This is exciting to see so many of you and to hear such good ideas.  We have everything we need to solve these problems and there is great evidence of leadership in this room by the turnout.

My name in Marc Dreyfors and wear a number of hats, am President of The Forest Foundation, and Manager of several green businesses, Carolina Biodiesel, Greenway Transit and built a biodiesel plant over in east Durham in an old petroleum site.  We have employed over 40 at risk youth part-time, training them in green jobs, and feel this has been our contribution to the community.  However, I feel we absolutely most change the language of what we are trying to achieve, not promoting jobs for young people but creating incentives for them to stay in school, and get an education that will help them succeed in their careers and become better citizens in our community.  Right now attitude is everything, and I see the effect of placing pressure on kids to make money often by parents spoils a sense of wonder, creativity and fun that young people need to have, because life often has the effect of dimming such expressions of youth.

A lot of the ideas I will be presenting are on our website:

www.TheForestFoundation.org

I want to recognize the work of OWED in getting the EPA grant for Brownfields Assessments in NE Central Durham.  Our site is in the Angier Pettigrew corridor and funding has helped in moving these properties towards redevelopment.  The EPA grant also funded Durham Tech.s training program and the use of our site as an incubator and  place for hands-on training. This is an enormously successful program and a national model.  Expanding this program to include other green jobs is what is needed.

I want to step back a moment and put things in perspective and address this issue of language.  What can government do for us?  This is the core of what we are asking here tonight.  I would say that government can’t do a lot, the Federal government is bankrupt, the City is cutting left and right, and the future looks bleak as we have vilified taxes.  Times are tough and likely to get tougher as we have seen with the financial meltdown.  The banks aren’t lending, so we must get a reality check on our expectations of what government can do.  Don’t expect government funding to be consistent, nor  should we be asking the government to subsidize business.  This means we have to become more self-sufficient as a community, find systems of keeping money in our community.

We also need to be speaking a common language.  The Obama Administration ruled this week that Carbon is an air pollutant, affecting human health and can be regulated without Congress’ approval.  This is a game changer, along with what is being decided on in Copenhagen, it is guaranteed that energy will be more expensive.  This is regressive, impacting low income, minority communities, as they spend a higher percentage of their income on energy.  Thus, we need to be activists to make sure that policies are developed to offset this.  We absolutely need more expensive energy.  Why? Because of market externalities.  The cost of burning fossil fuels is not included in the price of our stuff, thus we over consume energy intensive goods and services that are destroying our environment.  This does not bode well for our near future and our children.  We absolutely have to change the way our society values things. Additionally, higher prices for energy will drive innovation to develop new sustainable and renewable technologies that will employ millions as they are ramped up.  This is critical to our country and communities future.

These ideas of building local economies primarily come from Michael Shuman, who spoke at Duke and was just down at Star, NC at a textile plant revitalization opening, and who wrote the Smallmart Revolution and has promoted local business alliances called BALLE groups.  He decrees the failed policies of local government to assist luring big businesses at the expense of local, small businesses.  This must change. We need to keep our money in our communities increasing the times those dollars exchange hands, or “multiplys.”  Increasing multipliers should be at the heart of our policies.

Finally, what we need to be talking about is not Green jobs, but green business as this is the place where jabs are created.  Supporting small local businesses should be the order, not necessarily training.  Most of the green jobs will absorb already existing trades and skills. However, we need all jobs to be green, in other words, we need everyone to be environmentally literate and live more sustainable livelihoods.  In doing so, we will save money, live healthier lives, create better communities and save the planet!

What are the Future Jobs and what do we need to see them?

1) Energy efficiency and weatherization

We need better policies that incentivize property owners to upgrade, including financing mechanisms, training in energy audits and installations

2)  Local distributed energy production, such as PV, wind, geothermal and biofuels/biomass

We need to stop subsidizing fossil fuels and tax them using the funds to capitalize these types of projects.  The multipliers are enormous, reducing flight of capital out of our communities.

3)  Green Transportation

This is an enormous job creator and during a recent Fleet Managers meeting here in Durham, green was the hot topic- use of alternative fuels and new hybrid and alt. fuel vehicles.  We need trained managers and mechanics.

4)  Resource Management

Our communities need better management of our natural resources, that means changing codes and laws, properly valuing these resources and giving more resources to those who manage them.

5)  Local foods and value adding

This is an enormous national and local success story.  Buoyed by problems and concerns of pesticides, Frankenfoods, carbon footprint, self-sufficiency, etc., local farmers markets and organic farms have taken off.  We need to be growing our own food, eating more healthy and value adding this food locally.  Small grants and lending programs, community kitchens and training will maximize this “bang for buck.”

What is our biggest struggle?

1)     Capital, we need a local lending system and have been promoting a voluntary lending system to mitigate our environmental footprint. This money could be used to lower interest rates and leverage traditional lending institutions.

2)     Stabilization of energy prices, everything is tied to energy and its hard for a small business to write a business plan will any credibility when prices fluctuate so dramatically.  This can be done by creating a floor for energy prices and local taxes of vehicles and businesses with high fuel consumption, rewarding/incentivising efficiency.  This is what they have done in California.

3)     Durham needs visioning forums like this one regularly, we need better communication between organizations, liaison and collaboration.

4)      We need local policies and taxes that improve multipliers, and support local small businesses, not big corporations

5)     Grant writing, we need help in writing grants ourselves and so does the many government offices.  Lots of funds are available to transform our society and communities, but we can’t keep up with deadlines or the extensive RFPs

6)     Changes in State legislation that will allow communities and cities to innovate

Finally, we need leadership, less politics and turf battles and more collaboration between both public and private sectors and between each other.  The time is now and this is nothing less than a revolution!  We have what it takes here in this room, off the shelf technology with some old-fashioned “lets solve this problem together” know how.

Thank you

As Dr. Healy pointed out at Mayor Bell’s visioning for the Obama Administration’s jobs creation Forum, “Green infrastructure, like bike paths and green space that the Enor River ASsociation promotes, may be an excellent way to promote local, small business and youth employment.” (Dec. 9, 2009)

Green infrastructure is different than green technologies. Green infrastructure is an umbrella for cropland, parks, trails, local and state parks, rangeland, rails-to-trails, private and public forests and water amenities like wetlands, rivers, lakes, streams and related activities like fishing, hiking, canoeing, marinas, etc.  Durham has a bigger challenge than most because it is a good size city located in a very small county in terms of land area. So planning to create accommodate residential, office, commercial uses as well as green infrastructure is more complex here. But one thing in Durham’s favor is that more than a third of the land area is already set aside in watershed including rivers, lakes, cropland, etc.

