Obama's support of cleantech provides communication opportunity

As I blogged recently, President Obama's support for green programs in his stimulus package provided communications opportunities for renewable energy companies. Those same companies were presented with another opportunity by the President's remarks to a Joint Session of Congress tonight.

He started by giving fossil energy some of the blame for our current crisis. "We have known for decades that our survival depends on finding new sources of energy," said Obama. "Yet we import more oil today than ever before." Green jobs were also front and center as he went on: "Over the next two years, this plan will save or create 3.5 million jobs. More than 90% of these jobs will be in the private sector – jobs rebuilding our roads and bridges; constructing wind turbines and solar panels; laying broadband and expanding mass transit."

But the real support came when Obama talked about what his government will invest in. "It begins with energy," he said.

We know the country that harnesses the power of clean, renewable energy will lead the 21st century. And yet, it is China that has launched the largest effort in history to make their economy energy efficient. We invented solar technology, but we’ve fallen behind countries like Germany and Japan in producing it. New plug-in hybrids roll off our assembly lines, but they will run on batteries made in Korea.

Well I do not accept a future where the jobs and industries of tomorrow take root beyond our borders – and I know you don’t either. It is time for America to lead again.

Thanks to our recovery plan, we will double this nation’s supply of renewable energy in the next three years. We have also made the largest investment in basic research funding in American history – an investment that will spur not only new discoveries in energy, but breakthroughs in medicine, science, and technology.

We will soon lay down thousands of miles of power lines that can carry new energy to cities and towns across this country. And we will put Americans to work making our homes and buildings more efficient so that we can save billions of dollars on our energy bills.

But to truly transform our economy, protect our security, and save our planet from the ravages of climate change, we need to ultimately make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy. So I ask this Congress to send me legislation that places a market-based cap on carbon pollution and drives the production of more renewable energy in America. And to support that innovation, we will invest fifteen billion dollars a year to develop technologies like wind power and solar power; advanced biofuels, clean coal, and more fuel-efficient cars and trucks built right here in America.

It will be interesting to see what companies take advantage of this communications opportunity.

Carlton the wealthy eco-hypocrite strikes back!

While every business is scrambling to burnish their green credentials, every now and then we get a reminder that not everyone is on board. Especially these guys who run the following ad:



Hat tip to current, which I found through @current_green.

Expanded Energy & Environment Coverage from National Geographic

At a time when many mainstream media outlets are cutting back on their staff in the science, energy and environment beat, it was interesting to see that one well-respected publication headed in the other direction.

In late January, National Geographic announced that they were expanding their editorial coverage of energy and the environment with a specialized team. The Columbia Journalism Review has an interview with executive editor environment Dennis Dimick. In the interview, Dimick talks about the issues they'll be covering and the approach they'll take.

But if you followed my Twitter feed, you'd already know that. Now go renew your subscription and update your contact lists.

How do reporters cover the economics of climate change?

The issue of climate change influences green communications more than any other single topic. So knowing how reporters view this topic is enormously important. In a very interesting discussion paper (pdf), former Time editor Eric Pooley argues that reporters can not simply be stenographers on the debate over the economics of climate change. Far better for a reporter, says Pooley, to be a referee who calls it straight.

Pooley also laments that climate coverage has been declining since 2007 and calls on editors to treat climate policy as a permanent, important beat. He applauds the New York Times for their Environmental S.W.A.T. Team, which comes closest to what he advocates for climate coverage. (To see this team's work, read Environmental Views, Past and Present, which several of them wrote for the Times over the weekend).

The paper sparked some discussion between Pooley and a reporter at the Washington Post that provides an interesting debate. But the paper itself is very valuable for the information it provides on how reporters cover the economics of climate change. It's well worth the read.

Hat tip to Climate 411, the blog of EDF, for alterting me to this paper.

Make a clean energy ad - win $10,000!

SmartPower announced another contest for the :30 ad that best shows Americans how to be smarter about their energy use. Here's a video from Andrew explaining the contest rules:

Advertising that's easy on the environment

Advertising has an environmental footprint. Some advertisers are lessening that footprint by using alternative energy, recycled materials or even an eco-friendly font.

Other advertising agencies take their low-impact advertising a step-further. Take British ad agency Curb, for example. According to their web site, they offer a unique portfolio of sustainable media types that create maximum impact at minimal cost to the environment. One of those offerings is clean advertising. Literally. Check out the video:



I have to say that I really like this concept. Some of the impact of communicating a green message would undoubtedly be lost if the advertising itself was bad for the environment. (Side note: In a former role as a public relations practitioner, a manufacturer of pressure washers was a client of mine. Maybe I could work something out?)

Similar agencies include Street Advertising Services and GreenGraffiti. Hat tip to Springwise.

What do you think of this approach? Do you know of any other agencies that are doing innovative things to lessen the environmental impact of advertising?

GE Scarecrow Superbowl Ad for Smart Grid Technology

The first ever Superbowl Ad for GE ran in the fourth quarter and was for their Smart Grid Technology. Here is the :30 spot, Scarecrow:



What did you think of the commercial? GE also ran another ecomagination commercial for wind turbines in the Super Bowl. To view all Super Bowl commercials, click here.