Press Release: Solix Biofuels Begins Large-Scale Algal Oil Production

July 23, 2009 --

FORT COLLINS - Solix Biofuels Inc. has started algal oil production at its recently completed Coyote Gulch Demonstration Facility near Durango, the company announced on July 23.

The facility is expected to produce the equivalent of 3,000 gallons per acre per year of algal oil by late 2009, according to a company press release. It is located on two acres of land provided by Solix's partner, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.

Solix, based in Fort Collins and created in 2006, plans large-scale commercialization of microalgae-based fuels and co-products.

"The inoculation of the Coyote Gulch Demonstration Facility marks a major milestone for the algal fuel industry," said Doug Henston, Solix CEO. "We are proud to contribute to this new era of algal fuel production, making Solix an alternative energy industry leader."

Press release courtesy of Northern Colorado Business Report.

Sprig Toys of Fort Collins featured in USA Today

Sprig Toys of Fort Collins was featured in last weeks USA Today in an article titled "Best Beach Toys For Your Child".

Sprig Toys is a brand new toy company founded on the belief that environmentally and socially responsible toys CAN be made without severe cost or value penalties. They're currently making toys out of a blend of recycled plastic and re-captured wood (sawdust) in North America.

You can read more at their web site: sprigtoys.com

One Tribe Creative is proud to help socially and environmentally companies tell their story.

Ethan Zohn on "Extra", discussing cancer and wearing his One Tribe Tee

class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ethan Zohn, "Survivor: Africa" winner and co-founder of Grassroot Soccer appeared on "Extra" last night to discuss his battle with cancer. We are proud to be associated with this reality star, inventor, philanthropist, and cancer-crusher.

In fact, during the video, Ethan is wearing the OneTribe.com tee that supports his non-profit, Grassroot Soccer. Check it out:



Here is the link if the video fails to load: www.extratv.warnerbros.com

Support Grassroot Soccer on OneTribe.com

Through the purchase of an eco-friendly textile t-shirt from http://www.onetribe.com/org/grassroot-soccer, exactly one-half, or 50 percent, of your purchase is a direct donation to Grassroot Soccer

OneTribe.com is proud to offer you an alternative to every day consumerism, and to empower you with the opportunity to make purchases that not only help sustain your needs but also sustain humanitarian needs in equal measure.

Solix: From Pondscum… to Biofuel

There are many reasons to join the quest to find a viable modern energy source, but algae is one of the more unusual ones and Solix Biofuels knows it! By exploring all that algae has to offer, Solix discovered that conditions are perfect to grow this unconventional fuel resource.

Here is the science behind how it works: algae are able to convert the photosynthesis process into chemical energy. In some species of algae, the chemical energy is converted to oil which, can used to create a biofuel.

Without competing with the global food supply, algae contributes to solving the climate change problem by producing oxygen. Compared to crop capabilities like those of corn and soybean farms, algae oil production is 30 to 100 times more efficient 

Who would have thought such a tiny microorganism could provide the answer to our energy needs? But, because of algae’s amazing photosynthetic abilities and its knack to live off carbon dioxide, it has become a forerunner in the race to create fuel out of sustainable, biological sources.

Read more at solixbiofuels.com

One Tribe Creative is proud to profile socially and environmentally responsible organizations.

OneTribe.com Video

OneTribe.Com Gets Ready To Launch

One Tribe Creative has launched OneTribe.com, a new Internet apparel site dedicated to creating a sustaining revenue stream for a variety of global non-profits. The e-commerce site is a new model for social enterprise called “50/50,” where not just a small percentage of each sale goes toward a cause, but exactly one-half, 50 percent, of every purchase is a direct donation to a worthy and beneficial organization.

OneTribe.com currently offers custom-designed men’s and women’s 100% organic cotton T-shirts or a blend of bamboo and organic cotton. Each fashion-forward, eco-friendly tee bares a design specially created to symbolize one of five partnering organizations. Half of every sale goes directly to one of these profiled nonprofits, bringing much-needed funds to important, globally diverse projects.