People in economic development need to take note that places with great green technology are associated with seven to eight times more job growth in metro areas and water amenities translate into 13 to14 times more jobs. Hopefully people in visitor centric economic development already sensed that. Another thing the report makes clear to economic developers who often bemoan taxes is that lower taxes may mean more population but not job creation or income growth. It also indicates that the old strategy of tax-based job attraction may only attract population but not employment or income.  (From Dec. 2009, Durham Convention and Visitors Board)

My first inclination was that this would be a stale corporate tour that focused solely on the light to medium duty chassis going into Sprinter vans.  But in fact the chassis were going into a range of vehicles, and the engineers we met were using the designs to test and implement a whole variety of hybrid and alternative fuel systems built by Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA).  I asked the engineers if they received a lot of support from Europe, as they had had these  systems in operation longer.   I was surprised they said “no,” but that a FUSO (another Daimler owned company) research facility in Japan had been more helpful and productive.  The Gaffney facility was treated as a very independent operation from Daimler corporate/global, and we had a sense they were more autonomous than they may have liked, given how rapidly the market is shifting and how much resources are needed to achieve the darmatic changes to our transportation systems.

2010 Emissions

The tour started with a presentation to the Clean Cities representatives from Asheville, Charlotte and several organizations and cities in SC by Freightliner’s chief engineers.  They first spoke to the 2010 emissions requirements of EPA of .2g NOx (down from 5g), and .1 g particulates (PM).  Lots of acronyms were flung our way, including:

SCR- Selective Catalytic Reduction

DEF- Diesel Exhaust Filter

EGR- Exhaust Gas Recirculation

DCU- Dosing Control Unit

DOC-  Diesel Oxidation Catalyst

DPF- Diesel Particulate Fluid (Urea)

All vehicles are required to have SCR and there are two systems that are competing for diesel truck markets SCR and Massive EGR.   Massive EGR, which catepllar and Navistar have thrown their weight behind,  reduces fuel economy but may be more reliable.  SCR seems to be outcompeting EGR at this point, the upside is the better efficiency, and the downside is the need for urea recharges.  Systems take exhaust from the engine, pass it through a particulate filter (DPF), and then through a urea DCU, then through an SCR, then an Exhaust Diffuser (a simple nipple on the tail pipe!).  (See http://www.freightlinertrucks.com/trucks/featured-components/emissions.aspx)

Advanced systems have three levels of filter regeneration: active, passive and manual.  The state of the art in NOx reduction is the Urea injection systems that result in engine life increases and a 5% improvement in fuel economy.  Cost is $6700-7000 per unit, and roughly 3 urea tank fills are required per 15oK miles driven.  Tanks come in 10 to 50 gallons and are attached to the frame where they can be filled like a gas tank.  Urea gallon jugs will be available a truck service centers and dealerships throughout the US.  Interestingly, VW TDI’s are using EGR NOx sponge absorption systems, however, all new systems will have use SCR (See http://www.truthaboutscr.com/).

Hybrid/Alternative Fuel Systems

The engineers then presented on the specs. of the four models being produced at the plant:

CNG,

Diesel Hybrid Electric,

Diesel Hybrid Hydraulic, and

All Electric (demonstration vehicle provided by Enova).

CNG systems have about a 200 mile range and are using 3600 psi fittings and Type IV tanks.  Engines are switching from 5.9L Cummins to 6L IS GM.  The Hydraulic and Electric were new and in prototype stage, though we were able to test-drive at the end of the day an electric UPS truck that had recently come off the line.  CNG and Diesel Electric had been produced for several years and over 450 vehicles had been produced and were in operation.  Maintenance statistics showed that their hybrids we highly successful performing at over 98%with no failures after 2 years.  Incentives include:

• Each has up to a $25K per vehicle savings,
• $6K tax credit for Class 6 and $12K for class 7, and
• $4,500-6,000 in fuel savings (plus Blue Skies).

All of us, Charlie and Rich in particular, came away with the feeling that the Parker Eaton hybrid hydraulic was the ideal technology for trucks, particularly for those with lots of stop and go routes (delivery trucks, buses, shuttles, couriers).  Three hydraulic systems have developed: 1) launched assist (10-25% efficiency improvement), 2) series hybrid (20-40%), 3) Advanced Series Hybrid (35-125%).  These advanced systems capture 70% of breaking energy and use Optimized Engine Control and passive engine breaking.   The efficiencies were enormous, approaching 65-125% in storing breaking energy.  This means that the delivery drivers engines can shut down for very extended periods with enormous fuel savings.

The hydraulic system has two accumulator reservoirs and line systems that operate where the drive shaft would normally be connecting the transmission to the differential.  Energy from the engine drives the vehicle, but also builds up in the accumulator, as does breaking, releasing the energy at the time of acceleration (where most energy to propel a vehicle is used).  Charlie stated that they what is needed to make these systems state of the art is a high quality, hydraulic fluid filter system, as the lines can become contaminated over time.

These hybrid systems are relatively simple and low maintenance.  Importantly, the hybrid electrics do require relatively sophisticated inverter/controller computer for “dual mode” on the engine side.  Indeed, during the test drive, Rich complained that the Electric Clutch Actuator (ECA) on the hybrid electric was just not correctly adjusted, causing a jerky shift in gears.  Freightliner is using a 340VDC Hitachi Lithium-ion battery with a 7-8 year life and 44KW Eaton motor generator with an added weight of 600 lbs  (See http://www.freightlinertrucks.com/trucks/find-by-model/m2e-hybrid/).

The cost increase is $28K above the base price of which about a third of that cost is in the batteries.  The systems include fuel economy indicator, and critical to their success was a driver training program and improved instrument panel to collect data on: routes (idle time, trip time, average mpg, max. speed) and drivers, and include a downloadable USB connector.  Variables are route, driver and base system.  New systems include and idle off feature that adds 8-9% efficiency improvement, hill hold ABS system and threshold recharge.  AC systems do not disengage when in electric mode and with proper driving, the HEV can improve fuel economy 40%, reduce 96% particulate emissions and 65% of NOx.

An all electric system with a diesel generator (sic. train engines) may be the second smartest system, as it reduces maintenance, allows a plug in option and simplifies things.  However, the Freightliner engineers stated that the emissions requirements of a diesel generator are unknown and they had not moved forward on this system because EPA has not ruled as of yet.  The demonstration vehicle was provided by Eova (See http://www.enovasystems.com/)  DesignLine, an Australian company,  is building these systems with their hyper efficient buses manufactured in Charlotte, and it will be interesting to find out when we run our tour of their facility (See www.designlineinternational.com).

Interestingly, the engineers stated that all the hybrid systems needed a smaller engine than the 6 cylinder Cummins they were using.  A 4 cylinder was needed, as the systems were so efficient, they did not require such a large powerhouse.  Such engines exist but are not being made in the U.S.  Both hybrid systems can be used for PTO’s and Auxiliary Power Generator (APG) for idle reduction. Engine off will not work if rolling.

