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November 2005

Survey on Consumer attitudes to Global Warming

November 25, 2005

Neil Tappenden, who I met at the European Social Ventures Network conference in Italy last month sent me the following short survey (5 mins max). It would help him with his latest project to get some responses. You can take the survey, or read more...

Continue reading "Survey on Consumer attitudes to Global Warming"

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Papyrus awarded a patent

November 24, 2005

Congratulations to Papyrus Australia, who had their banana paper technology ruled ``novel and inventive'' by the Australian Patent Office, which may lead to acquiring patent protection globally (Company Statement). Papyrus's stock surged up 29.63% to 0.35 (latest) on the news (graph).

I want to publicly congratulate the Patent Attorney, Greg Bartlett of POF, he was one of the very few patent attorneys I've met who really understood the technology (and I have two patents in my name!)

On Yahoo its saying " A company official told Reuters the development provides it with an option to pursue a joint-venture agreement, licencing of the product or go for an outright sale." Hopefully they won't go the latter route as I fear it could cause the loss of the sustainability values that were a core part of my reason for working with them.

Full Disclosure: I was acting CEO of Papyrus most of last year, I have no ongoing inside information.

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Back from a world tour

November 16, 2005
Hi readers ... a couple of people have commented on the long gap in postings here. I'm just back in Australia from a crazy round-the-world green business trip, once I catch up on the backlog of "urgent" actions, I'll post some highlights and interesting items I came across here. In the meantime ... just a quick overview of the trip, and some of the topics I want to write up as soon as I get some time.

India

  • checking whether a factory making organic nappies for one of my businesses are doing so in an appropriately ethical way
  • exploring possibilities for small scale sewing projects hooked into Community Economic Development projects.
  • sourcing tins in a way that helps the struggles of oppressed metalworkers.

Italy

  • Meeting with a client about a documentary she's making
  • Attending the European Social Venture Network conference - a gathering of Green businesses, investors, and consultants

Bulgaria

Austria

  • Meeting with clients making plastic out of hemp

England and Scotland

  • Visiting and reconnecting with the Eco-village, Community and Living Machine at Findhorn after a 16 year gap
  • Reconnecting with old friends involved with sustainability consulting to large businesses, and with green building

U.S.

  • Attending the US Social Venture Network conference
  • Attending the Green Fair in San Francisco
  • Sourcing organics from Costa Rica for Australian clients
  • Looking for finance for an Australian client
  • Finding US outlets for organic foods from Australian clients
  • Sourcing Australian Raw materials for US companies
  • Discussing the problems of bureaucracy within the fair trade labeling system
  • Introducing the Community Friendly Movement (Indian) and Tip2Change to US Media and Fair Trade companies
  • Researching alternatives and opportunities in early stage funding of sustainability and cleantech companies

Now back to the backlog pile.

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New Lithium ion batteries from A123

November 15, 2005
There is some interesting buzz around another fast recharging Lithium Ion battery, such as that announced by Toshiba in March. This time its from A123 who have got products under way with Black and Decker etc. The Wall Street Journal has an article on them.
A new generation of rechargeable batteries—delivering far more power than their predecessors—is energizing the power-tool industry and generating widespread interest in applications in everything from vacuum cleaners to ride-on lawn mowers to hybrid cars. The new lithium-ion batteries—powering a host of products already on the market and envisioned for others on the drawing board—are made possible by technical breakthroughs in lightweight lithium-ion cells, introduced in rechargeables in the 1990s but until recently deemed too volatile for safe high-power use. ... For hybrid electric/gasoline cars, manufacturers have adopted nickel-metal-hydride batteries because they weigh less than lead batteries. A123 believes its lithium-ion batteries could pack the same punch as nickel-metal-hydride at 20% of the weight.
Continue reading Thanks to ETList and Clean Break who are also running the story.

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