In addition, to help lessen its environmental impact, all small orders are shipped in recycled cereal boxes collected by local schools that receive 25 cents per box for their efforts,

“We developed OneTribe.com to be a new model of social enterprise, one that offers consumers the opportunity to give as much as they gain, and to support the humanitarian efforts of these organizations in a significant way,” says Paul Jensen, owner of One Tribe Creative. “One Tribe T-shirts are a dynamic way to help tell the stories of the organizations, and promote a strong and enduring connection between consumer and nonprofit.”

OneTribe.com chose its first five participating nonprofits on the criteria that they represented a diversity of global regions and causes, had a proven track record of accountability and results, and had no political or religious connections or agendas.   

Grassroot Soccer (Africa), Global Village of Beijing (China), Child Helpline International (Global), Water.org (Global), and PeaceJam (USA/Global) met these criteria and will receive financial support from OneTribe.com.

Paul Jensen adds: “We believe that in our humanity lies all we share. It is what can bring all our diversity and division together. OneTribe.com will further this conviction, and as it grows, expand awareness and financial support to these and many other global humanitarian organizations.”

For a description of the nonprofit organizations that OneTribe.com supports, please see below.

CHILD HELPLINE INTERNATIONAL:

Helping children in need of care and protection all over the world with child helplines

Child Helpline International is a global network of phone numbers that helps protect 11 million children each year in more than 150 countries. By connecting children to services that already exist, this powerful resource supports the most marginalized children all over the world. Street children, victims of child labor or sexual abuse, or disabled children can call a toll-free number anytime, anywhere, for any reason, and CHI acts as a one-point contact that facilitates instant access to support, advice, active intervention or just a listening ear.

GLOBAL VILLAGE OF BEIJING:        

Working together to provide environmental insights for the future of China

Given the harsh environmental realities in China, Global Village of Beijing (GVB) was established in 1996 as a mechanism through which government, nonprofit organizations and businesses can work together for the environment and to help the public understand its role in this environmental movement. One of the first nongovernmental organizations allowed in China, GVB has risen to international recognition: In 2000, Sheri Liao, founder of GVB, received the Sophie Prize for environmental action and also became environmental adviser to the Beijing Olympic Committee. GVB’s main projects include the production of television programs about environmental issues, organizing media workshops and journalist forums, developing green communities, and hosting public activities on sustainable development and consumption. 

GRASSROOT SOCCER:

Using the power of soccer to provide African youth the knowledge, skills + support to live HIV free

Founded by former professional soccer players, Grassroot Soccer (GRS) is a South Africa-based non-governmental organization that integrates the cross-cultural appeal of soccer with evidence-based HIV prevention and life skills programs that equip African youth with the knowledge, skills, and support to live HIV free. Translating research into action and leveraging the excitement around the 2010 World Cup, GRS attracts and engages African youth through schools, community outreach, and social multimedia (e.g. magazines and TV). Since 2003, over 270,000 youth in 16 countries have received comprehensive HIV prevention education through programs linked to GRS. By bringing the model to scale through innovative and sustainable partnerships, GRS aims to educate over 1 million youth by World Cup 2010.

PEACEJAM:

Connecting youth with Nobel Peace laureates to create global change

After discovering an appreciation for Desmond Tutu’s nonviolent efforts in a Denver Latino gang, PeaceJam founder Ivan Suvanjieff envisioned a foundation in which Nobel Peace Prize laureates work shoulder to shoulder inspiring youth. PeaceJam, launched in 1996 in Denver, connects youth with Nobel Peace laureates to inspire them to initiate global service projects. So far, more than 1 million global service projects have been launched by 600,000 youth. The projects help youth make a positive change in themselves, their communities, and the world.

WATER.ORG:

Working for the day when everyone in the world can take a safe drink of water.

Water.org is a non-profit organization whose founders have transformed hundreds of communities in Africa, South Asia and Latin America by providing access to safe water and sanitation. Co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White, Water.org works with local partners to deliver innovative solutions for long-term success. By forging partnerships with carefully screened partner organizations and offering innovative financing methods through its WaterCredit Initiative, Water.org empowers local communities to develop and sustain solutions to their own water needs. 