Rich, Charlie and I also came away from the tour realizing that Freightliner still had a ways to go in refining the technology, were reeling from the diversity of options they had offered the markets and were needing help in advancing the technology.  They also needed more prototypes in the field, which got me thinking about setting up a joint program with the engineering and environmental schools in the Triangle.

Biodiesel options are available on all the systems, and include: a oil/water separator, tank and fuel line heaters, and new fuel senders.  The engines are warranted only to B20, yet with these additions, running very high levels would be easy.

Zero Waste Facility

In the afternoon, we took a tour of the plant and its assembly lines, where they showed us the parts system and unique ways they had improved production efficiency for all the variables and options available for assembling the chassis and cabs. The plant and its three lines can produce 85 chassis per day at 100% capacity.  When we visited they were at 65% capacity.  Since adding the hybrid, electric and CNG products, there has been no change in production time, due to efficiencies gained and the use of a pre-assembly system, pick carts and other line innovations.  They had an in-house dynamometer to measure the engine performance and emissions, and operate their paint ovens during early mornings to reduce peak loads.

The facility had just gone zero waste, after about a year of behavioral modification and design changes.  The program to go Zero waste was impressive, and will actually turn a profit in Oct.  2009, as the income from the waste recycled will generate more income than outlaid for implementation. This is quite an achievement given how conservative a community and worker base it is from which they pull.  But they have also outreached to the local high school, and from surveys, they found that the program has affected workers in their lifestyles at home.

However, we did see a wall full of vending machines with high fructose, corn syrup products, that led me to believe they still may have a way to go in uniting ”green” with “healthful living.”  The engineers did say they were looking for interns and TFF will try to connect them with students from Duke and NCSU.  In addition, they voiced an interest in adding roof-top PV systems and pushing the envelop in greening their operation.  Their tour was excellent and we recommend it to anyone in the fields of alternative energy,  green transportation and environmental management.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the Obama Admin. budget policies make a number of basic, false assumptions, which are reflected in the “Green Jobs Report”: One, that the economy will tank so badly that people will forget the need to transition to a “green economy,” shifting into a survival mode mentality (this is reflected in how low “environment” ranks in polls of Americans and the back lots full of unsold Priuses). Two, that big “T”echnology of renewables will dominate, when in fact, smaller technology reflected in simple weatherization projects, and small scale, sustainable ag. and distributed energy systems provide large “bangs for the buck.” And three, that the whole plan reeks of the failure to recognize the “elephant in the room,” over our hyper consumption under rising populations and rapidly destabilizing natural systems. Simply switching our consumption to green products fails to address the throughput issue. Lifestyle must be addressed, and indeed may be central, which begs the question of inherent traditional American “freedoms” as well as inequities.

Axiomatic of the problem of the Green Jobs Report is the definition of “green jobs.” UNEP’s definition is revealing: jobs that “contribute substantially to preserving or restoring environmental quality,” that “help to protect and restore,” “reduce” and” minimize” or “avoid” “consumption” of energy or “generation of pollution,” and that create positions that are just and fair. But notice these verbs, “restore” and “preserve” are not “conserve” or “sustain,” which implies setting aside and putting back into the system, regenerating that which has been deteriorated. Add in “fairness,” “diversity” and “equity” and that’s a tall order, given the massive market externalities, misperceptions of ecological systems and level of human induced degradation! There is absolutely nothing fair about free market, neo-liberal capitalism, which begs the question, “what kind of socio-economic system are we talking about?”

“Incubating quality green jobs” requires a strong public mandate, leadership, coordination and setting up the right incentives, identifying existing barriers, actors, “financing interventions” and the involvement of community groups and unions. This is a tall order requiring vision, leadership and unity of purpose of our elected officials. Establishing within each community Sustainability Advisory Boards and a Council or cabinet level Director of Sustainability “ensures that mandates become an organizing principle.” According to The Report, Green jobs policy should be “to leverage the unique capabilities and resources of the private sector to maximize the creation of green jobs,” removing impediments to private investment. Erratic treatment of the production tax credits has been identified as causing problems with “flagging investment.” Tax credits may provide better incentives if more of the credit can be converted to an upfront grant.

“Green jobs generate 2.7 times as many jobs as fossil fuel spending.” An illusion reflected in the document quote “by making wind power competitive with fossil fuel,” shows such a misalignment of priorities. We don’t want wind power or alternative energy to become “cheap as fossil fuel,” but want fossil fuel to reflect its true market, social and environmental costs. Cheap energy should not be the goal of our nation’s energy policy, as the results are inefficiency, suburban sprawl, increased pollution, etc. Yes, improved technology and competition will drive alternative energy costs down, but will take time. Replication, scalability and financing are needed. Some national “green market priority board” may help in ramping up technologies (i.e. thin film PV). Because of monopolies, corruption and market failures, waiting for not so “free” markets may keep good technology from achieving rapid implementation. Higher prices for these technologies will drive investment and innovation.

In ARRA, there is $500 million for research and job training projects that prepare workers for careers in “energy efficiency” and “renewable energy.” What is blatantly missing is the need for the promotion of sustainable agriculture and local produce development. This has such massive multipliers and economic and security value, I am surprised it was left out. Energy efficiency will likely absorb a fair number of entry-level trade and blue collar workers, but this presumes that folks can afford the upgrades to their homes and businesses. Renewables are closely tied to fossil fuel prices and right now there is little incentive to invest and zero capital for required financing.

The Green Jobs Report also presumes an easy transition to high tech, well paying jobs. But initially, most jobs will be entry or low level jobs. For instance, recycling that does not “value-add” is a commodity business. We send our waste to China to be remanufactured into higher value goods, which we then buy back. The carbon footprint is large due to under priced energy and suppression of the Yuan, thus making labor and material costs cheap. That we can create a larger middle class from green jobs is hugely optimistic. Our economy is teetering on another depression. Expectations are for “a sizeable wage premium (10-20 percent),” optimistic as contractors for energy efficiency, one of the pillars of the stimulus, are not high tech. positions. According to The Report, “Green jobs typically earn better wages,” but analyses from the workforce shows a lack of diversity, and “that they are more likely to be held by whites…men, and located in suburban and rural areas,” leaving out minorities and inner city residents.

My concern is that our expectations are being set too high based on the paradigm we are trying to supplant. Without the shift in perception and focus on transformative community structures, through incentives and disincentives, we will not achieve the equity and fairness most of us are expecting from the new, green economy.

I like the term “green jobs movement” as it is not just about creating fair and well paying jobs in the Green Economy. That, in fact, it is about building green communities, using the money earned to support other green businesses, and promoting healthful living and broader community development linkages. Some attention must be placed on building “green communities,” not just green jobs, to reinforce systems for these structural adjustments to really take hold and improve our behavior.

