4 posts tagged “global warming”

So last night, at the invitation of the CEO of SpinVox (which, btw if you haven't tried it is simply the most important and useful new technology I've stumbled on since the blackberry - Voice to screen - with the 1st killer application emailing me perfectly transcribed voice mails with smart text phone numbers in them.)  I attended the launch of an environmental non-profit here in the UK called The Green Thing. It's founded by a couple of chaps from the advertising business including Andy Hobsbawm who founded my old nemesis Agency.  (razorfish and agency were the Hatfield's and Mccoys of the old interactive agency days.)

The event was lovely, great food, good conversation.  The ask wasn't too harsh and I felt these were people who really want to make a difference.  The idea is quite simple really - build a set of small, viral, jib jab style vignettes (website, emails videos, etc.) which encourage people to do one "green" thing a month. Like walking instead of driving for instance.

What I found most fascinating was in chatting with various folks at the event how knowledgeable people in Europe are about the topic of climate change compared to the US.  I'm going to try and help them in a few ways including arranging a benefit screening of Who Killed the Electric Car? I did meet a chap in the electronics refurbishing and recycling business who was lovely - and has a VERY interesting business model.

As I start to build my UK network I find its both simple and challenging.  People are quite welcoming and interesting, but I don't seem to be communicating for some reason that I really am looking for a job.  Is it really so hard to imagine that I just might want to get re-engaged in something to do which is NOT of my own initial construction?

I still think that in the perfect world, I'd start an early or mid-stage VC fund. But my sense is that I don't quite have the profile to do this yet. Over the past three weeks I've met with 20-30 entrepreneurs and found easily 8 companies I would have invested in if I was on that track.  London is a fascinating place and I'm still in love with it.

"Deforestation: The hidden cause of global warming

In the next 24 hours, deforestation will release as much CO2 into the atmosphere as 8 million people flying from London to New York. Stopping the loggers is the fastest and cheapest solution to climate change. So why are global leaders turning a blind eye to this crisis?"

I did a little research, and while their math is a little fuzzy, it's true. THIS pisses me off. We're arguing about light bulbs and air flights when literally a small amount of international trade and cooperation could reduce co2 by 25%.

To be clear, They don't NEED this wood. They are cutting down the forest to sell it to the 1st world. They are also clearing the land for agriculture not to feed themselves, but to feed US!

Wow - big wakeup call. I think I need to go to Brazil. 

I knew that this occurred, but I did think that the developed nations had started to apply the pressure (read that somewhere like the LA Times a few years ago. Hadn't really thought about it since. - Typical white liberal I guess.

Consider me awake.

So I've been thinking a lot about long-term investments and real estate. I've also been thinking a lot about Climate Change.

NY Times Article about Sea levels and real estate

I'll add to this through the day.. found a few other items on this as well.

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