For more information, please visit: www.onetribe.com and www.onetribecreative.com

“Just one word… plastics”

In the 1967 movie The Graduate, the plastic industry was the future. Some say that this movie alone was responsible for the rapid growth of plastic in the last half century.

Today, however, the plastic industry may be the past.

Well, sort of. Plastic is used everywhere, and its use will continue to shape our lives. Getting rid of it entirely isn’t possible or necessary, but we can take small steps to get rid of one of the main (and unnecessary) contributors to plastic pollution.

Plastic bags.

Plastic bags are costly in four separate areas.

Note: All facts come from the World Watch Institute, the American Plastics Council, the American Chemistry Council, The Independent, and National Geographic.

1. Production

While plastic bags only cost about 1 cent to make (compared with 4 cents for paper bags), between 500 billion and 1 trillion new bags are made each year. Because bags are petroleum based, this increases our oil dependency.

American retailers spend roughly $4 billion dollars on bags. Even though they are “free,” these costs are still being passed on to the consumer.

2. Consumption

In the USA alone, an estimated 100 billion bags are used each year. Plastic bags make up about 80% of the market share for retail and grocery bags. For stores, they are cheaper to make and are more energy efficient than paper bags, which use 70% more energy and emit 50% more greenhouse during production.

The average grocery bag is only used for 12 minutes.

3. Disposal

Less than 1% of grocery bags are recycled each year. The rest end up in landfills, accounting for as much as 3% of ALL waste in landfills. There is additional waste based on the simple act of garbage collection (fuel, pollution, etc)

It is estimated that plastic bags can take anywhere from 100-1,000 years to decompose. Along the way, they collect AND give off toxins that leach into soil and water systems.

4. Litter

Plastic trash is everywhere. The scale of environmental damage caused by plastic bags is staggering. The Independent writes, “Plastic is believed to constitute 90% of all rubbish floating in oceans.”

I’m not exactly sure what rubbish is, but I bet it is something you can probably find on the tarmac in carparks. Err?

This same article discusses the Great Plastic Garbage Patch (pictured), a swirl of plastic pollution in the Pacific Ocean that is twice the length of the continental United States. Trash (or rubbish) collects here where the waters swirl in a constant vortex as the waters slowly circulate.

Additionally, plastic bags are on roadsides, in gutters, on the sidewalk, in rivers, and so on. Animals mistake it for food and can choke or be poisoned.

What can be done?

One step is for governments to tax or outright ban plastic bags. Ireland placed a 20-cent tax on plastic bags and saw a 95% reduction in use (not to mention pollution). Other countries such as South Africa, China (China!?!), Australia, and Bangladesh have taxed or banned plastic bags and reduced their environmental impact.

Locally, San Francisco has banned the bags, and other cities such as Boston, Seattle, and Portland are considering similar measures. Individual retailers such as Whole Foods have stopped offering them altogether, and even Wal-Mart is getting in on the act by offering insulated re-usables.

For municipalities that are wary of adding another tax to the populace, the use of re-usable bags can remain voluntary while awareness is raised. Recycling can be put in highly visible areas, baggers can be taught to more effectively pack plastic bags, and rebates can be given for using old bags or reusables. Several national chains already do this.

Remember, even recycling uses massive amounts of energy, and so do paper bags. Reusable bags are the best option. They are cheap to buy (we bought one or two on each grocery trip until we had a sufficient supply), they hold more items, and they are easier to carry.

Some people make their own, shop for them at thrift stores, or even use old pillowcases. A simple search on the Internet can give you several ideas on how to make your own.

Plastic bags may seem like a small detail in the global environmental issue, but usually “the difference is in the details.”

Because, in the end, saving the environment may be up to... “just one word…plastics.”

WaterPartners International unites with Matt Damon’s H2O Africa to create Water.org

Matt Damon, H2O Africa co-founder, and Gary White, WaterPartners executive director and co-founder, have joined forces to co-found a new organization – Water.org – a non-profit focused on bringing access to safe water and sanitation to the developing world.

Water.org combines the powerful marketing platform of H2O Africa with WaterPartners' proven track record of on-the-ground water project success.