The hiring of Van Jones, President of Green for All who promotes “respect” of the environment and a Clean Energy Corps, is a big plus as he is smart and has spent time in the trenches and on the front lines. We need to rotate folks from the field to the classroom and to leadership and back again, building an apprenticeship, “teach the teacher” systems to implement transformational change rapidly and with efficacy. More case studies and their promulgation are needed. The document provides examples from LA where the Apollo Alliance has helped in workforce redevelopment using apprenticeship models. Training costs (free to participants) are paid for by less than 10% of public funds and by unions and contractors, through labor/management partnership agreements. Focus is on young entry-level workers, and on older, more experienced workers needing skill upgrades. Bronx Environmental Stewardship Training (BEST) is a 10 week training program, with a certificate and helps place graduates in local green businesses and provides follow up support for three years. Solar Richmond, introduces basic construction training with an extra 2 week solar skills module. Mile High Youth Corps focuses on young adults 16-24 to teach job and life skills, creating crews of 8-10 and is supported by YouthBuild. Work is paid and provides on the jobs training, and is accompanied by Corps-to Career classes for job search and preparedness.

“Investments in efficiency are much less centralized than those in renewable energy.” The Report promotes investments in Green Retrofits, energy efficiency and upgrading home equipment with better than “energy star” (since the downgrading of EPA’s classification by the Bushies) compliance equipment. Paying for it is the challenge. The Weatherization Assistance Program will allow an average investment of up to $6,500 per home in energy efficiency upgrades and will be available for families making up to 200% of the federal poverty level – or about $44,000 a year for a family of four. What is needed are loan circles, using energy savings from these upgrade to help offset costs. The Report suggests using energy bills for repayments, tying the investments to the property (not the property owner), and allowing transfer to new tenants. Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2) solves the financing problem with an innovative program: coordinating funds with banks and contractors (their transaction costs are paid for by?). Fundamentally, changes are needed in building codes nationally, if energy efficiency is to take hold.

It is expected that the $6 billion in loan guarantees will leverage over $75 billion in investment, and will build on guarantees managed by already existing DOE and DOA programs. Establishing a Clean Energy Finance Authority (CEFA) is also an excellent idea. (However, loan guarantees require $25K expenditure upfront, without being guaranteed the loan, not much of a guarantee?) According to The Report, an important thing is “to reduce the complexity and increase the flexibility of CEFA applications.” Focus must be on small businesses, which are responsible for the majority of employment growth. Another local funding mechanism is Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds, or zero interest bonds that provide tax credit to holders.

The case study from Washington State shows an important protocol needing replication: first, they identify high demand green industries; second, their potential for creating high quality jobs; third, a Green Industry Skill Panel (GISP) is convened; and finally, a Green Collar Job Training Fund is created and money administered according to the findings of one, two and three. “The fund would distribute competitive grants to organizations. with proven success in implementing workforce training,… targeting adults and youth in families below twice the poverty line, dislocated workers and entry level workers.”

Greenway will be offering a complete transportation package for The Inauguration, including a 100% biodiesel powered bus for up to 47 passengers, catered lunch, drinks, and dinner on the return at famous Bottoms Up Pizza in Richmond.  We will be leaving from Durham and its Green Oil Campus on January 19th at 8:00AM, arriving Franconia-Springfield Station Metro Station at 2:00PM.  And returning the 20th at 5:00PM, leaving Franconia-Springfield Station, arriving Durham… who knows when?!  Price for the complete package will be $200, which includes a $50 donation to The Forest Foundation.

For transportation and Inaugural details:

http://inauguration.dc.gov/index.asp

http://www.wmata.com/getting_around/metro_events/inauguration.cfm

Accommodations

Greenway will not be offering official overnight accommodations, but some limited space is available for first come first serve.  Prices for accommodations that are Metro walkable (30 mins. to the Mall) vary from floor space camping, to couches, to bedrooms.

Pedicabs on the Mall

In addition, Greenway’s new Pedicab Manager, John Bair, will be bringing our two pedicabs up to service the Inaugural festivities on and around the Mall starting Jan. 9th.  He will be running multiple shifts and two of Greenway’s founders will be on hand to drive and to make policy suggestions to any errant decision-makers who decide to “Go Green” and ride pedal power!  If John is smart, he may be able to get in the parade and give us some real nationwide publicity!

Sponsorship

The Bus and Pedicabs are looking for sponsorship for the Inauguration tour.  The Bus will have sign space on either side and on the rear, and the Pedicabs will have their back panel space available.  We expect hundreds of thousands to see us on tour, so given our high profile as probably the only biodiesel bus headed to DC and one of only a few pedicabs on the Mall, we think this will be a great marketing opportunity. Contact us for pricing.

Proceeds from the trip and sponsorship will help fund The Forest Foundation’s non-profit work.

Trip Stipends and Discounts

For those who can not afford the full price of the tour, but can show volunteer service and dedication to the cause will be provided stipends or discounts.  Other non-profit and environmental groups may also be offered discounts.  Two stipends of $100 each are available to students on a first come basis from Dr. Sandy Smith-Nonini of YIKES!  Contact us for details.

Deadline for Deposits:

Jan. 16th

Email us at:

info@greenwayrides.com, or info@theforestfoundation.org

The Cavitator reactor construction went smoothly and we spent a lot less than expected. However, the efficiencies were not gained in its operation, in fact, we lost efficiency, expending more methoxide and creating more glycerin that expected. As well, site costs for repair and maintenance started increasing, and with no development partners our cash flow dried up. The Phase II Assessment was completed and some issues were found with the site, particularly heavy metal and herbicide contamination. Our effort to purchase it has floundered as we have failed to find financing up to this date. Positive financials have remained elusive, particularly as feedstock prices climbed along with petroleum, and then prices collapsed making our hand-crafted fuel expensive. Diesel prices retreated 5 fold after the highs near $150 per barrel in August, right as we completed the reactor build and began to ramp up.

Bright spots were The Foundation received two grants this year, one from Frank Phoenix to help pay for our work with neighborhood kids (expenditures near $15K) and another from The Body Shop for our craft work internationally. We have received small donations, but the Foundation’s primary revenue stream has been the BCBC pump and fair trade handicraft sales, both which have slowed. We attended the Resourceful Communities workshop and retreat of The Conservation Fund and enjoyed the energy of the participants and all their cool projects in Nov. However, the triple bottom line mantra was hard to swallow, given the fact that our economy is a subset of our planet’s ecology. If folks don’t understand that, we are creating false models.

TFF exhibited in Oct. at the State Fair for the 15^th year. Shifting gears to try to generate more income, we sublet space to green businesses both sign and marketing space, and created a Green Guide to the State Fair, which also launched a greening initiative, GreenNC. TFF met with Fair officials last year about doing more green things and it looks like years of preaching may have shifted them. TFF received support from Common Ground Builders, a green building supply company, and Stop Painting, a recycled plastics lumber company. Thanks goes out to all the volunteers, including Shane Maene, who helped run the booth, and of course MK, who, for yet another year, spent way too much time in the “sea of deep fried conservatism.” Marc did get to meet Kay Hagen, who unseated Dole, the do-nothing Republican Senator. Carolina Biodiesel picked up the contract to convert the State Fair’s waste oil into biodiesel and delivered the fuel to Department of Agriculture research sites in Butner and Goldsboro.

