Turns out the cost of fighting climate change will increase 40 percent for every decade of inaction.

Jay OwenGreen Prosperity

VERGE

 
By Elaine Hsieh, Program Director & Senior Analyst – VERGE

Turns out the cost of fighting climate change will increase 40 percent for every decade of inaction.

That’s one of the eye-opening findings from a new White House report released yesterday, serving as an important reminder that action is essential, but so are scale, speed and scope.

We have taken this to heart at VERGE this year and are committed to disrupting the typical conference model, focusing on accelerating systemic solutions by enabling action instead of just talking about challenges.

For example, we’re hosting City Summit in partnership with C40 and the Urban Sustainability Director’s Network on October 27, the first day of VERGE SF, convening a select group of city and corporate leaders to focus on what it takes to achieve ambitious carbon reduction goals set by many cities. The intent of this daylong workshop is to figure out how the two sectors can work together to scale up solutions to achieve cities’ sustainability and resilience goals in a way that is both enduring and economical.

That same day, we’re also hosting eLab Ignite in partnership with Rocky Mountain Institute’s Electricity Innovation Lab (eLab) team. It’s a roll-up-your-sleeves workshop with corporate customers, utilities, regulators and policymakers, technology providers and energy experts working together to create mutually beneficial models to accelerate cleaner, smarter solutions at the electricity system’s distribution edge.

These are just a couple of VERGE SF sessions that will be powerful opportunities to catalyze the potential for real transformation. Check out more examples of transformative solutions in the stories below.

And speaking of taking action, a couple reminders: Our deeply discounted Summer Rate for VERGE SF expires tomorrow, so be sure to register soon. Also, the deadline for submitting your VERGE Accelerate nomination is this Friday, so if you’re a promising entrepreneur with an innovative startup, don’t forget to apply this week.

Energy Changes

GreenBiz workshop will explore the business of the electric grid
By Becky Dempsey

Industry stakeholders will address electric grid reliability and resilience.

…Read More

Why we need stronger, smarter electrical grids
By Massoud Amin

How antiquated technology and increased demand may be a perfect storm of electricity risk.

…Read More

After 130 years, New York rethinks its electric utility model
By John Finnigan

Demand response, smart grids and renewables will help us leave behind a grid that’s only one notch better than kerosene lamps.

…Read More

7 charts tell the story of a changing energy landscape
By Johannes Friedrich, Thomas Damassa and Michael Obeiter

How have U.S. power sector emissions changed over the last 40 years? These charts will show you.

…Read More

Sponsored Content

14 Strategies to Save up to 70% in Energy Costs Using the Latest in Warehouse Lighting…and More

There is no place for poor lighting in industrial buildings. This white paper describes 14 distinct control strategies enabled by today’s most advanced lighting control systems, and discusses the technology attributes that are required in order to take advantage of these strategies. Click here for more information and to download a free copy.

Food Transformation

Slow Meat: 5 eating habits to transform the meat industry
By Richard McCarthy

How about Meatless Monday, lamb’s sweetbreads or the near-extinct Trail of Tears Bean in your diet?

…Read More

Sainsbury’s turns its own expired food into electricity
By James Murray

U.K. supermarkets Sainsbury announces that one English store is now powered entirely by biogas.…Read More

Sponsored Content

Green Careers: Unlocking Hidden Employment Potential

This guide details the ways in which the University of Colorado-Boulder’s online sustainability management programs can help you learn how to evaluate, plan, enact, and gain support for green practices in your organization. It also explores the increasing demand for sustainability professionals and their essential job functions. Click here for more information and to download a free copy.

Water Action

The 3 questions you need to ask about assessing water risk
By Jason Morrison and Sissel Waage

Older protocols are less relevant in this era of climate change and water stress. It’s time to reconsider and revise how you assess risk.…Read More

In water we trust: How Quito’s water trust funds succeed
By Aleszu Bajak

This intriguing solution to watershed degradation has flourished in Ecuador’s capital city. …Read More

Will Clean Water Act foes leave small businesses high and dry?
By Zach Bernstein

What do the small business owners think of the proposed “Waters of the U.S.” rule? An ASBC poll revealed some surprises.…Read More

Connected Innovation

Why SAP sees an open road for ‘connected cars’
By Joel Makower

The software company aims to become a driving force in connected cars.

…Read More

Southwest’s innovative upcycling experiment
By Heather Clancy

What can you do with 14 shipping containers of used leather? The airline is teaming with social entrepreneurs to find out.…Read More

Will that M2M solution work? AT&T is hacking the answer
By Heather Clancy

Want to test a smart garbage system? AT&T’s “maker” lab can take an idea to a prototype in an hour. Other tech giants are incubating M2M tools, too.

…Read More

Sponsored Content

5 Common Myths About Product Financing

In this easy-to-digest eBook, we interviewed Noesis Project Finance Specialist, Angel Moreno, to learn the most common myths of efficiency project finance that stop energy professionals from including financing options in their project proposals. Download this eBook to read how Angel debunked the most common myths of project finance and get tips on how to leverage 3rd party finance in your project proposals. Download here.

White Papers

·  Essential Guide to Lighting Retrofits & Upgrades

·  Open Standards-Driven Wireless Building Energy Management

·  Mack Technologies Achieves Unprecedented Wireless Control

·  14 Strategies to Save up to 70% in Energy Costs Using the Latest in Warehouse Lighting…and More

·  Turning Title 24 Regulations into Smart Savings

·  Unlocking ROI+: Understanding the Complete Return on Smart Building Investments

·  5 Common Myths About Project Financing

·  Corporate Sustainability Practices: Waste & Recycling

·  Green Careers: Unlocking Hidden Employment Potential

·  Verifying Environmental Sustainability in the Electronics Marketplace

·  A Benchmark Study of Current Practices and Tools for Sustainability

·  How HP achieves leadership in sustainable product footprinting at a fraction of the cost

·  Increasing Transparency of Environment and Health Claims for Cleaning Products

·  Creating Healthier Furniture and Building Materials by Minimizing Chemical Emissions

·  Driving Performance and Transparency in Green Building Products

·  Transparency and the Role of Environmental Product Declarations

·  The Product Mindset

·  Can You Save Millions with Sustainable Packaging Design?

·  NAEM Trends Report: Planning for a Sustainable Future

·  Guide to Energy, Carbon and Sustainability Software

·  Six growing trends in corporate sustainability

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