The merger of H2O Africa and WaterPartners will improve efficiencies, leverage expertise, and increase the overall social return on donations. Water.org will be an integrated advocacy and fundraising destination for safe water and sanitation issues. Through its partners worldwide, it will champion innovative business models, local partner development, project selection and oversight, program management, and post-development monitoring and evaluation. Later this year, the organization will launch an entirely new online experience that will bring unprecedented transparency and connectedness between donors and those in need.

The result: far more people with access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

Water.org will continue to deliver the same high-quality water and sanitation projects that have defined WaterPartners for nearly two decades. This includes the relentless pursuit of new, innovative ways to reach more people with clean water.

Water.org will leverage grassroots awareness-building expertise and nearly two decades of demonstrated innovation and success to help the nearly 890 million people without safe water and the more than 2.5 billion people without safe sanitation.

Gary White, who recently received the prestigious Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, sees a bright future for Water.org and the people it serves, “For more than 20 years I’ve been working to realize the vision of global access to safe water, and with the help of our donors, staff, partner organizations, and the H2O Africa team, I’m confident we can accelerate our impact.” 

Matt Damon, a long-time advocate for safe water issues and co-founder of H2O Africa, explains the importance of launching Water.org, “Every fifteen seconds, a child in the developing world dies from water-related disease. After visiting project sites in Africa and Asia with Gary, I’ve seen the problem and the impact of safe water.” Damon continues, “As a clear leader in the sector at delivering innovative and sustainable solutions for those in need, WaterPartners was the natural choice with whom to work to truly affect lasting change.”

With your continued support, Water.org can make global access to clean water a reality. Please visit at: www.water.org

You Can Also Support Water.org on OneTribe.com:

Through the purchase of an eco-friendly textile t-shirt from http://www.onetribe.com/org/waterpartners-international, exactly one-half, or 50 percent, of your purchase is a direct donation to Water.org.

OneTribe.com is proud to offer you an alternative to every day consumerism, and to empower you with the opportunity to make purchases that not only help sustain your needs but also sustain humanitarian needs in equal measure.

Eleven Mind Boggling Facts About Pollution In China and Why Global Village of Beijing is So Important

GVB is working to end the pollution and environmental degradation that plagues China as it bids to become a truly great country. 

Just recently, we read the funny and informative travel book Lost On Planet China: The Strange and True Story of One Man's Attempt to Understand the World's Most Mystifying Nation or How He Became Comfortable Eating Live Squid (available on amazon.com).

Here are some of the startling facts about pollution in China, according to this book:

1.  Over 1/3 of air pollution in California is from China… which is 4,000 miles away.

2.  China leads the world in carbon emissions.

3.  The World Bank estimates that 700,000 people in China die every year simply from breathing the air.  For comparison, San Francisco has about 700,000 in it.

4.  Air toxins, sometimes called particulate matter, are considered unsafe at 50 micrograms in the USA.  In Beijing, on an average day, there are 141 micrograms of particle matter in the air.

5.  Because of air pollution, the average life expectancy of a traffic cop in the city of Guangzhou is 43 years old. 

6.  90% of the traffic cops (still) alive in Guangzhou have lung infections.

7.  There are over 90 cities in China that, like Guangzhou, have over a million people. Currently, less than 1% of urban Chinese have safe air to breath.

8.  This urbanization will continue, as about half the cranes for construction in the world are in China.  There are 200 million migrant workers in China entering cities, looking for work or displaced by environmentally devastating projects like the Three Gorges Dam.  (The ENTIRE population of the United States is 300 million!)

9.  With 1.3 billion people, China has 20% of the world’s population.  The USA only has 5% of the world’s population, but contributes to about 25% of the world’s pollution.  What happens when China starts living like us?

10.  For example, right now in the USA, there is 1 vehicle for every 1.25 inhabitants.  In China, there is 1 vehicle for every 40 inhabitants.  As China grows wealthier and more consumer-driven (already 150,000 new cars are purchased yearly in Guangzhou alone), the quality of the air AND the fight for oil could be disastrous.