TFF exhibited, again, at both the holiday fairs, at the Judea Reform Temple and at the Resurrection United Methodist Church, and participated in a micro-lending fair at the Bryan Center at Duke. Sales were down across the board. Sadly, the Foundation was unable to attend its usual EENC and Green Festival Conferences, running out of money and energy this year. Marc rotated off the EENC Board to focus on trying to make a living and get the biodiesel plant built.

Greenway Transit by far had the best year, doubling its sales and acquiring a new Bus and luxury Mercedes, while paying down some of its debt. Greenway ran the transportation for a number of events, including the AASHE Conference in Raleigh, which had MK and Marc pulling 5 days of 18 hour shifts moving people from the airport to hotels to the new Convention Center and back. Thanks go to Dora and Ben who helped pitch in with running bus tours to Duke, UNC and NC State’s campuses. The crowd of teachers, students and administrators were awesome and we received accolades for our service and work as an organization. During the Conference, MK and Marc were recognized as NC Sustainability Champions by Sustainable NC.

Goals for 2009, survival.

Mary Katherine and Marc finally took a well-needed vacation (thanks to our parents support) at the end of November, visiting Prague and Bolzano in the Dolomites in northern Italy. Two of our friends’ decided to get married in Prague, MK had been before and Marc had heard of Prague’s Gothic beauty and attractions (i.e. beer), so it seemed a good idea to head for Europe. The trip couldn’t have been timed better, with the rising value of the dollar against the Euro and the pre-holiday celebrations. The Dolomites of Italy had been on their mind since their 2006 trip to Torino for the winter Olympics, and were a high priority as being one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Lots of cool environmental ideas came from the trip, as our green lenses are always on. There were a lot of things we learned from our European neighbors.

The Wedding

Our friends, Barbara and Shane, had decided to have their wedding in Prague after visiting early in their dating, and realizing what a magical place it was. Low and behold, after some good planning, communication and salesmanship, they were able to pull close to 70 friends and family to Prague. It was quite a crowd that made partying there all the more fun. We ran into each other on the streets, got ideas on places to go and shared stories after stories, etc. Drinking alone is not advised. The event was brilliant all around. Of course, MK and Marc started thinking about how one can run green events, like weddings, while critiquing the Prague event (See below). However, we avoided saying anything during any of the events, like “have you thought about mitigating your carbon footprint ….. ” as we thought it may be bad manners.

Barbara contacted the Prague Tourism office, which was extremely helpful in legal particulars surrounding the wedding, like English speaking ministers. But most of the leg-work was done by the couple, finding hotels, churches, caterers, musicians, etc. MK and Marc joked that the mayor of Prague was going to appear with the key to the city, given the huge economic punch the event provided. Granted the city is large, but 70 folks was a serious boost to the town center. The wedding likely cost less in Prague than in the US, even when including the airfares. Generally prices were slightly less, though downtown was expensive compared to rural regions of eastern Europe. Average Czech salary is $10K per year and the exchange rate was around 19 Crowns to the $1.

The wedding was held at St. Nicholas Church on St. Winceslas Square the center of Old Town. The square holds the famous cuckoo clock, and gilded and ornate buildings from many architectural periods line coble stoned streets and whined away from the center. It was a beautiful cathedral, and the English service was well choreographed in its simplicity. The reception was held at the jazz club, and the rehearsal dinner at the best micro-brewery, U Flecku, where we were served endless mugs of brilliant stout, traditional meat dishes and dumplings. Yes, meat, potatoes and bread are center to Czech food, but vegetarian meals were available. It seemed that much of the food was locally prepared or grown. After a typical meal, one felt the need to dawn armor and defend the parapet or head out to the potato fields! Sadly, Marc caught pneumonia before his trip and was limited in the full scope of his partying capacity.

Other features of Prague are the river, its beautiful bridges and the spectacular Prague castle, across the river from Old Town Square on a hill overlooking the city. Its nighttime lights reflected in the river and created a regal feel to the evenings. Prague also sports excellent micro-breweries, music scene and an alternative, arts culture astounding in its sophistication. There was a real sense of individuality, where clothing designs had a hip, hand made feel. Marc and MK found a couple a very cool, used clothing stores, some hip boutiques and local vegetarian and vegan restaurants, like Country Life and FX Café. These were great places to people watch. Our favorite “pivovars” were: U-Flecku, At the Little Bear and New Town Brewery, all of which had excellent food (sans the smoke). Our second favorite was Strahov Monastery at top Hradcany Hill across the river, overlooking the City. We ran into one of the monks in his PJ’s looking for the brewery, it was a hoot. The walk, to and from, will help work off the beer and you can duck into any one of the bars on the way back for a pee-break.

We had hit Europe during the famous town square craft festivals, where most large towns had vendors (they seemed exhausted) inhabiting kiosks, and selling lots of interesting hand made goods as well as local food. Birch bark ornaments, crystal, lace and the coiled bracelet cinnamon pastries were a must. Prague sported numerous glass and jewelry galleries (the area was a center for gold and silver smything in the middle ages and the reason it became so wealthy), as well as the second largest toy museum in the world, marionette theaters, a sex machine and torture museums (thank God not sharing the same building)! There was a lot to do for a wide variety of ages, and singing into the early morning echoed from the streets.

Walking and public transportation are wonderful, and we used the tram, metro and train system to get around, using roller luggage on cobbled streets, which created an annoying echo that let everyone know the tourists were coming. The city was ripe for pedicabbing, though taxis seemed embedded and horse carriages were available in the town square for about $100–what is their carbon footprint? We were surprised at how few bikes there were, but regulations, the cobbles and tram rails may have made biking somewhat difficult. Uniquely, the city requires helmets, lights and mudflaps. The hills above Mala Strana are a great place to exercise and catch a view. We used the metro and bus to return to the airport, which took about an hour from Old Town Center. We used the train to get to Munich and then transferred to a train to Bolzano, which took only 10 hours. The return trip was longer, requiring 4 trains and a trip through small towns of eastern Bavaria (Wald Bahn, “Wild Way”), a natural park and the Sudetenland in the snow covered mountains between the two countries.

Flying out of Prague we flew over Antwerp and saw a massive wind farm and an offshore installation. We also flew over Greenland and Hudson Bay and got our first view of icebergs, ice sheets and pack ice and the stark beauty of glaciated landscapes., wondering how well the planet was faring given record warming trends, loss of ice thickness as well as cover and reflectivity.

