Travel less, skip the hassles, and help the environment

With the cost of fuel skyrocketing and environmental concerns escalating, it seems that we should all take matters into our own hands.

While I totally believe in face-to-face interaction and traveling to meet with customers, I have taken many trips that, in hindsight, could have been handled just as well using collaboration/communication technology. Therefore, I have set a personal goal to reduce my travel by 20 percent. That amounts to simply not taking one trip in five. While I will still travel more than most, I intend to travel significantly less.

The technology surrounds us to collaborate more effectively and (quite the opposite of air travel) it is improving every day. Technology allows us to have highly interactive conversations and share more and more rich information. So assuming that we can leverage technology, what is the downside? Let's see, I save tons of time not being in security lines, not walking aimlessly through airports, not eating standing up and not having my knees jammed into the seat in front of me. And I reduce my personal-carbon footprint at the same time.

Flat-Screen TVs May Be Worse For Environment

Flat-screen computer monitors are traditionally considered "green" because they use less energy than older models. But a synthetic chemical used in flat- screen monitors could pose a serious threat to the environment and accelerate global warming. Alex Cohen talks with Michael Prather, one of the authors of a new study on Nitrogen Tri-fluoride that appears in the journal, Geophysical Research Letters.

Kuwait Environment 'in Serious Danger'

Kuwait's environment is in danger and the government is not taking the necessary measures to protect it. As many violations are occurring in the environmental field, the Green Line Environmental Society (GLES) is watching the Kuwaiti environment and is trying to help preserve and protect it. GLES, a voluntary NGO, recently detected serious and dangerous environmental violations. The society has reported the matter to the concerned authorities responsible for the environment -- the Environment Public Authority (EPA) -- but they have not received any response until now.

GLES decided to bring the matter up with His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah. "Kuwait should be rescued from environmental crimes committed against its residents which are caused by the negligence of the EPA. I call upon the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed to use his authority to solve these problems.

Beijing promises open media environment for Olympics

BEIJING, June 21 (Reuters) - This summer's Beijing Olympics will offer a "zero refusal policy" for media interview requests, state media said on Saturday, as China tries to deflect criticism about its press controls in the run-up to the Games.

Organisers promised complete media freedom when they bid to host the Games, and while the reporting environment has improved for foreign journalists, the country has not relaxed its grip over domestic reporters, a policy criticised by rights groups.

"BOCOG will apply a zero refusal policy for interview requests, which means that all requests for interviews will be replied to," the China Daily quoted Liu Qi, president of the Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, as saying.

Checklist for environment-friendly investment options

There are several renewable energy companies listed on the bourses and mutual funds which invest in the renewable energy companies. One can even look to buy stocks and funds in the overseas markets. In India, Suzlon Energy is a perfect example of a company operating in this area.

The company is a leading player in the wind energy segment. In fact, high networth individuals can also buy stake in environment-related private equity funds. In India, Yes Bank is raising funds for a private equity fund investing in clean energy and technology businesses.