11.  China is already the 3^rd biggest economy and the biggest exporter of goods – responsible for almost half the exports in the world.  As bad as China is, they are only reacting to world-wide demand. 

Keep this in mind as a consumer!

Global Village of Beijing is working hard  to promote green communities, cut energy consumption, and promote eco-consciousness. GVB has an international reputation as being one of the most influential non-governmental organizations in China working to help the country achieve environmental sustainability

For more about Global Village of Beijing, click here: www.gvbchina.org

Support Global Village of Beijing on OneTribe.com

Through the purchase of an eco-friendly t-shirt from http://www.onetribe.com/org/global-village-of-beijing, exactly one-half, or 50 percent, of your purchase is a direct donation to GVB.

OneTribe.com is proud to offer you an alternative to every day consumerism, and to empower you with the opportunity to make purchases that not only help sustain your needs but also sustain humanitarian needs in equal measure.

Ethan Zohn Wears His Grassroot Soccer Shirt And Gives a Red Card To Cancer

Ethan Zohn, the co-founder of Grassroot Soccer, allows viewers on People.com access as he undergoes his fourth chemo therapy treatment for Hodgkin’s disease.

The former Survivor:Africa winner was diagnosed in April of this year and has used his influence to help “inspire and educate people” as he takes them into his “chemo zone.” The athlete, inventor, reality star, and humanitarian compares his chemo therapy to a sporting event, saying, "I've made it through the first half, played well in the game. I'm excited to start off the second half."

During this installment of his video diary, Ethan Zohn proudly wears the t-shirt created by One Tribe that supports his charity, Grassroot Soccer.

To watch the video clip, click here: www.people.com

To learn more about Grassroot Soccer, click here: www.grassrootsoccer.org

Support Grassroot Soccer on OneTribe.com

Through the purchase of an eco-friendly textile t-shirt from http://www.onetribe.com/org/grassroot-soccer, exactly one-half, or 50 percent, of your purchase is a direct donation to Grassroot Soccer

OneTribe.com is proud to offer you an alternative to every day consumerism, and to empower you with the opportunity to make purchases that not only help sustain your needs but also sustain humanitarian needs in equal measure.

Global Village Beijing Founder Honored with the William J. Clinton Global Citizen Award

Nominated by a group of global leaders, the 2008 honorees of the Clinton Global Citizen Awards were chosen based on their innovative and effective approaches to making positive global change, and on their work’s potential for scalable growth and sustainability.  These are leaders whose efforts transcend borders, change lives, and set an example for us all.

Xaioyi (Sheri) Liao was one of four honorees of the Clinton Global Citizen Awards in December of 2008.  She was given the award based on her commitment to leadership in creating a more civil society.

Sheri Liao, one of China’s best-known environmental activists, founded Global Village of Beijing (GVB) in 1996 with her personal savings.   GVB has an international reputation as being one of the most influential non-governmental organizations in China working to help the country achieve environmental sustainability.  Liao and GVB have promoted a “Green Life” standard of living using a grassroots approach to environmental sustainability.  Liao and GVG has established an environmental program on Chinese public television, helped lead a garbage sorting operation, co-coordinated a “car-free day,” and assisted the Xuan Wu government in founding the first “Green Community” in China. 

Most recently, Liao was an environmental adviser to the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.   Liao now devotes much of her time to rebuilding sustainable villages in the earthquake-stricken Sichuan Province, which is still feeling the effects of last May’s natural disaster. 

Liao’s innovation, hard work, and dedication remind us all to “think green” for a better future.

To learn more about GVB, click here: www.gvbchina.org

To learn more about the Clinton Global Initiative, click here: www.clintonglobalinitiative.org

Support Global Village of Beijing on OneTribe.com

Through the purchase of an eco-friendly textile t-shirt from http://www.onetribe.com/org/global-village-of-beijing, exactly one-half, or 50 percent, of your purchase is a direct donation to GVB.

OneTribe.com is proud to offer you an alternative to every day consumerism, and to empower you with the opportunity to make purchases that not only help sustain your needs but also sustain humanitarian needs in equal measure.