Though the Czech Republic was not as modern as other parts of Europe, its people and potential seemed great. Cigarette smoking was rampant and made Prague significantly less enjoyable, particularly to Marc’s compromised lungs. There was also a feeling of a Mafioso culture seemed to be developing and a slight seediness that tourist cities have. The influence of post Soviet era crime and corruption seemed to be waxing. One had this heavy feeling that the years of oppression and war was lingering, leaving one with the hope that the rest of the world would leave them alone, as the country has much to be proud of and should be left to develop at its own way and away from geopolitical manipulations.

The Dolomites

Taking the train to Italy from Prague we passed through into Germany and immediately noticed the number of solar PV and hot water panels and saw several large-scale, rotational PV fields. Lots of barns and businesses had commercial scale PV units. We changed trains in Munich and headed south over the pass into Austria, passing beautiful castles, alpine valleys and snow covered Alps, stopping in Innsbruck before heading south again over the Brenner pass at about 4000ft. Our Bolzano hotel had a very large solar hot water system and we passed a pumping hydro-electric plant several Kms north of town.

Watching the news in Prague we new the southern alps had received a major dumping of snow. Looking out the train windows we saw mounds of snow lining the tracks and hills. We had made a good choice, rather than going to eastern Slovakia or southern Poland mountains, which we had considered. We found that the Sudtirol area had received a two decade record of snow close to 30 cm early in the season, making the sunny days a warm wintry delight. The train line paralleled a major highway that wound its way through the mountains, along with the secondary roads and tiered villages, we were amazed at the level of safety engineered into these transportation systems. How much work over the years had been placed on building this infrastructure?!

The Dolomites are a unique geologic feature, essentially an ancient coral reef that uplifted to nearly 3000 meters, eroded, was glacially carved and created one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes. Bolzano sits at around 200 meters in the southwest corner of the Dolomites northwest of Venice and is a largest city in the Sudtirol region. It has excellent train and bus service and a beautiful, old town square within walking distance of the train and bus stations. Val de Siusi and Val Gardena were the destinations and took about an hour by bus to get to. Siusi is the largest, high alpine valley in the Alps and is ideal for its infrastructure for winter and summer sports and spectacular views of the Dolomites.

Our hotel room had a great view of the mountains. Castles lined the valley and the entrances of each side valley. This area was primarily German but was given to the Italians after WWI. Most folks speak German, but Italian was also spoken as well as Laden, an ancient language derived from Roman Latin and protected by law in the area. Each village had three names. The region’s beauty and ancient history conjure images of Tolkien, and indeed the ancient Laden fairy tales of people living under the mountains have influenced many authors. See these websites for more information:

http://calitreview.com/604

http://www.ilregnodeifanes.it/inglese/essay4.htm

MK and Marc’s favorite part of the trip, besides the food, beverages and spectacular views, was the Utzi Museum in Bolzano. Utzi was murdered back in around the 3^rd millennium BC, immediately covered by drying snow and his body discovered in a melting glacier (can you believe that?) at the top of a mountain about 50 kilometers northwest of the Dolomites. His artifacts of survival gear make REI aficionados look pathetic, as he had to learn to hand craft and repair his gear from all natural materials. Extensive scientific investigation has been able to determine a great deal about this man’s life and livelihood, his origins and environment. His life was not easy and death sad, but a great gift to us all. One of the exhibits on Paleolithic life showed a rock that was the base structure for a community that lived in the Val Siusi. We cross country skied right by it! In one view from the mountain gazing down the valley 600 ft. we could see 5,000 years of human history, and 100’s of millions of geologic history.

Green Tours and Vacations

Given MK and Marc’s global touring and event planning experience, it would made sense to offer advise/services on how to create “completely green European tours,” like Barbara and Shane’s Wedding. For the most part, Europe and its hotel and tourism infrastructure are already hands down one of the best places to conduct green events, particularly if folks want to make the commitment to going overseas. The biggest issue is our carbon footprint, specifically traveling there on planes. This of course can be mitigated through a dozen organizations, from methane capture to tree planting. But once there, travel by public transportation is a breeze even for large parties. With many of the European countries approaching 20% of their energy from renewable sources, this makes green travel and living by far easier than any place except maybe Japan. Biodiesel is available, but to find sustainable bus or car transport is more challenging, though the compact size and diesel engines tend to get higher mpg, high biodiesel blend stations are limited.

All the hotels we visited had signs asking folks to turn off the lights, reduce water consumption and towel washing in several languages, though few had low flow shower heads, LED or compact florescent lights. This may because the electricity is 220 and manufacturers have not focused on this market yet. Our Bolzano Hotel had a massive hotwater solar panel right outside our window, and showers were definitely warmer in the evening than in the morning. Generally, recycling was found everywhere and waste was minimized in many ways, including food. Localism is already a strong movement in Europe so finding local vendors and particularly caterers who use local foods is not a problem. Veganism and vegetarianism is on the rise and many gourmet options exist.

Prague and nearly any medium size town in Italy make ideal places to hold weddings, retreats or events that have a feeling class, uniqueness and a connection to history. The 12^th Century chapel in Tuscany next to where we stayed on our first trip to Italy markets itself on the internet to couples from around the world, so global sophistication is not lacking. There is so much to do and for the most part everything can be done within short distances, though “spoke” trips to larger attractions can be added to itineraries.

Opportunities abound to link with local green organizations and to participate in “give back to the community” projects, essential to make any tour more special and should be apart of any sustainable event. Accommodations exist for nearly any size party and generally costs can be kept to a minimum. Or one can go way upscale, depending on your budget. Greening high end facilities may be a task, but some may be on Eastern Europe and rural western Europe offer incredible deals with some surprisingly exceptional infrastructure.

Green tours to Europe can be a fun way to experience and to give.

Many folks in the environmental community have been pushing solar hot water and PV units, however, solar hot air hands-down is more cost efficient and is an easier to install technology than anything else, except maybe CFLs and energy efficiency through insulation and home improvements.  This is a particularly viable technology for those with some sun that hits their house in the winter and for low income families.  Solar hotwater requires significant investments in pumps, plumbing and installation and is viable only for large users of water.  Instant on technology used in Europe extensively is a better plan for smaller households.  PV units are still expensive, but their prices are dropping and the ability to grid tie and receive energy credits through net metering are improving.

Folks gained insight into several styles of hot air systems and plans exist to conduct a demonstration build here at the Green Oil Campus, along with a solar hot water system to help heat waste veggie oil processing and our biodiesel production systems.  Stay turned for more events of the Ecolounge, YIKES! and The Forest Foundation’s Green Oil Campus.  Thanks goes to Sandy Smith-Nonini and her hard work in organizing the event while MK and Marc were away.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Sustainable North Carolina Recognizes Five Individuals as “Sustainability Champions”

Raleigh, NC – October 28, 2008 – Sustainable North Carolina (SNC) has announced that it is honoring five individuals for outstanding achievements in promoting social responsibility and environmental stewardship in business.

