving to have the world’s youngest and most fuel efficient long haul fleet within five years through investments in the Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft.
• Reducing CO2 emissions on the jet fleet by more than 100,000 tons over the past three years through initiatives such as weight reduction, continuous descent profiles and greater use of ground power while aircraft are at airport gates
• Establishing a company Green Team which more than 2000 Air New Zealanders have joined.

Environmentalist, however, will argue that this figure is false, in that it does not take into account “radiative forcing”, where the impact of airplane emissions in the upper atmosphere is 2.7x greater. This figure brings the airlines’ contribution to greenhouse gas emissions up to 13%.

In today’s skies, there are over 17,000 commercial airplanes soaring about, and that figure is expected to rise to approximately 30,000 over the next 20 years. With this increase comes a jump in airport quantities, adding 1,300 new airports by 2050.

Good for economists, bad for environmentalists.
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) predicts that global tourism will generate around $7 trillion this year; keep 230 million people in jobs; and contribute 10 percent of global GDP. According to IATA, the aviation industry overall employs 28 million people, generating over $1.4 trillion for the global economy.

IATA claims that it plans for the world’s fleet to be 25% more fuel efficient by 2020, and wants zero emissions planes in the next 50 years. This brings to mind bio-fuels, solar power and other alternatives to power generation for and on commercial flights.

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But Virgin Atlantic is planning to beat Air New Zealand to the punch by having its own biofuel flight early next year.

Air New Zealand’s chief executive Rob Fyfe said that advances in technology had made biofuels a viable possibility for use in aviation sooner than anticipated.

The New Zealand government recently declared the objective of becoming carbon neutral, and climate change and energy minister David Parker said the national airline’s initiative would help achieve that goal.

“I’m delighted that Air New Zealand has taken the lead by signing up for the first commercial trial of a biofuelled… aircraft,” he said.

The partnership gave no details of the type of biofuel to be used, but said that the test flight will not carry passengers.

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