While this is the 7^th annual Sustainable North Carolina Awards program, this is the first year that the Sustainability Champion award for individuals has been given.

“Whenever we hear about the achievements of an organization with respect to sustainability, there is usually an individual behind the scenes who is the driving force for getting people on board to make these changes,” said Katy Ansardi, president of SNC. “We felt it was time to recognize some of the people who are taking a leadership role in creating a better future for our state.”

Dennis Quaintance

As CEO and CDO (Chief Design Officer) for Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels in Greensboro, Dennis Quaintance has guided the company to the completion of a groundbreaking , internationally recognized project that exemplifies the ambitious set of core values the company holds. His entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to inclusion and sustainability have inspired many people. Dennis is passionate about making North Carolina the leader in our country to promote and demonstrate sustainable capitalism to ensure a healthy future for the planet and for generations to come.

Richard Deming

Rich Deming has demonstrated extraordinary leadership, innovation and significant results in not one, but multiple organizations in the Charlotte area. He has streamlined the implementation of green building practices and solar energy through his construction company, Aedifico, driven the completion of the first B100 biofuel pump in the region, and created and marketed a line of innovative plant-based products to replace petroleum-based products through his company Fat City Formulae, while also teaching a biofuels course and assisting with efforts to create sustainable low-income housing and temporary shelters for the homeless.

Marc Dreyfors and Mary Katherine Williams

Marc Dreyfors and Mary Katherine Williams have founded multiple local and international organizations over the past 15 years that provide economic development opportunities and social benefits while addressing environmental issues. Their Green Oil Campus, located in an at-risk Durham neighborhood, incorporates many aspects of sustainability and looks at it through a systems approach. Marc and Mary Katherine go well beyond this simple presence and actively engage the community through hosting events and workshops, making space available for use, and hiring people from the neighborhood.

Courtney Lorenz

As Environmental Manager for Skanska USA Building in Durham, Courtney Lorenz is leading the environmental charge for the company locally and across the U.S. Through education sessions, application on jobsites, and incentives to encourage environmentally responsible choices, Courtney helps to connect the dots for Skanska employees and clients, while providing real-world solutions. Courtney works to make important changes locally that through her national influence can not only push improvements nationwide, but also showcase North Carolina as a source of innovation.

The honorees will be presented with their awards at a gala dinner banquet and ceremony emceed by Chris William, host of Carolina Business review, on Monday, November 10^th, at the Raleigh Convention Center. The keynote address will be delivered by noted author and management strategist, Peter Senge.

Attendees will have an opportunity to meet the Champion award recipients, as well as finalists for the other awards, at a reception prior to the ceremony. In addition, the NC Sustainable Business Council (NCSBC), a member-led initiative of SNC, will hold its semi-annual forum earlier in the day in conjunction with the awards program. Business executives and experts will discuss the real-world challenges and lessons learned from implementing sustainable practices.

Major sponsors for the 2008 Sustainable North Carolina Awards are Cisco, Cherokee Investment Partners, PBS&J, SAS, Burt’s Bees, and EarthCREW. Other sponsors include Lenovo, Duke Energy, NC GreenPower, Biltmore, Kilpatrick Stockton, The Redwoods Group Foundation, NC State Energy Office and Pepco Energy Services.

For more information about the Sustainable North Carolina Awards, NCSBC Forum, and Sustainable Solutions Expo visit www.sustainnc.org/awards.

About Sustainable North Carolina

Sustainable North Carolina (SNC) is a non-profit organization that works as a catalyst for a sustainable economy through professional education, networking, implementation assistance and recognition. SNC is spearheading the NC Sustainable Business Council (NCSBC) to provide business leadership for an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable future. NCSBC is a member-directed organization that provides a forum for business people to network, collaborate, access information and resources, and create awareness.

About Sustainable North Carolina Awards

Sustainable North Carolina initiated its awards program in 2002 to honor organizations leading the way in creating solutions for a sustainable future. Since then, the SNC Awards has grown into a high profile event that attracts hundreds of business, government, non-profit and academic leaders from across the Southeast.

Here is an exchange I had with the COO of a right-wing think tank that promotes “free markets” and negates climate change.  It’s a compelling read.  I am not sure if the time spent made an impact.  According to NY Times article citing psychological research on politics and climate change, humans tend to want to reinforce existing world views when seeking out information rather than collecting data that makes them insecure.

Richard W. Walker wrote:

Thanks for your kind words about my children (not joking!). Just don’t agree about global warming; agree about climate change–it’s with us, as it always has been, and it’s always been violent. To me, evidence shows that mitigation not prevention is the best solution. Do agree about the need to shift to alternative energy, if only for energy security, just think the evidence shows that when free markets are allowed to work new, more efficient technologies will come to the fore. But much good luck to you.

Richard W. Walker

COO, NCPA

Marc Dreyfors (President, The Forest Foundation) wrote:

My Apologies Richard if I annoyed you.

What I hoped more than that is put fear in your heart (a “Rovian” technique), as your actions put fear in mine that we will not solve anything under the ideology you espouse, but dig ourselves deeper in a hole that will enslave our children to a world deprived of basic rights and resources.  Energy security, environmental protection and sustainable development go hand in hand.  What is energy security?  Burning more fossil fuels?  That is self destruction on the highest order.  If these ideas are so annoying, publish them to your constituency. I am sure they would love the red meat.  If you think you are right, argue the point.

Read Collapse by Jared Diamond.  That’s where we are headed thanks to bozos like the ones in your org. that think markets are free or climate change is a hoax. I have a whole list of books on our website, that I would highly recommend.

May your children be blessed with enlightenment(as it seems you may a ways to go).

Marc

Richard Walker wrote:

Mr. Dreyfors,

I’ve slightly reconsidered yesterday’s response to you.  In light of our divergent views it’s obvious you’re wasting my time and yours.  My conclusions about how we should respond to climate changes and energy security (which is a far graver matter) have been arrived at only after careful research and much thought, as I hope yours have.  So I would humbly suggest that you expound these views through editorials to local and even national newspapers and blogs–the NRDC, for example, would likely welcome you heartily.  That would be a far more productive endeavor for you and a much less annoying one for me.  

Richard W. Walker
Chief Operating Officer
NCPA
(972) 308-6483

Marc Dreyfors (President, The Forest Foundation) wrote:

Dear Mr. Walker,

I was trained by some of the best scientists in some of the best
educational systems on the planet. I have published scientific work in
reputable journals and had my work peer reviewed. Have you?

Richard Walker wrote:

Mr. Dreyfors,

Thank you for your views about the Earth and the threats you perceive
to its ecosystem. From the repeated emails you send us, we are by now
well aware of your views and how much you misunderstand ours. So let
me state some things clearly so you can quit this foolish endeavor
(sorry, but true) and engage in more productive pursuits. While there
has been some warming of the Earth in the past, the global warming
campaign is just that: a campaign; it’s not science.

Bull shit. Science elicits facts. The facts are: humans are destroying
this planet in so many ways we can’t keep up documenting the losses,
over population and unsustainable resource consumption are the main
culprits.

The research simply doesn’t bear it out; there’s even research that
the Earth has cooled somewhat recently.

Are you really that uneducated…. global dimming from particulates in
the atmosphere from fossil fuel consumption and La Nina cause cooling–
the Earth fluctuates!? Systems cycle, they are dynamic, oscillate, but
the trend is towards global scorching as methane deposits are released,
but equally probable is a severe climate shift to an ice age if we tip
the balance. We have no idea of the catastrophe that we push this planet
towards as feedback loops are largely unknown. What we do know is that
the last 10,000 years has been a period of incredible climate stasis,
which we are irreparably damaging.

But even if warming does exist, we cannot just stop our economies
without wreaking havoc on billions of innocent people. Mitigation is a
far better course.

This is an example of your organizations fallacious arg. “we can’t just
stop our economies,” that says nothing about myriad things we can do to
grow our our economies while internalizing market externalities that
abound. Our economies will collapse if we do nothing to stop fossil fuel
consumption, now.

Of course, the Russians have now managed to accomplish what a decade
of sober research could not-kill Kyoto. We are not sick, and we are
not stuck in an old paradigm. We believe in free markets because
wherever they’ve been given a chance to work economies, and people,
flourish. Free economies provide opportunity. We promote free
economies, not any particular energy source or technology. We are
energy neutral. So our stance is that given the urgent need for energy
security, we should let free markets decide which technologies are the
most efficient and therefore most socially and economically beneficial
for all people, not just those with vested interests in select
alternative solutions.

You are obviously not an economist, as there is no such thing as a free
market as some ideal. “Free”? Your free markets are dominated by
monopolies, free riders, capture, corporate manipulation, market
externalities, etc., etc. Your Adam Smith ideal has nothing to do with
reality. You are dreaming. Using “market forces” to correct the raping
and pillaging of our society and natural world is one of many strategies
that makes sense, that we can agree. The markets “left to their own
devises,” reap misery, hardship and destruction if unregulated and not
guided by a value system that is well grounded in care and compassion
for others and the world around us. Markets poorly reflect
overpopulation and overconsumption, nor price them accordingly. Markets
do not value biodiversity loss, or climate change– massive market
failures.

Your social Darwinian approach is shortsighted and evil. We as humans
can do better. You, as an advocate of “market approaches,” should be
better educated on the problems and absurdity of “free” markets. There
is nothing free in the world. You should go back to school and take some
courses on physics and ecology and learn that there are no free rides,
and that randomness and chaos even have structure, entropy permeates
everything and energy and waste have serious costs, not reflected in our
markets. Everything is determined by the laws of physics and ecology,
genetics, etc. Your pursuit of freedom is an illusion of perception.

I would be glad to help educate you and your colleagues as it seems your
logic is oxymoronic, easily proven false and faulty. It is sad to see
money being spent on your organization when you proselyte such
disinformation. Again, those who conspire to undermine efforts to save
our planet when the science is unequivocal will be tried for crimes
against humanity. Mark my words, when millions begin to suffer and die
due to failure to act– your markets not responding, you will be called
to answer for your actions. You are promoting a corporate world view
that thrives on status quo, lack of innovation and old paradigms. You
really need to find the spirit of compassion, as your markets won’t.

Marc Dreyfors
President,
The Forest Foundation, Inc.

For example, perhaps I’m wrong about this, but it appears that you
would benefit greatly from the adoption of select alternative energy
solutions since you have intimate professional and private
associations (see those listed in your email) with companies and
organizations that will benefit greatly if free markets are not
allowed to work out the solutions to our energy problems. In fact, it
appears that your private associations may even have been undertaken
solely to strengthen your professional ones. I notice, for example,
that the Boy Scouts, the United Way and Little League baseball are
missing from your credentials. So is your opposition to free markets
grounded only in your own self-interest (careful, you may be making
Adam Smith’s point for him) or to the benefit of all citizens of the
Earth? If your diatribes against free markets and the NCPA are helping
lower your blood pressure or keeping you from kicking the dog, we’re
happy to have made that contribution to society. But if you’re trying
to dissuade us from our free market views I’m afraid that will be a
harder row to hoe, as they say in Durham and other points Southern,
than you’re capable of plowing.

Richard W. Walker

Chief Operating Officer

National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA)

12770 Coit Rd., Suite 800

Dallas, Texas 75251

(972) 308-6483

richard.walker@ncpa.org <mailto:richard.walker@ncpa.org> (preferred)

/The NCPA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research
organization headquartered in //Dallas with offices in Washington,
D.C. The NCPA depends solely on the contributions of individuals,
corporations and foundations that advocate private sector solutions to
public policy problems. All contributions are tax-deductible, and the
NCPA accepts no government grants or contracts./

ORIGINAL Message

From: marc [mailto:marc@theforestfoundation.org]

Posted At: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 10:48 AM Posted To: Events

Conversation: Sick bastards, sick planet

Subject: Sick bastards, sick planet

Dear Friends:

You and your organization are a reflection of the illness, the cancer,
the disease that has permeated our culture and that is now reflected
in the health of our planet. We, ourselves and the the planet, are
sick, and you are causing the sickness to get worse, by ignoring it
and living and thinking in an old paradigm. You fail to see the
destructive nature of your actions and your way of thinking. It is
flawed, logically, philosophically and spiritually. I pray that you
will come around and see the madness in your world view.

You must stop promoting the destruction of our planet, as we humans,
need it along with countless species to survive. Your efforts to
undermine action on climate and environment is making things much
worse, and rise to crimes against humanity as millions, indeed
hundreds of millions may die because of your inaction and your efforts
to undermine the actions of others.

Your arguments are fallacious and here are but a few: First, the Earth
is primary, we are secondary. Second, markets are not free,
corporations do not work in our public trust, and thus the role of
public policy and government. Third, markets are full of failures, of
which the market externality of pollution is the greatest failure in
human history.

Finally, humans are fatally mis-perceiving the world around them, as
we are all connected by natural ecosystem cycles and your actions and
lifestyle affect me.

Stop you destructive behavior!

Marc Dreyfors (MEM ‘90)

Manager,

www.GreenwayRides.com

Manager,

www.CarolinaBiofuels.com
President,

www.TheForestFoundation.org
Manager,

www.ForestsoftheWorld.com

Board Member,

Env. Educators of NC (2005-07)

Alumni Council,

Nicholas School at Duke University (2005-10)

1505 Angier Ave.

Durham, NC 27701

(919)957.1500